News in Ashby

Ashby Mayor, Cllr Graham Allman, says the past year has been 'challenging and personally rewarding.

Cllr Allman was giving his review of the Civic Year, 2020-21, to Ashby de la Zouch Town Council's Annual Town Meeting this evening (Monday).

The easing of lockdown may have been the catalyst for the announcement by billionaire Bill Gates and his wife that they were heading for divorce and separate lives, with data from Google showing a surge in searches for divorce guidance as restrictions were relaxed.

But while Bill and Melinda reportedly reached a financial settlement agreement before making their news public, with Gates transferring shares worth $2.4 billion to his estranged wife, this clear-cut route may be closed to those who are less well off.

Another one of the eight dachshunds stolen from a village near Ashby in February has been found.

No details have been officially released yet, but a social media post says that one more has been recovered to add to the two that have already been found.

We were delighted to hold the delayed presentation of the Aldi Ashby 20 Paul Enion award last Friday.

The Aldi Ashby 20 is an annual undulating 20 mile road race around Ashby, Swepstone, Heather, Normanton le Heath and Packington.

Plans to build three log cabins on the outskirts of Packington - to be used as holiday accommodation - have been withdrawn for a second time.

The application - which had been re-submitted last month - was for the cabins to be part of Whitegate Stables in Coleorton Lane.

Smisby Day Nursery has announced the return of Smizkids Holiday Clubs with restrictions due to ease next week.

The nursery has been disrupted by the pandemic and associated lockdowns.

North West Leicestershire District Council has made the top 10 strongest performing East Midlands local authorities for overall prosperity, according to the Legatum Institute's UK Prosperity Index.

The council ranks 10th in the region - with Rutland taking top spot and Harborough second.

Snarestone Primary School is raising funds for pupils to stage an outdoor play about the coronavirus pandemic - because Covid rules mean they cannot perform it inside.

The school plans to put on a production of 'WOW, What A Year', next month.

John Coxon has held on to the Ashby de la Zouch division seat at the County Council elections.

Cllr Coxon, the leader of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, won almost 50 per cent of the vote with Labour candidate Debra Jackson gaining 30 per cent.

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council meetings are now being held face to face - but have moved to Coalville for now.

Monday's meeting of the council's planning committee was held in the Council Chamber at North West Leicestershire District Council in Coalville to ensure social distancing measures were adhered to.