Syston Town News » Clubs & Societies

The Rotary Club Of The Wreake Valley Officially Open Disabled Facility

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:08:03 +0000

The residents of Syston now have a new facility in their Central Park, thanks to the Rotary Club of The Wreake Valley. Rotarian Fred Sleath, when President of the Club, was looking for a project for the benefit of the people of Syston. He approached the Town Manager who suggested that the provision of a disabled toilet facility in Central Park was high on the list of needs but low on the list of priorities.
The members of the Club gave their support to the idea and a project was born. The Club set about raising the funds to enable the provision of the facility. Various money raising events were held. The most popular of these was probably the annual Real Ale Festival which is now held in April of each year. Once the funds were in place plans were drawn and the necessary permissions obtain and a builder contracted to undertake the work.
The facility was formally opened on Wednesday 26th May by Rotarian Fred Sleath and Ruth Wheeler, widow of the project architect John Wheeler. The keys to the facility were handed over to the Councillor Mrs Josie Branston of Syston Town Council and it is now available for public use.
If you would like to put something back into the society in which you live and at the same time enjoy a number of social events and activities why not join us? We are always happy to welcome new members and would be pleased to give you the opportunity to find out what Rotary is all about. It is not a secret society and you are welcome to visit us without any obligation or permanent commitment just to see what it is we do and why we are the largest international voluntary organisation of its type. After all 1,212,700 Rotarians in 33,660 Clubs in 178 countries cannot all be wrong, there must be something really worthwhile in what we do, so why not be a part of it!

SYSTON FEAST

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:06:59 +0000

Feast Sunday falls on the first Sunday after 10th July although the church is dedicated to St Peter, whose day is on 29th June. The discrepancy is said to be due to the change of calendar in September 1752 when 11 days were added, but Syston continued to observe the Feast according to the old calendar. The feast was commonly called the Wake. Its origin is with the Church. In olden times the Saturday was kept as ‘awake night’ watching and preparing to come to the Lord’s Table on the Sunday morning. It was a family occasion, boys and girls on farms or in service would come home for the feast.
Along with the services came booths with sweetmeats etc and dancing in the churchyard and on the village green!
The dancing was replaced with a funfair on the Recreation Ground (Central Park) and Feast Monday was a half day holiday and the Church held a Feast Tea, usually in the vicarage garden often combined with a sale of work.
The traditional meal for the feast was roast duck and green peas, washed down with homemade cowslip or parsnip wine.
For many years Holland’s was the fair to visit Syston and in later years the fair was set up in High Street in the field between Turn Street and the railway line, on the St Peters football ground (now Millers Close) and also on East Avenue on the Dog Track field.
We have now come full circle as the fair is now back on the Central Park but in September, not July.
The picture above of about a hundred years ago shows Syston ladies on the Recreation Ground, the nearest sign on the marquee reads ‘Ye ancient rite of ye pastrie cookes’ and the legible part of the other sign reads Syston Feast… The Symphony… Wednesday…

SYSTON LADIES BOWLING CLUB CELEBRATE

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:05:03 +0000

The evening of the 21st May was warm and sunny as Syston Ladies Bowling Club celebrated their President’s Day.
The event was well attended by both the ladies and men’s sections of the Club. Also invited were a few other ladies who help in different ways.
Those who wanted to play bowls had a short game while others either watched or chatted with friends. Once the game was over, everyone came into the Pavillion and sat down to a delicious meal prepared by members of the ladies committee. The tables laid and floral arrangements were in the club colours. The flowers having been kindly donated by our new local Tesco store.
President Ruth Wheeler spoke shortly about the long history of the Club with reference to the booklet written by the late John Meadows.
Attention was made to the planning and building of the present Pavillion which was officially opened 25 years ago.
This years’ charity is ‘Operation Christmas Child’ and £225 was raised during the evening. This will be forwarded to the charity when the project of filling shoe boxes with small presents for children who would never otherwise receive presents, is completed.
As everyone went home the ladies committee members should have been proud that all their hard work was rewarded by the way the evening ran so smoothly.

THE LOROS SPONSORED HORSE RIDE

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:04:11 +0000

What a brilliant turnout of riders attended the Annual Sponsored Horse Ride on 30th May. It was a dry but very windy day for the 120 participants who all received a very splendid yellow rosette inscribed with the Loros Logo when they completed the six, ten or 13 mile ride. There was a welcoming ‘pit stop’ part of the way round for refreshments, then off into the beautiful countryside around Launde Abbey into unknown territory for many, the long ride took about two hours to complete at a steady pace (no galloping was allowed)! A few wrong turns were taken, but everyone was counted back in safe and happy.
The senior cup went to Lesley Collings who raised over £1,000, a tremendous result.
The junior cup went to eight year old Louise Mawby on her very pretty chestnut pony and accompanied by two very fit ladies who raised an amazing £150.
Another cup was awarded to nine year old Louise Arnold who also raised a whopping £70.
A BIG thank you to them and to everyone who took part in this fun day. The total raised from the ride for the hospice was £5,000.
See you all next year and keep on riding!
Sally Thomas and
Ginny Heathcote Ball

The Loros Sponsored Ride 2010

The Sponsored Ride on a windy May day,
With riders galore it is here to stay,
They start at Oxey, home of the Wrights,
With jodhpurs so fitted they looked like tights.
Some horses were calm and some quite wild
Ditto the jockeys but mostly quite mild.
Through fields and woods and the odd rough track,
They disappeared for hours….will they ever come back.
The ‘girls’ in the lorry collect the money
From 10 til 12 thank heavens it’s sunny.
Signing in to start and when they return
Some still get lost….will they never learn.
to read a map or follow the sun,
Or listen to instructions…..excuse the pun,
Cause every year we hope and pray,
The riders will improve before we turn grey.
The rosettes were yellow and really quite plush,
Pinned onto bridles which made some riders blush.
The day was successful and should raise a few grand
So thank you to the farmers for access to their land.
GHB
30th May, 2010.

NEW BARKBY WI

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:03:53 +0000

Shirley Franklin, vice president, chaired the meeting held on Wednesday 2nd June. Before the business part of the meeting, members sang Jerusalem, followed by a one minute silence in memory of the victims of a mass murder which occurred in Cumbria on that day.
The speaker for the evening was Natalie Thompson from Barrow-upon-Soar, who gave a power point presentation and talked about ‘Deaf Awareness and Sing Signing’. One in seven people in the U.K. Have some form of hearing loss and it is the most common disability after mobility problems. Any breed of dog may be considered as suitable to be a hearing dog and it costs approximately £4,000 to train each dog. Patients are admitted to a special residential home to learn how to become a hearing dog owner.
Afterwards members learned signing and accompanied Natalie as she sang two pop songs, it was both difficult and funny at the same time. Some gestures are very straight forward and somehow lay people can communicate with deaf people in some form or another.
Natalie was given a donation for the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity.
The vote of thanks was given by Mrs C Grant and the competition for a picture of a pet dog was won by Mrs C Hickling.
Mrs S Arthur won the raffle and Mrs J Brewerton and Mrs R Foster were tea hostesses.
The next meeting will be at Syston Community Centre at 7.30pm on Wednesday 7th July when Mr Neil Head will give a presentation entitled ‘How to be your own Bodyguard’ and the competition will be ‘a Security tip’.
Visitors are always welcome.

Bible Discovery Club

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:03:38 +0000

A weekly after school club for children between the ages of five and ten years is held every Monday between 3.45pm and 4.45pm with refreshments available from 3.30pm for those attending straight from school, at the Broadway Gospel Hall, Broadway, Syston.
There are currently 11 children enrolled at the club and they enjoy a range of activities linked to the stories found in the Bible. Currently they are finding out about Moses and the theme shown in our picture below was about frogs. The children made their own frog and stuck on novelty eyes before colouring them in. They then joined in some songs and displayed their work around the hall for others to admire. Other activities include stories, quizzes and experiments. All the leaders at the Bible discovery club are CRB checked and they have a copy of their safeguarding children policy available to parents. If you would like further information contact Jo on 07504 474 885 or attend the club. They will be closed on 19th and 26th July but open through August except the Bank Holiday Monday 30th August.

SYSTON BOWLERS BENEFIT FROM FORUM FUNDS

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:02:33 +0000

On Monday 7th June, the Mayor of Charnwood Borough Council, Councillor Jill Vincent, visited the Syston Bowling Club to present to the Club a specialised wheelchair and ancillary coaching equipment, see picture right. The chair and equipment have been purchased, at a cost of £3000, following the Club’s successful bid for a proportion of the £20,000 recently made available by the Leicestershire County Council Local Area Forum (South Charnwood area comprising Syston, Thurmaston and Wreake Villages).
Also in attendance as special guests of Club Members were the Chairman of Syston Town Council, Councillor Howard Midgely, Syston Town Manager, Mr Alan Clark, Coach of the Leicester Cobras Wheelchair Basketball Club, Mr Mike Foster and President of the Rothley and Soar Valley Lions Club, Mrs Norma Grimes. They were greeted by Club Chairman, Colin Grimes and President of the Syston Ladies’ Bowling Club, Mrs Ruth Wheeler. (Men’s President, Peter Murray and Vice-President George Dodge were unable to attend because they were involved in a fixture in the Loughborough League.)
In her brief presentation to an attentive audience of Members, the Mayor commended the Club on its efforts to develop the sport of bowling among disabled members of the community – both the young and the more mature. Drawing on her own family experience, she recalled how membership of the local bowling Club had greatly benefited her parents when they moved to a new locality. Through their membership they had rapidly made many new friends and were able to develop a vibrant social life in addition to deriving great pleasure from the exercise involved.
She congratulated the Club and, on behalf of the Leicester County Council and the Local Area Forum, expressed great pleasure in formally presenting the equipment.
In accepting the gift, Club Chairman, Colin Grimes, welcomed and commended the work of the Local Area Forum which, he believed, was a striking example of local democracy successfully at work, enabling communities themselves to decide how best limited funds should be distributed and applied for the benefit of the communities concerned.
He confirmed and explained how the equipment would be used to enable the Club to develop and expand coaching services and extend membership to disabled people in the locality helping to fulfil the Club’s stated objectives as a registered Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC).
He thanked Syston Town Council and Syston Rotary Club for the provision of disabled toilet facilities adjacent to the Clubhouse and paid tribute to John Wheeler, late husband of current Ladies’ President Ruth, and a former Chairman and President of the Club, for initiating the project during his time as Chairman of the Syston Rotary Club.
He wished to place on public record, the Bowling Club’s thanks to the Council for their sympathetic and supportive approach to the recent negotiations over the renewal of the lease for the bowling green. During the negotiation process a very close and mutually supportive working partnership had been developed as both parties seek to promote and maximise the benefits of the green as a valuable community asset.
Rothley and Soar Valley Lions were thanked for the provision of a temporary clubhouse entry ramp.
He then paid special tribute to Club Coach, Des Eggitt, for his total commitment to his voluntary role, always ready to help and assist both new players and the more experienced who feel the need to improve their game. Through his efforts, the Syston Project, a drop-in centre for people with special needs such as Down’s Syndrome and cerebral palsy enjoy regular weekly coaching sessions on the green. The wheelchair and target mat would strengthen that coaching programme enabling those with a physical disability also to participate while minimising any damage to the green.
He was delighted to confirm that the provision of the special chair had already resulted in an increase in Club membership. Mike Foster, the Coach of the Leicester Cobras Wheelchair Club – the Club’s nominated charity in 2009 – had now joined the Club as a means of remaining active during the close Season for basketball. This would simply not have been possible without the provision of the chair, the ramp and the disabled toilet facilities. It was the hope of the Club that this would be the first of many.
Finally, the Mayor and other special guests were invited on to the green where, with the help of Members, a demonstration of the use of the wheelchair and the ‘target’ mat was arranged. Mayor Jill Vincent and Chairman Howard Midgely then accepted an invitation to try their hands at the great game of bowling to gain a flavour of the skills required and to understand the attraction of the sport for people of all ages.
The event was brought to a close with tea and light refreshments in the Clubhouse.
Enquiries about membership of Syston Bowling Club should be made either to Rob Wilbourn 01664 424813 (Men) or Val Foreman 0116 260 9635 (Ladies).

SYSTON DARTS LEAGUE CELEBRATE 75 YEARS

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 04:01:52 +0000

The Syston darts league started in 1934/35 with their first season. As this year is their 75th year their annual presentation evening, held on Friday 11th June in the Malt House suite, one of their longest serving darts players, Mr Ivan Bishop presented the trophies and prizes to the winners. The other longest player Mr Ray Palmer was unable to attend the evening. There was a great atmosphere in the room as everyone waited to see the lineup of winners receive their awards.
John Snape acted as compare and began the evening with the presentation of a cheque for £800 raised at a charity darts event to Linda Whitaker, see picture below, who, along with Elaine Bassford, had suggested the charity this year to be that of Motor Neurone Disease which affects an increasing number of people. Linda received the cheque on behalf of Angie Parkin, a representative from the association, who was unable to attend, but who was grateful to the darts League for raising what is a substantial amount.
The League winners were; The Tony Waller Division, Thurmaston P.W.M.C. ‘B’.Division one, Thurmaston R.B.L. ‘D’. Division two, Blue Lion ‘A’. Division three, The Top House. The mens singles winner, C.Upton, White Horse. Mens Pairs presented with the Alfred John and Nellie Webb Memorial Cup were N.Edwards and J. Asher, Thurmaston P.W.M.C. Presented by Kerri Kemp. Most high-scores winner, D. Bagley, Grosvenor ‘L’. Ladies High score winner E. Bassford Birstall R.B.L.REBS. Ladies singles winner, L Whitaker, Grosvenor ‘Q’. Ladies pairs winners L.Whitaker and E Wadsworth. Mixed pairs winners, L Whitaker and G. Cousins. Lou Wells knock out cup winners, Syston W.M.C. Roberts and Brooks knock out cup winners Syston Conservative Club ‘B’.
After the presentations there was a disco with people enjoying themselves until the midnight hour, when the evening came to an end until next year.
Anyone interested in joining or sponsoring up and coming players please contact John Snape on 0116 260 1116.

Watermead Challenge 2010

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:01:58 +0000

Watermead Challenge 2010 is Wreake Valley Rotary Club’s first sponsored charity run and walk at Watermead Park, Wanlip Road, Syston LE7 1PD, the entrance near the Hope and Anchor. Runners and walkers of all abilities are invited to join in. It is being held on Wednesday 14th July at 7.00pm.There are two distances: a five mile run involving three circuits of John Merrick’s Lake and two circuits of King Lear’s Lake, and the three mile run or walk which is two laps of John Merrick’s Lake and one lap of King Lear’s Lake. All proceeds go to the Richard Engelgardt Trust Fund, St John Ambulance and local Syston and Birstall youth groups and clubs. Richard is now wheelchair bound following an injury sustained playing for Birstall Rugby Club at the start of the 2009/10 season. You can find out more information about him by visiting the Leicester Mercury website www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk and typing his name into the search engine. Entrance fees are £9 for the five mile run, affiliated runners £7, and £6 for the three mile run/walk, affiliated runners £4. Collect sponsorship either for us or for your own charitable cause, or simply enjoy the experience! There will be winners trophies and souvenirs for all those completing the event. Last entries 6.30pm on the night. Register by downloading and posting the entry and medical forms. For more information and to download sponsorship forms follow the links. Please email any questions to wvrotaryclub@googlemail.com.The Wreake Valley Rotary club hope to make this an annual event and are always looking for ways to help the local community. Please use the Contact Us page on the website given above if you have any suggestions.

Roundhill Flower and Garden Club

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:01:51 +0000

Thursday 28th April was a pleasant evening and I was invited to join the members of the above club for an evening of floral demonstration. Unfortunately the lady due to demonstrate was unwell and four of the members stepped in at 10.00am on the day of the meeting and what a display they put on, which they entitled ‘Now that April is here’. The four demonstrators, Gail, Eileen, Brian and Josie together produced six fantastic floral displays with such grace and exceptional skill, while talking about their childhood, which was both entertaining and informative.
The first display produced by Gail had an oriental theme based around branches of apple blossom, shown in the picture top left.
Next Eileen produced a white themed display which she called ‘Shoemaker’ as she felt she had just cobbled it together, ooh how I wish I could cobble such a beautiful display! As shown in this picture right.
Then Brian produced a beautiful creation of carnations and bud roses framed with lush greenery. See picture here – Brian will be at the Newark show at the end of May showing his skill and expertise in the competitions for flower arranging. Josie, using items gathered from her own garden earlier in the day, produced an abundant display of spring flowers and blossoms, which she named ‘A walk round the garden in April’ a very apt title. See picture left. Gail took to the stage again and produced two final pieces, a beautiful tall modern arrangement and a small round one in an urn shaped container seeded with grass and adorned with white daisies, simple but very effective. See pictures below.
The audience enjoyed the anecdotes and said they discovered many things about their fellow members who demonstrated their skills that they hadn’t known before.
If you are interested in flowers and gardening then this is the club for you. They meet once a month, usually at the Church Hall in Broad Street. Details can be found of our Clubs and Societies page ?? and the what’s on section both in the newspaper and on our website. I’m sure you will not be disappointed, I certainly wasn’t.