Get up to date with Harborough news and events!
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News and features from Harborough District Council - May 2025 |
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Cllr Phil Knowles Leader of Harborough District Council |
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Welcome to our May newsletter which arrives in your inbox in the middle of the VE Day 80th anniversary commemorations.
I’ve long believed that it’s important that the district honours those who lost their lives, because their legacy of sacrifice led to the freedoms that we enjoy today. That’s why I was so pleased that we were able to give 8,000 trees, in their honour, that will enhance our communities for decades to come. Thank you to everyone who collected and planted a tree or attended a VE Day event.
As you’ll know from our previous newsletter, we’re working hard to leave a thriving natural legacy for future generations through our Market Harborough Rewilding Project. This work, of which we’re rightly proud, will improve the natural habitat in our beautiful district and help to connect all of us more closely with nature.
Early indications are that many stakeholders want to get involved and be a part of delivering a site of national significance, a site that could cover 500 acres or more. We, the current generation are delivering and protecting for future generations. We’re keen to involve local groups and individuals, so if you are interested in helping to improve our natural environment then please get in touch: rewildingproject@harborough.gov.uk
We’re also focused on the legacy we leave in other ways – not least by creating lasting assets, such as improvements to buildings, facilities, or purchasing and installing equipment for the benefit of everyone in our district.
Our £1million Community Grant Fund is designed to do just that. Round three is under way with round four coming up shortly and we’ve organised sessions to help organisations and groups to apply for funding to improve local communities. Please get involved, particularly if your group is based in Market Harborough because the town is currently underrepresented in the allocation of funds so far.
Our local plan consultation has ended, and I want to emphasise that no decisions have been made and all of your representations will be considered by elected members.
I am delighted that there was such a good turnout at the drop-in information sessions and wish to thank residents and other parties who responded to the consultation. By acting now, the council is taking control to ensure that growth happens in ways and places that work for the Harborough District and can protect the district from potential speculative development.
If the council does not prepare a new local plan now or is prevented from progressing it as proposed, it will need to plan for an additional 2,000 homes more than is currently the case because the government has increased national housing targets. This could potentially add a significant time delay and estimated costs of a further £2million or more which could be better spent on our local communities and services.
And, finally, if you’re looking to get out and about in the spring air and give your health and wellbeing a boost then there’s plenty on offer – see below for information on activities at our leisure centres and from our Active Harborough team. Best wishes, Phil |
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Tree-mendous response as fruit trees are given away |
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We have given away around 8,000 apple, cherry, pear and plum maiden trees to thousands of residents living in the Harborough district from locations in Market Harborough, Lutterworth and Scraptoft The initiative marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, honouring the sacrifices made during World War II and celebrating peace and community spirit. From children to a 100-year-old lady, the trees were enjoyed by all.
By providing fruit for the future the aim was to encourage greener neighbourhoods, support local food production and contribute to the fight against climate change. Thank you to everyone who collected and planted one of our fruit trees.
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| | Register your interest in supporting Market Harborough rewilding
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As you will have seen in our April newsletter, we have purchased 133.3 acres of land at Tin House Farm, Great Bowden to restore a nature-depleted area to bring benefits to wildlife, people and communities.
The Market Harborough Rewilding Project, which is on a nationally significant scale, is being carried out with the support of Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust with the goal of reestablishing natural processes and building a network of nature sites where wildlife can thrive.
We're keen to invite groups and people who are interested in getting involved in the Market Harborough Rewilding Project - please email: rewildingproject@harborough.gov.uk to register your interest.
If you'd like to be a part of this historic initiative for our district, then we would like to hear from you.
As well as protecting the site from long-term housing development, the project will help us meet our carbon reduction and nature recovery ambitions and provide more opportunities for residents to improve their health and wellbeing. The rewilded area will include a public open space, a country park and provision for visitors. |
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| | Thank you for taking part in our draft local plan consultation |
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in our eight-week consultation on the draft local plan for Harborough district which ended today (9am on Tuesday 6 May).
More than 600 people attended our six public drop-in events in March and April and we had a good response to our consultation. Consultation is an important phase in the process but it's important to emphasise that no decisions have been made about the final local plan. All your representations will be considered by councillors and an independent Inspector appointed to examine the Harborough local plan. |
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| One-off flood recovery grant criteria extended - check your eligibility |
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Councillors have extended our flood recovery grant funding for properties affected by internal flooding on 6 January 2025 to include residential properties that were flooded during the last financial year.
The one-off £500 Flood Support Grant was initially made available to residents in properties with internal flooding following heavy rain on 6 January 2025, but residents who were affected by internal flooding between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 can now apply. This change to the criteria means that residents in Little Bowden who were affected by internal flooding on 24 October 2024 are also able to apply for a grant.
Find out more about whether your household meets the criteria for a one-off grant and complete an application form online. A paper copy can be posted to you if necessary – please phone our customer services team on 01858 828282.
You will need to supply information to support your application, such as dated photographic/video evidence, insurance claim documentation and confirmation of bank details with corresponding property address. |
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| | Reminder: VE Day 80th anniversary events this week |
We're reminding you that events are taking place this week to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day: Thursday 8 May
From 7 to 10pm there will be a beacon lighting event at Coventry Road Recreation Ground in Lutterworth. The beacon will be lit at 9.30pm and there will be entertainment from Lutterworth Town Band and 1940's trio The Boswell Project. A bar, BBQ and other hot food will be available with fun games for the children and goodie bags. At 10am there will be a VE Day flag raising ceremony and proclamation taking place near The Symington Building/ Old Grammar School in Market Harborough. Everyone is welcome to attend. At 7.30pm a commemorative service of thanksgiving will take place at St Dionysius Church, High Street, Market Harborough. This will be followed by an Act of Remembrance and wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial starting at 8.30pm. Everyone is very welcome to attend - please arrive at least ten minutes beforehand. Willoughby Waterleys Parish Council will be raising a VE Day 80th anniversary flag at the village hall on Main Street at 9am
Sunday 11 May
Events took place earlier this week and you can find detail on our website. |
| Read more about the council's work with armed forces
| | Save money on family fun with a leisure centre Kids Pass |
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Did you know that you can get your children active while saving money at Harborough and Lutterworth leisure centres? When you sign up to swimming lessons, sport courses or a children’s birthday party, you will receive a 12-month subscription to Kids Pass which entitles you to offers on family activities, which include:
- Up to 40% off at theme parks, zoos and safaris
- Up to 40% off cinema tickets, seven days a week
- Up to 30% off on family days out
- Up to 20% off on dining out
The offer is available until Tuesday, March 31, 2026. What’s more, children signed-up to swimming lessons get free swimming, too. For more information visit: www.everyoneactive.com
Harborough Leisure Centre and Lutterworth Leisure Centre are run by Everyone Active in partnership with Harborough District Council.
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| | Free leisure centre memberships for people living with Parkinson’s |
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Leisure centres in Harborough district are offering free memberships to people living with Parkinson’s. The membership, co-designed with the charity Parkinson’s UK, entered its fourth year on World Parkinson’s Day on 11 April. It provides access to gym, swim and group exercise, as well as online Synergy Dance classes.
A free membership can be given to up to three carers to provide additional support, if needed. Already, 60 people are being supported through the scheme at Harborough Leisure Centre and Lutterworth Leisure Centre living with Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world and there is currently no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and there are more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety. Being physically active can play an important role in living well with Parkinson’s. Those living with the condition can find various activities, such as swimming, walking and dance beneficial in managing their symptoms.
Harborough Leisure Centre and Lutterworth Leisure Centre are run by Everyone Active in partnership with Harborough District Council. |
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Give your health and wellbeing a boost this spring |
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If you are looking to be more active and boost your health and wellbeing a boost this spring, then check out our Active Together Harborough website for a range of activities for all.
As well as details about activity sessions and useful links to specific programmes, you’ll find information about local groups, exercise classes and activities alongside a range of community activity programmes for people of all ages and backgrounds.
There is also information local sporting activities and clubs, healthy eating and self-help. | |
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Grant Surgeries – help with your application to our £1million Community Grant Fund |
Help is at hand for applicants to Harborough District Council’s £1 million Community Grant Fund with a number of grants surgeries in June and July.
Community Grant funding is for capital projects that create lasting assets across Harborough district, such as improvements to building, facilities, or purchasing and installing equipment. Round three of the Community Grant is open until 19 May 2025, with decisions to be made by councillors at the Cabinet Subcommittee - Grants on 24 June.
Round four of the Community Grant will open between 30 June and 18 August 2025, with decisions made at the Cabinet Subcommittee - Grants on 23 September. In preparation for the next round, four grant surgeries have been arranged for the summer.
These are for constituted, not-for-profit community organisations, parish and town councils and parish meetings, to talk to us about any potential projects. The surgery dates and locations are:
25 June, 9.30am - 1pm, Council Chambers, The Symington Building, Market Harborough - 3 July, 1pm - 4pm, Ullesthorpe Village Hall
- 4 July, 9.30am - 12.30pm, Thurnby Memorial Hall
Please book in advance to arrange an appointment at one of the surgeries.
Keep up to date with community news
If you’re a member of a community group then why not sign up to our Communities Team newsletter. Issued monthly, it will keep you informed about upcoming events related to grant funding, Youth Council activities, success stories from across the district, and events to help parishes and community groups.
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| | Grant funding boost to pre- and after school venue |
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Money from our £1million Community Grant fund has contributed to the renovation of a building that is now being used for a pre- and after school club. Some £5,000 was awarded to Marc Smith Educational Charity for renovation works to the kitchen at the charity’s Old School House property in Claybrooke Parva (pictured above). The kitchen improvements, completed in December of last year, were part of a major overhaul to the property.
The grant helped to pay for a new fitted kitchen, complete with new lighting, an electric oven, gas hob, new flooring, a new door, cupboards and a built-in fridge. New tenants moved into the property on 5 January and in March the Old School House became a venue for the pre- and after school, run by Claybrooke Primary School PTA.
If you’re a member of a constituted, not-for-profit community organisation, parish or town council or parish meeting then get in touch to discuss potential projects at: communitygrants@harborough.gov.uk
Community Grant funding is for capital projects that create lasting assets across Harborough district, such as improvements to building, facilities, or purchasing and installing equipment.
For more information about criteria and how to apply visit: www.harborough.gov.uk/communitygrants |
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| | Party leaders support Debate Not Hate campaign |
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Harborough District Council party leaders have given their full support to the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate campaign.
The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in their communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the responses and support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation.
Nationally, seven out of ten local councillors reported experiencing abuse and intimidation in 2024. Debating and disagreeing is essential to a healthy democracy, but the right engagement matters, and abuse and intimidation crosses a line into territory that has no place in politics. It prevents elected members from representing the communities they serve, deterring individuals from standing for election and undermining local democracy.
Cllr Paul Beadle (Labour), Cllr Darren Woodiwiss (Green) pictured left, Cllr Jon Bateman (Conservative) pictured centre, and Cllr Phil Knowles (Liberal Democrat) pictured right, all signed up to the campaign on behalf of their elected group members. |
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| | County council election results |
Elections were held to Leicestershire County Council on 1 May and you can find the results online. |
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| | Choose the easy way to dispose of your garden waste each fortnight |
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With our garden waste service you can put grass cuttings, leaves, flowers, weeds, twigs and small branches in your green wheeled bin and have it collected fortnightly from the kerbside outside your home. The garden waste collection service charge has been frozen for the third year in a row and you will get collections until November.
You can subscribe to our garden waste service from our website.
As part of service improvements, you no longer need an account or password to sign up to the service and recurring payments are no longer taken automatically. |
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Dates for your diary |
8 May:
10am: VE Day flag raising ceremony and proclamation taking place near The Symington Building/ Old Grammar School in Market Harborough From 7pm to 10pm: Beacon lighting event at Coventry Road Recreation Ground in Lutterworth. The beacon will be lit at 9.30pm and there will be entertainment. 7.30pm: VE Day commemorative service of thanksgiving at St Dionysius Church, High Street, Market Harborough 8.30pm: Act of Remembrance and wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial. Market Harborough 11 May, from 10am: VE Day Anniversary Party in the Park, Welland Park, Market Harborough 17 May, Harborough Indoor Market ‘Free From’ Event on The Square 31 May, 9am - 4pm, Artisan Fair on The Square, Market Harborough 5 June, 9am - 3pm, Farmer’s Market on The Square, Market Harborough 7 June, 9am - 4pm, Young Trader Market, The Square, Market Harborough 25 June, 9.30am - 1pm, Grant surgery at Council Chamber, The Symington Building, Market Harborough - 3 July, 1pm - 4pm, Grant surgery at Ullesthorpe Village Hall
- 4 July, 9.30am - 12.30pm, Grant surgery at Thurnby Memorial Hall
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