Birstall Post (390) January 2016

the Birstall post Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

JANUARY 2016

N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 390

Council decides to scrap tree BIRSTALL’S £7000 blue Christmas ‘tree’ will not be making another appearance next Christmas.

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A CANNABIS factory growing plants with an estimated value of £500,000 has been found in Birstall.

Police were called to 715 Loughborough road, Birstall at 9.30pm on Wednesday November 25 after a report of suspicious activity.

When officers arrived they discovered the rear patio doors had been forced open and the lights were on. No-one was at the property but police found 564 mature cannabis plants and specialist lighting and electrical equipment.

There have been no arrests in connection with the raid and police enquiries are ongoing. All the drugs and the equipment have been seized by police.

Most of the cannabis consumed in

Birstall Parish Council had agreed a three year contract with the supplier at a total cost of £21,185. In view of the widespread publicity about the tree and objections from some residents it decided at an extraordinary meeting of the council on December 9 to withdraw from the agreement.

Because the contractor supplied the wrong tree – the council ordered blue with snowflakes and not blue with stars – the council was able to negotiate a reduced rate of £6250 for this year’s tree and to get out of the contract with-

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Continued on page 4 Pic: Birstall’s controversial Christmas tree

out incurring any financial penalty.

Shortly after the tree was erected a petition was started by former Borough Councillor Simon Sansome to have the tree replaced with a traditional one. He was photographed beside the tree in the Daily Express under the headline: ‘Conetroversy over bizarre £21,000 blue cone Christmas tree in centre of village’.

The Sun picked up the story (‘Villagers outraged by £21,000 blue ‘Christmas tree’ demand Mickey Mouse effort is scrapped’) as did the Daily Mail (Villagers’ fury after bungling Council pays £21,000 for garish 25 foot Christmas

tree that looks more like Mickey Mouse’s sorcerer hat’).

Comments about the tree on the facebook page Spotted Birstall began to increase and although these were mostly negative, there were some that were supportive.

Some facebook comments were abusive and the council also received abusive and threatening emails and an offensive Christmas card. Speaking at the meeting on December 9, Parish Council Chairman Ann Marshall said: “This last Continued on page 3

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THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

Tree continued from page 1 week has been pretty horrendous and our office staff do not deserve the level of abuse they have been getting. Threats have been made, including threats to disrupt the Christmas lights switch on event with booing and fruit being thrown, so we contacted the Police who have been brilliant.”

The Birstall Police team posted their own comment on Spotted Birstall which read: “Many hurtful and abusive comments have been made and some councillors have also been subjected to threats which are being investigated by the local police. While we appreciate that people are entitled to their views this kind of behaviour is both unnecessary and unacceptable.”

The Christmas event on Friday December 4 went ahead without any trouble but the Council decided to switch on the tree the day before to avoid any opportunity for disruption and to give residents a chance to see the tree illuminated.

Eleven members of the public turned up to a Birstall Parish Council meeting called five days later to discuss the tree.

Resident Tony Bloxham commended the Council for arranging the meeting.

He said: “There have been some disgusting remarks made about the Council and the council staff. I drove past the tree with my seven year old granddaughter.

She said it looks like Mickey Mouse’s hat. It is not acceptable in my mind. It is traditional in many villages to have a traditional Christmas tree and we should not dispense with tradition so easily.

“Most people I’ve spoken to have been against, a few were not against, but everyone I’ve spoken to has been against the cost. £21,000 is totally unacceptable when we could have had a tree for a fraction of that cost and the remaining money used on other things in the village.”

Avril Howells said: “A lot of people changed their minds when they saw it lit up, and Sibson Road looks great. But it’s

COMMENTS ON FACEBOOK ABOUT THE TREE Joanne Stafford It’s a disgusting looking cone of a tree. I am embarrassed to say this is Birstall’s Christmas tree!

Debs Williamson The most bewildering thing is that someone obviously thought that this was worth the money because it was ‘nice’! Who? Denise Booth Absolutely horrendous ! More money than sense Heidi Knight I don’t really care what the tree looks like, I’m just confused as to how that cone cost £21,000 more like £210 and someone is laughing all the way to the bank.

Marie Butler I agree, I don’t particularly like the tree but I hope that we can all rise above it and remember the spirit of Christmas. Enjoy the switch on and have fun, there are far more important things going on in the world right now. Remember how fortunate we are to have nothing more to worry about other than having a blue Christmas tree Denise Dodd While I agree that the parish council do a good job on the whole, it would be nice if they would admit that on this occasion spending thousands on a cone is unacceptable. Why not buy a tree from a local garden centre, like the one across the road. Surely the parish council would prefer the money to stay within Birstall Jo Towlson Just went past the cone earlier and it really is stunning, you can see the top from the other side of the park it's beautiful... is it worth £21k for 3 years? the cost, it all boils down to the cost.

The money could have been used better

elsewhere.”

Other residents present also commented on the cost of the tree. Birstall’s County Councillor, Iain Bentley, said: “I think the tree is wonderful, a bold move and it is really excelPic: the tree installed lent, it at Bethlehem this year brightens up Birstall. I’d like to see it continued for the next two years and beyond if possible.”

Chairman Ann Marshall said: “Over the last two or three years we’ve received very negative comments about the Christmas tree so we thought we would try something different. We knew it would divide opinion. Now we need to seek everyone’s view and we are always willing to listen to people.

“I appreciate the concerns about the cost but councillors debated it long and hard before deciding to go ahead with it.”

Comment was made that the council’s decisions must not be influenced by angry comments on social media.

Several councillors said that they had received many favourable comments about the appearance of the tree and Cllr Mary Allen said that the tree erected in Bethlehem this year was identical in design to Birstall’s.

Councillors were given the option of voting to retain the tree for the next two years, or to cancel the agreement. The vote to cancel was unanimous.

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THE BIRSTALL POST

Cont. from page 1

Britain is home grown with criminals using rented houses to cultivate plants. The police say there are several things to look out for: • people moving into a property with lots of ventilation and lighting equipment.

• coming and going at odd hours or rarely seen at all • the strong and sickly sweet smell of cannabis • covered up windows with pulled curtains or blackout blinds • high levels of condensation on windows If you have information about this incident or illegal drugs in your area, contact Leicestershire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111.

Pics: photos show plants and the complex wiring system found at the Birstall address

JAN 2016

THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

Village Christmas event BIRSTALL PARISH Council’s Christmas event featured a Christmas market in the Village Hall complete with a Santa’s grotto.

Held on December 4 on the Sibson Road car park, a large crowd enjoyed songs performed

by Alyshia Dhakk, the nativity story performed by the Methodist church’s giant puppets and funfair rides.

Mulled wine was provided, as well as mince pies donated by Birstall’s Co-operative supermarket.

Parish Council chairman Ann Marshall said: “I would like to thank Alyshia Dhakk and the Co-op for generously providing the mince pies. A good number of people attended and those that came enjoyed themselves.”

Pic: Maisie Lakin (4) has a chat with Santa Pic: singer Alyshia Dhakk

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THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

Charnwood’s sporting heroes celebrated SPORTING STARS from Birstall were winners at the Charnwood Sports Awards 2015.

Birstall Rugby Club won the Club of the Year category and Carl Gunns was the winner in the Outstanding Contribution to Sport and Physical Activity.

Graham Cree is the secretary of Birstall Rugby Club. He said: We are very proud to have won, we have put a lot of work into getting the club to where it’s at at the moment.”

The club plays in Division IV of the Midlands East South and is currently unbeaten having played ten and won ten.

The club has now been going for 40 years and has had its low points, says Graham. “Ten years ago we were close to folding but thanks to sheer hard work, a good social calendar and good coaching sessions we are now close to getting three teams out.”

The club’s home ground is the Cedars Academy. Graham said: “We are doing a significant amount of work with the Cedars at the moment, introducing rugby to 14-18 year olds.”

The club has recently been accredited to the Rugby Football Union and hopes to be promoted to Division III at the end of the season.

Carl Gunns has for the past 14 years run his boxing gym in the old Reading Room on Birstall Road. Carl, a forming boxing manager, says he is delighted to have won for Outstanding Contribution to Sport and Physical Activity. “I think this one of the best awards I’ve won” said Carl.

“It represents what the gym is about. It’s all about the members, the gym is only as good as its members – without them I haven’t got a gym. It’s them that have driven the gym forward and now we are well established and well known all over the county.”

The gym continues to work with young people referred from the Borough Council’s Troubled Families unit, a scheme that aims to improve the life chances of families trapped in a cycle of benefits and poverty.

In 2015 the gym faced financial diffi-

Pic: (top) Birstall Rugby Club; (left) Carl Gunns; (below) winners pictured at this years presentation evening

culties and was in danger of closing.

“We now have a secure future but I was disappointed that not one sporting club in Birstall picked up the phone to offer help.”

Carl receives lots of letters and cards

from the young people that use the gym, which only charges £1 per session.

“Those cards make me feel terrific” said Carl. “Some of them are from five year olds, telling me they love coming to the Continued on page 7

THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

Continued from page 6 gym. When I look at the young people the gym has helped and the way it has changed their lives – this is what the parents tell me – then that is my satisfaction. And this award is the icing on the cake.”

The Charnwood Sports Awards are held annually and organised by Charnwood Borough Council.

Golfer Melissa Reid took home the Elite Senior Sportsperson of the Year title after winning the 2015 Turkish Airlines Ladies Open and achieving a top 10 finish at this year's Women's British Open, a career best at a major championship.

She was one of 13 winners at the event which was held at Burleigh Court, Loughborough on Monday, November 30.

Councillor Jonathan Morgan, the council's Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion, said: “The Charnwood Sports Awards was a great night which gave us a chance to celebrate and recognise the talented stars we have in the borough.

“Every year the awards get bigger and the quality of the nominations is so high it gives the judges an extremely difficult job when picking winners.

“It was an honour to be involved and help celebrate sporting achievement in the borough and I would like to once again congratulate everyone who took part.”

The categories recognised the achievements of junior and senior athletes, coaches, volunteers and individual projects.

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Boy, 4, leaves school unnoticed A BIRSTALL school is reviewing its safeguarding procedures after a four year old pupil walked out of the school unsupervised.

The child left Riverside Primary school through the main door at reception by pushing a large green button next to the door that unlocks it. He then walked along Wanlip Lane to nearby shops.

He was spotted by a family friend, and the family then contacted the school. The child returned to the school of his own accord after having been off the premises for 20 minutes.

Floral grave decorations SLEEPING PETALS is a new and unique business that provides bespoke grave blanket decorations using artificial flowers for the cemetery.

“Visiting loved ones grave we were saddened to see it in quite a poor condition” said owners Rita and Justina from Birstall. “Not just that, but all the other graves too, with dried wilted fresh flowers also made the resting place of a loved one look unloved and uncared for, it made us feel cold dark and dull with sadness .

“We thought of a grave blanket that covers the grave with artificial flowers, from a simple design to creative one of your own choice, which will give a look of elegance.”

“Sleeping Petals provides a beautiful floral decoration, that would help relatives to honour and remember their loved ones, their life for who they were, their character and their interests.”

The pair hope their service will help those left behind to deal with their loss for their loved one, and help them move forward.

Sleeping Petals has patent pending, copyright and trademark protection. www.sleepingpetals.co.uk

In a letter sent to parents, Tim Jewitt, Deputy Headteacher, said: “This was an extremely regrettable incident that has necessitated the need for us to review our safeguarding procedures as a matter of urgency.

“Please be assured we are investigating the matter and will put in place actions to ensure that this cannot happen again.”

Riverside school is part of the Lionheart Academies Trust. Executive principal Hugh Howe said: “We regret that this incident took place and will investigate what happened and look carefully at what measures can be taken to improve safeguarding procedures.”

Mr Howe said the Local Authority will be consulted for advice and support, and that the perimeter fences and gates will be looked at. He said that this kind of incident happened “very infrequently” and confirmed that another child had

Pic: Riverside primary school

left the school unsupervised during the school’s Halloween disco.

The school has: • arranged for the green door release button in main reception to be positioned higher, out of the reach of children • arranged for the main reception door to be adjusted so that it closes on itself automatically and cannot be left open • arranged for a fire door to be alarmed so that if it is opened, staff are notified

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THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

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

Bowls It’s that time of year again when we are getting over Christmas, making New Year resolutions that we know we will never keep, dreading the cold weather and trying to fight off coughs and colds.

But to brighten things up during this season Thurmaston Bowls club does not

go to sleep. We hold a social evening locally each month up until the season starts again in April.

We also hold our Presentation Evening in December to award trophies for all the various competitions that we run through the season. We enjoy a lovely Christmas meal on this occasion too which makes this a lovely end to the year.

Anyone is welcome to join as a social member at a cost of £10 for the whole year, we hold events such as Bingo, Games Nights, Beetle Drives, Tramp Suppers, Quizzes, Play Your Cards Right etc as well as holding the Race Night once per year at Elizabeth Park.

We are hoping to hold more events in the Berrington pavilion next year.

Social members often come along to watch the bowls matches which may be of interest to you. You never know you might even be tempted to play.

So if you are interested in coming along to make new friends and take part in various activities contact me and I will let you know how to join.

Elaine Boardman Tel: 0116 2207121 elaineboardman@virginmedia.com

Ron Forbes Thank you Birstall for all the kindness, cards, love and care shown to our family on the sudden death of my husband Ron Forbes, his service at Birstall Methodist Church on 07.12 15 will long be remembered and so will he. ‘Help for Heroes’ collection stands at £465 currently, grateful thanks.

From Janice & the Forbes family

Development Regarding the Broadnook Garden suburb, the development of 1500 houses north of Birstall.

I read that Birstall’s Parish Council Chairperson, Ann Marshall, has said the Birstall Parish Council has objected to this development. I would hope they

think again. The then Chairman of Birstall Parish Council led the Council to object to the Hallam Fields development in the 1980s. It finished up costing the Council a great deal of money and wasted Council time – and still the development went ahead. Furthermore, the Council were at loggerheads with the developer, which was a big mistake.

So my suggestion to you, Madam Chairperson, is appoint a surveyor/agent and together meet with the developers, builders and Charnwood Borough Council, to discuss this issue and perhaps get the development to be of some benefit to Birstall and Wanlip.

We need these extra houses, especially the low cost houses, as urged by the Government. This development will go ahead whether you like it or not.

J H R Garner – retired Building Contractor

Thanks I would like to put a BIG thank you into the Birstall Post to the people who offered help to my mother Ann Harvey on December 21. Mum fell in the village after tripping and whilst waiting for the ambulance to come in the rain and biting wind, people rallied around to shelter mum with umbrellas and cover her with blankets. Someone went into the charity shop and bought two scarves to wrap around her and the pharmacy staff bought out two hot water bottles to try to warm her. A man even offered up his warm hat to further shield her. Two nurses stopped to help, a man called for an ambulance on his mobile phone.

Despite all this she was hypothermic once the ambulance arrived – I dread to think what she would have been like without the help of these wonderful people.

Someone found out who mum was and made contact with my dad, then fetched him! Another drove the car home whilst mum & dad were at the hospital. My brother & sister-in-law found out through a neighbour whilst all

Tree One evening recently my husband and myself walked through School Lane Playing Fields towards Sibson Road. We were pleasantly surprised to see the sparkling, brilliant Christmas tree. It looked magical to us and a welcome sight to an otherwise wet and dreary evening.

Name & address supplied

Thanks I would like to thank the Birstall Parish Council for the recently installed outdoor gym equipment on School Lane playing fields. I think we are so lucky and it’s free for us all to use.

Name and address supplied

Lights I quite enjoyed the lights in Birstall this year. As it has been relatively warm I could sit at the corner of Sibson Road for ages and watch them change from red to red and orange, then to green, then (lovely) back to orange and then again red. This sequence is repeated; all very jolly.

K L Reid (Mrs)

Tree I liked the Christmas tree.

Kathleen Shanks

Come along & join in the fun!

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this was going on and were able to support mum and dad from there.

I live in New Zealand and am a nurse myself but it was very hard to get this news as I am so far away and was unable to help, so - THANK YOU so much from my dad, my brother and sister-inlaw and their five daughters as well as me & my husband in NZ and the other three grandchildren – and of course from mum.

If you were one of those passers-by who helped mum, your kindness is so appreciated and I pray you and your families are blessed this Christmas.

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THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

Noticeboard all details printed free Mountsorrel Methodist Church Celebrating fifteen years of Sunday Night @ Eight

Organ Recitals on Sunday January 17 at 8pm

by Ben Giddens Director of Music at Queen Anne’s School, Caversham Admission is free Donations for the development fund Buffet from 7.30pm

Birstall & District Art Society Tuesday January 12, at 6.30pm for 7pm start You are invited to join us at the Palmer Tomkinson Centre at The Cedars Academy, Wanlip Road, Birstall LE4 4GH to watch exciting artist Haidee Jo Summers giving a demonstration in acrylic and oil paints of ‘Figures in a Setting’.

Demonstration to end at 9pm.

Members £1, Guests £3. Free raffle. Ample parking and wheelchair access.

Free Dance Workshop Have you ever thought you would like to have a go at Morris dancing?

Anstey Royale Chalfont is a women’s North West Morris team. We are holding a free dance workshop on Saturday January 16 at Glenfield Memorial Hall, Stamford Street, Glenfield LE3 8DL at 2pm Come along and bring your friends!

For more details please contact arcsquire@yahoo.co.uk or Gwyn on 07505338003

woods1@sky.com or Bob 07927 346640 Web site – www.birstallrc.org.uk

Churches Together

Centre Stage presents

Birstall’s Bicycle Bonanza

The Origin of Species

Have you had a new bike for Christmas?

Help a refugee – donate an unwanted bike Saturday February 6 St Theresa’s Car Park 10am to 4pm Please bring any adult bikes you no longer want, together with any usable cycle parts or accessories.

We can pass on bikes that need repairing Enquiries: Rose Parrott (St James Church) Mobile 07811 662 235 or email: stjames.birstall@btconnect.com

Fri Feb 5, 7.30pm Humphrey Perkins Community Centre £9, conc £8, children £5 Tel 077 187 153 117

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 Running Club Meet Monday & Friday nights, 6.20 for 6.30 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 d-

A musical comedy by the Tangram Theatre Company hot from the Edinburgh Fringe. It has had rave reviews wherever it appears: “witty, clever, absurd, the jokes spring out at you when you least expect … grownups will love it.

Kids will adore it. A gem”.

It tells the incredible story of how Charles Darwin came to discover the secrets of evolution and why it took him over 20 years before he plucked up the courage to publish his remarkable ideas. It’s a show packed with big theories, terrible puns, brilliant physical comedy and six cracking original songs about everything from blasted boring barnacles to the perils of marrying your cousin. www.busca.org.uk

A Winter’s Night in Vienna Jan 16, 7pm

Humphrey Perkins Community Centre, Barrow The lights will dim and you will be enthralled with a medley of Viennese dances. Apart from the three favourite must-haves: Blue Danube Waltzes, Thunder and Lightning Polka and Radetsky March, we have yet again assembled a new programme including the TikTak Polka and the Klipp Klapp Galop, both by Johann Strauss 2, the Neckerei Polka by Joseph Strauss (means teasing), the Gold and Silver Waltz by Lehar and Mit Dampf Polka by Eduard Strauss if we can get hold of an anvil!(you can guess what that means!)

Tickets £14, £12 (concessions) and £3 for accompanied children under 16.

Available from the Paper Shop, High St, Barrow or by contacting the box office on 07718 153117 or judithrodgers155@gmail.com or via Paypal on www.charnwoodorchestra.org.uk

Charnwood Forest: a Living Landscape Talk by Michael Jeeves Monday 18th January 2016 at 7.30 p.m.

Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall Michael Jeeves has been Head of Conservation, Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust for the last 25 years.

The Charnwood Forest Living Landscape project aims to conserve and enhance the unique wildlife, geology and character of Charnwood Forest. The project is led by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and is supported by Aggregate Industries.

The Trust offers free wildlife surveys to landowners, has a small

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THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

grant scheme to help with management work and collaborates with others who are concerned with the conservation of this special area.

Members are free. Guests are welcome, £3 at the door. Refreshments included.

Further information: Peter Bertram 01162 100 572 or www.focf.org.uk

Irish Ceilidh with live music from local band ‘Turlough’

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Friday 5th February 2016 7.00 for 7.30 start- 10.30pm Tickets £10 - Includes a light supper – Licensed Bar At The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR All proceeds to InterCare, Medical Aid for Africa

Birstall Birdwatching Club presents Morocco

by Neil Glen Morocco is the most westerly of the North African countries with

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Neil will take us to a warm climate, just what we need at this time of the year.

Tuesday 12th January at 7.30pm The Little Owls Of Leicestershire

by Richard Pegler Richard has spent over 5 years observing, recording and photographing Little Owls of the county and tonight we will look at the life of this delightful bird and the threats that it faces. The field craft needed to observe and photograph will be discussed and there may be time to look at owls that are not so little!

Tuesday 9th February at 7.30pm The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley with free on-site parking and easy access.

Members free. Visitors welcome £2 Contact Marion Vincent 0116 2375156

Birstall Royal British Legion 2nd Dee Smoove (M/V) 9th Hot stuff (Duo) 16th Terry Carey (M/V) 23rd P’ZAZ 30th Kriz Garrick (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 Sunday Quiz nights Sunday 10th and 31st January starting at 9pm Acoustic night Sunday 17th January at 8pm Wednesday quiz every week from 8.30pm Food available every Saturday 122pm except 2nd and 23rd January Wakes catered for Free Wi-Fi available New outside seating area We wish all our members a Happy New Year AGM will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 27th January

Birstall Flower Club

there are draughts. They’ll inspect your heating system and any insulation measures you have. If our handyman’s assessment suggests that you could benefit from energy saving equipment – such as energy saving light bulbs or reflective panels behind radiators – these will be fitted free of charge.

He’ll also give you practical tips on saving energy and keeping your fuel bills down.

All our handymen are DBS (was CRB) checked.

To arrange a FREE Home Energy Check for yourself or for an older person you think might benefit, please contact Amy Welch on 0116 299 2254.

Birstall & District Local History Society The Society commences its monthly meetings for 2016 on Thursday 14th January with its AGM at 7.30pm followed by a talk on the "History & Development of the National Census" given by Dr. John Sutton.

The venue is Birstall Village Hall, Birstall Road, Birstall, Leics.

Anyone thinking about joining the Society is encouraged to come along.

Visitors are also very welcome to join us for this event.

There will be parking available on the night on the Birstall Playing Fields through the School Lane entrance.

Coffee Morning Saturday 30 January 10am-12pm Birstall Methodist Church Raising funds in aid of Alzheimer’s Society Raffle, Tombola, Treasure Hunt (adult and young pirates) Please come along and support this wonderful Charity.

Leicester Sketch Club

Art Exhibition 28th January - 19th March 2016 Sock Gallery - Loughborough Town Hall Market Place, Loughborough, LE11 3EB Free Admission

27th January 2016 at 7.15pm AGM followed by a “Giant Picnic”. do not forget your plate/cutlery/glass Birstall Village Hall Stay Ahead of the Chill this Winter Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland is offering

Free Home Energy Checks

Stoves, Fires, Fireplaces, Accessories & Installation

to older people who are finding it difficult to keep their homes warm in winter.

One of our experienced handymen can visit you to check the temperature in your home and whether

The Club is delighted to present its exhibition of original drawings and paintings at Sock Gallery. For over 100 years, Leicester Sketch Club has encouraged and inspired local artists through a varied programme of professional demonstrations, workshops, sketching days and annual exhibitions.

THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

The Club has over 100 members ranging from professional full time artists to developing part time artists and aims to encourage the artistic development of all.

Meet the Artists and Art Demonstrations Saturday 6th February 2016 – 10am-1pm A chance to meet LSC artists at work and pick up tips and tantalising techniques!

It is also our exhibition Launch Day at 12 noon…..all welcome to join us.

Free entry with refreshments available. www.leicestersketchclub.co.uk enquiries@leicestersketchclub.co. uk

tends to sell in order to pay off some debts. However, Mathilde, played by Maggie Smith, lives there and she causes serious complications. He is obliged to pay her a costly life annuity. This delightful comedy is ideal to cheer us in the new year.

"A little Chaos" February 12 (120 mins)

CLASH 2016 Peepul Enterprise Every Monday from 4th Jan Yoga, 11.30am-12.30am From Tuesday 5th Jan Every Tuesday General Exercises, 1.302.30pm From Wednesday 6th Jan Every Wednesday Seated Exercises, 1.30-2.30pm Tesco Express Shelthorpe Community Room Alternate Wed General Exercises, 2.30-3.30pm from 6th Jan Alternate Wed Drop-in Arthritis Information session, 2.30-3.30pm from 13th Jan Weekly Sunday Club Children & Young People’s club Animation Workshops and Fun Activities 10.00am 12.00pm from 10th Jan Hydrotherapy Weekly at Leicester General Hospital from 7th January Volunteers (CLASH members) re.

App trial – Please contact 03333 444 611 if you would like to trial the new MSK Blood Data Health App MSK Patient Involvement Group if interested, Call 03333 444 611 i-Pad Training Thursday 25th January, 3rd, ,10th,17th February 10.00am11.30am – iPad Mini Workshops (DMU Intern) Limited places – Call 03333 444 611

Loughborough Concert Band at Birstall Methodist Church at 7.30pm on Saturday, 30th January 2016.

Admission £6.50 inc. refreshments Tickets (tel. 2671866) or at the door.

All proceeds to ‘Walk in the Light’

Film Presentations Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council "My Old Lady" January 8, 2016 (107 mins) "My Old Lady" is January's British comedy starring Maggie Smith, with her well-timed witty comments. In Paris, Mathias inherits a valuable apartment which he in-

This British costume drama, in a thoroughly French setting, is centred around the Palace of Versailles. Louis X1V instructed his landscape architect, Andre, to create a huge ornate water feature in his luxurious grounds. Sabine, played by Kate Winslett, is hired as gardener to complete this task but for her, this is an unfamiliar world of rivalries and upper class etiquette. Amongst the comical chaos, will Sabine succeed or fall for Andre, or both?

"Suffragette" will be shown on March 11th, hopefully.

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

Starting at 7.30pm. Tickets will

cost no more than £5 and concessions will still be £4.50. There will be refreshments and a lucky prize draw during the interval.

Advanced tickets may be purchased via the parish office –0116 236 7626 or at the door.

Birstall Methodist Men's Pantomime regret to announce that due to a series of unfortunate events there will not be pantomime this year.

We hope to be back next year with a new production.

If anyone would like to join us, rehearsals will start on Thursday evenings in September.

Please note the cast is made up entirely of men of all ages from 9 to 90.

Acting ability, not essential.

There will be some singing and dancing, but again ability in either is not essential (most of the current cast have two left feet) Help with costumes, props, scenery is always welcome Richard Tinley Tel: 0116 220 9462 Mob: 0778 529 3005

Birstall Tea Dance St James Village Hall Birstall Road Leicester LE4 4DH Friday 29th January 2016 3.30pm - 5.30pm £3.00 each on the door.

All Welcomed Refreshments included Further information contact Jackie: 0116 2248278 or 07908607405 email: jackielucas957@hotmail.co.uk

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15

Parish Council notes A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on December 14.

PC Dave Jaeckels reported there had been 23 incidents of criminal damage on November 11/12. Cars were damaged, houses had windows smashed and buses had stones thrown at them. Two young people have been identified from CCTV footage. One has been interviewed

by Police and PC Jaeckels said he was confident the alleged offences could be successfully prosecuted. The incidents have since stopped, he said.

Chairman Ann Marshall thanked PC Jaeckels and the Birstall Police team for their support and assistance over the installation of the Christmas cone decoration. Staff members and councillors had received threatening and abusive messages. PC Jaeckels said he liked the cone and everyone he spoke to also liked it.

The Council considered a request for grant aid from Birstall Methodist Church and agreed to donate £525 for internal church noticeboards.

The clerk presented figures for the 2016/17 precept. The Council is aiming for a zero increase. A final decision will be made in January when the Borough Council releases the figures on the number of households/council tax payers in the village.

Chairman Ann Marshall reported that 20 hampers of seasonal food had been prepared for delivery by councillors to elderly and needy people in the village.

The next meeting of the council will be held on Monday January 11 at 7pm in Birstall Village Hall.

16

THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

Pic: Burley Houses

Christmas festival Long delay after elderly woman falls

A SPECTACULAR Christmas festival transformed Birstall Methodist Church into a winter wonderland with decorated trees and displays.

The theme this year was ‘White Christmas’ and the event raised £8300, some of which will be donated to the County air ambulance.

AN ELDERLY woman who fell in her Birstall home waited four hours for an ambulance.

The woman, in her nineties, is a resident at Burley Houses on Tempest Road. She fell on December 8 at about 2am and used the installed ‘Lifeline’ system which connected her to an operator .

Borough Councillor David Gaskell is on the board of trustees at Burley Houses. He said: “Unfortunately the control operator was unable to contact any of the resident’s on-call friends but they did contact East Midlands Ambulance service [EMAS].

“The controller told EMAS of the age of the lady and that she was on the floor, wearing only her night clothes.

The controller left the ‘Lifeline’ open and kept the resident updated as to what was happening. Despite the controller repeatedly requesting that the ambulance attend, it took over four hours before

this happened.”

A spokesman for EMAS said: “We’re very sorry for the delay that the patient experienced and we apologise for any possible distress caused. Like all UK ambulance services and the wider health system, we are experiencing a significant and sustained increase in demand. At the time of this call we were under severe pressure from other 999 calls and we are very sorry we weren’t able to respond much quicker than we did. We are now in the process of conducting a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident.”

Cllr Gaskell said: “I have made a formal complaint to EMAS. They say they were very busy, but surely the plight of an aged person wearing very little and lying on the floor at the dead of night should have warranted a more urgent response.”

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THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

NHW news

& crime report IT’S TO be hoped that we have all had a happy Christmas time. We now look forward to the New Year.

Many of us will have received gifts from friends and loved ones which we can enjoy as the weeks to by. In order to keep them safe, it’s a good idea to protect them with our NHW coding device. At our monthly Advice shops we can code items for free and the police team is given a note of the item and its owner, so that if it is stolen there is a chance that it can be returned to its rightful owner. Bicycles are good to code and you get a strong padlock at cost price.

We have a selection of safety items such as various alarms and fence spikes, plus the free items such as purse bells and chains and marker pens.

Our next Advice Shop is on Saturday January 16 in the old council offices, opposite the garden centre on Sibson Road, from 10am until midday.

The members of the committee would like to wish everyone a happy and peaceful New Year.

From your NHW committee, Birstall & Wanlip

Crime Report : Birstall, Nov 2015 Assaults 5, burglary 1, burglary non-dwelling 3, damage 9, damage to motor vehicle 14, drugs 1, theft 10, theft from motor vehicle 2, theft of motor vehicle 1, theft from store 3 WE HAVE unfortunately seen a slight rise in reported crime in November with 49 crimes being reported, up from 43 last month.

The main reason for this is due to a large rise in damage offences to both vehicles and houses, of which we have had a total of 23. In last month’s report I spoke about a few incidents whereby stones and rocks had been thrown at passing vehicles and I am saddened to report that this stupidity has continued this month, with a number of cars, buses and house windows being smashed. A large number of these incidents occurred on the evening of the 11/11 into the 12/11 and we are currently investigating these with a view to identifying the person(s) responsible. We have managed to obtain some CCTV footage in relation to a few of the incidents and are confident that we will be able to identify those involved.

I am pleased to report that house burglaries have remained low, with only one being reported during the month. Please continue to lock and secure your home whenever you are out and consider leaving lights on (or fitting timer switches) to give the im-

pression that someone is home, as simple steps such as this really do help to make a difference.

In relation to incidents of damage, I would like to share with you some good work that PCSO Mark Butler did earlier in the month, after he managed to identify some young people responsible for causing a small amount of damage at St James Church. After speaking with the parents of the youths involved, Mark arranged for them to spend some time at the Church, tidying up & doing some maintenance work, as well as arranging for the damage to be paid for.

Mark supervised the youths whilst they did this to ensure the work was completed and has received positive feedback from both the victim and the parents of the young people involved in relation to the way the matter was dealt with. I hope you will all agree that this was both a sensible & inventive way to deal with an issue of this nature.

On a final note, we have had a few reports this month of large garden ornaments being stolen from outside people’s houses. If possible, please consider securing these to the ground with either concrete or large screws as anything that makes them more difficult to steal will act as a deterrent to a would-be thief.

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.

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).

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17

Get off couch and start running IS YOUR New Year's Resolution to get fit, to learn to jog or run, to lose some weight or simply to make new friends?

Birstall Running Club say they can help.

The club is running its next 10 week "Couch to 5k" course in January 2016.

This will start on Monday January 11 at 6.45pm at the Pavilion, School Lane playing fields, Birstall, LE4 4EA. The course is aimed at beginners aged 16 years and older and will be run by qualified run leaders.

A club spokesman said: “We will typically work for between 30 and 45 minutes each week with gradual progression as the weeks go by. ‘Graduation’ will take place at the end of the 10 weeks with a 5km group run at Braunstone parkrun where course members will be able to run and celebrate together.”

The course is based on the popular NHS 'Couch to 5k' programme and is fully supported by internet materials and a mobile phone app.

“Please do not be shy. All abilities are welcome and we will ensure that no

person is left behind” said the spokesman.

There is no cost for the course, and no obligation to join the club at the end of it. As the nights are dark the club advises that everybody is ‘seen to be safe’ by wearing hi-vis clothing. “This need not be anything expensive and simple hi-vis vests can be picked up for less than £5. Otherwise, all that is needed is sportswear, a pair of trainers and a bit of enthusiasm!” said the spokesman.

For further information, contact Scott Brownlow by email on scottpbrownlow@gmail.com

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THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

Hundreds speeding on Birstall Road MORE THAN 700 vehicles a day travel along Birstall Road at speeds over 36mph.

The data was published in a document released by Leicestershire County Council: it has been consulting on additional traffic calming measures for the road. It recommends the installation of a larger and more informative vehicle activated sign (VAS) to replace the existing damaged sign on the eastern side of Birstall Road.

Speed data for the road was obtained by the County Council over one week in July 2015. It was paid for by a local resident who offered the data to the Council.

The data shows that around 5351 vehicles use the road every day and that the mean speed is 31.1mph. In the week that was measured the number of vehicles travelling over 36mph each day varied between 603 and 975.

The County Council says the collision history of Birstall Road over the last five years shows that there are less reported accidents than on other local roads, and that accidents are of “slight injury nature”.

A traffic calming review prepared by the County Council states: “We appreciate speeds can exceed the 30mph speed limit when driving along Birstall Road and this is due primarily to the characteristics of the road having an environment which has property frontages on the western side only and the properties set well back from the road edge. This does lead to motorists not always realising what speeds they should be doing.

“It is not easy to influence the speeds of some motorists who are familiar with the highway environment and drive at a

Pic: a VAS speed sign

speed they consider safe for the prevailing conditions…”

Leicestershire County Council Senior Engineer Stuart Bullen attended a public meeting in the Village Hall on December 14, prior to the monthly meeting of Birstall Parish Council.

He gave a presentation and answered questions from the public. He said that

the speed hump on Birstall Road near the junction with Church Hill would be replaced when the road had been resurfaced which would not happen before March 2016.

A resident expressed frustration that restoration of the hump was taking so long and annoyance that more effective traffic calming measures would not be considered until someone had been killed on the road.

A member of the public commented that the volume of traffic using the road, as well as vehicle speeds was something that needed to be addressed. Comment was made that the existing speed humps failed to reduce the speed of anyone except “little old ladies”.

The County Council says that the full width speed tables are not an option and that installation of a speed camera is not justified.

The County Council says that 354 letters were posted to “affected residents” to inform them of the proposals for Birstall Road, but some members of the public at the meeting said they had not received them.

PC Dave Jaeckels reported that the local police team did conduct speed checks on the road and had reported seven people for speeding. He said that in the last five years there had been one serious injury and three slight injuries.

PC Jaeckels recommended a scheme that involves residents being supplied with large 30mph stickers which are put on their wheelie bins.

Those present at the meeting agreed to support the proposal for a larger VAS. Any additional signs would have to be met by third party funding, says the County.

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Charity run A CHARITY run featured in last month’s Birstall Post has raised £202.

Lexie McLoughlin (11 and Olivia Bonshor (11) ran circuits of King Lear’s Lake in Watermead Country Park in aid of Children in Need.

The girls want to say thank you to all those who supported them and to the members of the public who were walking around Watermead and donated on the day.

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Nursery

PLANS FOR a 70 place nursery at Hallam Fields have been submitted to Charnwood Borough Council.

Jelson Ltd want to build the single storey nursery in the ‘central hub’, opposite the care home that is currently under construction.

Jelson had previously proposed building a larger two storey nursery but market research revealed there would be insufficient demand in the area, so it has scaled the development down to a single storey building.

Pic: the location of the nursery

THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

19

Young dancer wins trophy A CHAMPION tap dancer from Birstall is celebrating after coming top in a dance competition she has wanted to win for years.

Daniela Fabbricatore (17), a pupil at the Cedars Academy, was participating in the BTDA All England Championship finals whish sees competitors travel from all over the country to compete for the national title of BTDA All England Champion.

Daniela competed as part of the Starlight Theatre School where she has trained in dancing, acting and singing since the age of three. After being successful in the heats, Daniela qualified for seven dances in the final.

Daniela won the Senior Tap soloist category and has gained the title of 2015-2016 BTDA All England Senior Tap Champion.

Daniela said about her victory: “I was

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Bus shelter A PETITION calling for the provision of a bus shelter and raised kerbs has been signed by nearly 70 residents.

Petitioners want the bus stop and kerbs to be installed on Wanlip Lane near the junction with Windmill Avenue.

Organiser Christine Howe has sent the petition to Birstall Parish Council.

She said: “For many years now residents have been asking for the kerbs to be raised at the bus stops on Wanlip Lane and for the installation of a bus shelter at the Wanlip Lane terminus.

“Often buses are late or don’t turn up at all and when they do quite a lot of the passengers have problems getting on and off the bus especially as at one stop there is no kerb at all.

“In the last few years most of the adjacent councils have installed shelters and kerbs at almost all stops and I can’t see why Birstall should be any different especially as the terminus is heavily used.”

Planning applications P/15/2623/2: 23 Moorgate Avenue – erection of single storey extension to side and rear of dwelling (Revised scheme of P/15/1551/2 with additional parking provided) P/15/2510/2: Neighbourhood Centre Nursery, Hallam Fields Road – erection of a single storey building as a day nursery

Pic: Dancer Daniela Fabbricatore with her trophy unbelievably happy when I won, yet shocked at the same time. I have wanted to win this title for years and have worked unbelievably hard to do so. I

was pleased with my performance from the moment I stepped off stage, however I never thought that I could actually win.”

20

THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

Home re-opens after £3m refurb TENANTS HAVE moved back in to their flats at Riversdale Court, Charnwood Borough Council’s sheltered scheme in Birstall, following a £3 million refurbishment project.

The work turned the old bedsits into 29 high-quality, one-bedroom flats with new kitchens and bathrooms, and was carried out by the Council’s contractor, Willmott Dixon.

Tenant Betty Woods (93) said: “My new flat’s wonderful. I’m not unpacked yet but I’m getting lots of help with that and hopefully it will all be sorted in a day or two.”

Councillor Pauline Ranson, Deputy Cabinet Member for Housing said: “We’re delighted with the remodelling of these flats and I’m so glad to be here to welcome some of the tenants back into their homes.

“The work represented a significant investment for us, and was part of our commitment to making council homes better for residents. I think the refur-

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Looking

Back

BEFORE THE Birstall Post and the Leicester Mercury reported on people and events in our village, earlier 19th century newspapers like the Leicester Journal and the Leicester Chronicle, both long defunct, carried news items about Birstall, then a much smaller place with a population below five hundred.

Local historian, Mike Smith, has been researching these early papers and a monthly selection of the more interesting and amusing of these news items will be appearing in the Birstall Post.

bishment will make a huge difference to the lives of the tenants.

“Anyone over 60 who is thinking of moving should consider a flat at Riversdale.

They make an ideal home for many older people.”

The Council’s sheltered schemes are aimed at residents over 60 who enjoy living independently but would like the support of a warden, a 24-hour alarm service and a close community of neighbours.

Anyone interested in the Riversdale flats, or other sheltered schemes, must register with the Council’s Choice Based Lettings service to apply. There are certain criteria which you must meet before you can register such as having a local connection. Call 01509 634567 or visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/housing for

Pic: (top) Riversdale Court, Birstall; (inset, l-r) Cllr Pauline Ranson, June Fletcher & Sean Moses from Willmott Dixon

more information.

A Borough Council spokesman said: “Existing tenants can also talk to us about a transfer – up to £2,000 is available for tenants who downsize from a larger property to a flat.”

The work to Riversdale Court included brand new kitchens, bathrooms and carpets and new painting throughout.

The scheme has a communal lounge for all residents and is set in landscaped gardens, with views of the River Soar and Watermead Park.

Happy in Charnwood?

MOST PEOPLE are happy living in Charnwood and with borough council services according to a survey.

Charnwood Borough Council carried out its residents’ survey – Your Charnwood, Your Say – this year and the results have just been published.

It found a total of 87 per cent of people who responded were happy or very happy with life in the borough and 82 per cent were satisfied with council services.

The survey also revealed the top three priorities for residents. They are feeling safe in their home and local area; cleanliness of the area and having a good refuse and recycling service.

A total of 1,078 people completed the survey.

Council Leader David Slater said: “I would like to thank people again for taking the time to tell us what they think.

“The survey has found that most people are happy living in Charnwood and with our services. That’s really good to hear. The survey also tells us what people feel are the important issues and

we have used this information to help set our own priorities for the next four years.

“Some of the results are slightly lower than in our previous survey, but we have to put that in perspective and satisfaction levels are still very high.

“The survey is a great opportunity for people to raise issues and we will not only continue to listen to residents in future, but also engage in conversation.

We need to work together for the benefit of the borough.”

The survey ran between July and October and included targeted work to gain views from hard-to-reach groups such as young people, older people and people with disabilities.

The full report of the survey findings are available on the council website www.charnwood.gov.uk/survey Key points from the survey findings: * 82% of residents satisfied with council services (85% in 2013) * 87% of people were at least happy living in Charnwood (94% in 2013)

Remarkable Escape of a Debtor Mr Frederick Ludford, a gentleman of property confined for debt, in the Queen’s Bench prison contrived by a very ingenious expedient to obtain his liberation. When the discover of his flight was made known he was traced to the village of Birstall in Leicestershire where his recapture was affected. Mr Ludford procured some tools of a carpenter and converted a chest of mahogany drawers into a place of concealment. He knocked the bottoms out of the drawers and made the interior sufficiently capacious to contain himself. Mr Ludford sent for a porter to purchase some cord, fasten up the drawers and remove them and himself from the prison by horse and cart.

Stamford Mercury 3/3/1843 Highway Robbery at Birstall Mr William Ray of London was stopped on the turnpike near Birstall Hall by two men on horseback. One seized the reins of his horse whilst the other presented the pistol to him as he sat in the gig. They took three five pound notes, 15 sovereigns, and two pounds in silver and cut the driving reins of the horse’s bridle.

Leicester Journal 31/3/1823

* 74% of people were satisfied with how council tax was being spent (77% in 2013) * 79% of people find it easy to find out about council services (82% in 2013) * Top three priorities: 1. Feeling safe in my home and local area (73% of people in 2015) 2. Cleanliness and tidiness of my local area (49% of people in 2015) 3. Rubbish collected on a regular and reliable basis (36% of people in 2015)

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THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

Preschool entertains WI news at Christmas lunch

IT WAS Christmas at Birstall and Wanlip WI and 31 ladies celebrated on December 7 with Secret Santas and mince pies.

We had a convivial meeting of chatting and crafting led by our speaker Lisa Pidgeon of Little Bird SOS (School of Stitchwork).

After our usual rendition of Jerusalem we thanked Jane, Helen, Kath and Rosalie for decorating our tree at the Birstall Methodist Church Christmas Tree Festival. We also had feedback from Margaret’s trip to Sandringham and Bethan’s Christmas crafting course.

Lisa Pidgeon then spoke to us about her journey from nursing to the terrific work she now does with her non-profit making organization which brings arts and crafts for health and wellbeing to Leicester. Like so many of our speakers she inspired us all with her achievements.

The rest of the evening was spent paper folding and chatting as we made Christmas card holders and distributed Secret Santa gifts. Irene Faulkner won the competition cup when her holder was chosen as the best of the evening.

We still had a visit to Oliver at Curve and a meal at the Red Lion to look forward to before we say goodbye to 2015.

Our first meeting of 2016 is on January 4 when Felicity Austin will be talking about ‘Those big good brands we grew up with’ and on January 6 we play Astill Lodge in the final of the skittles tournament. Don’t forget to look at our Facebook page for more photos and up to date news.

From Birstall & Wanlip WI

21

Composer’s charity album A BIRSTALL musician has produced an album for Help for Heroes.

Kathleen Shanks (59), of Elmfield Avenue, recorded the album, called ‘Heroes’, at Abbey Road Studios in London. The album features the Capital Arts Children’s Choir, London Cantamusica, royal harpist Claire Jones, the band of the Irish Guards and studio instrumentalists from London. Kathleen became involved through her music in Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in 2014 and was inspired by the athletes.

She said: “James Shanks, my father, was in the Irish Guards. He was wounded out of the second world war when his unit was blown up. He was the only survivor of the blast. After two years rehabilitation in hospital he Pic: Kathleen was disShanks charged fit and well. Birstall people will remember him walking the dog in the village in his 90s. He lived to 96. It is that rehabilitation that is so important, physical rehabilitation, mental rehabilitation. Without the help of charities such as ‘Help For Heroes’ there simply wouldn’t be the money to do the work needed”.

The album also has a Leicester-

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shire connections. ‘Gloria In Londinium’ features singers from the Leicester Philharmonic Choir and instrumentalists from the Leicester Symphony Orchestra who travelled to the Abbey Road Studios to record their contribution. Each track on the album has been sponsored. ‘Gloria In Londinium’ was sponsored by funds raised from a quiz evening arranged by Liz and Peter Thornber of Birstall.

Kathleen works a freelance musician in London. She has just finish filming a cameo role in a film for Toom Productions with Jeremy Irons and Michael Fassbender. She trains choruses for West End shows and opera and works as a music consultant for Decca Universal and Syco Music. She is a published composer with the American firm, Hall Leonard.

The album is on the Harvest Moon label and is available on Amazon.

22

THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

Work out in park

THE WORKERS’ Educational Association Birstall and Rothley Branch have announced their New Year programme.

OUTDOOR GYM equipment has been installed on two of Birstall’s playing fields.

Junior tennis LOCAL YOUNGSTERS represented Birstall and Watermead Tennis club at the Dan Maskell Centre at Loughborough University on November 28.

For three of the children this was their first taste of competitive tennis.

“Although they didn’t win they all showed great sportsmanship and are looking forward to their next match in January” said a club spokesman.

Pic: (l-r) Aidan O-Donoghue, Thomas Little, Avnish Patel and Miles Hopkins

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Birstall Parish Council has installed six items on the School Lane playing field and three at Harrowgate Drive.

Chairman of Birstall Parish Council Ann Marshall said: “We’ve had lots of positive comments. We wanted to provide something for all ages to use but especially older young people.

“The sports clubs that use School Lane have been very positive. Birstall Running Club want to use it, and young people at the youth café.”

The equipment cost £16,166 including installation and surfacing. The parish council carried out a consultation exercise through various media including facebook before agreeing to purchase the equipment.

The equipment installed at School Lane is: • cross trainer • spinning bicycle

WEA courses

Pic: the new gym equipment

• hand bicycle • chin up and dip station • dip/leg raise • pendulum & twister Harrowgate Drive has: ab bench; cross trainer; hand bicycle

Children decorate Tesco tree

CHILDREN FROM Riverside primary school visited Birstall’s Tesco Express to decorate the store’s Christmas tree with decorations they had made.

The Art Of Trompe-L’oeil ‘Deceive the Eye’ This course is designed so that learners will learn perspective techniques. It concentrates on mural lay-out, multiplepoint perspectives and ‘tips and tricks’.

Topics include painting techniques for the foreground, middle and background, use of simple tools (e.g. levels, strings and projectors) to create ‘perceptively correct’ Italian floor tiles, arched doors, windows, columns and arches and much more!

Learners will each complete a mural based upon elements such as vaults, rows of columns, fountains, etc, and will follow/embellish a basic design by tapping into their own creativity. Unleash your imagination and join this incredible course! No prior knowledge required, just a lively interest in practical and theoretical art.

Tutor: Anna Michalska-Tomajer. Fee £86.65 or Free if you are in receipt of an income related benefit.

Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Monday 12.45–3pm, 10 meetings from Monday 11th January 2016 NOTE: Please phone to see if places available. Marion Vincent 0116 2375156 Behind The Iron Curtain-Life In Eastern Europe Under Communism Aspects of life in the ‘Warsaw Pact’ countries, from the end of the Second World War until 1989. How particular characteristics, cultures and even different political systems combined to undermine the Soviet Union’s protective barrier against the West.

Tutor: David Price. Fee £52.00 or Free if you are in receipt of an income related benefit.

Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Tuesday 10–11.30am, 9 meetings from Tuesday 12th January 2016 Colour, Line And Light-Art Appreciation Explore the different role of colour, line and light in the fascinating, often compelling, works by artists from JMW Turner to Roy Lichtenstein. No experience necessary-just a lively open-minded interest in art!

Tutor Janis Baker Fee £53.90 or Free if you are in receipt of an income related benefit.

Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Wednesday 7.15–9.15pm, 7 meetings from Wednesday 13th January 2016 Contact: Marion Vincent 0116 2375156 or send your enrolments to Brenda Sutherland, WEA Treasurer, 4 North Street, Rothley, Leicester LE7 7NN Please make cheques payable to WEA Birstall & Rothley Branch. Enrol on line for all courses if space available at https://enrolonlinewea.org.uk/online Visit our website! www.birstallandrothleywea.org.uk

THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

23

News from the churches President of the Methodist Conference to visit Birstall February 7 will see the service at Birstall led by Rev Steve Wild who is the 2015/16 President.

It is the highest Presbyteral position in the Methodist Church. Rev Steve Wild lives in Truro, Cornwall, and he will visit many Methodist Churches during his year of office. As there are only 52 Sundays in the year, Birstall is very lucky to have such a visit.

Steve Wild is very much an evangelist and his message to Birstall on February 7 will create a few challenges!

Methodist Christmas Festival Result Birstall Methodist Church is grateful to all who supported the Christmas Festival at the end of November. Special thanks go to those whose creative skill made such wonderful displays under the theme of “White Christmas”.

Financially almost £8300 was raised with a portion of that sum going to the local Air Ambulance.

Methodist Men’s Pantomime Cancelled Alas there will be no Men’s Pantomime this February. Oh no there won’t!

Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances three pivotal cast members have had to drop out, and, sadly, the decision was taken to cancel the 2016 performance. It was to have been Peter Pan. Richard Tinley (Producer) is optimistic that there will be a performance in 2017. It is thought that the 2017 performance will be during the 60th year since the very first production. There have been two previous occasions when there was no pantomime.

From Birstall Methodist Church First Things Firstly, all at BIBC wish you a Happy New Year and hope that may you know every blessing in 2016. Secondly, we would like to thank all of you who supported our sale of Lodge Trust goods at the village’s Christmas Market last December. The collection from our Carol Service was added to the proceeds and given to support the Trust’s work with adults with learning difficulties. The Trust would like us to pass on their thanks also.

Sunday Morning Services Our services are held in the Community Room at Highcliffe Primary School, Greengate Lane (LE4 3DL), starting at 10.45am and you are warmly invited to join with us. Due to the school’s holidays, we are not meeting there on January 3 (so please ring for venue)

but we return the following week (10th) for the rest of the month. Our visiting speaker on January 10 is John Todd (Loughborough).

Please note that there is a Sunday School available for youngsters aged seven to twelve during the sermon part of the service if requested.

New Evening Sunday Service We are aware that some of you would wish to join with us but find attending on Sunday mornings conflicts with other commitments, so we are introducing a monthly evening service beginning at 6pm The first of these is on Sunday January 17. We look forward to seeing you there.

Further information please ring 0116 2214883.

From Anne Taylor, Birstall Independent Baptist Church Goodbye 2015!

As everyone takes down the Christmas lights and decorations and returns to work or school, January can seem the most unattractive month of the year! After the extraordinary mild and wet December the thought of a white frost or even a dusting of snow seems almost appealing.

However there was nothing in the weather to spoil our Christmas events. We were delighted that so many people from our community came to St. James to enjoy singing “Carols for All”, or to the delightful Crib service on Christmas Eve or the 11pm Midnight Communion – always very special occasions.

Others came to Wanlip, for a ceremony of carols one evening, or the informal “carols round the tree” the next night.

The New Year In the month of January we turn to a very different concern – the plight of those less fortunate than ourselves. To highlight the week of prayer for Christian Unity, starting on January 18, there will be three Hunger lunches: on Monday 18 at St. Theresa’s. Birstall; on Wednesday 19 at Birstall Methodist Church and Thursday 21 at Our Lady and St. Nicholas, Wanlip. All start at 12.45pm. Everyone is invited to come and eat a simple lunch, for which you are asked to contribute to Christian Aid the price of a normal meal, to help feed those who do not know what a normal meal is.

We wish everyone in Birstall and Wanlip a very happy New Year!

From Birstall Parish Churches

Council plans challenged A HOUSING developer has made a legal challenge to Charnwood Borough Council’s Core Strategy The Borough Council says it will defend its strategy, adopted in November 2015. It sets out how much development will be built in Charnwood, and where it will be located, up to 2028. The strategy includes 1500 homes north of Birstall.

Councillor Eric Vardy , Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “This is not an unexpected move and we will defend the Core Strategy.

“As this has moved into the legal arena, we will not be commenting further about this action”.

The application to the High Court has been made by the Rosconn Group and seeks: • the quashing of the decision to adopt the Core Strategy • a declaration that the Council and the Inspector erred in law by not examining the five-year land supply appropriately • an order requiring the inspector to re-open the Examination and allow submission and cross examination on five-year land supply

• an order requiring the Inspector to reconsider and re-issue his report after hearing these issues.

The Council is in the process of responding to the application and the High Court will then decide whether a judicial review can take place.

The Charnwood Core Strategy’s main areas of proposed development are: • around 3,000 homes and 16 ha of employment to the west of Loughborough • around 4,500 homes and 13 ha of employment to the north of Hamilton/east of Thurmaston • around 1,500 homes and 15 ha of employment on land to the north of the A46 at Birstall.

The Core Strategy also sets out how the Council will support Plans for the regeneration of the Watermead corridor within the Thurmaston and Syston area, support for further development of the Loughborough Science and Enterprise Park and a regeneration plan for Shepshed.

Charity shop burgled four years running STAFF AND volunteers at the Sibson Road branch of the Woodside Animal Centre RSPCA charity shop were greeted by a scene of devastation after their shop was the victim of a burglary – for the fourth year running.

Clothes, books and other products that the shop sells to raise cash for the Leicestershire branch of the RSPCA were strewn on the floor, many of them damaged so badly that they can’t be sold.

Thieves stole the cash float from the till and the shop mascot, a three foot pot dog containing hundreds of pounds in coins donated by shoppers.

Spokesman Richard Pyat said: “This shop has been targeted year on year.

Each time it happens it doesn’t get any easier to handle. I am appalled that someone could steal from a charity that is working so hard to protect defenceless animals.

“The amount it costs to make repairs following break-ins eats into the money we raise to help Leicestershire’s animals in need, and it can take months to get the shop back to its former condition.

We have very loyal supporters and vol-

unteers who give up their time to help us raise money so it’s a shame for them too.”

Gary Wheway, Woodside Animal Centre Branch Manager said: “We urge anyone who might have heard or seen anything during the evening of Tuesday November 24 to come forward I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time. Out kind volunteers come in every day to help raise muchneeded funds for our animals, and as a result of this week’s incidents they reel unsafe and distressed which is simply not fair.”

If you would like to show your support or have any further information, please contact Woodside Animal Centre on 01162 336677 www.rspcaleicester.org.uk

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24

THE BIRSTALL POST JAN 2016

Birstall BAG’s cancer corner Happy New Year from Birstall BAG’s Here’s some Cancer Prevention advice for you to mull over as you are contemplating your new year resolutions or if you are just thinking of a ‘new year a new you’ maybe.

Many people believe that getting cancer is purely down to genes, fate or bad luck. But through scientific research, we know that our risk actually depends on a combination of our genes, our environment and aspects of our lives, many of which we can control.

Cancer is caused by damage to our DNA, the chemical instructions that tell our cells what to do. Things in our environment, such as UV rays, or our lifestyle, such as the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco, can damage our DNA. This damage builds up over time.

If a cell develops too much damage to

its DNA it can start to multiply out of control – this is how cancer starts.

In the UK, more than 1 in 2 people will develop cancer at some point in their lives. Every year, more than 331,000 people are diagnosed with the disease. But experts estimate that more than 4 in 10 cancer cases could be prevented by lifestyle changes, such as: • not smoking • keeping a healthy bodyweight • cutting back on alcohol • eating a healthy, balanced diet • keeping active • avoiding certain infections (such as HPV) • enjoying the sun safely • occupation (avoiding cancer risks in the workplace) Surveys of the population have shown that people aren’t necessarily aware that all of these things are linked to cancer. For example, the Cancer Research UK funded Perceptions of Risk Survey in 2008 found that only 3% of the people Pic: Wreake Valley Rotary club recently made a donation of £2500 to Birstall BAGs. Our picture shows Liz Darlison and Lesley Merry polled knew that receiving a cheque from Nigel Coleman and David Fox, President.

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being overweight or obese could increase their risk of cancer.

So whatever you decide to do try to think about how you can reduce your cancer risk. Whether you stop smoking, increase your activity, lose weight, improve your diet. Your actions really can help reduce your risk.

For further information: www.cancerresearchuk.org and as always 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 or our Facebook page Contact the BAG’s by email birstallbags@hotmail.com Birstall BAG’s Registered Charity Number 1160190

Birstall BAG’s are establishing a Home Visiting Service in collaboration with LOROS and initially we are looking to recruit LOROS volunteers from the Birstall and surrounding area willing to support families in their own home in our community – for more information please contact Andrew Lowden andrewlowden@loros.co.uk tel 0116 2318470

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 Feb issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on Jan 30.

The copy deadline is Jan 18.

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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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