Together 65 years
A BIRSTALL couple who started their married
life in 1942 celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last month.
Pic: Charles & Joyce Borman
Charles and Joyce Borman of Holt Road met in Lincolnshire where
Charles (88) was serving as a driver with the First Division
Service Corp. "My friend had a date with Joyce but couldn't
make it, so I turned up instead! We just got on and were married
five months later" said Charles.
Charles was a radar engineer in the war and was posted on missions
to Holland, Belgium and Germany. He was part of the British forces
that were evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940.
The couple set up home in Leicester after the war where Charles
ran a television sales and repair shop on Newbridge Street. They
moved to Holt Road, Birstall, 23 years ago.
Joyce (85) said: "You need a little bit of a life of your
own - Charles's interest was electronics and I got involved in
women's organisations and when we got home we had something to
discuss with each other.
"We've just got on, yes we've had arguments, but you have
to learn to be patient with each other. I can't understand these
young women today who just walk out on their marriage."
Charles added: "Yes, it's important never to go to bed on
an argument."
The couple celebrated their anniversary on February 28 with a
meal out and a few days later invited friends and neighbours
to an open house party. "This street is so friendly, everyone
is so helpful and kind. We really have lovely neighbours"
said Joyce.
Anger at A6 plans
BIRSTALL PARISH Council has organised a
public meeting on March 12 about traffic management measures
proposed for the A6 through Birstall.
The plans, produced by the County Council, received an angry
response when they were presented to councillors at a Parish
Council meeting in February.
The measures proposed are no U turns permitted on the A6:
o for northbound traffic at the A6/Greengate Lane junction
o for southbound traffic at the A6/Greengate Lane junction
o for southbound traffic at the Bentley Road junction
o for northbound traffic at the northern and southern entrance
of Hallam Fields
A bus lane will be constructed on the southbound section of the
A6 from the junction with Hermitage Road to Red Hill island.
A bus lane will be constructed from the proposed Park & Ride
site on the southbound A6 to a point halfway between Bentley
Road and Colindale Avenue.
Traffic signals will be installed at the Bentley Road junction
and at the Hallam Fields northern entrance.
The county also plans to make the access road outside the NatWest
bank one way. The direction of travel will be north to south.
These proposals were first presented to Birstall Parish Council
in September 2006 when the council expressed their concerns about
the inconvenience the measures would cause to residents of Loughborough
Road who live north of Bentley Road. They will have to travel
to the A6/A46 roundabout to reach their houses.
Hugh Knight, Parish Council Clerk, said "Other issues include
the one way direction of the slip road leading to Sibson Road,
the funnelling of southbound traffic from a dual carriageway
with a bus lane into a single carriageway south of the A6/Greengate
Lane junction and the absence of measures for safe pedestrian
crossing over the A6 in the same area."
He added: "None of these measures, fully discussed at the
September meeting of the Parish Council, have been addressed
by the latest County Council proposals and the parish council
is giving residents the opportunity to voice their thoughts and
comments at the public meeting."
The meeting will be attended by representatives from the County
Council and will take place on Monday March 12 at 6.30pm in Birstall
Village Hall.
A county council spokesman told the Birstall Post: "The
new development at Hallam Fields requires a new junction onto
the A6 which is now in place. Previously, residents living on
the east side of the A6 north of Bentley Road were able to access
their homes by U-turning at a gap in the central reservation
close to where the new junction has now been placed. With the
new junction there, this manoeuvre would not be safe, and it
could not be made safe without considerable expenditure. U-turns
have therefore been banned, initially by a temporary order, and
we are now consulting on making that order permanent.
"We very much regret the inconvenience to residents who
now have to drive up to the A46 roundabout to turn, but the requirements
of the new development unfortunately left us with no alternative."
The County Council say the proposals are not scheduled for another
one to two years, as they are linked to the occupation of the
150th dwelling at Hallam Fields.
Parish Council notes
A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council
was held on February 12.
Mr Jason Peel, Senior Technician, Parking Management from Leicestershire
County Council, presented traffic management proposals for the
A6 through Birstall to councillors and 13 members of the public
present.
The proposals, the same as those first presented to Birstall
Parish Council in September 2006, feature 'no U turn' restrictions,
bus lanes, and the introduction of a north to south one way on
the slip road outside the Nat West bank, which is currently two
way.
Councillors expressed their annoyance that no notice has been
taken of their comments at the previous consultation in September.
Councillors and residents expressed their concern that no U turns
would be permitted anywhere from the A46 to Red Hill, and that
school children on foot and school traffic would not be managed
properly.
It was agreed to organise a public meeting and invite County
Council officers who could answer questions about the proposals.
This will be on March 12 at 6.30pm at Birstall Village Hall.
Sgt Nigel Rixon reported that following re-organisation, Birstall
was now part of the Charnwood LPU and the Commanding Officer
is Cathy Yallop. Sgt Rixon said Birstall would retain one beat
officer and one PCSO. He reported that from March 1, there would
be a new team at Charnwood dedicated to tackling antisocial behaviour.
Sgt Nixon reported that between January 8 and February 12 there
had been 9 burglaries including one at St James Church, 1 robbery
and 3 thefts from motor vehicle.
Sgt Rixon reported that an individual was on bail for 8 graffiti
offences and it was likely he would be charged. He reported there
had been an incident at the Earl of Stamford and five arrests
made.
The council agreed three policing priorities as graffiti, speeding
on Birstall Road and criminal damage.
It was reported that the new sports pavilion on the School Lane
playing field will be opened by Ken Pacey, the Mayor of Charnwood,
on Saturday May 5 at 10.30am.
The council agreed to plant five or six hornbeams in a line with
the path at the side of the basketball pitch on the School Lane
playing fields. Two trees were removed during the building of
the pavilion.
Bird event at library
CHILDREN ENJOYED a family event at Birstall
library on the theme of birds.
Pic: Evie Wilby (6)
Pic: Library Assistant Hannah Dexter
helps children design a collage
Pic: Zachary Stafford (5)
The winner of a nest box in the Brilliant Bird Challenge was
Hannah Davis.
Men’s panto
BIRSTALL METHODIST Men's Pantomime once
again took to the 'boards', this time with Aladdin, and thanks
to Jean Valentine and Gerald Morling produced a 'wow' of a show.
Pic: Brian Cuttill, The Emperor
Pic: Richard Tinley & Les Gale
Aladdin was played by Christopher Kilby and Jack Bishop was the
Princess while Richard Kilby played the wicked uncle Avabanana
- well done, father and son for giving such an outstanding performance.
Also treading the boards was father and son, Richard & Peter
Tinley, playing the side-kicks' Wishy & Washy' to the Emperor
Brian Cuttill.
Pic: Peter Tinley
Les Gale once again did what he likes doing, 'being a dame'
and was the infamous Widow Twanky! The magic of the Genie of
the Lamp was Alan Chapman with Jack Beer the Slave of the Ring.
Martin Jones narrated and played the Grand Vizier. It was good
to see 15yr old John Dickman trading in his granddad's shoes
Roger Dickman and although a 'cameo' part he did very well on
his first performance as did Scott Wilford who played Typhoo
the aide to the Princess.
Pic: Avavbanana (Richard Kilby)
Pic: Aladdin (Chris Kilby) & the Princess
(Jack Bishop)
The audience was transported from Peking, the Laundry and to
the magic cave and beyond, then by some magic powers we were
back in occupied France. At Rene's Cafe we saw the old 'Allo
'Allo characters from Rene (John Towson), Edith (Martin Jones),
Officer Crabtree (Alan Chapman) and Michele (Gerald Morling)
together with the Military played by Roger Dickman and Richard
& Peter Tinley. Ron Forbes entertained us as Yvette and also
Helga played by Scott Wilford. An outstanding interlude by all
the 'men' and well done to John Towson & Mike Allan for this
'cameo' production!
Thanks to all of course who helped in any way with Jill Bailey
and Tim Lacey the 'musical team' and superb choreography by Sally
Montague-Mason & Becky Valentine. Mick Joyce once again painted
the scenery and Myles Harrison was stage manager with his crew
Jonathan Pamer and Sound Engineer Marcus Cox. Jean and Gerald
would like to thank all who helped in any way especially Jean
Gale and Wendy Allan for costumes and all the other behind the
scenes 'helpers', stage lighting, posters, programme design and
Deborah & Victoria Kilby for all the 'bookings' and not forgetting
the 'tea ladies' throughout the week. So many to thank and hopefully
'see you again next year'!
From Audrey Cuttill
NHW news
IF YOU are in the same age group as me
(or older), you will remember when telephones were few and far
between in the streets where you lived.
Now, to my continuing amazement, we carry one around in our pocket.
Times move on at a staggering rate and we must all make some
attempt to keep up and adapt to the new technological advances.
This brings me to THE INTERNET.
Did you know that the Birstall and Wanlip Neighbourhood Watch
have a very good website? villagewatch.co.uk
The site is made up of a number of pages absolutely full of useful
information about the Watch, how to join us, what we do, what
we sell, useful crime prevention advice, how to contact us, and
links to other sites etc.
One important part of the site that we are keen to develop is
the 'Latest News' page. In this section, various members of the
committee have access to publish any relevant information instantly.
This is a very simple process and I am convinced that as time
goes by this will be an increasingly effective way of circulating
crime news to our members and the general public. It is still
early days, and it does rely on ourselves getting accurate information
reasonably quickly to start with, but it does work. There have
been many incidents in the last year where details have been
on our site within less than 24hrs of the occurrence. This is
particularly useful where the police are asking for potential
witnesses or identification of people and/or vehicles. We can
all remember the times and where we were this morning or yesterday,
but on a day sometime last week or last month is not so easily
recalled. It can also be a very effective way of circulating
warnings when we know that suspect traders/travellers or distraction
burglars are in the area.
Whenever you get the chance, click onto villagewatch.co.uk, you
never know what useful information might be there.
From Allan Kinton (Treasurer, Birstall and Wanlip Village
Watch)
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