Articles

Dear Editor

We have had a really positive half term at KMA.

We did it! The first team became the first Leicestershire and Rutland League side to win the league three seasons on the bounce, which is an historic achievement. This also coincided with our most successful women's campaign as our women's team went unbeaten in their league campaign. 

The new programme for the Kibworth Art Lovers began in September with a fascinating and entertaining presentation on Illuminated Manuscripts by Maureen Hallahan. Maureen is an award-winning typographer, calligrapher and graphic designer who talked us through the evolution of calligraphy from its earliest Roman form, through the centuries to the present day. We learned how manuscripts from as early as the 4^th century were created by monks with meticulous care. Pens varied between reeds, bamboo and bird feathers until the introduction of the metal tipped pens we know today. Velum became the preferred surface.

For many of us the summer holidays are done and dusted or close to being so. Summer holidays are great. It's a time to get away and unwind and take that well deserved break. While that is great, it does deprive us of one of our main assets when improving our fitness, consistency.

It’s been another busy month and end to the summer running season with Fleckney and Kibworth Running Club taking part in plenty of events:

Boots are more than just footwear; they're our trusty companions for muddy adventures, hill conquering, and winter warmth.

“Thirty by thirty” (or 30 x 30) is the rallying cry for the rescue of our oceans, to save 30% of them by 2030 and give them time to recover, also to save a massive 10% of marine species in danger of extinction.

Jeff Wayne wrote the melody for Forever Autumn in 1969 as a jingle for a Lego commercial. Whether or not that particular advert was a success Lego is still as popular as ever (with all age groups). The name is derived from two Danish words, leg and godt, which mean play well, something Lego does perfectly. Tiny plastic bricks that can literally build worlds!

In June I submitted an article to the Chronicle regarding Smeeton Westerby rectory and its residents. Since then I have acquired a letter, dated 22 July 1902, sent to the Rev Sale at the Rectory from the Rev Ambrose Pudsey Dawson, who was the last of the clerical heads and remained as headmaster of Kibworth Grammar School. His term of office was from 1889 until he resigned in 1906, in order to move to the village of Harston, which is close to Belvoir Castle. During his time in Kibworth he lived in School House and it is from here that this letter is written. A copy of it is shown here but due to its poor condition I decided to transcribe the handwritten message for additional clarity