Birstall Post (468) July 2022

the Birstall post Y O U R

C O M M U N I T Y

JULY 2022

PROFESSIONAL

GARDEN MAINTENANCE

N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 468

Birstall’s Jubilee street party fun ALL OVER Birstall, people enjoyed celebrating the Queen’s platinum jubilee with their neighbours and Continued on page 3 friends at street parties.

Pic: Celebrating on Johnson Rd are Julie Charles, Henry Charles, Isabel Charles, Alison Burton & Lauren Burton

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THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

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In pictures: Birstall’s Jubilee celebrations Pages 3, 4 and 5

Camping chairs, foldable tables, lifesize cut-outs of the Queen and lots of food took over the streets as Birstall people joined in the national celebrations over the long bank holiday weekend in June.

On Went Road, there were games for children and adults, the best crown competition, pass-the-parcel, and hooka-duck. Anthony Allsopp (8) and Esme Butler (8) were winners of the best crown.

Went Road resident Hayley Caren said: “What a lovely day, celebrating the Queen’s platinum jubilee with my neighbours old and new. Seeing everyone having fun and smiling made me proud to live in such a lovely street.”

In Curzon Avenue, the turnout was “amazing” said one of the organisers.

“The rain didn’t stop us, we all had a wonderful afternoon and raised £300 for Birstall BAGS,” she added.

Walnut Avenue held its street party on Coronation Day, Thursday June 2, with games, karaoke, sequence dancing, and lots of food and drink, concluding with a firework display.

Resident Katie said: “The street party brought a lot of people together that never knew each other before. So much warmth and togetherness from everyone, it was a wonderful afternoon.”

On Broadgate Close, there was a buffet, a toast to the Queen, old-time games such as pass-the-parcel and charades, a singalong and dancing in the street. Names were drawn out of a hat and those selected were king or queen for 15 minutes. £85 was donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Residents on Firfield Avenue didn’t let the wet weather on Sunday stop them from enjoying a packed program of activities in between feasting on cake and sandwiches. There was a Donkey Derby, bingo, a crown decorating competition, a rousing singalong which deafened the whole street, dancing and a game of musical chairs, which the adults became very competitive over.

Jess, Hilary and Mary were winners of the best-decorated window and Ben, Isabella and Olivia were the best crown winners.

Pic: Yvonne Hainsworth & Milli Wilkinson (9) at Birstall Toyal British Legion’s cake stall; (below)displays on Firfield Avenue

Pics: (top)Jubilee spirit on Wellgate Avenue: (above) (l-r) Charlie Smart (11), Archie Roe (13) & Lucas Hughes (12) on Firfield Avenue;(below) Street party on Firfield Ave

Pic: Frankie Pearce (7)

Continued on page 4

The August issue of

THE BIRSTALL POST will be published on July 29.

The copy deadline is July 18.

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

Pics: the street party on Paget Avenue

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Pics: a spectacular Jubille cake on Firfield Avenue & (left) partying on Walnut Avenue Continued from page 3

Pics: (above) the celebrations on Walnut Avenue

event in person, my heart has been with you all, and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.

“I have been inspired by the kindness, joy and kinship that has been so evident

in recent days, and I hope that this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come.

“I thank you all most sincerely for your good wishes and for the part you have all played in these happy celebrations.”

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

“It was a party to remember, fit for a queen,” said Firfield’s Daphne Stephenson. “We are looking forward to the next excuse to repeat the day.”

All Birstall’s events demonstrated the depth of the affection and respect the British people have for the Queen. In a statement released on June 5, the Queen said: “I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my platinum jubilee.

“While I may not have attended every

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Pics: (above) Royalty on Broadgate Close: residents were King or Queen for 15 minutes

Pics: (above) fun and games on Went Road

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

Pics: (above & left)the celebrations on Curzon Avenue; (right) enjoying the party at the Cedar mews Care Home

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Pics: (above & right) the Jubilee lunch at the Methodist Lunch Club

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Gala returns: defies the rain for a fun day

A DEDICATED crowd turned out for Birstall’s gala on Saturday June 18, despite the rain and the cold.

Pic: Lorraine Nash (left) & Sue Withers on the HATS stall

with the singing. In the circumstances and after the hard work of organising the event, it was encouraging to receive so many positive comments.”

Pics:(top) bands entertained on the main stage throughout the afternoon before the Hathern Band (above) performed a Promsin-the park concert.

Pics (above): (l-r) Mr Richard Adkinson, Trustee of the Edith Murphy Foundation, Cllr Ed Marshall, Mayoral Attendant, Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr Jennifer Tillotson and Cllr Ann Marshall, Chair of Birstall Parish Council.

Below: The Hathern Band with Soprano Miss Jenny Saunders

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

The event, organised by Birstall Parish Council, was back after being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid-19.

Cllr Ann Marshall, Chair of Birstall Parish Council, said: “After a

two year gap it was really disappointing that the weather for the gala was so unkind. Nevertheless, Birstall Parish Council sincerely thanks those residents who attended to support the event.

“The usual finale of ‘Proms in the Park’ went ahead and the audience participated

Adam gives up chocolate A BOY from Birstall gave up chocolate for two months and raised £180 for Birstall Food Hub, with sponsorship from friends and family.

Diamond wedding A BIRSTALL couple have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Roy (83) and Patricia (81) Ayres were married on June 16, 1962, setting off on their honeymoon on Roy’s Lambretta.

The couple have two children, Justin and Hayden, and live on Keswick Close, having moved to Birstall in 1964.

Pics: Patricia & Roy Ayres & (top) on their wedding day

Adam Mason (10) is a pupil at Highcliffe School.

He said: “It was very hard to stop eating chocolate because it’s one of my favourite things to eat in the whole world ever.”

He added: “I bought a homeless person a sausage roll when we went shopping in Leicester, that’s when I realised I could help. I wanted to do something to help people who struggle to have food, and I know what I have done will help people. I feel proud of myself for what I have done. I think everyone should do something like this to help someone else, because it’s kind.”

When the two months were over, Adam, who lives on Elmfield Avenue, tucked into a giant bar of Cadburys dairy milk. “I ate quite a lot, but I really enjoyed it,” he said.

Gail Gordon from Birstall Food Hub said: “I personally as chair would like to extend our huge congratulations to

Flower club news

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

BIRSTALL FLOWER Club had a couple of interesting demonstrations in April and May. Did you know that the first female policewoman served in Grantham? And they have a shop which sells Grantham Gingerbread (yum). Sue Hodgson had a wealth of stories about Grantham and beautiful arrangements to accompany them.

In May, Alison Suffolk's demonstration was entitled "Woodstock". Intriguing, we all thought, but it was not about the music festival but her stock of wood containers for her arrangements, which were colourful and varied.

From Birstall Flower Club Pics: Birstall Flower Club’s raffle winners

NICK’S PEST CONTROL SQUIRRELS £80 RATS £80 MICE £60 COCKROACHES 3 VISITS £80 ANTS £40 BEDBUGS/FLEAS £80 SILVERFISH £40

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Pic: Adam gave up chocolate for two months

Adam and say thank you – he has made a difference to people's lives.”

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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

Well worth it At last, the long ‘drought’ is over and live plays are again being performed.

Thanks to advertisements I saw in the Birstall Post, I was able to book up to attend two local ones – the Birstall production and the Syston players. The first was held in Birstall Social Club, had quite a large crowd (I did not count them), a good-sized cast and a big hall.

The theme of the play was based on a sort of who-did-it mystery-cum-comedy in which one character in a wheelchair, who is reputed to be mad, finally stands up and identifies the culprit. The Syston effort was more intimate, with a smaller audience in a smaller hall in the Old

Chapel, and a cast of four. The theme of this play was a production of a play in which the four characters – a snooty woman, a somewhat thick lady, the actual producer of the play – stalled by lockdown - and a sort of handyman-cum-assistant with a passion for toilet rolls disagree about nearly everything. Because the cast was so small, the production was able to use actors who really looked their parts.

In both productions, I thought the acting was good, the sets matched the scenes perfectly, and the whole experience was well worth the time, given the complete absence of performances in the last two years.

Dr D McNeil

First class shop I was sorry to hear of the closure of TJ Cycles on Kingsgate Avenue recently. TJ cycles has been going for 10 years and provided a great service to the Birstall community. Tony is an expert bicycle mechanic whose work is always first class.

In the current times we need more encouragement to cycle for our physical and mental health, as well as for the important green effects of cycling as opposed to driving.

Sadly another independent local retailer in Birstall has been forced to shut due to high rent. It is a shame that landlords cannot exercise more flexibility and consideration for the effects of a 2 year pandemic and escalating inflation.

I would like to thank Tony for keeping me and my family, as well as many, many others, happily cycling. His cheerful and friendly manner has been a ‘central cog’ in the local community Dave Thomas

Noticeboard all details printed free

Our Lady & St. Nicholas Church Wanlip 30th & 31st July ’22

Flower Festival Weekend 11am to 5.30pm both days With refreshements served in the hall Weekend concluding on Sunday with Songs Of Praise Starting at 6pm

Open Exhibition 2022 Date: July 30 - August 31, 2022 Venue: Sock Gallery @ Loughborough Town Hall Sock Gallery’s Summer Open Exhibition 2022 is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work, with cash prizes for the winner of both our adult and young person categories and a chance to win an exhibition at Sock Gallery through our People’s Choice Award.

Designed to provide an opportunity for artists, whether local or national, professional or amateur, to exhibit their work.

The exhibition also offers the people of Charnwood and the surrounding areas a chance to see work by many different artists, all at the same time

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 2nd July - Caron Louise 16th July - Sarah J Clarke 30th July - Jamie Neale Karen’s kitchen open Saturday July 23rd Food served 12 - 2pm Room hire available for Wakes please contact us for further information If you have time to spare and enjoy helping people

Citizens Advice Charnwood is looking for people to join its

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

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Remembrance Sunday changes to timings

team.

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds from people recently retired but wishing to keep active and up-to-date, to students seeking to expand their knowledge and experience. Many of our Advisers work mostly from home and our main office is based in Loughborough. Volunteers are expected to give a minimum of 6 hours per week and full training and support is ongoing.

For more information and details about how to apply go to our website – www.charnwoodcab.org.uk/volunt eering&jobs/ or email: training@charnwoodcab.co.uk

BIRSTALL’S REMEMBRANCE event will take place on Sunday November 13, with some changes to the usual timings.

Food Items Distribution To Africans Living in the Leicester Area DATE OF EVENT: Sunday 17th July 2022 Venue: St Patrick's Parish Church, 100 Beaumont Leys Lane, Leicester LE4 2BD Time: 3 - 5pm Amaigbo Town Union UK CIO (Registered Charity number 11911700) wishes to announce and invite individuals and families of African origin who are struggling to put food on the table and living in the Leicester area to a food items distribution event.

This project is funded by the National Lottery.

Birstall Tea Dances Dates for July 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th Held at Birstall Village Hall Birstall Road, Birstall LE4 4DH 3.30 - 5.30pm. £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

Cedar Care Circle Hi everyone. Our dementia support group meetings at Brunchies café, Hallam fields Road for July are the 4th and 24th at 2pm.

Please come and join us for a chat and cuppa if you are caring for someone affected by dementia or you're struggling because the person you cared has been placed in residential care. Please message me on 07905760556 and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Barbara.

Open Church St Leonard's Church Swithland will be open from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday July 9 Saturday August 13 Saturday September 10

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

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Come and learn more about our very interesting Church and churchyard, or just spend some time with us to enjoy its peace, beauty and tranquillity.

Tea, coffee and cakes will be available.

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 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

Birstall Parish Council shares the organisation of this event with the Birstall Branch of the Royal British Legion.

Last year was the first time that the Parish Council became involved.

A recent meeting has been held between all the parties involved, and some changes to the programme have been made.

The parade will now march at 9.30am from School Lane car park and make its way down Birstall Road, around the roundabout onto Front Street, and enter the church for the service.

The church service will start earlier at 10am and finish at 10.45am. This is to enable the parade to make its way out of the church and down to the memorial, and for the official VIP dignitaries to make their way to the memorial, through the churchyard, for the twominute silence at 11am.

Sue Coulson, Clerk to the Council, said: “These changes have been implemented to ensure that everyone is able to participate in the two-minute silence and pay their respects to remember and honour the fallen.

“The ‘Roll of Honour’ that is usually read out in the church will instead be delivered at the memorial during the wreath-laying ceremony.”

Further press notices will be issued to remind residents of the timings and the changes to this event.

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JULY 2022 Visit our website at: www.villagewatch.co.uk and join our Group on Facebook

Our Advice Shop is Re‐Opening The Neighbourhood Watch Advice Shop will be open between 10 am and 12 noon on Saturday, 16th July 2022 in the Robert Dickinson Building, 10 Sibson Road, Birstall (opposite the Garden Centre)

We are looking forward to seeing Old and New Friends again

Pension Credit Unclaimed

Call 159

As the rise in the cost of living puts increasing pressure on our personal budgets, many people who depend primarily on their state pensions are missing out.

Pension Credit is paid as an additional benefit to single pensioners receiving less than £182.70 and couples receiving less than £278.70 per week. If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.

It is estimated that billions of pounds of Pension Credit continue to go unclaimed.

If you think you might be eligible or know someone who might be, you can get more information from these websites: www.gov.uk/pension‐credit www.ageuk.org.uk/information‐advice

Last year criminal gangs stole over £470m by pretending to be a bank or other service provider.

If you think someone is trying to trick you into handing over money or personal details then:

Survey Results

Phoney BT Direct Debit Emails

In April we launched an online survey seeking views on the future direction of our Neighbourhood Watch. By the end of May fifty responses had been received.

You can view a detailed breakdown of the survey results on our website:

BT is being impersonated by scammers in an email that asks you to change your direct debit details.

As fraudulent emails go, this is a convincing one. It includes BT’s branding, logo and even the genuine customer service phone number. But the link behind the button directs you to a fake website.

If you receive a message out of the blue about payment details from BT or any other organisation, always check first with your provider directly before you click on a link or button.

Respondents were asked to identify four areas on which the Watch should concentrate its efforts. The Newsletter achieved the highest score but was closely followed the Beat Surgery at the Advice Shop and the Advice Shop. Thirty‐eight (76%) respondents selected the Advice Shop in one form or another.

Twenty‐nine (58%) respondents selected our Newsletter Village Watch News. We had no choice at the beginning of the lockdown but to suspend the physical two‐sided paper version distribution and subsequently published a single page in the Birstall Post each month as well as continuing to make it available online.

Forty‐two (84%) respondents preferred to continue with the current arrangement while only eight (16%) preferred a return to the paper distribution.

Police News 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

159 is the memorable and secure number that connects you directly to your bank. It works in the same way as 101 for the police or 111 for the NHS. It is the number you can trust to get you through to your bank, every time.

159 will never call you. Only a fraudster will object to you calling 159. www.stopscamsuk.org.uk/159

Dog Ownership Incidents of children and adults being injured or killed by rogue dogs are, fortunately, very rare and responsible dog owners are as concerned and upset as anybody else when they occur. They know that their own pets are friendly and pose no danger to any member of the public.

It can be difficult to know whether a strange dog running free is just being friendly or posing some kind of threat. This is especially true for young children to whom even a small animal can appear big and frightening. This fear will be exacerbated if the individual has had a previous bad experience with a poorly behaved animal.

Please enjoy the companionship of your family pets and give them all the exercise they need. However, please remember that the rules about keeping them on a lead and under proper control are there to protect others.

Reports of serious incidents also include attacks on other pets as well as farm livestock. If somebody complains about your dog being off the lead, please remember that they might have a good reason for doing so.

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 JULY 2022

www.villagewatch.co.uk/surveyresults Here are a few of the key results.

Forty‐five (90%) respondents rated the Watch as Useful or Very Useful and five (10%) as Not Very Useful.

!! ‐ Stop !! ‐ Hang up !! ‐ Dial 159 to speak directly to your bank

Rebecca’s seven half-marathons A BIRSTALL runner completed seven half-marathons in seven consecutive weekends, raising £2292 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Rebecca Warrington (35) finished her challenge at the Leeds half-marathon on May 8.

“I did shed a few tears at the start and end of that one,” said Rebecca.

“Leeds was probably the most magical and most well supported, it was a special course with a very special atmosphere which made me feel very proud and inspired.”

Rebecca says she had many highs and lows during the challenge, which began on March 27 with a half-marathon starting in Watermead Country Park.

She said: “I knew it would hurt and to start with it did, but the more of them I ran, the less they hurt. I knew I would recover, but people with MND don’t.”

She added “I got to meet lots of lovely runners at all of the events who asked about what I was doing and why, raising the profile of MND and what it does. I am continuing my fundraising efforts for them next year by Running the Rob

Panto awards night MEMBERS OF Highcliffe Amateur Theatrical Society (HATS) were nominated for awards at a ceremony in April.

The Pantomime Alliance Leicestershire awards took place on April 23, and HATS received two nominations on the awards night.

The first was for costume group member Di Butler. Sue Withers from HATS said: “Di does a fantastic job each and every performance, her expertise at not just creating the costumes, but sourcing the correct costume for the era the play is set in, is truly amazing.

Backstage members are sometimes over-

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

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looked, so this nomination just confirmed our view of Di and how lucky we are to have her as part of HATS.” The second nomination was for the Comedy Act. Sue said: “Our fabulous comedy duo of Jo Murray and Ruceba Sanders thoroughly deserved this recognition. They just bounced off each other and made comedy look so easy, which it’s not. For those of you who came to see Dracula the panto, you will remember how funny they were, I’m sure, and you are probably smiling right now. We are so proud of them.”

HATS are currently preparing their next panto.

Pic: (l-r) Di Butler, Ruceba Sanders and Jo Murray

Burrow Run-for-all Leeds Marathon with around 500 other MND fundraisers and half a dozen or so members of my running club, Wreake Runners.”

Rebecca raised £2292. She said: “That’s enough to fund many things including voice technology and banking equipment to allow a person's voice to be heard again after MND has taken their voice, adaptations for homes to make moving around easier in the early stages of the disease, and to fund vital research at MND labs in hospitals and research centres up and down the country.”

Pics: Rebecca on the finishing straight at Leeds; running at Rutland Water

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NHW news

& crime report Our Advice Shop is Re-opening The results of our recent survey and other contacts with members show that Birstall and Wanlip Neighbourhood Watch is still regarded as an important asset to our local communities.

Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic two years ago, it was one of the largest in the country, managing over one-hundred-and-twenty local schemes, each with its own coordinator. It provided centralised support through, among other things, its monthly newsletter, Advice Shop, website, advice telephone line and Facebook group. This was a significant administrative task undertaken by a group of volunteers, some of whom formed the Management Committee. It was funded by subscriptions from household members but we have not been able to collect these recently, and our bank balance has diminished.

The Covid interruption limited our activities for many months, and only now are we able to become fully active again.

Those who completed our survey listed our newsletter and the Advice Shop as the priorities we should address first. During the pandemic, the newsletter has been published in the Birstall Post and online. The majority vote was for this arrangement to continue while we looked to add other options.

After our first public appearance at the Birstall Gala last month, we are opening the Advice Shop again in July. This is possible because we have volunteers

prepared to do so.

Health and age are the major factors that have reduced the number of our regular volunteers and we are badly in need of more active people to take the Watch forward.

None of the tasks are too onerous if they are shared with others.

If you have time to spare and wish to help to keep Birstall and Wanlip safer places in which to live, please let us know by an email to the address given below. If you include a contact phone number, we can ring you back to answer your questions without any obligation on your part.

The Advice Shop will be open again between 10am and 12noon on Saturday July 16 in the Robert Dickinson Building, 10 Sibson Road, Birstall (opposite the Garden Centre).

We hope to see you there.

From Ed Chambers, Birstall & Wanlip NHW Committee Chairman

Please email us at: watch@villagewatch.co.uk

MAY HAS been a busy month for the beat team.

Pic: Birstall Beat Team (l-r) PS Alice Forfar, PC Lauren DeWet, PCSO Ellie Holland

In May 2022, Birstall and Wanlip have had a total of 43 crimes.

Violence against the person x 18 including domestic-related incidents, theft from motor vehicle x 6, vehicle interference x 1, bilking x 1, theft in dwelling x 1, theft of mail x 1, theft other x 7, burglary x 1, criminal damage x 6.

For further crime information please visit: www.police.uk/leicestershire/NL60/ Crime Prevention Advice Vehicle Crime- Catalytic converters are devices fitted to vehicle exhausts to reduce the amount of dangerous gases emitted. They are often targeted by thieves as they contain valuable metals and can be removed in less than a minute. Hybrid vehicles are most commonly targeted, as their metals are more valuable, but any vehicle can be at risk of catalytic converter theft.

SIGNS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER

As well as investigating crimes and antisocial behaviour allocated to us, we have held two beat surgeries, assisted the Fire Service with a charity car wash during which £220 was raised for the Fire Fighters Charity, and attended the May Fair at Wanlip Village Hall. Street consultations have been completed on Perseverance Road and Acorn Close, during which a number of residents were signed up to Neighbourhood Link.

Speed checks on Wanlip Lane, Birstall, and Rectory Road, Wanlip, were carried out this month, and warning letters were sent to drivers exceeding the speed limit.

Details of these checks have been shared via Neighbourhood Link.

We continue to patrol School Lane park and Wanlip Lane, following concerns about antisocial behaviour.

Priorities Antisocial behaviour: patrols are being Trouble with your figures? conducted around School Lane park, the Let me help Want Co-op on Wanlip Lane and Greengate get your someone to Lane concerning antisocial behaviours, books in walk you including the use of e-scooters and offshape… through a self road motorbikes. & keep them trim assessment?

Drugs: The beat team are continuing to develop intelligence to tackle this A MONTAGE of artwork created Linda Kimberley-Brooks (ACMA) issue. by members of Birstall & District Final accounts • Self assessment Road safety: Speed checks in Birstall Art Society and inspired by the Taxation • Bookkeeping • VAT and Wanlip, focusing on highlighted Payroll • Management accounts Queen’s jubilee is on display in areas of concern. www.twyf-accounts.co.uk Email: Linda@twyf.co.uk Crime Update a shop window on Sibson Road.

Companies & individuals call now on During April, a total of 45 crimes About 35 members took part in the were recorded on the Birstall and Wanproject, some contributing more than 0116 23 66 345 lip beat.

A friendly service tailored to your needs one picture. The majority are currently displayed as a montage in the window of Sapphire Kitchens in Birstall, where they can be enjoyed by anyone passing by.

Meg Grant, BADAS Secretary, said: “We are delighted that so many members (Charnwood Ltd) wanted to join in. It is the society’s way Service, Repairs, Installations of all of marking the event and giving back to the community, while promoting the Gas Appliances group. All pictures relating to the project, including those that it was not possible to include in the montage, will be on show in the BADAS annual exhibition in BOILER REPLACEMENTS • SAME DAY BREAKDOWN VISITS November.”

BADAS is a friendly group, and there Contact 07860 735066 Boiler & are currently some membership vacanRob: Gas Fires 0116 2367923 cies. As well as the monthly demonstraServiced bobzgas@gmail.com tion evenings, there are Friday morning

THEFT IS BEING COMMITTED 1. A vehicle being raised using a car jack in a car park or residential area 2. A loud drilling or cutting sound coming from underneath the vehicle HOW TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING To keep your catalytic converter safe, you can ask your car dealer for advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer and tested to Sold Secure Gold.

Alternatively, try to make sure your vehicle is parked in a garage overnight, or if you have a commercial vehicle, park it in a secure compound. If this isn’t possible, park in a well-lit area that's overlooked and try to park so that the converter can’t be easily reached by potential thieves. Vehicles that sit high above the road are particularly vulnerable.

Art society’s Jubilee montage

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14 June 2022 – Tas Severis – a coastal scene in acrylic using a palette knife 13 September 2022 – Deborah Bird – inspirational watercolour 11 October 2022 – Rebecca Ivatts – dramatic figure, from a live model, using acrylic 8 November 2022 – Vicki Norman – a closer look at clouds and sky, in oils

All demonstrations take place at the Palmer-Tomkinson Centre, Cedars Academy from 7-9pm. Visitors are welcome at a cost of £4.

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

GAS-SERVWELL

painting sessions and an opportunity to sign up for Monday classes.

The society also runs trips, plein air sketching sessions and social events. As a member, you can also participate in the annual exhibition. If you are interested in joining, why not go along to one of the demonstration evenings? You can find more details on the website: www.BADAS.uk and leaflets are available in Sapphire Kitchens.

Forthcoming demonstration events:

13

Council going for gold

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

BIRSTALL PARISH Council is applying for a local council award that recognises good governance, transparency, forward planning and community engagement.

The National Association of Local Councils NALC started its local council award scheme in 2014.

Birstall Parish Council will be applying for the Quality Gold award, the highest level, which “demonstrates that the council is at the forefront of best practice and achieves excellence in governance, community leadership and council development.”

The awards are decided by a panel of between three and five people that will include experienced councillors and clerks, as well as someone independent of the sector with an understanding of local government.

To achieve the Quality Gold award, a council must demonstrate good governance, community engagement and plans for improvement.

Evidence will be required of a business plan covering a financial forecast for at least three years linked to revenue and capital plans for the council and its community.

The council will need to show that it engages with diverse groups in the community, that community engagement influences council activity and priorities and that it cooperates constructively with other organisations.

It must show that there is a wide range of council activities, including innovative projects, that produce positive outcomes for the community and that the council delivers value for money.

Birstall Parish Council Clerk Sue Coulson said: “Some years ago, the Parish Council worked for and achieved Quality Status through a NALC scheme.

This was an award prior to NALC abolishing this scheme and changing over to the current Local Council Award Scheme.

The Parish Council, at the time, were entitled to change from the Quality Status level they had achieved over to Foundation Level of the Local Council Award Scheme, unfortunately, this was timelimited and eventually terminated.

“NALC’s explanation of their scheme is that it has been designed to celebrate the successes of the very best local councils and to provide a framework to support all local councils to improve and develop to meet their full potential.

“There is a lot of work involved in applying for and achieving the ultimate reward of Quality Gold status, which in turn will give confidence to the residents of Birstall that their local council is operating within the required sector framework and is working hard to provide them with the best local services that they can.”

Nursery’s Jubilee celebration CHILDREN AT Birstall Rainbow Nursery enjoyed their own Jubilee street party in the nursery car park.

After feasting on sandwiches and Jubilee themed cupcakes, they went into the garden to have their faces painted.

A spokeswoman said: “They enjoyed

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Louis and Alfie Bird train at the Tactical Basement gym, based at Birstall Social Club.

Bronze Award winner Alfie (16), younger brother of Louis (17), is aiming to follow in his brother's footsteps and one day obtain the special Gold award.

Trainer Dean Spencer said: “Since the reopening following the lockdown period, we have had a variety of achievement success, this includes Louis and Alfie, Kealan Riddinton (Silver) and Brent Alpin (Bronze).”

Sessions are held on Mondays and Fridays at 7pm. For more information, contact Dean Spencer on 07979511501.

Pics (top left): Bronze Award winner Alfie Bird (left) with Louis Bird (Gold); Kealan Riddinton

making lots of noise with their noisemakers. We invited parents along to join the fun too! We also planted a special tree to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee.”

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THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

14

15

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

Parish Council notes A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on June 13.

Some residents from Harrowgate Drive reported issues caused by a neighbour parking a large van partly on the pavement, causing problems for pedestrians, the disabled and motorists pulling out of their drives. They asked that the parish council raise awareness about pavement parking and the problems it causes.

PC Lauren DeWet said that the local police team would go and have a word with the individual.

County Councillor Dan Grimley reported that a suggestion to raise the kerbs outside Gunns’ Gym on Birstall Road, using the members’ highway improvement fund, would involve potential costs relating to drainage that would make the total cost of the work of questionable value for money. A proposal to install a vehicle-activated speed sign on Greengate Lane has been agreed upon in principle with county highways, but would need a commitment from Birstall Parish Council to pay for ongoing maintenance.

PC Lauren DeWet and Sergeant Alice Forfar presented the police report. PC DeWet said that when stopping young people on e-scooters, she would always walk home with them to advise their parents. Scooters are not being confiscated at the moment, she said, but the police have the powers to do so.

Councillor Ed Marshall said that catalytic converter theft could be prevented if a protective cage is welded to the underside of the car and that the police should give this advice to motorists.

Councillor Robert Vincent commented that the issue of inconsiderate parking, raised by members of the public, should be considered as an example of antisocial behaviour that is worse than many of the things usually associated with this term. Sgt Forfar said that ASB legislation could be used by the police when dealing with matters of this type, which would involve the application of escalating sanctions if the behaviour continued.

It was reported that young people riding off-road motorbikes were riding illegally on the School Lane playing field, and causing damage to the sports pitches. Police were aware of the problem and are collecting evidence.

Councillors considered a proposal to introduce a number of measures to improve the provision at Birstall Youth Café, based in the pavilion on the School Lane playing field.

The provision is paid for by Birstall Parish Council and contracted out to Young Leicestershire. The proposals included scrapping the £1 admission fee, extending the opening hours and increasing the age range catered for.

As the service provided is delivered by the contractor, Young Leicestershire, any changes would need to be discussed and agreed upon with them, and so it was agreed to arrange a meeting between the clerk, Cllr Dave Thomas, the youth worker and Alison Jolly from Young Leicestershire.

Councillors considered a proposal to consult the public about the provision of an £80,000-£100,000 multi-use games

area (MUGA) on the School Lane playing field, next to the pavilion.

Several councillors spoke in favour of a consultation, to establish that people want the facility. Councillor Kirsty Haywood said she was against the provision of a MUGA as it was too expensive and the money could be better spent, and that she was against having a public consultation. Councillor Julian Howe agreed, saying a wider consultation about what Birstall wants was needed, not just a consultation about a single piece of equipment. We need to ask all residents what they want of us, he said.

Upon being put to the vote, eight were in favour of the consultation, two were against and there was one abstention. It was agreed that the consultation last three months. It was reported that grant A DEMENTIA care group that funding for the MUGA, up to £150,000, meets in Birstall enjoyed a rewould be sought. laxing day out on the river with The council agreed to spend £1500 a picnic lunch. on a groundwater risk assessment and The Cedar Care Circle was started by £4250 on a contaminated land survey at Barbara Wass in 2018 to offer support Greengate Lane allotments. The work is to carers of people affected by dementia. required to establish if the site is suitaIt is an informal, social ble for use as a burial ground. group that meets It was agreed to award £220 from the community grant fund to Carl Gunns’ regularly at Brunchies Café gym, to purchase achievement awards. on Hallam It was agreed to spend £18,105 reFields Road. placing the 18 heritage lanterns (street Lisa and lighting) on the Sibson Road car park Melissa with LED lanterns. from Councillors considered a report from Brunchies a local artist on commissioning and made the providing a Covid-19 mural on The picnic lunch Crossways car park. The estimated cost that the for the entire wall would be £13group enjoyed £15,000. Comment was made that three on their narrowquotes would be needed. It was agreed boat trip, which was that Councillor Ed Marshall meets with the report's author to discuss the project donated to the group by Wreake Valley Rotary Club. and bring back details, and samples of “It’s been a nice relaxing day, out with artwork, to the next meeting (August). friends,” said Jan, one of the dozen or Councillors considered a proposal to so people that attend the group. apply for the National Association of Kevin Malone (73) attends the group Local Councils’ (NALC) award scheme. with his wife Ann, who has dementia. He Councillor Julian Howe said it was a says: “It’s good to have a chat with peosticking plaster, it wouldn’t make any ple with the same problems and know difference and would amount to paying you are not the only one.” for a logo to put on the letterhead.

Barbara Wass said the group offers Other councillors disagreed, saying that going through the process and meet- support not only to carers, but afterwards, when their caring role ends. ing the requirements of the award was “The anguish and guilt felt when the carwhere the value in the exercise lay, not er has to relinquish their responsibility in the badge awarded at the end of it. because they can no longer continue It was agreed that the council apply and, reluctantly, the person has to be for the highest level award, quality gold. admitted to residential care, is horrendous. Also to try to be there afterwards,

Group’s day out

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Pics: The Cedar Care Circle enjoyed a day out on a narrowboat

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Helping our Community that uses lots of cans, the Community group will supply a can crusher and bin.

Please get in touch. If you can support this as an individual there is a can crusher on the side of the bin. If you can’t

BIRSTALL’S HELPING Our Community group was focused on the Jubilee last month.

Over 90 members of the community, mostly over 80, received a surprise Jubilee tea. The was supported by our community donating £5 towards the cost of the tea, and items made and sold by the scrubs team. The knitted crowns were a great success. Many thanks to Jayne.

This was again made possible by Ruth Senescall and her team, who made and delivered the delicious teas and again offered the group a great discount.

We are now back to taking nominations for our “pick me up” afternoon teas. If you wish to

nominate someone, please get in touch.

The tea will be gifted from the community, and the nominee will remain anonymous.

We gifted the Methodist Lunch Club members and helpers a hand-painted commemorative stone to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. These were made locally by Helen Sibson. Helen makes various designs and sells them to raise money for ADHD solutions. We were fortunate to see Helen’s work at the duck race, and in the true spirit of #payitforward, we commissioned Helen to make our gifts while helping her raise funds for the charity.

We are fortunate to have a large red bin in the Coop car park. This is for local helipads for hospitals. This bin collects aluminium cans. If you are an organisation in Birstall

crush them, don’t worry, just pop them in.

Street party celebrations on Fielding road resulted in a generous donation to the pay it forward group.

The admin team would like to thank everyone for their continued support, and if we can help you or your organisation, please get in touch on 07894995164.

From Rosie Rollings

Access to park A NEW access gate from the Harrowgate Drive playing fields to the Hallam Fields country park is planned and will be installed once a legal agreement has been drawn up between the landowner and Birstall Parish Council.

Sue Coulson, Clerk to Birstall Parish Council, said: “It has always been known that permission would be required from

Crowds flock to Wanlip May Fair THE WANLIP May Fair attracted hundreds of visitors and raised a grand total of £1147.28 for key refurbishment works at Wanlip Community Hall.

“A particular success this year was the plant stall, with many lovely people contributing plants grown at home. The organising committee would like to thank all those that supported the event,” said spokeswoman Hollie Davison.

Pics (left): (l-r) Chris Greaves & Fiona Barber; (below) refreshments on the lawn; (top) stalls in the hall

the landowner, Charnwood Borough Council, before the works can commence.

“I have been informed by a Charnwood Borough Council officer that their Asset Management team have advised him that this will require a formal legal agreement and that they will pass this onto their legal team. This could take some time for them to complete.

“The Parish Council would like to apologise to residents for any delay that this may cause, but the matter is out of the hands of the Parish Council, and all we can do now is wait for the legalities to be completed and be put in place.”

In March 2022, a public consultation was organised by Birstall Parish Council to establish if there was a desire for a gate in the fence at Harrowgate Drive playing fields.

Sue said: “I would like to thank those many residents who took time out of their busy day to respond to the consultation. I am also pleased to be able to confirm that the overall majority were in favour of a gate being installed on the proviso that it would be locked in the evenings.

“The Parish Council has gathered costs for an extension to the tarmac path and a new gate to be installed in the fence, and they are ready and waiting to proceed as soon as permission has been granted to break through the boundary line. Good, productive meetings have been held between officers at Charnwood Borough Council and the Parish Council to discuss the way forward.”

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

16

St Margaret’s Bowls Club enjoy Jubilee THE QUEEN’S Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in style at St Margaret’s Bowls Club.

On the afternoon of Friday June 3, the clubhouse and green were liberally decked with bunting, and the Union Jack had been hoisted.

“A fun competition was held, where various aspects of the game were tested and points awarded accordingly,” said a club spokesman.

“I am glad to say a handful of players did reasonably well at this, and the final was settled with a ‘penalty shootout’, won by club veteran Mick Marlow.

“With fun and games over, players moved into the clubhouse for the celebration tea.

“This commenced with a hearty ren-

Pic: St Margaret’s bowlers celebrate the Jubilee

dering of the National Anthem before tucking into a wonderful spread of topquality food, all provided by the members themselves.

“Celebrating something positive is always a good thing. What better way to do this than a good meal with lots of friends? Simple pleasures!” www.smcbc.com

THE BIRSTALL beat team has been tackling the neighbourhood’s issues in Birstall and Wanlip. PCSO Ellie Holland reports:

team has been preventing catalytic converter theft. We have conducted street consultations, beat surgeries and will continue to send crime prevention advice online to residents.

Motorbikes are being used on the fields on Greengate Lane, Birstall. Residents have reported this in and the beat team attended. An Anti Social Behaviour reported has been made and this area will be closely monitored by the Beat Team.

Two street consultations on Ludgate Close and Knollgate Close were conducted in relation to the ongoing issue of the Anti Social Behaviour.

Food Hub help for those struggling Birstall Police report

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

BIRSTALL FOOD Hub helps people through difficult times in their lives when they do not have enough money to provide food for themselves and their families.

Getting support from Birstall Food Hub could not be easier, as this fictional example shows: Lauren is a young single mum with two preschool-age children.

Despite receiving Universal Credit, she has found it harder and harder to make ends meet recently. Soaring energy costs combined with an increasing weekly shop have left her anxious and in need of help.

Her friend tells her that she has seen a sign for Birstall Food Hub which says “Struggling to feed yourself or your family?”

Lauren rings the 07305 093791 number and speaks to a volunteer at the food hub. She describes her situation and her concerns. The volunteer asks her to come along to a session at the Food Hub. These are held weekly between 1.15pm and 2.45pm at Hallam Fields Hall. Lauren goes along and speaks to a couple of volunteers, telling them her situation. Soon the Food Hub is back in touch with Lauren, and she attends the next week to receive food parcels for her and her family for a set number of weeks. She is also able to talk about her other concerns over her benefit payments and energy bills. The volunteers offer help, advice and support. Lauren tells her friend, “Thanks so much for telling me about Birstall Food Hub. They were really friendly and easy to talk too. Now I’m not so worried about feeding the kids.”

If anyone in Birstall who needs help

would like to contact The Food Hub, they simply need to ring 07305 093 791 and talk to a member of the team. Referrals can also be made through local agencies such as social workers, teachers or health agencies. Food parcels and advice are dispensed from Hallam Fields Hall, which is provided free of charge by Birstall Parish Council.

Criminal damage was reported to us regarding youths causing Anti Social Behaviour in a local store. The Beat Officers attended and have spoken with the youths. Details were taken and the beat team are conducting an investigation. A theft also occurred in the shop.

We had a report of suspicious behaviour. Males were seen to be looking under vehicles. This will be related to the vehicle crime occurring in Birstall.

In the last few weeks, a priority for the

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17

Pupils visit Day Centre 30 PUPILS FROM Riverside primary school joined with older people at a Birstall day care club for an anniversary celebration.

Local charity Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland organised a funpacked afternoon at Birstall Village Hall for the children to play games, join in with reminiscence and enjoy a singalong with the older people who attend the Day Club, to celebrate 70 years since they were started by the charity.

There were games of skittles, balloon volleyball and an interactive game with screens on the floor using a state-of-the-art £8,000 light projector – it provides specialist cognitive stimulation and therapeutic activities for people living with dementia.

Joe Matjasz, Phase 3/4 Lead from Riverside Academy, said: “It is important for the children in our community to make links with the older generation. There are so many benefits for our children from this event including: communicating with and showing respect to our elder generations which will foster a good sense of community spirit that we want our children to have.”

Tony Donovan Executive Director of Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland said: “Celebrating our 70th with the children from Riverside Academy is a fun way to show the support that the charity has provided to thousands of local older people and families over the years.”

Corinne Aldis is from Birstall and her husband John lives with dementia and attends the Day Club twice a week.

She said: “John really looks forward to going to the group, so much so that we plan our time away not to coincide with his days there. The staff are really lovely and they put on activities such as games, lunches out and at Christmas they had a singer. John never dances but he did that day!”

The charity is celebrating its platinum year the same year as the Queen, and wants to highlight the support it gives to thousands of older people and their families each year from its directory of over twenty services which provide care, information, advice and support.

One such service are its Day Clubs, supporting older people living with health challenges such as dementia, mobility issues and at risk of social isolation. There are around 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK which predominantly affects the over 65’s. This number is growing and is expected to reach over 1 million by 2025. The charity's Day Clubs offer a lifeline of daytime care, activities and friendship for people living with dementia in eight venues around Leicestershire and supports around 500 older people a week.

HAT’s show “fun and fabulous” HIGHCLIFFE AMATEUR Theatrical Society’s May production, ‘Penny Black’, proved popular with audiences.

Comments left included the following: “Such a fantastic, fun and fabulous show. Thoroughly enjoyed it! I WILL BE BACK!!! from Lauren.

“So funny from start to finish, everyone was brilliant” from Val “Absolutely fantastic! As always” from Ben “So, so funny!

Brilliant” from Jean Sue Withers from HATS reports: Just wanted to say a massive thank you to all who came to watch our spring play “Penny Black”, performed at our regular venue, Birstall Social Club.

This play by Rob Wellington, with the permission of Lazy Bee Scripts, was a long time coming, as we initially planned to perform this in 2020.

It was unfortunately cancelled in line with the Government's guidelines due to the Covid Pandemic.

So was the wait worth it? If this was a panto then I would definitely hear you all shouting “Oh yes it was”.

Pics: the cast of Penny Black; (below) celery induced excitement

Which incidentally are the views of the HATS group too.

So, as many of you will know, our advertising referred to the “CELERY”.

The mystery of the celery did not disappoint, the celery kept coming, getting bigger and creating more excitement for one particular character, who got way too excited whenever he thought about it or saw it. This is one where the old saying fits perfectly “you had to be there”.

The journey to find the real “Penny Black” leading to wealth, was solved by the super sleuth, Holmes Hardy,

who ultimately changed his name to Sherlock Holmes, the world-famous detective. I wonder how many of our audience managed to solve the mystery too.

What a fabulous turn out we had, old and new both, it was a tremendous success. A big thank you to our regular audience and a big welcome to our new audience members. The feedback we had from everyone was fantastic, with everyone asking when our next production will be, and eager to come back.

HATS would like to thank you all for supporting us, it really is all worth it when we see you all smiling and know that you have had a good time.

In addition, we are sending an extra thank you for supporting our raffle. We raised £155, which will be donated to the Air Ambulance Service.

Watch this space for details of our pantomime, which will take place towards the end of November.

Specialist unit at Cedars academy A SPECIALIST unit for students with social, emotional, and mental health difficulties aged between 11 and 16 will open at the Cedars Academy in Birstall this August.

Called ‘Endeavour’, the facility will have 15 places and will focus on offering rewarding experiences and functional life skills for young people to achieve their absolute best.

A trust spokesperson said: “At Endeavour, we will provide students with the best of our broad and balanced curriculum. The curriculum offered will be adapted to meet the needs of our pupils and the bespoke packages they need to feel included, safe, and secure. Our pupils will have access to a range of suitable qualifications and experiences that will allow them to choose their own outcomes.”

Wherever possible, students will be given the opportunities to integrate with the wider life of the school with staff from the Cedars Academy teaching lessons at Endeavour. Located within their own building on the Cedars Academy site, students will also have use of the kitchen garden, swimming pool and sports hall.

“The Cedars Academy is delighted to have been approached by the Local Authority to open this new unit for Leicestershire, due to the fantastic work they do to include students in mainstream education, regardless of their back-

ground or needs," said the spokesperson.

Opening in August 2022, the school aims to place an equal emphasis on the educational, social, and psychological development of students.

All students at the school have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and will be grouped into classes with

close regard to their chronological age, their social needs and their personal maturity.

The main needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) at the school are social, emotional and mental health difficulties and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Jubilee tea for WI BIRSTALL AND Wanlip WI met on June 6 for a Jubilee afternoon tea at Beverly’s house in Cliffe Road.

Luckily it stayed dry, and ladies enjoyed prosecco, sandwiches, scones, jam and a celebration cake made by the committee. We perused Royal memorabilia and chatted to a background of patriotic music. It was a very enjoyable evening.

On June 20, a group of us visited the National Memorial Arboretum near Burton on Trent.

For our meeting on July 4, we will return to our usual venue at the Royal

British Legion, where Fiona from Home Farm will give us a talk on honey bees.

There will be no monthly meeting in August, but we will have a summer outing to Brooksby Hall and grounds on August 8, and will meet again in September for a talk on stem cells from Barbara Talbot of the Anthony Nolan Trust.

THE BIRSTALL POST JULY 2022

18

Monday group enjoy a Jubilee party sions of the Queen.

The golden coach and horses ornament was lent by another member and had pride of place on the table.

A lovely selection of party food was provided by the committee, who had arrived early to put up balloons and decorate the tables.

THE MONDAY Group met in the Methodist coffee shop to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Stephanie Houlden reports: Jean Gale, our oldest member, was invited to cut a special cake, made by one of our group, and iced and decorated by another.

Jean made us laugh with her impres-

News from the churches Can you believe that we are over halfway through the year already? I don't know about you, but I haven't done the jobs I was going to do last year yet! Well, as the old saying goes, "When God made time, he made plenty of it!"

Now people are returning to social events at pretty much pre-pandemic levels, the May Fair at Wanlip was a great success. The stalls, with cakes, plants, books and toys, together with the tombola and a raffle with lovely prizes, were all well patronised, and the result was a wonderful total of £1,071.00, which will be divided between the church funds and the Community Hall.

A superb result for all the people who worked hard to make it a success.

Now we are on to the Birstall Village Gala, with a stall representing the churches. It will be interesting to find the ingredients for the Spiritual Mocktails that people have been invited to create for various themes.

I think, for 'Forgiveness' it would be something pale green and slightly minty, whereas 'Joy' would be bright sunny yellow and sparkly - well, we will see!

The ideas will have to be written down so we can re-create them throughout our days.

After the enforced break of two years the Saint James Monday Group met for a very welcome social event at a member's house, where they could enjoy a longoverdue 'catch-up', and also a delicious supper provided by their hostess, before wandering off home, having renewed friendships (and with full tums!).

Items for Ukraine are being taken regularly to the Ukrainian Centre in Leicester, and should you wish to contribute, there is a box at the back of St James for items. The church is open on Saturday mornings from 10am to 12 noon, as well as for Sunday services, and all donations will be more than welcome during this dreadful time in Ukraine.

From Birstall Parish Church

LAST MONTH was Bible Month for us, and all our worship services were focused on four themes from the book of Isaiah; tough love, light to the world, the faithful servant, and a new world.

Some of us used the reading guide to go through all 66 chapters in the month, and we found he wrote some extraordinary prophecies. No wonder it is the most quoted book in the New Testament!

All our groups are continuing to meet during the week, and we have now restarted refreshments after worship, so we all have an opportunity to chat with our friends. The Coffee Shop is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am to 12noon.

And the Wednesday Lunch Club is always very popular.

Years ago we all used to attend church in our best clothes, nowadays we are noticeably informal, everyone is welcome no matter how they present themselves! During worship on Sunday, we still have a Sunday Club for young people, usually with activities and sometimes a quick bite to eat. Besides the Sunday worship, we also have a short communion service at 9:30am every Wednesday.

From Birstall Methodist Church

OUR SERVICES are held in the Day Centre next to the Village Hall (on the corner of School Lane and Birstall Road) and begin at 10.45am You are most welcome to join us. If you have any queries, then please contact us. (http://www.birstallbaptistchurch.org.uk or 0116 2214883) Christ as Intercessor Towards the end of May, the church calendar noted ‘Ascension Day’, which remembers the day recorded by Luke (at the end of his Gospel and at the start of his second book, The Acts of the Apostles). Jesus’ Ascension took place forty days after His Resurrection, during

which time He had been seen by numerous people and had given ‘many infallible proofs’ that He was alive; now it was time for Him to return to heaven until the day of His second coming. In this interim period, the Lord Jesus Christ is at the Father’s side, a position of power and authority and He is preparing a place for His people. He has sent the Holy Spirit and now acts as High Priest, the intercessor or intermediary for believers. As the writer to the Hebrews puts it: ‘He … has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.’ (Ch.7:vv2425) The Apostle Paul adds: ‘For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.’ (1 Timothy 2:5) Christians value this work highly and it is reflected in many hymns.

Charitie Lees De Chenez (18411923)’s hymn ‘Before the throne of God above’ speaks of this go-between role: ‘I have a strong, a perfect plea, A great High Priest, whose Name is Love, Who ever lives and pleads for me … I know that while in heaven He stands, No tongue can bid me thence depart.’

Our other hymn-writer this month is Michael Bruce (1746 – 1767), the son of a poor family in Kinross-shire, Scotland. His hymns are noted for their faithfulness to the Bible and ‘Where high the heavenly temple stands, the house of God not made with hands’ is typical, being a fine adaptation of Hebrews 4:1416. It dwells on the sympathetic character of Christ’s heavenly priesthood, as one who is ‘a partaker of the human name’ and who ‘yet retains a fellowfeeling of our pains … He sympathises with our grief, and to the sufferer sends relief.’ As a result of such an approachable Intercessor, we can ‘With boldness, therefore, at the throne/ Let us make all our sorrows known; And ask the aid of heavenly power/ To help us in the evil hour.’

From Birstall Independent Baptist Church

The Queen was toasted, and the national anthem was sung. Shirley read a hilarious poem called The Jubilee Sovereign, and Chris, our chairperson, organised a quiz with a royal theme.

We all enjoyed the evening and look forward to September when the meetings restart after the summer break, and we will have our AGM and choose a new charity as our project for the year.

If you would like to join us in September, we would be pleased to see you.

The meetings are held in the coffee shop at the Methodist church, Wanlip Lane, on Mondays at 7.30pm.

You don’t have to be a Methodist, and all ages are welcome, men and women.

Some weeks, we have a speaker, and other weeks we arrange the entertainment be-

tween us.

Recently we have had someone talking to us about Mercy Ships, and Ruffle the rail dog( with a very realistic puppet).

In the future, we will be having a speaker telling us about Sight Hounds, and another week, someone talking about Moorcroft pottery, as well as many other interesting

evenings.

We charge an annual fee of under £8, plus £2 subs for each week that you attend, including refreshments.

For visitors, it’s £2, and that money goes towards our project, supporting our chosen charity.

(For more information, please ring our secretary, Eileen on 07903337506 or 0116 292670).

Pics: Members of the Monday group

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Birstall BAG’s cancer corner GO BLUE FOR Action Mesothelioma Day – Friday July 1, 2022 Action Mesothelioma Day (AMD) is a national event to raise awareness of asbestos and mesothelioma, raise vital funds to support the research into tackling mesothelioma, and remember and support those who have been affected by mesothelioma. Did you know the national charity for Mesothelioma, www.mesothelioma.uk.com, is based in Mountsorrel!

The UK has the highest incidence of mesothelioma in the world. Many people think that asbestos is a problem from the past, that it was an issue many years ago. Sadly not, asbestos is alive and well, lurking in every corner of the UK and consequently, over 5000 people die every year of an asbestos-related disease.

To mark AMD, Birstall BAGs would like to share a little insight into Mesothelioma, the asbestos cancer that many have never heard of. Reading this article could save your life, you will never again consider asbestos to be a problem from the past and you now surely take every precaution possible to prevent even minimal exposure.

Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium.

The mesothelium is a thin membrane that lines the inner surface of: The chest wall, where it is known as the pleura The abdomen where it is known as the peritoneum The testicles The mesothelium also surrounds organs within these cavities, for example,

the heart, lungs and intestines. It is far more common to have mesothelioma in the chest than in the abdomen. There is approximately one case of peritoneal mesothelioma to every 12 cases of pleural mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is more common in men than women, and nearly half of the people diagnosed with the disease are over 75 years old.

Exposure to asbestos is responsible for up to 9 out of 10 mesothelioma cases. There are thought to be other rare causes of the disease, but none are fully understood at this time.

The time from exposure to asbestos to showing symptoms of mesothelioma can be anywhere between 15 to 45 years. However, it can develop quickly, once symptoms appear.

Symptoms The main symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are: shortness of breath chest pain cough sweating loss of appetite weight loss fatigue and lethargy The main symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are: Pain in the abdomen (stomach) A swollen abdomen Constipation or diarrhoea Feeling or being sick Indigestion

Birstall Bowling Club BIRSTALL BOWLING Club held three sessions as part of Bowls England’s Bowls’ Big Weekend recently, giving visitors the opportunity to try out the sport.

All three events were well attended, with many participants having a go for the first time.

If you were unable to attend but would like to see what bowls has to offer, contact Steve on 07870 327568 or Diane on 0116 2676245.

Birstall’s Kat Bowman is representing England in the British Isles Women’s Championships, which are taking place in Llandrindod Wells at the start of this month. Kat was last year’s National Junior Singles champion and will be playing against the other British women’s junior champions.

Meanwhile, John Hurst, Andy Wye, Roger Cooper and Shane Hayes have reached the final of the men’s county fours competition. If they win the final later this season, against a Kingscroft four skipped by Joe Dawson, they will qualify for the national championships. John, Roger and Shane just missed out in the county triples competition, losing in the semi-final to Ryan Lowe’s Kingscroft trio.

For more information about the club, please visit the website www.birstallbowlingclub.co.uk or search for our page on Facebook.

Loss of appetite Weight loss Night Sweats Fatigue If you are concerned about any of these symptoms, please see medical attention and feel free to call the Mesothelioma UK Information line on 0800 169 2409.

Mesothelioma is treated with all the usual treatments, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, palliative care and immunotherapy. There is no cure for the disease, but the sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can start, and this will help with symptoms and improve someone’s length of life.

GO BLUE FOR AMD For Action Mesothelioma Day on July 1, 2022, we are asking you to get involved by lighting up your home or contacting a prominent landmark in your local area to light up blue on this day.

By doing so, you’ll be helping to put a spotlight on a disease that deserves more attention.

You can see more details, a map of places that have already agreed to Go Blue For Meso and a template letter on the dedicated website: https://actionmeso.org/goblue/ 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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