Aylestone Park Newsletter
Community Newsletter for the Residents’ of Aylestone Park - Issue 3 2016
AYLESTONE PARK POST OFFICE Knighton Lane
Postal services plus banking, pensions, travel insurance, benefits, bill payments, greeting cards, confectionery, cash machine, photocopying, Contents phone top up and much more .... Local and National Politicians Page 2 Tel : 0116 283 2576 Local Churches Page 2
Local Activities Page 3 Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5pm Saturday 9.00am - 12.30pm Changing Leicester - Project Page 3 Panto Time Editorial Page 4 with Ratae Co-operative Players River Soar & River Biam Page 5
Gasholder News Page 6 Wed. 1Cst i- nSadt. 4ethr Feeblrlua ry 2017 Tickets: £8 Concs: £7 The Cardiac Centre of Excellence Page 7 Evenings: 7:30pm Sat Matinee: 2:30pm Aylestone Park Residents Group News and Child Safety Page 8 Leicester College of Performing Arts Fraudsters Page 9 Garden St, Leicester What is happening to our nature? Post Office but not as we know it! Page 10
LCCC News Page 11
Useful Contact numbers and Police news Page 12
Leave your comments and contributions in writing, at L& S News: 184 Cavendish Road A Magical Family Panto written and Or email: [email protected] directed by John Shaw Please contact either of the above for advertising Advertising space is inexpensive. Call: 0777 567 9435 Circulation 2750. Published quarterly - Prices on request DISCLAIMER The opinions and views in this Newsletter are Do not forget to like our facebook page @ those of the author, and do not reflect in any way https://www.facebook.com/aylestoneparkleicester those of this Newsletters editorial team. Saffron Councillors Local Church Services St Edwards Roman Catholic Church These are the people to contact if you have a problem: 655 Aylestone Road, Aylestone
Bill Shelton - Saffron Ward Tel: 0116 220 1350 Sunday Mass 9.30am Email: [email protected]
Elly Cutkelvin - Saffron Ward Tel: 07891 232662 For Weekly Masses, Email [email protected] Church fetes and other activities see church noticeboard. Your local Labour Councillors hold surgeries at Saffron Sure Start Children’s Centre ,The Crossway LE2 6QW first Tuesday every month 1.30pm -2.30pm Church of the Nativity Aylestone Leisure Centre, 2 Knighton Lane East An Anglican/Methodist Partnership LE2 6LU Richmond Road/ Cavendish Road junction Third Saturday of each month 10.00am -11.00am Sundays 10.30am Morning Service
Aylestone Councillors Special Services in December & January Sunday 11th - 10.30am - Adam Clarke - Aylestone Ward Tel: 07875 546508 Christingle Service with Bishop Martyn, our Scouts & Cubs [email protected] led by Ivan Bennett Surgeries Lansdowne Centre 2nd Tuesday of each month 11.00am -12.00pm Sunday 18th - 4.00pm - Carol Service Gilmorton Community Rooms 4th Saturday of each Saturday 24th - 11.30pm - Christmas Eve Holy Communion month 11.00am -12.00pm Aylestone Hall Gardens Bowls Pavilion, Hall Lane Sunday 25th - 10.00am - Christmas Day 4th Friday of each month. 2pm - 3pm Sunday 1st January - 10.30am - Holy Communion Nigel Porter Aylestone Ward Tel:0116 233 6150 and 07976 348032. Sunday 15th January - 4.00pm - T@4 for family and friends Email:[email protected] Surgeries Lansdowne Centre 2nd Saturday of eachmonth 11.00am - 12.00pm Further details of all activities are available on the Gilmorton Community Rooms 2nd Saturday of each church noticeboard and on the website: month 12.30pm -1.30pm www.nativityleicester.org.uk Enquiries for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals contact the church warden Patricia Ewen 0116 299 4732
Scouting News Our local Cub and Scout Group are continuing to go JON ASHWORTH from strength to strength as their numbers continue to Member of Parliament for Leicester South increase. The group has also recieved a Community Grant to go towards equipment. The Scouts are Regular advice surgeries held in understandably very grateful to our local Councillors and Council for their support. Constituency Office
For information and appointments and to contact Jon about any local or national issue please get in touch OUR ADVERTISERS We need their support to Address : Floor 10, 60 Charles Street produce this newsletter! Leicester, LE1 1FB Tel: 0116 251 1927 Please don’t forget to email: [email protected] support our local shops. Web: www.jonashworth.org No support - no local shops. www.aylestoneparkleicester.org.uk Page 2 LOCAL ACTIVITIES MORE LOCAL ACTIVITIES The After School Club For youngsters 5-11 years of age. Friday during term time 3.30- Imperial Dancing class is using the Church Hall in Cavendish 5.00pm. Church Hall, Cavendish Road. 50p Road, to teach young children to enjoy themselves by learning to dance . To contact for class information ring 07548 208610 Aylestone Leisure Centre has too many activ ities to mention, call in I.S.T.D Modern, Tap and Ballet. and pick up a leaflet. Fancy a swim or game of squash then come along and afterwards sit and have a chat and cup of tea with the over 55’s on a Monday or Thursday am. Changing Leicester: Perceptions of Heritage Theatre Outings, London and Birmingham. Contact Bill Evitt 0116 247 8531. Development in the Post War Period The Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society in Knighton Lane Artists Group . Meet at The Studios, 68a partnership with Leicester Arts & Museums Service are Knighton Lane. Contact Deb Ward 07956 590284 undertaking a new HLF funded project to explore and collect stories from local people to investigate their deeper and Leicester C .H .A. Rambling Club wider personal reflections about Leicester’s heritage post Ann Burdett 0116 266 1741 will give you details of their walks, WWII. Thursday and Saturday mornings from 4 miles, many of them end up at a pub for lunch. www.chaleicester.org.uk The project will seek to uncover how our understanding of Lancaster Community Choir. Thursday evenings 7.00pm till the City’s Roman and medieval past has been revealed 8.30pm. The Lancaster School, Knighton. 0116 270 3176 ext 801. since 1945. It will also promote the importance of protecting and respecting heritage, collecting people’s memories Guided Walks & Tours by Accredited Leicestershire Tour concerning matters such as loss of buildings in modern Guide - Helen's Guided Walks - cover Aylestone Village history, developments and campaigns to protect heritage sites. Wigston Magna, Kilby Bridge, Todor Leicester, The Newarke and Castle areas of Leicester contact 07908 557289 [email protected] If you took part in, or lived through the redevelopment of Leicester after the Second World War we would love to Railway Society meets at The Cricketers, Grace Rd, speak to you to record your memories. Contact Brian Holland 0116 236 8328. If you would like to be part of the project or find out more Drama Group meets at the Church Hall, Cavendish Rd. New please contact Catherine Hallsworth on members required contact the Church for details of rehearsals, [email protected] 01164543527 times and days.
Running for youngsters 9.00am on a Sunday morning around the Aylestone Recreation ground.
Adult Runs Braunstone Park every Saturday at 9am PAUL PENDER & SON Victoria Park every Saturday at 9am Independent Funeral Directors History Society meets regularly at the Aylestone Leisure Centre Contact Gill on 0116 283 6394. The Group is working on local Independent family run Funeral Directors history. committed to providing a professional, courteous The Tea club takes place at the Aylestone Leisure Centre and sympathetic service Thursday ams, ask at the desk where to find the group and join them for tea or coffee and a biscuit or two. We will assist you during a most difficult time with Park Walks contact Sylvia Taberer at the Nativity for details. a highest degree of support, No walks during the winter months sensitivity and dignity
Golf lessons at Whetstone Golf Course given by the club’s Pro, Craig Shave who can help adults and children learn to play and 24 hour service improve their game 0116 286 1424 for more information. .
Athletics. Call at the stadium Saffron Lane/MacCaulay Rd 2 Westover Road, Braunstone Town entrance after 4.00pm and see Roy Cole who will give you Leicester, LE3 3DT information on coaching, training and racing, and use of the stadium. Find out also about the Sunday morning Park Runs. Tel: 0116 289 6608
Scouts @ The Church of the Nativity Also at: young people aged 10-14 years are welcome at the Church Hall, Cavendish Road on a Thursday evening at 6:30pm 8 Lutterworth Road, Aylestone Cubs @The Church of the Nativity Girls and Boys aged 8 - 10 1/2 are welcome at the Church Hall, Leicester, LE2 8PE Cavendish Road on a Thursday Evening 5:15pm to 6:45pm. Tel: 0116 319 9682 Beavers @ The Church of the Nativity to start during January 2017 contact Ivan Bennett for more information Email: [email protected] www.paulpenderandson.co.uk
www.aylestoneparkleicester.org.uk Page 3 Editorial A Happy Christmas to all our readers, if you don’t celebrate Christmas, enjoy the holiday AYLESTONE & DISTRICT break. CONSERVATIVE CLUB We are finding it harder to find articles for the newsletter and would welcome ideas from our 206 Saffron lane Tel: 0116 283 2594 readers, either tell us the subjects to cover or write Extends a warm welcome to all visitors an article for us, send comments or articles to: * Call in for pre-match refreshments * Join us for ‘Fur & Feathers’ [email protected] or Tues 2-4pm All Welcome [email protected] or just pop it into L&S * Free Wi Fi and Sky News on Cavendish road. * Function room available
The cricket club are doing all they can to work with residents Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu 7pm - 11pm over their games at the Fischer ground; the National Grid Friday 7pm - Midnight have kept us infomred on the demolition of the gasholders, Sat 12 - 4pm & 7pm - Midnight there are rumurs that the land may be redeveloped for Sun 12 - 3pm & 7pm - 11pm housing or even that Leicester City may beuild a new football stadium. City Warden Our City Wardens are Noel Cazley and Harvey Shops continue to open so residents must be supporting Roberts (covers Aylestone). them, please continue to give your local shops your custom, some can be cheaper than our supermarkets and they Remember Street Wardens can deal with dumped continue to be a valuable part of our community. rubbish and other complaints The Residents Group are still looking for a Treasurer. If you need them please email It is good to see youngsters giving their support to the Scouts [email protected] and Cubs at the Church of the Nativity, January should also see the start of a Beaver group. Ann Sturgess L & S NEWS 184 Cavendish Road Tel 0116 283 2117 Open Mon-Sat 5.00am - 6.00pm ANTHONY’S GUTTER AND WINDOW Sunday 5.00am-5.00pm CLEANING SERVICE We sell Newspapers, Magazines, Confectionery, Grocery & Frozen Goods, Fresh Fruit & Veg. Stationery. Large Selection of Greeting Cards. Call me on my mobile We also deliver 0774 2281236 Newspapers & Magazines with NO DELIVERY CHARGE CHEAP RATES We also offer: NATIONAL LOTTERY, PAYPOINT SERVICE. WESTERN UNION MONEY Experienced Cleaner for over COLLECT+ PARCEL SERVICE 10 years
Vacuum Cleaner Services 315 Aylestone Road, Aylestone Park Leicester 0116 2833880 24 Cavendish Road, Aylestone, We sell all types: Dyson, Vax, ElVux,Hoover, Sebo, Numatic. Leicester LE2 7PG Tel: 0116 283 9900 Fax 0116 283 9911 Spares for Washing machines, Mobile: 0797 1007471 Tumble Dryers,Electric Cookers e-mail: [email protected] Website www.allscrewed-up.co.uk Service Engineer with 30 years experience Mon - Thurs....6.45am to 4.30pm Friday...... 6.45am to 4.00pm Mon-Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm Sat 9.00am - 2.00pm Saturday & Sunday ...... Closed
Page 4 PC Upgrades & much more The 14th Nativity Cub Repair & Web based services .Web Design Email Data recovery .Custom PC Builds. Password and Scout Group removal. Cubs meet at The Church of the Nativity, Church Hall, Mon-Sat 9-5.00pm Sun 1.00pm-5.00pm Cavendish Road, Leicester on Thursday evenings Call Lee: 0795 5894709 or 0116 4312339 5:15pm to 6:45pm. Girls and Boys aged 8 - 10 1/2 are email: [email protected] welcome. Scouts meet at the Church Hall on Thursday evenings. www.2kpixels.co.uk from 6:30pm. Young people aged 10-14 years are welcome.
Beavers - During January 2017 we are hoping to launch our Beavers group aimed at the 6 to 8 year olds (both Girls and Boys). Contact Ivan (below) for more information or to register an interest. Kool Kutz Krew Tuesday-Friday 9.15 - 17.00 Yours in Scouting Skip (Scout Leader) Saturday 9.00 - 15.00 Ivan Tel: 0116 223 9730 Email: [email protected] We now have a new and experienced Stylist Appointments available
321 Aylestone Road Tel: 0116 283 1330
RIVER SOAR and RIVER BIAM By J A J Richardson
Whilst modest as inland waterways both the River Soar and River Biam at Aylestone Meadows provide local people with a recreational oasis of green-space against the urban backdrop of Leicester. Often a source of confusion amid local people, the River Biam is a secretive little river nestled on reclaimed meadowland. This tiny backwater is overshadowed in places by the contributories of its bigger sister the River Soar / Grand Union Canal. Both the River Soar and River Biam in fact follow the same course as they flow towards Leicester, each with their own unique origin, industrial history, and tapestry of fauna, flora and people.
THE RIVER SOAR The Soar Brook begins at the base of Mickle Hill, west of Sharnford in north-west Leicestershire. Downstream as the Soar Brook widens to become the ‘River Soar’ the water gathers pace adjacent to the Old Fosse Way (an ancient Roman Road) before circumnavigating the village of Croft. At which point the River Soar is added to by the Thurlaston Brook - just one of several contributories as the water heads eastwards down the Soar Valley towards Leicester. At Narborough the River Soar under-passes the main M1 Motorway and is further filled by the Whetstone Brook. Heading northward the River Soar then joins with its main contributory the River Sence at the picturesque Jubilee Park in Enderby. There on, the River Soar travels between Ratby Meadows and the Aylestone Meadows towards the medieval Packhorse Bridge in Aylestone. Here the river divides. Northwards the River Soar flows into the River Biam before rejoining with the Grand Union Canal. Southwards the River Soar flows directly into the Grand Union Canal as it enters the outskirts of Leicester.
THE RIVER BIAM The River Biam sources itself at Aylestone Playing Fields. There-on downstream the water merges with several branches of the River Soar as it contours alongside before under-passing the Great Central Way at the Aylestone Aqueduct. Further downstream within the Aylestone Meadows the River Biam is joined once again by a weir fed contributory from the Grand Union Canal stretch of the River Soar. The River Biam finally leaves the cracked willows of Aylestone Meadows behind as it enters an old industrial complex. Here the weir- fed River Biam runs deep and mature. In places literally flowing beneath the Victorian archways of old mill houses. Finally the River Biam rejoins with the Grand Union Canal stretch of the River Soar as it passes into the City of Leicester.
Page 5 Gasholder News from Mr Gareth Taylor, Land Generation Manager for National Grid National Grid has been undertaking a programme This water was integral to the operation of the of work at Aylestone Road, Leicester during the past gasholders, allowing gas to be sealed within the year. The work comprises the dismantling of two gasholders when they were operational. In late spring, gasholders and clearing of associated infrastructure. we began dismantling the first gasholder, located north The gasholders are no longer used to store gas, and of the River Soar, starting with the roof and moving on to have been disused for several years. With this in mind, the lifts. The lifts are the telescopic inner walls of the we have dismantled the gasholders and are regenerating gasholder, which would rise and fall when gas filled or the land where they were located. emptied from the chamber within the gasholder. In the summer we began dismantling the second gasholder, The project included surveys to better understand the which is located south of the River Soar. Redundant site and allow preparation for the safe dismantling of the overhead gas mains have also been removed from the gasholders. site. We held a community event at the National Gas Museum, providing local residents with the chance to I’m pleased to report that this project is scheduled to speak with those directly involved in the project. We also finish by the end of November. Once we have took community representatives from Leicester City completed the dismantling works, we plan to undertake a Council and the Aylestone Meadows Appreciation programme of environmental improvement work in 2017, Society on a tour of the site. in order to bring the site back into beneficial use.
National Grid has employed VHE Construction to If you have any questions you’d like us to answer, undertake the dismantling works. please contact our communications team on During spring 2016, after confirming the gasholders had [email protected] or call our 24 been purged of gas, we removed water from both hour phone line on 0800 093 4312. gasholders.
CHOICE CAFE & TAKEAWAY The only Choice for good food The Cricketers 266 Aylestone R oad Leicester 1 Grace Road, Leicester LE2 8AD 0116 319 2936 Telephone 0116 283 2026 Voted best pub of the year by Shire Magazine WHY NOT TRY OUR ALL DAY BREAKFASTS We serve traditional pub grub every day of the inc. Tea/Coffee Bread week in our restaurant. All our food is homemade and Butter/Toast Wednesday Night is Steak Night (5pm -8pm) 2 steaks and a bottle of WE HAVE DELICIOUS HOME MADE PUDDINGS wine for only £20.95 DELICIOUS HOME MADE PIES
We offer a traditional Sunday TAKE AWAY DELIVERIES INCLUDING LUNCHES & Roast with a choice of roasts, served with fresh seasonal BREAKFASTS FREE DELIVERIES OVER £10.00 vegetables, roast potatoes & lashings of Gravy. Adults £6.95 Children £4.95 Vegetarian options are Worried about parents? available Why not get us to deliver their meals for them @£4.50 Function Room We have a function room available for all We are open occasions and caters for up to 50 people. The room overlooks the Cricket Sunday to Saturday ground. 7am until 3pm 0116 319 2936 Real ALES: two real ales are available Telephone 0116 283 2026
Page 6 The Cardiac Centre of Excellence on your doorstep Exciting research at Leicester’s Hospitals.
It can come as a shock if you are unfortunate enough to suffer a Those who get involved in volunteering for such groups often heart attack or find yourself opposite a consultant who tells you have first-hand experience themselves and one such member, that you need heart surgery. Phil Caldwell recalled how he provided practical help to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team to re-develop a website called Relatives and friends will rally around and will invariably re- 'Activate Your Heart', which provides a self-management tool for assure you that if it needs to be done, you can’t find a better people who are getting themselves back on track after a heart place to have the procedure than at Glenfield Hospital with its attack or other cardiac event. reputation as a centre of excellence. Not only is the quality of care high, the hospital is also home to the University of Leicester “Having been through the experience myself, I was able to give British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Research Centre my perspectives on what information people in that situation (CVRC). benefit from knowing, including increasing their activity levels to build confidence,” he said. “A few years on it is extremely Cardiovascular disease kills more than 160,000 people in the rewarding to see the website helping so many people to get UK every year and the CVRC further strengthens and through what can be a tough time.” consolidates Leicester’s position as a leading international centre for heart research. It aims to bring together scientists, Terry Finnigan is another prime example. Fourteen years ago doctors and patients to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and he suffered a heart attack and collapsed at a Jubilee Party. He treatment available. The team at the CVRC is led by Professor was lucky, as there were four nurses there who gave him Gavin Murphy, lifesaving resuscitation until an ambulance took him to hospital. British Heart Foundation Professor of Three weeks later he had surgery at Glenfield Hospital and had Cardiac Surgery at the University of a miniature Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) inserted Leicester. which automatically sends a shock to restart his heart if it stops beating. “People who undergo heart surgery currently have a risk of suffering organ Terry is well aware that events could have gone the other way. failure of up to 30 per cent,” he explained. His gratitude for such a lifesaving intervention and the extra “This is caused by the inevitable trauma years of active life it has given him have found expression in the and stress the body undergoes during tireless volunteer work he does for Leicester’s Hospitals. Not these operations, which can lead to organ only is he a member of the PPI but he also relishes his damage. Current research is focused on involvement in the Take Heart Adult Cardiac Patient Support finding new treatments that could be used Group which meets for 2 hours at the Education Centre at to try to prevent this organ failure.” Glenfield Hospital at 10.00am on the first Saturday of each month. It also provides him with the opportunity to talk to The most affected organs are the heart, kidney and lungs. patients on the cardiac wards. Clinical trials have taken place to look at the causes of kidney complications in adults and children. These include the “For over 13 years I have been a Leicester’s Hospitals’ volunteer preventative effects of certain medications and also the and member of Take Heart which supports the cardiac wards in detection of specific particles in the blood released which may all three hospitals, though primarily at Glenfield where I visit the help identify patients at risk of kidney damage. cardiac wards,” he said. “I am able to talk to them while looking healthy and can therefore reassure them.” Blood transfusions can play a critical role in heart surgery and the team has identified that microscopic particles may be And with a background as a semi-professional entertainer in released from the blood cells during storage. The research Leicester he knows just how to put patients at ease and even involves the washing of blood cells immediately before put a smile on an anxious face. “I got involved with the PPI transfusion to prevent the particles being transferred to the group a few years ago and so far am 'spreading the word' patient. regarding Professor Gavin Murphy and the wonderful benefits of his research.” Research such as this needs patient involvement and to help facilitate this, a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group If you would like to be involved in the PPI group or want more dedicated to the cardiac research project has been formed. The information you should contact the Department of group meets to receive and comment on updates from the Cardiovascular Sciences at Glenfield Hospital on 0116 256 3021 research teams and to help the professional staff by giving the or email [email protected]. patient and public perspective. Members also help make sure communication with patients is clear and easily understood and To contact the Take Heart Support Group telephone Volunteer spread the word about the research that is going on at Services on 0116 258 7221, email Leicester’s Hospitals. [email protected], or drop in to one of their monthly meetings. Commenting on the part played by the PPI group Professor Murphy said: “By making the PPI part of our research strategy we will ensure that our research best reflects the needs and concerns of the community which it aims to help. We would be unable to deliver our current research strategy without the commitment and time kindly given by the previous patients and members of the public who make up the group, which is directly making a difference to both patient experience and research success to an unprecedented extent.” Page 7 AYLESTONE PARK RESIDENTS GROUP NEWS by Chris Garner, Secretary
In my first article as Secretary of Aylestone Park The Cricket Club has formed a Residents’ Focus Group Residents’ Group, I would like to thank my predecessor, to start a dialogue with local residents. Ann Sturgess and her husband, Alan as Chairman, for Only time will tell whether they will be successful. all their hard work over many years on behalf of the Group and for local residents. On behalf of all the Officers and Committee, we would There have been many changes taking place across our like to wish you, your family and friends a Merry neighbourhood during the past year. Christmas and a Healthy New Year. The Gasholders have vanished from the City skyline, houses are planned for part of the former allotments on During the coming year we will be having speakers at St. Mary’s, Elton John had his concert here and our meetings which include: floodlights appeared over the Cricket Ground. Richard Kelly from the Council to talk about St Mary’s In most cases, local residents have been informed to Allotment site on 2nd February 2017 some extent. A local resident remarked at a recent meeting that it is On the 4th May 2017 we will undertake CPR Training better to engage with the local community rather than just consulting with local residents. and on 1st June 2017 we will hear more about the Westleigh who hopes to build houses on part of St. Cardiac Surgery Research PPI Group. Mary’s are seeking to engage with the local community by offering to help to develop the remaining Green Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings Space.
Child Safety We would like to ask all parents to remind their children of the dangers of playing games in our streets. The big danger being from moving vehicles. A car travelling at 20mph would not have a chance of stopping if a child darted from between parked cars. Lets keep our children safe now and in the future. Thank you
ABC Day Care EAST MIDs (Former Aylestone Library) 89 Richmond Road PET & REPTILE Leicester LE2 8BB SUPPLIES ABC Day Care opened in January 2016.Opening hours are Monday to Friday 0116 224 4620 8am to 6pm. ABC Day Care, 196A Duncan Road, Leicester. LE2 8EE cater for babies and children up FOOD & ACCESSORIES FOR ALL YOUR to pre-school age. We accept 2 PETS & REPTILES and 3 year funded children and REPTILES ? RABBITS ? PIGS ? CHICKENS we also offer an after school DOGS ? CATS ? HAMSTERS ? GERBILS club, including pickups from HORSES GUINEA PIGS local schools and holiday care. CAGED AND AVIARY BIRD SUPPLIES CAGES ? TANKS ? VIVARIUMS
We cater for all children’s daily needs offering BEDDING ? SUBSTRATE activities and following EYFS framework throughout FOOD & TREATS the day. For further information or to arrange a show around FROZEN RODENTS please call Maxine on 01163 195830 LIVE BUGS Email: [email protected] W E C AT E R F O R T H E M A L L Website: www.myabcdaycare.co.uk The Home of Reptile Food
BEST PRICE
Places BUGS will be offered on a first come first 0116 224 4620 served basis www.empets.co.uk
www.aylestoneparkleicester.org.uk Page 8 Fraudsters What is happening to our nature? It is unfortunate that we have all kinds of fraudsters intent on parting us from our money and property. These by Susan Eppel fraudsters will operate in all sorts of areas like cashpoints, email, computing and telephone for Are we too busy to care or do we take it for granted example. that somehow it will survive? The advice for individuals is: An interesting question. According to an article in the 1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or RSPB magazine (Winter 2016) the new ‘State of full banking password Nature’ report has been published. According to the 2. Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic article in the past 50 years, 56% of our species have 3. Don’t be rushed or pressuried into making a decision. declined and that 15% of those that are assessed are 4. Listen to your instincts. at risk of national extinction. We have lost more nature 5. Stay in control. than the global average and are one of the most nature For more information see our website or depleted countries in the world. www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk Why is this? The article suggests that our intense Below is an email that is obviously a fraud - the email farming practices may have something to do with it – address it is from is fraudulent and the phraseology is production in wheat and milk has increased significantly incorrect since the 1970s but wildlife is being lost at an accelerated rate. Examples of habitat loss include barn owls who relied on haylofts and barns under old practices but these are increasingly hard to find. However some farms do manage to conserve wildlife whilst still making a profit and organisations like the RSPB have helped set up conservation projects that create or recreate richer landscapes where wildlife can flourish, rather than being overly tidy and seeing wildlife as a threat. It is not just about farming, take a look at our gardens which are arguably some of the last refuges for wildlife as we know it, these are important in forming linear corridors in an increasingly built up environment. But some of us prefer to pave over paradise for convenience or choose hardcore and gravel over greenery. Add to this the fact that sometimes contractors are over zealous in their cutting regimes to the point that nothing can survive and the overall picture is quite depressing, even more so when the evidence suggests that green landscapes provide mental health benefits for people and their well being. We can all do our bit and hopefully most people do care about nature and surely we have a duty to hand that to future generations – we must do before it is too late. Munchies
REMEMBER: Never ever disclose any personal information, Never disclose your PIN or passwords to anyone. Cafe & Take-away Never hand over your bank cards to anyone. 94, Grace Road, Leicester Treat cold callers (regardless of what they tell you) as Tel: 07583 598327 strangers; after all you would not give your PIN or Telephone orders welcome passwords to a stranger on a bus, so keep safe and Breakfasts, Hot & Cold cobs, hot & cold drinks secure in the knowledge that we can beat the fraudsters. Sandwiches, Baguettes, Burgers, Chips, Lunches, Salads, Snacks, All freshly prepared to order! If you think there has been fraud on your card or bank Open Monday to Friday 8am til 2:30pm account - or if you suspect someone has attempted to Saturday 8am til 12:30pm compromise you financial details - report it immediately LOCAL DELIVERIES and OUTSIDE CATERING to your bank or other financial service provider and then contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at actionfraud.police.uk
www.aylestoneparkleicester.org.uk Page 9 Post Office but not as we know it!
Over many years the role of the Post Office has changed dramatically. Once the centre of our communities it has slowly been eroded to what we will see in the near future.
The proposals for our two Post Offices are set out below but we should remember that a lot of services have changed. Our pensions are now paid directly into bank accounts as are the majority of benefits claimed, we send fewer letters than 20 years ago and this has eroded the income of the Postmasters to such an extent that the proposals below are most certainly going to be a reality.
The Post Office is proposing to change the location of the existing Post Offices in Aylestone Village and Knighton Lane. The Aylestone Village is proposing to go to Booze4Less (Bargain Booze) opposite ALDI and Knighton Lane to Best One Supermarket on Saffron Lane next to the Athletics Stadium.
The Post Office originally gave the people operating the Post Offices a wage of 10k a year but now have changed it to a commission on the sales made which many smaller Post Offices cannot survive on. This has meant many Post Offices have closed completely or moved to an existing business which can run the Post Office on the new terms.
There is a six week consultation on the changes. There is an online questionnaire: www.postofficeviews.co.uk.
If you have any questions, please contact the Post Office on: [email protected] or FREEPOST Your Comments. Customer Helpline: 03457 22 33 44 Textphone: 03457 22 33 55
Walk In The Park Pet Services All The Care You Need For Your Best Friend
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Walking @ £7 per hour Next T@4 is January 15th 2017 Sitting @ £20 per day 4pm to 5:30pm Day Care pricing varies depending on the animal and service required
Contact Zoe 07960927035 email: [email protected] www.walk-in-the-park.org.uk
Page 10 County Cricket Club News Following a number of successful residents meetings held at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road last winter, Leicestershire County Cricket Club have set up a Residents Focus Group to ensure dialogue is ongoing with our local community. A small group of people from roads in the immediate vicinity of the ground have been brought together to England's history is marked in the fabric of its buildings and meet on a regular basis. places. The most significant of these are listed, so they can be The aim of the Residents Focus Group is to provide a forum for understood and protected for the future. This List (the National discussion, information sharing and joint activities between Heritage List for England) has almost 400,000 entries from representatives of the Aylestone Community and Leicestershire palaces, piers and pigsties to cathedrals, windmills and County Cricket Club. Information and minutes of past meetings rollercoasters. It is a unique record of the country’s evolving will be available on the club website here: history and character and you can search every entry for free http://www.leicestershireccc.co.uk/local-residents.html online. Can You Help? As part of a review of the 2016 season, and to assist Leicestershire County Cricket Club in moving forward, an online We are asking local groups to share their knowledge and survey was recently sent to 500 people in the LE2 area to get pictures of listed sites, so we can record important facts about thoughts as to how we can improve. them, and even unlock the secrets of some. If you have If you are yet to receive a copy of that survey but are interested stories to tell and pictures to share about a listed place, we’d in filling it out and helping us plan ahead of the 2017 season, love you to join our project. Please email: [email protected] Since launching in June, we have received over 15,000 contributions from people who have enriched the List with photographs, historical events, social history or information about the architecture or archaeology of a site.
History groups have so much knowledge about our past and have a key role to play. Can you help us enrich the List? To find out more visit our site to see how you can make a contribution and learn more about Historic England.
www.historicengland.org.uk
* The 2017 fixture list will be released soon and Leicestershire County Cricket Club have released details about Membership and Season Ticket packages. There are a number of benefits of being a Member or coming to matches while living and working in the Aylestone area. Please get in touch if you are interested in coming to the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road next summer by calling 0116 283 2128 or emailing [email protected]
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Aylestone and Useful Contact Numbers Freemen Cut to keep in a safe place GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE POLICE Leicester City Council 999 in an emergency, when life is in danger or a The council can be contacted on 0116 454 1000 crime is being committed. for general enquiries 101 for non emergencies 0116 2222222 to contact our local police station Other main departments: 0800 555 111 to contact Crimestoppers Environment including Noise Nuisance 0116 454 1001 0800 789321 the Anti Terrorist hotline if you Waste Management 0116 454 1002 have any doubts about any activities around your Parks & Green Spaces 0116 454 1003 Social Care & Safeguarding 0116 454 1004 house or business or a disused factory. Council Tax & Business rates 0116 454 1005 As the nights draw in and the mornings get colder we Housing Benefits 0116 454 1006 sometimes make it easier for thieves to make off with our Tenants Advice & repairs 0116 454 1007 property. Housing options 0116 454 1008 Education & Schools 0116 454 1009 In the evenings houses without lights on are an ideal target for burglars as it indicates that there is no one at home. Also with s centre 0116 454 1010 Employment service Christmas around the corner the likelihood is that there will be Automated switchboard 0116 454 1011 a number of presents – some of which may be expensive – Automated payments 0116 454 1012 already boxed and wrapped ready for the would be burglar. Other contact numbers can be found at: www.leicester.gov.uk/contact-us In the cold mornings it can be tempting to leave the car running to warm up or defrost the windscreen whilst you enjoy a nice Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 769 7555 cup of tea or coffee in the warmth of your house. It takes seconds for a thief to jump into your car and drive off. Also you Gingerbread (supporting lone parents) 0808 802 0925 may not be in a position to claim on your insurance if the keys were left in the car as insurance companies will usually insist that you take reasonable steps to keep your property safe. NSPCC 0808 800 5000 To help prevent yourself becoming a victim of these crimes SAFE (for anyone 16 or over in Leicester affected by or remember to leave a light on when you are not in hours home at risk of domestic violence or abuse 0300 123 0918 during the hours of darkness. Light timers can be purchased relatively inexpensively from most DIY / Electrical Stores. Also Shelter 0808 800 4444 avoid leaving Christmas Presents on display where possible.
Citizens Advice 03444 111 444 In the mornings resist that temptation to leave the car running to Alzheimers Society 0300 222 1122 warm up, an ice scraper with a glove on Mind info line 0300 123 3393 can keep you hand warm whilst clearing Missing People 116 000 the windscreen and an insulated mug for your National Debtline 0808 808 4000 coffee or tea to warm you up whilst you drive to work (ensuring that 0800 169 6565 AGE UK you are in proper control of your vehicle) Stroke Association 0303 3033100 are more cost effective than having to replace Money Advice Service 0300 500 5000 your car. Further crime prevention advice can Samaritans be found on the You can talk to the Samaritans for free on 116 123. Leicestershire Police Web Site – www.leics.police.uk Talk to them anytime you like, in your own way and off Follow us on Twitter @SouthLeicsNPA hatever's getting to you. the record - about w Facebook – www.facebook.com/southleicesterpolice Kind regards Sergeant 1977 Steve Lewin
Aylestone & Eyres Monsell Beat Sgt ✄
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