Birstall gala
SEVERAL NEW attractions and hot sunny weather
helped make Birstall's annual gala a success.
Held over the weekend on July 1 & 2, the Saturday event was
a programme of live music organised by Simon Castleman and featured
local bands and singers.
Pic: Joanna Meachem & John Walmsley with
baby Eve enjoy the sun
Pic: Birstall Citizen of the Year 2006
Brenda Watts with Chairman of the
Parish Council Stuart Jones
 
Simon said: "There was some real variety both in style and
quality and we would have done better without the football but
the audience did build to about 200 people.
He added: "I would like to make the Saturday an integral
part of the weekend rather than the 'add-on' feel it has at the
moment and next year I plan on putting the more family orientated
bands on in the afternoon and the younger, more heavy bands on
later in the evening."
Pic: Piston Broke on stage on Saturday
Saturday Birstall Music Live featured Simone Swift, Chris Odd
and the Evens, Atrophy, Kaleb, The Nowhere Men, Reborn, SKAM,
Bleed the Ink, Subjects of the City, Dosvidania, Piston Broke,
Tyler and Dandilions.
Pic: Gymnasts from Loughborough Gymnastics
Club
Pic: Running St Theresa's Youth Group stall
are (l-r) Rosanna Cant, Mark Hickenbotham and Genevieve Cant
(14).
Pic: the victorious tug of war team from The
Trees
Gala Day on Sunday was opened by the Mayor Charnwood Ken Pacey
and a combined service from the churches of Birstall and Wanlip.
Music was provided by The Reflections Band, Birstall Bran Ensemble
and the Fosse Swing Band and there were fun fair rides and stalls
representing village organisations.
Pic:Holly Bhatia (6) and Leah Chalmers (4)
dance to music performed by the Hathern Band (below)
Pic: At the Birstall CC Football Club stall
are (l-r) Jackie Watkins, Luke Watkins, Amanda Adams, Mandy Gamble,
Marion Wilson and Martin Wilson.
New attractions this year were a display of acrobatics by Loughborough
Gymnastics Club, dancing by young people from the Bianca Zarcone
Dance School, and a display of classic cars including Lady Penelope's
Fab1.
The Winning car, voted for by the public, was Tony Simpson's
Triumph GT6 and the runner up was Corinne Burford's Ford Skyliner.
The Birstall Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Brenda
Watts, a volunteer with the Friends of Belgrave Cemetery Group,.
She said: "I'm shocked and delighted to receive this award."
The group works to conserve the cemetery and Brenda is the group's
researcher and historian.
The Citizen of the Year Award was presented for the first time
in 2006, to Jex Woods of Birstall and Wanlip Age concern. Nominations
can be submitted to Birstall Parish Council for 2007 - the person
with the most nominations receives the award.
Pic: Dancers from the Bianca Zarcone Dance
School
Pic: TS Tiger Cadets Scott Schuter (17) and
Roy Rollings (13) enjoy the dodgem cars.
Gala day ended with an evening concert performed by the Hathern
Band with soprano Joyce Rimmington and climaxed with a rendition
of You'll Never Walk alone and the National Anthem.
The gala is organised by Birstall Parish Council and Gala Committee
chairman Doug Topley said: "Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves
and the highlight for me was the Proms concert. Thanks to all
the committee, our sponsors John the Barber and Midland Windows
and all the businesses that advertised in the programme."
This was the seventh Birstall Gala and Doug is stepping down
as chairman. "It's time a younger person took over, I hope
it will carry on as the gala is a great event for the village,
it brings the community together for a good weekend."
Pic: Tori Wood (10) and Reahannah Wood (11)
with Fab 1.
Pic: Birstall & District Art Society's
exhibition
Chairman of Birstall Parish Council Stuart Jones said: "The
audience for the evening concert must have been 2000 strong,
the biggest I've seen, it was marvellous. We set out to make
the Gala weekend a really enjoyable one and a memorable one for
the people of Birstall and I hope we've succeeded."
The Council intends to stage another gala weekend in 2007.
Longslade's local links
'COMMUNITY PLUS' at Longslade College has
close links with many different local groups and societies in
the Birstall area which use the facilities at Longslade including
sports groups, dance groups and art clubs.
Facilities range from the Sports Hall, All Weather Area, Large
Hall and rooms of all sizes. The Luther King Centre has a full
licensed bar with varied catering options that can be hired for
all types of functions.
Children's gymnastics classes are also part of Community Plus
and are extremely popular with children from five years upwards.
The Birstall Longslade Swimming Pool which is a public pool comes
under the Community Plus part of the college and offers sessions
for all ages and genders from parents and tots to the more mature
swimmer and for private party hire, children's swimming lessons
and aquafit sessions.
Lyndsay King from Longslade said: "If you are a local club
or society or someone with an interest to share by setting up
a class or group then we could help with facilities. Or can you
teach a recreational subject to either children or adults and
would like to start a class or group of your own? If so, then
please contact either myself or Jane Hill at Longslade on 2677107
or email: lyndsayking@longslade.leics.sch.uk and we will be happy
to help."
News from St James
THE TWO churches of Birstall and Wanlip
were delighted to welcome the new curate, Mary Williams, with
her husband and family at a Parish Lunch after her first service
in early July.
The family moved into the curate's house at the end of the month,
so August will be her first month in office and we all wish her
well as she starts to get to know the parish and people of Birstall.
Mary joined us too late this year to participate in the hugely
successful parish holiday in July, when 47 people went to Scarborough
to enjoy glorious weather, good food and good company, but everyone
was delighted that the Rector was able to join the company for
a few days. Plans are already being made for next year's trip
to the Lake District.
As well as being the traditional month for holidays, August certainly
seems to be the month for garden parties, as we all hope to benefit
from a warm summer sun . Two particular events involve fundraising
for the Palestinian Christian children's homes in Bethany. On
Tuesday August 8 Andy and Elaine White invite you to cream tea
between 2 and 4 pm in their lovely garden at 24 Castlegate Avenue,
in aid of these orphaned children. Then on Bank Holiday Monday,
the annual Church Garden Party will be held on the lawn next
to St James church, starting at 2pm. Part of the proceeds will
be donated to the children's homes as well as to Rainbows and
the Church funds so we hope for good support for both of these
events.
Children aged between 5 and 11 are invited to take part in the
Rainbow Holiday Club, jointly run by the Methodist and Anglican
churches from August 7-11 in the Methodist Hall. Places are limited
but there may still be time to book by contacting Rose on 2674755.
Looking a little further ahead, a coach trip is being arranged
to the Roman city of St Albans on Saturday September 9. An optional
guided tour of the cathedral is planned and later an opportunity
to hear sung Evensong. There are also extensive Roman remains
to visit if you wish. For booking and more information please
contact Gill on 2675086.
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