Articles

Dear Editor

Our mill once again opened its doors to the public over National Mills Weekend 2025. Over the two days volunteers showed 70 visitors of all ages around the mill. They explained the history and operation, whilst also highlighting the 200 examples of graffiti and apotropaic marks made by millers over the past 300 years. We were blessed with exceptionally good weather. Whilst most visitors were local, some had travelled from as far afield as South Wales to visit the oldest surviving post mill in Leicestershire.

Brickfield House Market Harborough LE16 8XS opens on the 20 June, 12-4. A two-acre garden with lovely views overlooking the Welland Valley.

The Museum’s new summer exhibition, ‘Ingenuity and Vision’, explores the remarkable story of the 1950 Market Harborough ‘Festival and Rally of Boats.’  Held just five years after the end of World War II, this event brought together over 50 boats, campaigners and enthusiasts, in a bold celebration of Britain’s inland waterways.

On Saturday 6 September, 2-4pm at the Kibworth Community Hub

The wonderful spring weather meant a big increase in visitors and boats at the locks. The Easter holiday was exceptional. The floating market that included 15 trading boats beyond the top bridge, selling everything from sweets, giftware, craft items, soaps, fenders etc, to coffee, beer and cheese, had a footfall of over 8,000 people over the four days. May Bank Holiday was also dry and warm, so generally a very good start to the season. The downside is that the continued lack of rainfall may mean water shortages later. At present the reservoirs which feed this section are well up. In other parts of the country however, there are already restrictions and closures. There have also been some infrastructure failures, which mean that several of the northern waterways are inaccessible, so more boats are likely to head our way.

Embrace nature like never before! ‘30 Days Wild’ is The Wildlife Trusts annual challenge event, where we ask you to take on wild activities throughout June. There’s still time to get involved!

Illston on the Hill WI discussed the resolution at their latest meeting ‘Bystanders can be Lifesavers'. There are over 30,000 ‘out of hospital’ cardiac arrests per year in the UK. Less than one in ten people survive. This is why the WI urge the training and delivery of CPR, and to work with local organisations to help improve access to defibrillators in their communities, to give every person the best chance of surviving a cardiac arrest. Needless to say when put to the vote at Illston, it was unanimously agreed to carry forward the resolution to the Annual Meeting.

As of 2024 there are estimated to be nearly a million folk living with dementia in the UK, projected to be 1.4 million by 2040. That equates to 7000 new diagnoses a month. It currently takes six months, after GP referral, to get a diagnosis. As many will know this is a debilitating, isolating disease, affecting not only the sufferer but the carers and family around them.

Will be holding a table top sale on Saturday 12 July in Kibworth Village Hall, LE8 0LN, 10am - 12.45pm.