City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[davieG]

Jarrom St. 1966

[davieG]

Humberstone Gate 1950s

[davieG]

Saffron Lane being excavated to create a bridge to replace the level crossing.

[kushiro]

On 31/05/2022 at 23:09, davieG said:

In 1877 the 18th President of the United States - General Ulysses S Grant was on his world tour. On this day, 31st May 1877 he gave an address in Leicester whilst en route from Manchester to London.

 

That's an interesting one. 

 

Here is Grant's address in full:

 

 

 

Short and sweet.

 

But then the speech was given on the platform at Leicester Station. The whole ceremony, from him getting off the train to getting back on again, lasted a total of eight minutes. Better than Derby, though. He only stopped there for five minutes!

[Parafox]

13 hours ago, kushiro said:

 

That's an interesting one. 

 

Here is Grant's address in full:

 

 

 

Short and sweet.

 

But then the speech was given on the platform at Leicester Station. The whole ceremony, from him getting off the train to getting back on again, lasted a total of eight minutes. Better than Derby, though. He only stopped there for five minutes!

I wonder if he pronounced our name as Leysester?

[davieG]

1958

[davieG]

[davieG]

1958 The Queen comes to Leicester

 

 

[davieG]

 

Made In Leicester

Peter Burnham  · dotosprneS495hcu30gf591mh19u27384u7hha96th  · 

Pinched from another Leicester FB page. Belgrave flyover under construction & the Great Northern station still standing

[Wymsey]

9 hours ago, davieG said:

 

Made In Leicester

Peter Burnham  · dotosprneS495hcu30gf591mh19u27384u7hha96th  · 

Pinched from another Leicester FB page. Belgrave flyover under construction & the Great Northern station still standing

The remaining flyover nearby, plus that horrible green building located next to it (a China shop?), are certainly eyesores.

 

 

Edited 5 June 2022 by Wymsey

[SeCrEt FoX]

20 hours ago, davieG said:

 

Made In Leicester

Peter Burnham  · dotosprneS495hcu30gf591mh19u27384u7hha96th  · 

Pinched from another Leicester FB page. Belgrave flyover under construction & the Great Northern station still standing

Is that the Bridal lane tavern mid right? If so was the station located which is now the car park for B and M? 

Edited 6 June 2022 by SeCrEt FoX
Don't know difference between left and right

[davieG]

2 minutes ago, SeCrEt FoX said:

Is that the Bridal lane tavern mid right? If so was the station located which is now the car park for B and M? 

If the B&M is where Sainsburys used to be then yes.

[davieG]

     

[davieG]

#StoryofLeicester #Leicester

Belgrave Gate in 1969, with an interesting mix of old cars and trucks on the road. The view looks back in to town from the foot of where the flyover started. How things have changed - the traffic may still be as busy but it's almost unrecognisable today!

[Kinowe Soorie]

3 hours ago, davieG said:

     

Progress…

[davieG]

Some new stuff for a change.

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/thousands-jobs-created-leicestershire-through-7179447

Thousands of jobs to be created in Leicestershire through major £6 million investment

Artist’s impression of the MTP site including the new Leicestershire gateway (top right)

Thousands of jobs are set to be created in Leicestershire through a new £6 million investment. The works are set to go ahead in the coming months as long as final planning permission is granted by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) has confirmed the funding of a massive infrastructure project at the MIRA Technology Park (MTP). A total of £6.25 million will be invested in the expansion of the current MTP area that currently employs around 1,200 people.

Launched in 2010, MTP is a transport sector-focused 'enterprise zone' for developing the latest automotive technologies. Expanded in 2016, it is currently home to more than 35 automotive-related companies.

 

The investment is set to fund the creation of new road and security infrastructure at the park. Once given formal backing from planning bosses, the work will then unlock development sites for new buildings.

Those behind the scheme say it will help attract inward investment to Leicestershire. Exact numbers on jobs created are unknown at present, but the LLEP say it will be in the thousands.

Andy Reed, interim chair of the LLEP, believes the investment is vitally important to helping the area. He said: “By funding work on the MIRA site, the LLEP is helping to provide infrastructure to open up large areas of new development land. This is important because the existing infrastructure is not adequate for supporting such growth.

“The investment will further the development of a growing mobility cluster at the cutting edge of technology and will lead to more high-tech jobs.”

The LLEP hope that once underway, the £6.25m project will act as a catalyst for opening up the next major phases of land earmarked on the MTP site. This forms part of the park’s £300m North Side masterplan.

Funding for the project has been provided by the LLEP to the borough council. In turn, they will allocate the funding to MTP itself after planning permission is granted.

Chief executive of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Bill Cullen, believed the scheme would bring many benefits to the region. He said: “The council is committed to supporting the growth and improvement of Mira Technology Park, which is a world class research and development facility providing high skilled jobs and apprenticeships for residents of the area.”

Work will begin later this year. The LLEP say they hope the new buildings will be completed by late 2023.

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/first-female-pharmacist-britain-leicestershire-7180983

 

Trailblazing Leicestershire pharmacist to be honoured for pioneering work
Fanny Deacon broke the mould for female pharmacists

Fanny Deacon became the first British woman to qualify as a pharmacist

 

A pioneering Leicestershire pharmacist who blazed a trail for women in the industry is to be honoured with a special memorial. In what was an extraordinary life and career, she broke down barriers facing women in science and medicine and helped forge a path for equality.

Fanny Deacon, the daughter of a Kibworth chemist, saw a syllabus of the Pharmaceutical Society’s examinations in her father’s dispensary and decided that she could pass the exam. And she was right.

She became the first woman in Britain to qualify to be a pharmacist, upsetting the applecart that was the male-dominated pharmaceutical world. Fanny would continue on as a pioneer in the field, challenging the industry's exclusionary policies toward women.

 

Following the passing of her exams in London, Fanny registered as a chemist and druggist with the Pharmaceutical Society in 1869. However, as a woman, she was not allowed to become a member until 1879.

Despite that setback, she gained experience working alongside her father at his dispensary. Once allowed membership, she went on to open her own pharmacy in Fleckney. Fanny continued to make her mark in the industry right up to the very end as she was the oldest registered chemist in England at the time of her death in 1930 at the age of 92.

Her accomplishments will be honoured by Leicestershire County Council next week with the Green Plaque award, which was voted on by residents. The plaque will be placed on the side of the house in Wolsey Lane where she lived and worked from 1875 until her death.

Councillor Dr Kevin Feltham, the chair of Leicestershire County Council, believed the honour was richly deserved. He said: “Fanny Deacon was a true pioneer and trailblazer. By qualifying as a pharmacist at a time when the profession was dominated by men and female chemists were few and far between, she helped to break down the traditional barriers and pave the way for other women in the medical and scientific field.

“She also continued to work and provide a vital service to her community right up until her death at the age of 92. I am very proud and honoured to be asked to unveil a Green Plaque in tribute to her.”

The Green Plaque will be unveiled next Thursday (June 16) in Fleckney. More information on the plaque scheme can be found online.

[Foxdiamond]

2 hours ago, davieG said:

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/first-female-pharmacist-britain-leicestershire-7180983

 

Trailblazing Leicestershire pharmacist to be honoured for pioneering work
Fanny Deacon broke the mould for female pharmacists

Fanny Deacon became the first British woman to qualify as a pharmacist

 

A pioneering Leicestershire pharmacist who blazed a trail for women in the industry is to be honoured with a special memorial. In what was an extraordinary life and career, she broke down barriers facing women in science and medicine and helped forge a path for equality.

Fanny Deacon, the daughter of a Kibworth chemist, saw a syllabus of the Pharmaceutical Society’s examinations in her father’s dispensary and decided that she could pass the exam. And she was right.

She became the first woman in Britain to qualify to be a pharmacist, upsetting the applecart that was the male-dominated pharmaceutical world. Fanny would continue on as a pioneer in the field, challenging the industry's exclusionary policies toward women.

 

Following the passing of her exams in London, Fanny registered as a chemist and druggist with the Pharmaceutical Society in 1869. However, as a woman, she was not allowed to become a member until 1879.

Despite that setback, she gained experience working alongside her father at his dispensary. Once allowed membership, she went on to open her own pharmacy in Fleckney. Fanny continued to make her mark in the industry right up to the very end as she was the oldest registered chemist in England at the time of her death in 1930 at the age of 92.

Her accomplishments will be honoured by Leicestershire County Council next week with the Green Plaque award, which was voted on by residents. The plaque will be placed on the side of the house in Wolsey Lane where she lived and worked from 1875 until her death.

Councillor Dr Kevin Feltham, the chair of Leicestershire County Council, believed the honour was richly deserved. He said: “Fanny Deacon was a true pioneer and trailblazer. By qualifying as a pharmacist at a time when the profession was dominated by men and female chemists were few and far between, she helped to break down the traditional barriers and pave the way for other women in the medical and scientific field.

“She also continued to work and provide a vital service to her community right up until her death at the age of 92. I am very proud and honoured to be asked to unveil a Green Plaque in tribute to her.”

The Green Plaque will be unveiled next Thursday (June 16) in Fleckney. More information on the plaque scheme can be found online.

Thank you again DavieG for the pictures and information. I recommend a book called Quality Of Leicester by Michael Taylor for those interested and not familiar with.

[Parafox]

11 hours ago, davieG said:

Some new stuff for a change.

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/thousands-jobs-created-leicestershire-through-7179447

Thousands of jobs to be created in Leicestershire through major £6 million investment

Artist’s impression of the MTP site including the new Leicestershire gateway (top right)

Thousands of jobs are set to be created in Leicestershire through a new £6 million investment. The works are set to go ahead in the coming months as long as final planning permission is granted by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) has confirmed the funding of a massive infrastructure project at the MIRA Technology Park (MTP). A total of £6.25 million will be invested in the expansion of the current MTP area that currently employs around 1,200 people.

Launched in 2010, MTP is a transport sector-focused 'enterprise zone' for developing the latest automotive technologies. Expanded in 2016, it is currently home to more than 35 automotive-related companies.

 

The investment is set to fund the creation of new road and security infrastructure at the park. Once given formal backing from planning bosses, the work will then unlock development sites for new buildings.

Those behind the scheme say it will help attract inward investment to Leicestershire. Exact numbers on jobs created are unknown at present, but the LLEP say it will be in the thousands.

Andy Reed, interim chair of the LLEP, believes the investment is vitally important to helping the area. He said: “By funding work on the MIRA site, the LLEP is helping to provide infrastructure to open up large areas of new development land. This is important because the existing infrastructure is not adequate for supporting such growth.

“The investment will further the development of a growing mobility cluster at the cutting edge of technology and will lead to more high-tech jobs.”

The LLEP hope that once underway, the £6.25m project will act as a catalyst for opening up the next major phases of land earmarked on the MTP site. This forms part of the park’s £300m North Side masterplan.

Funding for the project has been provided by the LLEP to the borough council. In turn, they will allocate the funding to MTP itself after planning permission is granted.

Chief executive of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Bill Cullen, believed the scheme would bring many benefits to the region. He said: “The council is committed to supporting the growth and improvement of Mira Technology Park, which is a world class research and development facility providing high skilled jobs and apprenticeships for residents of the area.”

Work will begin later this year. The LLEP say they hope the new buildings will be completed by late 2023.

This is a potential nightmare for Hinckley which is already overwhelmed with congestion and excessive volumes of freight on the A5 which already struggles to cope and through the town itself. Despite the proposed links from/to the M69 at the Sapcote Junction, the inevitable consequence will be not just the logistics issues with the increase in trucks and freight but the increase in traffic from commuters from all over our area. It's an horrendous plan for Hinckley and it's residents. 

As for Mira, that comment from Cullen is a smokescreen. MIRA is a single, relatively isolated site on the A5 which as I said, can barely cope with the current level of traffic. Development of MIRA will have negligible impact compared to the  rail terminal.

Just take a drive along the A5 from Hinckley to Lutterworth and you'll be aghast at the number of current and new logistics (and under construction) distribution centres. Hinckley and the A5 will be swamped with traffic. There are no proposals to improve the Hinckley A5 corridor. 

Edited 9 June 2022 by Parafox

[davieG]

GCR Leicester Central Railway Station.

[davieG]

Parker Drive

[davieG]

1988 Vic Berry's Scrap Yard.

 

A view many saw on their way to Filbert St.

 

[Wolfox]

@davieG - I couldn’t make the Peter Liddle talk, but, I am going to the Michael Wood Aethelflaed talk tomorrow…. Should be really good…

[davieG]

Loseby Lane 1954 - Centurion Tank

[davieG]

Bottom of High Street 1904.