Girls’ Brigade award winners
Pic: (back, l-r) Holly Coleman, Nicole Gutteridge,
Sofie Lewin. (front, l-r) Bethany Harris, Rebecca Coltman, Lucinda
Beardsley.
THE 1ST BIRSTALL Company of the Girls'
Brigade celebrated another successful year with their awards
night in September.
Forty four girls, ranging in age from 5 to 17 years, received
badges, certificates and awards. Carly Belcher received her Advanced
Young Leaders award, and is now assisting in the Explorer Section
of the company. Kirsty Belcher received her Intermediate Young
Leaders Award. The Jean Yates Trophy, which is awarded to the
girl with the highest number of points in each section, was awarded
to Amy Collins in the Explorer Section, with the runner up being
Lauren Walker. The Junior Trophy was awarded to Lucinda Beardsley
and the runner up was Holly Coleman. The Senior Trophy was awarded
to Rachel Wheeler and the runner up was Nicole Gutteridge.
The company took a team of six girls to the District Swimming
Gala in October, and they came back with five gold medals, and
a team silver medal. Nicole Gutteridge won Gold in the Backstroke
and Front Crawl, Sofie Lewin won a Gold Medal in the Breaststroke.
Bethany Harris won Gold Medals in the Breaststroke and Front
Crawl. Nicole Gutteridge, Sofie Lewin, Lucinda Beardsley and
Holly Coleman won a silver medal in the 11-14 relay. Rebecca
Coltman received a certificate and medal for perseverance.
The company meets on a Tuesday night at Birstall Methodist Church
and caters for girls from 5 years upwards. Further information
can be received from Susan Wheeler, Captain Tel: 2209318.
Salon’s hospital status
BIRSTALL'S BLUE Moon Beauty Salon has recently
been registered as a 'Small Hospital'.
The National Care Standards commission has registered the salon
to perform laser hair removal and treat skin conditions such
as rosacea, age spots and broken capillary removal.
The salon, at 281 Birstall Road, opened two years ago. Proprietor
Maggie Cowley said: "We now have many regular clients who
appreciate the tranquil atmosphere."
New this month is a facial treatment offering an advanced approach
to anti-ageing: the 'non surgical lifting facial' is on offer
in November for £35.
The treatment uses Renu, a range specifically designed to contact
the three main types of ageing: natural ageing, photo ageing
from sun damage and hormonal ageing.
To find out more or to book a free consultation call Maggie at
the Blue Moon Beauty Salon on 2676825
WI news
Birstall & Wanlip WI met on October
3 in the Community Room at Highcliffe School.
There was a Bring & Buy stall at this meeting which did good
business raising money for funds to pay for more expensive speakers
next year and a possible increase in room rent.
The speaker for the evening was Mr Joe David, an ex-Sergeant
Major and more latterly a Yeoman of the Tower of London. It is
interesting to note that since retiring from that position he
is now a Town Crier! He certainly has the right voice for that
job! He brought some excellent slides of the Tower and talked
knowledgeably of all the different rooms, corridors, gates etc.
that are inside the outer walls. Everyone found it most interesting
and a lot of time after the presentation was spent in examining
Mr David's photo albums and testing the weight of his uniforms
which he also brought. These certainly need strong men to be
able to wear them. Mrs Kathleen Allen proposed a vote of thanks
to Mr David.
Arrangements were made for the November and December meetings,
the latter being in the form of a Christmas Party. There were
interesting articles and future events noted from the County
News which is always well read - especially the poems!
Next month will be a discussion 'Amongst Ourselves' when next
year's programme will be sorted and other matters - mostly financial
- will be discussed. This will be on November 7 at 7.15pm at
the school.
Bowls club
BIRSTALL BOWLING Club's Diamond Jubilee
season ended with Ladies' President Jan Everitt and Men's President
John Lee both holding their respective Presidents' Days.
There have been several highlights in a memorable year, including
a visit from the Leicestershire Executive team. Birstall won
promotion to the First Division of the Leicester League and the
Sands team won the Third Dvision of the Loughborough Monday Triples
League, and with it promotion to the Second Division. The club
also won the Bramley Bowl, the premier Leicester City & District
Parks competition, and reached the semi final of the County Unbadged
Double Rinks.
The club was also well represented in the final stages of County
and Parks competitions. In the County, Birstall had the runners
up in the Mixed Pairs, a semi finalist in the Ladies Singles
and quarter finalists in the Ladies Triples. While in the Parks
competitions Birstall players were winners of the Fours, runners
up in the Singles and had semi finalists in the Singles, Pairs,
Senior Citizens Pairs and Mixed Pairs.
The club competition winners for the year listed below:
Ladies Winners
Championship: Jan Everitt, Runner Up: Diane Hurst
Handicap: Sue Andrews, Runner Up: Pam Ratcliffe
Maiden: Val Hollis, runner Up: Maureen Jeffery
Three Wood: Jan Everitt, Runner Up: Betty Crowson
Two Wood: Jan Everitt, Runner Up: Pam Ratcliffe
Fielding & Everitt Trophies: Val Hollis, Runner Up: Hazel
Andrews
Pairs: Mary Gilbert & Margaret Freeman, Runners Up: Dorothy
Lightfoot & Angela Parkin
Two Wood Pairs: Velma Allwn & Pam Ratcliffe, Runners Up:
Sue Wilson & Mary Gilbert
Mens Winners
Championship: Andy Wye, Runner Up: John Hurst
Handicap: Andy Wye, Runner Up: Tony Boswell
Maiden: Graham White, Runner Up: Dick Sharpe
Three Wood: Grahame White, Runner Up: Jan Hunt
Two Wood: Andy Wye, Runner Up: John Hurst
Pairs: Colin Wood & John Healey, Runners Up: Wayne Parkin
& Dave Clarke
Club Night Cup: Colin Potter, Runner Up: Pete Rudkin
Mixed Competition Winners
Saunders Cup: Diane & John Hurst, Runners Up: Angela &
Wayne Parkin
Adnett Pairs: Jane Everitt & Bob Cooper, Runners Up: Velma
Allen & John Walker
Club Open: Andy Wye, Runner Up: John Hurst
Christmas spectacular
BIRSTALL METHODIST Church on Wanlip Lane
will be decorated with various 'Santas' snowmen, reindeer, and
a whole host of Christmas-related items for you to enjoy on Friday
November 25 and Saturday 26.
These various creations are being made by individuals, schools,
groups and businesses and will be set up in the church on November
24 under the direction of Marjorie Kirk (tel: 2673470). They
will then be ready to be open for viewing at 10am on November
25, through until 8pm on November 26 from 10am until 4pm.
There is still room for a few more 'creations' and if you wish
to make and display a Christmas item, to fit in with the Santa
theme, then do contact either Marjorie Kirk or Charles Hilton
(2207045).
From 3pm until 8pm on Friday there will be an outdoor Christmas
Market, with a 'Made in Birstall' stall (preserves, pickles,
cakes, pastries, mincemeat, Christmas cakes & puddings, mince
pies etc), a Christmas decorations stall, gifts and fancy goods.
Food will be available including hot soup, punch, pancakes and
hot dogs. There will, of course, be a real live 'Santa' while
the Christmas Market is open, in his own grotto which will be
'under canvas'!
The coffee shop will be open Friday morning (as usual 10 until
noon) and then again 3-8pm and on Saturday 10am-4pm. Lunches
will be served from 12noon until 2pm on Saturday.
Proceeds from the event will be given to NCH (Action for Children)
and the work and mission of Birstall Methodist Church. There
will be an admission charge to the displays in the church.
Methodist Church Finances (& Heating)
The Church finances, for the year ended August 31 make grim reading.
Once again the income received has not kept up with the money
spent. It means that the little money that is held in reserve
is rapidly being used. The majority of the income for the church
comes from regular giving by members, friends and supporters,
further money comes from the use of the premises by various groups,
and thirdly from fundraising events.
The church boiler continues to function on borrowed time. Whilst
it passes all the safety tests, the boiler is now obsolete and
parts for repair are becoming very difficult to obtain. Sooner
or later it will have to be replaced, and estimates are being
obtained so that the church has some idea of the costs involved.
The Property Committee are praying earnestly that the boiler
continues to deliver heat throughout this winter.
From Tony Moore
Girls try golf
Pic: (l-r) Aimme Boyle, Olivia Bailey, Gwilym
Eynon, Aimme Weaver, Holly Finnegan, Bethan Eynon, Charlotte
Boyall, Chloe Boyle. Missing from the photo are the other regular
girls, Molly Medcalf, Ella & Lauren Wortley
MORE GIRLS are playing at Birstall Golf
Club thanks to an initiative organised by the club this summer.
Sue Bailey, Junior Girls organiser at the club, said: "My
eight year old daughter Olivia was the only junior girl member
at the club so I set out to find her some playmates. I stated
by doing a Junior Gold Leadership course then put a poster up
at the club asking dads to bring their daughters and granddaughters
to a 'have a go' golf session."
14 girls came to the first session in May and now there are 18
girls turning up every week.
Over the summer, five of the girls competed in a girls only competition
held at Oadby, Glen Gorse and Cosby from which Olivia Bailey
was chosen for county coaching.
Methodist women’s cash gift
PICTURED ARE Birstall Methodist Monday
Group ladies presenting a cheque for £2500 to Russell Brickett
founder of 'Wishes 4 Kids'.
This is a local charity that has grown over the years helping
many children to get their dream come true while coping with
life-threatening illness.
The Monday Group meet weekly at the Methodist Centre at 8pm and
invite any ladies to come along and enjoy the company of others,
having a varied programme, outings, and being motivated to help
others along the way by raising money by Coffee Mornings with
many stalls, raffles and tombola etc.
From March 2006 - June 2006 their new project is 'Steps' who
dedicate their time helping children with cerebral palsy and
other motor disorders to lead fuller active lives.
Dog owner prosecuted
WITH DOG fouling continuing to be a concern
to residents in some areas of Charnwood, enforcement officers
from Environmental Health Services at the Borough Council have
dealt a blow against the scourge of the footpaths.
A prosecution against a persistent dog fouling offender recently
came before Loughborough magistrates. A dog owner from Shepshed
was fined £150 and ordered to pay costs of £150 for
failing to clean up after his dog after it had fouled a grass
verge on Ashby Road East and then failed to pay the £50
fixed penalty notice issued by the council's Dog Warden.
"This case demonstrates Charnwood Borough council's determination
in tackling irresponsible dog ownership" said Cllr Betty
Newton. She added: "I hope people take note of the message
ths prosecution sends out, that failing to clean up after your
dog won't be tolerated."
If you have any information concerning irresponsible dog owners
who fail to clean up after their dogs, then please let Charnwood
know on 01509 634628. All calls will be treated confidentially.
Your Say...
Tucked away at the bottom of the Parish Council notes in the
last issue of the Birstall Post was a two line announcement that
the council had agreed to spend the sum of £2520 on six
new litter bins.
As this works out at slightly over £400 per bin, can I
assume that each bin will be gold plated with a built in sensor
linked by computer to a central point to say when it is full?
I somehow doubt it, but I would be very interested to know how
that apparently exorbitant cost is justified.
Let me be quite clear. I applaud the council's efforts to make
our environment more litter free, I am just taken aback by the
budget busting cost. Answers please Birstall Parish Council.
Nicholas G Black
The original 4 Park & Ride plans have been scrapped. The
Leicester Mercury always implied that the Birstall Park &
Ride was the main part of the solution of traffic problems in
the Leicester area. A light railway would be too expensive, because
there are too many narrow streets in Leicester. The City and
County Councils do not co-operate and therefore central Government
will not release any cash. Central Government may design a 4
Park & Ride for Leicester, which does not include Birstall.
Leicester City has planned Ashton Green with bus routes and bus
stops and wants to make a connection with the Western Bypass.
There was a connection in the Ashton Green area on the original
plan : why don't people who make these plans communicate with
each other?
Les Briers
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of those
residents in Blenheim Road, Laxton Close and Keswick Close who
very kindly donated to the LOROS house-to-house envelope collection
in September. I was very nicely surprised by the amount raised
- you did yourselves proud! Your generosity is very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Mrs Katherin Dunne
I'm currently researching the history of Thurmaston's cottage
hosiery industry, which has revealed connections with families
from Birstall.
People today looking into their family histories will no doubt
have seen the words 'framework knitter', FWK, sock maker maybe
even 'bag hosier' on Census listings, showing that their ancestors
were also part of the vast trade that took over many villages
in this area during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Thurmaston was particularly industrious and has shown links with
the Sibsons of Birstall.
John Louis Sibson, from poor beginnings, went on to establish
a glove making concern in the north end of Thurmaston, while
other family members struggled to earn a living from a home-based
frame or one in a small workshop. Despite the most desperate
of conditions in both work and housing ahead of them, did Birstall
villagers cross the parish boundary in the hope of improving
their lot?
Framework knitters often had to toil twelve or more hours a day
in order to earn a meagre living. Even children as young as seven
were given jobs to do, and health frequently suffered. The workplace
of the knitters, whether at home or shop could be identified
by the trademark long, low windows to allow for maximum light,
but life inside remained cramped and intolerable.
By the end of the 1800s, the cumbersome frames were being replaced
by much smaller 'Griswold' machines, mainly operated by women
as either outworkers or again in small factories around the village.
These continued to be used until the 1950s, producing socks,
gloves and numerous fancy items of hose.
Other Thurmaston frameworkers married into Birstall families
so it is possible that there were indeed more links with Birstall.
If anyone can help with information, please contact me,
Jennifer Harris
on 0116 2204056 or Thurmaston Print Shop, 814 Melton Road, Thurmaston
LE4 8BE.
The name 'Abbeyfield' did not mean anything to me when my daughter
first mentioned it but I became interested when she showed me
details.
I was living alone in a bungalow in Kirby Muxloe at the time.
Although I had lived there happily for many years things changed
when my wife was taken ill and became resident in Markfield Court
Nursing Home. I had my own health problems having been into the
Leicester Royal Infirmary for operations on skin cancer. My spirits
were low and to make matters worse I fell victim to a distraction
burglary. I began to feel very lonely and depressed.
Helen, my daughter lives in Birstall and suggested I should consider
Abbeyfield. She had seen a vacancy advertised and had heard good
reports. A visit was arranged and I was invited to stay for a
week to see if I would like it. I was very impressed and soon
made the decision to move in.
The staff here are very good and really care for the residents.
I particularly enjoy the home cooked food, the company and the
feeling of security.
If you can relate to my story and are considering your own situation
I can thoroughly recommend Abbeyfield. Why not pay us a visit
and see for yourself? I can assure you that staff and residents
will make you very welcome.
Fred Lewin
I would just like to bring it to the notice of the people
that live in Birstall. How certain people that own property and
have businesses in Birstall. Think about keeping their places
of work clean and tidy. It is easy to see what some of them think.
With the amount of rubbish they accumulate on their property.
When it's brought to the attention of them by the environmental
people their answer is. It's not my rubbish so why should I clean
it up. How would they like it on their doorstep? It's a good
job that all the businesses don't have the same idea. Maybe most
of the businesses belong to Birstall people that care what the
village looks like. Where the rubbish is the person that said
it wasn't his rubbish says it's from the other shops. But myself
and the people around I've spoken to don't have a problem with
any of the shops. They have a large bins next to their shops
and they are emptied about every two days by lorry. So how can
that be the problem. Plus people use the passage as a toilet
along with discarded clothes etc.
Name & address supplied
Jim's family would like to thank everyone for all the kind
donations, floral tributes and cards so generously in his memory.
Jim had lived in the village for most of his 78 years; going
to Miss Henson's Bible classes in his youth; playing cricket
with the Royal British Legion; ARP messenger and Bevin boy during
the war. Later he joined the Parachute Regiment serving in Palestine.
He played darts with the White Horse team, and cards at the RBL
Club with his three cronies (sorry, friends). In fact there were
many times that people would say "Hello, Mrs Jim" to
me - though I had no idea who they were! Lately, of course, he
would have been seen sitting on the bench at the top of School
Lane with our dog, Jack.
We found one of his many diaries where he wrote of Christmas
day in 1945 where he did not go out until 7 o'clock at night,
then went to the Lawn (cinema) and then to the Goscote. On Boxing
Day, he had coffee at Miss Henson's, Tigers in the afternoon,
and the White Horse at night. Actually, I believe he had been
to most hostelries in Leicestershire by the time we met and married.
He could remember playing in the grounds of the Goscote Hall
before our house was built and doing the milk rounds with the
farmer from Whiles Lane (was it Mr Hunt?). What changes there
have been since then!
Once again our thanks for all the kind words and thoughts which
have bought such comfort to us.
Margaret, Lesley and Jane
I read with interest the two letters in the September issue of
the Birstall Post, for the use of the ground at the Sibson Road
entrance to the School Lane playing fields.
My own thoughts as a resident of Birstall for over 18 years,
is that the Parish Council should look at what there is for our
young people in the age range 12-16 years, and as much as a sports/leisure
centre could bring both opportunity and jobs to Birstall, I personally
feel creating a skate board area could be worth considering,
and possibly an internet café on the site.
I, as a dog owner, walk through that park and see with increasing
dismay the vandalism that happens there, because the young people
in Birstall have nowhere to go. They gather on the park and sometimes
I feel quite conscious of the number of youths on the park with
nothing to do. Many young people do not want organised sporting
facilities, they want to do their own thing, and if an area was
provided for them to just be, we might see a decrease in antisocial
behaviour in the park area. Recently the fencing around that
green was vandalised and burned away.
As much as I realise the Parish Council have to work hand in
hand with Charnwood Council, perhaps they should take a number
of proposals to Charnwood Council, as at this time our young
people need an area to do what interest them.
Mrs Melanie Yorke
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Volunteer award
Pic: (l-r) Mary Draycott, Lord Mayor of Leicester,
Odette Wells and Dorothy Marshall from the FOBCG.
A VOLUNTEER who has helped restore Belgrave
cemetery near Red Hill Island has received an award from Leicester's
Lord Mayor.
Odette Wells is the secretary of the Friends of Belgrave Cemetery
Group, which has reduced vandalism, restored gravestones and
tidied and improved the environment.
She received a Certificate of Commendation at the Local Hero
Awards presentation at Leicester's Town Hall in October. The
awards are designed to honour people who tackle problems in their
neighbourhood.
Planning applications
Mr A & Mrs D Chambers - erection of single storey extension
to rear, roof extension to side and extension to rear of dwelling.
39 Copeland Rd
T Mobile UK Ltd - erection of a 11.7m telegraph pole with 3 shrouded
antennae and an equipment cabinet. Land at corner of Greengate
Lane & Loughborough Rd
Ms C Lacombe - change of use from residential to dancewear shop.
73a Sibson Rd
Mr P & Ms B Hargrave - erection of 2 storey extension to
side and single storey extension to rear of semi-detached dwelling.
20 Acacia Avenue
Mr N J Taylor - erection of detached dwelling with integral garage.
Land r/o 33/35 Walnut Avenue & 29A Elmfield Ave
Mr & Mrs R Conway - erection of single storey extension to
side of dwelling. 43 Elmfield Ave
Jelson Ltd - construction of spine road. Land to the north of
Harrowgate Drive and west of the A6
Mr Khandanwal - site for erection of one bungalow. Land to rear
of 26 Birstall Rd.
Mr D Green - construction of new roof & alterations to extension
at rear of dwelling. 10 Curzon Ave.
Mr & Mrs P Gresswell - erection of 1st floor extension to
front of dwelling. 48 Cobweb Cottage, Cliffe Road
Mr L Watts - two & single storey extension to side and single
storey extension to rear of semi-detached house. 61 Stonehill
Ave
Mr & Mrs S Bostock - erection of single storey extension
to front and rear and two storey extension to side of semi-detached
dwelling. 41 Orchard Rd
Mobile Mobility Ltd - disabled access ramp with hand rails to
front of shop. 5 Kingsgate Ave
David Beechnor - extensions to side and rear of retail store
& screening of external fire escape. Somerfield Store, Wanlip
Lane
Age Concern Info
The Care Home Advocacy Project
The Care Home Advocacy Project run by Age Concern Leicestershire
and Rutland, a free and confidential service, has had a presence
in the areas of Hinckley, Bosworth and Blaby for three years
and it has now been extended into Charnwood and also Melton,
Rutland, North West Leicestershire and Harborough.
Age Concern Advocates are volunteers, independent and specially
trained to work with older people in care homes. In the past
three years they have been very successful in helping older people
settle into residential care by resolving ongoing issues that
the older person might have. These have included help to find
a solicitor, sorting out personal finance, reconciliation with
relatives, dealing with home closure and finding other suitable
residential care; looking for ongoing recreational activities,
finding suitable medical aids such as hearing aids, wheelchairs
and standing alongside and giving support and advice in any disputes
with the authorities etc.
Older residents often have no family support for all sorts of
reasons eg families can live away or have care needs themselves.
Social Services are not always involved with residents and professional
carers are not able to support the resident as an independent
advocate is able to do. Age Concern advocates take time and commitment
in order to alleviate a resident's ongoing problems after moving
into long term care from home or from hospital.
Referrals are welcomed of people who are already in long term
care and for older people who are about to move into a care home
from home or from hospital, whether or not they are funding their
own care.
In the first instance please contact Barbara Dearing on 0116
2992233.
Bowel Cancer Screening
The Department of Health has announced the launch of a national
bowel cancer screening programme that will be phased in over
a three-year period, starting from April 2006. Men and women
aged 60-69 will be offered screening every two years by being
sent home testing kits. The samples will be returned by post
for laboratory analysis. People aged 70 and over will be provided
with a home testing kit on request.
Dept of Health Press Release 2005/0279, August 2, 2005.
Equity Release Guide
The Age Concern annual publication, Using Your Home as Capital
has now been updated. It includes information about how to raise
money from the value of your home to obtain a lump sum of capital
or regular additional income, while continuing to live at home,
through home reversion schemes. lifetime mortgages and home income
plans. It gives independent, objective and practical advice on
topics such as:
o how the schemes work
o who can apply
o how much income to expect
o advantages and disadvantages
o how state benefits are affected; and
o the tax position
Using your Home as Capital 2005-06, A Guide for Older People
by Cecil Hinton and Mark Goodale. 116pp
Price £4.99 (plus £1.99 p&p) ISBN : 0862424089.
Available from Age Concern Books, Units 5 & 6, Industrial
Estate, Brecon, Powys LD3 8LA. Tel: 0870 442 2120 Fax: 0870 800
0100
Housing and Council Tax Benefit Take-Up Project
Changes are being introduced to try to improve take-up of Housing
Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) among Pension Credit
claimants. Householders already receiving Pension Credit who
do not receive HB/CTB but who may be eligible, will be contacted
between September 2005 and March 2006 and invited to claim using
a simplified claims process.
For new Pension Credit customers from December 2005, if a pensioner
applying over the application line says they would like to claim
HB/CTB, they will be asked additional questions to enable a short
three-page claim form to be completed. This will be sent to the
pensioner to sign and they will need only to provide verification
of income to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). From
July 2006, the enhanced claims process will include also the
State Pension.
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit General Information Bulletin
HB/CTB G7/2005, July 15, 2005. 11pp. Available on the Internet
at www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/news/newsletter/bulletins/2005/g7-bulletin-july.pdf
Taxes and Savings Guide
The Age Concern guide 'Your Taxes and Savings' has now been updated.
It aims to help readers make the most of their money, providing
independent and impartial advice. It includes information on
:
o how much tax you should pay
o how to avoid playing too much tax this year
o how to claim tax back from previous years - with compensation
or interest
o the wide variety of complicated savings products
o risks and returns older people should expect from each
o saving money simply and easily, and
o how to get the best rate of interest
The guide also includes information on finding a financial adviser,
how to complain, how to get compensation and the role of the
Financial Services Authority.
Your Taxes and Savings 2005-06 : A Guide for Older People by
Paul Lewis. Price £6.99 (plus £1.99 p&p) ISBN
: 0862424070. Available from Age Concern Books, Units 5 &
6, Industrial Estate, Brecon, Powys, LD3 8LA. Tel: 0870 442 2120.
Fax: 0870 800 0100
Road Safety Bill
The Government is currently taking a Road Safety Bill through
Parliament. Age Concern has joined with other partners to form
a Safer Streets Coalition (SSC) to press for much stronger measures
to be added to the Bill, to make streets safer for people of
all ages. In particular, the Coalition is calling for 20mph limits
for streets where people live, shop and work and a 30mph limit
for villages. The Coalition is asking also for new rules for
drivers' insurance schemes, to make it easier for pedestrians
and non-motorised road users to claim damages from drivers who
hit them.
Other proposals in the Bill include a ban on using hands-free
(as well as hand-held) mobiles while driving, a lower drink-drive
limit, new definitions of bad driving offences, and a Road Danger
Reduction Duty for all local authorities.
The Coalition is opposing controversial proposals to lower the
penalty for 'marginally' exceeding the speed limit from 3 points
to 2 points in 30mph areas; the Government has suggested that
'marginal' could mean driving at 39mph. Driving at 30mph rather
than 40mph makes a huge difference in collisions with pedestrians,
particularly older pedestrians. The severity of pedestrians'
injuries and their chances of being killed are greatly reduced
at lower speeds and the chances of having a collision in the
first place are also much lower.
Population Data
National Statistics has published information on its website
about population change and the ageing of the population in the
UK. The figures are based on the mid-year population estimates.
The population of the UK now stands at 59.8 million of whom just
over 50 million live in England, almost 3 million in Wales, 5
million in Scotland and 1.7 million in Northern Ireland. For
the UK as a whole, the population has grown by 7% since 1971
and increased by 281,200 from mid-2003 to mid-2004.
The UK population is ageing, with the percentage of over 65s
increasing from 13% to 16% between mid-1971 and mid-2004, while
under 16s fell from 25% to 19% in the same period. The proportion
of people aged 85 and over also increased during this period
- from 7% to 12%. In mid-2004 approximately 1 in 6 people in
the UK were aged 65 or over.
Population Estimates. Various summary documents, 2pp each. Available
only on the internet at www.statistcs.gov.uk/cci/nugget_print.asp?ID=6
Jex Woods
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