Editorial policy Roundabout aims to promote local events, groups and businesses and to keep everyone informed of anything that affects our community. We avoid lending support (in the form of articles) to any social, political or religious causes, and we reserve the right to amend or omit any items submitted. The final decision rests with the editors. While Roundabout is supported by Woodhouse Parish Council, we rely on advertisements to pay production costs, and we accept advertisements for local businesses as well as those that publicise charitable and fund-raising events. Brief notification of events in the ‘What’s on’ schedule is free. Copyright in any articles published is negotiable but normally rests with Roundabout. We apologise for any errors that might occur during production and will try to make amends in the following issue. Roundabout needs your input. For guidelines on submission, please see inside the back cover. Management and production Roundabout is managed on behalf of the community and published by the Editorial and Production Team comprising Roger Berkeley, Amanda Garland, Andrew Garland, Dawn Kirby, Tony Lenney, Rosemary May, Neil Robinson, Grahame Sibson, Andy Thomson and Natalie Ward Editor for this issue: Natalie Ward Cover: Neil Robinson Advertising managers: Amanda and Andrew Garland Desk-top publishing (page layout) for this issue: Andy Thomson Printing: Loughborough University Printing Services Roundabout is available to read or download from the parish council website at http://www.woodhouseparishcouncil.org.uk/magazine.html Distribution: Roundabout is delivered by volunteers to every address within the parish boundary – just under 1,000 households and businesses, including all the surrounding farms. Please let us know if any house or business in Woodhouse Parish is not receiving Roundabout, or if you can help out with deliveries.

2 Roundabout September 2014 Contents

Page

Editor’s note 5

Parish council news 5

News in brief 7

The Old School 11

‘Thingy’ lived there 13

‘We were all in the same boat’ – Marion Kirk shares 15 memories a year from her centenary

Woodhouse Eaves scout camps 19

The Hives of Woodhouse Eaves: Part 2 23

A walking tour through the Woodhouses 25

September Garden Matters 27

May codeword 28 The last word 30

Contributions to Roundabout Inside back cover

What’s on in September Back cover

Deadline for submissions to the October 2014 issue: Wednesday, 10th September Email to [email protected] or hand in at the post office Editor for October 2014 issue: Dawn Kirby

Roundabout September 2014 3 4 Roundabout September 2014 Editor’s note Hopefully the glorious sunshine means our gardens have produced a glut of produce ready for the Woodhouse Eaves 24th Horticultural and Craft Show this month (see What’s on on the back cover), and fingers crossed the good weather will continue for the Woodhouse Eaves scout camp (p.19). People always say it is those who live in a village that really make it what it is and Woodhouse Eaves is no exception; Mark Temple looks at famous locals, past and present (p.13), while Evelyn Brown and Tony Lenney explore the fascinating lives of two of our female residents (p.23 and p.15). Natalie Ward Parish council news New councillor – Jim Horne Jim Horne was welcomed to the council in July, but was previously a councillor for four years in the early 1990s, leaving to focus on his increased work at Loughborough University, where he had established an international reputation for sleep research. Jim remains a professor at Loughborough and the University of Leicester, alongside other part-time appointments. Jim’s council interests are likely to lie in widening the participation of young people and increasing village hall usage. More housing? The recent housing survey – the third in this parish – again identified a need for more homes, especially affordable ones. Richard Mugglestone of Midlands Rural Housing who commissioned the survey, realises that the challenge is now to find suitable land for new homes and plans to scour the area for it. (You can read more about the survey results on page 9 .Ed.) Good financial management Auditors gave the council another clean bill of health for managing its money in 2013/14, thanks to the Responsible Financial Officer, Emily Rowley. Councillors receive financial statements before each council meeting. Any resident can now make an appointment to see the council’s financial records and accounts. Bridleway diversion – Brook Road to Loughborough If you walk or ride a horse along this road you may know that a public hearing about the proposed diversion was halted a few years ago owing to measuring errors. These have been corrected and the Planning

Roundabout September 2014 5 Inspectorate is considering the proposals again and examining the objectors’ statements. The essence of the objections is the width of the diverted path, especially for horse riders and farmland owners. More information can be found at: www.ctc.org.uk/sites/default/files/leicestershire_bridleway_woodhouse_eav es.pdf Police changes Budget reductions mean more changes to policing with officers covering a wider area, so expect to see new faces. Police Community Support Officer Chris Kendall will stay, but will be helped by new colleagues. Village hall extension project and use of the annexe Earlier in the year, when the council thought it would reach its fundraising target this summer, it accepted a booking for use of the annexe each weekday up to 6.00pm. Unfortunately, the new extension is not yet in place so the council has helped the existing daytime users to find temporary accommodation. The new daytime booking started in August with evenings and weekends remaining available as usual. After a number of residents raised concerns at the council’s July meeting, the council wrote back with its responses. To see these written responses please ask the clerk.

6 Roundabout September 2014 Annual Parish Award 2014 Another worthy recipient of the council’s prestigious award, for ‘a significant contribution to the life of our community’ will be presented with the trophy at the Woodhouse Eaves Horticultural and Craft Show. The presentation will take place during the evening auction of produce in the village hall on Saturday, 5th September, starting at around 7.00pm. Next meeting: A week later than usual: Monday, 8th September at 7.00pm in Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall. Ann Irving, Clerk to the Council For parish council information, including meeting dates and minutes, see http://woodhouseparishcouncil.org.uk/

News in Brief Unwanted spectacles – new total Many thanks to everyone who handed in exactly 100 pairs of spectacles and sunglasses this month, bringing the total for this year to 494 pairs. Please do have another look at the back of your drawers to see if we can raise another 100 pairs which can be handed into the Oakwood Pharmacy, Woodhouse Eaves. Eric Alsopp Clarification concerning salon article In the previous Roundabout issue (on p.28, July/August 2014) we incorrectly stated that a Harley Street Skin Care nurse called Lesley Reynolds provided treatments at Gabbi Hairdressing in Woodhouse Eaves. We would like to clarify that Lesley Reynolds has never worked there and the service described is currently unavailable at the salon. Dawn Kirby Woodhouse Eaves Cricket Club report The club has had mixed fortunes since our last report with the first team winning three matches, losing one and being involved in two winning draws and one losing draw. The second team have won three matches and lost four, while the Thursday XI have turned in some good performances, marked by good wins over Newtown Linford, Town and . The 1st XI were winners against Young Muslim Association, Gracedieu and Quorn II. The first winning draw was against Newbold Verdon when we

Roundabout September 2014 7 scored 217/8 but could not get the last wicket as our opponents held out at 162/9. The club posted 201 against promotion-chasing Stoke Golding who ended on 152/5 for a tame draw. The losing draw was against Hathern Old who rattled up 256/7; after a bad start it was left to veteran Mervyn Mapp to marshal the tail to leave us on 194/7. The less said the better about the only loss as we batted very poorly against Leicester Ivanhoe who were untroubled in reaching their target of 100. The 2nd XI collected valuable points with successive wins over Stoke Golding 2 and Barrow and Burton 4. The other win was over . There was a close loss against Fatana CC who left us to chase 241. At 105/6 the situation looked bleak but Safwan Patel, with 55 not out, and Santhan Achunala with 46, took the team to within ten runs of what would have been a remarkable win. The highest score of the season so far was posted by Sam Blanksby with 131 in a Sunday match against Loughborough Greenfields. In that match the team rattled up 311/3 with another large contribution of 81 coming from Vijay Ranganath. Don Bennett

8 Roundabout September 2014 Superfast broadband is getting closer You may have noticed the two recent sets of roadworks centred on Rawlins Close and Forest Road respectively. These activities are the first outward signs that superfast broadband will soon be available to certain parts of our villages. So what’s happening? Openreach (part of BT) is installing new street cabinets which will be connected to the telephone exchange by fibre optic cable. If your telephone line is currently connected to one of the old cabinets this should mean that you will be able to register for superfast broadband once all of the work is completed. For further information visit the Ruralweb group website at www.ruralweb.org.uk Andrew Garland Housing Needs Survey Residents of the parish may recall being sent Midlands Rural Housing’s (MRH) Housing Needs Survey in March/April this year. MRH has worked with the parish council and housing association to determine the need for affordable homes in the parish. Property prices have increased over the past five years by an average of £48,099 in Woodhouse and £30,936 in Woodhouse Eaves. Assuming a home buyer has a deposit of 20 per cent and secures a three-and-a-half times income mortagage, MRH has calculated they would need an income of £30,000 a year and a deposit of £26,000 to afford the cheapest house currently available in Woodhouse and Woodhouse Eaves (a one bed terraced house at £130,000). MRH analysed the 222 survey responses, information held on the anticipated housing needs of those currently living in housing association or council properties as well as data on local housing prices. It has now been determined that the parish requires up to ten ‘affordable’ homes, and 11 open market homes for local people. At the Parish Council meeting in July the councillors agreed that Richard Mugglestone of MRH should investigate where land is available for future property developments. The full survey results summary can be found at www.woodhouseparishcouncil.org.uk/news/2014/07/housing-needs-survey- 2014 Natalie Ward

Roundabout September 2014 9 The 2014 Big Buggy Push is even bigger! The East Midlands’ second Big Buggy Push will take place in Woodhouse Eaves on Sunday, 21st September in aid of Alex’s Wish; a local charity raising money for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy which affects one in every 3,500 boys. Taking place in the beautiful Beacon Hill Country Park, it’s going to be a fabulous morning out with entertainment for everybody. The Big Buggy Push Sign up at www.thebigbuggypush.co.uk for a wonderful morning of family fun. Joanna Helcké

Small owl confusion? Some readers may have noticed that both Little Owl Pre School and Baby Owls Nursery have advertised in the July/August issue of Roundabout. It has been brought to our attention that these are completely separate organizations which just happen to have very similar names. Editor

10 Roundabout September 2014 The Old School Brian and Maureen Axon live in the Old School in Woodhouse Eaves; previously St Paul’s school from around 1837 to 1970. Brian is chair of the Woodhouse and Woodhouse Eaves local history group, and has written about the history of the building at www.leicestershirevillages.com/woodhouseeaves/st-pauls-school-woodhouse- eaves.html. Here, he describes how visitors to his house reminisce about their time as pupils. Ed. Living as we do in The Old School on Church Hill, Woodhouse Eaves, Maureen and myself are used to the occasional visitor arriving and telling us that they used to attend the school here, usually around the 1960/70s. Naturally we always ask them to come in to revisit memories; usually, the first thing they do is to tell us, ‘this is where I sat’, and they take a chair and sit there with a big smile on their face. Recently, we received an email from Dr Philip Blenkinsop, who now lives near Cambridge, asking if he could come and visit as a former St Paul’s pupil from the 1960s; we were delighted to say yes. When Philip and his daughter Laura arrived, Philip immediately placed a chair in the corner of the room and said, ‘this is where I sat’. Changes to the building The next hour was filled with memories of his days at the school, and how it had been altered. One of the main changes was that there was no upstairs then ‒ the room went right up to the roof. All of the lovely stone windows had been unfortunately destroyed by builders in 1974, and the various outer doors had also been changed. During further building work, we discovered the original fireplace that had been completely blocked off when the school had central heating installed. One feature that remains are the steep rocks at the rear, with Philip saying ‘we were not allowed to climb up there, at least not while the teachers were looking’. Philip also recalled the position of an old door through to the headmaster’s office: ‘Taffy’ Hughes we used to call him’. Class photograph One item Philip was able to bring was a splendid photograph of many of the children with Miss Waller, and a list of all the pupils except one. Philip also remembered the names of the teachers; Miss Bayliss and Miss Doggett of the infants’ school, Mr Danvers (the best teacher he ever had!), Miss Stewart/Stuart(?), Miss Geraghty and Miss Waller. After a very pleasant meeting, Philip and Laura left to go on a ’trip down memory lane’ to see if, and how else, Woodhouse Eaves had changed. Brian Axon

Roundabout September 2014 11 12 Roundabout September 2014 ‘Thingy’ lived there Mark Temple, local volunteer (see Roundabout June 2014, p. 14), former teacher and amateur dramatics enthusiast, takes us through a who’s who of famous local residents, past and present. Ed. In the summer of 2013 local amateur dramatic group, the Beacon Players, in a departure from its usual offering, credited the village with a coastal location and presented a series of songs and sketches in the form of an ‘end of the pier show’. One sketch (performed by Sian Mollart and myself) centred around two public-relations-types commissioned to source a holiday home for the Beckhams. The sketch extolled the virtues of the local area; the rural landscape, the views, amenities and historic background. Amongst the merits discussed was the 'celebrity factor;' those things that added a little, je ne sais quoi to the place. Many in the audience believed the topics discussed to be totally fictitious. Far from it; all those celebrities given a mention had some genuine local connection. When I first moved into Victoria Road in the late 1970s, a neighbour pointed to a house at the top of the hill and said, ‘did you know ‘thingy’ lived there?’ No, I didn't. Yet surprisingly for their size both Woodhouse and Woodhouse Eaves have had an abundance of well-known folk passing through, if not actually dwelling in, their streets. Local athletes I recall seeing runner, Paula Radcliffe, jogging along Main Street on several occasions a few years back while training prior to the Atlanta Olympics. Sebastian Coe, himself a Loughborough student in the 1970s, no doubt strutted his stuff down local lanes (though this is mere conjecture). High jumper, Ben Challenger, grew up in the village and the legendary England goalie, Peter Shilton, owned houses both on Maplewell and later Beacon Road. From Showaddywaddy to Auld Spice In the world of entertainment we have had our fair share of celebrities. Most people know the parish’s link with the band Showaddywaddy, who rose to fame in the 1970s with Trevor Oakes, Rod Deans, and lead singer, Dave Bartram, all living in the village at one time or other. Alas, only Romeo Challenger, the band's drummer, is still in residence. More recently we have had Basement Jaxx vocalist, Felix Buxton hailing from the old Rectory. Local band Auld Spice may never have made the charts, but they are certainly carrying on a long musical tradition. In the pre-war years a group of local lads achieved some degree of fame as Harry Lester and the Hayseeds making several records in a Country and Western style. Perhaps better known is Gracie Fields, one of the highest paid British film stars of

Roundabout September 2014 13 her day, who visited her brother Tommy while he was staying on Beacon Road during the 1930s. Inspiration for Inspector Morse and Nelson’s Column? Colin Dexter, creator of Inspector Morse, was based at Garats Hay in the 1940s when he was attached to the Royal Corps of Signals who were still operating at Beaumanor Hall. Beaumanor itself has had several distinguished residents and visitors over the centuries. However, because there is no evidence he ever visited, the poet Robert Herrick, can only be granted a cursory nod as the nephew of William Herrick, the first Herrick to own the hall in 1595. Moving to Maplewell Hall, the owner back in 1875 William Salt, deserves a mention as the son of Titus Salt the founder of the model village and mill complex of Saltaire near Bradford. Higher up the social ladder we have had the occasional visit from Prince Charles when he rode with the Quorn Hunt, often staying at the Brand with Sir Andrew Martin in the 1970s. Another famous name with local associations is Ernest Gimson, architect and builder of the National Trust's recent acquisition, Stoneywell at Ulverscroft. William Railton, the architect of Nelson's Column, also designed Beaumanor Hall and St Paul's Church. Less well known perhaps is Alan White a water-colourist who specialised in miniature landscapes up until the

14 Roundabout September 2014 late 1950s. Also in the 1950s, Herbert Schofield, former principal of Loughborough College, acquired Maplewell as a student hall of residence for a short time. More recently, local girl Natalie Burt (having now recovered from playing Aladdin to my Abanazar many years ago) has been making a name for herself in both feature films and TV productions like Blandings and Being Human. Academics and rumours of a ‘Shaken but not stirred’ visitor… Have I left anyone out? I know there are innumerable academics ensconced around the village with research papers on Computational techniques for fluid dynamics or a Treatise on Patagonian Welsh Dialects, but those aside I would love to hear of others who you may think ought to have their names added to any Woodhouse Hall of Fame. There are still a few stories that I am having some trouble verifying and need chasing up. One rumour is that the James Bond actor Roger Moore allegedly rented a property on Ulverscroft Road for several months in the late 1960s; is this true? Does anyone have any other local celebrity stories to share? Mark Temple

‘We were all in the same boat’ – Marion Kirk shares memories a year from her centenary Let us begin with a confident assertion: in the Parish of Woodhouse we have some remarkable 90-year-olds and several of them have been profiled in past editions of this magazine. Here is another who grew up far from the East Midlands and in circumstances vastly different and more challenging than those that pertain today. Early days in the north east Marion Kirk will be 100 years old in little more than a year. She was born during the First World War in a mining village called Ushaw Moor, three or four miles east of the City of Durham and still has a trace of what may be called a Geordie accent. Her father worked down the local mine and did not have to go to the war but the family’s experiences were Reg and Marion Kirk

Roundabout September 2014 15 anything but comfortable and secure. Marion left school at 14 with qualifications that would have enabled her to study further at the local technical college but things unfortunately did not work out that way. The immediate post war years were desperately harsh with heavy industry at a virtual standstill. Later privately owned mining companies reduced weekly wages which then led to Britain’s longest miners’ strike and the Jarrow March to Westminster in 1936. Agency work There was no hope of work in the North East for Marion, one of five children whose older sister was blind, so aged 14 she was taken on by a local ‘agency’ run by Lady Headlam – a member of a landed gentry family from Durham. Marion was put on a train to Salisbury via London with a final destination of the Bulford army barracks, having been met at each station by an agency representative. Here, for a period of 12 months, she worked as a kitchen maid for army officers but most importantly was able to send home £1 each month; a vital contribution to her family’s welfare. The cost of her uniform was deducted from her pay but having stayed for a full 12 months she was then reimbursed.

16 Roundabout September 2014 After her year in Bulford, she returned home and soon took up another posting organized by the agency; this time going to London to work in service as a house help and nanny for a family in Cricklewood. She was decidedly unhappy there and managed to persuade the agency to transfer her to a family in Maida Vale which was more pleasantly situated and where the work was less demanding. However, she still felt isolated and determined to run away from her employers; a move she achieved by scaling a wall and disappearing on the back of a motorbike driven by a companion of one of her friends. Sadly, she had to sacrifice a few weeks’ wages to gain her freedom but she was glad to say goodbye to London. Arrival in After returning home for a short while and with no marked improvement in her employment prospects, Marion received her final agency posting: this time to Charley Hall near Oaks in Charnwood. This was the home of the Martin family who were, I believe, cousins to the Martins who live in the Brand. At last she had arrived on our patch. At Charley Hall, Marion joined a staff of five in service – two housemaids, a parlour maid, kitchen maid and a cook who took home 10/- per week extra for her labours. There was no electricity in the house when she arrived in the early 1930s aged 16 but she was treated well by the family for whom she worked for five years. She became more independent, learned to ride a bike and eventually took over the role of cook. Marion now felt part of a hardworking rural community and joined the local Methodist church where she married her farm working husband, Reg, in June 1938. She recalls in particular the wedding present of £5 she received from the son of her employers who was a Royal Air Force officer – a considerable sum of money before World War Two, nearly all of which went on the purchase of a table mangle. Marion kept in touch with the two Martin daughters long after she had retired from service at Charley Hall. From Charley Chapel to Bird Hill Mrs Kirk, as she now was, moved into a cottage situated alongside Charley Chapel and her husband worked locally on the land. She describes these as particularly happy years despite the privations of drawing water from the well and suffering bitter winters such as the one in 1947. Sadly the chapel closed and the whole site became a private dwelling in 1973, the year that the Kirks were offered a council flat on Bird Hill Road in Woodhouse Eaves. Meanwhile Reg was working as a bricklayer and Marion had taken a Charley Chapel 1938

Roundabout September 2014 17 job in Nanpantan with the family of Leicestershire’s famous show jumper Ted Williams for whom she worked for 35 years, retiring just over 20 years ago at the age of 76. She fondly remembers meeting show jumping stars like Alan Oliver, Pat Smythe and Harvey Smith and allowed me to handle a beautiful but very heavy brass cast of a horse she was given by Ted. It goes well with the horse brasses and other equine memorabilia in her accommodation on Tuckett Road where she now lives. Strong spirit and country living I spent two short but happy sessions with Marion and her daughter, Diane, who lives in Ratby. Her memories are remarkably clear and there is no trace of bitterness or self-pity as she recounts them – as she says of the years of extreme poverty, ‘we were all in the same boat at that time’ and she is grateful that her strong non-conformist faith gave her hope and courage when she most needed them. I suspect she was always a country girl at heart – she enjoyed watching the miners’ brass bands march through the villages on their way to the Durham Miners Gala but she was happy to keep out of the city itself on the day. Similarly, London was not her scene but Charnwood clearly was and it has served her well. I look forward to her centenary. Tony Lenney

18 Roundabout September 2014 Woodhouse Eaves scout camps For anyone not involved in today’s scouting community, a scout camp probably has many stereotypes; knots, campfire songs, whittling wood, but the reality is very different. The village’s scout unit has held a number of camps over the last year, all challenging this perception. The ever-growing Woodhouse Eaves unit participates in various camps such as a weekend at Alton Towers, a ‘back to nature’ survival camp and a Hawaiian-themed unit camp, complete with a surf simulator. As members of the local unit, we have participated in many camps that definitely challenge all ‘traditional’ perceptions of a scout camp. The scouts Over the past year, the scouts section of the local unit has been on three camps: a hike with night’s camping at Oaks in Charnwood, a weekend at Alton Towers and a night under the stars at a survival camp. We spoke to scout leader Dave Woolhouse about the incredibly unorthodox idea of a camp at Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire. Dave said that the scouts ‘love the independence and freedom of charging around the park all day with their friends’, and that is exactly what happened at the camp. The scout group arrived mid-afternoon, visited Splash Landings, camped over-night on the grounds and woke up the next day to an early access ticket to the rides - definitely not a conventional scout camp! Explorer scouts For the explorer scouts, a camp becomes more intense. An annual camp called ‘High Adventure’ takes place, where teams compete, navigating themselves through wild country, carrying a full kit. Mike Walters, the leader of explorers, commented that events like High Adventure ‘give them all a massive sense of achievement and boost of confidence, whether they win or finish near the end, as all end up enjoying the event’. At explorer level, training for the Duke of Edinburgh award system begins, so camps like High Adventure become a taster of the practical walk, but with the added challenge that it is a competition. Time abroad Almost every scout unit today provides the opportunity to go on a summer camp abroad. We have been lucky enough to partake in three global camps with the scouts of the Charnwood district; one in Switzerland, one in Holland, and most recently, in Croatia. The week is filled with activities available in the local area. In Croatia, for example, the week was spent by the sea, so activities consisted of wind surfing, scuba diving and kayaking.

Roundabout September 2014 19 20 Roundabout September 2014 What’s to come? For a lot of the young people who go on camps with their group, whether down the road at Oaks in Charnwood or in a foreign country, it is their first experience of a night away from home. Grace Elliott has been in the scouting system for five years now, and next year she and many others will be going to Ardèche in France for their first abroad camp. For Grace, the new culture is what she is looking forward to; ‘I’m very excited to just be abroad with the scouts and to see the differences of camping in France compared to England’. Jamboree The 23rd Scout Jamboree takes place this summer in Japan. Mike Walters summarised the Jamboree as ‘simply a massive event that brings together scouts from all over the world, letting them mix up to meet people from many different cultures but at the same time discovering shared values’. Members from the village’s unit will be attending this year’s Jamboree, following in the footsteps of Woodhouse Eaves scouts who have ventured to the Sweden and Essex Jamborees in previous years. Modern scout camps Today’s scouts are undoubtedly well-travelled, and enjoy a huge range of activities and challenges. However, while all these crazy and modern scout camps take place, parents and grandparents of our village scouts will still be able to see the similarities with the camps they all remember so well. Dave Woolhouse reminded us that ‘the common factor for all the camps is the actual camping – back to nature with no mobiles, sleeping with a woolly hat on and a midnight feast to look forward to!’. We believe that being a part of the scouting unit provides us young people with a multitude of opportunities to discover new skills, make new friends and get truly stuck in. While occasionally we do sing songs around the fire, we take part in our camps to spend a few days away from technology and distractions; to spend time with our friends doing fun activities, creating what we’re sure will be life long memories. Mike Walters nicely summarises what a scout camp can mean today: Life should be about creating your own stories and enjoying adventures, whatever form they may take. The many different types of camps that are offered within the scouting association go a long way to help create those stories! Millie Elliott and Jenny Hall

Roundabout September 2014 21 22 Roundabout September 2014 The Hives of Woodhouse Eaves: Part 2 In the July/August issue Roundabout reported the memories of Frank Hives, a one-time decorator based in Woodhouse Eaves, and related to the last millers in the village. His wife Gwen, daughter and granddaughter of village tailors, had her own fascinating memories. Evelyn Brown Gwen Hives (née Armson) was born in 1913 in 28 Maplewell Road, although as a toddler she lived in Victoria Road before returning to Maplewood Road (number 91) when she was a teenager. Stitches in time Frank and Gwen Hives Gwen’s grandfather, Frederick Armson, set up a tailoring business in what is now the newsagent’s shop in Main Street, providing made-to-measure suits and dresses for the ‘gentry’. One customer is reputed to have bought 18 suits over the years, each identical in colour and cloth to the previous one. Three of Armson’s sons, including Gwen’s father, also learned the trade. The eldest went out to customers’ homes to measure up, he then cut out and tacked the fabric pieces together on a large table in the downstairs room of the shop before sending the garment upstairs to be finished. The Armsons also ran a newspaper business from the downstairs room. They supplied local residents and also the reading room in the village hall where those who could not afford to buy their own, could browse books as well as the news. The tailoring ended after two of the sons died, and Gwen’s father suffered wartime injuries: the loss of an eye and shrapnel embedded in his leg. However, although he could no longer tailor, he continued the newspaper business and deliveries. Good memories for Gwen Gwen recalled how, as a pre-school toddler, her father would sometimes put her in the newspaper-basket on the front of his bike, and carry her down to the tailor’s shop where she was sat in the window with a big box of buttons to play with, while passers-by rapped on the glass and waved to her. One day, for a joke, the tailors tied a ‘for sale’ sign round her but happily she remained unsold. When she was a young woman she went to the Saturday night whist drives and dances in the village hall. At Christmas there were special ‘fur and feather’ prizes – hares and poultry. Once, during the Second World War when Frank was away fighting, Gwen turned up on her own to a New Year’s Eve dance, which was traditionally fancy dress. Not having a costume, she ran down to her in-laws who decked her out in paint-splattered overalls and

Roundabout September 2014 23 cap, with paint-can and brush, and a roll of wallpaper tucked under her arm – an outfit which won her first prize. The Hives had a little daughter, Angela, about whom Gwen worried because she did not appear to be growing. The treatment recommended by the doctor was very different from the hormone therapy or scans that might be prescribed today. Gwen was told to let the child take up dancing because it would develop the muscles needed to make her grow; so Angela enrolled at dance school in Loughborough, and she indeed grew. A happy ending Grace met Frank when she was in her mid-teens. She was on her way home from the former school, just below St Paul’s Church in Church Hill, where she had been to a meeting of the Girls Friendly Society, an organization ‘founded in 1875 for young women’ which ‘aimed to widen their horizons and celebrate their individuality and talents, with love and understanding’. Frank broke the ice, and Gwen allowed him to walk her home. The rest is history – a story with a happy ending involving more than 60 years of marriage and a host of fascinating memories of life in Woodhouse Eaves nearly a century ago for both of them. Evelyn Brown, based on an interview by Jim Matthews

24 Roundabout September 2014 A walking tour through the Woodhouses Over the next few pages Mark Temple takes us on a poetic and virtual walking tour of the parish. Ed. Proceeding from the hilltop overlooking Woodhouse Eaves, Here, the remnants of a windmill can be seen. If the viewing platform's open you could see to Loughbro' town If it wasn't for them Outwoods in between. Descend the leafy bower from the windmill and you'll find A wayside chapel, lower down the lane Through a trio of arched windows, do I spy a wisp of smoke? Mrs Mollart's burnt the welsh-cakes yet again! Across the road to Maplewell, you'll spot a timbered hall Where the lib'rals often met, in days of yore. Here they spouted rousing speeches from the balcony above, Even though the peasants found it quite a bore. From this hall of liberty, raise your eyes towards the arch That still stands below the summit of Nanhill. As a tribute to those lads who went off to fight a war Gone forever, though the memories linger still. There lies a hidden gem, just beyond these hedges tall A roundhouse, 'neath the thatch, to store the game. What sort of game? I hear you ask, I haven't got a clue But the balls must have been massive all the same. A stroll along the donkey slip, which posh folk call 'Church Walk,' Leads us on towards the rect'ry of St. Paul's. For those who like their facts, 'twas the home of Basement Jaxx Though no longer does their music rock these walls. The "stone hole" lies behind the school, some folks call it a cave Where the village children played come rain or shine. But I think it is a shame, that they removed the old school bell I would want to nab it back, if it was mine. The Forest Rock has bit the dust, the Pear Tree is still serving They have pastas, pizzas even panacotta. But I mustn't say much more now or they'll say this is an 'ad' Yet given half the chance, I'd eat the lotta. The charming Slaters' Row is quite a picture to behold. Hydrangeas grace each plot and cottage door. All those blooming flowers, don't they make a lovely show? 'Bet you've rarely seen such bloomers here before.

Roundabout September 2014 25 With barely one more hop, you're at Oakwood, Chemist shop Where the staff dispense advice with caring smiles They'll never make a fuss as they sort you out a truss Or recommend a cream for all those piles. On your right, the village hall, just in time to make a call If we're lucky we might find they've got a rummage Young farmers, guides or cubs have been scrounging round the pubs Get there early or it can be quite a scrummage. The surgery lies straight ahead, they strive to keep us healthy The Methodists, next door, will deal with sin. And if you cry, "But I am fit and pretty close to perfect." Then you're a 'better man than I am, Gunga Din.' Stroll across the King's Field, picnic here or watch the cricket. To Woodhouse next, with little time to rest. Through meadows, passed old Rawlins' school and on to 'Pepper Lane' To that cottage which, quite frankly, is a Pest. For here lived Thomas Rawlins, who escaped a horrid death When a pedlar called for rest and B and B. Thank goodness he did not unpack his rucksack full of plague But carried on to Eyam after Tea.

26 Roundabout September 2014 With Garat's Hay behind your back, approach the Welbeck site No photographs! They'll slap you in the cooler. The milit'ry security is pretty tight round here. So we don't mess with the forces, as a rule-r. The Old Bull's Head is looming up, we've no time for a snifter For it's on towards the Beacon we are bound. If you jog up to the summit then back down to Broombriggs' walk You must follow all the signs to bring you round. There's a new fence round an orchard where they've planted sapling trees, Autumn fruits; like damsons, pears and cherries So don't try any scrumping, for it just ain't worth the risk And the warden of the trees might squeeze your berries. Returning past the windmill. Many thanks, the tour is ended. I'm heading for the Curzon, it's down here. Oh! My wallets in the pocket of the coat I left at home, So I'm hoping one of you will buy the beer! Mark Temple September Garden Matters 1. Dahlias should now be at their best with plenty of flowers to pick. Give them a good feed and water every week and you will be well rewarded. 2. This is the time of the year to cut the hedges ready to look neat and tidy for the winter. Either compost or send to the council for them to compost the cuttings and leaves. 3. It is not too early to think about bulbs for giving a good show next spring. The garden centres will be full of bulbs to sell to you. 4. After such a terrific year of great weather most crops are about a month ahead of normal. This will create a lot of spare ground so why not add a green manure to your land. This will add food to your soil. 5. Runner beans need plenty of water to ensure the crop will be tasty and not stringy. If very dry, add a mulch to the soil to hold the water for the roots. 6. Sweetcorn should now be ready and full of sweetness with all the sun. Why not put some vegetables in the village show. Money raised will go to local charities. You may even win a cup to show friend and relatives. The Woodhouses Garden Club meets monthly from February to November. Neil Roberts

Roundabout September 2014 27 May codeword A codeword is like a crossword puzzle, but the letters in the grid have been replaced by numbers. Each number represents a letter of the alphabet and all 26 letters are present. As in any crossword, the words used can include proper nouns and even common phrases. Can you solve the puzzle? We have given you some letters to help you get started. The solution can be found on the back cover. (Andy Thomson)

28 Roundabout September 2014 Roundabout September 2014 29 The last word The beautiful game

Must try harder ‘We don’t want our players to be monks. We want them to be better Q: In the Hawaiian Islands there are around 500 different species of fruit football players because a monk fly. Give a reason for this. doesn’t play football at this level.’ ‒ Sir Bobby Robson A: There are approximately 500 varieties of fruit. ‘That’s great, tell him he’s Pelé and Q: Is the moon or the sun more get him back on’. ‒ manager John important? Lambie, finding out a concussed A: The moon gives us light at night player didn’t know who he was. when we need it. The sun provides ‘Well, Clive, it’s all about the two Ms light in the day when we don’t. – movement and positioning.’ ‒ Ron Therefore the moon is more Atkinson ‒ important. ‒ F in Exams, a www.huffingtonpost.co.uk, 11th June compilation of exam blunders by Richard Benson. 2014. Street crime A TV news crew had thousands of pounds of equipment stolen while reporting about a new app to help people avoid bad neighbourhoods. The journalists and cameramen from American news network WUSA9 were busy asking people what they thought about so-called ‘sketchy’ areas in Washington. But as they were being told about how quiet Petworth, an area in the northwest of the city is, their van parked nearby was broken into. ‒ Picture: www.mirror.co.uk, 10th August 2014. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football

30 Roundabout September 2014 Contributions to Roundabout We publish items of interest to the communities of Woodhouse and Woodhouse Eaves, such as news of local events, groups and businesses in accordance with the editorial policy (see inside front cover). We can write up people’s stories for those who prefer to talk, rather than write. We do not publish notices of births, deaths or marriages. Most articles are under 800 words and we think they should be! Format: electronic copy in ‘Word’, using ‘Arial’ font, is most useful, although we accept hand-written items that are legible. Pictures are welcome; digital if you have them, otherwise prints. What’s on: brief notification of events in the ‘What’s on’ schedule is free. Send event details to Roundabout at the addresses below. Note that we normally include only ‘in parish’ events, may abbreviate the details and are not obliged to include all items submitted. Adverts: requests for further publicity, even for charities, incur a charge per issue of £8.50 for a quarter page or £17.00 for a half page. Full-page advertisements are not normally accepted. Contact the advertising managers, Amanda and Andrew Garland, on (01509) 890 839 or via the methods listed at the bottom of the page. Copy deadline: please see the bottom of page 3. Send any material for Roundabout by: Email: roundabout@woodhouse- eaves.co.uk Hand or post: Roundabout, Woodhouse Eaves Post Office, 45 Maplewell Road, Woodhouse Eaves, LE12 8RG.

Roundabout September 2014 31 What’s on in September Sat 6th 2.00 Woodhouse Eaves 24th Horticultural Village Hall, and Craft Show. Annexe, 50p adult, child free Mon 8th 7.30 Local History Group, ‘King Richard III Methodist Ch. and the Greyfriars dig', Sally Henshaw. Members free £3 non-m’s. Mon 8th 7.00 Parish council meeting (followed by Village Hall, King George’s Field Charity meeting). Free Wed 10th 7.30 Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Village Hall, £2 Trust, ‘Bradgate Park – Making the members, Connections’ Peter Tyldesley. £2.50 visitors Sat 13th 10.00 Churches Ride & Stride Day (contact Parish roads David Knowles 01509 268 354). Thu 18th 7.30 Woodhouses Garden Club, ‘Seed Village Hall, £3 Saving – Keeping the Faith’, Sally visitors, free Cunningham. See advert p.26 members Sun 21st 10.00 Zest4lifeUK's two-mile Big Buggy Push Beacon Hill, for Alex's Wish. Register at £20 www.thebigbuggypush.co.uk Mon 22nd 7.30 Friends of – Village Hall ‘History of the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire’, talk by Brian Axon.

Wed 24th 7.30 Film Saving Mr Banks. Light Village Hall, refreshments or BYO. PG, 125 mins. tickets £4 n'agent/on door Sat 27th 2.00 Woodhouse Eaves Scout Group Village Hall Rummage Sale. Sun 28th 10.00 Antiques and Craft Fair Woodhouse Village Hall Eaves. Sun 28th 2.00 Guided Tree Trail around Woodhouse Village Hall Eaves Check for more local event details on these web sites: www.woodhouse-eaves.co.uk/diary/ www.leicestershirevillages.com/woodhouseeaves/local-events.html Solution to codeword