THE BIRSTALL POST SEP 2013
Church news Events seem to be piling up thick and fast for the month of September, appropriately, since autumn will soon be upon us. At St. James’ church the first Sunday in the month is our informal All Together services (ie all ages, all tastes). The date is September 1 at 10am and this month the theme is “All change” – to find out what this means you will have to come and join us! Starting this month the Sunday School which runs every Sunday morning at 10am will benefit from a new initiative, which will help the children take a more active part in the service. The different age groups will each have their own programme and if you are interested to know more about how this will work, or to offer your help as a volunteer, you are invited to contact Rose Parrott on 2674755. Singing and dancing Some of you may have heard, on Radio Leicester one Sunday evening last month,
Zumba class A NEW Zumba class featuring moves centred on a chair start in Birstall on September 12. Zumba Sentao is a combination of strength and resistance training with dance fitness moves on or around a chair. “While using a chair for balance you are also using your own body weight to tone your muscles, strengthen the abdominal area and burn calories” says class teacher Lisa Cluer. Her classes are at Highcliffe School, Elmfield Avenue on Thursdays from 6-6.45pm www.lisacluer.zumba.com
Bowls BIRSTALL LADIES Bowling Club’s Pa Walker reached the quarter final of the National singles championship, which took place at Leamington Spa last month. Having beaten Irene Barber (Middlesex) 21-10 in round one, she came up against the 2009 champion Jayne Croxall (Nottinghamshire) in round two. A close game saw Pa edge through 21-19. Next up in round three was former England player Caroline Campion (Oxfordshire) with the Birstall player winning 21-18 in another tight game. This set up a quarter final clash with current England International Sue Davies (Worcestershire). Despite playing well, Pa was beaten 12-21. Davies was the eventual runner up, losing to Amy Truran (Sussex) who retained her title. Last year’s National fours champions, Pa Walker, Jan Everitt, Jennie Groves & Di Hurst, qualified for the National Championships again this year, the seventh successive year a Birstall team has reached that stage. However, they were beaten in the first round by a team from Sussex, skipped by England International Lorraine Kuhler, that went on to reach the semi final. All four Birstall players were also part of the Leicestershire team that reached the National semi final of the Walker Cup. Birstall’s John Hurst finished runner up in the county men’s two wood competition. He was beaten in the final by New Lount’s Patrick Hulbert. Both players were due to represent Leicestershire in the National Championships at Worthing at the end of last month.
Chris White, the conductor of St. James Gospel Choir talking to Dave Andrews about the choir and its support for Rainbows at the next concert. This will be on Saturday September 14 at 7.30pm at St. James. There is no charge for tickets but all donations will go to the Leicestershire Children’s Hospice, so please support this if you can. Other social events in September include a Barn Dance at Birstall Village Hall on Saturday September 28 at 7.30pm, with a caller for the dancing, and a ploughman’s supper is included in the price of £8 (students £4). Tickets are essential in advance and can be obtained from Gill Pope on 2675086 or Sandra Robinson on 2677236. A new experience? One of the features of church life at the parish churches of Birstall and Wanlip is the existence of home groups which meet at different venues and different times of the week to talk about and to study Christian belief - and to socialise - together. There are now eight of these groups of various sizes none of them too large to fit into the average sitting room! Anyone who is interested in trying out this sort of experience is invited to take an explanatory leaflet from the back of the church. You will find St James church open on Saturday mornings between 10am and noon, so drop in for a cup of tea or coffee and find out more. From Beryl McHugh, Birstall Parish Churches
Methodist Ministers Sabbatical On Sunday September 8 our Minister, Rev Rachel Parkinson, starts her 3 month Sabbatical. This gives Rachel a complete break after 10 years as a Methodist Minister. Her work is not a 9 to 5 job, but a calling that involves a total commitment, almost 24 hours a day. We wish Rachel well for the 3 months she richly deserves and look forward to welcoming her back on December 8. During this period Rev Dave Warnock at Syston will be acting Superintendant. Several Local Preachers have been given a dispensation to Preside at Holy Communion during Rachel’s Sabbatical. One of these is Roger Wilson who will do so at Birstall on September 15. Children, Harvest & Apple Juice On Sunday September 22 a special service for the Charity ‘Action for Children’. It will be led by Audrey Baker, assisted by Peter and Eileen Molesdale. The theme is “Who is my neighbour” and the parable Jesus told in answer to that question “The Good Samaritan”. Sunday Club and Laudate will be involved. As this is ‘Big Welcome Sunday’ it is a good opportunity to test out our welcome to our community at the Methodist Church. The last Sunday in September (29th) is our Harvest Festival. Mrs Sandra Herbert from Whetstone Pastures Farm will lead our 10.30 morning service and Rev Dave Warnock the 6 pm Evening worship As part of harvest, on Saturday 28th between 10am & Noon the apple press will be in use, so do bring along your apples and containers for apple juice. The Apple Press will also be in use at Riverside & Highcliffe Schools around this time. Pilgrimage To A Hindu Temple Every September the local Methodist Churches undertake a short ‘Pilgrimage’ one Sunday afternoon. Last year we went round Watermead Park. This year, it seems there will be very little walking as we are to visit the Hindu Temple and Community Centre on Weymouth Street, ‘Shree Sanatan Mandir’. We will be accompanied by Rev’d David Dean of the St Phillips Centre. After our tour we shall share worship in the nearby Church of the Resurrection. It promises to be a fascinating afternoon on September 8 at 3pm (at Weymouth Street). Table Top Booking As part of our Christmas Festival, on Saturday November 30, there is to be a Table Top Sale. If you wish to ‘book’ a table (£10 for 10am to 1pm) phone Margaret on 2671181. From Tony Moore, Birstall Methodist Church
Discussion Topics After the holiday period break, our series of Discussion Topics is starting again. We know what’s right and wrong, right? But how do we know and is what is wrong for you, right for me? These are some of the approaches which can be taken in considering September’s subject, which is: “What is the basis for knowing what is right and wrong?” If you missed the information given previously, these discussions are open to individuals of any denomination or religion (or none) and you can opt to attend as many or as few of them as you wish. They are free of charge, last about an hour, are informal and it is expected that participants will show respect for others’ views. If you would like to attend this month’s discussion, then please contact the number given below to register your interest and state your preference for day(s) and time (morning/afternoon/evening) and we will get back to you with an agreed date, time
15
and venue. Sunday Services (including Harvest) As the new school term starts, we are scheduled to resume our Sunday morning meetings in the Community Room at Highcliffe Primary School, Greengate Lane (LE4 3DL) at 10.45am on September 8. We have two visiting speakers during this month: the first one is Peter Thackeray (East Leake) on the 22nd and the second is John Tonks (Leicester) on the 29th. We will hold our Harvest Service on the 29th, when we will give God thanks for the food and blessings we have received as well as remembering our brothers and sisters who do not have enough to eat. You will be most welcome to join with us in our services and we invite you to do so. For further information please ring 0116 2214883. From Anne Taylor, Birstall Independent Baptist Church
Sewing classes move A LOCAL teacher of stitchcraft is re-locating from her Birstall home and will now be based at the Cross Corners centre, next to Belgrave Hall. Lisa Pidgeon started the Little Bird School of Stitchcraft in 2011 and has run classes and workshops to share her skills in sewing, knitting, crochet and more. Little Bird SOS steering group member Jacqui Booth said: “Initially we were keen to set the business up in the heart of Birstall, but lack of affordable business premises in the village led us to look slightly further afield. After considering other premises, Cross Corners came up as the ideal location. We are confident that the beautiful buildings and gardens will be a popular destination for people who wish to relax and socialise by learning a new skill. We hope that the people we have already worked closely with in Birstall will feel welcome to make the short journey by foot, bike, car or bus to come and view our work,
Pic: Lisa Pidgeon
share in the skills we have to offer and join in with the groups we already run.” Workshop and social events are planned including the next meeting of the knit2gether group on Wed Sep 25 at Cross Corners from 6-9pm with free tea and coffee – new members are welcome blog@jacqui-booth.co.uk www.littlebirdsos.co.uk
Elliott & Ball Plumbing & Heating Est 1968
General Plumbing Bathrooms & Tiling Landlord Certificates POWER FLUSHING
211637
New Installations & Upgrades Gas Boilers/Fires Serviced & Repaired LOCAL BUSINESS • CALL GARY ON
Tel: 0116 2692167 Mob: 0792 1703 765
ACE
LANDSCAPING Garden Design • Turfing Planting • Fencing Patios • Garden Clearance Ponds • Decking etc Jet Spraying Sealing Programme Block Paving • Driveways For a friendly personal service ring Roger and have your garden dreams come true. All work performed to the highest standard and fully guaranteed. No job too big or small, please ring for a free quotation
136 Loughborough Rd, Mountsorrel 01509 503558 Mob: 0794 182 2247
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is still required if you are selling or renting out your house. Call David Jackson on 0781 5519490 to arrange your EPC