PLAN FOR TWO-DAY FESTIVAL UNVEILED

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Plan for two-day festival unveiled

by Dan Martin

Organised by Leicester City Council, it will be an amalgamation of celebrations already held in the city, as well as a number of new events.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "For the first time, we are bringing together a lot of separate events which will effectively double the size of the celebrations across the city.

"If it proves a success, as I am sure it will, we will look to make it a bigger and even better event last year."

The idea was conceived last year as part of a city council review of festival funding.

This year, the budget has been cut from £366,500 to £308,500 and will fall to £288,500 in 2014.

The events making up the City Festival will be mostly free and the mayor hopes it will become an annual event to bolster Leicester's bid to become UK City of Culture in 2017.

Humberstone Gate West and Gallowtree Gate will host the eighth annual Sports Fest on the Sunday, with coaching sessions on offer in basketball, football and boxing.

There will also be live music and dance, including Chinese dragon dancing.

On the Sunday, from 11am to 4pm many city streets will be shut so cyclists can take part in the annual Sky Ride.

On the same day the market will host Our Leicester Day, a celebration of the city's community groups, clubs and societies.

On Bank Holiday Monday, the city's history will be celebrated with the Old Town Festival at Magazine Square, Newark Houses Museum and Leicester Castle. There will be medieval re-enactments, the opening up of historic buildings and a food fair.

Leicester Mela, traditionally held in July, has been moved to the Monday and will take place around the Clock Tower with a Bollywood and Bhangra celebration of South Asian culture.

Town Hall Square will host the Journeys Festival over two days. Involving art, drama, music and poetry from refugees, it will tour the East Midlands.

Finally Orton Square, outside Curve theatre , will host End of Pier Delights on Sunday and Monday. It will be a seaside celebration for youngsters.

http://www.visitleicester.info/cityfestival/

KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE BRIEFING

At Leicester's medieval Guildhall this afternoon (the hottest day of the year so far) for a briefing for "key individuals and organisations" regarding the latest developments on the King Richard III Visitor Centre and its relation to Leicester's bid to become UK City of Culture 2017.

City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby leads both parts of the meeting, with contributions from many of the attendees, representing interested parties from city and county.

City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby & Nisha Popat (Business Development Manager, Leicester City Council)

Early in the meeting we break into small groups for a quick bit of workshopping, in which we consider three questions:

• What are the opportunities for the city in general in relation to Richard III?
• What are the opportunities for your organisation in relation to Richard III?
• What opportunities could arise for your organisation from the Richard III Visitor Centre?

It's revealed for the first time today that the major themes around which the Richard II visitor experience will be structured are:

• Death
• Dynasty
• Discovery

Since final planning approval is still pending for the Visitor Centre and eveyone is avoiding the temptation to count their chickens before they've hatched, the presentation today is more concept than content. But even that offers an inspiring glimpse of the benefits to come.

There's an exhibition of artist's impressions of the Visitor Centre that we can peruse at our leisure before and after the formal presentations. A few of us sneak into the temporary Richard III exhibition in the Cathedral Visitor Centre attached to the Guildhall. This exhibition welcomed its 100,000th visitor this week.

I'm glad to see Smita Shah here. Smita represents the Jain Centre on Leicester Council of Faiths, Since the Jain Centre is just a stone's throw from the site of the Visitor Centre, she publicly acknowledges that they expect a positive impact on the number and range of visitors they'll expect to receive once the Visitor Centre opens. I hope that the example of the Jain Centre will help other faith communities and organisations in the city feel involved in what has already become a great boon to Leicester - one which can only increase in years to come.

UK CANDIDATE CITY OF CULTURE 2017 BID DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

At Curve (Rehearsal Room 3, to be precise) this morning, attending Leicester UK Candidate City of Culture 2017 Bid Development Workshop.

The groups working on different aspects of the final bid are well represented here today, sharing ideas, strengthening team spirit, consolidating our unity of purpose. The meeting is opened by City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby and led by members of the team responsible for writing the final bid.

There's an impressive level of commitment, creativity and inventiveness among all those present, reflecting a palpable sense of engagement, enthusiasm and interest among an increasing number of people from all walks of life in the city and county.

In one of the breaks I speak briefly with the Mayor about the article in the Independent on Sunday's New Review, which included a few comments from him. He was happy with it - and particularly pleased to see Leicester described as "the most diverse city on the planet"! Several other people mention the article, all of them saying that as well as being a good thing in its own right, it will surely boost our UK City of Culture 2017 bid.

OUR CULTURE CITY RIVALS ARE "CRAP"

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Our culture city rivals are "crap"

by Peter Warzynski

Leicester's three City of Culture rivals have been included in a national list of the UK's "crap towns''.

Hull, Dundee and Swansea all appear on the Crap Towns longlist – a collection of the 100 worst towns and cities in Great Britain.

However, Leicester – the home of Richard III, National Space Centre, Curve theatre and the Attenboroughs – is nowhere to be seen on the roster of rubbish places to live.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby welcomed the news, but said the real test would come in November when the 2017 UK City of Culture winner is revealed.

"Well, I already knew Leicester wasn't crap," he said.

"But I rather suspect that this list is a bit tongue in cheek because I know the three other City of Culture contenders have a lot to offer.

"So let's wait until November and we can prove once and for all we are the best city."

The 100 nominees will be whittled down to 50 via an online vote and included in a book of the UK's worst places to live.

Also making it on to the longlist is York – whose supporters are locked in a bitter battle with the University of Leicester over where the remains of Richard III should be laid to rest.

Despite Leicester's exclusion from the list, one county town made it into the top 100.

Loughborough can be found nestled comfortably between London and Louth, in Lincolnshire, on the alphabetical census of crapness.

Hearing the news yesterday, Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan said: "How deeply unfair. This has clearly been put together by someone who has never been to Loughborough.

"I know it's all a bit of fun, and tongue in cheek, but nobody wants to hear their home has been nominated as a 'crap town'.

"Oh well... I just hope people get voting and make sure that Loughborough doesn't make it any further than the top 100.

"We have a great town here, with a fantastic community spirit, wonderful tourist attractions and a top-class university."

David Cameron's constituency, Chipping Norton, is also on the longlist.

The quaint Oxfordshire market town – home to Jeremy Clarkson – is a surprise addition, but Crap Towns Returns editor Sam Jordison said it was not all about appearance.

He said: "Crap comes in many forms. Very often, the kind of towns that estate agents would describe as 'desirable' are the most stultifying, the most ugly and the most unpleasant to live in.

"They also tend to be full of the most ridiculous people. Our correspondents don't like Mayfair any more than they like deprivation and squalor.

"In fact, they often finger the affluent places as the cause of all the trouble in the first place. Or at least for failing to do anything about it and for having terrible, terrible pubs."

MERCURY OPINION: GOLDEN MILE GATEWAYS ARE A GREAT IDEA

This is from the Mercury Opinion column in today's Leicester Mercury:

Golden Mile gateways are a great idea

Belgrave traders have raised the idea of large Indian-style gateways to mark either end of Leicester's Golden Mile. It would create a landmark in a similar way to the Oriental arches in Manchester's Chinatown. Leicester Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby is enthusiastic about the idea and would support it if the traders were to pay for it themselves. That last point touches on the issue of how this would be funded and that does not appear to be entirely clear yet.

Notwithstanding that potential stumbling block, it is an excellent idea. This area of Leicester is already scheduled for a major change with the demolition of the Belgrave flyover next year. This has caused some anxiety among motorists. However, there are many benefits to the area itself. The Belgrave flyover is an unattractive structure which separates the Golden Mile from the city centre. Its demolition will remove that barrier.

The creation of the landmarks being proposed by the traders would further add to the character and distinctiveness of this area and make it more of an attraction to visitors to the city. It has a fine array of shops and this would help to make them even more of an attraction. One would imagine, however, that landmarks of this nature would be expensive and the crucial issue is coming up with a funding plan. We would love to see this idea get off the ground.

LARGE GATEWAYS PLAN FOR ENDS OF THE GOLDEN MILE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

The distinctive gates in Chinatown, Manchester

Large gateways plan for ends of the Golden Mile

by Dan Martin

Large Indian-style gateways could be put up to mark either end of Leicester's Golden Mile.

Businesses along the busy shopping street in Belgrave are looking at establishing landmarks similar to the Oriental arches in Manchester's Chinatown.

Traders' representatives have been holding discussions with city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby about the idea.

Sir Peter said: "It is an idea that has come forward from the traders as a way of demonstrating the identity of the Golden Mile.

"They have expressed an interest in getting something at either end which would show people when they are entering what is a specialist shopping area.

"They want something at the city end and something at the Melton Road end.

"I have seen Chinatown (in Manchester) and it looks good. I think something similar could work here.

"There is a precedent for doing this in the city already – the arch at the entrance to the market, though that is much more modest than what is being considered."

Sir Peter said he was enthusiastic about the idea and would support it if the traders were to pay for it themselves.

He said the planned demolition of the Belgrave fly-over, set to take place after Sainsbury's relocates from Belgrave to Melton Road at the end of this year, could allow some sort of new public art feature.He said: "It is an idea in its very early stages."

Dharmesh Lakhani, chairman of the Belgrave Business Association, said: "We are looking for something that makes people think of India and the subcontinent, but with elements of Leicester and the UK.

"It could well be a gateway and we could then use an image of it as branding all along the Golden Mile. It would be lovely to have something like that.

"We are not certain yet how it would fit in with the road structure or the space available.

"Whatever we do, it will be something that reinforces the character of the Golden Mile and encourages people to visit."

Mr Lakhani said people in the area would be asked what design they would like to see in place. Children at Abbey Primary School have already come up with a series of designs that could be considered.

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz said: "The Golden Mile is a defined area of shopping excellence known across the country and I think it is a great idea.

"It would come into its own at the time of Diwali.

"It is an ambitious idea and I will support it."

Travel agent Dipak Varadia, 51, from Brandon Street, off Belgrave Road, said: "We should definitely do this. At the moment, that big, ugly concrete fly-over hardly says 'Welcome to the Golden Mile'.

"When it has gone, we can replace it with something beautiful."

WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO VISIT US?

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Why would they want to visit us?

All right, so Leicester has been shortlisted in the final four to be the City of Culture 2017, but what does it mean for us the people of Leicester?

Firstly, it means our leader, Sir Peter Soulsby, can throw more good money (that we have not got) at a project (that we may not get).

Why, and for what purpose?

In my opinion, Leicester is not fit for the purpose.

Why would anybody want to come to Leicester, when we have the following:

Bus service not fit for purpose.

A city centre you cannot drive into.

At least three entertainment venues that rely on the council for support.

Untidy streets.

High Street and shopping centres with empty shops.

With exception of the Leicester Tigers, no sporting achievements.

Every week at least one or two fast food outlets closed due to environmental or health concerns.

This list is not exhaustive and no doubt other readers could add their own thoughts.

I for one would not go out of my way to visit Leicester if it was selected as City of Culture 2017.

Ian G Lambert, Leicester

BIGGER ISSUES THAN CITY OF CULTURE BID

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Bigger issues than City of Culture bid

What's this City of Culture bid all about? Do we win a load of cash or will we be expected to spend loads of taxpayers' cash?

There are far more important things that need to be sorted out in Leicester before bothering about being a City of Culture, which seems to me to be a popularity contest between councils.

It would seem councillors and the mayor are putting this city forward for things they say make a great deal of difference to the city.

Yet I recall Liverpool being a city of culture some time ago. All it seems to have got for its trouble was a concert by Sir Paul McCartney and a load of metal figures on a beach, which contribute nothing to the wellbeing of society in general while quietly rusting away.

If we are, as those involved say, a City of Culture, why is the Haymarket theatre closed and been unused for years?

Why is De Montfort Hall, built as a temporary theatre years ago, still in existence?

Why do we not have a large arena capable of attracting the big and really popular acts, events and musicians to this city, instead of us having to traipse to Coventry, Birmingham and Nottingham?

This bid seems like a waste of money and time to me.

Of course, I shall expect Leicester City Council not to keep us properly informed of events.

They have been rubbish at advertising events in Leicester.

Bernard Fox, Leicester

LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL'S EQUALITY & DIVERSITY CHARTER

Here's the text of Leicester City Council's Equality & Diversity Charter, launched at a meeting in the Town Hall today. The charter confirms (and elaborates on) the city Council's commitment to its Public Sector Equality Duty, which came into force in England, Scotland and Wales on 11 April 2011, replacing previous duties in relation to disability, gender and race equality duties. This triune duty comprises the tasks set in bold immediately below.

Leicester City Council is committed to equality of opportunity, elimination of discrimination, and promotion of good relations between all people.

We are proud of, and celebrate, our city's diversity.

We recognise that people have differing needs.

When allocating resources we will be clear on how we have prioritised individual and community needs.

We will treat people with respect.

We will provide accessible information on our services, community activities and events we support.

We will aim to deliver services that are accessible and culturally appropriate to those using them.

when making important decisions about local public services we will engage with local residents and communities.

We will work with our employees to ensure that equality is embedded in the workplace.

We have developed an equality and diversity strategy which reflects this commitment.

If you are a member of the public who uses our services, you can find out more about our commitment to equality and diversity at leicester.gov.uk/equalityanddiversity

If you are a council employee, you can find out more about putting equality and diversity at the centre of what you do at insite/equalities

The charter is signed by Sir Peter Soulsby (City Mayor) and Cllr Manjula Sood MBE (Assistant City Mayor: Community Involvement, Partnerships and Equalities - and Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths)

COMMITMENT TO EQUALITY RESTATED

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury (but not on its website):

Commitment to equality restated

Civic leaders are to reaffirm their commitment to equality.

City Council leaders will meet at the Town Hall tomorrow to sign up to a range of actions designed to tackle inequality and celebrate Leicester's rich cultural mix.

Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said the new strategy would demonstrate the council's commitment to putting equality issues at the centre of all its work.

"We are rightly proud of, and celebrate, our city's diversity - and it's important we build on Leicester's strong reputation as a city where people from many different backgrounds live and work together," he said.

"This strategy will allow us to do that, by ensuring we consider the needs of our diverse population when we are making decisions about the services we provide."

Assistant Mayor Manjula Sood, who has responsibility for equality, said: "This strategy demonstrates how the council will put equality issues at the heart of what we do."

MEAT TESTS ORDERED AT FIRMS ACROSS CITY

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Meat tests ordered at food firms across city

by Alan Thompson

Tests on meat are to be carried out at businesses across the city amid a growing concern over food content.

Butchers, cafes, restaurants, food processors, wholesalers and shops selling meat are to come under the scrutiny of Leicester City Council’s health inspectors.

City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Recent national stories about the horsemeat scandal and the findings of pork in halal lamb burgers in city schools has undoubtedly caused concern to city residents, and many people may now be questioning how confident they can be about the food we eat.

“This can also be damaging to reputable manufacturers and suppliers. We recognise that small retailers cannot undertake the extensive testing that supermarkets can.

“By carrying out this in-depth investigation, we will get a clear picture about the standards of meat on sale locally and help restore consumer confidence.”

It is the biggest meat-sampling programme ever undertaken in the city, with the aim of getting a better picture of the quality and standard of meat and meat products on sale in Leicester.

The investigation will include over 100 samples and is likely to take about three months to complete. A report on the investigation will be made public upon completion.

Adrian Russell, city council director of environment and enforcement services, said: “We will be looking to target those products most at risk from adulteration. These will mainly be products that are less likely to have been subject to testing undertaken nationally or by major supermarkets.

“This is the biggest food-sampling programme we have ever undertaken, and we are very keen to ensure that any companies that are knowingly supplying fraudulently labelled foods will be brought to justice.”

A spokesman for one city wholesaler and processor of beef, pork, lamb and poultry said: “We supply to retail chains nationally, national food service companies and ready meal manufacturers.

“We test anyway, we have done since the horsemeat affair, to make sure our customers have confidence that they’re getting what they think they’re getting.

“A lot of places deal with multi species and it is impossible that tiny traces of the DNA of one meat can never totally be removed from another in a multi-species environment no matter how much you clean.”

“What the council is planning is a good idea, but it depends how vigorous they’re going to be. There are manufacturers and retailers out there who don’t have the same vigorous standards.”

Alan Walker, owner of Clays Butchers in Cheapside, in the city centre, said: “I think it’s good, it’s exactly what they should have done years ago.We are a fresh meat butchers selling beef, lamb, chicken, pork etc, there is no cooking or ready meal processes carried out here, everything we serve is fresh.

“I think people need reassurance. Independent shops like ours have seen an increase in footfall since the horsemeat scandal.”

Shaf Islam, owner of Chutney Ivy restaurant, in Halford Street said:”We have been buying our meat fresh from local butchers whose trade has rocketed. I find their quality to be a lot more assured than going to one of the bigger chains.

“ I feel it is what is needed to assure the public and hopefully something like this will put more confidence into consumers.”

Deepak Shah, owner of the Lucky Supermarket in Hinckley Road, Leicester, said:”We don’t sell any fresh meat, we just buy packaged meat form a trusted wholesaler.

“Things should be checked before they get to the customer, but we don’t have the resources as a small business so I think this is a good idea.”

The action comes as Leicester City Council begins its own statutory investigation into halal burgers removed from city schools earlier this year.

City Barrister Kamal Adatia said: “Leicester City Council is now undertaking its own investigation into this matter. We cannot make any further comment as this may prejudice any future legal proceedings.”

LEICESTER CHILD POVERTY COMMISSION CONFERENCE

This morning I'm at St Martins House, Peacock Lane, where the Leicester Child Poverty Commission conference is taking place in the Grand Hall. I'm glad to see Cllr Manjula Sood, Assistant Mayor with portfolio for Community Involvment, Partnerships and Equalities (and Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths) here today.

This is the second annual event on this topic. The first was held on 25 May 2012 at De Montfort University and was reported in the Leicester Mercury.

Today's conference is opened by Rachel Dickinson (Strategic Director, Children, Leicester City Council) opens the meeting - and chairs the rest of the day.

Cllr Rory Palmer (Deputy City Mayor and Chair of Leicester Child Poverty Commission) welcomes delegates. Here are a few extracts from his letter of welcome included in our packs:

Since last year's conference the Leicester Child Poverty Commission has published 66 recommendations, a number of which have been implemented. Significant work is taking place across the public, private and voluntary sectors to make progress in implementing all of the recommendations. The Commission has continued work with partners to raise awareness of child poverty in the city, to develop new thinking on how to address this challenge and how to monitor the impact of public spending cuts, welfare changes and falling household budgets. Amongst other activities the Commission make a formal response to the Government's consultation on how child poverty should be measured, we held a meeting with businesses and employers to talk about the economic impact of pverty and thge role of the private sector in tackling poverty, and we have worked to ensure child poverty is an issue discussed by other key organisations like the new Health & Wellbeing Board.

The Rt Revd Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester, gives the keynote address. I am always impressed by what Bishop Tim has to say on the subject of poverty. He gave the keynote address at the 2012 Annual General Meeting of Leicester Council of Faiths, with the title, "The Recession and its Effects on Inter-Faith Relations". He has been in print on the topic many times and put in a memorable appearance on BBC2's Newsnight in January 2012 where he more than held his own in the face of a rigorous interrogation by Jeremy Paxman about opposition from the Bishops in the House of Lords to the Welfare Reform Bill.

After Bishop Tim's keynote address, we move on to workshop discussion. We're asked to consider the role of communities and organisations in combating child poverty, facilitated by Voluntary Action LeicesterShire. There are two questions to help focus our discussions:

• What practical things can you do to support the recommendations of the Child Poverty Commission?
• What do you need the Child Poverty Commission to do to help you achieve these things?

Themes have been allocated to different groups of tables:

• Early years (five tables)
• Income, personal finance & housing (four tables)
• Health & wellbeing (three tables)
• Economy, work & transport (three tables)
• Policy & governance (two tables)

Our table, at the back of the hall, is shown on the diagram, but it doesn't have a theme allocated to it. I guess ours would be "latecomers" or "nearest the coffee". We're allowed to pick our own theme, so we go for "Early years". I do half an hour on this one (during which we're joined by Dr Katherine Duffy, one of the 11 members of the Leicester Child Poverty Commission). For the second part of this session I move to another table to discuss "Income, personal finance and housing". Then coffee, I'm glad to say.

The workshops prompt a couple more questions that will fit in the Resilience Audit I'll be conducting with places of worship and faith-based community centres in Leicester over the next few months on behalf of the Council of Faiths.

After the break there's a panel on stage, discussing issues surrounding child poverty from their own areas of interest and positive examples of actions taken so far.

• John Willets (Project Director, FareShare Leicester)
• Imran Hussain (Head of Policy, Rights and Advocacy at Child Poverty Action Group)
• Jon Ashworth MP (Labour, Leicester South)
• Catherine Stretton, Head Teacher, Marriot School

Each has the opportunity to speak briefly, then respond to questions from the floor.  This fills an hour of the programme.

Sir Peter Soulsby, Mayor of Leicester, makes the closing remarks. I managed to write down a few of the things he said, from a short speech that was both rousing and reflective: "Poverty affects many people in this city in ways which many other people in this city find repulsive. [...] it has sometimes been said that communities in Leicester lead parallel lives - this is true, but not along ethnic, racial or religious lines; in more practical, meaningful terms, this is determined by differing levels of income." If I was able to transcribe faster, I'd have written down more.

Today we heard about a recent study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) that the number of children living in poverty would increase by 50% by 2020. I searched for this online and found an article in the London Evening Standard (7 May 2013) part of which I quote below:

More than one million more children will fall into poverty in the UK by the end of the decade, new research has predicted.

The assessment by the Institute for Fiscal Studies said the projected increase from 2010/11 to 2020/21 will reverse the reductions in child poverty rates witnessed in the previous decade.

As I leave the conference, I reflect on what has more power to change things. You can have all the money in the world, but if you don't have the will, the desire to make a difference, what good can it do. Now that the money that we were all getting used to being available is being taken off the table, we have to fall back on the power of that will and desire. And to judge by what I have heard today, there's plenty of that on tap.

SUMMER BONANZA AS CITY TO BE TAKEN OVER

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Summer bonanza as city to be taken over

by Adrian Troughton

A party programme to make this year's August bank holiday weekend the most spectacular the city has ever seen has been unveiled.

The bumper bank holiday bonanza, which will include the Sky Ride and the Mela, is to be the grand finale to an action-packed summer of fun.

The Summer in the City programme starts in July, with centenary celebrations at De Montfort Hall.

Culture vultures can enjoy a season of events with a Richard III theme, the chance to discover Leicester's art treasures in the newly-renovated Victorian Gallery at New Walk Museum and lots of opportunities to enjoy an event in Belgrave Hall.

The Mela, Sky Ride and the Sports Fest will form part of the City Festival – a weekend of events which also features an Old Town Festival and lots of children's activities in Orton Square.

The events – on Sunday and Monday, August 25 and 26 – will help make it the busiest bank holiday the city centre has known.

City mayor Peter Soulsby said: "This year is an opportunity for us to try out some ideas for a major new event which we hope will become an annual highlight.

"There will be sporting activities, free events for children, and plenty of opportunities to find out more about Leicester's heritage and culture."

On Sunday, August 25, Sky Ride will return on a traffic-free route through the city, with Sports Fest turning Humberstone Gate West into a sporting arena for the day.

Local community and voluntary organisations will be involved, too, with an event called "Our Leicester Day" taking place in the market.

The popular Mela takes over the city centre on Monday, August 26, with live music and dance, a bazaar in the Market Place and stalls in Gallowtree Gate.

A new festival which celebrates Leicester's heritage will bring the old town to life on bank holiday Monday, too, with activities taking place in Magazine Square and the Castle area.

On both days, there will be live music and dance on the Humberstone Gate West stage and plenty of activities for children.

But before the City Festival gets under way, there is a programme of events to commemorate the centenary of De Montfort Hall.

These events include a tea dance with Strictly Come Dancing's Len Goodman on June 16, an outdoor comedy day on July 6, live theatre in the gardens – with Babe The Sheep Pig on July 13 and The Mikado on July 14 – and a concert of popular classics followed by a fireworks display on July 20.

The best of Leicester's music scene will then be celebrated in a two-day event called Simon Says at the hall on July 27 and 28.

Events with a Richard III theme will take place all summer.

A stunning reconstruction of the face and head of the king will form the centrepiece of the Guildhall exhibition, from May 18 until June 9.Details of all the events happening in Leicester this summer can be found at: www.visitleicester.info/ summerinthecity

LAST GASP GO-AHEAD FOR MANGO FESTIVAL

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Last gasp go-ahead for Mango festival

by David Owen

Leicester will host its first ever Mango festival on Bank Holiday Monday after 11th- hour plans came together just in time for the extravaganza to go ahead.

Organisations across the city answered Leicester East MP Keith Vaz's SOS call issued through the Mercury last week.

The politician admitted he cut it fine, but it has been confirmed that Belgrave's Golden Mile will replicate the world-renowned fruit festival held in Delhi every June.

Cossington Recreation Ground will be a sea of yellow and orange, with city residents from all communities invited to come along and join the fun.

In keeping with tradition, four giant ornately-carved wooden elephants will be the centrepiece of the festival, which will include Indian cooking demonstrations, dancing and music.

Mr Vaz hailed the staging of the festival an "organisational triumph" for the city.

"We really had our backs to the wall," he said. "But Leicester has been able to pull this together in just 10 days.

"It has been a magnificent effort and I want to thank the City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, the city council's festival team, the police, Belgrave Traders Association and others for pulling this together at very short notice.

"I am particular delighted that a home has been found for the six elephants that will come especially from India." 

The elephants that could have proved the sticking point, with Mr Vaz appealing for local organisations to provide a home for the giant wooden animals. "A number of local groups, organisations and individuals contacted me offering a home for the elephants," he said.

The four life-size carvings will arrive on Monday, with two 24ft by 12ft giants arriving the following week after the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir temple, on Gipsy Lane, Shreeji Dham Haveli temple, Melton Road, and Leicester City Football Club agreed to look after the elephants.

The Mango Festival will take place from 3pm, with activities for all ages, including cooking with celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, dancing with Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar and a visit by Bollywood movie art director and set designer Nitin Desai.

Dharmesh Lakhani, chairman of Belgrave Business Association, said: "It's taken a lot of hard work but the fact it's going ahead is thanks to the effort put in by Keith and everyone else involved.''

RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH'S BLESSING FOR CULTURE CITY BID

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Richard Attenborough's blessing for culture city bid

by Dan Martin

The city's best-loved thespian, Richard Attenborough, is backing Leicester's drive to be crowned 2017 UK City of Culture.

Lord Attenborough has been unveiled by the team behind the city's bid for the title as its most high-profile supporter.

The respected actor and director grew up in Leicester with his brother, David, the renowned naturalist, and made his stage debut as a boy at the city's Little Theatre.

He has been a life-long supporter of the city's arts scene ever since.

The 89-year-old is in a frail state following a stroke in 2008, but is well enough to lend his support to Leicester's campaign to land the title.

The city is hoping to be chosen to succeed Londonderry in Northern Ireland in the competition, which is being run by the Government.

Today, Leicester and its 11 rivals submitted details of their bid in the hope of being shortlisted in June, before the winner is selected in November.

Lord Attenborough said: "I am delighted to offer my unconditional endorsement and support to Leicester's bid.

"In recent years, as the city has evolved into a huge multi-cultural centre, I have been thrilled to witness Leicester embrace and celebrate this in such an enlightened, inspired and visionary manner."

The celebrity, who has opened a Centre for Disability and the Arts here and loaned his collection of rare Picasso ceramics to be displayed in the city, said: "My experience and knowledge of Leicester's rich vein of cultural and, in particular, theatrical activity goes back over 80 years, from my first stumbling steps on the stage of the Little Theatre, through to the Phoenix, the Haymarket and now Curve."

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, who is chairman of the consortium behind the bid, said Lord Attenborough's support had given it considerable weight.

"We have been touched by Lord Attenborough's heartfelt support," said Sir Peter.

"He is indeed a product of this city and very proud of his association with it.

"I am confident we have a very strong bid to put in."

The consortium revealed details of some of the events and activities it would stage in 2017 if the bid is successful. They include a "Festival of Light" based on the city's existing Diwali and bonfire night celebrations, as well as a large scale re-enactment of the Richard III story to mark the discovery of the king's bones.

Geoff Rowe, Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival founder and a member of Leicester's bidding board, said a key feature of the programme would be a portable light installation which would project images onto buildings around the city, such as the National Space Centre.

Curve chief executive Fiona Allan, also on the bidding board, said the Richard III re-enactment would involve both professional actors and thousands of members of the public, and would take place over several days at a number of venues.

The bidding team has been told by the Government that it should expect to spend £10 million on a programme of events if it is successful in being named 2017 UK City of Culture.

Sir Peter said the council was prepared to underwrite the cost but said that a large amount of the funding would come from organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts Council.

He said any public funds put in would be paid back "10 or 100-fold" from the tourism boost.

KEITH'S BIG PROBLEM

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Keith's big problem

by David Owen

Keith Vaz faces an elephant-sized headache as he tries to organise the country's first ever Mango festival – in two weeks' time.

The Leicester East MP wants Belgrave's Golden Mile to stage an extravaganza in tribute to the national fruit of India over the early May bank holiday weekend, mimicking the famous International Mango Festival held in Delhi every June.

So far he has not finalised any of the details of the festival, such as what events would take place as part of it.

However, he has arranged the delivery of six giant wooden elephants to Leicester, which would form a key part of the festival.

Now he has just days to find somewhere suitable to display and store the ornately-decorated beasts, which are on their way to the UK from the Indian subcontinent.

Mr Vaz said: "I was approached by people working for the regional government of Maharashtra, in Mumbai, who said they wanted to organise a Mango festival in the UK.

"They have organised a festival in Trafalgar Square and I said 'if you're coming to England you've got to come to Leicester!' They said it was a great idea.

"It would be wonderful to have the focus of the festival in Belgrave and a way of promoting all the fantastic green-grocers in the area.

"These festivals are a celebration of Indian culture and food – and what a coup it would be for us in Leicester to host the country's first mango festival – and before London!"

Mr Vaz now has to finalise the arrangements – including temporary homes for the wooden elephants, which are up to 24ft by 12ft in size.

The Mercury was the first organisation in the city to know of the palns.

Mr Vaz has already approached the Mercury about having one of the elephants outside our offices in George Street and is now contacting Leicester City FC, Leicester Tigers and large city colleges, such as Rushey Mead School and Soar Valley College.

"This is a bit of an SOS," he said. "I am delighted that the organisers of the first Mango Festival have decided to come to Leicester.

"The elephants are an essential part of the festival but we need to find locations where they can be displayed – and where they will be looked after.

"We are looking for groups, businesses or even individuals who would house and look after the giant elephants for a three-month period.

"I know time is short but it would be such a shame if we missed out on this great opportunity," he said.

Councillor Manjula Sood, assistant city mayor for community involvement and equality, said: "If the festival can go ahead it would be wonderful – much better here than in London!"

The council is organising a "multi-agency" planning meeting to discuss the proposals with Mr Vaz for Friday.

Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "It sounds like an interesting proposal and I have asked our festivals and events team to provide advice and support to Keith to help him with its delivery."

CND'S BRUCE VISITS CITY

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Bruce Kent, left, with supporters Rama Gupta, of Loughborough, and Liz Brandon, right

CND's Bruce visits city

Anti-nuclear weapons campaigner Bruce Kent called for Britain to ditch its submarine-based deterrent as part of a "scrap Trident missile tour".

Mr Kent said it was immoral to consider embarking on replacing the missiles when so many people across Britain were being hit by savage cuts in social welfare.

Speaking after a prayer meeting at the Bishop Street Methodist church, Mr Kent, who is vice-president of national CND, said: "It seems to me that we, as a country, are moving towards replacing, at vast expense, our Trident submarines and their murderous missiles and warheads.

"The total cost of this would be over £100 billion."

He said the crisis with North Korea demonstrated the futility of nuclear weapons.

He said: "It's hypocrisy to say we can have them but they can't."

Mr Kent is visiting 22 towns and cities in England.

He arrived in the city at the Gandhi statue, near the flyover in Belgrave Road, and was later greeted by city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, at the Town Hall.

He also attended a lecture at De Montfort University, and a public meeting at St Phillip's church hall in Evington Road and gave a talk to students at Countesthorpe College.

WHY WE ALL TAKE PRIDE IN THIS NATION

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Why we all take pride in this nation

Today, We celebrate national patron, George, and all things English. to mark the occasion, some well-known citizens tell Natalie Derham and Tom Mack why they are proud to be English.

Sir Peter Soulsby, Mayor of Leicester

"I'm very proud of England's wonderful history and particularly its democracy."

Suleman Nagdi, spokesman for the Federation of Muslim Organisations

"We have a great history of acceptance and tolerance and I'm proud of our liberal society and its multiculturalism."

Carl Gunns, owner of boxing club in Birstall

"I love the history of England and the great kings and queens we've had, such as Charles I and Henry VIII. I'm also proud of the film industry, particularly in the 50s."

Tom Joule owner of Joules Ltd Market Harborough

"What makes me proud to be English is the Grand National, the sound of an ice cream van in the summer and the beer garden at the pub."

Rosemary Conley, fitness guru

"I'm proud of England for its heritage, its people, its beauty as a country and for its diversity. I would never want to live anywhere else."

Canon Barry Naylor, urban dean

"The Church of England reflects some of the very best of what it means to be English.

"It values diversity yet acknowledges the essential realities that bind us all together."

BACKING BID TO BE CULTURE CITY

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Backing bid to be culture city

by Alan Thompson

More than 150 people representing businesses and organisations answered mayor Sir Peter Soulsby's call to get behind Leicester's UK City of Culture bid.

In two briefing sessions at Curve this week, Sir Peter and his bid team told representatives of business, arts, faith and other organisations involved in the cultural life of the city about the latest stage of the bid.

Leicester is seeking to become the UK City of Culture in 2017.

The city's initial bid will be submitted on April 30 and the final entry in September.

At least £10 million will be needed to stage a UK City of Culture programme, according to the Government.

Leicester is one of 11 areas hoping to successfully bid for the title, held by Londonderry, in Northern Ireland.

Neil Peterson, one of the bid writers told the audience: "When Liverpool was European Capital of Culture, £120 million was spent over five years. It brought in £800 million in additional economic benefits.

"People go to places other than Leicester. It isn't as well known for its attributes as it should be. Overall, it has so much to offer. It has an outstanding cultural offer.

"A successful bid could offer significant long-term economic impact."

Artist Ashok Mistry said: "I am born and bred and work in the city. Whatever we put together needs to be artist-led – and from the heart."

George Ballentyne, of Leicester Council of Faiths, said: "I experienced Glasgow as the European City of Culture. It signalled a renaissance of the city which kick-started it as an ongoing city of culture."

Mr Ballentyne, who took his 11-year-old daughter Grace and son Harry, 12, to the meeting, said: "We need to engage people in this age group now and co-opt them in the creative processes. From now until 2017 is a huge gap in the life of a young person."

City councillor Ted Cassidy said: "There is a huge opportunity over the next five years, bringing together grassroots and young artists, people making things happen in the city. Don't let's wait until 2017."

City councillor Susan Barton said: "Leicester is already a city of culture.

"We need to make sure everyone outside Leicester knows about it as well."

"GET BEHIND THE CULTURE CITY ATTEMPT"

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

"Get behind the culture city attempt"

Sir Peter Soulsby has written to more than 350 organisations inviting them to get behind Leicester's bid to become the next UK City of Culture.

The city mayor wants groups and individuals – including all 54 members of the city council – to find out more about the Leicester's bid to succeed current City of Culture Londonderry in 2017, and is holding a briefing session at Curve today.

Sir Peter said: "This is an opportunity for organisations in the city to find out why we decided to bid for the title – and how they can help us to win.

"We'll be explaining what we think the UK City of Culture title could mean for Leicester and discussing some of our initial ideas for the events that could be part of the 2017 programme."

The city's initial bid will be submitted on April 30, and a final bid in September.

If the city is on the shortlist, which will be announced in May or June, many more sessions will be arranged to give as many people as possible the chance to contribute to the bidding process, before the city's final bid is submitted.