Birstall Post December 2003 (245)

Investment in Riverside

Pictured at the opening of Riverside's new teaching block are (l-r) headteacher Glenys Sismey, Chairman of the County Council David Knaggs, Director of Education Jackie Strong and the Chairman of the Board of Governors David Bark

A NEW £1m project to improve facilities at Riverside Primary School on Wanlip Lane in Birstall has been officially opened by the Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Mr David Knaggs.
There is a new teaching block at the School, which includes eight classrooms, one of which has been fitted out as an Information, Communication and Technology suite (pictured below).

There is also a second block which includes a new reception area and offices for the headteacher and other senior staff. The school opened in 1935, as two separate buildings and these have now been joined. Both blocks were designed to blend into the original buildings and the staff, governors, pupils and parents are delighted with the new accommodation.

A new classroom

Headteacher Glenys Sismey said: “The staff and children are delighted with the new buildings, they have made an exciting and stimulating environment for learning”.
The County Council together with the DfES New Deals for Schools initiative has funded the project. The main contractor was J&S Seddon Ltd, working alongside officers from the County Council’s Property Services Unit and Education Department.

Further work has also taken place to provide new playgrounds, car parks and other facilities for the school.
The Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Mr David Knaggs, said: “I am very pleased to be officially opening the new facilities. They are a major boost to the school and will enhance teaching and learning.

New principal

LONGSLADE’S FAILURE to improve quickly enough after failing its Ofsted inspection in October 2002 has resulted in the appointment of a new Principal.
Mr Chris Henstock has replaced Mr Geoff Court, who departed in October.
Mr Nick Salter, Chair of Governors at Longslade, said in a statement issued to parents and students: “Considerable progress has been made by the college in building upon its strengths and addressing its weaknesses but in the judgement of the governing body and the Local Education Authority, the rate of improvement needs to be increased.”
Mr Henstock is Principal of Lutterworth Grammar School and Community College. His appointment at Longslade will not be permanent and he will retain his responsibility for Lutterworth. Mr Salter said: “His role will be to provide leadership and impetus to Longslade’s drive for improvement in order to secure a firm basis for the appointment of a new principal to lead the college. This may well not be before the summer term of 2004.”
Mr Salter added: “Mr Henstock is a very experienced Principal. Lutterworth Grammar School despite its name is like Longslade, a 14-19 comprehensive Upper School. During Mr Henstock’s leadership at Lutterworth, the school has received two first rate Ofsted reports and Mr Henstock’s management has been praised. Mr Henstock has served as a headteacher in three schools and last year he acted as an adviser to a number of Leicestershire’s Upper Schools. His experience will be most useful to our College at this time.”

Parish Council notes

A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on November 10.
PC Garry Rayns reported that he would be leaving the Birstall beat on December 1 and said that PC Kevin Palmer would be moved from Thurmaston back to Birstall. There was funding available for a second officer to join PC Palmer, but no one was currently available to fill the post.
PC Rayns presented some crime figures which indicated a low crime rate.
The Council discussed the idea of making the path through School Lane playing fields at the back of Beechfield Avenue a definitive right of way with street lighting provided by the County Council. It was agreed not to proceed with the idea.
Estates Team Manager Andy Garland’s report raised the following points: problems still recur with motorbikes on the School Lane playing fields; further damage has been done to a wooden bollard on the playing fields; more damage has been done to the cricket pavilion; young people had scaled the compound gates at the rear of the Village Hall and gained entry; two dog bins had been vandalised and a litter bin destroyed; there is a shortage of litter bins at all sites; parallel bars on School Lane playing fields were corroded and have been removed; swings have been vandalised, recommend new ones be purchased.

Library computers free

IF YOU are looking for FREE, fast, reliable, up-to-date information that usually costs you money, look no further - just call into your local library and ask.
Leicestershire County Council’s libraries now have fast, efficient, on-line subscription access to a wide range of valuable information and learning materials. Whether you are an adult looking for a new career direction, a student undertaking research, a learner driver who needs some extra tuition or a company director who needs reliable information on employment law, the information is freely available on-screen at a library near to you.
On-line reference and learning material now available includes:
Ask Britannica - get a fast, reliable response to your question
Britannica On-line - view information on the word’s nations, people and places, art, history, science, world affairs, sports and games and a selection of magazines and journals
Encarta - an on-line resource for revision, education and training at any age
Xreferplus - a giant on-line reference library of dictionaries, encyclopaedias covering all kinds of topics ranging from art to accountancy and literature to law
Encyclopaedias of science, medicine and natural history
Social legislation - employment law, consumer protection law, disability law and much more
BBC Webwise - to help you get to grips with the world-wide web and email
Adult Directions - interactive careers information
Ernie White, lead member for the Community Services Department said: “Use of library computers is free and makes the internet and information technology accessible to everyone whatever their age. We are delighted to extend our free services to include this wealth of on-line information and support from library staff.”
He added: “You don’t have to be a member of the library to use a computer and, although we recommend people to pre-book a computer session, you can just call in - if one is free you will be able to look for your information immediately. Staff are on-hand to provide assistance and guidance for those who are not familiar with using a computer.

Garden trail

THE FOURTEENTH Annual Village Garden Trail next year will be on June 26 & 27.
The selected gardens are in the Greengate Lane and Castlegate Avenue area.
Garden Trail spokesman John Kilby said: “Several garden owners have already agreed to participate and arrangements are now progressing satisfactorily.
He added: “Birstall Garden Centre have again agreed to help by sponsoring the event, so please ensure that you have these dates in your diaries. It is arguably one of the best social occasions that are held every year in our village.”

Bethlehem to Birstall

A FLAME originating from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem will arrive in Birstall later this month.
Each year, a child from Austria travels to Bethlehem and lights a lamp from the flame that burns in the Grotto where Jesus Christ was born. The light is brought to Vienna where people from across Europe light their own lamps and distribute the light throughout the continent, as a message of peace.
The Scout and Guide movement have acted as couriers since 1996. Birstall Scout Leader Richard Tinley said: “The aim is to include as many people as possible and to take them the light and the peace message, which encourages everyone, but especially Scouts and Guides, to actively create peace in their environment by being tolerant towards people of different ethnic, cultural, political or religious groups. All are welcome to light a candle or lamp from the Peace Light. This is then kept burning throughout Christmas”.
There will be a service of distribution in Birstall Methodist Church on Wednesday December 17 at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend and light their own candle or lamp, either to take home or to distribute to others.

Couple’s gift of play equipment

Pic: Scott and Maria Fewster in the play-car.

A BIRSTALL couple whose two year old son died in April have donated an item of play equipment on School Lane playing field.
Scott and Maria’s son Lachlan died suddenly from meningitis. Scott said: “After the funeral we had around £2000 that had been donated and we were looking for something that would be a fitting tribute and memorial to our son. Lachlan loved the School Lane playing field, he was always on the go, and so we contacted the Parish Council about donating a piece of play equipment.”
The couple chose a red mini play-car. Scott said: “We think it’s great, Lachlan would have loved it, and we hope that the kids that play here do too.

Stonehill’s sporting stars

Melissa Swidenbank (13), Joshua Farrell (14), Liam Kinch (12), Connor Smith (12) and Wayne Slawson (13)

STONEHILL HIGH School has always had a reputation for producing high quality performers when it comes to sporting activities and this year is no exception.
A number of pupils have been selected for both district and county teams in a variety of games. Connor Smith, Wayne Slawson and Josh Farrell have all represented North Leicestershire at football. Liam Kinch played cricket for the U.12 county cricket team and Melissa Swidenbank has starred for county teams in both cricket and hockey. Duncan Wilson, head of P.E. at Stonehill, said: “We are very proud of the achievement of these pupils and feel they are a credit both to themselves and the school”.

Methodist news

At Christmas we shall be supporting the Charnwood Night Shelter based in Loughborough through some of the collections at Christmas services.
There are various Christmas events and services throughout December to which everyone is most welcome. All are free (but there will usually be a collection either for church funds or the night shelter) except December 2 when there is a £3 charge which will go to NCH.
Tuesday 2nd - Birstall Choral Society Carol Concert 7.45pm £3 (for NCH)
Wednesday 3rd - Sacred Space meditative service 8pm
Sunday 7th - Toys on the Table Gift Service 10.30am
Sunday 7th - Night of Miracles led by our choir at 6pm
Saturday 13th - Children’s Advent Workshop - morning
Wednesday 17th - Distribution of light, a service involving Birstall Scouts & Guides when a flame which originated at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is distributed at 7.30pm
Sunday 21st - All Age Worship Christmas service at 10.30am
Sunday 21st - Community Carols at Highcliffe School at 3pm
Sunday 21st - Christmas Candlelight Carol Service at 6pm
Wednesday 24th - Midnight Communion Service at 11.30am
Thursday 25th - Christmas Day All Age Worship at 10am
Sadly November saw the funeral of Rev Ray Giffard who was minister at Birstall until about seven years ago. Ray had suffered from Alzheimers Disease and had been in care for several years. His wife Wendy died 18 months ago.
Finally it seems that what we do locally, is followed nationally! At the beginning of November, in London the Anglican Church signed a Covenant with the Methodist Church. Here in Birstall we signed our Covenant several years ago and included our friends at St Theresa’s RC Church into our local Covenant and agreed to work together in our village.

Planning

Mr H Parmar - erection of single storey rear/side extension fronting Hallam Ave. 35 Elmfield Ave
Mr Gravells - erection of single storey extension to side & rear of semi detached house. 37 Moorgate Ave
Mr A Kowalski - erection of single storey extensions and pitched roof to garage to side of semi detached house. 2 Kedlestone Ave
Mr Chamberlain - 2 storey extension to side of semi detached house. 121 Wanlip Lane, Birstall
Mr & Mrs Grimbley - erection of single storey extension to side of dwelling. 24 Tempest Rd
Mr & Mrs D Agnew - 2 storey extension to side of semi detached house. 5 Bramley Rd
Punch Pub Co - formation of patio and equipped play area to the rear of public house and rearrangement of the car park. 18 Front St

Artistic talent on show

Chairman of BADAS Fred Parrott, member Mike Nutting and Secretary Mary Houghton toast the opening of the exhibition

BIRSTALL’S ARTISTIC talent was on show at the 9th annual art exhibition staged by Birstall & District Art Society, and held in the Village Hall.
It was again an extremely successful event showing some 365 pictures to staggering 685 members of the public over the three days of the show. It must be one of the best attended events in the district.
This year the Society was fortunate to have five sponsored prizes of £50 vouchers from local art associated businesses. They were judged by several prestigious local artists. The results are:
Best Watercolour, any subject, judged by Alan Oliver, sponsored by the Art Society and won by Craig Biggs for Fields of Colour.
Best Imaginative Work, any media, judged by Peter Welton, sponsored by Gadsby’s and won by Marion Smith for Farmers’ Market.
Best Landscape, any media, judged by Leslie Goodwin, sponsored by John E Wright and won by Geoff Stephenson for Morning Mist.
Best Oil Painting, any subject, judged by Kathie Layfield, sponsored by Glenwood Fine Art and won by John Brookhouse for Swithland Woods.
Best Still Life, any media, judged by Patricia Smith, sponsored by The Studio Partnership and won by Mary Bruce for Still Life With Roses.
Winners of the visitors’ raffle were: K Hotson, A Headley, P McDonald, Mrs Strong, Mr Leach, Mrs Brown, Mrs Usher. Mrs Lawrenson won the painting Shoreline by Robert Gellion.
The most heard comment was: “what amazing artistic talent there is in Birstall and district” and “how on earth do we pick a best in show”.
It was a very close vote when all the slips were counted but the winner by a mere three votes was Mary Ford with a lovely water-colour of Watermead Park. Congratulations to Mary, look after the Mary Hirst trophy for the next year.
During the exhibition Norman Sims, our President, and Bill Benbow drew portraits for £5 a time and between them added £100 to the LOROS charity collection totalling £260.
We look forward to next year when we hope to continue to foster an appreciation of the visual arts to our members and the public through our many and varied activities. Many thanks to all our members who helped with the show, to the Posy Bowl who loaned us all the wonderful floral displays and to the public who made it a success. Thanks also to the many businesses of Birstall and the surrounding area who displayed our posters. It is extremely satisfying to know that so many local businesses and the public support the events held in Birstall. That’s what I call community spirit, long may it continue.
From Fred Parrott, Chairman Birstall & District Art Society.

Tennis club

HEY, ALL you closet tennis players out there - it’s time you dusted down that racket at the back of your wardrobe.
Why? Because Birstall Watermead Tennis Club would like to hear from you!
The club, which is situated on Birstall Road, on the Co-op Sports and Social Club ground, is active all year round, both in competition matches and social club sessions.
The all weather courts are due to be improved in the coming year and it is also hoped that floodlights will be installed at some stage in the near future.
A junior coaching scheme is in place, and men’s women and mixed teams play in winter and summer leagues. For those who like informal tennis there are club sessions, particularly in the summer months, when members relieve the day’s working stress out on the courts on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.
During the late summer months, a club championship is staged, culminating in a finals day in September.
A number of social events are held throughout the year, including a Strawberry Tea tournament and a Fish and Chip Supper. Once a year a presentation night is organised, and the club committee is planning to incorporate a musical show for the 2004 function.
So, if you want to make new friends and keep fit at the same time, come and join us.
For membership details contact the chairman Mel Whiteman on 2676367 or the treasurer, Roger Bartlett on 2675273.

Nursery achieves quality standard

BIRSTALL RAINBOW Nursery on Wanlip Lane was recently awarded the prestigious National Day Nurseries Association ‘Quality Counts’ kite-mark after completing the organisation’s quality accreditation scheme.
The Quality Counts scheme aims to promote quality daycare and education for all children by developing, encouraging and maintaining high standards. Birstall Rainbow Nursery has passed assessment of 16 modules by an independent panel in order to receive the kite-mark, which acts as a reliable indicator of high quality childcare. Quality Counts is the only national quality assurance scheme specific to the day nursery sector.
Nursery Manager Paula Wright said: “We are delighted to have received this accreditation. We have always striven for the highest quality of care at Rainbow Nursery and believe that the Quality Counts kite-mark will signify our commitment to this cause”.
Rosemary Murphy OBE, Chief Executive of NDNA, said “NDNA has always been at the forefront of promoting quality in day nursery settings. A great amount of energy and commitment is needed to fulfil the criteria set by the scheme’s assessment and Birstall Rainbow Nursery should be extremely proud of their new status as one of the country’s Quality Counts accredited nurseries.”

Speeding

SIXTY PER cent of drivers break the speed limit along Birstall Road.
The figures were revealed by the Police in a letter to Birstall Parish Council who had written to them with their concerns at excessive vehicle speeds on various roads within the village.
The Police figures were obtained from traffic surveys done in 2002. They showed that on Sibson Road, Greengate Lane and Loughborough Road the “vast majority” of drivers are within the speed limit and that the Traffic Management Section will undertake “no further activity at these sites”.
The Police say they will make further checks on vehicle speeds on Birstall Road.
The Parish Council have asked the Police to continue monitoring vehicle speeds, particularly along Birstall Road.

Cards are winners

CHRISTMAS CARDS designed by Longslade students have won prizes in a competition organised by pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca.
Liz Spence won second prize and Vicky Jackson and Josie Fuller received High Commendations. The trio will receive their prizes and certificates from the Major of Charnwood Jack Moore at the Astra Zeneca Centre in Loughborough.
Longslade’s Art Department will receive a cheque for £100 to be spent on equipment for students.

No to humps

SIXTY PER cent of residents in the Stonehill ward are against County Council proposals to introduce physical traffic calming measures in the area.
Birstall Parish Council carried out the survey, with councillors calling door to door in the scheme area which includes Bentley Road, Stonehill Road and Acacia Avenue.
Parish Council Clerk Hugh Knight said: “Councillors decided to conduct the survey as they were concerned that the County Council’s publicity of its own exhibition, held in September, could have had a higher profile”.
The survey’s findings have been forwarded to the County Council who have not yet responded, or produced the results of their own consultation measures.

Informal worship for all

BIRSTALL PARISH Church is welcoming people, older and younger, to a new and informal way of worship.
‘Open House’ meets every Sunday morning at 11am for a service that has something for everyone.
Rev Malcolm Lambert, Vicar of St James the Great, said: “We want to offer something more informal, alongside our weekly communion service. We hope the choice of Parish Communion at 9.30am and Open House at 11am means there is something for everyone”.

Pictured is Birstall Royal British Legion's parade on Remembrance Sunday. The parade was followed by a service of Remembrance at St James Church and the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial.

Plans to expand Park’s reedbeds

RANGER DALE Osborne reports on a project to expand an important habitat in the Country Park.
There are records of bearded tits breeding in an area that is now the Watermead Country Park Reedbeds back in the early 1980s. The total area of Norfolk reed was only between 1.5 to 2 acres. Even at that time it was probably the largest reedbed within the County of Leicestershire and held good numbers of reed warblers, reed buntings and other species reliant on this particular habitat. By 1986, the year I first became acquainted with this area, the beds had grown to around 3 acres.
There were still good numbers of reed warblers and buntings, though the bearded tits were no longer present. Many hours were spent in and around this area, studying what was already there and conceiving an idea as to the fantastic potential this site had to offer.
When I joined the Ranger service in 1990, the area of reedbed was declining due to natural succession. Alder, poplar, birch and several species of willow were spreading and drying out the beds. So began years of cold, wet and extremely hard, though rewarding work by rangers, students and volunteers. We managed to stabilise the reedbeds at around the 3-acre mark, with excellent areas of wet woodland, coppice and sedgebeds.
Imagine my excitement when told that we had managed to acquire funding for the reedbed project to start late in 2002. My plans, so long stuck in-between a Collins Guide to British Birds and a rather old and tatty copy of My Family and Other Animals, were now being used to plan what I believe to be one of the most exciting natural history projects this county has been involved in.
Those of you who have been given a guided walk around this area will already know what an important site it is and the potential it has to offer.
Phase One of the project began in late 2002. Our Norfolk reedbeds are split up into six actual areas, with the sizes ranging from a couple of hundred square metres to around an acre. These are cut at the moment on a two-year rotation system, as we are still trying to keep the invading scrub under control. The idea for these existing beds was firstly to extend them to around 6 acres, joining the two main beds together by digging out a channel. This has been carried out, moving vast amounts of soil to the northern end of the site. New reed has been planted in these areas and seems to be growing well. A series of ditches has also been dug out to create a yearlong flow of water. Sluice systems are now installed, so we can control the amount of water each bed receives. A double hedge has been planted all the way along the eastern side of the site and the foundations of a footpath through the planned wildflower meadow have recently been laid.
The wildflower meadow has been cleared of unwanted high vegetation so that the new flowers are not smothered out having to compete for sunlight. Seeding of this area has now taken place and we look forward to seeing the variety of new flowers that we hope will come up in abundance.
Phase Two of the Project began in late September 2003. A new reedbed will be created within the south/western side of the site, and other areas of reed will be extended, bringing in total the number of reedbeds to seven. These will now be cut on a five year rotation system. A new lake is proposed at the northern end as well as a small area for car parking.
The footpath will be extended northwards, which will give access to several bird hides, including a high viewing platform. A further extension to the most northern reedbed, which will enable it to butt right up to the proposed visitor centre. (But that is something for the future.) Work will continue clearing scrub areas that ten years ago were actually the main reedbed on the site. When all the work has been carried out, we hope to have a little over 8 acres of Norfolk reedbed on the park. This would then certainly be by far the largest reedbed within the county of Leicestershire. Finally, I could go on about the osprey nesting platform, the artificial kingfisher nesting wall, the artificial otter holt and the under water observatory, but I won’t!
There’s still a lot of really hard work to be done before this project is completed; though the rangers at Watermead are fully committed to the cause. Managing the site after all the attention it has and will receive over the coming years will of course see the same dedication that has been shown when the plans were stuck between two of my favourite books!
From Dale Osborne, Ranger

Your Say...

After reading one of the recent abusive letters directed at Birstall Parish councillors, a neighbour remarked that it used to be a convention that volunteers were not criticised, as they were giving up their time to do work on your behalf.
However the latest attack in the Birstall Post suggests the reverse - that the ignorant and silly Mr Neil Lacey was right to send in an offensive letter, but that I, as a volunteer councillor, had no right to reply.
At least Mr Lacey had the decency to put his name to his letter. The latest writer was too pathetic and cowardly to sign her name - surely a good reason for the Editor not to have printed it.
However, I asked the Editor to pass on an invitation to the un-named writer to attend the November meeting of the Parish Council to see what actually goes on. It did not surprise me that she declined - perhaps she had other anonymous poison-pen letters to write.
Frankly, I see no reason why councillors should put up with this abuse, and can foresee a time when some feel that the residents of Birstall are not worth working for. If they step down, will people like Mr Lacey or ‘name & address supplies’ come forward to take their place? I think we all know the answer to that.
Instead, I wonder why these letter writers think it is amusing that people give up their time to serve the village, only to have meetings disrupted by just one individual or, even worse, have sleepless nights because they have the threat of legal action handing over their heads after they have been reported by that same person for some imaginary transgression. What else do these people find amusing - the fact that nine excellent councillors, with many years of service behind them, have given up in despair? Or that the previous chairman, Nigel Coleman, was subjected to personal abuse in the street? Or do they perhaps find the vandalism to the village parks and play equipment something to laugh at?
Fortunately there are other decent people in Birstall who stop us in the street or write letters to thank us for our efforts or to comment favourably on our parks. This is what makes public service worthwhile.
So may I say that if people have a genuine complaint to make about the state of our parks, playing fields, playgrounds or cemetery, or the improvements made to the village over the last few years, or wish to comment on our recent consultation on road-humps or our efforts to maintain Birstall’s bus services or to keep a warden at Riversdale Court, then please come along to the office or, better still, to a Council meeting and we shall gladly listen to what you have to say.
But if you merely wish to make stupid and abusive remarks about decent people you do not know, who give up their time willingly, often in difficult circumstances, to try to make Birstall a better place, then rest assured that I shall reply and shall treat you with the contempt you deserve.
Peter West

Without doubt the most common complaint in Birstall over the past weeks has been directed at the mindless few who do not seem to be able to exist without the constant, horrendous din of so called fireworks. Explosions seems now to be part of ‘every night’ life. My only suggestions to people who pass comment to me is to show exactly what you feel about the traders who sell them by using shops and businesses that seem to be able to make a living ‘fireworks’ free. I am sure that the traders who say they only sell to adults or organised displays, but having done a little survey we all know different, will soon get the message when their business shows that a boycott can have an effect just as distasteful to them as the constant explosions are to the vast majority of us.
Dave A Cherry

I do not normally respond to unsigned letters but your anonymous writer points out that I misunderstood a council report into the condition of the allotment plots in Birstall and I apologise for my error.
I wrote in the main asking for understanding and maybe a little help at a time when it seems neighbouring councils are actively encouraging our pastime.
My “strange” letter was also hopefully a humorous account of ‘Life on the Lotties’, no way was it just another excuse for a ‘pop’ at the council.
I have no wish to join the protagonists on this page but as I have been on the gardening scene for almost 50 years I would wish to continue to promote the allotment movement drawing attention to problems as I see fit, without hopefully too many cold blasts from the West.
Cyril H Cox

We too have come to dread the firework season, that now lasts for up to three months every year, but we feel compelled to respond to M J Flower’s letter in the November Birstall Post headed ‘Noisy Nuisance’.
We feel that this attitude is extremely selfish. We don’t make noise of any kind at unsociable hours, but for some time now we have been plagued by two barking dogs in our vicinity. In both cases we have addressed our concerns politely to the owners, but to no effect. These animals are left in their gardens for long periods of time, and bark constantly. We are kept awake at night, and have been woken as early as 6am on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Whilst we have every sympathy for pet owners (and the wildlife at Watermead Country Park) during the firework season, a little more consideration from dog owners would go a long way to make our lives more pleasant.
John Scott, Nether Hall Lane, Birstall

St Theresa’s Social Group would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone for their continued support throughout 2003, and to wish everyone a very happy Christmas.
Day trips as well as holidays having once again been very successful.
To ensure that you receive details of all trips and holidays now is the time to let us have two stamped addressed envelopes, one marked day trips, the other holidays.
All of our trips and holidays leave and return from St Theresa’s Church, Birstall.
Please remember all trips and holidays are open to everyone in the community, on a purely first come basis. No church affiliation is necessary.
Daphne & Sabina 2675721 or 2671731

On behalf of the Royal Air Forces Association Birstall Branch, I would like to convey sincere thanks to residents and friends of Birstall and the surrounding areas of Syston, Cossington, Rothley, Loughborough and Coalville for the support given to our Battle of Britain Wings Appeal this year.
Your valued contributions have helped us to raise over £6000. This money will enable us to continue our services and finance the growing need to expand them. Your help is much appreciated.
Eve Cooper, Wings Appeal Organiser, Birstall Branch

May I through the Birstall Post thank the wonderful people who gave so readily to my poppy effort on Sibson Road during poppy week, you have exceeded all previous records. Thank you all so very much, not forgetting the children and the young sector who are our Royal British Legion of the future. The total raised this year was £232.02, a wonderful total.
See you all again next year along Sibson Road.
Mrs V A Joyce
Birstall Royal British Legion, Women’s Section

Birstall is becoming a very sad place, I have lived here for 75 years and cannot believe what some low people do.
For several years I have put plants in two containers outside David Michael Butcher’s shop to try and brighten things up. We expect the youngsters will put chip papers on there, instead of in a litter bin, but after planting bulbs and 20 polyanthus last week all the polys have been stolen and I don’t think it’s kids.
B R West

Age Concern Info

OLDER LESBIANS, GAY MEN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDERED PEOPLE : NEW INFORMATION SHEET
Age Concern has published a new Information Sheet to help older gay, lesbian and bisexual people to plan for later life and to advise those who wish to offer support. It covers a range of social and financial issues affecting these groups, as well as next-of-kin problems faced by those whose relationships are not recognised by law. Information is organised alphabetically by subject heading.
The document includes a section that briefly addresses transgender issues and provides a list of contact organisations.
Age Concern publishes a number of Information Sheets and Fact Sheets (all these are in Birstall Library) on issues affecting older people, many of which have been updated in the past six months to take account of changes in policy or legislation. A full list is available from the address as follows: ‘PLANNING FOR LATER LIFE AS A LESBIAN, GAY MAN, BISEXUAL OR TRANSGENDERED PERSON’. Ref.LC/8, 18pp.
Individual copies of this and other Information Sheets and Fact Sheets are available free from Age Concern FREEPOST (SWB 30375), Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7ZZ. Tel: 0800 009966. Also available on the internet at hhtp://ww.ageconcern.org.uk/Age Concern, information 127.htm

CAMPAIGNERS PUSH FOR CAPACITY BILL
The 28 organisations which make up the Making Decisions Alliance are calling on the Government to include a Bill on Mental Capacity on this year’s Queen’s Speech. Age Concern England, a member of the alliance, believes legislation must be introduced to protect people unable to express their wishes about their own future.
Consultation on a mental incapacity bill began 14 years ago under the Conservative administration. Since then four reports have been published on the subject and the Law Commission has produced a draft Bill.
Steve Broach of the National Autistic Society, who co-chairs the Making Decisions Alliance, is convinced that most people, including many politicians, have no idea about how poor the current levels of legal protection for those unable to make decisions and their carers are: “As things stand, if your husband, wife or partner were knocked over in the street and suffered head injuries you would have no right to be involved in decisions about their treatment, care or where they would live.
Currently only individuals and carers living in Scotland have clear legal rights. The alliance wants legislation for the rest of the UK to acknowledge the fact that people’s ability to make decisions may change, with periods of greater and lesser capacity. In its submission to the Joint Committee on the Draft Mental Incapacity Bill, the Making Decisions Alliance says: “The range of people who are let down by the current law is considerable. They include adults with severe learning disabilities, people with autism, people with mental health problems, victims of accidents, people who develop brain damage and those who lose mental capacity later in life, including those with dementia.”

MANDATORY RETIREMENT STILL UNDECIDED
Jacqui Smith MP, the Deputy Minister for Women and Equalities, told backbench MPs and Peers in October that the Government has to made its mind up over whether mandatory retirement ages will be included in the new age discrimination employment legislation.
Ms Smith who took over the Equality and Diversity : Age Matters consultation from Barbara Rocke MP after the summer’s reshuffle, addressed the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ageing and Older People on October 16. The Minister is responsible for the implementation of Article 13 of the European Union, which stipulates that discrimination on the grounds of age will have to be illegal in employment by 2006.
MPs and campaign groups have been keen to learn more about the Government’s views on allowing employers to set their own mandatory retirement ages. Ms Smith was careful to underline the fact that there was “currently no clear agreement” about the issue. The Minister felt: “Considerable sympathy with a strong lobby which sees a mandatory retirement age as bringing people to a cliff edge, when they might want to continue with their career”. However, she said she also could understand the views of small employers who see mandatory retirement as a very useful tool in managing their flow of personnel.
Ms Smith told the APPG that consultation on age provision, which she called “the most significant and difficult of the strands in the European Directive”, would be extended, with a final and more detailed consultation next year.

PENSION CREDIT INFORMATION
The Pension Credit was introduced on October 6, 2003. A range of written information about Pension Credit is available from the Pension Service, Age Concern and other organisations. These include a revised Pension Service leaflet and a more detailed technical guide to Pension Credit.
For people with access to the Internet these and other information, including a Pension Credit calculator are available on the Pension Service website at http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/pension credit. There is also a site aimed at pension representatives and advisers hhtp://www.pensioncreditinfo.gov.uk
PENSION CREDIT : PICK IT UP, IT’S YOURS. PCIL18pp 15BN : 1843881934
A GUIDE TO PENSION CREDIT. PCIOS. 112pp
Both are available free from local pension centres or social security offices, or by calling 08456 065065. Textphone : 08456 064064. Also available on the Internet at hhtp://www.thepensionsservice.gov.uk/resource_centre/pensioncredit.asp

LEARNING TO SPEAK ALZHEIMER’S
LEARNING TO SPEAK ALZHEIMER’S is based on the author’s personal experience of caring for a partner with early onset dementia. It sets out a humanistic approach to caring which the author calls ‘habilitation’, meaning ‘making capable’.
The five tenets of this approach are:
making the environment work by eliminating distractions
knowing that communication remains possible and validating the emotion behind words
focusing only on remaining skills and valuing what abilities remain
joining patients in their current world rather than attempting to question, chastise or reason with them, and
enriching the patient’s life by creating moments of success, eliminating possible moments of failure and attempting to use humour whenever possible.
The book includes practical advice and techniques for caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.
LEARNING TO SPEAK ALZHEIMER’S by Joanne Koenig Coste. 244pp, Price £9.99. ISBN:0091886724. Available from Bookpost, P O Box 29, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM99 1BQ. Tel:01624 677237. Fax 01624 670923 Email: bookshop@enterprise.net
Jex Woods

Nature Notes by Finch

It has been a long, very dry and hot summer. I mowed the lawn in July and when I cane to do it in October the grass had hardly grown in some places. There was the occasional patch which was reverting to wilderness and which showed up the deficiencies of the mower, but otherwise I hardly had any clippings at all. Whilst I am sure that keen gardeners would be horrified by this tale of neglect, I must plead house painting, restoring the garage, sieving the compost heap, the bathroom ceiling, the bedroom and about a thousand other jobs which the good lady friend felt would be a reason for suicide (mine) if I did not do them at once.
Others in my shoes would know that grass regenerates very quickly after the first good rain, so I am not too worried by my lack of lawn tending. Grass, in fact, has the same ability as many other plants and animals. Consider, for example, anything that lives on what we are pleased to call a desert. Many deserts in the world do have a measurable rainfall, but there are long intervals between downpours. Yet whilst water is available plants must germinate, grow, flower and seed - thousands of them. The seeds must be able to lay dormant until the next rains and repeat the performance whilst the parent plant withers and dies as quickly as it grew.
Animals have other ways of surviving because they are mobile. Take for instance the sand grouse, a relative of our own wood pigeon. This species breeds far out into the dry wastes; when the young hatch one adult must shield them from the sun at all times, whilst the other flies to the nearest water hole - which could be many miles away - soaks its breast feathers in the water and flies back. Because these feathers are very efficient at absorbing water this flying water cart is able to raise its young by giving them drinks from its feathers at regular intervals.
A little nearer to home - the fairy shrimp. This creature thrives in rainwater puddles and cannot live out of water at all. So what happens if the puddle dries up? Simple - the eggs of this shrimp are very resistant to desiccation so, as the puddle contracts and the adults die, the eggs are left in the mud to await the next downpour. Come to that, many freshwater invertebrates are so adapted. In some cases the eggs will blow with the dust until they land in a new stretch of fresh water where they will develop and hatch.
Lastly there is the one desert which we never think of in those terms - the sea shore. Twice a day the tides bring salt water over large areas of beaches and rocks, and thousands of animals and plants that live in salt water feed and flourish. Twice a day the tide rolls back leaving those animals and plants in a hostile, desiccating atmosphere which will not support the soft fleshy structures which enable these life forms to feed, nor will it convey food to them. So what happens? They shut up shop - literally. Shellfish have shells for very good reasons, one of which is to shut out ‘pure’ air when they are left high and dry.
Thinking about it, perhaps I will give the lawn a feed after all, IF I get time.

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