Birstall Post October 2003 (243)

Club’s new home

(l-r) Peter West, Steve Walsh and Phil Baker

LEICESTER CITY player Steve Walsh was one of the special guests at the official opening of Birstall United Juniors Football Club’s new clubhouse and grounds on Meadow Lane.
After negotiations with Birstall Parish Council, the club has taken on the old Archery Field and clubhouse, formerly used by the Bowmen of Birstall.

The interior of the clubhouse
The refurbished clubhouse is now a facility with toilets where children can get changed and committee meetings can be held. The training ground will be used daytime and evenings and for the occasional match.
The club organised a competition for a new name for the Archery Field and four year old Reece Warner was the winner with his suggestion: Lakeside Meadows.
Club Chairman Phil Baker said: “I have been involved with the club approximately 18 years and we have never had a facility like this that we could call our own - we are over the moon”.
He added: “The working partnership between Birstall Parish Council and ourselves has fluctuated over the years but I must say that in my experience it has never been better. Our club owes its gratitude to all council members for their assistance in getting us this facility. Without club members Jim Lennon, treasurer Mike Joinson, president Michael Hickey and myself meeting with the Council and them listening with understanding to our pleas for help we would still be a club with no home of our own. We as a club wish to continue with our new strong working partnership for many years to come.”
Birstall Ltd Juniors has a membership of around 200 children aged between four and 18. Phil Baker said comments from both children and parents about the clubhouse and ground have been positive.
Phil added: “We are concerned about the amount of dog mess that is appearing on our pitches on Meadow Lane/Worcester Avenue and would ask that dog owners clean up after their dogs.”

Problems on park

BIRSTALL PARISH Council and Syston Local Policing Unit are working together to try to prevent a repeat of the problems that were experienced on School Lane Playing Fields at the end of August and beginning of September.
For some months there had been reports of motorcyclists damaging pitches and also riding at park-users, as well as repeated attacks by vandals to the cricket and bowls pavilions.

A burnt out car on the School Lane playing field
This culminated in an incident at a fund-raising cricket match on August 31 when a motorcyclist rode onto the pitch and the police were called.
Then, in another incident, which is believed to be unrelated, a stolen car was driven onto the park, rammed against the swings and set alight, causing £5,000 damage.
At the meeting of Birstall Parish Council on September 1, several incidents of antisocial behaviour were reported by residents:
• a youth on a motorbike had ridden along the footpath in the School Lane playing field at speed, causing parents to pull their children out of the way to avoid the bike.
• the police were called to another incident of a youth driving a motorbike on the School Lane playing field.
• the cricket pavilion is being repeatedly vandalised and has been burgled.
• a group of people have been drinking beer in the small children’s play area.
• Ladies’ rounders matches had been stopped by motorcyclists riding across the pitches.
• a resident reported that a year ago her daughter had been assaulted on the park and her children no longer played there.
• Cllr Graham Hardington reported that two youths brandished a handgun in his face on School Lane and demanded money. When he challenged them about their behaviour they ran off, shouting: it’s only a fake.
In September, Birstall Parish Council Chairman Peter West and Vice Chairman Stuart Jones met with North Area Commander, Chief Supt. Ian Stripp, and Insp, Chris Brown of Syston LPU to discuss policing in the area. Peter West said: “The Police clarified the action that had been taken at the community cricket match, about which enquiries were continuing, and said that an arrest had been made in respect of an earlier case of burglary at one of the cricket pavilions.”
A number of arrests had also been made after another incident involving a motor vehicle at School Lane later in the month. The gates to the School Lane playing field car park have been left open at night after a request from the Police some years ago, but both the police and council now agree that it would be best to ensure these were locked at night. Peter West said: “I regret this as, once again, the mindless behaviour of a few has denied a facility to the responsible majority.”
Insp Brown has met with Charnwood Borough Council’s Chhaya McDonald, who will be visiting the park to advise Birstall Parish Council on security aspects at School Lane.
A further report would be given by Insp Brown at the Parish Council meeting on October 13.
At the meeting, Stuart Jones commented that when the Hallam Fields Development was completed, Birstall would be the largest town in the North Area after Loughborough and that it would be useful to then have a police station in the village. Chief Supt Stripp agreed that this would be worthy of consideration in future police planning.

Parish Council Notes

A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on September 1.
A resident commented that the volume of traffic on Greengate Lane was high, and that vehicle speeds were high, especially near the railway bridge. He said that traffic calmimg measures were necessary.
Councillors and residents discussed a number of incidents of anti social behaviour on the School Lane playing field. It was agreed that Councillors would meet with the Police to discuss the issues raised.
Councillors agreed to object to the plans for development at the Nelson’s Carton site on Wanlip Lane on the grounds that there was insufficient parking, that the access was unsatisfactory and that some of the buildings were too large for the site.
The Council agreed to donate £150 towards the purchase of a punchball for Gunn’s Gym.

War graves visit

Sheila Warrington

SHEILA WARRINGTON , Standard Bearer of the Birstall Royal British Legion Women’s Section, was touched by her recent visit to war graves in Holland.
Sheila was travelling with other members of the Royal British Legion of leicestershire and Rutland Standard Bearers’ Association. She said: “I felt truly humbled at the site of all the gravestones, they were immaculately kept. We also visited an American cemetery at Margraten. This was awe inspiring - eight thousand pure white gravestones along with a magnificent memorial.
“Thank you to Birstall Royal British Legion Women’s Section for letting me have the honour of carrying your Standard in order to pay homage to the fallen of the Second World War. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

New lights for hall

NEW LIGHTING for Birstall Village Hall has been provided by Birstall and District Art Society.
The Society wanted to improve the lighting for exhibitions of their work, and have replaced the six 4 foot single tubes with six, 6 foot double tubes at a cost of £438.
The Society’s ninth annual exhibition will be held in the Village Hall on Saturday November 8, 9 and 10, from 9am until 7pm (Monday 3pm). Admission is free and there will be around 300 paintings on display.

Equipment for schools

LONGSLADE COLLEGE has recently purchased a set of 10 laptops, a printer, a hub and a data projector to be used by its ‘Family of Schools’.
This is part of the college’s Specialist Technology College status to share equipment and knowledge within the community.
ICT co-ordinator at Longslade Helen Foster said: “The intention is that schools book and use the equipment as a whole resource to be used in any curriculum area”
The Longslade Family of schools consists of the Stonehill High School, The Martin High School, Glenfield Primary School, Highcliffe Primary School and Community Centre, The Latimer Primary School, Richard Hill CofE Primary School, The Hall Primary School and Woolden Hill Community Primary School.

Police gift to gym

Inspector Chris Brown, Sally Montague Mason, Dean Spencer & Carl Gunns

GUNNS’ GYM on Birstall Road has been boosted by another donation, this time from Syston Local Policing Unit.
Inspector Chris Brown presented the gym’s founder, Carl Gunns, with a cheque for £570 which will pay for two benches and trainers’ fees.
Carl will shortly be opening his weight training room - a policeman has donated the weights. To ensure that the property is protected, Abel Alarm Co Ltd has provided the burglar alarm system for the building, which originally was the old Reading Room.
Carl said “I would like to thank the community and the police for their ongoing support and encouragement, as without it I would not have been able to open the gym. I have had new members coming every week due to personal recommendation. The behaviour and discipline of the youths has been first class and I have had excellent parental support.”
Inspector Chris Brown, Commander of the Syston Local Policing Unit, said: “The Boxing Club is an excellent facility for the young men in the area and the growth of the membership has been exceptional. Facilities that this age group want and use are rarely available, so the police are happy to support the initiative by financing the cost of additional training.”

Junior’s new sponsored kit

OUR PICTURE shows the Birstall United Juniors Under 11 team in their new kit, provided by sponsor Mark Nutting of Premier Landscapes, Birstall.
Mark said: “My lad is mad keen on football and I wanted to do something to support the team.”
In the first match in the new kit, the side won 10-3.
Pic: Mark Nutting (back, centre) with coaches Scott Jacobs and Dave Sweeney and players: Shane Glover, Arron Page, George Agar, Ben Smith, Austyn Farrel, Jack Wilson, Joel Johnson, James Hicks, Mathew Wightman, Jake Whitmore, Connor Jacobs and Glyn Chivers

Parade of local talent

Brownies perform an action song

ST JAMES Church was the venue for a Day of Talents last month with proceeds to Christian Aid.
From 10am there was a non-stop programme including a most enjoyable performance of ‘The King’s New Clothes’, mimed and danced by a group of young children, action songs from the Brownies, handbell ringing and choral singing by the Ambertones Ladies Choir, to name just a few of the participants.
An evening concert was performed by Highcliffe School Choir, Highcliffe Harmony and the 663 Instrumental Ensemble and also included readings by Jane Scott and a novelty solo played on a garden saw. Displays of soft toys and demonstrations of watercolour and botanical paintings together with a fashion parade of clothes of the 20s and 30s added to the talents on parade. The day itself raised over £650 with more to come in from sponsors. Grateful thanks to everyone who helped in any way to make the day a success.
From Cynthia Coltman

Hundreds enjoy exhibition

THE EXHIBITION entitled ‘Eight Ounces of Gold, the story of Birstall’ presented by Birstall Local History Society, has just closed after four successful weeks at the Charnwood Museum, Loughborough.

This was the Society’s biggest presentation in its nineteen year life containing seventeen panels of over one hundred and fifty captioned photographs, and three show cases of historic documents and artefacts.
Two panels start the story in Saxon times and take us though the writing of the Domesday Book, which valued Birstall at eight ounces of gold, hence the title. Next followed three panels telling the story of the people who built and lived in Birstall’s ‘big houses’, The Hall, The Lawn and The Goscote. The remaining 12 panels looked at how the changing life of the ordinary people over the past 150 years was reflected in Birstall’s schools, housing, transport, churches, and wartime experiences. The individual is acknowledged with a photo gallery of village characters and personalities. These include amongst many others a suffragette, a champion ratcatcher, an MP and a gamekeeper.

Two bronze age gold bracelets found in the Holt Rd area
The original documents, kindly loaned by Leicestershire Record Office, included an ancient deed regarding Leicester Abbey land in the village that names one of the tenants as a William Sibson, today 500 years later there are still descendants of the same Sibson family in Birstall.
Two of the show cases held archaeological finds, kindly loaned by Leicestershire Archaeological services, that go back many thousands of years. The most intriguing of which was pair of 3,000 year old, late Bronze Age gold bracelets found in the Holt Road area.
The exhibition, designed and produced by Mike Smith, was assembled and mounted with the invaluable guidance of Stuart Liquorish.
The exhibition was only seen in Loughborough. Is it possible for it to be seen some time in the near future at a venue in Birstall? - Ed)
Pic: two Bronze Age gold bracelets found in the Holt Road area

Tennis champion

BIRSTALL TENNIS player Jason Hewing is now a county champion.
Jason (16) of Blenheim Road, won the title at the Leicestershire County Closed Tennis Championship held in August.
Jason was runner up in the 18 and under age group and with partner Jon Cloke won the 18 and under doubles title.
A former student at Longslade College, Jason is now at Loughborough College taking his first diploma in sports studies (performance and excellence).
He is a member of the Hamilton Lawn Tennis club of Melton where he captained the team which won the Fellows Cup for the second year running, beating Oadby by seven matches to two. Jason has now been invited to train with the Leicestershire Men’s County Cup Squad and is in the 18 & under county cup team.

Bus service less frequent

BUS SERVICES in Birstall, withdrawn by operator First in September, have been partially restored after thousands of local people objected to the cutbaks.
The County Council has stepped in to provide bus services to the Greengate Lane
and Allington Drive areas. It has hired Woods Coaches to run a new service from Greengate Lane, operating every hour from 7am until 6pm, returning from the Haymarket Bus Station from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The service will be renumbered to 70B but will continue to use the same route as the old 61A service.
Paul Winson coaches 99 bus service has had the Allington Drive/Blenheim Road area added to its route.
The replacement buses do not run as frequently as the services withdrawn by First, and this has been criticised by some residents.

Bodybuilding winners

Darren Ball, Dave Green & Dick Pearce

THREE FRIENDS, two of them from Birstall, have made it to the British Bodybuilding finals to be held in Nottingham later this month.
The three won their place with their high finishes at the EFBB East of England Show at the Y Theatre in Leicester last month.: Dick Pearce of Sibson Road came third in the first timers: David Green of Dalby Avenue entered the intermediate class and came second and Darren Ball from Beaumont Leys came third in the over 90kg class.
The friends train together at the Steve Bauser Gym 2000 on Woodgate, Leicester and spent eight months training for the EFBB event. Diet is an important part of preparation says Dave, and for the 12 weeks leading up to the show they each consumed 1kg of chicken, 500g of rice and drank five litres of water a day. On the day of the event, attended by more than 350 people and with competitors from all over England, their fat levels were down to five per cent.

Village Watch news & Crime Report

Cars are again being targeted by petrol thieves, this is very concerning because not only does the thief damage the car in obtaining the petrol but leaves the hazard of spilt petrol on the road or driveway. It is one make of car that is very vulnerable to this particular theft, and it is possible to modify the car to prevent this happening. Other cars are still being targeted for items left in the car on view. Please remember to put all valuables out of sight in the boot or take them out of the vehicle to a more secure place.
It’s back to school again and another target is the mobile phone, again there are some very simple precautions to take which even if you are unlucky enough to get your phone stolen or lost will not allow the thief to use it and render the phone useless to him. First you must have recorded the phone number, Serial/EMI number and if you have a Pin setting, that should also be recorded. The EMI number is a 15 digit number which can be brought up by switching on your phone, then key in *#06#. Also remember to report the loss to the national number 08710 123 123.
The Watch will code mobile phones at their advice shop on Saturday. It takes just a few seconds to do this, why not pop in and get yours done.
At the end of the month it will be Halloween, if you do not wish to be disturbed by the trick or treat persons, the Watch have a supply of A4 size posters which you can display saying “NO thank you to trick or treat”. They have been provided by North West Leicestershire District Council, Charnwood Borough Council and the Leicestershire Emergency Services. If you would like one of these please call in at our next Saturday advice shop at the Old Council Offices, Sibson Road on Saturday October 18 from 10am until midday when they will be available.
Peter Allen
Chairman Birstall & Wanlip Village Watch

Sixty children in club’s junior section

Kevin Glover, Daryl Glover, George Ager, Aran Page, Tom Corbett, Andy Corbett, Josh Wells, George Corbett, James Pell, Shane Glover

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL season has come to an end for the Birstall Village Cricket Club’s Junior Section.
Andy Corbett, Junior Co-ordinator said: “We will have to increase the number of teams again next season. We are going to run two under 10 teams due to the amount of children that have joined the club. The membership has increased to over 60 members, we already run under 15, 14, 11 and under 10 but are able to play two teams at under 10 level.”
Head Coach Rob Drake said: “I think the club’s now at full capacity and we will be looking for parents to become involved in running the teams, we already have three managers but we will be needing a couple more. Two parents are currently taking the English Cricket Board Level 1”
The club held a presentation night at the end of August and teams had individual honours and the under 11 and under 10 players received medals for representing the club.
A special award went to the clubman of the year, Kevin Glover, who helped run a team during the busy holiday period and became the first sponsor of the under 10s. The team are now the proud owners of new shirts with the team name and Glovers Insulations. Kevin said: “I saw the adult section in the Birstall Post with the Bargain Booze shorts and thought the under 10s who play tournaments and demonstration matches at Grace Road, Leicestershire would also like to receive matching shirts.” The team wore them when they played two matches at Grace Road in July before the match between Leicestershire and Essex. Any business in Birstall who would like to sponsor any other age group can contact Andy Corbett on 0116 2693936.

Methodist news

On September 7 our Vision 2000 project was finally dedicated. The interior of the worship area of our buildings now looks quite different with all the improvements. Most striking is the new organ screen, with the re-stained cross now in central position. If you managed to get to the Scarecrow Festival you will have seen the changes.
The Vision 2000 project was linked to the village of Arumba in the Gambia. One third of all fund raising (as distinct from donations) was given to the ‘Arumba’ part of the project. Just over £7000 was raised in this way. The money will buy, in Arumba,. far more than in the UK. The priority is to line, with concrete, the new well for the water supply for the village. This will save a half mile round trip to fetch water and the concrete lining should stop the well silting up. Much of the remainder will be used for educational purposes. This will include the completion of a further classroom at the Methodist Nursery School, and a loan to build a classroom block in the local Methodist Junior School. Over half of the funds raised will cover salaries for the next three years (by which time the schools should be financially self supporting).
‘Come to the Cabaret’ is being presented by the Sussenbach Players in the concert hall on Monday October 6. This is being organised by the Monday Group for their new project (as we go to press the project has not yet been decided upon). Tickets are all sold out for this event.
The Monday Group project for last season was Marie Curie for which £1500 was raised. The Thursday Group raised an identical amount for Macmillan nurses.
New arrangements at Birstall Methodist Church this Autumn include a play area for mothers with small children in the Coffee Shop on Friday mornings, by using the quiet room - but don’t be put off by the title of the room. Children and parents are welcome to be noisy! The Luncheon Club is holding a time of fellowship after lunch on a monthly basis - October 8 is the next session. Alternative Worship titled ‘Sacred Space’ lasting 45 minutes is to be held on the first Wednesday of each month. This starts on Wednesday November 5 at 8pm (details tel: 2929670). Two prayer cells have been set up, one in Keswick Close and the other in Saltersgate Drive tel: 2674270 for more details.
The Autumn Programme of Teaching and Discussion jointly with St James, started with a bring and share meal on September 6. Two further meetings are to be held (at our church) on the subjects of ‘Just War’ and ‘Issues of Sexuality’. Meetings are held either on Tuesday October 7at 7.30pm or Thursday October 9 at 1.45pm (led by Rev Malcolm Lambert) for the Just War Topic. For Issues of Sexuality on either Tuesday October 14 (7.30) or Thursday October 16 (1.45). Rev Malcolm Lambert also leads this. Discussions groups will meet between October 20 and December 1 to discuss further the issues raised.
Don’t forget that we are still continuing to collect food for the homeless at Loughborough. Tins, jars and packets can be left either in the church foyer or in the Coffee Shop. Our contribution is used to make up food parcels for people moving into flats or starter homes and is much appreciated.
Our Sunday services are often taken by lay preachers (or local preachers to give them their proper Methodist title). Indeed over half of all Methodist services nationally are taken by these willing band of trained ladies and gentlemen. Unusually in October our pulpit only has one local preacher, Mr Ted Tullet from Oadby. From time to time people are challenged to take up this calling. Currently Mr Richard Tinley from Birstall is testing that calling. Richard will accompany Mrs Sue Moore and help in the services which she conducts both in Birstall and the surrounding area. Richard is also a leading light in the annual pantomime!

Poster prizewinners

Prizewinners Rita Mistry and Declan Sculthorpe

HIGHCLIFFE AMATEUR Theatrical Society have always enjoyed including the children from Highcliffe Primary School in their November pantomime and this year decided to offer prizes of cinema vouches for the children to come up with a poster design for this year’s production of Aladdin by Norman Robbins.
The classic pantomime story is based on one of the Arabian Night’s tales and, unlike the Disney version, is set in China. Some beautiful designs were received, but the winning prizes were awarded to Rita Mistry (8) in the Reception to Year 3 category and Declan Sculthorpe (9) in the Years 4-6 category. Their posters will be used to publicise the pantomime.
Tickets for the pantomime, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, November 27-29, are now available. Tel: 2128757 - £4 adults, £3 concessions. Don’t delay - book today!

Traffic calming

RESIDENTS IN the Stonehill Avenue area have been asked for their views about a Road Safety Scheme proposed by the County Council.
Residents have been leafleted with the proposals and were invited to attend a public exhibition of the plans in September.
The aim of the scheme is to reduce vehicle speeds and provide a safer environment for all road users, residents and pedestrians associated with the schools.
The scheme will involve the construction of 23 speed tables and three speed cushions. The speed cushions will be located on Stonehill Avenue and are designed to enable buses to straddle them, but not cars.
A 20mph speed limit will be introduced for the area.

Planning applications

Mr & Mrs Patel - erection of a single storey extension to side & rear of semi detached house. 12 Heathgate Close
Mr B C Baker - use of part of dwelling for mail order business for buying & selling shoe accessories. 591 Loughborough Rd
Mr Pallett - erection of pitched roof to canopy to front of dwelling & car port. 8 Riversdale Close
Mr & Mrs C Smith - erection of two storey extension to side of semi detached house. 4 Fieldgate Crescent
Jelson Ltd - erection of 127 dwellings, internal site access roads, foot/cycle paths, associated infrastructure, landscaping/amenity areas & play areas. Land to North of Harrowgate Drive & West of A6
Mr D Gessey - erection of single storey extension to front of semi detached house 28a The Meadway
Mr R Sparks - erection of a detached dwelling with integral double garage. Plot 2, land rear of 621 Loughborough Rd
Mr J Lettall - erection of a conservatory to rear of detached bungalow. 62 Moorgate Ave
Mr & Mrs Laffar - single storey and two storey extension to side of semi detached dwelling. 14 Woodgate Drive

Your Say...

Thanks to Henry Summerfield and The Birstall Post with their excellent advert for NTL, those of us in Birstall who NTL have not thought it worthwhile to cable, will no doubt have to wait even longer for Broadband!
Richard Irish, Henson Close

So 75 per cent of the plots on Meadow Lane allotments are a disgrace it appears, and one wonders if this snippet of news was released by the Parish Council’s spin doctor to detract from its own recent bad press.
Surely it’s not what we produce as many of us have become almost self provident, not to mention a few red cards here and there at premier East Midlands shows.
It must then be all the weeds many of which may have blown in from vacant plots which are not our responsibility but play host to predators like rats, mice, moles, pigeons and pheasants plus recent arrivals, two rabbits.
But we will rise to the challenge, which one gets used to, living on a state pension (I wonder if you can still get sixpence for a rabbit skin).
We are a bit untidy, well I am, but I took the King’s shilling and now retreat from the mentality of “Up number three”, “Carry it on”, “Carrot rank steady”.
Our erudite leaders, tell us we must recycle more, so we obey, pray note dear reader, that the rough but serviceable constructions will in the main have been made from windows rescued from landfill sites and wooden planks destined for the council workers’ bonfire.
But we do exist, it says so in the Parish Council’s notes Sep edition, even if I have been bodged up more times than my lawn mower and one good old boy so full of enthusiasm and expertise can even tell a red tomato from a green one with his eyes closed - but only because he has to.
We can accept constructive criticisms but a bit of help won’t go amiss. Don’t bother councillors with a zimmer frame park, and we will compost ours and other folks’ rubbish, but you could help to “water up” if you are willing to “carry the can”. I know!
How about a few power points so that we can plug in a vacuum cleaner.
Cyril H Cox

I should like to pass on my congratulations to Birstall Village Cricket Club for their success in winning the V-Sports Premier Division.
I spent many happy times playing for Birstall in the late 60s and early 70s, even rising to the dizzy heights of 2nd XI Captain, but aside from success in the under 16 league, I don’t think we ever achieved such heights.
Well done lads. Here’s to next year!
Nick Black, Stonehill Avenue

On Sunday September 7 my wife and I were standing in a quiet spot with only the sound of rustling leaves, the muted sound of geese, the occasional voice in the distance and the faint sound of a light aircraft passing overhead. Where in this age could we find such a spot? The Highlands of Scotland? Some unknown part of the Welsh mountains? Or some faraway part of our planet.
No! We were standing in the centre of Watermead Way. What a difference an absence of traffic makes. It made me think; if some of the billions spent on cars were spent on making them quieter on the outside instead of the inside life would be much more agreeable especially to those who live near busy roads.
Oh well I can dream, it would not make compelling advertising on the television. Bit it made me think that before Watermead Way was built the river walk would have been quite peaceful.
So on Monday morning I can join the others, find my way around the diversions and make my noisy way to work. Reality is cruel.
Roy Hatwell

To all my ex customers of Wanlip village.
Just to say a very big thank you for my retirement presentation you gave me on Saturday August 2.
After 20 years of delivering your mail I feel like you are all part of my family. Not much has changed in the village apart from people coming and going. I have seen children grow up and find their own way in life. I have many stories to tell you but you will have to wait for my book to come out (best seller I bet). I shall miss reading all your holiday postcards but will the village miss my early morning wake up radio call and little chats we used to have.
I hope my successor serves you all as well as I tried to do.
Once again a very big thank you for the collection of £275, cake, flowers and champagne.
If you are passing please feel free to drop in for a coffee.
Roy the Postie, 1357 Melton Road, Syston

Early in September there were problems on School Lane playing fields. Not only did I witness some of these but, as Parish Council Chairman, I spent a considerable amount of time briefing our borough and county councillors, speaking to local people, other councillors, the press and local radio, and having meetings with council staff and the police. This involved taking time off work, for which I will not be compensated. By the end of the week, I was not just tired, but ill.
It was not then pleasant to read an article in the Birstall Post alleging that I had been reported to the Standards Board - something of which, at September 19, neither I nor the Charnwood Standards officer has any knowledge. Frankly the Standards Board, which investigates wrong-doing in public life, should be concentrating on Parliament and large councils, and not be interested in parish councils, which are run by unpaid volunteers and have very little power and money.
Unfortunately, it also gives the opportunity for self-important fools to cause trouble for decent public-spirited people.
The alleged complaint was apparently made by Mr C D Clarke, who has reported me once before - for “corruption” My corrupt act? - allowing the Charnwood Standards Officer to explain the functions of the Standards Board at a Parish Council meeting without a formal vote having been taken to invite her! They ought to bring back the death penalty for corruption like that!
This time, apparently, it is for “failing to treat Mr Clarke with respect” which, loosely translated, means allowing other members to speak at council meetings, rather than letting Mr Clarke talk for the whole two and a half hours.
This is, of course, the same Mr Clarke who has harassed other councillors and also a council employee in their own homes, has disrupted so many meetings that a number of good councillors have eventually decided to resign, has given the previous chairman reason to call the police to a council meeting, and has been found guilty in court of damaging council property. He also gave the local Neighbourhood Watch reason to rescind his membership, and his frequent visits to the offices of the Leicestershire Association of Parish Councils prompted them to write to remind the Parish Council that queries should in future be directed only through the clerk.
He was also the only one out of twenty councillors and 25 other volunteers who did not bother to collect any names for the recent bus service petition. A pity, as it would have been a new experience for him to do something positive for the village. Unfortunately, Birstall Parish Council cannot exclude him, as he is an elected member - because nobody stood against him, so he was elected unopposed.
But I can understand why no-one wants to give up their time to serve the village as a parish councillor when they will only receive abuse in return.
It seems that while I was working without pay, a half-wit called Neil Lacey from Sileby was, by his own admission, being paid for not working, and decided to write a childish letter to the ‘Post’, abusing councillors he has never met and whose work he knows nothing about.
In my opinion, this was one defamatory and ill-informed letter too many.
Is it not time the editor, who attends council meetings, receives minutes and correspondence, and knows how much has to be done by councillors, weeded out these letters?
But how?
Perhaps he could set an intelligence test for correspondents - that would certainly have excluded the idiotic Neil Lacey. But, more effectively, he could buy a litter-bin and put rubbish like Neil Lacey’s letter straight into that instead of into the pages of The Birstall Post.
Peter West

Age Concern Info

OLDER DRIVERS POLICY
Age Concern has published a policy position paper on older drivers. The paper recognises that the number of drivers over the age of 70 is estimated to increase substantially over the next few years, largely because of the increasing number of older women who are licence holders. The Government estimates that by 2015 the number of drivers over the age of 70 will have doubled to 4.5 million.
Older drivers suffer from age discrimination and stereotyping. From the age of 70 drivers have to renew their driving licence every three years, paying £6 each time. Hiring a car when over the age of 70 is very difficult because insurance companies will not usually cover hire drivers over this age. Older drivers also suffer from stereotyping in the media where they are often portrayed as a hazard and a hindrance to younger ones. Yet accident statistics show that older drivers do not pose any increased hazard to other road users, whereas drivers aged between 17 and 24 certainly do. Involvement of drivers in accidents falls with age and with increasing driving experience, but statistics show that there is an increase in the rate of casualties for drivers over the age of 70. However, this applies to all older road users. Although they are under-represented in involvement in all categories of road casualties, older road users are more likely to be killed or seriously injured because of their increased frailty.
Whilst accepting that medical conditions do affect the ability to drive, there is no such clear link as that which can be demonstrated with drinking and driving. The ability to drive depends not just on a medical diagnosis but on the functional effect the illness has. Hence the paper concludes that requiring drivers to have a medical once they reach a certain age will not determine whether they are safe to continue to drive. More research in this area is needed.
POLICY POSITION PAPER ON OLDER DRIVERS. 9pp. Available free on receipt of a (9”x6”) sae from Donna Pearce, Policy Unit, Age Concern England. Also available on the internet at http://www.ace.org.uk/ageconcern/news_658.htm

YOUR HOME AND ARTHRITIS
The Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC) has published a booklet which provides information about equipment and adaptations in the home. It explains what types of adaptations are available and gives tips for making life easier by changing day to day routines or using non-specialist products.
‘Your Home and Arthritis’ an information booklet 39pp. Available free from Arthritis Research Campaign, Copeman House, St Mary’s Court, St Mary’s Gate, Chesterfield S41 7TD Tel: 0870 850 5000. Fax: 01246 558007. Also available on the internet at http://www.arc.org.uk/about_arth/booklets/6017/6017 htm.

BREAST CANCER REPORT
Published by Breast Cancer Care, ‘Breast Cancer In the UK: What’s the Prognosis?’ considers some of the key changes that have occurred in the treatment of this disease over the last 30 years, since the charity was first established. Whilst achievements are noted, there are also concerns such as the satisfactory provision of information to NHS patients. The report also highlights concerns about older patients, in particular whether age has an adverse impact on decisions about treatment.
‘Breast Cancer in the UK: What’s the Prognosis?’ 40pp. Available free by emailing futures@breastcancercare.org.uk

NATIONAL ADULT LEARNING SURVEY 2002
The Department for Education and Skills has published the results of the National Adult Learning Survey 2002. These show that older people continue to participate less in learning than other adults. Some 74 per cent of people in their 50s, 51 per cent of people in their 60s and 28 per cent of people over 70 participated in learning over the last three years. This compares to over 80 per cent for other age groups, although the proportion of older people in learning is rising. People with disabilities or weak basic skills and carers were particularly unlikely to participate in learning of any kind.
Of the people who had not participated in learning, 45 per cent would like to have done so. They identified practical barriers including lack of time, money, information or concerns about their confidence or abilities. Around 21 per cent of all non-learners said they were too old to learn, indicating that ageist attitudes to learning are accepted by many older people.
The proportion of older people who are computer users continues to rise: 66 per cent of people in their 50s, 31 per cent of people in their 60s and 12 per cent of people over 70.

FSA LEAFLET ON BASIC BANK ACCOUNTS
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) produces a range of information leaflets for individuals including a leaflet on basic bank accounts. Other leaflets cover pensions, savings and investments and financial advice.
‘NO BANK ACCOUNT? WHY IT COULD PAY YOU TO HAVE ONE’ 9pp. This and other leaflets available free from FSA Consumer Helpline 0845 606 1234 or on the Internet at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/public/index-2003.html

BENCHES ON OUR STREETS CAMPAIGN
Birstall Parish Council and those responsible for Watermead Country Park, please note!
A campaign has been launched to increase the provision of seating in public areas. Although the Government has recognised that walking improves health, many people are deferred from walking because there are not enough seats for them to take a rest en route. Seating is needed along all pedestrian routes and not just in parks and town centres. However, local authorities seem reluctant to provide them. The campaign has produced a poster entitled ‘Put Benches On Our Streets’. It has a photograph of a 91 year old lady having a rest, sitting on the front wall of a house. On the back of the poster is a summary of why more seating is needed and a list of the 14 organisations which have pledged support for the campaign.
‘Margaret’ poster. Available free on receipt of an A4 (12” x 9”) sae from James Cruickshank, 77 Woollam Crescent, St Albans AL3 6EH

VOLUNTEER ESCORTS URGENTLY NEEDED
Unfortunately there has been not one response to our previous requests for volunteer escorts, which is very surprising and very sad really, when there must be at least 3000 people in the village over retirement age with many being still healthy and active. Anyway all I can do for the people who attend the day centre on Mondays and Wednesdays is to continue asking for help.
Volunteer escorts are urgently needed to assist the driver of the minibus taking frail elderly people to and from St James Day Care Centre on Mondays and Wednesdays. If you feel you might like to help on either of those days please contact Mandy Loach for further details, at the day centre on Monday or Wednesday between 9.30am and 4.30pm, tel: 2677023.
From Jex Woods
Chairman Birstall & Wanlip Age Concern

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