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In Focus
The council-backed scheme aiming to reduce carbon emissions
Solar Together, a council-backed solar panel buying group, is offering households in Leicestershire a chance to install solar panel packages for a competitive price. The partnership is part of Leicestershire County Council’s wider plan to reduce carbon emissions to net-zero by 2030.
More than 2,500 households have registered interest in the scheme, and free registration is available until 13 September 2024. George from Blaby, who had panels installed through the scheme, said: “The process was simple and easy. I would thoroughly recommend Solar Together. In the three months since my panels were activated, they have already generated over 200 kWh of electricity.”
Similarly, John from Narborough also praised the scheme. He had 12 panels and battery storage installed, and said the process was “easy all the way through. On the day of installation, two teams and an electrician arrived, and they completed everything on the day. The team were very helpful, explained the workings and left a very clean and tidy job.”
In Leicestershire, Solar Together is working with Suffolk-based renewable energy company Greenscape Energy. Greenscape saw a turnover of £26 million in 2023, and claims that the partnership with Solar Together has resulted in over 5,000 installations.
To date, Solar Together has reduced carbon emissions by 12,555 tonnes over 25 years. This is the equivalent to 6,861 cars.
Dora from Ashby de la Zouch had 16 panels and battery storage installed. She said, “The communication was good, and I was able to change my design during the process. I was able to choose an installation date that met my needs. The installation team was very good and efficient.”
When Solar Together was first launched many customers were left having experienced poor levels of service, such as cancellations of orders, after the scheme’s initial supplier, Green Energy Together (GET-UK) went into liquidation last year. By early 2023 the scheme resulted in 1,500 successful installations and 1,456 complaints.
Despite this, the scheme returned to various counties, like Leicestershire, in June this year. iChoosr, who own Solar Together, claim to have worked with over 160 councils to deliver schemes nationwide.
Solar Together’s UK business manager, Marie-Louise Abretti said: “With energy prices continuing to fluctuate, residents of Leicestershire are looking for opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions, save on energy bills, and increase their independence from the grid. The Solar Together group-buying scheme offers a straightforward way to make an informed decision and to access a competitive offer from a trusted, vetted provider.”
Caroline Harbour, Blaby District Council’s group manager for environmental health, housing and sommunity Services, said: “Joining our group-buying scheme, Solar Together, can help take away the stress and uncertainty which may deter many people from investing in solar panels. Solar Together makes it easy to take advantage of expert knowledge and reduced rate installations from approved suppliers with support every step of the way. This exciting scheme brought to you by the Green Living Leicestershire Group not only helps residents save money but will also reduce their carbon footprint.”
If you are interested in the scheme, you can visit the Solar Together website to get a free quote.
🌤️ 💧 Monday: A mostly dry morning with some sunshine after a cool start at 12C. By the afternoon, temperatures will reach 21C, with still some good sunny intervals. It will feel pleasant in the sun. A moderate western wind will blow gusts of 20mph.
🌤️ 💧Tuesday-Friday: A mostly dry few days ahead, with a good deal of sunshine and becoming warmer. Temperatures will rise to 25C by Wednesday, making it feel warm for the time of year. Min temps 13C. It should stay day
🌤️ Weekend: A mainly fine weekend too with a good deal of sunshine with max temperatures of 23C which will feel warm. Mild nights min 14C.
🩸 Infected blood victim wants compensation 'clarity': Mick Mason is among 30,000 people in the UK infected by contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 80s. He is calling for more clarity after the government announced plans to make the first compensation payments by the end of the year - BBC Leicester
🎒 This team of retired churchgoers is helping people stay safe on a night out: The Leicester Street Pastors, a group of mostly retired churchgoers, walk around the city centre in teams of three or four every Saturday night and the first Friday night of each month, supporting people on a night out. They offer practical support, like flip-flops for tired feet, water for people who feel sick, or basic First Aid for anyone who is hurt. They carry radios, and so can report situations but also respond to a range of events that happen over an evening - Great Central Gazette
🏡 Work begins on city’s new £1.8m children’s home: Leicester City Council has commissioned the new £1.8m home, with backing of £800,000 from the Department for Education. It will be the first children’s home to be constructed in Leicester for more than 40 years. The home will provide purpose-built accommodation for six young people, between the ages of eight and 17, offering five bedrooms with en suite facilities as well as two semi-independent living flats, a kitchen, lounge, games room and sleeping quarters for staff - Leicester City Council
🗣️ New sculpture commemorates Leicester’s fierce, but largely forgotten social campaigner: A public sculpture has been produced to honour Elizabeth Heyrick – one of Leicester’s ‘most influential yet overlooked’ figures. Heyrick was a local abolitionist and philanthropist whose impact on the fight against slavery has been largely forgotten. Elizabeth emerged as the winner of an online vote that highlighted five remarkable women whose legacies have been unjustly neglected - Leicester Times
📝 Petition to save city's adventure playgrounds lodged: Leicester City Council announced plans to stop funding nine adventure playgrounds across the city in March. This petition calls for funding to be reinstated for the next financial year and for longer leases to be issued. Campaigners trying to maintain council support for adventure playgrounds in Leicester have lodged a petition with more than 9,000 signatures to the authority - BBC Leicester
📚 New study zones launched at Leicester libraries: New 'study zones' have been installed in all of Leicester’s 16 libraries, allowing people a dedicated space for studying. The zones have been designed to provide flexible spaces that will make studying easier for individuals and small groups. They have been installed thanks to £135,000 of funding from Arts Council England’s Libraries Improvement Fund, with an additional £30,000 investment from the city council - Leicester City Council
🚫 Leaked emails reveal the University of Leicester will close the Bennett and Physics buildings for “at least” two years: Leaked correspondence between the university and staff, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), have revealed “extensive work” to the roof and internal steel framework of the 1970s buildings is needed to make sure the teaching centres are “structurally sound” and “safe for continued occupation.” - Great Central Gazette
🪔 Diwali Day set to be the focus for Leicester celebrations: This year, there will not be a separate public event marking the switch-on of the city’s Diwali lights this year, but the Golden Mile will be illuminated with 6,000 decorative lights as usual. Leicester City Council is combining the events due to the rising costs of providing event and traffic management, security, and associated infrastructure on two separate days. These costs have escalated from £189,000 in 2018 to almost £250,000 last year - Leicester City Council
🚆 Rail hub concerns raised in letter to Ministers: The leader of Blaby District Council has written to the new transport secretary and the new deputy prime minister outlining major concerns with the proposed Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange. The plans feature a rail hub and 850,000sqm of warehousing in the countryside, southwest of Elmesthorpe between the M69 and Leicester to Birmingham train line - Leicester Times
🗳️ Vote on the stories you want to see: Following a successful (and busy) first 18 months, we are now turning to members to help shape what we do next. We hope to give you more control over what you want to see in the paper, both now and in the future when we go to print - Great Central Gazette
Leicester City Centre. Photograph: Cosmopolitan Arts
Crowds came out to support the Cosmopolitan Arts festival over the weekend. On 1 September, festivities will continue with a live arts performance at Leicester Cathedral.
Dive into the delightful world of work and play at this year’s exhibition, where the Council’s Photographic Archive takes centre stage. Pop by Leicester Guildhall to unravel the facts behind the exhibition. Come for the nostalgia, stay for the fun!
Flyte’s back and ready to lift your spirits with their most harmonious work yet. Don’t miss your boarding call for a sound that’s truly taken off! Tickets from £20.
Join the courtroom drama as Leonard Vole fights to dodge the hangman’s murder noose in this gripping whodunnit. With twisty testimonies and shocking revelations, Christie’s classic thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final verdict!
Enjoy the Leicester Cathedral Windows Highlights Tour, where you’ll find yourself marveling at the Great East Window, and the dazzling Richard III redemption windows. Tickets are £4.
Join Carla at Belgrave Hall for a glass-tastic workshop where you’ll mold your own fused glass trinket dishes. Perfect for keeping your rings and treasures safe, this hands-on session runs from 10:45am to 12:15pm — do not miss out on making a piece that truly shines!
Welcome the new season with open arms at the University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden Festival! Enjoy a day of seasonal festivities and vibrant autumn colours amidst the stunning garden scenery—it's a fantastic celebration you will not want to miss!
GIF: Emma Guy / The Gazette. Photograph: Oliver Rayns / Zoopla
This five bedroom semi-detached Victorian villa in Westcotes retains plenty of original features. The large bedrooms are spread over three stories, with a dining room adjacent to the kitchen as well as a lounge. There is an attractively landscaped garden at the rear.
Four venues received five star's by the Food Standards Agency this week! There is always one person in the group checking menus and ratings before your bank holiday plans, so why not add these to your list?
Makaron at 7-9 King Street.
Happy Cafe at 66 Sparkenhoe Street.
Starbucks at Unit 1, The Old Railway Shed, 2 Upperton Road.
Vicky's Chippy at 27 Avenue Road Extension.
Don't forget, you can keep up to date with food hygiene and standards ratings here.
🥅 Youth football: Leicester City’s development team lost 3-1 to League One side Burton Albion in Bristol Street Motors Trophy Opener on the 20 August. Read more
⚽️ Men’s football: LCFC faced defeat at the hands of Fulham as Jordan Ayew and Oliver Skipp made their debut for the club. Read more
🏉 Rugby: Fixtures for the 24/25 season announced for men and women’s squads. Read more
🏏 Men’s cricket: Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s Josh Hull earns first call up to the England Men’s squad. He will replace Mark Wood for the remaining test matches against Sri Lanka. Read more
Nostalgia
by Megan Lupton
Victoria Park, 19th century. Photograph: Leicestershire and Rutland Gardens Trust
A snapshot of Victoria Park, dating from the late 19th century. Crowds were pictured lounging in the park fields.
The park was originally part of the South Field of Leicester, which was enclosed in the 19th century. From the late-18th and most of the 19th century, the site of Victoria Park was a racecourse. Victoria Park, laid out in 1883, extending south and south-west from London Road.
Rhys Everquill
