News and features from Harborough District Council - December 2024

Christmas 2024

We're offering FREE parking in council-owned pay and display carparks in Lutterworth and Market Harborough on Saturdays leading up to Christmas to help residents to shop locally & support our wonderful local shops, traders & businesses. Dates include 7, 14 and 21 December 2024.

Details are as follows:

Short stay car parks in Market Harborough will be free for four hours. Long stay car parks in Market Harborough and all Lutterworth car parks will be free all day.

There is one free parking session per vehicle per Saturday. Please note machines in other car parks will not issue further free sessions on the same day.

To qualify for this offer you will need to obtain a free ticket from the machines by entering your vehicle registration number and pressing the green issue button, or by obtaining a free parking session on the Pay by Phone App.

If you wish to shop longer you can return to your vehicle and top up your parking with a paid ticket or purchase extra time when you arrive at the car park and this will be added on to your free ticket. You can also do this via the app. 

Blue Badge holders should set their display clock on arrival at the car park, as normal, and will be permitted four hours free parking in short stay car parks, and all day free parking in long stay car parks, without the need to get a pay and display ticket.

Short Stay in Market Harborough: 4 hours free

Symington Way

St Mary's Road West

Sainsburys Retail Park

The Commons

Market Hall

Kings Head Place

Doddridge Road (short stay)

Mill Hill

Long Stay Market Harborough (free all day)

Doddridge Road (long stay)

Angel Street

St Mary's Road East

Springfield Street

Lutterworth (free all day)

Chapel Street

Station road

George Street

Church Close

Find a rewarding career at your local council

We are encouraging people to ‘Make a Difference’ in their communities by embarking on a career with their local council.

A new campaign, ‘Make a Difference, Work for your Local Council’, aims to inspire individuals to explore career opportunities that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of local residents.

Harborough District Council and other local councils provide essential services that residents rely on every day, including safeguarding support for adults and children, planning, environmental health and waste management.

The campaign highlights the wide range of roles available in council services both locally, and nationally, and welcomes people from all backgrounds and skill levels.

It aims attract new talent into councils, to ensure we can continue to provide the vital services on which our communities depend.

You can choose from hundreds of roles to find a position that suits you and take the opportunity to help make a difference in your neighbourhood.

Search hundreds of local council jobs.

Find council jobs in the Harborough District.

Harborough District Sports Awards

Image: all winners and those who were specially recognised alongside Harborough District Council Chief Executive, John Richardson and Cllr Asher, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure and Tourism at Harborough District Council.

An awards ceremony was held on Wednesday 20 November to recognise the incredible achievements in physical activity across the Harborough District in an evening of celebration at the newly refurbished Harborough Leisure Centre.

The Let’s Get Moving Physical Activity Awards celebrate the collective and ongoing journey to increase physical activity across the Harborough District. From schools and sports clubs to local groups and individual residents, extraordinary efforts are being made to make physical activity more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, no matter their age, ability, or background.

The popular event, hosted by Harborough District Council and main sponsor for the evening Everyone Active, was attended by people from across the district to celebrate activity and sporting achievements locally.

Nominations for the awards were made by residents, and an independent panel of judges made the difficult final decisions within each category.

A team of talented dancers from Core Dance kicked off the evening with a number of energetic dance routines which delighted the guests, before the nominees and winners were announced and the stylish trophies were awarded.

Special recognition was given to Market Harborough gym member Millie Clarke who, alongside staff at Harborough gym, dealt swiftly with a medical incident involving a gym goer who collapsed onsite.

Staff did an excellent job in managing the incident and luckily Millie, a student nurse, was training in the gym when it happened so the individual received immediate medical care.

Winners include:

Active Mums Club Award: Lucy Nicholson from Market Harborough

Junior team of the year: Thomas Estley Under 13s Girls Football team, Broughton Astley

Junior sports person of the year: Edie Wrighton from Broughton Astley

Disability champion: Kelsey Leverton from Kibworth

Community award: Orchard Medical Centre, Broughton Astley

Unsung hero: Lukasz Kostecki from Kibworth

Twilight achiever: Alan Ogden from Lutterworth

Club of the year: Illston Abey Cricket Club, llston on the Hill

Sports person of the year: Evie Watts from Kibworth

Support local 

We can all take steps to a more sustainable Christmas by trying to avoid purchasing single-use plastic where possible. Many independent shops, markets and supermarkets now sell recyclable wrapping paper and paper tape.

As the challenge of the cost of living continues there's no need to overspend on gifts. We are fortunate to enjoy a wide-range of local independent businesses, talented artisans, crafters, market traders, and food businesses in Harborough district. Let's support local businesses and boost the the Harborough economy rather than buying online from mainstream brands which require miles of travel for deliveries.

Don't panic buy, consider purchasing vouchers for local activities or treats to look forward to in the months ahead, and don't forget the huge range of charity shops in our region which support both local and national charities. 

Leicester Comedy Festival will soon be in Harborough district, so why not check out the line-up and bag tickets before they sell out.

Not sure what you can recycle at home? Find guidance about what can be recycled in your blue-lidded wheeled bin.

Join in the fun at Broughton Astley Christmas Fayre and Lights Switch on Saturday 7 December or work up an appetite by taking part in the exciting Santa Dash and Dawdle on Sunday 8 December. 

Keep up to date by following our social media pages on more events from around the district this festive season.

Award winning environmental community car club

We’re thrilled to announce that the Tilton on the Hill Electric Car Club has won Environmental Project of the Year at the Leicestershire Community Champion Awards, presented by the Furnley House Foundation! 

This award is a fantastic recognition of the hard work and dedication from everyone involved in making this project a reality. The Electric Car Club is not only making a positive environmental impact but also demonstrating how community-driven initiatives can make a lasting difference.

Congratulations to the team, volunteers, and supporters in Tilton on the Hill for their inspiring commitment to sustainable transport and cleaner, greener communities. 

Proud to support projects like these through *Invest in Harborough*, where we’re dedicated to championing sustainable growth and fostering innovation across our district.

The rural car club gives people the opportunity to hire electric pool vehicles and is Leicestershire's first community electric car club, providing villagers with emission free, affordable travel, and a 'Need A Lift Scheme' supported by volunteer drivers.

Sports stars lead celebrations at refurbished Harborough Leisure Centre

The fully refurbished Harborough Leisure Centre was officially opened this weekend at a fun-filled open day event following a £6 million pound investment across both Lutterworth and Harborough Leisure Centres. 

Families and Harborough district residents flocked to the centre to meet and greet sport star swimmers, Olympian Rebecca Adlington and Paralympian Maisie Summers-Newton.

Rebecca Adlington is one of the few people to have won Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships and Commonwealth Games gold medals.

Maisie Summers-Newton is a four-times Paralympic swimming gold medallist and has an incredible six World Championship wins under her belt, as well as Commonwealth gold at Birmingham 2022.

Both stars were pleased to meet with eager visitors and many autographs were signed and selfies taken.

Maisie jumped into the pool to support an exciting pool training session with Market Harborough Swimming Club members, while Rebecca shared tips and advice from poolside to deliver an unforgettable experience for the enthusiastic younger swimmers.

Les Mills official trainers showcased the brand new group exercise studios by putting on a number of free sessions to warm up and challenge guests with gruelling workouts.

The new and already much-loved Atlantis inflatable hosted two family sessions in the pool area which has been enhanced with new tiles, an improved SEN experience and new and efficient lighting, complimented by a refreshed Changing Village.

DJ Clinton treated gym goers to some pumping tunes in the new and extended gym which boasts state-of-the-art equipment and a range of new Theragun massage guns where you can ease your post-workout aching muscles before heading to the new café for a well-deserved meal or refreshment.

Visitors to the centre, which is run by award-winning operator Everyone Active, also enjoyed free classes in the refurbished group cycling and group exercise studios.

The brand new multi-sports arena hosts tennis and netball clubs and now welcomes a futsal league, while new pickleball court markings will further extend the range of sports facilities for residents in Harborough district.

The reception has been upgraded and the refreshed bowls area boasts new flooring and lighting and in the summer months, will host an indoor soft-play area for under 5s.

Visitors and regular members at Harborough Leisure Centre are now being encouraged to respond to a satisfaction survey to share their thoughts and feedback about how the upgrades have impacted and improved their use of the centre.

Keep well this winter

The NHS have brought together all the information you will need to keep well and get healthcare over the autumn and winter period.

The information is for everyone, but some parts will be of particular relevance for people who are at increased risk when the weather turns colder, such as older people, those with long term conditions and pregnant women. The cold weather can make some health conditions worse and increases the risk of raised blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. Slips and falls are also more likely.

Vaccinations are the best way to protect yourself from becoming seriously unwell and it is even more important to get vaccinated if you are at increased risk. Make sure you are up-to-date with any vaccinations you are eligible for.

Look out for others

Some people may need extra help over winter. Remember to check in on older neighbours, friends and family members to see if they need anything.

Icy pavements and cold weather can stop people from going out. Keeping stocked up with food for a few days is advised in case they cannot go out. 

If they do need to go out, encourage them to wear shoes with a good grip and a scarf around the mouth to protect them from cold air.

Joy is a new NHS funded website for people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. It has been created to link you to groups, services and activities that suit your needs and interests, local to you. Once you add your postcode and search, it will list the services closest to you.

Getting the right care

In the autumn and winter, health services tend to be busier than normal. At this time of year, it is more important than ever that people follow the advice that the NHS gives all year round to help you get the right care as quickly as possible. 

• Consider whether you can treat the illness and injury yourself, or with support from NHS 111 online, the NHS App or a local pharmacy.
• If it’s urgent, contact your GP practice, use NHS 111 or go to a local urgent care service.
• There are a wide range of services in your local community to support you with your mental health and wellbeing.
• The Emergency Department and 999 is for life threatening emegencies.
• Even if services are busy and you need help, don’t delay coming forward for care.

Refreshed Visit Harborough website

The Visit Harborough website is now easier to use following a recent update.

A refresh of the layout has ensured that tourism information is more inclusive and user friendly, enabling everyone to explore Harborough district’s attractions and experiences.

The improvements include enhanced navigation options, better readability and the addition of accessibility tools to support users with visual or cognitive impairments.

Find inspiration with straightforward to search for accommodation, local attractions, shopping opportunities and leisure activities.

The project has received £3,500 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Calling all 11–18-year-olds in the Harborough District  

We have a new Youth Engagement Officer here at Harborough District Council, Becca Powell, who is tasked with creating a Youth Council.

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals aged between 11 and 18 years old who want to learn more about what the Council does, how they can get involved with making changes in their community and getting our young people’s voices heard across the district, all whilst having fun and making new friends.

If this sounds like something you, or some young people you or your organisation work with, might be interested in, please follow this link to share some details with us and our Youth Engagement Officer will be in touch.

Gartree 2: Next update from Ministry of Justice

We are now coming to the end of the ‘early works’ on site for the new prison, with the ‘enabling works’ expected to start by the end of the year.  The enabling works will include, but are not limited to, beginning excavation works, ditch and drainage diversions, formation of bellmouths, access roads and car parks, and installation of site hoarding. We continue to listen to feedback from residents living around the site and make changes wherever we can to address any issues.

Thanks to those residents who visited the New Prisons Team at our drop-in session on 12 November- it was good to have conversations with residents and talk through your questions and concerns. On some issues, we may not know all of the details just yet but we hope to hold another event further along into the programme to keep residents updated as the build progresses.

Meanwhile our early works contractor, Wates, are already working towards our commitment to provide jobs locally and to add social value wherever we can. So far this includes employment for people living within 3 miles of site and volunteer work carried out at Foxton Canal Museum and a renovation project with 'Caring for Care Leavers’ in Lutterworth.

As always, you can still email (psdenquiries@justice.gov.uk) with any questions, queries or suggestions, including on how you would like to be kept up to date on progress.

James Smith
Senior Responsible Owner, New Prisons Programme

Are you over State Pension age, or know someone who is?

Pension Credit tops up pension income and can help with day-to-day living costs.

If you are over State Pension age, you may be eligible to claim Pension Credit, even if you own your home or have savings.

People who claim Pension Credit may also be able to get:

• The Winter Fuel Payment and other help with heating costs
• Help with rent and Council Tax
• A free TV Licence for those aged 75 or over
• Help with the cost of NHS services, such as NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments.

You could be eligible for Pension Credit if your weekly income is below £218.15 or, if you have a partner who lives with you, £332.95. Qualifying income level may be higher in some circumstances. 

Please share this information with your friends or neighbours if you think they may find it helpful.