Articles

Dear Editor,

It is with great sadness that we learnt about the passing of Brian Thompson on 16 January 2026.

There will be a special service at St Wilfrid’s Kibworth with communion, hymns, and prayer. During this service, ashes made from palm crosses are blessed and used to make crosses on people’s foreheads to signify the repentance of sin and mortality.

FYI, please see below the opening days of banks in Market Harborough:

The history of adoption in the UK shows an interesting journey. It highlights the evolution of societal attitudes, legal frameworks, and support systems surrounding the placement of adopted children in need of stable and loving homes.

Television as we know it is one hundred years old this month - January 2026. From grainy black-and-white to crystal clear 4K, TV has been on a journey over the last century.

Ash Tree Vets now offers Acupuncture, a gentle therapy that can relieve pain, improve mobility, and support overall wellbeing. Benefits for pets include chronic pain management, (including osteoarthritis), recovery support after surgery, or neurological issues, and relief from stress, anxiety, and digestive problems. Book an appointment by calling 0116 279 3054 or visiting www.ashtreevets.co.uk/pet-acupuncture.

New Year - New Hope

Fifteen years ago or so, the Friends of St Wilfrid’s Church, purchased some low-level staging blocks for use in concerts. These staging blocks were loaned out to another organisation for their use. Alas, the Friends do not know currently where these staging blocks have ended up. We would like them back for the soon to be performed David LePage concert. If you know where they are or any other information about them, please contact Anne Flower on 07540 719 298 as soon as possible.

Dear Editor

I was born in 1942 and grew up in Wigston Fields when fields ran from the end of my road, Roehampton Drive all the way to South Wigston. A bygone age about which I could reminisce at length. Suffice it to say that playing out, as a child, bore little resemblance to today’s world. My world was very limited until I passed the 11 plus and, still in short trousers, started at Kibworth Beauchamp Grammar School.

This year, Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust celebrates seven decades of Nature Recovery across Leicestershire and Rutland, five decades of Rutland Water Nature Reserve, and three decades of Ospreys reintroduced to Rutland. This milestone triple anniversary provides a moment to reflect upon the conservation progress made so far. But also the work still to be done, to ensure the wildlife of our two counties flourishes and remains. Special anniversary events are taking place throughout 2026 and we invite everyone to join the celebrations.

On Sunday 15 February, 10am-4pm, visit Oak Cottage, Swadlincote, DE11 8AG. A half-acre garden set around Blackfordby’s 'hidden' listed 300-year-old thatched cottage. 3.4 acres of paddocks. Front and rear gardens to explore with extensive displays of snowdrops, which includes a named collection as well as hellebores throughout. A large selection of mature Magnolia trees, specimen trees, several ponds, a waterfall and a restored well.

As part of our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, and our pledge to maintain a Front Enquiry Office (FEO) in every policing area, we are pleased to announce an important update to how we serve our communities.

For a century, CPRE has shaped the countryside we know today. From campaigning for the first Green Belts and National Parks to protecting hedgerows and dark skies and stopping fracking.