100 Days Project – to write 100 words about Loughborough every day for 100
consecutive days, starting today on National Writing Day, 21 June 2017!
Day 100 - 28 September 2017
So this is it, the end of #100days: I hope you've enjoyed it. It's been quite a tour-de-force, but interesting and fun. Although it's only 100 words, it's taken up a lot of time - considering what to write, writing, then culling half the words!!! I'm now looking forward to having more time to spend investigating Loughborough in more depth. Finally, visit the Old Rectory Museum - last few open Saturdays; visit the Loogabarooga Festival in October, and please consider joining the Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society at their next talk on 7 October, on William George Dimock Fletcher. Adieu!
Day 99 - 27 September 2017
I used to feel a teensy-weensy bit jealous of people who lived Forest-side because of the easy access they had to the countryside. However, since we've taken up walking in earnest, I've discovered that actually there's a lot of countryside I have access to, from different parts of town. So, a walk through the cemetery over to Charnwood Water is great, as is a walk along the canal from the Bull-in-the-Hollow farm, and a walk through Woodthorpe to Quorn, or up and across to the Outwoods, or to Beaumanor. How interesting to learn of the Leicestershire Local Access Forum.
References:
http://politics.leics.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=1106
Day 98 - 26 September 2017
We're fast approaching the end of this #100days initiative: I want to go out with a bang, but I'm quickly running out of steam! Talking of which, there's loads of interesting events taking place at the Great Central Railway during October, and in the run up to Christmas! Also during October (18th - 24th) we have the Loogabarooga Festival with some pretty famous names coming to town to celebrate books and book illustration. When you consider that Loughborough was home to Ladybird books, this makes sense. 19th October sees Diwali - Festival of Lights - celebrations, and November is fair time!
References:
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/
http://mediafiles.thedms.co.uk/Publication/LM/cms/pdf/Loogabarooga%20Festival%20brochure%202017.pdf
Day 97 - 25 September 2017
Coming late to the Loughborough Echo this week, but I was interested to see that 50 years ago, the Old Rectory made an appearance in it! A proposal to turn the building into a museum was made to the Loughborough Town Council, and that the WEA wanted to run some classes for museum enthusiasts! The proposal must have been accepted at some point because the Old Rectory is now a museum, open on Saturdays, 11am - 3pm from April to October. There's an annually changing exhibition downstairs, and Loughborough artefacts upstairs. Pop down before it closes for the season!
Day 96 - 24 September 2017
I've just been looking for some photographs of Loughborough that I know I have squirreled away somewhere on the pc, and in the process have found lots of interesting ones. I started taking pictures of the town in earnest in 2012, and it's amazing how much has changed since then. Some things are still the same, like the Old Rectory, the Parish Church, the NatWest Bank etc., whilst some things are quite different, like the former nurses home on Baxter Gate, and the Warner School. Some things, like the Herbert Morris factory, are currently under threat and about to change.
Day 95 - 23 September 2017
Yesterday I went to a food festival: it was the same one as the first one I went to many years ago, and it was the one that started me off on them. Compared to the ones around the Loughborough area, this one was tiny, but well worth a visit. Loughborough doesn't have a good festival but we do have a fantastic monthly farmers' market and several international food markets throughout the year. Actually, we're blessed with markets in Loughborough: general markets on Thursdays and Saturdays, bric-a-brac on Fridays, & speciality ones like Ceramics. The market charter was granted by Henry III in 1221.
Day 94 - 22 September 2017
What better place to visit on a rainy day than a watermill. Melyn Tregwynt is a woollen mill with an overshot wheel, that produces exquisite Welsh cloth. Years ago there was a watermill at Dishley Grange, which had a breastshot waterwheel and was used to grind corn. The Lower Mill at Cotes (now a kitchen showroom, previously a pub) was also a water-powered mill (not sure which type though) which was used to grind corn. There was also an Upper Mill at Cotes, also used for grinding corn: together the two mills at Cotes were known as the King's Mills.
Day 93 - 21 September's 2017
A walk today along a disused tramway led up what used to be an inclined plane to a winding house, now a scheduled ancient monument. The walk back passed by several bell pits, through a churchyard, and ended in a harbour. This heritage trail around Saundersfoot showed the journey of coal from the mines down to the harbour. In Loughborough a similar transport route can be found, so coal was transported on the Charnwood Forest Canal, from Thringstone to Nanpantan. From here the coal was transferred to wagons on the tramway which went through Loughborough, and was transported to the Soar Navigation.
Day 92 - 20 September 2017
Just passed a little tin church on the side of the road: there used to be a tin tabernacle on King Street, Loughborough, but that was demolished long before I came here. What of the tin hall next to St Peter's church: was that once the church itself? ** The other thing I've spotted today are houses named the same as some of ours in Loughborough: I've seen a Fieldhouse, an Elms Grove and a Gables. In a little book about Welsh follies, there is mention of quite a few obelisks: now, haven't we got one of these on the Garendon Estate?
Day 91 - 19 September 2017
Over the last few days, I've been driven around a lot of the countryside, and couldn't help but notice loads of milestones. In Pembrokeshire, in 2003, the milestones, which were languishing in the hedges, were dug out and restored to their former glory. Many are cast iron and were made in the mid-1850s by Maychurch foundry in Haverfordwest. We have quite a number of such milestones in and around Loughborough, including outside the Leicester Road cemetery, on the A512 near the windmill, and on the A6 near Dishley, to name a few. I wonder where they were made? John Jones's maybe?
Day 90 - 18 September 2017
Over the last couple of days I've seen many things that have reminded me about Loughborough. At Stepaside there were fantastic remains of an old iron works, and on the ridge above this was the remnants of an old colliery. To get there we followed the footpath that was laid along the route of the former tramway. Today, we saw slate in use as steps leading up to a house, sedimentary rock that looked like slate (but was, of course, some sort of clay) and the map we were using listed so many disused quarries. Did I mention alabaster tombs?
Day 89 - 17 September 2017
Just had a fabulous fish dinner at the seaside: if you know anywhere in Loughborough that has a great seafood menu, do let me know! I must admit I was always amused by the pub on the A512, when it was called the Sea Around Us: I assumed it was ironic because land-locked Loughborough couldn't be further away from the sea. Whilst walking off said dinner, I passed a tiny coachworks, which reminded me about all the coachworks we used to have in Loughborough: Willowbrook, Jackson's, Yeates, Southfields and Brush, although the latter were more involved with single and double-decker buses. Any others?
Day 88 - 16 September 2017
There seems to be a theme of water running through today. Just experienced a huge rain and hail storm in Wales! The water seems wetter in the waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons than I remember from last time, and I got a real soaking! The fountains in Queen's Park look beautiful, as does the algae growing on top, although too many people seem to think it's a continuation of the grass! In my second ever blog post, I celebrated Loughborough's win in the East Midlands In Bloom competition, and congratulations are due again as Loughborough has achieved gold in the Small City category this year.
Day 87 - 15 September 2017
Last night, I saw a Taylors bell. Well, I didn't actually see the bell, I saw it on a webcam that was hooked up to the bell which was attached to a clock! What a brilliant idea! Today, I took the youngest to the railway station to catch a train to Nottingham to do his UKCAT test (passed with flying colours). I thought the people on the railway bridge were watching something happening on the steam line, so I was gutted when I later read that the Flying Scotsman had passed through on the main line! Youngest saw it though!
Day 86 - 14 September 2017
Tonight I found myself joining a group of eager volunteers at a local church in Woodhouse Eaves. I say local, it seems pretty local these days as Woodhouse Eaves is on one of our regular, I don't know, 3-4-5-6-7-8 mile hikes!! St Paul's church is situated on Church Hill, and described in its Grade II* listing as built on rocky outcrop. It's a relatively new church, having been built around 1836-7, around about the same time as Loughborough's Emmanuel Church on Forest Road, and about 25 years before the Church of All Saints with Holy Trinity was renovated.
References:
Postcard from 1904 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC57959-St-Pauls-church-Woodhouse-Eaves-Maple-1904/262970800009?_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D44293%26meid%3Dfbb426690de3494ea8525c626cfbed25%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D252921893849
Photograph from about 1965: https://www.francisfrith.com/uk/woodhouse-eaves/woodhouse-eaves-st-pauls-church-c1965_w367101
Day 85 - 13 September 2017
Today I've been leafing through a load of old photographs, and came across some of my wedding. We were married in Southfields House, which used to be the home of William Bryerley Paget, and we had some lovely pictures taken in the colourful garden. But, as well as these we also had some photos taken outside the parish church door, around the Old Rectory, on the bridge by the ponds in Queen's Park, next to the Great Paul bell cast, and beneath the carillon. What a beautiful town Loughborough is, and so many opportunities for capturing some beautiful moments.
Day 84 - 12 September 2017
So today I went on a Memory Walk to support the Alzheimer's Society, which involved walking along the River Soar at Leicester, seeing how this had changed over the last 60 years, for example, with the demolition of Filbert Street and the construction of the King Power Stadium, and the demolition of the Liberty Shoe factory and the moving of the statue to the roundabout on Upperton Road. We also saw where the Great Central Railway, that went to London Marylebone, used to be. This line, of course, linked with Loughborough, and is now part of the Great Central Railway.
Day 83 - 11 September 2017
I've just learned (from a television programme) about Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum, significant because I've heard of Bursledon having spent quite a lot of time in Fareham, but hadn't realised there was a brick museum there. Not only that, it's the only steam driven brickworks left in the UK. How exciting! Bricks made here were called Fareham red bricks, and these were used in the construction of the Royal Albert Hall. Not a patch on Tuckers bricks though!! This Loughborough firm, with three sites at one time, contributed some of the bricks used to construct St Pancras station.
References:
https://stpancras.com/history/construction
Day 82 - 10 September 2017
6pm I still hadn't walked my 10K steps, so I went for a short walk around the university campus. How things have changed, and so much of it relatively recently. I knew they were demolishing the Towers dining hall, but hadn't really thought how different that would make the outlook. I knew there was a garden next to what used to be Admin 1 (or was it 2?!), but I didn't realise it led through to a beautiful space, the Garden of Remembrance, full of plaques commemorating former staff and students. It was very moving to sit there in the quiet.
Day 81 - 9 September 2017
Today I've been out at a party celebrating the 70th birthday of the Record Office for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (ROLLR). A great day: had a look around the search rooms and the strong rooms, and chatted with a brilliant conservator- such an exciting job, repairing documents from the 1600s! On display was the oldest document the office holds - something from the 1100s - and a letter written by Joseph Merrick. But more relevant to Loughborough was the dreadfully sad story of Roger and Leena. I've read it before, but it was great to see if for real.
Day 80 - 8 September 2017
Last night I attended a most interesting talk at the public library, given by a librarian from Birstall, on the roles undertaken by women during WW1. These roles were, of course, many and varied, ranging from encouraging men to sign up to the war effort, through cooking economically, dressing conservatively, and fundraising, to making munitions, working on trains and trams, policing, nursing, and joining the military. Here in Loughborough, Herbert Schofield arranged for local women to be trained in making munitions, which was done in what is now called the Generator Building, on the corner of Packe Street and Frederick Street.
Day 79 - 7 September 2017
This heritage week stuff is brilliant! Today I've managed to get to see the inside of the former Midland/HSBC bank on Bishop Street in Leicester. Nothing to do with Loughborough, really. It's a beautiful building, with stained glass windows, and a glass ceiling, and without the bank counters, the huge area of the ground floor is more easily appreciated. The building is now used as a Buddhist temple, and our hosts for the visit were the Leicester Civic Trust. The architect was Goddard, who also designed the HSBC in Loughborough. There are moves afoot to create a Loughborough Civic Trust too.
Day 78 - 6 September 2017
I've been investigating architects who either were born in, lived in or worked in Loughborough, and have found a few! Christopher Staveley was responsible for some of the early 19th century changes to All Saints with Holy Trinity Church. His father was also an architect, as was his brother Edward, and his own two sons, Christopher and Edward! William Henderson was the architect of Stanford Hall, Wilford Hall and possibly 2 Loughborough Road Mountsorrel: his son, John, was also an architect. Towards the end of the 19th century we find Allcock, Barrowcliff, Fowler, Hampton, Hodson, and Price. Any more?
Day 77 - 5 September 2017
A looooooong day at work followed by a committee meeting for the Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society! Pretty successful generally. I'm beginning to feel a little bit like a regular at the Three Nuns, what with LLLSV meals and LAHS committee meetings! Now, if you haven't been down to the Old Rectory Museum lately, or in a long time, things may well have changed and you could be in for a pleasant surprise. There's an annually changing exhibition which this year features the Civil War. Open most Saturdays April to October, 11-3. Find us on Rectory Place. Look forward to seeing you!
Day 76 - 4 September 2017
Ooops, nearly forgot to post! Tonight I've been having the most wonderful time looking around the Lambeth Palace online collection of church plans! There are quite a lot on there, but nonetheless, I was surprised to find those for All Saints, Emmanuel, Holy Trinity, and St Peters. These were all done in the 1800s: the one for All Saints, dated 1860-63 is concerned with the renovation work undertaken during the time of the Rev'd Fearon. The Emmanuel plans are for the original building from 1838, as are those for Holy Trinity, built 1877-8, and those for St Peters, built 1909-13.
Day 75 - 3 September 2017
Ah, spoilt for choice today!!! While most of us were sleeping, the first part of the Bridge to the Future was hoiked into place by a very large crane!!!! So many people and cameras out there today! And, the vintage buses running from Quorn & Woodhouse station to Birstall Park and Ride make a wonderful sight! Meanwhile, over at Abbey Park in Leicester for a 10K (nooooooo, not me running!), a reminder of Loughborough's history: I'd forgotten how much remains there are of Leicester Abbey in the park, and it reminded me to check out the history of Garendon Abbey.
Day 74 - 2 September 2017
I've just spotted an interesting snippet on the university's website, which I thought I'd share with you. I may have mentioned earlier that I visited the Wilson Museum in Cheltenham, and the connection between the Cotswolds, Ernest Gimson, the Barnsley brothers and Peter Waal, so my interest was piqued when I read a headline about a furniture auction at the university. Furniture being auctioned off was produced by students of the Handicraft Unit under the tutelage of some of the aforementioned. Auction ends 10 September, and items are available to view between 8 and 10 September.
References:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni/events/auction-2017/
Day 73 - 1 September 2017
45 years ago I accidentally left my purse in a telephone box: yesterday, for the first time since then, I accidentally left my purse in a Loughborough cafe. Bizarrely, I noticed before I got home that I'd left my copy of "East Midlands History and Heritage" behind, but didn't miss my purse until later. They were very understanding when later I rang the cafe! This got me to thinking about the cafes in town, and how many there are. Apart from the 5 chains, there are 18 other independent cafes, all with their unique offerings. Such a wide choice is great!
Day 72 - 31 August 2017
So, it is 20 years since the untimely death of Diana, Princess of Wales. It would be hard to forget, not least because this anniversary has seen a lot of column inches, and received a lot of media attention. I am not particularly sentimental on the matter, nor have I ever engaged with conspiracy theories. I am, however, sentimental in respect of the visit Princess Diana made to the Ladybird factory in 1990, and love the fact that they produced a couple of books about her life, one in 1982 shortly after that wedding, the other immediately following her death.
Day 71 - 30 August 2017
Today I've been talking culverts! I visited the Soho House Museum in Handsworth. It was here that Matthew Boulton lived and built a manufactory, making toys (buckles, buttons, silverware, ormolu, etc.). He moved here because of good access to water, fuel, and iron. The land is traversed by small rivers - or at least it was until they were culverted, like our own Woodbrook. Such waterways often result in soggy land, as is regularly experienced in our Queen's Park. If you're lucky enough you might spot Boulton and his business partner, James Watt, on a £50 note!
Day 70 - 29 August 2017
Well, I've taken the plunge and sorted out some unwanted books for a secondhand book stall at the Sutton Bonnington Show on Sunday 3rd September. It was hard as I don't much like getting rid of things, but most of the unwanted ones are ones that I have bought twice, or in some cases three times!!! Of course, where I've got 1st and subsequent editions of the same thing, I've kept them all! I seem to a penchant for Shire Books: really easy introductions to all sorts of topics, like bellfounding, ironworking, mills etc.. 120 titles on my bookcase!
Day 69 - 28 August 2017
When I'm researching something, I spend all day online! Bizarrely, I forget about physical books, which is odd, since I fall over books with every step I take at home! I've catalogued my local history books, so I can easily check and see if I have something, which I do in secondhand bookshops, because I simply have no more room for books! The other problem is that although they're catalogued, when I consult any, I rarely put them back where they came from - which makes finding them again almost impossible! At least I always know where the pc is!
Day 68 - 27 August 2017
Last year I went out of my comfort zone and attended a short organ recital at All Saints with Holy Trinity. I'm not a huge fan of organ music, but I enjoyed it last year, so when I spotted an advert for a recital today, I went along. I was treated to some pieces I knew - an arrangement of Saint-Saens' Swan - and others I didn't - David German's Festive Trumpet Tune. Thanks Deputy Organist, Chris! When I've been in the church before I've usually sat near the back: this time, being near the front, I spotted the Hastings shield on the first pew!
Day 67 - 26 August 2017
We went to the food festival in Appleby Magna today. I'd never been there before, so I was pleased they were offering tours of the Sir John Moore school, and of course, I took them up on that offer! On the uppermost floors was a tower housing a bell, which was created in 1585 (somewhat before Taylors moved to Loughborough) and rooms as they would have been in the 19th century. We also did the village walking trail: entering St Michael and All Angels church, I whooped around as I'd inadvertently stepped not on a Messenger conservatory, but on a Messenger drain cover!
Day 66 - 25 August 2017
What to write about?! I spent most of the day being busy, so didn't get out until this evening, when I walked to the Range, had a bit of a wander around the store, and then walked to Morrisons, where I did the same, and then walked home, via Epinal Way. I didn't really see much of interest apart from those new houses on Derby Road where the coachworks used to be, the Station Hotel which is now a funeral directors, the Co-op on Epinal Way that used to be the Maltings (or Gallant Knight, or a barn), and Field House.
Day 65 -24 August 2017
Great to see the Loughborough Echo, feature one of my favourite buildings and its low relief carving of a beehive and clasped hands, once a Co-operative store on Woodgate. I had a quick glance at the trade directories, but there were far too many retailers to be able to pinpoint who was running this shop in 1848 and 1863. Brilliant to see another of my favourite buildings pop up on a facebook thread today too! The former Sparrow Hill Theatre, which I featured in an blog post, was once the meeting place of the Royal Sovereign Lodge of Oddfellows.
References:
http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/handels-messiah-snibston-discovery_28.html
Day 64 - 23 August 2017
I've lived in the same house for over 20 years. I've walked into town the same way over 1000 times. Every time I trip over the drop curb! Normally I curse under my breath, but today I stopped to look at the offending curb, and wonder why: why was it there? It isn't at the edge of a drive, and there's a six-foot wall where the slope begins. Looking a bit more closely, I can conclude that the (1970s?) bungalow which is surrounded by the six-foot wall was built in what were the grounds of the Victorian semi behind.
Day 63 - 22 August 2017
A momentous day, today - for the people of Loughborough, for Taylors Bellfoundry and for the peal of eight bells making their way across Britain to Ypres in Belgium. The eight bells arrived at Queen's Park this morning, on two WW1 vehicles - four on each lorry - resplendent with red painted poppy border and garlands of poppies securing them to the vehicle. The park was full of visitors eager to send the bells off on their travels, and the Mayor did exactly that - after two minutes' silence, she wished them a safe journey as the Carillon accompanied the event.
Day 62 - 21 August 2017
Women at war seems to be the order of the day today! The latest exhibition over at the public library, organised by the local studies volunteers, focuses on the part women played in war, from the Crimean to WW2. The displays include lots of information about local women, as well as some about nationally famous women. IN addition, there is to be a talk given by Nick Marshall at the library on 7 September, 6.30-7.30, on the same topic. I've been to the former - and it's a good one. I shall try and pop along to the latter!
Day 61 - 20 August 2017
I'm a bit late reading my Loughborough Echo this week, so only just seen the letter suggesting local folk might like the opportunity to see the Taylor's bells that are off to Ypres shortly. The good news is that the bells will be starting their journey to the memorial church in Belgium on WW1 lorries, and will be at the bandstand in Queen's Park, on Tuesday 22 August, 11-11.30am. This will be a great chance for us to see some splendid examples of the work of one of our most prestigious companies, whose work has been exported all over the world.
References:
http://loveloughborough.co.uk/event/despatch-ww1-memorial-bells-ypres/
Day 60 - 19 August 2017
Walking on Little Malvern, today, I was surprised to learn of the quarrying in the area. Not only that, it was granite that was quarried, and, the bits that we saw were pink, like that found at Mountsorrel. We also spied a lovely reservoir, and in the distance, what I initially thought was a church spire turned out to be an obelisk!! The other thing I hadn't realised was that we were within a short distance of the graves of the Elgar family, Edward Elgar being the composer of a piece of music called Carillon Chimes, composed especially for the opening of our Carillon.
Day 59 - 18 August 2017
I've just found the Wilson Museum in Cheltenham and been absolutely staggered by their collection of Arts and Crafts furniture! A whole room devoted to it, and another room affectionately called The Store with sideboards, chairs and bureaux piled high. Much of the work displayed was designed and created by Ernest Gimson and the Barnsley brothers who at one time were part of Loughborough University, and it was Gimson who designed Stoneywell Cottage. And if that weren't enough, they also have some Bernard Leach pottery, Bernard being the father of David who worked at Loughborough College!
Day 58 - 17 August 2017
Spoilt for choice today and it's only 11am!! Winners of the Leicestershire Green Plaque Awards have been announced and include several Loughborough connections:
* Heathcoat and Boden's Lace Factory on Market Street (now Iceland), attacked by Luddites in 1816
* John Thoedore Kenney, creator and illustrator of Thomas the Tank Engine AND Ladybird Books illustrator
* Ann Ayre Healey of Ravenstone, nurse during the Crimean War, but featured in the current exhibition in Loughborough public library
* Tommy Brown of Earl Shilton, who rescued an Enigma machine from a German submarine, reminds me that Beaumanor Hall was a listening station in WW2.
References:
https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/history-and-heritage/green-plaque-awards-scheme
Day 57 - 16 August 2017
A mercy call from the eldest who's looking for a morning suit to wear for the culmination of the outdoor bowls season in Southampton reminded me of all the bowls clubs we have in Loughborough. There's the indoor bowls next to the leisure centre, and outdoor there's the Brush at Nanpantan sports ground, and Phoenix off Park Road, which has been recently formed from a merger of the Park Road and Beacon Road clubs (i.e. Loughborough and Granby), and there's the Queen's Park club. Years ago there used to be many more clubs, like the one at the Bull's Head, Shelthorpe.
References:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186299-d6938483-Reviews-Southampton_Old_Bowling_Green-Southampton_Hampshire_England.html#photos;geo=186299&detail=6938483&aggregationId=101
Day 56 - 15 August 2017
Just thinking about Unitarians. Since doing my local history course, I now understand a bit more about non-conformity - a bit rich coming from someone from Wales, whose relations were mostly non-conformists! Robert Bakewell, the local agriculturalist at Dishley Grange, was an Unitarian. During his lifetime, the Loughborough Unitarian chapel was on Warners Lane, and this is celebrated with a plaque near the spot. Following the demolition of the Warners Lane chapel, a new one was built on Victoria Street. This has now been converted into attractive residential accommodation, but still retains its outward appearance as a place of worship.
References:
http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/dishley-grange-in-photographs.html
http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/so-who-was-robert-bakewell.html
Day 55 - 14 August 2017
Apparently, I did see a Messenger conservatory when I visited Chatsworth last week: I should return for another look! Today I've been to Belvoir Castle, hoping to see another one, but disappointed because there were no conservatories, at least, none that we could see. No connection to Loughborough either, apart from the the painting and bust of the Marquis of Granby: apparently he is remembered today through the numerous pubs named after him. The Marquis of Granby pub in Loughborough, was on the opposite corner of Pack Horse Lane to the Pack Horse pub (or Organ Grinder) and was closed in 1922.
Day 54 - 13 August 2017
I've just noticed that the Old Rectory Museum is now out there on Twitter! Ironically, my daughter has just told me that Twitter is so last year!! The ORM is near the Parish Church, over on Rectory Place/Steeple Row, in a lovely lawned setting. The building is only open for a few hours each year - Saturdays, 11-3 during April to October - so you really need to plan your trip: the grounds are open all year round. As well as the small collection of permanent exhibits, there's an annually changing display which this year covers the Civil War around Loughborough.
References:
@OldRectoryLboro
Day 53 - 12 August 2017
Sitting in the courtyard of the King's Head Hotel on High Street sipping tea and trying to do a crossword, I had a sneaky swipe through facebook and happened upon a post telling me that On This Day in 1893 Oscar Deutsch was born in Birmingham. The first cinema he opened was in Dudley in 1928, and he had cinemas built all over the country. In Loughborough we're lucky enough to have a stunning example of what was one of his Odeons, opened in 1936, showing Mr Deeds Goes to Town, starring Gary Cooper. This Odeon has been Beacon Bingo since about 1974.
Day 52 - 11 August 2017
This evening I've been looking through my newspaper cuttings - for something specific, which I found. In the process I was reminded about so many things that have happened or been proposed over the last 3 years. The proposed demolition of Herbert Morris - now that was a shocker - and of the Royal George. The plan for a new cinema and restaurant complex on the site of the old hospital. So much interesting information in the Looking Back section, and what a lot of clubs and societies are sending their reports in to the Club Call section of the Loughborough Echo!
Day 51 - 10 August 2017
A wonderful visit to Chatsworth today! I had hoped to get to see more of the artefacts on display, but the timing was off (as usual!) and there was a fashion exhibition on. All very nicely displayed, and quite interesting. My eye was caught by "the ball of the century", a fancy-dress party, which was held at Chatsworth in 1897, in celebration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. One of the guests was Col. Arthur Paget and his wife - not our Arthur of Radmoor House though! And, one of the hosts, Louise, Duchess of Devonshire, went dressed as Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra!
References:
https://www.chatsworth.org/art-archives/devonshire-collection/textiles/duchess-louises-ball-gown/
https://www.chatsworth.org/news-media/news-blogs-press-releases/house-style-opens/
Day 50 - 9 August 2017
One of the things that flitted through my mind today was a couple of 1960s buildings in town. The extension to the Carnegie public library on Granby Street was built in 1965 on the site of the demolished Island House, so called because of its position amongst tributaries of the Wood Brook. The extension to the library provided much-needed space for the expanding range of stock and activities undertaken by the library. In Ward's End, 1966 saw the completion of John Storer House, a community centre, and headquarters for Voluntary Action Charnwood. With its refurbished cafe JSH is a hub of activity and educational support.
Day 49 - 8 August 2017
Today's thoughts have turned to that great British subject - the weather! Why I thought to wear a summer dress in August I have no idea. I do wonder if the rest of the country has had rain like we've had here today! Apart from the weather, I was also thinking about post boxes. I'm a member of the Letter Box Study Group, although I've been too busy to contribute over the last year or so. When I was out walking last night, I spotted a Victorian post box on Ashby Road: brightly painted, but with a missing cream-coloured Post Office direction sign a-top.
References:
http://lbsg.org/
Day 48 - 7 August 2017
There's a rather nice building recently appeared on the Southampton Solent University Campus, with a most innovative lecture theatre perched on three legs, accessed via the second floor landing. What has this to do with Loughborough? I've been researching the Towers hall of residence on our university's campus, and noted that the architects were Gollins Melvin Ward, and at the time the steel-reinforced building material and the construction techniques they used were innovative. So, I followed up GMW, and discovered in 2015 they had been taken over by Scott Brownrigg, the firm responsible for the red alien at Southampton Solent University!
References:
https://www.scottbrownrigg.com/news/the-spark-a-finalist-in-building-magazine-s-project-of-the-year-award/
Day 47 - 6 August 2017
After a lovely, late breakfast at Oakley Grange on the outskirts of Hathern, I went for a wander around the streets of Loughborough, with no particular purpose other than to get some fresh air and exercise. There were lots of folk in town, and the Sockman was wearing a sign in support of a commemorative event on the anniversary of the dropping of a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima in 1945. Along Ashby Road I found engraved house names hiding under ivy, and took some photographs of the university flower display, and Harry Cook's imaginative floral offering before making my way home.
Day 46 - 5 August 2017
I'm in the midst of an online genealogy course, which has piqued the interest of the youngest, along with heraldry. In an early blogpost, I mentioned the Black Boy pub, which was renamed the Blacksmith's Arms. This fairly common inn sign was variously thought to represent slaves, chimney sweeps, miners or Charles II. It was possible that in Loughborough this might be related to the Burnaby family whose crest includes a black boy, but as this was created for the family in 1913, this is definitely not the origin of the name of our pub, which was renamed in 1875.
References:
http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/forums/viewthread/752/
Day 45 - 4 August 2017
Lots of things have happened today, but I shall struggle to tell you about them because youngest child is hogging the pc (doing some family history research to see if he is related in any way to nobility) so I am resorting to using my phone. Had a very long visit to Hardwick Hall today, a truly fascinating place, home to Bess of Hardwick. Lots of tapestries on show, and one was of Zenobia, 3rd century Queen of Syria, not the Loughborough perfume variety! Whilst we were out, the results of a recent course if study were released! I passed.
Day 44 - 3 August 2017
I was late for my lunch date in a cafe in town today because I popped into the public library to have a look at the new exhibition, Women At War, which opened this morning. Wow! What a lot of information and artefacts have been displayed, and in such an engaging way! It's on until 26 September, so you've got plenty of time to go and see it! Lunch was great too, and it was lovely to catch up with a friend I don't see often enough! Tonight I'm off to say cheerio to another friend who is moving away to Whitby after having spent all her life in Leicester.
Day 43 - 2 August 2017
Over on facebook, someone was talking about the Three Nuns. In my younger days, we used to go to the many real ale pubs in town, but when the children came along, this was no longer possible and our tastes changed anyway. Strange to say though, over the last 6 months, I've renewed my acquaintance with a couple of pubs - Three Nuns being one of them, along with the Griffin (and the Packe Horse about a year ago). I've also been into Kelso quite recently, but that can't be a renewed acquaintance because before it was Kelso's it was GT News!
Day 42 - 1 August 2017
Just thinking about the university campus, and how much it's changed over the years! Rutland Hall was built in 1932 and its companion, Hazlerigg in 1937. With a central fountain, these buildings are affectionately known as Rigg-Rut. Victory [sports] Hall is no longer with us, being built in 1945, opened in 1946 and demolished in about 2013. Towers was built in the 1960s and used as student accommodation, opposite the music centre and the college library. The student union building was opened in 1978, the Pilkington Library in 1980. I've lost track lately, as there seems to be constant demolition/construction happening.
Day 41 - 31 July 2017
So today I am feeling incredibly sad - far more sad than I ever thought I would. What? You mean you're not with me on this one? That you didn't feel bereft the moment you realised that your access to library resources had been cut off? Oh. Just me then!! It's been a very intensive academic year, and I'm still awaiting the results, but it is sad to no longer be a student! Strange though, I always thought I was a librarian because I liked helping people find information, but it seems that was a cover for actually wanting to find information for myself!!
Day 40 - 30 July 2017
Another exciting day, this time shopping with the offspring - most unlike me to go shopping - especially at a retail park! And equally exciting, a couple of hours spent doing some searching of academic books and journals for information about Loughborough. I've found loads, but sadly there is still so much more to come to light, I've barely scratched the surface! Mostly about maintenance of roads, making a navigable waterway, and plots! A bit of music too, and some information on doctors and a lot of religious sermons and hymns and prayer books. Next job - read some of it!!
Day 39 - 29 July 2017
Exciting day today! Quick trip to and around Moira Furnace, a walk along the canal to Conkers, a stop off at Coleorton church and an Indian meal in town! Imagining the furnace blasting out with heat, and seeing the lime kilns and knowing that they connected with those at Calke (well, Ticknall) which I discovered last weekend, and getting the Earl of Moira connection with Loughborough, was amazing. Conkers was a haunt when the children were little, but the littlest didn't remember it! Spotting unusual Swithland slate gravestones, and memorials to the Beaumonts at Coleorton was also awesome!
Day 38 - 28 July 2017
Today I finally made it to the Bodleian Library in Oxford, just to have a look around before my library ticket runs out! Took the opportunity to visit the Pitt Rivers Museum, where Loughborough was clearly in my thoughts as I spotted a huge ladybird on the wall, dinosaur bones on display (ok, so that's more akin to Barrow!) and pillars of alabaster from Chellaston - that which our spar ornament makers, some based in the buildings at the back of the Orange Tree, others on Church Gate, used to fashion into small ornaments to sell at seaside resorts like Skegness.
References:
https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/
http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/
http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/baubles.html
Day 37 - 27 July 2017
I've just read in the local paper that Nanapantan Reservoir has been closed to the public until the end of 2017 for necessary repairs. At this time of year, this is such a shame as it's a really beautiful area and a lovely gentle, quiet walk, which I've blogged about in the past. Nanapantan Reservoir was the original source of the town's first water supply, back in 1870, and was supported by Archdeacon Fearon, who provided the beautiful Fearon Fountain in the Market Place. This was renovated in about 1986 by local sculptor David Tarver, and re-dedicated in about 2013.
References:
http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/a-summer-visit-to-nanpantan.html
https://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/so-who-was-henry-fearon.html
Day 36 - 26 July 2017
Lots of conversations last week about the extension of the GCR line connecting Loughborough with Ruddington, and why one might want to do this. So many things to see and do along the way, so many interesting places to stop at! I love the country park and the Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington. British Gypsum would be interesting to view from the trainline, as would Stanford and the lammas meadow. Loughborough, Quorn & Woodhouse, Rothley and Cropston Reservoir all fabulous places to view from a train, and finally a new museum at Birstall - what's not to love!
Day 35 - 25 July 2017
If you've never been on a tour of Taylor's Bellfoundry I'd suggest you get yourself over there and have a look around, even if you're not interested in bells. I went today and had the most amazing time. The museum is quite small but has all the information and artefacts you could possibly want to see, along with a small gift shop selling souvenirs and bell-related products. The work in the foundry is quite astounding - engineering and craftsmanship - and almost 19th century, and the smell of the industrial environment is evocative of another age. Danger lurks at every turn!
Reference:
https://www.taylorbells.co.uk/web/?q=node/52
https://www.taylorbells.co.uk/web/?q=node/53
Day 34 - 24 July 2017
Sometimes I go to meetings in public buildings, but oftentimes these are outside of the normal opening hours. The Friends of Charnwood Museum hold their monthly talks in the evening, after hours, and it always feels like such a privilege to enter via the Granby Street door, and walk through the exhibition area to the cafe when there's no-one around! Meetings and events in the public library hold a similar feeling of excitement! Imagine how wonderful it would be to have the Old Rectory Museum opened up especially for your visit, like Nicky Morgan, MP, who's visiting tomorrow!
References:
http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/mp-nicky-morgan-view-museums-13377760
Day 33 - 23 July 2017
Today my faith in human nature was validated! If you read the blog you probably already know we have an allotment. This year - as I seem to say most years! - there's been a bumper crop of soft fruit - red currants, blackcurrants, white currants, tayberries, raspberries, wineberries, gooseberries ... As there's only so much soft fruit we can eat, some of it turns into jam - nothing to do with me, it's magic, or rather the other half is a dab hand at jam-making. Today I exchanged a jar of mixed fruit jam for a set of keys I'd unwittingly dropped in the street.
Day 32 - 22 July 2017
Songster reminds me of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum: 151 feet high, bell-chamber accessed by 138 steps via a spiral staircase. Built with Tuckers bricks, by Moss builders, with Morris steel and Taylors bells, the tower is mostly locally made, apart from white Portland cement and Portland stone window dressings. Portland stone comes from Portland, Dorset, where there is a lighthouse, built in 1905: 135 feet high, 153 steps to the top via a spiral staircase. Built of sandstone, built by Wakeham Bros. from Plymouth, housing lanterns by Chance of Birmingham. Both structures offer stunning views of their surroundings.
References:
http://www.portlandhistory.co.uk/portland-bill-lighthouse.html
http://www.carillontower.org.uk/bells.htm
Day 31 - 21 July 2017
Derby struck a chord with me. In the Silk Mill and the museum and art gallery we learned the history of the city from pre-historic times, but were surprised to find Egyptians mummies, alabaster, and bricks, amongst other things. One part of the museum was dedicated to the Derbyshire Yeomanry, rather like the first floor of our Carillon. I was staggered to find on display the "flintlock rifle used at Boden's Lace Factory Riot, 1816" - that would be John Heathcoat's factory too! And of course, like all good yeomanry museums, there was a full-size replica of a war horse, rather like Songster.
Day 30 - 20 July 2017
Today we visited Derby. Not a city I've visited often, but I wanted to see the poppies again. First seen at the Tower of London in 2014, the poppies have travelled around the country, and we have previously seen them at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, but missed them at Lincoln, so I was keen to see them again, especially as their creator was from Derby. Spilling from the side of the Silk Mill, they didn't disappoint, and neither did the rest of Derby, but wouldn't it be wonderful to see the poppies falling from the top of the Carillon in Queen's Park?
Day 29 - 19 July 2017
I've been leafing through some Loughborough Echos from the last three years, purposefully, of course, because I needed to make some space! Last night I was talking about the Echo, well actually, the stunning art deco building it used to occupy on Swan Street. I was also talking about the Loughborough Monitor, which used to be published by Mr Wills, as well as trade and street directories, before briefly joining forces with Mr Hepworth in Angel Yard. It was from here in 1914 that they published the first of their children's books, and registered the ladybird logo in 1915.
Day 28 - 18 July 2017
I am just back from leading a group of people around Loughborough town centre, sharing with them the delights of our lovely town. We talked about the Carnegie Library, the Pinau statue, Island House, the cattle market, Clarke's dyeworks, the drill hall, the bleach works, spar ornaments makers, the Blacksmith's Arms, the Devonshire Square mural, the Odeon, the NatWest, the former Old Boot Hotel, the old Magistrate's court, the milestone outside the Organ Grinder pub, the Town Hall, the HSBC, the former Blackamoor's Head, Lloyd's bank, Crawshaws, the Fearon Fountain, Angel Yard, the Sockman, the Theatre Royal, Iceland and the librarian's house ...
Day 27 - 17 July 2017
Writing about Portland stone yesterday has reminded me about the use of local materials in our local buildings. In earlier times it would have been uneconomical and most inconvenient to trundle building materials regularly by canal, rail or road, especially since there were abundant supplies of many materials close by. The HSBC bank in Market Place uses Portland stone, but the plinth is of polished Mountsorrel granite, and the roof is of Swithland slate. The Fearon Fountain, however, has pillars that are partially made of polished Scottish granite. Lloyd's bank features terracotta from the Hathern Station Brick and Tile Company.
Day 26 - 16 July 2017
I've recently been lucky enough to have learned a bit more about clay! I know that doesn't sound very exciting, but actually, it is! At Tate St Ives I learned about terracotta (including the fact that it is a chemical formula), interesting because the Hathern Station Brick and Tile Company created many terracotta features for our town. At Corfe claymining museum I learned about the extraction of ballclay and its use for tableware (by, amongst others, Wedgwood). At Portland I was blown away by the Portland stone quarries, significant because the base of the Carillon is made of this stone.
References:
http://www.purbeckminingmuseum.org/clay-history/
http://www.portlandmuseum.co.uk/
http://www.albionstone.com/portland-stone/beds
http://www.mbhplc.co.uk/hathern-terra-cotta
Day 25 - 15 July 2017
Corfe Castle, Dorset. Inadvertently stumbled upon a Tudor event - bows and arrows, tents, canons, Tudor food, games and music. Apparently, the Royalists held Corfe Castle in the early days of the Civil War, but it did eventually fall to Cromwell and his army. Cromwell's army (or some of it) did, of course, sleep overnight in our Parish Church around the time of the Battle of Cotes. Talking of which, I was a bit sad to miss the Civil War Walk today, but I was there in spirit. Back in Dorset, if Corfe Castle weren't enough, we then happened upon the steam railway ...
Day 24 - 14 July 2017
The Drill Hall in St Ives has very recently been renovated and now houses some lovely little shops, selling toys, antiques, clothes and crafts along with an attractive cafe. A very sympathetic renovation and a new use for what was once a very important building. Loughborough also had a drill hall, but its fate was quite unlike that of the St Ives one, as it was demolished. The drill hall was used by soldiers practising close-order manoeuvres, known as drills, and was located somewhere in what is now Granby carpark. Was it the Devonshire Regiment who used to meet and practise here?
Day 23 - 13 July 2017
James Thirsk, a branch librarian with Lancashire County Council, was called up to the army in 1940. After seeing short service as a gunner, he applied to the Intelligence Corps, and although his first application was unsuccessful, he did manage to secure a position. After spending a night in London, he was transferred to Beaumanor Hall, arriving at Quorn and Woodhouse station from Marylebone. On arrival he sat on a long sofa on the landing halfway up the stairs. But it was to be a short stay, before he was sent to Bletchley Park.
Day 22 - 12 July 2017
Like many people the sound of church bells ringing is an evocative thing, which reminds me of my childhood, living near the village church. Strange then, to witness an art installation (in this case a video) of a camera panning around the Roman amphitheatre at Caerleon, to the sound of alternating bass and tenor bells. These days, bells always remind me of our very own Taylors Bellfoundry. I wonder if the bells used in the installation were made at Taylors, who have sent bells all over the country and further. Looking forward to my trip to the foundry in July!
Day 21 - 11 July 2017
There's currently a fantastic display of Bernard Leach pottery at Tate St Ives, pots which don't often get a public viewing. And it's not just Bernard Leach's pots, but also those of Shoji Hamada, Michael Cardew and various other Leach potters. Up at the Leach Pottery there's an exhibition of work by Callum Trudgeon, apprentice. This, of course, does have something to do with Loughborough because in 1953 Bernard's son, David, lectured at what was Loughborough College of Art, the Principal being Jack Divine, who lived in Holt Cottage, next to The Holt, on the corner of Forest Road and Holt Drive.
Day 20 -10 July 2017
Along the back road from St Ives to Penzance there's a quarry. The fine grained granite it extracts is silver-grey and used for roadstone, and brown which is more decorative and used for walling or garden features. This granite comes from the ancient Cornish mountains. Over in Mountsorrel, the pink granite, used for construction projects, is mainly from the outcrop at Buddon Wood Hill. 450 million years ago, the earth's crust forced magma to the surface, and when cooled this contained large, pink crystals. So, not only is Mountsorrel granite old, it is also a lovely shade of pink!
References:
www.cormacltd.co.uk/aggregates-and-recycled-stone
www.tarmac.com/mountsorrel-quarry/about/
Day 19 - 9 July 2017
I've just experienced a ride on an open-topped bus, down some very narrow country lanes. Exhilarating! This reminded me of several years ago when Leicestershire has a small fleet of such buses during the summer for a number of years. I've always been a fan, but sadly never managed to get on board due to working hours. How lovely it would be to reinstate these services. Imagine the views if the Carillon and the park, of the GCR and trains steaming along. What a glorious way to get between places and see the town and the area from a different perspective.
Day 18 - 8 July 2017
Walking through Penzance's main shopping streets, one cannot help but be struck by the domineering dome of the Lloyd's Bank at the top of the hill. A rather stunning building, rather like ours, which has distinctive terracotta embellishments, like the allegorical figure on top. Back in Penzance, many of the buildings are in poor condition, very much worse than in Loughborough, and there are also many more empty shops than in Loughborough. It's at times like this that I realise how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful well-kept and well-cared for town.
References:
http://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/new-warden-chaplain-launde-abbey/
Day 13 - 3 July 2017
Ok, so you knew it wouldn’t be long before I signed up to yet another online course! I’ve been researching my family tree on and off for more than 20 years, so this course on genealogy seemed a perfect choice for me. I also do research into old families in Loughborough, so I’m looking forward to learning some new strategies and hints and tips from this course. If you’re interested in researching your own family tree, pop along to the public library on Granby Street where you can access the Library Edition of Ancestry for free – and get some free help!
References:
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/genealogy?lr=21
Lovely sunny day in Loughborough, so we went
out for a late breakfast at Oakley Grange Farm, to celebrate middle child’s
birthday! Back in Loughborough, our allotment is bursting with soft fruit at
the moment but it’s far too hot to go picking right now – maybe it’ll be a
little cooler later this evening. Sitting hear writing this at home I can usually
hear the wonderful sounds of the Carillon but today its’ the turn of the Syston
Band to play in the bandstand in Queen’s Park – great programme for Sunday afternoons
during the summer, and such a lovely setting.
References:
https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/files/documents/bandstand_flyer_2017/Bandstand%20flyer%202017.pdf
References:
http://www.allsaintsloughborough.org.uk/jml02/
http://taylorbells.co.uk/web/
Day 10 - 30 June 2017
References:
https://www.rsc.org.uk/
Day 9 - 29 June 2017
The renovation of Nos.53-54 Baxter Gate, now known as 1 Old Hospital Court, is encouraging. The former nurses’ home, doctor’s surgery, hospital store and health information centre is restored to its former glory and in use again. A Grade II listed building, it stands as testament to what can be achieved, given the right circumstances. No.52, however, has fared less well, and appears to have been demolished. When I read the plans in the “Echo”, I hadn’t realised the extent to which the property was to be destroyed and rebuilt: the side walls seemingly the only parts to be retained.
References:
http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/flats-planned-next-loughborough-cineworld-11849355
References:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66911300.html
https://www.onthemarket.com/details/3799775/
References:
http://www.tarratt.co.uk/
http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/denhams-jewellers-is-latest-leicester-shop-to-close-down/story-30053349-detail/story.html
http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/jewellers-take-over-denhams-9919818
Day 6 - 26 June 2017
Day 5 - 25 June 2017
References:
http://www.poole.gov.uk/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=32502&type=full&servicetype=Attachment
http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/led-street-lights-for-loughborough-8094492
Day 4 - 24 June 2017
I've been busy doing a course in local history so no time to read for pleasure: a pile of books, waiting to be read, has been building up. One of these was written by the lady who delivered the guiding course I attended; another, the story of a Loughborough family in the 1950s; one - still wrapped in clear cellophane - contains architectural plans of Watson Fothergill, the Nottingham architect responsible for our NatWest bank in Cattle Market. One of his iconic buildings is the Black Boy Hotel in Nottingham. Our Blackboy pub was replaced by the Blacksmith's Arms in 1875.
Day 3 - 23 June 2017
Last evening I joined the Friends of Charnwood Museum to listen to Nick Pell talk about the Porthmaddoc Heritage Railway
Much resonated with me: glorious October holidays in Bertrand Russell's former house; a trip to Llechwedd slate caverns, which reminded me of our own Swithland slate quarries; and the Great Central Railway, our own steam line. The Porthmaddoc line was narrow gauge: the GCR is the only double track main line in Britain. Look out for the Bridge to the Future project to connect with another part of the line, and the new Great Central Museum being prepared for Birstall.
References:
http://www.whr.co.uk/
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/unify/
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/2017/03/great-central-museum-work-progress/
Day 2 - 22 June 2017
Day 1 - 21 June 2017
consecutive days, starting today on National Writing Day, 21 June 2017!
Day 100 - 28 September 2017
So this is it, the end of #100days: I hope you've enjoyed it. It's been quite a tour-de-force, but interesting and fun. Although it's only 100 words, it's taken up a lot of time - considering what to write, writing, then culling half the words!!! I'm now looking forward to having more time to spend investigating Loughborough in more depth. Finally, visit the Old Rectory Museum - last few open Saturdays; visit the Loogabarooga Festival in October, and please consider joining the Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society at their next talk on 7 October, on William George Dimock Fletcher. Adieu!
Day 99 - 27 September 2017
I used to feel a teensy-weensy bit jealous of people who lived Forest-side because of the easy access they had to the countryside. However, since we've taken up walking in earnest, I've discovered that actually there's a lot of countryside I have access to, from different parts of town. So, a walk through the cemetery over to Charnwood Water is great, as is a walk along the canal from the Bull-in-the-Hollow farm, and a walk through Woodthorpe to Quorn, or up and across to the Outwoods, or to Beaumanor. How interesting to learn of the Leicestershire Local Access Forum.
References:
http://politics.leics.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=1106
Day 98 - 26 September 2017
We're fast approaching the end of this #100days initiative: I want to go out with a bang, but I'm quickly running out of steam! Talking of which, there's loads of interesting events taking place at the Great Central Railway during October, and in the run up to Christmas! Also during October (18th - 24th) we have the Loogabarooga Festival with some pretty famous names coming to town to celebrate books and book illustration. When you consider that Loughborough was home to Ladybird books, this makes sense. 19th October sees Diwali - Festival of Lights - celebrations, and November is fair time!
References:
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/special-events/
http://mediafiles.thedms.co.uk/Publication/LM/cms/pdf/Loogabarooga%20Festival%20brochure%202017.pdf
Day 97 - 25 September 2017
Coming late to the Loughborough Echo this week, but I was interested to see that 50 years ago, the Old Rectory made an appearance in it! A proposal to turn the building into a museum was made to the Loughborough Town Council, and that the WEA wanted to run some classes for museum enthusiasts! The proposal must have been accepted at some point because the Old Rectory is now a museum, open on Saturdays, 11am - 3pm from April to October. There's an annually changing exhibition downstairs, and Loughborough artefacts upstairs. Pop down before it closes for the season!
Day 96 - 24 September 2017
I've just been looking for some photographs of Loughborough that I know I have squirreled away somewhere on the pc, and in the process have found lots of interesting ones. I started taking pictures of the town in earnest in 2012, and it's amazing how much has changed since then. Some things are still the same, like the Old Rectory, the Parish Church, the NatWest Bank etc., whilst some things are quite different, like the former nurses home on Baxter Gate, and the Warner School. Some things, like the Herbert Morris factory, are currently under threat and about to change.
Day 95 - 23 September 2017
Yesterday I went to a food festival: it was the same one as the first one I went to many years ago, and it was the one that started me off on them. Compared to the ones around the Loughborough area, this one was tiny, but well worth a visit. Loughborough doesn't have a good festival but we do have a fantastic monthly farmers' market and several international food markets throughout the year. Actually, we're blessed with markets in Loughborough: general markets on Thursdays and Saturdays, bric-a-brac on Fridays, & speciality ones like Ceramics. The market charter was granted by Henry III in 1221.
Day 94 - 22 September 2017
What better place to visit on a rainy day than a watermill. Melyn Tregwynt is a woollen mill with an overshot wheel, that produces exquisite Welsh cloth. Years ago there was a watermill at Dishley Grange, which had a breastshot waterwheel and was used to grind corn. The Lower Mill at Cotes (now a kitchen showroom, previously a pub) was also a water-powered mill (not sure which type though) which was used to grind corn. There was also an Upper Mill at Cotes, also used for grinding corn: together the two mills at Cotes were known as the King's Mills.
Day 93 - 21 September's 2017
A walk today along a disused tramway led up what used to be an inclined plane to a winding house, now a scheduled ancient monument. The walk back passed by several bell pits, through a churchyard, and ended in a harbour. This heritage trail around Saundersfoot showed the journey of coal from the mines down to the harbour. In Loughborough a similar transport route can be found, so coal was transported on the Charnwood Forest Canal, from Thringstone to Nanpantan. From here the coal was transferred to wagons on the tramway which went through Loughborough, and was transported to the Soar Navigation.
Day 92 - 20 September 2017
Just passed a little tin church on the side of the road: there used to be a tin tabernacle on King Street, Loughborough, but that was demolished long before I came here. What of the tin hall next to St Peter's church: was that once the church itself? ** The other thing I've spotted today are houses named the same as some of ours in Loughborough: I've seen a Fieldhouse, an Elms Grove and a Gables. In a little book about Welsh follies, there is mention of quite a few obelisks: now, haven't we got one of these on the Garendon Estate?
Day 91 - 19 September 2017
Over the last few days, I've been driven around a lot of the countryside, and couldn't help but notice loads of milestones. In Pembrokeshire, in 2003, the milestones, which were languishing in the hedges, were dug out and restored to their former glory. Many are cast iron and were made in the mid-1850s by Maychurch foundry in Haverfordwest. We have quite a number of such milestones in and around Loughborough, including outside the Leicester Road cemetery, on the A512 near the windmill, and on the A6 near Dishley, to name a few. I wonder where they were made? John Jones's maybe?
Day 90 - 18 September 2017
Over the last couple of days I've seen many things that have reminded me about Loughborough. At Stepaside there were fantastic remains of an old iron works, and on the ridge above this was the remnants of an old colliery. To get there we followed the footpath that was laid along the route of the former tramway. Today, we saw slate in use as steps leading up to a house, sedimentary rock that looked like slate (but was, of course, some sort of clay) and the map we were using listed so many disused quarries. Did I mention alabaster tombs?
Day 89 - 17 September 2017
Just had a fabulous fish dinner at the seaside: if you know anywhere in Loughborough that has a great seafood menu, do let me know! I must admit I was always amused by the pub on the A512, when it was called the Sea Around Us: I assumed it was ironic because land-locked Loughborough couldn't be further away from the sea. Whilst walking off said dinner, I passed a tiny coachworks, which reminded me about all the coachworks we used to have in Loughborough: Willowbrook, Jackson's, Yeates, Southfields and Brush, although the latter were more involved with single and double-decker buses. Any others?
Day 88 - 16 September 2017
There seems to be a theme of water running through today. Just experienced a huge rain and hail storm in Wales! The water seems wetter in the waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons than I remember from last time, and I got a real soaking! The fountains in Queen's Park look beautiful, as does the algae growing on top, although too many people seem to think it's a continuation of the grass! In my second ever blog post, I celebrated Loughborough's win in the East Midlands In Bloom competition, and congratulations are due again as Loughborough has achieved gold in the Small City category this year.
Day 87 - 15 September 2017
Last night, I saw a Taylors bell. Well, I didn't actually see the bell, I saw it on a webcam that was hooked up to the bell which was attached to a clock! What a brilliant idea! Today, I took the youngest to the railway station to catch a train to Nottingham to do his UKCAT test (passed with flying colours). I thought the people on the railway bridge were watching something happening on the steam line, so I was gutted when I later read that the Flying Scotsman had passed through on the main line! Youngest saw it though!
Day 86 - 14 September 2017
Tonight I found myself joining a group of eager volunteers at a local church in Woodhouse Eaves. I say local, it seems pretty local these days as Woodhouse Eaves is on one of our regular, I don't know, 3-4-5-6-7-8 mile hikes!! St Paul's church is situated on Church Hill, and described in its Grade II* listing as built on rocky outcrop. It's a relatively new church, having been built around 1836-7, around about the same time as Loughborough's Emmanuel Church on Forest Road, and about 25 years before the Church of All Saints with Holy Trinity was renovated.
References:
Postcard from 1904 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC57959-St-Pauls-church-Woodhouse-Eaves-Maple-1904/262970800009?_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D44293%26meid%3Dfbb426690de3494ea8525c626cfbed25%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D252921893849
Photograph from about 1965: https://www.francisfrith.com/uk/woodhouse-eaves/woodhouse-eaves-st-pauls-church-c1965_w367101
Day 85 - 13 September 2017
Today I've been leafing through a load of old photographs, and came across some of my wedding. We were married in Southfields House, which used to be the home of William Bryerley Paget, and we had some lovely pictures taken in the colourful garden. But, as well as these we also had some photos taken outside the parish church door, around the Old Rectory, on the bridge by the ponds in Queen's Park, next to the Great Paul bell cast, and beneath the carillon. What a beautiful town Loughborough is, and so many opportunities for capturing some beautiful moments.
Day 84 - 12 September 2017
So today I went on a Memory Walk to support the Alzheimer's Society, which involved walking along the River Soar at Leicester, seeing how this had changed over the last 60 years, for example, with the demolition of Filbert Street and the construction of the King Power Stadium, and the demolition of the Liberty Shoe factory and the moving of the statue to the roundabout on Upperton Road. We also saw where the Great Central Railway, that went to London Marylebone, used to be. This line, of course, linked with Loughborough, and is now part of the Great Central Railway.
Day 83 - 11 September 2017
I've just learned (from a television programme) about Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum, significant because I've heard of Bursledon having spent quite a lot of time in Fareham, but hadn't realised there was a brick museum there. Not only that, it's the only steam driven brickworks left in the UK. How exciting! Bricks made here were called Fareham red bricks, and these were used in the construction of the Royal Albert Hall. Not a patch on Tuckers bricks though!! This Loughborough firm, with three sites at one time, contributed some of the bricks used to construct St Pancras station.
References:
https://stpancras.com/history/construction
Day 82 - 10 September 2017
6pm I still hadn't walked my 10K steps, so I went for a short walk around the university campus. How things have changed, and so much of it relatively recently. I knew they were demolishing the Towers dining hall, but hadn't really thought how different that would make the outlook. I knew there was a garden next to what used to be Admin 1 (or was it 2?!), but I didn't realise it led through to a beautiful space, the Garden of Remembrance, full of plaques commemorating former staff and students. It was very moving to sit there in the quiet.
Day 81 - 9 September 2017
Today I've been out at a party celebrating the 70th birthday of the Record Office for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (ROLLR). A great day: had a look around the search rooms and the strong rooms, and chatted with a brilliant conservator- such an exciting job, repairing documents from the 1600s! On display was the oldest document the office holds - something from the 1100s - and a letter written by Joseph Merrick. But more relevant to Loughborough was the dreadfully sad story of Roger and Leena. I've read it before, but it was great to see if for real.
Day 80 - 8 September 2017
Last night I attended a most interesting talk at the public library, given by a librarian from Birstall, on the roles undertaken by women during WW1. These roles were, of course, many and varied, ranging from encouraging men to sign up to the war effort, through cooking economically, dressing conservatively, and fundraising, to making munitions, working on trains and trams, policing, nursing, and joining the military. Here in Loughborough, Herbert Schofield arranged for local women to be trained in making munitions, which was done in what is now called the Generator Building, on the corner of Packe Street and Frederick Street.
Day 79 - 7 September 2017
This heritage week stuff is brilliant! Today I've managed to get to see the inside of the former Midland/HSBC bank on Bishop Street in Leicester. Nothing to do with Loughborough, really. It's a beautiful building, with stained glass windows, and a glass ceiling, and without the bank counters, the huge area of the ground floor is more easily appreciated. The building is now used as a Buddhist temple, and our hosts for the visit were the Leicester Civic Trust. The architect was Goddard, who also designed the HSBC in Loughborough. There are moves afoot to create a Loughborough Civic Trust too.
Day 78 - 6 September 2017
I've been investigating architects who either were born in, lived in or worked in Loughborough, and have found a few! Christopher Staveley was responsible for some of the early 19th century changes to All Saints with Holy Trinity Church. His father was also an architect, as was his brother Edward, and his own two sons, Christopher and Edward! William Henderson was the architect of Stanford Hall, Wilford Hall and possibly 2 Loughborough Road Mountsorrel: his son, John, was also an architect. Towards the end of the 19th century we find Allcock, Barrowcliff, Fowler, Hampton, Hodson, and Price. Any more?
Day 77 - 5 September 2017
A looooooong day at work followed by a committee meeting for the Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society! Pretty successful generally. I'm beginning to feel a little bit like a regular at the Three Nuns, what with LLLSV meals and LAHS committee meetings! Now, if you haven't been down to the Old Rectory Museum lately, or in a long time, things may well have changed and you could be in for a pleasant surprise. There's an annually changing exhibition which this year features the Civil War. Open most Saturdays April to October, 11-3. Find us on Rectory Place. Look forward to seeing you!
Day 76 - 4 September 2017
Ooops, nearly forgot to post! Tonight I've been having the most wonderful time looking around the Lambeth Palace online collection of church plans! There are quite a lot on there, but nonetheless, I was surprised to find those for All Saints, Emmanuel, Holy Trinity, and St Peters. These were all done in the 1800s: the one for All Saints, dated 1860-63 is concerned with the renovation work undertaken during the time of the Rev'd Fearon. The Emmanuel plans are for the original building from 1838, as are those for Holy Trinity, built 1877-8, and those for St Peters, built 1909-13.
Day 75 - 3 September 2017
Ah, spoilt for choice today!!! While most of us were sleeping, the first part of the Bridge to the Future was hoiked into place by a very large crane!!!! So many people and cameras out there today! And, the vintage buses running from Quorn & Woodhouse station to Birstall Park and Ride make a wonderful sight! Meanwhile, over at Abbey Park in Leicester for a 10K (nooooooo, not me running!), a reminder of Loughborough's history: I'd forgotten how much remains there are of Leicester Abbey in the park, and it reminded me to check out the history of Garendon Abbey.
Day 74 - 2 September 2017
I've just spotted an interesting snippet on the university's website, which I thought I'd share with you. I may have mentioned earlier that I visited the Wilson Museum in Cheltenham, and the connection between the Cotswolds, Ernest Gimson, the Barnsley brothers and Peter Waal, so my interest was piqued when I read a headline about a furniture auction at the university. Furniture being auctioned off was produced by students of the Handicraft Unit under the tutelage of some of the aforementioned. Auction ends 10 September, and items are available to view between 8 and 10 September.
References:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni/events/auction-2017/
Day 73 - 1 September 2017
45 years ago I accidentally left my purse in a telephone box: yesterday, for the first time since then, I accidentally left my purse in a Loughborough cafe. Bizarrely, I noticed before I got home that I'd left my copy of "East Midlands History and Heritage" behind, but didn't miss my purse until later. They were very understanding when later I rang the cafe! This got me to thinking about the cafes in town, and how many there are. Apart from the 5 chains, there are 18 other independent cafes, all with their unique offerings. Such a wide choice is great!
Day 72 - 31 August 2017
So, it is 20 years since the untimely death of Diana, Princess of Wales. It would be hard to forget, not least because this anniversary has seen a lot of column inches, and received a lot of media attention. I am not particularly sentimental on the matter, nor have I ever engaged with conspiracy theories. I am, however, sentimental in respect of the visit Princess Diana made to the Ladybird factory in 1990, and love the fact that they produced a couple of books about her life, one in 1982 shortly after that wedding, the other immediately following her death.
Day 71 - 30 August 2017
Today I've been talking culverts! I visited the Soho House Museum in Handsworth. It was here that Matthew Boulton lived and built a manufactory, making toys (buckles, buttons, silverware, ormolu, etc.). He moved here because of good access to water, fuel, and iron. The land is traversed by small rivers - or at least it was until they were culverted, like our own Woodbrook. Such waterways often result in soggy land, as is regularly experienced in our Queen's Park. If you're lucky enough you might spot Boulton and his business partner, James Watt, on a £50 note!
Day 70 - 29 August 2017
Well, I've taken the plunge and sorted out some unwanted books for a secondhand book stall at the Sutton Bonnington Show on Sunday 3rd September. It was hard as I don't much like getting rid of things, but most of the unwanted ones are ones that I have bought twice, or in some cases three times!!! Of course, where I've got 1st and subsequent editions of the same thing, I've kept them all! I seem to a penchant for Shire Books: really easy introductions to all sorts of topics, like bellfounding, ironworking, mills etc.. 120 titles on my bookcase!
Day 69 - 28 August 2017
When I'm researching something, I spend all day online! Bizarrely, I forget about physical books, which is odd, since I fall over books with every step I take at home! I've catalogued my local history books, so I can easily check and see if I have something, which I do in secondhand bookshops, because I simply have no more room for books! The other problem is that although they're catalogued, when I consult any, I rarely put them back where they came from - which makes finding them again almost impossible! At least I always know where the pc is!
Day 68 - 27 August 2017
Last year I went out of my comfort zone and attended a short organ recital at All Saints with Holy Trinity. I'm not a huge fan of organ music, but I enjoyed it last year, so when I spotted an advert for a recital today, I went along. I was treated to some pieces I knew - an arrangement of Saint-Saens' Swan - and others I didn't - David German's Festive Trumpet Tune. Thanks Deputy Organist, Chris! When I've been in the church before I've usually sat near the back: this time, being near the front, I spotted the Hastings shield on the first pew!
Day 67 - 26 August 2017
We went to the food festival in Appleby Magna today. I'd never been there before, so I was pleased they were offering tours of the Sir John Moore school, and of course, I took them up on that offer! On the uppermost floors was a tower housing a bell, which was created in 1585 (somewhat before Taylors moved to Loughborough) and rooms as they would have been in the 19th century. We also did the village walking trail: entering St Michael and All Angels church, I whooped around as I'd inadvertently stepped not on a Messenger conservatory, but on a Messenger drain cover!
Day 66 - 25 August 2017
What to write about?! I spent most of the day being busy, so didn't get out until this evening, when I walked to the Range, had a bit of a wander around the store, and then walked to Morrisons, where I did the same, and then walked home, via Epinal Way. I didn't really see much of interest apart from those new houses on Derby Road where the coachworks used to be, the Station Hotel which is now a funeral directors, the Co-op on Epinal Way that used to be the Maltings (or Gallant Knight, or a barn), and Field House.
Day 65 -24 August 2017
Great to see the Loughborough Echo, feature one of my favourite buildings and its low relief carving of a beehive and clasped hands, once a Co-operative store on Woodgate. I had a quick glance at the trade directories, but there were far too many retailers to be able to pinpoint who was running this shop in 1848 and 1863. Brilliant to see another of my favourite buildings pop up on a facebook thread today too! The former Sparrow Hill Theatre, which I featured in an blog post, was once the meeting place of the Royal Sovereign Lodge of Oddfellows.
References:
http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/handels-messiah-snibston-discovery_28.html
Day 64 - 23 August 2017
I've lived in the same house for over 20 years. I've walked into town the same way over 1000 times. Every time I trip over the drop curb! Normally I curse under my breath, but today I stopped to look at the offending curb, and wonder why: why was it there? It isn't at the edge of a drive, and there's a six-foot wall where the slope begins. Looking a bit more closely, I can conclude that the (1970s?) bungalow which is surrounded by the six-foot wall was built in what were the grounds of the Victorian semi behind.
Day 63 - 22 August 2017
A momentous day, today - for the people of Loughborough, for Taylors Bellfoundry and for the peal of eight bells making their way across Britain to Ypres in Belgium. The eight bells arrived at Queen's Park this morning, on two WW1 vehicles - four on each lorry - resplendent with red painted poppy border and garlands of poppies securing them to the vehicle. The park was full of visitors eager to send the bells off on their travels, and the Mayor did exactly that - after two minutes' silence, she wished them a safe journey as the Carillon accompanied the event.
Day 62 - 21 August 2017
Women at war seems to be the order of the day today! The latest exhibition over at the public library, organised by the local studies volunteers, focuses on the part women played in war, from the Crimean to WW2. The displays include lots of information about local women, as well as some about nationally famous women. IN addition, there is to be a talk given by Nick Marshall at the library on 7 September, 6.30-7.30, on the same topic. I've been to the former - and it's a good one. I shall try and pop along to the latter!
Day 61 - 20 August 2017
I'm a bit late reading my Loughborough Echo this week, so only just seen the letter suggesting local folk might like the opportunity to see the Taylor's bells that are off to Ypres shortly. The good news is that the bells will be starting their journey to the memorial church in Belgium on WW1 lorries, and will be at the bandstand in Queen's Park, on Tuesday 22 August, 11-11.30am. This will be a great chance for us to see some splendid examples of the work of one of our most prestigious companies, whose work has been exported all over the world.
References:
http://loveloughborough.co.uk/event/despatch-ww1-memorial-bells-ypres/
Day 60 - 19 August 2017
Walking on Little Malvern, today, I was surprised to learn of the quarrying in the area. Not only that, it was granite that was quarried, and, the bits that we saw were pink, like that found at Mountsorrel. We also spied a lovely reservoir, and in the distance, what I initially thought was a church spire turned out to be an obelisk!! The other thing I hadn't realised was that we were within a short distance of the graves of the Elgar family, Edward Elgar being the composer of a piece of music called Carillon Chimes, composed especially for the opening of our Carillon.
Day 59 - 18 August 2017
I've just found the Wilson Museum in Cheltenham and been absolutely staggered by their collection of Arts and Crafts furniture! A whole room devoted to it, and another room affectionately called The Store with sideboards, chairs and bureaux piled high. Much of the work displayed was designed and created by Ernest Gimson and the Barnsley brothers who at one time were part of Loughborough University, and it was Gimson who designed Stoneywell Cottage. And if that weren't enough, they also have some Bernard Leach pottery, Bernard being the father of David who worked at Loughborough College!
Day 58 - 17 August 2017
Spoilt for choice today and it's only 11am!! Winners of the Leicestershire Green Plaque Awards have been announced and include several Loughborough connections:
* Heathcoat and Boden's Lace Factory on Market Street (now Iceland), attacked by Luddites in 1816
* John Thoedore Kenney, creator and illustrator of Thomas the Tank Engine AND Ladybird Books illustrator
* Ann Ayre Healey of Ravenstone, nurse during the Crimean War, but featured in the current exhibition in Loughborough public library
* Tommy Brown of Earl Shilton, who rescued an Enigma machine from a German submarine, reminds me that Beaumanor Hall was a listening station in WW2.
References:
https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/history-and-heritage/green-plaque-awards-scheme
Day 57 - 16 August 2017
A mercy call from the eldest who's looking for a morning suit to wear for the culmination of the outdoor bowls season in Southampton reminded me of all the bowls clubs we have in Loughborough. There's the indoor bowls next to the leisure centre, and outdoor there's the Brush at Nanpantan sports ground, and Phoenix off Park Road, which has been recently formed from a merger of the Park Road and Beacon Road clubs (i.e. Loughborough and Granby), and there's the Queen's Park club. Years ago there used to be many more clubs, like the one at the Bull's Head, Shelthorpe.
References:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186299-d6938483-Reviews-Southampton_Old_Bowling_Green-Southampton_Hampshire_England.html#photos;geo=186299&detail=6938483&aggregationId=101
Day 56 - 15 August 2017
Just thinking about Unitarians. Since doing my local history course, I now understand a bit more about non-conformity - a bit rich coming from someone from Wales, whose relations were mostly non-conformists! Robert Bakewell, the local agriculturalist at Dishley Grange, was an Unitarian. During his lifetime, the Loughborough Unitarian chapel was on Warners Lane, and this is celebrated with a plaque near the spot. Following the demolition of the Warners Lane chapel, a new one was built on Victoria Street. This has now been converted into attractive residential accommodation, but still retains its outward appearance as a place of worship.
References:
http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/dishley-grange-in-photographs.html
http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/so-who-was-robert-bakewell.html
Day 55 - 14 August 2017
Apparently, I did see a Messenger conservatory when I visited Chatsworth last week: I should return for another look! Today I've been to Belvoir Castle, hoping to see another one, but disappointed because there were no conservatories, at least, none that we could see. No connection to Loughborough either, apart from the the painting and bust of the Marquis of Granby: apparently he is remembered today through the numerous pubs named after him. The Marquis of Granby pub in Loughborough, was on the opposite corner of Pack Horse Lane to the Pack Horse pub (or Organ Grinder) and was closed in 1922.
Day 54 - 13 August 2017
I've just noticed that the Old Rectory Museum is now out there on Twitter! Ironically, my daughter has just told me that Twitter is so last year!! The ORM is near the Parish Church, over on Rectory Place/Steeple Row, in a lovely lawned setting. The building is only open for a few hours each year - Saturdays, 11-3 during April to October - so you really need to plan your trip: the grounds are open all year round. As well as the small collection of permanent exhibits, there's an annually changing display which this year covers the Civil War around Loughborough.
References:
@OldRectoryLboro
Day 53 - 12 August 2017
Sitting in the courtyard of the King's Head Hotel on High Street sipping tea and trying to do a crossword, I had a sneaky swipe through facebook and happened upon a post telling me that On This Day in 1893 Oscar Deutsch was born in Birmingham. The first cinema he opened was in Dudley in 1928, and he had cinemas built all over the country. In Loughborough we're lucky enough to have a stunning example of what was one of his Odeons, opened in 1936, showing Mr Deeds Goes to Town, starring Gary Cooper. This Odeon has been Beacon Bingo since about 1974.
Day 52 - 11 August 2017
This evening I've been looking through my newspaper cuttings - for something specific, which I found. In the process I was reminded about so many things that have happened or been proposed over the last 3 years. The proposed demolition of Herbert Morris - now that was a shocker - and of the Royal George. The plan for a new cinema and restaurant complex on the site of the old hospital. So much interesting information in the Looking Back section, and what a lot of clubs and societies are sending their reports in to the Club Call section of the Loughborough Echo!
Day 51 - 10 August 2017
A wonderful visit to Chatsworth today! I had hoped to get to see more of the artefacts on display, but the timing was off (as usual!) and there was a fashion exhibition on. All very nicely displayed, and quite interesting. My eye was caught by "the ball of the century", a fancy-dress party, which was held at Chatsworth in 1897, in celebration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. One of the guests was Col. Arthur Paget and his wife - not our Arthur of Radmoor House though! And, one of the hosts, Louise, Duchess of Devonshire, went dressed as Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra!
References:
https://www.chatsworth.org/art-archives/devonshire-collection/textiles/duchess-louises-ball-gown/
https://www.chatsworth.org/news-media/news-blogs-press-releases/house-style-opens/
Day 50 - 9 August 2017
One of the things that flitted through my mind today was a couple of 1960s buildings in town. The extension to the Carnegie public library on Granby Street was built in 1965 on the site of the demolished Island House, so called because of its position amongst tributaries of the Wood Brook. The extension to the library provided much-needed space for the expanding range of stock and activities undertaken by the library. In Ward's End, 1966 saw the completion of John Storer House, a community centre, and headquarters for Voluntary Action Charnwood. With its refurbished cafe JSH is a hub of activity and educational support.
Day 49 - 8 August 2017
Today's thoughts have turned to that great British subject - the weather! Why I thought to wear a summer dress in August I have no idea. I do wonder if the rest of the country has had rain like we've had here today! Apart from the weather, I was also thinking about post boxes. I'm a member of the Letter Box Study Group, although I've been too busy to contribute over the last year or so. When I was out walking last night, I spotted a Victorian post box on Ashby Road: brightly painted, but with a missing cream-coloured Post Office direction sign a-top.
References:
http://lbsg.org/
Day 48 - 7 August 2017
There's a rather nice building recently appeared on the Southampton Solent University Campus, with a most innovative lecture theatre perched on three legs, accessed via the second floor landing. What has this to do with Loughborough? I've been researching the Towers hall of residence on our university's campus, and noted that the architects were Gollins Melvin Ward, and at the time the steel-reinforced building material and the construction techniques they used were innovative. So, I followed up GMW, and discovered in 2015 they had been taken over by Scott Brownrigg, the firm responsible for the red alien at Southampton Solent University!
References:
https://www.scottbrownrigg.com/news/the-spark-a-finalist-in-building-magazine-s-project-of-the-year-award/
Day 47 - 6 August 2017
After a lovely, late breakfast at Oakley Grange on the outskirts of Hathern, I went for a wander around the streets of Loughborough, with no particular purpose other than to get some fresh air and exercise. There were lots of folk in town, and the Sockman was wearing a sign in support of a commemorative event on the anniversary of the dropping of a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima in 1945. Along Ashby Road I found engraved house names hiding under ivy, and took some photographs of the university flower display, and Harry Cook's imaginative floral offering before making my way home.
Day 46 - 5 August 2017
I'm in the midst of an online genealogy course, which has piqued the interest of the youngest, along with heraldry. In an early blogpost, I mentioned the Black Boy pub, which was renamed the Blacksmith's Arms. This fairly common inn sign was variously thought to represent slaves, chimney sweeps, miners or Charles II. It was possible that in Loughborough this might be related to the Burnaby family whose crest includes a black boy, but as this was created for the family in 1913, this is definitely not the origin of the name of our pub, which was renamed in 1875.
References:
http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/forums/viewthread/752/
Day 45 - 4 August 2017
Lots of things have happened today, but I shall struggle to tell you about them because youngest child is hogging the pc (doing some family history research to see if he is related in any way to nobility) so I am resorting to using my phone. Had a very long visit to Hardwick Hall today, a truly fascinating place, home to Bess of Hardwick. Lots of tapestries on show, and one was of Zenobia, 3rd century Queen of Syria, not the Loughborough perfume variety! Whilst we were out, the results of a recent course if study were released! I passed.
Day 44 - 3 August 2017
I was late for my lunch date in a cafe in town today because I popped into the public library to have a look at the new exhibition, Women At War, which opened this morning. Wow! What a lot of information and artefacts have been displayed, and in such an engaging way! It's on until 26 September, so you've got plenty of time to go and see it! Lunch was great too, and it was lovely to catch up with a friend I don't see often enough! Tonight I'm off to say cheerio to another friend who is moving away to Whitby after having spent all her life in Leicester.
Day 43 - 2 August 2017
Over on facebook, someone was talking about the Three Nuns. In my younger days, we used to go to the many real ale pubs in town, but when the children came along, this was no longer possible and our tastes changed anyway. Strange to say though, over the last 6 months, I've renewed my acquaintance with a couple of pubs - Three Nuns being one of them, along with the Griffin (and the Packe Horse about a year ago). I've also been into Kelso quite recently, but that can't be a renewed acquaintance because before it was Kelso's it was GT News!
Day 42 - 1 August 2017
Just thinking about the university campus, and how much it's changed over the years! Rutland Hall was built in 1932 and its companion, Hazlerigg in 1937. With a central fountain, these buildings are affectionately known as Rigg-Rut. Victory [sports] Hall is no longer with us, being built in 1945, opened in 1946 and demolished in about 2013. Towers was built in the 1960s and used as student accommodation, opposite the music centre and the college library. The student union building was opened in 1978, the Pilkington Library in 1980. I've lost track lately, as there seems to be constant demolition/construction happening.
Day 41 - 31 July 2017
So today I am feeling incredibly sad - far more sad than I ever thought I would. What? You mean you're not with me on this one? That you didn't feel bereft the moment you realised that your access to library resources had been cut off? Oh. Just me then!! It's been a very intensive academic year, and I'm still awaiting the results, but it is sad to no longer be a student! Strange though, I always thought I was a librarian because I liked helping people find information, but it seems that was a cover for actually wanting to find information for myself!!
Day 40 - 30 July 2017
Another exciting day, this time shopping with the offspring - most unlike me to go shopping - especially at a retail park! And equally exciting, a couple of hours spent doing some searching of academic books and journals for information about Loughborough. I've found loads, but sadly there is still so much more to come to light, I've barely scratched the surface! Mostly about maintenance of roads, making a navigable waterway, and plots! A bit of music too, and some information on doctors and a lot of religious sermons and hymns and prayer books. Next job - read some of it!!
Day 39 - 29 July 2017
Exciting day today! Quick trip to and around Moira Furnace, a walk along the canal to Conkers, a stop off at Coleorton church and an Indian meal in town! Imagining the furnace blasting out with heat, and seeing the lime kilns and knowing that they connected with those at Calke (well, Ticknall) which I discovered last weekend, and getting the Earl of Moira connection with Loughborough, was amazing. Conkers was a haunt when the children were little, but the littlest didn't remember it! Spotting unusual Swithland slate gravestones, and memorials to the Beaumonts at Coleorton was also awesome!
Day 38 - 28 July 2017
Today I finally made it to the Bodleian Library in Oxford, just to have a look around before my library ticket runs out! Took the opportunity to visit the Pitt Rivers Museum, where Loughborough was clearly in my thoughts as I spotted a huge ladybird on the wall, dinosaur bones on display (ok, so that's more akin to Barrow!) and pillars of alabaster from Chellaston - that which our spar ornament makers, some based in the buildings at the back of the Orange Tree, others on Church Gate, used to fashion into small ornaments to sell at seaside resorts like Skegness.
References:
https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/
http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/
http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/baubles.html
Day 37 - 27 July 2017
I've just read in the local paper that Nanapantan Reservoir has been closed to the public until the end of 2017 for necessary repairs. At this time of year, this is such a shame as it's a really beautiful area and a lovely gentle, quiet walk, which I've blogged about in the past. Nanapantan Reservoir was the original source of the town's first water supply, back in 1870, and was supported by Archdeacon Fearon, who provided the beautiful Fearon Fountain in the Market Place. This was renovated in about 1986 by local sculptor David Tarver, and re-dedicated in about 2013.
References:
http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/a-summer-visit-to-nanpantan.html
https://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/so-who-was-henry-fearon.html
Day 36 - 26 July 2017
Lots of conversations last week about the extension of the GCR line connecting Loughborough with Ruddington, and why one might want to do this. So many things to see and do along the way, so many interesting places to stop at! I love the country park and the Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington. British Gypsum would be interesting to view from the trainline, as would Stanford and the lammas meadow. Loughborough, Quorn & Woodhouse, Rothley and Cropston Reservoir all fabulous places to view from a train, and finally a new museum at Birstall - what's not to love!
Day 35 - 25 July 2017
If you've never been on a tour of Taylor's Bellfoundry I'd suggest you get yourself over there and have a look around, even if you're not interested in bells. I went today and had the most amazing time. The museum is quite small but has all the information and artefacts you could possibly want to see, along with a small gift shop selling souvenirs and bell-related products. The work in the foundry is quite astounding - engineering and craftsmanship - and almost 19th century, and the smell of the industrial environment is evocative of another age. Danger lurks at every turn!
Reference:
https://www.taylorbells.co.uk/web/?q=node/52
https://www.taylorbells.co.uk/web/?q=node/53
Day 34 - 24 July 2017
Sometimes I go to meetings in public buildings, but oftentimes these are outside of the normal opening hours. The Friends of Charnwood Museum hold their monthly talks in the evening, after hours, and it always feels like such a privilege to enter via the Granby Street door, and walk through the exhibition area to the cafe when there's no-one around! Meetings and events in the public library hold a similar feeling of excitement! Imagine how wonderful it would be to have the Old Rectory Museum opened up especially for your visit, like Nicky Morgan, MP, who's visiting tomorrow!
References:
http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/mp-nicky-morgan-view-museums-13377760
Day 33 - 23 July 2017
Today my faith in human nature was validated! If you read the blog you probably already know we have an allotment. This year - as I seem to say most years! - there's been a bumper crop of soft fruit - red currants, blackcurrants, white currants, tayberries, raspberries, wineberries, gooseberries ... As there's only so much soft fruit we can eat, some of it turns into jam - nothing to do with me, it's magic, or rather the other half is a dab hand at jam-making. Today I exchanged a jar of mixed fruit jam for a set of keys I'd unwittingly dropped in the street.
Day 32 - 22 July 2017
Songster reminds me of the Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum: 151 feet high, bell-chamber accessed by 138 steps via a spiral staircase. Built with Tuckers bricks, by Moss builders, with Morris steel and Taylors bells, the tower is mostly locally made, apart from white Portland cement and Portland stone window dressings. Portland stone comes from Portland, Dorset, where there is a lighthouse, built in 1905: 135 feet high, 153 steps to the top via a spiral staircase. Built of sandstone, built by Wakeham Bros. from Plymouth, housing lanterns by Chance of Birmingham. Both structures offer stunning views of their surroundings.
References:
http://www.portlandhistory.co.uk/portland-bill-lighthouse.html
http://www.carillontower.org.uk/bells.htm
Day 31 - 21 July 2017
Derby struck a chord with me. In the Silk Mill and the museum and art gallery we learned the history of the city from pre-historic times, but were surprised to find Egyptians mummies, alabaster, and bricks, amongst other things. One part of the museum was dedicated to the Derbyshire Yeomanry, rather like the first floor of our Carillon. I was staggered to find on display the "flintlock rifle used at Boden's Lace Factory Riot, 1816" - that would be John Heathcoat's factory too! And of course, like all good yeomanry museums, there was a full-size replica of a war horse, rather like Songster.
Day 30 - 20 July 2017
Today we visited Derby. Not a city I've visited often, but I wanted to see the poppies again. First seen at the Tower of London in 2014, the poppies have travelled around the country, and we have previously seen them at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, but missed them at Lincoln, so I was keen to see them again, especially as their creator was from Derby. Spilling from the side of the Silk Mill, they didn't disappoint, and neither did the rest of Derby, but wouldn't it be wonderful to see the poppies falling from the top of the Carillon in Queen's Park?
Day 29 - 19 July 2017
I've been leafing through some Loughborough Echos from the last three years, purposefully, of course, because I needed to make some space! Last night I was talking about the Echo, well actually, the stunning art deco building it used to occupy on Swan Street. I was also talking about the Loughborough Monitor, which used to be published by Mr Wills, as well as trade and street directories, before briefly joining forces with Mr Hepworth in Angel Yard. It was from here in 1914 that they published the first of their children's books, and registered the ladybird logo in 1915.
Day 28 - 18 July 2017
I am just back from leading a group of people around Loughborough town centre, sharing with them the delights of our lovely town. We talked about the Carnegie Library, the Pinau statue, Island House, the cattle market, Clarke's dyeworks, the drill hall, the bleach works, spar ornaments makers, the Blacksmith's Arms, the Devonshire Square mural, the Odeon, the NatWest, the former Old Boot Hotel, the old Magistrate's court, the milestone outside the Organ Grinder pub, the Town Hall, the HSBC, the former Blackamoor's Head, Lloyd's bank, Crawshaws, the Fearon Fountain, Angel Yard, the Sockman, the Theatre Royal, Iceland and the librarian's house ...
Day 27 - 17 July 2017
Writing about Portland stone yesterday has reminded me about the use of local materials in our local buildings. In earlier times it would have been uneconomical and most inconvenient to trundle building materials regularly by canal, rail or road, especially since there were abundant supplies of many materials close by. The HSBC bank in Market Place uses Portland stone, but the plinth is of polished Mountsorrel granite, and the roof is of Swithland slate. The Fearon Fountain, however, has pillars that are partially made of polished Scottish granite. Lloyd's bank features terracotta from the Hathern Station Brick and Tile Company.
Day 26 - 16 July 2017
I've recently been lucky enough to have learned a bit more about clay! I know that doesn't sound very exciting, but actually, it is! At Tate St Ives I learned about terracotta (including the fact that it is a chemical formula), interesting because the Hathern Station Brick and Tile Company created many terracotta features for our town. At Corfe claymining museum I learned about the extraction of ballclay and its use for tableware (by, amongst others, Wedgwood). At Portland I was blown away by the Portland stone quarries, significant because the base of the Carillon is made of this stone.
References:
http://www.purbeckminingmuseum.org/clay-history/
http://www.portlandmuseum.co.uk/
http://www.albionstone.com/portland-stone/beds
http://www.mbhplc.co.uk/hathern-terra-cotta
Day 25 - 15 July 2017
Corfe Castle, Dorset. Inadvertently stumbled upon a Tudor event - bows and arrows, tents, canons, Tudor food, games and music. Apparently, the Royalists held Corfe Castle in the early days of the Civil War, but it did eventually fall to Cromwell and his army. Cromwell's army (or some of it) did, of course, sleep overnight in our Parish Church around the time of the Battle of Cotes. Talking of which, I was a bit sad to miss the Civil War Walk today, but I was there in spirit. Back in Dorset, if Corfe Castle weren't enough, we then happened upon the steam railway ...
Day 24 - 14 July 2017
The Drill Hall in St Ives has very recently been renovated and now houses some lovely little shops, selling toys, antiques, clothes and crafts along with an attractive cafe. A very sympathetic renovation and a new use for what was once a very important building. Loughborough also had a drill hall, but its fate was quite unlike that of the St Ives one, as it was demolished. The drill hall was used by soldiers practising close-order manoeuvres, known as drills, and was located somewhere in what is now Granby carpark. Was it the Devonshire Regiment who used to meet and practise here?
Day 23 - 13 July 2017
James Thirsk, a branch librarian with Lancashire County Council, was called up to the army in 1940. After seeing short service as a gunner, he applied to the Intelligence Corps, and although his first application was unsuccessful, he did manage to secure a position. After spending a night in London, he was transferred to Beaumanor Hall, arriving at Quorn and Woodhouse station from Marylebone. On arrival he sat on a long sofa on the landing halfway up the stairs. But it was to be a short stay, before he was sent to Bletchley Park.
Day 22 - 12 July 2017
Like many people the sound of church bells ringing is an evocative thing, which reminds me of my childhood, living near the village church. Strange then, to witness an art installation (in this case a video) of a camera panning around the Roman amphitheatre at Caerleon, to the sound of alternating bass and tenor bells. These days, bells always remind me of our very own Taylors Bellfoundry. I wonder if the bells used in the installation were made at Taylors, who have sent bells all over the country and further. Looking forward to my trip to the foundry in July!
Day 21 - 11 July 2017
There's currently a fantastic display of Bernard Leach pottery at Tate St Ives, pots which don't often get a public viewing. And it's not just Bernard Leach's pots, but also those of Shoji Hamada, Michael Cardew and various other Leach potters. Up at the Leach Pottery there's an exhibition of work by Callum Trudgeon, apprentice. This, of course, does have something to do with Loughborough because in 1953 Bernard's son, David, lectured at what was Loughborough College of Art, the Principal being Jack Divine, who lived in Holt Cottage, next to The Holt, on the corner of Forest Road and Holt Drive.
Day 20 -10 July 2017
Along the back road from St Ives to Penzance there's a quarry. The fine grained granite it extracts is silver-grey and used for roadstone, and brown which is more decorative and used for walling or garden features. This granite comes from the ancient Cornish mountains. Over in Mountsorrel, the pink granite, used for construction projects, is mainly from the outcrop at Buddon Wood Hill. 450 million years ago, the earth's crust forced magma to the surface, and when cooled this contained large, pink crystals. So, not only is Mountsorrel granite old, it is also a lovely shade of pink!
References:
www.cormacltd.co.uk/aggregates-and-recycled-stone
www.tarmac.com/mountsorrel-quarry/about/
Day 19 - 9 July 2017
I've just experienced a ride on an open-topped bus, down some very narrow country lanes. Exhilarating! This reminded me of several years ago when Leicestershire has a small fleet of such buses during the summer for a number of years. I've always been a fan, but sadly never managed to get on board due to working hours. How lovely it would be to reinstate these services. Imagine the views if the Carillon and the park, of the GCR and trains steaming along. What a glorious way to get between places and see the town and the area from a different perspective.
Day 18 - 8 July 2017
Walking through Penzance's main shopping streets, one cannot help but be struck by the domineering dome of the Lloyd's Bank at the top of the hill. A rather stunning building, rather like ours, which has distinctive terracotta embellishments, like the allegorical figure on top. Back in Penzance, many of the buildings are in poor condition, very much worse than in Loughborough, and there are also many more empty shops than in Loughborough. It's at times like this that I realise how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful well-kept and well-cared for town.
Day 17 –
7 July 2017
Cars!
Useful, but a nuisance when they need attention!! On my way from the town
centre to collect my mended car from the garage, I walked along Leicester Road,
passing the doctors’ surgery, the house which used to belong to John Heathcoat,
the one next door that belonged to his partner, John Boden, and then paused to
admire the guest house on the corner of Leicester Road and Gregory Street that
used to be the Vicarage for the vicar of Trinity Church, on Moor Lane / Trinity
Street / Rutland Street, now a school, the church having joined with All
Saints.
Day 16 –
6 July 2017
Today we
took a drive around Leicestershire looking for some of the large country homes
and at some of the picturesque village churches with ornate gravestones. We
found ourselves in Lowesby and walked around the perimeter of Lowesby Hall,
before wandering around the churchyard spotting Swithland and Welsh slate
headstones, Unfortunately, the church was closed, so we drove onto the next
village, and happened upon Launde Abbey, where we stopped for refreshments.
Imagine my surprise when we bumped into Rev’d David Newman, who used to be at
Emmanuel Church, and former Archdeacon of Loughborough! Refreshed, it was time
to drive home!
References:
http://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/new-warden-chaplain-launde-abbey/
Day 15 –
5 July 2017
Last
night I spent the evening reading the parish church (aka All Saints with Holy
Trinity). We started around the outside, looking at the structure and the
building materials, and other visual clues, like gargoyles, gravestones and
downpipes. Moving inside we uncovered the many layers of the church – the Medieval,
the prayer book worship era, the Victorian and 1960s renovations. We observed a
continual process of adapting the form to suit the function of the time. The
re-ordering of spaces, the moving of furniture, the renovation of the fabric,
all geared to helping the clergy share their calling with the congregation.
Day 14 –
4 July 2017
Idly
walking past the bookshelves, as you do when you work in a library, my eye was
caught by a book with a cute bear on the cover, called “Eight bears: a biography
of E.W.Deming”. The name seemed familiar, and eventually I remembered that,
although it’s spelled Deeming, this was the surname of the man – Charles Deeming
– who lived in the large Victorian house, One Ash, and owned several cinemas in
Loughborough, and one in Coalville. Shopping at Whitemoors a while ago I came
across an old trunk that used to belong to Deeming – too big and expensive to purchase!
References:
Day 13 - 3 July 2017
Ok, so you knew it wouldn’t be long before I signed up to yet another online course! I’ve been researching my family tree on and off for more than 20 years, so this course on genealogy seemed a perfect choice for me. I also do research into old families in Loughborough, so I’m looking forward to learning some new strategies and hints and tips from this course. If you’re interested in researching your own family tree, pop along to the public library on Granby Street where you can access the Library Edition of Ancestry for free – and get some free help!
References:
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/genealogy?lr=21
Day 12 – 2 July 2017
References:
https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/files/documents/bandstand_flyer_2017/Bandstand%20flyer%202017.pdf
Day 11 – 1 July 0217
I last saw a complete peal of Taylors bells when I ascended
the Carillon Tower, back in the early 2000s. Fascinating! Today I was lucky enough
to ascend the bell tower at All Saints with Holy Trinity, and was overcome with
emotion at seeing the peal of eight bells, all crafted by Taylors. Here the firm
tries out new ideas, new ways of doing things, new materials, some of which
work, some of which are less successful. I would imagine it’s this
experimentation and pushing of boundaries that have ensured the success of what
is now the UK’s remaining bellfoundry.
References:
http://www.allsaintsloughborough.org.uk/jml02/
http://taylorbells.co.uk/web/
Day 10 - 30 June 2017
Just back from Stratford. It’s Roman season at the Shakespeare
theatre. Titus Andronicus really is as gory as I’d been told! Back in the
safety of Loughborough, I’ve been lucky enough to go and see the live screening
of both Julius Caesar and Anthony and Cleopatra at our Odeon Cinema in Cattle Market.
Originally the Empire, and variously the Essoldo, the New Empire, the Curzon, and
the Reel, in the face of the threat from the new multiplex cinema on the site
of the old hospital, our little cinema seems to be carving out something of a
niche for itself.
References:
https://www.rsc.org.uk/
Day 9 - 29 June 2017
The renovation of Nos.53-54 Baxter Gate, now known as 1 Old Hospital Court, is encouraging. The former nurses’ home, doctor’s surgery, hospital store and health information centre is restored to its former glory and in use again. A Grade II listed building, it stands as testament to what can be achieved, given the right circumstances. No.52, however, has fared less well, and appears to have been demolished. When I read the plans in the “Echo”, I hadn’t realised the extent to which the property was to be destroyed and rebuilt: the side walls seemingly the only parts to be retained.
References:
http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/flats-planned-next-loughborough-cineworld-11849355
Day 8 - 28 June 2017
I used to think Spring was the most popular time for
putting one’s house up for sale, but recently this seems more likely in Summer.
I say this because a number of houses have come on the market in the recent
weeks, properties the like of which don’t come up often. There is a property on
Burton Street, if you fancy it (with tenants arranged for next year). Or, if
you’d rather a beautiful Arts and Crafts semi-detached, 6-bedroomed house you
will find one on Charnwood Road, and on the same road there is a 4-bedroomed
1930s detached house.
References:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66911300.html
https://www.onthemarket.com/details/3799775/
Day 7 - 27 June 2017
Jewellers are cropping up in my world. Denhams, Belvoir
Street Leicester, has recently closed down. Denhams in Loughborough was taken
over probably about a year or so ago. Ivan Tarratt, jewellers on Market Street
Leicester, established 1913, closed down, last year, I think it was. George
Tarratt had a jewellers at 33 Market Street Loughborough, next to the Old Boot
Hotel, I believe, but when I moved to Loughborough, Piddock and Tarratt were in
Ward’s End: it was from them that I received a rather lovely 1970s design ring,
set with a sapphire and two diamonds, in brushed satin gold.
References:
http://www.tarratt.co.uk/
http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/denhams-jewellers-is-latest-leicester-shop-to-close-down/story-30053349-detail/story.html
http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/jewellers-take-over-denhams-9919818
Day 6 - 26 June 2017
At work today talk was of publishers - no big
surprise since work is a library! This got me thinking about our own publisher,
Ladybird Books! Henry Wills, originally a bookseller, who then moved into
publishing guides, almanacs and trade directories on Market Street, started
the company with William Hepworth. When WW1 began, publishing work was short: Wills
and Hepworth turned to children’s books, publishing the first in 1914 and
registering the ladybird logo in 1915. Trading from Angel Yard, in Market Place,
publishing began in earnest in the mid-1900s, the moved to Beeches Road, before
being absorbed by Penguin.
References:
Day 5 - 25 June 2017
2.25am. Another sleepless night: another opportunity
to survey the slumbering street. Beneath the umbrella-shaped tree, the
streetlamp shines like a spotlight, casting an eerie glow over the immediate
area, plunging the remainder into virtual darkness. Reflection in a car
augments the lit area; further down the street I can see we have joined those
residential streets being turned off post-midnight. Energy usage reduced and improved
visibility with white light. Thank goodness the 90 degree corner is lit: otherwise
the side of the house in direct line of vehicles speeding along would be regularly
rebuilding their wall. We are not alone.
References:
http://www.poole.gov.uk/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=32502&type=full&servicetype=Attachment
http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/led-street-lights-for-loughborough-8094492
Day 4 - 24 June 2017
I've been busy doing a course in local history so no time to read for pleasure: a pile of books, waiting to be read, has been building up. One of these was written by the lady who delivered the guiding course I attended; another, the story of a Loughborough family in the 1950s; one - still wrapped in clear cellophane - contains architectural plans of Watson Fothergill, the Nottingham architect responsible for our NatWest bank in Cattle Market. One of his iconic buildings is the Black Boy Hotel in Nottingham. Our Blackboy pub was replaced by the Blacksmith's Arms in 1875.
Day 3 - 23 June 2017
Last evening I joined the Friends of Charnwood Museum to listen to Nick Pell talk about the Porthmaddoc Heritage Railway
Much resonated with me: glorious October holidays in Bertrand Russell's former house; a trip to Llechwedd slate caverns, which reminded me of our own Swithland slate quarries; and the Great Central Railway, our own steam line. The Porthmaddoc line was narrow gauge: the GCR is the only double track main line in Britain. Look out for the Bridge to the Future project to connect with another part of the line, and the new Great Central Museum being prepared for Birstall.
References:
http://www.whr.co.uk/
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/unify/
http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/2017/03/great-central-museum-work-progress/
Day 2 - 22 June 2017
Loughborough. Summer Solstice. Little sleep: very hot,
humid night, 26 degrees outside - a good deal hotter inside. In a moment of
wakefulness, I thought the sun was shining: no, only the security lights from neighbouring
houses. I'd forgotten they are on permanently. Failed to spot the street lights
though: have we plunged into 19th century darkness? Funding cuts? A desire to stave
off global warming? Or was I rather more asleep than I realised?
The Solstice
did bring good news: the Alma Mater and the employer (Loughborough and De
Montfort University respectively) were both awarded Gold in the TEF!
References:
There’s an initiative called the 100 Days Project, that gets people to commit to doing something creative every day for 100 consecutive days. This could be taking a photograph, making a video, sculpting, sewing, or painting. Some unusual projects involve people creating a mind map, making something from a sheet of music, drawing a different leaf, photographing toys, writing haikus.
It’s an official project, with an official website and a sign up pledge, but I see no reason not to go it alone! I am committing to write 100 words about Loughborough – every day for 100 days! Wish me luck!
References:
https://www.facebook.com/britishlibrary/photos/a.10150482396397139.417900.8579062138/10155516278477139/?type=3&theater
https://100daysproject.co.nz/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZOwMqxLIn4
https://www.facebook.com/britishlibrary/photos/a.10150482396397139.417900.8579062138/10155516278477139/?type=3&theater
https://100daysproject.co.nz/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZOwMqxLIn4
** In answer to the rhetorical question regarding the tin building adjacent to St Peter's church, I should perhaps advise that this was built around the turn of the 19th-20th century, as a schoolroom, and later as a classroom and hall for Rosebery Infants School, on nearby Rosebery Street (now a medical centre). The tin building was used until the late 1960s, when the function was moved to the main Rosebery infants' school. (with thanks to David for the precise information!)
You are welcome to quote passages from any of my posts, with appropriate credit. The correct citation for this looks as follow:
Dyer, Lynne (2017). 100 days first post. Available from: http://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.co.uk/p/100-days-about-loughborough.html [Accessed 21 June 2017]
Take down policy:
I post no pictures that are not my own, unless I have express permission so to do. All text is my own, and not copied from any other information sources, printed or electronic, unless identified and credited as such. If you find I have posted something in contravention of these statements, or if there are photographs of you which you would prefer not to be here, please contact me at the address listed on the About Me page, and I will remove these.
Thank you for reading this blog.
Lynne
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