Store's new look
SHOPPERS HAVE welcomed the changes at Birstall's
new look Somerfield store on Wanlip Lane.
"It's all about giving our customers a better fresh food
offering, a more up to date layout and a quicker service at the
checkout" said store manager Graham Picksley
The store's refurbishment, the first for 15 years, has seen a
20% increase in the amount of fresh food lines, and a deli with
hot roast chickens. The store's car park has also been resurfaced
with extra disabled spaces and mother and child spaces at the
side of the store.
Graham said: "Customers have been very positive about the
changes - a lot of people have gone out of their way to tell
us how much they like the new layout."
The store's most loyal customer, Mrs Win Cooper (pictured above),
was invited as a special guest to officially open the refurbished
store.
Parish Council notes
A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council
was held on December 8.
PC Richard Carruthers presented the crime figures for the previous
month and reported there had been a reduction in recorded crime
of a third compared to the month prior.
The antisocial behaviour on Friday nights has now calmed significantly
due to Police partnership presence, he said. Police resources
to deal with this problem had been increased, with help from
Special Constables and high visibility patrols at the weekend.
Graffiti was still a problem, but two people had been caught
red-handed. One had been dealt with by 'restorative justice'
- following a meeting with his parents, the culprit had been
made to clean up the damage and pay for the materials. The other
had been caught doing graffiti on a signpost.
PC Carruthers said that the Police were organising talks in local
schools about graffiti, damage and respect for property. Plain
clothes operations were in progress - one of these had resulted
in the detection of drugs and a knife.
PC Carruthers said he was concerned that there had been two distraction
burglaries in the area recently and urged householders to be
vigilant.
Councillors discussed the precept or budget for the year 2009/10.
Comment was made that due to the economic conditions efforts
should be made to keep any increase low. It was suggested that
as the council's costs were rising the precept needed to rise
to cover them, or services would have to be cut or money taken
from reserves leaving them at a low level, and that a rise of
5.2 per cent was appropriate. The Council voted 11 to 3 for an
increase of a maximum of 4 per cent on last year's precept, which
was £322,280. This represents an increase of £3.21
a year for a band D household.
In January, the Management & Policy Committee will meet to
consider where possible savings can be made before the full council
will set the final budget figure for 2009/10.
County Cllr Roger Wilson reported that the Impact Team which
involves the Police, local authorities and the Probation Service,
was having a positive effect on the graffiti problem. He said
that Charnwood can't remove graffiti from private property without
first obtaining permission, which could cause delay.
A resident reported that because the drains on School Lane were
not cleaned, the road continued to flood regularly. Clerk Brenda
Thomas said she was preparing photographic evidence to submit
to the County Council about the problem.
It was reported that Charnwood had removed graffiti from the
Memorial Wall, School Lane playing field entrance, and painted
it with anti-graffiti paint at a cost of £550.
Housing shared
PLANS FOR major development at Thurmaston
have resulted in calls for Birstall to take its share of the
new housing planned.
Thurmaston Action Group is making the suggestion: it was formed
last year to object to Charnwood's plans to build 5000 homes,
25 hectares of employment land, and a travellers' site on land
east of Thurmaston.
A spokesman for the group has said: "We would like to see
the housing shared more fairly around some of the other villages
in the borough, such as Quorn or Birstall. We don't want these
homes dumped on us."
The plans for Thurmaston are part of Charnwood 2026 - the Local
Development Framework. In 2006 planners identified land north
of Birstall as a site for a 20 hectare business park but in 2008
changed their minds and moved the proposal to Thurmaston. Charnwood
say the Birstall site could not accommodate any significant increases
in housing, which government guidance says should now be built
next to employment land.
Library carols
CHILDREN FROM Riverside School sang carols
at a fundraising coffee morning at Birstall library.
Pics: David Bark and children from
Riverside School
The event raised money for ADAPT, a Leicestershire charity that
supports premature babies.
Nativity story
CHILDREN SANG songs to Santa when he visited
Birstall Methodist pre-school in December.
Pic: Children listening to the
nativity story at Birstall
Methodist Church
The children received a present from Santa then listened to and
participated in the nativity story, which was told to them by
Rev Rachel Parkinson.
Joint Leaders Kay Hilton and Laura Freer said: "We'd like
to thank Rachel and everyone else who has supported the playgroup
over the year."
Highcliffe children shine
THE CHILDREN at Highcliffe School had the
opportunity to shine at three Christmas productions.
The season began with Christmas Time in Nurseryland, with Santa
Claus solving problems for Humpty Dumpty, Little Miss Muffet,
Mary Mary and Little Bo Peep to name just a few. Over 100 children
joined in the fun. Headteacher Pauline Aveling said: "The
characters spoke with clarity and the singers were work perfect!
Even the 'baddies' in the form of spiders had their charm and
their, and the prickly Christmas cactus, costumes were both ingenious
and very effective."
Then came the Wriggling Nativity: 60 four and five year olds
held their parents and friends captive with their traditional
tale. Pauline said: "Again the singing was excellent and
the costumes truly memorable. It was a fantastic effort and very
entertaining. Smiling audiences enjoyed the action and the dances.
Well done!"
Around 250 children finished the season with a Christmas concert
that included many traditional and favourite songs.
"The Soundstart band performed their pieces with great style,
while the choir established their considerable ability at memorising
songs by performing some they have prepared in recent weeks for
their trip to Birmingham. The mixture of rounds and harmonies
were complex but performed with elegance. Each of the year groups
also contributed medleys of festive Christmas songs and the audience
were given their chance to star by joining with the choir in
a three part 'Glenn Miller' classic. The PTA provided refreshments
and the whole experience was an afternoon to remember" said
Pauline.
Stonehill Christmas concert
MORE THAN 100 pupils at Stonehill School
presented a musical celebration of Christmas at a concert in
December.
Pic: The 70 strong Stonehill Choir
in rehearsal
They were performances from the school choir, the wind band,
the Stonehill rock band 'Untitled' and solos on the piano, guitar,
drums, flute and clarinet.
Pic: The Stonehill Rock Band 'Untitled'
Pic: Megan Snart & Georgina Venning
Kate Phipps, Head of Music and Performing Arts, said: "At
Stonehill we aim to provide as many opportunities in Performing
Arts as possible to enrich and enhance the pupils' curriculum
and to give pupils a chance to develop creativity and self expression
which is so important. We aim to be an 'All singing, all dancing
school'.
Pic: Cicely Towlson, Philippa Towlson, Hannah
Loach
Pic: Ashleigh Johnson
She added: "Currently we are bridging the gap between Stonehill
and the upper school, Longslade, by taking pupils up to Longslade
to take part in GCSE music lessons and building links with the
B Tec Performing Arts course by offering a similar course to
all year 9 students. The choir do several concerts to parents
and friends of Stonehill throughout the year. The windband are
a very busy group of musicians who take part in group rehearsals
with the feeder primary, Highcliffe and also host a large wind
band workshop in March for all of the schools in the area. The
wind band's performance schedule culminates in a concert at De
Montfort Hall."
Pic: Gavin Neill
The school is also building resources for rock bands including
vocal and guitar tuition by professional musicians and plans
to build more practice rooms. In January a professional dance
teacher will be coming to Stonehill to do extra curricular hip
hop lessons and there have recently been dance auditions for
performances at the Curve theatre. This year Year 7s will be
heading down to London for the night to watch a West End performance
of The Lion King.
"There were so many fantastic and memorable performances
at our Christmas concert and I was so proud of all the pupils"
said Miss Phipps.
Break in
A BREAK in at Birstall Village Cricket
Club's pavilion on the School Lane playing field has caused thousands
of pounds worth of damage.
To gain entry the thieves tore down a section of roller panelling,
destroying the mural that was painted on it in 2007. Once inside
they smashed the bar and stole the club's safe. One of the culprits
cut themselves and left blood at the scheme which the police
have used to get DNA evidence.
The incident happened on Wednesday December 3.
Children sing at NIA
CHILDREN FROM Highcliffe School sang at
Birmingham's National Indoor Arena in December.
36 members of the school choir joined 5000 children performing
in front of an audience of 8000.
The children said their favourites to sing were the Pop Medley
(including Take That), Magic Moments (including the Harry Potter
theme), The Oliver Medley (including Food Glorious Food), Destination
Disney (including songs from the Jungle Book), Bohemian Rhapsody
and The Rudolph Rumpus. The teachers' favourite was Can You Hear.
Special guests at the event included Keith Sempler, the Kixx,
a boy band, Street Dancers, soprano Summer Watson, who sang with
the children, and In-Cha, a 12 year old south African violinist.
The conductor was David Lawrence.
Highcliffe's choir conductor Carolyn Necklen said: "All
the children had put their full commitment and perseverance into
training and they enjoyed singing all the songs."
Kate, a member of the choir, wrote to thank Carolyn for organising
the trip and helpers Jane Corcoran, Evelyn Holden and Chris Blackburn
for accompanying the choir.
Tragic death of boy
A FIFTEEN year old boy from Birstall has
died after apparently falling into a diabetic coma.
Tom Bucciero, a type one diabetic, was found to be not breathing
when his mother checked on him at 6.30am on Monday December 7.
Although paramedics revived him, he died later that day at Leicester
Royal Infirmary.
Students at Longslade College, where Tom was a pupil, observed
a minute's silence in his memory.
His father Tony said: "We are so proud of Tom. He was a
straight A student who loved life and who had a huge circle of
friends and loved being with them."
Area forum
FLOODING AND regional development were
two of the issues discussed at a meeting of the Bradgate, Rothley,
Mountsorrel and Birstall Area Forum.
The meeting was held on October 29 in Rothley.
Emergency Planning Officers from Charnwood and the County Council
reported on flooding risks in the Charnwood area.
There are 13 flood wardens who monitor potential flood locations.
o the increased risk of flooding was caused by surface run off
in an increasingly built up environment putting pressure on a
Victorian sewer network, and climate change
o A flood plan targeted 50 at risk communities
o The County Council was responsible for surface drainage and
Severn Trent for underground drainage/sewers
o The public points of contact for flooding problems were Charnwood
Contact Centre 01509 632 599 and Ian Smith, County Emergency
Management 0116 305 6733.
Cllr Richard Shepherd, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council gave
a presentation about the Charnwood 2026 Core Strategy.
There is a requirement for 19,300 homes in Charnwood between
2001 and 2026: land for 10,000 of these remains to be found.
8500 are planned in the sustainable urban extensions proposed
and 1500 on identified brownfield sites.
Local Police beat officers updated the forum on their beat priorities.
There was a report on the measures taken to keep Birstall Pool
open: a friends of Birstall swimming pool group had started which
has secured grant money and raised £2,000 by fundraising.
The County Council has paid for a new boiler and provided brown
tourist signs directing users to the pool.
The next meeting will be on March 5, 2009 in Anstey. Area Forums
welcome attendance by the public who can ask questions and discuss
local issues with officers and councillors. For more details
visit www.leicestershireforums.org
New technology improves efficiency
A SENIOR policeman has described how new
technology has improved the efficiency of the area's police.
Chief Superintendent Daimon Tilley, Leicestershire's North Area
Commander, was speaking at a Police Consultative Meeting in November.
He said: "There have been a number of substantial technology
changes in policing on the North Area over the last 12 months
which have achieved a significant improvement in the way we do
our business and the service we provide to the public. These
include the full implementation of a vehicle satellite-tracking
based system which enables us to see at a glance where any of
our 70 police vehicles are at any one time. The system also ensures
that we make best use of our fleet to ensure that officers are
visiting key hotspots for crime and antisocial behaviour, and
also assist our control room with dispatching the nearest available
resource to any emerging incidents as they happen. The technology
has already proved useful in ensuring that we maximise our visibility
at key hotspot locations, as well as contributing to our environmental
work by significantly reducing the number of miles that we travel
when not attending incidents.
"Also on the technology front we have recently rolled-out
Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) in marked police vehicles and Balckberry
personal computing devices to our Beat Officers and PCSOs. The
MDT fitted to the marked police vehicles are effectively a desktop
computer configured to work in a mobile way. This gives officers
access to the full range of systems available within the police
station but allows them access to these systems whilst out on
patrol and in people's homes. Given that more and more administrative
work is computer based, this is significantly improving our visibility
in communities by ensuring that officers can complete computer
based tasks away from the station. Similarly the introduction
of Blackberry Bold personal computer terminals to our Beat Officers
and PCSOs has had a similar effect.
"As a result of the recent 'Flanagan Review into Policing'
the force became one of five forces piloting informal resolutions
to low level crime and disorder problems. This new freedom has
allowed us to re-inject some discretion back into policing and
to ensure that wherever possible restorative approaches are taken
to combating crime and disorder problems in our local communities.
This has proved particularly effective where we are able to accommodate
victims' wishes around receiving either an apology or reparation
rather than criminalising an offender for their first offence.
It is not a soft option and criminal behaviour can and is still
dealt with by means of formal prosecution proceedings however
this is not always appropriate in every case and the new Flanagan
type disposals are proving to be a valued tool in our armoury.
"Also this month we have begun to partake in a national
pilot where the bureaucracy around stopping people in the street
and asking them to account for their conduct or behaviour has
been significantly streamlined. Once again officers are making
full use of technology to capture and submit key essential information
in a much more streamlined way.
"Finally we are striving to improve our customer service
through the recent introduction of a scheduled response service.
Whereas in the past our response to incidents which were not
emergencies was very unpredictable, with officers being sent
when they were available, we are now able to diary a response
to a caller to ensure that a Police Officer can attend at the
caller's own convenience. It is early days in the implementation
of this scheme, however we are confident that this will significantly
improve the quality of service that we provide to members of
our local communities, by ensuring that they receive a response
at a time that is convenient to them, rather than having to wait
around for an officer to arrive."
At the meeting the crime figures for the Charnwood LPU were reported.
The Charnwood LPU covers 35 villages from south of Loughborough
to the city boundary and from Wymeswold across to Anstey.
April 07 to October 08: burglary dwelling increase of 4% compared
to the previous year, burglary other increase 75%, theft of motor
vehicles decrease 18%, theft from motor vehicles increase 19%m,
violent crime decrease 11%, criminal damage decrease 17%
Total crime increased by 1.26%. The overall detection figure
is 19%.
Connect2 starting
IMPROVEMENTS to footpaths and cycle links
in Watermead Country Park moved a step closer today as work was
given the go ahead for January.
Sustainable transport charity Sustrans and Leicestershire County
Council have signed the papers that launch the £1.4 million
Connect2 project which won a share of £50 million Big Lottery
grant last December in a public vote.
Over the next five years work will be done on paths in and around
the park, improving links into the park including crossings at
busy roads and bridges will be transformed to make them accessible
to all park users.
The first work to be completed will be a new hard surfaced path,
which is currently a grass route, between Johnson's Bridge and
Thurmaston Lock Bridge and a crossing over a ditch north of King
Lear's Lake.
For updates on the project go to www.leics.gov.uk/connect2.
Jim's double landmark
BIRSTALL UNITED Juniors Football Club Secretary,
Jim Lennon, has celebrated a double landmark by retiring on the
day he turned 65.
Pic: BUJFC Chairman, Kev Glover
(right) presenting Jim
Lennon with a watch and tankard.
Jim Lennon has been involved with BUJFC for over 23 years and
has been secretary for the past 20 years. On top of that he is
also the manager of the under 14s team.
Jim has managed to juggle his BUJFC duties with his full time
job at Blaby District Council, but now that he has retired he
will be able to concentrate solely on running the club.
Jim's retirement day also coincided with one of the football
club's committee meetings, so the committee presented him with
a watch and a tankard to mark both milestones.
Kev Glover, BUJFC chairman said: "I would like to personally
thank Jim for all his hard work over the past and future years.
I personally have had two children go through the ranks at BUJFC
and without volunteers such as Jim, this would not be possible."
Car park to cost £250K
THE SIBSON Road car park extension will
cost £250,000.
Funding for the project will be met entirely from donations and
grants: the majority of the money will come from the Edith Murphy
Foundation who also provided the Crossways car park.
Birstall Parish Council as landowners are leading the project
and have awarded the contract to construct the car park to Leicestershire
County Council.
Work on the extension, opposite Birstall DIY, started on January
5 and should be completed within 8-12 weeks, subject to weather
conditions.
Parish Clerk Brenda Thomas said: "The existing car park
is in need of some major repairs, including the need to replace
the existing drainage to the car park which would have cost the
rate payers of Birstall over £50,000. This scheme will
include that refurbishment and will include provision of disabled
access from the existing car park to the old Council offices."
The scheme also includes: cycle parking; new lighting infrastructure;
trees, shrubs and planters; a new seating area; litterbins and
CCTV which will not only monitor the car park but will also cover
some of Sibson Road and the Triangle.
Brenda Thomas said: "The Council would like to reiterate
that this project has not been funded through the precept and
would like to thank the Edith Murphy Foundation for their support."
Bramley Road burglary
THE POLICE are appealing for witnesses
following a distraction burglary at a home in Birstall.
The incident happened at around 5.30pm on Thursday December 4
when the victim, in his eighties, answered his door on Bramley
Road to two men asking to check his electrics. They entered the
house and whilst one distracted the victim, the other made a
search of the upstairs. It is believed nothing was stolen during
the incident.
The men are described as white and aged between 20 and 30 years
old. They were both wearing dark clothing and spoke with local
accents. One is described as of a plump build. The other is described
as around 5ft 9ins tall and of slim build.
Detective Constable Paul Burchell, who is investigating this
incident, said: "This was obviously very distressing for
this man and we want to find the people responsible. We would
appeal to anyone who saw anyone matching these descriptions acting
suspiciously in the area at the time of the incident or has any
information regarding this burglary to get in touch.
"Any information no matter how insignificant it may seem
could help with our enquiries. I would also ask people to contact
me if you have been visited by someone in similar circumstances."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC1340 Paul Burchell
on 0116 222 2222, follow the instructions to leave a message
for a police officer and when prompted key in the officer's identification
number 1340. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, which is free
and anonymous on 0800 555 111.
|
Performing arts showcase
A CHRISTMAS showcase of music, dance and
drama performed by Longslade students highlighted the range of
courses run by the college's performing arts department.
The programme included a wide range of material, some festive
some light-hearted and some more serious items.
Pic: Dominic Hall, Leanne Ostick, Callum Rey
and
Paige Sharman
Pic: trumpet player Matt Hampton
Pic: cellist Ellie McClay
Pic: Jack Webster on guitar
Pic: Ginny Turnell and Chris Grant
NHW news
Distraction Burglaries
If anyone knocks at your door and asks to be let in because they
are from the Water Board or the Electricity Board or the Gas
Board then you know immediately they are not genuine and you
should close the door on them without saying anything to them.
Since the 1990s all the utility companies have been privately
owned and the old style 'board' companies ceased to exist.
For example the water company is now known as Severn Trent Water.
The 6 main gas and electricity companies are: npower, Eon,
Scottish Power, Scottish & Southern, EDF and Centrica (British
Gas). In addition, there are about 20 other smaller energy companies.
If a genuine person from any of the above companies knocks on
your door and asks to be let in they will tell you which company
they are from. The person will be wearing an identity card which
will be easy to see. If you cannot read the identity card ask
the person to take their card off and let you see it properly.
If you still aren't happy tell the person you are going to make
some further checks. Close the door and lock it leaving the
representative outside on the doorstep. Then go and telephone
the company concerned to check the representative is genuine.
You can get the utility company phone number from a recent bill
or by looking in a telephone directory.
If you still have doubts ask the representative to go away and
make a definite appointment to come into your house.
As a further safeguard you can arrange with any of the above
companies a password check. This is a pre-arranged word or phrase.
If the representative is genuine they will be able to tell you
your password when they knock at the door. If the representative
does not know your password DO NOT let them in no matter what
excuse they give.
If the representative of the company is genuine they will not
think you are being rude. They have been trained to expect householders
to make these sorts of checks. After all it is far better to
be safe than a victim of crime.
From Ghislaine Woods
Crime Report : Birstall Nov 11 to Dec 8, 2008
Assaults and harassment 10 (1 detected), burglary 6, burglary
other 6, damage 6 (4 graffiti), damage to motor vehicle 4, drugs
2 (detected), public order 1 (detected), theft of motor vehicle
1, theft from motor vehicle 1, theft of cycle 3, theft stores
8, theft 5, non recordable 4. Total: 60 (down 29 from previous
month)
Your Say...
The ladies from the Birstall BAGS would like to thank everybody
who donated to us throughout last year and helped us to raise
a fantastic amount of money, possibly the best year we have had.
To date we have raised over £17,000 so we would like to
wish everyone a Happy New Year, and invite you all to our annual
disco/band night at the Birstall Social Club on February 7, tickets
will be on sale in January from Emma/Rachael and Jo. Please come
along and start us off on a great 2009.
Emma 07837028451, Rachael 07989822173, Jo, Lesley, Liz,
Helen
I would like to say I am a youth/yob whatever you want to
call me, I walk round in a big group, I am over the park at the
weekend and guess why because there is nothing else to do.
All these extra police driving round is stupid when they could
be out catching real criminals, not us, it's a joke now. What
a waste of police time everyone says, well I will tell you now,
all they do is drive round making it look good. They don't arrest
underage drinkers, no they arrest people for pathetic little
things. The last three beat bobbies and PCSO have got it in for
some of us and won't stop.
It's harassment I'd say, maybe if we had something to do and
I mean something that will keep running unlike the youth clubs
that just shut. And maybe all these police officers going round
would like to explain why antisocial behaviour is still a major
problem because they are just pointing the finger at us when
it's not us, it's others as well. You can't just blame two people
as it has been the case as you have read before two going on
ABCs, well guess what, only one went on for everything.
Well you've heard enough from me, but to finish I think it's
all got too much that you are making yourselves look pathetic
not us yobs.
Jenny Barnes
Regarding the letter in your issue 305, I would like to know
what this person is afraid of, the more cameras we have the more
likely this will stop the culprits or are they afraid they may
catch someone they don't want catching. I believe most are from
the village itself while outsiders are getting the blame, so
let's have more.
Ben Burrows
I lived in Birstall from 1930 until 1951 I was married to
Roger Collins in St James the greater Church in 1947, I would
like to know if anyone living in Birstall can remember
me, I would love to hear from them.
Sylvia Collins
sylviac@au.wmit.net
On behalf of the Royal British Legion, I would like to thank
the residents of Orchard Road for their generosity in helping
me raise £95.52 in aid of the Poppy Appeal. This was more
than we raised last year in spite of the current financial situation,
so well done to all of you and I hope to see you all next year.
Arthur Harrison
The picture which the public judged to be the 'Best in Show'
at our November exhibition was Derek Walsom's oil painting 'Lowing
Herd'. The LOROS boxes raised almost £100 to add to the
£3100 which was raised in September from the sale of paintings
by our late president, Norman Sims. We look forward to meeting
you all again on the first weekend in November this year.
Mary Houghton
May I thank the wonderful people who give to my poppy collection
year after year. As this is my 40th year since I started I have
much pleasure in telling you all that we doubled our normal total.
Well done all of you, our total outside McColls this year is
£425.67. Many thanks also to Krustys and Age Concern for
the mugs of tea.
See you all again next year, and many, many thanks
Val Joyce, President of Birstall Royal British Legion Women's
Section
I was very disappointed when I recently went into a Birstall
store.
Having a double buggy and two other young children with me (4
and 6) I had to leave them outside by the door as you cannot
fit the buggy into the shop. I left the door open so that I could
keep an eye on my children whilst I went just inside the door
to purchase two items. I could see the children from where I
was in the shop. The door was then shut. I asked the girl behind
the counter if I could leave the door open as I have four children
outside, her response was no, it has to be shut as I have the
heater on. I responded I can't get the buggy into your shop so
I have to leave the kids outside and I need the door open to
keep an eye on them. She then said no, sorry the door has to
be shut because I have the heater on.
I then put the one item down and walked out of the shop. I was
disgusted that for two minutes this young girl could not keep
her shop door open so that I could make sure my children were
OK, all because she wanted to keep warm. Please tell me what
is more important keeping warm or children?
Lisa Kolade
Please would someone explain the following observation - perhaps
someone who has control over the local public purse.
On a Wednesday at the beginning of November a lorry was parked
on Loughborough Road. It was supporting a number of workmen who
were engaged in renewing the white markings along the carriageway,
including those at the Bentley Road/Loughborough Road junction.
These had all become very indistinct with time and wear.
On the Friday they cordoned off Bentley Road, and proceeded to
dig up the patch by the junction - the patch which had been marked
on the Wednesday. They laid a patch of new, unmarked tarmac at
this junction. About a week later the first lorry arrived and
the marking was restored.
Who pays for all this? The road authorities? Where does this
money come from? Us? Why could not the marking have been done
AFTER the surface renewal?
Dr D A C McNeil
There is a petition in Birstall for more policing and the
amount of graffiti and criminal damage. I know for a fact the
Neighbourhood Watch were asked if they would help with the petition,
but they declined. I question whether this decision was made
with residents' interest in mind. Surely their help and support
would have enabled more people to sign. I for one will not be
paying my subscription to Neighbourhood Watch next year - action
speaks louder than words.
Name & address supplied
We invited Birstall Neighbourhood Watch to respond to this letter.
The Birstall & Wanlip Watch Committee is very aware of residents'
concerns regarding the increased amount of graffiti in the villages
and shares those concerns.
We are actively working with the police and the Parish Council
to address the problem. The Watch also urges all businesses and
private premises to assist by removing any graffiti promptly.
The Watch Committee discussed the petition at its November meeting
and supports wholeheartedly anything residents do to highlight
concerns in our village. There was a special report regarding
Antisocial Behaviour and Graffiti in the December issue of the
Neighbourhood Watch News, which fully discusses those concerns
and proposed actions.
Ed Marshall (Chairman) Birstall & Wanlip NHW
A teenager recently passed away as many people know, Thomas
Buccerio, who passed away in December. Many of us at Longslade
and others are shocked at this terrible tragedy and many are
still not over it, including myself.
You know, throughout the years of my school life, through primary
school, high school and now college I have met a lot of people.
People whose friendship I cherish for the rest of my life, but
along the years, many who I have come to meet, I have lost contact
with.
Unfortunately I know that you Tom were one of them, and I'm regretting
losing contact with you, I find it hard to remember when, where
and how we first met because of my bad memory but I know deep
inside of me that me and you were best of friends. I totally
wish that I could turn back the time and get back in contact
with you, but I can't and that's one thing that I cannot get
over.
Myself and many people still cannot get over the fact that you're
gone, I watched the videos and tributes for you and they're so
emotional that I cannot contain myself from crying.
You were truly an amazing lad, even for those who did not know
you, many are shocked at this terrible tragedy and I'm sue no
one will ever forget you.
Like I said I regret losing contact with you, but I know as well
as everyone else that you will always be with each of us, standing
next to us. So then again when I think about it, on one hand
I lost contact with you , but then on the other hand, I have
regained contact with you because you will be beside me all the
time, and not just me but others as well.
The sheer amount of people who have turned out for your funeral
and the many who have turned out in their hundreds to sign the
condolences book at Longslade, who wore red t-shirts on the Friday
in college, and who will be taking part in some walks for you
and so much more, it proves that you had an effect on everyone.
I understand that you were a Liverpool fan, so I guess the saying
that "You'll never walk alone" is true but I guess
now that should be changed to "We will never walk alone"
as I know, as well as everyone else, that you're with us today,
and will always be with us until the day we join you in that
wonderful place you have been sent.
You take care up there and sleep tight and when the time comes,
I know we will meet again.
Jamie Press
Being an Expat, now living in the States, and also being born
and raised for ten years in Birstall, I frequently read, with
interest; (and a smile), some of the letters from your readers
including complaints of: young people gathering; off licenses
selling beer to minors: graffiti problems; dog poop in the jetty;
marijuana growing; anti social behavior etc.
Not wanting to make light of what at first glance seems to be
a few serious concerns from your village residents, I just thought
I would share a few headlines from my local newspaper, the Greensboro
News and Record, for the last two days.
I hope, that while not detracting from the issues, or in any
way making light of the obvious decline in human behavior of
certain members of Leicestershire's society, it might serve well
to put some of these concerns into a different perspective and
on a slightly broader scale.
Remember, you still live in rural England, and at least for the
time being, you have a monarchy with a system of government that
allows you to vote for your elected officials, and or kick them
out when they screw up, you can walk to the pub at night and
go to the fish and chip shop afterwards without fear of being
robbed or killed. You have one of the best educational systems
in the world, multicultural and ethnic diversity and socialized
medicine. Most of your police don't carry guns and; if it's the
same as when I was a kid, I am sure, the sight of the village
bobby still strikes terror into the heart of most juvenile or
adolescent, would-be miscreants.
Imagine a world where your daily newspaper had the following
headlines from December 24:
Two people robbed of store deposit
BURLINGTON - Two people were robbed at gunpoint as they were
driving a store's night deposit to a local bank. Burlington poli...
Greensboro man loses car at gunpoint
GREENSBORO - A local man was carjacked at gunpoint shortly after
midnight Tuesday. Greensboro police said Herman Soloman was s...
No injuries in Taco Bell robbery
WINSTON-SALEM - Two men robbed a Taco Bell at gunpoint Tuesday
night.
Knife-wielding woman robs Kmart
GREENSBORO - A Kmart employee got more than he bargained for
when he confronted a shoplifter Tuesday night. Greensboro police...
Manslaughter charge dismissed in teen's death
ASHEBORO - Meredith Kandies got an early Christmas present Tuesday.
A Randolph County judge dismissed an involuntary manslaughte...
Off-duty trooper shoots Reidsville man
REIDSVILLE - A Reidsville man was hospitalized in critical condition
Tuesday after being shot by an off-duty state trooper in a......
Boone police look for suspect in killing of shop owner
BOONE (AP) - Boone police say they are looking for a Virginia
man who has been charged with murder in the shooting death of
a pa...
As a footnote, and I know this will draw a negative reaction
from some, marijuana has been de-criminalized in the Netherlands
with some amazing social behavioral results. Namely, it no longer
holds any mystique and has quite frankly become boring. Additionally
their hard drug problems have all but disappeared.
There is NO medical or scientific proof after extensive testing,
that smoking grass, weed or marijuana causes any long term health
effects at all, in fact quite the contrary and it is now being
viewed by many of the medical fraternity as a miracle drug for
treatment of glaucoma, cancer, manic depression, chronic nerve
damage, and many other neurological diseases as the only effective
treatment. Marijuana is not an addictive drug, nor is it a "gateway"
drug. It's an herb! Cat-nip for people.
While alcohol and cigarettes are still freely available to be
purchased, (and also collect tax revenue by the way), they continue
to kill countless millions of people all over the world, yet
a plant that has had so many beneficial uses throughout, history
and numerous civilizations is illegal and banned by our government.
There is a very interesting documentary called: American Drug
War: The Last White Hope (2007). I recommend seeing it if you
get the chance. It clearly illustrates the real reasons why this
condiment is being so fervently demonized.
I would like to wish all your readers a peaceful mind, good health
and happiness for this Yule time and prosperity for 2009.
Larry Smith
Greensboro, North Carolina. USA
red-sailor@hotmail.com
Andy bids farewell
AFTER 9 years with the club, local cricketer
and coach Andy Corbett has decided to leave Birstall Village
Cricket Club.
Pic: Andy Corbett
Andy said: "It was not a decision to make lightly and took
a lot of soul searching. My eldest son Tom has already made the
move to Syston Town CC at the start of the last season and my
youngest, George, playing for the under 15s at Syston, I felt
this would be the right time to follow them."
He added: "The time that I have spent at Birstall Village
has been a great time, having won the Senior League with the
first team twice, but the highlight has been the success of the
junior section, with the help of Rob Drake and Chris Hopkins."
Over the last few years the club has endured break-ins and graffiti
but has overcome this: it won Wisden Cricket Club of the year
in 2007. Andy has also won awards during his time at the club
from Birstall Citizen of the year, OSCAs at Lords CC and a Government
Respect Award.
Andy will not be able to carry on with the junior section at
the club due to other commitments, he is already under 13s North
District Manager and has also been appointed under 13s Leicestershire
Young Cricketers County Manager 2009. He said: "Rob Drake
and Chris Hopkins will continue the junior section at the club
hopefully with help from Hamish Carnan who wishes to start an
under 15s side."
He added: "I'd like to thank everyone at the club, from
players and their families, sponsors and members of the public
who have helped during my time with the club. I wish them all
the best for the future both on and off the pitch and I hope
that readers have enjoyed reading Corbetts Cricket Corner for
the last three years
Festive flower club
CHRISTMAS JOY came early to Birstall Flower
Club when Linda Stamp came to the Village Hall to give the demonstration
for our annual open evening on November 26.
Pic: Linda Stamp and one of her
arrangements.
"She entertained over 100 members and guests with her beautiful
flower arrangements and humorous repartee" said spokeswoman
Marjorie Smith. The arrangements were all raffled off at the
end of the meeting.
The flower club year will end in January with the members' Big
Picnic and AGM. Marjorie said: "The new year will begin
with our February meeting when we hope that our exciting calendar
will encourage new members to join us. We meet on the 4th Wednesday
of each month at the Birstall Village Hall when we have demonstrators
showing differing styles of arrangements."
Anyone interested in joining should telephone 0116 2674206.
Swimming club
IF YOU want to improve your swimming or
keepfit, you could try joining Leicester Masters Swimming Club
(LMSC).
LMSC is a non competitive club for adults. Their main club night
is on a Tuesday at Cossington Street baths in Belgrave, but they
also run two swimming sessions at Birstall pool on Friday evenings
from 6-7pm, and on Saturdays from 7.45-8.45am.
To try and encourage use at this new time and attract new swimmers
from the Birstall area, the club is offering this session at
a substantially reduced fee during the month of January. If anyone
would like any further information they can visit the club website
http://beehive.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/lmsc or contact the
club's Chair, Nick Cox on 07980 941057
Somerfield cash
SOMERFIELD'S BIRSTALL store is one of 850
across the country that have helped raise £2 million for
the Macmillan Cancer Charity since March 2007.
The Wanlip Lane store has raised £4379 of the total.
Somerfield raised the money through fundraising in store and
sales promotions.
Ciaran Devane, Chief Executive for Macmillan Cancer Support,
said: "This is a phenomenal achievement and is a testament
to the commitment of Somerfield staff and customers to improving
lives in the local community. We are grateful to everyone involved."
Methodist news
Mother Goose
The 2009 Men's Pantomime is rapidly taking shape - the props
& scenery are almost finished, some words have been learnt,
but alas Ermintrude the Goose hasn't yet been trained to lay
a real Golden Egg!
Tickets are on Sale at £5 each Tel Victoria on 2122513.
The performances are in Half Term week, from Tuesday to Saturday
17 to 21 February at 7.30pm each evening plus a Saturday Matinee.
Rev Chris Gray's walk in China
Many friends will remember Chris Gray & his wife Viv. Chris
was a previous minister at Birstall, and is now at Chilwell near
Nottingham. In 2009 they are to have a Sabbatical, and have decided
to use the opportunity to walk 100km of the Great Wall of China.
Chris & Viv are inviting sponsors as they are aiming to raise
£3000 towards the Alzheimer's Society. If you feel you
could sponsor them, you can do so online at www.justgiving.com/chrisvivgray.
Notices on the Web-site
Weekly notices are produced in printed form and distributed at
both services, and they are available in the coffee shop during
the week. However they are also now published on the church web
Site. The web site now contains so much information, and pictures.
It is well worth marking it up as a 'favourite'. www.birstallmethodistchurch.org.uk
Diary Date - Garden Trail
In your new diary do mark up the weekend of June 13 & 14as
the weekend of the 2009 Garden Trail which this year is to be
in the Curzon Avenue & Roman Road area of Birstall.
Old Boys' Brigade Pictures
Were you a member of the 2nd Leicester Company in the 1960's
and 1970's? If so you may be interested in many of Tony Moores
slides. At the time he was a prolific photographer and took hundreds
of slides - none of which were particularly outstanding. However
it provides a record of the places visited, parades held, and
activities at Birstall Methodist Church. Most of the pictures
are of people at the time, lads in their teens, parents 40 years
ago.
Tony has begun to put many of these pictures onto computer, and
in turn has put them in BT's 'digital vault'. If you would like
to access the 1100 pictures, which have been uploaded so far,
do email Tony (mooretony@btinternet.com) who will send you the
link.
From Tony Moore
Parish church news
AS USUAL the season of Christmas has been
a very busy time within the church.
There were many visitors to admire the new developments in the
social area of the church, including parties of children from
the Riverside and Highcliffe Schools who came to sing carols
or to be shown round.
At Wanlip the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols and the informal
Carol Service attracted lovers of traditional Christmas worship.
There was a splendid concert by The8 group from Loughborough
who delighted their audience again with every possible style
of Christmas carols from a novelty version of 'We three kings'
to excerpts from the Messiah, accompanied by a string quartet.
This, along with a coffee morning the same weekend raised about
£900 towards church refurbishment.
However the New Year brings us to thoughts of the future and
a very different use of the church. There has been some confusion
in the past about who is allowed to marry in Anglican churches.
As from October 2008 the guidelines have been clarified, making
it much easier for engaged couples to marry in the church of
their choice.
Basically you may marry in a church if you fulfil any of seven
requirements:
If one of the couple
1. was baptised in the parish or
2. was prepared for confirmation in the parish or
3. has at any time lived in the parish for at least 6 months
or
4. has at any time regularly attended normal services in the
parish church for a period of at least 6 months or
if one of the couple's parents at any time after the couple were
born
5. has lived in the parish for at least 6 months or
6. has gone regularly to normal services in the parish church
for at least 6 months or that one of the couple's parents or
grandparents
7. was married in the parish.
Anyone who would like to know more about marriage in church is
welcome to phone the Church Office on 267 4517 or consult the
Rector, James Shakespeare on 2674517 or the Curate, Mary Williams
on 2677620.
The churches of St. James, Birstall and Our Lady and St. Nicholas,
Wanlip wish everyone in Birstall a happy and blessed New Year.
From Beryl McHugh
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Age Concern info
Many Women (it is estimated about 500,000) Need To Act
Quickly Re State Pension Rights
Many women and other carers looked set to retire in poverty after
the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) stopped issuing statements
in 1996 telling them that their National Insurance Contributions
(NICs)) records were insufficient for them to receive the basic
state pension, which is currently £90.70 a week.
In November, Pensions Minister James Purnell promised that these
people would be allowed to top-up their National Insurance Contributions
records as far back as 1975 to gain full pension rights. He said:
"By 2010 75% of women reaching state pension age will be
entitled to a full basic state pension, rising to more than 90%
by 2025, compared to around 35% today."
Now the Pre Budget Report proposes to claw back some of the benefit
of Mr Purnell's concession by making it much more expensive eventually
to top up incomplete NICs records. From April 6 2009, the cost
of Class 3 NICs will rise from £8.10 to £12.05 a
week, pushing up the price of replacing a year's lost contributions
from £421 to £626. That means it is still possible
to restore six years of contributions at a cost of £2,526
but that figure will rise to £3,756 next April. Even then,
according to the Treasury, paying Class 3 NICs should represent
good value as it claims the actuarial assessment of the pension
rights they purchase is nearer £45 a week. As previously
announced, the number of years' NICs needed to qualify for a
full state pension will fall from 44 for a man and 39 for a woman
to 30 for both men and women from April 2010. At present, for
women born before April 5, 1950, a Voluntary Class 3 contribution
of £421 buys an extra state pension worth £121 a
year, index-linked for life. Women born after April 5, 1950,
will be in a new system whereby they can qualify for a full basic
state pension with 30 years contributions and, in addition, credits
will be introduced for women who stay at home to being up children.
This replaces the Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) which
applied to women born before April 6, 1950. HRP reduces the years
required for a full basic state pension from 39 years to a minimum
of 20 years.
You are able to check your NICs record and ask for a pension
forecast online at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk or tel: 0845
300 0168 or you may write and ask for forecast application form
BR19 to: Future Pension Centre, The Pension Service, Tyneview
Park, Whitley Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE98 1BA
Whichever method you use it is advisable to do this as soon as
possible.
Handyman Goes From Strength to Strength - But it Still Seeks
More Work!
Age Concern Leicester Shire & Rutland's Handyman Service
has completed in excess of a phenomenal 1500 jobs in the last
10 months - proof if proof were needed of the gap which the service
is filling for local older people.
The increasing demand has prompted the local charity to appoint
extra staff to cope with the huge workload for this competitively
priced service which h (with a few exceptions) carries out most
basic maintenance tasks around the home, including minor decorating
jobs.
In the last week or two, coinciding with the approach of the
festive season, calls have slowed a little so that the charity
is currently able to respond very quickly if someone needs them
- indeed several sons and daughters have already taken the opportunity
to treat their parents to a couple of hours of the handyman's
time as a present!
Anthony Donovan, Executive Director says: "Everyone knows
how difficult it can be to secure the services of someone whom
they trust, willing to undertake those small one-off jobs around
the home. The Age Concern brand gives that comfort and security
to a sometimes-vulnerable group. Often these jobs which an older
person can no longer do themselves are a cause of considerable
distress, and we are pleased to be able to answer the call. We
hope that they will be prompted to give us a ring."
The contact number for enquiries is 0116 2992254
Annuity Pricing : Further Changes
Norwich Union is the latest annuity provider to move to pricing
its annuities by the purchaser's postcode, as well as by age
and gender. The move reflects differences in life expectancy
between different areas of the country. Although many people
will benefit (particularly those living in poorer areas), some
people will get slightly smaller annuities, so it is essential
for prospective purchasers to shop around. The Pensions Advisory
Service has produced a helpful online annuity planner.
Online Annuity Planner www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk
Increase in Savings Compensation Limit : FSA Announcement
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) increased the compensation
limit for deposits to £50,000 - per person, per banking
organisation - from October 7, 2008. Banking organisations may
include several subsidiary banks, so savers with more than £50,000
need to check which banks hold their accounts.
In the recent banking turmoil, the government also said that
retail depositors in Icesave accounts would not lose money. More
information is available from the Financial Services Compensation
Scheme at www.fscs.org.uk and the FSA at www.fsa.gov.uk
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia : Two Reports
The National Library for Health has published the annual evidence
update to provide a simple route to the latest evidence for professionals
on the main types of dementia.
The Alzheimer's Society has published a research report on the
stigma of dementia and its conseqquences for people with dementia
and their families. The report calls for national awareness campaigns
to reduce this stigma significantly over the next five years.
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia : Annual Evidence Update 2008
www.library.nhs.uk, www.alzheimers.org.uk
Fair Care Home Fees: JRF Toolkit
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published a revised formula
for calculating reasonable fees, based on the operating costs
of modern, efficient care homes for older people in England.
For 2008-09, fair weekly fees outside London were £665
for nursing care, £538 for personal care of frail older
people and £566 for those with dementia. Fees were higher
in more affluent areas and in London.
Local authorities may have to find an additional £540 million
annually to fund fair fees for care homes meeting the latest
standards.
Finding the Right Care Home : Age Concern Guide
This new Age Concern publication takes people through the process
of making the initial decision about a care home, financial panning,
finding a home, moving a relative in, and continuing to be involved
in their care. The guide provides numerous checklists, including
what to look for in a care home or in the contract with the home,
resources such as a guide to activities, and more detailed issues
such as which clothes to take.
Find The Right Care Home, A Step-by-Step Companion
Tel: 0870 442 2120 (Age Concern Books)
www.ageconcern.org.uk/bookshop
Lasting Powers of Attorney : Law Society Guide
The Law Society has published a practical guide to Lasting Powers
of Attorney (LPAs). It explains how they differ from Enduring
Powers of Attorney and provides a step-by-step guide to creating
and registering an LPA, and to challenges and revocations of
LPAs. It contains all the most relevant pages of the Mental Capacity
Act Code of Practice and the full text of the Law Society's Practice
Note.
Lasting Posers of Attorney : A Practical Guide
Tel: 0870 850 1422 (Law Society Bookshop)
www.lawsocietyshop.org.uk
Telecare : Carers UK Guide
Carers UK has published a guide to telecare. Telecare ranges
from community alarm systems to more complex devices that can
detect whether someone leaves the house at night, wets their
bed, leaves the gas on or falls. Sophisticated systems can remotely
monitor aspects of health such as blood pressure, heart rate,
weight or blood glucose levels. The guide provides examples of
how telecare has been used, particularly to benefit carers, and
advises on finding out about, obtaining and paying for telecare.
Support for Carers a Guide to Telecare
Tel: 0845 241 0963 (Carers UK publications)
www.carersuk.org/Newsandcampaigns/News/1221562790
Information and Advice Needs of BME Elders : Age Concern Report
Age Concern has produced a report as part of its Community Support
project on improving provision of advice to black and minority
ethnic (BME) elders. The research included a literature review,
a statistical summary of different communities in England, focus
groups with BME older people and interviews with information
and advice practitioners. The next stage of the project is to
pilot different ways of providing information and advice to BME
older people.
Information and Advice Needs of Black and Minority Ethnic Older
People in England.
www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/bme_policy_reports.asp
Keep Warm, Keep Well Campaign
The government has published an updated guide for older people
as part of its annual 'Keep warm, keep well' campaign. It gives
information on the health benefits of keeping warm in winter,
providing advice on healthy eating and exercise, home heating
and energy efficiency, and details of the grants and benefits
available.
Keep Warm, Keep Well - a Guide For People Over 60
www.dh.gov.uk
Jex Woods
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