Birstall Post (349) Aug 2012 by The Birstall Post

the Birstall post Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

AUGUST 2012

N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 349

Birstall greets Olympic torch THE OLYMPIC torch arrived in Birstall on July 3 and was greeted by hundreds of people who lined the route.

Traveller site plans A DECISION on the traveller site on Greengate Lane is expected in September. Leicester City Council received 1486 responses to its consultation on proposals to locate authorised sites on Greengate Lane, Beaumont Way and Red Hill Way. The consultation period ended on July 13. City Mayor Peter Soulsby and his executive team will make a decision on the proposals after they have analysed the responses and the recommendations of the City Council Scrutiny Commission. The Commission’s report has recommended that the Beaumont Way site be dropped and replaced with a site on Hoods Close, next to Birstall Golf Club’s course, on Thurcaston Road. If the sites are recommended, the

The torch bearers ran up the A6 from Red Hill island, along Station Road and along the cycle path to the GCR’s Leicester North Station. Continued on page 2

Continued on page 2

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Pics (top): The Olympic torch carried by Ahmed Teladia (21) on Station Road where crowds (left) gathered to greet it

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

were so excited to actually see the torch arrive on Loughborough Road. They did not stop talking about the Olympic Flame and all the various vehicles that they had seen during the parade, an historical moment to remember forever.” As the accompanying vehicles stopped at the top of Station Road there was some excitement as Gary Lineker was spotted inside one of the buses, waving

Pic: children from Half Pints

and smiling for photographs. Crowds watched from the railway bridge near Birstall Golf Club as the torch bearer posed for photographs on the station platform before taking the torch aboard a steam train bound for Quorn.

PHOTO: CAROLE WHITE

Torch continued from page 1 Crowds cheered and waved flags as the torch passed them, many taking photos and videos to capture the historic occasion. Among those lining the route were children from Half Pints on Loughborough Road. A spokesman said: “We had been following the torch on a map around the country and so the children

Pic: Torch bearer Angela Conibear (38) at Leicester North GCR station

Quality firm Free golf keeps growing coaching A BIRSTALL firm that specialises in quality conservatory, window and door installations continues to innovate and is still growing.

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Byron and Mandy Manning of Curzon Avenue run Conservatory and Window Concepts Ltd. They are now entering their fourth decade serving not only the local area but as far afield as London, Kent and Cornwall – mostly from the word of mouth recommendation of their satisfied customers. Byron said: “Our success is due to the fact that we will not compromise on quality.” Their latest new production is an innovative retractable screen that unobtrusively fits your window or door frame. It allows full ventilation and fresh air circulation, keeps out insects and remains out of sight until needed. For more details about retractable screens, conservatories, windows or doors contact CWC on 2674205. www.cwcinfo.co.uk www.cwcscreens.co.uk

BIRSTALL GOLF Club is to offer free adult coaching for would-be golfers. It is one of several clubs in the county participating in a programme led by the Leicestershire & Rutland County Golf Partnership called ‘Get Into Golf’. Jade Boggust, county development officer for the Leicestershire and Rutland County Golf Partnership said: “Get into Golf is a national campaign to inspire people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to take up the game. Taster and coaching sessions are available at our new Get into Golf centres across the county. Sessions will be free or at nominal cost, and equipment will be provided. All you need to do is book a session and turn up in comfortable clothing.” The dates of the adult sessions at Birstall have yet to be announced. Junior coaching at the club is available every Saturday from 3-4pm and on Mondays from 4pm. Continued from page 1 City Council must submit a formal planning application which will be a further opportunity for the public to object. Leicester City Council’s planning department will then make a decision on whether planning permission should be granted. Elected members of Leicester City Council will then vote on the application.

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Going for gold but outbid at auction A BIRSTALL woman looked on as an Olympic gold medal won by her relative was sold to a higher bidder at an auction in London. Wendy Garner of Sibson Road, accompanied by husband Jim had attended the auction at Sotheby’s with an upper limit of £6000 but the bidding quickly exceeded that, with the medal selling for £11,000. The medal was won in 1912 by swimmer Jennie Fletcher, Wendy’s great aunt, as a member of Britain’s 4 x 100 yards freestyle relay team in Stockholm, Sweden. Days earlier she had won the bronze medal in the 100 yards freestyle,

becoming the first woman from Britain to win an Olympic medal. Wendy said: “I was disappointed. If a collector buys it, the medal will be just

Pic: Jennie Fletcher (second left) with the gold medal winning British team in 1912

Pic: Wendy Garner & inset, the gold medal

Pic: Jennie Fletcher

put in a drawer and forgotten. It should come back to the family and especially back to Leicester as Jennie swam at the Cossington baths in Bel-

grave. If I had bought it, I would have given it on permanent loan to Leicester Museum.” The medal was put up for sale by Jennie’s Canadian granddaughter Heather. Jennie Fletcher lived on Checketts Road and swam with the Leicester Ladies Swimming Club. She married a Scotsman and emigrated to Canada at the end of World War I. She visited the UK in the 1960s when Wendy met her, and died in 1968 aged 78. A plaque commemorating the achievements of the swimmer was put up at Cossington Street baths in 2004, where Jennie had started

swimming lessons aged 11, and in 2010 her name was included in Leicester’s Walk of Fame in Orton Square.

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No gala this year BIRSTALL GALA will not be re-scheduled this year. Birstall Parish Council’s Gala committee met on July 23 to consider whether it would be feasible to reschedule the gala during 2012. This year’s event was cancelled due to the weather. The committee has reluctantly decided to recommend to the Council that the gala should not be re-scheduled this year. The Council says the decision was taken in view of the risk of incurring further significant costs at a time of economic cut backs, the risk of further bad weather and the likelihood that the problems regarding the overflow of sewage would not be resolved in the near future. However, the Council is to go ahead with a bigger and better switchon of the Christmas Lights. This will take place on Friday December 7 and include music, craft stalls, the fairground attractions and fireworks. The council are planning to hold the 2013 Gala on the slightly later weekend July 27/28.

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Adult learning classes

Birstall club’s Olympic grant AN AWARD of £47,500 will enable Birstall United Football Club to upgrade its changing facilities. The club is celebrating after it was announced that it is one of eight county sports clubs to benefit from grants awarded by the National Lottery supported Inspired Facilities Olympic legacy fund. The eight clubs will share a total of £352,739. At BUFC’s Meadow Lane headquarters, the existing changing facilities will be upgraded and a new changing room will be built with showers and toilets. Club Chairman Gary Fox said: “This grant will not only give club members a boost but neighbouring clubs who use our facilities will also reap the benefits. When Sport England rang me to tell me we had been successful, they said that a strong part of our application was the letters of support that we received from our community, showing that there was

DAYTIME AND Evening Adult learning classes are available in and around your area. Pic: Club Chairman Gary Fox (ctr), Tom Man-Kler, Aaron Headley and players with their cheque from Sport England

an obvious need, and I am extremely grateful for that support.” This year we are celebrating our 50th anniversary, and alongside a memorable night of celebration held earlier in the year, this award puts the top hat on an outstanding landmark in the club’s history.” “Many thanks go to everyone who was involved in the bid which was very much a huge team effort.” Sport England’s Chair Richard Lewis said: “This National Lottery investment will create a lasting sporting legacy for Birstall and surrounding areas. It shows that we are offering the legacy that people want for their local community. For 100s of clubs and tens of thousands of people, 2012 will be the year their local sports facility got better.”

Win salon treat NOMINATE A carer you know to win a pampering treat at a local salon. Stephen Thomas of Stephen Thomas Hair, Went Road, is inviting readers to nominate someone they know who provides care in whatever shape or form, either voluntarily or in a paid capacity. To nominate someone you think deserves a bit of pampering for the care they provide you can send a text to 07718215244 explaining why you think this person deserves to win one of six ‘Birstall Cares’ pampering treats at Stephen Thomas Hair. The deadline for entries is August 21 with six winners, all receiving ‘Birstall Cares’ golden invitations to the salon. You can also nominate by post.

Would you like to learn a new language, learn or update your IT skills, improve your English and Maths or take up a new hobby? The Leicestershire Learning Service offers a wide range of daytime and evening courses including Languages, IT, English & Maths, Sport, Arts & Crafts and General Interest starting in September. Courses include: Upholstery, Jewellery Making, Computer Confidence, Digital Cameras, First Aid, Italian and German and many more. Courses are available at Longslade in Birstall. Look out for their brochure which will be delivered to your door at the beginning of August. This brochure will give you details of courses in your area. If you do not receive a brochure but would like one, or would like advice on one of the courses you can call free on 0800 988 0308 and speak to an adviser. Alternatively contact Longslade Adult Learning Service on 0116 2673389 or go to www.leics.gov.uk/golearn

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Award winning Carl Gunns is Citizen of the Year CARL GUNNS from Birstall is celebrating after receiving two awards in the same month. Carl, who runs a boxing gym for young people on Birstall Road, has been named as the Birstall Citizen of the Year 2012 and is also the regional winner of housebuilder McCarthy & Stone’s National Retirement Awards. The Citizen of the Year award, run by Birstall Parish Council, is normally presented at the annual gala which this year was cancelled due to the weather. Birstall Parish Councillor Stuart Jones made the presentation at Carl’s gym. “It was a surprise to see Stuart coming in to the gym with the award” said Carl “it’s very satisfying to get this award as its voted for by local people and its nice to be recognised in your own village”. Started in 2002, the gym has now received 19 awards. McCarthy & Stone, the retirement home builder, hold an annual award that aims to find extraordinary people aged 60 or over. Carl impressed the judges when he gave a presentation about his boxing gym. “We have had the pleasure of meeting some truly amazing individuals throughout the judging process and it was a very difficult task to whittle them down to our few final category winners” commented Richard Williams, regional managing director for McCarthy & Stone. “Carl proved to be a real inspiration and all the judges felt that he deserved to be recognised for his incredible achievements. “Carl puts 100% effort into his local gym to ensure children are kept off the street, with the gym teaching children respect and discipline. He has made a real difference to the neighbourhood with his tireless efforts and enthusiasm. We wish him all the very best in the national finals.” Following Carl’s win he will go on to take part in the national competition later this year against a host of other regional finalists from across the UK. Carl said: “There were so many great people doing amazing things that I thought I had no chance at these awards, so it was fabulous to win. That was an amazing day as well, as on the way there we were on the motorway when that hailstorm struck, the visibility went to nothing and I thought I was a gonna. The driver, Lisa Harrison, was so cool, I think she saved my life that day - she drives better than Michael Schumacher.”

Pic: Carl Gunns (right) with Richard Williams from McCarthy & Stone

Target shooters brave soggy conditions AFTER WEEKS of rain Redhill Revolvers pistol club finally got their pairs competition completed for 2012. A good turnout in poor conditions and a very soggy field saw shooters compete in two disciplines, Hunter Field Target and Metal Plate Speed Shooting. The club’s gala at Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre will be held on Saturday August 4 from 10am to 4pm with competitions for the serious and the chance to have a go at pistol shooting for all the family. The minimum age to shoot is eight years. Pic: (l-r) Bronze went to Mick Bubb (East Goscote) and Steve Chapman (Barwell); Silver went to John Keen (Coventry) and Claire Jackson (Birstall); Gold and Champions of 2012 were Pete Groves (Princethorpe) and Sarah Prime (Birstall)

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Students design mural A MURAL made up of artwork by children from four Birstall schools was officially unveiled at the Birstall park and ride in July. The mural, which takes up one wall of the park and ride’s terminal building, was put together as part of a competition between local schools. The various pieces involved tell the story of Birstall’s history, from the Ice Age to World War 2. Children from Highcliffe Primary, Riverside Primary, Stonehill High School and Longslade College all took part in the competition and each school will receive a commemorative certificate for their students’ had work.

The competition, organised by the Midlands Highway Alliance Skills Academy, Leicester Education Business Company and Birstall Parish Council, was funded by Jelson Homes who contributed to the cost of the park and ride. Lelsey Pendleton, Cabinet Member for Environment & Transport at Leicestershire County Council, which runs the park and ride along with Leicester City Council, said: “The children have put together something rather special to represent their local area, and park and ride passengers are sure to appreciate it.” The purpose of the mural is to engage the local community with the park and ride project, and to leave a lasting legacy. Chairman of Birstall Parish Council, Patrick Cleere, said: “We’re very proud of our local youngsters’ hard work and were happy to encourage them to learn about their local history.”

Pic: Admiring the mural are four of the students who helped create it: Amy Diyar, Grace McGreal, Robyn Howgill & Deborah Gbadeyan

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Birstall boy’s equestrian success Birstall bowls A TEN YEAR old boy from Birstall has come first in a national riding competition.

Ellis Holdaway of Hill Rise was competing in the Riding for the Disabled Association’s National Championships in Gloucestershire. Ellis, a pupil at Riverside school, won first place in the junior section of the Countryside Challenge and was also a section winner, beating the senior competitors and taking the overall championship with a score of 92.75% Ellis said: “It was brilliant, I was surprised I did so well.” Mum Maria said: “He didn’t stop singing in the car all the way home from Gloucestershire – we are so proud of him”. Ellis has been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and has been riding at the Meadow School of Riding near Woodhouse Eaves for five years. Maria said: “Ellis likes being with the horses and likes to learn new things – it has really helped him improve his concentration.” At the RDA championship, Ellis, riding Denby, competed in the Countryside Challenge event where riders go through an obstacle course, negotiating gates, posting a letter and into a farmyard encountering sheep and hens. It tests a rider’s steering, balance and confidence. The RDA is a voluntary organisation and without volunteers riding sessions would not be able to take place. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact

BIRSTALL LADIES Bowling Club’s Diane Hurst has qualified for a second event at the National Championships in Leamington Spa, which are taking place this month.

Dawn Whitmore –Kirby at the Meadow School of Riding on 01509 9891690

Pic: Award winner Ellis Holdaway on Denby

Having already got through in the fours for the sixth successive year with Pa Walker, Jan Everitt and Jennie Groves, she reached the county singles final for the third time thanks to five victories, including wins against Lynn Green (Shepshed) and Angela Cleveley (Fleckney), in the quarter and semi finals respectively. Meanwhile, Jennie Groves reached the area semi final of the National Champion of Champions competition before losing out to Nottinghamshire’s Jayne Croxall, who was the 2009 National singles champion. In the men’s county competitions, Andy Wye reached the Leicestershire semi final in the two wood, but was denied a place at the National Championships in Worthing, losing by just one shot, 12-13 to Blaby’s John Torrington. The latter stages of the Leicester City & District Parks competitions were due to take place at the end of July with the Birstall club and several members involved. Details of how they got on will be in September’s Birstall Post.

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Changes 500 ash trees to be destroyed at local museum ALL OF the newly planted ash trees at Birstall’s park and ride will have to be destroyed after becoming diseased.

BELGRAVE HALL museum and gardens will close to the public in October for refurbishment. The Leicester City Council says it will re-open in Spring 2013 as a “heritage venue”. The refurbishment will be supported by funding from Arts Council England. The hall – which currently opens from February to October and had around 16,000 visitors last year – will no longer house a permanent museum collection but will continue to open to the public with an annual programme of open days, events and festivals. These will make full use of the hall and garden, as well as a new marquee area linking the two. Following refurbishment, the hall and gardens will also be marketed as a venue for hire for private functions and commercial activities such as craft markets, food fairs, ghost watches and other events. City Mayor, Peter Soulsby said: “Belgrave Hall is a wonderful but woefully underused building and its beautiful gardens are a real attraction. These plans will allow visitors to enjoy and appreciate the building as an artefact in its own right. “The plans will also allow us to maximise the commercial and visitor opportunities that the hall and gardens present. The house was empty when the council purchased it in the 1920s. We don’t need to fill it with items from the museum collection that have no connection to the site for people to enjoy it.” The collection of furniture by Ernest Gimson currently displayed at Belgrave Hall will be included in a major new gallery at New Walk Museum that will tell the story of Leicester’s involvement in the Arts and Crafts movement. This new gallery is expected to open by summer 2013. The city council is also in discussion with the National Trust with a view to loaning some items from the Gimson collection. These would be placed on display at Stoneywell, a grade II listed cottage in Ulverscroft, Leicestershire, designed by Gimson in 1898. The Trust has recently announced plans to acquire the property. If successful, this would see Stoneywell open to the public on a limited basis in 2013 while essential work is carried out. All other artefacts from Belgrave Hall will be rehoused at other sites or placed in storage. Plans for the city’s museums also include opening three sites that have not been regularly opened for over a decade: Leicester Castle, the Magazine Gateway and Wygston’s House.

A county council forestry officer raised the alert after it was noticed that some of the leaves on the trees were wilting and dying. Tests have shown that the trees are suffering from a condition known as Chalara dieback of ash, caused by the fungus Chalara fraxinea. The council, which runs the park and ride service along with the City council, has teamed up with the Forestry Commission and Fera (Food & Environment Research Agency) to tackle the issue. 484 trees were planted on the site and will all be destroyed. Lesley Pendleton, County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We want to reassure people that this disease has no impact on humans or animals. The operation of the park and ride will be unaffected. Sadly the trees will have to be destroyed on site but this is necessary to prevent

Pic: the diseased ash trees at Birstall park and ride

the disease from spreading. We are taking advice on the disposal of the trees which will be replaced.” The Forestry Commission and Fera are currently investigating the source of the disease – the trees were supplied by a nursery. There are no other reported local cases.

60-90 per cent of Denmark’s ash trees have been lost to the disease and the Forestry Commission is concerned as Birstall is the second case of the disease to be reported in England this year. Dr John Morgan, Head of the Forestry Commission’s Plant Health Service, said: “This is a very worrying development. C fraxinea is an aggressive pathogen which has the potential to inflict considerable damage on Britain’s ash trees. “We are urging anyone who has received ash trees in the past five years to check their trees’ health and to report any suspicious symptoms to us without delay.” Further information and a pest alert factsheet can be viewed at www.forestry.gov.uk/ashdieback

Summer activities AERIAL TREKKING at the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre on Red Hill island is one of the activities in Charnwood Borough Council’s summer programme of activities for young people. The programme, for 3-16 year olds, also includes archery, bushcraft, canoeing, hockey and pond dipping. The activities take place at a variety of venues across Charnwood. Events run until August 24 and the programme is available by calling 01509 634673 or at www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/holidaypro grammes

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

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Swan and cygnets killed by dog AN ADULT swan and two cygnets have been killed by a dog at Watermead Country Park. Watermead swan volunteer Julie said: “For a brief moment in time we saw Zaura the grandmother very happy with her new partner and two little chicks. Sadly that was not to last. She lost both little chicks and then I went down to the park to find her new partner dead. He’d been savaged and killed by a dog. Zaura’s second partner to be killed like that in five months. It broke my heart and has upset a lot of people too. So many of the public were going down to watch this story and enjoying it. “Both of these dog attacks were very nasty, but swan and dog injuries are not uncommon. I see and get to know about quite a lot as a rescuer. A few of these include one of our cygnets that was killed by three dogs a few days ago. The owners walked off and left it injured. There was also another attack not long ago where an owner allowed its dog to run up to a cygnet. The dog suddenly pinned the cygnet down and dug its teeth into it. After special care and £100

Guide’s top award A BIRSTALL Guide leader has received Girlguiding UK’s top accolade, the coveted Queen’s Guide Award. The award was presented to Gemma Lawrenson (27) by Baroness Judith Wilcox and Girlguiding UK’s Chief Guide Gill Slocombe – herself a Queen’s Guide – at a ceremony held at the House of Lords on Wednesday June 25. More than 20 young women from around the UK joined Gemma in receiving their Queen’s Guide Award. The award sees participants take the lead in a number of areas including developing a personal skill, working within pioneering community action projects, and overseeing outdoor pursuits. Gemma, who is leader of the 1st Birstall Guides and whose Queen’s Guide achievements included 12 months’ volunteering for Leicestershire AIDS Support Service and helping deliver a Girlguiding UK petition on airbrushing to 10 Downing Street, said: “Completing my Queen’s Guide award has given me a lot more confidence in my abilities and has made me realise that I can take on any

challenge. “It has solidified my commitment to guiding and made me feel incredibly proud to belong to such an amazing organisation. “Guiding has had an effect on me from a young age. From about the age of 16 I knew I wanted to become a leader as I wanted to give back something to the guiding community as I had such a great experience as a child. “I have met so many amazing people who have inspired me and encouraged me to be myself. I enjoy telling people what I’ve been up to through guiding and watch the surprise spread across their face as they didn’t realise it was possible. “My confidence has increased along with skills in leadership, communication and creativity.” Pic: Gemma alongside Baroness Wilcox and Chief Guide Gill Slocombe at the Queen’s Guide ceremony at the House of Lords.

Pic: Zaura and Jake

vet costs it survived.” She added: “The vast majority of swan and dog injuries are actually caused by really nice people who wouldn’t dream of letting their dogs injure a swan. Their dogs end up near the swans either because they have allowed them to go near them or because their dogs have run off up to them. I hear things like “It’s never done that before” or “I didn’t think it would harm it”. The owner is then really upset about what has happened and the enjoyment they’ve wrecked for others . “If you let your dog near a swan, the dog doesn’t know the swan and the swan doesn’t know the dog. That’s how it happens. The worst injuries are those caused to swans with cygnets because the swans will protect their young. A swan also has the capability to drown a dog. It will use its wings and body to push the dog under the water and hold it there until it’s killed it. Swans do not live in water 100% of the time. They get out and walk round and exercise. They eat grass as part of their diet. Their webbed feet are not designed for running and being chased. It stresses them out and causes injuries.”

The County Council advise that if you see swans being fed or not in the water you should keep your dog on a lead until you have walked by. Julie said: “We have lots of really fantastic dog owners at Watermead Country Park. They make the park a really nice place to be and I find them really considerate and helpful with the work I do. I’d like to say to thank you to them all for what they do. I’m sure they won’t be impressed by what’s happened.”

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

YOUR SAY...

The Birstall Post welcomes your views and opinions on any subject. Letters, which must include your name and address, (though not necessarily for publication) can be posted to: The Birstall Post, Longslade College, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GH, or handed in at Birstall library or email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk

Tesco vouchers This year Longslade Community College has been able to order another computer – their seventh to date, also provide meals for a week for 65 chronically poor children, through Tesco’s Mary’s Meals initiative and your contributions of vouchers have been invaluable, once again. Longslade also had a donation of 5,676 vouchers from the local Tesco Express store, which was a major factory in achieving their goal this year. The equipment on order will add to their tally to date of six computers, two printers, digital camera, sensor equipment for scientific experiments, software, portable external hardware drive, portable interactive whiteboard and replacement pens for existing whiteboards. Sincere thanks – as always your support is much appreciated by the college. Sheila Beatty Longslade College

Christian Aid The Birstall Christian Aid house to house collection this year raised £3455. Although we are not able to meet the people who benefit from your gifts, whatever you have given is very much appreciated and always put to good use. Many thanks to all who gave and all who collected, you have helped to change lives. Mary Bruce, Christian Aid Organiser for 2012

Thanks I would like to send a big thank you for the flowers, gifts and cards received after the sudden demise of the swimming pool at Longslade. It is my biggest regret that I was not given the opportunity after 26 years of teaching to say goodbye to you all. I hope that you can manage to keep up with your swimming elsewhere, perhaps someone might realise what a great asset the pool was to Birstall and find money to reinstate it or build us another one! A corner of the park & ride might be a good place! I shall miss you all and wish you all the best for the future. Val Burdett Ex Pool Manager

Orchard Re report Birstall Post July 2012, Page 7 Parish Council Notes, re proposal to create a community orchard on an allotment plot at Meadow Lane allotments. As chairman of the Birstall allotment society, this report is incorrect, as it is nothing to do with the Allotment Society. The only involvement of the society was through myself and the Deputy Clerk of the Council. I was asked if I could suggest what to do with a plot of land that had become overgrown because it wasn’t being used as a plot by anyone.

After talking to one or two members on the subject, the only thing that materialised was some fruit trees, but they would have to be dwarf variety to comply with council ruling. I suggested to the clerk that they may be able to get some trees from the community orchard grant scheme, but they would not be able to call it a community orchard because it was not open to the community as a whole. The reason for the suggestion from me was to use a plot of land that was overgrown, and it would stop weed seeds spreading and invading adjoining plots. As far as the Association was concerned the suggestion was made and that was the only connection to this project, no involvement was committed by us. After doing some research into this scheme of planting an orchard on an allotment, I discovered that the planting of fruit trees on an allotment to create an orchard, could result in allotment land losing its legal rights. I also reported this fact to the Clerk and would have to look at something else for this overgrown plot. I later received a letter from the Council stating that it had been passed at the last estates and recreation committee meeting, letter dated April 24, 2012. Pete Davies

Park and ride Far be it for me to say that I (and many others of course) was right - and as it's coming out of our pockets, it hurts - but now we are told that passenger usage of Birstall Park and Ride needs to increase four fold to break even? That is a surprise - NOT! We can assume that the councillor(s) who made such a fuss and appeared to back it up with faulty logic and statistics seemingly pulled out of a hat, will have an explanation of how this proves that things are heading in the right direction and that it's just a matter of time. Perhaps building another estate north of the A46 might just be the answer, but surely nobody would think that was a good idea! Park and ride is exactly what it was always going to be, another waste of taxpayers money. Bruce Hughes

Thanks May I offer a very big thank-you to all the kind people of Birstall who stopped to offer help when I fell down on the A6 near to Greengate Lane on Monday June 11. Especially to the motorist who provid-

ed a blanket for me to lie on, the lady who dialled 999 and the gentleman who held a golf umbrella over me (it was pouring with rain). The ambulance arrived with two efficient paramedics who diagnosed a broken hip and took me to L.R.I. The hip is now healing very well. Many, many thanks to the caring people of Birstall. They restore faith in human nature. Mrs Maureen Jeffery PS. I hope the lady who was going to the dentist with an abscess got rapid relief.

Short sighted There is a proposal for building accommodation north of Birstall. I believe that any new build on farmland of any sort is extremely short sighted for the following reasons: A: Home grown food will be required for the expanding British population because imported food will become more scarce and expensive due to the increasing populations of countries from which we import. B: We cannot feed our own population without importing food as it is, building on farmland will only make matters worse. Also the traffic volumes along the A6, at times, are horrendous, extra housing will only make matters worse, and also the parking at out of town shopping venues, local doctors, dentists, also the increased traffic to the new Sainsbury's will not help. Birstall as a village has already suffered under the weight of extra population pressure with the new housing already introduced and the extra Ashton Green housing yet to be built will no doubt add to the burden. We have already had traffic restrictions and traffic wardens imposed upon us, car parking, even with the help of a Blue Badge is difficult at the A6 end of Sibson Road, for disabled people. I would also hope that the Charnwood Council would respect the Birstall villagers right to still be villagers and not be subsumed into Leicester by surrounding them with housing. I think that Birstall is getting a very raw deal at the moment, what with thousands of houses already added to our village against our wishes, a hardly used Park and Ride which we do not benefit from, but no doubt subsidise, a proposed gypsy site which will vastly devalue our village and will not solve one iota the problem of gypsies camping on verges and in fact will make matters considerably worse. Charnwood, seeing as we do not have a mayoral dictator as our representative, will you ask Leicester to respect the

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

green wedges around Birstall? I think a lot more support for Birstall should be forthcoming from Charnwood, not making matters worse by building more housing to the north of Birstall. As for having to build more housing, the Government should be considering sustainability in our population and stop immigration from everywhere, and encourage smaller families, which in turn will mitigate many of Britain's problems in a lot more areas than just housing: water, waste disposal, power generation and traffic to name but a few. With respect to governments and councils, you may have consultations with the public but it seems to make very little difference to the outcome, I wonder where democracy is going in Britain? Maybe some issues are too important to be left to politicians. Mick Joyce

Supermarket site I believe the Park & Ride has not come up to expectations Oh dear, but never mind the site would be ideal for Birstall to have a decent supermarket and of course, it would be of great benefit to those on the Hallam Fields Estate. Observer

Thanks I would just like to say a big thank you to the friends, neighbours, relatives and colleagues of Pam Goodwin for their compassion, understanding, support and generosity shown to me and my children after Pam’s recent illness and very sad death. A fantastic figure of £1600 was raised, through donations in lieu of flowers, for the Macmillan Nurses and the amazing works that they perform. It has been a real comfort to know that Pam was so well loved and thought of by those that knew her. Very kind regards Darren Palmer

Noticeboard all details printed free St Theresa’s Youth Group

Summer Trips A number of coach trips suitable for young people and families will be running between Monday August 20 and Friday August 24 to Waterworld, Drayton Manor Park, Skegness, Alton Towers and Twycross Zoo Prices will include transport For more details please ring Mark on 2203628 ••• Leicester Lions Club

Summer Garden Fete 34 The Ridgeway Sunday August 19 11am to 3pm to raise funds for the various local needy charities and schools it supports There will also be stalls, children’s games, tombola, BBQ and refreshments with occasional musical entertainment Admission £2 – children £1 ••• Fosse Co-op Camera Club, Leicester

Interested in Photography? Beginners and more experienced Film and digital Any type of camera Tuition available in use of camera or software We are a small and friendly group who meet on Friday evenings at St Peter’s Church Centre, West Holme Street, off Andrewes Street, Leicester LE3 OLG Meetings commence at 7.45pm From September 7, 2012 We look forward to meeting you Contact John Walters: 0116 2992230 john.walters8@ntlworld.com or Mrs Mary Staps: 01455 824039 or visit our website:hollingbery.plus.com/fosse_co -op_cc.htm ••• The National Forest

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Sunday & Monday August 26/27 10am-5pm Beacon Hill Country Park, Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire LE12 8SP With a full programme of demonstrations, ‘have a go’ wood craft sessions and children’s fun and games, the National Forest Wood Fair guarantees to keep adults and children entertained for the whole Bank Holiday weekend! A highlight of the weekend will be the first ever UK Championships Log to Leg race. Bodgers’ Corner will be frantic with shavings flying, pole lathes whirring – come and cheer them on! See lumberjack displays, chainsaw carving, horse logging and timber hauling demonstrations. Enjoy delicious locallysources food and drink. Children will love the eco-art, songs and stories from the Wild Man of the Woods, the birds of prey and the climbing wall. There’s free park and ride from County Hall and entry discount for cyclists. Adults £9. Concessions £6. Families £19 (includes parking) •••

Watermead Family Discovery Day Saturday August 11 From 11am-4pm FREE* family event Come along and see the Newfoundland Rescue Dogs. Have a go at craft activities, canoeing, donkey derby, green woodworking. Face painter, bookbus and story teller and much more. Volunteers needed to help on the day – please contact Catherine (catherine.tregaskes@groundwork.org. uk, 0116 222 0222) Join the Friends of Watermead and get involved in your beautiful local country park *there may be a small charge for some activities to cover the cost of materials •••

Redhill Allotments Open Day Saturday September 1 12noon to 4pm A fun event for all the family with home made produce and allotment-grown fruit and vegetables for sale Refreshments, children’s activities, competitions, craft stalls and much more! If you are interested in taking on an

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allotment, we have organic and nonorganic plots available to rent Please wear sturdy footwear Entrance off A6 Loughborough Road, just north of Red Hill Circle Sorry, no parking on site except Blue Badge holders ••• Winners of July’s St James’ Day Centre 200 club draw 1st Mr Scott Laney 2nd Mrs Margaret Young 3rd Mrs M Burden 4th Mrs Kathleen Allen •••

Open Church for tea and cakes at St Leonard’s Church, Swithland Saturday and Sunday August 11 & 12 from 2-4.30pm Donations in aid of Church Funds ••• CLASH Come & join us at our

Coffee Morning (Fairtrade coffee) Saturday August 25 From 10am to 12noon at The Methodist Coffee Shop Information on arthritis, tombola, cakes & books

Continued on page 12

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Continued from page 11

A Talk on Spiritual Dowsing will be given at the meeting of Leics & Rutland Dowsers Saturday August 11 Speaker will be Julian Holland, past chairman of the East Midlands Dowsing Group This promises to be a fascinating and eye-opening talk As usual, the meeting will be held at St James’ Day Centre, Birstall Village Hall starting at 10am Everyone welcome to attend •••

Quorn Badminton Club Rawlins Community College, Sports Hall Mondays 7.45-9.45pm Autumn Term starts September 3 For more details tel: 0116 2106717 •••

St James Gospel Choir presents a concert in aid of Save the Children Saturday September 15 at 7.30pm St James Church, Birstall Admission free but all donations go to this charity

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•••

Birstall Royal British Legion

Birstall Events Extra

Aug 4: Faye (F/V) Aug 11: Trevvy (M/V) Aug 18: Cassie (F/V) Aug 25: Robbie Fox (M/V) Dancing every Sat night with live entertainment Bingo Free beer raffle and not forgetting Open the Box Every Tues night Bingo starting at 9.15pm Quiz nights Sunday Aug 12 & 26 starting at 9pm Acoustic night Sunday Aug 19 Rock & Roll nights Wed Aug 1 & 15 Food available every Saturday, 12-2pm Open Bank Holiday 12noon-3pm (food available 12-2pm) Wakes catered for ••• St James’ Annual

Garden Fete Saturday August 25, 2-4pm This year on Bank Holiday Saturday Books, plants, tombola, raffle, games, teas, cakes Come & enjoy this fun event for all the community on St James’ Church lawn Something for everyone, entry 50p More details: S Crofts 0116 3279781

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Greenacres Work Units to Lease Greenacres offers an excellent base for businesses & community use with reception, café bar areas plus parking all available on site Set in a tranquil location, yet within easy reach of Leicester City Centre, Greenacres has a number of units available for lease & community rooms for hire

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August 22, 10am to 5pm Trip to Wistow Maze Tickets £5.95, family ticket £19.95 September 9, 12.30pm Sculpture in the Botanic Garden at Leicester University. Free admission October half-term Trip to Twycross Zoo Details: www.birstall.org. Tel: 0781166-22-35 ••• Syston Rugby Club

Mini Tag Rugby for under 7s and under 8s & Mini Rugby for under 9s and under 10s Develops confident and creative children We start with the fundamentals of agility, balance and co-ordination Our belief is to engage children at their level and help them learn new skills and achieve more by working as a TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More). Excellent facilities cater for all age groups including: ample parking, bar, hot food and the opportunity for your child and you to establish new friendships Syston RFC has been awarded the Rugby Seal of Approval which recognises the effort and achievement of those clubs that reach and maintain the required standards of safety, coaching and development of junior players Visit our website www.systonfc.co.uk or come down to training on a Sunday at 10am, starting September 2 or contact adrian.bonsall@ntlworld.com

•••

Film Presentations From Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council

‘The Artist’ Friday September 14 (100 mins) This romantic comedy won five Oscars including Best Actor award for Jean du Jardin. It also gained twelve BAFTA nominations. Being tender, romantic and incredibly funny, in black and white silence, this film describes the rise and fall of a dashing actor against the backdrop of tumultuous change in Hollywood. ‘The Help’ Friday October 5 Based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett, this film explores the touching relationship between two black maids in 1960s Mississippi. In an era of social upheaval and racial tension, there are very funny performances and scenes of heartfelt emotion. As this film progresses, we can see ourselves or someone we know, within each of the characters. ‘War House’ Friday November 9 Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall. Starting at 7.30pm, tickets cost £4.50 and concessions are £4. The price includes refreshments and a lucky prize draw. Advance tickets can be purchased via the parish office, 0116 2367626 or bought at the door. •••

Divas in the Dark Moonlight Walk Dust off your trainers and tiaras for a glam five mile sponsored walk In aid of Rainbows Hospice Saturday September 8, from 8pm, walk starts at 10pm Complimentary drink & goodie bag Hair & make-up artists glam you up prior to walk Price for best dressed diva Walk route within Loughborough University Campus Tickets £10

To register call 0800 952 1133 Beccy.may@rainbows.co.uk www.rainbows.co.uk/events •••

Free dance classes For 13-19 yr olds at the Y Theatre, Leicester Movin’2gether Dance style from all around the world, from Bollywood to African and Chinese From Aug 7-18 Culminates with flash mob performance in Leicester City centre To book your place call Amy Christer 2046216 achrister@leicesterymca.co.uk www.ytheatre.co.uk ••• Local Rotary Club Wreake Valley are offering

Free, ongoing use of an electrically powered wheelchair The item was purchased by us several years ago and has had only one previous owner If you could use or know someone whose life could benefit from this equipment please contact us on 0116 2671832 for more details ••• Become a

LOROS lottery volunteer Being a LOROS lottery volunteer is fun, exciting, and extremely rewarding Our current volunteers experience some great events and meet some fantastic people You will benefit from knowing that you are helping to make a difference to a local charity We would love to hear from you if you are aged 16 plus so please contact Jane Taylor for more information Tel: 0116 2318430 Email: janetaylor@loros.co.uk

•••

Family Night Charity Disco By RS Entertainment Saturday September 22, 7-11.30pm Birstall Social Club Tickets £5 adults, £1 child Charities: Wishes 4 Kids/Gynae Oncology Unit LGH For tickets contact Paula on 07934551563 This is a ticket only event ••• LOROS Walk on the Wildside

Sponsored Walk Sun Sep 9, 9.30am and 10.30am Severn Trent Visitor Centre, Cropston Six mile or 13 mile circular walk Food, warm up sessions, stalls, face painting, cheerleaders Register by August 31 at www.loros.co.uk/fundraising or call 0116 2318431 ••• Birstall Methodist Church Notice

Circuit Pilgrimage – Sun Sep 2 The Circuit Pilgrimage this year around Watermead Country Park will be led by Pete and Eileen Molesdale. We will meet at Birstall Methodist Church at 2.45pm for a 3pm start. The walk will be on flat made-up paths and there will be several stops on the way for prayers and reflection. We will be back at church at 5pm to have a shared tea before the 6pm Circuit Evening Service at Birstall Methodist Church. Please bring some food to share – it can be left at church before the walk.

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Longslade’s new garden A GROUP of Year 11 students at Longslade Community College have transformed an overgrown piece of land on the college grounds into a vegetable plot. The students, Josh Gillett, Jack Goodwin, Cale Borland, Connor Garner, Dayle Lefort and Liam Eldridge, were shortlisted for Charnwood Borough Council’s “We Don’t Muck Around Awards’. Jack and Cale represented the group and the college at the award evening held on June 14 where they enjoyed a full silver service three course meal and shared their table with three councillors and an MP.

Search for missing Pickle A TWO year old girl has lost her favourite toy and is appealing to Birstall Post readers who may have found him. Pickle the Brave belongs to Freya Jenson of Moorgate Avenue who has had him since

Pic: before and after photos of the plot

Pic: Students Jack Goodwin & Cale Borland with the Mayor of Charnwood Diane Wise & Harold Wise

The students thoroughly enjoyed the evening and although they did not win an award they were congratulated by the mayor and councillors. Nigel Jarvis, the

staff member at the college who has managed the project, said: “They were a credit to Longslade and should be extremely proud of their efforts.” The project will be continuing next term with a brand new team that will improve more of the garden, as well as maintaining the crops that are already in place. It is hoped that some of the produce can be used within the college catering and food technology departments and also to raise a small amount of funding to cover costs of gardening equipment and seeds.

Japanese guests given tour of county 19 VISITORS from Japan were hosted in county homes and enjoyed eight days of sightseeing. The visitors and their hosts are all members of the Friendship Force Club – its aim is to spread global friendship when visiting each other and sample local customs and traditions with their hosts as part of their family. The Japanese guests enjoyed a walking tour of Leicester City, met the Lord Mayor at a civic reception, visited Rutland Water and tasted pork pies in Melton Mowbray. The Leicestershire Friendship Force

Club is planning trips to New Zealand, Indonesia and Bournemouth and will be welcoming guests from Costa Rica, California and County Durham. There are 360 Friendship Force Clubs in 55 countries around the world. To become a member or to obtain further information regarding Friendship Force visit “leicestershirefriendshipforce.org.uk” or contact its Membership Secretary, Margaret Myatt, tel: 01530 244388.

Pic: Freya with Pickle

birth. Although he has gone missing before, he has always turned up – mum Louise said: “I know kids lose toys all the time but since this little dog has such a history I can’t bear to just leave him without trying to get him back home. Freya loves him so much and the new replacement is unfortunately ‘not the same’.” Contact louise.jenson@hotmail.co.uk

Green flag awards

Burglary

WATERMEAD COUNTRY Park and the Outwoods have retained their coveted Green Flag status from Keep Britain Tidy. The Green Flag accolade is a difficult award to achieve, with green spaces having to meet eight key criteria – a welcoming place, healthy, safe and secure, clean and well maintained, sustainability, conservation and heritage, community involvement, marketing and management.

A 33 year old man has been charged with the attempted burglary of a house in Hill Rise, Birstall. The incident is alleged to have occurred on Wednesday July 4.

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Council grant funds mobility scooter shed A NEW mobility scooter storage building has been erected at Riversdale Court sheltered housing complex.

Pic: Resident Win Cooper (ctr) is pictured at the new building with (l-r) Cllr Roger Wilson, Cllr Pat Cleere, Cllr David Slater, Cllr Jim Garner, Cllr Peter Lewis, Jean Lewis, Warden Anne Petrie, Cll Iain Bentley & Cllr David Gaskell

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The new building has been provided thanks to the efforts of Birstall councillors and a grant from the County Council of £6000. Councillor David Gaskell said: “The need for this store was made known to me when I paid my introductory visit to the home after the local election. At that time scooters were being taken into the home and charged up overnight in the corridors via extension cables. One of the residents asked me if I could do anything about it. I involved Councillor Jim Garner and together we checked on suitable buildings. We decided that a precast concrete building would be must suitable, it being fire proof and virtually vandal proof. Of the estimates we obtained, the best price we could get for siting and erecting it was £6000. “I heard that there was some money available for local projects at the county Council’s Area Forum. Having consulted with Charnwood Neighbourhood Housing, Anne Petrie the warden and various scooter owners, I submitted a bid for £6000 and was fortunate enough to be

given the whole amount.” There are eight power points in the garage and easy access through electrically generated roller doors, operated from a wheelchair with a key fob. David added: “The residents are delighted with the facility. We think that this is a very good example of County, Borough and Parish working together for the benefit of the elderly in Birstall. Resident Win Cooper (84) has lived at Riversdale Court for 19 years and has been a scooter owner for 11 years. “This new building is fantastic” she said. • Free training is being offered to anyone in Birstall who has a mobility scooter. The training is suitable for anyone to whom it might bring confidence, or who is a little rusty or unsure of their use. The training will take place in Birstall and will be supplied by Mobility Warehouse of Loughborough. To register your interest call David Gaskell on 0116 2674746 or email cllr.david.gaskell@charnwood.gov.uk

Tai Chi moves at WI BIRSTALL & WANLIP WI met on the evening of July 2 in Elmfield School hall. While some of our members welcomed the Olympic torch at Abbey Park the remaining ladies enjoyed an evening with Lorraine Tucker who introduced us to the defending martial art of Tai Chi. Accompanied by Chinese music she showed us some beautiful routines and then we had a go. It was not as easy as it looked to achieve the correct posture, breathing and balance that Lorraine had shown us but it was a very enlightening and soothing evening. Our other business included the competition ‘something Chinese’ which was won by Freda Jones with a pretty teapot that she has owned for 70 years. A new member Santok Odedra was heard on Radio 4 in June when she gave an emotive appeal for Refugee Action, the charity that she works for. Finally we wished our quiz team good luck for July 20. The next morning several members rose early to walk to see the Olympic Torch Relay both at the Space Centre and onto the steam train at Leicester North station. This is part of the national WI incentive ‘Big Walk Little Splash’ which is encouraging us to walk 209 miles before September.

Pic: Birstall WI’s Bev Blackburn(left) and Maxilyn Geary with the Olympic torch bearer at the Abbey Park torch festival

So look out for the Birstall and Wanlip WI ladies walking our own six mile relay race around Birstall on July 30. Photos of our walks can be seen on our individual page on the Leicestershire and Rutland WI website. We take a summer break for August but have organised another walk on the 20th. Our next meeting at Highcliffe School will be on Monday September 3 at 7.15pm when our speaker Adrian Walker will be telling us about the work done by LOROS. The competition will be ‘A thought for a friend’. From Birstall & Wanlip WI

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Cricket Corner THE WEATHER over the past month is starting to dampen the spirits of BVCC’s title defence. The inconsistency of form for the 1st XI has been matched by the weather. There is not too much cricket to report on due to the efforts of the weather, but what has to be reported is once again a mixture of form. The 1st XI took on the ‘unpredictable’ Leicester Caribbeans in a must win game. The Caribbeans put BVCC into bat on what was a wet and difficult batting wicket. BVCC stumbled their way to a well under par 117 all out off 45 overs with the only players to make a real contribution were Kahil Mann-kler (29) and veteran Paul Snuggs (24). The Caribbean’s chase began well with some quick runs, but it all seemed to go downhill from there. Birstall showed a lot of spirit and fight to bowl them out for 114 in the 38th over, an effort which was gladly received by Captain Dave Sharpe. The stand out bowlers being Pavan Tailor (3-19 off 6 overs) and Mark Forknall (2-15 off 5 overs). The Sunday match was a different story all together. BVCC were hoping to make some ground on top of the table Twycross CC. BVCC won the toss and decided to bowl and they did a fair job keeping Twycross to a respectable 9-140 off 45 overs. Stand out bowlers were Joshua Saye (3-25 off 12 overs) and Prad Sood (3-28 off 7 overs). Birstall’s batting effort can only be described as a total collapse. Birstall were all out for 63 in the 28th over with sundries being the third highest scorer for the 1st XI. The matches against Wigston, Leicester Ivanhoe and Braunstone have all been abandoned due to weather. The 2nd XI are still continuing their good form and having a really good go at winning the league title. The only

NHW news

& crime report IN RECENT months there have a few incidents of thoughtless parking causing access problems for other road users. This is particularly serious, of course , when it involves an emergency vehicle. The approved Code of Conduct in the Highway Code is: No parking: a) at or near a bus stop or taxi rank b) opposite, or within 10 metres (30 feet), of a junction c) near the brow of a hill d) in front of an entrance to a property e) on a bend f) where there are road markings outside a school g) opposite another vehicle when this would prevent access along the road If it becomes necessary to park on the pavement there must be enough

game is to report on was their away fixture against Newbold Verdon 2nd XI. Birstall’s bowling attack were in tremendous form skittling the Newbold batting line up all out for 70 runs in the 36th over. Stand out bowlers for Birstall were Jo Carnan with career best figures of 6-22 off 10 overs. The 2nd XI made hard work of a small total eventually reaching 71 runs for 8 wickets in the 37th over. Andy Lord and Sam Carnan both getting scores in the 20’s. BVCC 2nd XI matches against Leicester Ivanhoe and Leicester University Staff have both been abandoned due to weather. The 2nd XI currently sits in forth position in the table 42 points off the leaders Twycross. Upcoming home fixtures for BVCC (All fixtures are Saturday 1.30pm start) August 4: 2nd XI vs. Bharat Sports CC August 11: 1st XI vs. Hinckley CC August 18: 2nd XI vs. Twycross 2nd XI August 25: 2nd XI vs. Newbold Verdon 2nd XI September 1: 1st XI vs. Wigston Town 1st XI September 8: 1st XI vs. Newbold Verdon 1st XI September 15: 1st XI vs. Twycross 1st XI

BVCC Social events Saturday August 11: BBQ, wine and cheese night! Do you fancy a snag on the barby? A wedge of cheese? Or are you a bit of a wine connoisseur? Come and join us as we at least try and act like we know what a good wine and piece of cheese tastes like! We only ask that you bring your favourite wine and cheese so you can try and educate us! The event will follow the 1st XI’s game against Hinckley CC. All members and supporters of the club are more than welcome. Look out for our monthly social events that will be taking place throughout the season. All information can be found on our club’s website from player profiles, fixtures, results, match reports and a large photo gallery for the 2012 season – will your face be on their?

room to open the car door without it touching the perimeter of any property. In other words, there must be room for a double buggy or wheelchair to pass by on the pavement. If an obstruction is reported to the police they can issue an Advice Notice to the owner. If this vehicle is reported for a further offence, a £30 fine can be imposed. Of course, the best place to park a vehicle is in the owner’s garage or drive, where it is also safer from accidental knocks or vandalism. From Birstall and Wanlip NHW

BVCC Player Profile Name: George Ager Player role: All rounder Years playing for BVCC: 6 Honours: Winning the Premier division with the 1st team. Funniest BVCC moment: Prad being run over by the sight screen last season. Cricketing hero: Mick Jones My look alike: George Clooney Goal for the season: Get 50 runs and a 5-for BVCC Player Profile Name: Shaun Hills Player role: Make up the numbers / bar fly Years playing for BVCC: 4 Honours: Hitting a 4 last season Funniest BVCC moment: Walking home on a Saturday night after cricket Cricketing hero: Steve Findley My look alike: Phil Mitchell Goal for the season: To make double figures this season From Joshua Saye

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Art with a jungle theme

News from the churches

STUDENTS FROM Longslade College visited Riverside primary school to help pupils create an art project. Four year 10 students, Lily Viney, Joshua Taylor, Robyn Howgill and Sarah Olsen went to Riverside to work with a year 3 class on a jungle themed art project based on the work of Henri Rousseau. The

Pics: (top) Longslade students working with Riverside pupils who are pictured (inset) wearing the masks they made

Riverside pupils made a large collage jungle mural and hand painted animal masks with Longslade students organising and assisting the project. Longslade’s Head of Art Cath Kinder and Design Technician Ruth Smart said that everyone enjoyed the whole day and worked extremely hard.

The September issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on Sep 1. The copy deadline is Aug 17 .

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Changes ahead It’s often said that “people don’t like change”, but to balance that we also have the saying, particularly about organisations, “if you don’t change, you don’t grow”. For this very good reason it has been decided by the St James and Wanlip church council that it is time to look again at the pattern of weekly services at St James. In the last few years it has been the norm to have a quiet, early Communion service at 8am each Sunday, followed at 9.30am by a Parish Communion including music and a sermon; then on alternate Sundays an informal worship service at 11am, known as Open House. Most people have chosen to attend one or other of these services (usually only the clergy might have been present at all three!) and it is only at festival times that everyone is gathered together in the same place at the same time. Such occasions have been truly special and it is felt that this is largely because there has been a meeting of all ages and a mix of informal and formal songs, hymns and readings, as well as communion, which has been appreciated by everyone. What’s new? With this in mind, and with the thought that some elderly folk and young families find it difficult to get organised for a regular 9.30am Sunday start, it has been decided to leave the 8am communion in place, but to change the regular start time of the main morning service to 10am every Sunday, starting on September 2. The other radical change involves replacing Open House with an “All together” service, also at 10am, on the first Sunday of every month. This may sometimes include Holy Communion, but the format is likely to be an all-age service, which should appeal to both regular and occasional attendees. Children are always welcome at any of these services but for the new 10 o’clock parish communion it is proposed to supplement the already existing crèche with Sunday School teaching for older children who would prefer to have their own activities. Annual Garden Fete Please note that this year’s fete, on the church lawn, will be taking place not on Bank Holiday Monday but on the Saturday of that weekend, August 25, from 2pm to 5pm. There will be the usual variety of stalls, games (including, for the first time in recent history, the stocks!) children’s horse racing, tombola, a raffle with generous prizes and of course, tea and home-made cakes. Items for any of the stalls will be welcome – please call the Church Office on 267 1797 and leave a message for Stephen or Nick- or leave them at the church by Sunday August 19. Chiefly however, we welcome yourselves! Don’t worry, if it rains, the whole operation moves into the church. From Beryl McHugh, Parish Church Continued on page 17

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Continued from page 16 Refreshed, Repainted, & Reopened Our premises are now fully reopened again following the closure for the annual ‘maintenance fortnight’. A team of volunteers, under the guiding hands of John Towson and David Bark, have given the whole premises a thorough ‘deep clean’, floors sealed and polished, some rooms redecorated, a whole host of minor works undertaken. The tiny garden areas have also had some attention too. Lay Witness As part of the ‘Deepening Discipleship’ mission Birstall Methodist Church is considering having a ‘Lay Witness Weekend’. This is a movement whose objective is to strengthen churches by centering the church on Christ. Such a weekend would be aimed at regular worshippers. Friends may care to look at their excellent website. Plymouth and John o’ Groats Whilst the Methodist Minister at Syston (Rev Dave Warnock) was pedalling his cycle from Lands End to John o’Groats, our Minister, Rev Rachel Parkinson was attending the Methodist Conference in Plymouth. Apart from the business side of the conference, Rachel made a quick ‘home movie’ asking delegates, visitors, and Plymouth residents the same question “What makes life good for you?”. This short home movie was used as part of the service at Birstall recently using the words of Jesus ‘I have come in order that you might have life-life in all its fullness’. Thinking about travelling, your prayers are asked for all Methodist Ministers (and other clergy too) who are moving this month to another Circuit in preparation for the beginning of their new appointments in September. From Tony Moore, Methodist Church

Holidays August is a month traditionally associated with summer holidays and the chance to get away from work and the normal routines of life, whether in sand, sea and sunshine or our personal choice of country, city or activity. The word “holiday” originally referred only to special religious (holy) days. In modern use, the word means any special day of rest or relaxation such as public holidays, when the bulk of the population is not normally expected to be at work. However, apart from annual holidays, we all need regular rest and relaxation in our working lives and God knew this too, when He ordained that all people should work for six days and rest on the seventh, which is the basis for our seven-day week. Jesus said: "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2 v 27) The “Sabbath” in Hebrew simply means “rest” and it was important to Jesus Christ, who said He is Lord of the Sabbath. As Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Sunday), the apostles and early church (at least as early as AD74) kept this day as the Lord’s Day. It is a day of joy and gladness, which gives believers the opportunity to join with the larger family of God to worship Jesus Christ and engage in needful, beneficial and Christ-honouring activities. The day also gives unbelievers blessings, as it helps to strengthen family ties, gives much-needed rest and promotes good health. It is God’s gift to us all. Services During August we are not able to use the school’s Community Room, so please contact us for details of venues for our services by ringing 0116 2214883. From Anne Taylor, Birstall Independent Baptist Church

Charnwood & Leicester see population growth THE POPULATION of Charnwood rose by 12,600 in the period 2001 to 2011. The figures were released by the Office for National Statistics, following an analysis of the 2011 census. The 8.1% increase compares to a 6.7% increase for Leicestershire as a whole (650,500). Leicester’s population grew by 17%, the highest growth in the East Midlands. The city’s population is now 329,900. Leicester is the most densely populated part of the East Midlands at 4,500 people per square km, which equates to about 45 people on a rugby pitch. The least populated local authority was West Lindsey in Lincolnshire with 77 people per square km. The number of people in 2001 aged over 65 in Leicestershire was 95,400. Ten years on that figure has grown to 115,500. This represents an

increase of 21%. The number of people in 2001 aged over 85 in Leicestershire was 10,900. Ten years on that figure has grown to 15,200. This represents an increase of 39%. The age group which has had the largest increase in numbers since 2001 are those aged 60-64. Their numbers have grown from 30,600 to 44,400. This represents an increase of 45%. The age group which has had the largest drop in numbers since 2001 are those aged 30-34. Their numbers have fallen from 45,400 to 35,100. This represents a decrease of 27%. The population of England and Wales is 56.1million, an increase of 7 per cent. The population of London grew by 12 per cent to 8million. The population of England and Wales has risen by approximately 50% since 1911 – so for every two people in 1911 there were three in 2011.

Readers’ weather pics READER MARGARET Briggs has sent us this picture of a hailstone that fell during July’s downpour and Mick Joyce sent the picture of flooding at Watermead Country Park.

Birstall campaign to reduce energy use A CAMPAIGN that aims to reduce energy use in the village has been launched. Over 25 residents of Birstall recently attended a public meeting organised by the local ‘Greening Birstall Group’ to launch the campaign designed to tackle energy use in the village and to save money by reducing energy bills. Those attending the meeting, held on Thursday July 5 at Birstall Methodist Church Hall, heard presentations from members of the volunteer group about energy saving measures and about the wider ‘Greening Birstall Campaign’ – set up to look at ways of working together to help combat climate change. During the meeting eight ‘energy challenges’ were selected which those attending felt were of most relevance to Birstall village. Some of the most popu-

lar challenges were to ‘Walk or cycle and reduce your weekly car use by five miles’ and to ‘Wash laundry at 30ºC’ – all eight challenges are designed to reduce energy use and to reduce energy bills. The launch of these eight challenges to the village’s residents will be the next stage in the campaign. This will take place at the ‘apple-pressing and community day’ - a harvest-focused event to be held at Birstall Methodist Church on Saturday September 29. Full details of this community event will be available later in the summer. The full list of the 8 energy challenges: • Walk or cycle and reduce your weekly car use by five miles. • Turn off taps when brushing teeth. • Turn off all standbys. • Turn off lights when you leave a room. • Turn the thermostat down by 1ºC. • Wash laundry at 30ºC. • Top up loft insulation to a depth of 270mm. • Reduce each normal shower time by one minute. More information about the group and the Greening Birstall campaign can be found at www.greeningbirstall.weebly.com, by emailing greeningbirstall@ymail.com or by phoning Peter Ashford on 0794 1112544.

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

Football club’s winning season WEA BIRSTALL UNITED Juniors Football Club wrapped up the 2011/12 season with a presentation evening on Saturday June 23 at Stonehill High School. During the season the club had a total of 20 teams playing in six different leagues across the county. The biggest success came with the Under 10s, Managed by Dave Scarfe, Winning Division 12 of the Leicester and Mutual District League. The Under 11 Vixens, managed by Pete Holgate came 2nd in their league, and the Under 15s 2004, managed by Kev Jordan also came 2nd in the A Division of their league. There were 3rd places for the Under 9 Foxes (Division 3), Under 15 Vixens, and Under 16s 2004 (Division 4). Some of the teams had a good cup run too, with the Under 14s 2004 reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup and the Under 14s United reaching the quarter-finals of the County Cup. There was success too in tournaments for the Under 9 Foxes who won the Birstall United Juniors tournament. Two other achievements were the Inclusive Team winning a

fair play trophy from their league, and the Under 17s winning the Respect Award in their league. Both of these are decided by the referees. At the presentation evening, awards are given out for club appearances. Eleven players picked up an award for 100 club appearances: Isaac Harper, Jacob Keogh, Joseph Collings, Mason Gilbert, Daniel Hughes, Alex Nelson, Leyton Stimpson, Helena Bolingbroke, Sarah Olsen, Mark Evans and Mark Green. Four players picked up an award for 150 appearances: Liam Stafford, Lewis Bonsell, Jacob Elliott, Nathan Waldan and three players picked up awards for 200 appearances: Matthew Joinson, Max Lewin and Josh Hill. After many years of managing different teams at BUJFC, Jim Lennon announced that he is hanging up his managerial boots but stressed that he will continue to serve the committee in his role of Club Secretary. Kevin Glover, the club’s chairperson said: “It’s been a fantastic season and the club has continued to grow both in numbers and in reputation. With the help of the County FA, we now have a well established Inclusive Team for kids with

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sensory disabilities or special needs and also a soccer school specifically for girls. In May, we took a team of Under 12s and 13s, over to our twin town of Rixensart in Belgium and a great time was had by both the kids and the parents. They were a credit to the club. We would like to thank everyone on the Twinning Committee and everyone at the Rixensart club for their wonderful hospitality. Finally, I would like to thank all the volunteer managers, coaches and other helpers who, through their tireless efforts, keep this fantastic club running. We hope all the kids have a great summer break and we look forward to seeing them all back in August ready for the new season.”

Planning P/12/1625/2: 49 Allington Drive – erection of shed P/12/1434/2: 11 The Wayne Way – erection of single storey extension to side and rear of dwelling P/12/1523/2: 98 Birstall Road – erection of 1st floor extension to side of dwelling P/12/1499/2: 46 Woodgate Drive – erection of conservatory to rear of dwelling P/12/1488./2: 19 Fielding Road – proposed erection of a detached brick store and summer house

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BIRSTALL & ROTHLEY WEA have announced their autumn 2012 programme. Draw, Paint And Print This course will look at working in a variety of drawing and painting media and serves as an introduction to basic relief printing techniques. The course is suitable for returning learners wishing to try something new whilst expanding their knowledge and understanding of the language of art. Beginners are also welcome. Teaching is supported by examples of artists’ work, demonstrations and group discussion. Tutor: Jo Sheppard. Fee £70, discounted: £63 (not available to the retired) or Free Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Monday 1–3pm, 10 meetings from 17th September 2012 Politics, Literature & Social Life In 18th Century England Too often the eighteenth century in Britain is studied from the point of view of the historian, the student of literature, the historian of art and architecture, or the social historian. This course will look at the ‘long’ eighteenth century as a coherent whole. It will be argued that just as literature must be read within the context of the period, so all aspects of society fit in with each other. Tutor: Aubrey Newman Fee £47.25, discounted: £42.55 (not available to the retired) or Free Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Tuesday 10–11.30am, 9 meetings from 16th October 2012 Afternoon Tai Chi The soft flowing movements of Tai Chi promote health and mental focus. One posture of the 24 sequential movements of the form is taught each week. Please wear loose clothing and flat-soled shoes. Tutor Laraine Tucker Fee £84, discounted: £75.60(not available to the retired) or Free Venue: Birstall Methodist Church Rooms, 40 Wanlip Lane, Birstall LE4 4JS Date: Tuesday 1.30–3.30pm, 12 meetings from 18th September 2012 Panoramas: Life, Landscapes & Art Take a new look at landscape painting-urban and rural-to explore some of the inspirations, insights and influences that lie behind the work of a range of artists from Camille Pissarro, Gustave Caillebotte and Georgia O’Keefe to the present day. No experience necessary – just a lively, open-minded interest in art! Tutor Janis Baker Fee £63, discounted: £56.70 (not available to the retired) or Free Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Wednesday 7.15–9.15pm, 9 meetings from 26th September 2012 Contact: Marion Vincent, Telephone: 0116 2375156 or send your enrolments to John Laurance WEA Treasurer, 33 Loughborough Road, Hoton Leicester LE12 5SF Please make cheques payable to WEA Birstall & Rothley Branch Visit our website! www.birstallandrothleywea.org.uk

age

INFO

Measures that aim to ease the financial strain of long-term care for the elderly have been announced by the . Government, writes One of the main proposals in the Government’s White Paper on social care is that by 2015 councils should offer loans to elderly people needing care, with the objective of reducing the number of individuals being forced to sell their homes to fund the care themselves. The proposed plans seek to offset this loan with the capital gained from the house sale after death. What isn’t so widely reported is the fact that similar loans are already available, although they are more limited. The Government has been criticised following confusion of who will be paying for these loans. Reacting to the proposals, a spokesperson for The National Pensioners Convention said: “People will still end up having to pay for care by selling their homes - the only difference will be that it will be done after they've died. “Many local councils already offer such a scheme and often it's interest free rather than the interest added scheme the Government is proposing.” The other main proposal is to place a ‘cap’ on the amount of care costs people pay. This would be an amount beyond which an individual would not have to make any further contributions to their care. Currently some families are hit with bills of £100,000 or more, leaving them with no life savings. But the Government has not set a limit to the cap or said when it will be introduced. Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has also admitted there is no guarantee there will be enough money to deliver the cap. Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General for Age UK said: “The policy proposals and reforms are important and we warmly welcome them. Together, they have the potential to significantly improve the quality of care available and help create a care system that is fairer and more straightforward for older people and their families. “But this potential cannot be fully realised until the Government faces up to and resolves the crucial issue of funding. In the end, adequate funding will make or break the Government’s proposals, so we will be watching closely to make sure social care remains firmly on the Government’s agenda.”

Number Of People Intending To Work Beyond 65 Doubles In Three Years More than two thirds of working adults who think they will carry on working past the age of 65 will do so because they can’t afford to retire, according to new research from Zurich. And the number now intending to

work beyond 65 because they will need the extra money has more doubled in three years - a similar study by the global insurer in 2008 showed that 31% of Britons were putting off retirement for financial reasons. The new research – part of Zurich’s ‘Big Decisions’ study looking at decision-making habits in the UK - shows that 59% of working adults believe that they will make the decision to work after 65, either in a full time or part time capacity. Of those who say that they will continue to work after 65: • More than two thirds say that they’ll need the extra money (69%) • Nearly half want something interesting to do (49%) • One in eight want to give something back to society (13%) Zurich’s research also shows that although 64% of people have started saving towards their retirement, nearly a quarter of over-55s have not yet saved anything towards their old age (24%). “Worryingly, although nearly two thirds of people have started saving towards their retirement, they are not saving nearly enough to retire comfortably at 65,” said Mark Peters, Head of Retail Propositions for Zurich’s UK Life business. In addition, of those adults aged over 18 who have no retirement savings: • 21% do not intend to save anything to fund their retirement • 37% are unsure whether they will be able to save anything towards their old age • 42% do intend to start saving at some point. “Given all the publicity about pensions - the state pension age increasing, the widely reported estimated £318bn pensions gap and the fact that there may not be a state pension in the future - it seems that people are still not recognising that they need to save to ensure a financially secure retirement.” said Peters

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

as a ‘reasonable adjustment’ to meet the terms of the 2010 Equality Act. This legislation reinforced the legal responsibility for all businesses to cater for disabled customers. There is already an estimated 10.9 million disabled people in the UK; and with an ageing population, the number of people suffering from memory or mobility problems or visual impairments is likely to rise, making easy access and use of chip and signature cards increasingly important. The study by the Payments Council found that more than a quarter (26 per cent) of chip and signature holders who took part in a mystery shopping exercise described themselves as feeling embarrassed or anxious when using their chip and signature card, often due to hold ups caused by the retailer not being aware of how the card worked. The Payments Council is working with banks and retailers to raise awareness among staff. The aim is to ensure chip and signature cards are readily available to those that need them, and easy to use in everyday life. The Council is also contacting relevant groups and charities with information about the cards, so that people who are most likely to benefit from chip and signature cards are aware of their existence.

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Small Ads Small ads are 25p for the first 16 words. 17-32 words: 50p. Enclosing payment, post your ad to us or hand it in (inside an envelope) at Birstall library. Trade/business rates for small ads are 25p a word. You are liable for the trade/business rate if you are offering a service for which you are asking for payment, or if you are advertising new goods for sale. All text will be printed bold. Box outline £1 extra. Max 50 words. Phone numbers count as one word.

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Chip & Signature Cards The Payments Council is raising awareness of chip and signature cards, following an in-depth study that demonstrated a widespread knowledge gap over how they work. Chip and signature cards can be provided to anyone who has difficulty entering their PIN – this may be due to dexterity issues, visual impairment, memory problems or mobility issues that make it hard to use a PIN terminal. The cards don’t look any different to standard chip and PIN cards, but when inserted into a card terminal a signature is automatically requested. All banks are obliged to offer chip and signature cards and all retailers are obliged to accept them. Chip and signature cards are provided by banks

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2012

dark blob, called the nucleus. The nucleus is the control centre of the cell. It contains chromosomes, which are made up of genes. These genes have to be copied exactly each time a cell divides into two

Birstall BAGS cancer corner What is chemotherapy? Chemotherapy literally means drug treatment. In cancer treatment, the term chemotherapy means treatment with cell killing (cytotoxic) drugs. There are more than 90 different drugs currently available and new ones are being developed all the time. Whether chemotherapy is a suitable treatment and which drugs are appropriate depends on many things: the type of cancer ,where in your body the cancer started, what the cancer cells look like under the microscope, whether the can-

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cer has spread and a person’s general health and fitness. Chemotherapy can be a single drug or a combination of drugs and it maybe on its own or with other treatments such as Radiotherapy, Surgery, Hormone therapy or Biological therapy. How chemotherapy kills cancer cells Body tissues are made of billions of individual cells. Once we are fully grown, most of the body's cells don't divide much. They spend most of their time in a resting state and only divide if they need to repair damage. In cancer the cells keep on dividing until there is a mass of cells. This mass of cells becomes a lump. The lump is called a tumour. Chemotherapy enters the bloodstream and damages dividing cells. Cells in the process of dividing are more at risk of being damaged by chemotherapy. The main ways you can have chemotherapy are as an injection into the bloodstream, a drip (intravenous infusion) into the bloodstream, tablets or capsules The chemotherapy drugs circulate all round the body in the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells almost anywhere in the body. This is known as systemic treatment. How chemotherapy kills dividing cells In the centre of each living cell is a

to make new cells. Chemotherapy damages the genes inside the nucleus of cells. Some drugs damage cells at the point of splitting. Some damage the cells while they are making copies of all their genes before they split. Cells that are at rest, for instance most normal cells, are much less likely to be damaged by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy might include a combination of drugs that damage cells at different stages in the process of cell division. So, with more than one type of drug, there is more chance of killing more cells. The fact that chemotherapy drugs kill dividing cells helps to explain why chemotherapy causes side effects. It affects healthy body tissues where the cells are constantly growing and dividing. The skin, bone marrow, hair folli-

THE BIRSTALL POST YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Longslade College, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GH Editor: Mr Jerry Jackson Editorial/Advertising (Tel & Fax)

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cles and lining of the digestive system are examples of cells that are constantly growing and dividing and they can be damaged by chemotherapy. But normal cells can replace or repair the healthy cells that are damaged by chemotherapy. So the damage to healthy cells doesn't usually last. Most side effects disappear once your treatment is over, and some only happen during the days while you are actually having the drugs, for example, sickness or diarrhoea. How well chemotherapy works The chance of the chemotherapy curing your cancer depends on the type of cancer you have. With some types of cancer most people are cured by chemotherapy and with other types of cancer fewer people are completely cured. With some cancers, chemotherapy can't cure the cancer on its own but it can help in combination with other types of treatment. For example, many people with breast or bowel cancer have chemotherapy after surgery to help lower the risk of the cancer coming back. With some cancers, if a cure is unlikely, your doctor may still suggest chemotherapy to shrink the cancer, relieve the symptoms or give a longer life by controlling the cancer or putting it into remission. For more information: http://cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.or g/aboutcancer/treatment/chemotherapy/about/ho w-chemotherapy-works Macmillan Cancer Support free phone help line 0808 808 000 Monday – Friday 9am-8pm. University Hospitals of Leicester Cancer Information Centre on 0116 258 6189. To reflect the interest and support of the local community Birstall BAG's seeks to be inclusive of all cancers and the group welcome villagers to support the many events they organise each year within the local community. For more information on the funds we have raised, projects we support and forthcoming events see www.birstallbags.co.uk

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