THE BIRSTALL POST, AUG 2010
Support Ggroup continued from page 1
New printers A NEW printing company relocating to Birstall is inviting readers to come and see the services they have to offer. On August 4 Flexpress will be opening its doors at Interchange, the new business park at Hallam Fields. The first occupants of Jelsons new business park offer a one-stop service for all kinds of printed work including business stationery, promotional printing, high-volume and specialist copying along with exhibition and display graphics. The service is supported with a fully equipped graphics studio to provide high quality design, artwork and marketing services. Managing Director Steve Wenlock said: “Moving to our purpose designed premises here at Birstall is an exciting time. We’re delighted to be part of the community and look forward to getting to know people from the businesses, clubs, societies and charities in the area.” Flexpress are celebrating their opening by inviting interested parties to join them for drinks, nibbles and free gifts at times to suit. Simply email messages@flexpress.co.uk or call free 0808 222 2223 to receive your VIP invitation.
years, and Birstall BAGS, a local group that raises funds to support local cancer services. ‘Time Out: Birstall’ is a free support group for anyone affected by cancer - patients, their carers and families - with the added benefit of complementary therapies. People attending the group can enjoy a free complementary therapy treatment in a calm, relaxing atmosphere, and chat to other patients and carers over refreshments. The group will meet at Birstall Village Hall, Birstall Road, Birstall on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, from 1.30-4pm. The first group will meet on Wednesday September 8. The group is open to anyone affected by cancer and as well as Birstall residents the organisers are hoping to support people from the surrounding area – north Leicester, Thurmaston, Syston, Anstey, Rothley and beyond. The group will be a new addition to Coping with Cancer’s existing popular Time Out groups that take place in Hinckley, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray and Leicester. For more information about the group, please call coping with Cancer on 0116 223 0055 or email: timeout@cw-c-.org.uk Coping with Cancer are also looking for volunteers to help make the group a success. If you are a qualified complementary therapist or would like to support the group by chatting to patients and carers and preparing refreshments, and can spare a few hours once a fortnight or month on a Wednesday afternoon, please call Coping with Cancer on 0116 223 0055 or email: volunteer@c-w-c-org.uk.
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Day of song MORE THAN 350 singers and 23 choirs took part in an all day concert at Longslade College to raise money for LOROS. The event, organised by local conductor Carolyn Necklen, saw singers aged from six to 90 take part. Carolyn said: “In the winter 2009 magazine LOROS announced their 25th anniversary and asked for support in running special events. They had a long list of suggestions all relating to ‘25’ or ‘silver’. I wondered if I could get 25 choirs together. We managed 23 choirs, including 2 school choirs, 1 church choir, 2 choral societies, 3 male voice choirs, l barbershop, 1 gospel choir and several community choirs.” The choirs performed throughout the day, with 25 minute slots each, and the show ended with Carolyn’s choirs Cantorum and Ya-
Pic: Carolyn Necklen directing the choir vana plus Moira Male Voice choir joining for a massed rendition of Njetsvodah. Carolyn said: “I am very grateful to all
the choirs who agreed to take part and help raise almost £2000 for LOROS. Also to members of Highcliffe Harmony, Cantorum and Yavana who helped with the smooth running of the day, and finally to Jane Hill at Longslade Community College for her support in accessing the venue.”
Barclays manager THE BIRSTALL branch of Barclays bank has a new manager. Philip Wilson has worked for Barclays for six years and has a wealth of experience in the retail sector having undertaken many roles from Personal Banker to managing several branches throughout the Leicestershire and Derbyshire areas. Commenting on his appointment, Philip said: “I am excited by the challenges that lie ahead. My main objective is to lead the team to ensure that we offer excellent customer service to our customers in and around the Birstall area. “As part of my drive to improve customer service, I will be looking to recruit new members to our counter team. Also to encourage more people to use the branch, I shall be available to offer direct support to customers to help and support them with their banking requirements. This will bring a more personalised feel to banking with Barclays.” Pic: Barclays new manager Philip Wilson
THIS YEAR’S Garden Trail organised by Birstall Methodist Church raised £1700 for the Alzheimer’s Society. Our picture shows the Rev Rachel Parkinson presenting a cheque for £1700 to Hayley Child, East Midlands Community Fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Society along with members of the Birstall Methodist Church Garden Trail Committee.
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Is Birstall a village? Apart from making a judgement based on size, most people will assess the qualification for a village on the ‘community spirit’ of the residents and the communal activities and events which take place. Birstall is very different from our neighbours in that there is no industry within its boundaries and comparatively very little employment. Birstall is a residential dormitory for those employed elsewhere. Birstall is also an area with a broad cross section of residents within the ‘affluence/social’ scale, some large houses and some of more modest size. In my opinion, based on my experiences in connection with the Neighbourhood Watch and contact with similar groups around the district, Birstall is definitely a village. Almost everyone I know in the village either belongs to or supports a local group/activity. Just look at the response during the recent two day village gala. No big name headline attraction required, an event for Birstall people essentially by Birstall people. A popular occasion for local residents, young and not so young, to meet friends and neighbours at what can only be described as a village fete. Thousands of locals visited the playing fields over the two days of the gala, and we were still there, singing, late into Sunday evening. I believe the Neighbourhood Watch in Birstall contributes to this ‘community spirit’ in helping to encourage neighbours to talk to each other and so provide in some way an identity for the streets and roads we live in. If you know your neighbours, it becomes natural to care about them and their welfare, and your own enjoyment of living where you do increases enormously.
If there is not a local Watch scheme which covers your home, give us a ring and we can quickly set one up. Talk to your neighbours and get the ‘Village Spirit’ in your street. Allan Kinton Birstall and Wanlip Village Watch. Watch phone: 0116 2676397 www.villagewatch.co.uk Crime Report June 14 to July 19 Assaults 3, harassment 1, burglary 2, burglary other 8, damage 9, damage to motor vehicle 11, drugs 1, fraud 8, public order 3, theft 9, theft of cycle 3, theft from motor vehicle 11, theft of motor vehicle 1, theft stores 4 • a person with a Criminal Antisocial Behaviour Order (CRASBO) was arrested for breaching one of the conditions, during the Gala weekend • three disbursal orders were issued out at the Birstall Gala, two for Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) (kicking football at police cycles and pedestrians) and another was issued to a male causing alarm to members of the public by using threatening behaviour • during the Gala weekend a large amount of liquor was seized from young people with he aim of curbing ASB, this had a very positive impact on the community as this helped towards creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere • 4 x verbal warning issued re underage drinking From PC Richard Carruthers 2139, PCSO Mark Butler 6611 and PCSO Stuart Venables 6438 • Overnight on Tuesday/Wednesday June 8/9 an attempt was made to steal the lead flashings from the front of the Parish Council Office on Sibson Road. • An elderly woman was the victim of a distraction burglary at 5pm on Monday June 14, on Beechfield Avenue. A man claimed to be a delivery man or workman and distracted the victim while his accomplice entered the house through the back door. Nothing was stolen during the incident. • On Saturday June 19 between 1-4pm a house in Allington Drive, close to Blenheim Road, was burgled. Access was gained by forcing the rear door. Information on any of the above can be reported to the Police on 222 2222 or freephone Crimestoppers 0800 555 111