Archive Material: Evington Echo (Issues 41 to 50)
The following is a very selected collection of items from past issues of the Echo. It is the personal selection of Mike Stevens, one of our editorial team.
Issue 41: June 1986
* The front cover of the ECHO and the centre pages gave prominence to the opening of the LOROS hospice by Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Many Evington people had contributed to the success of LOROS.
* The Co-op had submitted a further plan for a development on the Coles Nursery site, this time for a Garden Centre only. Residents thought that this could be the ‘thin end of a wedge’ for future development.Evington Artists David and Shirley Easton each had two works on show at the Royal Academy Summer exhibition.
* Two schools had visits overseas. The City of Leicester School went to Gonfreville l’Orcher near Le Havre and Judgemeadow’s orchestra visited the Krefeld area of Germany. (Judgemeadow is continuing to visit and host staff and pupils from Krefeld and many good friendships have been made.)
Enquiries had been made to use the former Evington Cinemas as a community centre, including a snooker club.
* A letter complained about the poor state of the slabbed concrete Spencefield Lane. (Nothing has changed in that respect).
* Two brothers were featured: Robert Pollard had won at the Coalville Music Festival for piano playing, one of 3 competitions he has won in the past year. His brother Philip won the Leicestershire Junior Tennis Championship, singles and doubles.
* Olympic swimmer Sarah Hardcastle opened the final leg of the Round Britain race in aid of asthma sufferers at Evington Pool.
* The front cover of the ECHO was dominated by details of a petition to have Spencefield Lane resurfaced, to have a 30mph speed limit and a have a Ring Road built. ‘AS SOON AS POSSIBLE’.
* It was reported that the wide grass verge on the Golf Course side of Evington Lane was to be planted with ‘Six and a half thousand’ trees.
* A major article described the work and comprehensive facilities available from the Royal Leicestershire & Wycliffe Society for the Blind.
* After representation from ECHO readers and others, it was agreed that 'only' 4,000 trees would be planted on the wide verge on the golf course side of Evington Lane.
* Athlete Nick McCaffrey of Headland Road, held 3 county championship titles. Amazingly, 2 other athletes, John Boggins who also used to live in Headland Road and Phil Makepeace of Wakerley Road have all been Junior County Cross-Country Champions, all living within 800 yards of each other.
Issue 46: February 1987
* The front cover asked ‘What has happened to our lovely village?’ and showed several photographs of heavy lorries passing through Evington.
* On another page, a traffic survey revealed that in 1986, an average of 487 heavy goods vehicles used Spencefield Lane over a 12 hour period. A plan was suggested for a relief / distributor road to be built.\
* The middle page ‘spread’ was a feature about ‘Age Concern’ Interestingly, then, as now, Age Concern, Leicester is housed in the ‘old’ City of Leicester Boys School building on Humberstone Gate.
Issue 47: April 1987
* A photograph of the newly completed car park at the arboretum was shown on the front cover of this issue of the ECHO.
Issue 48: May 1987
* An appeal against a proposed Co-op Superstore was a subject on the front cover. The suggested site was to be adjacent to Downing Drive and Uppingham Road.
* Vegetarians were ‘catered for’ in the Cookery column, with recipes for Lentil Roast Rissoles and Banana and Walnut slices.
* The City of Leicester School produced the play ‘When we are Married’ by JB Priestley. The cast included Jonathan Straw, Simon Donaghue, Antony Robson, Nicola Perkins, Sara Hurst and Justine Sterland.
Issue 49: June 1987
* An appeal to restore the bells of St Denys was started. £3,000 had already be raised towards to total of £13,000 required.
Issue 50: September 1987
* The ECHO celebrated it’s 50th issue. A list of 80 people who currently help with the production of the paper was included.
* It was reported that the route for the Eastern Distributor Road had been approved by the County Council’s Transportation committee. It links the A46, via Hungarton Boulevard, Colchester Road to the A47.
* Irene Pollard CBE was the subject of a main feature in this issue. She had been a County Councillor for many years and also High Bailiff and Lord Mayor.
* Jock Murray told of his adventures in Thailand in this and other issues.