Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Bulletin, autumn 2025 (edition 99)

Plaque to honour army veteran and decorated boxer

A new blue plaque in Hinckley commemorates local army veteran and decorated boxer Sydney Bolesworth.

Bolesworth was born in Spring Gardens, Hinckley, at the bottom of Holliers Walk in 1889. He was a pupil at St Peter's School and was a keen boxer in his youth.

In the boxing ring, he regularly challenged colleagues at the hosiery factory where he worked (now Concordia Theatre). He had a natural talent for the sport.

He joined the army in 1905 and was posted to India, where his boxing career took off while serving, winning prestigious titles along the way.

Bolesworth returned home in 1912 and joined the army reserve. He soon earned a top reputation in the Midlands boxing scene.

When the First World War broke out in 1914, Sydney re-joined the Army. He overcame multiple injuries over the next couple of years and lost his life in action on 1 October 1917 in Ypres, Belgium. His body was never recovered, and his name is on the famous Tyne Cot memorial.

His blue plaque is now proudly displayed in Hinckley's Druid Street car park.

Cllr Paul Williams, Heritage Champion at the Borough Council, said: "The blue plaque scheme is a wonderful way for us to commemorate those who have made Hinckley and Bosworth proud in years gone by.

"It's great that we have been able to honour Sydney Bolesworth in this way. Make sure to look out for the plaque next time you're passing by, as well as the others around the town.

“My thanks go to local historian Greg Drozdz for nominating Sydney for a blue plaque.”

Energy boost for village hall

Dadlington Village Hall is feeling warmer and more welcoming than ever thanks to a recent insulation upgrade made possible by a £6,475 grant from the Borough Council’s Parish and Community Initiative Fund (PCIF).

The hall is a lifeline for many local residents. It hosts a wide range of activities, from fitness classes and private celebrations to monthly social clubs and coffee mornings.

For older members of the community, it’s especially important offering a friendly space to connect and helping to reduce rural isolation.

With electricity as its only energy source, keeping the hall warm in winter and cool in summer had long been a challenge.

The hall committee, passionate about making the space more comfortable and energy-efficient, launched a successful fundraising campaign and applied to the PCIF and the grant has allowed them to move forward with vital insulation improvements. The result? A cosier, more cost-effective space that benefits everyone who uses it.

Cllr Martin Cartwright, Executive Member for Rural Affairs, recently visited the hall to see the changes for himself. He said: “The building externally looks great, and the improved internal conditions will make a real difference, cooler in the summer, and more efficient in the winter. This is a significant improvement to a well-used and well-loved community building. Thank you to all the volunteers whose efforts make such a difference.”

Burbage Common open day

This year’s annual Burbage Common open Day will take place on Sunday 7 September, from 10:30am to 4:30pm.

 As in previous years the area around the visitor centre at the Leicester Road entrance will hold the main event, with a large marquee accommodating a number of stalls including craft and charity stalls and local and national environmental charities.

The arena will be home to a number of displays over the course of the day, including the TKT Cheerleaders, a falconry display, taekwondo and a tai chi demonstration.

 You could join in the fun and enter your dog into our dog show.

There will be a number of different categories to accommodate all different ages, shapes and size of dog. Prizes and a rosette can be won.

There will be a number of environmental crafts activities on offer including wildflower seed mats and bug and bird box making.

You can stock up on tasty local produce when visiting the farmer’s market area and homemade cakes.

With many food and refreshments stalls, there’s no need to bring your own.

Admission to the event is free, but there may be a small charge for some of the activities and workshops held.

Successful funding bid

Kirkby Mallory, Peckleton, and Stapleton Parish Council are celebrating a successful bid for funding from the Borough Council’s Parish and Community Initiative Fund.

Thanks to this support, two new additions have been made to the community.

A speed activation sign (£2,000) has been installed near the entrance to the recreation ground, where many families and children enjoy the play area. A welcome step towards improving road safety and encouraging drivers to slow down.

Plus, a new information board (£673), located by the recreation ground, offers a warm welcome to residents and visitors alike. It highlights the rich history of the village and is a lovely way to share the village’s heritage with everyone who passes by.

Both additions have been very well received by the community.

Cllr Martin Cartwright, Executive Member for Rural Affairs said: “I am delighted to see the speed activated sign in action and the new information board installed. Both items are a great addition to the village.”

Keeping our streets safe from crime

This summer, Hinckley town centre has been buzzing with activity - not just from shoppers and visitors, but also from a dedicated team working hard to keep our streets safe and welcoming.

As part of the government’s Safer Streets Summer initiative, the Borough Council has teamed up with Hinckley Police and Hinckley BID to tackle issues like retail crime, anti-social behaviour, and street safety.

The campaign, which runs from July through September, has brought extra police presence to the town centre, helping to reassure residents and deter crime.

Local officers have been out and about, holding days of action focused on everything from shoplifting and illegal e-scooters to street drinking and safety during nights out.

One innovative approach was a geofencing campaign, which sent helpful safety messages to people’s phones when they entered certain areas of town.

Thanks to strong partnerships between police, CCTV teams, and local businesses, Hinckley continues to see great results—arrests have been made, stolen property recovered, and detection rates remain high. Funding has provided 20 body-worn cameras for businesses dealing with repeat incidents.

These cameras help calm situations, deter offenders, and provide vital evidence when needed.

Over the August bank holiday weekend, night-time economy marshals joined forces with police and door staff to keep the town centre safe and enjoyable for everyone.

There was also a multi-agency Patch Walk, where teams chatted with park users and shop owners, offering advice on safety and support services like “Ask for Angela” and “Safe Places.”

To help tackle street drinking, new Public Spaces Protection Order signage has been placed around the town centre, reminding everyone of the rules and helping to maintain a pleasant environment.

Young people haven’t been left out either! Premier Kicks, delivered by Leicester City in the Community, ran weekly football sessions at Green Towers Youth Club for ages 10–18, ending with two exciting summer tournaments.

Plus, Hinckley BID organised an Emergency Services Day at the Crescent. Families got to meet local heroes from the police, fire service, air ambulance, and community safety team—an inspiring and educational day for all ages.

Councillor Michael Mullaney, Executive Member for Community Safety, said: “I welcome the great work that is taking place with partners to ensure Hinckley town centre is a safe and welcoming place.”

The Community Safety Partnership continues to invest in projects like Premier Kicks, retail safety schemes, geofencing campaigns, and night-time marshals - making sure Hinckley remains a vibrant and secure place for everyone.

1000 residents join the Mallory Mile

The much-loved Mallory Mile made a triumphant return to the Mallory Park Circuit in Kirkby Mallory drawing over 1,000 enthusiastic participants as part of the local celebrations for National Bike Week.

Families, individuals, and community groups came together to enjoy a relaxed evening of cycling, with many riding laps of the iconic circuit either for fun or to raise money for charitable causes.

Organised by the Borough Council in partnership with Mallory Park Racing Circuit and Real Motorsport Limited, the event was free to attend and welcomed cyclists of all ages and abilities.

Local business B Page and Son Cycles, based in Hinckley, kindly provided mechanical support throughout the evening, ensuring bikes were in top shape. Attendees were also treated to thrilling BMX stunt shows by the incredible BMXtras, the county council’s Sustainable Travel Team offered advice on active travel and showcased E-bike demonstrations. The Leicester Triathlon Club was also on hand to support the event.

Councillor Mark Bools, Deputy Leader of the Council, praised the event’s success: “It was fantastic to see so many people out enjoying their bikes in such a safe and welcoming environment.

“This was one of our busiest Mallory Mile evenings to date. It was especially heartening to see families taking part, with parents walking alongside their children. The BMXtras put on a brilliant show - though definitely not one to try at home!

“We’re extremely grateful to Mallory Park Circuit for hosting us and to everyone who came along to make the evening so special.”

Making waves at leisure centre

Hinckley Leisure Centre is where people set goals, work hard, and make real progress.

One standout story this summer belongs to Jodi, a regular swim member who has taken on a remarkable challenge to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Originally setting out to swim 21 miles - the distance of the English Channel - during June and July, Jodi didn’t just complete her goal, she doubled it. On Monday 28 July, she completed her 42nd mile - a full round trip - three days ahead of her deadline.

What makes this even more impressive is that she only recently returned to swimming after a 15-year break.

Since then, she’s fully embraced the routine, losing over 13 pounds and raising £810 for charity.

Jodi credits the supportive, welcoming atmosphere at Hinckley Leisure Centre as a key part of her success.

The friendly team and community-focused environment help returning or new swimmers build confidence, feel at ease, and fall in love with fitness.

Swimming is one of the most accessible forms of exercise, especially for those returning from injury or seeking a low-impact workout.

As a non-weight-bearing activity, it places less stress on the joints while offering a full-body cardiovascular workout.

Just 30 minutes of swimming three times a week can significantly improve heart health, flexibility, and mental wellbeing.

The leisure centre offers swim lessons for all ages and abilities, from toddlers taking their first splash to adults learning to swim for the first time.

Certified teachers create a fun and safe learning environment, helping build essential life skills, water confidence, and a love of physical activity from an early age.

Whether you're chasing a personal challenge like Jodi or simply want to enjoy the many benefits of the water, there’s never been a better time to dive in.

Swim memberships and lessons are available now at Hinckley Leisure Centre (placesleisure.org) or pop in to reception.

Landmark year for school sport

It has been a landmark year for the Hinckley & Bosworth Schools Sports & Physical Activity Network (HBSSPAN).

The network has enjoyed a packed calendar of activities promoting physical education, inclusivity, and student engagement across the region.

There have been 112 activities and events so far in 2025, with a combined 11,589 participants. These have included specialist special education need events and new events including dance.

The biggest ever area athletics competition was also held. Well done to the record 29 schools and almost 900 children who took part.

Congratulations also to 14 local primary schools who have earned the prestigious School Games Mark Accreditation, a recognition of schools that deliver high-quality, inclusive PE and promote active lifestyles. Special congratulations to:

• Gold award recipients: Newlands, Elizabeth Woodville, Desford, Sketchley Hill, Hinckley Parks, St Mary’s, St Peter’s (Market Bosworth), St Margaret’s, Barwell Academy, Newbold Verdon, Ravenhurst, and Sheepy Magna
• Platinum award: Burbage Junior School for achieving four consecutive Gold Awards

HBSSPAN continues to deliver an incredible range of sports and physical activity events for children aged five to 16, from cross-country and football to dance festivals and table tennis. All primary and secondary schools in the area are welcome to take part.

The network is a partnership between the Borough Council, Active Together, Places Leisure and the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.

For full event listings and updates, visit School Sport (activehb.org.uk)

Last updated: 29/08/2025 15:40