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A childhood friend of one of the British jihadis killed by an RAF drone last month says he was radicalised in Leicester. Rakib Amin, also known as Ruhul, was brought up in Aberdeen in Scotland, and a few years ago was planning a pilgrimage trip to Mecca. Steven Marvin, who knew Rakib since the age of 10, says he was going via Leicester, but it was here that he got introduced to extremist thinking and Islamic State. A few years later, and after not hearing from Rakib, Steven was put in touch with him in Syria. Over the course of three phone calls last year, Steven said he found out that it was during his visit to Leicester where Rakib was brainwashed. Just yesterday the Prime Minister announced that Rakib was one of two British men killed in an air strike.
Also, celebrations are taking place across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland as well as across the country today, as the Queen officially becomes Britain's longest reigning monarch. The commemorations will at include 50 minutes of bells ringing at Westminster Abbey at 1pm this lunchtime, with bells tolling at over thirty of our local churches this evening. Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne for 63 years and passes the previous record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.
And, over the weekend, Connie Hallam from Castle Donington has been celebrating a very special birthday. Reaching 100 is a huge milestone for anyone & Connie is as bright as a button and even still makes her own bread! She is a spirited member of the community & regularly attends the monthly Grow Cook Share meals run by the local Volunteer Centre, and is a member of the local Parish Church. Connie's passion for baking comes in part from her love of The Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood. Well, we thought we'd spring a birthday surprise on Connie