Central 2012 News

Traditional conker hunts may be tougher than expected this autumn with Warwickshire in the grip of a conker shortage.

The cold wet spring meant that insects which pollinate the horse chestnut trees were not around and the flowers were lost due to heavy rain.

The game of conkers can be traced back as early as 1821, the traditional children's game is played in Britain and Ireland.

Each year at the beginning of October the World Conker Championships are held on a village green near to Northampton.

The winners are named king or queen of the conkers.

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• Conkers
• 2012

Special evening park and ride services will operate from Birstall to transport people to Leicester’s Diwali celebrations and back this year.

The extra services will run for the Diwali light switch-on, Sunday, November 4 and again for the Diwali Day celebrations on Tuesday, November 13.

For more information click here.

Details of the timetable and fares are available here.

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• Diwali
• Leicester

• UK
• Poppy Appeal
• birmingham

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• Midlands
• Fireworks

People in Leicester are being advised to buy fireworks from licensed shops.

Last year damaged and dangerous goods were illegally sold around housing estates from vans last year in the county.

Leicestershire Police are warning against any deals which appear significantly cheaper than usual.

• UK
• Leicester
• Fireworks

A schoolgirl from Solihull, who swam 25 miles in five days to raise money for a cancer charity, has won a national award.

Millie Checkley, who's eight, has raised thousands of pounds for Macmillan Nurses in memory of her grandparents who both died of cancer.

Millie was honoured at the Kellogg's Swimtastic Awards which celebrate the achievements of young amateur swimmers.

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• Kellogg's Swimtastic Awards
• 2012

Organisers have launched the 2012 Lincoln Santa Run. This year's event will take place on Sunday 16 December when it's hoped up to 1500 people will take to the city's streets dressed as Father Christmas. They will complete a two lap course around the Bailgate area raising money for charity.

The event has been running for seven years and last year raised a record-breaking £42,662 for local charities. This year the team behind the fun run say they want to smash the £50,000 barrier. They are asking competitors to each raise £20.12.

• UK
• Lincoln
• Santa Run

Loughborough University is inviting local residents to discuss how the 2012 Olympics will affect the area.

The Olympic Torch Relay will pass through the town on July 3rd, while Team GB will be training on campus.

The meeting will brief locals on what to expect during the Olympics.

“Essentially it will be business as usual for the University over the summer and we do not anticipate significant disruption for people living close the University or in the wider community. We did however want give local people an opportunity to find out what actually is happening on campus and are delighted to offer this opportunity in association with Charnwood Borough Council and Leicestershire Police."

The meeting will take place on Tuesday 15 May at 7pm in the Stewart Mason Building on campus.

• UK
• Olympics
• 2012