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BIRSTALL TWINNING Association is 20 years
old this year and to mark the occasion a painting of Birstall
scenes was presented to a delegation from Rixensart, Birstall’s
twin town, on June 2.
The painting, by Birstall’s Norman Sims, is a watercolour
and features the Old Plough Inn, the Village Hall, Goscote Hall,
Goscote Lodge, John Green’s Cottage (now the Earl of Stamford),
the cottage on Birstall Road facing Church Hill and the Church
of St James the Greater.
Members of Birstall and District Art Society were invited to
submit paintings of Birstall and Norman’s was chosen by
the Twinning Association from the 20 submitted. All the paintings
were on display at the presentation to the Rixensart delegation,
held at Highcliffe School.
Norman said: “I was pleased and honoured that my painting
was chosen and I hope the people of Rixensart are pleased with
it.” The picture will be hung in one of Rixensart’s
civic buildings. You can view a print of the painting at Krustys
on Sibson Road, Stonehill Avenue Post Office and Birstall DIY.
A3 prints are available for sale, price £5, from Norman
Sims, 22 Colindale Avenue, Birstall, tel: 2209842.
Facilities planned
BIRSTALL IS being asked what kind of community
facilities the village would like to see on the new Hallam Fields
development site, north of Harrowgate Drive.
Charnwood Borough Council are currently dealing with a planning
application for the site from Jelsons, to include 900 homes.
One of the conditions of development would be a requirement by
the developer to provide a new primary school and ‘appropriate
community facilities’.
Charnwood have been consulting with Birstall Parish Council with
a view to establishing what kind of facilities are needed, and
who would own and manage them.
The Borough would also welcome input from residents, for example
on the kinds of sports facilities needed: football pitches, cricket
pitches, tennis courts etc.
Steve Lewis-Roberts, Team Leader Development Control at Charnwood
told the Birstall Post: “I would welcome suggestions from
your readers. We are looking for proposals that are reasonably
related to the development that is proposed and that don’t
duplicate facilities in the immediate area”.
A draft proposal has already been formulated which responds to
the possibilities for:
• a new 210-place primary school to be provided on a phased
basis as development proceeds, to be owned and run by the Local
Education Authority.
• a Community Recreation Centre - a multi-purpose community
building
• playing fields for the school and the community, with
changing facilities to suit
• access and parking as appropriate
The prospective location - adjacent to the existing Harrowgate
Drive playing fields and proposed parkland - has been identified
during the earlier planning exercises.
The main objectives of the proposal can be summarised as:
• to create an identifiable focal point for the new development’s
community needs
• to provide a balanced and flexible range of accommodation
suitable for numerous activities, including a realistic sports
programme
• to create a building which is cost-effective and easy
to manage
• to produce a plan that allows different activities to
take place at the same time, with sufficient storage space to
support shared use
• to provide a building which is easy to maintain and cheap
to run, but which provided an agreeable environment
The proposal is therefore to provide a ‘joined-up’
building, catering for school and community purposes. The school
would have its own secure site. The community recreation component
would be a local responsibility. The overlap between the two
would involve the Main Hall which would be a joint responsibility,
with priority given to primary school use (as required) during
school hours.
There a number of advantages:
• the school enjoys enhanced Hall provision
• running costs can be shared
• the building is in use all year round, and therefore probably
more secure
• the school and community areas are more flexible and can
accommodate a wider range of activities (greater than the sum
of the parts)
• the single location provision of primary of primary school
and community facilities optimises accessibility, social interaction
and community development
The accommodation and activities of the community element are:
• Main Hall (min. size: 16.5m x 9.0m x 6.1m high)
the Hall accommodates recreational or club-standard badminton,
boxing, martial arts, short mat bowls, fencing, judo, keep fit,
table tennis, short tennis, floor gymnastics, for example
• a variety of community uses/groups - including dances,
receptions, meetings, arts events. Audiences of up to 175 could
be accommodated for ‘theatre’-style events
Second Hall
• suitable for recreational or club-standard boxing, martial
arts, keep fit, weight training, table tennis
social uses eg luncheon clubs, pre-school playgroups, club meetings,
fund-raising events, arts events drama workshops and rehearsals
• Bar/Kitchen/Servery/Toilets to suit
• Office for hall and outdoor areas administration
• Changing Rooms to serve the indoor and outdoor activities
The Hallam Fields site is in the parish of Wanlip which has 62
houses and a population of 150. Too small to have a Parish Council,
the village has a Parish Meeting which meets once a year. The
Chairman is Richard Kinton, who told the Birstall Post: “At
our last meeting we discussed the options and the feeling of
the villagers was that we should remain as we are. We’d
like the new development to be in Birstall.”
Birstall Parish Council’s Economic Development sub-committee
discussed the issue at a meeting in May. Cllr Tony Stott said:
“We don’t want this development, but if it’s coming,
we must do all we can to make it integrate with the village.”
Members agreed that they would recommend to full council that
the parish boundary be changed to take in the new development
and that the new community facilities be owned and managed by
the Parish Council, be complimentary to existing facilities and
earn revenue for the Parish.
Cllr Peter West commented that the new houses could bring in
£63,000 annually in Council Tax for the village.
Steve Roberts at Charnwood told the Birstall Post “If both
Birstall Parish Council and Wanlip Parish Meeting agree to the
boundary change, the process is quite straightforward. A boundary
review takes place every couple of years and this would be an
opportunity.”
A special meeting of Birstall Parish Council will be held to
discuss the sporting and community facilities on the site. If
you have a view, write to Birstall Parish Council, the Village
Hall, Birstall Road, Birstall.
Pic: initial proposals for school and community hall. Harrowgate
Drive and the existing playing field are on the right.
Art on show
PAINTINGS BY members of Birstall and District Art Society
will be on show at a garden party in June.
The paintings, depicting wildlife and landscape subjects, will
be exhibited at the Environmental Garden Party at Holly Hayes,
Birstall Road, on Sunday June 10. The event runs from 11am to
4.30pm and admission is free.
Members will also be exhibiting their work at the Birstall Festival
on July 1.
Prizewinners
BIRSTALL’S BRANCH of the Nat West bank has presented
prizes to two of its younger customers, winners of competitions
organised by the bank.
Ten year old Stephanie McGarr won the drawing competition, which
was judged by Mrs Jo Wright, proprietor of Jackerobi, the children’s
clothes shop on Wanlip Avenue. Stephanie won £25 which
was credited to her Young Savers account.
Mr Mike Burger, acting manager of the branch, said the talent
on display was excellent and thanked all the children for their
efforts and enthusiasm.
One of the bank’s youngest customers, one year old Lauren
Mayo won a cuddly toy dog in another competition for children
opening a Young Saver’s account over the Easter period.
Parish Council Notes
A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on May
14.
PC Kevin Palmer reported that garages were targeted in April.
Two people were arrested and a large amount of stolen property
recovered. PC Palmer reported that school children were being
robbed of their mobile phones on the way home from Stonehill/Longslade,
and that the Police were taking the matter very seriously. He
added that a car stolen from Birstall was recovered after an
arrest in Beaumont Leys.
Cllr Chris Clarke commented that the Council had spent £8000
this year on consultants’ advice re Hallam Fields and asked
what the Council had got back for this money, which he described
as a complete waste. The chairman responded by saying that the
item under consideration was to pass the schedule of accounts
for payments, and not to discuss the merits of each item of expenditure.
The Parish Council has received a petition, representing 42 households
on Allington Drive, all objecting to the recent change in bus
route from Blenheim Road to Allington Drive. Cllr Peter West
commented that 600 questionnaires had been sent out by the Council
to establish the safest and best route, and the majority view
had been to change the route. This was a case of not-in-my-back-yard,
he said. Councillors agreed to leave the route unchanged.
New clerk
BIRSTALL PARISH Council’s new clerk is Hugh Knight (pictured
above).
Originally from Kettering, Hugh’s background is in banking
and before his appointment as Clerk he worked as an appeals manager
for a large charity in Nottingham.
Hugh (57) said: “The job is quite complex, very interesting
and more challenging than I had expected, but it’s gratifying
to see work and results achieved”.
Library book sale
BIRSTALL LIBRARY on Wanlip Lane are launching a six day
summer book sale on Thursday June 14.
Hundreds of surplus books including children’s books, novels,
non-fiction and reference items will be on sale at bargain prices.
Included will be a set of old ordinance survey maps which are
expected to be of particular interest.
Group Librarian Jo Hopkinson said: “The library book sales
are always popular with customers with lots of interest in paperback
fiction and children’s books, both of these being ideal
for holiday reading.”
The sale continues until Tuesday June 19 at 5pm.
New half pipe
BIRSTALL’S NEW half pipe on the Meadow Lane playing fields
is proving popular with young people.
The concrete structure is used by skateboarders and rollerbladers
and was installed following consultations with local youths.
Chairman of the Parish Council Nigel Coleman said: “I’m
very pleased we’ve been able to get this half pipe and to
have involved young people in the decision making process. I’m
delighted it’s getting so much use”.
The project cost £18,000, with £10,000 coming from
Charnwood Borough Council.
Birstall Rugby Club
Lisa Jacobs paints a tiger face on Lauren
White (4) as Ellie-May Wilson (6) looks on
BIRSTALL RUGBY Club’s President’s Day attracted
record crowds to the Stonehill playing fields in April.
There was a far greater attendance than previous years by
supporters’ family and friends of the players, which was
helped by the sunny day and the attractions organised by the
club’s committee.
The attractions included a bouncy castle and face painting for
the children, stalls selling soft drinks and sweets, bacon and
sausage sandwiches and tea and coffee. Andy Blount of Bettaware
provided a stall selling all sorts of goodies. All the proceeds
went to the development of Birstall Rugby Club.
The main attraction of the day was the match between Birstall,
captained by Glyn Brown, and the President’s 15 led by Rob
Garrate. This is always a chance for players past and present
to display their passion for the game and wear the team colours,
one of the past captains of the team Paul Chivers even had his
face painted in them.
The match is always fought in the true spirit of the game and
Birstall’s defence was pierced in more ways than one, three
times during the game. Chris Pearce was the first to score followed
by blast from the past Dick Pearce who scored twice during the
game, one of the tries being converted by Simon Black.
The President’s 15 were defiantly the stronger team, but
they did not have it all their own way as the current team responded
with two tries of their own. The first was by Mark Simmons who
ran from deep in his own half and managed to dodge all of the
opposition’s backs to place the ball over the line. The
last try of the game was scored by Andy Baker and converted by
Pete Ball giving a final match score of 17-12 to the President’s
side.
One thing that was noticed by the spectators was that it was
very difficult to tell the difference between the President’s
old boys’ team and the current young boys’ team as
they all looked about the same age. Birstall Rugby Club are always
looking for new blood and all newcomers will be made welcome.
There were a few minor injuries during the match and both teams
were grateful to the tender care of local St John’s first
aider Karen Moon who said that it was always a pleasure to treat
the boys as they all had such nice legs.
Birstall Rugby Club would like to pass on their thanks to all
of those who played, just turned up or helped with a stall. Lisa
Scott and Stu Holmes provided the superb buffet for the players
and their guests in the after match celebration.
Anyone wanting to know more about the teams please contact: Simon
Cox 0116 2675645; Owen Flanders 0116 2213947; Phil Lewin 0116
2207062
Village Watch news
THE LOCAL Police Unit is still very concerned that theft from
cars is still on the increase. They ask all car drivers to remember
to observe the following simple rules when leaving their car
even for a second or two.
1 Always ensure that NOTHING is left on the seats ie coats, brief
cases, mobile phone, handbag, shopping in bags or loose on the
seat.
2 Always place them in the boot of the car. Out of sight.
3 Ensure that the windows and sunroof are closed and secure
4 Remove the ignition key and lock the car
5 At night try and park under a street light or light in the
car park. If you park your car overnight on your own drive ensure
that you remove all valuables and items that could be taken.
Never give the thief a chance to break into the car even for
the smallest item.
To the people who park vans at home with their tools and equipment
in, it is essential that you have a good alarm on the vehicle
and an immobiliser so that the vehicle cannot be driven away
and emptied of its contents later. Ladders should be secured
on the roof rack, don’t give the thief the chance to use
them to gain access to your property or a neighbour’s.
Remember there is a THIEF about so keep them out.
Peter Allen, Chairman, Birstall Village Watch
Free childcare
FREE CHILD-CARE places have recently been extended to include
three year olds.
The government introduced Nursery Grants for four year olds some
years ago which entitled children to five two and a half hour
sessions per week for 11 weeks for free. This must be taken with
a registered provider who is inspected by OFSTED, ensuring that
a good quality of education is provided by promoting the Early
Learning Goals in Language & Literacy, Mathematics, Knowledge
& Understanding of the World, Personal & Social, Physical
& Creative.
“This grant has gone some way to make child-care affordable
for most parents” says Susan Humby, proprietor of Wanlip
Pre-School “and has improved standards and quality of care”.
She added: “It is also good news to see that since April
of this year, the grant has been extended to include some three
year olds.”
Birstall has many good providers accepting grants and Wanlip
Pre-School has now opened in the afternoons to meet the extra
demand for places. The date to claim for this term’s grant
has passed but if you wish to register for a place in September
you should contact the provider of your choice for more information
and availability.
To qualify for your free sessions in September your child must
be four by August 31, 2002. In some cases there may be a ‘Top-Up’
fee as some sessions are more than two and a half hours and run
for more than 11 weeks.
School champion
TALENTED ATHLETE Chloe Kinton of Wanlip found herself running
three important races in three days recently.
At the Leicestershire and Rutland AAA Championships held at Loughborough
University on May 12, Chloe (12) became the Under 13 Girls County
Champion over 1500 metres, when she won the race in a personal
best time of 5 minutes 18 seconds.
She followed this up on May 13, the second day of the Championships,
by taking the silver medal in the Under 13 Girls 800 metre race,
again in a personal best time.
Both of these races, in which she represented her club, Coritanians,
were run in scorching hot sunshine.
On May 14, in atrocious conditions of heavy and continuous rain,
she competed for Stonehill School, where she is a Year 7 pupil,
in the North Leicestershire Area Athletics Championship, also
held at Loughborough. By winning the 800 metres Under 13 girls
race, Chloe became the Schools Area Champion and has qualified
for the final of the Leics Schools County Championships which
will be held at Saffron Lane on June 9.
Village fete back
LAST YEAR’S millennium fete in Birstall was so successful
that another event is being staged this year by popular demand.
On Sunday July 1 the festival will be held on the village’s
School Lane playing fields, which are 50 years old this year.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Charnwood, Eddie the Eagle and Rt Hon
Stephen Dorrell MP will attend the Opening Ceremony at 10.30am
at which the Royal British Legion Standard Bearers will parade.
Funfair attractions will include inflatable Sumo wrestling, and
a bungee run, and over 30 local organisations will have stalls
or displays with a wide variety of items for sale. A fancy dress
competition for children up to 11 years will take place between
3 and 4pm.
Charnwood Borough Council Recreational Services Dept will be
organising children’s sports and activities and there will
be performances by local young musicians throughout the day.
At 7.30pm a Proms in the Park performance by Hathern Band and
Leicester City Male Voice Choir concludes the Festival.
Between 10am and 10pm there will be something for all ages to
enjoy and entry is free.
Soggy start
DESPITE SOME of May’s lovely weekends the weather took
its toll on Birstall Cricket Club’s first team’s three
fixtures with only one game being played due to the wet pitches.
The only game played was at home to Anstey and Glenfield. On
the hottest day of the year Anstey elected to bat and made 193
for 5 wickets and at one stage they were reeling at 75 for 5.
Birstall were always in trouble and were 100 for 7 but ended
up 162 all out, despite a late fightback with skipper Andy Corbett
hitting a quickfire 45. Andy said: “It’s disappointing
losing, but when you drop eight catches and field poorly you
don’t deserve to win and the better team won on the day.”
The 2nd team is a different story with all their three games
being played. They have had two wins and a draw are in 2nd position
in the league. Captain Steve Findley said: “It’s a
great start and a big well done must go to the Parish Council
Groundsman Andy Garland and his team for providing excellent
wickets when so many teams have had games called off. If we continue
this form it could be our year to be crowned champions, but there’s
a long way to go.”
Anybody interested in playing for the club can pop into the clubhouse
for a chat and a drink any Saturday between 1-10pm.
Mammoth’s view
AFTER HIS first attempt was destroyed by vandals in October artist
Daniel Jones has rebuilt his Millennium Mammoth on Watermead
Country Park.
The original mammoth was burnt to ashes before its concrete cover
had been applied.
The new life size scientifically accurate model consists of a
steel frame and substructure covered in concrete. It is situated
on a hill and provides an eye catching landmark.
Project co-ordinator Barry Ingram, of Leicester City Council,
said: “Remains of mammoths have been found in the nearby
gravel pits so we know they roamed the Soar Valley centuries
ago”.
The project has been jointly funded by Leicester City Council
and national cycle group SUSTRANS.
June Birstall Post continues here
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