Birstall Post November 2003 (244)

Stonehill’s sponsored swim

TWO HUNDRED children from Stonehill School took part in a sponsored swim that raised a total of £2400.
Half the money went to the PTA to be used on classroom equipment and the children decided to donate the remaining £1200 to Cancer Research UK.
Pic: Kelvin Johnson from Cancer Research UK receives a cheque from Stonehill pupil Paul Newstead

Birstall loses officer

THE NUMBER of Police Constables assigned to the Birstall beat has been dropped from two to one.
Inspector Chris Brown of Syston Local Policing Unit announced the news to Birstall Parish Council at their October meeting. He said: “PC Kevin Palmer has been temporarily moved to the Thurmaston beat as they have not had an officer since May. As soon as I have an officer available for Thurmaston, PC Palmer will be returned to Birstall.”
Parish Councillors reacted with disappointment at the news. Cllr Roger Wilson said: “We waited very patiently for several years for our second officer and this causes me concern.”
Chairman of Birstall Parish Council, Peter West said: “We are obviously very disappointed to lose one of our policemen, especially after campaiging for so long to get a second beat officer. However, I recently attended a seminar at Police HQ and, having heard about the problems currently being faced by Leicestershire Police, I have to say I do understand why PC Palmer has been temporarily moved. I just hope he will be back in Birstall very soon.”
Chairman of Birstall and Wanlip NHW Peter Allen said: “It took us ages and ages of pressing to get a second officer for Birstall and I’m disappointed that Kevin Palmer, an experienced officer, has been moved. I believe having two officers has made a difference to the crime figures and because of the way shift patterns are organised, there will be days when Birstall does not have a beat officer at all. I am keen to see a second officer returned.”

Standards Board rejects complaint

THE STANDARDS Board for England has rejected a complaint lodged by Parish Councillor Chris Clarke against the Chairman of Birstall Parish Council Peter West, considering that Mr Clarke’s allegations did not disclose a failure to comply with the ‘Code of Conduct’.
Cllr Clarke had complained that Cllr West has failed to treat him with respect, has failed to ensure quality of treatment and has failed to provide information which he is lawfully entitled to see. The Standards Board is the national body that investigates complaints of breaches of the local authority’s Code of Conduct.
Cllr West said: “This is the fourth time in 18 months that a complaint by Mr Clarke has been rejected. In view of this, I have asked the Standards Board to consider whether these constitute ‘frivolous and vexatious’ complaints, and if so, to take action to prevent this happening again.”
He added: “I am not prepared to be driven out by this man’s behaviour. Over the last three years, we have lost nine excellent councillors, including my predecessor, Nigel Coleman, because of Mr Clarke’s antics. I shall do everything I can to prevent further losses.”
Peter West said that one of the complaints had been that Cllr Clarke has asked that a resolution be put on the Council’s agenda, requesting that Charnwood Borough Council’s Monitoring Officer grant a dispensation in respect of councillors declaring an interest in the Hallam Fields development, so enabling them to speak on the subject.
Peter West said: “As Mr Clarke had mentioned this several times before, I immediately sent Mr Clarke’s request, together with a covering letter, to Charnwood and had a reply within days.
“Instead of thanking me for my prompt action, Mr Clarke reported me for impropriety, because he had only asked me to put the subject on the agenda, not to actually make the request.”
He added :”Everyone who has heard about this, including my Council colleagues, feels there must be something very wrong with Mr Clarke if this is the way he reacts.”
Mr West said that he had received four letters from Mr Clarke in recent weeks. “He has been complaining about Council procedures and demanding what he sees as his rights” he said.
He added: “In one he demanded to know who gave permission for Borough Councillor Helena Edwards to sit at the table reserved for Parish Councillors at the recent meeting the Council called to discuss bus services. Mrs Edwards is not only a Borough Councillor who was likely to wish to speak, but she is also disabled. Quite simply this was a matter of courtesy and consideration. But these seem to be trivial considerations if Mr Clarke feels they threaten his importance.”
Cllr Clarke told the Birstall Post: “My only concern is that the Council follow its own Standing Orders and conducts business lawfully.”

Club’s top teams

SUMMER 2003 was a memorable one for Birstall Village Cricket Club, and not just because of the hot, dry days.

Back row: Doug Topley, Paul Snuggs, Ian Hunt, Andy Merry, Rich Sharpe, Dave Sharpe, John Wilkinson
Front row: Chalkie White, Andy Corbett, Dave Hickey, Andy Lord, Andy Galpin, Rob Drake, Ian Bartlett

The club’s two teams have achieved top spot in their respective leagues: the first XI won the Leicestershire Senior League V-Sports Premier Division and the second XI won the Leicestershire Senior League Reserve Division One.
Chairman Doug Topley said: “All the lads have done the club proud, this is the strongest the club has ever been right through from the first XI to the junior section. It’s the second successive season the second XI have won their league under the captaincy of John Meachem. As for the first XI this is the first time they have won the Premier League. Andy Lord has had a good season in his first term as captain, and has only used 14 players all season”.
He added: “I would like to thank everyone from the secretary, committee, players right through to the junior section and their parents for this successful and enjoyable year and the effort given by all for making this an excellent club for sportsmanship and commitment. I am proud to be Chairman of such a club that supports the young children of the area, who are our future”.
First team skipper Andy Lord paid special credit to batsman Andy Galpin who scored 891 runs in the season and ended the season with six consecutive 50s. His last innings ended on a score of 145 not out. Bowler Andy Corbett took 47 wickets and both these achievements are the highest within the league. The fielding was also excellent with the team gaining 17 run outs, which must also be a record. Andy said: “I am already looking forward to next season and I am sure the lads are ready to take on anyone. May I also say thanks to Chalkie White for being in charge of the scorebook every week and also to all the backroom staff, from coaches to physios. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank club sponsors Bargain Booze for their donation and support throughout the season and hope the partnership will continue in 2004”.

Traffic calming

RESIDENTS LIVING in the Stonehill Avenue area have been asked their opinion about the County Council’s proposals for a traffic calming scheme.
Members of Birstall Parish Council have been calling on households and asking for residents’ views. The data had not been analysed at the time of going to press but the findings will be presented at the Parish Council’s November meeting, when an officer from the County Council will be present.
The County Council have also been analysing the responses to their exhibition of the plans. A spokesman said: “The public advertisement period for the proposed speed tables and cushions has recently finished and the responses received are currently being analysed. When this process is complete, the views obtained will be forwarded to the local County Councillor and members of Birstall Parish Council to enable them to consider the matter further.
“Discussions will then be held with both parties to agree the way forward. Therefore no amendments to the scheme are currently proposed. The views of Birstall Parish Council and, indeed, all other consultees will, of course, be taken into consideration before the final decision is made by [the County Council’s] Cabinet.

Rugby club growing

BIRSTALL RUGBY Football club’s season ended with yet another superb President’s Day event.
Families came from all around to watch and take part in the event, a long running tradition for the club which this year received a great accolade with Peter Wheeler of the Leicester Tigers in attendance: he acted as touch judge during the main game.
The club have been making strenuous efforts over the past few years to attract younger members, and this season has seen the introduction of a weekly training session for boys and girls aged 6 to 11 years. Ivan Smith, Birstall Rugby Club’s newly appointed youth coach, has introduced the game of rugby to youngsters in the village and has received a great response with boys and girls attending the Tuesday evening sessions at the club’s training venue, Newfoundpool WMC football ground on Meadow Lane (next to Birstall United FC). The sessions, running from 6-7.30pm, have been greatly appreciated by the youngsters and numbers are growing each week.
As a result, the club is looking for volunteers to get involved, which holds great prospects for the club and the younger generation of Birstall. From now on, nightfall will come earlier, and eventually by 6pm it will be dark. This should not deter people, as the ground is fully floodlit with secure changing rooms and showers available.
To add excitement to the challenge, the Leicestershire RFU have been so impressed by Birstall Rugby Club’s efforts over the past few seasons, that they have recognised this with a grant of over £2000 towards new kit and equipment for the ongoing development of youth rugby at the club.
BRFC would also like to thank Mark and Anita, of the Trees public house, on Stonehill Avenue who have pledged their support to the club, both for the first team and the development of the youth side.
Last year a number of events were organised by the club in conjunction with the Trees including a Halloween party, a children’s Christmas party and disco and various other social events. This year the club intends to introduce other social and sporting events for both club members and members of the public. All are welcome and these events will be advertised around the village as well as in the Trees.
However, this season has already shown that the club desperately needs players, new members and volunteers to help with events and training, especially the youngsters. All are welcome to join the club. Competitive games have already begun and the club needs to strengthen the squad. If you have played, would like to play, or would like to bring your children along to a training session, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Adult training sessions run from 7.30pm at the Newfoundpool WMC ground. Matches are on Saturday afternoons with home fixtures played at the Stonehill School playing fields. For further information, contact club chairman Simon Cox on 0116 2675645 or 07973 862106 or ask Mark and Anita at the Trees. All involved in the club look forward to another exciting season, and to introducing new members to the game.
From Phil Lewin, Publicity/Press officer BRFC

Scouts’ splashing time

A GROUP from the Birstall-based 53rd Leicester Scouts were among over 100 Scouts from all over the county who made a considerable ‘Splash’ when they attended a weekend of water-based activities of the same name.

Pic: 12 year old Callum Amor, from the Birstall-based 53rd Leicester Scouts, tries the abseiling wall at the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre, under the tuition of Gary Longland, senior coach at the centre.

As well as having fun and getting wet in equal measure, they learned some important lessons about team-work and working together, particularly when engaged in activities like raft building.
Other activities based at the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre included canoeing, bell-boating and abseiling, while sailing tuition was provided on John Merricks Lake in Watermead Country Park.
The Scouts run regular sessions for both canoeing and sailing at these venues throughout the summer and for as long as the weather remains suitable. Besides the social side of the weekend, County Commissioner Derek Catt said the weekend camp played an important education role. He said: In school and elsewhere in life young people are encouraged to achieve personal excellence and to be better than their neighbours. Here we have youngsters of a wide range of ages and abilities working together and finding out that they all have something important to contribute to the team effort and success.
“Activities like these enable them to find out what their own abilities are, and to make the best of them both for themselves and the good of the team.”

Village Hall wins prize

BIRSTALL PARISH Council won a prize of £50 and a ‘Highly Commended’ plaque after reaching the finals of the countywide ‘Colonel John Heggs Village Hall Competition’.
Birstall Village Hall had not been entered in the competition before, and Village Hall Committee chairman Stuart Jones admitted that he was unprepared for some of the questions the adjudicators asked during the inspection but was very pleased to be placed in the top ten.
He said: “Some of the halls are run by special trusts or, like the winner, Stonesby, are actually community centres, so we were up against some tough rivals”.
He added: “Next year we shall be better prepared. We believe we have the best playing fields in the county. Now we want to show we also have the best village hall.”

Fundraising year

Pic: Marea Roberts from Marie Curie Cancer Care receives a cheque from members of the Birstall Methodist Women’s Group
THANKS TO the support, kindness and generosity of the ladies at the Birstall Methodist Monday Group. Another wonderful year of fundraising has given us lots of fun, fellowship and new friends.
This year’s project for Marie Curie Cancer Care raised £1,500. Events took place throughout the year: a Harvest Supper, Saturday Coffee Shops, Bric-a-Brac and Plant Stalls, Raffles and Tombolas, Monthly Thrift Stalls and also eating Smarties! and then filling the tubes with coins.
The group would like to thank all their loyal supporters. Hope to see you all at our events for the new Project ‘Breathe Easy’, a support group based at the Glenfield Hospital.
From Christine Tilford, Birstall Methodist Women’s Group

Village Watch News & Crime Report

At the co-ordinators meeting on September 25 we heard from PC Ashley Russell the Northern Policing Unit crime prevention officer. He gave some very good tips for lady drivers which I think are worth repeating for readers of the Birstall Post.
Ladies when driving should not place their handbag on the passenger seat at the side of them but place it down in the footwell of the passenger seat. This prevents it being seen when stationary at road junctions/traffic lights where it can easily be snatched from outside by the would-be thief. If you are alone in the car always keep the doors locked from the inside while travelling and do not unlick them until you reach your destination.
When you are parking in a supermarket always park the car by reversing into the parking space. This then allows anybody passing the front of your car to see into the driver’s seat, and not be obscured by the headrest looking through the rear window. Try and park in a well lit area and do not leave anything on the seat while you are shopping.
Now that the dark nights are here and the clocks go back at the end of the month of October, it is also a time to remind cyclists that the law demands that they should always have lights on their cycle when travelling between the hours of sunset and sunrise. The minimum requirement is that such bicycles must have a white light to the front, a red light to the rear and a red rear reflector to the rear and amber pedal reflectors. Flashing lights are restricted by law to emergency vehicles only. It is not legal to use flashing lights on cycles. Reflective clothing is a good aid to be seen in the dark.
Our next Advice Shop will be held on Saturday November 15 at the old council office on Sibson Road, 10am until noon. We will be coding cycles. We will have for sale personal alarms, shed alarms, PIR alarms, Viewcom door viewers and lamps.
Peter Allen, Chairman Birstall & Wanlip NHW

A report from Birstall’s beat officer, PC Garry Rayns:
I have received several good reports from local residents with regards to dealing with the cars parked on footpaths within the Birstall area. It has been noticed that fewer cars are taking up the safe area designed for pedestrians to walk on, not for cars to drive on.
After a recent meeting I was approached by a Birstall resident who, due to his requirement to use a Mobility Scooter, remarked on how he struggles to negotiate certain footpaths due to the cars parked on them. This only goes to back up the good work currently being carried out by our local Traffic Warden.
I have received a considerable amount of evidence relating to those drivers who have been parking on the footpaths. I will continue to monitor and ticket those drivers who park on the footpaths, as will the Traffic Warden.
A piece of happier news, crime on the whole of the Syston Policing Area has seen a drop of approximately 10% compared to last year, which had seen a drop of approximately 5% from the previous year. This can be seen in the clear fall in reported crime figures for Birstall & Wanlip since the last Birstall Post was published.
A lot of hard work has gone into dealing with the problems on the Birstall Park. This has resulted in one person being reported for riding a motor cycle on the park and related document offences and another person being arrested for other offences committed on the park. The police will continue in our endeavours to bring the problems on the park to a halt as and when we have the evidence required to bring about a prosecution at court.
As a parting remark, please could you all be extra careful during the darker evenings. Be aware that pedestrians are less visible much earlier, as the nights draw in. Also, remember to secure your properties if you are going out. At this time of year an increase in burglaries can occur as ‘Billy Burglar’ thinks he can’t be seen. Let’s prove him wrong!
PC1643 Garry Rayns (Birstall & Wanlip PBO)

Crime Report 15/9/03 to 16/10/03
Burglary Dwellings 0; Burglary Other 0; Theft of Motor Vehicles 0;
Theft from Motor Vehicles 2 (a) Number plates stolen from a car on Holt Road between 6-11.30pm on Sat Sep 27 (b) Spare wheel stolen from the underside of a car parked at Longslade School between 9am-1pm on Tues Oct 14
Damage to Motor Vehicles 1 - Rear lights damaged on a car parked at Stonehill School between 8.45-9pm on Wed Oct 15
Theft 1 - Telephone box on Wanlip Lane had the cash box stolen on Thurs Oct 9
Damage 8 (a) Front window damaged by stone thrown at address on Lambourne Rd on Wed Sep 17 between 6-7pm (b) Several addresses on Ambergate & Harrowgate Drive area had the front garden walls damaged over night during Sep 26/27 (c) Window smashed by stones at Stonehill School between 8pm on Fri Sep 26 & 2.15pm on Sunday Sep 28 (d) Bank ATM machine, Loughborough Rd sprayed with paint between 5pm Fri Sep 26 & 8.35am Mon Sep 29 (e) Fire started in hedge on the footpath between Longslade School and the houses on Wanlip Lane at 9pm on Sunday Oct 12 (f) Glass panels in greenhouse on Johnson Rd smashed between 11.55pm Wed Oct 8 & 11.55pm Tues Oct 14
Theft Person 0; Robbery 0;
Assault 4; (a)Tues Sep 23 at about 5.30pm Boy punched by person known to him, on Birstall Park School Lane. Enquiries ongoing. (b) Youth arrested after warning to stop, for swearing at a Police Officer on Lambourne Rd at about 10.20pm on Sunday Sep 28 (c) Wanlip Lane Mon Sep 29 between 9-9.30pm incident involving several youths. Air weapon recovered. Red car believed involved. 1 person arrested. (d) Attempted abduction on Windmill Ave about 7pm on Wed Oct 1 involving a 10 yr old boy
Public Order 0

Family panto

Pic: Katy & Bob Talbot as Aladdin and the Genie of the Lamp

FOR THOSE of you who have been to HATS previous pantos at Highcliffe School, there is no need to tell you when it is on.
But, for those who have missed out in previous years, and those who haven’t and are very forgetful, it’s on stage during the last week in November. Or, to be exact, Nov 27, 28 & 29. We think it’s just about the first panto of the season; let us know if you know of one that’s staged earlier.
This year we are presenting Aladdin by Norman Robbins.
Aladdin is probably the most performed pantomime of all, certainly in this country. Anyone who doesn’t know the story - Where have you been? Maybe it would be worth mentioning the author. For those who have been to HATS shows regularly, he also wrote Cinderella, Sing a Song of Sixpence and the comedy thrillers A Tomb With A View and Tiptoe Through the Tombstones. If you enjoyed those, you’ll love his version of Aladdin. Robbins has scripted the most popular version of the fable in his own comic style with all the traditional ingredients for a fun filled family foray into the world of pantomime. Oh, and by the way, for the dads, we’ve got the dancers!
So make sure you don’t miss out on the fun and frolics. Book your tickets now for Nov 27, 28 & 29. Evening performances are at 7.15pm and there will be an additional matinee on the Saturday at 2.30pm. Doors are open half an hour before curtain up. Tickets for the panto are available now and you can reserve yours by phoning the box office on 0116 2128757. Prices are £4 (£3 for concessions). As usual there will be a reduction for group bookings.
Once again, we would love to see more people from Birstall and the surrounding area coming to see our shows or actually joining our happy band of thespians.
So, if you have a couple of hours to more to spare each week, why not get in touch by phoning HATS secretary on the above number or just turn up at Greengate Hall on any Wednesday after 7pm.
from Rod Atkins

Meadow lane play area

THE NEW children’s play area on Meadow Lane has been opened by the Chairman of Leicestershire County Council Mr David Knaggs.

The scheme will increase facilities for children in the village after the Birstall Parish Council project received a grant of £44,836 from the County Council.
Chairman of Birstall Council Peter West said: “I am extremely proud of what we have achieved at Meadow Lane. Until a couple of years ago, there were hardly any facilities, and very few people went there.
Now we have a well-equipped children’s playground and the skateboard park for the teenagers. And, of course, we are also leasing the old Archery Field to Birstall United Junior Football Club, who have revitalised the old pavilion and now have a home for the club.
He added: “Due to the hard work of my Council colleagues and staff, we have managed to gain substantial grants towards these facilities, so that we have vastly improved facilities at very little cost to the Birstall Council Tax payers.”
The money was given as part of the County Council’s Forward with Leicestershire Aggregate Grants (FLAG) programme which helps support projects close to aggregate sites.
At the official opening the Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Mr David Knaggs, presented a FLAG plaque to the Chairman of Birstall Parish Council, Peter West.
The Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Mr David Knaggs, said: “I’m delighted this new facility for children is opening. It is appropriate that Birstall is benefiting from this kind of funding with its setting in the River Soar Valley, which has been quarried for sand and gravel for many years.”
Meadow Lane is also one of the main entry points for Birstall residents into the adjacent Watermead Country Park - itself developed from old aggregate sites - and it is anticipated that users of the park will also benefit from the new play area.

Parish Council Notes

A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on October 13.
The Senior Officer at Syston Local Policing Unit, Inspector Chris Brown, introduced himself to councillors and took questions.
He reported that the youth on a motorcycle who had disrupted a cricket match on School Lane playing fields had been reported for dangerous driving and for document offences. He said that the individual who appeared on the scene carrying a bat had been charged with possession of an offensive weapon and with public order offences - a court date has been arranged.
Inspector Brown reported that the cricketer who had been arrested was later de-arrested after the Police at the scene had obtained more information.
The motorcycle involved was confiscated under new Police powers. The owner paid a fee of £117 to recover the vehicle.
Inspector Brown said that motorcyclists using the park illegally were very difficult to catch and identify. He said he did not want the Police to get involved in chasing the offenders because of the risks to public safety.
Inspector Brown reported that a Police Operation targeting burglars had been effective - there has been only one burglary dwelling in the last six weeks.
Police have been visiting schools, he said, talking to children about postcoding valuable items.
Police Inspector Brown responded to a question that Police resources would be better spent tackling crime than catching speeding motorists by saying that the people in the speed vans that are sometimes seen in Birstall are volunteers, not Police Offices. He added that hundreds of people were killed on the roads and that figure was now falling.
Inspector Brown said that one of Birstall’s two beat officers, PC Kevin Palmer, had been temporarily moved to the Thurmaston beat.
The Council agreed to find out more detils about Community Support Officers, who work alongside the Police.
PC Garry Rayns reported that drugs related crime in Birstall had fallen to almost nothing. He said that four years ago Birstall had been regarded as a problem area for drugs, but this had now changed. He added that all crime was down 10 per cent this year compared to last year’s figures, which were down five per cent on 2001.
A resident reported on the problem of underage motorcyclists with no helmets riding along the length of Wanlip Lane, mostly in the evenings and at night.
Residents from Riversdale Court were reassured that their warden, who had left, would be replaced.
It was reported that the plans for traffic calming around Stonehill Avenue that were displayed in an exhibition held at Longslade, were not the plans in their final form. The Parish Council has carried out a survey in the Stonehill ward to establish residents’ views about the proposals.
It was reported that the net cost to the Parish Council for the village sign designed by Normal Sims was £1944. Funding of £3000 has been obtained from Charnwood Borough Council.
Chairman Peter West said that the Standards Board for England had notified him that no further action would be taken against him, following the complaint made by Cllr Chris Clarke. He said that he had not been informed a complaint had been made against him and said he had received no reply to emails he had sent to the Board. “The Standards Board are a scandal and a disgrace to our country” he said.
The Council agreed to request 100 free trees from the County Council’s Stepping Stones scheme.
The Council’s Estates and Recreation Committee is considering methods of improving security and restricting access to the School Lane playing field.

New lake

WORK ON improvements to wildlife habitats at Watermead Country Park began in October.
The work, part of a £400,000 improvement scheme, includes excavating a lake and extending a reed bed, providing bird hides and creating new paths. Public access will then be possible for the first time to this 14.2 hectare (36 acre) corner of the Country Park. The soils extracted will be used to extend the existing noise mound, spread on grassed areas near King Lear’s and John Merricks Lakes and used to reshape King Lear’s Lake.
This work is being funded by the Leicestershire Economic Partnership, English Nature, Forward with Leicestershire Aggregates Grant (FLAG), Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency and Charnwood Borough Council.
A County Council Spokesman said: The improvement work will inevitably cause some disruption to visitors to the northern end of the County Park for about 14 weeks while work is taking place. Roads and footpaths within the park will need to be closed for safety reasons from time to time. Alternative routes will be well signed and the County Council will endeavour to minimise any inconvenience.”

Bowling club’s finals

BIRSTALL BOWLING Club ended the outdoor season last month with both the Ladies and Men’s Presidents Days.
Before the season closed, Birstall, who are sponsored by Bentleys Roses, played their annual charity game against Rushey Mead to raise money for St John Ambulance. £250 was raised, which included a generous donation of £90 from Rushey Mead.
The club also held a charity night, raising £191.45 for the English National Association of Visually Handicapped Bowlers, of which Birstall has several members. September proved to be a busy month with the club competition finals taking place, details are below.
Ladies Winners
Championship: Nicky Greasley, Runner Up: Vera Fielding
Handicap: Jan Everitt, Runner Up: Nicky Greasley
Maiden: Sue Wilson, Runner Up: Val Hollis
Three Wood: Sue Wilson, Runner Up: Nicky Greasley
Two Wood: Nicky Greasley, Runner Up: Pam Ratcliffe
Pairs: Velma Allen & Jan Everitt, Runners Up: Val Hollis & Pam Ratcliffe
Men’s Winners
Championship: Andy Wye, Runner up, Dick Cooper
Handicap: John Lee, Runner Up: Dave Clarke
Maiden: Colin Wood, Runner Up: Stan Pratt
Three Wood: Terry Stretton, Runner Up: John McNulty
Two Wood: Andy Wye, Runner Up: Dave Clarke
Pairs: Colin Wood & Andy Wye, Runners Up: John Walker & Richard Smith
Mixed Competition Winners
Saunders Cup: Nicky Greasley & Dave Clarke, Runners Up: Sue Wilson & John Walker
Adnett Pairs: Betty Crowson & Wayne Parkin, Runners Up: Jan Everitt & Ron Wilson

Your Say...

Having read the announcement re Broadband in the current copy of the Birstall Post, I have just checked the BT website and they say that Broadband will be available in this area after January 14, 2004. Good news and a long time coming!
Carol Woods, Greengate Lane

I must apologise for my dogs barking, they will be doing more of it in the near future, due to the large number of inconsiderate people, aided by the many establishments which now appear to sell fireworks much the same as sweets, who start Diwali/bonfire night in Sep and carry it on till Christmas. Fireworks, in my humble opinion , should be sold only to organisations which have permission to provide a display for the general public, under controlled circumstances, and should not be for general sale to any person who sees fit to let them off randomly creating a nuisance. Much the same as other people’s dogs barking! I am very well aware that I may be prosecuted under the nuisance bylaw, let’s hope in this age of democracy that this applies to all manner of nuisance.
M J Flower

Thank you for your coverage of our Eight Ounces of Gold exhibition at Charnwood Museum,. which seems to have been thoroughly enjoyed by its many visitors.
I am writing this letter, first, to answer those who have asked me and other BLHS committee members, why Loughborough? Why not Birstall? and second, to follow up the footnote to your report asking if the exhibition will be displayed in Birstall.
In answer to the first query we went to Loughborough because Charnwood Museum offered us exclusive use of an exhibition room open six hours a day for 28 days with continuous supervision. They supplied the exhibition frames and the secure showcases which allowed us to loan and display original documents from Leicester Record Office and original archaeological finds from the County Archaeological Service. We also had use of their excellent publicity back up and their professional guidance on display.
With regard to the second query, Birstall Local History Society would love to put their exhibition on display in the village and would be happy to hear from any interested person or organisation. There are one or two essentials that must be met such as a secure central venue, suitable mounting and display facilities for 20 panels that can remain in situ for the length of the exhibition and unbroken supervision whilst open to the public.
If you have any suggestions or ideas on exhibiting in Birstall please give me a ring on 0116 2675792.
Mike Smith, Secretary Birstall Local History Society

Thank you to the Sussenbach Players for their brilliant show ‘That’s Entertainment’ with their kindness and generosity and the wonderful support from members, family and friends, who prepared supper, cleared furniture, sold tickets and washed up! We raised £375 for our new project ‘Breathe Easy’ a support group based at the Glenfield Hospital
Thankyou to everyone for coming and apologies to those who didn’t get tickets for this truly memorable evening.
From all friends of Birstall Methodist Women’s Group

George Bate and family would like to thank all those who sent cards and messages of condolence on the death of Kate. We would like to give special thanks to the neighbours and residents of Bramley Road who also contributed to a donation to the Stroke Association.
George Bate

Although Mr Peter West was clearly incensed by Neil Lacey’s letter, I am sure that his letter was a fairly accurate summary of the views of most of the readers of the letters page of the Birstall Post. Indeed, in common with many people we know, my husband and I turn to the letters page first to catch up on the shenanigans of the Parish Council!
It is a pity Mr West rose to the bait as his vitriolic letter only confirmed Mr Lacey’s View.
Mr West’s unworthy suggestion that certain letters should be binned (presumable those whose opinions Mr West does not share), is disgraceful. I have read the Birstall Post since the first issue and have always been impressed by the fact that all letters are published and people are encouraged to air their differing views. Perhaps it would have been better if the editor had binned Mr West’s letter. His uncharitable description of Mr Lacey as “idiotic” and a “half wit” and his letter as “childish” certainly does Mr West no favours.
The Birstall Post ‘Your Say’ page has probably got a cult following on the World Wide Web. Forget Clochemerle, it’s all happening here!
Name & address supplied

In his strange letter last month, Mr Cyril Cox accused the Parish Council ‘spin doctor’ of claiming that 75 per cent of the Meadow Lane allotments were a disgrace.
I looked back at the September Parish Council Notes and found that the remarks were made about Greengate Lane, where most of the allotments are not worked. Meadow Lane was not mentioned.
I also believe that the Editor, not the Council, writes the Parish Council Notes.
Shouldn’t the Editor have pointed both these facts out?
Or was it just an excuse for yet another pop at the Parish Council?
Name & address supplied

Women’s football

NOW IN their 3rd year Birstall United Ladies Football Club have gone from strength to strength.
Season 2001/02 saw a mixed bag of results as the team adjusted to playing in the East Midlands Regional League. A creditable 5th place in Division 3 south was a good start to life at Meadow Lane. In 2002/03 the team added new players to strengthen the squad and embarked on what was to become a memorable year.
The Division 3 south title was taken with the team winning every league match scoring a remarkable 148 goals and conceding only 8! Added to this the team did a league and cup double when they beat county rivals Harborough Town 4-2 in an exciting final held at Ilkeston Town FC. Promotion into Division 2 has so far yielded a continued winning streak as the team have taken maximum points from their first three league fixtures.
For the first time this year Birstall have also entered the country’s premier women’s competition the FA Cup. Although drawn against higher placed opposition they have won through to the 1st round proper by beating Kettering Town (2-1) and Solihull (4-0) in the qualifying rounds and will now meet Midland Combination outfit Stafford Rangers.
The club always welcomes new players - of any ability - and if anyone is interested in finding out more the club can be contacted via the Birstall Post’s website, www.birstallpost.co.uk, choose clubs and societies, sports.
From Bill Almen

News from Watermead Country Park

AUTUMN IS here so we are planning the winter work programme.
This is done in conjunction with our colleagues at Beacon Hill, Bosworth Battlefield and Snibston Country Parks, which allow us to undertake larger projects. The type of work to be completed is reedbed, heathland and woodland management.
This year so far we have had a worrying number of attacks on swans by dogs. We are therefore asking everyone to help us reduce this number. Please keep your dogs under close control and also refrain from feeding the wildfowl as this encourages them to associate humans with food, bringing them close to the water’s edge where they are more vulnerable. The last attack was due to the male swan protecting its cygnets so please take extra care when wildlife have young.
With the help of local school children, I am setting up a small wildflower area in between John Merricks Lake and the Sensory area. We have grown the plants from seed and over the last month have planted them, some of the flowers you should see next spring/summer are Red Campion, Figwort, Soapwort and Betony. During the winter I hope to have some information in place ready for the display. I would just like to say a special thank-you to the children, teachers and helpers of Church Hill, Eastfield and Highcliffe Primary schools for all their help and hard work.
Jenny Charles
Assistant Ranger, Watermead Country Park

THE NEW MINIBUS
On October 7 St James Day Care Centre took delivery of its new minibus. It is the same size as the previous one but it has larger windows, the entry/exit doorway is higher to make it easier for the passengers and it has a slightly more powerful engine.
Age Concern Birstall and Wanlip received a £5,000 grant from the Health Authority and a £5,000 grant from a charity but our application for a further grant from the National Lottery Community Fund was unsuccessful on this occasion, so we have had to use a considerable amount of our capital fund. The purchase would not have been possible without the money contributed by the members of the St James 200 Club during the past few years. Most of the members are from the congregation of St James church but all those who attend the Day Centre on Thursdays are also members, so to all those good people and to the other members, I hereby express grateful thanks for their contribution in this way for the purchase of the new minibus. Now we have to start saving towards the next replacement in a few years’ time. The previous one had travelled over 53,000 miles, and it has been bought by Age Concern Leicestershire and Rutland and it will be kept in reserve, to be used when a regularly used minibus has a breakdown or is being serviced.

THE NEW PENSION CREDIT - CRITICISED FOR BEING TOO COMPLEX
Following the launch of the new Pension Credit on October 6 it seems that there were serious problems with the computers and it was not possible to process the application forms for the first two days. Also until October 6 only about half of those eligible for the pension credit had been notified by the Government in writing. The Government has revealed that some applicants will not start receiving payments until October 2004, although the payments will be backdated to October this year. Andrew Smith, the work and pensions secretary, has said that only 73% of those eligible for the credit are expected to be receiving it by October 2006. Of the remainder, some will still be unaware of its existence, some will not have bothered to reply and others will not want civil servants delving into their financial affairs.
Mr Duncan Jordan, the communications director of the National Pensioners’ Convention (NPC) has stated that: “the pension credit is means-tested and means-testing and pensioners just do not mix”, and he has pointed out that 700,000 of the 2-4 million eligible for the old minimum income guarantee did not apply for it. He has said: “the pension credit is less complicated than the minimum income guarantee which it has replaced but it is still one of the most complicated pieces of legislation Britain has ever seen. We’ve heard of a few cases of Dept of Work & Pensions advisers filling in forms over the phone and the pensioners binning them when they arrived in the post to check and sign, simply because they were too complicated.”
The National Pensioners’ Convention intends to continue to campaign against the new pension credit scheme under the slogan: “Pick it up. But protest.” The NPC and charities such as Age Concern and Help the Aged are pressing instead for the level of the state pension to be raised to the minimum income level. Mr Duncan-Jordan has said: “Surely that would be a fairer and simpler way of getting the money to those who so desperately need it.”
HOW TO APPLY FOR PENSION CREDIT
Phone 0800 991234 to speak to an adviser, who will complete the form there and then. This should take 20 minutes. Where necessary, an adviser will complete the forms at your home. Before calling, make sure you have your National Insurance number, details of earnings, your state pension and any private pension scheme you may have. Friends or family members can apply on your behalf.
The completed form is sent to applicants for them to check and sign. Payments - usually into a bank or post office account - start between 4 and 6 weeks after the form is returned. Help the Aged, Age Concern and Citizens Advice Bureaux are all willing to help you apply.
Age Concern Leicestershire & Rutland Information and Advice Service, tel: 0116 2992233, fax: 0116 2992244

COUNCIL TAX RISES - PROTESTS ARE GROWING - ROYAL BRITISH LEGION BACKS CAMPAIGN
Many pensioners throughout the country are becoming more vocal and active in protesting against the hefty rises of the past few years in Council Tax and the threatened further rises next year. The Royal British Legion, which represents millions of retired servicemen and servicewomen and their dependants is linking with Is It Fair? (IIF), an internet-based action group that has attracted thousands of supporters and is calling for the tax to be scrapped.
The Legion is to support a rally to be staged by IIF in London on January 17 next year. IIF’S founder has said: “I’m confident there will be thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people at our march in January. We are appealing to people of all ages from anywhere in the country to join us.”
Terry English, the Director of Welfare at the Legion, has said: “There is great anger among our members. While many have seen their state and service pensions rise by just 1.7% over the past year, council tax has risen by 14% to 18%

SMOKE ALARM CAMPAIGN
The Government and the Fire and Rescue Service are mounting a campaign to improve the maintenance of smoke alarms. Statistics show that although about 80% of the population have them, they fail to operate in 28% of incidences of domestic fires where smoke alarms are fitted. In almost two thirds of these cases the failure is due to missing or flat batteries. The fatality rate in fires in domestic dwellings without a fire alarm is twice that in homes with a functioning alarm. On average, fires with a functioning alarm are discovered more quickly and are less likely to spread. The campaign reflects the Government’s intention to place greater emphasis on fire prevention, as set out in its White Paper entitled ‘OUR FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE’.
The campaign gives advice on how to ensure smoke alarms remain functioning effectively to save lives. Households should consider installing a hard wired alarm; alarms should be fitted on each level of the home but NOT IN A KITCHEN; the battery should be checked once a week and replaced annually; the whole unit should be replaced every ten years. Leaflets on smoke alarm maintenance are available from fire brigades and retailers supporting the campaign.

FLU JABS - HAVE YOU HAD YOURS?
Influenza is not an illness to be regarded lightly although many people who are entitled to have a jab for free do not bother to do so. It can be a distressing, dangerous illness - when I worked in hospital as a psychiatric nurse I remember some people being admitted with severe depression as a result of having influenza. So if you are entitled to a free jab and have not already had one, please consider it - it’s simple, it’s quick and it could save you a lot of distress, and it could prevent you dying.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The annual general meeting of Age Concern Birstall and Wanlip will take place at St James Day Centre on Wednesday, November 19 at 7.30pm.
Anyone is welcome to attend but only the representatives of those organisations who are ‘in membership’ with Age Concern Birstall and Wanlip can be elected to the Executive Committee, however, persons who are not part of the membership are eligible for election as Honorary Officers (ie Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary)
Jex Woods, Chairperson, Age Concern Birstall & Wanlip

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