Some Firefighters go through their entire career without rescuing a single cat from a tree, but the thing about cliches is every so often they come around! Poor old Rojak got stuck up a tree on Staples Drive in Coalville early yesterday evening, after his lead became caught in a tree branch 30ft from the ground, crews from Coalville Fire Station came to his rescue. They had him down and reunited with his grateful owner within minutes. Pictures credit - Coalville Fire Station If you see an animal in distress, never put yourself in harm's way attempting to rescue it yourself - always contact the appropriate animal welfare organisation. Do you want to be a Firefighter? We can't promise cat rescues, but we do offer a rewarding career with no two days the same, serving and protecting your local community: https://orlo.uk/WZ18v #NotJustFires

Police officers are appealing for dashcam footage and anyone with information to come forward following a fatal collision in Great Dalby yesterday (Wednesday 20 May). Police and the East Midlands Ambulance Service were called to Station Road just after 8.45pm following a report a white Vauxhall Corsa had left the road and collided with a tree. One of the passengers, a 19-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car, who is 18, was taken to hospital where he is continuing to receive treatment for serious injuries. Two passengers in the back of the car were taken to hospital to be treated for injuries that were not life-threatening or life-changing. Detective Constable Emma Neeves, from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: “I’m appealing for any witnesses or drivers with dashcam footage to come forward. “Any information or evidence you’re able to provide regarding this incident could help our ongoing enquiries. “This includes anyone who saw the collision occur or who saw the Corsa beforehand.” You can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/making-a-road-traffic-incident-report/ and quoting reference 26*292438 Alternatively call 101. Leicestershire Police News Published: 08:00 21/05/2026

The police were called in after the fire service discovered a cannabis grow operation last night. Police investigations are ongoing. A spokesperson from Leicestershire said: "Police received a call from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) shortly after 7pm last night (Thursday 14 May) after they had discovered a cannabis grow in a building on East Park Road while attending a report of a fire. Pictures by Leicester Media Online Around 400 plants were found inside the building. Credit - East Leicester Police No arrests have been made and enquiries are continuing."

Two new 20mph zones are set to be introduced close to schools in residential parts of Leicester. Leicester City Council has approved plans to place the reduced limit on a total of 46 streets in the Belgrave and Rushey Mead areas of the city. The proposed schemes are the latest in a rolling programme of 20mph zones citywide. In Belgrave, 19 residential roads, close to Mellor Community Primary School, will be covered by a new 20mph zone, extending restrictions already in place in the nearby area. The block of roads covered is between Lanesborough Road down to Checketts Road, and from Bath Street over to just before Melton Road. The new 20mph scheme in Rushey Mead will affect 27 residential roads in an area around Herrick Primary School, including part of Gleneagles Avenue and adjoining roads. This will also be an extension of an existing 20mph scheme in the area. Traffic calming measures are proposed as part of both new schemes. These will include raising existing pedestrian crossings onto road humps and installing new speed cushions where the traffic speeds need reducing. The introduction of the new 20mph zones follows consultations with ward councillors and residents with most responses in favour of the proposed schemes. Of the residents that responded to the new scheme close to Mellor Community Primary School proposals, 86 per cent were in favour of the plans, with 69 per cent of respondents supporting the proposals for the roads close to Herrick Primary School. Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: “We’ve listened to ward councillors and residents to ensure that these latest two 20mph zones are the best fit for these busy neighbourhoods. “It’s the latest phase of a rolling programme that has seen improvements made in communities across the city to help make residential streets safer for everyone to use. "Lower traffic speeds greatly reduce the risk and severity of traffic collisions, help reduce noise and anti-social driving, and can encourage people to feel more confident about walking or cycling in their neighbourhoods." The total estimated cost of the introducing the two new zones is £170,000 and will be funded from the council’s transport improvement works budget. Implementation of the schemes is expected to be later this year. Leicester City Council News Published on Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Get ready for live art workshops, mural tours, a new street art trail and loads of free, family-friendly fun as Open Streets returns! The popular mini-festival, organised by the city council, aims to encourage people to explore the city by walking, wheeling or cycling. The first Open Streets of 2026 is the Graffwerk Street Art Jam, bringing activities and events out onto the streets of Leicester on Sunday 31 May. Join in the fun from 1-4pm in and around Graffwerk HQ in Jarvis Street, in the Waterside area of the city. Artists will be creating live street art and hosting spray-painting workshops; there will be hands-on upcycling craft activities to get involved with, and there will be food trucks, live music and bike rides for all. Free bike maintenance is also available, plus secure cycle parking for anyone who arrives by bike. To help celebrate the city’s wonderful array of internationally acclaimed street art, a new trail has been launched, with brochures available to pick up at Open Streets. It suggests walking routes for different areas of the city so that you can spot some of Leicester’s most eye-catching street art. There will also be free guided tours of some of the city’s street art highlights, where people can learn more about the stunning murals and the artists who created them. Izzy Peacock, co-director at Graffwerk, said: “It’s great to be working with the Open Streets team to deliver a street art-focused day for people of all ages to enjoy. We’re especially excited to launch the new street art trail, developed in collaboration with Leicester City Council, as part of the day’s celebrations.” Assistant city mayor Cllr Geoff Whittle, who leads on environment and transport, said: “At Open Streets, we bring events out onto the street and make them places where people can gather. The result is a great sense of community, a festival atmosphere and a place where it simply makes sense to get around on foot, on wheels or by bike. “It’s great to see the return of the Street Art Jam, in partnership with local street art experts Graffwerk. It was hugely successful last year, with more than 1,000 people attending, and I’m sure it will be just as popular again. "There will be lots more fun, free and family-friendly activities as Open Streets returns in August and September, with each event having its own theme and a full programme of free activities to enjoy.” For full details visit www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/leicester-open-streets The street art trail will also be available on the Visit Leicester website and BID Leicester’s My Leicester app.

The Age UK superstore in Leicester is highlighting the physical and mental health benefits of volunteering in a bid to encourage the local community to sign up to help this Volunteers’ Week (1st - 7th June 2026). The call comes as part of the Charity’s recently launched Act Now, Age Better campaign, which aims to get people thinking, talking and taking actions that are going to help them in the years to come. Bringing together the world of sport, physical activity and movement together the campaigns looks to inspire people to make their next move towards a stronger and healthier later life. As Volunteers’ Week approaches, the Age UK’s network of shops are now stepping in to help. With over 270 charity shops across the country, offering a range of volunteering opportunities, there has never been a better time to start moving more and make new connections. There are numerous benefits to volunteering in an Age UK shop - as well as helping the Charity support older people and making a difference to the local community, volunteering also has physical benefits by helping people to stay active. Recent research from Age UK found that 6.6 million (47%) adults say that they feel they don’t do enough or don’t do any physical activity. This is despite the fact that being active is one of the most impactful steps individuals can take to ensure a healthier future, by improving mobility and mental health as well as reducing the risk of various health conditions. In Age UK charity shops, volunteers are often on their feet - moving and organising stock, sorting donations, tidying and helping customers. Gentle, regular activity helps keep the body active, which can help to support mobility and improve stamina, contributing to better overall physical health. Volunteers can also make new friends, discover new interests and develop new skills, helping people connect with their local community, enhance personal development and improve confidence. Claire volunteers two days a week (for four hours at a time) at the Age UK Chester shop and wears a step tracker to log her movement. Claire says, “Since I started volunteering at the Age UK Chester shop, I’m on my feet more and moving every day. My average steps per shift is 4,500 steps, which would be 9,000 a week. Volunteering has made such a positive difference in my life, it keeps me moving and socialising. When I'm at home, I have to make myself move but when I'm volunteering time flies and I do more steps than I ever thought I would. It’s made a real difference to how I feel, both physically and mentally.” Harley, Manager at the Age UK Leicester superstore said: “Many of our volunteers tell us they feel happier and more confident because they know their time and effort is making a difference and often tell us they have experienced positive benefits in terms of their social life. The combination of physical activity, social interaction and meaningful engagement makes volunteering especially beneficial for overall wellbeing. To find out more about opportunities at the Age UK Leicester superstore, give us a call on 0116 3669500.” Volunteering at an Age UK shop is open to people over the age of 18, with no previous experience required. Age UK shops offer taster sessions to give prospective volunteers a flavour of what they can expect, as well as a chance to meet the team and try out different tasks including window dressing, creating displays, managing stock donations and serving customers. Age UK shops also offer a range of roles and time slots to fit around people’s availability. Age UK shops offer a wider range of pre-loved items, which are sold on to be loved again helping raise much-needed funds for the Charity’s work with older people, whilst encouraging everyone to recycle unwanted items including clothing and accessories, gifts, toys, household items and shoes. Money raised from the Charity’s shops goes towards Age UK’s vital services, including its Telephone Friendship Service, free and confidential Advice Line and The Silver Line Helpline. Age UK’s Act Now, Age Better campaign encourages people to be active so they can live their best possible later life and brings together the world of sport, physical activity and movement, on a scale not seen before. Age UK is working with over 50 sporting partners, including Badminton England, British Cycling, British Rowing, England Boxing, Everyone Active, Muslim Sports Foundation, Pickleball England, Rugby Football Union, Ramblers, Sport England, Swim England, Team England - the nation's Commonwealth Games Team and Women in Sport, to help mid-lifers find an activity that suits their goals and their lifestyle . To find more volunteering for Age UK’s charity shops visit: Charity Shop Volunteering | Age UK For more information on Age UK’s Act Now, Age Better campaign, visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/actnow

Schools across Leicestershire and the East Midlands unite to raise vital funds to support children facing poverty and hardship. Leicestershire, UK - Friday 22 May 2026 - More than 60,000 children from 230 schools across Leicestershire and the East Midlands are taking part in Lifting Children’s Hopes’ (LCH Charity’s) annual Colour Dash, transforming playgrounds and sports fields into bright bursts of colour while fundraising to help local children and young people affected by poverty. 30,000 of those children, at 112 local schools, will all be taking part in their Colour Dash events on the same day at the same time, on Friday 22nd May 2026. 10,000 children across 32 schools have already had their “Dash”, with a further 20,000 pupils from 74 local schools still looking forward to their event om Friday 12th June. The Colour Dash is a fun, inclusive sponsored run or walk held in schools during the last hour of the school day, where pupils complete a short course while being showered with colourful powder paint and bubbles by staff and volunteers. With every participant encouraged to get involved, the event helps schools build community spirit while raising money for LCH Charity’s programmes that provide essential items, such as coats, gloves and scarves in winter, hygiene products, wellbeing support and enriching experiences for children who would otherwise miss out. Images from schools who have already done their LCH Colour Dash this year Date: Friday 22 May 2026 and Friday 12th June 2026 Total Participants: 60,000+ children Schools: 320 primary and secondary schools Where: School sites across the East Midlands Why: To fundraise for LCH Charity’s work supporting children and families experiencing hardship “The Colour Dash is a brilliant example of what happens when schools, families and communities come together with a shared purpose,” said Nichola Moore, CEO of LCH Charity. “Seeing more than 60,000 children from 230 schools taking part across the region is truly inspiring. Every splash of colour represents real, vital support for local children - whether that’s essentials at home, access to activities, or opportunities that help them flourish.” “We’re so proud to have more schools than ever taking part this year. All funds raised through the Colour Dash help us deliver support through our partner schools and community networks - from providing basic hygiene products and wellbeing support to helping children access short breaks and enriching activities.” She continued; “With many families facing increasing pressure from the cost of living, too many children are going without the basics and missing out on experiences that support confidence, learning and wellbeing. The money raised through Colour Dash will be invested locally, helping LCH Charity continue and expand its support to children and young people who need it most. How to support: People can sponsor participating pupils through their school fundraising pages or make a donation directly to LCH Charity on the website:www.lchcharity.co.uk. Where eligible, adding Gift Aid increases the value of donations at no extra cost to the donor. Supporters are encouraged to include the school name and child’s initials (if applicable) with their donation so it can be allocated correctly. About LCH Charity Lifting Children’s Hopes (also known as LCH Charity) supports disadvantaged children and young people across Leicestershire and the East Midlands. Working with schools and community partners, the charity delivers a range of programmes designed to provide essentials, improve wellbeing and increase access to positive experiences - helping children to flourish and creating lasting memories. The charity has been going in Leicester for over 120 years. Previously known as the Mablethorpe Charity, then becoming Leicester Children’s Holidays, before recently changing its name to Lifting Children’s Hopes to reflect the range of provision the organisation now offers.

Our future hospitals are quickly becoming a reality, with groundwork now officially underway on the new £12.8 million Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at Leicester Royal Infirmary. The site has been set up, hoardings are in place, and excavation has begun to prepare the foundation area for the new facility – a visible and exciting step forward for the project. This marks a significant milestone in improving urgent care services for patients across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. The new UTC was announced in December 2025 and is expected to open in 2027. It will replace the existing Minor Injuries and Minor Illnesses (MIaMI) unit and will provide a modern, purpose-built environment designed around the needs of patients requiring same-day treatment for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions. Richard Mitchell, Chief Executive, said: “The start of groundwork on our new Urgent Treatment Centre is a really important and exciting moment for our Trust and for local communities. Seeing activity on site brings this investment to life and demonstrates our commitment to improving urgent care. This new facility will support our colleagues and significantly improve the experience for patients when they need us most.” As work gets underway, patients, visitors, and colleagues will begin to see changes across the Leicester Royal Infirmary site. The new Urgent Treatment Centre forms part of our future hospitals programme, which is focused on modernising hospital facilities and ensuring services are fit for the future. It will complement the £39m of funding secured in December last year from the national New Hospital Programme. This will fund essential enabling works to start this year, including the relocation of services such as the hearing and balance service from the Knighton Street campus to the East Midlands Planned Care Centre in early 2027. These works will support plans for a new Women’s and Children’s Hospital, with building expected to start in 2032. It is expected to bring maternity, neonatal, gynaecology and children’s services together into a single, state‑of‑the‑art building. Natalie Forrest, Chief Programme Officer of the New Hospital Programme said; “It’s great to see work starting on site at Leicester Royal Infirmary, marking real progress for local patients and communities. This new Urgent Treatment Centre will provide a modern, purpose-built space that supports faster, more effective care closer to home. We’re proud to be working with local partners to deliver facilities that meet the needs of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland now and into the future.” Dr Saad Jawaid, Consultant in Emergency and Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine at UHL, said: “The new Urgent Treatment Centre will give us a purpose-built space that reflects how urgent care is delivered today. It will help us improve patient flow, provide care in a more appropriate environment and deliver a better overall experience for patients.” The UTC builds on a period of significant investment across our hospitals over the past 12 months, including the East Midlands Planned Care Centre and Endoscopy Unit at Leicester General Hospital, the Preston Lodge rehabilitation unit in North Evington, and the Hinckley Community Diagnostic Centre. These developments are helping to deliver world‑class services closer to where patients live, supporting improved access to care, and contributing to the Government’s 10‑year plan for the NHS. Construction work is being delivered by Henry Brothers, one of the UK’s leading construction companies, with further updates to be shared as the project progresses. Ian Taylor, managing director of Henry Brothers Construction, said: “Breaking ground on this new Urgent Treatment Centre marks a significant milestone. We’re proud to be working at the forefront of the health construction sector, helping to bring a vital and inspiring community resource to fruition. Once complete, these facilities will make a real difference to how local people access urgent care close to home.” University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Press release

Get a sneak preview of some of the fascinating object found during construction of Pork Pie Way Residents and visitors are invited to uncover thousands of years of history at a special one-day pop-up exhibition showcasing remarkable archaeological finds discovered during the construction of the Melton Mowbray distributor road – now officially named Pork Pie Way. Taking place at Melton Carnegie Museum on Friday 22 May from 10am to 3pm, the free, family-friendly event will offer a rare glimpse into how the local landscape has evolved, from prehistoric times to the present day. The exhibition is suitable for all ages and invites visitors to explore the hidden stories beneath Leicestershire’s landscape in an engaging and accessible setting. It will feature an extraordinary range of artefacts unearthed during construction work on the £131 million road project, revealing a rich and varied past. Highlights include prehistoric flint tools such as a Palaeolithic hammerstone dating back to around 12,000 BC, a Late Mesolithic blade, a Neolithic knife, and an Early Bronze Age barbed and tanged arrowhead. Visitors will also be able to view pottery spanning centuries, including an Early Bronze Age Beaker vessel, Late Prehistoric and Roman Iron Age (Belgic) pottery from around AD 40, Samian ware stamps, and Saxon pottery dating to around AD 600. Other fascinating finds include Roman coins, a brooch, a bone pin, a glass bead, and Saxon loom weights and a spindle whorl – and oldest of all, a fossilised vertebra from a Jurassic ichthyosaur -an enormous marine reptile that swam in the area’s ancient seas over 200 million years ago. Visitors attending the exhibition will have the opportunity to meet archaeologists and specialists involved in the project, learn more about the excavation process, and ask questions about the discoveries. Most of the artefacts on display will also be available to handle. Friday’s event offers a unique “sneak preview” of the finds before they are sent away for cataloguing and conservation, ahead of being allocated a permanent home, which is yet to be determined. Alongside the artefacts, a series of display boards and visual materials will help tell the story of the excavation and bring the site to life. Visitors are encouraged to drop in throughout the day to explore the exhibition and uncover the fascinating stories hidden beneath Melton Mowbray’s landscape. The one-day exhibition complements the fascinating permanent displays on show in the museum, which tell the story of the area from pre-history to modern times. More information about Melton Carnegie Museum, including opening times and further details of the permanent displays, is available on the Melton Carnegie Museum

Maintenance work on a bridge on a busy road in Leicester is due to take place later this month. Repairs and maintenance will be carried to the St Barnabas Road bridge, which crosses the Bushby Brook in the North Evington area of the city, from Monday 26 May. Planned works will include repointing brickwork on the bridge parapets, repairing and repainted the structural metalwork, renewing the waterproofing system and resurfacing the carriageway across the bridge. The maintenance work is expected to take about eight weeks to complete. To ensure the work can be carried out safely, part of St Barnabas Road, between Gough Road and Stonebridge Street, will be closed to traffic in both directions for the duration of the scheme. Well signposted diversions will be in place using St Barnabas Road, Uppingham Road, Coleman Road, Green Lane Road and East Park Road. Martin Fletcher, Leicester City Council highways director, said: “This essential maintenance work needs to be carried out to ensure the St Barnabas Road bridge, which is part of the city’s main road network, remains usable for commuters and large goods vehicles for many years to come. “The nature of the repairs means we will have to close part of this busy route to traffic for around eight weeks. We will do everything we can to help minimise disruption and diversions will be clearly signposted.” Along with the planned road closure, some temporary parking and loading restriction may be required along nearby roads to help keep traffic flowing. Residents and businesses in the area have been advised of the forthcoming roadworks by letter, and advance warning signs will be place on St Barnabas Road before works starts on site. The bridge maintenance works will cost about £130,000 and will be funded through the council’s highways maintenance capital budget. Leicester City Council News - Published on Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Police officers investigating a robbery in Leicester are appealing for the victim to come forward. A third-party report was received in relation to a robbery that they witnessed on a canal towpath on Riverside Way, between 12.50pm and 1.10pm on Tuesday 5 May. The victim was riding his bike when he was assaulted with a crowbar, causing him to fall off, two suspects then stole his bike. The incident is believed to have taken place near Ellis Meadows foot bridge. Extensive enquiries have been carried out to identify the victim and ensure he is ok but so far officers have not been able to locate him. He has been described as an Asian man, wearing blue trousers, high vis vest and woollen jacket. If this was you then we would urge you to contact us. A 14-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident and released on bail pending further enquiries. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information about the victim is asked to contact 101 or report via www.leics.police.uk, quoting crime reference number 26*258327. Published: 14:47 19/05/2026

Families looking for a free or low-cost day out this half term should head for Leicester’s parks, libraries and museums. The city council and its partners have organised a range of indoor and outdoor activities that children and young people of all ages will enjoy – and they’re all listed in a handy online guide. This year’s Spark Festival is running performances, workshops and activities until Sunday (24 May), with many of them completely free of charge. Families, for example, can pop into the Phoenix for a Paper Movies workshop on Saturday 23 May, while Curve will also be open that day for a free Family Community Day Leicester’s libraries are offering a wide range of free half-term activities, from Lego codingworkshops at Knighton Library and a Learn to Knit Club at the Pork Pie Library, to storytelling and craft sessions. On Tuesday 26 May, award-winning storyteller Tim Ralphs and community storyteller Jos Razzell will lead families into a magical world that will be brought to life by the youngsters’ own craft creations. Life’s Full Of Stories takes place at the Central Library on Tuesday 26 May and pre-booking on the two sessions is required. Also on Tuesday (26 May), Abbey Pumping Station opens its doors for its popular Half Term Railway Day, when rides on the narrow gauge railway will cost just £1, while there’s a chance to meet mermaids and a larger-than-life octopus at the Haymarket shopping centre’s free Under the Sea event. On Wednesday (27 May), the city’s Newarke Houses Museum and its beautiful gardens will be open for half-term. Families are invited to enjoy an afternoon of crafts at Fairies & Bugs, when youngsters can make a ladybird hat and a flying fairy or follow the bug hunt trail around the gardens. Tickets are £4 per child when booked online (£5 at the door). Accompanying adults are free of charge. Wednesday also sees the return of Funky Feet and Wacky Wheels to Abbey Park. Children of all ages are invited to bling their wheels at the annual celebration of walking and wheeling, before taking part in the grand parade around the Oval. There’s messy, creative fun at the Guildhall on Thursday (28 May), when youngsters can make their own masterpiece from air-drying clay. Admission to Clay Play Day is £4 per child when booked online (£5 at the door). Accompanying adults are free of charge. On Saturday (30 May), there’s an open invitation to young cyclists to take part in Bike Fest at the Leicester Cycle Circuit. Bring your bike and enjoy unlimited free laps of the traffic-free circuit at the Herewoode Academy on Glenfield Road from 1pm-4pm. Open Streets (pictured) returns on Sunday (31 May) with the Graffwerk Street Art Jam, when artists will create live street art alongside spray‑paint workshops and hands‑on upcycling activities. The Art Jam will also include bike fix‑it workshops, accessible cycling sessions from Wheels 4 All, and high‑energy live music. Head to Graffwerk HQ on Jarvis Street, LE3 5BN, from 1pm-4pm to join in the fun. Other ideas for things to do during the half-term break include visiting the animals at Pets’ Corner in Abbey Park, craft activities at Leicester Cathedral, and an exhibition at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery that will go down a storm with Star Wars’ fans of all ages. Open daily, May The Toys Be With You features more than 400 exhibits representing five decades of Star Wars toys and memorabilia. And no trip to the museum would be complete without marvelling at the mummies in the Ancient Egypt gallery or popping into the Dinosaur gallery to gaze up at the enormous cetiosaurus. The city council’s list of ideas for free and low-cost half-term fun in Leicester can be found at families.leicester.gov.uk/half-term-fun