City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[davieG]

Jim Matthews

 

Loughborough Midland Railway Station; this building was built in 1872 and is Grade 2 listed. Little has changed since then. The foreground however has, also the chimney's long gone. This photo dates to the late 1940s/early 50s and was taken by my father.

[Free Falling Foxes]

2 hours ago, davieG said:

Story of Leicester

  · 

Oh my how so much has changed from this view of St Margaret's Bus Station, sometime in the early 1970s we think.

Some great details in this photo; the sign on the building to the right reads 'Henig & Sons Ltd. Hosiery & Underwear', some fantastic old cars on the road and the buildings behind the busses has a Cafe sign above the large door.

Did you used to get the bus from St Margaret's back when it looked like this?

That was our bus stop just by the concrete shelter, upper left quarter of picture, No79 to Braunstone Frith.

Looking carefully, you can just make out the machine where the conductor would get off to stamp a card - presumably to demonstrate to the bosses they were on route and on time?

Often, on a Saturday morning, there would be a chap preaching loudly from the bible just outside the cafe entrance I remember .

Gosh! The traffic islands were beautifully manicured in those days

Edited 27 January 2023 by Free Falling Foxes

[davieG]

 

Originally known as the Floral Hall, Leicester's Palace Theatre opened in 1876 and was initially used as a skating rink and for music.

At the turn of the century, the hall was redesigned in an elaborate Moresque (European Islamic) style and renamed the 'Palace Theatre of Varieties'. The interior was grand and ornate, with the main hall constructed of three tiers - the largest theatre outside London, with a capacity of 3,500 people.

Have you heard stories of people that visited the Palace Theatre, and what shows they went to see?

Learn more about this glorious theatre from Leicester's past on a new heritage panel, outside the Haymarket Theatre on Belgrave Gate.

Image from the Leicester & Leicestershire Record Office.

#StoryofLeicester #Leicester

[davieG]

Born and Raised in Leicester

  · 

Train coming into Wigston Magna station around 1958

 

 

 

[Parafox]

On 27/01/2023 at 10:31, Free Falling Foxes said:

That was our bus stop just by the concrete shelter, upper left quarter of picture, No79 to Braunstone Frith.

Looking carefully, you can just make out the machine where the conductor would get off to stamp a card - presumably to demonstrate to the bosses they were on route and on time?

Often, on a Saturday morning, there would be a chap preaching loudly from the bible just outside the cafe entrance I remember .

Gosh! The traffic islands were beautifully manicured in those days

I remember the conductor getting off at the Queen St terminus to stamp a card and also pick up a flask of tea that was hanging from the bus stop post.

[davieG]

History of Leicestershire in Images

Alan Hartshorne  ·   · 

I often cycle past this place in the west of the county. Gibbet Lane This gibbet erected in 1801 .John Massey known as Topsy Turvey owing to the way he threw is opponent whilst wrestling. During a argument with his wife threw and her daughter in the millstream. The daughter survived & gave evidence against him. He was hanged at Redhill Birstall & his body taken to this spot near the murder was placed on this Gibbet & his remains were still to be seen in 1818

 

 

[davieG]

Born and Raised in Leicester

Hallaton railway station.

[davieG]

Did you know that Leicester used to have an airport that operated from Braunstone?

In May 1935 Crilly Airways introduced 45 minute flights between Braunstone and Skegness, costing 20 shillings for a single and 30 shillings return!

Under the banner “GO BY AIR – FAST COMFORTABLE SAFE”, Crilly also operated several

services a day to Northampton, Nottingham, Norwich, Bristol and Liverpool.

Learn more about Braunstone's former airport on a new heritage about it, installed on Sunningdale Road.

Image: Crilly Airways timetable showing routes from Leicester, 1935.

Thanks to Björn Larsson / www.timetableimages.com

#StoryofLeicester #Leicester

[davieG]

 

History of Leicestershire in Images

Jayne Wills  · otrpseoSdn5367g0f4797993741h9atmac5ti42ahimhh10316mhcutii266  · 

Humberstone Road Station

 

John Murray

It was moved brick by brick to Shenton Station where it is today.

 

 

 

 

 

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/bus-services-across-leicestershire-set-8105442

 

Bus services across Leicestershire set to be axed in bid to save cash

Up to 26 services could be cut if the plans are given the green light by councillors

 

 

People in Leicestershire have already seen a number of cuts to relied-upon bus services. Arriva halted the X55 route between Hinckley and Leicester in October, while Skylink also cancelled a number of Leicestershire services.

Kinchbus also faced criticism after it announced its buses between Loughborough and Leicester would not be continuing past Sileby, with commuters from some villagers now having to travel to Loughborough, only to catch another bus into Leicester. And the 159 service between Hinckley and Coalville will also be scrapped this month after the county council halted funding, leaving some villages without the only bus that stopped in them

 

 

Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet members will discuss the plans for the services at their meeting on Friday, February 10. Here is a full list of the routes being reviewed:

Round one

• Service three, between Tynedale Road and Loughborough
• Service 13 between Tuckers Road and Loughborough
• Service 22B running between Leicester and Birstall on Saturdays
• Service seven between Fenny Drayton and Measham
• Service 27 between Thurmaston and Loughborough
• Service 125 between Leicester, Coalville and Castle Donington
• Service 154 between Leicester and Loughborough
• Service 747 between Leicester and Uppingham

Round two – Melton

• Service 14 between Melton Mowbray Town Service, Queensway and Tamar Road
• Service 15 between Melton Mowbray Town Service and Dieppe Way
• Service eight between Loughborough and Melton Mowbray
• Service 55 between Melton Mowbray and Grantham
• Service 100 between Melton Mowbray and Syston
• Service 23 between Melton Mowbray and Bottesford
• Service 25 between Melton Mowbray and Stathern
• Service X6 between Bingham and Grantham via Muston

Round three – Harborough

• Service 30 between Market Harborough and Southern Estate
• Service 33, the Market Harborough town service
• Service 44 between Fleckney, Market Harborough and Foxton
• Service 58 between Lutterworth and Market Harborough
• Service 129 between Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Loughborough

Round four – Hinckley

• Service eight between Hinckley and Lutterworth
• Service X84 between Leicester and Lutterworth on Saturdays
• Service 6/6A/7 between Burbage and Nuneaton
• X6 between Leicester and Coventry

[davieG]

3 minutes ago, davieG said:

 

History of Leicestershire in Images

Jayne Wills  · otrpseoSdn5367g0f4797993741h9atmac5ti42ahimhh10316mhcutii266  · 

Humberstone Road Station

 

John Murray

It was moved brick by brick to Shenton Station where it is today.

 

 

 

 

 

Transport may be a lot quicker these days but you have to be very fortunate if it's going where you want to go.

[Lionator]

42 minutes ago, davieG said:

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/bus-services-across-leicestershire-set-8105442

 

Bus services across Leicestershire set to be axed in bid to save cash

Up to 26 services could be cut if the plans are given the green light by councillors

 

 

People in Leicestershire have already seen a number of cuts to relied-upon bus services. Arriva halted the X55 route between Hinckley and Leicester in October, while Skylink also cancelled a number of Leicestershire services.

Kinchbus also faced criticism after it announced its buses between Loughborough and Leicester would not be continuing past Sileby, with commuters from some villagers now having to travel to Loughborough, only to catch another bus into Leicester. And the 159 service between Hinckley and Coalville will also be scrapped this month after the county council halted funding, leaving some villages without the only bus that stopped in them

 

 

Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet members will discuss the plans for the services at their meeting on Friday, February 10. Here is a full list of the routes being reviewed:

Round one

• Service three, between Tynedale Road and Loughborough
• Service 13 between Tuckers Road and Loughborough
• Service 22B running between Leicester and Birstall on Saturdays
• Service seven between Fenny Drayton and Measham
• Service 27 between Thurmaston and Loughborough
• Service 125 between Leicester, Coalville and Castle Donington
• Service 154 between Leicester and Loughborough
• Service 747 between Leicester and Uppingham

Round two – Melton

• Service 14 between Melton Mowbray Town Service, Queensway and Tamar Road
• Service 15 between Melton Mowbray Town Service and Dieppe Way
• Service eight between Loughborough and Melton Mowbray
• Service 55 between Melton Mowbray and Grantham
• Service 100 between Melton Mowbray and Syston
• Service 23 between Melton Mowbray and Bottesford
• Service 25 between Melton Mowbray and Stathern
• Service X6 between Bingham and Grantham via Muston

Round three – Harborough

• Service 30 between Market Harborough and Southern Estate
• Service 33, the Market Harborough town service
• Service 44 between Fleckney, Market Harborough and Foxton
• Service 58 between Lutterworth and Market Harborough
• Service 129 between Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Loughborough

Round four – Hinckley

• Service eight between Hinckley and Lutterworth
• Service X84 between Leicester and Lutterworth on Saturdays
• Service 6/6A/7 between Burbage and Nuneaton
• X6 between Leicester and Coventry

Embarrassing, damaging and pathetic if this happens. Public transport in this county is an absolute joke, especially when you compare it to our Notts friends. 

[Parafox]

5 minutes ago, Lionator said:

Embarrassing, damaging and pathetic if this happens. Public transport in this county is an absolute joke, especially when you compare it to our Notts friends. 

I wonder if Soulsby will step in.

 

No, because it's mainly a County issue. 

 

My daughter lives in Sileby. She has MH problems but is relatively independent. However she relies entirely on the Kinch bus to get to Loughborough for her shopping needs. Now the service is axed she can only shop locally and that is expensive and limited. She has gone to on-line for her groceries etc but axing the service has effectively isolated her. She would go to Loughborough just for some time away from her flat. Now she's stuck and it's affecting her MH, becoming more insular, anxious and depressed. And I'm sure she's not the only one in similar situations.

Edited 3 February 2023 by Parafox

[Lionator]

1 hour ago, Parafox said:

I wonder if Soulsby will step in.

 

No, because it's mainly a County issue. 

 

My daughter lives in Sileby. She has MH problems but is relatively independent. However she relies entirely on the Kinch bus to get to Loughborough for her shopping needs. Now the service is axed she can only shop locally and that is expensive and limited. She has gone to on-line for her groceries etc but axing the service has effectively isolated her. She would go to Loughborough just for some time away from her flat. Now she's stuck and it's affecting her MH, becoming more insular, anxious and depressed. And I'm sure she's not the only one in similar situations.

That’s awful, I hope she’s ok. I have relatives in sileby too. I’m aware there’s the train but that hardly runs to timetable either. It’s a village with nearly 20k and there’s not a single bus to the main big city 8 miles away. 

[kushiro]

10 hours ago, davieG said:

Did you know that Leicester used to have an airport that operated from Braunstone?

In May 1935 Crilly Airways introduced 45 minute flights between Braunstone and Skegness, costing 20 shillings for a single and 30 shillings return!

Under the banner “GO BY AIR – FAST COMFORTABLE SAFE”, Crilly also operated several

services a day to Northampton, Nottingham, Norwich, Bristol and Liverpool.

Learn more about Braunstone's former airport on a new heritage about it, installed on Sunningdale Road.

Image: Crilly Airways timetable showing routes from Leicester, 1935.

Thanks to Björn Larsson / www.timetableimages.com

#StoryofLeicester #Leicester

 

It's a fascinating history. Leicester City Council wanted the airport to be a key factor in the long term development of the city. It saw Great Britain as the cente of the world, and Leicester as the centre of Great Britain. The city was known at the time as one of the richest in Europe, and the airport was intended to consolidate that economic strength. The war then got in the way.

 

Here's one little story from just after the airport opened in May 1935. 

 

 

 

Gains was based in Leicester. He trained at the Three Cranes pub in Humberstone Gate, a place with Leicester CIty connections.  

 

Here's a cutting from the Mercury after Gains won the fight:

 

 

Gains was the last holder of that title, a relic of the old colour bar in boxing. You can see he's the last on this list from wikipedia, that Welford Road fight being the last time the crown changed hands;

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Colored_Heavyweight_Championship

[davieG]

7 hours ago, kushiro said:

 

It's a fascinating history. Leicester City Council wanted the airport to be a key factor in the long term development of the city. It saw Great Britain as the cente of the world, and Leicester as the centre of Great Britain. The city was known at the time as one of the richest in Europe, and the airport was intended to consolidate that economic strength. The war then got in the way.

 

Here's one little story from just after the airport opened in May 1935. 

 

 

 

Gains was based in Leicester. He trained at the Three Cranes pub in Humberstone Gate, a place with Leicester CIty connections.  

 

Here's a cutting from the Mercury after Gains won the fight:

 

 

Gains was the last holder of that title, a relic of the old colour bar in boxing. You can see he's the last on this list from wikipedia, that Welford Road fight being the last time the crown changed hands;

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Colored_Heavyweight_Championship

If I recall Larry Gains became a renowned boxing trainer.

[WarehamFox]

On 03/02/2023 at 18:00, davieG said:

 

History of Leicestershire in Images

Jayne Wills  · otrpseoSdn5367g0f4797993741h9atmac5ti42ahimhh10316mhcutii266  · 

Humberstone Road Station

 

John Murray

It was moved brick by brick to Shenton Station where it is today.

 

 

 

 

 

That isn't Humberstone Road Station but Humberstone Station, You can see the houses on the Martival and Uppingham Road just behind the station. The station they moved to Shenton wasn't this one.

[davieG]

Memories of Leicester

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St Martins 1937

[davieG]

Leicester Past & Present ~ A walk down Memory Lane.

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LEICESTER PAST: Grey Friars, unknown date.

[davieG]

1971

[davieG]

1956

[davieG]

Fog, night and day meet - present day view.

[davieG]

Story of Leicester

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Groby Road junction with Fosse Road North, looking east towards Frog Island. Dated 1964.

A few details to notice here including the Frears factory sign seen just behind the rooftops - a family bakery business that was based in Woodgate. Since then this roundabout has also been replaced, but it still remains a busy crossroads!

#StoryofLeicester #Leicester

[davieG]

[davieG]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Greig

roSndepost039hhl12aa617clct4c70t372ml1mltflf6gah7h92h1610tfh  · 

 

Belgrave Road. Took this in a Stevensons Taxi turning into Syston Street when delivering stock to branches of Cecil Jacobs chemists. It was early summer 1964 and driven by Mr. Stevenson himself who was a great character.