New windows and a lick of paint
Pic: Gerald Hardington and Stuart Jones
OUR PICTURE shows Chairman of Birstall
Parish Council Stuart Jones and Cllr Gerald Hardington hard at
work painting the old Council offices at 10 Sibson Road.
The building, owned by the Parish Council, is being refurbished
- the wood cladding is being treated and the windows replaced
with UPVC.
The building is used as a young persons’ drop in and by
Neighbourhood Watch, and is available for hire. There is a large
meeting room and two smaller rooms with a kitchen facility. Contact
the Parish Council on 2676191 for hire details.
Birstall man ordained
A FORMER pupil of Highcliffe, Stonehill
and Longslade schools has been ordained a priest.
Father James Edward Mowbray (26) (pictured below with his wife
Sarah) was ordained Priest by Brian, Bishop of Tonbridge. The
ordination took place in June at the Parish Church of All Saints,
Perry Street, Northfleet, Kent where Father James serves his
Curacy.
Father James grew up in Birstall and along with his brother Philip,
completed his education at Birstall’s schools.
After studying for three years at the united Theological College,
Aberystwyth, James gained a degree in Theology. He then took
a gap year and worked as the Assistant Chaplain with the Mission
to Seafarers in Southampton.
During his time in Southampton, James successfully completed
the selection process for the ordained ministry. He was awarded
a place at the College of Resurrection in Mirfield, West Yorkshire,
where he completed his training for the priesthood. At the same
time Father James was awarded a further degree from Leeds University.
In 2002, James married Sarah - they met while studying in Aberystwyth.
Father James was made deacon, by Michael, Bishop of Rochester
in September 2003 and he and Sarah have happily made their home
within the parish of All Saints, Perry Street, Northfleet. Father
James will serve as the Assistant Curate in this parish for a
period of four years.
Badger winners
Pic: Commander Peter Brown and children's
TV presenter Rani with award winner Olivia Montague-Mason
LEICESTERSHIRE’S BIRSTALL Badgers,
St John Ambulance’s group for children aged 6-10 years,
is on a winning streak.
After a Birstall team won all available prizes at their annual
county wide competition, two Birstall Badgers have now won national
awards.
Olivia Montague Mason aged 7 years, of Roman Road, Birstall,
came joint second in the prestigious Roy Follett award for action
during potentially life threatening situations. When her baby
sister began choking on a tiny plastic top alongside her in the
back of the family car, Olivia stayed calm and was able to extract
the toy safely from her sister’s throat.
On July 6, as part of the Young First Aider of the Year event
held at London Zoo, she was presented with a framed certificate
in recognition of her achievement by children’s TV presenter
Rani. Olivia also won a toy of her choice, £50 for her
sett, and an engraved plaque.
In addition, Thomas Simms aged 7 years of Waterfield Road Cropston,
has jointly won the Younger Badger category in the competition
to design a 500th birthday card for St John’s historic London
Headquarters and museum, St John’s Gate. There were over
400 entries. He wins a crystal replica of the Gate, crayons,
and a £50 prize for his sett. His card can be viewed on
www.sja.org.uk/museum
Students’ exhibition
LONGSLADE COLLEGE hosted an impressive
exhibition in July that featured the work of adult students.
Pic: artist Jennie McCall with
her goddess figures
Organised by tutor Sherilyn Tyler, the Textile Art Design Exhibition
showed work by City & Guilds Embroidery Level 3 students,
Higher Level Creative Arts Students Level 4, Drawing and Painting
students and work by Adults with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities.
Our picture shows artist Jennie McCall of Loughborough with her
figures made from bonsai wire. She has completed several City
and Guilds courses at Longslade and said: “It has been an
excellent course led by a professional artist, Sherilyn Tyler,
who brings a very high standard that is reflected in the work
exhibited here.”
Methodist news
Garden Trail raises £3300
Although the weather on the Saturday of the garden trail was
a little disappointing, Sunday was much better. The financial
result will be split equally between the Air Ambulance and the
Methodist Church. Thanks to all who helped, and those who organised,
Birstall Garden Centre, and most especially the garden owners
who kindly agreed to open their garden gates for the 2004 Garden
Trail.
Cream Teas for the Carpenters Arms
On Saturday August 7 you can enjoy a cream tea at 8 Hermitage
Road - any time between 2pm & 5pm. All proceeds from this
event will be given to The Carpenters Arms, which is a project
for the homeless based in Wharncliffe Road Loughborough. The
aim is to raise sufficient funds to cover the cost of one week’s
groceries.
It is a short stay hostel for homeless people, many of whom may
have problems with drugs and/or alcohol. Others may have mental
health issues or be ex-offenders.
The aim of the project is to provide accommodation for 6 to 9
months, and to provide support so that residents can learn more
life skills and adopt an independent lifestyle. When more permanent
accommodation is found the project continues to support as they
adapt and follow a resettlement programme.
Formal Farewell Service for Rev Chris Gray
The final service for Rev Chris Gray will take place at Birstall
on Sunday morning August 1.
On Sunday August 15 at 4pm, there will be a tea followed by a
formal departure service for Chris and his family as he leaves
Birstall to move to Nottingham
New Minister from the Cameroon
Pic Rev Edward Sakwe with his family
Replacing Rev Chris Gray and taking up his post in September
will be Rev Edward Sakwe. He will travel with his family from
the Cameroon in West Africa to join us here in Birstall. Joining
Rev Edward Sakwe, will be his wife, Esther and their three young
children Lucella (a girl aged 8), Masoma (a boy aged 6) and Jemea
(a girl aged 3). Also with them will be Electa (a girl aged 14)
whom Edward and Esther took into their family in 1996 following
her parents’ death.
Edward did his studies at Hull University so he is not unfamiliar
with the United Kingdom. Nevertheless for his family to move
halfway across the world to a new country and culture can seem
daunting. Birstall will, I am sure, give Edward and his family
a warm welcome, and the church will give him every support and
help.
Team’s race for life
Pic: with their medals for completing the
race are Rose Jacobs, Lisa Jacobs, Joanne Boden, Katie Howard,
Lisa Chandra, Becci Jacobs, Amy Davis, Donna Wilson, Sam Richards,
Natalie Smith, non walker Beth Jacobs, Debbie Carr and Jessica
Wilson (5)
STAFF FROM Birstall’s New World Florists
on the Meadway were joined by friends from stationers Viking
Direct when they took part in the Cancer Research Race for Life
sponsored walk last month.
Calling themselves the new World Viking Demons, the 19 strong
team completed the 5km distance, some walking and some running.
Donna Wilson from New World Florists said: “It was a great
atmosphere with Leicester Sound and an aerobics session before
the start, and bouncy castles and ice cream waiting for you at
the finish, as well as a medal, water and a goody bag. We’ve
all vowed to try to run the race next year.”
Krusty’s walk
THE STAFF from Krusty’s Bakery on
Sibson Road and Paul Johnson the local window cleaner teamed
up and raised £790 with a 15 mile sponsored walk.
Pic: (l-r) Paul Johnson, Emma Scaife,
Dave from Leicester Tigers and Teresa Mugginson
The team took part in an event organised by the Leicestershire
Combined Children’s Charities and joined other walkers on
a route from Western Park to Bradgate Park and back.
Paul said: “Many thanks to all who sponsored us and to all
the other people that took part on what turned out to be a lovely
day for all concerned.”
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Age Concern info
At Least Five a Week
The Chief Medical Officer has produced a report on the evidence
of the impact of physical activity and its relationship to health.
The report contains separate sections on the benefits of physical
activity for children and adolescents, adults and older adults.
Key points in the section on older adults include:
the beneficial effects for younger adults of physical activity
on cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity are also
evident for older people;
regular activity is particularly important for older people in
order to maintain mobility and independent living;
strength training exercises can improve muscle strength, which
is important for tasks such as walking or getting up from a chair;
physical activity, particularly training to improve strength,
balance and co-ordination, has been found to be highly effective
in reducing falls;
physical activity can help to improve emotional and mental well-being
of older people; and
physical activity may improve at least some aspects of cognitive
function which are important to daily living.
The report describes the high levels of inactivity amongst older
people and some of the potential reasons for this. It does not
address the evidence on how activity patterns can be changed
but summaries another report on this topic.
At Lease Five a Week : Evidence on the Impact of Physical Activity
and its Relationship to Health. A Report from the Chief Medical
Officer. 128pp. Available free from Department of Health, PO
Box 777, London SE1 6XH Tel: 08701 555455. Fax: 01623 724524.
Also available on the Internet at http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/08/09/81/04080981.pdf
Doorstep Selling Report
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has issued a report on a study
it has carried out on selling on the doorstep and in the home.
Its research found a range of sales tactics and influencing techniques
which can lead consumers to make inappropriate purchases which
they later regret. It found that buying in the home is a unique
setting because salespeople effectively have a captive audience.
The findings have highlighted a gap in consumer protection legislation.
The current legislation gives consumers who are cold called at
home a seven day ‘cooling off’ period in which to cancel
a contract, but this right does not apply if consumers have asked
for the visit. However, physchological research undertaken by
the OFT has found that these consumers are no better prepared
to resist the sales tactics. The OFT therefore is recommending
that the Government amends the current legislation to allow a
seven day cooling off period for all sales in the home. The Government
has welcomed the report and says it should be responding to the
recommendations within 90 days.
Doorstep Selling : A Report on the Market Study. 119pp. Available
free from OFT Publications, Swallowfield Way, Hayes, Middx UB3
1DQ Tel: 0870 606 0321. Fax: 0870 607 0321. (Note: There are
20 annexes contained in two additional documents. These are listed
in the report) Office of Fair Trading Press Release 83/04, 12
May 2004
Free Passports for Over 75s
The Government has announced an extension to civilians of its
free, one year passport scheme for Second World War veterans.
These were issued to allow veterans to attend the remembrance
events for the sixtieth anniversary of the D-Day landings. Although
full details have to be determined and legislation passed this
autumn, the Government has announced its intention that anyone
born on or before September 2, 1929 will be eligible to apply
for a free, ten year passport. This is in recognition and grateful
commemoration of their wartime efforts, both in the armed forces
and at home.
(Home Office Press Release, 19 May 2004)
Housing Care Web Site for Older People
The Elderly Accommodation Counsel has set up a housing web site
in partnership with the Housing Corporation and with support
from a range of funders and sponsors. It aims to help older people
make decisions about where to live and any support or care they
may need. It can also provide help for older people who need
to maintain, adapt or improve their home; find care or home help
services; or move to retirement/extra care housing or to a care
home. The site is divided into three main areas: for individuals,
advisers and service providers.
Housing Options Online is at -http://www.housingcare.org/index_hc.html
Your Taxes and Savings
The book has been completely revised and updated following the
2004 Budget. It offers an impartial guide to financial planning
for older people, with sections covering how much tax should
be paid, hidden tax traps and how to avoid paying too much tax.
The section on savings covers, amongst other topics, information
on how to get the best rate of interest, saving money simply
and easily, and complicated savings products.
Your Taxes and Savings 2004-2005 : A Guide for Older People by
Paul Lewis. Published by Age Concern England. 192pp. Price £6.99
(plus £1.99 p&p). ISBN : 0862423953. Available from
Age Concern Books, Units 5&6, Industrial Estate, Brecon,
Powys LD3 8LA. Tel: 0870 4422120. Fax: 0870 800 0100
Carers - New Learning Programme
Learning for Living is an electronic learning programme for carers
and former carers. Run by City & Guilds, it is designed to
build on skills learned through being a carer and to help develop
new skills. It is intended to help carers to develop confidence
and computer skills and to pave the way for a return to work
or further education. A qualification based on the course has
been approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority,
and can be obtained after completion of four ten-hour units.
Information on the programme is available on the internet at
http//www.learning-for-living.co.uk. Further information can
be obtained by emailing carers@city-and-guilds.co.uk.
New Information Sheets and Factsheets Published
by Age Concern
Housing Options : Factsheet 50. This provides information about
housing options for older people in a range of situations, from
those facing homelessness to those who find their present housing
inadequate or difficult to manage. For those who wish to stay
in their own home, it includes advice on how to make an older
person’s current home more suitable for life in old age.
There are also sections on moving home, renting, sheltered housing,
retirement housing, park (mobile) homes and homelessness.
Consumer Advice : Where to Get It. Information Sheet 11
This explains how to avoid problems with goods and services and
how people can complain if they are not satisfied with goods
or services purchased. Also it lists the main consumer organisations
and describes their role.
NHS Services and Older People : Factsheet 44
This factsheet replaces the April 2003 version. It summarises
the NHS plan and the services available, and identifies those
services specifically aimed at older people. Also it highlights
changes to improve the quality of NHS services and increase patient
involvement and provides an update on progress against targets
set in the National Service Framework for Older People.
Individual copies of these and other Factsheets and Information
Sheets are available free from Age Concern FREEPOST (SWB 30375),
Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7ZZ. Tel: 0800 009966. Also available on
the internet at http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/Information_127.htm
Also all the Factsheets are available in two folders at Birstall
Library and may be read there (one of my responsibilities is
to keep them updated each month!)
Jex Woods
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