Join Glenfield Parish Council for an afternoon of family fun at Picnic in the Park! 17 Sunday 23rd August 2026 • 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm 9 Ellis Park, Stamford Street, Glenfield, LE3 8DL Pack your picnic, relax in the park and enjoy a fantastic afternoon with: Live entertainment A variety of stalls Food and refreshments available Fun for all the family Free to attend! Save the date and invite your friends and family we look forward to seeing you there! Facebook Event page

Leicestershire County Council have announced that LockChip trials will be taking place over this weekend. A6 Quorn/Mountsorrel Bypass overnight roadworks this weekend If you're travelling on the A6 this weekend, you may notice teams on site overnight and we wanted to let you know why. This work is not a repair to the recent surface dressing scheme. Instead, it's part of a countywide LockChip trial, which is being tested on different types of roads across Leicestershire. As one of our busiest roads, part of the A6 has been included to help us understand how the treatment performs on a major route and whether it could be used more widely in future. To keep disruption to a minimum, the work will be carried out overnight, with road closures in place from 8pm to 6am. The LockChip resurfacing trial will take place on the northbound carriageway only. Road marking works will then be completed on the southbound carriageway the following night. • Saturday 25 July – Northbound A6, Leicester to Loughborough (including slip roads): LockChip treatment and new road markings. • Sunday 26 July – Southbound A6, Loughborough to Leicester (including slip roads): road markings only We're grateful for your understanding as we complete this. We also know the recent A6 surface dressing works were frustrating and we'd like to thank everyone for their patience. As you will know the hot, dry weather meant the new surface took longer than usual to settle, leading to more dust and loose chippings than we'd normally expect.

Brocks Hill Country Park, Oadby, has achieved the prestigious Green Flag Award, run by charity Keep Britain Tidy, for the 19th consecutive year. Owned and managed by Oadby & Wigston Borough Council (OWBC), Brocks Hill Country Park is made up of a range of habitats including woodlands, meadows and ponds as well as offering facilities including play areas and a café for visitors. Pictured (L-R) Volunteers Barry Edwards, Julia Cave and Malcolm Wilson, OWBC team member Gavin Greer, Mayor of Oadby & Wigston Cllr Carl Walter and OWBC team members Darren Henderson, Ian Foster, Eleanor Pratt and Ben Wilson. The judges’ comments praised the park for being ‘incredibly clean for such a large and busy site’, as well as for its good condition and feeling of safety. The park’s focus on biodiversity and habitat creation was also highlighted, with over 734 different species being recorded onsite, including several from the UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. OWBC’s Park Ranger and team are supported each week by a group of volunteers, who help to maintain the park. Mayor of Oadby & Wigston, Councillor Carl Walter, said: “I am delighted that Brocks Hill Country Park has once again been recognised with a Green Flag Award, and I would like to thank all of our staff and volunteers whose dedication makes it possible “High-quality parks like Brocks Hill are essential to health and wellbeing, offering residents a place to enjoy nature, be active and spend time outdoors, while also contributing to environmental sustainability. “Achieving this award for 19 consecutive years really demonstrates our continued commitment to investing in green spaces that enhance the quality of life for local people and support a greener future for our borough.” The Green Flag Award is judged against 27 criteria in total, which includes demonstrating that parks are a welcoming place, are well-maintained, and manage and conserve the natural landscape appropriately. 2,391 parks and green spaces amongst UK’s best in Green Flag Award’s 30th Anniversary year find out more link below. Oadby and Wigston Borough Council News - Published: Friday, 24 July 2026

The Love the Outdoors campaign is back this year, along with the return of the annual photo competition. Launched in 2021 as part of the Love the Outdoors in Charnwood campaign, the competition celebrates the borough’s stunning country parks, nature reserves and ancient woodlands. Cllr Anne Gray launching Love the Outdoors 2026 Residents are encouraged to grab their phones or cameras and snap their favourite green spaces or local wildlife in the borough. Cllr Anne Gray, the Council’s Lead Member for Open Spaces, said: “It is wonderful to launch the photo competition again this year. The entries get better every year, and it is great to see the borough through the eyes of our residents. “Charnwood has so many beautiful open spaces and this is a great opportunity to get outside and explore them. The photos always showcase the borough’s parks, green spaces and wildlife. I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s entries.” The categories are: Open category (age 16 and above) Young photographer (under 16s) Wonderful wildlife (open to all ages) The competition is also being supported by the council’s open spaces partner idverde and shopping vouchers will be up for grabs for the winner and two runners-up in each category. Winners will receive a £50 voucher, and a £25 voucher will be awarded to runners-up. A selection of photos will be shared across the council’s social media channels after the winners have been announced. Tony Jones, Contract Manager at idverde said: “We are excited to support the Love the Outdoors photo competition this year. “idverde is proud to work in partnership with the council to maintain a variety of its parks and woodlands. “There are so many beautiful spaces in the area for everyone to enjoy, choosing the winners will be a tough but enjoyable task.” How to enter: To enter, all you need to do is: Visit charnwood.gov.uk/photo Choose your category Complete your details Upload one photo Entries close at 5pm on Friday, 4 September 2026 and winners and runners-up will be contacted directly. The Love the Outdoors in Charnwood campaign, launched by the borough council, encourages people to explore the beautiful outdoor spaces available on their doorstep, enjoy being amongst nature and spend time outside in the fresh air. As part of the campaign, a series of short videos which showcase some of the stunning places people can visit across the borough can be viewed on the council’s website. They are also being shared across its social media channels. To find out more about the campaign, visit the Love the Outdoors webpage. Charnwood Borough Council News - Published: Fri 24th July, 2026

Officers are appealing for information after a 15-year-old girl was seriously injured following a collision in Catherine Street, Leicester, yesterday evening (Thursday). Police were called at 9.52pm to the area, near the junction with Rearsby Road, following the incident which involved an orange Suzuki Swift car and a black off-road motorbike. East Midlands Ambulance Service were also in attendance and the girl, who was a passenger on the motorbike, was taken to hospital where she currently remains with serious injuries. The driver of the car and the rider of the motorbike have not suffered injuries. An investigation remains ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the collision and officers are appealing to anyone with any information in relation to the incident to make contact. Were you in the area of Catherine Street and Rearsby Road late yesterday evening? Did you see either of the vehicles beforehand or did you witness the collision? Do you have any dashcam footage from the area which could assist our enquiries? If you have any information, please contact Leicestershire Police at www.leics.police.uk or on 101 quoting incident 26*437985. Leicestershire Police News - Published: 16:38 24/07/2026

The Leicester Food Festival 2026 takes place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th August at Abbey Park, offering a vibrant mix of food, drinks, live music, and family-friendly activities. The Leicester Food Festival is set to be one of the biggest culinary events of the year, returning to Abbey Park in Leicester for a weekend of food, entertainment, and fun for all ages. The festival is family-friendly, welcoming visitors of all ages, with only registered guide dogs permitted for safety reasons. Food and Drink Festival-goers can enjoy a wide variety of cuisines from local traders and street food vendors, including gourmet burgers, stonebaked pizza, jerk chicken, dumplings, mac & cheese, and artisan pastries. Drinks options include craft ales, cocktails, prosecco, cider, and specialty beverages like bubble tea and Malfy gin. Over 80 makers’ stalls showcase local products, giving visitors the chance to sample unique, handmade goods. Entertainment and Activities The festival features live music all weekend, with tribute bands and local performers providing non-stop entertainment. Additional attractions include a circus school, kids’ DJ workshops, graffiti art lessons, climbing walls, balloon disco, silent disco, and a giant haybale stack. Families can enjoy face painting, glitter workshops, sand skills, and the Stonehurst Farm Cuddle Corner with animals. Competitions like donut-eating challenges and LCFC penalty shootouts add extra excitement. Tickets are on sale now from www.leicesterfoodfestival.co.uk 8th & 9th AUGUST 2026 ABBEY PARK, LEICESTER For more information and tickets visit TICKETS & INFO Early Bird tickets will SELL OUT by this weekend– Sunday 26th July Tickets start from £6 for kids, £10 for adultsand under 5s go free Opening Times: Saturday 8th Aug: 11am – 10pm Sunday 9th Aug: 11am – 530pm Location: Abbey Park, Leicester Entrance: Charter Street Bridge

An investigation led by specialist officers into a collision which killed an 18-year-old girl and left three others injured has led to the driver being jailed for 10 years. Jack Reape was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court today (Friday 24 July) after pleading guilty in May to one count of causing death by driving while disqualified, one count of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and must sit an extended retest. On Friday 15 December 2023, the 31-year-old of Townley Road, Wakefield, was driving a Citroen C3 on the A426 Rugby Road in Cotesbach towards Coventry when he drove into the path on an oncoming car – resulting in a head-on collision. The front seat passenger, 18-year-old Chloe Pearson, sustained a serious head injury in the incident and died in hospital on Sunday 17 December. Chloe’s twin sister, Abigale Pearson, was a backseat passenger in the car and also suffered life threatening injuries, including internal bleeding and a fracture to her collarbone. Reape too suffered serious injuries and spent many weeks in hospital. There were also two other passengers in the car who sustained minor injuries. The two people in the car hit by Reape – a Mercedes CLK – both suffered serious life changing injuries which still affects their mobility. At the time of the collision Reape was disqualified from driving and held an expired provisional licence only. Abigale Pearson (left) and her sister Chloe Specialist investigation builds full picture From the outset, highly trained officers from the force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) were deployed to the scene. As part of the initial stages of the investigation, collision investigators undertook a detailed forensic examination of the road and vehicles, carefully documenting the scene and preserving key evidence. Using specialist techniques – including scene mapping, vehicle damage analysis and reconstruction, along with witness accounts, they were able to evidence that Reape had driven across the central line in the road and into the path of the oncoming vehicle and was therefore at fault for the collision. Detective Constable Charlotte Wright, the officer in the case from the SCIU, said: “This was a deeply tragic incident which has had a devastating and lasting impact on multiple people. “Reape should never have been behind the wheel. He was disqualified from driving and held only an expired provisional licence. “His actions resulted in the death of an 18-year-old woman who had her whole life ahead of her and left several others with serious injuries. “Abigale not only suffered physical injuries but has also had to endure the unimaginable loss of her twin sister. Our thoughts remain with her and the rest of the family. “This investigation has taken more than two and a half years to complete. Thanks to the work of specialist officers and the strength of evidence gathered, Reape pleaded guilty and spared those involved the added distress of a trial. “I hope this case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that dangerous driving can have. When you get behind the wheel, you carry a responsibility not only for your own safety, but for those travelling with you and also other road users.” Leicestershire Police News - Published: 15:32 24/07/2026

Save the date - the Oadby Food Festival is returning to The Parade on Saturday 29 August! Head down from 11am - 4pm to enjoy delicious food offerings from around the world and a day of entertainment. EAVA FM will be in attendance with local dance and music acts, as well as local community groups, free face painting and children's fairground entertainment.

The National Space Centre will open its doors after hours this August for a special Space Lates: Partial Solar Eclipse event, giving visitors the chance to witness one of the most spectacular astronomical events visible from the UK this century. Taking place on Wednesday 12 August 2026, the event will coincide with a partial solar eclipse in which the Moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun, with around 90% of the Sun expected to be covered. It will be the most significant eclipse visible from the UK until 2090. The evening will provide visitors with the opportunity to experience the eclipse alongside astronomers and National Space Centre science communicators, who will explain the science behind this rare event and guide guests through safe observation methods. Guests will receive complimentary eclipse glasses on arrival, while specialist telescopes will be available for viewing opportunities, weather permitting. A live-streamed eclipse feed will also be available should conditions prevent direct observation. Alongside the eclipse viewing, visitors will have access to a range of space experiences, including an award-winning planetarium show in the UK’s largest planetarium, interactive activities and selected galleries throughout the evening. The event is designed for all ages, offering an opportunity for families, astronomy enthusiasts and anyone curious about the universe to discover more about the forces that shape our solar system. Space Lates: Partial Solar Eclipse takes place on Wednesday 12 August 2026 at the National Space Centre. Tickets are available now from

The National Space Centre invites families to roar into an unforgettable holiday adventure as it celebrates its 25th birthday with a Roar and Explore Summer — a spectacular, summer-long programme combining space exploration, dinosaurs, and hands‑on science. Running until 6th September 2026, visitors can be among the very first to experience the Centre’s brand‑new Outer Solar System experience, alongside thrilling dinosaur encounters, immersive talks, and interactive activities for all ages. At the heart of this year’s celebration is the launch of a new Outer Solar System experience, taking visitors beyond the asteroid belt to explore icy moons, distant planets and the cutting-edge science shaping the future of space exploration. Guests can venture into a newly expanded gallery, visit comet 67P, create their own extremophile lifeform, and take part in an immersive journey through the far reaches of our Solar System. For a limited time, the Centre transforms as full‑size dinosaurs roam among the stars, thanks to a special collaboration with W5 in Belfast. Daily meet-and-greet sessions will give families the chance to encounter creatures such as a T‑Rex or Dilophosaurus, with expert handlers ensuring a safe and thrilling experience. The summer programme is packed with interactive science and live talks led by the Dinosaur Space Agency, including: R.O.A.R – The Dinosaur Space Agency: Exploring the threat of Near Earth Objects Dinostronomers: Discovering what the night sky looked like in the age of dinosaurs Life Finds a Way: Investigating how life survives in extreme environments Asteroid Impact Investigators: Examine evidence from the Chicxulub crater Younger visitors can get stuck in at the Fossil Discovery Zone, taking part in a hands‑on dig to uncover prehistoric treasures. Families can also start their day with special early morning screenings in the Roar and Explore Film Club: Jurassic Park — 2 August Dinosaur — 9 August The Land Before Time — 16 August With more to see and do than ever before, every ticket automatically upgrades to a FREE Annual Pass, allowing visitors to return again and again for a full year at no extra cost. Running until 6th September Brand new experience Dinosaurs meet space Hands-on science Free annual pass From space exploration to prehistoric encounters, Roar and Explore Summer promises a full day of discovery, excitement and family fun — all under one roof.

A series of workshops funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews are breaking down barriers and increasing take up of road safety education among women from minority communities. The initiative, funded via the Commissioner’s Community Action Fund (CAF), has been developed by Leicester-based non-profit organisation Live Cancer Free, which is dedicated to saving lives by helping people to make healthier lifestyle choices. The organisation developed a new programme designed to remove the hurdles that prevent some women engaging with road safety education such as language, literacy and confidence challenges. Ten road safety sessions have been held at Wesley Hall Community Centre in Leicester covering a range of topics from road crossing safety, road signs and signage, speed awareness, passenger safety and understanding the Highway Code. Practical simulations and real-life scenarios have enabled participants to apply learning to everyday situations and build confidence in their ability to stay safe on the roads. Alongside the sessions, a multilingual road safety booklet has been developed to reinforce key messages and provide an accessible resource that participants can refer to after the programme. The project was visited recently by Deputy PCC Neetu Squire where participants shared positive feedback about the project, with several explaining its role in building their confidence to apply for their driving theory test. Praising the initiative, Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “I’m impressed with the strong take up of this project and the glowing reports that have been shared by participants. “The programme has been designed in such a way to benefit the wider community, with participants encouraged to share learning with family members and friends, achieving a greater impact. “The project has also strengthened partnership working between community facilitators, qualified driving professionals and local community organisations and this really is the key to building safe and prosperous communities. “There are many reasons why the theme of prevention underpins all the ambitions in my Police and Crime Plan. By preventing fatal and serious injury incidents on our roads, we will spare families untold grief and devastation and ease pressure on our overworked public services. Education delivered in an engaging way can make the world of a difference and reduce risk, this is why it remains a significant area of investment for me.” Road Safety is one of six core priorities in the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan. The Commissioner has set out a series of commitments designed to improve safety for all road users. This includes a pledge to work with the Chief Constable to crack down on the anti-social use of vehicles including e-scooters and illegal e-bikes and increase the number of safety initiatives on the roads. He is also determined to support vulnerable groups through tailored prevention and education activities and improve access to safety information for communities less likely to engage with mainstream activities. Picture Shows (L-R): Dr. Abeer Kholghi (Director of Live Cancer Free), Aymen Salah (Aymen Driving School) and Neetu Squire (Deputy PCC)

After attracting more than 80,000 visitors during its 2023 debut, Leicester Monsters, one of Leicester's most-loved family events, is set to make its much-anticipated return this autumn. The Return of Leicester Monsters will once again transform Leicester city centre from 22 to 31 October, as eight giant illuminated monster installations appear across rooftops, windows and unexpected corners of the city. The event is expected to once again attract tens of thousands of visitors to Leicester, bringing a significant boost to the city centre during the October half-term and Halloween period. Presented by BID Leicester, with support from Leicester City Council and Leicester Cathedral, Leicester Monsters is one of the UK's largest free Halloween events of its kind, inviting families to explore the city centre in search of larger-than-life monster characters created by internationally renowned artists Filthy Luker & Pedro Estrellas. Running throughout the October half term and up to Halloween, the free event promises an unforgettable day or evening out for visitors of all ages. Visitors can expect to discover giant tentacles bursting through windows, bony fingers creeping over rooftops and curious eyeballs peering from treetops, with each installation telling the story of a different mischievous monster. Trail panels reveal the personality behind every creature, while visitors can check in using the My Leicester App for the chance to unlock prizes. Leicester Monsters will also coincide with Leicester Restaurant Week, giving families even more reason to spend the day in the city centre. Running from 20 October to 2 November, the two-week celebration will see restaurants, cafés and bars offering special fixed-price menus and exclusive dining deals, making it easy to combine monster hunting with breakfast, lunch or dinner in the city. Simon Jenner, Director of BID Leicester, said: "Leicester Monsters captured people's imaginations when it first arrived in 2023 and quickly became one of the city's most-loved events. Ever since then we've been asked when the monsters would be coming back, so we're delighted to finally be able to announce their return. We're looking forward to welcoming families back into the city centre this October for another monster-sized adventure." More details, including the full monster line-up, trail map, competition and accompanying activities, will be announced over the coming weeks. Leicester Monsters takes place from Thursday 22 October to Saturday 31 October 2026. The event is free to attend, with further information available at