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Leicestershire MattersJuly 2007 - Issue 2You could help win funding for an exciting project aiming to create new pedestrian and cycle links between Watermead Country Park and surrounding villages.
The Connect2 project will provide links to Watermead, from Birstall, Thurmaston, Syston and Cossington and make access to the park easier for people with mobility difficulties.
We are working with cycling charity Sustrans and other local organisations on the scheme. The aim is to create a safe and convenient environment, encouraging people to walk and cycle more as part of their everyday lives.
The scheme is competing against a number of projects across the country for a single multi-million pound grant from the Big Lottery Fund. You can find out more, and help to make it happen, by logging on to the Sustrans website to register your support for the project at Sustrans Connect2.
For more information call Sustrans on 0845 0581373 or e-mail: connect2@sustrans.org.uk.
Planning a visit to a museum in the County, City or Rutland could not be easier thanks to a NEW guide.
The FREE guide can help you to plan a short visit, or a whole day out taking in a number of museums.
Whether you are interested in local or family history, transport, science and technology or fashion, there is something for everyone.
Copies are available at all County museums and libraries and on our website: Museums Guide
 Our longest-serving Councillor has been elected as Chairman for 2007-08.Mike Jones has represented the eastern side of Loughborough since 1970.
He was born and educated in Loughborough and has worked as a draughtsman, training officer and financial adviser, he is now the parliamentary caseworker to Andy Reed, MP for Loughborough.
In 2003 he was awarded an Honorary Degree by Loughborough University for services to the local community.
Mike and his wife Marj believe passionately in the value of community life, and in a multi-cultural society. He said: “We believe that sport and the arts are great ways to bring people together and bridge cultural boundaries. We hope to visit and experience local communities across the County and to meet and work with people from all faiths and cultures.”
Tony Kershaw, County Councillor for Quorn and Barrow, has been elected Vice-Chairman for 2007-08.
Pictured - Prestigious role…Mr and Mrs Jones
When you plan your summer holiday trips please remember that driving when tired could be fatal.
Around 300 people a year are killed and many more are seriously injured because of a driver falling asleep at the wheel – and 20% of deaths on motorways are caused by driver tiredness.
 You are particularly vulnerable between midnight and 6am as this is the natural time for sleep. 2pm - 4pm is another low point in the body clock – especially after a large meal.
You will not suddenly fall asleep without warning – there will be symptoms of tiredness and ignoring these could be fatal. Opening a window or turning the radio up won’t help much – and willpower alone can’t keep you awake.
At the first sign of fatigue, stop in a safe place and drink a cup or two of strong coffee or a caffeine-rich energy drink followed by a 15-minute nap.
Jim Horne, director of Loughborough University's sleep research centre, added: “Crashes involving falling asleep at the wheel are more likely to be fatal because of the absence of braking and greater speed at impact.
"It is crucial to plan breaks and recognise when our bodies need a rest, to keep us alert and able to concentrate. If you are tired, take a break. If possible share the driving on a long journey and never start a long trip if you’re tired.”
To help reinforce our advice to not drive when tired – we have 100 packets of Traidcraft’s unique fair trade ground coffee to give away.
The coffee is suitable for use in filter machines, percolators and cafetieres and to use in flasks. It is sourced from small farmers' co-operatives and distributed by Traidcraft.
We support the Fair Trade campaign in recognition of the need for farmers in the developing world to receive a fair price for their products to assist them to get out of poverty. Traidcraft is a leading fair trade organisation – fighting poverty through trade.
For a chance to win, send an e-mail answering the question below to: roadsafety@leics.gov.uk. Please include your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address in your reply. The deadline for entries is Monday, 13th August, 2007. The first 100 picked at random after the closing date will also receive a Traidcraft catalogue.
We want you to want to work for us – because we know that to deliver the best services, we need the best people.
We offer lots of benefits, and also aim to be flexible, positive, commit to a good work-life balance, offer a positive approach to equality and diversity, listen to our staff and encourage them to be creative and explore new ways of working.
To give you an insight into what it’s like to work for us, we are running regular features on jobs in the County Council.
For details on the huge range of other jobs and careers available, please visit Jobs.
To make it easier for you to apply for our jobs we now have an online application form. This will also reduce postage and package costs – for you and us!
Do you enjoy:
If so, and if you would like to work in a bright and welcoming environment, why not apply to become a library assistant? There are regular vacancies in libraries in towns and villages throughout the County, and we can keep you on our records, to be considered for a job when one comes up in your area.
You can work flexible hours, either full or part-time and you would have to work some Saturdays and maybe Sundays.
 You need to be educated to GCSE standard, or the equivalent.
In return we offer:
Please visit Jobs for more details or to fill in an online form to register your interest, alternatively, call 0116 305 8300. Please quote LMA02
 Why not join the team?If you think that working in a library would be quiet and boring then you need to think again – so says trainee library assistant, Rachel Thomas.
“There is no such thing as a typical day here – every day is different! When I started the job I didn’t realise it would be as varied as it is,” said Rachel, who started her one-year traineeship at Blaby Library last October.
Rachel’s duties include serving customers, helping them to find the right book, CD or DVD; helping people to use the library’s computers and receiving new stock, ensuring it is readily available for members of the public.
Dealing with customers is a part of the job Rachel particularly enjoys. “There are people who come in regularly and you really get to know them and feel part of the community,” she said.
 “The people who come in are really lovely and friendly; there is a vast range of ages from toddlers who are brought in by their parents or carers for the wriggly readers sessions, right through to older people.”
Visitors to our libraries have free access to the internet and e-mail. Our library assistants receive training so they can help people to use the computers.
Rachel said: “As a library assistant you do have very thorough, good quality training – you are not just thrown into the job without any guidance – the training is excellent.”
She added: “Many people have a stuffy idea of librarians and libraries, but they are not the quiet places they used to be – there is so much going on!”
Pictured - All in a days work... Rachel Thomas at Blaby Library
Our libraries are a great place to work!
We are spending £5 million on refurbishing and rebuilding many of our 54 libraries to create bright and welcoming environments.
We wanted to make our libraries more inviting and welcoming – to visitors and staff. Many have been modernised and refurbished, some have been rebuilt and others have undergone a complete transformation. They have new facilities, including computers with free broadband internet access, faxes, photocopiers and printers. As well as more books, there are bright, modernchildren's areas and better lighting and decoration.
All of this is helping to make our libraries inspiring and pleasant places to work.
For more details on libraries, please visit Libraries e-mail: libraries@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 6988.
Around eight million disposable nappies are used in Britain every day and these end up in landfill sites.
But it doesn’t have to be this way – we do have a choice!
Real nappies come in modern styles, and have a washable or flushable liner inside to keep your baby dry – and there’s not a safety pin in sight!
 Real nappies can also save you money – up to half of the cost of disposables from birth until potty training – even more if you use them for a second or third child.Reshma Kukadia and Mandie Wells use real nappies for their children. Reshma said: “I started using real nappies when my son was about eight weeks old. It’s not just that disposables take up landfill space, making nappies causes pollution too.”
Mandie ordered one of our free trial kits and then bought nappies from a local supplier – she was surprised at how funky the designs were.
She said: “We were spending about £20 a week on disposables for two children and the real nappies cost me about £180 in total, so I’ve definitely saved money – and with all those disposables the bin would be full after a couple of days!”
Both mums said using real nappies has been easy – even Reshma who also works full-time. They soak them during the day and wash them at night – at 40°C with other items.
Mandie said: “Real nappies are brilliant, I would recommend them to anyone as an alternative to disposables.”
For more information, call 0116 305 8280, e-mail: wastemgt@leics.gov.uk or visit Real Nappies.
Pictured - A real alternative…Reshma Kukadia and her son Arjun
Our ground-breaking scheme to help people reduce speeding traffic in their communities is being extended.
 As part of the Community Speed Watch project, volunteers are trained to use hand-held radar guns so they can record the speed of passing vehicles. Temporary, mobile vehicle activated signs are also used to warn drivers to slow down.
The initiative focuses on areas which do not qualify for a speed camera, but where motorists still speed.
Leicestershire Police are supporting the scheme and if drivers do not slow down, enforcement could follow.
A pilot scheme in nine different locations proved successful. The pilot locations were: Empingham; Kegworth; Lubenham; Narborough and Littlethorpe; Witherley, Ratcliffe Culey and Fenny Drayton; Woodhouse and Woodhouse Eaves; Sharnford; Frolesworth and Barrow upon Soar.
The amount of speeding traffic was reduced in all of these areas. We are now looking for more volunteers as a full programme is rolled out across the County.
If you think your community could benefit from the scheme, or for more information, call Mike Wilson on 0116 305 7336 or e-mail: mawilson@leics.gov.uk
Pictured - Cutting speeding traffic… volunteers could help
 This summer, children across Leicestershire will be going wild about reading, the environment and wildlife.
The Big Wild Read is an exciting, free summer reading challenge aimed at youngsters aged for to 12.
It is now taking place in all County libraries and will run until September 8th.
The scheme is a wonderful way for children to enjoy books and read for fun over the summer holidays.
Those taking part receive a Big Wild Read folder from their local library and collect stickers for each book they read. When they have completed the challenge, they will be awarded a splendid medal and certificate and there are other goodies to collect along the way!
A prize draw, sponsored by Twycross Zoo, Alton Towers, Tropical Birdland, Conkers, the Alliance & Leicester and Twinlakes Park, is also being held.
Libraries will be hosting many big wild activities focusing on the environment and wildlife, including storytelling and creative writing.
The Bigger Wild Read is for 12 to 16-year-olds. If they write a review on a library book, they could win a £125 bike voucher from City Cycles Ltd.
The scheme is being run in partnership with the BBC’s Breathing Places campaign and the Woodland Trust will be planting new trees all over the country for every book read as part of the challenge.
For more details visit Libraries or call in at your local library.
Thousands of people contact trading standards each year and we have asked our head of consumer services, Keith Regan to focus on one main issue.
Dear Keith,
I want to buy some outdoor play equipment. What safety issues do I need to consider? Our advice for avoiding buying unsafe equipment includes:
Our newsletter, Consumer Affairs, includes up-to-date news and advice on trading standards issues. To go on our e-mail distribution list, please e-mail: stoone@leics.gov.uk.
A Leicestershire couple have been fronting a national campaign to raise awareness of foster care and recruit new people.
Alison and Andy Siddons, from near Market Harborough, have been fostering for 15 years, during which time they have looked after 41 children and young people.
The couple featured in a new national promotional film which was shown across the country during Foster Care Fortnight in May.
 There are many different ways to get involved and children of all ages need foster carers. For more information visit Becoming a Foster Carer or call 0800 587 7767.
Pictured - Fantastic fostering…(from left) Emma, Holly, Andy, Georgina, Alison, Andrew and Aimee.
 If you are hosting a barbeque or a party over the summer, why don’t you help your guests to be responsible and not drink and drive?You could offer a selection of our refreshing non-alcoholic cocktails to those intending to drive home.
The number of drink drivers increases over the summer period. More than 500 people in Leicestershire were arrested for either a positive reading or refusing a drink drive test last summer – more than during the Christmas/winter period.
Free recipe cards featuring the delicious cocktails are available from our libraries and service shops. They can also be viewed on our website at Non Alcoholic Cocktails.
For more details call our road safety team on 0116 305 7233 or e-mail: roadsafety@leics.gov.uk
Why not try a Summer Berry Cola?
Mix 75ml of apple juice with 75ml of raspberry juice. Add cola to taste, squeeze in a dash of lime juice and garnish with a wedge of lime.
Are you facinated by wildlife and the countryside?
 If the answer is yes, you may be interested in the events and activities taking place as part of our Creative Nature programme.
We are offering free training on topics including creative writing, digital photography and botanical drawing.
You can also request a copy of our free Recording Naturally pack. This is full of ideas to help you to make your own wildlife diaries, with modern twists such as creating wildlife websites and digital scrap books.
For more details on the events and activities, or for a free pack, call 0116 267 1377 or e-mail: chi@leics.gov.uk. Further information is available on our website: Wildlife
Pictured - A view of the countryside… a part of Watermead Country Park
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