Rainbows to benefit from X Factor charity single!



One Direction with Sam & Alex
Bolton during their visit to
Rainbows in October

It's great to hear that Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People in Loughborough is going to benefit from the X Factor charity single, a cover of Rose Royce classic ‘Wishing on a Star’. The single has been recorded by the last sixteen X Factor contestants as well as JLS and One Direction, who paid a surprise visit to the hospice in October.

Net proceeds from the sale of the single (launched on 27 November) will go to Together for Short Lives who represent all children’s hospices nationally, including Rainbows. The charity was handpicked by Simon Cowell, who is a patron and has supported the organisation for a number of years. “I have seen first-hand the invaluable care and support they offer to thousands of young people and their families" he said, "so I am thrilled that the X Factor charity single this year will benefit this charity."

Scott Lea of Rainbows said: “It’s amazing to have such an iconic patron as Simon Cowell spreading the word about children’s hospices. Rainbows has been so incredibly lucky recently. The X Factor single, our surprise visit from One Direction and coverage on BBC1’s The One Show is not only helping us to get our fundraising message out there, but more importantly new families have approached us who are in need of our services. We’re so very grateful for all the support.”

For more about Rainbows go to http://www.rainbows.co.uk/

Artist's work explores Leicestershire’s past

A free temporary exhibition exploring the work of John Flower, one of Leicestershire's greatest 19th century illustrators is currently on display at Melton Carnegie Museum.

John Flower worked during the nineteenth century and produced a wonderful array of watercolours and sketches, and was chiefly known for his architectural drawings, many of which were of buildings in Leicester and Leicestershire.

Born in Leicester in 1793 John Flower was apprenticed to a framework knitter in 1806, his interest in drawing and natural talent led him to give drawing lessons before he was twenty years old. He gained the famous Leicester embroidery artist Miss Mary Linwood as a patron and spent a year in London studying with the watercolour artist Peter de Want. He returned to Leicester working as a landscape artist and teacher of drawing.

In 1826 he published a volume of lithographs 'Views of Ancient Buildings in the Town and County of Leicester'. This new exhibition on Flower's life and work is entitled 'A Self-Taught Genius' and is on display at the museum until the end of December.

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities said:

"John Flower's beautiful illustrations are an inspiration to all those who see them and this exhibition showcases his extraordinary skill and his contribution to the history of Leicestershire. I would urge people to go along to the museum and take a look at the wonderful pieces on display."

The museum is also hosting a range of events and activities for visitors throughout October including:

• Wacky Wellies on Thursday 20th October, 10.15am, 11.30am and 2pm
It’s the season for jumping in muddy puddles so join the museum for this wacky welly workshop. (Free Event - pre-booking is required, all children must be accompanied Tel 0116 3053860)

• Myths and Beasties - Family Learning Sessions every Saturday throughout October for craft based workshops from 10 am-12.
(Free event pre -booking is required. Suitable for children aged 4+ who must be accompanied Tel 0116 3057806.)

For further information about the exhibition or any of the events above, please call: 0116 305 3860, email meltonmuseum@leics.gov.uk or see: www.leics.gov.uk/meltonmuseum.

Free resource packs available to help communities go green

A novel set of free resources to help householders and local communities to reduce their environmental impact has just been launched by the Communities Cutting Carbon project.
Community Greening Packs contain useful gadgets such as energy monitors and water-saving equipment, along with a wide range of useful information from local organisations on how to go green. They are available now for free loan to communities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

For more information click here

Green Directory for Leicestershire & Rutland

Vale Villages in Transition Green Day, Bottesford

The Rural Community Council (RCC) has produced a Green Directory in partnership with the Communities Cutting Carbon project. The directory provides information on more than 30 community green groups in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and gives details of local food projects, recycling schemes, car sharing groups and so on. There are also details about the many support organisations, such as Communities Cutting Carbon, that can help local groups to get a new project off the ground.

One of the green groups listed is Vale Villages in Transition, a local initiative, focused on the Vale of Belvoir. It is part of a growing international movement to address the twin challenges of peak oil and climate change. Events so far include several film showings, public talks and a well-attended Green Day. 

The RCC provides help and support to those who live and work in rural Leicestershire & Rutland. It is involved with a wide range of projects and issues, all of which are becoming of increasing importance as the quality of rural life, and the services provided for rural communities, deteriorate.

To read more about the Green Directory and download a copy click here

Converted village barn perfect for 'royal' photoshoot

When Joanne Withers of Queniborough-based Nine Photos discovered Manor Farm in Rearsby had turned a disused barn into a delightful wedding venue, her creative juices started flowing. What better place to stage a wedding photoshoot for the One Stop Wedding Shop (also based in Queniborough) and the various local suppliers associated with the business! "We work well as a team" said Joanne, "and we wanted to show how we can collaborate to help couples create what they have in mind for their wedding day."

With Royal Wedding fever at its peak, Joanne came up with a Rule Britannia (red, white & blue) theme; the 18th century barn and the lovely setting of Rearsby, with its medieval seven-arch bridge and village green, provided the perfect backdrop for the overall vision of rural England, tea parties and royal occasions.

"We had a great time being creative with ideas for how to create your own wedding style and everyone from the make-up artist to the balloon supplier can be found in the One Stop Wedding Shop".

The nine local suppliers collaborating in the photoshoot were:

www.one-stop-wedding-shop.co.uk (bringing all the elements of the perfect wedding together)

www.ninephotos.co.uk (photography)

www.sharons-sugarcraft.co.uk (wedding & celebration cakes)

www.allofouryesterdays.co.uk (vintage china & country styled accessories)

www.raffiaflowers.co.uk

www.rearsby.net/manor (wedding venue)

Uneeq Jewellery: 0116 260 1832

Sharon Pinkz, Nails & Beauty: 07751 900741
Kimberley Exquisite Chair Covers: 07914 512974

and at the last count there were 13 others also offering services through the
One Stop Wedding Shop, 1487 Melton Road, Queniborough, LE7 3FP. Tel: 0845 075 8530

All images © Copyright Nine Photos 2011