|
Pictured at the opening of the Gunn's Gym
are l-r: Nigel Coleman, Neil Simpson, Carl Gunns, Gareth Payne
and Mal Carnall
Gym opens
WORLD CHAMPION boxer Robbie Reid was the
guest of honour at the opening of Gunns’ Gym on Birstall
Road.
The WBC super-middleweight champion brought his belt and signed
autographs, along with fighters Gareth Payne and Neil Simpson.
Organiser Carl Gunns said: “I think that was something different,
bringing a world champion to Birstall!”
He added: “I’ve had a terrific response from the people
of Birstall. I’ve been given a lot of help setting up the
gym and the feedback I’m getting is that young people can’t
wait for it to open.”
The boxing gym, complete with ring and training equipment, is
located in the old Reading Room on Birstall Road. Staffed by
qualified coaches and trainers, it will be a training base for
established fighters as well as somewhere boys aged 13 and upwards
can try out boxing in a safe environment.
Gunns’ Gym is being supported by the Parish Council, who
have provided £200, and the South East Charnwood Crime
Safety Forum who donated £100. Inspector Duncan Cullen,
Commander of the Syston Local Policing Unit, said: “We are
happy to support and work with Carl on this project which will
provide a unique sporting facility in the local area.”
The gym was also boosted by a grant of £7000 from the Children’s
Fund, a government initiative that aims to support projects aimed
at children and young people. Children’s Fund Project Manager
Aileen Bedford-Stradling said: “What impressed us about
Mr Gunns’ project was the emphasis he has put on safety,
and we have awarded the gym £7000, the maximum amount possible.”
Anyone who would like to try out boxing at the gym needs to register
their interest by contacting Carl, either at the gym or on 2671494.
Carl anticipates the gym opening for business in the first half
of February. It will be open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and
Sunday morning.
|
Longslade's poor report: school in ‘special measures’
THE PRINCIPAL of Longslade College is confident
he can deliver the necessary improvements following the school’s
failure of its Ofsted Inspection.
The College was inspected in October 2002 and was put into ‘special
measures’, the lowest rating awarded by Ofsted.
Principal Geoff Court said: “I recognise that action is
needed to ensure that all students receive their entitlement
to a high quality education. I am confident that the new management
team, working closely with students, staff, parents, governors
and the LEA will be able to bring about successful and effective
change.”
The Ofsted report stated that:
Teaching is poor in years 10 and 11. Students, especially higher
attainers, are underachieving.
Leadership and management are unsatisfactory. Rules and routines
are not being enforced and standards are falling.
Students underachieve in maths, design and technology, and Religious
Education because teaching is not good enough.
Students’ behaviour is poor in years 10 and 11. The problems
arise from the actions of a difficult and disruptive, but significant,
minority. Behaviour around the site is poor. Inspectors observed
many incidences, such as spitting, throwing coins, smoking, swearing
and use of inappropriate language. Their behaviour contrasts
with that of many of their peers, who are polite and friendly.
Students demonstrate a lack of enthusiasm for college and lessons.
Relationships are unsatisfactory between students and teachers.
Senior managers, including the governors, no longer have a clear
view of what is going on in the college.
The Ofsted Inspectors also found that:
A good and broad curriculum in Years 10 and 11, much better than
at the last Inspection
Very good provision for students with special educational needs
Positive attitudes from most younger students to learning and
most students behave well
Significant improvement in attendance
The College’s Learning and Resource Centre is a real strength
The sixth form has good teaching, a very good curriculum and
above average standards in the sixth form
Sixth form students have good attitudes to their work and are
glad that they chose to stay on at Longslade
The College has had some notable successes, such as the implementation
of the first phase of Technology College status
The senior management team has the capability to improve the
school
Two year 12 students, who did not wish to be named, told the
Birstall Post: “I’m not surprised the college has failed
the inspection. Some of the teachers are great but there are
some who are really poor.
“The sixth form is much better than years 10/11 and relationships
with the teachers are good. But a lot of year 10/11 students
are more juvenile than ever.”
One of the students said that for two years she had been taught
in one class by supply teachers, and that students could get
away with more bad behaviour with temporary staff.
One student added: “In my view Longslade is a good school,
I like it here and I’m reasonably happy.”
Both students said their parents were worried by the Ofsted report.
One said: “My sister is at Stonehill and my parents are
uncertain whether to send her to Longslade or somewhere else,
like Rawlins.”
Chairman of Governors, David Bacon said: “The Governors
have expressed their determination to work with staff and the
LEA to deal with the issues raised in the report. We want to
reassure parents that work has already started on an action plan
to move the College forward.” He added that “we must
not forget that the College was awarded a School Achievement
Award in 2001 and, as a specialist Technology College, continues
to have high expectations for the future.”
To give parents a chance to respond to the report the college
organised a meeting in December, attended by the Principal, the
governing body and representatives from the LEA. More than 100
people turned up to ask questions and hear the college’s
plans. A further meeting is planned some time in the Spring term.
By February 18, the College has to produce an Action Plan stating
the measures it will take to address the problems identified
in the report. Regular visits by her Majesty’s Inspectorate
will take place to evaluate the effectiveness of the Action Plan.
Principal Geoff Court said: “The College hopes to be removed
from special measures by October 2003, and I’m determined
and confident that significant improvements will have been made
by then. We have already made some staffing changes and have
recently appointed an experienced food technology teacher, a
qualified maths teacher and a business studies teacher.”
He added: “The bad behaviour identified in the report is
from a significant minority - most students behave well. As the
college has grown, it has been an increasing problem, but bad
behaviour is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
He said the college deals with the problem by talking to parents,
excluding students, and making alternative arrangements for students
who do not respond to a traditional curriculum. “The College
needs to ensure that staff are trained to manage poor behaviour”
he said.
Mr Court identified a high turnover of staff, difficulty in recruiting
good staff, and the departure of several senior managers as contributing
to the College’s poor Ofsted report.
Mr Court said: “What my staff and I aim to do is to provide
a college that will enable students to be successful and which
the staff, parents and students can all be proud of. I am confident
that the team here is experienced, well qualified, and will make
things happen.”
Puppets, new chairs and a tree festival
Puppets will be at the Methodist Church
on Sunday morning February 2 at 10.30am
The ‘Hands up for God’ troop are well known and very
skilled - it is the first time they have visited Birstall, which
is surprising as their base is only in Barrow-upon-Soar. All
are welcome to what will be a most unusual service. There will
be singing from 10am.
The Men’s pantomime practices are reaching their climax
as the date of the show approaches. From February 10-15 the men
will present Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Such is the demand
for tickets that this year the show starts on Monday instead
of Tuesday! What few tickets remain are available from Mr &
Mrs Kilby tel: 2122513. The ‘dwarfs’ choreography has
the tuition of a dancer who has played on the West End stage.
Sally Montague-Mason (known to many Birstall folk as Sally Bradford)
is patiently trying to get the 14 dwarfs’ feet into some
semblance of order!
The Vision 2000 work in the church has restarted after the Christmas
break. Much work still remains to be done. Outside, the handrails
for the new disabled access need to be fitted, light fittings
inside the church, the gents toilet is incomplete, the carpet
needs to be fitted together with other things. The feature which
will have the most visual effect on the church is the organ screen,
and at present we are going ‘back to the drawing board’
for this important item. Chairs will replace the front four pews;
in fact the space created by the removal of these pews has been
used on a number of occasions. So far 17 chairs have been purchased.
if you would like to donate a chair (cost £68.15) then
please contact Tony Moore (tel: 2676207).
The Christmas Tree Festival which took place at the end of November
was a success in every way. The trees were delightful to admire
and they displayed the great skill of those who decorated the
40 trees on display. It was a great community event, and raised
(with the stalls) £2638. Of this £660 goes to NCH
and the remainder to Vision 2000 (for the work being currently
undertaken in the church). Next year the Festival is expected
to be held in St Theresa’s Catholic Church.
Deborah Gray (our minister’s eldest daughter) has returned
to Birstall from her year in Senegal where she has been working
on behalf of the Wycliffe Bible Translators. We are delighted
to hear that she will be married to her fiance Jon later this
year.
Asda store opens in March
THE ASDA superstore in Thurmaston is on
schedule to open on March 31, 2003.
Asda are investing £22 million in the new store on Barkby
Thorpe Lane, opposite the Co-op superstore. The store will have
52,000 square feet of shopping space and parking spaces for 466
cars.
It will include the George clothing range, a music and video
department, a fish and delicounter and a 74 seater cafe.
The store will be open 24 hours a day, from 8am Monday to 8pm
on Saturday, 10-4 on Sunday.
Asda are recruiting staff for the new store - anyone interested
can contact their recruitment centre on 2068237.
Asda have been required to provide £800,000 towards improving
the roads in the area including alterations to the island at
the entrance to Barkby Thorpe Lane.
Youth group wins cup for quality
Badger Leader Jennifer Edwards
with some of her Badgers: Heidi Purnell, Phillipa Purnell, Rhys
Allen, Rian Payne and Amy Bloodworth
THE CHILDREN’S branch of St John Ambulance
in Birstall, the Badgers, is excellent - and it’s official!
They are now hoping that someone local will run the Flora London
marathon for them in a bid to boost funds for the group.
The group of 15, six to 10 year olds has been awarded the runner
up cup in the organisation’s prestigious Award of Excellence
for the county of Leicestershire, decided by the headquarters
based County Youth Team. Assessment criteria include the group’s
organisation and efficiency, the happiness of the children, the
image of St John they convey, their behaviour and contribution
to their community. The outright winner was Charnwood Badgers
(Loughborough).
Badger Leader Miss Jennifer Edwards said: “I am so proud
of my Badgers. They are always keen to help on duties such as
Birstall Fete, and they performed the nativity element of the
County annual carol service this year including a carol in British
Sign Language which they have been learning. They are a credit
to themselves, their families and St John Ambulance. The leadership
team Becky, Sarah and myself, and the cadet helpers James, Jonathan
and Charles, really enjoy working with them.”
The Badgers were set up in 1987 by Jenny Eaves of London, to
replace the previous St John Juniors (for ages 8-10) and introduced
subject proficiency badges appropriate for ages six to 10 years,
widening the variety of activities on offer. The new structure
was a rapid success and there are now Badger Setts throughout
the UK and worldwide.
The local group was started in August 1998 by Miss Edwards, and
has gone from strength to strength, with improvements still to
come. “From 2004 changes within the organisation will enable
children’s achievements as a Badger to be recognised when
they progress into Cadets, counting towards the organisation’s
highest youth award of the Grand Prior” she said.
The local group is currently seeking the support of a running
enthusiast to enable them to raise funds for the annual camp
and Sett funds. St John has succeeded in obtaining places for
runners to compete in the London Marathon on April 13, with sponsorship
proceeds going to the organisation. Miss Edwards said “If
anyone is willing to take on this challenge for us, we would
be extremely grateful and could help with the fundraising element.
If you are interested please ring Sam West on 0116 2795911”.
Last year the 45,000 runners raised over £31 million for
charities.
Birstall Badgers is currently full, with a waiting list in operation.
Contact details are on the back page.
TG news
With a last minute change of the date of
the Christmas party of the Townswomen’s Guild, it was feared
that numbers would suffer, but the turnout was good, enabling
plans for the evening to go forth.
Alwen Skinner, Lilian Bowen and Jackie Partner decorated a Christmas
tree for the Methodist Church in November and were duly thanked
by letter for their effort. Also, certificates were handed out
to the members who did well in the Arts & Crafts Exhibition
in October.
Earlier in the month, Christmas lunch was enjoyed by most members
at the Hunting Lodge. The evening continued with seasonal refreshments,
a game and a free raffle with prizes donated by the executive
committee.
The drama group read Christmas recollections starting with Thelma
Lane and her Victorian memories, then Jackie Partner with an
Edwardian Christmas. Dot Rowley dressed appropriately, recalled
a child’s Christmas in World War II. Marjorie Jones read
about ‘Young Albert’ and Joan Johnson told the story
of how crackers originated. Valerie Skeffington made an entrance
in her mini-skirt and ‘shades’, recalling Christmas
in the groovy and swinging 60’s.
Jill Bailey led everyone into singing a carol and a song so ending
a festive evening.
The Social Studies also had their Christmas party in early December,
when they enjoyed games, carols & food & wine. It was
decided to kelp raise funds for the struggling Laura Centre to
keep open as it helps to counsel parents and children who have
suffered the loss of a child in the family. Jill Bailey, already
has sold many copies of a quiz, each costing £1 to start
the fund, and hope it will be greatly supported in 2003.
The next meeting of the TG will be on Tuesday February 18 at
Highcliffe School, Birstall at 7.30pm.
The Social Studies group will meet on Monday February 3.
From A Boden
John a helping hand at Day Centre
John Walton
FOR THE Past ten years on most Mondays
and Wednesdays, John Walton of the Crossways has been the volunteer
escort on the St James Day Centre minibus.
He has helped the drivers take vulnerable mentally frail, elderly
people to and from the day centre. `Jex Woods, Chairperson of
Age Concern Birstall & Wanlip said: “This is a wonderful
record of being a friendly, efficient and dependable ‘helping
hand’ to so many elderly people and of giving support to
many carers over such a long period.”
John has decided to step down and Age Concern say it will probably
be necessary to replace him with more than one volunteer to cover
the two days of Monday and Wednesday. Jex Woods said: “On
behalf of all those involved in the organisation of St James
Day Centre on those days and on behalf of all those people John
has helped so well over the years, I salute all the time and
effort he has spent and I thank him very much.”
John said: “My time here has given me tremendous satisfaction.
I hope I’ve made a useful contribution to the lives of the
elderly people here who have shown me a great sense of fun.”
|
Parish Council Notes
A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council
was held on January 13.
Steve Marsh, from Leicestershire County Council, gave councillors
a presentation about the park and ride site and answered questions.
He said that the developers of Hallam Fields were providing 500
of the 1000 spaces, with the County Council providing the remainder.
Access to the park and ride will be via a fully signalised junction,
and not as shown on the existing plans that have been circulating.
The bus priority measures have not yet been worked out in detail,
he said, but would feature some local widening of the road and
the use in places of one lane of the dual carriageway as a bus
lane. The bus priority measures would not reduce the road’s
capacity for cars, he said.
Cllr Chris Clark commented that Birstall had lost an excellent
bus service that penetrated through the village estates and suggested
that resources should be directed at restoring this service.
Chairman of Wanlip Parish Meeting Richard Kinton said the pedestrian
footways linking the site to Wanlip were a waste of time and
would not be used.
Cllr Roger Wilson expressed his concern that the site will be
expanded beyond 1000 spaces. If kept at a reasonable size, it
would improve facilities for Birstall but will need good security
throughout the entire day, he said.
Cllr Maureen Ackroyd commented that she could not see any positive
benefits for the people of Birstall from the park and ride.
Cllr Tony Stott said he thought the Council would increase the
spaces beyond 1000 and said this must not be alongside the school
boundary. He added that the site must be adequately screened
with hedges/trees.
PC Kevin Palmer reported that a large number of local youths
had been arrested for criminal damage. He asked for the public’s
help in reporting to the police any information regarding drug
taking on the Meadow Lane/Worcester Avenue allotments.
The cemetery building working party reported its recommendations.
The council will seek the advice of a surveyor/architect to assess
the feasibility of the working party’s proposals.
Steps outside shop a “serious hazard”
THE STEPS that are a feature of the new
pavement outside Glenwood Fine Art on Sibson Road are a serious
hazard, says proprietor George Plunkett.
“A skateboarder has already come down the steps and crashed
into my window, cracking it and causing £770 worth of damage”
he said.
As well as skateboarders, Mr Plunkett says the steps are a hazard
to pedestrians, especially the elderly.
In October 2002 Mr Plunkett met with Councillors and Council
officers on site and it was agreed that there was a problem and
railings were the solution. Mr Plunkett said: “Nothing has
been done. It cannot be acceptable that 16 weeks after our discussion
we are still facing the same concerns. The response so far has
been pathetic”.
Charnwood Borough Council have rejected the idea of railings
parallel to the steps and have suggested three handrails at 90
degrees. Mr Plonkett and Birstall Parish Council are concerned
this will not be an effective solution.
Village Watch news & Crime Report
THIEVES IN the area are still targeting
garages and sheds.
Simple precautions will make this type of theft more difficult.
Sheds should have a good lock on the door. This should be of
the hasp and staple design with the screws protected by the hasp,
as well as this it is worth while fixing each part with a coach
bolt. Drill right through the door with a 6-mil drill and put
in a 6-mil coach bolt with a nut and washer on the inside. This
type of bolt has a domed head and cannot be undone from the outside.
This method should be also applied to each of the hinges, both
on the frame and the door. It will take at least six bolts to
make this modification to the door. Local DIY shops have these
types of bolts.
Rear garage doors should be treated in the same way. If you have
windows in the shed or garage make sure that the window cannot
be forced if it is of the opening type by screwing it down or
putting a window lock over the fastening.
Front garage doors are either ‘up and over’ or the
conventional type with two doors which open to the outside. Conventional
doors can be treated in the same way as shed and rear doors.
Up and over doors usually are of two kinds, one type has a track
for the rollers to run in when opened and the other has a coil
spring to open the door with. In both cases they have a catch
mechanism either at the top or at the sides. To prevent these
catches being pushed back with a thin instrument and opening
the door, fit a bolt to the door adjacent to the catch which
when locked into the frame prevents the door from being opened.
If this cannot be achieved then place a block of wood in the
tracks of the mechanism and with a padlock secured through the
track (you will need to drill a hole through the track), this
again will prevent the door being opened. If you wish to lock
the door from the outside then fix a hasp and staple type with
a padlock to the door and the frame to prevent the door being
forced open.
Both shed alarms and PIR alarms which the Watch sell at their
advice shop can be fitted either to the door or in the shed/garage
to give added protection to the property.
Next advice shop will be held on Saturday February 15.
Peter Allen, Chairman Birstall & Wanlip NHW
Crime Report 16.12.02 to 16.01.03
Assault 1; burglary dwelling 0; burglary other 2, robbery 1,
cycle theft 1, theft from motor vehicle 3, theft 1, damage to
motor vehicle 3, damage 3
Good News
A number of local youths have been arrested following criminal
damage to Riverside Primary School.
One person has been arrested and charged following a burglary
on Cliffe Road. Another suspect is still being sought.
Council budget
THE PARISH Council set its budget for the
year at its precept meeting in November.
The precept for 2003/04 will be £276,150, an increase of
1.84 per cent on the previous year.
The largest single item is for wages and salaries: £154,000.
£20,000 has been allocated for the re-development of the
cemetery building and £8000 for Sibson Road enhancements
at the Triangle end.
Your Say...
It is 99% certain that a Park and Ride will be built at the
A6/A46 junction.
Combined with development in West Wanlip, Birstall will receive
a lot more pullution unless anti-pollution is now given priority.
The original Plan was 600 cars. This Park and Ride was central
to the Loughborough plan. If Leicester City is planning (with
Leicestershire County Council) three sites at Glenfield, Aylestone
and Birstall at a cost of £25.5 million why are the developers
contributing £1.4 million? This £1.4 million should
be spent helping Birstall oppose pollution.
This Park & Ride at Wanlip will help Leicester City traffic
problems. It will not solve any traffic problems in Loughborough.
Why is Loughborough so generous?
Development in West Wanlip should not commence until these three
Park and ride sites are finished. Application for this £25.5
million will be made in the Spring. Surely we can wait for Central
Government’s reply.
Poundbury has not been achieved. It will take decades (official
statement). Poundbury has many narrow winding streets. How do
the emergency vehicles operate? How will a bus service operate?
Something similar in West Wanlip will mean that the car will
dominate bringing pollution to Birstall. At least wait until
more is built in Poundbury since it is bolted on to Dorchester.
Someone informed me a similar development has problems. The dust
carts cannot operate.
The guidelines concerning affordable housing will be broken unless
the number is increased in line with the change from 600-900.
Is this legal in line with the Inspector’s permission? Terrace
houses in Poundbury are £330,000.
Moral: Let us finish the Park and Ride first with the Park and
Ride next to and north of the A6/A46.
A large coloured map is required showing the bus lane and alteration
to Greengate Lane.
If Leicester City can on their part of Greengate Lane spend a
large sum of money upgrading their Greengate Lane. They have
erected more lights and constructed a new cycle (not a line)
path and footpath, why cannot Birstall have a new constructed
bus lane?
Les Briers
We were taken to the countryside north of Newark, Mum and
me, to a meeting of the Nottingham, Rescue Greyhound Trust and
walked for nearly two hours and it was great.
It is two years since I have experienced the real countryside
and it brought back memories of those training days as a racer
with the name of ‘Drawn to Scale’.
I would love to hear if anyone in Birstall who goes to Watermead
Park could find room for us from time to time. You see Mum used
to take her previous dogs but now has no transport.
I am very sociable as I have passed the examination as a PAT
dog but unfortunately there are no local nursing homes for me
to show affection and prompt loving pats for caring people.
I now find the lazy life with Mum at 3 Kilby Avenue, Birstall
with a long walk now and again much more to my liking.
A happy and healthy New Year to everyone.
Marty
Travelling by road from Leicester to Nottingham, A46/A606,
one is informed, very early on, of the directions to the Park
& Ride car park. These frequent instructions direct motorists
to leave the main road and via use of minor roads lead them to
the enormous Queens Drive car park. This car park is sited on
an industrial estate and permanently supervised. There is always
a bus waiting, it does not leave until the next one arrives so
people do not have to stand outdoors in inclement weather. It
is worth noting that they have kerb level access. The charge
is per vehicle and very reasonable, especially with a full car
load of passengers. The bus quickly transports passengers along
priority bus routes and arrives at the Bus Station which is in
the same complex as the Broadmarsh shopping centre. No hassle
whatsoever.
In light of the above I would suggest that the proposed one thousand
vehicle Park & Ride car park on the A6 north of Birstall,
which is completely incongruous so close to a residential area,
would be better positioned on the vast Beaumont Leys industrial
estate, just over a mile away, which is conveniently adjacent
to the outer ring road and Beaumont Leys Lane and gives immediate
access to all parts of the city. It could also easily be accessed
by motorists from the Melton area via the A46 bypass.
J B Hill (Birstall)
In response to the letter published in the January issue,
2003, may we point out that the frontage of the Birstall Dental
Practice is actually owned by Mr Shah and not, as was stated,
by Charnwood Borough Council. It is a private dental car park
and would be repaired by Mr Shah should the need arise, as in
previous years.
M K Shah
When my letter on the unfair treatment of young motorists
was kindly printed in June, the level of support I received in
the village was pleasing.
Despite being stopped too many times to consider it coincidence,
I still refused to believe that local officers were only out
to antagonise us but it seems things haven’t changed.
I was out driving in the village around midnight when I again
witnessed first hand how local police spend their time.
The patrol car passed me in the opposite direction, turned around
and sat behind me at the lights.
After being followed through number of streets I was given the
blue light treatment to which I am now so accustomed.
I was willing to accept their attention considering I was missing
a wing mirror, but it was not mentioned once.
It was obvious I had again been targeted for no reason whatsoever.
All of my documents, which I keep in the car at personal risk
because of the frequent stops, were rigorously checked.
Then, in an act which so infuriated me, I was told to remove
my hat and hood, so that one officer could “liken my face
with that on my driving licence”.
To add insult to injury as I returned to my vehicle, the officer
said “sorry to bother you”.
I’m not exactly sure how to possibly believe him.
Since June, Birstall Parish Council has worked hard in questioning
police on their actions, and I appreciate their efforts on young
people’s behalf but it appears the problem is here to stay.
I would like to ask the Police Chief controlling this area whether
making an official complaint this time will actually do anything
to stop the power hungry, power driven, and power abusive members
of his staff?
Kevin Unitt, aged 20
I found myself very much in agreement with some of the sentiments
expressed by your correspondents ‘P.H.’ and J Woods
(Post January)
As P.H. suggests, the volume of traffic on the A6 made it obvious
to anyone of intelligence that the building of a large estate,
with the resulting extra vehicles and traffic lights, would be
dangerous and unworkable. Hundreds of Birstall residents pointed
this out to the Hallam Fields Public Enquiry.
Unfortunately, it seems that the job of the government-appointed
Inspector was to make sure this development was authorised rather
than to judge the case on its merits.
In other words, the ordinary person - and commonsense - had no
say.
Similarly, as Mr Woods points out, pedestrian crossings are urgently
needed on Sibson Road. But when Birstall Parish Council suggested
this, we were offered road-humps - because that was what the
County Highways Engineer wanted. Pedestrian crossings appeared
to be of no interest to him.
So, once again, residents - and commonsense - were ignored.
Regrettably, as time goes on, I see less and less evidence that
larger authorities, and especially the Government, feel it necessary
to take any notice whatsoever of the man in the street.
Peter West
|
Garden trail
ARGUABLY, ONE of the most popular village
events is the annual Garden Trail.
2003 is to be no exception as at least 11 lovely gardens will
be open, by kind permission of their owners. We, the organisers,
are thrilled that the area to be covered on the weekend of June
22 & 23 is to be Birstall Road, Church Hill, Netherhall Lane
and Front Street. This most picturesque part of our village has
been chosen for what will be our 13th successive annual Garden
Trail.
This year the dates also coincide with ‘National Abbeyfield
Awareness Week’ and the staff, residents and helpers of
Abbeyfield will be pleased to serve teas on the two days of the
trail. As a result of this, we at the Birstall Methodist Church
have chosen Abbeyfield as our charity for 2003, and half of the
proceeds raised will go toward their ‘comforts fund’.
Do please make sure you reserve these dates in June when the
weather, hopefully will be delightful, and we can all enjoy that
leisurely walk around this lovely part of ‘old Birstall’.
Once again we are indebted to Birstall Garden Centre for kindly
agreeing to sponsor the event.
From John Kilby
Age Concern info
Calling All Cyclists - Have a Once in a
Lifetime Experience - by joining Bike the Nile for Age Concern,
October 2003.
The eight day, 400km bike ride will take you along the banks
of the River Nile, Egypt’s lifeline for millennia. From
the High Dam at Aswan to the ancient temples at Luxor, cycle
through landscapes of meadows and desert, plains and rolling
hills, then drift off to sleep each night on a Nile Cruiser.
All you have to do is pay a restoration fee of £299 and
agree to raise a minimum amount of sponsorship. Age Concern will
provide the rest: flights, accommodation, meals, bikes and oodles
of fundraising advice, training and moral support!
Go on, live a lot. You’ll be giving a lot to help make life
fulfilling and productive for older people across the UK. If
you do decide to take part, please mention that you heard about
this through Age Concern Birstall and Wanlip. For details tel:
0870 412 4999 or email - nilw@ace.org.uk or www.ageconcern.org.uk
Volunteer Escorts Needed
Volunteer escorts are needed to assist the drivers of the minibus
taking elderly people to and from St James Day Centre on Mondays,
Tuesdays and Wednesdays - from 9am-11am approx and 3pm-4.30pm
approx. If you feel able to help at any of these times please
contact Mandy Loach or Jill Smith at St James Day Centre on Mon,
Tues or Wed 9.30am-4.30pm, tel: 2677023
Age Concern Leicestershire & Rutland Holidays 2003 in Association
with Dunwood Travel
All holidays include: return coach travel (local pickup), excursions
programme, full en-suite accommodation.
Examples: Newquay Edgcumbe Hotel, June 9 (5 days, 4 nights),
half board, £189 per person plus insurance, includes FREE
admission into the Eden project. South Downs Holiday Village,
nr Chichester, June 30 (5 days, 4 nights) full board £169
per person, includes FREE insurance
For details of all the holidays available please contact: Doreen
Nuttall, John Storer House, Wards End, Loughborough Tel: 01509
230131 or 0116 2511474
Jex Woods, Chairperson Age Concern Birstall & Wanlip
|