Articles

To date this winter has been mild, so no problems with ice. Ice was a big issue in commercial days, and special ice-breaking boats, drawn by teams of horses, would be deployed to force a channel through. (Two examples are on display behind the sideponds at the locks). Nowadays the many moored boats and climate change make thick ice a less frequent occurrence. The lengthy maintenance stoppage at Watford (Northants) lock flight is due to finish at the end of February, so hopefully we will start to see more boats coming this way.

As next week is Easter Week in which churchyard in the Kibworth & District Chronicle delivery area would you see three crosses together? The image shows a bit of the church which might help.

Harborough Morsbags Group members have been busy making bags out of donated material. They give them out for free at local events and to organisations.

Dear Sir

Here is an occasional column devoted to certain developments in and around our district which we have noted. (If you see something you would like to bring to the attention of our readers send it to us (via email)

There has been a group meeting to share our interests in embroidery and textiles for over 50 years, celebrating our 50^th anniversary in 2018 with an exhibition at Newarke Houses Museum.

My wife and I have long enjoyed watching gardening programmes on TV. We have however noticed over the past couple of years that some garden designers/presenters increasingly describe quiet spots in the garden as being ‘zen’. They’re not entirely wrong, though Zen amounts to more than just peace and quiet. The word itself comes from the Chinese chan, meaning quietude. Before that it derives from a Sanskrit term meaning meditation, Sanskrit being the classical language of India. Although Zen has a long connection with Buddhism, it can also be seen as a philosophy and method for “rediscovering the experience of being alive” these are the words of Mark Watts, son of Alan Watts, who was one of the great popularisers of Zen in the west during the mid to late 20^th Century.

Illston on the Hill WI are getting back to normal. Hurrah! Our speaker for the February meeting was our very own member Sue Adams BSc (Hons)MCPod. (Member of the College or Podiatry.)

From 1 March the Billesdon Dispensary’s new opening hours became:

The Car Scheme, in operation since 1987, was initially run out of Pen Lloyd Library in Market Harborough. We are based in Market Harborough. Residents of 2/3 of Harborough District including Kibworth, Fleckney & surrounding villages fall into our catchment area. Leicestershire County Council currently funds us. There are three members of Transport office staff, Sandy, Ann & Jo. Our phone line is manned Monday – Friday 9am – 2.30pm and you can leave a message at any other time.