Category: Community

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.

The Kibworth & District Chronicle gives the residents of Hallaton a huge apology. On the front page of the September edition of the Chronicle we inadvertently pasted a photo depicting a human sized, seated mouse figure, attributed the recent Hallaton Scarecrow Festival. It was, in fact, part of the Mowsley Mouse Festival display. 

With help from Harborough District Council, Gumley WI and Gumley Parish Residents, we were able to purchase a War Memorial Bench. This has now been placed in front of the Gumley War Memorial, on the field opposite the cricket pitch, along the road joining Gumley with Laughton. 

Those that didn’t live in a village whilst they were young, will never truly understand the things you get up to. People under estimate the experiences of living in the countryside, walking out your front door to a pile of horse poop being one of them. Strong friendships and memories are forged, that later on in life remind you how good it was to live in a traditional village in middle England.