The Big Switch Off partnership would like to work with families to save money, energy and the environment. Don’t miss your chance to take part in the Family Challenge to save around 20 percent on your energy bills. Local residents could potentially save over £13million by switching off appliances on standby!

We will provide a free energy monitor, guidance and tips on saving energy. There is also the opportunity to enter a competition, visit www.leics.gov.uk/bsocompetitions before 13th September 2009 and one lucky winner will receive a family ticket to the Snibston Discovery Park and a green goodie hamper.

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009
WHERE: Swannington Village (Main Street and other streets - map included with passport/ticket)
PRICE: £4 on the day at any open garden. £3.50 in advance at the
local pub "The Robin Hood" (corner of Spring Lane and Main St.)
TIME: 11:00-18:00

The tickets provides access to see 15 beautiful and varied gardens in Swannington. Also available Ploughman's Lunches, summer sweets, cream teas and scones in the Village Hall; Live music; Photo competition and art gallery; flower arrangement presentations; plant sale, and more.

A fun day out for all with proceeds to charity.

The latest Rural Digest provides links to a wide range of paper including details of the Rural Manifesto being developed by the Rural Services Network, the launch of The Countryside Alliance's own Rural Manifesto, a report on rural financial inclusion and a document which outlines how a future Tory Government would support rural communities.

Please follow this link to find out more http://www.oakleaves.org.uk/uploads/354a707ef016335842977228.pdf

For the past 150 years Yorkshire Bank has been proud to support local communities. To mark this anniversary the Bank is inviting registered local charities, community and voluntary groups in the North of England and the Midlands to participate in our Community Awards for a share of £150,000.

The Community Awards will focus on four areas which the Yorkshire Bank consider important for the health and wellbeing of communities, these include:

• Environment
• Volunteering
• Education
• Regeneration

Further details, including application forms are available at http://www.ybonline.co.uk/about-yorkshire-bank/community-awards/

Completed application forms and supporting evidence needs to be submitted by 16th August 2009.

This October, in the grounds of the splendid Brooksby Hall, the award winning 16th century hunting lodge in the heart of Leicestershire, the 5th East Midlands Food and Drink Festival will fill the air with the mouth-watering aromas of succulent beef, tender pork, speciality cheese, freshly baked bread and homemade soups. Local produce to satisfy the most discerning palate from flavoured oils, cakes, chocolates, and honey, will be found alongside exotic offerings from India to the Mediterranean.

On Saturday 3rd October and Sunday 4th October 2009 the Festival will feature a wide variety of demonstrations in the Rangemaster Cookery Demonstration Theatre from names such as TV chef Rachel Green and British BBQ team member, Viv Harvey. Teresa Bovey will show you how to make ‘Meals in Minutes’ and renowned Dickinson & Morris pie maker Stephen Hallam will provide a hands on Master Class in making an authentic Melton Mowbray Pork Pie.

Organisers of the event, the Melton Mowbray Food Partnership, are proud that one of the key features this year will be ‘value for money.’ This year, it's even better value than ever to come – 30% cheaper than last year at just £5 for pre-booked tickets! With only 100 days to go why not book now and save by taking advantage of this incredible advanced ticket price!

Tickets can be booked online at www.goleicestershire.com During the Festival tickets will be £6 on the door with children under 16 free.

With over 200 stalls the East Midlands Food and Drink Festival is the largest regional celebration of British Food and Drink in the country.

For further information please contact: Kathleen Codd, Kenyon Communications, Tel: 01673 828764, Mob: 07749 797274 or Email:[link]kathleen@kenyon-communications.com[link/]

The Summer 2009 Accessibility Partnership newsletter includes details of a new guide to short walks in Oadby & Wigston, a Hinckley & Bosworth cycle map, the continued success of the Community Transport website and highlights the recent Accessibility Forum.

The BBC History Programme are organising a historical survey in Kibworth Harcourt, Kibworth Beauchamp and Smeeton Westerby and is looking for volunteers on the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July.

The production company are looking for volunteers from across the County who would like to get involved either as excavators (no archaeological experience is necessary), or if they live in one of the villages would be prepared to excavate a small test pit (1m by 1m and up to 1m in depth) in their garden.

Of particular interest would be anyone living in the historic centres of those villages (see attached map), although they are interested in anyone living in the three villages who would like to dig a test pit.

If anyone is interested in getting involved, they should get in touch with the organiser Stephen Butt (tel. 07982 845112).

Take part in competitions to win some exciting prizes!

The Big Switch Off is a partnership of local authorities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland promoting energy efficiency campaign running for a week from 12th – 18th October 2009. The innovative week-long campaign encourages everyone in three authority areas to switch off unnecessary electrical equipment and lighting to save energy, money and cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To find out more on the campaign, please visit www.leics.gov.uk/bigswitchoff

Over £1.8 billion worth of energy is wasted by leaving appliances on standby at work and home in the UK. The Big Switch Off campaign aims to address this and encourage local organisations and households to reduce their energy use and costs. The residents in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland could potentially save over £13million by switching off appliances on standby!

To do their bit residents, schools, colleges and universities, community and faith groups are invited to get involved in various competitions. There are competitions to save energy, design a short-film, design a certificates with some tempting prizes for everyone – for further information please visit www.leics.gov.uk/bsocompetitions

To make a difference at your home, school or work, the Big Switch Off partnership will provide free resources from the website. During the Big Switch Off week, we will release daily energy saving tips on different themes. We are also planning to organise some outreach events to spread the message of the campaign, please keep your eyes on the website for further details. If you want to become a local volunteer for the campaign, please register at www.leics.gov.uk/bsovolunteers and we will provide you free resources.

You can show your support to the campaign to save money, energy and the environment by committing to the on-line pledge – www.leics.gov.uk/bsopledge

This exciting new project is currently being piloted by 18 schools in Leicestershire with students learning about renewable energy and climate change by using three miniature kits.

The kits generate renewable energy from a wind turbine and photo voltaic cell to run a fan, power a light, or blow a buzzer. The solar water heater shows water temperature rising as its left in the sun.

The kit comes with a presentation and set of lesson plans for KS2 and KS3 providing links with the national curriculum. The scheme is lead by ENABLE (Environmental Action for a Better Leicestershire) aiming to embed sustainability at early age of learning and make education fun and interactive.

There are 20 sets of kits which can be lent to schools and community groups on first come first serve basis. You can register your interest to borrow a set of Renewable Energy Kits for the autumn term at www.leics.gov.uk/energykits

For further information contact Hetal Patel on 0116 3057068 or hapatel@leics.gov.uk or contact Resource Box Officer on 01455 552834 or sherrier@leics.gov.uk

A Diseworth resident struck lucky recently by winning a prize hamper for attending a rural event.

Martin Hening, of Clements Gate, had his named "pulled out of the hat" following the LRP's recent Rural Conference which was held at Hothorpe Hall. The chance to win the prize hamper of local produce was offered to delegates who handed in their name badges at the end of the event.

Martin's hamper included the obligatory Melton Mowbray pork pie, along with a bottle of local wine, a selection of cheeses, cakes and preserves.

Upon receiving his hamper, Martin said; "Although the day at Hothorpe proved very useful and informative I never dreamed that i'd walk away with the winning prize. It was a most pleasant surprise and I look forward to tasting this selection of local delicacies."