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The finishing touches have been made to Leicester’s festive ice rink in Jubilee Square, and seasonal skaters can start planning their visits to the city’s popular Christmas attraction. Opening on Thursday (7 Dec), the fully roofed ice rink means there’s no need to worry about the weather, and non-skaters can relax and watch the world glide by in the Alpine-style bar area. And there’s still time to grab a bargain for the ice rink’s two preview days – on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 December – when all sessions will cost a flat rate of £5 per person. The ice rink will then be open for skating every day over the festive period, except Christmas Day itself, until Sunday 7 January, with lots of slots available at peak, off-peak and quiet times to suit all tastes. Super off-peak pricing has been extended this year, meaning there’ll be more opportunities to skate for just £5 at selected sessions. Opening hours are 10am to 8.45pm daily, with the last admission for skating at 8pm. The Alpine Bar will be open until 10pm. Last admission for skaters on Christmas Eve will be at 4pm. DJ Takeover nights will make a return to the rink on most Friday and Saturday evenings with a live DJ performing from the centre of the ice. Theme nights include a 90s Disco on Friday 22 December, Indie Anthems on Friday 29 December and an R&B Night on Friday 5 January. Revellers can also take to the rink for Ibiza on ice on New Year’s Eve. A student night will be taking place on Monday 11 December. For a more peaceful experience, there will be special quiet sessions on 26 and 28 December, and again on 2 and 4 January, at 12.15pm when there will be no loud music. Skate hire and a 45-minute session on the ice will cost just £5 at super off-peak times. Off-peak tickets will cost £11.50 for adults and £10.50 for children concessions. Standard price tickets will cost £13.50 for adults and £11.50 for children/concessions. Little ones won’t be left out of all the fun with skating aids available for hire for younger skaters, making the ice rink great fun and safe for all the family. Tickets for skate aids can be purchased for £5 in the ice rink at the skate collection point, on a first come, first serve basis. Only card payments will be taken inside the ice rink. Wheelchair users can also join in the fun on the ice rink at any session. Tickets are available now from Leicester’s dedicated Christmas website at www.ChristmasInLeicester.co.uk and in person from the Visit Leicester Centre, located at the King Richard III Visitor Centre opposite Leicester Cathedral. Tickets should be bought in advance to avoid disappointment, and will not available to purchase at the ice rink itself. The Jubilee Square ice rink will be at the heart of Leicester’s Christmas events. It will be joined in Jubilee Square by the popular 110-ft high Wheel of Light Ferris wheel, which offers unrivalled views over the city centre. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket booth on site. Prices range from £7 for a standard ticket, £5 for children under 1.4metres tall, or £20 for a family of four. Wheelchair access is available to one of the gondolas – assistance will be provided for anyone using this gondola. The Wheel of Light will be open from Monday to Friday 12noon to 9pm, and from midday till 10pm on weekends. Elsewhere in the city, Santa’s grotto will be waiting to welcome visitors of all ages at Town Hall Square from Saturday 2 December until Saturday 23 December. Admission to the grotto is free and all children visiting Santa in the Square will receive a gift. People can also enjoy the traditional Nativity scene in Town Hall Square, with lights, music and a recording of local schoolchildren telling the Christmas Bible story. The Emergence light installation will be open from Wednesday 13 December until Saturday 23 December, at the bottom of New Walk. The audio-visual sculpture features over 10,000 LED lights intricately arranged within mirrored tunnel alcoves to create a spectacular visual display. Just outside the city centre, Abbey Park will come alive with an enchanted outdoor light trail, bringing illuminations and interactive elements leading visitors on an enchanted experience. It runs until Christmas Eve, from 5pm to 8.30pm daily. Deputy city mayor for climate, economy and culture, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: “The festive ice rink and Wheel of Light have become firm favourites over recent years and are wonderful additions to the Christmas offer in the city centre. “However, there are also many other activities which can be enjoyed free of charge. The range of attractions on offer really do promise something suitable for all ages, abilities and tastes, and all help to create a wonderfully welcoming festive atmosphere for people visiting Leicester over the festive period.” More information, opening hours and booking details where required, for all of Leicester’s Christmas attractions are available at www.ChristmasInLeicester.co.uk

Holidays are coming... Fosse Park is the next stop for the iconic Coca-Cola Christmas Truck that’s bringing Santa’s spirit this festive season. Head to South Car Park on Friday 8th December, between 12pm – 7.30pm, to experience the magic of Christmas with your loved ones and embrace your inner Santa. Visitors will have a magical time full of laughter as there will be plenty of photo opportunities, seasonal singers, gamified giveaways and of course, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar sampling. Visitors will be encouraged to recycle their finished sample cans too.

Motorists are being reminded of the dangers of drink drug driving following the latest national figures which show that the number of people being convicted has risen considerable over the last ten years. Ministry of Justice statistics show convictions for driving a motorvehicle under the influence of drink or drugs overall, increased from 41,457 in 2014 to 58,117 in 2022 – a rise of 40%. Detective Inspector Steve Kilsby, Head of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Leicestershire Police, said, “People who drink and or take drugs (whether illicit or prescription drugs taken without heading the cautions in the guidelines) and drive, place themselves, their loved ones, other road users and pedestrians at grave, avoidable risk.” “Following our similar campaign last winter over 170 drivers will have started the new year with a drink drug drive conviction.” “Just because you haven’t been out at the pub – drinking at home can still leave you over the limit, including the morning after, can I remind drivers not to put themselves and others at risk by choosing to have None for the Road.” “Drivers should be aware that Leicestershire Police 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.

Enlightened Leicester. Enlightened, the magical outdoor light trail is set to arrive in Leicester’s Abbey Park this November to coincide with the city’s Diwali and Christmas celebrations. From November until Christmas Eve, Enlightened transforms the grounds of the prestigious venue in the heart of Leicester City Centre into a mile long journey of wonder and light for the whole family to enjoy. A specially crafted route will immerse visitors in the magic and enchantment of Enlightened and is bursting with new interactive and awe-inspiring installations for 2023. Step into the illuminated world and see curious creatures brought to life with special effects that will guide you through the trail. As you wander under the night sky, immerse yourself in the sparkling illuminations that will stimulate the senses and stir the imagination. A beautifully crafted soundscape fills the night air with joy and will have younger visitors dancing with delight. Upon arrival guests will be immediately greeted with a colossal 50m digital tunnel of light made up of tens of thousands of colourful bulbs that cascade to music as you journey on through. Laser style beams of light stream through the dense woodland and haze fills the air upon reaching the land of enchantment. Rotating shards of illumination transform the entrance this magical land where our woodland characters introduce the trail. In the centre of the park, colour changing fountains dance with joy to the beat the soundscape and a ocean of light transforms the meadows into a light show not to be missed. Delve deeper along the trail and discover a truly magical land where holographic creatures flutter around the undergrowth as visitors are invited to contribute to the ever-increasing scale of the wishing wall – a place where dreams really can come true. A new discovery awaits around every corner. Why not try your hand at the duelling light sabres or see if your group can solve some of our interactive illuminated games within the time. Hop, skip and jump along our light up stepping-stones and don’t forget your camera as a new family photo opportunity awaits at every stop along the Enlightened Trail. Enlightened is hosted at Abbey Park in Leicester and is running during both the Diwali celebrations and the Christmas period. Enlightened at Diwali runs from the 9th to the 14th November and Enlightened at Christmas runs from the 16th November to the 24th December 2023. First entry is at 5:00pm each night and timed entry tickets are available every 15 minutes until 8pm. Tickets start at £9 for children and £12.50 for adults. So gather your family and friends, wrap up warm and don’t miss this magical event that will transform Abbey Park into a truly new light! Book tickets here https://www.enlightenedmoments.co.uk/events/abbey-park-2023/ See what other Leicester Festivals are taking place this winter in the 2023 What's On Festival Guide Video by Craig Thorpe

The DJ and presenter Scott Mills will get the Christmas party started in Leicester this week as he turns on the city’s famous festive lights. Scott will be joined on the Haymarket balcony by the Lord Mayor of Leicester to count down to the big switch-on from 6pm on Wednesday (22 November). Leicester fan Scott, who’ll be appearing in De Montfort Hall’s panto this Christmas, said: “Leicester is fast becoming my second home so when I was asked to switch the lights on, how could I decline! “I’ll be playing all the festive favourites from the balcony near the Clock Tower so come and say hello, before we light up Leicester for Christmas!” Before the lights go on at 6.30pm, there’ll be plenty of family fun to enjoy. From 5pm, Town Hall Square will be filled with the traditional sound of Christmas, with music from the No Bars Orchestra, the EAGA Gospel Choir, the Ratby Crescendo Band and the Syston Band. Visitors can also discover the story of Christmas, with the figures of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus taking their place in the square’s nativity scene, while children should look out for Santa, who'll be popping in to Town Hall Square to see them. With hundreds of festive lights dressing the Town Hall and the fountain, Town Hall Square is a great place for families with young children to watch the lights go on at 6.30pm. Bringing festive fun to the city centre will be some cheeky costumed characters, including Horace and Boris, the Bouncy Elves, an 8ft-tall penguin called Blizzard, and an illuminated stilt walker. Look out for them between Town Hall Square and Gallowtree Gate. On Humberstone Gate, there’ll be festive rides with the Billy Bates Funfair, while the 110ft Wheel of Light on Jubilee Square will be offering a bird’s eye view over Leicester. There’ll also be plenty of fun at the Haymarket Shopping Centre from 4.45pm, with live entertainment hosted by EavaFM. Just before 6.30pm, Scott will be joined by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Dr Susan Barton, and Radio Leicester’s Ady Dayman to count down to Leicester’s big switch-on. A 50ft Christmas tree at the Clock Tower will sparkle with thousands of white lights, while the city centre’s streets will be bathed in colour as 16,000 LED lamps light up. A spectacular troupe of illuminated drummers will then lead the way to the Haymarket shopping centre for the switch-on of their lights at 6.45pm, before heading for Highcross at 7.15pm, where people can enjoy Bright Christmas – a free immersive light experience featuring 6,000 LED lamps and a festive soundtrack. Just a short walk from Highcross, the bars and restaurants of St Martin’s Square will be welcoming visitors for the switch-on of their festive lights at 7.45pm. Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke said: “Once again, our lighting team have worked their magic to make sure that Leicester sparkles under thousands of twinkling lights this Christmas. “The colourful lights provide the backdrop for a great night out in Leicester, whether you’re out with your family, meeting up with friends, or getting Christmas sorted with some late-night shopping. “The big switch-on is always a brilliant event and we look forward to welcoming people from across the county to the city centre to watch Leicester light up for Christmas.” Those wishing to make a start on their Christmas shopping will find that many of the city centre’s small and independent shops will extend their opening hours on switch-on night, while stores at Highcross and the Haymarket will be trading until 8pm. To avoid disappointment, shoppers should check opening times with individual stores, as hours may vary. Park & Ride services will be extended for the big switch-on, with the last buses for Meynell’s Gorse and Birstall leaving the city centre at 9pm, while the last bus to the Enderby site will depart at 8.55pm on 22 November. In addition, HOP! – the city’s free circular bus service – will continue running until 9pm to encourage people to explore all the city centre has to offer. The switch-on of the Christmas lights signals the start of a busy festive season in Leicester. From Saturday 2 December until Saturday 23 December, Santa will be welcoming children to his snow-topped grotto in Town Hall Square. As in previous years, visits to Santa will be free of charge so that all children can enjoy a magical Christmas experience. Other highlights include the return of the city’s real ice rink on Thursday 7 December, which will join the spectacular Wheel of Light in Jubilee Square for the festive season. Both attractions will be open until Sunday 7 January. Full details of all the events taking place in Leicester this Christmas are available at www.christmasinleicester.co.uk Leicester City Council is grateful to Octopus Energy for their generous sponsorship of the Christmas Lights' Switch-On.

Plans to transform Leicester’s St Margaret’s junction to help encourage more walking and cycling, and improve bus journey times, have been given a major cash boost. Leicester City Council has been awarded over £12million from the third round of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, which is designed for long-term, major capital projects which will help create jobs, encourage new investment and enable business growth. The proposed highway development project would transform the sprawling junction linking St Margaret’s Way, Burleys Way, Vaughan Way and Church Gate. It will also see the permanent removal of the last remaining pedestrian underpasses on the city’s inner ring road. The large underpass complex was closed and fenced off earlier this year, following surveys that showed many people choose not to use them due to safety concerns and the fear of crime. Proposed improvements include filling-in all three underpasses and major remodelling of the junction to help improve bus journey times, provide a more attractive route for walkers and cyclists and create more green space at this important gateway into the city centre. Ensuring the area feels safe for people to use after dark is another key aim of the project. The introduction of new bus lanes on sections of St Margaret’s Way and Sanvey Gate. Will help improve journey times and service reliability by creating a direct link between the new St Margaret’s Bus Station and the A6, A50 and Anstey Lane bus corridors. New cycle tracks would also be created on parts of St Margaret’s Way and Sanvey Gate to link to recently created and planned works expanding the citywide network of safer routes for cyclists. Footpaths would be widened and improved, and new parallel crossings for pedestrians and cyclists will be introduced across the busy junction. New landscaping would also help create a stronger link between the city centre and the medieval St Margaret’s Church building, which dates back to the 13th century. The proposed improvements are intended to encourage more walking and cycling, with transport surveys showing that currently just three per cent of people using the junction do so on foot or bike. The scheme will also help to promote new development and regeneration in the area, including providing the infrastructure needed to support investment in new city centre homes to help meet rising demand. Cllr Adam Clarke, deputy city mayor for climate, culture and economy, said: “This is great news for the city and a fantastic opportunity to build on the improvements we have already seen from the award-winning redevelopment of St Margaret’s bus station – the first operationally net zero bus station building in the UK. “The nearby St Margaret’s junction is an outdated throwback to the original 1970s ring road design. Its underpasses are unappealing to pedestrians and are a magnet for anti-social behaviour. “As it stands the junction is a barrier for pedestrians and cyclists, and the current arrangement does no favours for buses leaving the new St Margaret’s Station. “These proposals will address an important missing link in our transport network and help this sprawling junction into an attractive gateway into the city centre for all road users. It will also help reveal one of Leicester’s finest historic church buildings and reconnect it and the surrounding area to the city centre. Importantly, it will also make the route feel safer for people to use, especially at night. “The award of over £12million from Levelling Up Fund is a huge endorsement of the importance of this scheme.” “Providing more attractive and sustainable travel choices for people will help deliver a greener solution for the future growth of the city and support our work around the climate emergency and air quality improvements. We need to be radical and ambitious to meet these challenges.” Alongside the award of £12,177,706 from the Levelling Up Fund, the city council will invest £3million of capital funding towards the project. Works are expected to get underway in 2025.

In the last three years the force has continued to excel at securing confiscation orders worth more than £6 million allowing the seizure of assets from criminals. The powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) allows forces to approach the courts and seize assets obtained by individuals through their criminality. Confiscation orders are granted by the courts following the conviction of individuals where there is evidence to support the defendant has gained financially from their crimes. Members of the force’s economic crime unit are responsible preparing the evidence to support the confiscation orders. At times this can be a complex and challenging task with criminals attempting to hide their cash and assets amongst family members. The orders can also include the sale of assets to recoup the value, such as cars, jewellery, designer clothing and on some occasions through the sale of the individual’s shares in property. Between April 2020 and March this year orders to the value of £6.38m have been granted by the courts. Those orders have allowed us to seize many high value items, such as a Range Rover Sport HSE which was sold for more than £18,000 using the force’s eBay site and a gold Rolex Sky-Dweller Master watch which was sold for more than £26,000. After a member of an organised crime group who supplied class A drugs across the country was sentenced the force applied for a confiscation order and seized two paintings by John Wilson and Ronnie Wood to the value of more than £1,700. Rolex and Hublot watches to the value of £20,000 were also seized. eBay sales have generated an income of £1.25m since 2016 through the sale of a number of items. Between April 2022 and March this year 57 items were sold generating more than £240,000. The proceeds from the recovery and sale of criminal assets using eBay, which since 2016 amounts to a total of £4.2 million, is transferred to the Home Office but a proportion is returned to the force to drive up asset recovery performance and assist with local projects. Deputy Chief Constable David Sandall, said: “These figures are a testament to the immense work that goes into these investigations and subsequent POCA hearings. The legislation allows forces to stop criminals from benefitting further from the criminality. “We are good at seizing criminals’ assets and we will continue to use these powers to ensure those who choose to commit crime do not benefit from it.” The money recovered from criminals is reinvested and used to tackle crimes that cause the most harm, helping make our communities safer. We have used money acquired through seizing criminal assets to support a domestic abuse perpetrator rehabilitation programme and fund two new police cars. Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said: “This is great work by the force and sends a strong message to those who commit crime that their illegal gains can and will be taken away from them. I think law-abiding residents will appreciate the fact that this money is used to combat crime still further, so it really is a case of the offender helping the police make our communities safer. “This work is absolutely in line with my ongoing strategy to prevent crime in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. “ Paul Wenlock from the force’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU), said: “Our work doesn’t end at an individual’s conviction. If there is evidence to suggest the defendant has gained financially from their criminality we can approach the courts for confiscation orders under the POCA. “If criminals fail to pay the value of the order they can have additional years added to their existing sentences. “As well as confiscation orders the POCA legislation allows us to apply for forfeiture orders and restraint orders. “A restraint order granted under POCA means that we can secure an asset pending conviction and a confiscation hearing/order. “Forfeiture orders are granted under civil legislation. If a criminal investigation fails to proceed or if there is no further action we can proceed with civil law to retain the cash and we are one of the best police forces in the country in seizing criminals’ assets. We will continue to use these powers to dismantle serious and organised criminality in the city and county.”

Leicester's Christmas ice rink is due to take pride of place once more in the city centre as the centrepiece of a glittering programme of festive attractions. With just a month to go until the ice rink opens its doors to visitors at Jubilee Square, tickets have now gone on sale, including packages for adults, children and discounts for group bookings. The Jubilee Square Ice Rink will be open every day from December 7 to January 7, with the exception of Christmas Day itself, with slots at peak, off-peak and quiet times to suit all tastes. Opening hours are 10am to 8.45pm daily, with the last admission at 8pm, except Christmas Eve when it closes at 5.15pm. Tickets are available now from Leicester’s dedicated Christmas website at www.ChristmasInLeicester.co.uk and will soon also be available from the Visit Leicester Centre, located at the King Richard III Visitor Centre opposite Leicester Cathedral. Skate hire and a 45-minute session on the ice will cost just £5 at super off-peak times. Off-peak tickets will cost £11.50 for adults and £10.50 for children/concessions. Standard price tickets will cost £13.50 for adults and £11.50 for children/concessions. Little ones won’t be left out of all the fun with skating aids available for younger skaters to hire, making the ice rink great fun and safe for all the family. Tickets for skate aids can be purchased for £5 in the ice rink at the skate collection point, on a first come, first serve basis. Only card payments will be taken inside the ice rink. Wheelchair users can also join in the fun on the ice rink at any session. Themed events will also feature on the programme. For those who like it loud, there will be DJ takeover nights on Fridays and Saturdays, focusing on everything from 90s disco, to indie anthems to R&B classics, culminating in a set of Ibiza dance anthems on New Years Eve. For a more peaceful experience, there will be special quiet sessions on December 26 and 28, and again on January 2 and 4 at 12.15pm when there will be no loud music. Up to 225 skaters will be able to take to the ice during most sessions but, as in previous years, capacity will be limited to 100 skaters for designated quiet sessions for people with autism or other special needs. The ice rink will be covered with a roof so people can skate come rain or shine. An Alpine-style bar area and festival street food will also be on hand to complete the experience. The Jubilee Square ice rink will be at the heart of Leicester’s Christmas events, with the giant Wheel of Light joining it from Friday, November 17, until Sunday, January 7. The 110-ft Ferris wheel offers unrivalled views over the city centre. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket booth on site. A ride is approximately eight to 10 minutes. There are 24 covered gondolas, each seating six people. Wheelchair access is available to one of the gondolas – assistance will be provided for anyone using this gondola. Prices range from £7 for a standard ticket, £5 for children under 1.4metres tall, or £20 for a family of four. The Wheel of Light will be open from Monday to Friday 12noon to 9pm, and from midday till 10pm on weekends. Elsewhere in the city, Santa’s grotto will be waiting to welcome visitors of all ages at Town Hall Square, from December 2 to 23. The traditional Nativity scene will also be bringing a touch of serenity to Town Hall Square, with lights music and a recording of local schoolchildren telling the much-loved Christmas Bible story. A little further away from the city centre, Abbey Park will come alive with an enchanted outdoor light trail, bringing illuminations and interactive elements leading visitors on an enchanted experience. It runs from November 16 to December 24, from 5pm to 8.30pm daily. Highcross shopping centre will also host Bright Christmas – an immersive light experience, enclosed by mirrors that reflect a myriad of 33,000 LED Christmas coloured lights set to festive sounds. It runs from November 22 to December 6. Deputy city mayor for climate, economy and culture, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: “The festive ice rink and Wheel of Light have become firm favourites over recent years and are wonderful additions to the Christmas offer in the city centre. “However, there are also many other activities which can be enjoyed free of charge, such as the Nativity, Santa’s Grotto, and the seasonal events at Abbey Park and Highcross among others. “The range of attractions on offer really do promise something suitable for all ages, abilities and tastes, aimed at creating a wonderfully welcoming festive atmosphere.” More information and booking details where necessary for all Leicester’s Christmas attractions are available at the Christmas in Leicester website here.

A care home in Quorn has been getting creative to mark Remembrance Day. Residents and team members from Care UK’s Lonsdale Mews, on Farley Way, worked together to create a show-stopping, illuminated river of poppies. Made of an estimated 1,700 poppies, all of which were either knitted or created out of plastic bottles by the home’s ‘knit and natter’ club, the river of poppies was built over more than three months, with help from members of the community, including the Quorn WI and residents’ families. To complete the display, the home also decorated one of the windows of the home with a hand-painted Tommy silhouette and an RAF plane. Inside, the home has also organised a special Remembrance Day display, including a knitted soldier’s head, hat and boots created by a relative, and a World War II RAF jacket. June Taylor, one of the residents involved in the project, said: “The more we knitted, the more it grew. We have enjoyed ourselves enormously, because we felt like we were doing something worthwhile.” Toby Sturgess, Home Manager at Lonsdale Mews, said: “We are so proud of the team, residents and everyone who has worked tirelessly to create such a beautiful display. "Crafts, as well as other creative activities, have many therapeutic benefits for older people, particularly those living with dementia, by keeping their brains busy and providing a sense of purpose. More importantly, Remembrance Day holds a very special meaning to residents, as many of them may have served in the forces or lived through World War Two and heard stories from their parents or older siblings. “We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who contributed to our beautiful display by creating a poppy; every single one of our visitors has been absolutely amazed by the result. We’d like to invite everyone to come and stop by to see it for themselves – it’s even more spectacular at night!”

The final touches are being made to 100 beautiful willow lanterns that will open this Sunday’s Diwali Day celebrations in Leicester. The parade is one of a number of new additions to the annual event; visitors can also enjoy a DJ set by Mercury Music Prize winner Talvin Singh, street theatre with giant puppets, and beautiful LED rickshaws that will play music along the Belgrave Road. The celebrations will include entertainment on stage on both the Belgrave road and Cossington Street recreation ground, with activities running from 3pm to 9pm on Sunday 12 November. This year the city council has been working with local arts organisation Inspirate to bring new and exciting elements to the traditional event format, made possible thanks to funding support from Arts Council England. Deputy city mayor for culture Cllr Adam Clarke said: “Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, and Diwali Day is a very special part of our festival calendar. We are looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to join in with our celebrations. “This year’s event promises to be a feast for all the senses with spectacular light and fire shows, lots of music and of course great food courtesy of the traders on the Golden Mile.” Jiten Anand of inspirate said: “As someone who grew up on Belgrave Road - I cannot express how excited I am to see this new iteration of Diwali come to life! We have been ambitiously pioneering ways to raise the artistic quality of this historic festival, so it's accessible to a new generation of communities in Leicester. “Diwali Festival has the potential to become a world-class event in the UK's cultural calendar, and we are taking a big leap in making this happen." The celebrations will get under way with a joyful parade of lanterns made by local school children and families, working with artist Shamila Chady. The parade of light and sound will leave from the main stage on Belgrave Road at 5pm. From 5.30pm, gods and demons from South Asian tales will be brought to life in a family-friendly street theatre show featuring giant puppetry, martial arts, dance and storytelling. Beautifully decorated mobile rickshaws will travel around Belgrave Road between 5pm and 8pm, each one uniquely designed and wired for sound to encourage visitors to dance their way through the Diwali celebrations. More music will be on offer from the Diwali truck, also on Belgrave Road, where DJ Yumna Black will spin his decks throughout the evening, bringing contemporary sounds blending east and west and as well as collaborations with live musicians. The nearby Cossington Street Recreation Ground will bring the festival of light to life with a neon waterfall light show, a fire garden of glowing structures, and a spectacular laser light show, all running between 5pm and 9pm. The park will also host the stage of light, where DJ Amrita Kalsi will keep the atmosphere going with modern and old-school bhangra rhythms. This year’s firework display will light up the skies from 7.30pm, and will be accompanied by a soundtrack created and produced by internationally renowned composer and musician Arun Ghosh. The grand finale to the evening will see Talvin Singh headline the stage of light with his explosive fusion of Indian and electronic sounds. A maestro percussionist, producer and composer, Talvin is renowned for creating the bridge between classical Indian arts and electronic music, and will be keeping the festival atmosphere going after the firework display. More information can be found at visitleicester.info Leicester’s Diwali celebrations are being held with support from the University of Leicester.

Great Central Railway Spreads Festive Family Cheer! Experience the enchantment of a vintage Christmas with a magical journey through the scenic Leicestershire countryside aboard Great Central Railways much loved Santa Express! A festive tradition for generations of families, this year’s steam-powered adventure at Great Central Railway promises to delight families and passengers of all ages. Starting your journey in the festive splendour of the Loughborough Central Station, look out for Santa and his helpers as they leave their grotto before we’re all on board and the train departs on its return journey to Leicester North station. Santa knows how to spread happiness and cheer and every child on board the Great Central Santa Express will receive a special Christmas gift from the man himself, as well as a Golden Ticket to ride the Great Central Railway for free throughout 2024 when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. As Santa makes his way through the train there’ll be plenty of time for photos and for him to make sure that every child is on track to appear on this year’s good list! What’s more, they’ll receive a drink and treat as well as a Christmas Activity Pack filled with games, puzzles and colouring sheets to enjoy on board or at home. And there’s even a Goody Bag to take home as a keepsake of their Christmas Adventure. It’s not all about the little ones though, as the grownups enjoy the splendour of the Leicestershire countryside and the excitement of the children, they can soak up the festive cheer with a warming Irish Cream Liqueur and mince pie. There’s also a full at-seat bar service, so guests can sit back, relax and enjoy the ride in style. It’s the perfect way to make magical memories for all the family this Christmas. Simon Bracewell, Head of Marketing & Communications of the Great Central Railway said; “Steam train rides with Santa have become a cherished tradition for families from across the region and we are thrilled to continue spreading the magic and joy of the festive season with our new Great Central Santa Express services. It’s a great day out for all the family and a wonderful way to start the Christmas celebrations.” The Great Central Santa Express, is just one of the ways Great Central Railway is celebrating Christmas with festive afternoon teas and fine dining packages available, as well as once-in-a-lifetime gift experiences such as the chance to drive your own steam train as well as stocking filler souvenirs. Anyone for a Station Master’s whistle? Pip Pip! Event Dates and Ticket Information: The Great Central Santa Express runs from the 25thNovember until the 24th December with prices starting from £24. For full timetable information and to book tickets visit www.gcrailway.co.uk/santa-steam-trains For booking queries, please contact the booking office at 01509 632323.

The countdown to Christmas in Leicester has begun, as the council’s lighting team moves ahead with the annual task of dressing the city centre ready for the big Christmas light switch-on. This year’s switch-on celebration will take place on Wednesday 22 November, which means the team is working hard to put up the decorations that span the city’s main shopping streets and install the 16,000 low-energy lamps that will light up Leicester throughout the festive period. Decorating the city – including Town Hall Square and around 20 city centre streets – takes around four weeks, with work being carried out early in the morning and at weekends to minimise disruption. The centrepiece of the festive decorations, a mighty 50-foot Christmas tree - from Kielder Forest in Northumberland – is due to arrive in the second week of November when it will take pride of place next to the Clock Tower. A Christmas grotto will be built in Town Hall Square ready for Santa’s annual visit to the city, and the traditional nativity scene will also return to the square in time for the big switch on. The massive 110m-high Wheel of Light will return to illuminate Jubilee Square – as well as offering people the chance to see Leicester’s Christmas lights from a new perspective – from Friday 17 November. The popular ice rink is also due to make its return to Jubilee Square from Thursday 7 December. A number of activities will take place at key locations around the city centre as part of the Christmas light switch-on, including brass bands performing in Town Hall Square, a live DJ set from the Haymarket balcony and the Bright Christmas light installation made up of 33,000 coloured LED lights at Highcross. Full details are available at Christmas In Leicester Watch Our Video from last years event Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke said: “As soon as the lights start to go up across the city centre, Christmas doesn’t seem that far away. Our lighting team are once again working hard to make sure that Leicester looks magical in time for our big switch-on event. “We look forward to welcoming people from around the city and the county for the start of our Christmas celebrations, and to enjoy all that Leicester has to offer over the festive season.”