Leicestershire Matters

Your views on Leicestershire Matters are always welcome as we want to know if we are including stories and information that you find useful and interesting. Please also let us know if there are any County Council-related subjects you would like us to include.

You can call us on 0116 305 6162 or 0116 305 6967, or email: leics-matters@leics.gov.uk. Alternatively, write to us at: Leicestershire Matters, Room 211, Public Relations Unit, Chief Executive's Department, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8RA.

The National Forest Wood Fair promotes craft and wood-related businesses being set up through the growing forest.

It will be held at the County Council’s Beacon Hill Country Park, near Woodhouse Eaves, on Monday, 25^th August.

Attractions will include craftspeople, demonstrators, exhibits and activities for children. This will all be set beneath the craggy summit of the beacon, with views over the growing National Forest.

The beautiful forest spans 200 square miles in the centre of England, within Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

The National Forest Company is supported by partners including the County Council. It recently won an award for preserving the environment and meeting social needs into the future.

To mark the fair and the award, the company is offering five lucky readers the chance win a tree to plant in the forest. It costs £25 to plant a tree which includes attending a tree planting event and certificate. You can visit your tree in the future, although it is not possible to add markers to specific trees.

For more information, visit: www.nationalforest.org or call 01283 551211.

For a chance to win, simply answer the question:

Send your answer by e-mail to leics-matters@leics.gov.uk including details of your name, age, address and postcode by Monday 4th August.

Leicestershire has increased the amount of waste being sent for composting and recycling from 42.5% to over 47% in the last year, making Leicestershire one of the top performing Counties nationally.

But we want to do even better and are looking at new ways to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

These include:

The trial is being run by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Harborough District Council and the County Council, on behalf of the Leicestershire Waste Partnership. Results will be shared amongst the County’s district and borough councils.

The Government says councils must reduce the amount of biodegradable waste being sent to landfill by 65% by 2020, compared with 1995 levels.

For more details on waste visit Waste or call 0116 305 5864.

All you need is a sunny spot in your garden and you can add all your kitchen waste to the cone. This includes cooked and uncooked food, meat, peelings and leftovers. The food is broken down and nutrients filter out into the surrounding soil.

You can now save 60% by buying a green cone through our campaign, for just £29.95 – and get it installed for free.

For advice and to order a green cone, call freephone 0800 019 2061. Lines are open from 9am and 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4pm on Fridays.

To find out more or order online visit: www.greencone.com and enter your postcode in the box provided.

We are also holding roadshows throughout the County so you can talk to experts about the benefits of green cones. We also have offers on composters, wormeries, Green Johannas and Bokashi bins.  

For more details on our campaign and the roadshows, visit: Waste or call 0116 305 5864.

Dyslexia stops children reading and/or spelling fluently and accurately. It can be a significant barrier to a child’s learning.

When dyslexia goes unrecognised it causes great unhappiness, frustration and underachievement for the young person concerned.

We are at the forefront of ensuring that all our children are taught to read and write properly. One of our primary schools is featured in a Government DVD, so schools across the country can copy our excellent work in this area.

Specialist teachers, psychologists and school staff are working hard to help more schools achieve the ‘dyslexia friendly status.’

A number of the County’s schools have received a small Government grant to boost the learning environment they provide for pupils. In addition, more schools will be applying to take forward projects to help children with dyslexia better learn to read and write.

For more information, visit: www.leics.gov.uk/dyslexia, e-mail: rwesterman@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 284 5112.

The achievements of young people in the south of the County were recognised at a celebration event at Parklands Leisure Centre in Oadby recently. The event was attended by parents, relatives, friends, councillors and youth workers.

The young people worked hard to gain their achievements, they include:

Geena and Tarun Sharma, aged 13 and 12. They are both members of Braunstone Town Youth Council and also represent young people at various events. They helped to get grants for equipment, to redecorate a local underpass and much more. They have also gained various qualifications.

Nicosor Muldoon attends the Special Educational Needs Victory Club at Countesthorpe College. He helped to apply for a grant to buy a games console and other equipment for the club and to take young people on a trip. He has also taken part in Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions.

17-year-olds Tom Marlow and Lauren Cort have both joined the E2e project based at Market Harborough Young People’s Centre. They have both gained various qualifications and confidence.

Dan Aitchison (18) attended a youth group, then became a volunteer and an assistant youth worker. He has also achieved a variety of awards and hopes to complete the professional qualification in youth work at university.

For details on joining a youth club or becoming a youth worker call 0116 305 6352, e-mail: mcast@leics.gov.uk or visit: www.thejitty.com

It’s really easy to offer non-alcoholic drinks. If you’re looking for a refreshing alternative, try making a jug of one of our alcohol-free cocktails. Recipes are on our website at: Cocktails or ask for a free recipe card by e-mail (see below).

One very easy recipe is fresh orange juice and an equal measure of bitter lemon, served over ice and slices of lemon.

James Gibson, senior road safety officer at the County Council, said: “The majority of drivers have got the message, but sadly a large number are still risking their lives and other people’s by drinking and driving.

“More than 1,500 drivers tested positive following breath tests in the Leicestershire police force area last year.

“Make the choice – either drink or drive, never do both. We want everyone to enjoy a party or barbecue, so why not be a great host and have non-alcoholic drinks for any drivers.”

Anyone who requests a cocktail leaflet will also be entered into our prize draw. We are giving three lucky readers a crate of soft drinks each, to enjoy at a party or barbecue.

Answer the question below

In 2007 how many drivers tested positive following a breath test in Leicestershire last year?

To enter the competition or request a cocktail leaflet please send an e-mail with your name and address to: roadsafety@leics.gov.uk

Tony has represented the Quorn and Barrow electoral division as County Councillor for seven years and was a member of the County Council's Cabinet for two years.

Tony has spent most of his life living in Leicestershire and has been a fan of Leicester City Football Club since 1952. Tony is married to Freda and he has two children, Louise and James and two grandchildren, Jack and Emily.

He said: “This is a very proud time for both Freda and I to further serve the community.”

Visit the Chairman page of this website for more details.

Roger Wilson, County Councillor for Birstall, has been elected Vice-Chairman of the County Council for 2008-09.