Help for elderly
BASIC MAINTENANCE within the home, gardening
and decorating are being provided to older people courtesy of
Age Concern’s new Handyman service.
The project will focus on small jobs requiring less than two
hours’ work and will be competitively priced.
Older people on low incomes will be offered access to Age Concern’s
free benefits advice service in order to maximise their income.
Age Concern spokesman Peter Ralphs said: “Increasingly older
people living locally are contacting Age Concern Leicestershire
& Rutland asking if the charity operates such a service,
providing help with small DIY jobs that they are no longer able
to do themselves. These requests are increasing as the population
of older people living in their own homes grows. They are particularly
important where older people need some minor improvements to
make their homes safe enough to return to after a spell in hospital.”
He added: “Everyone knows how difficult it can be to secure
the services of someone whom they trust, willing to undertake
these small one-off jobs around the house or garden. The Age
Concern brand gives the necessary comfort and security to this
sometimes-vulnerable group.
For many older people the inability to carry out tasks they used
to regard as routine in earlier life, perhaps because of physical
frailty, can be a great cause of distress and can lead to deterioration
in the health and well being of the people involved. It may even
be the final straw that means they feel they have to leave their
home once and for all.
Peter said: “The first Handyman has already been recruited
who is entirely competent to carry out general DIY jobs and is
properly trained in health and safety, and home risk assessments
etc. Electrical and plumbing work requiring accredited engineers
will not be undertaken.”
The service will only operate where there are gaps and is not
intended to overlap with any other similar service. Initially
operating in the environs of the City, with an emphasis on Blaby
and South Charnwood, it will be available to both owner-occupiers
and tenants, where the repair is not the responsibility of the
landlord.
Sailing open day
Pic: (l-r) Amy Gledhill, Tim Battye and Karen
Vance
AROUND FIFTY local people attended Wanlip
Sailing Clubs Open Day in May.
Although the wind was gusting quite strongly all of those would
be sailors who wanted to experience dinghy sailing for the first
time as club members took them for a spin in their own boats.
Many of those there had their appetites well and truly whetted
and a follow up tuition day the weekend after was also well attended.
The club owns several boats such as ‘Toppers’ that
are ideal for beginners and juniors to learn to sail in and the
novice sailors were able to make good use of this facility.
Wanlip Sailing Club is hidden away in a peaceful location off
the A46 bypass between Birstall and Syston. If you would like
to find out more please call Chris on 0116 2303173.
Eva Pearson remembered
A WELL known community figure was remembered
at a commemoration service, where friends and relatives gathered
to celebrate the life of Eva Pearson who died in March.
Eva, born in 1907, was born in Staffordshire and had a career
as a teacher. She and husband Edwin moved to Wanlip Lane, Birstall
in 1963.
Eva Pearson
When Eva first moved to Birstall, her children were now grown
and she returned to teaching, her last position being at Catherine
Street Junior School, where she stayed until she retired at 65.
Although Eva had attended the Methodist Church, it was not until
after retirement that she started her close association with
the Church. She joined the Bright Hour, playing for the hymns
and taking the minutes. She was so proud of her own mother when
she played for the Bright Hour in her home town, and considered
it an honour to be part of the Bright Hour to which she was totally
committed and to her many friends here in Birstall. The highlight
of her week though was the Anchor Boys, the junior section of
the Boys Brigade. She really loved those young boys and would
enjoy teaching them to sing, even when they had no natural talent.
She would join in their activities, and their parades, even to
playing football with them in the summer; she continued with
this until she was in her mid nineties. Although she had stopped
taking the Anchor Boys she still continued helping at the Drop
In Centre at the Methodist Church in Edgehill Road, Leicester
and never stopped doing this until the time of her death.
Eva loved living in Birstall, she loved walking and could be
seen most days for many years, taking her dog, Fred, for his
morning walk around the Birstall Lakes in Watermead Park. She
continued with this walk even when Fred was no longer with her.
She loved all of nature, and family knew when she was there to
turn the television to the nature programme. She was very knowledgeable,
about nature in particular, and was always ready and willing
to learn something new. Her love of nature surpassed her love
of music.
During her seventies and eighties Eva joined forces with Ray
Rowett, who would play his ukulele and she would accompany him
on the piano. They would entertain people with songs and chat,
especially those ‘shut ins’ and old people in residential
homes. Ray and Eva were great friends and were well known, always
booked up, and would travel many miles to whatever venue. Ray
would have them all singing and laughing with Eva joining in.
After retirement she joined a teachers’ travel club and
went to many interesting and new places, she loved meeting new
people. On one trip, the teachers were staying in a college in
Los Angeles, California and one of the Professors invited them
all to join him at his home beside the Pacific Ocean. In the
evening a grand piano was wheeled onto the patio, where Eva Pearson,
that little girl from a mining family in the Potteries, played
a Chopin Nocturne whilst the rays of the setting sun reflected
in the waters of the ocean behind her. She said it was “awesome”
and a memory she treasured.
Eva leaves six children, eighteen grandchildren, eighteen great
grandchildren, but only knew about the great great grandchild
due to be born in October. She lived life to the full, helping
whomsoever she could along the way, she had a zest for life,
a natural thirst for knowledge, and an energy which others envied.
She was an excellent musician and teacher, an indefatigable story
teller, a loving mother, a loyal friend and a passionate gardener
and nature lover. We will all remember with affection the anecdotes
she so readily shared with others.
As Eva died following a massive stroke, the collection from the
Commemorative Service was donated to the Stroke Association and
raised £350.
from Joan Beaton
Your Say...
THE CHURCHWARDENS and congregation of Wanlip Church would
like to publicly express their thanks to the Wreake Valley Rotary
Club members who came to Wanlip one evening recently. They all
brought gardening implements of various types and cleared and
tidied the churchyard.
They had also been in the Autumn 2004 on the same mission to
put the churchyard in good order for the winter. This is hard
work and we are all very grateful to the gentlemen. The Rotary
Club does a lot of charitable work and later this year they will
be in Birstall with their collecting tins!
Please all be as generous with cash as they are with their spare
time.
Mrs M Belton, Mrs June Wood, Churchwardens
Further to the response from the mother of one of the young
ladies involved in the orange peel/litter incident outside Dhillons
to my original letter, I would like to point out that firstly,
I went to some lengths to stress that I, in no way, condoned
or agreed with the actions of the man involved, and secondly,
that my observations were made without the benefit of having
been there and without the full facts. I also made it perfectly
clear that my sympathy went to the young lady involved.
That said, I stand by the gist of my letter as written. The behaviour
of the two boys involved was loutish, and could well have been
the root cause of the incident. It would appear from this lady’s
reply that the man reacted in a totally unacceptable way against
the innocent party in the affair. Would we be having this debate
if he had stuffed the orange peel down the shirt of the boy involved?
I suppose that this would have been an assault in law as well.
I do have children, and yes, I would be extremely angry if either
of them were to be assaulted. They also know that if they are
involved in any incidents of bad behaviour out of the house they
will receive a commensurate amount of punishment when they get
home. I don’t claim that this turns them into saints because
they are not, but they are aware that good behaviour brings its
rewards and bad behaviour makes life unpleasant.
Perhaps if the two lads involved had born that in mind, one young
lady would not have been assaulted, the police would have one
less crime to investigate, and the world in general would be
a better place. I am old enough to hark back to the days when
such goings on were met with a clip round the ear from the local
bobby and another one when you got home if your Dad found out.
It didn’t make us perfect, but it certainly made us think
twice.
If, as stated, this person has indecently assaulted the girl
in question, then he deserves to be caught and prosecuted. I
do fear, however, that if the rise in anti-social behaviour that
we are currently witnessing continues, then we will see more
and more cases like this as people take matters into their own
hands, and innocent parties will suffer as appears to be the
case here.
Nicholas G Black
In November this year we shall be celebrating 75 years of
scouting in Birstall and as part of the celebration we would
like to produce a booklet detailing the history of the group.
We are therefore anxious to hear from anyone who has had any
connection with scouting in Birstall in the past and has information
or ‘stories’ to tell that would be of assistance.
We shall also be holding a reunion weekend when there will be
a display of photographs, scrapbooks and memorabilia.
Once again, if anyone has any photographs or items of interest
which they would be prepared to loan or donate we would like
to hear from you.
Please get in touch with The Group Scout Leader, Vic Dolby. tel:
2671465; Email: Vic.dolby@btinternet.com, or writing to him at
66 Wanlip lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4JT
Vic Dolby
In spite of all the controversy regarding the 39ft phone mast
on the corner of Greengate Lane near to the Medical Centre.
My friends and myself would like to know what happened to the
remembrance garden and plaque to commemorate the birth and death
of Princess Diana, born 1st July 1961 till here tragic death
on August 31, 1997. According to form this was supposed to be
on this site!
Anyone know the whereabouts?
Anita J Gamble (Mrs)
Having lived in Birstall for 35 years, we are privileged to
have so many good friends and neighbours.
When my wife became ill, we were overwhelmed with the generosity
and good wishes bestowed upon us by the community. We would like
to offer our sincere thanks to members of Birstall Methodist
Church, friends and neighbours, who have made our burden a lot
easier to tolerate.
God bless you all.
Ron & Shirley Goman
As a recent candidate of Birstall & Wanlip I would like
to thank everyone that helped and supported me in the recent
run up to the local elections.
And particularly all of the residents, that welcomed me and offered
me hospitality during my canvassing.
I would also like to thank the opposition who also during my
canvassing, received me and wished me well.
My many thanks.
Stuart Jones
I am sure that all Council Tax payers in Birstall and Wanlip
have been surprised and shocked to learn that during the past
five or six years we have been paying for two community police
officers whilst being provided with just one.
At the Annual General Meeting of Neighbourhood Watch when I raised
this topic and said I understand that to be the situation (as
stated by the Parish Council Chairman at the public meeting in
the village hall on February 4 which Stephen Dorrell MP attended),
the Commander of the Local Police Unit at Syston, Inspector Chris
Alcott, didn’t agree with me and said it had not been happening!
The Police Authority, Birstall’s elected councillor on Charnwood
Borough Council (Roger Wilson) and indeed the LPU Commander,
must have known this was the situation but I suppose it is difficult
for such people to admit that the Police Authority has been misappropriating
our money!
Presumably the money intended to fund a second community police
officer in Birstall and Wanlip has been spent in other ways:
perhaps to fund an extra officer in Syston or somewhere else?
As Nicholas G Black said in his letter (Birstall Post, May) we
should be getting a rebate but it seems unlikely this will happen.
The problem is that the Authority, the rulers at Charnwood and
County Hall, know that most people are apathetic - if we were
in France, hundreds would be marching on County Hall and perhaps
putting up barricades in the streets. Also, as Nicholas G Black
states, Community Support Officers are not the answer. We are
being fobbed off with policing on the cheap. Most police federations,
which represent and speak on behalf of police officers, are against
the idea of using Community Support Officers. We have the ridiculous
situation where trained police officers are spending a lot of
time in police stations filling in forms instead of being out
in the community.
It was reported recently that one Chief Constable admitted that
most of his officers were spending over 80% of their time in
police stations. What a crazy situation. No wonder the figures
for violent crime keep rising.
If Council Tax payers in Birstall and Wanlip are continuing to
pay for two police officers (the cost of policing in Leicester,
Leicestershire and Rutland in 2005/06 is £2.42 per week
for households paying Band D Council Tax) then we must be provided
with two officers.
Jex Woods
Rugby club’s biggest day
BIRSTALL RUGBY Club’s President’s
Day in May was the club’s biggest event in its 30 year history.
The weather was ideal for the occasion and many local organisations
took part in the event, such as: Carl Gunns Gym, Birstall Cricket
Club, volunteers from the Trees Football Team organised a penalty
shoot out, ladies from the Birstall British Legion ran a cake
stall, BRFC itself provided a bouncy castle and children’s
tag rugby and the Birstall Scout Group set up a fantastic marquee,
where they sold drinks and other refreshments to the crowd, the
proceeds of which are to go towards their future trip to Uganda.
The fun started at 11am as people from all around the village
began to arrive to sample the variety of activities on display
and treat themselves to a tasty snack from the barbeque, cake
stall, refreshments tent, and to cool down on what was a warm
day, a nice ice cream.
Just before noon, a photo shoot was held for the Birstall players
who had just recently returned from a tour to Huddersfield. This
year the team had gone dressed as convicts and as part of the
annual fun event, enjoyed a nice pint and a savoury curry for
breakfast on their first day. At midday, the time had arrived
for the main attraction. The annual President’s Day Rugby
match between Birstall Rugby Club and the President’s XV,
a team organised by Birstall Club President Mr Andy Reed MP consisting
of players from the Parliamentary Lions, Birstall players past
and present, and guests from other local clubs. The event is
held for charity and this year’s beneficiaries were the
Rainbows Children’s Hospice and the Grant Waldron Appeal.
In the match programme, Mr Reed had bragged that his President’s
side would once again shine and come away with their fourth consecutive
victory, he had obviously overlooked the morale and spirited
performance of the team he plays for most weekends. As the teams
paraded on to the field, they received a warm welcome from the
crowd of spectators who had gathered to watch the match. The
Birstall side sported their latest strip of blue shirts with
a black and white band, the President’s side wore their
traditional red shirts.
Birstall’s Captain, Tony Quansah and Andy Reed completed
the toss in the centre of the field, the Birstall captain won
and elected to kick off the game. Rupert Bedder began the action
kicking into the President’s half, the reds were out for
victory and started a strong attack immediately taking Birstall
a bit by surprise. It wasn’t long before the reds opened
the scoring forcing Birstall’s defence back over the line
to score the first try of the game which was duly converted.
This was the wake up call for the hosts, and their spirit and
resilience, a trade mark of the Birstall side soon emerged and
number 8 Nick White won the ball in his own half and began a
powerful solo run up the pitch. After evading a number of tackles
he took the ball over the president’s try line to score
between the posts. Rupert Bedder began what was to be a solid
kicking performance by completing the conversion.
Despite the heat of the day, the atmosphere and support of the
crowd along with the occasional spot of treatment from Birstall’s
First Aider, Karen Moon, kept the players going, each and every
one paid the supporters back in kind with a superb display of
Rugby Football. Unfortunately, Andy Reed, who recently had a
nasty experience whilst out on his election campaign when a dog
bit his finger, was about to fall prey to members of the canine
variety for the second time in as many days. Birstall RFC, also
known as “the Green Dogs”, showed their usual determination
and team spirit by replying back to every move and tactic that
the President’s team threw at them. In the fourth quarter
of the game, Birstall stepped up another gear and took the lead,
Rob Osbourne went through to complete a hat trick for the hosts,
Josh Potter and Andy Smith also added to the Birstall score line
but an almost perfect kicking display by Rupert Bedder sealed
the victory for Birstall with five conversions and a penalty,
only one narrowly missed kick deprived him of a 100% record.
The final score was 43-33 in favour of the Birstall team. Sorry
Andy, you and Dogs just don’t mix.
After the match, the crowds dispersed and left members of the
club and guests to enjoy a superb buffet kindly provided by the
club’s sponsor The Trees Public House in the Community College
building. After food and drinks, the club’s senior committee
members, Andy Reed, Club President; Graham Cree, Club Chairman
and Tony Quansah, First Team Captain thanked everyone involved
in the day’s proceedings for their commitment and support
towards this superb local club that in thirty years has provided
so much fun and entertainment for so many people throughout Birstall
and local areas. Special thanks were extended by Mr Reed, to
all the local shops and businesses in Birstall who kindly donated
gifts and sponsorship to the event to raise funds for the chosen
charities, these gifts were awarded to winners of the raffle
after the President’s speech. Children at the event were
treated to an extra surprise from club player Mr Adie Knight,
after he was announced winner of the guess how many sweets in
the jar competition by Miss Lucy Moon.
After the presentations and buffet, it was back to ‘The
home of Birstall Rugby Club’, the Trees Public House, where
the fun carried on late into the evening with more food, drinks
and a disco karaoke, today like every year. the true spirit of
Birstall Rugby club was on display for all to see. Many thanks
to all involved.
Rugby is an exciting sport and Birstall is a fantastic traditional
local club to play for. To remain competitive, we need players
for next season’s campaign. If you are 18 or over and would
like to take part in the sport, contact Graham Cree on 0116 2322470
or Tony Quansah on 07811 567803 or simply call into the Trees
Public House, on Stonehill Avenue in Birstall and ask for details.
From Phil Lewin, BRFC
Birstall book
LAUNCHED IN March, a community project
that aims to provide learning experiences while producing a book
about Birstall is making good progress.
Led by Stacy Prendeville from Charnwood Arts, the book should
be ready in September and will feature contributions from Birstall
Flower Club, Birstall Rugby Cub, Birstall Discussion Group, the
Methodist Church coffee shop, the Friends of Belgrave Cemetery,
the Active Lifestyle class and a number of individuals who are
supplying stories.
Stacy has also been leading free computer taster sessions at
Birstall library, attended by around 20 people, and has secured
a copy of Photoshop Elements image editing software which is
now available at one of the library’s computers.
There are two free taster sessions in June, on Email on June
6 and on the Internet on June 13, both from 1-3pm.
Stacy would still welcome contributions to the Birstall book
- she particularly wants people’s opinion on Hallam Fields
and reminiscences about Birstall in days gone by. The deadline
is June 27 and you can contact Stacy on 01509 821035 or at info@stay-see.com
Planning
Mr & Mrs Hunt - erection of two storey extension to side
of dwelling. 9 Oakfield Ave
Mr & Mrs C Marlow - erection of ground & first floor
extension to front & single storey extension to rear of dwelling
and extension to rear of garage. 703 Loughborough Rd
Miss M Giga - erection of two storey extensions to side &
rear and single storey extension to rear of dwelling. 70 Beechfield
Ave
Mr & Mrs Parmar - topping of one ash tree. 9 Park House Close
Mr S Lad - erection of single storey extension to front &
side of dwelling. 14 Went Rd
Mr R Tailor - erection of a two storey extension to side and
single storey extension to rear of semi-detached house. 32A Heathgate
Close
Mr R Lad - erection of single storey extension to front &
side of dwelling. 16 Went Rd
Leics County Council - infill of covered area to form additional
teaching space and associated works. Longslade Community College,
Wanlip Lane
Mr & Mrs Raivedera - change of use of former doctors’
surgery to dwelling, erection of two storey front & rear
extensions and first floor side extension to property. 21 Harrowgate
Drive
Mr I Smith - two storey extension to side of semi detached dwelling.
482 Loughborough Rd
Mr & Mrs D Ager - extension to integral garage to front of
detached house. 6 Hermitage Rd
Mr C F Barker - site for erection of 3 two storey detached houses
and 1 detached bungalow & garages. Land r/o 15 Firfield
Ave & 38 Sibson Rd
Peter Young Builders - erection of one two storey detached house
and one detached bungalow with integral garages. 15 Perseverance
Rd
WI news
MRS CAROLINE Figgitt came to the May meeting
of Birstall & Wanlip WI to explain and help discuss the two
resolutions for this year’s AGM at the Albert Hall, London
in June.
One was expressing concern about the amount of waste being produced
in this country which is rapidly filling available landfill sites.
People should be more aware of this and given more encouragement
to recycle everything possible. The other resolution was to press
the government to investigate the anomalies of prices paid to
producers of fresh milk per litre and prices being asked by retailers
per litre. Dairy farmers are having to supplement their milk
businesses with other alternatives as milk is being sold by them
at less per litre than it costs to produce it. So who benefits
from these transactions? These caused lively discussion.
The business part of the evening consisted of notices of forthcoming
events, a report on the Annual Group Meeting of Bradgate Group,
hosted by Astill Lodge WI at which a new group secretary and
treasurer were elected and arrangements for the June meeting
which will be the 88th birthday party of the Institute. This
will include a Faith Supper and a demonstration of ballroom dancing.
,This will be on June 6 at 7.15pm in the hall extension of Highcliffe
School, Greengate Lane, Birstall.
From Mrs M Belton
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Age Concern info
GRANTS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Warm Front is a government-funded scheme set up o provide energy
advice and grants to improve home energy efficiency for vulnerable
people who are on a low income and in receipt of qualifying benefits.
You are eligible if you own or privately rent your home. The
Warm Front Grant provides a package, up to the value of £1,500,
of energy efficiency insulation and heating measures tailored
to each property. It might include cavity and loft insulation,
draught-proofing, hot water tank insulation, gas room heaters
with thermostat controls, converting a solid -fuel open fire
to a modern glass-fronted fire, energy efficiency advice and
low-energy light bulbs. This grant is available to householders
who have young children or who are disabled and receive qualifying
income-related or disability-related benefits.
The Warm Front Grant Plus provides a package of energy efficiency
and heating measures, including central heating, up to the value
of £2,500. To qualify you have to be a householder aged
60 or over and in receipt of pension Credit, Housing Benefit,
Council Tax Benefit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Householders whose spouse fulfils the eligibility criteria are
also eligible. A spouse includes a person with whom the applicant
lives as if they were husband and wife.
The scheme has been reviewed recently and it will expand from
June 2005 to include measures such as providing central heating
for all eligible households, allowing inefficient boilers to
be replaced even if they are still functioning, and offering
oil central heating for homes not on the gas network. Households
that have previously received assistance from Warm Front will
be able to apply for help under the revised scheme for additional
measures.
The Warm Front schemes are being promoted and run by two managing
organisations. In most parts of England, the scheme is run by
the EAGA Partnership Ltd, the exceptions are the Eastern, East
Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber regions, where the scheme is
run by Powergen. Contact Powergen on Freephone 0800 952 1555.
DEFERRING THE STATE PENSION
From April 2005 the rules have changed for people who choose
to defer drawing their State Pension at State Pension age. When
people do draw their pension having deferred it, their weekly
pension for the period after April 2005 is to be increased by
around 10.4% for each year of deferment (before April 2005 the
increase was around 7.5% for each year). Alternatively, people
who defer for at least a year after April 2005 will have the
option to take a one-off taxable lump sum payment of the pension
deferred plus interest, instead of an increased pension. Under
the old rules people could only defer for up to five years but
there is now no longer a limit on the number of years.
Anyone who is in a position to defer their pension will need
to consider their options to decide what is best, given their
circumstances. Age Concern has produced a new Information Sheet
on this subject and the Pension Service has produced a leaflet
and a detailed guide.
Deferring Retirement Pension : Questions and Answers (March 2005)
Ref.15/12.8pp. Available free from Age Concern Freepost (SWB
30375), Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7ZZ Tel: 0800 009966.
Your State Pension Choice - Pension Now or Extra Pension Later
; A Guide to State Pension Deferral. 58pp. ISBN : 1843884216.
Available free from the Pension Service. Tel: 0845 7313233. Your
State Pension Choice - Pension Now or Extra Pension Later : An
Introduction to State Pension Deferral. 6pp. ISBN : 1843884232.
Available free from the Pension Service, tel: 0845 731 3233.
Elderly May Face a Medical; MOT to Stay on the Road
The Government’s review of the driving licence rules may
mean drivers over 70 having to undergo a medical examination
to prove that they are still fit to drive. Age Concern has pointed
out that most road accidents are caused by 17-24 year olds. The
review team is expected to make recommendations in November.
Personal Care Costs
In a written Parliamentary answer, the Under Secretary of State
for Community, Dr Stephen Ladyman, gave figures for the gross
average weekly expenditure by local authorities on residential
care, including board and lodging payments, personal care, management
and support costs in 2003-4. These were:
• older people : £376
• adults under 65 with learning disabilities : £745
• adults under 65 with mental health needs : £450
• adults under 65 with physical disabilities : £601
Bladder and Bowel Problems
Age Concern England has published a guide as part of the Taking
Control series, in partnership with INcontact, a charity which
supports people with bladder and bowel problems. The guide explains
the cause of bladder and bowel problems and devotes detailed
chapters to an explanation of the different types of problem
and the range of tests and treatments which may be available.
The type of help available is described, together with a chapter
explaining a range of related issues such as dealing with embarrassing
situations, sexual activity, holidays and financial support.
Taking Control - Bladder and Bowel Problems by Kerry Lee. 112pp.
Price £6.99 (plus £1.95 p&p) ISBN : 0862423864.
Available from Age Concern Books, Units 5&6, Industrial Estate,
Brecon, Powys LD3 8LA. Tel: 0870 442 2120. Fax: 0870 800 0100.
Jex Woods
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