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Birstall Post July 2005 (264) cont.

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Birstall paddlers

TWO YOUNG canoeists from Birstall were selected for the Great Britain Senior Wild Water River Racing team and have been involved in competition throughout the UK.
Brother and sister Jamie Oughton (17) and Jessica (16) came 33rd out of 63 and 12th out of 25 respectively following a series of World Cup races. Jessica was the highest placed paddler from the UK.
The pair both train at the Soar Valley Canoe Club, based at Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre.


Pic: wild water canoeist Jessica Oughton

In February, Jessica appeared on Blue Peter when she took one of the presenters down a river in Teeside. She also features in a poster campaign of potential future sports stars that is promoting the London Olympic bid.
Last year Jamie and Jessica both represented the GB Junior team in the Pre-European Championships in Chaleux, France and the Pre-World Championships in Vipatino, Italy. They are due to complete selection for the European Championships in Chaleux and the World Championships in Mezzana Italy in early July.

Gardens opened for weekend stroll

HUNDREDS OF people enjoyed the pleasure of walking around some lovely gardens at this year’s Birstall Garden Trail.
Organised by Birstall Methodist Church, the event raised £4,400 for the Methodist Church and Wishes4Kids. Gardens in Oakfield Avenue, Cedar Avenue and Loughborough Road were opened to the public this year.


Pic: Cynthia and Alan Chapman in their garden, 10 Cedar Avenue


Pic: Des and Jan Clarke of 4 Oakfield Avenue


Pic: Gwen Bradshaw in her garden, 25 Oakfield Ave

Organiser Richard Kilby said: “The weather was very kind on both days. Special thanks to the committee, the many stall holders and helpers and also the 54 volunteers who sat by the gates and welcomed visitors to the gardens. Very special thanks to the garden owners for all the work they had achieved. Once again we were grateful to the Birstall Garden Centre for their help.”
A cheque presentation is planned for Sunday evening July 10 when a representative of Wishes4Kids will be there to receive a donation. Richard added: “The Methodist Church has now organised 15 Annual Garden Trails and the social benefits to the community continue to be the most pleasing aspect. On a financial basis we have raised over £18,000 for other charities besides helping our own church.”

Footballers fighting

A PACKED Birstall Social Club looked on as 28 local footballers fought it out at a charity boxing show organised by Carl Gunns.
There were 14 bouts by members of Birstall Stamford FC in a professional ring, refereed by trainer Dean Spencer. The footballers, all wearing protective gear, fought three 1 minute rounds.
Carl said: “It was all controlled boxing and they were pretty good. Dean made the decisions and our Jill Forrester was in the corner. The audience loved it, the atmosphere was terrific and it was a hundred per cent success. I hope to repeat it next year.”
The show opened with an exhibition bout between Aaron Page and Nathan Fox and in the interval Welterweight Continental Champion Neil Tomkinson put on a display of pad work with Andy Older.

Runaway winners

LEAGUE WINNERS with three games still to play, Birstall CC Juniors FC (pictured above) are celebrating their success.
They dominated the under 12s League, winning 19 out of their 20 matches and drawing one.
Managers Joe Herbert and Russell Bailey said: ”The players, all from Birstall, worked really hard and are delighted with their success. This is fantastic for our Club and players and we have really enjoyed working with them this season. We are looking forward to continued success next season.”

Gift of roses

Pic: Iain Bentley of Bentley’s Roses (right) with Bernard Crayfourd (centre) and Stuart Jones, Chairman of Birstall Parish Council

BENTLEY’S ROSES have presented Riversdale Court with a gift of six rose plants.
The roses, variety ‘Happy Birthday’, will be planted in the patio garden of Riversdale Court which provides sheltered accommodation for elderly people on Riversdale Close.
Chairman of the Residents’ Association Bernard Crayfourd said: “They are beautiful and the residents love them”.

Mothers’ quiz night

ST THERESA’S Parish Hall was the venue for the Union of Catholic Mothers (UCM) Quiz Night.
Approximately three times a year the UCM host a family quiz evening, open to everyone, purely for a bit of light-hearted fun and a get together, of friends and family. Colouring is available for the younger children with prizes. Teas and coffees are served during the interval.
The adults test their skills against questions taken from a quiz book on various subjects such as general knowledge, birds, sport and leisure, entertainment, science and nature etc.
Once a year we hold one of the quiz evenings for the ‘Keel Cup’’. This cup was named after Philip Keel who was a member of the Catholic Men’s Society who originally hosted the quiz evening, when a cup was presented to the winners to be kept and returned the following year. After his death the cup was named in memory of him. Upon cessation of the Catholic Men’s Society the UCM decided to take over this event and expanded it by adding a couple more quiz nights throughout the year.
The cup this year went to Hazel’s Heroes. This aptly named team consisted of Hazel Shaw (Captain) and her family plus John and Anna Hardy. The cup will come back next year and be challenged for.
Our next fun quiz night is on October 7 at 7.45pm.
From Daphne Stevenson

Local landlords’ PubWatch

Pic: Local landlords participate in the Pub/Club Watch (l-r) Dave Reid (The Plough), Will Holmes (The Mulberry Tree), Jo Preston (Earl of Stamford), Ron Short (Birstall Social Club), John Holden (Birstall Royal British Legion), Linda Short (Birstall Social Club) and Police Community Co-ordinator Angela Fielding

LANDLORDS IN Birstall have united to form their own Pub/Club Watch.
The licensees are keen to ensure that their establishments remain safe environments for their customers to enjoy a sociable time with their friends without the fear that drug dealers or anti-social behaviour may interrupt their enjoyment.
The Leicester Constabulary support this move and officers have been working with them to help set up this new scheme. The licensees and police officers will be able to share relevant information to safeguard their premises and the public. The Parish Council is also keen to keep anti-social behaviour out of Birstall and supports this initiative.
Inspector Chris Alcott, Commander of the Syston Local Policing Unit, said: “I am extremely pleased that the licensees are working together to prevent anti-social behaviour in the Birstall area. The establishment of a Pub/Club Watch normally has a significant reduction of crime in the local area. Leicestershire Constabulary is keen to work with community groups to reduce both crime and the fear of crime.”

Singing and dancing star

BIRSTALL’S SIMONE Swift has her eyes set on a career in the musical theatre and is currently performing in the Summer Season at Pleasure Island in Cleethorpes.
Simone (18) has been singing and dancing since the age of two and was a student at the Du Pont Stage School, Leicester.


Simone Swift

In 2004 an outstanding cabaret performance at the Bournemouth Festival won her a place at the London Studios summer school, where she practised performing arts.
She is performing six shows during the day at Cleethorpes and doing a cabaret show in the evening. Simone hopes the experience will help her audition successfully for a role in the musical theatre and ultimately performing in the West End.

Hallam Fields update

JELSONS, THE developers of Hallam Fields, hosted a meeting on site in June with the Chairman and Clerk of Birstall Parish Council and the Editor of the Birstall Post.
The aim of the meeting, requested by Stuart Jones, Parish Council Chairman, was to provide an update on the progress of the development.


Pic: (l-r) Wayne Sculthorpe (Site Manager), Hugh Knight (Clerk, Birstall Parish Council), Steve Lewis-Roberts, Terry McGreal and Stuart Jones

Terry McGreal, Jelson’s Land and Planning Director said that marketing of the properties will start at the end of this year. The marketing department is still preparing its sales material and considering its sales pitch. Mr McGreal said it will identify the development as “something refreshingly different for Leicestershire in terms of quality and design.”
Mr McGreal said that Jelsons had no measures in place to keep the press and public informed of the progress of the development, the associated highway changes, or of access arrangements for site vehicles and any disruption this may cause for motorists, pedestrians or residents of Loughborough Road.
Team leader, Planning at Charnwood Borough Council, Mr Steve Lewis-Roberts (01509 634731) said that he was the point of contact for the public who had any queries about the development. He said he was already receiving lots of calls, both from the public and commercial organisations interested in retail units on the site. Around a dozen shops will be provided in the centre of Hallam Fields.
He added that a website is being considered that would function as an online newsletter, keeping the public informed about the progress of the development. The Borough Council has commissioned several pieces of public art for the site and the aim is to engage with the people of Birstall to progress these.
Draft proposals for a roadside service area and a hotel located on the north east corner of the site, on the Birstall side of the A46, have been submitted. A planning application is expected soon.
Mr Lewis-Roberts said that the Park and Ride site will be delivered, irrespective of the County Council’s plans. He added that the Borough Council would resist any proposals for development north of the A46.

Sporting fun for kids

WIGSTON BASED sports coaching company, Sport4Youth are expanding their base this year with a summer programme of courses for children aged 6-14 at Longslade School in Birstall and also at Thurmaston.
The Company is headed by ex Leicester City footballer, Mick Duffy. Mick played for Leicester in the late 1970s and his claim to fame was setting up Gary Lineker’s first ever league goal.
Having spent many years coaching part-time, Mick, along with partners Jeff Stocking and Martyn Hubbard, decided to go full-time earlier this year. Mick said: “The aim of our courses is to make sure that the children have a good time whilst improving or learning new skills. The feedback from parents and children alike has given us tremendous encouragement and belief in what we are doing.”
Sport4Youth are running 45 courses during the summer at various county locations. The courses include football, multi-sport, dance, drama and a new girls only course called Girls World.
“With the exception of Girls World, all the courses are open to girls and boys between 6 and 14 years and are run by qualified coaches who are CRB checked.
There are still places available, so there is no need for the kids to be at a loose end this summer: ring Sport4Youth on 0116 2882277 and book a course!

The original 4 Park & Ride scheme is now discarded. There is not any cash coming for this Park & Ride scheme from central government. Leicester City is now planning to introduce bus lanes down London Road. One city councillor has suggested that a Park & Ride in this area would help.
The details of Hallam Fields have been published in the initial plan. It is not a question of what details have been published. It is a question of what have been left out.
There is not any word of the bus lane through Redhill circle. Alterations from Station Road to Sibson Road/Greengate Lane junction have been forgotten!
A resurrected 4 Park & Ride could be planned. However central government might prefer the Melton Road. In any case if the government released cash in the near future they would not wait until 2011.
The access/exit road for Hallam Fields is now in place. There is a slip way for traffic coming from the North, but this will not do. A large traffic island with lights is wanted. This will mean that a small part of the school playing field will be needed. How much more of the playing fields is wanted? The access/exit road should have been constructed further west into the estate and then a large traffic island could have been constructed without taking any of the school playing fields.
Les Briers, Wellgate Ave
Editor’s Note: Steve Lewis-Roberts, Team Leader, Planning, Charnwood Borough Council says the Birstall Park and Ride site will be constructed regardless of the City and County Council’s plans.

Dear Editor
I would like to take this opportunity to say ‘Thank you’ to the entire Birstall community (including yourself, the Parish Council, Neighbourhood Watch, shops, schools, businesses, and local sports clubs) for the support and friendship shown to me during my time as the Birstall Beat Officer.



I have enjoyed working with you all and I have fond memories of the village and some of its ‘characters’.
I am now settling down to work in the Constabulary’s Dog Section with my new crew mate ‘Chad’ who is a six year old German Shepherd Dog.
I look forward to returning to Birstall with Chad at some point in the near future, as I am sure there are still one or two villains there who we have yet to meet!
Thanks again everyone.
PC 290 Dave Cole

Birstall United junior football club held their annual international tournament on May 14/15. We were very lucky with the weather. It was a great weekend of football with boys and yes some girls from the age of 6 up to 17 years of age playing but with from the smallest to proud grandparents watching, a good family weekend out.
This annual event takes months of organisation with volunteers doing lots of hours of unpaid and unthanked work but it is needed as the event raises much needed money for the club to be able to continue another year.
There always has to be a sour note, that someone has to ruin all the hard work and effort. These people know who they are as they thought it would be good fun to throw diesel around and ruin one of the tents and equipment that the club have worked hard to buy. The people concerned were also under the influence of drink as they left the beer cans around and we are sure that they were under age but were trying to impress some girls. Well lads I can assure you that most people will think that your actions were not only silly but childish. Your parents will also know who you are as you would have come home smelling of diesel, I hope they are also proud of your grown up behaviour. Thanks for causing approx £200 worth of damage. Just because you don’t play for United you don’t have to ruin it for at least two hundred other kids.
Thank you though to everyone else who came and supported us in our annual event. Hope to see you all next year.
Relation of a committee member.
Name and address supplied

Please can I say a big thank you to the lovely people who came to my assistance when I had a really bad fall by the side of Notions. The kind gentleman who moved my husband’s car for him, Gordon Davis, Pat and the lady and gentleman from Notions.
Unfortunately I have just had to spend 15 days in the LRI with two broken ankles.
Finally thank you for the lovely get well cards I have received.
Many thanks again.
Joan Sage

What a lovely surprise to find a policeman and CSO following me along Birstall Road. I have met the latter before who is exceptionally friendly and approachable and will give us a pleasant protective feeling.
J Ward

Cemetery album

AN ALBUM of photos and newspaper cuttings documenting the history of Belgrave cemetery was on display when Belgrave Hall museum re-opened after a refurbishment in June.
The album was compiled by Brenda Watts of Roman Road, a member of the Friends of Belgrave Cemetery group.


Pic: The Lord Mayor of Leicester Mary Draycott (left) with Brenda Watts, looking through the Belgrave cemetery album.

Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby will be leading a tour of the cemetery on Sunday July 24 at 2pm. Tickets are £3.50 on the day, £2.50 in advance from 2611576.

Planning

Mr M Bollard - erection of two storey extension to side of dwelling. 13 Sycamore Road
Mr F Salimi - removal of condition 3 to allow the takeaway to open on Sundays. 74 Front St
Mr & Mrs P T Wilson - erection of single storey extension to side of semi-detached dwelling. 31 Fielding Rd
Mr & Mrs Cotton - erection of two storey side and rear extension, first floor rear extension and conservatory to rear of semi-detached dwelling. 60 Oakfield Ave
Mr & Mrs P Hodgkinson - erection of two storey extension to side of dwelling. 7 Hill Rise
Mr & Mrs Jarvis - erection of detached double garage to front of dwelling. 3A Park Rd
Mr & Mrs Maroot Patel - erection of single storey and two storey extension to side of dwelling and conservatory to rear. 32 Highgate Ave
Mr & Mrs R Conway - erection of one and a half storey extension to side of dwelling. 43 Elmfield Ave
Mr G Ferrar - conversion and two storey side extension to dwelling to form 3 one bedroom flats and a three-bedroom maisonette. 41 Windmill Ave
Stappard Howes - erection of 12m high replica streetworks telegraph pole, 3no. shrouded antennae. 1no. equipment cabinet and associated telecoms equipment. Junction of Loughborough Rd & Greengate Lane
Custom Conservatories - erection of conservatory to rear of dwelling. 2 Riverside Mews, Wanlip
Mr Troake - erection of conservatory to rear of dwelling. 41 Bramley Rd
Mr & Mrs D Baldwin - single storey extension to rear of semi detached house. 37 Copeland Rd
Vodafone Ltd - 12m streetworks monopole with 2G/3G tri-sector antenna enclosed in a GRP shroud with up to two equipment cabinets at base of monopole. Grass verge adjacent 1 Greengate Lane

WI news

BUSINESS WAS conducted with efficient speed at the June meeting of Birstall & Wanlip WI.
As this was also the 88th anniversary of the formation of this institute, a full evening of food and entertainment had been arranged.
The agenda included county notices, county news, sale of national raffle tickets and final lists of members attending the Bradgate Group Summer Event at Birstall on June 15 and the first round of skittles against Thurcaston & Cropston on June 23. The Group Summer Event includes a walk with a guide round Birstall followed by tea and cakes in the Methodist Church Hall. The floor was then cleared to make way for an exhibition of ballroom dancing by the Minnie Beatrice Dance Group. This started with two movements of ‘The Lancers’ gracefully performed followed by two very energetic members ‘rocking & rolling’. Then came the other two parts of The Lancers and finally a more gentle saunter. During this there were several changes of costume. The Faith Buffet was then attacked with gusto and everyone mingled to meet and chat. During this time music was still being played which encouraged folk to start dancing again with WI members joining in. It is always hard to call time on these enjoyable occasions but rules require that the premises are vacated by 9.30pm so everything had to stop. Thanks were expressed to the dancers by Rosalie Morling and members collected their empty plates and dishes before making their way home.
Next month should prove interesting too. It will be a demonstration of Egyptian dancing by Sylvia Joyce. Belly Dancing?! This will be on July 4 at the Highcliffe School, Greengate Lane at 7.15pm. Visitors are always welcome to join in the fun!

Scouts learn safety lessons

TWENTY THREE Birstall Beaver Scouts, aged 6 and 7, took a trip to the new Hallam Fields development on the A6 in Birstall.


Pic: Safety Director Dennis Burton talking to Birstall Beaver Scouts about the Hallam Fields development.

The boys were shown around the site by Dennis Burton, the Group Safety Director at Jelson Ltd and looked at the dangers on building sites and why children like themselves are not to go on the site to play. The Beavers were able to see the progression of the building work as well as taking a good look at the machines currently working on the site.

Club welcomes new members

GLORIOUS SUNSHINE greeted budding tennis players at Birstall Watermead Tennis Club’s annual open day last month.
Members of the committee were on hand to chat to adults and youngsters, who had the chance to have a good look at the updated facilities, including floodlights and a spacious club room.



Staff from Withers sports shop brought along demonstration rackets and a challenging ball machine for players to test out their forehand and backhand - not to mention their stamina.
A spokesman said: “All in all, the event was a great success, enticing around two dozen new members to join, keen to take part in social and competitive tennis, and at the same time making new friends.”

Parish Council notes

A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on June 13.
Some residents of Firfield Avenue objected to a planning application for three two storey houses and one bungalow on land belonging to 38 Sibson Road and 15 Firfield Avenue.
They said that the properties would overlook neighbouring houses, increase vehicle movements, that the access road would present a security risk and that trees would have to be felled.
The developer commented that they had made efforts to design a proposal that was sensitive to the area and that the trees were in a poor condition.
The Parish Council agreed to object to the plans on the grounds of traffic and being out of character with the area.
Police Inspector Chris Alcott introduced Birstall’s new Beat Officer Jamie Hughes. He said that Birstall Village Watch had proved him with a mobile phone and a bike. Inspector Alcott thanked the Council for offering use of their 10 Sibson Road building for use by the Police as a base where the Beat Officer and CSO can work from.
The Council discussed the problems of illegal car parking on the Sibson Road car park. A vehicle has been abandoned on the car park.
The clerk reported that the planning application for travellers’ caravans on Thurcaston Road had been withdrawn.
The clerk reported that the required apology from Cllr Chris Clarke had not been received. Cllr Clarke is currently suspended from attending meetings, following a ruling by the Standards Panel at Charnwood.
There is no meeting in July. The date of the next meeting is August 8.

Scout leader receives medal

A BIRSTALL Club Leader has been presented with a long service award at a ceremony at Birstall Scout Hut. Trevor Warner received a medal recognising 10 years in Scouting.


Pic: District Commissioner Alan Padmore (right) and Trevor Warner

District Commissioner Alan Padmore, who made the presentation, paid tribute to the results that Trevor and his team have achieved. He said: “Birstall Scout Group is one of the most active groups that I know as is evidenced by the number of cubs and scouts who earn badges. I’m delighted to be here to make this award and recognise the effort that all leaders, assistants, instructors and parents make in developing the lads here”. Mr Padmore also praised the role played by members associated with the group in the Uganda project. Two leaders are currently in Uganda selecting sites for a working team from Leicestershire to provide much needed drinking water.
Vic Dolby, Group Leader, said: “With more leaders like Trevor and more help from parents, we would be able to accommodate many more of the lads on our waiting list.

Charnwood hike

Pic: some of the members of the Charnwood Hike team: back row (l-r); Paul Wilcock, Jenny Cluley, Jackie Warner, Sara Brookes, Trevor Warner, Kate Cluley, Dave Cluley. Front: Sarah Dolby and Sally Cluley

TRUDGING THROUGH the River Soar, carrying buckets of water and a blindfold assault course were just some of the highlights for a group of 12 from Birstall when they undertook the Charnwood Hike.
The 20 mile course through the Leicestershire countryside is organised by the Boys Brigade and the Birstall group were in four groups of three : girls, boys, men and ladies, all from the Guides or Scouts.
Participant Paul Wilcock said: “We started at Wymeswold and finished at the outdoor pursuits centre near Birstall, a distance of well over 20 miles when we have criss-crossed through the countryside. The weather was kind, being warm and dry but not too hot, but the River Soar is still very cold as we dredged through it at the bases, carrying buckets of water and transferring the contents to other buckets being carried on one of our heads and filling troughs at the end of the course. Other tasks included blindfolded assault courses, carrying each other on stretchers along a course, mud trails, rafting on a very unseaworthy pallet and oil drum and other plots dreamt up by the sinister organisers from the Boys Brigade.
As always we raised awareness and sponsorship, we moaned and groaned, got very wet and cold and ached all over, but mostly we enjoyed ourselves and are proud of our achievements.
The group raised over £300 for Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Sewers

SEVERN TRENT water has announced plans for major construction work to the sewers in Birstall.
The work is required to provide sewerage facilities to the Hallam Fields development.
The roads affected by the work are Wanlip Lane from Myrtle Avenue to Longslade entrance and Loughborough Road (A6) north of Bentley Road.
Enquiries should be directed to Chin Boon Ng on 0113 262 0000 or Severn Trent Customer Contact Centre 0800 783 4444

Age Concern info

Epilepsy and Later Life
Epilepsy can happen to anyone and can start at any age. It tends to be more common in children and adolescents and in older adults, in fact one in every four people who develop epilepsy are becoming increasingly common in people over 60 and particularly in people over 80 years of age.
Some facts about epilepsy in later life:
• 25% of people newly diagnosed with epilepsy are over 60.
• 1 in 10 people who have a stroke will develop some form of epilepsy, often within the first few months after the stroke.
• Many people who develop epilepsy in later life have a physical cause for the seizures. Diagnostic tests such as EEG (Electroencephalogram), CT (Computerised Tomography) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) may help to identify the cause of the person’s epilepsy.
• Seizures can be difficult to identify in someone who has other medical conditions, which are commonly experienced in this age group.
• Epilepsy is a neurological condition. Having epilepsy does not imply that someone has, or will go on to develop psychiatric problems or dementia.
Like all medication, anti-epileptic drugs can sometimes interact with medication taken for other medical conditions.
• The majority of people who develop epilepsy do not have seizures as their epilepsy is well controlled by medication. This is the case for people of all ages.
Generally the aims of people with epilepsy are the same whatever their age.
The aims of epilepsy treatment are:
• To be free of seizures - up to 75% of people become seizure free with the appropriate anti-epileptic medication, so the prognosis is often good.
• To avoid unwanted side effects - all medications have the potential to cause side effects in some people. The risk of side effects can be reduced by prescribing, where possible, a single anti-epileptic drug to control the seizures.
• To avoid unwanted medication interactions : possible interactions may be avoided if the prescribing doctor is aware of all medication that is being taken regularly.
• To allow life to carry on as normal - many risks from uncrotolled seizures can be minimised by making lifestyle changes.
The National Society for Epilepsy has many leaflets on various aspects of epilepsy including seizure types, how epilepsy is diagnosed and how to reduce risks and to keep safe.
For further details contact: The Information and Education Dept, The National Society for Epilepsy, Chesham Lane, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks SL9 ORJ. Tel: 01494 601 300, Fax: 01494 601 337.
National Helpline: tel: 01494 601 400 Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm www.epilepsynse.org.uk
Key first aid information (from a person having a seizure)
• Never put anything in my mouth when I am having a seizure. You could easily damage my teeth.
• Don’t restrict my movements unless you are moving me from a dangerous location, eg the edge of a swimming pool or near moving traffic.
• Protect my head with something soft
• Call an ambulance if:
- a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
- I stop breathing
- I am injured
- you are at all unsure what to do
• Please stay with me until I have recovered
• If I have collapsed, place me in the recovery position when the seizure is over. This will help me breathe.

Macular Disease Society Website
A new website has been launched by the Macular Disease Society at www.maculardisease.org. The site provides support and information for health professionals, the public and members of the Macular Disease Society, including information about issues such as nutrition and research into the disease. People with macular disease are able to use a screen-enhanced image-reading facility to view the website.

Exercise Therapy and the Treatment of Mild or Moderate Depression
The Mental Health Foundation has published ‘Up and Running?’ which considers the use of exercise therapy as a treatment for mild or moderate depression in primary care.
Numbers and costs of prescriptions for antidepressants are increasing and new clinical guidelines advise that these should not be used as a first-line treatment for mild depression. Against this background, the report outlines the results of research into available treatments in primary care for people with mild or moderate depression and the knowledge and views of GPs and patients about antidepressants and exercise therapy. The report also gives information about exercise related referral schemes across the UK and the experiences of those who use them.
The report finds that, in spite of substantial evidence, clear clinical guidelines and coincidental benefits, exercise therapy is very unlikely to be offered to patients who consult their GPs about depression. Only 5% of the GPs surveyed for the report use exercise referral as one of their three most common treatment options for depression, compared to 92% who use antidepressants. Some of the main reasons why exercise referral is not used were found to be lack of conviction by GPs about effectiveness and a shortage of schemes to which GPs can refer.
The Mental Health Foundation has launched a campaign to promote exercise referral as a first-line treatment option for mild or moderate depression in primary care.
Up and Running? Exercise Therapy and the Treatment of Mild or Moderate Depression in Primary Care, by the Mental Health Foundation. 56pp ISBN: 1903645670. Available from Publications, Mental Health Foundation. 9th floor, Sea Containers House, 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9QB. Tel: 020 7803 1100. fax: 020 7803 1111 Email:books@mhf.org.uk

Experiences of Older Lesbians
‘Whistling Women’ is compiled from a series of interviews in which 44 lesbians aged between 60 and 82 years in the United States describe their life experiences and the issues they face.
The early chapters cover the family make-up and background of the interviewees, their childhood experiences, religious affiliations and socio-economic class. Later chapters go on to discuss relationships with men (around half the women were married) and with women (including an overview of lesbian history in the USA), careers and money; and life after 60 (including financing retirement and lesbian communities). Each chapter has a brief summary.
The conclusion reports key findings from the interviews that dispel some of the myths about why some women are or become lesbians (such as mothers working outside the home, poor relationships with fathers, parents who were lesbians, and the feminist movement). It points out that many interviewees had long-lasting relationships with women and some also with men. ‘Whistling Women : a Study of the Lives of Older Lesbians’, a Study of the Lives of Older Lesbians’ by Cheryl Claassen. Published by Haworth Press. 284pp. Price £16.95. ISBN: 0789024136. Available from Roundhouse Publishing Ltd. Millstone, Limers Lane, Northam, North Devon. EX39 2RG. Tel: 01237 474474. Fax: 01237 474774. Email: roundhouse.group@ukgateway.net.
Jex Woods