Members of Bottesford Scouts and Cubs received their Local Knowledge Badges from

Melton’s Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr. Mike and Marj Jones, at the re-launch of Bottesford Library.

Pictured are scouts Ian Roberts, Jack Hill and Fraser Fentem, cubs Ryan Buckley, Ephraim Morton, Joshua Clout, James Peace, Toby Mellor, Ben Pacey, George Skerritt, Oliver Wong, Ewan Simpson, Joshua Ashworth, Joshua Hough, Lyle Barradell with Scout Leader Phil Thacker. Also achieving this badge were Alex Todd and Ben Marriott.

For more information on Bottesford scouts and cubs, contact Viv Money on 842713.

7.30pm on Sunday 27th April. This includes a unique blend of music, songs and stories - each performance is inspired by songs chosen by the audience, so no two shows are the same.

Cartoon de Salvo (www.cartoondesalvo.com) is a profes- sional theatre company based in Bognor Regis. They have performed at the Glastonbury Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, as well as numerous venues across the UK. Their production ‘Sunflower Plot’ was performed on an allotment in Newark in 2005. A member of the Vale of Belvoir theatre group said,

“It was one of the most exciting performances I have seen in years”. At a recent performance in Nottinghamshire com- ments included, “Fantastic”. “It doesn’t get any better than Cartoon de Salvo”. “The audience laughed and laughed … very imaginative, super set, super theatre”.

Tickets will be available in advance from Susan Meech on 843402 or from the Malthouse Deli on Queen Street, £6 in- cluding concessions.

Financial assistance for the performance has been provided by The Arts Council East Midlands, Leicestershire County Council and Melton Borough Council.

ing member of the committee from Day 1 - helping with everything including writing articles, contacting advertisers, pre- senting certificates and prizes to our schools. Carol is leaving our committee but will continue to help us with deliveries. Our thanks to Carol for all her hard work – we shall miss you!

Call us for all your electrical needs
Service sales and electrical
Engineers
Established 37 years

The School Choir is taking part in the Vale Choral Project, led by Sophie Pascal, and performing Roald Dahl's version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on the 28th February at Belvoir High School.

As part of the school's continued commitment to promote healthy eating, healthy snacks are now a regular feature at the tuck shop, thanks to the Year 4 children and parent helpers. The Healthy Tuck Shop, which is open at morning playtime, sells a wide range of tasty and healthy snacks such as fresh and dried fruit, bread sticks, rice cakes and fromage frais. Free 'tasters' are also on offer to encourage children to try new and unusual foods. As well as encouraging a healthy diet, the successful project has improved the numeracy skills of the children running it, as they deal with selling the tuck to their eager customers.

Last November, I got asked by a youth worker of Bottesford Youth Club if I would like to go to the Lake District on a 5-day trip. It would not cost me anything as Mel- ton have a young group of councillors who are named CYCle (the council for young people), who get £4000 a year for the young people around all areas of Melton.

I went on the 17th December 2007 and there were 14 of us in total. I knew 2 others but everyone else was completely new to me. We stayed at Brathay Hall, which was opposite to Lake Windermere, in Ambleside. Throughout the week we took part in problem solving challenges, orienteering, low ropes, high ropes, abseiling, whaling (rowing), canoeing, climbing up mountains, and much more. To top it all, my group was fun and very supportive and the whole week was the most amazing experience I have ever had!!! None of us wanted to leave. This trip made me so pleased I am part of Bottesford Youth Club.

On 15th January parents, pupils and local residents were invited to see and give comments on the plans for the £5.9 million scheme that will result in the refurbish- ment of the school and a new extension. The building work will start in July 2008 and be open for teaching in September 2009. The proposals include substantial refurbishment of the existing building as well as a new two storey building with a central atrium housing a suite of ‘state-of-the-art’ Science laboratories, a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) Centre, a new library and eight classrooms which will accommodate English and Humanities.

Last year saw the relaunch of the wonderful Bottes- ford Gala Day. The Gala Committee headed by the Vale of Belvoir Lions Club and representatives from Bottesford Primary School, Playgroup, Football Club, Village hall, St Mary’s Parochial Church Coun- cil, Friends of Chernobyl’s Children and others drew up a list of essential equipment to make this event bigger and better than before and to improving health, safety and security. Thanks to the Lottery

Planning for this year is well underway. During the weekend there will be the an- nual Arts Society Art Show at the Methodist Church and events at St. Mary's, with Sunday featuring the FOCC fun run and historical enactments. Monday will see the finale to the weekend with the 30th Gala Day.

The weekend gives local groups the opportunity for fund raising and to demon- strate the rich cultural heritage of Bottesford. Help and support of any kind is al- ways welcomed by the Committee so that we can make this an event of which the Village can be proud.

If you would like to help run this event or wish to know more then contact the or- ganisers by following the Gala links at www.bottesford.org.uk. Or calling Kathryn Hinsliff-Smith on 842333

Pictured with librarians (left to right) Viv Money, Mary Marshall and Pam McCartan were the Mayor, Councillor Mike Jones and Mayoress, his wife Marj, County Coun- cillor Byron Rhodes and Councillor Ernie White.

We have seen fireworks, Santa, men dancing with flowers in their hats and others wading in the river behind a flotilla of yellow ducks. All these tasks encouraged us to make generous donations – and the Lions organisation is very appreciative.

British Red Cross, Fire and Rescue Benevolent Fund, Warm Homes in Belarus, Water Aid, Campaign Sight First II, Dove Cottage and of course the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children.