We both wanted to share our deepest condolences to Cllr David Snartt, following the very sad passing of his wife, Joan. We both attended Joan’s funeral, held in Newtown Linford, to pay our respects. It was a lovely service and very well attended by family, friends, and colleagues. We are also sad to inform the community of the recent passing of Cllr Gill Bolton, the ward member for Shelthorpe. Her humour, integrity and diligence will be sorely missed at Charnwood Borough Council.
Bradgate Conservatives held their first social event since the pandemic struck in March 2020, with a popular quiz night on Friday 22nd October in Newtown Linford. It was very well-attended and great to catch up with people we hadn’t seen for 18 months. Funds raised will enable Bradgate Conservatives to keep their website up-to-date in order that we can stay in touch with, and provide updated information to residents.
Planning
We attended a meeting with representatives from William Davis, the housing developers, at their request. It was organised by a planning officer from Charnwood’s planning department and was an information-only meeting. We were taken through a presentation regarding their plans to submit a planning application for up to 500 homes in Anstey. We were able to ask questions to clarify their plans but that is all we were allowed to ask. William Davis have recently carried out an informal consultation regarding these plans. 170 responses were received and they are in the process of being worked through in order that they can then submit a formal planning application. We did ask about transport and traffic surveys and we were told that these are in the process of being completed and analysed at the moment.
Once a formal application is submitted, we will be able to submit our comments. We will continue to make our thoughts known concerning this application, and other development applications, on our website, see here: https://www.bradgateconservatives.org.uk/ as well as through our reports and on our various social media accounts.
Vaccinations
Covid booster vaccines are now being offered to eligible residents. The NHS have now also started the winter flu vaccination program. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, your friends and family from these dangerous viruses. Find out if you’re eligible now at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
Loughborough
Loughborough Fair
The fair is back in full force this year after being replaced with a much smaller event for children last year, due to the pandemic. Fairs have been held annually in Loughborough for centuries. The first official Charter was granted to the Lord of the Manor, Hugh le Dispencer, in 1221 by King Henry III. The Fair was then held on St. Peter’s Day. This year marks 800 years since the fair has taken place.
Approximately 100 individual show people attend each year, presenting between them some 20 large rides, numerous children's rides, games and novelty stalls, and the usual popular refreshment stands. The 2021 fair will take place from Wednesday November 10 and closes on Saturday November 13. Fair opening times are as follows:
- Wednesday: 6pm to 11pm
- Thursday: 12pm – 11pm
- Friday: 11am to 11pm
- Saturday: 11am – 11pm
Loughborough Market
Loughborough Market has joined the ‘Love Your Local Market’ campaign which launched on Saturday October 16th. The Love Your Local Market campaign is run by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA). Charnwood Borough Council is backing the campaign and using it as an opportunity to call on people to support the market, appeal for new stall holders, and to also celebrate the 800th anniversary of a Royal Charter being granted to the market.
Loughborough town centre hosts a retail market every Thursday and Saturday and it is one of the largest in the region. On Fridays, there is a Vintage Market. The Council also organises a market in Shepshed every Friday which has grown in popularity since the pandemic has started as residents sought out fresh produce within their local area.
Given the long success of the market (800 years!), you might be interested in trying your hand in running your own stall on it. If so, the Council runs its Try a Trade scheme. This offers new sole traders who are setting up a new business the opportunity to get their first day of trading for free and then the next 12 consecutive weeks at half price. For more details, visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/try_a_trade
Charnwood Museum
There is also a ‘Market 800’ exhibition at Charnwood Museum, Queens Park, Loughborough. At the exhibition you can learn all about the history of the Loughborough Market, the traders, and what the market means to local people. The exhibition is on until December 18th and the museum is free to enter. The museum is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am until 3pm. Further details are on the website: https://www.charnwoodmuseum.co.uk/ or telephone 01509 233754.
Mayoral Activity
Attendance at events was curtailed after the Mayor got Covid-19 but he has since made a full recovery. His illness over the quarantine period was relatively mild, no doubt a result of having been double-jabbed. He encourages anyone and everyone who hasn’t yet had both jabs to do so as soon as possible and to take up the booster jab if you have been offered this. Since recovering and after testing negative, the Mayor was able to officially open the Lonsdale Mews care home in Loughborough and turn on the lights and give a speech at the Diwali Lights Ceremony at the Town Hall in Loughborough in mid-October.