St Peter's new church choir is looking for more singers.

Choirmaster John Strange said 'to be able to read music would be an asset, but the only absolute requirement is enthusiasm. All voices would be welcome, tone deafness is the only condition were cannot accept!

The new choir's first performance was in November last year . There are on average ten members of the choir, who sing regularly at church services.

John said: "Gradually we have progressed to the luxury of four part harmony and the enthusiasm of the singers to learn and improve the quality of their performance has if anything increased. Their singing of canticles and Psalms improves weekly and they are proving a real asset to the church.

Source: The Mountsorrel Post Community Newspaper

Pilbeam Opticians have been granted the green light in a Patient Satisfaction Survey.

Just under 250 customers were asked by a independent research company who rate responses either with a green light for above average, a yellow light for average and red light for below average. Pilbeams received 12 green lights, 4 yellow lights and no red lights. The areas which were covered included helpful and knowledgeable staff, range of frames available etc.

Jonathan Pilbeam, Managing Director of Pilbeam Opticians said 'It is vital that organisations providing a service have independent assessments as to how well their clients' needs are being met. This survey was very welcome in encouraging all the team members at Pilbeams that their work and care is appreciated. However, we are not going to rest on our laurels. The survey provided patients with the opportunity to say where our service could be improved and we are currently looking at ways of addressing these concerns.

Source: Mountsorrel Post Community Newspaper

A group of volunteers from the Mountsorrel Heritage Group met at The Navins to tidy the area and remove rubbish that had accumulated.

During the morning they removed six bags of cans, bottles, waste paper and general rubbish from the area. Young brambles were dug up to prevent further growth and any dead branches were removed from trees.

The group are trying to establish a wild flower meadow in the area known locally as the 'Froggy' and have been progressively planting wild flowers in the area.

The group was formed three years ago with the aim of promoting all aspects of Mountsorrel's Heritage both historical and natural history.

They meet every second Tuesday of the month at the Mountsorrel Baptist Church next to the Memorial Hall and currently have about 20 active members. If you have an interest in any aspect of Mountsorrel's Heritage the group welcomes you.

Mountsorrel Heritage Group is seeking to appoint a Mountsorrel Heritage Warden. This position will be of great interest to someone who values the village's Heritage and History.

The Heritage Warden Network is made up of volunteers who help monitor and conserve the rich heritage of Leicestershire and Rutland's countryside and landscape. Full support is offered by both the Community Heritage Initiative based at Holly Hayes, Birstall and the local Heritage Group. Further information can be obtained from and applications can be made to its secretary, Keith Foster, who can be contacted by e-mail: keith.foster3@ntlworld.com or by telephone 0116 2106041.

Source: Mountsorrel Post Community Newspaper

The transformation of a redundant building into an £800,000 library and learning centre in the heart of the village was celebrated at Mountsorrel library's official launch in December.

Before a plaque was unveiled and a celebrity cake was cut, the Chairman of Mountsorrel Parish Council, Brian Allard said to the assembled guests: "This is a highly significant day in the history of Mountsorrel. This project has seen the transformation of the village green and provided a facility that really enhances the community.

"Church House was built in 1912 and has been a church and community building since then. We owe what is standing here today to Will Antill and some others, Jack Moore and David Slater who saved Church House for the people of Mountsorrel. Will Antill is a treasure to this village and this building is a credit to his work."

Church House, which previously belonged to Will Antill, is now owned by a trust and will be run in perpetuity as a library, managed by Leicestershire County Council.

Chairman of the County Council Mike Jones was a guest at the launch. He said: "I am pleased that the County Council has been able to work in partnership to bring about this wonderful new resource for the people of Mountsorrel. The new library now has so much to offer and as a result will provide a modern well equipped venue which can be used by all the community."

Also attending the opening was Lyn Brown MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group of Libraries and Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

Church House has been renovated and extended to provide two storey facilities incorporating a brand new library on the ground floor and a learning centre, exhibition and meeting area on the first floor.

Source: Mountsorrel Post Community Newspaper

Many villagers of Mountsorrel were saddened when they received the news that one of its parishioners, Ken Wiblin had passed away.

Born and bred in Middlesex he moved to Banbury in 1961 after his marriage to Pam and from there they moved to Essex whilst he studied sociology at Ruskin College, Oxford. The family then moved to Hull where Ken studied a degree course which was followed by a year-long Social Work diploma. He joined the Probation Service in Leicester, moving to Mountsorrel in 1975.

Ken and Pam became members of the RSPB and for the last six years he has been the treasurer of the local branch. Ken was also involved in local history and, after a village questionnaire in 2005 he became a founder member and chairman of Mountsorrel Heritage Group.

Ken enjoyed life to the full, he was a family man and enjoyed being with his grandchildren. He was also a West Ham "Hammers" supporter as well as local teams such as Shepshed and Barrow Town. He was passionate in encouraging the younger generation to be interested in nature, particularly sharing his love for birds with them.

A Humanist Funeral Ceremony in celebration of Ken's 68 years of life took place at Loughborough Crematorium. Donations in memory of Ken, in lieu of flowers, will be forwarded to LOROS and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Source: Mountsorrel Post Community Newspaper.

Levels of antisocial behaviour in the village continue to decline and the reduced incidents of antisocial criminal damage is of particular note. I thank all of you who may have telephoned the Police in relation to antisocial behaviour and ask that you continue, as well as encouraging others to do so.

It is important that all incidents are reported to the Police to ensure that resources can be directed to the relevant areas.
From PC Paul Bird 1326.

You can talk to PC Bird at his beat surgeries which are held regularly at Mountsorrel library on The Green.

Crime report Feb, March and April 2008
burglary dwelling 8, burglary other 10, damage to motor vehicles 6, theft from motor vehicles 9, theft of motor vehicles 2, criminal damage 17, theft 14, assault 40.

A new bus service linking Loughborough and Thurmaston via Mountsorrel and Rothley Lodge has been launched.
The number 27 bus will now travel between Loughborough's Baxter Gate and Thurmaston shopping centre.
The route serves Loughborough, Barrow on Soar, Waltham on the Wolds, Seagrave and Sileby and the newly extended route will also go through Mountsorrel, Rothley Lodge, Syston and Thurmaston shopping centre.
The service which is provided by Leicestershire County Council, and operated by Woods Coaches, will give new links for leisure, work, shopping and education. It will run hourly from Monday to Saturday from 7am to 6.55pm and replaces the 27 service previously operated by Centrebus.
It is partly funded by developments at Rothley Lodge and Barrow upon Soar, providing the additional bus needed to operate this extended service. Approximately 50 per cent of the service will be funded from these developer contributions over the next five years, as part of a wider range of improvements in the community. The service will cost £167,000 a year, less the amount of bus fares collected.
Nicholas Rushton, Leicestershire County Council's Deputy Leader with responsibilities for Highways, said: "The local bus services we support now carry well over 2.5 million passengers a year. More and more people in Leicestershire are using buses, which helps to tackle road congestion, improve air quality and helps people get out and about within their communities."
The County Council will be marketing the 27 service to help ensure that it is well used and so viable for the long term.
A new timetable is available by calling 0116 305 8777. They will also be available from Tourist Information Centres, Service Shops and libraries and can be requested by emailing: passengertransport@leics.gov.uk
They can also be downloaded from Leicestershire County Council's website: www.leics.gov.uk/transport_downloads

A Mountsorrel pub has been awarded a top prize.

The Swan Inn has won the CAMRA Best Village Pub award for 2007, for North Leicestershire and Loughborough.
Manager Rachel Gosnall was presented with a certificate by members of the Loughborough branch of CAMRA.

The Swan Inn is a freehouse serving real ales from Theakstons, Black Sheep and Ruddles breweries as well as a variety of guest beers. Although regularly featuring in food and drink guides including the CAMRA Real Ale guide, this is the first award it has received and Rachel and her staff say they are delighted with this recognition.

Don't advertise your home to thieves this summer!
As the temperatures rise, unfortunately so do the number of burglaries at properties where the windows have been left open and doors left unlocked.

With the summer months upon us, Leicestershire Constabulary are urging homeowners across the county to think twice about security, and make sure their windows and doors are secured, if they leave a room or go into the garden.
Superintendent Jez Cottrill, who is heading up the campaign, said: "open windows and doors can let in more than just fresh air. Unfortunately opportunist thieves come out in the hot weather as well.

Preliminary drawings for a new Memorial Hall and Young People's Centre were on display in Mountsorrel library in December.
The old Memorial Hall, next to the Soar Valley Leisure Centre, was built in the 1960's and is in a poor state of repair.
The owners, the Mountsorrel War Memorials Trust Ltd, want to demolish it and replace it with two buildings: a new village hall and a centre for young people. The Trust, a charitable company, also owns the Leisure Centre and the car parking areas. The Leisure Centre is leased to Charnwood Borough Council.
Mountsorrel Parish Council is working with the War Memorials Trust to prepare plans for the replacement facility. The next steps will involve:
o exhibition, consultation and survey to assess the level of support for the proposals and the need for any revisions
o the submission of a planning application to Charnwood Borough Council to establish that the project can be implemented.
o detailed costing discussions on funding alternatives, the preparation of a business plan and management solutions to bring it about.

Mountsorrel Happy Circle is a group of around 60 people, who meet weekly for fun, friendship and outings.

For Mountsorrel residents of pensionable age, the group meets every Thursday from 2-4pm at the Working Men's Club on Leicester Road. They enjoy bingo, tea, coffee and light refreshments and there are four or five outings a year.
To find out more drop in on a Thursday.

Group thanks volunteer Margaret Wells,
a dedicated volunteer who has retired after nine years helping out at the Mountsorrel Housebound Club.

Mrs Margaret Wells was presented with a hand made vase and a bouquet of flowers. A Club spokesman said: "In nine years of service with the group, Margaret has been valuable especially on group outings."
As a volunteer driver Margaret has cared for two or three clients by transporting them safely. She has also trained as a Casual Day Centre organiser and looked after the group during staff holidays and sickness.
The Housebound Club would like to hear from anyone who can help transport clients on outings. Age Concern pays for mileage and expenses. Contact Pam Cooper, Age Concern Day Centre Organiser on 0116 2302078.

Sileby and Rothley both have very good Tennis Clubs which need new members. As Mountsorrel does not have any facilities for playing tennis in the Village. You could ring either Rothley or Sileby Tennis Club if you fancy playing.

Mountsorrel Meadows
A Nature Reserve Under Development

The Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust recently purchased this site with the intention of developing it into a new nature reserve. This reserve will be known as Mountsorrel Meadows and will include areas of wet woodland, wet grassland and wader scrapes. The reserve will form part of a network of reserves along the Soar Valley, including Cossington Meadows and Wanlip Meadows.

The wet woodland will be developed in the areas shaded green on the map below. This will be created by using a combination of natural regeneration, willow stick planting (cut sections of willow if pushed into the ground will often take root and develop into new trees) and a small amount of planting. Over time the woodland will develop into a mixture of willow varieties and alders.

The wet grassland will be developed in the area shaded yellow on the map below. This area will be grazed by cattle to maintain a mixture of grass heights and to encourage the natural regeneration of native floodplain plants. Over time this area will become a haven for wetland birds and other species. We are hoping to attract wading birds to this area in particular.

In order to encourage wildlife a number of wader scrapes will be dug within the field. The expected locations are shaded blue on the map below. A viewing platform will be created to enable visitors to observe the wildlife. This raised platform will give views over the wet grassland whilst ensuring that the birds will remain undisturbed. For this reason it is important that visitors do not enter the wet grassland.

Please note that the path across the southern end of the reserve (between the underpass near Rowe Leys Furlong and Sileby) is not a public right of way. It has been created by people taking a short cut across this field. The Wildlife Trust is happy for this path to remain in use and it is our intention for it to be upgraded in the future to make it more accessible. We are in consultation with Leicestershire County Council on this matter but due to landownership issues at either end of the path this may take some time to resolve. We would therefore ask visitors to be patient.

In the past the fencing and gates have been vandalised which has allowed people to take motorbikes onto the site. However now that this area is being developed as a nature reserve this type of activity is no longer appropriate. The Trust has been in discussion with Leicestershire Police and we would encourage visitors to report any such activities to them. Cyclists are welcome to continue to use the path to cross the field via the kissing gates provided.

The Wildlife Trust would like to ask visitors to appreciate that nature reserves are very different to parks or recreation areas. The primary purpose of this new nature reserve will be to provide a protected area where wildlife can flourish and where people can enjoy and appreciate this natural haven without causing disturbance to the wildlife. As a result we hope that visitors will give the wildlife greater respect and minimise the disturbance they cause, such as keeping dogs on leads during the bird breeding season. The Trust intends to continue to improve access for visitors within the site.

The development stage of this project will take a number of years to complete. However, it is hoped that the majority of the large engineering works will be completed by the end of 2007. As a result we would ask visitors to bear with us and to observe any safety notices erected by contractors.

The purchase of this nature reserve and its development has been made possible due to the support of the following funders:

The Peter De Haan Charitable Trust