Mountsorrel Post Jun 2009 (27)

MOUNTSORREL POST YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER Delivered

JUNE 2009

to Mountsorrel, four times a year

ISSUE No. 27

Pic: The Championship winning Mountsorrel under 13s football team

Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 1

League title winners THE MOUNTSORREL under 13s football team are league champions.

They claimed championship place in the Leicester and District Sunday Junior League Mortgages Made Easy U13 B Division scoring a total of 22 goals in the last two games of the season.

The team followed this success by winning the under 13 age group in the Summer Cup organised by Loughborough Dynamo Junior football Club.

Their manager and coach Andy (Bunny) Neal praised his assistant and coach Gavin Ottewell, and Colin Hopewell for his help through the season.

Andy would also like to thank the team sponsors for all their support, Paul at Mr Paul and Gary, Elaine and Connor Burton at Charnwood Plastering and all the parents and supporters throughout the season.

He went on to praise the team Connor, Dan R, Ashley, Mitchell, James, Dan A, Quentin, Brendan Nathan, James O, Jordan, Charles, Jacob A, Steve and Jacob G.

Underage drinking in Mountsorrel SHOPS that sell alcohol in the village as well as pubs that have a licence to sell off the premises are being invited to a meeting to discuss the problems of underage drinking in Mountsorrel.

The Parish Council have asked Charnwood Borough Council’s Licensing Section to arrange the meeting – they are concerned about drunken behaviour and broken bottles especially on the Halstead Road playing fields where broken glass is presenting a health risk to children and other park users.

One of the off-licences invited to the meeting is Bargain Booze Plus on Rothley Road run by brothers Niraj and Mayur Samani.

They were invited to a meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council on April 20 where they were accused of supplying alcohol to minors.

The store has failed two test purchases in the last nine years. This is when the Police or Trading Standards send a minor into to a shop to purchase alcohol.

Mr Niraj Samani said: “It was pointed out that we had a history of underage selling. I explained that failing twice in nine years was

hardly history.”

He added: “I am happy to support any proposal to stop alcohol getting into kids’ hands. I work with the Police and I have banned individuals I know have sold to kids.

If I see someone with a group of kids and they come into the shop I won’t serve them even if they are 18.

“We have a Challenge 25 policy, whereby any customer who appears to be under the age of 25 will be requested to provide identification before a sale is made. Even after this, if I feel that alcohol is solely not for personal consumption, I will refuse the sale. I also pointed out that the Police have access to my CCTV recordings whenever they require. The invitation was extended to the Parish Council.

I have nothing to hide”.

At the Parish Council meeting it was suggested that all their stock could be marked with a label or rubber stamp so that by examining the litter in the park it could be traced back to the shop.

Mr Samani said: “What would tracing empty cases back to my premises achieve? I’m not breaking the law in selling alcohol to those

Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 2

who are legally allowed to purchase it, that is what I do for a living. Has the Parish Council ever thought that it might actually be the fault of the parents who allow their children to hang around on the park and get involved in such activity?”

He added: “Why is it that my business is being singled out as the cause for the problems in Mountsorrel, without any evidence to support this claim?”

In a posting on the Mountsorrel village website forum Parish Councillor Stan Coats said: “It would be easy for him [Mr Samani] to rubber stamp the boxes with the name of his shop when he sells them or he could limit the amount of drink that any one customer could buy,. There is too much drunken behaviour and too many broken bottles scattered around the village and in the parks. The Parish Council and the Police are trying to find a solution to this serious problem. Let’s have co-operation between the off-licences, supermarkets, the Parish Council and the licensing authority, not shouting matches. The pubs in the village manage to control their customers so I don’t see why the shops can’t at least do something to control their buyers.”

Mountsorrel’s Beat Officer PC Paul Bird said: “I personally am confident that Bargain Booze are not selling alcohol to anyone underage, it would seem that the alcohol is being purchased by those old enough to do so and it is then being passed on by these individuals. This is what I seek to enforce more stringently and Mr Samani is more than willing to assist me in identifying such offenders. There will be no leniency with regard to those found to be supplying underage youths.”

He added: “The problem [of under age drinking] is quite wide spread and is indeed prevalent in Mountsorrel at times, mostly at weekends. Two of my three new neighbourhood priorities are based around tackling this issue and the resultant anti-social behaviour” Mr Graham Coe, Team Leader Leicestershire Trading Standards Service, told the Mountsorrel Post: “Our records show that the shop’s history with this service is actually far better than average. We have conducted six alcohol test purchase attempts and three tobacco since 2002, all of which have been refused. Our records go back go 1997 but there was no test purchase activity prior to 2002.”

The Police Licensing Office also conduct test purchases but the Licensing Officer for Leicestershire Police Sgt Sean Moore said he was unable to release full details for individual premises. He said: “I can say they [Bargain Booze] have passed more than they have failed and they have not failed twice in a 12 month period.”

Two fails in a 12 month period result in a review of the licence which can lead to the following: take no action; warning, attach conditions to the licence such as require training to be provided or CCTV fitted; three month maximum suspension of licence; revoke licence. A single fail results in an £80 fine.

Sgt Moore said: “In 2002, 80 per cent of test purchases were being failed in the county, this is now down to between 40 and 50 per cent. I have been doing this job since

2000 and have been on a lot of test purchases.

It’s not generally the case that alcohol is knowingly sold to minors, in the vast majority of cases it’s just the person on the till not paying attention.

“On one operation I went on, the sales assistant was busy talking to someone else and just didn’t look up at the 14 year old customer in front of her. We get failures in places like M&S and Tesco where they regularly and repeatedly train their staff.”

Mr Moore said that a requirement to mark stock with the shop’s label is one condition that can be imposed if a licence is under review.

“I think that’s a good idea, it isn’t evidence that sale to a minor has taken place, but it can be a starter and we could start doing observations at the premises” he said.

THE GOVERNMENT’S Youth Alcohol Action Plan, announced in June 2008, identifies unsupervised drinking by young people under 18 in public places and binge drinking as priorities.

Home Office figures suggest: • There is a trend towards increased unsupervised drinking by young people in open-air public places – the proportion of 11-15 year olds who drink on the street, in a park or somewhere else outside has increased from 21 per cent in 1999 to 31 per cent in 2006 • over half the people who said they had witnessed drunken or rowdy behaviour claimed it was due to young people drinking in public places.

• alcohol is increasingly obtained from the home - of the 11-15 year olds who drank 14 or more units in the previous week 48 per cent claim to have been given alcohol directly by their parents whilst 42 per cent claim to have taken it without it their parents’ consent.

• one recent study found 47 per cent of 15 year old girls had been drunk at least once in the past four weeks compared to 37 per cent of the boys • latest evidence on drinking by 11-15 year old suggests 35 per cent of those who had drunk alcohol in the previous four weeks had done so deliberately to get drunk •56 per cent of 15-16 year olds report having drunk heavily in the last 30 days and 30 per cent report having done this three or more times in the past 30 days.

Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 3

Crime report Crime Figures : Feb, March & April 2009 Burglary dwelling 6, burglary non-dwelling 14 (one man arrested suspected of carrying out most of these), damage to motor vehicle 13, theft from motor vehicle 17, theft of motor vehicle 1, criminal damage 10, theft 9 • on Friday Feb 20 at 9.25pm an object was thrown at a moving Arriva bus on Rothley Road by a group of young people. This caused the window to smash and glass to shatter over a mother and her two young children resulting in minor facial injuries to the mother • on Thursday March 12 at 12.05pm a purse was accidentally left in a phone box. It was later posted through the owner’s letter box minus the cards and cash • on Tuesday March 24 between 7-8.15pm a Nintendo Wii console was stolen from the Revive Youth Club at the Methodist Church by young people attending the club • on Sunday April 19 between 4-5pm a white male aged 20, 5ft10ins, short dark brown hair, exposed himself to two girls aged 13 on Castle Hill.

PC Paul Bird 1326

Free summer activities for young people A SERIES of free activities for young people this summer is being offered at the Soar Valley Leisure Centre.

Arranged by Mountsorrel Parish Council’s Youth Development Group, a wide range of sporting activities for young people aged 13-19 will be provided between July 13 and August 21.

Events include activities for fitness enthusiasts, such as Xtreme fitness and fitness circuit sessions. Team players should find something to suit them in the small sided basket ball and football games. Other activities include street dance/dance mat sessions, roller skating and body combat classes.

On Mondays only, from 4-5pm, there will be roller skating sessions for 6-13 year olds.

of prey display, Shetland pony rides, nail art, bouncy castles and other fun events. Hot dogs and drinks will be available for a small charge. Do come along and enjoy the day.

Open gardens Applications will be on a first come/first served basis and forms will be available at all youth groups and organisations locally: The Soar Valley Centre, The Parish Office, the library, and local shops.

In the middle of the summer holiday, a youth activity day has been arranged on Halstead Road playing fields.

The day will be on Saturday August 15, commencing at 12noon and finishing at 4pm. The day is open to all children and young people and includes a dance display by the Jessica Michelle School of dancing, birds

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GARDENS IN Thurcaston and Cropston will be open to visitors in June.

For the last two years Richard Hill School PTA have organised an Open Gardens weekend. Spokeswoman Linda Bennett said: “These have been a great success and much appreciated by many members of the community as well as raising funds for the school. We are therefore trying to make this an annual event and this year it will take place over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday June 27 and 28.”

She added: “This year will see a slight change in that gardens in Thurcaston will be open on the Saturday 27 and gardens in Cropston on Sunday 28. We hope to have at least ten in each village of varying types – family gardens, a Japanese garden, and a water garden to name a few, as well as a plant swap. Do come along and join in this great community weekend.”

Entrance will cost £4 per person, accompanied children are free and tickets will be valid for both days. They will be available on the day from either the gardens themselves or from Richard Hill School, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston. To purchase tickets in advance please contact richardhillpta@aol.com Other activities will also be taking place that weekend – the Richard Hill School Summer Fair will be on the Saturday afternoon with cream teas, stalls, games and bouncy slide.

In addition the Thurcaston Cub group will be washing cars on the Saturday from 9am to 6pm in the Wheatsheaf pub car park in Thurcaston. Anyone is welcome to drop in to get their car washed for £3.50.

For more details of this weekend please contact richardhillpts@aol.com or phone the PTA on 0116 2362503.

Police drug arrests School growing POLICE HAVE made a number of arrests for drug offences in Mountsorrel.

It brings the total number of drugs warrants in Mountsorrel, Sileby, Thurmaston, Quorn and other villages across Charnwood, to 23 since July 2008. 24 people have now been arrested and six charged with drug related offences.

The latest warrants, issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, were executed between Wednesday March 4, 2009 and Wednesday April 1, 2009 by officers from Charnwood Local Policing Unit. All six people who have been arrested have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

A property on Churchill Road was searched on Wednesday April 1, no drugs were found and no one was arrested.

On Friday March 20 a 30 year old man and a 28 year old woman from Churchill Road were arrested on suspicion of possessing Class B drugs; possession with intent to supply a Class B drug and possession of criminal property. A quantity of cannabis was seized from the property and drug-related paraphernalia.

On Tuesday March 17 three people were arrested from another property on Churchill Road on suspicion of possession of a Class A drug and theft. A 57 year old man and a 25 year old man were arrested with a 24 year old woman. The have been released on police bail pending further enquiries until Tuesday June 9. A quantity of a controlled substance was seized along with property from the address.

Another address on Churchill Road was searched on Thursday March 12 and a quantity of what’s believed to be heroin was seized. A 28 year old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class A drug and possession of criminal property.

Another warrant was executed at an address on Glebe Close in Mountsorrel on Wednesday March 4. No drugs were found but two occupants were evicted from the property.

Inspector Duncan Southall, Commander of Charnwood Local Policing Unit said: “We have now carried out more than twenty war-

rants in the last nine months which reflects our commitment to disrupting drug dealing in Mountsorrel and other villages. Drug addiction is the driving factor behind the majority of burglaries and vehicle crime which is why we are committed to tackling it. We can’t do it without the support and information that comes from local residents. I’d like to thank people who have come forward with information and urge others to report suspicious behaviour to us or Crimestoppers.. That information can be vital in helping us secure warrants to search properties and make arrests.”

Anyone with any information about drugs or drug dealing in their area are asked to call 0116 222 2222 or Crimestoppers which is free and anonymous on 0800 555 111.

Money raised A CELEBRATION event at Mountsorrel library to mark its first birthday raised £70 including £11.25 for the charity SANDS. The Still Born and Neonatal Death Society was established in 1981 and supports anyone affected by the death of a baby. For details www.uk-sands.org

A MOBILE classroom is planned at Mountsorrel School to help it cope with growing numbers of pupils.

Leicestershire County Council wants to create more teaching space at Christ Curch and St Peter’s school, on Rothley Road.

There are currently 358 chidlren on the school’s books but pupil numbers will rise to 390 when the new school year begins in September.

County Hall predictions say by 2013 the number of pupils will have risen to 471 and there is not the space to teach them while keeping class sizes below 30.

The County Council says it wants the new classrooms to provide better teaching space and access for disabled youngsters.

Head teacher Sandy Gourlay said : “The school building has received a number of internal alterations,but now the need has arisen for a double mobile classroom to be situated on the school field.

“Class sizes have to be kept below 30 and therefore the number of classes has risen in line with the increase in the school roll.”

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Knife wielding robber A DRUG dealer wielding a kitchen knife threaten to murder a man as the victim sat babysitting in a house in Beeches Avenue, Mountsorrel.

Paul Jeffrey Knight (41) was jailed for four years at Leicester Crown Court on Friday April 24 after he admitted robbing the victim of his wallet and Peugeot 406 car on August 13, 2008.

Co-accused Pascale Bott (18), who ad-

mitted being an accomplice, was sentenced to 18 months detention.

Knight, of Overton Road, Leicester, accused the victim of owing him £1200. The court heard how Knight confronted the man wielding a knife with an eight inch blade, threatening to give him a ‘Chelsea smile’ and to cut out his liver and kidneys.

Knight had previously been jailed in 1998 for seven years for armed robbery.

Sunspecs protection SUNGLASSES ARE now considered to be one of the coolest fashion accessories.

But the public are being reminded that the real purpose of popping on the shades is to protect their eyes and to give comfortable vision in bright conditions. Jonathan Pilbeam from Pilbeam Opticians in Mountsorrel states that without protection from the suns ultraviolet radiation (UVR) you may be increasing the risk of cataracts, damage to the sensitive skin around the eyes and possibly even damage to the retina. Jonathan advises that for maximum protection sunglasses should block 99% of UVA/UVB light and carry the CE mark.

He recommends that children have well fitted high quality sunspecs. Children are particularly vulnerable as more light reaches the retina because their pupils and lenses are still developing. So as well as using high factor sun block for their skin, it is vital to protect their eyes from UV radiation. Sunglasses are now even available for babies such as the well fitting ‘BabyBanz’ range from Australia.

Sunglasses may sometimes reduce the symptoms of hayfever and other allergies, acting as a barrier to airborne irritants such as pollen.

There is now a huge range of products available to protect your eyes in the sun. As the choice can at times seem bewildering, Jonathan recommends asking an Optometrist or Dispensing Optician for advice as to the best way to ‘cover up’. He says: “You only have one pair of eyes and it makes sense to protect them now so that they continue to give good service in the future.”

GCR war event THIS YEAR’S Great Central Railway Wartime Event on June 13-14 will commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

This historic event will be supported by the Royal British Legion with a ‘poppy drop’ during the weekend and a special church parade service on Sunday at 10.30am at Quorn. The service will be attended by the Mayor and Assistant Lord Lieutenant as well as PM Churchill and Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery.

Loughborough and Quorn will portray the home front with a large display of military/vintage vehicles and artillery as well as a mix of Allied Troops, 40s entertainment and refreshments.

Rothley and Leicester North will be occupied

by Axis forces who will stage a series of battles and skirmishes with the Allies while Rene’s café will serve refreshments.

The ‘Battle of Britain Memorial Event’ will fly over the area during the weekend and there will be an opportunity for people who have lost relatives in conflict to show their respects in a small garden of remembrance at Quorn.

For more information please contact Mike Batten on 01509 230089.

Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 6

Annual Parish meeting THE ANNUAL Parish meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held in the Memorial Hall on March 19, 2009.

Attending were representatives from the Police, Neighbourhood Watch, Lafarge, Charnwood Borough Council, Leicestershire County Council, and Arriva. Approximately 40 members of the public attended.

The Chairman of Mountsorrel Parish Council Cllr Brian Allard reported on the Parish Council’s £250,000 programme of upgrading the village’s playing field’s play equipment.

Improvements to Halstead Road playing field are expected to be completed in the next few months and the Council have plans to extend that site.

Cllr Allard reported on plans to upgrade the Memorial playing field’s sports pavilion by altering the internal layout. User groups are to form a committee to run the building and to promote its hire, to raise income.

Cllr Allard said that the Parish Council was very concerned about the problem of dog fouling and had taken advice on whether it could ban dogs on the playing fields.

Parking problems on the Green continued, but wooden posts installed by the Parish Council had helped to alleviate the problem.

The Council has received numerous complaints about the grass cutting at the cemetery and is now monitoring the contractor on a weekly basis.

The Council has set aside £10,000 for seat benches in the village and has paid for floral displays in the form of hanging baskets, planters and daffodils. Cllr Allard said the Christmas lights provided by the Parish Council would be extended this year.

Cllr Allard paid tribute to the service of Cllr Harold Newman, who has been a Parish Councillor for 50 years.

Highways Officer Mr Warrington from Leicestershire County Council reported that surface dressing of the A6 bypass would be carried out this summer and that the foundations to the edge of the road on Bond Lane had been restored. 30mph signs and vehicle activated signs have been installed on Swithland Lane and Halstead Road. Repairs to and the resurfacing of the bridge on Sileby Lane will be done this summer.

A resident reported speeding traffic on Walton Way. A resident commented that surface dressing of the bypass was not effective and resulted in chipped windscreens.

Comment was made that during periods of heavy rain, access to the village, was blocked by floodwater.

Mr Warrington said the County Council was 12 months away from completing a study of the problem.

A resident reported he was not pleased as a ratepayer to see County Council workers sitting in their vans for an hour doing nothing. Mr Warrington requested that the vehicle registration number be reported to the council.

Police Inspector Duncan Southall, the area’s new Commander, introduced himself and said his background was in neighbourhood policing.

PC Paul Bird reported that antisocial behaviour and graffiti were police priorities for the area. He said he was concentrating on a few key individuals and taking them through the necessary steps that may result in an ASBO. PCSO Brian Geeson said he is planning a litter pick in the Hawthorn Road area this summer and would like to get young people involved.

NHW Area Co-ordinator Maureen Rolland reported that there were 35 active schemes in the village and that she hoped this would grow further, especially in the north of the village.

Comments were made from the public about underage drinking, broken bottles on the playing field, parking problems on Barons Way and drug dealing from a residential address.

County Councillor Peter Osborne reported that the Council Tax increase had been 2.9%. The biggest budget areas are children’s services, adult services and highways. An extra £100,000 has been committed to child safety. The Government is encouraging partnership working to improve efficiency and so far £24 million has been saved but he said it can cause some difficulties with the public as it is not clear which

authority is responsible for which service.

Charnwood Borough Councillor Leigh Harper-Davies reported that Castle Hill Court flats had formed an Association which was making progress, that she had undertaken a ward walk to assess problem issues such as litter and speeding. The new Area Forums were a positive development and the Borough Council continued to support concessionary travel.

A resident commented that refuse collectors were blocking pavements by piling up refuse bags before collection.

It was reported that grant money for improvements to Sorrel Court had run out and work converting bedsits to flats had stopped.

A resident said she was offended by the proposal to ban dogs on the playing fields.

The park is a safe place for women to walk a dog compared to the riverside, she said.

Angus Sheddon from Lafarge said they were struggling with sales this year due to the recession.

The Arriva representatives said the Borough Council’s bus pass will continue. The 99 service is being reviewed – if it is not commercially viable it will be removed.

It was reported that Mountsorrel’s Relief in Need charity had awarded 63 grants worth £65,120 in the previous year. The Educational Fund had made 127 grants worth £122,566 and the Church of England Fund had awarded £27,574 to St Peter’s Church.

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Parish Council notes A FULL meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on March 9.

It was reported to PC Paul Bird that bikes were being ridden on the common on Bond Lane. PC Bird agreed to investigate.

County Cllr Peter Osborne reported that the County Council were removing double yellow lines on Cross Lane.

Borough Councillor David Slater reported that Sorrel Court was going through a series of upgrades as funding allows and said that additional funding would be released in 2010 if the Council’s ALMO achieves two star status.

Comment was made about the amount of litter at Castle Park.

It was agreed to purchase tables and chairs for the sports pavilion on the Memorial playing field and to pay for flooring, lighting and re-decorating.

It was reported that graffiti in the village would be discussed at the next meeting of the Police Joint Action Group.

It was agreed not to hold a Parish Council meeting in August.

A full meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on April 20 PC Paul Bird reported that antisocial behaviour was being targeted. The licensees of Bargain Booze Plus on Rothley Road were

present. They were asked how they assess whether alcohol is being sold on to underage people. They said they operate a ‘Challenge 25’ policy – if a customer appears to be under the age of 25 they will be asked to provide identification to prove they are 18 before a sale is made. They said that if young people were drinking outside their premises they did their best to move them on.

Cllr Mick Lemon expressed concern with broken bottles on local parks which he alleged had been bought at Bargain Booze. The licensees asked for evidence for this statement. Cllr Lemon then stood up and stepped towards the licensees, pointing his finger in the face of one of them. Cllr Steve Haywood queried whether Bargain Booze stock could be ‘stamped’ to find the original source of where the alcohol was purchased. The licensees felt this was not logistically viable.

It was reported that Mrs Leigh HarperDavies has resigned from the Council. It was agreed to write to her thanking her for her service to the council The Council declined to make any financial contribution towards a youth football tournament organised by PC Gordon Doudie to be held at the Soar Valley Leisure Centre this summer.

It was agreed to invite Inspector Duncan

Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 8

Southall to a future meeting of the Parish Council.

It was agreed to invite Steve Cramp to a future meeting of the Parish Council to talk about the Mountsorrel Railway Trust and the re-opening of the old mineral railway.

The annual meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on May 11.

Cllr Brian Allard was elected as Chairman of the Parish Council for the ensuing year and Cllr Paul Harris as vice chairman The annual meeting was followed by the monthly meeting of the Parish Council.

The Manager of the Licensing section at Charnwood Borough council Mr Malcolm Burton was a guest.

Mr Burton said Parish Councils were not classed as responsible authorities in terms of licensing but that they should act on requests made by interested parties in respect of licensed premises causing tangible problems, by contacting his team at Charnwood as soon as possible. He said binge drinking and underage drinking were the issues of prime importance.

He said that before action to suspend or revoke a licence to sell alcohol, a dossier of evidence has to be collected and it was important not to act too soon.

Cllr Fred Newitt said the main problem in Mountsorrel is underage drinking and it is very difficult to establish where it is coming from. Mr Burton said he would need direct evidence before he could act and that he could not instigate measures to determine traceability of alcohol.

PC Paul Bird said that he anticipated the police priorities for the next six months are underage drinking, antisocial behaviour and litter on the Halstead Road playing field and drug use.

Cllr Pat Moulding said that she was shocked at the reaction from Cllr Mick Lemon at last month’s meeting when the licensees from Bargain Booze were present. She said: “The way he went about it was totally out of order and I was saddened that he did it. It was very aggressive.”

Cllr Lemon said he had reason to get irate when alcohol was being drunk on the park, bottles were being smashed and kids were getting cut. He said the scale of the problem was serious and suggested that a meeting be arranged for all the village’s off licences to make them aware of the problems and their responsibilities.

It was agreed that Charnwood’s Licensing Section be asked to arrange a meeting of all licensed premises to be attended by representatives from the Police, Parish Council and Charnwood Licensing Section.

It was reported that residents on the Wilson Bowden Estate off Little Lane are threatening legal action against the cricket club because of the problem of cricket balls entering their properties.

It was agreed to contact the County Council to request limited parking of two hours to be enforced on Market Place from just inside Watling Street down to the entrance to Crown Lane.

It was agreed to request that Charnwood’s Street Wardens monitor parking between 7-11am on Sundays on Granite way, Hawcliffe Road and Loughborough Road. Parking problems are being caused by the car boot sale.

It was agreed to ask the County Council to extend the no-parking restrictions on Halstead Road near its junction with Rothley Road to allow a better flow of traffic at the junction.

It was agreed to ask the County Council to extend the double yellow lines on Boundary Road’s southern side from the bottom corner to number five.

It was agreed to ask the County Council to provide a single yellow line on the opposite side of the road from the school with no parking between 8.30am and 4pm.

Supper SUPPER with Friends is a Leicestershire based social group for unattached men and women over 50.

It is a friendly group, and its emphasis is on friendship, value for money and informality. It is not a dating or matchmaking club.

The group has enjoyed a variety of events, and members are enjoying making new friends in convivial surroundings.

Members who have recently renewed their membership have said: “An absolutely brilliant concept, I have very much enjoyed it.”

“Thoroughly enjoyed every event I attended – great crowd of people.”

“Wonderful. Nice meals. Good venues.

Please keep up the good work.”

“Excellent, I’ve made some good friends, well done.”

“SWF has made such a difference and has improved the quality of my life.”

Events planed for the near future include a theatre visit to the Town Hall, Loughborough, Sunday lunch at the Marina Café at Pillings Lock near Barrow, skittles and supper at The Greyhound, Botcheston and an evening walk and supper at Burrough on the Hill.

“Enjoy the coming of summer in good company, have some fun and meet new friends” says spokeswoman Anne Kingham.

If you would like to know more about Supper with Friends and enjoy delectable suppers and companionable events please contact Anne on 01509 416823 or email Kate at: supperwithfriends@gmail.com

Stroke club’s birthday A CLUB that welcomes any Charnwood resident affected by stroke celebrated its 30th birthday in April.

Charnwood Stroke club provides the chance for members to form friendships with other members with similar problems and also gives carers a much needed break. The Club originally met on Wednesdays at John Storer House, Wards End, Loughborough but in 1982 due to increase in numbers, the Club split into two groups held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays – each group with its own organiser. In 1988, the club moved to its current meeting place - the Beale room at St Peters Community Centre on Storer Road, Loughborough.

The two group organisers arrange many events for club members including guest speakers, video shows, quizzes, keep-fit sessions, dominoes and bingo. Coach outings have included visits to Bakewell, Willersley Castle, Meadowhall, Ulverscroft Grange and Manor, and Barwell Indoor

Tickets TICKETS ARE now on sale for the opening ceremony of the 8th Special Olympics GB National Summer Games on July 25 at the Leicester City Football Club’s Walker Stadium.

Organisers are promising a special event with a carnival atmosphere and unique celebrations. Highlights of the night include the parade of 2700 athletes from across the country competing in the games and the torch lighting of the Special Olympic flame.

The event starts at 6.30pm and ticket prices are over 16 yrs £5, under 16 £1. Child tickets only available with purchase of one adult ticket. Tickets are available from Leicester City Football Club’s ticket office on 0844 815 5000, email: ticket.sales@lcfc.co.uk Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 9

Bowls Club amongst others. Also ever popular is the Peter-le-Marchant canal boat trip.

The club runs from 9.30am until 2pm and provides lunch in the form of sandwiches or soup and other tasty treats, such as bangers & mash, fish & chips and even pancakes on Shrove Tuesday – for which there is a small charge to cover the cost of the food.

The club is staffed by volunteers and new volunteers are always welcome whether to sit and play dominoes, help in the kitchen or push a wheelchair on a coach outing. The club is selffunding and supported entirely by the members themselves and by voluntary contributions. Donations are always welcome.

If you would like to join the club, become a volunteer, make a donation or generally contact the club for more information, then please ring Jennie on 0774 759 8460.

The club is looking forward to celebrating future landmark birthdays with new members.

Recycling changes ONE RECYCLING bag will replace the red and green bags from August 1.

The changes are a result of a bid by Charnwood Borough Council to simplify the recycling service and save money by awarding the contract for waste, recycling and street cleaning to Serco Integrated Services.

The new seven year contract is worth £32 million and comes into effect on August 1.

In 2011, further improvements to the waste and recycling collection methods will be introduced, meaning residents will be able to use a wheelie bin to put all their recycling in rather than bags.

Charnwood say an enhanced street cleaning service will also be introduced to provide residents with a cleaner borough and that the new contract will generate savings of £2.4m for the Council in the first two years.

Chris Traill, Charnwood Borough Council’s Director of Leisure and Environment, said: “This is a significant achievement for Charnwood in terms of value for money and upholding and striving for new levels of excellence and quality on waste collection, recycling and street cleaning services. There are real savings to be achieved from this new contract, which we can use to enable investment in other services and to keep costs

down for the customer.”

Serco’s successful bid was helped by the introduction of a number of innovations developed in response to residents’ needs and include: • making recycling easier with a view to increasing the borough’s recycling rate to 50% • the use of revolutionary electric vehicles, bio-fuels and additives to help cut carbon emissions from the service by 40% • targeted initiatives designed to engage the student community in environmental issues and the recycling agenda.

Mike Brown, Serco’s Chief Executive, added: “This contract is of strategic importance to Serco as it further extends our environmental services business and builds upon the existing relationship Serco already has with the Council.”

David Hayes, Charnwood’s Interim Waste Manager, said: “We have no arrangements with Serco to introduce chipped bins nor have we had any discussions about measures to penalise residents for not recycling. Our approach is to encourage and promote recycling, not to enforce it.”

Mr Hayes said Charnwood did not know at this stage if the existing 240 litre wheelie bin

Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 10

was going to be reduced in size to 180 litres in 2011, nor could he say what size the wheelie bin for recycled waste would be.

Serco has also committed to growing the Council’s garden waste scheme and more emphasis will be placed on the re-use of bulky household waste, such as furniture and white goods.

To find out more about recycling and waste collections in Charnwood, log on to www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/recycling

Dance school busy AFTER A very successful end of the year show in 2008, the Pilbeam Academy of Dance has three very full Examination & Medal sessions taking place in March, July and December.

The principal Mrs Antonia Pilbeam (FDDA & Examiner) is very pleased with the continued level of enthusiasm among the students.

Early in March at the AGM of the DDA Society, two of her students, Miss Chloe Wilson of Quorn and Miss Liberty Wisehall of Mountsorrel, competed for and obtained scholarships for 2009, which will enable them to receive extra private lessons to further their progress in their dance related ambitions.

Nearly 100 entrants competed in the various disciplines of dance, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern and National Syllabus at the first of the Exam & Medal sessions on Sunday March 29. They were examined by Miss Monica Bannister (FDDA & Senior Examiner) of Warwickshire, who is the Senior Examiner of the Society and she was accompanied by Miss Freda Sutton, Secretary of the DDA Society.

The day was long and testing, but proved to be very rewarding, with 100% success, which included four top awards of Special Commend in the Exam Section and nine Recommendations in the Medals.

The new term began on Monday April 20 with a few vacancies available.

Martial arts a family affair A MARTIAL arts class that meets in Mountsorrel runs classes for children as young as three as well as family classes and adult sessions.

Matrix Martial Arts is a karate school that meets in the scout HQ on the Green as well as other venues throughout the county.

Classes are often a family affair explains spokeswoman Rachel Skinner: “Some parents of existing students have decided that they can’t sit watching on the sidelines any longer and have joined in with great enthusiasm!”

Some of the matrix students competed in the Clash UK British Open Championships this February winning several gold, silver and bronze medals.

The 3-8 year olds meet at the Scout HQ on the Green every Thursday from 5.15-5.45pm and the family class is 6-6.45pm and on Saturday mornings 11-11.45am For more details www.matrixmartia larts.co.uk

Rotary collections MEMBERS OF both Soar Valley Rotary Club and Soar Valley Inner Wheel will be making collections for a number of charities at Wyevale Garden Centre, Rothley on Tuesdays throughout the summer.

Collections in April and May will be further boosted by collections on June 16, July 28 and August 25 from 10am each day. The benefiting charities include the Alzheimer’s Society, Macmillan Cancer Care, the Leicestershire, Rutland and Derbyshire Air Ambulance and Prostaid.

Soar Valley Rotary Club would like to thank the manager and staff of Wyevale in Rothley for this opportunity and the facilities provided.

Slimmers shed pounds MEMBERS OF a Mountsorrel slimming class have helped raise thousands of pounds for Cancer Research.

They are one of the Weightcare classes, held across the county, who over the last four years have together raised £8000.

The Mountsorrel Weightcare class meet at the Parish rooms on Leicester Road every Tuesday at 7pm. A spokeswoman said: “Members of the class see the lbs. just fall away , with an average weight loss each week of 2 lbs. In fact, one lady, Sarah Elliot, has lost 17 lbs in just 3 weeks!

She added: “We have an amazing Credit Crunch Offer of ‘Nothing to Pay’ on your first week – it’s absolutely free to come along and see what Weightcare is all about and try our superb plans – see your excess lbs. melt away for the summer!”

Tel: 01530 813361 for details or come along to the class where you will be made very welcome.

Go to www.weight-care.co.uk for more details and to read slimmers’ stories.

The September issue of the

MOUNTSORREL POST will be published on Sep 12.

The copy deadline is Aug 28 .

Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 11

PHOTOS: CLIVE RASIN

Planning Wynnestow, 21 Halstead Road – erection of detached garage and replacement of side boundary fence 43 Walton Way – erection of single storey side extension Mountsorrel Church of England Primary School, 8 Rothley Road – installation of double mobile classroom with toilets and 3m high ball court fence to 2 sides of existing playground 2 Johns Avenue – erection of 2 storey extension to side and conservatory to rear of dwelling 9 The Homestead – erection of 2 storey extension to rear of dwelling 14 The Green – erection of 1st floor extension to rear of dwelling 17 Montsoreau Way – single storey rear extension 8 Mere Close – extension of 2 storey extension to side and single storey extension to rear of dwelling 19 Braemar Close – erection of detached garage to side of dwelling

SOME OF the artwork made by young people who attend the Revive youth club at the Methodist Church.

It meets every Tuesday at 7pm during term times at the church on Church Hill Road.

27 Rosslyn Ave – erection of 1st floor extension to side and single storey extension to front of dwelling Mill House, 20 Loughborough Road – raising of crown and trimming of one weeping willow tree Co-op Supermarket, 109-111, Rothley Road Two storey extension to side & glazed screens to the front of property 17 Loughborough Road – Retention of fascia signs and projecting sign to front of building 15 Dunster Road – erection of conservatory to rear of dwelling 26 Marigold Lane – single storey extension to rear & side of dwelling

Roadworks schedule THE COUNTY Council’s schedule of roadworks can be viewed online at www.leics.gov.uk/roadworks.

Information can also be obtained by phoning 305 0001.

Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 12

Park & GCR’s Ride cash plans BIRSTALL’S PARK and Ride scheme was awarded £2.75 million of Government money in March.

But transport bosses at County Hall are disappointed that they didn’t get the £4.5 million they asked for for the 1000 space park and ride opposite Hallam Fields.

“We put in a bid for £4.5 million and they have given us £2.75 million so we have asked them to reconsider and we hope to have a reply in a couple of weeks” said Assistant Director of Transportation at Leicestershire County Council Mr Ian Drummond. “In the meantime we are looking at alternative ways to fund the project” he added.

A Government spokesman for Communities and Local Government told the Mountsorrel Post: “All bids for Community Infrastructure funding were considered against criteria of ensuring that the transport schemes help to support delivery of new housing and ensure value for money. In some cases local authorities were successful in securing funding but the appropriate level was less than what was bid for. The offer of funding for the Birstall Park and Ride scheme still stands, but it will not be increased.”

Developers Jelsons are required to provide a 535 space car park on completion of the 401st house but this is not expected for several years and the County Council have been trying to negotiate a deal with them to bring the project forward.

Mr Drummond said: “We had hoped to set up a deal with Jelsons, we clearly want to work with them and to get on with the job.

We want a high quality scheme in Birstall that will reduce congestion and cut pollution.”

The credit crunch and slow sales of houses at Hallam Fields are thought to have stalled the negotiations with Jelsons.

The £2.75 million from the Government is part of a £170 million fiscal stimulus package allocated to 29 transport projects across the country. The total cost of the Birstall park and ride is estimated to be £5 million.

PLANS TO restore 17 miles of railway track, north towards Nottingham and south towards Leicester, have been announced by the GCR and Charnwood Borough Council.

Transport consultancy firm Atkins have been appointed to carry out a feasibility study into the plan using a £300,000 grant from the East Midlands Development Agency.

The anticipated cost of the project is in the region of £35million and has the support of Network Rail, Lafarge Aggregates and British Gypsum.

The GCR’s ‘Bridging the Gap’ scheme is complex and involves seven projects. These include building a bridge to re-lay a missing 500 metre section of track near Loughborough Railway Station, and the creation of an engineering centre of excellence that would have a heritage, education, business and engineering capacity along the lines of the National Railway Museum at York.

The aim of the Atkins study is to prove the commercial case for the project. It will be completed in October and will include a consultation period when there will be a chance for local residents to have their say.

Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 13

Improve your Spanish ARE YOU holidaying in Spain this summer?

If so, an intensive Spanish language course at Longslade College, Birstall, could be for you.

Longslade’s Adult Learning Service have a course for anyone wishing to learn basic language skills to survive in typical situations when on holiday in Spain. The emphasis will be on listening, understanding and speaking and the course will be flexible to allow for the individual needs of learners.

Topics to be covered will include greeting, numbers, buying drinks, eating out and directions. Learners will have the opportunity to discuss other topics which they might like to study with the tutor. You will also discover a little about the Spanish culture, the country and its people.

Classes will be held during the week Tuesday June 23 to Thursday June 25, 7-9pm and Saturday June 27, 9.30am – 1.30pm.

For further information please call the FREEPHONE helpline 0800 988 0308 or phone the college 0116 2673389

Small Ads

YOUR SAY...

Small ads are 25p for the first 16 words.

17-32 words: 50p. Enclosing payment, post your ad to us or hand it in (inside an envelope) at Mountsorrel library.

Trade/business rates for small ads are 25p a word.

You are liable for the trade/business rate if you are offering a service for which you are asking for payment, or if you are advertising new goods for sale. All text will be printed bold. Box outline £1 extra. Max 50 words. Phone numbers count as one word.

TELEPHONE EXTENSION Sockets fitted by ex-BT engineer. Cable, BT and digital TV. Over 25 yrs experience. £28 complete. John 2675132 ARCHITECTURAL DRAUGHTING. Plans, extensions & alterations drawn and submitted to council. All types of draughting undertaken.

Over 15 years experience. Tel: Mark 0116 2677721

Advertise in the

MOUNTSORREL POST 53 x 70mm £23 • 53 x 142mm £41 109 x 70mm £41 • 109 x 142mm £69 1) Decide what size you want. 2) Send us a sketch of your ad. 3) We design, publish & send you the bill CALL for an advertising rate card, or view online at www.birstallpost.co.uk PRICES EXCLUDE VAT • call us on 0116 2674213

The Mountsorrel 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 Mountsorrel Post, Longslade College, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GH, or handed in at Mountsorrel library or email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk

Old friends Did you know that we old folks are worth a fortune? We have Silver in our hair,

Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 14

Gold in our teeth, Stones in our kidneys, Lead in our feet and Gas in our stomachs and I have become older since I last saw you.

Frankly I have become a frivolous old woman! I am seeing six gentlemen every day! As soon as I wake up, Will Power helps me out of bed, then I go and see Jimmy Riddle and then it is time for breakfast with nice Mr Kellogg, followed by the refreshing company of Mr Tetley or my other friend Mr PG. Then comes someone I don’t like at all – Arthuritis. He’s not welcome, but he insists on being here and what is more he stays for the rest of the day. Even then he does not stay in one place, so he takes me from joint to joint. After such a hectic day I am glad to get into bed with a Johnny Walker.

What a hectic life…Oh yes, I am now flirting with Al Zheimer.

The vicar came to call the other day and said that at my age I should be thinking of the hereafter, so I told him I always did, all the time. For no matter where I am, in the bedroom, the kitchen, I ask myself now what am I here after?

Well I will close now and I hope that Will Power is your constant companion too, but do make sure that his friend Emma Royd does not creep on you from behind.

And watch out for the crafty one Gerry Atric.

Noticeboard all details printed free Loughborough Farmers Market Devonshire Square, Loughborough Between 9am and 3pm Every month Next markets: June 10, July 8, August 12 Wide variety of local produce: meats, sausage, bacon & cured meats, rare breed meats, meat, savoury & fruit pies, fruit & vegetables inc organic, plants & flowers, herbs, therapeutic herbal products, honey & beeswax products, chutneys & pickles, jams & preserves, homemade cooking sauces, wholemeal flour, muesli, fruit juices, eggs & cheeses, bread & cakes.

To book a stall or find out more call Markets and Fairs team 01509 634624, email: markets.fairs@charnwood.gov.uk or log on to www.charnwood.gov.uk •••

Mini Movers/ Library Play Session 0-5 year old play session based on stories, physical activities and fun!

Free of charge Birstall Library, Wanlip Lane Thursday 1.30-2.30pm Runs from Thurs April 30 to Thurs July 9 Booking is essential due to limited places For info and bookings contact Birstall Library 0116 3058756 •••

Spring Cleaning – Put Your Unwanted Items to Good Use

Council (Leics & Rutland), 133 Loughborough Rd, Leicester LE4 5LQ •••

Christians locally who make items for children and families charities in Eastern Europe (often in orphanages) are in urgent need of WOOL, (oddments, or part used, or new) for children’s jumpers, hats scarves, mittens. Also, TRIMMINGS & BUTTONS, small pieces of MATERIAL, for peg dolls, bags and decoration, and larger pieces to make basic winter and summer clothing. We will collect these from you – please contact Jenny Cox. Tel: 2120115 TOOLS with a mission is looking for any garden, woodwork, metalwork, electrical tools, sewing/knitting machines, which are checked and reconditioned at the Ipswich Workshop, and sent to Eastern Europe and Africa to help communities support themselves. Please contact Mike Dunk on 267370 who will collect.

•••

Soar Valley Bowls Club

2009 Diary of Village Events and Festivals The diary is produced by the Rural Community Council (Leicestershire & Rutland) and contains events from April to December that will take place in local villages and towns.

Includes: Flower Festivals, Open Gardens, Concerts and live music, Scarecrow Festivals, Church/Village Fetes and Carnivals, Heritage and collectors events and street markets Copies are available in local libraries & museums If you would like a free copy, please send a SAE (9”x 4”) to Diana Cook, Rural Community

Loughborough Road, Rothley (opposite Hilltop Garage) Learn How to Play Bowls No obligation to join, just come to one of our taster sessions. Obviously, we do hope that you will enjoy the game enough to become a member and join in our Men’s Ladies’ and also Mixed games. We play league bowls as well as friendly matches, or just come and enjoy the social scene – there is something for everyone.

First year membership free to new bowlers to the sport Bowls will be supplied, just bring flat soled shoes Contact Audrey Porter 0116 2875748 ••• Thurcaston & Cropston

Open Gardens Weekend Sat & Sun, June 27& 28 1-5pm, tickets £4 Accompanied children free 20 gardens open Richard Hill School summer Fair On Sat June 27 Tickets available on the day or in advance from richardhillpta@aol.com ••• Friends of Bishop Ellis

Annual Summer Fair Continued on back page

Singing for Fun A light hearted singing group for singers, and would-be singers, of all ages and abilities We will sing a range of ‘classic’ hits from jazz, gospel, world, classical, popular and stage and screen, sometimes in unison, sometimes in harmony.

The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley Starting September 4 Friday mornings 10am-12noon (also in Syston on Friday afternoons) further details: 01509 412152/Wolrich@AOL.com •••

Thurcaston & Cropston Film Presentations ‘The Changeling’ will be shown on Friday June 19 and lasts 141 mins.

This beautiful constructed thriller starring Angelina Jolie and directed by Clint Eastwood is a true story set in the 1920s. A single mother mysteriously loses her nine year old son but the authorities return a changeling to her. We watch her desperate search for her real son, in a legal system which even questions her sanity.

‘Slum Dog Millionnaire’ will be shown on Friday September 11.

Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall. Starting at 7.30pm, tickets cost £4, concessions £3.50. Price includes refreshments and a lucky prize draw.

Advance tickets can be purchased via the parish office – 0116 2367626 or at the door.

There will be no films in July or August.

•••

Advertise in the

MOUNTSORREL POST YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 53 x 70mm £23 • 53 x 142mm £41 109 x 70mm £41 • 109 x 142mm £69 1) Decide what size you want 2) Send us a rough sketch or a finished design 3) We publish and send you the bill Sizes are width x height, all prices above are for inside pages & exclude VAT CALL for an advertising rate card, or view online at www.birstallpost.co.uk

2674213 Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 15

Continued from page 15 Barkby Thorpe Lane, Thurmaston Saturday June 20 4-6.30pm Come along and enjoy the fun of the fair.

Lots to see, do and eat Bouncy castle, bungee run, games including the stocks, toy stall, books and DVDs, cake stall, tombola, bar-b-cue, ice creams and afternoon teas plus so much more Help the school celebrate its 40th Anniversary Year We look forward to welcoming you all ••• Swithland Mothers’ Union

Summer Fayre Saturday August 8 From 10am to 11.30am At St Leonard’s Church, Swithland Cakes, plants, books, raffle, sales table etc Proceeds for Mothers’ Union Charities (Charity No: 250038) ••• Asfordby Amateurs Ladies & Girls Football Club Syston Recruitment Day

Girls Like Football Too Sunday June 28 (11am to 3pm) Playing Fields Adjacent to Swimming Pool, Wreake Valley Community College, Parkstone Road, Syston We would like to invite girls from the age of 5 to 16 years to attend a recruitment day We are a chartered standard football club and all our coaches are CRB checked and hold a minimum of Level 1 FA Coaching Certificate Please come along and meet some of our players and coaches and witness coaching sessions and small sided games For some of the younger players come and meet our club mascot ‘Footy Bear’ To arrange a trial please visit our website www.aalgfc.co.uk and click on Recruitment or just come along on the day, or contact Kat Dannatt (Club Secretary) on 07843090565 Girls of all abilities welcome ••• On the first Sunday of each month the Anglican Churches in Mountsorrel offer

In aid of Rainbows Children’s Hospice Sunday July 12 From 12-5pm 33 Hawcliffe Road, Mountsorrel (follow signs on by-pass to Quarry as far as Budgens roundabout, turn left at roundabout and immediately right onto Hawcliffe Road) Cakes, tombola, bric-a-brac, raffle, plants Lottery Bonus Ball All stalls under cover Total raised from various events in year 2008 £3,500 Cheque presentation at 4pm Cream teas, filled cobs and cakes Admission £1 •••

Free activities for young people 13-19 At the Soar Valley Leisure Centre From July 13 to August 21 Basketball, football, street dance, roller skating, body combat, circuit sessions Applications on a first come/first served basis Pick up an application form at the library, Soar Valley Centre, Parish Office, local shops Organised by Mountsorrel Youth Development Group •••

Youth Activity Day Saturday August 15, 12noon-4pm Halstead Road playing field Admission free Birds of prey, Shetland pony rides, nail art, bouncy castles, dance display Do come along and enjoy the day

Afternoon Activities and a big welcome The dates to look out for are June 7, July 5, and August 2 and details are as follows: Fun@4 – at Christ Church, 4-5.30pm This session is designed for parents/grandparents/carers with young children. It provides an opportunity to meet socially and the children love it. The activities are followed by a very short service and afternoon tea. No charge is made and you will be very welcome.

Christ Church is located at the top of The Green, Mountsorrel, contact tel: 0116 2302235 Senior Sunday at St Peters, 4-5.30pm An opportunity for the more senior members of our community Afternoon tea plus much enjoyed quality musical entertainment and a short service No charge is made and you will be very welcome.

Transport can be arranged if required for the less mobile.

St Peter’s is located at the top of Sileby Lane/Market Place, contact tel: 0116 2302235 ••• Call in for a cup of tea & cream scone to support a local charity

6th Open Garden Mountsorrel Post JUNE 2009 (27), page 16

Contact us THE MOUNTSORREL Post is delighted to receive contributions from residents. You can send us: Details of a community event such as a rummage sale, fete or coffee morning for free publication on our ‘Noticeboard’ page.

Items of news - we’re interested in everything: club and society news, prizewinners, charity events, church news, complaints, praise, new projects, new facilities, trips, sport, crime, anything that concerns or interests you.

A letter for our letters page - we welcome letters on any issue, local or national. All letters must include the sender’s name and address (though not necessarily for publication).

Photos - we particularly welcome old photographs giving an insight into local history.

Small ads - you can sell items with a classified ad for only 25p!

How you can contact us: Phone or Fax (0116) 267 4213 Hand in your items at Mountsorrel Library, Rothley Library or Birstall Library Write to us at The Mountsorrel Post, Longslade College, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GH Email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk The Mountsorrel Post is an independent newspaper