FEBRUARY 2010 No. 319

the Birstall postY O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S P A P E R

www.birstallpost.co.uk

POLICE ARE appealing for witnesses after a number of shopsand a car were damaged in Birstall over the course of a week-end.

Loughborough Road. The calls related toreports of large numbers of noisy, drunkenyouths causing a disturbance in severalstreets and damaging property. Two personswere arrested by the Police during thecourse of the evening.

In all but one of the incidents reportedthe damage had been on the front windowsof business premises.

One car that was parked on Loughbor-ough Road had also been damaged. Some-one had scratched into each window a wordthat looks similar to “RAIN”.

Sergeant Ian Stone, from Syston localpolicing unit, said: “We currently have offic-ers patrolling the area, have informed Neigh-bourhood Watch and have spoken to thevictims, but we are still looking for moreinformation.

“If you know anything about the personor people responsible for the damage thenplease call us. Perhaps you saw someonehanging around the shops in the SibsonRoad area who were acting suspiciously?Maybe you recognised the person and knowwho they are or where they live? Or maybeyou recognise the graffiti writing and knowwho did it? If so, then please call us.

“Tackling criminal damage, in particulargraffiti, in Birstall is a beat priority for usand we would like anyone who can help usfind those responsible and reduce the likeli-hood of this happening again to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to con-tact Sgt 1666 Ian Stone on 0116 222 2222,follow the instructions to leave a message foran officer and when prompted key in hisidentification number 1666. Alternatively,contact Crimestoppers, which is free andanonymous, on 0800 555 111.

In addition to the criminal investigation,the Police say multi-agency partnership workis being undertaken to develop preventative

FOUR TEENAGERS from Birstallhave been awarded theirbronze medallion award forLifesaving.

James Bateman (13), Joseph Van Geffen(13), Melissa Berry (14) and Joshua Smalley(14) have all been attending the Lifesaving

Police received a total of 16 reports ofcriminal damage that happened sometimebetween Friday January 15 and Sunday Janu-ary 17, on Wanlip Avenue, Sibson Road and

Pic: Award winners: (l-r) Joshua Smalley, James Bateman, Joseph Van Geffen and Melissa Berry

Lifesavingawardwinners

Continued on page 2Continued on page 2

Trail of damage

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2 the birstall post FEB 2010

initiatives aimed at deterring young personsfrom engaging in anti-social and criminalbehaviour.

A Police spokesman said this will include:• enhanced police patrols in the village

on Friday and Saturday evenings• those persons who during the course of

the police investigation are found to be re-sponsible for criminal offences will also besubject to multi-agency reviews in relation toASB incremental measures such as Accepta-ble Behaviour Contracts and Anti-SocialBehaviour Orders;

• additional educational inputs at localschools and colleges outlining the negativeimpact of anti-social behaviour in local com-munities and the consequences if caughtengaging in such behaviour;

• continued use of Impact Youth Workersto engage with young people and seek todivert them from anti-social behaviour.

Helena Edwards, Charnwood Borough Cllrfor Birstall Wanlip, said: “I have been vigi-lantly reporting the ‘tags’, which are basical-ly stylised signatures of the culprits applyingthem, whenever and wherever I see them.

This year however has seen weekend graffiti-ing sprees cost businesses and home ownersthousands of pounds, with whole parades ofshops having tags scratched into windowglass and shutters, as well as having paintspray damage. Drunken youths, many notlocal, have been involved. So far this finan-cial year, Charnwood Council has spent25per cent of its Borough wide graffiti re-moval budget on cleaning up Birstall,£6,317 from April to December inclusive.

“Whilst generally the response is fast andefficient there are legal complexities regard-ing privately and business owned sites,which mean some damage waits longer forremedy. I personally have exchanged wellover 40 emails with Charnwood, listing andresponding to graffiti, in the last 3 monthsalone. There is currently a review of howStreet Management respond to graffiti beingundertaken, however the best weapon wehave is the people of Birstall.”

Cllr Edwards added: “We must not standby and do nothing when we see it happeningas did some people on Sibson Road duringDecember’s incidents. A Police car may wellnot roar up when you report it by phone to

the 2's, but officers may well stop a suspi-cious person later and be able to matchthem to the graffiti if it has been reported.Also graffiti is designated a ‘sentinel’ crimeby the Police, and is used to focus theirresources, including police presence, whereand when it is most needed. So if it is notreported, we do not get our fair share oftheir response. The Parish council has usedgallons of paint tackling NTL boxes alone,and their volunteer graffiti removers are dueour grateful thanks.”

BAG lady Emma Shaw said: “We wouldlike to thank all of the ladies who came toour meal in December, it was a fantasticnight and the food was brilliant. James, Char-lotte, Adi, Jenny and all the staff were morethan helpful and made a huge effort to makesure everything went smoothly.”

She added: “We have a very busy year

ahead of us starting with our annualdisco/band night on February 27 followed bythe White Horse Duck Race in May and asponsored triathlon in June, and these arejust a few of our events this year.”

Tickets for the band night are availablefrom Emma 07837 028451 or Rachael 07989822173. BAGS raise money for breast cancercharities

classes at Longslade swimming pool.The RLSS Bronze Medallion is a compre-

hensive lifesaving ward which covers rescueskills in and out of the water.

Lifesaving teacher Pauline Chapman said:“It is nice to see the children develop skillsthat could one day save lives. Lifesaving hasprovided them with challenges to keep themin the pool and their hard work has reallypaid off.”

The Lifesaving Class at Longslade pool isheld on Mondays at 8pm. For details call2673461.

THE LADIES from Birstall BAGS and their supporters looked back on a year of fundraisingat a Christmas meal at the White Horse, Birstall.

THOUSANDS OF fish have been releasedinto the River Soar.

The Environment Agency said it had added5,000 roach, 4,000 dace and 500 barbel intothe river at Watermead Country Park. A fur-ther 2,000 chub were released into the Soarat Birstall.

25000 fish, specially reared at CalvertonFish Farm, near Nottingham, have been re-leased across the East Midlands.

The cost of the re-stocking was covered bymoney raised from the sale of rod licences. 650 JOBS will be cut by Leicestershire County Council over the next four

years as it aims to axe £66 million from its budget.

The conservative led administration saysthe cuts are necessary to tackle a “fundinggap”. The job losses amount to one in ten ofthe full time posts at the County, excludingschools. Services will be cut and prices in-creased in a bid to save millions of pounds.

Council Leader David Parsons said: “Wehave been very honest in setting out the sizeof the problems we face, due to Governmentdebt, the recession and increased demand foradult social care and waste services. We havealso lost £117 million of government grantover the last five years, compared with theaverage.

“We’ve worked hard to find as many effi-ciency savings as possible and will continueto do so, but it is inevitable that people willsee a reduction in some services and highercharges.”Adult Social Care

Service reductions over the next four yearsamount to £10.3m. Key changes will seehome help charges rise by 50 per cent overfour years, from £8.60 to £13. The price ofmeals on wheels will rise from £2.95 to£3.20 a day.

5000 people who currently receive homehelp in the county are put into one of threebands: moderate, substantial and critical. 40per cent of those receiving home help do notpay for it because of low income.

After the changes, the moderate band willbe scrapped and all recipients of home helpwill be re-assessed as either substantial orcritical.Roads

£5.3million wil be cut from the Highwaysand Transportation budget.

Quick response to non emergency repairswill be scrapped, but emergency repairs willstill be dealt with the same day.

GrassReducing the number of grass cuts across

the county will save £1.25m over the nextfour years. The four cuts each year in ruralareas are likely to be unaffected.Street Lighting

Dimming and turning off lights will save£670,000 over four years. Around 1000 lightswill be permanently switched off in ruralareas and another 40,000 lights in the villageswill be turned off between midnight and5.30am.Buses

Discretionary free bus travel to and fromschool will be scrapped, saving £800,000over four years. Those services protected bylaw will be retained: free travel for five toseven year olds living more than two milesfrom school, and eight to 16 year olds livingmore than three miles away.

The Council also subsidises 115 bus serv-ices operated in the county – some of theevening and Sunday services will be cut.Waste Management

Savings of £6.2m are planned by reducingthe amount of waste sent to landfill and in-creasing recycling. The Council intend toinvest an extra £6.5m in waste managementto meet increased costs.Youth Services & the Arts

Cuts of £2.5m are planned for Children’sand Young People’s Services, including schooltransport. This may involve reducing thenumber of youth clubs in the county.

The Council’s subsidy for Arts in Educationand the Adult Learning Service will be axed.Debt Advice

The subsidy provided to Citizens AdviceBureau will be reduced by £550,000 overfour years.Libraries & Museums

Opening hours will be reduced. Theamount spend on book stocks will be re-duced by £2.9m over four years.

Museums and arts grants will be cut.The County say the Council Tax will be

frozen for three years from April 2011, butthis is dependent on top-up funding fromGovernment if the Conservatives win the Gen-eral Election.

Around 70 per cent of the Council’s budg-et comes from Council Tax

The council says that despite the cuts, itsannual net budget, excluding schools, willrise from £325m to £344m over four years,due to increased demands for adult careservices and the development of more envi-ronmentally friendly ways of tackling waste.

Damage continued from page 1

Fishreleased

Lifesaving continued from page 1

BAGS’ White Horse night

County’s cost cuttingbudget announced

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THE BIRSTALL POST, FEB 2010 3

PLANS TO erect 5m high lighting columnson a pedestrian/cycle route through Wa-termead Country Park have been an-nounced by the County Council.

The planning application states that thelights will be erected beside the route throughthe park between Whiles Lane, Birstall andMill Lane, Thurmaston.

The Council says that: “The route is heavilyused for both leisure and commuting, espe-cially during the lighter months of the year.The installation of lighting will enable theroute to become more usable during thewinter months after dark for commuting andleisure ie dog walking, especially for thosewho feel more vulnerable in the dark.”

The lighting is part of the Connect2 im-provements to the park which aim to createsafe and convenient links within the park andto integrate with established cycle routes.

The lighting columns will be spaced 40metres apart with 42 watt bulbs. The cowlingwill direct lighting to the footway only andfilters will be fitted to the lamps to reduceultra violet light emissions that disturb bats.

The lights will only be switched on be-

tween 0700-0900hrs and 1530-1900hrs in the winter.

The Birstall and Wanlip PoliceBeat team were consulted about theplans, and made the followingpoints:

• the lighting will make it morewelcoming for youths to gather inthe park. This will admittedly takethem away from the villages, whichwould be a positive. Have to bear inmind the historical gang rivalry,which may become exacerbatedagain.

• the lighting would increase safetyfor walkers and dog owners duringthe hours of darkness, which will givethem more confidence.

• if the car parks atMeadow Lane are lit,they may attract gather-ings of youths. Thisarea is a beat prioritydue to antisocial behav-iour, theft from carsand drug use.

• if the lighting is toconclude at approxi-mately 2000hrs itshould be acceptablebut the situationshould be monitored.There will always be abalance to be struckbetween safety of themany against the anti-

social behaviour of a few.The County Council will be determining the

planning application at a committee meetingon February 18. At the time of going to press,they had received three letters of objectionfrom residents which all expressed concernsabout antisocial behaviour.

The planning application is P/10/0028/2.The County Council identity number is2009/L170/02

A FORMER Longslade studenthas launched his own market-ing company.

Rik Merrikin (23, pictured above), wholives in Birstall, started small and loud mar-keting last summer. He said: “It’s from mytime at school where I first became passion-ate about business, thanks to some inspiredteaching.”

Having graduated from university, Rik sayshe is keen to use his creativity, knowledgeand experience to work with local businesseshere in Birstall.

He said: “Birstall is most definitely myhome and just where I feel small and loudcan flourish. We’re a highly creative companyand passionate about what we do, we want towork with small local businesses on every-thing from business card to web design – nojob is too small.”

Go to www.smallandloudmarketing.co.ukfor more details.

auction. All proceeds will go toMark’s girlfriend and his unbornchild.

A BOXING extravaganza has been organised by a local gym owner to paytribute to Stonehill teacher Mark Elkington, who was killed in a motor-cycle accident last year.

Carl Gunns of Gunns’ Gym on Birstall Road isorganising the event, to be held on Sunday May 16from 12noon to 5.30pm at Birstall Social Club.

“I’ve known Mark for a long time” says Carl“He was bringing pupils from Stonehill to the gymas part of his Boys to Men programme. He was agreat guy, very popular and I hope this event is afitting tribute to him.”

The event will feature boxing demonstrations,visits by a European and a Midlands Champion andan auction of boxing memorabilia including asigned Mike Tyson glove.

Tickets cost £2 and are available from Carl on2671494. Contact him if you have items of sportingmemorabilia that you would like to donate for the

TWO BROTHERS died after falling through ice ona frozen lake in Watermead Country Park.

Dinesh Dattani (44) and Kisor Dattani (55) wereunconscious by the time emergency services res-cued them from the Mammoth Lake on Friday Janu-ary 8.

A third brother who fell into the water was res-cued by Sam Trewick and Adam Whitehead whowere sledging nearby when they heard screamscoming from the lake.

They crawled across 30 yards of ice and used arope to rescue the man, who was treated for hypo-thermia in hospital.

The Police have issued a warning and are advis-ing people never to venture out onto frozen lakesor ponds,.

Tragiclakedeaths

SIXTY SEASONAL hampers containing grocerieswere delivered to elderly people living alone inBirstall this Christmas.

Birstall Parish Council is carrying on the annualtradition of Birstall’s Land and Lewis charity, whichwas set up to help the poor.

Parish councillors packed, wrapped and deliv-ered the parcels in the days before Christmas. Thecost in 2009 was £892 and the contents of thehampers are provided by Somerfield.

The March issue ofTHE BIRSTALL POST

will be published on Feb 27.The copy deadline is Feb 12.

Lightingparkroute

ThurmastonLock

Pic: the designof the lighting

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Boxing show tribute

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MINOR MODIFICATIONS to a major roadjunction in Birstall are being consideredby the County Council.

The A6/Sibson Road/Greengate Lane junc-tion roadworks brought months of disruptionin 2009 to both residents and local business-es, with many saying the County Council’scommunication with the village was poor.

In December, Birstall Parish Council wroteto the County Highways Department identifyingtheir concerns.

• Southbound traffic on the A6 is moved tothe left at the end of the bus lane and is guid-ed to do so both by arrows and by a hatchedarea in the right hand lane. This then ceasesto form the right hand lane for GreengateLane. The Parish Council feels this hatching issuperfluous and routinely ignored by trafficwishing to turn right.

The County responded by saying the hatch-ing does not cause undue problems and thatburning it off would result in an unsightlyappearance. They will keep it under reviewand remove the hatching if necessary.

• Pedestrians are crossing the A6 from theFirs dental practice to the vets and the ParishCouncil feels this should be discouraged forsafety reasons, either by removing the refugeor erecting barriers on the pavements.

The County’s response was that it wasawaiting the recommendations of a safetyaudit.

• Traffic turning right from Sibson Roadtowards Loughborough, or right from Green-gate Lane towards Leicester has only three orfour cars length before arriving at the nextlights. Vehicles crossing on amber do nothave room and are blocking oncoming traffic.Yellow hatching would discourage this.

The County responded by saying the timingof the traffic signals have been changed tohelp clear turning traffic.

• The six month construction period wastoo long, having a severe impact on commut-ers and businesses on Sibson Road. Workceased mid afternoon and appears to havebeen conducted at a leisurely pace. The addi-tional costs of overtime and night time work-

ing should have been weighed against thedisruption and the impact on Birstall busi-nesses.

The County’s response was that the workwas co-ordinated to minimise disruption.National Grid, Eon, BT and Virgin Media allhad to carry out service diversions and altera-tions in the highway before some of the high-way improvement work could be completed.The roadworks took this length of time onsite due to the extensive nature and complexi-ty of the project including the co-ordinationand management of the requirements of eachutility company.

Work was carried out at weekends, butwork out of normal hours had to be balancedwith causing disruption to residents frontingthe works. A few residents did complainabout work taking place at unsociable hoursand weekends,

• Having arranged for a County Councilofficer to speak to the Parish Council abouthow the scheme would be planned, no-oneturned up. The Parish Council should be keptmore closely informed in the event of futureschemes.

The County responded that it was unfortu-nate their representative did not turn up andthat it could not explain why. A review ofprocedures will be carried out to ensure thatin future there is better communication withaffected communities.

IT WAS great sadness that members of theBirstall Flower Club learnt of the death oftheir Vice President and friend Pat Hip-well.

A LOCAL church has had new windows fit-ted with the support of a landfill taxgrant.

All rubbish, whether collected by theCouncil or private operators, that ends up ona landfill site is subject to ‘landfill tax’.

Most taxes that most of us pay usually endup in government coffers to pay for everythingthat the state funds including the Health Serv-ice, education, roads and defence.

Landfill Tax however, is collected by or-ganisations that operate landfill sites. Theseorganisations then are able to distribute thetax they have collected to local communityprojects.

As a result of this the Methodist ChurchCentre in Birstall were able to apply to LaFarge Communities Fund for a grant to dou-ble glaze a number of west facing windows atthe rear of the premises. A spokesman for thechurch said: “This has had a beneficial effectin reducing the cost of heating whilst makingthe rooms warmer. This will not only help thechurch but is of benefit to the wider commu-nity as the Methodist Church Centre is widelyused by different organisations within Birstall.

“The La Farge Communities Fund is ad-ministered via the Derbyshire EnvironmentalTrust and the church are grateful for theirsuccessful funding application, especiallyduring the recent very cold spell of weather”

The total cost of the windows was £3300and the grant given was £2000. The churchfunded the difference.

4 the birstall post FEB 2010

Pat had joined the Flower Club shortlyafter its foundation in 1961 and remained anactive member until her death in December2009.

She spent two periods as chairman, in1982-1984 and later 2001-2005. She thenbecame Vice President. A spokeswoman said:“Pat will be sadly missed by all of us for herunfailing cheerfulness , good humour andespecially for her friendship.”

Over 400 people attended a church serviceat Birstall Methodist Church to celebrate Pat’slife.

Pic: Pat Hipwell

A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Councilwas held on January 11.

Kam Chauhan from the County Council’sImpact Project gave a presentation to theCouncil. The Impact Project engages withyoung people on the streets who are causingconcern for local residents.

The project, which has been at work inBirstall in 2009, works with young peopleaged 10-19 and identifies the issues that areleading to ASB, works to address those issuesand directs young people towards positiveactivities available in the local area.

Mr Chauhan said the results in 2009 inBirstall had been very positive. He character-ised the ABS problem as being related to“cross border issues”: young people cominginto Birstall from Beaumont Leys.

Tom Kiernan from Charnwood BoroughCouncil’s ASB Unit emphasised the impor-tance of reporting incidents of ASB, includinggraffiti, to the Unit on 01509 634533.

He said that £6000, 25 per cent of theBorough’s funding for graffiti removal, hadbeen spent in Birstall, not because the villagehad a special problem but because the villagehad been effective at reporting incidents.

A Police representative reported that totalcrime for April 1 to December 31, 2009 was591 recorded crimes, a reduction of eight onthe same period in 2008. Criminal damagehad increased from 126 to 166.

The Parish Council are concerned aboutthe safety of a damaged bollard on SibsonRoad outside the Davies & Greenwood salon.It was agreed to write to the landlord request-ing that repairs be made.

The Council agreed a precept for the year2010/11 of £345,024, an increase of 2.9%.The precept for 2009/10 was £335,298. Par-ish Clerk Steve Blackburn said: “Balanceshave been reduced to avoid a larger increasebut still maintain a prudent level of reserves.”The Parish Council precept is a component ofthe Council Tax and amounts to approximate-ly £75 per household in Birstall.

Parish Council notes

A CHOIR is looking for new members,whatever their experience or ability.

The Fosse singers are led by HannahBrine. She said: “Don’t let the word‘Choir’ put you off! If you’ve been inspiredby the BBC’s The Choir or always fanciedyourself as the lead role in Sister Act,don’t be shy – give us a try. Come andsing some great songs from around theworld, meet some lovely people and havea good blast for a couple of hours eachweek. Singing is good for you.”

Fosse Singers community choir meeton Wednesdays during term time at theFosse Neighbourhood Centre, Mantle Road(off Tudor Road) from 7-8.45pm.

Hannah said: “You don’t need to haveany experience, be able to read music oraudition. As long as you enjoy singingyou’ll be in good company. We are any-thing but stuffy and enjoy singing a rangeof styles including pop, folk, gospel, spirit-uals and jazz.”

Fosse Singers was established in Sep-tember 2007 and already has over 60enthusiastic member. They are a mixedchoir and ages range from 16 to 75+.They have performed at Leicester Cathe-dral, Derby Cathedral, The Guildhall, the YTheatre, at a number of old people’shomes, in the massed choir charity eventSing for Water, and as part of the OrangeUnlit tour. www.fossesingers.co.uk

For more info contact Hannah on 0781493 5049 or fossesingers@hotmail.com

Crime Report: December 7, 2007 to Jan11, 2010

Burglary dwelling 4, burglary other 6, theftfrom motor vehicle 1, theft of motor vehicle1, assault 12 (mostly domestic), criminaldamage 22 (1 detected).

Total crime: April 1 – December 31, 2009:591 (a reduction of 8 on the same period in2008)

Birstall roadworks saga

Crime

PatHipwell

Grantforwindows

Sing ina choir

AC RNBUILDERSEXTENSIONSALTERATIONS &PROPERTYREPAIRS

2675658Proprietor RMS Gibbon(

HOMEWARES RETAILER Dunelm Mill has reported increased trading fig-ures and announced its plans to build a new head office.

will enable them to relocate to the WatermeadBusiness Park.”

Dunelm Mill, founded in 1979 in LeicesterMarket, has grown consistently in the past 30

years. On Christmas Eve it opened its 100th

store in Cheltenham and has doubled itsnumber of stores in seven years. In Novemberthe firm said that despite economic uncertain-ty it had seen sales rise to £154.7m in the 17weeks to October, compared to £123.3m inthe same period last year.

Dunelm employs 400 people in Leicester-shire at the head office and manufacturingfacilities, including a curtain factory in Black-bird Road, Leicester.

The property slump has helped the groupbecause is has opened up more potentiallocations for stores, while the recession hasseen the end of some of Dunelm’s competi-tion –notably Rosebys and Woolworths.

THIRTEEN STUDENTS from Longslade Col-lege helped rangers at Watermead CountyPark conserve an important wetland habi-tat.

The group cleared and raked cut reed andother vegetation from the park’s crake hidereedbed.

Dale Os-borne, SeniorRanger said:“Reed bedmanagementis a physical-ly demandingjob which therangers undertake on an annual basis. It’slovely to involve local communities andschools in this worthwhile project. The stu-dents from Longslade equipped themselvesadequately and we hope they enjoyed theirday helping us at Watermead.”

The participating students were JoshuaCarter, Hollie Davison, Benjamin Dunn, JadeHadley, Ollie Hall, Mackenzie Hearne, ThomasHerbert, Georgina Irvine, Ross Masterson,Luke Pollard, Luke Simms, Teti-Sheri Sykesand Joseph Whelan.

THE OLDEST man in Birstall haspublished his autobiography.

George Higgs celebrated his 103rd birthdayon January 1. His book, entitled ‘Born TooSoon’ relates the story of his life from howhis parents met, the death of his father whenGeorge was only three, his life in Coventrywhere he met and married his wife Millie andhis working life as an engineer.

In the book George also reflects on whatis valuable in life and how these moderntimes compare with the lives of ordinary peo-ple in those far off days of his youth.

George, who lives on Saltersgate Drive,remains healthy and active and goes dancingevery Saturday night at Birstal Social Club

with his goodfriend Stella.

He says inthe book: “Ifeel there is alot more inlife than justthe planningof my inevita-ble demise.The world isa wonderfulplace to livein, still is forme. My memories are sometimes of thosewho have passed on and of what they en-dured with me. But the memories are mostlya source of pleasure, a break from all thetalk of global warming and economic disas-ter.

“I am hopeful that the present difficultieswill seem petty by comparison to what hasgone by during my lifetime.”

Copies of the book are available fromGeorge at 19 Saltersgate Drive on receipt of asmall donation to the Air Ambulance service.Pic: George Higgs with a copy of his book‘Born Too Soon’

THE BIRSTALL POST, FEB 2010 5

Pic: Like Pollard

BIRSTALL RUGBY Club’s annual President’sDay match will raise funds for one of theirplayers who was paralysed after breakinghis neck during a match.

The match, on May 2, will boost the fundsfor a trust set up by the club to support Rich-ard Engelgardt (37), who was injured when ascrum collapsed during a pre-season game inAugust.

The aim of the trust is to help buy mobilityequipment for Richard’s home.

Loughborough MP Andy Reed plays for theclub and has been President for 10 years. MrReed, who is from Birstall, will be relinquish-ing that role in May and hopes his final gameas President will help support Richard’s trust.

The group intends to build new premisesin Watermead Business Park, Syston, whichwill be twice the size of their existing head-quarters on nearby Fosse Way.

Dunelm Mill say they hope to have the newbuilding open in 2011 and expect to increasethe current head office workforce of 150.

Chief Executive Will Adderley said: “Thenew site will provide spacious new facilitiesfor the business and all Dunelm Group headoffice staff and provide onsite car parking.

“Remaining in the Syston area was animportant aspect in our choice of site for thehead office as it has proved to be a successfullocation for the business. We are all lookingforward to moving to the new offices.”

Tom Watkinson, managing director ofRaynsway Properties, which owns WatermeadBusiness Park, said: “Dunelm is one ofLeicester’s biggest success stories and we aredelighted to have agreed this land deal which

THE STORY of a fascinating life discovered in an attic by a Birstall womanhas been published as a book.

The typewritten copy of the memories ofVivian Crosby (1905-1907) was found by JoyLambell of Worcester Avenue.She said: “I was fascinated toread about the life of my uncleViv and decided to complete thework he had begun. After manyhours transferring the typewrittencopy onto computer and search-ing for photographs to helpbring the memories to life, thebook is now finished.”

Viv’s brother was HonoraryPhysician to the Queen, hencethe title: ‘My brother was thequeen’s doctor but I neveramounted to much.’ It tells the story of Vivwho was born in Highfields, Leicester, theyounger son of a busy and well known Leices-ter doctor. His home was one of the first in

the country to be purpose built as a doctor’shome and surgery.

Viv tells of his boyhood whenhe lived on London Road andwhat school life was like forhim. Victoria Park was his play-ground where he got into trou-ble with the park keeper oneday for playing with his new ball– no ball games were allowedon Christmas Day.

Viv had many different jobs.His first, after a few months atuniversity, was in the hosierytrade at a Leicester factory andhe was a commercial traveller

selling clothes to London shops. He ran atobacconist shop for 20 years from 1933 onBelvoir Street later adding a small café wherefamous names from radio programmes theArchers and Much Binding in the Marshwould meet. During rationing Viv would goout in the morning having no idea what foodwas available to prepare for the lunch timecustomers. Later he became landlord of theBell public house in Burton Overy. He playedrugby for the Tigers and spent many eveningsas the drummer in a dance band called theBacchanalians.

Copies of the book are available at £10each from most LOROS shops and from Thur-maston Print Shop, 814 Melton Road, Thur-maston. All proceeds from the book go toLOROS.

A BY-ELECTION will be held later thismonth following the resignation of aborough councillor.

Conservative Rick Astill was elected torepresent Birstall Watermead Way in May2007. He has resigned for personal rea-sons.

Pic: an artist’s impressionof the new building

Dunelm’s new HQ

Memoirs foundin attic

Election

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I specialise inconservatory cleaning

To D J Gaskell (Bad Behaviour): I don’tlike to say ‘I told you so’ but…until we as asociety are able to set punishments whichdeter these idiots and insist upon a level ofparental responsibility which would ensurethese hooligans aren’t on our streets in thefirst place, we will continue to suffer the con-sequences.

To Pat Herbert and Steve Blackburn(Dogs): As a Birstall boy born and bred, Iremember the times when dogs were com-pletely banned from the playing fields, andanybody trying to take their dog onto saidarea would be immediately admonished by aman in a peaked cap who was in charge ofthe playing fields. There was a notice boardwith the regulations clearly displayed. Perhapswe should have a separate area for dogs touse as a toilet. Even the most diligent ownercannot remove all the faeces from the grass.Failing this, perhaps we should return to the‘good old days’ and make the playing fieldsdog free once again. I am sadly of the opin-ion that apart from country dwellers, it is fastbecoming impossible to own a dog in oursociety. As to the problem of hooligans usingthe park, see above.

Nicholas G Black

£522.77. Very well done.Val JoyceVice President Birstall Women’s Section of

the Royal British LegionWe will remember them.

Birstall Royal British LegionMembers Notice

Sat Feb 6: John Stacey (M/V)Sat Feb 13: Dee Smoove (M/V)

Sat Feb 20: Double Trouble (duo)Sat Feb 27: Steve Sinatra (M/V)

Dancing every Sat night withlive entertainment

Free meat raffle, Bingo and not forgetting‘Open the Box’

Every Tues night Bingo starting at 9.30pmQuiz nights Sunday Feb 14 & 28 starting

at 9pmAcoustic night Sunday Feb 21

Rock & Roll nights Wednesday Feb 3 & 17Food available every Sat 12-2pm

• • •Thurcaston Toddler Group

We are open every Tues morning duringschool term times from 9-11am at TheMemorial Hall (close to Richard Hill

School), Anstey Lane, Thurcaston LE7 7JAJust drop in to our friendly parent rungathering and for the admission cost of£2 your child gets to play with differenttoys, do a craft activity and have a drinkplus a small snack (tea & coffee for the

adults also)Our group also arranges the occasional

night out (minus the toddlers) and have alocal park schedule during the summer

holidays for anyone still wanting to meetup on a Tuesday morningGo on and give us a try!

• • •

Friends of BirstallSwimming Pool

Needs adult swimmers to join them onFridays from 12.30-1.30pm

£2 first visitcontact Lesley on 2671625

• • •Highcliffe Amateur Theatrical Society

presents

Fish Out of Watera comedy by Derek Benfield

Thurs/Fri/Sat, May 13/14/15 at 7.30pmHighcliffe Primary School,Greengate Lane, Birstall

Tickets £5. £4 concessions, disc for groupbooking

Tel: 0116 2128757 or 07757854719 oremail hatsbirstall@hotmail.co.uk

A play that will give you everything from aquiet chuckle to a raucous belly laugh

Don’t delay book today!• • •

Direct from the West EndThe Kenneth Williams Extravaganza

Stop Messing AboutRobin Sebastian as Kenneth Williams

Set during a live recording, packed with

sketches, parodies and songsFeaturing ‘Joan Sims’ and Hugh Paddick’

The Curve, LeicesterFeb 16-20, £18-£24

www.curveonline.co.uk/0116 242 3595• • •

Birstall Methodist Church

Good-as-New Boutique& Table Top Sale

(Tables @ £10 – 0116 2672606)Saturday March 27, 10am-2pm

Tea/Coffee/Cakes plus Soups & Hot DogsAdmission free

• • •The Bark Foundation

(raising funds for Cameroon Orphanage)presents a

Chinese New YearCelebration

Tai Chi and Chinese Fan DanceDemonstration

Saturday February 27, 2.30-4.30pmAt Birstall Methodist Church Hall

Tutor Sue Hon: student of a Tai chi ‘GrandMaster’ in Hong Kong

Come and learn how to keep supple usingexercises of special benefit for joint

movement. Simple, gentle movement suit-able for all ages.

Places limited so book early please toavoid disappointment

Tel: 2677576 or email:bark_foundation@btinternet.comTickets £7 (concessions £6) inc

refreshments• • •

The Bark Foundation(reg charity no: 1129762)

in support of HOTPEC Orphanage,Cameroon

Coffee MorningSaturday February 13, 10am to 12noon

At Birstall Methodist Coffee Shop

Fashion ShowFriday March 26 at 7.30pm

At Birstall Methodist Church HallTickets: £5 inc tea/coffee and cakes

Come and buy ‘Designer’ labels andclothes from some of your favourite High

Street stores such as M&S, Per Una, Princi-ples, Wallis, Next, GAP, Monsoon, Etams

and Dorothy Perkins – all atbargain prices.

Tickets can be ordered by tel: 2677576 orby email:

bark_foundation@btinternet.com• • •

Birstall Ladies Bowling Club

Coffee MorningBirstall Methodist Church Hall,

Wanlip LaneSaturday March 610am to 12noon

• • •

Beetle DriveSaturday February 27

Guide HQ, Johnson Road, Birstall2-5pm

Simple game with prizes.All ages from 5 to 105.

Tickets £3 each including afternoon teaBooking essential, tel: 2671043

In aid of Girlguiding Birstall HQ fund• • •

The Friends of Belgrave Cemetery Group

Annual General MeetingSaturday March 20, 10am to 12noon

The Methodist Church, Fellowship Room,Wanlip Lane

All are welcomeFurther info:

www.leicesterchronicler.com.belgravecemetery.htm

• • •

6 the birstall post FEB 2010

YOUR SAY...

The Birstall Post welcomes your viewsand opinions on any subject. Letters,which must include your name and ad-dress, (though not necessarily for publi-cation) can be posted to: The BirstallPost, Longslade College, Wanlip Lane,Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GH, or handed inat Birstall library or email:editor@birstallpost.co.uk

From one poppy seller to anotherMr Eric Buckley - I salute you sir. What a

fantastic total of £5865 collected by you. Ithought my total was good for Birstall of

As a regular user of School Lane playingfields, I find myself in total agreement withPat Herbert (Birstall Post Jan 2010). What theParish Council is probably not aware of isthat there is a small but nonetheless dedicat-ed group of dog walkers (which includesmyself) who take it upon themselves to pickup litter from the car parks and the areaaround the basketball court on a daily basis.

Far from dog walkers being the mainproblem , the evidence on a Monday morningis that the football club (in addition to thegroups of youths) are the main offenderswhen it comes to littering. The tell tale signsare countless bottles of sports drinks andplastic coffee cups up and down the varioustouchlines. No doubt there are dog ownerswho do not clean up after their pets but frommy own experience these people constitute avery small minority.

The Parish Council would therefore dowell to acknowledge that the problem involvesseveral groups all of which have a part toplay if we are to keep these fields clean andtidy for the benefit of everyone.

Dominic Young

Charity Bridge Driveorganised by Loughborough Lions

at the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane,Rothley

Wednesday April 14 at 11.30am with af-ternoon tea providedCost £6 per person

To book a table please contact: Jackie0116 2303317 or Ann 01509 232422

• • •Loughborough Farmers Market

Devonshire Square, LoughboroughBetween 9am and 3pm

Every monthNext market February 10

Wide variety of local produce: meats, sausage,bacon & cured meats, rare breed meats, meat,savoury & fruit pies, fruit & vegetables inc or-

ganic, plants & flowers,herbs, therapeutic herbal products, honey &

beeswax products, chutneys & pickles, jams &preserves, homemade cooking sauces, whole-

meal flour, muesli, fruit juices, eggs & cheeses,bread & cakes.

To book a stall or find out more call Marketsand Fairs team 01509 634624, email:

markets.fairs@charnwood.gov.uk or log on towww.charnwood.gov.uk

• • •

Noticeboardall details printed free

Responsibility

Well done

Park life

Advertise in

The birstall post53 x 70mm £26 • 53 x 142mm £44

109 x 70mm £44 • 109 x 142mm £78

CALL 2674213 for an advertising rate card,or view online at www.birstallpost.co.uk

The prices above exclude VAT

1) Decide what size you want

2) Send us a sketch of your ad

3) We design, publish & sendyou the bill

Quorn Live: Are YouExperienced

Saturday March 20, 7.30pmRawlins Community College, Quorn

Charity Event: Help for HeroesEurope’s BEST Jimi Hendrix Tribute band,

plus local support bandsTickets £7.50 from Midland Diving, AppleTree (Quorn), Bradley’s (Quorn) or Ticket

Hotline 07812 166 846. No tickets ondoor/over 18s

• • •

Calling All MessyToddlers

Bring a grown up to our parent & toddlersessions

Our sessions are fun and interestingand very messy

Lots of painting and sticking, so don’t wearyour best clothes

Biscuit and cake decorating – nature time-mu-sical instruments

Stories & singing & lots of toysGrown ups enjoy a cuppa and adult conversa-tion while the little ones munch on a well

earned snackIt’s a great place to spend an hour and a half of

your dayInterested?

Call Karen for available days and times atAcorn Toddlers 2672795 (reg charity)

12 months to 3 years. Only £2 per session(pre-paid every half term)

Venue: Highcliffe Primary School Community Room• • •

Leicester City MaleVoice Choir

St James Church, Church Hill, BirstallApril 24 at 7pm

Tickets £6 inc light refreshmentsTel: 0116 26777023

Proceeds to St James Day Centre• • •

Film Presentations‘Creation’ Friday Feb 19 (108 mins)

Based on the biography of Charles Darwin’s great,great grandson, it recounts the relationship of Darwin

with his daughter Annie as he writes the ‘Origin ofSpecies’. Having just returned from the Galapagos Is-lands, Darwin feels a rift with his wife, Emma, con-cerning their Faith. With great soul-searching, the

manuscript is finally completed and Emma packages itup for the publishers.

‘Morris – a Life with Bells on’ Friday March12 (100 mins)

This film is a heart warming British comedy about aMorris dancing troupe who incur the wrath of tradi-tionalists by pioneering an extreme version of free-form Morris dancing. ‘Morris’ scored exceptionally inthe Seattle Film Festival. We anticipate a light-heart-

ed, fun evening.‘Julie and Julia’ Friday April 9 (123 mins)

Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council will be showingthese films at Thurcaston Memorial Hall. Starting at

7.30pm, tickets cost £4, concessions £3.50. Price in-cludes refreshments and a lucky prize draw.

THE FRIENDS of Belgrave Cemetery Groupformed in September 2004 soon aftersome of the memorials were vandalisedby graffiti.

In 2005 our secretary Odette received aCertificate of Commendation which was pre-sented at the Town Hall, Leicester, this wasquickly followed by five more group membersreceiving Community Service Volunteer med-als for commitment.

Notices are placed in the group’s twiceyearly newsletter inviting members to attendthe CSV’s ‘Make-a-Difference’ days, whichtake place in spring and autumn at the ceme-tery. Members come along and tend familygraves, thereby making the difference. Theseevents are very well attended with coverage bythe local press.

Steven Butt of Radio Leicester produced aPoem/DVD and designed the website

www.leicesterchronicler.com/belgravecemetery.htm. This, together with guided walkshas brought further interest, both from mem-bers of the public in this country and abroad,to this beautiful 128-year-old Victorian Ceme-tery.

Joining the National Federation of Ceme-tery Friends gained us information and sup-port.

The book ‘Belgrave Memories’ publishedby East Midlands Economic Network whichmentions Belgrave Cemetery gave an insightinto life in Belgrave from 1945 to 2005.

The committee feel our greatest achieve-ment came in 2008 when with help from

Voluntary Action Leicester we received a grantfrom the Big Lottery Fund ‘Awards for All’.This enabled us to publish a Roll-of-Honourbook entitled. ‘Soldiers of Belgrave Remem-bered’.

In conjunction with Leicester City CouncilBereavement Service department came theplacing of a new War Memorial in BelgraveCemetery with a dedication ceremony onNovember 9, 2008. Although a solemn occa-sion it was a memorable morning.

Members have worked with the BritishWar Grave Commission to record the 97Killed-in-Action commemorated on familymemorials in the cemetery.

Taking part in the Leicester and Rutlandfamily History Society 35th Anniversary Fair

at Rothley in September 2009 proved in-formative and brought additional members.

During 2009 membership of the Friendshas risen steadily and we gained our 204thmember in December. Having the use of thecemetery keeper’s porta-cabin is very handyfor the team of dedicated members who arein attendance each and every Sunday morningto set out records enabling members of thepublic to trace family graves.

From a Friends group that began with apassionate desire for improvement we havenow evolved into a united group of friends,constantly rewarded in the knowledge ofhelping the public find their lost loved ones’final resting place.

From Dorothy Marshall, FOBCG

Pantomime TicketsA few tickets still remain for the very tradi-

tional family pantomime, Dick Whittington. Itwill be presented by the Birstall MethodistMens Pantomime group during the week ofthe half-term holiday February Tuesday 16 toSaturday 20.

You can follow the story of Dick and hiscat, and the characters they meet on theirtravels. This is a new script for the group,which children & adults will find easy to fol-low – oh yes they will!

All tickets are £5, and young children canselect a small seat at the very front if theyprefer. Phone Victoria on 2122513 for book-ings. Performances each evening at 7.30pmwith a Saturday Matinee at 2.30pm.Chocolat – Lent Course 2010

Everyone is welcome to the Lent coursebeing jointly run and organised by BirstallMethodist Church and the Parish of Birstalland Wanlip. We are using the course Christand the Chocolaterie by Hilary Brand whichbases discussion around the film Chocolat.

It has been used by many churches beforeand comes highly recommended. The coursestarts with a full showing of the film‘Chocolat’ on Sunday February 21 at 2pm(The film carries a 12 rating). There are thentwo options EITHER at the Methodist Churchon Mondays 2-3.30pm or at St James onWednesdays 7.30-9.30pm. The only cost is forthe purchase of the course book (£4) – formore details contact Laurie on 2675194, orany of the clergy.Book a ‘Table Top’

A Good as new & Boutique and Table TopSale is to be held on March 27, 10am to2pm Contact Mary 2672606 if you wouldlike to book a table. The cost is £10 pertable.Sturdy Sewing Machine Needed

The ladies who make the costumes for theannual Mens Pantomime are looking for anunwanted but sturdy sewing machine. Anindustrial one would be useful. If you canhelp, phone Wendy on 2677077.

THE BIRSTALL POST, FEB 2010 7

Saying GoodbyeNaturally enough, for the people of Birstall

and Wanlip churches, the departure of Revd.James Shakespeare from our parish at theend of last month was a great sadness, as wehad all grown to respect and love him and hisfamily, and the parish has benefited greatlyfrom his time with us. Everyone wishes himwell in whatever direction his new life takeshim and as they will be living in Market Har-borough we may still have the pleasure ofseeing him and the family from time to time.In the meantime…

As is usual when the rector/vicar of a par-ish leaves, there is likely to be a time lapsebefore the arrival of a new ‘incumbent’, soeveryone will be rallying round to ensure thatservices, pastoral care and all the other activi-ties of a busy church will carry on. We arevery fortunate that Revd Stephen Crofts cameto Birstall as curate last year and he will beably supported by Revd. Robin Martin whohas retired from full-time ministry to live inBirstall, and Revd Colin Rushforth who is anon-stipendiary minister (he has a full-timejob in the NHS). Together with the church-wardens, there is also a ministry team of laypeople who may take informal services andhelp in day to day administrative, pastoral orother practical matters, so neither of thechurches is likely to fall apart in the monthsof waiting!Ongoing activities

Much progress has been made with there-ordering of the back of St. James churchand the screen has proved its value in thecold winter months. Attention has nowturned to the old church, where services takeplace every working day, to select new seating

and flooring in keeping with the age of thechurch and the needs of those who use thearea. Wanlip Church Rooms have also under-gone a transformation in the last few months.This has been achieved with the co-operationof the church and through the efforts of avery active support group from the village.Wanlip Church and Community centre is therefurbished and re-decorated result.

The first church social event to take placethere this year will be a Beetle Drive for allthe family on Saturday February 13 at 7pm.Tickets are available at £1 by phoning Joanon 2672010 or Mary on 2673568 and youare asked to bring food and drink for abring-and-share supper.

As Easter falls at the beginning of April thisyear, Lent starts with Ash Wednesday on Feb-ruary 17 with services at 9.30am at Wanlipand 7.30pm at Birstall St James.

This year’s ecumenical Lent course hasthe intriguing title of “Christ and the Chocola-terie” and starts on Sunday February 21 witha showing of the full- length film “Chocolat”(12) – in English! - at the Methodist churchat 2pm. For the following five weeks thecourse will be held at 2pm on Monday after-noons in the Methodist church and at 7.30pmon Wednesday evenings at St. James church.Please ring Laurie on 2675194 if you wish toorder a course book.

From Beryl McHugh

The March issue ofTHE BIRSTALL POST

will be published on Feb 27.The copy deadline is Feb 12.

Unitedgroup offriends

Parish church news

Methodist church news

PETE INGHAM

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Pic: Belgrave cemetery

A LOCAL group that sells produce is look-ing to expand.

The Glenfield Country Market, formerly theWI market, is hoping to expand into Ansteyand is looking for new people. SpokeswomanIrene Marriott said: We are looking for peo-ple, male or female, who would like to selltheir produce such as home-made cakes,savouries, jams and chutneys; or home grownplants, fruit & vegetables; or hand-madecards, knitting, sewing, jewellery etc. We arealso seeking volunteers to serve, set up andput away.”

The group meet every Friday at St PetersChurch Rooms, Church Road, Glenfield, sell-ing from 9-11am. There are also a LOROSbookstall and a cook who specialises in glu-ten free items.

For more information contact Irene Marri-ott tel: 0116 2364295 or emailirene.marriott@ntlworld.com or visit Glenfieldmarket.

IT’S NOT too late to enrol for an AdultLearning Course at Longslade.

If one of your New Year resolutions was toget fitter, the college offers courses in Pi-lates, Circuit Training and Tai Chi starting inFebruary and March to help you on your way.

If you need to learn or improve your skillson a computer they have a range of coursesto suit you whether you are a complete begin-ner or a confident user.

The Leicestershire Adult Learning Servicealso offers courses in Visual and PerformingArts, Languages, Literacy, Numeracy, Skills forJobs and other general interest courses.

For information and advice or to enrol,please telephone the freephone number 0800988 0308 or contact Longslade on 01162673389

A LOCAL football club is looking for a vol-unteer to help out, serving in their kitchenon Sunday mornings.

Birstall United Juniors FC would like avolunteer to serve refreshments on Sundaymornings (9.30-12.30) at their new club-house on Meadow Lane.

Duties will involve making teas/coffees,selling sweets and cooking bacon/sausagecobs in the club’s new fitted kitchen. Thesuccessful applicant will require a CRB checkfrom the FA. The club will pay for this.

Phil Hughes, manager of the under 7ssaid: “The kitchen is am important fundraiserfor the club. The money raised goes towardsbuying new training equipment for the kidsand it also helps pay for the end of seasonpresentation evening where the kids get theirappearance and merit medals for their hardwork over the season.

“Sundays are match days at the club, andnot only is the kitchen great for the hometeams, but it’s also a great service to put onfor the visiting teams and enhances the club’sreputation. On average there will be 10 teamsdown there on a Sunday morning so havingthe kitchen closed is a missed opportunity toraise much needed funds for the club.

“If any reader is looking for something todo on Sunday mornings and enjoys meetingpeople and wants to give something back tothe village, then this is an ideal opportunity.”

If you are interested, please contact IanHay on ianhay@tesco.net.

BUJFC is a thriving club with over 350children in 24 different boys and girls teams.

TIRED OF making the same old New Yearresolutions? Fancy trying something newfor 2010? If the answer is yes then whynot try volunteering?

A spokesman for Voluntary Action Leices-tershire (VAL) said: “Volunteering is simple.It’s about giving your time to do somethinguseful, without getting paid, apart from ex-penses. In return you get the satisfaction oftime and effort well spend.

“In addition, volunteering can be a greatway to meet new people, learn new skills andgain useful experience, it should also be fun.Volunteering can also be a way to get an upto date reference for re-entering employment.The range of opportunities is huge. Whatever

skills and experience you have, there is some-thing that you can do.”

VAL provides work throughout the County:thousands of people already volunteerthroughout Leicester and County but VAL saysmany more are needed.

To find out about the opportunities visitwww.do-it.org.uk or drop in to visit Volun-teering Advisor Ilir Demaj on Monday andFriday mornings from 9.30am or Thursdayafternoon from 2pm at John Storer House,Loughborough, or Thursday mornings from10.30am at the Shepshed Volunteer Centre.Alternatively call the VAL helpline on 01162575050 to book an appointment at a timeconvenient to you.

8 the birstall post FEB 2010

LIBRARIES ACROSS Charnwood will be chal-lenging youngster with free code breakingand puzzle solving activities during theFebruary half-term.

Free activity sheets aimed at children be-tween 6 and 12 years of age will be availablefor children to pick up and puzzle over in thelibrary or at home between Saturday February13 and Saturday February 20. The challengesinclude logic puzzles, hidden picture colour-ing, a maze and a doubly difficult wordsearch.

Anyone wishing to take part in PuzzleMania is invited to drop in to Birstall libraryand pick up a free activity sheet.

THE POLICE led Joint Action Group meetsregularly to share information and con-cerns about anti social and criminal be-haviour.

Representatives from Birstall Parish Coun-cil joined councillors and officers fromCharnwood and the Housing and Youth Of-fending Agencies at the January meeting.

Birstall Parish Council Clerk Steve Black-burn said: “The recent increase in anti socialbehaviour in Birstall took up a large percent-age of the meeting’s time and we were as-sured that action is being taken to bringoffenders to justice. The Police did, however,express their dismay that members of thepublic made no calls to the Police, eventhough passers by and pub regulars witnessedsome of the damage as it was being done.Some of the vandalism and the indifference ofthe public has been caught on CCTV footagewhich is being actively studied. Some arrestshave already been made and others are ex-pected to follow.”

The Charnwood Community Safety Partner-ship have produced a booklet ‘Safe and Se-cure’ which gives practical advice on how todeal with behaviour issues and how to reportproblems to the Police. Copies of this bookletare available free of charge from the Libraryand from Birstall Parish Council Offices.

5 Malling Close – erection of single and two storeyside extension

Watermead Country Park, Wanlip Road, Syston – in-stallation of 5m high lighting columns between MillLane, Thurmaston and Whiles Lane

Highcliffe Primary School, Greengate Lane – erectionof canopy over external play areas

1B Sibson Road – display of internally illuminated sig-nage

Phase 1C, Hallam Fields, land off A6/A46, Birstall –erection of 39 dwellings, 6 maisonettes, 5 flats overgarages and 9 apartments

A NEW environmentally-friendly solid fuelmade from rapeseed is available now inBirstall.

Birstall DIY on Birstall Road are stockistsof Green Dragon briquettes, made using all ofthe co-products from rapeseed oil produc-tion.

A Green Dragon spokesman said: “Thebriquettes are made from the rape meal that’sleft over from the crushing process that pro-duces oil for food and fuel. Each one burnsthree times longer than wood and gives offtwice the heat.”

Gill Wardle from Birstall DIY said: “We areexcited to offer a new alternative fuel madefrom 100% rapeseed. It’s an eco-friendlyproduct and the ash can be used to fertilisethe garden.

“We will be offering a free sample witheach coal order for a limited period whilestocks last and would be pleased to hearfeedback from customers on 2671584.”

A box of 12 briquettes costs £9.99.

PARENTS OF children due to start schoolfor the first time are being urged not tomiss the closing date for places.

There are around seven weeks left forapplications for infant or primary schoolplaces for children who will be four years oldby September 1. All parents need to applyand must do this by February 22 – even fortheir child to attend their catchment areaschool. Late applicants may not be offered aplace at any of their preferred schools, oreven their catchment area school so parentsare being urged to make sure they don’t missthe closing date.

To apply for a place, please visitww.leics.gov.uk/admission, contact the CountyCouncil’s Allocations Section for a form orpick one up from local schools.

Ivan Ould, County Council Cabinet Memberfor the Children and Young People’s Service,said: “It is very important that all parentsapply on time to give their children the bestpossible chance of being offered a place intheir preferred school. If parents are late andthere are a lot of requests, even if they livenext door to the school, they are unlikely toget a place for their child.”

Last year we were very successful in meet-ing parents’ preferences but as always, lateapplicants run the risk of disappointment asschools do become full.”

For a form or more information, pleasecontact the Allocations Section on 0116 3056684 or email admissions@leics.gov.uk

A PROGRAMME of guided walks has beenannounced by Charnwood Borough Coun-cil.

They take place across Charnwood fromFebruary 2 to April 6 and many are free anddon’t require booking.

Copies of the programme are availablefrom libraries or go towww.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/walkingforhealth

Foodproducers

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2674213

AGE CONCERN

INFOState Pension Changes

The Department of Work and Pensions(DWP) has begun to tell people about thechanges to the pensions system. The firstgoal of the DWP is to help people approach-ing the State Pension age identify whetherthey are affected by the State Pension chang-es from April 2010 and to provide simplesteps for any action they may need to take.This will help to ensure that people do notmiss out on money for their future.

A summary of communications activity sofar:

• In April, DWP began a phased mailingto all women affected by the gradual equali-sation in State Pension age. This will becompleted in January 2012

• The State Pension Profiler tool onwww.direct.gov.uk/pensions has beenlaunched. This allows people to input infor-mation about their personal circumstances tofind out how the changes may affect themand what they need to consider next

• Articles and advertorials have beenplaced in a wide range of local and nationalmedia

• Carers UK are producing a bookletwhich contains initial information on the newCarer’s Credit

• DWP has produced a leaflet – Work-place Pensions are Changing – which out-lines how the changes will affect employersfrom 2012. This can be downloaded fromwww.dwp.gov.uk/pensionsreform (follow thelinks to Workplace Pensions Reform)

• The DWP’s – Our State Pensions Reformbriefing pack - will be of interest to anyoneadvising people on issues affecting theirplanning for retirement, savings, or benefitsin later life. Containing top-level informationand more detailed fact sheets, it can befound at www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser

• DWP has begun to work with voluntaryand community organisations to providethem with tools and messages for their ownwebsites and newsletters

• From early 2010, the DWP will bebroadening the efforts to tell a wider audi-ence about the changes in April, so peopleknow where to find more information andwhy it is important to start planning andsaving for the future.

Bereavement and the Tax SystemThis report by the Low Incomes Tax Re-

form Group (LITRG) looks at the different

ways someone may need to deal with HMRCafter bereavement and sets out the difficultiesthat people can face. It concludes that lifecould be made much easier for bereavedpeople if government departments weremore joined up and administration systemsmore automated and streamlined and makesa number of specific recommendations.

NHS Constitution : A Consultation on NewPatient rights

This consultation proposes new patientrights to:

• a treatment within a maximum of 18weeks from a GP referral and to be seen bya cancer specialist within two weeks from aGP referral, or where this is not possible, forthe NHS to take reasonable steps to offer arange of alternative providers; and

• NHS Health Checks for those aged 40 to74 to assess their risk of heart disease,stroke, diabetes and kidney disease

It also welcomes views on areas where webelieve we will soon be able to offer rights,such as dentistry, evening and weekend ac-cess to GPs, personal health budgets, theability to choose to die at home and rapidaccess to diagnostic tests.

Choose and Book : GuidanceThe Department of Health is using new

guidance on the effective use of the Chooseand Book system. This national electronicreferral service gives patients a choice ofplace, date and time for their first outpatientappointment in a hospital or clinic.

The guidance entitled ‘Responsibilities andoperational requirements for the correct useof Choose and Book’ is supported by theBMA. It follows a BMA review of local expe-rience around Choose and Book, publishedin January 2009 and provides greater clarityon the responsibilities of the NHS and clini-cians.

Care Home HandbookCounsel and Care has published the third

edition of its Care Home Handbook fundedand supported by the Department of Health.It explains how to get an assessment of careneeds; what alternatives there are to carehomes; choosing a care home; paying forcare and the financial assessment; yourrights in a care home; and how to make acomplaint.

Care Home Handbook Counsel and Care

available at:www.counselandcare.org.uk/helping-you/carehomehandbook

Alternatively, to order a copy free ofcharge (plus postage and packing) telephoneCounsel and Care’s dedicated publicationorderline: 020 7241 8522 or email yourrequest with your name and full postal ad-dress to:sharon.ridsdale@counselandcare.org.uk

Personal Care at Home Bill and Consulta-tion

The Personal Care at Home Bill was pre-sented to Parliament on November 25, 2009.The Bill will provide for those with the great-est care needs to be offered free personalcare at home. The government estimates thatthe bill would help around 400,000 peoplewith care needs and guarantee free personalcare for the 280,000 people with the greatestneed. It is hoped it will come into effect byOctober 2010.

A consultation paper on regulations andguidance was issued by the Department ofHealth with responses requested by February23, 2010. It is proposed that regulations willdefine’ highest need’ with Reference to FairAccess to Care Services Critical band and theneed to require significant help with fouractivities of daily living. Regulations will alsospecify that councils will have the function ofmaking free personal care conditional on aperson undergoing a period of intensivesupport or reablement for a period of up tosix weeks before a formal community care

assessment of needs is undertaken. Guidancewill cover the details of the assessment proc-ess, eligibility criteria and examples of whatan intensive support package could include.

Personal Care at Home Bill Available at:http://servicesparliament.uk/bills/2009-10/personalcareathome.html

Personal Care at Home – A Consultationon proposals for Regulation and Guidance.Available athttp.//www/dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_109139

Dogs in Care Homes : Society for Compan-ion Animal Studies Campaign

The Society for Companion Animal Studieshas launched a campaign for care homesand sheltered housing facilities to have re-sponsible pet policies to ensure that resi-dents, particularly older people, can keeppets or maintain contact with animals. Cur-rently only a third of care homes have suchpolicies.

Index to Information GuidesInformation Guides are a clear and con-

cise overview in booklet form on a topic withsignposting towards your next steps. If youare looking for information on something forthe first time, start with these guides.

Information Guides can be downloadedvia www.ageconcern.org.uk or obtained viathe free-phone helpline 0800 009966

01 Help with care in your own home02 How to find a care home03 Housing choices in retirement04 Your health services05 Planning your retirement income06 Help with legal advice07 Adapting your home08 Going into hospital09 Making the most of your money11 Your employment choices12 Your guide to healthy living14 What to do when someone dies15 Putting your affairs in order16 Planning to live abroad17 Protect yourself from scams

18 Later life as an LGB person (Lesbian,Gay or Bisexual)

19 Going solo24 Making the most of the Internet25 Care home check list26 Attendance allowance27 Bogus callers – how to protect your-

self28 What to expect as you get older29 Your tax health check30 How to claim benefits

31 Your home your choice32 Be money smart33 What can you claim34 Save more pay lessID 8164 Home safety checker. Protecting

yourself (How to get help if you start to feelunsafe or mistreated)

Age Concern Leicester Shire & RutlandInformation and Advice Service: Money

Matters; Welfare Benefits; Housing & Proper-ty; Residential & Nursing Care; Leisure &Social Activities; Family & Personal Matters;Your Rights; Local Services; Most other is-sues that affect your quality of life

We are a registered charity and do notcharge for this service. Donations to AgeConcern Leicester Shire & Rutland will helpus continue to provide this valuable supportto local older people. If you would like tomake a donation, please send a cheque pay-able to ‘Age Concern Leicester Shire & Rut-land’ at Lansdowne House. We arecommitted to equal opportunities and willnot discriminate on the grounds or age,disability, ethnic origin, gender, religiousbelief or sexual orientation. We expect thesevalues to be respected by those who use ourservices.

We have a CLS Quality Mark and a com-plaints procedure.

Age Concern Leicester Shire & Rutland,Lansdowne House, 113 Princess Road East,Leicester LE1 7LA. Tel: 0116 299 2233. Fax:0116 299 2276.enquiries@ageconcernleics.com

www.ageconcernleics.comfrom Jex Woods

THE BIRSTALL POST, FEB 2010 9

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REGULAR MEETINGSNIFTY FIFTIESTues 11.40am to 12.40pm Sileby Parish Community Centre.An exercise class designed for the active 50+ age group. Fun,sociable & very good for you. Fully qualified instructor Kate2412646AEROBICS & BODY CONDITIONING(RSA Qual.Instructor) Co-op Sports & Social Club Tues 6.30pmStep/Total Body Conditioning; Thurs 6.30pm Aerobics/bums &tums. Tel:Sue 077 396 36650 or try personal training in theprivacy of your own homeROYAL BRITISH LEGION WHIST DRIVEEvery Thur: 2.30pm Legion Club, Front St.ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN'S SECTIONMeet 3rd Thursday each month, Legion Club, Front Street8pm. New members welcome. Tel:2674817ROYAL BRITISH LEGION BRANCH MEETINGMembers meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7.30pm.Legion HQ, 19 Front St, BirstallCOFFEE SHOPTues-Sat 10-12noon, Birstall Methodist CentreBIRSTALL SOCIAL CLUBEvery Tue: Seq Dancing 8-10.30pmBIRSTALL SOCIAL EVERGREEN CLUBEvery Tue:2.15pm Birstall Soc ClubDIANE GROSE SCHOOL OF DANCE & DRAMADance, Drama & Fitness Classes for Children & Adults Enq2674775ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATIONMeet Royal British Legion, 4th Wed in every monthtel:2609658ROYAL ANTEDILUVIAN ORDER OF BUFFALOESEvery Mon:8pm. The Sir Henry Pearce Lodge No.30. EveryFri:8.30pm. The Progressive Lodge No.6565. Meet at BirstallSocial Club - all members of RAOB, GLE welcomeBIRSTALL CARERS SUPPORT GROUPWelcomes all carers. Regular meetings at the St James DayCare Centre, Fridays at 2pm. (Except the last Friday in themonth). For further information contact Marlene 2674714ACORN UNDER FIVESTel: 0116 2672795, Pre school groups: 8.30-11.30am and12.30-3.30pm, 5 days a week. Toddler group: 1-2.30pm,Mon & Wed. Place: Highcliffe Community Centre, GreengateLane, BirstallBIRSTALL QUILTERSEvery Wed afternoon 1.30-3.30pm Birstall Methodist ChurchRooms, Wanlip LaneRAINBOW CO-OPERATIVE PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP(Charity No:1045204) Co-op Sports & Social Ground, BirstallRd. Open weekdays 9.30am -12noon, also extended careavailable for a small extra charge.Children from 2yrs - 5 yrs.LEA funding available for all 3+ yrs. Our new play area pro-vides the addition of safe outdoor fun. Enquiries tel Julie2671828, mobile:07793630612HIGHCLIFFE AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY (HATS)Every Wed 7-9.45pm, Greengate Hall, Highcliffe School. Newmembers welcome. Tel: Jenny 0116 2128757BALLET, TAP, MODERN JAZZ & MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE CLASS-ESChildren’s Dance and Musical Theatre classes (Dance, Dramaand Singing) held weekly at Birstall Methodist Church on Mon-days, Wednesdays and Thursdays. IDTA exams taken in theabove subjects. For further information tel: Sharon Wood on01509 550 923BRIGHT HOUREvery Tuesday, 2.30pm. Birstall Methodist CentreBIRSTALL LABOUR PARTYSecond Thursday 7.30pm Luther King Centre, Longslade Com-munity College. Sec Tel: 2674293THURCASTON EARLY LEARNING PLAYGROUP9am-1pm, Thurcaston Memorial Hall, Anstey Lane. Pleasecontact Lisa Sterland on 07904 170 196 for a free prospectusBIRSTALL & WANLIP NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCHAdvice shop every third Saturday of the month at old CouncilOffices, 10 Sibson Road. Information and help on home secu-

rity & NHW & postcoding of bicycles. 10am to 12 noonBIRSTALL INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCHSundays 10.45am and 6.30pm (except July/Aug) at HighcliffeSchool Community Centre, Greengate Lane. Fordetails/enquiries tel:2214883WANLIP PRE-SCHOOLWanlip Church Hall Mondays to Fridays 8.30-12.30, 1.30-4.30Children from 2-5yrs, funding from 3yrs. Ofsted RegisteredTel: 2672192BIRSTALL METHODIST PRE SCHOOL Children from 2. Fundingfor 3+. Mon & Fri 12.15-3.15pm, Tues, Wed & Thur 9am-12noon. Tel 2675690 session times or Laura Freer 2671910or Kay Hilton 2207045BIRSTALL ST JOHN AMBULANCE COMBINED DIVISIONBadgers First Aid & activities for 5-10 yr olds. Thur 6-7pmTel: 2209188. Cadets:First Aid & activities for 10 yrs to adult.Thur 7.15-8.45pm Tel: 2106237. Adults: Friday 7.30pm.Phone Eddie Sim on 0116 2719168, mobile 07841 448126TEA DANCE - every Thursday, 2-4.30pm, Rothley Centre,Mountsorrel Lane, Admission £1.50 contact 2303013STARLIGHT THEATRE SCHOOL Tuition in Ballet, Tap, ModernJazz, Lyrical, Drama, Acrobatic, Greek & Modelling. Exams &Medals taken in the above. BTDA Exams are part of the Na-tional Curriculum and means they are equivalent to GCSE or Alevel Dance.Details ring: 0116 2355495, Mobile 07703 472702COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY Thursdays, 9.45-11.30am at BirstallMethodist Centre. Peter Molesdale 2929670BIRSTALL UNITED JUNIORS FC. Football Academy for boys andgirls aged 4-6 every Sat 10.30am to noon. All welcome. Bringappropriate clothing, shin guards and football boots.GENTLE EXERCISE TO MUSIC CLASS Birstall Village Hall, 2-3pmevery Tuesday. Open to exercise referral members and non-members. Further details ring Nita at Charnwood BoroughCouncil on 01509 634836SINGING SALLY’S Tuesdays Highcliffe Community Centre,Greengate Lane, 1.45-2.30pm £3 per session. Contact SingingSally on 01536 772545GUNNS BOXING GYM The Reading Room, Birstall Road. Mon-Fri& Sun Morning. Contact Carl Gunns 2671494BIRSTALL RUGBY CLUB Training at Longslade playing fields,Wanlip Lane, Tuesdays 7.15pm, 1st team, Social & Vets Teamsfor the 08/09 season. Players wanted. Tel: D Bonser07841584206BIRSTALL AIR TRAINING CORPSTuesday and Thursday 7.30-9.30pm, 1947 Squadron Head-quarters (in grounds of Riverside Primary School). New mem-bers aged 13 to 17 welcome. Tel: 0116 267 2868ST JAMES CHURCH BABY & TODDLER GROUP Birstall VillageHall, Monday 1.30-3.30pm during term-time. Contact Marion2673817 or Elaine 2673030CLASH Community Leicester Arthritis Self-Help Group meets onthe second Wednesday of each month at Longslade College inthe Luther King Centre from 7-9pm. Contact Christine Thomas2200988, www.leicestershirevillages.com/birstall/clash.htmlCAPITAL ARTS CHILDREN’S CHOIR Children aged 6-16, meetsTuesday evenings, Loughborough Town Hall 5-6.30pm, Kath-leen Shanks (Musical Director) Tel/Fax 0116 2672035. Phoneor email for details: capitalarts@btconnect.comTHE WAY AHEAD group for people with learning difficulties,Highcliffe Primary School, Greengate Lane, Thursdays (termtime only), 7-9pm. Enquiries: Deborah 0116 2606309 or Pam0116 2674818 or Gemma: sportygem19@hotmail.co.uk1st BIRSTALL GIRLS’ BRIGADE Are you aged between 5 and 18yrs? Would you like to make new friends, have fun, earnbadges and go on camp? The Girls’ Brigade is an excitingChristian organisation that meets every Tuesday during termtime at Birstall Methodist Church, Wanlip Lane, Birstall. From6.30pm. For further information ring Susan Wheeler 2209318INDOOR BOWLING: Tuesdays & Thursdays, from 10am to12noon. Open to the public. Birstall Village Hall. 01162676191FITNESS CLASSES Gentle Circuit/Body Conditioning, for all ag-es and abilities. A great way to keep fit. Wednesdays 7.45pm

Longslade College, Wanlip Lane, Birstall. 0116 267 0807 forfurther detailsIN B TWEENIES A parent, baby and toddler group run byADAPT for parents with children who have been on a neo-na-tal unit. The group meets every Tuesday from 10am to12noon at Syston Community Centre, School Street. Tel: Nickyon 07771 718041 www.prembabies.co.uk. ADAPT reg charity1080112RED POPPY JIVEFirst & third Wednesdays every month at The Royal BritishLegion Club, 19 Front Street. Free admission from 8.15pm.Old & new rock’n’rollers welcome. You can phone 2671202 or2673233 for more informationLEICESTER WINDSURFING AND SAILBOARD CLUB at WatermeadCountry Park welcomes new members. For more info call RickyDriver on 0116 2365213 or visit websitewww.leicestersailboardclub.co.ukFACES ARTS Thursdays, Highcliffe School, dance, drama & art.Jody_chesterton@hotmail.com or 07971423201TICKLED SKINK Children’s singing sessions themed aroundhabitats of the world. Exotic animals. For 2-5 yrs old & theiryounger siblings, Tuesday, 1.45-2.30pm at Pavilion, SchoolLane, School Lane playing field 07951853204BIRSTALL WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Monthly meeting plus speakerand much more. New members and visitors welcome. 7.15pmHighcliffe School Community Centre, Greengate Lane

Index of Advertisers

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERLongslade College, Wanlip Lane,

Birstall, Leicester LE4 4GHEditor: Mr Jerry Jackson

Editorial/Advertising (Tel & Fax)

0116 2674213Correspondence, news etc

can be handed in at:Birstall Library or to our office in the

Youth Centre,Longslade College, Birstall

editor@birstallpost.co.uk

MON 1BIRSTALL METHODIST WOMEN’S GROUP Introduction to Bats. MsNatalie CossaMON 8BIRSTALL METHODIST WOMEN’S GROUP What is Dementia? MrsAmanda BeeTUES 9BIRSTALL BIRDWATCHING CLUB Madagascar – the weird and thewonderful, Mike Webster. Rothley Centre, 7.30pmTHUR 11BIRSTALL & DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Leicester Slums.Ned Newitt. Birstall Village Hall, 7.30pmMON 22BIRSTALL METHODIST WOMEN’S GROUP Beetle Drive & QuizWED 24BIRSTALL FLOWER CLUB Anything Goes. Jackie O’Hare, BirstallVillage Hall, 7.15pm

Small ads are 25p for the first 16 words. 17-32 words:50p. Enclosing payment, post your ad to us or hand it in(inside an envelope) at Birstall library.

Trade/business rates for small ads are 25p aword. You are liable for the trade/business rate if youare offering a service for which you are asking forpayment, or if you are advertising new goods for sale.All text will be printed bold. Box outline £1 extra.Max 50 words. Phone numbers count as one word.

Small Ads

AIRPORT CARS Birstall. Airports, Sea-ports, Long Distance, Courier. Tel: 07771984806

TELEPHONE EXTENSION Sockets fitted byex-BT engineer. Cable, BT and digitalTV. Over 25 yrs experience. John2675132

AMLI DESIGN Architectural Consultancy.Plans drawn and submitted. Extensions,conversions, new build. David IvesB.Sc.(Hons) FBEng MCIOB 01162674395/07974807111www.amlidesign.co.uk

RISE-RECLINE motorised arm chair. Costnew over £1000. Looks like new andhas had only minimal use. £150. tel:07973 309 987. Could help with localdelivery

DISABLED PERSON’S triwalker, as new,£20. Commode, top quality and lookslike an ordinary arm chair £30. Variousdisabled aids, all like new and under£5. tel: 07973 309 987

10 the birstall post FEB 2010

Tel: 0116 267 2583Mob: 07967 191975 Buy DELL products here

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The birstall post53 x 70mm £26 • 53 x 142mm £44

109 x 70mm £44 • 109 x 142mm £78

CALL 2674213 for an advertising rate card,or view online at www.birstallpost.co.uk

The prices above exclude VAT

1) Decide what size you want

2) Send us a sketch of your ad

3) We design, publish & sendyou the bill

BIRSTALL PLUMBINGTel: 0116 267 2266

Complete Professional BathroomSupply & Fitting Service

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AccommodationAbbeyfield Society......................................9Personal CareHelp At Home (Egerton Lodge) Ltd.............7ChildrenNikki Arkley (Baby Signing).........................6Birstall Rainbow Nursery.............................6Tiny Talk Leicester......................................5ClothesSupacare....................................................6ComputersNTL Computers...........................................10Energy Performance CertificateDavid Jackson.............................................8FeetFoot Medics................................................2Financial ServicesAsk Accountancy.........................................7FoodThe Fryers..................................................5Woodcock Farm Shop..................................8FuneralDe Montfort Memorials................................Edward Gamble...........................................6Midland Co-op Funeral................................9Garage ServicesChips Away.................................................3Cropston Garage.........................................Doyle's Autos.............................................9KM Vehicle Services....................................7P Moore.....................................................3GardenCo Arb........................................................5CP Services.................................................9AG Holland.................................................8Lancaster Landscapes.................................1J Oughton...................................................8Martin Page................................................8Seasonal Plants..........................................4D Upton......................................................5HairDavies & Greenwood...................................3Elizabeth Zehfewkes...................................7Health & BeautyBlue Moon Beauty Salon.............................10HomeAbacus Domestic Heating............................6

Acorn Builders............................................4Birstall Alarms............................................2Birstall DIY..................................................8Birstall Plumbing Ltd...................................10Control Electrics Ltd....................................7County Roofing...........................................1DA Roofing & Building.................................3Elliott & Ball...............................................2Peter Ingham..............................................7JPM Air Conditioning...................................9Mectric Ltd.................................................3Simon Oates...............................................1Pallatt Bros.................................................9Permahomes..............................................9Rak Tailor Home Improvements...................9Ridgewell Fitted Furniture...........................4RWS Plumbing............................................4SAI Alarms..................................................10Soar Valley Heating....................................4Steven Squance..........................................5LeisureElizabeth Jelley (Yoga)...............................2Tebbatt Electronics.....................................10Mini CabAirport Cars................................................10OpticalOpticare.....................................................1Prospecs Eyewear.......................................10Henry Smith & Hamylton.............................2Personal CareForemost Healthcare (Leicester) Ltd............4PhotographyLouise Kelham Photography........................2Plans DrawnAmli Design................................................10Cedarwood Design......................................2Post OfficeBirstall Post Office......................................5TelecomsJ Rigley......................................................10TherapyRobin Batten...............................................7Woodgate Clinic..........................................6Venue for hireMidland Co-Op Sports & Social Club.............9WindowsMidland Window Installations.......................1Weatherlock Windows Ltd............................8Wilson Windows..........................................1