Best-selling crime writer Janice Hallett and Costa prize winner Claire Fuller are among a host of authors to appear at the first ever Market Harborough Literary Festival. Janice Hallett will talk about her latest book, ‘The Silent Appeal’, while Claire Fuller will discuss her new contemporary gothic novel ‘Hunger and Thirst’. Diana Bretherick (left) and Helen Kennedy, organisers of the Market Harborough Literary Festival, outside event venue St Dionysius’ Church. Photo: Melissa De Fusco / MH Literary Festival. Other renowned writers participating in Q&As and book signings include Manish Chauhan, whose 2026 Faber debut ‘Belgrave Road’ is a poignant love story set in nearby Leicester. The literary festival, taking place between 19th and 27th September, is the brainchild of local writers and reading enthusiasts Diana Bretherick and Helen Kennedy. Their aim is to provide a packed weekend of events for Harborough book lovers of all genres and all ages. The programme also includes a crime authors’ panel, published writers discussing fantasy folk horror and historical fiction, plus children’s book activities at Waterstones, a literary walk through the town centre, and a ‘writers’ day’ with a publishing industry expert. The festival concludes with a poetry pizza party. Harborough resident Diana Bretherick, herself an award-winning crime author, said: “Harborough is a town of readers and writers, but for a long time we’ve lacked an event that can bring authors and readers together to celebrate books. It’s appropriate that we put that right in 2026, which is the National Year of Reading. The Market Harborough Literary Festival will help put the town on the literary map, where it belongs. We’re hugely grateful to the authors who are taking the time to travel here and meet Harborough’s book lovers.” Helen Kennedy, a fellow writer and member of the Harborough Writers’ Hub established by Diana, said: “The literary festival is a fantastic opportunity for readers and authors to get together and celebrate their mutual love of books. It’s a chance to meet your favourite authors, discover new ones, and talk about your favourite stories and characters. You’ll discover a large range of genres: crime fiction, fantasy, historical and book club fiction. Anyone who loves reading and books will enjoy some wonderful afternoons of discussion and storytelling.” The festival runs from Saturday 19th to Sunday 27th September, with day and weekend tickets available. Full programme and tickets are available from 9th June at www.marketharboroughlitfest.co.uk. PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 19th September (Congregational Church Centre) • Writers’ Day: Introduction to Publishing: with industry expert and editor Sara-Jade Virtue Saturday 26th September (St Dionysus’s Church, 12 noon –4.30pm) • Marisa Linton and Belinda Campbell: discuss the fantasy folk horror genre and their respective novels ‘Circle of Shadows’ and ‘Something Wicked’ • Manish Chauhan: Leicester-born author of acclaimed Faber novel ‘Belgrave Road’ • Claire Fuller: award-winning author discusses her new novel ‘Hunger and Thirst’ • Janice Hallett: best-selling crime author talks about her brand-new book ‘The Silent Appeal’ Sunday 27th September (Louisa’s Place, from 3pm – 8.30pm) • ‘Cannonballs, corsets and coal: an 18th Century story in eight objects’: talk by historical fiction author Carolyn Kirby • Crime fiction panel and author Q&A with E C Bateman, Louise Jensen and Simon Mason. Panel chair: Diana Bretherick. • Poetry Pizza Party: with featured award-winning poets, live music, and poetry open mic slots. MC: Kia Matanky-Becker.

From the UK's biggest rock festival of 2026 to medieval battlefields, world-class motorsport and one of Britain's largest wartime re-enactments, Leicestershire is preparing for one of its busiest summers on record. More than a dozen major events are expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city and county over the coming months, cementing Leicester and Leicestershire's reputation as one of the UK's most diverse destinations for festivals, live entertainment, sport and heritage. And the spectacular summer season kicks off this weekend…. Music Festivals The summer starts with the HUGE Download Festival, running from 12-14 June. Held at the iconic Donington racetrack, thanks to Glastonbury having a year off, Download is the biggest rock festival being held in the UK this year, with 100,000 rock fans expected to descend on North West Leicestershire. Headlined by Guns n Roses, Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park, the festival brings together some of giants of heavy metal and hard rock, with an awesome family atmosphere to boot. You’re likely to discover your new favourite band on the other stages too, with sets from Halestorm, Feeder, Mastodon, The Wildhearts, former members of Sepultura and Keanu Reeves with his band Dogstar! Country music comes to Harborough’s Stanford Hall with The Long Road festival. Billed as a celebration of Country, Americana and Roots music, it is packed with talent including Grammy winners Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle and Maren Morris, plus Platinum-selling stars including Bailey Zimmerman, Anne Wilson and Josh Ross. With authentic BBQ experiences, line dancing, and a car and bike show, pull on your cowboy boots and Stetson and get ready for a weekend that will have you yelling YEEHAW! Cattows Farm is hosting some great tribute music events this year too! The Supersonic Weekender, running from 31 July to 2 August is a celebration of Britpop, with tributes to Blur, Oasis, Paul Weller, Kasabian and many more. From 14-16 Augustthe Ranch Jam Country Festival features tributes to legends of country and western including Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton and more, plus a wild west stunt show! Then for bank holiday weekend 28-30 August, the Dubs of Rock Festival features the top UK tributes to acts including Metallica, Black Sabbath, Green Day, Kiss, Korn and loads more. Summer racedays! Leicester Racecourse will have flat races running all summer long, but their Smooth Radio Ladies Day on 4 July is always a highlight, with top level horse racing plus special guest stars putting on a great concert. This year welcomes M People’s Heather Small and 80s legends Go West. Plus of course the ever popular Best Dressed competition. There’s a family friendly feel to their Picnic at the Races event on 9 August, where guests are encouraged to come and have a picnic in car park before enjoying the racing. And for this event, under 18s are completely free! There’s racing of a different kind at Mallory Park on 4 & 5 July. Their 1000 Bikes Revival is the centrepiece of their 70th anniversary year, reviving the spirit of the much-loved Festival of 1000 Bikes that delighted fans at the circuit for many years. It’s an all-action weekend of racing, parades, displays and live entertainment, celebrating the passion, power and people that make the track such an iconic part of British motorcycling. We’ve already mentioned Donington Park Racetrack and there’s a summer full of motorsports there, with the Touring Car Championship, Club Car Championship, Classic Motorcycle Festival, Superbike World Championship, Classic car events and much more! Check out their full calendar here. Historic events You don’t want to miss these chances to enjoy the outdoors in fantastic historic settings. The Bosworth Medieval Festival will be returning in August after a year off in 2025. It sees living history demonstrations from a range of different organisations, full medieval battle recreations and chances to learn from historical experts in talks and demonstrations. Plus of course lots of family-friendly fun! And finally, the Victory Show is the UK’s largest World War II recreation event. Over three days from 4-6 September at Foxlands Farm near Cosby you can immerse yourself in fields full of substantial army encampments, with more than 150 re-enactment groups, and hundreds of military vehicles, including heavy armour. The highlights of each day are a massive tank battle featuring re-enactors and an aerial display featuring some of the most iconic aircraft from the era, which have included the Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster Bomber, TF-51D Mustang, B52 and Dakota DC3 to name but a few. Belvoir Castle is one of the most stunning Regency Castles in the country, and as well as giving you the chance to tour the rooms that featured in Netflix’s The Crown they have some great summer events, including a Father’s Day car and airshow, their annual Flower and Garden Show, the This Ain’t Texas country and western festival, and the stunning Sky Glow hot air balloon festival! Extend your stay in the city Make a weekend of it in the city, with a huge range of fantastic places to stay in Leicester. From reasonably price hotel rooms to luxury spots, quirky self-catering places and home-from-home apart-hotels, there’s something to suit every taste and budget. Check out our accommodation page here Press release via FU Media - Visit Leicester Dated 8th June 2026

The teenager accused of murdering De Montfort University student Khaleed Oladipo has appeared before a judge this morning to enter his pleas. Khaleed Oladipo died from stab wounds after an incident on the university campus in February this year. At Leicester Crown Court on Monday, June 8 Harper Dennis, 18, pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. He also pleaded not guilty to two further counts of possessing a lock knife at the time of the incident in Oxford Street on Tuesday, February 3, and, two months later, refusing to give Leicestershire Police the PIN for his iPhone - an offence under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. A trial date has already been set for Monday, August 10, and the teenager was remanded back into custody to await trial. The trial is expected to take between two and three weeks. Pictures by Leicester Media Online ©️ 2026

Western Ward Residents A message from Leicestershire Police, (Andy Brown PCSO 6083, West Leicester) I will be holding a Beat Surgery at the Co-Op on Aikman Avenue on 13 June at 14:00. I am trialling new locations for Beat Surgeries in order to attract new people. Please take this opportunity to raise any concerns you may have and to find out what we are doing to tackle the issues that matter to you. Beat Surgery - Co-Op Aikman Avenue New Parks Leicester. Saturday 13 Jun 14:00 - 15:00 Recently, we have: Conducted PedalFast operations to seize illegal eBikes and eScooters. Taken measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals. Conducted CCTV inquiries in relation to theft from motor vehicles. Followed up crime reports involving theft and assault. Everyone is welcome and it would be great to see you there. For more information please contact me - PCSO 6083 Andy Brown on andrew.brown@leics.police.uk Saturday 13 June 2026 14:00 - 15:00 Central Co-op Food - Aikman Avenue, Leicester, 279 Aikman Avenue Leicester LE3 9PW

Here are some pictures taken today Saturday 6th June at Riverside Festival in Leicester. Across two days, the free, family-friendly Riverside festival on 6 and 7 June will offer a huge range of arts, craft and theatre activities – expanded thanks to new funding from Arts Council England – plus there will be music all across the festival. Click here to download the programme. Gallery 1 Saturday Pictures Pictures by Trevor Sewell for Leicester Media online.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review of the newly refurbished Bobby’s Restaurant at Belgrave Road, Leicester. At 7pm on Saturday night, the restaurant was fairly busy. A short wait before the table was ready. The extensive menu provided a full description of each dish. We ate a selection of starters and delicious main courses. The sharing platter of starters and the chilli paneer being exceptional good, full of flavour and textures. Food was high quality, service was quick and staff were friendly and helpful, offering advice on the menu. Overall the atmosphere was good and the food was value for money. 5 Star 🌟 Rating Pictures by Leicester Media © 2019 A Well-Known Vegetarian Indian Restaurant Serving the best curry in Leicester for more than 3 decades, you are sure to be impressed with the choice of vegetarian dishes from Bobby’s. Recognised in Leicestershire for traditional vegetarian Indian food, we feature home-style cooking so you never leave us feeling hungry. Established in 1976, the staff at our Indian restaurant boast extensive experience to bring you an impeccable service to complement our delicious vegetarian dishes made with fresh ingredients. Encouraging people from all over the UK to visit us, we are part of the Belgrave Business Association. Review By Russell Thorpe for Leicester Media online www.bobbys-restaurant.co.uk Bobbys Restaurant 154-156 Belgrave Road Leicester Leicestershire LE4 5AT Tel 0116 266 0106 / 0116 266 2448 Email info@eatatbobbys.com For restaurant reviews, please reach out to Russell Thorpe at Leicester Media ​ russell@leicestermedia.online Our overall star rating is determined by a four-part evaluation system.​ Restaurants are rated based on their uniqueness, the tastiness of their food, the warmth of their atmosphere and service, and the strength of recommendation, which serves as a straightforward measure of value. All of our reviews are shared across our social media feeds, complete with engaging video cards to showcase your restarant. Plus, you'll find shareable links to easily spread the word about our experience.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We visited the hotel restaurant on Saturday Evening. We feasted on a delicious array of Scottish Foods, all perfectly cooked and served by the friendly staff. This limited-edition four course set menu was only available on Friday 24th & Saturday 25th January. “With a cosy atmosphere and charming pub features, there’s no better place to celebrate Scotland’s best-loved poet” All four courses selected from a carefully crafted menu delivered the true taste of Scotland. Scallops served with smoked salmon, Traditional 2nd course of Haggis, Main of Mussels served with lovely sour-dough bread and desert of Cheese and Biscuits. The price of £20.99 represented value for money. A selection of carefully selected after dinner drinks were also available. Review by Russell Thorpe Look out for further special menu’s thought out the year, if you cant wait for next years Burns Night at the Castle Hotel. https://www.chefandbrewer.com/pubs/leicestershire/castle-hotel/ For restaurant reviews, please reach out to Russell Thorpe at Leicester Media ​ russell@leicestermedia.online Our overall star rating is determined by a four-part evaluation system.​ Restaurants are rated based on their uniqueness, the tastiness of their food, the warmth of their atmosphere and service, and the strength of recommendation, which serves as a straightforward measure of value. All of our reviews are shared across our social media feeds, complete with engaging video cards to showcase your restarant. Plus, you'll find shareable links to easily spread the word about our experience.

Mirch Masala, one of Leicester’s longest running restaurants, is proud to announce its 30th anniversary this year. Founded in 1996 as Leicester’s first “world street food” restaurant, the family-run eatery has spent three decades serving pure vegetarian cuisine from around the globe – all with an authentic Indian twist. From spicy biriyanis to Italian-style pizzas topped with paneer, every dish at Mirch Masala offers an exciting fusion of flavours, reflecting the restaurant’s pioneering spirit and commitment to authenticity. Located on the Golden Mile in Belgrave – often described as a “mini India” for its vibrant Asian community – Mirch Masala has become a beloved culinary institution for Leicester’s diverse population, even attracting customers from Birmingham and London. A Family Legacy of Authentic Flavors Mirch Masala was launched by husband-and-wife team Pradeep and Nisha Popat in 1996. Over the past 30 years, their authentic approach and family ethos have turned the restaurant into a home away from home for patrons. “For us, Mirch Masala has always been about family and authenticity,” says Nisha Popat, co-owner of Mirch Masala (pictured below). “We started as a small venture with a big idea – bringing vegetarian meals from around the world to Leicester – and the community embraced us. Thirty years on, we’re now serving children and even grandchildren of our first customers. It’s incredibly heartwarming to know Mirch Masala has been part of so many family traditions“ What began as a novel idea – blending Indian cuisine with international street food – is now a mainstay of Leicester’s food scene. Mirch Masala’s menu spans Indian, Indo- Chinese, Mexican, and Italian dishes, all 100% vegetarian. Classic samosas share the menu with zesty Hakka noodles and even Indo-Italian pizzas, but every dish stays true to its roots with authentic spices and an Indian flair. This unique fusion approach made Mirch Masala a trendsetter in the 1990s and keeps it relevant today as diners seek both authenticity and innovation. Revitalising a Golden Mile Icon Despite its longevity, Mirch Masala has never been complacent. The Popats have continually invested in the restaurant to keep it fresh while preserving its authenticcharm. As part of the thirty year celebrations, the restaurant has been revitalised, creating a warm, colourful and modern ambiance for the next generation of guests. “We wanted to honour everything people love about Mirch Masala - the colours, the culture, the comfort of eating freshly cooked food - and bring it up to date,” explains Nisha. “It’s still the cosy Mirch Masala everyone knows, but with a fresh look for our 30th year.” Local food lovers and community leaders have taken notice of Mirch Masala’s enduring presence and the affection is evident – whether it’s long-time customers reminiscing about first visits in the ’90s, or newcomers charmed by the restaurant’s welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, Mirch Masala has truly become “a true gem in Leicester's dining scene” Kicking off a Year of Celebrations To mark its 30th anniversary, Mirch Masala is planning a year-long program of celebrations and special offers throughout 2026. The festivities begin this month with a nod to Veganuary – the annual celebration of plant-based eating each January. In honour of Veganuary and the restaurant’s vegetarian ethos, Mirch Masala has launched a new vegan sharing platter menu filled with creative plant-based delights. Diners can sample an array of vegan dishes that showcase the kitchen’s flair for innovation with ingredients like jackfruit, tofu, and fresh seasonal vegetables, all spice and prepared in Mirch Masala’s signature style. “We’ve always been about inclusivity in food,” Nisha Popat notes. “Our Veganuary platter is a fun way to invite everyone -vegans, vegetarians or those looking to make healthier choices in 2026 - to celebrate with us. It’s amazing to see people from all walks of life enjoying our food with an Indian twist. Looking ahead, MirchMasala’s 30th anniversary celebrations will crescendo in the summer of 2026 with a special community event (details to be announced). The Popats hint that the summer festivities will pay tribute to the restaurant’s journey and its loyal patrons, featuring live music, cultural performances, and of course, plenty of food. Throughout the year, customers can also look forward to monthly anniversary specials, from throwback menus featuring 1990s-favorite dishes to charitable events supporting local causes – a way for Mirch Masala to give back to the community that has supported it over three decades. As one of Leicester’s longest-running dining establishments, Mirch Masala’s story is a testament to the power of authenticity, family, and community. “When we first opened, some people thought vegetarian world street food was an odd idea. Now it’s part of Leicester’s identity,” says Nisha Popat with a proud smile. “This anniversary isn’t just about us – it’s about everyone in this city who has shared a meal and a memory here.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Marine Fish N Chips 97 Dominion Road Glenfield Leicester Image By Leicester Media (Marine Fish N Chips) Marine Fish N Chip shop is under new management along with a total refit of the shop front and interior with a new clean modern look. When you enter the shop, the long counter greets you with a wide selection of food including kebabs, made with fresh baked naan. and the fried chicken looked so fresh and inviting. We purchased for this review 2 large cod, regular chips and a salad box £13.60 the fish was so delicious with a crispy light batter. we had to wait for the fish to be freshly cooked, but the wait was worth it. We highly recommend this fish shop for Quality and value. Chips from £1.70 Mini Fish £3.00 Fresh Naans from £1.50 for plain or you can get Garlic / Chilli / Cheese. Kids Meals £3 -Lunchtime specials from £3.00 The shop is open 7 days a week. Telephone 0116 287 0800 97 Dominion Road Glenfield Leicester LE3 8JB. www.marinefishnchips.co.uk Date of review 13/10/2018 By Craig Thorpe

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Frame 3 courses, including a mezze, a plate and side with a glass of sparkling wine for £20 Leicester Restaurant Week brings together the best restaurants in Leicester for a week’s celebration of all the amazing cuisines, dishes and dining experiences we have to offer. On a cold Autumn evening in October, The Frame restaurant did not disappoint. A blend of warm summer Mediterranean dishes brought back the memories of summer. Expertly cooked, delivered efficiently by the smart and friendly waiting staff, in a very nice & relaxed restaurant environment. The well balanced flavours of the mezze, plates and sides dishes were delicious. The chicken wings were great, with a rich spicy sauce. Eating these definitely included using your fingers. Overall the food, the wine and experience was a delight. Highly recommended. 9 St Martins Square, Leicester LE1 5EW Web site https://theframeuk.com www.Leicesterrestaurantweek.co.uk

Work is underway on a brand new £125m logistics hub - and we joined the turf-cutting event. Council leader, Dan Harrison, has welcomed the start of work at Bardon III, J20/M1, where UK real estate investor and developer, Firethorn, plan to deliver 947,650 sq ft of Grade-A industrial and logistics space. Contractor BlueEarth Construction has now commenced on-site access and infrastructure works, preparing the site which will be brought forward on a speculative and build-to-suit basis. Firethorn expects to invest £125 million into the 80.2-acre site, which benefits from detailed planning consent for two units with B2 and B8 use. The recent ‘breaking ground’ ceremony was attended by key local members who played influential roles in seeing the project realised, including the Leader of Leicestershire County Council Dan Harrison alongside Rebecca Henson, Head of the Growth Service at Leicestershire County Council, and Chris Brown, Assistant Director of Planning and Regeneration for Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, reflective of the significance of the development to the local economy. Located within the Midlands’ “Golden Triangle”, the site sits at the heart of the UK’s logistics network, providing direct access to the strategic national highway network at Junction 22 of the M1. The new development will follow previous phases delivered by Mountpark, which are now occupied by established distribution and manufacturing businesses, including Amazon, DHL, Eddie Stobart, VF, Vistry, and Pharmacy2U. James Sanders, Head of Industrial and Logistics at Firethorn, said: “Bardon is one of the UK’s most established and sought-after logistics locations, with a strong supply of local labour and direct connectivity to the strategic network making it ideally placed for leading occupiers operating national and international supply chains. “Breaking ground marks a significant step in the development process and a chance to provide recognition to those who played a role in the project coming forward. We’re delighted to mark the occasion and to be working with the BlueEarth team to deliver the first stage of what promises to be a modern, sustainable and high-quality product that will not only respond to a shortage in supply, but deliver lasting economic benefit to the region.” Councillor Dan Harrison, leader of Leicestershire County Council said: "We’re working hard to build the Leicestershire of the future, with prosperity, jobs and economic growth at the heart. This £125m investment is significant, offering opportunities for big companies to set up shop, as well as a 37-acre country park and over 2km of walking routes. Bardon is a top UK location for logistics. We really are leading the way in Leicestershire and we’re shouting from the rooftops that we’re open for business." Kirk Farrow, Construction Director at BlueEarth Construction Ltd, said: “The entire team at BlueEarth has worked incredibly hard and is absolutely delighted to be progressing this development with Firethorn, following our completion of the preliminary enabling phase with Mountpark. “The site has presented a number of significant challenges, particularly the major overhead cable diversion works required to underground and reroute services around the development. In addition, the design of the large screening bund has been a very complex and demanding aspect of the project. “We at BlueEarth Construction Ltd are extremely proud to be working in partnership with Firethorn to help bring this development forward.” The new development targets practical completion in late 2027 and will deliver a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating with net-zero carbon in construction. Leicestershire County Council News Monday, 1 June, 2026

A large Police presence including forensic officer's, several ambulances, and the fire service were seen in Ashby-de-la-Zouch last night Friday, June 5. A spokesperson from Leicestershire Police said: Police received a call at 8.41pm last night (Friday 5 June) from East Midlands Ambulance Service. The call was regarding their attendance at an address in Nottingham Road, Ashby following a concern for welfare report. A woman in her sixties was found at the address and taken to hospital. Her condition is described as stable and not life threatening. Officers attended the address and remain at the scene while enquiries continue to be carried out. Picture by Leicester Media