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 handed in at Birstall library or email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk

100 Club

I have just read on page 7 of the September Birstall Post the forming of the 'Birstall Utd 100 Club'

Many years ago, I was on the social committee and me and Chalky White (Steve), a player then, formed 'The Birstall Utd 100 Club' but after failing to attract enough members, although we did collect several payments.

I am not sure which bank in the village we opened the account with, but I think it was Barclays.

Mel Whiteman was the chairman of the executive committee then, perhaps he could remember what happened to that account from one of the AGMs as we had to close it through lack of interest and as far as I recall, the monies were left in that account. I left Birstall soon after.

I hope this time it will be a success and I wish them well.

Geoff Allen

Did anyone else read the article on page 14 of January’s edition of the Birstall Post headed “ Local bus service,” and wonder what exactly it meant?

It stated that the 22A/22B Birstall to Evington Buses are affected by changes that are to be introduced in April 2023.

It says that congestion will be cut by getting rid of duplicate services, will reduce the likelihood of buses arriving at the same time, and will also give customers simplified and improved timetables across the day.

I’m not sure how any of this will affect the buses that travel from Birstall to Leicester.

Bus confusion Thanks Thanks

There is only one bus in the week that goes around the village, run by Centrebus, and it only runs approximately every half an hour.

The Saturday service, now run by First bus, only goes up to the top of the Gates estate and back down Sibson Road, and doesn’t go around the village any more, thus preventing a lot of people from getting into Leicester, or even to shop in Birstall.

The only time that two buses could arrive at the same time is if one is late. This, of course, could happen because our bus service is so unreliable, but it’s more likely that an expected bus just doesn’t turn up.

So I’m assuming that the plan is actually even more cuts to our already poor and unreliable bus service to and from Birstall, thus isolating even more the people who don’t have access to a car and can’t afford to use a taxi.

Trying to contact the County Council and the bus companies about bus service issues has proved a waste of time for me as my correspondence is either ignored or I get a stock reply that doesn’t answer any of my questions.

Name and address supplied

Just wanted to say a big thank you to those responsible for putting the gate in Harrowgate Park into Hallam Fields. We live on the gates and used to drive round to Hallam Fields to do this walk, but now we have the walk on our doorstep, so we don’t have to drive, which must be better on the environment, and which we use often to take our dog for its daily walk.

So once again thanks to those involved.

Sue Howell

To those of you who attended the Sing Christmas event in St James’ Church on December 30, thank you. The church has a lovely acoustic for performing. The group of singers numbered 40 and the audience was a similar number of family and friends. Everyone enjoyed items performed by the singers and then joined in with familiar carols. The two animateurs, Chris and Sue, were marvellous and very inspirational. It was a great way to celebrate my significant birthday, especially after the restrictions of the previous three years. The bucket collection was £516 and has been divided equally between the East Midlands Air Ambulance and Marie Curie Cancer Care – a marvellous way to celebrate meeting and singing together. Thank you all for your generosity. Thank you also to Karen at the RB Legion for feeding the gathered throng. Long live meeting, singing and celebrating Christmas.

David Necklen

World Day of Prayer

World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church organisation which enables us to hear the thoughts of women from all parts of the world: their hopes, concerns and prayers. The preparation for the day is vast. An international committee is based in New York and there are national committees in each participating country. Regional conferences meet to consider the service and then local groups including yours in Birstall make their plans. This year the service has been prepared by Christian women in Taiwan, an island rich in natural resources and culturally diverse. The women in Taiwan share the issues faced geographically, politically and socially and also their hopes for the future. Let us join with them in our service as we give thanks for the beautiful island and people of Taiwan and encourage one another in our faith as the Apostle Paul did in his letters – Ephesians 1: 15-19 “I have heard about your faith”.

The World Day of Prayer is celebrated in over 120 countries. It begins in Samoa and prayer in native languages travels throughout the world – through Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas before finishing in American Samoa some 38 hours later. There will be a short presentation at 1pm prior to the service at Birstall Methodist Coffee Shop which will give background information of life in Taiwan.

On Friday March 3 at 2pm at Birstall

Leicester Symphony Orchestra 'Beethoven meets

Sibelius'

Join the Leicester Symphony Orchestra for an afternoon of glorious music!

Sunday 5 March, 3pm at De Montfort Hall, Leicester

GLINKA Ruslan and Ludmilla

BEETHOVEN Violin Concerto

SIBELIUS Symphony No.5

Tickets £20, £16, £5, family £42 & £35 www.demontforthall.co.uk

Charnwood Orchestra Concert

Sat March 25, 2023

Start 7.30pm

Emmanuel Church

Forest Road

Loughborough LE11 3NW

Mozart: Overture: ‘The Magic Flute’

Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.4 - Soloist Charles Matthews

Beethoven:

Symphony No.3 ‘Eroica’

Email: Tickets@charnwoodorchestra.org.uk or see website for more details www.charnwoodorchestra.org.uk

Monday Group

7:30pm in Birstall Methodist Church coffee shop

6th February:-Stories with Stuart Briggs

13th February:- Exploring the faith, with James and Yasmin 20th February:- Break for Half Term

27th February:- Diane and Sandra Why not come along and join our friendly group?

Everyone is welcome

Wanted – Industrial Plumber

Birstall Methodist Church is looking for a plumber that is experienced in 1½ - 2”BSP black iron pipework, to carry out some modifications to the heating system. Please contact through the BMC Facebook page, or e-mail birstallmethroombookings@gmail .com

Birstall Tea Dances

Held at St James, Birstall Village Hall, Birstall Road

Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4DH Fridays 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Methodist Church, Wanlip Lane, Birstall we are holding our World Day of Prayer Service and we warmly invite you to join us.

J Souter

Feb 10 & 24

£5 each on the door, Tea / coffee included

Home made cakes available

We ask for donations

Further information contact Jackie, Mobile :07908607405

Email: lucasjackie86@gmail.com

LE2 7BY and is open every day.

Opening hours are 10am to 4pm from Monday to Saturday and11am-4pm on Sundays

Birstall Flower Club

Wed Feb 22, 2023, 7.15pm

Birstall Village Hall

Demonstrator: Lynda Stamp

80’s Disco Night

Saturday 18th March 2023, 7pm

Birstall Social Club

£5 per ticket

Come join us for a fantastic 80s disco charity night to raise money for two Birstall Charities, Jade's Retreat & Carl Gunns’ Community Gym

Cedar

Care

Circle meet at Brunchies Cafe, Hallam Fields road Birstall.

A lovely warm welcome awaits you. We are a friendly group that supports people caring for those with dementia, we meet twice a month on Mondays at 1pm. The February meetings are 13th and 27th. Our aim is to help end the isolation and frustration that caring 24/7 brings. Dementia takes its toll on family and friends. Just pop in, it’s an open invitation to all. Please contact me if you want to, my name is Barbara, my number is 07905760556

Newarke Houses

Museum an opportunity for metal detectorists and budding archaeologists to have their finds looked at by a local expert.

The museum’s Finds Liaison Officer will be happy to provide more information – free of charge –about metal, stone or ceramic objects discovered by local enthusiasts.

Leicester’s Archaeological Finds Day takes place on Thursday 16 February. Drop in any time between 10am and 2pm – admission is free.

Newarke Houses Museum can be found on The Newarke, Leicester

Title: Nature into Art

Visitors welcome £5

Queries to Sylvia 0116 267 4206 or Carol 0116 267 1437

From Classics to Jazz

Rachael Lawson: Clarinet/Saxophone

Stephen Waterhouse: Piano

Saturday 1st April 2023, 7pm

Syston Methodist Church

High Street, Syston LE7 1GP

Tickets £8 including light refreshments

Tel no 0116 2609804/0759 462 8961

In aid of LOROS *

Rothley & Birstall

Birdwatchers meet at 7.30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at The Rothley Centre, 12, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR (free car parking available)

Tue Jan 10: " Birds of Leicestershire" by Carl Baggott

Tue Feb 14: " A Trip around the Nature Reserves of The Gambia" by Cynthia Baker

Membership £15 p.a. Talks free to members but if you just want to come and listen, come as a visitor for just £3

• Fancy dress optional

• Raffle on the night (donations welcome)

• 50/50 lottery.

• Over 16s

• Ticket only event

• For more information please contact Paula Clifford-Gill on FB Messenger or 07934 551563

Birstall Theatre Company

Presents

Jack & The Beanstalk

Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th

February 2023

Evenings 7:30pm, Saturday Matinee 2.30pm

Cedars Academy, Palmer Tomkinson Centre, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, LE4 4GH

Advanced Purchase

Adults £8.50

Children (Under 14) £6.50

Pay on the night

Adults £10

Children (Under 14) £8

Tickets can be booked and collected from: -

Nando’s Gents Hairdressers, Birstall with payment either by cash, card or BACS transfer or

Box Office contact no: 07724 362975

Not suitable for children under 3 years

Please indicate if wheelchair user or any mobility issues

BIRSTALL AND District Art Society (BADAS) is launching a new, informal Wednesday evening meeting at Wanlip Hall.

“This is not a teaching class, but a chance to get together to paint or draw in your own style and medium at your own pace,” said Society chairman Meg Grant. She added: “Sessions are open to members and those who are considering membership, particularly those that are unable to come along to our daytime sessions. Although mainly intended for adults, under-18s may attend if they are accompanied by a responsible adult. There is a charge of £3 per session, which includes refreshments. No booking is required.” Sessions are from 6.308.30pm.

On February 14, the society welcomes Graham Short for the first ‘demo evening’ of the year. Graham will provide an illustrated talk on the subject of ‘My Life as a Micro Artist’. You can find more information about Graham on his website: www.graham-short.com

The March demo evening held on March 9 will be an appraisal of members’ paintings. Artist Amanda Jackson will conduct a (kind) critique of work, providing a fascinating insight into what works well and what could be done to improve a painting, from the point of view of composition, technique, and other factors.

On April 11, Sallyann Brackett makes a welcome return. Her subject will be British wildlife, using a ‘tissage’ technique.

Local artist Lesley Brooks will demonstrate a landscape in acrylic, the Norfolk Broads on May 9.

Demo evenings are held at the Tara Palmer Tomkinson Centre at the Cedars Academy Birstall. They are held on the second Tuesday of the month, starting promptly at 7pm. The charge for nonmembers is £4.