Search Results

Leicester Park & Ride is running extra services throughout December – which means you can catch a Park & Ride bus into the city centre every day in December, apart from on Christmas Day. The extra services will be running on all five Sundays in December. On those Sundays (December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29), buses will run every 15 minutes between 10am and 5.30pm from the three sites at Meynell’s Gorse, Enderby and Birstall. On top of the Sunday services, BID Leicester is funding extended Leicester Park & Ride services so that people can make the most of late-night Christmas shopping or enjoy a night out. Extended services will be running until 9pm every Monday-Saturday from December 9 to December 23, and the buses will run every half hour from 7pm until 9pm. BID Leicester is also funding an additional service on Boxing Day (Thursday 26 December) from 10am to 5.30pm. The core Park & Ride services are jointly funded by Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council. Cllr Adam Clarke, deputy city mayor for environment and transportation, said: “This year, we’ll be running a full park and ride service on all five Sundays in December. “Thanks to some generous sponsorship from BID Leicester, we’re also able to run an extended service in the evenings, with the last buses leaving the city centre at 9pm on some of the most popular shopping nights in December – and there will be a special service on Boxing Day too, for anyone who wants to get out and about over the Christmas period. “Using the park and ride service is a great way to help reduce the number of cars on our roads – but it’s also a very cost-effective way of getting to the city centre.” Travelling from the park and ride sites to Leicester city centre costs just £4 return for up to five passengers. Cllr Blake Pain, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for passenger transport, said: “Leicester Park & Ride services are the perfect way to travel into the city centre to make the most of the festive season. “I would encourage everyone planning trips into the city centre to leave their cars at one of our three Park & Ride sites and take the bus instead.” There will be no Park & Ride services on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and the normal timetable resumes on Thursday 2 January. All three of the Park & Ride sites have free parking for customers, including disabled spaces and parent & child parking. Free WiFi is available on all buses. The timetable for Park & Ride services in December is available here Details of all the events taking place in Leicester this Christmas are available here The Wheel of Light. Jubilee Square Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Leicester’s Christmas lights from our 110-ft Ferris wheel. Daily (closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) until 6 January. Standard ticket £5; children under 1.4m £4; family ticket £15. 11am-9pm Mon-Thurs; 11am-11pm Fri-Sat; 12noon-9pm Sun. Traditional nativity scene and Woodland Tales. Town Hall Square See the story of Christmas and an animated tableau scene under the festive lights in Leicester’s historic Town Hall Square Funfair. Humberstone Gate Family-friendly fairground rides in the heart of the city centre until 6 January 30 November-1 December: Christmas Fair. The Guildhall. Arts, crafts, gift ideas and locally-sourced food and drink. Admission £1 adults; children free. 11am-4pm From 5 December: Christmas Ice Rink. Jubilee Square Skate on our spectacular real ice rink, whatever the weather! Tickets from christmasinleicester.co.uk, Visit Leicester on Gallowtree Gate and the Jubilee Square box office. £10/£8.50 (£9/£7.50 at off-peak times). Skate for a fiver on our preview days (5-6 December) From 10am daily (11am on Mondays to Fridays until 20 December) until 5 January. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. From 7 December: Santa in the Square. New Market Square Visit Santa in his snow-covered grotto, every day until 22 December. Free admission – and free small gift for every child. Monday-Friday: 11am-6pm; Saturday: 11am-6pm; Sunday: 11am-4pm From 12 December: LightWeight. New Market Square Strike a pose at LightWeight, a giant shimmering globe featuring live animation, every day until 21 December. Presented by BidLeicester. 5pm-10pm Now open: The Jägerhaus. St Peter’s Square, Highcross Enjoy the finest festive food and drink at Leicester’s German-themed outside bar. Open daily from 10am-9pm until 28 December Christmas gift ideas at Visit Leicester on Gallowtree Gate: Book your tickets for Leicester’s real ice rink. Choose from a wide range of Leicester-themed gifts, including gorgeous hand-painted baubles and Christmas cards.

Thousands of people will attend Leicester’s annual Remembrance service at Victoria Park on Sunday 10 November 2019 to pay their respects to the nation’s fallen servicemen and women. A parade made up of members of the armed forces, veterans and cadets will step off from De Montfort Hall, along Centenary Walk to the Arch of Remembrance at around 10.35am, arriving at the Memorial shortly before the service commences at 10.55am. Members of the public are asked to be in place by 10.30am to witness the parade and show their support to the men and women of the armed forces and veteran organisations. The Service will be led by Right Reverend Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester and will include two-minutes silence at 11am which will be marked with maroons at the beginning and end of the silence. Official wreaths will be laid by Mike Kapur OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, and Councillor Annette Byrne, Lord Mayor of Leicester, together with representatives from local emergency services, military units and faith representatives. There will be an opportunity for members of the public to lay wreaths at the end of the ceremony. Parents and pet owners are advised that the maroons used during the ceremony are loud and may cause distress. Pictures by Leicester Media © 2018 Watch our video from last years event on YouTube https://youtu.be/oLZt29hVgpw Car parking and travel Our Granville Road car park will not be in use on the day, but a very limited number of spaces for disabled and blue badge holders will be available at the top end of the car park. These must be booked in advance by sending us an email or calling 0116 454 0020. Road closures will be in operation from 9.30am on both Granville Road and Regent Road. Affected roads should re-open following at approximately 12.15pm.

People travelling into the city centre on Thursday for the switch on of Leicester’s Christmas lights are reminded that there’s a late-night Park & Ride service this year. Operating from Birstall, Enderby and Meynell’s Gorse, the services will run every 15 minutes on Thursday (21 November), with the last buses leaving the city centre at 9pm. Tickets are just £4 for the return bus journey to the city centre for a car-full of people – that’s up to five people per car. Last years Video by Leicester Media Parking is free, and free WiFi is available on all buses. Cllr Adam Clarke, deputy city mayor for environment and transportation, said: “Using the Park & Ride service is a very cost-effective way of getting the whole family or a group of friends to the city centre, but it also helps reduce the number of cars on our roads. “We’ve got lots going on in Leicester city centre on Thursday and, thanks to the special late-night Park & Ride services, you won’t miss a thing. “Leave the car out of town, and let the bus take you straight to the heart of the city centre where you’ll be able to enjoy a ride on the big wheel, a free outdoor screening of Elf, some fantastic street food and – of course – the big switch-on itself.” The Birstall, Enderby and Meynell’s Gorse services are jointly run by Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council. Extended Park & Ride services will also be operating in the run-up to Christmas - and there will be a special service on Boxing Day from all three sites. In addition, there will be a Park & Ride service on every Sunday in December. More information is available on the Leicester Park & Ride website A summary of events taking place in Leicester on Thursday 21 November is set out below: 21 November: Christmas Lights switch-on: Sponsored by Octopus Energy. Humberstone Gate and the Clock Tower Enjoy entertainment from the Platforms, 4th Avenue, Gareth John and a special performance by Blue’s Antony Costa on the main stage on Humberstone Gate. 5pm-8pm (Lights on at 6.30pm) 21 November: Christmas Canteen. New Market Square Enjoy tasty food and drink from some top local businesses. Bar available. 12 noon – 10.30pm (Christmas carols at 6.30pm) 21 November: Elf. New Market Square Enjoy a free outdoor screening of our favourite Christmas film, suitable for all the family. 4.30pm From 21 November: Traditional nativity scene and Woodland Tales. Town Hall Square. See the story of Christmas and an animated tableau scene under the festive lights in Leicester’s historic Town Hall Square 21 November: Winter Galactical. St Peter’s Square, Highcross. Join Titan the Robot, Boogie Storm and the HighHeeled Spaceships in St Peter’s Square for some intergalactic fun 5pm-8pm Visit Leicester. Gallowtree Gate. Open until 8pm on Thursday (21 November). Pop in and make switch-on night savings on our beautiful hand-painted glass baubles. Leicester Christmas Skyline baubles are just £10 on 21 November (normal price £15). Now open: The Wheel of Light. Jubilee Square. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Leicester’s Christmas lights from our 110-ft Ferris wheel. Daily (closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) until 6 January. Family ticket £15 (4 people); adults £5; concessions £4. 11am-9pm Mon-Thurs; 11am-11pm Fri-Sat; 12noon-9pm Sun. More information about what’s on in Leicester this Christmas is available at christmasinleicester.co.uk

Leicestershire Police are calling for people to ‘get tough’ on drink drug drivers as they launch their month long winter campaign which will run throughout December. This campaign was launched this morning during a FATAL4 operation on St George’s Retail Park. Watch our news report In December 2018, Leicestershire Police officers made 122 drink and 33 drug drive arrests, this was 56% more than December 2017 which saw 78 drink and 21 drug drivers detained at the roadside. Just over half of December 2018 arrests were made in Leicester City (75) along with significant numbers in Charnwood (24), North West Leicestershire (16) and Hinckley and Bosworth (16). In addition, 39 of the total arrests were made following a road traffic collision and 37 were younger drivers, aged 25 or under. Chief Superintendent Martyn Ball, who is heading up the local drink drug drive campaign, said, “Driving while impaired, whether through drink or drugs, devastates lives. Sadly, each year drink and drugs are a contributory factor in death and serious injury on the UK’s roads. “Improved detection methods, and a change in the law, introduced four years ago have seen a rise on the number of drug drive arrests, a total of 173 people were arrested for drug driving in 2018 compared to 23 in 2015.” “Drivers should be aware that we patrol 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to challenge drink drug drivers and bring them before the courts.” If you see someone who appears to be a drink or drug driverenter a vehicle to drive away, make a note of the registration plate and the direction of travel and call your local police on 101 or make a make a free and anonymous call to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111. #SafeRoadsLeics #LeicsPolice

The Lights are going up and the giant tree is in place at Leicester’s Clock Tower – and that can only mean one thing: the countdown to Christmas is well under way. With just two weeks to go before the Christmas lights are switched on, the city council and its partners are busy putting the finishing touches to Leicester’s packed programme of attractions and events. Amongst this year’s highlights are a spectacular real ice rink in Jubilee Square and the chance to meet Santa – free of charge – in his traditionally-decorated grotto in the new market square. There’s also a festive street food event to look forward to, a two-day Christmas fair in the city’s medieval Guildhall, and the opportunity to see Leicester’s twinkling Christmas lights from the top of a 110ft big wheel. And for those who love a good festive film, there’s a special treat this year as Leicester’s new market square hosts a free outdoor screening of the Christmas classic, City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Our Christmas programme should provide plenty of opportunities for families and friends to have fun together in Leicester city centre. “The real ice rink is back again, but this time there will be a new outdoor section for skaters to enjoy – so it’s bigger and better for 2019. “I hope that people will enjoy everything the city has to offer this Christmas, whether they’re skating on ice, shopping for gifts, having a meal, watching a show or simply enjoying Leicester’s fabulous Christmas lights.” The city council has spent an extra £50,000 this year replacing worn-out fixtures and fittings and updating the city’s stock of lights and decorations. The additional funding means there are brand new decorations for Silver Street, High Street and Cank Street this year. In total, around 20 city centre streets will be lit up for Christmas. All the decorations, including thousands of twinkling pea-lights on the Clock Tower Christmas tree, will be lit up at the big switch-on on Thursday 21 November. Both the tree and the switch-on event have been sponsored by Octopus Energy While Humberstone Gate will be the focus for the big switch-on, there will also be brass bands in Town Hall Square from 5pm, where visitors will be able to see a traditional nativity scene and an animated display of Woodland Tales. A special Christmas Canteen will open in the new market square at 12 noon, with a bar area and lots of tasty street food, while film fans will be able to enjoy a free outdoor screening of Elf at 4.30pm. Over on Humberstone Gate, a packed programme of entertainment will get under way at 5pm. BBC Radio Leicester’s Jimmy and Summaya will host the event, which will feature a performance by the Studio 79 dance group and music from 4th Avenue, Gareth John and The Platforms. There will also be a song from Antony Costa – the singer from Blue who will be appearing as Abanazar in De Montfort Hall’s Christmas pantomime, Aladdin – and he will be joined on the Humberstone Gate stage by BBC Radio Leicester’s Martin Ballard, who plays Widow Twankey in the panto that opens on 14 December. The panto stars will join the Lord Mayor of Leicester Cllr Annette Byrne for the big switch-on at 6.30pm. Deputy city mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair said: “We hope that there will be something for everyone to enjoy in our packed programme of Christmas events. “From ice skating to Christmas crafts, there will be plenty of family-friendly activities taking place in Leicester this Christmas.” Full details of all the events taking place in Leicester this Christmas can be found at christmasinleicester.co.uk. A summary of Leicester’s Christmas events is set out below: From 15 November: The Wheel of Light. Jubilee Square Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Leicester’s Christmas lights from our 110-ft ferris wheel. Daily (closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) until 6 January. 11am-9pm Mon-Thurs; 11am-11pm Fri-Sat; 12noon-9pm Sun. 21 November: Christmas Lights switch-on: Sponsored by Octopus Energy Humberstone Gate and the Clock Tower Enjoy entertainment from the Platforms, 4thAvenue, Gareth John and a special performance by Blue’s Antony Costa on the main stage on Humberstone Gate. 5pm-8pm (Lights on at 6.30pm) 21 November: Christmas Canteen. New Market Square Enjoy tasty food and drink from some top local businesses. Bar available. 12 noon – 10.30pm (Christmas carols at 6.30pm) 21 November: Elf. New Market Square Enjoy a free outdoor screening of our favourite Christmas film, suitable for all the family. 4.30pm From 21 November: Traditional nativity scene and Woodland Tales. Town Hall Square See the story of Christmas and an animated tableau scene under the festive lights in Leicester’s historic Town Hall Square 21 November: Winter Galactical. St Peter’s Square, Highcross. Join Titan the Robot and the HighHeeled Spaceships in St Peter’s Square for some intergalactic fun 5pm-8pm From 22 November: Funfair. Humberstone Gate Family-friendly fairground rides in the heart of the city centre until 6 January 30 November-1 December: Christmas Fair. The Guildhall. Arts, crafts, gift ideas and locally-sourced food and drink. Admission £1 adults; children free. 11am-4pm From 5 December: Christmas Ice Rink. Jubilee Square Skate on our spectacular real ice rink, whatever the weather! Tickets from christmasinleicester.co.uk, Visit Leicester on Gallowtree Gate and the Jubilee Square box office. From 10am daily (11am on Mondays to Fridays until 20 December) until 5 January. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. From 7 December: Santa in the Square. New Market Square Visit Santa in his snow-covered grotto, every day until 22 December. Free admission – and free small gift for every child. Monday-Friday: 11am-6pm; Saturday: 11am-6pm; Sunday: 11am-4pm From 12 December: LightWeight. New Market Square Strike a pose at LightWeight, a giant shimmering globe featuring live animation, every day until 21 December. Presented by BidLeicester. 5pm-10pm Now open: The Jägerhaus. St Peter’s Square, Highcross Enjoy the finest festive food and drink at Leicester’s German-themed outside bar. Open daily from 10am-9pm until 28 December Christmas gift ideas at Visit Leicester on Gallowtree Gate: Book your tickets for Leicester’s real ice rink. Choose from a wide range of Leicester-themed gifts, including gorgeous hand-painted baubles and Christmas cards. Christmas shows in Leicester include: 23 November – 11 January: West Side Story. Curve28 November: The Nutcracker. Haymarket Theatre9-31 December: Giraffes Can’t Dance. Curve12 December: Sleeping Beauty. The Y Theatre13 December – 5 January: Robin Hood. Little Theatre14 December – 5 January: Aladdin. De Montfort Hall14 December: The Wizard of Oz. The Y Theatre17 December: Christmas Cabaret. The Y Theatre21 December: Jack’s Giant Adventure. The Y Theatre source : Leicester City

The life and times of Leicester hero and Suffragette Alice Hawkins will be the subject of a talk at a Leicester Children’s Holidays charity fund-raiser. VIP speaker Peter Barratt, Alice’s great-grandson, is the guest and will help mark the 100th anniversary of the Suffragette movement. He will speak about Alice (pictured) at the ‘FAB for Christmas’ lunch at the Taste Restaurant on Leicester College’s Freeman’s Park campus LE2 7LW on Wednesday November 6 from 11am to 3pm. The tickets are £25 and available from the charity office on 0116 251 9863 or on the charity’s website. Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fab-for-christmas-tickets-75474868363 (please note if buying tickets online the total price will be £26.64 due to admin fees). Charity staff plan to dress up in traditional costume too. A 7ft bronze statue of Alice Hawkins was unveiled in Leicester’s market square last summer. In 1907 Alice joined a Suffragette meeting in London on the day of the state opening of Parliament. She was arrested for disorderly conduct outside the House of Commons and spent 14 days in Holloway Prison with 28 other women. Leicester Children's Holidays is one of the city's oldest charities and has sent 60,000 children from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland on free trips. The respite breaks are for children aged 8 to 11 who may face difficult circumstances at home.

Performer shooting million-volt bolts of lightning from his body will be part of a breath-taking live show at this year’s Abbey Park Fireworks Display. The Lords of Lightning will see a death-defying performer clad head to foot in chainmail manipulating crackling bolts of white-hot electricity in the stunning live show. The high-voltage Frequency Rider show will see a performer on a podium, controlling music frequencies via a Tesla coil – a type of electrical transformer circuit – to create a choreographed live display harnessing light and sounds accompanied by a high intensity soundtrack. It is the first time the company has appeared live at the event, which is the city’s biggest and best family-friendly fireworks and bonfire show. Abbey Park Bonfire and Firework Display takes place on Saturday, November 2. The timetable for the event includes: 5pm Gates open, with last admission at 7.30pm 6pm Live music from Groove and the Bathtub Pings 6.35pm Lords of Lightning show 6.45pm Children’s fireworks display, followed by lighting the bonfire 7pm Live music from Groove and the Bathtub Pings 7.40pm Performer shooting million-volt bolts of lightning from his body will be part of a breath-taking live show at this year’s Abbey Park Fireworks Display. The Lords of Lightning will see a death-defying performer clad head to foot in chainmail manipulating crackling bolts of white-hot electricity in the stunning live show. The high-voltage Frequency Rider show will see a performer on a podium, controlling music frequencies via a Tesla coil – a type of electrical transformer circuit – to create a choreographed live display harnessing light and sounds accompanied by a high intensity soundtrack. It is the first time the company has appeared live at the event, which is the city’s biggest and best family-friendly fireworks and bonfire show. Leicester deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “The Lords of Lightning show is a fantastic addition to this year’s Abbey Park Bonfire and Firework Display, and is something completely new for the event. “It is part of a programme of family-friendly activities and attractions taking place throughout the evening, which really does promise something for everyone.” Advance tickets are now available for the event, offering up to 40 percent discount on the prices at the gate. They are available from the De Montfort Hall website or by calling the box office on 0116 233 3111. The deadline to buy tickets online is Wednesday, October 30. Tickets will only be available after this time in person. Tickets are also available at the Visit Leicester shop on Gallowtree Gate in the city centre. Advance tickets cost £6 for adults, £4 for under 16s and other concessions, while family tickets for up to two adults and two children cost £16. Children under four get in for free. Tickets on the gate cost £8 for adults, and £5.50 for under 16s and other concessions. No family tickets will available for sale on the gate. There is no car parking in Abbey Park, Abbey Park Road, St Margaret’s Pastures car park or the surrounding areas during the event, and visitors are encouraged to use public transport, walk or cycle to the event, using the bike parks on site. Abbey Park is a short walk from the city centre car parks. More information on public transport is available from Travel Line on 0871 200 2233. Further information about the event is available at www.visitleicester.info For advice on cycling and walking route plus car shares, visit www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk entertainment from BBC Radio Leicester’s Jimmy and Summaya 7.50pm Lords of Lightning show 8pm Main fireworks display 8.25pm Live music from Groove and the Bathtub Pings 9pm Event ends Leicester deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “The Lords of Lightning show is a fantastic addition to this year’s Abbey Park Bonfire and Firework Display, and is something completely new for the event. “It is part of a programme of family-friendly activities and attractions taking place throughout the evening, which really does promise something for everyone.” Advance tickets are now available for the event, offering up to 40 percent discount on the prices at the gate. They are available from the De Montfort Hall website or by calling the box office on 0116 233 3111. The deadline to buy tickets online is Wednesday, October 30. Tickets will only be available after this time in person. Tickets are also available at the Visit Leicester shop on Gallowtree Gate in the city centre. There is no car parking in Abbey Park, Abbey Park Road, St Margaret’s Pastures car park or the surrounding areas during the event, and visitors are encouraged to use public transport, walk or cycle to the event, using the bike parks on site. Abbey Park is a short walk from the city centre car parks. More information on public transport is available from Travel Line on 0871 200 2233. Further information about the event is available at www.visitleicester.info For advice on cycling and walking route plus car shares, visit www.choosehowyoumove.co.ukStage entertainment from BBC Radio Leicester’s Jimmy and Summaya 7.50pm Lords of Lightning show 8pm Main fireworks display 8.25pm Live music from Groove and the Bathtub Pings 9pm Event ends Leicester deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “The Lords of Lightning show is a fantastic addition to this year’s Abbey Park Bonfire and Firework Display, and is something completely new for the event.

Leicester’s famous Diwali lights will be lighting up the city’s Golden Mile from Sunday October 13 this year, heralding the start of two weeks of festivities. The Wheel of Light, Diwali Village and a spectacular aerial firework display will all make a welcome return to the switch-on event, which is expected to draw crowds of around 40,000 people from all over the UK and beyond. Leicester’s deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport,Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “Our world-famous Diwali celebrations are a Leicester tradition, bringing together our diverse communities to celebrate the Festival of Light. “As well as the Diwali Village, Wheel of Light and fireworks displays on both Diwali Day and for the lights switch-on, there will be lots of themed activities and events taking place throughout the city during the two weeks leading up to Diwali Day on October 27. “We welcome everyone to join in and enjoy the magic of the Festival of Light at one of the largest Diwali celebrationsoutside of India.” On October 13, the celebrations begin at 3pm with the opening of the Diwali village on Cossington Street Recreation Ground. Open until 9pm, the Diwali village will include a full stage programme showcasing local talent, as well as children’s funfair rides and food stalls. To give light and warmth to everyone who comes to the park, a three metre-tall, moon-shaped fire installation, called The Fireball, will burn brightly from twilight for the duration of the event. The stage programme on Belgrave Road will begin at 5.30pm and will include a vibrant programme of music and dance presented by the Leicester Hindu Festival Council and Leicester City Council, supported by Curve theatre and compered by Leicester Hindu Festival Council and BBC Radio Leicester. Highlights include a colourful review of Curve’s recent community production of ‘Bollywood Jane’, inspired by the classic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. There will also be a performance from award-winning musician Navin Kundra. Leicester’s famous display of 6,000 Diwali lights will be switched on at 7.30pm, followed by a spectacular firework display, which can be viewed from Belgrave Road. The area will also host roaming street artists, including a giant puppet parade from 5.30-6.30pm. And visitors will be able to pop in to the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre from 4pm to see the annual Mela Rangoli exhibition, with its mixture of modern and traditional Rangoli styles. Other events taking place as part of the festival include the Diwali Mela Bazaar on Humberstone Gate on Saturday October 19, which will offer arts and crafts, tantalising Indian cuisine and live entertainment. A pop-up shop in the Highcross, from 15-18 October, will offer Diwali-themed activities from Leicester’s arts, museums and festivals staff, while a family day at Curve on October 19 will include storytelling, mendhi hand decorating, Rangoli art and an exhibition of traditional Indian dance and costume. Belgrave Road will be the focus once again for Leicester’s Diwali Day celebrations on Sunday October 27, when the Diwali village will return to Cossington Street Recreation Ground from 3pm, along with entertainment on stage from 6pm. Fireworks will round off the celebrations, with an aerial display created and choreographed by local company Bright Spark Fireworks, producing layers of spectacular colour and sound, exploding hundreds of feet above the Belgrave Road. The Wheel of Light, a 110-foot Ferris wheel which provides a glittering centrepiece to the festivities, will be on Belgrave Road from Friday October 11 to Sunday November 10. A full programme of events is available at visitleicester.info

• Get a taste for life in the Army by speaking to career advisors and serving soldiers at events happening across Leicestershire next week• Experience what it’s like to be in the British Army using virtual reality technology • Beat the Army Chefs omelette challenge, and test your speed and agility with our Army Batak machine and climbing wall • Friday 27 September – Gateway College – 9-3pm • Saturday 28 September - Jubilee Square 9-4pm British Army recruitment events are taking place across colleges in Leicestershire and in the city centre next week (Monday 23 to Saturday 28 September) to help students and locals find out more about what a career in the British Army is like. Local soldiers and career advisors will be available to answer any questions about the breadth of roles available in the Army as a Regular or Reservist as well as share information about what it’s like to be in the Army. In addition to careers advisors from Leicester Armed Forces Career Office, serving soldiers from The Medical Corps, The Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), The Royal Artillery Corps, The Royal Anglian Regiment, The Royal Yeomanry, The Coldstream Guards, The AdjutantGeneral Corps and The Royal Signals. They will be available throughout the events to speak to students at the colleges and visitors in the city centre. The events will showcase a wide range of the latest Army kit and equipment, including virtual reality technology so that visitors can experience jumping out of a plane or driving a Challenger 2 tank. Visitors can test their speed and agility on the Army Batak machineand take on the Army Chefs omelette challenge (how fast can you cook an omelette?). Army PTIs will be on site at the colleges to run Army Command Tasks and other physical activities. The RLC’s EOD are bringing their Dragon Runner which is a military robot built for urban combat. Stuart Jackson, Lead Recruiter for Leicester Armed Forces Careers Office, said: “We’re looking forward to running multiple events across Leicestershire next week and speaking to students at the colleges and locals at the city centre event about what opportunities are available in the British Army and what Army life is like. We’d welcome anyone interested in finding out about the breadth of roles available in the Army – as a Regular or Reservist – to come and speak to our career advisors and put their questions to serving soldiers.” Staff Sgt Susan Jarvis, Adjutant General Corps, (SPS) said: “We want students to come and interact with our displays on campus to find out how they can challenge themselves with an exciting career in the British Army.” “Students can have the opportunity to meet soldiers and ask any questions they have about Army life and a career in the Army. We’re recruiting for lots of different types of jobs from Leicestershire, including everything from drivers to engineers, to chefs and infantry soldiers.” The British Army supports people in achieving their personal and professional goals, whether it’s conquering a pull up or taking on a leadership role. The Army is recruiting and there is a breadth of roles and opportunities available in both the Regular Army and Army Reserve, from helicopter pilot to nurse, from engineer to IT specialist. You can go sky diving or skiing abroad as part of adventure training and gain further qualifications such as an apprenticeship or a degree. As part of life in the British Army, lifelong friendship bonds are formed and incredible challenges are overcome to achieve worthwhile results, for example saving lives by providing assistance on humanitarian or peacekeeping missions at home or abroad. Did you know, with a career in the Army: - You receive an annual salary of £20,000 after training (over £15,000 during training) plus pension as a Soldier and over £31,000 after training plus pension as an Officer (available to those after completing their A Levels or later as a graduate). You receive 30 days annual holiday on top of all the usual bank holidays, and extra time off when you deploy on operations. You have opportunities to travel overseas for operations, adventurous training, sport and peacekeeping from training in Kenya to supporting the UN in Cyprus or from sky-diving in Florida to mountaineering in the Himalayas. You have access to free gym and sports facilities, with world class fitness and nutritional advice. You gain skills and qualifications that are transferable to life after the Army. Any medical procedures or dental work that you require is paid for by the Army and is carried out by fully qualified Army personnel or private practices where necessary. You have a clear promotion structure to follow. Each successive rank brings extra responsibilities, duties and respect, and an increase in pay.- As a Soldier you will be o trained as an apprentice, relating to your role, with a choice of 40 different schemes, from engineering to animal care.o offered over 500 different qualifications, from GCSE to degrees, including all kinds of professional and practical qualifications in areas such as chartered engineering and accountancy that will build up your CV. To find out further information about joining the Army Reserves or Regular Army visit your local Army Careers Centre, where one of our careers advisors will be happy to answer any questions about joining or search ‘Army Jobs’: http://www.apply.army.mod.uk

A week on from the alleged murder of 21-year-old Mohammed Jibreel, officers have been handing out leaflets in the area where the incident happened. Police were in Taylor Road, Leicester, and the surrounding area this afternoon (Saturday) speaking with people in the community, appealing for information and providing reassurance. Officers were also on local buses handing leaflets to passengers after enquiries have shown a bus in the area around the time of the incident last week. Mohammed Jibreel was found injured in the area of Taylor Road and Kashmir Road in St Matthews, Leicester, at around 3pm last Saturday (21 September). He had suffered a stab wound and was taken to hospital where he died during the early hours of Sunday morning. A murder investigation was launched and enquiries have been ongoing throughout the past week to find those responsible. This has included speaking to witnesses, extensive CCTV analysis and public appeals for information. The leaflets handed out today show two images of Mohammed and ask for anyone with any information to make contact. This includes appealing to anyone who was in the area last Saturday afternoon as well as anyone who witnessed the incident or saw a group of people running away at around the time of the incident. It states: “Any information you can provide, no matter how small, could help us.” The appeal is written in English, Arabic, Gujarati and Somali. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Tony Yarwood said: “We have been carrying out numerous enquiries across the past week including a number of public appeals for witnesses. “By having officers in the area this afternoon, we hope to continue with our gathering of information while speaking to people in the community following the past week. “Enquiries have shown a bus in the area at the time, and so with the co-operation of the bus company, we have also had officers engaging with bus passengers in the area today. “We continue to ask anyone who was in the area at the time and who has any information to make contact with us. Did you witness the incident or did you see people running in the area? “Were you on a bus in the area last week? Do you have any images or footage from the area which could assist our enquiries?” “I would like to thank everyone who has spoken with our officers this afternoon and helped us with our enquiries as well as the bus company for their full co-operation with us.” Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 372 of 21 September. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or complete a form online using the portal https://mipp.police.uk Ali Mohamed, 19, of Pembroke Street, Leicester, has been charged with the murder of Mohammed Jibreel and remanded in police custody. A 17-year-old man, of Leicester, arrested on suspicion of murder has been released under investigation. A 19-year-old man, of Leicester, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender as part of the investigation currently remains in police custody being questioned by detectives.

The founder of a Leicestershire horse discovery centre which helps people who struggle with anxiety and stress is delighted to have been shortlisted for two East Midlands business awards. Dina Shale, 48, who lives in Hinckley, runs The Way of the Horse which uses horses for therapy sessions. She has been shortlisted for an East Midlands Women’s Award 2019 in the category Outstanding Woman with Community Impact. Her other shortlisted award is for community excellence for the East Midlands Nachural awards run by business leader and event manager Ninder Dina also advises at Rescue Ranch UK on the same site in Lutterworth, a charity at which her husband Derek is the chairman. It takes in horses and ponies who are abandoned or neglected. The animals are nursed back to health and given a new life, a process which can take months. They are then available to be re-homed, sponsored or work with clients for the therapy programs. Dina set up The Way of the Horse Discovery Centre four and a half years ago and it is based on an 11-acre site. There are currently 11 horses on site. It is a not-for-profit organisation at which she and her team have developed self-help programs for children and adults who have suffered emotional hardship, such as anxiety, trauma and stress, all with the assistance of rescue horses. She said: “A number of clients and former clients nominated me for the women’s award which is amazing as it shows how much we have done for them and how they appreciate the programme. it means a lot. It has been challenging to run these ventures. Even though we work with small groups, we have a big impact on their lives. It is so good to see the effect the therapy has on their outlook on life.” Dina said she was overwhelmed by the generosity of an anonymous donor who recently offered cash support to one of her clients, a girl from Leicester aged 11. The girl, who is not attending school, had her funding to attend The Way of the Horse sessions cut by the education authority. Dina said: “Companies had started to respond to my appeal and then one businessperson who wished to remain anonymous kindly stumped up the money for this girl to continue to come to my centre. She responds to the horses she looks after and this will make an enormous difference to her life.” The presentation night for the Nachural awards is on Friday, September 27 at Leicester’s Maher Centre in Ravensbridge Drive. The East Midlands Women’s award gala night is on Friday, October 11 at Colwick Hall Hotel in Nottingham. For more news on the progress of the charity, or to support the cause, visit the Rescue Ranch UK Facebook account here or Instagram here

Wigston based charity Community Action Partnership provides community transport for the people of Blaby, Oadby and Wigston. Using a combination of volunteers’ vehicles and its own vehicle it delivers around 15,000 passenger journeys a year. In June Community Action Partnership acquired a new Ford Transit minibus, which can carry nine passengers and one wheelchair user, to enhance its services. Signage was expertly added by local company Wigston Signs & Graphics and funded by the Rotary Club of Wigston. A Club representative said that Community Action Partnership provided an important service to those who may have difficulty in accessing public transport and the Club waspleased to support its work. Enquirers about Community Action Partnership’s services, volunteering or supporting its work should telephone 0116 2887482 or visit its website www.communityactionpartnership.org.uk.