Birstall Post (337) Aug 2011

AUGUST 2011 No. 337

the Birstall postY O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

Egg-citing discovery at HighcliffeHUGE EGGS oozing with blueslime and inside a giant nestintrigued the children at High-cliffe Primary school whenthey arrived one Friday morn-ing in July.

Discovered beneath a bush in theschool playground and protected bypolice officers and crime scene tape, thechildren were invited to speculate onwhat they were and sent off to look forclues in the school grounds.

The day was planned as part of aninitiative called ‘Everybody Writes’, tostimulate creative writing.

Assistant Headteacher Katherine Ren-shaw said: “There was excellent work

Pic: Investigating the eggs are Rachael Godfrey,Isobel North, Charlie Simsand William Bywater with PCSO Mark Butler

Continued on page 2

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AUG 2011THE BIRSTALL POST2

happening across the school includingmodel making, trap setting, designingwarning posters, scientific investigationsand children being reporters.

“The whole school was alive with abuzz of excitement, enthusiasm andcreativity!”

At 2.30pm the whole school weresummoned to an emergency assembly,where Assistant Headteacher Mr Fisherwas revealed, caught on camera sneakilyplacing the eggs and nest early thatmorning.

Katherine said: “All the children andstaff had an unforgettable day, with com-ments such as “this is the best day atschool .…ever!” I would like to say a bigthank you to PC Paul Williams and PCSOMark Butler for coming to help us ontheir day off. They were brilliant in mak-ing the whole day seem real. Also to allthe staff who helped to make the day notonly believable, but very successful.

“It will be a day that is rememberedfor a very long time, the children arestill talking about it now!”

BIRSTALL’S NEW park and ridesite opened in July.

The £5.5million facility will link upwith the Enderby to Leicester park andride and the two services together willcost £830,000 annually to run.

Concerns are being expressed thatthe level of subsidy required to keep theservice going cannot be maintained.

In the last financial year, the servicebrought in an income of £212,000which resulted in the County and CityCouncils each having to provide£309,000 to make up the shortfall. Thisexceeded each council’s estimated allo-cation that they had each budgeted:£70,000.

The level of subsidy that is required isa reflection of both national and region-al government’s determination to reduceboth car journeys and carbon emissions.

In July, the government awardedLeicester City Council £4.41million toinvest in sustainable travel across thecity. The city council successfully bid fora share of the government’s £560millionLocal Sustainable Transport Fund, de-signed to support measures that reducecongestion, cut carbon emissions andimprove health and environmental stand-ards.

The City Council’s bid document ex-plains how it aims to “nudge existingemployees and new employees to travelby bus, walk and cycle” and that oneuse of the bid money will be employingcoaches to provide “adult cycle training”,

“walking training” and“travel guidance”.

While there is no signof the levels of govern-ment subsidy for sustaina-ble transport declining,the County have said thatlinking the Birstall parkand ride with Enderby willreduce costs,. They havealso removed LeicesterRoyal Infirmary and DeMontfort University fromthe route to save money.

To break even, a totalof 36,550 cars need to use theEnderby and Birstall park andride site every month. The latestfigures show about 8500 havebeen using the Enderby site eachmonth.

• The standard fare for a re-turn ticket to Leicester fromBirstall park and ride is £3.

• A group of up to five peoplecan pay £3.50 for a group ticket.

This is available from 9am Mon-Fri andall day on Saturday. The group will needto arrive in one car, as the group ticketis required to exit the car park throughthe barrier

• Service details :www.quicksilverbus.co.uk

Continued from page 1

The September issue ofTHE BIRSTALL POST

will be published on Sept 2.The copy deadline is Aug 19.

Park & ride heavily subsidised

Pic: inside the terminal building

Pic:(front, l-r) Asst Director of Transportation at Leicestershire County Council Ian Drummond, AsstCity Mayor Ted Cassidy, Lesley Pendleton and Director of Planning & Regeneration Jeff Miller

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AUG 2011THE BIRSTALL POST 3

A LOCAL junior football club has receiveda grant of £5000.

Birstall United Juniors FC are celebrating the newsthat they will receive a Grow the Game grant of £5000from the Football Foundation towards developing new

over £520m.Players are invited to the Club’s

‘Come and Try’ sessions on Thursdays 7th

& 12th July from 6-7.30pm at their Lake-side Meadows Sports Ground, MeadowLane in Birstall. Players will have thechance to meet the coaches and join infun skills and games of football.

If you would like more informationregarding Inclusive Football at BirstallUnited FC or would like to register toattend the ‘Come and Try Football Ses-sions’ please contact Mick Joinson atBirstall United Juniors FC on07989115656.

GIRL GUIDING Birstallorganised a ‘Scare-crow Festival’ atBelgrave Hall muse-um in July.

Visitors were invited tovote for their favouritescarecrow at the event,which also featured stalls,refreshments, children’scrafts and activities and acampfire singsong.

The scarecrow winnerswere: Happiest – AcornU5s Preschool, Birstall;Funniest – Pelican Patrol,

1st Birstall Guides; Best

Dressed – 2nd BirstallGuides. The overall win-ner was ‘The Only Way is

Birstall’ made by 2nd

Birstall Guides.Pics: (top) Guides Hannah,Emily & Emma with theirprize winning scarecrowand, below, some of theother imaginative crea-tions

football teams.The grant will help fund a new inclusive football

team which will allow boys and girls aged 8-18 with alearning, physical, sensory or specialneeds disability the chance to play foot-ball. The club will also be able to offermore girls the chance to become part ofa new team within what is already aCharter Standard football club. The wid-er community will also benefit throughincreased opportunities to volunteeralongside the current coaching staff.Volunteering is an opportunity to gainnew qualifications and at the same timegive something back to the local commu-nity.

Mick Joinson, Under 16s coach andWelfare Officer at Birstall United JFC,said: “Birstall United JFC is extremelyproud of its achievement in obtainingthis grant and we are extremely gratefulto the Football Foundation who continueto help the grassroots, and also Leices-tershire and Rutland County FA for theirhelp and support.

“Football crosses many barriers andthis funding from the Football Founda-tion will allow us to develop and nurturethe talent and skills of young peoplewith physical or learning disabilities whohave not been catered for within theclub before. We will offer these childrennot only skills but a confidence andenergy they can use both off and on thepitch.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive ofthe Football Foundation, said: “Creditshould go to Birstall United Juniors FCand the Leicestershire and Rutland Coun-ty FA for securing this Grow the Gamefunding. The Foundation’s Grow theGame grant scheme is giving crucialfinancial support to grass roots clubsacross the country, enabling them toprovide new footballing opportunities forboys and girls of all ages, and significant-ly increases football participation.”

Funded by the Premier League, TheFA, and the Government via Sport Eng-land, the Football Foundation is thenation’s largest sports charity. Since itwas launched in 2000, the Foundationhas awarded around 8,000 grants worthmore than £420m towards improvinggrassroots sport, which it has used toattract additional partnership funding of

Pic: Mary Rudkin from the Leics and Rutland County FA presentsthe cheque to Jim Lennon, Club Secretary (left) and Mick Joinson,Club Welfare Officer

Guides’ scarecrow creationsFootball club’s£5000 grantfor new teams

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230 RUNNERS took part in a chari-ty run at Watermead Country Park.

Organised by the Wreake ValleyRotary Club, the event was sponsoredby Guardian Security with profitsgoing to the Leicester branch of theMotor Neurone Disease Association.

A spokesperson for the club said:“We have already set a date for nextyear, Wednesday July 11, and wehope we can see the numbers in-crease again. Many runners like this

course as it is flat and so helps themsee their personal best timings. A bigthanks to all those who took part inparticular the members of the BirstallYouth Café who ran the water stationand also a BBQ afterwards raisingfunds for their club.”

The winners were: 5 miles AshleySabin (25.41) & Jenni Muston(30.55); 3 miles, Will Terry (19.32),Linda Young (21.45)

Students from Longslade CommunityCollege deployed their Big Tidy up opera-tion on Wednesday, July 13, targetingSibson Road, Wanlip Lane, the MeadowLane skate park, Greengate Lane andBirstall’s playing fields.

It was a part of the students’ citizen-ship course and they were armed withan array of eco-weapons such as litterpickers and bags provided by Charn-wood Borough Council’s waste educa-tion team.

Jason Smith, Assistant Principal atLongslade Community College, said:

“This day is a part of our ongoing com-mitment to educating young peopleabout the importance of our local com-

munity and looking after the environ-ment. Students are excited about doingsome voluntary work in the village tothank our neighbours who provide somuch support for the College”

And Year 10 student James Coopersaid: “I am very surprised and excitedthat our work is going to make a majorcontribution to cleaning up Longsladeand the community.”

Do you know an environmental of-fender or want to report an incident?Call 01509 634564 or [email protected]: Longslade students picked uplitter at the Harrowgate Drive playingfield.

AN ARMY of 200 students descended on Birstall on a major litterpick last month, with a little help from Charnwood BoroughCouncil.

A POPULAR worker at a Birstall nurs-ery was praised by parents, staff andchildren at a special celebration party.

Birstall Rainbow Nursery on WanlipLane organised the party for Donna Nut-tall, who has worked there for 10 yearsand is now the Senior Nursery Officer.

Paula Wright, Nursery Manager, said:“Donna is very caring and loving towardsthe children and is always there to listenand give lots of cuddles. She ensures thechildren are always busy playing, learn-ing and having fun.”

Parent Hollie Slaw-son said: “Donnawas my daugh-ter Laila’s veryfirst teacher atthe nurseryand is verylovely andfriendly andhelped Lailasettle in verywell.”

Donna (27),who lives inBirstall,said:

“I enjoyed my party, it was lovely tosee the parents and children hav-ing fun. I have loved working atRainbows, it’s like one big fami-ly and I’ve made many goodfriends and look forward tomaking many more in the

years to come.”Pic: Donna at her

party(left) and out-side the nursery

with some of thechildren

Country Park run

Birstall litter blitzed

Party for Donna

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Cara Parbery (38) from RosetreeAvenue and Jude Thomas (33) fromStanton Under Bardon will be spending7-8 hours a day in the saddle, taking sixdays to cover the 122 mile route.

Cara said: “We’ll be mostly camping

overnight although we have one night ofcomfort in a B&B. The biggest challengewill be living without my creature com-forts for a week!

“The terrain at times will be quitedifficult as much of it is mountainousand moorland, which will be tough go-ing for the horses.”

Both Cara and Jude are experiencedriders and own their own horses.

Sands supports anyone affected by thedeath of a baby and both Cara and Judehave suffered such a loss: Cara’s grand-son Kyle and Jude’s son Henry, wholived just 21 hours.

Jude said: “After losing Henry we feltextremely isolated and desperately sad.Our whole world fell apart. Althoughfamily and friends were very supportive,it was hard for them to understand ourloss. We contacted our local branch ofSands and the phone was answered by abereaved parent who understood every-thing we were feeling. Through them wehave been put in touch with a networkof other bereaved parents who still wantto listen when it feels like everyone elsehas moved on. It is hard to imaginewhere my and my husband would benow without the support of Sands.”

To support Cara and Jude’s fundrais-ing go to www.justgiving.com/Kyle-and-Henry

Follow their journey at:http://caraandjude.blinkweb.com/

Sands website is: www.uk-sands.orgPic: Cara Parbery (right) with horseOshie and Jude Thomas with Lime

LESLIE AND Jean Gale celebrated 60 years of marriage on June 30.The couple, from Lawn Avenue, are shown here celebrating with a family meal at

the White Horse in Birstall.Les is a familiar face in the Birstall Men’s Pantomime, playing the part of the

Dame for the last few decades. The couple received a card from the Queen, and arelooking forward to a short break in Scarborough with the whole family later in theyear.

TWO FRIENDS will set off on a 122 mile ride along the Penninebridleway this September, raising money for Sands, the still-birth and neonatal death charity.

LEICESTER’S TOWN Hallsquare bike park is under-going a £150,000 refur-bishment.

Once completed, the bike parkwill have more space, improvedlockers, shower facilities and cyclemaintenance services.

The number of people cycling inLeicester has doubled in the lastfive years, say the City Council, andaround 150 people park theircycles at the bike park each day.

While the refurbishment is un-derway temporary secure bikeparking is being provided free ofcharge at the former Central Lend-ing Library on Belvoir Street.

Friends set offon epic ride

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Staff and students attended a ceremo-ny at Beaumanor Hall in Woodhouse toreceive their ‘Beyond Bullying’ awards.

Each of the winning schools hasdemonstrated good practice across arange of areas from teaching about bully-ing, listening to pupils’ views, providinga range of support and demonstratingthe commitment of the whole school toanti-bullying.

The work they have done includessupporting students to develop childfriendly versions of their school anti-bullying policy, producing a school anti-bullying charter, developing peer sup-

port schemes in their schools and involv-ing parents and school governors inanti-bullying work.

Beyond Bullying is a new pilot initia-tive run by Leicestershire County Coun-cil’s anti-bullying team.

Early feedback from schools says theyhave developed and improved their anti-bullying work over the year, workingmore closely with both students andparents. Sue Bosley, Leicestershire Coun-ty Council’s anti-bullying manager, said:

“Bullying can have such a devastatingimpact on people’s lives. I’m delightedto see schools putting in so much hardwork to address the issue and they fullydeserve their awards.”

As well as receiving their anti-bullyingawards each of the schools has alsoachieved enhanced healthy schools sta-tus.

Children from Tangent House DayNursery unveiled the sculpture, a por-trait bench depicting two bronze agepeople and an Aurochs, an extinct wildox.

The figures for the bench were cho-sen following a public vote and beat offother suggestions for which local heroesshould be immortalised in the piece.Ideas put forward had included natural-ist David Attenborough, transport pio-neer Thomas Cook and rugby world cupwinner Martin Johnson.

The bench has been installed at theThurmaston end of the park which ismanaged by the County Council. It ispart of a national art initiative fromSustrans which is adorning a series ofnew everyday walking and cycling routesin communities across the UK and isfunded thanks to a lottery grant.

The installation of the bench also tiesin with the completion of two projectswithin Connect2 to improve access andlinks to Watermead for cyclists and walk-

ers, parents with buggies and peoplewith mobility difficulties.

Leicestershire County Council andSustrans have worked together to installnew on and off carriageway cyclewayslinking Thurmaston, Syston and the cityvia Watermead with Longslade Communi-ty College and Stonehill High School inBirstall. Wider pavements and improvedcrossing points have also been installedalong Wanlip Lane.

Watermead’s Connect2 project is a£1.4million scheme. It is part of Sus-trans’ nationwide Connect2 schemewhich won £50m from the Big LotteryFund in 2007.

Matthew Easter, Sustrans’ RegionalDirector for the East Midlands, said:

“It’s great to see the portrait bench in-stalled, adding some extra intrigue to theroute while also providing an insightinto Leicestershire’s history.Pic: Lesley Pendleton with Erin Holm-es (3, left), Jessica Protheroe (3)and James Lowe from Sustrans

A NEW piece of public art has been installed at Watermead Coun-try Park to celebrate Sustrans’ Connect2 scheme.

STONEHILL AND Longslade are among 17 county schools who havereceived awards for the work they have done to tackle and preventbullying.

Village schoolstackle bullying

Striking sculpturein country park

The September issue ofTHE BIRSTALL POST

will be published on Sept 2.The copy deadline is Aug 19.

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TWO STUDENTS at Longslade Collegeenjoyed a unique learning experienceat the University of Portsmouth.

Jake Pitchers (15) and Jack Smith(14) attended a four day residentialcourse, sponsored by the university,which gave the students a valuable in-sight into the field of electronic engineer-ing. During the course 14 and 15 yearold students took part in ‘solder-and-keep’ workshops and gained hands-onexperience of electronics by designing

A NEW Community Centre on the edge of Birstall is expected toopen later this year.

and building circuits.The main objective of the course was

to inspire and encourage young studentsto consider a career in electronics.

Jake said: “I gained a really positiveinsight into the world of Electronic Engi-neering” and Jack added: “I really en-joyed the course and found it veryhelpful in thinking about my careerchoices.”Pic: Jake Pitchers and Jack Smith

The £1.7million Greenacres Centre,next to the GCR Birstall station on Re-dhill Way, is owned by Leicester CityCouncil.

A spokesman for the Council said:“There were delays in completing theworks needed to the building owing tothe contractor going into liquidation.Delays were also caused by the installa-tion of an electricity sub-station.

“However, the work is now nearingcompletion and the council is in theprocess of agreeing a lease with a poten-tial new tenant.

“There is still some work to be done

before we can announce details of thenew tenant, but our aim is for the build-ing to be completed and the lease final-ised by the end of August.”

When first planned, the building wasto include a café, arts and crafts spaces,conference rooms, a shop, computerrooms and a pet centre. It was sched-uled to open in 2008 but the not-for-profit company building it, Chaos Enter-prises, went bust and it was taken overby the City Council

New centre ready

RAINBOW CO-OP Pre-school Playgroup had a ‘fun in the sun’session with all the children and their families, to celebrate theend of a great year.

The staff said farewell and goodluck to children leaving for primaryschool and several tears were shed.Leader Julie Parker said: “A big thankyou to our committee of parents andto Karen and Raminda for the supportand encouragement given to the groupby the Co-op Member Relations Team”.

The nursery also celebrated theirrecent Ofsted inspection which ratedthe setting as good overall, and out-

standing in the extent to which chil-dren achieve and enjoy their learningand develop skills for the future.

Julie added: “We look forward toreturning in the Autumn term. If youhave a child aged 2 years or over andare looking for a small and friendlyeducational environment with an em-phasis on fun, then please contact meon 0779360612. There is a warm wel-come awaiting you!”

Playgroup’s endof year party

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I have signed up to take part in theSahara Adventure Challenge for ThePrince's Trust in November 2011, aimingto raise over £3,300 to help change thelives of disadvantaged young people forthe better. This is going to be an ex-treme physical and mental challenge forme. I will be pushed to my limits; trek-king, running and biking 140km in 5days across the Moroccan Sahara inextremes of temperature. For more infor-mation go to www.princes-trust.org.uk/sahara. I really want to raiseas much as I possibly can to support thevital work of The Prince's Trust, so allcontributions are very much appreciated.Donating on my fundraising page isquick, easy and totally secure. It's also

the most efficient way to sponsor me:The Prince's Trust gets your money fast-er and, if you're a UK taxpayer, 25% inGift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, can beadded to your donation at no extra costto yourself. Thank you so much for yoursupport!

The total raised for my race night onJune 24 was £450. This will be going tothe Prince’s Trust.

The organisations that donated were:Davies and Greenwood; Baines Fish andChips; Notions; Birstall Jewellers; BirstallGarden Centre; The Posey Bowl; Flint;The Fresh Approach; Anstey DrivingLessons; Birstall Pet Supplies; Shoe Cityand Ross Butchers

A special thanks to The Earl of Stam-ford where the night was held and SoarValley race nights.

Zoe Atkins

What do you do when you want touse a loo

In an English Birstall VillageYou pull down your pants and culti-

vate the plantsIn the English Birstall VillagePlease have a care when there isn’t

one thereYou will have to beg my pardonAs I will, you can be sure, I shall be

using the floorIn the English Birstall Village

This is an urgent request. PleaseParish Council, do something, there arefar more older people who really dohave a problem. The toilets in Stonehillwere a blessing to us and they were keptbeautiful and clean. Why have they beenforced to close?

Mrs Harrison

YOUR SAY...

The Birstall Post welcomes your views and opin-ions on any subject. Letters, which must includeyour name and address, (though not necessarily forpublication) can be posted to: The Birstall Post,Longslade College, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, LeicesterLE4 4GH, or handed in at Birstall library or email:[email protected]

This year, Longslade Community Col-lege has been able to order another

computer - their 6th to date - and aCanon A4 Flatbed Scanner for theirLearning and Information Centre, with648 vouchers banked for next year. Thetotal collection this year was 14,162 awonderful achievement and your contri-butions of vouchers have been invalua-ble, once again. The equipment onorder will add to their tally to date oftwo printers, digital camera, sensorequipment for scientific experiments,software, portable external hard drive,portable interactive whiteboard andreplacement pens for existing white-boards. Good news all round!

Sheila Beatty, Longslade

Many thanks to the gentleman whostopped when I flagged him down in

School Lane Birstall on Friday 8th about1pm, my car had started to feel strangeand I pulled over to have a look only tofind a flat back tyre, the weather was abit grim and I had forgotten my mobile!

After a few moments a car came fromthe A6 direction and the gentleman gotout of his car, confirmed my tyre wasflat and promptly found the spare andchanged it, the flat went back into thecar and my good Samaritan went on hisway. I managed to get his name as ‘Glyn’so once again many thanks Glyn for yourkindness on that Friday.

Thankfully, Ann Harvey

So, who is responsible for HallamFields/Bridge Green?

I wrote a few weeks ago about theconstant dog mess and general rubbishalong Bridge Green (Jelson’s HallamFields Estate), at the same time I wroteto Charnwood Borough Council regardingthe issue.

The response from Charnwood Bor-ough Council was that as the area is yetto be adopted by the council responsibili-ty lies with Jelsons and the council

“could do nothing”.I have written to Jelsons regarding this

matter on more than one occasion but todate have received no reply.

I assume, therefore, that it will contin-ue to be left to responsible people likemyself to keep on picking up rubbishthrown down by others, am I then ableto take the full bags of rubbish to Jel-son’s Head Office and leave it on theirdoorstep, or just tip it over the fenceonto the building site?

I can guarantee that if all this rubbishwas outside Jelson’s show house then itwould soon disappear! These days itseems that it is always someone else’sresponsibility!

Hallam Fields Resident

What has Carl Gunns have to do toget the recognition he deserves here inBirstall? This man has done so much forthe village that I feel he has been ig-nored by Birstall people. He has wonevery award going all over Charnwoodand throughout England. My advice toCarl is to take your gym elsewhere.

M Hymann

Sahara trip Tesco vouchers

Toilet troubles

Thanks

Constant mess

Recognition

WoodlandsDay Nursery

This fantastic accolade is a real testament to our hard work, high standards and commit-ment to our children and their families. We look forward to meeting you to discuss yourchildcare needs.

Woodlands Day Nursery is proud toannounce that we have been award-ed an Outstanding rating by Ofstedin all 17 standards.

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At 0800 on Sibson Road, on ThursdayJune 30, our neighbour Colin noticed smokecoming out from under our garage door. Heawoke me and my son so that we were ableto call the fire brigade at an early stage andlimit the damage.

I am writing to thank all my neighboursand all those passing by that helped. We hadneighbours, including Harry from Allens fami-ly, helping to put out the fire and Berniemaking drinks and toast for the fire brigade.There were also passers by, complete stran-gers to me, who helped to put out the fireand direct traffic. I don’t know who you arebut thank you so much for taking time tohelp. It was really appreciated and I am sorryI couldn’t thank you all personally.

Elise James

Over the last few years I have been fortu-nate to watch numerous summer and wintershows of both musicals and dance routinesperformed by students of the Starlight TheatreSchool.

Essentially this was a Birstall based groupbut nowadays students come from all areas.

My interest was and in fact still is, watch-ing my granddaughter and her friends devel-op from those tiny tots doing their ‘ChickChick Chicken’ and ‘A Hugging and a Kissingwith Fred’ routines, progressing into theirteens and becoming sophisticated and matureperformers.

For many years these concerts were heldat Babington College but recently have movedto the Peepul Centre with better lighting,better sound and a bigger stage. This year’ssummer show utilised all those assets to thefull.

It was an absolute knock-out, how do theyall remember those various moves and rou-tines, the timing, the portrayal of the music.

Yes, it was first class, to cap it all a finaleby two of the leading lights ‘Sophie and Lillie’performing together for the last time beforemoving to pastures new.

Was there a dry eye in the audience asthey danced and swayed – finally comingtogether in an emotional embrace as the finalcurtain came down.

Congratulations to everyone involved, rollon the Christmas show.

K A Miller

Regarding the reports that Charnwoodare cracking down on pavement parking:are these £50 fines going to offset the£5.5million White Elephant that they havecarefully labelled Birstall Park and Ride?

I see it will be linked to the EnderbyPark and Ride - what a pity nobody toldthem that scheme was closing down!

Look, nobody can disagree that pave-ment parking is illegal and can be danger-ous, HOWEVER, look and drive down manyof the streets in Birstall and you will realisethat many of them would be impassible ifwe DIDN'T park on the pavement. Are weto wait until an Emergency Vehicle is una-ble to attend a serious incident beforesomeone realises the daftness of enforcingthis law. And forget about buses and deliv-ery lorries getting through - they've got nochance if we all park ‘off the pavement’.

The problem is not ‘parking on thepavement’, it is ‘thoughtless parking on thepavement’ that causes difficulty. The vastmajority of pavement parkers do so in asensible manner that allows both passage ofvehicles and pedestrians (prams etc includ-ed), it is just the odd few who (whetherparking or no) either couldn't give a tossfor their fellow men or are too stupid towork out the result of their thoughtlessness.

We don't need Wardens mindlessly slap-ping tickets on cars that are partly on pave-ments, what we need are thoughtfulWardens slapping tickets on thoughtlessidiots.

Harry

Two OAPs who desperately needed atoilet on Thursday June 30 found therewas no toilet in Birstall open. So whatdoes one do in that predicament?

The embarrassment – what do thepeople do, who are desperate to use theloo, especially the oldies, we can’t holdit for long?

By the way, the fireworks that costgoodness knows what, could that moneyhave maintained a toilet?

Desperate OAP of 47 years inBirstall

Can you or anyone tell me why CarlGunns who has done so much charitywork in this village, has not had theaccolade he deserves here in Birstall.

Every year it’s always other peoplethat get recognised but never Carl, is heinvisible?

Birstall people do not deserve thisman or his gym.

Ex Birstall resident now livingin Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray

The Rolls Royce Retired EmployeesAssociation was founded on February 23,1951. The aim of the Association was

“to provide social intercourse by meansof concerts, outings and exhibitions ofarts and crafts etc to give Rolls RoyceEmployees an interest following theirretirement”. This aim still holds goodtoday with concerts at the Rolls RoyceLeisure complex on Moor Lane in Derbyoutings this year to date to Woburn Ab-bey, Llangollen, Port Sunlight, MarshFarm, Love Never Dies and trips plannedto Buckingham Palace, Tower of London,Llandudno and Bruges.

One of the highlights of this year willbe a “Last Night of the Proms” on Octo-ber 21 at Rolls Royce in Derby: watchthe press for more details.

With many ex-employees living in theLoughborough area who worked at theMountsorrel factory until its closure in1994 and many people being transferredto Derby and Hucknall the Association iskeen to encourage new members fromthis area.

We hold a monthly get together atRolls Royce Leisure on the second Tues-day of each month at 1pm where youcan meet up with ex workmates andenjoy a drink and a reasonably pricedlight meal.

Anyone interested can contact me on0116 2106917 or by email:[email protected]

Patrick Neal

Thanks to the generosity of the peo-ple of Birstall and Wanlip we have raised£3102 during Christian Aid week thisyear. This has only been possible withthe unending support of those who gaveup their time to collect envelopes, ar-range coffee mornings and help with thehuge task or organising the house tohouse collections. Thanks also to localbusinesses – Ruby Tuesdays and TheLambourne Café – who kindly donatedmuch appreciated raffle prizes.

Joanne Oates

I am writing as I would like to thankone of your advertisers, John Hoskins ofBirstall, from Midlands Window Installa-tions Ltd. I would like to thank them fortheir kind and excellent service, promptattention and very pleasant disposition atall times – nothing was too much trou-ble.

I must say that it was a pleasure todeal with him. I can fully recommendthe work he did for me.

Wishing him continued success withhis business.

Mrs I M Patrick

Thank you to Mr. Blackburn for hisreply to my letter concerning the shelteron School Lane. I don't expect Mr Black-burn travels by bus, so probably would notknow how useful a shelter is during in-clement weather.

Consisting, as it did, of four poles and aroof, it was never a target for graffiti -there was nowhere to put it, unlike otherstructures, junction boxes and shop frontsin the village. Will nothing ever be built inBirstall again because of the risk of graffiti?I find this rather a defeatist attitude.

The only vandalism that occurred to it

Starlight stars

Parking

Toilet or fireworks?

Invisible

Rolls Royce

Christian Aid

Good service Bus shelter

Continued on page 10

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was when it was removed.I realise that a simple shelter is not a

high cost, 'high-vis' prestigious project likethe Park and Ride, offering photo opportu-nities and perhaps the odd meeting andlunch at County Hall, but just 4 new sturdypoles and a roof would make life so muchmore comfortable for everybody who usesthe seat.

It surely would not cost more than afew hundred pounds, if that, which palesinto insignificance against the Pavilionextension at £64,000; Skate park at£65,500; Games area at £27,500 and thePark and Ride at £5.5 million. Just as anaside, what, pray, is a 'games area' that hasto cost £27,500?

I am not really interested in whichcouncil has ‘responsibility’ for shelters, justas long as there is one provided, and hope-fully before autumn/winter (this year).Just four poles and a roof - nothing fancy!To quote Anthony Aloysius Hancock: “Ipays me rates and I knows me rights!”

K. Leigh Reid

Just a few lines to say how disappoint-ed I am regards Carl Gunns the Gymowner here in Birstall.

Every year this man runs a gym forchildren six times a week, yet when itcomes to recognising his efforts here inthe village he gets ignored. Why hasn’t

that he is choosing to ignore them :whichever is the case, it is very surpris-ing and sad.

In fact it is an appalling, outrageousletter and an outsider who does notknow anything about Birstall, on readingthat letter would naturally gain the im-pression that it is a poor, neglected,depressing place with few facilities.

He states that the former bowlinggreen (on which the new car park at theend of Sibson Road has been estab-lished) was the last bit of grass sur-rounding the village. He chooses toignore the large bit of grass which is theSchool Lane playing field, all the footballpitches on Meadow Lane and the play-ground off Harrowgate Drive and ofcourse the large bits of grass whichconstitute the playing fields at Stonehilland Longslade schools. Also of coursethere is the wonderful Watermead Coun-try Park on the edge of Birstall.

I think the parish council deserves tobe commended for creating the new carpark. With all the trees, other plants andthe seating which have been placedthere it is environmentally friendly and itis the nicest car park I have seen. Withthe continuing ownership it is bound tobe used more and more. Similarly withthe new Park and Ride facility off the A6,there’s no doubt it will be used by a lotof drivers and it will gradually lookmore green and pleasant as all the treesand other plants to be placed around itgrow to maturity.

It is encouraging to see that the threenew shop units built to replace theformer video store on Sibson Road areall occupied now. It is noteworthy thatall the shops etc along Sibson Road areon one side which means that shoppers,users of banks etc do not have to keepcrossing that busy road in order to visitshops and other places on the other side.I know of no other village/small town ofsimilar size where, on the main shop-ping street, all the shops etc are just onone side. It could be said to be an ad-vantageous and outstanding feature ofBirstall.

The Parish Council also deserves tobe commended for establishing the pavil-ion on School Lane playing field andthus providing a meeting place for youngpeople on two evenings each week. It isgood news that it is to be extended.

I am always impressed by all thesocieties and clubs there are in Birstallcatering for different age groups. I wasamazed recently to read of the manyjunior teams at the Football Club. All theadults who organise and run these teamsmust spend a lot of time and effort indoing so and they deserve praise fortaking on a tremendous, worthwhile taskand similarly praise is merited for thesewho run teams at the Cricket Club (I

I have to say that I agree with what AGodby is saying about Birstall lookingdrab (July issue). Indeed it does.

I liken Birstall to South Wigston,which I consider is the poor relation toWigston Magna and Oadby.

If we look at our neighbours Syston,Rothley and Mountsorrel, then we toolook like the poor relation. Our neigh-bouring villages all look as if someonecares about them. What does Birstallhave? A few drab hanging baskets in thesummer and at Christmas a few trees,and only half of them are lit.

Maybe our parish council should findout how we would like the village tolook.

Incidentally, I have always wonderedwhat happened to the lights that used toadorn the two tees outside the GreengateMedical Centre at Christmas.

C A Withers

D Jones in his letter (The BirstallPost, July issue) indicates he is eitherunaware of all the facilities in Birstall or


Disappointed

Drab?

Good facilities

he ever won Volunteer of the Year inthis village, he wins every other awardall over the country.

Douglas Walsh

used to be the secretary of a cricketclub in Suffolk so I know what thatentails).

Birstall has lots of different facilities(and there are decent ones Mr Jones!)eg a good variety of shops, banks etc,dentists, opticians, solicitors, estateagents, a very good garden centre, anexcellent library, good schools, threelovely church buildings, a few good pubswhich provide meals and other eatingplaces, a good day nursery, the specialneeds day nursery, the very successfulboxing gym run by the dynamic CarlGunns, the Social Club and The RoyalBritish Legion Club. On the edge of Bir-stall the Golf Club and the Great CentralRailway with its station. There is theNeighbourhood Watch scheme (forwhich in its early days I worked hard tohelp get it established) which is said tobe the best organised and run scheme inthe county and possibly in the country.

Also I feel I must mention particularlyone facility with which I have been asso-ciated over several years, namely: StJames Day Care Centre – the idea forwhich came from a former vicar RevCharles Bradshaw and for which heworked long and hard in order to get itup and running. The two efficient manag-ers and all the caring volunteers make ita lovely friendly little gem of a placewhere from Monday to Thursday severalelderly people, many of them frail andvulnerable and living alone, enjoy a dayout each week and thus enabling somecarers to have a respite day. The won-derful cook, Roswitha, produces superblunches on Thursdays and providesthese on Fridays for up to 40 residents.Last but not least St James Day CareCentre has a bathroom (with a height-adjustable bath to make life easier forthe specially employed lovely lady work-ing as the bath nurse) where severalpeople each week, who find it difficultor impossible to bath themselves athome, appreciate being able to have asupervised bath in safety and comfort fora modest charge. It is with a sense ofpride to point out that this is the onlyday care centre in city and county toprovide a bathing facility which seemsincredible but there it is and it could besaid to be another outstanding feature ofBirstall.

Also we are fortunate to have TheBirstall Post, a first class publicationgiving lots of news and information.

So let us all be positive and acknowl-edge and appreciate all the good facili-ties which are available for various agegroups in Birstall – no wonder it seemsto be a popular location for people tomove to as residents.

Mr J Woods

I think it is time something was doneabout allotted parking space outsideMichaels butchers shop opposite Birstallcabs as it has become a taxi rank, soanyone who just wants to nip into any ofthese shops cannot park there. With alarge free car park nearby there is noreason for them to be there.

Mr B C Burrows

Taxi rank?

Reprints of photos inTHE BIRSTALL POST

are available:A5 £2 & A4 £5

ALL TYPES OF DOMESTIC& INDUSTRIAL WORK

Extra PointsAlarmsRewiringSecurity LightingElectrical TestingPart P Registered

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BIRSTALL PARISH COUNCILVACANCY FOR HOLIDAY RELIEF

CARETAKER/GATE LOCKERWe are looking for a responsible person toprovide holiday cover for our caretaker for

28 days throughout the year includingweekends, plus sickness cover.

Hours:The hours are mainly in the evenings andat weekends, and work around bookingsfor the Village Hall out of office hours.Duties:• Village Hall - Unlock and lock for book-ings after 4:30pm during the week and forall daytime and evenings bookings at theweekends.• Clean the hall and toilets after each book-ing.• Unlock / Lock the Gates at:Greengate Lane CemeteryHarrowgate Drive Playing FieldsSchool Lane Playing Fields Car ParkPublic toilets on School Lane PlayingFields car park (weekends only)• Stonehill Avenue ToiletsUnlock, clean and lock. (Mon to Sat).

Rate of Pay:The rate of pay will be the appropriate na-tional minimum wage.

For further details and an application form,please contact the Clerk, Mr Steve Black-burn on Tel: 267 6191. Applicationsshould be received by Friday 12 August.

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St Theresa’s Youth GroupSummer Trips

A number of coach trips suitable for youngpeople and families will be running be-tween August 22 to 26 to Waterworld,

Skegness, Drayton Manor Park and AltonTowers. Prices will include transport andfor more details please ring Mark on

2203628• • •

Try a TRY4CHARITYno matter how slow give it a goin memory of Hannah Edwards

Sunday September 4South Charnwood Swimming Pool, Melton

Road, Syston, Leicester LE7 1LY400m swim : 20km bike : 5km run& Kids Aquathlon (Swim and Run)

distances dependent on ageAll proceeds to:

• Leicester Parents Group of Diabetes -70%

• Friends of Chernobyl’s Children (FOCC)East Leicestershire – 20%

• Wreake Runners Juniors – 10%www.try-a-tri-4-charity.co.uk

• • •

Open ChurchSt Leonard’s Church, Swithland LE12 8TJ

Saturday July 9 & Sunday July 10& Saturday August 13 & Sunday August 14

from 2-4.30pmTea, cakes and books, donations in aid of

Church Funds.• • •

Summer FayreSwithland Mothers’ Union Branch, St Leon-

ard’s Church, Swithland LE12 8TJSaturday August 6 from 10am to 11.30amEntrance £1 inc coffee, sales table, cakes,

books, tombola, plants & raffle etc.Please come and bring your friends

Proceeds for Mothers’ Union (CharityNo.250038)

• • •

Coffee ConcertBy the 663 Instrumental Ensemble and

Friendson Saturday August 20,

10.30am to 12noonat St James Parish Church, Birstall

Proceeds for Mercy Ships & Church MusicFunds• • •

Have you any unwantedknitting wool?

Would you like to let us have it for ourSamaritans Purse Shoebox Appeal

We have ladies knitting hats and scarvesto send out to the children at Christmas

but are struggling for knitting wool.If you have any could you please contactDaphne on 2675721 or 07971721927.

Thank you

• • •

Watermead FamilyDiscovery Day

Saturday August 13, 11am to 4pm*Free Family Fun Day

Woodcrafts, Willow Weaving, Punch & Judy,Story Teller, Newfoundland Dog Displays,

Arts, Crafts and much moreCome to the mammoth, off Alderton Close,

LE4 7RNThe friends of Watermead Country Park

*some activities may incur a small charge• • •

You are invited toSt James Parish Church, Birstall

on Sat Aug 20, 10.30am-12noonto enjoy a coffee/tea whilst listening to a

Concert of Light MusicPerformed by members and friends of the

663 Instrumental EnsembleDonations for Mercy Ships & church music

funds will be appreciated• • •

Birstall British LegionSat Aug 6: Dean Barratt (M/V)Sat Aug 13: Karen West (F/V)

Sat Aug 20: Slaters (Duo)Sat Aug 27: TBC

Dancing every Sat night with live enter-tainment

Bingo, Free Beer Raffle and not forgetting‘Open the Box’

Every Tues night Bingo starting at 9.30pmQuiz nights Sunday August 14 & 28 start-

ing at 9pmAcoustic night Sunday August 21

Rock & Roll nights 1st & 3rd WednesdayFood available every Sat 12-2pm

Funerals catered forOpen for families on Bank Holiday Monday

29th , food available• • •

The Leicestershire Pastel Society

12th Annual ExhibitionSaturday & Sunday August 13/14, 2-5pm

St Philip’s Church, Evington Road,LE2 1HN

Works for saleSee our website:

leicestershirepastelsociety.com• • •

Saturday August 810am to 1pm

Birstall Methodist Church

Coffee Morning& Table Tops

a variety of stalls(tables @ £10 2672606)

Made-in-Birstall stallCakes, bread, preserves, plants, fruit, veg,

crafts etc• • •

The Bark FoundationCharity No.1129762

ConcertBy advanced students and

friends of David BarkFriday, Sep 9 at 7.30pm

Tickets in advance and on the door £5 increfreshments

Free for children accompanied by an adultQuiz Evening

Saturday September 10 at 7.30pmTables of 8, tickets £8 inc sandwich and

salad supper & dessertProceeds to be shared with Action for Chil-

drenAutumn Fashion Show and SaleFriday September 16 at 7.30pm

Designer clothes at bargain pricesTickets £5 inc coffee/tea and cake

All events are at Birstall Methodist ChurchTickets for all events tel: 0116 2677576

• • •Birstall Social Club

Wanlip Lane, BirstallEvery Tuesday & Saturday night

Sequence dancingBingo Thursday, Saturday & Sunday

New members welcome• • •

Fosse Co-op CameraClub Leicester

We meet at St Peter’s Church Rooms, WestHolme St (off Hinckley Rd)

each Friday at 7.45pm from Sep – MayWe are a very friendly club who welcomepeople of all standards. We are always

looking for new members and you are in-vited along to any of our club evenings to

meet us.We can offer tuition in the use of the cam-

era and also editing in Photoshop andElements by prior arrangement

If you would like more details, or a copyof the programme, please contact:

John Walters 0116 [email protected]

or Mary Staps 0145 5820439• • •

Step Into DanceTry ballroom dancing

Step into Dance is brought to you byCharnwood Active Together as a fun, ac-tive and great way to try something newAll sessions are led by a team of experi-

enced and qualified instructors.Make a change and move more with Step

into DanceThursdays 2.45-3.45pm

August 4 to September 1Birstall Village Hall

£3 per session or £12 for 5Adults 16+

Booking advised, call 01509 632534For full details of Step into Dance ses-

sions available across Leics & Rutland visitwww.lrsport.org.uk/dance

• • •

The National ForestWood Fair

Bank Holiday Monday August 29Beacon Hill Country Park, Leics

The Wood Fair promotes sustainable for-estry and woodland leisure, showcases

wood crafts and products and celebratesall aspects of wood, with fun activities

and local food• live demonstrations of woodworking

skills, craft displays & chainsaw sculpting• there’s plenty for children, stories fromthe Wild Man of the Woods, birds of prey,craft activities, coracle paddling and the

brilliant climbing wall• find out more about woodlands, fromtree planting to felling. Talk to the ex-

perts and watch forestry in action includ-ing timber processing & horse logging• take a break in the Food Area whereyou’ll find a great selection of delicious

locally produced food• And that’s not all! There will also be an

exciting lumberjack show, Bodger’s Cornerand charity auction

Admission Cost (inc car-parking & pro-gramme) adult £8, concession £5, family

£18 (2 adults & 3 children)Entry discount for cyclists

• • •

St James Day Centre 200 ClubWinners of the July draw

1st No.3 Mrs E Hewitson £252nd No.20 Mrs L Gresswell £153rd No.71 Mrs R Parrott £10

4th No.60 Mrs G Pope £5• • •

Try Athletics with atrained coach

Free Taster DayFor 8-15 yr olds

Noticeboardall details printed free

Continued on page 12

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Friday August 12, 9.30am – 12.30pmWreake Valley College, Syston

Sign up atwww.uka.org.uk/academy

• • •St James’ Church, Birstall

Garden Feteon the Church Lawn, Church Hill

(if wet, in the church)Monday August 29, 2pm

Raffle, tombola, games, cakes, plants,toys, bric-a-brac etc

Light refreshments in the churchProceeds to Shelter, the Laura Centre and

church funds• • •

Film PresentationsFrom Thurcaston &

Cropston Parish Council

‘Another Year’Friday September 9 (129 mins)

This British comedy drama about ordinarypeople stars Jim Broadbent and Ruth

Sheen as geologist and medical counsellor.The story spans the four seasons of the

year on an allotment, showing the comicallife and reactions between family and

friends.

‘Burke & Hare’Friday October 14 (91 mins)

This is a true story set in 1820’s Edin-burgh. Starring Bill Bailey and Isla Fisher,it is a black comedy about two grave rob-bers who find a lucrative business provid-ing cadavers for Edinburgh University

Medical School, but events become quitecomplicated.

Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council willbe showing these films at Thurcaston Me-morial Hall. Starting at 7.30pm, ticketscost £4.50 and concessions are £4. Theprice includes refreshments and a lucky

prize draw.Advance tickets can be purchased via theparish office, 0116 2367626 or at the

door• • •

Charnwood Museum

Festival of British ArchaeologyA display of some of the unique objects

from the Rothley Bronze Age Axe HoardThe finds, discovered in May 2009, date

from around 1020-800BCFree• • •

Charnwood BRAS

Weekly BreastFeeding Café

The Pavilion, School Lane playing field,Birstall

Thursdays 1-2.30pmMeet other mums, have questions an-

swered about breast feeding and receivesupport in the early months of

motherhoodwww.charnwoodbras.co.uk

• • •Come and spend a day in the beautiful

Old City of YorkThursday, August 25

Explore the Shambles and many museumsPlus have a guided tour of the famous

MinsterThere are many things to see and do, plus

plenty of eating placesCost £20 per person

The coach will leave Birstall at 8.30amand leave York at 6pm

For details please ring: David Gaskell2674746, Mary Allen 2673941

• • •

St James GospelChoir

Come and Join us andhave fun – no auditions!

Meeting on the 1st and 3rd Fridaysat 7.30pm, St James Church, Church Hill,

Birstall1st practice is Friday September 2

• • •

Birstall PoolRLSS UK National Pool

Lifeguard Qualification courseAugust 22-31

Cost £180Further details & application form availa-

ble from the pool 0116 2673461, orEmail:[email protected]

• • •

Beadling Academy ofFencing

Junior Fencing CourseAt Longslade Community College

Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GHJuly 18 & 1910am to 3pm8-13 years

Cost £30 per child for 2 day courseCertificate awarded on completion

Contact Longslade Community College forbooking form and further enquiries on

0116 2670807, or email:[email protected]

• • •

Birstall Youth CaféSummer Activities

There’s no way you can be bored duringthe summer holidays!

If you are aged between 13 and 19 comealong and join in the fun at Birstall YouthCafé, in the Sports Pavilion on School Lane

Playing Fields, BirstallBirstall Youth Café have received fundingto open the Youth Café on School LanePlaying Fields for four evenings every

week for July & AugustTues, Wed and Thursday evenings 6-9pm,

Friday evenings 7-10pmWater Sports, Beer Goggle Assault Course,

BBQ, Sports & Crafts, Big Red Ball Chal-lenge, Skegness Camp, Weekend Camping

• • •

CLASH Coffee MorningSaturday August 27, 10am to 12noon

At the Methodist Coffee ShopInformation on arthritis, tombola, Fair-

trade coffee, cakes, books & nice things tobuy

All proceeds to CLASHPatron: Nicky Morgan MP

• • •

New Collection of GujaratiBooks at Birstall library

Birstall library has acquired a brand newchoice of Gujarati books ranging fromcookery, lagna geeton, health and well

being, popular fiction, biographies, philos-ophy, religious, poetry and much moreCome and have a look at our wide selec-

tion of Gujarati books & magazines. Amarilibrary ma avine saras majani pustako noanand uthavo ane tamari kai jaruriyat hoi

to amari sathe vat karo.Please contact Darshna Naker at Birstall

libray on 0116 3058756 for further infor-mation

• • •

Pamper EveningHarmony Health & Beauty

Sherrard St, Melton MowbrayFri Aug 5, 5.30-10pm

Raffle, jewellery stand, tarot card read-ings, cake sale

All proceeds to JTSMA

Heavenly voices!Music is an integral part of a church

service for many people. At weddings(and funerals) as well as Sunday services,people enjoy singing, and often thechurch choir is asked to lead specialservices of this sort. The choirs, whichlead the singing at Birstall at Parish Com-munion on Sundays at 9.30am, and atWanlip at 6pm Evensong, are always gladto hear from any singers who would liketo join them for any of these services.Contact Andy White, the organist at St.James, on 2673030 for more information.Open House, currently held once amonth at 11am at St James, is led by asmall group of singers and instrumental-ists. Recently a proposal has been madeto start a small gospel choir: you canread about this elsewhere in this editionof the Post and Chris White on 07587177851 would like to hear from you ifthis is your sort of music.A traditional summer event

For many years, August has been themonth for the annual Church GardenFete on the Church Lawn. This year isno exception and as always we shall prayfor fine weather, confident however thatthe event will take place inside thechurch even if the rain appears at thewrong time! The date is Bank HolidayMonday, August 29 and the church willbe sharing the proceeds with two chari-ties, the Laura Centre and Shelter. Docome along and bring the family. See theNoticeboard for more details.Fresh ideas, fresh start

The start of a new term next monthseems like a good time for new begin-nings and in September, the parishchurches are hosting the Alpha course,at the Wanlip Church and CommunityRooms. Alpha courses have been verypopular throughout the country, as anopportunity to explore questions whichreally matter such as “What is life allabout? “How can life be more fulfilling?”

“Can prayer really make a difference?”and other “life and death” issues. Allthis will take place in a very relaxed andinformal environment, each meetingstarting with a shared meal, followed bya video and a chat. It is a chance tomake new friendships around the villageand we hope that many will take theopportunity to share with like-mindedpeople. The starting date is September27 and anyone interested in what thecourse has to offer can talk to our cu-rate Stephen Crofts on 0116 3279781.

From Beryl McHugh

Parishchurch



DEFORESTATION ON the island of Bor-neo featured as part of an ‘Enrich-ment Day’ at Stonehill school

The day also included activities suchas Bollywood dancing and Ghana drum-ming.

Science Teacher Katherine Barker istravelling to Borneo in November on atrek, raising awareness of deforestationand the loss of the orangutans habitat.Students were invited to write a newspa-per article about deforestation on theisland, and the story by thirteen year oldBrendon Stickley was judged by Kather-ine and fellow teacher Gareth Allen tobe the best.

Brendon Stickley’s winning article:

infants are taken away by poachersshooting their mothers and taking thebabies by force.

This needs to be stopped what life isthis for any animal. Most of the time thebaby is beaten and made to dance sothe poachers gain money from an audi-ence.

As well as that the deforestation make

the land look atrocious and this is whatit looks like. Do you think this is whatanybody wants to see this? This isn’twhat anybody wants!

These magnificent forests are cutdown for this product:

PALM OIL! This is what goes intomost offavouritefood like:crisps, choc-olate, andmuch, muchmore.

If youwant tomake adifferencethe pleasesupportwspa here athttp://www.wspa-international.org/

Pleas help and make a difference.Donate as much as you can to save ourforests but much more for the wildlife,please help today thank you!

Brendon Stickley

WOULD YOU like to speak a foreignlanguage, learn IT, improve your Eng-lish and Maths or take up a new hobby.Now you can!

The Leicestershire Adult LearningService offers a wide range of daytimeand evening courses including IT, Lan-guages, English & Maths, Sport, Arts &Crafts and General Interest starting inSeptember.

New courses include: upholstery, knitand bead; Chinese and digital media.Courses are available at Longslade inBirstall.

Look our for the brochure which willbe delivered to your door from August10 onwards. This brochure will give youdetails of courses in your area. If you donot receive a brochure but would likeone or, would like advice on one of ourcourses please telephone Freephone0800 988 0308 and speak to an advisor.Alternatively contact Longslade AdultLearning Service on 0116 2673389 or goto www.leics.gov.uk/golearn

Look out for the advertisement in theSeptember issue of Birstall Post.

Learners in receipt of certain benefitsare eligible for 50%, 70% or 100%discounts: details available on request.

The Devastation of Borneo and theEndangerment of the Orang-utan Spe-cies!

Too many trees are being cut downand we need to join together to stop thisfrom happening. The Orang-utans aregetting pushed out of their homes andother wild life as well. Over the past 100years the Orangutans have lost as muchas 91% of their population. Most of the

WOODLANDS DAY Nursery onPark Road raised £650 for Ac-tion Aid at their fun day in

July.The nursery sponsors six

children in Africa and Indiaand all the money raisedwas divided between eachchild’s community.

The nursery is also cele-brating after being rated asOutstanding in every catego-ry by Ofsted.Pic: Mickey Mouse cuddles Jack

Batten (4)

Woodlands raisescash at

fun day

BIRSTALL LADIES Bowling Club’sJennie Groves has qualified for herthird event at this year’s NationalFinals.

Having already made it through inthe fours and two wood competitions,she reached the Leicestershire final ofthe singles by beating Birstall clubmate Diane Hurst in a close semi final,and will play at Leamington Spa laterthis month. Meanwhile in the men’ssingles, Andy Wye reached the quarterfinal before being beaten by Thring-stone’s Eric Peat.

In the Ladies triples, Pam Ratcliffe,Diane Hartop and Pa Walker reachedthe semi final, but were defeated by ateam from Kingscroft, Earl Shilton. Paalso got to the quarter final of the

pairs with Velma Allen, just losing outto a pair from Narborough.

The men have reached the semifinal stage of both the LeicestershireCounty Cup and unbadged competi-tions, while Rick Everitt got to the semifinal of the secretaries singles beforedefeat to Narborough’s C Smith.

Birstall lost to Oadby in the semifinal of the Bramley Bowl, but severalplayers were involved in the latterstages of the other Leicester City &District Parks competitions, which tookplace at the end of last month. A re-port will appear in the SeptemberBirstall Post.

More about the club is on the web-site which can be found by putting‘Birstall Bowling Club’ into a searchengine.

Plea to save the forest

Pic: Brendon Stickley

Birstall bowls

New courses

The ideal venue for forWeddings • Parties

Christenings etcLarge Function Room with use of Kitchen

Separate bar for that quiet moment

Car Park with CCTV coverageDisabled facilities

Mid Week Functions takenGive us a call at Birstall Rd on

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A NEW choir that meets in Birstall is inviting everyone to come andjoin them to sing and have fun in an informal setting.

variety, both Christian and secular songs,from Amazing Grace, Oh Happy Day andAbide With Me, to ‘Lean on Me’ andSwing Low Sweet Chariot’.

James was music co-ordinator of a200 member gospel choir for two yearswhen he was at Warwick University.

The choir will meet at St JamesChurch, Church Hill, Birstall from 7.30-8.30pm on the first and third Fridays ofthe month, starting from Friday Septem-ber 2.

For further details contact Chris on0758 7177851 [email protected]

covers and then back again to clear theseveral buckets of water off the wicketto help gain a much needed winningdraw against top runners Twycross CC.

The home team batted wellto set a 162 total with JoshuaSaye (76) and Andy Galpin(60) leading the way with thebat. Birstall bowled tight tokeep the away team fromreaching the total but found itdifficult to get the wicketsneeded to take full points. Fillin skipper Galpin was thrilledwith the team’s performance

both before and during the game. The1st Team are currently in third placeand are looking good coming into theback end of the season.

1st XI top batsmen – Dave Sharpeand Andy Galpin.

1st XI top bowlers – Joshua Saye andPete Sharpe

Birstall Village 2nd XI has had amixed bag of results of late. A loss toBharat Sports 2nd XI, then two goodwins against Huncote and Great Glen2nd XI with the last result being a losingdraw to Leicester Ivanhoe 4th XI. Therehas been some impressive individualperformances including Jack Wright with4 wickets versus Bharat, ever reliableSteve ‘Fino’ Findley with 4 wickets versusHuncote, Sam Carnan getting 6 wicketsin the last 2 matches and Ian Bartlettgetting 30’s and 40’s in consecutivematches.

The big news is the recent change of2nd XI Captain with Steve Findley look-ing to have a bit of time off and givePrad Sood the opportunity to have someCaptaincy experience in the final monthsof the season. Prad has been involvedwith the coaching of the Under 17’s andhopes to apply this experience in a posi-tive way to the 2nd XI. The 2nd XI arecurrently climbing the table, now up tofifth.

2nd XI top batsman – Ian Bartlett2nd XI top bowlers – Steve Findley

and Sam CarnanHome fixture dates for your diary:

(all 1.30pm starts)Sat August 6 – 1st XI vs. Wigston

Town CCSat August 13– 2nd XI vs., Fleckney

Village CCSat August 27 – 1st XI vs. Burbage CCBirstall Village CC has their website

up and running which provides informa-tion on fixtures, results, contact informa-tion for club members, player profileinformation and up to date news pieces.Login and become a member to be ableto join our blog section! All club mem-bers and interested non members wel-come.

www.birstallvillagecc.co.ukFrom Joshua Saye

A New Hymn BookIt is said the Methodism was ‘born in

song’ and singing of hymns has alwaysbeen associated with Methodist worship.It was 1983 when the last hymn bookwas produced specifically for MethodistChurch worship. Now a new book isbeing published called ‘Singing the Faith’.It contains about 770 hymns & songs,carefully balancing contemporary andclassic styles with over 100 new musicalarrangements & tunes. It embodies thebreadth and depth of Methodist theologytoday.

The church is to buy a set of the newbooks for use in worship. The pre-publi-cation price is £7.50 (instead of £9). Ifanyone would like to buy one for use inthe church, do please contact David Barkour treasurer (2677576). Each donatedbook will be acknowledged.Worship in August

The morning worship on August 21starts one hour earlier and is at St James.It is a joint service. There is only one6pm evening service this month (on14th). Midweek Communion recommenc-es on Wednesday August 24. Our servicesare open to all, and you are most wel-come.Table Top Sale

On August 6 there is to be a sale ofgoods, mostly from private vendors whohave ‘hired’ a table. (Tel 2672606 forany last minute tables). It will include a‘Made in Birstall’ stall of home-made jams,cakes etc. Another stall will have veryattractive hand crafted beadwork, whichmainly consists of necklaces and brace-lets. Rather expensive, but being sold at‘less than cost’.Two ‘Food Sharing’ events

A Bring and Share lunch is beingarranged for Sunday August 14. There isa list available (Tel 2672606) so thatfood is not wasted.

Another well known event where nofood was wasted was the ‘Feeding of the5000’ and on Tuesday morning August16(10.30 to 12.30) there is to be a‘Messy Special’ following this theme. It ispart of the ‘Messy Church’ programme.Youngsters and their families are invitedto attend, and bring their own lunch.

As the church might have difficulty inaccommodating 5000, please ensure youbook a place via one of the MessyChurch team.Coffee Shop Open

The coffee shop was closed duringpart of July for the ‘Maintenance Fort-night’. It is now fully open again, Tues-days to Saturdays 10am to noon.

From Tony Moore

The St James Gospel choir has beenformed by Chris White from Birstall.Chris (28) said: “It’s an informal choirthat anyone can join, whether they areChristian or not Christian – the emphasisis on having fun and making friendships,as well as helping to bring the people ofBirstall together”.

He added: “There are no auditions,people don’t need to be able to readmusic or play an instrument – just turnup and enjoy singing!”

People aged from 12 to 80 plus arewelcome to come along.

Chris said: “We won’t just be singinggospel music, there will be a whole

Turn up and singat new choir

CricketCorner

Birstall Village has been in relativegood form of late.

They had a convincing winover a poor Burbage CC. JonGaydon was the pick of thebowlers with 4 wickets and fillin wicket keeper Steve ‘Chalky’White was heavily involved in 6of the wickets including 3 runouts. The meagre 119 run totalwas knocked over in the 36thover with Captain Dave Sharpeleading the way with 33.

The 1st XI then had an unfortunatelosing draw to Bharat Sports CC. Bharat

set 196 run total off their 45 overs on amuch improved wicket. Birstall couldntseem to get going quick enough leavinga bit too much for the middle order toget falling 4 runs short. AndyLord and Andy Galpin bothscored fifties.

Recently the 1stXI had a solid winover LeicesterIvanhoe with ChrisTinbergen takingan impressive 5wicket haul andDave Sharpe scor-ing an unbeaten 59 to helpreach the 185 total. On theweekend of July 16 theweather nearly got the better

of Birstall. Players were down theground early in the morning to lay the

Pic: Prad Sood – new 2ndXI Captain

Pic: Chris Tinbergen

Methodistnews

St JamesGospel ChoirCome and Join us

and have fun –no auditions!

Meeting on the

1st and 3rd Fridays at 7:30pm,St James’ Church, Church Hill,

Birstall, Leicester

1st Practise is

Friday 2nd September 2011

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Home CarersRequiredAre you a caring person?Like varied work & job satisfaction?Join our team of carers in the Mountsorrel,Cropston, Quorn, Sileby, Syston, Birstall &Wymeswold areas.Flexible shifts, 10-40 hrs per week, & morn-ings, evenings and weekends available.No experience required as all training will beprovided.Up to £7.25hr, plus travel expenses. Tele-phone essential. Ring Debbie between8.30am & 4.30pm for more information on0116 2696247 (quoting reference BP)

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POTENTIAL HIRERS of the new PalmerTomkinson Centre at Longslade arebeing invited to an open evening.

60 HIGHCLIFFE primary school children visited Longslade Commu-nity College as part of a ‘Let’s Get Cooking’ community event.

as part of the ‘Let’s Get Cooking’ philoso-phy is to pass on the recipe and wehope the children will be coking andmaking their own pizza again at home.”

Longslade runs a regular ‘Let’s GetCooking’ club for current students, withingredients and equipment provided byLottery funding.

Hirenewcentre

The College would welcome attend-ance from groups, clubs, societies andprivate hirers from around the Birstallarea who may be interested in holdingbirthday parties, weddings etc to enjoysome refreshments and see the newfacilities that will be available.

The open evening is on Tuesday Sep-tember 6 from 5.30-8pm.

Contact Community Co-ordinatorLyndsay King for more details: 01162670807,[email protected]

They took part in an Italian themedday learning how to make pizza dough,and then made their own pizza for lunch.They also made and sampled five differ-ent healthy smoothie drinks. A spokes-man said: “The pupils were able to takehome copies of the recipes they made,

JUNE HAS been an eventful month forthe Birstall Flower Club with lots ofactivities going on.

On June 16, 50 members got onboard a coach destined for the Cots-wolds. The morning was spent in thegorgeous gardens of Eastleach Housewith its walled garden, rill garden andmany other beautiful features. Lunchtime was spent in Burford and in theafternoon we went to the Herb Gardenof Judith Hann , of ‘Tomorrows World’fame. Judith herself gave a very interest-ing talk on the culinary uses of the vari-ous herbs grown in her beautiful garden.

Flowerclub

On June 22 we had a very good dem-onstration of flower arrangements byCarolyn Gordon-Smith. She entitled herwork ‘Inspirations’ and it most certainlywas inspirational. The flowers wereraffled off and there were many delight-ed members going home with their armsfull.

Our next demonstration will be onAugust 24 and is entitled ‘Fabulous Flow-ers’ by Tony Brown a well known nation-al demonstrator. We shall also be havingstrawberries and pink punch. Visitortickets will be £5 and are obtainable byphoning 2674339 or 2674206.

From Birstall Flower ClubPics: (top) Judith Hann in her herb gardenin the Cotswolds & Freda Pentelow withher flower club raffle winnings

A SERVICE of celebration and thanks-giving for the completed reorderingof the old Saxon chancel and sanctu-ary at St James the Great was held onJuly 24.

The service was conducted by theRector the Rev Vince Jupp, accompaniedby the previous Rector the Rev JamesShakespeare.

BIRSTALL AND Wanlip WI met on July4 at Highcliffe School.

We had a lengthy agenda to coverincluding a report on the NationalFederation of WI's AGM in Liverpool.This was attended by 4500 membersand where the resolution on LibraryClosures was passed. After much heat-ed debate the resolution on factoryfarming was abandoned. They hadseveral interesting speakers includingSir Steve Redgrave talking about hisrole as Chief Ambassador for FairTrade.

We discussed the many opportunitiesfor Leicestershire WI members to joinin other summer activities across theCounty including courses on publicspeaking, craft and cookery days, spe-cialists talking about eye diseases atVista and a meeting at Leicester Univer-sity by The Earth Observation ScienceGroup.

Our meeting had to be continuedafter Shenai from Silhouettes in Birstallgave us lots of beauty tips and expertly

demonstrated a manicure and facial.Indeed there was so much to fit in tothe meeting that the report of our wettrip to Royal Ascot was given whilewearing a face pack but we heard howsome members returned home a littleworse for wear but in profit!

The winner of our competition for aplate of green salad was MarianThwaites.

Thanks to everyone who supportedour successful Coffee Shop on July 9.We don't have a meeting in August butinstead have arranged a coach trip toWebbs of Wychbold on August 15.There may even be some seats left ifanyone wishes to join us. You cancontact us [email protected] of our fun activities are to befound onwww.birstallandwanlipwiwordpress.com.Our next meeting is on September 5when our speaker will be RichardGolden with 'A Touch of Glass'.

From Birstall & Wanlip WI

Saxon chancel

Birstall & Wanlip WI

Pupils get cooking

Fitted kitchens, bedrooms,bathrooms & flatpackTiling (walls & floor)Laminate floors laidInternal & external doors hungFencing & gatesHome & gardenfurniture madeto orderDecorating

Rak TailorHome Improvements

Tel: 0116 267 4798Mob:07790 835 747

A NEW café has been built at the Great Central Railway’s Quornstation.

The £145,000 Butler-Henderson café seats 46 people and has been constructed inthe Great Central house style to blend in with the adjacent grade II listed station.

A new toilet block has also been built and a picnic area to give visitors a grand-stand view of passing trains.

The new facility has created 10 jobs for the local community.Project manager for the Great Central Railway, Tony Sparks said: “With an ever

growing number of events taking place at Quorn station, like our wartime weekend,bonfire night and steam galas, the new café will allow us to cater for the thousandsof people who visit us. It’s just one of a number of developments planned for thesite.”

New café at Quorn Advertise in

The birstall post47 x 59mm £26 • 47 x 120mm £4498 x 59mm £44 • 98 x 120mm £78

CALL 2674213 for an advertising rate card,or view online at www.birstallpost.co.uk

The prices above exclude VAT

1) Decide what size you want2) Send us a sketch of your ad3) We design, publish

& sendyou thebill

SEXYWednesdays£26This Size

+VAT


REDCURRANTS We have had a glut thisyear. Anyone who would like some,please contact 2676946 (Ansaphone forwhen I’m out)

AIRPORT CARS Birstall. Airports, Sea-ports, Long Distance, Courier. Tel: 07771984806

TELEPHONE EXTENSION Sockets fitted byex-BT engineer. Cable, BT and digitalTV. Over 25 yrs experience. John2675132

AMLI DESIGN Architectural Consultancy.Plans drawn and submitted. Extensions,conversions, new build. David IvesB.Sc.(Hons) FBEng MCIOB 01162674395 / 07974807111www.amlidesign.co.uk

HOME GROWN Runner Beans £1 per 1lb.Bean plants 20p each, Spinach 50p per20 leaves Tel: 0116 2921619

PRIVATE MATHS & Science tuition, pri-mary to GCSE level. Tel: 07856638370,www.wix.com/jyoti135/website

P/11/1620/2: 34 Johnson Road, erectionof 1st floor extension over garageP/11/1617/2: 585 Loughborough Road,proposed single storey rear extension, 1st

floor side & rear extension, replacement ofroof with installation of photovoltaic cellsto rear elevationP/11/1574/2: 22 Curzon Ave, erection of1st floor extension & loft conversion. Erec-tion of a 6 car garageP/11/1524/2: 3 The Meadway, erection ofsingle storey extensions to front & rear,two storey extension to sideP/11/1585/2: 70 Woodgate Drive, doublestorey extension to side & single storeyextension to rear of dwellingP/11/1519/2: 11 Johnson Road, erectionof two storey extension to side, porch andcanopy to front, loft conversion, steppedpatio area to rear with adjoining retainingwallP/11/1564/2: 86 Elmfield Avenue, pro-posed outbuildingP/11/1538/2: 2 Ryegate Crescent, pro-posed single storey rear extensionP/11/1454/2: 6 Park House Close, fell 1 xash tree and various tree work to conifersP/11/1474/2: 27 Worcester Ave, groundfloor extension to front of dwellingP/11/1411/2: 1 Curzon Avenue, fell 1 xhornbeam and 2 x hawthorn treesP/11/1453/2: Longslade Community Col-lege, retention of 2 modular buildings foreducational use

THE HOLIDAY season is with us, soit is a good time to consider thesafety of our homes while we areaway.

One of the most obvious signs ofan empty house is the rubbish bins orrecycle sacks being left outside daysbefore the collection day. If possible,ask a neighbour, friend or relative tomove them into position the nightbefore collection and to replace themafterwards.

Closed curtains are another indica-tion of an empty house and give theopportunistic criminal a significantsignal.

Our local police team like to knowwhen a house is going to be unoccu-pied so that they can keep an eye onit when on patrol, so just give them aring, giving your address and thedates when you will be away.

Our regular Advice Shops have theusual range of security devices fordoors, windows etc.. The next one ison Saturday August 20 from 10amuntil 12noon.

We wish you happy, trouble-freeholidays!

From Evelyn Holden for the NHW com-mittee.

Contact PC Richard Carruthers voicemail on222 2222, no. 2139

for various activities during all schoolholidays up until March 2012. A fulltimetable of events will be advertised onNotice Boards and these will includeleisure activities as well as the opportuni-ty for young people to boost their portfo-lios with qualifications for futureemployment.

Events planned include:• sporting events and activities, with

the opportunity of gaining a sports lead-ers qualification

• water sports activities• cooking• ASDAN qualification in hair and

beauty tutorials and demonstrations• basic Food Hygiene certificates• basic First Aid Certificates• residential camp at Willesley, Ashby

de la ZouchA Youth Café spokesman said: “This

is just fantastic news, it will enable us todraw the young people into the café andoff the streets during the school holidays,and encourage them to take part inpositive activities, some of which willactually enhance their employability inthe future.

“One of our youth workers is a quali-fied Sports Leader, and once the otheryouth workers also gain that same quali-fication we aim to register Birstall YouthCafé as an accreditation centre, whichwill mean that we are able to deliver thistraining to the young people of Birstall.”

Birstall Youth Café is run by BirstallParish Council from the pavilion in theSchool Lane playing field.

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERLongslade College, Wanlip Lane,

Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GHEditor: Mr Jerry Jackson

Editorial/Advertising (Tel & Fax)

0116 2674213Correspondence, news etc

can be handed in at:Birstall Library or to our office in the

Youth Centre,Longslade College, Birstall

[email protected]

A LOCAL youth project has secured a cash award.Birstall Youth Café has been successful in its application for

funding to Charnwood Borough Council’s PAYP fund – Boys andGirls Self Esteem Group.

They secured £5,200 to enable them to open the Youth Café

Small ads are 25p for the first 16 words. 17-32words: 50p. Enclosing payment, post your ad to us orhand it in (inside an envelope) at Birstall library.

Trade/business rates for small ads are 25p aword. You are liable for the trade/business rateif you are offering a service for which you areasking for payment, or if you are advertisingnew goods for sale. All text will be printed bold.Box outline £1 extra. Max 50 words. Phonenumbers count as one word.

Small Ads Planningapplications

Youth group’scash award

NHW news

GLORIOUS SUNSHINE and strongwinds graced the second Pistol Galaheld by Redhill Revolvers Field PistolClub back in June.

Again budding pistoleers came to theLeicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre tochallenge to become the Gala Champion,participating in three different pistoldisciplines. The Men’s title is going backto Wales in the hands of Solomon Wad-ley who retained his crown. The Ladies’Champion was Birstall’s very own SarahPrime and the junior title went to YusufKarim, a talented young shooter fromDerby.

The club now has three qualifiedAirgun Instructors at Redhill and if any-one is interested in either pistol or tar-get rifle shooting then please contactSteve Prime on 01162 676252 (W) or01162 676114 (E)

Pistol shooting gala

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Birstall Post (337) Aug 2011