MOUNTSORREL POST YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
MARCH 2021
www.birstallpost.co.uk
No. 74
Return of REVIVAL
Woman spat at THE POLICE are appealing for information after a woman reported that a man spat in her face while walking her dog in Mountsorrel. Around 7.15am on Monday February 1, a women was walking her dog on Crown Lane when a man approached her from behind, forcibly pushed her, and then spat in her face. The man then verbally threatened the women before leaving the area on foot. He is described as around 5’7 with a slim build and brown hair. He wore dark clothing and spoke with a local accent. PSCO Katrina Hallmark said: “This was a disgusting and potentially dangerous incident. “It was light when it occurred and we would like to speak to anyone who may have a seen a man in the area who matches the description.” Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 21*65778.
PLANNING FOR the return of Mountsorrel REVIVAL in 2021 is well underway. Organisers, the Mountsorrel Community Team (MCT), are more optimistic than ever that a full event will take on place Sunday, August 8. The theme for this year’s REVIVAL is ‘celebration’! Team member Ross Tomlyn said: “There is already a real buzz for this year’s REVIVAL, and the name seems more appropriate
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than ever. We have received so many positive messages from local residents saying how much they are looking forward to the event this year, especially after having to cancel in 2020. We have a lot to celebrate as a community”. REVIVAL starts with the ‘Celebration’ parade at 11am. There are already bands and entertainers confirmed to take part in the parade, along with the popu-
lar Mountsorrel Junior Football Team fun run, and Mountsorrel Tiggers are sure to be making an appearance. Ross said: “This year, there is a very special part of the parade to say ‘thank you’ to Key Workers. Are you a Key Worker? If so, the MCT would love to hear from you about being a part of the parade. “Throughout the day, there will be lots of things happening around the village, soapbox racing, competitions, musicians, bands, dancers, circus skills, games, rides, stalls, activities and events. It really is going to be a fun-packed day.” The event is organised by a small team of volunteers and is run on a ‘not for profit’ basis. The Mountsorrel Parish Council have already agreed on a grant towards costs for the event, but the team also rely heavily on the support of local business and have a full range of sponsorship packages to suit all budgets. Ross said: “There are lots of ways that everyone can be involved, from taking part in one of the competitions, volunteering to help on the day for an hour
or two, or you can even join the organising team.” Follow ‘Mountsorrel Community Team’ on Facebook or go to their website at www.the-mct.co.uk to see what’s happening and find out how you can support the event.
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Youth work & community outreach YOUTH WORK in Mountsorrel has continued throughout the pandemic. Anthony Marvin, Youth & Community Officer with Leicestershire & Rutland Youth & Family Services, reports: Firstly, could I take this time to pass on condolences to the family of Graham Lloyd, who sadly passed away recently. Graham was the Youth Officer at Sorrel Youth Cafe and my mentor. Youth provision in the village is what it is today because of Graham, and Leicestershire & Rutland Youth and Family Services wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him. Graham has had a huge impact on so many peoples lives and his memory will live on through the many people that knew him. Graham will be missed by many but will never be forgotten. Youth provision for Mountsorrel is continuing with success despite the lockdowns and all the restrictions that come along with them. We have expanded our provision so that we can provide support to the wider
Pics: (above & below) litter picking in Mountsorrel; (inset) Anthony Marvin
young people and ourselves safe. We need to look at what premises we will be able to access that will allow us to hold sessions whilst maintaining and adhering to the relevant social distancing guidance set out for after school/youth groups. In the coming months, we will hopefully be opening the Sorrel Young Carers group back up again with the help of Fearon Hall. We have many ideas for the future development of our youth offer but until we know what the future holds in terms of Covid-19 and the lockdown we can not plan ahead. We will, of course, keep the young people, families and communi-
ty informed of any development. We would like to this time to thank Mountsorrel Parish Council for their continued support of our service and the young people of Mountsorrel. We would also like to thank the Mountsorrel Community Craft Project for their continued support and their fundraising and donations to our service. A final thank you to Mountsorrel Good Neighbours who have donated to our service, enabling us to purchase items for young people so they can take part in our activities.
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MAR 2021
community of the village. This has been by way of pre-paid grocery collections, prescription collection, welfare checks and being available for a listening ear when needed. This side of our provision has been in high demand and we are looking at making it a permanent addition moving forward post lockdown, depending on finances of course. Our youth services have been doing really well and we are supporting on average 32 young people a week through our sessions which include: • Reach Out project - Detached out-
reach youth support around the village providing information, guidance and support to young people on the streets, green spaces and parks. • 1:1 support sessions either face to face or via telephone or video chat. Providing support, information and a friendly ear to young people who need additional support or who are struggling with the current situation. • Virtual youth groups which we invite young people to and they take part in quizzes, bingo, a reading group, cooking/baking, homework help and open talk sessions where young people can just chat in a safe and monitored environment. • Targeted/Edu cational virtual youth sessions on topics such as internet safety, substance misuse, managing anxiety and feelings, anger management, and we have been holding sessions on coping with grief and loss as a lot of young people are unfortunately facing this more than expected at the minute. We also carry out welfare checks on young people, either in person when out and about in the village, or via the telephone. These checks are a quick chat with individuals to see how they are doing and if they require any additional support - it also lets them know that they have someone there to talk to if needed. Some of our young people have borrowed litter picking equipment from us and have been taking it upon themselves to head out into the village to collect litter and help keep the village tidy. We are hoping to expand our virtual offer to the younger children of the village (8-11-year-olds) over the next few weeks. We are currently in the planning stage and will hopefully have an update in the coming weeks. We plan to continue our services within the village and we hope that with the lifting of lockdown restrictions we can start to hold physical open access youth groups for the young people of the village. We will have to look at the public health guidance for youth groups and see how we can make this possible whilst keeping
Remembering Graham A WELL known and respected man, who worked hard for young people and the wider community in Mountsorrel, has died. Graham Lloyd was a youth development officer at the Sorrel Youth café and a former chair of the Mountsorrel Community Team, organisers of the REVIVAL. Graham died on January 27, 2021, after a two year battle with cancer. His family have set up a fundraising page to raise money for Coping with Cancer in Leicestershire and Rutland, a charity that supported Graham and for which he fundraised while undergoing treatment. To donate, go to www.gofundme.com and search for: support coping with cancer for Gray
Pic: competition winner Jude Walne
Jude a winner in name that wagon competition
MOUNTSORREL POST
MAR 2021
A BOY from Mountsorrel was a winner in Charnwood’s competition to find names for its fleet of new refuse and recycling vehicles. Jude Walne, a big Leicester City fan from Mountsorrel, was delighted when he found out his entry Gary Bineker was chosen. He said: “Gary Lineker is one of the club’s legends and it was a play on words. I’m excited my name suggestion was chosen and can’t wait to see it on one of the lorries.” Charnwood Borough Council put a call out to young residents last year to help name its new bin lorries and road sweepers. The first vehicle was named Florence last summer, in tribute to the NHS and all the frontline key workers who have been supporting the public during the coronavirus pandemic. The winning names will be added to the refuse and recycling vehicles later this year. Over 150 entries were received and
the judging panel found it tough to shortlist the final 24 names. Cllr Leigh Harper-Davies, lead member for community support and equalities, said: “The judging panel was overwhelmed by the amount of entries for our Name That Wagon competition and had a good giggle while reading through them all too! We have some very creative and clever youngsters in Charnwood! There were so many fantastic entries and it was incredibly difficult to whittle it down to our final 24 names. “We’re pleased we’ve finally been able to notify our lucky winners and unveil the names to the public. I hope our winners will enjoy looking out for their lorries as they collect refuse and recycling across the borough. “Thank you again to everyone for taking part!” The Council has contacted the winners, and each one will receive a certificate and small goody bag containing recycling information over the next few weeks.
Bike thefts fall BICYCLE THEFT fell by nearly 10% across the country from 2019 to 2020, according to the latest police crime figures. The biggest drops were during the first lockdown, with April 2020 recording a 39.5% fall (down from 6690 to 4050 crimes reported) yearon-year, followed by March – down 30.5% (6340 to 4410). The easing of lockdown restrictions led to a small resurgence in bicycle crime, with September recording a near 10% year-on-year rise in reported thefts - a likely combination of soaring bicycle sales and a greater number of opportunities for thieves. Those most likely to have their bicycles pinched were cyclists in Cambridgeshire, reporting on average 3.9 crimes per 1000 residents, London reported 3.3 crimes and Thames Valley 2.1 – the same areas that topped the bicycle theft hotspots in 2019.
Pic: Graham Lloyd
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New wildlife area created A NEW wildlife area has been created in Mountsorrel. On Monday February 15, Parish Councillors Kate Walker and Liz Blackshaw met with Tina the Mountsorrel Cemetery Gardener and officials from Leicestershire County Council to ‘plant’ BLUE hearts in a new wildlife area close to Granite Way. The BLUE campaign was started in 2014 by wildlife filmmaker, Fergus Beeley, in response to a report on the State
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Pic: Parish Cllrs Kate Walker (right) & Liz Blackshaw (ctr) with Tina the Mountsorrel Cemetery Gardener
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of Nature published by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology that year, which highlighted the dramatic decline in biodiversity and biomass across the UK. Leicestershire has become the first local authority in the midlands to join the BLUE campaign, which aims to promote biodiversity by re-introducing wildflowers and plants to roadside verges. Blue heart symbols, made out of recycled materials, were placed in the ground close to Granite Way where the rewilding is taking place. The area was recommended by NatureSpot volunteers
as being of suitable size and far enough away from the roadway so as not to obscure road users’ sight of the junction. Their survey found a reasonable diversity of plant species, including Goatsbeard, Common Catsear and Small-flowered Cranesbill. Buckshorn Plantain was also found along the road margin - this is a coastal plant which is now widely established inland along salted roads. Mowing of the verge will stop between April and August to allow the wildflowers and grasses to grow and flower. At the end of the season, the vegetation will be cut by the Cemetery Gardener and then removed to limit nutrient build-up in the soil, which encourages a wider range of species to thrive. For more information on the wildlife area please go to https://www.naturespot.org.uk/mountsorr el_granite_way_verge For more information from Leicestershire County Council go to https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/news/c ouncil-signs-up-for-latest-wildflower-
Art exhibition at care home LOCAL ARTISTS will be featured in a unique community art exhibition organised by a creative resident at the Mountview care home on Loughborough Road. 96-year-old care home resident, Joan Peel, has been tracking down the area’s best artists as she launches Mountview care home’s very first community art gallery exhibition. Joan is an artist herself with a passion for using watercolour paints to create landscape paintings. Joan is the head judge for the exhibition, which will be open to Mountview residents and streamed on their Facebook page to allow the local community the opportunity to enjoy the artwork. Joan, who has been sharing her passion for painting with fellow residents during weekly painting classes, said: “I have always enjoyed creating art and since I joined Mountview in 2019, I have had nothing but support for my passion. I am really looking forward to seeing all of the entries, and I hope that in the future we can invite other artists to join us for an afternoon of painting!” Mountview General Manager, Selina Leone, said: “It is more important now than ever to retain our residents' links with the local community and do things that we enjoy and have a passion for. Some residents have even submitted their own art ahead of the exhibition, and I am pleased to say we have some very talented artists in our midst!” Information and updates about the Art Gallery Evening will be posted on the Mountview Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/mountviewcarehome Pic: Mountview Resident Joan Peel is a passionate artist and looks forward to the Art Gallery Exhibition next month 4
initiative For more information on the ‘Blue Campaign’ go to https://bluecampaignhub.com/
Parish Council notes A MEETING of Mountsorrel Parish Council’s Planning & Policy committee was held on December 7. PCSO Vaughan reported that there had been a significant reduction in crime compared with the same time last year. The following areas were identified as speeding hotspots: West Cross Lane, the Ridgeway, Swithland Lane, Walton Way. A meeting of the Projects & Amenities committee was held on December 8. It was agreed to grant permission to the Mountsorrel Community Team to use council facilities for REVIVAL 2021. The dog warden reported that dog walkers have become more verbally aggressive during the pandemic when asked whether they are carrying dog waste bags. More dogs are being walked, and more people are not picking up after them. The council voted to discuss the Halstead Road project in confidential business. Cllr Benner stated she had concerns about the financing of the scheme and public consultation. The council agreed the deed of transfer and upon receiving the funding, to spend £153,736 on the implementation of a cricket square and outfield facility in 2021. A project manager will be appointed at a cost of £9580. The vote to approve was four against and four in favour, with the Chairman’s casting vote in favour. A meeting of the finance and general purposes committee was held on December 14. It was agreed to appoint a locum clerk with effect from January 4, 2021, for a period not exceeding three months, and to pay a salary not exceeding that of the current parish clerk.
MAR 2021
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Business A winter wonderland trail of Christmas lights spreads cheer Covid secure
MOUNTSORREL POST
MAR 2021
LOCAL BUSINESSES are being contacted by Charnwood Borough Council and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to make sure they are Covid-secure. The HSE is also working alongside local public health authorities to support the understanding of any patterns in confirmed coronavirus cases in the area. During the checks, advice and guidance will be provided to manage risk and protect workers, customers and visitors, but where some businesses are not managing this, immediate action will be taken. This can range from the provision of specific advice, issuing enforcement notices and stopping certain work practices until they are made safe. Where businesses fail to comply, this could lead to prosecution. Being Covid-secure means that businesses need to put adjustments in place to manage the risk and protect workers and others from coronavirus. Cllr Shona Rattray, lead member for regulatory services at Charnwood Borough Council, said: “Local businesses in and around Charnwood are being contacted to understand how they are managing risks in line with their specific business activity. “Being Covid-secure needs to be the priority for all businesses in Charnwood, it is a legal duty for businesses to protect their workers and others from harm and this includes taking reasonable steps to control the risk and protect people from coronavirus. This means making business adjustments to become Covid-secure. We advise employers to work with their employees when implementing changes, to help increase confidence with workers, customers and the local community.” HSE and local authority inspectors are finding some common issues across a range of sectors that include: • failing to provide arrangements for monitoring, supervising and maintaining social distancing, • failing to introduce an adequate cleaning regime, particularly at busy times of the day. Cllr Rattray added: “All businesses are eligible for spot checks, which means businesses of any size, in any sector, can receive an unannounced check to ensure they are Covid-secure. By making sure that businesses have measures in place to manage the risks, we can benefit the health of the local community as well as support the local and national UK economy.” For the latest information and safer business guidance, see www.gov.uk/coronavirus
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS on homes and businesses in Mountsorrel lit up the village with some impressive displays.
The Mountsorrel Community Team (MCT) organised a Winter Wonderland competition, creating a trail people could follow on the group’s Facebook page. An MCT spokesperson said: “We wanted to say a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who joined in their Winter Wonderland competition, with an extra big thank you to judges Sandra Utteridge and Jill O’Neil who walked for miles around the village to see the sights and Tigger who was out in the Hot Rod to judge the Childrens’ Christmas Window competition. “The village felt very special with every decoration, no matter how simple, bringing a bit of joy at a difficult time for many. “It was a tough call trying to pick a winner, but eventually the following people were all presented with their winning certificates and chocolates. You can see all the photos on the Mountsorrel Community Team Facebook page.”
Pics: Christmas winners: (above) Thomas Gue, (top) Bet & Evie Coulton, (right) Olive & Mabel Snell
Best Children’s Christmas Window – Thomas Gue (aged 6½) Best traditional outside Christmas display – Zac Onions Best inflatable outside Christmas display – The Coulton Family Most environmentally sustainable decorated home – Olive & Mabel Snell Special commendation for outstanding light & musical display – Steve Ratcliffe Most Christmassy Street – Baum Drive Best decorated business – Rose Cottage 5
Remembering Roy
Pic: Roy Bennett with his wife Trudy
Raindrops raise £35,000 for children’s hospice
ARE YOU aged 4 to 11, live in Mountsorrel or go to school in Mountsorrel? Your design could be the programme cover for our Mountsorrel REVIVAL 2021. The Mountsorrel Community Team organise the event, and they are appealing to young people to create a design and send it to them by June 1, 2021. An adult can email a jpg or pdf of the design to media@the-mct.co.uk,
AFTER COLLECTING £35,000 for Rainbows, a group from Leicestershire are hanging up their fundraising hats.
The cover of the 2019 programme
giving the name and age of the budding artist. If you would prefer to drop off the actual artwork, send an email or message via Facebook for an address. A spokesperson said: “We look forward to seeing all your designs and sharing them on our Facebook page.” This year’s REVIVAL is on Sunday, August 8, 11am to 4.30pm. 6
Eighteen years ago, Pat Radley, of Mountsorrel, Jeanette Marshall and Jean Lee, both of Sileby, formed the Raindrops and started out with the modest goal of raising £1,000. The name Raindrops came about after the group’s fourth Open Garden Event in 2007, when it rained all day. “We have enjoyed our many years of fundraising but feel the time is right to retire now so we made our final donation of £5,000 in October, this made the total raised by us over the years to £35,000,” said Pat. “We, the Raindrops, met through our common hobby of going to regular weekly whist drives around the local villages. We would take jams, chutney and knitted items to the whist drives and sell them to the friends we met. “We had been involved in fundraising
for various other charities for several years before we decided to concentrate on Rainbows in 2002, a cause that was very dear to Jeanette.” As well as the Open Gardens, the Raindrops staged car boot sales, table top stalls and stalls at charity garden fetes. Friends, family and neighbours donated things for them to sell. Jean died in 2013 and due to ill health the Raindrops have not been actively raising funds for the last four years. Pat added: “We would like to thank everyone who has supported us and given donations over the years. We all feel proud of what we have raised for such a wonderful charity.” Gary Farnfield, Rainbows Community Fundraiser, added: “We would like to thank the Raindrops group for their wonderful support over the years. They have been fantastic and we appreciate everything they have organised for us. It costs over £6 million a year to run Rainbows and we simply couldn’t do that without the support of our fundraisers.
MAR 2021
Born in the shadow of the quarry tip on Crown Lane, Roy opened his first shop next to the Swan Inn (then the Nag's Head) before moving to the site where the fishing shop bearing his name still stands. Roy was a councillor in the 1970s
and 80's and chairman from 1977 to 1981. Not just a councillor, Roy was for many years a Trustee of Mountsorrel United Charities and deeply involved in Mountsorrel Royal British Legion, serving as vice-chair, and Soar Valley Rotary Club. As a Rotarian he not only served as president but also as a well-known gentleman in a red suit every December, a role which, by all accounts, he loved. Roy dedicated his final years to fundraising for Prostaid.
MOUNTSORREL POST
THE FLAG on the Parish Rooms was flown at half-mast in February as a sign of respect for former Mountsorrel Parish Council Chairman Roy Bennett, who has died from cancer.
Grant funding supports businesses THE SWAN Inn pub in Mountsorrel and The Monk bar and restaurant in Quorn are two businesses to have accessed grant funding from the government to help them through the pandemic. Around £43 million in Government grants has been paid to businesses in Charnwood to support them during the crisis. Charnwood Borough Council has been responsible for distributing the cash and has recently paid the first wave of new lockdown grants to 900 local companies totalling over £6million. Cllr Tom Barkley, lead member for finance, said: “Our local and national economy has been devastated by the pandemic, and these grants have been vital to keep many businesses afloat in such difficult circumstances. “From the minute the Government awarded funding for the first round of grants, Charnwood Borough Council has worked flat out to make sure the grants have reached eligible businesses as soon as possible. “That has meant rapidly drawing together new processes to manage the grants to ensure they not only reach businesses quickly but also securely. “We have pulled officers in from other departments at times to support the grant schemes, and we will continue to work at pace to get grants to businesses. “The grants have meant survival for many businesses and the protection of jobs which families depend on. “With the introduction of the vaccine, we are hoping we can start getting back to normal in the near future, and businesses can begin to recover and grow again.” The Council has issued payments to around 3,000 businesses. Some businesses have qualified for more than one grant.
utility bills and invest in making it more Covid secure for customers, such as by improving its outdoor space. Danny said: “The grants have been absolutely invaluable, and without them, we would have struggled even more. The whole situation has been very tough. “We have used the grants to cover our fixed costs that have not gone away even though the business hasn’t been trading. We have also used some funding to improve our outdoor space as there was increased demand for that after the initial lockdown. We were just trying to find ways to keep trading as best we could under the restrictions. “The grants have been a lifeline, but we have still had to use the govPic: Danny and Helen Harwood and family at the Swan Inn in Mountsorrel (inset) an image of how they have improved the outdoor space at the pub
ernment’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme.” Simon and Carla Grayson run The Monk bar and restaurant in Quorn and have also accessed business grants. Simon said: “Without the grants, it basically would have been catastrophic for us, and I have to say that the Council have done a great job in distributing grants to local businesses. “We have been able to trade for four months out of the last 12, which is just not sustainable. We’ve had to use a Bounce Back Loan, and it’s all simply to
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Pic: Simon and Carla Grayson of The Monk in Quorn.
One business to have received grant support is the Swan Inn pub in Mountsorrel, run by Danny and Helen Harwood. The popular pub has used its grants to help pay overheads like rent and
keep paying our fixed costs. “We really have to ensure that we are able to reopen in as strong a position as possible, protecting both our livelihoods and those of our loyal and, understandably, concerned staff. “I would encourage all businesses to check what funding they may be eligible for. It may save your business.” More information about Covid-19 business grants is available on the Council website. Visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/cvbusiness.
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Peace Garden created at Heritage Centre A PEACE garden has been created at the Mountsorrel & Rothley Community Heritage Centre. The garden, which took 18 months to design and plan, is a site where the ashes of loved ones can be spread, and a plaque erected in their memory. A Heritage Centre spokesman said: “Our volunteers have created a circular garden in a very beautiful and peaceful part of the old quarry bottom. On one side is a semi-circle of upright railway sleepers where elegant granite plaques will be placed in memory of loved ones. On the opposite side, there are benches, planting and granite rock features. The eco team have planted a variety of flowers, ensuring the garden has colour throughout the year.” Plaques cost £180 with the option to spread a small amount of ashes. Plaque
orders are already being taken, and the first sleeper is almost full. For an order
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Tennis club can’t wait to get back IN MID-MARCH 2020, your local tennis club, Rothley Ivanhoe, held a successful open day just before the first lockdown.
Pics: (abobe, left) the new Peace Garden and (above) plaques on a post
Water leaks
“Who could have seen this one coming?” said club chairperson Anne Mumford. “We have kept the club open as much as we have been allowed to, and organised competitions and social play within the guidance. We have had to be really innovative to give opportunities for play to new and existing members. It was such a shame as we had a great programme of tennis and social events planned.” Club events have included encouraging naturally socially distanced singles play with lots of people playing and
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MOUNTSORREL POST
keeping fit. When ‘the rule of six’ was enforced, the club arranged some play with just six people playing a mix of singles and doubles, and a ‘bubble doubles’ event was organised. The club had plans to resurface four courts in late 2020 or spring 2021 and instead brought the work forward to be largely completed while the courts could not be used in April and May. The work by local contractors Fosse Contracts was permitted while play was not possible. All this means is that the courts will not need to be taken out of play for the resurfacing. Anne said: “We will be open for our existing members and for new members of all ages and abilities as soon as we are permitted to do so, and tennis will be organised in a safe way consistent with the Government and LTA guidance.” She added: “Tennis is such a great game, the courts are playing really well and we cannot wait to get back to social and competitive play as well as to delivering our coaching programme.” See more details at: www.rothleytennis.info Contact: enquiries@rothleytennis.info
“With a network of water pipes that would stretch around the world, it’s no wonder that our customers often spot water leaks before we do,” said Severn Trent spokesman Carl Flello. Carl has been finding and fixing leaks across the region for years. He said: “We take leakage very seriously, and have made some big reductions in the amount of leakages in recent years. But we know how important it is and we’re working hard to make sure that our wonderful supply of water isn’t wasted. “So we need your help. If you spot water coming out of the road or pavement, it might be a leak. We really want people to report these to us by calling our Leakline number on 0800 783 4444. And now you can even FaceTime an engineer to show us exactly where the leak is and how bad it is. Or report the leak using our online form at stwater.co.uk. Although if you are visiting our website, it’s worth having a look at our ‘Check Your Area’ section on the homepage. It shows leaks that have already been reported to us. “We maintain a 46,000km network of pipes across a huge area, so customers will often spot a leak before we can, and we’re always grateful for their help. Please do not assume we already know about the burst or leak, even if it is a large one. In rural areas, it is possible for leaks to run for days without being noticed.”
MAR 2021
SEVERN TRENT IS asking its customers to report water leaks when they spot them.
Jelson’s plans for 50 new homes PLANS FOR a 50 home development on the edge of Mountsorrel have received dozens of objections from residents. Developer Jelson has submitted the plans for a plot of land on Halstead Road, next to the site they are currently developing. That site received planning permission in 2014 for 200 homes – Jelson describe the new plans, for 50 homes on the site immediately to the west, as phase 2. The application site is 3.1 ha and is currently used as a paddock. The proposed scheme is a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, with 30% (15 dwellings) designated as affordable. A 20m wide green corridor with newly planted trees would be provided along the entire eastern boundary of the site. A new vehicular and pedestrian access would be provided off Halstead Road. A footpath will link the site to the phase 1 development. Issues raised by those objecting to the plans include: The site falls outside the allocated development areas Loss of attractive open countryside Loss of wildlife habitat
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Extra Points Alarms Rewiring Security Lighting Electrical Testing Part P Registered Pic: the site of the proposed development, of Halstead Road Details of the application can be Drainage and flooding Schools and other local facilities are viewed on the planning pages of Charnalready oversubscribed wood’s website. The planning reference Increase in local traffic is P/20/2361/2
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County council offer to local litter pickers LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY Council is supporting local litter picking groups - often called wombles by pledging to help them access the equipment they need. Across Leicestershire, there are hundreds of groups who collect litter from Leicestershire streets, parks, verges and other public spaces. Now, practical support is being offered through a new fund which will supply these groups with road signs and hi-vis jackets to help keep them safe, and extra-long litter pickers to reach under bushes and hedgerows. Louise Richardson, Leicestershire County Council for communities, said: “Womblers provide a vital community service. The benefits are numerous -
litter-picking keeps our public spaces clean, aids wildlife, promotes walking and increases recycling. “That’s why we want to support our local groups by giving them the equipment they need. It’s a great example of how we can support and empower our communities to make a difference in their area. “I applaud our womblers and hope that our support bolsters their brilliant work.” The kit provided: Six-foot litter pickers
Hi-vis waistcoats Easy-to-transport, light-weight fold-up signs – to keep people safe on
roadside verges You can apply by emailing Community.Litter@leics.gov.uk
New record for 12-hour stays in A&E
MOUNTSORREL POST
MAR 2021
THE NUMBER of patients staying for over 12-hours in Emergency Departments has reached a new record. Responding to English A&E performance figures for January 2021, Dr Katherine Henderson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “January was an extremely challenging month and placed unrelenting pressure on the health service. The data show huge numbers of 12-hour stays and difficulties offloading patients from ambulances into departments - we do not have enough beds to meet the demand. “12-hour stays have reached the highest ever figure, and four-hour performance dropped to its lowest ever. This
rise and fall come despite the number of attendances being the lowest ever for the month of January and the lowest since May 2020. “We know that the 12-hour stay reported by NHS England measure only from decision to admit to admission and do not present the full scale of 12-hour stays from arrival to discharge. The College has called for this to be resolved in the new metrics proposed in the Clinical Review of Standards. We hope this will present the full picture of the issues facing urgent and emergency care and lead to transformation and changes for the better.” The latest performance data shows that in January 2021 there were: The highest ever number of 12-hour
stays (3,809) sures facing our hospitals for nearly a The third highest ever number of ‘trol- year now. However, these pressures and ley waits’ (94,989) the hard work has taken a huge mental The lowest ever January attendances and physical toll on staff. The worst ever four-hour perform“Our work does stop as the peak passance at major Emergency Departments es, and as covid admissions begin to fall, (70.1%) and second-worst ever perform- the NHS will begin a new phase of reance at all types (78.5%) commencing services. We hope that the Queues of ambulances, with 13.4% lessons learned about the smooth runof ambulances waiting longer than 30 ning of the Emergency Care pathway are minutes to transfer patients into Emermaintained. gency Departments. “In the short term, it is absolutely Dr Henderson said: “The figures are essential that mental health and psychoterrible for patients and paint a picture logical support is provided to all health of a truly battered and beleaguered care workers. There is a significant health service. We were in an incredibly training backlog that must be addressed tough place going into the pandemic, – time and resources must be allocated but staff have worked magnificently to ensure professional progression and throughout it. deliver a qualified workforce.” “They have risen to the added pres9
Dog theft at record levels in lockdown POLICE ARE urging dog owners to take reasonable security measures to keep their pets safe. Officers are warning that criminals are exploiting the huge increase in prices and demand for puppies over the Coronavirus restrictions. The charity DogLost has seen reports of thefts rise by 170% in the last year from 172 dogs in 2019 to 465 in 2020. National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Acquisitive Crime, Deputy Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said: “Dog theft can be a devastating crime for families and causes considerable distress to owners. Whilst it is still a very rare crime, it’s sadly something we have
seen increasing recently. “During the Coronavirus pandemic, criminals have adjusted their activities and are taking advantage of the big demand for pets over the lockdown period. The cost of a puppy has considerably increased over the past year, making this a lucrative market for organised criminals to exploit.” Police across the country are taking robust action to target those responsible for dog theft. Recently in Greater Manchester officers arrested three people after a member of the public reported seeing someone carrying seven English Bulldogs puppies into a property. Two 21-year-old men and a 20-year-old woman were
Pics: (above) some of the 80 dogs recovered from a property in Wales & (top) bulldogs rescued from a property in Manchester
arrested on suspicion of burglary. While in Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police has returned nearly 30 dogs to their rightful owners after officers found 80 animals at a property in Carmarthenshire. One person was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and another on suspicion of burglary. Inquiries continue. Deputy Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman added: “We rely on the public providing us with information and would urge anyone who sees anything suspicious to report it to their local officers.
Whilse these offences can be very difficult to investigate police understand how upsetting they are and will robustly follow any lines of inquiry. “Dog owners can take reasonable security measures to prevent thefts like checking privacy settings on social media before sharing pictures of your pet online, as this can attract the attention of some criminals. The Blue Cross website has a wide range of advice on how to prevent theft of dogs and steps to take if this happens. “I also want to encourage those who are buying dogs to really consider where the pet has come from and ensure that it is being purchased legally. Advice can be found online on the checks you should make before purchasing a new dog or puppy.”
CAB help SINCE THE first lockdown in March 2020, Citizens Advice Charnwood has helped nearly 1,500 people with over 4,500 issues. Many of these issues relate to the adverse impact of Covid-19, particularly in the areas of benefits, debt and employment. Local people are facing situations they never anticipated. Some have to navigate the benefits system for the first time while many need help in understanding the new furlough and job retention schemes launched by the Government. The number of debt cases has increased in Charnwood, with some people losing their jobs. In other cases, both people in a partnership are now unemployed, leading to extreme and unexpected hardship. Citizens Advice Charnwood can make referrals to food banks for the most vulnerable and for clients moving to benefits for the first time, who may have a four week wait for the payment to be made. Ian Dennis, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Charnwood, said: “This year has been particularly challenging for everyone, and like many other organisations we have had to look at how we can adapt to provide a service to the residents of Charnwood. In line with Government guidance, and without a break in our service, we moved away from face-to-face drop-in sessions to the telephone.” Citizens Advice Charnwood local enquiry line: 01509 649605 (Mon 9.30am-3pm, Tue 9.30am-12noon, Thur 9.30am-3pm) www.charnwoodcab.org.uk
10
During a webinar on January 29, Centre for Cities researcher Valentine Quinio presented a series of datasets that showed how Leicester lags behind the national average for highly qualified workers, quality and quantity of office space, and transport accessibility. The think-tank regards a “strong city centre” to have about three times as much office space than retail, which is viewed as less of an asset now due to the industry’s transformation to online. Leicester is composed of 40% retail and 27% office space, while its 15% high street vacancy rate is three percentage points higher than a stronger rival. However, its relatively large proportion of industrial space (15% – double the recommended level) offers scope for repurposing into different uses, such as offices. Footfall data from pre-pandemic and
development. during the Covid-19 summer recovery Simon Jenner, director of BID Leicesshowed the city centre was busiest durter, which represents more than 700 ing weekends, but Valentine said activity peaks on weekdays in the most prosper- organisations in the city, added: “We’ve been following the Centre for Cities data ous cities as this offers more opportuniclosely, and one of the things that’s ties for income. emerged is a strong strategic consensus She added: “Online shopping is less around the importance of people living of a threat than the lack of spending and working in the city. power, so the challenge “We’re moving in the now lies in attracting these right direction in this rehigh-skilled businesses, spect, with some very good which will, in turn, benefit examples of businesses the whole economy. relocating to the city in “Policy needs to focus recent years such as Mattioon making the city centre li Woods, IBM and PPL PRS, an attractive place for while there’s also a big businesses to locate, and Pic: Researcher Valentine Quinio increase in high-quality this will require investing residential accommodation in skills, commercial and with schemes such as Waterside Leicesoffice space, transport and the public ter. realm.” “There’s also demand for more busiIn November last year, the council ness relocation, so one of the issues we began a consultation on the Leicester need to look at is the supply of quality Local Plan, which sets out policies and office accommodation because we recogproposals for the city’s growth over the next 15 years – covering a wide range of nise how having more people with issues including future plans for housing, spending power in our city will help businesses.” employment, transport and economic
MOUNTSORREL POST
RADICAL NEW thinking is needed if Leicester city centre is going to not just survive, but thrive beyond the pandemic That’s the message from a trio of business groups, which have joined forces to help reshape the city as one fit for purpose in the post-Covid world. East Midlands Chamber, Leicestershire Business Voice (LBV) and BID Leicester will take research presented by the Centre for Cities think-tank at a recent roundtable discussion to inform Leicester City Council as it develops its next Local Plan. The study of its commercial property make-up and footfall data showed Leicester was over-reliant on retail within its city centre mix and weekend trade – with a suggestion it needs to focus on attracting businesses that employ highskilled professionals, who will have better spending power.
MAR 2021
Leicester over reliant on retail, council told
Sustained fall in crime during pandemic PROVISIONAL DATA from police forces in England and Wales shows police recorded crime is thirteen per cent lower than in the same period as 2019. Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) given to the public for breaches of Coronavirus Regulations rose as national restrictions were implemented in England. Preliminary figures released on January 28 show an overall fall of thirteen per cent in the four weeks to 20 December 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. For the most recent recorded snapshot, for the four weeks to 20 December, serious violent crime, including Grievous Bodily Harm, Actual Bodily Harm and personal robbery reduced by 26 per cent, shoplifting was down 29 per cent,
vehicle crime fell by 27 per cent and residential burglary was down by 28 per cent compared to the same period in 2019. Throughout the pandemic, sustained falls in crime have been recorded throughout periods of national lockdown, with crime only rising close to 2019 levels during the summer months. The falling trend following November’s national restrictions has continued throughout the periods covered by the Alert Level Tiers in England. Particularly in the period just before Christmas and New Year, most of England and Wales was covered by continued restrictive measures based on the spread of the virus across Wales and English counties. Individuals were also more likely to stay home and isolate due to the prospect of household mixing
being allowed for Christmas Day, allowing criminals fewer opportunities to commit crime. It is expected that the crime rate will continue to fall for January as England entered a third national lockdown. National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Martin Hewitt said: “We have seen falls in crime during periods of national lockdown, and we are beginning to see it again in January. There was no significant rise back towards 2019 levels observed in December. Many parts of England and Wales still faced significant restrictions in the run-up to Christmas and New Year. “Police will always strive to make the most effective use of any additional capacity when crime falls.” Speaking about the continued rise of assaults against emergency service work-
Betty celebrates jab, thanks NHS Betty Allen has lived at Mountview care home in Rothley since October last year and was eagerly waiting for the vaccination day to arrive. She expressed her thanks in an emotional letter. She wrote: “I would like to give the biggest thank you to the Mountview care team and to the nurses who came to give us our Covid19 jabs. The dedication and compassion you have all displayed during the pandemic is nothing short of amazing.” Betty also offered advice to anybody who may be feeling down during the lockdown. She said: “If anybody is feeling blue, I would suggest singing along to ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor. It is the perfect song to give you the strength to carry on!” Staff and residents at
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Architectural plans
drawn & submitted for planning permission & building regulations approval Tel: 0116 4105060 / 07974807111 E: info@amlidesign.co.uk W: www.amlidesign.co.uk
David Ives Bsc(Hons) MCIOB FCABE C.Build E. Chartered & Accredited
Pic: Mountview resident Betty Allen celebrates her vaccination
MAR 2021
The March issue of the
will be published on June 4. The copy deadline is May 21.
A RESIDENT at a Rothley care home has thanked the staff and the NHS after being vaccinated.
MOUNTSORREL POST
ers reported within this snapshot, at four per cent higher than in 2019, Mr Hewitt added: “Assaults on emergency workers who do crucial work to keep the public safe are deplorable. We’ve been firm from the outset, together with the Director for Public Prosecutions, that we will do all we can to prosecute those who commit these criminal offences.” Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued by territorial forces in England and Wales In total, 42,675 FPNs have been recorded as having been issued in England and Wales under Coronavirus Regulations between Friday 27 March and Sunday 17 January. In England 38,452, were issued, and 4,223 in Wales. 80 per cent of all Coronavirus notices issued in England and Wales were given to those aged between 18-39.
Mountview recently received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford. The home arranged for each resident to pair up with a staff member whilst having their injections to offer additional support as the team of Registered Nurses from NAME Medical Centre came to carry out the vaccinations. Betty said: “The Mountview team have really gone above and beyond to support us in every way and the nurses who came to give us the vaccine were lovely! I am so pleased we have all received the first dose, I look forward to having a big
party once things return to normal!” Mountview General Manager, Selina Leone, said: “The past year has been a real challenge for everyone, but we have always had faith that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and the availability of a vaccine has been our continued hope that we will return to normal. "Betty’s letter was extremely heartfelt and was an emotional read for our care team. It means a lot to have such recognition from our residents, and it solidifies how much of a family we really are. Once everyone had a chance to read the letter, we passed it on to the NHS team to give them a positive boost for all of their hard work.” Mountview care home, operated by Ideal Carehomes, provides 24-hour residential and dementia care, offering personalised care on an inclusive fee basis. The home is currently welcoming new residents for short and long term placements, and loved ones can visit in dedicated Covid-safe social rooms (subject to current guidelines). Upon moving into Mountview, the team will facilitate organising a Covid-19 vaccination on your behalf. For more information about Mountview, contact Selina Leone on 0116 303 3303 or visit www.idealcarehomes.co.uk 11
Theatre worker finds New café and visitor new job in social care centre at Outwoods Pic: Cllr Hilary Fryer outside the ranger’s cottage at the Outwoods
Jon Carter, who formerly worked in the theatre, has been working since the summer of 2020 at Apple House in Wigston - and has spoken about the work he does and how he has enjoyed his transition into a support worker’s role. Jon said: “I have found it really easy to fit into Apple House, every day I am learning new skills and new things about the residents. “At Apple House, we work to get the best out of every one of our residents, my more experienced colleagues are so keen to help me develop and support me in giving the best possible care.” Jon was recruited by the county council’s Inspired to Care team. It has a mission to recruit people to a variety of adult social care roles, in particular supporting people discharged from hospital back into the community and help-
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Charnwood Borough Council is converting the former ranger’s cottage into a visitor centre and café at the ancient woodland site. Plans for the project were approved at a plans committee last year but the Covid-19 pandemic put the project on hold until this year. It is now hoped the centre is completed by the end of this summer. Cllr Jenny Bokor, lead member for Loughborough, said: “I’m pleased this project will be starting soon. “The cottage has been largely unused for many years, and it will be great to see it transformed into a new visitor centre and improve the facilities for everyone who visits the Outwoods. “The pandemic has meant even more of us are spending time outdoors, and I hope this news will be welcomed by the many people who visit the woodland. The café will provide somewhere for people to enjoy a hot drink and maybe a slice of cake and there will also be space for displays and other events. “As a Council, we are committed to working with the Outwoods Management Committee to improve the Outwoods while maintaining its historic character. Over the past few years, we opened a new £140,000 natural play area and events shelter and are currently working with Natural England to restore the site to a natural acid oak woodland as part of a 10-year project.” The new visitor centre will include a
café, toilets and space for exhibition displays. Estimated costs to create the centre are around £130,000, and a private operator is being sought to manage it. Work on the project is planned to start at the beginning of March. The Outwoods Visitor Centre and Café will be dedicated to the memory of the former leader of the Council, David Slater. Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, Cllr Jonathan Morgan said: “I’m pleased the new visitor centre at the Outwoods will be dedicated in memory of David. “It will be a fitting tribute to the contributions he made to the Outwoods and our open spaces in the borough while he was the leader of the Council.” The natural play area will need to close for around two weeks of the project, and the building work may have a small impact on the car park. People can keep up to date with the project by checking out the Council’s social media channels or by visiting www.charnwood.gov.uk/visitorcentre The Outwoods is 110 acres of ancient woodland to the south of Loughborough and is one of the oldest surviving woodland sites in Charnwood. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England, which means it's protected by law to conserve its wildlife and geology. Businesses interested in operating the new café can register their interest by emailing Outwoodsnewcafeoperateor@charnwood. gov.uk
ing to free up beds for the NHS. He added: “I encourage those thinking about a role in adult social care to speak to Inspired to Care.” Richard Blunt, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for adult social care, said: “I am so pleased to hear Jon has settled into Apple House, and I am sure his work is invaluable to the residents. “We are always after caring, passionate people to join us in adult social care. The roles on offer will give Leicestershire residents the opportunity to make a difference in their local communities, support the most vulnerable to stay safe and well at home, and earn money while carrying out a rewarding role.” At the start of the first lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the county council’s Inspired to Care team launched a recruitment drive to help recruit social care professionals into vital roles and help increase the capacity of support within home care, supported living, nursing and care homes. All the new recruits, when surveyed, said they were suited to their role as care professionals. There are long-term and temporary positions available, full-time and parttime, say the county council. It is recruiting: • People who are out of work or have reduced hours • Self-employed people • Previous care professionals No experience is necessary as full training will be given. For more information and to apply, visit: www.Inspiredtocare.co.uk/jobs or call 0116 305 5186.
MOUNTSORREL POST
WORK WILL soon start on creating a visitor centre at the Outwoods in Loughborough.
A SUPPORT worker at a residential care home in Leicestershire hopes his story will encourage more people to consider a role in social care.