Face of Leicester City
BIRSTALL'S SIMONE Swift will be the new
face of Leicester City after the football club announced the
winners of its Fox Hunt 2007 competition.
Simone (20) and male winner Paul Gogna from Leicester will now
take part in various modelling features for the club's official
website, matchday magazine, official retail catalogue and club
features in the local press.
More than 300 people applied when the club launched a competition
to find its best looking fans to model for the club over the
next 12 months. Judges rediced the total to a shortlist of 14
who then faced a public vote by text message.
Simone, a news presenter on the MATV channel, said: "I am
really excited and proud to have won. Leicester City is coming
into a new era and it's great to be associated with that."
Simone and Paul's first assignment will be to model the club's
new home blue shirt, released at the end of June.
Sixteen hour golf marathon
SIX players from Birstall Golf Club completed
the annual marathon of the 100 Hole Challenge, on Monday June
18, despite regular rain showers, to raise an expected £4,000
for the Leicestershire County Air Ambulance.
The six - club skipper Dean Grimbley, first team captain David
Bywater, and first team regulars Stuart Marriott, Chris Webb,
James Noone and Martin Weaver - all set out at 4.30pm and had
completed the first 36 holes before most of the county even got
to work.
They carried on playing throughout the day, despite several heavy
rain showers that left parts of the course under water and made
bunker shots and putting extremely tricky, covering a total of
some 30 miles during the day.
Pic: (l-r) Chris Webb, Stuart Marriott, Martin
Weaver, Dean Grimbley; front: David Bywater (left) and James
Noone
Despite these hazards the standard of golf remained extremely
high throughout, with Chris Webb (three handicap) posting completed
round scores over the par 70 course of 72, 73, 75, 72 and 72,
and signing off the day with a birdie on the 100th hole at 8.30pm
- some 16 hours after starting in the morning.
Martin Weaver (off five handicap) recorded completed rounds of
76, 75, 78, 73 and 76, earning nearly £80 off one sponsor
alone, who had pledged £1 for each par and more for birdies.
Bizarre shot of the day belonged to skipper Dean Grimbley, whose
ball ended up on the greenkeeper's tractor on one of the early
rounds - an unexpected hazard of starting play when the greenkeeping
staff are still hard at work!
He was a tired but satisfied man at the end of the day: "It
is a relief to finish and rest sore feet, but it is a terrific
achievement to complete the full 100 holes.
"Considering the conditions we were playing in the standard
of golf remained excellent throughout the day. It was a wonderful
effort by all the players and the caddies who helped throughout
the day".
His sentiments were shared by David Bywater (four handicap) whose
completed rounds were 73, 76, 78, 79 and 75: "My feet are
killing me, but it is a great feeling of achievement to complete
the challenge and thankfully we didn't get too wet on the way
round."
Ghost story author
Do you believe in ghosts?
Most of us have either asked, or been asked this question, at
least once. Local author, Steve Goodman believes in letting you
make up your own mind which is why he particularly enjoys writing
supernatural stories.
Pic: author Steve Goodman
Although his first children's book 'The ghosts of Grimvallich'
is set in Scotland, he admits that much of his inspiration was
drawn from people and places in Birstall, where he has lived
for over 25 years.
The story begins with nine year old Alex Campbell being forced
to stay with intolerant relatives, whom he dislikes as much as
they distrust him. After a series of unfortunate events, he runs
away from the village of Grimvallich, eventually ending up on
a fishing boat with four strangely dressed men. It is only a
matter of time before Alex realises that he is in the most dangerous
of circumstances.
Steve, who still teaches in local schools, said "This is
more than a ghost story, it asks the reader to think about what
we really value and how we treat other people".
The ghosts of Grimvallich, published by Pinewood Books, is available
at The Bookmark (Syston), Shepshed Books and Borders RRP £4.99
Fundraising car show
A DISPLAY of classic cars at Leicester's
Abbey Park raised £400 for the Radio Leicester Ruby Rainbows
appeal.
Birstall's Andrew Burford from the Triumph Sports Six Club is
pictured presenting a cheque to Radio Leicester presenter Monica
Winfield
|
Sport & arts building
PLANS FOR a major new community building
for sports, art and drama on the Longslade College site will
be announced in August.
The building will include indoor and outdoor facilities, with
tennis courts and space for arts, drama, multimedia design and
training.
The Palmer-Tomkinson Centre will be available for use by the
local schools as well as the wider community.
The new building is a consequence of the Hallam Fields development.
As former landowners of the Hallam Fields site, the Palmer Tomkinson
Estate, together with the developers Jelsons, agreed to provide
a number of community facilities including the proposed centre
as a condition of planning permission for Hallam Fields being
granted.
Longslade College, the County Council, the Borough Council and
Palmer-Tomkinson trustees have been holding discussions to determine
the style and content of the building and its preferred location.
They have also been considering additional sources of grant funding
to increase facilities on offer at the new centre.
One suggested location for the building is near the all weather
sports area next to the Wanlip Lane entrance to Longslade.
An exhibition and consultation exercise with residents and community
groups is planned for the late summer.
Trees planted by students
PUPILS AT Stonehill school have done their
bit to increase the National Forest.
Pic: (l-r) Lucy Hallam, Dionne
Atkin
Fourteen students have planted 30 saplings on the school's playing
field, a mixture of rowan, wild cherry and silver birch.
Design and Technology teacher Paul Walker said: "All three
species will add additional interest and colour and be of benefit
to wildlife. The wild cherry will give us fantastic white blossom
in the spring. The birch is dramatic throughout the year with
its textured white bark and the vivid berries of the rowan can
give added interest in the autumn and the chance to make rowan
jelly!"
He added: "Hopefully the trees will soak up hundreds of
cubic metres of greenhouse gases, encourage wildlife and make
our extensive playing fields even more pleasant for future students."
Fourteen students took part in the planting: Dionne, Atkin, Sonal
Bhundia, Georgina Fearn, Shreena Gobey, Leanne Greasley, Laura
Hallam, Sasha Joygopaul, Truman McNally, Nikita Miller, David
Norris, Jaspal Paddam, Nikita Patel, Laura Ward and Charley Woodland.
Redhill allotments
REDHILL ALLOTMENT site, Leicester's 'greenest'
allotments, is benefiting from extra investment from Leicester
City Council and allotment holders are preparing for an Open
Day in July.
Redhill claims to be the greenest site as it has the most organic
plots in the city - 10 of the 48 existing plots are being worked
organically.
Redhill has been chosen to host this year's Belgrave Allotment
Society Open Day on Saturday July 28. One of the aims of the
day will be to recruit new members, but even before the event
all the activity on the site has attracted 15 new allotment holders.
Existing members have been regularly clearing parts of the site
neglected for a few years, as well as tending their own plots.
Leicester City Council is providing new water pipes and security
fencing, Belgrave Allotment Society has paid for the ploughing
and rotavating of new plots and a whole new lease of life has
been put into the site, say the allotment holders.
Site Volunteer Steward Iris O'Toole says the commitment of the
existing members and the enthusiasm for the open day has encouraged
all the new investment. "Existing members are very keen
to attract new ones and we are especially hoping for more organic
producers" she said.
Secretary of Belgrave Allotment society, Steve Callis, said "More
people are interested in growing their own food and we are pleased
to support them. Local people around the Redhill site in Birstall
have shown a lot of interest and we welcome them."
Stalls and activities are planned for the open day in July including
allotment grown fruit and vegetables for sale, as well as plants,
a tombola, a raffle, refreshments, scarecrow exhibition and much
more. A plant surgery will also be held featuring expert gardener
Sally Cunningham, the former deputy Head Gardener at Ryton Gardens
organic centre.
The open day is from 12noon until 4pm and admission is free.
For information about new plots telephone 0116 2518666.
Bowlers’ jubilee year
BIRSTALL LADIES Bowling Club are celebrating
their Golden Jubilee this year.
Pic: players and guests at the
Golden Jubilee celebration match. Centre left middle row Clare
Cheney (Leicestershire President); Centre right middle row Val
Hollis (Birstall President)
As part of the celebrations the club played the Leicestershire
Ladies County Executive team. The county won by 121-102, but
Birstall President Val Hollis skipped her rink to victory, as
she beat County President Clare Cheney 21-15.
A team from Birstall Ladies have qualified for the National Finals
of the Fours competition. Sue Wilson, Pa Walker, Jan Everitt
and Diane Hurst and substitute Betty Price, came through a field
of 80 teams, along with Blaby, to be one of Leicestershire's
two representatives at the finals, which take place at Leamington
Spa at the end of the month. On a hot day in early June the team
played the County quarter final against Enderby in the morning
with Birstall winning 26-15. They followed that up in the afternoon
by beating Kegworth 20-11 in the semi final, with Betty Price
substituting for the unavailable Pa Walker in both games. Birstall
will pay Blaby for the County title later in the season.
For more information about the club you can visit the Birstall
Bowling Club website: www.birstallbowling.co.uk
Your Say...
Birstall Methodist Women's Group would like to express their
sincere thanks to the helpers and supporters who helped raise
the sum of £410 at their coffee morning on June 9. This
was held in the Coffee Shop, Wanlip Lane, the proceeds will be
going to this year's project which is Multiple Sclerosis Therapy
Centre.
Once again many, many thanks.
Birstall Methodist Women's Group
Driving along Birstall Road today, I was fortunate enough
to pass a police speed trap within the legal limit. Nothing of
any great news there I know, but what was astonishing was the
number of police in attendance. I counted at least five policemen,
and one Community Support Officer. Birstall Road is not a particularly
busy road, especially at around 3pm so it is not as if they were
going to be awash with miscreants.
We are continually being told that the police are overstretched,
awash with paperwork and have little time to attend to the increasing
levels of crime in our country. In fact, not so long ago, the
level of policing in Birstall was cut from two police officers
to one and one CSO.
Perhaps if the existing resources were put to better use, the
police could deal more effectively with shoplifters, drunks,
louts, graffiti vandals and the like rather than surrendering
as would appear to be the case at the moment.
Nicholas G Black
In the June issue of the Birstall Post there were two opposite
views of the A6. In the Parish Council notes, comment was made
that there was little room for compromise as the plans had to
conform to Department of Transport guidelines.
In the A6 plans Mr Peel said "It is hoped that some suggestions
can be accommodated into the overall scheme."
Could I remind the planners that the Department of Transport
guidelines also included getting people into buses? If the planners
carry on like this they will ruin a first class bus service between
Leicester and Loughborough: it is shaking now. If nothing is
done now when the winer comes pensioners who go to Loughborough
market on Thursday and will have the choice of standing up and
clinging to poles or waiting in the cold and then we have three
buses with a short space of time.
The plans could have been left in the Birstall library for two
weeks so that people could study them. There isn't much room
to spread the maps out, but there is less room in the council
office. With only one day of inspection some people could not
get on that day.
The maps were too small and details were missing at vital points;
arrows marking the roads disappeared. Can we see the complete
bus lane from the park and ride indicated in red? Why can't we
have the same treatment as Loughborough?
Les Briers
I have heard 'on the grapevine' that the boards that have
been erected opposite Borrajo's veterinary practice at the end
of Sibson Road, are marking the site for a new store in Birstall.
The next thing I hear 'on the grapevine' is that said store is
to be a Tesco Metro. My first reaction to this news was - well,
how come I didn't know about it? This hasn't been made very public,
and as far as I know, it hasn't been covered in our beloved Birstall
Post.
Like any change that occurs in a village, where the community
is more 'huddled', each new thing will have its supporters, and
its detractors. Personally, I fall into the latter camp, and
my reasons follow:
o There are already two very large Tesco stores within a five
mile radius of Birstall, those being Beaumont Leys, and Hamilton
o We already have a supermarket
o By allowing Tesco to come into Birstall, are we not encouraging
corporate greed? They really don't need the business
o This will impact negatively on the smaller businesses within
the village. The greengrocers, the butchers, and others. These
shops contribute to the village feel of Birstall. Tesco's contribution
to Birstall, as far as I can see, just involves making Tesco
richer, and more powerful.
o This will set a chain reaction going in other villages where
large corporations feel that they can come in and do a takeover
o Are we sure we want Tesco's delivery lorries clogging up the
end of Sibson Road?
I sincerely hope that the community of Birstall will rally round,
and fight the corporate monster that's eating everything in its
path. Come on Birstall, use your voice if you have one.
Simon Faulks
Heartfelt thanks to all our friends for the cards and expressions
of sympathy on the death of Joan. She'll be sorely missed, but
she is now free of pain, and at peace.
Alan Folwell
I am currently working for Leicester Hedgehog Rescue which
means I help care for sick and injured hedgehogs throughout the
year.
I live in Birstall and know there is a strong contingent of badgers
in the Birstall area. Badgers eat hedgehogs which is why I am
interested to know whether we have any hedgehogs left that are
resident in Birstall or the Wanlip area.
If you have a hedgehog that visits your garden or know of one
that visits a neighbour's garden, or you have seen one elsewhere
in Birstall please give me a call on the following telephone
number : 0116 2676739. If you would like to leave me your details
on my answer phone I will call you back, otherwise leave me a
message to include location of hedgehog(s) and when last seen.
There are a few basic do's and don'ts regarding hedgehogs: never
give bread or milk; feed dog/cat meat only food (not fish); don't
ignore one that is out in the day; slug pellets kill hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal creatures that eat garden slugs and snails
amongst other vertebrae. If a hedgehog is out in the daytime
then it is unwell.
Pick the hedgehog up carefully and place in a box with some shredded
newspaper with a bowl of water for it to drink. Cover the box
and leave in a quiet dark cook place and telephone myself or
The Leicester Hedgehog Rescue 0116 2207844.
Jane Muggleton
From October 1 this year it will no longer be possible to
make Enduring Powers of Attorney. An Enduring Power of Attorney
(EPA) presently enables you to nominate someone you trust to
look after your property and finances if you fall ill, or if
it is impractical for you to look after such affairs for some
other reason. EPAs can be used immediately and only have to be
registered if you become mentally incapable.
They are being replaced by Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) which
can only be used after they have been registered at the Court
of Protection. This process is likely to take at least five weeks
and incur a Court fee of £150. In addition to the Court
fee, there are likely to be extra costs because certification
will be needed that you are mentally capable at the time of creating
the LPA.
EPAs created before October 1 will be legally binding after that
date. Do you know someone who should consider making a Power
of Attorney and who might save themselves time, trouble and expense
by taking action now?
Peter Ralphs, Age Concern
I would like to thank all those who helped and supported the
coffee morning that Daphne and Sabina organised for the Columbian
street children for me.
A cheque for £305 has been sent as a result.
On behalf of the children a big thank you
Peter Stephenson
News from St James
A LARGE group of people from the parish
of Birstall and Wanlip attended the ordination of their curate,
the Rev Mary Williams as a priest, on June 30 at a service in
Leicester Cathedral.
Pic: Rev Mary Williams with Jonathan,
Jessica & Rachel
After the morning services at Birstall the following day, when
Mary presided at Parish communion for the first time, a celebration
lunch was held in the Village Hall. Mary, along with her husband
Jonathan, who now directs the music at St James and her two daughters,
Jessica and Rachel (singing in the choir), has already become
an important part of life in the parish during the past year
as she completed her training.
Now she is able to share in all the duties and responsibilities
of a fully-fledged minister of the Church of England, which will
include officiating at weddings and baptisms as well as funerals.
As a talented musician, Mary first studied for a music degree
at Huddersfield University, and having previously met Jonathan,
in 1996 they were married and she became a cello teacher. Mary
says that it was shortly before this time that she started to
feel that perhaps she was being called to full-time ministry,
but rejected it as a "bad idea"! However other people
advised her differently and by the time her younger daughter
was three, she decided to train for the ordained ministry and
obtained her 1st class honours theology degree at Queen's College,
Birmingham in 2006.
Like many other working mums, she has been learning to balance
her own demanding job and that of her husband with a full family
life and we wish the Williams family a happy and fulfilling stay
in Birstall.
From Beryl McHugh
Corbett’s cricket corner
Now that a very wet June is out of the
way we can hopefully look forward to a warm and sunny July, having
had so many senior and junior matches abandoned.
One match that did go ahead was a quarter final LOROS cup match
which Birstall Village lost to Bharat Sports. Captain Steve Glasgow
said: "A lot of players were unavailable so we had to play
a lot of juniors and I would like to say that I was very pleased
with all of their enthusiasm and how they played the game, they
are a credit to the youth section at Birstall."
Max Lewin
Neel Thakrar
Some more great news from the juniors, Neel Thakrar has been
selected to play for the county under 12s and Max Lewin has been
selected to play for the North West district under 11s; good
luck to both lads this season. The standards are high and a lot
is expected from the lads, not only on the field but off.
The renovation of the pavilion at Birstall has had massive media
coverage with the Radio Leicester car broadcasting live from
the park to the Tony Wadsworth show and also on the BBC East
Midlands Today, the local papers have also covered the story.
Following the fantastic graffiti art Dave Ward (aka emptea) has
done, I am pleased to report that he is getting a lot of work
coming his way.
The Paul Nixon Benefit match went very well, and was once again
very well attended, there are a lot of people to thank but a
special mention must go to Chairman Doug Topley for arranging
sponsorship, teas, funding and a brilliant sunny evening. Well
done Doug.
From Andy Corbett
|