Information on Leicester

CITY council leader Ross Willmott has welcomed the governmentâs announcement that it is to fund free swimming for everyone by 2012.

The Government has announced plans for free swimming to be introduced in phases over the next four years in a move to encourage more participation in sport and to make healthy exercise accessible to more people.

Initially, swimming will be made free for over-60s â a policy which Leicester City Council introduced at its own pools two years ago â before being extended to include free swimming for all children and adults by 2012.

Cllr Willmott said: âThis is absolutely excellent news. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise you can take â and itâs fun.

âWe are proud that Leicester was ahead of the game in offering free swimming to over-60s two years ago, and are glad to see plans to extend that offer to children and eventually all adults too.

âBy giving children the chance to swim for free, we will be helping them to be more active, and to enjoy themselves. Tackling obesity, and improving childrenâs lives are key priorities for us, and Iâm delighted that the government is going to make this possibleâ.

Government sports minister Andy Burnham said the first phase of the scheme would cost £80m, with further funding becoming available for the next phases.

Cllr Andy Connelly, the Cabinet member for leisure added: âWe were one of the few councils in the country to offer free swimming and leisure activities to people over 60.

âThe number of people over 60 using our centres has more than doubled since we did this, and it would be great if this had the same impact on the number of children and families using our pools.â

The city council started offering free swimming to over-60âs in April 2006. It extended the offer to all of its leisure centre activities this year.

There are six swimming pools in Leicester. Opening times and locations can be found on the councilâs website at www.leicester.gov.uk/sports

Latest News

If you don't use it... freeuse it!

Leicestershire,Loughborough

11 February 2010If you don't use it. .... 11 Feb 2010 If you don't use it... freeuse it!

Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in Groby

Police,Loughborough

Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in GrobyPolice are appealing for witnesses following the assault of two teenage boys in Groby. The incident happened at around 6.... 11 Feb 2010 Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in Groby

Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall

Police,Loughborough

Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall Two men have been charged in connection with drug dealing in the Netherhall and Thurnby Lodge areas of Leicester. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of supplying Class A drugs and two counts of possessing a Class A drug.... 11 Feb 2010 Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall

Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres Monsell

Police,Loughborough

Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres MonsellHomes of elderly residents in Eyres Monsell are being given a security boost to help prevent distraction burglaries. Officers from Leicester City Council and Leicestershire Constabulary will be visiting up to 300 properties to carry out security checks and install crime prevention devices such as door chains and bolts, window locks, kick boards to strengthen front and back doors, personal alarms and digital spy cameras, where appropriate.... 11 Feb 2010 Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres Monsell

Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers

Police,Loughborough

Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers Elderly residents in Leicester are being warned following a series of distraction burglaries by two men claiming to be police officers. Four distraction burglaries were reported to police in the city during the evening of Wednesday February 10.... 11 Feb 2010 Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers

Related News

Children to swim for free

CHILDREN and young people in Leicester could be swimming for free in all of the city councilsâ pools next year.... 09 Sep 2008 Children to swim for free

Free swimming for all

SWIMMERS across Leicester are being offered free use of city council-run swimming pools in celebration of Team GBâ s Olympic success.... 20 Aug 2008 Free swimming for all

Free swims for dads

p>DADS are in for a treat this Father s Day as city council sports centres offer free swims. This Sunday (15th) Dad swims for free when the family visits one of the city council s swimming pools.... 11 Jun 2008 Free swims for dads

Money for sport schemes

THOUSANDS of pounds of lottery money will pay for schemes to tackle obesity and encourage more volunteering in Leicester.... 26 Jun 2008 Money for sport schemes

Pledge on young disabled

DISABLED youngsters from across Leicester are due to take part in a major sports and activities day marking the launch of a new pledge to help them.... 31 Jul 2008 Pledge on young disabled

Relevant News

Free swims for dads

p>DADS are in for a treat this Father s Day as city council sports centres offer free swims. This Sunday (15th) Dad swims for free when the family visits one of the city council s swimming pools.... 11 Jun 2008 Free swims for dads

Olympic Day marked

p>STUDENTS from all of the cityâ s special schools and community day centres have been invited to take part in a day of sport to mark International Olympic Day on Monday 23rd June.... 19 Jun 2008 Olympic Day marked

Play investment

icester looks set to get £1.2 million to invest in play areas over the next three years.... 24 Jun 2008 Play investment

Money for sport schemes

THOUSANDS of pounds of lottery money will pay for schemes to tackle obesity and encourage more volunteering in Leicester.... 26 Jun 2008 Money for sport schemes

Primary school plans

S to spend more than £150 million on Leicesterâ s primary schools have been launched.... 30 Jun 2008 Primary school plans

Most Read News (today)

NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN

mathematics

A prestigious new scholarship has been announced by the University of Leicester?s Department of Mathematics in memory of an outstanding former member of staff.... 02 May 2008 NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN

Cannabis Farm Closed

cannabis

A cannabis factory has been discovered by officers from Hinckley Road local policing unit. The factory was discovered at a house on Beaconsfield Road, off Narborough Road, at around 11.... 19 Apr 2008 Cannabis Farm Closed

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

police

A collaboration between the University of Leicester Forensic Research Centre and the Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit, which has already produced some ground-breaking results, is to be formally launched on 14th May.... 16 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity

Police,Loughborough

Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity Sgt Julie Strong, Jo Adams, PCSO Sarah Eastwood, PCSO Maggie Hill, Jonathan Rogers & Chris Barratt with some of the donated bikes Police in Leicester are helping a local charity to get back on track after it was targeted by thieves. Neighbourhood officers from Hinckley Road police station have organised the donation of 20 mini motos and motorbikes to Nacro, the crime reduction charity, to help it continue its work tackling anti-social behaviour and engaging with young people.... 12 Jun 2009 Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity

Two men charged with murder

Police,Loughborough

Two men charged with murder A 36-year-old man and a 53-year-old man have been charged with murder following the death of 51-year-old Mrs Vina Patel on Thursday January 15, 2009. Both men are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday July 3, 2009.... 02 Jul 2009 Two men charged with murder

Most Read News (this month)

NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN

mathematics

A prestigious new scholarship has been announced by the University of Leicester?s Department of Mathematics in memory of an outstanding former member of staff.... 02 May 2008 NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN

Cannabis Farm Closed

cannabis

A cannabis factory has been discovered by officers from Hinckley Road local policing unit. The factory was discovered at a house on Beaconsfield Road, off Narborough Road, at around 11.... 19 Apr 2008 Cannabis Farm Closed

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

police

A collaboration between the University of Leicester Forensic Research Centre and the Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit, which has already produced some ground-breaking results, is to be formally launched on 14th May.... 16 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity

Police,Loughborough

Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity Sgt Julie Strong, Jo Adams, PCSO Sarah Eastwood, PCSO Maggie Hill, Jonathan Rogers & Chris Barratt with some of the donated bikes Police in Leicester are helping a local charity to get back on track after it was targeted by thieves. Neighbourhood officers from Hinckley Road police station have organised the donation of 20 mini motos and motorbikes to Nacro, the crime reduction charity, to help it continue its work tackling anti-social behaviour and engaging with young people.... 12 Jun 2009 Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity

Two men charged with murder

Police,Loughborough

Two men charged with murder A 36-year-old man and a 53-year-old man have been charged with murder following the death of 51-year-old Mrs Vina Patel on Thursday January 15, 2009. Both men are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday July 3, 2009.... 02 Jul 2009 Two men charged with murder

Most Read News (alltime)

Lengthy sentences for four accused in Kidnap trial

Police,Loughborough

Lengthy sentences for four accused in Kidnap trialClockwise from top left: Gaffar, Mirza, Desai and KhanA PCSO has been praised today after his actions helped to secure the prosecution of four men for GBH, kidnap, false imprisonment, robbery and blackmail. At around 8.... 13 Nov 2009 Lengthy sentences for four accused in Kidnap trial

Don't be dead in the water this summer

float

Parents preparing for summer are being urged to think before buying blow-up arm-bands and rings County Council Trading Standards officers are encouraging people to check that buoyancy aids will really do the job before grabbing the nearest inflatable off the shelf. Not all products are meant to be used to help a child stay above water and even if they will float, if the item is a toy, such as an inflatable animal or giant ring, it will not necessarily be manufactured to the same safety standards as something specifically designed to help a child learn to swim.... 09 Apr 2008 Don't be dead in the water this summer

Stephen Hawking Lecture at Leicester University

explosion

Professor Stephen Hawking to deliver 50th Anniversary lecture at University of Leicester The University of Leicester will be making history on Wednesday 28th May when one of the best-known and most remarkable scientists of our time will talk on the beginning of time and the cosmos. As part of the University s 50th Anniversary celebrations, Professor Stephen Hawking, CBE, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, will discuss theories on the origin of the Universe in a public lecture.... 01 May 2008 Stephen Hawking Lecture at Leicester University

Creative graduates start up in business

Leicestershire,Loughborough

Community Services 7 July 2009 Creative graduates start up in business Four graduates from De Montfort and Loughborough Universities have won 1000 each plus business support to start up new creative businesses in Leicestershire:Emma Amies is setting up a new lingerie brand using fresh fabrics and styles from the 1950s. Emma previously worked as a Town Planner as well as designing wind farms for a green electricity company.... 09 Jul 2009 Creative graduates start up in business

Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall

Police,Loughborough

Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall Two men have been charged in connection with drug dealing in the Netherhall and Thurnby Lodge areas of Leicester. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of supplying Class A drugs and two counts of possessing a Class A drug.... 11 Feb 2010 Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall