Christmas festival
A CHRISTMAS festival filled Birstall Methodist
church with a host of festive scenes.
Santas, snowmen & trees decorated by individuals, schools,
groups and businesses were enjoyed by hundreds of visitors.
The church also organised an outdoor Christmas market with home
made food, decorations and a Santa's grottto.
Post Office facing closure
ONE OF Birstall's two Post Offices is at
risk of closure as part of the Post Office's nationwide closure
programme.
Kingsgate Post Office in Kingsgate Avenue could close in March
as part of the Network Change Programme, which will see 2500
branches closed across the country. The Post Office currently
has 14,300 branches.
The plans to close Kingsgate have met with an angry response
from residents, Kingsgate shopkeepers and postmaster Mukesh Patel,
who has run the branch for 13 years.
Kingsgate's Post Office manager Pushvinder Khalifa said: "We
are a very busy office and we are disgusted by these plans. This
parade of shops serves a lot of old people, some have not crossed
the A6 for years. How will they cope with the long walk to Stonehill
Avenue and then back here with shopping, up hilly streets?"
She added: "If the Post Office closes it will affect the
other shops here - this parade might not last long."
Campaigners to save the Post Office hope that Birstall's growing
population at Hallam Fields, the proposed Ashton Green at the
top of Greengate Lane and increasing congestion on Sibson Road
will convince Post Office bosses to keep the branch open.
A 52 day consultation period began on November 20 and ends on
Jan 10 when the public can make their view known about the plan.
Campaigners have started a petition and delivered leaflets on
the Gates estate.
Former Parish Council Chairman Nigel Coleman lives on the estate.
He said: "The Kingsgate Post Office is an efficient and
valuable asset for Birstall. The Hannah Parade Office does not
seem to offer a satisfactory alternative and given the short
term growth of Birstall with Hallam Fields, soon the west and
east sides of the village will be of comparable size. My big
fear is that without a Post Office in Kingsgate there would be
a negative impact on other businesses."
Borough Councillor Helena Edwards said: "I am upset too
by the plans to close the Post Office on Kingsgate Avenue. We
have already lost the one on Went road and for the people living
west of the A6, especially the elderly, this is devastating news.
I believe the Post Office's national managers are cutting their
own throats commercially as they close outlets like this, in
areas that are expanding all the time. I hope everyone will rally
behind the Postmistress's campaign to save this valuable resource,
and that for once the Post Office will show a bit of sense and
community spirit. After all, the queues at our one remaining
Post Office are already horrendous at peak times.
Postwatch, the watchdog for postal services, says that the Post
Office network lost more than £200 million in 2006/07 and
here are four million fewer customer visits every week compared
with two years ago. They are supporting the Network Change Programme
of Closures, saying "the Post Office network is unsustainable
in its current form."
Readers wishing to object to the closure at Kingsgate can :
o sign the petition in the Post Office
o send their views to Mark Partington, Network Development Manager,
Post Office Ltd, c/o National Consultation Scheme, FREEPOST CONSULTATION
TEAM . email: consultation@postoffice.co.uk
o contact your local councillors and MP Stephen Dorrell
When making a written object to the Post Office, Postwatch suggest
you consider:
o the accessibility of nearby post offices
o the transportation links
o the facilities and services provided, including disabled access
and product availability
o the availability of a nearby post office to cope with an increase
in customers
The consultation period began on November 20 and ends on January
10 - campaigners are urging your comments are submitted before
Christmas.
Parish Council notes
A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council
was held on November 12.
Councillors considered the plans they commissioned from the County
Council for a 91 space car park on the old bowling green next
to the Sibson Road car park. The plans were approved and a planning
application will be submitted to Charnwood before Christmas.
Mr Mukesh Patel, the Postmaster at Kingsgate Post Office, reported
on the threat of closure of the Post Office as part of the Post
Office's Network Change Programme. Councillors commented that
the Post Office should not close.
Councillors listened to a presentation on Quality Status by Richard
Tobin, County Secretary of Leicestershire and Rutland Association
for Local Councils. The Parish Council is considering seeking
Quality Status: benefits include greater control over budgets
and improving public confidence in local administration.
The Council agreed that a formal committee should be established
to oversee the annual Birstall Gala. Meetings will be open to
the public. The Council elected five members to serve on the
committee which will be chaired by Cllr Stuart Jones.
The Council objected to a planning application by Tesco, 139
Sibson Road, to install air conditioning units and a condenser
at the rear of the property on the grounds of noise disturbance.
The Council agreed to donate £600 to the Land and Lewis
charity. It delivers Christmas hampers to needy people in Birstall.
The Parish Council office will close at 2pm on Friday December
22 and re-open at 9am on Thursday January 3.
Birstall's Christmas lights will be switched on on December 7
without any switch on event. The council intends to seek the
co-operation of shopkeepers to make next year's switch on a bigger
event with music and small fairground rides.
The Council agreed to increase allotment rents by £1 per
annum for a full plot.
It was reported that the Council had received one quotation for
the resurfacing of the paths around the School Lane playing field.
All the paths, 700 sq metres, would cost £23,100. Cemetery
paths would cost £19,800. If both jobs were done together
the cost would be reduced from £42,900 to £33,800.
It was agreed to put the resurfacing work out to tender.
Gifts for needy children
A RECORD breaking total of 521 shoeboxes
have been filled with gifts by the people of Birstall for some
of the poorest children in Europe.
Pic: Mike & Hazel Shaw, Peter
Stephenson,
Jean Best & Daphne Stephenson
Organised by Beryl Massey and Daphne Stephenson with the support
of friends and members of the four churches of Birstall and Wanlip,
the boxes, carefully wrapped in Christmas paper are on their
way to Belarus or the Ukraine.
Christian organisation the Samaritan's Purse distribute boxes
to underprivileged children across the world.
Daphne Stephenson organised 335 of the Birstall boxes. The boxes
contain toiletries, pens, paper, a hat, scarf and gloves, a ball,
soft toy, sweets and other items. She said: "Thank you to
all those kind people who donated items, and to all those who
gave money." £2 is needed per box to pay for carriage.
She added: "We hope that next year we can support this wonderful
project again."
Pic: Beryl Massey loads a van with boxes
Beryl Massey said: "What is inside a shoebox when there
aren't any shoes? Love, compassion, joy, wonder, excitement and
happiness, all lovingly packed into those discarded cardboard
boxes by many of you in Birstall and Wanlip. The children will
be beside themselves when they open them and know that someone,
somewhere cares."
The organisers wish to thank Shoepermarket on Sibson Road for
providing the shoeboxes.
To be involved in next year's project, contact Beryl Massey 2103064
or Daphne Stephenson 2675721
Art show fills hall
THE THIRTEENTH annual exhibition of paintings
by members of Birstall & District Art Society was held in
the village hall in November.
Chairman Fred Parrott said: "Our success is demonstrated
by nearly 800 visitors and the support we have from the many
local businesses in and around Birstall who displayed our poster."
He added: Special thanks go to Lyn and George at Glenwood Interiors
for their sponsorship and year round support, and to the Posy
Bowl who supplied the floral display."
The best picture in the show, judged by the visitors, was 'Sweet
Peas' by John Kennedy. Second was 'Saltby Dawn' by John Beckett
and third 'Safe Harbour' by Marion Smith.
Pics: Competition winners receiving their
prizes from
artist Kathy Layfield: Simeon Doubleday...
...Holly Van Geffen...
...Tim Heath...
...Adam Hodson
Other winners were: best watercolour, Patricia Hipwell; best
oil painting, Roger Cowham; best pastel, Marion Smith; best acrylic,
Marion Smith; best landscape, Charlotte Stephenson; most imaginative;
John Kennedy; still life, John Brookhouse.
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Olympic hopeful on track
BRITAIN'S BEST junior gymnast is on track
to compete in the 2012 Olympics after becoming the all round
under 16 British champion.
Pic: Reece Pearson
Reece Pearson (15) of Spinney Rise won the title in November
at the national championships in Wigan. Reece, who started gymnastics
at the age of five, was previously under 12 and then under 14
champion.
In Wigan he won four apparatus medals and also won a bronze competing
against the seniors on the high bar.
Reece, who attends the Rushcliffe School in Nottingham and trains
at the East Midlands Gymnastics Centre for 33 hours a week, travels
to Moscow in December with the British team.
With many training camps and international competitions to attend,
Reece is eager to receive sponsorship from a local business.
Contact Julie Pearson on 2674058
Kids celebrate Diwali
CHILDREN AND Staff of Rainbow Co-op Pre-School
Playgroup on Birstall Road celebrated Diwali last month with
craft activities and shared Asian snacks, along with our Ofsted
Inspector.
Pic: children at the Rainbow Co-op
Pre-school playgroup
celebrating Diwali
Leader Julie Parker said: We were delighted to receive
a Good rating for both the quality and standards of the care
and the quality and standards of the nursery education. Thank
you for the continued support of all our playgroup families and
a special mention to our Committee members."
Any enquiries regarding places please contact Julie on 2675264
or 07793630612
Methodist Church news
Delays to Cameroon Visit
The party of 12 friends who joined Rev Edward Sakwe to visit
Cameroon this month had a rough start to their holiday. The Air
France Flight from Paris was delayed by about 24 hours due to
the plane being hit by lightning! However the party were in time
for the welcome feast that was laid on for them, but despite
being very tired from the delay attended a special service the
following day - the service lasting almost six hours!
We shall hear more news when they return. They were there to
join in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Presbyterian Church
of Cameroon. All the participants have paid for themselves, but
the local Methodist churches have raised funds for books for
the Seminary Library.
Lady Minister Appointed
Over recent weeks stewards have been seeking a new Minister to
replace Rev John Hucknall who retires in August 2008. It is a
feature of the Methodist Church that its ministers are expected
to move every few years. At present there are more churches seeking
ministers than there are staff available.
The church was delighted to hear that Rev Rachael Parkinson has
accepted the invitation to be Minister of the Methodist Church
both in Birstall & Rothley from September 2008. Rachael will
be part of the three staff who form the ministerial team with
oversight of the eight churches which form the Leicester North
Circuit and will act as Superintendent of the Circuit.
Currently she is stationed in Thirsk and has her family roots
in Stoke on Trent. Her husband and two sons will join her.
Advent & Christmas Events
Gifts for Needy Families on Sunday December 2.
At the 10.30am service on December 2 we shall be collecting toys.
If you are able to bring, or send, a new toy (unwrapped) to that
service they will be distributed to needy families within the
borough through the 'Charnwood Toys on the Table appeal'.
Children's Christmas Workshop Saturday December 15
This Christmas Workshop and Nativity will include the Christmas
Story, singing, simple craftwork and finishing with a very informal
'come and dress up' Nativity in the church. Children of all
ages are welcome, but we do ask that under 5s are accompanied.
This is an event arranged jointly with the Methodist Church &
St James Parish Church.
From Tony Moore
Children robbed by youths
POLICE IN Birstall are appealing for the
public's help in identifying three youths following two robberies
that they believe may be linked.
The first incident took place between 1.15 and 1.30pm on Thursday
October 18 as the two 15-year-old victims were walking along
Wanlip Lane in Birstall close to the alley that runs between
Stonehill High School and Longslade College.
They were approached by three youths, two of whom were on BMX
bikes. The youth on foot asked them the time and one of the victims
got out his mobile phone to tell them. The youth on foot then
tried to take the mobile phone. A struggle ensued and while they
didn't take the phone the youth on foot did make off with a chrome
and black MP3 player. He was then seen to get on a bus.
The second incident happened on the same day between 1.45 and
2pm. A 16-year-old boy was walking along Wanlip Lane in Birstall
when he was approached by two youths on BMX bikes who asked him
for the time. He took out his mobile phone and told them the
time and continued on his journey. The boys on bikes followed
him and when he reached the alley that leads towards Stonehill
School the youths pushed him into the jitty and took his mobile
phone, a black Nokia N73. Because of the similarities between
the crimes and the close proximity in terms of time and location
police strongly believe that these two incidents are linked.
The youth on foot is described as white, aged around 14-16 years
old, 5ft 4ins tall, wearing a blue t-shirt and black gloves.
The second youth was also white and of a similar age and was
around 6ft tall. He was wearing a black leather jacket with white
writing on the back and white stripes along the sleeves, black
leather gloves and a cap. He was riding a silver BMX bike. The
third youth was slightly smaller than the second and was wearing
a cap, dark jeans with a seam on the knee and a dark hooded top.
He was riding a blue BMX bike.
Detective Constable Kim Potter from Loughborough CID said: "We've
been working very closely with the local schools who are assisting
us with our investigations into these crimes. However, there's
a possibility that suspects did not live locally.
"I'm also keen to speak to anyone else who was in Wanlip
Lane that lunchtime who may have witnessed these incidents."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC 4269 Potter
from Loughborough CID on 0116 222 2222, follow the instructions
to leave a message for an officer and when prompted key in his
identification number 4269. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers
free and anonymously on 0800 555 111
Friends cemetery events
A SERVICE of Remembrance was held in Belgrave
cemetery, near Red Hill island.
Around 30 people attended with Henry Shipley sounding the Last
Post.
Pic: Dorothy Marshall, Joy May and Betty Gamble
The Friends of Belgrave Cemetery Group organised a Make-a-Difference-Day
in October, and 12 volunteers spent the day tidying the cemetery.
News from St James church
Christmas in the Seventies
"Nowadays it is difficult to realise that no preparations
were made until the week before the day itself. All our excitement
was packed into a short space. The children were on holiday,
and all over the place. Mother was mostly in the kitchen, presiding
over mincemeat and puddings. Christmas Eve was the day we liked
best. The morning was a frenzied rush for last posting of cards,
last buying of presents. My father came home early, laden with
parcels. The tea table was resplendent with crackers, sweets
and surprise cakes with icing on the top………Christmas
day service was exactly the same as it is now, the same hymns
and even the same decorations!"
Have you guessed that this description was written in the 1870s,
more than 130 years ago?
Christmas has always been a time when we look back to our childhood
with nostalgia, remembering the good things and conveniently
forgetting the disappointments. The long build-up to Christmas
in our shops and on TV adds very little to our enjoyment of the
day itself and it is so easy to forget what all the celebrations
are about. Many of our carols remind us that on Christmas day
we celebrate the birth of a very special child called Jesus (although
our door-to-door carol singers last year seemed to think that
a quick rendition of Jingle Bells and Good King Wenceslas was
enough!)
The period of Advent, which started on December 1 with a special
service at St James supported by all the churches in Birstall
and Wanlip, is a time when children's nativity plays, carol concerts,
the Christingle service, Crib service and many other events (see
the list on the Noticeboard page) remind us of what all our preparations
are really about. This year at St James we shall also be welcoming
the first sight of the new screen and porch which has been funded
by the time and energy of many people. Why not come and join
us at one of the events at Birstall or Wanlip and remind yourself
about the unchanging nature of the event we are celebrating (we
can't guarantee that the hymns or decorations will be exactly
the same as you remember!)
From Beryl McHugh
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Your Say...
I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated
to my Pink Party for Breast Cancer Care on Friday November 9.
We raised £140. Special thanks go to Rod, Gill, Ray, Charlie
and Pat for all their help
Doreen Atkins
I think Raymond J Hunt must be in dire need of a screwdriver
to tighten up the loose one he must have if he thinks we should
applaud the introduction of bigger, wider buses into our narrow
suburban streets.
I have lost count of the number of times I have witnessed buses
stuck because they cannot pass perfectly legally parked cars.
To add insult to injury, they are normally almost entirely empty.
When will these bus companies realise that their buses are just
too big to use most streets away from the main roads. What they
should be doing is to provide their service using much smaller
vehicles thus making access easier and reducing the amount of
damage caused to streets and avenues never designed to take vehicles
the size of a bus.
Furthermore, does Mr Hunt seriously believe that people are going
to think about buses before they park their cars? I don't think
so. Neither do I think that Paul Winson has provided this 'Super'
new bus out of the goodness of his heart. He has done so either
because the old one needed replacing, or he foresees a good return
on his investment in the new one. Mr Winson is in business to
make a profit, not to act as a public benefactor
Nicholas G Black
If the Tesco fan (November Birstall Post) obtains copies of
the Birstall Post for the past two years she/he will find out
that I am a regular writer to the Birstall Post. I also write
to the Leicester Mercury. One of my letters to the Leicester
Mercury had a reply from Ross Willmott (Leicester City Council
Leader).
She/he will also realise that when she/he reads past copies of
the Birstall Post that I have only agreed on one occasion with
Dr D A C McNeil, otherwise we disagree. We both agree that the
development on Hallam Fields will create more traffic and pollution
through Birstall, even though Charnwood claims that the car will
not dominate Hallam Fields.
I have never objected to Tesco applying in the normal way; I
object to the back door method. Do the means justify the end:
how would she/he feel if they lost out to dubious means? They
came by stealth like thieves in the night.
I have no objection if Tesco bring their six axle vehicle the
day before they open for business. After the first day of trading
no more concessions should be given! There was a bus from Birstall
to Beaumont Leys; one bus not two buses. It was cancelled because
of lack of support.
My real worry is the silence on the A6/A46 and the Mountsorrel
area; why can the developers sell part of their land, having
taken so much trouble buying it in the first place? Does Tesco
know something that we all should know? Tesco and Asda (Wal-Mart)
are watching each other very closely in the USA and perhaps Tesco
missed the bus on the A6/A46/Mountsorrel area. Was that the reason
Tesco came silently to Birstall? There will be an interesting
competition between Tesco and Asda in the USA. There will be
a similar one in Birstall between Tesco and Bargain Booze, though
not quite so big. I just hope that the local competition will
not result in alcohol being sold in Birstall up until midnight;
we have enough trouble with the vandals now, without attracting
more.
Now there is another problem. Some boys from Stonehill/Longslade
are now walking through the jitty on the Greengate estate and
then walking up to the first access/exit on Hallam Fields. They
then cross to the east of the A6 and climb over the fence; but
the last two traffic lights are covered up. The motorist who
has lost time elsewhere drives to the traffic lights at a speed
well over 40mph especially if he sees the traffic lights flashing
and a space on the blind side: a very dangerous situation.
Les Briers
On behalf of the Royal Air Forces Association Birstall branch,
I would like to thank residents and friends for their generosity
in aid of the Battle of Britain Wings Appeal 2007.
May I also take this opportunity to thank Somerfields for allowing
us to collect on their premises and also our members and the
cadets of 1947 ATC Squadron Birstall for the time and energy
they gave toward this worthy cause.
To date we have collected a total of £2,650.65.
Eve Cooper, Wings Appeal
I would like to thank the kind person who in October found
a bundle of papers on Orchard Road corner and sent them to Longslade
Community College so that they could possibly be given to the
student they belonged to. I was very grateful and surprised when
these were returned to me as I didn't know where I had mislaid
them. When you posted them you obviously thought they were important
and yes they were as they were part of an assignment for my AS
course.
I would have liked to have contacted you personally but there
were no details, only a name which I can't quite make out, possibly
Mrs Pasy, so I hope you are reading this and now know how grateful
I am and that you were successful in returning the documents
to the owner. It has been really helpful to me that you were
kind enough to take the trouble to try and get them returned.
Thank you once again.
Jenny Dickman
Longslade Community College
In his letter in November's Post I am afraid Jex Woods is
labouring under a number of commonly held misconceptions. He
credits councils, at both parish and borough level with sweeping
powers they simply do not have. Firstly, the decision on the
developer's application to demolish and redevelop 139 Sibson
Road was made by planning officers not councillors. Almost all
planning decisions are decided purely on planning law grounds
by officers. The exceptions are large scale developments (eg
Hallam Fields) conservation areas, controversial buildings etc.
Even then planning rules must be complied with, as if councillors
do not correctly apply them developers simply gain permission
at appeal which costs taxpayers money. Members can ask that an
individual application be referred to committee, but can only
secure that consideration if the meeting's Chair and senior planners
agree.
All officers or committees can do is 'weight' the sometimes conflicting
policies that apply and decide accordingly. I don't know why
Mr Woods only wants the views of the Lib Dem councillors though,
since there were three Lib Dems and one Conservative representing
Birstall on Borough at the time (with one of each party on Planning
committees) and no councillors of any party took the decision.
The application can be accessed on the Charnwood website no.
P/06/0008/2 decided April 4, 2006, where it can be seen that
the applicant was Development Estates Ltd of Derby, and the agent
Marchini Curran Associates of Nottingham. Tesco were not identified
as potential buyers or tenants of either of the two proposed
shop units, and the moving of the bus stop was part of the proposal.
Objections were apparently received but over-ruled and conditional
permission granted; conditions 10 and 11 relate to delivery time
restrictions. I was surprised Highways did not make strong objections
on road safety grounds. Personally I think it is a daft and possibly
dangerous place for a supermarket, even a small one, but if it
lacks custom because of lack of parking that will have more effect
on Tesco than any number of objections.
With regard to the privately owned overgrown plot in the Crossways,
I am sure most house or land owners would not care for third
parties like councillors suggesting to Tesco they might like
to purchase and develop their property. Where there is public
nuisance Charnwood does offer some helpful services like pest
control and the issuing of notices to clear up untidy land. However,
I know Mr Woods is aware of how problematic this latter process
can be, there are a lot worse sites than this in Charnwood, and
they are legally and in humanitarian terms some of the trickiest
problems councils face. Think Mr Trebus in the TV programme Life
of Grime. At least the Crossways is a garden area and not a house.
There has to be overwhelmingly good reason to compulsorily purchase
another person's property, it simply being rather neglected is
not legally enough. As the saying goes "An Englishman's
house" (or in this case plot) "is his castle".
And in my view rightly so. Government both local and national
is getting too Big Brother by half.
Cllr Helena Edwards
Birstall BAGS (Breast Cancer Awareness Group) would like to invite
you to our annual disco/live band night on February 23, 2008.
Tickets will be on sale from January. All proceeds go towards
all cancer related illnesses, our last cheque for £4,500
helped to fund a prosthesis room at Glenfield hospital, to date
we have raised over £10,000. With your support we hope
to increase that sum and help many more. For any information
contact Emma on 07837028451 or Rachael 07989822173.
Thanks.
Liz, Emma, Helen, Jo and Rachael
In reply to a letter in your paper regarding the running of
the Gunns' Gym.
First of all I find it disgusting that someone can be so ignorant
regarding charity work! Apart from not having the bottle to even
put his or her name to the letter they go on to state facts about
donations, subs etc. Does the writer think that I run the Gym
on hot air. What about the rent, rates, lighting, to say nothing
of the insurance which by the way is £1,400 a year.
Yes, Mr Mystery man, I do have running costs. The Gym is only
£1 and just because 700 used it in the holidays it doesn't
mean I get £700 because some children haven't got £1
so I don't charge. Others forget their pound, there can be all
sorts of reasons but don't kid yourself about making profit!
We are a charity, put it that way. Perhaps this miserable man
or woman would like to come down to my Gym and see for themselves,
you never know they might even offer to help. How about it -
you're quick to have a go at me, come down I'll make you an offer
you can't refuse.
Also when you spoke about football teams, taking kids off the
streets, they run at weekends, not six days a week like me and
furthermore I have supported and sponsored football teams all
over the Leicestershire county, so don't try and make out I don't
know or care about local football - by the way most of the sponsorship
came out of my own money!
We have not won 10 awards at this Gym for nothing and I work
very hard in this village for the youngsters (which I enjoy very
much) and No, I don't want the council to build me another Gym,
perhaps they should build you a little shed or hut somewhere
for you so that you can carry on writing stupid letters like
the one you have just written. To close, I don't need to advertise
for new members, the Leicester Mercury see fit to publicize my
Gym at their convenience. Another fact you seem to have missed
out, most children only train for one hour so that puts your
£1,400 out of context but of course you wouldn't be aware
of this fact. You are entitled to your opinion, of course, but
please next time have the decency to write your name when putting
other people down!
The Gym is open all the time so if you feel so strongly about
the running of it, come down and see us.
Carl Gunns
Rally the goode people of Birstall! They have a new Sir Lancelot!
He is 'Name and address supplied', and will lead them to the
slaughter of the dragon Opinion - unless of course it is his
own - and banish the unbelievers to the outer wilds. But woe
betide any who do not express an opinion - they too will be banished
even if any opinion they dare to hold may only be a shade different
from those of Sir Lancelot! For is Sir Lancelot not of the people?
He is. Therefore any opinion he may hold is of the people, and
anyone who dares to differ is not of the people and thus a dragon
to be slain.
Seem familiar?
I will not tell Sir Lancelot my opinion of a local Tesco, just
to annoy him. I will agree with those who have expressed reservations
through a LACK of openness from that concern, but in my experience
a Tesco Express is only a small affair, rather like the late-lamented
Co-op and its successors, so the custom it will attract is unlikely
to spill into the local vet's car park. I agree with Mr Briers
that heavy lorries may damage the pavement, but surely the weight
of the vehicles using the drive must have been taken into account
when it was constructed. Is it not time we were told? Who are
these local dignitaries with whom Tesco have been co-operating?
Why will they not be open either? Are their jobs at stake? This
is not Los Angeles, Wall Mart are well established in Thurmaston
and are not likely to sabotage a Tesco Express - in this country
anyway. Why will no-one tell us what is happening?
As an afterthought - may it be Lady Lancelot that is riding out
to save the robotic hordes? In this age of sexual equality, it
matters not. If you are a robotic horde, follow the Lance. If
not, worry about the damage lorries may do to the pavement and
the danger that may be thus caused to the disabled; worry about
cars dangerously parked at an important road junction; worry
that more alcohol will be poured down the throats of the young
and the alcoholic; worry that in these times of freedom of information
a giant supermarket chain will not tell us what is going on;
but do not worry that some tin-pot saviour will pin his/her ignorance
on you, and believe he or she is leading the like-minded majority
in ignorance to a brighter future of an elite's design.
After all, was this not the way that both Hitler and Stalin worked?
Dr D A C McNeil
I'm writing this letter in response to Brenda Thomas's report
in your paper, this concerns the local ban on dogs on the Birstall
park and all other local parks.
I have been a dog owner for nine years and I consider myself
to be a responsible dog owner. I always clear up after my dog.
I'm fed up with comments about dogs being banned from every possible
walking area, what does Brenda expect us to do? Where are we
expected to walk our dogs? Before you can say it, let's review
our options.
The Watermead Lakes - this is an excellent option for walking
your dog, but how many of feel safe walking our dogs on our own
around here, I certainly don't, not only do you get some dodgy
characters around there, what would happen if you did get into
trouble? Where is any assistance?
Wanlip Lane - Can Brenda please explain why she babbles on about
responsible dog owning and yet there is not one single dog bin
from Birstall park or all the way down to Wanlip farm. So how
are people expected to be persuaded to act responsibly, perhaps
people would clear up more if the bins were there.
So in summing up Brenda, either provide the people of Birstall
with more dog bins, so we don't have to use the park's, or start
addressing the real problems in Birstall, like antisocial behaviour,
graffiti, and the constant litter problem on Wanlip Lane, and
leave us dog owners alone.
Birstall Resident
Name & Address supplied
I am writing in response to the lead story in the last Birstall
Post 'Parish Council to consider banning dogs from parks and
playing fields.'
I am a responsible dog owner who always clears up after my dogs
and am appalled that once again it looks like the minority are
going to spoil things for the majority,. There is absolutely
no excuse for not clearing up after your dogs.
I would also like to ask the Parish Council if they are also
considering a ban on unsupervised children and youths from said
parks and playing fields? The rubbish that is left behind is
a disgrace and also a major health hazard from uneaten food and
more seriously broken glass.
Could they also ban the students from Longslade Community College
from leaving the grounds at lunchtime as the state that Wanlip
Lane is left in is beyond belief? Maybe it would help if there
were a few more litter bins along the route? I doubt it as I
don't think they know what they are for. The pavements outside
the shops need steam cleaning to remove all chewing gum, dried
up food and spit!
Only yesterday whilst driving home from work at lunchtime I was
horrified to see a large rat run across the road in front of
me, near to the corner of Dalby Avenue. I know they are about
but you don't expect to see them in broad daylight, a sign of
things to come? I hope not.
Dog Owner and Wanlip Lane Resident
Name & address supplied
People over 60 do not claim what they are entitled to for
a variety of reasons and in certain cases this could be a substantial
amount of money. It is estimated that as many as 50% of people
over 60 who could get cheaper council tax do not claim it either
because of the long and complicated forms or they see it as charity
and they would not qualify anyway.
Yes there are rules and yes, benefit is usually means tested,
but then so is income tax: the more you earn the more tax you
pay. Many people are surprised at how much income they can receive
just by asking, and if forms are a problem then arrangements
can be made to have them completed for you by trained assessors
who will at the same time ensure that you are receiving all that
you are entitled to.
For those who struggle with day to day things and who may suffer
from ill health either physically or mentally they help could
also be available either through Disability Living Allowance
if you are under 60 or Attendance Allowance if you are over 65.
Neither of these benefits is means tested, so if you qualify
for it you will be paid irrespective of your other income or
savings. Any award you receive will not affect any other benefit
in payment and in some cases could mean you receive even more.
For senior persons' groups, sheltered accommodation or any other
over 60s groups, lunch clubs etc, County Hall have staff available
to give informal talks and displays regarding benefit for the
over 60s. Contact - tsouth@leics.gov.uk.
For further information on claiming the above benefits contact
Age Concern 0116 2529215 or contact your local district council.
Terry South
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