Syston Town News

Personalised care plans questionnaire launched

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:11:59 +0000

People with long-term health conditions living in Leicestershire county and Rutland are being asked to have their say on personalised care plans and how they should be delivered.
NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland is inviting everyone with an interest in managing long-term conditions – patients, carers, friends and family – to have their say on how the plans should look.
The aim of a care plan is to help people mange their condition day to day, giving them information and support at the right time, as well as helping them to achieve personal goals, instead of letting their condition dominate their life.
It helps to promote independence and ensure the patient is positively involved in making decisions for their future, is actively engaged in self-care, understands the nature of their condition, treatment options and medication, and can monitor signs and symptoms of change in their condition.
Care plans will record information on the condition, any difficulties the patient has, where to go for help and support, and what medicines are being taken. They will be launched in the next few months and are ‘owned’ by the patient.
Ket Chudasama, NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland’s associate director for planned care, said: “It is important that we use and support personalised care plans as a tool to enable those with long-term conditions to self care.
“Care plans can also help patients reduce the amount of hospital admissions they have or GP appointments they use.”
NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland will use the results from the questionnaire to shape what care plans will look like and how they will be delivered, in partnership with patients. Personalised care plans will be offered to long-term condition patients by the end of 2010.
The questionnaire closes on 12 March and the results of the survey will be published on NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland’s website – www.lcr.nhs.uk – after this date.
To fill in the questionnaire or for more details on living with long-term conditions visit http://www.lcr.nhs.uk/Keepinghealthystayingfit-Healthmatters-Longtermconditions.cms

Local Businessman Reaches Finals of Prestigious Awards

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:04:39 +0000

Young, expanding online business Activ have reached the shortlist in the prestigious Leicestershire Business Awards 2010.
Activ, based in Leicestershire, are in the final three of the Awards’ New Business category which is sponsored by Leicester law firm Harvey Ingram LLP.
Founded by co-directors Dillon Boivin and Simon Rickett, Activ have gone from strength to strength in a remarkably short period of time and now employs 25 people at its head office.
Activ, which through its UK-wide network, offers website design, online marketing and search engine optimization to small and medium sized businesses across the Britain and overseas.
With recent expansion into Spain, France and Australia, the future looks exciting for Activ. The business has also recently expanded into larger premises taking a second office at Narborough Wood Business Park which has increased its total office space to 3,500 sq ft.
Dillon Boivin said response to Activ’s business model had been phenomenal.
He added: “Our strategy of offering affordable online solutions to small businesses has been very well received. By putting together simple, jargon free packages we have secured business with literally hundreds of SMEs operating in sectors as diverse as retailing, childcare, sport, construction, plumbing, hotels and leisure.”
At a time when jobs are hard to find Activ continue to recruit. Specialist jobs in marketing will be available shortly.
Dillon Boivin, who lived in Syston for most of his life and now lives in Rearsby, said he was delighted Activ had made the shortlist and was in with a good chance of securing an accolade in what have become Leicestershire’s premier business awards.
He added: “The Leicestershire Business Awards are very well respected among the East Midlands’ business community so it’s quite an achievement to be shortlisted, I am really pleased with our achievements and also want to congratulate our staff who work hard and deserve as much recognition as anyone in this achievement. As a local lad I am really proud of our achievements and would be honoured to win this award. These awards always attract many high quality entries and it’s gratifying to have been recognised at this level.”
Open to businesses founded within the past five years, the New Business award category is designed to encourage and reward young Leicestershire companies and organisations.
To be considered for an award, entrants must show that they have continued to progress their plans and developed a clear commercial understanding of their products, competitors and markets.
They must also demonstrate that they have set and achieved objectives within business plans while establishing a position of sustainable future profitability and success. The judges will also look at obstacles that have been overcome in managing the business including managerial and financial performance and potential future for growth.
Now in their 17th year, the Leicestershire Business Awards culminate in a gala dinner at which the winners in all eight categories will be announced.

The Wind Farm Is Coming Closer To Syston

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:04:11 +0000

The nearest turbine in ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) proposed wind farm is less than 1500 metres from Syston. That sounds like a long way away; so should you be worried? Judge for yourself…
The OS map, which can be seen below, shows how close to your homes these turbines will be. They will dominate our countryside and landscape and be all-pervading in our daily lives.
The turbines themselves are over 125 metres tall. Two of them will be sitting on the 80 metre contour line so their height above sea-level will be a staggering 215 metres, that’s nearly as high as Old John in Bradgate Park, but of course the turbines will be much, much closer to you. These monster turbines can be seen from 20-25 kilometres away and beyond. They will be seen from all the approach roads leading into Syston. If someone is coming to visit you they will see them, if you walk through the centre of Syston you will see them.
But it’s not just how large they are and how visible they are that’s causing problems. There have been a number of concerns raised by people who are already living near large turbines. These concerns include ‘shadow flickering’ which occurs when the sun shines through the rotating blades, reduction in the price of houses near to the wind farm, and noise, particularly at night when there is no background sound to mask the effect.
MP Peter Luff has had a bill accepted in Parliament which, if it becomes law after the General Election will mean that there will be a minimum distance of two kilometres between any 125 metre turbine and somebody’s home. This bill is being supported by our own MP Stephen Dorrell.
In Scotland there are guidelines which discourage developers from siting a wind turbine within two kilometres of any house.
Yet SPR, based in Scotland have chosen a location here in Leicestershire which will see not one or two isolated houses and farms, but the entire village of Queniborough, with the exception of a few houses at the far end of New Zealand Lane, a large part of Syston (see map below) and a smaller part of East Goscote fall within that two kilometre boundary.
Will properties in Syston and East Goscote fall foul of the potential noise issues? Will there be a reduction in house prices as a result? Will shadow flicker affect you during the summer? of course that should be for the 25 summers these proposed turbines are initially due to operate.
I have asked SPR’s wind farm project leader, her deputy and even their manager for their personal assurances that there will be no noise nuisance, no annoying ‘shadow flicker’ and no loss of house prices if their proposed wind farm goes ahead. Their replies to date have been to hide behind ‘experts’ testimony and Government guidelines. Not one of them has said ‘No there will be no noise nuisance, no there will be no reduction in house prices and no there will be no shadow flicker’. There has been a resounding silence concerning the assurances I have asked for. Yet if they truly believe their ‘experts’ why can’t they give the assurances requested?
There are currently plans in transition for a further 15 wind farms (101 turbines) in Leicestershire and who knows how many more are in the pipeline. Once one is in place it is easy to expand and it will be even easier to get others through the planning process.
One thing is for certain, if we beat SPR and their wind farm application, there will be no noise issue, there will be no prospect of house prices reducing as a result and there won’t be any shadow flicker. Why should we take any chances?
SPR’s planning application (P/09/2464/2) is still awaiting validation by Charnwood Borough Council. If you would like to help fight the wind farm it is absolutely vital, once the planning application is validated, that you let Charnwood Borough Council, your local MP, your friends, family and colleagues know the seriousness of this situation and to ask them to make their feelings known in a positive manner.
If you would like to help stop the wind farm going ahead please email SPROUT at queniboroughwindfarm@yahoo.co.uk

OS map showing the distance from homes.

Run your way to fitness

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:02:09 +0000

Charnwood’s Active Together team is working with Syston-based Wreake Runners to launch their “Run in England” beginners running course.
This is a fantastic new opportunity for those looking to improve their fitness and get into running.
Aimed at those new to running, the course will be lead by qualified Leadership in Running Fitness group leaders and is designed to give anyone aged 16 and over the opportunity to start jogging in a safe environment and at a pace suitable for all.
Participants will be offered plenty of encouragement, helping them to improve their fitness and have fun. The sessions will start gently with a mixture of both walking and jogging with the aim of slowly increasing the distance covered and time spent running.
The course will be launched at 6.30pm on Thursday, 11th March at South Charnwood Leisure Centre in Syston.
Runners will be required to join Run in England at a cost of £10 (reduced from £20 for this course only) in return for which you will receive insurance, a training logbook, water bottle, and t-shirt. Each session will then cost just £2.
Anyone requesting any further information is asked to contact the Active Together Team on 01509 634673 or via email at active.together@charnwood.gov.uk

Syston Athlete wins at the Midland Counties Athletics Championships

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:01:00 +0000

Phillip Doorgachurn won gold in the senior mens 200m and silver in the 60m with 21.91 and 7.01 seconds respectively. Phillip Doorgachurn teaches PE and Sport at Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I College in Leicester and lives in Syston.
This is his first senior title at the Midlands event and now ranks him 11th in the UK this year.
The event was held on 13th and 14th February at the NIA in Birmingham.

Female Personal Assistant Required

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:00:59 +0000

Melton Mowbray Area
£8.50 per hour
15 hours per week Monday to Friday daytime only.
A personal assistant is required to support an active 50 year old lady in a busy and dynamic household.
To provide some personal care, support in the home and with recreational and social activities.
Contact 0116 305 7990 or email dprecruit@leics.gov.uk quoting ref RK218.
Closing date 23rd March 2010

Introducing your Neighbourhood Policing Team

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:04:05 +0000

PC Carly Adams (4609)
Carly has been working with the Leicestershire Constabulary since March 2005. She was a Police Community Support Officer before joining as a Police Constable in January 2007.
She became a beat officer early this year and says “I am looking forward to working with members of the community and other partner agencies. Together we can impact on the problem areas creating a safer community for you to live in. My aim is to be a visible presence so please come and talk to me especially at the beat surgeries and let me know what the problems are.”
PCSO Glenn Freeman (6606)
Glen has been working for Leicestershire Constabulary since early 2005. He has spent all of this time as a police community support officer designated to Syston working within a close knit neighbourhood beat team. He says “During this time we have worked towards creating a safer community and to impact on problem areas.”
PCSO Jade Cameron (6149)
Jade has been working for the Leicestershire constabulary now since July 2008 as a PCSO in Syston. The beat team work closely alongside each other to make Syston a better place for the residents and visitors.
If you would like to contact the team or are interested in being part of the neighbourhood watch scheme, please contact Carly Adams by either email: carly.adams@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk or by telephone: 0116 222 2222 and quoting the ID number of the officer as shown above.

PHILIP TIVEY REMEMBERED

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:03:56 +0000

Philip Tivey was born in Leicester 1925 to parents who owned and ran a greengrocers shop in Melborne Road. His determination and competitive streak came from his father’s influence who had in his time many champion Dutch rabbits, including a European champion, then champion mice! And even a champion dog, he also won trophies for angling.
He played rugby at school and had a brief spell as a percussionist with a band in his late teens.
On leaving school and being very practical he started work at Wadkins in Leicester where he became a qualified skilled pattern maker. This was a reserved occupation during the Second World War as they were making parts for aircraft etc. so he could not join the forces but instead spent time down the mines in Coalville, returning to pattern making after the war had ended. He started to dislike being in a factory environment and craved for an outdoor life wanting to start up a smallholding.
He married Jacky in 1946 and they lived first in Thurmaston.
He had the chance to purchase the land in Wanlip Road in 1956 and went for it. To make ends meet he had to carry on working at Wadkins while he got the business up and running. He would start working when it got light, then travel by train into town, leaving Jacky to look after the chickens etc, do his time at Wadkins before returning to carry on at Wanlip Road until it became dark.
Eventually the business started to pay and he could commit to it full time. He started to grow many things, salad crops and pot plants, anything that could earn money. Quickly realising that flowers were always in demand, quite valuable and he could grow them very well. Dahlias and Chrysanthemums were his favourites. He would supply the wholesale market and also various shops, he saw that florists increased the value of flowers by making floral tributes, so he learned how to do this by helping out at one of the shops he supplied. He then began to do floral tributes from the nursery and he also got the contract to provide the flowers for E A Gambles undertakers in Syston, this he continued to do for 40 years.
When son Chris joined the business in 1967 they started to exhibit at flower shows, first Abbey Park flower show in Leicester, then other city and agricultural shows throughout the country. In this way they started to send many thousands of dahlia and chrysanthemum plants via mail order nationally.
Eventually in 1983 the company exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show and then did so for the next 20 consecutive years. They have also exhibited at all the other Royal Horticultural Society Shows over that period winning many gold and silver gilt medals together with many best in show awards.
His life had some sadness as their third child Timothy was born with autism but they were determined to care for him at home for as long as they were able. Also his daughter Marie sadly passed away suffering with cancer in 2001 and his wife Jacky died in 2004.
Apart from the business which kept Philip occupied he also had time for his other great passion, which was breeding old English game bantams and he was a member of Syston Fanciers Society for many years, during which time he also did a lot of judging of the breed. He has leaves children Christopher, Timothy and Mark, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. I am sure that he will be well remembered by a lot of Syston residents and ex-customers as well.

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Double Celebration For 1181 Squadron

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:03:38 +0000

On Sunday 7th February cadets and staff from 1181 Squadron began arriving at 7.30am to erect marquees and get the headquarters ready for the arrival of some very special dignitaries who would be attending the opening of their flight simulator, then march through Syston to celebrate the founding of the Air Training corps 69 years ago on 5th February 1941. This day was a culmination of months of planning and hard work in organising all the visiting ATC groups as well as redecorating the headquarters. The day began with 1181 squadron and the band from 1084 Squadron assembling on the parade ground behind the head quarters and being inspected by the Air Commodore Ian Stewart. He then returned to officially open the Flight Simulator before enjoying a good lunch with other members of the ATC and 1181 Squadron. A stylish cake had been made for the occasion and he cut this after lunch. The cadets enjoyed a lunch in the marquees before reassembling on the parade ground with the other ATC groups which swelled the ranks to nearly 300. They marched from Wreake Valley to St Peter and St Paul’s Church were the dignitaries awaited the arrival of the squadrons and included Air Commodore Ian Stewart, Mrs Stewart, Aide De Campe Flight Lieutenant Barney Jones, SAC Craig Hunter, Lord Lieutenant Leicester Lady Gretton, Station Commander RAF Cottesmore Group Captain Guy Waterfall, Air Chief Marshall, Retired, Sir Jock Kennedy, Lady Kennedy, Wing Commander Nigel Dickenson, Squadron Leader John Hill, Squadron Leader Mark Richards, Squadron Leader Adrian Utting, Mayor And Mayoress Councillor Roy Brown and Mrs Gillian Brown, Charnwood, Syston Town Council Chairman Howard Midgley. After the service the Squadrons marched back to the headquarters and the salute was taken by Air Commodore Ian Stewart with Lady Gretton and Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Roy Brown. This was followed by a visit to the parade ground where the Air Commodore spoke to the Squadrons and congratulated them on their conduct and said they should be proud of their achievements on such a special occasion. He said that they should take advantage of the opportunities offered by the ATC as they are only teenagers for a short time and so should enjoy it. After dismissal everyone enjoyed a piece of the celebration cake.
Andy Houghton Pilot Officer RAFVR(T) and Squadron Adjutant, 1181 (Syston) Squadron said that the day had gone very well and that he was very pleased with all the cadets but in particular the Syston cadets for the work they had done to get everything ready as well as all the civilian staff and helpers as they had provided the food for the day. He also wanted to thank the local Police Special Constables for their assistance on the National Special Constables Weekend. These individuals gave their spare time for free to assist local officers and we are grateful for the assistance that they gave us.
If you are aged 13 to 17 and are interested in joining the Air training Corp Syston 1181 Squadron, please contact Andy Houghton 0116 260 3948 between 7.00pm and 9.30pm Monday and Thursday evenings. Also see page 27 clubs and societies section.

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Official Opening of South Charnwood Leisure Centre

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:03:36 +0000

On Saturday 23rd January, Jo Jackson Olympic Bronze medallist in the Women’s 400m freestyle and current British Record holder for the distance was guest of honour at the official re-opening of the centre. The Mayor and Mayoress of Charnwood Councillor Roy and Mrs Brenda Brown, Leader of the Charnwood Borough Council Councillor Mike Preston, Chairman of Syston Town Council Councillor Howard Midgely along with other councillors, representatives from the construction company G. F. Tomlinson and the public gathered in the foyer of the new leisure centre for the unveiling of the plaque. Councillor Preston gave a short speech thanking everyone who had been involved in the £3.1million development which commenced last year on the 19th January and was completed on time and within budget. He paid tribute to G.F. Tomlinson for their dedicated hard work and the various sub contractors, architects and consultants, some of whom were present at the event, along with the centre staff and the wider Leisure Services project team. The result is an absolutely fantastic facility for anyone wanting to use the swimming pool, gym or dance studio.
He went on to introduce Jo Jackson, who trains locally at Loughborough University along with other members of the British swimming team. She won her Bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 400 metre freestyle and won Silver at the 2009 World Swimming Championships in Rome in both the 400 and 800 freestyle events, along with a Bronze medal in the 200 metre freestyle relay team. Jo thanked everyone for coming and said it was a pleasure to be asked to be part of this official re-opening and then unveiled the plaque. Jo also went on to say that she thought the facility was fantastic and hoped it would inspire young swimmers to use the facility and perhaps develop future Olympic champions in the future. She said that if she had not had a small swimming pool where she grew up in Yorkshire, she would not have learnt to swim and so never achieved what she has done now. She was pleased to open the facility as it provides a range of activities for all ages, not just swimming but the gym and dance studio and she hoped that residents of Syston and the local area would enjoy the use of the facility in keeping or getting fit. She is very passionate about people being fit and healthy in order to get the best from life, whatever their age.
From the volume of people at the facility when this story was covered it is going to be well used for some time to come. Mrs Walker, from Queniborough whose daughter Bethany attends swimming lessons said that they were pleased to meet an Olympic champion and Bethany was lucky enough to get Jo’s autograph. Also Sam from Birstall, along with his younger brother and sister attend swimming lessons every week and have done since the new Leisure centre re-opened, said that it was a great place to come and swim at, but when asked if he aspired to win a medal at the Olympics like Jo he said he did it just for fun.

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