Category: Community

Sometimes we can be deceived by what we see, and we here at Foxton Canal Museum are a case in point!

Every time you visit a website, send or receive a message or email, buy or book anything online, comment on a post, upload a photo, or find directions on your phone, you’re adding to your digital footprint. 

Network Rail thought the ‘consultation’ on the evening of Tuesday 23 May at Kibworth Grammar School Hall would be a ‘tick box’ exercise. 19 professionals turned up, there could have been more in the wings. They believed they would return to their superiors and say the public had been consulted and everything was OK.

It was a gloriously sunny day for Kibworth’s very first Yard Sale. Charlotte Price had organised the event via social media and had invited Facebook friends and neighbours to run a home ‘car boot’ sale of their unwanted goodies from their front gardens, so no rental costs involved. Charlotte included online a map of the village and a list of streets where participants could be located. Prospective purchasers toured the village on foot, in some cases looking for bargains to buy. A great day was had by all. Another event is planned for the future. Smeeton Westerby and Saddington have asked to be involved next time.

Following on from the success of our opening weekend when we greeted over 100 visitors to the mill, and the recent feature about the mill on ITV regional news, we have been delighted with the level of interest and support shown by the community. 

I recently found a vintage photograph of the Old Rectory in Mill Lane, Smeeton Westerby, together with an obituary issued by ‘The Times’ newspaper in London dated Thursday 16 March 1911. Which relates to a member of the Sale family who occupied the property for 25 years. 

It is a sad statistic that one in five children cannot read well by the age of 11. The Summer Reading Challenge, with the support of public libraries, is on a mission to change this. The Challenge will launch on Saturday 1 July and will run until Saturday 2 September.

Odonata are the ‘tooth-jawed’ insects, a group which includes Damselflies and Dragonflies. Late May to early October are the best months to look for these insects which are often stunningly beautiful when seen close-up but ferocious, as the name ‘dragonfly’ suggests, if you are a smaller insect. 

Since the Care Quality Commission Inspection (CQC) April 2022, SLMG has made many improvements to ensure that it delivers high quality services to people. The practice recognised that some patients felt their experiences were falling short of the services they deserve. Feedback has been listened to and has helped to drive forward many improvements. It is important to note that the Integrated Care Board are supporting and monitoring a (QIP) for SLMG which was developed using the findings of the inspection. The QIP is reviewed and updated regularly using a risk assessment tool to assess priority actions needed.  The CQC will arrange a visit to SLMG in the future to carry out a targeted inspection of the areas raised.

When it comes to bunting you cannot beat Mowsley! Villagers made yet more bunting which decorated most of the Village, especially the centre and the village hall. This was where the celebrations of a barbeque and band on the Saturday evening and a street lunch, Coronation Cake competition and Maypole dancing on the Sunday took place. There was a monster raffle as well with the proceeds donated to charity.

The Coronation Weekend was a great time for getting together with friends and neighbours as is illustrated by the people of Burton Overy performing a regal wave above.

Friday, 5th May was not only the start of the celebrations for the King's Coronation but also the return of the Welcome Kitchen. 

Lloyds Pharmacy on Station Street has been, or is about to be, bought by the highly respected Oadby based family run business, Somerby Pharmacy. I think this building was a chemist shop some 100 years ago.

The Scout Association hold a close and historical relationship with the royal family, to which all members of the movement make a promise when joining to do their duty to the King.

Those who came to this talk by Julie Harrison in Kibworth Community Library on 20 April were given an enthralling account of the animals she and her husband Ian had encountered during their eight trips to the huge Kruger National Park in North East South Africa.