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A ROTHLEY man has written a book about
his years of service in the second world war.
Pic: Fred Collins
Ninety year old Frederick Collins was in the Ninth Battalion
Royal Fusiliers and saw active service in the Middle East, Africa
and Italy.
Fred, who has lived in Rothley for 21 years, said: "I used
to tell my daughters anecdotes from my war years and they used
to say, why don't you write it all down, so in January 2006 I
sat down to begin."
He added : "Once I started it just flowed and I filled eleven
notebooks."
His granddaughter Sarah typed it up to make a book : 'Always
a Fusilier : A Soldier's Tale'.
Fred's first experience of service in the front line was an Enfidaville
in Tunisia in 1943. His company were in slit trenches waiting
for an allied artillery barrage on the German positions to finish
before the order came to advance across a thousand yards of open
plain containing land mines.
The Germans were in the foothills beyond the plain and the Fusiliers'
orders were to climb these to get to the enemy.
Fred's account in the book states: "The whistle blew and
we moved forward into the smoke [from the artillery barrage].
It was a funny feeling for me. I didn't feel any fear at this
time, but a wind came and blew the smoke away and then the realisation
came; we heard bullets whizzing past and the Nebelwerther (A
German mortar) opened up and the mortar shells came down. Parsons
in my section was the first to go, I saw him clutch his chest
and went down; as we went on, 'Smudger Smith' went. It didn't
seem too good for us but we pressed on without any further loss
and got to the wadi and had a breather, but no respite there
as shells began to fall in there as well. We finally got to the
foothills and found that the Germans at the top had discovered
that we were there. The position seemed hopeless, it was getting
dark now and we couldn't go forward or back. They say that fear
makes Christians of us all but that night I said a little prayer.
I didn't ask to be saved, but said 'Lord if it's my turn to go
let it be quick'. We were lying flat and on the ground but Fusilier
Gandy, the signaller attached to us couldn't because of the Eleven
Set, a wireless pack that was quite large. He had to kneel down,
he was reporting the situation back to HQ. I expect other signallers
at other platoons were doing the same. As time went by we could
hear the cries of pain coming through the area. Then Fus. Gandy
said, 'the attack has been called off, we are to make our way
back as best we can'. I said 'are you sure?' but he never answered,
we found out he'd been shot just after he'd given the message.
We started to crawl back the way we came, and got separated from
each other in the dark. After a while I met up with a Sgt from
another company, I don't recall his name. Whilst we were crawling,
a bullet hit the blade of my spade and went off somewhere without
doing any harm to me. We got to the wadi safely, and climbed
out and saw a tank. It was a 'Matilda' and at the back was a
large round disk called the Infantry Bell, and if it was stuck
with the butt of a rifle, it alerted the crew inside that someone
was outside. I gave it a bash with my rifle and the lid opened
up and one of the crew asked who we were. I said 'Fusiliers',
he said 'we've got your CO in here, he's been wounded'.
The following day Fred made it back to his battalion only to
find his commanding officer had posted him Missing In Action,
and the telegram had already been sent to Fred's wife Dorothy.
Later in 1943 Fred was in the front line again, landing on the
Italian coast at Salerno. He says: "We ran up the beach
where luckily our section encountered no mines but we could hear
them going off either side of us, from up the beach we could
hear the Germans calling out 'Schnell, schnell, der Englander!'."
While in Italy Fred made friends with an Italian professor who
gave him Italian lessons and introduced him to his family.
Fred was demobbed on March 6, 1946, six years and five days after
he was called up, but in August 1945 he was given some leave
to return to England "I caught the train to St Pancras and
it couldn't go quick enough for me but it eventually arrived
at Leicester and I was finally getting home, just the journey
on the tram to Down Street. Walking up the street I felt like
running. Having to knock at the door was quite strange, as I
had no key. When the door opened Dorothy stood there, it was
a wonderful sight after all the time we'd been apart."
The final section of Fred's book is an account of his trip in
2005 to Italy to remember his comrades and look again at the
beaches where he landed.
Pic: Frederick Collins pictured with his book
and his friends at the Wednesday morning art club in the Rothley
Centre.
Fred says of the war: "I wouldn't have missed it, but I
wish it had never happened. All those husbands and sons…I
lost many friends. What I remember is the comradeship, you learn
that you depend on your mates and they depend on you. If it was
like that now, we wouldn't be in the state we're in today."
'Always a Fusilier : A Soldier's Tale' has 128 pages and is illustrated
with photographs. It costs £5 plus £1.50 p&p.
Contact Frederick Collins on 2303031.
Parish Council notes
A FULL meeting of Rothley Parish Council
was held on February 19.
An issue with schoolchildren playing football on the Cross Green
flower beds while waiting for school transport was discussed.
It was agreed to ask the school to address the situation rather
than police action, at this time.
The Dog Warden will be asked to patrol the Babington Road/Macaulay
Road area following a report of the increase of dog mess in that
area.
The village play equipment had passed a safety inspection by
Charnwood subject to two seats being replaced.
A full meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on March 19.
It was reported there had already been a number of distraction
burglaries in the village in March.
The Council agreed to seek advice from a contractor about drainage
problems on the Fowke Street playing field and to pay for mole
runs on the playing field to be gassed.
The Council will make a bid for £300,000 of Lottery money
for the new Rothley Centre.
The Council has agreed a contract within a budget of £3,000
with Plantscape, who will provide floral displays in the village
this year.
A full meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on April 16.
The skateboard park on the Fowke Street playing field is continually
vandalised. The Council considered quotes to replace the wooden
panels with steel that has a lifetime guarantee for £15,400.
A site meeting was agreed, to report back to the Council in May.
It was report that contractors restoring the cemetery chapel
have found a problem with the roof that will require a further
£10,000 to put right. It was agreed the work be carried
out
Hanging baskets will be erected in the village in mid May.
Keeping lights bright all year
THERE ARE 64,000 street lights in Leicestershire
and around 11,500 illuminated traffic signs, but did you know
that a team of six men have the mammoth task of keeping the lights
bright 365 nights a year?
The team consists of two 'scouts' and four street lighting electricians.
The scouts go out every night and spot lights that have gone
out - it sounds obvious, but you can only tell if a street light
doesn't work if it's dark.
The next day, the scouts' reports go to the street lighting electricians,
and along with any reports of faulty street lights that come
in via 'Roadline' they are mended throughout the day. The whole
county is covered on a two week cycle, and all faulty street
lights are mended within four working days of the fault being
reported.
Sometimes, though, the problem is an emergency - for example,
a road traffic collision involving a car crashing into a streetlight.
One of the county's electricians is on call 24 hours a day, so
the police can contact them if this happens.
A collision can result in a lighting column lying across the
road, or dangerous live wires being exposed. This kind of problem
has to be responded to in two hours, so whatever time of day
or night, the street lighting electrician has to be ready to
go out.
Mark Seaton, Street Lighting Electrician, who has been doing
the job since 1975, said: "It has never been a 9-5 job,
and I can be called out at any time. Last year, I got called
out three times on Christmas Day, twice on Boxing Day and once
at 11.15pm on New Year's Eve - the festivities were all over
by the time I got back! My main priority is always to make the
scene safe for the public and our emergency services."
Anyone wishing to report a street lighting fault or problem can
call Roadline on 0800 62 62 03 or by visiting www.leics.gov.uk/street_lighting
Rothley History Society
ROTHLEY HISTORY Society's January speaker
was Mr George Gamble whose subject was 'The History of Medals'
- a very interesting and informative talk of a rather neglected
subject and which also included ladies who had received medals.
What a wonderful collection of medals he had to show us.
Our speaker for February was Mr Ted Bottle who took us back to
old provincial theatres. A quite fascinating insight of how theatres
were, and in many cases how they are still, in this century.
Our March speaker was Mr Dale Jackson talking about 'The Habits
of a Lifetime' and we learned about habits in years gone past,
and were quite amazed at some of the things that went on.
Although we hadn't as yet heard our April speaker, we know that
his subject will be about the Naughty Nineties as seem from contemporary
newspapers. A subject we are all very much looking forward to.
In May we hold our open social evening, much looked forward to
by our members and to which visitors are most welcome.
In June we shall be listening with great interest to Felicity
Austin whose subject title is 'Oh, I Do Like To Be Beside The
Sea'. Another subject that we feel will be very different and
interesting, perhaps taking us back to our childhood memories
of holidays by the sea.
Also in June, on the 13th, we have an outing to the little, virtually
unknown village of Staunton in the Vale. Our evening will start
with dinner at the village pub, followed by the rare opportunity
of being taken on a guided tour round the Manor House of Staunton,
which has been owned and is still lived in by the same family
for many centuries. We are very privileged to be able to offer
this outing as the Hall if not generally open to the public.
Some time in July we are planning having a Treasure Trail round
Rothley for the children. We haven't yet concluded all our arrangements
but the event will be advertised on posters around the village.
On August 7 we visit Stamford where our guide will introduce
us to the delights of a town well known from its setting for
many period films set in the 19th century. We then go on to visit
Prebendal Manor House, the oldest house in Northamptonshire.
Prebendal Manor is a Norman house, built on the site of a manor
belonging to King Canute.
We now have our own website, do look at us on www.Rothleyhistory.co.uk
Do come along and join us at The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel
Lane, Rothley. Our talks start at 7.30pm on the third Wednesday
of the month, except July & August.
From Rothley History Society
Remembering good old days
IN MARCH, Cropston & Thurcaston's Monday
Club enjoyed being taken back to the 'Good Old Days' by our speaker
Mr Gerry Burrows.
His illustrated and humorous talk 'Do you remember this?' interspersed
with popular music from the 50s and 60s, jogged our memories
as we sang along to accompany many past celebrities. Other memories
were of spending our pocket money at the sweet shop on liquorice
sticks and kayli. Visiting the grocer (sugar in blue bags), the
chemist (pills and potions made on the premises while you waited)
and many other items which contributed to a particular way of
life long gone! After our sing-along, we all enjoyed a good cup
of tea, unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, not Mazawattee!
April saw once again a memory jogging quiz; identifying theme
tunes from television and radio. It was surprising how only a
couple of notes could immediately bring some favour programmes
to mind (Dr Finlay's Case Book; Terry and June; Vandervalk; The
Lone Ranger on TV; Dick Barton, Special Agent; Paul Temple; Meet
the Huggetts and of course the 'Archers' to name just a few,
on the Radio. All this mental exertion was following by a scrumptious
array of cakes provided by our member Mrs Barbara Temple, in
celebration of her 70th birthday.
From Ann Farndon
Birstall gala in July
BIRSTALL GALA will be returning this July
with all the usual attractions as well as some new ones.
The popular two day event is being held on the School Lane playing
field on Saturday July 7 and Sunday July 8.
Saturday is a music event, from 2-9pm, aimed at younger people
and showcases local bands.
The Sunday is a family day, from 10am to 10.30pm, and starts
with an open air church service, followed by displays, a tug
of war and dozens of stalls run by local groups. This year will
feature a boxing exhibition by young people from Gunns gym.
On both days there will be fairground rides, food stalls and
a beer tent.
On Sunday evening there will be a Proms in the Park free concert
with the Hathern band, climaxing with a firework display.
The event is organised by Birstall Parish Council and on the
Sunday, Chairman Stuart Jones will announce the winner of the
Council's 'Citizen of the Year' award. The award recognises the
contribution that volunteers make to the community, and goes
to the individual who receives the most nominations from residents.
Nominations should be sent to the Parish Council, Birstall Village
Hall, Birstall Road, Birstall LE4 4DH or email: info@birstallpc.org.uk
Longslade offers new diploma
LONGSLADE COLLEGE will be one of the first
schools in the country to offer a new diploma that will be an
alternative to GCE's and A levels.
Schools and Colleges in north west Leicestershire and the Melton
and Charnwood areas have been chosen to trial the new qualification.
Offered to 14-19 year olds, the diplomas will be more practical
than GCSEs and A levels. Engineering will be the first subject
offered in September 2008, combining practical work with academic
skills.
There will be three levels of diploma: level one is equivalent
to four or five GCSE passes and level two equivalent to five
or six GCSE passes at Grade A-star to C. Level three will be
equivalent to three A-levels and will be accepted by universities.
Horticultural society
THURCASTON & Cropston Horticultural
Society's speaker Richard Yates transported us to the Brazilian
rain forest about 60 miles inland of Rio de Janeiro.
Dave Miller, an Irishman, owns around 10 acres of forest in which
he preserves both flora and fauna. The land he owns has approximately
350 species of tree in 1 hectare. Numerous varieties of bromeliads
grow, together with 250 species of orchid, all colours, shapes
and sizes. The slides showed trees supporting clumps of ferns
growing on the branches., Christmas cacti growing on trees, and
a type of mistletoe with red berries. As well as the orchids,
busy lizzies, begonia, alstroemeria, passion flowers grow wild.
The fauna includes pit vipers, pigs, armadillos and humming birds
which we saw feeding from the flowers. And then back to Thurcaston
for a plant sale!
From Pam Mason
Reading group growing
BIRSTALL READING Group meets once a month
at Birstall library.
The group reads a book each month and meets to discuss
it - each session lasts an hour and there is no charge for membership.
Member Mary Houghton said: "We each have an opportunity
to make a contribution to the discussion which may become quite
lively at times. We hear about other books which are recommended
by our members. At the end of each meeting we take home the next
book on a one month loan. Currently there are nine of us. Of
course, at each meeting someone is on holiday so the numbers
vary. We would welcome a few more members, particularly men,
as a more even balance of the sexes makes for a wider expression
of viewpoint. There must be some more men out there who read!
This month we are reading 'When We Were Orphans' by Kazuo Ishiguro.
The group meets on the last Tuesday of each month at 5.30pm on
the first floor of Birstall library.
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Rothley postman retires
ROTHLEY POSTMAN Phil Elkerton has retired
after nine and a half years service.
Pic: (l-r) Sue Lewin, Richard Atkins,
Phil Elkerton, Ruth Simpson and David Lynch
Postmaster David Lynch said: "Phil is one of the old school,
always checking his mail and he's very helpful to the customers.
All the staff wish him and his wife Carol a long and happy retirement,
he will be sadly missed."
Phil was presented with a £150 shopping voucher by his
colleagues and treated to a meal at the Woodman's Stroke.
Top policeman’s gym visit
LEICESTERSHIRE'S CHIEF constable visited
a boxing club in Birstall to see for himself how the club is
working to deter young people from committing crime in the area.
Matt Baggott was invited to Gunns' Gym on Birstall Road by its
owner, Carl Gunns, and the Neighbourhood Beat Officer, PC 815
Chris Falle. The gym was set up to provide something for local
youngsters to do, keep them off the streets and deter them from
getting into antisocial behaviour and crime. Mr Baggott met with
young male and female boxers and took the opportunity to talk
to Mr Gunns. He also visited the new training gym on Front Street.
PC Falle said: "I am really pleased that Mr Baggott accepted
Carl's invitation to see the club which has gone from strength
to strength under Carl's leadership. Only a few years ago there
were very few members, now there are up to 1,000 young people
using the facilities.
"Mr Gunns dedicates a lot of his time to helping young people
and volunteers a lot of his energy to the project. He only charges
the young people a nominal fee of £1 to use the facilities;
he raises the rest of the money from voluntary donations or his
own money.
"The local youths have a great deal of respect for Carl,
as he does for them, and he is well known within the community.
He doesn't allow the young people to behave badly, be disrespectful
or to swear. Not only do they get fit, they develop a useful
skill and have a lot of fun at the same time."
Carl Gunns said: "Matt was very impressed with the kids,
how hard they train and the impact the gym has had on the community.
He couldn't get over how hard some of the girls were punching
the bags. I was grateful he took the time to visit us, the kids
put on a great exhibition."
Your Say...
I'm told, it will very soon be finished
But that's only word of mouth.
I refer of course,
To the wingless, angel of the south.
Despite its radiant effects,
The distraction's become a tester.
As I end up more times in Wyevale
Then I do in Leicester.
So please help me out here, as I'm at a complete loss.
Who was it, that left it unfinished,
So I can have a word with his Boss
Name & address supplied
Planning
910 Loughborough Road, Rothley - Two storey side extension
and single storey rear extension
25 Howe Lane, Rothley - erection of first floor extension to
side of dwelling
28 Merlin Close, Rothley - erection of a two storey extension
to front of dwelling
104 Swithland Lane, Rothley - erection of two storey front extension,
two front dormer windows, single storey extension and dormer
window to rear of dwelling
144 Swithland Lane, Rothley - erection of rear ground floor extension
and additional vehicle access to the front
3 Westfield Lane, Rothley - erection of garage to front of dwelling
Southfields Farm, Town Green Street, Rothley - change of use
from agricultural land to residential curtilage
Millfield, 9 Church Street, Rothley - erection of single storey
extension to rear of dwelling
39 Kiln Garth, Rothley - erection of one and a half storey extension
to side of dwelling
57 Leicester Road, Thurcaston - erection of two storey side extension
and single storey extension to rear of dwelling
154 Station Road, Cropston - addition of a steel flue for a wood
burning stove
26 Station Road, Cropston - demolition of dwelling and the erection
of a replacement dwelling
4 Bradgate Road, Cropston - replacement pitched roofs to two
dormers to front of dwelling
NHW news & crime report
WE HAVE been working closely with partner agencies and antisocial
behaviour in Rothley has reduced.
We have dealt with four youths who admitted carrying out 16 offences
of damage in the centre of Rothley.
We continue to tackle car crime on the beauty spot car parks
and have taken the rural beat vehicle to various locations giving
out crime prevention advice to help reduce burglaries and car
crime.
Seven people have been arrested for burglaries around the villages
and property has been recovered from several addresses.
We have continued to increase Neighbourhood Watch with an addition
of 16
schemes.
Our new neighbourhood policing priorities are:
o to improve road safety, working with partner agencies to combat
offences of speeding
o to maintain and increase NHW schemes in order to promote awareness
of crime prevention issues to tackle offences of burglary.
o to continue to work with partner agencies and the local community
to reduce vehicle crime at local beauty spots.
From PC 0544 Steve Rhodes and PCSO 6646 Susan Hall. To leave
a voicemail, dial 222 2222 and follow the instructions.
Crime Report
Rothley Feb 1 to April 24
Burglary 7, Theft of Vehicle 2, Theft from Vehicle 10, Theft
8, Damage 10, Burglary Other 6
Thurcaston Jan 1 to April 24
Burglary Other 1, Damage 1, Theft from Vehicle 5, Assault 1,
Theft of Vehicle 1
Cropston Jan 1 to April 24
Burglary 3, Burglary Other 2, Assault 1, Theft from Vehicle 1,
Damage 5
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Underwear & bedtime rituals
THURCASTON & Cropston Local History
Society's speaker in March was Barbara McAllen who gave an entertaining
and humorous presentation on historic nightwear, underwear and
bedtime rituals entitled 'And so to Bed'
Barbara first became interested in collecting historic night
and underwear with the purchase of an exquisitely hand sewn Victorian
nightdress for the sum of £10. After that, it became her
life-long hobby and she brought with her a wonderful collection
of garments and other items, such as antique curling tongs, she
had purchased or been given over the years. Each garment and
item shown to us had an anecdotal story relating to its acquisition,
some of which created a great deal of laughter.
The nightdresses of upper class Victorian ladies were made of
the finest cotton, all painstakingly hand sewn and embroidered,
whereas those for working class women would be of coarser material,
plain and unadorned. Barbara also had some examples of equally
plain nightdresses when materials and resources were scarce during
the depression of the 1920s and 30s.
1942 saw the advent of the utility mark to set a standard of
quality for clothing and goods in short supply both during and
immediately after World War II. Barbara had a number of garments
bearing the utility mark.
Underwear came in a variety of designs dependent on the fashions
of the time. Victorian whaleboned corsets (or stays) were fastened
tightly to produce the hour-glass shape, accentuating a narrow
waist. Unfortunately, this led to all sorts of health problems
by restricting the blood circulation to vital organs with resultant
dietary deficiencies, fainting episodes and other ailments. By
the late 1800s, with ladies beginning to take part in sports
like tennis, boned camisoles were produced, a kind of forerunner
to the sports bra. The straight up and down ladies' fashions
of the 1930s led to the production of undergarments to flatten
the bust, from one extreme to the other!
Much hilarity was generated when Barbara spoke of the changing
fashions on the delicate topic of ladies knickers! For example
the term 'Directoire Knickers' originated during the French revolution
which began in 1789 and it was decreed in 1795 that women should
wear knickers with gussets, presumably to act as a deterrent
to the promiscuity that prevailed before the revolution!
Up to and including the Georgian era, personal hygiene at all
levels of society was abysmal. In Georgian society, and earlier,
unpleasant odours were masked with perfumes and pomanders, but
personal cleanliness and washing were never considered as necessities.
However, the late 1700s and early 1800s brought the first production
of toilet soap, Pears in 1798, and Yardley in 1801 and certainly
among the upper classes, the Victorians brought about a gradual
change of attitude towards improving personal hygiene. Even amongst
the working classes, by the end of the 19th century it was the
norm to take a bath once a week. This was usually taken in a
tin bath in front of the fire in the living room, the bath filled
with water heated on the fire. It was the middle of the 20th
century before the majority of homes in Great Britain had purpose
built bathrooms.
Prior to retiring for the night, Victorian ladies were subjected
to a number of routines, such as vigorous hair brushing, 100
strokes being recommended. Unfortunately, due to the previously
mentioned dietary deficiencies, Victorian ladies were prone to
hair loss, and there were a variety of preparations, reputed
to prevent or cure this, which had to be applied to the hair
and scalp, and a cap was worn overnight to aid the treatment.
These co-called remedies would have to be washed away in the
morning and the whole process repeated on subsequent nights.
Teeth were cleaned with such things as the frayed end of a wooden
stick, powdered cuttlefish or soot!
Face cream would be applied and a face mask worn overnight to
aid efficacy. There were contraptions designed to be worn to
flatten protruding ears or prevent/lessen a double chin, and
for men who had a broad nose there was a kind of nose strap to
straighten the nose, as a straight or aquiline nose was considered
more aesthetically pleasing! Some products including the first
depilatory creams, available from 1900, were arsenic based. The
whole process of going to bed seemed generally to be rather hazardous.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday May 15 at 7.30pm, venue the Old
School Thurcaston, when John Brooks will talk about the history
of Rothley.
This will be followed, on Tuesday June 19, with a guided tour
of Rothley, conducted by John Brookes. Please see village noticeboards
for further details nearer the time.
WI news
The April meeting of Rothley WI brought us what might be termed
a curious title from a lady who is quite well known in the Leicestershire
& Rutland's Women's Institutes.
June Taylor our guest speaker is a past County Chairman for the
Leicestershire & Rutland Federation. June's talk, 'Just an
Ordinary Life', led us into the early part of her life bringing
up a family and working long hours despite being widowed very
early. Loughborough born and bred she eventually remarried and
took a Post Office together with her husband in Woodhouse Eaves
and June joined Wymeswold WI. In the 1980s they eventually moved
into a Loughborough Post Office and then June became Counties
Chairman.
Obviously enjoying a busy and rewarding life with Women's Institute
for many years, her greatest challenge was to manage and organise
the catering for the thousands of exhibitors and visitors to
the royal Show at Stoneleigh. One of June's amusing anecdotes
about that episode in her life as how to dry two and a half thousand
lettuces for lunch at a show of that size - answer…take
your tumble drier along! An affinity for people and an appetite
for challenge has propelled our guest speaker into a life full
of zest and determination for more of the same for probably many
years to come. June Taylor's talk was interesting and lively
and very much enjoyed by her audience. The members of Rothley
WI all wish her continued success in her future challenges.
Like to learn a bit more of the history and development of Leicester
from the comfort of your chair? Come and join us at Rothley Centre,
Wednesday June 6 from 2-4.30pm. Our guest speaker will be Lynn
Mellor who is presenting 'An Armchair Walk around Leicester'.
We would like to add that the May Meeting of the Rothley WI is
a members only meeting.
However we will be delighted to welcome visitors to a demonstration
of various crafts pertaining to the wild flowers of the county.
There will be an opportunity to meet the demonstrators, relax,
have a coffee, a chat and learn a little more about us as we
take part in a countywide Wild Flower Survey being organised
throughout 2007 by the Federation of Women's Institutes for Leicestershire
& Rutland. Saturday May 21, from 10am to 3pm at the Rothley
Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley. Free admission, free tea/coffee.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Mo Bulmer
THE SPEAKER for Thurcaston & Cropston WI's March meeting
was Mr Alan Norman from the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation, who
gave a very informative talk on its history and the kind of help
it offers.
We were told about its founder, a very successful local businessman,
the late Mr David Clarke. He started the Foundation in 1989 after
selling a very rare Ferrari, which realised the astounding sum
of £5million! The charity now owns two properties: Ulverscroft
Manor and Ulverscroft Grange.
The aim is to give support and ease loneliness for people of
all ages, who suffer with disability and illness. People can
come and spend the day there. A lunch is provided and they can
enjoy each other's company or participate in various activities.
They have access to the beautiful grounds which surround both
houses and there are wheelchair friendly walks between the properties.
We were also told about the Disability Aid Loan Scheme, which
loans out a wide variety of equipment for an indefinite period
for those in need.
These days the Foundation has to raise money and we were given
information on the various fundraising activities and events
taking place this year. The talk was appreciated by everyone
and we are now more fully aware of the Foundation and its aims.
Our speaker for the April meeting was Sylvia Cole who gave a
talk entitled 'Life in the Falklands'.
To most of us, the only thing we knew about the Falklands was
the conflict with Argentina 25 years ago. We learned that the
Islands are 8,000 miles away from us and an 18 hour flight by
RAF plane.
Sylvia left her job in the Education Department at County Hall
to take up the position as Director of Education in the Falklands.
Both she and her husband were there from November 2001 until
January 2006. Her highly informative talk told us what it was
actually like to live there. We were shown slides of both the
East and West Islands and saw that because driving conditions
were very difficult, a light aircraft was the best form of transport.
We say pictures of the wide variety of wild life that inhabit
the Islands and were surprised by the white sandy beaches and
the beautiful blue sea. The population of the Falkland islands
is approximately 2,500 people. Over 2,000 live in Stanley which
is the only town. The rest live in settlements outside. The school
in Stanley has 220 junior pupils and 180 secondary pupils, who
have to leave school at 16 and come to England for Further Education.
The islanders, as well as being hospitable are very British in
outlook and clearly wish to remain so. They enjoy ceremony in
particular. Further slides showed visits by Prince Andrew and
the Governor of the Falklands, as well as different parades.
An excellent talk which was appreciated by all.
From Benita Gettings
Latest film screening
DAME HELEN Mirren was crowned queen of
the Baftas for best actress in her role as the monarch in 'The
Queen' which was the April film of Thurcaston and Cropston Film
Presentations, screened at the Memorial Hall, Anstey Lane.
This role could have been dangerous and controversial as the
Queen is still alive, but Dame Helen was sharp, witty and delicate
in her portrayal.
In 1997, the world came to a screeching halt on hearing the news
that Princess Diana had died. Our new Prime Minister, Tony Blair,
referred to Diana as 'The People's Princess' but the nation wanted
to see the Royal Family.
They remained at Balmoral , steeped in hundreds of years of tradition,
although Diana was the mother of the future king, they were treating
her death as a private matter because she had divorced Prince
Charles. 'The Queen' gives a personal, compassionate and human
look inside the lives of England's leaders, as they try to come
to terms with the tragedy. The outstanding set and costume design,
in this film helped to make it one of the best films of the year.
The next film to be screened is on Friday May 18, when 'Miss
Potter' will be shown at Thurcaston Memorial Hall.
This film shows the secret life of British author and illustrator,
Beatrix Potter. It portrays a woman of strong views and independence,
well ahead of her time.
The film will be shown at 7.30pm. tickets £3, Concessions
£2.50. Price includes refreshments. Tickets in advance
via the Parish Office 0116 236 7626 or at the door. All welcome.
Wiggle with a giggle
THURCASTON & Cropston Gardening Club's
March meeting was, if anything, completely different but none
the less very interesting.
The talk, called 'Wiggle with a Giggle', was given by Martin
Clarke from Potters Marston. It was all about his time when he
bred worms for the fishing industry.
He previously owned a pick your own farm and later became a pig
keeper and then realised he had to diversify into something more
lucrative. After responding to an advertisement in a trade magazine
to start a worm farm he purchased his first worms.
His tale had the members in 'stitches' about his exploits on
how he got started, what he fed the worms on and the marketing
of the end product and the bureaucracy experienced from the 'men
in suits'.
He is so funny that he has been approached by TV people to see
if they can turn it into a sitcom programme.
The April meeting was all about Clematis by David Penny and the
May meeting is on National Collections by Don Witton from Sheffield.
All are very welcome to join us.
From Paul Day, Chairman
Banner back
ROTHLEY BAPTIST Church's banner, stolen
in January, has been replaced.
A new banner has been donated by sign-making company One Stop
Promotions, the firm that made the original banner. The 10 foot
vinyl sign carries the message : We Are Here For You.
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