Category: Clubs and Societies

On the 9^th of December, all over the world, people will have been taking to the streets to show the fossil fuel industries and their governments that urgent action really is needed now. 

As if by magic Christmas is upon us once more. This year seems to have whizzed by at break-neck speed, mainly because there have been a few changes down at the club… a belated welcome to Food and Beverage Manager, Lucy and Chef, Neil. They have now settled into their new positions and have been busy creating new menus to suit any occasion. Sunday lunches are now being served on selected dates which are proving to be very popular and there are plans afoot for various social events for 2024.

On 9 November we began a busy month by installing our poppy displays in St. Wilfrid’s church. In addition to the pulpit, a cross in each entrance and window ledge decorations, we added a third cross this year which stood near the altar. After Remembrance Day, the poppies remained for a while so that people could enjoy them.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 11 January at the Methodist Chapel Hall. Doors open at 2pm for a cup of coffee or tea followed, at 2.30pm by The Leicester Line Canal, a talk given by Mary Matts.

2019 Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Majestic, Waitrose £12.99)

Your Christmas table is laden with a multitude of different flavours like turkey or chicken, sausages, bacon, vegetables and cranberry sauce. What sort of wine will stand up to all of that?
You need something with fruit, intense flavours and enough tannin and acidity to cut through the richness on offer.

Many of you will have seen that the Children in Need campaign this year raised millions for national charities. Your Rotary Club is appealing to you to think about donating locally.

South Leicestershire has a woodland coverage of 3-4% (Surrey’s coverage is 25%) and it is decreasing with Ash dieback. Harborough Woodland is a not for profit community group set up in February 2020. Its aim is to increase woodland cover by planting trees and hedgerows and to reduce the risk of flooding through natural flood management (NFM). NFM schemes use vast numbers of trees and hedges. The roots, soil and fungi of one metre of mature hedge is a live sponge that can hold and slowly release 3 to 5m3 or tonnes of potential flood water (hedgelink.org.uk)

In the 1950s a number of ancient fossils were unearthed of which one, Charnia, has given its name to a variety found not merely in our backyard but also worldwide. In its beginnings Charnwood was part of Avalonia an ancient continent 60 Degrees south of the Equator including most of Britain, Ireland and Newfoundland - 600 million years ago. The very oldest rocks have their genesis as the result of a volcanic eruption that is vaguely near Whitwick and was formed in the Pre Cambrian era. Then came the Cambrian age, its most famous rocks found in Swithland slate. By the advent of the Permian era - 260 million years ago we find Charnwood, now near the Equator, part of the Pangea supercontinent; a desert environment. This is evidential by aeons of dry sand, blasted by the wind to form the current shape of the hills.

Illston On The Hill WI held their AGM in November. This proved to be a very lively meeting. All the various statements were read, digested and approved. The current officers and committee were re-elected. In order to try and encourage some new blood on to the committee we are introducing ‘friends in the WI’. One or two members will be invited to attend a couple of committee meetings during the year to familiarise themselves with the procedures of the WI and give them an insight into what the various tasks entail. We are hoping this will whet appetites and lead to some new and inspirational ideas. The AGM was followed by our annual supper which was lovely.

Lots to look forward to at Christmas but what about the New Year? Do you enjoy singing or listening to music? Most of us do. The Foxton Community Choir will be holding a Taster Evening on Thursday 11 January 2024 from 7.30pm in Foxton Church.