City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Stephen Butt  ·   · 

Three remarkable Leicester men - Amos Sherriff, Frederick Donaldson and George White - who led the march of the unemployed from Leicester to London in 1905. Look at their faces. The man on the left became Leicester's first Labour Lord Mayor, having been rescued as a child from the slums of the streets of Wharf Street by the Salvation Army. The man in the centre was the priest at St Mark's in Belgrave Gate and was fondly known as the 'vicar of the unemployed'. Sadly, the man on the right committed suicide because of his depression, believing that social reform would never happen.

[davieG]

51 minutes ago, WarehamFox said:

Were the bits that they demolished to make way for the ring road as old as the surviving building?

[davieG]

Story of Leicester

  ·The second Co-operative Wholesale Society factory or the 'Wheatsheaf Works' on Duns Lane, undergoing demolition. Photo dated 1972, and unrecognisable from the same spot today!

 

Tony Sabey

prnotSesodh4au9fu1tc1367100i19tl2l288211h1c717i9a7h0cfi95ltc  · 

The factory, photo by Colin Walker.

[davieG]

For #WorldHealthDay we are highlighting Groby Road Hospital, built in the early 20th century as the Borough Isolation Hospital. It was built to treat common health problems such as tuberculosis, best treated with plenty of fresh air before effective antibiotics were developed in the 1940s.

The design and layout of the hospital incorporated several revolutionary concepts. For example, to reduce the risk of patients getting cross-infected the hospital blocks were spread over a wide area, and serviced by their own individual water and sewerage systems.

Other innovations included large French-style windows, which opened out into individual patios, so patients could benefit from fresh air whilst still being isolated. The curved design of some ward blocks also gave a

feeling of spaciousness and light.

Now the Heathley Park housing development and a hotel, you can learn more about it on a new heritage panel installed on Groby Road.

#StoryofLeicester #Leicester

[Free Falling Foxes]

3 hours ago, davieG said:

For #WorldHealthDay we are highlighting Groby Road Hospital, built in the early 20th century as the Borough Isolation Hospital. It was built to treat common health problems such as tuberculosis, best treated with plenty of fresh air before effective antibiotics were developed in the 1940s.

The design and layout of the hospital incorporated several revolutionary concepts. For example, to reduce the risk of patients getting cross-infected the hospital blocks were spread over a wide area, and serviced by their own individual water and sewerage systems.

Other innovations included large French-style windows, which opened out into individual patios, so patients could benefit from fresh air whilst still being isolated. The curved design of some ward blocks also gave a

feeling of spaciousness and light.

Now the Heathley Park housing development and a hotel, you can learn more about it on a new heritage panel installed on Groby Road.

#StoryofLeicester #Leicester

My Mam spent time there in the late 1940s recovering from TB. It left her with just half of one lung.

Her mother and sister both died of TB within couple of years of each other, just before my mother became ill with it.

Devastating time for my Grandad.

Edited 7 April 2023 by Free Falling Foxes

[Parafox]

5 hours ago, davieG said:

For #WorldHealthDay we are highlighting Groby Road Hospital, built in the early 20th century as the Borough Isolation Hospital. It was built to treat common health problems such as tuberculosis, best treated with plenty of fresh air before effective antibiotics were developed in the 1940s.

The design and layout of the hospital incorporated several revolutionary concepts. For example, to reduce the risk of patients getting cross-infected the hospital blocks were spread over a wide area, and serviced by their own individual water and sewerage systems.

Other innovations included large French-style windows, which opened out into individual patios, so patients could benefit from fresh air whilst still being isolated. The curved design of some ward blocks also gave a

feeling of spaciousness and light.

Now the Heathley Park housing development and a hotel, you can learn more about it on a new heritage panel installed on Groby Road.

#StoryofLeicester #Leicester

 

1 hour ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

My Mam spent time there in the late 1940s recovering from TB. It left her with just half of one lung.

Her mother and sister both died of TB within couple of years of each other, just before my mother became ill with it.

Devastating time for my Grandad.

Many years ago at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, I and a crewmate were detailed to pick up a patient from the LRI and transfer him to Groby Isolation hospital, as part of it was known. 

The guy had drips in place and looked really unwell, we wore gloves and masks because at that time it wasn't really known if AIDS could be an airborne infection.

I assume he succumbed and I remember him as a really nice, chatty and positive person despite knowing the likely outcome for him. 

Whenever I hear "Streets of Philadelphia" I think of him.

[davieG]

[davieG]

Stephen Butt

eptdnrSoso5lam3g3c1u9hai100cl3m46ahfcm94f795g5lauu84c41lt7gg  · 

The canal and the Leicester Power Station. The photograph is dated 1950. I don't know who the photographer was, but I think it is a wonderfully atmospheric image. 

[Parafox]

10 hours ago, davieG said:

Very atmospheric. I sort of wish I could go back to those times as an observer and experience them for myself. Obviously I'd need to come back to my current life.

 

 

[davieG]

 

Leicester Postcard, The clock Tower and Town from the Air c 1912/20

[davieG]

Story of Leicester

 

 

The Aylestone Road Gas Works from above in 1935.

Credit: Historic England.

The new Aylestone Road Gas Works produced gas from December 1879, ran by the Leicester Corporation for 70 years. The Gas Works had a large clocktower with a weathervane on top, which can be seen bottom right of this photo. Local people would have seen the clock, illuminated by gas, at night.

The Works included many offices, stores and ‘retort’ houses where coal was heated to make the gas. Production was increased many times over the years to keep up with Leicester’s growing population.

Gas production at Aylestone Road stopped in May 1969. A museum was opened in the building under the clocktower in 1977 and in 1997 it became the National Gas Museum.

Join a social group walk to the museum later this month:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../lets-get-together-social...

#StoryofLeicester #Leicester

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Terry Jones  ·   · 

Leicester cheese market many moons ago.Facing Market Place Approach with The Corn Exchange behind...

[davieG]

 

Made In Leicester
Stephen Butt  · 
Another Leicester First.  The first team of Traffic Wardens in the country, formed in March 1961 and based at Charles Street Police Station.

 

 

We use to have a lot of firsts back then.

 

[davieG]

On 12/04/2023 at 12:01, davieG said:

Story of Leicester

 

 

The Aylestone Road Gas Works from above in 1935.

Credit: Historic England.

The new Aylestone Road Gas Works produced gas from December 1879, ran by the Leicester Corporation for 70 years. The Gas Works had a large clocktower with a weathervane on top, which can be seen bottom right of this photo. Local people would have seen the clock, illuminated by gas, at night.

The Works included many offices, stores and ‘retort’ houses where coal was heated to make the gas. Production was increased many times over the years to keep up with Leicester’s growing population.

Gas production at Aylestone Road stopped in May 1969. A museum was opened in the building under the clocktower in 1977 and in 1997 it became the National Gas Museum.

Join a social group walk to the museum later this month:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../lets-get-together-social...

#StoryofLeicester #Leicester

Made In Leicester

Terry Jones  ·   · 

On top of the gasometer and time for a spring clean at the Aylestone Rd Gas Works

[davieG]

 

 

 

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble  ·   · 

Photographs from a Daily Mail Article.

The Slums of Leicester. Colourised by Made in Leicester. - probably colourised.

 

 

Terry Jones

They all appear in "The Slums of Leicester" by Ned Newitt mate....Tells the stories with the photos.A must have book to read with loads of piccies and info...And not expensive...Brand new 13 quid but used copies half price....Really good book that`ll take you ages to read...The one with the 2 kids on the bed reads..."In 1951 five people slept in this bedroom.Mr and Mrs Frank Smith and their 3 children.Two girls aged 14 and 9 and their brother aged 11.The kids slept in the bed on the right and their parents on the left one".

 

 

 

 

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/bid-new-two-day-music-8346863

 

Bid for new two-day music festival for 76,000 revellers at Leicester's Victoria Park
The festival promoter has submitted an application for event to Leicester City Council

A new two-day music festival which could attract 76,000 revellers will take place at Leicester's Victoria Park if Leicester CIty Council grants permission. Festival Republic has applied to the council for a licence for the event, which would take place on Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17.

Letters sent to residents state the event would have two stages, with around eight artists a day on the main stage, performing a range of music including mainstream pop, country, folk, jazz, soul, rock'n'roll, gospel and blues. The second stage would feature DJs playing a range of popular music on the second stage.

The festival would have a capacity of 38,000 people per day, plus staff, crew and artists. The festival on Saturday would run from 10.30am until 10.30pm, and on Sunday from 10.30am until 10pm.

 

Bars selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be on site, as well as food stalls, which will sell products from local companies. Festival Republic says it will begin setting up the site on Thursday, August 31 and make sure it's cleared by Friday, September 22.

It plans to keep the park cycle path open during the build phase, but will close it and set up a diversion from Wednesday, September 13 to Tuesday, September 19.

Some residents have welcomed a return of live music to the park, but others aren't quite so happy. Judy Edwards, who has lived near Victoria Park for the last 15 years, said she was "sick of these events."

She added: "I'm pretty annoyed, they always say they are going to properly police these events but they don't. At the last one, people were urinating in the streets, screaming, shouting way after the music had finished. I'm glad I don't have small children anymore as it would be such a pain. I'm really against it."

Another resident who lived on Queens Road, who did not want to be named, said: "Well they've said they are going to take over the park for the best part of four weeks. Whenever there's an event on the park this whole area becomes so crowded and don't get me wrong, I want people to have fun, but I think there's probably a better location for it.

"I've found rubbish in my garden just dumped in my garden, there was a whole number of substances left on the road, I've also found syringes a few times that have been used. People were also peeing in my garden, it was awful."

But Nicola Wills and Rosie Horn both told LeicestershireLive they have no problem with the festival and think it will be a good thing for the area. Ms Horn said: "We are in support of it and depending on what it is, we are more than up for it. Hopefully if it's successful, they will bring more events like this to the area. The biggest issues round here is parking but as long as we know in advance it's fine.

"We want to have a mixed area with with lots on and this is brilliant. We've been to events there before and had a great time. We have small kids and we don't care, these things are important."

Ms Wills added: "If this was all the time then it would be a problem but a one off, it's fine. I hope it will be adequately stocked though, we went to Pride last year and they had one bar which proved to be a bit annoying but it was fine."

Nick Antill also lives close to Victoria Park and said that it wasn't a problem. He said: "We've had lots of stuff on before here, so I've got no problems with it. You obviously get the litter and the inebriated people but that's part of it. Queens Road will benefit and it will be good for the local businesses."

Business owners up and down Queens Road were also delighted with the news. Miteche Trambaclal, owner of Port and Nata, said it was a great idea. He said: "It's great for business, and good to bring new and fresh people to the area. As long as it will policed and the safety is all correct, I'm all for it. We need to bring more people to the area and if this is the way to do. Happy days!"

Vanessa Poludniak, co-owner of Martin Bros. Pizza Co. said: "It should be good, the only thing that I have concerns about is the parking. There's no parking round here so that may cause some problems. Sometimes with events like this, we have people come by, but they don't necessarily come in, but hopefully we get some footfall through. It'll be good for the area.

Festival Republic has been in business for more than 30 years, promoting huge music events in the UK including Latitude, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Download and Wireless, Wilderness, The Great Escape, Lovebox. It has also promoted overseas events including Electric Picnic and Lollapalooza Berlin Festival.

According to Festival Republic's website, managing director Melvin Benn has been involved in the creation of some big events including the UK’s first ever four day music festival, Phoenix Festival, and together with Mean Fiddler and The Workers Beer Company, The Fleadh - the first touring music festival with yearly editions in London, Waterford, New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco.

[The Fox Covert]

1 hour ago, davieG said:

 

 

 

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble  ·   · 

Photographs from a Daily Mail Article.

The Slums of Leicester. Colourised by Made in Leicester. - probably colourised.

 

 

Terry Jones

They all appear in "The Slums of Leicester" by Ned Newitt mate....Tells the stories with the photos.A must have book to read with loads of piccies and info...And not expensive...Brand new 13 quid but used copies half price....Really good book that`ll take you ages to read...The one with the 2 kids on the bed reads..."In 1951 five people slept in this bedroom.Mr and Mrs Frank Smith and their 3 children.Two girls aged 14 and 9 and their brother aged 11.The kids slept in the bed on the right and their parents on the left one".

 

 

 

 

I have this book and when I got it I lent it to my mum, who still lives in Leicestershire. Every time she had a visitor, if they were from a Leicester family with family members who had grown up in the streets pictured in the book, they wanted to look to see if the house was shown in the book. The pictures in this post are pretty typical of the conditions in which so many people lived. I sometimes wonder if conditions in working class districts outside the city were even worse, because the district councils before the 1974 reform of local government were much smaller and had far fewer resources than the city council.

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Stephen Butt  ·   · 

 

Town Hall Square before the town hall, looking towards Bishop Street.

[davieG]

 

Made In Leicester

Stephen Butt  ·   · 

Clarendon Park Road. The former Lyric Cinema on the right which became the local Liberal Club, then a warehouse and is now the church of the Chinese Christian Fellowship.

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble  ·   · 

St Peters Road back in the day. - Colourised.

 

Terry Jones

stnorSoedp44i5tm5a5u96mgt91gih0glh14ui851f10htmft7ahc6u5i3m3  · 

If you look to the bottom of the road you will see the old "Tin Tabernacle" church that was demolished and became the site of the Evington Cinema in 1916

[davieG]

Tori Smith

dntrsSooep3tf2ac387l31m01c6l26i521fh847fc3t578332li7056837ah  · 

London Road Leicester, early 1900's

 

Simon P Bates

The Tramways started being electrified in 1903. an expansion into Highfields and Clarendon Park was built in 1904 (also electrifying this bit),

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Stephen Butt  · Sdspotonref1g11it0t4l5g0tlth5fg31itmu42atf0h8cg9f5337mhmm7g2  · 

The drive-in post office on the end of the Wharf Street telephone exchange. An interesting idea and a forerunner of all sorts of later drive-in facilities, but it wasn't successful. Money and goods were exchanged by using a long metal 'arm' that the attendant slid in and out, but it often missed the car, or dented it, or vehicles weren't close enough. And the wind would blow away bank notes, stamps and postal orders!

 

Terry Jones

erdSspoontum264i72a3h6611mlh9tfc51am36u2m28i067417c6l903mc21  · 

Steve March Martins Bank opened a drive-through on Charles St about 1960ish.

 

 

As said previously in the Traffic Warden post we were a innovative city back then shame it was coupled with the demolishing of so many buildings.

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble  ·   · 

Fosse Road North when the trains ran over it.

 

John Page

Guess the photographer would have been standing around Bonchurch Street and facing south along Fosse Road North under the bridge. The locomotive would be heading west, back through the Glenfield Tunnel and then onto the coal fields of North West Leicestershire. Built by George Stevenson and opened in 1932. Line from West Bridge to Swannington was 16 miles and single line except through stations. Trains were limited to 24 wagons of coal per trip. There was passenger service but these ceased in 1928. The final freight trains ran until 1966. Because of height restrictions in the Glenfield Tunnel the type of train used on the line was limited.

[Stadt]

Anybody know anything about this?

 

It's entitled 'Triumphal Arch, Belgrave Gate, Leicester'

 

 

For a royal visit, wooden construction apparently so not totally surprising they didn't last long 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjLydafgLH-AhVTe8AKHcqdAEUQFnoECDEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fspecialcollections.le.ac.uk%2Fdigital%2Fapi%2Fcollection%2Fp15407coll6%2Fid%2F17152%2Fdownload&usg=AOvVaw1rFOS-O71dOONKVwqJzqcJ

 

Edited 17 April 2023 by Stadt

[davieG]

2 minutes ago, Stadt said:

Anybody know anything about this?

 

It's entitled 'Triumphal Arch, Belgrave Gate, Leicester'

 

 

 

I think it was to do with the Coronation of the Prince of Wales Edward  7th 1901