Birstall Post (466) May 2022 by The Birstall Post

the Birstall post Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

MAY 2022

N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 466

Help for refugees

Birstall’s new Squirrel Scouts

MUCH NEEDED items for Ukrainian refugees have been donated by Birstall Parish Council.

A NEW Scout section has opened in Birstall, and one of the new intake is the first in Leicestershire to win a top award.

At a meeting on February 28, councillors agreed that they wanted to show their support and set aside a sum from the community cash pot fund. It was used to buy items suggested by the Polish Community Centre in Loughborough, which has been coordinating deliveries to refugees arriving in Poland. The parish council purchased:

Squirrel Scouts at Birstall Scout Group was established in September 2021 -the new section is aimed at young people aged between 4 and 6 years old. The structure for Squirrels follows the other sections by having Challenge badges to earn as well as activity badges. Scout Leader Sue Farnham said: “The programme is designed to incorporate the core values of Scouting and promote skills like working together, confidence, relationships, independence, communication, and creativity.” Birstall Squirrels have already taken part in lots of activities to enhance these

500 prs of Women’s Socks 400 prs of Women’s Briefs 400 prs of Men’s Socks 300 prs of Men’s Brief/Boxers

Pic: (l-r) Youth Commissioner, Ellie Eagles, Damien (5) & District commissioner, Bijal Bhagwal

skills as well as an activity day at the local scout campsite Johns Lee Wood. Sue said: “It was a fantastic day and

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all the members enjoyed running free in the woods to find listed objects, climbContinued on page 3

Parish Council Clerk Sue Coulson said: “The last delivery of the last item was received in the office, and just before the delivery driver left the premises, he enquired about what we were planning to do with all these items. I explained about the Council’s decision to show its support by donating them to the Ukrainian refugees in Poland. “A short while after, that same day, the Continued on page 3

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

Continued from page 1

ing on the low ropes assault course, and searching for wildlife.” Damian Gray (5), from Birstall Scout Group’s Squirrel section, is the first in Leicestershire to earn the Chief Scout Acorn, the top award a Squirrel can earn. Sue said: “Damian worked hard to achieve the challenge awards and did some tasks at home supported by family. The North-East District Commissioner of Leicestershire Scouting Bijal Bhagwan and the Youth commissioner of Leicestershire Scouting Ellie Eagles attended the evening to award his Acorn. Bijal and Ellie spoke to the members about what they had been doing to achieve all their badges and we celebrated the evening with a special cake from Spencer’s of Leicester in Birstall village.” Birstall Scout Group is looking for adult volunteers. Sue said: “To support our leaders in Scouting, we are looking for adults to volunteer who would like to take part in the fun. We have sections available for all ages of children that need adults to work alongside the leaders to facilitate the activities. Volunteering is good for your mental health, and after two years of Covid and lockdowns, it gives a focus to

work with. “We currently have limited spaces at our Beaver section on a Tuesday, if anyone is interested in joining, old or young.” Contact Birstall Scout Group by email Birstall53rd@Outlook.com Pics: Enjoying a runaround at John Lees Wood; (below) Scout Leader Ben helps Sidney (5) across a log

Pic: WI members on a walk through Watermead Country Park to WI House

WI’s busy month 24 MEMBERS of Birstall and Wanlip WI met at the British Legion on April 4. Our speaker was Rachel Greaves, who enchanted our ladies by telling us how she started writing books featuring Ruffles, an airedale dog and his adventures on steam trains. She now gives talks which she illustrates with her life like puppet of Ruffles and characters from her books that she has made herself. Ruffles’ fame is spreading and she now writes educational books featuring him, which include a life-saving story for children and a ghost story concerning a blind WWI soldier. Rachel’s stall was manned by her husband, and the books proved very popular with our ladies as Easter gifts. Member Vonnie was also selling potential Easter gifts in the form of her jams, jellies, fruit vinegars and egg co-

sies. Vonnie is raising money for her granddaughter’s Sixth Form trip to Tanzania, where she will help out at a girl’s orphanage for three weeks. We walked to WI house on April 11 via Watermead Country Park, where we were treated to cakes and biscuits and a tour around the house courtesy of Beverly and Maxilyn. We are holding a coffee morning at Birstall Methodist Church on May 28, so this is the place to come and meet friends and buy your crafts, cakes and plants. If any ladies are interested in joining our WI, we do have room for new members so just come along to one of our meetings at the Britsih Legion on Front Street, which are always on the first Monday of the month (except for Bank Holidays). Future speakers include a talk on honey bees, stem cells and Coco Chanel. From Birstall & Wanlip WI

Refugees continued from page 1

same delivery driver returned with a van full of black bags, full to the brim, containing both men’s and women’s socks, briefs, boxers, thermal vests and leggings. He explained that he ran his own business just up the road in Leicester and decided that he wanted to show his support for the refugees too, by adding to the Parish Council’s contribution.” The quantity he donated doubled what had been purchased by the Parish Council.

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

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Pic: the truck full of items for refugees

Sue said: “This was such a heartwarming, kind and generous gesture that the Parish Council feels deserves some recognition for and would like to give a mention and a huge thank you to Dean and Vijya of Socksmad Ltd, 11 Claymill Road, Leicester, LE4 9JJ”

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Convincing win secures promotion Now is

A DOMINANT display and a 71-5 victory over Kesteven in their last but one league game of the season secured Birstall Rugby Football Club’s promotion to Midlands Two. Joshua Black reports: Every player was up for it, and from the first minute, they did not let a potentially dangerous Kesteven side into the match. It really was the most classic of rugby matches, the forwards did the hard stuff, and the backs finished it off. However, it would be forward Luke Geary who crashed his way over from short range after a driving maul had gone to floor, and a few phases later, the big man got himself a meat pie. Jose Monteiro, who himself scored a brace, was critical in unlocking the backs but showed his physicality to crash over for a try down the short side, and one after Lorriman broke through and showed his dazzling footwork, with the ball being recycled ready for Monteiro to take his chance. Sometimes the bounce of the ball just goes your way, but when you chip and chase hard, sometimes you deserve the luck, which is exactly what happened to Ed Godfrey. A wonderfully taken catch from the kick-off was then followed by a brilliantly weighted kick over the defence, eventually being regathered, and the centre sprinted underneath the posts. He would slice through the defence later in the half but not without his supporting backs getting a piece of the action. Adam Woolley, whose dancing feet

the time for bowls Pic: Birstall Rugby Football club celebrate promotion

wouldn’t be out of place on Strictly Come Dancing, used that natural speed and instinct for space to not only score tries himself, but to set up fellow back Eddie Lorriman, who himself would be challenging for the glitterball trophy after the amount of yards he gathered for the Greendogs. Kesteven took an opportunistic try, intercepting a pass as Birstall were going forward looking likely to score again. But despite the score being so heavily in Birstall’s favour at halftime, the Greendogs were acutely aware of how good this Kesteven side can be after their encounter with them in mid-January. But no further Kesteven tries were scored, and Birstall continued to mount the pressure. Lorriman broke through again, and Adam Woolley accelerated past tacklers to put the game to bed. The second half was tighter, with Birstall having to show more defensive organisa-

tion, but this just appeared to come much more naturally than at the start of the season, ultimately showing how much the team has developed. Mellish finished first in the league, but second place was enough to see Birstall promoted, and move up to their highest ever playing level. There is still one more league game to go with Mansfield away. But rightly so the club are in a position to celebrate and rejoice in the title of the Birstall Rugby Club as they head into the dizzying heights of Midlands Two, an outstanding achievement for a club that in the not too distant past was struggling in the lower division of the Leicestershire Merit Leagues. A massive shout out to Lewis Glover and his coaching team for an outstanding job, they will rightly push the credit towards the players but they need to be recognised for going above and beyond to see days like this.

THE BOWLS season is already well underway, and we're hoping for plenty of fine weather this summer. The last couple of years have been quite a challenge for many people, but now is the perfect time to get out into the fresh air and enjoy the company of other people whilst playing a gentle game of bowls. St Margaret's provides a warm welcome to new and experienced bowlers alike and can also offer coaching. Bowling can be enjoyed at all levels, whether it be friendly matches, competitive league games, competitions or other events. The club also organises very popular summer bowls holidays plus an annual winter trip to play indoor bowls at Potters Resort near Great Yarmouth. Come and join us! For more information please contact Carolyn of John on 0116 2675947. From St Margaret’s Co-operative Bowls Club

www.smcbc.com

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

Allotments lost as cemetery to be extended

BIRSTALL CEMETERY on Greengate Lane will be extended, as the existing site is approaching capacity. Birstall Parish Council owns and maintains the cemetery, and it says that in approximately seven years, there will be no more grave spaces available. At its April meeting, the council decided that the adjacent Greengate Lane allotment site will be used as an extension to the cemetery. All 40 plots will be needed for the extension. There are currently 137 allotment plots in Birstall on three sites: Greengate

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

Lane, Worcester Avenue and Meadow Lane. All the sites are fully occupied, says the Council. Throughout the UK, cemeteries are running out of grave spaces. 140,000 people a year choose to be buried, about one-quarter of total BIRSTALL deaths. CEMETERY Provision of burial grounds is a matter for discretion by relevant local authorities, private compaGREENGATE LANE nies, or various religious ALLOTMENTS organisations, in the light of demand or tradition. In 2013, a BBC study found that a quarter of local authorities expected their cemeteries to be full by 2023. One option for local authorities is to reuse graves. Currently, only the local authority cemeteries in Greater London have the correct

bylaws for grave reuse. London councils have been legally able to provide a grave recycling option since 2007 under the London Local Authorities Act but recent changes in Scottish burial law have made reuse a possibility in Scotland too. In most cases, this involves deepening the grave so the original remains are lower in the ground and making a second burial on top. Graves chosen for reuse must be at least 75 years old, and notices are posted on the headstone and in advertisements for six months beforehand. If there is an objection, the grave will be left untouched. If not,

the new inscription is engraved on the back of the headstone, which is then reversed, preserving the old inscription. Pics: (above) Birstall cemetery; (left) an aerial view of the site; (below) the Greengate Lane allotment site

Students to benefit from cricket club links BIRSTALL SCHOOLCHILDREN will benefit from a new partnership between Leicestershire County Cricket Club and the Lionheart Educational Trust. The first partnership of its kind on such a scale, Lionheart’s family of 11 schools across Leicestershire includes all of Birstall’s schools and has over 10,000 students in total, from a diverse range of backgrounds. Students will have access to cricket coaching, including the ‘Chance to Shine’ cricket coaching programme at all the primary schools under the Lionheart umbrella, to provide children of all abilities an active introduction to the game in a safe and fun environment. The Club will also offer an eight-week, after-school coaching programme to Lionheart’s secondary schools’ students to help

develop all aspects of their game. All sessions will also be classed as Talent ID opportunities, allowing any students with an exceptional level of talent the opportunity to attend LCCC Development squad trials. Additionally, the community-driven partnership will target an increase in opportunities for the girls’ and women’s game. LCCC will again be hosting an England Women’s ODI this summer, providing an opportunity to welcome the Trust’s female students to witness women’s international cricket. Secondary school students will get a unique taste of the hallowed turf during a series of pre-match ‘Kwik cricket’ games, hosted by LCCC coaches, before watching the Leicestershire Foxes in their T20 fixture that evening alongside their families. Children from each of the primary schools will also play a significant role in the matchday activities at the fixture. The

Pic: Lionheart Trust & County Cricket representatives launch the partnership

Trust’s children will act as the official player escorts and official flag bearers, while also forming the guard of honour and participating in the matchday parade around the boundary rope. The Club says it will also commit further funding towards the future coaching sessions and provide free memberships to Under 16s. Kath Kelly, CEO of Lionheart Educational Trust, said: “We’re thrilled to have forged a new partnership with Leicestershire County Cricket Club, which will benefit students across the Lionheart Educational Trust. “Young people need

holistic opportunities in addition to their academic studies, to help them build character and grow into wellrounded individuals. “We know that through sport, our students can develop resilience, learn respect and hone their teamwork skills, so we look forward to seeing those skills grow through professional cricket coaching. “We’re also pleased that this partnership will go beyond the game, as LCCC facilitate careers workshops and matchday experiences in the coming months.” Chris Tinbergen, Commercial Manager for Consumer Sales at Leicestershire CCC, said: “This is a unique and really exciting partnership for us at Leicestershire County Cricket Club. It is a chance to positively impact thousands of kids through cricket and create memories that will last a lifetime. “We have such an exciting summer planned with the Lionheart Trust, and we cannot wait to build on this partnership throughout the year.”

Police seize E-scooters THE BIRSTALL Beat Team has been investigating reports of anti-social behaviour.

April2022

PCSO Ellie Holland reports: We have had one report last week regarding youths on motorbikes causing Anti Social Behaviour. Officers attended and no motorbikes or youths were seen. The Beat Team is aware that youths are causing concerns to members of the public. We have been conducting patrols, especially in the Hallam Fields Estate and across School Lane Park / Meadow Lane Park, to try to tackle the issue. These have been conducted in the mornings, afternoons and evenings. We are also aware that E-Scooters are still being ridden around the community. E-Scooters are to only be used on private land with permission given by the landowner. They are not to be ridden anywhere else (including the road or on pavements ). The Parish Council have said that E-Scooters are not to be used on School Lane Park. The Beat Team is trying to educate and is giving a warning to those using them. We have seized some following on from the warning being given. We have attended the Birstall Youth Café to meet some youths, and we are going to continue to work with them when we are on shift.

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

YOUR SAY...

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 email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk

Thanks Please tell my stylists at Anne El Maria how much I appreciate their kindness. My husband and I (both in our late 80s) had a trip to see (yes, see) our doctor, when he found he couldn’t walk home. My mobile wasn’t working, so in a very distressed state, I left him on a seat and made it to the salon. They were all so very kind and sent for a taxi for me. Well over and above normal service, and help so freely and kindly given. Thank you all so much. Mavis Garland

Park access I’d like to congratulate my colleague Cllr. Julian Howe as after nearly 10 years of pressure from him, the Parish Council has finally agreed to allow limited access through Harrowgate Park. As he pointed out all those years ago, the access will serve as a beneficial link for residents of both the Gates estate and Hallam Fields. Residents at the top of Hallam Fields won’t have to walk so far to catch a bus, and it provides easy access to safe cycle routes through Leicester. Residents of the top of the Gates will have easier access to the new country park, the community hall, the shops, cafe and chip shop on Hallam Fields plus of course the Park and Ride, and safe cycle routes to Wanlip and Syston. At the time Julian first raised it, he pointed out there was £150,000 of funding available for public transport from the Hallam Fields S106 budget, which he believed could be repurposed to fund this, but unfortunately, according to Leicestershire County Council, this was returned to the developer unspent so Birstall residents will now have to fund it. I know he’s disappointed, as many residents are, that there isn’t a full footpath/cycle path, but it is a start and I feel the Parish Council will eventually review the situation and deliver what so many want. I took part in the survey issued by the Parish Council, and along with many others made some comments, so I’m disappointed that the Parish Councillors chose to make a decision without actual-

ly reading any of our comments. Instead, lish the need for public transport and/or they relied on a brief summary of consul- to negotiate and repurpose the funding tation responses by the Parish Clerk. for the benefit of the residents of Hallam I will continue to work with Borough Fields. It’s a little late for Borough Council colleagues to lobby for a path to Councillor Roy Rollings to raise it as an be constructed up to this new gate on issue now and attempt to lay the blame the side of the new country park. It is at the door of Parish Council. such a shame the Parish Council would The Parish Council have agreed to not engage in discussions about a footinstall a path leading up to the access path to join Harrowgate Drive playing gate in the fence on their owned land. fields before Hallam Fields was even The costs to complete this work will be built. The developer could have been minimal. The Clerk has been in discusrequired to install the footpath, at no sions with Charnwood Borough Council cost to the taxpayer. and Jelsons Ltd and plans to join up So, I have two questions for the Parwith their cycle paths on the Hallam ish Council: Fields side is being considered by the 1. Why is Harrowgate Park fenced off two appropriate bodies that can make from the new country park in the first this happen, maybe the Borough instance? I recall some years ago a weak Councillors could get behind this by suggestion their historic title deeds regetting involved at Borough level to enquired them to maintain a fence, but sure that those plans happen. Sue Coulson like most of us that have lived in Birstall Clerk to Birstall Parish Council for many years, I recall well that for a very long period of time the park was open to the adjacent fields. Now those Bus service fields have been adapted into a country park, a fence has been erected. A few weeks ago the Centre Bus Com2. Why bother asking residents for pany which run the services between their opinions if there was no intention Birstall and Leicester suddenly without to show them to the Parish Councillors any warning decided to cancel the 22B before they made their decision? service and just run the 21a service but Cllr. Roy Rollings using a different route around that part Borough Councillor for of the village located south of LoughborBirstall/Wanlip ough Road. It needs to be made clear to the I don’t know if the company had residents of Birstall that the Parish Coun- talks with the parish council regarding cil had no claim to the £150,000 s.106 the most appropriate route, but it seems monies for Hallam Fields that had been the company did not bother to do a set aside for public transport. They survey amongst regular passengers, this were not party to any of the s.106 negoti- at a time when most local authorities are ations. This was a missed opportunity trying to get people to use public transby Charnwood Borough Council to estab-

Continued on page 9

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

Noticeboard all details printed free Thurcaston & Cropston Open Gardens 2022 25th and 26th June 2022, 2 - 6pm Tickets are £5 each (accompanied children and wheelchair users free) and will be valid for both days. They can be purchased on the day from any of the signposted open gardens. Look for the fuchsia-coloured balloons! Tea and cake will be available at various locations, and a number of gardens will be selling plants. www.tcog.org.uk

face to face, to explore the issues they need help with and to find the information they need to solve their problems. The work is interesting and rewarding and can occasionally lead to paid work within our organisation. Full training is given and there is continuous supervision and support at all times. More information about what is involved, how to apply and what it is like to be an adviser can be found on our website – www.charnwoodcab.org.uk/volunt eering & jobs or by emailing training@charnwoodcab.co.uk Friday Film Presentations In Thurcaston "A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood"

Time to spare? Enjoy helping people? Want to make a difference? Charnwood Citizens Advice is currently looking for people to join its friendly team as voluntary Generalist Advisers. Being an Adviser involves helping our clients over the phone and

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

Continued from page 8 port more and so taking a lot of cars off our crowded roads! As a result of the changes, the buses coming from Leicester when they negotiate the roundabout at the end of Birstall Road no longer turn left into Sibson Road. However, after going past the Co-op store and then along various roads, the buses emerge from Stonehill Avenue and turn right onto Sibson Road, and then proceed along the usual 22B route around the Gates estate. A few days after the changes took place, a bus stop sign was erected on Sibson Road opposite the Age UK shop. Alas, a few days later, the sign disappeared. Did the bus company change its mind and take down the sign, or did an irresponsible, naughty person take it down? At the time of writing this letter, April 11, the situation is so confusing and unsatisfactory for a lot of passengers as some drivers have agreed to set down and pick up people while other drivers have refused to do so as there has been no stop sign there. Having an official stop there would be so convenient for people from the Gates estate who just want to shop at the Tesco store and perhaps at one or two other shops and then cross the road to reach the nearby stop opposite the Age UK shop. If no stop is established, shoppers would have a long walk to the stop towards the end of Saltersgate Drive or to the one more or less opposite the Co-op store. If the bus company have decided not to establish a stop at that much-needed location, I think it is up to Birstall Parish Council to represent a lot of regular and some potential passengers and have contact with the bus company to persuade it to establish that necessary stop. J Woods

(May 13, 111 mins) May’s film, starring Tom Hanks, is a heart-warming story, based on a real magazine article about a beloved children’s television host, Fred Rogers. When the naturally

cynical journalist finally meets Fred, he cannot believe that this host is so kind and selfless. However, we must ask ourselves two questions, “Will the journalist learn to face his traumatic past?” and “Will these two men ever become friends?” Tom Hanks excels in this compassionate roll, for which he was nominated for a British Academy Award. “The Colour Room” (June 10, 108 mins) Our June film tells the story of the determined working class Clarice Cliff, who overcomes all odds to become a ceramic artist, paving the way for other women, in the process. She revolutionises the workplace and becomes one of the most influential ceramicists of the twentieth century. Surely you have seen her exquisite pottery on an antiques show! Starring Phoebe Dynevor, this will be an inspirational film. "Downton Abbey - A New Era" or "Belfast" will be shown on September 9. We will be keeping the hall well ventilated and there will be room for us to space out. Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall, starting at 7.30pm. Film tickets will cost the usual £5, which includes a lucky prize draw and refreshments during the interval. You can pay for tickets at the door or pay in advance from Richard 0116 2363 066 or Diana 0116 2362 619

Ceramics market Ceramics in Charnwood will be in the Market Place, Loughborough

on Sunday May 8, 2022 and will be running from 10am until 4pm. The pottery festival, which is a free event, features around 80 exhibitors from the East Midlands selling a huge variety of handmade sculptures. Muddy Fingers Pottery will also be offering sessions for residents to decorate their own pot or tile before being able to watch it fired in a Raku kiln. Their work will then be rapidly cooled allowing residents to take it home the same day. Pottery equipment and tools will also be on sale throughout the day at the market Rothley Bowling Club Join in a

Free Session of Bowls as part of Bowls England's "Big Bowls Weekend" Saturday May 28, 1 – 4pm Come along and find out more about the game and give it a try. All you need is a pair of flat shoes. For more information see our

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MAY 2022 Visit our website at: www.villagewatch.co.uk and join our Group on Facebook Many thanks to all of you who have already completed our online Survey. We would still like to have as wide a range of opinions as possible so, if you have not already done so, please take five minutes to complete it now. Go to our website: www.villagewatch.co.uk

If you think a child is being abused or harmed, you should take action straight away. The longer it goes on, the longer it takes for the child to recover. Help is available twenty‐four hours Leicestershire County Council 0116 305 0005 childrensduty@leics.gov.uk Police Non emergencies dial 101 In emergencies dial 999

a day, seven days a week: ChildLine 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk NSPCC 0808 800 5000 help@nspcc.org.uk

Handheld Loophole Closed A legal loophole that allowed drivers to escape punishment for using a handheld phone to take photos or play games has been closed. You can now be fined £1000 and receive six penalty points on your licence for scrolling through playlists, playing games or taking pictures on a handheld device while driving. This change in the law extends the existing offence that already includes making phone calls or sending text messages. • Using a hand‐held mobile phone or sat‐nav while driving is illegal. • All hands‐free devices must be fully set up before you start driving. • The law applies even when you are queuing in traffic or stopped at traffic lights. • The Police have the power to stop you if they think you have been distracted. You can get penalty points on your licence, a fine and even a driving ban if you break these driving laws.

The old paper versions of £20 and £50 notes will cease to be legal tender after 30th September 2022

Cash Machine Danger Residents are advised to be extra vigilant when using cash machines to avoid being robbed. There have been a small number of thefts reported where the victim was distracted or pushed out of the way after putting in their card. In some cases, the maximum amount was then stolen from their account. • Always be aware of people standing too close or trying to distract you while you are using a cash machine. • If someone is too close, take out your card before drawing any money and simply walk away. • Wherever possible, use a cash machine that is located inside a bank. Report any suspicious activity to the police on 101 as soon as possible or dial 999 in an emergency.

Protect yourself from Holiday Fraud As holiday travel has begun to return to normal, criminals have become active in this field. They offer attractive holidays at low prices but deliver something very different. You may find yourself with a flight but, on arrival, discover that no accommodation exists or that it is of very poor quality. Return flights may have been cancelled and refunded to the fraudster after your arrival. ✔ Make sure you have the booking company’s name and full postal address and check that it actually exists. ✔ Keep an eye out for bad spelling and grammar; this is often a sign of fraud. ✔ See if the company has only recently been set up or changed hands; this can be another sign of fraud. ✔ Ensure that the company is a registered member of a trade body such as ABTA, the travel agents' association or ATOL, the Air Travel Organiser's Licence authority. ✔ Make sure that their website uses the padlock symbol to indicate that it is secure before you send any money. ✔ Never pay by cash or through money transfer agents such as Western Union. If possible, only pay by credit card to protect your payment. ✔ Check carefully that the details on the paperwork match what you think you have booked and read the terms and conditions to confirm exactly what you are buying. ✔ Double check your booking just before you travel and earlier if there is a long time before the travel date. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS DO NOT BOOK IT

Our Beat Team produces a monthly Newsletter with news of crime and other local policing matters. You can read it in full each month on our website:

www.villagewatch.co.uk/police

The Watch would like to thank Birstall Parish Council for its continued support © Birstall and Wanlip Neighbourhood Watch – watch@villagewatch.co.uk – 0756 2422 756

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

Children are abused not only when someone actually inflicts harm on them but also when others fail to take action to prevent it from happening. Victims may be abused by people they know in a family, residential or community setting or elsewhere by strangers. Abuse and neglect pose risks to the health and well‐being of children and in some cases they have died when concerns were not acted upon quickly enough. Abusers can be other children as well as adults.

website: rothleybowlsclub.org Sun 22 May 3pm, De Montfort Hall Leicester Symphony Orchestra 100th Season

New Horizons Celebrating music of the past 100 years Quentin Clare conductor Nicholas Daniel oboe Vaughan Williams: Oboe Concerto Britten: Four Sea Interludes Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 Tickets £20, £16, children/students £5 from www.demontforthall.co.uk

Want to try bowls? St Margaret's on Birstall Road is a friendly local club which welcomes bowlers of any ability Contact Carolyn or John on 2675947 After a very successful show in 2019, Birstall scouts & St James Birstall parish church are putting on a

Last Night of the Proms show, in aid of the church and the Scouts Sat Sept 24 at 7pm, doors open from 6.30pm Tickets £10 per head on the door or if you get them in advance £8 person and £20 for a family of 4 (2 Adults and 2 children under 12) We are proud to have the Bilton Silver Rugby Band to perform for us once again And this year we are also proud the have some local talent, with

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THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

TERRY ALLEN

the Heart of England barber shop choir We have also got the Leicestershire & Rutland pipe band to get a little bit of Scotland to the proms. It will be all the traditional music and songs, & lots of flag waving. If you would like tickets please phone 0116 2674031 07842336745 Or they will be available from the Scout hut on Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri evenings, or from St James church office A volunteer who grows plants for the Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre is running short of

Plant Pots and would be very grateful if any readers have some that they would be prepared to donate. I am particularly short of 3” to 5” pots (7.5cm to 12.5cm). Please ring 0116 220 9146 Birstall Watermead Tennis Club

Open Day Sunday May 1, 10am – 2pm Co-operative Sports & Social Club Birstall Rd, LE4 4DE All ages and experience are welcome to drop in anytime to try out BWTC’s courts, meet club members and find out what the club has to offer. No equipment needed, just bring your trainers. Activities include mini-tennis junior tennis adult mix-in tennis cardio tennis Tea, coffee, cakes and a licensed bar Half price discounts on membership will be available on the day For more information see the club’s Facebook page or contact Andy Page by email at andycpasurveyors@btconnect.com

Birstall Methodist Coffee Shop June 25, 10amm-12noon. Outside if fine, inside if wet

Charity Summer Fayre Stalls – all raising funds for their 2022 chosen charities

est. 2002

General Property Maintenance Which includes:

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The Bark Foundation (Joy’s Jewellery) L.O.R.O.S. BMC Monday Group BMC Thursday Group Birstall & Wanlip W.I. & MORE! Jigsaws, Bric-a-Brac, plants, jewellery, cakes, raffle, tombola and anything else we think of in the meantime! Please come along and support your local volunteers

Birstall Royal British Legion Club All old and new members will be very welcome Bingo every Tuesday starting at 9pm Quizzes every Wednesday starting at 8.30pm and Sundays at 9pm Pool tables at only 50p Saturday Entertainment 7th May - D Smoove 21st May- Karen West Karen’s kitchen open for meals Saturday 28th, food served 12 till 2pm. Room hire available for wakes, please contact us for further information

Wanlip May Fair Sat May 21, 2-4pm Wanlip Community Hall Cakes, Plants, Bric-a-Brac, Refreshments and more!

Birstall Flower Club Wed May 25, 2022, 7.15pm Birstall Village Hall Demonstrator: Alison Suffolk Title: Woodstock Visitors welcome £5 Queries to Sylvia 0116 267 4206 or Carol 0116 267 1437

Birstall Tea Dances Dates for May Held at Birstall Village Hall Birstall Road, Birstall LE4 4DH. 3.30 to 5.30 pm. 6th, 13th , 20th & 27th £5 each on the door. Tea / Coffee included. Also, homemade cakes available We ask for Donations towards cost of the cakes Further information contact Jackie. 0116 2248278 Mobile 07908607405 jackielucas957@hotmail.co.uk

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Annual General Meeting Saturday May 21, 2022 2-3.30pm at the Methodist Church coffee lounge, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leic., LE4 4JS www.friendsofbelgravecemetery.o rg.uk

Cedar Care Circle Hi everyone. Our dementia group meeting dates in May are the 9th and 23rd. Brunchies Cafe Hallam fields Road Birstall at 2pm. If you know anyone who is caring 24/7 for a spouse, partner or friend, who would appreciate a cuppa, laughs and a chat, please tell them about our group. It's lovely to hear and see the difference being with others who are caring for a dementia sufferer makes to them both. If you'd like to chat, just contact me on 07905760556. Barbara Birstall Methodist Thursday Group is holding a

Coffee Morning at the Coffee Shop Wanlip Lane, Saturday May 14, 10-12 am, in aid of Wishes for Kids. Books and puzzles, tombola and plants, coffee and cake. Everyone welcome.

Rothley History Society Future meetings at Rothley Village Hall Wednesday 18th May 7.30pm 'The Roman Villa Excavations in Rutland' Peter Liddle has been fully involved in this work and will be giving us a first hand report. Wednesday 15th June 7.30pm 'The Migration of Ugandan Asians to Leicester' This year is the 50th anniversary of President Idi Amin's order to Indian and Pakistani communities to leave Uganda within 90 days. Colin Hyde from Leicester University will be sharing oral records of some the people who came to Leicester

The Leicester Model Railway Exhibition Saturday 7 and 8 May 2022 Organiser - Syston Model Railway Society (Previous shows at Sileby). Venue – Roots at Thorpe Farm, Thorpe Farm, Barkby Thorpe, near Syston, near Leicester LE7 3QE. Open 10am to 4.30pm (4pm on Sunday) Admission Adults £5 Accompanied children (under 16) FREE. Advance tickets via website www.systonmrs.org.uk Features 10 high quality layouts from T to O gauge. Usual trade support including new and second hand model railways, bargain books, electrics etc Beautiful food and loads of free parking Enquiries 0116 2605760. Email systonmodelrailway@gmx.co.uk

HALLAM FIELDS COUNTRY PARK

Man pushed and bike stolen in Watermead The Police are appealing for public help after a man was robbed as he rode his bike (pictured above) through Watermead Country Park in Leicester. The 38-year-old victim was riding his Giant blue electric powered mountain bike near the underbridge on Watermead Way, in the area of Oakland Avenue, when he was approached by three men around 11am on Friday April 8. One of the men pushed the victim off his bike; a second man grabbed the bike and rode off on it, closely followed by the other men on foot. The suspects have been described as

Asian. One of them was of large build, about 6ft tall, in his mid-20s, with a full thick beard. He was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a dark hooded jacket/jumper, and black Nike Air Max trainers. The other two suspects were wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, and one of them was wearing a light coloured cap. Officers would like to trace and identify those responsible for the robbery and reunite the bike with its owner. Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has been approached by someone trying to sell the bike (pictured), is asked to get in touch. Contact PC 4582 Pushpa Keshvala on 101 or report information via www.leics.police.uk, quoting crime number 22*199821.

New pedestrian access

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course is for interested actors/actresses, new or experienced. Sue Withers from HATS said: “The course will include a number of activities that will provide a safe space to encourage participants to join in at their own pace. Areas covered will include voice projection, confidence, teamwork, communication, memory skills and creativity. While this list is not exclusive, it gives you a taste of what to expect. “Although this might sound like hard work, it will also provide a fun atmosphere and the chance for you to meet new people. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at the sessions.” The workshops will take place each Wednesday evening from May 25 to June 15 at Birstall Social Club, Wanlip Lane, Birstall. Times are 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Please contact Sue on 07934 204837 for more details.

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New access to park A PEDESTRIAN access connecting Harrowgate Drive playing field to the Hallam Fields country park will be created.

New bowlers welcome to play BIRSTALL BOWLING Club will be taking part in Bowls England’s Bowls’ Big Weekend, held later this month.

Acting at workshop

HARROWGATE DR PLAYING FIELD

This is a national initiative to encourage new bowlers to try out the sport. The club play on School Lane Playing Fields in the village, and welcome anyone who would like to have a go on Friday May 27, 2.30pm-4.30pm, Saturday May 28 10.30am-12.30pm and Sunday May 29, 10.30am12.30pm. All equipment will be provided; you just need a pair of trainers or flatsoled shoes. Experienced players and coaches will be on hand to offer assistance if required. You can sign up for the event at any participating club throughout the country and find out more information by visiting Bowls England’s website www.bowlsengland.com/bowls-bigweekend-2022/ This is an ideal opportunity to see what bowls has to offer before many of the world’s leading players compete in the Commonwealth Games which take place in Leamington Spa from July 29 - August 6. Coverage of the games will be on the BBC, iPlayer and BBC Sport website. If you cannot make any of the sessions, please contact Steve on 07870 327568 or Diane on 0116 2676245, and an alternative time can be arranged. For more information about the club, visit the website www.birstallbowlingclub.co.uk or search for their page on Facebook.

A public consultation was carried out by Birstall Parish Council, owners of the Harrowgate Drive playing field, in March. Of the 109 responses, 98 were in favour of creating access, and 11 were against it. The majority of consultees who live near the playing field were also in favour of creating the access. Once Jelson has finished work on the country park, ownership of the site will be passed on to Charnwood Borough Council. The parish clerk will contact the landowners to make the necessary legal arrangements for creating access and estimates will be obtained for the work.

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

A MAN was pushed from his bike by robbers who rode away on the £2000 machine.

ROTHLEY

BROADNOOK GARDEN SUBURB (1950 homes)

Couple celebrate 60 years A BIRSTALL couple have celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary.

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PARK & RIDE

New junction on A6: speed limits lowered

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

SPEED LIMITS on the A6 and Loughborough Road, Rothley will be reduced to improve road safety. Barwood and Davidson’s homes are building the 1950 home Broad Nook Garden suburb north of Birstall. It will have access from a newly constructed roundabout on the A6, and another new roundabout that will serve the new development with a link road to the new A6 roundabout. On the A6 it is proposed that the speed limit on the length of Loughborough Road, Wanlip from the existing 40mph speed limit in Birstall to a point north of the new roundabout is reduced from the national speed limit to 50mph. It is also proposed that the section of Loughborough Road, Rothley which is currently national speed limit is reduced to 40mph from where it has its junction with the new roundabout. The new roundabout that serves the

In March, Mick and Anne Barnacle, who have lived in Birstall for all of their married lives, celebrated their 60th anniversary with a party at Birstall Bowling Club. They were joined by family and friends from near and far, for a celebration where guests enjoyed special barbershop quartet arrangements. They were thrilled to receive many good wishes and a card from the Queen. A collection was made for the Rainbows charity, raising £370. Anne and Mick wish to thank everybody for all of their kind wishes and donations. Pics: Mick & Anne pictured today, & on their wedding day

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Easter walk through Birstall ON GOOD Friday, 60 people from all three main churches processed through Birstall on a walk of witness. They started at Tesco on Sibson Road, and stopped along the way to sing hymns and say prayers for the community until they finally finished at the Methodist church car park for a time of worship with Brice’s Big Brass. Palm crosses and Easter leaflets were handed out along the way, and one individual was carrying a placard with the Easter message on it. After all this effort, many processors took up the offer of refreshments in the Coffee Shop. Outside the Methodist church there was an Easter cross, and anyone walking by could add flowers as decoration.

Pic: An Easter Cross decorated with flowers

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Pic: the procession singing hymns on Wanlip Lane

Parish Council notes A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on April 11. Sean O’Hara, a Community Recovery Worker from Leicestershire County Council, explained his role was to support groups and individuals to re-engage with the community, post Covid-19. He said his department aimed to support people struggling with isolation, a lack of confidence, and loneliness. He can be contacted on 07526 928290 or sean.ohara @leics.gov.uk. Two new councillors were co-opted to fill vacancies on the council: Pritesh Nathwani and Kevin Burrows. The council agreed to spend £1313 on the annual membership of LRALC and NALC. A request for a community grant of £1500 has been received from Girlguiding Birstall, who would like to install a defibrillator at the Johnson Road headquarters. It was agreed to award £500, subject to the group fundraising the balance themselves. Comment was made that if a survey was done of where all the defibrillators were in the village, the best location for a new one could be considered. It was agreed to replace a piece of play equipment on the Harrowgate Drive playing field with a rotating cone climber for £10,765. It was agreed to spend £11,640 on the installation of pedestrian gates to the enclosed children’s play areas. Birstall cemetery will run out of gave spaces in approximately seven years' time. It was agreed that the cemetery be extended into the Greengate Lane allotment site and that allotment holders be notified this autumn, and given five years' notice. Any plots that become vacant from now on will not be rented out but maintained by the estate's team. Comment was made that the council should actively look for replacement land to replace the allotment plots lost on Greengate Lane. The site has 40 plots. It was agreed to spend £5905 on the supply and installation of an anticlimb roller barrier at the School Lane sports pavilion. Vandals are regularly climbing onto the roof and causing damage. The council considered the costs and charges of providing electric vehicle charging points in the council car parks. It was reported that the council would be charged for the electricity used and

that it could not charge users any more than the unit cost of the electricity. Charging points cost £18,000 to buy. Rapid charging points would require the council to pay for its power supply infrastructure to be upgraded. It was agreed to wait two years before looking at the issue again, as the costs were prohibitive and the technology was being updated frequently. Councillors considered the results of a consultation into the provision of a pedestrian access from the Harrowgate Drive playing field to the Hallam Fields estate. Of the 109 responses, 98 were in favour of creating access, and 11 were against. The majority of consultees who live near the playing field were also in favour of creating the access. Councillor Julian Howe said he had proposed creating this access 10 years ago, that discussion of the issue had been shut down, and it was regrettable that a generation of children had been denied access through the park. It was agreed that the clerk contact the landowners to make the necessary legal arrangements for creating an access and that estimates be obtained for the work. Councillor Julian Howe reported that an area of land near Birstall weir had been purchased by an individual, who had erected a fence which he was entitled to do. A tree preservation order has been put in place covering some of the trees there. The council has agreed to make no admission charge for this year’s gala, which will be held on the School Lane playing field on Saturday June 18. It was agreed to spend £1500 on a fireworks display and £450 on hiring the Hathern Band for the gala. The Council spent £690 removing asbestos sheets from the Meadow Lane allotment site. The council agreed to spend £388 on repairs to the kitchen worktop at Hallam Fields Hall after some damage was caused by a hirer of the hall who had brought in and used their own electric hot plate. The hirer’s £250 damage deposit was retained. A hirer of the Village Hall had £125 of their damage deposit retained for causing damage to paintwork by sticking balloons to the wall with tape.

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

NHW news

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

& crime report

From Ed Chambers, Committee Chairman, Birstall & Wanlip NHW

PC Lauren de Wet and PCSO Ellie Holland have this month conducted speed checks on Wanlip Lane, held beat surgeries for the local community, visited several businesses, conducted street consultations and developed intelligence. With the lighter nights, we are having an increase in reports of anti-social

THE LAW HAS CHANGED Using a phone, sat nav or another device when driving It’s illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle. This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline. For more information, please visit the Gov.uk website. Events Please check our website or Twitter page: @CharnwoodPolice for further details and timings for events. You can also get in touch with us via phone, email or through the Leicestershire Police website. Message from Sgt Forfar I am the dedicated neighbourhood Sergeant for Birstall & Wanlip. I have moved to this beat after working in Loughborough town centre and University. I joined Leicestershire Police as a Police Constable eight years ago and became a Sergeant three years ago. I have experience in Neighbourhood Poling as both a PC and a Sergeant. I am looking forward to the new challenges it will bring and to getting to know the new communities I serve. We will be working as a team to address concerns raised and target people causing harm to the beat. PS 242 Alice Forfar

Message from the Beat Team We would like to take this opportunity to ask that if you are not already signed up to Neighbourhood Link, then please get in touch. Neighbourhood Link is a free service through which we can share with you information about crime in your area, and offer crime prevention advice. We can also update you on any events we are holding. The feedback we receive through Neighbourhood Link allows us to set local policing priorities in line with what matters to you. You can sign up now at www.neighbourhoodlink.co.uk

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behaviour on School Lane Park. We have received reports of youths climbing on the pavilion roof, causing damage and the anti-social use of e-scooters. We would like to remind residents that escooters are only to be used on private land with the landowner’s permission. Parks and open spaces owned by the Parish council do not permit such use. PCSO Ellie Holland and PC Lauren De Wet will be increasing their patrols in the area to tackle such issues. April Priorities Online Survey Anti-social behaviour: With the arrival Please take a few minutes to comof lighter nights we are aware that there plete our online survey. Follow the link may be increased use of park areas. We on: will continue to patrol these areas and www.villagewatch.co.uk engage with its users and deter antisocial Remote Access Scams behaviour. In April, Action Fraud launched a Drugs: The beat team are continuing new national awareness campaign about to develop intelligence to tackle this remote access scams. More than £50 issue. million was lost last year to scams where Road safety: Speed checks in Birstall victims were tricked into handing over and Wanlip, focusing on highlighted control of their computers, tablets or areas of concern. smartphones to criminals. Crime Update Remote access scams usually begin During January, a total of 32 crimes with a browser pop-up, or a cold telewere recorded on the Birstall and Wanphone call telling you that your compulip Beat. ter is infected with a virus, or with a call In January 2022, Birstall and Wanlip from someone claiming to be from your have had a total of 45 crimes. bank, saying that they have to connect to 1 Burglary dwelling, 3 thefts, 5 theft your computer urgently to prevent a from motor vehicles, 2 violent crimes, 4 fraudulent transaction going through public Order Offences, 4 damage, 1 your account. drugs offence, 15 domestic-related The criminals will try to persuade you crimes, and 10 miscellaneous incidents. to go to an app store or website to For further crime information please download a tool that allows them to gain visit: www.police.uk/leicestershire/NL60/ access to your computer or mobile Crime Prevention Advice phone. Once you have made the connecWARNING ABOUT SECURITY Suspition, they are able to access your files cious activity reported for your banking and other personal Birstall has seen an increase in suspiinformation in order to steal your money. cious activity concerning 2-3 males tryThe City of London Police Cyber ing doors to houses and vehicles. Please Crime Unit advises that you should: continue to be vigilant and report any - Only install software or grant remote such incidents. Given the warmer weathaccess to your computer if you are er, please ensure that doors and winasked by someone you know and trust, dows are left locked and secure and that such as a family member or friend, but valuables such as car keys are kept out NEVER as the result of unsolicited calls, of view and, where possible, safely browser pop-ups, or text messages from stored in a signal-blocking pouch or tin. strangers. - Remember that your bank or service Trouble with your figures? provider will NEVER contact you out of Let me help Want the blue requesting remote access to get your someone to your device. books in walk you - Protect your money if you think you shape… through a self may have been tricked by contacting and & keep them trim assessment? informing your bank IMMEDIATELY on a different device or phone from the one Linda Kimberley-Brooks (ACMA) on which the scammer contacted you. Final accounts • Self assessment - Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 Taxation • Bookkeeping • VAT 123 2040 or at: Payroll • Management accounts www.actionfraud.police.uk www.twyf-accounts.co.uk Email: Linda@twyf.co.uk If you suspect that your computer, Companies & individuals call now on tablet or phone has been infected with a 0116 23 66 345 virus or some other type of malware, A friendly service tailored to your needs follow the National Cyber Security Centre’s guidance on recovering an infected device at: www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/hackeddevice-action-to-take Please keep safe both online and in the real world.

Advice on lawn care LAWN EXPERTS Greenthumb advises a regular mowing regime to help your lawn be the best it can be. Ian Walker from Greenthumb said: “Dry, sunny days are the best conditions for mowing, however, it’s important that your mower blades are kept sharp or replaced when needed to avoid causing damage to the grass plant. It is also important, especially during the summer months, that your grass isn’t cut too short as this will weaken it, attracting unwanted weeds. When dry, we advise raising the height of your cut from 1” up to 2” and give it a good drink the day after mowing.” He added: “Our ‘Summer Ready’ Treatment is applied between April and June and features a fully coated fertiliser designed to give your lawn a timed release of nutrition over several months, feeding your grass and stimulating growth. This sophisticated treat-

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Helping our community

WE WOULD like to thank everyone that has supported the group, buying, making or donating. As a result, we have been able to purchase an iPad and tough case for the Birstall Methodist Playgroup for Children with Special Needs. This will enable them to record children’s progress and to take pictures as memories. Their old iPad was not repairable. Quilts & Bags The scrubs group have continued to support local hospitals with beautiful quilts for the NICU, and also made wig-

gly bags for children receiving constant blood monitoring. A call went out, and in less than two days, we had 100 bags.

Thanks to all that got involved. We have now been asked to make larger bags for adults with lung cancer to keep their drains in. If you wish to help, fabric can be provided. Duck Race Webster the White horse duck has been to visit all of the primary schools in Birstall and was well received by the children. The annual duck race will be on May 2. Afternoon Teas We have sent out our afternoon teas in the community to people who need a “treat”. If you know someone who is having a difficult time please put them forward. We have had lots of very positive comments and they do make a difference to the recipients. Jubilee A BOWLS club has refurbished With the Queen's Jubilee approaching, its clubhouse after receiving

Club receives grants grant support.

we would like to deliver our special Jubilee Teas. We thought the best criteria was “remembering the coronation”. (This is a very loose criterion and we will consider others.) Do you have someone in your road that remembers? These can be sent out as tea for one or two. It would be great if the original coordinators could put names forward for their roads. Please start sending in names as soon as possible. If you are having a street party we would avoid that day. Admin would like to thank you all for your continued support. Any enquiries 07894995164

Birstall based trainer New skate and sports therapist park VALENTINA WILLATS is a personal trainer and sports therapist who moved to Birstall in 2020 and has launched a local practice. She said: “A question I get asked a lot is how I came to be in this line of work...my journey started in 2007 when I trained as a Nutritional Advisor. Seven years later, I was ready to expand my skills and completed my manual therapist qualification at NLSSM, one of the top UK Sports Therapy colleges. “I initially worked as a Sports Therapist in a multidisciplinary clinic, gaining experience in treating many different clients with a range of needs, with the support of other therapists. It was here that I was introduced to Personal Training and experienced first-hand the benefits it can have for clients of varying ages, backgrounds and training levels. “After a year I decided to strike out on my own (a somewhat terrifying prospect at the time), and since then have

been running my own business. My clients vary widely from those with occupational injuries to professional athletes. I relocated to Birstall, Leicestershire, in July of 2020 and launched my local practice specialising in Soft Tissue Therapies as soon as COVID restrictions allowed. “Do I get tired at the end of a workday? Yes- being a Personal Trainer and Sports Therapist demands a lot of physical and mental energy, but I still love it...to quote Mark Twain: “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” “I enjoy the challenge and every opportunity to learn from each one of my clients. They are all unique and present a biological jigsaw puzzle that must be completed in order to provide the best support for their body and circumstances. If you feel that this approach could help you, please get in contact - I’d love to hear from you!” fitplusleicester@gmail.com

PLANS for a £375,000 new skatepark facility near Abbey Park have been announced. Leicester City Council has revealed proposals to create the new skateboarding site on land it owns as part of the sports facilities at Abbey Meadows, off Abbey Lane. Site feasibility works have been done and preliminary designs for the skatepark are now being drawn up, with £375,000 being approved for the scheme. Planning permission would also need to be secured before work could progress. The site is immediately north of the Leicester Hockey Club grounds, and is bordered by the River Soar, a section of the A6 and Abbey Park itself. It is easily accessible by foot, bike or skateboard and is near to the car parking and toilets. Subject to planning approval, construction could begin in autumn 2022.

Soar Valley Bowls Club, located just off the old A6 in Rothley, was awarded grants from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund, Charnwood Borough Council, The National Lottery and the Harry Hames Charity. A club spokesperson said: “The club is deeply indebted to all of these organisations for their generous donations which have enabled the complete refurbishment of the club house. Without their support this exciting project would not have been possible.” The club, previously known as the Rolls Royce Bowling Club, was formed in the early 1960’s. Work began in October last year to fully modernise the clubhouse and to install heating to facilitate year round use. The facilities now include a large function room, a fully fitted kitchen and a bar, and the club wants to promote itself as an ideal venue for a special party or occasion. Rob Lees, operations manager at Tarmac’s Mountsorrel Quarry, said: “We are proud to have been able to support Soar Valley Bowls Club with the grant from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund. “We hope the improvements will bring enjoyment to the current club members along with attracting new bowlers to the club.” The official opening will take place on Sunday May 15 and the Club welcomes members of the public to come along and share in their success, and also to see the building and the facilities that are now available. The club will be open to the public from 1.30pm until to 4.30pm and refreshments will be available. The spokesperson said: “Every bowling club must have a first rate bowling green. Soar Valley Bowling Club boasts a green which is arguably one of the finest in the Leicestershire, and is always pleased to welcome both new and experienced bowlers as members. A one year free membership is available to new bowlers.” On Sunday May 15, there will be the opportunity for anyone interested in taking up the sport to “have a go.” Expert guidance will be available; all that is needed are some flat-soled shoes. For further details about bowling, social membership or private hire opportunities, telephone 07961335309 or01162374719, or email luapgmandraw54@icloud.com

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

Spring play a hilarious farce derful thing. The play Penny Black includes mystery, suspense and humour with a twist at the end. This is a hilarious farce that we are sure you will thoroughly enjoy. Penny Black, tells how three brothers (a sex therapist, a postman, and the third evil brother), together with their mother, desperately search for a secret formula written on the back of a Penny Black stamp, while having to contend with their eccentric father. Watch out for the celery, yes CELERY. I

HATS’ SPRING play is “Penny Black”, by Rob Wellington, with the consent of Lazy Bee scripts. We are delighted to share with you our excitement at receiving a message directly from Rob Wellington, all the way from New Zealand. His comments included: “I am delighted you are putting on this show and sincerely hope you will enjoy performing it as much as the audience

Pics: some of the cast rehearsing

say no more! This is the story of how Holmes Hardy became Sherlock Holmes, the world famous detective. So, for all you super sleuths, and the others who are not so super and just want to see a good play, this is the one for you. Can you work out what the twist is,

will (hopefully) enjoy watching…Break a leg, I’d love it if you could keep me posted”. I’m confident that we will certainly enjoy performing this for you, and will update Rob after the show has finished. This message came completely out of the blue - modern technology is a won-

or will you be so enthralled with the plot 17 and the humour, that you just sit back and watch the drama unfold. This is a very fast paced production and the cast are having to work very hard. Rehearsals are in full swing, with the usual moments of angst, brilliance, stress and laughter. But as with most shows, we have every confidence that it will be alright on the night, well actually, more than alright, it will be amazing. Once again the costumes and scenery are looking fabulous. You have the easy job, just buy your tickets, turn up on the night, sit back and relax. NOTE: This play contains some adult humour Dates for Penny Black performances are Wednesday May 18, Thursday May 19 and Friday May 20, 2022. Performances start at 7.15pm. Doors open at 6.45pm Venue: Birstall Social Club, 16-18 Wanlip Lane, Birstall LE4 4JS Tickets: £7.00, £6.00 concession. Discount for group bookings of 10 or more people (price available at time of booking). Tickets will be available from: Box office: 07948 796675 Or email hatstickets@hotmail.com. Face book: www.facebook.com/hatsamdram/

From HATS

Club’s fundraising run for Ukraine BIRSTALL RUNNING Club organised a fundraising run for Ukraine. On Monday March 28, club members wearing the blue and yellow colours of the country’s flag ran from Birstall to the Ukrainian Catholic Church on Fosse Road, Hinckley Road corner, where collections and donations are being organised, and several lorries of essential items have already departed for Ukraine.

from the Birstall British Legion and club members have raised the total to £600. Scott Brownlow, club runner and active volunteer at the Ukrainian centre, said: “It was fabulous to see a sea of blue and yellow as we ran to the Church in support of the humanitarian crisis that is evolving in Ukraine, and the generosity of club members in raising over £600 is overwhelming. It is a worrying time for those of us with family and

The members then ran back to Birstall for a social gathering and refreshments at the British Legion on Front Street. Nikki Welyczko (Chair), who organised the event and has Ukrainian family, said a few emotional words and announced that almost £500 had been raised for the Disaster Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (DEC) on the night. Further donations

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

A HOME CARE business that supports older people to live well in their own homes has been launched in Syston. Radfield Home Care covers the Rothley and Birstall areas and offers professional, personalised, and friendly care services to older people, including companionship, medication support, dementia care and assistance with shopping and household activities. Radfield is a privately owned company, led by Dr Hannah MacKechnie and her brother Alex Green, and has provided care for over 30 years. Director, Sona Bharkhada, said: “I am so excited for the launch of Radfield Home Care in Leicester to support the needs of older people in the local community. Our aim is to make a difference in each individual’s life by supporting

them to live their best lives, independently. All our services are delivered to the highest quality and personalised to each individual.” She added: “Radfield has a unique ethos and exceptional values; they are a family and believe passionately that by

treating their Care Professionals as a trusted family, they empower their staff to treat their clients with the same warmth and respect. “Radfield is proud to care and believe in looking after people and empowering them to live their unique lives to the fullest.” www.radfieldhomecare.co.uk

Care supporting you to live well

friends caught up in this awful situation, and such a show of solidarity was of much comfort to us personally and to the wider Leicester Ukrainian community.” Any further funds received will be added to the total. If you would like to donate directly then visit www.dec.org.uk https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine -humanitarian-appeal

Grant Back on stage for Faces Arts funding COMMUNITY GROUPS and voluntary organisations in Charnwood are being invited to apply for grant funding.

FACES ARTS, the well-established Performing Arts Company based in Birstall, was delighted to finally perform its yearly productions in February and March.

The Commercial Street dance show was a high energy, upbeat and fastpaced show, and the Theatre School Charnwood Borough Council has students performed their all-singing, launched its first round of the 2022/23 dancing and acting musical productions Charnwood Community Grant schemes which help local organisations, charities, ‘The Addams Family’ & ‘Oliver Twist’. Faces Arts’ owner Jody Tinbergen was and community-led projects access fundfull of admiration for the children’s hard ing support. work and commitment to their performApplications are also open for the ances. She said: “All our talented stuMembers Grant scheme which enables local groups to apply to their local coun- dents loved being back on stage, performing their hearts out to family and cillor for up to £500 in funding. friends. Cllr Leigh Harper-Davies, lead mem“Faces Arts is all about providing opber for community support said: “We have a fantastic variety of different volun- portunities for local children to tary and community organisations, chari- discover their performing talents and building confidence. The ties and groups across the borough development in their ability which offer a range of excellent services and self-confidence has and activities to residents. been outstanding. A “It has been a difficult couple of years huge well done to all for the sector and we will continue to the children who offer financial support to a number of them through our grant schemes to help took part.” For more inforthem with their recovery.” During 2021/22, the Council awarded mation on Faces Arts Saturday Theaover 90 grants, including one to Sheptre School, Comshed Dolphins Swimming Group (SDSG) who received £2,000 from the Charnwood Community Grant scheme. Shepshed Dolphins Swimming Group supports those with a disability, health condition or long-term illness feel comfortable in the water. The grant was used towards the cost of hiring a pool and the costs of running aquafit sessions. The different grants are open to properly constituted community and voluntary groups for activities not conducted for profit (retrospective applications are not eligible). The grants include: Charnwood Community Grant – Round 1 deadline Friday May 13, 2022, 5pm These grants can provide up to £5,000 for organisations currently running projects with community benefit in Charnwood, including organisational running costs (for up to one year), environmental projects and one-off conA FREE event in Woodhouse tributions for equipment costs. Eaves on May 22 aims to proThe maximum amount of grant that mote a sustainable lifestyle can be applied for in one year is £5,000. and features a repair shop, a Applications can be made in both rounds to a maximum combined total of £5,000. toy swap, a marketplace and a Community Facilities Grant – Round 1 host of activities for all ages. deadline Friday May 13, 2022, 5pm The Sustainable Living Fair on May The community facilities grants 22, from 10am – 4pm at Woodhouse scheme can award funding of up to Eaves Village Halls LE12 8RZ, is organ£20,000, to a maximum of 50% of the ised by Woodhouse Eaves Plastic Free. cost of a project which assists with the Spokesperson Gemma Andrews said: renovation, improvement and provision “With free entry, it allows you to come of community buildings, including fitting along, get involved and take home inout and provision of facilities for people spiring ideas. Find out everything on with disabilities offer and what you need to bring along Member Grants – Applications close at www.wheplasticfree.co.uk/fair. There on Tuesday January 31, 2023 will be a marketplace of stalls, a Repair These grants give each borough counCafé, Toy Swap, art activities and recillor the opportunity to award up to freshments and much more.” £500 to projects which bring benefits to Toy Swap their ward each year. The Annexe Hall will be open from Application forms and more informa4pm – 6pm on Saturday May 21 to tion is available at: receive toys. Organisers request that www.charnwood.gov.uk/grants, email: you bring clean, working toys, and grants@charnwood.gov.uk or call 01509 puzzles or games with all their pieces 634730.

mercial Street Dance, Shake Up Parent & Toddler or Summer Schools, please contact Jody@facesarts.co.uk, 07971423201 or visit the website www.facesarts.co.uk for further information. Pics: performers from Faces Arts in productions of The Addams Family & Oliver Twist

Sustainable living fair and parts. Each child can bring a maximum of three items and they will receive tokens for each item brought. On Sunday between 10am – 1 pm, they return to ‘spend’ their tokens by choosing new toys to take home. There is no cost attached – bring a toy, take a toy. Repair Café The Repair Café will have teams of electricians, textile enthusiasts and a chain saw sharpener ready to repair your broken items. Bring your item along, and one of the team will attempt to fix it for you. Repairs by volunteers are free, but if you are able to, there will be a box for donations. Alongside the volunteers, Let’s Get Sharp and BBuddies will also be there for the day. Bring along your kitchen knife, dog clippers, or secateurs and Let’s Get Sharp will bring the blade back to life. B-Buddies will be carrying out free bicycle checks. Any repairs needed can then be undertaken for a fee.

Marketplace The marketplace will be packed with organisations and companies giving information or selling items to help you make sustainable swaps to your daily life. For a full list of all the stalls, check out the website www.wheplasticfree.co.uk/fair Activities to get you involved Have a go at various activities running throughout the day for all ages. B-Buddies will be taking any old bikes that you feel are not safe. Ever wondered how Freegle or Freecycle work? Have a chat with Helen, who has become rather hooked on decluttering and finding a new home for items she would have previously taken to the tip. Find out how the process works to rehome your own unwanted processions. New stallholders and activities are being added to the lineup daily. To keep up to date, visit Facebook or Instagram @wheplasticfree. Or check the website pages for updates www.wheplasticfree.co.uk/fair

THE BIRSTALL POST MAY 2022

500 Ukrainian refugees welcomed FAMILIES AND children fleeing Ukraine are starting to arrive in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland as councils, NHS, Police, East Midlands Airport and other organisations team up to provide vital support and a safe place to live. Based on the data provided by the Government, the area is currently planning to welcome around 500 refugees who, over the next few months, are due to live with people who have of-

healthcare, education, translation and fered space in their houses through the Government’s Home for Ukraine scheme. employment. Deborah Taylor, deputy leader of This week, a new welcome point has Leicestershire County Council, said: opened at East Midlands Airport – one of over 30 nationwide - and local coun- “People leaving Ukraine have been uprooted from their home and expericils have started carrying out housing, enced terrible trauma. Our welfare and safeguarding checks. commitment to supporting families and Around 20 partners are working tochildren is resolute, gether under the Local and I’m pleased that Resilience Forum (LRF) partners have come to make sure refugees together so quickly to have access to vital offer the wealth of services and support, support the refugees including accommodaarriving need.” tion, safeguarding,

News from the churches parade and a news interview draEASTER HAS now come and gone and our churches will have come out of ma during the service. the sobriety of Lent and will once Then Easter week was a busy time for again be filled with flowers and colus as usual. Some of the groups held ours in celebration of the Risen Christ. special events such as an Easter themed lunch. There were some special services As Easter inspires joy and hope for during the week to help us remind ourthe future, we can now look forward selves of the events that took place durafter the past two horrible years of the ing Easter. pandemic, and also pray and hope for The walk of witness took place again the people of Ukraine and other wartorn countries of the world that they will this year, remember it was not permitted during the period of Covid lockdowns soon know peace. for the past two years. Nearly sixty peoIn our churches, Easter eggs have been donated and collected by the Moth- ple took part on Good Friday, starting er's Union, and a very large box of choc- off at Tesco as usual, stopping along the way to sing a hymn and say a prayer for olate eggs has been taken off to the the various businesses on Sibson Road, Cathedral and given to its 'One Roof' campaign, a lovely treat for all recipients. handing out palm crosses and our Easter message. Closer to home, repairs are needed The procession finished at the Methto our church roof, and to this end, two odist church car park where a small members of the congregation have orbrass band led a short service of worganised a 'Silent Auction', the proceeds ship outside. Afterwards, we were all of which will go towards the roof fund. invited into the Coffee Shop for refreshThe range of items offered is amazing, ments. As in past years we placed a ranging from a ticket to watch Leicester cross outside and invited anyone passing City at the King Power stadium to a to decorate it with flowers in time for hand-made shopping bag! the worship on Easter Sunday. There have been 31 items offered, From Birstall Methodist church and (surprise, surprise!), out of those 31, 13 are offering cakes, pies or tarts and five are offering meals or tea and Sunday Services cake! Churches in Birstall must have the Our services begin at 10.45am and bestest cooks and cake addicts. are held in the Day Centre next to the For those with a cake habit, Old Village Hall (on the corner of School Nick's Coffee Shop is operating again in Lane and Birstall Road) except for Bank Wanlip on the third Tuesday of every Holidays, so not on May 1 or June 5. month. You can be sure of a warm welcome. If From Birstall Parish Churches you have any queries, then please contact us. PALM SUNDAY worship was led by (www.birstallbaptistchurch.org.uk or 0116 2214883) the Sunday Club with a cheering

Christ our Righteousness In April, our focus was on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross to pay for our sins, but we should not forget that He also gives us His righteousness. It’s not just that He pays our debts, but He also fills up our ‘bank balance’ to overflowing. As the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians: ‘… not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.’(Chapter 3 v.9) This aspect of the Lord’s work is found in our hymns this month. The first of these dates from the 6th Century and was penned by Venantius Fortunatus (c.530-609). The chief Latin poet of his day, Venantius was born in Italy but spent most of his life in France, finally becoming Bishop of Poitiers. His ‘Praise the Saviour, now and ever’ contains the words: ‘Man’s work faileth, Christ availeth, He is all our righteousness;… Through His merit we inherit life and peace and happiness.’ The second of our hymns dates from over a thousand years later and is the work of John Cennick (1718-1755). It opens: ‘Brethren, let us join to bless Christ, the Lord our Righteousness’. In the next century, Charitie Lees De Chenez (1841-1923), composed the hymn ‘Before the throne of God above’, in which she writes: ‘Behold Him there! The risen Lamb! My perfect, spotless righteousness.’ The result of this transaction is: ‘Because the sinless Saviour died, my sinful soul is counted free; For God the Just is satisfied - to look on Him, and pardon me.’ The extent to which the Lord Jesus Christ has blessed us will not be fully known by us until we stand with Him at the end of time. From Birstall Independent Baptist Church

Bo Prychidnyj, from the Leicester Ukrainian Community Centre, said: “The Leicester and Leicestershire Ukrainian Community welcomes our Ukrainian brothers and sisters arriving in Leicestershire. We offer our support and assistance to you all as you settle into a hopefully safe and secure environment. We wish to thank the various Council bodies for your hard work, and hope we can continue to work closely together in supporting both refugees and sponsors.” www.leicestershire.gov.uk/supportfor-ukraine

The June issue of

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Birstall BAG’s cancer corner our environment, not because Family History and Inherited Cancer we have inherited a specific Genes cancer gene fault. Most cancers are caused by gene Genetic specialists estimate faults that happen during our lifetime. that between 5 and 10 in every Some people, unfortunately, have an 100 cancers (5 to 10%) diagincreased risk of cancer because they nosed are linked to an inherited have inherited a faulty gene. Birstall faulty gene. BAGs would like to explain a little bit Different gene faults increase the risk more about what this means. of different types of cancer. Some faults How can genes cause cancer? Inside almost every single cell in your increase the risk by a small amount, and some increase the risk much more. body is a structure called the nucleus. In families with an inherited faulty The nucleus is the control centre of the gene, there is usually a pattern of specifcell. Inside the nucleus are 23 pairs of ic types of cancer running in the family. chromosomes made up of genes. Genes are coded messages that tell cells how to The strength of your family history depends on: behave. They control how our bodies who in your family has had cancer grow and develop. We each have about the types of cancer they have had 25,000 genes. how old they were at diagnosis All cancers develop because something has gone wrong with one or more of the genes in a cell. A change in a gene is called a ‘fault’ or ‘mutation’. These faults can make a cell stop working properly. It may then become cancerous and divide and grow uncontrollably. A Family History of Cancer Being born with inherited faulty genes doesn’t mean that a person will definitely get cancer. But they have a higher how closely related the relatives risk of developing particular types of with cancer are to each other cancer than other people. They are also The more relatives who have had the more likely to develop cancer at a young- same or related types of cancer, and the er age. Doctors call this having a genetic younger they were at diagnosis, the predisposition to cancer. stronger someone’s family history is. How common are cancers caused by This means that it is more likely that the inherited faulty genes? cancers are being caused by an inheritCancers due to inherited faulty genes ed faulty gene. are much less common than cancers Inherited Genes and Cancer Types due to gene changes caused by ageing There are a number of inherited or other factors such as smoking, sun faulty genes. Each is associated with a damage etc. Most cancers develop bedifferent range of cancers and risk. For cause of a combination of chance and

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details on the inherited faulty genes, please visit:https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about -cancer/causes-of-cancer/inheritedcancer-genes-and-increased-cancerrisk/inherited-genes-and-cancertypes BRCA1 and BRCA2 are perhaps the most commonly heard of inherited faulty genes. They first hit mainstream headlines nearly 10 years ago when the American actress Angelina Jolie opted to have a double mastectomy because she carries this genetic mutation that greatly increased her risk of breast cancer. Everyone has BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. BRCA stands for BReast CAncer gene. They are important genes that stop the cells in our body from growing and dividing out of control. Doctors call these tumour suppressor genes. A fault (or mutation) in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene means that the cells can grow out of control. This can lead to cancer developing. Faulty BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are rare. Only around 1 in every 400 people have a faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Both men and women can have faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. People who inherit faulty versions of these genes have an increased risk of developing different types of cancers. This includes: breast cancer ovarian cancer prostate cancer pancreatic cancer Breast cancer - Researchers think that around 70 in every 100 women (around 70%) with a faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene will develop breast cancer by the age of 80. Up to 10 in every 100 men (up to 10%) with a faulty BRCA2 will develop breast cancer. Ovarian cancer- Almost 45 in every 100 people (almost 45%) with a faulty BRCA1 gene will develop ovarian cancer by the age of 80. This is almost 20 in every 100 people (almost 20%) with a faulty BRCA2 gene. Prostate and pancreatic cancerFaulty BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can also increase your risk of developing prostate and pancreatic cancer. But this risk is much lower than the risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. Cancer Research UK explains about 15 other inherited faulty genes that can predispose someone to cancer, BRCA1 and 2 are just 2 examples. What if I have a strong family history? Talk to your GP if you think that you may have a strong family history of cancer. Your GP will ask you about your family and how many members have had cancer, so it is important to have as much information about your relatives’ cancer diagnoses as possible. If they think that you might be at increased risk, they can refer you to a genetics clinic. 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

Charity ride BIRSTALL RESIDENT Dave Thomas will be attempting to ride 50 miles in The Charnwood Forest area on Sunday May 15. The ride is raising money for Alex’s Wish, a charity which funds research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It was set up by the parents and supporters of Alex, who has the condition, and who lives in Rothley. Dave has taken part in the Charnwood Forest Ride for the charity on a number of previous occasions. This year he will be doing the challenge with a group of friends and his two sons. If you would like to support the charity you can sponsor Dave on his Just Giving Page, go to www.justgiving.com and search for Dave Thomas, or Alex’s Wish.

Uppingham THE MARKET town of Uppingham has been declared the Midlands Winner in the annual Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Live’ survey. The town in Rutland has been named the top choice by the paper, with its “honey-coloured houses,” “quaint old market square”, and cobbled streets, Uppingham is described as “a feast for the eyes at every turn” in an article published in April. It also points to the town’s high street as one of its major selling points, described as “nicely traditional with a dash of sophistication”.

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