the Birstall post Y O U R
C O M M U N I T Y
NOVEMBER 2010
Park & ride: work starts THE CONSTRUCTION of Birstall’s new 1000 space park and ride site will start this month. Work will begin on the site opposite Hallam Fields after the government confirmed that it will provide £2.1m of new growth point (NGP) money for the project.
N E W S P A P E R
www.birstallpost.co.uk Pic: Neelum Surelia with her harvest poster and Rev Rachel Parkinson who organised the event on behalf of Birstall and Wanlip Churches Together
No. 328 Pic: The Capitals
The £5.5m facility will provide a regular bus service in and out of Leicester city centre. Buses will link up with the 1,000 space park and ride in Enderby, to provide a better service while reducing costs, and could be open early next summer. The rest of the money for the joint county and city council project has come from government’s ‘Community Infrastructure Fund’ and developer Jelson. David Parsons, Leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “One of our key aims is to invest in sustainable transport for the future and by linking the Birstall service with the Enderby park and ride, we will reduce costs and improve travel links into Leicester for workers, shoppers and sports fans.” The Birstall park and ride site was originally proposed as part of the development by Jelson Ltd for approximately 900 houses at Hallam Fields. The planning agreement also requires that highway infrastructure improvements are undertaken and some of this work
Pic: Graham Picksley present Gracie Boyall of Riverside Primary School with a framed copy of her poster
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Harvest celebration THE WEATHER didn’t co-operate for Birstall’s first community harvest festival organised by the Churches Together group. Fortunately the White Horse could accommodate the whole thing indoors and as the rain poured down, the people poured in, about 120 in all. Event organiser Rev Rachel Parkinson said: “This meant everything was a bit of a squash, but at least the atmosphere was cosy!” She added: “Year 5 pupils from Riverside Primary School began the evening in great style by leading a harvest service of readings, prayers and poetry. Framed copies of the harvest posters which have brightened the village over the harvest period were then
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presented to the young artists from Riverside and Highcliffe schools whose work was featured. Doing the honours was Graham Picksley, manager of the Co-op supermarket which displayed 18 of the posters.” The Capitals, a band from Longslade Community College on their first public appearance, entertained the crowd as people tucked into burgers, hot dogs, apple pie and sticky buns. While the event was not intended to make money, the generosity of local providers means that £70 in profit will be forwarded to charities chosen by the two local schools.
Rachel said: “Many attending were already looking forward to Birstall harvest 2011. The event was certainly one which brought many parts of the village together, as well as reminding people of the blessings of living in this part of the world.” She added: “Churches Together would like to thank Riverside and Highcliffe schools, the White Horse, the Co-op, the Women’s Institute, Michael’s butchers, Allen’s Family Bakery and the Capitals for their contribution to the evening.”