Boundary changes for wards in Blaby District

Voters in this May’s Blaby District and Parish elections are being advised of changes to ward boundaries and the number of Councillors to be elected.

Some residents will be in a different ward with a different name and will be listed to vote at a different polling station.

The changes follow a review from the Local Government Boundary Commission – its first on the area for 20 years – which proposed a redraw of boundaries and the loss of three District Councillor seats.

The proposals, aimed at ensuring fairness with wards having roughly the same number of electors, went out for public consultation last year and were approved by Parliament in December.

They mean:

• Blaby District will now have 36 councillors, three fewer than before

• Blaby District now has 17 wards, one fewer than before

• Boundaries for 15 wards have changed, with two staying the same

• There are 3 three-council wards

• There are 13 twocouncillor wards

• There is one singlecouncillor ward

The changes ensure all wards have around 2,150 electors for each councillor.

As ward boundaries have changed, so have ward names. Stanton and Flamville, Croft Hill and Normanton are now Fosse Highcross, Fosse Stoney Cove and Fosse Normanton.

Saxondale ward is Glen Parva, with ward boundaries being redrawn to move residents of the ward who live in Blaby Parish into the newly created Blaby ward.

Leicester Forest East and New Lubbesthorpe join to become one ward, named Leicester Forest and Lubbesthorpe, with three councillors, while Muxloe and a small section of an area in Leicester Forest East combine to become Kirby Muxloe ward.

The Pastures ward in Narborough is mostly absorbed into the Narborough and Littlethorpe ward and a small section have moved to the Enderby ward.

Braunstone Town has seen some changes, with Winstanley ward becoming Thorpe Astley and St Mary’s. This ward has also taken on a small portion of an area in Leicester Forest East Parish to the north of Thorpe Astley. Ravenhurst and Fosse is now Braunstone Ravenhurst.

A small number of polling station locations will alter due to the new situation –information on where to vote is always listed on the polling card.

If you’ve ever forgotten your shopping list or lost your train of thought, you’re not alone. Memory changes are a normal part of ageing, so symptoms of mild forgetfulness are usually nothing to worry about and aren’t indicative of a serious memory problem.

Poor memory health, on the other hand, can make it harder to do everyday things. Sometimes, memory problems can be a sign of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or in rarer cases, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If you’re concerned about your own or someone else’s memory, there are a few signs to look out for –some of which include:

• Asking the same questions over and over again.

• Getting lost in places one knows well.

• Having trouble following instructions or directions.

• Becoming more confused about time, people, and places.

Unfortunately, there are no drugs or treatments that prevent or permanently treat dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, although there are several drugs your doctor can prescribe to treat the early and mid-stage symptoms. There are also no guarantees when it comes to preventing memory loss or dementia, but there are certain activities that can help.

Keep active – mentally and physically

Physical activity increases blood flow to your brain, which can help keep your memory sharp. Keeping your mind active is important too. The best way to keep your brain in good shape is to engage in mentally stimulating activities, such as crossword puzzles or sudoku. You could also try challenging your memory by taking alternate routes when driving, or even learning a new skill.

Stay social

Humans are social creatures, so it’s no surprise that social interaction has been proven to boost our happiness by warding off depression and stress – both of which are known contributors to memory loss.

Look for opportunities to get together with friends and family – especially if you live alone. Or, why not consider volunteering at your local school, church or community centre?

Sleep well

Along with countless other benefits, getting a good night’s sleep has been proven to play an important role in memory consolidation, a process in which short-term memories are strengthened and transformed into long-lasting memories. The NHS advises that adults should get between seven to nine hours of sleep a day.

Practice meditation and mindfulness

Studies have shown that both mindfulness and meditation can lower stress and improve concentration and memory. You can incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine by paying more attention to your present situation, concentrating on your breathing and resetting your attention when your mind wanders.

Watch your diet

Cutting out sources of excess sugar, reducing overall caloric intake and limiting your alcohol consumption have all been proven to help protect the brain.

More surprisingly, caffeine from coffee or green tea has also been shown to have a positive effect on memory retention, as has dark chocolate. This is due to cocoa flavonoids, the active compounds in chocolate, improving blood flow to the brain and therefore boosting brain function.