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Birstall Post Sept 2002 (230) cont.

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Townswomen’s Guild

TO COMMEMORATE Birstall’s Golden Jubilee Festival the Townswomen Guild was not dampened by the July weather and joined in the spirit of the day by festooning their tombola stall with ribbons and flags. When the bottle stall was exhausted, June Flower then set up a tombola with soft toys to raise money for ‘Rainbows’.
The meeting of the Townswomen’s Guild, Birstall was opened with thanks from June to members and their husbands for their help in making the day a success.
Plants were then given to Helen Hornsby, Ann Gilbert and absentee Marjorie Holmes to celebrate their special birthdays.
This year the National Council Meeting was held in the International Arena in the heart of Cardiff. Delegates representing Birstall TG were Alwen Skinner and Mary Bruce. Mary went on to give her report of the trip and how much they both had enjoyed a charity concert at St David’s Hall. Singing was by a male voice choir, a Croatian choir and music by the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra. At the NCM there was only one motion of the day, that her Majesty’s Courts allow previous convictions to be heard, which was proposed by the National President, Lady Diana Brittain. Several members spoke for and against this motion, some in very personal terms. The motion was carried. Mary continued with the rest of her report and thanked everyone for allowing them to go on their behalf. Jill Bailey then gave a varied music programme when the composers of her choice had to be recognised. After listening to twelve pieces of music eventually there were five winners.
After coffee members listed to four budding Poet Laureates as they read their poems about the Jubilee. Dot Rowley, Pat Henson, Diane Wye and June Flower were all worthy of a prize, so there was no winner, but their talent was amazing and appreciated by all.
Once again, local historian, Mr Shirley Scott, spoke to the Social Studies group, his subject being Wanlip. As the weather was too wet to walk around the village everyone met in the church. Mr Scott told fascinating stories of the original families of Wanlip and first pointed out the gravestone of the 19 year old Abyssinian who was rescued from slavery and died whilst in service. The brass effigies of Sir Thomas Walsh and Lady Katherine Walsh in the church, which the family built in 1393, are still clear and bright today. Everyone was inspired by this little church with its wonderful treasures and stories. A light supper ended a most enjoyable evening at the Birstall British Legion and giving birthday wishes to Helen Hornsby.
The TG will meet at Highcliffe School, Birstall on Tuesday, September 17th for a harvest supper at 7.30pm.
The social studies will meet for their dinner at Sileby on Wednesday September 4.
The choir will resume on September 5. Ring Jean Sumner for details on 2675430

Methodist news

A HUMAN ‘Grannonball’ was one of the unusual items at the Circus Week held in August and organised by Rev Sue Wicks and Rose Parrot (St James) and Rev Chris Gray (Methodist) for about 40 youngsters who turned up each day.
Other activities during the week included clowns, juggling, the daily ‘Watt family drama’, a whole variety of games and stories all ‘at the Big Top’. Throughout the week children were introduced to a variety of colourful bible characters including Samson, Elijah and Jonah.
The Oxford & Leicester District Methodist Synod is to be held at Rushey Mead School on September 14. It was thought this would be held at the Birstall Church but with the numbers that attend even the Birstall premises were not considered large enough.
Bookings are now being taken for the Barn Dance on Saturday September 21. The price of £5 includes supper (bring your own drinks). Phone Mary Downs 2672606 for tickets. Proceeds to Vision 2000.
At last the contract has been signed for Stimsons builders to undertake the work in the church under the Vision 2000 project to include complete rewiring, new lighting, new windows at the lower level, replacing some pews with chairs - bringing the worship area out of the 1950’s into the 21st century. There is still about £10,000 to raise. Hopefully this will be reduced following the Gift Day on Saturday morning August 31.
Late in September will bring a significant change to our Sunday morning worship. The youngsters from our ‘Sunday Club @’ have always joined the worship for the first 10-15 minutes, but in response to their strong feeling that it is not suitable to their age group, steps are being taken to radically change this situation. From September 29 the first quarter hour of Sunday morning worship will be a quite different format entitled ‘Sunday club@ worship time’. It will be led, usually, by local people rather than the visiting preacher. There will still be monthly All Age Worship services (this month on September 1 at 10.30am).
Practices for the Men’s Pantomime will start in early October. New faces are always welcome. You don’t need a lot of talent - turn up at 8pm any Thursday in early October. Our producer (Jean Valentine) seems to have the knack of discovering talent from the most unlikely people!

Planning applications

Mr D Keogh - erection of two storey extension to rear of semi detached dwelling. 67 Paget Ave
Charnwood Borough Council - erection of three vertical banners and poles to footpath between 123 and 139 Sibson Rd
Mr Fazlul - variation of condition two to enable restaurant to open restaurant on Sundays, 5.30-11.30pm 15 & 17 Sibson Rd
Mr D Green - erection of two storey extension to side and rear of detached dwelling. 16 Hawthorn Ave
Ed’s note: the change of use planning application for Mark Patrick Butchers in last month’s list does not mean the butchers is closing. Mr Patrick has to submit this application periodically if he is to continue cooking pork pies on the premises.

Helping protect the tiger

A SMALL voluntary organisation based in Paget Avenue has been working hard to protect the world’s small population of wild tigers.
Tiger Awareness was founded by Phil Davis who has recently returned from West Bengal in India where he took medical items, sleeping bags and binoculars donated by the people of Leicestershire.
Tiger Awareness has linked up with an organisation called ICNL in Calcutta, India. They work in the Sunderban region of West Bengal where around 200 tigers live in the mangrove swamps. Phil’s trip was part of a project to improve the conditions of the people in the area so that they don’t have to go into the tigers’ habitat looking for food and water.
In 1900 there were 100,000 wild tigers but today the number has dwindled to 5000. There are five sub species of tiger. They are South China, Sumatran, Indo-China, Bengal (Indian tiger) and the Siberian tiger which is the largest of all the tigers. There used to be eight sub species, but the Bali, Java and Caspian tiger have become extinct over the last fifty years through poaching and destruction of habitat. Tigers are killed for their parts to be used in traditional Chinese medicines, such as tiger bone wine, tiger penis soup as an aphrodisiac, and for other ailments. There is no evidence to prove that these ailments are cured or aphrodisiacs work.
Phil said: “The tigers’ habitat is dwindling due to illegal loggers and the need for fuel and to build shelters for the ever increasing population. It is important to help and work with the local population to give them a respectable way of living, so that they will not plunder the tigers’ habitat and prey”.
If you would like to help Tiger Awareness call 0116 2920440 or email davis.tiger.education@virgin.net.

Golf champion

LOCAL HAIRDRESSER Clive Patrick has won the Leicestershire & Rutland Senior Golf Championship at his first attempt.
A member of the Lingdale Golf Club, Clive won the trophy with a score of 74 and finished with a four shot lead over the second place player.
Clive, who had his first hole in one this April, has been playing the game for 12 years and has a handicap of seven.

Your Say...

We would like to thank all our relatives, friends and neighbours for their kind donations, instead of presents for our Ruby Anniversary party on Saturday July 27. A grand total of £173 was given to LOROS and a thankyou letter was received from them.
A special thankyou too to Sue, Di, Joan, Betty, Rosalie and Gerald.
Joan and Gordon Bowler

Norfolk Jubilee

At Wells Next the Sea, in Norfolk
They really were in for a treat
When Ray at Brig Square Cottages
Began to prepare for the fete

He used scaffolding poles lashed together
Painted them white to be seen
Erected them in the shape of a three masted rig
While his little girl danced at his feet

He festooned his shop with bright flags galore
All fluttering in the breeze
Then decorated the buildings with hundreds more
Red, white and blue for the Queen

They were having some stalls for the harbour
And games for the children to try
A band was to play throughout the day
And fireworks would light the night sky

Oh! I’d wish I’d been there for the party
To join in the fun by the shore
To soak up the feeling of patriotism
But my holiday ended the day before!

Poem written by Diane Wye for the Queen’s Jubilee 2002

I thank Peter West for his response to my recent letter. However, I stand by my remarks that a unique occasion as the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, warranted the attendance of the Parish Council at the service of thanksgiving and celebration.
I realise that the post of Parish Councillor is a voluntary one and I am certain we are all grateful to the people who serve on the Council here in Birstall. However, I am sure that those who offer themselves to serve must be aware from the start that they will be called on to give up a lot of heir free time in order to carry out their duties.
In Birstall there are many organisations which depend upon volunteers for their existence. People offer themselves as volunteers because they wish to help their community here in Birstall and elsewhere. Unlike Mr West, I am sure they do not expect letters of praise in the Birstall Post thanking them for all they do. Most of them quietly go about their business and knowing that they are being of service to others is reward enough.
Carol Woods

Age Concern info

PILGRIMAGE EXTENSION
The War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme, which pays for widows to visit their husbands’ graves, has been extended for a further two years until March 31, 2005. To date more than 4000 widows have visited graves in many parts of the world. (Hansard 11/6/02)

NEW AGE CONCERN GUIDE - USING YOUR HOME AS CAPITAL
Soaring house prices mean the number of people who are ‘asset rich, cash poor’ is growing. For many older home owners, unlocking the value of bricks and mortar could be an option for increasing income in retirement.
‘Using your Home as Capital 2002-3’, the essential and independent guide on how to use the value of your home to raise extra money, has been published recently by Age Concern England. It is priced at £4.99 and is full of practical guidance to help people weave their way through the maze of financial products which allow people to convert the value of their home into a lump sum or regular income.
The 96 page guide is written in clear, jargon-free language and contains information on:-
• the variety of schemes (eg home reversion, home income and roll-up loans) and how they work
• who can apply
• how much income you can expect
• advantages and disadvantages
• the implications for tax and social security benefits
Gordon Lishman, Age Concern’s Director General has stated: “As returns on traditional investments dwindle and house prices go up, more and more retired people are becoming interested in finding out how these specialist products can provide an extra source of income. However it doesn’t take long to realise the options available are complex. Reading ‘Using Your Home as Capital’ is an ideal first step to equip people to ask an independent financial adviser the right questions.”
Age Concern England strongly recommend that older people consult an independent financial advisor, a legal representative and close family members before buying any of the products described in ‘Using Your Home as Capital 2002-3’. Inclusion of product details does not imply endorsement.

OVERSEAS PENSIONERS LOSE TEST CASE
The Government has firmly rejected calls for people living in certain countries to have their state pensions uprated, a month after a court ruled that the issue was one that politicians must decide.
A British pensioner living in South Africa, had sought judicial review of the Government’s refusal to uprate her pension in line with increases given to pensioners living in the UK. On May 22 Judge Stanley Burnton ruled that UK legislation gave no right for anyone to have their pension uprated, so failure to do so could not breach her human rights. Any decision on overseas pensions would have to be made by Parliament, he said. During Lords Questions on June 27 the Junior Work and Pensions Minister, Baroness Hollis, welcomed the outcome of the case and said that Parliament had voted by an overwhelming majority to continue the current policy in 1995, 1999 and 2000. The policy of not uprating pensions, except in the European Economic Area and through a number of reciprocal social security arrangements with some other countries, had been followed by successive Governments for the past 20 to 25 years. Uprating the half a million frozen overseas pensions would cost £400 million, Baroness Hollis said.
Age Concern Director General, Gordon Lishman said: “This disappointing decision means many older people will continue to be penalised if they choose to retire abroad.”

CARERS UK WEBSITE
Carers UK has launched a website, which can be found at http://www.carersonline.org.uk
It contains sections giving information for carers and edited versions of printed booklets, as well as details of campaigns and regional and local information.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT ST. JAMES DAY CENTRE
There is an urgent need for more volunteers to assist the manager and driver/carer when mentally frail elderly people attend St James Day centre on Mondays and Wednesdays. If you think you could help, even for an hour or two on one of those days, please contact the manager, Mandy Loach, on Mon or Wed, 9.30am-4pm tel:2677023.
Also another volunteer is needed on Friday mornings to help the cook and the two volunteers in the kitchen and to assist in serving the lunches at 12 o’clock. For further details please contact Mrs Roswitha Clewes on Thursday or Friday mornings (tel:2677023)
Volunteers can now work beyond the age of 70 although voluntary drivers still have to retire on reaching the age of 70.
Jex Woods

News from Watermead Country Park

As I write, August has arrived. Normally the grass has begun to grow more slowly and we have more time to devote to other tasks that have been put to one side while we frantically ride round on mowers trying to keep paths and car parks usable.
This year has seen everything growing furiously. Even local farmers have been commenting on the size of hay and silage! One task that is always important is to pull the ‘yellow peril’ - ragwort. Over the years we have waged an annual battle against this innocent looking plant that is so very poisonous to livestock. At one time it was found throughout the Country Park but is now confined to small pockets. By pulling up the plant roots and all it is possible to eradicate the problem without using chemicals. (Wearing gloves is important to prevent the sap getting on your hands and causing potential problems.)
We have an important ally in this fight and this is the Cinnabar moth - Tyria jacobaeae. This has caterpillars that feed on the ragwort making them poisonous to birds and other predators. So where these caterpillars are present we are able to leave the plant knowing it will soon be stripped of its harmful foliage.
An important date to put on your calendar is Sunday September 15. This is the date for the second Wet Wild and Wonderful event to be held at Watermead Country Park. The event is organised by the Rainbows charity in conjunction with ourselves and this year is sponsored by Raynesway. Last year it attracted over 3000 people. It starts at 11am in the car parks at Wanlip Road, Syston (which will be well signposted and car parking is free). Among the attractions will be the very popular dog agility (your dog can have a go too), tractor and trailer rides, horse and cart rides, ferret racing, crafts and displays and much, much more. So try to come along and make it bigger and better than last year. Remember proceeds are for a very good cause.
For more details about Wet Wild and Wonderful, or queries about the Country Park Service please ring 0116 2671944 or email me at watermeadcountrypark@leics.gov.uk
From Tim Maydwell, Senior Ranger

Nature Notes

I read their advertisement in the Leicester Mercury; I phoned the number without success. I enquired of the Mercury, and found there had been a typographic error. I phoned the new number. I left my name and address, then waited...and waited...and waited. I phoned again, then sent them a name-and-address label. At last, in the middle of May, my pack arrived. At long last, and six weeks late, I could start recording butterflies in my back garden.
Anyone who has glanced at my earlier efforts will know that I tend to “wax lyrical” every time the buddleia in my garden flowers. I mention green-veined whites, peacocks, red admirals and even, on one memorable occasion, a humming-bird hawk moth. Before and after the flowering season I take much less note - the first spring butterfly - perhaps a brimstone or a lesser tortoiseshell - the occasional moth, but little else. This year had been no exception. I had seen the usuals, together with my regular oddity, the wood brown (speckled wood to some people), before the pack arrived. I had even noted the first ‘common’ blue.
That was before the pack; I opened the envelope to a maze of large, glossy pages. The first would allow me to subscribe to the butterfly preservation society, provided I had the money to spare. I have not. I was invited to colour in the outlines of a tortoiseshell and to extract names from a word grid. I declined. I then looked at the instructions and the recording sheet - which told me I had missed all of April and the first part of May, so my records would be at best rather limited. I then found large, glossy, full-coloured sheet on butterfly identification. I wandered through it - and froze.
I was looking at pictures of blue butterflies, in particular at the ‘underwing’ of the common blue, which is brown. My ‘common’ blues did not have the right colour; they were, in fact, holly blues. There is a certain logic to all this. My predeccesor in this house had planted a line of holly trees for some reason; I suspect he was intent on creating a hedge, but ill-health curtailed this ambition. The tallest tree is now about 16 feet high. According to the book - which no butterfly ever reads, so how does it ever know? - holly blues are widely distributed, and their larvae feed on holly, amongst other things.
So why did I miss this for so long? I suspect that I should blame the fritillaries. Every specialisation of animals of plants, be it bird-watching, botany, or whatever, throws up at least one group in which identification is a nightmare, especially for beginners. In bird-watching it is the autumn plumage of the wading birds. I can also think in other subjects of nearly every species of bat, the wild rose/bramble group, and, in butterflies, the fritillaries. That group really put me off. They are all speckled brown with odd blotches, feed on impossible plants, have no song or any other means to sort them out, and for me they best stayed closed up in a book. I have become careless over the years. I took it that a butterfly which was blue and was common was a common blue. We all learn.

Crime figures

JULY CRIME FIGURES
Burglary Dwelling 4; Burglary Other than Dwelling 4; Robbery 1; Theft and Taken without Consent 1; Theft from vehicles 2; Theft of Cycles 1; Other Theft 7; Criminal Damage 10; Other Offences 8.