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The Birstall Post November 2000 (208)

Walkers stop for coffee

BIRSTALL WALKING Group organised a coffee morning at Birstall Bowling Club and raised £305 for Macmillan nurses.
Pictured at the event are Mike Smith, Peggy Powell, Sue Shipman and Pat Austin.

Sibson Road views

HUNDREDS OF people have given their views on improvements to Sibson Road as part of the latest consultation exercise.
Shoppers, residents and business people were invited to make their suggestions when a scale model of Sibson Road and a display of street furniture and surfacing were exhibited outside The Happy Hobbit on two days last month.
A full report on the consultation will be available early this month but the Birstall Post has been given a statistical breakdown of the suggestions made.
Between 400 and 450 people participated, with the majority living in Birstall. The most popular suggestion for an environmental improvement was ‘improve pavements’ (41 votes), followed by ‘litter bins’ (38), ‘provide seating’ (24), ‘improve lighting (21), ‘paved area with seats and shrubs (20), ‘improve shop fronts’ (18), ‘plant trees’ (17).
On traffic issues, pedestrian crossings on Sibson Road were frequently suggested, and speeding traffic and illegal parking were identified as problems. 20 people wanted cycle lanes.
Comments on crime and disorder included 19 suggestions for more police foot patrols and 22 for security cameras. Several problem hotspots were identified.
Dog related issues were frequently mentioned, with 18 people identifying dog waste as a problem and 14 suggestions for a poop scoop bin.
Disability issues identified were improved access, easier parking, level pavements and toilets.
The most popular suggestion for new amenities was a community cafe (27), night club (5), football astro turf (5) and village green (5).
On public transport, more bus shelters were wanted, new bus routes and improvements to the existing routes.
The most popular surfacing choice from those on display was also one of the cheapest - block paving using a concrete material. A stainless steel slatted seat with arms received more votes than other designs.
The consultation was carried out by Jill Hutchinson of the Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation. She said: “People were very forthcoming and happy to get involved and I was pleased with the numbers of people who took part. There was a comprehensive age range - I was surprised at how many young mums and young people stopped to give their views”.
Landscape architect Fenella Bellinger has been commissioned by Charnwood Borough Council to produce a detailed plan with the information supplied by the consultation. This will be ready in December and will be followed by a formal planning consultation period. Work is expected to start in April 2001 and should take around eight weeks to complete.
The budget for the scheme is £185,000 which Ms Bellinger says is sufficient to do a “high quality scheme”.
Improvements to the section of Sibson Road between The Crossways and the Triangle is being undertaken between Leicestershire County Council, who are consulting closely with Ms Bellinger in order to ensure a uniform design along the whole road. The budget for this section is £35,612 with £11,112 - £13,112 coming from Birstall Parish Council.
Work on The Crossways’ car park is expected to start in December, at a cost of £80,281.
Birstall Parish Council’s original contribution to the costs was £25,000. This was increased in September to £30,714 to cover the costs of fencing and gates to the car park. At a meeting of Birstall Parish Council on September 25 it was agreed to increase the amount by a further £10,000, making a total contribution of £40,714. The remainder will be met by Charnwood.
Mr Jonathan Hale, Director of Planning and Technical Services at Charnwood told the Birstall Post: “The Borough Council recognises the generosity of the Parish Council and are grateful for their contribution. It is clear that the Parish Council has given this car park a high priority”.
Birstall Parish Councillor Tony Stott said: “There were suggestions that if Birstall hadn’t made this additional contribution, then the money would have been taken from the budget for the enhancement of Sibson Road, which we didn’t want to see happen. It’s a case of showing how willing we are to back the things we want. We have probably contributed more than most parishes towards car parking but we’ve done it to ensure proper funding for the enhancement scheme”.

New soccer kit

WI news

MISS LAURA Gregory was warmly welcomed to the October Meeting of Birstall & Wanlip WI. Laura is the daughter of president Dorothy Gregory and so is well known to the members. She works for the prison service as a civilian and first started as an instructor in the workshops of prisons. She now helps to train other instructors for these jobs, mainly in textile work, but also with other challenges to test their skills. Laura is now able to enter any of the prisons in this country in this capacity. After inspecting mail bags, sweat shirts and chefs’ coats all made in the training unit, and with many questions asked and answered, a vote of thanks to Laura was given by Margaret Phillips.
Next month the speaker will be Mrs Ruth Burle with an account of ‘A Trip of a Lifetime’ with a competition for a ‘Sentimental Birthday Card’. This meeting will be in Highcliffe School Hall Extension, Greengate Lane at 7.15pm on Monday November 6.

Off to see the wizard

THE LEICESTER Haymarket Theatre celebrates 100 years of The Wizard of Oz with a spectacular musical stage version of the magical MGM film.
From December 1 until February 3, join Dorothy, the Tin Man, the cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow on an unforgettable adventure down the yellow brick road. During their quest, to find a heart, a brain and courage, Dorothy and her friends travel to the Emerald City to meet The Wizard of Oz who can help her get back home to Kansas.
This is a rare opportunity to see one of the greatest and best loved musicals of all time live on stage. The show features a host of wonderful songs including ‘We’re off to see the Wizard’, ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’ ‘If I Only Had a Heart’ and the classic ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. This production of The Royal Shakespeare Company version, with fantastic new set and costume designs, promises to be the Haymarket’s most spectacular Christmas musical ever.
Tickets are available from the Box office on (0116) 253 9797 priced £7 to £20. Group discounts, family tickets and concessions are available.

Parish Council notes

A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on October 9.
Thirty residents attended to ask questions of Mr Steven Zanker, General Manager of Leicester City Bus. He said that the service along Birstall Road was removed as it wasn’t viable if they wished to meet their target of a 10 minute service to Leicester
Residents disagreed and said that taking the route along School lane was dangerous.
It was reported that the bus stop at Red Hill Island will be replaced soon. Mr Zanker said that the larger buses had been well received in Birstall and passenger numbers were up
Mr Zanker agreed that moving the route from Blenheim Avenue to Wanlip Lane would be a safer solution. He said that buses mounting pavements should not happen frequently. Residents told him it was happening all the time.
Councillors Peter West and Sheila Alcock agreed to act as a liaison between the bus company and residents.
Ms Jill Hutchinson from Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation outlined the Sibson Road Planning for Real consultation exercise.
There were three candidates for the vacancy on the Council. Following a ballot, Mrs Pamela Martin received the most votes and was co-opted.
Cllr Roger Wilson said he was concerned that Birstall’s Police Constable had not attended the meeting for some time.
The Council are considering plans to improve the layout of play areas on Meadow Lane and to open out the whole area.
Clerk to the Parish Council, Mrs Doreen Wilson, has announced her decision to retire from the post. She has been clerk for 25 years, and will retire on March 31, 2001.

Gift to club

BIRSTALL BOWLING Club have been presented with a set of 16 training bowls by the Birstall Festival committe.
The bowls were purchsed with proceeds from the first birstall Festival, the millennium event held last July

Books for babies

FROM NOVEMBER Birstall Library will be participating in the Leicestershire Libraries Bookstart scheme to encourage parents to share books with their children from a very young age. Parents will be presented with a Bookstart bag (currently sponsored by Sainsburys) by their health visitor at the baby’s 9 month development check. The bag contains free board books, advice on sharing books, information about libraries and an invitation to join the library.
Bookstart is based on the belief that it’s never too soon to share books with babies and research has proved that children exposed to books from an early age start school with an advantage in both literacy and numeracy. All libraries in the area have books for babies and no baby is too young to join the library.
Leicestershire Libraries are operating Bookstart in partnership with Leicestershire & Rutland Healthcare Trust and Leicestershire Education.
As part of the scheme free story sessions for children under five will be starting at Birstall Library on the second Monday of every month from November 13 at 10.15 to 11am.

NHW news

AT THE Co-ordinators meeting held on September 27 we were sorry that we had to say farewell to the Area Co-ordinator Mrs Delice Fowler.
Delice has held this post for over ten years and with family, work and academic commitments she felt that now was the time to retire from this post. The committee marked her retirement by asking another long serving member of the Watch, Mr Jex Woods to present her with an engraved carriage clock and a bouquet of flowers as a token of our thanks for all the hard work that she has done over the years.
Christmas is a time for giving. Please ensure that you keep all those presents out of sight when shopping in the car. Remember car crime is any easy way for the thief to steal those presents. Keep the car locked at all times and put all valuables out of sight in the boot.
Thefts of cycles are on the increase in Birstall. Please do not leave them unattended for one moment. Boys and girls delivering papers, do not leave your cycles outside the newsagents without someone looking after them. LOCK THEM or LOSE THEM. Have you go them post coded? If not, why not. Come to our next post coding session on November 18, from 10am to 12noon at the Old Council Offices on Sibson Road and we will do it FREE for you.
From Peter Allen, Chairman, Birstall & Wanlip Village Watch

First aid courses in Birstall

Gain your first aid qualification locally. A 7 hour one day course is running on Saturday November 25 from 9am to 5pm at Longslade Community College, costing £25. Students are asked to bring a packed lunch. The course is the Red Cross Basic First Aid and includes a Health and Safety Certificate.
Practical First Aid is running for seven Fridays from 1.30-3.30pm starting on November 10. This course has a Red Cross Certificate and costs £35.
To book your place contact Longslade Community College immediately 2673389.

Lottery

EXCITEMENT IS already building amongst members as additional tickets go on sale for this year’s LOROS Lottery Bumper Prize Draw.
All members registered by Friday December 15 are being offered the opportunity to purchase additional £1 tickets to increase their chances of winning a prize in this very special draw which will be held on Friday December 29. As well as the 150 weekly prizes already available a fantastic top prize of £5000 will be won by one lucky member. What a fantastic way to start the new Year!
LOROS Lottery members currently enjoy a 1 in 75 chance of winning a prize and all winners’ cheques are posted direct to the lucky members within a week of the draw - there is no need to claim.
Our members tell us that they like to know where their £1 is going. By playing the LOROS Lottery they not only enjoy the luck of the draw but also the satisfaction of knowing that local people with a terminal illness will benefit from their support. There has never been a better time to become a LOROS Lottery member so ring 0116 2318430 today and leave the rest to us. You could be this year’s Bumper Prize Draw Winner!
From Liz Singleton, LOROS Lottery Manager

Electrical collection

HARRY WATTS doesn’t have room for a car in his Birstall garage - it’s full of more than 1000 electrical items including 80 irons, 25 hair dryers, 10 toasters and hundreds of switches.
Electrician Harry (65) has been collecting electrical items for 25 years. Harry said: “I have always tried to keep my collection of a domestic nature. My favourite items are the very early plugs and over the bed switches which were made out of wood, wood being a very good insulator.”
Harry’s collection now consists of 13 showcases of switches and plugs, electrical irons, hairdryers, toasters, radios, clocks, fires, testmeters, teasmades, percolators and bedwarmers.
He added: “I have a very good collection of electric irons, the ones with the thumb rest on the handle, as well as old travel irons with handles that fold down and have their own leather travel case.”
Harry would be pleased to hear from anyone with old or unusual electrical items - you can contact him on 2676080.

Club's cash

ON SUNDAY September 23 St Margarets Co-operative Bowling Club presented a cheque for £1010 to the Headway Charity.
The money was raised over the summer season, starting with a fancy dress bowling match and with raffles and donations by members and their friends.
For the first time our club members took part in the County Patrons day match and Doreen Hawes was the runner up. Another of our members, Sue Rawnsley, was the runner up in the County for the Champion of Champions. Both were presented with their trophies at the county dinner held at Leicester City Football Club.
From Mrs B Gamble

Model students

ADULT STUDENTS from Longslade’s Creative Embroidery City and Guilds courses were joined by 6th Form students modelling their garments at the Madeira Craft and Fashion Show in Harrowgate.
The 6th Form students, Sarah Wadey, Lois Pochin, Erica Pearce and Caroline Barnett were so successful in their catwalk modelling that other exhibitors asked them to model their clothes too!
Cherrilyn Tyler, who is the tutor in charge of the courses at Longslade said “to begin with the girls were rather nervous, but very soon they were modelling better than the professionals”. Longslade won 3rd prize in this prestigious event, competing with full time students on degree courses from University Departments and Colleges of Art and Design.
The Longslade stand displayed different student artefacts: the first year design boards and sets of cushions using animal prints as the design source; second year masks from fairy tales; third year research projects including Moira Ackers’ designs that are hanging in the National Space Centre; the fourth year included a chamois leather box taking designs from illuminated manuscripts.
Over 1000 people watched the three fashion shows where Longslade models exhibited fantasy hats, masks, waistcoats and a set of corsets based on geological sources plus crisp packets, bin bags, foam and paper!

Bowling club winners

THE OUTDOOR bowls season finished last month and it has been another great year for Birstall Bowling Club.
Pride of place must go to Pam Ratcliffe who won the County Two Wood competition, winning 16-1 in the final. This is only the second time that Birstall Ladies have won a County competition. Coincidentally, Pam was also in the team that won the Fours title in 1996. The ladies were also well represented in the latter stages of other county competitions. Diane Hurst reached the Semi Final of the County Singles and the Quarter Final of the Champion of Champions, Dorothy Barsby and Mary Gilbert got to the Semi Final of the Over 55’s competition and Nicky Greasley, Dorothy Lightfoot and Marjorie Hawksley made it to the Quarter Final of the Triples.
Meanwhile the men also had a good year. They won the Bramley Bowl, reached the semi final of the County Cup and won the Third Division of the Leicester League.
In the Parks competitions, Jan Everitt and John Hurst won the Mixed Pairs and Dave Clarke, Wayne Parkin & Jan Hunt were Runners Up in the Triples.
The Club Competition winners for the year are listed below:
Ladies Winners
Championship: Diane Hurst, Runner Up Nicky Greasley; Handicap: Diane Hurst, Runner Up Pam Ratcliffe; Maiden: Margaret Turner, Runner Up Betty Smith; Three Wood: Diane Hurst, Runner Up Betty Crowson; Two Wood: Nicky Greasley, Runner Up Diane Hurst; Pairs: Dorothy Barsby & Diane Hurst, Runners Up Mary Gilbert & Betty Crowson
Men’s Winners
Championship: Andy Wye, Runner Up Dave Clarke; Handicap: Wayne Parkin, Runner Up John Hodgetts; Maiden: John Hurst, Runner Up John McNulty; Three Wood: Ivan Slack, Runner Up John Healey; Two Wood: Andy Wye, Runner Up Joel McCann; Pairs: John Healey & Jan Hunt, Runners Up John Hurst & Andy Wye;
Club Night Trophy: Dick Cooper, Runner Up John Hurst Jnr.
Mixed Competition Winners
Saunders Cup: Sue Wilson & Paul Young, Runners Up Dorothy Barsby & John Lee; Eric Adnett Pairs: Diane Hurst & Rick Everitt, Runners Up Pam Ratcliffe & Wayne Parkin; Bennett & Fielding Trophies: Jan Everitt & George Ratcliffe.
Birstall Bowling Club now have their own web site. You can find out information about the club at http://communities.msn.co.uk/Birstall Bowling Club.

Web & sale at library

BIRSTALL LIBRARY will be holding another of its popular book sales from Thursday November 9 until Saturday November 18.
Hundreds of surplus books including children’s books, novels and reference books will be on sale at bargain prices.
The library is also offering free access to the new BBC Webwise tutorial. The Webwise CD Rom is very easy to use and includes a basic introduction to computers and a tutorial on using a mouse so is ideal for people who want a very basic level introduction to the Internet. Places for free supported sessions with a certificate for people completing the session are booking now at the library (tel: 0116 2673494).
For anyone unable to attend one of the free daytime sessions, there will still be opportunities to use Webwise after the campaign has finished as the CD Rom is permanently installed at the library. Ask library staff for further details.

Cook for a day

SUI CHEN recently entertained a group of cookery students at Longslade with an authentic and unique day course on Chinese and Thai cookery.
In a packed day Sue was able to demonstrate and teach a very full menu and add lots of techniques for students’ wider knowledge. Everybody benefited from the tips on what and where to buy specific ingredients.
A further day course will be held at Longslade on Saturday November 25 from 10am-4pm, Chinese & Thai cookery £12. Details and ingredients from Longslade 2673389.

BAD no more

AN ACTION group that campaigned against development on land north of Harrowgate Drive has announced its closure.
Birstall Against Development (BAD) was formed in August 1995 to draw the attention of the people of Birstall and Wanlip to the proposed development, a feature of the Charnwood Local Plan which featured 600 houses, an employment area, hotel and a service station.
Following the publication of the report of the Public Inquiry in June 2000, which recommended development, members of BAD have decided that the organisation has run its useful course and proposals for its closure were passed at a General Meeting in September. Members are confident that Birstall Parish Council will effectively safeguard the interests of residents.
Now that the organisation has closed, surplus funds have been distributed to other bodies. £750 was passed to Birstall Parish Council. This was partly as a repayment of a grant of £500 made to BAD at its formation and partly as a further token contribution towards legal representation provided to BAD at the Public Inquiry. The small remaining balance of £82.71 was given to LOROS.
BAD Chairman, Mr John Hilton, said: “Although it was disappointing that we did not persuade the Inspector that this was the wrong place for such a large mixed development, with serious environmental and traffic consequences, I believe strongly that the efforts to oppose the scheme were neither a waste of time nor ineffective. The strong opposition of the residents of Birstall and Wanlip forced Charnwood planners and the developers to consider the impact of the development much more rigorously, and to negotiate and agree tighter conditions than would have been the case had there been no opposition”.
He added: “While in our view still by no means appropriate for this area, the development, when it comes, will be much better in its layout and design than was originally conceived. Improvements to the layout were achieved as a result of objections put by residents. These included the moving of the industrial and commercial buildings from a highly visible location adjacent to the A6 to a less intrusive site alongside the A46. The western part of the site, adjacent to the railway has been designated as green wedge. In addition Charnwood is committed to negotiate with the developers for a contribution to parking and environmental improvements on Sibson Road. My thanks go to BAD members and other residents for their support”.

Longslade & drugs

STORIES ABOUT drug misuse in Birstall have recently been reported in the local and national media.
Longslade College has asked The Birstall Post to publish the following statement on their drugs policy: In the light of recently publicity surrounding drug taking in Birstall, and our awareness that this has led to questions being asked about our policy on drug-related incidents in the College, we feel that this is an appropriate time to restate our policy. This policy has been in place for some years now, and is the agreed policy of the Longslade family of schools.
A Longslade Family of Schools Statement of Policy on Substance Use and Misuse
Drug related incidents in our schools are rare. We take the view that a prudent school is one that is fully prepared to deal with situations that might occur.
The School condones neither the misuse of drugs and alcohol by members of the school nor the illegal supply of these substances.
The school is committed to the health & safety of its members and will take action to safeguard their well-being.
The school acknowledges the importance of its pastoral role in the welfare of young people, and through the general ethos of the school, will seek to persuade pupils in need of support to come forward.
In response to our shared concerns at local and national level, we wish to state that as part of its care for the welfare of its pupils, the school believes it has a duty to inform and educate young people on the consequence of drug use and its misuse. The school takes a pro-active stance in this matter, believing that health education is a vital part of the personal and social education of every pupil.
Fundamental to our school’s values and practice is the principle of sharing the responsibility for education of young people with parents, by keeping them informed and involved at all times. Effective communication and co-operation is essential to the successful implementation of this policy.
Whilst we acknowledge that the numbers of young people who use and misuse substances is rising, it is seen as important to recognise that larger numbers of young people are choosing not to use or misuse substances. We will continue to support their differing needs.
Use and Possession of Drugs
In the education of students, Longslade College sees no role whatsoever for tobacco, alcohol and non-medical drugs.
Smoking: students are not allowed to smoke on campus. (1) Any student found smoking will be reported to a Vice Principal who will inform parents. (2) All students found smoking will have to do a litter picking duty during a break. Repeat offenders will litter pick for increasingly longer times.
Alcohol: Students are not allowed to carry or consume alcohol on the campus. (1) Any student found doing so will be reported to a Vice Principal who will inform parents. (2) Parents may be asked to come and collect students who have been drinking from school.
Other Forms of Drugs: All forms of pre-prescribed, non-medical drugs are banned from the campus. Should a student be involved in a drug-related incident in school (1) Parents will be informed. (2) The student will be made aware of the consequences of any future incident.
Should a student be involved in any subsequent drug related incident, the student will be excluded from College.
If a young person is thought to be involved in the sale of illegal substances in or around the campus, then the Police will be informed immediately.
We are aware that statistically nearly half of all school students in England and Wales have experimented with illegal drugs by the age of 16. We seek to make the ethos and environment of Longslade one where the problems of drug taking are acknowledged and actively discouraged as a harmful act. All students in the College follow a curriculum module on drugs. We discuss appearance, effects and risks and seek to give students balanced, honest and detailed information. Recent research suggests that this is the most effective approach with young people.
Should you want to know more about our policy, please contact me.
Mr Rod Ingham, Assistant Principal & Health Co-ordinator at the College 0116 267 7107

Crime report

BIRSTALL BEAT Officer Kevin Palmer says there have been a lot of daytime burglaries in Birstall recently.
Following a burglary in Roman Road an arrest was made and properly recovered.
Opportunist cycle thefts are also rife - never leave your bike unlocked, even for a moment. PC Palmer said he was hopeful that Birstall would receive a second beat officer in the future.
Crime Report for September & October
Burglary dwelling 13, Other burglary 5, Criminal damage 8, Drugs related incidents 6, Other crimes 7, Robbery 2, Suspicious incidents/persons 27, Theft of/from motor vehicle 5.

Thursday group

THE METHODIST Thursday Group presented a cheque for £1350 to Gordon Milner of the Winifred Matthews Day centre, which cares for people with all types of dementia. The money was raised over the last 12 months as a result of many varied efforts which included: a monthly Project stall, Summer Coffee Evenings, a Harvest Auction and a Christmas Quiz.

Charity concert

A WOMAN who has successfully battled with breast cancer organised a charity concert in aid of Cancer Research.
Mrs Margurite Rawnsley (56) staged the event at the Royal British Legion Club on Front Street where she is the entertainment secretary. Seven acts donated their performance free of charge, there was a tombola and a free bingo, which all helped to raise a total of £1222 with money still coming in.

Noticeboard

Choral society

AT THE Annual General Meeting of Birstall Choral Society on September 19, Mr David Bark was re-elected as President, and Mr Shirley Scott as Conductor.
Shirley will have served for 40 years in this capacity and much credit goes to him for his hard work and dedication to the society. It was proposed and passed at the meeting that patrons will in future be known as ‘Friends’ of the society this being considered to be a more informal title. Friends will pay £12 per annum which entitles them to two free tickets to each of the concerts put on during the year (usually three). If anyone would like to consider becoming a Friend details can be obtained from the secretary Mrs Pauline Pearson tel: 2673824.
Alternatively if there is anyone who would like to join as a singer, fees £18 per annum, they would be welcomed with open arms! Practice night is on Tuesdays in the Hall of Highcliffe School, Elmfield Avenue Building at 7.30pm. At present we are rehearsing for a ‘Come and Sing’ Messiah concert to take place in St James Church, Birstall on Saturday, October 28 at 7pm with a practice on Friday at 7.30pm in St James Church. Again details can be obtained from Pauline. It is hoped this concert will be a popular evening with monies being divided between LOROS and Rainbows Charities.
From Mrs M Belton

Cricket club

BIRSTALL VILLAGE Cricket Club has enjoyed another successful season on and off the field.
The first team, captained this year by Andy Corbett, finished 6th in a closely fought Premier Division. Andy says “I thought at the start of the season we could be pushing for a first or second place, and at the halfway stage were were in third spot and had beaten the top sides. We then lost key players at the wrong time due to holidays and football commitments. This gave me the chance to try a few of the younger players from the Second Team and showed they can compete at the higher level of cricket.”
The Second Team finished 3rd in their division. Vice Captain Steven Findley says: “We could have won the league but the weather turned nasty and we lost the last two games to rain”. The highlight of the club’s season was the Second Team retaining the Sunday Knockout Cup beating favourites Wigston Town.
Off the field success came from the Millennium Day in July, bringing in much needed funds for the cricket club. Andy says: “This year we are looking for matchball sponsors, with the balls costing between £8 to £10 and playing between 20-30 matches the cost soon mounts up”.
Anybody interested in sponsoring a matchball can contact Club Secretary Andy Merry on 0116 2600590 or Press Secretary Deb Corbett 0116 2693936.

RAFA parade

THE ROYAL Air Forces Association Birstall Branch held their annual parade and service at St James the Greater Parish Church, Birstall on Sunday September 17.
The Standards of the RAFA Birstall Branch of The Royal British Legion, The Women’s Section of the RBL (Birstall Branch) were paraded, as well as the Banners of The Air Training Corps 1947 Sq.(Birstall) and the 2070 Sq.(Glenfield).
About 60 members and friends attended the parade and Service at the conclusion of which the Standards and Banners were dipped in salute to The Few.
From John Collison

Birstall’s twin town

WHILE DRIVING along the A6 I always saw the road sign announcing Birstall twinned with Rixensart, Belgium.
Despite looking at every map and gazetteer covering Belgium, I could find no trace of Rixensart. I joined the Birstall Twinning Association who told me that it is situated just south of Brussels. A group of us had assembled in the car park behind the village hall and the coach had arrived. After ensuring we all had our passports we set off just after 4pm.
I was no going to find out where it is. We arrived at the Channel Tunnel and were fortunate to get a shuttle train about an hour earlier than originally booked. The train journey went very smoothly and very soon we were driving off at Calais. Five minutes later we had arrived at the motel where we were to stay the night. The accommodation was very comfortable and breakfast the following morning was delicious. We then boarded the coach - next stop Rixensart!
On arrival some two hours later we were met by a large group of the natives! Both my wife and myself were wondering where we would be staying for the next couple of nights. All the other passengers on the coach were being hugged by their host families with whom they had stayed before. It was only a matter of minutes before we were introduced to Serge at whose home we would be staying. He took us in his car to Marbais, one of the five villages which make up the district knows as Rixensart. It was there that we met his wife Lili and their lovely son, Maxima.
We were both made extremely welcome and had a most enjoyable couple of days. We attended the reception at the Chateau du Lac, were treated to a personal guided tour of Brussels, and were also taken to Waterloo, which is only a short distance away. Another place which is also very close was in the news a few weeks later, Charieroi, where the England v Germany European Championship match took place.
We learnt a lot about the Belgians, a lot about the Battle of Waterloo, a lot about Brussels which is not in the tourist books, and a lot about the Town Twinning concept which can only lead to greater international friendship and understanding.
If you want to find out more about Rixensart why don’t you join the Birstall Twinning Association?
To receive more information about the Twinning Association write to the Membership Secretary, Mr M Goulding, 77 Stonehill Avenue, Birstall, Leicester.
From Mike Goulding

Local charity

THE LOCAL Land & Lewis charity is looking for elderly, needy people to receive a free parcel of Christmas groceries.
If you would like to nominate someone please contact Mrs Margaret King, one of the trustees of the charity, on 2675834.

Disabled

The letter from Carole Armour (in the October issue) re the provision of an adequate number of parking bays for disabled people in the proposed refurbishment of Sibson Road and the question of wheelchair access to shops gives cause for concern.
I know from the experience of having had to push my wife in a wheelchair for several years how disappointing and frustrating it used to be to try to gain access to some shops and banks etc. even in Leicester city centre.
However Charnwood Borough Council, the shopkeepers and the mangers of banks, building societies etc, if they fail to take into account the needs of disabled people, need also to be concerned. Surely under the provisions of the Human Rights Act which came into force on October 2, they could all face court action if they fail to make adequate provision and access for disabled pedestrians and drivers and wheelchair users. Also I suppose that adequate provision could include a suitable number of pedestrian crossings along the whole length of Sibson Road.
J Woods

Badgers

Birstall St John Ambulance Badger Unit and Cadet Division would like to thank the customers of Grahams Greengrocers on Kingsgate Avenue for raising £16.59 for the groups. The money was collected in a jar over three months and is very much appreciated. It will go partly towards uniforms and partly towards the cost of a new child size resuscitation dummy.
Jennifer Edwards, Birstall Badger Leader

Thanks

St Theresa’s Social Group’s Fashion Show raised £210 to be divided between the three churches for their own chosen charities.
Our thanks to everyone who supported the evening.
Daphne & Sabina

Waste

Could I ask the residents of Birstall or anywhere else for that matter, to please tie up their waste bags before putting them out for collection?
The week the refuse was not collected, the village looked a disgrace. Papers were blown around by the wind, and smelling, rotting food and kitchen waste exposed by all kinds of animals. If for any unfortunate reason, non collection should occur again, I hope the bags will be taken in again until the next week.
Let us keep Birstall tidy and the dustmen’s job a bit more agreeable.
P Henson

Thanks

I and my family would like to thank all friends and neighbours for their cards and expressions of sympathy upon the sudden death of Tom, a much loved husband and father. He will be greatly missed from Birstall and a much wider circle of his acquaintances. Thank you everyone.
Mary Belton

Thanks

Thank you. I would like to thank all friends, work colleagues and customers for all your cards, flowers and best wishes you have sent to me during my illness. It’s all been very much appreciated.
Love from Teresa Lota
Coombs/Somerfield

Thanks

As the organiser of the recent ‘Help a Charity’ Fayre held at Blaby Social Centre on Saturday October 14, I would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who attended and also to my special team of helpers. Without them I couldn’t have raised over £3,400 at this event.
Also thanks to ‘Fyffes’ of Blaby for sponsoring the costs of raffle tickets over the past years. Finally sincere thanks to all the people who have donated tombola raffle prizes etc and supported me over the past few years.
I have met a lot of lovely people, far too many to mention. Take care of yourselves. God Bless.
Gill Charles
Voluntary Fundraiser and Event Organiser

Thanks

Just a quick note to say thank you to everyone for coming to support us at our Riverside School Autumn Fete. We raised an amazing £1400 and had a really enjoyable day. I must also take this opportunity to thank all the local businesses who once again donated prizes for our raffle which would not be the success it is without them. They are: New World Florist, Krusty’s Cob Shop, Shoepermarket, Kelhams, Gordon Davis Chemists, Forbuoys, Notions, Crazy Prices, Raffertys, Stitchcraft, The Happy Hobbit, Coombs, Good Companions Pet Shop, Mark Patrick Butchers, Supacare, Pete’s Fruit & Veg, Frock Shop, Bakery Shop, Glenwood Fine Art, The Posy Bowl, Birstall Garden Centre.
Once again a big thank you from us all.
Lorraine Rose, Treasurer, Riverside School Family Assn.

Thanks

We would like to thank all our Birstall friends for their kind messages of sympathy, donations and support in our recent bereavement.
Cynthia Olin and family

Thanks

Mrs W Neal and family would like to thank everyone who gave cards, flowers and donations to Birstall Methodist Church which made a wonderful £2000.
W Neal, Gwendolin Avenue

Nature Notes
by Finch

I was kneeling beside the good lady’s new pond, dragging its depths for blanket weed, when a thought struck me - in all the years I have been writing this column I have never really mentioned water life. The nearest I came to it was my very first column, when I wrote about frog spawn. There is good reason for this: I try to write about things which can be seen in everyday life, and I doubt that many people spend their time with their heads under water. Then I thought - all my neighbours have ponds (suitably barricaded against herons), and they must clean them out sometimes.
The good lady’s pond is not very big, was bought in a garden centre, and was sunk and filled with water at the beginning of this year. It has four plants and a solar fountain (which only works when the sun is out, and has recently gone on strike even on those occasions). For all this I am responsible. The pond skater and the water beetles, not to mention the mosquito larvae and several other small invertebrates found their own way there.
Life always starts under water, one way or another. Many forms of life form eggs with impervious outer shells which can be laid in dry locations. Mosquitoes, dragonflies and many other invertebrates lay their eggs in water, where their young live until they emerge as adults. So it is no surprise that mosquitoes and water beetles, whose adults do survive out of water, have found the new pond. Similarly our local frog population has taken to it, though I had to provide steps to help them in and out during the drier spells in the summer, and I do not yet know whether they will breed. What is more mysterious is how certain other small invertebrates which in theory spend all their lives in ponds have arrived.
I heard a distant chorus of gardeners telling me that they came with the plants. The sad fact is that they were there before I bought the plants. I have seen no ducks on the pond (and do not expect to), there are no fish in it, but there are starlings - could these tiny creatures have arrived on their feet? Heaven forbid that they came with the water used to fill the pond, as this came from the kitchen tap.
For the answer one has to look to parts of central Africa. During the dry season there nearly all the lakes and rivers dry out, so aquatic life must find a way to survive periods of desiccation. There are two possibilities: find places which never completely dry out, or do as land life does - lay eggs with impervious shells. As one comes north periods of desiccation become shorter so the probability of a pond drying out becomes smaller, but does not disappear. So, what was a necessity in Africa becomes an option in this country. Only if a pond dries out do the tiny eggs form hard shells, and are blown in the wind until they land up in a pond, perhaps as dust on a starling’s foot.