City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[davieG]

 

History of Leicestershire in Images

Mervin Wallace  · 1 h  · 

 

 

JAMES PICKERING & HIGH CROSS

Two important relics from the past have been unveiled by a flying county archaeologist.

The finds solve riddles which date back hundreds of centuries.

And they join the thousands of discoveries so far made by 76-year-old Battle of Britain veteran Mr Jim Pickering. Latest evidence unearthed by the pioneering Hinckley pensioner has revealed:

A Roman staging post at High Cross in Leicestershire. A Saxon palace which dates back to the eighth century.�Mr Pickering is particularly excited about the county finds, which solve an argument which has been raging for generations. Some locals at High Cross, near Claybrooke Magna believe the area was once the site of a large Roman town. But Mr Pickering's aerial pictures prove that, although the Romans were there for some time, they are only used the spot as a resting place between marches.

"My shots show quite distinctively that High Cross was used as a staging post, and was never anything more.

Distinctive markings.

Despite dating back to about 70 BC, the High Cross site has only just been discovered for three reasons:

It takes a trained expert to spot the distinctive markings. They can only be seen from the air. The marks are only visible for a few hours during the year. "These outlines basically show where ditches have been dug and eventually filled in," said Mr Pickering. "The subtle difference in soil is occasionally revealed under certain weather conditions - for instance after heavy rain in the summer." If anyone can find the landmarks however, Mr Pickering can. He is one of a handful of aerial archaeologists operating in the coun try, and takes 5,000 photographs a year - all stored at his home. Some show ancient burial sites, others old churches, but one of his latest reveals an eighth century palace near Hereford - one of only five so far found in the country.

"Historians in the area have always been convinced that there was a Saxon palace at this site” he said Mr. Pickering. “ Legend has it that it was the home of King Offa, whose wife convinced him to murder King Ethelbert of East Anglia, after he pledged to marry their daughter.” “My pictures show outlines in keeping with other Saxon palaces, so we believe we have solved the mystery”. (The Leicester Mercury, date unknown) *High Cross Monument - Red Star

High Cross, the Roman Centre of England c.1906

A naturally strategic high point, High Cross was "the central cross roads" of Anglo-Saxon and Roman Britain. It was the site of a Romano-British settlement known as Venonae or Venonis, with an accompanying fort.

Situated at the junction of 2 important Roman Roads, Watling Street (A5) and The Fosse Way,

a stone monunent* at High Cross was built in 1712. Funded by the local landowner, the Earl of Denbigh, it celebrated the victories against France by the Duke of Marlborough as well as marking the centre of Roman Britain. It consisted of four Doric columns with an orb and cross above. It was struck by lightning in 1791 and only the plinth remains today. The stone monument was preceded by a wooden cross and was the site of a medieval gibbet.

The two Latin inscriptions on either side the monument have been translated as:

“The noblemen and gentry, ornaments of the neighbouring counties of Warwick and Leicester, at the instances of the Right Honourable Basil Earl of Denbeigh, have caused this pillar to be erected in grateful as well as perpetual remembrance of Peace at last restored by her Majesty Queen Anne, in the year of our Lord, 1712.”

“If, traveller, you search for the footsteps of the ancient Romans, here you may behold them. For here their most celebrated ways, crossing one another, extend to the utmost boundaries of Britain; here the Vennones kept their quarters; and at the distance of one mile from hence, Claudius, a certain commander of a cohort, seems to have had a camp, towards the street, and towards the foss a tomb” - *The monument is currently in a state of considerable disrepair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[davieG]

 

 

History of Leicestershire in Images

Charlotte Victoria Hubbard  · 4 h  · 

 

 

This is 277 Uppingham Road in the late 1920s

 

Comment

John Fryer

My brother worked there in late 1970s/1980s before owner retired and sold it to KwikFit

 

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/major-plan-grow-leicestershire-village-9415028

 

Major plan to grow Leicestershire village by 470 new homes emerges
The proposals are in their very early stages

 

A swathe of fields a the edge of a Leicestershire village are being eyed up for hundreds of new homes. Developer Lagan has set out plans to build “about” 470 homes on the outskirts of Ratby.

No application for the scheme has been submitted to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council yet, meaning none of the details have been finalised. Instead, the plan was unveiled through a pre-application public consultation with local residents to seek their feedback.

Early indications suggest the estate would sit at the western side of the village, next to Ratby Primary School, Pear Tree Business Park and Ratby Medical Centre. It would extend to run parallel to the length of Stamford Street until it meets the edge of the two planned developments off Markfield Road.

READ MORE: Crackdown proposed for 'dangerous' Leicestershire village car races

In addition to the new homes, the scheme could also include a care home or retirement home, “generous” amounts of green spaces for play and “recreational activities” and a link road running through the development between Markfield Road and Desford Lane designed to divert traffic from using Main Street instead, Lagan said. The developer added it would provide land and financial contributions towards a new village hall and a new primary school.

Lagan said: “The existing Parish Council village hall is old, small and highly constrained and Ratby Primary School has no capacity to expand.” There would also be “substantial new tree planting” particularly along the western edge of the site, according to the company.

A consultation on the scheme is set to run until Sunday, August 4. It asks residents a number of questions including whether they agree more housing is needed, whether they think the proposed link road is a good idea and if they think the development should provide a new primary school and village hall.

[Wolfox]

We need to build somewhere…. We can’t simultaneously whinge that it’s tricky for our kids to buy homes and object when we try to build homes…

[Parafox]

1 hour ago, davieG said:

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/major-plan-grow-leicestershire-village-9415028

 

Major plan to grow Leicestershire village by 470 new homes emerges
The proposals are in their very early stages

 

A swathe of fields a the edge of a Leicestershire village are being eyed up for hundreds of new homes. Developer Lagan has set out plans to build “about” 470 homes on the outskirts of Ratby.

No application for the scheme has been submitted to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council yet, meaning none of the details have been finalised. Instead, the plan was unveiled through a pre-application public consultation with local residents to seek their feedback.

Early indications suggest the estate would sit at the western side of the village, next to Ratby Primary School, Pear Tree Business Park and Ratby Medical Centre. It would extend to run parallel to the length of Stamford Street until it meets the edge of the two planned developments off Markfield Road.

READ MORE: Crackdown proposed for 'dangerous' Leicestershire village car races

In addition to the new homes, the scheme could also include a care home or retirement home, “generous” amounts of green spaces for play and “recreational activities” and a link road running through the development between Markfield Road and Desford Lane designed to divert traffic from using Main Street instead, Lagan said. The developer added it would provide land and financial contributions towards a new village hall and a new primary school.

Lagan said: “The existing Parish Council village hall is old, small and highly constrained and Ratby Primary School has no capacity to expand.” There would also be “substantial new tree planting” particularly along the western edge of the site, according to the company.

A consultation on the scheme is set to run until Sunday, August 4. It asks residents a number of questions including whether they agree more housing is needed, whether they think the proposed link road is a good idea and if they think the development should provide a new primary school and village hall.

 

3 minutes ago, Wolfox said:

We need to build somewhere…. We can’t simultaneously whinge that it’s tricky for our kids to buy homes and object when we try to build homes…

 

Labour has already stated it's intent to allow more building on green/grey belts:

 

Labour unveils plans for new housing on 'grey belt' - BBC News

[Paninistickers]

25 minutes ago, Wolfox said:

We need to build somewhere…. We can’t simultaneously whinge that it’s tricky for our kids to buy homes and object when we try to build homes…

I agree. Dunno what the answer is, but the economy is gonna need a reset at some point. 

 

We keep importing 500k per year from the third world to do deliveroo and Amazon warehousing....which increases demand for housing (even allowing for the fact the immigration is living in squalid multi person households) 

 

This status quo suits.immigrants, suits landlords,.suits unis, suits uni accom providers, suits house builders and property developers..which suits our private pensions 

 

....but destroys our landscape, our health service (thro.over.demand), our culture,.our quality of life,.our kids' ownership prospects 

 

 

 

 

[davieG]

Nicholas Dann

Top contributor

  · 1 h  · 

 

Leicester London road station - date unknown

[davieG]

 

 

 

Mervin Wallace contributed to the album WARTIME CRASHES & BOMBING IN LEICESTERSHIRE  in History of Leicestershire in Images.

55 m  · 

 

 

This is the information I have so far researched on the some of the most local WW2 Aircraft Crashes.

MAP REF: N9 - On the 18th June 1944 a Wellington Ic - T2617 of 105OTU Satelite Nuneaton, crashed in circuit at base at Phillips Farm Wykin. Warks.

MAP REF: P7 - 13th October 1944 - A Wellington Bomber overshot the runway crashed onto Railway line at RAF Nuneaton.

MAP REF. G8 - On the 8th November 1942 a Wellington IV - Z1325 of 18 OTU Bramcote, Warks. On a night flight stalled and crashed at Dodwell’s Bridge Industrial Estate, Hinckley.

MAP REF: G3 - 10th April 1943 - A Wellington Bomber - ARP reports says Lutterworth Road, however the map shows Hinckley/Aston Flamville side of Burbage..

MAP REF. H6 - On the 10th January 1943 a Wellington Ic - X9953 of 11OTU Westcite, Bucks. Iced up at night and crashed near Lutterworth Road, Burbage. Leics

MAP REF: R1 - On the 14th January 1945 a Wellington X - MF116 of 26 OTU wing, Bucks, crashed at night at Holt Farm Featherston Drive*, Burbage, Near Hinckley. Leics.

*A Memorial to the crew is located here, and much is known and detailed about them.

MAP REF: F1 - On the 26th December 1941 an Airspeed Oxford crashed near Stoney Stanton, there were no casualties.

MAP REF: K4 - L8 - PB - C5

Wellington Bombers -

At or near Bruntingthorpe - 1 in January 1943 - and 2 in October 1944 and 1 in February 1945.

21st August 1943 - crashed near The Firs, Bruntingthorpe no casualties

28th January 1944 - crashed near Bruntingthorpe no casualties

15th October 1944 - crashed near Bruntingthorpe no casualties

At or near Market Harborough Airfield or Foxton Locks area - May 1941 - February 1943 - March 1944 and February 1945.

13th July 1944 - Wellington bomber LN509 crashed, two crew members died when their Wellington bomber from RAF Market Harborough was struck by another Wellington bomber while flying in loose formation near the Harborough boundary.

13th August 1944 - A Wellington X - LN281 of of 14 OTU Market Harborough crashed in Melton Mowbray. Crew Casualties were Fg Off Norman Owen DFC - Plt. Off. Sydney Jack Guiver - Sgt. Robert McCudden - Sgt. Edward Mansel Roberts - Sgt. Peter Robert Stafford - Sgt. William Marshall Thomas - and Sgt. Leonard Wilson - The Only survivor was Sgt. George Henry Raby.

August 1944 - Wellington - Welham.

January 1945 - Wellington - Kimcote.

February 1945 - Wellington - Shearsby.

September 1944 - Wellington - Crashed at Gumley, near to Foxton Locks

25th April 1943 - Wellington Bomber X3816 - Crashed at Stocking Farm, Beaumont Leys - Only one buried locally in Burton on the Wolds, The Pilot. He was Canadian F/O Donald McLean.

21st March 1940 - Miles Mentor - Burbage Woods.

March 1940 - Hawker Hart - Theddingworth.

27th June 1940 - Tiger Moth - Desford.

28th August 1940 - Boulton Paul Defiant. - Near Market Bosworth.

September 1940 - Avro Anson - North Kilworth

14th November 1940 - German Dornier crashed at Burton-on-the-Wold.

October 1940 - Bristol Blenheim, Market Harborough.

9th April 1941 - A German Heinkel 111 - crashed at Roe 's Rest Farm, Desford.

15th & 25th August 1941 - Tiger Moths - Near Market Bosworth.

14th June 1942 - Airspeed Oxford - Burbage Woods area.

August 1942 - Miles Master - Husbands Bosworth Airfield.

March 1943 - Tomahawk - Arnesby.

8th June 1943 - Tiger Moth - Market Bosworth.

September 1943 - Wellington - Husbands Bosworth.

September 1944 - Wellington - Theddingworth.

March 1944 - Oxford - Smeeton Westerby.

April 1945 - Avro Lancaster, Market Harborough.

May 1945 - Mosquito, Market Harborough.

(Ref: Pictures maps, and some text - “Birdseye Wartime Leicestershire - 1939-45”)

Researched composite text from various other sources.

[Free Falling Foxes]

Thank you very much @davieGfor those wartime bombing maps - fascinating stuff.

I grew up close the the old AEI/Marconi works on Scudamore Road and we used to play in one of those 'bomb holes' as we called it.

It is now filled in.

However, yesterday I took 2 of my grandsons on to the site of the old Western Golf course and we looked at one of the ponds, caused, I believe, by a bomb on the same raid. There are 2 or 3 other surviving ones there too.

I assume the raid was an attempt to cause damage to the Leicester Municipal Aerodrome and the Reid and Sigrist facility. Interestingly, they missed, instead causing the aforementioned craters in the immediate surrounding area.

I wish I had quizzed an elderly lady and her daughter who lived close to where I grew up about that night. Their farmhouse, as it was then, was but yards from the site of one of the craters.

I bet their house took a good rumble?

Edited 18 July by Free Falling Foxes

[Lillehamring]

On 16/07/2024 at 19:50, Wolfox said:

We need to build somewhere…. We can’t simultaneously whinge that it’s tricky for our kids to buy homes and object when we try to build homes…

They've wasted a number of brown field sites by allowing developers to build shitty little houses, and by restricting heights in the city.

You could fit 470 homes in 3 or 4 moderately sized towers

[davieG]

Born and Raised in Leicester  · 

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Welford Road 1966

Prison on the immediate right..Welford Rd on right and Infirmary Rd/Oxford St on left...Looking towards town..

[kushiro]

5 hours ago, davieG said:

Born and Raised in Leicester  · 

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Welford Road 1966

Prison on the immediate right..Welford Rd on right and Infirmary Rd/Oxford St on left...Looking towards town..

 

It's surprising how few photos there are of the Turk's Head - one of the key locations in Leicester City history. But there it is in that photo. I've circled the Bass sign hanging outside. 

 

 

 

 

The Turk's Head was the pub Johnny Duncan took over in 1930 - without permission from the club. As a result, his playing career came to an end. He was still running it when he returned to Filbert Street as manager in 1946. 

 

The pub became a centre for sports lovers, with regular visits from famous figures. 

 

Duncan passed away in the year this photo was taken  - and the pub closed three years later. 

 

[davieG]

10 minutes ago, kushiro said:

 

It's surprising how few photos there are of the Turk's Head - one of the key locations in Leicester City history. But there it is in that photo. I've circled the Bass sign hanging outside. 

 

 

 

 

The Turk's Head was the pub Johnny Duncan took over in 1930 - without permission from the club. As a result, his playing career came to an end. He was still running it when he returned to Filbert Street as manager in 1946. 

 

The pub became a centre for sports lovers, with regular visits from famous figures. 

 

Duncan passed away in the year this photo was taken  - and the pub closed three years later. 

 

I hope you're gathering all this info you've posted for a book you should write.

[davieG]

Born and Raised in Leicester  · 

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19 h  · 

 

 

A Bedford van delivering the Mercury in Leicester City Centre

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/leicestershire-golf-course-could-concreted-9420229

 

Leicestershire golf course could be concreted over for 200 new homes and shops
This is the second application to build on the course in around eight months

ByHannah RichardsonLocal Democracy Reporter
12:37, 19 JUL 2024

 

 

Another developer is eyeing up a Leicestershire golf course for new homes. Hallam Land Management Ltd has submitted an application to Blaby District Council setting out plans to build over most of Blaby Golf Course.

It is the second development proposed for the course in around eight months. Davidsons Homes submitted a bid in November for 53 homes on the disused allotments at the edge of the course and on part of the adjacent fairway.

At the time, a local resident told LeicestershireLive they were concerned this could “set a precedent in the future to further develop all of the golf course”. The Davidsons application is yet to be decided.

 

 

If both that and Hallam's plan are approved, maps submitted with the latest application suggest the two estates could sit side by side and cover the course as a whole. The Hallam plan is for outline permission, which means the developer is seeking permission for the scheme in principle, with the full details to be approved through a later application.

However, documents reveal access would be from Lutterworth Road and Winchester Road. The two public rights of way running through the site are expected to be maintained.

The houses are currently proposed to mostly be two-storeys in height, with some 2.5-storey homes as well. They would range from one-beds to five-beds, documents suggest.

The south-eastern edge of the site would be kept as green space, documents added. Play areas would be provided and there are indications some of the land could be converted into two football pitches for community use.

Some of the space is currently home to shops, plans show. These would be replaced with new units facing Lutterworth Road, Hallam said.

Members of the local community have raised a number of concerns about the impact of the proposed development on their village. Among them is local councillor Paul Hartshorn who said on social media: “While I'm not against new housing developments, I am concerned about the impact this quantity of new housing will have on local school capacity, the ability of our doctors to cope with increased demand, and the road network. This also brings us closer to joining Blaby with Countesthorpe.”

[davieG]

[WarehamFox]

1 hour ago, davieG said:

Humberstone Gate? Pre fun demolition time. Can't make out the brand of cigarette on the left hand building. Great picture.

[Eurofox]

38 minutes ago, WarehamFox said:

Humberstone Gate? Pre fun demolition time. Can't make out the brand of cigarette on the left hand building. Great picture.

Wills Gold Flake 

[Lillehamring]

On 19/07/2024 at 10:10, davieG said:

Born and Raised in Leicester  · 

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19 h  · 

 

 

A Bedford van delivering the Mercury in Leicester City Centre

On Granby st.

[Lillehamring]

They ended up with a less fancy sign...

 

But originally, there was no sign there-  just the tobacconists name...

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/new-park-ride-more-frequent-9423678

 

New park and ride, more frequent buses and free Sunday service on the cards for Leicester
Some discounted fares are also being floated as an idea

NEWS
ByHannah RichardsonLocal Democracy Reporter
14:13, 22 JUL 2024

The new Hop! bus is one of Leicester's most recent investments in its services (Image: Leicester City Council)

Leicester could be getting a new park and ride as the city council sets out its bus priorities for the next five years. The service would run from Oadby Racecourse, Leicester City Council documents suggest.

The local authority is also looking to make improvements to the existing park and rides in the city. It wants to extend the timetables for all city park and rides so they provide “evening, weekend and sporting event” coverage.

The services from Meynell’s Gorse and Birstall could also be expanded so they stop at Leicester Royal Infirmary. Changes are also being considered for the Hospital Hopper which currently runs between three hospitals in Leicester every 30 minutes Monday to Friday, with an hourly Saturday service and an hourly peak only service on Sundays.

 

 

This could become a 15 minute service, documents suggest. Plans also include adding a stop at the Ashton Green housing estate.

In the city centre, changes are also afoot. The Hop! bus service could have Sundays added to its timetable. Currently, the service, which links the train and bus stations to key locations including Leicester Market, the city’s shops, Leicester Royal Infirmary and the universities, only runs on Mondays to Saturdays.

Some buses on the Mainlines network could also see their frequency increased. Leicester City Council said it was looking to move the First Bus 13, 21 and 74 daytime services to every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, First Bus 4, 13, 16, 17, 21 and 74, and Arriva 44/44a services could move to every 30 minutes, with weekday evening pick ups every hour.

The Orbital route, which links General Hospital, Oadby, Wigston, Fosse Park, Glenfield, Glenfield Hospital, Beaumont Leys, Rushey Mead, Hamilton and Nether Hall, could see the regularity of its buses increased. This would be changed to every 30 minute as phase one of its improvements, followed by a second phase which would see it become a 15 minute service.

In addition to changes to the routes themselves, Leicester City Council has also revealed it is hoping to introduce new discounted ticket schemes. These would include extending the upper limit of the existing child concession rate from the current age of 16 to 18.

The authority said it also wanted to reduce the cost of travelling to non-central workplaces where “expensive city centre interchange is required”. It said it also hoped 100 per cent of its buses will be electric by 2030.

However, the council said it would need substantial investment over the coming years to achieve these goals. To keep the services as they are would cost the authority £3 million a year alone.

The frequency improvements and discounted fares would add £3.5 million to that bill. The plans for a fully electric service and the other infrastructure improvements proposed would require £80 million of investment. The council said it was “in discussion with the Department for Transport and other partners” to see how funding could be secured.

[davieG]

[Stadt]

Some gems there @davieG thanks

[Lillehamring]

7 hours ago, davieG said:

Was this one of your spotting hang outs?

[davieG]

2 hours ago, Lillehamring said:

Was this one of your spotting hang outs?

 No, never ventured that way in my youth even if I did it was long gone.

 

Comment on the site.

 

Margaret Wright

I'm confused. Was there a West Bridge Station and Great Central Street? They are so close together

 

Mick Savage

Margaret Wright it was the Leicester end of the Swannington railway (one of the first railways ever) and used to unload coal from the NW Leics coalfield onto the barges of the Grand Union canal, and much earlier than the Central Railway.

It was later used as a passenger line too (when the West Bridge station was built).

Part of the platform still exists at the end of the Rally park, where the sidings, sheds etc. used to be.