Package deal
A MULTI million pound package of measures
for Birstall and the new Hallam Fields development have been
proposed.
The proposals have come from developers Jelson and the owners
of the land, the Palmer Tomkinson Trustees, after they consulted
with the County Council, Borough Council and Birstall Parish
Council.
Before being given permission to develop the site the developers
are required to agree to contribute an extensive package of measures
embracing transportation, education and social/community facilities,
to meet the demands made on the area by the new development.
Contributions offered include:
• Up to £600,000 for the provision of a multipurpose
flexible use building, for recreational and educational use,
on the disused tennis court between Longslade and Stonehill School
buildings to be known as The Palmer Tomkinson Centre.
• Up to £150,000 for the provision of four all weather
floodlit tennis courts beside the Palmer Tomkinson Centre for
use by schools and the wider community.
• Up to £350,000 for the provision of a community
building/meeting house in the centre of the new development.
• Up to £550,000 for a community centre comprising
a community room, changing facilities, enhanced school hall,
two senior football pitches and a cricket pitch.
• £10,000 for the upgrading of the book stock at Birstall
library and Stonehill/Longslade libraries.
• £50,000 for the commissioning of public art for
Hallam Fields
• £1.5 million for a new primary school to cater for
180 pupils
• £75,000 towards the upgrading of the all weather
pitch at Longslade or the provision of an athletics track
• Meeting the costs of transportation improvements arising
as a consequence of development. These include infrastructure
work to the A6 and junctions, and provision of a park and ride
facility.
• £30,000 towards additional parking/environmental
improvements to Sibson Road
• £150,000 for the establishment of a commercially
viable bus service to penetrate the development
• £25,000 for the upgrading of the GCR’s Leicester
North Station facilities
• £15,000 for segregated cycle/pedestrian links from
the site
• The provision of 135 affordable new homes on the site
of which 40 will be available for rent.
The total number of dwellings proposed for the site is 900.
Responding to the proposals, Parish Council Chairman Nigel Coleman
said: “My initial reaction is to be suspiciously pleased.
It’s good to see a community building planned for the central
hub of the development as well as money being made available
for Sibson Road improvements.”
Birstall Parish Council organised a public meeting on October
31 to give residents the opportunity to express their views before
responding to the developers’ proposals. This meeting took
place after this issue of the Birstall Post had gone to press.
Once the package of measures has been agreed, the application
will go before the planning committee at Charnwood. Should they
grant planning permission, the application will then be referred
to the Secretary of State, because the location of development
is on a greenfield site. The Secretary of State can then confirm
planning permission or call another Public Enquiry.
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PC Rebekah Cortez inside the Police CCTV
van. One of the van’s cameras can be seen near the rear
view mirror, while PC Cortez adjusts the monitor.
Mobile CCTV
A POLICE van fitted out with CCTV cameras
has been patrolling the streets of Birstall.
Sgt Ivan Odell of Syston police said: “Mobile CCTV is a
very good way to deter crime and helps to reassure the public
by increasing police visibility in the streets”.
Free courses
TELEVISION AND newspaper adverts have been encouraging us
to sign up to improve English and Maths.
They say ‘Get into learning and get on’. Locally Longslade
Community College is offering free courses during the day or
evening.
Ring Sharon Cope on 2673389 for details and booking these free
courses:
Coping with Maths, Wednesday, 1-3pm or 7-9pm
Confident English, Tuesday, 9.30-11.30am or 7-9pm
Reading Writing, Spelling, Monday, 9.30-11.30am or Thursday 7-9pm
Village Watch news
THE POLICE are very concerned at the high level of car crime
in and around Birstall at the moment. This includes theft from
cars, damage to cars, and cars stolen.
The Watch asks for people to be vigilant and telephone the Police
if you see suspicious activity around cars. At the moment petrol
is being stolen from (older model) Vauxhall Astras. This is a
very dangerous method, the petrol pipe is cut and petrol taken
in a can and then the remainder of the petrol left to run off
in the road. Not only are the Police involved in this but also
the Fire Brigade, to clean up what is a very hazardous situation.
We must catch these persons before a serious accident happens.
Everybody’s help is required please be vigilant and ring
into the Police if you are suspicious. Giving as much information
as possible ie type of vehicle, colour, registration number,
and a description of the person(s) involved.
There are ‘Hot Spots’ in Birstall’s car parking
areas, Meadow Lane, Watermead Country Park. People are still
leaving objects in the car in full view; it may only be an old
shopping bag but put it out of sight in the boot. If the thief
can’t see anything he will pass on.
It is noted that people will still nip out from the car and pick
up a paper or go into the Bank leaving the car open. Some mums
are doing this and leaving a baby in its seat in the car. Now
it’s not the first time a car has been stolen with a baby
left inside, please don’t do this, the consequences are
unthinkable.
Darker nights are with us and the opportunity for the thief is
increased. Remember to park if possible in a well lit area, put
your immobilisers on and place everything of value out of site
in the locked boot.
November 17 is the next Advice Shop date for any help and information.
10am till noon in the Old Parish Council Offices, Sibson Road.
From Peter Allen, Chairman Village Watch
Crime Report Sep-Oct 2001
Burglary Dwellings 3; Burglary Others 7; Theft Pedal Cycle 2;
Theft from Motor Vehicle 17; Theft of Motor Vehicle 6; Theft
7; Damage to Motor Vehicle 6; Criminal Damage 7
United hit bottom
BIRSTALL UNITED Football Club is in danger of folding.
The club is in crisis, says Vice Chairman Carl Gunns, because
of a combination of poor financial management and players leaving.
120 people turned up for an Extraordinary General Meeting in
July to discuss the forty year old club’s position.
Carl said: “Within the next couple of months we need a major
financial investment in the club. It’s disappointing that
the village can’t support us. I know we need a car park
in Birstall but I think it’s sad to see money spent on that
when we are losing a club that has done a lot for the whole community.”
Carl Gunns can be contacted on 2671494.
Coffee shop welcome
EVERYONE IS welcome at Birstall Methodist Centre’s Coffee
Shop on Wanlip Lane.
Customers and helpers come from all parts of the community and
money raised goes to charity. This year £3190 is being
distributed as follows:- Rainbows £865, St John’s
Ambulance £575, Leics Air Ambulance £575, Marakissa
Clinic £575 and £300 to both St Theresa’s and
the St James’ Day Centre.
A promise is being made to the Marakissa clinic to pay the salary
of one of the staff for the next five years. Marakissa is in
the Gambia and was visited by Rev Chris Gray last year. The clinic
is run by the Methodist Church and for part of its income depends
on gifts from abroad.
The Coffee Shop is open from 10am-12noon Monday to Friday (coffee
can also be had on Saturdays) and fresh faces on both sides of
the counter are needed. Why not give it a try?
Any queries contact Ann Boettcher tel: 2209611.
Parish Council notes
A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on October
8.
Borough Cllr Bernard Singleton reported that the latest Sibson
Road enhancement scheme plans were expected to be £20,000
over budget, in the region of £200,000. Cllr Margaret King
said the architects should have been better aware of the costs
and not forwarded a scheme that was unaffordable.
Police Inspector Duncan Cullen, the officer in charge at the
Syston Local Policing Unit, introduced himself to councillors.
He said vehicle crime had been a particular problem in Birstall
in September.
Inspector Cullen stressed the importance of reporting crimes.
He remarked that mobile phone theft was a problem, with young
people failing to report crimes and name the thieves for fear
of reprisals. He suggested that information be given to the police
via the anonymous Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.
Inspector Cullen reported that funding had been made available
for a second beat officer for Birstall who would start in July
2002. He said that NHW was very good in Birstall, producing a
lot of information that resulted in arrests.
The council agreed to invite Geoffrey Henshall to a meeting to
talk about the code of conduct for councillors. Mr Henshall is
the monitoring officer.
Cllr Roger Wilson requested that the Borough Council put in writing
its commitment to keeping Birstall in Charnwood and not allow
it to become a part of Leicester City.
Cllr Clarke remarked that the Council had got no benefit from
the money it had spent on consultants regarding Hallam Fields.
Cllr Peter West said that the Council had needed professional
advice and had taken it, but that the last bill from the consultants
was for £2500 and didn’t seem worth it. He was concerned,
he said
Cllr Roger Wilson said the consultants had been taken on in good
faith and with the agreement of the council.
Cllr Clarke raised the matter of the Council’s handling
of the case against him regarding non-declaration of interest
but the Chairman stopped the meeting at 10pm when there was no
proposal to continue beyond 10pm.
The Council has received £1893 from Charnwood towards this
year’s festive lighting.
The Chairman has met with police and park wardens to discuss
drug related problems on Watermead Country Park. A planning application
for a hot food takeaway at 5 Kingsgate Avenue has been refused
by Charnwood.
Ashton Green development
WORK ON building 3000 new homes on land west of Birstall is
expected to start next year.
Leicester City Council plan to start work on phase 1 of the Ashton
Green development in the summer.
Ashton Green’s total development area is 230 acres and is
located between Beaumont Leys and the A46 western bypass south
of Thurcaston. The City Council say the development will eventually
contain 3000-3500 houses and will be constructed in phases over
a long period - perhaps as much as 20 years.
Phase 1 of the development is a 35 acre plot of land east of
Leicester Road, opposite the Greengate Lane junction. It will
contain 500-600 dwellings and is expected to take 3-5 years to
build.
The City Council say the key aim of Ashton Green is the creation
of a “quality place”. A village layout is proposed
comprising a series of focal points, such as squares, village
greens and parks, around which the development will be built.
Shops and community facilities will be located around a ‘Market
Street’ the main access road into the development from the
Greengate Lane/Beaumont Leys Lane junction.
The City Council want Ashton Green to include a range of sustainable
development features including higher levels of insulation in
houses, energy efficient fittings, and re-use of water collected
from roof slopes for toilets and gardens.
Phase 1 of the development will also include the provision of
a quality bus service, a community store, a doctor’s surgery
and a multi-use building to allow a range of community/sporting
uses.
Chairman of Birstall Parish Council Nigel Coleman said: “The
news that Ashton Green is now being looked at will not come as
a surprise to many Birstall people, we have seen the area west
of Birstall developed for some time now. A development of this
size will impact upon Birstall. There are considerations for
transport access, consider Greengate Lane, and strain upon school
places. Perhaps more importantly it erodes the green wedges between
the City and County.”
He added “During the recent Local Democracy Week the Parish
Council was invited to ask a question of the Borough Council
Cabinet, the question was ‘given the proposal for Ashton
Green the Parish is concerned that at a future point the City
may wish to purse the inclusion of Birstall into the City boundary,
given such a situation could the people of Birstall receive the
written support of the Charnwood Council in opposing such a proposal?’
The Cabinet at Charnwood have confirmed that they would support
us in opposing such a move, we must now trust in the various
officers from the City, County and Borough to control and scrutinise
the development plans for Ashton Green as they continue, for
our part we will challenge any points which may impact upon the
community of Birstall.”
More details about Ashton Green can be obtained from Nigel Reeves
in the Urban Design Group at Leicester City Council. Tel: 2527239,
email: reevn001@leicester.gov.uk.
Lottery cash
WANTED! APPLICATIONS from Birstall voluntary and community
groups for grants for projects costing up to £60,000 -
that’s the message from the Community Fund, which has this
week launched its new grants initiative.
Hundreds of projects and charities in the East Midlands could
now benefit from the new awards scheme, which is designed to
make access to National Lottery funds quicker and easier.
Community Fund officials hope the new awards will appeal to small
groups and projects who, in the past, may have been put off applying
for a grant because of the lengthy application process or because
they felt they stood little chance of success.
Joe Allen, Community Fund Regional Awards Chair, said: “The
new initiative is designed to make access to community funds
easier for small community groups.
“It is an ideal track to follow for those groups looking
for funding totalling less than £60,000 and more than £500
for items or projects such as a replacement minibus or alterations
to a building.”
The Community Fund’s East Midlands regional committee will
meet every eight weeks, and will award grants totalling approximately
£280,000. That equates to almost £1 million every
year and that could mean a huge difference to hundreds of groups
and projects throughout the region.
Decisions on successful applications will be made quickly and
as with all Community Fund grants, support and advice will available
directly from the organisation to help ensure every grant application
is completed correctly prior to submission.
Successful applications will be those demonstrating clear, well
thought out project plans that are likely to work for up to a
three year period.
Mr Allen added: “Our new initiative offers a very simple
application process where the application form itself provides
all of the information we need to make a decision on a project
or initiative.
“It does enable groups with viable ideas or initiatives
to access National Lottery funds much more quickly than they
have been able to do in the past. That’s a major step forward
and we hope to see many more applications from projects which
could benefit from this funding.”
For information on how to apply for a Community Fund grant, Tel:
0845 791 9191 or visit the website at ww.community-fund.org.uk.
Sporting reputation
BIRSTALL PARISH Council is building a growing reputation for
providing excellent sporting facilities for the village.
There are four football pitches on School Lane playing fields,
home to five clubs with a total of 12 teams playing at weekends.
Parish Councillor Dave Cherry says: “These pitches are accepted
as being the best in the county and we are constantly being asked
to let more teams use them”.
School Lane also provides two cricket squares for three teams
who regularly praise the condition of the wickets. The ground
hosted this year’s County Cup competition.
The bowling greens at School Lane are in constant use, says Cllr
Cherry, and are often used in county and national matches. Indoor
bowls is provided at the Village Hall with two short mat greens.
The top four premier league rounders sides in the county play
at School Lane which this year hosted a top national tournament.
A full size basket ball court is a further facility at School
Lane, while at the Meadow Lane playing fields the Bowmen of Birstall
run their Archery club which has four full international archers
in its ranks.
Cllr Cherry said: “The standards of the children and young
people’s play equipment and enclosed areas are constantly
being improved. The equipment on Meadow Lane is now under review
to be extensively developed.”
Andy Garland is the Estates Team Manager at Birstall Parish Council
and with his five members of staff is responsible for maintaining
the Parish Council’s playing fields.
Cllr Cherry said: “Andy and his team deserve a big pat on
the back. Standards have gone up in leaps and bounds as Andy
is a real stickler for high standards. They have all really put
themselves out for us and been prepared to come out at all hours
to get things done right.”
Mrs Edith Murphy is pictured with the Mayor
of Charnwood Tony Stott at the official opening of the car park
New car park opens
THE NEW car park on the Crossways has spaces for 24 vehicles
and was provided thanks to the generosity of a local woman.
Mrs Edith Murphy of Birstall Road bought the old supermarket
building 15 months ago for £202,000 and offered the site
to Birstall Parish Council to use as a car park for a peppercorn
rent.
The building was demolished, the surfacing laid and the gates
erected by Charnwood Borough Council and Birstall Parish Council.
WI news
BEFORE THE October meeting of Birstall & Wanlip WI began
members stood in silence to remember Mrs Doreen Richards who
had died recently. Doreen had been a member for many years and
attended regularly until illness forced her to resign about 12
months ago. Even then she was always interested to read county
news and hear of any other activities.
Business was then dealt with. A team was successful in winning
a Group 100% Quiz organised by Groby WI. This is the 3rd year
of this quiz taking place and it is a very popular event, made
more so by the lovely refreshments provided by Groby WI afterwards.
Arrangements were also made for a Group Skittle match to be played
against Anstey later this month.
The speaker for the evening was Mrs Liz Ward who entitled her
talk ‘Things My Mother-in-Law Didn’t Tell Me’.
No-one knew quite what to expect from this interesting title
and it turned out that owing to the sudden death of her mother-in-law,
Liz and her family were left with the job of sorting and disposing
of the contents of her house. Mrs Ward senior and her antecedents
had obviously been squirrel like in their saving of many household
goods over the years. The whole talk was so interesting that
time ran out too quickly. Mrs Green gave a vote of thanks. She
had herself been in a similar situation when her mother-in-law
died some years ago.
The competition for a doll made from kitchen utensils was won
by Rosalie Morling.
Next month’s meeting will be on November 5 with Mr M Leonard
talking about ‘School Holiday Fiascos’ with a competition
for a school photograph. This will be as usual in the new hall
at Highcliffe School, Greengate Lane at 7.15pm
Computer courses
St James the Great Church is organising computer training
for £25 through the use of a government training fund known
as the Individual learning Account (ILA).
The course assumes no prior knowledge of computing but more competent
IT users will gain plenty of information from the training courseware,
and completion provides a level of expertise approximately equivalent
to NVQ level 2. It consists of 7 modules which are:
1. Basic concepts of IT (hardware, software PC components etc)
2. Using the computer and managing files (date handling)
3. Word processing (using Microsoft Word 97)
4. Spreadsheets (using Microsoft Excel 97)
5. Databases/Filing Systems (using Microsoft Access 97)
6. Presentation software (using Microsoft PowerPoint 97)
7. Information Network Services (using the Internet, Worldwide
Web and e-mail)
Further details can be obtained from Maureen Holland at the Church
Office on Wednesdays or Fridays between 10am and 4pm. She said:
“Not only is the course very heavily subsidised (usually
£250) but the church will benefit financially as well”.
Rugby club beaten
BIRSTALL RUGBY Club beaten convincingly by Rugby Welsh on
Saturday October 20.
Birstall playing with only 12 men, produced a determined performance
for the first ten minutes, almost scoring on two occasions. Their
five man pack held a full compliment of Rugby forwards static
in the scrum throughout the game.
After Rugby scored with a breakaway try, it was downhill all
the way for depleted Birstall. The final score: 76-0. Afterwards
a representative from the Rugby squad commented on the character
and resilience of the Birstall players in adverse circumstances
and said, with a full team, the result would have been a completely
different story. This leads Birstall to renew their urgent appeal
for players age 18 plus and available on Saturday afternoons.
For further information call BRFC on 0116 2207062 now.
Tg news
AT THE October meeting the Townswomen’s Guild, Birstall
was given a lively and interesting talk on ‘A Victorian
Funeral’ by Mr Ray Cooper who donated his fee to Animal
Aid.
To celebrate a special birthday, Marjorie Jones and husband were
due to go to America and Canada to meet an old school friend,
but this trip was cancelled because of the present situation
worldwide, so their Canadian friend sent them a poem, which was
read by Marjorie to members.
The Social Studies group enjoyed a surprise evening with a video
of Paris, awakening many happy memories.
An ‘Old Fashioned Christmas’ will be the theme of the
next meeting of the TG and will be on Tuesday November 20 at
Highcliffe School, Birstall at 7.30pm. The choir is still in
need of new members, please ring Jean Sumner on 0116 2675430.
Anne Boden (press officer)
Club’s winter events
BIRSTALL BOWLING Club’s season has finished for another
year and once again it has been both a busy and successful one.
Both the Ladies & Men’s teams have been promoted to
the top divisions in their respective Leagues. The Men also reached
the Semi Final of the County Unbadged competition and the Semi
Final of the Bramley Bowl.
In the Parks competitions, Wayne Parkin won the Singles, John
Healey & Dennis Measom won the Senior Citizens Pairs and
Ivan Slack, Dave Clarke, Wayne Parkin & Dennis Measom were
Runners Up in the Fours.
Also this season, Sue Wilson represented England at the World
Blind Bowls championships at Girvan, Scotland. She won three
games to help England to overall third place in the competition.
The junior section played their first ever match this season,
which resulted in a 40-9 victory over Goodwood juniors.
The club competition winners for the season are listed below:
Ladies Winners
Championship: Nicky Greasley, Runner Up Jan Everitt; Handicap:
Vera Fielding, Runner Up Betty Crowson; Maiden: Susan Andrews,
Runner Up Betty Smith; Three Wood: Pam Ratcliffe, Runner Up Jan
Everitt; Two Wood: Diane Hurst, Runner Up Jan Everitt; Pairs:
Velma Allen & Diane Hurst, Runners Up Val Hollis & Pam
Ratcliffe
Men’s Winners
Championship: Jan Hunt, Runner Up Dave Clarke; Handicap: Tom
Cowles, Runner Up Ron Wilson; Maiden: Roy Nutting, Runner Up
Rick Everitt; Three Wood: John Healey, Runner Up Dennis Measom;
Two Wood: Dave Clarke, Runner Up Dick Cooper; Paris: Terry Stretton
& Rick Everitt, Runners Up Gilbert Nall & Dave Clarke
Mixed Competition Winners
Saunders Cup: Diane & John Hurst, Runners Up Nicky Greasley
& Dave Clarke; Adnett Pairs: Nicky Greasley & Andy Wye,
Runners Up Velma Allen & Rick Everitt; Bennett & Fielding
Trophies: Diane Hurst & Andy Wye
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