Mountsorrel Post Dec 2004 (9) cont.

Pic: Visitors take in the site from the quarry floor

Quarry opened for 4000 visitors

“FANTASTIC”, “A great day out “and absolutely compelling” are just a few of the comments from visitors following the massive Mountsorrel Quarry open days in the autumn.
Europe’s largest granite quarry in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire - operated by Lafarge Aggregates - opened its gates to approximately 4,000 people from the surrounding villages of Mountsorrel, Quorn and Rothley.
The event marked the 150-year anniversary of the Mountsorrel Granite Company as well as 30 years of the Buddon Wood project to actively restore former quarry workings.

Pic: one of the dumper trucks

Also joining the quarry’s two-day open event, were the mayor and mayoress of Loughborough, Mr & Mrs Mike Jones and Lady Martin, part of the family that owns the Mountsorrel Granite Company who officially unveiled an anniversary plaque at the start of the celebrations.

Pic: A truck dumping its load into the crusher

Approx 80 bus tours took people down onto the quarry floor 74m below sea level, onto the Nordberg 60-102 primary gyratory crusher that is capable of crushing 3,000 tonnes of material per hour and then up to the restored site. Over 80 members of staff were on hand to help with tours and explain the workings of the quarry to the thousands of local people who accepted the invitation to attend the events.

Pic: the white speck on the left is a coach taking visitors to the quarry floor

Many of the visitors have written to the quarry thanking them for their visit, commenting on the company’s well thought out event and the insight they have gained into the day to day workings of such an organisation.
Trevor Warren, Mountsorrel Quarry Manager, said: “Given the logistics of the event I am delighted at the team and the effort that everyone put in to make the event the success that it was. I would like to send a special thanks to Noel Wakeling for his help in organising the displays and his slide show and to everyone who attended and for their warmth and interest - particularly those who wrote in afterwards - it made us proud of the operation, and our role in the local communities.”
Mountsorrel Quarry is owned and operated by Lafarge Aggregates Ltd, part of the worldwide Lafarge group. Lafarge employs nearly 80,000 in 75 countries, around 800 of whom live and work in Leicestershire. Famous for its pink granite, Mountsorrel is the largest quarry of its kind in Europe. The quarry produces millions of tonnes of aggregate each year which are transported across the UK for use in a variety of construction projects: Mountsorrel granite is used extensively on the railway network, on the runways of major airports such as BAA London Heathrow and Gatwick, and motorways such as M1, M69 and M6 toll.

Parish Council information

A Letter from the Chairman
Dear Parishioner
During the past twelve months the Parish Council has seen the fruition of three major projects in Mountsorrel. The first project to be accomplished was the creation of a new Parish Office in Little Lane which had been needed for some considerable time. The Parish Council figured in the Charnwood Design Awards 2004 with the new extension to the Parish Room being highly commended in the Conservation Award Section and given a commendation in the Landscape Section.
The second project to be accomplished was the creation of the Soar Valley Leisure Centre with the opening by the Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Mike Jones on July 31. The Parish Council first became involved in this project in the spring of 1984 when they issued a broadsheet entitled Community Leisure in Mountsorrel with the ‘Way Ahead’ and ‘The Opportunity Explained’. The period of time since with the help and support in various ways that has been given, has brought about this Leisure Centre, which is an excellent facility for this community and will bring great benefits to the area for many years to come.
May I thank all those who have contributed to this achievement during the past 20 years.
The third project to be accomplished has been the Leicestershire County Council Road safety scheme which has been designed to reduce speed to a more acceptable level to prevent accidents and provide safer crossing points for pedestrians by introducing speed tables, pedestrian refuges, kerb building and a mini roundabout, bus stops improvements and re-surfacing work which should bring about an improvement to road safety in Mountsorrel.
We are particularly grateful to those parishioners who assist the Parish Council by reporting matters that need attention.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to the life of the community during the past twelve months.
My best wishes to you and your families for Christmas and the coming year.
Brian Allard, Chairman

Parish Council meetings: Public participation
Changes are taking place at Mountsorrel Parish Council meetings. Now, there will regularly be a slot for public participation. If you have an issue that you would like to raise, you are encouraged to attend one of the monthly Parish Council meetings, where you will have an opportunity to address the meeting. You will be required to submit your statement or question to the chairperson before the start of the meeting and will have up to five minutes per person, and up to a maximum of 15 minutes for all public participants, in which to address the meeting. It is hoped that many of you will take advantage of this, so that the Council can be more aware of parishioners’ opinions.

Parish Council websites
Currently, the main Parish Council and village website is www.mountsorrel.org.uk. Other key websites featuring Mountsorrel are based on Leicestershire Rural Partnership’s site and can be found at: www.leicestershireparishcouncils.org/mountsorrel for Parish Council information and www.leicestershirevillages.com/mountsorrel for village information.
Many staff changes are taking place in the Council office at present and it is currently difficult to keep these sites up to date. If any reader wishes to volunteer their services to help, please contact the new clerk to the Parish Council, Ms Jane I’Anson on 0116 230 3809 or Councillors Hilary Dyer, on 0116 210 6390 or Stan Coats on 0116 230 2283.

Roundabout concerns

A NEW mini roundabout on Loughborough Road beside the Black Hawk development has been described as “alarming and dangerous” by Mountsorrel’s County Councillor Ray Mason.

Pic: a vehicle driving over the top of the mini roundabout

The issue was raised by several residents who came along to a Councillors surgery organised by Borough Councillors David Slater and Richard Shepherd on November 6. The principal concerns raised by the public were:
• the island is impossible to negotiate properly for southbound traffic
• vehicles are mounting the kerb
• vehicles exiting the Black Hawk development are not visible to northbound drivers
• vehicles are parking on the street on the southbound approach to island
• vehicles that have to queue to enter the development through a barrier may block part of the roundabout
• larger vehicles, trucks and buses are going the wrong way around the roundabout.
The County Council Highways department say they will monitor the situation, look again at parking arrangements and make any necessary modifications.
Mountsorrel Parish Council have written to the County Council asking that the roundabout be removed and replaced with a T junction.
In a statement issued to the Mountsorrel Post, the County Council said: “The developer put forward a scheme for a mini-roundabout with complementary humps on the immediate approaches, in order to avoid excessive speeds through the junction.
“The scheme did not conflict with the guidance contained in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and the County Council did not therefore feel that a sustainable highway objection could be made to the proposed arrangement. The design of this junction was subject to extensive consultation prior to its introduction.
“An independent safety audit of this junction layout did not identify any significant problems and did not identify the need to alter the central spot or conclude that the junction posed an unacceptable level of risk.
“It did however, recommend some alterations to the signing and lining and that we consider prohibiting parking on the immediate approaches to the roundabout. The County Council is therefore actively progressing this regulation order and will continue to monitor the safety record.”

Wheelie bin covers

WHEELIE BINS are here to stay but if you don’t fancy having to look at a large black plastic box on your drive or in your garden, you can hide it beneath a wooden wheelie bin storer.
Iain Bentley of Bentley’s Garden Buildings is offering a single wheelie bin storer, at £99.99 or a double size for £149.9. Both models are produced in tanalised soft wood with galvanised metal fittings. The lids have a chain attached to the front edge that attaches to the wheelie bin handle so that as you lift the top lid of the storer, the wheelie bin itself opens.
Bentley’s Garden Buildings is located on the Loughborough Road between Birstall and Rothley - tel:2675117.

Budgens’ growing community links

BUDGENS SUPERMARKET has had a busy year developing closer ties with the community and raising money for charity.
Local Community Events organiser Tricia Brabbins reports:
May 2004: attended Rothley School Key Stage 2 sports day and provided drinks and refreshments
June 2004: A colouring competition in conjunction with Mountsorrel Primary School, on the theme of Euro 2004. We had over 50 entrants and prizes of Leicester City signed footballs and Euro 2004 caps were awarded.
Attended Mountsorrel school sports day and provided refreshments on a showery afternoon.
July 2004: Sileby Redlands primary school enjoyed a leavers party, again Budgens supplied them with a selection of goodies.
We returned to Rothley school for their Key Stage 1 sports afternoon.
Aug 2004: The opening of our long awaited Soar Valley Leisure Centre has arrived and our biggest task this year: sponsorship of half price swimming for children every weekend in August. (£500 cheque donated)

Pic: Lisa Walker from Budgens with Mountsorrel’s Minnie Harold (102)

Sep 2004: One of Mountsorrel’s oldest residents was 102 on September 2. Minnie Harrold lives at the Poplars Residential Home in Mountsorrel and we helped celebrate her birthday by supplying strawberries and cream, and sausage rolls for her party. Chocolates and flowers were presented to her and it was a truly memorable afternoon.
At the Swithland Show on September 11, Budgens sponsored trophies for schoolchildren at St. Leonard’s School. Entrants gaining the most points in each category won the ‘Budgens cups’.
Oct 2004: Colouring competition on the theme ‘Fireworks’ in conjunction with St Barts School Quorn. 380 pictures adorned the store’s walls and made a wonderful display. Cinema vouchers were given to the lucky winners. Numerous vouchers, fruit baskets and goods have been donated to help local good causes throughout the year.
Budgens Corporate Charity is CCLIC (Changing Cancer & Leukaemia in Children). We have had a fantastic fundraising year, raising over £5000 with still more rolling in. We hope to be the top fundraising store this year.
We would like to thank all our customers old and new for all their support and wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Scouts are back!

MOUNTSORREL SCOUT group is attracting a host of new members since its HQ in the Green recently reopened but is keen to attract more children.
The group closed temporarily due to lack of leaders some years ago, but has come back with a bang, thanks to the help of leaders from neighbouring groups across Charnwood, all of which are full.

Pic: “I love scouts. It’s fun and we play games” says six year old Millie Gillett (right). She also gets to pose in a picture with Councillor Jack Moore, as he carves the pig roast at the opening party watched by Karl Wilson (left) and Carol Black.

Carol Black, District Commissioner for the Scouts in Charnwood, praised the support provided by the parents of the children who now attend the group, who include 22 Beavers (aged six to eight) and six Cubs (eight to 10½).
She said: Reopening the group is really good news because we need the extra spaces this creates and gives more youngsters the opportunity to join.
“Most Scout groups have a limit of about 50 members. Scouting in Charnwood is in very good heart, with all the groups in surrounding towns and villages full. Mountsorrel is already over half full, so new recruits should ‘sign up’ quickly”.
She added: “A huge amount of work has gone into reforming the group and reopening the Hall. But we still need to complete some essential repairs to the Hall, and we would really like to hear from anyone who can help with that work.”

Pic: Beaver Millie Gillett (6) and Cub Edward Thomas (8) planting bulbs in Mountsorrel Green. Around 600 bulbs have been planted in total, including some in the Peace Garden, provided by Mountsorrel Parish Council.

Karl Wilson, a District Scout Leader from Syston, is one of the leaders who helps run the group and said new recruits would soon be taking part in a full range of activities: “The existing members have already started learning the traditional scouting activities. We held a Christmas themed indoor camp in November. They will soon have a chance to try rifle shooting, climbing, abseiling, go-karting, a narrow boat holiday, canoeing and sailing”.
He praised the input of the leaders and older scouts who have helped repair the hall and also assist with running the groups on a rota basis. The Hall still needs some work, he says: “A few months ago there were holes in the roof where ivy was growing through and big damp patches on the walls.
“We have cured these problems and done some essential rewiring. We are very grateful for the help we have received already from many people, but the roof still needs refurbishing; we need to provide disabled access to the toilets, and we’ve still got some work to do on the kitchen”.
Opening the Hall, Councillor Jack Moore, Deputy Mayor of Charnwood, himself a former member of Shepshed Scouts and councillor for Mountsorrel, said: “It was very sad to see the Scout Hall fall into disrepair, and I was very anxious to see it opened again. It is fantastic to see the progress being made and great to see scouting back in Mountsorrel.”
Derek Catt, County Commissioner for Leicestershire Scouts, also praised the efforts of the volunteers whose work had enabled the group to reopen, and appealed to the residents of Mountsorrel to support the group: “It is great to see scouting back on the map in Mountsorrel. But it needs the help and support of the village to ensure that the group thrives and makes a positive contribution to the community.”
Anyone wishing to join or help the group should contact Carol Black, District Commissioner for the Scouts in Charnwood, on 01509 880438.

Winning paddlers

A TEAM of eight young canoeists, including three from Birstall and one from Mountsorrel, have won the under 14 national Bellboat Championships, which took place recently as part of the British Canoe Unions’ Annual Youth Fest Event.
The team, who paddle at Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre, were really pleased with their result having trained for the past three months for the event, held at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham.
The winning team were: Mark Hampton, Michael Connelly, Matt Staley, Matt Lunn, Robert Vincent, Mat Hampton, Bryn Bolton and George Smith.
The success and strength of the club’s paddlers was further highlighted with the younger boys and girls coming a much respected second place in the U11s final which took place in windy conditions.
Their achievements were further rewarded with the opportunity to meet two of Great Britains’ successful Olympic Canoe Team, Ian Wynne and Stuart Bowman, who also started his paddling career in Leicester. Ian was on hand to present the paddlers with their trophies. Afterwards the young paddlers had the opportunity to see Ian’s Bronze medal which he won competing in the 500km flat water kayak sprint. Speaking to the youngsters afterwards Ian told them to train hard and they too could go to the Olympics - hopefully 2012 in London.
If this achievement was not enough the paddlers went on to dominate the ‘Youth Fest’ 1000m Double Open Canoe race, taking 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th places. The wind and rain at this point in the day was torrential, but the lads still performed well and thoroughly enjoyed the race.
With energy and enthusiasm still flowing, the youngsters took part in the British Canoe Union Slalom Award scheme. Whilst doing this they canoed with Stu Bowman - silver medallist in slalom at the Sydney Olympics.
A spokesman said: “All the youngsters from the racing group at Leicester OPC plan to train hard through the winter and emerge even stronger for racing next year. As well as congratulations to all the paddlers for their achievements this year a big thank you must go to the coaches, parents and guardians whose help and support has been invaluable.”
If you would like to find out more about the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Racing Group and/or paddle sport in general you can contact the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre on 01162 681 426 or email: leicesteropc@btconnect.com

Parish Council notes

A FULL meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on September 13.
It was reported that the island on the Loughborough Road new development still needs to be re-designed and it is recommended that it is returned to a T junction with a halt sign.
It was agreed to write to Leicestershire County Council and Charnwood stating that the signs advertising the Soar Valley Centre are too small.
Cllr Richard Shepherd reported that brown bins for garden waste would be delivered on January 10/11, 2005 and that further recycling bins and boxes will be delivered in February 2005.
It was agreed to make a donation of £25 to the charity Crimestoppers.
The clerk reported that she would be carrying out a review of policies and procedures for the Parish Council as some of the procedures followed at present are not compliant with current legislation. Expert advice will be provided by Ron Simpson, secretary of the local branch of NALC (National Association of Local Councils).
Councillors feel that a public toilet should be provided in the Memorial Hall car park or the Leisure Centre car park and agreed to write to the Memorial Hall Committee to ask if they could provide one.
Cllr Mick Lemon reported he will be nominating Dr Don Freshwater for a Certificate of Commendation.
A full meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on October 11.
Cllr Harold Newman presented the awards for the Best Kept Front Garden competition, 2004.
PC Gavin Gray reported that Pubwatch had now been established and commented that it was a good scheme. He said that four people had been barred from all pubs in Mountsorrel and Rothley. NHW is growing in the village, he said, with one or two new schemes starting each month.
PC Gray said that crime in Mountsorrel is increasing. There are around 50 reported crimes per month. Vehicle crime has reduced. He said there were ongoing problems with young people, particularly aged 15 and 16. An operation targeting the problem was planned for October.
Community Support Officer Chris Fielden said he had been visiting local groups and giving crime prevention advice.
PC Gray said a team of officers had been set up specifically to address the problem of motorcyclists driving across public land. Problems with young people tended to move around the village. He said there was currently one youth in custody and that nine stop searches had been carried out in the last month. He said a priority was to always visit the parents.
Mr Ron Simpson, secretary of the Leicestershire and Rutland Association of Local and Parish Councils, presented his report into the Parish Council practices and procedures. See story on page ******* for details.
The Parish Council are writing to Charnwood to express their support for keeping Rothley Service Station (the petrol station opposite the Red Lion) open.
Mr Steve Hayward was appointed a Parish Councillor by co-option.
It was reported that Professor Don Freshwater and Mr & Mrs Wainwright had been nominated to receive a Certificate of Commendation.
New bus shelters on the Green will incorporate toughened glass.
A full meeting of Mountsorrel Parish Council was held on November 11.
Mr Ron Simpson said that the best practice was to have a 15-20 minute session of public participation at meetings. The public should not need to give advance notice of any issue they wish to raise. The whole principle, he said, is to allow the community to ask questions about any subject, to inform them there is a public participation session and to encourage them to attend.
Borough Cllr David Slater reported that the recent councillors surgery had been very well attended. A large number of residents had raised the issue of the traffic island on the Loughborough Road next to the Black Hawk development, as well as problems caused by groups of young people.
Borough Cllr Richard Shepherd reported that Charnwood plan to carry out immediate work on PRC homes so that they meet a basic home standard. 29 properties in Anstey and Mountsorrel will have this work completed by March, 2005, he said.
Charnwood will be informed about persistent dog fouling in the passageway next to the King William pub.
It was reported that no action will be possible before March 2005 regarding reinstating the play equipment on the Memorial playing fields.
The Council agreed to erect 40 metres of 2 metre high palisade fencing on the Halstead Road playing field.

NHW news and crime report

During the month of October offenders have been charged with Burglary offences within Mountsorrel. This has helped to reduce the Burglary Dwelling figures down to 2 for the month. In both offences the suspect was known to the aggrieved.
At Christmas time, wrapping paper not only makes a parcel look pretty, but also hides the identity of the contents, so delaying putting presents under the tree until Christmas Eve helps. This helps to keep them away from prying eyes and sticky fingers.
Also when doing the Christmas shopping, the temptation is to drop parcels off at the car before returning to the shops for more. Please remember “what is out of sight is out of mind”, so keep those bags and boxes hidden.
Burglary Other - break-ins to sheds garages and commercial premises - have risen dramatically in October, as have the theft of older cars, which again have seen an increase during the third week of the month. We would appreciate any information that can help reduce the number of victims for these crimes. Please contact the police station or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
During the month of October officers from Quorn Police station have been allocated specific duties to deal with incidents of trouble with youths in Mountsorrel, plus similar problems in Quorn, Sileby and Anstey. Visits to parents of youths have been carried out and ‘stop and search’ powers used on numerous occasions. Several youths have been arrested for criminal and antisocial incidents with three currently on bail pending further enquiries. It has been noticed that youths have been coming to Rothley Road Mountsorrel from Leicester and Loughborough to cause acts of antisocial behaviour.
Incidences of underage drinking are becoming less prevalent, pubs and off licences around the village have been tested by Trading Standards Officers - all passing successfully. I would appeal to all relatives of those that congregate in large groups, especially on Rothley Road, that they ensure their young people do not contribute to the antisocial behaviour which occurs on a daily basis.
Although crime is up a little for October to previous months we can collectively take pride in the fact that NHW is growing and the occurrences of opportunistic crime and damage are remaining low.

Crime Report Sep & Oct 2004
Burglary Dwelling 10, Burglary Other than Dwelling 11, Theft of Motor Vehicle 12, Theft from Motor Vehicle 9, Damage 21, Damage to Motor Vehicle 4
From PC 543 Gavin Grey, Voicemail 0116 248 5675 & enter collar number 0543

Rotary

AFTER SEVEN years at the Cedars in Loughborough, the Rotary Club of the Soar Valley has a new venue.
From Monday October 11 the Club will meet each Monday evening at The Rothley Court Hotel, Westfields Lane, Rothley.
The Rotary Club welcomes enquiries from new members - just call the Club Secretary, Alan Meredith, on 0116 2303895 for details.

Wriggly readers

MOUNTSORREL LIBRARY is holding story telling sessions for the under fives.
The Wriggly Readers sessions take place on the second Friday of every month. Our picture shows 20 month old Joshua Hall with his parents Helen and Graham.

Village cricket

Mountsorrel Castle Cricket Club will be 125 years old next year.
Old photographs on the clubroom wall show, together with the club badge, that Mountsorrel Castle Cricket Club was founded in 1880. Their home ground is The Memorial Playing Fields, Mountsorrrel.
The club has seen highs and lows of village cricket throughout its long history and stories still abound of past exploits and achievements on and off the field by some of its older players. Thanks to David Wilson Homes and Mountsorrel Parish Council, the Club now has facilities second to none, even including an electronic score board.
The club players were in the North Leicestershire League until the 1990s when we joined The Everards Leicestershire County Cricket League.
Leicestershire County Cricket Club have played three Testimonials on our ground for Chris Balderstone, David Millns and Vince Wells. We have two nets at the Soar Valley Leisure Centre, every Wednesday 7-9pm and new players both juniors and seniors are welcome to attend.
Interested players should contact Andy Baker on 07802 944544.
From John Walpole, Club Secretary

Best kept front gardens

THE WINNERS of Mountsorrel’s Best Kept Front Garden competition were announced by the Parish Council at their October meeting.
The following awards were presented:
• Business Houses - 1st Mr & Mrs Green, Stag & Pheasant Public House; 2nd Mountsorrel Hotel
• Containers - 1st Mrs Stalker, 16 Barclay Close
• Small Front Gardens - 1st Mr & Mrs Parrott, 28 Mallard Road; 2nd Mr & Mrs Harding, 1 Windsor Close; 3rd place tie Mr & Mrs White, 74 Rock Hill and Mr & Mrs Lewin, 189 Halstead Road
• Large Front Gardens - 1st Mr & Mrs Cort, 23 Kenilworth Avenue; 2nd Mr & Mrs Lea, 27 Carisbroke; 3rd Mr & Mrs Smith, 1 Bradgate Close

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