Festival fun
A FREE concert featuring local bands will
kick off Birstall’s Golden Jubilee Festival weekend.
The event begins at 2pm on Saturday July 6 on the School Lane
playing field where five or six bands will be performing. Directed
and organised by Joel McCann, the concert will finish at 8.30pm.
On Sunday July 7 Parish Council Nigel Coleman will open a day
of family fun at 10am. There will be a wide variety of stalls,
displays by local clubs and societies, children’s rides,
jazz, Morris dancing and a children’s fancy dress party.
Children wishing to take part should assemble in the Sibson Road
car park by the old council offices at 2.30pm prior to parading
onto the park. The last event of the afternoon is at 4.30pm.
The grand finale will be a Last Night of the Proms concert at
7.30pm, performed by the Hathern Band and soprano Karen Sampson.
Bring your own picnic and chairs and join in the singing.
The Festival has been organised by Birstall Parish Council and
the main sponsors are Tomorrow’s World Travel. Festival
programmes are available locally.
Natural History at Holly Hayes
Geoff Kimpton has a look at a palm leaf through
a microscope
JUNE RAIN didn't deter hundreds of visitors
from attending an open day at Holly Hayes on Birstall Road.
The County Council's Environmental Resources centre opened its
doors for a butterfly bonanza and garden party..
Around 30 stalls were set up by environmental groups and a variety
of activities were organised for children.
Parish Council Notes
A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council
was held on June 10.
Sue Hall from the Borough Council’s planning enforcement
office gave a presentation to councillors about enforcement issues.
She said the work they could do was limited by the fact that
there were only two officers for the whole of Charnwood.
She invited anyone who had concerns to contact her: whether it
be with a neighbour who is causing a nuisance by carrying on
a business, or if you are uncertain that work you are thinking
of doing from home might break planning regulations.
Cllr Chris Clarke requested an explanation of why he was not
permitted to stand for the Development sub-committee and said
he would lodge a complaint if he was not elected. Chairman Nigel
Coleman replied that the members of the Development sub-committee
comprises chairman and vice chairman from a number of other committees
and sub-committees, as per Standing Orders.
Cllr Dave Cherry asked PC Kevin Palmer about what action the
Police were taking regarding a vehicle parked on Allington Drive.
PC Palmer replied no action would be taken as there was no obstruction.
It was reported that a rumour had been circulating in the village
that a Muslim crematorium was planned on the site of the old
kennels near the GCR’s Birstall station. The clerk reported
that the City Council had received no such planning application.
Shire grant aid
THE COUNTY Council’s popular Shire
Grants scheme has been expanded to give even more support to
projects around Leicestershire.
Shire Grants are now available for the following project areas:
The Environment
Historic buildings
Sport
Village halls
Community safety
Voluntary youth organisations - upkeep and equipment
Arts development
Independent museums
Community safety lighting
The updated scheme will make it easier to apply for grants for
the most modest of schemes up to a maximum of £10,000 -
depending on the type of scheme proposed.
This year, to mark the Queen’s Jubilee, Shire Environmental
Grants are available for projects such as creating a small wood;
an avenue of trees or a children’s play area.
For more information visit the County Council website at: www.leics.gov.uk
and access Shire Grants pages. Alternatively call 0116 232 3232
or e-mail: shiregrants@leics.gov.uk
CCTV fight against crime
SELF MOTIVATED volunteers are being sought
to help in the fight against crime.
Leicestershire Police, in partnership with Charnwood and Syston
Town Council, are looking to recruit additional volunteers to
operate the CCTV system in Syston, which has been in operation
since March 2001.
Current trained volunteers have contributed in the reduction
of crime in the Syston town centre since the introduction of
the CCTV system.
Previous experience is not essential, as full training will be
given on how to operate the system, the legal aspects of camera
surveillance and what actions should be taken if any incident
arises.
If you can spare a few hours at any time during the day, evening
or weekends and would like to help in providing this valuable
service for the local community, then please contact PC Ashley
Russell (Crime Prevention Officer) at Loughborough Police Station
on 0116 222 2222 ext 4123
Drug helpline
A BIRSTALL based support group for the
parents of drug abusers is continuing to grow.
The Susan Jones Family Group currently provides help and support
for families and individuals with around 35 people regularly
ringing their telephone help line,
One of the members of the group, which meets once a month at
the St James Day centre in the Village Hall, has recently completed
a course in drug counselling.
The Group’s help line number is 2365657 or 07814 6044436.
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Andy Corbett (left) and Rob Drake pictured
with some of the children who will play at a test match: Aaron
Headley, Shane Glover, Lewis Ballard, Tom Corbett, Jamie Drake,
George Corbett, Charlotte Ballard
Bowled over by win!
12 YOUNGSTERS from Birstall Cricket Club
will play on a Test Match ground and meet the England players
after winning a competition organised by the NatWest bank.
The trip of a lifetime was the prize after the club impressed
the competition judges with their commitment to junior cricket.
Birstall Village Cricket Club now have two junior sides: there
are 27 children wanting to play for the 16 available places,
so the club runs a rotation system.
Manager Andy Corbett said: “I can’t believe it and
nor can the lads. This is once in a lifetime thing, to play at
a test match and meet the England players”.
Head Coach Rob Drake added: “We’re very proud of the
kids and it’s very nice to get some reward and to be recognised
nationally. But we’ll be nervous in front of a crowd of
40,000!” The kids will play during the interval.
Part of the club’s prize was four tickets to see the England
v Sri Lanka match at Trent Bridge, and they are waiting to hear
if they have also won a coaching clinic for the kids led by Darren
Gough.
Andy Corbett added: “I’d like to thank the Birstall
Post for all the coverage they’ve given us - the publicity
has helped us win this competition”.
Car park makes space for rubble
PARTS OF The Crossways and the School Lane car parks have
been sectioned off to provide space for building materials and
rubble due to the Sibson Road improvements.
Jamie canoes for Britain
A LONGSLADE student has been selected to canoe in the Great
Britain Under 18 squad.
Jamie Oughton (14) will compete in the World Championships held
in Bala, North Wales in July.
Right royal party
ON THURSDAY JUNE 6 the members of the Birstall Methodist
Thursday Group celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee with a ‘Right
Royal Party’.
Over 50 members had made festive hats, for a competition, which
were paraded around the hall with everyone doing the conga. The
winner was Sandra Burrows and the runner up was Norma Davidson.
A lovely supper was served, and afterwards ‘old songs’
were sung and enjoyed. A collection was made for the Queen’s
Jubilee Charity Fund.
Friends complete
walk of life
Kirsty Greenwood (left) and Katheryn Martin
TWO GOOD friends from Birstall completed the Rainbows Walk
of Life and raised more than £250.
Katheryn Martin and Kirsty Greenwood, both 13, acted on their
own initiative to register for the event and to secure sponsorship.
The pair have been close friends for 10 years and Kirsty demonstrated
the strength of that friendship when in December last year Katheryn
was quite suddenly admitted to the Queen’s Medical Centre
in Nottingham to undergo complex neurosurgery.
The weeks that followed were traumatic, but Kirsty was never
far from Katheryn’s side to support her and make her laugh
with tales of the day’s events at school.
Katheryn’s mum Karen said: “Katheryn is now recovering
well as anybody who witnessed the girls walking at a good pace
in terrible weather conditions could see. Myself and Keith, Katheryn
and family would like to thank the many friends and neighbours
in the Birstall area for their many messages of support, cards
and gifts that were received during Katheryn’s illness.”
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TG news
The May meeting of the Townswomen’s Guild, Birstall
began with June Flower (Chairman) welcoming guests from the Mountsorrel
TG and Gloria Brown, who was the first chairman of the Birstall
Guild.
June then announced the sad news of the death of Thelma Clarke,
after suffering a long illness. Thelma was a devoted member of
the TG for many years and was also in the choir. She will be
remembered for her great enthusiasm, talent and cheerfulness
and hard work as a press officer, which she gave up because of
her health. Certificates were then given to Mary Bruce, Thelma
Lane, Jean Veitch, Rita Spence and Jean Pegg for their loyal
service to the TG for 25 years.
The Guild dinner was held at the Wheatsheaf, Thurcaston and enjoyed
by all.
Proceeds of the raffle went to ‘The Retinoblastoma Society’
which helps children suffering from a rare cancer which develops
in the cells of the retina. As a grandson of one of the members
suffers from this cancer, a donation of £61.50 was accepted
by her, for the charity.
After the business, everyone sat back to enjoy an ‘Old Time
Evening’ performed by the Drama Group. Many of the audience
joined in the spirit of the theme, and wore hats representing
the Victorian era. On stage, performances included limericks,
poems, sketches, monologues and favourite old songs. The choir
sang also with soloist Jessie Wainwright, with everyone joining
in. To end a most enjoyable evening, everyone linked hands and
sang ‘Auld Lang Syne’ to remember the spirit of the
TG. Jill Bailey, as pianist, was presented with a bouquet. Mary
Bruce, June Flower, Val Skeffington, Joan Johnson, Thelma Lane,
Alwen Skinner, Dot Rowley, Margaret Jones and Jackie Partner
are to be thanked and congratulated for their hard work in giving
such funny and fine performances.
The next meeting of the TG will be held on Tuesday July 16 at
7.30pm at Highcliffe School, Birstall. The Social Studies Group
had an interesting Talk by Steve and Alison from the Energy Advice
Centre. Every aspect in Energy efficiency was discussed, presenting
a thought provoking evening. The next meeting will be on July
1.
Recently the choir enjoyed entertaining St Margaret’s Evergreen
Club and would still like new members. Tel: Jean Sumner on 2675430.
Jubilee day to remember
At the start of the relay race are Millie
Bishop, Andrew Dean, Ben Taylor, Gary Bishop, Charis Bishop and
Laura Taylor
HEATHGATE CLOSE was a sea of red, white
and blue for Jubilee day as residents closed off the road for
their street party.
On a perfect June day around 100 people enjoyed several attractions,
some made by the residents themselves, including a coconut shy,
a golf/putting game, touch and feel games, a quiz, raffle and
a bouncy castle.
Sarah & Laura Taylor
Team games included a treasure hunt and a relay race with all
generations participating.
Later in the day resident magician Brian Lord performed some
tricks.
Millie Bishop
One of the organisers Kath Lord said: "It was a thoroughly
enjoyable day, everybody worked hard to make it a great success.
The food provided by everyone was outstanding and seeing the
houses decorated with flags, balloons and bunting was a truly
memorable site."
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