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Birstall Post August 2002 (229)

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Young readers

Pictured is Imogen Ruparelia (3), taking part in Birstall library’s Reading Planet scheme which runs throughout the summer providing stories, activities and alien stickers, all on a space related theme.

Village celebrates

BIRSTALL REALLY pulled out the stops for an action packed celebration of village life at the Golden Jubilee Gala.
The event, staged over the weekend of July 6 and 7, featured a day of music performed for and by young people, on the Saturday, followed by a family day that concluded with a Last Night of the Proms concert.

Crowds enjoy music performed by the Hathern Band and soprano Karen Sampson

Main organiser and Chairman of the Parish Council Nigel Coleman said: “I was so pleased that the village clubs, organisations, churches and business community came together to make what I hope was a very memorable weekend for many people. I could give many thank yous to lots of people including Joel McCann who more or less single handedly ran the ‘fifty carat cartel’ that comprised Saturday’s afternoon and early evening concert which were quite well attended on a day when a large open concert at the De Montfort Hall would have attracted many. Well done Joel”

On the Tomorrows World Travel stand are Debi Johnson, Amy Bennett, Gemma Bacon, Kate Crane & Hannah French

He added: “On the Sunday a blistering hot sunny day started with a short church service led by the Rev Earnest Sheard and Rev Chris Gray and from that moment on the entertainment seemed to flow, we had music from Birstall Brass Ensemble, Jazz of Course, Bluestone, Birstall Parish Council’s own star Dave ‘Elvis’ Page kept the crowd going with some lively classics. We had group participation in maypole dancing, Morris men, line dancing and children’s fancy dress. Also let us not forget the excellent display by the Leics Royal British Legion Standard Bearers.
“Many local clubs and societies ran stalls, Charnwood Sports officers organised games. Can I say a special thank you to Mr Doug Topley of the Village Cricket Club and Mr Jan Hunt of the Birstall Bowls Club for their extra help in helping me make things run smoothly, also to Parish Council Vice Chairman Mr Peter West for being the link man on the microphone.

The Hathern Band

The evening was well supported and for the first time we got the sound spot on. We employed the services of Chameleon Sound and Lighting who were both professional and extremely co-operative in helping us over come the problems of previous years and though it was the largest part of expenditure for the weekend I hope you will agree that they added a new dimension to the evening Prom Concert.
“Again the reputation and performance of the Hathern Band need no explanation, and I was pleased to have been joined in the evening by one of their greatest fans and patrons, Gala Committee member, Bernard Crayfourd who had been allowed out of hospital for the evening after a very serious illness.

Fancy dress entrants Rian Payne (7), Heidi Purnell (6) and Phillipa Purnell (8)

Gala Committee members Sheila Alcock and Mary Allen produced the Gala programme which was supported by many Birstall businesses. Sheila said: “Little groups of promenaders started to gather almost as soon as the day’s events were finished and soon the whole area filled up, everyone anxious to get a good position. Picnic tables groaned with delicious food. As the champagne chilled on this warm and still evening we were in for a treat of splendid and rousing music performed by the Hathern Band and soprano Karen Sampson who gave an excellent performance, including a moving rendition of Jerusalem. Everyone waved their way through Land of Hope and Glory, and Rule Britannia, and our National Anthem was sung fervently and enthusiastically in an atmosphere of great jubilation.”
Nigel Coleman said: “In 2000 we said it would be a one off event but the tremendous feeling on the day and many nice comments after meant we found ourselves back in 2001, then of course came the Golden Jubilee, we needed an event which was both traditional but which also involved everyone, I think we achieved that, but where do we go from here? Perhaps the readers of the Birstall Post can tell me, should we make this an annual village event? If I tell you that our expenditure was nearly £4000, £1800 for the sound company alone. Most of the expenses were covered by sponsorship, in particular Tomorrow’s World Travel for the third year, programme sales and advertising account for nearly half and the sales of the concessions for the fairground rides, beer tent, fast food and ice cream. We do not see much left over but you have to balance that against what you are getting, and I believe that what you are getting is well worth it.
I would ask anyone who has any comments, good or bad to comment either through the Birstall Post, Parish Council Offices or email me at nigeltsp@aol.com. I have broad shoulders. Be as frank as you like!

Jubilee party

KEDLESTONE AVENUE was decked out in red, white and blue for the residents’ Jubilee street party in June.
Bunting, flags and balloons were the backdrop for the occasion, attended by more than 100 people.
Excellent food and entertainment ensured everyone enjoyed themselves and activities included a treasure hunt, table tennis, karaoke and a putting competition.
Children received a goodie bag containing colouring books, crayons, sweets and a commemorative Jubilee beaker while for the adults bar facilities and a barbeque continued until late in the evening.
The event raised £57.40 for the charity Rainbows.

Garden trail

BIRSTALL’S GARDEN Trail in June was once again a great success.
Although there were light showers on the Saturday afternoon, this did not prevent a good attendance. Even more people turned out on the Sunday afternoon and there must have been almost 1000 visitors altogether.
Just over £3000 was raised in total, which is being shared between Rainbows Children’s Hospice and the Methodist Church. A cheque was presented to Mrs Kate Sinclair of Rainbows at an informal reception on Sunday July 21.
The organisers wish to thank most sincerely all the garden owners and anybody who helped in any way, including visiting the gardens and parting with some money!
From John Hilton

Man jailed

A BIRSTALL man found guilty of causing actual bodily harm has been given an 18 month jail sentence for his road rage attack.
Daniel Wade, of Lawn Avenue, was convicted in May this year at Leicester Crown Court. He punched and kicked Mr Ian Stuart (57) on Mr Stuart’s driveway in Barkby Road, Syston.
The offence took place after Wade had followed Mr Stuart home following an incident on Red Hill Island.

Near miss

A MOTORIST escaped unhurt when a tree fell onto his moving vehicle on Birstall Road.
The driver of the vehicle, an estate car, was shaken but not hurt when a 25 foot ash tree fell on his car, causing damage to the roofline above the windscreen.
The tree was cut in half by a householder and with the help of drivers who had stopped, the tree was removed from the road.
The tree was on land owned by Leicester City Council, in the hedgerows opposite 80 Birstall Road. Council Officers have visited the site to assess the risk posed by other trees in the area.

Duckmaster gets new wheels

With John Green (seated) at the presentation of his electric wheelchair are: John Holden, Branch and Club President, Birstall Royal British Legion (BRBL); Ken Sarson, Club Chairman BRBL; Graham Chambers; Adrian Walker, LOROS Community Fundraiser; Brenda Chambers; Sheila Green; Wayne Parkin; Digger Silk and Dennis Williams, past president of the National Market Traders’ Federation and Chairman of the Benevolent Fund.

BIRSTALL DUCKMASTER and Leicester market trader Mr John Green has received an electric wheelchair from the National Market Traders’ Federation.
John has been selling fruit and veg on Leicester Market for 33 years and despite limited mobility because of arthritis in his legs, still stands on his stall with his wife Sheila.
The Leicester branch of the Federation put forward the request for John’s wheelchair and he was presented with the £2000 chair by the Chairman of the Federation’s Benevolent Fund Mr Dennis Williams at John’s home in Wanlip Avenue.
John said: “It’s really nice to be recognised for the work that I’ve done. I’ll now be able to go around the village shops and nip round the lakes - it will give me some independence”.

Doctors say goodbye

Drs Suneeti and Thakorlal Raivedera with Lynda Calton, Margaret Stephenson, Diana Chapman andJoan Pearson

A GARDEN party attended by surgery staff, patients and medical colleagues marked the retirement of Drs Suneeti and Thakorlal Raivadera from their Harrowgate Drive surgery.
The couple, who have worked at the surgery for 29 years, were presented with a number of gifts at
the surprise party.
They said “We would like to thank our patients, the surgery receptionists and visiting medical representatives for the lovely garden party and very thoughtful and kind gifts on our retirement. We have enjoyed working with you all and will really miss you as a family. We wish you all the best and good health for the future.”
Mrs Diana Chapman, speaking on behalf of the surgery staff, said: “Not only are the two doctors very caring with their patients but also their staff. We have found it a very family orientated place to work - we are like a family”.
She added: “Despite all the changes in their 29 years the two doctors have calmly taken it all in their stride and we shall miss them”.
The Harrowgate Drive Surgery has closed and the patients have transferred to Birstall Medical Centre on Whiles Lane.

Free advice

ARE YOU aged 20 plus? Are you trying to get back to work or thinking of starting a course?
If so, there’s a good chance you’d benefit from talking to a gain adviser about your options. gain is a free, confidential and impartial service that offers one-to-one support to adults in Leicester and Leicestershire. It is now available at Birstall and Syston Libraries fortnightly on alternate Thursday afternoons. Peter Vickerman, the gain adviser working at the Libraries, said, “Our Outreach service is one we’re confident will prove invaluable to a wide range of people. Adults need easy access to good quality information and advice, and we aim to provide that through our growing network of centres”.
The service is for everyone - employed or unemployed, returning to work after a break, looking to improve skills or qualifications, or considering a career change.
And it’s all free. Additionally, if you’re employed, unwaged or under threat of redundancy, you can get access to in-depth guidance and job search support. Drop into your Library for further information, or phone 0116 2673494 (Birstall) or 0116 2607877 (Syston). Alternatively contact gain direct on 0800 0850 330. or www.gain-iag.com. There are numerous other Outreach centres across the City and County where a visiting adviser is available on a regular basis. There are also over 50 accredited gain centres based in colleges, community centres, careers centres and elsewhere.

Abduction attempt

OFFICERS AT Syston Local Policing Unit are asking members of the public for their help in tracing a silver three door mini metro car after the three white male occupants asked a young girl to get into the car with them.
The incident took place in Birstall about 8pm on Monday evening July 8.
Sgt Ivan Odell at Syston LPU said: “No physical for force was used and it is not clear at this stage why this approach was made. The girl did exactly as she should be ignoring the request and going straight home which in this case was only a short distance away.
He added: “With the summer holidays coming up I would also ask parents to remind their children about the principles of ‘Stranger Danger’ which is simply ‘Say No, Never Go’.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact PC 1639 Palmer at Syston Police Station on 0116 2222222 or Crimestoppers which is free and confidential on 0800555111.|

Holiday reading

BIRSTALL LIBRARY has recently received around 150 new paperbacks which will be on display in the library from August 5.
Most of these are new titles and ideal to slip into your suitcase for holiday reading. The average bookshop cost of a paperback novel is around £6.99 so why not borrow from the library instead and save yourself money?
The library has also recently received some travel videos. Featuring a variety of locations from the Algarve to South Africa, these can be borrowed for £1 a week and can provide a valuable preview of your holiday destination with ideas for many places to visit.

Human shield

STEVE BONHAM, a teacher at Longslade has gone to Palestine to participate in the ‘Palestine Freedom Summer’, a campaign of non-violent direct action against the Israeli occupation.
International volunteers are acting as ‘Human Shields’ protecting Palestinian non-violent demonstrators, as well as Palestinian organisations and communities that may be subject to Israeli attack. They are also documenting human rights abuses and accompanying ambulances and relief vehicles attempting to pass through Israeli checkpoints.
Steve, a history teacher, said: “In March we went with our students to Berlin, the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, the former Jewish areas of Krakow that were the setting of Schindler’s List, and to Auschwitz. My decision to go to Palestine was a product of our trip to Europe.
“We took our students to the sites of the Holocaust to convey to them the importance of having and applying universal standards of morality, of not stereotyping or dehumanising those different from us, of not viewing any person or group as less than us, of not being a bystander when human rights are abused. The trip was a profoundly moving experience and strengthened my resolve to stand up for the rights of others. One of the excitements of being a teacher is the knowledge that our influence on the future may extend infinitely. Teachers are role models for young people not only in what we say but also in how we conduct our lives. I have to live by the values I teach.”
He added: “The brutal Israeli occupation and denial of the Palestinians’ right to establish an independent state is a major violation of human rights and the root cause of the current violence in the region. Seeing the images of the Israeli military actions on the West Bank in April I decided I could not remain a bystander, and had to go there to witness, express solidarity with the Palestinian people, and act for justice and peace.”

High tech building

A NEW £750,000 Design and Technology Centre is set to transform students’ experience of art and design at Longslade.
“It’s a change from an old, craft based workshop environment to a new high tech, high spec design environment” says Acting Head of Design, Gareth Hall.
Assistant Principal Adam Brewster said: “It’s a fantastic modern building which exudes an air or professionalism and excitement. As you walk in, you are surrounded by a large glass atrium with wide corridors and a spacious staircase, which will be ideal for permanent display of student work, both 2D and 3D.
“Downstairs we have four workshops, all purpose built multimedia rooms. One contains an up-to-date hot metal area with facilities for welding, metal casting and foundry work and one contains specialist wood machining equipment. All four have extensive CAD and CAM equipment which included routers, milling machines and engravers which will enable students really to appreciate how industry works. These workshops are all supported by a very well-equipped preparation area that does not have an equal in the county.
“Upstairs we have two spacious, light Art rooms with display areas, a textile room with computer-aided sewing machinery, a twenty-six station computer room with air conditioning, a Post-16 study area/ceramics room and very superior toilet facilities.
“We intend to continue to develop the building over the next couple of years but we are all very pleased with the opportunity this gives us to develop Art, Design and Technology excellence at Longslade. It has been a long time coming but I feel we now have a facility more usually linked to a university than a school.”
Gareth Hall added: “Having more equipment means we’ll be able to teach in a different way: there’ll be no more queuing up to use equipment and students will be able to work together in groups doing different tasks.”
Teaching areas will be equipped with computer whiteboards: blackboard size display screens that are touch sensitive and can display information generated on a computer. “We can’t wait to get our hands on them!” said Gareth.
He added: “When choosing equipment for the new building our rationale was to buy machines and software that is being used by industry now, to give students the experience of working in an industrial environment. The same idea is behind the layout and design of the building.”
Students will be offered AS and A2 courses in Art and Design as well as Advanced GNVQ in Manufacturing. Gareth said: “Students will be able to work right through from design to manufacture and will leave equipped to go straight into a manufacturing career or on to university in areas such as Industrial Design, textiles, fashion, furniture and automotive design.”
The building and its facilities will also be made available in the evening for adult education.
Longslade Principal Geoff Court said: “The new building has been long awaited and will make a significant difference to the working conditions of both students and staff. I am extremely grateful to all of the Design and Technology staff who have worked tirelessly to get the new building ready for use for the start of the autumn term.”
• THE INVESTMENT that is providing a new building and new equipment at Longslade College is a result of Longslade’s new status as a Technology College.
But additional funding will be going to all Birstall’s schools as a result of the Chancellor Gordon Brown’s recent announcement of increased public sector funding.
Every secondary school in the county will receive an extra £50,000 next year and a further £15,000 more from 2004. In total, £1.9 million will be spent on high schools in Leicestershire, while spending on education nationally will rise by £13 billion from £45 to £58 billion.
Primary schools will receive an additional £10,000 a year and spending a school buildings is set to reach £4.5 billion by 2005-6, compared to less than £1 billion in 1997.
Hundreds of thousands of new pre-school places will be provided nationwide in nurseries and playgroups on the Sure Start scheme, which provides for pre-school children in deprived areas.

Hall for hire

THE PARISH Council is inviting groups and individuals to make more use of the Village Hall at the junction of School Lane and Birstall Road.
Parish Clerk Hugh Knight said: “Two groups who regularly used the Village Hall facilities have now made more independent and permanent arrangements, including the weekly NHS Speech Therapist, and as a result, there are more opportunities for using these excellent local facilities on a regular or occasional basis”.
Alternatively, should you not require the full space of the Hall and attached kitchen, there are other rooms within the building or at 10 Sibson Road, which may be available.
Hugh Added: “The Village Hall and 10 Sibson Road, the previous Parish Council Offices, both have adequate car parking and there is now availability for daytime, evening or weekend bookings. Rates are competitive for such practical and flexible facilities”.
For more information please contact Jennie or the Clerk Mr H M Knight on 2676191 or email info@birstallpc.fsnet.co.uk

WEA news

The Autumn 2002 programme of courses for Birstall and Rothley branch is now available on the Birstall WEA website.
Brochures listing all the other branch activities in Leicestershire will soon be available in your local library. Look for the Leicestershire brochure and brochures for Leicester branch and 101 Hinckley Road which are published separately.
If you would like to be kept up-to-date with the branch’s activities, please register your interest by joining the mailing list on www.birstallandrothleywea.org.uk. You will then be notified of any updates to the website and the latest course details.

Readers’ letters

I am writing to say how I very much enjoy reading the Birstall Post which I read every month which my mother gives me. I live now in Lincolnshire but I have lived in Birstall for 50 years before I left.
My mother has lived in Birstall for 70 years. I think she is the oldest lady in the road she lives in.
I would like to congratulate you on such a good village paper.
Dorothy Berrington (was Dorothy Neal)
Sleaford, Lincs

Riverside Community Primary School would like to thank all the local businesses who supported us at our Summer Family Fun Evening, namely Birstall Garden Centre, Birstall Jewellers, Glenwood Fine Arts, Gordon Davis Chemists, Kelhams, Little Monsters, Mark Patrick Butchers, New World Florists, Notions, Pete’s Fruit and Veg, Posy Bowl, Supacare Dry Cleaners and the wool shop.
We raised around £2000 on the evening.
Jean Talbot
Secretary, Family Association

Longslade College would like to thank all those people who sent in Tesco vouchers. The college has been able to order an interactive whiteboard from this year’s collection and been able to bank 1723 vouchers towards next year. Their help as always is greatly appreciated.
Sheila Beatty, Longslade College.

The Birstall branch of the RAF Association wishes to thank all who supported its stall at the Birstall Gala on July 7 at which £140 was raised towards the annual Wings Appeal.
The winning numbers in the raffle were as follows: 402, 27, 208, 96, 882, 224, 122, 876, 326, 178, 61 & 197.
Don’t forget that the branch meets in the RBL Club at 20.00 hrs on the fourth Wednesday of each month and membership is open to serving and ex-serving members of the RAF and the air forces of the Commonwealth and the Royal Observer Corps.
RAFA

Mrs Carol Woods expressed the opinion that the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Service at St James Church warranted the “formal attendance” of all the Birstall Parish Councillors. The point could equally be made that Parish Councillors are unpaid private individuals who have many calls on their time at weekends, not least from their families.
However, I believe that it cannot be denied that it was totally unnecessary for Mrs Woods to describe Parish Councillors in such an offensive manner as “our so-called representatives”.
Up to end of June, there were 29 occasions when I either attended a Parish Council meeting or represented the Council at a meeting elsewhere. This pales into insignificance compared with the amount of time given up by the Chairman, Nigel Coleman. I do not recall Mrs Woods writing to the Post to thank us for our efforts.
For several months there have been two vacancies on the Council. No-one has come forward to volunteer.
Is that any surprise if people feel that the reward for their work will be abusive comments from correspondents like Mrs Woods who are old enough to know better.
Peter West

Village Watch news & Crime Report

THE POLICE crime stats for June are not good reading for Birstall, in spite of all the good work, and the warnings that we give.
We have had 12 cases of ‘Burglary Other’, in other words sheds and garages that have been targeted by the thief for what they can get out of them, electric drills and other tools may not be worth a lot but will be costly to replace. Please make sure that you code these items and make sure that you keep the shed and garages securely locked.
Mobile phones also feature predominantly this month, that is the theft of them, please remember the warnings that have been given previously in the Post and the Watch Newsletter.
The Watch would like to get the last few remaining pockets of houses in Birstall enrolled into the Watch. Is your road or street covered? Or are you in a street that has some houses covered and this doesn’t include yours? Would you help to get these last few remaining areas enrolled? If so, give the Watch a ring on 2676397 and we will be only too pleased to help you and get you started. Every member in the Watch who has paid his or her £1 this year should be now have got his or her membership card. Remember this is valuable to you, quote the road number to your Insurance Company and you could get a discount on your household insurance.
Warning: the Damp Proof Scam is back in Birstall. If you receive a telephone call from a person stating that their company is visiting houses in your street to check the damp proofing of your house, just put the phone down, it’s just another of those calls that we can all do without.
Powergen are also cold calling again and giving people, especially elderly people, aggravation and upsetting them. Tell them to go away and make a proper appointment to call and see you when you have time to have a friend or relative with you if you really want to discuss your electricity and gas bills with them.
From Peter Allen, NHW Area Co-ordinator
Crime Report: June 10-July 10, 2002
Burglary Dwelling 1, Burglary Other 12, Theft 8, Theft from Motor Vehicle 5, Theft of Motor Vehicle 2, Criminal Damage 11, Cycle Theft 1.
The total number of crimes recorded in Birstall in June 2002 was 53, compared to 67 in June 2001.

TG news

IN JUNE the Townswomen’s Guild, Birstall welcomed Jill Willis, a trained nutritional therapist, who explained ‘We Are What We Eat’.

She treats people of all ages who have all kinds of health problems and gets good results after discovering food intolerances. It was a very informative talk and will have everyone thinking about their eating habits.
It was noted from the Townswomen magazine that over 90 per cent of members are concerned by the increased frequency of firework displays in their area. This was a response from a questionnaire taken from Guilds nationwide.
Congratulations went to Anne Gilbert and Marjorie Holmes who celebrated special birthdays and who offered everyone a piece of delicious cake.
The sales table was garden produce and plants.
The choir performed at George Hyde House on June 20, which is the last venue of the season, but will resume in September.
The speaker at the Social Studies group was Miss Betty Kerr and her topic was ‘A Japanese Wedding’. She went to Japan to attend the marriage of her French niece, who now lives there, and her Japanese fiancé. Betty described her journey to Tokyo and the sights beyond, including Mt.Fujiama and a visit to Kyoto, She then described different foods, customs and traditions and then enchanted her audience with the romance and splendour of a traditional Japanese wedding. Her photographs and mementos brought it all to life and it was easy to visualise the whole event. Betty donated her fee to LOROS.
Many thanks to Jill and the committee who then gave each member a pen to commemorate the Jubilee. The next evening the Social Studies met again, this time at Brookside Nurseries, Anstey. Steve and Margaret introduced their family business from which members bought many beautiful plants and flowers.
There will be no meeting of the TG in August as the summer outing will take place on August 20. The Social Studies group will meet at Jill Bailey’s on August 5.
From Anne Boden

Longslade courses

THE LONGSLADE Community College adult education brochure this year includes courses across the area as far as Glenfield.
Your copy was delivered with the Leicester Mail, but if you need further copies they are available from the college, the Library, Parish Council Office and Highcliffe Primary School.
Courses cover Health and Social Care, GCSEs, Languages, Art, Design and Crafts, Sport Health and Fitness, and a huge range of computer courses.
For anyone interested in taking up a career within caring professions such as nursing, social care, physiotherapy, youth work, teaching, or any kind of work with the elderly, people with special needs, the Health and Social Care courses will provide a relevant experience and qualification on the career path. These practical courses at GNVQ and Vocation A-level include human biology, psychology, promoting mental health, early years provision and community care and support. Interested people are asked to contact Longslade as soon as possible as the course starts on August 30.
Free ‘First Steps’ courses are a special feature this year. These short confidence building opportunities will help learners brush up on their skills in English and Maths. They are available daytime and evening in Birstall, Anstey and Glenfield: Coping with Maths, Pre-GCSE Maths, Confident English and Pre-GCSE English. Each of these is free and financial support with transport and child care is possible.
Computer courses are available for every ability level from Computers for the Terrified to Level 1, Level 2 certificates, ECDL and specialist short courses. Prices have been lowered and new venues are being used with laptop computers. Digital Photography and Web Page Creation are featured for the first time.
‘Developing Childminding Practice’ is the second step on the 3 step qualification route for childminders. This course starts in September and the first step, the free introductory course will be repeated at Longslade in January.
Other new courses you can find in your brochure: British Sigh Language Stage 2, Italian, Dance Fitness and Fun, Salsa, Porcelain Doll Craft, Counselling Skills, Reflexology, Family History and Food Hygiene.
Details available from Longslade Community College Tel:2673389

News from Watermead Country Park

AT LAST the school holidays are here. If only the weather would brighten up then we really could start to enjoy ‘lazy summer days’.
Our visitor numbers are usually at their peak during this time as families take the opportunity to visit the nearby countryside. There are lots of things to do on the country parks in Leicestershire, for example, coarse fishing at Watermead. Day tickets for King Lear’s lake are sold on the bank by the rangers who will gladly advise on tactics or the best pegs.
If you choose to travel a bit further, Beacon Hill Country Park offers tremendous views, a native tree collection, wildflower areas and lots of paths to exercise the dog. Bosworth Battlefield offers visitors the chance to go back in time to the War of the Roses and experience the sights and sounds that were to change the course of history forever. In the east of the county there is Burrough Hill Country Park which is a favourite with kite and model glider fliers alike. And we must not forget Foxton Locks where boats are raised nearly seventy feet by traversing the ten locks that are found here.
I would like to take the opportunity to remind visitors not to swim in lakes, ponds or rivers. On a hot day it may be very inviting but hidden dangers may lurk beneath the surface.
Here at Watermead, we have recorded our best ever year for numbers of sand martins using the artificial wall that was built some years ago. We cannot offer a definite reason for this increase. Perhaps a colony was disturbed from another site? The buddleia (butterfly bush) in our sensory area are covered with flowers at the moment but there seems to be a shortage of butterflies to use the nectar on offer. Normally, I would expect to see dozens of peacock, small tortoiseshell and red admiral butterflies taking advantage of this free treat.
Throughout the year we organise guided walks. On Sunday August 11 in the afternoon there is a walk looking at the many types of dragonflies found around the lakes at Watermead. For further details please contact the rangers by telephoning 0116 2671944.
We look forward to seeing you on one of our sites soon.
Tim Maydwell, Senior Ranger, Watermead Country Park

Abbeyfield week

AFTER MONTHS of planning and organising, Abbeyfield Week was upon us.

This is a week set aside by Abeyfield UK to raise awareness, recruit volunteers and raise further funds and this year ran from June 15-23.
Abbeyfield was founded in 1956 by Richard Carr-Gomm and has grown to include over 500 member societies throughout the UK with over 800 houses providing accommodation for 8,500 active, elderly residents.
We bedecked our two houses with flags and bunting and started off the week with our first Cheese and Wine Evening in Grove House. This was a very happy occasion attended by the deputy Mayor and Mayoress, Councillors Tony and Eva Stott. The raffle prizes were eagerly anticipated and people wracked their brains to think where the ‘treasure’ was hidden in the map of Birstall. This latter event was carried on all week, so by Saturday evening we had lots of flags on the map. (The ‘treasure’ was found to be in the garden of a house in Denegate Avenue.) The Fathers’ Day Bar-B-Q was held in brilliant sunshine, if a little windy, but nothing was lost and the Gazebo remained upright.
One of our 90 year old residents once again held his very popular tombola and as always this was well organised and well displayed with over 60 items. It was good to see yet another 90+ year-old resident ‘winning’ the bottle of whisky! The homebake and preserves stall was also very popular and the produce was delicious as the writer can vouch for. The International nights, which this year featured Moroccan, South African, Greek and Italian meals were (with the exception of the Moroccan evening which had to be cancelled because of low bookings) once again very popular, and very, very delicious. In fact the Italian Night was fully booked and we could have provided an additional Italian night if we had known sooner of the number of people who would have liked to participate.
We finished the week with our Songs of Praise which was held in Grove House and proved to be a joyful and songful occasion. Key board music was provided by Mrs Jean Fenn and additional accompaniment came from the bird song heard through the open doors and windows.
Once again our grateful thanks go to our staff of Abbeyfield who all worked long and tirelessly to ensure that our week was successful. We are also so grateful to our residents who join in with as many of the activities as they can, and put up with the inevitable disruption with a smile.
We are also extremely grateful to the following for supplying donations for our raffle prizes: Leicester’s Haymarket Theatre, Birstall Garden centre, Pete’s Greengrocers, Posy Bowl, Anne-el-Maria, New World Florists and Victoria Wines.
Our two adjoining houses are situated in Church Hill, opposite St James Church. If you feel that you would like to be involved with Birstall and Wanlip Abbeyfield, we should be delighted to hear from you. This could involve organising trips, afternoon or evening activities (cards handicrafts etc) or just chatting - the choice is yours. Please ring me or leave a message at the office, telephone number 2673246 if you can spare an hour or two, you would find it very worthwhile and I am sure you would enjoy meeting our interesting and lively residents.

Methodist news

FREE FUN and games with a circus theme are on offer at Birstall Methodist Church.
Alas, unless you are aged 5 to 11, then you will miss out on all the fun which will include songs, bible stories, craft and games - and it’s all free!
This joint venture, from August 12-16, between Rev Chris Gray (Methodist) and Rev Sue Wicks (Anglican) and a whole team of helpers is open to all within the age range.
You can turn up at 9.30 on one morning or every morning, but registration in this holiday club must include a phone number for someone who is collecting the child (at 12 noon) and any important health or allergy information etc.
A more sedate event is to be held at 8 Moorgate Avenue on August 3 when cream teas will be served. This is in aid of the Vision 2000 project.
On Saturday August 31, in the morning, there is to be a gift day, when our minister Rev Chris Gray will be in the Church Lounge to receive gifts for the Vision 2000 project. The fund raising will have been running for just two years towards the improvement to the worship area including a full rewiring of this 1950s building. All friends of the church are welcome to contribute with donations large or small. Turn up during the morning, or send your gift to Rev Chris Gray at 34 Park Road LE4 3AU. As usual on a Saturday morning coffee will be available. The project has been approved at every level and work should be starting in the not too distant future.
Considerable speculation surrounds an evening service (6pm) on August 4 which has been titled ‘An Irish Iona Evening’. As Iona is in Scotland, it’s anyone’s guess exactly what Eileen and Peter Molesdale will put into this occasion. Turn up and see!
As a result of the garden trail, held in June, £3000 was raised. This is to be split, equally, between the Church and the Rainbows Hospice. With thanks to all, especially the eleven garden owners who kindly opened their lovely gardens for this occasion.
Thanks to all who supported our ‘NCH Action for Children’ events in June. We raised £35 at the coffee morning and £241 at the Manse Garden Party.
Finally, we were saddened by the death of a dear friend and previous minister’s wife, Mrs Wendy Giffard, last month. Wendy had suffered with a terminal illness for the past year. Her funeral service was a fitting and poignant tribute to a remarkable lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ray who was unable to attend due to his prolonged illness and all the family at this time.
From Birstall Methodist Church