Hamilton Life

Hamilton Library Special Events

admin — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:14:23 +0000

Hamilton Library will be hosting a series of special events this Autumn.

A Walk Through Victorian Leicester: A talk with slides by Derek Seaton

Thursday 22^nd September 2011 – 7pm

Leicester has a wonderful array of distinctive buildings from the Victorian period (1827 – 1901). This talk will be an illustrated armchair tour of the city in which we will hear about the architects, manufacturers and those associated with these wonderful buildings.

Multicultural British Fiction

Wednesday 5th October 2011 – 4-6pm

An interactive discussion around multicultural British fiction, led by Deirdre O’Byrne. Several recent best-selling novels, such as Zadie Smith’s White Teeth and Monica Ali’s Brick Lane, are by writers of other cultures who grew up in Britain. Many others – Hanif Kureishi, Meera Syal and Andrea Levy – use fiction to explore their own family history. Participants will read and discuss short extracts from these writers in an informal and friendly workshop. No previous knowledge is needed, and all materials will be provided at the session. FREE but booking essential, to do so ring: 0116 221 2790.

Authors In Love

Thursday 6th October 2011 – 7pm

Sue Hampton and Leslie Tate use flowers, tea lights and poetic language to recreate their first meeting, and the pleasures and surprises of their late-life romance.

The Summer poem

admin — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:31:03 +0000

Summer is when kids play out all day

While the sun is shining brightly

Summer is a great season of play

Summer is fantastic

Summer is the best season for me

Today is summer. Hurray!

(written by A Shaikh, aged 8)

Activities & Adventure for Young Families

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 17:14:04 +0000

It might seem like Hamilton has nothing to offer in the way of community services – and it doesn’t have much. But with a local library, a children’s centre and a beautiful lake – great days can be had. In this post we take a look at some of the amenities available in the local area and how to make the most of them.

Children’s Playgrounds, various across the area

If you’re fed up of being stuck indoors, taking your toddler to one of many Children’s Playgrounds will be a couple of hours well spent. Many of the playgrounds are nearly new and well maintained and can entertain children from as young as toddlers to primary school children.

Hamilton Children’s Centre, Maidenwell Avenue

Located at the Kestrels Field Primary School site, the Hamilton Children’s Centre welcomes children from 0-5 years and their parents and carers. It can also be a safe haven of advice to first time expectant parents. The centre opened in August 2010 and has many facilities on offer. From book borrowing to stay and play sessions.

Hamilton Library, Maidenwell Avenue, Tesco Car Park

Hamilton Library is open from Tuesday to Sunday and offers a good selection of picture books and easy reads for young children. The library offers a dedicated space for young ones so you won’t feel like you’re disturbing anyone. A good number of computers with internet access will also give them and you, a chance to get online and tech savvy.

Lakeside Country Park, Sandhills Avenue

If you’re looking to spend an afternoon or day strolling through a nice bit of green and sitting down for a picnic near the lake, then Lakeside Country Park is perfect. Its scenic, with Sunset Hill offering views over Leicester (although getting your stroller up to it may serve challenging!) and usually offers a peaceful relaxing environment. The water is some metres away from the green – and far enough for you to let the children run around without worrying.

And especially for older kids and teens:

Lakeside Adventure Park

Featuring a basketball court, and football pitch, a climbing wall, and much more, this is the place if you’ve got older children with lots of energy. Its exhilarating and challenging and will leave them feeling a little less bored!

Local Angling Club welcomes new members

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 15:48:50 +0000

Hamilton Fishing Club set up to allow people from the local community to fish at their local park lake, knowing that it is well maintained and offers a peaceful environment.

Matt Stanbury, Chairman of the club said: “We’ve been running the fishing lake for about a year now, having taken control from the council. The club is currently run by like minded anglers and friends who are all seeking to turn the lake into a peaceful environment in which to fish and enjoy the park.”

The lake’s stock is not yet fully known however the species that can be accounted include: Carp upto 26lb, Bream upto 13lb, Pike upto 10lb, Perch upto 2.5lb, Roach upto 1.5lb, Goldfish upto 1.5lb, and tench upto 6lb.

Membership costs at £50 for adults and £20 for children under 17, OAPS and disabled anglers. Daily sessions from £5 to fish with two rods or £2.50 for one rod for adults. Child day rate is £2.50.

The fishing at the lake is strictly Catch and Release and there are three Bailiffs who patrol the lake regularly who ensure that these and other rules are adhered to.

A quick guide for beginners:

General equipment that anglers will need to fish at the lake is a rod, reel, landing net and unhooking mat (for carp fishing). The best local tackle shop is a place called Bennetts Angling Stores in Mountsorrell, however there are also smaller tackle shops located around Leicester that should be helpful to new or old anglers looking to expand their kit or for those looking to take up a new hobby.

If you’re interested in finding out more you can check out the Facebook Group page here.

Hamilton Library

admin — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 13:46:53 +0000

Your local library can be a great place to meet locals, borrow books and DVD’s and get help with your CV. If you want to just hang out and read a book or attend a special event, your local library is here to serve the Hamilton community. More importantly its free to register as a member and free to borrow books. DVD’s costs vary. As long as you bring your books back on time you won’t be charged!

Here are some other sessions available at your local library:

Study Support Sessions

These are drop-in sessions for young children and young people where we have a dedicated member of staff available to give guidance and support with homework, using books and or our computers. There are currently two sessions which take place on the weekend.

Saturday 11.00 – 2.00

Sunday 12.30 – 3.30

Toddler Time

Drop-in Sessions for Mums and Dads with children under 5s, with toys, stories and rhymes.

Tuesday 10.00 – 11.30

SureStart Play and Stay sessions

A Stay and Play session operated by SureStart in the Community room at Hamilton Library.

Friday 9.30 – 11.00

Manor Farm Reading Group

A lively bunch of locals that meet once a month to discuss that months riveting read and anything else that comes to mind. If you would like to join just call in at Hamilton Library and pick up that months book. The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month.

Meeting dates will be:

Tuesday February 1^st 2011 at 10.30am

Tuesday March 1^st 2011 at 10.30am

Tuesday April 5^th 2011 at 10.30am

New members welcome!

UK Online – Computing for Beginners

These courses could be called computing for the terrified. If you have no knowledge of computers then this is the course for you!

Informal one hour sessions for those new to computers, with a dedicated member of staff to support your learning. Headphones are provided so you can listen to or read the lessons, using the computers to work through the course at your own pace.

If you are interested then either call into the library for a chat or phone us and book your first session.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays

10.00 am & 11.00 am

2.00 pm & 3.00 pm

Thursdays

2.00 pm 3.00 pm 4.00 pm

5.00 pm 6.00 pm

Saturdays

10.30 am 11.30 am

Hamilton Library is easily located to the right hand side of Tesco. Free parking at Tesco car park. The opening times are as follows:

Monday Closed

Tuesday 10.00 – 5.00

Wednesday 10.00 – 5.00

Thursday 2.00 – 9.00

Friday 10.00 – 5.00

Saturday 10.00 – 4.00

Sunday 12.00 noon – 4.00

If you’d like more information please drop in to your local library or click here.

Leicester gears up for Comedy Festival

admin — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:57:41 +0000

Now in its 18th year Leicester Comedy Festival kicks off tomorrow (4th Feb, 2011). Over 350 events will take place across the city.

Established acts from the likes of Lenny Henry, Arabella Weir, Jimmy Carr and Stephen K Amos to name are set to be a real crowd pleaser, alongside the more infamous debut acts from rising stars.

As in previous year, the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition will run alongside the festival.

This year will also see the “Making an exhibition of ourselves” exhibition celebrating 18 years of Leicester Comedy Festival as well as a film programme.

The festival runs til 20th February 2011. To find out more and to book events click here: http://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/ Exclusive updates on Twitter @LeicsComFest

Poetry Workshop with Rob Gee

admin — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:52:29 +0000

Rob Gee will be hosting a two hour poetry workshop at Hamilton Library on Thursday 10th February from 5pm.

Open to everyone from novice to veteran, this FREE workshop will give writers of all levels the chance to explore writing and performing poetry. Participants will be guided through the process of developing ideas, performing to audiences, and receive feedback on any work currently in progress. Come and have a go if you think you’re bard enough!

LASALS at Hamilton Library

admin — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:37:17 +0000

Leicester Adult Skills and Learning offers a range of courses at Hamilton Library. If you’d like to kick start a new career, brush up on your qualifications or take a class, LASALS may be able to help.

LASALS has a reputation for offering good quality part time adult education. Courses are taught by enthusiastic, experienced and well qualified tutors.

Whichever centre you choose to study at, you will find them all a friendly and welcoming place to learn, whatever your level.

Whether it be to improve employability or to pursue learning for its own sake and further develop interests we hope that there is something for you.

Contact the Hamilton Learning Centre on 0116 2212791.

North East Leicester Multi Access Centre

The North East Leicester Multi Access Centre help to support people into work, We can help people with job search, interview skills, confidence building, information, advice and guidance.

North East Leicester Multi Access Centre, is based at Northfields Neighbourhood Centre, Brighton Road, Leicester. Come along to the centre or telephone us on 0116 2946090 for advice and an appointment today or find out more by visiting at www.lasals.co.uk

Free Footballing Sessions over Half Term

admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:39:33 +0000

Tesco’s have teamed up with The FA to offer free football coaching sessions to children aged 5-11, this half term.

There are two sessions taking place on the 22nd February 2011, each session lasting two hours.

The sessions are free and take place at Gateway College in Hamilton.

You can sign up here.

Hamilton Residents Association Newsletter

admin — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 12:56:49 +0000

If you’ve not seen the latest newsletter from the Hamilton Residents Association here’s a copy.

Main points of interest:

The Hamilton Residents Association organises monthly meetings at the library. Everyone is welcome. The next meeting takes place on the 18th January 2011 at 7.30pm.

The Hamilton Residents Association have been responsible for setting up a new Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in some areas. Nick Henwood has launched a scheme on Columbine Road. If you would like to set up a scheme where you live please check out the newsletter for further details.

The Association will be hosting a family fun day in the Summer. Details will be announced shortly.