MOUNTSORREL POST YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
MARCH 2018
No. 62
www.birstallpost.co.uk
Fighting to save children’s centres CAMPAIGNERS ARE fighting to keep Mountsorrel’s Children’s Centre open. The centre, located within Mountsorrel primary school, is one of 24 Children’s Centres that are threatened with closure because of County Council cuts. Formerly known as Sure Start centres, Children’s Centres provide support and services to young children aged from 0 to 5 and their families. Support is focused on closing the achievement gap for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Leicestershire County Council says it needs to save £3.8 million from its £12.4 million Early Help services budget, which goes towards supporting children aged 0 to 19. It plans to merge four separate services into one to make the necessary savings, necessary because of reduced funding the council receives from the government. Save Our Children’s Centres (SOCC) is a campaign group trying to keep the centres open. A spokesperson said: “Although there might be cash savings in the short term, removing local resources for families already stretched and stressed will cause problems and extra costs in the future.” There are currently 36 children’s centres and the county council wants to deliver its new merged service from 15 Family Well Being Hubs. The nearest to
Parish raises precept MOUNTSORREL PARISH Council will increase the parish precept by 163% for 2018/19. This will mean that the annual sum paid to fund the parish council by a Band D property owner will increase from £75.99 to £199.85. The total precept for 2018/19 will be £543,970. In 2017/18 it was £207,276. The parish council say the increase is necessary because they are taking over services that were previously the responsibility of other local authorities, and they need to restore their reserves. A parish council spokesperson said: “The onset of the Localism Act and the impact of the austerity measures on both the County and District Councils are Continued on page 2
Pic: campaigners from SOCC outside Mountsorrel Children’s Centre
Mountsorrel will be in Thurmaston and Loughborough. The SOCC spokesperson said: “Vulnerable families and children in need will be forced to make extended and in some cases prohibitively expensive journeys to the remaining centres. In addition they may feel stigmatised by going to a building that also houses youth offending. It will undoubtedly be children of the most vulnerable families who will be the ones least likely to attend the new centres. “In addition to the council’s own services many other agencies operate almost
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exclusively out of Children Centres, for example health visiting services, breastfeeding support, child health events and many volunteer led groups such as breastfeeding groups, parent carer wellbeing, multiple birth support groups, childminder groups, singing and music groups. “The centres are also well used by the councils own GO LEARN service providing valuable education programmes for parents in need. This will shift a sizeable financial burden onto the NHS, while other services will often not be able to Continued on page 2
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Centres continued from page 1
Precept continued from page 1
afford the rent on alternative accommodation and most of the groups will close.” One person signing a petition objecting to the closure wrote: “When I first walked into the Mountsorrel Children’s Centre I was coping so badly I had a panic attack there and then. They supported me through various means and eventually I was able to support other parents myself through volunteering there. My family and I would have had a very different experience in those years had it not been for the Mountsorrel Children’s Centre, and at the time there was no way I would have been able to travel to support services outside the village. Leicestershire County Council are consulting on their proposals until the end of April – you can comment by searching current consultations on the councils website. You can also sign the petition at www.38degrees.co.uk. Search for Leicestershire Children’s Centres.
already resulting in changes to our community including ways in which some services are to be delivered in the future. These austerity measures have resulted in your local Parish Councils being requested to assume responsibility for more and more local services. For example, library and youth services. “The Council has also had to address its policy of the previous 5 years of using its reserves to support its budget and thereby minimising the rise in the precept. It now needs to rebuild those reserves to levels that are recommended by the Audit Commission. In the past five years the council has withdrawn over £312,500 from its general reserves to support the council’s budget.” The current level of reserves stands at around £40,000. The spokesperson added: “The council will however continue to seek grants to subsidise improvement projects and to reduce the impact on the precept as well as managing our costs and ensuring best value for money. “The objectives of the Parish council have always been to improve the lives of the local residents by providing good quality local facilities as is evidenced by the completion of the new Memorial Centre and by endeavouring to assist with retaining essential services, for example the library.” Unlike higher tier authorities, parishes can
raise their precept by as much as they wish. There is a cap on district and county councils - increases beyond a cap of 5.99% require a local referendum. Across England, parish precepts rose by 6.3% in 2017/18. Charnwood Borough Council has recently announced its increase for a Band D property will be 4.46%, a rise of £5 to £117.09 per year. The rise in parish council precepts nationally has been seen as a direct consequence of county and district councils responding to pressure from government to reduce spending by divesting services to parish councils. Mountsorrel Parish Council say the increased precept is needed to pay for: • the operation and management of the new Memorial Centre • the operation and management of the Mountsorrel library • the projected project costs for the Halstead Road improvements and provision of additional allotments • the additional support of youth services via the Sorrel Youth Café • contingency arrangements for any upcoming elections • general reserves • increases in staffing and subsequent impact due to rises in minimum wage and pension legislation
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The main budget expenditure is broken down as follows: Cemetery, Conservation and Environment £65,400 Recreation and Amenities £174,520 Planning and Highways £25,000 Council £131,150 Library £27,220 War Memorials Fields Trust £21,500 Memorial Centre £116,450
Village heritage group EVENTS TO mark the centenary of the end of World War I in 1918 are being planned by Mountsorrel Heritage Group. Ideas being considered include an exhibition in the Memorial Centre, sporting events, dances, concerts and a torch light procession followed by the lighting of a beacon on Castle Hill. The group held a successful WWI exhibition in 2014 and since then have been working towards producing a book to celebrate this year’s centenary of the armistice. The book’s working title is ‘Mountsorrel in the Great War’ and is almost complete, with publication expected this autumn. The group started 2018 with a sell-out attendance for a talk by Jeremy Robson on ‘The Green Bike Murder’. The talk was held in the new Mountsorrel Memorial Centre. Jeremy held the audience in suspense throughout the evening giving graphic descriptions of the events surrounding the actual ‘murder’ and the court case that followed. After the talk it still left the audience wondering what really happened to Bella Wright on that night in July 1919.
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New care home’s warm welcome MOUNTVIEW CARE home on Loughborough Road opened its doors for the first time in November. The home, operated by Ideal Carehomes, welcomed the Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Pauline Ranson, to cut the ribbon and declare the home officially open. Guests were treated to tours of the home, which includes 66 bedrooms with en-suite wet rooms, a coffee shop, garden room, library, cinema, hair and beauty salon, landscaped gardens and English tea room complete with balcony areas. The Mayor chatted to staff before cutting the ribbon and unveiling an open day plaque. She said: “Mountview is a very impressive building – it is like a five star hotel and will not only provide a comfortable home, but also a vibrant lifestyle for future residents. We are very pleased to welcome Ideal Carehomes to Rothley and it was a pleasure to meet the staff and look around the home. I am looking forward to visiting again once the first residents have settled in.” Construction began on the three sto-
Pics: The Mountview care home & (below) Mayor of Charnwood Pauline Ranson & her husband Trevor cut the ribbon, watched by Sue Shaw (right) & Paul Farmer (left), Managing Director of Ideal Carehomes
MOUNTSORREL POST
MAR 2018
Cole Decoration Quality Decorating rey residential and dementia care home by LNT Care Developments at the beginning of 2017. Mountview has also brought employment opportunities to the area, currently employing 20 staff, rising to nearly 50 once the home is fully staffed. Home Manager, Sue Shaw, is from the local area and is thrilled to be able to show off the beautiful home. She said: “Watching the home being built has been a great experience but the final product has completely exceeded any expectations. The home is wonderful and my staff team are extremely proud. We have enjoyed showing people around and the reaction from the local community has been great. Mountview will be a great place to live and work and we can’t wait to welcome our first residents to make our lovely building a home.” Mountview is now welcoming its first residents and operators Ideal Carehomes say they aim to provide high quality residential and dementia care at an all-inclusive price.
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Massive crowds visit new Memorial Centre AROUND 2500 people attended the Christmas food, gift fair and lights switchon event at Mountsorrel’s new Memorial Centre in December.
and also a Facebook page which is updated daily with news and events. Chris and his wife Linda Reeves and team member Sandra Powderly have already set about booking bands and events for the whole community and these will be advertised soon. www.mountsorrelmemorialcentre.co.uk Facebook – Mountsorrel memorial Centre
The £4million building, operated and managed by Mountsorrel Parish Council, officially opened to the public on January 2. “It took a long time to build by so few, but Chris Reeves and his team at the new Mountsorrel Memorial Centre are making sure that all the people of Mountsorrel and the surrounding area are going to enjoy many top events” said Mountsorrel Parish Councillor Mick Lemon. “From pantos to bands, markets to weddings, fundraisers, films and lots more, it is there for the community”. Centre Manager Chris Reeves said: “We are already inundated with bookings for private parties and events and are now hosting various exercise classes such as Zumba, Yoga and clubbercise. The centre has become a local base for many of the villages clubs and societies.” Building on the legacy of the Memorial Hall, the new Memorial Centre was conceived as a community project and has been designed to serve the people of Mountsorrel. At the centre of the building is the large auditorium seating more than 200 people in air-conditioned comfort. With retractable seating this space is versatile and will provide for year-round events. In addition, there are community facilities, a fully licensed bar, a café which will be opening soon, two shops and meeting rooms. A website is now live
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Pics: a packed Memorial Centre for the Christmas Food and Gift Fair on December 12, 2017
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MAR 2018
Memories of village grocery shop MEMORIES OF her childhood at the family grocery store in Rothley Road feature in the account a Mountsorrel woman is writing of her family’s history. Margaret Manning (79) lives today only 100 yards from the grocery shop built by her grandfather, a quarryman, in 1912. The building, at 99 Rothley Road, is now a chemist shop with a flat above. Margaret is a member of Mountsorrel Heritage Group and takes a keen interest in her family history and that of the village. She said: “A friend suggested I should write all my memories down – no one else knows it any more and, otherwise, when I’m gone, it will all be forgotten.” The Rothley Road shop her grandfather built and ran with his wife was called Burtons. Margaret moved to the shop with her mother in 1943 when her grandparents died and her father, Frank, inherited it. Frank was in the army so the running of the shop was left to his wife Phyllis. “Mum was left to run a business she’d never been involved with” said Margaret, who was four years old at the time. “My mum and I both hated the shop, it was a big old house, cold and draughty with no electricity. Mum wanted to have electrici-
Pics: (top) Margaret is pictured on the left, aged about 12, with her friend Janice Warner, astride their bicycles outside the shop. The customer in the doorway was called Mrs Ball. Inset: Margaret Manning today
ty put in. I was scared of the dark and the gas lights. “We had a German prisoner of war called Wilhelm to help in the garden. “Rationing of most food stuffs came in early in the war. It certainly stopped people starving but was hard work for shopkeepers. “We sold a great variety of things. Chamber pots, yes a lot of people only had a pan lavatory down the yard!
“We ordered Lyons cakes which were delivered weekly in a big cardboard box which we collapsed and returned. We ordered them from a list so never had any waste. I particularly remember the square fruit pies that had their own little box is about five inches square. I think they were 6d. We sold soap powders and other cleaning materials. A lot of soap was unwrapped and we always knew when we had mice as we saw the teeth marks in the red lifebuoy soap!
We had nests of saucepans and my dad always gave a set to customers getting married. Eggs were on ration but we had our own hens and I don’t think they were rationed. During the summer when the hens were laying well, mum made a big bucket of “waterglass”. This preserved the eggs and they would keep at least six months. We sold these eggs a bit cheaper I think. The preserving liquid was clear at first but turned thick and cloudy and looked a bit like wallpaper paste.
Continued on page 7
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Pics:(left) an early photo of the shop and (above) Margaret standing outside it today
Continued from page 6
Mice aren’t particularly fond of cheese but much prefer soap or chocolate. Many things which are now sold in plastic packaging were sold loose. There
was pearl barley, lentils, dried peas etc . If these could be sold now in paper instead of plastic there would not be such a problem with waste. “Every Thursday night mum put sever-
The area in green shows the house and garden when first built
al pounds of dried peas in a large bowl and covered them with boiling water. On Friday they were drained and sold to customers who cooked them to go with their fish and chips. Sometimes she forgot and it nearly caused a riot! “A lot of the commercial travellers called to take our orders and the coupons for the goods. We had one memorable traveller I don’t know what his name was. He seemed very old to me. He was probably about 50 and a bachelor but he was courting a woman named Gladys. We always got a long account of her so of course he got called Gladys, but not to his face. Another traveller that left a strong memory was invited into the back room, his name was Mr Peck. Very nice man, he seemed to be about 70 to me. He wore half glasses which must have made him look older. What impressed
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Pic: (l-r) Kitty Shuttlewood (sales assistant) with Margaret’s mother Phyllis
me was because he played in an orchestra in Leicester. I think it was clarinet. “The shop was very cold in winter so we had a paraffin Valor stove to keep it warm. It stood on our side of the counter as there wasn’t a lot of room. We were constantly falling over it.” Margaret’s parents ran the shop until 1960 when it was sold. The June issue of the
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Meet Monday & Friday nights, 6.15 for 6.30 run Birstall School Lane playing fields – showers & toilets available We also meet on a Wednesday night at Sibson Road car park at 6.15pm for 6.30pm run Speed work sessions also available on Wednesdays for those wanting to improve Contact Deryk on dwoods1@sky.com or Bob 07927 346640 www.birstallrc.org.uk Loughborough Lions Club The next
Bridge Drive will be held at The Rothley Centre Wednesday 11 April 2018 1.30pm for 1.45pm £6 per person inc. afternoon tea Please call 0116 2303317 or send an email to: brianjackie.popple@ntlworld.com if you would like to attend
YOUR SAY...
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, Unit 109, Greenacres, The Sidings, Leicester LE4 3BR, or handed in at Mountsorrel library or email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk
Dick Whittington Here’s a chance to brighten up your grey March days with a visit to Barrow’s family panto on Fri 9th and Sat 10th March. With usual verve and humour, Barrow Panto Group will bring all the traditions of pantomime to your doorstep. Expect slapstick, romance, gorgeous costumes, song and dance and a chance to interact….oh yes you do. The show will be at Humphrey Perkins Community Centre, Cotes Road, Barrow, LE12 8JU starting at 7pm or 2pm for the Saturday matinee performance. Tickets will cost £8 and £6 (concessions) with a family ticket for 4 at £24. You can buy them on line (card or Paypal) from www.busca.org.uk or from The Paper Shop or Barrow library or by phoning 07718153117 Rothley & Birstall Birdwatching Club Our 40th Anniversary
A Birdwatcher’s Year by Steve Magennis What better subject to start our 40th Anniversary than A Birdwatcher’s Year? Steve is an award winning, well respected and passionate photographer based in Northamptonshire and has spent many hours watching and photographing the British countryside. From a very early age Steve carried a camera trying to capture all the wonderful colours and atmosphere of the countryside but also learning the fundamentals of camera handling and picture taking. His work is published all over the
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Poppy Appeal Over the years that the Poppy Appeal has been run this village has always been a firm and generous supporter and this has been no different for the 2017 Appeal for which our village total currently stands at £5881.88. Mountsorrel Branch, Royal British Legion, and all those involved in the Appeal and the village Remembrance Day Events, wish to thank all those who have contributed to this magnificent display of support. The 2017 Appeal remains open until the end of September and further donations can still be made through village RBL Branch or by contacting me, the Poppy Appeal Organiser, johncdoyle@talktalk.net. John Doyle 8
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world and he is currently working towards his Fellowship, the highest qualification within the Royal Photographic Society. In 2014, he was Leica Fieldsports Photographer of the Year, Category winner in 2015 and Highly Commended every year since 2015. Tuesday 13th March 7.30pm The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR 40 Years! Time To Celebrate by Marion Vincent How did our club begin? What did we do 40 years ago and moving forward? You might be very surprised at what we got up to! Marion has been researching the dusty files, looking at programmes produced on old typewriters and remembering Field Trips that were made exciting by the forms of transport. The long weekends that Ken organised before branching out into Europe. One evening we filled the dining room of our ‘small and friendly’ hotel with birdwatchers and naturalists from the north-east area of Mallorca. The small bar had never had an evening like it. This evening starts with our short AGM. Tuesday 10th April 7.30pm The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Further information from Marion Vincent 0116 2375156
LOROS Bus 2nd March 2018 at Charnwood Surgery, 39 Linkfield Road, Mountsorrel, Nr. Loughborough LE12 7DJ The LOROS bus will be on our car park for anyone (doesn’t have to be a patient of Charnwood Surgery) to come and get information
or talk to a LOROS professional. It will be here on 2 March 10am3pm. Everyone is welcome. LOROS Hospice is a local charity and every year we care for over 2,500 people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. LOROS deliver free, high-quality, compassionate care and support to terminally ill patients, their family and carers. We deliver care that is special and unique to each individual
Free Technology Help
With more and more services now digital by default, Age UK’s Charnwood Project are supporting people over 50 with ANY questions or queries in relation to getting online - NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL!! 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each Month Drop in anytime between 10am & 12noon
Where? Jubilee Room, Syston Town Council Community Centre, School St., Syston LE7 1HN If you’re over 50 and would like help or just want practice, either bring your own Laptop, Tablet or Smart Phone along with you or have a go on our devices. For more information, contact Jeanette Silver on 01509 260327
MOUNTSORREL UNITED CHARITIES Relief in Need Fund
Do you need financial help? Have you lived in Mountsorrel for 6+ months? The Mountsorrel Relief in Need Fund could help by giving you a grant towards items for your home, your health, your garden or other needs. Please phone to make an appointment. You will need to give some financial details but these are kept confidential. Call or text Rachel on 0793 1129 360 Email mountsorrelunitedcharities@outlook.com www.mountsorrelunitedcharities.com Registered charity number 217615 Find us on Facebook and Twitter
MAR 2018
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Barrow Panto Group presents
MOUNTSORREL POST
Noticeboard all details printed free
Digital Champions Project Free drop-in session for the over 50’s – come along to Rothley Community Library for help with using tablets, smart phones etc and for support with getting online. Between 10 am and 12 noon every first and third Thursday of the month Rothley Community Library Mountsorrel Lane, LE7 7PS For further information please contact Jeanette Silver on 01509 260327, Sumayya or Marie on 0116 2237363, or speak to the library directly on 0116 237 6162 Leics & Rutland Wildlife Trust (Charnwood) Wednesday March 14th 2018 at 7.30pm Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall
Management of Watermead Country Park North’s Reedbed Reserve The Group’s AGM will be followed by an illustrated talk by Dale Osborne, Ranger at Watermead Country Park. Find out about the history, the objectives, the management and the species that now inhabit this fascinating reserve Admission is £2.50 for LRWT members, £3 for visitors, (children free), including refreshments.
special ‘appraisal’ evening! You are invited to join us at the Palmer-Tomkinson Centre at Cedars Academy, Wanlip Lane, to hear renowned professional artist Tim Fisher appraising the works of our members in various media from Watercolour, Pen & Ink, Pastels, to Acrylics and Oils, as well as ‘Mixed Media’ using a combination of materials and effects. This is a perfect opportunity for visitors to come along and see the work of our members and to find out more about our Society. We are all amateurs, painting purely for pleasure. Newcomers and visitors will be most welcome to attend the Appraisal to come and see if you will be inspired to try your hand at this wonderful and fulfilling hobby. Refreshments available at the interval, when you will have the opportunity to chat with members and Committee. Appraisal will take place from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Entry £3, includes free raffle. Ample parking and wheelchair access
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Come and help at Mountsorrel library! Leicestershire County Council have given 'permission' for the library to start recruiting volunteers, in advance of the library being passed to the community. Come and help Ruth, our librarian, and learn new skills in library services. You will have to be registered as a County Council volunteer at first, they will carry out full training and all the required back ground checks, then you can commit to as many (or as few) sessions as you like. For more details or to enlist as a volunteer please contact: Lorraine Davis (Parish Clerk) on 0116 2303809 (9-11am Mon to Wed) Or talk to our librarian, Ruth during opening hours The Inner Wheel Of The Wreake Valley
Birstall & District Art Society Tuesday, 13th March, at 7.30 p.m. Annual General Meeting 6-7pm (members only) followed by a
are all welcome at King Lears Lake, North Gate, Watermead Park, Wanlip, LE7 1PD off the A46 just north of Leicester between Syston and Wanlip. Membership Adult £66/yr Family £88/yr, Day Sail £10 Incl. use of club boards, sails and paddles Website www.leicestersailboardclub.co.uk or e-mail lwsupc@outlook.com or Mob 07714651635
Free Charity Concert Beginners, intermediate and experienced
in aid of HEARTWISE (a new charity demonstrating CPR use of defibrillators to pupils in senior
schools) At Quorn Village Hall Leicester Road, Quorn LE12 8BB. Saturday 14th April 2018, 7.30pm Entertainment by Loughborough Male Voice Choir. Free glass of wine or soft drink. Raffle. Bucket collection for HEARTWISE Please help us support this charity Leicestershire Life Education Centre
Make up Masterclass Monday 12th March Anstey Jubilee Hall 6.30 arrival 7pm start tickets £6, call/text 07976809127
Mountsorrel Parish Church Friday 2 March - Women's World Day of Prayer - 2.15pm at Christ Church, Mountsorrel. Planned by 'Christian Women of Suriname. All welcome (including men) Saturday 24 March - 10.00am 2.00pm at Christ Church, Mountsorrel. A Coffee Morning with various stalls including bric-abrac. Do come along and help us raise funds for The Leprosy Mission. Sunday 25 March - The Palm Sunday Procession starts at 10.15am from St. Peter's (Market Place) and we will walk via the Baptist Church and Christ Church to the Methodist Church Churchill Road for a 10.45am United Service. Join us en-route or go direct to the Methodist Church. Everyone most welcome. Friday 30 March - Good Friday. Open Air Witness this year will be on ‘The Green’ close to the Library
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My View Of St Paul’s Church, Woodhouse Eaves 5 age groups: pre-school to adults Free entry - Valuable prizes Entries close 30th April, 2018 For details, rules and entry forms: www.stpaulsheritage.org or collect them from St. Paul’s Film Presentations Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council "Victoria and Abdul" (Mar 9, 112 mins)
Dame Judi Dench stars in this British biographical comedy drama. Abdul was given to Queen Victoria as a servant from British India but found favour with her, becoming her close, personal secretary. He taught her Hindi, some curry recipes and about Indian culture. Abdul bypassed traditional Victorian hierarchy, receiving from Victoria many medals. He gathered animosity among the household but she still loved him as a son. This will be a royal treat. "Breathe" (Apr 13, 117mins) This extraordinary true story, told over three decades, tells us about Robin who, in 1950, contracts the devastating disease, poliomyelitis. He actually escapes from hospital and, encouraged by his wife, leads a full and passionate life, with the aid of a wheelchair that was invented specially for him. "Breathe" is a moving British romantic drama starring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy. "Whisky Galore" will be shown on May 11. Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall, starting at 7.30pm. Film tickets will cost £5 which will include refreshments and a lucky prize draw during the interval. Advance tickets may be purchased via the parish office – 0116 236 7626 or at the door
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is still required if you are selling or renting out your house. Call David Jackson on 0781 5519490 to arrange your EPC 10
Care home links Parish with youth café council THE NEWLY opened Mountview care home on Loughborough Road held a raffle on its launch day in December, raising £105 for the Mountsorrel Youth café. It will be the start of a long term working partnership between the café and Mountview says Graham Lloyd, the youth officer at the café. He said: “The café has always regarded working across the generations as important. Our new partnership with Mountview will open the doors Pic: Lindy James presents a cheque to Graham Lloyd for greater collaboration. Ideas such as work experience pleasure in supporting the Sorrel Youth for young people, shared events and Café and hope to work with them again projects are already being considered.” over the next few years.” Presenting the funding, Lindy James, The money raised will be used to Care Manager, said: “A key part of our support the work of the Café. Graham approach is that people who live with us said: “The Sorrel Youth Café is largely feel part of the community. We are there- dependent on local support I would fore keen to build relationships with therefore like to thank all those at other community groups. We have great Mountview for their support and kindness. We are currently hoping to recruit a group of new volunteers to help support all aspects of its work.” Those interested in finding out more about the workshops should contact Graham on 07775 616001 or 0116 2375289 or email ruelloyd@btinternet.com
R.E. MILLS SERVICING, MOT & CLASSIC CAR SPECIALIST MOT
TESTING
Art Classes With INGRID
KLEINS-DANIELS
Mountsorrel Memorial Centre
Starting Tuesday April 10th VEHICLE TESTING STATION
Servicing & Repairs to all makes & models MOTs • Bodywork Electronic Diagnosis Leaded 4*
Beginners Drawing & Painting - 10-12 am 10 weeks £100 Looking at all aspects of drawing and painting, how to use different media and techniques. Full tuition and guidance with experienced teacher and artist.
Improvers Drawing & Watercolours - 1.30-3.30pm 10 weeks £100
RE Mills Motor Engineer
For those with some previous experience who want to progress and improve their skills with full tuition.
Come along, learn new skills & meet new people in a relaxed & informal atmosphere. For full details contact Ingrid Kleins-Daniels:
34-36 Town Green St Rothley LE7 7NU
0116 2302295
07951 911699 or 01509 734467 Or Mountsorrel Memorial Ctr reception on 0116 2304877
notes
A FULL meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on October 9. It was agreed that the council support the bid of the Mountsorrel Heritage Group to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding towards the establishment of a museum and heritage centre at the Parish Rooms on Little Lane. It was agreed that permission be given to Mountsorrel United Juniors FC to install a defibrillator at the pavilion on the Halstead Road playing fields. A full meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on Monday November 13. Representatives from the Heritage Group congratulated the council on the success of the Remembrance Day service, particularly the opportunity afforded to local residents to view the new Memorial Centre. It was reported that a request for £20,000 funding from Charnwood Borough Council for the Memorial Centre has resulted in an award of £7,000. Mr Will Antill on behalf of the War Memorial Trust expressed his disappointment not only in the outcome of the application but that members and officers of Charnwood Borough Council had not visited the site. The Council agreed a precept of £543,970 for the year 2018/19. In 2017/18 the precept was £207,276. This is an increase of 162%. A band D council tax payer will see the annual sum paid to the parish council increase from £75.99 to £199.85. Chairman Steve Haywood said the increase was necessary because of the completion of the Memorial Centre, the council was taking on responsibility for the library, the Halstead Road project and the depletion of the council’s reserves. £300,000 had been withdrawn from the council’s reserves over the past five years as well as £300,000 for the Memorial Centre project. This had resulted in the council’s general reserve now standing at approximately £58,000. It was reported that the responsibility for the library would be passed from the County Council to the parish council on February 1, 2018. £300 has been spent on equipment to deter badgers from entering the cemetery. A full meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on January 8. Mr Brian Wilson was co-opted to fill a vacancy on the council created by the resignation of Cllr Roberts.
The June issue of the
MOUNTSORREL POST will be published on June 8. The copy deadline is May 25.
MAR 2018
Photography Competition:
MOUNTSORREL POST
St Paul’s Heritage
Parcels
Heritage Centre’s new plans
A LARGE number of parcels were stolen from Mountsorrel Post Office on Leicester Road in December.
A NEW £850,000 building is planned for the Mountsorrel and Rothley Heritage Centre on Swithland Lane.
Police say the items were stolen between 2.30pm on Saturday December 16 and 7.30am on Monday December 18. Some parcels were due for delivery in the local area, while others were being kept for collection by members of the public. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact PC 2997 Jamie Thompson on 101, quoting incident 17000550576.
Townswomen’s Guild
The Discovery Centre will have a heritage display space, a local history library and study centre and will host school visits. A spokesman said: “On the ground floor the building will provide three times more display space than we have at present. “Cutting edge technology will be utilised to present information as effectively as possible and to capture the imagination of general visitors and schoolchildren, ensuring that what they see and
THE MOUNTSORREL Townswomen’s Guild has been established in the village for over 70 years and still meets regularly for talks, social evenings and occasional evenings out. Meetings are held in the Parish Rooms at 7.30pm on the first Thursday of the month with a social meeting on the third Thursday. “Come and join us and make new friends, new members are always welcome” said a spokeswoman. The April meeting will be the AGM and on May 3 the talk will be on Ancient Board Games. The speaker is Ernest Miller. On June 7 the subject will be Lord Nelson and Emma Hamilton the speaker being Richard Smith. Everyone is welcome at these meetings (including gentlemen) with a visitor’s fee of £3 including light refreshments. For further information see the Face book pageMountsorrel Townswomen’s Guild.
ALL TYPES OF DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL WORK
Extra Points Alarms Rewiring Security Lighting Electrical Testing Part P Registered
Control Electrics Ltd Tel: 0116 2682910 FREE ESTIMATES
Pics: an artist’s impression of the Discovery Centre
learn leaves a lasting impression. “On the first floor there will be a flexible space that can be used as a classroom for school visits, a lecture theatre, and exhibition area, or it may be hired for business meetings and seminars. “The local history library will house historical collections related to the local area. These may be used for research in the adjacent study centre.” The Heritage Centre opened in 2016 and is a project delivered by the volunteers who restored the Mountsorrel railway. The Swithland Lane site features a display space, tea room, nature trail, quarry demonstration space and a garden railway. The Discovery Centre has been planned over the last 18 months working with Leicester and Loughborough universities, local schools, the county council and other stakeholders. A funding application was made in February 2018 and a planning application will be submitted in April. It is hoped the building will be completed in 2020.
To get a better idea of what the building will look like you can view a virtual tour of the building on the centre’s website. The centre spokesman said: “The Heritage Centre site has brought so much benefit and enjoyment to so many people but there is much more potential to be unlocked. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a much larger heritage display space, a local history library and study centre, and to be able to host school visits, so our younger generation are able to learn about the local history, ecology and the very special geological history of the Charnwood Forest?”
Mountsorrel’s ‘good’ school
MOUNTSORREL POST
MAR 2018
STAFF AND pupils at Mountsorrel primary school are celebrating after being rated as ‘good’ in all categories by OFSTED. Three years ago OFSTED rated the school as “inadequate: serious weaknesses” Headteacher Clare Clay said: “We are thrilled that the inspectors agreed with our own self evaluations and we are graded as good in all categories. During the inspection, as they are every day here at school, the children were an absolute credit to their parents. This report recognises the hard work, commitment and dedication of our skilled and talented staff and governors and truly reflects the ethos and values of our school community. We are very proud of this achievement.” The inspectors recognised that the school’s plans for continuous improvement are clear and precise and sharply focused to provide clear direction. Inspectors found that: “Pupils are polite and well mannered. The school has a warm nurturing and friendly atmosphere where pupils enjoy learning. “Pupils develop secure knowledge, understanding and skills. As a result, most attain well and are well equipped for their next stage of education. From start-
ing points often below those expected for their age, most children make good progress and achieve well in the early years. The proportion of children who reach a good level of development is close to the national average. Attainment in writing is above National average expectations.” The school’s ethos of giving all pupils, staff and stakeholders a ‘place to belong’ has been recognised through the work of the Inclusion Team who ensure that pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities are well cared for and provision is appropriately meeting their needs. The inspectors noted the school provides interesting lessons that motivate pupils to learn. The curriculum is enriched by a range of stimulating activities. Consequently, pupils are enthusiastic learners. By the end of year six, the majority of pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, have SEN and/or disabilities, make progress in reading, writing and mathematics that is at least good. To improve further, the inspectors said that the school needs to improve the quality of outdoor learning for children in the early years, that teachers give pupils challenging work right from the start of their lessons and that leaders check the impact pupil premium funding is having on attainment. 11
P/18/0322/2: 99 Rothley Road Mountsorrel. Alterations to Pharmacy including new shop front and sub-division of first floor apartment to create 2 apartments. Resubmission to allow for altered access to first floor and other minor amendments.
come along and try your hand at drawing and painting, the morning class, 10 till 12 noon, for beginners is an ideal starting point. Those with some previous experience, the afternoon class from 130 until 3:30pm will cater for your further development.” To book your place contact Ingrid: 07951 911699 or 01509 734467. www.ingridkleins-daniels.com
Help community group ARE YOU interested in making a difference to the community life of Mountsorrel? The Mountsorrel Community Team is looking for new members to join it. We are all now familiar with the oldstyle Mountsorrel village festival, REVIVAL. Its success over the last few years has attracted thousands of people, enhanced the reputation of the village and generated income for businesses and local charities. Many will also be aware of the annual Pancake Race and will recall the Medieval Banquet and the Sir William Marshal celebration day. These, and other activities, have been organised and delivered by a small group of committed volunteers, who have a range of skills and interests. The MCT is a local not for profit group that seeks to develop activities and events, bringing people together and helping to create a sense of community. Debbie MacRae, Chair of MCT, said: “With the building of the new Memorial Centre and the growth of the village, the MCT anticipates that the next few years will offer opportunities to stage new and exciting events and activities. The team meets
regularly to manage its work and has a number of subgroups focusing on specific projects, such as REVIVAL.” She added: “The team is made up of a great group of people who all share a passion for the village, having fun and bringing people together. We are now looking for a few more people to join us, both to enhance our knowledge and to help us achieve more.” The MCT has several events planned for 2018. Debbie said: “We are keen to work with some new people as soon as possible. This will make sure that they will feel part of the annual programme. In addition to looking for volunteers to join the Team, the MCT is also looking for people who can spare time to help with marshalling, staffing stalls and supporting the delivery of events.” If you are interested in finding out more about the MCT, its work and volunteering, you can visit the MCT website on http://the-mct.co.uk, give Graham a call on 07775 616001 or send them an email through the website contact us page.
Coffee cash
12
COFFEE MORNINGS at Mountsorrel Baptist Church in 2017 have raised £700 for LOROS. Our picture shows Adrian Walker from LOROS (left) receiving a cheque from Alan Alexander.
P/18/0265/2: 9 The Homestead Mountsorrel. Erection of replacement ground floor extension to rear of detached dwelling P/18/0225/2: 10 Heron Close Mountsorrel Leicestershire. The erection of a single storey rear extension extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by 3.5 m, with a maximum height of 3.5m, and height to the eaves of 2.25m. P/18/0183/2: 18 Cross Lane Mountsorrel. By conversion of extended semi-detached house into two dwellings and formation of car parking to front P/18/0022/2: 1 Hawcliffe Road Mountsorrel. Erection of single storey extension to rear, first floor extension to rear of dwelling and porch to front P/18/0005/2: 23 Windsor Close Mountsorrel. Single storey side and rear extension P/17/2580/2: Land to the rear of 217 223 Mountsorrel Lane Rothley Leicestershire LE7 7PU. Proposed erection of 9 dwellings including garages, parking and associated works. P/17/2579/2: 223 Mountsorrel Lane Rothley Leicestershire. Demolition and replacement of existing dwelling with detached garage and associated works. P/17/2560/2: 2-4 Hawthorn Road Mountsorrel. Alterations to form additional car parking area P/17/2554/2: 13 Cromwell Road Mountsorrel. Erection of single storey extension to east of dwelling. P/17/2572/2: Mountsorrel Quarry, Loughborough Road Mountsorrel Leicestershire Variation of Conditions 26 of PP 2016/0158/02 so as to retain, for a temporary five year period (to 31st December 2022), the limit on the operation of the coated roadstone plant at night-time and on a Sunday, Public or Bank Holiday. (LCC ref. 2017/VOCM/0350/LCC) P/17/2313/2: 19 Strachan Close Mountsorrell. Crown reduction by 3m to 4 Sycamore trees (T1, T2, T3 & T4) , Crown reduction by 3m to 1 Walnut tree (T5), and Fell 1 Silver Birch Tree (T7) . Crown lifting to silver birch (T6) by removal of 2 lower branches over the driveway and 3 smaller lowest branches from the opposite side (Tree Preservation Order)
MOUNTSORREL POST YOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
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editor@birstallpost.co.uk
Small Ads 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.
AMLI DESIGN Architectural Consultancy. Plans drawn and submitted. Extensions, conversions, new build. David Ives B.Sc.(Hons) FBEng MCIOB 0116 2674395/07974807111 www.amlidesign.co.uk TELEPHONE EXTENSION Sockets fitted by ex-BT engineer. Cable, BT and digital TV. Over 25 yrs experience. John 0116 2675132 mob 077 91788331
Support youth café THE SORREL Youth Café and its Community Café provision, MYCafe, are looking for people to help it maintain and develop its services. Over the last five years the Sorrel Youth Café has developed its services to provide support to all parts of the Mountsorrel community. The aim of both the Youth Café and MyCafé is to offer a social meeting place that brings people together, offers support and provides educational opportunities. Weekly groups for young people receiving additional educational support and other activities already happen or are being planned. Graham Lloyd, the Youth Officer, said: “‘The Café already has an amazing team of volunteers who keep it going throughout the year. We are now looking to build on this by recruiting more local people to join us. It’s a really exciting time for the café and it would be great if more residents became involved.” The Café is also looking to recruit two paid sessional workers to organise and deliver an after-school club and an afternoon craft activity group. It is also seeking volunteers with a range of skills, abilities and interests to help in both the youth and community Café parts of its work. This includes people who have leadership skills and who want to take on the responsibility of running their own sessions or people who just want to assist. Graham added: “We are not looking for experts, but people who have some time, who can talk to other people and are keen to help. If people have additional interests and skills such as crafts, sport or who are good at organising things, then that would be great. The Café is situated in the heart of the village and I want to help it become even more part of the community.” If you are interested in finding out more about the sessional posts, the Café and its work or volunteering, please give Graham a call on 07775 616001 or email ruelloyd@btinternet.com
MAR 2018
P/18/0326/2: 14 Beaumaris Road, Mountsorrel. First floor extension over existing garage and breakfast room. Single storey extension to accommodate a new utility room. P/18/0324/2: 109 Loughborough Road Mountsorrel. The application is for the erection of a single storey rear extension.
ART CLASSES led by an experienced teacher are being offered at Mountsorrel Memorial Centre. Ingrid Kleins-Daniels (pictured) is an experienced local artist, designer and former teacher/lecturer. She lives in Shepshed and was originally from Rothley. Having spent some years living and working in Spain, she has returned to this country and is once again teaching adult classes, something she did for many years before becoming head of art at a local secondary school. Ingrid also worked for 13 years as a tutor and lecturer for Nottingham University School of continuing education, teaching undergraduate level practical courses and contextual studies to adult learners. Ingrid has a BA Hons in fine art and a PGCE in education. Classes are on Tuesdays from April 10, 2018 and the fee is £100 for 10 classes. Ingrid said: “If you would like to
Planning
MOUNTSORREL POST
Local art classes