Citizen of the year
Pic: Teacher Nicola Griffin, Jack Reid and
headteacher Sandy Gourlay
A TROPHY named after a well remembered
Mountsorrel character who died four years ago has been awarded
to its first recipient.
The Betty Clarke Citizenship trophy is the idea of Michelle McLugash.
She said: "Betty was very well known in Mountsorrel, she
did a lot for the village and I thought it would be nice if Mountsorrel
school could present a trophy each year to a pupil for showing
good character"
Pic: Betty Clarke
Headteacher Mr Sandy Gourlay said: "I think this is a wonderful
idea. Each year we will award the trophy to a pupil, not necessarily
the most academic, but someone who has made an impact on the
school in other ways, perhaps by good behaviour or helping other
children - someone Mountsorrel can be proud of."
On the last day of the summer term, the award was presented for
the first time to pupil Jack Reid (11). His teacher, Miss Nicola
Griffin, said: "Jack has been an absolute pleasure to teach.
He is enthusiastic, honest and good fun. He enjoys life at school
and is a caring young man who wants everyone else to enjoy themselves
here. We are absolutely delighted with him."
Jack, who has spent all his school life at Mountsorrel School,
said: "I was astonished to find out I'd got this trophy.
I think this school is a really nice place to be and you get
taught really well here."
Jack moves on to Humphrey Perkins at the start of the Autumn
term.
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Poppy appeal help
THE MOUNTSORREL branch of the Royal British
Legion are appealing for helpers for this year's Poppy collection.
Secretary Peggy Clarke said: "We would like more Poppy collectors
this year - would you be willing to help us? If you could only
cover one street it would make it all worthwhile."
If you can help contact Peggy on 0116 2302958.
o The British Legion will be holding a short Service of Remembrance
at 11am in the Peace Garden. There will be the Last Post, one
minute's silence and the Reveille, with the Chaplain in attendance.
The legion's Annual Parade and Service this year will be on Sunday
November 13. Peggy Clarke said: "Our parade will assemble
on the Green to leave at approximately 2.25pm to parade to St
Peter's Church for the Service of Remembrance at 3pm. After the
service we will parade back to the Green and into the Memorial
Hall for refreshments. We shall be accompanied by the Leicestershire
Co-operative Snibston Band and British Legion Standards. We look
forward to seeing everyone."
Ideas for new centre
A CONSULTATION meeting to invite comment
and expressions of interest about the proposed new Library, Learning
and Access centre for Mountsorrel was held in June.
Representatives from a number of groups and organisations that
serve the local community attended to discuss the new facility
that is planned for an expanded Church House on The Green.
Those attending included representatives from the library service,
Longslade College, Rawlins, Charnwood Arts, the Alpine House
Surgery, Next Step Charnwood and the Primary Care Trust.
It was agreed that the building would be a potential venue for
running classes, holding advice surgeries, baby clinics and parenting
groups. Use by the local learning disabilities group was suggested,
and for activities aimed at older people.
Kevin Ryan of Charnwood Arts strongly supported the scheme, suggesting
that the space could be used for project work with young people
as well as a possible drop-in centre, open one day a week.
The two storey building will have a library on the ground floor
with a multifunction learning suite on the first floor. It will
be available as a venue for community groups and will be managed
by a trust.
It is anticipated that building work will commence in the late
autumn and that completion will take approximately 18 months.
New village bobby appointed
Pic: Mountsorrel's PC Del Gillespie
MOUNTSORREL HAS a new beat officer, PC
Del Gillespie, who took up his new post on June 1.
Del is married with two children and has been at Quorn police
station for three years where he has fulfilled a number of roles.
He said: "I am looking forward to my new role as Beat Officer
for Mountsorrel, working alongside Community Support Officer
6505 Chris Fielden. I am aware of most of the problems that affect
the village, in particular the anti-social behaviour that is
mainly caused by the younger members of the community.
I am keen to work alongside all of our local agencies to tackle
this issue and I will be looking at taking positive action against
those identified as the cause of the problem. To do this Chris
and I need your help to assist in identifying the culprits in
order for us to deal with matters appropriately.
I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible and please
feel free to contact either myself, or Chris, either directly
through the call centre at Enderby on 0116 222 2222, or on our
voicemail numbers 0116 248 5675 and entering our collar numbers.
Mine is 1892 and Chris is 6505."
Lindens reopens
THE NEWLY refurbished Lindens pub on Halstead
Road has proved popular since re-opening in June with takings
wildly exceeding the expectations of licensees Anthony Bartle
and Sam Knight.
The Mountsorrel pub has had a dramatic facelift following a major
investment by Everards Brewery and Anthony. The pub now has a
new 30 seat, no-smoking dining area as well as a large award
winning garden.
"The fresh look of the pub mixes contemporary decor with
the warm and intimacy of a traditional English pub" said
Anthony.
He added: "We have a fabulous new menu offering tantalising
dishes which are made using the best locally sourced ingredients.
The Lindens is child friendly and even offers a special photo
menu to appeal to all kids who have not yet learned to read.
The pub also offers disabled access so all our customers can
feel comfortable and at ease.
"Our new strategy seems to be working as our profitability
since opening has increased by over 350 per cent a week."
The pub's re-opening has lifted employment in the area by offering
full and part-time jobs to 20 people.
New equipment popular
Pic: Amy Ward and her twin brother Sam enjoy
the new equipment
NEW PLAY equipment installed by Mountsorrel
Parish Council on the Memorial playing fields has proved popular
with children.
The fencing, surfacing ands equipment cost more than £40,000
and the Council plans to install new play equipment on the playing
fields at Halstead Road in 2006 and Loughborough Road in 2007.
Amy Ward (10) of Dunster Road said: "I think it's nice,
better than before, there's more stuff. The slide is the most
fun."
Parish Council notes
A FULL meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council
was held on June 13.
PC Del Gillespie reported that he was aware of anti-social behaviour
problems within the village and said that plans were in place
to target troublesome youths during the school holidays. He said
that anti social behaviour had drastically reduced since April
and that Quorn police would work alongside other youth agencies
and issue ASBOs if necessary.
It was agreed that a Police Report be included on the agenda
of all full council meetings.
The Council agreed that Chairman Brian Allard attend the launch
of the Parish Plan to respond publicly to the actions detailed
within the action plan and also to accept the findings/suggestions
in principle which would be addressed during the months and years
ahead.
Mr Will Antill gave the Council an update on the proposal for
a new Library, Learning and Access Centre at Church House. The
Council supports the project and agreed to make a financial contribution,
subject to legal advice that any contribution was lawful.
Cllr Simon Bracewell reported that during the months of May and
June he had been required by law to give evidence to the Standards
Board for England to assist them in their work.
A full meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on July
11.
County Councillor Peter Osborne reported that because of County
Council funding there was an extra allocation of Police Community
Support Officers (PCSOs). Charnwood expects to receive seven
officers in the first allocation, with the Police deciding which
beats they support. He said that further officers should be available
as the programme rolls out.
PC Del Gillespie reported that there had been a meeting with
Charnwood Borough Council to discuss Anti Social Behaviour Orders
and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and that they have the names
of a few people they will be targeting over the next few weeks.
In June there were 17 reports of anti social behaviour and 11
from July 1-11. A police operation in Halstead Road had identified
a few of the culprits who had been spoken to about their behaviour.
The council agreed to arrange a meeting with two young people
who had written to the council about youth facilities, three
or four other young people, Parish Councillors, Youth Worker
Joanna Clarke and Jonathan Hale from the Borough Council.
A full meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on August
8.
The Council agreed to object to a planning application for a
change of use from public house to residential use at the Swan.
A resident of Speedwell Road reported vandalism to his property.
Fruit was thrown at his house and two windows broken after he
removed items that had been placed in the road by young people
and were an obstruction. He commented that a greater Police presence
was required.
PC Dell Gillespie reported that in July there had been 12 complaints
of rowdy people in a public place, three abandoned vehicles,
one vehicle related nuisance, one hate/race crime, seven silent
calls, four domestics between adults, four road traffic accidents,
four thefts from motor vehicles, seven assaults, six criminal
damage, two thefts from store (one detected and charged), three
burglary dwelling (one detected), one theft of cycle, three general
thefts, two burglary other than dwelling and one damage to motor
vehicle.
PC Gillespie reported that there had been very few reported incidents
of anti social behaviour near the chip shop. He suggested hedges
be cut back at Halstead Road playing field to allow greater visibility,
improved lighting and a pathway through the park.
PC Gillespie said that there had been a number of reports of
mini motorbikes ridden in the village and that four youths had
been served with section 59 notices - further use of the bike
would result in its confiscation. He stressed the importance
of ringing the Police to report all incidents of crime and anti
social behaviour.
Cllr Stan Coats suggested a more substantial road sign directing
motorists to the Soar Valley Centre was needed.
The council confirmed its decision to make a contribution of
£100,000 to the Library, Learning and Access Centre at
Church House.
It was reported that the date of the Christmas Carol Concert
was Tuesday December 13 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall.
Art Society’s exhibition
BIRSTALL AND District Art Society are staging
their 11th Annual Exhibition of members' work in November.
They are holding an exhibition of their paintings and drawings
at the Birstall Village Hall, School Lane, on Saturday November
5, from 9am to 7pm, on Sunday November 6, 9.30am to 5.30pm and
on Monday November 7 between 9am and 3pm. There is no entry charge
and there will be a free raffle with prizes to win. Refreshments
will be available.
The Society's secretary Mary Houghton said: "There will
be over 300 pictures to look at and you will have the chance
to purchase your favourite to give you many years of pleasure
or maybe, solve your Christmas present problem. There is a wide
price range to suit every pocket. We look forward to meeting
you again. Do feel free to bring your friends along."
Free your spirit salsa dancing
KEEP FIT, reduce stress and lift your spirit
at a new Salsa dancing class that starts in Mountsorrel this
month.
After being named East Midlands regional winner in last year's
Sport England Champion Family Competition, dance teacher Jenny
Harvey has not stopped with her quest to get people more active
by teaching the exciting activity of salsa dancing.
Pic: Dance teacher Jenny Harvey (right) at
one of her salsa classes
She said: "Forget conformity, or complex sequences, and
think improvisation, motivation, laughter and big fun. It's Latin
dancing for those who want to feel young and live life to the
full!"
She added: "Whether 17 or 70, got two left feet or can move
like Beyonce a new way of keeping fit and learning to dance real
Latin style has emerged. Banish the television, go to a class,
put on your favourite Salsa CD and let yourself dance to the
music - it's the essence of Latin spirit.
From September 'Espiritu Latino' will be at the Working Men's
club in Mountsorrel every Monday evening from 8.45-9.45pm. Jenny
also teaches at Enderby Leisure Centre, Braunstone Leisure Centre
and Bosworth College, Desford. "The success is partly due
to my philosophy that the classes are completely run and tailor
made for the students. Not having to follow a rigid curriculum
means that the classes can be altered on the fly by listening
to the students' wishes. Not too fast, too slow, too complicated
or too simple and when the students want to do Merengue this
week, guess what? they get it, after all it is their class. "Dance
night is my best night of the week" is one of the many positive
feedbacks received" said Jenny.
The class starts with an energetic warm up which incorporates
the basic steps and afterwards the real fun begins. Jenny does
not just teach Salsa but incorporates other rhythms such as Merengue
which has become a real hit among the students.
If you would like more information contact Jenny Harvey on 0116
2387201, Mob: 07931 524825
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Kirk’s double gold
Pic: Gold medallist Kirk Limmage (back row,
right) with other members of the Leicester Kingfisher Swimming
club (l-r): Christine Lewis, Steven Line, Ella Glover, William
Sandihott, Karen Brown, Carol Guthrie, Philip Haynes and Damien
Brett.
SWIMMER KIRK Limmage of Mountsorrel Lane
has returned from the Special Olympics with an amazing medal
haul - two golds, a silver and a bronze.
Kirk (24), who works at Budgens, has been swimming competitively
since 1993 and has won 300 medals since them. He said: "The
Gold medals at the Special Olympics are my best wins so far.
It was a very good experience. I felt shocked and proud to win."
Kirk won Gold in the 50m Breaststroke and the 100m Freestyle,
silver in the 4x50m Relay and Bronze in the 50m Freestyle.
He added: "In the breaststroke I only had just enough strength
to win and in the 100m Freestyle I just bided my time and came
through in the end."
Stuart Barton, Budgens store manager, said: "We are very
proud of Kirk, it is just fantastic that he has done so well."
The Special Olympics were held in Glasgow in July. Kirk has also
represented England at a competition in Greece and has also competed
at the English Championships in Sheffield.
Kirk competed in Glasgow with other members of the Kingfisher
Swimming Club and to help pay their expenses, Budgens organised
a raffle that raised £700. Tricia Brabbins from Budgens
said: "This was an amazing total and I'd like to thank everyone
who supported us, all the local businesses who donated raffle
prizes and Dave Shepherd for his donation of £240."
Garden party
Pic: Dave Radley, Jean Lee, Jeanette Marshall
& Pat Radley
THE GARDEN of Dave and Pat Radley at 33
Hawcliffe Road, Mountsorrel was open on Sunday July 17 to raise
funds for Rainbows Children's Hospice, Loughborough.
70 people visited and £620 was raised from proceeds of
a raffle, tombola, bric-a-brac, plants, cakes, jams and preserves,
guess the doll's name, lottery bonus ball draw and refreshments.
Dave and Pat would like to thank co-organisers and fellow fundraisers,
Jeanette Marshall and Jean Lee, all family and friends who gave
their time to help, everyone who donated raffle prizes and all
the visitors for making it a successful event.
Raffle winners were: £25 M&S voucher - Jo Rumbold;
Box of Groceries - Audrey Wells; Bottle of Whisky - Alan Townsend;
Dinner Service - G Dunsmore; Iron - R Chapman; Family admission
to Stonehurst Farm - Jill Lambert; Bottle of Brandy - Isobel
Floyd; Foot Spa - Pam; Bottle of Wine - Mrs Crump; Pair of Candle
Sticks - Gess Stafford; Ornament - Peggy Blockley; Beauty Collection
- Audrey Burns; Bottle of Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry - Mrs
Suffolk; Welsh Pantry Mustards - Gerti Horwood; Floodlight -
Vicki Linde.
'Guess the Doll's Name' winner - James Cladingboel.
Lottery Bonus Ball draw for Sat July 23, winning no.44 - Mick
Bustin
Library open
THE NEW opening hours of Mountsorrel library are:
Monday closed all day; Tuesday 10am to 12noon, 2-5pm;Wednesday
closed all day; Thursday 10am to 12noon, 2-5pm; Friday 10am to
12noon, 2-7pm; Saturday 9.30am-1pm, closed pm
Children under 5s sessions, 'wriggly readers' at 10-10.45am,
Friday Oct 14, Friday Nov 11, Friday Dec 9. All parents and their
toddlers welcome.
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