Articles

Now that the nights are closing in and autumn has truly arrived, it was time to celebrate Harvest here in Smeeton Westerby. Firstly, on 30 September we held our Harvest Supper in the Village Hall. The whole place looked really welcoming, with soft lighting and beautiful flower displays on each table. We welcomed nearly 50 guests to a delicious meal of carbonara, salad and French bread. Followed by a wonderful selection of desserts donated by some of our guests.

We had hoped that with this edition of The Chronicle, we would have been able to announce our next production. However due to personal circumstances, we have had to delay things a little.

The Parish Council held their monthly public meeting on 27 September in the Studio at the Kibworth Grammar School Hall.

Have buses ever run on time? Well, yes, but some don't. The ones that do run reliably on time are the school drop off in the morning and collect in the afternoon, so I hear.

Hello all! By the time you read this, we’ll have had several Pantomime rehearsals under our belts for ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. This year, we only have a very small Chorus. All of our ‘little ones’ have grown up and are taking principal parts or have flown the nest and been lost to University, studying, apprenticeships. More mature members moving out of the area, suffering illness or having family commitments.

Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital will be holding a Coffee Morning and Table Top Sale on:

Like most other things the effects of Covid are still being felt in all areas of leisure and group organisations. As a result, we are still awaiting confirmation that the Leicester Contest will go ahead.

A report for the Council Cabinet on 23 September laid out the dire financial position for local government and for Leicestershire County Council in particular. The Council’s budget gap is set to grow from £8m to £28m next year and could surpass £140m by 2026. The Council has had to face and plan for many budget challenges in recent years. However, this is on a scale never seen before in my 21 years as a County Councillor.

Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us -- not lose them in a community hub or invite further OFSTED criticism.

The big topic on the waterways for the summer of ’22 is the lack of rain. We've had one of the driest periods for 50 years. Canals in many parts of the country have run out of water. Foxton Locks are on restricted opening hours to try and conserve the reservoir supplies. Currently the flight is open from 10am to 4pm. As is the one at Watford Gap at the other end of the 20 mile summit level. So far we have not had many instances of boats arriving at the locks not being able to pass through.