Over the past few summer months I’ve managed to miss several events taking place in our lovely town – like the dedication ceremony for the Hope Bell in Queen’s Park, the VJ Day Commemorations, also in the park, the Pride event which also happened in the park, and I’m sure there are other events that I’m not aware of!
This morning, I was lucky enough to be in Queen’s Park for the (re-)opening ceremony of the Loughborough Carillon Tower and War Memorial. This was a very emotional event for me as I have previously been a volunteer in the museum when all floors were open to the public, so I was keen to see the new ground floor space. I have to say, I wasn’t disappointed.
After a short speech by Mel, who looks after the people who volunteer to staff the Carillon, and whom you might have seen recently lighting the beacon in the park at the VJ Day commemoration, and from the mayor, the ground floor was declared open, and the doors thrown wide!
My first glance, and I could feel the atmosphere in there! Although the space is still small, and many artefacts are no longer on display, the designers had done a wonderful job of creating an interesting, engaging, and informative display, a tribute to all those who are commemorated. There was not a single space that had not been used to good effect: look up, look down, look all around as I always say!! I must admit though, even I struggled to read the caption to a photograph that was at floor level, and had to kneel on the floor!
There were many people in attendance, and the room was a little crowded, so I didn’t have a chance to read any of the information in detail, nor look closely at the artefacts on display, so I shall make a return visit – or two! If you’d like to visit, you can find the opening hours – and much more information – on the Carillon Tower and War Memorial website. https://carillontower.org.uk/
While I was chatting at the opening of the museum in the Carillon, I was alerted to the fact that it was 50 years ago today that the town leisure centre was opened. This was built on the Brown’s Lane football ground, which had also been the venue for the Grand Bazaar and Fete that was held in 1922 to raise money towards the building of the Carillon, which included the competition to win the Alexandra Bedspread. By the same token, of course, it must be 50 years since the swimming baths in Queen’s Park, now the Charnwood Museum, closed, when the pool(s) opened in the new Brown’s Lane leisure centre.
And, don't forget to visit the Carillon in our beautiful park!
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(2025). Carillon museum opens, leisure centre opened!
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