Category: Sport

A crisp winter sunrise (Picture below taken by one of our volunteers) at Kibworth Golf Club has a way of stopping you in your tracks. As the first light breaks over the course, the trees stand bare, their dark branches etched against the colour, while the fairways lie quiet at daybreak.

Illston Abey Cricket Club has signed Sri Lankan super star Dileepa Wickramasingha as the club’s junior head coach. The Sri Lankan batsman scored an amazing 100 against England at the Oval Cricket Ground in the 1990s. Now he is helping his old club train up future players for Leicestershire.

Those in the know, know that Kibworth Cricket Club isn’t just for cricket or summer for that matter. 
Our social and community activities are all year round. A typical week includes charity meetings, birthday/retirement parties, special events, quiz nights, discos, raffles, skittles, breakfasts (bacon, sausages etc), evening snacks (bar bowls, homemade sausage rolls, spring rolls, samosas, brownies) and not forgetting a welcoming bar that serves coffee, soft drinks and alcohol (with many regular and guest ales).
In fact, this is a special year for KCC as we celebrate 20 years at the new ground.  We will be organising many special events to be announced shortly.

The photograph below shows some of our women and girl players ready for action on a Wednesday night at Kibworth Mead Academy where ‘Fleckney Spinners Table Tennis Club’ will be playing for the next year or so while Fleckney Sports Centre is demolished and rebuilt. Everyone is welcome to a free session at 7pm on Wednesday nights with coaching a free optional extra.

I am Steve Taylor and an 8th degree black belt in Taekwon-do. I started training in 1977 and got my black belt in 1983, one year later I started teaching in Oadby where my classes soon reached 100 students per night. In 1988 I moved to Kibworth and shortly after opened a club in Kibworth Village Hall. Taekwon-do is a Korean military martial art comprising of self defence including against knives etc. Sparring, patterns and destruction.

December marked the start of a number of festive gatherings, including the ‘Leicester City Centre Light Run’, a festive charity fun run at Wistow, and the club Christmas party. This year, we were lucky enough to offer members a prize draw thanks to the generosity of local businesses. A special thank-you goes to ’Bridge 67,’ ‘Kibworth Garden Centre’ ‘Rosie Made a Thing’, ‘Mollie Mae Cards’, ‘Elise Tear Sports Massage, and ‘Anita’s Holistic Health’ for their kind donations. A great night was had by all.

Following on from my recent article concerning Skeffington Hall and some of its residents. I was surprised to learn that in the Fox & Hounds public house that once stood on the side of the A47 in Skeffington, the licensee had two very interesting pictures that adorned one of the walls in the bar area. They record the extraordinary images of the racehorse who won the Grand National at Aintree. He won on two separate occasions during 1935 and 1936. It belonged to Major Noel Charles Bell Furlong of Skeffington Hall.

The accompanying photograph shows the current committee of the Fleckney Spinners Table Tennis Club. From left to right: Miriam Wohl (press and recruitment, safeguarding), Anita Pabla (quartermaster/mistress), Rob Logan (all-round good egg), Callum Harbidge (secretary), Bob Palmer (Chair, safeguarding). Not included James Robertson (treasurer).

The club has recently reopened its dining room after a full refurbishment, creating a brighter space for members, guests and the wider community to enjoy. The upgrade has modernised the interior while retaining the welcoming atmosphere the club is known for, making it suitable for casual dining, social events, and post-round gatherings.

Illston Abey Cricket Club will begin their junior cricket coaching sessions (for both boys and girls between ages 6 and 15 years) this January at Oadby Indoor Sports Hall situated at Oadby Beauchamp College. They are every Sunday evening between 6 and 7pm. Please contact 07956 531 893 for registration information details.