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Frank Evans laid to rest

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Frank Evans, who passed away on Sunday 25th February 2018, was finally laid to rest in Enderby Cemetery, following a funeral service at All Saints Church, Narborough.

In a well attended celebration of Frank’s life, the service took place at 1pm on Thursday 22nd March.

Frank Evans
Frank Evans

Former Enderby Parish Council colleagues and representatives from several other organisations with which Frank was associated joined friends and family for the service conducted by Father Alan Hawker.

Fr. Hawker knew Frank well and spoke fondly of the many and varied conversations in which he had participated with Frank, covering a wide range of topics, including his faith.

Fr. Hawker commented that he didn’t agree with Leicester Mercury’s characterisation of Frank as being “quirky” saying that, to those who knew him, Frank was just ……Frank!

Tributes were paid by Frank’s brother William who delivered a moving account of Frank’s  early life and adventures. He recalled how later in life Frank saw service with the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy, and was a member of the Prayer Book Society.

He was also well known by parents and pupils of local schools in his role of ‘Lollipop Man’ shepherding them across King Street – a duty he performed until, at the age of 85yrs, when he was forced to retire because of County Council insurance issues!!

Frank’s lodger and carer, Vivian Nwagboso, spoke of Frank’s kindness and her memories of their friendship over the past four and a half years.

See also: Frank Evans  (EYE news item) 06-03-2018

 

 

Trial closure of Dog Waste Bins abandoned as tip issues are resolved

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Enderby Parish Councillors have learned that the operational issues with the District’s Dedicated Dog Waste Bins (DDWB’s) has been resolved.

The proposed trial closure of designated dog bins will not now be necessary.

Leicestershire County Council have now provided a more appropriate facility for Blaby District Council to dispose of both mixed litter and waste from designated dog bins that avoids the problematic issues of going to a landfill site close to Lutterworth.

Dog
Picture: Louise Baldock ( http://louisebaldock.blogspot.co.uk)

As the EYE reported on 14th March (Designated dog-waste bins may ‘disappear’ after local trial) the small transit van size tippers used by the District Council’s cleansing teams were regularly getting stuck on the landfill site, being overloaded due to mud being stuck to the underside of the vehicles, and expensive repairs were being incurred correcting damage caused on the site.

Expensive repairs were becoming alarmingly regular in order to correct damage caused on the site.

The change of stance by the County Council has enabled the District Council’s cleansing teams to continue to collect waste in the same way from street bins without the need to mix waste or close any designated dog waste bins. This will come as welcome news to many dog walkers in Enderby and Narborough.

High Court dismisses Countesthorpe appeal

Civic, News

Blaby District Council’s refusal of an application of up to 170 dwellings in Countesthorpe has been upheld by The High Court.

The application on land adjacent to Leicester Road and Foston Road in the village was refused back in November 2016.

Countesthorpe Application graphic
Image: Blaby District Council

The Council rejected the plans, submitted by Catesby Estates Limited, after the application conflicted with policies set out by the Blaby District Local Plan, which seeks to promote sustainable development.

Following the dismissal of a first appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in November 2017, Catesby Estates challenged the decision in the High Court of Justice.

The hearing, heard on Friday 16 March to one of the country’s top High Court Judges, Mr Justice Garnham, saw Catesby’s case thrown out of court with costs awarded to both the District Council and Secretary of State.

In summarising, the Judge said Catesby’s case fell ‘well short’ of convincing him that the Council’s strategy for meeting the development needs of the District was out of date.

Councillor Sheila Scott, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing Strategy, Economic and Community Development, said: “We are delighted by the result in this case. Significant preparation was made by both our Planning officers and the Secretary of State to defend this appeal.

“This judgement emphasises that the methods we have towards major developments within the District have been vindicated.

“It also shows that our planning policies, against which planning applications are determined, have been found to be up-to-date and relevant.”

To find planning applications in the district, visit www.blaby.gov.uk/planning.

‘500 up’ for Good Neighbour Scheme

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A community scheme in Whetstone has helped residents who are vulnerable and in need of neighbourly assistance in the village for the 500th time in just over 15 months.

Whetstone Good Neighbour Scheme

The Whetstone Good Neighbour Scheme is a group of committed volunteers from the local community who undertake everyday tasks, including lifts to the shops and hospital, completing applications and changing a lightbulb.

Volunteers have helped the 44 scheme users in a wide-range of ways.

The early runaway success of Whetstone’s Good Neighbour Scheme saw it win “Best Community Group” at last year’s Outstanding Achievement Awards after receiving nine nominations from the local community.

Betty Tilston, who nominated the group and uses the service, said of the scheme:  

“It has helped me and my friends to live an independent life, which would be very dull and lonely without them.”

Good Neighbour Schemes have been backed by Blaby District Council, who help to establish a scheme in the local community and to advise on funding available.

Croft, Sapcote and Sharnford also have volunteers supporting residents in their villages.

Councillor Sheila Scott, Portfolio Holder Planning, Housing Strategy, Economic and Community Development, said:

“I want to congratulate the Whetstone Good Neighbour Scheme for reaching their 500th job so quickly.

“This highlights the community spirit and dedication from volunteers to help more vulnerable members of the village.

“I cannot express how proud I am of Whetstone and our other schemes for their commitment to the local community. I hope they are an inspiration for people across the district to start up a scheme in their village.”

Barry Fisher, Chairman of Whetstone Good Neighbour Scheme, said:  

“The whole team of volunteers are delighted with the positive feedback we receive from our users, who often describe the scheme as a vital part of their ability to live an independent, fulfilled and inclusive life.”

The Council is committed to helping volunteers who want to establish Good Neighbour Schemes in the district. For more information, email strategic.partnerships@blaby.gov.uk or call 0116 272 7566.

Find out more about Whetstone Good Neighbour Scheme by visiting www.whetstonegns.org.uk.

‘Brockington Broadcasting Company’! Students take part in BBC ‘School Report’

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BrockingtonCollege students present School Report 2018

On Thursday 15th March students from Enderby’s Brockington College took part in this year’s BBC School Report.

BBC School Report is a journalism project for students aged 11 to 18 and spans the length and breadth of the UK.

Students ‘make’ the news and upload it to their website that is linked-to via a BBC interactive map. This means that contributors news is accessible to a worldwide BBC audience.

Student’s news programmes are showcased across BBC programmes in the UK on News Day which was Thursday, 15 March 2018.

The Brockington students created a 15 minute programme with eight student’s covering topics including The Holocaust, women’s right to vote, social media, the 200 Word Challenge and Book Club, Stephen Hawking’s death and plastics waste.

A video of the student’s work is viewable here