Birstall Post (372) July 2014

the Birstall post Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

JULY 2014

N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 372

Golf club’s recycling initiative

Plans for extra primary places PLANS FOR providing primary school teaching at the Stonehill/Longslade site have emerged.

All Birstall’s schools are now part of the Lionheart Multi-Academy Trust, except Longslade which it is planned will join shortly. The trust is led by Beauchamp College. Its principal Hugh Howe said: “When we were invited to support Birstall’s schools, providing education through from 4 to 19 was the long term vision for the site.

Continued on page 2

Electrician Registered part P

A COLLECTION of old clothes and shoes donated by members of Birstall Golf Club has helped raise funds for the club’s juniors.

The items have been picked up by recycling company Jimmy Joe’s, who pay 50p per kilogram.

The funds raised will help pay for new team shirts and training days for the club’s junior section which has 35 mem-

bers, the youngest of which is 4.

The club offers any young person up to the age of 18 free lessons from 34pm on Saturdays. The club’s Junior Continued on page 2

Pic: loading a trailer of clothes for recycling are (l-r) Assistant Professional Matt Stephens, Junior member Chelsea Etheridge (11), Sue Bailey and Club Captain Mike Atkins

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THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

Primary places continued from page 1

“The Local Authority say that there will be a need for more primary school places and they have indicated that they want to talk to the Trust about provision at Stonehill/Longslade – this would make sense, but there have been no formal discussions yet and there is still some way to go before it may emerge as an option.”

Mr Howe said an assessment of the exact number of extra places needed would be necessary to decide whether existing buildings at Stonehill/Longslade could be converted or if new build would be necessary.

A 192 name petition calling for a new primary school was recently presented to the County Council by Birstall Borough Councillor Simon Sansome.

• 900 homes are planned at Hallam Fields and 525 have been built • Jelson are required to provide a foot/cycle bridge crossing over the

Great War centenary service A6 on completion of the 750th home • Now that the land allocated for the school at Hallam Fields is vacant, Jelson have the option to submit plans for extra housing on the site.

• the County Council has received £54million from the government to be spent over the next three years on creating an extra 500 primary places within he county. The money will not be allocated to areas like Birstall where developer contributions towards school places have been negotiated.

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Rev Vince Jupp said: “It is important that this anniversary does not just pass by without our recognising the sacrifice made by the young men of Birstall and Wanlip on the anniversary.

“The service will be a quiet reflective one, emphasising the sadness and loss that the outbreak of WWI wrought on so many families in our villages and worldwide.”

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A SPECIAL service and an exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the Great War will be held in Birstall on August 4 at St James Church.

“We love Tandoori cooking so much, we saw this item and thought it would be a great offer for our customers this summer” said CWC’s Byron Manning. “We’re always trying to think of things to give a bit of extra value to our customers, to go the extra mile.”

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The service will feature a candle procession for each of the 21 men who gave their lives. “Each man’s name will be called out one by one to remind us that they will always be remembered in Birstall and Wanlip” said Rev Jupp.

The organisers also hope to put on a display in the church, allowing photographs, memories and mementos to be shared.

If you are related to or have connections with any of the men listed below, or can provide any information about them, please contact 0751 5168814 or email wwIcentenary@outlook.com The service has been organised with Birstall Royal British Legion, who are putting together the exhibition.

Birstall: A Aubrey Adnitt, Walter Bayliss, Arthur J Davenport, Arthur R Dawson, Edward Endall, H G Fielding Johnson, Walter Gladding, Herbert Greasley, William J Greasley, Tom Henson, Frederick W Liquorish, Arthur Pritchett, James E Reed, W Kingsley Reynolds, J William H Smith, John A Toon, William Walton Wanlip: Arthur Gascoigne, William Goodey, Albert Marlow, Robert Oxbury Golf continued from page 1 organiser Sue Bailey said: “A lot of people think golf is out of their reach, that it’s too expensive or an old man’s game.

But we make it fun so why not come along and try something different.”

Junior membership starts from £62 a year and one parent can join free and play along with their child. www.birstallgolfclub.co.uk

The August issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on Aug 2.

The copy deadline is July 18.

THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

3

Campaign to re-open Kingsgate Post Office A CAMPAIGN to reopen a Birstall post office is attracting a growing number of supporters.

Birstall Borough Councillor Simon Sansome has started a petition calling for the Kingsgate Avenue post office to be re-opened.

He said: “I have contacted the Post Office to see if they would do a review of Post office service in Birstall and asked for Kingsgate Post Office to be reopened. I did not get a reply.

“A few years back Birstall had three post offices, now we have a larger population and only one post office in the village. This is unacceptable. Birstall needs another post office”.

Former Post Master Mukesh Patel is backing the campaign. He said: “A post office is needed round here – people are still coming into the shop every day for post office services and we closed in 2007. ”We fought very hard to keep the post office open. We took over in 1995 and generated more revenue, the profitability was very good and I think the Post Office made a mistake with its closure

Pic: Cllr Simon Sansome (left) with campaigners outside the former post office on Kingsgate Avenue

programme, both at Kingsgate and nationally.”

Comments left by residents signing the petition: • Building of new estates further

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five other banks and building societies and six ATMs to our other Post Office.

Please now give people back the convenience of a PO with decent parking and speedy staff.

• As it’s the only one we do have now which is quite close to myself it is almost always busy which either makes me get slightly annoyed at times, knowing they have shut another one down, or sometimes I will even leave and wait until I’m in another village if its not urgent. Even more important there are some of the older generation who find it particularly difficult getting to the only post office in the village now, when they live way over the other side of the A6.

• This reintroduction of an old post office counter is desperately needed in our growing village.

To sign the petition search for Kingsgate Post Office at www.change.org or visit the Kingsgate store.

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THE BIRSTALL POST

JUL 2014

THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

5

Birstall fan’s World Cup décor gets on TV AN ENGLAND fan from Birstall who decorated his house and garden with a World Cup theme has been featured in national newspapers and on TV. “It’s been fantastic to be able to get the kids involved with the coverage we have received, as they are the real stars” said Ben Rogers (28) who lives on Bramley Road with wife Toni and children Charlie (8) and Lucy (4).

“I assume not just Birstall but now the nation probably think I’m bonkers, which maybe I am” he added.

Ben’s home is decorated with flags and banners, with a mini football pitch in the garden, Astroturf in the living room and a papier mache World Cup he made with his son.

He has featured in the Daily Mail, the Guardian, on ITV news and on Good Morning Britain – presenter Laura Tob-

in interviewed Ben and his family and did the weather forecast from his living room.

Ben said: “The whole idea of this for us as a family is to celebrate the world cup which only comes around every four years. Admittedly I have taken it way further this year but it’s been a fantastic

Pic: Ben with his family in their Bramley Rd home

experience, something fun I’ve shared with my children that they will look back on with fond memories.”

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THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

Grants for insulation GOVERNMENT GRANTS of up to £6000 for solid wall insulation have now become available as part of the Green Deal initiative.

Police sell seized goods on eBay LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE has generated £1million in online sales of goods seized from crooks.

The funding takes the form of a voucher. It allows homeowners to reclaim up to £6000 for installing solid wall insulation and an extra £1000 to cover two additional measures, such as floor insulation or heat recovery systems.

The first step is for homeowners to request a free survey.

Loughborough based Sustainable Energy Services is a building contractor who have organised an open evening in Birstall when you can find out more. It will be held in the Palmer Tomkinson Centre, Longslade College, on Thursday July 3 from 5-8pm. www.sustainableenergyuk.com

The Force set up its eBay site in September 2009, specialising in goods recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The most popular items have been luxury cars and high class watches. An Aston Martin DB9 car went for £63,000 and a Rolex brought in more than £13,000. Designer clothes and jewellery have also proved popular, along with electrical goods and computers. The items have usually been obtained by criminals through legitimate channels, but have been paid for out of the profits of drug-dealing, fraud, or other cashgenerating offences..

The more unusual items have included: • a replica of a German armoured car • skateboards • collections of comics • a microlite aircraft The force also uses other specialist methods of disposing of goods and property including estate agencies and traditional auctions.

Paul Wenlock, the head of Leicestershire Police’s economic crime unit, said: “Leicestershire Police was the first force

in the country to set up its own eBay shop and it has been a huge success.

We have generated possibly twice as much from these sales than if we had sent the same items to auction. The site is also a daily reminder that we will take action to ensure criminals do not benefit from their crimes. In some cases we have been able to seize goods and sell them where we have not managed to secure a criminal conviction. All the money that the site generates goes back to fund crime-fighting work.”

He added: “Often the enquiry starts from information from members of the public. If you know anyone who appears to be living a lifestyle beyond their visible means, we would like to know. They may be living on the proceeds of burglary, money-laundering, fraud or drug dealing. We can take both civil and criminal action to be sure they do not benefit from these activities.”

The August issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on Aug 2.

The copy deadline is July 18.

THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

7

Alternative learning space in Longslade’s bungalow A £6000 project to convert a building at Longslade into an alternative learning space has been completed.

‘The Bungalow’ was originally built to accommodate the school caretaker but had previously been used as offices. It will now be used by students from Longslade, ASD Learning and other local schools.

The project has been led by David Cowell from the Melton Learning Hub and Di Cresswell from Longslade. David said: “The centre aims to educate young people

ty therapy, exercise and jewellery making/childcare. The garden has been prepared so students can study horticulture.

Longslade Year 10 students Natasha Walker had been coming to the Bungalow where she is taught by tutor Lucie Larke.

Natasha said: “I started coming as a model but now I’m learning new techniques

Pic: David Cowell and Di Cresswell outside the Bungalow

good qualification.”

Longslade’s Di Cresswell is director of Pastoral Care. She said: “The Bungalow has made a phenomenal difference already. I’ve been at the school nearly a year and one of the first things to tackle was attendance levels. These have now massively improved. Those students with poor attendance can be very difficult to reach and we

like nail art and make up. I enjoy coming to school now, knowing I have this to look forward to, and I hope to get a

R.W.S.

who find mainstream school challenging. This could be because of their behaviour, special education needs, confidence or ability.

“Many young people struggle with Maths and English but when given a spade, make up brush or a trowel, they excel. We will engage them in education and help them to be successful.”

The refurbishment has seen a new kitchen installed, and the conversion of three rooms into practical areas for beau-

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wanted to give them something different from the traditional classroom.

“The students have been in-

volved all along, doing the painting and the renovations, and all the work they do here has qualifications attached to it. The aim has been to give pride and a focus, to re-engage them with education, and it’s worked.”

David Cowell said: “We have already completed several trial sessions with young people this academic year and as a result the centre will award its first 10 qualifications in the summer.

We hope that this will be the first of many and that we can help progress challenging young people to college and into employment so they have the chance to succeed in life.” £4000 for the project came from Leicestershire County Council’s Area Forum with the rest provided by Longslade and the Local Behaviour Partnership.

Pic: Beauty tutor Lucie Larke with student Natasha Walker

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THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

Grab a bargain at big Birstall yard sale

Parish Council notes

“IT’S BEEN crazy, but in a good way!” says Fiona Barnes, as she nears the end of the job of organising this year’s Big Birstall Yard Sale.

A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on June 16.

Held for the first time in 2013, this year will see more than 180 households in Birstall holding a yard sale, more than double last year. Bargain hunters will be able to cruise around the village on Saturday July 5 to see what they can find at stalls in driveways and front gardens.

Fiona, a mum of two who lives in Gwendolin Avenue, said: “We learnt a lot from last year so it has been a little easier and it’s been brilliant how people have been so helpful – we needed £40 for the raffle licence and someone donated that, then I put on Facebook we needed balloons and someone gave us some – the response has been great.”

Local printers Flexpress have provid-

ed 5000 raffle tickets and printed a map showing the location of all the yard sales.

This is available from each stall on the day, the Co-op Store on Wanlip Lane or can be downloaded from www.bigbirstall yardsale.co.uk.

Sales of raffle tickets

Pic: Fiona and her daughter at last year’s sale

will support the charities Birstall BAGS, Type One Mission, Charlie Says and Rainbows. Last year’s event raised £721.

Fiona said: “Last year I was stuck on my driveway all day at my own stall but this year my daughter will be looking after that and I am really excited I will be able to walk around and visit lots of the stalls, it will be a really nice reward on the day.” www.bigbirstallyardsale.co.uk

Borough Councillor Simon Sansome reported that he had compiled a list of 21 residents who had requested grit bins and had provided their names and addresses to the Parish Council.

He said that normal procedure was for Parish Councils to apply to the County Council for bins and pay a fee of £200. If the Parish Council were to decide not to provide them he asked that all the residents on the list would need an explanation. He welcomed any suggestion to move existing, underused bins, to new locations on the list.

Borough Councillor David Gaskell reported that work on providing new housing figures for the Core Strategy was working well and that it was hoped that the Planning Inspector’s timetable could be brought forward.

Cllr Gaskell said that improvement works to Riversdale Court had been delayed when it was discovered that costings for the project had been under-estimated by a third, but funding has now been secured.

Cllr Gaskell said he had visited the Reading Room on Birstall Road and commented that resident Jim Garner deserved congratulations for his hard work restoring the building to such a high standard.

Councillors discussed a suggestion from a resident for a ‘dog park area’ on the playing field – a fenced off section where it would be permitted to allow dogs to run off the lead. This is currently prohibited by the bylaws.

Chairman Ann Marshall said that the Parish council had lots of problems with dogs fouling and there had been incidents of dogs biting people.

Comment was made that there was not enough room on the playing field for an area like this and that the playing field was for sports activities and children, not a dog exercise area, and that Wa-

Our Children Say: “I like playing outside with lots of things, I like to see my friends and I really like circle time and talking” “We liked building the willow tunnel outside and really liked the hot chocolate”

“It's just so good. You can do anything.

Whatever you want to do, they do it” “I enjoy bringing my dolly and going dancing” “The rooms are just so playful. They've got lots of toys that people always like to play with. I really enjoy making things with pipe cleaners, card and scissors as well as junk modelling.

We get to make lots”

What more do we need to say?

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THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

termead Country Park was available if dogs needed to be allowed off the lead.

Cllr Allcock reported that fenced off areas for dogs worked well in some London parks and Cllr Ashton said he liked the idea of a space for dogs on the park, that the area near Loughborough Road was underused, and that the council should clearly set out the function of the park to better assess the viability of the proposal.

Sympathy was expressed for dog owners with dogs that need space to run and Cllr Howe commented that the existing bylaws were the best of a bad job.

It was agreed to consult the ground staff on possible areas within the playing fields and to invite readers of the Birstall Post to contact the Parish Council with their views on the proposal.

It was reported that the council has received three defibrillators and hopes to install the first one on School Lane playing field before the gala.

Cllr Allcock reported that someone had cut a section of hedge on Meadow Lane so poorly it looked like a gang of vandals had attacked it with machetes.

The chairman said it had not been done

by Parish Council staff.

Cllr Ashton suggested as items for a future agenda how the Parish Council could get greater public participation, and consideration of the criteria it uses for deciding on the allocation of its resources.

A noticeboard near Meadow Lane has been removed because it was becoming a target of antisocial behaviour. A new site for it has yet to be determined.

Part of the metal sliding gate at the entrance to the School Lane playing field car park has eroded and it was agreed to spend £1295 on repairs.

9

Pa helps secure England win BIRSTALL LADIES Bowling Club’s Pa Walker made her England debut at the British Isles International Series, which took place at the Les Creux Bowls Club, Jersey, last month.

Pa was chosen in a rink along with fellow debutant Kirsty Hembrow (Somerset), Stef Branfield (Somerset) and Amy Gowshall (Lincolnshire). The four had a 100% record, beating Ireland 21-13, Scotland 20-14, Jersey 23-13 and finally Wales 27-20. This helped England to achieve the “Grand Slam” and retain the trophy they won last year.

A club spokesman said: “Pa played very well throughout the series on a tricky and testing outdoor carpet surface that many players were not used to, as they usually play on grass in England in the summer months. Her performances should give her a good chance of selection for the England team at next year’s International Series, which will take place in Leamington Spa, England.”

Pa has also qualified for two events at the National Championships, which take place in Leamington Spa next month. She will be there in the fours, along with Val Ross, Jan Everitt and Di Hurst, as a team from Birstall qualified for the eighth year in succession, with Jan and Di being involved in all eight. Jennie Groves substituted for Pa in the county quarter and semi finals, as she was involved in an England squad day, and the Birstall four beat a Leicester team in the quarter final, and edged past a Shepshed quartet 17-14 in a close semi final to reach the county final and ensure their place at Leamington. Pa also reached the county final of the two wood singles, with wins against Birstall teammates Val Ross, Di Hurst and Jan Everitt in the early rounds before beating Katie Smith (New Lount) 13-10, and Louise Delahay (Kingscroft) 14-11 in the quarter and semi finals respectively.

Pic: Pa Walker in action for England at the International Series in Jersey.

In the men’s county fours competition, Gary Norman, Paul Young, John Hurst and Andy Wye reached the quarter final before losing out to a Knighton team skipped by Steve Ashton.

Man stole fuel from Birstall petrol station POLICE HAVE released an image of a man who they would like to speak to about an incident of bilking – filling your vehicle with petrol then driving off without paying.

It happened on Friday, April 25 between 5.10pm and 5.20pm at a petrol station in Loughborough Road, Birstall.

Police would like to speak to the man in the image as they believe he could have information which will help with their enquiry into the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the relevant officer on 101, follow the instructions to leave a message for the officer, PC David Jaeckels 1759, and when prompted key in the officer’s identification number. Alternatively con-

tact Crimestoppers which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111

The August issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on Aug 2.

The copy deadline is July 18.

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THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

Noticeboard all details printed free Birstall Big Yard Sale Saturday July 5 9am – 3pm Please visit us, grab loads of bargains, and buy raffle tickets to support our amazing causes!

If you love a bargain then please add July 5 to your diary and cruise

YOUR SAY...

the village of Birstall to see what you can find and support great local charities .

Printed maps will be available from various locations in Birstall and the live map is also compatible with smartphones www.bigbirstallyardsale.co.uk Saturday, July 5, 2014, 7pm

Baroque Concert at Rothley Parish Church LE7 7PD "France versus Italy - Harpsichord Music from the eighteenth Century" presented by Medea Bindewald works by: F. Geminiani, Chr. Moyreau, A. Forqueray, J. Duphly and D. Scarlatti Admission free, donations welcome Parking facilities at Victoria Mills, Fowke Street LE7 7PJ further information can be found at www.medeabindewald.com

Summer Fete

Thanks To the person who found my hearing aid, and handed it into the Kingsgate newsagents, thank you.

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Car Boot / Table Top Sale To include a Cake Sale, Teas, & Raffle In aid of St Theresa’s Church Funds Sat September 13 Open to buyers 9am-2pm In Church car park, Front Street, Birstall Limited number of pitches/tables To book a table £10 Tel: Daphne 0116 2675721 To book a car pitch £5 Tel Jenny 0116 2677323 (payment at time of booking please)

Tea Dance

Leicester Host Lions Club

The Birstall Post welcomes your views and opinions on any subject. Letters, which must include your name and address, (though not necessarily for publication) can be posted to: The Birstall Post, Longslade College, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GH, or handed in at Birstall library or email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk

Bring and Buy Stall Refreshments All are Welcome www.friendsofbelgravecemetery.o rg.uk

Sunday August 3, 2014 11am - 2.30pm at 34 The Ridgeway, Rothley Variety of Stalls, BBQ, Refreshments Music by Hiss & Boo Band until 1.30pm Admission £2.00, Children £1.00 Belgrave Cemetery On A563 near Red Hill Island

Friday July 25 3.30-5.30pm Birstall Village Hall Birstall Road, Leicester LE4 4DH £3 on the door includes refreshments All welcome, come along for a great afternoon of dancing, music and great company.

Please contact Joan on 07718519480 or email guido@derosa.me.uk

Open Day

Canasta

Sunday July 6, 10am-3pm Guided Walk of World War 1 Casualties 11am & 2pm Alternatively follow a self-conducted trail Cemetery record information

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A Canasta is a group of 7 cards all the same number, with or without

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jokers/ wild cards and is built from a starting group of 3 cards.

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If you would like to see what we do why not pop in one Monday.

For further details please contact 0116 237 5706.

We look forward to hearing from you

All Together Service Sunday August 3 at 10am St James Church, Birstall You are warmly invited to our short monthly family friendly service.

The theme for this month is Baptism

Birstall Royal British Legion 7th, Steve Sinatra (M/V) 14th, Tammy (F/V) 21st, Leanne Disney (F/V) 28th, Mark Brannley (M/V) Dancing every Saturday night with live entertainment Bingo, Free beer raffle and not forgetting Open the Box Every Tuesday night Bingo starting at 9.15pm Quiz nights Sunday 13th & 27th July starting at 9pm Acoustic night Sunday 20th July at 8pmFood available every Saturday 12-2pm Wakes catered for St James Day Centre 200 Club Winners For June 1st Miss Christine Suffolk 2nd Mrs Doreen Mackness 3rd Mr Derek Ball 4th Mrs Jane Scott Age Concern Birstall & Wanlip

Are you aware that Birstall has its own day centre specifically for people who live in the village?

If you or someone you know or care for would benefit from spending a day with us on a Thursday for tea or coffee, lunch and a chat then maybe this is what you’re looking for.

Our own ambulance bus, which you may have seen around Birstall picks people up and takes them to the day centre on Birstall Road ( next to the council offices) and delivers them home again mid afternoon.

If you would like more details then ring Jo on (0116)2677023 on a Thursday.

Age Concern Birstall and Wanlip is a Friend of Age UK.

THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

CLASH 2012 Tuesday 1 - 2pm - General Fitness Wednesday 1 - 2pm - Chair based exercise sessions.

Sports Hall, Peepul Centre, Orchardson Avenue, Leicester, LE4 6DP. Call Karen for further information on 07954584402. Please note that there will be a weekly charge of £2 per session for non members of CLASH 2012 attending the above exercise sessions.

CLASH 2012, a UK Online Centre, provides basic computer training at its After School e-learning sessions held in the Palmer Tomkinson Centre at Longslade Community College - Thursday 3.30pm-4.30pm term time only.

For further information please contact Conrad on 07919844629 or Mark on 07801718908 CLASH 2012 Monthly Meeting Wednesday July 10 at the Palmer Tomkinson Centre, Longslade Community College, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, LE4 4GH - 7 - 9pm Hanna Ingram - Exercise Session - Ed Marshall - Magnatherapy (TBC).

Charity Family Night Disco 13th September, 7pm-12 at Birstall Social Club.

Jack-in-the-box entertainment will be there with their party characters having dances & party games Then followed by disco through to the end of the night, there will also be cakes, raffles, face painting & nails being done.

Plenty for all the family to have a great night out.

The charities are for Leicester Royal Infirmary Chemo suite to help make patients more comfortable whilst receiving treatment & Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust to support patients & their families who have been diagnosed & post treatment. All donations will be split.

Please come along & help support these worthy causes.

Tickets are £5 Adults £1 Child.

These are limited tickets & a ticket only event.

Please call or text Paula on 07934551563 for tickets or further info.

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St James the Great, Birstall Commemorating 100 years, 19141918 A short service of prayer and reflection to mark the

Parent, Baby/Toddler Group Cheeky Cherubs, every Monday 9.30-11.30am Methodist church hall rooms, Wanlip Lane 0-4 Yr Old with Separate baby section optional but within the same room.

Craft Table.

Very Friendly Group. £2 for 1 parent & 1 child, 50p additional children £1 additional adult.

Snack & juice for child Unlimited tea & coffee for adults.

Cheeky Cherubs have a Facebook page.

There is no weekly commitment, you can just turn up We look forward to seeing you there

Birstall Gala 2014 Saturday June 28 & Sunday June 29 School Lane playing field From 11am on both days.

Sunday evening: proms in the park concert Birstall Methodist Church, Wanlip Lane

Boys Brigade Fun Day

Woodcock Farm Shop Manure,

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Fresh Fruit & Veg Local Honey & Preserves incl Marmalade & Chutney

we can deliver bulk loads of these items, call or visit for further details

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Monday August 4 at 7.30pm

Open Church For tea and cakes at St Leonard’s Church, Swithland on Saturday July 12 and Sunday July 13 from 2-4pm Donations in aid of church funds All welcome

Birstall & District Art Society Tuesday July 15 at 7pm You are invited to join us at the Palmer Tompkinson Centre at Longslade College to watch renowned professional artist Richard Holland giving masterclass demonstration on ‘Painting Waterfalls and Landscapes in Oils’ Refreshments available at the interval Demonstration to end at 9pm Members £1, guests £3 Free raffle Ample parking and wheelchair access •••

Birstall Gala

Saturday August 16 From 10am to 3pm Coffee & cakes, car wash, hot dogs and more Contact Number: Betty Allcock 2677952

Home Grown NEW Potatoes Wilja Desiree Marfona Maris-Bard

First World War Centenary

And lots more!

LOUGHBOROUGH RD, ROTHLEY Tel (0116) 230 2215 James 07802 915559 Fred 0797 7014606 OPENING TIMES Mon-Fri 9am to 6pm Sat 9am to 5.30pm Sun 9.30am to 5pm Please note these times may change during public holidays. Ring us for details.

www.thebestof.co.uk/loughborough

Come and visit the Riverside PTA tombola stall At Birstall Gala on Sat June 28

We are WaveLength Contact, Comfort and Companionship since 1939 We give TVs and radios free of

11

charge, to people who are living in poverty and are lonely or isolated because of age, health or circumstance.

Beneficiaries can be referred to us by any third party - perhaps a charity, medical or social worker or community leader.

Get in touch by downloading our application form and guidance notes from www.wavelength.org.uk or call us or write to us to have these sent to you.

Tel: 01708 621 101 info@wavelength.org.uk

St Margarets Co Op Bowling Club Co-op sports ground Birstall Road, Birstall LE4 4DE Men and women of all ages welcome.

Come and have a go any Friday evening from 6.00pm Large car park, bar and friendly social side.

All you need is flat soled shoes, instruction and equipment provided.

For further information contact John on 01162675947 or visit our web site www.smcbc.com

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We offer a ‘FREE FIRST LESSON’ to enable prospective students to come and join in and have a look round.

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Tel: 0116 2355495 Email: starlighttheatre@me.com www.starlighttheatreschool.com

12

THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

NHW news

& crime report

Royalty on stage in Birstall production OUR PICTURE shows the cast of Highcliffe Amateur Theatrical Society (HATS) who recently performed Sue Townsend’s play ‘The Queen and I’ at Highcliffe School.

Director Sue Withers said: “The decision to perform ‘the Queen and I’ was taken at the beginning of 2013.

“Written by a local author and incorporating a local inner city council estate, some funny parts and some very thoughtful parts, it all made for good entertainment. The Royals on benefits, confusion over local accents, weeds in the garden, dogs leaving their little presents in the street, queuing at the DSS, and buying bones at the butchers.

Hilarious, silly and so very real.”

She added: “It is an honour and a privilege to be involved in promoting the work of such a distinguished and respected local author. The audience included four members of Sue Townsend’s family who said they thoroughly enjoyed it and that she would have been delighted with the produc-

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tion.”

HATS have been performing for 22 years. Sue said: “The cast has seen many changes over the years, however, there are still a number of original cast members treading the boards. The group consists of multi skilled members, some who can turn their hands to more than one role. We have people who prefer being on the stage, people who are extremely innovative and gifted when it comes to scenery and props, people who assist with sound and lighting and also front of house and back stage members. Our pantomime last year was written by our resident scenery persons and included original songs as well. The age range of current members is from teenagers to 80, yes 80 and still on the stage.”

Over the years the group have immersed themselves in many different styles of plays, comedy, drama, horror and suspense being just a few examples. They perform two productions each year, a pantomime in November and a spring play. Sue said: “While we have an established group, we are always looking for new members, in particular males. The group meets each Wednesday from 7.15-9.30pm at Highcliffe School, Birstall. Please feel free to come along and have a chat and see what we do.”

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Time to stock up on the sun-cream If you are going on holiday this summer, please make sure you take a few relevant precautions to make sure your home is safe and secure from burglars.

Burglars target houses that look empty, so here is some advice on how to ensure your home is kept safe and secure so you don’t come home to a nasty shock: • Make sure your premises are secured every time you leave, even if only for a short time • Make sure your alarm, if you have one, is set • Put lights on a timer switch to make your house look occupied. You can also get timer switches for the radio and/or TV • Ask a neighbour to push post through your letterbox and take in any deliveries for you • Cancel milk, newspapers and any other deliveries • Ask a neighbour to park their car on your drive so that passers-by assume someone is home • If you have a close friend or relative nearby with a key, ask them to draw your curtains in the evening and back in the morning. Don’t leave curtains drawn during the day.

• If you have a lawn, mow it before you go away •Don’t display your home address on the outside of your luggage • Don’t publish your absence on the internet. Status updates, comments and photos on social media can all give away the fact that you are out of your home for an extended period.

• Ensure any outdoor tools such as ladders are securely stored away as these could be used to force entry into your home.

• Don’t leave a message on your answer phone saying that you are away The best defence against burglars is to have friendly caring neighbours, which is what NHW is all about. It’s not about being nosy, it’s about caring.

Do you have infant/primary school age children?

A simple safety tip which doesn’t cost much at all. We have all seen these coloured wrist-bands (charities/good causes etc) and children like wearing them. If you are taking a young child to a Theme Park/Fairground/Crowded Beach etc, give them a wrist-band and write your mobile phone number on it using a permanent marker. In the event of becoming separated, any security official or ‘good samaritan’ can easily read the number and quickly reunite a lost child with their parents.

Enjoy your holidays wherever you may be.

WE HAVE unfortunately seen a fairly high level of reported crime again this month, with a total of 55 offences being reported during the month of May. Once again, a large number of these were theft offences (20 in total) with a further eight ‘drive-offs’ from the Petrol station being reported this month and another 11 shop thefts also being reported. On a positive note however, two males who were responsible for a number of the shop thefts were arrested this week following a pursuit through Watermead Park and have since been charged with several offences and given bail conditions not to enter Birstall. A further male who is believed to be responsible for a number of other offences has also been identified via CCTV footage and enquiries continue to try and locate and arrest this male.

Burglary offences (both dwelling and non-dwelling) have increased this month with a total of 12 being reported. Several of these occurred in the early hours of May 22 when a number of sheds and garages in the Park Road and Fielding Road areas were targeted by a group of males using motorbikes and mopeds.

Enquiries are continuing in an attempt to identify these males and I would ask anyone who sees any groups of males on mopeds in the early hours to report this to the Police via 101, so that we can try to obtain their details and establish if they were the ones involved in these offences.

Assault offences have fallen considerably this month and the number of damage to motor vehicle incidents has also declined sharply, suggesting that the spate we had in April appears to have tailed off.

Please however continue to be vigilant and report anyone seen acting suspiciously around vehicles to either the Police or your local neighbourhood watch co-ordinator.

Following a few reports of Anti-Social behaviour (ASB) in the Meadow Lane area at the start of the month we have created a new Neighbourhood Priority in relation to this location and are working closely with several other agencies to address the problems that we have been experiencing down there. There have been increased Police patrols in the area at the key times and a number of people have been checked and spoken to regarding their behaviour. If you do witness ASB in this, or indeed any area of Birstall or Wanlip please contact either Leicestershire Police or Charnwood Borough Council so that we can work together to address these issues.

From PC 1759 Dave Jaeckels, Pcso 6611 Mark Butler & PCSO 6048 Loydall.

L05 – Birstall Office Leicestershire Police http://www.leics.police.uk Tel: 0116 2677355 OR 101 @birstallpolice

From the Birstall & Wanlip NHW committee.

Crime Report: Birstall & Wanlip May 2014 Assaults 3, burglary 6, burglary non-dwelling 6, damage 8, damage to motor vehicle 1, drugs 2, fraud 1, theft 9, theft cycle 3, theft from motor vehicle 5, theft store 11.

NOW OPEN

0116 2676601

Twitter:

THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

13

Assaulted at bus stop Dance yourself fitter A MAN was kicked, punched and stamped on and his girl friend was hit on the head as the couple waited at a Birstall bus stop.

FITSTEPS IS the new dance fitness phenomenon that will see you dance like the stars of Strictly Come Dancing and get fit at the same time.

The three men who launched the violent attack, including one from Birstall, have each received a 12 month custodial sentence.

The incident happed on Sunday August 25, 2013, at 9.30pm at a bus stop on Loughborough Road. Leicester Crown Court heard that the three men cycled past, verbally challenged the victim for looking at them and then began the assault, punching him in the face and dragging him into the road and kicking him.

The man’s girlfriend received a blow to the head as she tried to intervene.

She lay on top of her boyfriend to try and stop them and the assault was only brought to an end when a passing motorist stopped and shouted at the man’s assailants.

The victim suffered a fractured nose and multiple cuts and bruises to his face, head and body.

Shamus Hirrell (23) of Milnroy Road, Thurnby Lodge, Leicester admitted causing actual bodily harm to the male victim and common assault upon the girlfriend.

His brother Liam Hirrell (19) of Harrowgate Drive, Birstall and Aden Holyoake (22) of Bale Road Northfields, Leicester both admitted causing actual bodily harm.

Shamus Hirrell and Holyoake reWHETHER YOU are 8 or eighty, the St Margaret’s Co-opceived a 12 month prison sentence and erative Bowling Club on Birstall Road are inviting you to Liam Hirrell was given a 12 month detention sentence at a young offenders’ come and join them. institute.

A club spokesman said: “We are all looking for it – that activity which engages

Try bowls at club

Local art courses ART COURSES for children and adults are on offer in Birstall this August.

Local professional artist Sue Faulks is running a children’s class from Aug 4-8 and a pastel portrait workshop for adults on August 25, all at her Birstall studio.

Contact Sue for prices and more information : 0116 2205164 or 07984 197 114 www.suefaulksart.co.uk

us enough to hold us in the moment but is not so damanding that we cannot enjoy the company of others. Down at St Margaret’s Coperative Bowling club we think we have found that perfect combination.”

He added: “The gentle rolling of the bowls, time spent in the open air, the perfect green grass and good company. We’ve got them all and good prices at the bar too. Come along to the Co-op sports ground on Birstall Road any Monday or Friday at 6pm or contact John on 0116 2675947. Bring flattish shoes, no other kit required. Come and have a go!”

Participants are able to waltz, jive, cha cha, paso doble, tango and samba and rumba without a partner or even dancing experience. The aim of the class is to create a fun, energetic and effective way to keep fit.

The fitness craze mixes Ballroom with Latin dancing and was designed by the stars of Strictly Come Dancing Natalie Lowe, Ian Waite and Britain’s most successful swimmer, Mark Foster.

Great Britain swimmer Mark Foster, who was converted to dance fitness said: “You’ve got a double whammy. You’re moving around and getting fit and healthy, having fun but also you’re learning proper steps from Strictly.”

Local Instructor Lisa Cluer has been professionally trained by Natalie and Ian. The stars were determined to keep the quality of FitSteps high.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Ian Waite said: “We wanted to make sure that all our coaches are at a certain level, and that they deliver the steps in the correct way. For people who have watched Strictly, when they dance FitSteps there will be steps when they say to each other ‘Yes, I’ve seen that step before on the show’.”

Ian added that several people have come to him saying that the class “had changed their life” and it prevents them from enduring the dreariness of exercise.

“This is entertaining, and you feel as though you’re having fun doing dance steps. You don’t realise that you are actually burning lots of calories. We’ve proven that you can burn about 600 calories in a 40 minute lesson” he said.

Lisa’s classes are at Stonehill School, Birstall Social Club and the Memorial Hall, Thurcaston. Contact Lisa on 07850 759170, lisa_al@talktalk.net

Fun Friendly Fitness Classes local to you…

BIRSTALL

SUITABLE FOR ALL • PAY AS YOU GO , NO NEED TO BOOK TUES FitSteps 9.25-10.10am £3.50 @ Birstall Social Club LE4 4JS (July 1-8-22-29 Aug 5-12-26) TUES Zumba 7.20-8.20pm £4.00 @ Highcliffe Sch LE4 3DL (July 1-8 Resume Sept 2) TUES Zumba 7.00-8.00pm £4.00 @ Stonehill Sch LE4 4JG (July-22-29 Aug 5-12-26) WED FitSteps 6.15-7.00pm £4.00 @ Stonehill Sch LE4 4JG (July 2-9-23-30 Aug 6-13-27) WED Tums & Tone 7.10-7.55pm £4.00 @ Stonehill Sch LE4 4JG (July 2-9-23-30 Aug 6-13-27) WED Zumba 8.00-8.45pm £4.00 @ Stonehill Sch LE4 4JG (July 2-9-23-30 Aug 6-13-27) Contact Lisa on 07850 759170 / Email lisa_al@talktalk.net

Zumba Syston Lisa Call me 07850 759170

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14

THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

Longslade art show OUR PICTURES show some of the work created by Art and Design students at Longslade college at an exhibition staged in the Palmer-Tomkinson centre on June 5.

Student Lucie Sleath (15) helped put the exhibition together. She said: “The quality of teaching at Longslade is really good, they let you get on with your own ideas and give good opinions and advice from a design perspective.”

Parent Sue Faulks said: “Both of my daughters have really flourished creatively during their art education at Longslade. Joanna hopes to pursue a career in art and the art department have definitely helped her on her way to achieving this goal.”

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THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

15

School’s Scout & Guide gala car wash BIRSTALL’S SCOUT and Guide gala took place in June at the home of Mr and Mrs Waters on School Lane.

District Commissioner Marie Upton said: “We had a vast turnout of girls and boys from both sections who all looked very smart as they paraded through the village.

The Birstall Brownies were very proud to show off their new Brownie banner.

“We would like to thank Mrs and Mrs Waters for the use of their wonderful garden, and all the parents and public that helped out and attended.”

Pic: Poppy Vivers (5) with Ged Sessions at the coconut shy

OUR PICTURE shows (l-r) Tiffany Wood, Mollie Goodman, Shannon James and Harriet Kyprianou washing a car at Riverside school’s fun day.

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16

THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

WI’s birthday BIRSTALL & Wanlip WI didn’t hold their usual meeting at Highcliffe School on June 2, instead 34 ladies celebrated our 96th Birthday with a meal at the Red Lion Rothley.

Pic: (l-r) Beverly Blackburn, Doreen Poole, Kath Wright, Margaret Hoskins & Jenny Downes celebrating the WI’s birthday

Birstall charity golf marathon THREE MEMBERS of Birstall Golf Club completed 118 holes in a day to raise money for three leading charities.

Ross Bradshaw, Chris Webb and Stuart Marriott (pictured) set off at 4.30am and kept up a fast pace all day, playing six complete rounds then an extra 10 holes, finishing at dusk just after 9.30pm.

By the end of the day donations to the three charities – Macmillan Cancer Support; LOROS and Coping With Cancer – totalled over £930, with a number of donations and sponsorship forms still to be tallied.

Club captain Mike Atkins praised the team’s efforts: “It is a tremendous achievement. 118 holes is 100 more

We hung the room with our bunting.

Each individual triangle had been decorated by a member and will be displayed at our Coffee Morning on June 14 at the Methodist Church Coffee Shop.

Finally it will be used on October 11 as we form a giant bunting chain along Foxton Locks as the WI centenary baton is exchanged with Northamptonshire WI. We are now through to the next round of the skittle tournament having beat Groby WI in a close fought game on May 19.

We will return to Highcliffe school for our next meeting on July 7 when Brenda Lund will talk to us about corsets and bra fitting and the competition will be ‘a Lacy Object’.

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than most of the rest of us ever manage in a day!”

Stuart Marriott, was proud of his achievement of only losing one ball all day and finishing with back to back

birdies: “Me feet are feeling alright but the back and shoulders are sore.

It has been great fun. Fortunately the weather was never too warm which meant we were comfortable all day”.

14 YEARS EXPERIENCE CSCS SPECIALIST WORKING AT HEIGHTS QUALIFIED For a Free Quotation Call Lee 0116 2108442 Mob: 07801 482 115 Lawn Avenue, Birstall

Planning applications P/14/1131/2: 19 Front St – erection of 2.2m high fencing and creation of raised platform to form seated patio area.

P/14/1182/2: 29 Acacia Ave – the erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 4.10m with a maximum height of 3.75m and height to the eaves of 2.5m P/14/1134/2: 3 Church Hill – erection of single storey extension to front of dwelling P/14/1059/2: 4 Park House Close erection of first floor extension to front, single and two storey extensions to rear of dwelling P/14/1032/2: 20 Hallam Ave – erection of a two storey extension to side and rear of dwelling P/14/0963/2: 651 Loughborough Rd – erection of single storey extension to rear of dwelling, porch to front and conversion of loft to form habitable space

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THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

17

GCR’s war weekend HUNDREDS OF re-enactors in period clothes from the 1940s helped to set the scene for the Great Central Railway’s Wartime Weekend event in June.

The annual event gave thousands of visitors the chance to experience the sights and sounds of life in wartime Britain, with military skirmishes at Birstall and Rothley’s stations, a vintage flypast, displays of military vehicles and the appearance of visiting dignitaries along the line, including Winston Churchill.

Pic: Jonathan Goddard with his daughter Harriet (7) Pic: Adrian Scott shows Jack (8) and Jamie Thomson (6) an MG42 machine gun

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HANNAH CLARKE FOR ALMSHOUSES The Charity has a vacancy of a one bedroom flat, well situated with an open outlook over the golf course, and is maintained to a high standard by the Trustees.

The property is of a sheltered nature and is suitable for a lady of 60 years plus. It is situated in Park Road, Birstall.

Apply to Andrew Atkinson 07973 309 987 or 0116 2675446

Pic (top): Singer Laura Jane Vintage & (bottom) Naomi Bramley with Rosabella Lindsay (2) and Paige Bramley (11)

18

THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

Museum bid rejected A BID for £10million of lottery funding to build a railway museum at Red Hill has been turned down.

The project’s organisers have said they will re-submit their bid and Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has said: “I am absolutely convinced it will happen sooner or later.”

The plans were launched in 2012 when the Great Central Railway, Leicester City Council and the National Railway Museum announced their bid to the Advertise in

The birstall post

Pic: artist Lisa Pidgeon

47 x 59mm £26 • 47 x 120mm £44 98 x 59mm £44 • 98 x 120mm £78

1) Decide what size you want 2) Send us a sketch of your ad 3) We design, publish This Siz & send e you the Wednes bill days

Crafting for health TRY A variety of arts and crafts activities for free at a 12 month project that is being run by a Birstall artist.

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CALL 2674213 for an advertising rate card, or view online at www.birstallpost.co.uk The prices above exclude VAT

Pic: blue area shows land required for the museum. Red area currently disused

Heritage Lottery Fund for a railway museum next to the Leicester North station at Birstall.

Bill Ford, Managing Director of the GCR, said: “The museum would bring a substantial number of priceless locomotives and carriages from the national collection, based in York, to the city, displaying them in a new building right alongside the tracks of the Great Central Railway. It would celebrate the role railways have played in creating the modern city and tell the story of the lives and communities affected by them.”

He added “We are naturally disappointed not to make the cut first time around, but we received a lot of praise for the strong vision and our partnership approach. We will absolutely bid again later this year when we have received detailed feedback on the project proposal.”

The project is expected to cost £15million with matching funding balancing the contribution from the lottery.

It is estimated that the museum and railway together would bring £43m of economic benefit to the area with five years of opening, while sustaining hundreds of jobs.

Lisa Pidgeon, an experienced Arts for Health practitioner, will be partnered by visiting professional artists who will be offering their support and encouragement during the sessions, which are being provided at the Cross Keys Community Arts Centre, next to Belgrave Hall.

The project is called ‘Crafting for Health and Wellbeing’ and participants will have the opportunity to try a variety of arts and crafts including printmaking, pottery, textiles, yarn crafts, knitting and stitchcraft.

Lisa said: “The project will provide an opportunity to develop new skills in a relaxed, friendly environment.

“It will be of particular benefit to people experiencing mental health difficulties such as stress, anxiety and depression. We intend these free sessions to be positive, relaxed and provide a haven from everyday worries and con-

G E GAMBLE & SONS INDEPENDENT FAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTORS —–––––––––– ESTABLISHED 1830 —–––––––––

The August issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on Aug 2.

The copy deadline is July 18.

Osteoporosis fracture risk scans Osteoporotic fractures are common in postmenopausal women and older men and hip fractures can prove fatal. Osteoporosis can be prevented if weak bones are detected early enough but scans for risk of future fracture are not always readily available. However, you can now have a non-invasive scan for £22. rd

Wednesday 23 July Birstall Village Hall & Soar Valley Leisure Centre (Healthy Heart Check also available for £15) For information and appointments: 0845

224 6784

Healthcare Screening

57 HIGH STREET, SYSTON LEICESTER LE7 1GQ TEL: 0116 2607500 A FAMILY OWNED FUNERAL DIRECTORS OFFERING A PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE 24 HOURS A DAY FUNERALS ARRANGED IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME OR AT OUR UNIQUE 17TH CENTURY THATCHED COTTAGE PROPRIETOR MR RICK ASTILL, RESIDENT OF BIRSTALL

www.gamblefunerals.co.uk MEMBERS OF SAIF AND NAFD

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cerns, to calm the busy mind.”

The 12 month, lottery funded project, began in June. There are weekly sessions, on Thursdays from 12noon-2pm and Fridays 10.30am.-12.30pm (except school holidays).

For details and to book www.littlebirdsos.co.uk, 07760 232059

Library offers reading adventure CHILDREN AGED 4-12 can take part in a mythical adventure at their local library this summer.

Mythical Maze is an exciting reading challenge taking place in all Leicestershire libraries, including mobiles from July 5.

A spokesman said: “Sign up for free and read six books throughout the summer as you navigate your way around the labyrinth that will introduce you to fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology. Children will collect stickers and incentives including a glow in the dark wristband as they read their books and will be rewarded with a certificate and medal when they complete the challenge.”

Look out for a Lion Learners event at Birstall Library where children can meet exotic and familiar animals and celebrate the Summer Reading Challenge.

All children taking part are entitled to free admission to Snibston Discovery Museum and Bosworth Battlefield by showing their Mythical Maze sticker poster at reception (one child per fullpaying adult).

For more information about Mythical Maze call in at Birstall Library or visit the website www.leics.gov.uk/mythicalmaze.

THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

News from the churches “One is nearer to God’s heart in a garden, than anywhere else on earth.”

The forecast of a flaming summer this year makes many of us look forward to enjoying being out in our gardens.

When we seek inspiration, we tend to head for the local garden centres, but another way of enlivening our garden is by seeing what other people have created Sadly, this year there is no Open Gardens weekend in Birstall, but for those with transport, there are other villages nearby where there is much to see. On Sunday July 20 for example there are 5 gardens open in the village of Exton (near Oakham); or on July Sun 6 and Sun 13 “Mountain Ash” on Ulverscroft Lane, Newtown Linford can be visited between 11am and 5pm. This, and more useful information, can be obtained from a little booklet “NGS gardens open for charity”, which is obtainable in Birstall Library.

Another sort of garden experience is offered in Birstall at 76 Sibson Road, on Wednesday July 2 or Thursday August 21 by two members of the Franciscan Community, who conduct Quiet Garden days, with a time of reflection. For more information, ring 0116 2672756.

Remembering the dead of the Great War The beginning of the “Great War” (which we now refer to as the First World War) in 1914 is being commemorated nationally, on August 4, 100 years later.

With the support and participation of Birstall Royal British Legion, a short service is to be held on Monday evening, 4th August at 7.30pm at St. James Church, Birstall. There will be hymns and prayers and time to reflect on the many lives lost in those terrible four years, particularly the 21 young men from Birstall and Wanlip. It is hoped that many people will attend, as a mark of sorrow and respect for a lost generation of men, whose death or injury affected almost every family in the country.

From Beryl McHugh, Parish churches

Welcome To John: To celebrate the Church Anniversary on July 6 we'll be welcoming John Florance of Radio Leicester to contribute to our 10.30am service Get In Gear At The Gala Birstall Messy Church will be representing Churches Together at the Gala this year. They'll be inviting people to help make the clothing for giant puppets which we hope to use in the village this

Christmas Taste Of Faiths Looking ahead, on August 10, Birstall will be hosting an event called "'Taste of Faiths" where there will be an opportunity to learn more about the faith of Islam and share in food from an Islamic cultural context.

From Birstall Methodist Church

Lodge Trust Report On Saturday May 31, the Lodge Trust, a Christian charity providing work and education services for adults with learning disabilities, held their Open Day at Market Overton, Rutland. The weather was good and the event was well-attended, with much fun being had by all.

There were stalls selling work done by the residents in wood, sewing and art, plus plants they had grown. The cake stall had a scrumptious selection, attracting the early crowd. There were also books, good-quality bric-a-brac, jams & preserves and tombola. Children enjoyed the face painting and bouncy castle while they and some adults tested their skills at crazy golf or some of the other games on offer. The Country Café (which is open to the public every Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30am to 4.30pm) was very busy serving lunches and cream teas and the Corby Silver Band played a selection of popular music. It was interesting to see the progress being made with the latest development, the Stables Project, where the builders are nearly ready to tile the roof. It is planned to open this new accommodation at the beginning of November. BIBC plans to support this charity again at our stall at the Birstall Christmas Market.

Church news We do not have a Discussion Topic this month, due to the holiday season.

The Metropolitan Tabernacle in London is again hosting its School of Theology, July 1-3. Details can be found at http://www.metropolitantabernacle.org/Sc hool-of-Theology-London-2014-Met-Tab Sunday Services Our services on 6th and 13th will be in the Community Room at Highcliffe Primary School (LE4 3DL) and begin at 10.45 a.m. We are not able to use the school premises during the holiday period, so please ring for venue.

Further information: please ring 0116 2214883.

From Anne Taylor, Birstall Independent Baptist Church

Job losses petition A LONGSLADE student has started a petition about potential job losses at Longslade College.

More than 40 support staff at the school are facing redundancy due to a reduction in student numbers.

Reece Thomas (14) is a year 10 student and his petition is calling for

the redundancy plans to be scrapped.

He said: “All the students at Longslade have created a very special bond with the staff and they have got us to where we are now … this issue will affect our GCSE exams next year as all students will be very upset.”

127 people have signed the petition. www.petitions24.com/longslade

Bench damaged POLICE IN Charnwood are appealing for information after a park bench and wooden fence were damaged on Watermead Country Park.

19

THE BIRSTALL POST YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Longslade College, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GH Editor: Mr Jerry Jackson Editorial/Advertising (Tel & Fax)

0116 2674213

The incident happened between 8pm on Saturday April 19 and 7am on Sunday April 20 at Watermead Country Park, Wanlip Road, Syston. During the incident both the bench and fence were set alight, with the bench and part of the fence being completely burnt out.

Correspondence, news etc can be handed in at: Birstall Library or to our office in the Youth Centre, Longslade College, Birstall

editor@birstallpost.co.uk www.birstallpost.co.uk

I. Wardle Maintenance Services (Birstall DIY) Do you need any of the following work carrying out? If so, please phone or email me

FENCING Erection & Repairs or supply & delivery only

Roof & Guttering Repairs Landscaping & Garden Maintenance & Interior Work

Free estimate with no obligation Email: gillandian@yahoo.co.uk

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is still required if you are selling or renting out your house.

Call David Jackson on 0781 5519490 to arrange your EPC

• 0116 2940164 • Mob: 0776 8233552 Advertise in

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

1) Decide what size you want 2) Send us a sketch of your ad 3) We design, publish This Siz & send e you the Wednes bill days

S£E2X6Y +VAT

CALL 2674213 for an advertising rate card, or view online at www.birstallpost.co.uk The prices above exclude VAT

20

THE BIRSTALL POST JUL 2014

Birstall BAG’s cancer corner The Sun Has Got His Hat On As summer time approaches and we look forward to holidays, day trips, the beach, summer sports, working and sitting in the garden all in our wonderful outdoors, Birstall BAG’s would like to help keep people ‘SUNSMART’.

The UK's national skin cancer prevention campaign SUNSMART is built around the key elements of research, public communication, professional support and policy development and it has been run by Cancer Research UK since 2003. The campaign is working towards an end to the year-on-year rise in skin cancer incidence and mortality rates in the UK, and to close of the gap between male and female survival rates.

Here are some interesting facts and easy to implement advice to help keep you and your family safe in the sun: · Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or sunbeds is the main cause of skin cancer. · There are two main types of skin cancer: non-melanoma skin cancer, which is very common, and malignant melanoma which is less common but more serious. · Over 8 out of 10 melanomas in the UK (around 11,100 cases every year) are linked to too much exposure to UV rays from sunlight or sunbeds.

Anyone can develop skin cancer, but some people are more likely to get the disease than others. These people tend to have one or more of the following: · Fair skin that burns easily in strong sun · Lots of moles or freckles · Red or fair hair

· Light-coloured eyes · A personal or family history of skin cancer · A history of sunburn.

The best way to enjoy the sun safely and protect your skin from sunburn is to use a combination of shade, clothing and sunscreen. When the sun is strong or you’re at risk of burning: · Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm. · Wear a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses. · Use a sunscreen with at least factor 15 and a high star rating. Use it generously and reapply regularly.

Finding skin cancer: what to look for Finding skin cancer early saves lives, so it’s important to know the signs and see your doctor about any unusual or persistent changes to your skin.

It’s generally a good idea to be aware of how your skin normally looks so you’ll be more likely to notice changes that could be signs of skin cancer. If you spot a change such as a new mole, or any moles, freckles or patches of normal skin that change in size, shape or colour, it’s worth getting it checked out by a doctor, even if you don’t think it’s anything to worry about. It may well not be skin cancer, but if it is, getting it diagnosed and treated early could make a real difference to the outcome.

The ABCD (Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter) rule can help you remember some key changes to look out for: Asymmetry: the two halves of the mole do not look the same.

Border: the edges of the mole are irregular, blurred or jagged.

Colour: the colour of the mole is uneven, with more than one shade.

Diameter: the mole is wider than 6mm in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser).

For further information University Hospitals of Leicester Cancer Information Centre on 0116 258 6189.

For more information on the funds we have raised, projects we support and forthcoming events see www.birstallbags.co.uk Contact us by email: birstallbags@hotmail.com Birstall BAG’s are delighted to announce we are the 2014 recipients for Marks and Spencer’s Thurmaston store fundraising team. Thank you to all the staff there for supporting the many planned events over the summer, Birstall BAG’s are extremely grateful.

If you would like to reserve tickets for the Ceri Dupree Christmas show at Birstall Social Club on either Friday December 19 or Saturday December 20 please contact Birstall BAG’s by email birstallbags@hotmail.com or text mobile 07734 212102 . Please note reservations require full payment of £10 per ticket (over 18’s only).

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

Trade/business rates for small ads are 25p a word. You are liable for the trade/business rate if you are offering a service for which you are asking for payment, or if you are advertising new goods for sale. All text will be printed bold. Box outline £1 extra. Max 50 words.

Phone numbers count as one word.

TELEPHONE EXTENSION Sockets fitted by ex-BT engineer. Cable, BT and digital TV. Over 25 yrs experience. John 2675132 AMLI DESIGN Architectural Consultancy. Plans drawn and submitted.

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David Ives B.Sc.(Hons) FBEng MCIOB 0116 2674395 / 07974807111 www.amlidesign.co.uk SUMMER GUITAR tuition, blues, country, classical, funk, pop, rock & soul. Contact Simon Faulks: 07954379482 FOR SALE Two wicker conservatory chairs. Cream covers, turquoise/beige pattern £30 ono.

Contact 0110 2674362 ANYONE LOST a homing pigeon? If so please contact 0116 2671527

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