Issue No.

53 May-June 2011

Village Voice
The newsletter of Bottesford, Easthorpe, Muston & Normanton

The Binday Club!

This new club for children in years 6 and 7 happens on Bin day Thursday!
This new volunteer-run Club has been set up by the Parish Council and is open from 7 - 9pm every Thursday, including school holidays, in the current Youth Club premises next to the Fuller Room in the Old School on Grantham Road. It costs just 50p to attend and there is a tuck shop with all profits to be used to purchase equipment including computer games and sports equipment and to fund activities at the club. Currently on offer is table tennis, table football, a pool table, big screen TV, disco equipment, Wii games, outside basketball, cooking and other organised activities. The club opened on the 3rd March with 17 young people attending and by the third session this had increased to 29 young people! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the club just call in to see what goes on or contact Teresa Patchett on 07815 712110.

Bill Roberts commemorative tree planted

On 27th March at the Sensory Garden on Grantham Road in Bottesford, Barry Roberts planted a Rowan Tree in memory of his father, William Roberts known to most people as Bill. Bill served as a Parish Councillor from 1958 to 1999, was Chairman of the Parish Council from 1974 to 1981 and was a well known and respected member of our community. The Sensory Garden, near the Millennium Green, is a quiet space designed to allow people to sit and reflect on life and their loved ones. Pictured below are: Marion Roberts, Barry Roberts and Gill Roberts

Hell said the Duchess

Bottesford Village Hall Friday 13th May 7.30pm

Karen Tweed, Becky Price and Hannah James formed an all female accordion trio in 1979. They assure us that the accordion can be an expressive instrument, capable of great beauty and subtlety not just a noisy box to drown out bagpipes. As well as playing dance music and airs from Ireland, France, and 18th Century England, they sing and they perform clog dances. If you wish to join us for a marvellous evening of entertainment tickets are on sale in the Spar shop and Deli and from Gill Chiswell on 842868.

Belvoir Country News

Belvoir Country News was published quarterly from 1979 2001 and was distributed across all the villages in the Vale that fell within the High School catchment area. The aim of BCN was to promote the courses and activities which ran at the new Community Centre and to provide information about Call us for all your electrical needs what was going on across the Vale. Service sales and electrical The original editorial committee Engineers was Alan Reed (Community Centre Established 1965 Warden and Belvoir High School 5 Market Street 3 Shopping Centre headmaster), Adrian Simpson, Enid Bingham, Notts Cotgrave, Notts Sayer, Jackie Simpson, Patsy Black01949 838597 0115 9892312 shaw and Rita Doyle and the deliverers were school children. The photo of the first issue features Ivan Marks who was Angler of the year in 1978 and came to give a talk at the Community Centre (tickets cost 50p). Notable headlines from the 22 years that BCN were produced include: 21st Anniversary of Belvoir High School; Sept 1980 filming of Little Lord Fauntleroy at Belvoir Castle (many local residents were extras); 1983 Bottesford Youth Club (in the old Coffee House) destroyed by fire; 1984 Muston Bends straightened; 1987 5 Village Youth Centre opened; 1988 bypass opened; 1988 Playgroup moves to new building; 1991 Alan Reed retires as head of Belvoir High School; 1994 the old primary school becomes the library.

L R Mees Ltd

SOAL GLASS & WINDOWS

Quality PVCU Doors, Windows & Conservatories All your Glass and Glazing requirements Sealed Unit Manufacturer Plate Glass Specialist

The Witness, 6.30pm on 1st May at St Marys Church, Bottesford

The Witness is a contemporary musical by Carol and Jimmy Owens which presents the Gospel in the form of the story of Jesus as told by Peter, the witness. Everyone is welcome, and refreshments will be available. Donations to church funds can be made on the night.

3 Church Street , off Market Place Bingham

Tel 01949 831037 OR 07887 655453 Emergency number

U3A concert Methodist Chapel 5th March

The U3A choir sang a variety of songs including: Tonight; Oh what a beautiful morning; and Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Gerald Necklen accompanied the choir on the piano and the conductor was Barbara Cobb. Other performers included Kath Fisher who recited a particularly apt monologue titled The Altos Lament and Terry Baker who played Stardust on the clarinet accompanied by John Simpson on the piano. Barbara Cobb joined Jo Brewster for a rendition of Duet for Two Cats by Rossini. Based on the delivery of Meow in cat-like manner to music, the piece was well appreciated by the audience. Over 60 people attended the concert and the magnificent sum of 441 was raised for research into MS.

Dove Hospice Fundraising

Emma and Vicky from The Attic Hair and Beauty Salon decided to donate the proceeds of their annual fundraising event to Dove Hospice this year. The Attic provided the delicious wine and nibbles and more than 50 people attended. Together they raised over 60 from the sale of Jamie Oliver kitchenware and clothes from the Lavender Room.

Fundraising at 2nd Bottesford Guides event

Teresa Patchett is to accompany a group of Senior Section Guides and Leaders on a trip to Busumbatia in Uganda in August this year. They will be working at a special needs school, helping to improve the buildings and playground, along with taking part in other work to assist the community. Teresa is fundraising to enable her to go on this trip and to buy equipment and supplies for the children of Busumbatia. Teresa would like to thank the Parish Council, Leicestershire County Council, Vale of Belvoir Lions and the Grantham Trefoil Guild for their kind donations towards the cost of her trip. While she continues to raise funds Teresa would greatly appreciate any tombola prizes or donations. Contact her on 07815 712110 or 842173, if you can help in any way. Teresa raised 40 at this event and the 2nd Bottesford Guides raised 170 for the Meningitis Trust. Well done everyone!

Red Nose Day saw the children and staff wearing something funny to raise money for Comic Relief. Children brought in jokes to share with their class mates, completed a sponsored silence, organised a raffle or brought in sweets to sell, while Year 5 performed the Red Nose Day song at a whole school assembly. 278.20 was raised. I am always so impressed with how our children show such compassion and a willingness to help others. It was a great day with lots of laughs, commented Mrs McGrory, Headteacher.

Bottesford C E Primary School - Red Nose Day Fun

Bottesford Green Day, 12th March

NEED A MAN THAT CAN ?

Call CHRIS
07814 802963 or 01949 843358
House & Property Maintenance & Repairs Inside & Out, Tiling - Wall / Floor, Slabbing Patios, Fencing, Joinery, Guttering ETC! ETC! ETC!

The Vale Villages in Transition (VVIT) Group was very pleased to see over 300 people at its first ever Green Day in the Village Hall to sample local food and to talk to stallholders about energy use. More than 25 businesses attended the event selling everything from sausages to solar panels. The Milk and More display outside the Village Hall and especially the large cow which was part of the display, was a big hit with local children. The group is hoping to continue to run events and activities in the Vale with the aim of promoting a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, with a reduced reliance on energy. If you would like to find out more come to their next meeting on 5th May at 7.30pm in the Fuller room, go to www.valevillagesintransition.org.uk or ring 07812654059. Darren Rolls, Waste Minimisation & Participation Assistant at Melton Borough Council would like to thank those residents in Bottesford who braved the wet weather and brought their electrical items along to the Recycling Roadshow in March. Around 3 wheeled bins worth of electrical items have been saved from going to landfill and the recycled items can look forward to a new life. For more information on waste and recycling please visit www.melton.gov.uk, or get in touch by phone on 01664 502 502 or e-mail: contactus@melton.gov.uk

Recycling Roadshow

Community Village Litter-Pick Saturday March 26th

Volunteers spent the morning improving the environment by picking up litter in Bottesford and Easthorpe. About two dozen people turned up to help, and were kitted out by Melton Borough Council with high-visibility vests, plastic sacks, litter-pickers and protective gloves. The worst places for litter were the skateboard park, the VC Hall field and verges and hedges near both Belvoir High School and the car boot field. The litter-pick, sponsored by our Parish Council, was organised by Malcolm and Mary Owen, who thank all those who helped and have asked the Parish Council to consider making the community litter-pick a twice-yearly event.

Green Spaces in Leicestershire

At the County Councils recent Community Forum meeting in Waltham, residents were asked to mark on large scale maps, the local Green Spaces of importance to them for landscape, natural, recreational or community value. The Council will collect the data from all 26 Community Forums to inform local policy and planning processes. For more information go to www.lsr-online.org/greenspaces.

SPOTLIGHT ON.

Childrens Church at St Marys, Bottesford

Childrens Church meets on the 2nd Sunday in each month, except August, at 10am in the schoolroom behind the Bottesford Methodist Church in Devon Lane. Using the Godly Play series there is age appropriate Bible teaching for the children, followed by craft, drama, or other activities related to the theme. The children share in a time of singing and prayer, and enjoy a feast of juice and biscuits, before walking the short distance to St Marys for the final part of the church service, ending around 11.30am. St Marys congregation believe that they are called by God, as a church family, to nurture, teach and listen to children and young people. Across all the activities with children and young people, there is an aim to nurture and treasure them; teach and minister to them; and listen and grow with them in faith. All children and parents are welcome, and the sessions are free. There are 18 registered children ranging in age from 2 up to 10 years. They share a Bible story as a large group, splitting into two groups for the related activities. All helpers have an up to date enhanced Criminal Records Bureau certificate. Parents are invited to stay and support their child(ren), or alternatively, those with older children may want to take the opportunity to enjoy the church service in the knowledge that their child is receiving age appropriate teaching. If you would like to find out more about Childrens Church at St Marys, please contact Lisa Smith on 843615 or Glenda Gibson on 845106.

Laura Marsh
Revd. Mark Smith, Rector of St Marys, is pleased to announce that Laura Marsh (pictured right) has now been appointed as his secretary. Laura lives in Bottesford with her husband and two young children and is enjoying her new role. Please contact Laura on 842859 for all wedding, baptism, funeral and general enquiries relating to St Marys or email stmarysbottesford@tiscali.co.uk Benefice Office Opening Hours are Monday 14.30pm, and Tuesday Thursday 9.30-11.30 am

Whats On in May...
Sat 30th Apr 10-5pm Sun 1st May 2-5pm Mon 2nd 10-4pm. Sun 1st 6.30pm Every Weds 7.30pm Thurs 5th 7.30pm First Friday every month, 10-10.30am Sun 8th 10am-1pm Sun 8th 1pm Mon 9th 7.15pm Tues 10th 2pm Weds 11 12.45pm
th

Methodist Church and Vale of Belvoir Art Society Spring Exhibition. Art by local talent in a variety of media. Refreshments, lunches, teas, stalls etc. The Witness Musical, St Marys Church. (See page 2) Bottesford Whist Drive. Fuller Rooms. Vale Villages In Transition meeting, Fuller Rooms. All invited, please email suebreedon@telecomplus.org.uk Wriggly Readers at Bottesford Library. Babes to young children; songs, rhymes, stories. Enquiries 0116 3053550 Senior Section Guides at the Scout Hut - Table Top Sale. To book a table contact Teresa on 07815 712110 5 mile sponsored walk around Muston (See page 7) Parish Council meeting. Fuller Rooms. Residents welcome to observe. For first 15mins may raise concerns/questions U3A.'Witchcraft in Nottinghamshire' . C .Davies. VC Hall Health Walk, meet outside Welby Practice, Walford Close. Muston to Dirty Duck along track & canal towpath. All welcome. Bottesford Methodist Friendship Group, church schoolroom. Speaker Ian Harra 'Chernobyl, 25years'. Refreshments,all welcome. Details from Glenys Bradshaw on 842893. Local History Society. Fuller Rooms. 'The Secrets of Sherwood Forest' Kevin Topham. Dove Cottage Annual Traditional Summer Fete. Canal Lane, Stathern. Live entertainment, music, stalls, refreshments. Fun for all! Entry free, car parking 2.50. Ending with their very own Songs of Praise at 4.00pm. East Midland Orchid Society. 'Paphiopedilums' - Ian Dorman. Non-members welcome. W.I. - Resolutions & Annual Supper - VC Hall. VoB Ramblers. Muston. 5 miles. Call 0115 9825600 for a free programme. Bottesford Methodist Friendship Group, speaker from Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. A warm welcome to everyone. (Then as Thurs 12th ) Health Walk, meet outside Welby Practice, Walford Close. Allington, Leaders Norma and Leslie. All welcome. Bottesford Methodist Friendship Group, trip to Newstead Abbey/guided house tour. Details G. Bradshaw, 842893. Local History Society - Annual Summer Outing VoB Ramblers. Woolsthorpe, Leics, 6 miles. Parish Council meeting. Fuller Rooms. Residents welcome to observe. For first 15mins may raise concerns/questions U3A Television Comedy Jean Warr. VC Hall East Midland Orchid Society VC Hall. Speaker: Dr Patricia Harding (USA). Huntleya & related genera. All are invited including non-members. W.I. - Heather and Her Accordion. VC Hall. Bottesford Methodist Friendship Group, Chapel Schoolroom, Speaker Heather Brown (See 12th May). Senior Section Guides at the Scout Hut Summer Fayre. To book a table contact Teresa on 07815 712110

Thurs 12th 2.30pm

Thurs 12th 7.30pm Sun 15th 1.30-4.30pm

Sun 15th 2.30pm (Hall open 1.30pm) Tues 17th 7.30pm Sat 22nd 7pm Thurs 26th 2.30pm

And in June...
Weds 8th 12.45pm Thurs 9th Thurs 9th Sun 12th 10am Mon 13th 7.15pm Tues 14th 2pm Sun 19th 2.30pm (Hall open 1.30pm) Tues 21st 7.30pm Thurs 23rd 2.30pm Sun 26th 10am-1pm

Important: To publicise your event in the Whats On column for July & August, please ring 844823 or email d.taffs@btinternet.com by 27th May.

The ever popular Bottesford 5k Fun Run will take place on Sunday 1st May. Registration starts in the VC Hall at 9 am. and the race starts outside the Hall at 10.30 am. This is very much a family event and everyone from the young to the not so young are welcome to take part. Entry fees are 3 for adults and 1 for children. A sponsored walk of around 5 miles will take place on Sunday 8th May, leaving from outside Muston Church at 1 pm. and finishing at the Olde Forge Tea Rooms for a well earned cuppa. A detailed route and sponsorship forms are available from Martin and Wendy Hockenhall (844646). Alternatively a donation on the day would be welcomed. Visit to the Vale of Belvoir: The current group of children are coming for their fifth and final visit this year 25 years after the disaster in Chernobyl. Hopefully a new group of children will be coming in 2012. If you would be interested in hosting or helping please contact Anne Ablewhite on 842259. The group is holding a meeting in the Autumn for families interested in finding out more about hosting and more information will be in Village Voice nearer the time.

Friends of Chernobyls Children

Parish Council News

The Council has been advised that heavy lorries are still driving along Market Street. These can be reported to Trading Standards on 0116 3058000 giving the registration number, the name of the firm and the time the incident occurred. Do you want to object to a planning application? If so please send a copy of your letter/email to the Parish Clerk so that the Parish Council is aware of peoples views. The Police are hoping to relocate to a room in the High School as it was not possible to locate them within the Children's Centre. There are currently 3 vacancies for Parish Councillors. If you would like to know about being Co-opted on to the Parish Council contact the Parish Clerk, Mrs. Barbara Taylor on 843 611. Police website: Would you like to know about the number of recorded crimes in Bottesford? Look at www.police.uk to find out about crime in our area.

George Hand a Bottesford man made good

As reported in The Grantham Journal in 1894 and 1895
Hands Walk is named after a local benefactor called George Hand who made his fortune as a London merchant dealing in wool. He often returned to Bottesford taking an active role in village affairs. He was a JP, President of the Horticultural Society, a prominent member of the Bottesford Oddfellows Friendly Society and bought cottages on the High Street. The rents were to benefit the deserving, the poor and the school. His success in the City of London included election as a Sheriff in 1894 which entitled him to have his own ceremonial coach constructed. The Bottesford football club raised a subscription to help purchase Mr Hands chain of office. 10 guineas had been collected by September 1894 enough for one link inscribed with an etching of the church. In his thanks to the village, George Hand recalled his Bottesford schooldays when his parents paid 9 old pennies (4p) a week for his education. In November 1895 he was made a Lieutenant of the City of London. His wife Mrs Maria Hand was presented to Queen Victoria in February 1895. It was reported that Mrs Hand wore a gown of white satin trimmed with scarves of gold, embroidered with needlepoint lace and a corsage of diamonds bound with green velvet.

Healthy Tots
Staff at Lara House Day Nursery in Bottesford have been working with the children and families who attend the nursery, and Leicestershire Healthy Tots team, to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage healthy life choices. On March 9th, the nursery was accredited by Leicestershire County Council as a Healthy Tots setting, reflecting the extensive work that had been done by the team and their on-going commitment to supporting the health of children and families. Cara Rowlett (Senior Health Early Years Advisor for the Leicestershire Healthy Tots Team) said I loved your commitment and enthusiasm towards Healthy Tots.

Advertise in The Village Voice

Delivered to 1490 homes in the parish, 6 times per year. Please phone 842259 for advice.

Sport
Bottesford Cricket Club news
Kwik cricket starts Friday 29th April and continues until
mid September at 6.15-7.45 pm. The cost is 1 per child and boys and girls aged 5 years old to 9 years old are very welcome. The sessions are run by qualified ECB coaches, who are all CRB checked and qualified in first aid. Volunteers are needed to work alongside the cricket coaches. For more information contact David Charlesworth on 844639 or 07730657581, or email: charlie639@btinternet.com

Neil Smith & Dad

Plumbing & Heating For all domestic & light Commercial work
07976219989 01949 842145 www.neilsmithplumbing.co.uk Gas safe registered

U11s hard ball team matches start in early May and coaching sessions
are planned. For more information contact Andrew Morley 842488 or 07801287955 or email: sally@morley9509.fsnet.co.uk

U13s hard ball team matches start in early May and coaching is planned.
For more information contact David Charlesworth (see above)

U15s hard ball team matches start in early May and coaching is planned.
For information contact Ian Seymour 844094 or 07931301668 or email: seymour.ian@btinternet.com

Card Games, Roulette Wheels and Millionaire's Casino Evening

The Vale of Belvoir Lions held a gaming hall fundraiser for Nottinghamshire Kidney Units' Appeal on 5th March. Big bets were placed, risky moves were made but fun was had by all. There were two winners, Kathryn Hinscliff-Smith and Martin Cox, with Kathryn winning way in excess of 220 million Bottesford pounds. The event raised a total of 1,292 in real money.

Vale of Belvoir Lions charity presentation evening

The VOB Lions presented cheques to four of the five charities that they had raised funds for. The five Charities were; Friends of Chernobyl Children 800.00; STEPS 500.00; Rainbows Children's Hospice 1000.00; When You Wish Upon a Sta r 70 0 . 0 0 a nd Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres 150.00. For more information & photos go to: www.voblions.org.uk/ archive/2011-02-23 _presentation_evening

Lion President Simon Ashworth and Anne Ablewhite, on behalf of Friends of Chernobyl Children

Village Voice Contacts

Advertising: Anne Ablewhite on 842259 Editorial: Dilys Shepherd on 843505 or Susan Meech on 843402 Deadline for Issue 54: 20th May. E-mail: vv@bottesford.org.uk or 12 The Paddocks, Bottesford, NG13 0BD Website: www.villagevoice.bottesford.org.uk
Whilst every care is taken in the printing of notices and advertisements, the committee accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies or consequences which may arise from them. Views expressed in the Village Voice do not necessarily reflect those of the committee.