Archive Material: Evington Echo

(Issues 121 to 130)

The following is a very selected collection of items from past issues of the Echo. It is the personal view of Mike Stevens, one of our team.

Issue 121: June 1996

Many letters were published which all expressed opposition to the trial proposal that collection of wheelie bins would be fortnightly, together with the use of green plastic sacks for recycling purposes.
The retirement of Barry Branston, the “Hoover Man” was announced. In his 33 years in and around Evington, it was reported that he had serviced 32,000 machines.

Issue 122: September 1996

There were more letters concerning the proposed changes to the refuse collection system mentioned in the previous issue. The Echo editorial said that “On the one hand there is almost unanimous disapproval at the reduction to a fortnightly collection of the wheelie bins. On the other is the approval of a green bag collection” There had been a suggestion that there should be a boycott of the green bags, but this was regarded as a “petty action”. However, the Council said that “the trial had proved conclusively that the alternate weekly scheme is an effective method to encourage recycling” The Echo retorted that “perhaps boycotting of the green bags is the only way to make the Council think again” (Watch this space)
The “Best Post Office in Leicestershire” competition was won by Evington Post Office. A picture of Bob Keeber, his wife Rosemary and Stephanie Hill was on the front Page.
Bryan Lewis retired as Head of the City of Leicester School after 15 years. He was to be replaced by Mike Griffiths.

There was more debate concerning the Council's proposal to change to fortnightly wheelie bin collection. They seemed to have had a rethink and Robert Ingle thought that this was due to the vigorous protest campaign. However, the Council had proposed the use of black plastic sacks for food waste, which Mr Ingle thought would be unhygienic. A new contract for refuse collection was to be awarded “soon”. (Biffa eventually was given the contract and green boxes for recyclable material are now used)
Evington Hill Ladies Club visited the BBC Pebble Mill studios in Birmingham . They saw the recoding of the programme “Can't Cook, Won't Cook”. Unfortunately, they were not allowed to sample the food prepared …. “for hygiene reasons”
New faces at the Evington Library were: Judy Sharp, Kathy Briggs and Rumna Sayani.
Brookfield Ladies Bowls Club, the Senior Club in Leicestershire, celebrated their 70 th Anniversary.

Significant changes to facilities in Evington were reported: the probable closure of the Nat West bank branch and of Erringtons motor traders. The Echo suggested that maybe residents should switch to the Alliance and Leicester (which then had a branch in Evington Village , but this was closed shortly after the Nat West bank)
This and many previous issues contained reports from Sister Teresa Clare, who had a Mission In Romania.
There was a brief report of the Stoughton Air Show, which included a suggestion that it's days may be numbered (how prophetic!)

The reasons for the closure of the Evington branch of the NatWest Bank were explained by a member of staff of the company. Rising costs and lack of use were the main reasons.
Two prominent Evington women were included in the New Year's honours list. Pamela Parker was awarded an OBE for her work with hockey and Dorothy Cooke an MBE for her lecturing and judging in floristry
Thelma Abbot announced her retirement as head of Linden School after 18 years.

The opening of the Richard Attenborough Centre building at the University of Leicester was featured. The Centre provides courses and activities in a wide range of arts. People with disabilities are a priority at the Centre but the greater number of students are able-bodied. Richard Attenborough inspired the fundraising and £2,000,000 was raised.
The history of a shop just inside Chepstow Road , of Evington Road was featured. Many will remember it as Doreen Dalby's florists. It began as two houses and were converted into shops in 1912. A Mr Tomlin ran two shops, one selling wet fish and the other, fruit and vegetables, using a horse and cart to make deliveries. His son Jack then sold the fruit and vegetable shop to Dorothy Cooke in 1960. It was called the Flower Boutique and Dorothy gave flower arranging lessons upstairs. She eventually sold to Doreen Dalby, who after a great many years retired in April 1996. John and Glenys Heath then took over both businesses and the fish shop, which was extended to include a restaurant.
Two retirements were announced: Mary Zanker retired as sub-Post Office assistant from Spencefield Post Office in Downing Drive after a career than spanned 60 years!. Edith Lenton also retired after 25 years as a teacher at Evington Valley Primary School .

The front page showed a Photograph of Nicholas Eakins standing at a sign marking the “World's Highest Motorable Road , altitude 18,380 feet”. Nicholas who was a pupil at Whitehall and Spencefield Schools has lived in India for 20 years. He was asked by the Dutch cycling Club, to take photographs them cycling in unusual places. Cycling to that height is certainly unusual.
A letter from Anne E, Connors, formerly of Evington, asked if the Echo could be posted to her address in Colorado , USA . She said that she “really misses my Evington Echo” (now the Echo can be seen on our website www.evingtonecho.co.uk ).

The Echo held a tea party for distributors on May 31 st . Readers may not appreciate that there are almost 100 people who volunteer to deliver the Echo.
Derek Smith, who had been a milkman on the “Way” roads for 30 years announced his retirement.

This issue was dominated by the decision of the Alliance and Leicester building Society to close their branch in Evington. Despite a petition signed by 1,400 people, the support of Keith Vaz MP and Councillor M.H. Johnson, the Society eventually went ahead with the closure.
An anonymous “Evington Resident' wrote to the Echo saying that “we are turning into a ghost village. We have a carpet shop, a fitted kitchen furniture shop and an opticians, hardly convenient for day-to-day shopping”

This issue also contained many expressions of dismay at the reduction in facilities in Evington. Photographs of the “closed” Erringtons, NatWest Bank and the Alliance and Leicester Building Society premises were included.
A letter from Mr and Mrs Taylor who run the Alliance and Leicester Agency on Downing Drive explained that they were able to provide most of the services previously available at the Evington Branch of the Society.
Doreen Morton contributed an article describing her visit to London to see the display flowers and many other items commemorating Princess Diana, whose funeral had taken place a few days earlier.