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Birstall Post October 2004 (255)

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Wonderful Watermead

THE WET, Wild and Wonderful event in Watermead Country Park in September attracted 4000 people and raised £10,000 for the Rainbows Children’s Hospice.

This is the fourth year that the park has staged the event, which featured dog agility displays, craft exhibitions, classic cars, ferret racing as well as many other stalls and activities.
Pics from top: Brian Wright with German Shepherd Bonnie, winners of the Alternative Grand National. Tommy the ferret from the Ashfield Ferret Club. Linda Halington with five month old Molli, a Newfoundland and member of the Watermead Waders, a group that trains the breed in water rescue. Classic cras on display

Rainbow nursery’s summer fete

BIRSTALL RAINBOW Nursery on Wanlip Lane held a summer fete on September 4 and raised £500 for the NSPCC.

Pic: Alice Chamberlain as Spidergirl

It was a glorious sunny day and they had various stalls and games including a cake stall, White Elephant, Tombola and a childrens and adults raffle with donations from businesses in the area. They also had fun games for the children to play, with Hook a Fish being very popular, Lucky Lollies, Guess How Many Sweets in the Jar, a bouncy castle and a barbecue. The local police and firemen attended bringing their police car and fire engine.

Planning

Mr R Boulton - change of use of butchers shop (Class A1) to chinese takeaway (Class A3). 26 Went Rd
Mr S G Carr - erection of two storey extension to side and single storey extension to rear of semi-detached house. 74 Queensgate Drive
Mr & Mrs Waddingham - erection of a single storey extension to side of semi-detached house. 14 Newtown Drive
Ms C Adams - site for the erection of two detached houses. 15 Perseverance Rd
Mrs E R Cant - erection of a single storey side extension to side of semi-detached dwelling. 32 Gwendolin Ave
Mr & Mrs M Gregson - extension to rear of garage, first floor extension to side over garage and erection of pitched roof to front of dwelling at ground floor level. 84 Queensgate Drive
Mr M Akiens - erection of detached garage to front of detached house. 11a Freehold Rd
Mr & Mrs J Ward - erection of a single storey side extension to side and detached garage to rear of semi-detached house. 221 Wanlip Lane
Dr B Rathbone - erection of conservatory extension to side of dwelling. 20 Netherhall Lane

Fun at library

The Wriggly Readers storytime for under 5s returned on Monday September 20 at Birstall library with nursery rhymes and stories.
The storytime has not run over the summer but will now run every Monday from 10am and everyone is welcome, so we hope to see you there soon.
Halloween is coming to Birstall library on Thursday October 28 with ‘Spooky Stories’. Pumpkin scooping will start at 4.30pm with spooky stories starting in the dark at 5.30pm and fancy dress is definitely encouraged! There is also a spooky story competition; if you write a short spooky story and give it to the library by Friday October 22 the two winning stories will be read out on the day and will be written on the website, you may even win a prize! So get your writing hats on and your Halloween costume ready and we’ll see you at the library on the Thursday before Halloween.
The computer courses have been very popular and there are some more beginner courses being planned for October and November so if anyone is interested then please give the library a call for more information on 2673494.
From Chris Poole, Library Development Worker at Birstall

Big splash at Scout camp

OVER 130 members of the Leicestershire Scouts - including a good number from Birstall Scouts - made the biggest ever Splash when they attended a three-day camp in which they had a chance to try a wide range of water sports and other activities like abseiling and climbing.

Pics: Members of Birstall Scouts test their raft on the River Soar during the Splash weekend.

The event drew participants from Scout troops and Explorer units all over the county, presenting them with exciting challenges, said Andy Parker, the Scouts County Canoeing Advisor: “Building canoe rafts requires a lot of teamwork. Once they had built the raft, the Scouts then completed a ‘deck walk’ which entails them walking across all the other canoes. This a good test of their agility and a sense of balance, as well as their trust in their colleagues. If it all goes wrong it tests their swimming as well!”
As well as canoeing and kayaking, the Scouts also had a go at air rifle shooting, abseiling and indoor climbing at the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre, with sailing tuition being staged at Watermead Country Park.

Stories behind the names

AS YOU walk around our village how many of you have read and reflected on the names inscribed on Birstall’s war memorial or wondered about the origin of our many street names?
Birstall Local History Society with their new book Names Around Birstall tell the stories behind these names. The first and larger part of the book, written and researched by Stuart Liquorish, commemorates and tells the story of each one of those from Birstall who died whilst serving during the two World wars.

Pics: Sibson Road was named after the oldest family in Birstall. Pictured is Thomas Sibson's cottage that used to stand on what is now a bus stop in front of the old council offices. Below: Thomas Sibson



It is noticeable that the war of 1914-18 with its trench warfare shows that all those from Birstall who made the final sacrifice died and are buried either in France or Belgium, but the conflict of 1939-45 saw our sons serving and dying in Europe, Africa and Asia.
The second part is the work of John Kilby and tells the stories behind many of our street names. Here we can find that the ordinary families of Birstall, such as the Sibsons, Kilbys and Hallams are remembered alongside the gentry from the big houses, the Clarks, Pagets and Fielding Johnsons.
Names Around Birstall is a delightful book for its stories and many illustrations ensure that those who have served us and are now lost will not be forgotten.
The book cost £3.50 and is available from the following outlets.
Michaels Butchers, Sibson Road; Birstall Library, Wanlip Lane; Birstall British Legion Club, Front Street; Grahams Fruiterers, Kingsgate Avenue; Stonehill Avenue Post Office; Dhillons Store, Rose Tree Avenue

Methodist church news

Edward Sakwe - the new minister
Edward Sakwe and his family, all from the Cameroon, are beginning to settle into the Park Road manse. Edward has spent a week away from Birstall at the College of the Ascension in Birmingham, on an induction course.
Although many folk in the UK were trying to resolve the Visa problem, we learn now that Edward had to make a 400-mile journey every week to the British Consulate offices to try to resolve matters from his end. Had things gone according to plan Edward and his family would have been in the UK in early July, instead of mid August.
It was a very full church that welcomed him formally on September 5. There were representatives from the Cameroon living all over the East Midlands attending the service.

Ladies Groups
Our three ladies groups have had another lively, interesting and financially rewarding year. The Women’s Group, under the leadership of Chris Tilford, have raised £2750 towards the ‘Breathe Easy’ campaign run by Glenfield Hospital. Christine retires after 4 years as chairman of this lively and active group of about 40 ladies of all ages.
The Thursday Group raised £1500 for the Air Ambulance. Their project for the coming year is to raise funds for an outdoor play area (at the back of the Concert Hall) for the playgroups that use the premises. Mrs Anna Lacey steps down as leader and Mrs Irene Mason takes over this group of about 50 ladies.
Our Bright Hour, under the leadership of Shirley Harrison fulfils a need for the more elderly ladies of Birstall meeting on Tuesday afternoons.

Deck the Halls
Do keep November 26 & 27 free for this event of Christmas decorations. There will also be a German Market on Friday November 26. More details in the November Birstall Post.
Harvest, Civic & an MP - all on a Sunday!
Harvest Festival is on Oct 3, Civic Service on Oct 10 and Andy Reed MP takes part in our Social Responsibility service on Oct. 17. All at 10.30am

Bridging projects

MANY SUCCESSFUL Bridging projects were organised by Longslade College with its partnership schools in the academic year 2003/04. Brief summaries follow:
Students from Stonehill High Year 9 visited the Design & Technology Department at Longslade to design and make cardboard chairs.
For the second year, Maths staff visited both Longslade’s feeder high schools, Stonehill and Anstey Martin, to work with the top 10 mathematician students in Year 8 to use Omnigraph to plot graphs etc.
The Year 5 bridging project, in the areas of ICT, D&T and Food, was run for the third year. This year it was with students from Riverside Community Primary School and Latimer Primary School on two separate days. Riverside pupils made business cards in ICT, biscuits in Food Technology and boxes in Design. Latimer pupils made badges in ICT biscuits in Food Technology and boxes in Design.
For the second time Longslade Maths staff also visited six of their partnership primary schools: Glenfield, Highcliffe, Richard Hill, Riverside, Rothley, The Hall. Staff worked with the top 10% of mathematicians in year 4, using Excel to create statistical graphs using data they had entered into spreadsheets. This project was run with three primary schools last year.
Several partnership schools have taken advantage of the loan equipment supplied by Longslade as part of its Technology College status. The equipment, which included 10 laptops, colour printer, hub and data projector, was used to further the use of ICT in curriculum areas.
The very successful SYMBOLS project continues to be run with the Adult Special Needs students at Longslade.
Outreach laptops have also been used extensively at various schools and community centres in the local area. Various courses have been delivered using these, including ‘My Family on the Computer’, which is based around families creating a book about themselves and for which all participants receive a certificate.
Helen Foster, Technology College ICT Co-ordinator at Longslade, said: “Those schools which have returned their evaluations for the bridging projects have given us very positive feedback and have said that their experience encourages them to take part in future liaison activities. Thanks go to all those who took part in any way, shape or form!”

Noticeboard

Your Say...

The four Park & Ride saga goes on and Loughborough plans to build a mini Park & Ride below the public footpath. They state that a Maxi Park & Ride could be added later. If the Park & Ride is extended later, will land be taken from the playing fields of Stonehill or Longslade?
All details of Hallam Fields should be published. Why cannot the alterations to Greengate Lane be on display? The dangerous pothole on the A6 has been patched several times. It has been filled by workmen but they did not use any safety cones. It was patched up when the traffic lights displayed red to traffic on the A6. When the lights turned to green the workers stepped smartly out of the way. Is a complete repair of the A6 awaiting the alterations to Greengate Lane.
There is still no plan for the operation of full-size buses or bus stops. Are full size-buses operating in Poundbury? A Loughborough team reported of the achievement of Poundbury. This gave the impression that the plan for Poundbury was complete. However the Dorchester Council are opposing a proposal for 31 flats, two shops and parking places to be built in Poundbury. Residents of the estate argue that the plans were for twice the number of homes recommended by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for similar sites.
Have the Balancing Ponds been passed by the Environment Agency?
Les Briers

Please may I use your columns to make a heartfelt plea to the good fans of a Ms Fiona Beckenridge, who I understand celebrated her 21st birthday a few weeks ago. To those people - your message of goodwill which you strung on the fencing just by Bentley Road is now in a very sorry state. Please would you come back and take it away; if not, the parish council may not smile on you, and what is a worse fate than that?
A Loughborough Road Resident

What can I say! The holiday last week (Sep 14-18) organised by St Theresa’s Social Group, Daphne & Sabina, was absolutely 1st class.
The resort Newquay had everything sand, sea, scenery etc and the hotel certainly came up to our expectations. Thanks also must go to our driver Dean for his care and attention.
D M Pearce

I was so pleased to see another letter from Name & Address Supplied.
Other readers may not know that Mrs Supplied is a very shy person who does not get out very much. This is, of course, the reason why she is unable to volunteer for anything or do any work for the village. In fact, I spoke to a couple of long-time residents of the village who have told me that there is no record of any member of the Supplied family ever doing anything for Birstall. Such a pity!
However, the situation has now taken a turn for the worse, as Mrs Supplied’s hearing and eye-sight are also failing. This meant that, when she visited the Birstall Gala, she was unable to see any of the entertainment laid on by ‘the organisers’ and was also unable to enjoy the evening Proms Concert, also arranged by ‘the organisers’.
At least we should be grateful that she still has the facilities to be able to sit down at home and write her letters advising other people how to do things. Where would the village be without her?
Perhaps the Editor could run a monthly advice column from Mrs Name & Address Supplied or from her friend, Mr You Don’t Want To Do it Like That.
It would be so helpful to those who are fortunate enough to be able to give up their time for the community.
Peter West

Petition

85 PEOPLE have signed a petition objecting to a planning application for a change of use from butcher’s shop to Chinese takeaway at 26 Went Road, Birstall.
Objectors say the proposal will:
• increase traffic, and present a hazard to children
• cause car parking problems for residents
• lead to late night noise, and to litter

Acorn award

ACORN UNDER 5s Pre-School, based at Highcliffe Community Centre on Greengate Lane, has been awarded a certificate of accreditation with the Pre-School Learning Alliance (PLA)
Acorn’s Jackie Bryan said: “We are very proud to have achieved the PLA’s accreditation. This involved being assessed last June on our standard of care in a number of areas. We also had an Ofsted inspection last June and achieved the top grades in a number of areas with a ‘very good’ overall.”
Acorn Pre-School, which has 73 children registered and a further 36 families who attend the parent and toddler groups, are celebrating their achievement and their 21st birthday with a Teddy Bears’ Picnic on October 10 at Highcliffe Community Centre on Greengate Lane. Anyone who has been involved with Acorn over the years is welcome to attend.

Exam success

SEVENTEEN STONEHILL students successfully passed their GCSE French exam two years early.
Five of the students gained an A, seven a B and five a C. The successful students were: Roxanne Ameer-Beg, Elizabeth Bateman, Nathan Beers, Jessica Blatherwick, Katherine Cluley, Sarah Fisher, Mitul Gadhia, Simon Grant, Rebecca Gray, Megan Lawrence, Hannah Li, David Moorcroft, Kayleigh Moore, Rae Overton, Sarah Page, Daniel Thomas, Christine Willey.
LONGSLADE COLLEGE improved the number of GCSE students gaining five A to C grades by a percentage point to 50 per cent in the 2004 examinations.
99 per cent of students left with a GCSE qualification. At Advanced Level, over 94 per cent of grades were passes, with 60 per cent being at grades A, B or C. 14 out of the 24 subjects that are taught achieved a 100 per cent pass rate.

Plaque

A PLAQUE to commemorate the award of the Victoria Cross to Sgt John Hannah of Birstall will be erected on Hannah Parade next month.
The 12 by 10 inch brass plaque will feature the words from Sgt Hannah’s official citation, which describes his bravery putting out a fire in an aircraft over Antwerp in 1940.
Birstall Parish Council will erect the plaque on the wall above Midland Window Installations, following the Remembrance Day Service on November 11.

WI news

THE SEPTEMBER meeting of Birstall & Wanlip WI was held on September 6, once again back at Highcliffe School now that the new school year has started.
There was quite a lot of business to be dealt with and notes made of forthcoming county events. The next round of the Group Skittles will take place on September 28 at The Wheatsheaf, Thurcaston and names of players were taken. Also notice was given of final arrangements for the Bradgate Group Autumn Event which will be a Tai Chi Evening at Newtown Linford.
The speaker for the evening was Mrs Jackson who gave an interesting demonstration of how a few basic garments could be worn and adjusted to cater for all occasions which might arise during a weekend in Paris. Mrs Jackson was ably assisted by Mrs Mary Marvin who modelled these clothes and spent a busy hour changing from one outfit to another. Both ladies were warmly thanked by Freda Jones.
Next month on Monday October 4, Lynn Mellor will be there with ‘A Basketful of Leicestershire Legends’. This meeting will begin at 7,.15pm as usual at Highcliffe School.

TG news

MEMBERS OF the Townswomen’s Guild have been busy recently, taking part in Leicestershire Federation Events in this 75th Anniversary year of the Townswomen’s Guilds movement.
We had an excellent illustrated talk on the varied architecture of old Stoneygate by Derek Seaton and a very entertaining Antiques Road show with Mrs Wadd. Members enjoyed a day in Birmingham in August, there were many new things to see in the Bullring.
This year we have chosen the County Air Ambulance as our charity, and have so far raised a substantial sum from the sale of a quiz, cream teas, and a sponsored 12-mile walk by two members.
A coffee morning will be held on Saturday October 2 from 10am until 12noon at the Methodist Church in aid of the Air Ambulance, where there will be several stalls. The Mayor of Charnwood and the Mayoress will attend, and we hope this event will increase the amount in our charity fund as the Air Ambulance is not supported financially by the Government or the NHS.
Our speaker on October 19 will be David Williams on travel.
New members are always welcome, just come along to Highcliffe School, Greengate Lane at 7.30pm
From Mary Bruce

Age Concern info

Scrapping Mandatory Retirement Ages
Age Concern England has published a report setting out the arguments for making mandatory retirement ages illegal. The report has been launched at a time when ministers are deciding whether to outlaw mandatory retirement ages as part of a forthcoming age discrimination legislation, scheduled for October 2006.
The report’s foreword is written by Professor Magdi Yacoub, the world famous heart surgeon who at the age of 68 is still undertaking pioneering surgery worldwide. There are chapters explaining how ending retirement ages would deliver benefits for businesses, the economy, the baby boomers nearing pension age and older women. The final part of the report refutes ten myths that have caused confusion during the debate about retirement ages. The report also contains case studies of three older workers who have been forced to stop working against their will, spelling out the human costs of retirement ages.
Choose Not Lose the Right to Work : The Case for Scrapping Mandatory Retirement Ages 35pp. Available free on receipt of a 12” x 9” sae from Marie McLarty, Public Affairs Department, Age Concern England. Also available on the internet at www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/media/AC_Choose_not_lose_right_to_work.pdf

Business Leader Says No Need for Mandatory Retirement
While the Government still ponders its decision about whether to honour its promise to abolish mandatory retirement ages and allow people to decide for themselves when to leave work, Philip Williamson. Chief Executive of the Nationwide Building Society asks why workers shouldn’t “carry on working if they want to?” In a wide-ranging interview for the e-politix website, Mr Williamson, whose business prides itself on employing and retaining older workers said: “What I think everyone needs to have a date in mind as to when they plan to retire, removing a mandatory retirement age in my view isn’t really a problem. If there is a difficulty between an employer and an employee one would hope that the performance arrangements within the business would enable that to be resolved in one way or another.” He continued: “The focus should be on an individual’s contribution, their achievements and so on. I think the key is how good the people in question are. If they are performing well, let them work on, if not the situation should be addressed through performance management.”
Mr Williamson’s comments will come as timely words of advice to Ministers who are currently deciding whether the Government will keep its word on the issue - originally announced by Andrew Smith MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in the House of Commons in December 2002.
They may be influenced also by public opinion: an ICM poll for Age Concern this summer found that nine in ten British workers agreed that older workers should be able to retire when they choose. The poll found also:
Nearly three-quarters (72%) say fixed retirement ages belong to the past
86% disagree that employers should have the right to get rid of anyone over 65 solely on the grounds of age
68% of workers, regardless of their age, said older workers shouldn’t be made to retire to make way for younger workers
Age Concern’s Director General, Gordon Lishman has said: “The Government is at a crossroads in deciding how far to adopt EU age equality laws from 2006. It could respond positively to our ageing society and give people the choice about when they retire. Alternatively it could bow to pressure from industry, ignore public opinion and perform a U-turn that would continue to force people to retire at an arbitrary age.”
Mr Williamson’s full interview is available on: www.epolitix.com/forum/age-concern

National Population Projections : 2002-Based
National Statistics, together with the Government’s Actuary’s Department, has published a report giving population projections by age and sex for the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and constituent countries.
It projects that the population of the United Kingdom will increase gradually from an estimated 59.2 million in 2002 to 64.8 million by 2031. The longer-term projection suggests that the population will peak around 2050 at 65 million, and will then start to fall.
The number of older people will significantly increase relative to the number of younger people, with the mean age of the population likely to rise from 39.3 years in 2002 to 40.6 years by 2031.
The working age population (allowing for the change in women’s pension age, to be phased in between 2010 and 2020) will rise from 36.6 million in 2002 to 39.4 million by 2021, then gradually start to fall.
The number of people over state pension age will increase from 10.9 million in 2002 to 12.2 million in 2011. Again allowing for the change in women’s pension age, this figure will increase more slowly to 12.7 million by 2021. Beyond this date, longer-term projections suggest that the number over state pension age will peak at 17 million in 60 years’ time.
The population aged 80 and over will grow from 2.5 million in 2002 to reach 4.9 million by 2031. Longer-term projections again suggest that this figure will increase more rapidly, peaking in the early 2050s at nearly 7 million.
Trends differ across the United Kingdom. The population of Scotland is projected to decline slowly from 2002, with the population in Northern Ireland and Wales peaking about 40 years from now. The population of England is projected to be growing in 2040, but at a low rate.

Care After Stroke : Patient and Carer Booklet
The Royal College of Physicians has published a booklet for people who have had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and their relatives and friends who care for them. The booklet covers the nature of stroke and TIA, the treatment which should be given immediately after a stroke and what to expect from rehabilitation. Chapters on prevention of further strokes or TIA are followed by advice on longer-term support at home and details of organisations providing help and advice, and voluntary and support groups.
Care After Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack : Information for Patients and Their Carers 2nd ed. 24pp. Price £10. Available from the Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, London, NW1 4LE Tel:020 7935 1174 ext.358 Fax 020 7487 5218 Email: publications@rcplondon.ac.uk

Doorstep Selling
Following the report on doorstep selling issued by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), the Department of Trade and Industry has launched a consultation on proposals to improve consumer protection when purchasing goods or services in their homes. The consultation advises that the Government welcomes the OFT report and has agreed to issue a consultation on all the options for improvements that were recommended by the OFT. Some of these include extending the cooling off period and cancellation rights to all sales in the home - whether solicited or unsolicited; a ban on cold calling to offer property services; and a prohibition on money being paid or taken before the seven day cooling off period has elapsed.
The consultation ends on November 15, 2004.
Doorstep Selling and Cold Calling - a Consultation on Proposals to Improve Consumer Protection when Purchasing Goods or Services in Their Home. 55pp. Available free from the Department of Trade and Industry, 1 Victoria Street, London WS1H OET. Tel:020 7215 0387. Also available on the Internet at www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/consultations.htm
Doorstep Selling Leaflet ; Amendment
In the September issue of the Birstall Post the tel no for obtaining the Office of Fair Trading leaflet and doorhanger which was published, had been supplied to me incorrectly. The correct no. is 0870 606 0321.
Your Doorstep Your Decision 13pp. Also available on the Internet at www.oft.gov.uk.News/Press + releases/2004/111-04.htm
Jex Woods