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Mountsorrel Post June 2004 (7)

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Pic: Mountsorrel volunteer litter pickers Amy Cowan, Peter Cowan, Trevor Warren, operations manager Lafarge Aggregates, Sam Frisby, Nicky Frisby, John Cowan, Graham Field, Joy Wood and Megan the dog

Litter pickers

VOLUNTEER LITTER pickers are now tackling Mountsorrel’s litter hot spots after a local lady Joy Wood appealed for helpers in the last issue of the Mountsorrel Post.
Joy said: “Following the article in the Mountsorrel Post there were a number of people who volunteered to act as litter wardens. These people regularly pick up litter in their areas and are making a valuable contribution to the appearance of the village.”
Six adults and several children are now going litter picking on a weekly basis with bags, gloves and litter sticks provided by Charnwood Borough Council.
Joy said: “Several areas in the village have already been tackled and more “litter hot spots” will be cleared throughout the year. Keeping the village clean is an ongoing project which everyone can get involved in. All it takes is for everyone to take a bit more care and have some pride in their surroundings. People can help by not dropping litter, by clearing up after their dogs and by making sure their bin bags are properly tied. Businesses can help by making sure they keep their premises rubbish free.
“Particular thanks must go to Mr & Mrs Wilkinson of Maitland Avenue and to Jackie Woodyear for her sterling efforts on Mountsorrel Common.”
Joy has organised a litter picking morning at Mountsorrel Common on Saturday June 19 at 11.30am and says anyone who would like to help, or find out more about volunteer little picking, is welcome. Lafarge Aggregates are supporting the day by sending a JCB,, a wagon and some men to help, as well as disposing of the rubbish safely.
Joy Wood can be contacted on 2374545 or by writing to her at 2 Windsor Close, Mountsorrel LE12 7SS

Summer playscheme

A FIVE week long summer playscheme is being planned in Mountsorrel, organised by Kiwi Sports.
Young people aged 5-14 in Mountsorrel and surrounding villages will be welcome to participate in the playscheme, which will be based at the Memorial Playing Field in Mountsorrel.
There will be two sessions each day from 9.30am until 12noon and 1-4.30pm, commencing on Monday July 12 and finishing on Friday August 20.
Activities will all be sport based and include rounders, short tennis, football, SAQ, dance, tag rugby, athletics and more. The emphasis will be on learning and enjoyment, not competition.
The tutors leading the scheme all have National Governing Body certificates and also have full CRB checks, copies of which will be available on site.
The site scheme depends on interest being shown now, so to book your place or for more details contact Bill Masefield at Kiwi Sports on 07838137538 or kiwisports@aol.com.

Darts league winners

Pic: Ladies League winners Anne Smith, Tina Unwin, Debbie Gilding, Vicky Mason and Karen Douglas-Needham

MOUNTSORREL AND Rothley Darts League have recently completed their winter season with league titles going to the King William in the Mixed Section and King William ‘A’ in the Ladies League.
Individual honours go to Mark Wilmore and Neil Rankin in the Mixed Section and Katrina Mason in the Ladies League.
Competition finals night results were Singles winners Graham Burton and Vicky Mason, Pairs winners are Neil Rankin and Justin Dowdall (Mixed) and Ondine Donelan and Sharon Calow (Ladies). Threes winners were Justin Dowdall, Bill Holland and Karl Darlison (Mixed) with Debbie Gilding, Ann Smith and Vi Smith (Ladies)
K.O. Cup winners were Mixed League: King William and the Working Men’s Club taking the Ladies Cup. The summer season starts on June 7 and June 9

Wheelies here soon

WHEELIE BINS will be introduced “from the end of 2004” say Charnwood Borough Council, with full implementation by the end of March 2005.
The glass and textile collections are the subject of a DEFRA bid for financial support which Charnwood says has been “partially successful although some details are still awaited”. Collections of glass, textiles and cardboard could start in September 2004 and Charnwood say they hope to offer the optional wheeled bins for garden waste from late August 2004.
Every resident will be contacted and invited to inform the Council of any concerns they have in respect of not being able to manage the new bins, either through disability, frailty or because of the design of their property. Charnwood says exceptions and assistance will be made where necessary, but these will be limited to cases of real need.

Damage to church

VANDALS HAVE caused £500 worth of damage at Christ Church, Mountsorrel.
A stained glass window was broken and a headstone partially destroyed by four youths on Thursday April 15. Police describe two of the youths as being aged about 15 with one wearing a cream coloured coat and the other a tracksuit.
Church Warden Edmund Stacey said: “Two pieces of glass in the window were broken. The panel will have to be taken out and repaired by an expert. The gravestone was split into two parts with one part damaged beyond repair.”
He added: “Vandalism at the church is an ongoing and intermittent problem. The last time windows were damaged was in autumn 2003.”
St Mary’s Church in Sileby was also attacked by vandals in April with 20 windows damaged.

Lafarge fined

LAFARGE AGGREGATES have been fined £200,000 after a worker fell to his death in Mountsorrel Quarry.
Keith Branston, 52, fell when a corroded railing gave way on a high walkway on March 12, 2002.
Lafarge were also ordered to pay £33,571 costs after admitting four breaches of safety regulations: failing to ensure the 30 year old railings were safe, failing to keep them in good repair, exposing an employee to risk and failing to keep a proper inspection and maintenance system/.
The company has now replaced the railings with a galvanised structure less likely to corrode, which is checked regularly. A new safety procedure is in place and quarry mangers have received additional training.
Judge Michael Stokes QC said: “The company has acknowledged its failures and has, since the accident, ensured as far as possible that this sort of thing doesn’t happen again.
It’s a very large and profitable company and it has to be a serious sum to mark the failings in this case.”

Taxi company growing

CHARNWOOD’S LARGEST taxi company Ashley David Taxis is moving to new offices.
The company has grown from their old office in Woodhouse Eaves and has now branched out with offices at 3 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley covering all the local village work and surrounding areas. They also have an office at Unit 4 Student Union Building at Loughborough University, covering all Loughborough local work.
The company has now expanded their fleet to 16 vehicles, including three 8-seater minibuses, executive cars and estate cars.
For further information or for bookings please phone either the Rothley Office 0116 2302222 or the Loughborough Office on 01509 260000

Optician’s fifteen years in village

Pic: Jonathan Pilbeam presents a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Tricia Tomkins

PILBEAM OPTICIANS are celebrating fifteen years in business at their Leicester Road practice in Mountsorrel.
Starting the practice from scratch in March 1989, Practice Principal Jonathan Pilbeam and his team now have a patient base of well over eight thousand. Pilbeam Opticians is at the forefront of new ideas in optics. It was the first practice in Leicestershire to offer Optomap retinal imaging - where a digital photograph of a patient’s retina provides tremendous benefits in assessing eye health.
Jonathan said: “Our principles have always been to provide the very best in eye care with highest quality products, backed by a price promise guarantee. This is all delivered in a relaxed friendly environment, by qualified professional staff assisted by a trained support team”. Optics is a rapidly developing field and Jonathan and the team are always keen to install the latest technology and to stock the latest products. The practice can offer video dispensing - where patients can view themselves on-screen wearing several frame styles before making their final selection, the latest rimless and designer frame styles, and coloured contact lenses that are now available for that special occasion and are thrown away at the end of the party!
Jonathan continued: “Seeing the practice grow has been a hugely rewarding experience and I would like to place on record my thanks to all our patients who have supported us and to the Pilbeam team who are dedicated to serving our patients. As well as the pleasure in always welcoming new patients, it is lovely to see our existing patients returning for their regular eye examination. We presented our very first patient Mrs Tricia Tomkins with a bouquet as a gesture of appreciation for her loyalty, when she attended for her eighth eye examination with us recently.”
With up to four generations of the same family visiting the Practice for their eye care, Jonathan and the team hope to be looking after the eyes of the surrounding communities for many years to come.
For more information try visiting Pilbeam Opticians web-site at www.pilbeamopticians.com

Opportunity to shape the future of Mountsorrel

THE OPPORTUNITY to be involved in shaping the future of Mountsorrel is coming from June 11.
Look out for a questionnaire on every aspect of life in the village, which will be delivered by Mountsorrel’s Parish Plan group to everyone in Mountsorrel.
The group, made up of residents, Parish and Borough councillors, will use the data collected to build a picture of the village and together with the Parish Council produce an Action Plan for the future needs of Mountsorrel.
The Plan will contain a clear statement for future planning of facilities and services and will be used by local government, health authorities, the police and others to direct policy and improve village life.
The survey will cover such issues as buses, Borough and County Council services, the Parish Council, youth needs, community safety, needs of the elderly, the environment, leisure, sport and more. The questionnaire also provides opportunities for residents to suggest and volunteer for community projects.
A Parish Plan spokesman said: “It’s all about joined up thinking, so rather than say ‘why don’t they do something about this, that or the other’, help them to help you!
This is done by the village for the village and is a never to be repeated opportunity, so please don’t ignore it.”

New centre a family affair

WHEN THE new £5 million Soar Valley Leisure Centre at Mountsorrel opens its doors in the autumn, one of the first people planning to be in the pool is the man who helped to build it.
For 43 year old Neil Clarke, the completion of the new centre is another chapter in a family story that goes back to his own father. “My father was one of the founder members of the Mountsorrel District Swimming Pool Fund and Mountsorrel has been raising money to get its own pool and leisure facilities since the 70s” says Neil.

Pic: Neil Clarke

Neil, the Site Manager who works for M J Gleeson’s, remembers collecting newspapers from the village to help raise funds. His wife Karen also remembers collecting newspapers, but for the Rothley Swimming Pool fund, which combined with Mountsorrel’s fund in 1975.
Some 30 years on and - with additional funding from Charnwood Borough Council and ten partner funding organisations, including £897,000 lottery funding from Sport England - the dream is just months away.
Neil said: “I have lived in Mountsorrel all of my life, though it’s grown a lot since I was a child playing on the recce, where we are building the new centre. Now I have three children of my own, aged 13, 11 and 7, and they’re as keen as I am to get the new pool finished.
“The difference to the village will be enormous. At present, children at the schools in the area here have no local pool in which to learn to swim. And that’s important as the area has lots of rivers and streams. From autumn they’ll be able to walk to the pool.”
As well as a 25-metre pool, the two-storey complex includes a sports hall, multi-station fitness suite, dance studio, health suite, creche, all weather pitch and associated amenity areas. The official opening is planned for Armistice weekend in November.
And just how is the building work going? “Thankfully we’re well on target” says Neil, “Or I wouldn’t be able to show my face in the village!”

Parish Council notes

A FULL meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on March 8.
It was agreed to write to the County Council requesting double yellow lines at the rear of Church House, as parking was causing access difficulties for buses approaching the southbound bus stop on The Green.
Heritage Warden Ken Wiblin has reported his concern at damage caused to the Mountsorrel Common by young people using the area for unauthorised vehicular activities. The Council agreed to notify Lafarge and the Police.
It was reported that the Pine Shop are putting cones on the road restricting parking, and it was agreed to report this to the Police.
It was reported that the Danvers Road/Marsh Road/Rothley Road resurfacing would take place in the next financial year.
It was agreed to purchase three benches with steel slats at a cost of £475 each. These will be located outside the Mountsorrel Hotel, next to the Loughborough Road bridge and on Leicester Road, replacing old benches.
It was agreed to purchase a steel column for holding two hanging baskets at a cost of £640 and two hanging baskets at a cost of £240 to be erected close to the Buttermarket. Two hanging baskets will also be erected on the wall outside the Parish Rooms.
Mountsorrel Parish Council’s Annual meeting was held on March 18 in the Memorial Hall. The meeting was well attended with the Hall almost full.
Chairman of Mountsorrel Parish Council Brian Allard presented the report of the Parish Council 2003-2004. Police Inspector Bratten from Quorn LPU commented that he was aware of the dissatisfaction with policing levels. He said that Mountsorrel had seen an 11 percent reduction in crime this year. Theft from cars was down 42 per cent, burglaries were down 35 per cent and burglary other down 18 per cent. Assaults had risen from 66 to 85 and sex offences dropped from 8 to 5, all of which had been solved.
Inspector Bratten said his priority was tackling core crimes, such as burglary. In response to a question, he said he did not think there was a particular problem in Mountsorrel with alcohol being sold to under age persons.
He said that there were a hard core of criminals that the Police caught regularly and who were regularly sent to prison.
Detached Youth Worker Joanna Clarke reported on the work she does with young people in Mountsorrel and said they were still looking for a building in the village for use by the young people.
Following the reports by County and Borough Councillors, Parish Cllr Harold Newman commented on the lack of response from Charnwood when a tank in the roof of a 93 year old council house tenant burst flooding his house. Charnwood’s lack of prompt action was a disgrace, he said.
Parish Cllr Dr Freshwater commented that the introduction of wheelie bins made a mockery of democracy, as the vast majority opposed them.
Mr Trevor Warren from Lafarge presented a report. He said that 4.7 million tonnes of material had been sold, that the old shop on the A6 will become a wool shop and that it had been 150 years since the founding of the Mountsorrel Granite Company.
Mr Jonathan Hale from Charnwood Borough Council reported that the Soar Valley Centre was on schedule and will be ready in September 2004. The formal opening will be in November and will link in with Remembrance Sunday events. User groups have been consulted about their use of the Centre, as well as schools and outlying villages, he said. 50 per cent of use will be allocated for clubs and 50 per cent for the public.
Mr Hale reported that Charnwood’s Works depot will be relocated from Loughborough to Granite Way, Mountsorrel. The developers of the new depot are William Davis and work will start in late July 2004 for completion in April 2005.
It was reported that Mountsorrel School had achieved good results in its SATs and had received Beacon status.
Mr S Grace presented the Charity report. Mountsorrel’s Relief in Need fund had made 57 grants totalling £38,991 for them such as floor coverings, domestic appliances, wheelchairs, house repairs and decorating, spectacles, gardening and telephone rental. The Mountsorrel Educational Fund had awarded £46,050 in grants to young people.
A full meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on April 5.
It was reported that the County Council propose changing the enclosed bus shelter on the northbound bus stop on Cross Lane to a cantilever design to discourage the assembly of young people
There are a number of boarded up houses in Church Hill Road and Martin Avenue. It was reported that this was because some of the houses are to be renovated and this work is imminent and some others are being kept vacant to provide temporary accommodation for those residents whose houses are to be renovated under the present scheme.
It was reported that a dog warden had been appointed for Mountsorrel and had started work on April 5.
The Council agreed to spend £835 on a replacement boiler for the caretaker’s flat at the Memorial playing fields.
Chairman Brian Allard commented that this was Joy Broughton’s last meeting as clerk before her retirement and he paid tribute to her dedication and for everything she has accomplished for Mountsorrel during her 19 years as clerk.
A full meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on May 10.
It was reported that the Parish Council had received a grant of £2500 towards the refurbishment of the Halstead Road skateramp.
Cllr Mick Lemon commented he was concerned at the amount of time between the Soar Valley centre being completed, which is expected in June and being opened in September.
Councillors discussed the Mountsorrel village website, a Parish Council project. Comment was made that the site was not up to date. It was agreed to defer discussion until the meeting on June 14.

Planning applications

Ms N Wright - dormer extensions to front & rear of detached bungalow. 186 Mountsorrel Lane
Holmfields Ltd - erection of 4 detached bungalows. 16 Cross Lane
Mr & Mrs S Hodgson - single storey extension to side of semi detached house. 8 Highfields Rd
Mr & Mrs Trasler - extension to rear of detached house. 15 Grange Lane
Mr A Seward - erection of a 2 storey extension & conservatory to rear of semi detached house. 43 Halstead Rd
Mr D Tate - erection of detached garage to rear of property. 77 Boundary Rd
Mr & Mrs Wesley - erection of conservatory to rear of detached house. 12 Fair Mead
Mr A McDougal - erection of 2 single storey detached storage buildings. Land adjacent 58 Loughborough Rd
Redrow Homes - erection of 14 two & three storey dwellings and 5 garage blocks. Land off the Osiers, Mountsorrel
Mr T Lee. Erection of 1st floor extension over garage, single storey extension to side & conservatory to rear of detached house. 2 Plough Close
Mr & Mrs Inkley - partial removal of internal walls, formation of new doorways, installation of new and replacement windows and French doors, installation of skylights and the restoration of roof over gym and store with Swithland slate. Rothley Grange, 12 West Cross Lane
Mr Tyler - erection of underground double garage. 21 Watling St
Mr & Mrs Folwell - 2 storey extension to provide garage with bedrooms over, to side of semi detached house. 48 Carisbrooke Rd
Mr & Mrs B Dalgleish - extension of detached garage. 31 Grange Lane

New police officer for Mountsorrel appointed

For those who were unable to attend the recent Neighbourhood Watch meeting I should like to introduce myself as the new Beat Officer for Mountsorrel. My name is Gavin Grey, collar number 543. It was great to see so many enthusiastic Watch members at the meeting.
As the Beat Officer for Mountsorrel I hope to be working with Chris Fielden, our CSO, as much on helping to reduce the rear of crime within the village, as dealing with and preventing crime and disorder issues.
The crime figures for April show that there have not been any Theft of Vehicles within Mountsorrel, which is promising. A prolific criminal has recently been dealt with for theft from motor vehicles and has admitted numerous offences across the area. He is currently on remand awaiting sentencing.
Burglaries are starting to creep up again to seven for the month. With the better weather coming I should like to remind everyone to be aware of opportunities to prevent crimes occurring. For example, making sure that bags are out of sight in unattended cars and that windows and doors are secured when leaving houses before going out for the day. These simple actions help to prevent opportunistic crimes that can spoil what would have been a great day out.
There have recently been a few incidences of persons throwing stones at vehicles in the quarry. I have spoken with the site manager and had a tour around the site. The quarry is full of dangers, not only the actual quarry itself, but also the equipment which is used on the site. The fences are there as much for security as for the protection of those who walk the paths surrounding the quarry and I would be grateful if Watch members could pass on the message to “keep out of the Quarry” to young children who they know.
I hope to meet more of the village’s Watch members over coming weeks, but please drop a line to my voicemail if any issues present themselves.
From PC543 Gavin Grey
Voicemail 0116 2485675 and enter collar number 0543
Crime Report for April 2004
Burglary dwelling 5, burglary other 2, theft from motor vehicle 4, damage to motor vehicle 5.

Educational grants

A MOUNTSORREL charity is inviting applications from young people for financial assistance with their education.
The Mountsorrel Educational Fund is administered by a body of trustees who at their absolute discretion can award grants from the funds available to assist young people in pursuing their education.
The Chairman of the Trustees Mr Brian Allard said that grants amounting to £46,050 were awarded by the Trustees in 2003 to local school pupils, students and those in Higher Education and Training. The Trustees will be considering at their meeting in November applications from those who are planning to extend their education at College and University. The Trustees also consider throughout the year applications from young persons for assistance towards books, equipment, specialist clothing, music tuition, educational visits and training schemes and apprenticeships.
Applications can be made from persons under the age of 25 years who are pupils or former pupils of Christ Church and Saint Peters Church of England School or who have been or who have a parent or guardian who has been resident in the Electoral Parish of Mountsorrel for at least 12 calendar months.
The forms of application are as follows:
Application Form 1 : University/Higher Education
Application Form 2 : A Level/College Equivalent
Application Form 3 : Educational Visits (Primary to A Level)
Application Form 4 : Music Tuition (Primary onwards)
Application Form 5 : Other Applications
Application Forms can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope detailing which application form is required to the Clerk to the Trustees, Miss E Oxlade, Director Accounting Services, 41A Nottingham Road, Loughborough LE11 1ER
The deadline for submission of completed application forms is October 25, 2004.

Garden waste

DISPOSE OF garden waste free at Charnwood Borough Council’s mobile recycling unit.
The service, which began on May 16, is offered on alternate Sundays at the Memorial Hall car park on Leicester Road, Mountsorrel.
The only items accepted are: grass cuttings, leaves, prunings, hedge trimmings, raw garden fruit and vegetables, weeds, garden and house plants, flowers.

Garden trail

PLANS FOR Birstall’s 2004 Garden Trail are well advanced.
This year there will be 15 gardens open, on Greengate Lane, Walnut Avenue and Castlegate Avenue, on June 26 and 27.
Chairman of the Garden Trail committee John Kilby said: “Do please make sure you reserve these dates in June when the weather, hopefully, will be kind and we can enjoy a leisurely walk around this part of the village.”
Birstall Garden Trail raises funds for the Methodist Church but over the years £14,800 has been donated to other charities - this year the organisers are hoping to make a substantial donation to the Leicestershire Air Ambulance.
Birstall Garden Centre are sponsoring the event, which will feature plant stalls, a generous raffle, a children’s treasure hunt, a garden tombola, teas and ices.

Garden design course

DOES YOUR garden need a new look? Are you unsure which plants best suit the conditions of your garden or do you come away from garden centres with armfuls of plants but no idea where is best to put them?
The WEA is organising a short course entitled Principles of Planting Design. This will be held on June 12 at Longslade Community College followed by an evening visit to Lord King’s garden at Wartnaby on Thursday June 24. This course is very much about giving you the knowledge and confidence to re-develop your existing borders or design new borders from scratch. Further information is available from libraries, our website www.birstallandrothleywea.org.uk or by telephoning 0116 2675086. Prior enrolment is necessary for this course. The cost is £19.80, £14.85 for fully retired and £5 for those on a range of benefits.
From Birstall and Rothley WEA

Charity event

Pic: at the fundraising darts marathon are (l-r) Colin Favell, Rothley & Soar Valley Lions; Dr Ian Schofield of the Alpine House Surgery; Anthony Bartle, licensee of the Lindens and Frank Luce, President Rothley & Soar Valley Lions.

A GRAND total of £2,500 was raised at The Lindens Hotel, Halstead Road, Mountsorrel recently by means of a Darts Marathon Tournament, a free buffet, a raffle and an auction.
The money will go to the Alpine House Surgery, Mountsorrel, who will purchase two pressure mattresses for the elderly or chronic sick and a spirometer, an instrument for measuring the air capacity of the lungs.
The event was the idea of Anthony Bartle, licensee of The Lindens, and two of his regular customers, Andy Latham and Adi Hamilton-Parkes, who then enlisted the help of The Rothley & Soar Valley Lions Club to run it.
The winning darts teams were: men: ‘The Explosive Experts’, (R Walling, who also won the highest scoring individual man’s prize, N Booth and N Prentile). Ladies: ‘The Three Degrees’, (J Widdowson, O Donelan and S Widdowson. Mixed: ‘Me, You & The Bride’ (C Ison, S Ison, who also won the highest scoring individual lady’s prize, and S Williams).
All the teams taking part were sponsored - those collecting the most sponsorship were ‘The Alpine House Surgery’, ‘The Dog and Pussy’ and ‘The Three Amigos’. The organisers would like to thank all those who helped with the event, the players and their sponsors and, in particular: Sarah Preston for organising the raffle: Ron Curry for delivering handbills; Tony Newman who acted as MC and Auctioneer for the evening; Robin Chapman formerly of ‘The Bridges’ and ‘The Spice of India’, Syston, for providing the free buffet; Colin Favell of The Lions for organising the playing order for the evening and for doing all the paperwork connected with the event and all the other Lions who acted as scorers.
Thanks also go to the following people or organisations who provided either raffle prizes or auction lots: Rothley Car Centre; Rothley Fisheries; Budgens of Mountsorrel; Wilf Calder; Dr Ian Schofield; Mick Roberts; Everards Brewery; Nichola Wheeler; The Book People; Robin Chapman; Tony of ‘The Bull & Mouth’ and the Leicester City Football Club.
Dr Ian Schofield of the Alpine House Surgery said: “It was a good enjoyable evening which brought the whole village together in a local pub for a local charity and which the public has supported magnificently.”
Frank Luce, the President of The Rothley & Soar Valley Lions, said: “It has been one of the most successful events I have been associated with - especially as it was raising funds for use in the immediate area. Colin Favell and I held a series of planning meetings with Anthony, Andy and Adi at The Lindens and they felt that they could not refuse to help as they had never met three more enthusiastic people about any cause. The whole event has been a pleasure to help organise and the sum raised, £2500 was testimony to all the hard work which went into it.”

Youth facilities in Mountsorrel

A SHOWCASE of services for young people in Mountsorrel will be held at the Memorial Hall on June 26.
The aim of the event is to advertise the services currently available and promote the need for additional services, including premises for a youth facility.
The event will also promote the work of Mountsorrel’s Detached Youth project and the young people’s ideas for youth facilities and wider community issues.
Entertainment relevant to young people, refreshments and a free raffle will also be a feature of the event, which all residents are being invited to, to contribute to the interactive component, visit the displays, enjoy the entertainment and to meet and interact with local young people.
Julian Harrison, Social Inclusion Officer at the Rural Community Council and one of the organisers said: “By extending the invitation to all residents of the village, it is hoped that some barriers, both real and potential, can begin to be removed.”
He added: “We hope the event will focus the minds of all residents of Mountsorrel both on youth provision and also on the need for greater interaction between, and common initiatives involving, young people and other villagers.
“Greater awareness of service provision and gaps, general needs and wants, and divergent ideas and thoughts, are also matters to be incorporated into and addressed at the event. We hope it will also establish some methods and lines of communication as well as an understanding of young people’s needs, and therefore become a root from which further dialogue and interaction can grow.”
The day is the result of a partnership between Charnwood Borough Council, Leics County Council Youth Service and the Rural Community Council (Leicestershire & Rutland), and has been organised by Julian Harrison and Joanna Clark, Mountsorrel’s Detached Youth Worker.
The event runs from 1pm until late afternoon, at Mountsorrel Memorial Hall on Saturday June 26.
Until April 2004, Mrs Julian Birchall was the High Sheriff of Leicestershire and her involvement in the Crimebeat Awards, which recognise projects involving young people, has shown her the importance of giving opportunities to young people. She told the Mountsorrel Post: “Young people in Mountsorrel really do need a roof over their heads, it is horrible to always have to meet outside as they do at present. Young people need to be trusted, but a lot of councillors don’t want to be dealing with youths - they need help and encouragement from the Council.”
She added: “It’s surely possible that, among the various developments taking place in the village this year, a place will be found for the young people.”

Your Say...

You may have noticed more roadworks activity at the end of the Navins. I'm pleased to inform everyone that the Parish Council is generously providing a wider, tarmacced footpath and safety railing, from The Navins to the side gate of Christ Church. We are hoping that work will be completed soon and will provide much-needed disabled access for scooter and wheelchair users. Meanwhile if you have mobility problems please continue to use the church drive and Bower Room door (to the rear of the building).
Rev'd Ruth Lambert (Curate)

I am writing to urge your readers to back the Help the Aged campaign against bogus callers, rogue traders and distraction burglars, by asking their MP to sign a Parliamentary motion.
Help the Aged has been working with Gordon Marsden MP, who has recently presented a Bill to Parliament, calling for a ban on doorstep selling of property repairs from unsolicited callers. We know that selling property repairs is one of the main ‘fronts’ used by rogue traders, bogus callers and distraction burglars, and that criminals are targeting older people across the country, charging outrageous prices for shoddy work or no work at all.
Work done as part of the help the Aged SeniorSafety campaign, showed that around 400,000 vulnerable older people are targeted each year by bogus callers in Britain and we know that older people are particularly likely to fall victim to this type of crime. We offer advice and information, and can provide SeniorLink units in older people’s homes which they can use to call for support and advice when people knock on their door.
A total ban on all doorstep selling for property repairs will be the only sure way to protect older people from rogue traders and distraction burglars.
I appeal to your readers to take action now, to contact their MP Stephen Dorrell asking them to back Gordon Marsden’s Bill and sign up to Early Day Motion 219 from Paul Truswell MP.
Lysa Ralph
National Senior Safety Manager
Help the Aged