MAY/JUN 2015 No. 112www.birstallpost.co.uk

THE ROTHLEY POSTY O U R F R E E C O M M U N I T Y N E W S P A P E R

Rothley volunteer wins awardTHE FOUNDER of a charitythat has helped transformthe lives of young people inMalawi, Africa has beennamed as Britain’s BestVolunteer for her work.

Alice Pulford (25), from Rothley, hasbeen recognised after setting up an or-phanage and a charity that works toimprove education and healthcare.

Alice began volunteering in2008 aged 17 during a yearout in Malawi. After teach-ing at a primary schoolfor five months, shebegan work on build-ing a shelter whichsoon grew into anorphanage housing 20girls.

Alice returned to theUK to begin her universi-ty studies and spent herspare time during the yearfundraising to expand the or-phanage. The following summer, shereturned to Malawi and used the fundsto double the size of the shelter andmove in 36 children - giving many theirfirst chance to attend school.

In 2014, Alice founded the LoveSup-portUnite foundation with her sister Ninaand continued fundraising for a schoolto be built and a 'porridge fund' to helpfeed the children. The charity now sends

£1,500 each monthto the orphanage.

Alice has also beenin discussion with the

Malawian governmentrelating to a proposal which

will set the standard of education ex-pected from schools across Malawi, andthat Tilinanu Orphanage is to be used asthe prototype for the standard that or-phanages in Malawi must aim to adhereto.

Alice was announced as the winner ofBritain's Best Volunteer 2015 in a closeresult which saw the public cast a totalof 3,000 votes for the five finalists.

The awards are organised by charityinsurer Markel UK and the Small Chari-ties Coalition.

With Alice currently volunteering inMalawi, Andy Partington and John Bar-rett presented LoveSupportUnite volun-teers Sophie Riley, Ibzie Duckett, ScarlettDuckett and Alex Duckett with a chequefor £1,250 for the charity at Alice’sformer school, Ratcliffe College inLeicestershire. Alice will also receive£1,000 in holiday vouchers for her ownpersonal use.

On hearing she had won the award,

PLANS TO build up to 50homes, a community centreand park in Thurcaston havebeen refused by CharnwoodBorough Council.

Continued on page 2

Pics: With Alice volunteering in Malawi, her mum Yvonne Pulford (ctr)accepted the cheque. Alice is pictured inset.

Plansrefused

Continued on page 2

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MAY 2015THE ROTHLEY POST2

Alice said: “My sister Nina, and I,believe that to make positive andlasting change you need to take thetime to work and listen to commu-nities and build development to-gether. The work that we are doing

is not easy – and there is no quick fix.We are continuously working to generatechange, and to build our support net-work.

“We are so shocked but grateful forthe acknowledgement and love that has

Access to the 7.98 hectare site wouldhave been off Mill Road.

The Borough Council said the detri-mental impacts of the developmentwould outweigh the benefits of addition-al housing supply. It stated that:

• the development is unsustainable• the location has only limited local

facilities and employment opportunities• there are limited public transport

links• the proposal has significant impact

on flooding, and negative impacts onheritage assets

• loss of agricultural land• insufficient supply of affordable

housingThe plans resulted in a significant

number of objections that came fromlocal people, Thurcaston and CropstonParish Council and the Thurcaston Ac-tion Group.

A FULL meeting of Thurcaston& Cropston Parish Council washeld on January 15 (there wasno meeting in December2014).

Chairman Younie reported that hewas upset by the rumours circulatingaround the parish about the conduct ofthe Parish Council in relation to theThurcaston Park outline planning appli-cation.

There is a belief with some parish-ioners that the Parish Council has heldmeetings with the applicant behindclosed doors. This is untrue, said CllrYounie. The Parish Council met with theapplicant but only at Parish Councilmeetings with the public present. Thefull text of the chairman’s statement isappended to the minutes of the January15 meeting, available on the parishcouncil website.

It was reported that the Thurcastonand Cropston litter pickers were short-listed for an award at Charnwood Bor-ough Council’s Don’t Muck Aroundawards 2014.

been shown for our efforts with thisaward. The endless love and supportfrom our family, friends, community,local schools and, of course, our won-derful volunteers has enabled us to con-tribute positive change within the lives ofso many hundreds of children, adultsand communities in Malawi. Our dedica-tion to this cause is lifelong. We want toshare the opportunities that we havebeen lucky enough to receive in our lifeto help others less fortunate. Our mottois: we are love, we are grass roots, webelieve in positive sustainable change.”

Alice says that the £1,000 holidayvouchers will be used for flights to Mala-wi, and the £1,250 donation will be puttowards making the school standardsproject sustainable, and to introducenutritional support through education ofdrip irrigation techniques.

www.lovetilinanu.org.ukwww.lovesupportunite.org

A FULL meeting of RothleyParish Council was held onMarch 16.

Chairman Percy Hartshorn openedthe meeting by paying tribute to JohnSheppard who has died recently. Johnserved as a parish councillor for 20years and was chairman for four years.He was a very dedicated man and willbe sadly missed, said Cllr Hartshorn.

It was agreed to thank Goscote Nurs-eries for supplying hazel whips and aMulberry tree which have been plantedat Bunney’s Field.

Before the meeting, councillors weregiven a presentation about CommunityFirst Responders. These are volunteerstrained and managed by the AmbulanceService that are sent to 999 calls in theirlocal area, often arriving in the vitalminutes before the ambulance arrives.They requested a donation for a newdefibrillator and it was agreed to provide£1000.

It was reported that following a pub-lic meeting, a committee of eight hadbeen elected to progress Rothley Com-munity Library.

Parish Council notesIt was agreed to spend £820 for new

goal posts at Jubilee Park, £1000 onrepairs to playground equipment, and todonate £250 to Thurcaston and Crop-ston Gardening Club.

The Parish Council precept for2015/16 is £33,600.

A full meeting of Thurcaston & Crop-ston Parish Council was held on Febru-ary 19.

It was reported that the ThurcastonPark planning application had beenrefused and Cllr Diane Wise said shethought an appeal by the developer wasunlikely.

Some parishioners reported they hadcontacted the owners of tipper lorrieswhich had been seen in the parish,which has a 7.5 tonne weight limit.

POTHOLES IN roads arebeing filled more quickly,say Leicestershire CountyCouncil.

Improved maintenance techniqueshave reduced the number of potholes,and they are being dealt with morequickly.

Improvements introduced by thecouncil include a shift from reactiveto proactive maintenance, includingtackling cracked patches of road,before they become potholes andbetter reactive maintenance, such assealing of joints around potholes.

More patching in the spring andsummer and a 60 per cent increase in

the amount of surface-dressing is alsohelping as are hotboxes, which ensureasphalt is available every day

Due to these improvements, thenumber of potholes has fallen from7,276 in 2012/13 to 5,471 over thelast year, despite similar winter roadtemperatures in both years.

The average time to tackle themost serious, category one potholeson main roads has reduced from 7.5days to 3.1 days.

A council spokesman said: “Thanksto a series of improvements, fewerpotholes are forming on the county’sroads and we’re dealing with themmore quickly.

“While we can never prevent allpotholes from forming, we’re deter-mined to tackle them more effective-ly.”

Continued from page 1

Plans refused continued from page 1

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MAY 2015THE ROTHLEY POST 3

AN ARCHEOLOGIST tracedthe story of settlement inRothley at the first annualLady Day lecture in RothleyParish Church on March 28.

Speaking to an audience of over 75people, Peter Liddle, the former CountyArcheologist, spoke about the Stone andBronze Ages through to Roman & Saxontimes.

His presentation was illustrated withimages of the finds unearthed from re-cent excavations. Notable was the discov-ery of a Neolithic round house dugouton the Rothley Lodge Farm site just tothe north of the Rowena Garden Centre.The archaeologists found hundreds offlint tools and pottery shards arranged inthe floor of the dugout.

Peter showed images from the exca-vation just next door to the presentchurchyard under The Grange develop-ment. As well as Roman-era tiles andwalls, almost 300 Saxon burials wereexhumed for study, with dates estab-lished between 680 and 980 AD.

With that evidence in mind of exten-sive Saxon occupation the gatheringmoved next door to the Old SchoolRooms for a meal of soup and breadprepared to a recipe that would have been familiar to our Saxon forbears, pre-

pared by Linda Poole and her team.In the afternoon 30 people followed local

historian Terry Sheppard on his HistoricVillage Walk, starting at the Old School, anddelving into the background of 15th centurycruck cottages through to Victorian terraces,put up on a build-to-let basis by enterprisinglocal artisans. This popular event will berepeated on the next Quarter Day event onJuly 4 for those who find the actual walk alittle daunting. Instead ‘walkers’ can sit backover a cream tea in the Old School Roomsand watch the walk described in screenedimages.

AT OUR March meetingland agent Peter Tyldesleygave a talk entitled “AView of Bradgate Park”.

Peter told us that 560 million yearsago Leicestershire was an island. No-table archaeological features ofBradgate Park include evidence ofhuman occupation dating back to theBronze Age and an Ice Age huntingground. Aspects of these features aredue to be explored over the next fewyears.

We learned that the park has 528veteran trees, the oldest one beingover 800 years old. Bradgate is cur-rently home to 420 deer, 75% ofwhich are Fallow Deer and 25% RedDeer. The park’s managers are com-mitted to habitat restoration, reducingthe dominance of bracken, restoringacid and wet heath grassland, as wellas deer husbandry. It is now a Grade2 listed historical parkland.

This excellent talk gave us all adifferent perspective on what is to usall, our local park.

From Thurcaston & Cropston W.I.

Historic village walk & lecture in Rothley

Pics: (above) the village walk stops at theSaxon Cross & (left) Peter Liddle presentinga talk in Rothley church

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MAY 2015THE ROTHLEY POST4

The group has now moved to thedevelopment of an agreed transitionphase with clear steps, milestones andtimelines for Rothley Community Libraryand the County Council for the transferof the library. The library will be run byvolunteers, but the services of free li-brary loans from the county’s bookstock, wifi and computer use and photo-copying facilities will continue tobe available. The group will alsocontinue to work very closely withVoluntary Action Leicestershire,whose support has been crucial.Over 40 people have volunteeredto help so far, but more will beneeded as the opening gets nearersays the group.

The Parish Council has offereda contribution towards keepingthe library open, and a group oflocal people has gathered who aregiving their time on a committee.“It is my privilege to be working with allthese supportive residents in order toachieve what this village deserves - acommunity library which we can feelproud to call our own,” said SteveMitchell, a parish councillor and chairof the library committee.

He added: “Many local people, in-cluding children and young people, havebeen asked what they would like fromthe library service, and all their ideaswill be considered. Many have also of-fered to help, and the group is stilllooking for ideas and offers of help andsponsorship from local people and busi-nesses. In the next few months a volun-

teers’ meeting will be held to establish aworking team; meanwhile volunteers arebeing kept up to date with developmentsthrough an email newsletter.”

It is planned that the library willreopen as a community library by nextFebruary at the latest, after a month’sclosure while minor alterations will bemade to the building. The committee

and the county council are howeverhoping for a date this autumn, if thetimescale can be met. The openinghours will remain as a minimum ofsixteen as they are now, although theremay be minor adjustments within thosehours to accommodate changes thatcome as a result of consultations andvolunteer availability.

Rothley Community Library now has awebsite,www.rothleycommunitylibrary.co.uk, anda Facebook page, and information isupdated regularly. The group can becontacted through the website and Face-book, or in the box in the Post Office.

A BUSINESS plan put together by a group of volunteers tosave Rothley libary has been accepted by the County Coun-cil.

THE NEW Rothley primary school was officially openedon March 20 by the Secretary of State for Education andLoughborough MP Nicky Morgan.

Mrs Morgan was one of more than 50 guests who were invited to the event –they were welcomed to the school by head teacher Mrs Fiona Parr.

There was music from piper Anders Hobson and the school choir performedtwo of their compositions conducted by Gregory Smith from the Kanine Choir.

Rev Rob Gladstone gave a brief history of the school, its changes of site since1902 and its growth to keep up with the increasing population of the village.

Guests were then given a guided tour of the new building.

P/15/0783/2: 122 Mountsorrel Lane– 2 storey side extension and singlestorey rear extension to dwelling incalterationsP/15/0663/2: Land off HallfieldsLane – erection of 8 dwelling andsubstitution of house types to plots78,79,80-83,84-87,88,89,90,91-94and 95P/15/0688/2: 6 Woodgate – Singlestorey rear extension to Pizza InnshopP/15/0672/2: 20 Homefield Lane –New pitched roof to front garage re-placing existing flat roof plus internalalterations and bricking up of garagedoor and windowP/15/0648/2: 121 Swithland Lane –erection of front and side extensionsto dwellingP/15/0496/2: 43 Westfield Lane –erection of a single storey extensionto side of garageP/15/0517/2: 14 Woodgate – varia-tion of condition 2 of P/14/0323/2to amend opening hours to 7am-10pm Mon-Sat and 10am-6pm Sun-day & bank holidaysP/15/0607/2: 15 Badgers Bank –erection of extensions and alterationsto dwellingP/15/0605/2: 1 The Rise – erectionof single storey rear extension todwellingP/15/0587/2: 22 Greenway Close –erection of single storey side & rear

extensions to detached dwelling anderection of a single detached pre-fab-ricated garageP/15/0581/2: Soar Valley Bowls Club,Loughborough Road – replacement ofgutters and paths around bowlinggreenP/15/0446/2: 23 The Ridings – erec-tion of 2 storey extension to side &rear of dwellingP/15/0394/2: 17A Anthony Street –erection of replacement door (ListedBuilding Consent)P/15/0367/2: 17A Anthony Street –erection of up to l.85m boundary wall

Rothley Crime Report:Feb & Mar 2015

Theft from motor vehicle 3, dam-age 3, robbery 1, burglary non-dwell-ing 5, burglary dwelling 4(Grangefields Drive, Town GreenStreet, Knight Crescent, Templar Way),theft 1.

You can contact your local policingteam by calling 101, selecting option 2and when prompted tapping in identi-fication number 4505, 2139, 4664,2041 or 6646 to leave a message.

Village volunteers torun Rothley library

Rothley’s new schoolopened by MP

Planning applications

Crimereport

Pic: Nicky Morgan MP (ctr) with pupils and head teacher Mrs Fiona Parr

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MAY 2015THE ROTHLEY POST 5

ROTHLEY PARISH Church inCharnwood has recently se-cured Heritage LotteryFunding for tower restora-tion and a series of heritageprojects.

One of the heritage projects hasraised considerable interest not just inRothley itself but across the county andbeyond.

Terry Sheppard, local historian, ex-plains why. “Rothley Church has a richand varied collection of history datingback to Saxon times, in the past wecould only write about it or providetours for small groups of people. Withthe help of a local marketing company,a small group of us from the churchcame across an exciting and interactiveway to make the church history comealive and available worldwide. The re-sult is stunning web based 360 degreephotography including close ups of spe-cific features of interest, all completewith audio commentary and informativetext.”

Rothley Church history goes digital onSaturday July 4. Simply log on then toview at www.rothleychurch.org.uk orwhy not come along on the afternoon ofthe 4th with your smartphones and tab-lets to Rothley Church itself and joinwith us in experiencing new technologyat its best using the free church Wi-Fi.

The tower itself has a 500 year tradi-tion of bell ringing and is an importantpart of village life. As part of the herit-age day on July 4 the church tower willbe open to the public for bell ringingtours every half an hour from 1pmthrough to 4pm (minimum age 10). Ifclimbing the tower is not your thing,join the hand bell ringers in the nave fora new musical experience. A specialwelcome is being extended to past ring-

ers, who are invited to come and trysome rounds or changes for old-timessake,

The afternoon also includes a specialquiz trail for children, a timeline exhibit,free take-home brochure, midsummercream teas and a digital village history‘walk’ from 4.15pm to 5pm.

For further information, or to bookfor the cream teas and walk only, con-tact Terry Sheppard atsheppard7pj@btinternet.com

AFTER SERVING as RothleyParish Council clerk for 16years, Robin Dent retired inApril.

Robin (72), who has lived in thevillage for 33 years, said: “I’ve thorough-ly enjoyed being involved in the localcommunity.”

During his time as clerk Robin intro-duced computerisation of the accounts,payroll and room hire. He also startedthe Parish Council website.

He said: “To be a parish clerk youneed a good sense of humour, be ableto organise, and a thick skin.

“Our councillors are all singing fromthe same song sheet, there’s no animosi-ty, and though you might not agree withthem about everything they are all tryingto do what is best for the village.”

Chairman of Rothley Parish CouncilPercy Hartshorn said: “Robin has takenus into the modern age. He has compu-terised everything and generally kept us

in order re government legislation. Ihave certainly welcomed his help since Ihave been chairman.”

The new clerk is Gail Newcombe(pictured third from left).

Churchhistoryproject

Rothley parish clerk retiresPic: Chairman of Rothley Parish Council Percy Hartshorn (front, left) and fellow councillors say goodbye to retiring parish clerk Robin Dent (front, right)

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MAY 2015THE ROTHLEY POST6

My father is in the early stages ofAlzeimer's and is trying to draw up hisfamily tree and provide us with as muchhistory of his life as possible before it istoo late. To this end I have recentlystarted a search for his half brother,Nicholas (middle name James but sur-name unknown). I am appealing to helpfrom those who live or have lived inRothley Park in the past as that, webelieve is where the story and life of myfather's half brother begins. We arehoping that there may be somebody whoknew of the family or recognise thepeople in the photos.

Nicholas was born we think in 1954but we only have photos and a few post-marks to go on. What we do know isthat his mother was called Patricia andalso went by the name Pat & Patsy Girland perhaps would have been born

around 1920. She was connected insome way to a man called Harold, may-be this was her husband or possibly herbrother and she came from quite anaffluent family.

We think she may have had 2 daugh-ters within her marriage (to Harold?)and that they were likely to be youngteenagers when Nicholas (middle nameJames) was born by another fatherEdgar James Gardner - she may or maynot have beendivorced/widowed/seperated. This mayhave been a secret affair - we reallydon't know but it was certainly a rela-tionship late lasted many years. We

know she lived at 88 Swithland Lane inRothley Park, which had the name of'Wayside' when she lived there probablyfrom late 1940's to 1960's. There is apicture of Nicholas standing at the backof 'Wayside' with a white Scottie dog.

Unfortunately we do not know Patri-cia or Nicholas's surname which makesthe search tricky from the outset. Nicho-las' father was called Edgar James Gard-ner (1909-1985), my grandfather. Heleft my father's mother when my father,Christopher James Gardner, was only 8years old. My dad only met Nicholas acouple of times - once in his early adultyears. Nicholas would be about 61 nowand it is still possible that Pat is alive.

Within their relationship Patricia &Edgar called each other Eddy & PatsyGirl. It may be that Patsy Girl was di-vorced or separated from her husband.

The only name that we could makeout in any letters was possibly Andersonbut really this is unclear and could bemisleading. but the house (Wayside)could have been in their family owner-ship from as early as 1920 up until1950/60's and maybe beyond that.

Nicholas we know attended Hurstpi-erpoint School in West Sussex in hisjunior years as a boarder from around1960. There is a photo we think of himin his school uniform at around 5 yearsold.

That is about all we know. If anyonecould shed any light on their history,give us a surname to search with - any-thing at all, we would be really grateful.It would be wonderful if the two broth-ers could one day meet and exchangetheir life stories. I can be contacted onkvgcliff@icloud.com.

Kate Gardner

Seventy years ago, 1945 saw a Eu-rope in chaos, a devastated continent.The war had ended, but at such cost:ruined cities, massive food shortagesand everywhere refugees, uprooted peo-ple, millions on the move. The task ofrebuilding was only just beginning!

Among the many groups stepping upto this huge task were the Britishchurches. The movement then knownas Christian Reconstruction in Europewas founded to help European refugeesafter the Second World War. Among themany who were assisted were impover-ished and displaced German civilians,not an easy matter for many in Britainwho had suffered losses in the war. Butthe movement that eventually becameknown as Christian Aid was always root-ed in the conviction that practical re-sponses to human suffering and needshould be unconditional, freely offered,regardless of background or belief.

Soon after the war, Christian Aidextended support to many thousands ofPalestinian refugees, and expanded itsremit to support development work innewly independent nations in Africa andAsia, and to respond to emergenciesworldwide. For many people, ChristianAid is probably best known for the redenvelopes of Christian Aid Week eachMay, and for the various events throughwhich it has raised funds for seven dec-ades to support some of the world’spoorest people. More immediately, withChristian Aid week approaching we ap-preciate the efforts of local people asthey give and pray for the work thatsupports some of the world’s poorestcommunities.

This year the focus is on the work ofour partner HUNDEE in Ethiopia as theyprovide poor women with livestock toensure that they can adequately support

their families,but also, aslivestock own-ers, have avoice at localcommunitymeetings. This

is transforming the lives of the poorestwomen, but also challenging and chang-ing long-held gender roles.

Christian Aid events in Rothley thisspring include street collections, ‘Coffee& Prayer’ at Templars, a Car Wash atSacred Heart Church, and a CoffeeMorning at the Rothley Centre. Look outfor details of these and other events onthe Noticeboard page.

Helen Playdon, convenor RothleyChristian Aid committee

The Rothley Post welcomes yourviews and opinions on any subject. Let-ters, which must include your name andaddress, (though not necessarily forpublication) can be posted to: The Bir-stall Post, Unit 109, Greenacres, TheSidings, Leicester LE4 3BR, or handed inat Rothley library, Rothley Post Office,Woodgate or email:editor@birstallpost.co.uk

YOUR SAY...

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MAY 2015THE ROTHLEY POST 7

Birstall & DistrictArt SocietyTuesday May 12 at 7pmYou are invited to join us at the Palm-er Tomkinson Centre at Longslade Col-lege, LE4 4GH to watch renownedartist Geoff Kershaw giving a demon-stration how to paint a landscape inwatercolour. Demonstration to end at9pm. Members £1, Guests £3. Freeraffle. Ample parking and wheelchairaccess.

Leicester Sketch Club Past & PresentApril 25 – August 1New Walk Museum53 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7EA

An exhibition ofpaintingsand drawings by current members ofthe Leicester Sketch Club alongsidethe work of past members selectedfrom the Museum’s historic collectiondating back to the 1900sThis highly regarded club, founded in1898, has encouraged and inspiredlocal and regional artists for over 100years, through a series of professionaldemonstrations, workshops, sketchingdays and monthly meetings.A wonderful opportunity to see someof the talented work of Leicestershirebased artists

Free admission to the museum andexhibition

Coffee ShopRothley Methodist, Howe LaneEvery Tuesday morning, 10-11.30amCome rain or shineNow open : Book exchangeEveryone welcomeTea, coffee, biscuits, toasted tea cakeProceeds for the Methodist Church

Open Church Weekendat St Leonard’s Church, SwithlandMay 9/10Tea and cakes will be served each dayfrom 2-4pm

ConcertSaturday, 2 May 2015, 7.30pmEarly Music at Rothley Parish ChurchLE7 7PD"From Leipzig to London"Nicolette Moonen (violin), MedeaBindewald (harpsichord)Programme: Wolfgang Amadeus Mo-zart, Carl Friedrich Abel, Johann Chris-tian Bach, Jacob Kirkman, Carl PhilippEmanuel Bach, Johann Ludwig Krebs,Johann Sebastian BachAdmission free, retiring collectionParking facilities at Victoria Mills,Fowke Street LE7 7PJwww.medeabindewald.com•All Saints' Church, Thurcaston

"Strike up the Band"Loughborough Concert BandSaturday 16th May 2015, 6.30 for 7pmTickets: Adults £7.50, Children £4.50(available from Jeff Kennington -phone 0116 2365402) Includes lightrefreshments

All Saints' Church, Thurcaston

Annual Garden FeteSaturday 6th June 2015, 1.30pm to4.30pmThis year the fete is one of the eventsmarking the tricentenary celebrationsfor the founding of Richard Hill Schoolby the former Rector, Richard Hill, in

1715.Come along to enjoy the various activ-ities - Teddy Bear parachuting fromthe tower, raffle & tombola, live mu-sic, delicious refreshments, plus a va-riety of stalls

The next in the series of

Charity Whist Drivesorganised by Derek Farr will be held at 7.30 p.m on Thursdays 14th May,4th June, 2nd July in the Rothley Cen-tre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley. Admis-sion £2.00. All players welcome.

Birstall Flower Club27th May 2015, 7.15pmBirstall Village HallDemonstration by Beverley Artis -“A Perfect Day "Visitors welcome - £5Queries to Sylvia: 0116 2674206 orMary Linnett: 07704398017

Film Presentations From Thurcaston &Cropston Parish Council"The Grand Budapest Hotel"

Friday May 8 (99 mins).This film traces the history of the hotelfrom 1932 to the present day throughthe eyes of two lovers who are involvedwith a stolen painting. The charactersare eccentric, with Bill Murray in a comicrole and Ralph Fiennes performing bril-liantly. Even the young lobby boy re-ceived an inheritance. This beautifullycrafted comedy received four OscarAwards and five BAFTA's."The Theory of Everything"Friday June 12 (123 mins)This is the extraordinary true story ofJane and Stephen Hawking, starring Fe-licity Jones who won a Golden GlobeAward for Best Actress and Eddie Red-mayne who won the Golden Globe and

Oscar for Best Actor. Defying the deathsentence of motor neurone disease,Stephen Hawking married Jane, raised afamily and altered drastically our percep-tion of the universe by searching for asingle equation to explain everything.Our June film is based on the memoirs ofJane Wilde Hawking.Enjoy your summer! Our next film will beshown on Friday September 11.Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Councilwill be showing these films at Thurcas-ton Memorial Hall. Starting at 7.30pm,tickets cost £5 and concessions are£4.50. There will be refreshments and alucky prize draw. Advance tickets can bepurchased via the parish office 0116 2367626 or at the door.

Syston SyclersWe are an enthusiastic group of mixedage and ability riders based in Systonand have been 'up and cycling' for ayear now. We cater for those who arenew to cycling right through to thosewho want to push the boundariescompetitively.

If you are looking to meet like mindedpeople or just want to enjoy Leicester-shires finest countryside, why notcome along and join us.All our sessions start from The Green,High Street, Syston LE7 1GQSaturday -8.30am advanced rides, or9am gentle ride.Sunday - 9am for beginnersWednesdays -10am touring pace, gen-erally 30-35 miles (including lunchstop)Thursday evening ride -18:30 ad-vanced rideFor more information contact Philphil@systonsyclers.com or 0771 7781501Find us on facebook or visit our web-site - systonsyclers.com

Birstall & DistrictLocal History SocietyThe next meeting of the Society is tobe held on Thursday 14th May 2015 at7.30pm in the Birstall Village Hall,Birstall Road, Birstall LE4 4DH

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MAY 2015THE ROTHLEY POST8The subject of the talk will be about"Nell Gwynne" and the speaker will beSally Henshaw.All visitors are very welcome to join usfor this talk.Parking is available for cars on the Bir-stall Playing Fields through the SchoolLane entrance.

Wanlip May FayreSat 16th May 2 - 4 pmat the Wanlip Church and CommunityCentre in Wanlip

Christian AidEvents in Rothley29th April – Spring Lunch, Old SchoolRooms, 3 School Street, donations(suggested £5+) for 2 courses,Please book in advance with Helen0116 230 4634.1st & 2nd May – Street Collection9th May – Car Wash @ Sacred HeartChurch, Mountsorrel Lane, 10am –12noon, Coffees & Teas available10th May – Churches Together Chris-tian Aid service @ Rothley MethodistChurch, Howe Lane, 6pm11th – 15th May – Coffee & Prayer @Templars, 3 Woodgate, 9 – 9:30am16th May – 70th Birthday Coffee Morn-ing @ The Rothley Centre, 12 Mount-sorrel Lane, 10am – 12 noon [Cakes,Preserves, Books, Bric-a-Brac, Plants,Raffle]

White Horse Duck RaceWhiles Lane riverbank, BirstallMon May 4, 12noon. Duck Race 2pmFamily fun day with stalls, games andactivities

Bradgate Park

‘Early Summer Fair’Sat 30th & SuN 31st May 201510am to 5pm at Newtown LinfordLocal Produce, Arts & Crafts, Gifts,Demonstrations, Maypole Dancing andmuch more!New Stallholders Welcome!Please contact the Estate Office forfurther details & booking form - Tel:0116 234 1850

Their free concert on Satur-day May 2 at 7.30pm at Roth-ley Parish Church, St Mary andSt John (LE7 7PD) takes itscue from young Wolfgang Ama-deus Mozart’s visit to Londonin 1764/65 and the foundingof the Bach-Abel concerts in1765.

The programme presents aselection of intimate chambermusic featuring Wolfgang Ama-deus Mozart, Carl Friedrich Abel, JohannChristian (the London) Bach, CarlPhilipp Emanuel Bach, Johann SebastianBach and Bach’s student Johann LudwigKrebs.

It includes a sonata by Jacob Kirk-man, nephew of the famous harpsichordmaker of the same name and organist atSt George’s (Hanover Square, London)from 1786-1802. Having discovered themusic of this unknown composeramongst the treasures of the BritishLibrary, Nicolette and Medea are cur-rently planning a CD recording which isscheduled for this coming autumn andwill take place at Finchcocks MusicalMuseum in Kent. In Rothley, they willgive you a taste of the project by pre-senting a piece by Kirkman to the publicfor the first time!

Nicolette Moonen is one of the lead-ing baroque violinists of Great Britain.She teaches at the Royal Academy ofMusic and is artistic director of the BachPlayers. She has formed a partnershipwith German harpsichordist Medea Bind-ewald in 2012. In the same year, thetwo musicians founded Trio Vermilion,

joining forces with viola da gamba play-er Susanna Pell. As a duo, Nicolette andMedea focus on exploring the uniquerepertoire for harpsichord with accom-paniment by a violin. Their recording ofworks by the French baroque composerJacques Duphly, released in 2014 (Cov-iello Classics), achieved a 5 de Diapasonaward.

This is the fifth Early Music Concerttaking place at Rothley Church. Initiatedand organised by Medea Bindewald, thesuccess of these events bases on twofactors: the choice of programmes andthe quality of the musicians on the onehand, and the friendly and welcomingatmosphere at church on the otherhand. In Rothley, the artists are not faraway on stage, but ready to chat withyou during the interval and after theconcert.

Admission is free, donations will becollected after the concert. Refreshmentswill be available during the interval.There are parking facilities at VictoriaMills, Fowke Street (LE7 7PJ).Pic: Nicolette Moonen (violin) and Medea Bind-ewald

EARLY MUSIC specialists Nicolette Moonen (violin) and Me-dea Bindewald (harpsichord) invite you to join them on amusical journey “From Leipzig to London”.

A NEW YORK based musi-cian from Rothley will beperforming in Leicester inMay as part of a threeweek tour of the UK.

Pianist and songwriter DaveMackay (pictured below) moved tothe United States to study at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music,and soon put together a band with hisclassmates. Having toured their uniquestyle of epic instrumental rock musicthroughout the US and released tworecords together, the band has nowadded vocals to the mix and is em-barking on a three week tour of theUK and Europe with performances inthe UK, France, Germany, Netherlandsand Switzerland.

In addition to their busy perform-ance schedule, the band is also teach-ing workshops and master classes atmusic colleges and schools through-out the country, including Leicester’sown LES Music school.

With a new album planned forrelease this autumn, Mackay’s returnto his hometown is set to be a memo-rable night of music, showcased bysome of new York’s top instrumental-ists.

The Dave Mackay Group is per-forming at The Musician, 42 CraftonStreet West, Leicester on Monday May4 at 8pm.

Free concert inRothley church

Rothleymusicianreturns

The Trustees of the Charity invite those under age 25 yearswho are attending or have attended the Richard HillSchool to apply for a Grant to assist with educationalactivities (including social and physical training) nototherwise provided by the Local Authority.

Richard Hill’s Church of England School Charity

Applications should be made to the Clerk, Mrs. Ann Stringer, emailrhillcharitytrustees@mypostoffice.co.uk or tel. 0116 234 0625. Final date for receiptof applications 30th June 2015 for consideration in July. Grants ranging from £100 to£1,000 will be awarded to applicants who meet the necessary criteria.

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MAY 2015THE ROTHLEY POST 9

The U13 team have just beencrowned champions of the 11 a sideLeicester and District Sunday JuniorsLeague division D, winning 19 of 22matches and scoring 116 goals.

Coach Mario Del Grosso said: “Wehave a fantastic group of boys who havecome on enormously over the last cou-ple of seasons, including going morethan a full calendar year unbeaten in theleague. The boys have thoroughly en-joyed the season and playing for theirlocal club.”

With the team gaining promotion nextseason the U13s are looking for experi-enced players to trial to help strengthenthe squad further. To discuss or attend atraining session, contact Mario 07973788551 or Chris 07725 219076.

The club has players from 4 to 18and is based on Fowke Street

Mini-dribblers is aimed at 4-6 yearolds as an introduction to football, withsessions running on Saturdays from10-11am indoors at the Soar ValleyLeisure Centre.

The club is actively looking for newplayers across all age groups. Visitwww.rothleyimps.co.uk

Gavin TaylorHair on FowkeStreet has onlybeen open forfour months buthas been suc-cessful in theL’Oreal ColourTrophy 2015competition.

The salon willnow join 60others in theEastern Regionalfinal, looking to win through for a placein the grand final in June at BatterseaPark, London.

Gavin Taylor said: “I’m so proud ofour amazing team. To get into the finalof the L’Oreal Colour Trophy after justfour months of being open shows truespirit and great potential. I truly believewe as a salon are changing the way we

not only cut, colour and style hair buthow we do business!”

At the regional final, Gavin and histeam will have 30 minutes to create anoriginal, inspirational and modern lookon a live model.

A ROTHLEY hairdressing salon has reached the regionalfinals of a major hairdressing competition.

ROTHLEY IMPS Juniors football club are celebrating a suc-cessful season.

Small AdsSmall ads are 25p for the first 16 words.17-32 words: 50p. Enclosing payment,post your ad to us or hand it in (inside anenvelope) at Rothley library or RothleyPost Office on Woodgate.Trade/business rates for small ads are 25p aword. You are liable for the trade/businessrate if you are offering a service for whichyou are asking for payment, or if you are ad-vertising new goods for sale. All text will beprinted bold. Box outline £1 extra. Max 50

AMLI DESIGN Architectural Consul-tancy. Plans drawn and submitted.Extensions, conversions, newbuild. David Ives B.Sc.(Hons)FBEng MCIOB 0116 2674395 /07974807111www.amlidesign.co.uk

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MAY 2015THE ROTHLEY POST10

Alex’s wish raises money for researchinto Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy andthe charity’s founder, Emma Hallam, wasone of those who took part.

“It was one of the most exciting andnerve-wracking experiences you couldpossibly do, to see the plane doorsopening and people jumping out just felthideous. But once you had jumped thefree fall was exhilarating almost like anout of body experience, you just can’tput it into words. I would definitely liketo do it again” said Emma.

Miss Toon, one of Alex’s teachers atRothley primary school, decided to do

the challenge for her 30th birthday andwhen the charity appealed for others tojoin her they were astounded to find so

many people up for the challenge.Emma said: “We would like to thank

them individually for their amazing ef-forts, they are true Wish Warriors – sowell done to Katie Hoskins, DonnaBrenchley, Dave Allen, Annalee Toon,Tanya Hogan, Neil Moonaghan, CraigRobson, Sarah Hyde, Angela Roberts,Stephanie Monks, Daniel Brookes, Kim-berley Sallis, Jenifer Nursiash, Will Watts,Nicola Adams and Wayne Harrold.”

Alex’s Wish is organising more SkyDives in the future, so if you would liketo take part (£50 deposit plus £500minimum sponsorship required), pleaseget in touch with Emma atemma@alexswish.co.uk or visit theirwebsite at www.alexswish.co.uk

Community First Responders (CFR)are trained volunteers who work withthe East Midlands Ambulance Service.

When somebody is suffering a poten-tially life threatening illness, a memberof the CFR group can often arrive beforethe ambulance, as they all live in thelocal area – three live in Rothley andone in Mountsorrel.

In these casesthe 999 controldesk will sendthe closest mem-ber of the groupto provide assist-ance while theemergency am-bulance is travel-ling to the scene.

In time criti-cal illnesses thiscan mean the difference betweenlife and death.

Our village’s volunteers, who areassociated with the Melton CFR group,gave a presentation to Rothley ParishCouncil and requested a donation. Thecouncil agreed to donate £1000 for newequipment.

Chairman Percy Hartshorn said: “Thisis a good service, they get to the patientseveral minutes before the ambulanceand can save people’s lives. We know

they have been called to emergencies inRothley.”

CFR volunteer Sarah Gallaway said:“We are very grateful for the donationfrom the parish council. It will go to-wards buying new equipment. Our defi-brillator is no longer manufactured andthe consumables are getting more diffi-cult to obtain.

“My partner andI started respondingin 2011 and we havebeen joined this yearby a newly trainedrecruit. The re-sponder in Mount-sorrel started in2013. In 2014 weattended 629 callson behalf of theambulance service.

“At present the ambulance servicewill send us to potentially life threaten-ing conditions where the patient is 12years or over. Over the next few monthswe are all being trained by EMAS to beable to attend a wider range of jobs andto younger patients. This also requiresus to buy some additional equipment.

“We are all volunteers and we getsatisfaction from putting something backinto the community and find this rolevery rewarding.”

A SKY dive for a Rothley based charity has raised £13,500.

A DONATION of £1000 for new equipment will help a teamof local volunteers who support the ambulance service.

GARDENS IN Thurcaston and Cropston will be open onceagain this summer.

The Open Gardens event will takeplace on the weekend of June 27/28from 2-6pm.

All money raised from the event willgo to LOROS.

A spokesman said: “We hope to havea number of different gardens for you tovisit across the two villages, some large,some small, some immaculate, somevery much less so! But all for you toenjoy.”

Gardens will be open from 2-6pm onboth days. Tickets will be £4 each (ac-companied children and wheelchairusers free) and will be valid for bothdays. They can be purchased on the dayfrom any of the open gardens. Look outfor further details nearer the actualweekend. Tea and cake will be availableat various locations and a plant swapand sale will be held in one garden. Youcan bring along a spare plant from yourown garden and swap it for somethingelse!

“We are still looking for gardens toopen, so if you would like to get in-volved by opening your garden pleasecontact us as soon as possible, you willbe most welcome. Gardeners who haveopened before will tell you it is a veryenjoyable and positive experience” saidthe spokesman.

For more information about thisevent or to volunteer your garden, go towww.tcog.org.uk or contact Linda on0116 2363872 or emaillinda@tcog.org.uk.

“Why not put the date in your diarynow, then come along with your familyand friends and support this great com-munity event, and help us raise moneyfor a very worthwhile cause. We lookforward to seeing you!”

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MAY 2015THE ROTHLEY POST 11

AT OUR March meeting, Society mem-ber Jane Smith gave us a thoroughlyresearched and well presented talkabout two families that played a sig-nificant role in the history of Crop-ston: the Burchnalls and the Hinds.

The Burchnalls appear in the earliestbaptism records of the parish and they wereallotted nearly 50 acres in the Cropston en-closure. Their farmhouse, now known asWhite Lodge, had a brewery attached and theyalso owned an ale-house next door called theBrewer’s Arms. Brewing was a major occu-pation of the family, for better and worse!Richard Burchnall, who was born in 1784,had about ten children and Jane traced theirvarying fortunes. The eldest son was adrunkard and Richard took out newspaperadverts disclaiming responsibility for hisdebts. Another son, Joseph, ran the Fish &Quart in Leicester with his wife but a fewyears later turns up in Kalamazoo, with adifferent wife, advertising “Old Joe’s XX beer,brewed in the English way”! The next son,Samuel, ran a successful brewery in Ansteyand he donated the land for Anstey PrimarySchool and for Cropston Chapel. Richard’syoungest son, followed by his daughter-in-law,continued the farming and brewing businessin Cropston until in 1893 Richard’s grandson,Charles Daniel, moved with his family toLeicester, the last of the Burchnalls to leavethe village. Charles Daniel sadly ended hisdays in the workhouse and lunatic asylum,having been divorced by his wife for drunk-enness, violence, threats and adultery.

The Hind family is best known locally forthe Hind Sisters’ Homes in Cropston, whichare almshouses for “deserving gentlewomenin reduced circumstances”. The Hinds mo-nopolised the Swithland Slate industry duringthe 1700s, owning the Brand quarries andworking the slate at Hallgates. As the indus-try declined during the 1800s, they graduallymoved out, building grand houses for them-selves in Whetstone and elsewhere.

The Hind sisters’ great-grandfather Henryowned a large amount of land in the countyand his will made detailed provisions for howhis property should pass down the genera-tions. The sisters were not in line to inheritproperty in Cropston so Jane wanted to findout how it had come to them. Their father,another Henry, was unemployed in the 1851census. By 1861 he and his wife were run-ning the National School in Ibstock but Henrywas soon dismissed for incompetency. De-spite that, Henry and his family graduallywent up in the world as older relations diedwithout issue and they eventually lived inIbstock’s very grand Holmesdale Manor. Oneof those relations was murdered in Naplesand dumped in a well, allegedly by the mafia-connected “secret society of Neapolitan mar-ket gardeners”, whose prices he had beenunder-cutting. The trial was floridly reportedin newspapers throughout the English-speak-ing world.

Back in the UK, after her sister Henriettadied in 1900, Sarah Jane Hind was left as thesole survivor and a wealthy woman. Shebought up land in Ibstock and Cropston andbuilt dozens of houses. Sarah Jane died in1922 and is buried in Swithland churchyardwith her parents and sister. The bulk of herestate was used to found the Hind Sisters’charity, which built the Homes on one of thefields in Cropston that she had owned.

We have no meeting in April. Our nextwill be in the Harrison Room on Tuesday May19 at 7.30pm, when Richard Knox will betelling us about the life of a medieval knight.

From Peter Smith, Thurcaston & CropstonLocal History Society

John is a member of the Royal Horti-cultural Societies Bulb Committee andhas travelled extensively giving talks onhis passion – spring flowering bulbs.

Tulip bulbs are different to all othersas each bulb forms a cluster of bulbletsaround the base every year and as thesebreak away from the parent bulb theywill usually take 3 to 4 years to reachmaturity and produce a flower, the oldbulb gradually loses its vigour and rotsaway.

There are hundreds of tulips classi-fied in 15 divisions based on flowerform, the impressive range goes fromthe simple upright goblets of the singleflowered tulips to the frilled and twistedpetals of theParrot tulipsand the opendoubleblooms of thePeony flow-ered forms.

There arealso the dwarfspecies andhybrids, mostof them flow-ering in earlyspring, theseare ideal forcontainers androck gardens.

John has visited the Dutch bulb fieldsa number of times and his photographsof the vast areas of tulips in flower wereamazing, each colour in perfect stripesacross the landscape - the automaticplanting machines guided by satellitenavigation. This multi million poundindustry of cut flowers and bulbs is a farcry from its humble beginnings as thefavoured flower of the 15th centuryOttoman Empire.

The talk ended with a ‘visit’ to theKeukenhof Gardens a massive 80 acresof park land divided into a variety ofgarden styles where over 7 million bulbsare planted each year.

The gardening club meets in theThurcaston and Cropston Memorial Hall.

Whether an experienced gardener oran enthusiastic beginner we are sure youwill something of interest in this year’sprogramme. New members are made

most welcome. There are 12 eventsplanned for 2015, including a trip toWaterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire.What’s more, it is excellent value! Themembership fee is £12 for the year or£3.00 per meeting. And, if you wouldlike to come as a visitor and then youdecide to join, your visitor fee will berefunded! So, if you are interested ingardening - come and give the Club atry.

The next club events are:Wed May 13, 7.45 pm – Wildlife: The

Environment & Organic Gardening –Simon Gulliver

Simon, a National Trust Consultant,will show us how to be kind to nature

and still have a beautiful and productivegarden. Encouraging biodiversity, avoid-ing chemicals, following natural cycles,observing and intervening only whennecessary.

Wed June 10, 7.00 pm – Evening visitto ‘Mountain Ash, Newtown Linford

A two acre garden with stunningviews across the Charnwood countryside.Near to the house are patios, lawns,water features, fruit trees, flower beds,and veg garden. The lawns slope downto a wildlife pond with a waterfall andthree areas of woodland with pleasantwalks through many species of trees.The perfect place to spend a summer’sevening.

For more information, please callDave Haddon on (0116) 235 9758

From Thurcaston & Cropston Garden-ing ClubPic: Tulips on displays at a Spring flower show

STAFF AND students at Longs-lade College are celebratingafter Ofsted removed theschool from Special Measuresand rated it as ‘Good’.

Acting Principal, Jason Smith said:“We’re delighted that Ofsted recognisedthat educational standards at Longslade aregood. The turnaround at the College is dueto the commitment of the staff and gover-nors to providing the best education wecan for young people in Birstall.”

Since an Ofsted inspection in 2013rated the school as inadequate and placedit in special measures, the school hastransformed its peformance - in 2012 only39% of students achieved 5 A* to C GCSEsincluding English and Mathematics but in2014, despite students at the College start-ing below the national average, 59% ofstudents passed, which is better than thenational average.

Ofsted inspectors visited the school inMarch. Their report states that the schoolis good due to “the unflinching vision ofthe Acting Principal and the senior leader-ship team” which has driven improvementsin the quality of teaching which is now“consistently good.”

The report says that teaching is “goodand improving strongly as a result of deci-sive action taken by senior leaders follow-ing the last inspection. Leaders’ skilful useof tailored training and coaching, using thebest practice in the college and from theNational Support school has led to im-proved progress for all the different groupsof students.”

Student behaviour in lessons andaround the college is good. They are “po-lite, motivated to achieve well and theyattend regularly” said the Inspectors.

Inspectors found that Sixth form provi-sion is good, well led and well managed.The report stated that the school is not yetoutstanding as not all teachers check thatstudents act on the advice given to them toimprove their work, and that not enoughstudents attain the highest GCSE grades.

Mr Smith said: “The students here arefantastic, they have high expectations aboutwhat they can achieve and have respondedwell to increasing challenge and hardwork.”

Longslade Community College willmerge with Stonehill High School and inthe new academic year will open as TheCedars Academy, a new school for studentsfrom age 11 to 18, which is part of theLionheart Academy Trust led by ExecutivePrincipal Hugh Howe.

THE MARCH meeting of the Thurcaston and Cropston Gar-dening Club was an illustrated talk entitled “Tulip Time”with bulb expert John Gibson.

Faces arts performanceFACES ARTS, the locally based and well established Performingarts company for children , performed their yearly Street DanceShow at The Wreake Valley Academy in Syston.

Sixty children from Birstall and thesurrounding areas participated inthe show, aged from 4 to 18.Faces Arts proprietor JodyChesterton was full of admi-ration for the performancesof the children. “Faces Artsis about providing opportu-nities for local children todiscover their performingtalents. The development intheir ability and self confi-dence of the children hasbeen outstanding. A huge well

done to all the children who took part”she said.

Faces Arts next performance,‘Twist’, will be performed byhe Theatre School childrenin May at Groby College.

Faces Arts will also bestaging their SummerSchool during August atHighcliffe Primary School.For more information on the

variety of sessions or per-formances, visit

www.facesarts.co.uk

Longsladea ‘good’school

Historysocietynews

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comfortable atmosphere, sympathetic and knowl-edgeable salesmanship offered by the assistants.

It was also very interesting to witness the workcarried out in the creation of fine jewellery etc. atthe back of the shop. Each day the fine dust fromthe workings of silver, gold and platinum is hoo-vered up and subjected to differing temperaturesto melt down the materials, the loss of whichwould amount to hundreds of pounds.

This was our first meeting that gentlemen wereinvited to attend and judging from the responsethey appeared to have enjoyed themselves. Helped,no doubt, by the specially supplied cakes broughtalong by Mesdames Jenny Kennington, Gill Jeffer-son and Diane Rouse in celebration of their birth-days in February.

On April 13, it was with pleasure we greetedMr. Martin Greenwood to give us a talk on “MyMaritime Career”

He attended the School of Navigation Warsashin 1963 until 1964 when he became Indentured toFurness Withy & Co. up to 1967. He provided uswith details of his maritime career until his retire-ment in 2008.

All this information was ably supported bysome marvellous and detailed photog-raphy of the various Ships on whichMartin sailed, together with awesomesea conditions!

In conclusion of the afternoon,we enjoyed luscious cakes providedby Gill Smart, our Treasurer. in cele-bration of her and her husband Jeff'sGolden Wedding anniversary. Wewish them both many more years ofhappiness and good health.

There will be no members’ meet-ing in May, as we have planned adelightful coach trip to Ludlow, butthere will be the usual meeting onMonday June 8, when we shall wel-come Mr. KP Goddard with a lighthearted “Introduction to ClassicalMusic”.

Our meetings take place at2.15pm at the Cropston EvangelicalChapel, Station Road, Cropston, LE77HP on the second Monday of everymonth. Plenty of parking spacesavailable. To find out more aboutThe Monday Club, please ring me on0116 2363467. I have an ansophone,so if I am not available, please leave amessage and telephone number and Iwill return your call.

From Ann Farndon, TheMonday Club, Anstey, Cropston,Thurcaston & Rothley.

MAY 2015THE ROTHLEY POST12

Revival is an all day family event onSunday August 9 featuring hot rods andcustom cars, vintage shopping stalls, aburlesque show, ballroom and jive danc-ing, live street bands, archery, river tripsand gnome lobbing.

New for this year are a street parade,dog show and a fun run.

“But leading the festival is the Soap Boxracing!” said organiser Ian Shonk. “Every-thing from the old fashioned ‘plank &pram wheels’ to miniature company vehi-cles, airplanes and bathtubs will take partin the Parade before going through theirpaces on the track in front of the cheeringcrowd.

“Get your team organised now – andstart constructing your entry. Constructionis simple, no engines, no pedals and nocomplicated rules.”

Trophies are on offer for ‘Fastest Time’,Constructors Championships & ‘Spirit ofthe Event’.

Ian added: “the Soap Box Race is notabout hi-tech speed. It’s all about having

some fun with family and friends.All the details of the event and entry

forms for the Soap Box Race or an eventstall can be found on the website:www.mountsorrel-revival.co.uk

Organisers are looking for people toregister to take part in the event, heldon Sunday May 10. You can choosebetween a 20-mile ride or a 40-mileride and families arewelcome – although any-one aged 14+ will needto ride with an adult.

Open to everyone, the20-mile ride is for thosethat want a challenge anda reason to get back outon their saddles over thespring whilst the 40-mileis a challenging ride forthe more experiencedrider.

Spokeswoman forAlex’s Wish Emma Hal-lam said: “The ride ison open roads and takes you throughthe beautiful Charnwood forest country-side with marshals cheering you on atevery corner. There is a half way re-freshment stop and freshly made hotbacon and sausage cobs and compli-mentary homemade cakes and drinks tolook forward too at the end of the ride.It’s a great excuse to get out in the freshair and enjoy a morning of fun withfriends.

“Activities will be available for thelittle ones throughout the morning at theRothley Centre so be sure to bring yourfamily along to greet you in at the finishline. They will be able to grab a roll andhot drink in the comfort whilst waitingfor you. Soar Valley Cycles is on hand toservice your bike before the ride andavailable throughout the morning.”

The ride starts at the Rothley Centrewith registration opening at 8.30amfollowed shortly by a fun warm up ses-sion.

Elizabeth Raouf took part lastyear. She said: “I was so impressed withthe organisation in general and especial-ly with the marshalling on the course. Iwas on my own and not really clearwhere I was going – I was a bit nervousto be honest! But I soon relaxed when Irealised how clearly marked the routewas. The people marshalling the routewere so friendly and encouraging theyall had something nice to say to me andwere very smiley.”

Emma Hallam said: “Whatever theweather each year we see around 100cyclists taking part in this wonderfulride, it’s got a really great feel to it andeveryone enjoys the ride knowing theyare supporting a worthwhile cause.”

To register for this event visitwww.charnwoodforestcycleride.co.uk oremail Emma at emma@alexswish.co.uk afull event pack will be sent to you onceyou’ve registered.

Charity cycle ridein CharnwoodTHE CHARNWOOD Forest Cycle Ride returns this May for itsfifth year, supporting local charity Alex’s Wish.

THE MOUNTSORREL Revival returns this August and the or-ganisers are appealing for teams to take part in the SoapBox racing event.

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THE ROTHLEY POSTYOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Unit 109, Greenacres,The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR

Editor: Mr Jerry Jackson

Editorial/Advertising (Tel & Fax)

0116 4422067Correspondence, news etc

can be handed in at:Rothley Library, Rothley Post Officeor to our office Unit 109, Greenacres,

The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BReditor@birstallpost.co.uk

Monday club newsWE WERE pleased to invite Mr Chris-topher Tarratt of Tarratt’s Jewellersin Market Street, Leicester to ourMarch meeting.

Mr Tarratt’s talk was illustrated by a film dem-onstrating various beautiful artefacts which havebeen made since the business was started by hisgrandfather Mr George Tarratt in 1913.

At that time the company earned the reputa-tion as a recognised supplier of unique qualitysilverware. Silver items are not so popular thesedays, but still in demand for commemorative andprestigious trophies presented at various sportingevents around the country.

George’s son, Ivan, joined the firm in 1936after training at Wilson & Gill of London and tookthe firm on from the Art Deco era when the busi-ness moved along Market Street in 1967. Heexpanded its jewellery ranges and watch lines.Inevitably the success resulted in a move in 2006to the fabulous new showroom at 23-25 MarketStreet. We were delighted to view the interiorand Christopher guided us round illustrating the

Mountsorrel Revivalappeal for teams

Pic: Soap box cars at last year’s event

The next issue ofTHE ROTHLEY POSTwill be published on Jun 27.

The copy deadline is Jun 12.