Evington Echo: Recent Episodes
Evington Echo
I went along to the St. George’s Day Festival to help as a volunteer for Soar Sound Radio. This gave me the opportunity of practising interviewing people and using a microphone to listen to what they said. Then I took up the offer to go around the festival recording the sounds that I heard. I wish I had taken more photographs with my mobile to enhance this sound walk recording. However this was a create opportunity for me to take on the role of a roving reporter for Soar Sound, our local radio station.
The festival this year took place around the Heritage area of Leicester around the Guildhall and Cathedral area. People of all ages came together to visit the stalls and enjoy all the reenactments, music, good places to eat and so on. My sound walk began in the courtyard of the Guildhall with a visit to the Maypole dancing area. Moving on I came across a Scout band warming up their instruments, I listened for a while and then moved on to watch a Viking coin making workshop. Here, visitors could see how the coin discs were cut and then stamped.
I walked into the cathedral and interviewed the Verger, who was pleased to see the public enjoying visiting the Cathedral. I walked past the tomb of Richard III, the ‘King in the Carpark’, and I still like to tell people that I was at his funeral.
St George’s Day Festival was a great success and made history come alive with the stories actors told from the various re-enactment societies.
For those with long term health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, parkinson’s etc the new indoor pre-Nordic walking sessions at Scraptoft Hub, Malsbury Avenue might be helpful in improving things such as posture, balance, strength and endurance. The hour long sessions on Wednesday afternoons will start on the 21st February 1 – 2 pm combining short periods of physical activity with time to chat to others. Cost per session is only £3 and all equipment will be provided. Please contact Penny, to find out more and book your place, on 07502 576764 or email ministryofnordicwalks@gmail.com .
On Saturday 11th November 2023, residents and councillors from Evington gathered at the War Memorial at 11am to remember the sacrifice of both local people and people from across the world to defend the freedom and to bring about peace.
This gathering was organised by Friends of Evington, who had purchased a new PA system and stand, so participants could hear what was said.
Baljit Singh (Trustee of Friends of Evington) hosted this gathering, and he quoted from an engraving on an unknown grave in Kentucky U.S.A which said: “War is death. Destruction follows in its wake. War is misery, hunger and disease. War is all of this and more. So I ask you my friend, why still does man make war?”
“Never again” should be our view of war!” said Ned Newitt, President and Chair of the Leicester Secular Society. He described the loss of life during the 1st World War from Spanish flu because the war effort had to go on in ammunition factories without social distancing and lockdown. These people need to be remembered.
Helen Pettman, Chair of Friends of Evington, described the local V.A.D (Voluntary Aided Detachment) hospital in Evington Park and the dedicated, selfless work of local volunteers during the first world war.
After the talks, all participants were invited to go to the Cedars to share more discussion and refreshments.
You can listen here to these talks in full.
[See image gallery at evingtonecho.uk]
A Sound Walk in Evington
On a grey Thursday in February, what does Evington sound like ? Rob Watson from Decentered Media helped Alex Portlock make a recording as they wandered about Evington. Cristian Stancu followed them with his camera.
Click on the permalink above to hear the recording. Enjoy this post and look at the photographs taken by Cristian Stancu.
Evington Park is rather quiet this Thursday noon, only a few dog walkers are getting their share of nature in this suburb village. Alex can hear birds singing, she says it is as if to remind us that nature is still there despite the constant zoom of cars and a distant sound of a chainsaw.
Searching for fauna sounds…after hearing a dog pant, Alex attempted to catch a noise coming from a squirrel. She didn’t have much luck, despite an eager outreach.
The churchyard offers another natural hub, with trees and snowdrops. Even if you don’t know the name of the different species, or recognise the different bird chirps, the sights and sound are still agreeable. Evington appears rather green, for a village so close to the city said Alex..
Piggy’s Hollow is a more recluse part of Evington. Alex has to listen hard to hear nature’s sound. « The distant sound of traffic is almost like the sound of the ocean when you stick a seashell to your ear, though less buccolic. » she said.
Again, Alex is seeking sound from furry friends. No answer was a stern reply.
(From text sent by Alex Portlock)
At the Evington Echo exhibition celebrating 300 editions, Harkesh explained how to get involved with supporting the Echo and the Friends of Evington.
The Evington Echo is celebrating its 300th edition with an exhibition of the full archive, taking place at the Documentary Media Centre in Leicester City Centre. Editor Helen Pettman shares her passion for the Echo and describes how the Echo came about and what the journey has been like sustaining a community magazine that is run by volunteers and supporters.
An Evington Village discussion group, sponsored by the charity, Friends of Evington, discussed the topic ‘What