View from the past
Pic: one of the photographs from Birstall
& District Local History Society's exhibition
THIS IS a view of Birstall that no longer
exists - St James Church may still be there, but the cottage
has long been demolished and the land built over.
It is one of almost 200 photographs and documents brought together
by Birstall Local History Society to celebrate the vanished people
and places of our village.
You will be able to see them at ‘Eight Ounces of Gold’,
their forthcoming exhibition at the Methodist Church, Wanlip
Lane. Viewing will be on Friday and Saturday September 24 and
25 from 10am to 6pm. Admission is free.
Bus changes
BUS SERVICE changes announced by the County
Council in the summer have been revised after Parish Councils
and local residents presented their views.
In a statement issued to the Birstall Post the County Council
said the new services would start on November 1 and said: The
County Council is pleased that it has been able to respond positively
to most of the concerns expressed by local people, and is now
inviting tenders for the services from local bus operators. Publicity
for all three services will be distributed in October.”
Details of the services are:
The 70B from Harrowgate Drive which will continue to operate
every hour
The 99, which will provide a 2-hourly off-peak service plus one
work journey from Mountsorrel Green and Walton Way to Leicester
and will continue to serve both the Fielding Road and Allington
Drive areas of Birstall.
The 123 route from Leicester to Loughborough via Swithland, which
will run on an hourly basis providing both peak and off-peak
arrivals in both directions. Thurcaston will continue to be served
by the route, thus maintaining the village’s links with
Cropston and Anstey.
All three services will operate Monday to Saturday
Charnwood’s new leisure centre
Pic: Chairman of Mountsorrel Parish Council
Brian Allard (left) and the Mayor and Mayoress of Chranwood Mike
and Marj Jones
THE NEW Soar Valley Leisure Centre in Mountsorrel
opened on July 31, two months ahead of schedule.
Hundreds of people watched as Charnwood Borough Council’s
Mayor Mike Jones and Mountsorrel Parish Council Chairman Brian
Allard declared the centre open, before going inside to tour
the new facility.
Pic: the fitness suite
The centre cost £6.2million to build and has been supported
by Charnwood Borough Council, Sport England, Mountsorrel Parish
Council, Rothley and Mountsorrel Swimming Pool Fund as well as
local sporting organisations. The centre comprises an 80 station
fitness suite, sports hall, swimming pool, creche, outdoor astro
turf pitch (ATP) and a meeting room that overlooks the ATP, which
is available to hire.
Pic: Assistant Manager Phil Hayesshows Julie
Boyd a treadmill
Pic: The workout room, where fitness classes
are held
Pic: the astroturf pitch
Pic: The Mayor & Mayoress take a dip in
the pool
Pic: The swimming pool
Councillor Bob Feeney, the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Recreation
says: “I am particularly pleased that the new leisure centre
has opened ahead of schedule. It is an excellent facility for
the local community and we are sure it will provide something
for everyone. The fact that the centre is ahead of time and on
budget is evidence to the hard work and commitment of local people
and we look forward to the community enjoying the facilities
on offer.”
The facility will provide ‘something for everyone’,
including swimming sessions and lessons, sports courses, kids’
activities, fitness studio and workout classes, Ladies Leisure
and over 50s sessions, creche, sports hall and an outdoor astro-turf
pitch.
A range of membership packages are available for use of the fitness
studio, workout classes, swimming pool, sauna and steam room.
Unlimited use costs £380 year, concessions £170.
Off peak membership, 7am-5pm, Monday to Friday, and all weekend,
costs £273. Those over 55 can opt for the 55+ package which
gives unlimited use for £273 year.
For details on memberships or any other further information,
please call 0116 2375267 or call in at the centre. Access is
via Kingfisher Road, Mountsorrel.
|