Major arts project
BIRSTALL WILL get £95,000 to fund
a public art scheme in the new Hallamfields development over
the next 10 years.
£45,000 will be provided by developer Jelsons on occupation
of the 50th dwelling. But £50,000 has been allocated now
after Charnwood Borough Council successfully applied for grant
aid, the first time that such a sum has been awarded for public
art in the county.
£25,000 will come from the 'Arts Council England', and
will be used to consult local schools and the wider community
about the creation of public art that has relevance and meaning
to the area.
Steve Lewis-Roberts from the Council's planning section said:
"Arts Council England were impressed by the standards of
quality and design that will be a feature of Hallamfields."
He added: "The consultation with schools and the community
will be carried out by a company called 'Orange dot'. They will
be working on our behalf to talk to local businesses, local artists
and established interest groups. I'd encourage anyone who is
interested in taking part to contact them via the email address:
publicarthallam@critical.demon.co.uk."
A further £25,000 from 'Arts & Business', a national
organisation which encourages the private sector to invest in
community arts projects will help to underwrite the final cost
of the artworks.
Lucy Banwell for Orange Dot said: "The community consultation
phase is intended to develop an 'identity' for the whole of the
public art work. We intend that the final artworks will reflect
the interests, stories, histories and aspirations of the people
who already live in Birstall, as well as new people moving in.
For example we want to hear people's stories of living, working
or growing up in Birstall, find out what people think about the
place where they live, discover more about people's relationships
with the geography of the area.
"We will also want to gather ideas from people about what
kinds of artworks they might like to see at Hallam Fields, and
get their feedback on some of the proposed artists who might
work on site. We hope to work with people who might not usually
go to 'arts workshops' as such, so perhaps including working
in shops, pubs and clubs, as well as in established community
groups, residents associations and schools."
She added: "We also hope that this initial consultation
will help identify possible groups and individuals who would
be interested in working with other artists at later stages of
the public art programme. There may, for example, be opportunities
to get involved with sculpture workshops, drama workshops or
carving workshops later on.
"At the moment we have secured funds to work with other
artists to produce treatments for the site hoardings; a website
which promotes the development as well as enabling residents
to contribute online; a series of small sculptures for the site;
and the first step of creating a large, landmark feature sculpture
for the site. Future ideas that we are currently planning for
include: sculptural railings and gates for the play areas, sculptural
meeting and seating areas for the public open spaces, artist-designed
lighting for some specific buildings, a sculpture treatment for
the entrance and walkway to the site, and a regular celebratory
arts festival for the surrounding area."
Charnwood Borough Councillor Jill Vincent, Lead Member for the
Arts, said: "We are delighted that the Birstall community
has received these grants. They will enable local people to engage
in cultural activity with professional artists and take ownership
of the look and feel of their area. An added bonus is the fact
that this will build upon an already vibrant arts community in
Charnwood and feed into a more sustainable arts environment in
Birstall."
Birstall Parish Council Chairman Stuart Jones said: "This
is wonderful news for Birstall, I am thrilled to bits"
High tech eyecare
OPTICARE OPTICIANS in Birstall have invested
£20,000 in a state of the art Retinal Imaging Camera, the
latest advancement in eye care technology.
Optometrist Mr Shaishav Shah said: "The high resolution
digital images enable us to make a precise diagnosis and also
check for early signs of conditions such as glaucoma, diabetes
and blood pressure".
Pic: Optometrist Shaishav Shah obtaining an
image of the retina from a patient using the new camera.
He added: "Everyone's eyes are unique and by monitoring
the change in blood vessel patterns at the back of the eye, we
can spot any potential problems."
Partners Mr Shah and Mr Paresh Patel say anomalies are found
in around 10 per cent of patients. "It takes a few minutes
to obtain a detailed high resolution image which if necessary
can be relayed to a consultant for further analysis" he
said.
Opticare Opticians provide this service free as part of the sight
test.
New lease of life
A BIRSTALL slimmer has lost four stones
in seven months and recently completed a London to Brighton bike
ride, raising £891 for the British Heart Foundation.
John Tompkins (56), was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2000
and at the end of last year made a New Year's resolution to lose
weight and get fit. He said: "On January 2 I joined the
Birstall Slimming World group and it's been great. I've never
eaten so much and Food Optimising is perfect for my big appetite.
The support I've received from everyone has been second to none".
Pic: John Tompkins en route to Brighton
The day after joining, John signed up for the London to Brighton
bike ride which he rode successfully on June 19.
John's Slimming World Consultant, Mandy Cross, said: "John
is a great ambassador for Slimming World, we are honoured to
have him in our group, and he is full of help and support for
others too. We are very proud of him. John's not at his target
yet, he's yet to decide what he wants to get down to. However,
without a doubt he will do it."
At a recent diabetic check, John was told his cholesterol, blood
pressure and blood sugar control were all normal, assisted by
his weight loss.
Slimming World's Birstall group is one of the most successful
in the country, achieving the Gold Award for attendance, weight
loss and commitment by its members. New members can enrol at
Birstall Village Hall on a Tuesday at 4pm, 5.30pm or 7pm. Anyone
is welcome to go along and join John, Mandy and others. Mandy
can be contacted on 01664 567260 if you'd like more information.
Clive is county champion
Pic: County Champion Clive Patrick
WINNING ON the first hole of the playoff
round brought local hairdresser Clive Patrick his second victory
in four years at the Leicestershire and Rutland County Golf Championships.
The seniors event for the over 55s was held at the Leicestershire
Club, near Evington. After a round of 74 Clive was tied with
Neil Pearson from Great Glen and won by a single shot on the
first hole of the playoff.
Clive who has been playing golf for 13 years, said: "This
had been my best achievement, it was something to win the event
for the first time and it's brilliant to win it a second time."
A member of Lingdale golf club near Woodhouse Eaves, Clive plays
off a handicap of six and hopes to enter the Midland Tournament
Seniors event in September.
Police ‘getting personal’
POLICE AT Syston Local Policing Unit have
unveiled their plans to combat the traditional rise in alcohol
related violence, and other types of antisocial and disorderly
behaviour, that comes with the summer months.
Inspector Chris Alcott, in charge of policing for the parishes
of Syston, Thurmaston and Birstall said: "Every summer there
is the potential for an increase in violent and antisocial behaviour,
and our communities have sent us a strong message that this is
unacceptable. To that end, and in line with our policy of 'Getting
Personal' with our communities and with criminals, we are adopting
a fair and friendly, but robust approach."
He added: "Officers have been making regular visits to pubs
and licensed premises, speaking to licensees and customers. High
visibility patrols, with help from the Special Constabulary and
Police Community Support Officers, have been concentrating on
parks and other public areas where the presence of large numbers
of people may cause disorderly behaviour and concern to local
residents. Under age drinking will be firmly policed, and if
necessary, young people may be taken home to their parents."
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Club’s sponsor
BIRSTALL VILLAGE Cricket Club under 17s
have secured their first sponsor.
Mr Rob Frizzell always watches the youngsters playing cricket
on the park and has been so impressed with the enthusiasm of
the players and coaches that he wanted to give something back
to the club. Hamish Carnan, the manager of the under 17s suggested
providing all the lads with a shirt and Mr Frizzell obliged.
Pic: Birstall Village under 17.
Back Row Rob Frizzell James Gaydon Rob Vaughan Josh Pacey Scott
Ferrar Paul Chambers Shaun Hargrave Paul Hargrave
Front Sam Carnan Johnathon Gaydon Matt Morris Toby Smith Jamie
Drake.
Junior Co-ordinator Andy Corbett said: "It's fantastic for
the club when the public come to us without us having to ask
for help."
The season has nearly finished but there will be coaching throughout
the winter at the nets at Mountsorrel's Soar Valley Leisure Centre
on Monday evening beginning in September - details will be printed
at a later date.
Panto time again
It's heading towards Panto time again!
Yes folks, it'll soon be Christmas! What a horrible thought.
So, just to cheer you all up I want to remind you that HATS next
panto will be on stage during the last week in November. Actually,
Nov 24, 25 & 26, we think it's just about the first panto
of the season: let us know if you know of one that's staged earlier.
This year we are presenting The Sleeping Beauty by Eric Fowler,
at Highcliffe School, Greengate Lane, Birstall. If any of you
don't know the story, I'm not going to tell you here, but you
can find a brief synopsis at www.gwu.edu/-folktale/GERM232/sleepingb/disney_source.html.
Instead of typing all that in, it will be quicker for you to
phone our box office, buy a ticket (or preferably several) and
come along in November to see it for yourself.
So make sure you don't miss out on a spectacular evening's entertainment.
Book your tickets now for Nov 24, 25 & 26. Evening performances
are at 7.15pm and there will be an additional matinee on the
26th (Sat) at 2.30pm. Doors are open half an hour before curtain
up. Tickets for the panto are available now and you can reserve
yours by phoning the box office on 0116 2128757. Prices are £5
(£4 for concessions). As usual there will be a reduction
for group bookings.
Once again, we would love to see more people from Birstall and
the surrounding area coming to see our shows or actually joining
our happy band of thespians. We are particularly keen to find
more people with dressmaking skills. Pantomimes wouldn't be the
same without loads of lavish costumes so, if there are any of
you reading this who can sew a bit, we'd love you to get in touch
with us.
So, if you have a couple of hours or more to spare each week,
why not phone HATS Secretary on the above number or just turn
up at Greengate Hall on any Wednesday after 7pm.
Dish the dirt on dog mess
CHARNWOOD BOROUGH Council is urging all
residents to clean up after their dogs.
Borough and Parish Councils receive many complaints from residents
about the issue, and Charnwood now has a 'Dish the Dirt' hotline
number to report on offenders.
The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 makes it an offence to fail
to clean up after your dog if it fouls on public land. A £50
fixed penalty ticket can be issued to offenders, or, if someone
is found guilty of the offence in a court or fails to pay the
fixed penalty, there is a maximum fine of £1000.
Everyone should carry a poop scoop when they take their dog out
for a walk" said Hugh Weaver, Environmental Health Technician.
He added "forgetting to carry a poop scoop is no defence
if your dog gets caught short whilst out for a walk!"
Charnwood's dog warden, John Barker, is in the front line against
the foulers. "Issuing fixed penalty tickets is a last resort.
We much prefer to educate rather than use formal measures. Unfortunately
though, it's sometimes unavoidable, as several irresponsible
dog owners have found out recently".
Cllr Jill Vincent, the Cabinet spokesperson for the Environment
and Health said: "We ask all owners to behave responsibly.
Dog pooh is a disgusting mess if you tread in it or wheel your
push chair through it; even worse it can cause illness. Please
clean up after your pet and don't let dog pooh be an issue on
everyone's doorstep!"
But the law is not the only reason pooh should be scooped. Not
only is dog mess smelly and unpleasant if you tread in it, cycle
or push something through, it's a health hazard as well. If an
unwormed dog makes a mess, its faeces can contain the eggs of
the roundworm 'Toxacara' which can survive in the soil for several
years. If ingested or inhaled they can cause liver, eye, brain
or respiratory problems such as asthma, hepatitis and epilepsy.
Children playing on fouled areas are particularly at risk. "It's
important to worm your dog regularly", warns Hugh, "puppies
may be born with 'Toxacara' which can be passed through their
mother's milk, and so it's vital that owners or puppies and pregnant
bitches especially, seek advice from their vets on worming".
o If you would like more information about the dog control service
the council offers, please visit their website www.charnwood.gov.uk
or phone on 01509 634628. If you have information about anyone
you know who fails to clean up after their dog and you would
like to 'Dish the Dirt', then call 01509 634939. All calls will
be treated confidentially.
BIRSTALL PARISH Council employs a dog warden
who patrols the village's playing fields, using fixed penalty
notices to owners who fail to clean up after their dog.
An extract from her reports is printed below:
Tuesday June 28, 1800-2000 hrs
Most of the people visiting today I have spoken to before. All
picking up. Nothing further to report.
Thursday June 30, 0600-0900 hrs
School lane Playing Field - all the regulars there picking up
Meadow Lane - saw the man with the collie, watched him walk down
the Lane and across the park and playing field. Nothing else
to report.
Wednesday July 6, 1730-2000 hrs
Patrolled School Lane Playing Field - spoke to a man with a 3-legged
collie who had picked up. Followed a lady round with a chocolate
Labrador and a Staffordshire bull terrier who picked up. Thanked
another lady with an Alsation X who had picked up. Also saw a
man with a small spaniel, lady with a springer spaniel. a man
with a whippet and a family with a weimeraner.
Thursday July 7, 0615-0845 hrs
School Lane Playing Field - usual regulars man with Alsation,
lady with West Highland terrier, man with cross, girl with Labrador
- nothing to report.
Meadow Lane and playing field - saw man with two Airedale terriers,
lady with black and white cocker spaniel, boy with bull terrier.
At 8.15pm I watched the man with the collie come down the land
and go across the playing field. I carried on walking with the
man ahead of me. I followed him into Wanlip Country Park. At
about 100 metres from the entrance he allowed his dog to foul
(while still on the lead) on the grass verge just off the main
path. He failed to clean it up. I went back to my car to check
with Sarah if I was able to issue him with a ticket. About 10
minutes later he walked by my car. I issued him with a ticket.
He asked me if I was sure it was him so I explained that I had
seen him walk down Meadow Lane and over the playing field and
into the Country Park. He then gave me his details, as an afterthought
he said he could have given me a false name and address. He asked
if the fine was £30, so I told him it was £50. I
explained to him it was an offence not to clean up then I left.
He was the man who had been brought to my attention by one of
the council workers.
Wednesday July 13, 1900-2130 hrs
Patrolled School Lane playing field - two rounders matches being
played and a men's football practice. Saw a couple with a papillon,
two men with a spaniel, and a lady with a large boxer. Watched
a teenage boy with a young collie, which seemed to want to go
to the toilet but the boy was dragging it along by its lead.
I followed the boy but he disappeared. After a circuit round
the block I caught up with him on Birstall Road. I asked him
if he carried bags and he said he did so I asked to see them.
He said he'd used the bag already so I advised him to carry a
few bags just in case and explained the Fixed Penalty Notice
to him.
Saw two border collies outside the toddlers' play area behaving
very well but not appearing to have an owner. Went over to find
out who they belonged to. A lady and a young boy were just coming
out of the play area so I asked her if the dogs were hers. She
said they were and she was just going to pick up their mess (which
I hadn't seen) pointing to the ground. I asked her if she had
any bags - she said she had and promptly picked it up. I thanked
her and left. Also spoke to a man with a tiny Chihuahua.
Thursday July 14, 0600-0830 hrs
Patrolled School Lane Park - apart from the regulars I met a
lady with a Scottie dog, a couple with an Alsation, a man with
a Labrador and a man with a boxer - all being responsible.
Meadow Lane/Park - man with an Airedale, two ladies with a Labrador
and a collie and a couple with a Cairn terrier.
Saturday July 30, 1550-1720 hrs
School Lane Playing Field - two cricket matches taking place
so all dogs being kept on leads - man with Alsation, boy with
collie, man with Irish Setter, group of children with a terrier.
Spoke to a lady with an Airedale who picked up other people's
dog mess as well as her own, before her children trod in it!
Found a bag of dog mess left on a bench so removed it and put
it in the bin. A couple with a Shih Tzu picked up and two ladies
with two children and a cocker spaniel picked up.
Saturday July 31, 0830-1100 hrs
Meadow Lane Playing Field - spoke to a man with a spaniel and
a collie, a lady with a cross, a couple with a Westie, a couple
with two retrievers and a man with two chocolate Labradors all
carrying bags.
School Lane Playing Field - man with two Westies, man with spaniel
and three people with two small spaniels, all being responsible
dog owners.
Get fit at new class
TAE KWON-DO tuition will soon be available
in Birstall and the man offering it, 3rd Dan Black Belt Andy
Freer, promises the school will be friendly and inviting, although
the training itself may get physical!
Mr Freer is a fully qualified Tae Kwon-Do referee, and earlier
this summer officiated at the World Championships, held at the
Millennium Arena in Cardiff, where several members of the James
Free Club, Syston club, where he trains, won medals.
Pic: Andy Freer, Tae Kwon-Do 3rd Dan Black
belt
His school will be based at Riverside Primary School, Wanlip
Lane, Birstall, with lessons running from 6.30-7.30pm on Monday
and Thursday evenings, and is staging an initial demonstration
on Thursday September 8 starting at 7pm. For further information
on the demonstration, please contact Andy on 0776 4199655.
Tae Kwon-Do is a highly physical, full-contact martial art. Andy
says it is great fun and an activity for both sexes and all ages.
He said: "The club where I currently train is split almost
50/50 between male and female, with the youngest members being
five and six years old, while the oldest is aged 75. It is the
perfect family sport, as both sexes and all ages can train together
in total comfort. I took it up 11 years ago as a way of keeping
fit and staying healthy. I really enjoy all aspects of the sport.
Tae Kwon-Do training includes doing line-work and patterns, which
hone and perfect the techniques, as well as sparring."
He added: "Students have to pass ten gradings to reach Black
Belt, and there is a real sense of achievement and fulfilment
in getting through each one. That can really help a young person's
confidence, as well as equipping them with a valuable form of
self-defence.
"Many people take Tae Kwon-Do up after retiring from sports
like rugby or football and find the training helps keep them
fit. Many parents train happily with their own and other children
and we will be offering special rates for families.
"It is a really friendly, supportive atmosphere. If you
are having a problem perfecting a particular technique there
is always someone prepared to help you."
The organisation to which the school is affiliated - the Tae
Kwon-Do Association of Great Britain - is the biggest martial
arts organisation in Europe, and membership of the school avails
members of its excellent insurance cover in case of injuries
in training.
Initial financial outlay is minimal - Andy is offering first
lessons for free and participants should come dressed in loose
tee-shirts and tracksuit bottoms; they only need to consider
investing in the 'dobok' - the official training suit used in
the TAGB - and protective sparring kit when they have decided
to take up the sport seriously.
Methodist news
SEPTEMBER RESTART
After the summer holidays, most groups restart at the beginning
of September.
Pre-school starts on Wednesday 31st August at 9.15am
Special Needs playgroup on Friday 2nd September at 9.30am
Teenage Coffee shop on Friday 2nd September at 3.45pm
Youth Forum on Sunday 4th September at 7pm
Women's Group 0n Monday 5th September at 8pm
Girls Brigade on Tuesday 6th September at 6.30pm
Sacred Space on Wednesday 7th September at 8pm
Thursday Group on Thursday 8th September at 8pm
Boys Brigade on 8th at 6.45 & 9th at 7pm
Pantomime rehearsals start on Thursday 22nd September at 8pm
If you wish to join any of the various groups, you are most
welcome.
The Bright Hour (for older ladies) meets on Tuesday at 2.30pm
& has been meeting during August.
2005 RIDE AND STRIDE
On 10th September the Methodist Church will be one of 440
churches & chapels open in the city & county. Many people
will be walking or cycling to many of these churches in a sponsored
event for the Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust.
CARPENTERS ARMS
The Methodist Church has supported this Hostel for homeless
people in Loughborough since it opened 4 years ago. At that time
we pledged £200 each year towards their running costs.
The Coffee Morning held in August exceeded the target , raising
£240. On a regular basis the church collects tins, jars,
packets of dried food etc which are used to make food parcels
for their Home-Start project. Items can be left in the coffee
shop.
OUTDOOR EVENT
At 11am on Sunday 4th September we are hoping for fine weather
for an open-air Service in Riverside School grounds. All are
welcome.
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