Mountsorrel Post (41) Dec 2012

DECEMBER 2012 No. 41www.birstallpost.co.uk

Y O U R F R E E C O M M U N I T Y N E W S P A P E RMOUNTSORREL POST

THE FIRST Annual Ripples Awards dinner took place recently at the Slate restaurant inMountsorrel.

Seven local people, who had beennominated by their friends or colleaguesfor adding something to the life ofMountsorrel, met for pre-dinner drinks,followed by a meal and awards ceremony.

The ‘Ripples’ Awards are planned tobe an annual event, giving people achance to say “thank you” to those whomake Mountsorrel a better place. Thescheme is the idea of Ian Shonk whoowns Sign Shop & Anne Gregory, whoruns Anne Gregory Holistics. They movedinto Mountsorrel in 2009 and were look-ing for a way to ‘put something back’ intotheir community. Organising and fundingthe Awards Evening seemed an ideal wayto achieve this.

Anne said: “The bonus is that if youput a group of community minded peopletogether in the same room, all sorts ofnew ideas and contacts get formed. Wehad new plans and projects being dis-cussed all around the dinner table.”

This year’s winners each received aglass vase with the Ripples logo as amemento of the evening.

The 2012 winners were:June Wakeling – Services to the Youth

ClubLouisa Matthews – Entertainment and

Events organiserMick Lemon – Services to the Cricket

ClubNeville Wilkinson – Long service to

many groups within the villagePat Neal – Commitment to village life

and the Heritage Society

Steve Cramp – Project leader, theMountsorrel Railway Project

Ian Shonk said: “Out thanks go to allour winners and their guests, for not onlymaking a successful evening but for add-ing to the life of Mountsorrel in so manydifferent ways.”

Nominations for ‘Ripples 2013’ will beopen from June next year. Watch localpress for details.

THIEVES THREATENED amember of staff beforestealing cash and otheritems from Budgen’s petrolstation.

The robbery happened at about3.50am on Tuesday November 20.

Two men, who were both wearingbalaclavas, took alcohol, cigarettes andcash from the garage before leaving in ablack Honda CRV and driving off to-wards the A6.

Detective Constable Dave Rock, theinvestigating officer, said: “Thankfullythe member of staff was not hurt, butthey were understandably shaken thethreats made by the two men.

“At the time of the incident the victim

THE LINDENS pub on Hal-stead Road could be demol-ished and replaced with ninehomes.

Everards brewery has submitted aplanning application for five four-bedroom and four three-bedroomhomes.

Mountsorrel Parish Council haveobjected to the plans as it wouldresult in the loss of an amenity forresidents.

The planning application referenceis P/12/2194/2. Details can be viewedhere www.tinyurl.com/ct85htp

Petrolstationraided

Continued on page 3

Community awards say: thank you

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Pic: The winners of the 2012 Ripples awards with organisers (far right) Anne Gregory & Ian Shonk

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waved to the driver of a white van thatwas passing. We are appealing directlyto that driver to come forward. If youdrive a white van and normally take thatroute to or from work then please thinkback. Were you in the area that day? Didyou see anything suspicious? If so pleasecall police immediately.

“Although it was very early in themorning we are hopeful that someoneout there will be able to help us. Didyou see the incident? Did you see thecar described in the area? Do you knowwho is responsible? If so please get intouch.”

Anyone with any information aboutthe incident is asked to contact DC 1718Dave Rock 101, follow the instructionsto leave a message for a police officerand when prompted key in the officer'sidentification number 1718. Alternatively,contact Crimestoppers, which is anony-mous, on 0800 555 111.

Memories of Stone, Steam and Steel,has taken 18 months to research andwrite and is a joint project between theMountsorrel Heritage Group and Glass-ball Arts Projects (GAP).

The Heritage Lottery funded book is120 pages long and features rare photo-graphs from personal family and busi-ness archives, the Lafarge MountsorrelCollection, and extracts from the manyoral history interviews conducted overthe cause of the project with local peo-ple.

Cora Glasser from GAP said: “Thebook wonderfully captures various as-pects of the industrial and social historyof Mountsorrel.

“It is not an exhaustive text on the

village, but a collection of insightfulglimpses and personal reflections intothe working lives of past and presentresidents of Mountsorrel.”

The book was launched at a specialevent held at Mountsorrel library onDecember 10. It is available for saleonline at www.glassball.org.uk

Cora said: “On behalf of GAP, Iwould like to thank all those who havetaken part in this project. It would nothave been possible without the supportfrom the Heritage Lottery Fund and thegenerous amount of time volunteered bythe members of the Mountsorrel Herit-age Group and the young people ofMountsorrel.”

A DECISION on a major development on the edge of Mountsorrelis expected in January.

doctor’s surgery with additional parking, andprovide a link road from Mountsorrel Laneto the old A6.

An action group, the Rothley-MountsorrelGreen Belt preservation group, has beenformed to campaign against the plans.

Its members are concerned about the lossof separation between Rothley and Mountsor-

rel, building on open country-side on land that floods androad safety.

Rothley Parish Council areobjecting to the plans andMountsorrel Parish Councilhas raised objections about thehousing on the north sideencroaching on the area ofseparation between the twovillages, lack of parking at thesurgery and school, lack ofplay areas and traffic conges-tion at peak times.

The Campaign to ProtectRural England are objecting tothe proposal, and Leicester-shire Police have submitted adetailed costing of the impactthe development would haveon Police resources.

In its published response tothe plans, Michael Lambert forLeicestershire Police states:“the proposed developmentwill increase the Rothley popu-lation by about 21%. It is notunreasonable to expect thatthere will be a corresponding

increase in crime and demand from newresidents for Policing services … a contribu-tion [from the developer] of £119,302 issought on this basis.”

The planning application is P/12/2005/2.Details can be seen herewww.tinyurl.com/c3vc4yn

Charnwood Borough Council will be con-sidering a planning application from develop-ers William Davis for 250 dwellings and anew primary school on land east of Mount-sorrel Lane and south of Walton Way, in theparish of Rothley.

The proposal would also make availablethe property at 149 Mountsorrel Lane for a

DECEMBER SEES the publication of a new book giving aninsight into the industrial and social history ofMountsorrel.

Group campaignsagainst development

WALTONWAY

ë

Continued from page 1

Book provides insightinto village history

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OUR PICTURES show some of thestalls at the 50th autumn charityfair, held at the Memorial Hallon November 10.

The event was opened by the Rev KerryEmmett of Christ Church & St Peter’s, andvisitors found out about the many local chari-ties in the village and volunteering opportuni-ties.Pics: (clockwise from top left) Age Concern,Townswomen’s Guild, Boys’ Brigade, BaptistChurch

A FULL meeting of Mountsorrel ParishCouncil was held on July 9.

Charnwood Borough Councillor LeighHarper-Davies requested that it be min-uted that she and fellow councillor JohnCapleton gave their total support to theParish Council regarding planning appli-cations and were against the claim fromthe Parish Council that they do nothing.In respect of the Halstead Road applica-tion they had attended a meeting andopposed the application and had re-sponded to the William Davis applicationvia the Borough Council’s website.

It was reported that the Youth Devel-opment Group’s fun day was cancelledbecause of the weather but the pro-gramme of sports activities went ahead.

As Parish Councillor Ms ElizabethWatson had not attended a Parish Coun-cil meeting in six months and had notresponded to letters from the clerk, sheis automatically disqualified. The clerkwas instructed to take steps for the ap-pointment of a new councillor.

The Council has received a lettersigned by 18 young people about Hal-stead Road playing field. The Councilagreed to meet with them on site todiscuss their ideas.

A full meeting of Mountsorrel ParishCouncil was held on September 10.

Winners of the best kept front gardencompetition were presented with theirprizes.

The Council agreed to continue pro-gressing its Joint Neighbourhood planwith Rothley Parish Council.

A full meeting of Mountsorrel ParishCouncil was held on October 8.

It was reported that Charnwood Bor-ough Council are investigating theMountsorrel car boot sale regarding analleged breach of planning conditions.

Mrs P Maguire was co-opted to fillthe vacancy on the Parish Council.

The Council agreed to award a Certif-icate of Commendation to volunteers ofthe Mountsorrel Railway Project and itsfounder, Mr Steve Cramp.

Autumncharityfair

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5

OUR PICTURES show some of the winners in theBest Kept Front Garden competition, organisedannually by Mountsorrel Parish Council.

DEC 2012MOUNTSORREL POST

In September Charnwood BoroughCouncil’s cabinet agreed to include thesite in its Local Plan Core Strategy. Thiswill set out the areas for development inthe Borough that are required to meetGovernment targets for housing andemployment. The detailed plan will notbe ready until March 2013 when it willbe considered by the cabinet.

The development will occupy theformer Bentleys Roses site.

Charnwood’s report into the propos-als, prepared by the Strategic Director ofHousing, Planning and Regeneration CllrMatthew Blain, states that:

• the site will be highly attractive toinvestors due to direct access to thestrategic road network

• it provides an opportunity to locatenew jobs with new homes

• the A46 is likely to be a majorbarrier to integration with Birstall [thesite is in the Parish of Wanlip]

• the development will have a “mod-erate” impact on the settlement separa-tion of Birstall, Rothley and Wanlip thatcan be “mitigated through master plan-ning”.

• potential for some impact on the

wider road network which may be diffi-cult to mitigate.

The landowners are the Palmer-Tom-kinson Trust and the Antony Cooperfamily. They have already drawn upplans for a “high quality settlement”called the Broadnook Garden Suburb.They say they are ready to start buildingin the first quarter of 2014 if approval isgiven.

PLANS TO build 2000 homes and an employment site onland north of Birstall have moved a step closer.

HALLAMFIELDS

PARK& RIDE

A46

A6TOROTHLEY

PROPOSEDDEVELOPMENTSITE

The winners in 2012 were;• Hanging baskets and window boxes:

1. Mrs Lanning, 11 Blue Granite Caravan Park 2. Mr & Mrs Clifford, 6 Blue Granite Caravan Park 3. Mrs L B Beck, 1 Blue Granite Caravan Park

• Small gardens: 1. Mr & Mrs Cope, 27 The Romans 2. Mrs K Kissane-Rogers, 1 Glenfrith Gardens 3. Mr & Mrs White, 74 Rockhill Drive

• Large gardens: 1. Mr & Mrs Spiers, 23 Kenilworth Close 2. R & Mrs Heemskerk, 29 Kingfisher Road 3. Mr & Mrs Lea, 27 Carisbrooke Road

• Business premises: 1. The Mountsorrel Guest House, 217 Loughbor-

ough Road 2. Rose Cottage Rest Home, 136 Rothley Road 3. The Waterside Inn, Sileby Road

JEWELLERY WAS stolen from a houseon Cloud Lea during a burglary inNovember.

The incident took place sometime between7.30pm on Sunday November 18 and 11.30pm onMonday November 19, on Cloud Lea when a housewas broken into and a large number of items werestolen.

A number of items of jewellery were stolen in-cluding an 8” long 9 carat gold bracelet in a thickrope design, a number of earrings, bracelets andchains. A gold charm bracelet which had fivecharms on it including a heart shape with diaman-tes, a solid gold horse head, a Scorpio symbol, agold flower with amethyst gem stone set in the cen-tre and a gold galloping horse was also stolen.

PC Lucy Page is investigating the incident. Shesaid: “Some of the items of jewellery stolen are ofgreat sentimental value to the victims and they arekeen to get them back. If you know anything aboutthe incident or the stolen items please contact us. Atransit style van was seen acting suspiciously in thearea during the morning of Tuesday November 20and we would like to speak to anyone who saw thevehicle or its occupants.”

Anyone with any information about the incident isasked to contact PC 4011 Lucy Page on 101, followthe instructions to leave a message for a policeofficer and when prompted key in the officer’s iden-tification number 4011. Alternatively contactCrimestoppers which is free and anonymous on0800 555 111.

Local plan nowincludes 2000 homes

Jewellerystolen inburglary

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“Project volunteers have been busyover the last few weeks and track layingnow stretches all the way to NunckleyHill” saidproject leaderSteve Cramp.

“If you lookover the graniterailway bridge atthe top of Hal-stead Road youcan now see therailway. By earlyDecember trackshould passthrough the bridgeand back intoMountsorrel Par-ish.”

A four minutelong video of a ridealong the restored Mountsorrel Railwayis now available on Youtube at the fol-lowing link www.tinyurl.com/clto9ak

Track laying will continue early in theNew Year with the intention of reachingthe end of the line at Bond Lane duringFebruary.

Steve said: “New volunteers are stillneeded to help with track laying as theprocess requires at least 20 able bodiedpeople at anyone time. If you think youwould like to help on an occasionalSaturday please get in touch. With therailway soon to be completed you'll be

able to look back in years to come andsay "I helped to do that!”

A bigthanks goesto Mountsor-rel quarrywho havedonated afurther 500tonnes ofballast andthanks tohelp fromthe GreatCentral

Railway,most of the laid track isnow top ballasted andalmost ready for trainsto run.”

The MountsorrelRailway Ecology Group have also beenhard at work creating a new foot pathcalled the Nunckley Trail.

“This will be a half mile long circularnature/history trail through the wood-land south of the Mountsorrel Railway atNunckley Hill. The path will start andend close to the HalsteadRoad/Swithland Lane road junction. The

route of the path has been carefullyplanned to take in points of ecologicaland historical interest. The Dob Hallruins are in this area and the trail pass-es through them.

“The path will be edged with logs sowill be suitable for the visually impaired.We are also trying to keep the routewheel chair friendly or at least mobility

scooter friendly.“They'll be a

picnic and view-ing area overlooking he rail-way and the hopeis to have the

trail open to the public free of chargeon the days that the railway is operating.

“All this is being constructed at zerocost thanks to the hard work or ourvolunteer team although we are hopingto attract a small grant to fund the crea-tion of information boards along thepath to highlight areas of interest.

“More than half of the path has al-ready been completed but the groupneeds additional volunteers to help fin-ish the route. The team primarily con-sists of children of all ages and theirparents, if you would like to get involvedwith the Mountsorrel Railway Project buttrack laying isn't your thing, then volun-teering your time to help create theNunckley Trail could be an ideal way ofgetting involved.”

Children were recently involved in aWildlife Warrior event, building hedge-hog hibernation houses and makingtheir own teasel hedgehogs to takehome.

If you would like to help theMountsorrel Railway please get intouch with the project leader SteveCramp by [email protected]


THE AWARD winning Mountsorrel Railway Project continuesto lay track in its efforts to restore a section of disusedrailway that links Mountsorrel to the GCR near to Swithlandreservoir.

Track reachesMountsorrel andnew path created

Pics:(top) track laying and (inset) children at a Wildlife Warrior event

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THE SORRELL Youth Café onthe Green is looking tobuild on its success by ex-panding some of its currentactivities and introducing anumber of new initiatives.

Since the success of its summerprogramme the Sorrel Youth Café hasseen a steady increase in young peoplevisiting and using its facilities.

Recent changes in the timetables forboth Rawlins and Humphrey Perkinsschools has left a gap for developingthe Café’s activities for its younger cus-tomers. Graham Lloyd, the Café’s YouthOfficer said: “The changes have meantthat our older visitors are not getting tous until about 4.45pm but they are thenreturning for the evening session. Thishas opened up a great opportunity tocater for the younger age group leavingprimary school at 3.15pm However inorder to develop the right activities weare in desperate need of new volun-teers.”

The Café is now looking for volun-teers to work with it to develop their3.30-5.30pm opening slot. Grahamadded: “We are always looking for newvolunteers, but we are particularly inter-ested in people who are prepared to sitwith the younger customers, undertakecraft activities, perhaps work with themaround their reading and writing and ofcourse play board games with them.”

Alongside the normal youth provi-sion, the Café is now offering anotheropportunity aimed at young parents andtheir babies. Brunch’n’Babies aims tobe a community resource but also toprovide a training opportunity for un-employed young people in Mountsorrel.Graham said: “This is another uniqueopportunity that uses the café to greatadvantage. We are looking for threeunemployed young people who areunder 21 and interested in catering andlearning how to run a small business.We have appointed a temporary cateringteam leader and the café opened forbusiness on October 1 between9.30and 11.30am.”

If successful the Café is seeking toexpand its daytime opening times tocater for more community groups. Itwould welcome interest from anyonewho is interested in helping out andparticularly unemployed young peoplewho want to gain some catering relatedexperience and qualifications.

The Café is now developing its au-tumn and winter programme and wel-comes ideas from the Mountsorrelcommunity.

www.sycafe.org0116 2375289

A RESIDENT is counting thecost of paying a “white vanman” to get rid of wastefrom her home.

Shilpa Jobanputra, of LoughboroughRoad, Birstall, pleaded guilty at LeicesterMagistrates’ Court on October 26, 2012,to a fly-tipping charge.

Charnwood Borough Council enforce-ment officers were called in March 2012to investigate a pile of waste that hadbeen dumped outside the gates of acompany in Mountsorrel.

Officers scoured the pile, which in-cluded 30 black bin bags, a TV, card-board boxes and clothing, and foundletters, payslips and bills addressed toJobanputra.

They contacted Jobanputra who toldofficers she did not know she had com-mitted an offence and expressed herremorse.

She said she paid £50 for a “whitevan man” to take the waste from herproperty after receiving a flyer throughher letterbox.

She presumed they would take thewaste to the tip and failed to checkwhether the company had a Waste Carri-

er’s Licence, which any waste disposaltradesperson is required to hold by law.

Householders are legally required toensure tradespeople they pay have aWaste Carrier’s Licence. Failure to do sois an offence.

Councillor Jane Hunt, the Council’sCabinet member for Regulatory Services,said: “Our Don’t Muck Around cam-paign is trying to raise awareness ofDuty of Care offences. Please check thatthe people you pay to remove wastefrom your property have a Waste Carri-er’s Licence. Don’t fall foul of this of-fence.”

Jobanputra was fined £75 by theCourt and ordered to make a contribu-tion of £100 towards the Council's in-vestigation and enforcement costs, plus a£15 victim surcharge.

For more information about the Don’tMuck Around campaign or to report afly-tip, contact 01509 634564 or [email protected]. Alsovisit www.facebook.com/dontmuck


DEVELOPERS JELSON areappealing the refusal oftheir planning applica-tion to build 315 homesoff Halstead Road.

Charnwood Borough Councilrefused permission in April 2012,saying the development would harmthe character of the landscape, isnot sustainable in terms of transportand access to services, is too closeto Mountsorrel quarry, would havea harmful environmental impact andbe detrimental to highway safety.

Jelson appealed the decision,and the date for the appeal inquirywas set for November 27, 2012.

In October, both Jelson andCharnwood requested a postpone-ment. The appeal will now be con-sidered by the Planning Inspectoratein late February or early March2013.

Householder fined after rubbish dumped

Pic: the dumped rubbish

The March issue of the

MOUNTSORREL POSTwill be published on Feb 23.The copy deadline is Feb 8.

Jelsonappeal

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‘Twas the night before ChristmasNot too long agoWhen the streets of the townWere all covered in snow

No rain filled the guttersNo wind shook the treeThe trains were on timeAnd the traffic ran free

But still though we’re warmedBy those global effectsAnd programmes on tellyAre all about sex

We’ve managed to cling toThe hopes and the joysThat we had when we wereLittle girls, little boys

When Dad gave my MumA new perfume called ‘Heaven’And Westlife was somethingYou found down in Devon

There were nuts and SatsumasRoast goose and high teasInstead of NigellaCell phones and CDs

But in spite of the changesThe fastness of lifeThrough it all shines the taleOf a man and his wife

They journeyed at nightThrough darkness and dangerTo give birth to a SonIn a dusty old manger

From Peggy Clarke

Healthy exercise, good fun, greatmusic and new friends try

Scottish DancingMonday evenings at Avenue RoadSchool, Knighton 7.30 - 10pmTuesday afternoons at Holy CrossCentre, Wellington Street 1.30 -3.45pmThursday evenings at Holy CrossCentre, Wellington Street 7.30 -10pmQualified teachers, don’t needpartner, first session free ofcharge

Christmas Festivalat St Leonard’s Church, SwithlandSaturday December 8 from 10amto 5pmRefreshments all day

The Baldwin TrustA local charity that runs narrowboats for the disabled, specialneeds, elderly and communitygroupsis looking for a SecretaryThis is a voluntary position andwould suit a retired person, withgood communication and compu-ter skillsCould you be the person we arelooking for?Contact: Glenda Townsend 011162301731If you have any queries please donot hesitate to give me a call

Churches Together in Birstall &WanlipMonday December 318.30pm onwardsat Birstall Village HallA traditional

New Year’sEvening PartyParty games, quizzes, dancing,shared buffet supper, bring yourown drinksTickets @ £2 each, from the threechurches or tel: 0116 2672606

Charnwood Orchestra

Annual StraussconcertJanuary 19 at Humphrey Perkins

School, Barrow-upon-Soar, Leicsat 7pmThe programme will consist of allthe popular music by the Straussfamily and othersTickets £10 (£8 concessions), £3for accompanied children under 16Available from 07718 153117 orby [email protected] andfrom members of the orchestraThere will be an interval bar sell-ing wine, Castle Rock Real Ale andfruit juiceBook your tickets early as this is avery popular event!

Mountsorrel Community ActionGroup

Christmas Craft& Festive WalkEventThursday December 13Sorrel Youth Café, The GreenCraft session 9.30-11.30am,£1.20Afternoon walk 1.30pm, startingfrom the Youth Café and followedby hot drinks and mince piesOpen to all

Mountsorrel Methodist Church

Men’s Fellowship50th AnniversaryWeekendSaturday February 23, 2013, 6pmCelebration 3 course DinnerFollowed with entertainment bythe Loughborough Concert BandTickets £10 eachAvailable from Geoff Wainwrighttel: 0116 2376979Sunday February 24, 201310.30am Anniversary Serviceincluding special items by theMen’s ChorusPreacher: Rev R Graham Carter(ex President of Conference)We welcome your support on bothoccasions

St Theresa’s

Christmas BazaarSat December 1511am till 3pmin St Theresa’s Church HallFront StreetStalls to include cake stall, bottletombola, raffle, preserves & manymore to delight you

THE SORREL Youth Café ispreparing three events thisDecember to celebrateChristmas with the Mount-sorrel community.

On December 8 the Café will openits doors to stallholders and gift huntersand host its annual Christmas Fair.“There will be lots of opportunities tobuy an unusual gift, take part in Christ-mas Crafts, try your luck at the tombolaor other competitions or simply relaxwith a home

made mince pie and a hot drink” saidcafé trustee Leslie Strange. The doorsopen at 11am and there will be Christ-mas music until 4pm.

Leslie said: “The Christmas Fair isalways a great opportunity for the com-munity to come together and celebrateChristmas. We look forward to welcom-ing everybody to the Café.”

On December 15 the Café will againbe welcoming some specially invitedolder residents and supporters of theCafé’s work to celebrate with us by shar-ing in a Christmas dinner with all thetrimmings. The dinner will be preparedand served by young people and Cafévolunteers. With the support of localfood suppliers, this Christmas celebra-tion meal aims to repeat the success oflast year’s event with good home cookedfood, a dollop of Christmas music andlots of seasonal cheer.

The Café will finish its activities for itsyounger customers with a party on De-cember 21. For a small donation to-wards the cost of the food the café willbe open between 3 and 5 pm. Parentsand supporters will also be welcome.

The Café will be starting its 2013activities on Thursday January 3. Look-ing forward Graham Lloyd, the CaféYouth officer said: “We have had a fan-tastic 2012 and we are all looking for-ward to building on our success overthe next 12 months. Thank you to all theyoung people who regularly visit us andto our volunteers who help make theCafé work so well.”

Leslie said: “On behalf of the staffand trustees I would like to thank allour suppliers and customers for theirsupport. We all wish Mountsorrel resi-dents a very happy Christmas and apeaceful New Year.”

If you are interested in finding outmore about the Café, the Christmasevents or volunteering please give Gra-ham a call on 07775 616001 or email:[email protected]


YOUR SAY...

The Mountsorrel Post welcomes yourviews and opinions on any subject. Let-ters, which must include your name andaddress, (though not necessarily forpublication) can be posted to: TheMountsorrel Post, Longslade College,Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GH,or handed in at Mountsorrel library oremail:[email protected]

Like it was

Noticeboardall details printed free

CaféChristmasevents

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9

MOUNTSORREL REMEMBEREDthe fallen at the village’sannual Remembrance Sun-day parade and service onNovember 11, ArmisticeDay.

Organised by the Royal British Le-gion, the parade from The Green to thechurch was led by the musicians of theLeicestershire Co-op Snibston Band.

Youth organisations, councillors anddignitaries including the Mayor ofCharnwood, Diane Wise, took part in theparade. It was followed by a service at StPeter’s Church.

This year’s Poppy appeal raised£3300 in the village. Appeal organiserJohn Doyle said: “As ever this a greateffort from a small community and asthe collection organiser I’m particularlygrateful to those who attended our cof-fee and cake morning launch at theSorrel Youth Cafe and a big thank you toall the shops, pubs and other outlets thathad collection boxes supporting theappeal.”Pic: Charnwood Mayor Diane Wise & Coun-ty Cllr Peter Osborne PICS: CLIVE RASIN


LEICESTERSHIRE BASED build-ing materials supplier, La-farge, has joined an elite setof ‘green’ firms to achieve recertification of the CarbonTrust Standard.

Only a third of companies have suc-ceeded in regaining the Standard – theworld’s first carbon reduction award fororganisations taking action on climatechange.

Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK,based in Syston, obtained recertificationthanks to ever evolving energy savinginitiatives which have cut carbon emis-sions by 16 per cent over the last fiveyears.

The Standard certification was award-ed to all of the company’s UK operationsand subsidiaries, including 35 quarries,98 readymix plants, 17 asphalt plants,depots and head office at Granite House,Syston.

Energy saving measures have includedusing ducting to redirect heat generatedfrom compressors to warm up work-shops; installing timers on office heaters;installing individual switches on lighting;implementing ‘soft starts’ on crushersand conveyors; establishing more vigor-ous maintenance and repair pro-grammes to optimise efficiency ofequipment and, at Dowlow, replacing thebi-monthly grass cutting routine withsheep grazing.

Lafarge’sgreenstandardsrecognised

Remembrance Sunday parade

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10

One of our young offenders waslocked up on remand and was visited byone of our investigations team. Duringthis visit the offender admitted a further14 offences in Mountsorrel.

Following an increase in burglary in

September we have identified some of-fenders and these have been interviewedand subsequently charged. There is anongoing Police operation in the areawhich is dedicated to burglary patrolsand investigation and this will remain in

place until the new year.Crime Report: Aug 1 – Oct 31

ASB 8, assaults 13, burglary 12, bur-glary non-dwelling 4, damage 12, dam-age to motor vehicle 12, theft 42, drugs4, public order 5

Total number of crimes : 147 (sameperiod in 2011 : 204)

From Jan 8, 2013 the new BeaconOfficer for Mountsorrel is PC Ian Mundy2995

From PC Glenn Spiby 2041


ANTISOCIAL behaviour has reduced in the village. The per-petrators have been identified and are being dealt withincrementally. MARIE CURIE Cancer Care’s

Fundraising Group forCharnwood has just startedand is looking for members.

They will be organising a variety ofdifferent events, while supporting MarieCurie Cancer Care to help raise funds toallow terminally ill patients to die intheir own home supported by their fami-lies.

Members of other groups have joinedfor a variety of different reasons, butmany have had some experience of aMarie Curie Cancer Care nurse. Onesupport group member said: “I give mytime in thanks for the care given to myson in his last few days, to help raisefunds for others to get the same care ashe received.”

Another member said: “Because ofMarie Curie Cancer Care my cousin,aged 29, was able to come home for hisfinal days. In his memory and to helpothers have the same privilege I volun-teer and support the charity.”

If you would like to join the group orfind out more, contact Anna 01604442315 or email:[email protected] foran informal chat.

SOME DOG OWNERS areallowing their dogs torun off the lead in Mount-sorrel cemetery.

A spokesman for the Parish Coun-cil said: “Despite notices being dis-played in the cemetery requestingdogs to be kept on leads, these irre-sponsible owners are ignoring theregulations and allow their dogs torun over graves which not only dis-plays disrespect, but causes distressto people visiting their loved ones.

“The Parish Council do not wishto impose a total ban on dogs assome people take comfort from visit-ing a grave whilst walking their dogand feel it unfair to penalise every-one for a few inconsiderate people.The Parish Council will endeavour tomonitor the situation.”

P/12/2126/2: 84 Kingfisher Road – reten-tion of car port

P/12/2330/2: 8 Linkfield Road – erectionof dormer extension to rear of dwelling

P/12/2194/2: The Lindens, 22 HalsteadRoad – erection of nine dwellings

P/12/2052/2: 53 Halstead Road – con-version of loft into habitable space with twodormer windows to the front and dormerand rooflights to rear of dwelling

P/12/2041/2: 3 Highfields Road – erec-

tion of 1st floor extension to side and singlestorey extension to rear of dwelling

P/12/2072/2: 75 Leicester Road –change of use to mixed use Classes A1 re-tail, A2 professional services and B1 officeuse

P/12/2005/2: Land off Mountsorrel Lane,Rothley – Site for residential developmentfor a maximum of 250 dwellings and newprimary school. Change of use of dwelling tomedical facility and of agricultural land toextend residential curtilages and construc-tion of relief road.

P/12/1966/2: 2A The Green – Removal ofcondition 1 or P/11/0771/2 to permanentlyretain the use as a sui generis use (compris-ing mixed use café (A3) and youth centre(D1) and variation of condition 2 ofP/11/07771/2 to increase opening hours to8.00-22.00 weekdays and 9.00-22.00 onSats with occasional bank holiday opening

A 28-YEAR-OLD man has been arrest-ed by Police and charged with at-tempting to rob a delivery driver.

The incident is alleged to have takenplace on Saturday November 17 inChurch Hill Road, Mountsorrel.

Crime report

Keepdogs onlead incemetery

Cancercare

Planning

Attemptedrobbery

You are all invited to theMemorial Hall on

Tuesday December 11 at 7.30pm

Those taking part include:The Ratby Co-operative Band

Local Organisations • Local ClergyLight refreshments will be servedat the conclusion of the concert

ChristmasCarol Concert

Organised byMountsorrel Parish Council

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11

A GROUP of volunteers thatprovides activities for youngpeople in Mountsorrel islooking for sponsorship.

The Mountsorrel Youth DevelopmentGroup (MYDG) is affiliated to Mountsor-rel Parish Council and was formed in2006.

Each summer it organises a freeactivity day on the Halstead Road playingfield with stalls, rides, sports and craftactivitits.

MYDG also work with the Soar ValleyLeisure Centre to provide a four weekprogramme of free activities at the Lei-sure Centre.

To continue their work in 2013 thegroup is looking for donations or spon-sorship from local groups, businesses orindividuals. If you can help, contact thegroup via the Parish Council Office:[email protected]

0116 2303809

LOUGHBOROUGH LEISURE Cen-tre is halfway through a£2.1million refurbishment.

The facility, owned by CharnwoodBorough Council and run by the charity,Fusion Lifestyle, has had a new gym, anew cycling studio and a new soft playarea for children.

The final phase of the improvementswill see the launch of a new main exer-cise studio, disabled changing areas,new toilets and a refurbished sports hall.

The centre has a 25m swimmingpool.

Rod Newitt has collected clients fromnearby villages, cared for them at theday centre and taken them home foralmost 10 years. He was presented with

a cheque to be put towards a holiday,and thanked for his dedicated work.Pic: Rod Newitt receives a cheque fromPam Cooper


A DRIVER and care assistant was presented with a gift bymembers of the Mountsorrel Housebound Club.

RESIDENTS ARE being askedto help extinguish firebugsby reporting rubbish pilesas part of an innovative ar-son-busting scheme.

Charnwood Borough Council, itswaste management partner Serco andLeicestershire Fire and Rescue Servicehave joined forces to tackle arson risks,such as piles of dumped waste. Thepartnership is part of the council’saward-winning Don’t Muck Around cam-paign which during November is target-ing fly tipping and raising awareness ofDuty of Care offences. When an incidentof illegally dumped waste is reported,the Council will make clearing it a pri-ority.

Mick Grewcock, Charnwood DistrictManager for the Leicestershire Fire andRescue Service said: “This is a reallygreat initiative which will see rubbishremoved quickly preventing it from be-ing set fire to. I would urge the commu-nity to be vigilant and report incidents ofwaste being dumped that could be apotential target for fire.”

If you are a resident email:[email protected] orcall the contact centre on 01509634564.

They will need to know the exactlocation and what the rubbish consistsof. The Council cannot deal with rubbishon private properties but we can uselitter clearing notices in extreme cases.

THE ROTARY Club of theSoar Valley will once againbe accompanying Santa onhis tour of local villagesfrom December 7-23.

Santa will be touring Birstall on WedDec 19 and Thurs Dec 20, Mountsorrelon Fri Dec 7 and Mon Dec 10 and Roth-ley on Mon Dec 10 and Fri Dec 21.

He will also be making stops at Bir-stall’s Co-op supermarket on Dec 16and Budgens, Mountsorrel on Dec 22 &23.

Youthgroup

Centreimproved

Santa’stour

The March issue of the

MOUNTSORREL POSTwill be published on Feb 23.The copy deadline is Feb 8.

Reportpiles ofrubbish

Volunteer thankedby village club

PH

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12

A STUDENT has discovered arare moth in a Charnwoodbeauty spot – the first of itstype found in Leicester-shire.


AMLI DESIGN Architectural Consul-tancy. Plans drawn and submitted.Extensions, conversions, newbuild. David Ives B.Sc.(Hons)FBEng MCIOB 01162674395/07974807111www.amlidesign.co.uk

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Small ads are 25p for the first 16words. 17-32 words: 50p. Enclosingpayment, post your ad to us or hand itin (inside an envelope) at Mountsorrellibrary.

Trade/business rates for small adsare 25p a word. You are liable for thetrade/business rate if you are offering aservice for which you are asking forpayment, or if you are advertising newgoods for sale. All text will be printedbold. Box outline £1 extra. Max 50words. Phone numbers count as oneword.

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MOUNTSORREL POSTYOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Longslade College, Wanlip Lane,Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GH

Editor: Mr Jerry Jackson

Editorial/Advertising (Tel & Fax)

0116 2674213Correspondence, news etc can be handed in at:

Mountsorrel Library, Rothley Post Officeor to our office in the Youth Centre,

Longslade College, Birstall

[email protected]

‘Operation Dynamo’ was launched atthe beginning of August with all officersand members of staff being urged not toleave any stone unturned in their searchfor burglars. 78 people have been ar-rested for burglary related offences anthe Counties’ BCU and a further 61across the City BCU – a total of 139arrests. Details of those individual ar-rests and charges are now being updat-ed on the Force website every day.

A dedicated team of detectives hasbeen established who will visit the victimof every burglary and ensure a robustinvestigation is carried out; exploring allpossible avenues including forensic op-portunities, CCTV, house to house en-quiries and Automatic Number PlateTechnology (ANPR).

Known offenders across the city andcounty will receive regular visits fromofficers to ensure they are not offendingand significant work is being done withForce’s ANPR cameras to deny criminalsthe use of Leicestershire and Rutland’sroads. Crime pattern analysis shows that40% of burglaries which are committedon the Counties’ BCU are committed bypeople who live outside the County orForce area.

Officers will also be giving crimeprevention advice to each victim of bur-glary and their immediate neighbours.

House burglaries across Leicester,Leicestershire and Rutland are at a thir-teen year low but year to date figuresare showing a small increase of 3.4%which is 44 offences more than this

NEARLY 150 people have been arrested in Leicestershire fora range of burglary related offences during the first eightweeks of a new force wide campaign to tackle burglary.

time last year.Detective Chief Inspector Rich Ward,

who is the Force’s lead for burglary,said: “Members of the public have arole to play in tackling crime and reduc-ing the opportunities for burglars tobreak into their homes. On many occa-sions when we examine the crime re-ports we see the words ‘insecure entry’which means the burglar has got intothe property through an unlocked dooror open window. We’re hoping to en-courage people to do a quick securitycheck of their homes before they go out,or go to bed, to eliminate those oppor-tunities.

“We’ve also had a number of inci-dents where people have reported suspi-cious activity three or four days after thecrime. We want to encourage people tocall us the minute they see somethingout of the ordinary so we can respondquickly. This significantly increases ourchances of catching those responsible.

“Our focus will remain on closelymonitoring offenders who are alreadyknown to us and we will be paying a lotof attention to the roads through ourcounty and city using modern technologyto catch criminals driving throughLeicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.”

If you have any information about anycrime, you can contact us on 101. In anemergency, where life is in danger or acrime is in progress, always call 999.

Calls to 101 cost 15p for the entirecall from both mobile phones and landlines.

Rebecca Faulkner, from Barrow-Upon-Soar, spotted a European micromoth at the Outwoods near Loughbor-ough in August while she was carryingout a wildlife study as part of herNottingham Trent University degree.

The micro moth, Harpella forficel-la, has only been found three times inthe UK and this is the first recordedsighting in Leicestershire and Rutland.It is usually found in warmer Europe-an climes.

Rebecca, who is in the final year ofher Wildlife Conservation degree, said:“I was so pleased with my discovery .There is nothing more exciting for amoth trapper than to find a rare spe-cies.

“At first I had no idea it was a raremoth. But when I sent a photo to thecounty recorder he was able to identi-fy the moth and tell me the goodnews.”

Police launch blitzon burglary

Raremoth

Pic:Harpella forficella

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Mountsorrel Post (41) Dec 2012