THE BIRSTALL POST, NOV 2010
Longslade’s 50th birthday party LONGSLADE COLLEGE recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a reunion evening. “An evening of music, catching up with old friends, wonderful food and a display of Longslade memorabilia dating from the original opening of the college to date, made a fitting tribute to the birthday celebrations” said former student and Longslade Learning Mentor Debby Chambers. She added: “The highlight of the evening was a speech given by the original headmaster Andrew Finch whose reminiscences held everyone’s attention.” Other guest speakers included Longslade Principal Liz Hall, Chris Stuart and Ruth
Mukete. Debby said: “Chris attended Longslade on its opening day back in 1960 and his speech had everyone in stitches! Ruth, a current student, spoke with pride and passion about Longslade.” Pic: Principal Liz Hall with Andrew Finch
Village’s story during Civil War ‘PLUNDERED AND Impoverished’ is the title of Birstall Local History Society’s new book about Birstall, Belgrave and Wanlip during the English Civil War. Written and researched by Mike Smith it gives the background to the war and tells how, when war came in 1642, the manors of Birstall and Belgrave were confiscated by Parliament, receiving much rougher treatment than Wanlip, which remained relatively untouched. Birstall’s lords of the manor, the royalist Giffords, inherited their estate by marriage. They never lived in the village although they took its name when King Charles II made Henry Gifford the first Baronet Birstall. Later Sir Henry Gifford escaped to Paris where he and his son John served at the court of the exiled King James, and were declared traitors by parliament. Belgrave’s lords of the manor, the Byerleys were lawyers of Gray’s Inn and lived in Belgrave for generations. The war saw their lands not only confiscated but much of it sold off to wealthy Londoners. William Byerley became the subject of questions in parliament after threatening to throw a nonconformist vicar out of his pulpit. Joseph Byerley fought at the Battle of the Boyne and ended up com-
manding the personal guard to a Field Marshal of the French army. The people of Belgrave also suffered when munition convoys passing through the village on their way to Derby underwent Royalist attacks and later when Prince Rupert’s troops camped there prior to the sacking of Leicester. As well as the principal families the book reveals other personalities like Colonel Hacker who was captured and escaped from Belvoir Castle, fought in the destruction of Leicester and guarded Charles I while awaiting execution and was himself hung drawn and quartered at Tyburn. Thomas Weld, the forceful American preacher who, after being sacked, became one of Cromwell’s personal ministers and served for four years as vicar of Wanlip. Last but not least must be the horse captured from the Turks by Colonel Anthony Byerley which, known as the Byerley Turk, became a magnificent racehorse whose stud career founded many of today’s racing lines. The book costs £3.50 and is available from Birstall Library. If you live in Birstall ring Mike Smith 2675792 and he will deliver a copy. Outside Birstall send a cheque for £4.50 to Mike Smith, 25 Holt Road, Birstall, Leics LE4 4AQ and he will post you a copy.
Waiting time for allotments falls WAITING LISTS for vacant plots on Birstall’s three allotment sites have been reduced. There were 38 names on the list in November 2008 and this has now fallen to five. Birstall Parish Council manages the allotments. Assistant Clerk Sue Coulson said “We want to actively promote allotment gardening and encourage people to put their names on the waiting list. New allotment holders find that they quickly develop new skills and knowledge and many plot holders see the development of their allotment as part of a positive lifestyle choice. Allotments are a good way of producing healthy delicious fruit and vegetables at a relatively low cost and you can
produce them organically if you want to. They are also a good way to make friends with people who share your interest in gardening, and a great way to relax and unwind from the stresses of modern living. They provide an excellent form of exercise for people of all ages and abilities.” If you are interested and would like to put your name on the waiting list, please contact: Sue Coulson, Birstall Parish Council, Council Offices, Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4DH. Tel: 2676191 or email: admin@birstallpc.org.uk
Award winning film VIDEO footage shot by a Longslade teacher has been included in an award winning documentary film. Steve Bonham’s footage is part of ‘Budrus’, a film directed by Julia Bacha about a Palestinian community organiser, Ayed Morrar, who unites with Israeli supporters in a non-violent movement to save his village of Budrus from being destroyed by Israel’s plans to build its ‘Separation Barrier’. Steve (54) has been a History teacher at Longslade since 1995. He is a pacifist and a frequent visitor to Palestine and Israel. He said: “I am pleased my footage is now being viewed by so many and am happy that I have been of assistance to the villagers of Budrus in conveying their story to the world. “The film sheds light on the little reported unarmed Palestinian struggle against the military occupation and land confiscation. World media is all too ready to publicise the occa-
Group’s cash grant A SELF-HELP group for arthritis sufferers that meets monthly in Birstall has received a cash boost from Charnwood. The Borough Council have given CLASH £2850 as part of its Community Development Grants scheme. CLASH spokeswoman Christine Thomas said: “In addition to supporting the running costs of our existing activities, the funding will enable us to continue to conduct ongoing research into the benefits members gain from group activities.” The group is also planning on opening a new drop-in advice centre in Anstey. Charnwood have also made a Community Grant of £5000 to the Sorrel Youth Café in Mountsorrel. The café, on The Green, will provide a safe place for young people to meet after school and is supported by a full-time youth worker. The money will help support the scheme’s internet café and the delivery of sexual health education. Shepshed toy library has received a grant of £2000 and Human Rights & Equalities Charnwood, £2000. • CLASH meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at Longslade College. For details contact Christine Thomas 0795 458 4402, 2006clash@gmail.com
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sional acts of Palestinian violence, while ignoring the continual non-violent resistance by Palestinians.” A trailer for the film, containing Steve’s footage, is available on Youtube. Search for ‘Budrus trailer’. Pic: Steve Bonham with director Julia Bacha
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Café plans approved PLANS FOR a café on Lambourne Road have been approved by Charnwood Borough Council. The café, at 1 Lambourne Road, was formerly a hairdressers. The proposed opening hours are 7.30am4.30pm Mondays to Fridays and 8.30am – 3pm on Saturday. The café will serve a range of products such as rolls, salads, cakes and hot meals. Seating for 44 people is indicated on the plans and two full time employees are proposed. There are two car parking spaces outside the property. Four residents in nearby properties wrote to the Council objecting to the plans, concerned about additional traffic, blocking access drives and antisocial behaviour. Charnwood granted planning permission on the condition that a mechanical flume extraction system is fitted to the property.