Rothley Post (104) January 2014

THE ROTHLEY POST YOUR FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

JAN/FEB 2014

www.birstallpost.co.uk

No. 104

Giant turbine in Wanlip

150 new homes planned PROPOSALS for 150 new homes off West Cross Lane in Rothley have been announced by developers Charles Church.

THE NEW wind turbine at Wanlip’s sewage treatment works became fully operational at the start of the new year.

Erected in early December, it is the largest type of onshore turbine to be installed anywhere in the UK, 130 metres tall from the ground to the tip of the blade. Each blade is 50 metres, or 164 feet.

The turbine has been erected by Severn Trent and will produce 5000 megawatt hours a year of electricity, equivalent to supplying around 1500 homes with power.

Jon Beeson, Renewable Energy Project Specialist at Severn Trent, said: “A huge amount of energy is needed to provide water and waste services to our customers. This

Pic: Severn Trent’s John Beeson beside the turbine & (below) one of the blades arriving on site

The proposed development site is on the parish boundary and the new homes will be built adjacent to existing houses in Mountsorrel.

Residents have formed the West Cross Lane Fields Residents Group to campaign against the proposals. Spokesman Andy Worby said: “Mountsorrel and Rothley are witnessing another surge in village expansion with significant developments proposed on sites across the villages and their surrounding countryside. We fully understand and support the need to expand and evolve to support future generations, but it needs to be done in a sensible, sustainable and community-focussed way. What we’re witnessing right now is opportunistic and speculative behaviour by major developers to exploit a ‘policy vacuum’ whilst the council attempts to establish its new Core Strategy by Spring 2014.

“As a group of concerned residents now representing a large number of households in the area, we oppose this approach to development and object to the plans to build further houses off West Cross Lane. They are not required given the other developments currently underway, they will further over-burdened local services, facilities and infraContinued on page 2

turbine will help us limit the amount of electricity we need to take from the national grid.”

Generating its own electricity will help Severn Trent keep the price it charges customers low, says the company. Mr Beeson said: “Severn Trent have the lowest combined water and waste bills in England and Wales and want to maintain this for our customers.”

The turbine’s performance is moniContinued on page 2

DAVE HUTCHINGS GENERAL BUILDING & HOME REPAIRS

Brickwork • Patios Re-pointing Tiling • Plaster Patching • Fencing etc No job too small Friendly Reliable Service Free Quotations • Fully Insured

Tel: 0116 260 7716 Mob: 07770 785400 Email: dave@dave-hutchings.com Website: www.dave-hutchings.com

LANCASTER LANDSCAPES BLOCK PAVING SPECIALISTS

Drives • Patios • Paths Garden Design Crazy Paving Slabbing Fencing Lawns Cut Hedges Cut Turfing

Slabs & Walls Cleaned

40 Spinney Rise, Birstall Pic: an engineer enters the door at the bottom of the mast, which contains a lift to the top

2673767 or 07979 851976

2

THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2014

Turbine continued from page 1 tored remotely from Manchester. The blades turn 24 hours, seven days a week and are stopped twice a year for one day for servicing. The blades turn to face the wind and if wind speed reaches 60mph, they automatically rotate so as not to catch the wind and bring themselves to a complete stop.

The top of the mast will not be lit with a warning beacon. A Severn Trent spokesman said: “To allow us to construct the turbine safely we have used lights so we could carry out work. Now the turbine is in place, we will not be illuminating the turbine in agreement

R.E. MILLS SERVICING, MOT & CLASSIC CAR SPECIALIST MOT

TESTING

VEHICLE TESTING STATION

Servicing & Repairs to all makes & models MOTs • Bodywork Electronic Diagnosis Leaded 4*

RE Mills Motor Engineer

34-36 Town Green St Rothley LE7 7NU

0116 2302295

with our planning conditions..”

Some Rothley residents object to the new turbine. Borough Councillor and former Mayor of Charnwood Diane Wise said: “It is an absolute monstrosity and a blot on the landscape, it looks like the sort that are being installed off shore.” She said she didn’t think the environmental benefits outweighed its negative impact on the landscape.

Rothley Heritage Warden Marion Vincent said: “My big worry is the impact these turbines have on bird life, with bird strikes, and as more go up across the country what effect they will have on bird migration.

“Wherever you are, you can see it and the comments I’m hearing are about its awesome size, it’s overwhelming. Now we’ve got it we’re stuck with it. It does look better than electricity pylons, it has modern lines and if we have to have this sort of thing good design is essential and it does have good design.”

The Chairman of Rothley Parish Council, Percy Hartshorn said: “We didn’t want it but now it’s here it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. Some people are saying they like it and a few hate it, but they’re about equal really and I don’t think most people have really strong views about it.”

Charnwood Borough Council originally turned down the application but Severn Trent appealed and a planning inspector ruled in favour of the turbine.

Wind Energy • In November 2013 the National Grid announced a new record had been set for the generation of electricity from wind in the UK – 6000 megawatts.

This is 13.5% of the UK’s total electricity demand, enough to power 3,410,000 homes.

• there are 4195 onshore turbines in the UK and 1075 offshore turbines • depending on local wind speeds, a turbine will generate electricity 70-85% of the time

Cleaned & Gleaming Ltd are expanding into your area We leave everything “Cleaned & Gleaming”…

• Responsible • Reliable • Professional We supply all our own cleaning products unless you have favourites that you prefer us to use Cleaned & Gleaming Ltd leave your home or offices cleaned & gleaming: floors/windows/doors/blinds & mirrors all cleaned to the highest standard

We are willing to clean “as much or as little as you like” We will change beds!

Nothing nicer than a clean fresh bed

We can load/unload your dishwasher

Our services also include skirting boards/lights & light switches Fully insured UK registered company employing local staff

For a free no-obligation quote please call:

0791 907 5795 www.cleanedandgleaming.co.uk

WE

S

RO TC

SS

NE LA

The plans for West Cross Lane

Continued from page 1 structure, and they will diminish even further the critical green area between Rothley and Mountsorrel which helps us to maintain our separate identities and avoid becoming suburban sprawl.”

He added: “We plan to oppose this development by demonstrating that it is not ‘sustainable’ within the spirit of the latest Government guidelines, is not required in order to meet housing targets in this area, and is not good for the villages, their residents and the local community.”

The Chairmen of Rothley Parish Council Percy Hartshorn said: “We are against this proposal, it will reduce settlement separation and put more pressure on local infrastructure.

“Looking at the site there is clearly room for as much as 600 houses. We have met with the developers and had a discussion about them providing us with a legal assurance there will be no devel-

opment beyond 150 homes.”

The developers have circulated some leaflets in the area and held a public consultation meeting at Mountsorrel school which has been criticised for being poorly advertised.

Their leaflet states there is an: “… immediate and pressing need to provide additional homes to address shortfalls in provision in recent years.”

Developers Charles Church successfully obtained planning permission for 149 now completed homes at the Avalon development in Rothley and 180 new homes and a school at Brookfield farm, currently under construction. This was despite widespread opposition from local residents and councillors.

Anyone wishing to join the West Cross Lane Fields Residents Group can contact Andy Worby, 20 Grange Lane, Mountsorrel LE12 7HY, westcrosslanefields@gmail.com

Falling masonry: church repairs underway REPAIRS WILL be made to Rothley church after some masonry fell from the church tower.

A spokesman said: “Due to some limited falling masonry from the Church Tower it has been necessary to erect a fence around it until repairs can be done. The church is a grade II listed building and will require careful conservation in line with the appropriate guidelines. The anticipated timetable for completing the work is Spring 2015.

“All church activities will carry on as normal, including all three services every Sunday, weddings and funerals.”

An application to the Heritage Lottery Fund has been made for repairs to the tower and to help share the church’s history with the community. A first round pass has been achieved and initial funding (£4100) has been received from the HLF to help develop the project in detail. A further £54,700 will be provided toward a total project cost estimated to

be £77,500, dependant on a satisfactory second round submission to the HLF. Further information will be available soon on the church website at www.rothleychurch.org.uk Pic: the fencing at Rothley church

THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2014

Crowds turn out to see Christmas lights A CROWD of more than a thousand turned out to see the launch of Christmas in Rothley in November.

The Christmas lights switch on event was organised for the first time by Rothley Baptist Church who stepped in at the last minute when it seemed the popular village event would not take place.

Children from Rothley school sang Christmas songs, there were fun fair rides, refreshments stalls and handbell ringers and the lights were switched on by two players from Leicester City Football Club, Liam Moore and Andy King.

Rothley Baptist Minister, Simon Payne-Mivshuk said: “I think there was a lot of disappointment when people heard it was not going to happen this year. I think it went very well, there was a real buzz the next day with people talking about it.”

He added: “Christmas can so easily be seen as a commercial event and we want to put the Christ back into Christmas – switching on the lights shows the light that has come into the world.

It’s also a way for the community to come together – the idea of community can be lost in this modern age.”

Advertise in

THE ROTHLEY POST 47 x 59mm £20 • 47 x 120mm £36 98 x 59mm £36 • 98 x 120mm £60

1) Decide what size you want 2) Send us a sketch of your ad 3) We design, publish & send you the bill CALL 2674213 for an advertising rate card, or view online at www.birstallpost.co.uk The prices above exclude VAT

School’s Christmas fair Pics: stallholders in the school hall; handbell ringers; Joe Greaf (4) with his sister Olive (2)

OUR PICTURES were taken at Richard Hill School’s Christmas fair on December 7, where visitors were entertained by the All Saints Church Thurcaston & Cropston handbell ringers

ROTHLEY’S PREMIER TREE SERVICE Just like the rest of your property, have you considered your trees require a little maintenance from time to time?

ARE YOUR TREES MAYBE? ...UNSAFE, TOO TALL OR UNTIDY ...BLOCKING LIGHT FROM YOUR HOME, OR YOUR NEIGHBOUR’S HOME ...LIKELY TO AFFECT YOUR PROPERTY STRUCTURE YOUR LOCAL TREE SURGEON

With 20 years experience in all aspects of tree work we would be pleased to offer you FREE expert advice & a FREE quotation without obligation

PHONE NOW ON 0116 2505842

3

4

THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2014

Parish Council notes

WEA courses THE BIRSTALL & Rothley WEA are offering the following courses.

Exploring Painting Media Exploring experimental and dynamic approaches to painting, this course provides a taster into painting with acrylics, gouache, watercolour and mixed media.

On the spot demonstrations and discussion are supported with examples of artists’ work.

Tutor: Jo Sheppard. Fee £77, discounted: £69.30 (not available to the retired) or Free Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Monday 1–3pm, 11 meetings from January 20, 2014 One Hundred Years On Leicestershire and the Great War: as the one hundredth anniversary of the start of the First World War approaches, this course offers an opportunity to explore some of the effects on Leicestershire and the experiences of local people, both at home and in service abroad.

Topics will include industry and war work, military service, the role of women, conscientious objectors, and postwar memorials and remembrance.

Tutor: Cynthia Brown Fee £52.50, discounted: £47.25 (not available to the retired) or Free Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Tuesday 10–11.30am, 10 meetings from January 21, 2014 Mystery, Mood & Menace Explore these fascinating and powerful themes in the work of artists such as Paul Klee, Rene Magritte, Caspar David Friedrich and Patrick Caulfield. No experience necessary-just a lively, openminded interest in art!

Tutor Janis Baker Fee £56, discounted: £50.40 (not available to the retired) or Free Venue: The Rothley Centre, 12 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley LE7 7PR Date: Wednesday 7.15–9.15pm, 8 meetings from January 22, 2014 Contact: Marion Vincent, Telephone: 0116 2375156 or send your enrolments to John Laurance WEA Treasurer, 33 Loughborough Road, Hoton Leicester LE12 5SF Please make cheques payable to WEA Birstall & Rothley Branch www.birstallandrothleywea.org.uk

ALL TYPES OF DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL WORK

Extra Points Alarms Rewiring Security Lighting Electrical Testing Part P Registered

Control Electrics Ltd Lodgewood Ave, Birstall, Leicester

Tel: 0116 2682910 FREE ESTIMATES

A FULL meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on November 18.

Will’s karate black belt A DEDICATED Karate student from Rothley has gained his black belt.

Nine year old Will Stone of Rowe Leyes Furlong trains at Stonehill school in Birstall with Conroy Karate.

His teachers are Ginny Beresford and Tony Conroy.

Will, a pupil at Rothley school, said: “I started training in 2008 aged four. I found the co-ordination quite difficult at the beginning but with a lot of hard work and practice it started to come together.

“I always wanted to be doing the kata that the older students were

Woodcock Farm Shop Manure,

Home Grown NEW Potatoes Wilja Desiree Marfona Maris-Bard

Woodchip Mulch, Topsoil & Compost:

Fresh Fruit & Veg Local Honey & Preserves incl Marmalade & Chutney

we can deliver bulk loads of these items, call or visit for further details

DIY Liveries, Menage for Hire

Horse & Pony Feeds, Goat Feeds, Poultry Feeds, RabbitFood, TOP QUALITY HAY Straw & Shavings ORNAMENTAL TREES

And lots more!

LOUGHBOROUGH RD, ROTHLEY Tel (0116) 230 2215 James 07802 915559 Fred 0797 7014606 OPENING TIMES Mon-Fri 9am to 6pm Sat 9am to 5.30pm Sun 9.30am to 5pm Please note these times may change during public holidays. Ring us for details.

www.thebestof.co.uk/loughborough

doing which inspired me to work even harder to get to their level.”

Will is now working towards his Black belt second Dan in April 2015. He says that the free fighting part of the sport is the bit he likes best and that confidence and stamina are the two qualities you need to succeed.

Pic: (top) Karate student Will Stone with Tony Conroy and Ginny Beresford

After school SCHOOL’S OUT, the Rothley After School Club that started in 2009, are now opening a Breakfast Club in the village from January 2014.

Manager of School’s Out, Claire Parker, said: “The demand for childcare before school has spiralled this year to the point where I have decided to do something about it.”

Claire is hoping that the breakfast club will offer flexibility and support to parents in being able to leave home earlier in the morning for work, with the knowledge that their children will be cared for in a safe environment.

The Breakfast Club will operate from The Old School rooms on School Street and starts at 7.45am Mon-Fri with drop off to Rothley School.

For more information please contact Claire on 07879 676025 or claire@schoolsout-rothley.co.uk

PC Leye Price is the new Beacon Office for Rothley, replacing PC Richard Carruthers.

It was reported that the organisers of boot camp fitness classes on Bunney’s Field have agreed to reduce use to Saturday mornings and to offer free advice to persons wishing to use the Town Green Street playing field gym equipment.

Volunteers are to be sought for the cleaning of village and street signs.

A full meeting of Rothley Parish Council was held on December 16.

It was reported that Severn Trent have agreed to dig up and replace blocked drains on Fowke Street. The work will be carried out in Spring 2014.

The Council agreed a precept for the year 2014/15 of £92,000. This is the same amount as 2013/14.

Severn Trent will be providing 18 solar panels for the Rothley Centre.

A FULL meeting of Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council was held on October 17.

PCSO Steven Quinn reported that he had spoken to parents of children at Richard Hill school regarding parking problems on Anstey Lane, Wallis Close and Leicester Road. He has issued some advisory notices.

It was reported that there had been no further contact from Mather Jamie regarding the proposed housing development in the parish. The proposed solar park in Thurcaston is highly unlikely to proceed due to the cost of getting power out to the grid.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Cllr Richard Younie and William Green have attended a NALC training course on responding to major planning applications. The public are welcome to visit the parish office to consult the course notes.

The Chairman reported on his research into Neighbourhood Plans. An officer will meet with the Council to advise the way forward.

A member of the public reported on Community Speedwatch: there have been 75 signatures obtained for Cropston with 17 volunteers and for Thurcaston, 100 signatures and eight volunteers.

Some members of the public commented on parking problems in Thurcaston.

The first meeting of the Parish Council’s Village Planning Committee was held on December 12. It has been started to enable wider public engagement with planning issues in the village. It comprises three parish councillors and six members of the public. Subjects discussed included Village Design Statements and Neighbourhood Plans. The next meeting of the committee will be in January.

THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2014

5

Gold award for local scout Dance academy THE PILBEAM Academy of Dance finished off 2013 with a full day of Examinations and Medal Tests at The Rothley Centre on Sunday December 1.

The day was adjudicated by Miss Karen Yates FDDA of Stourbridge assisted by her secretary Mrs Yates.

A total of over 50 students successfully entered in Ballet, Theatre, Modern, Tap and National disciplines resulting in five Special Commends and ten Commends out of a possible 28 exam entrants, with the remaining students competing in the Medal Test section, where a total of four Recommendations were awarded.

One student, Miss Hannah Lewis of Rothley did exceptionally well in both exams and medal test and was presented with the Eve Smith Award. “This is a very special award given at the discretion of the examiner for outstanding performances on the day” said principal Antonia Pilbeam.

Mrs Pilbeam FDDA took advantage of the gathering to announce the winner of the Progress Cup for advancement during the year of a pupil’s achievements and this year it was presented to Miss Polly Huband of Mountsorrel.

The 2014 term started on Monday January 6 and a few vacancies are still available.

Free money advice BUDGET HEALTH checks are being offered to Charnwood residents who are worried about making ends meet.

Charnwood Borough Council has teamed up with the Money Advice Service (MA) to offer advice on making money stretch further. Appointments will be strictly private and held every other Thursday from January 9, 2014 between 9am and 5pm at the Council Offices, Southfields Road, Loughborough. The sessions are open to anyone but with a particular focus on tenants with rent arrears and those on benefits.

Cllr Jenny Bokor, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services, said: “Money worries can be a big problem for many people, especially at this time of year, and this is a great opportunity to get help and advice. The sessions will help people to take steps to get out of debt, to claim any benefits they’re entitled to and reduce the worry that comes with debt.”

Anyone who wishes to make an appointment can call on 01509 634666.

THIS HALLOWEEN, while most people were out trick or treating, Cropston’s Edward Partis of the 77th Bradgate Scout Troop, based at Richard Hill School in Thurcaston, had a real treat of an evening!

Ed (14), together with mum Sharon and Scout Leader Steve Baker attended a Scout Gold Award Presentation evening at St Martin’s House in Leicester where Ed, together with a number of scouts from across Leicestershire were presented with their Scout Gold Award Certificates by the Scout County Commissioner, Byron Chatburn.

The presentation was the highlight of Ed’s pursuit of his Gold Award, which he has achieved in the four years he has been a part of the Scout troop.

Ed joined the Scouts at the age of 10 direct from the Cub pack and over the four years has gained the eight Scout Challenge Badges required that has earned him the gold award.

To gain his award, Ed has undertaken various activities which included sleeping out in cardboard boxes to raise money for the Homeless Charity, Shelter, which also involved presenting a project explaining why people are homeless, what can be done and how we can help. Creative challenges included making candles and a wooden tea tray and there were Fitness challenges that culminated in Ed and his fellow scouts undertaking the Oaks Scout Challenge, a hike of 22 miles with full kit on their backs so they could camp overnight.

As part of the presentation evening each scout was asked to write something about the activities that they have undertaken so that the audience could appreciate the diversity of each individual’s accomplishments for their award.

Ed wrote: “My favourite memories are of the two long walks we did. The Oaks Challenge was an amazing weekend with four seasons of weather in two days. One minute we were warm and happy, the next the snow was coming

ALARMS Established 25 years

DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL BURGLAR ALARMS CCTV • Access Control • Fire Alarms Data Cabling • Nurse Call Systems UKAS Accredited • SSAIB Approved Installer

Please Phone for a NO OBLIGATION QUOTE ALL WORK GUARANTEED & CERTIFIED 375 Loughborough Rd, Birstall

0116 267 3737 Mob: 0785 066 2323

Pic: Ed Partis with County Scout Commissioner, Byron Chatburn at the presentation evening

down. It was also my younger brother’s first scout trip and I helped him with his kit and kept him going, I was pleased to finish but very proud of my brother too as he was the youngest scout to make it.

The Cader Idris camp was also superb, Skip planned it well so we could go up the mountain, then under it too, with ti me out to play football on the beach as the sun went down.

Thank you Skip for every opportunity you have given me, and all your encouragement to help me achieve my award.”

Steve Baker, his Leader, said: “Ed’s Gold Award is the first that has been achieved by a Bradgate Scout Troop member. He is also the first scout that I have had the pleasure of guiding to this top honour. I hope that his achievement will be the first of many by our scouts.”

LINK CARS

ANGIE’S BEAUTY SALON Cropston

Rothley • Private Hire

Specialist in male & female waxing also Shellac/Mix nails, Facials, Manicures, Pedicures, Callus Peels etc

Serving the local community for 29 years: 1983-2012 LOCAL AND LONG DISTANCE ALL AIRPORTS ETC

0116 2302558

Enjoy your treatment in the comfort of a professional salon Evening & weekend appointments available

Call 07518 131871

6

THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2014

YOUR SAY...

The Rothley Post welcomes your views and opinions on any subject. Letters, which must include your name and address, (though not necessarily for publication) can be posted to: The Birstall Post, Longslade College, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GH, or handed in at Rothley library, Rothley Post Office, Woodgate or email: editor@birstallpost.co.uk

111 phone number The new 111 telephone call service for urgent medical care is now working in our area and across Leicestershire.

Why should we use it? Most of us who call 111 (and might have called 999) are not experts in telling the difference between the need for urgent (fast) medical care and emergency (life-threatening) care. If you call 111 and the person answering decides you need emergency care they will send an ambulance to you immediately without you needing to call 999. Therefore 111 can get you emergency care without any delay.

How should we use it?

The person who answers your call (the call handler) is trained to get you the help you need quickly. S/he will ask questions about you and what has happened to you or the person you are calling about. You will probably be worried, you might even be scared but try to stay calm and answer the questions as

well as you can. The call handler has medical experts (experienced nurses and a GP) available to help and, if needed, will transfer you to talk to them.

Call 111 for the best service for you.

If you need emergency care (an ambulance) you will get it; if you need urgent (fast) care, you will get it; if what you need is an appointment with your own GP within 24 hours you will get it.

Even if all you need is just good advice about what you need to do, you will get it.

Call 111 when you need medical help Kevin Blanks, NHS Healthwatch

Monstrous We have monster in our midst. Can anyone tell me, how a monstrosity of a wind turbine can be erected in a field in close proximity to a village, with local residents not being informed of its proposal in the first place, because I wasn’t and nobody I've spoken to was. This alien type obelisk that dominates our skyline can be seen from miles away.

From Tilton on the Hill, it can be seen.

It sticks out in our beautiful countryside like a sore thumb. They may as well built a block of flats, that would not have been as bad as this. I assume its purpose is to generate electricity, no matter it's intrusion into our locality is so over imposing and such a turning point, then take me back to sitting by the fireside, candles and horse drawn carts. God help us if this is the future.

I'm no scientist but don't we have unlimited thermal heat under the earth’s crust? Tap into that, it's below ground we won't see anything. Who are the individuals who gave consent to something that will blight ours and our children's lives forever? When I look out of my front window now all I can see is this damned huge propeller. These people need to come and explain themselves, for what they have done. And if a campaign is begun to rid us of this monstrosity then count me in.

Jim Burke, Rothley.

Noticeboard all details printed free Come and Enjoy Music More!

Do you enjoy classical music and would like to know more about it?

Enjoy Music More meets at the Adult Education College in Wellington Street, Leicester On Tuesdays from 10am to 12noon from September to March each year. The well-known local organist, choirmaster and music teacher Robert Foreman talks to us in his very individual style about a variety of music and we then listen to and discuss the music.

Are you interested?

Ring Martin on 0116 2592868 or Ken on 01455 822285

Coffee Shop Rothley Methodist, Howe Lane Every Tuesday morning, 1011.30am Come rain or shine Now open : Book exchange Everyone welcome Tea, coffee, biscuits, toasted tea cake Proceeds for the Methodist Church Highcliffe Harmony with Guests Moira Male Voice Choir presents

A Concert of Choral Music in support of the Stroke Association Saturday January 18 at 7pm St James the Greater Church, Birstall Tickets £7 and £5 (concessions) available from choir members or 01509 814327 Mountsorrel Methodist Church Presents the 1st in the 13th series of Sunday Night @ Eight

Organ Recitals on Sunday January 19 at 8pm

by Dr Simon Ainge of St Peter’s, Oadby Admission is free Donations for the Church’s Development Fund Buffet from 7.30pm

Charity Whist Drives organised by Derek Farr will be held at 7.30pm on Thursdays Jan 9, Feb 6, March 6 in the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley Admission £2 All players welcome Large free car park

Divorce Recovery Workshop Support to help you grow through separation How Do You? • build a new social life, when all your friends are in couples • make positive plans for moving on • let go of the past • feel confident again Find help with many of these questions and more at the Divorce Recovery Workshop Phone us, or use the website to book on to the Spring course DRW gives you the opportunity to air your fears and frustrations among people who are in the same boat, without fear of being judged. I went on the course, somewhat reluctantly, several years ago and found the confidence to search for a new and happier life for myself.

And where am I now….older and wiser, more prepared to see the other side and with a new and wider social circle. Ready for a new start.

Don’t just go through it…grow through it!

Contact Val White on 0116 2101702; 07554 122910 Enquiries www.drw.org.uk Next 6 weeks workshop starts in Leicester on February 24

The Eunuchs & Concubines of Ancient China A talk by Dr Michael Lynch, Hon Fellow School of Historical Studies, University of Leicester Tuesday January 21, 7.30pm Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane Tickets £5 Call 0116 2375254 to book, then pay at the door Charnwood Orchestra’s

Viennese Evening ‘Birthday at the Ball’ January 18 at 7pm Humphrey Perkins Community Centre, Cotes Road, Barrow Experience a live reconstruction of the famous Strauss concerts of 19th & 20th century Austria Soprano soloist: Elizabeth Ryder Tickets £12 (£11 concessions) and £3 for accompanied children under 16. They are available from the Paper Shop, Barrow upon Soar or by phoning 07718 153117 or emailing: judithrodgers155@gmail.com

CLASH 2012 Drop-in Sessions for people with Arthritis and other Musculoskeletal conditions, to gather information and to have a general chat about these conditions.

Sessions held every Monday, 10am to 12noon, Room 7, Peepul Centre, Orchardson Ave, Leicester

THE ROTHLEY POST

LE4 6DP - sessions are free.

General Fitness Sessions Tuesdays 1-2pm and Chair Based Exercise sessions Wednesdays 1-2pm for people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions at the Peepul Centre, Orchardson Ave, Leicester. Sessions are free. e-learning sessions - CLASH2012, a UK Online Centre, provides basic computer training at its after school e-learning sessions held at Longslade Community College in the Palmer Tomkinson Centre. Thursdays during term time 3.30-4.30pm Beginning January 9. Please contact Conrad 07919844629 for further information.

Are you retired and have computer skills that you can use in the community to support local people to ‘get online’?

CLASH (www.clashgroup.org.uk) would like to hear from you Please contact Chris on 07751072612 to discuss this further

Film Presentations “Love is all You Need” Friday January 10 (116 mins) Bringing in the New Year, our first film will be a life-affirming comedy set in an idyllic villa on the Sorrentine Peninsula. Ida, played

by Trine Dyrholm and Philip, played by Pierce Brosnan, are offered a second chance at happiness when they least expect it.

Tenderness and honesty overcome all complex problems in the end.

This comedy is appealing to us all.

“The Great Gatsby” Friday February 14 (143 mins) The great novel by F Scott Fitzgerald has been adapted into our great film, featuring Leonardo Di Caprio and Carey Mulligan. The multi-millionaire, Jay Gatsby, lives in an intoxicating world of the super rich. This is a story of impassive love, incorruptible dreams and dark tragedy.

“Captain Philips” Friday March 14 Thurcaston and 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.

Advanced tickets can be purchased via the parish office - 0116 236 7626 or at the door

DE MONTFORT MEMORIALS • MONUMENTAL SCULPTORS • NEW MEMORIALS • CLEANING & RESTORATION • QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP • BROCHURE ON REQUEST

3 BROOKBRIDGE COURT, SYSTON LEICESTER LE7 2JT

Tel: 0116 2601851

7

Club’s Christmas entertainment THE NOVEMBER meeting of the Thurcaston and Cropston Gardening Club was a talk by Felicity Austin called ‘An Old Fashioned Christmas’.

This was a departure from the usual gardening topics; a relaxed and gentle evening’s entertainment. Felicity talked about many of our Christmas traditions and looked at the origins of some of them, like the Christmas tree which was introduced from a German tradition by Queen Victoria and copied by the middle classes before becoming widespread. She also talked about blown glass baubles and tinsel, which was made from tin.

Felicity had a table full of objects from ‘an old fashioned Christmas’, many that would have been made by families, like decorated walnuts, paper chains, Chinese lanterns, and comic annuals. The traditional Christmas pudding had 13 ingredients, was stirred with wood, often had charms or money stirred in, and one was able to have three wishes – though only one would be granted!

Houses were decorated with greenery, but not before Christmas Eve and not after 12th night. Mincemeat was spiced meat. In some parts of the Country mince pies would be bashed before they were eaten, to ‘let the devil out’. The first Christmas card was in 1843, but the idea caught on so well that by the 1870’s there were complaints that there were clogging up the Christmas post.

Felicity told many anecdotes, read poems and passages, and even sang to us. In addition she got us playing Christmas games like guessing what was in stockings from feeling them. If the success of a visiting speaker can be gauged from the amount of laughter from the audience, then this was a very successful evening!

There are 13 events planned for 2014, including a trip to the Tatton Park Spring Show. Whether an experienced gardener or an enthusiastic beginner we are sure you will something of interest in this year’s programme.

What’s more, it is excellent value! The membership fee is £12 for the year or £3.00 per meeting. And, if you would like to come as a visitor and then you decide to join, your visitor fee will be refunded. So, if you are in-

terested in gardening - come and give the Club a try.

Gardening Club meetings for the beginning of the New Year Wed January 8, 7.45 pm – Medieval & Tudor Gardens – Matt Haddon (Preceded by the A.G.M.; duration 15/20 minutes) Looking at gardens from the fall of the Roman Empire to the end of the Tudors.

Revealing that different garden types of the period were very similar to those of today.

Wed February 12, 7.45 pm - Wall Shrubs & Climbing Plants – Hazel Kaye A selection of some of the very best hardy climbing plants and wall shrubs most suited to the Central Regions of England.

Wed March 12, 7.45 pm - The Garden at Coton Manor – Caroline Tait An illustrated tour through the garden over the last 40 years. A history of the garden’s stewards and its more recent developments, planting theories, border maintenance and floral displays through the changing seasons.

For more information, please call Dave Haddon on (0116) 235 9758 From Thurcaston and Cropston Gardening Club Pics: (top) Felicity with objects from ‘An Old Fashioned Christmas’: (inset) Gardening club members guessing the contents of a stocking

PILBEAM ACADEMY of DANCE Tel: 07584 166838 Classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern & National for children from age 3 Held at Rothley Village Hall, on Monday & Tuesday evening, & at Rothley Baptist Church, Woodgate, from 4.30pm on Wednesday.

Some spaces available in the beginners class at 4.30pm. All classes can lead to stagework, medals and examinations.

Pupils 3yrs + welcome

www.demontfortmemorials.co.uk Showroom:

JAN 2014

Ladies Tap classes for experienced or beginners held on Mondays at 7pm.

JOIN US FOR FUN, EXERCISE OR EXAMINATIONS • Est 1990 Principal: Antonia Pilbeam F.D.D.A.

• Re-wires • Fuse Board Upgrades • Extra Sockets & Lighting • New Builds & Extensions • Landlord Safety Certificates/PAT Testing • Garden & Security Lighting • Electric Showers • Burglar Alarm Specialist ALL WORK GUARANTEED For a FREE quote:

M: 07970 893250 T: 0116 2303166

Saxon Drive, Rothley, Leicestershire LE7 7SR www.krelectrical.com Info@krelectrical.com

8

THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2014

Store’s fun day supports teenager STAFF AT Rothley’s Co-op Store on Loughborough Road have helped fund a high tech powered wheelchair for a disabled teenager.

Snow White comes to Birstall for Christmas panto FACES ARTS, the Birstall based Performing Arts and Theatre School Company, performed their annual pantomime in the run up to Christmas at Longslade’s Palmer Tomkinson Centre.

‘Snow White’ was the latest in a succession of performances from the Faces Arts students this year. Students participating were aged between 11 and 16, and meet every Tuesday after school.

This year some of the younger children from the Tumble session where also included in an acro dance piece.

“All the children were quite simply, amazing” said Principal Jody Chesterton.

“They have worked so hard on this production and the cheers they received by the audiences were nothing more than

they deserved. The level of talent we see is hugely encouraging. At Faces Arts we pride ourselves on working with youngsters in the community and I would like to thank everyone who supported this year’s pantomime”.

Faces Arts have been established in Birstall for nearly ten years and host a variety of weekly sessions and Saturday sessions for children aged between 18 months and 18 years www.facesarts.co.uk Pic: Dolly & Danny Dumpling plan to rescue Snow White from the wicked queen.

A community fun day at the store saw staff and customers raise more than £680 for 15 year old Declan Spencer from Syston.

Declan has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which is causing his muscles to waste away. He has been a wheelchair user for the past six years.

The new £12,394 all terrain powered wheelchair being provided thanks to Midlands Co-operative funding will mean Declan will be able to pursue his hobbies including photography and racing remote control cars.

Mum Alexandra Spencer, pictured with Declan, said: “We live in a semirural area and a lot of the things Declan likes to do are outdoors. This new ‘4x4’

Tuck boxes for troops A MOUNTSORREL woman is appealing for donations for tuck boxes for our troops in Afghanistan.

Diane Allen of Mountsorrel has dedicated herself over the last three years to supporting our troops out in Afghanistan by letting them know we are thinking of them and their welfare by sending them regular ‘tuck box’ type food parcels

Acne: volunteers needed A LOCAL marketing company is looking for volunteers who suffer from acne, to help develop a new skin treatment.

Tim May Services

Fitted Kitchens, Bathrooms & Bedrooms. Supplied and Fitted or Fit Only

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

Call for a free no obligation quotation

Inspections Welcome

0116 2301324

Contact Lesley: 01509 412119

www.timmayservices.co.uk

53 Hawcliffe Rd, Mountsorrel

wheelchair will be a huge help; he loves to be out in our local forest area and this equipment will allow him to get off the tarmac paths and see so much more.

Not only that but it means he will be able to get to school in the snow.”

Declan added: “I can’t wait for the all terrain chair, I’m looking forward to being able to go up to the top of Bradgate Park and being able to go onto the beach next summer.”

Rothley store manager Paul Simpson added: “As a regional retailer we always ensure that our staff-elected charity supports people in need in our trading area. We are delighted to have been able to help Declan and his family in this way.”

Rothley based Agora Marketing Communications are currently producing a feasibility study on behalf of a UK pharmaceutical company into the development of a new skin device that is non-invasive, for treating and preventing acne. It is looking for volunteers, aged 16-30 to provide feedback.

“The first stage of the study is purely question and answer and the testing of the new device on your skin at a later date is optional” said a spokesman.

For further information email steve@agoramc.co.uk or call Steve Thomason on either 0116 2304967 or 07877 803397

which they can use to boost their morale while out on patrol. The reaction from the troops has been immense and hugely gratifying, says Diane.

So far this year she has sent out 852 shoe box size parcels with help and charitable support from local stores and friends, but she now needs extra gifts so that she can continue her work during the last few months of their term of duty.

Anyone wishing to donate can call Dianne on 0116 237 6805 and she will be happy to tell you how and when to donate. If you own a store and would like to donate items for inclusion in the boxes, these will be gladly received.

The boxes are sent post free by the Royal Mail and the next consignment will be in January.

Ian Roe General Building BUILDING MAINTENANCE HARD & SOFT LANDSCAPING & FENCING etc INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

0116 2303222 07847 003554

www.ianroe.co.uk

THE ROTHLEY POST

History society news OUR NOVEMBER meeting began with the AGM. Retiring Chairman Colin Revell was thanked for serving for four years, and a presentation was made to Colin in appreciation of his term of office. Brenda Hooper was welcomed back to serve for a further year, but a plea was made to recruit at least one more person to make the committee more viable.

It was sad to hear of the recent death of Dorothy Budd who had been a longtime, loyal and enthusiastic Society member – she will be greatly missed.

Our speaker for the evening was Colin Hyde who came to give an interesting presentation on the East Midlands Oral History Archive. This organisation was established to record living history through the spoken word, and this year marked the 30th anniversary since oral history recording began in Leicester.

The ability to make fully comprehensible oral recordings only dates from the end of World War II, although earlier recordings do exist. Colin played two early examples, one from 1890 (obtained from the British Library) was a very crackly recording of the voice of Florence Nightingale and the second example, dating from the 1920’s, was the voice of the only ship’s officer to survive the sinking of the Titanic in which he gave his personal recollections of that disastrous event.

One man instrumental in establishing oral history recording in England was George Ewart Evans who began recordings about country traditions and laid the foundations for the development of the Oral History Society. With the growing enthusiasm for recording the spoken voice, by the 1950’s, tape recording clubs both for adults and children had been set up in the East Midlands, including in Leicester, Derby and Nottingham.

Early recordings were done on reelto-reel tapes, but with ever-changing technology there followed the production of cassette tapes, mini discs and digital CD’s and DVD’s. Fortunately, after the birth of digital technology, old tape recordings were still retained, but an everpresent problem is in their preservation and trying to prevent their deterioration.

Since its establishment, funding of the Oral History Archive has been variable, but currently the Heritage Lottery is a major source of support. Colin has many recorded examples of local people sharing their memories of particular events during their lifetime, such as in the 1980’s, a gentleman relating his family’s recollections concerning the final illness and death of Queen Victoria. Two other examples were of a Leicester tram driver talking about his working day and a hosiery worker from Hinckley explaining his role in the workplace. Colin pointed out that these, and similar recordings, are also a great way to preserve evidence of local accents and dialects.

Colin emphasised that it is important to produce authentic and verifiable recordings, as well as them being of good quality. People need to be willing and able to talk and it is necessary to allow

time for them to do so – not everyone can be instantly concise in what they want to say. Colin’s mantra in preserving the Oral History Archive for future generations is “lots of copies, keeps stuff safe”.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday January 21 2014 when Trevor Parr will be making a return visit, this time to talk about the Civil War in Leicestershire.

Time: 7.30pm. Venue: the Harrison Room, All Saints’ Church, Thurcaston.

Annual subscriptions will be due and the full 2014 programme will be available From Jennifer Kennington, Thurcaston & Cropston Local History Society

AT THE AGM in November, the committee was voted back unopposed.

The committee comprises: Chairman Sue Joyce; Vice-chairman Frank Luce; Secretary Ursula Greaves: Treasurer Albert Greaves; Programme Secretary Linda Poole and Refreshment coordinator Valerie Wadge. Jill Anstock was also elected, as she had been co-opted to the committee part way through the year.

The Chairman thanked all members for their continuous support, and their efforts behind the scenes. She reported that meetings had been well attended, with the valuation evening with Bamfords Auctioneers and Valuers having the largest audience. The outing to Melbourne Hall and Gardens had been a big success and well attended, and the evening at the Mountsorrel Railway had also been informative and enjoyable. So much so, that several members had since returned to join in with the excavations. After the business, three of our members each gave a short talk.

Val Wadge talked about Hugh Latimer, Charles Poole gave an insight into the “Freemen of the City” awards and Sue Joyce rounded off the evening with a talk about “The Victims of the Civil War”, in particular, those who had local connections.

At the next meeting on January 15, Julie Ede will be our speaker and will give her talk on “Wonderful, wily, wicked Wallis” – This explorative and risqué talk embraces the meeting of Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson, the abdication and ends on their wedding day.

At the February meeting (19th) we will have two stories from World War II – Terry Sheppard will talk about the top secret unit RAF80 Wing (Signals) and the furious electronic war with German Luftwaffe target-finding radio beams and Frank Whitby will talk about his uncle who was an Air Gunner/Wireless Operator who was shot down over Germany on May 14, 1943, and the care given to his burial by local German people.

Meetings are held at the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley at 7.30pm.

Admission is £3 for visitors and £2 for members. Visitors are always welcome.

From Rothley History Society

JAN 2014

9

Monday club meeting OUR LAST official meeting for 2013 was November 11, in Cropston Evangelical Chapel, and was an extremely happy one.

Our guest speakers were the Thurcaston Handbell Ringers, who have been ringing as a group for just four years, resulting in a very competent and pleasant sound.

Mr Peter Hunt, the leader of “the Band” informed us that it took four years for the Church Tower Bell Ringers at All Saints Church, to save to provide funds to buy the Handbells (valued at £300 each!) and the eventual purchase was made when Mr. Hunt and his wife went down to London to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. There are apparently, only two major Bell Foundries in the Country and the other being Taylors of Loughborough. The Bell Ringers are currently saving to acquire more bells which would extend their repertoire.

Currently there are six ringing at any one time each with two bells; one in each Gloved hand. The gloves are required to protect the leather straps from perspiration from the hands causing discolouration and discomfort.

We were assured you do not have to be able to read music as the notation is in numbers, so all you need is a sense of rhythm. On acquisition of further bells more ringers will be needed. As encouragement Mr Hunt allowed us “to have a go” and amidst hearty laughter from the membership, some of us ac-

A. G. HOLLAND Est 1976

Blockpaving Fencing Patios Garden Design & Maintenance Service 41 Gwendolin Ave, Birstall tel: 2675882

Enjoy a complimentary therapy treatment in a calm relaxing atmosphere. Meet & chat to other patients & carers over a cup of tea. Therapies available include aromatherapy massage, reflexology, Indian head massage & reiki

quired a little more knowledge than previously possessed!

During the course of the last four years, the group has played at venues such as outside Tescos, Beaumont Leys, the Cedars Home on Station Road and Hunters Green in Thurcaston and for the Victorian Christmas Fayre at Stonehurst Farm resulting in a total collection for LOROS in the region of £2000.

The Monday Club meets at the Cropston Evangelical Chapel, on Station Road, Cropston, at 2.15pm on the second Monday of each month. Car parking is available by request.

Everyone will be most welcome to come and join us. For any enquires please ring me on 0116 2363467 From Ann Farndon, The Monday Club, Anstey, Cropston, Thurcaston And Rothley.

Lions’ donation LOCAL LIONS Clubs have donated £6500 to the Warning Zone, an educational centre for children that teaches safety messages.

Vimme Rathour, the CEO of Warning Zone on Frog Island, Leicester said: “A massive thanks for the hard work and effort you have put into raising funds for The Warning Zone.

Your generous donation will make a huge difference to our work in ensuring that every child in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has the chance to learn about personal safety, risk, consequence and so much more.”

10 THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2014

Ambitious bid for railway museum A BID for £10million that will kick-start the creation of a new world-class railway museum at Birstall’s Leicester North Station has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Great Central Railway – working in partnership with Leicester City Council and the National Railway Museum in York – plans to open the new attraction at its terminus at Leicester North. The new museum will be filed with priceless locomotives and other artefacts from the national collection, telling the story of how the railways helped Leicester become a thriving industrial city.

Managing Director of the Great Central Railway Bill Ford said “This is a visionary project. In the last 12 months the partners have worked hard to prepare today’s funding bid. The museum will help people reconnect with Leicester’s railway story and our shared heritage. Together with our thriving steam line, we’re confident tens of thousands of people will visit every year.”

The new attraction will create 300 short-term construction jobs and nine full time posts once open. As part of the bid process an economic impact study has been carried out which demonstrates the museum and railway will be worth £43million for the local economy

over five years. In turn this additional spending could create more than 900 jobs in the area.

Annual visitor figures for the railway and museum combined are expected to

Pic: Sir Peter Soulsby (Mayor of Leicester), Bill Ford (MD of the GCR) and Paul Kirkman (Director of the National Railway Museum) signing a joint memorandum of understanding for the project development. PIC LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL

reach around 230,000. The total cost of the project is expected to be £15million. £5million of match funding would be required alongside the lottery grant.

City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to create a heritage railway centre of national standing in Leicester.

“The museum will house items which are of both national importance and local interest, complementing the nearby National Space Centre and Abbey Pumping Station and helping to enhance the city’s reputation as an important visitor destination.

“It will also create hundreds of new jobs, both during construction and on opening, while providing training opportunities in the rail industry for dozens of young people. We’re fully committed to this project and will be working with the Great Central Railway to help them deliver this ambitious

Pic: blue area shows land required for the museum. Red area currently disused

Pic: An artist’s impression of a locomotive on display

scheme.”

A striking building is planned to sit right alongside the Great Central Railway’s Leicester North station, close to the Greenacres centre. Uniquely, steam hauled passenger trains will arrive right alongside the exhibition halls giving the displays a vibrant context. With the completion of the separate GCR reunification project, the museum will be a shining jewel of an 18 mile heritage railway.

Trains from the national network will also be able to run right to the front door, offering tourists a real alternative gateway to the city.

The museum will be connected to the running lines to allow displays to be changed, locomotives and carriages moved and even operated over the tracks of the Great Central.

The Director of the National Railway Museum Paul Kirkman, said: “Leicester had one of the world’s earliest railways, it was also a hub of the Midland line.

When the GCR opened in 1899 it was a key calling point on the high speed railway of the time. The Great Central Railway museum will see some significant parts of the national collection put on display in the heart of the country and show how the railways changed lives.”

As the bid is submitted the proposed line of exhibits is being unveiled for the first time. It includes the iconic ‘Green Arrow’ steam locomotive. A class V2 engine, designed by the famous engineer Sir Nigel Gresley, this type of locomotive

regularly worked along the Great Central Railway before it was closed. The sole surviving GCR passenger engine Butler Henderson will also be on display and paired with a wooden ‘Barnum’ Carriage. The carriage will be actively restored in front of visitors demonstrating the craft skills necessary to keep Britain’s Railway heritage alive.

As part of the bid a full programme of educational activities has been devised so the attraction engages with families, the local community and schools. Bill Ford concluded “We already welcome visitors from around the country and country but the museum will help us achieve so much more for Leicestershire. It will be a busy museum telling relevant stories, which are interpreted in the ultimate way, with a ride on a steam train! We hope the whole city will get behind the bid.”

The project partners will learn if they’ve been successful in April 2014.

Initially a small grant will be released allowing the plans to be developed further. A successful second round application would see the full grant unlocked with the museum expected to be open around summer 2018.

The next issue of

THE ROTHLEY POST will be published on Mar 7.

The copy deadline is Feb 21.

MOT

G E GAMBLE & SONS INDEPENDENT FAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTORS

VEHICLE TESTING STATION

TESTING

—–––––––––– ESTABLISHED 1830 —–––––––––

PETROLS • DIESELS MOTORCYCLES CROPSTON GARAGE 57 HIGH STREET, SYSTON LEICESTER LE7 1GQ TEL: 0116 2607500 A FAMILY OWNED FUNERAL DIRECTORS OFFERING A PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE 24 HOURS A DAY FUNERALS ARRANGED IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME OR AT OUR UNIQUE 17TH CENTURY THATCHED COTTAGE PROPRIETOR MR RICK ASTILL, RESIDENT OF BIRSTALL

www.gamblefunerals.co.uk MEMBERS OF SAIF AND NAFD

LET OUR FAMILY LOOK AFTER YOUR FAMILY FOR FREE ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

37 - 39 Station Road Cropston, Leicester 0116 2362363

METAL WORK cutting, welding, making steel gates, fencing, erection of small buildings, repair work and other estate work.

Freelance. Priced work or hourly paid. Must be experienced. Continual work.

For more detail ring Fiona Parker on 0116 2300050 or email admin@swithlandhall.com

THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2014

Van drivers fined

Group launches book

TWO VAN drivers are counting the cost of transporting waste without a licence after being caught in Birstall during a joint operation between the Police and Charnwood Borough Council.

A NEW book’s editor was dressed as a Victorian schoolteacher as she arrived by steam train to launch ‘Living Memories – Belgrave Friends Remembered’.

A total of 18 vehicles were stopped on the A6/A46 roundabout at Birstall and examined by the Council, Environment Agency and Leicestershire Police on Friday November 8.

Two drivers did not have Waste Carrier’s Licences and were given Fixed Penalty Notices of £300 as part of Charnwood Borough Council’s annual Don’t Muck Around campaign which tackles illegal dumping.

Cllr Jane Hunt, the council’s Cabinet member for Regulatory Services, said: “It is disappointing that we had to issue

these fines when there is so much information to tradespeople that they must have a Waste Carrier’s Licence if they are transporting waste.

“We hope that operations such as this will help spread the word that we take very seriously our role in protecting the environment in Charnwood and will take action where necessary.”

Environment Agency officers also handed out three application packs for Waste Carrier’s Licences during the operation.

Sandra Moore arrived at the GCR’s Leicester North station to promote the book, which tells the stories of some of those laid to rest in Belgrave cemetery, recounted in pictures and words from their friends and families.

She was dressed as Elizabeth Goodwin, the head teacher of Belgrave National School during the early years of the 20th century and was greeted by Bill Ford, Managing Director of the Great Central Railway Director.

Sandra said: “The book has been in preparation for over two years and contains memories of more than 140 of those laid to rest in the cemetery.

“The subjects are not the captains of industry or well-known civic dignitaries

Council Dumping: launches men scheme fined Crime

UNEMPLOYED teens in Charnwood are being given a helping hand by the Council to get a vital foot on the career ladder.

Charnwood Borough Council is injecting £52,500 into the Charnwood Apprenticeship Support Scheme which will help small and medium-sized businesses provide places for 35 young apprentices.

The scheme could see businesses, who employ no more than 250 people, receive a grant of £1,500 for each apprentice they employ over the next 12 months.

Councillor David Slater, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “The jobs market is still very tough out there, particularly for young people who are not in education or training.

“The Council is committed to ensuring a wide range of employment opportunities are provided throughout the Borough to keep Charnwood a prosperous and thriving place to live and work.

“We have committed £52,500 to this scheme and plans are for this to support 35 local young people into employment.”

Following the decision by Cabinet to approve the scheme, the Council will now look to establish links with local training providers to work with the Council and businesses to offer a range of apprentices for young people.

Apprentices must live in Charnwood, be aged between 16 and 19 and not be in employment, education or training.

Apprentices will be eligible for the National Minimum Wage of £2.68 per hour if aged 16 to 18 while 19-yearolds should receive £5.03 per hour.

For more information on the scheme visit www.charnwood.gov.uk, call 01509 634727 or email david.hankin@charnwood.gov.uk

TWO MEN have been fined more than £1,100 for dumping bricks in a Borough reservoir.

Jamie Bell (21) of Albert Avenue, Sileby, and Daniel Stretton (28) from North Street, Barrow-Upon-Soar, were fined a total of £1,168 at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, December 12, 2013, after pleading guilty to flytipping.

The men are cousins and were prosecuted by Charnwood Borough Council after a resident reported seeing the pair throwing bricks over a wall in Kinchley Lane, Rothley, on July 10, 2013.

Councillor Jane Hunt, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said: “Fly-tipping blights the Borough, whether it is building material or even a crisp packet , and we will not stand by and see our environment ruined by people who think it is acceptable to dump waste.

“This is another example of a successful prosecution for fly-tipping in Charnwood, and I hope it will act as a further deterrent.”

During an investigation by Council enforcement officers, Bell and Stretton denied the charges, however, during the court hearing they admitted to throwing the bricks on the “spur of the moment”.

As the owner of the bricks, Bell was ordered to pay a £275 fine, £500 costs and a £28 victim surcharge, while Stretton was given a £100 fine and asked to pay £245 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

The cousins admitted they had made a “stupid mistake” in throwing the bricks and realised they had committed an environmental offence.

For more information on fly-tipping and to report an incident visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/fly_tipping, call 01509 634564, email cleaner.greener@charnwood.gov.uk.

report Crime Report : Rothley Oct & Nov, 2013 Theft 3, theft from motor vehicle 3, theft of motor vehicle 2, burglary 9, burglary non-dwelling 6 Outbuildings are being targeted by thieves for garden equipment and tools, so make sure you keep your shed or garage secure.

From PC4505 Leye Price

11

Pic: Sandra Moore at Leicester North station

but were ordinary people who are far from ordinary.”

Living memories may be purchased for £10 from Birstall library, or contact Sandra Moore, 0116 2363739 or booklaunch@friendsofbelgravecemetery.c o.uk

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is still required if you are selling or renting out your house.

Call David Jackson on 0781 5519490 to arrange your EPC

Advertise in

THE ROTHLEY POST 47 x 59mm £20 • 47 x 120mm £36 98 x 59mm £36 • 98 x 120mm £60

1) Decide what size you want 2) Send us a sketch of your ad 3) We design, publish This Siz & send e you the Wednes bill days

S£E6X0Y +VAT

CALL 2674213 for an advertising rate card, or view online at www.birstallpost.co.uk The prices above exclude VAT

12 THE ROTHLEY POST

JAN 2014

Project aims to record history DO YOU have wartime experiences, or memories of your working life you would like to share?

Charnwood Roots is a local project that is looking for people to interview about their memories of World War II and their working life.

A spokesman said: “If you have any wartime memories that you would like to share, please get in touch. We are particularly interested in finding people who have memories of anything that is relevant to this area, such as Beaumanor signalling unit, prisoner of war camps, experiences of foreign visitors or evacuees.”

The ‘Our Working Lives’ part of the project is looking for people who have worked in industry, in factories, farming, quarrying or who have been self employed.

For those taking part, a trained volunteer will visit you at your home to interview and make a recording which will become part of the East Midlands Oral History Archive. You will be given a copy to keep.

The project also needs volunteers to interview local people – training ses-

THE OLD Baxter Gate hospital site in Loughborough is set to become a brand new multi-million pound cinema and leisure complex.

CCTV figures NEW FIGURES released by Charnwood Borough Council reveal has CCTV is helping in the fight against crime and keeping residents safe.

Within the last five years the council’s CCTV team has dealt with 140,000 incidents with the 184 cameras positioned across the Borough.

Since 2008 the CCTV system within Charnwood has been used to support 4,956 Police prosecutions and 2,526 arrests. During the same period of time the team has also been involved with looking for more than 600 missing people and answered 7,866 out-ofhours calls to the Council offices.

proved by the Council’s Plans Committee on December 5, 2013.

Councillor David Slater, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “I think it is fair to say the Baxter Gate is overdue some tender loving care, and this complex will deliver that as well as giving the town a major economic shot in the arm. We’ve been working on improving and regenerating the town centre for a number of years and national companies are now recognising that Loughborough is the place they want to be.”

Steve Wiener, CEO of Cineworld said: “I am very pleased that Cineworld will be able to provide a new modern cinema for the residents of Loughborough and the surrounding area. We take great pride in always trying to deliver the best movie experience for all members of the community.

Oliver de Chalus, Development Director for Citygrove, said: “Operators who have now committed to the scheme include Cineworld for an eight-screen state of the art multiplex cinema, Pizza Express, Nandos, Loungers Café Bars, Starbucks, Dean’s Diner and Mimosa.

We look forward to commencing construction works late summer next year.”

Quality spectacles at the best prices visit our showroom proSP CS eyewear GET A QUOTE FROM US BEFORE YOU BUYYOUR NEXT PAIR OF SPECTACLES Same day service on most plastic lenses Top quality lenses including Varilux, Nikon, Zeiss DESIGNER FRAMES

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 Rothley library or Rothley Post Office on Woodgate.

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

sions will be held in January.

The Charnwood Roots project is a Victoria County History Trust initiative, supported by the University of Leicester and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

If you would like to take part contact Jess on 0116 2525946 or email charnwoodroots@le.ac.uk

New cinema for town Dementia group The site has been sold to developer Citygrove which wants to build an eightscreen multiplex cinema complete with up to seven family restaurants, including Nandos.

The project will create around 180 jobs and will boost Loughborough’s profile as a top destination for shopping and leisure, says Charnwood Borough Council.

The Citygrove development was ap-

Small Ads

Contact Mike or Teresa Keily on 0116

237 6098

Unit 3, Victoria Mills Fowke St, Rothley Easy Parking

A NEW group has been set up in Thurmaston for those affected by dementia.

Thrummy Drummer Dementia Group’s aims are to help alleviate the isolation experienced by both sufferers and carers. A spokesman said: “At each meeting there will be a short talk on subjects that will be helpful or of interest, along with entertainment which has included dancers, choirs and flower arranging demonstrations.

“Our next meeting will be on December 19. We will celebrate Christmas with a choir and lots more, there will be mince pies along with the tea, coffee and biscuits served at all our meetings. We extend a Very Warm Welcome to all those who live in the Borough of Charnwood and are affected by dementia.”

The Group meets between 10.30am – 12.30pm at Elizabeth Park Sports Centre, Checkland Road, Thurmaston, Leicester LE4 8FN The Thrummy Drummer will continue to meet on the second Thursday of each month throughout 2014. For more information please call Jane or Marian – 07754 109798 or just turn up on the day,. The cost is £1 per head.

AMLI DESIGN Architectural Consultancy. Plans drawn and submitted.

Extensions, conversions, new build. David Ives B.Sc.(Hons) FBEng MCIOB 0116 2674395 / 07974807111 www.amlidesign.co.uk

Planning applications P/13/2362/2: 84 Town Green Street, Rothley – demolition of existing rear extension and construction of part 2 storey, part single-storey extension P/13/2409/2: 14 Woodgate, Rothley – change of use from shop (Class A1) to café (Class A3) P/13/2359/2: 2 Barley Way, Rothley – erection of a porch to front of dwelling P/13/2998/2: 15 Howe Lane, Rothley – erection of extension to rear and roof extensions to provide 1st floor P/13/2309/2: 1 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley – application to change opening hours from 9.00 to 2300 Mon-Sat inc bank holidays) and from 9.00 to 22.30 Sun P/13/2277/2: 21 The Rise Rothley – erection of a single storey extension to rear, two storey extension to side and rear of dwelling P/13/2256/2: Land at 9 Brownhill Crescent, Rothley – erection of 1 dwelling P/13/2220/2: 8 Homefield Lane, Rothley – erection of two storey extension to side & single storey extension to rear of dwelling P/13/2340/2: Land off Cropston Road, Anstey – site for the erection of up to 70 dwellings (Outline Application) P/13/2248/2: 11 Ridley Close, Cropston – erection of extension to rear of bungalow P/13/2218/2: The Old Dairy, Lychgate Close, Cropston – replacement external front door (Listed Building Consent)

Advertise in

THE ROTHLEY POST

THE ROTHLEY POST

47 x 59mm £20 • 47 x 120mm £36 98 x 59mm £36 • 98 x 120mm £60

Longslade College, Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GH Editor: Mr Jerry Jackson

1) Decide what size you want 2) Send us a sketch of your ad 3) We design, publish This Siz & send e you the Wednes bill days

S£E2X0Y +VAT

CALL 2674213 for an advertising rate card, or view online at www.birstallpost.co.uk The prices above exclude VAT

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Editorial/Advertising (Tel & Fax)

0116 2674213 Correspondence, news etc can be handed in at: Rothley Library, Rothley Post Office or to our office in the Youth Centre, Longslade College, Birstall editor@birstallpost.co.uk