Club’s Spanish trip
FOR THE third successive year, bowlers
from Birstall Bowling club went on a week's bowls tour to Spain.
Superbly organised once again by Malcolm Wright, 46 players and
guests stayed in Mojacar, Costa Almeria.
Pic: Birstall Bowling Club in Spain
The tour began a week after the outdoor season had finished.
Unfortunately, the flight out of Birmingham was delayed by 90
minutes, which meant most people had to stay in the bar and watch
England beat Australia in the Rugby World Cup quarter final,
what a terrible start!
Having had a free day on the Sunday, the first game was against
Los Gallardos. The score was 101-129 in favour of Los Gallardos
with Birstall's top rink of Colin Wood, Bren Thompson, Diane
Hurst and Dave Clarke winning 20-10.
The next day, the club visited Cabrera and Birstall's only winning
rink was Val Hollis, Derek Hemsley, Rick Everitt and Tom Cowles
by 17-14 in a 96-156 defeat.
On the Wednesday, Birstall made the first of two visits to the
La Mata club and won by 117-79. Winning on four rinks out of
six and drawing another the top rink was John Exton, Maurice
Jeffery, Dick Sharpe and Dick Cooper who won 29-13.
The last game took place on the Saturday with La Mata once again
the opponents. Birstall came away with the victory by 110-95
with Bren Thompson, Maurice Jeffery, Rick Everitt and Tom Cowles
the highest winning rink with a score of 23-5.
Most bowlers played three or four matches and Birstall won two
matches out of four. 12 rinks were won, 14 lost and one drawn.
The shots count was 424-459.
The last night was spent watching England beating France in the
World Cup semi final the perfect end to the tour, before leaving
early on Sunday morning for the flight home.
A couple of weeks after returning, a fundraising night was held
at the club for the Motor Neurone Disease Association with £610
raised on the night and the promise of at least £150 to
come with a sponsored slim by two members, John Lee and Richard
Smith, being held throughout the winter.
Finally, there were two competition winners omitted from last
month's report so congratulations to Fielding & Everitt Trophies
Winner Sue Andrews and Runner Up Dorothy Lightfoot and Ladies
Two Wood Pairs Winners Maureen Jeffery and Pam Ratcliffe and
Runners Up Chris Brown and Dorothy Lightfoot.
Classic car wows crowds
A CLASSIC American car owned by a Birstall
couple received a round of applause at a car show in Birmingham's
NEC.
Corinne and Andrew Burford's 1959 Ford Galaxie Skyliner was on
the American Auto Club stand, one of over 1000 cars in the UK's
biggest classic car show.
The crowds applauded the demonstration of the car's unique steel
hardtop roof folding inside the trunk.
Andrew said: "It's always nice to chat to members of the
public and share their passion for these great vehicles. By 6pm
on the Sunday you have aching feet from all the walking around
and a sore throat from chatting to so many people."
Highcliffe Diwali fun
A DIWALI celebration at Highcliffe School
featured dance, poems and a puppet show performed by children.
 
Pic: Headteacher Iain Munro with Neil Taylor
&
Neelum Surelia
The event was organised by the Highcliffe PTA and enjoyed
by an audience of over 100 people.
The PTA would like to thank the following Birstall businesses
for sponsoring the event: Aroma Spice restaurant, Birstall Jewellers,
Boots, Choicewise, Krustys, Gordon Davis Pharmacy, Shoepermarket,
Barclays Bank, Stonehill Avenue Post Office, Silly Prices, Booze
and News, Unique Hairdressers, Influence, Somerfield, New World
Florist, Parmak Chemist, Buttercup and Daisy Gates, Kingsgate
Post Office, Kingsgate Off Licence, River Nene Organic Vegetables
Weather report
OCTOBER WAS a milder month than normal,
and it was also dryer than usual.
The average afternoon temperature was 15C. The warmest afternoon
was the 16th when the temperature reached 20C. The coolest day
was the 25th, when the temperature dropped to 9C.
At night the average minimum was 7C. The warmest nights were
the 14th and the 15th when the temperature reached 12C. The coldest
night was the 24th when the temperature dropped to freezing point,
giving us our first frost of the season.
High pressure dominated the weather, for most of the month. The
highest pressure was registered on the 21st, when the barometer
recorded 1035mbs. As a result it was a very dry month. We only
had 35 mm fall for the whole of October, which is only half the
usual total. In fact, most of this month's rainfall fell on just
two days. On the 9th we had 11mm and on the 17th we had 16mm.
So these two days accounted for 80% of the month's rainfall.
It was quite breezy at times, with wind reaching up to 40mph,
but at other times it was very calm. So in summary, it was a
drier and milder October than we usually get.
Let's see what November brings us!
From weather reporters Taylor Findley and
Amy Collins
at Riverside School
Student Grenadier
A LONGSLADE student has been offered a
place in the Grenadier Guards.
Samantha Topley impressed the instructors while completing a
week's work experience. Clarinettist Samantha will now complete
her A levels at Longslade, then undergo basic training at Pirbright
before taking up her place with the other bandsmen.
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Lawn Cinema remembered
It was as a 16 year old in wartime Birstall that I first began
to appreciate the significance of the double seats at the back
of the stalls. It all started at the weekly meeting of the Guild
of Youth when one of the girls told me how one her visiting friends
from badly bombed Leeds was impressed by my manly profile and
distinguished bearing….or words to that effect. To cut a
long story short, it all led to two ninepennies. What the film
was I can't remember, whether she paid for herself I don't remember
and I must admit that although I can't even recall her name or
what she looked like I do recollect my astonishment at her Yorkshire
accent which I thought was broad enough to cut with a knife.
I must confess here and now that my doubles adventures were very
few and far between, unlike one of my friends nicknamed Romeo.
It was he who told us that in his vast experience the girls with
whom he made dalliance fell into two groups: those who expected
you to pay for them and those who paid for themselves. The first
group were fairly straightforward, you met her outside, you bought
both tickets and went in. But the second group was open to variations,
firstly you had the forthright girl who gave you the money outside
the Lawn so that you bought the tickets and went in together,
then the modest one who bought her own ticket but went in with
you and lastly the shy one who bought her ticket, went in on
her own and expected you to follow and find her in the dark.
It would not be too strong to say that there was an innocent
etiquette surrounding the whole business of teenage boy/girl
cinema going in those days that we later disregarded after those
years in the forces which, as my father said "took you and
your pals away as big lads and sent you back as young men"…..
Returning as young men with out motor bikes and a bit of cash
in our pockets we looked beyond Birstall for our pleasures and
for some years the Lawn no longer loomed as large as it once
did.
In my case it was not until marriage and a young family that
the good offices of babysitting parents and in-laws made the
Lawn once more our weekday outing. It was essential on these
outings to watch the clock as with no car (the motor bike had
long been sold as unbefitting a family man….or so my wife
said) we had to be back home in time to ensure that mother or
mother-in-law caught the last bus from the top of the new Greengate
estate. This meant, unfortunately, that when 'Uncle Bert' offered
a three hour programme and we missed the first showing we had
no option but to come out before the end of the big picture.
The result was that on the walk back up Greengate hill we would
be speculating on who eventually married who, or even worse who
it was who had murdered who.
The 40s passed into the 50s and by the 60s I had a distinct sense
of déja vu as my children in their turn went off to the
Saturday matinee. But their matinee was not quite the exciting
affair that I had experienced 30 years earlier, there was no
commissionaire, no birthday club and worst of all television
had eroded most of the 'magic' of the cinema.
Any magic the Lawn had left vanished completely on Saturday October
17, 1970. For on that day, the last of a three day programme
of 'Carry On Up The Jungle' and 'Mr Jericho', it closed. The
closure came with no prior warning (Saturday's Mercury even advertised
next week's programme) and on Monday the doors were locked never
again to admit paying customers. Unaware that history was in
the making my wife and I went to the Lawn on the Friday, October
16 and were present to see the last film shown there. As I also
went to see the very first film shown there (see the first of
these articles), I wonder if I can proudly claim to be Birstall's
longest serving Lawn patron having been going there for a little
more than 34 years from 6/10/1936 until 16/10/70?
After the Lawn's demolition a supermarket sprang up on its site.
And I must confess that nowadays, admirable as it is, Somerfields
never gives me the same thrill and expectation that twopennorth
on a Saturday matinee did; though sometimes when passing through
the front checkout I imagine that I sense again that hint of
pine disinfectant in the air and wonder, momentarily, if a maroon
clad commissionaire will step forward to open the door for me.
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NHW news
THE DARK evenings are now upon us and it's
worth a reminder about what we can do to remain safe both inside
and outside our homes.
Out and About
o Where possible wear light coloured outer clothing - something
with fluorescent strips is even better
o Parents: pleas ensure that all your children's bicycles are
fitted with static or flashing lights - being visible could save
your child's life
o Drivers ensure that tail lights are on and dipped to make other
motorists and pedestrians aware of your presence. Remember to
remain within indicated speed limits.
At Home
o Make sure you have an outside or porch light on (The Watch
sell low energy bulbs at our Advice Shop at cost price to all
members)
o Use timer switches to ensure lights come on when it's dark
so your home is lit for your return and thieves are deterred.
o Take care not to leave Christmas presents on display where
they can be seen by potential thieves.
Don't be conned by latest Post Scam
Here's it how it works : a card is sent to your home from a company
called Parcel Delivery Service, claiming you have a parcel for
collection, and would you ring the number shown first. The number
begins 09… It is a premium rate line with a recorded message,
anyone dialling the number will be charged at the higher rate,
anything up to £15 is possible, plus there is no parcel.
Finally on behalf of the Birstall & Wanlip Watch Committee
I would like to wish all our wonderful co-ordinators and members
a'Very Happy Crimefree Christmas' and a Safe and Peaceful New
Year.
Ed Marshall, Chairman, Birstall & Wanlip Neighbourhood Watch
Crime Report : October 2007
Drugs 2, assault & harassment 7, robbery 2, theft of/from
motor vehicle 8, damage to motor vehicle 7, burglary other 6,
burglary 9, theft from stores 2, fraud 1, theft 6, damage 9,
theft of cycle 2, indecency 1.
Three incidents were reported on Halloween. 40 people were stopped
and 23 searched.
Planning
9 Riverside Mews, Wanlip - erection of a single storey extension
and a detached store to rear of dwelling
97 Roman Road - two-storey extension to side of dwelling
42 Moorgate Ave - erection of a single storey extension to rear
of dwelling
11 Cliffwood Ave - erection of single storey extensions to side
and rear of dwelling
115 Wanlip Lane - change of use from takeaway to restaurant
34 Oakfield Ave - erection of a two storey extension to side
of dwelling
17 Nether Hall Lane - erection of single storey extension to
front of dwelling, first floor extension to side and two storey
extension and conservatory to rear
Junior tennis
YOUNG PLAYERS are the lifeblood and future
of any sports club - and this is particularly the case at Birstall
Watermead Tennis Club where teenagers have come through to play
for teams at senior level.
At the village's thriving tennis club, coach Laura Morley has
been working hard to bring on the juniors throughout the year,
and there is an ongoing programme for the youngsters. She said:
"It is vital that youngsters are given the opportunity to
nurture their enthusiasm and develop their skills."
On Monday nights there is an under 18s full court coaching session
from 6.30-8pm. Then, on Tuesdays from 5-6.30pm there is an under
18s supervised club session. To keep up the competitive edge,
there is also an under 18s singles league, which has proved very
popular.
Meanwhile on Wednesdays and Thursdays, there are after-school
sessions aged 13 and under/beginners. Membership for juniors
at the club is currently £30 a year.
For more information about junior tennis, contact Laura Morley
on 07742 249807
Corbett’s cricket corner
Birstall Village Cricket Club Junior Section
nets have now started every Saturday at the Soar Valley Leisure
Centre, Mountsorrel from 5-6pm costing £2.
Former Middlesex and Leicestershire player John Maunders is helping
with the coaching.
The first week the lads had a surprise, the Wisden Cricketer
magazine sent our prize for winning their 'Club of the Year Award'.
It was a Gray-Nicholls kit bag full of equipment including batting
pads, batting gloves, five cricket bats, wicket keeping gloves
and pads. Already the bats are getting knocked in ready for next
season.
Now the dark nights are drawing in I always look back at the
season and try to plan how the Juniors can do better next year.
The year started not how I would have wished with the clubhouse
being daubed in graffiti. Since May, apart from the weather,
things only got better. The mural was completed, more players
joined the club and every age group improved on last season's
league positions. The club's Under 11s won the club's first ever
junior trophy the Leicestershire Youth League County Cup,. Seven
players now represent Leicestershire Young Cricketers and four
play for the District teams.
Leicestershire CCC came back to play the Senior team in June
as part of Paul Nixon's Benefit Year, luckily the weather was
warm and sunny.
In July I was the proud winner of Birstall Citizen of the Year
and it was an honour to receive the trophy on the gala day from
the Chairman of the Council Stuart Jones.
To end a good season we won the Wisden Cricketer Magazine Club
of the Year.
I would like to thank Rob Drake, Chris Hopkins, Jez Lewin and
Rob Frizzell for all their help throughout the season, without
it the junior section would not exist.
Finally, I would like to wish all the players, parents and supporters
of the club a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Andy Corbett
WI news
THE SPEAKER booked for the November meeting
of Birstall & Wanlip WI was unfortunately unable to come
due to a bereavement in her family.
Mr Gerald Morling volunteered to come in her place and give a
second talk about his recent holiday to Cameroon. As he is the
husband of the secretary he is known to the members and lots
of questions were thrown at him as photographs were passed round.
Thanks from the Institute were given to him by Kathleen Allen
both for the talk and for coming at short notice.
The meeting discussed county news items and the new format was
praised and members remarked that it was easier to absorb the
various items.
Arrangements were announced for next meeting on December 3 which
will be the AGM and a Christmas Party with food and entertainment.
Three visitors were welcomed to the meeting and cordially invited
to the AGM. County and group events were announced to the accompaniment
of bangs and flashes from bonfire night activities outside.
Birstall v ex Tigers
A TEAM of former Leicester Tigers players
took on Birstall Rugby football club last month.
Pic: Birstall Chairman Simon Cox
presents the Droglites with the Curry Cup
The Droglites, an anagram of 'old tigers', are a team of ex Tigers
players that play most of their games as charity fundraisers.
Their chosen charity for the match against Birstall was Witham
Villa Riding School who provide the chance for handicapped children
and adults to learn to ride horses.
Pic: Birstall preparing for a lineout
The Birstall team was made up of a mixture of the 1st, 2nd and
Vets sides, but despite putting in a lot of effort, the experience
of the Droglites shone through and the game ended in a 60-3 loss
for Birstall.
The friendly spirit of the day followed from the pitch to the
Longslade Community Centre bar where the Droglites were presented
with the 'Curry Cup', kindly sponsored by the Aroma Spice Indian
restaurant in Birstall. The Droglites had already raised £100
by selling programmes in the Drogs Bar at Welford Road.
Through the entrance fees paid by the large crowd watching the
game, the players donating their match fees and a raffle in the
bar after the game, Birstall were able to add a further £650
to the total. Birstall RFC would like to thank the Droglites,
the staff at the Longslade Community Centre bar and all the people
that came to watch for helping to raise some money for charity
while having a great day.
Age Concern info
Flu Aware
As the Autumn approaches, we will be thinking about having an
influenza (flu) vaccination to protect us from the unpleasant
effects of flu. Here are some fascinating facts about flu:
o the jab is free to those aged over 65 and those in 'at risk'
groups such as children or adults with asthma, diabetes, serious
heart, chest or kidney complaints
o it is the best protection against flu
o a bout of flu can leave you bedridden. It is very serious and
can lead to hospitalisation or even death
o the flu jab cannot give you flu, but it can keep you healthy
o the virus changes every year, therefore a new vaccine has to
be made. So you need to have a new jab each year
o having the jab means you won't be passing flu to your family
and friends
o flu is highly infectious: 100,000 flu particles can be projected
into the air with one sneeze which can travel at 80 miles an
hour and reach up to 30 feet.
o the flu jab is currently the only way to protect yourself from
flu. Getting the jab is safe, quick and effective and available
from your GP
Valuing Unpaid Care : Carers UK Report
A report by the University of Leeds for Carers UK calculates
that the value of unpaid support that carers provide has reached
£87 billion a year. The rise in value of unpaid care is
attributed to the rising numbers of carers providing significant
amounts of care because health and social care services fail
to keep up with demand; carers having to make up a shortfall
because paid care is now provided to fewer people with increasingly
complex needs; and the cost of replacement care increasing in
line with other wages.
The report recommends:
o robust economic costing;
o significant investment in social care;
o new legislation to outlaw discrimination against carers;
o a full scale review of carers' benefits;
o clarity about the social contract for carers; and
o new legislation that treats carers as partners in care
Valuing Carers - Calculating the Value of Unpaid Care
www.carersuk.org/Newsandcampains/Valuingcarers
Christmas Shopping Online To Help Local Older People
Age Concern Leicestershire & Rutland is asking its supporters
to shop online at www.buy.at/ageconcernleics or through its own
website www.ageconcernleics.com.
Shoppers can access exclusive offers and often cut costs as the
shops or service providers are able to pass on their savings
in administration and overheads to the customer. Goods and services
of hundreds of leading retailers and service providers are available,
including Tesco, Littlewoods, Marks & Spencer, John Lewis,
Sky, RAC etc
Anthony Donovan, Executive Director of Age Concern Leicestershire
& Rutland, said: "The webshop is straightforward to
use and no technical knowledge is required. By making purchases
through the webshop, you not only stand to make savings for yourself,
but also financially benefit Age Concern - buy.at has agreed
with the retailers etc for commissions to be paid to the charity
each time purchases are made. These commissions do not affect
the advantageous price that you have to pay for the goods so
it's a Happy Christmas for everyone!
It's a great way to get some superb online bargains and even
book your holidays. You can even use the search facility to compare
a product with many retailers to help you find the best price."
If I Can, You Can
Age Concern's famous Beginners Guide to the Internet - 'Grasp
the Nettle' booklet has now been updated into a new publication
called 'If I Can, You Can'.
Copies are free to individual older people so for more information
or to order a copy ring 0208 7657231
'B-Seen' High Visibility Shopping Bags for Older Pedestrians
The shorter winter hours of daylight mean that the risk of pedestrians
being involved in road traffic accidents increases. Elderly people
are amongst the most vulnerable of road users at any time but
the darker evenings and bad weather can be a particular cause
for concern.
The new Age Concern Leicestershire & Rutland 'B-Seen' project
will encourage all pedestrians over the age of 60 to carry a
free high visibility shopping bag provided free by Age Concern
Leicestershire & Rutland. Included with the bag will be a
leaflet containing further road safety tips.
The project, which is large funded by a £20,000 grant from
the Department for Transport, aims to achieve a reduction in
the number of accidents involving older pedestrians with a subsequent
reduction in hospital admissions.
An initial quantity of 10,000 B-Seen high visibility bags are
being distributed via the charity's shops, resource centre, day
centres, luncheon clubs etc from mid-November onwards. The bags
will also be promoted through media coverage, events and at premises
used by elderly people.
Older People and Eye Tests : RNIB survey
Based on a survey of 5,000 people over 60 years, the Royal National
Institute for the Blind (RNIB) found that half (47%) are failing
to have an annual eye test. RNIB are urging people over 60 to
have a comprehensive eye test every year to detect serious conditions
such as glaucoma, wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
and diabetic retinopathy early enough to get treatment before
any permanent damage is done.
Older People and Eye Tests. Don't Let Age Rob You of Your Sight
Tel: 020 7388 1266 (RNIB)
Concessionary Bus Travel
The Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) confirmed that people
over 60 and eligible disabled people in England will be entitled
to free, off-peak local bus travel anywhere in England from April
1, 2008. The Department for Transport will provide more than
£200 million a year until 2010-11 to implement this concession.
The aim is to make facilities more accessible to older and disabled
people.
Men's Health Forum
The Men's Health Forum's mission is to provide an independent
and authoritative voice for male health and to tackle the issues
affecting the health and well-being of boys and men in England
and Wales. They work for the development of health services that
meet men's needs and to enable men to improve their health. Founded
in 1994 they are a charity that works with the Dept of Health
the NHS, private companies and a wide range of other organisations
to tackle male health issues. Members, partners, staff and trustees
add a wealth of experience to health care, media, business and
grass roots activity. www.menshealthforum.co.uk
The Men's Health Forum Mini Manuals
A unique way to provide health information about health issues
that affect the everyday lives of men.
Men's Health Forum mini manuals contain easily accessible and
uniquely presented information covering a range of subjects relating
to men's health. Derived from the popular Haynes Health Manuals
and produced to order, the content is impartial and authoritative
written by Dr Ian Banks GP, author and president of the Men's
Health Forum. The A5 mini manuals are printed by Haynes Publishing
(www.haynes.co.uk) in the style of their popular technical manuals.
Pet-friendly Care Homes : National Directory
The Cinnamon Trust, which assists older people and their pets,
has produced a directory of pet-friendly care homes in England,
Wales and Scotland. Homes visited by a Cinnamon Trust volunteer
have been awarded a star rating. Details of each home include
the type of pet that a home will accept, suitability of premises
and grounds, and whether homes will assist with pet care.
Pet Friendly Care Homes
Tel: 01736 757900 (Cinnamon Trust)
www.cinnamon.org.uk/events.html
Hats Off to the Big Knit
The Big Knit : A Huge Success
Local supporters have been busy knitting little woolly hats to
raise money to help local older people keep warm and well this
winter. Thousands of knitters around the UK rose to innocent
drinks' Big Knit challenge and made some very creative little
hats.
Age Concern Leicestershire & Rutland supporters knitted a
staggering 9,250 hats which will potentially raise more than
£4,600 for Age Concern. The charity will use the money
to help local older people keep warm and well this winter.
Carers' Allowance : Change to Earnings Rules
The Government has announced an increase in the amount carers
can earn while claiming Carer's Allowance. From October 1, 2007,
this amount rose from £87 to £95 a week. This will
mean that increases in the minimum wage will not result in carers
in part-time work losing their allowance.
Telecare Support for Carers : Carers UK Guide
Carers UK has published a guide to telecare for carers in association
with telecare technology provider Tunstall. Telecare is described
as a range of sensors that monitor risks and environmental conditions
in the home, alert carers if assistance is required and ensure
help is on hand if needed. The guide provides advice, support
and real life examples of how telecare technology can assist
carers and provide a support network.
Support for Carers : Solutions for Independent Living
Tel: 01977 661234 (Tunstall)
www.tunstall.co.uk
Inheritance Tax Reforms: Pre-Budget Report
The Chancellor delivered the 2007 pre-Budget report on October
9. Reform of Inheritance Tax was widely publicised. It will allow
any unused allowance to be transferred on someone's death to
the estate of their surviving spouse or civil partner. This change
will be backdated for people already widowed.
Mental Capacity Act : New Banking Guide
The British Bankers Association (BBA) has published a brief guide
to the various legal ways in which people might be able to manage
the finances of somebody who lacks the capacity to do so themselves,
and the impact of each method on managing a bank account.
Banking for People who Lack Capacity to Make Decisions
Tel: 020 7216 8800 (BBA)
www.bba.org.uk
Pension Tracing Service
The Government's free pension tracing service is now accessible
online, through Directgov, the website that brings public services
together in one place. Those without access to the internet can
also order a pensions tracing form through Directgov digital
television or by phoning the Pension Tracing Service.
Brits Missing Out on Forgotten Pensions, September 14, 2007
Tel: 0845 600 2537 (Pension Tracing Service)
www.direct.gov.uk
Jex Woods
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