no.1 for news in braunstone

May June 2013

Cover photo taken from the

Easter event sponsored by

RESNET

NMB

The following items were discussed at the latestNeighbourhood Management Board (NMB)meeting.

~ The service will finish at the end of March.Cllr. Cooke will work to see if the council will reconsider.

~ There are plans developing toextend Foodshare across Braunstone . It was suggestedthat Braunstone Foodshare be in talks with the ManorHouse Foodshare project. Cllr Cooke reiterated hispromise to support the Foodshare service out of wardfunds for the following year.

~ All of the allocated funds havebeen given out in grants. Braunstone has £66820 todistribute over the next three years.

~ has received acclaim by gettingthe Royal College of General Practice Quality Award.From April the centre will have a local 0116 phonenumber. Dr Warwiche and Dr Sharif have left thepractice, however a new GP, Dr Geewala, is in place.The PPG (Patients’ Participation Group) are planning anopen day focusing around lung health in the summer.

~ The Braunstone History group opendays in the Stable Block are proving very successful. Thenext open day is Tuesday 28th May.Funds have been obtained to pay for a professionalgraffiti artist to cover the graffiti found at the back of theadventure playground.The next Clean Up day is on 8th May . There will be abrass band and art exhibition at the walled garden onSunday 23rd June. A rose pruning demonstration willtake place at the walled garden 23rd April .

~ The results of a bat surveyshould be completed in May.

Mini motos are proving to be a growingproblem. Anyone who sees the motos is advised to reportthem immediately to 101. Burglaries have droppedhowever, there is a problem in Rowley Fields with carsbeing broken into and wing mirrors damaged.Sgt. Cara Guest will be leaving Braunstone. Sheintroduced the new Sergeant Mike Chandler.

The ResNet committee havecome up with some greatideas for future events

Sports tournament

Fun day

Paintball event

Space Centre

Great Central railway trip

Coach trips to TwycrossZoo/ Twin Lakes

If you have any othersuggestions, ideas orwould like to help out atany of the events pleasecontact us on:

Health Visioning EventHealth service providers in Braunstone recently cametogether to give the public a chance to meet theproviders and find out more about services availablein Braunstone.There was arange ofd i s p l a y s ,including anadorable goodb e h a v i o u rdemonstrationby the WellBeing dogs.

Treasure hunt

Bouncy castle

Family picnic

Cream tea

Tea dance

1940’s night

Curry night

Coach trips

Film/Theatre

The Residents Network have donatedtowards the cost of the Braunstone Carnival 2013.

Resnet

WHAT’S UP DOC?here have been changes at the Braunstone Health& Social Care Centre on Hockley Farm Road. Thiswill mean a more convenient appointment system.

Centre Manager, Kate Hunter writes, “You will nolonger need to phone or get to the surgery for 8.00am to get an appointment.”In the new system patients can ring into the surgery andthey will either have a telephone consultation with thedoctor or an appointment will be made for them to seethe doctor on the same day.

Loan shark awareness

On 16th Aprilthe campaign warning about the dangers of loansharks was

launched at the CortCrescent CommunityCentre inBraunstone. To markthis, graffiti waspainted on the sideof the Centre.

Other activities arebeing planned to

raise awareness about loan sharksoperating in the area. Theseinclude training communityvolunteers, and attending events.

Congratulations

We would like to offer a massive congratulationsto the team at Braunstone Health and SocialCare Centre on achieving their Quality

Practice Award.This has takenthree years of hardwork to achieve.

It is the highestaward availableand is designed toimprove patientcare.

Stable Block Museum Open DayStable Block Museum Open Day

Free exercise classesat the BRITE

As part of a study into “Does exercise make youhappier?” local girl Sarah will be running afun and free exercise class to 90’s to current

pop music. The classes, for beginner/intermediate,will be run every Wednesday from 5.30pm - 6.30pmat the BRITE Centre.

History story

The Braunstone History group have celebrated asecond successful opening of the museum at theBraunstone Hall Stables and Walled Garden.

Geraldine Syrett, a member of the history group, explains,“It was a miserable, cold day but to our surprise we werevery well supported again! Everyone commented on howgood the displays were and there was a lot of interest inthe information and photographs about the period of timewhen the hall was a school.

The opening of the museum is being trailed for a fewmonths to gauge the interest with the hope of making theevent permanent. Your support for this would be greatlyappreciated as it keeps Braunstone Stables alive and itis a very important part of Braunstone history. A historywe should all be very proud of and share with theyounger generation.”

NEW

Pet Perks?

One of our new volunteers told us about acharity that you might be interested in. TheCinnamon Trust was established to look after

the interests of older people, people with terminalillness and their pets.

Debs told us, “Often older peopleget distressed about their pets…maybe they are not able to lookafter them or are worried aboutwhat will happen to their pets after

their death. Cinnamon Trustorganises volunteers to help those

people by looking after their pets.”

The trust was the brainchild of AverilJervis. She founded the trust in 1985to “relieve the anxieties, problems, and

sometimes injustices, faced by elderly and terminallyill people and their pets, thereby saving a great dealof human sadness and animal suffering.”

There are two ways that Braunstone residents canengage with the trust. One is if you want to keep yourpet, but need help with looking after it. The other isto offer your services as a volunteer to help someonewho is too ill or too old to cope.

The charity wants to recruit Leicester volunteers asdog walkers and short term fosterers for pets. If youcan spare an hour a week you could make a hugedifference to someone’s life.

The Cinnmaon Trust, named after Averil’s corgi, isthe only national charity speicalisingin this field of work. It has over15,000 volunteers involved in dogwalking, short and long termfostering and maintainingcontact when owners are in careor undergoing treatment.Do you know someone whoneeds help with a pet orcould you offer some timeas a volunteer? If so contactthe Cinnamon Trust.

Let’s Clean Up

You are all invited to join the next big communityclean up. Anita Robinson told us, “The Clean Upgroup agree to hold the next event on Braunstone

Park. Children and adults are welcome to join us at thestable block, from there we will organise a park-widelitter pick and clean up.”

Clean Up Braunstone events are fun, friendly and dosomething important for Braunstone. Why not join in?

MY ADHD LIFE

Anne Short from b-connected told us “We’ve had anumber of new volunteers who have joined us inrecent weeks. It’s fantastic to see so many people

come forward to help make Braunstone a better place.”

One of these new volunteers is Adam Watts. Adamexplained to us the difficulties he experienced growing upand how this has inspired him to volunteer.

“I was born 13 weeks early. On the second day my arterialline came away and I died for a few minutes suffering abrain haemorrhage and a damaged lung. When I wastwo years old I would not play and sit still like other kidsmy age.

It took my mum 12 years to get me diagnosed with ADHDand moderate learning difficulties.Growing up was hard for me because kids my own agewould pick on me. As I got older I got angry and frustratedeasily, so I take medication every day to keep me calm. Ihave always loved music as it helps with my mood.I have had many problems inmy life and I have alwayswanted to do more and betterand so I have gained manyqualifications. Recently I havevolunteered at BraunstoneFood Share and b-connectedbecause I have wanted to help other people that may begoing through problems. I know how it feels when no onewants to help you and people write you off.

I hope these things will help me get a full time job as Iam very eager to feel useful.”

Alert Shuffle

Our previous edition had a letter from PaddyMcCullough announcing his retirement. Hehas been a key

figure in producing theAlert until now, we’vehad to re-organise tomake sure that we keepup your regular fix ofBraunstone news. TheA Team has drafted insome new members to take care of different aspectsof making the Alert. Wendy, Becca and Tracey aretaking care of the editing and layout. Lizzie, Joy and

Eileen carry ontheir input aspho tographer s ,newshounds andproof readers.

Goodbye Maureen

We were sorry to hear of the death of localwoman Maureen Fisher. Maureen was wellknown and well

loved in her community.

Readers may rememberMaureen featuring in the Alertwhen she did a sponsoredparachute jump.

Her skydive raised money forthe Wishes for Kids charity.

Paddy from b-connectedsaid, “The first time I metMaureen she said it was herdream to do a parachutejump for her 70th birthday. I had good contacts withthe charity and asked if they could help. Next day I gotto tell Maureen that her dream was about to come true.She enjoyed every second of the experience, and I wasglad to have helped.” Did she want to do it again?“No” she said, “Next time I want to go wing walking!”What a wonderful woman. sp

Sue and Lesley, Occupational Therapy studentson placement wrote to us, “We have fallen inlove with Braunstone and its very special

community spirit. The cohesiveness of the ‘community’has been evident to us on several occasions over the

past weeks. Workingwith staff and thepassionate anddedicated volunteershas made us proud tohave been given theopportunity to be partof this organisation

and work with members of the b-connected andb-inspired team. The relationships and generositywithin the community have recently become moreevident. We have been able to utilise the mini bus thatbelongs to ‘StreetVibe’ Young People’s Service whichhas allowed us to organise an outing with members of‘Talk Time’; a fortnightly group for residence of Bridgesand Bowder House. With the help and support of BrianQuinn and ‘Street Vibe’, we have been able to providea trip for older adults who might not otherwise havehad the opportunity to engage in this activity. Thisgesture is testament to the community spirit thatBraunstone shares.

We would like to say a huge congratulation tostudents at Leicester College for the successfulcompletion of a 10 week programme, run in

conjunction with Job Centre Plus. The students, the majorityof whom stem from Braunstone, have been undertakingactivities such as C.V. writing and filling out applications.They have then used these skills to apply for jobs. Not onlydid this successful group brush up on their work skills, theyhave also all developed greater confidence and improvedin their social skills.One learner, Aiden Jasper, said “Before I came on thecourse I wasn’t able to travel on my own. My tutor helpedme to travel independently. It feels good to be able to getto places on myown. This will helpme to get to jobinterviews. I havealways found itdifficult to make eyecontact, the coursehas helped medevelop more confidence and it seems easier to look atpeople now when I talk to them.”

The proof crew

Pet pics

Sow & Grow:GROW YOUR OWN TOMATOES

Home grown tomatoes are not only delicious but also nutritious and very healthy for us. They are very lowin fat and are excellent sources of minerals and vitamins A, C and K.

In general, there are two kinds of tomatoes; the bush/trailing varieties that need verylittle attention and are ideal for growing in containers, hanging baskets, and grow bags;and the cordon/vine varieties which do tend to grow quite tall and need supportingwhen planted outside. For this reason they are more suited for growing in largecontainers and directly in the ground. Furthermore, you will need to regularly removeany side shoots that are not carrying flowers. By pinching these off you give your plantthe chance to put its energy into producing fruit and not foliage.To grow your own toms simply sow a few seeds at the end of March or beginning of April. Place the pots in aplastic bag and keep on the windowsill, or if you have not got the time buy them in early May as young plants.It is important to remember that tomatoes are very vulnerable to windy weather and frost. So only plant outsidewhen the danger of frost has past (late May), in a very sunny spot that is sheltered from the wind. If you areplanting your tomatoes directly into the soil outside, allow 40 – 45 cm (15 – 18 ins) between plants. The bushtypes will need about 60 cm between the plants. Tomatoes are ideal for grow bags and if this is your growingmethod, plant your tomatoes 15 ins apart. Make sure you water the tomatoes regular in dry weather, and oncethe first tiny yellow flowers appear, feed with a tomato feed at least once every week.

GROW YOUR OWN STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries are an easy fruit to grow in your own garden or balcony, they are ideal for growingin containers, grow bags and hanging baskets. Buy them as young plants in May and plantthem directly into the ground allowing 45cm between plants, or three plants in a grow bag,

or individually in 12 inch pots. Remember when planting the crown of the plant (where the roots and stem join)

Free Wifi accessFree computer and internet access

Free book reservations for City residentsStudy support Tuesdays and Thursdays 4.00 pm - 6.30 pm

Toddler time Wednesdays 9.30 am - 11.30 am

The Library

free tojoin!

The Brite Centre has rooms to hire for communities meeting,training, conferences and private parties. If you are a communitygroup looking for somewhere to meet, then you can hire a roomfor as little as £3.90 an hour.

Community Groups

Advice and Support

Room Hire

ER Crew Street Dance classes for ages 8+, Mondays 5pm - 7pm

Local history Group, Tuesdays 10am - 12pm

Lunch Club; a two course dinner for £3.30, Tuesdays 12pm

Knit and stitch club, Thursdays 1pm - 3pm

We offer courses covering a wide rangeof subjects from first aid to NVQs,delivered by qualified tutors.

Some courses lead to qualifications whileothers are for leisure or personaldevelopment. We offer fee remission tothose who are unemployed, seeking workand in receipt of a state benefit.

There is a free phone provided by Leicester City Council at the BRITE Centre, from whichyou can contact any City Council service including housing, council tax and refuse removal.We have a lot of information about organisations and services that could help you withanything from finding out about children’s playgroups, help with getting a job, to buyinga walking frame ~ just ask!Stop Smoking Service - every Tuesday 9.30 am - 5.00 pm - Just pop in or phone 01162954141 to make an appointment with our friendly advisor.

0116 299 5476130 Braunstone Avenue Leicester, LE3 1LE

communityservices@leicester.gov.uk

www.leicester.gov.uk/communityservices

Adult Learning Courses

Braunstone’s Biggest Bash is BackBraunstone Carnival & Sports

Festival Saturday 29th June

Fullhurst Community College,Imperial AvenueShow ArenaLocal troupes

DanceLive Music

Sports FestivalA range of indoor and outdoor

activities ~ buy a wristband for £2and have sporty fun all day

Children’s Fun Fair &Inflatables

Craft & food stallsCream Teas

EntryChildren under 16 years ~ free!

Adults ~ only 50pBraunstone Community Carnival will be an alcohol free, family fun event.Alcohol will not be on sale and may not be brought on site. Visitors may besubject to bag checks.There is no on site parking, so please walk to the event or catch theBraunstone Hopper (see back page). However, disabled parking is availableat the Imperial Avenue entrance.You can book a stall for free if you are a Braunstone community group orfor only £10 if you are from outside Braunstone

To book stalls or for general informationContact Tracy Renshaw on 07834908576

Brass is Back

Don’t miss live music on the parkwhen the Hathern Brass Bandperforms a set of popular tunes

on Sunday 23rd June from 2.00 pmto 3.00 pm

To add to your cultural enjoymentvisit the Braunstone Park Art ClubExhibition at the Stable Block from1.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Volunteers needed

Braunstone Residents Network are on the hunt fornew and enthusiastic volunteers to help with localcommunity projects.

Volunteers areneeded, from April,for the extraFoodshare venues.Duties will includegreeting attendees,unloading andpacking food, as well helping to serve refreshments.

If you like to get involved in the Braunstone ResidentsNetwork committee, volunteers are needed to helpsupport events, fund raise and attend committee meetings.This is the perfect opportunity to get your voice heard.

Make Mollie Move

This May, Braunstone Residents’ Network issupporting local charity Make Mollie Move inhosting a fancy dress sponsored fun run to raise

money for Leicester residentMollie Shaw.Ten year old Mollie suffersfrom Rett Syndrome, agenetic disorder which cancause severe physical andmental disability. The aim ofthe event is to raise as muchmoney as possible to buyMollie a specially adapted

wheelchair which will allow her to get about by herself.The fun run will take place on Saturday 25th May atthe West End Working Mens Club, with all runnersbeing asked to meet outside the club between 11 –11:30 am. A refreshment stall will be at the eventprovided by the BraunstoneResidents’ Network. After therun, volunteers and fundraisersare invited back to the WorkingMens Club for a free karaokedisco organised by StevenFinch.Sponsorship forms can bepicked up from West EndWorking Men’s Club onBraunstone Avenue or from theb-connected office at 45 Wellinger Way.

Unfortunately, Braunstone Foodshare is no longerable to receive free carrier bags from localsupermarkets. Therefore they are appealing to

local residents to donate any unwanted or unused carrierbags. Bags can be donated at any of the Foodsharevenues.

United Reformed Church (URC)

St Peters

The BRITE CentreFrom April 22nd,Braunstone Foodshare willrun fortnightly at two extravenues.

T

Plastic bag appeal

Kelly

Art in the heart ofBraunstone

Any old iron will do

We met with local man Alan Rosak, who has an interesting hobby and we wanted tofind out all about it! Alan has spent the last 11 years creating sculptures out of bitsof old metal. He told us that he learnt welding a few years back and when he was

made redundant from his job, his interest in welding really took off and he spends up to fourhours a day creating wonderful masterpieces. Alan said “It gives me a real buzz and I find itreally therapeutic. I started with a butterfly and have gone on to do life size sculptures of allthings, from a flamingo to a German soldier. The reason I chose to do a German was becauseit was more difficult with all the weapons and the helmet and I wanted to give myself a challenge.”We asked Alan where he gets all the metal from and he explained that he gets it wherever hecan, his family will drop off the odd table leg and he has even been known to buy up old spoonsat car boot sales to help with his creations. Alan would like to encourage other people to takeup being creative and doing something positive with their spare time.

Community art

Art in the park exhibition

Rosemary was bornand raised inBraunstone, she

has seen so manychanges take place overthe years, Rosemary isan active member of StPeters Church and putsmost of her spare time intohelping with organising events for St Peters.

I never go out

Reading and watching television

A dog

Don’t like cats

Boy David, cant remember the author’s name

A good place

The Carry On films

Just an ordinary person

Friendly

Florida

I never go away now

People to be more clean (litter and dog mess)

Not got one

My Feet

I wrote a history story in a book

Did what I could to help others

Felicity Kendall

10.00 am - 11.30 am 50+ Aqua Fit, Leisure Centre10.00 am - 12.00 pm Children’s cook and eat, Summers cafe10.30 am - 12.00 pm Let’s Walk Braunstone, Stable Block, Braunstone Park2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Golden Years Group (Bingo!) Blessed Sacrament Church2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Indoor Bowling, Trinity Methodist Church,5.00 pm - 7.00 pm Cheerleading OAK Centre6.00 pm - 9.00 pm Bingo, Cort Crescent C.C.

9.30 am -12.30 pm Over 60s CAB drop-in 45 Wellinger Way1.00 pm - 4.30 pm 60+ Citzens’ Advice appointments 0116 223 225110.00 am - 12.00 pm Braunstone History Group BRITE Centre Library5.00 pm - 7.00 pm ER Crew Street Dancing for ages 5+, OAK Centre

10.15 am - 11.15am Coffee & Chat St Peter’s Church Call 0116 292 337711.00 am -12.00 pm Free guitar lessons, Summer Cafe2.30 pm - 3.30 pm Garage Sale 45 Wellinger Way5.00 pm - 7.00 pm Cheerleading6.00 pm - 8.00 pm Women’s Group, Oak Centre

12.00 pm - 3.00 pm Women of Wisdom co-operative Call Eileen 07769 315 18412.00 pm - 2.00pm Nappucino, Summers Cafe12.00 pm - 2.30 pm The Nappy Library, Summers Cafe1.00 pm - 3.00 pm Knit & Natter, BRITE Centre1.00pm - 3:30pm Art Group, Summers Cafe2.00 pm - 3.30 pm Puzzle PM, BRITE Centre3.00 pm - 5.00 pm Friendship Club, Trinity Church3.30 pm - 6.00 pm Family Allotment, Rancliffe Allotments

10.00 am - 12.00 pm Friday Pop-in, Blessed Sacrament Church10.00 am - 1.00 pm Sew ‘n’ So’s Needlecraft OAK Centre

NEW

NEW

NEW

Dear Alert,

I am writing this letter with much regretthat we have lost the 302 bus service that

ran through the Braunstone estate. Iwould like to say a big thank you to

everyone who has taken petitions round,and even signed the petition.

Thank you once again even though wedidn’t keep the bus.

We saved it for a few months, and what weshowed the bus company is the braunstoneestate is not an estate to be messed with.

Yours sincerely,Janet statham

Dear Alert,A team of b-connected volunteers put on anEaster event, for families & children, hosted bythe Summer Cafe at Cort Crescent CommunityCentre & funded by the Resident’s Network.Mel & Kay were amazing hosts who helped tocreate a welcoming atmosphere. Prizes for thebest Easter bonnets & colouring-in competitionwere generously donated by the Hallam CrescentEast Co-operative Store & were presented to thewinners by Karen & Ian. Finally, thank you to theOccupational Therapy students, Lesley & Sue, forcatering for cake lovers with some excellentcupcakes.Thank you to everyone who attended - includingall the children and parents who made the eventa huge success!Jane Cawrey

0116 291 4993 07890 564 69607890 564 709

Christ Church URC,Dumbleton Avenue, 6.00 - 7.00 pm

Braunstone Housing Office,Gutheridge Crescent 12 noon -1.00 pm

Cort Crescent Community Centre 6.00 - 7.00 pm

BRITE Centre Braunstone Avenue 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm

Christ Church URC,Dumbleton Avenue, 6.00 - 7.00 pm

Dear Alert,We would like to say a huge thank you for allthe contributions we have received for thegarage sale! We take almost any donations, fromclothes and shoes to bric a brac. Plus, all themoney taken is ‘ploughed’ back into communityevents, so please keep the donations coming!Thank you,The garage volunteers.

I would like to say a big thank you to Sue and Lesley for organising

the “Talk Time” bowls outing and to Barwell Bowls club for making

us so welcome. Thank you also to Sasha the driver of the mini bus for

being so helpful and on time!Looking forward to our next trip. Geraldine,. Talk time Volunteer

Produced by Neighbourhood Support TeamAbly assisted by the A-Team

Write, or send pictures, to Braunstone Alert,45 Wellinger Way, LE3 1RG. Call 223 2256or E-mail anne.short@b-inspired.org.ukPrinted by Joseph A. Ball (printers) Ltd.

We make every effort to ensure that information is accurateand up-to-date at the time of publication

Paddy’s Leaving Do,taken by Angel

2 Westover RoadLeicester Forest EastLeicester LE3 3DT

0116 289 660824 Hour Service

PAUL PENDER AND SON

Stone Masonry ServicesCateringBuds Floral Designs

Independent Funeral Directors

p.penderandson@btconnect.com

Braunstone Town

AN APPLE A DAYHockley Farm Health Centre

A wide range of meals, snacks & drinks

Monday ~ Friday

Cream teas ~ Thursdays from 3.00pm

Call Jo: 07950 472 369

At Hockley Farm Health Centre

A wide range of meals, snacks & drinks

Monday ~ Friday

Cream teas ~ Thursdays from 3.00pm

Call Jo: 07950 472 369

by the Kingsway Flower Club and friends

Flower arrangements on the theme ofsport, hobbies and leisure.All welcome - Refreshments available

www.stpetersbraunstone.org.uk

Braunstone HopperCarnival bus service

The Braunstone Residents’ NetworkCommittee will be supporting busesto transport local residents to andfrom the Braunstone Carnival.Times and routes will be advertisedat a later date.. Please keep youreyes peeled for flyers, resnet facebook and b-inspired websiteup-dates for more information.

New LIBRARY CLUBat the BRITE - With regular

GUEST SPEAKERSStarting in June, the Club will meet once amonth at the Brite Centre, where a guestspeaker will talk about subjects such as, naturalremedies from what you can grow in yourgarden, to the history of Leicester holidays.

To guarantee your place call the BRITE Centreon 0116 299 5476

Or contact: 0116 223 2256