The Grapevine is a brand new online message forum aimed at older and disabled adults, their family, friends and carers, but it can be used by anyone - from anywhere in the world!

Users can log-on to discuss topics including news, sport, the arts or share jokes, poetry and recipes.

Visitors to the site can also talk about what it's like to be getting older, to live with a disability and to care for others.

You can also send a message to David Sprason, our Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care. You could give feedback about your care or make suggestions to help us continue to improve our service. Don't miss your chance to have your say!

Jackie Harman, who is disabled and deafened, is a regular user of The Grapevine. She said: "I found it hugely difficult to communicate and interact with people. The Grapevine has opened up a whole new world for me as I can now communicate with others safely through the internet."

The Grapevine is run by Leicestershire CareOnLine, which uses the internet to help reduce isolation and improve the quality of life for older and disabled people and carers.

CareOnLine recently won the Innovative Information and Communications Technology Award at East Midlands Health and Social Care Awards 2008.

For questions or help using the site, please e-mail: grapevine@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 7538.

Substations
Substations are secure and protected structures where high voltage electricity is distributed from the National Grid, or local supply networks, and transformed down into more manageable voltage levels for homes and businesses. The equipment contained inside the substation is regularly inspected and maintained. They can be found in both local and rural areas displaying yellow warning signs, and are locked and protected for everyone's safety. Only authorised employees and supervised emergency workers are allowed to enter substations. Please stay out of these substations.

Substations are 'Danger Zones' and every year, despite warnings, people are still killed, or seriously injured, after illegally accessing them.

If you see this or anything like it you need to call us on: 0800 587 3243

Seagrave has been revealed as one of England's top villages having won the regional(Central England)round of this competition and now go through to the national final. Seagrave will be up against Sandberge, Tees Valley for North England, Levington, Suffolk for East England, Grampound with Creed for West England and Smarden, Kent for South England.

The Calor Village of the Year Competition rewards and encourages vibrant, self sustaining village communities which have made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all residents. Villages are judged on four categories covering Business, People, the Environment and Communications. Seagrave has excelled in all these areas and has shown that little bit of special X factor quality which we hope will take them to the title.

Seagrave's success has followed the submission of a written entry form and a judging visit in April.

Judges will again be visiting the village on Monday 7th July at 3.30pm starting in the Village Memorial Hall. Please keep this time and date free and join everyone in the hall where there will be a presentation to the judges about the village. There will also be numerous stands and exhibitions which will relate to the village, tea and cakes will be served.

The winner for England will be revealed on Tuesday December 2nd in London, so keep your fingers crossed and watch this space.