Birstall Post (424) November 2018

the Birstall post Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

NOVEMBER 2018

N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 424

Charity cash is icing on the cake THE FLOUR dusting has settled on 2018's Great Birstall Bake Off, Birstall’s Best Baker crowned and more than £1300 raised for cancer charity Macmillan.

There were 55 entries, a great array of prizes up for grabs and all categories were well supported, with both genders and all ages competing for the most prestigious prize in Birstall's bakery calendar.

The judging panel say they were astounded by the selection, in particular the ‘Under 16’ entries which were more than ever

at 25 entries.

But the Bake off competition was only the start, with all the entries being sold to raise money for the Macmillan Cancer Supports’ world largest coffee morning. The cakes were sold

Ashton Green growing THE 3000 home Ashton Green development at Beaumont Leys is entering its second phase: 307 new homes.

Project partners on Ashton Green, rg+p and developer Kier Living, have submitted a planning application for the second phase of the project, 307 residential dwellings for land off Bevan Road.

Continued on page 2

The application follows feedback from a public consultation event held at the neighbouring Glebelands Primary School in March 2018 and includes the provision of both private residential and affordable homes in a mix of one and two bedroom apartments together with two to five bedroom homes.

Andy Ward, associate planning consultant at rg+p said: “Ashton Green is an ambitious and sustainable new project that is both a landmark scheme for Leicester and our practice.

“Our design includes different character areas that specifically reference Leicester’s heritage; the Victorian villa, Edwardian terrace and village street, and

Pics: clockwise from top: Alice Howlett; Birstall’s Best Baker Hayley Toone; Laura Lewin

Continued on page 3

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Cupcake / Tray bake – Ben & Alice Howlett – Chocolate Brownie- Leicester Outdoor Pursuits family pass Biscuit – Joshua Smalley - Cornish creams – Pukka Pies for a month voucher Best Decorated – Lisa Palmer- Red Velvet White Horse – Vintage Cake stand and Ringtons Hamper Best Under 16 – Charlotte HornsbyRainbow Cupcakes – Stonehurst Farm family pass Best Cake – Faye North – Lemon Madera Cake – Garden centre vouchers

on the morning of Sunday September 23 at the White Horse. The weather was not so fair this year so the organisers hosted the event inside, but the pub looked colourful festooned with the cake decorating entries provided by Highcliffe,

Pic: Janet Foy serves cake to Ken Smith and Ella-Mae Ford (8)

Riverside and Hallam Fields Primary Schools. The damp weather did not affect the enthusiastic turnout and the crowds waited eagerly, in anticipation of the 11am start. The coffee and cake flew out and so far £1300 has been raised.

The raffle stand had more prizes than ever, with a selection of prizes including a delicious cake from David North of Rothley and bountiful bottles and boxes of chocolates.

The organisers Charlotte Foy and Beccy Kay wish to thank the following

for their kind contributions and donations: Amy Harrison - Graphic Designer, Birstall Co-op, Burleigh’s Gin, Leicester Outdoor Pursuits centre, Birstall Pet grooming, Medivet Birstall, Lilly and Ava vintage Cake stands, Ringtons, Birstall Garden Centre, Stonehurst Farm, Gorse Hill Farm, Pukka Pies, Carluccios, Hannahs, Melton Pork Pie company, Kaine’s Castles and the Birstall WI branch.

Also to Brakes, Makro, Creed, Trust Inns, and Matthew Clarke and Dominic of North’s of Rothley, all White Horse suppliers.

Special thanks also to the judging panel: Faye North, Hayley Toon, Naomi Fellows, Lilly Chamberlain, Sue and Megan Bowls and Cath Jones and Janet

Vaughn from the WI Charlotte and Beccy said: We would like to say a huge thank you to everybody who took part, those who generously donated their baking and to everyone who came on the Sunday.

“Watch this space and our Facebook page for details of 2019's Great Birstall Bake Off, but until then - keep baking!”

Winners List - their entries and what they won:

and planter Best Bread – Beth Roach – Pesto and Sundried Tomato Bread – Champagne and pamper set Best ‘Free From’ – Laura Lewin – Chocolate Orange cake – Fruit Hamper Best Savoury – Angela Howlet – Trio of savoury Scones – Pooch Hamper Sweet Pastry - Ella Mae Ford – Unicorn cheesecake – Gorse Hill farm animal adoption Birstall’s Best Baker – Hayley Toone – Triple chocolate cookies and Beetroot Cupcakes – Burleighs distillery tour, Tigers gin and glasswear hamper

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Pic: Lisa Palmer, winner of Best Decorated cake (white horse pictured right)

Continued from page 1

Birstall runners win 24hr race

these are being distilled to a design code that will deliver a fresh architectural response and interpretation in the proviRUNNERS FROM Birstall’s Runsion of quality new homes.”

Proposed by Leicester City Council, ning Club (BRC) ran over 1242 Ashton Green represents the most submiles at a 24hr race held at stantial, mixed use development in the city for more than 30 years and includes Belvoir Castle in September.

The Equinox24 race had over 2000 the provision for up to 3,000 new competitors taking part from across the homes together with community and country and the contingent from BRC health facilities, employment land, retail took part in team events and solo runs. space and approximately 13 acres of The race started at midday on Saturgreen open space and wildlife corridors.

If the planning application is success- day and competitors continued to run as many 10km (six mile) laps as they ful, work is estimated to start on site in could before midday on Sunday. spring 2019. The development recently After about nine hours of running, the welcomed its first residents to the newly Birstall RC Lap Dogs team, comprising built homes near the junction with Paul Gowdridge, John Orgill, Ed Cooper, Greengate Lane, which is expected to James Gaydon and James Brewster, realreceive an increase in traffic volume as ised they were in the lead. the development proceeds. 23 homes Team Captain Paul Gowdridge said: are currently occupied.

Leicester City Council is proposing to “My aim was to calm everyone down, keep everyone motivated through the carry out traffic calming works and night and then get excited in the mornimplement speed restrictions on Ashton ing if we were still in the lead. We Green Road in support of the Ashton planned to run double laps from about Green development, and carried out a 11.30pm to try and give each other public consultation in September. more rest, but there wasn’t a great deal The proposals include a 20 mph of sleep achieved.” (currently 30 mph) speed restriction to As down broke on Sunday, the ‘BirAshton Green Road (formerly Leicester stall RC Lap Dogs’ were now monitoring Road), between Greengate Lane and the the lead with increasing excitement and Bevan Road roundabout and 30 mph went one lap ahead. Everyone in the restriction, (currently 60 mph) to Ashteam was tired but determined to keep ton Green Road north of Bevan Road to going. At 11.26am Paul started the Thurcaston.

The works on-site will include temporary speed cushions to the Morris Homes frontage, eventually to be replaced with permanent raised tables post construction completion. Also included will be further cycle/footway improvements and new street lighting north of Bevan Road.

Traffic calming proposals for Greengate Lane are planned but have not yet been announced.

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team’s 32nd and final lap, and at noon, the team were declared the winners.

Paul said: “Despite being a strong team of runners none of us have really won much before, so we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. Running 32 laps or 199 miles at an average of 45 mins per 10km, is something we take a lot of pride in. Winning the event was icing on the cake.

James Gaydon said: “There were lots of new friendships started the day we arrived, as some of us had hardly met each other before. By the end it felt like we’d been a team forever.

And the support from our families and the

other Birstall Club runners was amazing.

The Equinox24 event was well attended by Birstall Running Club runners.

Solo runners: Ian Wilkins ran 101 miles and was 8th in his category (17 laps), Kerrie Wilmott-Green ran 74 miles and was 20th in her category (12 laps), Geoff Law (12 laps), Chris Wilmott 10 laps, Steve Hickingbottom (9 laps), Mark Flanaghan (8 laps), Chris Williams (7 laps), Tristan Snutch (6 laps), Mel Snutch (5 laps,) Team runners: Team BOB (21 laps), Team RGB (20) laps) and also over 20 Birstall runners 2ho completed both the Day 10km and Night 10km races Pics: (top) The Birstall RC Lap Dogs’ (in orange) pictured with their children at the end of the challenge (l-r) John Orgill, Ed Cooper, James Gaydon, Paul Gowdridge and James Brewster. Their fastest 10km was lap 7 - 38mins & 43secs – by John Orgill; (left) runners fro Birstall Running Club

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

THE BIRSTALL Methodist Monday Women’s Group has presented a cheque for £2000 to a theatre company that specialises in helping young people with learning difficulties.

The Bamboozle Theatre Company is a Leicester based charity founded in 1994.

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Spokeswoman Eileen Molesdale said: “We were very pleased that Barbara Steward’s granddaughter Lottie was able to attend with her family members. Lottie benefits a great deal from the various activities which Bamboozle can offer.

Barbara, a loyal member of our Women’s Group for many years was sadly unable to attend due to ill health, but

her family said that she would be very pleased as Barbara had put the idea forward as our project in 2017.”

Birstall Methodist Women’s Group Project for 2018/19 will be the Day Centre and Birstall Food Hub. Any funds raised will be divided between these two causes.

Coast to coast walk GILLIAN BOWLER from Birstall completed the LOROS Coast to Coast path in September, raising £1800 for the charity.

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The 192 mile walk goes from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay and each year LOROS takes a small group of charity walkers along the route, led

by Adrian Walker.

The 14 day trek averages around 14 miles a day, with walkers staying in youth hostels, B&Bs and hotels.

Gillian (54) said: “The high point of the walk for me was actually finishing it! The worst was getting caught in high winds and rain after leaving Grisedale Tarn. It wasn’t much fun being literally blown about. But we all made friends and supported each other along the way.”

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THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

Theatre group receives donation

A member of the public commented that the restoration of the war memorial and improvements to the surrounding area looked good.

The parish council administers the Land and Lewis charity and will be delivering eight Christmas food hampers to elderly people this December.

It was agreed to award £129 to Birstall Flower Club for foldable spot lights.

It was reported that the war memorial has been cleaned and the lettering restored. New handrails will be installed and the flowerbeds improved.

There are also plans to improve the surfacing of the steps around the memorial to reduce the risk of falls.

At the Council’s Estate and Recreation Committee meeting on August 20, it was agreed to purchase two replacement indoor bowls mats at a cost of £919 each. The mats are used twice a week by a group of pensioners and were first purchased 16 years ago.

It was agreed to accept a quote of £9677 for the refurbishment of the village hall ceiling and lighting and the installation of a projector and screen.

The estates team are looking at refurbishing all the bins and benches the council owns by having them sandblasted, galvanised and powder coated. This will prevent corrosion and give a more durable finish. It was agreed to spend £800 on a trial exercise of one bin and one bench to see if it is feasible.

It was agreed to spend £450 on a structural engineer’s report to look at cracks and evidence of movement in the front of the village hall.

The hygiene contractors looking after the public toilets were not providing a satisfactory service and it was agreed to move to another provider, at a cost of £102 per quarter, a saving of £115 a quarter.

Birstall woman’s gym up for award A PERSONAL training specialist who launched her own business after using strength training to combat mental health problems has seen her gym nominated for an award.

Eve Wylie from Birstall started MEAN training based at Leicester’s Frog Island, after using strength training and fitness as a way to overcome her own personal battle with mental health problems. Now she employs three staff and has opened her own studio with all the latest training equipment.

Wylie received a £12,000 loan from East Midlands funding provider First Enterprise to follow her career dream.

She said: “When I started out I wanted to deliver a very reliable and bespoke service that I feel my clients deserve. I set off to learn everything I could about training and nutrition, how your body adapts to different types of exercise, and how we can help people to fit the advice in to their life in a practical and sustainable way.

“A few years after gaining my personal training diploma I realised I’d created something really special and I thought I could use my knowledge to turn my love of fitness into a business. I just want people to know that you really can achieve all kinds of incredible transformations, as much as I have experienced one myself.”

MEAN Training has now been shortlisted for the National Fitness Awards

Pic: Personal trainer Eve Wylie in her gym

‘Strength Training Gym of the Year’ Eve said: “I am delighted that we have been shortlisted for this prestigious award. Over the last few years we have helped our clients achieve some amazing results and if we are winners in our category it will be a real feather in our cap.”

She added: “We provide a positive environment where customers can join various intensive workout sessions that Lots of opportunities to perform throughout the year Dance for fun or train to a pre- professional standard in a friendly, welcoming environment Graded Examination classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics from aged 2 upwards.

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also help to dissipate the stress of the working day. Two to three visits a week will increase clients’ health, improves self-image and invigorates and re-energises them.

“MEAN Training cares about every member and ensures that they provide information in nutrition and training using accessible and jargon-free language.

“The company has worked hard to dispel old stereotypes of health and fitness and have encouraged an increasingly diverse range of clients to join our club, with the overall aim to show how efficiently strength training and pragmatic nutrition builds healthier bodies, creates mental fortitude, confidence and tones the body.” wwwmeantraining.co.uk

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Farewell party for popular priest BIRSTALL’S CATHOLIC priest is moving to a new post in Wales.

Fr Saji has been assigned as Parish Priest to St Peters Church in Cardiff.

A church spokeswoman said: “ We will all miss him terribly. We express our gratitude to him for his service as priest and for his friendship. His emphasis on prayer and praise and worship have been a great service to all the parishioners especially when we have experienced difficult times.”

She added: “Fr Saji has achieved so much in the three years 33 days that he has been with us. His biggest achievement was overseeing the huge renovation of Sacred Heart Church and as well St Theresa's has had a bit of a makeover with new carpets, cupboards, heating sorted and so many other things. There are now well organised groups that keep the Church in good order and the administration is in first class order.

“Fr Saji also been a great support to

Pics: Fr Saji cutting his farewell cake and with some photos of the last 30 years of the church

Bishop Ellis Catholic School and English Martyrs Secondary Academy.”

On October 6 a farewell party was held after Mass. Gordon presented Father with a card and gift and 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow' raised the roof.

The church has welcomed Fr Labartette who has come to be Priest Administrator to St Theresa’s and Sacred Heart for approximately six months.

Santa’s Birstall sleigh rides THE ROTARY Club of the Wreake Valley is busy making plans for its annual Christmas Santa runs in Birstall, Syston and Thurmaston.

Rotary spokesman Peter Fox said: “Birstall always supports us enthusiastically and very generously and we are

looking forward to seeing everyone again in the lead up to Christmas. Our initial plan includes no less than four visits to the village with the first one on Thursday December 13 to parts of the Hallam Fields Estate followed by a follow-up visit to the remainder of the same estate on Sunday December 16. These will be followed by Santa visiting the Dalby Ave-

nue area on Wednesday December 19 and finally Walnut Avenue area on Saturday December 22.

“Santa is looking forward to seeing as many children as possible on his sleigh rides around the village, weather permitting of course.”

Lit up in red BIRSTALL PARISH Council will one again be supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal with the ‘Light Up your Building in Red’ campaign.

In the run up to Remembrance Sunday on 11 November 2018, red filters will be placed over the floodlights in the churchyard at the site of the Memorial and to the front of the Parish council offices and Village Hall.

“This year is of particular significance as it is the centenary of the end of World War I ” said chair of the Events Committee, Cllr Ed Marshall.

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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

Points I trust readers will forgive me if I attempt to clarify points made in a couple of letters in the last issue.

Car parking – there are three free Parish Council owned car parks at the Co-op end of the village, one in The Crossways, one off the roundabout and another long stay one is behind the council offices off School Lane. I have enquired why none are available at the other of Sibson road, apparently the Co-op end is the village shopping centre and I understand when land became available near the traffic lights many years ago, the council decided not to purchase it.

Both Anstey and Syston have car parks near the retail areas and I felt the footfall was greater than Birstall retail area, although I may have picked a bad day.

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Borough Council as well as the Parish Council so they should be able to make progress on the project fairly soon – or not!

The Parish Council comprises of 20 councillors to represent approximately 10,500 residents which is roughly double the number for effective decision making.

A local or Neighbourhood Plan would be of benefit to Birstall. A local plan would form the basis for what the Council and residents would like to see as the future for Birstall. At the moment it is reactive rather than proactive so with the whole Council up for election next May, why not think about getting involved and taking an active part in shaping the future of your village?

Norman Cutting

Centrebus According to their website “Centrebus offers great value fares, punctual services, friendly drivers and connections to a great range of destinations.” So, on Friday September 28 where was the 12.25pm. 22A service from Wanlip Lane into Leicester and the 22B at 12.46 from Bentley Road? Finally, after a wait of 40 minutes I eventually boarded a bus into town.

The 3.30pm 22A return service arrived on time at The Haymarket, disembarked his passengers, flashed up a “not in service” indicator board and promptly reversed away from the stand with not a word to any of the waiting passengers.

The 3.50pm 22B service did not arrive but TWO 22A buses departed at 3.55pm.

Another wait of 25 minutes.

Talking to other passengers, these cancellations and re-timings without information or apology happen on a regular basis.

Perhaps when Leicester City Council receives its share of the recently announced £840 million transport fund it may be used to improve bus services and not be frittered away on yet more cycleways, bus corridors and car parks.

Paul Goodfellow

Puzzle Calling all historians. Here's a puzzle.

One day, half way through October, I was down at the bowls club doing a spot of maintenance, when two gentlemen walked in with large photo albums under their arms. They explained that the albums belonged to Alan Shepherd, a prominent member of the St Margaret's Club back in the 1990s, when the club moved to its current location on the Co-op Sports Ground.

One of the photos of a Second World War plaque, pictured, caught my eye. I had heard mention of such a plaque

Flabbergasted

My partner and myself were absolutely flabbergasted, probably along with the rest of your readers, about the robbing James Ward who stole over two thousand pounds worth of goods from Paper Kisses, resulting in the shop having to close.

Ward was caught more or less red handed, with his blood and DNA found in the ransacked shop.

What is shocking though is that Ward was out of jail on licence for burglary and had 31 previous convictions, but the judge in his infinite wisdom only decides to give him an 18 month suspended Belgrave cemetery sentence and a bit of voluntary work. I can imagine him walking free from In September 2004 Belgrave Cemetery court that day laughing and joking with was vandalised. With the help of Cllr his mates, if he has any, and has probaAnnette Byrne, Odette Wells, Robert bly violated people’s homes since. This Horner, Anthony Buckmaster and myself “punishment” was a disgrace to the ownour first committee formed. Our mission ers of Paper Kisses and a disgrace to the to improve maintenance, preservation people of Birstall. and conservation and to raise public 24 hours after reading the front cover awareness of the cemetery. of the paper we are still gobsmacked!

Very soon we realised the enormity of Name and address supplied the task ahead. For those with access to a computer please take a look at Burial Rights in the 21st Century. Alternatively visit The National Federation of Cemetery Friends www.cemeteryfriends.com The Friends of Belgrave Cemetery committee now desperately need your help. Our joints are creaking, wits not so sharp (senior moments coming more often).

Should any gardeners with an hour to spare to tidy the quiet corner or anyone with computer skills like to volunteer Replace with please contact Dorothy Marshall 0116 2672018. new clear sealed units www.friendsofbelgravecemetery.org.uk Thank you Faulty locks & handles replaced Dorothy Marshall

before as apparently some of those named were bowlers. However, I never managed to track it down. Do any Birstall Post readers recognise this plaque or know if it still exists today. If so, where is it? I would appreciate any information.

The albums which are a great memento of yesteryear, were generously handed over to the club. They will be appreciated by many as part of this historic club's archive. By the way, the St Margaret's Bowls Club was previously the Corah Bowls Club being named after St Margaret's Works, the home of the giant Corah textile company.

Sam Dobson 0116 2677372

The White Horse On seeing the ad for The White Horse I would just like to congratulate them on a fantastic decade at the heart of the community. They make a huge difference, to the customers and to all the local causes they raise funds for. Thanks for the hard work, and let’s all raise a glass to the next 10!

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THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

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THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

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Noticeboard all details printed free Birstall Running Club Meet Monday & Friday nights, 6.15 for 6.30 run Birstall School Lane playing fields – showers & toilets available We also meet on a Wednesday night at Sibson Road car park at 6.15pm for 6.30pm run Speed work sessions also available on Wednesdays for those wanting to improve Contact Deryk on dwoods1@sky.com or Bob 07927 346640 www.birstallrc.org.uk

Separate baby section No weekly commitment £2 for l adult and 1 child, 50p additional children £1 additional adults This includes snack for the children & unlimited juice, also unlimited tea & coffee for the adults Craft table For further information please contact us on 0793 455 1563 Hope to see you there

Leicester Christmas Lights Switch-on

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

Cheeky Cherubs Parent & Toddler Group 0-4 yr olds Birstall Methodist Church rooms 9.30-11.30am Open every Monday term time

Scan the sky for Santa in one of 24 covered gondolas reaching a height of 35 metres

Syston QT Theatre Group

The Bark Foundation Supporting HOTPEC Orphanage, Cameroon Celebrating 10 Years Of Fund Raising Presents a

Free Concert perform two comedy plays ‘Albert’ by Janice Sampson & ‘Plan B’ by Robert Scott Tues Nov 27 – Fri Nov 30, 7.30pm at the Old Chapel, Chapel Street, Syston Tickets: 07989 960014 www.gttheatregp.co.uk

Birstall Library Omni Service Thursday Nov 22, 5pm Humberstone Gate Featuring the stars of Peter Pan, the pantomime at De Montfort Hall Real Ice Rink at Jubilee Square from Dec 6 to Jan 6 Christmas Wheel of Light Nov 16-Jan 7 Jubilee Square

mosphere.

Our next Omni visits are on Wednesday 14th November and 12th December.

Please contact Birstall Library on 0116 3058756

Do you enjoy reading, but struggle to get out to the library?

Birstall library offer a minibus collection and drop off service every 4 weeks. Our driver picks you up and returns you home after your visit to the library, where you can choose your books with help from our volunteers and enjoy a cuppa and a chat in a friendly, social at-

Kindly presented by Loughborough Male Voice Choir Saturday November 17 7pm at Birstall Methodist Church We invite you to enjoy a wonderful evening of varied music.

Entry is FREE – you will have the opportunity to make a donation to our work supporting over 150 children in Cameroon.

(We are currently raising funds (£5000) to fence the insecure boundary as the children are at real risk from intruders – volunteers and older children are doing the work but we still need £3200 for materials)

Birstall Methodist Monday Women’s Group Programme for November 5 Nov Leicester Search and Rescue 12 Nov Christmas Table – bring along unwanted Christmas

THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

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presents 19 Nov Pest Control Man – Leicester City Council – this is an Open Evening so All Welcome 26 Nov Pete Watson – Christmas Quiz Our Group meets at 7.30pm in the Coffee Shop at Birstall Methodist Church.

Come along and make new friends!

Eileen (0116 2929670) St. James’ Church

Film Night

On Friday 30th November at 7pm, St. James’ Church, Church Hill, will be showing the film "Finding Your Feet" starring Imelda Staunton, Celia Imrie, Timothy Spall, Joanna Lumley and others (a stellar cast for what promises to be a good film and a good evening).

Entry is free and there will be icecream! Voluntary donations at the end will be welcome.

•

Wanlip St Nicholas Fayre 1st December 11.30 am - 2pm Wanlip Church and Community Hall Please come and support this social and fundraising event.

Soup, teas, raffle, cakes, bottles, tombolas etc.

Looking forward to seeing you on the day

Sunday November 4, 7pm The Ibstock Brick Brass Band Will be giving a

Concert at the Methodist Church, Wanlip Lane Birstall.

All welcome. Pay on the door. Any proceeds to LOROS

Christmas Market & Festive Tea Party Saturday 8th December 10am 1pm at Birstall Methodist Church LE4 4JS Come along for a fantastic morning of shopping, Christmas craft making and a festive tea party with plenty of festive treats! A beautiful array of stalls for your Christmas shopping.

Free admission.

To book your place onto the craft making, book a stall or for more info visit FB: 'Christmas Market and Festive Tea Party!' or 'Letters and Stitch 2'

Belgrave Cemetery Service of Remembrance at 11am Sunday 11th November 2018 Will be conducted by the Reverend Pam Haynes Complimentary refreshments arrive by 10.45am please.

Large display of Christmas Trees in the Church Supported by stalls:Christmas Hampers & Gifts.

Christmas Decorations & Crafts Home-made cakes & Preserves Toys, Pick-a-Bag, Raffle,Tombola Coffee Shop serving refreshments & Light Lunches Hot-dogs & Pancakes(Friday 3pm) Santa’s Grotto Table Tops: Friday 2pm-6pm Saturday 10am – 2pm WWE NXT UK’S TYSON T-BONE FTGU Wrestling Presents

Birstall Wrestling Show

Christmas Festival Friday 23rd November 10am – 6pm Saturday 24th November 10am – 2pm FREE ADMISSION – voluntary donations to B.A.G.S.

FREE admission Rothley Library Tue Nov 6, 6.30pm Did you see The Blue Planet programme about plastics in the oceans? US artist Chris Jordon has made a documentary film after eight years of studying the albatrosses on Midway Island in the Pacific Ocean. You can see this extraordinary film at Rothley Community Library on Tuesday 6th November, from 6.30-9pm. The showing is open to everyone over 12 years old, and later meetings and activities will open to younger people. There are some scenes which might be distressing, but this is a unique and fascinating story of the albatrosses’ lives.

Concert Friday 9th November 2018 Birstall Social Club, 16-18 Wanlip Lane, Birstall, LE4 4JS Doors 6.30pm, Show Start 7pm / Tickets £7 each go to ftgu.bigcartel.com to reserve your seats or call 07772 695 050.

Fully Licensed Bar Plus Wrestling Merchandise Also On Sale

www.friendsofbelgravecemetery.org.uk

Birstall Methodist Church

The Albatross film

Birstall Flower Club Christmas Open Evening 28th November 18 at 7.15pm Birstall Village Hall Demonstrator : Lorena Dyer, title : "A Christmas Wish" Visitors by ticket only £10, from Sylvia 0116 2674206 or Mary 07704398017

Sunday 4 November 2018, 3pm De Montfort Hall Impressions Of Spain With Ann Oliver Stage School Conductor: John Andrews Chabrier España Glinka Overture Espagnole Lalo Symphonie Espagnole Rimsky Korsakov Capriccio Espagnole Bizet Carmen Suite Free Pre-concert talk at 2.00pm with Miss Ann Oliver MBE Tickets from £5 to £19, family £35 a £2 reduction is available on full price tickets purchased through the LSO website, www.leicestersymphonyorchestra. co.uk or our ticket secretary

Birstall Tea Dances St James Village Hall Birstall Road LE 4 4DH

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THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

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flection, for those who have lost a loved one recently or in the past Open to everyone You will be very welcome Refreshments after the service

Fridays 9th & 23rd Nov 2018 3.30 pm- 5.30pm £4 each on the door Tea / Coffee & Cake included Further information Contact Jackie: 0116 2248 278 Mobile: 07908607405 Email: jackielucas957@hotmail.co.uk

Rothley/Birstall Birdwatching Club presents Tuesday Nov 13th at 7.30pm

Sri-Lanka – Leviathans & Leopards

by Andy Smith

Birstall Royal British Legion Club 3rd Dave Logan 10th Trevvy 17th Sarah Sheldon 24th The Major Dancing every Saturday night with live entertainment Bingo free raffle and not forgetting open the box Bingo every Tuesday starting at 9.15pm Quiz every Wednesday starting at 8.30pm Sunday quiz 14th and 28th November 9pm Acoustic night 21st November Food available Saturdays 12 till 2pm Wakes catered for Free WIFI New members very welcome easy to join ask inside On Remembrance Sunday 11th November the parade will leave at around 10am. Everyone is welcome •

All Souls Service On Sunday 4th November at 3pm St James Church, Church Hill, Birstall will be holding a short service of hymns/readings/prayers and re-

Andy is a keen birdwatcher and ringer. We are used to Andy taking us around his local patch, Thornton Reservoir, so this illustrated talk is something completely different. Sri Lanka is a lovely destination for bird watching but he is going to give us a slightly different twist on its natural history.

The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR. Members free. Visitors £2.50. New members and visitors are always welcome. Ample free car parking on site. Further information from Jack Wootton on 07913129497.

Tuesday, Dec 11th at 7.30pm Members D.I.Y. with Christmas cheer.

The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, LE7 7PR. Further information from Jack Wootton on. 07913129497

Parkinson’s Support Group

St. Patrick’s Church

Charnwood Orchestra

Christmas Bazaar Beaumont Leys Lane Leicester Come and get into the Christmas spirit Saturday November 17th 10.301.30 (With an auction at 1pm) Toys, cakes, Christmas gifts, chocolate tombola, Hamper raffle, live Christmas music, turkey rolls, Mulled wine, Franks now famous bottle stall, Christmas decorations, Irish coffee And a special visit from Father Christmas.

The bar will be open

Film Presentations Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" Nov 9, 123 mins A young upcoming novelist decides to write a book about the wartime experiences of Guernsey residents. November’s film reminds us that letter-writing is such a pleasure, sometimes revealing mysteries and romance.

This is, indeed, a magical book club with true friendships and unbreakable bonds.

"The Greatest Showman"

This local group meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month At the Syston Community Centre 7, School Street, Syston LE7 1HN 2pm to 4pm Everybody will be made very wel-

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and a lucky prize draw during the interval. Advance tickets may be purchased via the parish office (0116 236 7626) or at the door

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continues its 2018/19 season with a concert of works by Britten, Delius and Elgar at Emmanuel Church Forest Road Loughborough LE11 3NW Sat Nov 24, 7.30pm Benjamin Britten – Four Sea Interludes Frederick Delius – Violin Concerto Soloist Thomas Bowes Edward Elgar – Enigma Variations Tickets for the concert are available for purchase either; Email: tickets@charnwoodorchestra.org.uk Online: charnwoodorchestra.org.uk

Or on the door Tickets cost, £13 – Adult, £11 – Concessions, £3 Under 16’s

Birstall & District Local History Society Our monthly November meeting takes place on Thursday 8th November 2018 commencing at 7.30pm.

The speaker on the night will be Cynthia Brown who will give a talk on "Growing up in Leicester - local childhood from the 19th century to the present" Visitors are very welcome to join us for this talk.

Parking will be available on the night on the Birstall Playing Fields through the School Lane entrance

Birstall & District Art Society Dec 14, 105 mins.

Our December musical film is ideal to prepare for Christmas joy. Hugh Jackman sings so well as P.T. Barnum who is a politician, businessman and showman in the Barnum and Bailey Circus. This “rags to riches” story is touching at times and such a pleasure to watch.

"Edie" will be shown on January 11, 2019.

Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall, starting at 7.30pm. Film tickets will cost the usual £5 which will includes refreshments

Tuesday, 13th November, at 7pm You are invited to join us at the Palmer-Tomkinson Centre at Cedars Academy, Wanlip Lane, to watch renowned professional artist Lea Nixon giving a demonstration in watercolours entitled “Townscape”. Come along and see if you will be inspired to try your hand at this wonderful and fulfilling hobby. Refreshments available at the interval. Newcomers and visitors most welcome.

Demonstration ends at 9pm.

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3rd & 4th November 2018 at the Village Hall, Birstall Road, Leicester, LE4 4DH. Open 9.30am-5pm Saturday & 9.30am-4pm on Sunday.

Free admission, wheelchair access, refreshments, free parking to the rear of the village hall.

Visit: www.badas.co.uk or contact the Secretary: bandd-sec@hotmail.com

THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

14 Continued from page 11

15

assault. The majority of these have been domestic related as opposed to happening in public places.

For further crime information please visit: www.police.uk/leicestershire/NL60/ Crime Prevention Advice

NHW news Birstall and Wanlip Neighbourhood Watch Some of our pavements in Birstall are becoming difficult to negotiate for people with prams or in wheelchairs because of the inconsiderate parking of vehicles. The Highway Code says there should be no parking opposite, or within ten meters, of a traffic island, near the brow of a hill, or if it would cause obstruction to other vehicles. Parking on pavements, even partially, can also cause problems as well as ruining the grass verges. There have even been occasions when a vehicle has been left across the drive entrance to a house so that the owner is unable to drive into his own property. The safest place to park is in a garage if you have one, where it is then free from vandalism. If not, it is best left on the driveway. Overhanging trees and shrubs can also make it unpleasant for passers-by, so they should be trimmed regularly.

Parking should not take place outside schools or on zig zag lines as this causes problems for other road users.

These issues just need us to show consideration to all road and pavement users.

From Birstall & Wanlip NHW

THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

Crime update We have had a total of 53 crimes reported in September, which is slightly up on August when we had 48.

Fuel thefts from the petrol station make up the largest category again with a total of 12 reports, however the number of thefts from vehicles is also on the rise again, with 11 reports being received. As in previous months, many of these appear to have been entered without any damage being caused, suggesting they have either been left insecure or some kind of device has been used to get into them. The best advice is therefore to remove any items of value so that even if they are able to get in, they leave empty-handed.

There have been three house burglaries reported this month and five reports of criminal damage.

Lastly, we have had 10 reports of

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Although it still seems a little way off, Christmas will soon be upon us again and many of us will already be buying Christmas presents. Remember though that burglars are aware of this and they will start looking into houses to see if there are expensive gifts lying about to steal. As such, follow these simple steps to avoid becoming a victim yourself: 1) Don’t leave expensive gifts lying about in view or in vehicles. Put them away in a cupboard or anywhere out of sight.

2) Make a note of any serial numbers / IMEI numbers on electrical items so that these can be given to the Police in the event of them being stolen.

3) Remember to lock your doors & close your windows when your house is unoccupied and fit light timers so that it looks as if someone is home.

4) Be wary of unfamiliar people in your neighbourhood & if you are concerned that someone is paying attention to houses or cars in the area, call the Police on 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.

Neighbourhood update We had a very positive result this month with some arrests following a burglary on Cliffwood Avenue. Neighbours called in reporting a property being attacked and details of a vehicle being used were obtained. This vehicle was seen a short time later and following a short pursuit two males were arrested. A vehicle that had been stolen was also recovered, so all in all this was a very good result. Our thanks go out to all the neighbours who called in to report the incident and to all the officers who were involved, as it was as a result of their quick response that we were able to locate and arrest the suspects, and find the stolen car.

The beat team have also been out this month delivering crime prevention leaflets, especially with regards to vehicle crime as we appear to be seeing a rise in the number of these offences.

Meet your local police team Nov 3: 2.30pm & 3.30pm at OneStop Shop, Hallam Fields, Birstall Nov 17: 10am & 12noon at NHW Advice shop.

Nov 20: 12noon & 1pm at Kingsgate Shopping Parade, Kingsgate Avenue, Birstall.

Nov 23: 5pm & 6pm at Tesco, Sibson Road, Birstall.

From PC 1759 Dave Jaeckels, PCSO’s 6611 Mark Butler and 6552 Mo Musa.

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)

Moon sculpture on display in city DIWALI VISITORS to Leicester’s Golden Mile will be able to celebrate by moonlight as a giant seven-metre diameter model of the moon is installed inside Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre.

The Museum of the Moon, which was at Leicester Cathedral earlier this year, returns to the city in time for the Diwali festivities, and will hang in the hall at the neighbourhood centre from Sunday 28 October until Wednesday 7 November.

Designed by installation artist Luke Jerram, the Museum of the Moon includes detailed 120dpi NASA imagery of the lunar surface, mapping its features at an approximate scale of 1:500,000. It

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Get help and support at a Family Carers’ Workshop held at Cedar Mews care home later this month.

Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland have organised the workshop.

Spokeswoman Jeanette Silver said: “We have listened to local family carers’ pleas for help in learning how to handle repetitive, difficult or challenging behaviour from the family members that they are caring for. This could be anything from refusing to get dressed, refusing assistance, refusing to eat, to encountering potentially vulnerable situations. How do you maintain that loving relationship when the person you care for is pushing you to the limit or you simply don’t know how to respond?

“With the kind support of Cedar Mews care home in Birstall, there will be a professional trainer on hand delivering an interactive session on how best to manage situations at the next Family Carers Workshop.”

It takes place on Wednesday November 28 between 2pm and 4pm.

Please book via Age UK on 01509 260327, Cedar Mews on 0116 267 4835.

will provide a unique backdrop for the centre’s popular annual rangoli exhibition, which features ornate traditional and contemporary Indian decorative patterns created from coloured sand and rice.

Pravin Mistry, artistic director from Leicester Belgrave Mela, who organises the rangoli exhibition, said: “This year’s rangoli artwork will be inspired by the moon, reflections, stillness and culture.

It will include a spectacular fluid design that will be floating on water, directly below the moon.

“As we push the boundaries of rangoli as an artform, we will be creating a 3D rangoli as well as a chance to see traditional and street designs. This year, the rangoli designs will be created by local and international artists.”

The exhibition is free and open for all to enjoy.

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Couple’s golden anniversary A BIRSTALL couple have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Keith Mason and Janet Gosling were married on September 18, 1968.

In September, along with 31 family members including sons Gareth, daughter Niamh and step-children Becki and Kris, the golden couple enjoyed a celebratory garden party at the White Horse.

Pics: (left) Keith and Janet on their wedding day & (below) at their anniversary party

Keith, who was an engineering training instructor at Rolls Royce and Janet who worked at Birstall garden centre for 20 years still live in the same house on Fielding Road by the Great Central railway and are avid steam fans.

They thanked everyone for the many lovely cards and gifts and the White Horse for looking after everyone so well.

Calves killed FOUR CALVES had to be put down when the trailer they were being carried in overturned on the A46 near Wanlip.

The cattle were trapped inside the trailer following the accident, which took place mid-morning on Monday October 1.

After assessing the condition of the animals the emergency services decided they needed to be put down.

The incident completely blocked the road causing long tail-backs.

Shop local plans Christmas weekend THE SHOP Local Birstall group is planning an extra special weekend of events for Christmas.

A Christmas shopping weekend will be held across Saturday and Sunday the 1st and 2nd December along Sibson Road.

The Saturday will celebrate ‘small business Saturday’, a national celebration of shopping at smaller local businesses. The super Sunday from 10am to 3pm will see businesses open along Sibson Road with special offers for just this weekend. Business’s already confirmed to be open are: Birstall Jewellers, RT’s Cafe, Birstall Pet Supplies, Filigree Heart, The Air Ambulance shop, Glenwood Interiors, MDW Fireplaces, New World Florist, Woodside RSPCA, LOROS and Silly Prices, Prospecs Eyewear, and Wool Obsession.

There will also be additional attractions - already confirmed are a fire engine visit from The Civic lunch was held afterwards at the Village Hall. Cllr Marshall said: “This is s really worth- Birstall Fire Station, a dog show and while event because it enables Birstall Parish carol singers. There Council to invite and thank some of the very spewill also be gift and cial people who make such a valuable contribufood stalls with tion to our community. They freely give their time Festive food from and commitment, often over a number of years, and their efforts undoubtedly make Birstall a better the White Horse, serving hot Turkey place top live in. The numbers of groups they Baps and Mulled represent opens up opportunities for residents to wine (subject to access activities which would not be available unlicence approval), less there were people willing to run them.”

Council holds civic service BIRSTALL PARISH Council held its annual Civic Service and lunch in October.

St James the Great Church hosted the service this year, and it was attended by the Chair of Birstall Parish Council, Councillor Ann Marshall, fellow parish councillors, invited guests and members of the Parish Council’s staff.” We were delighted that the Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Christine Harris and the Mayoress Cynthia BradleyStevenson were able to join us” said Cllr Ann Marshall.

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new local business Spice Chumchi will also be offering their delicious Indian delights and RT’s will be open for hot drinks and refreshments too.

At the time of going to print there are still plans being made but there’s a strong possibility of a special visit from the ‘big man in red’ for the occasion!

Visit the Shop Local Birstall Facebook page for a full schedule of events.

The Birstall Business Cooperative have now been in operation for a year and the group now comprises of 37 local businesses.

The group aims to help connect the businesses of Birstall to the wider community and improve the local shopping experience. The group is now set up as a not-for-profit organisation and continues to pursue funding for projects to make Sibson Road and Birstall a more attractive place to shop.

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Railway memories and photos sought A LOCAL historian and rail devotee is appealing to readers for their memories and photographs of the Great Central Railway and its impact on Birstall.

THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

John Powdrill writes: Opened 120 years ago closed 50 years ago – but still going strong! The 50th anniversary of – well, everything we were doing in 1969 - will soon be upon us as 2019 dawns.

Some, named John, Paul, George and Ringo were busy giving the last Beatles’ public performance, while others named Buzz and Neil were engaged in stretching the limits of mankind’s known technology of the time by flying to, landing on and returning safely from the moon.

Less familiar, perhaps, is that a group with names such as Harry, John (at least 3 of us) Alan (3), Bob, Kev, Ian, Hugh, and many other Birstall (and Belgrave) boys were spending their spare time in 1969 attempting to, by contrast, elongate the life of an antique technology in the form of the Great Central Railway.

Readers of The Birstall Post will know that the Great Central Railway was constructed along the western border of Birstall parish between 1895 and 1898. It was one link in a grandiose long-term entrepreneurial, but ultimately ill-fated, project inspired by “the last of the railway kings”, Sir Edward Watkin (1819 – 1901), to link Manchester and Sheffield with Paris through an early channel

tunnel.

The Nottingham to London extension was completed, but lack of finance rendered the continuation to and beyond the channel impossible at the time. Had it succeeded, residents of Birstall could have travelled unimpeded from Belgrave and Birstall Station, opened in 1899, direct to Paris! Things have worked out differently, of course.

Charles Bennion, an early railway apprentice, founder of the British United Shoe Machinery Company, donator of Bragdate Park to the people of Leicester, and founding chairman of the Fosse Golf Company, understood the commercial and social potential, when assisting in the establishment of Birstall Golf Club in 1900, within ten steps of the station door.

Ostensibly, the station was supposed to serve Belgrave and Birstall whose respective centres lay more than a mile away with populations unlikely to have exceeded 600 in each at the time. Even though the communities grew over the years, the station, operating for only 64 years, was actually closed as part of the nationalised transport rationalisation plans in 1963, shortly followed by the complete closure of the railway connection along the Great Central route between Leicester and Nottingham in 1969.

In the same year, a group of mainly Leicester and Birstall-based railway enthusiasts formed the Main Line Preservation Group which pledged to preserve the line. Cutting a long story very short, the group ensured the establishment of a function-

ing heritage railway line running between Loughborough and Leicester North, the station which replaced the original Belgrave and Birstall adjacent Birstall Golf Club on Station Road.

The formation of the Main Line Preservation Group included individual action groups to concentrate energy on preserving the intermediate stations between Leicester and Loughborough . Our group, the Belgrave and Birstall Action Group (BBAG) was one.

“BBAG” comprising mainly teenagers, interested in railways and generally living locally, was led originally by the 17 year old Ken (Harry) Wheatley of Birstall Road and supported by a number of others, including me. Most of the group lived near to the line while others came from further afield to try to protect and later to preserve the station.

Unfortunately, we miss out on being able to claim an anniversary for saving the station. We were not successful. Regrettably, Belgrave and Birstall was demolished in three stages between 1977 and 1991.

Celebration is deserved, though, as the MLPG, later becoming the Main Line Steam Trust and then Great Central Railway (1976) was successful in saving the line which is functioning today.

As part of the build-up to this 50 year milestone, I am now researching the extent to which the railway and Belgrave and Birstall station has impacted upon the village of Birstall through the years.

This involves collecting as much information as possible from as many sources as possible.

Readers of Birstall Post may have personal or family memories of using the original station and being affected in some way by the railway (good or bad).

Some people reading this may have even have met the last staff to work on the station: porter, Mr Arthur Pentelow, the station master, Mr Robson and the signalman, Mr Alfred Rainer.

There is plenty written about the railway from a technical point of view and there are any number of photographs depicting trains rushing through the station, such as photo no 1. I am, though, particularly looking for stories or photos, such as photo 2, which tell a story.

I am interested in descriptions of activities or events linked to the railway by the people who lived near it (for example on Station, Tempest, Park, Fielding Roads, Henson Close, Greengate Lane and the roads around the areas) and finding out about the experiences of how the railway and or the people working on the railway may have impacted on the residents of the area.

Anything which explores the human side. It might be something which you have been told by another member of the family, for instance, or anything which someone has stored in a box of old photos or cuttings, somewhere.

For example: Photographs or your personal descriptions of any of the following places or activities associated with them would be really helpful.

• Station Master’s house on Thurcaston Road during the time the station was still open?

• People at the station, on the footpath, on station road or anywhere near the station? People who narrowly missed a train, often had a story to tell !

• Anyone travelling by train to play golf at Birstall Golf Club ?

• Anyone using (includes the risky business of playing as a child) the footcrossing near Fielding Road and Henson Close ?

• Construction work on the housing estates at Greengate Lane and Fielding Road areas – especially if there are railway images in the background ?

• People working on the allotments on Red Hill with Station Road and / or Belgrave and Birstall Station / signal box in the background ?

If you have anything – however trivial it may seem, please contact me on BelgraveBirstall@virgin.net I would be really grateful for any help given and full acknowledgement will be given for anything which people are kind enough to let me use in any eventual report.

Pics: (top) a fast freight train passing the original Belgrave and Birstall station on 27th July 1961, heading towards Leicester two years before the station closed. The footpath on the right led (and still leads) from Station Road down past the Station Master’s house, now demolished, and on to Thurcaston Road in Belgrave.

(Photo©Mike Mitchell); (left) The last porter to work on the station, believed to be Mr Arthur Pentelow of Rothley, attends to a Leicester to Nottingham-bound train as it calls at the original Belgrave and Birstall on 15th August 1959. Birstall Golf Club is on the right behind the trees.

(Photo © Horace Gamble)

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Kids bake cakes said: “All the staff had a lovely morning with some of the children and parents from pre-school enjoying the cakes and supporting a great cause.”

The pre-school still has spaces available from two years plus. The funding process has now changed for new starters, please contact 07717 132564 for further information.

Christmas festival MORE THAN 50 sparkling Christmas trees will help fill Birstall Methodist church with a special festive atmosphere at the church’s annual Christmas Festival later this month.

Preparation for the event, on Friday November 23 and Saturday November 24, are well underway.

Colourful, contemporary, quirky and traditional – there will be trees decorated in all kinds of ways, put together by village organisations, businesses, schools and individuals.

The event also features a variety of stalls selling cakes, pastries, preserves, gifts and Christmas hampers, as well as gifts, toys and games.

The festival opens at 10am on Friday November 23 and from 2pm there will be a table top sale which includes craft stalls. From 3pm hot dogs and pancakes will be on sale.

At 6pm on Friday the festival closes but will re-open at 10am the next day.

There will be a Santa’s Grotto on both days.

If you would like to enter a tree for the festival contact Marjorie on 0116 2673470.

CHILDREN AT Birstall Methodist pre-school had a busy day baking and decorating cakes for the Macmillan coffee morning held at the Birstall Social Club on Friday September 28

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11 marks the centenary of the end of the first World War. At approximately 10am the Royal British Legion parade will leave the club car park on Front Street, and march a short route to St James the Great church for a service at 10.30am.

At the conclusion of the service, there will be an Act of Remembrance at the village war memorial, where poppy wreaths will be laid. All are welcome to attend.

New podiatrist FOOTMEDICS, the Birstall podiatrists, have a new member on their team.

The children made a variety of cakes to add to the selection already available. A spokeswoman

Medical Centre ‘good’ BIRSTALL MEDICAL Centre has retained its rating of ‘good’ following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspectors spent two days at the practice in August. It is based at two sites: Whiles Lane and Border Drive in Beaumont Leys.

The practice rated as ‘good’ in all areas, and inspectors found that the practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided and ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence based guidelines.

Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect said the inspectors, who also found there was a focus on continuing learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.

Some patients had reported that they experienced difficulty accessing the surgery by telephone to make appointments and that routine pre-bookable appointments were sometimes difficult to obtain.

The report recommended that the process of accessing the practice by telephone be reviewed.

• Birstall Medical Centre has 7600 patients.

There are two GP partners, one salaried GP, four associate GPs, one nurse, three healthcare assistants and one pharmacist.

• In 2016 the CQC

Remembrance Sunday

rated the practice as ‘good’ and in 2015 it was rated as ‘inadequate’.

• the full report can be viewed at the CQC website.

Steve Lilley (pictured below) qualified as a podiatrist in 2000 from the University of Northampton and has had a 17 year career in the NHS where he gained experience in all aspects of podiatry.

Footmedics was establish in 2006 and is located at Birstall Medical Centre on Whiles Lane. www.footmedics.co.uk

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THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

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Charity supporting orphan children A BIRSTALL charity has raised over £160,000 in the ten years that it has been supporting an African orphanage.

The Bark Foundation was formed in 2008 to help improve the quality of life for children at the HOTPEC orphanage in Cameroon, following a visit to the country by local Methodists led by Reverend Edward Sakwe.

David and Joy Bark of Harrowgate Drive then set up the Bark Foundation – its first project was to build a £45,000 baby unit, which was completed in 2010.

Since then the Foundation has: built an eight bedroom volunteer house (£67,000) incorporating a meeting room and apartment; provided a borehole and water tower; supplied solar panels, school uniforms and university fees.

Recently a chicken house has been created in an abandoned building providing a source of income and food for the children.

On behalf of the trustees, Joy Bark said: “We have often been overwhelmed by the generosity of so many

wonderful supporters who have made it possible to really change the quality of life at the orphanage.

“All of the many raised is spent wholly for the benefit of the orphans and those who care for them, and all donations are equally important, from the 10p pocket money from a very young child, to very generous substantial sums.”

The latest fundraising is for funds to close an insecure part of the perimeter of the site which is vulnerable to intruders.

The Bark Foundation will be celebrating their tenth anniversary with a free concert on Saturday November 17 at Birstall Methodist church featuring the Loughborough Male Voice Choir. The concert starts at 7pm. www.thebarkfoundation.org

THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

Carers’ support group offers help THE CEDAR Care Circle is a local group that shares friendship and help as they all look after a spouse or parent suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“It really has become like a big family” said the group’s founder Barbara Wass.

She added: “The group gives everyone who comes a sense of being amongst friends. It’s the feeling of not being alone, sharing our concerns and also our happy times.”

The group meets twice a month at

Ruth’s Lambourne Café on Lambourne Road at 2pm. The November meetings are on the 12th & 26th.

Barbara said: “We couldn’t have done it without Ruth and her lovely staff. I’d like to encourage anyone to come along and see what we are all about.”

Pic: the group at a meeting in the Lambourne Café

All welcome at Legion’s open day THE BIRSTALL branch of the Royal British Legion on Front Street held an open day in September.

“It was great to see such a wonderful turnout, supported by current members and seeing new faces that were looking to join” said club steward Karen Comery.

She added: “We welcome all to come and see the many things we have to offer here as a Royal British Legion Club and enjoy the social side with friends and families.

“Everybody enjoyed our entertainer

Colin Kacey, who will appear here again on Saturday evening December 1, so all come along.

“Anybody that couldn't attend that day are welcome at anytime at our Club, and information will be available on how to become a member.”

Enjoying the day were three generations of one family who love coming to the club. Grandmother Ann Chivers said: “Its so relaxed here, there’s great people, a good atmosphere and lovely food.”

Pics: top (l-r) three generations who love coming to the club: Pete Chivers, Ann Chivers, Zoe Fraser (9), Emma Fraser and Richard Skelton; the club was full on its open day

Young & old have fun together

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ELDERLY RESIDENTS at the Cedar Mews Care Home enjoyed a visit by children from Birstall’s Half Pints childcare.

They played games, did puzzles and had a sing-song.

A spokesperson for Half Pints said: “The ‘bookend generations’ are a great resource for each other, the children certainly enjoyed the additional attention helping them to develop their social and emotional skills and the residents laughed and sung songs with the children bringing renewed enthusiasm into their day. We look forward to doing more of these visits and thank Cedar Mews for the opportunity.”

Golf club’s successful season A SUCCESSFUL season for Birstall Golf Club in local, regional and national events was crowned by Graham Marshall’s victory in the Leicestershire & Rutland Golf Union Seniors Scratch Knockout.

His victory over Ian Moss (Luffenham Heath) in the final at Stapleford Park was the first time Marshall has won this particular event and follows his very credible 11th place finish in the English Seniors Amateur Championship at Coxmoor and Sherwood Forest Golf Clubs earlier this year.

In a number of Leicestershire & Rutland Golf Union (L&RGU) events Birstall teams and members have featured prominently. The First Team, captained by Chris Webb, won the L&RGU Scratch League following a very tight battle over the season with Cosby Golf Club. The final match of the season, against Cosby, went right down to the final hole of the final game and Jack Mayfield’s 2-up win secured a first league title for Birstall since 2013.

Birstall also won the L&RGU Under 35s Scratch Knockout competition, beating Whetstone in the final in September.

Under the captaincy of Shaun Corby this was the first time the Under 35s team had won the competition since a run of 5 consecutive triumphs between 2008 and 2012.

Birstall Ladies also had a successful season with the highlight being reaching the final of the Ladies County Fours. The team of Katie Underwood, Ama Uprichard, Clare Bailey and Chris Hyde came through some tough matches on the way to losing a closely contested final to Kirby Muxloe at Glen Gorse GC. Birstall’s Heroes team also came close to reclaiming their league title – a defeat in the final game of the season to Kirby Muxloe meant they lost the league on points difference but the team can be really proud of another outstanding effort.

In county events Birstall players

Pic: The Mens’ 1st team, winners of the Leicestershire & Rutland Scratch League

recorded a number of high finishes throughout the season with players regularly featuring in the top 10 of events such as the Spring Tournament, County Championship, Leicestershire Fox and County Open. Steve Sansome collected two gross prizes – one for the Leicester Mercury Cup and the other in partnership with Paul Frith at the John Cheatle Foursomes as well as losing a playoff for the Leicestershire Fox. Steve, along with Jack Mayfield, Jack Merry, Chris Webb and Scott Wormleighton all played for the L&RGU First team and Steve, Chris, Jack and Stuart Marriott all featured in the L&RGU Second Team that won the Anglian League for the second year in succession. For the County Seniors, Graham Marshall was a regular choice and also finished 4th in the L&RGU Seniors Championship whilst Naz Kullar was 3rd in the Seniors Handicap Championship.

Finally the Craws Nest Tassie at Carnoustie has always been a popular and successful event for Birstall Golf Club over the years and following the Open Championship in July the course was in fantastic condition. Five Birstall

players entered the event and all made it through to the Tassie scratch knockout competition or the Maulesbank handicap event. David Dalby reached the quarter finals of the Maulesbank whilst Steve Sansome got all the way through to the final before losing to a +2 handicap member. Steve set a record though in his quarter final match – he won on the 26th, the 8th extra hole, which was the longest a Tassie match had ever gone on.

Commenting on the season as a whole Men’s Club Captain Mick Newton said: “ 2018 will be remembered as one of the most successful in Birstall’s long history. Our teams and individual players have done us proud and reflect the efforts across the club aimed at ensuring we continue to prosper going forward. It has been a pleasure to watch them and experience top class local golf. It is also particularly pleasing to see our members going further afield and achieving great success against quality opposition. We are extremely fortunate to have such a great mix of members representing our club with great distinction.”

THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

We heard reports from a member’s visit to the Terracotta Army, our judges at the Birstall Bake Off and the activity day where the intrepid amongst us tested their skills at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre.

Our speaker was Jo Golby who is employed as an acting Victorian Lady’s Maid at Calke Abbey. She arrived dressed for the role and amazed us with the saucy tales of aristocratic Victorian ladies.

We again celebrated our centenary year by hosting Radio Leicester’s gardening programme ‘Down to Earth at Belgrave Rugby Club on October 11.

About 50 people attended the evening with fourteen questions put to the three experts, John Smith of Thornton Nurseries, Karen Gimson an award winning head gardener and Mike Salotti a horticulture tutor from Brooksby College.

Host and broadcaster Bridget Blair put us all at ease with her amusing anecdotes. It was an informative and entertaining evening ending with a huge raffle. We would like to thank all the local suppliers who donated the prizes including Crazy Prices, the White Horse, Glenwood Interiors, Filigree Hearts, Andrew J Tebbutt, butchers, Do My Hair and the Globe in Silver St, Leicester.

The next meeting is our AGM on November 5. We will be entertained by the ‘Cocktail Shaker Boys’ and the competition is to make a cocktail stirrer.

21

Birstall bowling club BIRSTALL BOWLING Club’s season concluded last month and many members are now turning their attention to the indoor game.

Flower club Christmas BIRSTALL FLOWER Club is holding its Christmas Open meeting on Wednesday November 28.

This will be held in Birstall Village Hall and will start at 7.15pm. Entry is by ticket only (£10) and they are available from Sylvia on 0116 2674206 or Mary on 07704 398017.

A spokeswoman said: “The demonstrator for this fantastic evening is NAFAS demonstrator Lorena Dyer. The title of her demonstration is A Christmas Wish.

The evening will certainly put you in the ‘Christmas spirit’. All you have to do is come along and watch this wonderful demonstration and take home ideas about how to decorate your own home for Christmas and who knows, maybe even an arrangement if you are lucky enough to win a raffle prize.”

You can make your own fresh Christmas door wreath at a special session organised by the club on December 5.

The spokeswoman said: “Why not come along and join us. It is a fun evening with your very own personalised door wreath to take home. Everything you need to make the Christmas wreath will be provided along with some refreshments. Why not come along with a group of friends and make it a fun evening with something to take home at the end.”

This will be held at Birstall Village Hall, on Wednesday December 5, 2.304pm. For more details please contact Mary on 07704 398017 (mary.linnett@gmail.com). The fee for the evening is £15, payable when booking and you have something to take home with you. Places are limited, so don’t delay, book your spaces now.

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A week or so after the season finished around 50 bowlers and partners visited Mojacar in Spain for a club tour. Four matches were scheduled but one was cancelled due to rain, the first time in around 12 years of touring the area that this has happened.

Although the other three matches were lost, a good time was had by all and over 430 Euros were raised during the week for the club’s chosen charity for the year – Birstall BAGS – thanks mainly to fines being dished out by Fine Master John Hurst. These ranged from bowling a wrong bias to wearing socks with sandals…the ultimate crime!

The club competition winners for the year are listed below.

Ladies Competitions: Championship: Sheila Hammersley, Runner Up: Jan Everitt Handicap: Noi Pimprasan, Runner Up: Kathy Pateman Maiden: Deam Walker, Runner Up: Janet Berry Three Wood: Noi Pimprasan, Runner Up: Anne Boden Two Wood: Jan Everitt, Runner Up: Deam Walker Pairs: Marlene Bartlett & Lesley Powell, Runners Up: Kathy Pateman & Jan Everitt Edith Smith Pairs: Lesley Powell & Angie Parkin, Runners Up: Kathy Pateman & Pa Walker Fielding & Everitt Cups: Lesley Powell, Runner Up: Cynthia Chapman Men’s Competitions: Championship: John Hurst, Runner Up: Richard Smith Handicap: Dick Cooper, Runner Up: Dave Smith Maiden: Mick Barnacle, Runner Up: Barry Gisborne Three Wood: Dick Cooper, Runner Up: John Walker Two Wood: Andy Wye, Runner Up: John Hurst Pairs: Brian Hancock & John Hurst, Runners Up: Rick Everitt & Dave Smith Club Night Cup: Eric North Mixed Competitions: Open: Pa Walker, Runner Up: Andy Wye Saunders Cup: Pa & John Walker, Runners Up: Sue & Richard Smith Adnett Pairs: Sheila Hammersley & Stuart Hartop, Runners Up: Marlene Bartlett & Richard Smith Sue Andrews Trophy: Bruce Pearson, Joan Preston & Mary Gilbert, Runners Up: Barbara Mullins, John Boden & Pa Walker From Birstall Bowling Club

Space Park built next to Space Centre A MULTI million pound project to create a Space Park in Leicester has taken another step forward. and up to £13 million from the UniversiA planning application has been subty. mitted for the first phase of Space Park Grant Bourhill, CEO of Leicester SciLeicester, which aims to establish a new ence Parks, said: “The UK space sector industry-academic cluster focused on is booming. With a value of £14.2bn and space and space-enabled industries. productivity three times the national Space Park Leicester will be located on average, the sector has huge potential the site of the former John Ellis School for growth. This first step towards Space on Leicester’s Waterside, in close proxPark Leicester is tremendously exciting. imity to the popular National Space CenBuilding on our 50 year track record of tre. having a Leicester-built instrument in The University of Leicester is working with Leicester City Council, Leicester and orbit, we are creating a world-leading space facility, confirming Leicester’s Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and the National Space Centre on international reputation as a leading the plans, which will support the Govern- ’Space City.’ The Space Park will drive economic growth and attract and retain ment’s strategy to capture 10% of the skilled workers, helping us deliver £400 billion global space market by 2030, creating an international hub com- against national, regional and local stratbining research, teaching and innovation. egies.”

Subject to planning, construction will From developing satellite technologies start on phase one in the early part of to enabling the detailed analysis of space-enabled data, Space Park Leicester 2019 and will be completed by midwill help transform sectors such as inter- 2020. national communications, resource management, environmental monitoring and disaster relief. When completed, the estimated benefits to the regional econoALL TYPES OF DOMESTIC my are expected to be £715 million, & INDUSTRIAL WORK with 2,500 jobs in the wider supply Extra Points chain.

Alarms The first phase will focus on space Rewiring data, applications and services. The building will consolidate the University’s Security Lighting Earth Observation capability in one physiElectrical Testing cal location and will create a new home Part P Registered for Leicester’s Institute for Space and Control Electrics Ltd Earth Observation, one of the University’s Lodgewood Ave, Birstall, Leicester flagship research institutes. The building Tel: 0116 2682910 will also contain teaching and laboratory FREE ESTIMATES facilities, and house commercial partners, both large and small. It is anticipated that 150 businesses will be active participants within the first five years.

Designed by architects Shepheard Epstein Hunter, the building is striking and contemporary in style with two wings set around a central atrium space.

It has been designed to be flexible, equally able to accommodate informal meetings, encourage high-tech work and function as a venue for exhibitions and events.

Phase one will be funded through a £12.8 million grant from the GovernSpecialist Wedding Gown Cleaning Open: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 9-5pm ment’s Local Growth Fund via the LLEP, Wed & Sat: 9-1pm a £1.5 million contribution from the Natural Environment Research Council

Cricket Corner FIRST XI captain Josh Saye came so close to breaking his own club record score, but in the last match of the season he was caught off the last ball of the innings trying to hit a boundary.

He made 149 in a comfortable victory over Enderby, one of four consecutive wins to finish the season in fifth place in a very tight league.

Josh together with 2nd XI captain and vice captain George Agar and Grant Wright have done a tremendous job getting two sides out every week in what has been a difficult season with players having other commitments. The 2nd XI also finished in fifth place with 13 victories and seven defeats. The club is always on the lookout for new players for Saturdays or our Thursday night team. Indoor nets run during the winter months.

If you are interested the please call Ian Hunt on 0794 9380010.

From Birstall Village Cricket Club

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Food hub volunteers BIRSTALL FOOD Hub is appealing for more volunteers.

The number of clients using the Food Hub has gradually increased to eight in the seven months since opening.

Spokesman Peter Molesdale said: “One consequence of this is that more volunteers are needed on the team at Birstall Methodist Coffee Shop on a Tuesday morning.

“There are various roles to be performed - reception desk, offering a cup of tea/coffee and chat, interview, recording details and issuing a food parcel, buying fresh milk, bread and eggs for the parcels.

“There is a rota for the team of volunteers and the organisers try not to overuse individuals, but this is getting more difficult as the number of clients increases.”

If you feel that you would like to get involved please call/text Pete Molesdale on the Food Hub mobile 07305093791. An informal chat with Gill Chester and Pete can be arranged at Birstall Methodist Coffee Shop for you to find out more.

Cast excited about new panto HIGHCLIFFE AMATEUR Theatrical Society (HATS) will be performing the pantomime ‘Babes in the Wood’ this January.

Because of a pre-arranged booking at HATS’ new venue, Birstall Social Club, the performance had to be moved from HATS’ usual date of November.

Sue Withers from HATS said: “Babes in the Wood - how exciting is this promising to be! There will be the Babes of course, they can be a little mischievous at times,

Monday group AT OUR October meeting we had a pleasant evening listening to members’ memories and music choices.

Such a varied selection and lovely memories, as diverse as the members themselves.

Now we are looking forward to our November 12 meeting and finding out how to help hedgehogs, and our Soup and Puddings luncheon on November 17 in St James Church, (12noon to 2pm).

This is an absolute must for your preChristmas diaries, with home-made soups and puds, Christmas cakes and stalls with Christmas gifts and lots to give you ideas (and solutions) for your Christmas festivities.

The Baldwin Trust (our supported charity for this year) will also have a stall with gifts for sale. Last year we supported the medical detection dogs, and this has now resulted in a beautiful, adorable, golden puppy called 'Mary' who is now starting her training, and we will, happily, be able to follow her progress through to being a fully trained detection dog.

The members of the Monday Group will then be able to look forward to their own Christmas party, held in the Age Concern rooms in the Village Hall, on December 10.

Anniversary mass A GOLDEN Jubilee Mass was held at Leicester Cathedral on Saturday September 22, to celebrate Birstall resident and former Thurmaston Vicar Fr Robin's 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood.

The service was led by Fr Robin, in the presence of the Rt Rev Norman Banks, Bishop of Richborough, and the Rt Rev Peter Fox, Hon Assistant Bishop of Leicester. The service was well attended by past and present members of St Michael's, Thurmaston, together with Fr Robin's family and friends, and representatives of the other churches and housing associations that Fr Robin led.

Pic: (l-r) Rev Stephen Bowring (Thurmaston Curate 1992-1995); Rev Martin Court (Thurmaston Curate 1989-1992); Rev Lynn Padmore (former Thurmaston Lay Reader); and Rev T. Robin Martin (Thurmaston Vicar 1985-2005)

Discount for group bookings of 10 or more people (price available at time of booking).

Tickets available now. Box office: 0116 2216019 or 07963 432020 Or email hatstickets@hotmail.com.

Face book: www.facebook.com/hatsamdram/

Trouble with your figures? but that just adds to their charming personalities, but they can also be vulnerable.

They do have a nurse, but she is no-one like you have ever seen before.

“The story involves the nasty Sheriff of Nottingham, once again trying to create bad feeling amongst the townsfolk, cheating them out of their money, and making them feel worthless. In addition he has his eyes set on Maid Marion as his future wife.

Is he her knight in shining armour, or is there someone else waiting to capture her heart?

“If you shout loud enough and often enough, you might be able to assist in changing things and overturn the Sheriff.

“If you want to find out what happens, then make sure you book your tickets and come and see our fine cast, in their fine costumes, at our fabulous new panto venue, Birstall Social Club.”

Dates: Thursday Jan 10, 2019 and Friday Jan 11, 2019 at 7.15pm Saturday Jan 12, 2019 at 2pm and 7pm Doors open 30 minutes before each performance Venue: Birstall Social Club, 16-18 Wanlip Lane, Birstall LE4 4JS Tickets: £7, £6 concession, £23 family ticket.(2 adults and 2 children)

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Birstall’s bike shop BIKES, SPARES, accessories and servicing are all on offer at Birstall’s only bike shop.

T J Cycles on Kingsgate Avenue, is run by Tony Goodman who has been in the trade for 27 years and is now the sole owner of the business.

Now in his seventh year of trading, Tony said: “All new bikes are fully assembled, guaranteed, ready to ride and I will continue to serve the public with the service they are accustomed to, with a quick turnaround on repairs too.

“I now keep an inexpensive range of bikes as well as a high end range to attract customers of all budgets.”

A range of electric bikes are sold which Tony says are becoming more and more popular with cyclists.

New bike brands stocked are Scott, Moda, Dawes, Claud Butler, Python, Probike, Free-

5 Kingsgate Ave, Birstall LE4 3HD 0116 267 1601

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“I’d like to thank all my customers both old and new for their continued support” said Tony.

Electric Bikes stocked

THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

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Club offers flexible membership for £325 BIRSTALL GOLF Club have launched a flexible membership scheme to cater for the next generation of golfers seeking a different experience to the more traditional nature of golf club membership.

golf at a time and at a price that fits with their other commitments.”

Birstall is now launching a flexible membership scheme which for a fee of £325 allows the member to play up to

30 rounds a year, gain a handicap and participate in a limited number of competitions as well as enjoying full house membership. Francis said: “ For flexible members booking has to be done on

line and this type of membership allows us to make better use of our excellent course at quiet times. The scheme offers a pathway to full membership and reflects the reality of golf in 2018. With England Golf confirming 80% of golf clubs now offer on line booking we are confident this more flexible approach will provide us with the necessary numbers to achieve an appropriate balance between flexible members using the course at quieter times and full subscription members seeking the total golf experience.”

The initial pilot exercise will limit flexible membership numbers to 40 and full information on the scheme can be obtained by telephoning Club Manager Jo Shepherd on 0116 267 4322 or by visiting the club’s website on www.birstallgolfclub.co.uk

The Lodge Trust Sale If you are looking for hand-crafted products, plants, Charity Christmas cards, Christmas gifts & decorations, jams, chutneys and cakes, then the place to go is The Lodge Trust at Market Overton (LE15 7PL) on Saturday November 3 from 10.30am until 3.30pm. They are also serving lunches and refreshments.

The Lodge is a Christian charity helping adults with learning difficulties.

Evington Winter Lectures Evington Chapel is holding its usual series of lectures and the theme this year is ‘A Taste of the Puritans’, giving a flavour of some of their writings. The Puritans have had a bad image in the popular press, portrayed as stern people who were opposed to pleasure, but really they were warm-hearted Christians in the 16th and 17th centuries who sought to ‘purify’ the Church of England from its ‘Catholic’ practices and held strongly to the Bible as their authority.

The first lecture is on “‘The Heart of Christ in Heaven’: Thomas Goodwin” to be given by Tim Martin (Milton Keynes) on Saturday 17th November at 7.00 p.m.

Admission is free and all are welcome.

The chapel is situated on High Street, Evington, LE5 6FH. Sunday Services Please come along and join with us for one of our services, which are held in Room PT1, The Palmer Tomkinson Centre, The Cedars Academy, Wanlip Lane, Birstall (LE4 4GH) at 10.45am. A children’s Sunday School is available.

Our visiting speaker on November 4 is Alan Stenfalt (Leicester); the other services in the month will be taken by Graham Bunkall. Looking ahead, to note in your diaries, our Carol Service this year will be on December 9. Details will be given in next month’s ‘Post’.

Enquiries about BIBC: please ring 0116 221 4883.

of St. Theresa were presented to members of the congregation who have given and continue to give great service to the Church and its Community. A red rose was also presented to each of the ladies in the congregation.

Afterwards there was a reception in the hall with food and wine and there was also a display of photographs from the last 30 years. In the chapel there was a powerpoint with pictures and some of the history and explanations about the fabric of the church. A cake to celebrate the celebration was cut by Fr Saji and Fr John and a rousing song of 'For he's a jolly good fellow' for Fr Saji who is leaving us to take up a post in Cardiff next week. Thanks go to everyone who contributed to the success of this magnificent Feast Day. It will be long remembered.

Chairman Robin Francis said: “The world of golf as we know it is clearly changing. England Golf figures confirm the number of casual golfers in the UK is now approximately double that of the traditional full subscription member.

This reflects the more flexible society we now live in. Younger players with family commitments and financial considerations such as mortgage payments do not necessarily have the time or money to justify full golf membership.

However they wish to continue to play

THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

News from the churches AS WELL as having a glorious day for our Summer Fayre, the resulting total of £2235.70 was also glorious, as £1118 will be donated to the 'Save the Children' charity.

On 26th and 27th October a coffee morning and Christmas card sale was held, with the proceeds also going to 'Save the Children'. A wonderful cause which will benefit greatly from these events.

Medical detection dogs have benefited from the efforts of the St. James Monday Group last year, in the guise of a beautiful Labrador puppy called "Mary" who is now undergoing training in this work (and also having puppy-fun, I expect).

We are to be kept informed of her progress as she grows up, which will be lovely.

The charity we have chosen for this year is the Baldwin Trust and the aim is to provide a defibrillator for one of their canal boats. To this end there will be a (home-made!) soup and puddings luncheon in St. James Church from 12noon to 2pm on November 17, with stalls full of gifts and ideas for your Christmas.

October 13 is a busy day, with the Birstall and Wanlip Mother's Union coffee morning at the Methodist Coffee Shop and on the same day the Licensing of Andy Proud as Reader Minister taking place at Leicester Cathedral. (Andy took part in the Ride and Stride event which was to benefit the Historic Churches Trust).

To find out more about the work of the church and the people in it, there is an open day at St. James Church on November 3, between 10am and 4pm where (hopefully) all questions can be answered. I have no doubt there will be a cup of tea involved somewhere!

To return to the subject of Christmas: the Wanlip St. Nicholas Fayre will be held on 1st December, from 11.30am to 2pm in the Church and Community Hall, Wanlip - which you must agree is a lovely location for a lovely occasion, and which I am sure will be full of 'must-have' goodies for you and your family's Christmas.

From Birstall Parish Church

New Lighting In The Methodist Church At the recent Church Council, concern was expressed about the lighting in the church. The pendant lighting is expensive to run and both costly and difficult to replace bulbs etc, as the height needs portable scaffolding or a very sturdy special ladder. In addition, the lighting in the side corridors which was installed when the church was built in the 1950’s is proving difficult to source replacement bulbs etc.

It was therefore agreed that LED Floodlighting be installed at a lower level for the main body of the church and up-to-date LED lights to go in the side corridors.

One electrical contractor has been appointed at a cost of around £2000. It should be installed by the time this issue of Birstall Post is published.

Methodist Property Secretary With the large suite of buildings, and the daily usage the premises are subject to, the voluntary jobs of Property Secretary and Property Steward are quite onerous. The church is grateful for the 13 years that David Bark (Property Secretary) and the eleven years John Towson (Property Steward) have devoted to these two tasks. Richard Tinley has now taken on the role as Property Secretary.

Christmas Festival Our ‘Tree Festival’ is on Friday 23 & Saturday 24 November and full details are shown elsewhere in this edition of Birstall Post.

Rothley Remembers At 10am on Saturday November 10, in recognition of the 100 years since the Armistice, a guided walk around Rothley will start from Cross Green, viewing those places which bring back memories of the 34 men from Rothley (who are listed on the war memorial) all those years ago. The walk, led by Charles Poole, will finish with refreshments at the Methodist Church about 12 noon.

The walk is based on the book ‘Rothley Remembers’ written by the late Marion Vincent.

From Birstall Methodist Church

From St Theresa’s Church

TRINITY LIFE Churches Schools Out was a great success in half term as many 5-11’s gathered at Cedars Academy for an afternoon of fun.

Children are at the heart of TLC and we look forward to sharing Jesus with many children over the years ahead.

Compassion is also our heart and Open Hands Charity continues to reach people with many different needs in Leicestershire. If you or someone known to you From Birstall Independent Baptist are in need of food, clothes, furniture or Church simply a listening ear let us know. Email On September 30 after much careful admin@openhandsleicester.org.uk preparation we celebrated the Feast of St As we look ahead, TLC’s brilliant Theresa, and also the 30th year of the Christmas production “PEACE” will be at building of the church in Front Street.

6pm December 8 in the Birstall Village The service was led by Fr Denis Labar- Hall.

From Trinity Life Church tette, Fr Saji and Fr John Bland. Statues

Birstall BAG’s cancer corner

Lung Cancer Awareness Month November is global lung cancer awareness month and so Birstall BAGs wanted to remind post readers about some facts, sign and symptoms.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK. About 46,400 people are diagnosed each year.

More than 4 out of 10 people (44%) diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK are aged 75 and older.

In the UK in 2014: • around 24,800 men were diagnosed • around 21,600 women were diagnosed Risk factors Smoking can be linked to 86% of people who are diagnosed with lung cancer.

Other causes or risk factors include: • exposure to radon gas • exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace • a history of other lung diseases such as tuberculosis • a family history of lung cancer • cancer treatment for other types of cancer • a lowered immune system Types of lung cancer There are different types of primary

lung cancer and they are divided into two main groups Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) - About 12 out of every 100 lung cancers diagnosed are this type (12%). It is usually caused by smoking. These cancers tend to spread quite early on.

Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) - About 87 out of 100 lung cancers in the UK (87%) are non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

There are three common types. They are grouped together because they behave in a similar way and respond to treatment in a similar way.The three types are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.

Treatment Your treatment depends on the type of lung cancer, where it is, it's size, whether it has spread, and your general health.

A team of doctors and other professionals discuss the best treatment and care for you.

The main treatments are: chemotherapy , radiotherapy, surgery, chemoradiotherapy – chemotherapy with radiotherapy and symptom control treatment. The outcome of your treatment will depend on how advanced the cancer

is and how your cancer responds to the treatment.

Signs and Symptoms It is important to recognise the signs and symptoms of the disease, the earlier you are diagnosed the more likely you are to be able to have treatment that has the potential to cure your cancer.

A cough that won't go away - You might have a cough most of the time. It might be worse at different times of the day.

A change in a cough you have had for a long time. Your cough might be more painful, have a different sound or cause you to bring up coloured mucus or phlegm Being short of breath -You might get out of breath doing the things you used to do. Doctors call this dyspnoea.

Coughing up blood -This might be small amounts of blood. You might be coughing up rust coloured phlegm (sputum). Or your sputum might have flecks of red in it.

An ache or pain in the chest or shoulder -You might have pain in your chest or shoulder. It could be a dull ache or a sharper pain.

Loss of appetite -You might have lost your appetite or may not feel like eating foods that you normally like.

Losing weight - You might lose a lot of weight quickly when you are not dieting.

Feeling very tired (fatigue) - You

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might feel very tired a lot of the time.

Ongoing chest infections -You might have chest infections most of the time.

Or you might have a chest infection that doesn’t get better with treatment.

Remember EARLY DIAGNOSIS SAVES LIVES If you are worried or concerned please discuss with your GP who will reassure you and arrange referral if necessary.

For more information contact:https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/aboutcancer/lung-cancer/symptoms Or contact:- University Hospitals of Leicester Cancer Information Centre on 0116 258 6189 For more information on the funds we have raised, projects we support and forthcoming events see www.birstallbags.co.uk Contact the BAGs by email birstallbags@hotmail.com The December issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on Nov 30.

The copy deadline is Nov 16.

Planning P/18/2131/2: 59 Sibson Road – increase in height of existing store. Replacement of existing windows and door to front with new roller shutter doors P/18/2113/2: 8 East Road – the erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 4.05m with a max height of 3.85m and height to the eaves of 3m P/18/2090/2: 186 Birstall Rd – demolish existing conservatory to the rear to create a new single storey rear extension P/18/2014.2: 27 Saltersgate Drive – proposed single storey front & side & rear extension and alterations P/18/2008/2: 25 Copeland Road – proposed two storey rear and side extension and loft conversion P/18/1999/2: 496 Loughborough Rd – proposed single storey rear kitchen extension, including internal alterations to ground floor storey.

P/18/1993/2: 3 Cliffwood Ave – detached garage & stores to rear P/18/2031/2: 5 Mill Close – removal of front stem to twin-stemmed ash and removal of overhanging branches to 2nd ash P/18/1965/2: 27 Saltersgate Drive – the erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 6m with a max height of 3.9m and height to the eaves of 2.7m P/18/1955/2: 21 Tempest Rd – erection of a single rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 8m with a max height of 3.2m and height to the eaves of 3m

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THE BIRSTALL POST NOV 2018

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