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Fundraising year raises £1720
THE WOMEN of Birstall Methodist Monday
Group have enjoyed another year of fundraising.
They presented a cheque for £1720 to this year's chosen
charity, Steps. The group raised funds with raffles, coffee mornings,
thrift stalls, a quiz and a Christmas stall.
Next year's charity is a Multiple Sclerosis support group.
Pic: Heather Crate of Steps (with cheque), Valerie Hollis (retiring
Vice Chairman), Kath Towers (retiring Chairman) with members
of the Birstall Methodist Monday Group
Club celebrates season
BIRSTALL BOWLING Club's season finished
last month with an entertaining evening of barbershop singing
as award winning quartet Retro and members of the Grand Central
Chorus (British Gold Medallists) visited the club.
Pic: Birstall Bowling Club members
and guests at Mens' President's Day. Birstall President Tom Cowles
is seven from the left on the second row.
In the last week of the season both Ladies' President Maureen
Jeffery and Men's President Tom Cowles held their respective
President's Days. Highlights of another busy season including
three winners at the Leicester City & District Parks competitions
and several ladies being involved in the latter stages of the
county competitions.
The club competition winners for the year are listed below.
Ladies Winners: Championship Diane Hurst, Runner Up Betty Crowson;
Handicap Sue Andrews, Runner Up Angie Parkin; Maiden Hazel Andrews,
Runner Up, Chris Winder; Three Wood Velma Allen, Runner Up Jan
Everitt; Two Wood Diane Hurst, Runner Up Jan Everitt; Fielding
& Everitt Trophies Doreen Hill, Runner Up Mary France; Pairs
Hazel Andrews & Jan Everitt, Runners Up Angie Parkin &
Pam Ratcliffe; Two Wood Pairs Sue Andrews & Mary Gilbert,
Runners Up Anne Boden & Hazel Andrews
Mens Winners: Championship Andy Rye, Runner Up Stuart Hartop;
Handicap Grahame White, Runner Up John Lee; Maiden Richard Smith,
Runner Up John Walker; Three Wood Jan Hunt, Runner Up Dick Sharpe;
Two Wood Dave Clarke, Runner Up John McNulty; Pairs John Healey
& John Walker, Runners Up Robert Smith & Colin Bruce;
Club Night Cup Pete Rudkin, Runner Up Ted Williams
Mixed Competition Winners: Saunders Cup Diane & John Hurst,
Runners Up Jan & Rick Everitt; Adnett Pairs Pam Ratcliffe
& John Healey, Runners Up Angie Parkin & Richard Smith;
Club Open John Hurst, Runner Up Dave Clarke
News from St James
November can seem one of the gloomier months
of the year, but with the excitement of Bonfire Night for the
children, the Diwali lights shining out in the Leicester streets
- followed of course by the Christmas lights - it can also be
a time of anticipation.
Exploring faith November 7, 7.30pm
James Shakespeare, the rector of this parish, and Mary Williams,
the curate, will be starting a six week course for anyone, whether
or not they are churchgoers, wanting to know more about Christian
faith and life. If you are interested, please phone James on
2674517 for more details.
Remembrance Sunday, November 12, 10.30am
Although hardly any of the old soldiers now remain, who saw the
end of the 'war to end all wars' (as the 1914-18 war was optimistically
knows), the 11th day of the 11th month at 11am is still an important
time for all who mourn the futility of war and remember those
who have died, both in the two world wars and in all the conflicts
which continue to devastate the world. Each year, there is a
parade organised by the British Legion and a special service
at St James at 10.30am, this year on Sunday 12th. Everyone in
Birstall and Wanlip is invited to attend, to show their respect
and sorry for all those who have suffered the horrors of warfare.
Concert and Celebration November 25 & 26
Two lively events take place on this weekend. On Saturday evening
at 7.30pm in St James' Church, the Cossington Voices, a small
choir of about 16 singers, are presenting an evening of 'seasonal
songs', which, of course, will include a Christmas selection,
together with instrumental solos on piano, organ, trumpet and
cello. The choir are donating all proceeds to the two orphanages
in Bethany, for which almost £2000 has already been raised
locally this year. Please come and support them. Tickets are
£5 (including a glass of wine) from Alastair McHugh (2674913)
or at the door.
Then on Sunday afternoon November 26 in Leicester Cathedral,
the final service of the 'Celebrate 80' takes place at 4pm. Children
and young people will be playing their part and drums, fireworks,
film and songs are promised and all are welcome.
Christmas Fair Saturday December 2, from 11am to 2pm
St James' Monday Group are holding their popular annual fair
at the Village Hall, when there will be stalls to tempt you and
light lunches available with home-made soup and delicious puddings!
The Monday Group's two charities for this year are a South African
Aids care centre and the Palestine orphanages to please support
generously.
Garden trail 2007
The 17th Annual Village Garden Trail for
2007 will be on June 16 & 17.
The selected gardens will be in the Park Road area. Several garden
owners have already agreed to be involved and arrangements for
the trail are in hand.
The Birstall Methodist Church is grateful to local businesses
who support this event on a yearly basis.
Proceeds from the trail will go to a chosen charity and the work
of the Methodist Church in the Birstall community.
Please put these dates in your diary for this very enjoyable,
annual social event.
From Wendy Allan
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Your Say...
I read, with interest, the item on trying to keep the 99 bus
running. I wonder if we need to look at this from a slightly
different viewpoint? At present Arriva already runs seven buses
an hour (six 127s and the X6) between Mountsorrel, Birstall and
the City Centre. This would easily compensate for the loss of
the infrequent 99 between these three places.
What I think is needed is for someone to look carefully at what
the 99 does and not be afraid to make a few changes to improve
it. The current route runs from Mountsorrel via Thurcaston and
then doubles back to Birstall before proceeding to the City Centre.
Why not add a short diversion to the route and run it round the
Beaumont Leys shopping centre? This would give the villages a
direct access to a major shopping area which, at the weekend,
also has a market. It would give the 99 a destination that would
be unique and, if properly promoted, would cause more people
to use it - as it would be going somewhere useful.
The way to make bus service successful is to run it to places
where people want to go. Many people from Birstall, Thurcaston
and Mountsorrel want to shop at Tesco, Wilkinson, Iceland, Boots
etc or have fresh fruit & veg from the market. Let's make
it easier for them to get there.
Neil Asher
When the developers planned Hallam Fields before 2002, they
also planned extensive alterations to the A6 through Birstall.
o Widening of the A6
o Trees cut down
o Alterations from Station Road to Greengate Lane
o Bus lanes, including a bus lane through Red Circle Island
These measures were planned to cope with the increased volume
of traffic created by 600 dwelling from Hallam Fields. The developers
are now planning to build 900 plus dwellings in Hallam Fields
and also to develop more of Wanlip.
However these extensive alterations have been cancelled and little
done to cope with the extra traffic. There will be longer queues
before and after the Bentley Road pedestrian crossing at peak
times, with more drivers trying the very dangerous Bentley Road
manoeuvre, the Bentley Road pedestrian crossing is not merely
a
transient crossing.
Where was the 2002 public exhibition and can we see it now please?
We have the farcical situation with the developers doing more
building, but doing less to counter pollution. If there was money
to counter pollution before 2002, why is it too costly now?
Les Briers
My wife and I would like to thank the people of Birstall who
have supported us over the 24 years of running Birstall Jewellers.
The cars, flowers and good wishes from so many of you have touched
us greatly. It was our privilege to have known so many of you
more as friends rather than just customers and we will miss meeting
with you in that way. We are pleased for the benefit of the village
that the shop has remained, and we hope that it continues to
meet your needs and benefits from your support.
With grateful thanks to you all.
Steve and Heather Burrage
I would like to express my sincere thanks to those residents
of Allington Drive and Worcester Avenue, Birstall, who contributed
so generously to the LOROS house-to-house collection during September.
I collected a whopping £92.98 - a very encouraging sum
for a very worthwhile cause. Well done!
Mrs Katherin Dunne
We would be interested to know if anyone in Birstall can beat
our sunflower. It is approx 15ft tall.
Jean Gale, Lawn Ave
I would like to take this opportunity through the Birstall
Post to thank the staff at Birstall Library, Wanlip Lane for
inviting me and members of my gym to attend the opening of the
refurbished library.
Everyone including myself thoroughly enjoyed the day and I was
overwhelmed by receiving a certificate for being a Library Champion
- this was totally unexpected.
Yours in sport
Carl Gunns
We were delighted recently to be invited to present the medals
and shields at Birstall Swimming Club's Presentation Disco. Their
Gala was held this summer at Birstall Pool on the Stonehill/Longslade
Campus.
We felt we must write to congratulate the young team headed by
Karen Martin (Club Coach) on their achievement rebuilding the
club back to its present position of strength - after several
major setbacks over the past two years. All of the present teachers
are past pupils, and they have not only taken on the running
of the pool but also prominent positions, along with supportive
parents, on the organising committee. We would like to thank
them for their dedication to the Swimming Club, for working together
and keeping things going so brilliantly. A wonderful example
of young people giving back to the community what was once given
to them. More parental help on the committee would be appreciated,
please speak to Karen or Kieran at the pool.
We would have liked to have stayed longer, to chat, on the Presentation
Evening but unfortunately I had another engagement on the same
evening, so apologies for leaving early.
This team of qualified young teachers give their time voluntarily
to the children, running lessons, length sessions and other water
activities, for ages 4 to 18 years, so if you would like to learn
to swim, or improve your strokes, and water confidence, in a
kind and friendly atmosphere, contact either Amy (2203464) or
Simon (2671465) to join Birstall Swimming Club.
Diane Hartop & John Lee (Past Coaches)
Well, hasn't the idea from the Parish Council for the six
foot high wrought iron fence and the huge security gates on the
School Lane Park and Playing Fields been a huge success - I think
not!
Still the yobs ride their scooters, drink, smash bottles, leave
untold amount of letter around and, last week, one of the enormous
street lamps which are in the park was actually knocked to the
ground and smashed! Also, great chunks of tarmac just dug up
for the fun of it.
There is absolutely no use in telephoning the police even if
people are seen offending. By the time questions about yourself
for 15 minutes and when they finally arrive on the scene, the
yobs have all gone home.
Most Birstall residents would have been able to advise the Parish
Council that the idea of fending and gates would be entirely
useless, but were we asked, of course not.
Rumour has it that the Parish Council is now trying to ban dogs
from the park. Do these councillors ever speak to the residents
they are supposed to represent. The dogs cause no trouble at
all - look no further than the end of your noses Birstall Parish
Council!
Pat Herbert
Researching my family history I have received information
that Mr Augustus (Gus) Wright resided in the vicinity of Windmill
Ave, Birstall in the 1960s.
Augustus was a brother to my grandfather Frank Wright who was
killed 1917 in World War I as was another brother Percy Clifford
Wright died 1917.
Please, if there are any descendants of the Wright family still
living in the area who can share information or copies of old
photographs, this would be much appreciated, costs will be reimbursed.
I can be contacted via PO Box 101, Birstall Post, Longslade College,
Wanlip Lane, Birstall LE4 4GH
V A Moore
Regarding the letter from M A Briggs and Ellie in your last
issue, I too saw the inverted rainbow from my house on Woodstock
Road. It is an atmospheric phenomenon known as a circumzenithal
arc. These are formed when the sun is low on the horizon and
the rays shine on ice crystals high in the atmosphere creating
a prism effect. They are unusual in that the red colour is on
the outside of the rainbow.
They always appear upside down in the sky and have been described
as 'a grin in the sky'. Circumzenithal arcs are truly beautiful
and are more common than you would imagine. The reason people
don't notice them is because you have to be looking directly
up. I hope this clears things up for you.
Mona Starr
We would like to say thank you to all the friends and neighbours
whose help and good wishes have been a great comfort to us since
the death of our mother, May Meller.
We would particularly like to thank the trustees and residents
of Burley Houses, The Midlands Co-operative Funeral Service of
Sibson Road and Rev James Shakespeare for the beautiful funeral
service and for all his support.
We would also like to thank the staff and management of the Mulberry
Tree for looking after us so well after the service and everyone
who sent flowers and joined us at the church to celebrate the
life of a very special lady.
Thank you.
Andrew, Andrea and Caroline Woolman
Cans help gym
ALUMINIUM DRINKS cans have helped Gunns
gym raise £80 for new boxing equipment.
In a three week period, 2500 cans were collected and exchanged
for cash at Leicester Environ centre on Hinckley Road.
Andy Corbett, Gunns Gym Vice Chairman, said: "After a slow
start the response from the local community has been overwhelming.
I normally take six bags every two weeks in my car, after the
appeal was in the Birstall Post we had 39 bags in total at the
gym, this raised another £21.20. People can still drop
their cans off at the gym every evening."
Carl Gunns added: "I would like to personally thank County
Roofing Director Hamish Carnan and his lads for lending us one
of his vans to transport the cans to the Environ, it was not
for his kindness we would have had problems."
Anyone wishing to donate cans to the gym can leave them bagged
securely outside the gym on Birstall Road.
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Corbett’s cricket corner
AS LEAGUE winners Birstall Village C.C.
were invited to attend the league's presentation night at Cosby
Cricket Club.
Pic: Leicestershire Senior League
(l-r) Andy Corbett, Steve Glasgow, Paul Oldcorn, Martin Fisher,
Matt Smith, Andy Galpin
It was a great night with over 150 people there, representing
all the clubs in the league, and included a four course meal,
entertainment from a comedian and the presentation of medals
to the winners and the runners-up in the league.
Pic: England player Alistair Cook with George
Corbett, Ben & Jamie Drake
Some of the juniors attended Leicestershire's final game of the
season when they played Essex. After the game they met Alastair
Cook, who will be opening the batting for England when they play
for the Ashes in Australia this winter. The lads got his autograph
and as a surprise he gave George Corbett a signed pair of his
batting gloves and Ben Drake his one day international cap.
Even though the season has officially ended, some of the juniors
are now starting trials at Leicestershire C.C.C. For the first
time this will include fitness tests, video analysis of batting
and bowling techniques, all under the guidance of Head Coach
Tim Boon.
Birstall Village Junior nets will start for the 11-16 year olds
at Mountsorrel's Soar Valley Centre starting Saturdays 5-6pm
on November 4, 11, 18, 25 and December 2 and 9.
The Junior presentation night will be held at the Birstall Social
Club on Friday November 3. The event will start at 7.30pm including
a disco, presentation of the trophies and a cabaret spot.
From Andy Corbett
Albatross
A MEMBER of Birstall Golf Club for more
than 20 years was delighted to hole his second shot at the par
5 sixth during competition play.
Kevin Reed's 'albatross' was a 250 yard drive. "I though
I had overshot the green" said Kevin (46) who was playing
for Birstall in the Elliott Cup. He finished with a round of
77, seven over par.
Kevin, a former player with Leicester City Football Club in the
late seventies, plays off a handicap of 8.
Big cat spotted
A BIG cat has been spotted on a farmland
on the edge of Birstall.
The animal was seen by Anne Chantrell on Birstall Lodge Farm,
Thurcaston Road, near Mowmacre Hill, Leicester who reported the
sighting to Leicestershire and Rutland Panther Watch. Ms Chantrell
described the creature as black, feline and about 3ft tall at
the shoulder.
A recent report revealed there were 89 big cat sightings in Leicestershire
between April 2004 and July 2005.
Panther Watch co-ordinator David Spencer asks anyone who spots
a big cat to contact him on 01664 454218.
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Scouting in Birstall
THE CELEBRATION of 75 years of scouting
in Birstall culminated with a special event in September.
Over 100 old members, friends and current leaders gathered in
the village hall for a buffet lunch and also to view many of
the old photos and records that had been displayed.
Birstall Scouts welcomed Garth Costello and Phillip Goadby who
had been scouts in 1933 and also other old members from Sussex,
Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Eric Cook was presented with his bar to the long service award
representing 25 years of scouting, not only in Birstall but to
the district as well.
The lunch also saw the launch of the book 'A History of Scouting
in Birstall' and thanks were given to those who had assisted
in its production: Charlie Ablethorpe, Margaret Raine, Ron Bromley
and Maureen Holland.
In the afternoon all the sections of the current Scout Group
and Birstall Guides, who are also celebrating 75 years, paraded
from Riverside School to St James Church, headed by the Wigston
Scout and Guide Band. There they were joined by the guests from
the village hall for a Service of Thanksgiving for 75 years of
scouting and guiding in Birstall. The service was conducted by
the Rev James Shakespeare and the Rev Sheila Skidmore to a capacity
congregation.
Alan Chapman said: "At the end of the service the anniversary
cake was cut by two of the youngest members of both movements
and then everyone proceeded to the church lawn for a piece of
cake and a cup of tea or squash, which proved to be a fitting
end to a very enjoyable day."
The book 'A History of Scouting in Birstall' can be obtained
from Vic Dolby (tel:0116 2671465) at a cost of £5. All
proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Rainbow
Children's Hospice.
Age Concern info
Escorts Needed for the Minibus
Volunteers are urgently needed to be escorts on the minibus which
transports elderly people to and from St James Day Centre on
Mondays and Wednesdays. For further details please contact Mandy
tel: 2677023 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9.30am - 4.30pm.
Blue Badge Scheme - Department for Transport Leaflet
The Department for Transport has produced a leaflet which tells
blue badge holders about changes to the law on blue badges. Whenever
a blue badge is displayed it can now be inspected. Other topics
explained include:
o when a blue badge can be used for on-street parking
o why the new rules have been introduced
o what constitutes misuse, and
o displaying the badge
The Blue Badge Scheme - Guidance for Blue Badge Holders and Their
Drivers on the Power to Inspect Blue Badges Being Displayed on
Motor Vehicles. 17pp Available free from DfT Publications, PO
Box 236, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7NB Tel: 0870 122 6236
Fax:0870 122 6237 Email: dft@woten.press.net (Quote ref TINF
1118)
Independent Living Fund : Extension of Eligibility Criteria
The Independent Living Fund (ILF) has extended its criteria to
cover some former residents of long-stay hospitals. From October
1, 2006 the ILF will consider applications from former patients
of long-stay hospitals who are :
o now in local authority funded residential care, receiving social
care provision in a residential setting and moving to live independently
o currently living with relatives and now moving to live independently
(any existing local authority provision must be maintained) or
o in nursing homes funded partly by the NHS and partly by the
local authority, and who are now moving to live independently.
The ILF will not be extending the criteria to cover people who
move directly from long-stay hospital to independent living;
those who are in nursing homes and fully funded by the NHS; and
those living in NHS residential accommodation. Discussions are
still ongoing about these groups.
The new provisions take effect from October 1 for individuals
who come within the age limits and meet other criteria for the
ILF.
ILF to Fund some Past Residents of Long-Stay Hospitals. Online
news 1pp Available only on the Internet at www.ilf.org.uk/news/new/long_stay_hospitals/index.html
'Hungry to be Heard' Campaign
Age Concern has published a report to accompany the Hungry to
be Heard campaign which aims to end the scandal of the malnourishment
of older people in hospitals. The respect sets out the scale
of the problem and its consequences for older people and the
NHS. It uses the experiences of older people to highlight these
issues and examines the inadequacy of the current inspection
and regulation systems to tackle these. There are calls to action
for the NHS, Healthcare Commission and Department of Health and
the report includes seven steps to end malnutrition. The seven
steps, each illustrated by case studies of good practice in the
report, are:
o hospital staff must listen to older people, their relatives
and carers and act on what they say
o all ward staff must become 'food aware'
o hospital staff must follow their own professional codes and
guidance from other bodies
o older people must be assessed for the signs or danger of malnourishment
on admission and at regular intervals during their stay
o 'protected mealtimes' should be introduced
o a 'red tray' system should be implemented and steps taken to
ensure that it works in practice, and
o volunteers should be used where appropriate
Hungry to be Heard : The Scandal of Malnourished Older People
in Hospital 27pp Available free from Media Team, Age Concern
England Tel: 020 8765 7502. Email: paadmin@ace.org.uk
Guide to Pensions
This annual Heyday publication (formerly published by Age Concern)
has been updated. The guide covers all major types of pension
schemes as well as other forms of retirement income such as State
Pensions. It looks at the situation for women and civil partners,
changing jobs, and pension security. It includes information
on:
o planning ahead for retirement
o State Pensions, national insurance contributions and state
benefits in retirement
o occupational pensions
o personal/stakeholder pensions and annuities, and
o working beyond pension age
The book is aimed at people of any age but especially those over
40.
Your 2006/07 Guide to Pensions : Planning Ahead to Boost Retirement
Income, by Sue Ward Price £7.99 (plus £1.95 p&p)
ISBN 0862424186
Available from Heyday Books, Units 5&6, Industrial Estate,
Brecon, Powys LD3 8LA Tel:0870 800 1155, Fax: 0870 800 0100
Incapacity Benefits : Increase in Permitted Work Earnings Limit
The Department for Work and Pensions newsletter - Touchbase -
reports that from October 1 the weekly earnings limit for permitted
work for those receiving Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement
Allowance will increase. It will go up from £81 a week
to £86 to take into account the increase in the national
minimum wage. There are also changes to the benefit linking rules.
Touchbase, Edition 44. September 2006, pp6-7
Support Services for People with a Visual Impairment
Action for Blind People has published a quick reference guide
to support services and benefits for people with a visual impairment.
This booklet is available in clear print, on audio cassette or
CD, and in Daisy format or Braille. Getting On - A Quick Reference
Guide to Support Services for People with Visual Impairment,
2006/07.60pp. Available free from: Action for Blind People, 14-16
Verney Road, London SE16 3DZ Tel: 0800 915 4666. Fax: 020 7635
4829. Email: info@actionforblindpeople.org.uk
Take-Up of Working Tax Credit
Statistics from HM Revenue and Customs have revealed extremely
low levels of take-up of Working Tax Credit by people with low
incomes who do not have children. Only 160,000 claims for the
tax credit have been made, while there are over one million single
people and couples who are eligible and not claiming (this represents
a take-up rate of just 13%). Around 1.5 billion pounds remains
unclaimed by this group. By comparison take-up by families with
children has been very high, at around 80%
Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit : Take-Up Rates 2003-04
17pp. Available free from Tax Credits Analysis Team, Room 1/44,
100 Parliament Street, London SW1A 2BQ. Tel: 020 7147 3042, Fax
020 71473119. Email: ar_tcasp.ir.sh@gtnet.gov.uk
Are You Over 50?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published a guide
to the help and advice offered by different Government departments
to people over 50. It includes information on
o current and future options at work
o learning, volunteering and leisure activities
o financial planning
o keeping fit, healthy and active, and
o support for those caring for others
Contact details or organisations which can provide additional
information or support are also given.
Are You Over 50? A Practical Guide to Advice, Support and Services
Across Government 72pp ISBN : 1843887835. Available free from
Pensions Guide, Freepost RLXH-JUEU-GZCH, Northampton NN3 6DF.
Tel: 0845 731 3233
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of Age Concern Birstall and Wanlip
will take place at St James Day Centre on Tuesday November 14,
at 6.30pm. Anyone is welcome to attend but only those in organisations
which are 'In Membership' with Age Concern are entitled to vote.
Jex Woods
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