Birstall Post July 2003 (240)

Special playgroup

Lisa McGuigan and Wayne Crow from the Alliance & Leicester present £100 to Helen Mohin and her son Sam at Birstall Special Needs Playgroup

BIRSTALL’S PLAYGROUP for children with special needs provides care for 30 youngsters aged between six weeks to four years.
The playgroup, which runs its sessions in the Methodist Church rooms, has been busy organising fundraising events to buy much needed play equipment.
Playgroup Leader Deborah Hoggar said: “The specialist equipment we need needs to be very robust and suitable for children with very different needs - some of the kids here have sensory difficulties while others have physical disabilities.”
The playgroup, which has been going for more than 30 years, is run by Deborah and 18 volunteer helpers. Children in Need have provided generous funding, the TSB have provided a grant and the Birstall branch of the Alliance & Leicester have donated £100.
Branch Manager of Birstall’s Alliance & Leicester Wayne Crow said: “I’m delighted to make this donation - it’s superb that a local bank can support a local project in this way.”
The playgroup is organising a charity auction at the end of July - items donated include a signed Paul McCartney DVD and concert programme and £100 of Tomorrow’s World Travel holiday vouchers.

Gala weekend

TWO GREAT days have been planned for Birstall’s free Gala weekend, climaxing with a Proms in the Park concert with a firework finale.
The School Lane playing fields on Saturday July 5 and Sunday July 6 are the venue for what organisers say will be two spectacular days of entertainment and fun.
Saturday’s event runs from 2pm to 10pm and includes live music, dance and contemporary DJs, concluding with live band Bamalama (party/pop)
Sunday is a family fun day. Gala Committee spokeswoman Mary Allen said: “There will be all the usual fun of the fair rides for the children, and a fancy dress parade, so dress your child up and take part.
“Various stalls have been provided by societies and individuals from the village, with the Arts Society having their usual display in the tent. Tea and coffee will be served all day and should you get hungry there will be plenty of food vans on offer. The bar will be open in the Cricket Pavilion all day. The Mayor of Charnwood will be there from 2 o’clock, and will then attend the evening performance of the Proms in the Park. Throughout the day there will be entertainment from bands, dance groups and our own ‘Elvis’”.
The Sunday morning will open with a combined service led by the Rev Sue Wicks, with the Rev Malcolm Lambert and the Rev Chris Gray taking part.
Tomorrows World Travel, the event’s biggest sponsor, will be running the raffle, with fantastic prizes donated by local trades people. The Proms in the Park will close this year with a firework display. Programmes can be obtained at the cost of £1, at shops in the village, and all surrounding villages, the Library and the Parish Council Office, as well as being sold on the Park by the ATC.
“Two great days have been planned, come and enjoy them!” said Mary.

Hole in one at club’s charity event

Keith Marston (right) congratulates David Clarke on his hole in one

A CHARITY event at Birstall Golf Club saw club professional David Clark complete 100 holes in a day, including a hole in one!
David was taking part in a ‘100 Hole Challenge’ and playing with club captain Keith Marston when he holed a 5 iron on the 175 yard par three 7th. The Challenge was staged in aid of VISTA, the Leicester and Rutland Wycliffe Society for the Blind, the charity Keith and Ladies Captain Margaret Richman elected to support for the year.
Six players completed the 100 holes, starting soon after 4am and finishing at 9.30pm in semi-darkness, Keith and David were joined by Vice Captain Marcus Beer and club members James Noone, David Bywater and Stuart Marriott.
David scored his ace - the seventh of his career at 7.37pm on what was his 88th hole of the day, and some 14 hours after he started playing. Remarkably he completed that round, effectively holes 73 to 90 on the day, in 69 - one under par.
Keith who was playing with him, said they had speculated on the matter minutes before it happened: “We had been talking a few holes before about how great it would be for somebody to cap the day by getting a hole in one, and at the next opportunity David did it. It was the highlight of a wonderful day and we expect to make over £1000 for VISTA”
He added: “David played phenomenal golf all day, and was just 11 over par for the 100 holes. holding your game together for that long is no mean feat and speaks volumes for his stamina. The average score for all six of us over the completed rounds was 79.”
“I was pleased with how my how golf held up, said Keith, a 56 yr old nine handicapper. “My average score was within a couple of shots of handicap each round. It was a very tiring day, and especially tough on the feet, but a wonderful feeling to have achieved it. We were all really pleased with the way the day went.”

Discussion group

BIRSTALL DISCUSSION Group meets at Birstall Methodist Centre, Wanlip Lane on Thursday afternoons, fortnightly, 2-3pm
Do you want to meet new people? Do you enjoy lively and stimulating conversation? If so, why not join them?
Topics are usually taken from the NASO (National Adult School Organisation) handbook, the theme for 2003 being ‘Homelands’.
Thursday June 5, Henry VIII; Thursday June 19, Winds and Currents; Thursday July 3, Invasive Aliens in our Midst; Thursday July 17, A Matter of Taste
All welcome - just call in or contact Lynda Smith 0116 2026054

Sailing open day

PERFECT WEATHER allowed members to let prospective local sailors sample the delights of both crewing and helming a sailing dinghy at Wanlip Sailing Club’s Open Day in June.
Following recent successful grant applications the Club are the proud owners of four new dinghies, bringing to six the number of boats available to existing members and would-be sailors. The new boats are Toppers and Tazzes, both of which are ideal starter boats for adults and juniors.
Club member Chris Battye said: “On the day around twenty five novice sailors tried their hand at sailing for the first time and most seemed to really enjoy the experience”.
Wanlip SC is just off the A46 between Syston and Birstall. The eight acre lake is ideal for learning, racing or just pottering about. If you are interested in ‘having a go’ please ring either Sue on 0116 2102254 or Chris on 0116 2303173.

Festival of football at United’s international tournament

A TWO day feast of football attracted more than1000 supporters to Birstall United Juniors International tournament on Meadow Lane.
The Club’s annual International Tournament was held for its 25th year on Saturday and Sunday May 24-25.

Parish Council Chairman Peter West (left) and a victorious Birstall team

The under 12 competition was run over the two days with teams from: Birstall United, Thurmaston Magpies, Ratby & Groby, Kingsway, Sileby, Blaby & Whetstone, Syston, Etoile and Fretin. The last two teams come from the Lille area of France. It was Etoiles 25th year in the tournament and Fretin’s first time in England.
The tournament was kicked off by the chairman of Birstall Parish Council, Mr Peter West, who represented the council over the two days, and presented a number of the trophies on the Sunday.

Birstall in action on the field

The tournament was won by Fretin who beat Blaby & Whetstone 4-0 in the final. They hope to return to England next year to defend the trophy, which was originally donated by the Parish Council.

French team from Fretin, winners of the under 12s competition

The under 10 competition was run just on the Sunday with teams from Birstall United, Harborough, Barrow and Fleckney.
This final was won by Birstall United Foxes who beat Fleckney 2-0.

A victorious Birstall team

On the Saturday evening a disco was organised for the French visitors at Syston RBL.
The tournament was blessed with glorious weather over the weekend which allowed the 1000+ supporters over the two days to enjoy the football on the pitch and the side stalls: beer tent, barbeque, tombola stall, hot & cold snack bar, bouncy slide, archery demonstrations, tuck shop, face painting, target football and raffle.

The hardworking referees

A club spokesman said: “The weekend managed to raise over £1700 profit and the club would like to thank all its sponsors, helpers, visitors and especially the children for making it an exceptional weekend. Here’s to next year!”

Visit by preacher on horseback to Birstall

Steve Hoggar astride horse Basil

THE FOUNDER of the Methodist movement, John Wesley, toured the country on a horse and the anniversary of his birth 300 years ago was marked in Birstall by a preacher on horseback.
Rev Steve Hoggar, astride Basil, preached at an open air service led by a Salvation Army Band on School Lane playing fields before riding on to St James Church and St Theresa’s
There is no record of John Wesley ever visiting Birstall, but he must have passed through the village as his diaries record him travelling from Leicester to Birstall.

Rev Chris Gray leads a service at the School Lane playing field

Parish Council Notes

A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on June 9.
The Council has received drawings for the cemetery building refurbishment and agreed to proceed with the plans. It was also reported that the new ‘Glade’ area in the cemetery was now ready for the scattering of ashes.
It was agreed that, in the interests of safety, ice cream vans not be permitted to operate on the School Lane playing field car park.
The council agreed to object to a planning application for the erection of 41 flats on the Nelson’s Cartons site on Wanlip Lane. The Council are concerned that the number of dwellings has risen from 36 to 41 and the number of car parking spaces has reduced from 40 to 20. There is also no 106 agreement provision ie a contribution by the developers towards community facilities.
The Council considered a request to Charnwood Borough Council for a dispensation in respect of the Hallam Fields development to all members of the Council. It was reported that a dispensation could only be granted if more than fifty per cent of councillors were having to declare a prejudicial interest when the item was discussed. As this is not the case, it was agreed that a dispensation could not be granted.
It was agreed to donate £30 to the Leicester Crimestoppers.
It was agreed to report the poor condition of the road surface along Sibson Road to the County Council.

Village Watch news

It’s the time of the year to again remind all the readers of simple precautions that you should take before going on holiday.
Cancel the papers, milk, and any other deliveries that you may have.
Make sure that you have locked up securely your garden shed and outbuildings. Close all the windows and lock them. Have a trusted neighbour or relative take in the bin bags when they are left on rubbish collection day. Don’t close all the curtains, but leave a light to switch on in the evenings upstairs, a simple time switch can do this. Make sure that the weekly papers are pushed through the letterbox by a friend or relative and ask them to keep an eye on the house for you or tell your neighbourhood watch contact when you will be away and when you will return.
The police are warning everybody to be aware that cash dispensers are being targeted by would-be thieves, don’t be overlooked when you put in your card. Don’t let anybody help you if your card appears to be giving a problem and don’t disclose your pin number to anybody. If you are in a shop or restaurant don’t let your card be taken away to be swiped, insist on accompanying the assistant to the cash desk. This prevents the card being swiped twice.
Mobile phones are still one of the easy targets for a thief. Please endure that you do not walk along the street using the phone. If you wish to make a call or take a call stop and look around you and stand against the wall and use the phone. Be aware of people around you, this way it will be harder for the thief to grab the phone and run off. Please don’t let school children use them going to or from school. Post code the phone behind the battery and remember to use the security pin code every time.
Cars on holiday can have lots of extra items in them such as cameras, binoculars and extra clothes. Please keep them in the locked boot of the car, not on display in the front of the car, in full view of everybody.
Enjoy your crime free holiday.
From Peter Allen

DVDs for loan at library

Nigel Thmas, Leicestershire Libraries Service Delivery Manager (left), and librarian Jo Hopkinson at the launch of Birstall's DVD collection

BIRSTALL LIBRARY launched a new feature film video and DVD collection on Tuesday June 10.
An exciting range of films from new video releases such as ‘Die Another Day’ and ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ to classics such as ‘Jane Eyre’ will be available for weekly hire for prices starting from £1.50 per week (up to £3 for current popular titles). The collection also includes classic TV favourites such as ‘The Office’ (all episodes) and ‘The Simpsons’. Children’s favourites have not been forgotten with a full range from ‘Bob the Builder’ to Walt Disney classics.

Day at Longslade

YEAR 5 pupils from Richard Hill CofE Primary School and Woolden Hill Community Primary School visited Longslade Community College in June when they took part in a Technology College Bridging project called ‘Badges, Biscuits and Boxes’.
The visiting pupils came to use Longslade’s specialist facilities in ICT, Food and Design and were taught by Longslade staff. They made badges in ICT, baked biscuits in Food and manufactured boxes in Design.
David Osborne, headteacher of Richard Hill, and Coleen Shepherd, headteacher of Woolden Hill, both visited during the day to see the exciting activities the children were engaged in.
At the end of the day, Geoff Court, Principal of Longslade, presented each pupil with a ‘Technology Day’ participation certificate.
Longslade’s ICT co-ordinator Helen Foster, said: “The Year 5 pupils were a pleasure to work with, and their enthusiasm and energy during the day impressed Longslade staff. They were eager to learn and the speed with which they got to grips with equipment and concepts they had not experienced before was excellent.
“The day was a great success and we have already had ‘thank you’ letters from some of the Year 5s saying what an excellent time they had.”
She added “Thanks to all the staff involved, to those who rearranged their rooms etc and those who covered lessons.. Thanks and appreciation also go to the Year 10 students who helped with the biscuit making in Food - James Brewster, Amy Moore, Christy Lynch, Heather Paston, Daniel Exton and Charlotte Kenny.”

Methodist news

A NUMBER of fund raising events have been held recently, mostly for Church funds in an attempt to ensure the church accounts don’t show a ‘loss’ this year. The Concert in May, given by Leicester City Male Voice Choir and Gareth Woods, trumpet soloist (from Birstall) raised £224.00
The Gala on May 31 raised £730 on what was a very hot day.
To this can be added a share of the proceeds from the Garden Trail, held in June and Cream Teas on July 26 (at 9 Farm Close).
The fund raising for the Vision 2000 project has been formally closed. The church raised locally over £46,000 for this work, far more than the original £28,000 the project was planned to raise. £50,000 was added from a legacy kindly left to the church. However, overall the costs of the project, with increase in prices and additional work that was found to be necessary, is almost £110,000. The difference has been paid out of church reserves and it is hoped this can be gradually replaced. The support the project has received from both church and village has been magnificent, and the church is grateful for this support.
Primarily the church is there for worship. Although often locked, arrangements can fairly easily be made for anyone who wishes to use the church for private prayer. The alterations do, however, lend themselves to a wider use. Many friends and organisations use our premises for a variety of uses. There may be occasions when the church itself could be used for other activities. With its comfortable seating, new lighting, new sound system, and new decorations the village has an improved facility. Obviously not every activity would be appropriate to take place in the church, but some would. Contact Mrs Betty Allcock (2677952) if you think the church might be of use in some other way on an occasional basis or one off event (or if you wish to use it for private prayer).
The work in Birstall is now complete except for the organ screen and new organ speakers. A contract has now been awarded for that work. It is based on a simple design by Michael Goodhart of Pick Everard. Hopefully the contractor will be able to fit this work into his schedule shortly.
It should not be forgotten either that, side by side with the local project, one third of all fund raising (as distinct from donations) went to a small village in the Gambia called Arumba, for work to improve the conditions out there, possibly with the construction of a building. Robbie Bowen and his wife Ruth came to Birstall in May and told us all about their work in The Gambia and how grateful everyone out there was for the love and support of the Birstall people.
Regular worshippers will know that there are a number of alterations to Sunday services in July. The correct version is shown in the diary on the back page of this edition of the Birstall Post.
The younger members of the church were busy in June. Some of our young people aged 9 to 13 were at Cliffe College in Derbyshire, whilst on the same weekend the teenage members of the Youth Forum held a sponsored ‘bounce’ on a bouncy castle. This, together with a coffee morning and car washing raising £314 (with more sponsor money still to come in), will enable the young people to attend Greenbelt festival in late August.
Community Bible Study will recommence at 9.45am on Thursday September 4 in the Methodist Lounge when we will be studying the Acts of the Apostles. There is a meeting each Thursday (except for school holidays) through to mid-May 2004. For out last study we had about 20 members in the class who thoroughly enjoyed a study entitled Return to Jerusalem (several Old Testament books). No previous bible study experience is necessary, just a desire to learn more about God’s book. So if you are interested please contact Peter Molesdale on 2929670 for further information.
From Eileen Molesdale

Week at Abbeyfield

John Lewis keeps an eye on the barbecue at Barnes House, Abbeyfield

A BUSY barbecue on a glorious Saturday evening set the successful tone for a week of events at the two Abbeyfield houses in Church Hill, Birstall.
Housekeeper at Barnes House, Nic Faull, said: “People in Birstall are really getting to know us. The coffee morning on the Tuesday was so busy, we had people sitting inside, outside, anywhere there was a space”.
Nic was kept busy watering all the plants in Abbeyfield’s newly landscaped gardens ready for its part in the Birstall Gardens Trail as the week’s finale.
Jenny Fitzgerald, housekeeper at Grove House, supervised the stockpiling of 1000 scones in anticipation of the hungry hordes demanding cream teas during the trail - and this was on top of scouring the cookery books for an authentic three course Italian meal half way through the week.
Abbeyfield is a charity providing housing with care for older people. There are more than 800 houses run by over 500 Abbeyfield societies.

Your Say

BIRSTALL BUFFALOES BIRTHDAY
The Buffaloes originated in London in 1825 and were established on an organised basis in 1867. The Birstall Buffalo Lodge, named The Progressive, was opened at The Old Plough, Front Street on August 28, 1928, therefore we celebrate our 75th anniversary this August.
In the early 1950s the Lodge relocated to the Birstall Social Club where we still meet every Friday night, 8.30-10pm. Unfortunately over the years all early records have been lost, we know only the surnames and initials of the founders of the Lodge, who were: J Bartlett, J Keeling, B R Jackson and W G Lewin, the first Lodge Secretary being H Clarkmead.
Are any of their descendants still living in the village? If yes, please contact me.
One of the last male only bastions (the ladies have their own section - The Order of Ladies Glades) the Buffaloes mean enjoying yourself with good companions whilst helping others less fortunate than yourself. As we do not normally advertise, our good deeds over the last 75 years have largely gone unnoticed by the Birstall village community.
The members of the Progressive Lodge would welcome back any lapsed member of the Buffaloes and would like to encourage non members to consider joining our brotherhood. If you would like more details, or if you have items of Buffalo Regalia that you would like explained, please contact me in the bar at the Birstall Social Club any Friday night between 7.30 and 8pm, or you can phone me on 2673469.
David Baum
Lodge Secretary

I wonder if I am the only person who is a little concerned by the recent overflow of parish council business into the columns of the local press.
As I understand the present council, it is mainly a co-opted body of citizens who have certain powers over grants of money taken from the community charge, to which all householders contribute. As such, its members do not seem answerable to any electorate for their actions. As the sums are relatively small, and the powers limited, I do not have too much trouble with this. But I would like to read in the Post about their decisions regarding these powers and this money, not the legality of the methods by which these decisions could be reached, however.
Take one example; I understand that one member was excluded from a meeting which discussed the Hallam Fields fiasco, much to his annoyance. In like circumstances, in Loughborough, I can sympathise with all those people living near the De Lisle estates who were not represented at the council meeting which discussed the sports project, because their representatives were deemed to ‘have an interest’. Does this parish council member represent Harrogate Road or himself? If Harrogate Road, was he elected? If himself, is it right under law that he be excluded?
These matters are hardly the stuff of government, more of Coronation Street. If this body cannot run itself, should not commissioners be appointed from a higher level to run it? Should all this childish navel-gazing be allowed to spill into the local press?
Dr D A C McNeil

Many of the readers of The Birstall Post may remember me from my role as the area co-ordinator of the Village Watch. it was some years ago now that I retired from that role and although I enjoyed it greatly I also remember the hard work that went into the role. Serving the community is a very enjoyable and rewarding task, and I say mostly because you cannot please everyone.
I now work as a personal assistant for Mr Nigel Coleman in his business and have done so for the last four years. And I know the hard work Nigel has put into his role as the former parish council chairman. For those people who know Nigel well will know that he is an all or nothing man and he did put his heart and sole in to the role, His decision to retire from the council was not as some people may think because a certain member of the parish council reported him to the Standards Board, but as Nigel stated in his letter to the Birstall Post in June was because he wanted to spend more time running his business. May I through the Birstall Post congratulate Nigel on all the hard work he has done for the village.
Most of the parish councillors work very hard for the village and most of the work goes unnoticed, may I wish the future chairman and councillors well for the coming year.
Delice Fowler

Well done Birstall Parish Council for the well positioned play area on the Meadow Lane sports field and the new equipment.
How long will it take before it has graffiti written all over it and been vandalised?
Now we have the play area, how about some loos and wash basins? They are much needed on the Meadow Lane or Watermead Country Park adjacent to the sports field.
It has also been brought to my attention we do need more seats around the country park. Us dog walkers like to shop and have a chat and rest our weary legs. Concrete ones will do, they will not get vandalised.
I see someone has been flytipping again in the car park, builders waste, which was then set on fire, burning the fence yet again. Whey will people learn to respect the country park.
A Gamble

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of everyone at Birstall Rugby club to add a very big thank you to the staff and customers of The Trees pub who have been our club sponsors for a number of years.
It was a big surprise for all of us to hear that Jim and Dianne Lee, the current landlords, will be moving to Australia in August. It will be a shame to see them go as they put in a huge amount of work since taking over the lease and have turned The Trees into a family-friendly, pleasant place to be.
The support we have received from all our friends at The Trees has helped our club prosper over the years we have been extremely happy and proud to be associated with them.
I am sure that there are many in Birstall who would wish to join me in wishing Jim and Di all the best for the future.
Simon Cox, Chairman, Birstall Rugby Club

May & Bill Root wish to thank friends and neighbours for the lovely flowers and cards, also telephone messages sent to them on the occasion of their diamond wedding, all of which helped in making it a memorable day. Once again thank you very much.
May & Bill Root

Readers of the Birstall Post will be aware that the position of Chairman of Birstall Parish Council is not always easy or pleasant.
However, during my first month in office, I have been a guest at three events which have given me great pleasure.
Firstly, I presented some of the trophies at Birstall Swimming Club’s Awards Night. I have a lot of affection for this club, as my wife, daughter and son all learnt to swim there.
Even more so, as six years ago, when my son was eleven, we were involved in a canoeing accident on the fast-flowing River Lesse in the Belgian Ardennes. Because he had been so well taught, my son was not able merely to swim to safety, but also to help right the canoe so that we could continue.
I was impressed to learn that the Club has over 200 members who have not only learnt a life saving skill, but clearly enjoy swimming as a healthy sport.
A week later, I attended Birstall United Junior FC’s International Football Tournament. 18 teams took part, including two from France, and there is no doubt the event was thoroughly enjoyed by all involved. I had forgotten how much enthusiasm - and skill - nine, ten and 11 year olds put into the game.
This was the 25th anniversary of this event, which represents a great deal of hard work by the club officials over the years.
But I was disappointed to be told that, of all the photographers the club had taken of me, the only one that came out was the one in the beer tent!
Finally, I joined our guests from Rixensart at the dinner of the Birstall Twinning Association.
I have been a member of the ‘Twinning’ for 10 years, but this was the first time I had been asked to make a speech - in French. One of our guests commented that I spoke French just like a real Spaniard. Thanks very much!
Again, for over 25 years, Birstall Twinning Association has been arranging exchange visits with Rixensart, where there is always a warm welcome,. Should anyone wish to learn more about next year’s visit, I know the Association’s officials would be happy to talk to them.
Our clubs, societies and associations play a vital role in the social life of our community, and I am very proud to have had the opportunity to attend these events and meet so many people.
Peter West, Chairman, Birstall Parish Council

Twinning visit

BIRSTALL TWINNING Association members welcomed into their homes 22 friends from Rixensart, Birstall’s twin community for a weekend in June.
The party was smaller than usual due to several Belgian families having young people at a crucial time in the middle of school examinations.
This year we were also sad to have one family on each side unable to take part in the weekend - particularly missed was Christian Bergiers, who has worked constantly on the arrangements of the exchanges for many years. This was the first time he had been unable to take part in a weekend, due to sudden very serious illness. We were relieved to know that he was recovering at home, and he sent messages by telephone to coincide with the arrival of the group, the Sunday party and the departure on Monday morning! The Birstall member family were absent due to a bereavement - they were missed by both Birstall and Rixensart friends, all of whom wished condolences to be expressed on their behalf.
The emphasis of our twinning is on family friendships so the weekend was left entirely free of ‘official’ functions, except for a family party on Sunday evening that was attended by almost 60 people, including the new Chairman of the Parish Council, Peter West, who was present both in an official capacity and as a member of the association, together with his own family and the Belgian family they were hosting. Everyone enjoyed the very relaxed atmosphere and there was a constant buzz of conversation in a mixture of European languages. We never need interpreters as on both sides there are folk who, even if not fluent, understand sufficient of another language to translate for each other - not just English/French, but Dutch (Flemish), Spanish and German. This means that it is not necessary for either side to be able to speak a second language - everyone seems to have no difficulty in ‘getting by’! Some families have now known each other for 20 years and spend time together privately, not just waiting for a twinning weekend.
Our friendships have brought much pleasure over the years, some of us celebrating together the marriages of our children and arrival of grandchildren, and going on holiday together - happy memories abound for all!
Why Not Try The Twinning Experience For Yourself
We would welcome new members, especially younger families, as those of us have been enjoying the experience for 20+ years are getting older! We are not an exclusive group, just a number of people who enjoy sharing our normal way of family life with our Belgian friends. The visits are alternate, one year the Belgians coming to Birstall at Pentecost, and the next year Birstall people going to Rixensart the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. This an ideal way to encourage your children to take an interest in learning another language. We are completely self supporting, raising funds through occasional social functions which are themselves a lot of fun for a very modest cost. (Tel: 2677576)
The Association says THANK YOU to Birstall Highcliffe School staff for the efficient and welcoming handling of our booking for the arrival of the guests and the party on the Sunday evening and the Parish Council for allowing the coach to be parked safely in the car park on The Crossways.
From David Bark, Birstall Twinning Association

Gold medal

STONEHILL PUPIL Mark Hampton won a gold medal when he took part in a National Lightening Regatta at the National Water Sports Centre.
Canoeist Mark won gold in the 1000 metre event and set a personal best in the 200 metres, taking the bronze medal.

Song for Gladys

A BIRSTALL musician had written a song for his Auntie Gladys that was performed on Radio Leicester.
Michael Ross wrote the song “Let’s Get Together” with wife Val. Michael said :” Gladys is a lovely lady. She’s 76, still working, and we thought this would be a nice surprise for her.
Michael and Val, together with their friend Len on rhythm guitar, perform as the Jukebox Trio at venues throughout the area.

New play area for small children

The new play area

A NEW play area for small children on the Meadow Lane playing field has just been completed.
The £50,000 scheme has been led by Birstall Parish Council with ninety per cent of the finance provided in the form of grants from the County Council and FLAG.

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