Birstall Post (382) May 2015

the Birstall post Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

MAY 2015

N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

Park: trail of damage THE WORST act of vandalism at Watermead Country Park in 25 years saw fencing smashed, benches overturned and memorial trees snapped.

The vandals also threw benches and bins into the lakes and destroyed signs and gates.

Senior Ranger Dale Osborne said the damage was the worst he had seen in his 25 years at the park and would cost £5000 to repair.

There are ten memorial trees, paid for by families to remember a loved one, and six of these were snapped.

It is believed that the vandals struck sometime between 8pm on Saturday April 11 and 8am on Sunday April 12, entering at the Wanlip Road entrance and leaving a trail of damage as far as Canal Street, Thurmaston.

A public meeting, an online fundraising drive and local collection points have been organised by residents outraged at the damage.

Georgie Budding has set up a donation site at www.gofundme.com/beatthevandals that has so far raised £1500. Comments left by those making donations include “Lovely park, such a shame”, “What makes people do this? Mindless!” “It is a magical place for able bodied and

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disabled people alike and the fact that some mindless morons have tried to destroy some of its beauty sickens me.”

Birstall Borough Cllr Simon Sansome has been organising collection points for residents to make donations and asking for support from local businesses. He said: “Glebe Garden Centre are going to donate two picnic benches, Wilkinson are making a cash donation and I’m waiting to hear back from Costco, Tesco, Aldi, McDonalds and M&S.” £113 from the carboot sale organised by Cllr Sansome at Stonehill school in April will be going to the fund.

PC2995 Ian Mundy is investigating the incident. He said: “The people who have committed these thoughtless acts of

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

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Used furniture shop AGE UK have opened a secondhand furniture shop in a Leicester warehouse.

The new furniture warehouse is located in Unit 1, Gladstone Street, Leicester and is open to the public on Saturdays from 9am until 4pm. If successful the charity will expand the number of days the warehouse opens.

Anthony Donovan, Chief Executive of Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland, said: “Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland is a local charity with a national name – all money raised through the charity’s shops and the warehouse go back into supporting local older people. Please come along and have a look, you never know you might be able to pick up a real bargain!”

The charity collects saleable items of furniture for free, call 0116 2992233 for the nearest furniture shop to arrange collection.

Councillor retires after 23 years A LONG serving member of Birstall Parish Council has retired.

Dennis Marshall (80) of Oakfield Avenue has lived in the village for 52 years

and been a parish councillor for 23 years.

“I have really enjoyed helping to get

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Continued from page 1 vandalism have no regard for the effect their actions would have on the people whose memories of their loved ones have been violated.

“We need to catch the people responsible and I would urge anyone who has any information about the incident or the perpetrators to get in touch.”

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things done” he said. “Things have improved tremendously in the village over the years, we have superb playing fields with good changing facilities and a pavilion, a youth club, good car parks and the Sibson Road improvements.”

Parish Council Chairman Ann Marshall said: “Dennis has been a loyal and committed councillor for a period of years that is unlikely to be matched. He will be missed.”

At his last council meeting in April, fellow councillors toasted his good health and shared a celebratory cake.

Pic: Dennis Marshall (front) at his last parish council meeting with fellow councillors, Parish Clerk Sue Coulson and PC Dave Jaeckels

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THE BIRSTALL POST

MAY 2015

Armed police called to Birstall street ARMED OFFICERS were called to a Birstall street after police received a report of a man with a gun.

Streets around Barn Meadow Road in Hallam Fields were cordoned off by Police at 7.26am on Tuesday April 21.

The Police say a man who may have been involved has been identified and is helping them with their enquiries.

Officers are now appealing for the occupants of a van seen in the area to come forward.

Police were called to Barn Meadow Road following a report of a man being seen with what was believed to be a firearm, chasing another man.

A police spokesman said: “In the interests of officers and public safety the armed response team were deployed to the incident.

“The victim was subsequently traced

and had sustained minor injuries, which didn’t require medical treatment.”

Detective 4269 Kim Potter is investigating the incident, she said: “This was an isolated incident and we believe that the victim was specifically targeted. From enquiries we’ve conducted locally we believe there was a van parked close to where the assault took place and the vehicle drove off during the incident.

“We would like to trace the occupants of that van as they may be able to assist us with our enquiries. If this was you then please get in touch. We would also like to speak to anyone else who may have witnessed the incident or have heard rumours locally about who may be responsible.”

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Easter bonnet parade CHILDREN AT the Acorn Under 5s pre-school enjoyed their Easter Bonnet Parade on March 27.

“The children looked magnificent in their hats and there were over 50 entries of all shapes and sizes decorated with feathers, chicks, straw and tiny eggs” said a spokesman. Mr McFarland, the reception teacher from Highcliffe Primary School judged the entries and commented on the extremely high standard.

First place was awarded to Maple Foy, second to Elliot Ince and third to Evie Smith (pictured). The children enjoyed a guest appearance from Elsa and Olaf from Frozen.

Have a go at bowls THE NEW season is getting underway and St Margaret’s Co-operative Bowls Club on Birstall Road is looking for new members.

A spokesman said: “If you have ever fancied having a go at bowls, now could be the ideal time. It may interest readers to know that in the over 55 age range in this country, over 3000 people have started playing bowls in the

last year.

“Most of our members are round about retirement age but we are very happy to take on people of all ages and all abilities. Bowls has a huge appeal. It is a fascinating game that takes a few moments to appreciate but a lifetime to master.

“Come and have a go. No obligation.

Bowls is a great game that can be enjoyed by young and old.”

For more details ring John on 2675947.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

Quacking good fun on riverbank ORGANISERS HAVE been tirelessly planning for the past few months, ducks have already been sold in their flocks, and the sun has started to shine; this can only mean one thing - the 2015 Duck Race at the White Horse Birstall is just around the corner, and it's shaping up to be the biggest and best yet.

This year's Duck Race will be taking place on Bank Holiday Monday May 4 from 12 noon and all proceeds will be donated to the Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) of Riverside and Highcliffe Primary Schools respectively. So far, since the inaugural Duck Race in 2009, around £20k has been raised for local charities and community organisations.

Both schools' PTA's will jointly run all stalls, games and activities that take place throughout the day, and they will equally share

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the money raised. These organisations are responsible for raising much needed additional funds for equipment and activities for the children of Riverside and Highcliffe to take advantage of on a daily basis.

The Duck Race starts at 2pm and there will be a wide array of stalls and games to ensure that everyone's tastes are catered for. In addition TJ Cycles will be promoting bike checks throughout the afternoon as well as selling small yet essential bike products.

Books & Pieces will be in attendance for the keen bookworms amongst you, as well as a small stall selling items for pets and animals - so stock up on that bird seed to feed the real Ducks of Watermead!

There will be a boxing demonstration from the boxers from Carl Gunn’s gym mid-way through the afternoon. The

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Dance Academy will be providing a nail bar and some dance activities, and Silly Prices will be in attendance with balloons and helium.

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selection, there'll be the usual Duck Race favourites of a bouncy castle, tombola, donkey derby, splat-the-rat, pocket money toy stall and sweet shop and much more.

The big news this year is that someone very special from the Frozen town of Arandelle (thanks to Jack in the Box) will be attendance to officially start the race and meet some of their biggest fans.

Word on the street is that the Knitting Guerrillas of Blighty (or the KGB, if you'd prefer..) have been busy in honour of the White Horse Duck Race (pictured left). Agents have been hard at work with the support of various community groups working under the Little Bird SOS umbrella and you'll see some knit work activity ahead of the Duck Race on the corner of Greengate Lane, so keep your eyes peeled! You can follow them on Twitter @KGB_123 to find out more about their guerrilla knitting frivolities.

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For the first time there'll be live music on the day provided by the La Bella ukulele trio.

The usual refreshment selection will of course be provided by the White Horse, with the bar opening at midday and a large barbecue in operation throughout the afternoon.

Ducks are currently available to buy from both primary respective primary schools, as well as from the White Horse bar. There'll also be plenty of Ducks to buy on the day.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

Memories of Birstall shop in the 1950s MEMORIES OF living in Birstall and running a shop in Front Street in the 1950’s have been published in a blog

by Roy Manterfield.

Roy (62), was born in Birstall in 1952. His parents, Dennis and Betty, moved to Front Street in 1949 and his mother and grandparents ran the Legion Stores.

Roy writes: “We owned a small local shop in the 1950s; Legion Stores at 13 Front Street, in Birstall, just north of Leicester in the English East Midlands.

The shop was in the oldest part of Birstall, quite close to the River Soar and opposite the very old St. James Church; relics of a Saxon window were found during major restoration works in the 19th century. The peel of church bells always takes me back to childhood

Sunday mornings, either in the old shop, or at number 5, an old cottage we’d later rented, just down the road.

For the first few years that we had the shop food was still rationed and Mum

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used to bone and slice the bacon and measure out all the rationed portions of cheese and meat.

Mum and Grandma did most of the serving in the shop because Grandad didn’t like working behind the counter; he didn’t have much patience and always said he couldn’t put up with the ‘chatting women’.

Almost everything had to be weighed and measured out by hand, hardly anything came pre-packed. Things like sugar came in big bags and were measured into small bags for the customer, bacon was sliced by hand and parcelled up, cheese, lard and butter had to be cut into chunks, weighed and wrapped.

In the kitchen at the back of the shop we had a small butter churn, like a small wooden barrel with a turning handle that we used to make our own butter. I don’t actually remember if we churned the butter that was sold in the shop, although I do remember my Mum

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and Grandma patting the measured chunks of butter into blocks with wooden paddles and wrapping them in paper.

Particular delights for me were the rows of jars full of sweets, unfortunately out of my reach. Something I could actually reach were the eggs, dozens of them in stacks of trays. My mother told me that one day I picked up some of the eggs and when she told me to put them down, I just dropped them on the floor.

I bet the cane that she kept behind the bread board came out that time.

One of my favourite parts of the shop were the rows of little wooden drawers behind the counter and below the shelves of sweet jars, tins and jams.

These drawers were full of various dry goods, such as salt, with small metal scoops used to measure the contents

into bags. The drawer I liked most of all contained lots of button badges, these must have been given out by the suppliers, because I seem to remember them advertising things like Saxa salt.

The shop did steady business and just about paid its way for a few years, but self-serve food stores started to become popular in the 1950s, gradually turning into the chains of supermarkets that most of us buy our food from today.

By the late 1950s the old shop on Front Street wasn’t doing very well, loosing customers to the newer shops in the village at Sibson’s Corner, so when Mum and Dad moved in 1959, to a new house on a new estate off Greengate Lane [Denegate Ave], Grandma and Grandad Manterfield gave the shop up and moved into the old cottage that we’d rented at 5 Front Street.

So that was the end of our little retail experiment, but it left me with many happy memories of a quieter time in a small corner of a very old village.”

Roy now lives in Nottingham with his family. Read his blog: www.mumblingnerd.com Pics: (clockwise from top) The Legion Stores, 13 Front Street (1954); Nellie and Betty Manterfield serving in the shop (1954); Betty Manterfield in Legion Stores (1950); 5 Front Street, Birstall (1955); Betty, Dennis & Roy Manterfield outside the shop (1953)

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

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Fun night out with HATS HATS SPRING play is a comedy farce that promises plenty of laughs.

“Are you ready for another super production from our friendly drama group?” said a spokesman. “If you have been to previous plays and pantomimes you will know what to expect. If you haven’t then why not come along and see what you have been missing. Our audience return year after year and have a jolly good time watching our shows. For those of you who came for the first time to see our last Spring Play “The Queen and I” by Sue Townsend, I am sure you will also enjoy the “Cheerleaders”. New members are always welcome.”

“Cheerleaders” is set in Dave Thornton’s disgustingly untidy flat. It tells the story of Dave and his

Parish meeting RESIDENTS ARE invited to raise any concerns they may have at Birstall Parish Council’s Annual Parish Meeting on Monday May 18.

Held at 5pm in Birstall Village Hall, residents can ask questions or raise any issues of local concern.

The annual report will be presented, outlining what the Parish Council has accomplished in the preceding year.

The meeting will be followed at 7pm by the May meeting of the Parish Council, where the chairman and vice chairman of the Council will be elected.

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neighbours, Ken and Norm and their involvement with the local amateur football team. In an attempt to boost support for the team they consider auditioning some cheerleaders but confusion follows as Dave also needs a char lady to clean up his flat so he can persuade his girlfriend, Sharon, to move in with him. Norm gets the wrong end of the stick and things go from bad to worse for Dave and Sharon. Further trouble lies ahead in Act 2 when Sharon’s amorous mother arrives and sets her sights on Norm.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

YOUR SAY...

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, Unit 109, Greenacres, The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR, or handed in at Birstall library or email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk

Thanks You may remember that in February you ran an article and advert for my fundraising event in aid of Mesothelioma UK. The event on March 21 went very well and was attended by 100 people.

The event raised £2533.76 and an additional £400 through my JustGiving page from people who were unable to attend.

I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who participated in the event and to the donors of raffle prizes which contributed over £500 to the amount raised.

Linda Lakin

Bats Due to personal circumstance it has been a little while since I did any researches as the Heritage Warden. These matters are nearly complete, and once more I can turn my thoughts to the natural history of Birstall, safe in the

knowledge that the history and structure of this place is being recorded elsewhere. If, therefore, you can find room for this on your letter page I would be most grateful.

The creatures I want to turn my attention to are bats. Bats have declined in numbers greatly over the past few years, I recall, when I was young, seeing numbers of them flying over the local river, and my father firing his catapult at them.

He assured me that he would not hit one, but they would follow the stone by their ‘radar’. This they did.

There are many myths about bats.

True they will live in belfries, but why the owner of said belfry should be mad I do not know. We had a colony in a neighbour’s house where I used to live; she was not mad, save that she did not like them there and had the pest control people drive them out. The last ambition a bat would have is to get entangled in anyone’s hair – I don’t know where that came from either. And they are not flying mice – mice are vegetarian, and bats are insectivorous. If anything, they are flying shrews.

If you do happen across any in Birstall this summer, please would you leave a message on 267 6946 please – I know they fly at night, and late evening is the best time to see them, so I do not expect an accurate identification, just when and where and (if possible) how many bats you saw. I would be particularly interested in any bats seen over the Birstall lakes. And please, keep it to Birstall.

Dr D A C McNeil

Cars were parked everywhere, double parked also in the access gateways.

Accident waiting to happen, no emergency vehicles would have got by if needed. No cones to stop parking, no arrows to say where to park, no marshals, where were they?

Birstall United wanted the access to Worcester Avenue allotment for extra parking, only two cars were parked down there.

One allotment holder was spoken to so rudely when he wanted access to his allotment. The car driver used such foul language, he had a small child in the car as well, we do not need this hassle when we are senior citizens and disabled as well, no joke!

Police were informed and a local officer did come down and took photos and was going to bring it up at the council meeting on Monday April 12, 2015.

The car park to the Country Park we use every day had cars parked down the middle. Disabled spaces taken up, no stickers in cars. Nice chap who I talk to walking his dog. I usually meet him most days, said “Gosh where did you park”. We did manage to get the last space between a Range Rover and a van.

We both do need extra space to open the doors as he is disabled as well and also has a blue badge.

Don’t know how my husband managed to get through, good job he is a good driver. He did manage to swing round the cars to get out and we are not a small vehicle.

Just where do we go from here, any suggestions?

Anita J Gamble (Mrs)

Parking chaos Oh what chaos down Meadow Lane Birstall on Sunday morning April 11, 2015. It was atrocious.

Birstall United football ground had a football tournament. Unbeknown to us all, allotment holders, dog walkers and Country Park folk.

Thanks A big thank you to the person that handed in my wedding ring at the Coop.What a relief having searched my house from top to bottom! Thanks again.

B Hancock

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Thanks Through your columns, may I give a massive thank you to the gentleman who drove me from Birstall Road to Barrajjo vets yesterday March 31, 2015 at around 16:30. I forgot to get his name/ telephone so that I could say thanks properly.

I was at the door as my cat darted across the road, and was hit by a vehicle travelling at well above the speed limit; possibly a small white van, but I was too busy getting my cat off the road to pay much attention. Clearly the cat’s fault, but the driver didn’t think it was important enough to stop and offer assistance.

I reckon my cat died instantly, but a gentleman in a blue car heading towards Redhill, turned round and insisted we take him to the vets.

What a great chap you are! Please stop me if you see me around so that I can thank you properly.

Bruce Hughes, Birstall

Hallam Fields Election time is here again and I read with interest the varying views and opinions from our prospective candidates for Birstall Wanlip Ward. Having lived at the Hallam ‘Fields’ development since 2006, much of the promises for deliverance have yet to be completed. However, much can be said for how nicely the developers at the ‘fields’ have laid out the large grassed areas and public walkways. Many years ago I lived in a small village that grew into a town namely Wigston Magna. From experience it takes many years before the proposed amenities come to fruition. I for one am pleased with the services which are being made available and so the community within the ‘fields’ should be embraced by the wider population of Birstall village. After all our rates and taxes help contribute to everyone in the local community, integration is a key issue for all of us.

For 2015 I look forward to seeing more positive changes in our local community and wish our prospective candidate for Wanlip Ward well as he seems to be someone who has a go. Good luck to Simon Sansome.

For parties who show they care for the local community need to show how they are supporting our views and opinions. This seems quite evident with the Liberal Democratic party who have been keen to support issues and concerns at the ‘fields’. The old saying goes actions speak louder than words.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

Noticeboard all details printed free Open Church Weekend at St Leonards Church, Swithland May 9/10 Tea and cakes will be served each day from 2-4pm

Birstall Walk in the Village Join John Kilby on Tuesday June 2 at the School Lane Car Park at 7pm for a walk round the older part of Birstall A charge of £2.50 will be donated to the Birstall Methodist Church for its ‘Walk in the Light’ project Please phone John on 2673239 to agree a visit There may be a limit of 25 Mountsorrel Methodist Church presents the 5th in the 14th series of Sunday Night @ Eight

Organ Recitals Sunday May 17 at 8pm Father Simon Lumby, St Aidans, New Parks Admission free Donations for church’s development fund Buffet from 7.30pm

Councillor Surgery Last Sat of every month 10am to 12noon 10 Sibson Road, Old Council Office Talk to your District & County Councillors to discuss any issue of local concern

Birstall & District Art Society

Friends of Belgrave Cemetery

Tuesday May 12 at 7pm You are invited to join us at the Palmer Tomkinson Centre at Longslade College, LE4 4GH to watch renowned artist Geoff Kershaw giving a demonstration how to paint a landscape in watercolour. Demonstration to end at 9pm. Members £1, Guests £3.

Free raffle. Ample parking and wheelchair access.

Sunday June 14 From 10am to 3.30pm Guided Walk by Sandra Moore at 11am & 2pm dressed in Victorian Costume Record Information Stall, Belgrave Cemetery Cake stall, refreshments, tombola stall If you want to donate items for the cake stall or tombola or want to help on the day please contact: Joy May 0116 3678068 www.friendsofbelgravecemetery. org.uk ••• Tickets are now available for Soar Valley Music Centre’s annual musical theatre production

Birstall Running Club Meet Monday & Friday nights, 6.20 for 6.30pm run Birstall School Lane playing fields – showers & toilets available Wednesday night beginners group at Birstall Legion 7pm Speed work sessions also available on Wednesdays for those wanting to improve Contact Deryk on dwoods1@sky.com or Bob 07927 346640 Website: www.birstallrc.org.uk

Are you looking for new and nearly new baby/toddler items?

Our ‘Shop’ is now open at Greenacres, The Sidings, Birstall LE4 3BR (off Redhill Roundabout next to Leicester North Station) Open 10-2pm Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat We have a fabulous selection of pushchairs, cots, prams, high chairs and good quality toys in stock www.prembabies.co.uk

Summer Fair

‘Anything Could Happen’ The show contains a wonderful set of songs and dance routines from musicals, old and new, such as Shrek, Mary Poppins, Oliver! and The Wizard of Oz so there will be something for everyone.

Guthlaxton College, Station Road, Wigston Friday & Saturday, July 3/4 at 7.30pm Tickets available from Soar Valley Music Centre 0116 266 4153 £10 adults, £8.50 accompanied children under 14 LOROS

Fundraising Open Golf Match Friday July 10 AmAm Stableford, 3/4 Handicap, any combination £45 per person inc 2 course meal

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Birstall Royal British Legion May 2nd Claude 9th Billy De Laine 16th Noel Gee 23rd Karen Le Shone 30th Phill Diamond 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 10th and 31st May starting at 9pm Acoustic night Sunday 17th February at 8pm Wakes catered for Wi-Fi available BT sports

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

Open Bank holiday Monday 4th & 25th May Food available on 25th May & every Saturday 12-2pm Come and enjoy our New outside seating area Monday Women’s Group

Coffee Morning at Birstall Methodist Coffee Shop Saturday 6 June:10am–12noon Plants, Cakes, Tombola Books, Jigsaws etc Come along and support our project: Look Good Feel Better Birstall Flower Club 27th May 2015, 7.15pm

Birstall Village Hall Demonstration by Beverley Artis - “A Perfect Day " Visitors welcome - £5 Queries to Sylvia: 0116 2674206 or Mary Linnett: 07704398017

Home made cakes, tombola and plants, books and puzzles etc.

10-12 am at the Coffee shop, Wanlip Lane.

Thursday May 21st 7.30pm.

‘Singing for Fun’ concert Directed by Anne Hughes.

In Birstall Methodist Church.

No admission fee but donations welcomed for Prostaid and George Hythe House mini-bus appeal.

Songs to suit all tastes, everyone welcome.

Refreshments will be served.

This film traces the history of the hotel from 1932 to the present day through the eyes of two lovers who are involved with a stolen painting. The characters are eccentric, with Bill Murray in a comic role and Ralph Fiennes performing brilliantly. Even the young lobby boy received an inheritance. This beautifully crafted comedy received four Oscar Awards and five BAFTA's.

"The Theory of Everything" Friday June 12 (123 mins)

Film Presentations From Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council "The Grand Budapest Hotel" Friday May 8 (99 mins).

Sat.May 15th

Coffee Morning in aid of Prostaid and George Hythe House mini-bus appeal.

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This is the extraordinary true story of Jane and Stephen Hawking, starring Felicity Jones who won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and Eddie Redmayne who won the Golden Globe and Oscar for Best Actor. Defying the death sentence of motor neurone disease, Stephen Hawking married Jane, raised a family and altered drastically our perception of the universe by searching for a single equation to explain everything.

Our June film is based on the memoirs of Jane Wilde Hawking.

Enjoy your summer! Our next film will be shown on Friday September 11.

Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall.

Starting at 7.30pm, tickets cost £5 and concessions are £4.50.

There will be refreshments and a lucky prize draw. Advanced tickets can be purchased via the parish office 0116 236 7626 or at the door.

Syston Syclers We are an enthusiastic group of mixed age and ability riders based in Syston and have been 'up and cycling' for a year now. We cater for those who are new to cycling right through to those who want to push the boundaries competitively.

If you are looking to meet like minded people or just want to enjoy Leicestershires finest countryside, why not come along and

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All our sessions start from The Green, High Street, Syston LE7 1GQ Saturday -8.30am advanced rides, or 9am gentle ride.

Sunday - 9am for beginners Wednesdays -10am touring pace, generally 30-35 miles (including lunch stop) Thursday evening ride -18:30 advanced ride For more information contact Phil phil@systonsyclers.com or 0771 778 1501 Find us on facebook or visit our website - systonsyclers.com

Birstall & District Local History Society The next meeting of the Society is to be held on Thursday 14th May 2015 at 7.30pm in the Birstall Village Hall, Birstall Road, Birstall LE4 4DH The subject of the talk will be about "Nell Gwynne" and the speaker will be Sally Henshaw.

All visitors are very welcome to join us for this talk.

Parking is available for cars on the Birstall Playing Fields through the School Lane entrance.

Birstall United Juniors FC We are looking for new players who are currently in Year 4 at school to start up a second team in their Under 9 age group. The team has training sessions every Saturday at 9am until 10.30am at their home ground on Meadow Lane in Birstall.

If you are interested then please contact Pete on 07765117530 Birstall and Wanlip WI

Coffee Morning & Craft Sale Birstall Methodist Church May 30th 10am-12 noon

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015 15

Wanlip May Fayre Sat 16th May 2 - 4 pm at the Wanlip Church and Community Centre in Wanlip

White Horse Duck Race Whiles Lane riverbank, Birstall Mon May 4, 12noon Duck Race 2pm Family fun day with stalls, games and activities Bradgate Park

‘Early Summer Fair’ Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st May 2015 10am to 5pm at Newtown Linford Local Produce, Arts & Crafts, Gifts, Demonstrations, Maypole Dancing and much more!

New Stallholders Welcome!

Please contact the Estate Office for further details & booking form - Tel: 0116 234 1850

CLASH 2012 Free general exercise sessions Tuesday 1pm - 2pm and Free seated exercise sessions Wednesday 1pm - 2pm. Peepul Centre Gym, Peepul centre.

Yoga Classes for members Peepul centre 11.30am - 12.30pm CLASH 2012 - Monthly Meeting Wednesday 13th May 7.00pm 9.00pm - Speaker TBC. Room 218 DOCK, 75 Exploration Drive, Leicester LE4 5NU, Tel: A secretary is wanted for CLASH 2012 charity number 1151899.

This voluntary trustee position is required as soon as possible.

There are usually four trustee meetings per year. A confident person is required who is prepared to occasionally contact local media on general health and wellbeing matters relating to the charity. (CLASH - Community Leicestershire Arthritis Self Help).

If you are interested in this position please contact Chris on 07751 072612.

Birstall BAG’s Registered Charity Number 1160190 This year’s

Watermead Challenge on Tuesday July 7 at 7pm, The Rotary Club of Wreake Valley annual 5 or 3 mile run around our glorious local park, will be held in aid of Birstall BAG’s.

Birstall BAG’s would like to encourage as many of our supporters as possible to enter the event – wear pink to show you support!

For more information and to register please visit: www.wreakevalleyrotary.org.uk

Crafting at the WI THERE WAS almost a full house at Birstall and Wanlip WI’s meeting on April 14.

Fresh from our “Crafting and Chatting’ afternoon in Maxilyn’s sunny garden we discussed our forthcoming coffee morning at Birstall Methodist Church on May 30. We will be selling a massive selection of useful and decorative crafts suitable as gifts for adults, children and pets. These will be sold in aid of Air Ambulance and Gorse Hill City Farm.

We now know that both Beverly Blackburn and Christine Byrne will be attending the WI Buckingham Palace afternoon tea. So they will be looking out their fancy headgear for June! Also

Fast internet speed A FIBRE optic broadband cabinet on Sibson Road has been installed, say Leicestershire County Council.

The new cabinet will provide superfast broadband to a further 109 homes in the village.

The total number of homes in Birstall with access to superfast broadband is now 680, say the County Council.

Pic: WI members at a ‘crafting and chatting’ afternoon

in June we will be celebrating our own 97th birthday with a meal at the Red Lion in Rothley.

Our speaker was Denise Taylor who gave an enlightening talk about the work of Medical Detection Dogs, a charity formed in 2008. I think we were all amazed by their work in the early detection of cancers which utilize a dog’s sense of smell which is 100,000 times more sensitive than ours. Medical Alert

dogs also have the power to transform whole family’s lives by caring for susceptible individuals.

This month’s competition was very popular and the winner of the best doggy photo was Kath Jones.

Our next meeting is on May 11 when Dee Lehan-Matthews will be helping us ‘Make Everything Dementia Friendly’ and our competition an ‘Aide Memoire’ From Birstall & Wanlip WI

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

History society celebrates birthday THIS YEAR Birstall Local History Society celebrates its thirtieth birthday.

A spokesman said: “Our first meeting was on February 7, 1985 when Shirley Scott spoke to 33 members on the history of Birstall. Shirley, whose vision and drive brought the society into being, died in 2005 and is sadly missed. Of the original committee Glenys Ratcliffe, John Kilby, Wendy Garner and Michael Smith are still serving the society.

“Over the years the society’s programme has attempted to give Birstall a sense of its past and its place in the history of Leicestershire. Besides speakers and visits to villages and sites of interest we have produced fourteen publications including histories of Birstall, Wanlip and Belgrave, Birstall’s part in the Civil War, stories behind the war memorial names and street names, and analyses of four censuses.

“It is gratifying to see that interest in local history is growing in Birstall as is shown by the fact that since transferring

Pic: a meeting of the society

from Birstall library, whose support and trust for many years is much appreciated, to the village hall, attendances have increased from around thirty to an average of over forty with one or two over seventy.

“Visitors are welcome to our meetings in the village hall on the second Thursday in every month, July and August excepted. They are advertised in the Birstall Post and in shops and on notice boards around the village.”

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Learning & fun at U3A PEOPLE FROM Birstall, Rothley and Mountsorrel have all become members of Glenfield U3A – the university of the third age for the retired and semi-retired.

“Over half our membership comes from outside the Glenfield area” said a spokesman. “Distance is no barrier to joining our group, we make everyone welcome.”

Glenfield U3A has a membership of just under 300 who participate in 36 active groups with something for everyone to help them “have fun, make friends, stay fit and exercise the mind”.

The groups include five walking groups, bird watch and natural history, gardening, creative writing, art appreciation, computing, history, card making, flower arranging, craft, ethnic eating,

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French, German, reading, photography, discussion, mah-jong, scrabble, indoor bowls, table tennis, Pilates, yoga, tai chi, cycling and badminton The monthly meetings take place on the fourth Thursday afternoon of the month in St Peter’s church centre, Glenfield, with a regular attendance of about a hundred members.

“There is a diverse programme of interesting talks and demonstrations throughout the year. So far this year we have had a talk and demonstration on ‘Exploding the Myths of Belly Dancing’, ‘the Funny Side of the Funeral Business’ and ‘Sausage Making’” said the spokesman.

Interspersed with the meetings are a number of organised additional events including theatre outings, a trip to Blenheim Palace, the gardening group visit to Stoneywell, luncheons, quiz and skittles nights. There is a canal trip, a 60s night and a talk by the Leicester Transport Heritage Trust in July and a strawberry cream tea in August, an antiques roadshow in October with TV personality Charles Hanson and a Christmas concert.

If you are interested in joining them drop in to the next meeting or look at the web site www.u3sites.org.uk/glenfield for more information. Membership is £15.50 per annum.

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015 17

with electricity supply is 0845 7240204 Citizen’s Advice consumer helpline 08454040506 From Birstall & Wanlip Neighbourhood Watch

NHW news

& crime report MOST OF will have experienced unwanted callers, phone calls and emails. It can be difficult to distinguish between genuine and rogue contacts. To safeguard ourselves we should abide by the following advice:• never give out your security details at the door, over the phone or in an email. Banks do not ask for these so anyone claiming to be from your bank and asking for these details is bogus • do not use a phone number given to you by a cold caller to check their validity. If it is a gas or electricity meter reader, you can check their authenticity by phoning your supplier.

• be aware that distraction can be used in order to gain entry to your home. There have been cases where one caller has taken the owner to check something near the side gate, while his colleague entered the house • when the contact is by phone or email, simply hang up or delete If you have been conned by a rogue dealer you can report this by email at: www.tradingstandards@leicestershire. gov.uk or you can write to ‘Report a Rogue’, Leicestershire County Council, Trading Standards Service, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire, LE3 8RA Other useful contacts are:National Grid Gas 0845 835 1111 This number is for emergencies only Severn Trent Water 0900 7834444 This number is for problems with water supply or drainage.

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UNFORTUNATELY RECORDED crime has increased again in March with 43 offences being reported, nearly half of which were thefts from vehicles, of which we have again had a spate this month with 19 being reported.

Nearly all of these occurred within a four day period with the Hallam Fields Estate being particularly hard-hit, however I am pleased to report that due to some excellent work from our responseofficer colleagues, two males were quickly detained and arrested a short distance away from one of the thefts and have since been charged with several offences.

In a few cases, the vehicles that were broken into had yet again been left insecure, either due to the owners simply forgetting to lock them, or because they had faulty locks. Please can I urge all residents to make sure that their vehicles are secured at all times as otherwise we are making it far too easy for the criminals, many of which are opportunist and will only break in if the vehicle is insecure.

Please also remember that if your vehicle has a ‘keyless entry system’ the keys need to be stored a certain distance away from it, otherwise the vehicle can still be unlocked even without the person actually having the keys in their possession.

We have continued to work hard on our Neighbourhood Priority looking at Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in the village and have been out conducting extra patrols in the affected areas as well as doing a lot of work with other Youth agencies to try and resolve this problem.

In an earlier report I made reference to four young people being ‘placed’ on Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC’s), I would like to point out that these contracts are actually voluntary and that the young people involved have agreed to take part in this process in order to try and improve their behaviour. As such, I would like to apologise for any offence that this may have caused.

We have also been out doing further speed checks this month on Greengate Lane, Wanlip Lane and Birstall Road. In total we have recorded around 400 vehicles through the various sites and have issued eight warnings to drivers for travelling above 35mph but below 40mph with another one being reported for exceeding the 40mph limit. It is our intention to continue with these checks as and when we can.

Thanks for reading and as always please remain vigilant and report any crimes or suspicious activity to the Police on 101. You can also contact your local NHW co-ordinator for advice on non-crime matters.

From PC 1759 Dave Jaeckels, PCSO’s 6611 Mark Butler and 6391 Fiona Lacey.

NL60 – Birstall Police Office. http://www.leics.police.uk Tel: 0116 2677355 (Please note this is an advice line only – Please use 101 or 999 to report crime).

Crime Report : Birstall & Wanlip March 2015 Assaults 7, burglary dwelling 3, burglary non-dwelling 4, damage 1, damage to motor vehicle 3, theft 2, theft from motor vehicle 19, theft from store 4

Donation pays for clock A DONATION by a local group has paid for a commemorative clock planned for Birstall Village Hall.

Birstall & District Local History Society has donated £1700 to Birstall Parish Council who want to erect the clock above the entrance to the Village Hall to commemorate the fallen of the two world wars.

Brenda Watts from Birstall Local History Society said: “When the committee of Birstall Local History Society heard that the local parish council were hoping to install a clock on the front of what was the Old Village school, it was thought that this was a very suitable way of showing our support in the village and also to commemorate all those Birstall lads who died in two world wars.

“Our membership has grown considerably in recent years and we were very pleased to be able to make this donation of £1700 towards the project.”

Birstall Parish Council Chairman Ann Marshall visited the society’s April meeting to receive the cheque on behalf of the council, accompanied by her husband Ed Marshall who has been respon-

sible for organising the design and installation of the clock. She told members: “This donation is extremely generous of the society. I hope you will enjoy looking at it as you come into the village hall.”

Pic: (l-r) Glenys Ratcliffe, Mike Smith, John Kilby, Chair of Birstall Parish Council Ann Marshall and Wendy Garner

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18

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

Parish Council notes A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on April 13.

PC Dave Jaeckels reported there had been a spate of thefts from motor vehicles in March. Two arrests have been made in relation to these offences. Thieves are using master keys or some other device to gain entry to vehicles without breaking in. PC Jaeckels said there had been a slow decline in the number of calls reporting antisocial behaviour.

Cllr Iain Bentley reported the refurbishment of Riversdale Court was progressing well and the estimated finish date was the end of October.

Cllr David Gaskell reported that he had given a tour of the Hallam Fields estate to Post Office manager Richard Hall, to make the case for the provision of a Post Office on the estate.

Radar keys are readily available to disabled people to give them access to Watermead Country Park, he said. He reported that Charnwood Borough Council’s enforcement officer had written to the owner of the land at the rear of Glenwood Fine Art on Sibson Road requesting that the site be tidied up.

The council agreed to authorise its annual subscription to the Leicestershire and Rutland Association of Local Councils for £388 and to the National Association of Local Councils, £585.

The council considered applications for grant aid and agreed to provide £70 for Birstall library craft group and £300 to Girlguiding Birstall.

Chairman Ann Marshall reported that at the AGM of Birstall Allotment Society, members had thanked the Parish Council’s estates team for the work they had carried out over the winter period.

It was reported that Listed Building consent had now been obtained for the installation of a clock at the Village Hall and it is hoped installation will be in May. A donation of £1700 from Birstall & District Local History society has paid for the clock.

No election will be required at Birstall Parish Council in May as they were only 14 people nominated for the 20 seats on the council. These 14 will be returned on May 7, and there will be six vacancies on the council. Anyone wishing to join the Council is invited to send a letter to the Parish Council or fill out the application form on the Parish Council website.

Cricket Corner BVCC HAS had a great start to the new season with both teams taking maximum points from their first game.

The 1st XI had a strong win over Earl Shilton 2nd XI, bowling them out for 103 with Kyle Thomas taking 4 wickets and Jono Gaydon taking a couple with his off spinners.

The target was reached with ten overs to go with Andrew Galpin leading the way with 42 runs. Blooper of the match had to go to Tony Clapham who got hit on the back with a cricket ball which was hit from other ground while he was scoring…keep your eyes peeled next time Clappers!

The 2nd XI had an easier win taking maximum points as Shepshed Messengers 2nd XI withdrew from the league. The team was disappointed not to play but taking all the points wasn’t a bad consolation.

New signings Max Lewin had a great start with the gloves taking a couple of good catches and an effortless stumping to take the last wicket. Grant Wright had a steady start with the ball and is showing a lot of promise.

Don’t forget that Saturday 2nd May is our first social event – Quiz night with ‘Hunty’ the Quizmaster. The quiz will follow the 1st XI’s match vs Ratby Town. All members and associated members of the club welcome!

Things happening in May (Home fixtures) • Saturday 2nd May – First home league matches for 1st XI (vs Ratby Town 1st XI) • Saturday 9th May – 1st XI (vs Loughborough Greenfields 1st XI) • Saturday 16th May – 2nd XI (vs Loughborough Greenfields 3rd XI) • Saturday 23rd May – 1st XI (vs Leicester Electricity Sports 2nd XI) • Saturday 30th May – 2nd XI (vs Shepshed Town CC 3rd XI) • Next Social event - BBQ and evening drinks, Saturday 6th June.

Any further information please contact Jon Gaydon on 07717533690.

From Joshua Saye, Birstall Village Cricket Club

APPLICATION FOR VARIATION OF PREMISES LICENCE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN That Birstall Parish Council has applied for a licence to use the premises known as School Lane Playing Field, Birstall for the purpose of Regulated Entertainment (Live Music, Recorded Music and Performances of Dance)for the Birstall Gala 2015: 27th June & 28th June 2015 Dated: 1 May 2015 Any objections or representations in respect of the application should be made in writing to the Licensing Manager, Charnwood Borough Council, Council Offices, Southfield Road, Loughborough, LE11 2TX. Representations/objections must be received by: 28 May 2015.

A record of the application can be inspected at the Council Offices at the aforementioned address (and website) during normal office hours. It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application. Any person found guilty of such an offence shall be liable on summary conviction to a maximum find in the sum of £5,000.00.

Scouts’ wild week THIS EASTER 17 Birstall Scout Troup members from Cubs, Scouts and the new Explorer section visited Great Tower Scout Activity Centre in The Lake District. man.

Birstall Scout Group are always looking for new members, especially adult volunteer helpers. If you are interested contact nfarnham1411@msn.com

Over the five days they enjoyed back to basic activities such as fire lighting, shelter building and cooking on open fires.

Also they took part in high octane activities including archery, crate stacking, shooting and sailing on Lake Windermere.

“While sailing, two RAF tornadoes joined us with a low level fly past which the young people enjoyed and the weather was sunny all week which put some enthusiasm into our hike with promises of ice cream at the end” said a spokes-

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015 19

News from the churches Join the Methodists for Worship in May What a variety of talent will preach at the Methodist Church on Wanlip Lane during May. Each with their very own style. Our own very talented Minister Rev Rachel Parkinson leads worship on three occasions. Rev Tony Pick has taken even more services than Rachel, as he is a retired Methodist Minister – and like Rachel very easy to listen to, yet with a more traditional approach. Sheila McGowan is a recently accredited Local Preacher from Syston who is very gifted. A student Minister Kim Shorley will be assisted

by Sue Smith for the Pentecost Service on May 24. The celebration of Pentecost is rather more difficult to understand than the more well known celebrations of Easter & Christmas. Pentecost celebrates the receiving of the Holy Spirit by the disciples. I don’t doubt that Kim & Sue will explain all!

Finally the ‘café’ service, which is usually very informal, but usually needing active participation will be led by Kerry & Tricia Emmett (May 6 & 10) Christian Aid Week This year runs from May 10-17. Please support this worthy cause to help people living in poverty to come out of poverty in some of the poorest parts of the world. There will be a house-to-house collection around some parts of Birstall with collectors from ‘Churches together in Birstall’ taking part.

‘Walk-in-the-light’ fund raising Various projects are under way for this project which bring light into the rather dark entrance to the main part of our premises and will create a new entrance into the worship area. One of the more interesting ventures involves selling on Ebay. Whilst many people are familiar with this worldwide ‘market place’ others are cautious about using this popular site. Others are not computer literate so are unable to use the facility. One adventurous member has offered to set up items that members and friends want to sell on ‘Ebay’.

Big Yard Sale On July 4 we will be joining in the fun of the Big Birstall Yard Sale by offering refreshments and the dance school pupils will give demos again. There's also to be a light hearted fun sculpture competition.

White Christmas?

Thinking of Christmas before summer has started is perhaps a little over the top, but those talented friends who create displays for the Christmas Festival might like to bear in mind that the theme this year is ‘White Christmas’.

From Birstall Methodist Church

Lodge Trust The Lodge Trust at Market Overton (Rutland) exists to make a Christian provision for adults with learning disabilities. It runs a variety of training courses including developing life skills and preparing for work. It provides a range of work and training on site for residents and others from the local community who join the teams on a daily basis.

Such work teams include: woodwork, crafts, laundry & cleaning, horticulture, catering and customer service.

The Lodge’s newest building project, The Stables, has now been occupied by ten residents since mid-November. The renovation of other accommodation in The Lodge is due for completion later this year. There will be a special Thanksgiving Service for the completion of the building project on May 30 starting at 2.30pm, when the speaker will be James Muldoon from Carey Baptist, Reading.

Saturday May 30 is also the Lodge’s Open Day, between 10.30am and 2.15pm There is free admission and parking. There will be games for all the family, as well as the opportunity to buy things they have made like crafts, jams & pickles, wood items; plants grown in their garden; delicious cakes; some donated fancy goods and bric-a-brac. The Country Cafe is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Saturday, for refreshments and light meals.

Services You are warmly invited to join us for any of our Sunday services. We meet in the Community Room at Highcliffe Primary School, Greengate Lane (LE4 3DL), starting at 10.45am We are unable to use the school premises on May 31, so please ring for venue. We have two visiting speakers this month: Joe Bailey (Leicester) on May 10 and Stan Braybrook (Shepshed) on May 17.

For further information please ring 0116 2214883.

From Anne Taylor, Birstall Independent Baptist Church

A different sort of election After Easter every year the churches of St. James, Birstall and Our Lady and St. Nicholas, Wanlip hold their joint annual general meeting.

This is an important occasion, when new members are elected to the church council (no-one except Rector and churchwardens can serve

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Sports & Social Club Birstall Road The ideal venue for for

Birstall gala BIRSTALL GALA returns this year on Saturday June 27 and Sunday June 28., The event, organised by Birstall Parish Council, features over 70 private and charity stalls on each day, a fun fair, and music, all on the School Lane playing fields.

Parish Clerk Sue Coulson said: “We have new and exciting bands performing on the Saturday and we will be promoting the timetable over the next few months.

“There will also be a WWI commemoration ‘sing-a-long’ from the Ashby Big Band on the Sunday afternoon, before the ever popular ‘Proms in the Park’ event on the Sunday evening which as always will be followed by a spectacular firework finale.

Weddings • Parties Christenings etc Large Function Room with use of Kitchen

Separate bar for that quiet moment

Car Park with CCTV coverage Disabled facilities Mid Week Functions taken Give us a call at Birstall Rd on

2674059 or 07806 693292

for longer than three years at a time) and there is opportunity for all church members to ask questions or hear about changes or plans for the future. This year the same churchwardens were re-elected and three new council members were added, as others “retired”.

Our local heritage Neither St. James nor St Nicholas churches are in the centre of our modern-day village, but they have been present for many hundreds of years, witnessing to the Christian faith in the area. They have moved with the times, by enlarging St. James and modernising all the church facilities, and at Wanlip, by creating a real community space by bringing the Church and Community Hall up-to-date. Anyone willing to take the little extra time to drive round Church Hill in Birstall and visiting St James (always open for visits on Saturday mornings), or taking a ride to Wanlip, where the church nestles in its own space surrounded by peaceful meadows, will learn more about our heritage in this place. Even better, come to one of our services on Sunday morning at St/James (8am or 10am) or to 6pm Evensong at Wanlip (or to Old Nick’s coffee shop on the 3rd Tuesday of the month), and you will realise that the people are welcoming and modern, although the buildings are ancient!

Excursions There is still room on the coach travelling to the market town of Newark on Wednesday May 20 and on to the well-known Pennells Garden Centre. More details at the back of either church or contact Sandra on 2677238.

A further coach trip to Camden Market is planned for Sat June 20. Cicely on 2129508 can tell you more.

From Birstall Parish church

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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.

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THE BIRSTALL POST YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Unit 109, Greenacres, The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR Editor: Mr Jerry Jackson Editorial/Advertising

0116 4422067 Correspondence, news etc can be handed in at: Birstall Library or to our office: Unit 109, Greenacres, The Sidings Leicester LE4 3BR,

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Club raises funds REDHILL REVOLVERS organised two charity events in the last eight weeks.

They welcomed Claire Lomas and her close friends and family to an airgun experience. The prize was part of an online auction to raise money for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation held through September last year. The auction raised a total of £11k and Claire as a patron of the foundation has so far raised over £400k with an aim of making it a half a million by the end of this year.

The shooting prize involved experiencing pistol to paper target, rifle bell target and CO2 speed shooting. It would be fair to say all had a great evening and the winning bid of £100 gave a fun night for all. Pictured is Claire taking aim in the pistol session.

The second Craig Mawby Memorial Shoot on April 13 saw 36 competitors take part in a Pistol Bell Target Competition. The targets were specially built and purchased from City Air Weapons of. This was a particular favourite of Craig’s who sadly passed away two years ago at the

age of 23.

The evening raised a total of £275 from entry fees and a raffle all funds going to the Laura Centre, a charity which helps bereaved parents and children. The charity has been very supportive to Craig’s mum Lynne.

Pictured are the winners in 3rd Keval Chudasama, Lynne herself, 1st Andy Chesterton and far left 2nd Mike Woodhouse.

“The Redhill Committee would like to thank all of its membership for a brilliant effort in raising a record amount this year” said a spokesman.

20

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2015

Birstall BAG’s cancer corner Cancer and the General Election The 2015 General Election takes place on May 7th. If cancer care and services is on your list of priorities Birstall BAG’s thought it might help to inform readers what our major national cancer charities are campaigning for during this crucial political period.

Cancer Research UK Cancer Research UK’s campaign is called ‘Cross Cancer Out’. The charity explains that Cancer matters to all of us.

At election time we have a choice. We choose to cross cancer out. Every day we’re making real progress in the fight against cancer - survival rates have doubled in the last 40 years. With political action we will accelerate this progress.

The charity is calling for political parties to: 1. Guarantee continued support for campaigns to raise public awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer.

2. A commitment to increase participation in the national bowel cancer screening programme.

3. Equal access to innovative radiotherapy, surgery and effective cancer drugs, including drugs targeted to patients tumours.

Macmillan Cancer Support Macmillan Cancer Support is making three main calls this General Election.

They are demanding: 1. Earlier diagnosis and better support after treatment to improve out-

comes so they match the best in Europe.

2. Health Services that protect the dignity of patients, while giving staff the support they need to do this.

3. The free social care people need to fulfil their wish to die at home if they choose.

If cancer care and services really matter to you and campaigners come knocking at your door or stop you in the street ask them if they know what the major cancer charities are asking for and what their party is doing to address them.

For further information: www.cancerresearchuk.org and www.macmillan.org.uk 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 the BAG’s by email birstallbags@hotmail.com

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Birstall BAG’s would like to encourage as many of our supporters as possible to enter the event – wear pink to show you support!

For more information and to register please visit: www.wreakevalleyrotary.org.uk Thank you all for you ongoing support.

Thank you to the ASDA Abbey Lane Store for their recent donation to Birstall BAG’s and to all the customers that vot-

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We are also delighted to announce that this year’s Watermead Challenge on Tuesday July 7 at 7pm, The Rotary Club of Wreake Valley annual 5 or 3 mile run around our glorious local park, will be held in aid of Birstall BAG’s.

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