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The search for an artist to design and produce a statue of the legendary Leicester playwright, Joe Orton, in his hometown has been launched today (9thMarch) with the issue of an artist’s design brief. The search following a successful, high profile crowd funding campaign which received celebrity backing and donations from the likes of Sir Ian McKellen, Stephen Fry, Sir Matthew Bourne, Pet Shop Boys, Alison Steadman, Kenneth Cranham, Sheila Hancock, Adam Kay, Patrick Gayle, Jake Arnott, Graham Fellows and The Connor Brothers. The Joe Orton Statue Appeal CIC (Community Interest Company) are inviting an artist to develop a permanent work of three-dimensional public art to memorialise Joe Orton in Leicester’s Orton Square, outside Curve theatre. The desire is to make the ‘Joe Orton Statue’ a destination artwork and one which enhances the local resident and visitor experience of Orton Square, Leicester. It is envisaged that the artwork will be thought provoking, outward looking and make a major contribution to the community, enhancing the lives of passers-by. Leonie Orton, sister of the late playwright and administrator of the Joe Orton Estate said: “I hope that the statue will become a memorable and exciting addition to Leicester’s cultural landscape that raises awareness whilst celebrating his life, work and legacy.It is not a ‘statue’ that people should be in awe of, rather something they want to interact with and associate with.” This will be the first statue of a self-identified working-class homosexual man in Britain. It’s positioning at the heart of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, within the square that bears his name, should reinforce Leicester’s reputation for diversity and inclusivity, celebrating the city as a home to all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds. This is a unique opportunity to rethink memorialisation and to create something which salutes individuality, represents inclusivity and reflects our diverse society. Tanya Brittain, CEO of the Public Monuments and Statues Association said: “PMSA is always happy to support the commissioning of quality works of public sculpture. The Joe Orton Statue campaign has, from its very conception, attracted public attention and provoked lively discussion. There are figurative bronzes in city centres all over the world reminding us how society has changed in a relatively short space of time. I really hope the finished artwork will educate, enlighten and invite cultural evolution – which is exactly what public sculpture should do.” Artists are asked to submit ‘Expressions of Interest’ by the 31st May 2020 which includes their CV and examples of their previous work, a covering letter stating why they are interested in the commission, information on how their design fulfils the Brief along with a visual interpretation of their proposed design. Submissions will be reviewed and longlisted by an Advisory Group made up of local people who work in the arts and culture industries, the Orton family, members of the Saffron Lane estate and the Leicester LGBTQ community before being displayed at a public exhibition this Summer. Public opinion and general feedback from the exhibition will be carefully considered before a Selection Panel that includes representatives of Leicester City Council, Curve, The Orton Estate, University of Leicester, Public Monuments and Statues Association as well as Orton enthusiast, the , the artist, author and singer songwriter, Holly Johnson. From this, three artists will be invited to submit detailed proposals including maquettes that will be exhibited at New Walk Museum this Autumn before the final design is chosen. Selection Committee member, the artist, author and singer songwriter Holly Johnson said: ‘Joe Orton challenged hypocrisy with his barbed humour, always swinging the other way in the Swinging Sixties. It’s an honour to be asked to help select the statue that will commemorate this working-class hero who was an antidote to the stiff upper lip British establishment’ A copy of the full Design Brief can be downloaded here. Artists wishing to apply must make their submission by 31st May 2020.

Busy retail area and main route into Leicester is being spruced up in a £145,000 improvement scheme focusing on pavement repairs, better street furniture and new bollards. Work is due to begin on Narborough Road on Monday, March 16, in the first phase of a series of planned improvements along the busy shopping and residential area. It will include pavement maintenance to replace broken slabs, improved drainage, resurfacing work, and also installing new bollards, benches and cycle racks. Damage to the footways has been caused by underground tree roots cracking or distorting paving slabs, or vehicles parking on pavements. The works will be carried out in phases over the next 14 weeks in the area between Narborough Road’s junctions with Upperton Road and Equity Road. It is the first stage of a series of improvements planned along the road, which will take place in gradual phases to avoid disrupting businesses. Leicester deputy city mayor and Westcotes ward councillor, Sarah Russell, said: “Narborough Road is a thriving retail and residential area, with a bustling community of shops, restaurants and bars, as well as being one of the key gateways into the city. “We are carrying out these improvements to help make it a more attractive, pleasant environment for people to live and shop. “In several places, old pavement slabs have become cracked, sunken or displaced by wear and tear, careless pavement parking and even underground tree roots. “The work we’ll be doing will sort out these damaged pavements, and also install bollards in areas to prevent pavement parking in future. We’ll also be installing new cycle racks, benches and other street furniture to help the area for everyone who uses it. “We are mindful that this is a very busy street, with scores of small businesses, so we’ll carry out this work over time to ensure it doesn’t cause too much disruption to businesses, residents and road users in the area.” The work is being funded through a combination of Leicester City Council’s highway maintenance capital fund, and Section 106 contributions earmarked for helping retail areas of the city, paid for by developers extending Fosse Park’s shopping centre. The road will remain open to traffic during the majority of the works. However, Upperton Road will be closed on occasional Sundays and at off-peak hours when work is being done around the traffic light junctions. Road diversion signs will be placed on the days the road is closed. There will be some cones and barriers preventing vehicles stopping in certain areas when work is taking place. As part of the work, a tree which has badly damaged pavements is due to be removed from outside 129-133 Narborough Road, and replaced with a more suitable one. Letters have been sent to residents and businesses in the area where the works are being carried out to let them know about the works. Access to premises will be maintained wherever possible, with works will be carried out between 7.30am and 3.30pm on Monday to Friday, plus occasional Sundays. Pictures by Leicester Media

Events will be taking place around the world on Sunday (8 March) to mark International Women’s Day. In Leicester, commemorative events start on Saturday (7 March), when the Adult Education College on Belvoir Street hosts a free talk entitled Celebrating International Women’s Day with friends from Afghanistan. The talk – which runs from 2pm-4pm – is part of an exhibition on Afghanistan that’s been organised by Leicester CND. The exhibition,Afghanistan: Hidden Voices From A Forgotten War continues until 31 March. On Sunday, members of local churches will call for equality for women in the world and in the church by meeting at the Alice Hawkins statue to say prayers and sing songs, before walking to the Holy Cross Church. The event gets under way at 11am. Rounding off International Women’s Day events on Sunday is the chance to find out more about the hard-fought campaign that finally led to women having the same right to vote as men. At a spoken word show at the city’s Guildhall, the great-grandson of the Leicester suffragette Alice Hawkins will talk about her life and her struggle for equality. Peter Barratt will bring Alice’s story to life with the help of some of her possessions – including her suffragette sash and her hunger strike medal – and with the assistance of actor Ruth Pownall, who will play the part of the Leicester suffragette in the show. Alice Hawkins: Suffragette takes place at 2pm on Sunday 8 March. Tickets are £4.50 and are available from the Guildhall. Curve theatre and Leicester College have teamed up to celebrate the achievements and diversity of women in Leicester and Leicestershire on Monday (9 March) and Tuesday (10 March). The college's Freemen's Park Campus hosts an International Women's Day Market from 10am-2pm on Monday, while there's an International Women's Day Showcase at Curve on Tuesday from 7pm. More information about these and other events at Leicester College is available at leicestercollege.ac.uk International Women's Day is held on 8 March each year to celebrate women's achievements throughout history and across nations. It is also known as the United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace.

Permit scheme that allows people to use large vehicles to bring household waste to a Leicester recycling centre is set to change next week. Currently, anyone living in the city can request a paper permit to bring household waste by van or trailer to the city council-run Gypsum Close recycling centre. This service is free of charge. However, changes to the scheme are due to come into effect from Wednesday 11 March. This will include applications being processed faster, with most permits being approved by email within a few minutes of applying. Instead of bringing a paper permit to the site the permits will be processed digitally, with the site staff using tablets to access the permit records. Permit holders will be required to show valid photo ID, such as a driving licence. Some residents with older permits may be asked to reapply. The scheme will also be extended to include pick-up vehicles. The permits will still be free of charge to anyone living in the city and full permits are valid for 12 visits to the site over 12 months. Car users will be unaffected by the changes. Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: “Our household recycling centres provide an important service for people who live in the city, allowing them to dispose of waste from their own homes safely and responsibly. “The waste permit scheme is a popular service and we want to make it as easy to use as possible. “Unfortunately, despite the excellent trade waste facilities on offer at Gypsum Close, some businesses do try to exploit the household waste permit scheme to dispose of their commercial waste. These changes will help us to crackdown on that.” Permit vehicles can only use Gypsum Close Recycling Centre and are not permitted to use Freemen’s Common. For more information visit www.leicester.gov.uk/recyclingcentres

A Leicester woman is celebrating her 20th anniversary in the Shared Lives scheme. Lynne Jones, 64, from Leicester, has been living with her Shared Lives carers, Carol and Rick Wright, for 20 years. Shared Lives is a scheme run by Leicester City Council where adults with learning disabilities live with carers who support them as ‘part of the family’. Many, like Lynne, do this as a long-term arrangement, but others may simply spend a respite break with a Shared Lives carer, or visit regularly but live elsewhere. Lynne moved into Carol and Rick’s Aylestone home on 4 January 2000. Before that, she lived in a few temporary Shared Lives placements, and with family members. Carol and Rick have supported Lynne in lots of ways since she moved in. They helped her to attend night school, where she learned to read and write, so that she can now enjoy reading books before bed. Lynne also works in a local charity shop, attends a disco once a week, and has been on lots of holidays with her carers. Carol said: Lynne is part of our family and we’re delighted that she’s been with us for 20 years. She’s a very special person. She wanted to celebrate her 20th anniversary by going bowling and for a meal, so that is what we arranged, and the whole family had a wonderful day. “As anyone who offers care and support in their home will know, it can be demanding, but it’s also hugely rewarding and can be great fun. We all have our own support workers in the Shared Lives scheme and they offer excellent support, as well as ensuring we have appropriate training so that everyone in the scheme gets the best out of it. “We are very glad to be a part of Shared Lives. We feel that we’ve offered Lynne so many varied opportunities she wouldn’t have had if she had moved to residential care.” Deputy city mayor Cllr Sarah Russell, who leads on social care, said: “Being in a Shared Lives placement means Lynne can be an active member of the community, but she also has the security of knowing there is someone there at home if she ever feels anxious or needs help. “I’d like to congratulate Lynne on reaching this milestone, and thank Carol and Rick for being such great carers. It’s fantastic to see our Shared Lives scheme working so well for people.” Shared Lives currently has around 22 adults in long-term placements, with seven more in day care or respite placements. They are supported by 34 caring households. As well as adults with learning disabilities, Shared Lives also supports people with dementia or mental health issues, and older people. Carers are paid and have ongoing training. Regular contact and support is given by the Shared Lives team. To find out more about the scheme and how to become a Shared Lives carer, visit: www.leicester.gov.uk/sharedlives

Leicester city centre will be lit up with some extraordinary illuminated artworks next week as part of a brand new international festival. Light Up Leicester will offer a digital take on traditional light festivals, with each of the seven large-scale installations interacting with people through sound or sensors, reacting to light, temperature or humidity levels, or responding to data, thanks to an internet connection. Four of the artworks that will be installed in Leicester city centre from Thursday (5 March) have already enjoyed success in the UK and elsewhere, but three new pieces have been specially commissioned for the festival and will be shown in Leicester for the first time. Shadowdance ­ - an interactive installation in Green Dragon Square - will transform people’s shadows into gigantic colourful silhouettes, Unexpected Connection will bring people together in an interactive LED tunnel in Jubilee Square, while Leicester-based Mateus Domingo has created a matrix of lights for Leicester Market. Called Traces, the artwork will capture visitors’ ‘traces’, allowing them to leave their own mark on the illuminations. Also confirmed for the Leicester festival is Wave-Field, which will bring eight illuminated see-saws that are activated when people play on them to Humbersone Gate, while Youth Culture – a 3-metre high interactive sculpture – will be installed in Orton Square. Silver Street will host Shoefiti – a playful display of dangling LED trainers – while St Peter’s Square at Highcross will be transformed with 500 points of lights and 500 voices as part of an immersive artwork called Wave (pictured). Together, the seven installations will create a stunning night-time spectacle in Leicester city centre that will be free for everyone to enjoy. Deputy city mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair said: “Light Up Leicester will bring together acclaimed works by international artists with three brand new installations that will be shown for the first time here in Leicester. “Each of the pieces will encourage people to interact with them – and each of these illuminated works will help transform the night-time ambience in Leicester city centre during the four days of the festival. “We’re very grateful to Arts Council England and BID Leicester for supporting this event, and we look forward to working with our partners to deliver what should be a very special festival for Leicester.” Simon Jenner, director of Leicester’s Business Improvement District, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to bring this festival to the city. “This is the first event of its kind in Leicester, and we’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to spend time in the city and enjoy this free, four-day festival.” Sam Javid, executive producer at ArtReach - the Leicester-based arts organisation that’s working with the city council and partners to deliver the festival - said: "As producers, it’s our job to bring artists and organisations together to create memorable and magical experiences. This new festival does just that – anyone in the city centre from 5-8 March will know something truly exceptional is happening." Pictures by Leicester Media Light Up Leicester runs from Thursday 5 March until Sunday 8 March. The festival is supported by funding from Arts Council England, Leicester City Council and BID Leicester. More information about Light Up Leicester is available at www.lightupleicester.com Leicester City Council News Published on Thursday, February 27, 2020

Four new bespoke aeroplanes are being added to the existing national fleet of police helicopters to deliver a more responsive service to the 43 police forces of England and Wales. Flying out of a custom-built base at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, the fleet of new planes will travel the length and breadth of England and Wales and respond to the same range of tasks as the helicopters. With faster flying speeds and greater endurance times, the planes will increase attendance rates to some of the more remote areas of the country and help to keep more people safe from the air. Two of the four planes are already certificated to fly on task and have responded to 100 tasks across the UK inthe last two months. Doncaster Sheffield Airport is home to one of 14 National Police Air Service (NPAS) air bases offering support to all police forces across England and Walesas part of a unique national policing collaboration. From these bases, NPAS responds to 20,000 incidents every year. Ian Vause, Assistant Operations Director for the National Police Air Service said: “Providing a unique aerial view to police officers on the ground, the addition of aeroplanes to the National Police Air Service helicopter fleet has already boosted our ability to respond to policing needs across the UK. “Supporting the location of suspects and vehicles, ofvulnerable missing people and the policing ‘command and control’ of large public gatherings, such as sports matches and other events, air support is a vital tool in combatting crime and disorder and keeping people safe. “We save local police time when it really matters and I am delighted to be able to do this more often and in more locations through the addition of this new arm to our fleet.” The National Police Air Service (NPAS) www.npas.police.uk

19 May - 23 May 2020 , 7.30pm Saturday Matinee 2.30pm Presented by Wigston Amateur Operatic Society. Music is by Matthew Sklar, book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Based upon the New Line Cinema film written by Tim Herlihy. This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe www.mtishows.co.uk Tickets: £16 For tickets call 0116 255 1302 or Click here www.thelittletheatre.net

Leicestershire Police is encouraging people to report non-emergency crime online as part of a new drive to make access for the public even easier. Currently the vast majority of non-emergency crime reports come into the force via the 101 telephone line. Leicestershire Police moved to the Single Online Home platform in April last year – part of a national project to standardise police websites across the country. It allows users to interact directly with forces, providing people with the ability to report crime in a convenient and accessible way. The public can also: Report details of road traffic collisions. Report fraud. Report a lost or stolen vehicle. Log Anti-Social Behaviour details. Report details of missing people. Report lost or found property. Provide feedback to the force including thanks or dissatisfaction. People can simply go the force website and click on report and choose the appropriate section. If they are reporting a crime they will be directed through a series of short questions to establish some basic details of what has happened and where and when it took place, is there any potential evidence and whether anything was stolen or damaged. That information goes straight to the force’s Crime Bureau, which will make an assessment of the information, decide whether more details are needed, allocate an officer or file it for information. Users will receive a reference number and will be contacted back either by email or text of the next steps within 24 hours. Assistant Chief Constable Julia Debenham said: “It is vital that the public have confidence in the police and are able to report any non-emergency incidents in as convenient and accessible way as possible. “Single Online Home allows people to report crimes or incidents that don’t require an immediate police response in their own time and at their own pace. “An increasing amount of people prefer to do their business online and expect the police to be able to offer the same type of interaction they get with other service providers. “It offers people exactly the same provision as calling 101 and can take less time. The average 101 call to report a crime or incident takes eight-and-a-half minutes. Reporting crime online not only gives the public greater choice in how they want to interact with us, it also frees up more of our resources. “So the message is always call 999 in an emergency but if it’s not then report your crime online via our website.” www.leics.police.uk

Two new traffic calming schemes and 20mph zones are due to be introduced in the streets near to a busy Leicester primary school following local calls for action to improve road safety. Proposals for new 20mph zones covering Letchworth Road and the area around Dovelands Primary School are due to be brought in following consultation with local residents and businesses, which showed strong support for such a scheme. The scheme will cover two residential areas, to the north and south of Glenfield Road. The area north of Glenfield Road covered by the 20mph zone will include Letchworth Road, Perth Avenue, Wood End, Withens Close, Mossgate, Lindfield Road, Poynings Avenue, Lancing Avenue, Ditchling Avenue, Balcombe Avenue, Westfield Road, Hilders Road, Plymstock Close, Vincent Close, Ambrose Close, Danehurst Avenue, Sandhurst Close, Sandhurst Gardens and Ashdown Avenue. Within this area, speed humps are proposed for Letchworth Road and Westfield Road. The other area covers the streets between Glenfield Road and Hinckley Road. It includes the remainder of Letchworth Road, as well as streets around Dovelands Primary School, including Meadway, Westhill Road, Westfield Road, Brampton Avenue, Eastfield Road, Nevanthon Road, Denis Close, Gimson Road, Denton Street, Neville Road, Clarefield Road, Wynfield Road, Meadhurst Road, Sunnycroft Road, Mellor Road and Western Park Road. Physical measures will include further speed humps on Letchworth Road and Westfield Road, a pedestrian refuge on Westfield Road just south of its junction with Letchworth Road, and alterations to the kerb line at the crossroads between Letchworth Road and Westfield Road. Detailed designs for the scheme are due to be drawn up, with work taking place on the scheme from April to June 2020. Local support for safety measures was shown in the recent consultation process, in which 80 per cent of people who responded from the Letchworth Road north area, and 86 percent of those from around Dovelands Primary School, supported the implementation of a traffic-calming scheme. Leicester City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Local residents and campaigners have been calling for action to tackle vehicle speeds in this busy residential area, and close to a popular school. “The measures that have been drawn up look to address those, with a 20mph covering a wide area either side of Glenfield Road, and speed humps on the streets where particular issues have been brought to our attention. “I do hope this 20mph and these traffic-calming measures help tackle the problems and make these streets safer for everyone who uses them.” Leicester City Council News Published on Friday, February 28, 2020

This free evening event at various locations in the city centre will start on Thursday 5th March 2020 and will run until Sunday 8th March 2020. 5.30pm to 9.30pm Light Up Leicester will offer a digital take on traditional light festivals, with each of the seven large-scale installations interacting with people through sound or sensors, reacting to light, temperature or humidity levels, or responding to data, thanks to an internet connection. Most of the artworks that will be installed in Leicester in March have already enjoyed success in the UK and elsewhere, but three new pieces have been specially commissioned for the festival and will be shown in Leicester for the first time. Shadowdance ­ - an interactive installation by Huddersfield-based Impossible - will transform people’s shadows into gigantic colourful silhouettes, Unexpected Connection by Eccentric Events of Northampton will bring people together in an interactive LED tunnel, while Leicester-based Mateus Domingo has created Traces – a piece that captures visitors’ ‘traces’, allowing them to leave their own mark on the illuminations. Also confirmed for the Leicester festival is Wave-Field, which features eight illuminated see-saws that are activated when people play on them, and Youth Culture – a 3-metre high sculpture of a youth that reflects audience interaction, thanks to its in-built cameras, screens and technology. Together, the seven installations will create a stunning night-time spectacle in Leicester city centre that will be free for everyone to enjoy. Each of the pieces will encourage people to interact with them – and each of these illuminated works will help transform the night-time ambience in Leicester city centre during the four days of the festival. Throughout Light Up Leicester, local artists and residents can visit the ‘Connectedness Clinic’ and learn how to make connected and interactive artworks of their own. Ahead of the main event, several local schools will also be participating by creating their own illuminated artworks and hosting a ‘night of lights’ on their school grounds. Click Here to Download the Event Brochure Location : Across Leicester City Centre, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 1AA. Dates : 5 Mar 2020 - 8 Mar 2020 Thursday - Sunday 17:30 to 21:30 Light Up Leicester is presented by Leicester City Council, BID Leicester and ArtReach. It has been made possible by the support of Arts Council England.

Heritage Grange launches on 25th January 2020, bringing 125 new homes to sapcote. Miller Homes Midlands has pledged more than £780,000 to the Sapcote community as part of its latest development, Heritage Grange. Launched in January 2020, the development on Hinckley Road is set to bring 125 new homes to the village, with the first release of two, three and four bedroom homes currently available to reserve online. The funds will help to support a number of local initiatives for new and existing residents. This will include an investment of over £326,500 to improve educational facilities at Sapcote All Saints Church of England Primary School. Further contributions come in the form of £69,000 to support the expansion of Stoney Stanton GP Surgery and £96,500 to help improve accessibility across the region through new bus passes for residents and improvements to village bus stops. The housebuilder has also earmarked £3,700 to provide additional facilities at Sapcote Library, with an additional investment of over £240,000 to support the maintenance of open spaces around the village, including the creation of a children’s play and game area. Commenting on the investments and the new development, Alastair Parsons, area sales director for Miller Homes Midlands explained: “While we pride ourselves on building high-quality housing, we’re always firm believers in the importance of supporting the existing communities we build in so that both new and existing residents can enjoy their neighbourhood for years to come. “Sapcote is a fantastic village and we’re so pleased we’ve been able to play a part in helping the area thrive further. For us, building a new development goes beyond just the homes we build but it’s also about creating a warm and inviting neighbourhood families feel proud to call home.” The housebuilder celebrates its 85th anniversary this year, and in 2019 was awarded a five-star rating once again in Home Builders Federation (HBF) National Home Builders Federation New Home Customer Satisfaction Survey.