Leicester’s renowned programme of festivals and events is to be boosted with an additional £105,000 of council funding. City Mayor Peter Soulsby has approved the permanent increase to the festivals budget, which will allow more community-led events to receive grant-funding from the council, while supporting popular events such as the Abbey Park Bonfire and the Eid celebrations on Victoria Park. The new funding includes an extra £65,000 for the festivals and events grants prog

Family friendly Diwali day celebrations are set to return to Leicester’s Cossington Recreation Ground on Sunday 8 November. Leicester City Council has announced plans for community dance, music and cultural celebrations to once again take place on stage in the park, which will also host food vendors, arts and crafts stalls and a children’s funfair. Pictures by Craig Thorpe Leicester Media Last year’s Diwali celebrations were scaled back due to safety concerns raised by the lo