Birstall Post (430) May 2019

the Birstall post Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

MAY 2019

N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 430

Work starts on new hall

A SPEEDING motorist who killed a 16 year old boy from Birstall after a collision on the A6 has been convicted of dangerous driving and sent to prison for four years.

Shankar Modhwadia (30) of Tuckers Road, Loughborough was convicted by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving at Leicester Crown Court on April 23.

As well as the prison sentence he was banned from driving for five years.

Dylan Campbell (16) died from his injuries after being hit by Modhwadia’s Audi A3 at 12.30am on Sunday April 29 on the A6 near the junction with Johnson Road.

Dylan was crossing the road when he was struck by the car which was being

WORK HAS started on the new community hall at Hallam Fields and residents are being invited to suggest a name for the new building.

The £622,000 project is being delivered by Birstall Parish Council and will feature a meeting room, kitchen, office and a hall. £500,000 of the budget was provided by a section 106 developer contribution from Jelson.

Parish clerk Sue Coulson said: “Birstall Parish Council are extremely pleased to be able to inform residents that the building of the long-awaited community hall on Hallam Fields is

Continued on page 2

LAND WANTED Pic: At the groundbreaking ceremony are (l-r) Parish Clerk Sue Coulson, Chair Ann Marshall & Vice Chair Tony Abbey

underway. It is hoped that the building will be completed in September 2019 and be ready to hire very soon afterwards.”

A ‘groundbreaking’ ceremony to celebrate the first day of Pic: the new Hallam Fields Community Hall

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driven at 72mph in a 40mph zone.

In a statement read in court, Dylan’s parents Bill Campbell and wife Debbie said: “As hard as this had been to write we desperately wanted Dylan to be more than just a name in court proceedings.

We wanted you to hear what a wonderful boy he was and the devastating effect his loss has had on us, his family and friends. He was a much loved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.

He grew up surrounded by love and laughter and as a result was a funny, caring, kind and considerate young man.

“We’ve been supported by our amazing family and friends. Dylan’s friends are regular visitors and constantly message us. They share in our grief and we support each other. Our local community have also been of great support and we thank them all.

Work starts from page 1

construction for the building project took place in April 2019.

The Parish Council are asking residents to help them decide what to call the building. “Some suggestions were put forward by councillors at a recent meeting, but the councillors would like to hear from the local community” said Sue. The Parish Council are running a competition for the naming of the building. The winning suggestion will be decided at a council meeting on June 10 and the winner will be invited to the

Council asked again to support CCTV group really does hope that their invitation to have a meeting with the parish council is viewed more favourably. This their case again to councillors at a coun- is what is what the group has asked for since the project’s conception and it is cil meeting and to set up a working only by working together and communigroup to progress the project if the cating that a positive outcome can occur council decides it wants to support the for the village.” scheme.

Chair of Birstall Parish Council, Ann Birstall Parish Council have respondMarshall said: “The petition was consided to the petition by saying it will not be ered in line with the council’s petition presented for discussion at a council policy. I don’t have a problem with peomeeting because the request “does not relate to a function of the Parish Council” ple asking to engage with the council and the request to have a meeting with and because the request would affect two legally binding contracts the council has in place regarding its existing CCTV cameras.

The council has said that it will include as an agenda item the request to meet with Shop Local Birstall to discuss CCTV. The earliest this is likely to happen would be the meeting on June 10.

Charlotte Foy from Shop Local Birstall Shop Local Birstall will go in front of all councillors so the whole council can said: “We are dismayed at the Parish decide. As far as I can see nothing has Council’s decision to reject the recent changed.” petition signed by nearly 1100 Birstall When the council turned down the residents.

“What the three people who made this request for CCTV in August 2019, the decision [the clerk, chair and vice chair issues identified were: • supporting CCTV is something the of the parish council] seem to have Parish Council can do but it is not reignored is the wishes not just of the many businesses in Birstall who are very quired to do it • it would set a precedent – other much part of the community, but the wishes of the actual residents themselves shopping areas in the village might come forward with similar proposals for supwhom they are meant to serve.” port Shona Rattray from Shop Local Bir• CCTV is not a silver bullet for prestall commented on the reasons given by venting crime and catching criminals the council for rejecting the petition.

• would it be value for money for “We believe they are loopholes which are council tax payers? being used as an excuse to not consider • businesses, not the Parish Council, the petition.

“The gala, Christmas trees and hanging should be responsible for their own security measures. baskets are not ‘the duty’ of the council Shop Local Birstall say the benefits of but they do them because they are all CCTV are: positive for the village. They are allowed • deterring and helping capture evito do these … as Birstall Parish Council dence for the Police has the General Power of Competence • foster a sense of security for the meaning they can do anything to benefit wider community the community as long as it doesn’t • make Birstall more attractive for violate any legislation.” new businesses She added: “The CCTV would make Local councils that support and proBirstall a better place to live as do the vide CCTV in their areas include: gala and seasonal decorations around • Syston Town Council – it has eight the village so why are they not all for it?” cameras Charlotte Foy said: “The shop local • Barrow-on-Soar Parish Council – agreed in December 2018 to install CCTV JH PLUMBING SERVICES • Shepshed Town Council – installed five cameras in March 2019 in partnership with Shepshed Town Team and Experienced Plumber Charnwood Borough Council I specialise in Small & Medium Comments left by those signing the Domestic Plumbing petition include: Mary Downs – I want to protect the community of Birstall Barry Dawson – the council should Prompt, Reliable be supporting our traders, they pay & Friendly Service enough in rent and taxes Please call James on Val Beaumont – I shop in Birstall and 0778 962 3328 would feel safer with CCTV cameras or 0116 2375491 watching the car parks and shops

BIRSTALL SHOPKEEPERS are asking Birstall Parish Council to look again at their proposal for CCTV along Sibson Road.

Shop Local Birstall, a group of shops and businesses, have presented a petition with more than 1000 signatures calling for the council to back a scheme that would provide six CCTV cameras along Sibson Road.

The businesses will pay for the cameras and are asking the parish council to take on the £2000 per annum cost of monitoring, servicing and maintenance.

Birstall Parish Council first considered the request in August 2018 and voted 9 to 3 not to support it. Now six months have passed, Shop Local Birstall have asked for an opportunity to present official open day as a guest of honour to assist the Chair of the Parish Council to cut the ribbon.

There are a number of ways you can enter the competition, you can either complete the form below and post it to the Parish Council, Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4DH or you can send your suggestions to the Parish Council by email to: admin@birstallpc.org.uk or hand deliver your suggestions to the Parish Council offices on Birstall Road.

Include your name and address and a contact telephone number The closing date for the competition is June 7.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

2 Driver jailed from page 1

New mental Fundraising event for heart charity health unit

A PRIMARY school teacher from Birstall is organising a charity A NEW mental health inpatient event to raise money for the unit in Leicester for young peo- Heartlink children’s charity. ple has been given the go Asha Odedra (24) had a heart condition when she was born and has been ahead.

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) has secured final approval from the Department of Health for its plans to build a new 15-bed mental health inpatient facility for children and young people on the Glenfield Hospital site.

The new purpose-built £8 million unit is expected to open in August 2020. The current inpatient unit has been temporarily based at Coalville Hospital since 2015.

Paul Williams, Head of Service for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services said: “We are pleased to have been given the final go-ahead for a purposebuilt mental health inpatient facility in Leicester. It will help us fulfil our vision to support more children and young people locally, which is so important. We will continue to talk to staff, service users and families about the internal design of the new unit, and will be providing more information and regular updates about the build over the coming months.”

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visiting Glenfield hospital’s heart ward ever since.

“They looked after me every year for check ups” said Asha. “Even going in now at the age of 24 some of the nurses still remember me! I think they all do an amazing job and I wanted to do something back for them.”

Asha’s event is a Hollywood meets Bollywood themed evening at Birstall Social Club on Saturday June 22 at 7.30pm.

She said: “It’s going to be am amazing night for an amazing cause. It will be dress to impress, there will be a DJ playing all different types of music, entertainmen, a buffet and a raffle.”

Tickets cost £20 and are available by calling 0770 345 5661.

Pic: Asha Odedra is organising a charity event

New railway museum planned PLANS TO build a railway museum at the GCR’s Leicester North station are being progressed.

The project, if it goes ahead, will be delivered by the GCR, the County Council and Leicester City Council.

Writing in the GCR newsletter, ‘Railway Review’, GCR Managing Director Michael Gough said: “The first designs have been costed by Willmott Dixon, a well-known, national contractor for us and the projected pricing for design, construction and fit-out are all within

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required funding limits. During the last three months, the City Council via their specialist sub-contractor have been carrying out a feasibility study and indepth ground and environmental investigations. We met with the City Mayor and County Council leaders three weeks ago to discuss the findings of the report and to agree a set of actions, including some changes to the initial designs.”

Plans for a major national railway museum on the site had to be scrapped in December 2017 when the Heritage Lottery Foundation reversed its decision

to award £9.5million of lottery money to the project.

A partnership between the Great Central Railway, the city council and the National Railway Museum, it was planned as a national tourist attraction housing locos, artefacts and displays, connected to the GCR track so that locos could be driven on to the site.

The city council has already spent £310,000 at the allotments next to the museum site: building a new access road, installing new fencing and acquiring land.

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3

Care home rated one of the best

RESIDENTS AND staff at Birstall care home, Cedar Mews, have been celebrating after being recognised as one of the top 20 care homes in the East Midlands by the UK’s leading care home reviews website.

Carehome.co.uk is the Trip Advisor of the care home industry, with over 123,000 independent reviews of care homes. The carehome.co.uk Top 20 Care Home Awards 2019 highlight the most recommended care homes in each region of the UK, with Cedar Mews scoring an impressive 9.9/10.

Helen Cooke, senior general manager at Cedar Mews, said: “There are 1,554 care homes in the East Midlands and we are delighted to have been recognised as one of the Top 20 in the region for the second consecutive year. The team at Cedar Mews work tirelessly to provide the very best care, support and happiness to the people who live here. Receiving this award based upon reviews by residents, their families and friends makes it even more special.”

Cedar Mews is part of the Cinnamon Care Collection which has 11 care homes throughout the country. Cinnamon Care Collection was also presented with an award. Based on a range of criteria such as overall standard of care homes, facilities, care and support, residents being treated with dignity, staff, activities and value for money, the Cinnamon Care Collection was recognised as

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Diamond couple celebrate 60 years

one of the Top 20 Care Home Groups in the country.

Amanda Hopkins, reviews manager of carehome.co.uk, said: “It is only the residents and their families and friends A BIRSTALL couple who got who can give a real insight into what a care home is like, which is why we use married aged 16 are celetheir reviews to find the best care homes brating sixty years of marin the UK. Choosing a care home can be a time consuming and exhausting procriage. ess so we hope our awards help make Brian and Gwen Ward (both 77) the search easier.” celebrated their Diamond wedding anniShe added: “Cedar Mews has proved versary with a family get together at a they provide a high standard of care and Rothley restaurant. we would like to congratulate them on being a Top 20 care home in the East Midlands. It is a huge achievement to be recognised for being a top rated care home by the people receiving the care.

We would also like to congratulate Cinna- A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish mon Care Collection on being recogCouncil was held on April 8. nised as a Top 20 Care Home Group in A member of the public thanked the the UK – another huge achievement.” council for the work recently done to Cedar Mews is a luxury care home improve the cemetery. which provides permanent care for longThere was no police officer present to term needs, respite care for short-term give a report. It was reported there had needs and day care. It also provides been nine crimes in April so far: three specialised dementia care. It is a purassaults, two vehicle damage, two burglapose-built 73 bed care home. Its ethos ries, one theft of a car number plate and is to enable residents – whether short one theft of fuel from a petrol station. stay or permanent – to live healthier, It was reported that the date of the happier and more fulfilled lives. For Annual Parish Meeting had been moved further information or to arrange a visit, to May 20 at 6pm in the Village hall, please call Ben Dalgetty or David Mitchdue to the election purdah period. ell, Home Admissions Advisers on 0116 It was agreed to replace the compu267 4835 or visit www.cinnamoncc.com ter controlling the CCTV equipment, Pic: Cedar Mews staff celebrate outside located in the police room of the 10 the care home Sibson Road building.

Councillors agreed to publish the council’s annual report in the May Birstall Post. Cllr Julian Howe commented that the report should explain that the ALL TYPES OF DOMESTIC parish council has the ‘general power of & INDUSTRIAL WORK competence’ which gives councils an Extra Points enhanced role and the power to do Alarms things and spend money on whatever it chooses.

Rewiring It was agreed to award a community Security Lighting grant to Carl Gunns Gym of £1296, to Electrical Testing refurbish the toilets, decorate the upPart P Registered stairs room and to replace punch bags.

It was reported that the World War I Control Electrics Ltd memorial bench will shortly be installed Lodgewood Ave, Birstall, Leicester on the Edith Murphy car park and a tree Tel: 0116 2682910 will be planted.

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“It was love at first sight and it’s just carried on” said Brian.

“He’s always been a gentleman and always just there” said Gwen.

The couple have lived in their Allington Drive home for the last 20 years.

They have four children, 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Parish Council notes It was agreed to invite suggestions from the public of a name for the new Hallam Fields community hall.

Cycle accident statistics 827 CYCLISTS were killed or hurt in accidents on roads in Leicester and the wider county over the three year period 2015 to 2017.

The figures have been obtained from official police statistics.

Of the 827 total, 670 of the cyclists were male. 298 were aged 20-39 and 259 were aged 40-59.

140 were teenagers and 50 were aged under 13.

Three quarters of the injuries happened in daylight hours and 692 happened when the weather was fine.

Of those killed on the roads in Britain in 2016, six per cent were cyclists, as were 14 per cent of those seriously injured.

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

4

United’s Try tennis at club’s open day charity match NEW PLAYING surfaces have been installed at Birstall Watermead Tennis Club and the club is celebrating by holding an open day on Sunday May 12.

BIRSTALL UNITED will once again be hosting their annual charity football match on Sunday May 19 when the Birstall legends will take on a select 11 from around the county.

Chairman Gary Fox said: “Last year was such a success the club have decided to make it a yearly event. I am delighted that there is such an interest again and I’m looking forward to the day.

“We got the chance to meet up with some old familiar faces last year and

had the opportunity to thank our sponsors and organisations that helped with our refurbishment, as well as making a lot of money for the Birstall BAGS.” He added: “This year the proceeds will be split between BAGS and a life long member Martin Fisher who suffered a stroke some time ago and we would like to support him in some way.”

As well as the veterans match there will also be the memorial match involving past junior members to remember Gail Evans Hay who gave so much of her time to both clubs.

“It will be a great day and we look forward to welcoming some new faces as well as familiar ones” said Gary.

The game will be on Sunday May 19 at 2pm at the Meadow Lane ground with the juniors match following straight after.

There will be a BBQ and a raffle and admission on the day will be £3 for adults and £1 concessions.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

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The club’s three courts have been upgraded from the old tarmac ones to artificial grass. This is proving popular with players who find the playing surface more consistent and more enjoyable to play on.

Everyone is welcome to attend the open day. It starts at 10am and will continue until 3pm and anyone who would like to get involved can drop in at any time. There will be opportunities for visitors of all ages to take part in a variety of activities including mini-tennis, junior tennis, adult mix-in tennis and cardio tennis. Club Coach, Laura Morley, said: “You won’t need to bring any equipment to join in. We will provide everything, you just need to bring your trainers.”

As well as the sporting activities, tea, coffee and homemade cakes will be available. The licensed bar which is part of the Co-op Sports and Social Club facilities will also be open for those who enjoy a cold drink. While enjoying the refreshments there will be plenty of opportunities to talk to club members about what tennis and the club in particular has to offer to people in Birstall and farther afield.

Visitors who are interested in becoming a club member can also take advantage of a special offer. On the day, adult, junior and family memberships will be available at half the usual price. Club

Car crash THREE PEOPLE were taken to hospital after a head-on collision at the junction of Roman Road and Freehold Road in Birstall on February 26.

No one was seriously hurt.

Damian Cleaver (31) of Acer Court Road, Leicester, admitted dangerous driving, driving while over the legal limit for alcohol, failing to stop, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday April 3.

He was jailed for two years and also disqualified from driving for four years after admitting a number of driving offences.

The crash is being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Leicestershire Police confirmed.

Dog show LEICESTER SIGHTHOUNDS will be holding a dogshow at Birstall Gala on June 22.

There will be 10 classes with rosettes for first to fifth placed dogs and a trophy for best in show.

Pic: Club coach Laura Morley with some junior players on the new courts

Chair, Andy Page, is keen to extend the membership to those who are thinking about taking up sport or going back to playing. He said: “As well as an opportunity to play tennis regularly, membership of the club is also a good way to meet people and make new friends.”

The club is located at the Co-op

Sports Ground on Birstall Road where ample parking is provided.

For more information about the day, or to find out more about the club and its activities you can see the club’s Facebook page or contact Andy Page by email at andycpasurveyors@btconnect.com

5

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

6

Highcliffe Underwater adventure for Scouts summer fair NINE SCOUTS from Birstall Scout Group’s Explorer Unit spent a day scuba diving in a local swimming pool.

THE HIGHCLIFFE school summer fair is back for 2019 and everyone is invited to come along and join in the fun.

The last fair in 2017 was on one of the hottest days of the year, and although the organisers say they can't guarantee you the weather, they can guarantee that this year's fair will be a fun filled day for all the family.

A spokesman said: “There will be plenty to see and do including a wide range of games, bouncy castles, craft activities, stalls, book sales, animal petting corner and so much more.

“And it wouldn't be a summer fair without fish and chips and ice cream, so there will be plenty to eat too.

“We also have a great line up of local groups coming to perform for us and we will even have a little maypole dancing!”

The Highcliffe summer fair is on Sunday June 30 from 12 noon to 4pm with entrances on both the Greengate and Elmfield sides of the school. Entry is £1 and for all primary age children and younger, entry is free.

The session was led by the British Sub Aqua Unit at Roundhill college in Syston.

“After a lesson on safety and how to use the equipment it was time to take to the water” said Scout Leader Nick Farnham.

“After starting with snorkelling, we progressed onto putting on weight belts and air tanks to take us down to the dizzy depths of six feet.

“We swam around the bottom of the pool with our one to one and practised our scuba sign language.”

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As the session was the final one of the term, three Explorers were presented with their Chief Scout Gold Award. “They were fully deserved as they achieved high scores throughout their modules” said Nick.

Birstall Scout Group has its headquarters on Birstall Road next to Gunns’ Gym and has vacancies in its Cub Scout (8-11 years) section which run on Mondays or Wednesdays. For more details: Birstall53rd@ outlook.com

Pic: Explorer Scouts, Tom, Alex & Charlie with their Gold Awards

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7

YOUR SAY...

month's Birstall Post for this area. They are below the 40 microgrammes per square metre objective set by the EU but that is not necessarily a safe level. It just means we are not quite as polluted as some areas of the city.

Patrick Cleere

Allington Drive Having recently been allowed access to copies of the reports investigating the cause of the Allington Drive gas explosion in December 2017 I thought it might be a good time to give an update.

The Health & Safety Executive/Gas Safe and the Fire Service carried out a The Birstall Post welcomes your views and opinions on any subject. Letters, which detailed forensic review and have concluded that there was a sudden break in must include your name and address, the supply pipe caused by the cold (though not necessarily for publication) weather. can be posted to: The Birstall Post, Unit At the moment I can’t circulate the 109, Greenacres, The Sidings, Leicester reports but having read them I’m imLE4 3BR, or handed in at Birstall library pressed by the immense amount of work or email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk that these agencies undertook to reach their conclusion especially considering Traffic the conditions they had to work in at the As the volume of traffic steadily intime. creases on Birstall's roads and has alAfter the explosion we were under the ready contributed to deaths in traffic impression that the leak was possibly incidents I think it is time that the aucaused by corrosion but the report thorities took a comprehensive reapprais- makes it clear that the pipe snapped and al of the flow of vehicles through the there was no corrosion. village and the safety and wellbeing of There will be an Inquest held with a pedestrians, especially the hundreds who jury to review all of the circumstances have to cross the A6 at the Greengate surrounding the incident but a closed Lane/Sibson Rd/A6 junction each day. session needs to be held before this I would like to think that we don't takes place. The public will be able to have to wait for a major fatal accident at attend the Inquest and I will post details this junction before something is done. as soon as I receive them.

It is quite frightening waiting to cross We will have legal representation at this junction because of the speed and the Inquest and at the end the Jury will close proximity of the traffic as vehicles reach a verdict and the Coroner will compete with each other to overtake and give their recommendations get a few cars ahead at the other side of Everybody that can move back in has the lights. Heading north through the done so and Leawood Builders have junction the traffic vies with each other started construction work on the site of to get into the outside lane in order to numbers 42/ 44 Allington Drive, we look accelerate past other vehicles, while the forward to those houses being built and two lanes of southbound traffic speeds occupied through the lights to gain a few places as Last June John Jasper offered to pay the road changes to single carriageway. for a memorial bench at the junction of At the same time other vehicles are slow- Allington and Worcester in memory of ing down to turn into Greengate Lane Janet and I understand this is now going and Sibson Rd causing others to swerve ahead but have no further details. around them so as not to lose speed.

If anyone wants to contact me my While all this is going on parents with number is 07800638313 or email pushchairs and toddlers, school children julian.howe@me.com and people with limited mobility among Julian Howe others, are standing on the edge of the road or in the central refuge waiting for Lipreading the pedestrian lights with cars, vans and It can be exasperating watching televilorries blasting by within inches, the sion and relying on subtitles for explanawind they create nearly enough to blow tion. When you are hard of hearing, it is people off their feet. If nothing else this occasionally quite funny when words is a very unpleasant and unsatisfactory incorrectly captioned construe a totally experience for people to have to go different interpretation to the one the through just to get to the shops, school, news writer intentioned. But, add it to doctor's surgery or carry out any other all the other frustrations that the deaf and of life's necessary errands. those suffering from loss of hearing shoulIt must be remembered that Birstall der and you realise how difficult it is for is the only village between Leicester and us to make sense of communication.

Loughborough which does not have a We know it is irritating for our hearing bypass so it does need special considerafriends and family to have to repeat sention. Not being a road planner I don't tences constantly – even if you don’t have all the answers but it would be a actually tell us, we can see it written on start to have a 30mph limit on the A6 your face. And technological advancefrom the end of the dual carriageway at ments have improved our lives no end. the top of Red Hill through to Hallam Audio devices and hearing aids, loop Fields Rd traffic lights with large white systems, agencies for the hard of hearing 30 figures repeated at intervals for the that devise aids and awareness to help us length of the road, especially at the junc- hear more clearly, are invaluable. tion.

For many of us, using a hearing aid It is also worth noting the Nitrogen will help. Up-to-date technology now Dioxide (NO2) figures published in last offers us better clarification and sound

quality. For some, surgery will offer an improvement in hearing. But there are limitations as well as benefits with most forms of help and learning lipreading skills can be such a help to us.

Lipreading is a technique to aid speech understanding by watching the movement of lips, face and tongue when their accompanying sound is not sufficiently loud or clear to hear. Contextual comprehension can further clarify what the speaker might be saying. It takes time and patience to learn and the expertise of a good tutor to teach the skill.

But we desperately need more tutors to teach lipreading. Not just to us but to our friends and family as well – so we can all communicate with each other more effectively. Facing the listener when we speak, enunciating clearly, checking out whether the deaf person has understood. It all sounds so serious but believe me, there is plenty of humour in the process too, particularly when mistakes are made. One of the lighter features of lipreading classes is sharing some of the embarrassments and funny moments with others in the same position. It makes us feel less silly somehow about what we’ve misunderstood.

Yes, there are many disabilities more severe than deafness – we know that well.

Because many of us suffer from other illnesses and disabilities as well as coping with not being able to hear clearly. We know what it is like to receive an unwelcome diagnosis without fully understanding it, from a consultant who unwittingly delivers it in a muffled voice with his or her head averted.

So come on – a plea to you good folk out there. There must be plenty of people with the potential to make good lipreading tutors. People who care enough to help us communicate more productively with them and with each other. We need you - particularly we need you in the Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire area.

The Leslie Edwards Trust is offering the opportunity to train as a lipreading tutor by offering a professional qualification which involves a one-year distance learning course. The cost of course fees, travel and books will be covered by the Trust. Tutors are freelance but paid the ATLA (Association of Teachers of Lipreading to Adults) recommended hourly rate, plus travel and expenses.

Being a tutor is a part-time occupation and generally involves teaching on average three two-hourly sessions weekly, based on a 30 week year.

If you would like to find out about this challenge, please contact leslieedwardstrust@gmail.com Angela Reddaway

State of Birstall Here we go again, another Charnwood borough councillor leaves the Birstall Parish Council (Birstall Post, March 2019). It seems that anyone trying to effect change or get things done in this village is forced out. Perhaps it is time for there to be some examination as to why this might be as this seems to be a regular occurrence.

In the same issue, there was comment made to the departing councillor about repairs to the bus shelters in Birstall. Let's face it, the bus shelters in this village don't want repairing, they need to be scrapped and replaced. I hope the good residents of Birstall realise that

some of those we currently have are left-overs from the old Loughborough bus station. They are an eyesore; broken, scratched and graffiti covered.

This question I now pose has been asked before - but I will ask it again.

This is a direct question to the Chair of Birstall Parish Council. Perhaps, this time, she will be so kind as to furnish the village with an answer. Here goes: Birstall is a Charnwood village. All of the other Charnwood villages along the A6/Loughborough Road have beautiful purpose made wooden bus shelters with seats fitted inside; Rothley, Quorn, Mountsorrel - they all have them - and don't they look splendid! I would like to know (as I know many others do), why hasn't Birstall got the same?

What a difference they would make to our village, both for the residents using them and for the physical environment too.

There are more residents in Birstall than in Rothley, Quorn and Mountsorrel put together - that's a lot of Council Tax! If they can afford them, so can we! So a simple answer required please. Where are ours?

I (and everyone I speak to) is saddened by the state that Birstall is now in.

Our village was once a pretty gateway to Charnwood, but now it looks like an extension of the city.

PLEASE can there be something done to improve the way our village looks?

A Birstall resident who cares The Parish Council does not respond to anonymous communications.

If the author has a genuine concern or complaint about a Councillor or a Parish Council Service, they should use the correct and proper procedures for reporting such matters by directing them in person or in writing to the Parish Council offices on Birstall Road or by email: admin@birstallpc.org.uk Sue Coulson, Clerk to the Council

Station stories My researches have led me to the old Birstall railway station - I am trying to find out if there were any interesting stories that your readers may have of using said station. I know when it was built - was it used as a commuter stop?

Were there any characters in particular that worked there? Were there any accidents? I know of one lad who fell off the bridge over the tracks in the 1930's, but I do not know who he was or if he recovered - he did go to hospital. What was the station like during the wars?

Where there any modifications? Was the service punctual? Did any user miss the train because he/she was held up at the booking office? Did youths trespass on the line regularly?

I may be contacted at 721 Loughborough Road, Birstall Dr D A C McNeil

Thanks I would like to say "Thank You" to our Borough Councillor Roy Rollings for campaigning to obtain completion of the Road Safety Measures outside the Primary School. I am sure many parents and carers of children are pleased to see this important feature in the vicinity of the Primary School.

Birstall Resident

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

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Noticeboard all details printed free The new

Adult Careers Service will again be available at the Lambourne Café, off Wanlip Lane on Wednesday May 15 between 9.45 and 12.15 We are usually there on the 3rd Wednesday every month and will again be available on June 19 & July 17 Our service is aimed primarily at unemployed and part-time working adults though we will see 16 & 17 yr olds if accompanied by a responsible adult.

Please do visit our non-profit service to improve your chances of employment or training.

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 •••

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 year olds Birstall Methodist Church Rooms 9.30-11.30am Open every Monday term time Separate baby section No weekly commitment £2 for adult & 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 07934 551 563 Hope to see you there Mountsorrel Methodist Church presents the 5th in the 18th series of Sunday night @ Eight

Organ recitals on Sunday May 19 at 8pm

by Ivan Linford Rutland Organist Admission is free Donations for Church’s Development Fund Buffet from 7.30pm ••• Charnwood Group of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.

Grounds Open at the Brand Brand Hill, Woodhouse Eaves, LE12 8SS Sunday 19th May 2019 11am -4pm Adults £5 - Children £2

Refreshments, children’s activities, woods, gardens, ponds, guided wildlife walks, sales etc Please note - There are steep paths, steps, deep water & cliffs Dogs must be on a lead at all times The grounds are open by kind permission of Robert and Janie Martin Come and try bowls Have fun and stay fit.

St Margaret's Co-operative Bowls Club

Open Days 6pm Friday May 10 and 2pm Sunday May 12 Co-op Sports Ground, Birstall Road. Call Sam on 2677372 or Carolyn on 2675947

Belgrave Cemetery Situated near Red Hill Island A563 Sunday 19th May 11am-3pm The Friends of Belgrave Cemetery will be taking part in the National Federation of Cemetery Friends Cemeteries Week We invite our members to assist the committee by Making-a-Difference to their own family grave and if possible other graves in need of a little care and attention in preparation for the event.

On the day we will be working on the Quiet Corner for the annual ‘In Your Neighbourhood’ inspection organized by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Guided Walk by Sandra Moore 1pm.

Cemetery record information will be available Light refreshments will be served during the day

Leicester Amika Choir Around the World in 80(ish) Minutes Join the Leicester Amika Choir in search of musical treasures from around the world such as Big Yellow Taxi, Myfanwy, Chale Jaise Hawaien, Moon River, Yellow Bird, Halala Afrika, Benis le Seigneur and many, many more 7pm Saturday June 8th Tickets £10.00 Available by calling 07486670745 Sue Townsend Theatre, 16 Upper Brown St, Leicester

Birstall Flower Club Birstall Village Hall, 22nd May @ 7.15pm Demonstrator : Kerry Artess Title : Glass and crystal and all that bling.

Visitors welcome : £5 Contact : 01164206 or 07704398017

The Friends of Belgrave Cemetery AGM will be held on Saturday 4th May 10am at The Methodist Church Coffee Shop Lounge, Wanlip Road, Birstall.

All are welcome • Birstall Methodist Thursday Group Saturday May 11th

Coffee Morning at the Coffee Shop, Wanlip Lane, 10-12 am - cakes, tombola, plants, raffle, scarves etc., Thursday May 30th in the Methodist Church, 7.30pm, a concert with Singing For Fun, director Caroline Sharpe. Free admission but a re-

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

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tiring collection will be held.

Come along and join us to support Camp Charnwood For Diabetic Children

Birstall Methodist Monday Women’s Group meeting held in the Coffee Shop Programme for May 2019 13 May Joyce Godfrey – Holidays and Thrift Stall 20 May Steve Massey – Plastic Pollution 27 May no meeting (Bank Hol) Saturday 1 June 10am – 12 noon Coffee Morning for our 2019 Projects: St James’ Day Centre and The Food Hub Books & Jigsaws, Tombola/Raffle, Cake Stall, Plant Stall Please come along and support our local projects Contact Eileen 0116 2929670 for further information Everyone is welcome to any of our meetings

Birstall Tea Dances St James Birstall Village Hall Birstall Road Leicester LE4 4DH Fridays 10th & 31st May 2019 3.30 pm - 5.30 pm £4 each

Tea / coffee and cakes included All welcomed Further information contact: Jackie 0116 2248278 / 07908607405 Email: jackielucas957@hotmail.co.uk

Birstall & District Art Society Tuesday, 14th May, at 7pm You are invited to join us at the Palmer-Tomkinson Centre at Cedars Academy, Wanlip Lane, to watch exciting professional artist Steven Ashurst demonstrating how to create a “Portrait” using oil paints. Don’t be intimidated by the medium or the subject, this could be just the hobby for you!

Newcomers and visitors most welcome. Refreshments available at the interval. Demonstration to end at 9.00 p.m. Members £2; Guests £4. Free raffle. Ample parking and wheelchair access

Adapt Spring Fair To Support Your Local Premature & Poorly Baby Charity Sunday 19th May 2019 Thurmaston Memorial Hall Melton Road, Thurmaston 1 - 2.30pm Younique, Jewelery Books & Toys, Candle Melts Gifts, Baby Items Beauty Products

Pocket Money Toys Usborne Books, Oh So Bakery Glitter Hair Accessories Forever Living, Body Shop Corals Creative Crafts

Birstall & District Local History Society The next monthly meeting is to be held on Thursday 9th May 2019 commencing at 7.30pm in the Birstall Village Hall, Birstall Road, Birstall, Leics.

The talk for the evening will be given by Dr. John Sutton on "The Story Of The Titanic". This is the rearranged talk from our January meeting.

Visitors are very welcome to join us especially those who attended in January when the talk unfortunately didn't take place.

There will be parking available on the night on Birstall Playing Fields through the School Lane entrance • Birstall & Wanlip WI

Coffee Morning Saturday 11th May 10am-noon Methodist Church, Wanlip Lane, Birstall Homemade cakes, scones, plants, crafts and lucky bags Birstall Scouts

Last Night Of The Proms Concert

at St James Birstall parish church on 5th October 2019 at 7.30pm start, doors open at 7pm Tickets will be £10 per head.

We are proud to have the Bilton Silver Rugby Band to perform for us It will be all the usual music and songs and lots of flag waving If you would like tickets please phone the number below 0116 2674031 07842336745 terencesamuel@hotmail.co.uk Or they will be available from the scout hut on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday evenings Ratcliffe Chorale and Liverpool Phoenix Voices present

Music for a Summer Evening at Birstall Methodist Church.

Saturday 8th June at 7pm. All welcome. Retiring collection for Church funds and Air Ambulance Sunday 5th May 2019 St Leonard’s

Annual Bluebell Service Join us at 3pm in Swithland Woods near to the Great Pit for our Service and afterwards at St Leonard’s Church for tea and cakes. All welcome. Collection will be in aid of The Children’s Society

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

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Film Presentations Thurcaston and Cropston Parish "King of Thieves" May 10 (108 mins) In May, we are showing this true British crime thriller, starring Michael Caine, uniting an incredible cast. A crew of retired crooks pull off a major safe deposit burglary in London's Hatton Garden.

This is a huge heist in the famous jewellery district. We see humour but will greed overtake the gang?

Birstall Royal British Legion Club 4th Yasmin 11th Colin Kasey 18th Jim Robertson 25th Emma Jay Dancing every Saturday night with live entertainment Bingo free raffle and not forgetting open the box Bingo every Tues starting at 9.15pm Quiz every Wed starting at 8.30pm Sun quiz 12th & 26th May at 9pm Acoustic night 19th May Food available Sats 12 til 2pm Open Bank holiday Mondays 12 till 3pm Food available 12 till 2pm Families welcome Wakes catered for, free WIFI New members very welcome, just ask inside Birstall Parish Council’s

Annual Parish Meeting “First Man” June 14 (140 mins) Starring Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy, June's film is a biography of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. This is an exciting, yet tender, story of his family and his career in the Space Race. Amazingly, this film gained eight nominations for British Academy Awards and Oscars, this year.

Our next film will be shown on September 13. Enjoy your summer.

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 and a lucky prize draw during the interval.

Advance tickets may be purchased via the parish office –0116 236 7626 or at the door Birstall Watermead Tennis Club

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

Open Day Sunday May 12, 10am to 3pm All welcome to drop in anytime to try out BWTC’s new courts. No equipment needed, just bring your trainers.

Activities include: Mini-Tennis, Junior Tennis Adult Mix-In Tennis Cardio Tennis Tea, coffee, cakes and a licensed bar.

Half price discounts on membership available on the day For more information see the club’s Facebook page or contact

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Andy Page by email at andycpasurveyors@btconnect.com

Monday, 20 May 2019 6pm - Birstall Village Hall.

Reports from Parish Council Chair, Local Beat Officers, Charnwood Borough Councillors, Leicestershire County Councillor, Birstall Youth Café, Birstall & Wanlip Neighbourhood Watch.

The remainder of the meeting is set aside for the residents of Birstall to be able to express your opinions on the services provided by the Parish Council and to offer suggestions for future consideration by the Parish Council.

It is your meeting, and the Parish Councillors would be pleased to see you on the night, please try and come along, if only to view the displays and presentations from the above-mentioned organisations and to receive the first copy of the Parish Councils Annual Report.

Watermead Run THE WATERMEAD Challenge charity run reaches the milestone of it’s tenth year in 2019.

The run is on the flat tracks around the lakes of Watermead Park near Syston, run over both 3 and 5 mile distances.

Race Director Chris Battye of the organisers, Wreake Valley Rotary Club, said: “The run is an increasingly popular event which appeals to runners of all abilities and offers the opportunity to achieve a personal best time. In 2018 we had over 400 runners taking part.

This year the run is supporting three

worthy local causes: the Renal Unit at Leicester General Hospital, Abigail Herus a teenage cancer sufferer from Syston and Leicestershire Life Education, a children’s health education charity.”

The event takes place on Tuesday July 2, 2019 at 7pm with access to Watermead Park via the north entrance near the Hope and Anchor public house.

Full entry details can be found at www.wreakevalleyrotary.org.uk.

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Faces Arts stage musicals

FACES ARTS, the well-established Performing Arts Company for children, has two Theatre Schools in the area and they performed their annual productions in March.

The Birstall Theatre School performed ‘Grease’ and the Rothley Theatre School performed ‘Disney’s Aladdin’.

In total, 150 children from the surrounding areas participated in the shows, with Faces Arts owner Jody Chesterton full of admiration for the performances of the children. “Faces Arts is all about providing opportunities for local children to discover their performing talents.

The development in their ability and self-confidence has been outstanding. A huge well done to all the children who took part”.

For more information on Faces Arts Saturday Theatre School, Commercial Street Dance, Shake Up Parent & Toddler or Summer Schools, please visit the website www.facesarts.co.uk or for further information contact Jody on 07971423201.

Your council meeting BIRSTALL PARISH Council will be holding its Annual Parish Meeting on Monday May 20 at 6pm in the Village Hall (pictured above).

The Annual Parish Meeting is not a formal Council meeting but an opportunity for residents to come to a meeting and receive a report on behalf of the Parish Council from the Chair about the Parish Council’s achievements throughout the past 12 months.

There will also be reports from: • Local Beat Officers - Leicestershire Constabulary • Charnwood Borough Councillors • Leicestershire County Councillor • Birstall Youth Café • Birstall & Wanlip Neighbourhood Watch.

The remainder of the meeting is set aside for the residents of Birstall to express their opinions on the services provided by the Parish Council, and to offer suggestions for future consideration by Birstall Parish Council.

“It is your meeting, and the Parish Councillors would be pleased to see you on the night, please try and come along, if only to view the displays and presentations from the above-mentioned organisations and to receive the first copy of the Parish Councils Annual Report” said Ann Marshall, Chair of Birstall Parish Council.

Belgrave Hall BELGRAVE HALL and gardens has opened for the summer season From April to September, the historic site opens its doors to visitors who want to explore the tranquillity of the 18th century building’s fascinating gardens.

The gardens are open to the public every Wednesday from 11am to 4.30pm, as well as Saturday and Sunday on every first full weekend of the month, from 11am to 4.30pm.

The Georgian-era gardens feature formal gardens as well as herbaceous, woodland, rock and water garden areas.

Over the spring and summer months, the gardens will also host a series of open events.

They range from family fun days, teddy bears picnic, and outdoor theatre for children, to craft workshops, Heritage Open Days and the popular Belgrave Food and Garden Festival.

Details of all events at Belgrave Hall and Gardens are available at visitleicester.info

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

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Birstall man’s sentence too lenient A FORMER Special Constable from Birstall who was spared jail for harassing a family has now been imprisoned for four years and nine months by the Court of Appeal.

Shahib Asan (23) of Saltersgate Drive had his sentence referred to the Court of Appeal by Solicitor General Robert Buckland as it was considered unduly lenient.

Asan sent threatening and abusive texts to his victims between August 15 and 16, 2018 and was found guilty of harassment at Leicester Crown Court in February.

He was also sentenced for offences he admitted at a previous hearing. These were criminal damage, two counts of intent to pervert the course of justice and harassment with threats of violence, which he admitted at a hearing in August 2018.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid at a previous hearing. Asan was found to have taken his force-issued Captor spray off force property and was dismissed from Leicestershire Police in relation to this offence in November 2017.

Asan was given a 12 month suspended sentence suspended for two years and ordered to undertake 180 hours unpaid work. He was also given an indefinite restraining order.

The court heard how Asan, as a form of harassment, sent threatening letters and text message to the victims over a couple of months, on one occasion threatening to burn down their house.

He also threatened to stab the victims, and in one text message threatened to shoot one of them.

He also damaged a car belonging to a victim as it was parked in a street in East Goscote, by throwing what was believed to be paint stripper over it.

Asan’s suspended prison sentence was considered in April 2019 by Lady Justice Sharp and two other judges at the Court of Appeal. Judge Sharp said it was “difficult to comprehend” how the Crown Court judge reached the conclusion the sentence could be suspended.

She said: “In our view these [offences] merited a custodial sentence of some length, as they were serious, persistent, sophisticated and caused grave harm to the victims.

“The offender had deliberately subjected this family to a degree of mental torture over a prolonged period of time, including threats of violence.”

HATS: Vicar of Dribley HATS ARE promising you a fantastic night out with some good old fashioned humour this May when they present their Spring play, ‘The Vicar of Dribley’.

A tribute to the iconic BBC comedy, the play, by Ray Evans, features a new female vicar in a village that is set in its ways – but she soon wins them round with some comedic adventures along the way featuring a donkey sanctuary and the Antiques Roadshow. Tickets are available now.

Dates: May 16, 17 & 18 at 7.15,

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

Fire damages home A FIRE has damaged a Birstall house.

Firefighters were called to a property on Queensgate Drive on April 13 at 1.25am. The roof and the first floor bedroom were on fire.

One man was taken to hospital following the incident. Five fire engines attended the scene and an aerial ladder was used to put out the fire in the roof.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

A 29-year old man has been charged with arson following the fire.

Bashkim Nuredini, of no fixed address, has also been charged with abstracting/using electricity without authority, and production of a controlled class B drug(cannabis).

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NHW news

& crime report Plan Your Own Burglary!

House burglars, like the rest of us, adapt their activities to reflect the time of year. In the winter months they use the longer period of darkness to cover their activities and to identify homes that are unoccupied. That is why we advise you to use devices such as timer switches to make your home look occupied even when you are out.

This advice applies all the year round, of course, but the summer months give thieves additional opportunities to commit burglaries. We all welcome the warm weather when we can open windows and doors and let some fresh air into our homes. But, when left unattended, these provide easy access to those who want to steal our property. Even when you are in the next room, it can take only seconds for valuable articles to be stolen. It is not uncommon for people to come in from a spell in the garden, only to find that they have been burgled in this manner.

Always be very careful about leaving open windows unattended, even if they are only ajar. Criminals will not think twice about breaking the mechanism to gain access and will not distinguish them from a door in order to break into your home.

So, please, take a few minutes to think like a thief and ‘case’ your own property. Ask yourself how would you break in, if you were a burglar?

Use your imagination and keep one step ahead of potential thieves.

• Are there windows that are easy to climb through from ground level?

• Are there upstairs windows that can be reached from a conservatory roof, for example?

• Are your windows and doors easy to open from the outside?

• Do you have extra security locks fitted and do you use them all the time?

• Do you always set your burglar alarm?

• Do you keep your side gate locked?

• Are your sheds and outbuildings secure?

• Do you leave ladders and tools about that a burglar could use?

It is a sad fact of life that we have to think like this. However, if we spot things ourselves and put them right, they will not be there for a thief to exploit.

Just be alert, take simple precautions and stay safe.

From Birstall & Wanlip NHW

Crime update We’ve had a total of 43 crimes reported in March, which is slightly up on February when we had 38. The number of thefts from vehicles has unfortunately risen again with 11 offences being reported, up from seven last month, albeit two of these were attempts where no entry was gained and another two relate to number plates being stolen as opposed to vehicles actually being broken into.

There have been six house burglaries this month and four ‘non-dwelling’ burglaries, two of which occurred at business premises on Hannah Parade on the night of the 21/3. I am pleased to report that some arrests have been made in relation to these incidents, however at this time the suspects have been released without charge whilst further enquiries are completed.

Earlier this month we also took a report of a suspicious male in Watermead Park, this occurred on the 6/3 between 4pm and 5pm near to the bridge over the canal. The male, who is described as white, 18-19 years old, slim build, about 5’10” tall with ginger hair and wearing a grey hooded top, followed two females for a short distance and at one point ran towards one of them in manner that caused her to fear for her safety. Thankfully, neither female was harmed during the incident however they were both left distressed by it. If you have any information about this, please contact the Birstall Beat Team via the Leicestershire Police website.

Fuel thefts continue to be a problem with another five reported in March & we have had six reports of criminal damage, however aside from this there are no other significant crime trends.

For further crime information please visit: www.police.uk/leicestershire/NL60/ Crime Prevention Advice This month we were told about an incident outside one of the local primary schools where a parent & his young children were almost hit by a car that reversed without the driver looking properly. Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident & we regularly receive similar reports, many of which are caused by inconsiderate and dangerous parking.

Please remember the following rules when parking, not just outside schools but everywhere: 1) You should not park your vehicle where it would endanger, inconvenience or obstruct other road users or pedestrians. You can receive a Fixed Penalty Ticket for obstruction if you do, even if you are not parked on double or single yellow lines or zig-zags etc.

2) You should not park opposite OR within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction.

If you do you are forcing other vehicles into the path of oncoming traffic. You could then be held liable for causing an accident, even if you were not present at the time!

3) You must not park over a pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by zig-zag lines, or on the zig-zag lines outside school entrances.

Neighbourhood update On March 9 we had a report of three males trying car doors in the area of the Hallam Fields Estate. A member of the public contacted the Police and followed the males, keeping them in sight until the Police arrived and searched them all.

Nothing was found and after obtaining their details the males went on their way, however it is likely that had the Police not been contacted we may have had some further reports of vehicles being broken into that night. This was a good piece of work & our thanks go to the member of the public who reported the incident – if you witness similar behaviour, please call us on 101 or 999 if a crime is actually in progress.

Meet your local police team Sibson Road Police Office - Saturday 18th May from 10am to 12 midday (in conjunction with the Birstall and Wanlip NHW).

From PC 1759 Dave Jaeckels, PCSO 6611 Mark Butler 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)

Easter artwork STATIONS OF the Cross created using clay, paint or collage have been placed in St James the Great, Birstall.

Those involved in the project range in age from the very young to people in their 80s.

The artwork aims to help visitors reflect on the Passion of Christ and the resurrection.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

14

Duck race here!

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

MONDAY MAY 6 is the date of this year’s White Horse duck race.

Held on the riverbank and at the White Horse pub at 12 noon, the duck race itself starts at 2pm.

It’s the eleventh running of the race which this year is raising funds for Save the Children The community aspect of the duck race is always the main focus and this year is no exception. The White Horse Car Park will be taken over by a plethora of stalls, games and activities run by many local community groups. To name a few there will be a homemade, jam, chutney and cake stall run by the Soroptimists, Riverside PTA will have a Teddy Tombola and Donkey Derby, Hallam Fields PTA will have Popcorn, chocolate Tombola and Lucky dip. The Scouts will be running an Archery experience and the Girl Guides will have a string game and their Rangers will run a glitter and tattoo bar. There will also be a mehndi designs and some super hand knitted ducks adding to the usual duck memorabilia stall.

There are also craft stalls by the WI and other resident producers, local schools, and the Dance Academy will be running the popular hook a bag game, a bottle tombola and will be doing a dance performance. There will also be water activities run by St James’s church, the Baldwin trust are bringing their canal boat to the event and if the weather is good Paddle Plus will offer boat rides.

There will be the usual duck race favourites of a bouncy castle, ice cream van and the usual refreshments will be provided by the White Horse, with the bar opening at midday and a large barbecue in operation throughout the afternoon.

This year there is also again a children’s duck decorating competition: if you haven’t had a copy of the Duck from Hallam Fields, Highcliffe or Riverside Primary schools and would like to take part, please pop in to the White Horse to collect one Webster the Duck Mascot will have been to all three primary schools in the run up to the event.

Ducks are currently available to buy from Unique hairdressers and the White Horse bar. There'll also be plenty of ducks to buy on the day.

There are over 30 prizes for Duck Race winners including a £100 first prize.

Be sure to check out the ‘Duck News’ on the White Horse Facebook page.

Any donations of prizes, cakes, teddies or other items for stalls would be very welcome, please leave a message for Charlotte at the White Horse on 0116 2671038.

Rotary club THE WREAKE Valley Rotary Club recently held their charities cheque presentation evening.

They were joined by Syston Rotary Club and The Inner Wheel Ladies Rotary Club of the Wreake Valley who once again had joined forces in various fundraising activities over the last year.

A total of £6,250 raised from our Christmas Santa runs, ASDA collections, together with an amount held in reserve from our Watermead Charity Challenge held last July was distributed to around 20 different local charities and two individuals.

These included Warning Zone (ASDA's charity), Leics. Motor Neurone Disease, The Laura Centre (Leicester) and our overseas charity Himalayan Education and Visually Impaired in Simikot, Nepal.

Other charities to benefit included Birstall Bags ( Breast Cancer awareness and support group), Thrummy Drummers ( dementia social group), Thurmaston Lavender Club (over 50s social group), Heart Link children's charity (Glenfield) Vista (Syston) and several local scouts/guides groups.

Badgers in garden?

HAVING TROUBLE with badgers in your garden?

The Badger Trust recommend that there is no food in your garden, such as wind fall fruit or bird food spilled from feeders that might attract badgers.

Badgers dig up leaves to reach insect larvae to eat. They larvae live on the roots of the grass.

Pam Mynott from the Leicestershire and Rutland Badger Group says: “You need to try to remove this food and it used to be possible to do this by applying pesticides that kill the cockchafer and leather-jacket grubs, but there are now no approved chemical products for this on sale in the UK. You can safely treat your lawn biologically using nematodes, but these are expensive and not totally effective.

“Improving the condition of the lawns

is essential as the grubs thrive in damp, shaded lawns with moss. Spiking and scarifying the lawn should help, as will treating the lawn with an ammoniumbased fertilizer. The smell of such a fertilizer will also deter the badgers who have very sensitive noses.!”

Badgers and their setts are protected by law. If you think badgers are digging a sett in your garden you should contact the Badger Group on 0116 2715006

Keep learning this summer ANITA PANCHOLI from Tutor Doctor explains why it’s a good idea to keep your kids learning over the long summer break: As the school year comes to an end, many parents start thinking about ways to keep their children occupied during the long summer months. Day trips and holidays are on everyone’s mind but what will happen to all the important information that children learned in school that year? Children experience a phenomenon called “summer learning loss”.

Essentially, they forget a lot of what they learned in the previous school year over the summer months. In fact, studies have shown that children lose more than two and a half months worth of maths skills in the summertime. For those that were already struggling in maths, this means that they will start off the next school year even further disadvantaged.

And it’s not just maths. Overall, children lose an average of 1 month of learning in other subjects during the summer.

Think of athletes. Imagine if they stopped training for 2-3 months in the year. You

would expect that when they return to their sport, that they would experience a lag in performance. The brain is no different. It needs to be exercised.

Children can get a significant jump on the school year by using Tutor Doctor. Many students go through what we call the ‘summer brain drain’ and in many cases forget much of what they learned the previous year. We help students, and parents, achieve their educational goals with programs that are specifically designed to fit the needs of each individual.

So how can you keep your kids learning over the summer? Here are a few ideas.

• Visit a library. Find some books with topics that interest your child so

that they are really engaged in reading.

• Visit local museums, zoos and historical sites. Help your child learn about history and the world they live in.

• Enrol in summer tutoring programs.

For children that are struggling academically, summer can be the perfect time to address it with a customised tutoring program.

• Buy mind engaging games for your children and their friends to play, simple card games make for a fun afternoon activity. They are easy to learn and great for including large groups of children!

For further information on our 1-1 tutoring programmes, please call (0116) 319 4416 or visit www.tutordoctor.co.uk/leicester-north

15

16

Birstall United: the season so far BIRSTALL UNITED looks set to finish the season mid-table, as Neil Beattie reports:

BIRSTALL’S TACTICAL Basement boxing club has begun an award scheme to recognise achievement in training.

The bronze, silver and gold certificates are an incentive to progress and are open to all members at the club, including newcomers.

Based at Birstall Social Club on Wanlip Lane, the boxing club is looking for a volunteer treasurer. The post will take up one or two hours per week and the treasurer will be given the full support of the trainers. For details about the treasurer post or if you would like to join the club, call 07979 511 501.

WI in a spin 40 LADIES including six new visitors met at Birstall British Legion on April 1 where our speaker was Julia Wallis who talked to us about spinning and weaving.

We tried out the manual spinning of wool and then Julia gave a demonstration of a more efficient method with her beautiful spinning wheel. The ladies brought in some gorgeous Easter bonnets for our monthly competition.

We had a very enjoyable skittle evening just for our WI at the Wheatsheaf Inn at Thurcaston and a more competitive match at the Royal Oak in Cossington where we played Astill Lodge.

We will hold our annual coffee morning at Birstall Methodist Church on May 11. It is always well worth a visit to pick up your homemade cakes, home grown plants, handmade crafts and cards and those exciting lucky bags as well as the usual refreshments.

Our next meeting is on May 13 when Roxanne Dinsdale will be dispelling “Myths about Belly Dancing” and the competition will be a decorated belly dance bra.

From Birstall & Wanlip WI

Pic: Trainer Dean Spencer (ctr) and Assistant Trainer Lewis Gutteridge with Louis.

Dean’s class is on Fridays from 7-8pm

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Blackstones, Birstall went on a 19 match run without a single win. These results included two 7-0 maulings at the hands of Heather St Johns and Anstey Nomads.

Birstall finally steadied the ship at the end of February with a confident 4-0 win over Northampton. That put them on their current 4 match unbeaten run including a narrow 1-0 win over Thrapstone Town. This has continued with 3 draws in the last 4 games, split only with a 3-1 defeat away to Bugbrooke St Michaels at the start of April. There most recent game (their last home game of the season 20-04-19) also ended in a defeat 2-1 to Huntingdon Town.

Birstall United currently sit in 15th with 35 pts. Had they not been docked the 6 pts they would be in 13th. They are in mid-table with no threat of relegation and two games left. They will finish mid table and can then plan for next season.

Their tow remaining games are: 2204-19 Anstey Nomads (Away); 27-04-19 Lutterworth Town (Away) If you have time to spare pop along and give them a cheer.

Baby group moves to Highcliffe site ACORN BABIES Birstall, the group for babies up to 12 months and their carers, has moved to the Acorn Under Fives building attached to Highcliffe Primary School.

A spokeswoman said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed our time at Cedar Mews care home and would like to thank the team there for providing us with a wonderful start, but as the pre-school reopened at the Highcliffe premises it felt the right time to re-launch.”

Acorn Babies was started two years ago and is a group designed to allow new parents and carers a safe space to talk, socialise with others and provide toys and a sensory experience uniquely for babies.

“We can provide direction to other

groups and services available locally, an ear to listen to worries and a warm welcoming environment to make new friends. Drinks and biscuits are always available!” said the spokeswoman.

The group runs on Tuesday afternoons during term time, 1-2.30pm and is accessed via the gate next to the zebra crossing on Greengate Lane by Highcliffe School. It’s £2 a session and is a drop in group with no commitment to attend each week - just turn up when it suits you. Further information is available via the Facebook page Acorn Babies Birstall.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

Boxing award scheme

After a non-league reshuffle, which will carry on this summer, Birstall United were transferred from the Eastern Counties League to the United Counties League, Division One. Here they hoped to open a new chapter in their history.

The season didn’t get off to a great start by narrowly losing to Blackstones 3-2. They then had a four match unbeaten run including a 4-0 demolition of Ellesmere Rangers in the First Qualifying Round of the F A Vase. They then suffered 2 heavy 4-0 defeats, to Irchester United in the league and Heather St Johns in the Second Qualifying Round of the F A Vase. Birstall then hammered Huntingdon Town 6-0, however their celebrations were short-lived as the league docked them 6pts for fielding an eligible player and other "team sheet irregularities". So after 5 matches they had 6 pts instead of 12.

After a defeat to Bugbrooke St Michaels, they moved into October with wins over Rushden & Higham and Long Buckby. Unfortunately, although split up by draws with Melton Town, St Andrews, Irchester United, Harrowby United and

17

GCR locomotive works THE GREAT Central Railway has announced plans to build a new locomotive works, education and visitor centre at its Loughborough site.

The new works will offer enhanced facilities for the restoration and maintenance of the railway’s extensive locomotive fleet along with greater manufacturing capabilities. Incorporated into the works will be a new visitor centre allowing extensive public access to the works along with new education and learning facilities.

GCR Managing Director Michael Gough said. “We are excited by this development, which will allow our visitors unprecedented access to truly engage with all the activities needed to restore mainline steam locomotives.”

The GCR has recently expanded its educational offering and the new centre will provide much needed facilities for schools, colleges and universities to engage around several areas of their

curriculums. The GCR will also use the facilities to increase education and skills transfer for its own volunteers with emphasis on increasingly rare heritage skills.

Michael added: “One area we have been concentrating on at the GCR for the last 12 months is our support for schools and colleges and their curriculum needs. The centre is designed with this is mind, offering a range of capabilities to support learning from early years through to our own young engineers and volunteers.”

The Railway has launched an appeal where supporters can purchase a plaque in the GCR’s Heritage gallery suite at Loughborough. Further information on the project and how to purchase a plaque can be found at: www.gcrailway.co.uk/shedappeal/

Outdoor concerts THE FIRST acts have been announced for De Montfort Hall’s outdoor concerts this summer.

The gigs will take place during the last two weeks of August, and the first two to go on sale will be the Kaiser Chiefs, The Vaccines and The Twang on Sunday, 18 August, with Years & Years and Jax Jones performing on Sunday, 25 August.

De Montfort Hall general manager Antony Flint said: “These are exactly the sort of larger scale events that we’ve been aiming to bring to Leicester for some years now, so I’m really pleased that all of our planning and work has started to pay off.”

After major works to improve the outdoor infrastructure last summer, De Montfort Hall’s gardens can now host large-scale concerts much more easily than before, with a capacity of up to 6,000 people.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby added: “I am delighted that De Montfort Hall’s gardens will be back in full use this summer, following the significant investment we made last year to carry out improvements.

“I very much look forward to these larger-scale concerts, which are an exciting addition to the city’s wider summer programme of events and activities.”

Advance tickets for Sunday 18 August Kaiser Chiefs, The Vaccines and The Twang - are priced at £48.50 and are on sale now.

Advance tickets for Sunday 25 August Years and Years and Jax Jones - are priced at £48.50 and are also on sale now.

Details of other acts performing in the outdoor summer programme at De Montfort Hall’s will be announced later.

New netball sessions

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

NEW NETBALL sessions are giving women a flexible way to play the sport.

The borough council’s Active Charnwood team is hosting the Netball Now sessions at Wreake Valley Academy in Syston.

The fun and informal sessions are being run in partnership with Leicestershire County Council and Leicestershire and Rutland Sport. They’re aimed at women over 16 who simply want to turn up and play without any coaching or commitments.

Samantha Chamberlain, community sport and physical activity development officer said: “These sessions are

perfect for anyone who enjoys playing netball but doesn’t want to play in a competitive environment.

“It’s not a coached session, people are able to simply turn up, pay a small fee and play a game of netball.”

Sessions cost £3 and all you need to do is turn up and bring appropriate footwear.

The sessions are on Thursdays from 6.30pm-7.30pm.

If you want more information, contact Sam Chamberlain at samantha.chamberlain@charnw ood.gov.uk or 01509 632534.

Bowlers in bonnets AT THE beginning of April St Margaret’s Co-operative bowls club held the last event of the closed season, a coffee morning with Easter cakes and an Easter bonnet competition.

The event was well supported and all entries were worthy of prizes. Three winners were picked: Ann Taylor, pictured centre, Keith Breward and Eileen Snape, to the right.

A club spokesman said: “Our thoughts now turn to the coming bowls season. Our green has been carefully tended and is now looking just perfect.

If you would like to give bowls a try, come along to one of our open days which will take place at 6pm on Friday 10th and 2pm on Sunday May 12. No charge is made and there is no obligation. Why not bring friends, the more

the merrier. All equipment provided but bring flat soled shoes. Qualified coaches on hand.”

Any enquiries, call Sam on 2677372 or Carolyn on 2675947.

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Open day at Birstall fire station BIRSTALL’S FIRE and Rescue station on Geoff Monk Way is holding an open day for the whole community on Saturday May 11.

Each year the service holds station open days, opening their doors to everyone in their local communities. This year, the service are making sure they are inclusive of all community members by making this open day particularly accessible to its deaf community members.

The open day will take place at Birstall Fire and Rescue Station on Saturday May 11, between 10am and 2pm. A BSL interpreter will be available.

Sophie Smith, Community Educator at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “These hugely popular days feature a wide variety of events and activities to give communities an opportunity to meet firefighters and to see a working fire and rescue station. Their overall aim is to promote fire safety messages in an en-

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gaging way, by incorporating lots of fun activities for children and adults.

“The purpose of the event is to bring the deaf community together and provide access to the services we offer. On the day we will have the police, Red Cross, and Dexter the Fire Investigation dog in attendance, and we will be offering biker advice, road safety advice and so much more.”

She added: “Growing up in a deaf community, I understand the barriers that this community face when it comes to accessing information. There will be a British Sign Language interpreter at our event, as well as two members of staff who have BSL skills. We are very much looking forward to welcoming deaf, deafened and hard of hearing adults and children and their families to our funfilled open day.”

The event, which is supporting British Sign Language and The Firefighters Charity, will include demonstrations from firefighters, a smokehouse experience, and give visitors a chance to look round fire engines and a Red Cross vehicle, as well as meeting Dexter the fire dog.

There will be plenty of free fun for all the family, including refreshments, stalls, games and more!

HATS at awards night BIRSTALL’S HIGHCLIFFE Amateur Theatrical Society was nominated for two awards at the annual Pantomime Alliance Awards.

Sue Withers from HATS said: “The awards nights are a wonderful way of amateur dramatics groups coming together to celebrate each other’s successes. It is also a fun night with lots of congratulations between different groups. It is encouraging and essential that amateur dramatics are recognised as a fabulous form of entertainment.

“Once again we were delighted to receive positive acknowledgement for our performance and for our fantastic costumes.

“Although we did not win an award outright, we received two nominations in different categories.

“Our first nomination was in relation to ‘best costumes’. A fabulous credit to Di Butler who works so very hard with all of our costumes for all of our productions.”

The second nomination was in relation to best female support. This went to Sue Withers for her role of the ever eating Friar Tuck.

Country market A COUNTRY market that grew out of the Women’s Institute continues to be held weekly in Glenfield.

It offers a cake stall and preserves and a wide choice of home baked items, savoury and sweet, every Friday from 9-11am at St Peter’s Church Centre.

Ruth Lane, Secretary of Glenfield Country Market, said: “There is a craft stall where our talented crafters present a vast array of different handmade goods to suit all pockets. On the plant and gardens stall a range of homegrown plants are available, both for indoors and outdoors, and seasonal homegrown produce. There are also handcrafted birdboxes, bat boxes, bug hotels and hedgehog-nest boxes and feeders to help us to encourage wildlife into our gardens.

“This popular weekly event is open to members of the wider local community who come along to have a chat over refreshments from our friendly café area.”

She added: “As Glenfield and the surrounding villages expand with new housing developments, we know that new residents won’t necessarily know that we exist. It’s free entry and there’s parking at the Church Centre itself! Expect a friendly welcome when you arrive. New comers and regulars alike frequently say they love the friendly atmosphere. We are also looking out for more producers, particularly bakers, to attend and to sell their wares – all you need is an up to date Hygiene Certificate (this can be done on line) and to take up Country Market Membership (5p for life membership!)

“We do hope that this makes you feel you would like to give us a try. Bring a friend and join us one Friday soon!”

For more details/enquiries contact: glenfieldmarket@gmail.com

Planning P/19/0874/2: 131 Wanlip Lane Birstall LE4 4GL Removal of existing conservatory and erection of a single storey, 6 metre (out in length) rear extension. The width size of the new extension will remain the same as the existing dwelling.

P/19/0873/2: 11 Tempest Road Birstall Leicestershire LE4 3BD Side and rear extension with new garage and enlarged porch P/19/0869/2: 4 Dale Close Birstall Leicestershire LE4 3LE The erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 5m, with a maximum height of 3.85m, and height to the eaves of 2.5m P/19/0861/2: 16 Station Road Birstall LE4 3BA Demolition of the existing residential property Erection of a new two and half residential property P/19/0818/2: 4 Oakfield Avenue Birstall LE4 3DQ Porch to front - first floor extension to side - single storey rear extension P/19/0806/2: 57 Blenheim Road Birstall LE4 4FP Two storey front and side extensions to domestic dwelling P/19/0805/2: 146 Birstall Road Birstall LE4 4DF Proposed two storey rear extension, alterations to the main roof, external rendering and alterations to front gate P/19/0778/2: 2 Church Hill Birstall LE4 4DN Proposed conversion of existing garage with single storey flat into two separate two-bedroom dwellings.

P/19/0750/2: 7 Copeland Road, Birstall, Leicestershire, LE4 3AB. Proposed erection of a conservatory P/19/0723/2: 483 Loughborough Road Birstall Leicestershire LE4 4BJ Demolition of existing garage & rebuild to include swimming pool P/19/0666/2: 12 Hallam Avenue Birstall LE4 3DN Proposed single storey rear extension.

P/19/0651/2: 28 Fieldgate Crescent Birstall LE4 3JD Proposed two storey side and single storey rear extension P/19/0843/2: 46 Allington Drive Birstall Leicestershire LE4 4FA The erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the house by 2.925m (a total of 5.963 from the rear wall of the original dwelling), with a maximum height of 3.815m, and height to the eaves of 2.532m P/19/0689/2: 8 Malling Close, Birstall LE4 4FY Single storey rear extension

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2019

18

News from the churches As we are still in the season of Lent, Methodist Minister becomes ‘SuperinSt James Church is in a sombre state, tendent” with decorative hangings covered and Rev Paula Hunt, who has pastoral altar cloths of purple. oversight of the Methodist Church here However, in anticipation of the joy of in Birstall and at Rothley, has, at very Easter, the 'Stations of Joy' will be set up short notice, been appointed Superinon Good Friday, April 19, and will be tendent of the 20 Churches which form there for us all to see until Pentecost the Leicester Trinity Circuit. Paula takes (June 9); on Sundays of course, after over from Rev Edson Dube, who has the church service, or on Saturdays resigned. when the Church is always open between When Paula became minister at Bir10am and midday, to welcome everyone. stall & Rothley, her appointment was on As so many people have been involved in a part-time basis. For a period of time the making of the Stations, each one will Paula became full time when Claremont be unique, and reflect the different ideas Street Church in Belgrave came under and techniques of each artist, which I her pastoral care. Now that Paula has am sure will be fascinating. Canon Anne this considerable extra responsibility, Horton has produced a leaflet as a guide her hours will become full time again. to the Stations which will be freely availa- The Birstall & Rothley congregations ble, and very useful. wish her well in her challenging new The young people of St James Sunday role.

School, and their families, baked lots of Pantomime Resurrected? scrummy cakes for our 'All together' Since the late 1940’s, Birstall Methodservice, which is always the first Sunday ist Church has presented a pantomime of every month, to help raise some mon- almost every winter, usually with an ‘all ey for the church and also give everymale’ cast. Alas, there has been no panbody a real treat! Unsurprisingly, they tomime for the last two or three years. were all sold! Who can say 'No' to love- Meetings have been held with a view to ly home-made cakes? seeing whether this popular thespian The Sunday School are also having a event can be resurrected with both laday at Wanlip Church, exploring the dies and gentlemen participating. It is lovely old building and grounds, having unfortunate that the Church Council only a picnic, and learning 'lots'. recently took the decision to dismantle To help less fortunate children, the the stage to make more storage space, White Horse in Birstall will be hosting a as, at the time of the decision, there meal in aid of the 'Save the Children' seemed to be no prospect of there being charity on May 1. Further details of this another pantomime. It is hoped that and other events held to further the some amicable compromise can be work of 'Save the Children' are available reached. If you are interested in particifrom Josephine Burgess on pating, then do speak to Myles at Nanajbsavethechildren@gmail.com. dos hairdresser shop near the Sibson Not wishing the time away, really, but Road/Loughborough Road traffic lights. just to let you all know - May 11 is the 60 years of Boys’ Brigade in Birstall date of the Wanlip May Fair, taking place Plans are being made for a reunion at the Church and the Community rooms of 2nd Leicester BB members, as the from 2 to 4pm and ... also ... believe it Company was formed 60 years ago. For or not, we are thinking about the Shoemore details contact Martin Wright box appeal for Christmas! There are 07773780476. In the meantime, past pictures and details in St. James of the Captain Maurice Hayward has set up a distribution and reception of 40,000 Facebook site under the name Second boxes which were collected last year, Thoughts.

From Birstall Methodist Church and delivered by Link to Hope, and onwards to Bulgaria, where there were some very happy recipients. Collecting a Sunday Services variety of items to give as presents is As we mentioned in last month’s ‘Biralways rather fun, I think; if your chilstall Post’, we are not able to use the dren are grown up, it is a good excuse usual venue on the Bank Holiday weekto look around for toys and pretty ends, so we only have services in Room things! As well as useful things, too, for PT1, The Palmer Tomkinson Centre, The grown-ups.

Cedars Academy, Wanlip Lane, Birstall From Birstall Parish Church (LE4 4GH) on 12th and 19th - for the 5th and 26th, please ring for arrangements. Our visiting speaker on May 12

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is John Todd (Loughborough). We extend a warm invitation to you to join with us. There is a children’s meeting available during the second half of the service.

The Lodge Trust Family Fun Day The Lodge, which is a Christian charity helping adults with learning difficulties and is based at Market Overton in Rutland (LE15 7PL), will host its annual Family Fun Day on Saturday May 18 from 10.30am to 3.30pm. There will be games, stalls, food, displays and lots more. As the weather is improving, you may also like to take a visit at other times to the tranquil country setting of The Lodge and enjoy lunch or cream tea in their café, which is open Mondays to Saturdays from 8.30am to 4.30pm. Craft items made by the residents and serviceusers are on sale in the shop within the café.

Enquiries about BIBC: please ring 0116 221 4883 From Birstall Independent Baptist Church

OUR LENTEN preparations culminated in the services of Holy Week.

On Palm Sunday we processed into church with blessed palms, echoing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. On the Wednesday, a Passover Supper was held again this year. At Mass on Maundy Thursday we commemorated the Last Supper, after which the consecrated Host was removed to the Altar of Repose where parishioners could spend a period of vigil. On the morning of Good Friday, local Christians who took part in the Churches Together “Walk of Witness” were offered hot drinks and hot cross buns in the social room at St. Theresa’s.

In the afternoon, the Stations of the Cross preceded the Good Friday service of the Passion of Our Lord.

The sombre mod took us to the Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday where we moved from darkness into light and celebrated the first Mass of Easter. The churches looked suitably resplendent for all the Easter Masses, in which the liturgy and music rang out with the joy of resurrection. Thanks go to all those who organised events and prepared the churches for the services.

On May 19, 12 of our young people will celebrate their First Holy Communion followed by a breakfast in St Theresa’s Hall. Thanks go to the Catechists who are preparing the children for this important day and also to the children for working so diligently.

The Children’s choir which has only started this year is making great progress and they now sing during the Children’s Masses on the first Sunday of

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every month. This month their contribu- 19 tion to Mass was particularly moving and many comments were made about the wonderful sound they are making.

Thanks to Chris Lowe for his hard work with both the Adult and Children’s Choirs. Both Choirs and an orchestra will be performing a Summer Concert on July 7 at 7pm. There will be songs from musicals, performances of popular songs by both choirs, and a sing-a-long too. It is in the Church and everyone is welcome to attend. There will be refreshments at the interval, our ever popular Whisky Roll and a raffle. Please come along. All monies raised will be given to charity.

The Birstall Food Hub, which operates out of St Theresa’s, is helping more and more people who find themselves in difficulty and donations of non-perishable foodstuffs and toiletries are ever needed. Donations for the Rothley Food Hub can similarly be left at Sacred Heart.

These are taken for Distribution to Rothley Baptist Church. Debt relief advice is also available. Those using the service frequently express their gratitude for this vital help.

Upcoming events: Care Hub at St Theresa’s– Fri May 10 7.30. Social evening and table top games etc. Open to everyone.

Summer Concert – Sun July 7, 7pm Summer Fete – Sat July 27 Further details of these and other events can be found on the parish website: www.st-theresa-sacredheart.co.uk.

From St Theresa’s church

Trinity Life Church (Birstall) is a thriving and integral part of many people in the Village of Birstall.

We are a church that loves connecting with people locally and want to engage with you in as many ways as we possibly can. We have a dynamic Sunday morning worship service, life groups that meet on a regular basis, exciting half terms activities for your child and many more events that you will enjoy. It’s been an amazing journey since we started in September 2018 and to now be established here in Birstall. We would love to meet with you and your family or friends. There is a place for you. Its where you belong. If you want to know more or would like to meet with our pastoral team then email andre.timothy@trinitylifechurch.org.uk The month of May is exciting and we look forward to connecting more with the Birstall community. Look out for our Schools Out event. We have seen this grow and the last time we had this event it was amazing to see so many parents and most importantly children come to the event. It was fantastic seeing the kids enjoy themselves and connect with other local children. Not only did it give children the opportunity to have lots of fun in a safe and friendly environment but also parents and grandparents connect.

It was indeed a great day out for all and a success. So if you see a flyer land in your home or a post on our website or social media sites then do come along.

It’s only going to get better Open Hands is TLC’s compassion charity and if you would like to volunteer to serve the poor in Leicester or would value some support yourself simply go on our website where you will find all the information you need www.openhandsleicester.org.uk From Trinity Life church

Birstall BAG’s cancer corner Cancer Research UK Funded Study redoes this mean for a nation famed for its fry ups? ports on dangers of processed meat The evidence linking processed and We are incredibly lucky in the UK to red meat to cancer has been stacking up have Cancer Research UK, an amazing charity that funds world leading research. for over a decade. In 2015 the International Agency for Research on Cancer A recent publication has caused signifi(IARC) – a group of experts that review cant concern as it affects many of us and report on research evidence – classiwith our day to day eating habits. fied processed meat as a ‘definite’ cause It’s not new news that processed and of cancer. red meat are linked to bowel cancer.

This places bacon in the same group But meat was back in the news recently after research Cancer Research UK fund- as tobacco. But IARC groups simply state ed and published that took a closer look how certain we can be, based on the evidence, that something causes cancer, at how much meat might be enough to not the amount of cancers it causes. increase bowel cancer risk.

The new study, published in the Inter- This means the evidence that processed national Journal of Epidemiology, looked meat causes bowel cancer is as strong at whether people who eat an average of as it is for tobacco causing cancer, but smoking is responsible for far more 76 grams of processed and red meat a cases of cancer than processed meat. day – approximately 3 slices of IARC also classified red meat ham – are still at increased as a ‘probable’ cause of risk of bowel cancer. cancer.

This is similar to the How does processed average amount and red meat cause people in the UK eat each day, and falls in cancer? a somewhat grey So far research has area within governlinked three chemicals ment guidelines – to increased bowel canwhich state anyone cer risk. These chemiwho eats more than 90 cals are either naturally grams a day should cut this to found in meat, added during no more than 70 grams a day. processing or produced when cooking: The main takeaway from the study haem (a red pigment found mostly in was that even moderate meat-eating red meat); increases bowel cancer risk. So, what nitrates and nitrites (used to keep

processed meat fresher for longer); and heterocyclic amines and polycyclic amines (produced when meat is cooked at high temperatures) All three can damage the cells in our bowel, and it’s the accumulation of this damage over time that increases cancer risk.

How much matters?

The latest study analysed data from half a million UK adults and found that moderate processed and red meat eaters had a 20% increased risk of bowel cancer compared to low meat eaters. To put this in context, for every 10,000 people on the study who ate 21 grams of red and processed meat a day, 40 were diagnosed with bowel cancer. Eating 76 grams of processed or red meat a day caused 8 extra cases of bowel cancer per 10,000 people.

So I guess the advice is to review your intake of these meats and eat sensible. Everything in moderation.

Top tips from Cancer Research UK for cutting down include:Pay attention to portions - try having 1 sausage instead of 2.

Have meat free days Get out of a recipe rut - look for new meal ideas or use fresh chicken or fish instead of processed or red meat.

Birstall BAGs hope you find our cancer awareness articles useful. if you have any suggestions for topic to cover please

forward them to Birstall BAGs or the editor of the Birstall Post.

For more information:www.cancerresearchuk.org 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 or look us up on facebook - Birstall BAGs Contact the BAGs by email birstallbags@hotmail.com

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