Your Parish Council has recently spent a considerable amount of time and money (your money) repairing the play areas in the Parish to ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone wishing to use the facilities.

Sadly, only a couple of weeks after these repairs had been completed, further wanton vandalism has occurred. We know that you will agree this is a very sad state of affairs and totally unacceptable. We are also sure that you do not want to keep spending your money on repairs to equipment / facilities, due to the actions of a small minority of individuals, who for reasons unknown wish to damage pieces of equipment which are intended to enrich the lives of our younger generation. If this vandalism continues, the Council will have to consider if the provision of these facilities offers good value to Parishioners, as the ongoing cost of repairs will become prohibitive.

The Council categorically does not wish to remove these facilities but we have to be aware of the health and safety risks to users of the equipment and also act in the interests of all the community with a view to the ongoing costs of maintenance etc. The Council had already included in the upcoming budget for a complete revamping / replacement of the Worthington play area and equipment, and improvements to other play areas in the Parish; this represents a considerable investment and we don’t want it to be a waste of YOUR money; we all need to do what we can to prevent this apparently routine vandalism. We can only request that, if anyone has any information as to who is responsible for the damage, they report it to the appropriate authorities, as we all want to live in a Parish where improvements in our environment and facilities are able to be maintained and enhanced, for the benefit of all.

Obviously the Parish Council has reported the incidents to the Police, who have committed to increase their patrols of the areas affected; however they cannot be present all the time and therefore the community’s involvement is essential if we are to stop this abhorrent behaviour.

Thank you.

Worthington Parish Council.

We are delighted to introduce and welcome our newest recruit to the parish council; this appointment brings us up to full strength. Cllr. Chris Fountain came to live in Worthington some two years ago and has extensive previous experience as a parish councillor so we’re really pleased he’s decided to join us. He’s already got his teeth into a particular project we want to move ahead with so he’ll soon be out and about in the parish.We won’t publish a mugshot of Chris; we don’t do that as we’re all very shy and retiring folk but if you would like to see who we are and put faces to names, we would be very happy to welcome you to our next (and future) parish council meeting. The council has decided to rotate its meetings around the three villages wherever and whenever possible.Our next meeting will be at Worthington Church commencing at 6.00 p.m. on Wednesday 12th February. There is always a period at the start of the meeting for public participation if you want to comment on items on the agenda or raise other issues (which cannot be debated in the meeting but can be an agenda item for the next meeting). We look forwarding to seeing you!

Following heavy rainfall overnight, parts of North West Leicestershire have been affected by flooding, particularly in Measham, Packington and Long Whatton.

We know how stressful flooding can be, and we want to make sure everyone affected has access to the right information and support. Here’s what you need to know if your home or area has been impacted.

Sandbags: Who Can Access Them

We hold a limited supply of sandbags which are prioritised for:

• Protecting life and essential buildings (like hospitals and substations)
• Helping elderly, disabled or vulnerable residents
• Keeping access open for emergency services

If you meet any of these criteria, you can collect sandbags from our Linden Way depot, just off Ashby Road in Coalville (postcode LE67 3JY), between 8am and 4.45pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

To arrange collection, please call 01530 454545 or email customer.services@nwleicestershire.gov.uk.

In an emergency outside of those hours, you can contact us on 01530 833 373.

If your situation doesn’t fall into these priority categories, you can buy sandbags from most DIY stores or builders’ merchants. You’ll also find helpful resources at the Independent Flood Directory.

What to Do After a Flood

• Safety first – don’t re-enter your home until the flood water has fully receded.
• Need help with water removal? Leicestershire Fire and Rescue may be able to assist, although there may be a wait if several properties are affected.
• Traffic creating waves? If passing vehicles are making things worse by sending water into your property, contact Leicestershire Police on 101.
• Blocked sewers? Contact your water provider:
  • Severn Trent Water: 0800 783 4444
  • Anglian Water: 0800 771 881
• Blocked drains on the road? Report these to Leicestershire County Council using their Report It form. Just note that even clear drains can back up during floods if the connected watercourses are already full.

Stay Informed

For further guidance on what to do during and after a flood, visit the North West Leicestershire District Council flooding advice page.