November 2017 - Your Local Birstall & Wanlip

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Christmas Card Shop Opens In Leicester

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THE FESTIVE season gets under way in Leicester when the Cards for Good Causes pop-up charity Christmas card shop opens in St Martin’s Square on Monday 16 October. Buying Christmas cards through Cards for Good Causes is the best way to get access to the widest selection of Christmas cards available, as well as a fantastic range of seasonal gifts and products, while supporting a range of national and local charities.

SARAH TAYLOR T: 0800 6446 150 E: sarah@openboxpromotions.co.uk DAWN HARRIS T: 0800 6446 150 E: dawn@openboxpromotions.co.uk

Staffed by a team of local volunteers, the Leicester pop-up shop is part of a network of more than 300 temporary shops run by Cards for Good Causes, the UK’s largest multi-charity Christmas card organisation. It represents more than 250 charities including Cancer Research UK, Barnardo’s, NSPCC, Alzheimer’s Society and RNLI as well as a number of local charities such as Charity Link, Leicester and Leicestershire Animal Aid, Rainbows and The Laura Centre.

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER ANDREW LEWIS M: 07504 634 838 E: andy@openboxpromotions.co.uk

Shoppers will be able to choose from hundreds of different Christmas card designs, as well as traditional advent calendars and candles, wrapping paper, gift tags, table napkins and stocking fillers. Rosemarie Nash-Smith, Shop Manager for Cards for Good Causes says: “Buying charity Christmas cards is one of the simplest ways to support good causes this festive season and we stock one of the widest ranges of Christmas cards anywhere. The proceeds from every card or product sold make a vital contribution to the work of the charities that we partner.

PUBLISHED BY OPEN BOX PROMOTIONS LTD T: 0800 6446 150 E: sales@openboxpromotions.co.uk W: www.openboxpromotions.co.uk Open Box Promotions Ltd, 42 Forest Rise, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester, LE9 2HQ

Come and find us in St Martin’s Square and get ahead in your Christmas preparations by getting your cards early.”

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In the past ten years, charities have received more than £40 million from Cards for Good Causes, representing at least 70p in every pound, out of which the charities pay for the production and distribution of their Christmas cards and any VAT.

NORWOOD PRESS T: 01530 262020 E: info@norwoodpress.co.uk W: www.norwoodpress.co.uk

Shop Opening Hours: 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday at 9 Silver Walk, St Martin’s Square, Leicester.

For further information visit www.cardsforcharity.co.uk or follow us on Facebook or Twitter

Norwood Press, Unit 1, Moore Road, South Leicester Industrial Estate, Ellistown, LE67 1EU

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CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL AT BIRSTALL METHODIST CHURCH “The Spirit of Christmas” is the theme for this years’ festival over the two days of Friday 24th November (10am to 6pm) and Saturday 25th (10am to 2pm). There will be over 50 displays to admire expressed in a variety of ways by both individuals and village organisations & businesses.

Wednesday 6th December 2017 Deadline and delivery dates are subject to change depending on how far we are ahead or behind.

The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the original advertisers & contributors and do not necessarily represent Your Local or Open Box Promotions Ltd. Open Box Promotions Ltd reserves the right to amend or refuse to publish articles or adverts submitted for publication.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. To see full terms & conditions visit www.openboxpromotions.co.uk/terms

Admission this year is free, but there will be opportunities to donate towards church funds & the new ‘Defence & National Rehabilitation Centre’ at Stanford on Soar. Stalls will include cakes, jams, chutneys, gifts and the very popular Christmas hampers which are so attractively presented, ideal for Christmas.

Refreshments will be available throughout.

In addition a ‘Table Top Sale’ of crafts & other items takes place on Friday from 2pm and Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

The Methodist Church is on Wanlip Lane opposite the library.

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3

Christmas lights switch-on kicks off festivities Christmas cheer is heading to Charnwood with a host of events in the borough.

This year’s festivities will officially kick-off with the Christmas lights switch-on in Loughborough Market Place on Sunday, November 26, from 1pm – 5pm.

Capital FM will host the event for the first time from 3pm, with breakfast’s Dino, Pete and Tyles as well as afternoon presenters Tom and Claire. The entertainment will include a DJ set, live competitions and music videos on a giant screen. The team from Capital will be joined by the cast of this year’s town hall pantomime, Robin Hood, as well as entertainment from Loughborough Students’ Union Sing and St Botolph’s School Choir.

During the day there will be a charity market and a French market as well as arts and crafts, fairground rides and a Santa’s grotto in Carillon Court. Councillor Jenny Bokor, Charnwood Borough Council’s lead member for the town centre, said: “There’s always such a packed programme of events during the festive period.

“Loughborough is also a great shopping destination, and we’re pleased to provide free parking in Council car parks on the last five Sundays before Christmas.”

The Christmas programme is packed with information on festive events in the area and is organised by Charnwood Borough Council in partnership with Love Loughborough.

Other key Christmas dates Santa Fun Run and Walk, Sunday, December 3 - starts at 11am The Rotary’s Santa Fun Run and Walk which starts and finishes in the Market Place.

Around 1,500 Santas and festively-dressed dogs take part in this great family event.

Love Loughborough Winter Festive Fayre, Sunday, December 10, 10am – 4pm LOVE Loughborough bring you day of Christmas fun including street entertainment, live music, an Arts & Crafts Market and free Christmas gift wrapping.

Christmas Cracker Market, December 10-17, 8am - 4pm During this period we will be hosting a visiting Christmas market which will join other markets as follows: * Wednesday, December 13 – Farmers’ market accompanied by Food & Craft Market * Thursday, December 14 – Retail market – a rich variety off goods across 140 stalls * Friday, December 15 – Vintage and collectors’ market * Saturday, December 16 – Retail market - a rich variety off goods across 140 stalls (Salvation Army Band playing from 2.15pm-3.30pm) * Sunday, December 17 – Food, craft and gift market This is your chance to soak up the Christmas atmosphere while shopping for essentials as well as those special gifts and food. The markets will be supported by seasonal entertainment, music, special offers and prizes.

Christmas retail markets, Friday, December 22 and Saturday, December 23 Visit the Market to pick up those last minute essential items including fruit, vegetables and other festive food as well as everything else that the usual markets offers.

Carols at the Carillon, Sunday, December 24 (Further details of this event will be available shortly) There will be free parking at all Charnwood Borough Council car parks excluding Browns Lane on the following Sundays; November 26, December 3, 10, 17 and 24.

For more information about the Christmas programme events contact market.fairs@charnwood.gov.uk, visit www.loveloughborough.co.uk or phone 01509 634624.

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HIGHCLIFFE AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY (HATS) PANTOMIME 2017 “Paint the Town Red”. An original script written by 2 very talented members of HATS, Phillip Walton and Elaine Hunt - November 23rd, 24th and 25th.

As the saying goes, doesn’t time fly when you are having fun. And my word, the cast has been having the best time ever rehearsing for this amazing original pantomime. We are truly lucky to have such talented members to write this “different” play.

Forget about the traditional pantomimes and let your imagination transport you back to the “Wild West”.

Soar Valley Inner Wheel’s 40th Charter celebration The Inner Wheel Club of The Soar Valley celebrated their 40th anniversary with a lunch at Quorn Grange Hotel on Sunday 8th October. After an enjoyable lunch members and guests were entertained by guest speaker former England and Leicester Tiger’s Rugby captain Neil Back MBE. Neil regaled his audience with tales from behind the scenes of his rugby tours and also his appearance as a contestant on BBC’s “Celebrity MasterChef”.

Yes, that’s what I said, the “Wild West”.

This is a pantomime full of adventure, action and fun, with lots of different characters, and some original songs too. It will transport parents and grandparents back to the days of the old Westerns. Who said we always have to look forward, it is sometimes good to look back on your memories and to introduce your children/grandchildren to the things you used to enjoy as children.

I am not sure who is going to like this the most, it will be a fantastic play to bring the young and old (oops, more mature) together, to laugh and clap and shout out. So, what characters are you likely to see?? No fairy godmothers I am afraid, no big bad wolf.

You will be astounded at how clever the script writers have been in introducing characters to this play. Yes, there are some cowboys and saloon girls. But then, not forgetting this is a pantomime, there has to be some reference to Christmas doesn’t there.

So look out for the unexpected characters, see how many different ones you can spot.

Never in your life would you expect to see the people you will meet in this show. And yes there will still be the usual expectations of participation, boos and hisses etc. And that’s just the cast to the audience. You can respond if you wish too. Oh yes you can!!!!!!!!!!.

And please feel free to laugh at the jokes, we all love a good joke, and panto jokes are renowned for being hmmmmmmmmmmm, what can I say, “obvious, hidden, corny, hilarious, childish”. Yes, all of those. I am sure you will recognise them and respond appropriately.

So, now I have set the scene, all you have to do is buy your tickets, sit back and enjoy the show. Don’t delay, book your tickets now.

Dates Thursday 23rd November and Friday 24th November at 7.15 p.m.

Saturday 25th November at 2.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m.

Doors open: 30 minutes before each performance Venue: Highcliffe Primary School, Birstall, LE4 3DL Tickets: £6.00, £5.00 concession. £20 family ticket.

Discounts for group bookings, price on enquiry.

Box Office: 0116 2216019, 07963432020 and 0116 2259122 Email: hatsbirstall1@hotmail.co.uk • Face book: www.facebook.com/hatsamdram/

Photograph shows President Doreen Lilley (centre) with District representative Suzanne Robinson & Neil Back MBE .

The Club, which draws its membership from villages along the Soar Valley, meet at Quorn Grange on the 4th Monday of the month for an enjoyable meal followed by a speaker.

During the year we hold charitable events and over the years have supported LOROS, Rainbows and many other local, as well as international charities.

Among the International charities with Rotary we’ve raised money for Shelter Boxes and End Polio. We have also supported Mercy Ships and Water Aid. President Doreen’s main charity this year is Dementia UK helping provide support for dementia sufferers and their families in this area.

If you would like to join us at one of our meetings or to learn more about Inner Wheel, please contact Secretary Maureen Meredith on 0116 230385.

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Birstall Bowling Club Birstall Bowling Club Presidents Maddie Stuart-Reid and John Jenkins joined forces to raise money for the local Air Ambulance Service as their chosen charity for the year.

Throughout the year, many fundraising activities took place, including a bowls marathon which itself raised around £2000 on just one day through sponsorships and donations. The total amount raised for the year was £4215. At the club’s annual presentation dinner, Graham Wightman from the Air Ambulance Service was on hand to receive the cheque.

He explained that there are two air ambulances – based at Coventry and East Midlands Airports - covering an area of 3850 square miles, and a population of over 3.2 million people across five counties. The average response time is just 13 minutes thanks to a top speed of 185mph, and between them they attend on average six missions a day. They also operate a night car between 4.00pm and 2.00am, as flying at night comes with far more restrictions than flying by day, meaning it’s much harder for them to land close to a patient.

Ladies President Maddie Stuart-Reid, Graham Wightman from the Air Ambulance, and Men’s President John Jenkins. (Picture taken by Roger Bartlett)

They receive no government funding so any donations would be gratefully received. For more information, and to donate to this worthwhile cause, please visit their website www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk

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7

Do you enjoy singing?

Whether you are a regular singer and belong to a choir or have not sung for a while, as long as you enjoy singing and can read music to a certain degree the following may be of interest to you!

Charnwood Voices’ 2018 Come and Sing (One-day workshop) Handel’s Coronation Anthems

From now on, garden waste bins in Charnwood will only be emptied if they display a valid sticker to prove the subscription has been paid.

The King Shall Rejoice Zadok the Priest Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened My Heart Is Inditing

The new rules come into effect following the distribution of around 34,000 stickers across Charnwood by the borough council.

Saturday 13th January 2018 at Trinity Methodist Church Centre, Royland Road, Loughborough LE11 2EH All choral singers have heard of Zadok the Priest, and most have probably sung it at some time or other. But how many people are as familiar with the other three great anthems?

Composed for the coronation of George II in 1727, the Handel Coronation Anthems are a masterpiece amongst masterpieces in the choral repertoire.

Workshop Leader: Nicholas Scott-Burt Rehearsal Accompanist and Performance Organist: Adrian Moore Cost is £15. Music provided.

This is open to all singers. Advanced booking is essential and places are limited.

Visit www.charnwoodvoices.org.uk to find out more about these annual workshops and whether they are right for you and to download the application form.

Side By Side

How can you help? We are looking for volunteers in Leicestershire who would like to support people with dementia to continue with their hobbies and interests enabling them to remain socially active within the local community. Suna Tilley, Side by Side Coordinator in Leicester, said: “Volunteers are crucial to the success of this service”.

Training will be provided so that volunteers are confident about carrying out the role. A criminal records check will be required for this role. If you would like to find out more please get in touch Suna Tilley - Side By Side Coordinator Call: 0116 2311113 • Mobile: 07889 604227 • General Office: 0116 2311111

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If you haven’t signed up for the service, you can do so at any time. It costs £28 for a 12-month subscription (when paid by direct debit), which is cheaper than the national average. Please visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/gardenwaste or call 01509 634563. The scheme costs £28 a year (when paid by direct debit) for each bin.

• You save numerous trips to the tip

What is Side By Side? Side by Side is an Alzheimer's Society service which helps people with dementia keep doing the things they love and get out and about with the support of a volunteer. This service can make it easier for people with dementia, who might sometimes feel isolated or find it difficult to leave their homes, to continue to feel part of their local community.

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If a sticker is not displayed then the bin will not be emptied and a leaflet will be left to explain why to a customer. Other reasons for non-collection include items that should not be there.

The garden waste scheme means: • Your brown garden waste bin is collected 25 times a year

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The stickers need to be placed on the brown garden waste bins underneath the handle and have been introduced to make sure only paid-for subscriptions are emptied and that the service is operating as efficiently as possible.

In the past few weeks, the Council has left hundreds of hangers on bins without stickers to remind people about the forthcoming changes.

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• You will be sent a new sticker every year unless you cancel • Paying by direct debit is easier and cheaper Cllr Hilary Fryer, lead member for cleansing and open spaces, said: “It’s a good service and cheaper than the national average, so I would encourage people to use it if they can.

“Please help us by making sure your stickers are displayed correctly, otherwise our crews will not be able to empty your bin.”

The garden waste scheme is entirely optional and if you wish to compost, please visit the county council website which can help - bit.ly/CBCcompost. Compost bins cost from £10.98 plus a £5.99 delivery charge

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Monthly Report from Councillor Renata Jones Another busy month!

Since my last report I've attended meetings of both Policy and Performance committees at Charnwood borough council (CBC), we've had a planning training update, and the time of writing, we've got further training sessions scheduled, one on climate change, and other regards Loughborough science park, to be held very soon. I attended a civic lunch hosted by Birstall parish council, attended by CBC's mayor and her consort, a number of parish councillors, and a number of local stakeholders. I attended our surgery with Cllr Rollings and we met with four residents there.

One of which was seeking the neighbourhood watch group. They meet on the third Saturday of the month, and our surgeries are held on the last Saturday of each month, in the same building. I attended and throughly enjoyed Loughborough's comic-con event in the leisure centre as part of an array of half term events in the area. I hope you were able to catch and enjoy one of these events. If you have access to Twitter, keep an eye on @CharnwoodBC and @lovelboro to find out the latest entertainment events as they arise.

I'm on Twitter too, @CllrRenataJones, as is Cllr.

Rollings with whom I share the ward, see @royrollings. Feel free to follow us.

Conservative party conference #CPC17 I took what I lovingly refer to as my 'bus mans holiday' in Manchester this year and attended Conservative party conference. I don't want to bore you with the details that seemed well reported in mass media, so let's mention them quickly, and move swiftly on.

Protestors, PM's speech, stage invasion, signage, cough cough, yes, I was there and saw it all! There we go - glad that's out the way! Those tricky aspects aside, I had a throughly great conference. I found I'd booked so many fringe events and drinks receptions with networking opportunities and inspirational speakers, that I ran around trying struggling to fit them all in the first night.

There's simply so much to see and do at these events. I soon found myself cherry picking a little more, exploring the wider corners of venues, and sometimes simply following the crowds with some surprisingly interesting results. There's a full agenda throughout with talks on a wide range of topics from name big and lesser known, all with interesting life experiences to relay. Another name for a borough council, like ours at CBC, is a district

10

council. There was a councillors lounge, a new addition this year over last, which neatly clustered us 'Cllrs' together for better networking and idea sharing. I caught up with other councillors and managed to watch a quite fascinating presentation from two councillors who serve Aylesbury district council. They're using the latest technology in voice recognition software to enhance their council call centre service to residents. On my return to our borough, I shared this idea with the strategic director for corporate services, who sits above IT at CBC, during the most recent performance scrutiny meeting. CBC's currently examining customer journeys, FAQs, and using this information to improve web facilities and online forms availability and accessibility to services via online provision. I feel with this web work, we're half way to identifying the background information needed to implement voice recognition phone technology at CBC, mirroring best practice from Aylesbury. On voicing this idea, I was pleased to hear officers had some awareness, and so I hope we're able to progress this at CBC, and enhance call centre services and access for our residents.

Conference is fascinating for finding out best practice and ideas from around the country.

I heard a lot, and saw a lot of inspirational speakers, and there's not really time or room to detail it all here. However, one more council specific take away, was the commitment to building more homes. Whilst mentioned in the PMs speech, there was reference in a number of presentations I saw and this was discussed in a number of ways. I firmly believe commitment to helping our housing market is needed. I'm glad to hear support for this from the very top, and from a number of key stakeholders. It seems widely acknowledged it's harder these days to buy your first home, compared to generations that have gone before. As a business graduate, I'm acutely aware of the impact of supply and demand, and how a struggle to supply to meet demand can keep prices high. We're fortunate to have in my ward the largest built sustainable urban extension in our whole borough, at Hallam Fields, helping a whole generation access their first homes.

We're continually hearing representations related to potential Broadnook development, now expected at plans committee in May 2018. We could well be in the best ward the borough for housing provision in Birstall

Wanlip. Whilst it means lots of representations from existing residents to shape that progress correctly for all, it does offer comfort that we're working well to help future generations access their own homes.

Question on notice to full council I've raised a question, which at the time of writing this report I'm told has been accepted, and is due to be published in papers for the next full council. Meeting is scheduled for 6 November. I hope this makes council proceedings more accessible to you all.

Question reads: “Further to previous enquiries, will the council commit to looking further into facilitation of meeting participation via video conference, for those physically unable to attend meetings?

Video link participation is widely today used in business meetings, to overcome various hurdles of geography.

Enabling this could: * enable participation and representation by those **taken physically out of the area for their career **housebound or hospital bound due to illness or disability * reduce carbon footprint Restriction to physical attendance only, limits the type of people who might want to be councillors from getting involved. Difficulties of access to meetings, could be potentially deterring the disabled, or those working full time worried about making meeting times with traffic and commute after work.

Democracy should be, a representation by people from all walks of life, to give insight on decisions from a range of perspectives, to be able to cater for all types of residents in our area.

Further more, whilst I welcome the recent move to publishing audio recordings of meetings, can the council look into taking this further, by recording, broadcasting, and publishing video footage of meetings? This will aid our transparency, which supports openness and accountability, two of the seven nolan principles of public life. A precedent is set for this by another council in our county. “

One Stop shop Still excited by our new retail addition, I had a suggestion in from Cllr. Gaskell in our neighbouring ward, to write to One Stop and request they consider adding a parcel collection and drop off point to their store.

I've sent a letter to Samantha in their 'acquisitions' department, as they appear the best placed contact, with a view to business development. As a private business, we can but highlight potential demand and market for such a service, and hope they are willing to invest further in service provision in our area. However, with the backing of Cllr.

Rollings and Cllr. Gaskell, I've made the request, and await with hope for a favourable response.

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Greenacres cafe I'm saddened to learn of pending closure of ward adjacent Greenacres Cafe by Leicester city council and Great Central Railway. When I first heard rumours of this, I did wonder if this was to make way for the planned new museum. I've since found via a Leicester Mercury report, that this appears to be the case. As a regular visitor to Greenacres Cafe myself, I shall miss the facility. Living and working nearby, I've spent many an hour eating lunch there, catching up on my casework over coffee, or visiting the historical reenactment events held there. Indeed whilst working nearby in the industrial estate at the top of Greengate Lane, I found few alternative cafes nearby. I'm sure it will be missed. However I look forward to build of new museum, and I understand there is to be a cafe provided as part of this museum to be.

CBC leadership race While I was attending party conference, news broke of the resignation of Cllr. David Slater from leading CBC. He will continue to serve as a local councillor, he's resigned purely from his leadership responsibilities at the borough.

As a vacancy in that post had arisen, I decided to throw my proverbial cap into a metaphorical ring, and basically apply for the job. Unlike the 'real world', applying for such roles means following a slightly different process than to applying for any other sort of job. Some parts are perhaps similar, however perhaps in a different format, and certainly in a different order. You get an application form and fill it in, but that's principally made of getting two 'nominations' to 'propose' and 'second' you, by signing off your application.

You're essentially submitting an application, based on collecting your own references, to apply before any other part of applying. You don't really submit a CV. You basically instead

have five minutes time limited on the night of the vote to make a speech and pitch yourself for job. Then those in the group vote.

Although I knew the process, compared to applying for other jobs, not sending a CV still felt rather strange to me, as job applications go. However those that can't vote on the day, much like voting in another election, can have a proxy or sort of postal vote, submitting on email prior, or by hand delivery through our internal mail trails or via another member. As such those members have to decide in advance. So as part of what might have been considered my 'election campaign' for the job, I emailed around my CV to colleagues who would be voting, which gave some background information of my transferable experience. I felt helped those who were proxy or postal voting, who wouldn't hear speeches on the night, have information to help make their decision.

I'm pleased to say I was nominated. You may have seen coverage of this subsequently in the Loughborough Echo and Leicester Mercury. When I first thought of applying for the job, I wasn't sure what support there may be. I wasn't even sure if I'd get sufficient references, or 'nominations' to stand for the role. I'm very grateful to my colleagues for their nominations, and for demonstrating in this way their faith in me and my work. I was glad of the opportunity to put my ideas to our group and let my colleagues know I'd like to do more of this work. I'm grateful to all who told me they voted for me, that they liked my ideas, or that elements of my speech resonated with them. In any process such as this, there's always a few who through perhaps personal fears may try and advise you not to try. I'm glad I was brave enough to try, to not concede and withdraw when faced with any potentially as such negative feedback, and brave enough to go through

with the full process.

Our group voted for my colleague Cllr.

Morgan on the night. I respect the outcome of the vote, and I'm very glad it was reached through a democratic process, and that I was able to help facilitate that, giving all our members a vote and a say. Going forwards, as before, I shall continue to endeavour to do the best job I can, in whatever role I hold, for our residents, and CBC, in all I do.

Contact us: You're welcome to come and see us in person at our surgeries. These are held on the last Saturday of the month, in the old council offices on Rixensart Walk, 10am to midday.

We'll be holding our November surgery as normal, however as our December surgery usually falls between Christmas and New Year, we've found it rather quiet! So this year I believe we'll be skipping December, and coming back fresh to see you again at our surgery in January 2018. You can of course email us any time. My email address is Cllr.renata.jones@charnwood.gov.uk. You can post a letter anytime, via democratic services, Charnwood borough council offices, Southfields Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2TX.

Swimming the distance of the channel for charity https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ renata-channel-swim - over half way, nine miles left to swim by December! Thanks to all who have donated. Proceeds to Aspire, a charity who help those with spinal injuries. If you are eligible, and wish to donate in support, please try and gift aid, so donations are tax free, and the charity benefits from even more funding.

Regards, Renata

Legacy of a Maestro Everybody of a certain age will know this face. If you only know one thing about him it will be that in the sixties he was the legendary conductor of the BBC Last Night of the Proms. For the benefit of younger readers, quite simply he was one of the greatest musicians this country has ever produced. He had a worldwide following and a name which was recogised far outside the boundaries of classical music. He is Malcolm Sargent.

Less well known is that his career was launched Leicester. Sargent founded the Leicester Symphony Orchestra in 1922. Also overshadowed by the huge success of his conducting career is that, in the early days in Leicester, Sargent composed music of a very high standard, including two pieces only recently rediscovered.

His music will be performed by Leicester Symphony Orchestra in a concert which will also include some of Sargent's highly proficient arrangements of the works of various composers and other works associated with him such as Gilbert and Sullivan overtures and songs.

Malcolm Sargent died 50 years ago this year but his music lives on, as does his orchestra. The concert is held at De Montfort Hall, 25 November starting 19.30 with a free pre-concert talk about Malcolm Sargent at 18.30.

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Leicester’s Christmas market is back… and this year it’s even bigger and better!

Leicester’s biggest Christmas Market, held by Woodside Animal Centre, is to take place at the end of this month.

Families from across the City and County are invited to come along to the centre at 190 Scudamore Road on 25th and 26th November between 11.00am and 6.00pm to shop, eat and drink… and get in the festive spirit. Like last year, the event will feature more than 50 stalls selling unique gifts and crafts. There will be food and drinks stalls serving up everything from artisan breads and cheeses to pizzas and

There will also be a crepes, to mulled cider and prosecco.

BBQ and refreshments

tent.

A whole host of festive entertainment will be on offer including music from brass bands and a 100 piece choir, raffles and children’s fairground rides. A fabulous ice-rink will take centre stage and there will be, of course, an all-new magical Santa’s Grotto.

The event is being held by Woodside Animal Centre, the Leicestershire branch of the RSPCA, and all funds raised will go towards supporting its work to care of sick, stray and injured animals from across the area. Last year’s event was hugely successful, attracting more than12,500 visitors.

Manager, Gary Wheway said: “This event transforms Woodside into a magical destination that the whole family can enjoy in the lead up to Christmas. Visitors to last year’s market had a fabulous day out and, in doing so, raised money for a great cause. This year, it will be even bigger and better. We have had stallholders queuing up to be a part of it and we’ve expanded the entertainment on offer. We’re really looking forward to welcoming people through our gates once again on the 25th and

26th.”

for children) and there Entry to the event is £8 for a family of four (£3 for a single adult, £2 the area.

is free parking around www.rspcaleicester.org.uk

About Woodside Animal Centre

Located on Scudamore Road, Leicester, Woodside Animal Centre have been taking

injured animals care of stray, unwanted and for the last 40 years.

The charity aim to turn ‘sad tails into paw-fect endings’ with the help of their highly trained staff and volunteers. The branch is one of the top performing RSPCA centres in the UK, with a very low animal return rate.

Education teams provide support to pet owners, experienced and unexperienced, to continually drive hope the importance of responsible pet ownership.

Woodside Animal Centre branch is an independent

of the RSPCA, meaning they receive no financial support from the main inspectorate. The charity rely solely on public donations.

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CHRISTMAS OPEN MEETING FLOWER DEMONSTRATION Birstall Flower Club are holding our Christmas Open meeting on Wednesday 22nd November 2017.

This will be held in Birstall Village Hall and will start at 7.15 pm. Entry is by ticket only and they are available from Sylvia on 0116 2674206 or Mary on 07704398017.

The demonstrator for this fantastic evening is NAFAS national demonstrator Tony Brown. The title of his demonstration is “The Joy of Christmas”. The evening will certainly put you in the “Christmas spirit”. All you have to do is to come along, and watch this wonderful demonstration and take home ideas about how to decorate your own home for Christmas. Why not follow this by making your own ……

FRESH CHRISTMAS DOOR WREATH Birstall Flower club held a wreath making workshop last year that was so popular, we are doing it again this year. Why not come along and join us. It is a fun evening with your very own personalised door wreath to take home. Everything you need to make the Christmas wreath will be provided; along with a coffee and mince pie. Why not come along with a group of friends and make it a fun evening with something to take home at the end.

Birstall Flower Club will provide an oasis wreath ring, ribbons, an assortment of foliage, fir cones and a selection of decorations. The evening will be held at Birstall Village Hall, on Wednesday 6th December 2017 from 7-9pm.

For more details please contact Mary on 07704398017 (mary.linnett@gmail.com) or Sylvia on 0116 2674206. The fee for the evening is £15, payable when booking. Places are limited, so don’t delay, book your spaces now.

Christmas Presents Stolen From The Great Central Railway The Great Central Railway has had 370 Christmas presents stolen from one of its carriages at Quorn station. Spokesman Michael Stokes said “Sometime in the last two weeks, one of our carriages has been broken into and 370 presents have been stolen. The presents were to be donated to the Leicester Royal Infirmary children’s ward and Rainbows.

All of them were wrapped ready for delivery. We would like to take this opportunity to thank those people who have donated replacement presents already.”

The police are investigating the incident and have asked anyone with any information to get in touch.

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Amazing Animal Tales - News From...

It used to be believed that animal behaviour was governed only by instinct. However careful observational studies have shown that many emotions and reactions to situations thought to be uniquely human are found in animals. What an animal does or the way it behaves is not just instinctive but can be planned or empathetic and display strong emotional tendencies just like those experienced by humans as the following true stories illustrate.

Jasmine was a rescue greyhound who lived in the Nuneaton and Warwickshire wildlife sanctuary. Found as a pup in a dreadful condition, she was taken to the RSPCA where the owner of the sanctuary, Geoff met and adopted her. One day a young fox cub was brought in to the sanctuary whose outlook was rather bleak. Geoff became very concerned when Jasmine started to lick her but his fears disappeared when the fox cub responded to Jasmine’s touch. Over the next few days Jasmine continued to ‘mother’ the fox cub named Roxy, who grew strong and continued to live at the sanctuary with her best friend, Jasmine.

When Ai Hin had been pregnant she was moved to a special room with air conditioning and given her favourite food of buns, fruit and bamboo. Consequently when she displayed

signs of another pregnancy such as moving less and refusing food her keepers at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Centre were so thrilled they set up cameras to film the birth in her special room. However as time passed there was no birth and the keepers became suspicious. Tests revealed that Ai Hin had never had a second pregnancy. Experts believe she had faked the signs of being pregnant to get her special accommodation and favourite food.

Barnaby stayed at the grave and would not move he was so distressed. Barnaby’s vigil lasted for several days after which he was

calm enough to be led back to his pasture.

A surfer in the US was attacked and injured by a great white shark. With blood pouring from the surfer’s wound the shark prepared for a second attack while the surfer’s friends looked on helplessly. Suddenly a pod of dolphins appeared as if from nowhere and formed a circle round the injured surfer. They remained protecting the surfer from the shark until a sufficiently large wave carried him safely to shore. When he was interviewed on TV the surfer and his friends were convinced the action of the dolphin pod was deliberate.

It seems there is more to animal behaviour than we realise or often give them credit for.

They experience the same emotions as we do and our treatment of them should reflect this.

Rats are not the most popular animal to say the least. However they are known to be very

intelligent. Females are very caring mothers and rats are known to look after one another.

When two miners were walking home after their nightshift they saw two rats walking sideby-side in the distance. When they had caught up with them one of the miners bludgeoned one of the rats to death with his However Roxy was not the only animal to shovel. However the men were puzzled why receive Jasmine’s care. When other animals the remaining rat had not run away. On closer entered the sanctuary Jasmine welcomed

inspection they saw that the rat was blind and them with licks and cuddles regardless of had a piece of straw in its mouth. The miners species. Amazingly the orphaned, injured and realised that the rat they ha killed had been abandoned animals she cared for included guiding the blind rat. Each had held the end more fox cubs, badger cubs, chicks, guinea of a piece of straw in its mouth. pigs, puppies, rabbits and a roe deer fawn.

A policeman in the US was on foot patrol Sadly Jasmine passed away in 2011 and is when a duck kept tugging at his trouser legs. remembered as the most amazing greyhound The duck was so persistent that when she in the world! When her calf was taken from her started to walk in a particular direction the and sent to the local abattoir, Emma the cow policeman followed her. Arriving at a grate in escaped from her field. She ran more than the road the policeman saw a number of four miles to find the building where her calf ducklings policeman had fallen through

it.

The

was in line to be slaughtered. Emma made removed the grate and carefully lifted out the such a commotion that her calf ran frantically trapped ducklings who were reunited with to her. Touched happened

mother.

by what had the their calf was spared and together with his mother A farmer in Germany had a pet bull named returned to the farmer who kept them both as Barnaby. When the farmer died suddenly pets.

Barnaby was so distressed he left his field and The ability to be cunning is illustrated by a story searched for his master. After walking a mile about Ai Hin, a female giant panda who

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Putting your old coins to good use!

Birstall Remembers

Local older people could benefit from your old pound coins which are no longer legal tender.

Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland, is a local independent charity supporting vulnerable older people and the charity is asking if you would like to donate your old pound coins by dropping them in at any of their shops, centres or offices.

Donations will help local services for older people such as day-care centres, wellbeing activities and befriending and will support those who are most vulnerable and isolated.

Tony Donovan, Executive Director of Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland said: 'If anyone would like to donate their old pound coins they can do so by visiting any of our shops, centres or offices.

People may have lots of old pound coins in various places such as piggy banks and drawers and even down the side of their sofas and these could be put to good use by helping improve the lives of our local older people.'

With an ageing population and further funding cuts from the local authorities the services of Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland are in more demand than ever before. The need to bridge the financial gap is essential in helping to sustain the care received by thousands of local older people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

For any businesses, schools or colleges wanting to take part in a collection of ‘old coins for older people’ please email helen.fairhead@ageukleics.org.uk or call 0116 2237346.

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