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Media Opportunity

Issued: 23 January 2012

At: 09:30

For immediate release

Birstall Ground Cutting Ceremony

You are invited to a Blessing and Ground Cutting Ceremony at the site of the future new Headquarters and Fire and Rescue Station in Birstall, which will take place at approximately 10.45am on Wednesday 25 January 2012.

Service Chaplain, Reverend John Bird, will be performing a blessing of the site. This will be followed by the cutting of the ground, which will be performed by Jennifer, Lady Gretton, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Leicestershire and Peter Roffey, Chairman of the Combined Fire Authority. Also attending will be Peter Lawson, High Sheriff of Rutland, Jackie Dickinson, Chairman of Leicestershire County Council and Diane Wise, Deputy Mayor of Charnwood.

Howard Robinson, Director of Corporate Infrastructure and Efficiency Projects for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said:

“This Cutting Ground Ceremony represents a very significant day in the history of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. Plans for a replacement Headquarters started back in the 1980s, and in 12 months time the Service will have a state of the art purpose-built facility that will allow the Fire and Rescue Service to be managed effectively for many years to come.”

“This investment on the Birstall site will not only create a new Headquarters building, but will also provide a new Fire and Rescue Station which will ensure that local residents have the best professional response to any emergencies in the local area.”

Robert M Kirkland, Director at Bowmer and Kirkland commented:

“We are delighted to be involved with this high profile and important project for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and are looking forward to working closely with all concerned.”

Barrie Kemp, Director for Architects and Engineers Pick Everard added:

"The Fire and Rescue Service are to be commended for their determination to bring this project to fruition. Long after the difficulties which at present beset the economy are over, LFRS will continue to benefit from these modern, energy efficient buildings which will serve them well into the 21st Century."

The entrance to the site is on Geoff Monks Way, directly opposite Milords International Ltd, postcode LE4 3BU.

Any media wishing to attend this event are requested to advise us of their attendance by calling the number below.

- ENDS -

Interviews

Dave Webb, Chief Fire Officer, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Howard Robinson, Director of Corporate Infrastructure and Efficiency Projects,

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Robert M Kirkland, Director, Bowmer and Kirkland

Barrie Kemp, Director for Architects and Engineers, Pick Everard

Media Enquiries

Corporate Communications - 0116 229 2178