Local history of Loughborough: its people, its industry, its architecture and environment, past and current events, places to visit! Basically, anything that's interesting to me and I think might be of interest to you! Articles are usually posted at 8pm on Sundays. Shortlisted for the Alan Ball Award, 2023. No AI is used in the research or writing of this blog.
I was lucky enough to be brought up in a household where music was important - playing it, listening to it at home, and experiencing it in the concert hall, theatre, or in the park, from classical to pop, Lieder to musicals. As a firm believer in the importance and power of music I ensured that each of my children learned how to play the piano and another instrument, as well as sing.
One Christmas-time, about 10 years ago, we were lucky enough to be in the Market Place when Hathern band were leading the carol-singing. My youngest was very taken with the trombones, and decided he wanted to learn to play one, so we started to have lessons through school (strangely, with the brother of the conductor of Hathern band!), and soon after this we started playing with the Hathern Training Band.
Hathern have four bands, and train players to a high standard such that they can be part of the Hathern Senior Band, currently, a Championship Section contesting band. There's more explanation over on their website, and a list of engagements.
Over the last month, the Hathern Band have been the focus of the Looking back section of our local paper, the Loughborough Echo. The history of the band is also on the website, but it is often the stories from past members and their families that help to fill in the gaps and bring the heritage of the band alive.
If you want to hear the band play in the next couple of weeks there are lots of Christmas events, like the Christmas Concert on Saturday evening, the 19 December, which features three of the family of bands. Then in January, the band plays its annual concert in aid of LOROS: always a great event!
Here are some photos of various sections of the band in action over the last 10 years (in no particular order), and some pics from the past as displayed in the Echo:
Well, I finally dropped my camera one too many times :( Those of you who know me will know that I take that trusty steed with me everywhere I go, eager to snap sights of local interest, or odd things from odd angles, and as I don't have a phone with much capacity (well, it is 7 years old!) I need a camera to do this!
The most major slip was blindly putting the poor thing down on a chair after listening to "76 trombones" at the recent Hathern Band and Loughborough Male Voice Choir concert. Only I didn't. Didn't put it down on the chair, that is. I actually put it down the gap between the two chairs, and quite frankly it's never been the same since! I've persevered though, taking pics of things in broad daylight that have come out as though they've been taken in the darkest of nights, but the odd one has come out and I thought I'd got away with it.
However, yesterday we had a 21st birthday in the family, and I didn't want to take the risk of not being able to have some snaps to remember the occasion by, so I bit the bullet and went out and bought a new camera. I wanted something simple: they don't make such things. It seems to work, but my youngest child has already discovered it has more features than a flock of sheep. Way beyond my capabilities!
Anyway, this blog is not supposed to be my personal diary, but this week has been another very busy one which has seen me whoop for joy at my daughter's degree success, cheer loudly at my youngest's last ever concert with Senior Brass Ensemble at De Montfort Hall, breathe a huge sigh of relief when the team away day at work went off without a hitch, spend my day off work in Newport Pagnell learning about process improvement (for work, I hasten to add), welcome back the eldest for the weekend, celebrate my middle child's 21st birthday with a lovely meal at The Plough in Normanton-on-Soar, listen to my youngest's concert with the Junior Conservatoire Wind Orchestra in Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham, and nearly forget to take him to Birstall tonight to play with Hathern Band in the Gala!
Oh, and I'm still trying to get to grips with this new camera!
This week I am spoilt for choice, and having a difficult
time deciding what to share with you!
Since my last post I’ve been lucky enough to listen to the
Hathern Band, not once, but twice!! Last week, Hathern Band played in the
bandstand in Queen’s Park, directly after the Carillon recital, in
commemoration of the 70th anniversary of VE day. This was a lovely
performance, with glorious sunshine and a large, appreciative audience.
Last evening, I was lucky enough to find a seat in the
Trinity Methodist Church for a joint concert of Hathern Band with the
Loughborough Male Voice Choir. Hathern were on top form – especially the
trombones, but I am a bit biased!! I particularly loved the rendition of “76
trombones”! The choir did themselves proud too, and their numbers have swelled
recently since they had a pseudo recruitment drive earlier this year. I think
they’re still on the lookout for new members, so if you’re looking for
something to do, check out their webpage.
Lots of remnants of the days when Dudley had iron founders (I
think there was a saying about the area, black by day, red by night, which related
to the smoke and grime in the daytime and the glow of the iron works in the night).
This reminded me of John Jones the iron founder in Loughborough, who owned the Britannia
Foundry. I think he lived in that very large house at the junction of Meadow lane
and Clarence Street, which now appears to be a health spa (sounds like the beginnings
of a future blog post … !). The mine at the Black Country Museum was open, but
I’m afraid I couldn’t go down there: The last time I went, or rather tried to
go, down a mine, it was a tin mine in Cornwall, but I had to turn back pretty
sharpish, when even I had to watch my head! Trips on the canal boats were also
available, although they seemed to be doing quite a lot of work on the canal,
so we thought we’d leave that till our next visit!! When will I ever find
time?!
I’ve also giving up a bit of my spare time in helping out at
the Carillon Tower and Museum again this year. This is such good fun, as I get
to meet so many interesting people from all over the world, and who all have
such interesting tales to tell! I also finally got to learn what the copper
boots in the Airborne room were all about, and I get to hear the carillon being
played (guessed what day I’m there, yet?). If you fancy helping, the museum is
always on the lookout for volunteers so they can keep all floors of the tower
open to visitors.
Talking of the carillon, today, I also heard the carillon
play as I walked into town to take a peek at the ceramics market. It’s an
annual event and I blogged about it last year, so I shan’t say anything about
today’s market other than to say there was a lovely variety of pottery, and
it’s difficult to go and not spend any money: Well, that’s a few birthday and
Christmas presents sorted!!
Now, what have I forgotten? Oh, yes, the banquet in celebration
of the bi-centenary of John Nichols’ History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester,
an 8-volume work, written by Nichols in 1815. What a glorious event that was, but,
I’ve run out of time to tell you about it tonight, so I will save this one for
next time!
Then look no further than Loughborough itself, where there’s certainly plenty going on and plenty to do! So, here are a few suggestions you might like to follow-up if you’re looking for somewhere to visit or something to do, either on a regular basis or a one-off event, in Loughborough. I’ve tried to include something for everyone, and although I’m concentrating on Loughborough, there are a few suggestions included for things nearby too, but sticking to Leicestershire!
Shopping, places to visit and things to do in Loughborough
If it’s museum’s you’re after, you’re in luck - we’ve got at least five:
Charnwood Museum – based in a building originally called The
Memorial Baths which were opened in 1897 for public bathing, in celebration of
Queen Victoria’s jubilee, the Charnwood Museum opened in 1997 after an
extensive re-fit. Immediately prior to this, the space had been used for craft,
antique and book fairs as well as for the Friday morning bric-a-brac market, which is now held in the Market Place.
Today in the museum you can see the Barrow Kipper, a suspended airplane, an old
shop, information on Beamanor Hall and its inhabitants, and learn about the
geology of the area. There are regular changing displays in the area to the
side, the Charnwood Gallery. The current display is one of black and white
photographs from the East Midlands Monochrome group: This goes on until January
2014.
Special events for the Autumn/Winter seasons are included in
the printed What’s On guide which is also available as in pdf
If you can’t get to the museum but want to see some of its
treasures online, have a look at the objects that were used in the
Leicestershire Revealed exhibition.
The Carillon tower – is a war memorial and houses the wonderful musical instrument, the carillon, as well as a museum exhibiting material related to the armed forces, to the world wars, and to the American forces. Unfortunately, the museum is now closed until Easter 2014, but there is a website depicting information about Loughborough’s military history, and including a list of all those people who are listed on the Carillon memorial. The borough carilloneur, Caroline Sharpe gives recitals throughout the year.
The Old Rectory Museum – is a small museum in what was the
rectory for All Saints church. It houses some local artefacts and is open on
Saturdays from April to October 11am to 3pm. Unfortunately, the official website is a little out-of-date but the museum
is well worth a visit.
Taylor’s Bellfoundry – Taylors are the company that made the
Great Paul bell, the casing of which is now situated in Queen’s Park. The
museum is open Tuesday-Thursday, 10-12 and 2-4 but it’s best to check before
turning up. They also offer tours which take place on days that bells are being
cast so you can see the process in action.
The Great central Railway - situated on Great Central Road, this is the only mainline steam train in the country! For the railway enthusiast, it has everything you could possibly want! Events here are many and varied and there is a small museum.
Cinemas, theatres and other venues
The Odeon cinema – is in Cattle Market and the building itself has an interesting history. It has been modernised, whilst keeping some of its beautiful art deco features, and is now part of the Odeon chain, housing about six screens showing a variety of films.
Emmanuel Church – on Forest Road often hosts concerts by
both local artists and those from further a-field.
Trinity Methodist Church – on Royland Road also hosts
events, ranging from choral concerts to archaeological talks (although the
forthcoming talk by Richard Buckley is being held at Barrow).
All Saints Church - also known as the Parish Church, also hosts concerts and events and coffee mornings.
The Public Library – you can borrow books and DVDs, or
use a computer, or delve into local or family history, but the library is also
a great place for events: They recently staged a comedy stand-up evening and their current programme of events includes the regular things, like
children’s events, but also events specific to October, well-being month. John Storer House - a venue which offers meeting facilities, a small shop and a cafe, also hosts events Loughborough University - this large campus hosts arts events, public lectures and provides meeting space for local societies Looking for an event? Here are some links to websites that list events in and around Loughborough:
Our town has probably the best sporting university in the country, and is home to many prestigious sporting people and institutions. But for townsfolk, here are a few suggestions for sporting (well loosely) activities:
Merlin Archery - Merlin Archery have moved their warehouse and
shop from the Bull in the Hollow Farm (formerly the Needless Inn) to Great
Central Road, although the associated archery club still meets at the farm.
Looking for a club or society to join?
Activity in the town is so varied there is probably a club or society for every possible interest, but I can only list a few here. We have:
