Birstall Post (454) May 2021 by The Birstall Post

the Birstall post Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

MAY 2021

N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 454

Road rage driver jailed A DISABLED driver from Birstall was dragged out of his car, punched and kicked after a collision on the Redhill roundabout.

Supercar surprise visit

Lewis Cifaldi (31), of Perth Avenue, New Parks, Leicester was sentenced to 22 months in prison at crown court, after pleading guilty to actual bodily harm on the day of his trial at Leicester magistrates court in November 2020, reported Leicestershire Live. The incident happened on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. The defendant’s vehicle collided with the victim’s car as they drove around Redhill island - the disabled man believed he saw Cifaldi on his mobile phone. Cifaldi got out of his car, kicked the victim’s door, opened his door, punched him in the face and shouted: “Come on, I will kill you.”

WHEN 13 supercars pulled up in his driveway, car enthusiast Shivam Nathwami from Birstall felt it was a dream come true. It was a surprise organised by his brother Pritesh, and Shivam (23), who has muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair, admired the cars before interviewing the owners for the YouTube car review channel he set up a year ago.

Continued on page 2

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Pics: Shivam beside one of the supercars (top), and parked on the Sibson Rd car park

“This was the best thing, something that I could have only dreamt about,” said Shivam. Knowing the interest the cars would generate, Pritesh invited the owners, all from Supercars of Birmingham, to park the cars on the Sibson Road car park where a crowd soon gathered to admire them. Pritesh said: “Some of the kids from the football club came over to have a look. It brought a smile to people’s

faces.” Shivam said: “Thank you to my brother for making this happen. It was great to see that a few people in the village were able to see some amazing cars, and I was able to celebrate one year as a car reviewer around some amazing cars.” Shivam's YouTube channel is called the Shivam Review, and his Instagram page is @tsr_uk

Continued from page 1 The victim was pulled out of his car, punched in the face again, dragged to the rear of the car and kicked in the chest area, causing his lip to split and bleed. Cifaldi carried out the assault in front of his young son, who was in the passenger seat of Cifaldi’s car, and the victim’s wife, who was pleading with him to stop the assault. The victim, who has a spinal disability, told the defendant he was disabled, but it made no difference, the court was told. When other road users stopped, Cifaldi stopped the attack and drove off in his black Astra, which was traced to his address. When police arrived, his partner told them he was not at home, but officers found him at the back of the property climbing a six-foot fence as he tried to escape. The victim suffered cuts, swelling and bruising and had to pay £500 for dental work. The court heard that in 2015, Cifaldi had head-butted a bus driver in front of passengers during a road rage incident, for which he received a community order. Sentencing Cifaldi to 22 months in prison, Judge Philip Head told him he was a “violent bully” who had lied to police and probation officers.

Fundraising 100km charity run A FUNDRAISING run by Birstall’s Stacy Walker has raised money for a charity supporting people with the rare nerve disorder Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES). Stacy (32) ran 100km over several days in March, her runs taking her through Birstall, Wanlip and Sileby. Stacy’s partner, Jessica Weston (28), was diagnosed with CES while working as an assistant store manager and had to have a lumbar discectomy – the removal of part of a ruptured lumbar disc. She has to wear a leg splint to help her walk. Stacy said: “I wanted to raise awareness of this rare condition that has affected someone so very close and special to me. It was also a challenge to run further than I previously have and in doing so, raise well-needed funds for the charity.” To donate, search justgiving.com for Stacy Walker. Pic: Stacy Walker (right) with her partner Jessica Weston

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

Social Club ready to welcome you BIRSTALL SOCIAL Club will be reopening on May 17. “We are really looking forward to it,” said manager Ryan O’Reilly. “We would like to say a huge thank you for all of the support we have received from our members, guests and staff over this past year, without you the club wouldn’t exist and thrive the way that it does and we appreciate each and every one of you,” he added. The pandemic has resulted in the longest period of closure since the club opened in 1936, but it remains financially solvent, recently spending £30,000 on refurbishing its two main function rooms. Before the pandemic, the club hosted music events, parties, weddings, keep fit classes for the over 60s and a barberPic: Ryan O’Reilly (left)), club secretary Alan Coles and Kelly Cokayne behind the bar at Birstall Social Club

shop choir. Manager Kelly Cokayne said: “The closure has been really tough, especially for the older crowd, the club is a social space for them, somewhere to come and chat, and they lost it. For many, it was the only place they came to socialise.” As well as welcoming all its members back, new members are welcome at a cost of £10 a year - to join go to https://me.loyalzoo.com/memberships/7857 If you do not have internet access to renew your membership online, you can post your membership card along with a stamped self-

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Teaching lipreading a new career for Jenny

A CHANCE reading of a letter in the May 2019 edition of The Birstall Post led local resident Jenny Cluley to an interesting career change. The Leslie Edwards Trust, a small local charity that supports people with hearing loss, had written to The Birstall Post to highlight the lack of lipreading classes in the local area due to a shortage of specialist teachers. Two years on, and Jenny (59) has retrained at the City Lit College in London and is now a fully qualified lipreading teacher. Jenny said: “The letter from the Leslie Edwards Trust was both eloquent and heartfelt, explaining the impact of the national shortage of lipreading teachers on class provision and also the frustration and isolation experienced by people who struggle to communicate due to hearing loss. It was a plea for people to consider stepping forward to train to become lipreading teachers. “I confess my decision to respond wasn’t entirely altruistic! At 58 years old, I had been fearful about how my imminent early retirement was going to affect me. I had been working full-time for 13 years as a busy teacher, Head of Learning Support and Special Needs Coordinator in a local school and the thought of

suddenly retiring and being on my own every day worried me. I knew that I would need to take on a new challenge, something that I would find rewarding and also something that would keep me closely connected to people. I am a huge believer in ‘things happening for a reason’, and I firmly believe that the letter I saw in The Birstall Post signposted a path I was meant to take.” In October 2019, Jenny enrolled on the Lipreading Teacher Training Course run by the City Lit College, located in Covent Garden, in central London. Jenny said: “Trainee lipreading teachers were expected to attend classes at college for two consecutive days, Friday and Saturday, every month over a ninemonth period. We were taught the theory and practice of lipreading; the psychology of how hearing loss can affect an individual; specialist techniques and methodology for teaching lipreading, and information regarding services and assistive aids for people with acquired hearing loss. “In order to pass the course, trainees needed to complete ten written assignments and an observed teaching practice. In addition, we were required to observe and evaluate a number of lipreading classes and complete an extensive portfolio.

“If that wasn’t challenging enough, the small matter of a global pandemic hit five months into the course, preventing trainees from travelling into London to attend college in person. Tuition was quickly adapted, and the 201920 cohort gained the honour of becoming the first Lipreading Teacher Training Course to complete their course online.” Lipreading is a vital communication skill for people with differing levels of hearing loss. It is the ability to recognise and interpret lip shapes, gestures and facial movements in order to be able to follow the gist of what someone is saying – thus being able to join in a conversation. Jenny said: “Without a doubt, the most enjoyable part of the course has been the people I have met along the way: the inspirational tutors at City Lit; my fellow trainee lipreading teachers we still meet monthly on Zoom to share ideas and experiences; and the hardworking team of volunteers at the Leslie Edwards Trust who have been a constant source of encouragement and support throughout the course and beyond. “Lipreading is all about social communication – being able to connect with other people. Lipreading classes enable people with hearing loss to come together in a relaxed and supportive environment. My biggest fear on my retirement was that I would somehow lose my connection with other people. Teaching lipread-

Pics: Jenny Cluley (above) and (below) leading an online class

ing not only connects me with other people but also gives me the satisfaction of enabling others to do the same. Jenny is very keen to set up a local lipreading class in the Birstall area and would like to hear from anyone who may be interested in attending. She currently teaches weekly classes on Zoom. Email Jenny for further information: jenny@readinglips.online Leslie Edwards Trust website: https://www.lets-lipread.org.uk Useful websites on hearing loss: Hearing Link: www.hearinglink.org British Tinnitus Association: www.tinnitus.org.uk Royal National Institute for Deaf People ‘RNID’ (formerly ‘Action on Hearing Loss’) www.rnid.org.uk

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

Cycle lanes removed May 24 THE POP-UP cycle lanes on the A6 through Birstall will be removed from May 24. The County Council say the work will take up to three weeks. The cycle lanes and the no right turn restrictions will be removed. The central hatched areas will be reinstated as well as the pedestrian islands, which will be widened where possible. The county intends to make the 30mph speed limit permanent, subject to a consultation. Whilst the work is carried out, there will be some temporary road closures. The A6 will be closed in both directions, between Redhill Circle roundabout and the Greengate Lane/Sibson Road junction for three consecutive weekends: May 29/30, June 5/6 and June 12/13.

Gym welcomes members THE LOCKDOWN lifted for Carl Gunns’ Birstall Road boxing gym on April 12, and he was pleased to welcome back his members. Friends Jorja Dorsett (16) and Ella Zaraatkar (15) were among the first to get back in the ring. Jorja said: “I’ve missed coming here, and I’m looking forward to getting back into it. There is a nice atmosphere, and you can talk to everyone.” Ella, like Jorja, has been coming to the gym for two years. She said: “It’s very friendly here. Even if you don’t want to box, it’s just nice to come here.” Pic: Ella (left) and Jorja doing pad work in the ring with Carl Gunns

CAB face to face advice CITIZENS ADVICE Charnwood is now able to offer face to face appointments for those who need them

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

Chief Officer Ian Dennis said: ‘With the help of our volunteers, we have continued to provide advice and support by telephone throughout the pandemic. But some people find this difficult. For example, filling in lengthy and complicated forms when applying for disability payments. We are therefore delighted that we can now resume face to face appointments as well as our ongoing telephone advice service.’ Since the first lockdown Citizens Advice Charnwood has helped over 300 people, with applications and appeals relating to disability payments, including Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Attendance Allowance. Most help has been provided over the phone. Volunteer Gill said: “People can find it difficult to put down in words how their health problems affect their daily lives and may be unable to fill in forms by themselves. Many are struggling to cope with both physical and mental health problems and are in danger of not applying for or renewing their claim and losing the money they rely on”. A recent example of help given involves Wendy, who cares for her adult daughter, Emma, who has cognitive difficulties and depression following a head injury. Emma gets the enhanced rate of PIP. But Wendy’s own mental health has gone downhill during the pandemic so when she received a review form to complete on Emma’s behalf, she felt unable to cope. The country was in lockdown and Wendy was terrified that Emma would lose her PIP award and she would lose her Carers Allowance as a result. She eventually called our Local Enquiry line and got a phone appointment with an adviser who went through each section of the form with her. The adviser was able to record Wendy’s responses and type them up and post them to her so she could send off the review form. But it would have been much easier with a face-to-face appointment. If you need help and wish to make an appointment contact Citizens Advice Charnwood on 01509 649605, Mondays and Thursdays 9.30 am – 3pm, Tuesday 9.30am – 12 noon. Information and advice can also be found on the website: www.charnwoodcab.org.uk

New parish councillors A MAN who Birstall Parish Council voted to reject when he sought to join the council by co-option in 2019, has become a parish councillor after an election was called. Abe Khayer, of Wanlip, automatically became a councillor after 10 residents in the Stonehill ward requested an election to fill a vacancy on Birstall Parish Council, and no other candidates came forward. Mr Khayer was elected without a contest on April 8. Mr Khayer is a Labour Party activist who in 2019 received a Charnwood Community Hero award for his work in the community, helping vulnerable families and the disabled with homelessness and benefit claims, and for lobbying Severn Trent about smells from its sewage treatment plant in Wanlip. In 2019 he submitted a letter of application to fill a vacancy on the council by co-option, and attended a parish council meeting to introduce himself and answer questions. Upon being put to the vote, the majority decision was not to co-opt. He said: “I don’t know why the council voted to

reject me when I tried to join by co-option, I could see they had no valid excuse. I felt I perhaps had said something wrong.” He added: “I want to join the council to have an active role in the community and a more official role. I’m not going to push politics, just trying to do things for the community.” Mr Khayer said local issues he has privately been campaigning for include trying to get a new GP practice in Birstall, and a leisure centre. On April 8, three other vacancies on the Parish Council were filled in the same way: 10 people living within each of the three wards where there was a vacancy called for an election, and there was only one candidate in each ward. The three people elected, all Labour party members, are Chris Talbot, David Thomas and Julie Palmer. Birstall Parish Council has historically not been divided on party political lines and states on its website: “Birstall Parish Council prides itself on being a-political.”

Parish Council notes Planning applications

Councillor Howe requested that a A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish more detailed discussion be held at the Council was held on April 12. May meeting when it would be clearer The council observed a minutes siwhat the budget for any proposal might lence in remembrance of Prince Philip, be. Duke of Edinburgh. The council agreed to renew its memIt was reported that Cllr Keith Hampbership of LRALC and NALC at a cost of ton had resigned. £1299. An election to fill vacancies on the The draft annual report was approved, Parish Council had been requested in and it was agreed to have it published four wards. As only one candidate was nominated in each ward, they were elect- within the Birstall Post at a cost of £963. It was agreed that the annual parish ed automatically. They are Abe Khayer, council meeting is held on May 17 and Chris Talbot, David Thomas and Julie that it be either a virtual meeting or Palmer. face-to-face, depending on the legislation Chairman Ann Marshall reported that at that time. residents had notified her about antisoThe council has been notified that a cial behaviour on the School Lane play5G phone mast will be erected on the ing field car park, which is becoming A6 at the junction with School Lane, worse. Groups of young people are beside the perimeter fence of the School smoking cannabis, leaving litter, shoutLane playing field. It was agreed to make ing, swearing and playing loud music. Councillor Julian Howe suggested that no comment. The council agreed to spend £45,306 the Parish Council do something to commemorate the Covid-19 pandemic, some- on new children’s play equipment on the School Lane playing field. thing that would “cheer people up and Birstall Parish Council’s annual parish get them outside”. He suggested this meeting was held on April 21. might be a small-scale event or floral Two members of the public attended. displays and tree planting. Chairman Ann Marshall gave a sumCouncillor Kirsty Haywood said that any proposal should be something practi- mary of the council's annual report (published inside this issue of the Bircal, not benches or trees, and should stall Post). focus on children. A Birstall resident, who has lived on Councillor Ed Marshall suggested the Hallam Fields estate for eight years children could get involved in an art with his wife and children, asked if it competition telling the story of the panwould be possible to have an access demic. made from the estate to the Harrogate

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P/21/0901/2: 222 Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicestershire LE4 4DG creation of a stand alone entertainment pavilion within the rear garden of existing family dwelling P/21/0875/2: Land North of Birstall Birstall Leicestershire LE7 4PN. Hybrid planning application comprising: Outline application (with all matters reserved on those areas not subject to the detailed proposals) for erection of 1,950 residential dwellings (Use Class C3), 15 hectares of employment land (Use Class B1(a), B1(c), B2 & B8), erection of a primary school (Use Class D1), a local centre comprising of shops, supermarket (Use Class A1), financial & professional services (Use Class A2), restaurants/cafes (Use Class A3), drinking establishments (Use Class A4), hot food takeaway (Use Class A5), business (Use Class B1(a)), erection of an assisted living retirement village of up to 175 units & 70-bed care home (Use Class C2), non-residential institutions (Use Class D1) and assembly and leisure (Use Class D2), erection of a community resource centre providing a mix of uses, provi-

Drive playing field. Chairman Ann Marshall said his question couldn’t be answered now but would be addressed at a future meeting. The resident also suggested that the council hold a meeting at the Hallam Fields Hall. Councillor Marshall said the council always intended to hold some parish council meetings there, and still plans to do so once lockdown restrictions are relaxed. Councillor Ed Marshall said it would be helpful if the police could provide some details and a photo of Sergeant Bird, the new police sergeant on the Birstall beat team.

sion of 4 plots for travelling show people, green infrastructure, outdoor sport provision, public open space/parkland, allotments, arboretum, extended rights-of-way, and associated landscaping and infrastructure; and detailed planning application relating to the erection of 193 dwellings (Use Class C3), erection of two separate lodge/gate houses (Use Class C3), a countryside park with sports pitches, sports pavilion; structural landscaping; biodiversity parkland, details of drainage and internal access roads, and the provision of the primary access including the details of the signalised roundabout to the A6 Dual Carriageway, site access works and the provision of a two-way local link to Loughborough Road, Rothley P/21/0870/2: 22 Elmfield Avenue Birstall LE4 3DE One Storey Side and Rear Extension P/21/0853/2: Thornfield House 9 Church Hill Birstall Leicestershire LE4 4D Change of use to separate dwelling and extension and alterations NEW -P/21/0833/2: 6 Park House Close Birstall Leicestershire LE4 4AW The erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 5.3 m, with a maximum height of 3.4m, and height to the eaves of 3m P/21/0829/2: 1 Sandgate Avenue Birstall Leicestershire LE4 3HQ Double storey side extension over existing single storey P/21/0704/2: Loughborough Road Birstall Leicestershire LE4 4AJ Replacement of 3no antenna; installation of 6. RRUs and development ancillary reworks P/21/0712/2: 39 Orchard Road Birstall Leicestershire LE4 4GD The erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 6m, with a maximum height of 3.2m, and height to the eaves of 2.55m P/21/0672/2: 41 Harrowgate Drive Birstall LE4 3GQ Proposed single storey extension to rear and porch to front of dwelling.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

Sixty years together A BIRSTALL couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on April 2. David and Margaret Freeman (84 & 83) moved to Birstall in 1961, buying a new house on Harrowgate Drive. Their three daughters, Lorraine, Alex and Hilary, were born there. They moved to a house nearer the village centre around 20 years ago. Both David and Margaret were long time members of Birstall Bowls club.

Pic: David and Margaret Freeman on their wedding day, and pictured today

Sustained fall in crime during pandemic

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

CRIME FIGURES provided to the National Police Chiefs’ Council from forces in England and Wales show an overall fall of 22 per cent in the four weeks to 14 February 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. Throughout the pandemic, sustained falls in crime have been recorded throughout periods of national lockdown, with crime only rising close to 2019 levels during the summer months of 2020. The third national lockdown introduced on 6 January 2021 saw a large reduction in recorded crime as individuals were told to stay at home, allowing criminals fewer opportunities to commit offences. For the most recent recorded snapshot, for the four weeks to 14 February 2021, serious violent crime, including Grievous Bodily Harm, Actual Bodily Harm and personal robbery reduced by 36 per cent, shoplifting was down 44 per cent, vehicle crime fell by 36 per cent and residential burglary was down by 36 per cent compared to the same period in 2020. Reported rape saw a 12 per cent fall, and recorded domestic abuse incidents decreased by five per cent over the snapshot period compared to the same period in 2020. There remains little evidence of the significant increase in reported domestic abuse that was anticipated at the start of lockdown, although police continue to monitor this area closely and work closely in partnership with relevant organisations. Police figures do not capture hidden domestic abuse that is not reported. The latest figures also showed a 14 per cent increase in assaults on emergency workers. The rise is thought to be driven by increases in common assaults on police officers, including suspects spitting on officers while claiming to be infected with Covid19. National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Martin Hewitt said: “We have seen falls in crime during periods of national lockdown, and we are seeing the same trends again. “Although overall crime is lower than the comparable time last year, demand on the police remains significant. Assaults on emergency workers who do crucial work to keep the public safe at any time are deplorable. This is an offence, and those caught will be prosecuted. Police are out in communities, working in very challenging circumstances, and I am grateful for their continued hard work. Forces have also continued to observe falls in calls to police. Compared to the same period in 2020, 999 call volumes decreased by 20 per cent and 101 calls by 18 per cent.

MAY 2021 Visit our website at: www.villagewatch.co.uk and join our Group on Facebook

By the time this edition is published, Covid‐19 restrictions will allow us to interact more with other people. This is another welcome step back to life as we remember it. Please also remember, though, that it is just one step and not an opportunity to throw off all caution. Many people will have good reasons to remain more cautious than you and their choice to do so should be respected.

Invest Safely Last year UK consumers lost more than £78 million to fake investments. These scams can be very convincing, so ALWAYS take extra care before entrusting your money to a stranger’s “safe‐keeping”. If someone you do not know offers you an attractive investment opportunity, always use the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register to check whether the firm is authorised to provide investments and to verify their contact details. If they are not there, it is almost certainly a scam. register.fca.org.uk Watch out for fake social media posts, some of which use forged celebrity endorsements. Websites at the top of search engine results should be checked very carefully; just because they appear there does not mean they are genuine. Always seek reputable, independent financial advice from someone properly regulated to provide it. Never take advice from the company that contacted you. Taking these precautions could make all the difference between a safe investment and losing your life savings.

Want to Sell your House? One of our Members received a letter addressed to ‘The Occupier’ at their home address. It was from a company offering to buy their house for cash. The estimated price quoted was very attractive, although the small print said that the actual price paid would depend on the company’s own valuation. This is not a firm offer but simply an advert aimed at people trying to sell their property, who might be tempted by a quick cash sale at a low price. If you have received a similar letter and decide to find out more, it would be a very good idea to first get an independent valuation from a reputable estate agent so that you can compare it to any cash deal you are offered. Ask yourself why a company would be interested in buying a private residence. Could it be that they simply want to sell it on for a quick profit?

The Birstall and Wanlip Neighbourhood Beat Team produces a monthly Newsletter written by our Beat Officer, Dave Jaeckels. It contains news about recent crime in our villages, crime prevention advice and other information about the Team’s activities. You can read it in full each month on our website:

www.villagewatch.co.uk/police

Caller ID is No Guarantee Caller ID is a useful feature that tells us who is phoning us but it cannot be relied upon to tell the truth. Criminals are able to ‘spoof’ the telephone numbers of genuine organisations, such as banks, to mislead their victims. As we have grown wiser and more suspicious of scam phone calls and text messages, the criminals are now using fake Caller ID to overcome our doubts. If you have suspicions about a call, you are probably right. Do not be fooled into trusting what could well be a spoofed Caller ID on your display.

Protect Your Dog Lockdown has led to many families acquiring pets for the first time and this has led to some unwelcome consequences. Animal charities and sanctuaries have been overwhelmed when, after the first flush of enthusiasm, owners have asked them to take unwanted pets into their care. Much worse are the number of pets that have been rescued after being abandoned. All domestic pets, common or exotic, have been affected but the majority have been dogs. Last summer, the number of Google searches for “Puppies near me” was five times that for the previous year. Criminals quickly saw an opportunity to make money, especially from those prepared to pay for expensive breeds. Illegal puppy farms, smuggling from abroad and straightforward theft have been the source of many animals sold to unsuspecting purchasers. False paperwork about health, vaccinations and history can put the animals and their new owners at risk. If you want to get a new pet, always go to a reputable dealer or established animal charity and never to fly‐by‐night rogue dealers. Theft has become more common as the pandemic has continued. Owners are warned never to leave dogs unaccompanied in public places and to keep them on a lead to prevent them from running off unexpectedly. Professional dog thieves have devised clever methods of luring them away from their owners. Owning a pet is a big responsibility and it is important to keep dogs under control in public places. Of course, the vast majority of dogs are not dangerous. Responsible owners know their dogs very well and are often upset when other people do not understand that they are harmless and very friendly. A strange dog that is just being friendly, can still be very frightening to children and adults who do not know it, especially if they have had bad experiences with other, less well‐behaved, dogs in the past. Experience shows that dogs are capable of inflicting serious injury, albeit unintentionally, especially to small children. In the countryside, grazing and other farm animals are easily panicked by dogs left to run free in a field. Any dog that causes injury to a person or another animal can be seized and, in some cases, destroyed. The maximum fine that can be imposed by a Court is £1000. Owning a dog can be a life‐enriching experience; being a responsible owner can make it even richer for all concerned.

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

Lockdown is Easing

Community group’s continuing support THE HELPING Our Community LE4 Birstall and Scrubs group have been continuing to support local good causes and share information about vaccinations. Co-founder Rosie Rollings reports: The community group have continued to keep Birstall up to date with the changes in Covid-19 regulations. We have also shared up to date information on vaccinations. The Community group have supported the scrubs group to purchase wadding to provide quilts for Rainbows and the NICU. We were asked for help from Women’s Aid, and the community responded very generously. As a result of contact, we are making “Buddy Bags” for women and children fleeing domestic violence. We have a local sponsor who has kindly offered to gift a nightshirt for the ladies and PJs for the children. The bags will also contain the essential food items and toiletries for the ladies. For the children, colouring books, pens and toys knitted by the scrubs team. Jessica and Izzy Clarke have kindly been putting the pack togeth-

Pics Quilts and blankets collected for Rainbows and a sale at the Birstall branch of the Royal British Legion

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

er for the children. The scrubs group adopted Jade’s Retreat as a chosen charity as it is local, and the group feel what they raise will help significantly. The group continues to make saleable items, with proceeds going to

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Jade’s. We raised money at a recent sale at the British Legion that will be put towards what we have already made. We intend to count on the 21st June. We would like to thank Portas Fruit and Veg and the Urban Farm Shop for selling our bags for life (proceeds to Jade’s) also to MD Lowe for displaying the quilts and Easter items. The quilts made are always gratefully received by Rainbows. At the last collection, we were asked to make bags for Rainbows. We have sent three samples for them to choose from. These will have all the items in them for a newborn at the end of life. The scrubs group are looking forward to making a little difference. We would like to thank Shona for her input as admin. Shona has stepped down as she has many other commitments with groups, the council and the opening back up of her shop Filagree Heart. We can welcome Mark Lowe on to the admin team. Mark from MD Lowe has been fully committed to helping local causes and embracing the community. We also welcome Maxylin Geary on to the community group and scrubs as admin. Maxylin has been involved since day one when we started making scrubs. Maxylin’s advice has been invaluable. If anyone has any new fabric suitable for quilts or bunting we would be very grateful.

NHW news

& crime report Enjoy this Summer The easing of lockdown restrictions has come at the same time as the warmer (we hope) summer weather. The opportunity to meet friends and family in our gardens is very attractive and welcome. As a result of so many people working from home, thieves have found many fewer unoccupied houses and the burglary rate has gone down considerably. While this is good news, the burglars have not gone away and will be ready to take any opportunity that presents itself as our routines change. The joy of spending time outside and catching up with people may make us less careful about keeping our homes

Noticeboard all details printed free

secure while we are in the garden. Unlocked ground-floor windows at the front of the house, for example, give easy access to a passing thief. If everyone is in the back garden, the property is, effectively, unoccupied. It can take only a few seconds for an accomplished burglar to get in and grab a few valuable items, such as phones and handbags. It is what they are good at. Remember to lock your garden side gate once your visitors have left; it is easy to forget. Always be conscious of your home security whenever you go out, whether it is away from home or just into the garden. Check that all doors and windows not in your direct view are closed and locked. Do not leave valuable property where it can be seen from outside by a passing thief. If you have a burglar alarm, always turn it on when you go away from home, no matter how brief your journey. One home was burgled recently while the owner walked to a nearby post box and had a brief chat with a neighbour. If you have a long garden, it might be wise to turn on the alarm when you out there concentrating on gardening. This summer offers the prospect of a lot of happy meetings and reunions; do not let it be spoiled by leaving easy pickings for opportunist criminals. Keep Safe, Ed Chambers, Birstall & Wanlip NHW

Birstall's Yard Sale is on 15th May 2021 10-2pm Hopefully on the same day LCFC will win the FA CUP! We will be supporting Jade's Retreat, each stall is a donation of £3 and will be added to the map. To register please message the Big Birstall Yard Sale Page or message Sharon on 07841448511 All Covid-19 rules regarding social distancing and the rule of six must be adhered to. You are responsible to enforce this on your property

Gardener Required 2 hours per week Please telephone 0116 220 9146

Birstall Royal British Legion would like to welcome back all old and new Members on Monday 17th May Bingo every Tuesday starting at 9pm Card game and key of the box played every Saturday night There is a weekly market every Wednesday in the car park. come along and support your local community Wakes available Mondays Tuesdays Thursdays and Fridays In the meantime please stay safe

April Priorities During April our intention will be to focus our patrols on School Lane Park, as we have been made aware of a number of Anti-Social Behaviour incidents happening in this area recently. It appears that the recent warm weather combined with the relaxing of lockdown rules has unfortunately resulted in a number of people heading to the Park and causing problems, by making excessive noise and leaving an unacceptable amount of litter. Please ensure that if you are using the park you are adhering to social distancing guidelines and also ensure that you are being respectful to other park users and local residents. Please also make sure that you are aware of the current coronavirus regulations as we are still receiving numerous calls about people breaching these. Crime Update We’ve had a total of 28 crimes reported to us during March, which is slightly lower than February when we had 32. We had 9 reports of theft (which includes 1 theft of a vehicle, 1 theft from a vehicle & 1 cycle theft) 6 reports of assault, 5 ‘Public Order’ offences, 2 drug offences, 1 dwelling burglary (which was an attempt), 1 non-dwelling burglary, 1 report of a robbery and 1 report of vehicle damage. In addition to this, we also had 2 offences reported that come under the ‘sexual offences’ category, however, these related to offences committed via the internet / social media as opposed to actual physical offences. One of the drugs offences related to a warrant that the Beat Team conducted at an address in the village this month, during which a quantity of controlled drugs was recovered. An adult male was arrested for possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply it as a result of this warrant and has since been re-

leased whilst we conduct further enquiries. For further crime information please visit: www.police.uk/leicestershire/NL60/ Crime Prevention Advice Now that the clocks have gone forward and we are moving into the warmer months, many of us will be spending more time in our gardens to take advantage of the longer, warmer evenings. Please remember that criminals will be aware of this and will make the most of insecure houses to steal property such as car keys and cash. The following advice may be helpful: 1) If you are out in the rear garden, remember to keep your front door and any windows at the front of the house closed and locked so that criminals cannot easily access your property. 2) Don’t leave house or vehicle keys hanging on a hook by the front door. If the door is unlocked, criminals can easily get hold of these and steal your car! 3) Consider cutting back high hedges so that the front of your house is not obscured. Burglars like to be able to hide away & by making the front of your house more ‘open’ they are less likely to target your property as other residents are more likely to see them and challenge them as to what they are doing. Events We are still unable to hold any traditional ’beat surgeries’, however as mentioned in our last newsletter, we are intending to conduct some street consultation events Remember, you can also stay in touch with your beat team by contacting us via phone, email or through the Leicestershire Police website. Neighbourhood Link is also a free and easy way of finding out what is happening on the beat and what the Police are doing in your area. It is free and only takes a few minutes to sign up. A message from Sgt Bird I am the new dedicated neighbour-

hood Sergeant for Birstall & Wanlip and look forward to spending some time in the village and meeting people. I have been a Police officer for 22 years with previous experience as a beat officer myself and hope to bring my many experiences of Policing to the role. I am keen to start hearing about what the people of Birstall and Wanlip would like to see from their local Police and how we can all work together to tackle any identified issues. I would like to help make Birstall and Wanlip a safe and enjoyable place for people to live, and I am always happy to hear from anyone about any concerns they may have. I will make myself available to the people of the villages as much as I can and strive to be open and honest from the outset regarding the work done and results achieved by the Police and partners. A message from PC Jaeckels During March, the beat team has been very busy. We have executed a warrant under the misuse of drugs act during which a quantity of cannabis was recovered and a male arrested, and we have also conducted two street consultation events. During these events, we spoke with around 100 residents in total about what issues matter to them. A number of concerns were raised such as parking, litter and drug use and we will be looking at what we can do to try and resolve these issues. Moving forward, we will aim to complete at least one consultation event a month—please keep an eye on our Twitter page @CharnwoodPolice for details of where these will be held. Thank you.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

Birstall Rugby Club back on the pitch WE’RE BACK! As part of our commitment to promoting all the good things that happen at your local rugby club, we will now be updating you regularly here in the Birstall Post. The big news is that Touch Rugby is back at Birstall Rugby Club on Thursdays. Anyone of any ability (from novice to experienced player) is welcome to come down and give it a go. The main aim of these sessions is just to enjoy playing rugby, get some fresh air and be amongst a warm and welcoming group of people. For those wanting to attend, we encourage you to arrive at 6.45pm, ready for a 7pm start. We play at the Co-op Sports Ground, Birstall Road, LE4 4DE Alongside Touch Rugby, starting on Pics: (above) 2020 League & Cup champions; (below, right Tuesday April 27, we will be putting our Birstall Rugby Club’s Midlands Junior Vase Final vs Clee Hill members through their paces with fitRFC of Shropshire at the Co-op Sports Ground on Saturday ness sessions carefully designed to get March 14, 2020; a game of touch rugby

Climate crisis course

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

A LOCAL community group is inviting Leicestershire residents to engage in a days’ worth of learning about the climate crisis and how individuals and communities can tackle it. Transition Loughborough has received a SHIRE Environment Grant from Leicestershire County Council to run online Carbon Literacy courses for Leicestershire residents during 2021. Carbon Literate Leicestershire follows on from a successful Carbon Literate Charnwood project. It began in 2020 and will conclude in 2021. The first two courses will run in May and June. Anyone living, working and/or studying in Leicestershire is welcome to sign up. Go to eventbrite.co.uk and search for ‘Carbon Literate Leicestershire’

everyone back to a condition where they can play next season, with the aim of having a First and Second Team available every weekend. Further details will be announced on our social media. For those that enjoy a good podcast, we appeared on “Fill Your Boots-Rugby Round Table” (available on Apple Podcasts and our Facebook page), where we promoted our club and talked about different topics within grassroots rugby that have affected us over the past twelve months. So as you can tell, a lot is going on, and if you want to be part of the family - whether it be playing, sponsorship or volunteering - please don’t hesitate to contact us! To keep up with the latest on “The Greendogs”, follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - @BirstallRFC From Birstall Rugby Club

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Remembering our local railway station HAVE YOU ever thought about what happened to Birstall’s original railway station and why it took 20 years to demolish it?

and the site of the over-bridge at Thurcaston Road (364), is based upon material, originally collected from people, including a number of Birstall Post readers, for the shared 50th-anniversary celebrations of the Main Line Preserva-

Mr Pentelow, the station porter, attended the arrival and departure of at least six trains each way during a normal shift, as well as his other duties. Here he greets the 09.30 Leicester to Nottingham on 15th August 1959, in the charge of Annesley based Fowler 2 6 4T 42339 , after having just warned Horace Gamble, the photographer, that photography was not allowed on his station (Horace Gamble/Trans Treasury)

Continued on page 13

íCedar of Lebanon íStation Master’s house (now Greenacres)

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íLooking north-east from Beaumont Leys towards the south end of Birstall, across the “rally banks” which took the railway round Mowmacre Hill and through Birstall Hill at the left of the picture. The station is out of sight but, just visible in the centre of the left half of the picture is the distinctive Station Master’s House (half rendered).On the horizon, to the left of the house, is the great Cedar of Lebanon tree planted by John Mansfield at the site of his original residence “Birstall Hall” atop Roman Road. This tree is the emblem for Birstall which appears on village signage. The Great Central Railway cuts an almost straight line out of the cutting and onto the 30-foot high embankment sweeping over Belgrave Pastures and across Thurcaston Road bridge in the near middle of the picture. While the railway through Birstall Hill and the cedar tree on Roman Road survive, the embankment and the bridge were swept away with the construction of Red Hill Way. (Photo: B Jeyes May 1969)

The June issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on May 28. The copy deadline is May 14.

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

Many people remember the old place – situated, as you might expect on Station Road, off Red Hill. If you haven’t ever given it a thought or you were not sure, but you want to find out, then my book, ‘Belgrave & Birstall Remembered’, is for you. With over 150 photographs including maps, tables and contributions from over twenty people who were involved with the original station, this book illustrates a place dependent upon orderly execution of a disciplined routine during its day-to-day running which could equally give rise to great excitement, drama, humour, even intrigue and some outrageous audacity on the part of those people intimately connected with it. This book, deliberately focussing upon a two mile stretch of the railway running through Birstall to Belgrave, between Greengate Lane bridge (360)

tion Group, the Belgrave and Birstall Action Group and the Leicester Industrial Locomotive Group in August 2019. This A4 sized 64-page book aims to inform and entertain with a selection of pagelong short stories and articles about: how and why the station came to exist; who worked there and who played

there; how it operated; who its neighbours were; what happened to it and why it is no longer there. The book is £12.99 + P&P (£3) direct from John Powdrill by contacting him: belgravebirstall@virginmedia.com From John Powdrill

The gates to Belgrave and Birstall Station in circa April 1969. Although the station closed in 1963 and the main line in 1969, it was not completely demolished until 1990 when the new Leicester North became fully operational. Now the stairs have long gone, of course, the entrance is bricked-up and the telegraph poles removed. (B Jeyes 1969)

Long day in saddle TWO BIRSTALL brothers have been using the lockdown to get fit and tested themselves with a 210-mile ride on Easter Saturday. Richard (34) and Graham (27) Borrajo rode from Birstall to Cambridge and back, taking 16 hours. “The ride was great fun, but I felt shattered when I got home," said Graham.

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

The scene from Station Road bridge in circa April 1969. This view over the City of Leicester shows the height of Birstall Hill with the allotments and houses on Loughborough Road in the near background with the city skyline in the distance. Some national servicemen returning to Leicester on leave in the 1950s considered this view a sign that they were nearly home. The original footpath and fencing can be seen running between the station and the Belgrave Allotment Society gardens (Red Hill site) in the middle-ground while in the foreground, the deteriorating ruin of a 72-year-old Belgrave and Birstall, having been disused for 6 years, is the subject of this photograph by Bryan Jeyes.

The station under demolition on June 25th 1977 by almost the very same people who later were able to build a replacement, Leicester North, 20 years later (Photo L Blower)

“I enjoyed the ride, but my legs didn’t particularly like me the day after," added Richard. Pic: Richard (right) and Graham Borrajo

Come and try bowls THE OUTDOOR bowls season started last month at Birstall Bowling Club. “Although participating numbers in the first couple of months will be restricted, it is hoped that the second half of the season should have a bit more normality to it if the roadmap continues to run to schedule,” said a club spokesperson. The club plays on the School Lane Playing Fields in the village and will be taking part in Bowls England’s Bowls’ Big Weekend over the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of this month. “This is a national initiative and is being done to encourage new bowlers, in particular, to try out the sport,” said the spokesperson. “All equipment will be provided, you just need a pair of trainers or flat-soled

shoes. Experienced players and coaches will be on hand to offer assistance if required. “Bowls is a socially distanced sport that can be enjoyed by everyone, and this is an ideal opportunity for some gentle exercise following the limitations and restrictions of the last year.” Once the club has received guidance from Bowls England relating to step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown (due w/c Monday May 10), details regarding dates and times of the event will be published on the club’s website www.birstallbowlingclub.co.uk and on the club’s Facebook page, which you can find by typing Birstall Bowling Club Facebook into a search engine. You can call Steve on 07870 327568 for more information.

Survey reveals pandemic’s impact STUDENTS AT the Cedars Academy have been surveyed about their wellbeing, reports the chair of governors, Shreekant Raivadera. Earlier this year, the Lionheart Academies Trust conducted surveys of all students, parents and staff in all 11 schools. These take place every year and help us to understand how our school community is feeling. The focus for each survey might change slightly, with 2020 and 2021 oriented towards mental health and wellbeing. One of the key questions in the student survey asks the students to “imagine a staircase with 10 steps. The top step is marked '10' and is the best possible life for you and at the bottom is 0, which is the worst possible life for you. In general, where on the staircase do you feel you stand at the moment?” Understandably, the average score for Cedars students fell between the 2020 and 2021 surveys. But the change was only 10%, with the largest variation being students who rated themselves 8, 9 or 10 in 2020 rating themselves in 2021 at 4, 5 and 6.

GCR’s cash grant is “a shot in the arm” THE GREAT Central Railway has received a grant of £515,700 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, to help the organisation recover and reopen. Nearly £400 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund. The grant, covering the period from April to June 2021, will support the organisation with the costs it faces as it starts to welcome back visitors and makes the transition towards full reopening Michael Gough, the Great Central Railway PLC’s Managing Director, said: “I cannot em-

phasise enough how much of a shot in the arm this is for us at such an incredibly difficult time. “While we have successfully navigated the crisis thus far, the impact of Covid-19 has dealt the Railway a £3 million income-reduction-blow in the last 12 months, and this grant will significantly assist in the funding of actions we need to carry out to re-open Covidsecure, and in-line with government guidance. “It will support us in the complex process of transitioning from months of lockdown and significant restriction and to return to the previous sustainable business model of welcoming over 110,000 visitors each year through our doors.”

This highlights the impact of the pandemic and reinforces the need for the efforts being made across the Trust to support students’ wellbeing. Interestingly, when parents were asked, “How would you summarise how your child feels about returning to school on a scale of 10 (feeling confident) to 0 (feeling anxious)?” the average increase in the score from 2020 to 2021 was over 30%! Between 2020 and 2021, parents clearly felt their children were much more confident about returning to school. Parent feedback on the online provision has also shown a marked improvement from 2020 – a greater percentage of parents saying the school has been strong in areas such as the breadth of subjects, regularity of work set, and engagement. Some of the other results from all the surveys are shown in the charts.

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

Leicester’s efforts to improve air quality

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

LEICESTER City Council has been awarded nearly £250,000 of Government cash to help make further improvements to local air quality. The Defra air quality grant of £249,600 will be used to establish a pilot project over an 18-month period, which will focus on behaviour change in a specific area of the city. As a first step, several portable air quality monitors will be bought with the grant money and set up in the pilot area of Rushey Mead. The monitors – which will be attached to lampposts – will provide hourly data on air quality, measuring pollutants including nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5 and ozone. After an initial monitoring period, the city council will launch campaigns aimed at changing people’s behaviour to help improve air quality. These could include campaigns to encourage people to walk or cycle rather than drive, to switch off car engines when stationary, or to limit their use of wood-burning stoves and open fires. The city council will work with the University of Leicester on the project. Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transport, said: “It’s great news that we were successful in this bid. We know that poor air quality can have a huge impact on people’s health and on the environment. “We’ve chosen Rushey Mead as a pilot because it is typical of so many areas of the city, with a high concentration of people, housing and schools, so it will provide a good benchmark for us. “We’ll build on our already successful partnership with the University of Leicester in this field to ensure that the data produced by this project is robust. We will then use it to inform future policies on air quality, for our own health as we also seek to combat the climate emergency.” Dr Jolanta Obszynska, the city council’s air quality specialist, said: “During this project, we will look at levels of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PM2.5 and try to establish where they are coming from and how we might reduce them. One of the problems with airborne pollutants is that they can be carried in the air from quite some distance away. “Based on the data we gather, we will run campaigns and hold local events to see what impact they can have on air quality. For example, if we temporarily close streets around schools, will we see a reduction in NO2 levels from vehicles? “Tiny particulates called PM2.5 could be coming from wood burners or open fires in people’s homes. We want to try and map how many such sources there could be in the area, as well as educating people as to the health and environmental risks posed by burning solid fuels in your home.” The city council’s public health team will also be involved in the

project, to analyse links between air quality and people’s health and wellbeing. The project will build on the established work of an ongoing citywide air quality monitoring partnership undertaken with the University of Leicester. European and national guidelines set a limit of 40micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) for nitrogen dioxide levels in the air.

The latest data from a monitoring station at Vaughan Way in the city shows an annual mean average for 2020 of 35.2 µg/m3 for nitrogen dioxide. For PM2.5, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says any exposure at all to particulates is not good, and the city council aims to reduce this level to as low as possible. Currently, the city council is working on a pilot project with locally-based air

quality experts Earthsense to collect data from a network of 11 portable air quality monitors dedicated to measuring PM 2.5. The city council is also carrying out a project with University College London, trying to understand what sources outside of the city boundaries contribute to air pollution using satellite data and air quality modelling.

Club delighted to be back MEMBERS AT Birstall Watermead Tennis Club were delighted to be able to get back on the courts when restrictions were eased at the end of March. Players of all ages and abilities have taken the opportunity to get out to play singles, doubles or just to have a gentle hit. Club member Mary Whiteman said: “At long last, we are back on the tennis court and grateful to be out there playing! It is wonderful to be out in the

fresh air and playing tennis with friends again. It is a great participation sport which is naturally socially distanced so ideal for lots of exercise at this difficult time. We are a very friendly club, so why not come along and join us?” Members can enjoy the opportunity to take part in organised social tennis and competitions, as well as arranging their own sessions with friends or family members. Play can take place throughout the day on the three courts, and floodlighting means that evening sessions are also possible.

The club has always been keen to welcome new members and is offering half-price annual membership throughout May. Memberships for adults, juniors and families are available and are valid until the end of March 2022. For more details, go to: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/BirstallWater meadTennisClub, or you can telephone Club Coach, Laura Morley, on 07742 249807. “We look forward to seeing you on the court,” said Mary. Pic: Members enjoy a social tennis session at the club.

Annual Watermead Challenge New Race Director Dave Snutch said: WREAKE VALLEY Rotary Club’s 11th Watermead Challenge charity run will “This is an increasingly popular event take place on Tuesday July 6, 2021 at with almost 600 entrants last year. The relatively flat terrain permits runners of 7pm at Watermead Country Park. all abilities to have the opportunity of The largely off-road run follows both achieving a personal best time.” a 3-mile and 5-mile route around the In 2019 over £4,000 was raised and lakeside setting of the park.

distributed to charitable causes. You can enter at: www.evententry.co.uk. Further information is available by visiting: www.wreakevalleyrotary.org.uk

Club welcomes new bowlers at open days A spokesperson said: “Bowls is easily adapted to Covid-19 safety guidelines, and leagues will be getting underway in June.” The club is holding two open days at the end of May: 6pm to 8pm on Friday May 28, and 2pm to 5pm on Sunday May 30. The spokesperson said: “Anybody wanting to give bowls a try is welcome to come along. If you don't want to wait that long, you don't need to. Please contact Carolyn or John on 0116 2675947 for further information. All ages and

abilities welcome.” Pic: A scene from a 2019 Open Day at St Margaret's Bowls club

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Our planet on show in cathedral AN INTERNALLY lit exact scale replica of the Earth will be on display at Leicester Cathedral this month.

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Artist Luke Jerram's ‘Gaia’ installation was recently presented in Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral for River Festival Liverpool and had over 200,000 visitors in just one month. This new touring artwork presents our planet floating in three dimensions and aims to create a sense of the Overview Effect, first described by author Frank White in 1987. Common features of the experience for astronauts are a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment. The artwork also acts as a mirror to major events in society. In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, the artwork may provide the viewer with a new perspective of our place on the planet and a sense that societies of the Earth are all

interconnected, and that we have a responsibility toward one another. This monumental internally-lit sculpture, measuring seven metres in diameter, was created using NASA imagery and is an exact scale replica of our planet. It is 1.8 million times smaller than Earth, with each centimetre of the sculpture representing 18km of the Earth’s surface. By standing 211 metres away from the slowly rotating artwork, viewers can see the Earth as it appears from the moon while enjoying a specially made surround-sound composition by the composer Dan Jones. Gaia has been created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres. The exhibition will be open to the public from Monday, May 17 until Sunday, June 6, with online booking required. Members of the public can book to see Gaia on the Leicester Cathedral Eventbrite page.

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

BOWLS IS well and truly back in play at St Margaret's Co-operative bowls club on Birstall Road, with regular practice sessions underway.

Litter picking: get started RESIDENTS IN Charnwood are being encouraged to get their free litter picking equipment ahead of the Great British Spring Clean. Charnwood Borough Council has purchased additional equipment to help people who want to help give their local communities a spring clean or are planning to get involved in next month’s Great British Spring Clean. The campaign is organised by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and will be held across the country between Friday May 28 and Sunday June 13, 2021, but residents are being encouraged to get ahead of the game this year and safely start litter picking now if they wish. The Council has bought an extra 100 hi-vis jackets and litter pickers, and will also be providing colour-coded bags to help identify rubbish that has been col-

lected by litter picking groups. Equipment will be distributed on a first come first served basis and people are being urged to get in touch with the Council as soon as possible. There will be a limit of six equipment packs per groups, and the Council will also accept requests from individuals. Groups and individuals will be able to keep the equipment for future litter picks. This year the Great British Spring Clean is asking communities of #LitterHeroes to join its #MillionMileMission to clear litter from streets, parks and beaches across the UK. Matt Bradford, head of cleansing and open spaces, said: “I’m pleased to see the Great British Spring Clean return after it was cancelled due to the pandemic last year. “Many more residents have enjoyed our parks over the past 12 months, and this is a great opportunity to take pride

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in the places which have provided us with safe spaces to exercise and meet friends and family outdoors during the pandemic. “We have purchased additional equipment this year to help support those who want to get out in the fresh air and make a difference to their local areas. “We know lots of womble groups and individuals are already out and about litter picking, and people don’t have to wait for the Great British Spring Clean if they want to get started now. “I would encourage everyone to only pick litter in numbers which meet the current Government guidance and to follow current public health advice to reduce the spread of the virus and ensure people stay safe.” The Council is being supported by partners Idverde which manages the Council’s parks and green spaces, and Serco, which runs the refuse, recycling, and street cleansing service. Individuals and groups can also register their litter picking and cleansing events at www.greatbritishspringclean.org.uk. People can request equipment and provide details of their litter pick by emailing cleaner.greener@charnwood.gov.uk

Police reveal Covid fine data POLICE IN England and Wales have processed a total of 94,368 fixed penalty notices for breaches of Coronavirus restrictions up to 14 March 2021.

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

The latest provisional figures released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council show that 25,416 fines were processed in the latest reporting period.

The total processed in England is now 85,975 and 8,393 in Wales. Fixed penalty notices were processed for the following reasons: Large gatherings (£10,000 fine) 284 FPNs have now been processed relating to holding a gathering of more than thirty people in England and three in Wales. These include, but are not limited to, unlicensed music events, protests and private parties Participating in a gathering of more than 15 people (£800 fines) 1,647 FPNs have been processed

under regulations requiring people not to participate in a gathering of more than 15 people. Face coverings 3,140 FPNs were processed between 15 June and 14 March for breaches of the Face Coverings Regulations in England. 547 of these fines were processed for failure to wear a face-covering on public

transport. 2,593 fines were processed for failure to wear a face-covering in a relevant place, such as a retail setting. Businesses 687 FPNs were processed to businesses up to 14 March. The main reasons for the issuance of an FPN included: Businesses not enforcing face-covering regulations; businesses refusing to close during the emergency period or refusing to close during restricted hours, gatherings of more than the restricted number taking place within a business; businesses not adhering to

the table service only rules. International travel regulations Up until 14 March 508 FPNs have been processed in England for those failing to self-isolate after arriving from a country on the UK Government Quarantine list. Three have been processed in Wales. Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Martin Hewitt, said: “Looking ahead as restrictions start to ease, we will be focusing our efforts on these types of large indoor gatherings. Any person who organises or attends these events clearly doesn’t need the regulations explaining to them, and we will not hesitate to issue fines where necessary. “As the rules change in the coming days, weeks and months, we can expect crime, including violent crime, to return to pre-lockdown levels. All forces have robust plans in place to deal with violence and clamp down on violent offenders.”

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Cut price Restoration of historic wall compost bins THE LATEST phase of a major programme of work to repair and preserve the historic precinct wall at Leicester’s Abbey Park is now underway.

TAKE UP composting this spring with cut-price compost bins, thanks to a Leicestershire County Council scheme. Residents can buy a discounted compost bin from as little as £12, with a second one offered at half price. The bins are made from 100% recycled plastic and are available in two different sizes and colours to suit individual needs. When you start cutting the grass and pruning plants ready for new growth, the best way to dispose of garden waste is to compost it at home, says the council. Anyone can compost if they have an outdoor space and you do not need a large garden. Compostable items include fruit and vegetable peelings, grass cuttings, coffee grounds, newspaper, and cardboard which will all decompose in around a year. The resulting compost can then be dug back into the garden next spring to provide nutrient-rich food for the garden. For more details or to order a compost bin, visit www.getcomposting.com

The wall – which dates to the early 16th century – stretches all the way around the western side of Abbey Park, known as Abbey Grounds. The historic Abbey Grounds are a scheduled monument, and the wall itself is a Grade Ilisted structure. It is thought to be one of the earliest examples of medieval brickwork in the country, and its intricate diaper work patterns can still be clearly seen on Abbot Penny’s Wall from St Margaret’s Way. The wall has suffered from ongoing deterioration over many decades and suffered a localised collapse in two locations along Abbey Park Road around five years ago. A structural survey carried out in 2019 highlighted concerns about the ongoing safety of the historical structure and outlined all necessary repair and restoration work. Leicester City Council is now investing around £540,000 in the expert conservation work required. This includes works recently completed to the historic remains of Cavendish House, which provides a striking entrance to the park. Work to Cavendish House has included expert cleaning, repointing of stonework, repairs to the stone window frames and filling in voids in the walls to avoid future damage from water and vegetation. Leicester Abbey, including the pre-

Pic: the historic wall at Abbey Park

cinct wall, and Cavendish House are both currently on Historic England’s national Heritage at Risk Register. A stretch of the precinct wall itself – located inside the park between the abbey ruins and the River Soar – was identified as being at imminent risk of failure due to damage caused by nearby trees. As a result, an initial phase of remedial work was carried out in early 2018. This involved the careful removal of seventeen trees and a soil embankment that had been deposited against the wall following excavations carried out in 1925. Further repairs to this stretch of wall – including pinning the wall using engineering earth ties and repointing its entire 170m length – have also been carried out. A new avenue of elm trees has also been planted nearby in the park to compensate for the trees lost as part of the repair work. Deputy City Mayor and city council heritage champion Cllr Adam Clarke

said: “This latest phase of our ongoing and ambitious programme of specialist repairs and restoration work will hopefully see the Abbey precinct wall, and the historic Cavendish House, removed from the nation's heritage at risk register, adding to our growing success in preserving the city’s architectural heritage.” Work on Abbey precinct walls will be carried out by specialist contractors Messengers Construction, and is expected to take around 12 months to complete. Some temporary footpath closures may be required, but these will be signposted with diversions.

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PEOPLE in Leicester and beyond are being invited to submit their photographs of the natural world for a new digital exhibition at the Leicester Museum & Art Gallery. Nature on Your Doorstep will feature photos taken during the year-long lockdown when many people rediscovered their local parks and open spaces, and the plants and wildlife that share their environment. The invitation is open to photographers of all ages and abilities anywhere in the world, with all suitable images being included in the digital display that’s due to go on show in early July. Deputy city mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair, who’s responsible for the city’s museums, said: “Lockdown encouraged all of us to slow down and enjoy the natural world around us. “People will have taken photos in their gardens or their local parks, celebrating the insects, birds, small mammals, flow-

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www.leicestermuseums.org/NatureOnYou rDoorstep Subject to Covid restrictions, all of Leicester’s museums are due to reopen on Monday 21 June. When it reopens, Leicester Museum & Art Gallery on New Walk will host the Natural History Museum’s stunning Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Featuring more than 100 images taken by photographers from all over the globe, the exhibition is scheduled to run until 30 August. Nature on Your Doorstep will be a digital display at Leicester Museum, opening on 5 July and running until 30 August. Pic: Image of a butterfly at Ellis Meadows in Leicester (Picture: Ian Davis)

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021

News from the churches

when she was just aged three; she had indifferent health and was partially crippled after a fall from a horse in her teens, and her fiancé drowned a few New Rector group for children with special needs hours before their marriage. Anne conThe Anglican churches will soon be and the Rising Stars Academy of Dance fessed the Lord as her Saviour when she welcoming a new Rector, applicants have and Theatre. Hopefully, it won’t be too was in her early teens. She wrote about been interviewed, and in all probability, long before the coffee shop re-opens, 144 hymns and was one of our leading the appointment will have been declared but no date has yet been fixed and, of women hymn-writers. before this issue goes to press. course, cannot reopen anyway until Our final ‘dip’ into the hymnbook this It always seems that being in ‘Interindoor hospitality is allowed again. month is for Sir Henry Baker’s ‘Lord, regnum’ (a term that has been replaced Two Newly Accredited Local Preachers Thy word abideth, and our footsteps recently by ‘Vacancy’), is rather like a On Sunday April 25, two Birstall guideth’, which was written for the first ship without a captain on the bridge. members, James Blackhall and Graham But we all need pointing and steering on Tennant, were accepted as fully accredit- edition of ‘Hymns Ancient and Modern’ in 1861. It assures us that God’s Word God’s chosen course for us, and we ed Local Preachers at a special Circuit abides in this changing world, gives look forward to that new chapter in the Service which took place at Birstall Meth- succour to the living and comfort to the life of the church. odist Church. dying. Henry was born in 1821, educatParish holiday Both these men have undertaken a ed at Cambridge and served as a vicar in A good direction, in another sense, is phenomenal amount of study and Herefordshire until his death in 1877. South, as it has been confirmed that the crossed numerous hurdles by way of From Birstall Independent Baptist Parish holiday to Ryde, in the Isle of examination and interviews. Some say Church Wight, is on schedule to go ahead as the study is almost equivalent to that at planned (barring any further lockdowns, PhD level now. In addition, most of the THIS LAST year, as we know all too of course). Services continue to be held study has to be undertaken online. well, has been unlike any other, and at both of our churches on Sundays, They both have quite different styles we are delighted at long last to get Holy Communion at Birstall, at 9.30am, in the way they preach. This is one of together with friends and family and and Evening Prayer at Wanlip at 6pm, the joys of Methodist Worship, that no enjoy greater freedom in our work (this service is also available by Zoom). two weeks are quite the same in the and leisure time. Wanlip is also open for private prayer style of worship. Yet all abide by the Unlike last year, we were able to every Wednesday 3-4pm. Doctrines of the Methodist Church. gather together in church last month for Shoebox Appeal Having heard both preach, they come the Triduum of services which took us The 2021 ‘Shoebox Appeal’ is ongo‘highly recommended’. from the Last Supper, through the Pasing, and items are now being gathered From Birstall Methodist Church sion and Crucifixion to the Resurrection in preparation to being shipped to the of Jesus on Easter Day. It was wonderful God’s Word needy in Eastern Europe. If you can In the Bible’s 66 books, God is speak- that so many parishioners were able to contribute toiletries and other small gather together in church for the servicing to all people. Although He is the items (contact a churchwarden for deauthor, He used over 40 different human es (Covid precautions closely observed, tails of what is required), arrangements of course), and many more joined us via writers over a period of about 1,500 can be made to collect if required. the live streaming option. Fr Tom years to communicate His message. We We continue to value the vital contrithanked all those who prepared and really know nothing about Christianity or bution from the retired clergy in the decorated the church for Easter and the Gospel or salvation or answers to Parish, who have so readily led worship provided the (pre-recorded) music. Of life’s big questions apart from what we every Sunday. They are a real blessing to course, the Covid-19 infection is still have in the Bible. The apostle Paul us all; perhaps they are looking forward with us, and we continue to pray for all wrote: “All Scripture is given by inspirato a well-deserved rest when our new tion of God and is profitable for doctrine, Rector arrives. for reproof, for correction, for instrucTo contact a Churchwarden call tion is righteousness, that the man of 07570 198810. God may be complete, thoroughly Church website www.Birstall.org equipped for every good work.” (2 TimFrom the parish churches, St James the othy 3:16-17) You may like to read the Great, Birstall, & Our Lady & St Nicolas, Wanlip daily Bible texts on our website (http://www.birstallbaptistchurch.org.uk) What an Easter Change at Birstall on the ‘God’s Word’ page or phone us Methodist on 0116 2214883 if you would like a In that very first Easter, huge changes free Bible to read. took place in the lives of both the disciSeveral hymn-writers have taken the ples and the women at that time, changBible as the subject of their verses, and es that still affect us these 2020 years one of these is Yorkshireman John later. The changes at Birstall Methodist Fawcett (1739 – 1817). He sought the Church this year are, hopefully, only Lord as a teenager, reading his Bible temporary, even though we said this a and such Christian literature as Bunyan’s year ago that things were a little more ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’, and after coming organized this Easter. those deeply affected by it, and all those under the ministry of George Whitefield The cross was placed outside in readi- and William Grimshaw, he was converted. caring for the sick. ness for the outdoor Good Friday Service, He pastored a chapel at Hebden Bridge Bishop Patrick has expressed his which was very well attended, given the desire to find out how Covid-19 has from 1764 until his death. His hymn cool conditions, and the limit on numaffected the faith of Catholics in the ‘How precious is the Book divine’ tells bers. The Good Friday procession of Nottingham Diocese. He asks that as how the inspired Word of God guides witness did not take place along Sibson many people as possible respond to a our wandering feet to heaven, reveals Road, but one of the Methodist Church short online survey, describing how it God’s wondrous love, conquers sin and members, Graham Tennant, carried the has impacted them in this regard. This cheers and peacefully guides us through cross alone along Sibson Road to the will help develop ways of better supportlife’s perplexities. Co-op. ing the faithful as we move forward. The A contemporary of Fawcett was Anne The cross was decorated on Easter deadline for submissions is July 4, 2021. Steele (1717 – 1778) from Hampshire, Sunday with flowers. and her hymn ‘Father of mercies, in Thy The link, which can also be found on Premises Begin To Reopen the parish website, is: Word, what endless glory shines’ tells us https://www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/w Some Sunday services are now taking that all manner of people with all manhats-on/news/share-your-story-how-hasplace, but they do continue to be restrict- ner of needs can find refreshment and covid19-affected-you-and-your-faith ed in numbers, with priority being given consolation in Scripture. Parishioners have continued to supto those who are unable to access We can hear “the Redeemer’s welport our nominated charities through the ‘Zoom’. During the week, some groups come voice … and life and everlasting who hire our rooms are also beginning joys attend the blissful sound.’ Anne did Easter Raffle and the monthly Charities Draw. We were recently able to send to meet. These include the Birstall Playnot have an easy life, her mother dying

monetary donations to support the sterling work of Birstall BAGS and the Great North Air Ambulance. Both charities have sent kind letters of thanks. Recently a young parishioner, Ava, made her First Holy Communion at Sunday Mass, and we welcome her, along with her brother Jenson into our parish family, who was also Baptised. News from St Theresa’s, Birstall & Sacred Heart, Rothley

AS I write this, for the first time in 2021 we are returning to in-person services at Trinity Life Church. Hundreds of people are booked in to be part of 8 services at TLC alongside a live-stream service for those taking part online, and DVDs and CDs sent to those with no internet access. I am thankful. The Bible urges us to “....be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NIVUK Today I am filled with thanks… For the beauty of Spring and the promise of new life For the reopening of Birstall Golf Course and the promise of a round of golf For the opportunity to have a cup of tea with people in our gardens For the relief of a haircut For the people who have served to keep essential food shops open in Birstall For the hope of greater freedom ahead Following a conversation with my dear friend Pastor Samuel Munai from the Mukuru slum in Nairobi, Kenya this week about the hardships and challenges they are experiencing, I am reminded to be thankful for things unique to the UK and easily taken for granted: The generous support given to workers through furlough. The amazing NHS and free medical care given to all The access to a vaccine for everyone and free testing to ensure safety Free education for all children in schools and amazing teachers Help for those looking for work and financial support for those without a job Being thankful moves our focus to gratitude and appreciation for all we have. It also helps us to be focused on others and how we can help them and show God’s kindness. I was reminded of this as I looked around the development of our charity Open Hands’ new Compassion Centre in Leicester as it is renovated and prepared to open in September. With space and excellence, it will be a centre of hope for thousands of people in this next chapter of our world. I am thankful for it. Lastly, I am thankful for you. You are loved by a Heavenly Father who knew you before you were conceived and is waiting for you to take one step towards him before he runs to you. He sent Jesus for you to bring you hope and fill you with thankfulness forever. Have a blessed month, and if we can serve you in any way, do contact us and we will respond - 0116 2558672 admin@trinitylifechurch.org.uk And if you would like to talk more about faith or maybe this season has left you with questions, why not try ALPHA starting soon in TLC - to register an interest email susan.hind@tlchurch.org.uk From David Hind, Senior Pastor, Trinity Life Church

Birstall BAG’s cancer corner Bowel Cancer This last month has been Bowel Cancer Awareness Month which is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of bowel cancer and funds to support research and support. In case you missed the awareness campaigns and materials Birstall BAG’s would like to share some facts, figures and information about bowel cancer. Every 15 minutes somebody is diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK. It can affect anybody, regardless of their age or background. It's treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early, and nearly everyone survives if diagnosed at the earliest stage. However, this drops significantly as the disease develops. More than 16,000 people die from bowel cancer in the UK every year – that's 44 people every day. Bowel cancer is also called colorectal cancer. It affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum. The cells in your body normally divide and grow in a controlled way. When cancer develops, the cells change and can grow in an uncontrolled way. Most bowel cancers develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps. But not all polyps develop into cancer. If your doctor finds any polyps, he or she can remove them to prevent them from becoming cancerous. If you have any symptoms, don’t be embarrassed and don’t ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of people with bowel problems. The symptoms of bowel cancer can include: • Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo • A persistent and unexplained

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change in bowel habit • Unexplained weight loss • Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason • A pain or lump in your tummy Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer. Other health problems can cause similar symptoms. But if you have one or more of these, or if things just don’t feel right, go to see your GP. Sometimes, a tumour can block the bowel, causing sudden strong pains in the stomach area, bloating and feeling or being sick. This is called a bowel obstruction. You may also be unable to empty your bowels or pass wind. If you think you have a blocked bowel, see your GP straight away or go to a hospital accident and emergency department. Bleeding There are several possible causes of bleeding from your bottom or blood in your bowel movements (poo). Bright red blood may come from swollen blood vessels (haemorrhoids or piles) in your back passage. It may also be caused by bowel cancer. Dark red or black blood may come from your bowel or stomach. Tell your doctor about any bleeding so they can find out what is causing it. Change in bowel habit Tell your GP if you have noticed any persistent and unexplained changes in your bowel habit, especially if you also have bleeding from your back passage. You may have looser poo and you may need to poo more often than normal. Or you may feel as though you’re not going to the toilet often enough or you might not feel as though you’re not fully empty-

ing your bowels. Weight loss This is less common than some of the other symptoms. Speak to your GP if you have lost weight and you don’t know why. You may not feel like eating if you feel sick, bloated or if you just don’t feel hungry. Tiredness Bowel cancer may lead to a lack of iron in the body, which can cause anaemia (lack of red blood cells). If you have anaemia, you are likely to feel very tired and your skin may look pale. Pain or lump You may have pain or a lump in your stomach area (abdomen) or back passage. See your GP if these symptoms don’t go away or if they’re affecting how you sleep or eat. Risk factors We don’t know what causes most bowel cancers, but we do know that some factors increase your risk of getting the disease. Some of these are things you can’t do anything about, for example, age and genetics. But you can make changes to your lifestyle to lower your risk of getting bowel cancer. You are more at risk of getting bowel cancer if you have one or more of the following risk factors. This doesn’t mean that you will definitely get bowel cancer. Equally, if you don’t have any risk factors, it doesn’t mean you can’t get bowel cancer. • Aged over 50 • A strong family history of bowel cancer • A history of non-cancerous growths (polyps) in your bowel • Longstanding inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis • Type 2 diabetes • An unhealthy lifestyle We hope this bowel cancer reminder has helped with your understanding and remember early diagnosis really can save lives with Bowel Cancer. If you are wor-

ried, DO NOT BE EMBARRASSED, make an appointment and get checked out!! Source: https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk For local support and information about cancer services, please contact:University Hospitals of Leicester Cancer Information Centre on 0116 258 6189 For more information on the funds Birstall BAGs have raised, the projects we support, and forthcoming events, see www.birstallbags.co.uk or look us up on Facebook or email birstallbags@hotmail.co.uk

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2021