Articles

Well, Christmas has certainly now arrived in Smeeton! How lovely to see the decorations starting to be put up both in and outside of the houses. It certainly brings Christmas cheer to the village.

In 2022, an estimated 1,920 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions where drink driving was a factor. Young men are over-represented in drink drive casualties, yet are less likely than the general population to say that drink driving is risky.

Christmas in the Christian calendar is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ; his anniversary or birthday, and as we all know, birthdays usually mean the expectation of gifts.

Once again the people of Kibworth (and I am sure many of the villagers in the other places within our distribution area) came together on Sunday 10 November to remember the fallen, not only in the two world wars of the last century but in subsequent conflicts.

Rugby League and fundraising legend Kevin Sinfield CBE headed back to the Midlands on the penultimate leg of his latest challenge on Friday 6 December. Sinfield ran in memory of Rob Burrow, who passed away from Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in June this year. This will be Sinfield’s fifth annual challenge for the MND community. Kevin has raised nearly £10 million in the first four events.

The Spinners are offering free sessions every Monday night over Christmas, including on 23 and 30 December. For these two dates booking is essential otherwise these sessions will be cancelled as we have to cover our costs.

Our November meeting began with an engrossing talk by Bethan and Paul from the Samaritans. As we know, they are an emotional support charity, there for anyone needing help and someone to talk to. There are over 200 branches and some 23,000 volunteers around the country, the Leicester branch covering Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

I had not heard the phrase 'Christmas creep' until recently in a TV programme about current affairs, a matter of weeks not days ago. Then I looked around in the shops and adverts on the TV: it was mid/late November; Christmas was 30 plus days away! And in anticipation of Christmas, the festivities had begun, inviting family and friends in a cheerful, colourful way to go out and buy presents and seasonal food and avoid disappointment and empty stockings for Santa to fill!

Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital will be holding a table top sale on Saturday 11 January in Kibworth Village Hall LE8 0LN from 10am to 12.45.

Burton Overy resident Ed McLachlan - famous cartoonist for his work in ‘Private Eye’ and other publications passed away at the end of September.