Birstall Post (433) August 2019 by The Birstall Post

the Birstall post Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

AUGUST 2019

N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 433

New school building WORK STARTS this summer on a new science block with eight new classrooms at the Cedars Academy.

Village yard sale BARGAIN HUNTERS braved the rain at this year’s Big Birstall Yard Sale. The event saw more than 60 properties open their front gardens for yard sales, and this year over £420 was raised for local charity Jade’s Retreat. A map showing the location of each sale was available at the Co-op and the Lambourne cafe

Pics: making the best of the weather: John Jasper, Macy Jordan (6), Diana Williams and Pam Meyer. (Left): Mrs Christine Collier with dog Lexi, Ella Smith (9) and Brian Waller

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The school’s main block will be demolished to make room for the new building (pictured above). “We are thrilled to get a new building for the science department” said principal Maher Rashid. “Science is such an important subject and the new state of the art facilities will enhance learning for our pupils, and inspire some to continue their science education with us into sixth form.” Kieran Pepper, Facilities Manager, will be overseeing the build. He said: “It is going to be a large scale project, which will take time, but once it is built, it’ll be a great asset to the school and the pupils here” The project will be delivered by Interserve Group Limited and is part of a wider redevelopment plan to enhance the facilities for pupils at The Cedars Academy. While the building works are going on, classes and lunch provision will moved to the lower site.

Golf open raises money for BAGS Man 26 TEAMS of keen golfers hit the greens at Birstall Golf Club on Sunday June 30, 2019 to compete in the charity golf open, raising a total of £2,912 for local cancer charity, Birstall BAGS.

The popular annual event has raised around £9,000 over the last four years. Birstall BAGS works with other local charities to provide services that support members of the local community who are living with a diagnosis of cancer. Emma Shaw of Birstall BAGS said: “Thanks to everyone who helped supported us at this event – from the Clayton family for organising it and Birstall Golf Club for hosting, to the local businesses to donated prizes. It raised a fantastic amount of money which will be spent supporting local people who are affected

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by cancer. “We use the funds we raise on a range of things, most recently on items for hospital wards such as reclining chairs and gowns for patients, and equipment such as hysteroscopes. Hospital staff say the contributions make a real difference to patients.” John Clayton, who organises the annual event, said: “It was a brilliant day and I’m so pleased with the amount of money that was raised. I’d like to thank all of the clubs that donated Four Balls, Birstall Golf Club for hosting the event for the fourth year running free of charge, the bar and catering staff for all of their hard work, as well as the greens staff for making the course look truly wonderful. A special thank you to local businesses New World Florist, Ruth’s Lambourne Café and The White Horse for their generous prize donations. Also thanks to those players who kindly donated cash

admits rape in park A 33 YEAR old man has admitted raping and sexually assaulting a young woman in Watermead Country Park.

towards prizes. Winning Captain, Joe Derry said: “It was a great day, yet again, for such a good cause. Thanks to everyone for taking part and for everyone’s hard work in making the day a success once again.” The 2018/19 Captain of Birstall Golf Club, Mick Newton, also presented the charity with a cheque for £2,263.68 from funds raised last year while Birstall BAGS was the club’s nominated charity. Pic: Cheque presentation (l-r) Liz Darlison (trustee), Mick Newton (golf club men's captain 2018/19), Emma Shaw (trustee)

Gurpal Singh Gill, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty on July 9 at Leicester Crown Court to three counts of rape and three sexual assaults. The victim, who is in her early 20s and did not know the attacker, was walking her dog in the early evening of Thursday May 23 when Gill attacked her. The incident happened between Watermead Way and Bath Street. Gill was remanded in custody until sentencing which is expected later this month.

The Sept issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on Aug 31. The copy deadline is Aug 16.

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2019

Salon’s Cedars celebrates sport new stylists THE CEDARS Academy held its annual sports celebration evening in July.

Certificates and trophies were handed out to over 130 pupils who have excelled in a range of sports throughout the year. Helping to present the awards this year was a special guest and a former TWO NEW stylists have been welcomed to Shortt & Lunn Hair student, Callum Cockerill-Mollett. Callum is now a professional footballer with on Sibson Road, bringing fresh Walsall FC. enthusiasm to this friendly saThe big awards of the evening went to Joel Hughes, who was awarded Sportslon. From the friendly waves from many of man of the Year, Sophia Sinclair-Black who won Sportswoman of the Year and the pedestrians walking past, stylist Carli Pearce is obviously a well-known person- James McMillan, who was awarded the ality in the village and is looking forward Mark Elkington Award. A spokesman said: “A massive well done to all of the to renewing many old friendships with her former clients as she joins the salon pupils nominated for their excellent with a great deal of experience to offer a effort and commitment to sport and also to the parents who have supported them wide range of colours, styles and cuts. throughout. W would also like to thank Georgia Edwards started her hairMr Khan and the rest of the Sports Faulty dressing career at Shortt & Lunn and for organising such a wonderful event now has her own clientele but her pascelebrating our pupils.” sion is that she is going to specialise in offering a range of hair extensions which will be unique to the village - and not at ‘city prices’. As part of the changes Charlotte Lord, another local girl is also joining the team to offer what could be a unique service for their clients in creating individual semi permanent eyelash extensions. Charlotte aims to use eyelash extensions to enhance length, fullness and thickness of natural lashes. In addition an eyebrow service will be offered soon as part of a much wider hair and beauty package they can now offer their existing and new clients. Shortt & Lunn Hair is located near to Boots the chemist and has easy car parking nearby.

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Pic: Sportsman of the Year Joel Hughes (left) receives his award from Callum Cockerill-Mollett

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Highcliffe’s summer fair

A SUNNY day helped attract a large crowd to Highcliffe school’s summer fair on June 30. The fair was an excellent opportunity to officially open the new Greengate Building and a special guest came along to do the honours. Tony Marsden, who is fondly remembered as Mr Mars bar to past children and staff, spoke a few words about his time as Caretaker at Highcliffe (1967-1997) before cutting the ribbon and declaring the new building officially open. The event raised £3570 which will now be spent on a variety of enrichment activities for the children. A PTA spokesperson said: “We want to say a huge thank you to each and every person that supported us. The money raised makes a real difference to the children.”

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Pics (l-r): Mrs Halford (Elmfield phase leader, Bernard Saunders, chairman of Governors, Tony Marsden (past caretaker), Jas Singh (current premises officer). Mr Marsden handing keys to Mr Singh; Mr Spedding (yr 4 teacher) in stocks; Maypole dancing demo by staff, parents and children – maypole bought by PTA from their fund raising over the year

School supported by Charnwood lottery CHILDREN, STAFF and parents at Hallam Fields primary school worked together to create a mosaic to commemorate the opening of the school in 2017. The artwork was created with the help of artist Alison Massey from Zantium Studios. The school is now also being supported by the Charnwood Community Lottery. Friends of Hallam Fields joined the lottery recently and is a parents and teachers association raising funds for Hallam Fields primary school. So far more than £10,000 has been raised by the lottery, which is run by the borough council, since it launched last year. Good causes include community libraries, swimming clubs, history groups, scout groups, play groups, village halls and various charities. Hema Mistry, chair of the Friends of Hallam Fields group said: “Funds raised through the Charnwood Community Lottery will help enhance the children’s school experience through additional events and activities. “As a new school that only opened in August 2017, every extra bit of funding helps us support the children in a big way. “The lottery offers parents, teaches and the local community the chance to help support a small primary school while still having the chance to win a prize. We’ve only recently joined the lottery, but I’d like to thank everyone who has chosen to support us with their ticket so far.” Cllr Deborah Taylor, lead member for Communities said: “We’re delighted to have Friends of Hallam Fields on board and wish them every success. The lottery was introduced to offer groups and

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Pics: pupils,staff & parents working together on the mosaic

“As a good cause, it doesn’t cost us anything to be part of the lottery and the money raised so far has been used to help families recover from domestic and sexual abuse” To play the Charnwood Community Lottery or to find out more about being one of the good causes, visit www.charnwoodlottery.co.uk. voluntary organisations an additional way of funding the services they offer. “It’s fantastic to see so many different groups signed up for the lottery but there’s always room for more. It’s free for good causes to join the lottery so I’d encourage all non-profit organisations, charities and clubs to register. “Good causes that are interested in joining the lottery can find out more by visiting our website.” For every £1 ticket purchased, 60p goes towards helping good causes in the borough and people can choose which good cause to support when buying their ticket.

The top prize in the Charnwood Community Lottery is £25,000. Among the many groups to have benefitted is Living Without Abuse, a charity which supports women, men and children that have been affected by domestic abuse. Living Without Abuse joined the lottery when it launched and has already received £466. Debbie Hughes, chief executive officer at Living Without Abuse said: “The Charnwood Community Lottery offers the charity some additional and regular funding to help us deliver services to residents in Charnwood.

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All ages on court at club’s family day THERE WAS plenty of activity at Birstall Watermead Tennis Club’s Family Day on July 7. Over twenty adults and children enjoyed a range of tennis activities during the morning. One parent who joined in, Collette Gardner, said: “It was a great, fun filled, interactive day. It was lovely to see all ages picking up a racket. My family really enjoyed the games and learning new skills.” Club Chairman Andy Page says that the Club Committee are keen to continue to organise these kinds of events. “These kinds of sessions potentially provide a way of encouraging the whole family to be active together. Bringing families together on court is one way of making exercise both fun and sociable. After the success of this event we will be hoping to arrange something similar in the near future” he said.

Pic: club coach Laura Morley (back row, left) with some of the visitors to the club’s Family Day

Pupil of the year

In another scheme involving youngAway from the tennis there was a club sters at the club, three junior members bike ride on Sunday June 30. Club completed a Tennis Leaders course. members Alison and Chris Teagle organAmy, Neha and Shivam all received certif- ised the event in which fifteen people icates which enable them to become took part in the twenty mile circuit. A involved with the coaching programme. pub stop and tasty samosas provided by Club Coach Laura Morley said: “They club member Dharmesh Soni made sure can volunteer to help with the mini tenthat everyone felt refreshed enough to nis sessions and have already started complete the course. Chris Teagle said: supporting younger players in improving “Myself and Alison are keen cyclists and their skills.”

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Lots of opportunities to perform throughout the year Dance for fun or train to a pre- professional standard in a friendly, welcoming environment Graded Examination classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics from aged 2 upwards.

A BIRSTALL student has been awarded Pupil of the Year by Loughborough College.

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17 year old Dylan Locke (pictured above) of Holly Tree Avenue is a former pupil at Riverside and the Cedars Academy and is studying Computing at Loughborough College. Dylan is a student union representative and achieved seven distinctions and one merit for his college work. He said: “I feel I have worked very hard this year. I achieved a lot both academically and socially. I have met some great new friends.”

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The Sept issue of

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we thought that others would appreciate going out as a group for a ride in the countryside without feeling that they had to race to keep up. It was a really great morning and everyone found it an enjoyable outing.” For more information about the club and its activities go to https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/BirstallWater meadTennisClub

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At least 10 Parishes in Charnwood Borough have either produced or are working on Neighbourhood Plans. I believe it’s time for Birstall to do the same so the whole community can get involved in the future of their village. Julian Howe

Cate Howard

The Birstall Post welcomes your views and opinions on any subject. Letters, which must include your name and address, (though not necessarily for publication) can be posted to: The Birstall Post, Unit 109, Greenacres, The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR, or handed in at Birstall library or email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk

Many of you who grew up and went to school in Birstall will perhaps remember Catherine Howard. Cate went into nursing on leaving school, married and moved away, finishing her career as a theatre sister. It is with heartache that I have to say Cate (my daughter) sadly died on Monday June 24 after a long and difficult illness and is greatly missed by all her family. Betty Howard

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Hi everyone, especially Pupper and Doggo Mamas and Papas. Would you please complete this survey for a friend of mine, and if you would be so kind as to forward it on to other dog people it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time. https://tinyurl.com/yyjc3th8 Thank you very much Gillian Bowler

I am writing to say I agree with the Birstall resident who thinks Birstall is not such a lovely village as it used to be, too many takeaways and beauty shops. People don’t seem to take pride in their homes and gardens any more. With the media trying to promote healthy living then we get more junk food outlets! Another concerned resident

Thanks

Ex members (and parents) of the 663 Ensemble may be interested to know that we are performing a concert at St James the Great Parish Church, Birstall on Sunday, November 24 at 3pm to celebrate 50 years of charitable music making. We hope that past members will join us for the occasion either as instrumentalists or in the audience.. Please contact me on 0116 2673558I will be delighted to hear from you. Cynthia Coltman

Proceeds from the Birstall Food Hub Coffee morning on July 13 raised approximately £300 from sales and will go a long way towards buying fresh produce for clients. Thanks to those who donated their time and goods and of course the good people of Birstall who turned out to support the morning. It was buzzing with energy and chat. Margaret Briggs

Plan future Although I’m a Parish Councillor I had no involvement in the Parish Council’s response to A Godby’s letter in the July issue of the Birstall Post and I wouldn’t like people to think I share some of the opinions expressed. What’s particularly disappointing is that there is no mention of the fact that the Parish Council has the Power of General Competence which means that it has wide powers to spend money on pretty much what it chooses from bus shelters, benches, waste bins all the way up to very large projects. Neither is any solution offered to the fact that Birstall is falling behind other communities In Shepshed the Borough and Town Council working have jointly raised £597,000 for a Town Centre Master Plan plus a further £50,000 for shop front improvement and CCTV including the cost of cameras, which in Birstall the shopkeepers offered to pay for themselves. Quorn has recently prepared a Neighbourhood plan based on 562 responses from their 5000 residents and 64 responses from young residents and in May 2019 the residents voted 1485 to 198 in favour of it.

Concert

Contribute It's interesting that the clerk feels it necessary to defend the decisions of the elected council. You wouldn't find the Chief Executive of the Borough or County Councils defending the actions of elected members of those bodies and nor would you expect to, so why does it happen for Birstall Parish Council? From experience, I am aware that the Parish Council is made up residents who feel they would like to contribute to the well being of the area (even some from just outside the 'village'), but are not sure of the best way to go about it. Parish and Town Councils are the bottom of the pile, but have amazing powers to get things done either directly or in co-operation with other bodies. As an example, the recent discussions regarding CCTV ended up with the Parish Council being concerned that other areas may look for something similar. Birstall has a low crime rate resulting currently response times for 'routine' crime can easily be 30 minutes or longer. The 'BBC' seems to expect 24 hour monitoring and the Parish to pay for the monitoring (they are prepared to fund

the capital cost when, well located, high access to the ground. resolution static cameras with remote S Frost (Mrs) recording will result in the same practiBoxing gym cal result at minimum cost - or am I being too simplistic?) Having run a very successful gym Instead of writing and complaining, here in Birstall for the last 18 years, we why not attend a few meetings to get the now find ourselves needing some help. feel of things after viewing the meeting In the past we have had grants, donaagendas of the council website (sometions of equipment, money donations times there are even background pafrom council etc which I’m very grateful pers) and if you have a contribution to for. make on an item being discussed, then As many readers will know we have under standing orders, members of the been featured on TV (several times) and public are only allowed to watch and the gym has had a lot of publicity in the listen, however, standing orders can be papers. I put my own boxing collection suspended outside ‘public participation’ up for sale to secure the Gunns’ Commuto allow a member of the public to connity Gym for the next five years. I tribute with the approval of the chairthought the response would be fantastic, man. how wrong can you be! We were on Unfortunately, this power is frequently radio, TV, papers etc Only two people used to curtail the democratic process at replied! this local level, which is a little sad given Nobody from my own village even the number of vacancies for parish coun- bothered to contact me at all. It would cilors which can only be put down to have been nice if someone had offered residents thinking nothing can be done to help, not necessarily about money but to improve matters so it's in your hands, just to help the gym, workwise or other. change will not happen if you just sit on No-one, not even any of the sporting you hands. clubs here in the village. I thought we It takes time and effort to work your were all supposed to be a community? way round the local government system Where are the businesses in the village and you need a little help from officers who rave on about community and workand other councillors. ing together. Only one business in BirNorman Cutting stall has helped the gym and that’s Open House estates agents and that was some time ago! It’s a shame no one really Congestion cares about us! I would like to make the following I do have wonderful parents and reply to Mr Glover's response to my members, pity about the rest of the local letter concerning the BUJF tournament community. It seems to me you don’t last month. Firstly Mr Glover, thank deserve the gym in your village. The two you for the invite to attend your AGM on people who responded were not from June 26, I would have liked to attend Birstall. but as you were probably aware the I am grateful to the individuals in Birstall Post isn't issued until the end of Birstall who have helped me. the month, after your meeting. Yours in sport. With regards to your comment conCarl Gunns cerning the advertising of the event (flashing lights and banners), was there Poor relation really any need for sarcasm, or was it an Re "State of Village" penned by A attempt at humour? They do say that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Maybe Godby in the July Birstall Post ‘Your Say’. The response from the spokesperson I should have said that there was a lack for the Birstall Parish Council (BPC) Sue of advertising in the vicinity of the Coulson was, that the BPC were only ground, not everyone that uses Meadow responsible for certain things. She listed Lane to access the County Park lives in those things. Birstall and therefore wouldn't have She went on to say that the BPC erect seen the notice boards in the village. Christmas trees along the shop fronts on The other and most important issue Sibson Road. These look more pathetic was safety, does Mr Glover only concern each year and also, in the summer we himself with the safety of people, mainly have the hanging baskets. Which I have children on the football ground itself? to say always look nice. Cars and pedestrians on a very narrow, What about the grassed areas, which overgrown lane does not work. This problem is not just confined to the week- look a disgrace most of the time. Most of us do feel that Birstall has end of the tournament but every Saturbecome the poor relation of Charnwood, day during the football season. The when we look at how lovely those other installation of the gates half way down the lane may be of benefit to user's of the club but has only made it more dangerous for people using the allotments and Country Park. I don't suppose that we will ever agree on this but Mr Glover when you have one of your many planning meetPETROLS • DIESELS ings for next year's event would you MOTORCYCLES please consider the following: 1. You need to put up some form of notice at the bottom of the lane, near to CROPSTON the allotments and also on the car park. GARAGE This needs to be done at least one weekend prior to the event. User's can then 37 - 39 Station Road decide if they want to risk it. Cropston, Leicester 2. In the interest of safety you should 0116 2362363 have the top gate open for pedestrian

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villages mentioned look. To use the A6 as an excuse is very poor. Yes, there is more than one Council responsible for the upkeep of our villages, so why doesn’t BPC talk to these other councils and let them know how let down their residents feel. May be its something Mountsorrel and Rothley do, hence they always look clean and attractive. When we moved to Birstall in the early 80s it was a lovely place and certainly held its own with Mountsorrel and Rothley. So why not now? It's also a sad excuse to state that the BPC would be setting a precedent if they provided the maintenance for the CCTV system which I believe the Sibson Road businesses are prepared to buy. These local business people should be praised and encouraged for trying to make that particular area safer. CA Withers (Mrs) Thank you to the writer of the above letter for the appreciation of the hanging baskets installed by Birstall Parish Council. It is surprising that the writer then makes such a negative one about the Christmas trees because it is the first one we have ever received. The usual comments received are always positive on how lovely they look when they are all lit up on the dark evenings during the winter. Perhaps the writer would care to put forward their suggestions for an alternative display that would fit within the capability of the workforce and the budget that the Parish Council sets aside. Birstall Parish Council agrees with the writer’s comments about the grassed areas, they do look a mess and it is the one thing that most people complain about at this time of year. Concerns and the feelings of residents have been expressed to Leicestershire County Council regarding the continuing reduction of the mowing schedules throughout the year due to cutbacks. We are all aware that Councils are under pressure to save money and the reduction of the mowing of the highway verges is one area that has been affected. All Town and Parish Councils in Leicestershire have been invited by Leicestershire County Council to consider taking over the responsibility of mowing the verges and open spaces in their own areas, which for some of the smaller villages is not a problem. We have been made aware of one small Parish where the Councillors and some of the residents mow the ‘village green’ themselves, but this is just not practicable for a village the size of Birstall. The invitation to take on the mowing was declined because the Parish Council simply doesn’t have the manpower for these extra duties. It does not own the required machinery and equipment or have workers with the appropriate and required training for working on the highways. The only way this could be achieved would be that the Parish Council would either have to consider putting this work out to tender and employ contractors to complete the task or employ more staff, train them and then furnish them with the appropriate machinery and equipment to undertake the work. All of which would be at a cost to the residents of Birstall. Birstall Parish Council would urge the

Noticeboard all details printed free Birstall Running Club We meet on Monday & Friday at 6.15pm for 6.30pm run from the Pavilion, School Lane Playing Fields (showers & toilets available) We also meet on Wednesday at the Sibson Road car park at 6.15pm for 6.30pm run Spadework session also on Wednesdays See www.birstallrc.org.uk for more info or contact us: BirstallRC@gmail.com

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 writer and anyone else that is unhappy with the service they currently receive from Leicestershire County Council Highways Department to make their concerns known directly to the County Council, or to their County Councillor for Birstall, Councillor Iain Bentley who is in a better position to take this forward on their behalf to potentially ask for some improvements. Contact details for both the County Council and the County Councillor are listed below: Leicestershire County Council, Customer Service - Highways Department, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8ST Tel: 0116 305 0001 Email: customerservices@leics.gov.uk County Councillor Iain Bentley, Hawkshead, Loughborough Road, Wanlip, Leicester, LE7 4PN. Tel: 0116 267 1703 or 0116 267 5117. Email: iain.bentley@leics.gov.uk During the 1980’s the world was a different place for us all and since then Birstall has developed and grown and no longer is it a small village. The concerns and the lack of services being delivered is unfortunately, the effects that we all feel nationwide have come about due to the Governments deficit reduction programme and austerity measures that have been imposed on all County, Borough and District Councils. Sue Coulson - Clerk to the Council Birstall Parish Council

Craft table For further information please contact us on 07934 551 563 Hope to see you there

Open Church at St Leonard’s Swithland You are welcome to come and visit this beautiful church during the summer months We are open from 2-4 serving tea and cakes on Saturday August 10 Saturday September 7

Entertainment, Craft Activities, Raffle and Bouncy Castle. Proceeds to: MIND; Birstall Food Hub; and the Church We look forward to seeing you Leicester Senior Service club

Family Fun Day August bank holiday 26th 10am – 4 pm Bouncy castles and other fun games and stalls 295 Loughborough Rd. LE45PN Between the outdoor pursuit center & Bestway wholesale

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Summer Trips

Birstall Flower Club

Tuesday August 20 Skegness £16.00 Wed August 21 Drayton Manor £26.00 For more info ring Mark 2601395

August 28th 2019, 7.15pm Birstall Village Hall Demonstration by Jenni Kirkby Demonstration title : “Reach for the Sky” Visitors welcome - £5 Queries to Sylvia: 0116 2674206 or Mary : 07704398017

Community Bible Study at Birstall Methodist Church recommences on Thursday Sep 5 at 9.45am All are welcome to join us in our study of: St Matthew’s Gospel No previous Bible knowledge is necessary For further details ring 0116 2674 St James'

Birstall Scouts

Summer Fayre

Last Night Of The Proms

Monday 26 August from 12.30 3.30pm at St James' the Great Church, on the lawn and in the church, Church Hill, Birstall Stalls, Games, Tea and Cakes, Hot dogs,

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

Birstall Tea Dances St James Birstall Village Hall Birstall Road Leicester LE4 4DH Fridays 9th & 23rd August 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, 13th August, at 7pm You are invited to join us at the Palmer-Tomkinson Centre at Cedars Academy, Wanlip Lane, to watch professional artist Paul Talbot-Greaves giving an exciting

demonstration of how to produce “Strong Contrast in Landscapes” using watercolours. Come along and see if you will be inspired to try your hand at this wonderful and fulfilling hobby. Refreshments available at the interval. Newcomers and visitors most welcome. Demonstration ends at 9.00 p.m. Members £2; Guests £4. Free raffle. Ample parking and wheelchair access

Cedar Care Circle. Are you or someone you know caring for a relative or friend who is suffering from Alzheimer's and Dementia? Our small group aims to help end the loneliness and isolation that these dreadful illnesses bring. We just help each other. Come and see us. We meet at Ruth's Lambourne cafe. Lambourne road Birstall. Our next meetings will be on 5th and 19th August at 2pm. Contact Barbara on 07905760556

Flower Festival at Our Lady & St. Nicholas, Wanlip 10.30am – 4.30pm Saturday 17th August and 11.30am – 5pm Sunday 18th August Refreshments in the Church & Community Hall You are welcome to join us for

Evensong at 6pm on Sunday 11th August

Monday group’s supper

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ST JAMES Monday Group’s meeting in July was a super supper at the home of one of our members.

Are you on benefits/low wages? Do you struggle to buy food? Phone/text us on 07305 093791 and then Collect Food Parcels on Tuesdays between 10 & 11:30am From: St. Theresa’s Church, Front Street, Birstall, LE4 4DQ (behind the Earl of Stamford pub)

The Bark Foundation Saturday 17th August, 1012noon. Birstall Methodist Church Coffee Shop, Jewellery Stall and other items – Everything £1 – Come And ‘Bag A Bargain’! Current Project – To Raise £15,000 To Buy Farmland so that the orphanage can continue to grow their own food. (The land they rent at present is to be sold for building)

As our chosen charity for this year is Glebe House, Loughborough, another of our members will be holding a coffee morning on Friday August 16, the proceeds of which will benefit the charity. It will be at 17 Sandgate Avenue, from 10am and there will be an entrance fee of £2. There will be several stalls, including crafts and cakes for sale, plus a raffle. Glebe House, Loughborough, is a local organisation which provides services for people with learning disabilities, from clubs and play schemes to adult home support and short breaks. It is wide-ranging and all encompassing. As a group we are off to Lincoln for the day on August 30, so let us hope the sun shines! Our next meeting in our regular venue of the Age Concern rooms in the Village Hall, will be on Monday August 12 at 7.30pm, and to which all are welcome. From St James Monday Group

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2019

Dunelm opens new factory in Birstall DUNELM, THE homewares retailer, has invested more than £2 million in a state-of-the-art textiles manufacturing centre in Birstall, creating 40 new jobs. The new facility at Hallam Fields, ty to work on an apprenticeship to gain which is larger than the company’s previ- additional qualifications within manufacous manufacturing centre at Blackbird turing. Road, has been equipped with an autoLeicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby mated material handling system to enavisited the centre where he saw the trainble the Dunelm team to meet growing ing and production facilities. He said: demand while continuing to deliver a “From its roots on Leicester Market to high-quality service. this hugely impressive facility, Dunelm is Dunelm’s bespoke Made to Measure a Leicester and UK success story which service is available to customers in-store demonstrates that quality can be and online offering an extensive range of achieved at affordable prices. 3000 fabrics, covering all styles of win“I was particularly impressed by the dow treatments with a three-week lead calibre of training they are providing to time. their national workforce at the centre, in The move has created a number of both manufacturing and fitting. Their new positions for production colleagues, focus on training employees is comwith each role providing the opportunity mendable, and with a high proportion of to work across all areas of manufacturtheir staff coming from Leicester and ing, from cutting, measuring and sewing Leicestershire this also brings benefits to to quality assessment. All new starters the local economy.” are put on an extensive 12-week training Catherine McCann, Quality and Sourcprogramme and will have the opportuni- ing Director at Dunelm, said: “We are

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Pic: City Mayor Peter Soulsby (left) visiting the Dunelm manufacturing centre in Birstall

extremely pleased to have expanded into a world class manufacturing unit. The move signifies a major investment in UK manufacturing and demonstrates our commitment to our customers. “Our Made to Measure business is growing and the new technology we’ve introduced at the Birstall facility will enable us to meet demand while continuing to deliver a high-quality service. “We hope that this new investment will not only benefit Dunelm and our customers but also the local community through the creation of new jobs in the Leicester area.” Dunelm was founded in 1979 as a Leicester market stall business selling ready-made curtains and has been making Made to Measure curtains and blinds in Leicestershire for more than 20 years. This year Dunelm is celebrating its 40th birthday. Since opening the first Dunelm store in Leicester in 1984, the company has expanded across the country making it the UK’s largest homewares retailer with

over 170 stores and employing over 9000 colleagues nationwide.

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NHW news

& crime report Local Crime The rape committed in Watermead Park in May stands out, not only because it is an awful and shocking crime, but also because it is such a rare occurrence locally. Sadly, as we hear every day on the news, serious crimes are committed with frightening regularity in other places and the reaction there becomes one of weary resignation rather than shock. Nobody wants to be a victim of crime and Neighbourhood Watch is dedicated to helping its members avoid that experience. Fortunately, Birstall and Wanlip are relatively safe places in which to live and this is reflected in the number and type of crimes that are reported to the Police. This is not to be complacent or diminish the effect a burglary or car break-in can have on the victim but it helps sometimes to reflect on the relative seriousness and effects of offences. We are all at continual risk of being robbed; not by someone in the street waving a gun but by being tricked into revealing our personal and bank details. To say that the cash in your wallet is safer than that in the bank may be going too far but the amount you could lose is much greater. That is why we spend much of our time warning Members about the latest scams, in addition to giving advice on protecting ourselves from more traditional crimes such as assault, burglary and theft. Unfortunately, the Police, like most

other public services, are having to deal with increasing demands with diminishing resources. These are allocated, in large part, on the basis of the local crime figures. However, a crime cannot be included if it is not reported in the first place. Sometimes, the victim has suffered only minor inconvenience and does not want to burden the Police unnecessarily. On the other hand, some take a more cynical view that there is no point because the Police will do nothing anyway. Whatever the reason, it means that the actual crime rate is not properly reflected in the figures used to allocate resources. A similar attitude seems to apply to reporting suspicious activity. There are regular accounts on social media, posted hours or even days after the actual incident, of somebody behaving suspiciously. If you see something that concerns you, dial 101 or even 999 at the time. Let the Police make the decision about what action to take while there may still be time for them to do something. Arrests are regularly made as the result of calls from the public and there is no way of knowing how many crimes are prevented just by the unexpected appearance of a Police Officer. Remember though, that it is not a crime to walk along the street, even in the early hours. People may be up to no good but, until they actually commit a crime, they remain innocent. The person looking over your fence may just be admiring your garden but if you suspect otherwise, tell the Police and let them decide what action to take. Please stay safe and alert. The next Neighbourhood Watch Advice Shop will be on Saturday, August 17 between 10am and 12noon, in the Parish Council Building on Sibson Road (opposite the Garden Centre). Drop in for a chat and a cup of tea. From Birstall & Wanlip NHW

Crime update There have been a total of 49 crimes reported in Birstall and Wanlip during June, which is down from 59 in May. Thefts from vehicles has fallen from 11 last month to just five this month which is obviously positive, however whilst out on foot patrol during the hot weather we’ve had lately, I have come across a number of cars with windows left wide open and property on display. Please continue to secure your car when you leave it and remove items of value as otherwise we are making it far too easy for criminals. We’ve had nine reports of assault this month, six ‘Public Order’ offences, five reports of house burglary, four reports of criminal damage & four drugs offences reported (see below for more info). Lastly, there have been six ‘other thefts’ reported, four thefts of fuel from the petrol station and two reports of vehicles being stolen. For further crime information please visit: www.police.uk/leicestershire/NL60/ Crime Prevention Advice Fraud is a big problem at the moment and fraudsters are constantly finding more sophisticated and convincing ways to make us part with our money. Recently I’ve been advised about a scam where the ‘victim’ receives a call from someone claiming to be from HMRC, saying that they owe money in tax and that if it’s not paid they will be arrested. If they follow the directions they are taken to a ‘call handler’ who will then ask for credit card details so they can process a payment. This is obviously a scam as HMRC will never contact you over the phone in this way. Some simple advice can prevent you from becoming a victim of on-line / telephone fraud: 1) NEVER give your credit / debit card details to anyone who contacts you ‘out of the blue’. If you are genuinely interested in anything they have to say, politely end the call, do some checks on them / the company & call them back another time. 2) Don’t follow ‘links’ on e-mails unless you’re 100% that they’re genuine. Links can contain viruses which can attack your computer / device & access your personal information. 3) Make sure that any anti-virus software installed is up to date & working properly. 4) TRUST your instinct – not the caller or the e-mailer. If it sounds suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is! Neighbourhood update The beat team have adopted a new Neighbourhood Priority this month aimed at tackling Anti-Social Behaviour caused by drug dealing in the village. We’ve been patrolling areas where we know this to be happening and we have also executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act, during which a large amount of controlled drugs were found. An adult male was arrested for drugs offences and has been released at this time whilst further enquiries are completed. In an unrelated incident, another house in the village was found to have a large number of cannabis plants growing inside it. These have all been seized and destroyed however as yet, no arrests have been made in relation to that incident.

The beat team continues to receive information about drug dealing in Birstall & Wanlip and further enforcement will take place in due course. 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)

Club’s tumblers prove popular BIRSTALL VILLAGE Cricket Club received many positive comments during the Birstall Gala for their initiative to use rigid reusable tumblers to serve drinks on the day instead of single use plastic glasses. The idea was shown on the club’s facebook and was subsequently shared on Spotted Birstall and through various other social media sites. A club spokesman said: “We have recycled bottles, cans and cardboard for many years now and although the initial outlay for the tumblers was quite expensive we wanted to do our bit to help save so much plastic going to land fill.” A deposit of £1 was charged and then refunded when returned. Some people kept the tumblers as they contained the club’s logo and some people just wanted to purchase them to use for picnics and holidays. Through social media an ex player who now lives in Detroit got in touch and asked for some to be sent over to him! The initiative had a knock on effect with several people putting their £1 deposit in to the club’s charity box raising funds for Birstall Bags. Because of the positive feedback, Birstall Social Club has ordered tumblers with their logo on to be used for their live band events. If anyone would like to purchase a tumbler or a mug (£5) with the BVCC logo on, call in to the clubhouse any Saturday afternoon during the cricket season.

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2019

Golf clinics for young people BIRSTALL GOLF Club has been promoting the sport to young people this summer. A recent series of clinics for the 10 to 16 age group saw one of the Club’s PGA professionals, Jon Williamson, run 6 clinics over the early summer months with 25 juniors signing up to learn the basics of the game. Jon said: “ It was great to see so many youngsters from the local area keen to develop their interest in golf. It is a great sport that will not only be extremely fulfilling over the years to come but also teaches them the core disciplines of a game that is based on honesty and respect. Our hope is that a significant number of those who attended will now seek to progress further and make golf one of their main interests going forward. We intend to hold further clinics over the summer months thus building on the traditions of Birstall Golf Club.” For children under the age of 10 Birstall took part in the recent Golf Festival held at the Cedars Academy under the auspices of South Charnwood Schools. The day saw almost 300 children taking part in a series of golf related activities culminating in the team from Latimer Primary School, Anstey winning the first prize - a coaching session at Birstall Golf Club for all members of the winning team. The club’s Men’s President Eric Hill said: “ It was truly wonderful to see so many young children engaging, mostly

for the first time, in the game of golf. Aaron Asawai, the Sport Development Manager for South Charnwood Schools could not have been more helpful and organised a memorable day. Our congratulations to Latimer Primary School in Anstey who came out on top and now go forward to the County finals later this month. We look forward to welcoming the winning team to Birstall where they can be assured of a very warm welcome and top class coaching in our great game. “Increasingly what we are seeing at Birstall is the development of golf as a family game. This may start with the children starting to learn golf and then getting their parents involved in the game or vice versa - Mum and Dad take up the game via one of the open sessions at the club and then encouraging their children to attend junior coaching. Either way what they experience is a friendly club that can become the centre of their social activity and offers a secure environment for a family to enjoy collective enjoyment. With junior subscription in 2019 being free and with competitive membership

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2019

Flower club’s meeting BIRSTALL FLOWER Club’s June meeting saw June Borrowdale, the NAFAS area chairman, give a demonstration. The title was Artistic Impressions and she created some incredible arrangements to represent an assortment of artists – the most famous of which was her interpretation of Van Gogh’s painting ‘Sunflowers’. The Flower Club did not meet in July, but organised a day trip to visit gardens in Staffordshire. This was all expertly arranged by the Club Secretary, Sylvia Simes; and as expected, the coach was fully booked. The Club has also arranged an evening outing on August 7 to visit a garden in Groby. After walking around the grounds, refreshments will be available. From Birstall Flower Club

offers for parents we feel Birstall is responding very positively to the changing face of the golfing world.” Birstall is currently in the process of developing a summer camp for juniors keen to take their interest in golf further. To register interest in this parents and children should contact club manager Jo Shepherd at manager@birstallgolfclub.co.uk or telephone 0116 267 4322.

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Children graduate from Half Pints CHILDREN GRADUATING FROM Half Pints on Loughborough Road had an amazing time celebrating at their graduation party and are excited to be going to school. “They will be truly missed. Half Pints wish our trio fun and happiness in their new school” said a spokeswoman. Pics: The ‘Three Amigos’ at Half Pints graduation party.

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Have a go at this year’s bake off BIRSTALL BAKERS are being asked once again to don their pinnies for the seventh White Horse Birstall Bake Off. “Get out your mixing bowls and wooden spoons and have some fun creating something for the competition” said Beccy Kay, founder of the event. “All entries are extremely welcome, no matter your experience level, sweet or savoury from the young or less young. We do not even mind a soggy bottom or two either!” The entries need to be at the White Horse for judging on Saturday September 21 between 9am and 12 noon. The ‘Star Bakers’ will be celebrated at the coffee morning on Sunday September 22 from 11am hosted by the White Horse. There will be entertainment for all the family as well as an abundance of baked treats for all to enjoy. All the funds raised will go straight to Macmillan’s world’s biggest coffee morning which raised £26,914,382 in 2018

Weather kind for run FOR THE first time in 10 years the weather provided perfect running conditions for Wreake Valley Rotary Club’s annual charity run at Watermead Country Park. A record 600 runners entered for the event which takes place over a three and five mile course around the park’s lakes. The five mile mens’ winner was Dan Leake in 27 minutes 22 seconds with the first woman Kim Angell coming in at 33:31. The three mile mens’ run was won by Lucas Spence in 16:18 with the first woman home being Sophie Dunbobbin in 18:25. Race Director Chris Battye said: “The

Pics: (top) cakes at the 2018 bake off & (below) cakes are sold off after the judging

Watermead Challenge goes from strength to strength and is popular with runners of all standards. We even had a six year old running this year! We are fortunate to have a large group of volunteer supporters without whom the run simply would not take place.” Proceeds from the run will be divided between three worthy causes: the Renal Unit at Leicester General Hospital, Abigail Herus of Syston and the Leicestershire Life Education charity.

Composer writes music for short film A BIRSTALL composer has been commissioned to write new music for a short film on the environment and is holding local auditions for children aged 8 to 16 to take part in its performance.

to help people facing cancer. Beccy said: “We would like you all to come along and taste the best cakes, savoury bakes and biscuits from the competition and help us raise money for Macmillan. We hope to see you there!”

Application forms can be found on the White Horse website or from the pub and further details are on their Facebook page.

‘Blue Earth Rises’. RehearsKathleen Shanks (picals will take place at the tured) of Elmfield Avenue Palmer-Tomkinson buildwill be providing the muing, at the Cedars Academy. sic for the film Blue Earth Recording and filming will Rises. Kathleen is creative be in London. director and proprietor of Kathleen said: “Normalthe Covent Garden based ly all my work is in Lonperforming arts company, don, but I am currently Capital Arts. She is highly rehearsing members of the regarded as a composer, Leicester Philharmonic writer and music director and has specialised in opera and West End musicals Choir for a New York recital tour later as a children's music director. She is in this year. The much demand in the UK and abroad. LPC choir will be Kathleen also singing my cantaacts as a muta ‘Song of Mary’ sic consultant at St Patrick’s Cathedral, 5th Avenue. for Simon Cowell (Ange- With these Birstall rehearsals in place it seemed an ideal time to include children lis, X Factor) and for Twenti- from Birstall in ‘Blue Earth Rises’.” Registration forms are available from eth Century Capital Arts at capitalarts@outlook.com Fox (Assassin’s Creed). ‘Blue Earth Rises’ is to be performed by professional Do you need any of the following work musicians and actors and a carrying out? If so, please phone or email me children’s chorus. KathFENCING: Erection & Repairs: supply & erect or supply only leen is offering GARDEN MAINTENANCE: Turf Laid, Mowed & Hedges Cut etc an opportunity BUILDING REPAIRS/WORK: New Guttering & Repairs to Birstall INTERIOR WORK: Painting youngsters, LANDSCAPING: Gravel Drives & Paths Laid aged 8 to 16, FLOORS: Concrete Laid to take part in the children’s Free estimate with no obligation • 0116 2676478 chorus of Email: imwardle@yahoo.co.uk • Mob: 0776 8233552

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2019

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Tea party supports playgroups A CHARITY afternoon tea and raffle has raised over £1,500 for two local playgroups in Charnwood. The event organised by parents Emma Jennings, Laura Brompton and Sarah Ball took place on Saturday July 6 at Birstall Methodist Church Hall. A total of £1,604 was raised and shared between Birstall Special Needs Playgroup and Thurmaston Village Preschool. Over 70 people attended the afternoon tea and 1400 raffle tickets were sold in the run up to the event. Prizes for the raffle had been kindly donated by local and national businesses. Some of the prizes included experience days, gift vouchers and a range of hampers. Mum of two Emma Jennings said: “Both of these playgroups do fantastic work with our little ones so this event gives the local community an opportunity to give something back and show how much we appreciate their support. “This is the third time I’ve run the event and tickets for the afternoon tea once again sold out quite quickly. It’s great people still want to join us to cele-

Pic: organisers of the event Emma Jennings, Laura Brompton and Sarah Ball

brate and acknowledge the important work the playgroups do. “We also had over 100 prizes donated to the raffle so I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of the businesses who contributed.” Birstall Special Needs Playgroup offered invaluable support to Emma’s seven-year-old son Joel before he went to school. Joel has a genetic condition called Fragile X which causes severe learning difficulties. More recently, the playgroup has supported Laura’s threeyear-old little boy Bertie who has autism

and has been attending the group for the last two years. Thurmaston Village Preschool has been running since 1981 and is based at the memorial hall in the heart of Thurmaston. The preschool supports all children aged 2-4 including Joel’s sister, four-year-old Elzee Jennings. Lara Foster from Thurmaston Village Preschool said: “It’s amazing to see how much money has been raised from the event. We’re really grateful for the £802 that we’ve received which will help us purchase a new climbing frame and two new large play mats.”

New café in park Birstall bowling club

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2019

BOWLERS FROM Birstall Ladies Bowling Club have qualified for two more events at this year’s National Championships, which are taking place in Leamington Spa this month. Pa Walker had already qualified in the two wood singles and will also be playing in the four wood singles, having reached the county final after a semi final victory over Hinckley’s Eileen Gaunt. Pa’s daughter Deam will also represent Birstall and Leicestershire in the junior singles having beaten Tegan Grewel (Kirby Muxloe) in the county semi final. Pa and Deam, along with Marlene Bartlett, just missed out in qualifying for the triples championship, losing in the county semi final to a triple from New Lount, while Jan Everitt was beaten in the singles semi final by Kingscroft’s Jamie-Lea Winch. In the men’s county competitions, Roger Cooper and Shane Hayes reached the quarter final of the pairs before losing to Chris Rodgers and Neil Hope (Holwell), and Andy Wye got to the same stage in the singles but was also beaten by Hope. Meanwhile, the club held a bowls marathon last month to raise money for Heart Link, Presidents Marlene Bartlett and Brian Hancock’s chosen charity for the year. Players ensured the green was

occupied from 9am-9pm, enjoying a game and raising valuable sponsorship money. On Sunday August 4 from 2pm the club will be having a charity fun day, again raising funds for Heart Link. Everyone is welcome to come along to the club on School Lane Playing Fields and watch the game that will be taking place, and donations will be gratefully received. Pic: Bowlers at the bowls marathon

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VISITORS TO Beacon Hill Country Park will now be able to enjoy a range of hot drinks and snacks at the new café which opened in July. The first in a new venture for the park, the Leicestershire County Council run café is aiming to become a plastic-free zero waste hub for community events and recreational activities like cycling and hiking. Work started on the £270,000 cafe in February 2019 and Leicestershirebased building firm Tanwood Construction have aimed to design and build a café that compliments the park’s natural surroundings. Set at the lower end of the park, the café is fitted with an outdoor seating area and bike racks Councillor Byron Rhodes, deputy leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “Beacon Hill is one of our most popular parks and opening a café

facility was a natural movement for growth and demand. “It is vital for us to be seen to be listening to our communities and supporting them. Opening something

new gives us the opportunity to do something differently and I am so pleased that we are helping to change the way people think by being ecoconscious. “Our catering service is something we’re extremely proud of as a council and I’d encourage regular and firsttime visitors to take advantage of this wonderful new facility in the park.” The new café will serve a range of luxury hot drinks, light bites, hot food and snacks as well as Marshfield Farm’s popular puppy favourite, Scoop’s Ice Cream.

A6 bridge wins prize THE HALLAM Fields footbridge across the A6 has won a civil engineering award.

CHILDREN GRADUATING from Birstall Methodist preschool had a fun final two weeks. They visited Riverside school, had their annual sports day and a graduation event, when staff said goodbye. “We will miss them all and wish them the best of luck in their new schools”

said spokeswoman Michele Tookey. The staff are looking forward to the new term in September and welcoming back the younger children and new starters. There are still spaces available for September for children aged 2-5, contact 07717132564 for more information.

AT THE end of June St Margaret's Co-operative Bowls Club held their President's Evening which is an annual charity supper where funds are raised for the Club President's chosen charity. This year's President is John Clarke and his chosen charity is LOROS. A club spokesman said: “John has powerful reasons for supporting LOROS. Over the years LOROS has cared for probably a dozen or so people in his circle including family, close friends and a former member of the bowls club. As we all know LOROS gives help at a very difficult time and John commented, 'In each case I have been

totally impressed with the care and compassion given. It has been flawless.” A buffet meal, prepared by club members, was enjoyed by everyone and the evening was rounded off with a disco, supplied by Disco Fever, who generously contributed to the amount raised. The spokesman said: “The evening was well supported by club members and friends. Ticket money was supplemented by raffle money and to this was added a very generous personal donation from John Clarke. The grand total raised for the evening was £1071.”

Pic: the bridge being lowered into position in August 2018

Council’s carbon pledge CHARNWOOD BOROUGH Council has declared its intention to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Club’s charity supper

The new bridge made use of innovative engineering techniques and the team delivered “an impressive looking structure” that provides safe pedestrian and cycle access over a busy dual carriageway. The bridge was built by Danaher & Walsh.

The Council backed a motion to aim for carbon neutrality at a meeting on Monday, June 24 after it was put forward by Cllr Eric Vardy, lead member for the environment. The intention builds on the Council’s current work to reduce its carbon footprint which has seen the increased use of LED lighting, energy-efficient heating systems in its buildings and electric fleet vehicles. Cllr Vardy said: “I am pleased the motion was supported as we must act now to protect the environment for future generations. In 2015, we made our 2020 Carbon Pledge to reduce the Council’s carbon footprint by 15 per cent and we’re on track to exceed that. “This new target sets the bar even higher and while ambitious, I am confident we can achieve it. We will be looking at how to directly reduce emissions related to our operations as well as off-setting some emissions. We are already committed to planting 100,000 trees in the borough over the next four years alone. More information is available at www.charnwood.gov.uk/carbonpledge

BIRSTALL PARISH COUNCIL WEEKEND CLEANER / CARETAKER JOB REF: HFCH/OO2 £9.02 per hour – 6 hours per week Birstall Parish Council is seeking a motivated and flexible person to provide cleaning and caretaker duties, six hours per week Saturday and Sundays for the new Community Hall at Hallam Fields in Birstall. There will be some requirement to work during the week as well as the weekends to provide holiday cover for the caretaker of the Village Hall on Birstall Road as well as the weekly premises caretaker / cleaner of the Community Hall. The role is to ensure that the Council’s facilities are maintained to a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness to meet the expectations of hirers of the premises. An application form for Job Ref: HFCH/002 is available to download from the Councils website: www.birstallparishcouncil.org.uk or by contacting the Clerk on 0116 267 6191 email: admin@birstallpc.org.uk The closing date for applications is: 3pm – Thursday, 19th September 2019

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THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2019

Fun final two weeks

The £l.5million, 50 metre bridge was opened in August 2018 and has been recognised in this year’s East Midlands Merit Awards by the Institution of Civil Engineers, winning in the Medium Project category. The judges felt that the project across the A6 was extremely well-planned with minimal disruption to the public.

Cricket Corner THE CLUB suffered two semifinal defeats in a week at the beginning of July. An eight wicket defeat to Sileby in the league cup, was followed by a four run defeat in the Loughborough evening league. Generally though, it has been a good season so far with both sides winning more than they have lost. Presidents Day proved popular once again with a good crowd watching. A huge thank you to the local businesses who donated prizes for the raffle/auction which helped to raise over £600 for charity. Over 50 items were donated and the club wishes to thank everyone for their support. From Birstall Village Cricket Club

Planning P/19/1561/2: 62 Fielding Road Birstall LE4 3AL Single Storey side and rear Extension and removal of chimney P/19/1543/2: Land off Long Meadow Way Birstall Leicestershire LE4 3GS. Erection of 14 dwellings P/19/1541/2: 6 Kiln Orchard Way Birstall LE4 3NT. Single storey rear extension to dwelling following demolition of existing conservatory P/19/1533/2: 22 Fieldgate Crescent Birstall LE4 3JD. Single storey side and rear extension, garage conversion and internal alterations. P/19/1494/2: 42 Elmfield Avenue Birstall LE4 3DE. Single storey rear extension P/19/1467/2: 23 The Crossways Birstall LE4 4ED. Single storey rear extension P/19/1419/2: 711 Loughborough Road Birstall Leicestershire LE4 4NL. Erection of detached dwelling. P/19/1384/2: 17 Tempest Road Birstall Leicestershire LE4 3BD. Two storey rear extension to dwelling and alterations to existing roof P/19/1349/2: 6 Tempest Road Birstall Leicestershire LE4 3BE. Copper beech T1 - crown lift to 5.2m above highway,lateral reduction to provide clearance form house by no more than 3m and clearence from wires and cables P/19/1427/2: 12 Saltersgate Drive Birstall Leicestershire LE4 3FE The erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 6m, with a maximum height of 3m, and height to the eaves of 2.6m

Charge for bulky waste A £20 charge to remove bulky items is being considered by Charnwood. The Council is one of only a handful of authorities in England to currently offer a free collection for some bulky items from people’s doorsteps. Currently, Charnwood residents can request from the Council three free bulky waste collections each year and only face a charge after exceeding that amount. The Council’s Cabinet is now being asked to consider introducing a £20 charge for each collection of up to three items. The Council says as local government funding becomes increasingly challenging it must look at new ways to fund frontline services. Cllr Leigh Harper-Davies, lead member for contracts at the Council, said: “We have to be realistic about funding services for residents. Bulky waste collections are not something the authority has to provide but we know residents value the service. That’s why, as local government funding becomes more difficult, we must look at alternative ways of paying for services like this. “Nearly every other authority in the country charges for bulky waste collections and to ensure we can keep delivering a high-quality service we feel the time is right to introduce a reasonable charge. “The proposed charge would help cover the costs of the service and would still be cheaper than some other authorities in the area. “For people who want to dispose of large items there are a number of alternatives. Firstly, we would encourage people recycle if they can and a several charities collect some bulky items such as furniture for free. Most goods can also be taken to the local tips. “This approach was included in this year’s Council’s budget which was approved by Council earlier this year.” The Council’s cabinet will consider the proposal at a meeting on July 4. The current bulky waste service costs around £105,000 to operate and introducing the charge is expected to generate around £60,000 a year.

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Charity cycle ride ROTHLEY CHARITY Alex’s Wish, organisers of the annual Charnwood Forest Cycle Ride, say this year’s event has raised £7,611. Zoe Edwards, Event and Fundraising Manager said, “This year’s Charnwood Forest Cycle Ride was bigger than ever with over 190 people taking part. Our thanks go out to everyone who took part and raised much needed funds for Alex’s Wish. All funds will go directly to supporting clinical research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy a life limiting disease which currently has no cure and very few treatments. “Our thanks also go out to this year’s headline sponsor - Glynis Wright & Co who was joined by fellow sponsors Bradleys, Jay Webb Consulting, Marshals, Cake Makers and United Carpets. Pedal Power returned again for the 5th year to provide all important mechanical support!” The event, which has become a Charnwood staple, sees cyclists choose between a 10, 20 or 50 mile route around the beautiful Charnwood Forest – home

of Alex’s Wish. “We really try to make this event inclusive and fun. It’s not a race and participants can take it at their own pace though we do get some cyclists who put in some amazing times too!” said Zoe. Hellen Jackson from Mountsorrel took part in this year’s Charnwood Forest Cycle Ride. She said: “It was a brilliant day! We really enjoyed it. It was so well organised and a beautiful route. Cookie medals at the end was such a lovely touch plus some wonderful bacon sandwiches and cakes too! I’d recommend this to everyone. We’re not cyclists at all but took it at our own pace and enjoyed every minute of it.” Next year’s event is scheduled to take place on Sunday 10th May 2020 and more details can be found at: https://alexswish.co.uk/event/charnwoodforest-cycle-ride/

Lunch club’s grant BIRSTALL METHODIST lunch club has received a grant of £1200 from Charnwood Borough Council. The lunch club meets once a week at Birstall Methodist church and provides an opportunity for senior citizens to get out of the house, socialise, and share a meal together. The grant was part of the Borough Council’s most recent round of awards which saw £22,500 being given to support local projects. Other beneficiaries included • Age UK Leicester and Rutland was granted £3,500 for the Men and Women in Sheds project which aims to tackle isolation amongst older people in the borough. The Shed is where people come together and engage in activities such as carpentry, metal work, repairs, crafts and gardening. • Fibromyalgia Friends Together Leicestershire, a Charnwood based group which hold monthly meetings to support people with fibromyalgia was awarded £2,200. The funding will be used to help develop their activities further.

• £1,600 to TS Sabre and TS Cutlass Navy Cadet Force towards First Aid training and kit • £2,500 to Leicestershire and Rutland Ornithological Society towards the Watermead • Wet Reed Bed project Cllr Deborah Taylor, the borough Council’s lead member for communities said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to support such a wide range of projects during the latest round of the Council’s grant scheme. “We’re committed to helping our local communities develop and these groups and organisations offer activities which help tackle a number of issues faced by residents. “I’d encourage any groups in the borough who need support with their projects to take a look at what’s on offer and consider applying for a grant in the next round.” For more information about the Council’s grants schemes visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/grants

Centre receives award A LOCAL volunteer centre has received an award from the Queen. In her 2019 Birthday Honours List, Her Majesty the Queen has awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the corporate equivalent of an individual MBE, to Syston and District Volunteer Centre. Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Centre, Derek Burdon says: “The Queen’s Award is the highest possible honour available for charities. It presents a clear signal of the highest standards of care and commitment to community service. “I would like to thank my colleagues on the Board of Trustees, each one a volunteer, and our small professional staff, led by Centre Manager, Mark Smith, for their enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to the effective delivery of the important range of community support services which we offer, leading to this signal honour. Special and particular thanks must go to the stalwart band of individual volunteers - especially the drivers - without whose active support the Centre could not function and this prestigious award from the Queen would not have been made possible. Thanks also to the Syston Town Council for acting as our sponsors.” With the benefit of grants from local Councils, the Centre, which has been operating in Syston for over 40 years, plays a major part in providing subsidised transport to enable the elderly, the infirm and the rurally isolated to keep in touch and remain active, as individuals, in family and community life. In addition to individual transport services, offered through the Social Car scheme, the Centre operates a small fleet of minibuses for trips and excursions to local places of interest. Transport to a monthly community lunch, organised by the Centre, is also made available. A wide range of mobility aids are available for hire from the Centre and the premises in School Street act as a base for the Citizens’ Advice Bureau on an appointment-only basis. The centre needs more volunteer drivers - contact them for details.

Edible Forest festival High Street a feast of food & drink upgrade THE ANNUAL Edible Forest Festival returns this September to celebrate the best in local food and drink at unique and iconic settings around the ancient woodland of Charnwood Forest.

A MAJOR highway maintenance scheme has begun on one of the busiest shopping streets in Leicester city centre.

From 7-15 September 2019, there will be a range of tasty food and drink events including afternoon tea in the iconic Old John Tower in Bradgate Park, dining under the stars in a unique dining pod, Trappist Brewery Tours, Safari Supper around Charnwood’s finest eateries and another outstanding Secret Gourmet evening with Michelin star holder, Chef John Duffin from Mountsorrel. New events at this year’s Edible Forest Festival include a cider tasting night, cheese pairing and a vegan day. Additional new events will be announced shortly. People can sign up at www.edibleforest.co.uk to make sure that they get first in the queue when tickets go on sale. The Edible Forest festival was created by Leicestershire Promotions and is supported by Charnwood Borough Council and Everards.

Pic: a dining pod

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The city council began work on Monday July 8 to repair and revamp the central strip of pavement running along the full length of High Street. The existing granite slabs will be removed and replaced with a mix of materials reflecting recently completely improvements in the historic Old Town area, most closely matching the finish of Peacock Lane by Cathedral Gardens. Seating, trees and the existing smallersized granite paving along each side of High Street will be retained. The city council say remedial work is now urgently required as the surface is now in such poor condition that effective maintenance is no longer viable and large sections of paving have been replaced with a temporary tarmac surface to prevent tripping. The scheme is expected to take about 12 weeks to complete. The work will be carried out at no cost to the council following a legal dispute between the authority and the original contractors. This was settled in favour of the council in 2016, without admission of liability from the contractors. Work will be carried out in small sections with pedestrian access maintained throughout the works. Businesses will remain open throughout the works, and marshals will be on hand to assist with deliveries within normal permitted times. A future phase of work will also see the area around the Clock Tower and up to East Gates repaved in high quality porphyry.

From couch to goal Hood Park Leisure Centre, Ashby, on Tuesdays from 23 July between 6.30pm and 8pm. Zara Barnes, the course leader from the NWLDC Health and Wellbeing team, said: “We know there are lots of people in our district that would love to get fitter, healthier and lose some weight, The aim is for people to get more but perhaps lack a little bit of the confiactive by taking up football in a relaxed dence required to get started. environment with fellow players of a “Couch to Goal is great opportunity similar fitness level. to get active playing football in a friendOrganised by Charnwood ly environment with peoBorough Council and North ple in similar shape also West Leicestershire District looking to get fitter. Council, two 10-week cours“Sessions are relaxed es will run at the same time. and fun but we’ve kept a When the programme is competitive element for complete the two teams will the end with a match meet each other in a friendly game, against members from the Charnwood testing their new-found fitness and Couch to Goal course, which will be skills on the pitch! great fun.” The initial sessions take place weekly The subsidised sessions cost just £2 at: a week. To book onto the Charnwood Soar Valley Leisure Centre, Mountsorprogramme call 01509 632534 or rel, on Thursdays from 25 July between email 6.30pm and 8pm. Samantha.chamberlain@charnwood.gov.uk

ADULTS LOOKING to improve their health and fitness have the opportunity to join a football-based Couch to Goal programme in either Charnwood or North West Leicestershire.

THE BIRSTALL POST AUG 2019

News from the churches The two new banners for Ordinary & 20th) at the same times. time are now in place, one each side of There is no charge or booking. Just the Altar. Made up of many individual come along, as a family to share in besquares, depicting everything from teaing creative with lots of fun. pots to rainbows, they are really superb, Strawberries & Cream Tea reflecting each artist's talent, but all of Our friends at Rothley are having a them beautifully executed. They are well ‘Strawberries & Cream’ afternoon tea on worth a visit to St James, just to see Wednesday August 21 at 3pm. Admission them. The church is open every Saturby ticket (limited in number) in advance day morning from 10am to 12 noon for (£6) from Sue (07585557548) or from people to just 'drop-in' and look around, the Rothley Methodists. have a chat or just to be quiet for a Safe Space Counselling while. There are always people there to Sometimes life gets us down and we welcome visitors (and put the kettle on!). need someone to help us to sort things Preparations are well under way for out; someone to talk to who is not inthe annual Summer Fayre on Bank Holi- volved with our lives or relationships in day Monday August 26, on the church any way. lawn and also in the church. The grass Safe Space is for anyone who might has been cut (!) and stall-holders are be facing difficulties in their life. preparing to stock and decorate their Difficulties could include: Bereavestalls, the theme this year being the ment, Stress, Burn-out, Life Choices, Seaside, which lends itself to colour and Sexual and other relationship issues, fun. There will be a bottle tombola, jam Family issues, Excessive Worry. Anxiety jars, cake stall, toys, crafts and bric-aetc. brac on the lawn and a photo presentaSafe Space Counselling operates tion and tea and cakes in the church. from Birstall and Syston Methodist Talking of tea and cakes, Old Nick's Churches, Tel 07938 779 477 for an Coffee Shop in the Wanlip Church and appointment with one of the trained Community Hall takes place on the third volunteers. Tuesday of every month, serving scrumLooking Ahead my home-made cakes and tea and coffee, You may be doing some Christmas whilst people sit and chat and meet Shopping whilst you are on holiday. Do friends. It is open from 10 to 12 noon. please look out for gifts for babies (ages We have returned (all of us) from the 0-2) and for young people (ages 12-16) Parish holiday in Windsor and Shepperin readiness for the ‘Toys on the Table’ ton, and with visits to Windsor Castle, Gift Service on 1st December. The organHampton Court Palace, RHS Wisley and isers are always short of Christmas Gifts the Motor and Concorde Museum, it was for these two age groups. very busy, but there was something for When School term restarts, so will everyone, and everyone enjoyed them“Happy Hour” after school club, from 3 selves and being with friends. to 4pm on Tuesdays. Even though summer is well under From Birstall Methodist Church way, we still have to turn our thoughts to the Christmas Shoebox appeal, with Sunday Services items from toothbrushes to toys being Graham Bunkall will be taking our collected, ready to pack for 'Link to services on both August 4 & 11 and you Hope' to distribute. are cordially invited to join with us. (If The Church photo album is now beyou haven’t come before, we meet in ing put together by Canon Anne, but any Room PT1, The Palmer Tomkinson Cenphotos that anyone has that links them tre, The Cedars Academy, Wanlip Lane, or their relatives to the church would Birstall (LE4 4GH), at 10.45am) There is still be very welcome. a children’s meeting available during both From Birstall Parish Church these services. We are not meeting at the school on either 18th or 25th, so please Children’s Craft Corners at Methodist contact us for information about our Church On four Thursdays in August (1st, 8th, arrangements on these dates. 15th & 22nd) James Blackhall, Laywork- Bank Holiday Bible School This annual Bible School will be held er, will be running ‘Craft Corners’ in the at Stanton Lees Chapel near Matlock in Coffee Shop (10 till 11.30am). You are welcome to bring your children & grand- Derbyshire (DE4 2LQ), where you can be assured of a warm welcome and excellent children. ministry – not forgetting the famous teas In Rothley, at Howe Lane, a similar on the Saturday and Monday afternoons. scheme will run on Tuesdays, (6th, 13th The speakers this year bring a Welsh flavour with Geoff Thomas (retired Pastor from Aberystwyth, currently living in London) - taking the meetings at 3.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. on Saturday 24th and 2.30pm and 6.30pm on Sunday 25th and Ian Parry (Pastor at Grangetown Architectural plans Baptist Church, Cardiff) speaking at 3pm drawn & submitted for planning and 7pm on Monday 26th. The Historical permission & building Lecture at 10.30am on the Monday will regulations approval be taken by the Pastor at Stanton Lees, Tel: 0116 4105060 / 07974807111 Jonathan Bayes. All meetings are free of E: info@amlidesign.co.uk charge but donations can be made to W: www.amlidesign.co.uk help defray expenses. Enquiries about BIBC: please ring 0116 221 4883. David Ives Bsc(Hons) MCIOB FCABE C.Build E. From Birstall Independent BapChartered & Accredited tist Church

Pic: St Theresa’s Summer Concert

Summer Concert on July 7. A packed audience was treated to a programme of well known music performed by St Theresa’s choir and children’s choirs representing the parish, Bishop Ellis and English Martyrs schools. There were orchestral and ensemble pieces as well as solo and group singers. The concert raised an astonishing £1100 and proceeds have been divided between the children’s heart charity Heart Link and parish funds. As ever, our thanks go to Chris Lowe our musical magician for his hard work and dedication in putting the concert together. This September we will be putting on another, more informal, concert and talented parishioners or anyone who can sing or play an instrument will be invited to perform. Further details to follow. Bench in memory of Fr. Keith Tomlinson. Our late Parish Priest, who also served as school priest at Bishop Ellis, Thurmaston, has had a bench bought in his memory by the school governors. It was blessed and dedicated after an end of term Mass by Fr. Anthony Pateman, with whom he shared this ministry. The children will have use of the bench in the school grounds. Sponsored Pilgrimage Fr. Saji Domenic, who served as parish priest until last year, has been undertaking the famous Camino Walk, a pilgrimage to St Iago de Compostela in BIRSTALL PARISH COUNCIL PREMISES CLEANER / CARETAKER JOB REF: HFCH/OO1 £9.02 per hour – 16 hours per week Birstall Parish Council is seeking a motivated and flexible person to provide cleaning and caretaker duties, sixteen hours per week Monday to Friday for the new Community Hall at Hallam Fields in Birstall. There will be some requirement to work during the evenings and at the weekends to provide holiday cover for the caretaker of the Village Hall on Birstall Road as well as the weekend caretaker of the Community Hall The role is to ensure that the Council’s facilities are maintained to a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness to meet the expectations of hirers of the premises. An application form for Job Ref: HFCH/001 is available to download from the Councils website: www.birstallparishcouncil.org.uk or by contacting the Clerk on 0116 267 6191 email: admin@birstallpc.org.uk The closing date for applications is: 3pm – Thursday, 19th September 2019

Spain. A number of parishioners have sponsored him on this fund raising feat. We send him our prayers and good wishes. Dates for your diary September 29 – parish concert. Details will be given in the newsletter October 11 – quiz night October 23– joint parish council meeting in the Fr. Keating Hall November 8 – Bereavement Mass November 15 – murder mystery night 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. 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 Our Kids Hub was fantastic and all who came thoroughly enjoyed themselves. If your children haven’t attended then following the success of our trial we plan to launch the Kids Hub every Thursday from September 2019 at the Village Hall. We also have a prayer group that meets at the Village Hall on the first Thursday of each month. Come join us as we pray for personal and local issues. If you are interested in joining one of our small groups that meet regularly around the area or you are interested in our Alpha Course then for more details in this or our life groups email me andre.timothy@trinitylifechurch.org.uk 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. This month we are looking for people to sponsor breakfast cereals. We also have our Tour De Leicestershire cycling event coming up. If you are an avid cyclist or love going out for a cycle now and again then why not sign up. Again further information can be located on the OpenHands website. From Trinity Life Church

The Sept issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on Aug 31. The copy deadline is Aug 16.

Birstall BAG’s cancer corner Obesity and Cancer Cancer Research UK caused quite a stir recently with their obesity campaign. Birstall BAG’s would like to relay to you what the latest evidence suggests about being overweight and your risk of developing cancer and also empower you to do something about it because even small changes can make a significant difference to your cancer risk. Cancer Research UK’s key messages are clear: Yes, being overweight and obese is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK- more than 1 in 20 cancer cases are caused by excess weight The risk is higher the more weight a person gains and the longer they are overweight for. The good news is small changes that are kept up over time can make a real difference. Being overweight doesn’t mean that someone will definitely develop cancer. But if a person is overweight they are more likely to get cancer than if they are a healthy weight. We can help stack the odds against cancer by losing weight or avoiding gaining more weight.

If we all kept to a more healthy weight we could prevent around 22,800 cases of cancer every year in the UK. So how does being overweight cause cancer? Extra fat in the body doesn’t just sit there, its active, sending out signals to the rest of your body. Fat cells make extra hormones and growth factors. These tell cells in our body to divide more often which increases the chance of cancer cells being produced which can continue to divide and cause a tumour. With regard to children, the link between obesity and cancer is only in adulthood. But a healthy body weight is important for children too. One in five children are overweight or obese before they begin primary school, and even more by the time they leave. Children who are obese are around five times more likely to grow into adults who are obese. In terms of which cancers are caused by obesity breast (in women after the menopause), bowel, womb, oesophageal

(food pipe), pancreatic, kidney, liver, upper stomach (gastric cardia), gallbladder, ovarian, thyroid, myeloma (a type of blood cancer), and meningioma (a type of brain tumour). This includes two of the most com-

mon types of cancer – breast and bowel cancers - and three of the hardest to treat – pancreatic, oesophageal and gallbladder cancers. Here are Cancer Research UK’s 10 Top Tips to help you lose weight: Keep to a meal routine and eat at roughly the same times each day. Cut down on calories and look out for low fat options. Walk off the weight with 10,000 steps each day. Pack healthy snacks for example fresh fruit instead of biscuits or crisps. Look at the labels and pick options

higher in fibre and lower in fat, salt and sugar. Caution with portions – don’t heap food on your plate and think twice before having seconds. Up on your feet – break up sitting time. Think about your drinks – choose water or sugar free squashes and limit fruit juice to one glass per day. Focus on your food and don’t eat on the go. Don’t forget your 5 a day, whether fresh, frozen or tinned. 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

The Sept issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on Aug 31. The copy deadline is Aug 16.

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