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Cover: ‘Active ’ by Ian DGot a digital camera? Then you could be an Alert photographer.Just send us your photos and we’ll print our favourites. We might even putyour work on our front page - instant fame!
Readers, readers, everywhere!
Listening to Older People
Playground Mural
b-active women event
Let’s Clean Up!
NMB ReportThe latest meeting of Braunstone Neighbourhood
Management Board (BNMB) discussed;Resident Network - To help stop speeding onBraunstone Avenue, a flashing advisory speed signwill be erected on the Avenue for a four week trial.Carnival and Bonfire fundraising underway, thereare eight collection tins around the area. Offers ofprizes for fundraising events will be gratefullyreceived.City Warden - Another dog bin will be placed outsidethe Braunstone Park Lodge this month.Braunstone Neighbourhood Management Board(BNMB) is applying for funds to purchase more dogbags for free distribution.Following the theft of scrap metal, the City Warden isnoting the registration of scrap metal vans touringthe area.The park toilets and gym equipment have beenvandalised again. Your City Warden will be on patroland cautioning.Hockley Farm Surgery - A patient forum will takeplace in March.Census Forms - Anyone who needs help filling intheir census forms should contact B Working or theBRITE Customer ServicesIntegrated Services - This scheme aims to co-ordinate the work of a range of agencies providingservice for children and young people aged 0 - 19, tomeet their needs and improve their lives. InBraunstone the service operates from a prefab in thegrounds of Fullhurst School. There is funding for afurther three months.There may be more news on funding in July followingmulti-agency meetingsActive Women Project - b-active staff announced athree year, city-wide project aiming to attract morewomen into sport. The project has a launch event atBraunstone Leisure Centre 25th March.Neighbourhood Action Plan - School heads andeducational groups have discussed summer activi-ties between different school levels to smooth thepath for children from one school to another.There may be training for some older pupils so theycan help younger ones with their reading.NHS Leicester City - There will be a big push in thearea to raise awareness of Cardio-vascular Disease(CVD). This will include events at the BRITE Centre,West End Working Men’s Club, plus informationprovided through door-knocking and fliers. At theBraunstone parkrun there will be an information ga-zebo promoting CVD awareness, non-smoking,healthy eating and physical activity.
Network NewsOur Resident’s Network continues to work to improve
things in Braunstone. Resident Geoff Stagg was one ofthose concerned about traffic at the junction of GoodingAvenue and Hinckley Road junction. He decided toinvestigate. Geoff and other residents carried out a surveyof 66 local drivers and pedestrians who used the junction.People surveyed identified problems at the junction andsuggested ways to improve the traffic flow and avoid theexits being blocked. Geoff and the team plan furtherinterviews and focus groups to explore the matter in moredetail and look for solutions. Watch this space.Other members of the Resident’s Network are working withNeighbourhood Support staff to carry out a consultationamong Braunstone residents who are over 60 years old. AliGamble from b-connected told us, “We want to know whatolder residents feel would improve their quality of life, so weare trying to ask as many people in that age group as wecan. There is a small pot of money to spend on services andfacilities for this age group and the information we collectwill help decide how that money will be spent. We will sharethe information with LCC and the NHS and we hope that itwill also influence their spending in the area”.If you are over 60 and have any opinions or ideas to includein the survey, call Ali on 0116 223 2256. She can do thesurvey by telephone or arrange a home visit.We still hold regular meetings of the Resident’s Network tosee how we can play our part in improving Braunstone. It’sfun and it’s interesting. If you want to join us, pop into 45Wellinger Way or ring the office 0116 223 2256.
Alex Windram is just like any other nine year old girl, withone BIG difference, she is a champion fundraiser, who
is bringing in cash to support five charities.Mandy, Alex’s mum said “She is awonderful girl, we are so proud ofher! Her cousin was in Afghanistanwhich inspired her to start fundraising.”She has organised lots of activitiesand with help from her mum, dad,and other family members, Alexhas raised £3,000.When we asked what keeps hergoing Alex said, “I just want tohelp people who are lessfortunate than me. I hope to keep fundraising for ever. Mynext big step is to launch and register my own charity in2012.”You’re doing a brilliant job Alex, keep up the good work!
What’s Up Doc?We called into the Hockley Farm Practice to find out
the latest health news. Office co-ordinator, JillBrowne, asked us to highlight again the issue of wastedappointments. She said, “We want to reduce the DNA(Did Not Attend)figures. During February alone we hadover 250 missed doctor and nurse appointments. Thisamounts to 55 hours of appointments that other patientscould have had. Through the Alert we would appeal topatients, if you are not going to attend, please call andlet us know. We can allocate the time to someone else.”Another request is to let the surgery know if you changeyour telephone number. Jill said, “Often we contactpatients by phone to fix appointments or treatment. Wehave found that some patients have changed theirphone and forgot to let us have their new numbers. Ifyou have changed your contact details, give us a call.”Keeping on the phone theme, Jill wanted to re-assurepatients about phone queues. She said, “We believethat some are put off when they call and hear that theyare in a queue. The message might say they are 17thand they hang up because they think that means a longwait. We have four skilled receptionist taking the callsand they work very quickly. Even if you are 17th in aqueue, they will get to your call in well under twominutes! So please don’t hang up.”The centre has a useful new piece of hardware in the
foyer. It’s an easy to use, self-operated blood pressure machine.There is a great number ofpatients with high blood pressureand this machine allows to monitoryour own BP without waiting for anappointment.“You just walk in and use it. It’seasy… sit down, put your arm in,press a button and wait 45
seconds for the print-out. You can then pass the printoutto the receptionist. If there are any unwanted changes inyour readings then you can arrange to see your doctor.”
Give it go… it really is simple to use.
James Fahey gets an Alert Award for his achievementin college. A keen photographer, James regularly
takes photos for our gallery page. Now some of his workis on display at Leicester College’s St.Margaret’s Campus. James says thathis photography inspires art work andthanks his friends for encouraging him.He says “I feel proud and honoured tohave my work displayed at thecollege. I think it’s an achievement.”
Well done James!
A TeamJoy writes “As we come towards the end of our course
we’ve been working really hard on this edition. We havelearned a lot about how to produce the Alert for our lovelyreaders. I really look forward to doing more Alerts. We arenot only a team, but we have become good friends!”Lucie said, “I have learnt what an important part the Alertplays in the community and what it means to people.”Eileen has always loved reading the Alert. She said, “NowI am part of the A Team, I realise how much work isinvolved. I thoroughly enjoy learning about interviewing,photography, writing stories... things I never thought Icould do.”Linda said, “I enjoy learning about the Alert and everythingthat goes into making it. It’s also been nice to make newfriends on the course.Lizzie said, “I’d love us to be able to produce the Alert byourselves, and no-one notice any difference in quality!”Antonia said, “I needed a reason to learn more... andbeing on the A Team has encouraged me. I hope to playa useful part in the future Alerts.We’re already working on the next edition. Please feel freeto contact us if you have any stories or photos that youthink would be suitable for us to publish. Our contactdetails are on the back page.
Treat Your FeetJanine Hough called in to tell us the latest news about her business. “I’m ready to take the next
step to really get going. I’m fully trained in Reflexology and have the experience under mybelt.” She told us. “Reflexology uses foot massage techniques to improve the sense of well-being, relieve pain and stress… and it makes you feel good!”Janine says, “I live in Braunstone and I know things are hard for lots of people, so I am offeringa special rate to other Braunstone residents. I work from my home or I can visit your home, giveme a ring and we can arrange what suits you best.”
THE BIG DRIVE!One of the big drives this year and for the future, is cash-generating activities to support community events in
Braunstone. Earlier this year saw a fundraising group being established by b-inspired. This group intends to workwith other residents, staff and organisations to develop a sustainable programme of fun fund-raisers to create asteady flow of income.One member said “We want to maintain the hugely successful Braunstone Carnival and Bonfire Night and to provideother community events.” This has to be done in a different way, now that there is no longer an NDC to underwritethe costs. So the group wants to develop their own fundraising skills. The fundraising group meets to consider andplan ways to keep a steady stream of income. The group set a target of £20,000 for this year and has raised over£2,000 so far. B-inspired's Angie Wright says, “I have been overwhelmedby the ideas, enthusiasm and commitment the group has shown. They arereally mucking in, setting up fundraising events and dragging others in tomake things happen. I am confident that with these people on board we canreach our target! ”Ideally the group wants to have £12,500 by Carnival, and the remaining£7,500 by Bonfire Night in November. Angie added, “To boost the localefforts, we have applied for support from potential funders. These amountto £9,000 and will be a big step forward if we are successful.”A big factor in supporting community events is the input from the Braunstone Foundation. “The foundation hasdefinitely committed £20,000 for this year and we aim to match that figure. We would be very disappointed if we didn’treach our target. We would have to ask the Foundation to underwrite the difference and this would impact on nextyear and the viability of providing the events in future. However, it is fair to say that we are all learning more togetheralong the way. We are taking a positive approach and are committed to being successful.”
Get Snapping!A final reminder for keen local photographers - the
closing date for "What Braunstone Means To Me"competition is Friday 6th May.There will be a major exhibition at the BRITE Centre,Friday 3rd June (6.00pm - 9.00 pm) Saturday 4th (10.00am - 5.00 pm) Sunday 5th (10.00 am - 4.00 pm)There will be free workshops on Saturday 4th;11.30 am - 12.30 pm Flowers and gardens2.00 pm - 3.00 pm Studio photography3.00 pm - 4.00 pm Photoshop basics4.00 pm -5.00 pm Studio photographyand on Sunday 5th1.00 pm - 2.00 pm Braunstone History Group2.00 pm - 3.00 pm Wildlife photographs3.00 pm - 4.00 pm Cut a mount for your pictureThere will be a £25 Amazon voucher for each winner inage group. Mercury reporter, Peter Warzinsky will judgethe competition and present the prizes on the openingnight. You will get the chance to vote for your favouritepicture.We will also have a raffle with great prizes including ayear's free membership of Leicester & LeicestershirePhotographic Society, bottles of wine and more.
Jill 0116 289 1581www.landlps.org.uk
Raising funds for community events in BraunstoneFor more information contact:Neighbourhood Support Base45 Wellinger Way0116 223 [email protected]
Sizzling Summer RaffleFirst Prize £500
2nd prize 32” LCD TV from ASDAplus other great prizes
Drawn at Braunstone Carnival2nd July 2011 at 4.30 pm
Medium NightWest End WMC
7.00 pm Thursday 21st JulyCall 0116 223 2256 to bookyour ticketCar Boot Sale
Shakespeare Inn7.00 am - 1.00 pmlast Saturday of each
monthStall/Car Boot space £6
Regular Garage Sales
@ 45 Wellinger Way
Keep your eyes opened
Join us!Have fun and support
community events
Police Pop InWe heard the police were at Sandyhurst so we
called in to see what they were doing. It turned outthey were consulting with the residents about safetyissues and finding out if they had any other problems orconcerns.The officers (PC James Stevens, PC Tim Oliver,PCSOSteve Hodgman, PCSO Kasie Carter) want to be in theheart of the community, saying they find the personaltouch provides a reassurance to the residents. SharonMason, from Anchor Housing, is warden at Sandyhurst.She said, “Our residents are happy with everything thepolice are doing for them, They are on first name termswith the officers and they like seeing the same officerseach time.”The police say they enjoy spending time with theresidents, discussing things and having a cup of tea witha slice of cake.The local unit is very active around Braunstone, gettingto know people and what their problems are. They carryout regular street consultations, and are always willingto listen to your problems, suggestions or questions.One officer told us that Braunstone crime figures havedropped by 35% in a year! This is partly due toBraunstone becoming an Operational Station again,rather than a Neighbourhood Station. Sgt Will Cheshiretold us, “There are many positives to this, the main onebeing that there are now many more officers based atthe station.”We hope the crime reduction continues and that thepolice in Braunstone keep building those community ties.
‘Bye MavisMavis Bloice was born in 1926 in Russell Street,
Leicester. She had one brother, Eric and one sister,Winifred. Sadly Winifred died very young.Mavis moved to Braunstone 60 years ago and was acommitted volunteer from the start. Daughter, Linda said,“She ran trips to theseaside for OAPs andchildren who needed abreak… some of the kidshad never seen the sea.The first one was such asuccess that it became anannual event. They wouldgo to different places, but Mam called them mysterytrips… you’ll see when you get there.”Early on, Mavis started supporting older people. Sheworked with Age Concern cooking and deliveringChristmas meals to older residents. “She was one of thefirst street wardens” said Linda, who used to help hermother out. “She was also in the Hand in Hand… thatworks with children with disabilities and special needs.She kept that going up until she died.”As well as being an active member of St Peter’s church,Mavis spent many years as a director with BCA and morelately with b-inspired. David Brennan from b-inspiredwrote, “Mavis had been volunteering on the Braunstoneestate for over 60 years, and was committed anddedicated to making Braunstone a better place to live.She will be sadly missed”Linda said “Mam was born on 19th April, which isPrimrose Day, that’s why her middle name wasPrimrose…she loved those flowers.” Linda also asked toprint this little poem that her mother wrote.
Have you ever wonderedWhat makes a day bright and gay?It is the happy people as they wend their wayGood morning, Mr Milkman, and the post man too,Also the policeman who is all in blue.But the happiest thing I know, Ann,Is having a friend like you.
I loved the way you walked, my dear,Between the sand and sea.You looked so happy, dear,So contented and free.If I could bottle all of it,I would sing a song with glee.I would sing a happy songBecause you were walking back to me.
Goodbye Mavis Primrose Bloice
Nurse Mavisage about 20
Nearly That TimeThe clocks have sprung forward, the days are growing
longer and we’re heading into summer. That means it’snearly carnival time!Braunstone Community Carnival will be held in the usualspot on the park, Saturday July 2nd from 12.00 - 5.00 pm.As ever, Braunstone’s biggest event promises bags of funfor everyone, with stalls, funfair, live music, dance and lotsmore. There will be our traditional carnival parade aroundBraunstone Park, featuring an array of colourful floatsdecorated by local community groups and schools. It’shard to resist! The parade is always stewarded by localvolunteers and we’re putting out the call for you to helpagain this year.If you can spare a couple of hours to be a steward on theparade please let us know.
Gold Events 0116 279 5150
b-active women
for everything you need to knowabout the b-active women project
0116 279 5041info@b-active women.co.uk
www.b-activewomen.co.uk
'offers women in Leicester communities andwomen who are the primary carers for children,under the age of 16, in Leicester City, theopportunity to take part in sport and tackle anybarriers that they may face.'
SWIMMING learn to swim, take partin an aqua-fit session or just go for a swim
BADMINTON for all abilities,whether you need to learn how to play, orwant to get straight into a rally
CYCLING ride for fun, learn how toride, get involved in other forms of riding
ATHLETICS/RUNNING be partof the parkrun, run outdoors, take part inan athletics session
b-active women provides a ‘one-stop sport shop’ forwomen to participate, coach or volunteer within sport.Braunstone is one the many areas the project delivers in.Being one of the major delivery areas, we can offer you;group sports taster sessions, 1-to-1 mentoring, coacheducation, volunteering opportunities and New Beginningsconfidence building workshops.
PMI ComputersI was in the motor repair business for over 30 years until I wasdiagnosed with cancer. After treatment I was unable to
continue my successful garage business.During the last 10 years at the garage I wasinvolved mainly with fault finding andelectrical diagnoses.For over 20 years I have used my practical skills,including soldering, to repair computers in myworkshop.I repair all type of PC’s, laptops, broken screens, faultypower jacks, dvd drives, hard drives, RROD, dvd notreading disc’s, game consoles , flashing of xbox 360 andSony ps3, PC tune-up, virus removal, LED TV’s and
monitors. I will attempt to fix any related product. I offer;� a free initial diagnosis with a fixed price repair if possible� a warranty against parts and labour for most repairs� a local, knowledgeable personal service
I would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you a reliable service.
Peter WrightPMI COMPUTERS
0116 291943407926 833 644
� Flexible tenancy agreements� Virtual tenancies available�Conference & meeting rooms
for hire
Box clever - put yourbusiness on the mapto find out more callTel: (0116) 279 5000
M1J21a
A47
A365
0R
ing
Roa
d
A47Oswin Rd. A47
to Leics.
BusinessBox
M1 to J21
A36
50R
ing
Roa
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Business BoxOswin RoadBraunstoneLeicester LE3 1HR
Have you got a business idea,but don’t know where to start?
Enterprise as a Life is herehelp! We can help you turn youridea to a reality!
We will give you sound businessadvice and guidance to get youstarted… whatever your idea is.
Enterprise as a Life is a Braunstonebased project, funded by the ERDF(European Regional DevelopmentFund) and Leicester City Council.Thanks to this funding we can provideyou with high quality business andsupport completely free of charge!
Enterprise as a Life provides
� Dedicated help from EnterpriseFacilitators, Sam Larke & BarbaraWaling
� Group workshops with specialisthelp and advice
� Mentoring and 1-to-1 help fromexperienced business people
� Group events to follow up on ideasand help with problem solving
Sam says, ‘We have been operating atthe Business Box,Oswin Road for 18months and have48 people on ourbooks. They are allworking to createtheir own businessenterprises, oftenfrom very simple
ideas. We have helped establish eightbusinesses and have others in thepipeline. We are proud say that wehave a 100% success rate!”
“We work with anyone over the age of19 who has a business idea they wantto develop. It’s important to get theright help and advice, particularly inthe early stages. Enterprise as a Lifeprovides that early support”
For more informationcall into the Business Box
Sam & Barbara 0116 279 [email protected]
Enterprise as a Life“We help you develop your businessidea by ensuring you can carry out theall the research, market testing andpreparation necessary to achieve aworkable business.”
“Our business support is very thoroughand the process may take six months.In that time you will develop a rangeof important business skills including;
�Financial planning
�Budgeting
�Accounting
�Time management
�Business planning
�Tax, Insurance
�Legal systems
Barbara says “You don’tneed to be a high flierwith a huge set of skills.If you have one keyskill, the desire to makea living and a goodbusiness idea then wecan help.”
“Everything we do is designed to helpyou make your business sustainable.As we are a funded, non-profit projectwe are able to develop a tailor-madesupport package for each of ourclients.”
The Enterprise as a Life approach tobusiness support is such a success thatit has inspired a city wide project.Soon potential business people acrossLeicester will have access to valuableassistance from another Braunstonebased project Enterprise for a Life 2.
Sam and Barbara are proud of whatthey have helped people achieve.Through Enterprise as a Life they arehelping local people achieve theirambitions. The project is funded untilsummer 2012, so now is the time tocontact them about your business idea.
Barbara Waling
Enterprise as a Lifethe best start for your business ideas
Sam Larke
PET make your pets famous!
COUNCILLORS’ INFOPhone: 0116 291 4993Fax: 0116 229 8850
Email:[email protected]
Phone: 07890 564 696Fax: 0116 229 8850
Email:[email protected]
Phone: 07890 564 709Fax: 0116 229 8850
Email:[email protected]
St. Peter’s NewsSummer Festival 24 -26 June – Music in BraunstoneWe’ve planned a whole weekend of music. Admission isfree all weekend but bring your purses and wallets – there’splenty to buy and enjoy! Sponsored by BUPA, managers ofGrey Ferrers Care Home, Priestley Road.ProgrammeFriday 6.00 -8.00 pm Opening party, with special guests,live jazz and light refreshments. RSVP to Chris BurchSaturday 11.00 am – 3.00pm Summer Fair, featuringMusic from across the world and down the ages; in thechurch and on Church Field.Saturday 6.00 pm Concert, with the Wigston Brass BandSunday 10.00 am St Peter’s Day serviceSunday 6.00pm Songs of Praise, with Gospel Choirfrom the Living God Church, LeicesterSt Peter’s ServicesSundays 10.00 am Parish EucharistWednesdays 9.30 am Holy Communion (a quieter service)Both followed by tea or coffeeDrop-insMondays 6.00-7.00 pm Vicar’s Happy Hour. Meet thevicar to book weddings, christenings, etc. (Not BankHolidays.)Wednesdays10.00 -11.00 am after the service
Chris Burch (vicar) 0116289 [email protected]
Green & Clean
Bulk Collections 0116 252 7002Report Dog Fouling 0116 252 7001Report Fly Tipping 0116 252 7001Report Graffiti 0116 225 3839
or contact the BRITE Centre Customer Desk
Residents often tell us they like to see a nice clean estate.We can all do our bit to make that happen. That’s whythe Clean Up Braunstone Campaign is so popular.One woman said “Braunstone is our pride, and by all of usmaking that little extra effort, it will happen.”If you want to go that extra mile and be a little more involved,then come along to the Big Clean Up on Braunstone Park.The community clean up will start at 10.00 am onWednesday 1st June. Put on your stout shoes or wellies andmeet us in front of Braunstone Hall at 10.00 am.We will supply gloves and litter pickers and when we finish,at about one o’clock, we’ll supply you with a well earned(and probably much needed) cuppa.
Another Big Clean Up!Report and Sort!
Useful Numbers!
You see him here and there with his red jumper andfriendly smile. It’s Noel, your City Warden. Part of
his role in the community is to help keep Braunstoneclean and healthy. Because of his friendly manner moreand more residents are reporting incidents to him.
Noel said, “I’ve had reports of dog fouling near theschools and Braunstone park. People are bringing it tomy attention because they have accidentally broughtdog mess into their home on shoes or buggy wheels.”
We all know it’s unpleasant and unhygienic so why letit happen. As a City Warden, Noel will follow up on thereports and can impose a hefty £80 fine! Thankfullymost people do cleanup after their dogs, the few othersshould follow that example and avoid the fines.
Noel said, “I am chatting with locals, building upfriendships because I want concerned residents toreport fly tipping, fly posters and bags of rubbish lyingaround and other eyesores spoiling the area. I can getthe relevant departments to sort it. These are alloffences and there is an on the spot fine - no-one wantsthat do they?”The simple message from Noel is, “Don’t put up with it- report it and sort it!”
Housing News
Jason AddisonWednesday 4th May. Inspection covers BraunstoneAvenue. Starts 10.00 prompt from corner of BraunstoneAvenue opposite Police Station.Wednesday 15th June. Inspection covers NewfieldsAvenue, Newfields Square, Peverel Road. Starts 10.00am prompt from corner of New Fields Avenue andBraunstone Avenue.
Kerry SullivanTuesday 17th May. Inspection covers Limber Crescent,Pilkington Road, Morcote Road. Starts 10.00 promptoutside 1 Limber Crescent.Wednesday 15th June. Inspection covers HandAvenue. Starts 10.00 am prompt outside 2 Hand Avenue.
Melanie OsborneTuesday 10th May 2011. Inspection covers 68 to 198and 89 to 193 Hallam Crescent East, Reynolds Place,Waltham Avenue, Hilary Place. Starts 10.00 am promptoutside 68 Hallam Crescent East.Wednesday 8th June 2011. Inspection covers FolvilleRise, Ellesmere Road, Ellesmere Place,Bewicke Road.Starts 10.00 am prompt outside 9 Folville Rise.Tuesday 5th July 2011. Inspection covers Odam Close,Herle Avenue, Herle Walk, Main Street. Starts 10.00 amprompt outside 10 Odam Close.
Darlene AhmedWednesday 11th May. Inspection covers GaddesbyAvenue. Starts 10.00 am prompt from corner of ImperialAvenue and Gaddesby Avenue.Wednesday 15th June. Inspection covers HamelinRoad, Winstanley Drive. Starts 10.00 am promptoutside Hamelin Road flats.
Sally FranklinWednesday 11th May. Inspection covers Pollard Road,Didsbury Street. Starts 10.00 am prompt outside 2Pollard Road.Wednesday 8th June. Inspection covers MeadwellRoad, Cantrell Road. Starts 10.00 am prompt outside 2Meadwell Road.
In the last edition we reported that Braunstone's fiveEstate Management Officers (EMOs) were organising
their timetable of estate inspections. The inspections areunderway and will cover the whole of the estate every sixmonths. The EMOs invite residents to join them on theinspections and have sent us details of the the times andstreets each inspection will cover. The information is inthe boxes below with the name of your area’s EMO.
Stop the Damage!Local police and housing teams continue to work
together to tackle joint issues in Braunstone. We metwith Sgt. Will Cheshire and Housing Services AreaManager, Ellen Watts in Braunstone police station.They wanted to bring us up-to-date with their work.Will told us, “Since the closure of Blaby police station,Braunstone has become a thriving buzz of a station.Thanks to this we now have more visible policing inBraunstone and that gives greater reassurance forresidents. These changes mean that we are nowoperational 24 hours a day. Inspector John Brown isbased here, so we have great all round supportavailable on site.”Will and Ellen asked us to highlight one crime rate thatis top of the agenda for both housing and police. Ellensaid, “We are increasingly concerned about the amountof criminal damage still going on in the area. Despite theimprovements over the years, this faceless crime is stillhappening. We feel it’s important to understand the truecost of criminal damage.”Ellen and Will explained the price of criminal damage isnot just about the financial cost and the time cost.“There is also a cost to Braunstone's reputation. We doour best to work with residents and to respond to theirneeds. For example, people said we should dosomething about the underpasses on Bendbow Riseand Gallards Hill. So we all fought long and hard to getthe money for the underpasses to be cleaned up. Sadto say, on the first night after Bendow was given itsfacelift it was attacked. Someone caused scorchdamage by setting two bins alight and there wasoffensive graffiti painted on the walls.”On the housing side there is ongoing damage to voidproperties. Ellen said “We’ve had central heatingsystems ripped out, kitchen items removed and pavingslabs stolen. This causes huge inconvenience tofamilies who have to wait longer to move into their newhomes. Then the cost of repair and replacement iscoming straight out of Braunstone’s kitty. None of this isgood for Braunstone, and we are the only part ofLeicester that still needs security screens when a housebecomes empty.”Will said, “We want to do the best for Braunstone andhave special operations under way to tackle this issue.We also need help from the public. If you want to reportcriminal damage in your area call us. Your call is nevera waste of time and can help us stop the damage.”
Housing 0116 252 7007Police 0116 222 2222
Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111
What’s OnMonday:10.00 am - 11.30 am 50+ Aqua Fit, Leisure Centre10.30 am - 12.00 pm Let’s Walk, Braunstone Park Stable Block11.30 am - 12.30 pm Healthy Eating Group Hockley Farm Health Centre2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Golden Years Group (Bingo!) Blessed Sacrament Church2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Indoor Bowling Trinity Church, Hallam Crescent6.00 pm - 9.00 pm Bingo Cort Crescent Community CentreTuesday:9:30 am - 12.30 pm Citizens Advice Bureau,
(appointments only)Braunstone Civic Centre
10.00 am - 12.00 pm Braunstone History Group BRITE Centre - Library Braunstone AvenueWednesday:10.15 am Coffee and Chat at St Peters Church, Woodshawe Rise. Call Rev. Chris Burch, 0116 282 50341.45 pm - 3.30 pm Over 60’s Friendship Club West End Working Men’s Club3.00 pm - 5.00 pm Friendship Club Trinity Methodist Church Hallam Crescent3.30 pm - 6.00 pm Family Group, The Oak Centre6.00 pm - 8.00 pm 40+ Club Oak Centre, Bendbow RiseThursday:12.00 pm - 3.00 pm Women of Wisdom (WOW) Group Contact Eileen on 07769 315 18412.00 pm - 1.30 pm Lunch Club - Trinity Church Call Marilyn, 0116 289 21823.30 pm - 6.00 pm Family Allotment, Rancliffe AllotmentsFriday:10.00 am - 12.00 pm Friday Pop-in
Refreshments, nearly new sale andbric-a-bracBlessed Sacrament ChurchGooding Avenue
10.00 am - 12.00 pm Art Club - Visitors CentreThe Stable Block, Braunstone Park
10.00 am - 1.00 pm Sew ‘n’ So’s Needlecraft Group The Oak Centre, Bendbow Rise12.00 pm - 1.30 pm Bingo Cort Crescent Community Centre6.00 pm - 9.00 pm Bingo Bonanza
Cort Crescent Community CentreLast Friday of every month
Saturday:9.00 am ParkRun, Stable Block Braunstone Park (You need to register first at
www.parkrun.org.uk/braunstone)
In the SpotlightSharon Connolly is one of
Braunstone’s characters,ready to act a little crazy tomake life more interesting.The loves of her life arepartner, Darren and theirthree children Sarah, Nicoleand Joseph.Sharon is well known for herrole as librarian at theBRITE Centre, where shealways has a cheery smilefor her customers. She is
also a keen volunteer, with aparticular interest in improving life for older people.She enjoys listening to music and going on walks and,as you can see, dressing up!What’s your idea of a good night out?
A meal and a trip to the cinema with my husbandA good night in?A games night with the familyWhat animal would you be?A cougar (lol!)What is your pet hate?People who don’t understand that you need personalspaceWhat is your favourite film?Old classic musicals especially ‘Paint Your Wagon’What do you love about Braunstone?Community spiritWhat words would people use to describe you?Dippy, lovely, sucker!What’s the furthest you’ve ever been from home?TurkeyWhat’s your ideal holiday?Lazing on the beach next to Cliff Richard in BarbadosWhat’s your most attractive quality...Being friendly...and your least attractive?Being friendly, because sometimes people takeadvantage of youHave you a claim to fame?I met Prince Charles, Camilla and Edward when theNewarke Museum in town was re-openedIf we made a movie about your life, who wouldplay you?Renee ZellwegerDo you have a wish for Braunstone?For it to be crime freeHow do you want to be remembered?For being friendly and just a nice person
DearQUESTIONS OF HISTORY
Dear Alert,We wonder if anyoneremembers this 1981raffle to raise fundsfor Braunstone HallSchool. If so, do theyknow who won theraffle?We also want to know if anyone has photos ofthe old wooden building that was Cort Crescent
Community Centre before the present one.If you have any information or photographscontact us through the Neighbourhood Support
Base, 45 Wellinger Way, 0116 223 2256Thank you,
The Braunstone History Group
Alert On-line. If you have access to the internet then you can read all our editions of the Alert on-line. Just type the link intoyour web address bar to view our library of Alerts and other Braunstone focused publications that you might enjoy. Another way isto send us an email and we will re-mail the link to you. Then you can send the link to friends and family anywhere in the world, to letthem know what’s going on in Braunstone. http://issuu.com/b-alert/docs
Dear Alert,You may have heard of the WOW group, we are a group offriendly and fun loving women age 40+. If any of you wantto join us just call in. Our door is always open, the kettle onand the biscuits are ready. We do lots of interesting thingslike, clay making, art, play games e.g. quizzes.We also go out for lunch once a month… in fact we doanything members want to do. We meet every Thursday12.00-3.00 pm at the Cort Crescent Community Centre.Please feel free to come and join us. You just need £1towards tea and coffee.
RegardsEileen Gollings x
Dear Alert,We are looking for women to join our Gaelic
Football team. If any of your readers want to get
into a great sport that will keep them fit, is fun
and will make them lots of new friends then
Gaelic Football is just the thing! It’s open to
women of all ages and any fitness level.
Any one interested can phone or email me and I’ll
tell them all about it.Hope you can help
Mary McElwaineThe Emerald Centre
0116 276 9186
Sandyhurst FeteDear Alert,We are holding our Spring/Summer Fete atSandyhurst on Saturday 21st May – 10.00 am -1.00 pm. We will have; Nearly new clothes,Tombola stall, Bric-a-brac, Jumble sale.Not only that, but you can pop in and have abacon/sausage bap with a cuppa. Come and joinus at Sandyhurst, 37 Hockley Farm Road.
Sharon Mason
BRITE Red Nose
Tilt!
Grr!
Before the Facelift
SpringPrize winner
Another facelift
Ex Braunstone Hall Teacher
Production team;Paddy McCullough, Anne Short, Ali Gamble
Ably assisted by the A-Team(Linda Castree, Eileen Gollings, Lizzie Gregory, Antonia
Stagg, Lucie Trigg, Joy Vincent)Write, or send pictures, to
Braunstone Alert, 45 Wellinger Way, LE3 1RG.E-mail [email protected]
Printed by Joseph A. Ball (printers) Ltd.We make every effort to ensure that information is
accurate and up to date at the time of publication
ü Voice Coachingü Singingü PerformanceRing Barry & Maria
0116 229 9727
Blessed Sacrament Pop-in
Good-as-New sale
Blessed Sacrament Church Hall
Gooding Avenue
Snacks and refreshments
Every Friday from 10.00 am
If you have any nearly new goods,
books, clothes etc that you don’t
need we would be happy to take
them off your hands.
Just drop them off any Friday
Then come along and join us
Wednesdays
1.45pm -3.30pm.
West End Workingmen’s Club
Braunstone Avenue
We have a chat, tea and
biscuits - then a raffle and a
few games of Bingo to raise
funds for outings.
FullhurstCommunity
CollegeSpring Fete &Car Boot Sale
Saturday 21st Mayfrom 9.30am
Car Boot spaces/stalls £5Special rates for local
community stallsTo book contact
Ruth Sharp 0116 282 4326
