Stamford’s cup run
SUNDAY SIDE Birstall Stamford Football
Club is enjoying a spectacular run in the All England Cup, having
reached the semi finals.
Run by the Football Association, the competition is the equivalent
of the FA Cup for Sunday sides in England. 132 teams from across
the country began the competition and Birstall Stamford are in
the final four, having beaten last year's winners, in the second
round.
Manager, Pete Barnsby of Sycamore Road said: "We have done
so well locally, winning the Midlands Cup three times in five
years, the All England Cup is the next step up and this is the
first time we have taken part.
"There has not been an easy game yet, but beating last year's
winners gave us a lift. We are playing sides with players who
are fitter and technically better than us but our strength is
we play as a team and not a bunch of individuals."
The semi final will be phased on March 19 and if Birstall win,
they will play the final on April 30 at Anfield.
Birstall Stamford FC have three teams, 75 players and they dominate
Sunday football in the Charnwood League. Last season all three
teams won their Leagues and the first team won the Midland Cup.
Fur coats and sherry
NEVER MIND two for the price of one at
the supermarket or buy one get one free down Sibson Road - when
you buy just one ticket for HATS next production you get to see
THREE PLAYS plus some extra bits thrown in! How's that for a
bargain?
Now, you might think that we are making this offer due to the
low quality of the product but you'd be wrong! These are three
superb plays aimed to suit everyone's taste. The plots are varied
- one play concerns two very different families whose children
were accidentally swapped at birth. Should they be returned to
their correct parents? Another is about a couple trying to steal
fur coats at a posh party and thirdly, a playlet concerning romance,
deceit and a sherry trifle. With a couple of surprise extras
thrown in, there has never been better value for money!
So, to get your hands on this never to be repeated offer, book
your tickets now for May 11, 12 and 13. Performances are at 7.30pm
and doors are open half an hour before curtain up. Tickets for
the show are available now and you can reserve yours by phoning
the box office on 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 for younger
people to join us because there are loads of wonderful plays
with great parts for late teens up to early thirties men and
women. We could also do with more people to take on the backstage
jobs such as building and painting scenery and we are always
keen to find more people with dressmaking skills. 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.
From Rod Atkins
Help needed for Birstall gala
AS CHRISTMAS becomes a distant memory and
the dark days of winter start to lengthen some members of Birstall
Parish Council, and the odd volunteer, have once again turned
their attention to the Birstall Gala.
This event was initiated to celebrate the Millennium and since
then it has grown in popularity with local people and their guests.
This year's event will be held on July 1 and 2.
Each year the same hard core of volunteers arrange and work behind
the scenes to make the event a success. "Many local businesses
support the Gala financially by advertising in the programme,
sponsorship and prizes for the raffle etc and to these people
we are extremely grateful" said Gala organiser Stuart Jones.
Typically before the Gala the following activities have to happen:
o Organise and book: the marquee; the stage; the bands and singers;
the sound system; the fairground rides and side stalls; the side
shows and demonstrations
o Obtain advertisers and print the programme
o Apply for the event licence
o Organise the emergency services/ St John Ambulance cover etc
On the weekend of the event the stage has to be erected, raffle
tickets sold and things generally organised and of course cleared
up afterwards.
This is a plea to the people of Birstall to volunteer to help
with the event. Stuart Jones said : "What we need is a number
of willing volunteers to assist, both on the days themselves
and on the Friday and the Monday to help with setting up and
clearing away. If you could spare an hour or two to help with
things like selling programmes/raffle tickets, general assistance,
muscle, bar work (18+ only ) please call me, Stuart Jones on
2673276 or Simon Castleman 07789 201223"
He added: "Last year the Saturday event went down well so
we are looking for bands to play on the Saturday this year. If
you are in a local band and fancy showing off your talents please
contact Simon Castleman on the number above."
Planning applications
Single storey extension to rear of dwelling - 21 Spinney Rise
Installation of disabled access ramp to front of shop - 7 Kingsgate
Ave
Erection of 2 storey extension to side and rear of dwelling -
24 Walker Rd
Cutting down of 1 sycamore tree - 16 Tempest Rd
Erection of conservatory to rear of dwelling - 17 Kingsgate Ave
Duo bronze award winners
Pic: Trainer Dean Spencer with Jessica Flower
(left) and Sonia Neale
BRONZE, SILVER and Gold awards
at Carl Gunns' boxing gym are helping to motivate the hundreds
of young people that train there.
Devised by trainer Dean Spencer, who has 20 years experience,
the awards help develop skills, fitness and commitment.
Around 100 boys have achieved a bronze award, and last month
two girls at the gym became the first to join them, Sonia Neale
(15) and Jessica Flower (13).
Carl Gunns said: "These girls deserve this award, they have
worked hard for it and really put their minds to it." Dean
Spencer said: "These girls are outstanding."
Jessica, of Queensgate Drive, said: "The atmosphere is the
best thing about the gym, it's friendly and not competitive.
I come and train six days a week. I feel tired after a session
but when I get home I often so some more as well."
Sonia, of Hallam Avenue, has been coming to the gym for two and
a half years. She said: "I train here four nights a week,
the atmosphere is good, it's busy but we enjoy it."
This summer Carl is organising a trip to Brian Hughes gym in
Manchester, to watch world champions Ricky Hatton and Robin Reed
train.
Feast of flowers
BIRSTALL FLOWER Club is celebrating its
45th anniversary this year and is planning a special year for
all its members.
Pic: Pat Hipwell at the December
workshop.
Spokeswoman June Wright explains: "We have a busy and exciting
time ahead. In May a coach trip has been arranged to Derbyshire,
taking in three fantastic gardens with lunch at Bakewell, perhaps
a little retail therapy too. We also have three evening visits
to some wonderful gardens during the summer months, all within
easy driving distance.
"For those of us who love flowers but are not sure how to
arrange them, help is at hand. We have four workshops, one for
each season. They are very relaxed with coffee and time to chat
to the more experienced arrangers who are always willing to share
their knowledge.
"45 years is a great achievement for any club. We still
have a few founder members, who have seen many changes but still
enjoy the friendship and love of flowers in which we all share.
When the flower club was formed all those years ago it must have
been a very exciting time. NAFAS was in its infancy and clubs
were springing up all over the country.
"We are so fortunate today, the flowers are no longer seasonal,
almost anything can be obtained at any time of the year, even
foliage can be bought from the florist.
"We can look back over the years with fond memories of flower
festivals and friendships. We can look forward to a strong future
for our club. The flower club is fortunate to have a hard working
team of officers and committee with members who help and support
in many ways."
She added: "On her retirement as chairman Pat Hipwell has
been made vice president, an honour most deserving. Pat has been
chairman for four years and along with the club secretary Sylvia
Symes and treasurer Maureen Green has worked very hard to make
the club so successful. The programme secretary Christine Carter
has arranged over the past two years some wonderful demonstrators.
Chris has now handed over that responsibility to Nicky Wills
who I am sure will do a great job.
We all extend a warm welcome to our new chairman Margaret Drury
and look forward to supporting her during her two years in office."
Birstall Flower Club meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month
in the Village Hall with a flower demonstration given by a national
flower arranger.
Activities for young
BIRSTALL YOUTH Centre provides a wide range
of clubs and activities for young people aged 11-19.
Run by Leicestershire County Council Youth Service, it is staffed
by trained youth workers who are friendly, non-judgmental and
offer support, information and advice.
"Current projects on offer include a babysitting course,
first aid training, weekly arts, sports sessions and much, much
more" says Youth Development worker Louise Himan.
The youth workers at Birstall Youth Centre say they would love
to meet new young people who are not currently using the facilities.
Either drop in or call Louise on 0116 2673145 for more information.
The youth centre is on the Longslade Community College site,
see the map on the advert below.
Magic of Birstall panto
DADS ARMY helped rescue Cinderella from
an alien abduction during Birstall Men's Pantomime performance
of the perennial favourite, as Audrey Cuttill explains below.
Jack Bishop played Cinderella with Chris Kilby as the handsome
Prince Charming. This was an 'electrifying' performance with
singing and dancing superb and along with the 'girls' chorus
of John Beers, Tom Allard and Josh Slingsby, the audience wanted
more. The whole show was one of the best yet with Les Gale and
Paul Young as the ugly sisters, and John Towson and Brian Cuttill
as the baron and baroness. These old stagers always shine and
Les has been performing for over 40 years as a 'dame' but admits
'he enjoys being a girl'! This year playing a major part and
from the 'chorus' line was Martin Jones as the fairy. Buttons
was played by Richard Kilby who always acts so well and even
his own dog played a 'cameo' part which the children loved.
Father and son Richard and Peter Tinley played the bailiffs men
Hit & Miss who gave a very polished performance as did the
men's chorus and 'girls' chorus. From the beginning to the end
the audience enjoyed every minute of it as did the cast, from
the seaside to the baron's kitchen and the ugly sisters' boudoir,
the castle scene and on to the ball, everything added to the
superb performance this year of all the men.
There was a snippet of a sketch when 'Dads Army' was called to
help out when the aliens who had taken Cinderella turned out
to be the daleks. What a situation for Mr Mainwaring (alias Gerald
Morling) down to Pike played by Tony Moore. This was hilarious
with spiv Clive Woods making the most of it - the others taking
part were Roger Dickman, Ron Forbes, Alan Chapman who made up
the line of soldiers, not forgetting the so very nice Sergeant
Wilson played by Martin Jones. Well done chaps. Jean Valentine
and Gerald Morling, the production team, would like to thank
all who took part either on the stage or off and to the many
helpers who gave their time and effort to do the many many jobs
'off-stage' and especially to the musical team of Jill Bailey,
Tim Lacey and Jonathan Wheeler. Myles Harrison headed the stage
crew and scenery by Mick & Val Joyce and Anita. Marcus Cox
was sound engineer with lighting by Martin Wright and Don Davies.
Tony Moore designed the programme and Graham White the excellent
posters. Booking and seating by Deborah and Victoria Kilby and
to Jean Gale and helpers for wardrobe design. Particularly a
big bouquet to Sally Montague-Mason for the outstanding choreography
tuition for the men and to Jean's daughters Liz and Becky for
makeup.
This year's production was dedicated to the late Eric Wakefield
who took part last year but sadly died some eight weeks later
but left some long and happy memories for all to remember.
Julie and Vicky Tinley and scouts gave and served refreshments
this year and monies taken will go to the Uganda Clean Water
Project which the family and the men's pantomime support. One
last thank you to Myles at Nando's hair salon for sponsoring
the programme.
From Audrey Cuttill
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