Next issue published week beginning 25th February 2013 MEASHAM MESSENGER Email: [email protected] Ashby Canal Progress JANUARY 2013 Things have been happening on the Ashby Canal in Measham. Readers may have attended the Ideal Country Homes meeting at the St Laurence Hall regarding the possible developments at Measham Wharf. Exhibitions showed Inside this issue: an imaginative development, which will certainly give Measham a vibrant centre, and a key element is that it will include about 1000m of Ashby Canal. A questionnaire was available at the meeting in order to get feedback on the scheme, Ashby Canal Progress 1 and it is understood that there was a high level of support for the canal. There were some concerns over school and medical centre provision, this important element normally being addressed as part of any planning permission if the scheme goes ahead. Measham Parish 3 Council Column In December, Ashby Canal restoration was assisted by volunteers coming from all over the country to help. The Waterways Recovery Group is a national organisation Heart Of The Forest 4 of willing volunteers which assist with canal restoration on many waterways. They Festival Update were joined by the Ashby Canal Association to help clear a length of the old railway line in Measham. This length, beyond the old goods shed, (now Harvey’s Boat yard), will be the new route for the canal as the old route is not available. About 300 Snippets Of News, 5 yards of line was cleared, with a field kitchen being set upto feed the volunteers, Information And and accommodation for the WRG provided in the St Laurence Hall. About 30 people Appeals turned up over the weekend, and apart from clearing the scrub, a skip full of rubbish was disposed of, including an old illuminated 'Happy Christmas" sign, appropriate Medical Unit Back 6 as this was regarded as the Waterways Recovery Group's 'Christmas Slash and Bage Burn'. Indeed on the Saturday night, the hall was transformed into a banqueting hall, with turkey, crackers and all the trimmings. A further site clearance in January with volunteers from the Ashby Canal Association cleared a further length up Articles for the towards the Redbank’s site. February 2013 Meanwhile, about 200 yards of canal has been completed at Snarestone, and there Messenger should be are plans to extend the works further as finances permit. submitted to Measham Community Office no later than Friday 15th February. Issue will be published week beginning 25th February. The Measham Messenger is a free publication. Please take and keep a copy. Page 2 MEASHAM MESSENGER MEASHAM MESSENGER Page 3 Page 4 MEASHAM MESSENGER The Heart of the Forest Festival Saturday 22 nd June 2013 Dear Parishioners, It’s hard to believe that whilst we are in the midst of winter, we are only 5 months away from this year’s Festival. However, plans are already in place to bring you another fabulous day, giving everyone in Measham the opportunity to celebrate the 7th anniversary of our award winning annual event with family and friends. Once again the Festival received recognition from the county in receiving a ‘Highly Commended’ Award for the ‘Best Com- munity Event 2012’, on top of a cash award to purchase Safety Radios for the parish. These radios will not only be used regularly by the Festival for the safe running of the Parade and events on the Leisure grounds, but be available for all other groups to use, as required. The theme for this year’s event will be ‘Uniformed Services’, giving many groups, organisations and services, as well as local children and clubs, the opportunity to take part in our grand parade. We already have some bookings, but we are on the look-out for more. Do you have a family member who is in the armed services, or maybe a cadet in one of the services, or maybe a member of a club or organisation where a uniform is the standard dress code? And if so, would they and their group like to be in the parade? If yes, we would be delighted to hear from you. We are also in the midst of trying to resurrect the use of ‘Floats’. This point has been raised by many of you in the feedback we have received over the years, but strict rules have prevented their use. However, there has been some relaxation on this rule and the committee are now working hard with the powers that be to adopt a safe process where we can reintro- duce floats into the Parade. So please watch this space for further information as we progress with our plans. Finally, for this update, we would like to thank everyone of you for supporting the event last year, and every Measham business that financially supported its delivery. It’s true to say that unless we have the generous support of local business/ organisations, the event wouldn’t happen, so it’s only fitting that we thank the following businesses and organisations for the financial contribution that they make to our Festival. Therefore, on behalf of the organising committee, a massive thank you to the following. AB Produce & KNR Recruitment (Main Sponsors), Appleby Parish Council, Ashby Measham Moira Community Forum, Bloor Homes, B T, CCA GAS Plumbing & Heating, Community First Responders, D Kavanagh & Son, DG Graphics, Edward Parkes, Elliott Jewellery, Howland Jones Organisation, J B Plant Hire, Kings Group, Measham Community Office, Measham Parish Council, NW Leics District Council, Oakthorpe Donisthorpe & Acresford Parish Council, PF Spare Insurance Brokers, Pickering's Plant Hire, Redfins Angling, S&K Catering, The Bird in Hand. Bob Bissell Festival Organiser MEASHAM MESSENGER Page 5 Snippets Of News, Information & Appeals Appleby Magna Cricket Club Appleby Magna Cricket Club will shortly be starting their season 2013 preparation following the success of the 2012 season. Indoor net sessions held at Ibstock Community Centre commenced on January 13 th with sessions for juniors (under 10,s, 11’s and 13,s) running from 5.00pm until 6.30pm. Adults and under 15’s follow commencing at 6.30pm until 8.00pm . The Club plays Saturday League cricket in division one and three of the Leicestershire Senior League. There is also a side playing in the Loughborough Evening League. The thriving junior section have under 10,11,13 and 15 sides playing league and cup cricket in the Leicestershire Youth Cricket League. The Club have two ecb qualified coaches to help the youngsters play the national summer game. The club are currently going through an important phase as they along with the football club and the Parish Council are trying to secure funds for a new pavilion facility. Anyone wishing to join the club should contact first team Captain and level 2 coach Steve Richardson on 01162 870461. Measham Townswomen’s Guild The Guild meet every second Monday of the month at Measham Village Hall – Queen Street. Meetings commence at 7.00pm . The Guild invite you to come along as a guest and join in the friendship and fun for the token amount of 20p. Next scheduled meeting is 11 th February and speaker is Ian Hingley talking about ‘Memories’. Measham Leisure Centre See details of classes in Measham Parish Council Column. Leicestershire & Rutland Age UK If after the Festive Season you are contemplating how to get rid of unwanted presents or dispose of household furniture in order to accommodate new, then Age UK is the answer. Leicestershire’s Age UK shops are suffering re low stocks of clothes, books, gifts and furniture due to the financial situation. Items can be delivered to anyone of the county’s 23 shops (call 0116 2992233) for locations. Large furniture items can be collected by calling 0116 2781208. Moira Canal Festival 2013 The Festival will take place over the weekend of the 18 th /19 th May at Moira Furnace. A varied range of entertainment is currently in preparation. Enquiries from traders/exhibitors welcome. Please visit www.ashbycanaltrust.co.uk for information. Measham Messenger Anyone wishing to put editorial/adverts in the Messenger can e mail us at the address on the front of the newsletter or leave literature or contact details at Measham Community Office. NB: If office unmanned or closed please put details through letterbox on No 1 Queen Street; we do check our correspondence regularly and will get back to you as soon as possible. Please spread the word that our newsletter is available at the Medical Unit, Leisure Centre, Library, Village Hall, Community Office, Newsagents, St Laurences, Youth Centre, St Charles Church Hall, DG Graphics, Top Secret, Age Concern, Top Club and Steves Fish Bar (Fenton Crescent Shopping Precinct). We also have various individuals who kindly distribute the Messengers within their groups/organisations. The Messenger can be viewed and downloaded by visiting Measham Parish Council’s website who kindly load it on their site for us. We are trying to set up a website for the Messenger that works efficiently and will keep you updated on that. Measham & Ashby Library:- Half Term Activities Entitled ‘Lots Of Laughs’ there will be a fun backed event of jokes, funny stories and a chance to have a laugh. The event will be held at Measham Libray on Tuesday February 12 th between 2.30pm – 4.00pm and alternately at Ashby between 10.30am – 12.00pm on the 12 th . The event covers the 5-11 year old and costs £1.00 per child. Bedtime Stories Ashby Library will celebrate national storytelling week on Friday February 8 th by holding an hour of bedtime stories accompanied by hot chocolate and cookies.