March april braunstone alert 2016 master final copy

t r e l A e n o t s n u Bra pril 2016 March/A

e n o t s n u a r B n i s w e n r o f No. 1

t r e Al y r e l l a G

Friends of the Highway Spinney AGM

pinney S y a w High Winter

Pop In @ Blessed Sacrament Churc h

nstone u a r B umba @ Z e v i RITE t B e h b-ac t t aster a t s e u l B

TalkTime @ Mother Goose

s Braunstone Alert reader

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The NMB

he latest meeting of the Neighbourhood Management Board (NMB) discussed the following items: Matters Arising Residents Network News - The annual toy sale, held at the Oak Centre, supported by b-inspired’s community volunteer course trainees and the Residents Network volunteers, raised in excess of £1000! Which will be used to organise family trips and to fund local groups. The Braunstone Awards, is our next event & will be supported by CVQ trainees. Date/venue to be announced.

Community Wellness Breakfast Club - A breakfast club was ran through the Foodshare over the Xmas holiday, supported by b-connected/Foodshare. An additional 140 breakfast bags were issued to eligible families accessing CYPFC in New Parks/Braunstone & registered Foodshare families. This undertaking was difficult but worthwhile. AW thanked all who volunteered/worked to achieve this.

Braunstone Blues - With the success of the 1940’s event, the Blues are arranging a taster session the 12th Feb at Brite Centre.

Along with, health care event on Sat 16th April, also at the Brite Centre, a - basic health measuring will be carried out by Merridale Medical Centre. The Blues are now working at Grey Ferrers & Island Place. On the first Friday of each month, 1st aid paediatrics training is being carried out at CYPFC on Gallards Hill by Shelly.

Police Update - Serious ASB has been tackled on the estate.

Rowley Fields allotments are suffering a number of crimes & funding is being sought to provide CCTV, & an engagement day is being planned. Street consultation is taking place around Braunstone, b-connected & b-active staff offered to support the consultation and to include the Neighbourhood Action Plan.

Braunstone Growing Project - Following a successful year, workshops and developing at the farm will continue. A polytunnel donated by LCC housing dept & Ward funding will support 2016 growing efforts. The police/ Braunstone Blues were thanked for their input/commitment over 2015. Wellinger Way garden will be utilised again this year, though the use of the walled garden is uncertain and is subject to funding.

Active Leicester - 3 yrs funding received from Sport England – free activities will take place at local community venues/open spaces. Funding is primarily for residents aged 14+ with an emphasis on people 50+. Family sessions will be available to include younger people. A launch will take place at the Leisure Centre on 30th January.

Up and coming events - A new CVQ will be starting in January.

ASRA, Riverside housing, Help the Aged & Barclays Digital Eagles are teaming up for “Digital Fortnight” taking place in half term, addressing the issues & concerns of residents about the introduction of Universal Credit, free training for staff is available through ASRA. The Community Asset transfers of the Oak & Cort Crescent Community Centres has taken place. Both are now run by church groups,and have a 25 year lease & minimal rents.

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ur online group has been growing and now has over 300 members, we use the site to let people know what’s happening in the area and to have a chat about what we can get involved in too.

If you wish to join the group, search for us on Facebook “Braunstone Residents Network” or @ BraunstoneResidentsnetwork.co.uk.

We had such a successful Xmas toy sale and need to extend our thanks to the staff at Bradgate Bakeries who kindly collected toys for us to sell. Many of these were brand new and we were blown away by the support. We should also mention the people who attend TalkTime, (a friendship group for older people), as they kindly helped to make beautiful mince pies for us to sell too!

All in all, we raised over £1000 and we are now planning some day trips and donations to help other groups. If you have an idea for a fun day out or would like to be part of the team please drop in to see us on Wednesdays at our garage sale at 45 Wellinger Way between 1.30pm and 3.45pm. Donations of clothes, shoes, bedding, bric a brac and kitchen ware are always welcomed and can be left anytime at Wellinger Way for us to sort out.

n in? ominatio n r u o y t go ion Have you r invitat u o y r o f Look out st! in the po

Farewell Tony

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fter an illness borne with great dignity, we sadly lost our dear friend and a great community activist, Tony Russell on the 6th January. Many of you will have known Tony and will no doubt have benefited from all the community work he did over many decades in Braunstone. But did you know he was born in the Isle of Wight and that he and his dear wife Shirley had been married just one month short of 50 years! He also had 5 children, 17 grandchildren and an expanding family of 24 great-grandchildren! He was a true family man and also cared for numerous foster children over the years and always had children’s welfare at heart: which included his roles in local schools as a Governor at the former Bendbow Rise, Cort Crescent, Wycliffe and Newarke Schools – he also was part of the establishment of the Adventure Playground, the Oak Centre and the North Braunstone Resource Centre.

Laterally, over the last 15 years Tony committed his time to the management of the New Deal for Communities programme in Braunstone and was a Director from the early days and then became a Trustee since it became the charity Braunstone Foundation in 2010. He was also the Chairman of the Cort Crescent Community Centre Management Committee for many years and worked to offer a range of activities from the centre, for young and old and helped raised many thousands of pounds in charity money for good causes such as the Air Ambulance Service. Tony’s voluntary work was legendary and he worked hard to improve things for his community and to provide better services, friendship and enjoyment for those around him. Tony will be sadly missed and we send our sincere condolences to Shirley and all his family and friends. It was clear from his funeral service at St. Peters, where large numbers of people turned out to say farewell. Tony will always be remembered with great fondness and respect – R.I.P. Tony

By Angie Wright – Chief Officer, Braunstone Foundation

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What’s in a Name?

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All Aboard

robably as like many of you, have done, I walked through raunstone Community Primary School Braunstone Park recently and saw contractors and their would like to say a huge thank you to machines working at the Hall for the new owner, Mr the Braunstone and Rowley Fields Naresh Parmer. It is the beginning of this multimillion pound Ward Grant Committee for allowing us to investment to transform a Georgian Hall into a luxurious 18 room purchase resources for our outdoor area in events Hotel. The name will also the early years. They gave us a grant of £800, change to Winstanley House, but that wouldn’t be the first change of name for the building or the family.

The Hastings Family held the Manor of Braunstone in the 1550s and sold it to James Winstanley in 1650, a Parliamentarian legislator from Lancashire. Winstanley continued to acquire more local and regional land and became the recordership of Leicester in 1653 until 1660. James Winstanley, Sherriff of Leicestershire the son of the James Winstanley, M.P. For Leicester, had a son Clement, which we used to purchase a set of large who built Braunstone Hall in 1775. He later married Jayne wooden blocks so that the children could Parkyns, their son died a batchelor in 1855 and the Winstanley build all sorts of exciting things. However, lands and property moved to a distant relative called James most of the grant was used to buy a large Beaumont, who also died a bachelor in 1862. All accrued wooden pirate ship. As you can see by the inheritance then passed to his sister, Anna Jane, who was married to Commander Ralph Pochin, a member of the Pochin photograph, the children were very excited by the new addition to the playground and Family of Barkby, Leicestershire. Their son Richard Pochin look forward to setting sail and having lots of succeeded to the estate in 1904 and assumed the name adventures. Ship ahoy!

Winstanley.

In 1925 the Winstanley land in Braunstone was acquired by Leicester Council for housing development. Perhaps given its S Sharon Rushin history, the new development should be called Pochin Paradise Assistant Head/Inclusion Manager/EYFS Lead Hotel.

Written by Robert Butcher

Braunstone Community Primary School

Braunstone Blues Working together

‘This is what we do to make Braunstone more HEALTHY, SAFE and SECURE’ For your free home visit from the Braunstone Blues please contact us on: 07800 709802 or Email: Braunstone.blues@lfrs.org Website: www.leics.police.uk/braunstone.blues

-Spring quizSpot the difference?

There are 5 spring time differences to be found, can you spot them?

Trivia 1. Which event marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere?

2. Which countries national rugby team is known as the springbok?

3. Which cartoon family lives in Springfield?

4. What type of buns are eaten on Good Friday?

5. In 1964, who sang “I only want to be with you”?

All answers in “Its your letters”

Spring myths… True or False

Colour me in

1.

Myth says that on the first day of spring you can balance a egg on its end?

How does your garden grow? Can you name these 3 spring time flowers?

2.

3.

How does your garden grow?

Early Spring

Mid Spring

Late Spring

Thank you for your donations

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he March/April alert sees the first opportunity for the Braunstone Foodshare to say a massive thank you to everyone that kindly donated over the festive season.

Here is a list of some of you lovely people that donated; The Braunstone Residents Network for a £100 donation towards fresh vegetables, £500 from Blessed Sacrament Church to go with continued donations of food, £60.00 and festive food from The Church of the Martyrs.

Thanks also goes to Fullhurst for their donation of 93 hampers, to David and Toby Garner for their donation of turkey hampers, to Fareshare, Slimming World, Braunstone United Reformed Church, St Andrewes Church, Enderby Parish Churches, Enderby United Reformed Church, The Peace and Justice Group at Blessed Sacrament Church and to individuals Helen Cupkovic for her donation, Peter Webster for his donation of 260 carrier bags and to all other individuals that donated financially, or gave food donations and who didn’t want to be named.

A huge thank you must also be given to the tireless efforts of everyone who gave their time over the festive period. Special thanks goes out to Ford and Slater, the Braunstone Blues, b-inspired staff and to all volunteers and individuals that helped to put on a successful festive Foodshare!! Well done everyone and thank you!!

Braunstone Foodshare Dates April 2016

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Neighbourhood Action Plan Public Consultation 2016 Three years ago we asked “what do you think is most important?”

Your priorities were….

1. Helping young people make better lifestyle choices (services for young people)

2. Things for older people to do. (Incl. advice services) 3. Better schools – inspiring children to achieve 4. Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour 5. Improving health for all.

Do you still feel the same? It can be something different, Here are some possible priorities…

Access to community buildings/ housing repairs/ debt advice/ litter/ fouling/ parking issues/ pavement parking/ access to employment/ access to food/ public transport/ disability support/diabetes support/ mental Please complete the form and return to either; ● ● ● ●

Neighbourhood Support Base 45 Wellinger Way Braunstone LE3 1RG The BRITE Centre Braunstone Avenue LE3 1LD Hockley Farm Medical Practice 39 Hockley Farm Road LE3 1HN Braunstone Leisure Centre 2 Hamelin Road LE3 1JN

For further information please call the team on 0116 223 2256

A PLAN FOR BRAUNSTONE When we last asked you in September 2013 you said that these priorities were important to you. What are your thoughts now?

Q1. What is your opinion about the five priorities? (Circle one letter under each number) A = Agree D = Disagree N = No opinion 1.

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A DN

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Q2. Of the ones you picked, which are the most important? (Circle all, any or none) 1.

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Q3. Is there anything you would like to add to the list? (Write your ideas below)

Q4. Do you read the Braunstone Alert?

Where do you pick it up from?

Q5. Would you be happy to talk to us in more details about your ideas and opinions, or to hear about the results and other information?

Yes No If YES how can we contact you?

Name ___________________________ Address __________________________ _________________________________ Postcode LE3______________ Phone ___________________________ Email ____________________________ _________________________________

Yes / No

Q6. Please circle and complete the information below.

Please note: the personal information you give us will only be used for the purpose of this consultation and will not be used for any other purpose without your permission.

Male

Female

Age Range Under 18 18-25 26-40 41-50 51-60 51-60 61-64 81-85 65-70 71-75 76-80 85+ Ethnicity (please state) Do you have dependent children? Yes/No

g e v w n i o r g Brau o t e n v sto o l ne e W Come and join the Bean Factory to sow runner beans for Braunstone Foodshare

April 8th 2015 - 9.30am to 11:00am at the BRITE Centre Braunstone Avenue Leicester LE3 1LD

Come and join us Ring 0116 223 2256 or email tracey.spears@b-inspired.org.uk

Š b-inspired 2015

OON S I NG T R STA

Myself and the Braunstone and Rowley Fields neighbourhood team would like to make you aware of an increase in illegal and nuisance vehicle use around Braunstone. In the past months we have started to see a rise in this type of behaviour; cars being burnt out on the park, speeding and vehicles being driven without necessary documentation.

We are working in conjunction with our partner agencies in an attempt to reduce this behaviour and need local residents to report these crimes to help us in tackling the problem.

We are always looking to engage with the community to give you a chance to let us know the issues that are affecting your local area. We are now bringing our beat bus out onto local streets to give people a chance to come and meet with and speak to members of our team.

We also run other events to allow you to come and see our team at various locations around the area. For times and dates please visit Our team are working to solve the issues in Braunstone and would appreciate the help of the community in resolving the issues by reporting crimes, anti-social behaviour and suspicious activity by calling 101, or anonymously through crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. As always we are keen to help where we can with any community events so please contact us if you need a hand. You can follow us on twitter @LPRowleyfields where you can keep up to date with what we are doing.

Donations of a Slimming Nation

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raunstone Foodshare would like to say a huge thank you to Karen O’Brien and her kind members from Slimming World based at Folville School, who have kindly been donating food to the Foodshare. The Alert caught up with Karen, who for the last year has been successfully running the group, to thank her and the members for their kind donations. Karen explained “Braunstone foodshare is a great cause that is close to my member’s hearts and mine”. “At Slimming World we encourage members to fill up on Free Food and donating some of this to Braunstone Foodshare, as this is a important and vital service for local people, the group jumped at the chance to help”.

But that is not all folks, the Group will have a donation box where they can donate their 5p change to the Foodshare.

This contribution will greatly help with the running of this service. Folville Slimming World has gone from strength to strength with 95 new members since January (Which means more 5ps!). Karen told us “The members support each other and there is no judgement or humiliation”. If anyone is interested in joining Folville Simming World you can find all of the details of the group in our trader’s corner.

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n his role as trustee on the Braunstone Foundation Board, Henry Thompson is in the process of compiling a Braunstone to business list of companies in the area to represent itself more collectively. Henry told the Alert “This is a great opportunity for local businesses to connect and to be promoted at the same time”.

For more information or to be added to the list, please call Henry Thompson on 0776 6082 868 or email Henry at henrythompson@palmersofleicestercom.

The Braunstone Alert If you would like to let us know about your group or an up-andcoming event, call us on 0116 223 2256 or email tracey.spears@b-inspired.org.uk

LET US KNOW

Interview by Mustaq Patas

Did you Know that…

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f you have access to the Internet you can read all our editions of our Alert at www.b-inspired.org.uk or here is the link http://issuu.com/b-alert. If you have a smart phone you can scan the QR code on the front cover of the alert (you will need to download the QR code scanner free from your app store and use it to scan the code).

Local residents wins come dine

March Madness

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fter the renewal of January and the romance of February, March can often feel slightly empty, being both too late for winter and too early for spring. Even Easter weekend isn’t fully committed to the month, coming as it does on the 28th. With this in mind, perhaps it would be fun to look towards other parts of the world to fill our calendars.

In Japan, for example, March plays host to “White Day” which is a male orientated reply, of sorts, to Valentine’s Day which the Japanese view as largely feminine.

During White Day, women are encouraged to buy things for their male partners or co-workers. The most commonly purchased gift is, of course, chocolate. In fact, so much chocolate is purchased that the combined sales for Valentine’s Day and White Day amount to 50 per cent of the annual Japanese spending on chocolate.

Elsewhere, this year the first of March marks so called “Super Tuesday”, a key date in the run up to the American general election, when the people of several States will vote to choose who they want to stand in the forthcoming general election.

While both of these may seem strange, they do at least help to liven up an otherwise sparse time of year. Whatever your March holds, enjoy yourself!

Written By Erik Humphreys

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ocal resident Darren Liquorish successfully beat off stiff competition with his award winning menu! His cash prize could not have come at a better time! The cash was well spent on building materials for his his son James’ out building, which will eventually house a hydrotherapy pool. Check out tri4james.com for pictures of the build to date. For those of you that missed the programme you can watch it on all 4 catch up, Come Dine With Me, Series 37, episode 19.

Darren’s winning menu

Also, on Sunday May 1st, Vikky from Vicsons Hair Salon will be doing a sponsored walk for TRI4James, starting from the Clock Tower in Leicester City to Skegness. if you would like to sponsor Vikky, then go to wwww.gofundme.com please make sure to put in your comment that your donation is for the Vikky’s sponsored walk. Blessed of luck Vikky! Keep reading the Alert for more updates.

Pop In Fridays - Top Fund Raiser!

“£1

0,000 was given at Christmas” Father Joe Maloney told me. That is just one year’s fund raising from the Friday morning’s Pop In at the Blessed Sacrament Hall. £5000 was given to overseas and £5000 to local charities, including £500 to Braunstone Foodshare. Father Maloney explained “The fund raising started as a New Millennium project to help the poor and those in need. A staggering £150,000 has been raised since the project started 17 years ago, a remarkable local achievement”.

Pop In Friday is manned by up to 20 volunteers. Various stalls sell bric a brac, CDs and DVDs, toys, clothes, books and shoes. Maureen, Brenda, Pat and Eileen ensure the smooth running of the morning, which is well attended and busy. Pam Nicholas and Anne Walker were on kitchen duty serving drinks, biscuits and cobs. Letters of appreciation from various charities, who received donations, were proudly displayed on the notice board. The money from sales is saved throughout the year and donated at Christmas.

Father Maloney made the point that Friday morning has become an important community event where people meet, chat and keep in touch. He was also concerned that the Christian values of helping the poor and welcoming the stranger were realised through the work done at Blessed Sacrament.

It was time for a mug of tea and a cob as I was peckish. The tea was very welcome, but too late for the cob – sold out! Drat! I will have to be quicker next time. Pop In Friday runs from 10 am until 11.30 am Friday at Blessed Sacraments Hall.

Written by Francis Hruszka

A Real Family Feel

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or years, Maria and Barry Sawbridge of Waltham Avenue, filled their lives with the sound and song of children, even with three boys of their own, this wasn’t enough, so they went on to foster many more children, providing emergency foster placements to some of the county’s most vulnerable young people.

They also set up and ran a singing group, encouraging all the young people who came their way to just sing, don’t be afraid. They took some of these children to open days, camped outside shops, had stalls at carnivals and organised charity nights, all to raise money for Heart Research UK, a charity close to their hearts.

Over the last few years, they busied themselves covering their house in Xmas lights, they built a grotto and continued fund raising, eventually becoming ambassadors for the charity after raising in excess of £10,000 for the cause. 2015 was not a good year for the Sawbridges, they lost several very close family members and in early December, Barry suffered a fatal heart attack which left Maria and their sons heartbroken.

Could this be enough? No, the Sawbridges are determined to carry on, Barry was the main driver but Maria is ready to honour the memory of her husband and all the other members of their family who lost their fight to heart disease and to carry on. Maria will be attending this year’s Braunstone Awards where there will be a tribute to Barry amongst other people who have been inspirational either to their community or to other people.

Written by Ali Gamble

2016 Year of Mercy By the front door of Blessed Sacrament Church, Gooding Avenue – there is a picture of Pope Francis. It is there as a reminder that we are in a Year of Mercy, a special year, a Holy Year. What, you may ask, is that? Pope Francis deemed that the time was right for everyone to have the opportunity to experience the great mercy of God, who always welcomes back those who have drifted away, who will always forgive any mistakes we have made and always help us to make a new start.

Jesus was criticised for eating with sinners, touching lepers, driving out demons, but these were the people he chose to associate with, these people needed mercy not criticism, healing not ostracism. He gave them back their dignity and made it possible for a new start. In this Year of Mercy everyone is invited to step through a Holy Door.

Every Saturday morning between 10 am to 12 noon, Blessed Sacrament Church is open for visitors, to come and take a look or have some quiet prayer time. Easter is on 27th March and is a great celebration in the Church worldwide. Jesus was crucified without any justification and died on the cross on Good Friday. Easter Sunday celebrates God raising him to life again.

The Church has since celebrated this great event which guaranteed life after death, joy after sorrow, peace after pain, heaven waiting for those who believe in it.

Blessed Sacrament continues to have a variety of activities each week. Their regular Friday morning Pop In provides funds which allow the Parish to make donations to many local and overseas charities. The website www.blessed sacramentleicester.org has more information about what they are doing or you can contact the Parish Priest on 0116 2858 795.

Written by Father John Joe Malong

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Crafty Saturdays

eicestershire EG Crafty Stitchers, are a local group of friendly embroiderers/textile enthusiasts, who are based in Braunstone and meet every second Saturday of every month, at Braunstone West Social Centre, St Mary’s Avenue, Braunstone LE3 3FT. The group are holding an open meeting on Saturday 12th March at 2pm, with a special talk at 2.30 pm from Guest speaker Michala Gyevati, who will be speaking about ‘Her Story’. For more information about Michala’s work go to www.michalagryevati.co.uk. Admission is £5.00 on the door and for more information please contact Chair, Briony Willig, on 0116 287 2531.

Congratulations

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he Braunstone Alert would like to say a huge congratulations to Yvonne Horten and her new daughter, Essie-Mae Joan Denoon.

Essie-Mae arrived on January 10th at 10.59 am, weighing 9lb 2oz. The Alert would like to send its best wishes to them both.

r e n r o C s ’ Pet

CHARLIE’S TAILS Charlie has been thoroughly enjoying the snow at Braunstone Park with her friends the Braunstone fox family.

She chases daddy fox around the woods near the lakes. They played hide and seek with each other lying low in the undergrowth while the other runs past.

Let’s get growing Braunstone

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ith spring just around the corner, it’s once again time for the b-growing team to dust off there gardening gear and spring into action! After the success of last year’s 88kg potato crop our spirits are up and we can’t wait to get our hands dirty again. Come and join us as we get our bean factory back in motion, on the 8th April at the Brite Center, where we’ll be potting up beans ready to take up to the farm.

Braunstone the fun doesn’t stop there, come and join us as we give the Wellinger way garden spring clean-up on Wednesday 16th March.

Remember folks to look out for when we will next be visiting the farm and installing our new poly tunnel, kindly donated by Braunstone City Council Housing department.

The tunnel will enable the b-growing team to expand the variety of vegetables giving bumper early crops for Braunstone Foodshare.If you would like to get involved in the community growing effort, please contact the b-connected team on 0116 2232256 or email tracey.spears@b-inspired.org.uk

By Ellie Davis Stanner

Friends of Highway Spinney

Are you interested in conservation?

Do you want to help us care for Highway Spinney?

If so, please join our fortnightly working parties. We need men and women to help with jobs such as clearing ditches, maintaining path, pruning and litter picking.

We meet on Mondays, see dates in notice boards. Meet at Braunstone Crossroads entrance 10 am.

Tools and equipment provided For further information please contact :-

Geoff Stagg on 0116 2855141

In the Spotlight

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ocal resident Les Warner. Les has been volunteering for b-connected for the last six months. You will find Les looking after the Resnet website and more recently he became part of the A-team at the Braunstone Alert magazine.

Les is always full of enthusiasm, is cheerful and is more than happy to lend a hand at every occasion. We thought Les deserved to have the ‘Spot-light’ shone on him this time.

A good night out?

A meal with friends with a pint or two.

A good night in?

Cross word, a film and good music - Rock!

What animal would you be?

Wolf - Wild and free.

What is your pet hate?

Liars and cheats.

What was the last book you read?

Unseen Academics by Terry Pratchett.

What is your favourite film?

The Hobbit.

Describe Braunstone in 3 words?

Good community spirit.

What words would people use to describe you?

Confident, active and smart.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Buy a place in the country with land and storage and I’d buy 2 Trikes to rent out as wedding vehicles.

What is your ideal holiday?

Relaxing/ Exploring/ Great company.

What one thing would you change?

The Governing system.

What could you not live without?

My motorbike.

Have you a claim to fame?

I swam against David Wilke and Duncan Goodhew in 1976.

Who would you like to invite for tea?

Cameron Diaz.

In a movie of your life who would play you?

Johnny Depp.

Mondays 10.00 am - 12.00 pm

Talk Time @ Sandyhurst call the b-connected team 0116 223 2256 10.00 am - 11.30 am 50+ Aqua Fit @ the Leisure Centre 11.00 am - 12.30 pm Let’s Walk Braunstone @ the Stable Block, Braunstone Park 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm Golden Years Group (Bingo!) @ Blessed Sacrament Church 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm Taragh Twirlers @ the Oak Center 6.00 pm - 9.00 pm KT Performing Arts @ the Winstanley Centre call Georgia 07794497458

Tuesdays 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm

10.00 am - 12.00 pm 12.00 am - 2.45 pm 5.00 pm - 7.00 pm 5.00 pm - 8.30 pm

Every 4�� Tuesday of each month Memory Cafe @ the BRITE Centre call 0116 2995476 Braunstone History Group@ the BRITE Centre Knit Wits @ the BRITE Centre ER Crew Street Dancing for ages 5+ @ the Oak Centre KT Performing Arts @ the Winstanley Centre call Georgia 07794497458

Wednesdays 10.15 am 11.00 am 1.30 pm 4.30 pm 6.00 pm

- 11.15 am - 2.00 pm - 3.30 pm - 6.30 pm - 7.00 pm

Coffee & Chat @ St Peter’s Chuch VONS Art Classes @ Cort Crescent Garage Sale @ 45 Wellinger Way Taragh Twirlers @ the Oak Centre KT Street Dance @ the Winstanley Centre call Georgia 07794497458

Thursdays 10.00 am - 12.00 pm 1.45 am - 3.30 pm

12.00 pm - 3.00 pm 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm 5.00 pm - 7.30 pm

Talk Time @ Oak Centre call the b-connected team 0116 223 2256 Lunch club @ the Trinity Church Every 1�� & 3�� Thursday of each month, price £4.50.

Women of Wisdom co-operative (Call Eileen 07881284498) Knit and Natter @ the BRITE Centre Friendship Club @ the Trinity Church KT Performing Arts @ the Winstanley Centre call Georgina 07794497458

Fridays 10.00 am - 11.30 pm Friday Pop-in @ Blessed Sacrament Church 10.00 am - 1.00 pm Sew `n’ So’s Needlecraft @ the Oak Centre 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm Golden Gloves Boxing Club @ the Oak Centre

COUNCILLOR’S SURGERIES

Quiz answers Trivia: 1. Vernal Equinox 2. South Africa 3. The Simpsons 4. Hot Cross Buns 5. Dusty Springfield.

Spring myths: Cllr Stephen Corrall 07966629285

Cllr Cllr Elaine Halford Kulwinder Singh Johal 07736194824 07736194813

This is an age-old myth that does not hold any truth. Trying to balance an oval-shaped object on its end is no easier on the spring equinox than on any other day. There is no scientific way the Earth's axis could help stabilize the egg.

How does you garden grow: 1. Crocuses 2. Daffodils 3. Peonies

Spot the difference answers:

Dear Alert Readers Under the proposed Fire Cuts, the City Centre was to lose its dedicated Fire Station. This would also have resulted in the attendance times changing from five minutes to ten.

The Braunstone Area would have lost its tender with it being changed to a Cross- Crewed specialist team that is usual in other areas of the county.

But, the good news is, thanks to the Fire crew members high-lighting this issue with a petition, that was signed by 1000’s of Leicester residents, and to the many people and residents who contacted the local councillors and the Lord Major, the proposed cuts have been dropped for now.

Yes, savings may have to be made, but please make these savings in the right area, at the right time .

Les Warner

Dear Alert We are writing to you to tell you of the fantastic time we had on our outing to the Kirby Muxloe village theatre to see the pantomime Mother goose.

Great fun was had by all and we couldn’t stop laughing at the endless slapstick. We especially enjoyed the ice cream scene and the twelve days of Christmas sketch had us all in stitches. Our group enjoyed the show so much that we can’t wait to go back next year!!

We would like to thank the local councillors ward fund for funding our tickets and the b-connected team for their continued support.

Did we have a good time? –Oh yes we did!!

The Sandyhurst Talktime group

S ’ R E D TRA R E N R CO SON D N A R E ND ct ors PAUL PE e ral Dire n u F t n e d

T Email: gailcharles65@ hotmail.com or find us on facebook

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The Queen’s 90th Birthday Part y APPLE- A- DAY CAFE 39 Hockley Farm Road lE3 1H N CREAM TEA/RAFFLE/BINGO Friday 22nd April 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm Ticket price: £6.50 To book your place please cal l Angie on 0116 295 6380

Don’t Forget Folks!

Clocks go forward 1 hour on Sunday 27th March Back cover photo taken by Francis Hruszka. The Braunstone Alert is produced by the Neighbourhood Support Team ably assisted by the A-Team. Write, or send pictures to the Braunstone Alert, 45 Wellinger Way, LE3 1RG. Call 0116 223 2256 or email tracey.spears@b-inspired.org.uk. Printed by Joseph A. Ball (Printers) Ltd. We make every effort to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date at the time of publication