![Orchard trees in a meadow](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/Wymeswold%20Parish%20Council%20M%20-%201.jpg?itok=8rlKWTLZ)
Community orchards planted across Leicestershire thanks to free trees scheme
Almost 280 trees have been planted on 30 sites
![Three people on stage with award](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/Ali%20Walker%2C%20Phil%20Owen%20%28CTSI%29%20and%20Rav%20Wilding%2C%20TV%20presenter%20and%20former%20police%20officer.jpg?itok=K6_96hDP)
Trading Standards officer named National Apprentice of the Year
Ali Walker is at the forefront of Leicestershire County Council’s work to tackle illegal tobacco
![Summer 2024 Leicestershire Matters magazines](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/Leics%20matters%206_0.jpg?itok=GgfWDxEB)
New Leicestershire Matters - out now
The summer edition of our residents' newsletter is dropping through letterboxes
![A5 junction](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/A5%20corridor.jpg?itok=wC2or7RP)
Councillor shares support for A5 upgrades
New analysis from Midlands Connect shows upgrades needed at two key A5 pinch points
![Ladybird book at museum](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/WLT%20Melton%202.jpg?itok=udtL5r0o)
Showcasing magic of 'well-loved' Ladybird books
If you go down to Leicestershire’s museums this summer, you’re sure of a big surprise!
![Hedgehog](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/Hedgehog.jpg?itok=FPasikR2)
Nature is important, according to more than 1,000 who completed survey
90 per cent of people agreed that nature should be protected for its own sake
![Councillor Ozzy O'Shea cropped](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/Ozzy-cropped-web.jpg?itok=Oko_guQb)
Councillor warns of con as he narrowly avoids being scammed
Fraudsters hack into online accounts and attempt to change passwords
![A room full of staff hold a large orange banner saying Leicestershire County Council Children and Family Services are outstanding](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/CFS%20Ofsted%20-%20Y0245-HR-0475.jpg?itok=yQC0BRcl)
'Outstanding’ rating for Leicestershire’s Children and Family Services
Ofsted inspectors praise work to support children and families
![Airfield Business Park CGI image](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/Airfield.png?itok=C0Bdit36)
![Artsmark artwork](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/Artsmark%20Forest%20schools%202.jpg?itok=s3sUys7D)
Work to foster a love of the arts with children in care gains award
Leicestershire Virtual School is one of the first virtual schools in the country to be granted a platinum Artsmark award
![parent and child reading together](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/Y0198%20Fostering-9578.jpg?itok=-SdKer9x)
Meet current carers at fostering information event
In-person event to give more info for potential foster carers
![Watch meeting webcast](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/field/image/2022/5/18/V0674%20LCC%20online%20meetings%20SM%20024.jpg?itok=mdEYzwc1)
![Nick Rushton](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/field/image/2020/12/1/U0610%20Nick%20Rushton%20H%26Sh-4475.jpg?itok=3L5yYnrU)
Nick Rushton – Leader of Leicestershire County Council
Nick Rushton has told County Councillors he has been diagnosed with cancer and will soon be undergoing treatment
![Group of people standing outside a family hub next to a family hub pull-up banner](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/family%20hub%20launch%20.jpg?itok=P4YpbfcU)
Hubs support thousands of families in the space of a year
Family hubs have supported more than 7,000 families since opening
![Surface dressing equipment in action](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-07/SD%202_0.jpg?itok=W8qPf41m)
Surface dressing on county roads is underway
£2.7 million ‘surface dressing’ of more than 760,000 square metres of road
![Group of children and staff members smiling](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2023-06/HAF-happy-group-of-children.jpg?itok=gLCHKTk7)
Funded summer holiday clubs return to Leicestershire
Sessions range from arts and craft to dance and music - and include a nutritious meal
![Gavel and scales of justice](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-06/wood-hammer-rule-justice-horizontal-court-719590-pxhere.com_.jpg?itok=xzHl7dM3)
![Left to right: Josh Smalley and Annie Moss](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/2024-06/Y0224%20Junior%20Chef-305.jpg?itok=7QMbofgs)
Young Leicestershire chefs cook up success at competition
Great Bowden Academy 10 year old crowned 2024 winner
![child reading](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16_9_660x371_/public/field/section_image/2021/6/15/libraries%20card%20images11%20children%20reading.png?itok=kBh5Ej5g)