Bus service concessions
LEICESTERSHIRE'S DISTRICT Councils say
they are "dejected and disheartened" by the county
council's final rejection of a county-wide free bus service to
all Leicestershire's Over-60s and disabled people in advance
of the national scheme, which will come into effect in April
2008.
A spokesperson said: "On April 1, Leicestershire County
Council withdrew from a partnership which provided a county-wide
half fare concessionary travel scheme which went beyond the districts'
statutory responsibilities at that time. Following the county
council's offer to rejoin talks last May, the districts had hoped
that the county council would once again rejoin the partnership,
a successful and beneficial arrangement which had previously
existed.
"Districts had hoped that the county's recent offer of a
financial contribution could lead to the re-establishment of
a partnership and a sharing of risk and costs in a greatly enhanced
scheme, designed to benefit those over 60 and disabled people
in Leicestershire It is disheartening that they are not showing
the level of commitment to this scheme that we and the public
might have expected from earlier statements.
"This is incredibly sad news for residents across the county
but the districts are now determined to work out a scheme which
is affordable and useful to all residents and available to qualifying
people from October 1 2006. For the good of Leicestershire residents,
the districts will continue to press the county council to participate
in the scheme in some small way".
Swap skills with LETS
IF THERE is something you love doing,
that you would be happy to do for others, and something that
you can't do yourself that you would like someone to do for you,
then LETS4all is the answer!
LETS4all is a new local exchange trading scheme for Leicester
& Leicestershire and is a non-profit club.
Members offer services such as gardening, transport, reflexology,
or help with DIY or filling in forms; items for loan (anything
from a preserving pan to a gazebo) and goods for sale (plants,
fruit and veg, jam, crafts). Members pay for these, not with
cash, but using the LETS 'currency'.
Unlike direct barter, they can earn credits from one member for
goods or services supplied, and spend them with any other member.
So Jane might fix Kiran's computer and spend her credits on a
guitar lesson from Martin.
Members are given a directory (regularly updated) listing all
the services and goods offered and the things people want. They
contact each other direct to arrange a deal. People can choose
what they do and when - there is no obligation to trade.
Payment is made in 'Currants', which are worth £1 each,
and all members charge 8 Currants for an hour's work, so everyone's
skills and knowledge are valued equally. There may also be part
payment in cash for materials used.
If you would like a membership pack or more information, ring
Jill on 0116 2891581 or email: christinethomas@caremail.com.
Healthy food
HEALTHY EATING at breakfast was the theme
of the National Day Nurseries Association's campaign in July.
Birstall's Rainbow Nursery on Wanlip Lane joined in. Nursery
Manager Paula Wright said: "We at Rainbow Nursery hold healthy
eating close to our hearts as we believe that all children are
entitled to eat healthily, learn and discover what foods are
good for them and have choices of what they eat.
"All our meals are made on the premises by Carol our cook
and the children are encouraged to help with making some of the
meals themselves as well as growing fruit and vegetables in the
garden. Throughout the day the children always have fruit and
vegetables in their lunch or snack and drink plenty of organic
milk and water.
We have had a breakfast and fruit week encouraging all the children
to eat a healthy breakfast, try some fruit with it and taste
some more exotic fruit - have you tried a dragon fruit?"
WEA courses
AS THE schools re-open and the nights draw
in, it's time to think about some learning journeys for grown-ups!
The WEA in Birstall and Rothley has plenty to offer without the
worry of assignments or exams to do. One can just learn for the
pleasure of it.
There are a variety of learning journeys for you to choose from.
Popular tutor, Brian Taylor, brings you the chance to travel
back in time with his in-depth look at the influential travels
of our ancestors throughout Europe and beyond in previous centuries.
The 10 week course is 'Beyond the Grand Tour (1750-1850)'at the
Rothley Centre on a Tuesday morning, 10-11.30am, starting on
September 19.
If you are after a more active type of learning journey why not
come along to Tai Chi on a Tuesday afternoon? Laraine Tucker
leads a friendly group in this gentle but effective form of exercise.
The 12 meetings begin on September 19, 12.30am-2.30pm in the
Methodist Church Hall, Birstall. They are convenient in time
and location for those with children to meet from school.
Perhaps a relaxed journey down memory lane is more your style!
If so, there is a chance for you to enjoy some great songs on
a brand new course in Birstall. 'The Great Musicals' is being
held in the Coffee Lounge of the Methodist Church Hall on a Wednesday
afternoon, 1.30-3pm. Tutor, David Taylor, gives everyone the
chance to suggest shows to include during this look at how writers
and composers wove stories, songs and music together to create
the final productions.
Maybe your eyes, as well as your ears are in need of a treat,
so a trip to look at modern art from across the Atlantic would
be of interest. Janis Baker brings her new course 'American Visions:
Art of the 20th Century' to the Rothley Centre on a Wednesday
evening, 7.15-9.15pm. This promises to be a stimulating ten week
exploration of the innovation and creativity of American artists.
If you are still hungry for more knowledge there is another new
course at a new venue this year. It is a trip back through time
to discover the 'History of Food in Britain'. Philippa Jessop
comes to the Old School Rooms in Rothley on a Thursday evening
to guide us on a tour of food from cave man times to current
fads. The first session is on September 28, 7.30-9pm.
So, with plenty to choose from, why not embark on an original
learning journey this autumn? All the groups are open to all
ages and abilities. To find out more, pick up a blue WEA brochure
from the library or contact: 0116 2362566, email: francafreeman@hotmail.com
or 01509 813005 or visit the web site www.birstallandrothleywea.org.uk
Your Say...
Vandals hit us again at Leicester North (Belgrave & Birstall)
station. Four benches and two tables with benches were stolen
and a table smashed up, unlucky again!
We are very sorry for the people who would have sat out on them
at Leicester North Great Central Railway.
Mrs Ann Abell
I would like to thank all my friends and colleagues in Birstall
for the beautiful cards, flowers and good wishes sent to me after
my operation. It all happened so quickly that I didn't have time
to tell many people that I was going into hospital. I'm making
good progress although it will be a slow recovery. I feel I'm
over the first big hurdle and thank goodness I don't need any
more treatment, which is such a blessing. Hopefully I will be
about again in the next few months, as although I'm gradually
getting a bit more mobile, I still need a lot of rest as I get
very tired.
Once again many, many thanks to you all.
Mary Allen
I remember the time when the Model T Ford was a means of transport,
not a museum exhibit. There were journeys to Blackpool, Scarborough,
Skegness and other places. One Saturday night we made a journey
to Scarborough over the Yorkshire moors. Skegness was the most
visited place and the only place where the car suddenly stopped.
We kept the car in an open garage: someone had siphoned the petrol.
The petrol gauge was a piece of wood pushed down the pipe. The
Ford was a dual purpose vehicle; van and saloon with the saloon
being very open air. On one occasion picnic supplies were transported
to Bradgate Park for the school outing. Nowadays the children
go further afield.
The longest journey was to Blackpool and meant driving through
all the towns and cities: Derby, Ashbourne, Leek, Macclesfield,
Knutsford, (Cranford) Warrington, Wigan, Preston and then on
to Blackpool. There was a ring road at Derby, but that was not
a bypass. I remember when my father drove round Preston docks.
We waited at Wigan until the swing bridge closed. The houses
were black, but the thresholds were white. There was a café
halfway to Blackpool, just after Leek You had a choice of looking
west down the valley to Rudyard Lake and a railway (now closed)
and thinking of the romance of Mr & Mrs Kipling who named
their son Rudyard, or looking north and seeing Pendle Hill and
thinking of the witches. You could see the exhaust pipe glowing
red. Ashbourne hill on the way to Leek meant grinding away in
1st gear for two miles: it was 1st gear coming back. There was
a sharp left turn over the bridge. Some cars finished in the
river.
If you started early there were very few queues, but if you were
delayed, in leaving Blackpool on the second Saturday you were
caught by the carnival in Leek (silk). Things have changed now
and we have many queues all over the country. Motorists become
frustrated and when they see an open space they accelerate. Unless
someone has a completely different idea more vehicles will appear
on the highway and with all these developments in Birstall/Wanlip
more vehicles will come through Birstall on the A6. Wanlip will
be a small parish, west of the river Soar. Where is the final
boundary between Birstall and Wanlip?
More drivers will try the very dangerous Bentley Road manoeuvre.
Mike Spencer (August Birstall Post) states "the site would
have vehicle speeds limited to 10-20mph and the road layout and
parking would be arranged to make the car less dominant and less
visible". The first plan of Hallam fields gave the number
of dwellings to be 600 with the number of those affordable to
be 120. The number then went to 900. Now the number is 900 plus.
How many of the 900 plus will be affordable? The only way to
limit vehicles to 10-20mph, without traffic calming is to design
narrow bendy roads and this means that the emergency services
will operate with difficulty (one space per dwelling) and a bus
route with bus stops impossible.
The two access/exits, with a connection to the Park & Ride
want finishing now to take care of the extra traffic. This could
mean that part of Longslade/Stonehill playing fields will be
taken. The two access/exits will appear lop sided. The balancing
ponds and first row of dwellings should have been built further
into Hallam fields. It would help if the City Council and Leicestershire
County Council announced that the original 4 Park & Ride,
with Birstall at the centre was over. The Leicester Mercury (August
5, 2006) states "the two authorities are also planning a
Park & Ride, in Enderby which could open by 2010". What
happened to the Birstall plan and who is paying for what is happening
in Birstall now?
Why can't these phone people put their large antennae at the
top of the hill next to the A6/A46 junction, with less powerful
antennae further down?
It would cost more, but will these phone people guarantee that
large antennae will not interfere with electronic equipment?
If anything fails how will the problem be solved? Conversation
between Scotland and Greengate Lane is all right. Why risk interference
with electronic equipment just for TV, cameras and down-loading.
Les Briers
It seems the Birstall Parish Council is gearing itself up
to fight any proposed large local development on a NIMBY (not
in my back yard) campaign, similar to the one it used against
the Hallam Fields development, when the Council mobilised local
support, including the setting up a local body BAD (Birstall
Against Development), including banner waving protests against
Hallam Fields, which the council seems to be encouraging again
now.
It is an unfortunate fact, that the Birstall Parish Council,
including some of its Charnwood Borough Councillors, are either
unaware of, or totally ignore, the fact that the Officers of
the Charnwood Borough Council draw up their recommended development
plans, in strict conformity with requirements and guidance set
out by the Government in legal documents and recommendations,
which make it quite clear that objections to local Plans and
District Council proposals, can only be considered seriously,
if they' re based on disclosed deviations from or disregard of,
material factors set out in the government's legal provisions
and guidance.
In the case of the Hallam Fields development, the Inspector's
Report on the Deposit Draft Borough of Charnwood Local Plan Public
Inquiry, set out his conclusions to objections to the Draft Plan,
which were largely dominated by contributions from the Birstall
Parish Council and its associated body BAD, commenting "I
consider it unfortunate that much of the opposition to the development
(Hallam Fields) has been based on inaccurate information. I am
with the (Charnwood Borough) Council when it says the response
has been at times alarmist and some of the misinformation vividly
misleading.
Now the Birstall Parish Council seems clearly to be setting itself
out on a similar pathway, which if it is followed, must inevitably
lead to the same end result; a total waste of money and effort,
objecting without being able to provide any valid good legal
grounds to support their objections.
It is said, that although any local community should be able
reasonably to expect good and sensible advice and consequent
action from its local council, the Birstall Parish Council seems,
in respect of proposed large local developments, to be bent on
heading in the opposite direction again, seemingly disregarding
the outcome of their last similar effort, following a flawed
method of approach, which the Birstall Parish Council seems,
for a long time, to have made its trade mark.
C D Clarke
I would like to share my enthusiasm for the Great Central
Railway which I hope most of you know has had a track and station
on the eastern side of Birstall for more than 100 years.
As a student in the 50s/60s, I have vivid memories of daily travel
on the Great Central Railway between Loughborough and the former
Leicester Central station. Steam trains were the norm in those
days (1958-1961).
Now as a shareholder for fifteen years I enjoy the nostalgia
of the preserved section of this railway.
The AGM of the GCR held at Loughborough Town Hall on Saturday
August 19, 2006 was well attended and as the GCR representative
of Birstall Parish Council I 'said my piece' for more development
of the old Birstall & Belgrave station site, now known as
Leicester North.
The ASGM was impressively run by very professional directors
and railway employees. These are not 'big boys playing trains'
but serious business managers. Their efforts provide much pleasure
by the safe running of what is regarded as one of the best heritage
railways in the world! (despite constant attacks by local vandals).
The financial status of the GCR is improving by leaps and bounds
due to effective marketing and communication to the general public.
It gave everyone great encouragement to hear, that after decades
of financial deficit the GCR expects to break even in the coming
financial year.
However, such an enterprise needs continual injection of money
through fares, memorabilia sales, shareholder membership and
donations etc. It was encouraging to be told of two items which
will benefit Birstall and its railway. The present spartan appearance
of Leicester North station (site of former Birstall & Belgrave
station) will be improved, hopefully in the not too distant future
partly through funding from a '106 agreement' linked to the Hallam
Fields housing development. This means that after completion
and occupancy of a certain number of homes, the developer must
provide certain facilities for the local community. For example:
road junction improvements at A6/Tempest Rd & Park Rd, a
community centre, junior school, fire station and enhancement
of Leicester North Great Central Railway Station are areas which
will benefit from substantial monies arising from the '106 agreements'.
Please support your local railway!
Please visit the railway at any of the stations including the
preserved Edwardian period stations at Rothley, Quorn & Woodhouse
and Loughborough where massive engineering restoration takes
place on giant steam locomotives.
Enjoy a family day out riding the trains, a children's day with
Thomas the Tank engine or indulge in a celebration dining evening
with excellent cuisine, wine and superb service. Enjoy your meal
aboard the train halted on the viaduct over Swithland reservoir.
There are lots more special events throughout the year on this
railway. Don't forget the Santa Special steam train, a special
chimney challenge for Santa!
I shall be leafleting your area soon with GCR information. Please
read it! It's not junk mail!
Thank you, I hope you will be as 'chuffed' as I am about this
railway!
Gerald Hardington, GCR Representative, Birstall Parish Council
I wonder if the good people, parents and grandparents of Birstall
realise how many young schoolchildren of theirs are taking drugs
and drinking alcohol. I sometimes wonder if they care!
A favourite gathering place for these children is along the garage
service road behind our houses. In their intoxicated state they
lie amongst the dog mess and urine. It is a favourite place for
dog owners to exercise dogs without clearing up after themselves
as well!
Don't get me wrong, they are usually quite well spoken and never
give any abuse. They are almost apologetic which makes it even
more sad.
I feel we are letting them down. All of us. It is not a police
matter but a social one. I have seen drugs exchange hands in
the street with small children playing nearby. These men walk
amongst us. Whether we want or care to do anything about it is
another matter.
Steve Jones
The supporters and friends of the Palestine Christian Homes
for abandoned children would like to thank everyone who came
to support or donated money to various events, a Wine & Cheese
party, Parish Lunch and a Cream Tea afternoon, in the last two
months. A total of £950 has been sent to the trust who
handles the finances, at a time when we know the homes are in
urgent need of money to buy food. The hostilities in Israel/Lebanon
have cut off the flow of visitors to the homes which would normally
help to keep support going for the dedicated team in Bethany.
Beryl McHugh
Our son has trained with Birstall United Junior Football Club
(BUJFC) for the past 2½ years, and last year he was signed
up to play in the under 8s League for Birstall. He turned up
for training week in week out come rain, snow or shine, and he
was very dedicated to his team. At the end of the season the
team came 2nd in their league, and we were very proud of our
son and his team for their dedication and their achievements.
Now with the new season approaching the team manager has decided
that our son will not be signed up for next season's football
team, as in their words "he does not meet their standards".
But he can still train with them if he wants to. Their decision
has upset our son tremendously and he now wants to know whey
they think he is rubbish. We have explained to him that he's
not rubbish and that he is a good footballer, and we have now
found another team for him to train with and are happy to take
him.
He's not going to be the next David Beckham or Wayne Rooney but
all he wants to do is play a game of football with his mates,
but they have taken that away from him. They have taken the FUN
out of 8 year olds playing football. Who is the game for anyway?
The kids or the managers, obviously in this case it's the managers.
At the end of the season my son received a trophy from his manager
and coach, which read 'For Outstanding Performance'. Then, within
a week we were told that he would not be signed for next season
as he's not up to their standards. How patronising is that.
The managers seem to have lost sight of what football means to
an 8yr old.
Yours, Disgruntled Parents
Name & address supplied
How lucky we were 24 years ago to find a suitable home to
retire to in Birstall. I have not changed my mind but I am now
hoping to move to South Wales for a change of scenery. I would
like to take this opportunity to say "Farewell" to
all the friends I have made with a special "Thank you"
to those names I do not know but who have made Marty and myself
so welcome when appealing for funds to the various charities
over the years.
It has been a pleasure to 'walk the streets' and gather ideas
from all the lovely gardens to be tried on mine.
The older generation have benefited with the help of bus passes
and may they continue to enjoy the excellent shops and friendly
atmosphere of Birstall and keep it so.
Farewell to you all and keep this community thriving.
I have some lovely memories to keep me going when enjoying the
sea breezes.
Jean Ward, Kilby Ave
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Reading group
ARE YOU an enthusiastic reader and keen
to share your reading experience with others?
Ten come along to a friendly and informal reading group meeting
at Birstall library on the last Tuesday of each month from 5.30-6.30pm.
Whether you like a book or hate it, agree or disagree with other
group members, or with the professional critics, we all find
we gain more from our own reading experience by listening to
other people's views and reactions to a book and also from reading
books that we might otherwise never have chosen.
New members are always welcome. If you would like to join us,
then contact Darshna Naker at Birstall Library on 2673494.
Planning applications
271 Birstall Rd - erection of one dormer bungalow, two single
storey bungalows, three double garages, new access, turning &
landscaping
6 Cliffe Rd - erection of a two storey extension to front &
side of dwelling
42 Bramley Rd - erection of single storey extension to rear of
dwelling
Highway verge, Loughborough Rd, adjacent to Greengate Medical
Centre - erection of a 12.5m telecommunications mast with antennae
Birstall Medical Centre, 4 Whiles Lane - erection of extensions
including creation of first floor accommodation and alterations
to vehicular access and parking arrangements
4 Riverside Close - erection of single storey extension to front
of dwelling
3 Curzon Avenue - erection of single-storey extension to rear
of dwelling
South West Quadrant of A6/A46 Roundabout, Birstall - display
of non-illuminated noticeboard
44 Greengate Lane - erection of single storey extension and pitched
roof over existing extension to rear of dwelling
72 Curzon Ave - erection of two storey extension to rear and
dormer extension to front of dwelling
Corbett’ s cricket corner
FIRSTLY CONGRATULATIONS must go out to
Vice Chairman Ian Hunt and Trevor Colver who have now hung up
their bats and are spending Saturday afternoons as umpires.
Pic: Trevor Colver and Ian Hunt
They are now both on the Leicestershire Senior Leagues Umpires
lists and will umpire throughout the county. Both have been playing
for a total of up to 80 years between them and Ian was also the
longest serving player at Birstall Village - it's great to see
people not just leaving the game but giving something back.
Pic: l-r Ben Drake, George Corbett and Yash
Thakrar
Three of the county under 10s Birstall players have been enjoying
a good season. Ben Drake, an attacking batsman has got over 30
runs on a couple of occasions against Worcestershire and Northamptonshire.
All rounder George Corbett has been great in the field but struggled
with the bat, but confidence has been restored with a fine 29
not out against Buckinghamshire. Yash Thakrar has had a mixed
season, which started off by being bowled by Radio Leicester's
Tony Wadsworth but he came back to have a couple of great games,
but then suffered a broken finger whilst warming up - this will
put him out for the rest of the season.
The first XI, with three games to go are still top of the league,
whilst the second XI are rooted to the bottom and look like being
regulated, however this will mean they will be playing teams
of their own ability and this will allow for more of the youngsters
to get a game.
Head Coach, Rob Drake says winter nets will start in October
being held again at Soar Valley Leisure Centre at Mountsorrel:
details will follow.
Pic: (l-r) Andy Corbett, Tony Wadsworth and
Rob Drake
BBC Radio Leicester's Tony Wadsworth has been presented with
a bat with a ball- size hole by the club - he was unable to hit
a single delivery when he joined the players for a practice session.
Tony, who presents a show from 9am to 12 every day of the week,
said: "This is a lovely gesture by the club". The bat
has been signed by all the Leicestershire CCC side.
Leicestershire under 10s won their last game of the season against
Northants. George Corbett was man of the match scoring 46 runs
and took 2 wickets for 8 runs and was presented with the match
ball.
On Wednesday September 13 Birstall Village Cricket Club will
be playing Birstall Bowls club in a charity bowls match followed
by a fish & chip supper, any cricket club members interested
in playing contact Andy Corbett 0116 2693936.
Summer fun at holiday club
Pic: Three year old Lily Grooms gets a helping
hand on the relay race.
MORE THAN 50 children enjoyed the Christian
Holiday Club this August.
Jointly run by Birstall Methodist Church and St James' Church,
the children enjoyed fun and games while learning about the Bible
story of Noah's Ark.
Rev James Shakespeare said: "The children re-enacted the
story of Noah and the Ark through various activities - craft,
song, drama and prayer - having fun and making lots of new friends."
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Wild water medallist
WILD WATER racer Jessica Oughton (pictured
below) has won a bronze medal at the European Junior championships
held in Bosnia.
Competing in the women's kayak single class, 17 year old Jessica
secured third place and put behind her the disappointment of
coming fourth at last year's event in Italy.
Jessica, of Curzon Avenue, has just completed her AS levels.
Next year she moves from the junior to the senior level and is
hoping for a top 10 finish at next year's European Championship.
Jessica took up the sport of wild water kayaking only four years
ago. Competitors race kayaks down rapid rivers, picking their
own routes and looking for the fastest line.
Birstall reach final of county foursomes
BIRSTALL GOLF Club's men will contest the
final of the County Men's Foursomes later this month after sweeping
into the final with a crushing semi-final victory over Leicestershire.
Birstall, who have won the competition three times in the past
decade, made excellent progress through the rounds, which started
with a first round win at Ullesthorpe, a home victory over Kirby
Muxloe in the second round and an excellent quarter final victory
at Whetstone.
In the semi final, played at the neutral venue of Hinckley, Richard
Reed and Scott Wormleighton produced some wonderful golf to win
by six holes against Phil Thomason and Adrian Jones, while Graham
Marshall and Chris Webb followed that up with a three hole victory
over Richard Meek and Christian Dean.
Pic: Birstall’s Scott Wormleighton
In this foursomes competition two players from each side take
alternate shots, with all matches being played to the full 18
holes and the winning team being the side ahead on the combined
score of the two matches.
Birstall 1st team captain Stuart Marriott says the club's progress
has been all the more remarkable because the whole team is comparatively
new: "When we last won the event in 2003 the team was Steve
Sansome, Jake Amos, Paul Frith and David Cook.
"This year we have fielded an entirely new team, with experience
in the form of Graham Marshall and some really talented young
players in Richard, Chris and Scott. It is a prestigious competition
and one of the longest-running, and it would be wonderful for
the club to win it for the fourth time in a decade.
"We squeezed past Ullesthorpe by a single hole in the first
round, beat Kirby Muxloe by three, Whetstone by five and Leicestershire
by nine, so we've been gaining momentum through the season and
it would be lovely to continue that!
The final will be played on Sunday September 17 at Rutland County
Golf Club and Birstall will play Hinckley.
Bowls club news
BIRSTALL BOWLING Club players won three
of the six trophies at this year's Leicester City & District
Parks finals.
All four semi finalists in the singles were from Birstall, and
in a repeat of the 2004 final John Hurst beat Dave Clarke, with
John Walker and Andy Wye the losing semi finalists.
Diane Hurst and Andy Wye won the mixed pairs trophy for the third
time beating Janet Horsley and Brian Robinson from Humberstone
Park in the final. The triples final also featured two Birstall
teams with Dennis Measom, Stuart Hartop and Andy Wye claiming
the trophy against Richard Smith, Grahame White and Tom Cowles.
In the senior citizens pairs Colin Wood and Terry Stretton lost
in the semi final to Colin Smith and Ken Wells from Aylestone
Hall. Birstall also reached the final of the Bramley Bowl but
were beaten by Shakespeare Park 79-76.
Meanwhile the ladies club have had a good season in the county
competitions. Jan Everitt and Diane Hurst reached the semi final
of the county pairs, just losing to Dot Smith and Dee Worger
from Narborough in a game where there was never more than two
shots difference. Jan Everitt got to the quarter final of the
singles before being defeated by Loughborough's Margaret Burns.
Jan reached her fourth county quarter final of the season in
the champion of champions. She beat Kingscroft's Louise Delahay
but lost out to Elaine Irons of Blaby in the semi final.
For more information about the Birstall Bowling Club, men call
Grahame on 2677994 or Andy on 2677100, while ladies can contact
Jan on 2122578 or Diane on 2675457. You can also visit the Birstall
Bowling club website, the address is:-http://beehive.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/birstallbowlingclub
or go to Google and search for 'Birstall Bowling Club'.
New pavilion
THE ERECTION of a new sports pavilion on
the School Lane playing field began last month.
The pavilion, owned and managed by Birstall Parish Council, will
provide changing facilities for football and cricket teams.
Methodist Church news
Do you use the Methodist Premises?
The Methodist Rooms on Wanlip Lane are used regularly by a large
number of people, both young and old, in Birstall. Some weeks
almost 1,000 people visit the premises on Wanlip Lane. Are you
one of them?
The village community use the premises and the church is happy
to make the rooms available. However, nothing comes free! Recently
the church has had to replace the very elderly boiler - and the
Methodist folk are looking to the whole community for a little
financial support towards the cost of the new boiler.
The church has to find £14,000 fairly quickly (of the total
bill of £27,000) and is arranging a Gift Day and Flower
Festival at the end of the month to raise funds.
Flower Festival
The theme for the Flower Festival is 'The Seasons'.
The Festival will be open Saturday September 30, 10am to 4 pm
and Sunday October 1, 2-4pm.
Admission, which will include the programme, to the Festival
is £1
Coffee and tea will be available throughout the day, with lunches
between 12noon and 2pm
If you, as an individual, or as a group, would like to put a
floral display into the Festival, then contact David Bark Tel:
2677576
Friday afternoons
Two new groups for younger children start in September. A Toddlers
Group is to start on September 1 called 'Little Ones'. It runs
from 12.30-2.30pm (in time for school finishing). On the same
date an after school club will run for years 4, 5 & 6. All
(of appropriate ages) are welcome to these two (quite separate)
groups.
Children’s reading challenge
THIS SUMMER Leicestershire libraries took
part in The Reading Mission, the national summer reading challenge
for children aged 4-12.
 
Pics:
Holly Baverstock (5) & Sophia
Fabricatore (5)
It was launched in libraries from July 8 and finishes on September
9.
Darshna Naker at Birstall library said: "The Reading Mission
invited children to accept a mission to discover the wonderful
world of books as well as to solve codes and secret messages
and is a fantastic way of encouraging children to continue and
develop their reading as well as to visit their local library
over the summer holidays".
Birstall library is holding a Prize Giving & Spy School Graduation
Ceremony on September 18 & 21, from 5-6pm to all the children
who have successfully completed the Reading Mission.
Pic: Zachary Stafford (5) with Glynis Booth.
Darshna said: "Those children who have not had the chance
to complete the reading mission are highly encouraged to come
to Birstall library and finish the challenge within the next
couple of weeks and be part of this ceremony by receiving a beautiful
certificate and a top secret message pen."
Birstall library had one of the highest number of children completing
the summer reading challenge with excellent support from schools
in the Birstall area.
For further information regarding the prize giving ceremony,
contact Birstall library on 2673494.
News from St James
FOR MANY people September marks the end of the main holiday
season, as the children return to school and their parents to
work. It's mainly those whose children have flown the next and
the retired, who are fortunate enough to be able to holiday "out
of season".
As we look back at our holiday photos and perhaps decide what
we're going to do next year, it's quite likely we review pictures
we've taken of buildings we've visited - and try to remember
what and where they were! Many of us gravitate quite instinctively
to the largest or most distinctive building in a strange town
or village when we are sightseeing. This is very often the local
church, whether a splendid cathedral or a tiny out-of-the-way
ancient chapel. Sadly, the ancient chapel is quite probably in
need of care and attention if it is to survive for future generations.
Perhaps you have seen the recent 'Restoration' programmes on
BBC2, in which so many buildings appealing for renovation are
churches and chapels no longer usable for worship and seeking
a new purpose which can benefit the community.
In Birstall and Wanlip we are fortunate to have four fine churches
still used and valued by their congregations, and much goes on
in the Catholic, Anglican and Methodist churches during the week
- not just on Sundays - which is open to all members of the community
here. All, except St James' church, have premises which have
been built or adapted to accommodate meetings and social occasions.
St James, Church Hall was sold to become the Village Hall some
years ago, but the church is certainly large enough for other
uses than the services, which take place there every day of the
week (9am Morning Prayer every day except Saturday and 9.30am
Communion followed by coffee on Thursdays).
Although still at a very early stage, plans are being considered
to make better use of the church throughout the week. As we now
have a kitchen and an open area at the back of the church which
could be divided from the permanent seating in the church, it
would be possible to adapt this area for many other purposes,
including community use.
No, we don't qualify for an appeal on television for restoration
funds! The state of our church has been well maintained throughout
the years, but because everyone who lives in Birstall has the
right to be baptised, married or have a funeral in St James'
church (which belongs to the 'established church of England'),
we would like to be able to keep the church open and accessible
to all who need it. All such plans have to be scrutinised by
the authorities, who have to safeguard the alteration of ancient
buildings - and St James still has a Saxon window as well as
the Beast of Birstall stone carving - so watch this space for
further development!
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Age Concern info
Legal Challenge to Government over Mandatory Retirement
Ages
The National Council on Ageing (which operates under the names
Age Concern and Heyday) has made an application for judicial
review of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, which
are due to come into force on October 1, 2006. The basis of this
'public interest' legal challenge is that the Regulations have
failed to implement properly the age discrimination provisions
in the European Directive of 2000 that set out a framework for
equal treatment in employment.
The case is being brought by the trustees of the National Council
on Ageing on behalf of Heyday, the new not-for-profit membership
organisation set up under the umbrella of the National Council
with a focus on a younger generation of people who are getting
ready to retire or are starting out on retirement. Heyday believes
that people should have both the right to work and the right
to stop working.
The main ground for the challenge is that the Regulations fail
to offer protection for people dismissed from employment at or
over the age of 65 - or their employer's retirement age, if this
is higher. Heyday believes that a default retirement age of 65
cannot be legitimately justified by the Government in the Way
that the Directive requires. The case also takes issue with the
new procedures for challenging retirement dismissals - on the
grounds that they permit employers to make discriminatory decisions.
If the High Court grants permission for the judicial review to
go ahead, there will be a full hearing of the application later
in the year. Meanwhile, the Age Regulations are set to be implemented
in October in their present form.
For further information on the legal challenge, contact Nony
Ardill, Legal Policy Adviser on 020 8765 7439 or email: nony.ardill@ace.org.uk.
Information is also available on the Heyday website at www.heyday.org.uk
(click on Community in the bottom left corner of the home page).
Help with NHS Costs
From May 1, 2006 the capital limits below which help is given
have increased to £16,000 if a person is 60 or over and
£21,000 if the person is in a care home.
The National Health Service (Travel Expenses and Remission of
Charges) Amendment Regulations 2006. 2pp. Price £3 ISBN:
0110744713. Available from the Stationery Office, PO Box 29,
Norwich NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Fax: 0870 600 5533. Email:
book.orders@tso.co.uk. Also available on the Internet at www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/2006
1065.htm
Information for TV Licensing Customers
After July 31, 2006 customers will no longer be able to pay for
TV licences at post offices. Alternative methods will be PayPoint
outlets, cash or debit card payments. PayPoint outlets can be
found in supermarkets, petrol stations, newsagents and other
retailers.
TV Licensing will also phase out savings stamps and bring in
a new savings card in conjunction with Revenues Management Services
Ltd and PayPoint to provide a flexible way of paying towards
a licence. People can still buy stamps until July 16 and may
continue to use the stamps in post offices until July 31, 2006.
After that date, stamps may still be used to buy a licence and
their value can be redeemed by contacting TV Licensing, Bristol
BS98 1TL tel: 0845 155 0404. TV Licensing will write to everyone
who has purchased a licence using stamps in the last year to
explain the changes and provide them with a savings card by the
end of June.
Cash Easy Entry is a cash payment scheme available to those on
income-related benefits. People using this scheme can still make
payments at the post office up to July 31. After this date, they
will need to pay via PayPoint outlets.
TV Licensing Customer Information, June 2006. 4pp. Available
on the Internet at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/waystopay/postoffice.jsp
Fully Funded NHS Health Care: Statistics
In a Parliamentary Written Answer on May 4, 2006, figures were
given for the numbers of people receiving fully funded NHS health
care on March 31, for the last three years. In total the numbers
increased from 17,019 in 2003 to 20,842 in 2005. There was a
wide variation between strategic health authorities with some
showing large increases and others showing large decreases.
Community Health Profiles
The Department of Health has set up a website to enable easy
access to information about the health status of each local authority
in England. The Community Health Profiles are based on a set
of indicators and are designed to show where there are important
problems with health or health inequalities in a particular area.
The profiles can be used by local planners to highlight the health
issues for their area and to compare them with other areas.
The site can be accessed at www.communityhealthprofiles.info/
Older People & Ageing
Demographic Aspects of Population Ageing
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has published
a paper on the demographic aspects of population ageing based
on recent research from several sources. It brings together key
statistics on ageing, including changes in fertility and mortality
rates; examines the changing marital status of older people and
the proportion of older people with children; and consider patterns
of interaction between older people and their relatives and the
implications of these. The health and economic situations of
older people are also explored.
Key deductions from the study include:
o The increase in the ageing populations stems from falling fertility
levels but falling mortality is now the major driver in the UK.
o The ageing of the baby boomers will mean increases in the number
of 'younger older people' in the 2020s, and later of the 'older
old'.
o Lower marriage rates in recent years mean that people born
since the 50s are less likely than today's older people to have
close relatives to care for them in later life.
o Older pensioners are poorer than younger pensioners; women
have lower pension incomes than men; and ethnic minority pensioners
are more likely to be poor,
o Economic well-being in later life will be more closely linked
to work history than previously, with the decline in real value
of the basis State Pension.
o An integrated approach to population ageing is needed, ie focusing
on pension income as well as health/social care and living arrangements,
to ensure future pension incomes will be sufficient to meet needs.
o More data is needed on people's health and social care needs,
their socio-economic characteristics and their working and family
life patterns. This would enable researchers to develop models
of pension accrual by different groups.
Demographic Aspects of Population Ageing by Jane Fakingham and
Emily Grundy. 30pp. Available free from Amanda Williams, ESRC,
Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1UJ. Tel: 01793
413126. Fax: 01793 413001. Email: KnowledgeTransfer@esrc.ac.uk.
Jex Woods
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