Village Connect, Feb/March 2012

Keeping the people of rural North East Leicestershire connectedwww.villageconnect.co.uk

February/March 2012

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Connect

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PLUSDiary of events, gardening tips,recipe and more

IN THIS ISSUEWoodland walksHelp for village shopsA new shop for Upper BroughtonTips for selling your homeLocal volunteers needed by charityNew style WI group launchesA school devoted to teaching stitchcraft

Tel: 01664 424254Village Connect - page 2

Hello Readers

louise

From the editor

Cover page photograph:Snowdrops at Launde Abbey, East Norton

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Apple Pancakes

It’s Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday to give it the correct title,on 21 February. For a bit of a change from the traditional pancakewith lemon and sugar, try this appetising variation from BigBarn.

To advertise in

Village Connect

call 01664 424254

or visit www.villageconnect.co.uk

What to do• Beat the eggs and milk together. Sift the flour, 2tbsp sugar,

and the salt together. Gradually add the flour mixture; beatuntil smooth.

• Sauté the apples in 1/4cup/2oz/50g of butter until tender.Mix the remaining sugar and the cinnamon together. Tosswith the apples.

• Melt 2tbsp of butter in a 15cm/6in diameter, deep fry pan.Pour in the batter to a depth of about 6mm/1/4in. Whenset, place 1/4 of the apples on top; cover with more batter.Fry pancake until lightly browned on both sides. Keep warm.

• Repeat the procedure 3 times, until all the batter and applesare used up. Serve immediately.

2/3 cup flour, unbleached, unsifted 2 1/2oz/65g4tbsp sugar1/4 tsp salt4 eggs, large, beaten1/2 cup milk 1/4pt/140ml2 cups apple slices3/4 cup butter or margarine 6oz/175g1/4 tbsp cinnamon

What you’ll need

RECIPE FROM BIG BARN

Welcome to the first ever online only issue of Village Connect!We plan to have the printed magazine back for you in April/

May, but in the meantime we hope you enjoy reading thisFebruary/March online edition!

Village and local shops are a talking point in this issue. If youthought they were becoming a thing of the past, you’ll beinterested to discover there are people working hard to save them.Read about them on page 5.

If you’re looking for a new challenge in 2012, how aboutbecoming a volunteer for Vista, a charity devoted to helpingpeople with sight loss in Leicestershire and Rutland. Find outwhat’s involved on page 7.

With money-saving on many people’s minds at the moment,it’s not surprising that knitting, crocheting and sewing are makinga serious come-back. On page 9 you can read about a Birstall-based school that offers classes in these useful skills.

Woodland walks are nice at any time of year, and particularlywhen the weather’s not so good. See page 3 for a couple ofsuggested walks in wooded areas open to the public.

And last but not least, if you could use some new businesscards or printed promotional leaflets, don’t forget to enter ourprize draw (page 13) before 16 March.

Please tell your friends, neighbours and anyone else you thinkmight be interested, to go online and read Village Connect!

More recipes available from www.bigbarn.co.uk

Village Connect - page 3www.villageconnect.co.uk

Into thewoods

COMPUTERPROBLEMS

FIXED

Internet, Softwareand Hardware

Computer slow or won’t start?Internet not working? Broadband

network to set up? Lost data?Viruses & popups? Spam? etc

TUITIONHow to use internet & email, MSOffice, digital cameras, sat.nav.

ADVICEon buying, avoiding problems, internet

security

Dave Rowe Computing01664 85 95 05

Patient &professional help

at your home or business

The pretty woodland walk behind Launde Abbey is the setting forthis year’s Snowdrop Spectacular at the Elizabethan/JacobeanRetreat House near East Norton. The Abbey will be open from 2-4 pm every day from 13 February until 18 March 2012, allowingvisitors to stroll through the gardens and see the magnificentdisplay of snowdrops. The refurbished dining room will be openall afternoon for tea, scones and jam, as will the Abbey’s shop, which sells locally producedjams, honey and gifts.

For more information visit www.launde.org.uk or phone 01572 717254.

Don’t let wet and windy weather put youoff getting out and about; a walk throughwoodlands is the ideal solution to protect

If you’d rather go with a group, the Vale of Belvoirs Ramblers are organising a walk alongthe same route on Sunday 25 March. The walk starts on St Denys Church in Eaton at 10am.See the Diary (page 10) for more and contact details.

Barkestone Wood, Belvoir Estate. © Copyright Kate Jewell

An interesting place to go woodland walking is through the Belvoir Estate. The bridlewayrunning through it is part of the Jubliee Way (A 20 mile walk starting in Burrough Hill andfinishing in Woolsthorpe by Belvoir). Join it at Eaton heading for Woolsthorpe and you’ll beamong the trees after a mile or two. To download a copy of the Jubilee Way go towww.leics.gov.uk/jubileeway.pdf.

you from the worst of the elements.

BELTON WOODS GOLF MEMBERSHIP* £295 gives you 100 points

* Only use points when you play* No Joining Fee

* 16 courses to choose from in the UK* No monthly direct debits

* Use your points for Spa Treatments

Join now and use no points on your rounds of golf until April 1st

Call 01476 514315 / 514353



Free services availableto help village shops

The council has commissioned Kerching Retail to offer the advice service. Corin Birchallfrom Kerching said: “Although it’s hard for independent retailers right now, there are stillmany positive steps a store or post office can take. It’s not necessarily about spendingmoney either. We have added 50% to a store’s turnover by simply focusing on the rightareas. We want to help shops explore all the opportunities to help their businesses grow.Examples include revamping your window display, using a website or Facebook tocommunicate regularly with customers and launching a loyalty scheme.”

The service is designed to help a retailing business increase its turnover profitably wherepossible, which in turn will solve or finance solving many challenges a business may have.

It’s a tough time to be a rural retailer in theUK; the aggressive tactics of the largesupermarkets and the general downturn inUK customers’ disposable income are forcingmore and more local shops to close. It’s goodto hear then that Leicestershire RuralPartnership has recently launched a VillageShop Support service, to help village shopsand post offices survive the economic crisis.As well as offering free specialist advice, thescheme has grants of up to £3,000 to awardto qualifying retailers.

Upper Broughton is now the envy of manyof its neighbouring villages; it has a shop!Sophie’s Flower Company, which opened lastNovember, is primarily a florists, but also has adeli counter, a gift andcard section andstocks newspapers andcroissants at theweekends.

The shop is owned and run by SophieCullumbine. She told us how the business cameabout. “Having worked in the pub industry fromthe age of 14, progressing from pot washer tolandlady of a village pub and finally businessdevelopment manager, I decided it was timefor a career change. So I completed a Certificatein Floristry course at Brooksby MeltonAgricultural College.”

Once qualified, Sophie decided to set upher shop in Upper Broughton for a number ofreasons. “The premises are ideally located onthe main road through the village. They’re alsonext to the pub, so knowing the locals from allthe bar work I’ve done was useful!” Livinglocally herself (in Hose) was another plus factor.

“Everyone has been so supportive”, shesaid. “The people from the village just come infor a chat some days.They are alwayscommenting on howthrilled they are to havea shop in the villageagain.

“The customers have been helpful too,giving me lots of ideas for the improving theshop. And they’re not just from the village.We’ve had people in from Nottingham, theother side of Melton and Grantham and ofcourse the Vale of Belvoir villages.”

Sophie’s goal is to establish a goodreputation in creative floristry with outstandingcustomer care, all delivered with a good senseof humour. Looks like she’s going the rightway about achieving it!

The free support services available to Leicestershire rural retailers consist of• 24 hour access to online training, support and assessment tools• one-to-one email or phone support• face to face support, including retail assessments and analysis of window displays

For more information, visit www.kerchingretail.com/vss, email [email protected] telephone 01455 203 206.

For information on grants, visit www.oakleaves.org.uk and click on Village Shop Support

Buying food from a local source can save us moneyby cutting out the supply chain cost, says Big Barn (thewebsite dedicated to helping us find local food). It canalso stop us wasting money on supermarket‘temptations’ like DVDs and special offers. So how canit be that 80% of people say they want to buy localfood but only 25% of people actually do. Here are themain reasons, Big Barn believes, for people returningto their local supermarkets week after week.1. Supermarkets are cheaper (because of their buying power). They also have loyalty

schemes and special offers to further help customers reduced their bills2. People know where their nearest supermarkets are (but not necessarily their local

food producers)3. It’s convenient having everything in one place.

To read the reverse side of these arguments and find out why shopping locally for ourfood is a far better option, log on to the Big Barn blogspot for 7 January atwww.localfoodnews.wordpress.com. It makes interesting reading!

To find local food outlets near you, visit www.bigbarn.co.uk and enter your postcode.

Village shop welcomed

Why people don’t shop locally

Sophie’s Flower Company is adjacent tothe Golden Fleece on Main Road,

Upper Broughton, LE14 3BGFor more information, visit

www.sophiesflowerco.co.ukor call Sophie on 07864 287 257

Great Easton Post Office & Stores following receipt of a grant


New style WI forCharnwoodA new Women’s Institute group has been set up in East Goscote.The Charnwood Women’s Institute Girls had its first meeting inJanuary and will meet on the last Thursday of the month in EastGoscote Village Hall.

Sharon Burditt, Natalie McKeown and Nikki Drew are behindthe launch of the ‘new style’ WI group, which will be aimed at firsttime members from Syston, East Goscote, Queniborough, Sileby,Rearsby, Thurmaston and anywhere else in the Charnwood area.All new members will be made very welcome.

Charnwood WIGs is a fun way to try new things in 2012 andmeet new friends along the way say the founders. Members willget a chance to learn new activities including crafts, cooking,fashion, health and wellbeing as well as listening to speakers talkabout a variety of subjects. “Many women feel they have missedout on some traditional craft and cooking skills and we aim togive everyone a chance to try something new in a relaxed andfriendly environment” said Sharon. Themes for the spring 2012meetings include cocktail making, yoga and beginners crafts.

Positive outlook for housesellers in 2012 • Choose your agent carefully – do they

have experience in selling your typeof property, a good shop window inyour local town and a decent website?

• Select the agent who understandswhat you want to achieve and when,not necessarily the one whoprovides the highest propertyvaluation

• Does your agent market propertieson the major property portals likerightmove, vebra, propertytoday.co.uk, primelocation?

• Take a look at your property withfresh eyes – does it have kerb appeal?First impressions are alwaysimportant, what are your eyes drawnto when you drive up to the house?

• Does exterior paintwork look freshand clean and is the drive and gardentidy? If you saw your home again forthe first time – would you want tobuy it?

Richard Watkinson & Partners, an independent estate agencywith six other offices in the East Midlands, has opened a branchin Melton. The office is situated in Market Place and is staffedwith people experienced in selling properties in the local area.

The company has been successfully selling domesticproperties in the Melton Mowbray and Vale of Belvoir areas forsome years from the Bingham office and has some encouragingnews for anyone thinking of selling their property this year. “Thesought-after villages in this area have not suffered as much in therecession as other parts of the country – they have weathered theworst of it”, says Nick Bingham, a partner in the firm. “Buyers arelooking for a good deal, but are also prepared to recognise wellmaintained properties in great locations and our villages are fullof those.”

Nick suggests some tips for people selling homes in 2012 (seenext column), and says: “Buying a property is not only the mostexpensive purchase you’re ever likely to make, it’s also anemotional purchase – most people want to fall in love with aproperty before making an offer for it.”

Nick’s top tips for sellingyour home

Richard Watkinson & Partners specialises in village and rural properties of all sizes butalso has on its books first time, terraced and family homes in town locations.

“Most peoplewant to fall in lovewith a propertybefore making anoffer on it”

Nick Bingham

More information about Charnwood WI can be found via Facebook group ‘CharnwoodW.I’ or by calling 0785 679 5124.

Holly Bell

The next meeting ofCharnwood WI Girlswill be on Thursday 23February (starting at8pm) when Holly Bellfrom ‘The GreatBritish Bake-Off’ willbe making cup cakeswith the group.

Upcoming course datesSaturday 18 February, 10am - 4pmSaturday 3 March, 10am - 4pmSaturday 17 March, 10am - 4pmSaturday 31 March, 10am - 4pm

Price: £95 (incl lunch/all ingredients)

Learn to make natural, glycerine rich,handmade soaps in your kitchen usingplant oils, herbs, natural exfoliants andessential oils. For more information, visitwww.justsoapsoftheearth.co.uk

SOAP MAKINGCOURSES

VenueQuorn Village Hall64 Leicester RoadQuorn, LeicestershireLE12 8BB

To book a place, call / email:01163 191102 / 01509 [email protected]


www.richardwatkinson.co.ukSurveyors | Valuers | Auctioneers | Estate Agents

Our Melton Mowbray office offers: Staff experienced at selling properties in the local area Free market appraisals to help provide a realistic valuation and sales plan Superbly located offices right in the town centre State of the art technology with properties listed on all the major property portals A special introductory fee promotion for our first few weeks in the town

We’re delighted to announce the opening of our new Melton Mowbray office at 21 Market Place(opposite Boots).

For many years we’ve been successfully selling properties throughout the Vale of Belvoir and have built up a strong reputation, not just for village and rural properties for which we are best known, but also for first time, terraced and family homes in town locations. As a local independent estate agency we have six other residential sales

offices including Bingham, Nottingham City Centre, Radcliffe on Trent, Southwell, Mansfield and Newark.

FREEMarket Appraisals

SPECIALIntroductory Fee

Contact us now for a valuation or to register with us for your property search. 01664 431080

Telephone 01664 431080 | [email protected]

Reaching out to peoplewith sight lossDid you know that currently there arenearly 6000 people with significant sight lossin Leicestershire and Rutland? Anyone,regardless of age, gender or ethnicity can beaffected by sight loss at anytime in their lives,often creating feelings of isolation or a lossof confidence. Vista, the leading local sightloss charity provide a Befriending Servicefunded by the National Lottery through BigLottery Fund which enables people with sightloss across Leicestershire to continue to dothe things they enjoy, make new friends andmaintain their independence.

Our Befrienders are all volunteers whohave an hour or more a month to spendwith someone who lives close to them. As a

volunteer Befriender you can make a realdifference to a visually impaired person’s lifeby sharing your time to brighten their day.You may share a leisure interest, go for awalk or simply sit and have a chat together.

All volunteer Befrienders are carefullymatched with the person they will visit andthe time and amount of volunteering isflexible to suit you. Training is providedcovering all you need to know and you willreceive ongoing support and payment fortravel expenses.

A spokesperson for the Vista BefriendingService said, “The Befriending Service aimsto combat the social isolation that manylocal people with sight loss may experience.

Many volunteers also tell us how much theyenjoy being a Befriender. We hope that bybecoming a Befriender you will enhance yourown life as well as making a real differenceto someone else’s”.

For more information about becoming a volunteer Befriender or to find out more aboutVista’s services for visually impaired people, call 0116 249 8839, [email protected] or visit www.vistablind.org.uk.

Vista is a charity that is dedicated toimproving the lives of people with sightloss in Leicester, Leicestershire andRutland. Every year Vista providesservices, support and advice andinformation to almost 6000 registeredblind and partially sighted local people.


Open weekdays 9.30am-5.30pm (Wed 9.30am-1pm),Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 9.30am-1pm

Tel: 0116 269 5505

Church View NurseryQUENIBOROUGH ROAD, BARKBY

FRIENDLY, PERSONAL SERVICE

Spring bulbsSpring bedding plantsSeedsSeed potatoesVeg plantsLogs & coalBird seedFresh fruit & veg

On Saturday 25 February, Dusty Gedge and John Little, two of thepioneers in green roofs, will be running a one day course at BrocksHill Environment Centre, Oadby.

The day will included information about the benefits of greenroofs, the type of plants to grow on them and a practical session onbuilding your own green roof for a simple structure such as a gardenshed. All participants will be able to take home their own mini greenroof to help remind them of how to make one. Cost will be £50 to£80 per person.

Learn how to builda green roof

��

ReflexologyReiki

Crystal healingEmotional freedom technique

Bach flower remediesHopi ear candling

Stress management��

Gift vouchersavailable

For further details or to book your appointmentvisit www.tranquil-therapies.co.uk

contact gill on 07787 175335or email [email protected]

In your gardenby Helen Osborne of Church View Nursery

Seasonal plant: Primula denticulate; drum stick flowers incolours from white to pinks & purples, Height 25cm.

Hello Gardeners

I relish the time when it is still light when I come home fromwork and I have a little time to myself walking round my gardento see what is happening. The little dainty snowdrops (Gallanthusnivalis) and the dwarf narcissi (February Gold and Tete a Tete)give colour late into spring. The first of the perennials –Pulmonaria, Hellebores and Polyanthus – are nearly in flower.

Now is a good time to buy the seeds of the plants you plan togrow in your garden this year. If you have the compost, andhave cleaned the pots, you can sow when when the time isright. Every year I change part of my garden; either by reducinga plant that is taking over by splitting or pruning, or simplyremoving an old plant that has not flowered very well for thelast few years and replacing it with a new plant.

Providing the ground is not frozen, there are plenty of jobsthat can be done in the garden now. Cut back any old floweringstems from the later flowering perennials; this will allow thenew growth to come through, and give the plant a better shape.In late February/early March, Buddleia and Lavateria need to bepruned. Leave at least three buds above ground level toencourage new growth from the base. Start to remove theweeds from the border early to prevent them from seeding andlightly fork the soil.

In the vegetable garden, prepare the soil by breaking it downready for the first of the plantings of broad beans. Sow the seedsand place in a frost-free (but not too warm) greenhouse. Assoon as the seeds have germinated move them outside to hardenoff, then plant 20cm apart, in staggered rows.

Cover a roof with soil and plants and you have a green roof. Dothis to a shed, outhouse, garage, barn, bike shelter, small roofextension or office/community building and you will have a wildlifehabitat that also provides rainwater management, a cooling energyconservation system and of course something that is great tolook at!

For more information and to book, contact Kay Snowdon on07913630291 or email [email protected].


For more information,visit www.littlebirdsos.co.uk or call 07760 232059

Introduction to machine sewingMend & Twitter sessions

One-to-one sewing lessonsCrochet tuition

Creative cafe - Introduction to crochetWorkshops/sessions held in Birstall, Loughborough,

Leicester, or the comfort of your own home

Workshops & classes to suit all levels of ability

A stitch in timeIf nothing else, the economic downturn ismaking many of us question our lifestylesand come up with alternative, more costeffective ways of doing things. The recentresurgence of interest in traditional hand-made stitchcraft is evidence of this changingattitude, believes Lisa Pidgeon, who runs theLittlebird School of Stitchcraft, based inBirstall.

“The recession has forced many peopleto ‘make do and mend’ and to exploresewing and wool crafts to save money andresources” she says. “And what’s more theyare finding that stitchcraft is fun and, wheninfused with creativity, an immenselysatisfying thing to do.”

Lisa is passionate about re-using andrecycling materials in her own work, andfrequently buys wool knitwear to make herown felt for soft furnishings/ toy making.

“My grandmother and mother alwaysdarned holes in socks. Mending somethingand making it useful again is a positive andgratifying thing to do. So to is turning old

garments into something new. It may seemlike a small and ineffective way to tackle anenormous problem, but if everyone did alittle, the overall effect would becomemassive.’

Lisa’s stitchcraft skills were taught by thebest teacher in the world, her mum.“Mymother was a tailor and my grandmother aseamstress, so sewing and knitting craftswere an integral part of my life growing up.It’s fantastic that I am now able to pass ontheir skills, and I especially enjoy teachingmy own children. I use my Mum’s 60 yearold industrial ‘Singer’ sewing machine. It isindestructible, and beautiful. I work with itand feel her presence.”

Littlebird School of Stitchcraft offers a

For more information about the workshops and classes run by the Littlebird School ofStitchcraft, visit www.littlebirdsos.co.uk or call Lisa on 07760 232059.

The creative café crochet workshops run on Mondays from 10am & 7pm at TarboushCafé, Market Street, Loughborough (from 20 February) and on Wednesdays from 10amat Cooky’s Cafe, Stonehill Avenue, Birstall. They cost £20 for a series of four. Workshopsat the Guildhall, Leicester, are planned from 6 April.

variety of options for anyone interested incrocheting, knitting or sewing. There aresewing workshops running over threeconsecutive weeks at Stonehill School,Birstall, creative café crochet workshops inBirstall, Loughborough & Leicester as wellas individually tailored ‘one to one’ and smallgroup sessions.

“The interaction between people oftenfosters creativity, which is why I like torun my workshops in cafés” says Lisa

Local artist Michaela Kelly specialises in indoor and outdoortrompe l’oeil (painting that deceives the eye and createsan illusion of reality)

ART BY KELLYART BY KELLYART BY KELLYART BY KELLYART BY KELLY

Commissions also taken for animal portraits and landscape paintings

A garden trompe l’oeil can

• beautify a boring fence• hide an awkward area• add interest to your garden• make your garden seem bigger

More trompe l’oeil images at www.art-by-kelly.co


FEBRUARY

2 Plungar Village Hall, 7.30pm.Fascinating Rhythm in Concert. Fourmusicians perform the Great AmericanSongbook and jazz. Tel: 01949 860257.

4 Queniborough Village Hall, 7.30pm.‘How Steeple Sinderby Wanderers Wonthe FA Cup’. A highly entertaining one-man show. Tel: 0116 269 7431 / 07733043719.

8 Wing Village Hall, 7.30pm. The NewRope String Band in Concert. Tel:01572 737408.

10 Hose Village Hall, 7 for 7.30pm. QuizNight in aid of Dove Cottage. Tickets£7.50 to include a two-course supper.Tel: 01949 860303.

10 Loughborough University, 7.45pm.L’boro RSPB Group. Talk by JuliaHawley of Brentingby Farm on Farmingfor Birds. Visit www.rspb.org.uk/groups/loughborough.

11 Long Clawson Village Hall, 7.30pm.The New Rope String Band in Concert.Tel: 01664 822247 / 823367.

17 Stathern War Memorial Institute, 7 for7.30pm. Cinema Night: ‘Tinker TailorSoldier Spy’. Tickets £5.50. Tel: 01949860602.

18/19 Sileby Community Centre, 10am-4.30pm. Syston Model RailwaySociety’s Annual Model Railway Show.£3 adults, £2.50 conc. Accomp’dchildren free. For details visitwww.systonmrs.org.uk or [email protected].

23 East Goscote Village Hall, 8pm.Charnwood WI meeting, with guestspeaker Holly Bell. See page 6.

23-25 Frisby on the Wreake Village Hall,7.30pm. The Frisby Players present ‘OurDay Out’ by Willy Russell. Tickets £3-£10. Tel: 01664 434994 or 434565.

26 Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall,7.30pm. ‘The Lion Tamer’. Anentertaining evocation of the silentmovie era. Combines circus skills,slapstick comedy & live pianoaccompaniment. Tel: 01509 890721.

29 Melton Library, 9.30-10.30am, 11am-12noon. Family history taster sessions.See page 11.

MARCH

Diary

While every effort is made to ensure information in theDiary is correct, Village Connect cannot be held

responsible for any errors it contains

Check www.villageconnect.co.uk forother diary dates. Find us on Twitter or

Facebook for more updates

www.twitter/connect_leics

VillageConnect Leicestershire

2 Waltham on the Wolds Village Hall,7.30pm. ‘Dances from the DistantLands’. Traditional dances & ancientstories from India. Tel: 01664 464462.

3 Thrussington Fun Run - see ad p.12.

9 Quorn Village Hall, 7.30pm.Fascinating Rhythm in Concert. Fourmusicians perform the Great AmericanSongbook and jazz. Tel: 01509 414287.

16 Long Clawson Village Hall, 7.30pm.She’koyokh in Concert. A diverserepertoire of Eastern European Jewish,Balkan, Turkish & Gypsy music. Tel:01664 822247 / 823367.

16 Hoby & District Village Hall, 7.30pm.‘Some Like it Hotter’. Fantasy comedybringing together Monroe, Curtis &Lemmon. Tel: 01664 434120.

17 Queniborough Village Hall, 7.30pm.She’koyokh (pictured right) in Concert.A diverse repertoire of EasternEuropean Jewish, Balkan, Turkish &Gypsy music. Tel: 0116 269 7431 /07733 043719.

23 Wymeswold Village Hall, 7.30pm.Pluck (the world’s funniest string trio)perform ‘Musical Arson!’ Tel: 01509881000.

24 Dove Cottage Day Hospice, Stathern,1.30pm. Auction & Table Top Sale.Viewing 12 noon. Tel: 01949 860303.

24 Rearsby Village Hall, 7.30pm. Specialshowing of ‘Old Films of Leicester’.Tickets £9 each to include a lightsupper. Book by 17 March (seatslimited so early booking advised). Tel:01664 424376 or 01664 424311.

24 Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall,7.30pm. Pluck (the world’s funnieststring trio) perform ‘Musical Arson!’Tel: 01509 890721.

25 Eaton (meet at St Deny’s Church),10am.Vale of Belvoirs Ramblers Walk.8.5 miles through ‘Bewitching Belvoir’.Mostly flat, with climb through BelvoirWoods. Bring picnic. Tel: 0115 982 5600.

25 Bottesford VC Hall, 7.30pm. ‘MuchAdo about Wenlock’. The VamosTheatre Company explore the OlympicGames unlikely UK roots in thisdynamic show. Tel: 01949 842868

28 Burton on the Wolds Village Hall,7.30pm. Coope, Boyes & Simpson inConcert. A capella trio performtraditional songs. Tel: 07930 317245.

30 Stathern War Memorial Institute, 7 for7.30pm. Cinema Night: ‘The Help’.Tickets £5.50. Tel: 01949 860602.

Events notified after the print deadline will be posted on the website

To get your event listed free of charge, email details to louise@ villageconnect.co.ukor use the online form at www.villageconnect.co.uk

TheMeltonBookshop01664 [email protected]

www.themeltonbookshop.co.uk5 Leicester StreetMelton Mowbray

• Any In Print Books from UK/USA• Free out-of-print search available• Difficult to find books• Local interest titles• 6000+ titles in stock• CD and DVD ordering service

Above: The Lion Tamer,Woodhouse Eaves 26 February

Right: She’koyokh,Long Clawson, 16 MarchQueniborough, 17 March


1st and 2nd fix joinery

Cut and truss roofing

Skirting and architrave

Floor and wall tiling

Stair parts

Fencing, gates and decking

Doors and windows

Kitchen fitting

Wood and laminate flooring

Mobile: 07737 922721

Phone: 01162 607166

Email: [email protected]

FULLY INSURED

FREE QUOTATION AVAILABLE

KEV TAYLORCARPENTRY AND JOINERY

Unit D, Wanlip Hill Farm Business Park(formerly Bentley’s Roses)

Loughborough Road, Wanlip, Leicester LE7 4PN

Tel: 0116 267 6167 • Fax: 0116 267 4016Mobile: 07860 548226

[email protected]

Another QualityConservatory Installation

Est.

1978

Summerdiscountsavailable

Newranges

available

Life membershipfor Rob

Rob Wilbourn, long-serving Club Secretaryof Syston Men’s Bowling Club has beenaccorded the honour of Life membershipof the Club.

Retiring President, George Dodgeke presented Rob with a framedcertificate at the Club’s AGM. He said it gave him great pleasure to be ableto give formal recognition to Rob’s work. “Over many years, he has givenoutstanding service to the Club in a quietly efficient and unassumingmanner, acting as a great ambassador for the Club at both local andCounty levels”. Rob lives in Rearsby. He joined the Club in 2000 and hasbeen Secretary since 2003.

Would you like to know more about your family history but don’t knowwhere to start?

Melton Library is holding taster sessions on Wednesday 29 Februaryto help people explore online resources to research their family history.

The sessions are free and are aimed at people with little or noexperience of researching family history.

The sessions take place at 9.30 – 10.30am or 11am – noon.To book a place or to find out more, contact Melton Library on 0116 3053646.

Where do you come from?


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To book your space call

01664 424254

Emergency 24 Hour Call OutDomestic, Commercial & IndustrialReliable, Prompt & Friendly Service

‘Part P’ Registered - Property Maintenance

01949 [email protected]

No jobtoo small

0116 260 7339/ 07973 776240

Quality carpets, laminate & cushionflooring supplied and fitted

M.S.C. WOOD PRODUCTS

••••• Containerised trees• • • • • Decorative woods• • • • • Walking stick shanks

01664 424 54807587 696 383

www.mscwoodproducts.co.uk

Colin Simpson Reliable GardenerREARSBY LANDSCAPES

OAP DiscountFree No Obligation QuoteFull Liability Insurance

Mobile 07984 620148Home 01664 424045Email [email protected]

Hungarton, Leicestershire LE7 9JF0116 259 5224

www.quenbyhall.co.uk

A magical wedding venue

Call 01664 424239 or 07725 705150 oremail [email protected]

Charming wedding/party venueConverted 18th century barnSuitable for up to 100 guests

B&B accommodation available at farm

THE BARN @ MANOR FARMREARSBY

All articles are the copyright of Wordcraft Writing & Design or the individualcontributor and may not be reproduced without permission.Any views expressed in the articles do not necessarily represent thoseof the publisher and are the responsibility of individual contributors.Equally, the inclusion of an advertisement in the magazine is not anendorsement by the publisher of the product or service advertised.

Published by Wordcraft Writing & Design2 Brook House Close, Rearsby, Leicester LE7 4YGEditor: Louise Lambert01664 424254 / 07879 [email protected]

Next issue: April/May 2012Copy deadline: 16 March2012

The perfect venue for any occasion:weddings, parties, conferences, meetings

www.rearsbyvillagehall.org.uk01664 424696

village

Connect

Details/entry forms fromwww.thrussington.wordpress.com

SIXTHTHRUSSINGTON

FUN RUNSAT 3 MARCH

WEBSITE

Call Louise on

01664 424254

Need a

but don’t know where to start?

We can helpget you up and running at

surprisingly low cost

ARABESQUE STAGE & DANCESCHOOL, EAST GOSCOTE

Ballet, Tap, Modern, Acro, StreetPre school Melody Bear classesStage work,charity events, pantos

Half price classes throughout Feb 07517 675031

Follow Village Connectwww.twitter.com/connect_leics

Call Louise on

01664 424254

LEAFLETSDesigned & printed

Eg: 5000 A5/DL colour both sides£120 printed - Design from £20

KEV TAYLOR

M: 07737 922721 T: 01162 607166E: [email protected]

1st/2nd fix, roofing, kitchen fitting,doors & windows, flooring, skirting,architrave, tiling, stair parts, fencing,gates & decking

CARPENTRY AND JOINERYBramley & RoseWe design, produce and manufacturebespoke handmade and hand finished

in the Vale of BelvoirSpecial Occasion & Wedding Stationery

www.bramleyandrose.co.uk05602 836590 / 07765 295533

Online gallery of oil paintings byMichaela Kelly

atwww.art-by-kelly.co

cats, dogs, horses, cars,planes, trompe l’oeil & more

ART BY KELLYART BY KELLYART BY KELLYART BY KELLYART BY KELLY


For a chance to win one of these products, simply email your contact details*to [email protected], entering ‘Hot Ice Draw’ in the subject line.Alternatively post the details to Village Connect (Hot Ice Draw), 2 Brook HouseClose, Rearsby, Leicester LE7 4YG to arrive by Friday 9 March 2012. The winnerwill be the first name to be drawn after that date.*In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 your details will remain on our records until the drawhas been completed only and will not be disclosed to any third party.

500 BUSINESS CARDS – worth £102 (incl. VAT)printed (on both sides) in full colour on 450gsm card anddesigned to your specification – an ideal opportunity if you’resetting up in business or need to update your currentbusiness card.

OR ...

500 DL FLYERS – worth £128 (incl. VAT)printed (on both sides) in full colour on 150gsm premiumpaper and designed to your specification – just the thing ifyou’re planning an event or campaign in your area and wantto spread the word about it.

PRODUCT GIVE-AWAY!Here’s a chance for one lucky reader to win one of our fabulousprint products in our exclusive Village Connect prize draw. Ifyou win, you’ll get to choose either ...


Documents

Village Connect, Feb/March 2012