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Aylestone Park Newsletter Community Newsletter for the Residents’ of Aylestone Park - Issue 2 2017
Leave your comments and contributions in writing, atL& S News: 184 Cavendish Road
Or email: [email protected] contact either of the above for advertisingAdvertising space is inexpensive.Circulation 2750. Published quarterly -Prices on request
ContentsLocal and National Politicians Page 2
Local Churches Page 2
Local Activities Page 3
Editorial Page 4Swimming at Aylestone Leisure Centre
Lido and Power station Page 5
Rubbish in Aylestone Page 6
Dogs die in hot cars Page 7
Aylestone Park Residents Group NewsWildlifeWar Memorial News Page 8
Gas Works Page 9
LCCC News Page 10
Allotments Page 11Ivy - Friend or Foe
Useful Contact numbersand Police Crime Prevention Page 12
DISCLAIMERThe opinions and views in this Newsletter arethose of the authors, and do not reflect in anyway those of this Newsletter’s editorial team.
Vacuum Cleaner Services315 Aylestone Road, Aylestone Park
Leicester 0116 2833880
We sell all types:Dyson, Vax, ElVux,Hoover, Sebo, Numatic.
Spares for Washing machines,Tumble Dryers,Electric Cookers
Service Engineer with 30 years experience
Mon-Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm Sat 9.00am - 2.00pm
www.aylestoneparkleicester.org.uk Page 2
These are the people to contact if you have a problem:Saffron Councillors
Bill Shelton - Saffron Ward Tel: 0116 220 1350Email: [email protected]
Elly Cutkelvin - Saffron Ward Tel: 07891 232662Email [email protected]
Your local Labour Councillors hold surgeries atSaffron Sure Start Children’s Centre,The CrosswayLE2 6QW first Tuesday every month 1.30pm -2.30pmAylestone Leisure Centre, 2 Knighton Lane East LE2 6LU Third Saturday of each month 10.00am -11.00am
Aylestone CouncillorsAdam Clarke - Aylestone Ward Tel: 07875 [email protected] Surgeries Lansdowne Centre 2nd Tuesday of each month11.00am -12.00pm Gilmorton Community Rooms 4th Saturday of each month11.00am -12.00pmAylestone Hall Gardens Bowls Pavilion, Hall Lane4th Friday of each month 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Nigel Porter Aylestone Ward Tel:0116 233 6150 and 07976348032. Email:[email protected] Lansdowne Centre 2nd Saturday of each month11.00am - 12.00pm Gilmorton Community Rooms 2nd Saturday of eachmonth 12.30pm -1.30pm
JON ASHWORTHMember of Parliament for Leicester South
Regular advice surgeries held in ConstituencyOfficeFor information and appointments and to contact Jonabout any local or national issue please get in touch
Address: Floor 10, 60 Charles StreetLeicester, LE1 1FBTel: 0116 251 1927email: [email protected]: www.jonashworth.org
St Edwards Roman Catholic Church655 Aylestone Road, Aylestone
Sunday Mass 9.30am
Please check our notice board for other activities and to confirmour services
Church of the NativityAn Anglican/Methodist Partnership
Richmond Road/ Cavendish Road junction
Sundays 10.30am Morning ServiceFurther details of all activities are available on the church noticeboard
and on the website: www.nativityleicester.org.uk
Enquiries for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals contact the churchwarden Patricia Ewen 0116 299 4732
Local Church Services
City WardenOur City Wardens are Noel Cazley andHarvey Roberts (covers Aylestone).
Remember Street Wardens can deal withdumped rubbish, dog fouling, bins left in thestreet, fly posting and other complaints. If you need them please email :[email protected] or telephone: 0116 454 1001
Emman’-EL Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ
560 Saffron LaneCurrently meet at Aylestone Leisure Centre
Sunday 10am - 2pmWednesday 7:30pm to 10pm
Friday 7:00 to 10:30pm
Further details from Bishop Mark Anderson0116 283 8237 / 07568 155307
Email: [email protected]
PAUL PENDER & SONIndependent Funeral Directors
Independent family run Funeral Directorscommitted to providing a professional,
courteous and sympathetic service
We will assist you during a most difficulttime with a highest degree of support,
sensitivity and dignity
24 hour service
2 Westover Road, Braunstone TownLeicester, LE3 3DT
Tel: 0116 289 6608
Email: [email protected]
www.aylestoneparkleicester.org.uk Page 3
LOCAL ACTIVITIESAylestone Leisure Centre has too many activities to mention, call inand pick up a leaflet. Fancy a swim or game of squash then comealong and afterwards sit and have a chat and cup of tea with theover 55’s on a Monday or Thursday am.
Theatre Outings, London and Birmingham. Contact Bill Evitt 0116247 8531.
Leicester C .H .A. Rambling ClubAnn Burdett 0116 266 1741 will give you details of their walks,Thursday and Saturday mornings from 4 miles, many of them endup at a pub for lunch. www.chaleicester.org.uk
Lancaster Community Choir. Thursday evenings 7.00pm till8.30pm. The Lancaster School, Knighton. 0116 270 3176 ext 801.
Guided Walks & Tours by Accredited Leicestershire TourGuide - Helen's Guided Walks - cover Aylestone Village history,Wigston Magna, Kilby Bridge, Todor Leicester, The Newarke andCastle areas of Leicestercontact 07908 557289 [email protected]
Railway Society meets on 3rd Tuesdayof each month (not Dec)at The Cricketers, Grace Rd @ 7:30pm.Contact Brian Holland 0116 236 8328 or Michael Chapman 07768355733.
Drama Group meets at the Church Hall, Cavendish Rd. Newmembers required contact the Church for details of rehearsals,times and days.
Running for youngsters 9.00am on a Sundaymorning around the Aylestone Recreation ground.
Adult RunsBraunstone Park every Saturday at 9amVictoria Park every Saturday at 9am
The Tea club takes place at the Aylestone Leisure Centre EveryThursday 9:45-11:15am, ask at the desk where to find the groupand join them for tea or coffee and a biscuit or two.
Golf lessons at Whetstone Golf Course given by the club’s Pro,Craig Shave who can help adults and children learn to play andimprove their game 0116 286 1424 for more information..
Athletics. Call at the stadium Saffron Lane/MacCaulay Rdentrance after 4.00pm and see Roy Cole who will give youinformation on coaching, training and racing, and use of thestadium. Find out also about the Sunday morning Park Runs.
Scouts @ The Church of the Nativity young people aged 10-14 years are welcome at the Church Hall,Cavendish Road on a Thursday evening at 6:30pm
Cubs @The Church of the Nativity Girls and Boys aged 8 - 10 1/2 are welcome at the Church Hall,Cavendish Road on a Thursday Evening 5:15pm to 6:45pm.
Beavers @ The Church of the NativityGirls and Boys aged 6 - 8 are welcome at the Church Hall,Cavendish Road on a Friday Evening 4:45pm to 6pm.
Imperial Dancing class is using the Church Hall in CavendishRoad, to teach young children to enjoy themselves by learning todance . To contact for class information ring 07548 208 610I.S.T.D Modern, Tap and Ballet.
Singing Lessons with Laura; welcoming children and adults frombeginner level to enter for grades or just for fun. Contact 07590 999 591 //email: [email protected] formore information
MORE LOCAL ACTIVITIESPark Walks for 2017June 21 - Bradgate ParkJuly 18 - Swithland WoodsAugust 16 - Wistow ParkSeptember 20 - Alison's Acre, Glen ParvaOctober 18 - Aylestone MeadowsAll walks commence at 10.00am
Meet outside The Church of The Nativity, Cavendish Road.Knighton Lane Artists Group. Meet at The Studios, 68a KnightonLane. Contact Deb Ward 07956 590284
OUR ADVERTISERSWe need their support to produce
this newsletter!Please don’t forget to support our
local shops.No support - no local shops.
AYLESTONE & DISTRICTCONSERVATIVE CLUB
206 Saffron lane Tel: 0116 283 2594Extends a warm welcome to all visitors
* Call in for pre-match refreshments* Adults Bingo Tues 2-4pm All Welcome* Free Wi Fi and Sky * Function room available
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu 7pm - 11pmFriday 7pm - MidnightSat 12 - 4pm & 7pm - MidnightSun 12 - 3pm & 7pm - 11pm
Page 4
Editorial
L & S NEWS184 Cavendish Road Tel 0116 283 2117
Open Mon-Sat 5.00am - 6.00pm Sunday 5.00am-5.00pm
We sell Newspapers, Magazines, Confectionery,Grocery & Frozen Goods, Fresh Fruit & Veg.Stationery. Large Selection of Greeting Cards.
We also deliver Newspapers & Magazines with NO DELIVERY CHARGE
We also offer: NATIONAL LOTTERY,PAYPOINT SERVICE. WESTERN UNION MONEY
COLLECT+ PARCEL SERVICE
ANTHONY’S GUTTER AND WINDOWCLEANING SERVICE
Call me on my mobile0774 2281236
CHEAP RATES
Experienced Cleaner for over 10 years
A big thank-you goes to the ladies and gentlemen whodeliver the newsletter, they are an invaluable part of theteam. My thanks also to Tony for the hard work andtime he puts into the production of this newsletter.
A thank-you also to the people that submit very goodand thought provoking articles, please keep sendingthem in. It isn’t always easy to get articles so we arehappy to recieve ideas and articles to publish.
Chris Garner and I have managed to get a plaquemade and (to be) erected at the Church of the Nativityin memory of the people who died in 1940. It was notpossible to have a ‘blue plaque’ but we were advised toapproach the Church, who have been most receptive tothe idea. I have had the pleasure of meeting severalpeople who were in the Aylestone Park area when thebomb was dropped, one the ladies is 96 years of age.
The Post Office is now fully functioning at the SaffronSupermarket with Ash learning new skills as he goesalong. The first half of this year has seen so activity inthe business area with new shops, clubs and othersstarting up or moving to newer premises.Ann Sturgess
PC Upgrades & much moreRepair & Web based services .Web Design Email Data
recovery .Custom PC Builds. Password removal. Mon-Sat 9-5.00pm Sun 1.00pm-5.00pm
Call Lee: 0795 5894709 or 0116 4312339email: [email protected]
Kool Kutz KrewTuesday-Friday 9.15 - 17.00Saturday 9.00 - 15.00
321 Aylestone RoadTel: 0116 283 1330
We now have a new and experienced Stylist Appointments available
Swimming at Aylestone Leisure Centreby Rob Stacey
We have a fantastic facility on our doorstep in the Aylestone Park area.I have used Aylestone Leisure Centre for swimming, alone and with mywife and children for a number of years. The Centre provides swimming lessons which my children have takenpart in. However, it is also nice to go to the Community Splash sessionon a Saturday afternoon at 3.30. At this session, which is well attended,staff get all the floats, balls and boards out for families just to have funwith and to splash about at a reduced cost. It’s a great way to spend aSaturday afternoon and to have fun with the family. Sometimes, we justgo and have a casual swim after the children finish school and it isgreat to have a facility where this can happen on our doorstep.
In the last year, I have also increasingly used the adult only swimsessions on a Wed lunchtime and Fri morning. Itsgood just to have some time to yourself and toswim up and down for about half an hour and getfit. Swimming is acknowledged as a great form ofexercise and in these times with so much concernabout obesity levels in the population, swimming isa great way to combat this and to get a buzz from
the sense of achievement it gives you. Adults of all ages, sizes andethnicities benefit from this.
The staff are friendly and we often see people we know at the sessions.I would urge people to use this local facility as often as you can. In thisera of council cutbacks, we need to use our local facilities to show thecommunity wants them. As they say, use it or lose it!
Page 5
The Cricketers1 Grace Road, Leicester LE2 8AD
Telephone 0116 283 2026Voted best pub of the year by Shire Magazine
We serve traditional pub grub every day of the weekin our restaurant. All our food is homemade
Lunchtime SpecialMain & Dessert for £5.95
Tuesday - Thursday12 - 2pm
From our set menuWe offer a traditional SundayRoast with a choice of roasts,
served with fresh seasonalvegetables, roast potatoes &
lashings of Gravy. Adults £6.95Children £4.95
Vegetarian options areavailable
Function RoomWe have a function room available for alloccasions and cater for up to 50 people.The room overlooks the Cricket ground.Real ALES: two real ales are availableTelephone 0116 283 2026
24 Cavendish Road, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 7PG
Tel: 0116 283 9900 Fax 0116 283 9911Mobile: 0797 1007471
e-mail: [email protected] www.allscrewed-up.co.uk
Mon - Thurs....6.15am to 4.30pmFriday..............6.15am to 4.00pmSaturday & Sunday ..........Closed
Power Station - John HuntKing PowerStadium is on thesite of what usedto be LeicesterPower Station.Can anyoneremember theexact year thecooling towerswere demolished?
Lido - John HuntIn Leicester we had two privately owned lidos, Kenwood inKnighton and Leicester Lido on Humberstone Road behindthe Trocadero cinema. But the canal and river in Leicesterwere often used for swimming.
One location was at St Marys Mill Lock, at the west end of thegasworks site, not far from where the railway line crosses theriver. Does anyone know when it was last used for swimming?
CARPETS AND BEDS110 Cavendish Road, Leicester
Tel (0116) 2440108100’s of room size remnants 4ft x 6ft to 36ft x 13ft !Over 2000 rugs to choose from at amazing prices !
Bed and Mattress OffersOver 400 in stock for fast delivery !
We buy by the lorry load to sell at bargain prices !Wood & Laminate Floors
Massive choice, fitting by our carpenters, or DIY !
Page 6
CHOICE CAFE & TAKEAWAYThe only Choice for good food
266 Aylestone Road Leicester 0116 319 2936
WHY NOT TRY OUR ALL DAYBREAKFASTS
inc. Tea/Coffee Bread and Butter/Toast
WE HAVE DELICIOUS HOME MADE PUDDINGSDELICIOUS HOME MADE PIES
TAKE AWAY DELIVERIES INCLUDING LUNCHES &BREAKFASTS FREE DELIVERIES OVER £10.00
Worried about parents?Why not get us to deliver their
meals for them @£4.50
We are openSunday to Saturday
7am until 3pm0116 319 2936
Eyres Monsell Horticultural ShowSaturday September 9th 2017
at The Community Centre
Hillsborough Road LE2 9PQ
This is an "open show" meaning anyone can entertheir homemade/homegrown produce.
Staging of exhibits begins at 9 am until 10.50 am -entries only 25p per item.
We have classes that children can enter and theyare free.
There will also be a Raffle, Refreshments and anAuction of produce - this will be conducted by AdyDayman from Radio Leicester.
Auction starts at approx 3pm or as near to that timeas we can make it.
Show open to the public at 1.30pmSchedules can be collected from the CommunityCentre or posted out if required.
Further details can be given by contacting Sueon 07732813256
Dogs die in Hot CarsThe image on the picture is a recreation of a real life incident in which a couplewho had been shopping returned to find their dog had died.
Nobody ever thinks it’s going to happen to them or their much loved pet, yet everyyear many people still gamble with their dog’s life and every summer dogs die inhot cars.
Many people still believe that it’s ok to leave a dog in a car on a warm day if thewindows are left open or they are parked in the shade.
The truth is it’s still very dangerous and while not every dog left in this situation willdie, at the very least, they are likely to experience distress, discomfort and anxiety.
Just put yourself in their place and ask yourself how you’d feel about beingtrapped in a hot car and just how unpleasant and frightening it would be.
If you see a dog in a car on a hot day
Establish the dog’s health/condition.What is the dog doing – are they panting or drooling?If the dog is displaying ANY signs of heatstroke
dial 999 immediately.
What is heatstroke?If dogs are too hot and are unable to reduce their body temperature bypanting, they will develop heatstroke which can kill.Some types of dog are even more prone to heatstroke, like very old oryoung dogs, dogs with thick, heavy coats or dogs with very short, flat faces– like pugs and bulldog types. Dogs with certain diseases or on some typesof medication are also more prone to heatstroke.
Signs of heatstrokeIs the dog panting heavily?Is the dog drooling excessively?Does the dog appear lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated?Is the dog collapsed or vomiting?If you see a dog in a hot car displaying any signs of heatstroke,dial 999 immediately as the dog could soon lose consciousnessand experience internal organ failure.
Page 7
The 14th Nativity Cub and Scout Group
Yours in ScoutingSkip (Scout Leader)Ivan
Tel: 0116 223 9730Email:[email protected]
Our three groups meet at The Church of the Nativity,Church Hall, Cavendish Road, Leicester.
Beavers meet on Friday evenings 4:45pm to 6pm and isaimed at the 6 to 8 year olds.
Cubs meet on Thursday evenings 5:15pm to 6:45pm andis aimed at boys and girls aged 8 to 10 1/2.
Scouts meet on Thursday evenings from 6:30pm and isaimed at young people aged 10 to 14 years.
Despite the best efforts of Local Litter Pickers (thank you)and the Leicester City Council's hired team of StreetSweepers (thank you) there has been a steady increase inthe amount of Rubbish in Aylestone.
Litter may take many shapes and forms. From the retailreceipt litter-bug to all those empty fast food packageseverywhere. From industrial building waste to the moreorganized forms of fly-tipping. To the often over-flowing dogwaste bins on the Aylestone Meadows and all thoserecycling-bags ripped open by magpies and foxes in theAylestone area on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Indeed, in recent times it has become almost the vogue toplace unwanted items, such as baby carriers, fridge freezers,washing machines, and practically anything else out into theroad – in the hope that a scrap merchant may come alongand collect it. Moreover the local Scrap/Waste Collectorsactually do the local community a real service in their day today rounds; often collecting unwanted items sooner than aphone call to the local authorities.
For example, the volume of barbecue and picnic wasteaccumulated during the summer months on the AylestoneMeadows reached landfill proportions in 2016 – whereby the
former Park Wardens faced a daily battle of rubbish removal– one which they could not win. And let's not forget thoseconsiderate Dog Walkers who pick up their dog's mess, onlyto deposit it seconds later in a plastic bag - often in a hedge!!
Ultimately any accumulation of human (and dog) wasteattracts unwanted disease-carrying pests including: rats, miceand a steady flow of flies. Plastic bags, paper and generalrubbish may also enter and block land-drains causingunexpected flooding. Not only is rubbish unsightly, but thecosts involved in removing the litter someone else droppedhas literally reached tipping-point.
Rubbish is the largest form of urban pollution after the motorvehicle. The residual remains of which ultimately end up inthe local network of river systems and canals. The effects ofwhich shall remain for years to come. Ultimately destroyinglocal wildlife, water quality and the general well-being ofpeople in the local Aylestone area.
Wherever possible please aim to pick up any litter outsideyour home, to promote the local scrap / recycling collectionservices, and report all other waste management matters(domestic and industrial) to Environmental Health.
RUBBISH IN AYLESTONEby J A J Richardson
www.aylestoneparkleicester.org.uk Page 8
AYLESTONE PARK RESIDENTS GROUP NEWS
by Christopher Garner, SecretaryTree Charter
At a recent meeting it was agreed to support the TreeCharter. It recognises the importance that trees havenot only to human life but to all life upon earth. Treesare the lungs of the planet. Climate Change does not distinguish between race,religion or gender. It is hoped by protecting, promotingand even planting more trees singularly, in woodlandsor forests, we are at least trying to improve this oasisof life for future generations rather than what we haveinherited.
Our Annual General Meeting will be held from 7.30pmon Thursday 5th October in the Church Hall of theChurch of the Nativity on the corner of Cavendish andRichmond Road. Come and discuss matters affecting you or yourneighbours in Aylestone Park.
Monthly Meetings They are held on the first Thursday of each monthexcept January in the Church Hall of the Church ofthe Nativity on the corner of Cavendish and RichmondRoad. The entrance is the side door on CavendishRoad and the Church Hall is the door immediately toyour left. The meetings start at 7.30pm.We have a speaker for the next few meetings:-6th July Healthwatch3rd August History of Bottles7th September Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital5th October Scouts/AGM2nd November Open ForumIf you require any further information, please e-mail:[email protected] or text/phone Chris on07514416698We look forward to meeting you.
MunchiesCafe & Take-away
94, Grace Road, LeicesterTel: 07583 598327
Telephone orders welcomeBreakfasts, Hot & Cold cobs, hot & cold drinks
Sandwiches, Baguettes, Burgers, Chips, Lunches,Salads, Snacks, All freshly prepared to order!
Open Monday to Friday 8am til 2:30pmSaturday 8am til 12:30pm
LOCAL DELIVERIES and OUTSIDE CATERING
WILDLIFE in AYLESTONE PARKby J A J Richardson
People do not need to look too far to observe the many signs of Wildlifein Aylestone Park.
The Saffron Brook has always been a magnet for all thing “Nature”related in the neighbourhood. Looking further a-field however (via thegoogle earth map) we soon discover that Aylestone Park boasts a richtapestry of habitat for its already established wild-plants, insects andanimals. From the abandoned allotments on Aylestone Road (we'll comeback to those later), to the grassy meadows by the leisure centre onKnighton Lane East. From the tree-lined Saffron Lane and AylestoneRecreational Ground, to the many overgrown factories and thousands ofprivate back-gardens in the area. Local Naturalists sit in a suburban-forest and oasis of wildlife.
Aylestone Park has also witnessed the re-arrival of several formerly-extinct species of bird (and mammal) across its skyline in recent years.This includes regular sightings of Common Buzzards and Red Kitessoaring high above the River Soar in the daytime. Migratory Ospreyhave also been twitched and Otters are slowly returning to our localwaterways. All of which are positive signs that Wildlife is slowly regainingits rightful territory within the local landscape.
The number of invasive species of animals and plants occupying theAylestone Park area in recent years are as equally spectacular, if notsometimes misunderstood. From rogue reports of Himalayan Balsamand Japanese Knotweed, to the often more excited sightings of MuntjacDeer (from Vietnam), Harlequin Ladybirds (from China), and SignalCrayfish (from America) whose introduction happens to coincide with thereturn of our Otters!
In truth, many of the most invasive species of wildlife in Aylestone Parkare now already accepted as “locals”. This includes all the ButterflyBushes (Buddleja davidii) on the walls, the Bindweed (Calystegiasepium) with its brilliant white trumpets on the fences, and even thehumble Collard Dove who only more recently arrived in the UK duringthe 1950s. All of which were once considered “alien visitors” within thelocal wildlife neighbourhood.
This brings us round to the idea of ecological opportunity, growthpotential and the protection of existing Wildlife in Aylestone Park.Foremost we should question those who attempt to destroy establishedareas of natural habitat in the name of corruption and greed; whilstchampioning those who seek to maintain and enhance wildlifeopportunities in the local area for future generations. Simply put, theProperty Developers wish to cover the Abandoned Allotments onAylestone Road in concrete!!!
Cavendish Road War Memorial
On 21st August 1940, a lone aircraft from the German AirForce or Luftwaffe dropped its bombs along Cavendish Roadkilling 6 civilians, 3 from Saffron Hill Road and 3 fromCavendish RoadThe Aylestone Park Residents’ Group wish to remember thedead. We have permission to install a War Memorial on thewall outside of the Church of the Nativity on Cavendish Road.An Exhibition will be held from 11am to 1pm in the ChurchHall of the Church of the Nativity on Saturday 19th August,which is free of charge. There will be old German maps andphotographs showing the effects of the bombing.A Service of Dedication will be held from 10.30am on Sunday20th August at the Church of the Nativity.
They shall not be forgotten For Further information, please see our website:www.aylestoneparkleicester.org.uk and click “war memorial”,e-mail Ann Sturgess at [email protected] ortelephone/text Christopher Garner on 07514416698.
www.aylestoneparkleicester.org.uk Page 9
Gasworks ——- John Hunt Due to the increasing widespread use of natural (North Sea) gas in this country over the past years, there has been a steady
decline in the manufacture of traditional coal gas with the result that many of the gasworks, and the rail systems which servedthem, have become redundant. Leicester is no exception. Coal gas was first produced at Leicester in 1821 by the Leicester GasCompany, a private undertaking, at the Belgrave Gate works some three quarters of a mile north of the centre of the town. Thesite had been chosen because it was situated alongside the recently opened Leicester Canal; an extension of the Grand UnionCanal, upon which coal was transported. Two gas holders wereerected at the works and by 1822 the streets of Leicester were litby gas lamps.
Two narrow boats, purchased by the gas company in 1867, wereemployed in coal carrying, but the absence of a direct rail linkforced the company to seek more land for an additional works.Eventually, in 1875, a site of 32 acres was purchased, one andthree quarter miles south-west of the town centre, which wasbordered on one side by the MR Burton branch, on another side bythe Grand Union Canal, and on the third by the main Leicester toRugby road, now the A426. In addition there was plenty of adjacentland on which to expand if need be. The new Aylestone Roadworks commenced production in 1878 and was almost immediatelybought by the Leicester Corporation. Direct transportation of coalby rail was one of the factors involved in setting up the new worksat Aylestone Road but the steam locomotive did not appear on thescene until 1885. The chemical works opened in 1886 and in 1887the rail system was completed. Extensions and alterations to thenetwork took place in later years. A third gasholder was built in1888 to augment the existing No.1 and No.2 gasholders, built in1878 and 1884 respectively. Another element joined the scene in1894 when an electricity generating plant was built, within thegasworks site, to supply the centre of the town. Rail connectionswere laid to the boiler house. The whole now came under the aegis of the Gas & Electric Lighting Committee. Generation ofelectricity ceased in 1928, after the new power station, on the opposite side of the Leicester to Burton branch, had beencommissioned. Further gas holders were constructed in 1902, 1930 and 1966, the latter on the site of the now demolishedchemical works.
In addition to the locomotive shed there was a fully equipped fitting shop which dealt with all repairs, including retubing andmajor overhauls. Two locos were in steam daily, one to shunt the sidings alongside the main line and the retort houses, while theother performed duties around the works and coke yards. Derailments to both locomotives and wagons were part of the routinebut a more dangerous and spectacular happening took place during the late 1920's in thick fog. A train descending the bank fromthe sidings collided head on with another train charging up the bank. Although the wagons ended up all over the place and thetwo locomotives were derailed there was no serious damage to the locomotives or their crews! A steam crane from the main linecompany was called in to put matters right.
On 1st May 1949 the Leicester Gas Department was taken over by the nationalised East Midlands Gas Board. Gas productionceased in May 1969, but the plant continued to be maintained for a further twelve months for use as standby if required.Demolition of the retort houses and the older gas holderscommenced in the summer of 1972 but the site is still used,and will continue to be used, for compression of North Seagas for onward transmission to surrounding districts, and asfar away as Northampton.The story behind the preservation of MARS II (one of theworks locomotives) is worthy of further comment. Followingthe cessation of rail traffic in 1968 she was left to standforlorn in the works yard, and remained there for the nextyear and a half, although her fate had already beendecreed. Shortly after her withdrawal someone in authorityat Emgas had approached the President of the LeicesterRailway Society enquiring if the Society would accept thelocomotive for preservation. At the same time the Director ofLeicester Museums was approaching someone else inauthority at Emgas offering to preserve the locomotive! As everyone who has had a hand in the preservation of a locomotiveknows, the whole exercise is fraught with difficulties, not least the acquisition of a suitable site to house the beast. As LeicesterMuseums already had a temporary (but full) railway museum, and a permanent one in course of planning, a compromise solutionwas evolved. MARS II would become one of the exhibits in the projected East Midlands Museum of Technology at AbbeyMeadows, Leicester, and the LRS would be responsible for its restoration and maintenance. It was, at this stage, envisaged thatMARS 11 would be a working exhibit on a short stretch of track. So far so good, but the Museum had nowhere to keep thelocomotive as the building planned for the storage and restoration of exhibits had not then been commenced. MARS II was dulymoved from the gasworks to Abbey Meadows on 2nd February 1970, where it once again stood out in the open gathering rust.From there, the locomotive eventually found its way to Snibston Ind Park where it rests, unserviceable.
Page 10
The ICC Women’s World Cup brings international superstarsto Grace Road during the next few weeks.Leicester is playing host to a total of nine matches, includingtwo warm-up fixtures, with England taking on Pakistan onTuesday, June 27.
Seven of the eight teams will be playing at Grace Road, so it’sa great chance to be entertained by the best cricketers fromacross the globe.
The full list of games are as follows:Warm-up: West Indies v Pakistan – Tuesday, June 20,10.30am starWarm-up: Australia v Pakistan – Thursday, June 22, 10.30amstartPakistan v South Africa – Sunday, June 25, 10.30am startEngland v Pakistan – Tuesday, June 27, 10.30am startSouth Africa v West Indies – Sunday, July 2, 10.30am startPakistan v Australia – Wednesday, July 5, 10.30am startSouth Africa v India – Saturday, July 8, 10.30am startWest Indies v Pakistan – Tuesday, July 11, 10.30am startPakistan v Sri Lanka – Saturday, July 15, 10.30am start
A family ticket for each game costs just £24, while adult ticketsare available for £10 and under 16s for £2. To buy tickets,please call 0116 283 2128.
* It’s Summer’s Biggest Hit! We’d love you to join us at theFischer County Ground this summer for the NatWest T20Blast, which arrives at the Fischer County Ground in July!The Foxes played some outstanding cricket in the Royal
London One-Day Cup with big-hitters Mark Pettini, CameronDelport and Mark Cosgrove all in great form.
They will be joined by New Zealand star Luke Ronchi, who iscurrently playing in the ICC Champions Trophy.There are lots of positives to take into the shortest format ofthe game. We have seven highly entertaining matches in 2017including six floodlit fixtures and a fantastic Saturday afternoonfixture against Yorkshire Vikings:
The full list of fixtures is as follows:Foxes v Steelbacks – Friday July 21, 6.30pm startFoxes v Birmingham Bears – Tuesday, July 25, 6.30pm startFoxes v Durham Jets – Friday, July 28, 6.30pm startFoxes v Notts Outlaws – Wednesday, August 2, 6.30pm startFoxes v Lancashire Lightning – Friday, August 4, 6.30pm startFoxes v Yorkshire Vikings – Saturday, August 12, 2.30pm startFoxes v Derbyshire Falcons – Thursday, August 17, 6.30pmstart
Leicestershire are offering some great value ticket packagesfor 2017. Our adult ticket 3-game bundle is only £30 and ourFamily Ticket 3-game bundle, which admits 2 adults and up to3 under 16s, is just £48!
To book a 3-game bundle package please call us on 0116 2832128.
* Please note that all 6.30pm starts in NatWest T20 Blast areplayed under floodlights at the Fischer County Ground.
LCCC News and Events
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www.aylestoneparkleicester.org.uk Page 11
Local AllotmentsBy J A J Richardson
We are never far from a local Allotment. There are at least fiveAllotment spaces within a single mile (1.6kmradius)of St Andrew’sChurch in Aylestone. What started as a means of putting freshfood on the table during World War II, has been re-developed intoa hobby, recreational pastime, and means of putting fresh (oftenorganic) food directly back onto the table.With increasing food (and fuel) costs it makes perfect sense forlocal people to start growing their own produce.Unfortunately, over the past few decades the number of activeallotment sites within the local area has declined. Conversely, thenumber of people wishing to rent an allotment plot now outweighsthe number of allotment plots available.All of the Allotments within the Aylestone area are privatelymanaged by a group, society or committee on behalf of theirlandlords at the Leicester City Council. A lucky handful of rentersthen tend and manage small portions of land individually. Thecosts of which can be as little as £10-15 a year (plus a deposit ona gate key).Collectively a sense of community is shared by the majority of“allotmenteurs”- who are often happy to help new members settle-in with advice and hands-on digging. Annual General Meetings,Social Gatherings and Open Days, are popular with mostAllotment Societies today and are a great way for perspective plotholders to introduce themselves to the local Committee ofMembers.Active allotments always display a vast variation in design, plotlayout, and the types of crops being grown by people. MoreoverAllotments are semi-natural places which offer refuge to anabundance of Wildlife within an otherwise urban setting. Regularvisitors to Allotments within the Aylestone area may includeBadgers, Foxes, Frogs and Toads, Robins, Song Thrushes, andlots and lots of Wood Pigeons.As more and more green spaces within the Aylestone area are re-developed into concrete spaces, habitat and the local environmentdeclines. For this reason is important to support your localAllotment to help preserve what is left now for the future.
Ivy – Friend or Foeby Mark Ingle
I love living in Aylestone Park for over 20 years, and myhouse has a garden that backs onto the Grand UnionCanal/Aylestone Meadows. The proliferation of ivy in theAylestone Meadows and other wild areas seems to me arelatively new thing.
There have been instances where ivy has appeared to takeover and eventually kill off a number of largish trees in theadjoining garden, and more recently I was concerned to seethat ivy appeared to be taking over on some of the trees thatline the Great Central Way near Aylestone Village; so I wroteto the city council.
I had the response below which I thought may be of interestto other readers of the newsletter. There are other points ofview which you can find out by doing internet searches; I willcontinue to stop ivy growing up trees in my garden, but amreassured that if ivy growth is being monitored in theAylestone Meadows, there hopefully won’t come a time whenthe lovely trees that line the Great Central Way are no longerthere!
Dear Mr Ingle
Thank you for your email and enquiry concerning the growthof ivy on some of the trees on the Great Central Way. TheCity Council's Nature Conservation Team have thesecomments that explain the reasons for us managing our treesin this way in this area.
Ivy is a good plant for wildlife as it provides nectar for insects,berries in winter and shelter. This particularly benefits theHolly blue caterpillar which feeds on the flower buds,pollinators such as butterflies, bumblebees and hoverflies thatdrink the nectar and birds such as blackbirds and thrushesthat eat the berries.
The glossy, ever-green leaves provide cover all year roundand so are very important for insects, but also for birds tobuild their nests or roost where the ivy is well-established andfor bats to roost as well. These areas also provide valuablecorridors for the bats and birds to feed along and which helpto connect to other areas that are suitable for wildlife.
The Great Central Way is especially important to wildlife as itprovides a corridor that links up with some of our importantnature reserves such as Aylestone Meadows and the RiverSoar and Canal network.
The City Council Parks and Trees & Woodlands work veryclosely to monitor the trees and their health. Where it isnecessary to check a trees health, then small areas of ivy areremoved to enable the equipment to be used and wherenecessary some works are done to control ivy growth. This isnot done as standard practice, but only where it is deemednecessary to protect the tree.
Below is a link to information provided by the Woodland Trustwho manage many woods and trees across the Country
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants-and-fungi/woodland-wildflowers/ivy/
Paul Dilkes, Local Area Manager, Braunstone Park
Page 12
GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE POLICE999 in an emergency, when life is in danger or acrime is being committed.101 for non emergencies0116 2222222 to contact our local police station0800 555 111 to contact Crimestoppers0800 789321 the Anti Terrorist hotline if youhave any doubts about any activities around yourhouse or business or a disused factory.
Useful Contact NumbersCut to keep in a safe place
Leicester City CouncilThe council can be contacted on 0116 454 1000for general enquiries
Other main departments:Environment including Noise Nuisance 0116 454 1001Waste Management inc Bulky Waste 0116 454 1002Parks & Green Spaces 0116 454 1003Social Care & Safeguarding 0116 454 1004Council Tax & Business rates 0116 454 1005Housing Benefits 0116 454 1006Tenants Advice & repairs 0116 454 1007Housing options 0116 454 1008Education & Schools 0116 454 1009Employment services centre 0116 454 1010Automated switchboard 0116 454 1011Automated payments 0116 454 1012Other contact numbers can be found at:www.leicester.gov.uk/contact-us
Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 769 7555
Gingerbread (supporting lone parents) 0808 802 0925
NSPCC 0808 800 5000
SAFE (for anyone 16 or over in Leicester affected by orat risk of domestic violence or abuse 0300 123 0918
Shelter 0808 800 4444
Citizens Advice 03444 111 444
Alzheimers Society 0300 222 1122
Mind info line 0300 123 3393
Missing People 116 000
National Debtline 0808 808 4000
AGE UK 0800 169 6565
Stroke Association 0303 3033100
Money Advice Service 0300 500 5000
SamaritansYou can talk to the Samaritans for free on 116 123.Talk to them anytime you like, in your own way and offthe record - about whatever's getting to you.
✄✄
IN THE RARE EVENT OF a firearms or weapons attack
RUN to a place of safety. This is a far better optionthan to surrender or negotiate. If there’s nowhereto go, then...
HIDE. It’s better to hide than to confront.Remember to turn your phone to silent and turnoff vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can. Thenfinally and only when it is safe to do so......
TELL the police by calling 999
At the moment, the issue of terrorist attacks is regularlyin the news. But it’s been on our agenda for muchlonger.The police and security service have been workingconstantly to foil terrorist attacks for years, not months.But we are not complacent about keeping you safe.Due to events in the UK and abroad, people areunderstandably concerned about a firearms or weaponsattack. These attacks are very rare but in the event ofsuch an attack, it helps to be prepared.Remember, attacks of this nature are still very rarein the UK.
So Stay Safe, and just remember the words:
RUN. HIDE. TELL.To watch the Stay Safe film, visitwww.npcc.police.uk/staysafe
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