Table topping winners
THE SUCCESS of Birstall's Tennis Club was
recognised at an awards ceremony last month.
Pic: representing the three winning
men's teams are (l-r) Christian Berry, Daryl Hill, Dave Watson
and James Berry
Birstall Watermead Tennis Club's three table-topping men's teams
were honoured at last month's Leicestershire LTA Awards and Presentation
evening, along with other club teams from around the county.
In all, the club picked up four framed winners' certificates
- the first, second and third men's teams triumphing in their
respective divisions in last year's summer league, while the
first men's team also topped their group in the 2005 winter league.
Trophies for special achievements, both for teams and individuals
countywide, were awarded during the event, which was held in
the Underwood Suite at the Tigers rugby ground.
The Lawn Tennis Association's new chief executive, Roger Draper,
delivered a rousing speech full of optimism for the future of
British tennis, before taking part in a searching question-and-answer
session.
It was the first such awards ceremony organised by the county
LTA and the aim is to make it an annual event, recognising excellent
performances during the year.
Wedding anniversary
MAUREEN AND Frank Holland of Saltersgate
Drive, Birstall celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary recently
with a large group of friends in Birstall Village Hall.
Pic: Frank & Maureen Holland
Maureen is the editor of the local churches magazine, Contact,
and as secretary to St James Church for over 30 years until 2004,
was the person who made the arrangements for many christenings
and marriages in the church.
Many of the Hollands' family and friends from St James and even
from their schooldays joined in an energetic Barn Dance to celebrate
- and prove how well they have survived those 50 years!
Quilters look back
DURING THE late 1980s, a group of Birstall
ladies attended a quilting class at the local school.
They enjoyed it so much that they wished to continue. As a result,
Birstall Quilters was formed under the leadership of Kathy Grey,
their class tutor. Eighteen years later, the group is thriving
with a membership of 30 plus, meeting every Wednesday afternoon.
Most members have joined as beginners but, under the guidance
of those skilled in all aspects of quilting, much progress has
been made. Over the years we have shared the results of our work
by holding exhibitions and sales approximately every two years.
It has been our practice to make a group quilt as first prize
in a raffle for these occasions.
The money made from this activity has enabled us to support many
of the local charities. Until its closure, we were closely connected
with the Sue Ryder Palliative Care Home at Staunton Harold. The
whole group worked on a stained glass window effect quilt for
the quiet room, four quilts representing the four seasons for
the day room and lap quilts and cushions for the use of the patients.
A few of the lap quilts were also used as wall hangings to brighten
the corridor for the patients.
After Staunton Harold closed, the four seasons quilts found a
home at St Joseph's Church, Uppingham Road, where they were admired
and adapted for cards by Gill Relton.
During the year we welcome the occasional speaker, have sessions
when we learn new skills or work on projects, one of our regular
projects being to make quilts for premature babies. Vast numbers
of these have been made for local hospitals and some have gone
further afield where members have connections on the nursing
staff. Every July two whole days are given to the making and
completing of larger quilts for our own use. Last Christmas we
helped fill boxes for the children of Chernobyl.
The social side of the group is not neglected. There are outings
to quilt shows, stately homes or interesting cities, a Christmas
Faith Lunch and, annually, a lunch out somewhere where we can
relax, forget sewing for one week and enjoy the friendship that
is always to be found in quilting circles.
From Christine Hewson, Secretary Birstall Quilters
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Your Say...
The map published in the January issue gave very little detail.
Can we have a complete plan of Hallam Fields plus the Fire Station
and the Park and Ride? A display in Birstall library would be
very useful, at least one detail of the January issue gave the
correct detail. It stated 'Land at Hallam Fields, (adjacent A6/A46
roundabout), Loughborough Road, Wanlip - erection of commercial
park'. There were not any vague statements describing a location
as 'North of' or 'South of'.
When the Fire Station was first mentioned some years ago, the
impression was given that this Fire Station would be an extra
facility. Indeed it stated that a practice platform would not
be allowed; very low key. We are now informed that this Fire
Station will be the Head Quarters of the Leicestershire Fire
Service and this has been transferred from Glenfield. Why can't
the Glenfield Station be updated? We are told that money is lacking
for some of the original plans such as a bus lane through Red
Island circle. The Firemen's Union fear that Syston Station will
be closed with the loss of a practice platform. Will Birstall
have a practice platform?
The firemen insist that there will be plenty of room for their
vehicles to manoeuvre; this means that they will have easy access
to the A6/A46. However with narrow bendy streets it will be very
difficult to get to an incident in Hallam Fields less than a
quarter of a mile away.
Les Briers
Dear Neighbours in Beechfield Avenue
Thank you once again for your support with our Christmas carol
singing in December. We raised £40.44 for the RBL Women's
Section.
Thank you once again for your support.
Happy New Year to you all.
C Lakin - Secretary
Royal British Legion, Women's Section, Birstall
I wish to say a special thank you to the residents of Curzon
Avenue and Roman Road who gave so generously to sponsor me on
the 5 mile Christmas Walk for LOROS. The weather was kind on
the day. The walk was from Houghton to Keyham and return. Thanks
to their kindness I raised £200.
Many thanks
John & Sasha Wyllie
Boxer’s visit
A YOUNG British boxer with world title
prospects visited Gunns' Gym in Birstall last month.
Pic: Boxer Matthew Hall with gym
members at Carl Gunns' gym
Matthew Hall, a professional light middleweight fighter, gave
a demonstration to young people and answered questions.
Carl Gunns said: "It's great that we're getting a top fighter
coming to work with all the young people here".
Side waste fines
RESIDENTS COULD face a fine of £80
if they leave side waste by their bins.
Side waste is any rubbish you leave out for collection that is
not inside your wheelie bin or in the right recycling bag. For
example, domestic rubbish tied securely in a black plastic refuse
bag and left beside your wheelie bin is 'side waste'.
Cllr Sandie Gough, Cabinet Member for Environment said: "We
want residents to really take on board what we are saying - put
your rubbish and recycling in the right bags and bins provided.
If you don't, and leave the rubbish as 'side waste', it is an
enviro-crime and we will issue you with a fixed Penalty Notice
of £80."
In some cases warnings in the form of letters have been sent
to some of the worst offenders who are leaving side waste, in
an effort to forewarn all Charnwood residents of the Council's
intentions.
The aim of the fine is to prevent neighbourhoods looking unsightly
and causing potential environmental health problems.
Cllr Gough added: "The warnings are being followed up by
Street Wardens undertaking random patrols and issuing the fines
to people who have side waste. This alongside the regular discretionary
issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices for those who commit other 'enviro-crimes'
such as dropping litter, graffiti and fly tipping.
Methodist Church news
A Bright 80 Years
80 years ago, in February 1927, a group of young mothers with
their pre-school children sat on a bench in Birstall exchanging
news and views. They enjoyed each other's company as their children
played and arranged to meet the following week. Being February
the weather put a damper on the following week's gathering. Undaunted
they then hired a room at the Methodist Church. So started the
Bright Hour meeting on a Tuesday afternoon. The group has continued
to meet ever since. Many ladies stayed with the group, with the
result that, certainly in the last 30 years, it has been the
group where ladies of more mature years have met.
The oldest member still attending is Eileen Atkinson, now in
her mid-nineties. An even older member Mrs Muriel Adams (now
aged 100) still keeps in touch, but now lives near her family
in Nottinghamshire.
Although the group is now quite small, it is still active and
would welcome any ladies at 2.30pm any Tuesday afternoon in the
coffee shop (ring Shirley 2676389 for more details).
On February 18, 2007, to celebrate their 80th birthday they are
having a Birthday Tea, for members, their families and friends
followed by a special birthday service.
Aladdin
The men will be 'treading the boards' to take the audience on
the magic carpet back to China and Widow Twanky's Laundry, where
they will meet Wishee and Washee and the wicked Avabanna still
trying to outwit Aladdin and the Genie of the Lamp. Tickets are
virtually sold out, but you may be lucky and get an odd seat
or cancellation if you ring Deborah on 2122513 (6-8.30pm only
please). If you have a ticket you will discover whether they
'all live happily ever after' (oh no they don't, oh yes they
do!)
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Fit & fun
THE AMY Owen School of Cheer started five
months ago in Birstall and has had a great response from all
ages of girls wanting to keep fit and have fun.
Cheerleading classes are a fun class which involve cheer, dance,
stunt and tumbling, says Amy, who now has around 50 girls attending.
Amy said: "My aim is to give young children something to
be interested in and give them exercise and the self-esteem they
need, in a safe environment."
The USASF qualified coach Amy has competed and performed all
over Europe from the age of 12 and for the last four years she
has choreographed award winning routines of the Queni Dynamites
based in Syston. She has also competed in America. The classes
are every Wednesday evening between 4.30 and 8pm at Stonehill
School and is split into ages 6-9 yrs, 10-12 yrs and 13-16 yrs.
For anyone interested in joining these classes please call Amy
on 07921768449. There are limited places available, but the first
class attended will be free for all ages.
Winning Toledo
THE FINEST example of the Triumph marque
in the county can be found in Birstall.
Pic: Andrew with his Triump Toledo
The multi award winning 1975 Triumph Toledo is the pride and
joy of owner Andrew Burford of Highgate Avenue. He is celebrating
after the car was voted Best in Show at Leicester and Rutland
Car of the Year event, organised by the Triumph Sports Six club.
It was the sixth award won by the car in 2006.
Andrew said: "The car is unusual in that it is genuinely
in original condition. It's previous owner was elderly and didn't
take the car out often and our work has been to clean and polish
it."
Andrew organised the exhibition of classic cars at last year's
Birstall gala, which featured the Thunderbirds Fab I, and hopes
to stage a similar event at this year's gala.
Council tax rise
THE COUNCIL tax collected by Charnwood
Borough Council will rise by 2.5 per cent for the year 2007/2008.
Council leader Max Hunt said: "After freezing the tax in
2005 and a rise of just 3.5 per cent last year, Charnwood's council
tax is in the lowest 15 per cent of District Councils across
the county."
Charnwood says next year's spending priorities are CCTV, the
Gold Card free travel pass for the over 60s, more facilities
for children and young people and increasing the number of street
wardens.
o £440,000 has been committed to the Gold Card which will
be launched in Spring 2007 and allow free county wide bus travel
to the over 60s and disabled people
o The budget for Street Wardens has been increased by £100,000
o £450,000 has been committed to CCTV monitoring from the
existing Charnwood Borough Council Customer Contact Centre. CCTV
will now be monitored 24 hours
o £627,000 has been committed for the Charnwood Play Strategy,
including £350,000 to provide investment in facilities
for children across the Borough.
The Budget for 2007/08 will be put before the full council in
February.
Corbett’s cricket corner
BIRSTALL VILLAGE Cricket Club Junior Section
has had a great start to the new year.
Pic: (l-r) Andy Corbett, Tim Boon
(LCCC Head Coach), Jeremy Snape (LCCC Captain)
They have received a grant for £3,881 from The Local Network
Fund, the money will go a long way to help pay for pitch hire,
coaching sessions from Leicestershire players, indoor training,
presentation evenings, equipment and another trip to Test Match
ground Trent Bridge to see Nottinghamshire play Leicestershire
in a 20/20 match. The Local Network Fund has now given the juniors
over £10,000 in the last three years to promote junior
cricket in Birstall.
Pic: (l-r) Volunteers - Tim Palmer, Paul Slater,
Andy Corbett, Chris Palmer, Dermot Healy, Paul Oldcorn.
The juniors are already training at the Soar Valley Leisure Centre
in Mountsorrel on Saturdays between 5-6pm hardball only, but
have added another night at the Longslade Community College in
Birstall. It will be on Friday evenings at 5-6pm for the 7-11
year old boys and girls who would like to play kwik cricket and
learn the basics of bowling, batting and fielding.
After an appeal in the Leicester Mercury and the Birstall Post,
for help at the training sessions, we now have six extra coaches,
who have come forward to help at Mountsorrel or Birstall training
nights. This is fantastic news as more children are joining every
week. Paul Nixon, Nick Walker and Tom New of Leicestershire County
Cricket Club have also agreed to come and visit us at training.
Any information or queries you have regarding nets etc please
contact Andy Corbett on 0116 2693936 or Chris Hopkins on 0116
2200771.
Pic: (l-r) Nicola Darby (Director Local Network
Fund), Andy Corbett, Grace Dall'omo (Grant Co-ordinator)
At the recent Leicester Mercury Sports Awards held at the De
Montfort Hall, Andy Corbett was runner up in the 'Contribution
to Sport' category. Andy said: "It was a night I'll never
forget being on the same table as Leicestershire 20/20 cup winners
which included Leicestershire Head Coach Tim Boon and Captain
Jeremy Snape made it very special". The evening consisted
of a four course meal with wine followed by the Presentation.
The category Andy was in was won by Karl Brown of Leicester Riders.
Age Concern info
Minibus Escort and Volunteers Needed at St James Day Centre
An escort on the minibus taking elderly people to and from St
James Day Centre is needed on Thursdays as are other volunteers.
If you are interested in doing these worthwhile jobs please contact
Jo Towlson on Thursdays, 9.30-4.30pm, tel: 2677023
Food Watch Report
The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH)
has published the results of a national survey of hospital food
by Patient and Public Involvement Forums in England. The survey
found that:
• 40% or patients had their hospital meals supplemented
by food brought in by visitors;
• over a third of patients left their meals because they
looked, smelled or tasted unappetising; and
• over a quarter of patients did not get the help they needed
to eat meals, and this increased to almost a third of patients
in general hospitals.
The report uses evidence from Age Concern’s Hungry to be
Heard campaign to support its calls for action for improvements
to hospital food and for help with eating for people who need
it.
Food Watch, August-October 2006. National Summary. PPI Forums
Joining Forces to Tackle NHS Food, 49pp. Available free from
CCPIH¸ Communications, 7th floor, 120 Edmund Street, Birmingham
B3 2ES. Tel: 0845 120 7111. Fax: 0121 222 4511. Email: communications@cppih.org.
Also available on the Internet at www.cppih.org/about_new.html.
Macular Degeneration and the NHS
The AMD (age-related macular degeneration) Alliance has published
a report on the lack of funding for two new therapies for the
treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. The report
identifies three main reasons for this:
• guidance which restricts access to treatment;
• lack of budgetary planning for the foreseeable need to
expand services; and
• absence of NICE guidance and hope that cheaper treatments
will become available.
The report concludes that there is a need for AMD to be recognised
as a disabling condition; that new treatments have the potential
to turn AMD into a treatable condition; that funding problems
are resulting in patients being denied access to effective treatment;
and that treatments which have not been tested for safety and
efficacy should not be substituted for those which have undergone
proper trials.
Left to Pay their Own Way: Report on the Availability of Anti-VEGF
Treatments for Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration 30pp. Available
on the Internet at www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_macugenlaunch.hcsp#P2_41
NICE Decision on Alzheimer’s Drugs
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
has published its decisions on the appeals lodged against draft
guidance on drugs for Alzheimer’s disease. Age Concern England
was one of the appellants in collaboration with other organisations,
including the Alzheimer’s Society and the Royal College
of Nursing. NICE has rejected the appeals and intends to recommend
to the NHS in November 2006 that three drugs (donepezil, galantamine
and rivastigmine) should be considered for use only in the moderate
stages of Alzheimer’s disease and that the fourth drug (memantine)
should be used only in clinical studies people with moderate
to severe disease. It is planned that this recommendation will
be included in a clinical guideline on support for people with
dementia and their careers, which has been under separate development.
Appeal Decision – Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine and
Memantine for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. Online
bulletin. Available on the Internet at www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=371755
Pain in Older People: The Carer’s Perspective
The Patients Association has published the findings from a survey
of carers of older people with chronic pain. The topic was found
to be very emotive and there appears to be scope for improving
pain management.
Pain is mainly managed by medication. Many carers felt that pain
could be managed better, and that is not monitored and assessed
regularly enough. Many felt that there is limited support and
information available, and feelings of guilt and helplessness
were common.
The report recommends that:
• the Department of Health should issue guidance to improve
pain management standards;
• health care professionals should have more access to training
in pain management; and
• more information should be available for the general public
on a range of pain management solutions.
Pain in Older People – The Carer’s Perspective 32pp.
Available free from the Patients Association PO Box 935, Harrow,
Middlesex HA1 3YJ Tel: 020 8423 9111 Fax: 020 8423 9119. Email:
mailbox@patients-association.com. Also available on the Internet
at www.patients-association.org.uk/onlinewebmanager/downloads/6400-PA-Pain-Control.pdf.
Pensions: New Guide
The Pension Service has published a general guide on pensions
which aims to help people understand the basic facts about pensions,
including:
• what is available from the state on retirement;
• financial choices;
• practical steps to help save for retirement; and
• other useful information
Pensions: The Basics – A Guide from the Government.55pp.
ISBN: 1846953189. Available free from the Pension Service, tel:
0845 731 3233. Also available on the Internet at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/pdf/ptb1/ptb1sep06.pdf
Keeping Pets in Private Retirement and Sheltered Housing
AIMS, Age Concern England’s Advice, information and Mediation
Service for people living and working in private retirement and
sheltered housing, has published a new good practice guide on
keeping pets in this type of accommodation. The guide was produced
as a result of increasing numbers of requests for help on this
issue, and policies and leases that were unclear or ambiguous
on the subject of pets. It has been put together with help and
input from housing providers, staff and residents, as well as
through research, AIMS casework files and consultation with animal
welfare charities.
Keeping Pets in Private Retirement and Sheltered Housing: A Good
Practice Guide. 32pp. Available on the Internet at www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/aims_pets.asp
Standing up for Pilates
Tom Kirkwood, director of the Institute for Ageing and Health
at Newcastle University, says urgent action is needed to help
older people get fitter and boost their muscle strength, so that
they can remain independent. Exercise is extremely beneficial
in helping the body combat the effects of ageing, even when taken
at a very late stage. (Guardian Oct 10)
Are these the UK’s most passionate pensioners?
A widow of 73 and a widower of 94 ended their solitude when they
met through a lonely hearts column in Saga magazine and got marred
six weeks later. “It’s a lot of tripe that men lose
their passion when they get older” said Cecil (Daily Mirror
Oct 18)
Mental Capacity Act Update
The 10th edition of the cross-departmental update on the Mental
Capacity Act 2005 has been produced. It covers:
• the Bournewood ‘safeguards’ included in the
Mental Health Bill introduced into Parliament on November 16,
2006. The Bill will amend the Mental Capacity Act to bring in
safeguards for people who lack capacity to decide about their
care and who are deprived of their liberty (see next article);
• new information booklets on the Mental Capacity Act 2005
produced specifically for people who may lack capacity or wish
to plan ahead; for family and unpaid carers; and for people who
work in health and social care. Further booklets are planned
for legal and advice workers and for people with learning disabilities;
• information from the Department of Health on the early
lessons from the Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA)
service pilots and information on planning and commissioning
IMCA services. The regulations, which became law on October 30,
2006, give local authorities and NHS bodies the discretion to
extend the IMCA service to care reviews and adult protection
cases; and
• contact details of the regional leads to support implementation
of the Act
Mental Capacity Act Update, Edition 10, November 2006 4pp. Available
free from Mental Capacity Implementation Programme, Department
for Constitutional Affairs, Room 5.02, Steel House, 11 Tothill
Street SW1H 9LH. Tel: 020 7210 0038 Fax: 020 7210 0007. Email:
makingdecisions@dca.gsi.gov.uk. The booklets are also available
at www.dca.gov.uk/legal-policy/mental-capacity/publications.htm
Beached: it’s illegal at work but ageism is rife in travel
cover:
Research by Help the Aged shows that 95% of annual travel insurance
policies have an upper age limit. In one-third of cases, this
is 65; two-thirds of insurers won’t cover people over 75.
Companies who do insure people over 65 tend to charge a much
higher premium. (Independent Nov 6)
Over 60s gain on the roundabouts:
The German town of Nuremberg will open a senior citizens’
playground next summer, with large chess boards, card tables,
bowling and badminton replacing swings and climbing frames. In
Berlin eight retirement homes have been built in the city centre
amid claims that boredom is the real enemy of older people (The
Times Nov 28)
Flexible working for Carers
The Government has announced who will be covered by the extension
of flexible working legislation to carers. The new law, which
comes into force in April 2007, gives employees with caring responsibilities
the right to request flexible working, in the same way as parents
of young and disabled children.
Following a consultation earlier in 2006, the Government has
announced that a carer will be defined as someone who is, or
expects to be, caring for an adult who is their husband, wife,
civil partner, partner or near relative, or anyone else who lives
in the same household. A near relative is defined as: parent,
parent-in-law, adult child, adopted adult child, sibling (including
in-laws), uncle, aunt, grandparent and step-relative. This definition
does not go as far as many organisations would have wished, since
people will not be able to care for friends or other relatives
whom they do not live with. For example a grandparent who cares
for a disabled adult grandchild is not covered.
Department for Trade and Industry Press Release, November 9,
2006.
Ageism: A Benchmark of Public Attitudes
This report explores the nature and prevalence of prejudice and
discrimination about age and ageing. In late 2004 Age Concern
undertook a comprehensive research project in partnership with
the University of Kent. Using a nationally representative sample
of adults aged 16+, detailed interviews were conducted with over
1,800 people.
The research demonstrated that ageism against older people is
pervasive in society but is subtle, existing in a ‘hidden’
form. Older people are perceived as friendly but not as capable
as the rest of society. In other words, we view older people
as ‘doddery but dear’. This kind of ‘benevolent’
prejudice means many people, including older people themselves,
are unaware that they hold these stereotypes. Lack of awareness
then means that when discrimination occurs which leads to real
disadvantage, there are no tell-tale signs or clues of how it
might be tackled. However our approach to the research provides
important evidence as to how ageism can be tackled, showing that
positive intergenerational contact is key to promoting good relations
between age groups.
The main findings were:
• More people (29%) reported suffering age discrimination
than any other form of discrimination.
• From age 55 onwards, people were nearly twice as likely
to have experienced age prejudice than any other form of discrimination
• Nearly 30% of people believed there is more prejudice
against the old than five years ago, and that this will continue
to get worse.
• One third of people thought that the demographic shift
towards an older society would make life worse in terms of standards
of living, security, health, jobs and education.
• One in three respondents said they viewed the over 70s
as incompetent and incapable.
Ageism: A Benchmark of Public Attitudes in Britain by Sujata
Ray, Ellen Sharp and Dominic Abrams. 76pp. Available only on
the Internet at www.ace.org.uk/AgeConcern/OB485537B492440F8042C3E2C5008697.asp
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