Coalville Library is inviting children aged between 4 and 12 years old to follow the crew of starship Ex Libris as they try to set up the first libary on the moon! Space Hop is themed around the final frontier and blasted-off from Leicestershire libraries on 10th July. It's a free and fun way for kids to get into reading - which is out-of-this world news for parents too!

Children can pick up their membership card and a poster on which they can log their reading progress with stickers from their local library. Completing the Summer Reading Challenge is a rewarding way to learn. Children read at least six books during the holidays, collect stickers and a bookmark along the way and are rewarded with a certificate and other Space Hop goodies.

Children can read any book as part of the challenge and there are also specific space-themed reading lists for younger readers featuring over 30 books, including 'I Wish I Was An Alien', 'Space Pirates' and 'The Comic Strip History Of Space'.

Last year more than 13,500 children took part in the Summer Reading Challenge in Leicestershire with over 10,000 children completing the challenge. This year it is hoped that even more kids will get into the cosmic world of reading.

Younger children can join in their own version of Space Hop by visiting their local library and collecting stickers for a special Bookcrawl Space Hop certificate.

For more information about Space Hop just call in at your local library or visit the website at www.leics.gov.uk/spacehop.

On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th June, Coalville will be celebrating the Coalville Festival Weekend, incorporating the biannual Picnic in the Park with Battle of the Bands, and a new event- Brassfest.

Details of the events are listed below:

Battle of the Bands - Enjoy live music in the Park from local bands - Coalville Park, 5:30pm onwards, Saturday 26th June

Picnic in the Park - Community procession leaves Clock Tower at 11:20am. Live bands, arts workshops, children and youth zones, stalls and refreshments - Coalville Park, 12-6pm, Sunday 27th June

Coalville will be decorated with colourful banners from this weekend, courtesy of the Coalville Town Centre Partnership, with some designs produced by children in local primary schools. The banners fall into four different categories:

- History banners to celebrate Coalville’s industrial heritage in Marlborough Square
- Events banners to celebrate the wide and varied events programme centred around the town centre in Memorial Square
- Gateway banners to provide a sense of arrival into the town centre.
- Love Coalville banners which feature quotes from students at Belvoirdale Primary School, All Saints Primary School, Hermitage FM listeners and other Coalville people.

This project is supported by the Leicestershire County Council Place Shaping Fund as well as local organisations, including Stephenson College, Snibston Discovery Museum and the National Forest.

Councillor Matthew Blain, Coalville Champion said, “These banners will show everyone how proud we are of Coalville’s past, present and future. I’m really pleased that the students at All Saints and Belvoirdale were involved with the project.”

More information on the project can be found on the Flags over Coalville page.

Transport Festival - 14th to 16th May
Snibston Discovery Museum is currently planning the Transport Festival, one of its biggest annual events. The star attraction will be a steam locomotive built in 1940 called Linda. The locomotive will arrive at Snibston on Friday 14 May and visitors can ride along the railway over the weekend for just £1.50.

The May transport festival will have something for all visitors. The Battle of Britain Lancaster Bomber flyover will be a big draw, but there will also be a selection of vintage vehicles – some from the museum’s collections and some from local enthusiasts – trade stands, music from organ grinders, artists and not forgetting smaller guests, a Thomas the Tank Engine bouncy castle, horseshoe painting and pony rides.

Coalville Film Weekend - 21st to 23rd May
Developed to promote Coalville and all it has to offer the Coalville Town Centre Partnership and partners are pleased to present the first Coalville Film Weekend hosted at the Century Theatre, Snibston Discovery Museum. From blockbusting award winners to locally made shorts - there's even animation workshops so you can have a go yourself!On Friday 21st May the weekend kicks off with the award winning A Single Man staring Colin Firth. Then on Saturday 22nd May Fantastic Mr Fox, is being screened together with locally made short films and animation workshops. Finally on Sunday 23rd May the Ealing classic comedy The Titfield Thunderbolt will be available. For further information visit www.centurytheatre.co.uk/coalville-film-weekend.

Coalville’s Memorial Clock Tower has been honoured with a Grade II listing by English Heritage following efforts by North West Leicestershire District Council.

Built in 1925, the Memorial Clock Tower honours those who fought and died in the First World War, and also serves as a memorial to locals killed in action during the Second World War.

English Heritage has designated the Clock Tower as worthy of a Grade II listing as it is an “imposing, proud and architecturally distinctive tribute to the Fallen of the First and Second World Wars”. They also noted the historic interest of the memorial stone located close to the north side of the Tower which marks the end of the Second World War.

The Clock Tower has a history of admiration for its architecture, once being described by eminent architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner in his book The Buildings of England as “quite a proud thing to build for a small town”.

North West Leicestershire District Council has announced its decision to grant planning permission for a new Tesco foodstore in Coalville has been given the green light by the Secretary of State.

The Council had been required to refer the application to the Secretary of State back in October 2009 for him to decide whether or not he wished to 'call in' the decision and hold a public inquiry. The Secretary of State has now written to the Council to inform them he does not wish to intervene and the Council is free to issue the permission.

Councillor Matthew Blain, Deputy Leader at North West Leicestershire District Council and Coalville Champion said: "I'm delighted the Secretary of State has not intervened in this decision. We are keen to get on with the job of regenerating Coalville, and if this scheme had been 'called in' it would have lead to delays.

"We now await the decision of the Government Officials on the second major regeneration scheme in Coalville for the redevelopment of the Belvoir Centre which was also referred to them in March."

YOUNG bands across North West Leicestershire are being given the opportunity to take to the stage for the chance to win a day in a recording studio. The prize includes a professional recording and airplay on Hermitage FM, as well as a cash prize for each band member.

The Battle of the Bands event will take place on 26th June in Coalville Park, supported by North West Leicestershire District Council. Only 10 bands will be selected to play on the big night - with each given 10 minutes to impress the fans.

Councillor Trevor Pendleton, Children and Young Peoples' Champion for North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "Battle of the Bands is a fantastic opportunity for young musicians to showcase their talent on an open air stage in front of a large audience.

"If you are in a band and aged between 13 and 19 we want to hear from you now to be selected to play on the night. Only bands from North West Leicestershire will be considered."

To enter simply email picnic@nwleicestershire.gov.uk or nwlyc@thejitty.comor visit www.nwleics.gov.uk .

The deadline for entries is Friday 30th April and the final line up will be announced on Friday 21st May.

For more information contact Claire MacRory on 01530 454642 or email claire.macrory@nwleicestershire.gov.uk .

Coalville Town Centre Partnership has launched this year's fresh and exciting Town Centre Guide. The guide has been developed by the Marketing and Promotions group whose aim is to raise the profile of Coalville town centre and encourage people to make use of what Coalville has to offer.

The Coalville Guide 2010 is packed with a variety of reasons for everyone to visit the town. The guide is pocket-sized and lists all businesses in Coalville town centre - it is designed to be the perfect shopping companion.

Councillor Matthew Blain, Chair of the Coalville Town Centre Partnership and Deputy Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "I'm delighted this guide has been produced because it illustrates all the good things there are to see and do in and around our town.

"Coalville already offers a range of big name and little independent shops and this guide will help residents and visitors find what they need in the town centre."

For your copy of the guide, please contact Meggie Bailey on 01530 454678.

Regeneration plans for Coalville were given a significant boost last night (Tuesday 2nd March) when North West Leicestershire District Council's Planning Committee approved plans to expand the Belvoir Centre shopping precinct.

The plans put forward by the owners of the Centre include a hotel, supermarket and cinema as well as more shops and cafes and open spaces. The Committee agreed this would offer Coalville the best option for regenerating its town centre.

Councillor Matthew Blain, Coalville Champion and Deputy Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "I am delighted the Planning Committee approved the expansion of the Belvoir Centre shopping precinct.

"This option gives us the full package - not only does it include a supermarket, but also opportunities for smaller retailers, a cinema, open spaces as well as more premises for cafes and restaurants. When completed we hope it will offer Coalville residents more shops and better choices for entertainment in the town.

"This project also ties in with a lot of our aspirations for the town that were laid out in the Regeneration Strategy - the blueprint for the development of Coalville developed with the Prince's Foundation. These include creating more open spaces through four squares, improving traffic flow around the town and increasing retail space.

"I'm personally really pleased we can continue to show the residents of Coalville that we are committed to improving their town and making a vibrant and pleasant place to live, work and visit."

The Belvoir Centre proposal is now subject to referral to GOEM.

As part of the project to regenerate the town, the Coalville’s Changing team is looking for pictures of the best and worst bits of Coalville. The team is looking for pictures of areas you like, areas you don’t like and also pictures from other towns and cities that inspire you.

To upload your pictures, click on the pictures tab and follow the instructions.

You can also join in the discussion about the future of the town centre on the website – just click the ‘your views’ tab and write your comments.