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Birstall Post March 2001 (212)

Next Mayor

BIRSTALL PARISH Councillor Tony Stott will be the next Mayor of Charnwood.
Tony, who lives in Rothley with his wife Eva, will be made Mayor in May. He said: “It feels exciting to have been selected and it will be an interesting and different challenge. There will be an opportunity to see all parts of the Borough and I’m looking forward to meeting a lot of new people.”
Tony has been a Liberal Democrat councillor at Charnwood for 15 years, is a member of Birstall Parish Council and at the 1992 General Election he was the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for the Loughborough constituency.
He added: “Charnwood is a very diverse borough spread over a relatively large geographic area and with very varied types of communities. It has a mixture of big industry, small business and agriculture - it’s a very interesting place”.
Tony’s wife Eva, also a Borough Councillor, will be the Mayoress. She said: “I’m thrilled, it’s a great honour for Tony and I’ll be delighted to help him in the Borough over the coming year.”
The couple, who have two sons, have lived in Rothley since 1981.

Sibson Road latest

THE CONCRETE wall that was a feature of the original plans for Sibson Road improvements has been dropped in the revised plans, after consultation with the public, shopkeepers and the Council.
The wall, from Victoria Wine to the video shop, has been replaced by a stainless steel rail in a serpentine design that will visually segregate the area immediately in front of the shops from the highway to reinforce pedestrian priority in this area. The rail will have frequent gaps for pedestrian access with banner poles in the gaps. other feature of the scheme are:
• Existing roadside parking will be retained
• The area outside the National Westminster Bank will be resurfaced with keyblock pavoirs. A knee rail will be sited on the grass bank to prevent vehicles parking on the grass
• Sculpture outside Birstall Dental Practice
• Footpaths to be resurfaced with keyblock paving in two contrasting colours
• Car parking on corner of The Meadway outside video shop will be formalised
• Car parking on pavement outside Barclays bank discouraged by railings and bollards
• New street lights
• Sibson Road parade. Canopy roof painted and existing vertical posts replaced and lit with uplighters
• A fingerpost direction sign outside the LOROS shop
• Cycle racks outside the Age Concern Shop
• A curved bench and litterbin segregated from the roadway with a low free standing wall, outside The Happy Hobbitt
• Hannah Parade. Surface outside shops will be tarmacced. Seats and litterbin in front of Post Office. One disabled car parking space
• Two car parking spaces lost in front of Mark Patrick and The Fresh Approach to allow the footpath to be increased in width. Two additional car parking spaces outside Barclays Bank
• Display area of The Fresh Approach separated from footpath route using a dwarf retaining wall with stainless steel rails
• Low free standing wall with stainless steel rail along footway from Supacare to Glenwood Fine Art

Birstall Parish Council voted to accept the scheme at their February meeting. The owners of several shops on Sibson Road near the Triangle have not been prepared to give permission for work to be carried out on their land. For this reason, and also because of the fact that the budget for the scheme is limited to £185,000, it has been decided to leave plans for the Triangle end of Sibson Road (from Birstall Garden Centre to Birstall Fisheries) to a later date.
The scheme has been designed by Fennella Bellinger of Paul Harris Associates Landscape Architects for Birstall Parish Council and Charnwood Borough Council. Pedestrian crossings are not within the remit of the scheme and are the responsibility of Leicestershire County Council.
A copy of the plans can be seen here

Men in tights fill church

SLICK, FUNNY and dazzling was the verdict on this year’s production by the Birstall Men’s Pantomime group.
Babes in the Wood was produced by Jean Valentine and Jean Gale and performed in front of sell out audiences at each of its six nights at Birstall Methodist Church.
‘Babes’ taking part alternate nights were Christopher Kilby, Jonathan Palmer, Daniel Wilcock & Matthew Taylor who enjoyed every minute. Robin Hood played by Peter Tinley and his merry men soon transported the audience to Sherwood Forest together with his Maid Marian (Ben Wilcock). The Sheriff of Nottingham (Mike Allan) gave an excellent performance with his crafty schemes to get rid of the ‘Babes’ and claim their inheritance.

Robin Hood (Peter Tinley) & Maid Marion (Ben Wilcock)

His side-kicks Basham and Cashem (played by John Towson and Richard Tinley) added their slapstick comedy whilst Friar Tuck (Richard Kilby) not only played the part well but looked every inch a friar!
Little John (Gerald Morling) and Will Scarlet (Ron Forbes) added to the laughter and the singing of the ‘Merry Men’ whilst King Richard (Dave Baldwin) although in a small part acted and looked a King. Brian Cuttill played the evil witch Cruella and together with Mike Allan sung excellently, especially “I’m reviewing the situation” with the men’s chorus giving very good backing all through the Panto.
This Men’s Pantomime Group have been together now through the decades and each and everyone dedicate themselves to giving the audiences a good time while enjoying it themselves. The musical backing is important and Jill Bailey together with Tim Lacey and Jonathan Wheeler use their talents to the full giving all the songs an extra impetus.
Sherwood Forest had many surprises including an unexpected visit from ‘?Compo’ and friends, who lost their way, complete with Marina (played by Dave Baldwin) which was a delightful sketch, as was the audience song ‘Bob the Builder’ - a true favourite for the children and it seems the adults as well!
The haunted bedroom scene was cleverly portrayed with lighting and ‘Mirror’? reflection of the ‘Ghost’ by Dave Baldwin and Nursie (Les Gale).
Robin Hood and his merry men disguised as Frenchmen go inside the castle to rescue Maid Marian from her fate with the Sheriff. The costumes were superb thanks to Margaret Frisby and friends. Robin’s French accent stole the show oo la la oui oui, followed by the Can-Can ‘?Girls’
Once again this Panto was a winner and Jean Valentine would like to thank all who have supported and helped in any way for this latest production and see you all again in 2002!
From Audrey Cuttill

Parish Council Notes

A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on February 12.
Around a dozen young people were present to look at a design for a piece of skateboarding equipment, planned for the Meadow Lane playing field.
Cllr Margaret King said: “We have spent a lot of money on safety surfacing for small children and it’s about time we spent something on the older children.”
Landscape Architect Fenella Bellinger and Charnwood Borough Council Officer Martin Tincknell presented revised plans for the Sibson Road enhancement to councillors.
Councillors voted unanimously to accept the scheme with the exception of Cllr Chris Clarke who abstained.
It was reported that Jelson’s had been invited by the Parish Council to give a presentation to councillors and organise a public exhibition of their plans for Hallam Fields. This will take place in March; see Noticeboard page for details.
Councillors discussed a complaint from Cllr Chris Clarke regarding the present arrangements for public participation at full council meetings. If members of the public are present, the Chairman asks councillors for approval to open the meeting for a general discussion of the matters they wish to raise. Cllr Clarke says that such participation wastes the short time allocated for meetings, can and sometimes does disable full and proper discussion of council affairs and reduces effective public participation, and the effective treatment of the public’s concerns.
Cllr Roger Wilson said: “We should continue to hear the views of the public at meetings, as we have done for the last 25 years. It would be wrong to take this away”.
Cllr Tony Stott said: “It is never a waste of time to listen to the public. If we deny them the opportunity to speak, we are not doing our job properly. Public participation is one of the strengths of this council.”
Several other councillors spoke in favour of the present arrangements. Cllr Roger Wilson proposed that open sessions be retained at council meetings. Councillors voted unanimously in support of the motion, with the exception of Cllr Chris Clarke who abstained.
It was agreed to co-opt the chairman of Wanlip Parish Meeting Mr Richard Kinton and Wanlip resident Mr Pat Geary on to the Management and Policy sub committee. This sub committee considers the Hallam Fields development.
The clerk reported that the County Council are expected to begin work on improvements to the section of Sibson Road between The Crossways and Birstall Garden Centre by early March.
The date of the next meeting is March 19.

New play equipment

The half-pipe planned for the Meadow Lane playing field

Artists’ work on internet

Norman Sims, Mary Houghton and Grahame Robinson viewing the online gallery

Hanging up her apron

Headteacher Alan Baker with Mrs Margaret Briers

Guides need leaders

THE REWARDS for being a leader with the Guides are endless. You can watch a Rainbow go right through the guiding movement, ending up being a leader herself.
Birstall Guides are appealing for new leaders. Guide Marie Davies said: “Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers are currently struggling to survive. Many units are on the brink of closure due to lack of leaders. We have long waiting lists for all sections and unless we get more leaders soon, these lists will keep on getting longer”.
No previous experience is necessary as training will be given. The type of person they are looking for does not need to have any experience just an ability to work with children of various ages ranging from a five year old Rainbow up to a 14 year old Ranger.
One Birstall guide leader says: “The pleasure I get out of being a leader is seeing my Brownies having fun whilst learning at the same time”.
First Aid and Health & Hygiene are just two of the many qualifications you can gain as a Guide Leader.
If you think you could help and want to know more please ring 0116 2671043 or feel free to call in at Guide HQ on Johnson Road and see a pack in action.

Village Watch

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17 saw members of the Birstall & Wanlip Neighbourhood Watch coming to the Old Council Offices to get both their cycles coded and to buy the personal alarms that the Watch are currently selling for the bargain price of £4.
It is very gratifying to the members of the committee who attend these advice shops to see that you are aware of the necessity to get cycles coded and protect yourselves with these simple but very effective alarms.
The Police are still very concerned at the number of cycles that are stolen from this area and only this week a local School was targeted and five cycles taken. There is a much better chance that cycles that are coded can be returned to their owners when the Police recover them.
‘Vehicle Watch’ and ‘Over 25’ stickers for cars are still selling well, again these are a good investment, for the cost of £1 they deter would be thieves. These items can be purchased at our monthly Advice Shop that is held at the Old Council Offices on Sibson Road on the third Saturday of every month from 10am until 12noon or contact the Watch. Tel: 2676397 for further information about these items.
Wednesday April 25 is the date for your diary. This is the Annual General Meeting of the Watch. This will be held in the Methodist Church rooms at 7.30pm. More details will be announced in the April copy of the Birstall Post.
Peter Allen
Chairman Village Watch

Open day

ON EVERY weekday at St James’ Centre in Birstall activities are organised for local older people to enable them to socialise, learn new skills and if they wish have a bath.
Different groups and different people offer this help and to publicise the work of Age Concern in the community the Thursday Group is having an open day on March 29 between 10am-12noon where anybody interested can come along and see what goes on.
All the groups are looking for volunteers, if you have some spare time and would like to help older people please ring on 2677023. Mandy works on Mondays and Wednesdays, Jill works on Tuesdays and Becky on Thursdays. Becky is especially looking for minibus drivers and escorts for Thursdays but the other organisers would also like to hear from anyone who could spare a few hours on a regular basis, whether it is once a week or once a month.
Age Concern is a local voluntary organisation that exists to promote the wellbeing of older people by helping to make life fulfilling and enjoyable. The work in Birstall is part of a wider federation of Age Concern groups, which can be found in many parts of the country.

Brought to book

BIRSTALL LIBRARY currently has a few places on an adapted vehicle for housebound or disabled customers to be collected and brought to the library.
If you live in the Greengate Lane or School Lane areas and enjoy reading but are struggling to get to the library you may be interested in this free monthly service.
The minibus used has a wheelchair lift and a dedicated assistant to assist clients. Customers using the library through this service can borrow most library materials including talking books and large print for long term loan and use the full range of library facilities. The service operates on Wednesday mornings once a month. If you are interested in finding out more about this service please contact Jo Hopkinson or Lydia Pye at Birstall library tel: 2673494.

Birstall DIY new venture

Perc Evans

LOCAL CHARACTER Mr Perc Evans of East Road has died aged 80.
His epic walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End at the age of 69 serialised in the Birstall Post, raised £4000 for Cystic Fibrosis charities and £1200 for COPE.
Two years prior to that trip, Perc walked from Birstall to London, raising £8000 to buy a dialysis machine for the Leicester Kidney Patients Association.
Before his retirement Perc worked as a butcher. He leaves two daughters.

Councillor faces charges

BIRSTALL PARISH Councillor Mr Chris Clarke, of Harrowgate Drive, has been summoned to appear before the magistrates court on March 6 in respect of a charge of criminal damage.
Mr Clarke has also been summoned to appear before the magistrates court on March 15 to answer the charge that on August 7, 2000, he, while being a local parish councillor, took part in a debate in a council meeting when being barred from doing so, by virtue of holding a pecuniary or non pecuniary interest contrary to section 94(2) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

WI news

ANYONE WALKING into the Birstall & Wanlip WI meeting on February 5 could have been forgiven for thinking they had come to the wrong room.
All the members and five visitors were actively engaged in following the movements and exercises of ‘Tai Chi’ being demonstrated by Mr P Maloney. After a short talk by Mr Maloney on the meanings and reasons behind each movement everyone was invited to join in. To a restful recording of Chinese music different relaxing positions and exercises were followed, quietly but with enthusiasm, and everyone declared they felt better at the end. This was a complete change from the usual format of speakers and proved a great success. A vote of thanks to Mr Maloney given by Mrs Joan Merrick was applauded by all present.
A report of the ‘Which Resolution’ meeting was given by Mrs Rosalie Morling during the business section of the evening, and arrangements were made for a delegate and others wishing to attend the A.C.M. at the De Montfort Hall in March. A competition for six small decorated cakes was won by Freda Jones.
Next month’s meeting will be on March 5 with a talk by Mrs D Remington on the ‘History of Botanical Illustrations’ and the competition will be for a ‘Potato Man’. This will be in Highcliffe Hall, Greengate Lane, Birstall at 7.15pm as usual.

School place

IF YOUR child will be 5 years old on or before 31 August 2002 and you have not yet applied for a school place, please call at the school office as soon as possible in order to complete the necessary admission forms. Thank you.
From Riverside School

Planning

Karl Watson - retention of mobile home. Rectory Field Nursery, Wanlip
Gordon Davis Chemists - erection of single storey pharmacy. Greengate Medical Centre, Greengate Lane, Birstall.
Mr & Mrs D T Chambers - 1st floor extension to rear of detached house. 175 Harrowgate Drive
Paul Evans - extension to roof to provide a bedroom to rear of semi detached house. 24 Spinney Rise.
BT Cellnet - erection of 15 metre mast with 3 antennae and 2 dishes and associated equipment. Land at Manor Farm, Rectory Road, Wanlip.
Mr & Mrs Patterson - 2 storey extension to side of detached house. 62 Johnson Road
Mr A Warner - 2 storey extension to side of detached house. 87 Curzon Ave
A McArthure - lopping and trimming of Cedar of Lebanon tree. 93 Roman Road.
Mr & Mrs Harrison-Guess - single storey extension to rear of semi detached house. 10 Kedleston Ave
Mr A Sarrafan - single storey extension to front/side of detached house. 82 Rectory Road, Wanlip
Mrs E McDermott - erection of detached garage with sun lounge to rear. 12 Melba Way
Mr M Pacey - single storey extension to rear of semi detached house. 18 Sibson Road
Mr & Mrs J Todd - erection of porch to front and conservatory to rear of semi detached house. 701 Loughborough Road
T M Retail - installation of new shop front. 99 Sibson Road
Mr & Mrs J Wheeler - insertion of dormer window to side of terraced house. 21 Elmfield Ave

Pre school closure

THE PRE-SCHOOL Group at Birstall Youth Centre will close at the end of the summer term this year.
With the admission of children at 4+ to local schools, fewer are taking places in pre-school groups in Birstall. The area is now over supplied with places and the college has decided to give early notice of closure to enable all concerned to make plans for September, said Longslade College Vice Principal Mr Peter Sapsford.
He added “We are extremely proud of our Pre-School Group and its reputation for consistent good practice. The staff team have been together for many years and have been rewarded with an excellent OFSTED report. It is unfortunate that this excellent work comes to an end through reducing numbers and pressures for other use of the Youth Centre
Some parents of children at the playgroup are angry at the decision to close it. They say Birstall is under supplied with pre-school places and are organising a petition objecting to the closure.
Parent Ms Claire LaCombe said: “We are outraged at this decision to close a much needed resource for Birstall. In my opinion the Bumble Bees playgroup at Longslade was the best in the area and there was a waiting list for places”.

Bath nurse saved

THE COMMITTEE of Age Concern, Birstall and Wanlip wish to express sincere thanks to Birstall Parish Council for its decision to fund the wages of the bath nurse from April 1 this year.
It may not be generally known that it is possible for a limited number of residents in Birstall and Wanlip, who do not attend any of the groups at St James Day Care Centre, to go to the Centre to have a bath under the supervision of the trained bath nurse. From April 1 the charge for a bath will be £2.50.
At the moment there are some vacancies for anyone wishing to have a supervised bath. There is a manual hoist attached to the bath to make it much easier for those who experience difficulty getting into and out of a bath at home.
For further details please contact Mrs Jill Smith at St James Day Care Centre, Mon to Thurs 9.30am - 4pm tel:2677023.
From Age Concern, Birstall & Wanlip

Top of the league

BIRSTALL RUNNING Club’s Senior Men’s team were the winners of the 2000 Leicestershire Road Racing League.
Pictured above are some of the team: (l-r) Stu Preston, Neil Wright, Colin Runner, Nigel James, Mark King, Andy Foster, Steve Powell (capt) and Steve Cherry.
The club welcomes new members of all standards on Monday and Friday nights at the club’s HQ, the Co-operative Sports and Social Club on Birstall Road. Contact Steve Powell on 2677380.

Spicy goings on

The cast of A Fly in the Ointment
A COMEDY, with no errors! Well not many we hope!
HATS, the Highcliffe Amateur Theatrical Society, are presenting a farce by Derek Benfield called ‘A Fly in the Ointment’ on March 29,30 & 31 at Highcliffe School, Greengate lane, Birstall.
With the exception of last year’s Francis Durbridge’s thriller ‘Suddenly at Home’ most of HATS spring productions have been comedies and have always gone down very well with our audiences. This year’s will be the first time we have done a genuine farce, with its standard recipe of errant husbands, passionate mistresses and suspicious wives, plus a few other spicy ingredients.
The unexpected combination of the Minster for the Environment, his ex-mistress and his wife all together in a bungalow by the sea in Sussex sounds like a sticky situation for a member of the cabinet to find himself in. Throw in a frustrated policewoman, a young but world-wise pizza delivery boy and an amorous doctor and you have the makings of a hilarious evening’s entertainment for all but the smaller members of the family.
A note for those who fancy treading the boards: we start auditioning for the 2001 pantomime in May so, why not come along on a Wednesday evening at 7.30pm or phone Elaine Hunt on 0116 2201235 or Rod Atkins on 0116 2216019 to find out more about HATS.
Enquiries for tickets for ‘A Fly in the Ointment’ should be made to Jenny Garner on 0116 2128757.
From HATS

Football

WITH THE season more than half way through Birstall CC’s Junior football teams are progressing very nicely.
The Under 13s and the under 17s are currently top of their divisions while the other age groups are also doing well. The club is now looking ahead to next season and hoping to form Under 11s and Under 12s sides. Anybody who is interested in playing for either of these sides should contact Pete on 0116 2203513 or 07973 675701. Also any parents or adults who fancy themselves as up and coming Alex Fergusons would be more than welcome to train and/or run these teams. No experience is necessary and the club would give any help and advice that may be required.
From Birstall CC Junior FC

Festival

PLANS FOR Birstall’s Summer Festival, scheduled for Sunday July 1 on the School Lane playing field, are really shaping up.
The organisers are hoping to provide some varied attractions for all ages. New this year will be Sumo Wrestling, a Bungee Run, a prize quiz and a talent contest. Organisers Birstall Parish Council also want to hear from any local bands or musicians who may like to take part, and it’s open to allcomers of all standards. If you are interested in participating, running a stall or event or helping on the day you are invited to a Public Meeting on Wednesday March 14 in the Village Hall at 7.30pm. Anyone wanting more details can contact Nigel Coleman on 220 1610.

Your Say

I would be the first to admit that I am not a great writer, and at times am less than my usual mediocre standard. But after a life-time in science and education I have been forced, for better or worse, to communicate with people. My students may be blessed in the knowledge that my words were ephemeral, but writing is a different matter - it does not go away.
What would Charles Dickens have thought if he knew that the word he knew then as the outward expression of happiness - GAY - now referred to homosexuality? The word SHAG which once referred either to a small cormorant or a type of tobacco, now has a totally different meaning, and if you do not know it ask your son or daughter.
Time was when you could SAY something; now you have to TURN ROUND AND SAY, the result of which action and speech must be controversial. If you do not want to move, you “GO..” instead, which is somewhat contradictory for those of us who believe that to “go” implies movement. Life gets even worse when you need to use the past tense - instead of SAID, even with turning round, you must now use “I LIKE,...”, which, taken literally, I do not.
CONTEMPORARY now no longer means “at the same time as..” but “modern”; AGGRAVATE and IRRITATE are interchangeable; GREAT, which once meant big, now means GRAND, the latter word having fallen into disuse except when describing hotels. I wonder how many people realise that GREAT BRITAIN really means BIG BRITTANY, although we still use the original meanings in the village names GREAT STRETTON (which is not any more) and LITTLE STRETTON quite happily. Again, GREATER LONDON does not imply there are two LONDONs, one more magnificent than the other.
The word SHOP, which once described an establishment which sold WARES (now only found in -HOUSES), became in quick succession MARKET, MINI-MARKET, CENTRE, SUPER MARKET AND HYPERMARKET. Once farmers brought their WARES to MARKET them at the local MARKET town. Now HYPERMARKETS give you a choice of Bird’s Eye, their own brand, or go without (no disrespect to Bird’s Eye - it’s not their fault the language has changed so much).
So what of the future? Will all action verbs need the word “SET” and the infinitive? Will it be possible for the average embarrassed teenage to address us on television for an hour and a half using non-stop pre-set meaningless phrases that owe nothing to politics? Will all punctuation be replaced by “all that stuff” and “do you know what I mean”? Will all my writings, already starched into the 1960’s, be joined by ancient 1990’s talk?
I’m all stressed now: sorry, I cannot “calm down”, or even “cool down”; I’ve got to CHILL OUT.
Dr D A C McNeil

You may have seen me out walking with my lovely Maltese Terrier dog. He was my faithful companion for over 10 years, as I acquired him at 4 years from his previous owner. He had a great life most of the time but obtained two illnesses which eventually gave him a heart murmur. From then on he had sporadic heart attacks which ultimately wore him out. You do not realise till they are gone what a gap it leaves in your life especially a person like myself alone and getting on in years. Of course I am not tied down in any way. But I had hoped he would live a little longer. So if you see me sad walking along you will know why.
Miss V M Reynolds, Wanlip Lane

Thank you for publishing the article on song thrushes in February’s Post. I am aiming to plot singing Song Thrushes on a map of Birstall with a view to estimating their population and distribution, and would appreciate any records of singing song thrushes in Birstall during the next few months. I would need the location and date if readers would ring the information through to me, even if they are not taking part in the Song Thrush Survey itself. My number is 2674813.
Ken Goodrich

I am writing to the Birstall Post on behalf of the children of Riverside school. They have no school crossing person and haven’t had for weeks. It appears no one is coming forward to fill the position. It wouldn’t be an easy job turning out four times a day, five times a week. If the salary was considerable increased and/or a job share facility was introduced maybe there would be some takers. If an accident occurred there would be the inevitable outcry of anger. It shouldn’t be allowed to get to that situation.
To make matters worse parents park in the adjacent library car park. I have first hand experience of a car being driven at me and my little charge while walking past this entrance. All this makes for an extremely potentially dangerous situation.
At one time the police would take over if a warden wasn’t operating. We pay for police and traffic wardens, where are they I ask?
Let us replace apathy with a little more caring. The children deserve better than this!
Mrs Eileen Austick

Mrs Frank Findley of Johnson Road died peacefully in her sleep on February 14 at Glenfield hospital. She was a resident of Johnson Road, Birstall for over 60 years, first as Mrs B Waring mother of the late Michael Waring. After Ben’s death she married Mr F Findley. She will be remembered by many people in Birstall for the charity sales she put on in aid of the ‘Cancer Research Campaign’. She was registered as a blind person about seven years ago but for the last five years she had been working for Ward 27 - Children with Cancer, at the Royal Infirmary.
Mrs Findley had her 92nd birthday on February 4th 2001. She will also be remembered in spite of her disabilities as one who enjoyed a laugh and a joke.
A Mills

I am responding to the letter from Parish Councillor C D Clarke published in the February edition of the Birstall Post.
He states that effective communication with the local community over the Sibson Road enhancement scheme has been almost non-existent. What rubbish!
Over recent months there have been extensive consultations both with the residents of Birstall and with the shopkeepers and business owners in Sibson Road over the proposed improvements. I, like many other, visited the display outside The Happy Hobbit during October last year and was able to question those preparing the scheme. Many of the suggestions made by residents and business owners were incorporated in the final scheme considered by the Parish Council on February 12. I was pleased to see the Parish Councillors voted almost unanimously (with the exception of Councillor Clarke) to approve the final proposals. The scheme when completed will provide a tremendous uplift for the shopping centre of Birstall.
I must correct a further statement by Councillor Clarke that Borough and County Councillors have a primary allegiance to those Councils and not to the local communities of the Parish. This is again untrue. As an elected Borough Councillor for the Goscote Ward of Birstall I can assure residents that my first priority is to serve them to the best of my ability. After that, I endeavour to serve the best interests of the whole Borough of Charnwood.
Those residents who attend Parish Council meetings, as I do, will know that Councillor Clarke is frequently out of step with his fellow Councillors and his general conduct and time wasting tactics has resulted in at least one hard working Parish Councillor resigning.
Bernard Singleton
Charnwood Borough Councillor

I see that we have now some excellent drawings of the proposed redevelopment of Sibson Road.
I have noticed that having attended two consultations so far, the outcome seems to be an artist’s impression of a proposed entry of beautiful street planning with no thought of the practical use of the area.
Where is the cycle parking? To enable people to use this excellent form of shopping they need to be able to take the cycle from shop to shop just for basic convenience and security of the cycle and its contents.
Why the awful walls? They look as if they could be a source of danger to people in a hurry when there are numbers of people around ie Saturdays, and to any visually impaired person.
Where are the safe pedestrian crossings? Once again the difficulty of crossing this busy road has not been addressed..
Why do we need sculptured features? Whatever is proposed will alienate some people as well as giving a target to the local vandals.
Why that awful block paving? You only have to visit areas that have been done to see that when it ages it becomes uneven and downright tatty with the blocks moving and cracking at the edges. Why no barriers to stop cars, vans etc from blocking the pavements? Yes I know they should not do it, but they do and will only stop if it is made impossible for them to park on the pavement (this applies to both sides).
It seems that there is not the will to use the funds sensibly but just to please some artistic designer who obviously has little knowledge of the basic rudiments of efficient shopping. Is it totally beyond the highway designers’ ability to produce a clean, easily maintained shopping area that addresses the needs of the pedestrian, the cyclist, the motorcyclist/scooterist and the car driver?
My idea? For what it’s worth; well laid pedestrian facilities all on one level and laid to stop puddles forming. Cycle racks at numerous points. Car parking bays clearly marked and steps taken to stop illegal obstruction of the footways. Pedestrian crossings (my original proposal of five still seems valid).
And lastly, resurface the road to get rid of all those hollows and bumps.
Just a thought. When I drive down Sibson Road late in the evening, there seems to be plenty of parking available.
name & address supplied

I would like to thank all those people, especially the children, who gave toys and games to the ‘Children in Bosnia’ appeal which is now closed.
The consignment of toys is en route to its destination and will be distributed to the children by the local aid agencies.
Your generous donations will being smiles and lots of pleasure to these children. Thank you all.
A Pickett

As a member of an asthmatic family, I have to say how strongly I agree with L Meachem (Post, February) about the dangers to the health of our children from the increased traffic which will be generated by the proposed new housing development at Hallam Fields.
Birstall Parish Council, BAD and the people of Birstall in general did a marvellous job in campaigning against this Local Plan. But every single argument was totally ignored by the Inspector.
Arguments such as L Meachem’s concerning children’s health; the burden of increased traffic along the A6 and through the village; the effects on water drainage in the vicinity of the development; the loss of a green belt facility (despite Government pledges). All were dismissed with contempt.
At a Parish Council meeting (where I am allowed to speak a little more freely), I gave my frank opinion of the Inspector. If I were to say what I really thought in this newspaper, both I and the Birstall Post would receive a writ.
Suffice it to say that I am sure that the majority of Birstall residents share my disgust at the Inspector’s actions in not merely giving the developers everything they asked for, but actually increasing much of it by 50%.
If anyone in this village still has any faith in the Planning Authorities and Inspectorate, I should be amazed.
Cllr Peter West

Noticeboard

Home help needs help

THE HIGHLY regarded Age Concern Home Help service, which has operated in Charnwood for nearly two years, is experiencing a recruitment crisis.
As more and more people have come to her about the quality service provided to older local people which includes cleaning, shopping, collections of prescriptions etc, the number of people requesting help have increased significantly. The charity is struggling to keep pace with the demand for help.
Commenting, the Executive Director of Age Concern, Mr Anthony Donovan said, “The situation is very worrying. For whatever reason recruitment of staff is proving a real problem, even though hours of work are flexible, rates of pay competitive and travel expenses met. The service acts as a lifeline to many older people providing them with a level of support that enables them to remain in the community rather than having to enter long term care”.
He added: “Part time staff are desperately needed - mainly for cleaning and shopping duties. Unless more Home Helps are recruited the long term future of the service in Charnwood could be under threat”.
Anyone interested in becoming a Home Help with Age Concern should ring Maggie Stewart on 0116 299 2255/66. Any older person or their carer wishing to find out more about the service can ring the same number.