Birstall Post (474) Jan 2023

the Birstall post Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

JANUARY 2023

N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 474

A great local night out WOULD YOU like to volunteer to help bring live theatre, music and drama to Birstall?

Birstall Parish Council has been in discussion with a company called ‘Live and Local’, an organisation funded

by Charnwood Borough Council and Arts Council England to help community organisations and venues to treat their communities to a great night out at affordable prices.

Parish Clerk Sue Coulson said: “All that is needed is a small group of volunteers with the

Anaya’s gold award A BIRSTALL Rainbow has been presented with a Gold Award.

Anaya Kanani (7) has been attending Birstall Girlguiding’s headquarters on Johnson Road for two years and is the first Rainbow in Birstall to have achieved this prestigious award.

To earn it, Anaya had to complete activities, develop skills, and do work at home. She put together a folder of her work and shared it with the other Rainbows at Birstall.

Her mum, Rosie, said: “Anaya loves coming here. She has really blossomed and likes seeing all her friends and doing the activities.”

Pic: Gold Award winner Anaya Kanani with some of her friends at Girlguiding Birstall’s Johnson Road headquarters

The February issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on Feb 3.

The copy deadline is Jan 20.

Continued on page 2

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New entrance to country park opened

A PEDESTRIAN access, connecting the Harrowgate Drive playing field to the Hallam Fields country park, was opened in December.

Builders Jelson Homes, the developers of Hallam Fields, carried out and paid for the work.

A public consultation was carried out

by Birstall Parish Council, owners of the Harrowgate Drive playing field, in March 2022 to establish public opinion on the access.

Of the 109 responses, 98 were in favour of creating access, and 11 were against it.

The majority of consultees who live near the playing field were also in favour of creating the access.

Once Jelson has finished work on the

Continued from page 1 enthusiasm to promote and run a fantastic evening’s entertainment in Birstall Village Hall.”

‘Live and Local’ audiences have enjoyed performances from jazz groups, folk musicians, theatre companies, dancers and storytellers and offer a wide variety of different packages to choose from.

If you wish to find out more about what ‘Live and Local’ is about and how the scheme works, please visit their website: https://www.liveandlocal.org.uk/

country park, ownership of the site will be passed on to Charnwood Borough Council.

Sue said: “The Parish Council is asking for comments and feedback from residents to first establish if there is any interest in this type of initiative going forward, and to ask if any residents would be willing, and able, to work with a small group of Parish councillors to organise and run the events.”

Please send your comments to the Council offices: By post: Birstall Parish Council, Council Offices, Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4DH

By Tel: 0116 267 6191 By email: admin@birstallpc.org.uk

A multi-use games area (MUGA) on the site is now complete, featuring goals, hoops and line markings for football and basketball. It has a tarmac all-weather surface that can be used for other informal games/recreation. There are also four climbing boulders and seating.

Visitors to the country park and sports pitches are allowed to park in the school car park. Dogs can be exercised off the lead in the country park, but dogs must be kept on a lead in the Har-

rowgate Drive playing field.

Harrowgate Drive playing field is open Apr-Oct 8am-9.30pm, Nov-Mar 8am – 7.30pm.

Costs of providing the country park, sports pitches and Hallam Fields school were all met by Jelson as part of its section 106 agreement when planning permission for the Hallam Fields estate was granted.

Pic: the access gate can be seen on the left, connecting Harrowgate Dr playing

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Electoral Five charging points planned boundary changes BIRSTALL AND Wanlip will be in a new parliamentary constituency from next July.

THE BIRSTALL POST JANUARY 2023

Birstall is in the Charnwood constituency but this is to be scrapped and split into two new ones. Birstall will be in the new Mid Leicestershire constituency, formed from parts of the former Charnwood seat and the existing Bosworth constituency. Areas such as Glenfield and Leicester Forest East will come from Charnwood seat and Ratby and Bagworth from Bosworth.

The Boundary Commission for England, which is in charge of ensuring each constituency has the correct number of voters, is in the process of reshaping the country’s political layout. By law, each should be made up of between 69,724 and 77,062 voters, and the number is reviewed every eight years.

The proposals went through a public consultation last year. The implementation of the agreed new boundaries is expected to take place in July of next year.

Mid-Leicestershire Wards: Anstey, Birstall Wanlip, Birstall Watermead, Ellis, Fairestone, Forest, Forest Bradgate, Groby, Markfield, Stanton and Fieldhead, Millfield, Mountsorrel (south), Muxloe, Ratby, Bagworth and Thornton, Ravenhurst and Fosse, Rothley and Thurcaston, Winstanley.

PLANS TO demolish the existing hand car wash and associated car wash building at St Paul’s service station on Loughborough Road, north of Red Hill island, have been submitted to Leicester City Council.

The Motor Fuel Group want to install five electric vehicle charging points at the site and three new jet wash bays.

The application states that: “New EV charging points at St Pauls should be

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considered positively in light of the national context and the demand for the necessary infrastructure to support electric vehicle use across the UK. The proposals would contribute positively to the existing EV charging network, to the benefit of those utilising the strategic highway network surrounding the application site. The proposals will enhance the existing offer at the service station, without compromising the efficient operation of the facility. The proposed EV charging area has been carefully planned to positively integrate with the existing service station operation.”

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Pics: (top)this design of EV charging point is planned at the St Paul’s site on the A6 (pictured above left)

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Birstall’s Christmas visitor

SANTA TOOK time out from his busy schedule on Friday December 9, to visit Birstall Village Hall.

He listened to the children’s Christmas wishes and handed out gifts.

Entertainment at the event, organised

by Birstall Parish Council, was provided

by Katie’s Characters, who got the children singing and playing games.

Councillor Ed Marshall, Chair of the Events Committee, said: “Mulled wine, mince pies, sweets and hot drinks were provided to parents and children alike – very welcome on such a cold night!

“The evening was enjoyed by the huge numbers who attended, as evidenced by the many positive comments. It certainly did make everyone feel ‘a lot like Christmas’.”

THE BIRSTALL POST JANUARY 2023

Pics: Santa and his helpers in Birstall Village Hall; Birstall’s Christmas tree; Santa makes a note of one little girl’s Christmas wish

Birstall stained glass artist recognised BIRSTALL’S THEODORA Salusbury was one of six recipients chosen by the public to be awarded a Green Plaque.

THE BIRSTALL POST JANUARY 2023

More than 3,700 people cast their votes to honour people and places that have made a mark on the county.

Theodora Salusbury (1875 – 1956) was an Arts and Crafts stained glass artist who created and made windows for many Leicestershire churches, including churches in Narborough, Newtown Linford, Queniborough, Kimcote, Woodhouse Eaves and Birstall, where three of her windows can be found in St James church.

Theodora lived on Birstall Road and attended the Leicester School of Art. She used high-quality glass slabs that produced the brilliant colours she became

renowned for. Most of her work bears her signature, a peacock. The Arts and Crafts period in Leicestershire was very productive, and the work of Theodora Salusbury adds to the richness of the art of this time.

On December 8, invited guests, including a relative of Theodora, attended the unveiling of the plaque on Church Hill.

Councillor Dan Harris, County Council chairman, said: "I'm delighted to see that members of the public have again cast their votes to pay tribute to people and places who have made a mark on the history of their communities. The response has once again been fantastic, with more than 3,700 votes cast – and there were so many worthy winners to choose from, all of whom have made a great and lasting contribution to their communities and the wider world."

The five other recipients’ of a Green Plaque, a scheme run by Leicestershire County Council, were: Lt Col Philip Eric Bent VC DSO, attended school in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. He was killed at the Battle of Passchendaele while leading a charge and was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for ‘conspicuous bravery'.

Sgt Herbert Ernest Black RAFVR, Second World War fighter pilot from Measham who made several daring flights during the war.

Frances Elizabeth Deacon from Fleckney. She was the first woman to pass the qualifying exam to become a pharmacist.

When she died at the age of 92. She was the oldest registered chemist in England.

George Fox from Fenny Drayton

founded the Quaker Movement. His ideas influenced at US Constitution and Bill of Rights in the USA and the ideas of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity used in the French Revolution. The Quakers were also among the first to oppose

slavery.

Military Stables at the Defence Animal Training Unit, Melton. The Defence Animal Training Regiment has been training and caring for animals used in military defence since 1905.

Pics: (left)Guests at the unveiling of the plaque on Church Hill; (above) details from Theodora’s windows in St James Church

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THE BIRSTALL POST JANUARY 2023

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Parish Council notes Anthony Marvin has decided to stop working in Birstall. The youth workers have been trying to establish why the numbers have been dropping.

A member of the public said that he Numbers of the older age group have thought it was great that the Parish Coun- increased. Young Leicestershire has cil was delivering hampers again to been promoting the youth café by emailelderly people this Christmas. He said he ing local schools, producing a new postthought the Christmas tree on the Sibson er and publicising the facility on social Road car Park looked very good, and media. that many people he had spoken to Birstall’s new beat officer, Stuart agreed with him. He requested that the Venables, introduced himself to councilwater butt at the cemetery be left full on lors. He said he had previously worked Christmas Eve, when a lot of people visit. in Birstall as a PCSO, 12 years ago, and County Councillor Dan Grimley rehad been a police officer for 10 years. ported that all Leicestershire MPs had Before coming to Birstall, he had been visited the Chancellor of the Exchequer working in Shepshed. to lobby for fairer funding for LeicesterHe reported that in the last 30 days, shire. He reported that a bus shelter there had been three burglaries and 13 near Red Hill circle should be erected thefts, the majority from the Co-op and soon.

Tesco. There has been one cycle theft, Councillors received an update from and two thefts from motor vehicles; both Young Leicestershire, the organisation had been left unsecured. There were five that provides youth work from the reports of criminal damage and three School Lane playing field pavilion on public order offences. There has been behalf of the Parish Council. A represent- one drug offence; cannabis being cultiative said that numbers attending in the vated at a property on Paget Avenue, in 8 to 11 age group had dropped signifithe loft. There have been 10 assaults, cantly. She reported that youth worker the majority of which are domestic related.

He said he would be reassessing the police priorities for the beat over the next month.

Councillors discussed the precept for the year 2023/24. The final figure will be approved in January when the clerk has received the council tax base figure Borough Council.

Home Grown Potatoes: fromTheCharnwood council agreed to earmark a White Marfona reserve of £50,000 per annum for the next six years to pay for the cemetery Red Mozart extension project. The money will be invested in a new account opened specifically for the project. The estimate for Fresh Fruit & Veg the cost of the cemetery extension project, which will see Birstall cemetery Local Honey & extended into the area currently used Preserves incl for allotments, varies from £207,366 to Marmalade & £272,631, depending on which options Chutney the council chooses for the site.

The council’s Management & Policy committee had considered the budget Horse & Pony Feeds, Goat and recommended increasing the preFeeds, Poultry Feeds, Rabbit cept by 10%. A proposal to increase the Food, Hay Straw & Shavings precept by 3% was not carried. The council agreed, in principle, to an inManure, Woodchip Mulch crease of 5% for 2023/24, a sum of we can deliver bulk loads of these items, £481,260. What this means for band D call or visit for further details households in Birstall is that they will pay an extra £5 per year or £0.10 per DIY Liveries week. The precept for 2022/23 was £458,343. The final precept figure will FIREWOOD: bulk loads delivered be finalised at the January 2023 meeting.

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A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on December 12.

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THE BIRSTALL POST JANUARY 2023

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Cricket club’s presentation night BIRSTALL VILLAGE Cricket Club’s presentation night was held at Birstall United Football Club.

The prize winners were: 1stXI Batting: Jon Gaydon 1stXI Bowling: George Ager Player of the Year: Shared by Jon Gaydon & Naresh Amritlal 2ndXI Batting: Ketul Darji 2ndXI Batting : Dipesh Pancholi Player of the Year: Ketul Darji Trophies were also given to Naresh

Amritlal for scoring a century, and Delvin Tandel for taking a hat trick.

The Kev Woods memorial trophy award went to Jai Nai, and the duck award was shared by Ian Bartlett and Akshay Desai.

Rosie Rollings from Helping Our Community LE4 joined the presentation evening and the club presented her with a cheque for £1,155 for “Payitforward” from the years fundraising events.

Pic: President Ian Hunt presenting a cheque to Rosie Rollings

Noticeboard all details printed free Leicestershire Quilters meet on the last Monday of the month (except December) at the Braunstone Civic Centre, LE3 2PP, from 7pm to 9pm and has members from across Leicestershire.

Our meetings host various speakers, hold a raffle, a sales table, free refreshments, and we also love to see what members have made through our show and tell section. Membership is £30 per year or for visitors it is £5 per meeting.

We also hold workshops and stitching days on various Saturdays throughout the year. Each year we support a charity either through donations of quilts or a monetary donation.

For further information then please email leicestershirequilters40@gmail.c om or call either Jan: 01509 890369 or Carolyn on 07487583614. Find us on Facebook or Instagram

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, Unit 109, Greenacres, The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR or email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk

Musical ensemble Are you a past member of the City or County School of Music and would like to renew your instrumental skills?

The 663 Ensemble has resumed monthly meetings, but since the pandemic membership has shrunk, so we would welcome more violin and viola, trumpet and trombone players of around Grade 6 and upwards. Please ring 0116 2673558 if interested.

Cynthia Coltman

Path Earlier this month I went to see the new access gate, which now allows limited passage between Harrowgate

Friday Night Films “Fisherman’s Friends - One and All ” Jan 13, 111mins Inspired by the real life Fisherman’s Friends from Port Isaac in Cornwall, this U.K. comedy melodrama has romance and expectation. Can these singing fishermen overcome fame and grief to find harmony again? The cinematography is spectacular in this uplifting and heart-warming story.

“The Railway Children Return” Feb 10, 98mins

Shot in picturesque West Yorkshire in 1944, February’s film is a “Must see!”. Three young siblings have been transplanted from London after their father was arrested on suspicion of being a spy.

Sheridan Smith’s character is local headmistress who takes in these evacuees. She is helped by her mother, played by Jenny Agutter, but why is an injured American soldier hiding? Is he a spy? This warm U.K. film is uplifting.

“The Phantom of the Open” Mar 10 Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall, starting at 7.30pm. Film tickets will cost the usual £5, which includes a lucky prize draw and refreshments during the interval.

You can pay for tickets at the door, if there are any left or pay in advance from: Richard 0116 2363 066 or Diana 0116 2362 619 Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust Wednesday 8th February 2023 at 7.30pm

Discovery of the Rutland Sea Dragon Drive/Hallam Fields Estate and the new country park.

The people I met there were all in favour of it and couldn’t understand why access was denied for so long especially when I explained that I first raised this access eight years ago and I couldn’t understand why it had taken so long either.

Whilst it is an improvement I feel that a properly surfaced and lit footpath/cycle track would have been far better.

When I first raised this there was £150,000 available under the S106 agreement for improvement of public transport and I managed to get £9000 spent on bus shelters leaving a balance of £141,000 I did suggest that this balance could be used for a foot path but it appears that just like what happened with the speed camera we’ve lost out on money that could have benefited our community.

Unfortunately any residents of Hallam Fields still have a long walk round to gain access to the Parish Council owned park and I can’t see any reason why another entrance couldn’t be made near Long Meadow Way. The same long walk applies to the residents of the Gates estate if they wish to access the school, shops and community hall on Hallam Fields.

To be honest I and many others still can’t understand why it was necessary at great expense to fence off two publicly owned parks from each other in the first place.

Finally I have asked the Parish Councillors for support with regards to my idea to establish some new cycle / footpaths in the village if anyone wants anymore details please contact me on julian.howe@me.com Julian Howe

Joe Davis, Reserve Manager, Rutland Water Nature Reserve, will talk about finding one of Britain’s most significant Palaeontological finds.

Meetings are held in Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall on the second Wednesday every month from September to May starting at 7.30pm.

Admission is £2.50 for LRWT members, £3 for visitors, children free

Rothley & Birstall Birdwatchers We meet at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month at The Rothley Centre, 12, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR (free car parking available) Tue Jan 10: “Birds of Leicestershire" by Carl Baggott Tue Feb 14: “The Wildlife Nature Reserves of The Gambia" by Cynthia Baker Membership £15pa. Talks free to members, but if you just want to come and listen as a visitor, it's just £3. You will be very welcome

Monday Group 7.30pm in Birstall Methodist Church coffee shop.

We restart on January 16, doing easy keep fit with Kathryn.

On January 23, we welcome back Kelvin and Pete with their slides to music, which is always a very popular evening.

On January 30, Joy and David Bark of The Bark Foundation will bring us up to date with what is happening at Hotpec orphanage in Cameroon

Birstall Royal British Legion Club Front St, Birstall All old and new members will be very welcome Bingo every Tuesday starting at 9pm Acoustic night Sunday 22nd Quizzes every Wednesday starting at 8.30pm and Sundays at 9pm Pool tables at only 50p Saturday Entertainment

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THE BIRSTALL POST JANUARY 2023

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14th Sammy Waters (female vocalist) 28th Adam James (Male vocalist) Room hire available for Wakes please contact us for further information on 0116 2674817 The Committee and staff would like to wish all our members a Happy New Year The Club AGM is being held on Wednesday January 26th at 7.30pm

Cedar Care Circle Hi everyone. I hope you've enjoyed a peaceful Christmas and I wish you all a Happy New Year.

Our first meeting for 2023 will be on January 9. Weather permitting we will be at Brunchies Cafe Hallam Fields road Birstall 1pm. The second meeting is on January 23.

Don't be a stranger. We are a very welcoming, happy group. Brought together by our need to end the loneliness and isolation we all feel when caring 24/7 for our partners, parents or friend suffering from Dementia. Enjoy a couple of hours with others who are dealing with similar situations.

Looking around the group I see what a difference it makes to everyone. Please join us. Barbara.

Contact me on 07905760556 if you want to chat

THE END of the year is always a good time to reflect on how we are doing.

This show celebrates the creative talent of Leicester and the East Midlands and the people who make it.

Saturday 10th December 2022 Friday 20th January 2023 At Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, New Walk , Leicester

80’s Disco Night Saturday 18th March 2023, 7pm Birstall Social Club £5 per ticket Come join us for a fantastic 80s disco charity night to raise money for two Birstall Charities, Jade's Retreat & Carl Gunns’ Community Gym • Fancy dress optional • Raffle on the night (donations welcome) • 50/50 lottery.

• Over 16s • Ticket only event • For more information please contact Paula Clifford-Gill on FB Messenger or 07934 551563

Open 33: The People’s Exhibition

YOU are INVITED to listen to Music by the 663 Ensemble & Friends at a

The Open is a yearly exhibition, which allows East Midlands residents from any background and ability an opportunity to enter their artwork for display, and if successful, exhibit their work at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.

Coffee Morning

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Looking back on 2022

AFTER SCHOOL & HOLIDAY CARE School Drop off/ Collect From Highcliffe School & Pick up from Riverside Includes 2 Course Tea Various Fun & Challenging Activities Exciting Holiday Care Ofsted Outstanding - 3 Large Playrooms, Garden Indoor Soft Play Area, Crafts/games/playstation/computer

Frequent Trips Out Contact Naomi for a Chat/Visit Telephone - 0116 2671387 595 Loughborough Road, Birstall LE4 4NH

Support We have had brilliant support from the community. We have also had great support from the White Horse, St Theresa's Church and the craft group, and recently from the Birstall Cricket Club and HATs . We also held a Christmas fair to raise funds for the group. Birstall Parish Council didn’t charge us for the room.

Warm Spaces We have helped various groups in the village with equipment throughout the year and sponsored setting up a “warm Space” at Birstall Football club. We have made “warm hug packs” consisting of a blanket, socks, gloves, hat, hot water bottle, soup, hot chocolate and treats.

The treats were sponsored by St Theresa’s craft group, which sold items at church.

Scrubs Team The scrubs team continue to make quilts for the local NICU and items for the micro prem angel babies. They also have made things to sell, which raises funds for the group.

Food hampers

Helping our Community LE4 Birstall

Stakeholders meeting where we met other parties with an interest in Birstall.

As part of this, we became aware of local families in difficult circumstances.

We appealed for help to make sure the children of these families received Christmas gifts. The community didn’t disappoint. Within days of the children’s ages being shared on the community page, my porch had a constant stream of people dropping off items. Then an appeal was made for people to wrap gifts, and within days, the gifts were wrapped, bagged, and handed over for delivery.

We also received cash donations from two local people, and that went towards the vouchers for these families and a pizza treat. It really does mean so much more to people when they know it’s their own community supporting them.

Cooked Christmas dinners were offered to all the families; however, we were made aware that one mum really was going to miss cooking the family dinner!

A list of items was put on the group and within hours, everything needed was pledged.

at St James Parish Church, Birstall on Saturday, January 14th 2023 10.30am -12noon Donations for the Church roof gratefully received

Guiding and Scouts in Birstall were amazing and collected a mountain of food for our Christmas hampers. Thank you to Leigh Reynolds for helping to get some organisation from chaos. It was soon apparent that there were people in need in our community, and it would have been frivolous to use the food just for gift hampers. There were several requests for “anything left over”. Some Christmas Dinners of the treat items went for food hampers For the third year, Ruth, formerly of that Julie Tinley wrapped beautifully for Lambourne Café, has agreed to do the elderly members of our community as gifts. The rest of the food has been made Christmas dinners for the community.

Again, a member of the community gifted available to anyone that wasn’t being a Christmas dinner for someone that helped by the foodbank, and was facing would otherwise go without. Ruth proa shortfall. duced a great menu, and we have had Sadly, the people most in need were lots of offers and requests. those working, either on low-pay or Receiving donations to the group is, zero-hour contracts - the rising cost of of course, welcome but it’s also great to living has taken many by surprise. Everyone that has collected food and a vouch- see people helping each other.

If we can help, please contact us. If er has been grateful and surprised to you are running an organisation for the find themselves in this position. Thanks children /youth of Birstall and identify to the Guides and Scouts, we were able to offer food boxes and with the generos- that buying the necessary kit is a problem, maybe we can help. ity of the community, we can give a £25 Please don’t hesitate to get in touch Tesco voucher. Thank you to everyone 07894995164. that made this possible.

From Rosie Rollings, Helping Our Christmas Gifts Community The community group attended a

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JANUARY 2023 Visit our website at: www.villagewatch.co.uk and join our Group on Facebook

New Bicycle or similar for Christmas?

FREE SECURITY MARKING Protect it by having it engraved with Your Postcode and Door Number Just bring it to our Advice Shop by 11.30 am

The next Advice Shop will be open on Saturday 14th January, 10 am to 12 noon in the Robert Dickinson Building, 10 Sibson Road (Next to the Public Car Park opposite the Garden Centre)

More Fake Messages

Good News for Once

Fake emails purporting to be from TV Licensing and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are still being used to lure people into revealing their bank details.

These appear to be official with right layout and logos and advise that a payment has failed to go through with a link to click on to correct the error before you face legal penalties.

Alternatively, they advise that a refund is due but that your details are needed before they can send it to your account.

Clicking on these links could lead to malware being downloaded onto your device, your being taken to a website that asks for your personal data or both.

TV Licensing has confirmed that these emails are fake. Its genuine emails and letters are personalised to include information such as your name, part of your postcode or your TV licence number. The genuine website address is:

Hundreds of thousands of people in the UK have been contacted by scammers using the fraud website iSpoof.

Scotland Yard’s Cyber Crime Unit worked with law enforcement agencies in other countries to dismantle the website in November. This was a key phase in a world‐wide operation, which has been running behind the scenes since June 2021.

The site allowed users, who paid for the service, to disguise their phone number so that it appeared they were calling from a trusted source. Over a hundred people have been arrested in the UK alone, the vast majority on suspicion of fraud.

Victims are believed to have lost tens of millions of pounds since 2021, while those running the site earned over £3 million for their services.

The DVLA advises that it never asks for bank details in an email. The only way that customers can access genuine DVLA services online is through the official Government website:

www.gov.uk

Always Report Scams and Fraud Scams are rife as ever but as disheartening as this is for victims, it is still important to report instances to the police even if it is unlikely to result in a prosecution. This is because these reports record the scale of fraud, strengthening calls from consumer protection and other organisations for improvement and change.

They also inform relevant agencies about emerging trends in the fraud world, allowing them to publish advice on how to protect yourself.

Incidents should be reported to Action Fraud, a national service run by the City of London Police, by calling 0300 123 2040.

It can also be done by filling in a form on its website:

www.actionfraud.police.uk If you just want to report a suspicious email when you have done no more than read it without clicking on any links, simply forward it to: report@phishing.gov.uk.

You can also use Hotmail’s Report Phishing button or Gmail’s Report Spam button.

Protect Your Valuables We offer a free postcode engraving service at our Advice Shop but it is not suitable for many valuable items. So, make sure that you register ALL of your valuables on the Immobilise database.

The Police can check this for items that have been recovered and can re‐unite them with their legitimate owners. It also gives them proof that an item has been stolen in the first place, so that they can prosecute the person who has it in their possession.

You need to create a password and have an email address in order to register.

Go to the Immobilise website:

www.immobilise.com Once you have registered you will be able to enter: Item Type e.g. mobile phone Item Details e.g. make and model Item Identifiers e.g. serial number Item Images e.g. photographs of jewellery The more information about an item that you put on the database, the better chance you have of getting it back if it is recovered by the Police.

You can obtain a free Immobilise pack that includes labels and instructions from our Advice Shop.

The Watch would like to thank Birstall Parish Council for its continued support © Birstall and Wanlip Neighbourhood Watch – watch@villagewatch.co.uk – 0756 2422 756

THE BIRSTALL POST JANUARY 2023

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Winter — a pain in the back!

NHW news

& crime report New Year Resolutions It is that time of year again when we make our resolutions. Some are easier to keep than others, and we usually fall by the wayside after a good start. Here are some resolutions that are not all that difficult to keep and will keep you safer from crime throughout the year.

• Ensure that you have locked all doors and windows every time you leave your home empty.

• Lock your car and always make sure that no items are left on show for thieves to see.

• Be very wary of cold callers and be firm but polite in telling them that you are not interested in whatever it is they are selling.

• Take care when using credit and debit cards, and make sure that nobody can see your PIN when you enter it.

• Watch out for telephone and email scams, especially those that seem to offer you things that are too good to be true.

• Take care when out alone and carry a personal alarm, even though you will probably never have to use it.

• Be careful and stay aware of those around you when using expensive mobile phones in public places.

• Register your valuable items on the Police-supported Immobilise website.

• Give any information you might have about crime ANONYMOUSLY to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

• Report any suspicious activity that gives you cause for concern to the Police on 101 • Dial 999 if you think that a crime is taking place or that somebody is in danger.

Our next Advice Shop will be open on Saturday January 14, between 10am and 12noon in the Robert Dickinson Building, 10 Sibson Road (next to the public car park opposite the Garden Centre). Take advantage of our FREE postcode engraving service by bringing in your bicycle or similar by 11.30 am.

Happy New Year, and Stay Safe and Crime-Free in 2023 From Ed Chambers, Committee Chairman, Birstall & Wanlip NHW

THE BIRSTALL POST JANUARY 2023

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AFTER THE pandemic, Health on Hand was flooded with people in pain, often due to the change of work posture or not looking after themselves well.

Due to the long wait times for patients wanting to visit the Health on Hand Chiropractic Clinic (193 Loughborough Road, Leicester), they have been fortunate to secure the services of two new chiropractors, Mohammed Mulla and Tom Wikeley.

Mohammed’s interest in chiropractic started at an early age when he was a patient at Health on Hand. He saw the potential in helping others feel their best and giving something back to the community. His treatments, alongside handson chiropractic care, focus on helping patients understand why they may be in pain, as well as adapting the treatment Pic: Chiropractors Tom Wikeley & Mohammed Mulla

Bus depot new homes CONSTRUCTION WORK has started on a multi-million development by Jessup Partnerships to transform Leicester’s former bus depot on Abbey Lane into 117 homes for housing association Midland Heart.

The site, which has sat empty since 2007, will be the largest residential scheme in the city and will be made up of a mix of 103 semi-detached and terraced houses, ranging from two, three, and four bedrooms, as well as 14 maisonettes.

The Edwardian depot building opened in 1904. Construction work is to be completed by winter 2024.

Pic: the Abbey bus depot site

to each individual’s needs Tom has joined Health on Hand after working in Cornwall. His main drive towards pursuing a chiropractic career is to encourage individuals to become the best version of themselves, not only by using manual therapy, but through positive lifestyle changes.

This winter, Health on Hand are warning about the dangers of the cold!

Tom says: “Winter and cold weather can bring a lot of dangers. The drop in temperature can affect our hydration levels and the overall tone of our muscles, but more importantly ice is everywhere and can lead to lots of back problems from the trauma... even if you don't actually fall down”.

But why is this the case? Let's start with falling; It's evident that if you fall down, it can likely affect your spine. The impact and shock of hitting the ground can make the joints seize up, the muscles spasm and cause pain. The effects may not occur right away. You may notice that "something's not right," but not enough so that you decide you absolutely must do something about it right away.”

Mohammed adds: “These warnings are the easiest to ignore. Often, these signs are ignored and the pain only comes on while bending down to do a simple, ‘dangerous’ task like picking up socks, or the mail, and they unexpectedly cannot move. These are the types of stories we hear every day.

“The most overlooked cause of trauma is when you don't actually fall. You come close, maybe grab onto something nearby. Still, your muscles tense up, you get scared and thank your lucky stars that you didn't actually fall to the ground.

These "near misses" that can still affect your spine and surrounding muscles. It is not uncommon to get a mild whiplash or a sprained back from a small incident like this.

The sudden seizing up of the muscles can also make the vertebrae stiffen up.

The muscles attach to the spine, and when they tense up, knot up, or spasm they will cause the joint to stop functioning as it is designed. Time to seek help!”

Chiropractors will assess your body, carry out a full examination to find out what is causing the pain, then, help re-establish proper movement, get the muscles to relax, and give advice on exercises to help restore the body's normal function. The relief happens quite quickly in most cases. A problem caught early is always easier to take care of; preferably before the crisis occurs.

Not to mention how much a ‘frozen back’ can ruin your entire week or even month.

Special offer for January 2023: Bring this article for a £10 discount on your initial consultation including a treatment!

Call 01623 635333 for further information.

Or visit: www.healthonhand.co.uk

11

ID needed to vote FROM MAY 2023, all voters will be required to show an accepted form of photographic identification (photo ID) at a polling station before they are given a ballot paper and can cast their vote.

This will affect all voters, including those in Charnwood, who vote in person or by proxy at the next local election on Thursday May 4, 2023. You are not required to provide photo ID for postal voting.

Photo ID you can use: Voters must bring a suitable form of photographic ID to their polling station.

Acceptable forms of photo ID will include: Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth both the person concerned and for memcountry bers of their family.

Photographic driver’s licence isJoining a lipreading group can make sued by the UK, Channel Islands, a big difference: you will have the opporthe Isle of Man, or an EEA state tunity to meet others in a similar situa(including provisional) tion and share useful ideas and tips for European Economic Area (EEA) helping to manage hearing loss. Here is what members of the Birstall Lipreading photographic ID Card Group had to say after their first term Biometric immigration document attending lipreading classes: An identity card bearing the Proof “Lipreading is a very useful skill.” of Age Standards Scheme holo“Sessions are interactive and great fun!” gram (PASS card) “A lovely, supportive group of people.”

Ministry of Defence Form 90 (De“ I have become much more aware of fence Identity Card how to respond better to my many A Blue Badge friends & acquaintances who struggle to Older Person’s Bus Pass hear.”

Disabled Person’s Bus Pass “With my hearing loss having been so Oyster 60+ Card sudden and - as a result - so difficult to Freedom Pass accept, the benefits of such a supportive, Only original documents are acceptinclusive class go beyond just learning ed; scanned images or copies will not be lip reading and have made it easier to accepted. However, if your photo ID has come to terms with.” expired, it will be accepted as long as Birstall Lipreading Group is supportthe photograph is still a good likeness to ed by the Leslie Edwards Trust. We are also very grateful to Leicestershire Coun- you.

If you do not have any of the acceptty Council for their funding from the ed photo ID and you want to vote at the ‘Shires Community Grant’ scheme, which polling station, you will need to apply has enabled us to run lipreading sesfor a free Voter Authority Certificate. sions for the academic year 2022-23.

This is a free photographic identification For more information about Birstall document specifically for the purposes Lipreading Group, please contact tutor, Jenny Cluley, on 07889 544997 or email of voting.

You will be able to apply for a Voter jenny@readinglips.online Authority Certificate in person, by post or Pic: Members of Birstall Lipreading Group enjoy some festive drinks and nibbles dur- online from January 2023. The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate ing the last session of a very busy autumn in time for the local elections in May term! (l-r): Rachael Cracknell, John Chapman, Joy Lambell, Callum Cracknell, Berna- 2023 is 5pm on Tuesday April 25, 2023. dette Loughran, Julie Chapman, Sally Information and links to apply for Cooper, Michael Lambell and Brenda Wroe Voter Authority Certificates will be published on Charnwood Borough Council’s website when the applications open.

Voters who do not produce a Voter ALL TYPES OF DOMESTIC Authority Certificate or valid identification will not be allowed to vote on the & INDUSTRIAL WORK day.

Extra Points Postal and Proxy Voters Alarms Postal voters will not be affected and Rewiring will be issued their postal ballot papers Security Lighting as usual. If you choose to vote by proxy, then the person you have trusted to vote Electrical Testing on your behalf will have to take their Part P Registered own identification to be issued with a Control Electrics Ltd ballot paper.

Lodgewood Ave, Birstall, Leicester If you do not want to vote in person Tel: 0116 2682910 at a polling station, then you can apply FREE ESTIMATES to vote by post. This means that you will

Hearing loss? Join a lipreading group PEOPLE WITH hearing loss can benefit from learning to lipread.

Lipreading tutor Jenny Cluley from Birstall Lipreading group explains: Hearing loss can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Sometimes hearing loss can be sudden, but more often it occurs slowly, over time. Losing your hearing can be hard to accept – it can be worrying, frustrating, and tiring for

Police stop van THE OCCUPANTS of a van were apprehended by Police after they threatened an elderly woman in Birstall, demanding cash.

Police say the “vulnerable elderly female” was threatened by the occupants of the white Transit van to pay money for property work she did not agree to. The van was also found to be uninsured and untaxed.

If you have any information regarding this incident, contact the force on 101.

Pic: Police talking to the occupants of the van on Stonehill Avenue

be sent a postal ballot pack before the election. The deadline to apply for a postal vote for the local elections in May 2023 is 5pm on Tuesday April 18, 2023.

To apply to vote by post in England, Scotland or Wales, you need to download, print and fill in the postal vote application form available on the Electoral Commission website or Charnwood’s website. You can also request a form from 01509 634546.

If you do not want to vote in person at a polling station, then you can apply to vote by proxy. This means that you can nominate somebody that you trust to attend your polling station in person and vote on your behalf. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote for the local elections in May 2023 is 5pm on Tuesday April 25, 2023.

The new rules requiring voter ID had been introduced to make voting more secure, but have been criticised for having the effect of suppressing the vote of young people and those on low incomes, who are less likely to have photo ID. The government’s own figures suggest the scheme will cost up to £180million a decade to implement.

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Christmas flowers ON A very cold evening in late November last year, 80 members and guests arrived to watch a Christmas floral demonstration by NAFAS National Demonstrator Tony Brown.

Welcoming warm mulled wine and mince pies were served, and fresh and artificial wreaths made by the committee

were available to buy.

As usual, Tony's displays were as flamboyant as the man himself. The audience laughed throughout the evening as he told numerous stories with a twin-

kle in his eye while arranging his imposing creations.

The wide variety of flowers and foliage, and interesting containers, all enhanced with Christmassy decorations, made for a wonderful night to lead us up to the festive season. Sadly, Tony is retiring after many years, and our Secretary, Sylvia, gave a vote of thanks and read a poem to him, which she composed to celebrate his many years as a demonstrator. He will be greatly missed.

Our next demonstration is Wednesday February 22, at Birstall Village Hall at 7.15pm. Visitors £5. Hope to see you there.

From Birstall Flower Club

Your consumer rights What are my consumer rights?

Charnwood Citizens Advice explains not only the rights you may have as a consumer, but whether you can get compensation or not, and how to go about it.

Christmas time and you may have found yourself buying anything and everything to put a smile on your loved ones’ faces. But for every product you successfully bought are there two or more that were faulty and unfit for purpose? Staring at the pile of receipts are you wondering if there’s anything you can do about it?

Your consumer rights There are statutory consumer rights and non-statutory contractual consumer rights. The strongest route for you to take is through your statutory consumer rights and these can be found under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA 2015).

There are five key rights to consider: 1. Goods must be of satisfactory quality (Section 9) 2. Goods must be fit for the particular purpose for which they are sold (Section 10) 3. Goods must match the description provided (Section 11) For instance, if you bought a coat online that was described as being made of ‘genuine leather’ but was really made of PVC (faux leather) 4. Goods must match any sample provided unless any differences are brought to the customer’s attention beforehand (Section 14) 5. Goods must match any model seen or examined by the customer before purchase unless any differences are brought to the customer’s attention beforehand (Section 14)

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WI celebrate season 27 LADIES from Birstall and Wanlip WI met at the British Legion on December 5, for the last meeting of 2022.

We listened to our very animated speaker Jo Golby talk about the true Victorian Christmas. Christmas crafts were on sale and the £56 raised on the night was given to the British Legion, who kindly host our meetings every month.

We enjoyed a good Christmas dinner at the Bradgate Arms, Cropston where we had surprise entertainment provided by the Thurcaston hand bell ringers. The next day some members visited Stratford

Christmas Market.

Throughout the year, our hardworking crafters have raised £600 for various charities and this Christmas they gave £200 in food to Birstall Food Hub and £100 to the hospital food banks across the three sites. They hope to contribute more of their proceeds to an animal rescue charity and the Methodist Church warm space fund.

We meet again on January 9, when Roxanne Dinsdale will tell us some ‘Amusing Anecdotes from the Life of a Snake Charmer/ Fire Eater’.

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If any of the above apply to an item you’ve bought, you might be entitled to a refund, repair or replacement.

Also there are steps you can take if you bought something by credit card, debit card, charge card or through PayPal. You can ask for a refund if you didn't get what you paid for; got something faulty or broken or got something that's different from how it was described.

How to check whether you have legal rights It is your responsibility as the customer to prove that your legal rights have been breached.

You WILL NOT have legal rights if, for example: 1. You were told about the fault before you purchased the goods, and you still bought them.

2. You caused the damage to the goods yourself.

3. The goods have worked for a reasonable period of time, or their expected lifespan, before becoming faulty.

4. If you just changed your mind the seller can refuse to either exchange or refund.

Buying online Your legal rights depend on something fairly tricky in the law: whether or not you have a ‘contract’. Depending on the company’s terms and conditions, you’ll have legal rights (and a contract) either once you’ve paid for the item or once they’ve sent it to you.

You’ll need to find the company’s terms and conditions to find out where you stand and whether you can get compensation.

More detailed information can be found on: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consum er/somethings-gone-wrong-with-apurchase/return-faulty-goods/ and https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consum er/ Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133 Citizens Advice Charnwood’s Local Enquiry line on 01509 649605 is open on Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays 9.30 am – 3pm Up to date information about opening times, location, etc. can be found on the website: www.charnwoodcab.org.uk

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Thousands of trees given away COMMUNITY GROUPS, parish councils and thousands of residents have travelled to Birstall or Loughborough to collect free trees provided by Charnwood Borough Council.

The borough council teamed up with its open spaces partner, idverde, to run the scheme, which aimed for 4,000 trees to be planted in the borough.

In Birstall, people collected their free trees from Hallam Fields primary school.

Cllr Roy Rollings, a Birstall councillor and lead member for transformation with responsibility for the Council’s campaign to become Carbon Neutral by 2030, said: “We are committed to ensuring 100,000 trees are planted in Charnwood by 2024, and this is another step towards that pledge.

“It was great to see the giveaway was popular with residents once again. Over the past few years, we’ve handed out around 12,000 trees, which will help make the borough even greener.

“For those who didn’t manage to grab a free tree this time, keep an eye out on the Council’s communication channels

Explore parks’ trees AN ONLINE resource that will encourage people to find out Pic: collecting free trees provided by Charnwood Borough Council more about the magnificent for any future schemes.”

National Tree Week, an annual campaign Households, community groups and

by The Tree Council to mark the start of trees in Abbey Park is now live. parish councils could choose up to two trees from four different varieties; Crab apple, hazel, rowan and silver birch.

The free trees were given out during

Wreath workshop A WREATH making workshop was held at St Margaret’s Coop Bowling club in December, for members and friends.

It was led by Mary Linnett who very expertly demonstrated how to make up a Christmas wreath for the door or table.

She is an experienced flower arranger and member of the bowls club, and her sessions have become something of an annual event at the club. She gave many handy tips and advice. The workshop was followed by mince pies, tea

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the tree planting season. idverde manages the borough’s parks and open spaces on behalf of the Council.

Local bus service A BUS service between Birstall and Leicester will be affected by changes that are set to be introduced from April 2023.

Bus companies are working together with Leicester City Council to improve journey times and cut congestion by getting rid of duplicate services and co-ordinating timetables on several routes across the city.

As part of the council-led scheme, new partnership agreements have been approved by the council to better integrate bus services operating on similar routes.

The move will reduce the likelihood of buses arriving at the same time, causing unnecessary congestion and slowing down journey times. It will also give customers simplified and improved timetables across the day.

The new agreements involving First, Arriva and Centrebus will be brought in on a two-year trial basis, from April 2023 until March 2025.

The following services in Birstall will be affected: Centrebus 22A Birstall to Evington 22B Birstall to Evington The move is the latest stage of improving and integrating bus routes, services and ticketing options across the city since the launch of the city council-led Leicester Bus Partnership in spring 2022.

The services involved in the trial scheme include: Firstbus services 22, 38 and 38A, Centrebus services 22A, 22B, and 54A and Arriva service 53.

Launched as part of National Tree Week, the digital tree trail provides photographs and detailed descriptions of 21 of the park’s trees, as well as an interactive map that will help visitors to locate them all.

The trees featured in the trail reflect the huge variety of species in the park, including British natives, exotic trees and ancient species.

An English Oak, planted by the Princess of Wales in 1882 to mark the opening of the park, is included on the trail, as is the park’s exotically-named Kentucky Coffee Tree – so-called because its seeds resemble coffee beans.

Also featured are some ancient species, including a Monkey Puzzle Tree – a species native to Britain until it died out in the first Ice Age – and the Maidenhair Tree, the last living species in the order Ginkgoales, which first appeared over 290 million years ago.

More familiar trees, such as the Horse Chestnut, the Silver Birch and the Weeping Willow, are also on the trail.

The Elm, which disappeared from Britain’s parks in the 1970s following the Dutch Elm Disease pandemic, is back in Abbey Park and included on the trail, thanks to a new disease-resistant strain called ‘Elm New Horizon’.

The online resource lists the trees under their Latin names alongside their common names, and provides a brief history of each tree as well as descriptions of their foliage, their seeds and their flowers.

Deputy city mayor for transport, clean air and climate emergency, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: “We’re fortunate to have hundreds of magnificent trees in Abbey Park that provide shade in summer and glorious colour in autumn, while storing carbon, creating oxygen and sheltering wildlife all year round. But it’s surprising how few species we can actually recognise.

“This online tree trail will help people to find out more about the trees that surround us – and to get even more from their visit to Abbey Park.”

The Abbey Park Tree Trail is available at www.leicester.gov.uk/AbbeyParkTreeTrail Pic: Kentucky Coffee Tree in Abbey Park

THE BIRSTALL POST JANUARY 2023

14

News from the churches GOLLY, GOSH and goodness me - a shiny, brand New Year!

I wonder what it holds in store for us all ... and how long we can keep to our New Year resolutions (providing, of course, that we make any). Here's one that is worth keeping ... go to Old Nick's Coffee shop in Wanlip Hall on the third Tuesday of every month! Great! Tea, coffee and homemade cake - what's not to like?

The hall floor is in need of a bit of TLC however, and with this in mind, the Wanlip Christmas Fair raised the amazing sum of £1370.85, which will go towards floor repairs and the Wanlip Church roof repairs.

After Covid (hopefully after!), it is good to have our churches open again, with Wanlip open on Wednesdays from 3-4pm for private prayer and to provide a peaceful place for contemplation. St James in Birstall is open on Saturday mornings from 10am to 12noon.

St James is also designated a 'warm space' and is open Monday to Wednesday afternoons.

The other churches in Birstall and the Football Club are also taking part in the 'warm spaces' scheme: Monday to Friday mornings at the Methodist Church and hall, and Thursday and Friday afternoons, and all day Sunday at the Football Club.

However, your New Year begins, we wish you happiness and health (think Doddy!).

From Birstall Parish churches

THE CHRISTMAS Festival at the end of November was a great success.

THE BIRSTALL POST JANUARY 2023

This is a huge event, taking many months of preparation, and we are so grateful to at least 60 volunteers from the whole community in Birstall that helped us to set it all up, run the stalls, do the catering, and then all the tidying up at speed to make the church ready for worship on Sunday. The cakes sold out like they were hot out of the oven, the massive amount of jars of jam, marmalade and chutneys dwindled down to

zero, and the catering team served gallons of soup, tea, coffee and cakes. Well done to all, and thank you to all those who came to support us. We managed to raise nearly £6000, and over £600 in our bucket collection for Christians Against Poverty.

Warm Space Our Warm Space in the coffee shop is becoming more popular, with new regulars attending and some new volunteers serving refreshments. We are able to offer all our drinks, cakes and scones at no charge, thanks to a grant from the Parish Council.

Nativity The Sunday Club all took part in a Nativity with a Difference, specially written by a member of the church. There was some trouble at the inn, but it all worked out in the end. Our leaders did a wonderful job organising it all, especially with all the costumes. In the evening, we held our candle-lit carol service, with traditional carols and a local brass band providing some of the music.

Covenant Service On January 8, we will be holding our annual Covenant Service for the whole church. It is when we all renew our commitment to God, our church, and our community. This has been done since the earliest days of Methodist societies, and there are many that find it useful to rededicate themselves to a life of Christian service. The Pastoral Visitors will be recommitting themselves to their important role in the church, as will the Boys Brigade Officers and the commissioning of their Chaplain.

From Birstall Methodist Church

Our sure source of help and hope As the New Year dawns many, if not all of us, will be wondering what 2023 will bring. We may have many troubles, cares, anxieties and worries – about a range of issues. Some troubles seem insoluble and ‘looking on the bright side’ is very difficult, although we may try to hide our concerns from others. It is at such a time that we need to know where to go for a sure source of help and hope. It was with such a scenario in mind that Edward Henry Bickersteth

wrote our hymn for this month and New Year.

Bickersteth (1825-1906) was born in London, educated at Cambridge, ordained in 1848 as a minister in the Church of England and, after a number of appointments, eventually became Bishop of Exeter in 1885. In 1875, he was on holiday with his family in Harrogate and took the opportunity to visit an aged, dying relative. They talked about the morning sermon on Isaiah 26:3 (about perfect peace) and, as his relative slept, Edward wrote this hymn composed of seven two-line verses: the first line is a question about life’s problems and the second line gives the answer, with Jesus being at the centre. On awaking, the relative was much comforted by the words Edward had written. May his words have a similar effect for us. The hymn’s words are: Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? / The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed? / To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round? / On Jesus’ bosom nought but calm is found.

Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away? / In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they.

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown? / Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours? / Jesus has vanquished death with all its powers.

It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease, / And Jesus calls us to heaven’s perfect peace.

You are most welcome to join us for our Sunday services – see the Diary section for details, or contact us: http://www.birstallbaptistchurch.org.uk or 0116 2214883. All at BIBC wish you a peaceful 2023.

From Birstall Independent Baptist Church Pics: Rita Richards with Christmas wreaths at Wanlip’s Christmas Fayre; carol singers on the streets of Birstall

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Art exhibition AN EXHIBITION that showcases artistic talent from across the East Midlands is now open at Leicester’s New Walk Museum.

Open 33 features works by local people – from complete beginners to seasoned professionals – that were selected by a panel of independent judges from more than 800 entries.

The paintings, sculptures, textiles, prints and photographs on display have been created by artists aged 19 and over who live or study in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire or Northamptonshire.

Work by young artists aged five to 18 is also on display.

Cllr Piara Singh Clair, deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, said: “The annual open exhibition always attracts a huge amount of interest from all kinds of artists.

“Now in its 33rd, year, it provides a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work in the fabulous surroundings of the Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, and it’s a great way to celebrate the rich artistic diversity of the region.”

All the artworks on display are available to buy, with prices starting at £50. Purchased pieces can be collected from the museum after Sunday 22 January.

The Open 33 exhibition at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery opened to the public on Saturday 10 December and runs until 20 January 2023.

Admission to the museum, and to the Open 33 exhibition, is free of charge.

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Birstall BAG’s cancer corner Stomach Cancer Around 375,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the UK. There are more than 200 types of cancer and yet more than half of new cases of cancer are in breast, prostate, lung or bowel cancer. But this means nearly half of all cancers diagnosed are any of the nearly 200 others which are less well known or understood. Recently we have been writing about these rarer cancers, and this month we would like to share some information about cancer of the stomach which is also sometimes called gastric cancer.

There are approximately 6500 people diagnosed with stomach cancer each year in the UK. Stomach cancer is more common in older people. Around 50 out of 100 cases (around 50%) occur in people aged 75 or over. It is more common in men than women.

The stomach is part of the digestive system. It's in the upper left side of the tummy (abdomen). The top of the stomach joins the bottom of the food pipe (oesophagus), and the other end is joined to the bowel. It is a muscular bag that has three main parts. They are the: top (fundus) middle (body) bottom (antrum or pylorus) Cancer can start in any part of the stomach or the stomach wall. Your treatment depends on where in the stomach the cancer starts. Most stomach cancers start in the gland cells in the inner stomach lining. These are called adenocarci-

nomas. Stomach cancer can start in the wall of the stomach. These are called gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and are a type of soft tissue sarcoma.

Some cancers can also start in immune system cells in the stomach. These are called non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) start in the hormone cells in the stomach.

What causes stomach cancer?

We don’t know what causes most stomach cancers. But there are some risk factors that can increase your risk of developing it. These include being older, infections, being overweight and smoking. Anything that can increase your risk of cancer is called a risk factor. Having one or more risk factors doesn’t mean that you will definitely get stomach cancer.

Symptoms of Stomach Cancer The most common symptoms of stomach cancer include: difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) unexplained weight loss tummy pain indigestion (dyspepsia) that doesn't go away feeling full after eating small amounts a loss of appetite feeling or being sick dark poo tiredness due to low levels of red blood cells (anaemia) Some people might not have any symptoms of their anaemia. You might have a blood test for something else, which picks up on this.

Symptoms of early stomach cancer can be similar to the symptoms of other conditions, such as stomach ulcers.

You should see your doctor if you

have unexplained weight loss, or if you have symptoms that are unusual for you or won't go away. Your symptoms are unlikely to be cancer, but it is important to get them checked by a doctor.

For local support and information about cancer services, please contact: University Hospitals of Leicester Cancer Information Centre on 0116 258 6189 For more information on the funds Birstall BAGs have raised, the projects we support and forthcoming events, see www.birstallbags.co.uk or look us up on Facebook or email birstallbags@hotmail.co.uk

THE BIRSTALL POST YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Unit 109, Greenacres, The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR Editor: Mr Jerry Jackson Editorial/Advertising

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Planning P/22/2296/2: 48 Kiln Orchard Way Birstall Leicestershire LE4 3NT. Alterations to garage to form residential annexe including increase in height of roof and dormer windows to front.

P/22/2273/2: 67 Oakfield Avenue Birstall Leicestershire LE4 3DT Proposed two-storey side extension and single-storey rear extension (Revised Application to P/22/0421/2) P/22/2265/2: 15 Windmill Avenue Birstall Leicestershire LE4 4JL Proposed single storey rear extension.

Proposed loft conversion with rear dormer windows and alterations to roof of existing dwelling.

P/22/2219/2: 20 Lawn Avenue, Birstall, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE4 4HQ The erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 5m, with a maximum height of 3m, and height to the eaves of 2.2m P/22/2213/2: 78 Queensgate Drive Birstall Leicestershire LE4 3JR Proposed hip to gable end and rear dormer roof extension and installation of 1no. rooflight to front roofslope.

P/22/2215/2: Petrol Filling Station 400 Loughborough Road Birstall Leicestershire LE4 3ED. Consultation from Leicester City Council - Demolition of car wash and associated building; Installation of electric vehicle charging zone; construction of 5 charging bays; 3 jet wash bays with canopy to 2; sub-station enclosure; associated forecourt works (LCC ref: PL/CY1/20222278) P/22/2156/2: 32 Oakfield Avenue Birstall Leicestershire LE4 3DQErection of single storey extension to rear of dwelling

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THE BIRSTALL POST JANUARY 2023

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