Birstall Post (392) March 2016

the Birstall post Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

MARCH 2016

N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 392

Off road cycling track extended

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A £5000 project to improve the off road cycling track on the Meadow Lane playing field is underway.

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Birstall Parish Council have commissioned cycle track designer Ben Rafferty to do the work, following an on-site consultation with users, and on facebook.

The project involves re-shaping damaged jumps, increasing the size of the start/finish area, providing larger jumps and putting on a new top dressing surface.

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New Year surprise

Pic: Sir Paul Curran

A FORMER Birstall schoolboy has received a knighthood.

Sir Paul Curran (60) was recognised in the New Year Honours for his wide ranging achievements in higher education.

Sir Paul is Vice Chancellor at City University, London, which is ranked in the top five per cent of world universi-

ties.

“A knighthood is an amazing and profoundly humbling surprise” said Sir Paul.

“I am immensely grateful for the life changing effect that higher education had on me, for the encouragement of Continued on page 2

53rd Leicester (Birstall St James) Scout Group. He built two canoes during this time and spent many happy summer evenings and weekends with the scouts exploring the River Soar. This started an interest in kayaking and boating that continues to this day.

After leaving Longslade, Sir Paul received a degree from the University of Sheffield in 1976, an MBA from the University of Southampton in 1998 and PhD and DSc degrees from the University of Bristol in 1979 and 1991 respectively. He is a Chartered Geographer and a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

A former NASA research scientist and advisor to the European Space Agency, Sir Paul’s Research interests include investigations into global environmental change, in particular the movement of carbon between the atmosphere and forests. His award winning work in Earth observation, involving the use of satellite sensors to monitor the environment at local to global scales, is widely published and he is the youngest recipient of The Remote Sensing Society’s Gold Medal.

Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council at City University London Mr Rob Wood-

Parish Council notes A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on February 8.

PCSO Mark Butler reported that the biggest problem in the last month’s crime figures was burglary dwelling.

Access was often made via rear patio doors when keys have been left hanging in the lock, inside. Criminals will look in your shed for tools to break into your home, so keep sheds locked he said.

PCSO Butler said the local Police ward said: “I know that my colleagues on Council and across City will join me in congratulating Professor Curran on this prestigious recognition. City University London is being transformed under Professor Curran’s leadership. In the past few years we have doubled the proportion of our staff producing worldleading and internationally excellent research, modernised our estate and increased the satisfaction of our students by more than any other university in the country.”

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The CPA, which helps the public to identify safe reliable contractors to carry out home improvements, awarded its 5 year Membership Achievement Award to CWC. Membership of the CPA means that customers have their deposits and guarantee underwritten by the organisation.

Mandy Manning from CWC said: “We put the interests of the customer first and we won’t compromise on our attention to detail or the quality of the materials we use.

“Everything is carefully project managed by us personally and we do everything we can to ensure the work we do enhances your home.”

team had been addressing the problem of parking near Riverside school by parents – some motorists were driving along pavements. Verbal warnings have been issued. Proposals to install bollards that can be raised and lowered outside the Methodist church are being discussed.

PCSO Butler said reports of antisocial behaviour were down. The spate of incidents before Christmas had not been repeated after several individuals were spoken to by Police.

County Councillor Iain Bentley reported that the County Council had agreed to install a base for a bus shelter on Wanlip Lane near Windmill Avenue and that he was willing to provide a wooden shelter free of charge. He said the county would need to carry out a site survey to assess the suitability of the site and that a consultation of nearby homes would need to be carried out.

The Council agreed to consult with the County Council to progress the matter. Chair Ann Marshall said the Parish Council was generally supportive subject to people being happy with it following a consultation and site survey.

The Council agreed to spend £3683 on new stainless steel hoop barriers on the School Lane playing fields, next to the car park. The concrete Beckett’s Buckets will be removed, some of which are cracked and could become dangerous. Wooden posts that prevent vehicles from driving onto the grass will also be removed as they are not clearly visible at dusk and could be a hazard.

The new brushed stainless steel hoops, with a satin finish, will prevent vehicles from driving onto the playing field.

Three will be removable to allow authorised access. Three new cherry trees will be planted near the bottom half of the car park, near to the bowls club.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

Continued from page 1 my many colleagues and for the support of my wife and daughter, who have been with me every step of the way.”

Sir Paul lived on Harrowgate Drive from the age of 5 to 18 and was a pupil at Riverside, Highcliffe, Stonehill and Longslade school which he left in 1973 and where he met his wife Helen Palin, now Lady Curran.

Sir Paul said: “Leicestershire was regarded as having a very progressive community-based education system and my Birstall schools were no exception.

Two of my more traditional teachers were very influential. Mrs Newton, my English teacher at Stonehill High School, was on a mission to open our eyes to wider cultural experiences. Singlehandedly and in her own time, she introduced us to the theatre, ground coffee, broadsheet newspapers and the mysterious world of French cheeses. The second was Mr Painter, my exceptionally enthusiastic Geography teacher at Longslade Upper High School, who made us constantly question our environment. This included the roads, the rain and the rivers and everything we read or heard.”

Sir Paul was an active member of the

Young dancers shine A DANCE show at the Cedars Academy raised money for two good causes.

Organised by dance teacher Ashleigh Cooper and AS level students Daniela Fabbricatore, Emma Garner and Serena Seymour, their performance raised £1320 for Birstall BAGS and Help For Heroes.

Ashleigh said: “The students were phenomenal and they have worked tirelessly to get the show perfect for the audience. It was important to the students that they put on a class act because repre-

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sentatives from both organisations attended.

I am very proud of what my students have achieved and they performed professionally throughout the organisation process and the performance itself.”

Dancer Daniela said: “I felt this was a fantastic opportunity to raise as much money for the charities and I am happy that the Cedars Academy have supported us in doing this. We want to go into the industry professionally so this was an unbelievable opportunity that we were grateful for.

We felt privileged to raise so much money for charity.”

Students studying GCSE dance at the Cedars Academy achieved 100% A*-A grades in 2015.

Students studying Performing Arts achieved 75% A* Pic: dancers Daniela Fabbricatore, Emma Garner and Serena Seymour

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A NEW £4.5million primary school is to be built on the Hallam Fields estate, opening in September 2017.

A Leicestershire County Council spokesperson said: “Designs for the new 210 place school in Birstall are still being finalised, but we should be in a position to submit a planning application in the Spring.

“Plans are for the school and recreation facilities to open in September 2017, with the build expected to cost between £4 and £4.5m, subject to more detailed design work.”

Community facilities include a community room, kitchenette and changing rooms, with the school hall also being open for community use.

All Birstall schools are part of the Lionheart Academies Trust and it has applied to take on the new school.

The community hall attached to the new school will be shared with the community outside school hours and will be designed so that it can be closed off from the rest of the school building to keep the school secure.

There will be an outdoor community sports area. The school will have its own playground and playing field.

As part of the original section 106 agreement associated with Hallam Fields, the developer Jelson was required to make a financial contribution of £2,050,000 for a new primary school and associated recreation centre.

A County Council spokesman said: “Discussions with Jelson and the Palmer Tomkinson Trustees over matters relating to the new school and the developer’s obligations under the section 106 are on-going.”

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

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Record breaking year BIRSTALL QUILTERS had their most successful fundraising year in 2015.

A cheque for £1775 was presented to Motor Neurone Disease Association Leicester and Rutland branch, their chosen charity.

Janet McMillan from MND said: “Not only are the ladies here producing needlework, they are using their skills and talents to raise a huge sum of money for the local branch of MND Association.

“We are so grateful for them for supporting us in this way.”

Pics: Brenda Watts retiring chairman of Birstall Quilters presenting the cheque to Janet McMillan, chairman of MND Association; samples of the quilters’ work

WI news As usual there was plenty of discussion about activities past, present and future. We have two trips to the Curve planned and an evening with Ladies Morris Dancers Black Annis on March 10.

The yearly Annual Council Meeting for all Leicestershire WI’s will take place at Leicester Grammar School on March 12 where Michael Portillo will be the guest speaker.

Our charming speaker and ex teacher and circus clown was Toastmaster Geoff Harris. He regaled us with hilarious tales of his career path. We found out that there was so much more to the role of Toastmaster than we could ever have imagined. So we had yet another fun evening with an excellent speaker.

Andrea’s ‘toast creation’ won the February competition and next month’s will be a ‘tactile craft item’. Our speaker on March 7 will be John Flanner who will talk on Fear, Fun and Faith.

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From Birstall & Wanlip WI

THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

27 MEMBERS of Birstall and Wanlip WI including four new ladies met on February 1 at Highcliffe School.

Children prepare for dance spectacular PRIMARY SCHOOL children are putting on a dance show to raise money to buy iPads for their school.

Pic: teacher Amy Flight with her students

21 pupils at Riverside school are busy rehearsing for their dance show, which will

be held at the Palmer Tomkinson Centre at the Cedars Academy on March 11 at 7pm.

Teacher Amy Flight said: “After many bouts of frustration at the lack of battery life and slow-going laptops that delay learning, we have decided to try and raise some money for the school to buy iPad minis. This way the children will see first-hand that they have the ability to make a positive change to their school and teach a valuable lesson that if you want something, you have to work for it.”

She added: “iPads are now seen as a versatile, powerful tool that is changing the face of education – both students and teachers have access to an unquantifiable amount of educational apps, content and material for all areas of learning.

They allow students to take control of their own learning and they are accessible for a variety of pupils without delay to boot up to optimise learning time.

“The children and I have decided to put on a dance show and plan to fundraise by selling tickets, programmes, raffle tickets and refreshments. It would be great to have as many people as possible to come and help support some very dedicated, hardworking and talented bunch of children to reach their goal!”

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

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Garden suburb: ambitious plans on show SOME VISITORS to a public exhibition of plans to build a 1650 home garden suburb north of Birstall expressed some scepticism about the proposal, while others gave it a cautious welcome.

“Pretty pictures, fine words – we’ve heard it all before” was a typical comment, with many visitors remembering the promises made when the Hallam Fields development was proposed.

The Broadnook Garden suburb is planned for a site between Birstall and Rothley, and the development of up to 1650 homes could start as early as 2017, public exhibitions in January and Februsubject to planning permission. ary to find out local views – these were The plans are being put forward by held in Birstall, Wanlip, Rothley and the principal landowners of the site, the Palmer-Tomkinson Trust and the Cooper Thurcaston.

The landowners say the site will: family. They have selected two house• provide a wide range of integrated building companies, Barwood Homes housing and employment land and Davidsons Homes, to deliver the • provide a “generous framework of new homes. open spaces, parkland, sports facilities, Prior to submitting a planning application, the landowners held a number of woodland and tree-lined streets”

Pics: (above & on page 7) illustrations showing housing styles

• have access from the A6 at a new signalised roundabout • contain a Broadnook Centre where social and community facilities can be concentrated • contain a new primary school and community centre, health care facilities, a nursery, local shops and services and a retirement village • be looked after and managed by the

Broadnook Garden Suburb Trust.

The site is mostly within the parish of Wanlip but does contain land in Thurcaston and Rothley. It is expected that a new parish will be created for the development, which will have its own parish council.

Issues raised by visitors attending the Birstall exhibition included concerns about the provision of low cost housing,

Legal challenge thrown out A LEGAL challenge against Charnwood Borough Council’s Core Strategy has been thrown out by a High Court judge.

Flooded parking bay A FAULTY pipe is causing a parking bay outside McColls store on Sibson Road to flood after heavy rain.

A County Council spokesman told the Birstall Post “Highways have carried out an inspection of the area to identify the problem and work is now scheduled to be carried out by mid-March to repair a fault with pipe work leading from the gully to the drains.”

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

The Core Strategy sets out where new housing, employment land and infrastructure should go in Charnwood. It was adopted in November by the Council following extensive consultations and an examination by an independent planning inspector.

Mrs Justice Patterson has refused an application for a judicial review submitted by the Rosconn Group.

Rosconn, a Warwickshire based property company, applied to the High Court to have the decision by Charnwood to adopt the strategy quashed. The company wanted a declaration that the council and the planning inspector made a legal mistake by not examining the borough's five-year housing land supply appropriately.

Councillor Eric Vardy, Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “I welcome the court’s decision.

“This has not had any impact on the Core Strategy nor has it caused any delays. We can hopefully now draw a line under this and continue to carry on with regular business.”

The Court refused the application because the supply of homes had been thoroughly examined by the Core Strategy Inspector noting that the claimant had ample opportunity to take part in that process but had chosen not to do so. Mrs Justice Patterson noted there was no unfairness.

“We don’t need five bed detached homes”, identified.” the impact on traffic on local roads and Chairman of Birstall Parish pressure on local services such as GP Council Ann Marshall attended practices. the exhibition. She said: Birstall resident of 54 years Gerald “What I’m most worried Morling said: “I want to see this develop- about is the extra trafment done properly. Hallam Fields fic. I was told the wasn’t, it’s a hotch potch of bits and development won’t pieces that should never have taken make any differplace.” ence – Bill and Ann Mee live on Birstall Road. Bill said: “There is a need for new houses and what we have seen here looks very nice. It won’t be a part of Birstall, it will be a separate entity”.

Ann said: “The photos and drawings all look very impressive and hopefully when its built it will look like that, but its not possible to say all the shops will be filled to create the jobs they have

Pic: the centre of the Broadnook Garden Suburb

how can this be the case! The A6 is gridlocked now. We are asking someone to look at the local roads and find some way of diverting traffic so it doesn’t all go down the A6, but I don’t hold out much hope. A lot of people are saying the same, it’s just ludicrous.”

A planning application for the development is expected to be submitted to Charnwood Borough Council this month.

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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 May I through your columns offer a big 'thank you' to everyone in the Soar Valley for their generous contributions to our Santa collection this year.

Bus shelter

Bowls There is no facility for members of the public to turn up and ‘pay and play’ at Birstall Bowling Club. However, the ladies have a club afternoon on Mondays at 2pm and the men have a club night on Tuesdays at 6pm, both starting in the first week of May, where non-members are welcome. Al equipment is provided, all they need are a pair of flat shoes or trainers. They are able to attend three times before they are asked to join the club as an associate member. This entitles them to play on the green at any

8

including Loros, Rainbows and the Air Ambulance and our 1st night’s collection this year was sent to Rotary clubs in Cumbria to assist in their response to the floods.

Those we visit donate generously and Santa's 'sleigh' is greeted with delight by young and old. This year the start of our tour was delayed but we still raised over £4.200.

So our thanks once again to all who were able to contribute and especially to Kia Loughborough, without whose unstinting support Santa would have had to rely on reindeer power alone.

You can find more about us at www.soarvalleyrotary.co.uk and we look forward to visiting you all again, next year.

Richard Hilliar President - The Rotary Club of the Soar Valley 2015-16

Each Christmas Soar Valley Rotarians and friends accompany Santa each evening around the local villages collecting for our charity appeal. In this way, we are able to help many good causes

With regard to the Clerks response to my letter in the February Birstall Post why does the Parish Council keep passing the buck to the Borough and County Council and why unlike other Parish Councils won't Birstall pay to erect bus shelters?

Out of interest when did our Councillors discuss bus shelters and vote not to erect any and what was the vote for and against?

Finance can't be a problem because there's over £400,000 in the bank. This money has come from people like the 127 parishioners that signed the petition,

aren't we allowed any say in how our money should be spent?

The Parish Council has known for many years that Birstall has fallen behind other parishes with regard to bus shelters / raised kerbs and the councillors should be ashamed that parishioners have been exposed to bad weather year after year when they could have resolved the issue in a matter of weeks In 2013 the Parish Council refused to back a proposal about funding Bus Shelters out of the S 106 money yet when Simon Sansome took this up three were erected on the A6 at no cost to the parishioners in a matter of weeks so it can't be that hard.

Finally I know the Parish Council aren't responsible for raising kerbs but what's to stop them identifying where the access problems are and making representations on our behalf rather than expecting me to represent parishioners at County Hall on the 21 June 2016?

Christine Howe

Collectors Want to meet people, get some exercise and help a local charity raise much needed funds? We urgently require lottery collectors to call four-weekly on small, established rounds in Birstall, Mountsorrel, Rothley, Syston and many other areas.

Would you or someone you know be interested in collecting LOROS Lottery subscriptions for us? Maybe you have just moved house and don’t know any-

THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

YOUR SAY...

time (subject to there being sufficient space available) but they are unable to play for the club in matches or in club competitions. For more information, please call Jan on 0116 2122578 or Andy on 0116 2677969.

The club will be holding an open morning during the season (date TBC) for anyone who would like to try out the game. The club are more than happy for members of the public to have a go at other times, providing a member of the club is there to assist them, please call either number above to discuss this further and to arrange a convenient time.

From Birstall Bowling Club

one in your area? We are desperately looking for anyone with a couple of hours to spare. There is no cold calling involved and everyone on the round has indicated that they would like a collector to call. Most importantly, it is a very worthwhile way of supporting LOROS. Give the Lottery Office on (0116) 2318430 if you would like to have an informal chat and find out more about becoming a LOROS Lottery Collector.

Liz Singleton, LOROS

Freda Jones It is with deep regret I announce the passing of Freda Jones of Ryegate Crescent.

Freda died in her sleep after a short illness at the Leicester Royal Infirmary aged 92. She was a long standing member of the Birstall Bowls Club and until recently the treasurer for the WI. She will be missed dreadfully by her family as she was the glue that held it together.

Salena Jones

Saga The Birstall bus stop saga prompts this little note, it took me all round the houses, Centre Bus, Parish Council, Charnwood Council and then Leicestershire Council Highways Department.

All to have a measly 3 foot square of asphalt laid at the bus stop on the corner of Windmill and Stonehill. During my campaign all I could do was emphasise ‘Elf and Safety’!

On and off the bus trying to cross the grass verge, which in times of inclement weather could prove dangerous to the elderly and often young mums with pushchairs and babies.

At last, as I say a yard square of asphalt and owing to the accuracy of the Centre Bus driver leaves one with dry feet and perhaps avoid any dog ‘poo’. Of course there will always be the selfish car parked up so that cannot be obtained.

Never mind, as the grocery store says “Every little helps”.

Danny Wise St Leger PS Best of luck to all those petitioners at Wanlip/Windmill bus stop (I do use it myself)

THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

Bus shelter In the February issue of The Birstall Post it was interesting and helpful to read the response by Birstall Parish Council clerk Sue Coulson to the letter from Mrs Howe.

It is very surprising and hard to believe that since August 2014 an attempt by the Parish Council and County Councillor Iain Bentley together with the involvement of a resident to get the unused bus stop shelter on Libra Parade removed and installed at the Windmill Avenue/Wanlip Lane terminus has been

Noticeboard all details printed free Birstall and District Art Society Tuesday, March 8 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 listen to the comments of renowned professional artist Tim Fisher appraising our members’ work which have been created using various media from watercolour, acrylics and oils as well as ‘mixed media’., Come along, see what we are doing and, if you think this is a hobby that you would enjoy, be inspired to join us. Demonstration to end at 9pm. Members £1; guests £3. unsuccessful.

As Sue Coulson states bus stop shelters cannot be erected without permission, consent has to be granted by the County Council Planning Dept and by the owners of the land space needed. For some years the shelter on Libra Parade has not been used by bus passengers and it is no longer there in accordance with the planning consent granted for its initial and intended use. It is now used merely as a hoarding, a display stand for advertisements and it seems very unlikely that the present owners have been granted planning consent for it to be used in this way.

Therefore if it has not been given planning consent for its present use it must be surely be regarded as standing there illegally. In this ridiculous situation why don’t the County Council use a compulsory Purchase Order?

J Woods

Free raffle. Ample parking and wheelchair access.

Riverside’s Dance Fundraiser Help raise money to buy iPads for the school March 11 at Palmer Tomkinson Centre at 7pm Come and help support the younger generation It would mean the world to them!

Tickets: adults £3, child £1.50 Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult Tickets will be £3.50 on the door St Theresa’s RC Church Hall Front St, Birstall

The Monday Club 2-4pm every Monday for the over 60s Enjoy card games, tea, coffee & biscuits, raffle, bingo (cash prizes), friendship, seasonal treats etc £1 admission All welcome For further info please ring Jenny 2675933 or Rosemary 2671104

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 dwoods1@sky.com or Bob 07927 346640 Web site – www.birstallrc.org.uk Mountsorrel Methodist Church Celebrating fifteen years of Sunday Night @ Eight

Organ Recitals on Sunday March 20 at 8pm

by Domonic O’Connor-Robinson Uppingham Organist Admission is free Donations for the development fund Buffet from 7.30pm

Charnwood Orchestra Saturday March 19, 7.30pm All Saints Parish Church, Loughborough Schubert: Rosamunde Overture Britten: Violin Concerto Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.2 Tickets: £12, £10 concessions 07718 153 117

Fusion Rugby Cubs The Fusion Rugby Cubs programme starts the week commencing the 7th March 2016 at Soar Valley and Loughborough Leisure Centres.

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Children will take part in structured classes each week with our qualified coaches, working their way through our very own badge scheme. Through these sessions your child will learn key life skills including independence, focus, self-discipline, enhanced coordination, strength, agility and balance.

Class times at Soar Valley Leisure Ctr, Mounstorrel: Wednesday 10:00-10:40am: 3-4 years Sunday 10:00-10:40am: 5-7 years Each class will be 40 minutes long and sessions will run 50 weeks each year. Payment will be made by monthly Direct Debit and this includes all costs for badges and also includes free swimming for your child.

Bookings are now open! For more information and to book your place, contact sports development officer christopher.andrews@fusionlifestyle.com. Alternatively, you can call or visit your nearest leisure centre: Soar Valley Leisure Centre – 0116 2375267

10

Forthcoming events Vicky Vernon running the London marathon April 24 to raise money for Birstall BAG’s Birstall White Horse Duck race: May 2 Birstall BAG’s Charity Golf day @ Birstall golf club: Sunday June 26 Take That Tribute evening – Birstall Social Club: Friday September 23 Ceri DuPre: TBC December, Birstall Social Club

Birstall Birdwatching Club presents The Andean Wildlife Project By Mike Webster Tuesday 8th March at 7.30pm Mike and Paula Webster now spend most of their year in South America as part of a project to study wildlife in the Andes. This evening they will tell us what they have been doing in this exciting part of the world and what they have discovered about why South America is so good for birds.

Kent: Wildlife Of The Garden Of England By Jack Perks Tuesday 12th April at 7.30pm Kent rarely features in local talks but this is a county with a rich heritage of wildlife as well as history. With its coastline, cliffs, rivers, woodlands and nature reserves we will enjoy a visit to the south east of England and its natural history.

Jack has featured in Spring Watch

2015 and Countryfile with his particular interest in underwater photography in local rivers and streams.

The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley Members free. Visitors £2 Children free. Free on-site parking and easy access Further information Marion Vincent 0116 2375156 The Bark Foundation In support of Hotpec Orphanage

Charity Sale Saturday 9th April 10.00 am-1.00 pm Birstall Methodist Church Hall Wanlip Lane, Birstall, LE4 4JS Mega Jewellery Sale (40ft table length of recycled/handmade costume jewellery, from 50p to £60) Other Charities Raising Funds For: ‘Clash’-Comm. Leics. Arthritis Self Help ‘Motor Neurone Disease’ (Gillian Bowler) ‘Hedgehog Rescue’ (Birstall Group) ‘Heart Link’ (Birstall Quilters) L.O.R.O.S. and other charitable groups Filter coffee 80p, tea 50p, homemade scones and cakes from 60p, available in The Methodist Coffee Shop, 10.00 am-12noon Queniborough Cross Country

Fun Run Proceeds to LOROS part of the Fun Run series Fun For All The Family Saturday 12th March 2016

Start Time 2pm A Medal For All Finishers £5 Per Person - No Entries On The Day More Information & Download An Entry Form From www.queniboroughfunrun.co.uk Refreshments & Prize Presentation Helpers Needed!!

We are looking for volunteers to help with marshalling the course and serving refreshments.If you can spare an hour or 2 on the day, and would like to help please call Wendy on 0116 2606433

Birstall Methodist Monday Women’s Group Programme For March 7 March Eileen and Keith from the Little Big Band entertain you....

14 March The History of the Little Theatre – Speaker Mike Bull 21 March Chocolate Bingo with Pauline (Members evening) 28 March Easter Monday – No Meeting Our Group meets every Monday evening at 7.30pm at Birstall Methodist Church We are a friendly group and all women (and men if they fancy coming along occasionally?) are made welcome.

Our project this year is raising funds MacMillan Cancer Care.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Birstall Tea Dance St James, Birstall Village Hall

THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

Birstall BAGS

Birstall Road Leicester LE4 4DH Friday 11th & 25th March 3.30pm -5.30pm £3 each All Welcomed Tea / Coffee & Cake included Further information contact Jackie: 0116 2248278 / 07908607405 Email: jackielucas957@hotmail.co.uk

CLASH 2012 Dock - Arthritis information Drop in: Monday 7th, 14th & 21st 10.00am - 12.00pm i-Pad Training Drop-in Thursday 3rd, 10th & 17th March 1.00 3.00pm Peepul Enterprise Monday: YOGA 7th, 14th & 21st March, 11.30am-12.30am Wednesday: Seated/General Exercise session, 2nd, 9th 16th & 23rd March 1.00-2.00pm Tesco Express Shelthorpe Community Room Wednesday General Exercises, 9th & 16th March 2.30-3.30pm Alternate Wed Drop-in Arthritis Information session, 2nd & 23rd March 2.30-3.30pm Sunday Club Children & Young People’s club Animation Workshops and Fun Activities 6th, 13th & 20th March 10.00am 12.00pm Hydrotherapy at Leicester General Hospital 3rd, 10th, 17th 24th & 31st March 10.000am - 12.00pm For further information: Call 03333 444 611 Ivanhoe Model Railway Society

Diecast Toy & Train Fair The Rothley Centre 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE7 7PR. Sunday 20th March 2016 Doors open 10:30 – 15:00 Admission £1 Refreshments Wheelchair Friendly Ample Free Parking For more information, please visit: www.ivanhoe-mrs.co.uk Thursday Group’s

Coffee Morning Saturday March 5th 10-12 am in the Methodist Church coffee

shop, Wanlip Lane.

Books, puzzles, tombola, cakes etc., in aid of Medical Detection Dogs.

Friends of Charnwood Forest From Ice Age to war games Recent archaeological survey and excavation in Bradgate Park Talk by Matt Beamish Monday 14th March at 7.30 p.m.

Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall Matt Beamish is a Project Officer for University of Leicester Archaeological Services. He has worked as an archaeologist in Leicestershire since 1990.

He is a specialist in manipulating and interpreting LIDAR aerial data for archaeological purposes. He will talk about the exciting discovery of a stone-age site, containing many tools from the end of the ice-age. This site is of international importance. He will also cover many other potential sites of historical interest.

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

The talk will be preceded by a short Annual General Meeting.

Further information: Peter Bertram 01162 100 572 or www.focf.org.uk • Birstall Methodist Church Saturday 12th March 2016 10.00am - 1.00pm

THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

Let me help get your books in shape… & keep them trim

Linda Kimberley-Brooks (ACMA) Final accounts • Self assessment Taxation • Bookkeeping • VAT Payroll • Management accounts www.twyf-accounts.co.uk Email: Linda@twyf.co.uk

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Recently Separated?

Divorced some time?

You can ‘go’ through the experience or ‘grow’ through it.

DRW is suitable for anyone of any age, gender, faith or background, and at any stage of separation or divorce A relationship breakdown leading to separation and perhaps divorce is one of the most traumatic events that can happen in your life'.

As a past participant I can thoroughly recommend this course as a means to grow and to rediscover yourself, in a supportive and sociable group.

The workshop will be on 6 Monday evenings from 11th April. It is run by trained past participants, at the Quaker Meeting House on Queen’s Road Leicester.

To reserve a place, see our national website www.drw.org.uk.

Or book with; Val 0116 2101702 or Liz 07932 74829

What We Wore Stories and pictures of children’s clothes 1990-1999

Mini Market Easter gifts & hampers Home-made cakes & pastries Home-made jams & chutneys Plants & Tombola Coffee shop open serving

Charnwood Museum, Granby St,

Loughborough LE11 3DU Feb 6 to May 16 Museum open: Feb & March, TuesSat 10am-3pm, Sundays 12noon3pm April & May, Tues –Sat 10am to 4.30pm, Sundays 2-5pm Public car parks in Granby St & Packe St

Calling all established runners!

Are you currently training for a Marathon / Half Marathon / 10k Road Running Race? If you are aged 18 or over, can run comfortably at 10 minute mile pace or faster, looking to improve and fed up of running on your own in the dark?

Then take a look at this !

Wreake Runners are offering you 3 x free welcome taster sessions with group led runs around the local area every Tuesday / Thursday evening from 6.45pm. Various options are available on most nights including varied distance routes, Intervals and Hill reps.

If you feel intimidated by running with a club, then let us put your running fears at ease. We are a Fun and Friendly running club that’s been established since 1981. We ensure all our runners are safe and supported on club nights by running in groups.

Still not sure, or have any questions?

Then take a look at our website www.wreakerunners.co.uk or contact us via email on run@wreakerunners.co.uk Please note that we do not offer a ‘learn to run’ group at the present time.

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95 Sibson Road, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4NB Tel 0116 2676451 11

March 23rd 2016, 7.15pm Birstall Village Hall Demonstration by Shirley Henderson “A Night on the Town” Visitors welcome - £5 Queries to Sylvia: 0116 2674206 or Mary Linnett: 0116 2672247

Birstall & District Local History Society At the AGM of the Society in January two presentations were made.

One to Mike Smith as a thank you from the society for all his hard work in the production of his latest book "Birstall Recalled" and the second to Brenda Watts who is retiring from the committee after 5 years ( 4 of which she has been the Chairperson) The following committee members were elected: Chairperson, Adrienne Topley; Vice Chairperson, Eileen Chambers; Secretary, Adrienne Topley; Treasurer, Diane King; Committee, John Kilby (President), Mike Smith (Vice President), Stuart Liquorish, Audrey Lennon, Glenys Ratcliffe The next monthly meeting of the Society is to take place on Thursday 10th March 2016 in the Birstall Village Hall, Birstall Road, Birstall, Leics commencing at 7.30pm.

The illustrated and costumed talk is to be given by Sandra Moore on the subject of "Living Memories".

This talk is about Miss Elizaberth Goodwin late Head teacher of Belgrave School relates the life histories of some of her neighbours in Belgrave Cemetry. Learn about a "Granny's long life" about the Society of the Rechabites about

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one of the newer neighbours who danced with feathers & also a man who helped to build a steam liner and not forgetting the man who sang in his own grave.

Visitors are very welcome to join us for this talk.

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

Birstall Royal British Legion 5th Steve Gentry (M/V) 12th Retro (Duo) 19th Josie (F/V) 26th Billy Maxwell (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 13th and 27th March starting at 9pm Acoustic night Sunday 20th March at 8pm Wednesday quiz every week from 8.30pm Food available every Saturday 122pm Wakes catered for Free Wi-Fi available New outside seating area

Volunteers Needed The Friends Of Belgrave Cemetery Are Taking Part In The Royal Horticultural Society ‘In Your Neighbourhood’ Project 2016 Please visit rhs.org.uk/communities Vounteers Are Needed To Help With Gardening In Belgrave Ceme-

tery.

Should You Have An Hour To Spare Please ring Dorothy on 0116 2672018 www.friendsofbelgravecemetery.o rg.uk

Sunday Lunch at Wanlip Birstall Conservatives Join Karl & Serinda Shergill for Sunday Lunch 12pm, Sunday 20th March 2016 51 Rectory Road, Wanlip, LE7 4PL Edward Argar MP will be in attendance Tickets: £15.00 Open To All! RSVP to Mary Allen, Tel: 0116 267 3941 E-mail: allendmr.orchard@virgin.net

Film Presentations Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council "Suffragette" March 11 (106 mins) Our British period drama for March will be the first film in history to be shot in the Houses of Parliament where MP's denied women's rights until 1928. Maud, played by Carey Mulligan, is a determined factory worker who loses everything she holds dear because, as a suffragette, she feels she must refuse to "walk in a man's shadow". Meryl Streep plays the formidable Emeline Pankhurst. There are even connections to Leicester!

Failte cottage is located in the centre of Polperro in a terrace on the banks of the River Pol which flows through the heart of the village, and is approached by a pedestrian footbridge.

Failte has three bedrooms and can sleep up to six peoThe cottage is decorated and furple, it also has the benefit of a nished in a clean, bright and small rear patio and garden contemporary style and is extremewhich allows outdoor living and ly well equipped. Prices range dining. It is a short walk to the from £365.00 - £665.00 per picturesque fishing harbour in week including Bed linen, electricone of Cornwall’s prettiest villages. ity and free Wifi broadband.

www.cornwall-onilne.co.uk/failtecottage-polperro Google Failte Polperro or please email chriswesson@hotmail.com

"Lady in the Van" April 8 (104 mins) This British comedy drama was written by Alan Bennett in whose house the story was filmed. It was written originally for the stage. It tells the true story of an elderly woman called Mary, played by Maggie Smith. She lives in a dilapidated van on Bennett's driveway for fifteen years. Funnily enough, they form an unexpected bond.

April's film is a masterpiece and not to be missed.

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.

Injured Swan Please can you help me?

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

Birstall Flower Club

in railings and covered in blood The RSPCA refused to pay the Vet Bill I wanted to help the Swan He was so lovely Please could anyone donate £1 towards his Vet Bill?

I looked after him and paid for all his food and straw Thank you to all of you who have already helped His story is featured on FacebookThurmaston Times from 20th Jan Facebook - SystonTown News My blog Swans Magical Light - Notices tab The following people have kindly offered to help the Swan by having a collection pot if you would like to help him :Syston - Natural World. Melton Rd Thurmaston - Thurmaston Times Print Shop, 814 Melton Rd (On the corner of Canal St) Birstall - Borrajo's Vet, Sibson Road St James Church, Church Hill If donations exceed the Vet Bill they will be usedto help other Swans. I need a reserve emergency fund

The Latimer Players

HATS spring show A BIRSTALL amateur theatrical society has announced details of its spring show.

HATS, who are celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year, will be presenting ‘Allo Allo’ by Samuel French, Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft.

Sue Withers from HATS said: “I am sure that for those who remember this, you will also remember how funny it is, the humour is quick and continuous.

“For those of you who don’t know ‘Allo Allo’, then it is time for you to experience this first hand, I am sure you will have a fabulous time and will be laughing long after the show has ended. Why not put a reminder in your diary now, and as soon as the tickets are on sale come and join in the fun.”

Performances will be on May 19, 20 and 21.

New exercise class

are pleased to raise the curtain on their first production of the year with the aptly named play

'Curtain Up!' a comedy by Paul Quilter.

In his will, Michael has left equal shares of a derelict theatre to his trophy wife, his embittered ex-wife, his unmarried daughter, his punk secretary and his slightly dotty mother. A recipe for disaster? The play opens with them discussing what to do with the theatre and it is decided that they will try to work together as a team to rebuilt it to its former glory and have a gala opening night. What they need is a Hollywood star to make the opening a success. Will they all get on, will they succeed, can they raise the money required and who will be the mega star on opening night?

Production dates are 28th, 29th and 30th April in The Memorial Hall, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston. Tickets can be purchased from: Christine Deavin - email christinedeavin@btinternet.com Tel: 0116 2376855 . Tickets are priced at £7.00 each.

A NEW exercise class has started in Birstall called Clubbercise.

In November the society’s annual panto was Alice in Wonderland. Sue said: “Our audiences have come to expect lively energetic, highly amusing, performances, with amazing scenery and some popular music thrown in too. Well, we did not disappoint. All who attended had a marvellous time, with lots of audience participation and laughter. The cast were just as excited as the audience and everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable time. HATS would like to thank all who came to see us, and we hope to see you again soon.”

It’s led by instructor Lisa Cluer. She said: “Over the past six years I have taught many fitness programmes and this class is just fabulous!”

The April issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on Apr 2.

The copy deadline is Mar 18.

JOB VACANCY THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

Part Time Caretaker 12 hours per week to open & lock up Rothley Centre & Village Hall evenings & weekends. Alternate weekends off.

For more details contact Rothley Parish Council 0116 2374544 clerk@rothleyparishcouncil.org.uk

13

St Margaret’s Co-operative bowls Council

has vacancies

THE CONTINUING story of the St Margaret's Co-operative Bowls Club, from Sam Dobson:

Can we help with:

• Garden Maintenance • Landscaping • Fencing & Gates • Patios, Paving & Driveways Please call Michael on: 0116 2675309 0798 0811737

BIRSTALL PARISH Council has four vacancies for councillors.

Pics: (top) turf being lifted in 1989; (bottom) play in progress in 1993

shows the turf being lifted. Interestingly it also shows, the old station master's house and the kennels, both since demolished.

The new site was prepared, edging and surrounds put in, soil and turf were levelled. The old pavilion was craned in and only one season was missed before bowls recommenced in 1991. The vast majority of the work involved was done by club members in their own time.

Such was the thoroughness of that work that the green now ranks as one of the finest in the county.

This picture from 1993 (bottom pic) shows the green becoming established and play in progress. The old pavilion is seen which now serves as a changing room. On the extreme right the Thorn Lighting factory can be seen, a famous Leicester landmark, since demolished.

In the next few years, again with very little professional help, members set to work improving the kitchen facilities and creating an extensive function room which is used for club events and is also available for hire.

The story of the founding and building up of the St Margaret's Co-operative Bowls Club must rank as one of the most remarkable in the annals of bowls history. A truly monumental achievement.

The bowls season will soon be on us and I should remind readers that the club takes new members of all ages and standards. For more details ring Carolyn or John on 0116 2675947 or visit the club web site. smcbc. com

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14

There are 20 councillors at Birstall, and they meet once a month for the main Council meeting at Birstall Village Hall on Birstall Road.

Meetings last around two hours, depending on how long the agenda is.

Councillors are unpaid volunteers and meetings are open to the public.

Parish Clerk Sue Coulson said: “We are asking residents of Birstall to consider joining the Council where together with fellow councillors they can help to make a difference to their community.”

Parish Councils are the first tier of local government. They have a wide range of powers and responsibilities including looking after community buildings, open spaces, cemeteries and allotments and providing facilities for play and sports.

Sue said: “The best way to find out what it’s like to be a parish councillor is to talk to someone who’s doing it now.

Come along to a parish council meeting or speak to one of our councillors and find out what they think.”

There are more details on the Councillors page of the parish council website: www.birstallparishcouncil.org.uk The next meeting of the Parish Council is at 7pm on Monday March 7 at Birstall Village Hall.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

In the February edition of Birstall Post I explained that the club was originally founded by Leicester's leading textile manufacturer, the giant Corah company. The fortunes of the company plummeted during the 1980s and the one time largest clothing manufacturer in Europe finally closed its doors after 170 years of trading. The last season for the company bowls club was 1989.

The members were determined that the club should carry on. An approach was made to the Corah directors who were happy for the new club to take the old pavilion and the turf off the bowling green. So, 38 yards square of turf together with well drained sandy soil to a depth of 18 inches, was lifted and taken to the new site, an old tennis court on the Co-operative Sports Ground, Birstall Road less than a mile from Corah's Thurcaston Road ground.

This picture from 1989 (top pic)

Cricket Corner BIRSTALL VILLAGE Cricket Club are preparing for the new season.

Bikes a welcome gift

We have gained some new players to SIXTEEN BIKES were collectthe club including the signing of Joe Cooper who is back after a long absence, ed in Birstall as part of a and we look forward to further improvproject to provide cycles for ing the squad before the season starts. asylum seekers and refuThe 1st XI are looking forward to the gees in Leicester. challenges they will face this season in Division 4 Central. Jon Gaydon will again The event, organised by Churches take on the challenge of 1st XI team Together in Birstall and Wanlip, saw captain with newly appointed John Claysurplus bikes of every design, shape and ton supporting as 2nd XI team captain. age donated.

John is taking over from Ashley Coulthard Spokeswoman Mrs Rosemary Parrott who had a fantastic season leading the said: “Many thanks to all who donated 2nd XI to promotion to Division 6 West. their bikes to this very worthwhile The club are fully supporting John and project, which is a crucial part of the with the backing of Ashley as vice-captain City of Sanctuary. they look forward to another big season.

“At the Catholic Church car park and BVCC has made the exciting decision St James Church on a very wet and blusto make this a huge season in regards to tery day we managed to collect 16 in pushing the club forward through making total and filled the Toyota truck that improvements to the clubhouse and facili- came to collect them.” ties, getting involved in community initiaA Syrian family from the besieged city tives and continuing to rebuild our junior of Mediyah have now been granted the club set up. We encourage any members right to remain on the UK and now live of community who would like to speak to in Leicester. Rose said: “They told us us about getting involved in these or any how much they appreciated the care and other avenues of support for our club. compassion shown to them in the UK. We also invite any members of the com“A bike means the father, who is a munity to come down and support the doctor, can get to his English lessons a team every Saturday from May 7 (1.30pm lot quicker and have time for his family – start) and take full advantage of our bar he has three children, 8, 11 and 14. His facilities and any social events that we wife learnt to ride a bike for the first will be holding throughout the year. time in the UK and this has given her Our cricket nets have begun and we new freedoms.” train every Wednesday evening from 8Rose added: “The family indicated 9pm at the ECB training nets at Loughborthey would like to visit again, with others, ough University. Any further information and to come on their bicycles. In these about this please contact Jon Gaydon on difficult times it is well worth thinking 07717533690. about how important it is to be hospitaFrom Joshua Saye, Birstall Vilble and welcoming to one another.” lage Cricket Club

Brownies’ museum trip ON A very wet and cold Saturday afternoon in February Birstall Brownies went off on a trip into Leicester to Newarke Houses Museum and Gardens.

Brown Owl Marie Upton said: “The bus was kindly organised by Butterfly (Megan) who got in touch with Kinch Bus company and they kindly laid on a bus for us all for free, thank you very much to Kinch Bus. “We were duly dropped off at Newarke Houses and enjoyed our time going round all the displays and playing in the pretend shops and WWI exhibitions.”

Both Brown Owl and Barn Owl were very excited when they spotted some of the toys that they used to play with when they were children, much to the Brownies’ amuse-

ment. The Brownies enjoyed a drink and a biscuit before returning back on the bus to Birstall. “This outing was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and is one which we will definitely repeat” said Marie.

MDW FIREPLACES 2a Wanlip Avenue, Birstall, LE4 4JP 0116 2676601 • www.mdwfireplaces.co.uk

Could you please cut out & complete the questions below & return to

THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

You can also email a photo of the completed form to admin@birstallpc.org.uk

Stoves, Fires, Fireplaces, Accessories & Installation 15

& crime report NHW Report Children can be vulnerable when online, visiting social networks such as Snapchat or Facebook, or playing games, so it is important that we discuss with our children how to stay safe.

A number of websites give guidance and help to fill our knowledge gaps!

Internet Matters, run by the main internet providers, gives straightforward guidance for all ages. It helps us to understand the issues our children may come across online. www.internetmatters.org On a different topic, we should like to thank our members who have already donated towards the running costs of the Birstall and Wanlip NHW. Donations can be made at any time, not just in February. If the brown envelope has been mislaid, just use any envelope with your

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From the Birstall & Wanlip NHW Committee

Crime Report : Birstall, Jan 2016 Assaults 2, burglary dwelling 7, burglary non-dwelling 4, damage 2, damage to motor vehicle 3, theft 6, theft cycle 2, theft from motor vehicle 6, theft of motor vehicle 1

REPORTED CRIME in January has remained at a similar level to December, with 33 crimes being reported during the month.

Unfortunately the largest rise appears to be in dwelling house burglaries, of which we have had seven. The majority of these have occurred in the area around Wanlip Lane and the streets between this road and Watermead Park and so it is possible that those responsible are using the walkways in the park in order to get to and from the properties they are targeting. Please can I ask that if you see anyone acting suspiciously in this area (or indeed any part of Birstall or Wanlip) that you give us a call on 101 so that we can try to stop them and find out what they are up to.

Parking outside the local primary schools has again given us cause for concern this month, with a number of people contacting us to report dangerous and inconsiderate parking at dropoff and pick-up times. It has also been bought to our attention that outside

Riverside Primary, some vehicles have been seen driving along the pavement on Wanlip Lane between The Crossways and the Methodist Church car park in order to avoid having to negotiate the junction.

Not only is this incredibly dangerous but it is also an offence under the Road Traffic Act (driving on a footpath) and so anyone caught doing this could find themselves being prosecuted under the relevant legislation.

The beat team has been out over the last few days advising drivers and we will continue to do this and take appropriate action against anyone found to be committing offences, so please remember to park sensibly and considerately at all times. Your co-operation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

We have also had a number of sheds and outbuildings broken into this month resulting in tools and pedal cycles etc being stolen. Many sheds or garages are often left insecure, so please ensure that if you do have one of these that it is secured with a decent quality lock, as simple steps such as this do make a world of difference.

It is also worth remembering that many house burglars will often use tools taken from a shed or garage to break into the house itself (to avoid getting caught taking their own implements to the scene) and so ensuring these are locked away can have a knock-on effect and help reduce the number of house burglaries that we have.

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).

Birstall Parish Council ENFORCEMENT OFFICER / GROUNDSMAN 37 HOURS PER WEEK Salary Scale LC1 (18-22): £17,714 to £20,253 per annum.

Birstall Parish Council is seeking a motivated person looking for a new challenge to play a key role in helping us to manage and maintain the excellent standard and condition of the playing field areas, the Cemetery and the Parish Council owned car parks situated in Birstall.

You will be providing an enforcement service as well as assisting with the delivery of the high standard ground maintenance on a 7 day week shift rota, giving support and information for users of the Council's public spaces and carrying out enforcement of relevant environmental crime legislation as necessary.

You will need to have an interest for working outdoors and have experience of meeting and dealing with the public on a daily basis. You must have good verbal and written skills and deliver a positive image of the Parish Council. You will be able to demonstrate an ability to work independently and communicate effectively with a wide range of people.

Successful candidates will be required to work occasional evenings, weekends and Bank holidays on a seasonal shift rota system.

For an informal discussion please contact Sue Coulson on 0116 267 6191 An information pack is available to download from the Parish Council's website: www.birstallparishcouncil.org.uk Or you can telephone the office to request a hard copy of the application form, or you can request a form via email by contacting us on admin@birstallpc.org.uk Please do not send in your CV, they will not be considered.

The closing date for applications is: 3pm - 1st April 2016 16

Coffee morning cash A COFFEE morning at Birstall Methodist Church for the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Trust raised £301.70.

Eileen Molesdale said: “Thanks to everyone who generously provided cakes, books, tombola gifts. Joy’s Jewellery and donations of money. It was a lovely occasion and thanks to family and friends who came along and supported us. The money has been paid directly to Team Henry.”

Dentist’s gift to club A LOCAL dentist has donated a defibrillator to a junior football club.

Mukesh Shah of Birstall Dental Practice on Sibson Road presented the lifesaving machine to Birstall United Juniors FC, who have installed it in their clubhouse on Meadow Lane.

Mr Shah said: “My main reason is to give back to the community for the support they have given me over the 27 years practising in the village. And with such a large vibrant club, they need something like this at hand.”

Chairman of Birstall United Juniors FC Kevin Glover said: “We have 15 soccer teams and the soccer school, ranging in age from 4 to 18 years of age, around 200 children in total.

“These are from all backgrounds and abilities, and include our inclusive team who comprise of children with learning difficulties, cerebral palsy, autism and other difficulties.

“With such a wide spectrum a donation like Mr Shah’s is extremely welcome, and may one day prove vital.”

The club has trained first aiders ready and able to use the equipment should the need arise.

THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

NHW news

address on it, so that we can issue your membership card. We ask for just £1 per household. The money collected is used to buy the items we sell, or give away, at the Saturday Advice Shops and to pay for the hire of the Methodist Church Hall for the larger meetings. It pays for the printing of the monthly newsletter and the stationery used in distributing the newsletter. We also contribute towards the running costs of our Police team’s office on Sibson Road

Get fit Back with baby

Looking

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.

Opening of New School The new school was opened yesterday at Birstall. It was a day of unusual festivity. Mr Ellis and Mr Jacques spoke of the great opening that the new school afforded for instilling a new spirit into Birstall.

Mr Walker alluded to the old reproach against Birstall as a benighted [intellectually or morally ignorant] and stagnant place and said that it now rested with its parents and its children to become as enlightened and progressive as any of its neighbours.

Leicester Journal 4/1/1861 Extensive Robbery of Wines On the 15th October Mr Paget of the Lawn at Birstall left for a few days holiday. He had in his cellar 120 dozen bottles of wine and liquors. He had the cellar walled up with a double layer of bricks. Returning after a few days he found less than one hundred bottles remaining. The double line of bricks had been removed and a single line substituted. It is believed that some of the original workman had contrived access and abstracted the wine.

Leicester Chronicle 30/5/1846

A NEW exercise class that meets at Watermead Country Park is aimed at new mums.

Trainer Sarah Woodhouse is leading the Buggyfit sessions. She said: “Buggyfit is an outdoor exercise class completely designed with the needs of new mums in mind, allowing them to bring their babies in the pram or buggy. After having

“the ultimate fitness class for mums and babies” The Times

Classes take place at Watermead Country Park Thursdays @ 10:30am Contact sarah.woodhouse@hotmail.com for details www.thismummycan.co.uk

a baby, life appears to absorb all your time with ‘baby activities’, and clinic visits, but studies show that taking time out for yourself, especially to exercise, is fantastic not only for your fitness levels but mental state too, relieving stress, improving stamina and making for a happier mum.

Buggyfit comes with the added bonus of exercising with likeminded women enabling you to make new friends and benefit from the social fun these classes bring.”

She added: “The social and mental benefits are of course not the only focus at a buggyfit class. Each Mum gets an appropriate workout to suit her fitness level, be it back to fitness from a fit pre pregnancy or starting from scratch.”

For more information please don’t hesitate to contact buggyfit trainer Sarah Woodhouse: sarah.woodhouse@hotmail.c

om or 07747 797 116.

Classes take place on Thursdays at 10.30am. Meet at Meadow Lane car park www.thismummycan.co.uk www.facebook.com/BuggyfitSarah

THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

Broadband project MORE THAN 900 homes and businesses in Birstall are now able to benefit from high-speed fibre broadband thanks to the Superfast Leicestershire project.

Leicestershire County Council’s rollout, supported by Charnwood Borough Council, remains on course to make the high-speed technology available to more than 72,000 premises across the county by the end of 2018.

A further 100 premises in Birstall are expected to benefit in the upcoming months. £28m is being invested to increase coverage across the county with support from BT, Leicestershire County Council, Charnwood Borough Council, the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and through the European Regional Development Fund.

For more information, including expected coverage visit www.superfastleicestershire.org.uk

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Lent and Easter March this year is one of the most significant months of the Christian year.

The two parish churches, St James at Birstall, and Our Lady and St Nicholas at Wanlip have a series of important services and events.

On Sunday March 6, in the middle of Lent (which continues until Easter Day) our popular Mothering Sunday service takes place at St James at 10am. Posies are distributed for children to give to their mothers, and adults can take posies home in memory of their own mothers.

Palm Sunday is celebrated at both churches on March 20, the start of Holy Week. On Good Friday, the day we remember the death of Jesus on the cross, there will be the annual Churches Together Procession of Witness through the village, starting outside Barclay’s bank at 10am. At different points in the village we stop to hear a bible reading, say a prayer and sing a hymn. All are invited to join us or to stop a few moments to reflect.

The event finishes at St Theresa’s church with hot cross buns.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy week (the week before Easter Sunday) there are short meditations at St James at 7.30pm, when a different speaker on each evening will reflect on the meaning of Easter.

Anyone is welcome to come along for these short sessions. Maundy Thursday, the day which commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples before his death, is marked by a special evening service at 7.30pm at St. James. For those willing to get up early on Easter Sunday, the Easter Vigil at 6am at Wanlip is a very special experience, particularly if the sun shines through the beautiful stained glass East window. A communion service follows at 7am and in the evening there is Evensong at 6pm.

At St James the Easter Communion service is at 10am. Everyone is welcome at any of these services. We wish everyone a happy and blessed Easter.

From Birstall Parish Churches A CHRISTIAN discipleship course called "Holy Habits" is running in the Birstall Coffee Shop at 6.30pm on Sundays during

Lent and Easter.

Anyone is welcome to join in.

Birstall Messy Church is now meeting just once a month on the third Saturday from 4 till 6pm. It continues to be a very lively, welcoming place with crafts, worship, games and a simple meal. The meeting on 19th March will have a Holy Week and Easter theme.

Our provision for children and young people on a Sunday morning 10.30am has had a makeover and is now meeting as a Sunday Breakfast Club (all but the first Sunday of each month).

The Lent Cross will be filled with flowers during our Easter Sunday service on March 27th at 10.30am - always a spectacular sight and smell. If the weather holds, the 8.30am service of Holy Communion may well take place beside King Lear's Lake, which proved a spectacular backdrop last year.

Finally, there is light on the horizon over the staffing crisis referred to in the last Birstall Post. More details over future months.

From Birstall Methodist Church Lent Meetings You are still able to join our Lent Meetings which were outlined last month. (If you have mislaid the information, we are considering what actually happened on the first Good Friday and Easter Day, what these events have to say to us and why we should regard them as important.) If you would like to attend, then please contact the number given below.

These meetings are open to all, whatever denomination or religion or none, and are free of charge.

Sunday Services Our services are held in the Community Room at Highcliffe Primary School, Greengate Lane (LE4 3DL). The morning services start at 10.45am the evening service on March 6 arts at 6pm. You are warmly invited to join with us for these services. Our visiting speaker on March 13 is Joe Bailey (Leicester).

Please note that there is a Sunday School available for youngsters aged seven to twelve during the sermon part of the morning service if requested. Owing to the school’s term dates, we are unable to use the Community Room on April 3 & 10, so please ring for

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Church has wild time BIRSTALL METHODIST Church was delighted to welcome Rev Steve Wild to lead worship on a Sunday morning in February.

Steve is the figure head for the Methodist Church in Great Britain for this year, with the official title of ‘President of Conference’.

Rev Rachel Parkinson said: “the church was packed with more than 200 people, including members of other local Methodist congregations. The strength of Steve’s passion for the gospel and love for everyone he meets on his journeys shone though in his speaking – characterised by a strong Lancashire accent and a hearty laugh.”

More than £600 was donated by those present to “All We Can” – a Methodist international development charity.

Pic: Steve Wild (right) tries out a helicon, played regularly by David Gregory (left) as part of Birstall Methodist Church’s orchestra

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

News from the churches

venues for these dates.

Good Friday We will be joining with local churches for the joint service on March 25 at Holywell Church, Berkeley Road, Loughborough (LE11 3SJ). The service starts at 7.45pm and the speaker is Pastor Phil Arthur from Lancaster.

Easter Sunday We are very pleased to be able to hold a service in the Community Room at Highcliffe on Easter Sunday this year (March 27) at the usual time of 10.45am and we would like to extend a special invitation for you to join with us on this important day in the Christian calendar.

For further information please ring 0116 2214883.

From Anne Taylor, Birstall Independent Baptist Church

Running club’s news 2016 duck race BIRSTALL RUNNING Club’s ‘Couch to 5k’ programme continues to go from strength to strength.

Participants have now completed six weeks of the nine week course, with every week comprising three individual runs. The team is closing in on its ulti-

mate goal of running a 5k parkrun together on March 12.

Course co-leader Scott Brownlow said: “The whole team has been absolutely amazing and we’re all so proud of each other. Everybody had to work so hard in those early weeks, particularly in the cold and wet evenings, but once we reached Weeks 5 and 6 something SINCE LAST August The Bark changed – team members started to feed Foundation has been busy back to us that, despite the longer runs, they were feeling much fitter, breathing funding essential services for the orphanage they support in much easier, running more comfortably and actually starting to enjoy themCameroon. selves!”.

The foundation, started by David and The Couch to 5k programme raises Joy Bark of Harrowgate Drive, has been the intensity of runs as each week trying to secure a reliable electricity supply progresses. The team is now running and improve the provision of water. for 25 minutes without stopping, a signifDavid Bark said: “The municipal water icant distance, particularly for those who supply had been reduced to two trickling had never run before in their lives. taps, rationed to 2-3 hours per day, only Scott added: “It’s so rewarding to be three days per week – for over 140 orinvolved in something special like this. phans and more than 50 carers, plus over We’ve heard from people now being 50 families in the nearby community who motivated to make other lifestyle changes share the same supply. such as to take up aerobics to comple“The two buildings provided by the ment their running and even to stop Foundation – the Baby Unit Complex, smoking or adopt healthier eating. This opened in 2010, and the Volunteer House and Training Centre, opened in 2013, were is what it’s all about. We hope, of fully equipped with toilets, showers and course, that the team continues to run kitchens but could not be connected to the after the programme ends but conversely mains water supply. We had the idea of are happy if we have just given them the pumping water up to the water tower we self-belief and determination to do somehad provided so that some could be stored thing quite special and, in some cases, for the ‘dry’ days, but the pressure was so to surprise themselves. low that even that was impossible. The “In the run up to the programme only option was to stand in line to fill buckstarting, I spoke to many of the team ets and carry them to where the water was who would say things to me such as “I needed.

“In August The Bark Foundation request- have no self-confidence” or “We’re not going to run past a pub full of men are ed a survey of the orphanage site and it we?” etc. Now, just six weeks on, these was confirmed that there was water to very same people are taking to social reach, 45-60 metres down! Work commedia after each session to tell their menced on a borehole and eventually the friends of their achievements. They’re water was reached after drilling through proud of where they’ve reached thus far very hard rock. Pipes were then laid to the buildings ready for the water to be and rightly so.” pumped around the system - in the meanBirstall Running Club’s Couch to 5k time at least they have had a gushing pipe group can be found on Facebook as can 24/7 instead of a trickling tap on ration! the Club’s “Inbetweeners” group, which “The lack of a reliable electricity supply is the next step up. The Inbetweeners has also been a problem – it is really dark meet on a Wednesday at the Royal Britby 6pm in Cameroon and our friends have ish Legion at 7pm and is free to all. If spent many months in darkness, reserving you are able to jog / run for approxiwhat supply they had for only the most mately 5k (3 miles) why not come down urgent needs. They had received funding one week and try it out. For more expefrom another charity for solar panels, but rienced runners, the normal BRC club not for the solar storage battery to comnights are on Monday and Friday eveplete the project, so The Bark Foundation nings from the Pavilion, School Lane, supporters raised the £5,100 needed. meeting at 6.20pm for a 6.30 start.

More funds have recently been sent and

THE BIRSTALL POST MAR 2016

Bark Foundation

work is now underway to complete the installation, providing a proper water supply to the plumbing in the buildings, a permanent tap at the perimeter fence for the nearby community and electricity that does not have to be rationed.”

The next fund raising event is a charity sale on Saturday April 9, 10am-1pm, Birstall Methodist Concert Hall, LE4 4JS: A ‘Mega’ Sale Of Recyled Costume Jewellery. We will be joined by other charity stalls raising funds for C.L.A.S.H. (Arthritis), Motor Neurone Disease, Heart Link, L.O.R.O.S, Hedgehog Rescue and others.

Filter Coffee 80p, tea 50p, homemade scones and cakes from 60p will be available in the Methodist Coffee Shop, 10.0012.00. www.thebarkfoundation.org

THE WHITE Horse is delighted to announce that the 2016 Duck Race will be in aid of the Birstall BAGS cancer support charity.

Founded in 1998 Birstall Breast Awareness Group (BAG's) is a local fundraising group that originally focused on raising money to support local Breast Cancer services. To reflect the interest and support of the local Birstall community Birstall BAG's now seeks to be inclusive of all cancers.

Charlotte Foy of the White Horse said: “Most of us have loved ones who have been effected by cancer and of course there has been a great deal in the media recently covering the deaths of high profile celebrities such as Lemmy from Motorhead, Terry Wogan, David Bowie and Alan Rickman.

“It is great to support our local cancer charity, they do so much good work to help support local people who are affected by this disease” Emma Shaw from Birstall BAGS said: “Birstall BAGS are delighted to be this year’s charity for the duck race, it's a great day out for all ages and a chance for local people to come along and see what we are all about. I think sadly cancer has touched most of us in some way and we have been truly overwhelmed with the support we have received, we would like to thank The White Horse for this opportunity to get involved” The BAGS have benefited from the Duck Race once before back in 2010 which was the second race organised by the White Horse.

Since then the Duck Race has grown into a large event, firmly on the Birstall social calendar, with around £25,000 raised so far for local causes.

Charlotte said: “We try to grow the event each year to provide more for the visitors to see and do and of course to increase the amount of money raised for the charity involved.

“This year other community groups have also been invited to hold stalls and games.

So far Birstall United, The Girl guides, the Scouts, Acorn Under 5’s and Highcliffe and Riverside PTA have committed to holding stalls. The funds their stalls raise will go directly to their own charities, after a donation to BAGS, thereby spreading some of the fundraising into the wider community.”

If you would like to hold a stall for a charity or community group, call the White Horse on 0116 2671038. Space is quite limited so it will be on a first come first served basis.

Ducks will be on sale from April 1, available at Unique Hair dressers, The Earl Stamford Pub and the White Horse. There'll also be plenty of ducks to buy on the day.

This year’s Duck Race will be on Monday May 2 from 12 noon on the Whiles Lane riverbank. Stalls and refreshments at the White Horse.

S.L. Mason

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cer has grown outside of the ovary this may cause symptoms from the tumour growing anywhere in the area between the hip bones such as irregular periods or vaginal bleeding after menopause, lower tummy pain, back pain, passing urine more often than usual, constipation, pain during sex, a swollen abdomen or a feeling of fullness or loss of appetite.

If you are worried about any of these symptoms please pay your GP a visit.

Treatment for Ovarian Cancer is very Screening beneficial and offers a cure if caught At the moment, there is no screening early enough. 90% of women diagnosed test reliable enough to use to pick up with early (stage 1) disease will survive ovarian cancer at an early stage. But for more than 5 years. Early diagnosis there is a lot of research looking into really does save lives! this particularly using a blood test and For further information: ultrasound scan. www.cancerresearchuk.org and as alRisk A higher than average risk for ovarian ways University Hospitals of Leicester Cancancer means having 2 or more relatives cer Information Centre on 0116 258 on the same side of the family 6189 diagnosed with ovarian cancer For more information on the funds or breast cancer at a young age, particularly we have raised, projects we support and forthcoming events see under the age of 50.If www.birstallbags.co.uk you think you are at Contact the BAG’s by email increased risk of ovarian cancer, talk to your birstallbags@hotmail.com Birstall BAG’s Registered Charity GP. They can refer you Number 1160190 to your local genetics Birstall BAG’s are establishing a service (also called the Home Visiting Service in collaboration family cancer clinic). with LOROS and initially we are looking Symptoms to recruit LOROS volunteers from the Many women with a very early stage Birstall and surrounding area willing to of ovarian cancer often don't have any support families in their own home in symptoms at all. The symptoms may be our community – for more information very vague but can include pain in the please contact Andrew Lowden lower abdomen or side and a bloated, andrewlowden@loros.co.uk tel 0116 full feeling in the abdomen. If the can2318470

Birstall BAG’s cancer corner Ovarian Cancer March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month; charities are asking folk to make some noise about the cancer. So here we go this is Birstall BAG’s making some noise about OVARIAN CANCER. We would like a ripple of talk across Birstall about Ovarian cancer this month, so please please read on and then tell someone about what you have read.

Around 7,100 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK each year.

Causes We don't know exactly what causes ovarian cancer. But some factors may increase the risk (smoking, being overweight or tall, getting older, having a faulty gene, previous breast cancer, being infertile or having fertility treatment, using a coil, using HRT, talcum powder, diet and having endometriosis) and others seem to reduce it (using contraceptive pill, having children, breast feeding, hysterectomy, some types of painkillers, diet).

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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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