Robin Hood
BIRSTALL METHODIST Men's Pantomime Group
presented Robin Hood from February 12-16 to full houses at the
Methodist Church.
Pic: the Sheriff of Nottingham
(Brian Cuttill, right)
confronts Robin Hood
Robin Hood played by Jack Bishop was a terrific performance and
he enjoyed every minute of it as did his 'merry men' including
Roger Dickman, Alan Chapman, Scott Wilford, Mike Geary, Gareth
Wood, Vic Dolby, Martin Jones, Mike Allan and Richard Kilby.
Many of these men took on other parts as well with excellent
performances from all.
The Sheriff of Nottingham played by Brian Cuttill was in character
as the evil conniving man that he was and his side kicks Catchum
and Bashum played by John Towson and Ron Forbes enjoyed their
slapstick comedy, as did the audience. Father and son Richard
and Peter Tinley (nephews of the Sheriff) namely Harry and Larry
were certainly unusual 'Babes', both over 6ft tall and their
Nurse played by Les Gale gave much laughter and comedy to the
show.
Pic: Jack Bishop as Robin Hood
Richard Kilby was Friar Tuck, Little John - Mike Allan, with
Martin Jones as Will Scarlet. Alan Chapman played a very regal
King Richard. Maid Marion Was played by John Dickman and John
gave a wonderful performance as a shy and bedazzled Maid Marion.
Pic: Les Gale as Nurse
We were transported from Nottingham Castle to Sherwood Forest,
Robin Hood's Camp and all who took part gave the audience everything
they could enjoy. Cameo parts from Scott Wilford and Mike Geary
set the scene and an interlude for the children - Ceebeebies
with Noddy, PC Plod and Bob the Builder played by Alan Chapman,
John Towson and Mike Geary respectively. All gave their best
and it is so good to see these teenagers joining in the pantomime
and enjoying every minute of it.
I must not forget the Irish Pig, Rolymo with Vic and Gareth and
Martin Jones as Dora the Explorer. So much more with the Animals
in the Wood, the excitement and singing were superb with music
by Jill Bailey on piano and Tim Lacey on drums. Superb scenery
once again painted and designed by Mick and Val Joyce.
Myles Harrison was stage manager with his happy band of helpers
with superb wardrobe designed and made by Wendy Allan, Ann Powell
and Jean Gale. Producers Jean Valentine and Gerald Morling, stage
lighting and effects by Martin and Keith Wright. Jean Valentine
would like to say thank you to all who helped in any way especially
to her daughters Liz and Becky, Sally Montague-Mason for choreography,
tea ladies and all 750 people who came and supported the 'Merry
Men'. A wonderful
show: the audience laughed and booed and they all lived happily
ever after.
From Audrey Cuttill
Church Hill robbery
THE POLICE are appealing for witnesses
after a 27 year old man was robbed on Church Hill.
The incident happened shortly before 10pm on Sunday February
10 as the man was walking along the lane in the direction of
Birstall Road. He heard two people running behind him and when
he turned was grabbed by a man who was carrying a Stanley knife.
He made the victim hand over his wallet and mobile phone before
the two men both ran off down Church Hill towards Front Street.
The man with the knife is described as 5'5" tall and fat
build. He wore a checked woollen hat over his head with slits
cut in the eye holes. The second man was around 5'7" tall,
slim build with a black beanie hat pulled over his head. Detective
Kim Potter who is investigating the incident said: "We're
keen to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident or who saw
two men matching the descriptions in the area last Sunday night.
The victim walked past the Chinese takeaway on Front Street and
also the Plough pub. Perhaps you also visited these places on
Sunday night. Did you see the suspects? Perhaps you were on Front
Street and remember seeing two people running from the scene?
If so please get in touch."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC Potter on
Leicester (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.
Parish Council notes
A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council
was held on February 11.
A member of the public commented on the problems caused by parked
vehicles on School Lane at weekends.
The Council resolved to seek an explanation from the Post Office
for its decision to close the Kingsgate Post Office.
It was reported that Charnwood had withdrawn its plans to close
the public toilet on Stonehill Avenue. The Council agreed to
oppose any future plans for closure.
Mr Tony Abbey was co-opted to fill a vacancy on the Council and
will represent the Greengate Ward.
It was reported that funding for the Connect2 project will not
be released straight away and that the County Council have drawn
up a wish list of additional improvements to Watermead County
Park that they are seeking funding for.
The Parish Clerk will meet with Charnwood Borough Council regarding
the sports facilities and green space areas that will be provided
within Hallam Fields. The Council are considering the financial
implications of assuming the responsibility for these areas.
Reece finds sponsor
CHAMPION GYMNAST and Olympic hopeful Reece
Pearson from Birstall has secured sponsorship following coverage
in the Birstall Post.
Pic: Sponsor Steve Walker (left)
with Reece Pearson
Fifteen year old Reece travels across Britain and continental
Europe to compete - he recently represented Great Britain at
an event in Moscow.
Now the financial burden of preparing for the 2012 Olympics will
be eased after Birstall's Steve Walker has agreed to sponsor
him.
Steve said: "Being one of the fastest growing training companies
in the East Midlands, Steve Walker Associates recognises the
importance in supporting people with such high hopes for the
future. With Reece being a local Birstall lad like myself, I
felt that this was a very good initiative to support. Reece is
a mature and focused individual - he has achieved so much already
and will have many more successes to come."
Car park
PLANS FOR the Sibson Road car park extension
are almost ready to be submitted to Charnwood Borough Council.
Pic: this plan is a draft and may
differ slightly from the
finished plan which was unavailable at the time of
going to press
Birstall Parish Council is putting together the final details
of the plans, which will see the creation of an additional 74
spaces, including two disabled, on the site of an old bowling
green, opposite Birstall DIY.
The Parish Council says the intention is to create a 'car park
within a garden'. The Council hopes the car park will provide
spaces for the growth in users of the School Lane playing field,
for shoppers and for visitors.
The principal source of funding for the car park is the Edith
Murphy Foundation. It is hoped the car park will be finished
by summer 2009. No decision has yet been made on whether it will
be free to park or a fee will be charged. The existing car park
will be remodelled and contain six disabled spaces, a new ramp
up to the old council office and a bike parking area.
Search for Birstall citizen
THE BIRSTALL Citizen of the Year Award
is now in its fourth year and the award recognises the often
unseen work of the many good citizens of the village.
The award is made by Birstall Parish Council and Chairman Stuart
Jones said: "The idea is to recognise the work of those
who go unrecognised, not professionals - doctors, teachers or
councillors who do important work - but people who give their
time and energy as volunteers to help the community. I hope to
encourage people to do more for Birstall".
The award is presented during the annual two-day Birstall Gala
and nominations for the award should be forwarded to the Parish
Council, Council Offices, Birstall Road, Birstall LE4 4DH. Past
winners were Mr Jex Woods (Birstall & Wanlip Age Concern),
Mrs Brenda Watts (Friends of Belgrave Cemetery) and the current
title holder is Mr Andy Corbett for work with Birstall Village
Cricket Club Juniors.
Music at Stonehill
A MUSIC workshop at Stonehill school ended
with a concert for parents and guests.
Around 100 pupils aged 7-18 took part in the Wind Band workshop
and spent the afternoon in group and ensemble tuition.
Stonehill pupil Sam Thurgood (11) said: "I have really enjoyed
myself, I've only been learning the trombone since September
and have never had the chance to do anything like this before
I came to Stonehill."
Young people from Longslade, Stonehill, The Martin High, Glenfield
primary, Riverside, Highcliffe and Woolden Hill primary took
part in the event, part of the extended schools Opportunities
in Music project, organised by Kate Phipps, Head of Music at
Stonehill.
Air cadets
ALMOST 1,000 Air Cadets in the East Midlands
celebrated the anniversary of the Air Training Corps last month.
The ATC was founded in 1941 and gives young people aged 13-20
exciting and challenging experiences supervised by adult volunteer
staff.
Cadets are able to go flying in a two seated aeroplane, and even
get the opportunity to take over the controls of the plane and
fly it. They are given the opportunity to fly in a glider, and
may even achieve a solo flight. Radio work, shooting, navigation
and many more activities are offered to the cadets, who can also
gain other qualifications from the Duke of Edinburgh award to
B.TEC Diplomas.
In sport, such as hockey or netball, football or rugby, cross
country, athletics, or swimming they have the chance to not only
represent their local area, but go on to represent the Midlands,
or even England. Opportunities are also given to cadets to go
away for a week on an RAF base within this country or abroad.
If you are a teenager and would like to join the Birstall squadron,
or you are an adult and would like to help, then please get in
touch with the local headquarters on 01780 783838 and ask the
operator for the Air Training Corps office.
Kingsgate PO to close
"WE ARE gutted, there's no other way
of describing it" says Post Office manager Pushvinder Khalifa,
after the Post Office announced its decision to close the Kingsgate
Avenue branch.
The Post Office will close for good on March 18, after more than
45 years serving the community. Pushvinder and sub postmaster
Mukesh Patel have run the branch for 14 years and invested £20,000
in refurbishment.
"We have tried to appeal against the decision but have been
turned down" says Pushvinder. "Lots of customers are
so angry they are telling us they won't use the Post Office again,
and will get their stamps at supermarkets or use courier services
for parcels."
Birstall Councillor Helen Edwards campaigned against the closure.
She said: "When PO management cuts capacity by closing profitable
offices in growth like Birstall, it does not bode well for the
rest of the PO network, it looks like slow commercial suicide.
It is as short sighted, commercially, socially and environmentally,
as Beeching's cuts to the rail network. Elderly customers west
of the A6 have been particularly hard hit by both Went Road and
Kingsgate's closures. If the PO managers think they will all
trek to Hannah Parade when there are two banks, three building
societies and five ATMs closer, they are in for a shock. Customers'
loyalties fade when they have been twice bitten."
The former chairman of Birstall Parish Council Nigel Coleman
lives on the Gates estate and helped co-ordinate the campaign
to keep Kingsgate open. He said: "It is an extremely sad
end of an era to see this well-run, progressive post office closed
in such a way. Everyone, residents, local, borough and county
councillors and Member of Parliament all made every effort possible
to stop this, but in the end, in spite of what we consider to
be strong arguments regarding the development of Birstall and
nearby Ashton Green, Royal Mail has chosen not to accept these
as a strong enough case. Whilst it is right that most of 90%
Birstall residents do live within the one mile to a branch, they
give no consideration of how practical or convenient, nor do
they consider the growth. What a shame government did not step
in and say "this is a public service we must support it"
but sadly it is not Northern Rock, this is just all part of change
which many, myself included, feel alters the character of our
country and not for the better."
New garage
A VEHICLE mechanic with over 20 years experience
has opened a garage in Birstall.
Mick Sanders said: "I chose Birstall because after some
research I found among the many amenities Birstall has to offer,
it was lacking an independent local garage that can cover all
aspects of the mechanical and electrical workings of all makes
and models of vehicles.
"I offer the usual services like general servicing, timing
belt replacement, clutches etc that most garages provide, bit
I also offer full electrical diagnostic testing and repairs,
for example airbag faults, engine management faults and ABS faults
to name but a few. I also provide a key coding service on most
makes and models. All work is guaranteed and competitively priced
with a fast and friendly service."
KM Vehicle Services is at 59 Sibson Road, at the rear of the
Posy Bowl. Contact Mick on 2677401 or 07843 253963
NHW news
IN RECENT WEEKS there has been a spate
of cars being vandalised.
Most of these appear to be random acts of mindless destruction
of wing mirrors and windows. However, there have been incidents
when valuable items were stolen from the cars. These items were
on display, tempting the opportunist thief. One such thief even
got away with the car whilst its owner was unloading the shopping
and had taken goods into the house, leaving the key in the ignition!
We all need to be as careful as possible not to leave such open
invitations in our cars.
Some outbuildings have been broken into at the rear of properties.
The NHW Advice Shop sells locks and alarms at cost price: a locked
gate is a good deterrent! The next Advice Shop is on Saturday
March 15 from 10am until 12noon. There is an opportunity to talk
to the police, to browse through our selection of goods and to
enjoy a coffee with us. We look forward to seeing you at the
old Parish Council offices opposite the garden centre.
From Evelyn Holden, committee member of
Birstall & Wanlip NHW
Medical Centre
BIRSTALL MEDICAL Centre on Whiles Lane
re-opened at the end of February.
The Centre now offers improved facilities including better waiting
areas, treatment rooms and consulting rooms, as well as a conference
room for meetings and training sessions.
The new Medical Centre is looking at additional services it hopes
to provide in the future: plans include an endoscopy suite;
To celebrate the opening of the new building an Open Day will
take place on a date to be confirmed.
Methodist church
Good Friday
There will be an outdoor service in which all the Birstall Churches
are taking part on the old Bowling Green at 10am on Good Friday
March 21. It will finish in sufficient time for those who want
to go to the drama presentation which is taking place in the
City Centre, or you can go to the Methodist Church for coffee
and hot cross buns.
Pantomime
Robin Hood and 'The Babes (in the wood)' was up to the usual
high standard that we have come to expect from the Men's Pantomime.
Some of the musical numbers were magnificent, the Irish Jig was
almost up to Riverdance speed and the High School Musical also
stood out. The costumes seemed even better than ever. All in
all a most enjoyable evening.
Cameroon Orphanage
As a result of the recent visit to The Cameroon, David and Joy
Bark are (on a personal basis) starting to raise funds for the
orphanage that they visited. They have some imaginative ideas.
If you would like to support this project, or want more information,
do contact David or Joy on 0116 2677576 or email: davidjoy@bark.clara.net
Boys Brigade Officer Dennis Hastie
Many old boys of the 2nd Leicester BB will remember Dennis who
was an Officer in the Birstall Company for many years during
the 60s and 70s. Sadly Dennis died quite suddenly. His funeral
was held at Claremont Street on January 22.
Jelson nominated
JELSON HOMES has been short-listed for
a regional award for the public art programme at Hallam Fields.
Jelson Homes are working with artists Orange Dot and have been
nominated in the community category of the Art & Business
East Midlands Awards, sponsored by Smith of Derby, that celebrates
partnerships between the commercial and creative sectors.
Robert Jelley, Managing Director, Jelson Ltd said: "At the
beginning the public art was almost a requirement, a way to secure
planning permission. I'm not sure we really knew what we were
getting ourselves into. I suppose I was expecting a 'something',
a statue at the entrance to the development, perhaps.
"But the strategy we have made together is something so
much more integrated, something so much more meaningful that
hopefully people will really be able to relate to it. Not a 'thing'
that could potentially be ridiculed, but something that adds
to the whole development.
Spanish rematch
A TEAM from Birstall Badminton Club has
visited Guardamar, Spain for a return match.
Pic: The full Spanish ex pats team
and Birstall team
This is the second year running that the club have played the
Spanish team, made up mainly of ex pats.
A very competitive but friendly match saw our Spanish hosts winning
the mixed section 22 rubbers to 14.
In the ladies section the result was closer, 5 rubbers to Birstall's
4 and in the men's section Birstall won 6 to Guardamar's 3.
After the match both teams and their supporters enjoyed a Chinese
banquet meal where the Birstall Chairman David Michael presented
a trophy to the Guardamar captain, Gill Ludlam. She in return
presented a bottle of wine to the only lady and man who didn't
lose a game; they were Bill Mee and Kathy Antkhowiak, both from
the Birstall team
Robert Mitchell (Guardamar) was presented with a prize for the
best dressed player.
While the Birstall club were over in Spain they joined in club
sessions and a walk was arranged to Oriuhela which 48 people
attended. Also several games of petanque were played.
Both clubs are looking forward to a return match in February
2009.
Diana award winner
A LONGSLADE student has won an award for
his voluntary work.
Pic: Diana Award winner Carl Webster
Carl Webster (18) received a Diana Award for the work he does
at Glenfield Hospital, talking to patients and serving tea and
coffee.
The Diana Awards are a legacy of the Princess of Wales and are
given to young people aged 12-18 who go the extra mile to make
a difference to the lives of their friends, families, schools
and communities.
Carl, who is studying A levels at Longslade and hopes to pursue
a career in medicine, said: "I want to train to be a doctor
and the voluntary work I do in the hospital is good experience,
I get to see an unbiased view of life in hospital".
Carl's voluntary work takes him to Glenfield hospital once a
week on Sundays. "I don't do it for the recognition but
the award is nice, it's nice to be noticed and to think that
people recognise the value of the work I'm doing."
If you would like to nominate a young person for a Diana Award
go to www.diana-award.org.uk or phone 0845 3372987. The deadline
for the current round of awards is March 14.
Shopping centre opens soon
ANYONE DRIVING along Vaughan Way in Leicester
will have noticed the striking glass façade of the new
John Lewis store which will be the centrepiece of Highcross Leicester.
Highcross Leicester is the name of this new development, which
will absorb the existing Shires Shopping Centre. It will open
in September 2008.
o Highcross Leicester will be over 100,000 sq.m. in size. That's
the equivalent of 20 football pitches or 80 Olympic-size swimming
pools
o Highcross Leicester will cost £350 million to develop
o Highcross Leicester is being jointly developed by Hammerson
plc and Hermes Real Estate
o Highcross Leicester is going to have the biggest John Lewis
department store outside London. It's going to be 22,000 sq.m.
in size and it's going to have four levels.
o Over 30,000 sq.m. of new retail accommodation is being built
on two levels. This will include five large flagship stores and
40 shop units.
o Highcross Leicester is going to have Leicester's very first
city-centre multiplex cinema
o Up to 20 new cafés and restaurants are going to open
at Highcross Leicester. That's nearly 6,000 sq.m. of space
o There'll be two new public squares created at the heart of
Highcross Leicester
o 120 apartments are being built as part of Highcross Leicester.
These will be above the shops and restaurants and they'll all
have balconies.
o The new 2,000-space multi-storey shoppers car park is going
to have a design which will be unique to Leicester and it will
be linked to Highcross Leicester by a glazed footbridge suspended
above Vaughan Way
o The Shires Shopping Centre is going to be modernised and refurbished
to become part of Highcross Leicester
Church news
AS EASTER Sunday approaches, on the 23rd
of this month, the beautiful spring days we had in February no
longer seem to have been exceptionally early.
There can be no danger that the traditional daffodils, distributed
at our services on Mothering Sunday, March 2, will be in short
supply. Other annual events which occur before Easter, include
the Women's World Day of Prayer service, held this year in St
James church at 7.30pm on Friday March 7. Everyone is invited
to hear Mary Williams the curate at St James and Wanlip preach
at this event, which is organised by the women of all the churches,
and refreshments will be served afterwards.
A reminder that St James Church is open every Saturday morning
and on Saturday March 9, keyboard music will be played between
10am and 12noon for the enjoyment of visitors and parishioners.
News has appeared in the local press about the Bishop of Leicester's
215 mile pilgrimage walk through the county during the five weeks
of Lent and we shall be pleased to welcome him on the last leg
of his journey on Saturday March 15.
There is a tradition at St James Church that on Palm Sunday the
choir leads a procession carrying palms into the church before
the 9.30am service. Anyone wishing to join in needs to be on
the playing fields by 9.20am to take part in this reminder of
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday. Another
tradition which has established itself in the life of Birstall
Churches Together in the last 25 years, is the holding of a Passover
Supper. This is not an attempt to re-create the Last Supper but
a Christian version of the Jewish Passover meal, which dates
back to Old Testament times and which Jesus would have celebrated
every year. The event takes place in the Village Hall on Wednesday
of the week before Easter (March 19) at 7.30pm. If you wish to
know more about this, please look for the information in the
individual churches or for tickets please ring 2674680 (St James),
2671420 (Methodist church) or 2675721 (St Theresa's). Everyone
is also invited to a joint outdoor service on the old bowling
green (near the DIY shop) at 10am on Good Friday 21st after which
there will be hot cross buns served at the Methodist Church.
On Easter Day in the beautiful little church of Our Lady and
St Nicholas at Wanlip an Easter Vigil takes place at 6am (if
the weather is good you will see the morning sun streaming through
the stained glass window behind the altar) followed by Holy Communion
at 7am and there will be a festal Evensong at 6pm. On the 5th
Sunday of the month, also at Wanlip, at 6pm there will be a Celtic
service with music, prayers and readings in the Iona tradition.
The people of both our churches wish you a very Happy Easter.
New players
A JUNIOR football club is looking for new
players.
Birstall Community College Juniors Football Club is affiliated
to Longslade Community College and will be continuing to run
four Junior football teams for the season 2008/09.
The age groups of the teams are under 16s, 14s, 13s and under
10s. Training sessions take place every Thursday evening from
6pm onwards at Longslade Community College. The older age groups
play on Sundays on School Lane playing fields. The under 10s
play on Sundays at Harrowgate Drive playing fields which is classed
as Mini-Soccer on a half size pitch with seven players in each
team.
Anyone interested in joining the club will be made most welcome
and should contact the chairman (Peter Herbert) tel.no. 2676181.
The under 10s manager (Paul Loach) can be contacted direct on
2209753.
Corbett’s cricket corner
BIRSTALL VILLAGE Cricket Club has registered
for the ECB Cricketforce 2008 which starts on weekend April 4th,
5th & 6th
This is when clubs prepare for the forthcoming season, but after
a successful appeal in the Leicester Mercury for plasterers,
I have been overwhelmed by the response, but one job has led
to another because of the help given by the fantastic offers
of help that have come forward.
Pic: Gordon Hurst with Andy Corbett
Plasterers Alan Wright and Craig Benson dry lined the tearoom
wall one morning but had a surprise visit from BBC Radio Leicester
presenter Rupal Rajani who was challenged to do some plastering
as part of her show. The next day Tom Hanson, Paul Fellows and
Matt Exton finished the plastering. All the lads donated their
time and materials for free and all come from all over the county
to help.
Pic: Rob Frizzell
Just as the plasterers finished Eric Wright donated 180 carpet
tiles for the tearoom and Gordon Hurst from the New Move Estate
Agent became the first matchball sponsor for the new season.
If you are interested in sponsorship of any kind please contact
me on 2693936. To finish off a tremendous weekend Rob Frizzell
(junior sponsor) was walking his dog Josh on the park and came
into the clubhouse and donated £100 towards the fitting
of a new bar area and kitchen worktops, which will be fitted
by our own cricket/handymen duo Steve Findley and Rob Drake.
When all the renovations are completed the new clubhouse will
be officially opened by Stuart Jones (Chairman of the Parish
Council).
Pic: Henry Whait (12), a new signing for the
club
Some of the Birstall Juniors joined John Maunders and England
and Middlesex player Owais Shah on a cricket course in Wigston.
It was a brilliant two hours with one of England's new exciting
players.
The volunteers who helped redecorate the pavilion:
o Eric Wright, Hillside Contractors, Whetstone Tel: 07809697664
o A Wright Plasterers Tel: 07773614595
o Euro Plasterers, Craig Benson Tel: 07977471204
o D P F Plastering, Paul Fellows Tel: 07518350380
o Tidy Plastering, Tom Hanson Tel: 07871002949
o Gordon Hurst, New Move Est Agents 2671913
Chinese New Year
CHILDREN AT Birstall Rainbow Nursery celebrated
the Chinese New Year.
Pics: Harry Wright in his dragon
outfit; Hari and
Rohan with their dad Nirlas Bathia
They travelled by bus to look around the Chinese Gardens at Abbey
Park, had a stir-fry and prawn crackers, dressed up as dragons
and made rat masks, for the year of the rat.
Playtime for toddlers
THE LITTLE Ones playgroup for parents and
toddlers meets at the Methodist Church coffee shop on Wanlip
Lane every Friday afternoon.
Organiser Elizabeth Panter said: "It's a very friendly atmosphere
and a safe place for children to play together."
There are a range of toys for the children and each week a different
activity is provided.
Sessions cost £1 per family, irrespective of the number
of children you bring. "New faces are always welcome"
says Elizabeth, "call in any Friday between 12.30-2.30pm"
For more detail tel Elizabeth Panter 2673952
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