Mountsorrel Post (37) Dec 2011

MOUNTSORREL POST YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

DECEMBER 2011

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New road & 240 homes planned 240 NEW homes and a link road are being planned for a site on the southern boundary of Mountsorrel.

No. 37

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Tesco’s plans for pub approved PLANS FOR a Tesco Express at the old Stag & Pheasant have been approved by Charnwood.

Map: red area shows development site, broken line shows the link road

Developers Radleigh Group Limited want to build on a 34 acre site between Mountsorrel Lane and its junction with Walton Way over to Loughborough Road.

The new link road will take traffic from the Walton Way roundabout across to the Loughborough Road, near to Brooklea Nursery.

The site is mostly arable land and some is used for keeping horses.

The link road will ease congestion on the busy Linkfield Road but both Rothley and Mountsorrel Parish Councils have stated the two parishes have already had enough development and that local facilities cannot cope with more.

Linkfield Farm houses PLANS TO build 45 homes on the edge of Rothley will put unsustainable pressure on local schools and facilities, says Rothley Parish Council.

Developers John Willcox Land Ltd want to build 45 homes and create a public open space at Linkfield Farm, between Hill Top Garage and Rowe Leys Furlong.

The derelict farmhouse will be demolished, an access lane created with predominantly two storey dwelling built with detached houses in the north of the site and semi-detached and terraced properties on the lane.

30 per cent of the dwellings will be ‘affordable properties’.

Continued on back page

The two Parish Councils are in the process of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan in a bid to control the scale of any future development.

Developers Radleigh have not yet submitted a formal planning application but have asked Charnwood Borough Council if one would require an Environmental Impact Assessment.

Details can be viewed on Charnwood’s website, the planning reference number is P/11/2487/2

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Planning permission is not required to convert pubs into shops, but Tesco needed permission for changes to the frontage, for signs and the installation of an automatic telling machine (ATM) Permission for the ATM was refused in August because of parking problems, but all the other plans have now been approved.

Tesco amended their plans for the frontage in September, with the replacement of all of the windows on the front elevation with powder coated aluminium windows similar to those found on the library opposite. The existing front door is to be replaced with a four panel, part glazed door and a timber fire escape door now replaces the formerly proposed steel one.

Charnwood had to consider whether to permit the development within a Conservation Area and determined that

Pic: the site of the new Tesco

“…the revised proposals would at least preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation Area” and that “…there are no tenable reasons to refuse planning permission.”

The Council received 38 letters objecting to the proposed changes to the frontage and a petition signed by 454 residents objecting to the Tesco store.

Two people were in favour of a Tesco store at this location.

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DEC 2011

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DEC 2011

Parade to church REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY was marked in Mountsorrel by a parade and a service at St Peter’s Church.

Organised by the Royal British Legion, the parade from The Green to the church was led by the musicians of

the Leicestershire Co-op Snibston Band.

Youth organisations, councillors and dignitaries took part in the parade.

This year’s Poppy Appeal in the village has exceeded last years total of £3342. Appeal Organiser John Doyle said: “ Thank you to everyone in the village who was so generous in donating to The Poppy Appeal this year. This is a superb effort in a small community and will go towards not only the traditional work of the Legion but specifically to help the Afghan generation of the Armed Forces and their families - today and for the rest of their lives.”

BUDGENS HAS announced it is lowering prices on thousands of products.

Housing benefit fraud prosecuted

Store’s price cuts

A FRAUDSTER who illegally claimed more than £10,000 in benefits has been ordered to carry out community service after being exposed following a tip off to the Council.

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ers revealed that Needham was overpaid £10,040.33 between February 2008 and March 2011.

A total of £7,516.56 related to Housing Benefit while £1,842.02 related to Council Tax. He has repaid the Council Tax element and has subsequently reduced his Housing Benefit overpayment to £7,116.56 which he still owes.

Councillor Jenny Bokor, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services, said: “We do not tolerate benefit fraud in any form and we will prosecute offenders.

“It is sometimes classed as a victimless crime, but the victims are good, honest hard-working taxpayers whose money this is. If you suspect someone of claiming public money to which they should not be entitled, please call our benefit fraud hotline and we will investigate.”

Needham was sentenced to 70 hours unpaid community work and ordered to pay £100 towards the Council’s costs.The case was heard at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on October 24, 2011.

If you suspect anyone of committing benefit fraud, contact the Council's benefit fraud hotline on 01509 634853. All calls are treated in confidence.

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Charnwood Borough Council prosecuted Kevin Needham, of Durham Road, Loughborough, after it was revealed he had been claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit despite a change in his earnings.

Needham, 52, admitted that he failed to inform the Council that he had been working full time since February 2008 and that he realised the additional income would affect the amount of benefits he received.

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MOUNTSORREL POST

DEC 2011

Photos needed for heritage project YOUR FAMILY photographs of life and work in Mountsorrel could be included in a book on the village’s industrial history.

The Mountsorrel Arts & Heritage Project are appealing to residents to bring in their photos to be scanned at an open day on December 10, where you can also find out more about the project called ‘Memories of Stone, Steam and Metal’.

Glassball Arts Project (GAP), with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, local volunteers and the Mountsorrel Heritage Group, are delivering the project, It will result in the publication of a hardback book and the creation of a portable exhibition detailing the story of industry in the village and its impact on the local community.

On December 10, GAP will be holding a project open day and ‘Photo Swap Shop’ from 10.30am to 3.30pm in the meeting room at Mountsorrel library.

Cora Glasser from GAP said: “We would really like you to share with us Pic: Quarry Manager Angus Shedden showing some of the group around Mountsorrel quarry any family photographs you have of living and working in Mountsorrel. Our Aggregates & Concrete UK’s Mountsorrel have lived and worked in Mountsorrel. project workers and volunteers will be Quarry, said: “Mountsorrel Quarry has a They have been exploring the social and on hand to scan images and document long and proud community history and your stories. In return GAP would like to industrial heritage of the village from it is exciting to see this history not only 1876, when the Mountsorrel Granite offer to take your photograph as a way recorded but celebrated, providing a company took over the rights to the to say thank you for taking part. Prints glimpse into the mutual past of the quarwill be available on the day to take away Broad Hill Quarry. A recent quarry tour ry and the village and a record of experiwas undertaken courtesy of Lafarge to with you. Light refreshments will also be ences to pass on to new generations.” document the site and to gain a greater provided, so we hope you can come Cora said: “GAP are very pleased to along to find out more about the project understanding of this major industry on be working in partnership with local their doorstep.” All workshops are free and meet the team involved. volunteers, in particular the Mountsorrel to attend and light refreshments are Cora added: “Currently young people Heritage Group members and younger from the village are learning film making, provided. If you would like to take part members of the community, in capturing please email GAP at photography, journalism and design the unique industrial and social heritage mail@glassball.org.uk. skills to assist with the gathering and of the village. We are very keen for the Angus Shedden, manager at Lafarge sharing of oral histories from those who

Christmas Carol Concert Organised by

Mountsorrel Parish Council You are all invited to the Memorial Hall on Tuesday December 13 at 7.30pm

Those taking part include: The Ratby Co-operative Band Local Organisations • Local Clergy Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the concert

local community, especially young people, to get involved and help us record oral histories from those who worked in the key industries in and around Mountsorrel. Please come and see us on December 10, to find out more about the project and come away with a free photograph!”

For further information about the project contact mail@glassball.org.uk www.glassball.org.uk

Front garden prize winners THE WINNERS of Mountsorrel Parish Council’s Best Kept Garden Competition in 2011 were: Hanging baskets & window boxes: 1. Mr & Mrs Lanning – 11 Blue Granite Caravan Park, The Green; 2.

Mrs L B Beck – 1 Blue Granite Caravan Park, The Green; 3. Mr & Mrs Hand – 40 Hawcliffe Road Small gardens: 1. Mrs K KissaneRogers – 1 Glenfrith Gardens; 2. Mr & Mrs Squire – 16 Rockhill Drive; 3.

Mr & Mrs Morrish – 2 Cloud Lea Large gardens: 1. Mr & Mrs Spiers – 23 Kenilworth Close; 2. Mr & Mrs Monk – 1 Bradgate Close; 3. Mr & Mrs Wheeldon – 41 Laurel Close Business premises: 1. The Mountsorrel Guest House – 217 Loughborough Road; 2. Rose Cottage Rest Home -136 Rothley Road

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DEC 2011

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A FULL meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on September 12.

Mrs Megan Scotney signed the declaration of acceptance of office and was welcomed as a new councillor.

Presentations were made to the winners of the Parish Council’s annual Best Kept Front Garden competition winners.

A resident of Rothley Road spoke about speeding on Rothley Road and suggested flashing speed signs that indicate the speeds of passing driver. He also reported antisocial behaviour in the same area and suggested the provision of a CCTV camera.

PC Glen Spiby reported on speeding in the village. He suggested a working party be formed to consider the provision of CCTV in the village. It was agreed that this be put on a future agenda.

It was reported that the programme of summer activities at the Soar Valley Leisure Centre and organised by the Council’s Youth Development Group had received a donation of £500 from Lafarge.

The Council agreed to donate £50 to the Mountsorrel Heritage Group’s open days.

A full meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on October 10.

PC Glen Spiby reported that crime in the village had increased slightly compared to figures from previous years.

Cllr John Capleton reported that the new operators of the Borough’s leisure centres were investing in improvements.

A sum of £7.6million is being spent in improving Charnwood’s housing stock, including PRC homes in Mountsorrel.

Dust levels from Mountsorrel quarry continue to be monitored and emission levels are falling.

It was agreed to discuss the provision of CCTV in the village at the Planning & Highways committee, to invite PC Spiby and to form a working party if the need arose.

It was prepared to allocate £2500 on the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan with Rothley Parish Council.

It was agreed to award a Certificate of Commendation to John Hill.

PHOTO: CLIVE RASIN

Parish Council notes

Autumn on the beach

Village library Police office plan cuts OUR PICTURE shows children enjoying a Seaside Rock beach party in October at Mountsorrel Baptist Church.

The event, organised as an alternative to Halloween, featured games, crafts, singing and hot dogs.

MOUNTSORREL LIBRARY will have its opening hours reduced from April 2, 2012.

Currently open 23.5 hrs a week, this will be cut by 4.5 hrs from April.

Contact the library for more details on 3055892.

LOCAL POLICE want to site a portable cabin in the village to use as a beat office, following the closure of Quorn Police Station.

Leicestershire Constabulary have submitted a planning application to Charnwood to site the cabin at the

rear of Budgens supermarket on Granite Way. The office will not be open to the public, and will be used by the Mountsorrel beat team.

Similar offices in the local area, such as Rothley, have increased the amount of time officers can spend in their beat area.

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MOUNTSORREL POST

DEC 2011

Youth café to stay open MOUNTSORREL’S YOUTH Café on The Green has been given planning permission to remain open for a further 12 months.

The decision comes at the same time as the cafe was awarded £5000 from Leicestershire County Council’s Big Society Fund, which aims to enable people to provide local services that benefit the community.

The café, a registered charity, was first given planning permission in November 2009 on a temporary 18 month trial basis.

In October Charnwood considered the Youth Café’s application for extended opening hours during weekday mornings with an 8am start, previously 10am, and on Saturdays with a 9am start, previously 10am. Evening opening hours remain unchanged: 8.30pm Mon-Fri and 6pm on Saturdays.

The issue of antisocial behaviour (ASB) being linked to the opening of the café was considered by planners, who were provided with statistics by the Police.

Charnwood’s committee report states: “There does…appear to be an increase in incidents between 2010 and 2011 which have a strong causal link to the centre.

Whilst this shows signs of reducing there has been only a small period overall to assess clear patterns. “..in order for a full assessment to be made a further temporary permission should be granted.”

Reported incidents of ASB fell to four between July 1 to September 19, compared to a spike seen around the opening of the café.

Charnwood’s committee report also stated: “The establishment of the Youth Café is a positive venture that has arisen out of a need for community facilities to support this age group. The café provided a safe place for older children to meet, socialise and receive guidance. It could be argued that without it, the young peo-

Pic: the Mountsorrel Youth Café

ple would spend substantially larger periods of time congregating outdoors in an unorganised manner and that they would be increasingly tempted to use antisocial behaviour as a means of entertainment.

Whilst it is possible that the café may lead to an increase in antisocial behaviour in the direct vicinity it is likely to have a positive impact of reducing crime and disorder levels overall.”

Charnwood granted planning permission for 12 months and required that within four weeks an Action Plan be submitted setting out the management arrangements to minimise the activities of those who attend the youth café on the local residents, and that this plan be implemented.

In his submission to the planning authority, Charnwood LPU Commander Police Inspector Duncan Southall stated that: “The police support the principle and provision of effective, well run youth provision in Mountsorrel. Concerns over the suitability of the location remain.

“A balance needs to be struck between

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An ideal course for beginners or those who want to try or revisit new skills.

Tutor: Jo Sheppard. Fee £67, discounted: £60.30 (not available to the retired) or Free Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Monday 1–3pm, 10 meetings from 16 January 2012 What The Victorians Did For Leicester Many of the buildings that we see in the provision of accessible facilities for Leicester today, the organisations that young people and the rights of those serve, educate and entertain us, and the local residents of The Green to enjoy values that continue to influence the city, their environment free of ASB.” had their origins in the Victorian period.

If after 12 months there are significant We will consider how the Victorians problems of ASB resulting from the opera- shaped the Leicester of their own time, tion of the café, Inspector Southall said and explore some of the ‘legacies’ that the police would object to continued they left to us. operation of the premises as a youth Tutor: Cynthia Brown. Fee £40.20, facility in any form. discounted: £36.20 (not available to the Insp Southall also recommended that retired) or Free CCTV be provided both inside the café Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountand in the vicinity. sorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR The Mountsorrel Youth Café provides a Date: Tuesday 10–11.30am, 8 meetings place for young people to go and relax from 17 January 2012 with their friends outside of school hours. Afternoon Tai Chi It is led by a qualified youth worker supWith daily practice, the soft flowing ported by volunteers of all ages. County movements of Tai Chi strengthen the body, promoting stress reduction and well-being.

Council Youth Workers also deliver youth One posture of the 24 sequential moveservices from the café and have run first ments of the form is taught each week. aid courses and a food hygiene course Please wear loose clothing and flat-soled there. shoes.

The café has been supported by donaTutor Laraine Tucker Fee £73.70, distions from local businesses, individuals, charitable organisations and local authori- counted: £66.35(not available to the retired) or Free ties.

Venue: Birstall Methodist Church Rooms, 40 Wanlip Lane, Birstall LE4 4JS Date: Tuesday 1.30–3.30pm, 11 meetings from 17 January 2012 Art For A Modern World An opportunity to look at a range of twentieth century artists, including Natalia Goncharova, Modigliani and George EXAMINATION RESULTS at Longslade Braque, whose work reflects the very difCollege improved in 2011 compared ferent aesthetic responses to the changing to last year. times. No experience necessary – just a 45% of students achieved five or lively, open-minded interest in art! more GCSEs at grade C or above, inTutor Janis Baker Fee £53.60, discountcluding English and Maths. In 2010 the ed: £48.25 (not available to the retired) figure was 43% and the national averor Free age was 53.5%.

Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mount75% of students achieved five or sorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR more GCSEs, compared to 72% in 2010.

Date: Wednesday 7.15–9.15pm, 8 meetPost 16 students achieved a pass ings from 18 January 2012 rate of 97% at A2 level and the number Contact: Marion Vincent, Telephone: of students achieving a grade C or 0116 2375156 e-mail: above has risen from 64% in 2010 to vincent.mbe82@yahoo.co.uk or send your 71%. enrolments to John Laurance WEA TreasurSchool examinations results are not er, 33 Loughborough Road, Hoton Leicespublished in full until December 2011 ter LE12 5SF and can be viewed at Please make cheques payable to WEA www.education.gov.uk Birstall & Rothley Branch • Former Longslade student Jane Visit our website!

Aston has been awarded a first class for www.birstallandrothleywea.org.uk part two of the mathematical Tripos The Workers’ Educational Association from Trinity College, Cambridge, and (WEA) is a charity registered in England David Russell, also from Longslade, has and Wales (number 1112775) and in gained a first class honours degree in Scotland (number SC039239) and a comchemistry from the University of Leicespany limited by guarantee registered in ter, winning the Hunter Medal and Prize England and Wales (number 2806910). for the best graduating student in chemThe registered address is 3rd Floor, 70 istry.

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MOUNTSORREL POST

DEC 2011

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Town wins gold medal LOUGHBOROUGH HAS won a coveted Gold Medal award at the regional In Bloom awards.

The town won the prestigious Gold Award and Best Small City in the East Midlands. Harry Cook’s garden at 154 Forest Road won Gold for the Best Residential Garden and the Three Close Tenants’ Association won the Judges’ Award.

In addition, the Beacon public house on Beacon Road won the Bronze Award for the Best Hotel/Pub Garden or Display.

Councillor Hilary Fryer, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Cleansing and Open Spaces, said: “This is a massive achievement for every single person, group and business who contributed to our In Bloom entry. To win the Gold Award is an extremely difficult task and this award reflects the energy, commitment and creativity of our entry. It is also an endorsement of everything we do to keep the borough clean, tidy and safe for residents, visitors and workers.”

This year’s In Bloom effort also saw the number of different people, groups, organisations and businesses pass the 100 mark for the first time. Last year, Loughborough was awarded a Silver Gilt Award and also scooped the region’s Least Littered Town and Best Residential Garden awards.

Children enjoy harvest time CHILDREN FROM Mountsorrel school took part in a ‘Harvest Experience’ at Christ Church.

The aim of the event was to consider aspects of harvest in relation to various ‘Fruits of the Spirit’: patience, peace, humility, generosity and joy.

Displays on these themes were set up around the church and the children visited each one in small groups where they were each given a piece of fruit.

All the children joined together for a harvest thanksgiving where they learned about the Jewish ceremony of Sukkot

Police crackdown on speeding motorists POLICE ARE clamping down on speeding motorists in Mountsorrel after speed tests showed 83 per cent of drivers were speeding on Walton Way. The neighbourhood policing team are now making speeding a police priority for the next six months.

After a public consultation PC 2041 Glenn Spiby and PCSO 6442 Tom Joyce realised that speeding, particularly on Walton Way, was causing concern to local residents.

The officers set up a number of speed monitoring operations on Walton Way, Rothley Road, Leicester Road and Halstead Road, which established that 83.1% of the 9285 vehicles monitored during a two week period were driving over the speed limit. The team is now planning to take enforcement action.

PC Spiby said: “We’ve been monitoring speeds on a number of roads in the village and given words of advice rather than issuing tickets to try and educate drivers about their behaviour and the risks they are taking.

“Motorists who speed are breaking the law, driving too fast is dangerous and someone could get killed. Speed limits are there for a reason, to keep motorists and pedestrians safe, so we are urging

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Pic: PCSO Tom Joyce (left) & PC Glenn Spiby

everyone to stick to them.

“If we had been issuing tickets, 49% of the people we monitored would have been given a fine and points on their license.

“With the nights drawing in we feel it is time to take enforcement action so we will be doing more speed checks and we will be giving out tickets which leave the motorist with a £60 fine and three points on their driving license so it really isn’t worth the risk.”

You can contact PC 2041 Glenn Spiby by calling Leicester (0116) 222 2222 and, when prompted, key in his collar number (2041) and leave a message.

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MOUNTSORREL POST

DEC 2011

YOUR SAY... Noticeboard all details printed free Bikes 4 All

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

Your Turkey First you take your turkey A weighty little chap Then you hold him down Beneath a flowing tap Then you turn him over And start to pluck his chest When that’s done you turn him back And start to pluck the rest Now fill him full of sausage meat Some sage and onion too You roll it into little balls And poke them up his flue Then you take a skewer A needle and some twine And sew round his posterior In stitches neat and fine Now pop him in the oven And roast him overnight

Do you have an unused bike taking up space in your shed or garage?

We recently donated a bike to ‘Bikes 4 All’ who train young people not in education or employment to do them up. The bikes are then either sold in the shop or used for training both adults and children. Donating a bike gave us a good feeling that something we didn’t use was doing some good – the extra space in the shed is useful too!

To arrange collection or to find out more ring 0116 246 0048 ••• Attention all clubs, groups, societies & speaker finders!

Have you thought about booking LOROS to come and present to your When served for Christmas dinner He’ll be a lovely sight I think I’ve told you everything I’ll give my list a check Oh dear, I should have mentioned That first you wring his neck From Peggy Clarke

Double standards Re the proposed Tesco in the former Stag and Pheasant building and the rejecting of an ATM by Charnwood Council on the grounds of highway safety, nobody seems to be concerned about the highway safety outside the Co-op on Rothley Road when the bus stop is almost always blocked by car owners using the ATM, talk about double standards.

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Our presentation provides a selection of heart-warming stories and gives you a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes at LOROS where you’ll find wonderful people living life to the full, an inspirational blend of tears and laughter.

We also inform you all about our LOROS Lottery and ways in which you can help Offering many prizes, LOROS lottery has winners every week We give you an opportunity to join so you can win up to £7,500 in our weekly draw!

Our talk is completely free of charge!

Whether you are a local fitness class, WI group, sports club, gardening club, a business – we would love to meet you Everyone loves to hear about LOROS and learn more about us We can tailor make our presentation to your requirements, 10 mins to 1 hr, we will be pleased to meet your group and share our stories Bookings being taken now Please contact Jane Taylor 0116 231 8430 or janetaylor@loros.co.uk •••

Calling all Messy Toddlers 12 months to 3 yrs Bring a grown up to our parent & toddler sessions The sessions are fun, interesting and very messy!

Lots of painting and sticking, biscuit and cake decorating Nature time and musical instruments.

Water & sand play Stories and singing and lots of indoor and outside toys Grown ups enjoy a cuppa and adult conversation while the little ones munch on a well earned snack

It’s a great place to spend an hour and a half on Monday mornings.

Interested?

Call Karen, Toddler Leader at Acorn Under Fives (reg charity) on 2672795 £2.50 per session (pre-paid every half term) at Highcliffe Primary School Community Room, Greengate Lane, Birstall •••

Soar Valley Trampoline Club Monday & Wednesday evenings from 5-7pm at Soar Valley College

Investing in patient care PILBEAM OPTICIANS goes 3D! Pilbeam Opticians has recently invested in the latest high tech consulting room equipment for their Practice in Mountsorrel.

Pic: Optician Jonathan Pilbeam

The equipment includes Test Chart Xpert 3D which allows fine tuning of a patients vision. Jonathan Pilbeam, Managing Director, explains: “With the ever increasing demands placed on vision in today’s electronic society, our eyes need to be fine tuned to gain the maximum benefit from the devices that we use every day. This may be our mobile phone screens, computer screens and even the latest 3D technology used in cinema, television and now even on mobile phones. Test Chart Xpert 3D has the potential to fine tune a patients vision for optimum performance and we are very excited about incorporating the technology in our assessment of our patient’s vision”.

Pilbeam Opticians has also invested in equipment that will enable images of the front of patient’s eyes to be stored for monitoring of eye health. Jonathan said: “This is particularly important in contact lens wear where maintaining eye health is our highest priority”.

Plans withdrawn A PLANNING application to build a two storey, four classroom block at Rothley school has been withdrawn.

MOUNTSORREL POST

Sessions are for children from age 6 upwards Contact Annette for more details on 01664 840079 or email to aandnlewis@gmail.com ••• Friday Nov 25, 10am to 7pm Saturday Nov 26, 10am to 2pm Birstall Methodist Church

Christmas Festival ‘Winter Wonderland’ Admission to church £1 (accompanied children free)

Outdoor Christmas Market Christmas stalls, crafts, homemade produce Punch/hot dogs, games Friday Nov 25, 2-7pm Table Top Sale Saturday Nov 26, 10am-2pm (Tables £10, tel: Margaret, 0116 2671181) Refreshments served throughout the event (light lunches Fri & Sat 12-1.30pm) ••• Soar Valley Music Centre Junior Orchestra Symphony Orchestra Soloists & Ensembles Present

A Selection of Christmas Music with carols for audience participation Birstall Methodist church Friday December 16 at 7.30pm Bookings can be made through Soar Valley Music Centre: 0116 2664153, or pay at the door •••

Local Artist Anne Kingham Exhibition at Hind Leys Community College, Shepshed Nov 28-Dec 21 during college opening hours Anne lives in Barrow after living in Rothley for 17 years and took up painting and glass work in her retirement •••

Free Girls Football Academy Every Saturday 10-11.30am at Memorial Park, Necton Street, Syston LE7 8HF www.systontownjuniorsfc.co.uk ••• Charnwood Conservative Association

Christmas Fair Sat Dec 10 10am till noon, admission 50p Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell MP will be attending Raffle, tombola, books, produce stalls, games, cakes, bric-a-brac etc •••

Dowsing Event Crystals expert Eric Henderson will be the speaker at the next meeting of Leics & Rutland Dowsing Group to be held at St James’ Day Centre Birstall Village Hall

Saturday December 10 Eric will talk about ‘the way that various substances can affect the aura’ The meeting will start at 10am Everyone welcome •••

Birstall & District Local History Society The next meeting will be held on Thursday Dec 8 at 7.30pm in Birstall Village Hall, Birstall Road, Birstall Subject ‘My Life as a Tiller Girl’ Speaker: Margaret Hudson Visitors are very welcome •••

Christ Church & St Peter’s Church, Mountsorrel December 2011 Make, Do and Renew Christmas Craft Drop-In Mondays at 1.30pm in the Bower Room behind Christ Church (top of The Green)

Take a Break At St Peter’s Church, Market Place from 2pm on alternate Tuesdays (116 2376122 for dates). Drop in for a cuppa, biscuit and chat

Men’s Fellowship meet in the Bower Room on the first Monday of each month at 7.30pm

Church Open at Christ Church, 10am to noon, on Sats Dec 10, Jan 7 & 21

Carols Sunday December 18, Christ Church at 11am and St Peter’s Church 6pm

Christmas Eve Sat Dec 24 Christ Church Crib & Christingle Service at 4pm and Christ Church Holy Communion at 11.15pm when we welcome our friends from the other churches

Christmas Day Sunday December 25 Holy Communion St Peter’s church 10am and Christ Church 10.30am For more info please phone Rev Kerry Emmett 0116 2302235 •••

Christmas on Coupons Rationing & Recipes from WW2 A talk by Nick Marshall Despite Wartime restrictions, people were determined to celebrate Christmas in style Find out how they got around the shortages to have festive season fun Mountsorrel Library on Thursday December 1 7-8.30pm Cost £3 (£2.50 concessions) inc light refreshments Booking essential, as limited places.

Tickets allocated on first come basis.

Please contact Mountsorrel Library on 0116 305 5892 during opening hours •••

Christmas Wriggly Readers At Mountsorrel Library December 9, 10-10.45am All under 5s and their parents, carers welcome. Come and enjoy Christmas songs, stories and simple crafts.

•••

Vintage Christmas Tea Party December 11, 1-5pm Mountsorrel Memorial Hall, Leicester Road Dancing, entertainment, home baked cakes, tea served in vintage china, dainty sandwiches In the theme of the Great British Bake Off and nostalgia with a fun atmosphere •••

St Peter’s Church The Market Place, Mountsorrel For many years the morning service time has been at the early time of 9.15am but from November 6 onwards the new service time was changed to 10am.

Not only will this new time give regular worshippers an extra 45 minutes in bed on a Sunday morning but it is hoped that new members will be attracted by the more ‘user-friendly’ starting time! www.mountsorrel.leicester.anglican. org ••• Syston Band

Christmas Concert Saturday December 17 7.30pm Syston Methodist Church, High Street, Syston Tickets £5 inc complimentary mince pie For details or reservations 0116 2675823 Accompanied children free ••• Film Presentations From Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council

‘Nativity’ Friday December 9 (105 mins) This delightful comedy shows an innovative musical re-enactment of the nativity. A primary school teacher, played by Martin Freeman, has the biggest challenge of his life, to lure the Hollywood producer to watch his school’s performance. This moving story becomes one of the happiest Christmas films you will ever see.

‘Water for Elephants’ Friday January 13 (120 mins) Based on a best selling novel, this film follows an unexpected romance between veterinary student, Jacob, and Marlena, the star performer in a circus. Their compassion for a special elephant shines through. Jacob is on the threshold of a huge career but for Marlena, the circus is her only life.

Will her husband take revenge?

DEC 2011

9

‘Larry Crowne’ Friday February 10 (99 mins) ‘Jane Eyre’ will be shown in April Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council will be showing these films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall. Starting at 7.30pm, tickets cost £4.50 and concessions are £4. The price includes refreshments and a lucky prize draw.

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

•••

Quorn Badminton Club Held in Rawlins Community College, Sports Hall Mondays 7.45-9.45pm For more details phone 0116 2106717 •••

Birstall Birdwatching Club Presents The Natural History of Grace Dieu

by Steve Woodward The area surrounding Grace Dieu Priory with its lovely woodland has been the subject of a major study by Steve and he tells us about his discoveries and their importance to county records.

The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley Tuesday Janyary 10 at 7.30pm An Introduction to Bird Ringing

by Andy Smith What is bird ringing all about and where is it done? Andy spends a lot of time ringing birds at Watermead Park and also ringed ‘Ken’s swallows’ in Wanlip village. This fascinating subject tells us so much about birds and their survival The Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley Tuesday February 14 at 7.30pm Visitors welcome £2 Contact Ken Goodrich 0116 2674813 •••

The Heart of England Barbershop Chorus Charity Singing Night in aid of LOROS Birstall Social Club Friday December 16 at 7.30pm Guests from choruses around the East Midlands Entry by donation at the door

WOO’S WILLOW CATTERY Licensed Boarding Cattery in garden setting Indoor sleeping area with covered outdoor run Inspections Welcome

Contact Lesley: 01509 412119 53 Hawcliffe Rd, Mountsorrel

10

MOUNTSORREL POST

DEC 2011

Full steam ahead for project VOLUNTEERS AT the Mountsorrel Railway Project are celebrating after receiving a £6275 award from the Nat West.

The project, which aims to restore a branch line from Swithland to Mountsorrel, secured more public votes than the other 46 projects it was up against in the NatWest Community Force scheme.

Organiser Steve Cramp said: “We would like to say a massive thanks to all the Mountsorrel Post readers who voted for us and allowed us to win the public vote and secure a grant of £6275 towards the project “What makes this award so important and special to the volunteers who give their time to the project is that it was voted for by local people. It is heartwarming to know that the community is behind us so strongly and recognise the benefits the project will hopefully bring.”

This summer the project received a £5000 donation from Mountsorrel Parish Council and funds were further boosted in November when Steve Cramp and his family completed the 15 mile Seagrave Wolds Challenge raising £2070.

Nearly half a mile of track has now been laid by the Mountsorrel Railway Project. Steve said: “Volunteers come to help us from Mountsorrel, Rothley, Birstall, Swithland, Sileby, Quorn, Barrow, Seagrave and Loughborough, all working together side by side to hopefully create a much valued educational and recreational resource for our community.

“Loughborough University students have been back to help again as have Languard VM who sponsor our trackbed

weed killing programme. Lafarge continue to provide much needed assistance in the form of repairing the trackside drainage at Bond Lane.”

Steve added: “We are always on the look out for new volunteers in all areas of the project. Tasks include track laying, hedge laying, stone masonry and ecology.

If any readers would like to get involved

Pics: Volunteers laying track please can they email me at steve@mountsorrelrailway.org.uk”

MOUNTSORREL POST

Bus axed A BUS service from Mountsorrel to Leicester has been axed.

New running group A NEW group for beginner recreational runners has successfully launched in Mountsorrel.

Group leader, Beverley Hooper, is training for her first half marathon and is an enthusiastic advocate of running since joining a Wreake Runners beginner group just two years ago.

“Given a basic level of fitness, anyone can run and it’s a cheap way to get fit and meet new people” she said. “Joining a running club can be daunting, so the beginners’ group offers entry level support and when they feel ready, members can graduate to a local club if they want to.”

The ten week course follows a measured programme of training and offers plenty of support and encouragement for members working towards their fitness goals. The group meets every Monday at 6.45pm at Soar Valley Leisure Centre in Mountsorrel and sessions cost £2 per week.

Beverley has the support of Charnwood Borough Council and all enquiries should be directed to the Active Together team on 01509 632535 or email active.together@charnwood.gov.uk

Planning aplications P/11/246/1/2: The Point Granite Way dwellings – installation of solar photovoltaic pan- P/11/2003/2: 7 Berkeley Close – sinels to the roof of industrial building gle storey extension to side of dwellP/11/2487/2: Land off Mountsorrel ing Lane – (LCC) Under Regulation 5 reP/11/1998/2: 83 Rothley Road – request for screening opinion (Environtention of first floor balcony to rear of mental Impact Assessment) dwelling (retrospective application) P/11/2456/2: Rear of 14-18 LoughP/11/2008/2: King William IV, 154 borough Road – pollarding 1 weeping Leicester Road – internal alterations willow and creation of a flat (Class C3) P/11/2407/2: Land to rear 60 HawP/11/2047/2: Mountsorrel Highways cliffe Road – erection of one dwelling Depot, Hawcliffe Road – LCC Reg 3 P/11/2128/2: Budgens Store, Granite Appl. Erection of a modular building Way – siting of prefabricated portable for use as staff welfare facilities cabin as occasional beat office P/11/1982/2: 14 The Green – fell 1 P/11/2335/2: 83 The Green – formaeucalyptus tree tion of pitched roof removal of door to front, insertion of 1 window to front and rear of side extension P/11/2258/2: 109 Leicester Road – installation of security fencing and external stair to rear elevation for emergency means of escape P/11/2334/2: 19 Hillside, Watling Street – reduction of height to 2 ash trees in rear garden is still required if you P/11/2168/2: The Lane, Waterside are selling or renting Drive – erection of 2 dwellings P/11/2210/2: The Lindens, 22 Halout your house. stead Road – fell 1 silver birch tree P/11/2198/2: 11 Grapes Garden Call David Jackson on Close – tree work to 1 chestnut tree 0781 5519490 P/11/2051/2: 13-17 The Quay, Waterto arrange your EPC side Drive – erection of 5 terraced

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

The 99 service was operated

by Paul S Winson Coaches and ran from Mountsorrel to Leicester via Rothley, Cropston and Birstall, three times a day.

Anthony Winson, Operations Director, said: “I appreciate that this is a service people rely on but the service is not financially viable and as a business there is only so much we can do.”

The service had previously been subsidised by the County Council and when this was withdrawn in 2006 and the service was set to be discontinued, Paul S Winson Coaches stepped in to save it and operate it on a commercial basis.

Mr Winson said: “We hoped we could build up a loyal customer base by offering a good service, smart buses and good drivers but the numbers using the bus have remained stable.”

Around 70 people a day use the bus, and 99 percent of these are bus pass holders. Bus operators are reimbursed by the County Council for each passenger who uses a bus pass, but only receive a percentage of the fare.

Mr Winson said: “This percentage has fallen and fallen since the scheme was introduced to what is now a stupidly low level.”

11

Breastfeeding workshop THE BREASTFEEDING workshops being offered to expectant parents in the Charnwood area have been well received.

The free sessions are being run by the Charnwood BRAS (Breastfeeding Reassurance And Support) Group. The group is part of Leicestershire’s active breastfeeding peer support network.

The group of volunteers recognised a need within Charnwood to help parents learn about breastfeeding before their babies arrived and believe that having this good understanding of the subject gives new mums a greater chance of success in those crucial early weeks The workshops runs monthly on a Monday evening from The Moira Community Centre in Loughborough and is available to all pregnant women, preferably from about 33 weeks gestation, with or without partners. It is free to attend and is designed as a one-off workshop so each couple would attend once only. The venture is jointly funded by children’s Health Services and Charnwood Borough Council and a local Health visitor is part of the teaching team.

Lydia Martindale, one of the volunteers, said “We really want to attract prospective fathers too, as their support and encouragement later on is essential. We are hoping the delicious homemade cakes at the tea break might draw them in!”

The organisers are also keen to welcome those thinking about bottle feeding. They say that making an informed choice about which way to feed your baby is very important and hearing about the benefits of breastfeeding may help couples make a decision.

Demand for the workshops has been so great that the group hopes soon to be able to offer a second monthly session elsewhere in Charnwood.

For more information about this workshop or the Charnwood BRAS in general, please see www.charnwoodbras.co.uk To book a place please contact the group on 07583 041054

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12

MOUNTSORREL POST

DEC 2011

Lafarge plans record breaking open days MOUNTSORREL GRANITE quarry, operated by Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK, will open its gates next May to allow local villagers a glimpse inside a modern, working quarry.

The quarry produces unique pink granite, with around five million tonnes a year going into building and road construction, sea defences and as railway track ballast.

The open days, which are being held from Saturday May 5 to Sunday May 13 (weekends and Bank Holiday only), will give a record breaking number of local people the chance to take a tour into the quarry, as well as meet and talk with experts, discover the quarry’s rich community heritage and learn about future plans. There will also be various visitor attractions including some ‘hands-on’ creative activities for youngsters.

The last open day, held over seven years ago, proved extremely popular and more than 4,000 people were welcomed through the gates.

Quarry manager Angus Shedden said: “Although the open days are still six months off, there is a lot of oganising to do and we want to make sure that everything goes to plan. To ensure that everyone who wants to visit can, admission will be by ticket only and people can start applying in December.

“These events give us a chance to share the Mountsorrel Quarry story and its history with our neighbours and the wider community. It also provides us with an opportunity to demonstrate that

we are a responsible business, putting the health and safety of our people at the very core of our operations.

“Our neighbours will have the chance to come and see a modern, working quarry in action and talk to us about Mountsorrel’s rich community heritage, its place in the history of Charnwood Borough and, looking forward, about exciting plans for the future.”

The public can register for tickets online from December. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

GRANITE FROM Lafarge’s Mountsorrel quarry will be keeping the country’s railways on the right track for the next five years, after the company secured a prestigious multi-million pound contract.

Network Rail, which owns and operates most of Britain’s rail infrastructure, has awarded a framework contract to Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK to provide ballast and other crushed rock material from Mountsorrel quarry.

The contract is worth £35million over the next five years with Lafarge hoping to supply more than a million tonnes of product a year, a fifth of

Mountsorrel’s annual output.

It will ensure investment of £2million in new machinery at Mountsorrel, one of the largest granite quarries in Europe, and will help secure the future of the 100 plus workforce.

John Bradshaw, national key account manger (Network Rail) for Lafarge, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see our long-standing relationship with Network Rail continue for a further five years.

This contract award gives us the opportunity to provide, potentially, similar quantities as we’ve done previously, and ensure Mountsorrel Quarry benefits from an investment of £2 million in processing equipment.

“We are immensely proud of our link with Network Rail and of the contribution we make to the nation’s transport infrastructure. There is a good chance anyone who has ever been on a train and looked down at the track will have seen Mountsorrel granite, as historically Lafarge have supplied something like 50 per cent of the ballast used by Network Rail.”

The ballast – a 50mm crushed rock forms the track bed on which railway sleepers are laid, keeping the track stable and ensuring trains can travel smoothly.

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It is compacted between, below, and around the sleepers to distribute their load, facilitate drainage of water and keep down vegetation that might interfere with the track structure.

The contract continues a 20-year partnership with Network Rail, during which volumes in excess of one million tonnes of ballast have been supplied annually from Mountsorrel.

Around 95% of the new ballast being supplied will itself be transported by rail, so reducing road traffic, vehicle movements and consequent carbon emissions.

The amount of rail ballast already provided by Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK since 1991 is staggering, equalling the weight of 20 of the two former Twin Towers in New York, more than 54 Empire State Buildings and more than 434 Titanic ships.

Park & ride LEICESTER’S PARK and rides are extending their hours this Christmas to make travelling into the city easier.

For the first three Sundays in December, all three sites – Birstall, Enderby and Meynell’s Gorse – will be open.

Following feedback from passengers, the joint city and county council services will also hit the roads for the first time every on December 26 & 27, enabling bargain hunters to scour the sales.

On December 4,11,18,26 & 27 buses will run from 10.15am at all three sites, and the last bus from the city centre will return at 5.15pm On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, normal services will run with a slightly earlier last return bus from the city centre at 6pm Festive timetables for the Birstall, Enderby and Meynell’s Gorse park and rides, which usually run Monday-Saturday from 7am to 7pm, are available at www.quicksilverbus.co.uk or by calling 0116 305 0002.

Leicester City council is also offering free evening parking in two city centre car parks between November 14 and December 30.

Parking at Newarke Street and the Haymarket car parks will be free after 6pm.

MOUNTSORREL POST

DEC 2011

13

THE LONG wait for improvements to Mountsorrel’s Precast Reinforced Concrete (PRC) homes look set to end after Charnwood Borough Council announced plans to spend £7.6million on its housing stock.

The money is being used in this financial year to improve the Council’s housing stock, sheltered accommodation and OUR PICTURE shows members of Mountsorrel Townswomen’s Guild at the charities fair held in the MePRC homes morial Hall on November 12.

It means that in 2011/12 a total of 1329 properties will be revamped, and 808 properties will be brought up to Decent Homes standards. This includes 133 PRC properties in Mountsorrel and Thurmaston.

Cllr David Slater, Charnwood Bormal imaging technology used by ough Council’s Leader, said: “Customers A SPECIAL insulation scheme is aiming to help Charnwood HeatSeekers has helped many thousands are our top priority and we are striving residents insulate their homes and save cash on energy of homeowners throughout the UK save to improve the quality of life for our hundreds of pounds on their heating bills. tenants. “The council has never invested bills. We hope that residents of CharnMark Group.

Charnwood Borough Council is workso much in its housing stock. I think it wood will take advantage of this opportuAnyone aged 70 or over, along with ing with the Energy Saving Partnership represents a commitment to our tenants nity to get their homes insulated and those in receipt of a qualifying benefit and ‘HeatSeekers’ which is using therand a commitment to improving the look forward to reduced energy bills in can have free insulation installed under mal imaging cameras to identify homes quality of our properties. years to come." the scheme.

For everyone else, thanks to which are leaking heat.

“Although times are hard and budgets So far 1798 homes in Birstall have funding secured from E-On, a discountNow, HeatSeekers is writing to houseare stretched, we are doing everything been scanned, 1347 in Rothley & Croped price of just £99 is being offered for holders whose properties were identified we can to ensure council properties are ston and 1884 in Mountsorrel. each measure (loft insulation and cavity as poorly insulated to signpost those well maintained and that they aren’t just For more information contact the wall insulation).

The scheme is open to over 70 or in receipt of benefits to offer houses, bungalows and apartments, but HeatSeekers team on 0800 111 4968 or all home owners and those renting from free insulation. are considered ‘home’ to our tenants.” call Charnwood Borough Council’s pria private landlord.

Councillor Jane Hunt, Charnwood A total of £2.6million of the investvate sector housing team on 01509 Keith Hewitson, Director of the EnerBorough Council’s Cabinet member for ment will come from a pot of 634938. gy Saving Partnership, said: “The therHousing & Regulatory Services, said: £11million Decent Homes funding “This is a fantastic initiative which is which the Council secured following a aimed at reaching and offering help to successful bid to the Government. those most in need of insulation measSuccessful bids were those where the ures. authority made a strong case for investment need and had already demonstrated significant cost reductions – where this is the case the authority has been awarded levels of funding close to their bid.

The funding will help tackle the backlog of homes which have not yet reached the Government’s Decent Homes Standard in preparation for the introduction of a new fairer system of council house financing.

Thermal imaging of homes

“The cameras not only pinpoint which homes are poorly insulated, but even show exactly which parts of the house need better insulation. By identifying these insulation gaps, we can offer solutions which can help residents save money while improving their quality of life.”

HeatSeeker surveyors are using the thermal imaging camera to identify poorly insulated properties. They will write to householders to ask if they are interested in discounted or free insulation.

Householders will be able to view the image of their home and discuss the areas that have been identified for improvement. Then, following further assessments, residents may go on to have insulation installed by partner company,

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PRC homes plans

14

MOUNTSORREL POST

DEC 2011

Roar of speedway returns to city

PHOTO: STEVE DIXON

LEICESTER’S NEW £1.2million speedway stadium opened in April.

The Beaumont Park stadium is located on Beaumont Way near to the Beaumont Leys Leisure Centre and is the home of the Leicester Lions.

Work on the 21 acre site began in May 2010. The track is 320 metres long with a stadium capacity of 4500 and free car parking for 325 cars. Further free parking is available at the Beaumont shopping complex.

Speedway involves four riders racing for four laps around the track on bikes with no brakes, one gear, a clutch and a 500cc engine which runs on methanol and can get to 60mph faster than a Formula 1 car. www.leisure-speedway.com

Sale of art

Santa plans tour of villages

LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY Council has raised over £170,000 by auctioning off pieces of artwork that were no longer being used.

EACH YEAR Santa tours the local villages in the run-up to Christmas helped by the Rotary Club of The Soar Valley.

The money raised through the sales will be reinvested back into the County Council’s museums service.

So far 318 pieces have been sold at auction. The artwork has sold for amounts that range from £20 to several thousands of pounds with three of the paintings alone having raised a total of £40,000. They were by Paul Feiler, a German artist who moved to Britain. A further oil on canvas by the late Avinash Chandra sold for the highest amount raised so far for a single item at £16,000.

The artworks sold comprise unaccessioned works of art which do not form part of the council’s main loan or museum collections. They include paintings, sculptures and drawings that were originally purchased for use in schools between 1970 and 1990. All of them have been in storage since they were returned as surplus to school needs.

None of the pieces of artwork relate to Leicestershire’s heritage or fall within the agreed museums collections policy for the County Council’s museums or outreach collections.

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities said: “Like the rest of the country, we are experiencing a tough economic climate at present and are continuing to investigate different ways in which we can save money. The council is only disposing of items of artwork that have been identified as surplus to requirements by schools. The money realised from these sales will go directly towards supporting Leicestershire’s arts and heritage service.”

His arrival is always greeted with delight by young and old alike. A rotary spokesman said: “Thanks to the generosity of the Soar Valley residents, the Rotary Club of the Soar Valley has helped local charities both large and small; including LOROS and Rainbows and other local groups. We have also helped in some major disasters sending ‘Disaster boxes’ and supporting Rotary’s campaign to ‘End Polio Now’.

“We hope that we can rely once again on the generous support of residents for the valuable work we do.”

You can meet Santa at Budgens supermarket (off the A6 between Mountsorrel and Quorn on the weekends of December 10/11 and 17/18). He will be visiting the following villages during December in the evenings between 6pm and 8.30pm: Rothley and Mountsorrel – Friday 9, Monday 12, Tuesday 20 Birstall – Thursday 22, Friday 23 Details of the routes can be found on www.soarvalleyrotary.co.uk Pic: Santa gets ready for his visit

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MOUNTSORREL POST

DEC 2011

15

Shop planned for library HQ

Crafting aids for story time

PLANS FOR a convenience store at the site of the old library bookstore on Loughborough Road, Rothley have been submitted to Charnwood Borough Council.

LOCAL MUMS made storytelling aids at a workshop at Mountsorrel library.

Eight mums took part in the project, which ran from Easter to July and was led by Charnwood Arts and tutor Hema Acharya.

Using craft skills the group made story sacs filled with visual aids to enhance story telling with their young children.

The applicant is ‘The Charnwood Trust’ and the application states: “the shop will provide local employment and provide sustainably located top up shopping facilities for a local and rapidly growing residential population in a location that does not currently have these facilities.”

The applicant states only minor physical works are required for the change of use to a shop – new entrance doors and an ATM unit, with air conditioning and refrigeration equipment at the rear.

The shop would be a SPAR convenience store. At the time of going to press the application was deemed to be invalid as the plans submitted did not contain the required details.

Details of the application, P/11/2054/2, can be viewed at Charnwood Borough Council’s website.

A separate plan to build 14 homes at the rear of the site were also ruled to be invalid by Charnwood Borough Council in August.

The March issue of the

MOUNTSORREL POST will be published on Mar 9.

The copy deadline is Feb 24.

Pic: Liz Robson in her Rothley vineyard

Rothley wine wins award at first attempt The couple make the wine in their kitchen and last October press-ganged helpers from Forge End, who trod the grapes in the traditional manner.

Last year the ‘Kingfsher’s Pool Vineyard’ produced 36 bottles from the first harvest and this year 18 bottles, due to the May frosts.

Liz said: “We have had a number of setbacks in particular hormonal weedkiller drifting over in 2009 and then May frosts in 2010 and 2011 which killed off most of the growing shoots.

“2010 was our first small harvest and also our fist attempt at making wine

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A LOCAL couple who have a vineyard at the bottom of their garden have won an award for their wine.

Liz and Matthew Robson of Westfield Lane have been making wine as a hobby for the past three years, growing Orion, Siegerebbe and Solaris grapes.

The Mercian Vineyards Association awarded them a bronze medal for their medium dry wine and a highly commended for their dry white.

Liz Robson said: “We only entered the wine into the competition to get the feedback, because all wines are assessed by three Masters of Wine. When the results were given out and we heard we had a highly commended for the dry white we were astonished and when we heard 'Bronze Medal’ in the medium dry category I nearly fell off my chair.”

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Ian Roe because the crop was too small to send to a commercial vineyard. The wine making was purely experimental using a home kit for wine making as we wanted to see what our grapes tasted like when made into wine. The whole process was messy but fun, and we had the books open in front of us while we were treading the grapes and making the wine.”

The wines may become available for sale when more vines mature.

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MOUNTSORREL POST

The March issue of the MOUNTSORREL POST will be published on Mar 9. The copy deadline is Feb 24.

DEC 2011

Soar Valley Artists’ exhibition 300 VISITORS enjoyed an exhibition of paintings staged by the Soar Valley Artists at the Rothley Centre in October.

99 paintings were on show at the Society’s ninth annual exhibition. The Society’s 30 members also have paintings displayed at Glenfield Hospital and exhibit each year at the Cossington Open Gardens event.

Pic: Onion 17. Derek Walsom

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.

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Pic: War Memorial, Cossington Village. Bernadette Loughran Pic: Cottage Farm Garden, Norfolk.

Carol Ann Sewell

Bus pass withdrawn 84 PARENTS, including some in Mountsorrel, have been told their children’s school transport is being withdrawn from January.

Pic: a painting by Eric Phillips

Pic: Anton & Erin. Grahame Robinson

Continued from page 1 The Linkfield Farmhouse site will be a small group of dwellings served by a private drive.

Chairman of Rothley Parish Council Percy Hartshorn said: “Rothley is unable to cope with the additional pupils from further housing as Rothley school is

Pic: Demonstrator Bob McLuckie

nearly full, as are the doctors.”

The Section 106 developer contributions associated with the planning application are £194,912 for local schools, £2450 for library facilities and the provision of a new bus stop.

Details of the application, P/11/2150/2, can be viewed on Charnwood Borough Council’s website.

Leicestershire County Council says they live too close to their schools to qualify for free transport – their legal obligation is to provide it for primary schoolchildren who live more than two miles from school, and three miles for secondary schoolchildren.

The Mountsorrel children affected attend Humphrey Perkins High School in Barrow.

The Council says it will save £42,000 a year.

Both parents and headteachers have expressed their concerns at the move, which they say could result in more accidents.

Parents who still require transport for their children can pay £400 a year for a seat on a school bus.

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