Produced and Distributed since 1989 June 2021 By St John the Baptist Church Billesdon

BILLESDON & DISTRICT PARISH NEWS & VIEWS

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Parish Priest: Rev’d Alison Booker, The Vicarage, Gaulby Road, Billesdon Tel: 0116 259 6321 Curate: Rev’d Rosie Homer, 20a Weare Close, Billesdon LE7 9DY Tel: 0116 259 9517 BILLESDON ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

The following services are held by ZOOM except Thursday when the church is open 10.30 - 11.30 for private prayer. 1st Sunday: All Age Worship. 3rd Sunday: All Age Holy Communion. 5th Sunday: Launde Deanery Churchwardens: Mr K Evans, 6 High Acres (0116) 259 6438 Mrs A Grindley, 3 Forge Court (0116) 259 6741 Secretary: Mr J Williamson (0116) 259 6448 Treasurer: Mrs. H Howe [email protected] Organist & Director of Music Dr Simon Ainge 07971 833110 Children’s Groups: Mr & Mrs Ratcliffe (0116) 259 6246

GOADBY ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Sunday Services: See Church noticeboard Churchwardens: Keith Evans & Andrea Grindley See contacts above Hon Secretary & Churchwarden: Charles Stewart, Hillcroft, Goadby (0116) 259 8310 Hon Treasurer: Hugh Stevenson, The Dower House, Goadby (0116) 259 8294

SKEFFINGTON ST. THOMAS BECKET

Sunday Services: see church porch and printed notice.

Churchwardens: Mrs B Preston (0116) 259 9147 Mr W G Ginns, White Lodge (0116) 259 6301 Secretary: Mr D Holland (0116) 259 6550 Treasurer: Mrs Valerie Chouler (0116) 259 9477 Organ: Mr D Holland & Mr M Griffiths (0116) 259 9254

ROLLESTON HUNGARTON ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Sunday services: 1st Sunday see church porch Churchwardens: Cynthia Mclaughlan (0116) 259 5680

KEYHAM ALL SAINTS Sunday Services: 2nd Sunday see church porch

Churchwardens: Richard Windle (0116) 259 5281

Hugh Henderson (0116) 259 5214

NOSELEY ST. MARY

BILLESDON BAPTIST CHAPEL Sunday Service: 10.30 Sunday Worship & Wowzers (on ZOOM) Contact: Brian Boley Tel 07485 046000 This page is kindly sponsored [email protected] by: E C GILBERT Ltd Please let the Vicar or Churchwardens know of anyone who is sick, Great Glen or who would appreciate a visit. Holy Communion may be brought to anyone who is unable to get to Church. Tel: 0116 259 2267 June 2021 Vol 33, Issue 6 Editor: Richard Walkden, Billesdon 259 6505 e-mail: [email protected] Advertising: Charles Stewart, Goadby 2598310

Ramblings Station has agreed a monthly update on the fire service and how we might After last months article, the be more engaged with this valued ser- topic of which I believe ruffled a vice.. few feathers, I shall endeavour to be more correct this month Ours is a wonderful community, well despite being unapologetic for served by amenities many would envy. the article. Our society does not serve I was talking, over the gate to my neigh- 50% of our members and until females bour who was enthusiastically extolling can jog in the park with abandon, we the virtues of the village shop and how it have a huge problem. has adapted and accommodated the Covid needs of the community. This is Of course, nobody has written to ex- just the sort of thing deserving of an arti- press their view which is a shame as I cle or letter. had hoped that “Outraged of Billesdon” would have risen to the occasion.. But If anyone remembers their Twentieth nothing doing. My predecessor, our ex- Century history, President Eisenhower Editor, did warn me that our magazine spoke of the dangers of the Military In- very seldom elicited a reaction. dustrial Complex. A devious self serving group where the military saves the state Moving forward, my immediate ambition and big industry earns huge profits. is to increase the magazine content to a regular thirty two pages from twenty eight Is history repeating itself now with Rus- to include for content previously missed. sia, China, the US and other nations in- This would be easier if we had more cluding the UK beefing up their military feedback from the readership on subject spending in the name of a deterrent or is matter and issues.. it aggression? Well given the choice of defence or the real prospect of war be- I appeal to you, reader, to put pen to tween the big powers I support defence paper/keyboard and offer your views on but not at the risk of raising the anti. I any of the countless issues you might don’t recall a recent time when things consider important. If everyone who re- have looked quite so volatile. ceives the magazine, did this once a year we would have a far healthier grasp of The Chinese Communist Party’s the important issues, rather than those, I “lebensraum” is threatening everyone at think are important. If anyone has an is- every point of their compass for control of sue deserving this editorial space I would the sea, land, and even inhospitable be only too delighted to facilitate. mountaintops with India and Nepal. Some of the eighteen countries in dispute The magazine is engaging additional with China include islands from Japan, representation from the community. To Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia and Rus- this end, Jonathan Partridge from the Fire sia, They even claim Vladivostok!

3 has never been held to account for the environmental damage they do with pyrotechnic explosives and pollution resulting.

I imagine somewhere in China, Pales- tine or Russia there is an equivalent of Billesdon, where good folk want to get on with their lives and deal with real issues which would far better use the money collected from them. War has never served the man in the street, yet Putin has multiple disputes, annexing we pay for it in both tax and lives. Georgia, Crimea and parts of the I conclude by saying, we are told poli- Ukraine and aspires to Baltic land, ticians have the mandate to behave in Alaska and the entire continent of Ant- this extraordinary way by virtue of our arctica! vote. If that is so, its high time we all The US is not without land disputes voted and voted according to our con- but none appear to be particularly de- science and perhaps not historic alle- stabilising, however as the self nomi- giances or complacency. nated policeman of the free world the Richard Walkden US is going “Hell for Leather” in a re- The Churches of Billesdon cum armament race. The mothballed Sec- Goadby and Rolleston; Skeffington; ond Fleet has been re-commissioned Hungarton and Keyham for a presence in the North Atlantic amongst other plans in response to This time last year our Russian aggression. Church buildings were still locked, no services, yet I sincerely hope that this is again rhet- one year on we find our- oric sabre rattling and doesn't result in selves still under some restrictions but war. However even rhetoric, the cost being able to see the light at the end of will be mind boggling and where I have the tunnel, feeling like we might be a problem. coming towards the end of this terrible Is the money better spent on the up- dark time. lifting of humankind? How many thou- Each time we have had such re- sands of students could be educated to strictions, each time we have seen degree level with “aircraft carrier” mon- them eased, when people were asked ey? what they were most looking forward to the answers seemed to centre on very What damage to our environment will ordinary things. result from this escapade? The military Cont….

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Projectors and Screens in both Lounge and Main Hall Generally we have missed touch, there is our household seem a little mad, but it nothing like a good hug with a friend, we reminds me of the joy St Boniface wanted missed social spaces, we missed commu- to share with others, the joy that comes nal singing, we missed those things which from knowing God loves us, the same joy I connect us to other people, we miss being have spent my whole ministry speaking of part of something bigger! In the church and demonstrating to those I serve and I when we remember Saints we are con- have been very privileged to do that here for the last 10 years (time flies!). necting ourselves to that bigger story of Christians who have gone before us. Revd Alison

Each year as I enter June I find myself REAL ACTUAL SERVICES… thinking about two Saints (I don’t think Sunday 20th June at 9am in Skeffington – about Saints often) in June we celebrate the service will be led by the Revd Alison St Boniface of Crediton and St John the Booker and Nathan Booker will be preach- Baptist. Well it is obvious that St John the ing Baptist would be of importance, in our th Benefice of 9 churches we have 5 church- Sunday 27 June at 11 am in Billesdon - es named after John the Baptist so it’s ‘Billesdon Patronal Service’ led by the become quite a special day for me. The Revd Alison Booker. other saint may not be quite so obvious… Billesdon Chapel St Boniface was sent to be a missionary in Billesdon Baptist Germany, it is said that St Boniface was Chapel responsible for the first Christmas Trees! In our house we have a tradition of putting Last month I up the Christmas tree to celebrate St Boni- shared some infor- face (this madness was long before lock- mation about our plans for the Chapel down) it began as an enjoyable ‘yes’ day building and, as I write, these are with the when we joked about putting up the planning department at HDC – we are op- Christmas tree in June and then just de- timistically looking forward to hearing that cided to do it on June 5th the day we re- our building plans will be approved. But what about if they are not? Especially as member Boniface. we have been thinking and praying about Interestingly during lockdown and when this for a long time. people were at their most concerned I Many centuries ago, there was a king of heard much talk of ‘normally I don’t agree Israel called Solomon who was also in- with having the Christmas Tree up this volved in a building project – his job was early, but this year…. anything goes’ to build a temple, not just any temple but somehow in our most difficult times the joy the temple in Jerusalem. He didn’t have to and light of the Christmas tree somehow deal with the local authority – he was the made things better. Not surprising when authority. But he did deal with planning the joy and light of God’s Love is what that and had this to say: tree is reminding us of. The lights don’t look so bright in June, and it may make We can make our plans, but the Lord de- termines the steps (Proverbs 16:9) cont...

7 We play our part of thinking, creating, an opportunity to encourage one another drawing, developing, improving, manag- and pray. You can join these meetings by ing, praying which lead to our plans but it phone or on the internet – please let us is God who determines how things pro- know if you want the details of how to join gress. us. Contact Brian Boley, 07485- 046000, [email protected] Solomon was also a song writer, and one of his greatest hits starts like this: Chapel Development update… Unless the Lord builds a house, the work By the time you read this, a decision will of the builders is wasted (Psalm 127:1) have been made about the planning ap- plication for the proposed work to the Solomon was a man who knew where the Chapel building. authority really did lie, in God. I’m happy to say that our plans are also dependent Already alterations have been made to on the Lord – let’s see what happens the original proposal. Compromise – that next, this is the journey of faith. What lesson that we all must learn in life. Alt- about your plans? hough that might relate to the fabric of the building we are trying to create, there Brian Boley will be no compromise to the warm wel- come you will receive when the work is Keeping in touch completed and you can step inside, We are keeping in contact (wasn’t that a hit for Cilla)? Cilla – who by WhatsApp, Facebook, phone, email, was she, the younger readers amongst text, post, or any other way. We want to you might be wondering? We all have ensure that everyone is cared for and questions in our lives, so we look forward encouraged through these continuing to inviting you to ‘step inside’ and we can difficult times. talk about the answers together. Sunday Worship In the meantime you can catch up with progress on Instagram https:// We are meeting online together on Sun- www.instagram.com/ day mornings at 10.30am for Sunday billesdonbaptistchapel/ and Facebook Worship. https://www.facebook.com/ BillesdonBaptistChapel ‘Follow’ or ‘Like’ Sunny Days to stay tuned. Whilst our group for pre-schoolers and Jayne Collins (secretary) their parents/carers is unable to meet in person, please note there is a dedicated GOADBY GLEANINGS Facebook page and email address: Ten years ago it was noted that there Sunny Days-Home (Facebook) were 23 children under the age of 12 and [email protected] years living in the village. This led to m to keep connected. the Friday Kids Club. As is known only Home Group too well, we all have a habit of growing older and so the need for a Kids Club is On Wednesday evenings at 7.30 p.m., no longer evident. we hold our online Home Group. This is Cont….

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What we see now is those same chil- for discussion was office bearers. The dren, plus or minus a few, entertaining lack of activities during the past 14 themselves in the relative security of months has led to there being little ac- the roads and green spaces around tivity for the Parish Meet- Goadby. Contrary to the concerns ex- ing and therefore no indi- pressed in national media, the young- viduals came forward to sters here are able to enjoy their own oppose the current com- company employing any variety of mittee. They were re- wheeled transport. A frequent sight is elected! Perhaps next groups congregating on bicycles and year!! Charles scooters around the village green. Stewart Skate boards are in evidence and the enthusiasm for skate boarding has led Billesdon Good Neighbour Scheme to a proper skate-board park being built I have been made aware by an elderly within one property. Oh to be young local resident that the contact details again! Trampolines used to be promi- for the BGNS service are not easily nent in many gardens but these seem found. to have been replaced by goal posts. On a very superficial audit around the CONTACT DETAILS village I counted four football pitches. 07548621777 [email protected]

The Annual General Meeting of Woodland Pool Goadby Parish was held by zoom. The agenda included approval of the financial report to allow submis- sion of the Exemption Certificate to the auditors. Also on the agenda was a proposal to erect a decora- tive village sign. Pam Collins, chair of the Parish Meeting, submitted a number of designs based on a pro- file picture of Goadby features. The meeting then asked that images of how the sign might look in different sites around the village green be post- This time a year ago my photographs revealed the top meadow to be car- ed on the notice board. The intention peted with a lush display of cowslips being to allow residents to view the and forget-me-nots. Not so this year, impact of such a sign and to give their with April’s record number of night vote for their preferred style and site. frosts delaying the flowering season by As with many issues of limited impact, about two weeks. The name ‘cowslip’ there were as many votes for each has its origin as a euphemism for ‘cow- suggestion as there were options! Also pat' or ‘cow-slop’ Cont….

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….but despite this association, cowslips Billesdon WI were traditionally scattered on church paths for late spring weddings. April was a qui- eter month for After a decline until the 1980’s, due to our Members the use of chemical herbicides and the after all the fun ploughing of old grassland, cowslips around Easter. are now making a recovery and can be At our Meeting found in woodland, meadows, pastures on April 21st we and even road verges, a positive as- had a talk on pect for pollinating insects as it is a vital Zoom from David Allen who had us source of nectar. rolling about laughing as we became “virtual” pupils at his Victorian Finishing The moorhen has been spotted with School! We learnt about the language three chicks but lately I’ve neither seen of the fan and how to catch a rich hus- or heard the Little Grebe so if it has band! nested, the birds may still be incubating - male and females both sharing the Our next Meeting on May 19th will be job of incubation, which takes 20 days. our Resolutions discussion when the There are good numbers of tadpoles subject will be the early detection of swimming in the shallows but accord- Ovarian Cancer, and the second half of ing to www.froglife.org, because they the evening will be a Show and Tell. are a good source of food for predators such as dragonfly larvae, water boat- Contact Sylvia on 2596260 or Lois on men and birds, as well as larger tad- 2596312 if you would like to join us. poles preying on the smaller ones, less Lois Parker than 10% of tadpoles will develop into adulthood. Whilst photographing a dense display of Dog violets, and trying to avoid being stung by nettles in the process, I was taken by the behaviour of a nearby Bumblebee. Expecting it to land on a flowerhead and feed, the bee bypassed the flowers and disappeared down into the vegetation before emerging a couple of minutes later. On read- ing about this behaviour back at home, I learned that the queen bee searches out suitable nesting sites in the spring, some of the most common sites being abandoned underground rodent holes. Jo Edwards

13 clude Farming, Sales and Kitchen Fit- ting.

When there is an emergency we re- Hello everyone, spond via pagers, grab our fire kit, over the coming jump on the fire appliance months I will be and off we go! This call writing articles can happen at all hours, to you from from bed to blue lights in YOUR local 6 minutes! Fire Station The crew at Billesdon here at train every Wednesday Billesdon. I will evening to maintain their be giving up- skills as well as complete dates on recent community safety and incidents, providing information about prevention work in the local area. Ulti- how your local station operates, intro- mately working towards LFRS purpose ducing you to the crew as well as of achieving “Safer People, Safer Plac- providing community safety information es”. and details on how you could join the team at BILLESDON. Recently we have attended a Road Traffic Collision and we have covered So it seems right that I should start with at Melton Mowbray Station. We myself. My name is Jon have also previously covered Partridge. I am Watch incidents such as a large factory Manager here at Billesdon fire, rescued a pony from a swim- and I have been part of ming pool and been to many Leicestershire Fire and chimney fires. Rescue Service (LFRS) for 14 years. I have lived If you are reading this thinking ‘I in Billesdon all of my life like the sound of that’ or ‘I know other than a year I spent somebody that might be interest- travelling around Austral- ed’ Great! Billesdon station will ia. Many of you will know my mum be recruiting again soon. So look out Joan who runs the village post office for an upcoming article about recruit- and my uncle Tony who is a regular ment. visitor to the Queens! That’s it for this month from me. I look What does “On Call” mean? We cur- forward to catching up with you next rently have a crew of 8 Firefighters that time, introducing Firefighter Hancock all live within 6 minutes of the station. and talking home safety checks, free Our crew all have primary jobs in addi- smoke detectors and recruitment. tion to their firefighter role, which in-

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Billesdon Church Clock ance to the neighbours, all appeared ok until a component failed resulting in ...continuing of the Church Clock saga! the need for a new part from Cumbria, Following on from my last article, we and another engineer visit! had a problem with the hour chimes which proved difficult to set up after the I can understand if people are getting initial work was completed. As I report- frustrated, after an extensive period ed in a previous update the winding with the clock not working, we all barrel had to go up to the workshops in hoped that once overhauled it would Cumbria for some attention. tick away without any problems. But we must be realistic, this is a unique and After it was returned, the chimes again antique clock that was never made to proved difficult to set up; you will recall the engineering tolerance of timepieces in my last remarks I passed on an apol- of today. ogy from the engineers for the constant ringing whilst this work was completed. “Our Church Clock is explained by The engineers departed and all Tim Marshall, who has a special inter- seemed well, the clock was keeping est in turret clocks and coincidently good time, it was striking the quarters was researching our clock when it and the hours. needed repairs and parts. We all thought we had reached the end Tim informs me that our clock was of the long period we had endured made by John Sikes of Water Stratford without the clock working at all or fully in Buckinghamshire. John Sikes made working as it should. the clock for Thomborough Church in 1817 and Stow House in 1894. Sadly, this assumption was to be Tim confirms our clock was made proved wrong, with our capricious old by John Sikes and he estimates it to lady throwing another problem for us to have been made around 1900. John deal with. The hour chimes stopped Sikes was trained in Leicestershire working again. Another visit by the en- and was related to the Boyfield family gineers was needed with Terry and of clockmakers from Great Dalby and Danny coming again. Melton Mowbray. This time the issue was the need for an Billesdon Church clock is an im- exceptionally fine adjustment to one portant example of a turret clock made component that had some play in the by an individual clockmaker at a time bolt fixings. After this was diagnosed when large companies in London, and remedied all seemed well until dur- Yorkshire and the Midlands were mak- ing the extensive testing that is carried ing hundreds of turret clocks.” out each time any work is carried out. Cont.. After several hours, and more disturb-

Please sponsor this page! Page 17 Billesdon Church Clock work they found another minor issue that has required them to take yet an- With much of other part of the clock up to Cumbria, the clock having but they did manage to get the clock been removed running again by the Thursday night, to the workshop so the observant amongst you will of Cumbria have noticed the clock is serving the Clocks in Pen- village again. rith, we had to facilitate the re installa- tion of the clock and enable the resto- ration work that was required for the parts of the clock that had remained in the tower. Additionally some minor electrical work was needed.

I enquired of Cumbria Clocks how long they estimated it would be before they brought the parts back and I was ad- vised eight to ten weeks, plenty of time for the electri- cian to come. How wrong can you be? With just over two weeks having passed I was contacted by Cumbria Clocks and asked if they could come on Monday 1st The chimes are not yet complete as March, naturally the part that needs repair is part of the we said yes. quarter chimes. Hopefully, this will be returned in the not-too-distant future Monday 1st of and the chimes will be heard across March was bit of the village again. a scramble, the electrician came at twenty past twelve After this extensive work is completed, and left about two pm with Cumbria we can look forward to our clock ticking Clocks arriving about twenty past four. for many years to come. Two engineers spent the rest of the week carrying out the work in the tower Alan Parker and re installing the clock. During their 18

Whilst our Clock may be Chris Elliott (1-42) also bowled well frustrating at the moment, and with one over to go Sileby needed and probably reminding 14 runs to win. Despite scoring 11 off those of you that live close the first 4 balls a great ball from Chris to the Church, that it bowled the last batsman to give chimes four times an hour, we should Billesdon victory by a narrow 2 run remember it is an unusual and rare margin. example of its type and our village is lucky to have it. The 2nd XI were involved in an equally close game. Batting first Billesdon were At the time of writing, I have been ad- soon in trouble losing 4 wickets for just vised that Terry and Danny, our clock 14 runs. However opener Ben Miles engineers, will be returning with the remained solid and with good support new part on Friday 14th May. I am sure from Rob Welch steadied the ship. Ben that we all fervently hope that on this scored a gritty 38 with Rob adding 23 occasion no other difficulties appear, useful runs. The highlight of the innings and we are left with a fully functioning was the last wicket partnership be- clock. tween Nat Whitton and Matt McDonald Alan Parker 6th May 2021 who scored 39 and 23 not out respec- tively to take Billesdon to 149-9 after Billesdon Cricket Club 45 overs.

Billesdon Seniors were involved in Asian Sports made a slow start with exciting games in the first fixtures of James Stiff and Matt McDonald bowl- the new season with the 1st XI beating ing well. Wickets fell regularly but the Sileby Town, 2nd XI by 2 runs and the visitors reached target with just one 2nd XI losing a close game at home to wicket in hand. This was a great game Asian Sports by 1 wicket. played in the right way by both sides.

In the 1st XI fixture Tom Miles and Jim- Junior practice sessions at Coplow my Nourish shared a 48 run opening Lane have started and take place eve- partnership. After Jimmy was out for 17 ry Thursday night (6pm start) through- runs, Tom shared another good part- out the summer, being run by our own nership of 81 runs with Tim Harrison. club coaches with support from Tom Tom scored 73 runs and Tim 32 runs Flowers Cricket Coaching. New mem- but a collapse then ensued which saw bers are welcome. Please just turn up Billesdon limp to a below 170 all out. at the ground on a Thursday night at 6pm or contact Ben Miles (mob: 07532 In response the Billesdon bowlers gave 216808) for more details. nothing away with Baz Tailor (3-37) and Luke Mitchell (2-26) giving few Paul Miles Mob: 07749 422547 opportunities for the Sileby batsmen to score runs. James Hunt (1-40) and

21 John Parsons... from the Nurseries! Fly tipping and Poo tipping.

Hopefully as we head Despite all the publicity we still seem to into June the weather will have people leaving the pet parcels have settled down and around the village and now we have the cold nights of April two cases of fly tipping. Please keep and May are a distant your eyes open for any suspicious be- memory. haviour and report it.

In the veg plot all the tender edibles This is possibly can now be planted safely. If your someone’s “equipment planting runner beans try inter planting cover” on the Leicester with sweet peas, not only will this look Road. If you have paid great it will encourage more bees to someone to remove help with pollination. yours…

If you fancy growing some tomatoes This is commercial scale fly tipping. It but don’t have a greenhouse there are some great outdoor varieties. Our most popular is one called “Tumbling Tom” you just plant one in a basket or con- tainer and place in a sunny spot. There’s no side shooting to do so just keep watered and fed and before long you get a great tasting crop of cherry tomatoes!

Keep any perennial borders well weed- ed and dead head any faded flowers to effects the environment, causes visual encourage more blooms, Some of the offence and means that someone has taller varieties will benefit from some been paid to dispose of rubbish and support with canes. has then dumped it in our parish. The bedding plant season is now in full flow and we will have lots of plants to The scale might be dif- bring instant colour to your garden. ferent but its no less offensive. This is recent poo bag littering on our communal path. It beg- gars belief that some- one might believes there is a person who walks around picking up full poo bags. Ed.. 22

Billesdon C of E Primary School these projects will bring huge benefits to all our children and we are extremely We have bounced back into grateful for their continued support. school after the Easter break with en- thusiasm and huge appetite for life! As This month was also National part of our wrap around provision and Offer Day for Primary Schools. The further enhancement in our curriculum, school will be full to the brim in Joy we have been able to offer a range of Class in the new academic year with all clubs and activities to the school week. places taken and a waiting list for new We have a starters. The staff Gardening Club and I are looking for- weekly slot ward to meeting new which is provided children in the coming to all class bub- months to prepare bles with a kind them for their first parent volunteer, tastes of school. resulting in the planting of peas, strawberries, mange tout, sweetcorn, Everyone is en- lettuce and raspberry canes – just for joying the small starters. Our village plant nursery, freedoms which Parsons, has kindly donated plants are enhancing and compost to reinvigorating our our lives outside garden area after last years disruption. of the school day to meet friends and In addition to our excellent wrap share picnics. However, there has around care in Hopscotch, the school been an issue with young people visit- can now offer ing the school site after the staff have our Worship left. We have found empty beer bot- Workshop tles, cigarette boxes and lighters and Club (with even small empty gun cartridges in our Reverend Ro- outdoor classroom and on the field. A sie), Cooking Huge shame and could result in an Club, Dance injury to a child. Please could we ap- Club, Multi-skills Sports Club, Art Club peal to anyone who spots young peo- and Football club, as well as brass, ple on the school site in the evening to recorder and guitar tuition – all, have inform the school or the local Police? been embraced with vigour and added We have been in touch with our local to a really positive atmosphere this PCSO, Matt Kiff, who is very support- term, whilst adhering to our Covid-safe ive with good advice. guidelines. The wider support of our com- We continue to hope and pray that the munity continues this term with the Government’s roadmap continues to Billesdon Parochial Charity supporting plan so that the school can interact the school with developing our reading more with the local community face to resources and the Richard Woolaston face in the future. Trust donating 15 mini-ipads to further Lisa Willcocks, A/Headteacher enhance our IT resources – both of 24

Additionally, it sometimes can often be forgotten, that some doorbell cameras need to be connected to the internet in order to function correctly. Some can work off cellular data, for example, 4G and 5G, but it is worth checking this, if Article 8: Doorbell Cameras and Ad- your internet connection isn’t that relia- vice ble. Something we are asked quite often, is But having a doorbell camera which about doorbell cameras and there are a connects to your Wi-Fi, allows you to LARGE range of them on the market. make the most of the security features Now, we cannot give advice on specific that the product provides, which may brands or products, but if these are not be effective if you are not connect- something you are considering, we can ed to the internet. help with some useful hints and tips to bear in mind. It is also definitely worth considering whether you may ever need to get in As aforementioned, there are many touch with the company in question. options on the market in this field, so be Some companies do not have offices in sure to do your research! There are a the UK and if they are based elsewhere range of prices and benefits which in the world, they may be more difficult come with different products- some to contact, if you need to communicate have a manufacturer’s warranty, others with them. have motion sensors, etc. so be sure to check these out. If you are looking at coverage at multi- ple points around the house, some Some doorbell cameras can have spe- companies offer additional cameras to cific perimeters which you can set, so if supplement your doorbell camera. For anyone has crossed a boundary which instance, if you had a doorbell camera you have marked, you will receive a at the front and one at the back and an notification on your smartphone, ac- additional regular camera covering the knowledging their presence. side alley, they will all link in together to create one system. Some also let you speak through the camera, even though you are at work, Although this is a whistle stop tour of or maybe even on holiday (hopefully doorbell cameras and considerations soon!), allowing for you to challenge when buying them, we are more than anyone at the door, as long as you happy to provide any further infor- have an internet connection. mation, if this would be useful! If so, please contact editor Rich Walkden, It worth considering the video quality of and we can get in contact with you to your doorbell camera. Sure, the quality advise. of the recording may be great during the day, but at night without a light Georgie Greensmith and Al Cook, source, the footage will not be as clear. Crime Reduction Officers at Leices- As such, it may be worth exploring dusk tershire Police. to dawn lights, which stay on low ener- gy bulbs all night, in order to keep the quality clear.

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Village People 129 Ruth Kirk and childminders, giving a greater choice for working parents. What do you do with those Ruth was then redeployed to run the small blister Children’s Resource Centre in Leicester, packs of tab- a veritable treasure trove of equipment lets when all utilising all manner of factory scraps and the contents offcuts to good effect for schools and have been other children's groups. That Centre was used up? Bin also eventually closed due to Council them? Sepa- cuts, after which Ruth took up various rate the foil temporary jobs until her retirement. from the plastic to recycle them? Or drop These included Sure-start, different so- them off to Ruth? cial services family centres and a school for children excluded from mainstream The recent opening of the men’s hair- schooling. Interesting work which she dresser near to Billesdon Coplow re- says nevertheless took its toll. minded me that the range of facilities and services nestling around this area She decided to move house after retire- must be quite unique. Lawn mower ser- ment especially after developers were vice, motor mechanic, coffee shops, gar- granted planning permission for 4,000 den supplies, pizzas, chip van, fishmon- houses in her area of LFE. She moved ger etc etc - and now a blister pack re- to Billesdon when she found the house cycler. Whatever next! she loved and having been widowed some years earlier, she decided to ‘join Ruth is another product of a dairy farm- everything’ when she got here, to make ing family, this time from the Narborough new friends, WI and local exercise clas- area. Instead of being drawn into the ses being two examples. (She was also, family business she trained as a nursery incidentally, the first (of only two) to re- nurse when she left school, earning a spond to my call for help with the village princely £18 per month in her first job. In Christmas tree.) She describes the area 1987, as a very friendly place to live. Leicester City Council was the first local Nowadays Ruth is a volunteer at authority in the country to set up subsi- LOROS and has also recently started dised childcare facilities for its staff as with Spirit at Play in Illston, which brings part of their Equal Opportunities Policy, together damaged horses and autistic helping women return to work by provid- children. It’s an unusual mix but one ing quality childcare. It became known which seems to benefit both. As I write across the UK and hosted many visitors this I’m waiting for her report from earlier who were interested in setting up a today when she had planned a spon- workplace nursery. Ruth was often the sored skydive to help with desperately first point of contact regarding queries needed Fund raising at from other local authorities and private LOROS. Fingers crossed businesses. ….. The LCC nursery closed after 20 years Ah here it is. Postponed! due to the withdrawal of their subsidy, Strong winds… the growing private childcare sector and OFSTED inspections for day nurseries Peter Francis 28

Billesdon Parish Council

Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer

VACANCY

Due to the change in circumstances of the postholder, applications are invited for the post of Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer to Billesdon Parish Council.

Qualifications

Good communication skills both written and verbal

Good IT skills including MS Excel

An understanding of basic accounting skills

Ability to work on their own

Knowledge of the area would be an advantage

Having attained or working towards the Certificate in Local Council

Administration

The Clerk will work from home on a self-scheduling basis but needs to work some set hours to cover meetings which are held in the evenings about ten times a year. The total hours will average out at four hours per week.

Billesdon Parish Council is an equal Opportunities Employer.

Training will be offered. Salary will be based on local government pay scales depending on qualifications and experience within the National Joint Council for Local Government Services pay scales. The starting salary will be NJC Point 14 - £28,080 pro rata which is £3,035 per annum based on 4 hours per week at £12 per hour.

Ideally the successful applicant should be available to commence work on 2nd August 2021. For more information or to apply with a CV please contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Closing date for applications; 13th June 2021

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Editor... Moda, she made a petition and asked Skyler wanted to do something for her local people to sign to join her call for Brownie badge ‘Speaking out’ and she more litter and dog waste bins to be noticed there was quite a lot of litter put in. and dog waste about In- Billesdon. Skyler also noticed that She promotes her cause with a post- there weren’t many bins to put dog er. She sent the letter and petition waste or litter in. She thought this was (with nearly 100 signatures) to Cllr a good topic to promote. She wrote a Moda in February. I believe it has now letter to our local councillor Cindy been sent to another councillor and we await an outcome from the council.

Sarah Hoare

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we've spent several years planning. So Jon and I are tying the knot in Bedford- shire on the 21st June. Please hold us in your thoughts and prayers (especially for good weather!) So if at any point you're wondering who on earth is 'Rev. Morris', that'll be me with a new surname. Here's hoping the summer brings blessings of joy and sunshine to all. Rev. Rosie... all change with bells on! Rosie

This summer has two changes in store Dear Editor I wonder if you could men- for me... tion my open garden in the June edi- First, between mid-May to mid- tion of Billesdon news . It’s on June August, I am doing another placement, 5/6th for the NGS in aid of Macmillan & once again to broaden my experience Marie Curie . Open from 11.00-5.00 on in ministry. This time, the 'day job' will both days. The Paddocks,Main Street, be hospital chaplaincy in Nottingham. Hungarton LE79JY It's something I have felt an increasing Thank you Helen Martin 'calling' to explore, especially in this year when I have so missed being able The Phantom Carpenter Of Old to do as much in-person ministry as we Billesdon Strikes would normally (which is the key part of The Woodland Pool seat, donated by being a 'Rev' for me). On placement I The Gardening Club, was damaged hope to be able to offer more of that with the front slat on the seat, rotted and broken. It remained like this for a front-line pastoral care, and contribute time and then someone removed it to the amazing work of the NHS sup- completely. porting hospital patients and staff alike. This slat has been replaced recently by someone with extraordinary carpentry Secondly, in the middle of that, skills as the replacement is of the same of course we're all looking forward to wood, style and colour. the 21st June. If the government roadmap goes to plan, hopefully we It has been varnished and screwed to the base. Not only has it been screwed can all breathe a sigh of relief and en- but the ‘screw holes’ have been joy some more freedom. I'm also ea- plugged to match the slat. The original gerly awaiting this day for another slat had just been tacked at each end. more personal reason - wedding Remarkable – whoever carried that out bells... but this time, not being the Vic- deserves our gratitude. ar, but being the one getting married! Now COVID restrictions are easing, we John Williams Billesdon Parish Council are finally able to get on with what 31