News and views from Journalism students at De Montfort University in Leicester
The artistic talent of Leicester will be showcased this month in the UK’s Young Artists festival.
The festival will take place between Friday November 7 and Sunday November 9 and will feature work from over 70 artists.
It will include work from literature, art, visual art, music and film and will be show across the city at various locations free of charge.
For more information visit: http://www.ukyoungartists.co.uk/eve…/leicester-festival-2014.
Georgina Baker
A Wigston-born woman has launched a brand new online shop to sell eco-friendly and Fair Trade products.
The Little Green Shop has only been open for two months and business is taking off.
Donna Ball, 36, the owner of The Little Green Shop, also has secured three permanent weekend market stalls across Leicestershire.
Miss Ball said: “I hope to one day have a successful website and open up a small shop in Leicester, somewhere like the Silver Arcade would be ideal because it is popular with independent businesses.”
Ninety per cent of the items sold are handmade, Fair Trade or eco-friendly and all of the products are from small UK based companies.
“As a small start-up business, I believe in supporting other small businesses. The carbon emissions are low impact because very few products are shipped from overseas.
“I have always been interested in environmental issues and do my best to buy from local shops when I can. Setting up my own business selling eco-friendly, Fair Trade and handmade products has been something that I have considered for several years now,” added Miss Ball.
Miss Ball studied Environmental Conservation at Leeds University and became President of the Environment Society and heavily involved with other similar groups throughout the campus.
“We have a duty to protect the future world for other generations. I know that Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council are working hard to become more sustainable; having worked in local government myself,” she said.
Miss Ball is taking part in the craft and table top fair at Blaby Methodist Church on Saturday November 1.
The Little Green Shop is offering free UK delivery the website thelittlegreenshop.bigcartel.com with 15 per cent off everything using the code NOV15 until midnight on Sunday November 30.
Bethan Head
Halloween has been used this week to educate visitors about Leicester’s past.
The city’s museums have incorporated the seasonal celebration into its programme of events.
Hannah Blake, 19, from Sheffield, visited The Guildhall, amongst other museums in the city as part of the Fright Trail that has put on in the run up to Friday October 31.
Miss Blake, a History student from Sheffield College, said: “My sister and I wanted to do something fun during our half term and we saw on the internet that Leicester wasn’t too far away on the train.
“There were some spooky events going on in the days before Halloween, which is one of my favourite times of the year.”
The Guildhall is well known for being the town’s most haunted building due to the 200 year old cells that remain in the site.
“I haven’t really heard much about Leicester’s history, the atmosphere at The Guildhall is so eerie due to the prison cells and the fact it was the original police station.
“What with the spooky festive decorations and the gruesome history here, you would expect to be on ‘Most Haunted’ or ‘Horrible Histories’,” added Miss Blake.
Miss Blake visited the city in October, when Abbey Pumping Station gave ghostly tours of its underground engine house.
This was to educate visitors about the death of engineer Robert Richardson in 1890 whilst he was working at the pumping station.
Miss Blake said: “We are going to the Abbey Pumping Station this afternoon for The Ghostly Engineer tour, it looks so much fun but I think Sarah, my little sister is a bit frightened!
“I think the city and its museums do right in using Halloween to promote the attractions and get people through the doors.
“It is important for children and young people to know about the past of their city and what better way to get children wanting to learn than using ghosts and ghouls.”
Georgina Baker
A multi-award winning touring vintage fair stopped off at Leicester’s The City Rooms for a retro day out last weekend.
‘Britain Does Vintage’ is a travelling fair that visits various cities around England, offering vintage clothes and accessories to sell, coming to the city centre for the day on Sunday October 26.
Organiser Gina Walters, 23, of Sheffield said: “It’s been really nice today. Pretty calm, but not dead. After today we would love to come back.
“We decided to come to Leicester today because we’re based in York which is handy as it’s fairly local but we’re still expanding. We hope to go further down south.
“It’s nice to have some vintage in Leicester. There used to be Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair, and I worked there but it’s lost its venue, which is sad,” she added.
The fair took place in Hotel Street’s The City Rooms from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Miss Walters said: “It’s a good venue as it’s central, we wanted it so people can find it.
“A lot of people don’t realise this place is here, they come here and say ‘I’ve lived in Leicester my whole life and didn’t know this place was here.’ The high ceilings are impressive.”
Britain Does Vintage specialises in both men’s and women’s clothing, jewellery and homeware.
“We’ve got lots of vintage clothes which go back to the 70s. Anything older than that is technically retro. We’ve got plenty of jewellery and curios too.
“We can get our clothes from different places, they can be hand chosen or from wholesalers.
“As well as clothes, today we’ve also had tea and cake, a pop up hair salon and singer Lianna Haynes performing here,” Miss Walters added.
Danielle Alexandra Lett
A Leicester author has achieved a UK first with the debut of an Asian-themed baby cookbook.
East Indian SuperMeals: Baby & Toddler Cookbook was the brainchild of Zainab Jagot Ahmed, who after the birth of her first daughter, Aaliyah, wanted to share her favourite Asian food dishes with other new mums.
Mrs Ahmed said: “My daughter is extremely precious to me and when she was born, I wanted to give her the best start in life, and being Asian, wanted her to be in touch with her culinary heritage.
“When I discovered there were no Asian-themed baby food cookbooks, I decided to write my own, creating new and innovative recipes that would be both nutrient rich and delicious.”
The book’s success has seen it sell out on Amazon’s website on launch day, as well as great reviews from mums and critics alike.
Mrs Ahmed said: “My favourite recipe would have to be chicken karahi, it’s a no-hassle, quick, tasty curry. It’s perfect if I’ve had a busy day at work and want to get a speedy, hearty dinner on the table.”
One of Mrs Ahmed’s campaigns is #NoMoreFussyEaters as she aims to get kids eating as healthily as possible from an early age.
Mrs Ahmed added: “Trying to avoid fussy eating behaviours is vital for growing children as they need a well balanced, nutrient rich diet for healthy growth and development.
“It can provide them with the best start in life and can help to tackle the obesity crisis currently affecting the UK.”
East Indian SuperMeals for Babies, Toddlers and the Family can be ordered from Amazon.co.uk and Waterstones.
Conor Davies
