Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Bulletin, summer 2025 (edition 98)

Rail Hub rejection welcomed

The Borough Council has warmly welcomed the government’s decision to turn down planning permission for a massive new rail hub on land outside Hinckley. 

The Secretary of State turned down planning permission for the scheme from developers Tritax Symmetry for 650 acres of land outside Hinckley and based close to Junction 2 of the M69 next to Burbage Common. 

Last year the Planning Inspectorate recommended that consent should not be given for the massive development, but in September the Secretary of State delayed the decision, seeking further information. 

The Secretary of State has decided that development consent should be refused. 

Locally, councillors and campaigners repeatedly raised concerns about the permanent blight this development would have had on Burbage Common as well as the impact on residents and businesses. Campaigners feared the extra car and HGV movements the development would generate would have severely impacted the road network and particularly the key junctions around the M1, M69, A5 and surrounding villages. 

Councillor Paul Williams, Chair of the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange Working Group for the Borough Council, said: “We are delighted the Secretary of State has rejected this environmentally disastrous scheme outright. 

“There are plenty of logistics operations already thriving in more appropriate locations in this area.  

“These existing businesses offer massive opportunities for growth without the huge environmental cost to wildlife and the impact of noise, light and traffic this development would have had on local residents.” 

Flags fly as borough celebrates Victory in Europe

On the morning of the 8 May representatives from the Hinckley Branch of the Royal British Legion raised a special VE day flag in Argents Mead to commemorate the 80th anniversary. 

Council Leader, Councillor Stuart Bray read the proclamation and the Legion’s secretary read a speech on behalf of the Chairman.  This was followed by a two-minute silence, and the bugle call the ‘Last Post’ was played. 

Funding grants help families toast VE Day

A range of community VE Day celebrations took place across Hinckley and Bosworth with the support of funding grants from the Borough Council. 

The Borough Council distributed £9,885 of funding to 40 applicants including Parish Councils, voluntary and not-for-profit community groups. 

Earlier this month, on Thursday 8 May, the nation commemorated the end of World War II in Europe on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. 

To celebrate this momentous anniversary, local community groups and organisations were encouraged to get involved by planning events, street parties and moments of shared celebration across the borough on or around 8 May. 

There was an array of street parties, afternoon teas and other community celebrations across the borough. Other successful applications included: 

A children's ration book activity at Desford 'Festival of the 40s' (Desford Heritage) 

300 Field Poppies plug plants to be planted in Sheepy Magna with the help of local schoolchildren. (Sheepy Recreation Ground) 

Craft and sewing materials for the local community to create a Peace Garden within the church (St Giles CofE Parish Church, Barlestone) 

Running shirts and promotional material for an 80-mile relay ending at 'Festival of the 40s' (Desford Striders Running Club) 

Decorations for the war memorial, a commemorative flag and a silhouette statue from the Royal British Legion (Newbold Verdon Parish Council) 

An exhibition at the Atkins Gallery focusing on the local connections, memories, family stories, photographs and objects from VE Day and VJ Day (Hinckley & District Museum) 

Councillor Michael Mullaney, Executive Member for the Voluntary Sector, said: “It has been great to see so many groups across the borough celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day. 

“It’s so important that historic days in our country’s history are remembered and commemorated by our communities. Thank you to everyone who applied for a grant, we certainly had a great range of activities and events arranged across the borough.”    

Burbage residents took to the streets to join a communal commemoration of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, with a party and entertainment reminiscent of the original celebrations in 1945. 

Tables were laid and bunting strung along Grove Road, with staged entertainment on the street and further attractions in Pughe’s Paddock, allowing hundreds to gather to mark the occasion, which was supported by a £300 grant from the Borough Council. 

The anniversary of VE Day itself was marked by the lighting of the Burbage beacon at Far Lash open space.   

The borough of Hinckley and Bosworth was represented at ‘VE Day 80: The Nation Celebrates’ by the new Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth Councillor Richard Flemming and his consort, his wife Jill on Thursday 8 May. 

The live concert at Horse Guards Parade was held to channel the spirit of the VE Day celebrations 80 years ago. King Charles III attended and spoke at 9pm, just as his grandfather King George VI did on 8 May 1945. 

Proms in the Park

Hinckley's Hollycroft Park came alive with the sound of music when the popular Proms in the Park concert returned on Saturday 7 June.   

Even with the grey skies and rain, the event received tremendous support from residents and visitors, and a great evening of music was enjoyed. 

The concert celebrated both the 90th anniversary of the park and the recent VE Day, which was marked by a minute’s silence. 

Organised by the Borough Council, the free open-air concert featured performances from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Wind Orchestra, an ensemble comprising more than 50 talented young musicians. 

Under the baton of acclaimed conductor Douglas Mitchell, the RBC Wind Orchestra performed a feast of well-known music from The Beatles to Shostakovich, classic films such as Lord of the Rings and Superman, and West End favourites like The King and I, alongside Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 and Walton’s Crown Imperial, so there was plenty of flag waving to help end the concert in style. 

The orchestra was joined by singer Rose Johnson, a prize-winning graduate of The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, currently starring on the prestigious Young Artists’ programme with British Youth Opera. 

Local business Bond Street Distillery provided an outdoor bar and Friends of Hollycroft Park sold tea and coffee and there was also an ice cream van, so something for all the family. 

Council Leader, Councillor Stuart Bray said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Douglas Mitchell, Rose Johnson and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Wind Orchestra for a fabulous evening. This event was a great opportunity to celebrate the 90th anniversary of our award-winning park and to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE day. It was a delight to see the park so full with everyone enjoying the evening.” 

Council Chief Executive Bill Cullen said: “My thanks to all the council staff involved in the event organisation and to the Green Spaces team and Hollycroft Park volunteers for all the work they do to maintain this beautiful park. Our partnership with the Birmingham Conservatoire goes from strength to strength and their young musicians and artists are an inspiration for the young aspiring musicians of the borough.  

“We are so lucky to have this green space on our doorstep and to be able to host events such as this.” 

Community centre is re-named

The late Peter and Ann Hall were founding members of Burbage Parish Council, playing a significant role in shaping and supporting the local community.  

Their dedication and commitment to residents and community services has had a lasting impact. 

In honour of their service to the community and as a mark of respect, following resident consultation, the Borough Council has renamed the Meadows Community Centre ‘The Peter and Ann Hall Community Centre’, as a fitting tribute to their legacy. 

A ceremony was held on Tuesday 3 June attended by Peter and Ann’s close family and friends along with the Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth Councillor Richard Flemming and his consort, wife Jill, Leader of the Borough Council Councillor Stuart Bray and other borough and parish councillors. 

Council Leader Councillor Stuart Bray said: “Peter and Anne were so well known locally and worked tirelessly for the residents of Burbage. It is fitting that the community centre has been renamed in their memory. 

Government urged to protect council homes

The Borough Council has urged the government to take action to secure the future of council housing. 

Hinckley and Bosworth was one of more than 100 councils represented at the Council Housing Summit in Sheffield in March.  

At the summit, councils showed their support for a paper, commissioned by Southwark Council, outlining five key solutions to secure the future of council housing. 

With growing numbers on the housing waiting list and losses through Right to Buy, additional council housing is urgently needed. 

Speaking after the summit, Councillor Mullaney said: “It was good to attend the Council Housing Summit in Sheffield on behalf of Hinckley and Bosworth, along with more than 100 other councils urging the government to take action to secure the future of council housing. 

"Too many people face long waits for a council house. It's important we maintain and expand the amount of council housing available so we can provide homes for the increasing numbers of people here and across the country needing social housing. 

"Investment in council housing is also an investment in our communities, who need decent, affordable and secure homes." 

A festival of history to mark walk trail

An exciting new walking trail is set to open on the 540th anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth. 

Residents and visitors will be able to trace the footsteps of history through the villages of Market Bosworth, Sutton Cheney, Dadlington and Stoke Golding. 

The trail, which will be free to access, opens to the public on 22 August 2025. Following established public rights of way, the route will bring together history, countryside and world-class public art. 

To celebrate the opening of the trail, a festival of history will take place in the week before and the week after 22 August. There will be a packed programme of events including talks and family friendly activities. More details about these events, and how to book, will be available: Richard III Country (richardiiicountry.com) 

The Battle of Bosworth was fought on 22 August 1485. It was the last major battle of the War of the Roses. 

Welcome shelter for borough's wildlife

Our Green Spaces team have installed 20 bird boxes and 10 bat boxes across the parks and Ashby Road Cemetery recently. Plus, five bug hotels at Castle car park and Hollycroft Park. 

In addition, on behalf of St Simon & St Jude’s Church, Earl Shilton a further five bird boxes and two bat boxes have been installed in their wildlife area.  

The bird boxes and bug hotels provide essential shelter and nesting opportunities for a variety of wildlife, helping them survive and thrive, all part of the service’s aim to help improve biodiversity. 

So, keep a look-out and see if you can spot them! 

Last updated: 18/06/2025 17:06