Europe Intelligence Wire articles from February 2010, page 633

Europe Intelligence Wire archives from February 2010

ABBA gig aiming to raise thousands.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) A music fan who was paralysed in a motorbike accident is organising an Abba tribute concert at a race track. Rob Bryant raised GBP15,000 when he arranged a Queen tribute night at Mallory Park last year, in aid of...

Man tried to break in to a house.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Police have released an image of a man they are trying to trace in connection with an attempted burglary. He was one of two men seen attempting to break into a property in Blaby at 2.30pm on Monday, January 11. ...

Cemetery expansion plan angers residents.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Householders trying to stop a cemetery being created next to their homes fear they may be fighting a losing battle. Leicester City Council wants to expand the Gilroes Cemetery onto farmland near the Heathley Park...

30 hear healthy campaign talk.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) More than 30 people attended the first "be healthy" talk of 2010 organised by NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland. The evening, held in Huncote, centred on women's cancers. The audience, which included men,...

Runner Kim to train with the fitness experts.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) A runner has been picked from thousands of hopefuls to train with fitness experts to help her beat her personal best at this year's London Marathon. Kim Sayers, who has completed the gruelling 26.2 mile race twice...

Decision looms for venue.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Planning officers are due to make a decision about the future of a music venue in the next few weeks. The Charlotte will host its last gig - an "all-night party" featuring up-and-coming Leicester talent on Saturday...

Cat returns home after long ordeal.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) A cat has been reunited with its owner after going missing for more than three months. Ruth Botterill, 38, of Central Road, Woodgate, Leicester, was delighted to find her beloved cat Scottie alive and well after 94...

'Help others like our Joe'.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) You would not know it to look at him, but 10-month-old Joe Beechey has already had two major operations and faces another before his third birthday. He was born with two holes in his heart and an aortic valve which...

Boost for air ambulance.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Bank staff have handed over more than GBP32,000 to the air ambulance service after making it their chosen charity. The money was raised by Santander's Leicester branches last year for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire...

Protest rally on Sam's sentence.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Family and friends of a man jailed for two years after snatching a car park attendant's camera hope public support will lead to a speedy review of his sentence. About 50 campaigners held a demonstration at...

Together - thanks to an ad.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) A rock'n'roll couple have thanked the Leicester Mercury after meeting through the paper's dating page. June Davidson, 62, knew she had found her man when she saw an advert in our classifieds for a female...

First haircut in years is in a good cause.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) A teenager helped raise more than GBP1,000 for a cancer charity by having his first haircut in eight years. Billy Kyle, 16, from Ashby, emerged from his ordeal with a crew cut - minus his trademark ponytail. ...

Noisy tenant has TV taken.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) A noisy neighbour has had their stereo, TV and computer seized after they refused to stop playing loud music. Officers from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council removed the equipment from the flat. The owner,...

Designer's idea could save lives.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) An ex-Formula 1 car designer has come up with an invention he believes could save the lives of motorists around the world. Gerry Boyce's reinforced plastic poles are designed to shatter when vehicles crash into...

City set to sign Bruce.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Leicester City are set to complete the loan signing of Ipswich Town defender Alex Bruce today. Manager Nigel Pearson is also hoping to add at least one more loan signing before the transfer window closes at 5pm. ...

Learning with mum.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) A mother's dream of becoming a teacher at 56 could soon become a reality. Karen Berry, of New Parks, Leicester, had always wanted to be an adult tutor but needed to brush up her literacy and numeracy skills. ...

How blogs can make you 'transliterate'.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) What it means to be literate in the 21st Century will be explored in a conference next week. Experts from digital arts, writing and technology will converge on Leicester to discuss the new ways people communicate....

Homeopathy protest sees 'mass overdose'.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Protesters downed entire bottles of homeopathic remedies in a "mass overdose" - and said they felt absolutely no effect. In Saturday's demonstration, 25 people gathered outside Boots' Gallowtree Gate store in...

Otters make a return to cleaner waterways.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Environmentalists are celebrating the return of a rare mammal to our waterways. In November 2008, for the first time in about 30 years, an otter was caught on camera in the River Soar, within swimming distance of...

Owner wins fight to keep his pigeons.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) A pigeon owner has gone through a two-year planning battle to be allowed to keep dozens of birds in his back garden. Neighbours of Paul Newsome, of Westdown Drive, Thurmaston, complained about the pigeons' noise,...

21st year of shia Muslim procession in city.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Hundreds of Shia Muslims took part in a religious procession yesterday to mark Muharram, the month of mourning. Men, women and children dressed in black as a symbolic display of grief over the slaying of the...

100-year-old copy of paper.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) A 100-year-old copy of the Leicester Mercury has been discovered during restoration work on a building. The paper, from January 22, 1910, was found under the floorboards of a former railway goods yard building in...

'I fear scar left by dog bite'.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) A girl who needed plastic surgery after being savaged by a dog fears she could be scarred for life. Lauren Underwood, 14, was left with cuts on her right hand and an inch-deep bite wound on her right arm which went...

Police hunt 'road rage' attacker.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Police are hunting a motorist who carried out an apparent road rage attack. Two men were involved in what police described as a "driving incident" near the Mayfield Road roundabout, in London Road, Leicester. ...

Have your say on walk of fame.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Leicester Mercury readers are being asked to vote for their favourite Leicester people to be featured in a Walk of Fame. Plaques engraved with the names of famous city folk are to go up in Halford Street, in the...

Comedy festival's real winners?
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) It's lovely to see an established comedian in full flow. Someone like Jimmy Carr for instance: "Is it fair to say that there'd be less litter in Britain if blind people were given pointed sticks?'' But sometimes you...

Rotting fish clues.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Revelations about rotting fish are providing scientists with a clearer picture of early life. Researchers from the department of geology at the University of Leicester have devised a new method for extracting...

Arts venue shuts to iron out 'niggles'.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) An arts venue is to close next month to deal with "niggles" identified during its first months. The GBP21.5m Phoenix Square, in Leicester, which opened in November, will shut for two days and partially open for...

Puppy love for tinsel found in a garden.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Poorly puppy Tinsel is back where she belongs and being nursed back to health - thanks to a reader. Workers at the RSPCA's Woodside centre appealed in the Leicester Mercury after the Staffordshire bull terrier was...

Store parking fines 'are not enforcable'.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Parking tickets issued at supermarkets may not be enforceable, according to a campaigner. Tesco, in Hamilton, Leicester, and Aldi, in Blaby, have introduced fines to stop people parking in unauthorised areas or...

'Give mayor more powers'.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Elected city mayors should be given extra powers similar to those of Boris Johnson in London, a think-tank says. The Conservatives have said 12 of England's biggest cities - including Leicester - will get a vote on...

Go-ahead given for new fire HQ.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) The fire brigade has been given the go ahead to build a headquarters. Charnwood Borough Council's planning officers have approved Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service's GBP12m complex off the A6 at Birstall. ...

Doors shut at charity for disabled.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) An arts charity that helps the disabled has closed after 25 years. The 27A Access Artspace shut on Friday after failing to raise the cash needed to keep going. The charity, in Northgate Street, Frog Island,...

Patients left to wait as ambulances slowed by snow.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Heavy snow and ice hit ambulance response times in the past two months. East Midlands Ambulance Service said a rise in 999 calls came as it was trying to clean up its ambulances, after two failed inspections from...

Raids admitted.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Eight men have admitted carrying out a string of burglaries at bookmakers. The gang were arrested by officers in October following an 18-month police operation to investigate burglaries, including at Coral's in...

Firefighters tackle huge tyre blaze on farmland.
February 1, 2010... (From Leicester Mercury) Firefighters spent hours tackling a blaze at a farm which started when 300 tyres caught light. Witnesses said the flames could be seen from at least a mile away from the farm in Calke, near Ashby-de-la Zouch. A...

Youngsters look to the sky as part of campaign.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Young twitchers have been scouring the skies above their school on the look-out for bird life. Pupils at Warren Hill's Primary School, in Coalville, are taking part in the RSPB's annual Big Schools'...

Plea for parking spot by shop fails.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Campaigners have lost a fight to have double yellow lines removed from outside a busy shop. More than 500 customers signed a petition at the Mercury newsagents and convenience store, in Silver Street,...

Search under way for best musician.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) The search is on to find a borough's best young musician of 2010. A GBP1,000 bursary is on offer for the winner of the contest being run in Hinckley and Bosworth. The money is being provided by the Matthew...

Pupils take time off lessons to get artistic.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Youngsters swapped schoolbooks for circus equipment, paint brushes and musical instruments to promote the arts at their college. All 1,500 pupils at Rawlins Community College, in Quorn, were excused from...

Councils to be set up in two parishes.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Plans to set up parish councils in two villages have been passed. Whitwick and Hugglescote are to get parish status after the proposals were backed by North West Leicestershire District Council. Announcing...

Town brand idea to draw tourists.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Plans are being drawn up to create a brand for a town that will bring in tourists and investment. Council bosses want to form a unique image for Loughborough similar to that of Melton, which promotes itself...

Bus routes changed 'to ensure reliability'.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Changes to two bus routes came into force today. The new times affect Arriva's 16A and 26 services. The 16A, serving Ellistown and Ibstock, will continue to run up to every hour, Monday to Saturday, with...

Health checks.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Free health checks will be available at an event to encourage people to improve their fitness The NHS has teamed up with the Shree Ram Krishna Centre, in Alfred Street, Loughborough, to hold a health fair on...

Keep homes in best condition.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) With more cold spells predicted this winter, local lettings agent Anna Mylonas of Haart Residential Lettings is advising landlords not to lose out and to take steps to ensure their rental properties are kept in...

Homes set to flourish.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Now the sales market is returning, we'll undoubtedly see a decline in the number of available tenants for rental properties. This doesn't mean that buy to let is no longer a viable option, it simply means that...

Bleeding is key to hot radiators.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) If your radiators are hot at the bottom and cold at the top, this usually means there's trapped air inside, which stops them from filling with water and working properly. This is the last thing you need in...

Landlords falling behind.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) More and more landlords will fall behind with their mortgage payments unless the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) system is reviewed, it is claimed. According nationwide tenant eviction service Landlord Assist,...

Landlords cash in on a recovery.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Thanks partly to the strong bounce-back in prices in the second half of the year, many landlords made significant profits in 2009, according to a new survey. The latest buy-to-let index from agents LSL...

New-look for terrace home.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) This well-presented three-bedroom mid terraced property has recently undergone refurbishment and now provides good accommodation close to the city. The lounge has a bay window and fireplace, there is a good...

'Don't break the law'.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Homeowners must follow the law on squatter eviction or risk prosecution, warns Law Society. A squatter is not committing a criminal offence by being in another person's property without their permission, but...

Experts blast poor building after TV show.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Property experts have been inundated with requests to investigate sick or tight building syndrome since it was highlighted on ITVs Buildings From Hell. The programme illustrated the new and worrying, but...

A stylish, modern home in countryside setting.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Standing in seven acres of gardens and paddocks, this country home offers contemporary and flexible living accommodation. Named Cheverals, the bungalow stands at the bottom of a sweeping gravelled driveway...

Demand outstrips supply as rental market grows.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Demand for rented homes is outstripping the supply of properties available to let following a rise in reluctant tenants, according to research by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (Arla). The...

Curtain's up on a perfect scene.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Close to the Curve theatre, in the centre of Leicester, The Exchange Building is a period building within which is this fully-furnished one-bedroom apartment. It is in a small section of the building, with...

Crackdown on shared housing.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) The National Landlords Association (NLA) has condemned the Government's new measures to crack down on the spread of shared houses. In a statement, Housing and Planning Minister John Healey MP revealed plans...

Intolerant view.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) L Caxton and those of similar opinion about alleged drug dealer Akmal Shaikh, executed in China, belong in the Dark Ages ("Little sympathy", Letters, January 11). Left to them we would still be burning witches....

Letter: Another levy, perhaps?
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Councillor Jon Collins tries to reassure businesses that "Nottingham is not considering imposing a levy on business rates to help pay for staging World Cup matches" (Your Views, January 21). However, he went...

Letter: Fragile World Cup bid.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) It is rather presumptuous of Coun Jon Collins to consider that local businesses should contribute some of their hard-earned profits towards the "significant costs associated with hosting the World Cup" (Your...

Letter: Fast, free-flowing and safe.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Lynda Pykett is wrong about her motorway journey ("Speedsters galore", Your views, January 26). Coaches are limited to 62mph on motorways so, yes, most cars would be passing her vehicle legally. Britain's...

Next phase of GBP51m flood wall construction to start.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Construction work on the next phase of a GBP51m flood defence scheme in Notts is to begin in the next fortnight. The entire Trent Left Bank flood defence scheme will protect 16,000 homes on the north bank of...

Membership draw for GBP100 voucher.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) People who sign up as new members to a hospital trust next month could win GBP100 of vouchers. Sherwood Forest Hospitals Foundation Trust is celebrating its third year as a Foundation Trust today. There...

A special place.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Beyond the milky way Beyond the galaxy and mars Exists a special place That's overlooked by stars Its a place that's in our dreams We imagine we want to be A place that just seems perfect A place we all should...

Letter: What panic and mayhem.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) One cannot help but notice what panic and mayhem the recent snowfall created in our nation as a whole. People panic-buying salt and foodstuffs; schools closing down; trains delayed or not running; severe...

Letter: A vex vexillogist, one suspects.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) There's no mystery about the stolen Notts County Council flag ("Thieves steal county council flag from pole", January, 22). It was almost certainly taken down by an enraged vexillogist - a flag expert -...

Post comment: Number of cancelled ops unacceptable.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) The number of operations cancelled at the QMC and City Hospital is unacceptable. For most people the prospect of a surgery is a worry and lives have to be reorganised to accommodate the operation. So, to...

Post comment: Serene progress on flood wall plan.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) While the development of flood defences in Attenborough has been divisive, the project is making serene progress in nearby Beeston Rylands. With work about to start, local councillor Steve Barber has...

Ten-man city earn respect for thrilling performance.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) The key word around the Walkers Stadium before kick-off was "respect" but, after 10-man Leicester City's outstanding performance in adversity, the word on lips of all City fans was "pride". The visit of...

We were always better side, says boss.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Nigel Pearson hailed his side's performance after they held on for a point after facing league leaders Newcastle for an hour with just 10 men. The City manager said the way his side battled proved they still...

I was very close to a red card - berner.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Bruno Berner has admitted he feared he would follow Richie Wellens down the tunnel and leave Leicester City to face Newcastle United with just nine men. The Swiss defender had already been booked just before...

Win GBP10 prize as our face in crowd.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Are you the circled face in the crowd in the picture alongside? If you are, you have won GBP10, which you can claim by visiting reception at the Leicester Mercury headquarters in St George Street. Ask for the...

Defence set standard in a show of real character.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) This was the night Leicester City stood up and stated the case for the defence. And a pretty compelling one it was as well. Manager Nigel Pearson may still bring in reinforcements but, on the evidence...

Knitters lose to leaders.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Hinckley United lost 3-1 at leaders Fleetwood, whose second goal on the stroke of half-time proved vital. The home side went in front after just 65 seconds. The move was begun by goalkeeper Craig Dootson, who...

Pearson back with a goal.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Dave Pearson, returning to Shepshed Dynamo after 10 years, scored in his club's 1-1 home draw against Lincoln United in Division One South. Pearson struck in the 37th minute when he collected Patrick...

Barwell stay unbeaten thanks to a late strike.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Barwell and Coalville Town, the top two teams, shared the points in an entertaining 1-1 draw at Kirkby Road. The result leaves Barwell 18 points clear although the Ravens do have two games in hand. ...

Leaders ashby slump to stunning defeat.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Premier Division leaders Ashby Ivanhoe were on the wrong end of one of the season's shock results on Saturday. They crashed 7-2 at home to a Stapenhill side which has spent all season in the lower reaches of...

Rising star youngs signs a new contract at tigers.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Leicester Tigers have fended off interest from local rivals Northampton Saints to sign one of the game's hottest properties. Scrum-half Ben Youngs has committed his future to the club by signing a new deal,...

Moody is linked to clubs in France.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Leicester Tigers flanker Lewis Moody's future at Welford Road is looking more uncertain after he was linked with three French clubs. There is growing speculation that the 31-year-old could finish his career...

Opportunity for war walks.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) I Am the organiser for the War Research Society which was formed more than 30 years ago by serving police officers and ex-servicemen. The society supports a number of causes including the Commonwealth War...

A golden age remembered.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) I Have come across two old England programmes. For the England game against Brazil on Wednesday, May 9, 1956, a standing ticket cost 3s 6d. Stanley Matthews, the Blackpool outside right and the grand old man...

Aussie one of whitlam line.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) I Undertake family history research for people with ancestral roots in Notts. One of my clients, George Whitlam in Australia, is seeking information about descendants of the Whitlam families of West Markham....

How baby Peter is leading to changes at Notts County council.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Bosses at Notts County Council say the surge in referrals to children's social services - following the Baby Peter case - looks likely to continue. Anthony May, County Hall director of children and young...

Top flight mma back at Harvey hadden.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) Top-flight European MMA returns to Harvey Hadden LC on April 3 in the form of Bushido Challenge 2. The two co-main events feature European No.3 James Doolan against Lithuanian star Artemij Sitenkov for the...

Radcliffe-on-trent's swimming pool gets facelift.
February 1, 2010... (From Nottingham Evening Post) A 1970s community swimming pool in Radcliffe-on-Trent is to undergo a major refurbishment for the first time. The pool at Dayncourt School will be given a new reception area and changing facilities to bring...