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Archive Material: Evington Echo (Issues 21 to 30)
The following is a very selected collection of items from past issues of the Echo. It is the personal view of one of our editorial team.
Issue 21 - January 1984
For the third time in four years, a team from the city of Leicester School, won through to the regional final of the CBI;s “Industry and You” competition. The team members were Mark Jessop, Steven Gutteridge, Madeline Achurch, Graham Turnock, Richard Bennett and Joanne Barnett. What happened to these budding entrepreneurs?
The “Garden Gossip” column concerned Dandelions. Many gardeners considered them to be a weed, but Jack Hems, the Echo's columnist, extolled their virtues as a food, and included several recipes.
Issue 22 - February 1984
The major news was that Angela Plowman had decided to relinquish her position as co-editor of the Echo. Betty Best was to continue as Editor but a request was made for volunteers to fill editorial positions on the paper.
Number 58 Main Street was the topic of an article entitled ‘Cottage Restoration'. The house was built in 1700 and the article details restoration work carried out by the occupants, John and Liz Cook.
This and previous issues carried a detailed account by Jean Farquhar, of the life of Arthur Wakerley, whose name is commemorated by a major road in the area. He was the youngest Lord Mayor of Leicester, a philanthropist and forward thinking far-sighted person.
Evington parish archives had been discovered by Sue Finch, wife of the vicar. They covered the period 1721 to 1956. They now reside at the Leicester Record Office. Jonathan Wilshere a well-known historian intends to examine them and report his findings.
Issue 23 - April 1984
John Hunting a Football league referee from Evington, was chosen to be in charge of the FA Cup Final.
Issue 24 - May 1984
The East Leicestershire Local Plan was published. It's main recommendations were:
Andrew Freer of Ingarsby Drive was featured. He was then a 15 year old who played pool for England.
Musical activities were many and varied with the City of Leicester Singers, the Spencefield Operatic Society, the Leicester Cantata Choir and the Evington Recorder Group all being mentioned in this issue.
Chris Bonsor was a busy lady. She was a well known hockey umpire, officiating at the English Schools Championships and writing a book about the City of Leicester Singers. She was also a valued member of the Echo team.
Issue 25 - June 1984
This was a landmark issue. The Town Crier of Leicester was pictured with all the Echo team, to celebrate the paper's 25th Silver Jubilee issue. The “Echo People” as they preferred to be called were: Will Goward, Anne Blandamer, Eileen Adams, Joyce Bown, Chris Bonsor, Gill Adams, Joy Sharpe, Betty Best, Jack Vann, Margaret Barrett, Margaret Tomalin, Angela Plowman, Anne Sharpe, Pat Brooks and Jean Farquar. Noel Bown, the distribution manager was absent. (possibly delivering!)
Another major announcement was that Betty Best, who had been Editor or co-Editor was resigning from her position after 3 years. She had worked so hard, that she was to be replaced by FOUR people, Joy Sharpe, Anne Blandamer, Chris Bonsor and a new recruit Peggy Odom. In addition Angela Plowman and Jayne Oldeshaw play major roles in the team.
A group of American ex-Paras visited Evington to relive (some of) their experiences of their time here, including Shady Lane, where they lived in Army Huts, where the arboretum now is. One, Bert Clarke, married an English girl, Kathleen Farndon from Oadby.
In the “Cookery Nook” column, there was a recipe for “Tripe with Rice” Yummy!
Issue 26 - September 1984
The Cedars Hotel was closed for 3 months for alterations and extensions, including what was described as a ”glazed entrance”.
The Echo was again asking for volunteers, particularly a typist. The use of a “golf ball” typewriter was offered as an incentive to anyone willing to help.
The Old Evington WI group was addressed by Detective Constable Drobbott, one of just 11 officers in the drug squad. He said it was horrifying that 13 and 14 year-olds were using cannabis and LSD.
The Echo received a letter from the local MP, Peter Bruinvels congratulating the ‘very able people' running the newspaper.
Congratulations were in order for the following who were awarded a variety of university degrees; Michael Cooke, Michael Freeman, Dean Murray and Panna Patel. In addition, Adrian Rudd was called to the bar at the Inner Temple, London.
Alan Martinez of the Leicestershire Golf Club, beat the course record with a 65 in the August Medal.
A short item described the appearance of Concorde followed by a Lancaster at the Air Display.
Issue 27 - October / November 1984
Leicester City Transport announced that they had decided to axe the bus route from Leicester, along Evington Lane. After various representations, a special “Evington Shopping Link, No 43” was introduced. Some re-routing resulted in a half-hourly service to some and an hourly service to others.
In the Miscellany column, a Senior Citizen asked for “help with winter digging of a small plot”
The “Friends and Neighbours” section, featured Jane Fraser, a former Head Girl of Spencefield School. Jane was a “smiling face behind the counter of the branch of National Westminster Bank in Evington Village.
“Perils of the Peak” was the title of an article describing a 3-day visit undertaken by members of Evington Boys Club. The boys pictured were Sean and Spencer Nolan, Steven Rowe, Steven Thorpe, Simon Thompson, Danny Bennett and Andy Martin. The were accompanied by Club leader Alex Russell, his wife Karen and their 2 children, Laura & Nicola.
The Evington Hill Allotment Society was thriving. Plots cost £6.50 per year and perhaps unsurprisingly there was a waiting list of 12.
Issue 28 - December 1984
Renovations, facelifts and bus services were prominent in this issue:
The Echo's front page news was “Evington House Renovation”. The House was officially opened to reveal much improved facilities for sports and leisure organizations. In particular, changing rooms, showers and toilets had been installed. Councillor Cudlipp Batty in his opening remarks congratulated the Evington Echo and the Editor Betty Best who was “one of the main motivators …” in the renovation process. The paneled room had been restored and the kitchen much improved.
The second facelift was to the Cedars Hotel, with the opening of Chester's Restaurant and refurbishment of the lounge area.
After a campaign covered by the Echo, the planned reduction in bus services has been scrapped and the previous 30 & 43 services have been restored.
The Library had a middle page spread, with a detailed account of their services. A photograph of some of the staff showed Marie Rington Fox, Yvonne Simmonds, Barbara Spong, Diana Kahn, Peggy Allaway, Valerie Clarke and Joan Tams.
An anonymous donation of £1600 was made to allow the floor of the village Hall to be replaced.
Issue 29 - January 1985
The amalgamation of the City of Leicester and Spencefield was the major new story. The main reason for the merger was ‘falling rolls'. The number of children born had been decreasing since the mid 1960s. The 1985 intake would begin their secondary education in the Spencefield buildings and transfer to the City of Leicester buildings at 14+. A map of the amalgamated school was shown on the Echo front page.
The ‘Jubilation' to mark the 25th issue of the Echo had been such a success that readers were asking when the next one would be! The Echo team thought that it would be a good idea to help organise a village fête. So, this challenge was the commencement of what has become a major annual event.
The retirement of Kenneth Witts, a long-serving teacher at City of Leicester School was announced.
The Echo was used for property purchases; the ‘Miscellany' column had an advert which read “Wanted 3 bed semi-detatched house, Evington area.
Joy Sharpe, one of the Echo team, described a visit to China, a most unusual holiday in those days.
Jonathon Wilshere provided detailed data of the weather experienced in 1984.
Congratulations were due to the following:
Issue 30 - February 1985
The Echo had asked for help in raising money for a mechanised page turner so that Pat Kirkup, who is paralysed would be able to read books. Due to the generosity of readers, the £500 required was raised in three weeks.
Norman Edwards, Secretary of the Village Hall complied a brief history of the building and activities that was published in this issue. It was built in 1911 and a caretaker was appointed and paid 5 shillings (25p) a week.Canal cruising was the subject of an article by Anne Blandamer with photographs by the Echo's photographer Ian Riddell.