WE ARE BACK!!

At last all the building work, apart from a few minor snags, have been completed and the centre is now fully open and nearly back to normal. It seems an eternity ago since November when the work began, the footings were laid and the first breezeblocks were laid. I must say that all the new works look fantastic and the extra space created for community groups has rapidly started to fill up. Currently the Probation Service Community Payback scheme is adding a lick or two of paint to parts of the Centre that now seem a bit tired and less sparkly than the new extension.

We are now planning a grand opening event during the afternoon of Saturday 9^th May followed by a family fun disco in the evening. This will be an opportunity to come along and see all the new works including the new extension, Police Office and the Internet Café.

During this event we will be drawing the winners of the “Buy a Brick” appeal and also the winner of the “I LOVE Markfield” Tee Shirt Challenge. So, if you still haven’t entered your photographs please do so – you may win a prize.

If you require tickets for the Celebration Disco please book them from the Centre as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. 

50^th Wedding Anniversary

Saturday 28^th March was a special day for the Centre as well as for villagers Trevor and Marjorie Seal. For the Centre it was the first time we were able to use the new main hall extension for a function. For Trevor and Marjorie it was the celebration of their fiftieth wedding anniversary with family and friends. On this actual day fifty years ago, an Easter Saturday, Trevor and Marjorie married at St. Michael’s Church. Both have lived in the village all their lives with Trevor having been born in The Nook and Marjorie (nee Hartshorne) in The Green opposite the Church. During their fifty years together they have raised two sons and two daughters and now have eight grand children and two great grand children. I understand that Trevor started dating Marjorie following a New Year’s Eve at St. Michael’s Church after he had returned from National Service in the RAF.

Their wedding reception was held in the upstairs room at the Red Lion and Trevor still treasures the box that Marjorie’s wedding ring came in – I bet not many people can say that. Many congratulations from all at the Centre and from all who know you both in the village.

Internet Café

Just a reminder that you need not go all the way to the Council Offices in Hinckley or spend time on the phone as the Borough Council’s new public internet café at the Centre is available to anyone during opening times where you can go online and:

• Do benefits calculations to see if you qualify for Housing and Council tax benefits
• Pay your Council tax and rent on line
• Submit planning applications
• Notify Change of address or circumstances
• Report graffiti, anti-social behaviour, fly tipping and benefit fraud
• Link into information on the community guide

An Appeal for Voluntary Help

As you can probably imagine all the extension works at the Centre has cost us an “arm and a leg” to complete. This is mainly due to the loss of income when the building works were taking place as well as contributing to the project costs. On top of this we now need to buy essential new equipment to furnish the Centre. I am not asking for help with this (unless some one has a spare bob or two to help) but, as financial our reserves are now substantially depleted we will not be able to put on the events that the village has been accustomed to over the past few years such as the summer stay and play, family trip to Drayton Manor and unfortunately the Village Fete. Our main worry is the summer play scheme. Traditionally we have always managed to put on an extensive programme of activities for the whole of the six weeks of the school summer holidays. Necessarily these activities require high levels of staff supervision to ensure the safety of children however, staffing costs are always very high and we will not be able the same amount of staff cost funding this year. The only choices we have are to either downsize the programme or raise the cost to children and their parents. However, there is another way forward – if we can get some parents/adults to volunteer some of their time over the summer we could put on this much-valued programme for the children of the village. If you have some spare time it would be most appreciated.  Please contact Dawn at the Centre if you are able to assist.

For booking and enquiries please contact Markfield Community and Sports Centre, Mayflower Close, Markfield LE67 9ST or ring 01530 242240. Visit the Centre’s web site

 www.markfieldcommunitycentre.com

Ron Grantham

29^th March 2009

A message from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council - SAFETY CREW MESSAGE

The World of Gardening Crime

At last the weather is getting warmer, the sun has started to shine, the birds have stopped coughing and gardens are buzzing with the sounds of lawns being mowed and hedges trimmed. Like many of you, I have been into the old shed, shook dead spiders out of my wellies and cleaned the cobwebs off my garden tools. I haven’t started on the garden tubs yet – a bit too chilly yet. However, it seems that it’s not too cold or early for the opportunist thief. The Police are already warning of a spate of thefts of garden implements, plants, flowers and ornaments throughout the County – no doubt these being sold on at a car boot sale somewhere at a fraction of what they cost you. People put a lot of time; effort and money into their gardens are they are our pride and joy. So, how annoying and upsetting it is for someone to simply come along and pinch them. The Police are asking that if you see or hear anything suspicious regarding this type of theft to contact them or ring Crime Stoppers.

Also you can keep your equipment better secure by putting a lock on the shed and you can buy simple and inexpensive security lights and shed alarms from most DIY Stores. The certainly cost a fraction of the cost of replacing a lawn mower, strimmer of other garden tools.

As mentioned time and time again the warmer weather will also bring out the bogus callers and sneak thieves who will now be starting to use excuses to get into your home and steal your property such as the rogue tree loppers, gardeners and any old excuse such as “I have lost my ball in your garden”, “my cats stuck up your tree” and many many more. If anyone comes to your door you do not know BE CLEVER and don’t let them in no matter what smooth story they give.

If in any doubt at all call the Police on 999.