Tickets are now on sale for Fever’s popular classical music series, Candlelight. Following sold out performances across multiple UK cities, Guildhall and The Athena will be home to this multi-sensory musical experience as it debuts in Leicester this December. Candlelight, a Fever Original concept, aims to create an accessible and ambient space to enjoy the works of the greatest classical composers such as Vivaldi, Mozart and Beethoven as well as modern compositions such as Bach to the Beatles, Queen, ABBA, Coldplay, Aretha Franklin, and popular movie soundtracks. Since its launch in 2019, Candlelight concerts have been performed in unique venues worldwide, from churches to libraries to mansions and other historic landmarks that form part of each city’s cultural heritage. Guildhall, the oldest building still in use in the city, will host the first series of concerts in Leicester in December. In the same month, The Athena, which combines inspiring art deco architecture and state-of-the art technology, will host Candlelight concerts. Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer Venue: Guildhall Date: December 2nd Time: 5:30 PM, 7:30PM and 9:30PM Candlelight: Vivaldi's Four Seasons Venue: The Athena Leicester Date: December 13th Time: 6:00 PM Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer Venue: The Athena Leicester Date: December 13th Time: 8:30PM Candlelight Christmas: Love Actually, Home Alone & More Venue: Guildhall Date: December 30th Time: 5:30PM, 7:30 PM and 9:30PM Ticket prices start from £15 for adults, anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Candlelight is brought to you by Fever, the leading global entertainment discovery platform, who work with a network of talented local musicians in each city, providing a platform for these artists and in turn bringing classical music to an entirely new demographic. With the objective of democratizing access to culture and bringing unique experiences to the masses, Fever’s platform enables its 80 million users to discover new experiences in their cities. To purchase tickets, download the Fever app on Apple Store or Google Play, or head to Fever’s marketplace.

Leicester's famous Diwali lights will light up the city’s Golden Mile from Sunday October 9 this year. The Wheel of Light, a Diwali Village and a spectacular aerial firework display will all make a welcome return to the switch-on event which attracts people from all over the city, county and UK. Leicester’s deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “Our world-famous Diwali festival is a Leicester tradition that brings our communities together to celebrate the Festival of Light. “I am delighted that the event is back for 2022 and would like to invite everyone to the Golden Mile in October to enjoy the magic of one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside of India.” This year’s event is being supported by the University of Leicester. Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University said: “The Diwali festival shines a light for Leicester as a beacon to celebrate all that this wonderful city has to offer. “In bringing people together, this vibrant festival rejoices in our diversity and provides a platform to look to the future with hope. Diwali was my first, and memorable, introduction to Leicester and it created a lasting impression. The University is proud to support the celebrations.” The celebrations will begin On Sunday 9 October at 3pm, with the opening of the Diwali Village on Cossington Street recreation ground. Open until 9pm, the Diwali Village will include a full stage programme showcasing local talent, as well as children’s funfair rides and food stalls. Lighting up the park will be a dramatic two metre-tall fire installation called The Fire Head, which will burn brightly throughout the evening, while a trio of fire performers will light up the night sky with their spectacular show at 6.30pm and 8.30pm. Visitors will also be able to pop in to the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre from 4pm to see the annual Mela Rangoli exhibition, with its mixture of modern and traditional Rangoli styles. The stage programme on Belgrave Road will begin at 5.30pm and will include a vibrant programme of music and dance presented by the Leicester Hindu Festival Council and Leicester City Council, supported by Curve theatre and compèred by the Leicester Hindu Festival Council with BBC Radio Leicester. Highlights include a dance piece inspired by Curve’s summer project, Finding Home, Leicester’s Ugandan Asian Story at 50, featuring community performers and the Curve Young Dance Company. There will also be a Bollywood dance extravaganza from the Aakash Odedra Company called Celebration of Light, which will get everyone in the crowd singing and dancing to celebrate Diwali. At 6.15pm and 7.15pm, the battle between good and evil will be re-enacted by two giant puppets, representing Hanuman and Ravana, with the switch-on of Leicester’s famous Diwali lights taking place at 7.30pm. The switch-on of 6,000 colourful lamps will be followed by a spectacular firework display – best viewed from Belgrave Road. Other events taking place as part of the festival include the Diwali Mela Bazaar on Humberstone Gate on Saturday October 15, which will offer arts, crafts, Indian cuisine and live entertainment, and a special session of Diwali Crafts & Stories at Belgrave Library on 18 October (1pm-4pm). Belgrave Road will be the focus once again for Leicester’s Diwali Day celebrations on Monday October 24, when the Diwali Village will return to Cossington Street recreation ground from 3pm, along with entertainment on stage from 6pm. Fireworks will round off the Diwali Day celebrations at around 8.10pm, with an aerial display created and choreographed by local company Bright Spark Fireworks producing layers of spectacular colour and sound, exploding hundreds of feet above the Belgrave Road. The Wheel of Light, a 110-foot ferris wheel that provides a glittering centrepiece to the festivities, will be on Belgrave Road from Friday October 7 to Sunday November 6. A full programme of Diwali events is available at visitleicester.info/diwali

The Leicester Cycling Awards exists to promote and celebrate everyday cycling in Leicester and recognise those in our communities who encourage and promote cycling as a way to get around for leisure and utility. 2023 is the second year of the awards, having been founded in 2022 by Northside Bikes. This year's awards are organised by a number of partners and helped made possible by our sponsors. The public are asked to nominate individuals for different award categories while organisations may self nominate. Once nominations are complete, public voting will begin for some awards while a panel of expert judges will decide on the rest. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in March and presented with their prizes. For more visit https://www.northsidebikes.org/awards

Leicester's Caribbean Carnival and parade will take place this weekend and motorists are being advised that there will be some temporary road closures in place. The popular annual event – which will be held on Victoria Park on Saturday 5 August – will include a colourful carnival parade starting at the park from midday, before heading into the city centre and back again. The parade route includes Granville Road, London Road, part of Waterloo Way and St George’s Way, Charles Street and onto Humberstone Gate and Gallowtree Gate, before returning to Victoria Park via Granby Street, Northampton Street and back onto London Road. Rolling road closures will be in place along the parade route from around 12.30pm until around 4pm, along with temporary parking restrictions along the route throughout the day, to allow the parade to pass safely. Events at the park will continue until 8pm, with parking and waiting restrictions nearby remaining in place throughout. The event is organised by Leicester Caribbean Carnival. To can find out more or to book tickets visit www.leicestercarnival.com

Diners evacuated after fire rips through adjoining building. Picture by Leicester Media Leicestershire Fire and rescue service attended a fire on Main Street in Cosby this morning just after 9:45. 5 Fire crews attended, Two Breathing Apparatus were in use under Rapid Deployment and 2 Hose Reel Jets were in use. Crews from the Central, Eastern, Loughborough , Lutterworth and Wigston station were dispatched to the scene. The fire is now extinguished. Pictures By Leicester Media Diners enjoying their Bank holiday breakfast treat in the adjoining cafe were evacuated, no one was injured, and the fire service remains at the scene damping down. The road closures have now been lifted. Image credit - Leicestershire Fire service The Tithe Barn had let customers know they would be open as normal on Bank Holiday Monday. However, the fire has led to the closure of the cafe. In a statement, the Tithe Barn said: "Tithe Barn will be closed for the foreseeable future due to a fire incident in the back building. "We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We will update our page in due course. Thank you for your understanding." The cause of the fire is now under investigation. #LFRS #Cosby

By LM News BREAKING NEWS. News report video by LM News Arrest made as car reportedly hits multiple pedestrians in Leicester city centre. Three people have been seriously injured. A police investigation is ongoing following a report of a collision involving a car and a number of pedestrians in De Montfort Street, Leicester, during the early hours of this morning (31 May). Police were called to the area at 12.34am. From our initial enquiries, the incident is reported to have happened following a report of a fight at the same location. Four people – two men and two women have been injured in the collision. One man had minor injuries. All remain in hospital, three people with serious injuries. A 31-year-old man, from Leicester, has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the collision. He remains in police custody where he is being questioned by detectives. From enquiries, it is understood that the suspect and the four victims involved in the collision had all been in attendance at a private event nearby prior to the incident. The car believed to have been involved in the incident has been found in nearby Margaret Street and has been recovered as part of the investigation. Detective Inspector Jenny Tattersall said: “We understand the serious concern there will be about this incident. “Four people currently remain in hospital and an investigation is ongoing as we continue to establish the full circumstances and the events leading up to this incident. A man remains in police custody and will be questioned by officers. “A large cordon is in place in the area of De Montfort Street and will remain while enquiries, including forensic investigations, are carried out. “We do ask that people do not speculate about this incident, including on social media, in order to allow a thorough investigation to take place. “We have officers at the scene carrying out enquiries and providing reassurance. Please do speak with them regarding any information you may have or any concerns you may have. “You can also contact police on 101, quoting incident number 27 of 31 May.” #LeicsPolice #DeMontfortStreet

People from across Leicester will remember the city’s fallen service men and women at the annual Remembrance Sunday service this weekend. Watch our video of this year’s event 2024 The city’s service of remembrance will take place at the war memorial in Victoria Park on Sunday (10 November). A parade, led by the Seaforth Highlanders Pipes and Drums and comprising members of the Armed Forces, reservists, veterans and cadets, will step off from De Montfort Hall at around 10.40am and make its way to the Arch of Remembrance, ready for the service at 10.55am. The Lord Bishop of Leicester, the Right Reverend Martyn Snow, will conduct the service with support from former BBC Radio Leicester presenter, Dave Andrews. A bugler will sound the Last Post before the firing of salutes marks the beginning and the end of the two-minute silence. A piper from the Seaforth Highlanders will play a lament before the service continues. People in the area are advised that the salutes will create a loud bang, which may cause alarm or distress, particularly to young children or pets. Official wreaths will be laid by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Colonel Murray Colville, and The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Bhupen Dave, together with representatives of local emergency services, military units and faith communities. Other organisations and veterans’ associations will lay wreaths immediately after the official wreath laying, while members of the public will have an opportunity to lay their wreaths at the end of the service. The Salvation Army band will accompany hymns, supported by the City of Leicester Singers and the Leicester Cathedral Choir. Limited public seating will be available on a first come, first served basis and there will be a designated seating area for those with a disability or who are unable to stand for long periods. A returning parade will step off through the War Memorial and back onto Centenary Walk at the end of the service, returning to the front of De Montfort Hall at around 11.45am. Granville Road car park will be closed from midnight on Saturday, 9 November until around 1pm on Sunday, November 10, and vehicles should not be left overnight in the car park. A limited number of spaces for disabled guests and blue badge holders will be available in the car park, which will be accessible from London Road only. These must be requested in advance by emailing lord.mayor@leicester.gov.uk or by calling 0116 454 0020. Road closures will be in operation on both Granville Road and Regent Road from 9.30am until 12.30pm on Sunday. Access will be maintained for residents of Salisbury Road. The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Bhupen Dave, said: “Remembrance Day is a time for reflection and contemplation on the sacrifice made by the men and women of our armed forces in defence of their country and allows us to come together to remember all those whose lives have been lost in armed conflict. “I am humbled to be able to lay a wreath commemorating them on behalf of the people of Leicester.” The following day, Monday 11 November, is Remembrance Day, when the nation pauses at 11am to reflect on the sacrifices made by the country’s service men and women. Held each year on 11 November, the silence coincides with the time in 1918 when the First World War came to an end.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Rupert Matthews has called a meeting on 20 February to give residents in West Leicester the opportunity to share their views on crime and policing. The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC will be joined by Chief Constable Rob Nixon and local police officers for the event which will be held at New Parks Club for Young People, LE3 9SB. There will be a short presentation from both the PCC and the Chief Constable looking at the work underway to address community safety and crime prevention in the area. Residents will then be invited to ask questions and raise any concerns about safety in their area to help ensure resources are allocated to where they are needed most. Mr Matthews said: “This is a great opportunity for people in West Leicester to meet both those setting the policing priorities and those delivering them. They can ask questions of me, the Chief Constable and their local neighbourhood policing team. “I think it’s important that we tell people what we are doing to meet their policing needs and the work we are doing as part of the ongoing crime prevention strategy to make their communities safer. “One of my priorities as Commissioner is to understand people’s different challenges in their local area so we can design solutions together. It is important we get it right for everyone and you can help us make a difference by sharing your concerns.” The meeting will be held between 6.30pm and 8pm at New Parks Club for Young People, New Parks Blvd., LE3 9SB. Anyone wishing to book a space for this meeting, or who has a question that they would like answered during meeting, is asked to email opcc@leics.police.uk or call 0116 229 8980. Remaining spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Detectives are currently investigating after a report of a shooting in Mulberry Avenue, Leicester. Police received a call shortly before 11pm yesterday (Saturday 3 February) reporting a firearm had been discharged into the driver’s side of a car while it was stationary in the street. The man in the car, who is in his 30s, was not injured as a result of the incident. A scene preservation is in place while officers continue to carry out enquiries and establish the full circumstance surrounding the incident. Currently no arrests have been made. Detective Inspector George Fraser said: “Our investigation to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding this incident is still in its early stages. “Luckily no one was injured as a result of this incident but it is still being treated as a very serious offence and we currently have a team of officers dedicated to this investigation. “We currently have a scene preservation at the location and officers are carrying out house to house enquiries and offering reassurance to residents in the area. “If anyone was in the area of Mulberry Avenue last night and has any information that could assist with the investigation please get in touch.” Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or report online Report a crime | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk) – quoting crime reference number 24*70194. #LeicsPolice #MulberryAvenue #Leicestershooting #LMNews

Breaking News. Shocking behaviour. A 27-year-old man has been charged with six counts of attempted murder following an incident in Oxford Street, Leicester. Ako Faraji, of Oxford Street, Leicester, has also been charged with arson with intent to endanger life, one count of an offence under Section 24 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 - maliciously administering with a noxious substance intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy any other person and one count of theft. He is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates’ Court today (Monday 5 February). The theft charge relates to a report of a theft from a business premises in Wharf Street South, Leicester, during the evening of Saturday 3 February. The other charges relate to an incident at an address in Oxford Street during the early hours of Sunday 4 February in which it was reported that a liquid, believed to be petrol, was thrown at six police officers and a firefighter. Five of the police officers and the firefighter were reported to have been subsequently set alight. The flames were quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported. #LeicsPolice #OxfordStreet

Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, has written to the Home Secretary (the Rt Hon James Cleverly MP), requesting a meeting at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss the funding for Leicestershire Police. Last week it was announced that Leicestershire Police faces a funding gap of £5.4m in the coming financial year, despite a £13 per year increase (Band D property) in the amount of council tax paid towards policing. Rupert Matthews said today; "The funding for Leicestershire Police, per head of population, is the 11th lowest in England and Wales. Currently, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland receive around £211 per person, which is lower than the national average. Simply by lifting the amount to the average would raise an additional £8m in the coming financial year. "It is imperative that the improvements in policing, crime prevention, victims services and community safety are protected. Inadequate funding could well, if we are not very careful, lead to an inadequate service to our communities. I will not sit back and let this happen. "Of course, I am determined to work with the Chief Constable to minimise any negative impact from our funding challenge, but I also intend to push the Home Secretary for swift and decisive action to put an end to this unfair funding formula. "It is unfair on those trying to deliver a quality service, be that crime prevention, enforcement or victim support. It is unfair on local residents who deserve a police force that is fairly funded. I am grateful to local taxpayers who have supported us all the way, but they should not be expected to pick up a larger slice of the funding burden. "It's too soon to say exactly what the fallout from this funding gap will be, but I know that the Chief Constable and his team will continue to do everything they can to deliver an efficient and effective service. I know that they will do everything they can to minimise the impact on the officers and police staff. For my part, I will do everything I can to deliver a fair funding deal for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland."

Major search after reports child, 3, fell into river. Emergency services rushed to reports of a person in the River soar this evening. The Road is currently closed Braunstone Lane East and Middleton Street. Please avoid this area if possible. The Police helicopter was seen searching the river around 17:40 tonight and has now been replace with a police drone. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service are now in-attendance. The police helicopter returned at 18:40 after refuelling and is now continuing to light up the search area. A spokesperson from Leicestershire police said: “Police and emergency services are dealing with an incident near to Aylestone Road, Braunstone, following reports of a 3 year old child falling in to the River Soar around 5pm today (Sunday 18 February). All services are in attendance as the search for the child continues. Further updates will be given when appropriate.” 🔴 Police updated statement 22:45 Police operation ongoing after child falls in River Soar, Leicester. Earlier this evening (Sunday 18 February) officers were called to the River Soar in Leicester after reports of a child falling into the water. The child, a 3-year-old boy, was with family when he fell into the river, sadly despite the best efforts of those at the scene at the time the child was not located. Emergency services attended the scene just after 5pm and a search and rescue operation began in Aylestone Meadows, close to Marsden Lane. A man was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. The operation is ongoing and will continue with additional specialist teams in the morning. The child’s family are being supported by specialist officers and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time. We have had a number of offers of support to assist with the search and would kindly ask that people do not attend the scene due to rising water levels and safety risks. If anyone has any information or comes across anything that may assist officers, they are asked to contact us immediately. Specialist teams are on standby to respond to any information received. If you need to get in touch, please contact 999 quoting incident 476:180224. #LeicsPolice #RiverSoar #AylestoneMeadows