Bigger park & ride
THE NUMBER of car parking spaces on the
Park & Ride site to be built on the eastern side of the A6
opposite Hallam Fields has been increased from 530 to 1000.
The site is one of three that form part of the Leicester West
Transport Scheme, a £20 million project led by Leicester
City Council and Leicestershire County Council that aims to reduce
traffic congestion and improve access to Leicester.
The Leicester West Transport Scheme (LWTS) - which is the cornerstone
of the Councils’ joint Local Transport Plan for Central
Leicestershire - would introduce three new park and ride sites
serving the north, west and south of the city, linked to the
city centre by extensive bus lands.
“The Leicester West scheme is fundamental to the future
economic viability of our city”, said Cllr Ross Willmott,
City Council Leader.
“If Leicester’s future as a place to work, shop or
visit is to be assured, it’s absolutely vital that our local
transport infrastructure is right. This scheme will give people
improved access to the city centre, whilst cutting traffic congestion
and pollution. It also demonstrates how the city and county councils
can work together to improve the lives of local people.”
Cllr Harry Barber, County Council Leader, said: “New Park
& Ride services will complement the existing successful service
at Leicester Forest East and benefit many Leicestershire people
who travel into Leicester for work, shopping and other purposes.
This is an excellent example of city and county councils working
together to produce solutions which benefit both communities.”
Independent consultants working for the two councils assessed
around 50 sites in the city and the county before two sites -
on the A426 at Aylestone, and on the A50 at Glenfield emerged
as the most suitable for park and ride operations. These will
join the third site in Birstall, already accepted in the Deposit
Charnwood Local Plan.
Before any decisions are made, people living near the sites will
be invited to comment on the proposals as part of an extensive
consultation programme. Consultation will start in December and
continue until the end of the year.
Subject to the results of the consultation programme, the two
councils hope to submit a bid for funding to the Department for
Transport in spring 2003. If successful, the first new Park &
Ride service could be in operation by late 2004.
Vice Chairman of Birstall Parish Council Peter West said: “If
a Park & Ride reduces the amount of traffic flowing through
Birstall, it is to be welcomed, but there does seem to be something
of a Dutch auction going on here. Firstly, there were the Hallam
Fields housing estate proposals for 600 houses, which turned
into 900 houses. Now the Park & Ride proposal for 530 parking
spaces has increased to 1000 spaces. It makes me wonder what
the final agenda for this area really is.”
Leaflets outlining the proposal will be circulated in Birstall
but the contents were unavailable at the time of going to press.
There will be a public exhibition of the plan in Birstall Village
Hall on December 11 and 12 from 2-8pm.
Seeking out Birstall’s past
Christmas festivities at Riverside School
in 1954
DID YOU know that Birstall Local History
Society has been meeting in our village for the past eighteen
years, holding regular and varied meetings, publishing books
and seeking out Birstall’s history?
We are a friendly, not too serious group and always welcome visitors
to our meetings. These are held in Birstall Library at 7.30pm
on the second Thursday of each month.
In September we organised a coach trip to Bletchley Park, the
wartime home of the Enigma code breakers. The Hall and its grounds
house a fascinating museum telling the story of this massive
war winning organisation. Previous outings have included a behind
the scenes tour of Chatsworth house and many visits to historical
villages and sites in Leicestershire, always with an authoritative
guide.
We also publish our findings and have produced six books: Eight
Ounces of Gold, A History of Birstall; Bygone Birstall 1 &
2, collections of photographs and three census transcripts for
Birstall in 1850, 1860 and 1890. For the coming year four new
ventures are in the pipeline, including the life of one of Birstall’s
most important though today sadly forgotten, citizens and an
illustrated historical village walk. In the past we have mounted
a number of displays at Birstall library, but later next year
we will be presenting our largest exhibition yet, at Charnwood
Museum, Loughborough. We will give you more information about
this event in the Birstall Post.
The backbone of our programmes is the monthly talk and slide
shows, displayed on the Birstall library noticeboard. If you
wonder what we’re up to why not come along to our Christmas
meeting where you can enjoy some of our members’ own light
hearted offerings.
One last request. We are always on the lookout for photographs
of people, places and events from Birstall’s past to copy
for our archives. If you have any such pictures, I will be happy
to collect what you have to offer, copy and return your originals
within forty eight hours. You would be surprised how informative
even a small snapshot can be.
From BHLS Secretary, Mike Smith, 140 Birstall Road, LE4 4DF Tel:
0116 2675792
Affordable housing
THE AMOUNT of affordable housing that will be built on
the Hallam Fields site falls well short of the levels required
by current Government guidance.
Of the 900 dwellings on the site, 135, or 15 per cent, will be
‘affordable dwellings’. Of these, 40 will be specifically
for rent. Current Government guidance requires that new development
contains 25 per cent affordable housing.
Speaking at a Parish Council meeting, Cllr Tony Stott said that
the plans were made at a particular point in time and that if
requirements for affordable housing had changed since then, it
was unlikely that the levels could be renegotiated.
Cllr Bernard Singleton said it was now too late to challenge
the plans unless hard evidence identifying housing need could
be provided.
In a reply to questions put to him by Birstall Parish Council,
Mr Steve Lewis-Roberts, Area Team Leader Planning at Charnwood
Borough Council, said: “In view of the advanced stage of
negotiations to secure a final legal agreement, it is not possible
to renegotiate [with the developers] the level of affordable
housing.”
He added: “In any event, in my opinion there is no justification
to secure a higher level of affordable housing on this development.
There is no policy justification to increase the percentage and
there is no evidence based on a local assessment of housing need
to demonstrate that additional affordable housing should be provided.
“I remain of the opinion that the 135 affordable dwellings
which have been negotiated as part of this development, will
make a very significant contribution to addressing housing need
in Birstall."
Chosen for county teams
Five students at Stonehill School have been chosen to represent
the county at hockey and football. Our pic shows talented pupils
Josh Farell, Matt Riddington, Chloe Kinton, Nealam Nagra and
Mel Swidenbank.
|
Townswomen’s Guild
THE CHAIRMAN, Mrs June Flower, opened the
October meeting of the Townswomen’s Guild by thanking Mrs
Jean Veitch for her organisation of a coffee morning to raise
money for Guide Dogs for the Blind, which amounted to £223.15.
Also many thanks to all who helped to make it such a success.
Mrs E Riding was the guest speaker, and as her subject was TEA,
she began by singing ‘Polly Put the Kettle On’ with
everyone joining in. There were reminders of other songs too!
It was a happy start to a most interesting story of the beverage
taken so much for granted these days. She related the origin
of tea and how it was discovered in China, and then the history
of how it came to England around the 1600s. Shopping in supermarkets
will now take on a new meaning, as all recognised teas are associated
with Chinese words. Over the centuries, tea has influenced many
aspects to lives in Britain for example the ‘tea break’,
and today is still revered in many forms. Mrs Riding gave everyone
a free sample of tea at the end of her most ‘refreshing’
and interesting talk.
Social Studies report from Jill Bailey was about members’
treasures. Many memories were related, some poignant, some sad
and some nostalgic, whilst others just listened to these wonderful
stories.
Brigadoon which was being performed at Loughborough Town Hall
was chosen by the TG for their annual visit and was organised
by Val Skeffington. The musical was charming and the actors first
class, making it a most enjoyable evening.
The Townswomen’s Guild will meet next on Tuesday December
17 at Highcliffe School, Birstall at 7.30pm for the Christmas
Party. The Social Studies group will meet on December 2.
|
Council’s recycling advice
YES IT’S that time of year again,
when we all eat, drink and be merry, and produce tonnes of rubbish
from the festivities. But instead of sending it all to a hole
in the ground, perhaps it is time to consider dealing with it
more responsibly.
Waste Watch, the leading national organisation promoting and
encouraging action on the 3Rs - waste reduction, reuse and recycling,
has published the following about Christmas Waste in the UK:
The main sources of extra waste at Christmas are packaging, glass
bottles, drinks cans and Christmas trees.
Between 20% and 30% more glass and cans are collected over the
Christmas period.
Five and a half million Christmas trees were bought last year,
most of which are thrown out after Christmas, creating over 9,000
tonnes of additional waste which would fill the Albert Hall three
times over.
The Post Office alone collected 1600 tonnes of Christmas cards
in 2000.
A little closer to home, here’s Charnwood’s Festive
Guide to Recycling:
Use your green bags for recycling all your cans and tins, plastic
bottles and magazines, but please don’t put in Christmas
wrapping - it can’t be recycled this way and clogs up the
works. Save it for next year, or put it in most paper banks,
or even compost it! You can get extra green bags by calling into
the Southfields Council Offices, or calling the Cleansing Team
on 01509 634715 or 01509 634698. The green bag shouldn’t
be used as a substitute black bag - green bags are hand sorted,
so there is nothing worse than sifting through week-old turkey
bones!
Christmas cards can’t be recycled through the green bags
either - use the paper banks where applicable, or make your contribution
to charity by recycling them through local schools and Age Concern
shops. All cards recycled in this way will earn a contribution
for Age Concern, an initiative done in conjunction with Leicestershire
County Council. You can also cut up old cards to reuse as gift
tags.
Buy drinks, like lemonade or beer, in large containers, rather
than in a lot of small ones. One large bottle means less waste
than a lot of small cans, and it’s more economical.
Save some food cartons, which can be used again and again for
storing leftovers in the fridge, rather than using cling-film,
plastic bags or foil which may only be used once. Use containers
instead of bags or foil for your packed lunch.
Make sure you make the most of leftover food from Christmas meals,
for example cook up left over vegetables to make bubble and squeak
or make a ‘pudding’ for the birds.
Buy cards and wrapping paper made from recycled paper.
Use the bottle banks for all your glass bottles and jars.
Use an artificial Christmas tree so you can reuse it next year.
If you do buy a real tree, remember to dispose of it for composting,
by taking it to one of the local Civic Amenity Sites at Loughborough,
Sileby and Shepshed.
Always use a reusable shopping bag or reuse plastic bags. Don’t
accept bags that you don’t need.
For more information on Recycling in Charnwood, contact Julie
Deakin on -1509 634712. Have a Green Christmas!
From Charnwood’s Recycling Officer Julie Deakin
Art exhibition runaway success
Artist Marion Smith (right) shows her work
to visitor Margaret White
The Birstall and District Art Society held
its 8th annual exhibition of paintings on November 9, 10 &
11 in the village hall. It proved to a very successful event
showing some 320 pictures to 656 members of the public over the
three days which shows that people still support good local events.
The organising committee had some wonderful support from more
than half of the society members which made all aspects of the
exhibition go like clockwork.
It is truly one of the joys of life to be able to do something
you love and have people appreciate it, and to see the pleasure
on people’s faces as they wandered around making complimentary
comments about the amazing artistic talent in Birstall and District.
An often heard phrase was how on earth can we pick a best in
show when there are so many good pictures to choose from.
Many thanks for all the public support and for all the hours
of hard work by the committee and volunteers.
Everyone who visited the exhibition was given a free entry into
our raffle and the lucky winners are:
1st - Bottle Laphroaig whisky for Mrs J Peet of Birstall; 2nd
- Bottle 3 barrels brandy for Mr Williams of Birstall; 3rd -
Bottle Harveys Bristol Cream for Mrs Tegg of Birstall; 4th -
Bottle wine for Mr Smith of Birstall; 5th - Bottle wine for Mr
Howard of Leicester.
The Mary Hirst memorial trophy is presented each year to the
artist whose picture is voted “Best in Show” by our
visitors.
It has been won for the third year in succession by Derek Walsom
with 63 votes for his beautiful painting of the Pack Horse Bridge
in Thrucaston. Second with 46 votes was Derek again with a wonderful
painting “Near Mullion Cove”, and third was John Beckett
with 32 votes for his lovely “Autumn Sunlight and Shadows”.
We look forward to next year when we hope to continue to foster
the appreciation of the visual arts to our members and the public
through our many and varied activities.
From Fred Parrott, The Birstall and District Art Society
Parish Council Notes
A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council
was held on November 11. Councillors discussed the levels of
affordable housing on the Hallam Fields development, which presently
stands at 135 dwellings out of a total of 900 (15 per cent).
It was generally agreed that a higher percentage would be welcome
but it was reported that it was too late to change the figures
now.
The clerk reported that the maintenance of bus shelters was the
Parish Council’s responsibility and not the County Council’s,
as had been thought. The cost of reinstating the seating on the
shelters along the A6 would cost £212 per metre. It was
agreed to consider alternative ways of repairing and strengthening
the seating before accepting the supplier’s quote.
The Parish Council Office will close at 1pm on December 23 and
re-open on January 2.
Cllr Neville Mayes commented that the Paul Winson bus service
to Leicester that picks up throughout Birstall was a “fantastic
and courteous service that I can highly recommend.”
Charnwood Borough Council have agreed to provide railings next
to the steps outside Glenwood Fine Art on Sibson Road.
It was reported that Bargain Booze, on the corner of Sibson Road
and Hannah Parade, had offered a contribution of £200 towards
the purchase of a litter bin outside the shop, which will be
provided soon.
The Council agreed to purchase six seats for the playing fields.
The seats will be without backs and cost a total of £876.
It was reported that the County Council are planning to introduce
a prohibition of waiting order on a section of School Lane and
Curzon Avenue. The order would prohibit any vehicle from waiting
at any time in the immediate area of the Curzon Avenue, School
Lane junction.
New cricket kit
Ann Ward presents the bag to Andy Corbett
A KIT bag full of £150 worth of cricket
equipment has been presented to Birstall Village Cricket Club’s
Junior Section.
The bag, containing cricket pads, gloves, stumps, bats and balls,
was given to the club by Ann Woods, the Cricket Development and
Cricket Officer for Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket Board,
based at Grace Road.
Ann presented the new kit bag to Andy Corbett, Under 10s Manager.
Andy said: “The kit is for Inter Cricket, which is a step
up from Kwik Cricket. The ball is still rubber but will get the
children used to running in pads and wearing gloves and will
be for the 11-13 age range.” Ann is familiar with the Junior
Section down at BVCC after following their progress through the
Birstall Post and was delighted for them to have the new kit.
Andy added “It is great to receive the kit from the Leicestershire
and Rutland Cricket Board, as the junior section is free and
no subs are collected from the children in the Under 10s, and
buying new kit is very expensive.”
Taste of orienteering
PICTURED ENJOYING an orienteering event organised by Longslade
College around Watermead Country Park are (l-r) Katy Van Geffen,
Angela Doherty and Karen Doherty
WI news
MEMBERS ARRIVED carrying bags of greenery
and scissors to the November meeting of Birstall & Wanlip
WI.
They spent a lovely hour, each making a circular table decoration
under the guidance of Josey Packwood who was the demonstrator
for that meeting. Josey is the holder of City & Guilds qualifications
and spends a lot of time among flowers in a shop she runs along
with greengrocery, together with her husband Graham.
Birstall & Wanlip WI were indebted to her a couple of years
ago when she prepared arrangements to go on the De Montfort Hall
stage at the Annual Council Meeting. Josey brought lots of single
chrysanthemums and some carnations, dishes and oasis and all
members were able to make their own table decoration. Though
everyone started with the same materials it was interesting at
the end to see how different and individual they all were.
There was not a lot of business to be dealt with at this meeting.
Final orders were taken for calendars and diaries and there were
two free copies of ‘Home and Country’ to be given away.
The December meeting will be the AGM on December 2 to be followed
by a faith supper and entertainment by members. Each member was
asked to bring a wrapped parcel to the value of £1.50 to
be distributed at the party.
from Mrs M Belton
Year in Japan
A LONGSLADE student has been selected to
spend a year living and working with a Japanese family.
Post 16 student Andrew Illiffe attended several interviews and
a rigorous selection process before being awarded a place on
the scholarship programme.
Andrew is applying to Oxford University to study French and Japanese
in 2004, and says the programme will be enormously beneficial
for him.
Village Watch news
IF YOU have been reading the local press
recently you will have noticed that the Police are warning again
about cowboy workmen calling at houses saying that they are from
a very reputable firm able to do items of work that your house,
so they say, requires attention.
Once again the Watch is saying be careful. Get a second opinion.
Check to see that they would be prepared to come back later and
discuss it with a friend or relative present, that they can give
you an estimate in writing of how much the work is going to cost.
If you think that the work is necessary then get more than one
estimate for the job. Why not get a quote from a local craftsman
that advertises in this paper? Whatever you do, do not pay up
front for the job to be done.
Burglaries and car crime are still a significant part of the
crime statistics for this time of the year. The long dark nights
and short days in the run up to Christmas and the New Year are
a time the thief loves. Do you have that security light working
properly? The Watch sells special bulbs that light up at dusk
and go off at dawn. Get them from the advice shop. Leave a light
on if you go out, leave a radio on with a programme that has
plenty of talking in the programme. This will baffle the thief
when he knocks at your door and listens at the letterbox before
he decides he will move on because there is an element of doubt
that somebody at home.
Do you remember to lock the car at all times even if it’s
only for a short time you are away? Do you lock the car after
you have filled up at the petrol station before you go to the
shop to pay? This is a golden opportunity for the thief to get
away with a car with a full tank of fuel. Remember to put all
your valuables locked up in the boot of the car.
Be extra vigilant at this time of the year at cash points, post
offices and banks when you withdraw money and make sure that
you keep it secure and are not overlooked or followed. “Put
it away before you move away”. But above all have a very
happy Christmas.
From Peter Allen, Chairman, Birstall & Wanlip NHW
Crime Report 18.10.02 to 18.11.02
Burglary Dwelling 3; Burglary Other 6; Cycle Theft 1; Theft from
Motor Vehicle 3; Theft 4; Damage to Motor Vehicle 2; Criminal
Damage 8
December 2002 Birstall Post continues here
|
