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Birstall Post Oct 2001 (219) cont.

Quilter’s concert

Ricky Tims

A CONCERT by quilt artist Ricky Tims from Colorado at Theresa’s Church raised £424 for Glenfield Breast Care.
Brenda Watts provided this report of the concert: “The evening was a one man theatrical event where nostalgia was the key, as the audience was transported back in time to relive the past century, decade by decade, in this multimedia presentation. History came alive in slides and music as Ricky played the piano and performed songs from 1900, right down to the present, ‘Phantom of the Opera’ being very popular.
As a professional musician, composer, and also an award winning Quilt Artist, Ricky, from Denver, Colorado, gave a very memorable performance. He later presented a cheque of the proceeds of £424 to Professor R Walker of Leicester University Breast Cancer Research Unit, based at Glenfield Hospital, who thanked him for his generous time not only at this, but on previous occasions as whenever he is on tour over here he has given these concerts in aid of Glenfield Breast Care, and in doing so has raised many hundreds of pounds for this cause. The audience was thrilled by his performance and were already asking “when will he be here again?” Unfortunately, it may be three or four years before Ricky will be on tour here again.”

Village Watch News

THIS TIME of the year when the nights get longer, daylight is at its shortest, and the clocks go back at the end of this month, it is time to check that you have all your security lights working around the house.
Consider doing that extra bit of pruning to make sure that if you have bushes or hedges to the front of the house they are cut down so that you can see from the footpath to the front door.
Please check that you lock up securely the gardening equipment after its final use, has it been postcoded, it’s never too late to get it done.
Whilst we are talking of gardening why not have a look at the back of the house, have you got good fences or hedges that will deter the would be thief getting in the back way?
There are many recommended ways of doing this, by planting up thorny bushes; these can be of the ornamental type or of the fruiting type ie blackberry or loganberry. Fire thorn is one of the ornamental bushes with very long thorns. Cotoneaster is another good one and the birds love the berries in the winter.
The local police still report that mobile phones are being taken from children leaving school. This can be prevented if they are not taken to school. Cycles still are being stolen. Please lock them if you leave them unattended near the shops and get them postcoded if you have not already done so.
Come to the Watch Advice shop held on the 3rd Saturday of every month at the old Council Offices Sibson Road between 10am and 12noon and get them done. It takes just a few minutes and there is always a cup of tea or coffee while you wait.
From Peter Allen
Crime Report September 2001: Burglary Dwelling 6; Burglary Not Dwelling 2; Criminal Damage 6; Other Crimes 3; Other Thefts 8; Robbery 1; Suspicious Incident/Circumstance/Person 9; Theft Of/From Motor Vehicle 5; Violence Against the Person 4.

Birthday

THE FIRST Birstall Girls Brigade will be celebrating its fortieth birthday this autumn - and is keen to include all former members of the company in the celebrations.
The company was originally founded in 1961, its first captain being Mrs Jean Yates - mother of Mrs Susan Wheeler, the current captain.
She said: “We are delighted to extend an open invitation to anyone who has any connections with the company over its 40 year history. In that time the Company has played a crucial role in furthering the education and development of many girls in the village.”
The birthday party will be held at Birstall Methodist Church on Saturday November 11 at 7.30pm. Further information can be gained from Mrs Susan Wheeler, Captain, on 0116 220931.

Motorcycle damage

MOTORCYCLISTS ARE damaging playing field surfaces and disturbing residents throughout Birstall.
The Parish Council and local police are becoming concerned about the problem, which affects School Lane and Harrowgate Drive playing fields as well as Meadow Lane.
Several young people riding trials bikes are gaining access to the playing fields and using them as off road driving areas. At Harrowgate Drive, a fence has been sawn through to provide access to the adjacent farmer’s fields.
The Parish Council intend to pursue a claim for damages if the culprits are caught, and they are appealing to residents to report any incidents to the police with details of registration numbers and descriptions of the riders.

WI news

THERE WAS a good attendance for the September meeting of Birstall & Wanlip WI.
The competition was for a small flower arrangement and it was surprising how many different flowers had been found in gardens by members who had thought there was not much variety just now. The winner was Mary Marvin.
There were arrangements to make for the Group 100% Quiz being organised by Groby WI on September 28. This had proved to be a very popular event in previous years. Though there are a lot of county events forthcoming right up to Christmas quite a few members still have holidays to come so these dates were deferred to later meetings. The speaker was President, Dorothy Gregory, who had travelled from east to west across Canada in January. Together with photographs and other souvenirs Dorothy relived her trip and it was a lovely description of frozen Niagara Falls that captured everyone’s attention. Also described were the delights of visiting the Rockies and last days in Vancouver before coming home. Being wintertime made the scenery very impressive.
A vote of thanks was given by Freda Jones. The raffle winner was Margaret Willows.
From Mrs M Belton

Latimer players

THE NEXT production of the Latimer players is two one act plays with a supper in between, an arrangement that has been very popular in the past.
The first play is “Last Tango in Little Grimley” by David Tristram which is a comedy produced by Margaret Davis. The second is “The Housewarming” by Arthur Aldrich, and this is a drama with ghostly intrigue produced by Brenda Hooper.
The audience is guaranteed a feast of theatricals and a groaning board of festal cheer. All for the price of £7.
The venue is the Memorial Hall, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston and the dates are Thursday October 25, Friday October 26 and Saturday October 27 at 7.30pm.
Tickets may be obtained from Mrs Brenda Hooper - 173 Leicester Road, Thurcaston, Leicester LE7 7JL. Tel: 2203046. All tickets including supper £7.
Early booking is advised as seating is limited. We hope you can come.
From David Parkes Bowen

Flowering

A CLUB FOUNDED 40 years ago for people who love flowers has celebrated its Ruby anniversary.
Birstall Flower Club marked the occasion with a dinner where Club president Mrs Mary Wadsworth proposed a toast to the club. Mrs May Frisby, a founder member, was in attendance for the evening’s proceedings.
The club provides the opportunity to watch professional demonstrators create wonderful masterpieces as well as promoting a wide variety of activities associated with flowers including visits to gardens far and wide.
Birstall Flower Club meets at 7.15pm in the Village Hall on Birstall Road on the fourth Wednesday of the month (except July and December). Anyone interested in joining should come along to the meeting on October 24 or contact Mary Linnett on 2672247 or Sylvia Simmes on 2674206.

Play that organ

LONGSLADE ARE appealing for ideas from the community about how to maximise the use of the college’s organ.
New head of the Performing Arts at Longslade, Mr Jelic said: “The organ is currently under used and falling into disrepair. I would like some feedback from the community in terms of how best we could use the organ.”
He added: “I would be delighted if we could employ someone on a voluntary basis to oversee the care and use of the organ by checking its condition and state of repair once every term.
“I would love to see people from the local community use the organ either for practice or recitals and would be happy to oversee the booking of the organ for regular concerts and rehearsals in order to see this fine instrument put to good use.”
Contact Mr Jelic at Longslade on 2673389.

Boy assaulted

THREE BOYS were the victim of an attack on the School Lane playing fields last month.
One boy was assaulted and a bicycle was stolen. The attacker was described as male, 18-25 years with ginger hair and a moustache, blue eyes and wearing an Adidas jacket.
Police are appealing for information about the incident which took place on Saturday September 8. Contact Syston Police on 222 2222 or Birstall’s PC Kevin Palmer by voicemail on 2485675, collar number 1736.

Volunteers needed

LOUGHBOROUGH Volunteer Centre has several requests on their files for volunteers to accompany people on social outings.
Some involve people with a learning disability - others, older people or people with physical disabilities.
The requirements may be for a couple of hours one evening once a week, or less frequently. Often a trip to the local pub for a game of darts or a chat is all that is required - just the opportunity to access a normal social activity we all take for granted. The main request from individuals is that they would like to ‘go out’ in a ‘one to one’ situation with someone who has chosen to be there rather than in a group with paid workers. This opportunity can be flexible to suit the needs of both parties and would be suitable for a wide range of people - employed. retired, students, etc.
The Volunteer Centre would offer you support in choosing and meeting a person to befriend and will give support and guidance once in placement.
For more information please phone Alison or Maggie on 01509 224901 or 224900 between 9-4 Monday-Thursday, 9-1 Friday. Answerphone 01509 241587

Nature Notes

By Finch

The other day the good lady poked a patch of green on her path and demanded to know what it was doing there.
It’s lichen” I said.
“I know,” she said, “what’s it doing there? Move it.”
And, with a final swipe of her walking stick, she stalked off.
My chances of removing the lichen without destroying it were extremely slim. Even if I did, where would I move it to?
Lichens, despite having large textbooks written about them and having posh Latin names, are not plants as such; they are a product of a “symbiotic” relationship: each consists of a fungus and green algae living in close harmony. The algae have chlorophyll, that well-known sugar producing chemical which no school-child is allowed to know nothing about. The sugars it produces keep the fungus going in habitats where it would not normally thrive: rock faces, weather tree bark, even the good lady’s path. None of these would normally support a fungus, but for the algae (which does not depend on living or dead matter to thrive) such places are ideal.
Given that the site is ideal, there is another factor which has to be taken into consideration before lichens will grow - the quality of the atmosphere. Lichens appear not to like acidic gases, and are destroyed by them. Carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are all acidic, and are all the results of man’s pollution of his environment. Lichens, therefore, have gained an importance for us which would seem, on the face of it, very unlikely - they are used as pollution indicators.
Nobody who deals with pollution would go out of his/her way to cultivate lichens, for they grow very slowly, nor will chemical/physical measurements taken by the roadside be replaced by cultivated lichen. However, over a wide area the spread of polluting gases may be gauged by plotting the distribution of certain (usually very colourful) lichen. One would expect, for example, these lichen to be absent from an area downwind of a power station (say), but present much closer to said power station on its windward side.
Keeping all this in mind, I decided to leave the good lady’s lichen where it was, close to the front wheel of my car. At least I can claim that my car is not polluting her front garden - the lichen proves that.

Age Concern info

EXTRA CASH FOR PENSIONERS
The Government is giving more money to pensioners this year. The Minimum Income Guarantee (previously called Income Support) has increased to £92.15 for single pensioners and £140.55 per week for couples, a maximum increase of £13.70 per person per week. They have increased also the amount of savings pensioners are allowed to keep and still receive help. This is up from £8,000 to £12,000.
So if you know anyone who is living on less than £92.15 a week and has less than £12,000 in savings ask them to call the Government run ‘Minimum Income Guarantee Helpline’. Anyone can phone free of charge and someone will fill out the form over the telephone and then send it out to be checked and signed. The helpline number is 0800 -281111. Even if someone is not entitled to the Minimum Income Guarantee they may be entitled to some help with Council Tax or rent if their savings are less than £16,000.
Age Concern Factsheet No.18 ‘A Brief Guide to Money Benefits’ is available free from Age Concern Leicestershire & Rutland, Lansdowne House, 113 Princess Road East, Leicester LE1 7LA. Tel: 0116 2992233. This Factsheet can also be seen at Birstall Library. (All the Age Concern England Factsheets are in two folders there.)
Many pensioners who would be eligible for the Minimum Income Guarantee (previously called Income Support) have been put off applying because the application form was 40 pages long. The length and complexity of the current claim form has long been seen as a major barrier preventing pensioners from claiming the benefits to which they are entitled. The Government set the DSS the task of introducing a revised clerical claim form by the end of October 2001. This new form will:
reduce the claim form from 40 pages to 10
simplify the questions and soften the tone
omit questions that do not relate to the objectives
make the form friendlier and easier to complete
It is likely that the majority of pensioners who complete the new claim form will not have to supply any further information to the DSS at the initial claim stage. Where further information is required a series of four supplementary questionnaires have been devised. There will be a special form for people who reside in residential care or nursing homes. The new claim for will be introduced at the end of October 2001. Electronic and Internet versions will also be available.
WRITING A WILL
It is intended during the month of October to run a Will writing initiative. It is hoped that 20 firms of local solicitors will reduce their will writing charges to £25 + VAT for a single, uncomplicated will. This would represent a significant reduction in terms of price.
Making a will is something everybody should consider. It ensures that a person’s affairs are in order and it takes additional pressure off family members when someone dies. To find out the names and addresses of the solicitors involved please phone 0116 2992233.
PEACE OF MIND FOR SCOOTER AND ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR USERS
The AA now has a service that recognises the growth in the wider mobility requirements of people with special needs. With AA MOBILITY ASSISTANCE the users of electric pavement vehicles and electric wheelchairs can call upon the AA’s help and experience when they have a problem with their vehicle. Members have the peace of mind that they and their vehicle will be recovered back to their home should the vehicle break down.
Full details of the service can be obtained by calling the Automobile Association free on 0800 477499.
J Woods
Chairperson, Age Concern Birstall & Wanlip

Food intolerance

IS WHAT you eat making you ill?
Almost half of us suffer from food intolerances which cause many conditions such as arthritis, IBS eczema and general poor health and fatigue.
Many people try an elimination diet to identify the problem food, but this is often unsuccessful because reactions can happen several days after eating a particular food, and most sufferers react to several foods.
A simpler and more reliable method is to test the blood for antibodies. Before doing a blood test, the nutritional therapist will look at the patient’s heath history and diet, so see whether nutrient deficiencies or toxicity may be causing the symptoms.
Information and appointments: Jill Willis BSc DNN - 0116 2891581

Noticeboard

Your Say...

I Hear Voices! Don’t You?

I hear voices,
Not aloud but in my head,
I hear voices,
Voices of our innocent dead.

I hear voices,
People calling out in pain,
I hear voices,
Saying things will never be the same.

I hear voices,
As people fall from the sky,
I hear voices,
They chose to jump instead of being burnt alive.

I hear voices,
Of the families that now grieve,
I hear voices,
‘Daddy’s just gone away sweetheart’ they make their children believe.

I hear voices,
Preparing for war,
I hear voices,
New York’s famous Twin Towers grace the skyline no more.

I hear voices,
Saying that it’s not right,
I hear voices,
Of the people that boarded those four fateful flights.

By Becca Needham Aged 15

My husband and I would like to send heartfelt thanks to the lady and gentleman who called an ambulance and helped my son after his fall on the Birstall park on September 9. Thankfully, after a bit of ‘superglue’ from staff at the LRI, a good night’s sleep and of course a day off school! he was fine. So again thank you.
L Meachem

Many thanks to everyone who supported our Coffee Morning for the cardiac wards. We raised £230.
Thank you especially to the ladies who helped me.
June Strong

I would like to express my appreciation for the hard work that Duckmaster Johnny Green and his wonderful supporters put in to make the Birstall Duck Race a successful event in raising funds for LOROS, the Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice. I was amazed at how many local people turned out in the pouring rain (ideal weather for ducks mind!) and took part in the fun.
Special thanks are needed for the Jokers club, the British Legion Club and the many businesses that provided prizes for the event. I hope that this event continues in the future as it provides LOROS with much needed funds to continue its level of care for terminally ill patients.
Adrian Walker
LOROS Community Fundraiser

Planning applications

Mr & Mrs Bradshaw - erection of 1st floor extension to side of semi detached house over existing garage. 23 Hill Rise
TM Retail - installation of automatic teller machine. 99 Sibson Road
Mr A T Ward - single storey extension to front and replace pitched roof to front and side of detached house. 32 Worcester Avenue
Mr W Bennett - erection of two storey extension to side of semi detached dwelling and single storey extension to rear. 1 Spinney Rise
Mr & Mrs Mohin - conversion of existing garage to playroom. Erection of new garage with habitable accommodation in the roofspace. 5 Riverside Mews, Home Farm, Wanlip.
Leics County Council - erection of new design block to replace existing - Longslade College
NTL Computer Services - installation of roller shutters to front of retail unit. 3 The Meadway
Mr & Mrs G Morley - erection of single storey extension to rear and side of detached dwelling and erection of sloping roof to front. 117 Greengate Lane
Mr & Mrs Jones - erection of conservatory to rear of semi detached dwelling. 11 Westgate Avenue
Mr & Mrs Briers - erection of single storey extension to rear of semi detached dwelling. 17 Goscote Hall Road
Mr & Mrs Pile - erection of single storey extension to rear and side of detached dwelling. 17 Kilby Avenue