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Pics: swimmers Jade Stacey, Rosie Helps, Charlotte
Merry, Chloe Wilmot-Green, Katie Young & Stephanie Harris
Channel swimmers
MEMBERS OF Birstall Swimming Club swam
to France and back five times without ever leaving Birstall pool.
On March 14&16, Birstall Swimming Club was given the challenge
to swim the distance of the English Channel, 21 miles, as a sponsored
event to raise money for the club.
After a very good start by the Tuesday night team they were well
on their way to completing their challenge. By the end of Thursday
night the club had achieved 103.5 miles, a total of 6663 lengths
of Birstall Pool or the equivalent of swimming from England to
France nearly five times.
Club spokeswoman - Amy Burton said: "A big well done and
thank you to all the swimmers and teachers who took part in this
sponsored event and a big thank you to all the committee members,
teachers and parents who helped on both nights with the counting
- and without calculators!"
The swimming club is still in need of help to raise finance for
the ever increasing costs of insurance, new equipment and general
running costs - if you are interested in sponsoring the club
or would like to make a donation towards club funds please let
them know at www.birstall.sc or call Amy on 0116 2203464,
Amy said: "If you are aged between 8 and 18, like having
fun whilst learning new skills and would like to become a member
of Birstall Swimming Club we have spaces available now - contact
us on the above number or via the website."
Man stabbed on street
POLICE IN Birstall are appealing for witnesses
after a 23yr old man was stabbed on Wanlip Lane close to Riverside
Primary School.
The incident happened at 12.30am in the early hours of Friday
March 31, 2006. The victim was walking along Wanlip Lane in the
direction of Orchard Road when he was passed by a man running
in the same direction.
Moments later a second man passed him and pushed him against
the gates of the school before running off after the first man.
It was at that point the victim realised he had been stabbed.
He was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary and received treatment
for two puncture wounds and was discharged the following day.
Both men ran in the direction of Wanlip village and were wearing
dark hooded tops and blue jeans.
Detective Constable Steve Winterton from Loughborough CID said:
"This man was wearing a thick padded coat, which cushioned
the impact, and fortunately the wounds were not too deep.
"However, it could have been much worse and we're hoping
the public may be able to identify the men involved.
"Did you see two men running through the streets in the
Wanlip Lane area of Birstall early on Friday morning? They both
had their hoods pulled over their heads".
The police would like to establish where these men had been and
why one of them was carrying a weapon. They are also interested
in hearing from anyone who knows the route they took through
Birstall.
"It may be that the first man has nothing to do with the
man who assaulted the victim. If so, he needs to come forward
and eliminate himself from our enquiries" said D C Winterton.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC 740 Steve
Winterton at Loughborough CID on -116 222 2222, follow the instructions
to leave a message for a police officer and when prompted key
in the officer's identification number 0740. Alternatively contact
Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous on 0800 555 111.
Armed men rob Kinsgate shop
A TERRIFIED shopper looked on as armed
men assaulted a staff member and escaped with cash at a Birstall
store.
The robbery took place at Kingsgate Self Service Store on Kingsgate
Avenue, on Tuesday March 28 at about 8.30pm.
The man who was assaulted, who does not wish to be named, was
standing behind the counter when two men burst into the shop
wearing balaclavas, one carrying a handgun.
"At first I thought it was a joke, that they were just messing
about. There was one lady customer in the shop and another member
of staff - they ordered them to get on the floor" he said.
One of the robbers approached the man behind the counter, demanded
cash, and then struck him on the head with the handgun. The 48
year old fell to the floor - his wound needed stitches later.
The robbers pulled out the cash register, an expensive type with
a built in screen and computer, and smashed it on the floor,
then escaped with the cash drawer containing around £450
in cash.
The shop assistant said: "The whole thing was over so fast,
probably around 30 seconds. It was really scary. The police and
ambulance arrived in minutes."
DC John Davies of North Area CID, said: "This was an extremely
distressing incident for the people in the store. I would urge
anyone who was in the area to think back and contact us if they
remember seeing anyone acting suspiciously around the area prior
to the incident taking place.
"I would also like to speak to anyone who saw the men leaving
the store, did you see any vehicles driving away at speed from
the Kingsgate Avenue area or have you come across a cash register
which may have been discarded in the area by the offenders?"
One of the offenders was about 6ft tall and of medium build.
He was wearing a dark hooded top, the top was pulled up over
his head. The second offender was about 5ft7ins tall and also
of medium build, he was also wearing a hooded top.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC 1586 Davies
in the North area CID office on (0116) 222 2222, follow the instructions
to leave a message for a police officer and when prompted key
in the officer's identification number 1586. Alternatively, contact
Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous on 0800 555 111.
Pool access
ACCESS TO Birstall Pool is now only permitted
from Longslade, part of new measures to improve the security
of the campus.
Cars should be parked at Longslade's car park and visitors on
foot should use the Longslade main entrance or the path at the
side of the school playing field from Wanlip Lane.
New fences are planned including one between the Youth Centre
and the pool.
Group of young people
ANTI SOCIAL behaviour from some young people
gathering near the Wanlip Lane shops is causing concern for residents,
shopkeepers and Parish councillors.
A group aged from 12-16 years and from 10 to 30 in number congregate
outside the shops most days from around 3.30pm.
Many just sit and talk with their friends, but some are harassing
passers by, asking them to buy alcohol for them and dropping
litter.
Police are aware of the issue. After the incident earlier this
year when young people fought on the park, the Police took names
and visited parents and the problems outside the shop lessened
for a while but are now returning.
The Parish Council have contacted the Police urging them to take
action.
Parish Council notes
THE ANNUAL Parish meeting of Birstall Parish
Council was held on April 10.
The Council received reports from County Councillor and Borough
Councillor Roger Wilson and from Borough Councillor Helena Edwards.
Cllr Wilson commented that the coming year would be a time of
great change in the structure of local government. He added that
he had enjoyed a fantastic response from the people of Birstall
in his year as Mayor of Charnwood.
The Annual Parish meeting was followed by a full council meeting.
Three candidates had nominated themselves to fill a vacancy on
the Parish Council and following a ballot, Mr Jim Garner of Sibson
Road was co-opted. He has lived in Birstall since 1957.
The Council expressed its dissatisfaction that there was no Police
representative present at the meeting.
Cllr Doug Topley reported that one of the young people found
responsible for writing graffiti on the cricket pavilion had
been ordered by the Court to remove it and had "made a good
job of it".
Councillors expressed their concern at reports of antisocial
behaviour by a group of young people gathering outside the shops
on Wanlip Lane, near the junction with Lambourne Road. It was
agreed to bring this matter to the attention of Police Inspector
Chris Alcott.
It was reported that a dog not on a lead had knocked over a pedestrian
on the School Lane playing field resulting in an injury to the
pedestrian's leg. The injured person is making enquiries with
a view to taking legal action against the dog owner.
A man has been arrested and charged following a robbery from
the changing rooms on the School Lane playing field. The Police
have reported criminal damage to a resident's fence adjoining
the School Lane playing field car park. The Police are making
enquiries relating to the subsequent assault of a resident by
youths on the car park.
Festival of sport
AROUND 500 primary school children enjoyed
a Tri-Golf festival in March.
Several primary schools in the area took part, including Highcliffe,
Riverside, Rothley and Richard Hill, Thurcaston.
There were two festivals hosted at Longslade College and Wreake
Valley where the children faced several challenges using their
tri-golf skills, which is a miniature form of the game.
All the children were given certificates and there were prizes
for first, second and third. The festival winners were Thrussington
primary school and Woolden Hill primary school
Longslade's Sally Waller, Partnership Development Manager, said:
"Although the weather was not on our side, both festivals
were fabulous and I thank everyone for taking part and Sue Holwell
for organising it."
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Second access
WORK ON constructing a second access road
to the Hallam Fields development will start this summer, says
the County Council.
This 'northern access' will be around 200 metres north of the
access road currently being constructed. These two junctions
will be the only access routes to Hallam Fields.
The County Council plan on introducing a 40mph speed limit on
the A6 north of Bentley Road, as far as the A46 junction.
Free help to stop smoking
A BIRSTALL pharmacy is helping smokers
quit by offering a free one-to-one counselling service.
Gordon Davis on Greengate Lane is participating in the NHS Stop
Smoking Service.
Smokers are seen by fully trained advisers once a week who give
advice, help and support combined with nicotine replacement therapy.
The service has been running at the Birstall for over a year
and has been used by around 50 people. One in two smokers who
use the service stop smoking, compared to just three per cent
of smokers who try to quit alone.
The Stop Smoking Service is available during pharmacy hours,
8.30am to 6.15pm weekdays and 9am to 12noon on Saturdays. Contact
Gordon Davis pharmacy on 2674665 to book your appointment.
Queen’s invitation
Pic: Eileen Lowndes
BIRSTALL BIRTHDAY girl Eileen Lowndes is
going to London to see the Queen.
Eileen, from Park Road, was born on the same day as the Queen,
April 21, 1926, and a special treat for her 80th birthday is
meeting the Queen.
She said: "Being a royalist I'm really excited. I'm looking
forward to buying a new outfit for the occasion. We'll be staying
in London for three days and this will make it a really special
holiday".
Eileen had responded to an article in the Daily Mirror inviting
anyone who shared the Queen's birth date to write to the Lord
Lieutenant of Leicestershire and has now been invited to attend
a garden party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday July 18. She will
be travelling to London with her daughter, Elaine.
Gym awarded £1000
CARL GUNNS' award winning gym has received
another gong and £1,000 in prize money.
The former boxing manager's success in creating a boxing gym
for young people impressed the judges at the Government backed
Taking A Stand awards. Carl, who was nominated by Andy Corbett,
was one of 500 winners across the country to receive an award
and £1,000.
The aim of the awards is to recognise the work volunteers are
doing to keep young people off the street and make a positive
contribution to the community.
Carl says he will use the cash to pay for a new boxing ring for
the gym, which has grown in size from seven members three years
ago, to more than 800 including 138 girls.
The prize comes just weeks after Carl received a lifetime achievement
award from a martial arts group in Leicester - the CKI School.
They have presented Carl with an engraved silver plate.
Fridge & freezer collection
OLD FRIDGES and freezers will be collected
by Charnwood Borough Council from residents' homes.
It was correctly reported in last month's Post that during the
Council's 'Spring Clean' month of April, fridges and freezers
would not be collected as part of that initiative, but some readers
have mistakenly assumed the Borough Council had stopped collecting
them altogether.
The council charge £11 for every three items of bulky waste
collected. To arrange collection call 01509 634563 or visit www.charnwood.gov.uk.
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