Category: Community

The morning of 23 April dawned and as chairman of Kibworth Harcourt Parish Council, I prepared to go to Jubilee Green on Main Street to lower the Union flag, that has been up for a year and replace it with the red cross on white background of the St George’s England flag. I had carefully stored the flag together with the key to unlock the small access panel on the rear of the flagpole so the mechanism holding the flag halyard could be loosened. The Parish had bought two new flags to replace the previous worn ones. We had raised the new Union flag and it was now time to do the same for the England flag on the national saint’s day.

The first time I entered a Chemistry Lab. at school I noticed a jar of bright yellow powder. To my disappointment it was nothing to do with the sherbet lemon sweets that I was familiar with in other glass jars. The label stated simply “Sulphur”. Brimstone is another word for sulphur.

It’s so hard to believe that this time last year we were looking forward to our Spring fête in the library. One really good thing that has come out of this strange new world we find ourselves in, is our wonderful sense of community here in the Kibworths and the surrounding villages. So many of us have connected with others to help in whatever way we can. Whether it be collecting prescriptions, buying food or sourcing elusive items like hearing aid batteries.

On 19 March 2020 Avril and John Thorpe of Mowsley planned to celebrate their married life together with a small tea party, for family and friends, in the comfort of their own home. The Coronavirus pandemic put paid to that. So it was a small tea party, just the two of them, a beautiful cake and lots of lovely memories evoked by the many cards and phone calls they received. Plus the novelty of a few well-wishers shouting from two metres!

Residents in Harborough District can now refer themselves, a family member that requires help or someone in the community who needs help during the Coronavirus crisis to the council’s Community Hub.

There is a great deal in the news at the moment about people’s mental and emotional wellbeing, though these go hand in hand of course. Taking some time just for yourself is not selfish in any mean sense. There is a wise old saying from the Middle East that advises, ‘Work on yourself and serve the world.’

The 'area' contest is the most important contest of the year and one that we must enter to secure our first section grading. Our placings over a three year period are added together and at the end of the year the two bands with the lowest aggregate figure go up a section. We are pleased that out of a field of 16 bands and playing number 5 we were placed 3rd. An excellent result for us and many thanks to our Musical Director Brendan Caddy and all our players for their hard work.

Harcourt Cottage is still in existence today and is situated opposite the Old House on Main Street. Coming down the steep hill of Main Street, the Old House will be facing you. Turn right, and before you reach the blind bend, the cottage is on the right hand side of the road.

On Saturday 21 September our village pump was re-opened in working order after over 10 years of being out of action. 

Millie Dunn, 17, has lived in Smeeton Westerby all of her life. She, has had a passion for horses and horse riding since an early age and has one her own, Jack. She competes on him, adorning her room with many rosettes! On a recent trip to Holkham beach in Norfolk she rode Jack up and down the beach and in the sea, something Millie had hoped to do for a long time.