Category: Leicester

The showpiece event is being played in mid-summer instead of September as it has been for many years, and the sun shone in Birmingham.Hundreds of Northants fans made the short trip to the second city to back Darren Lehmann and his team, and they were rewarded with a 17-run win over Somerset in the semi-final.Chris Lynn top-scored with 39 as the Steelbacks were bowled out for 143, but then David Willey and Ben Sanderson both claimed three wickets as the west country side were restricted to 126 for nine in reply.The win means the Steelbacks will play Hampshire Hawks in the final, which is scheduled to start at 6.45pm.Photographer Peter Short was on hand to capture the Shoe Army enjoying their day out.See the Chron sport section for the report and reaction to the win over Somerset. 1. In the pink…The Steelbacks supporters enjoying the sunshine and their team’s semi-final win over Somerset at Edgbaston (Picture: Peter Short) Photo: Peter Short2. Getting their voices heardThe Steelbacks supporters enjoying the sunshine and their team’s semi-final win over Somerset at Edgbaston (Picture: Peter Short) Photo: Peter Short3. Back to blackThe Steelbacks supporters enjoying the sunshine and their team’s semi-final win over Somerset at Edgbaston (Picture: Peter Short) Photo: Peter Short4. Wendell’s in the houseThe Steelbacks supporters enjoying the sunshine and their team’s semi-final win over Somerset at Edgbaston (Picture: Peter Short) Photo: Peter Short

Richard Flamson (image credit: Persimmon Homes North Midlands)

Persimmon Homes North Midlands has strengthened its team with the appointment of a new construction director. 

Richard Flamson joins Persimmon Homes from Vistry, where he also served as construction director, bringing more than 25 years of experience in housebuilding and construction.

He has built his career through a range of operational roles, progressing from site manager to construction manager before moving into senior leadership positions.

Flamson said: “I am delighted to be joining Persimmon Homes North Midlands and look forward to working with the team to build on the region’s strong performance.

“I’m excited to contribute to the continued success of the business and help maintain the highest standards of quality, safety and customer service as we deliver much-needed new homes and support the communities we build in.”

Charlotte Goode, managing director North Midlands, added: “We are pleased to welcome Richard to the North Midlands business. He brings a wealth of experience from across the housebuilding sector and a strong operational background that will be invaluable as we continue delivering high-quality homes across the region.”

A new park has been officially opened in Leamington.The Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire and Mayor of Leamington joined Warwick district councillors, officers and project partners to mark the opening of the first phase of Elizabeth Park.Named in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II, the district’s newest public space, located off Princes Drive, is being created through a partnership between Warwick District Council and Homes England.The new park will be developed in three phases, the first of which is now complete and open to the public, with new footpaths, landscaped grassland and sports area, wildflower meadows and tree planting.Photographed with officers from the Warwick District Council project team and Homes England; Councillor Sidney Syson (WDC), Councillor Bill Gifford (WDC),Councillor Will Roberts (WDC), Councillor Chris King(WDC), Councillor Jess Melrose (WDC), Councillor Sarah Boad (Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa), Tim Cox Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Councillor Pam Redford (Chairman WDC), Councillor Andrew Day (WDC). Credit: Warwick District Council.Phase two of Elizabeth Park will follow the planned relocation of the Edmondscote athletics facility estimated for 2028, with the final stage linking the extended park to existing green spaces west of the athletics track along the River Avon.Councillor Pam Redford, chairman of Warwick District Council, said: “We are very proud to see the opening of the first phase of Elizabeth Park.“This exciting project will not only create a wonderful new public park but will also provide our district with a legacy in memory of Her Late Majesty the Queen.”Councillor Will Roberts, the council’s portfolio holder for heighbourhood added: “The development of Elizabeth Park is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing green spaces across the district and improving accessibility for walking, cycling and sport.”We also hope that, in time, the enlarged parkland will contribute to the wider green corridor connecting the towns of Leamington and Warwick.”Continue Reading

Wren Spinney School, in Kettering, which supports pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), has achieved much-coveted gold status in the Healthy Schools Award scheme.The Healthy Schools scheme, run by by the Government’s Department for Education, recognises and celebrates schools’ progress in promoting wellbeing, healthy eating and physical activity among pupils through three levels of achievement.Wren Spinney has became the first north Northamptonshire education provider to be recognised with ‘gold’.Headteacher Mike Tebbutt said: “Wren Spinney is pleased to have taken part in the Healthy Schools Awards as these are about promoting a healthy lifestyle whilst still taking into the account the needs of the pupils, this is especially important for pupils with special needs.L-r Laura Ielapi NNC’s Public Health Officer, Toby Widdicombe Assistant Head Teacher, Mike Tebbutt Headteacher, and Cllr Elizabeth Wright“The awards have been completed by not just looking what our pupils will or can eat (bronze), but enabling them to have the opportunities to be as active as possible (silver), and focussing on their wellbeing (gold). Wren Spinney have been proud to take part in the Healthy School Awards and celebrate achieving Gold.”Staff and student at the school for pupils from 11 to 18 years of age, have benefitted from the wellbeing strategy impacting the whole school.The school, for children with Severe Learning Difficulties and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, achieved all set targets to enhance and improve student experience.Over the course of a year, the school organised a festival, SENFest, a Winter Wonderland play day, and numerous wellbeing activities for pupils and staff. They created a quiet space for staff and a space for staff to receive support from Mental Health First Aiders.Cllr Elizabeth Wright, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Children, Education and Families, added: “This is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the sustained commitment to promoting health and wellbeing across their whole school community. This milestone is made even more special as it marks the first SEND school to achieve gold status.”Continue Reading

The owner’s of Northampton’s biggest soft play are busy preparing for welcoming thousands of people through its doors this summer following the Government’s announced of its VAT saving scheme.The powerhouse that is the Riverside Hub, in Carousel Way, first flung open its doors to the public on August 21, 2013 by Valentina and Ellis Potter who for the past 13 years have lovingly made it the huge success it is today. A summer of fun at the Hub awaits with the Government reducing VAT which will be based on to customers to make savings on a family day outHaving spent months visiting existing indoor play centres and making a list of their likes, dislikes and ideas of their own, that was when they secured the massive empty space of a unit within the Riverside business park. The pair remortgaged their home, borrowed money from family members and threw everything they had into reaching the million pounds they needed to make their vision a reality.The aim for Riverside Hub was always not just to be an indoor play centre, but somewhere unique and unlike anywhere else.Fast forward to to the summer of 2026, the ginormous soft play has seen around five to six million pounds worth of investment and a wage bill alone of £125,000, figures which Ellis describe as ‘quite scary’. The couple currently have a 110-strong team of staff both full and part time, as well as various sub-contractors they bring in when needed. When the Chron asked Ellis if he ever imagined the Hub would be as successful as it is today, he said: “Not really, no. We thought it could do okay, but we keep on investing and our catchment areas keeps getting bigger and bigger because we have so much here. We regularly have people travel for two hours or more to get to us.”The play centre attracts a phenomenal amount of visitor numbers per month from the lowest of 17,000 in June to 42,000 in December. Ellis said: “We love what we have created here and it’s very flattering when people tell us they have travelled a long distance.”People who live in Northamptonshire must think that all play centres are like the Hub, but to be honest we’re a bit of a unicorn. Nowhere else spends the silly money that we do on new features all the time, but amazingly, it works and we’re still in business 13 years later and looking forward to the next 13!”Ellis describes wife Valentina as the brains behind the incredible special touches that make the hub so unique.He said: “Valentina is probably the most creative person dreaming up and designing play and sensory spaces in the UK. I might sound biased, but I know the indoor play industry well and nobody comes up with the constant stream of good ideas Valentina does.”The hardworking couple work around the clock and have been known to work right through the night on a few occasions, with maintenance teams coming in overnight due to the Hub being a seven day a week operation. Never ones to sit still, Ellis and Valentina are constantly looking to the future and the next investment. New areas will be opening up within a few months with plans for ‘visually exciting walk-throughs’, a beautiful giant tree that comes to life at Christmas as well as new sensory and play areas.Ellis explains: “We spend a high six figure sum on new play features each year. As long as people keep visiting we will keep on improving.”To begin with the parking was a ‘free-for all’ which would cause uncertainty for customers but now with a pre-booking system in place, visitors know exactly whether they’re able to paid or not.The moved was described as a ‘huge improvement on the visitor experience’ with Ellis adding: “ In leisure, if you are standing still then you are realistically going backwards, so we must improve.”Ellis states that the whole Hub will look very different in two years from now whilst retaining all the play features that people love.The couple are now prepping for a busy summer ahead as schools begin to break up, boosted by the announcement of the government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme aimed at family activities and dining experiences.With a reduction in VAT from 20 to 5 per cent, the Hub will pass the savings onto customers meaning cheaper tickets from now until September 1. Continue Reading

15 July 2026

Izzy Marks has joined her mum and grandad to become the third generation of her family to graduate from the University of Leicester.
When the Psychology scholar crossed the stage during today’s graduation ceremony at De Montfort Hall, it felt like déjà vu for mum, Vicki, who did the very same walk in 1996, and grandfather Philip, in 1969.
Philip Bolam said: “Being the first in my family to graduate, I was immensely proud to see my daughter Victoria follow in my footsteps some 30 years ago. Then to have my granddaughter Izabella become a third-generation graduate 60 years after I started my degree is quite amazing.”

After watching Izzy collect her first-class honours degree, Vicki Marks (nee Bolam) said: “Leicester continues to be part of our family story. Izzy has worked so hard and achieved a First – I could not be prouder. Watching her create her own memories in a place that has meant so much to both her grandfather and me is truly special.”
Pride was the overriding emotion Izzy felt during her big day. She said: “I feel incredibly proud to be following in my mum and grandad’s footsteps. Being able to achieve something that the people I’ve always looked up to have also achieved makes it feel even more special. It was a very emotional moment for all of us, today is a really meaningful family milestone.”
Izzy explained it was something of a no-brainer to go to Leicester, where the family all live, and she didn’t want to go anywhere else to study.
“Seeing the very successful careers my mum and grandad achieved after studying at Leicester played a big part in my decision to follow in their footsteps,” said Izzy, who will next embark on a Masters in Forensic Psychology.
Law graduate Vicki became a successful litigation solicitor before undergoing a career change once her children were older, working for children’s mental health organisation, myHappymind.
Now retired, fellow Law graduate Philip, started out as a Prosecuting Solicitor, progressing to Crown Prosecutor, latterly in his native north-east.
Izzy said: “I’ve lived in Leicester my whole life, and it’s always been a really special place to me because my family is here. I’m very close to my grandparents and the rest of my family and they’ve always been such a big part of my life growing up.”
“Being able to stay in Leicester and study at the University meant I could keep that close connection with them while also pursuing my degree, which made the experience even more meaningful.”
She added: “My time at the University of Leicester has been incredibly rewarding, especially having won a Citizens of Change Award for promoting awareness of the mental health crisis in secondary schools. The course has been challenging but really engaging and I’ve learned so much both academically and personally. I’ve also been lucky to form some truly valued friendships that have made my time here even more memorable.”
Her graduation also gave Vicki and Philip time to reminisce about their student days.
Vicki said: “Like many students, I spent hours in the Law library. Years later, walking back in, the smell had not changed at all. It took me straight back to those long days of reading cases and making copious notes. Funnily enough, dad and I even had some of the same lecturers, which felt like history repeating itself.”
She added: “My connection with the University of Leicester is something I will always treasure. My father studied there before me, and I always hoped to follow in his footsteps and become a lawyer.
“Although I originally lived in the north east, Leicester became home, and today we all live here, with the University woven into our family story.”
Philip said: “I was very fortunate to be in the first intake of 34 students to the newly created Law Department.
“As the Law School celebrates its 60th anniversary this year I have taken great pleasure in seeing it develop from a basic classroom with blackboard and chalk into a first-rate international academic facility offering an outstanding library, excellent lecture facilities and a purpose-built court room.”
He added: “I really enjoyed my time at Leicester and lived in The Knole, a grand house in Oadby which accommodated 24 students, so we were never lonely and had some great parties.”
Not to be left out, Philip’s wife and Vicki’s mum, Pat, also has a University of Leicester connection, having been a house tutor for the University’s accommodation team, based in Knighton Road.

A city council spokesperson said: “Demolition contractors carried out work on Tuesday evening and into the night to remove loose masonry and take down the gable end of the roof, which was structurally unsound.”Structural engineers have since inspected the building to determine what further action is required to make it safe.”Contractors are now preparing to carefully demolish the top floor of the former factory – and potentially the floor below – due to imminent risk of collapse.”Until that work is complete, it has been deemed unsafe for people to return home to the adjacent building. Alternative temporary accommodation is currently being provided for around 25 people.”

AN accountancy and advisory firm has opened a new office in Lichfield.

The Wiltell Road base of bk plus will be led by Tom Phillips, David Ross and Amy Cotterill.

The company said the move came after “strong existing demand” from clients in the local area.

Shaun Knight, CEO of bk plus, said:

“Opening in Lichfield is a natural extension of our footprint in the Midlands.

“Our team there already have strong relationships with businesses in the area, and having a dedicated base means we can continue to offer the close, personal service bk plus is known for, right on our clients’ doorstep.

“In a world where so many services are becoming more centralised and automated, our clients are telling us they want the opposite – real people, locally based, who they can sit down with face to face.

“This is very much part of our wider ambition to be a firm that grows with, and stays close to, the communities we work in.”

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14 July 2026

One of the dwindling number of people with personal memories of the Holocaust has been honoured by the University of Leicester.
Dr Martin Stern MBE, who had a 42-year career as an NHS consultant with University Hospitals of Leicester, has devoted much of his life to educating people about what he saw and experienced between 1939 and 1945.
His achievements were recognised with an honorary Doctorate of Laws, which Dr Stern accepted at a graduation ceremony held at De Montfort Hall, Leicester, today (Tuesday 14 July).
Born in Hilversum in the Netherlands in 1938 to German refugees, Dr Stern lived just a few streets away from Anne Frank until 1943, when he was sent, with his one-year-old sister, to the Theresienstadt ghetto near Prague, a transit camp from which thousands of Jews were transported to death camps.
After the liberation, he returned to the Netherlands before moving to the UK in 1950, becoming a British citizen four years later. Dr Stern attended Manchester Grammar School then studied Animal Physiology at Brasenose College, Oxford, to which he later added an MSc in Immunology from the University of Birmingham.
Dr Stern, who used to live in Oadby, worked for many years at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust as a Consultant Clinical Immunologist, retiring in 2002. From the mid-1980s onwards, he has been closely involved with the Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association and he set up the Leicester Children’s Allergy Service, based at Leicester Royal Infirmary, in 1987.
Since retirement, Dr Stern has been very active in preserving and disseminating the story of the Holocaust, from his own personal experience. He gives frequent talks at the National Holocaust Centre and Museum in Nottinghamshire and is an Honorary Associate Member of the University’s Stanley Burton Centre for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. He was awarded an MBE in 2018 for his work in Holocaust education.
Alongside his important historical work, Martin’s interest in immunology remains undiminished. In 2024 he was involved with the launch of the Swisens Poleno sampler which provides real-time pollen counts from atop the University’s George Davies Centre.
Dr Stern said: “I am deeply honoured to be offered an honorary degree by the University of Leicester, with which I have had a 42 year relationship as NHS consultant at the University Hospitals of Leicester.
“In particular, I witnessed the founding by Professor Aubrey Newman of the Stanley Burton Centre for Holocaust and Genocide studies, the first such centre in any British university. I remain a member of the centre.
“With the help of hundreds of Leicestershire volunteer clinical trial patients we helped to develop safer antihistamines, preventing road deaths, and funded staff to introduce aerobiology at the University. Classical music at the University has been a joy and led to wonderful friendships and I remain grateful for the support from members of University staff throughout my career.”
President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, said: “I am truly humbled to be able to pay tribute to Dr Stern.
“His four decades of dedication to the health and wellbeing of the people of Leicester and wider region, though his work with the NHS, cannot be underestimated. Nor can his determination to provide significant health services to local children, after single-handedly setting up the Leicester Children’s Allergy Service, which has gone on to expand significantly at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.
“He has, of course, devoted much of his life to Holocaust education, and many of our criminology students have travelled to hear him speak at the National Holocaust Centre and Museum. His first-hand accounts of life as a Holocaust survivor have inspired our students to challenge antisemitism and to recognise the corrosive impacts of all forms of prejudice. He is a true Citizen of Change.”

The government is set to announce this week whether Leicester’s political boundary should expand to absorb surrounding towns and villages. Currently, the county, city and neighbouring Rutland are served by 10 local authorities delivering a range of public services, including education, social care, highways, waste collection, planning, housing, and leisure.However, ministers say they want to streamline local government across England by creating fewer, but larger councils with greater devolved powers.The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has been considering three options for Leicestershire’s future political map.Labour-led Leicester City Council has suggested its border should move outwards in all directions into areas currently served by neighbouring districts or boroughs.However, the proposed city expansion has proved controversial with Reform UK, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green politicians in the county who have argued the government is forcing unwanted and unnecessary upheaval on residents.On Monday, Labour local government and housing minister Alison McGovern told MPs the shake-up would provide stronger councils able to make quicker decisions.She said a decision would be announced this week before MPs leave parliament for their summer break. The government has rejected calls for its proposals to be put to a local referendum before a final decision is made.