On Wednesday 8th March the newly refurbished Bottesford Youth Club was officially opened by the two Leicester Tigers Mascots.

The open night was planned and run by ‘The Bottesford Design Team’, six young people from Belvoir High School and consisted of a talent show, karaoke and a disco.

Nikki, Donna and Nooby. This award gives you the opportunity to develop your outdoor skills (includes camping), learn about first- aid plus much more.

Dave, Tasha and Julia. This evening provides various opportuni- ties and links with relevant organizations (connexions / sexual health etc).

The Primary School children are taking a serious interest in ways to improve their environ- ment, reducing greenhouse gasses and recycling waste. Under the leadership of Mrs Natalie Willcock, a committee of children has been formed and has put forward ideas to make im-

shutting doors/windows and controlling the heat- ing. All electronic equipment will be turned off where possible. Saving water has been highlighted and there is a scrapbox in each classroom for used pa- per. School dinners provide an improved selection of healthy food and contents of lunch boxes have more fruit and less chocolate and crisps. The Starwalker Scheme has helped increase the number of children walking to school. The chil-

dren have a gardening club and, with the help of Mr David Kempson, a group of parents and children turned out on a very cold March morning to clear an area to make a woodland walk. They plan to plant wildflowers and put up more birdboxes.

(He was a pupil at
Belvoir High School in
the early 1990s)

If not, then see our
Sports section on the
back page!

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

CHARTERED PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Registered with Health
Professional Council

The Scarecrows will be in Bottesford on the weekend of 20th and 21st May. Along with a Scarecrow Trail around the Parish, there will be fun and games at the Pri- mary School on the Sunday. If you want information on how you can get involved contact Anna Butcher on 844226.

‘Elvis’ was in St Marys Church on 18th March when he took part in a ‘Gospel Eve- ning’ which raised an impressive £1,100 for the Rainbows Children's Hospice at Loughborough. Thanks go to the numerous people who worked behind the scenes, and those who attended, for making this event a success.

Take advantage of FREE taster sessions at Bottesford - followed by the opportunity
to take a short course in June:
Family French for holidays— Wednesday May 24th 6.00-7.30pm (followed by 4 free
sessions)
Jewellery with beads – Monday May 22nd 7.00 – 9.00pm

Also on offer are: Family Spanish and French, Gentle exercise for older people, Family History, Family Swimming, Pilates, Family Learning and Lego Day. Contact the Community Centre on 844199 for more details or to book a place

Several of the current group have retired this year and new people are needed who will be able to help make decisions on the running of the Hall on behalf of our community.

This friendly group meet each month and work together to ensure our community has a Village Hall to be proud of – if you think this sounds like something you would be interested in please call Marilyn Robinson on 01949 844289 to find out more.

Our local County Councils have worked together to implement the weight restric- tion to reduce heavy good vehicles travelling through our parish. However, HGVs based in our villages can, of course, come and go as they please, as can HGVs

Comprehensive signing has been introduced to advise drivers of the restriction and the routes they can now use, which should ensure that lorry drivers comply with the restrictions. If members of the public feel that a lorry is in violation, they should note the name of the company operating the vehicle (and phone number if possible), the place and time of infringement, the type of vehicle and its registra- tion number and contact either Brian Kelk, our Principal Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Co-ordinator on 842241, their Area NHW co-ordinator or Mrs Barbara Tay- lor, Clerk to the Parish Council, on 843611. Reports of any infringements to these new regulations will then be collated and forwarded to the County Council.

The latest litter pick filled 5 more bags than last year! Parish Councillor Barbara Pizzey told Village Voice that “the Parish Council is very grateful to all the volun- teers for sparing their time on a cold Spring morning, to remove so much accumu- lated rubbish from the centre of Bottesford Village.”

4 colour and 4 black and white images from the Bottesford 2006 calendar are now available as exhibition quality photographs. Prices range from £20 to £50. Each is professionally printed on Kodak Endura exhibition photographic paper and supplied un-mounted. All proceeds from print sales will go towards Bottesford Skate Park.

application from a person in Grantham to change the classification of the path that goes up Beacon Hill and across the fields to Allington, from “Bridleway” to “Byway Open to all Traffic”, known by the acro- nym BOAT, thereby permitting its lawful use by 4x4s and trail bikes. This bridle- way passes the Debdale Meadow 'Site of Special Scientific Interest', close to where this recent photograph was taken. Unlawful use of this bridleway by motor- ised vehicles has made it almost impass- able on foot and no pleasure on horse- back. What a challenge for big kids in 4x4s, pitting their wits and skills against all that mud! Can you imagine the state

of it? Consider the farmer who has to use the track to tend the land. Will the drivers feel obliged to contribute to maintenance costs? If you have an opinion about this application please contact the Rights Of Way Officer, Environment and Heritage Services, Community Services Department, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8TE or emailfootpa ths @leics .gov .u k. Village Voice would be pleased to receive a copy of your letter.

Last year brought a 20% reduction in burglaries and similar crimes in the parish, compared with 2004, with the most common crimes being opportunistic, where doors or windows were left open, or keys left in the car. In addition to the dedi- cated policing of our Beat Officers, NHW aims to improve awareness of what we should do to protect property, to encourage vigilance and report suspicious ac- tivity. The NHW network is being extended, and, if you would like email alerts of crimes/suspicious occurrences, contact your Area Coordinator, or the Principal Coordinator, Brian Kelk, on 842241 (bottesfordnhw@onetel.com). The police and NHW hope to be calling on you during NHW Week, 17th - 24th June, and would be pleased to talk to you about any concerns about crime.

The recent appeal for funds has been doing quite well, with 60 envelopes re- ceived so far, averaging £6 each. The main reason for the appeal is to cover costs of newsletters, information packs and general communication. To date the costs have been borne by a few Area Coordinators and local sponsors. If your envelope is tucked behind the clock please enclose your donation and re- turn it to the police station or to your Area Coordinator.

On June 9th a group of Belarussian children and their interpreters from Gomel will arrive in the village for their 5th & final visit for basic health respite care or- ganised through the local Friends of Chernobyl’s Children Vale of Belvoir regis- tered charity based in Bottesford. It is anticipated to be an emotional trip with lots of tissue time.

The children and interpreters are staying with Host Families who have given up their homes and life styles to accommodate and provide for their guests. It will be a full month’s programme of health care, activities, leisure, pleasure and edu- cation including trips out to such ‘exotic’ places as Rutland Water and Cadbury World. The children will receive free ophthalmic and dental care as well as daily multivitamins + lots of TLC. They will be attending Belvoir High School and maintaining their contact with the primary school.

On July 7th it will be a sad farewell after 4 years. This community has played a very special and important part in lending a helping hand. It could not have happened without you. Thank You.