Ruddington Fields to the Bridge to the Future - the Betwixtmus Train!

Ruddington Fields almost to the Bridge to the Future - the Betwixtmus Train!

Well, I thought I was in for a quiet Christmas, but no, actually it's been incredibly busy!

Today is my usual day for sharing something about Loughborough with you, so how opportune that I happened to have travelled on the Great Central Railway this morning! Not the usual trip from Loughborough Central to Leicester North, via Quron & Woodhouse, and Rothley, but rather from Ruddington Fields, in the Rushcliffe Country Park, through Rushcliffe Halt at the Nottingham end of East Leake, all the way to what the heightened railway bridge over the A60 by The Brush in Loughborough - not quite as far as what I still call the Bridge to the Future, which is closer to the civic amenity site!

I can't wait for the day when the line is totally joined up, and the journey will run all the way from Rushcliffe to Leicester North!!

I've been to Rushcliffe Country Park many times before, mostly for children to play in the park, or to wander around the lake. I was also there on Christmas Day this year, for the parkrun - no, I didn't run, I was there to support those who were running!!! I have stood on the bridge over the railway many times before, also, but had not realised that actually down in the station there was also a collection of old buses, a model railway, a miniature railway, and a very miniature railway, and a cafe!!! I can see I will have difficulty staying away now!!!!

Here's a few photos of my journey. Some pictures didn't come out well, as they were taken from the train, through the windows!

The start of the journey, at Ruddington Fields

Rushcliffe Halt at East Leake, next to British Gypsum

Arriving at the recently heightened bridge over the A60

The return journey

Back at Ruddington Fields

 

      

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Posted by lynneaboutloughborough

With apologies for typos which are all mine!

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Beaumanor Hall and wartime Leicestershire

Last weekend I took myself off to Beaumanor Hall, to the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society wartime event, and what a fantastic event this was! Over 50 stalls showcasing their local history work, much of it centred around WW1, and lots of short talks on various topics, including Richard III, history of Beaumanor during WW2, the Enigma machine, the Beam Benders of Charley, and war memorials in Leicestershire and Rutland. There was also an air raid experience in the cellars, and an outdoor tour to a secret listening station.

It was absolutely fascinating to learn that there were so many local history societies around, doing such great work, often funded by Heritage Lottery grants. There was a real buzz about the place, with people dressed in 40s costume, some dressed as soldiers, and a wartime musical group playing.

I was really glad I’d taken several layers of clothing as it got extremely hot in the hall: There were so many people squished in there I’d be surprised if they hadn’t exceeded their room capacity for health and safety! In fact, there were so many people that I had to go round the whole thing about four times, each time looking at a different set of stalls because at times they were queuing four-deep so I didn’t get a look in!

Anyway, I managed to resist joining too many societies: In fact, I only joined one! And, I resisted buying too many books, only buying two: World War II in Charley, and Is There a Green Man of East Leake?








Of course, there were numerous interesting leaflets to pick up!

And even a packet of poppy seeds to take away and plant in memory of those who gave their lives.

I also came away with the idea that I might one day pop into Beaumanor Hall for a cream tea, or a pie lunch!!

The only disappointing thing was that there seemed to be few representatives from Loughborough itself there.  

 

 

 

 

It was absolutely fascinating to learn that there were so many local history societies around, doing such great work, often funded by Heritage Lottery grants. There was a real buzz about the place, with people dressed in 40s costume, some dressed as soldiers, and a wartime musical group playing.

 

I was really glad I’d taken several layers of clothing as it got extremely hot in the hall: There were so many people squished in there I’d be surprised if they hadn’t exceeded their room capacity for health and safety! In fact, there were so many people that I had to go round the whole thing about four times, each time looking at a different set of stalls because at times they were queuing four-deep so I didn’t get a look in!

 

Anyway, I managed to resist joining too many societies: In fact, I only joined one! And, I resisted buying too many books, only buying two: World War II in Charley, and Is There a Green Man of East Leake? Of course, there were numerous interesting leaflets to pick up and even a packet of poppy seeds to take away and plant in memory of those who gave their lives.

 

I also came away with the idea that I might one day pop into Beaumanor Hall for a cream tea, or a pie lunch!!

Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society meeting

This week I have been to the monthly meeting of the LAHS. I recently joined this society as a friend had recommended it to me, and their programme of talks for this year looked interesting and informative.

So, I duly trotted off to the university campus and hunted around for the James Mason building. This actually turned out to be quite easy to find as there was a group of people loitering outside: For some reason or other (possibly because this was not the regular meeting place) security had not unlocked the doors, so we were unable to get in!

After a number of ’phone calls by a number of group members to a number of university departments, a security van pulled up outside the building and opened the doors for us. Quite glad really as although it has been rather mild weather for the time of year, it was beginning to get a bit nippy, standing around doing nothing!

I was quite intrigued by the topic of the talk: John Bley, distiller and benefactor of East Leake, but thought for a minute we weren’t going to be able to hear it, for there was a problem logging in to the projector. Someone offered to go home and get their projector, but luckily one of the members was able to activate the system and we were away!

Well, Keith Hodgkinson had us enthralled for about an hour-and-a-half as he teased us with tantalising titbits about the life and times of John Bley. Who was his father? Who paid for his apprenticeship to a distillers in London? Why did he never marry? Who taught him to be so savvy with his money and investments?

Some of these questions were answered by a consideration of life as it was in the period of his life, spanning two centuries, from 1674-1731, and what was expected of people. Other questions remain unanswered, queries for another day when more investigative work by the authors can be done, but even then, there will remain some things that will be forever unknown or at best, assumptions.

Keith was a joint author, along with Ian and Rachel Flynn, of a book which showcased the story of John Bley through the masses of the research that they did. Called: John Bley of East Leake and London 1671-1734: distiller and benefactor, the book was published in 2012 by the East Leake and District Local History Society, and is available to purchase from their website.

The ELDLHS also got a heritage lottery grant to renovate John Bley’s tomb which is in St Mary's churchyard, alongside a leaflet about the man. One of the church windows is also dedicated to John Bley and the house he built for his mother is still standing on the main street.

Looking forward to next meeting of the LAHS which is the one that focuses on presentations from members of the group!