Scarf exhibition
MORE THAN 200 scarves collected by a Rothley
woman are on display at Snibston Discovery Park's Fashion Gallery.
Pic: scarf collector Brenda Barnard
Brenda Barnard, born in 1938, built up her collection over 40
years, mainly through visits to jumble sales and charity shops.
In 2002, she donated 1500 headsquares, handkerchiefs and scarves
to the County Council's museum service, and the exhibition features
over 200 classic design pieces from that collection, known as
the Siddons Collection.
Pic: scarves on display at Snibston
Brenda said: "The most interesting aspect for me about scarves
is the limitations of design that a square or rectangle represents.
Some of these have been produced to be worn whereas others are
to be admired in their flat state. There's so much variety of
style, content, texture, colour and quality that I find them
endlessly fascinating."
One of Brenda's favourite pieces is a Hermès design called
'Perruches' featuring softly coloured birds. Some of the more
unusual designs to look out for in the exhibition are scarves
depicting a rather cheeky beach scene, Dumbo the elephant, a
number of different poodle designs and wartime propaganda.
Brenda was born in Woodhouse Eaves, was a pupil at Rawlins Grammar
School for Girls in Quorn and studied at the Loughborough College
of Art & Design and the Royal College of Art in the 1950s.
Brenda is impressed with the way the curators at Snibston have
designed the exhibition. "It is out of this world really,
I'm very pleased the scarves are on display in such a way that
you can understand why I like them" she said.
Pic: Brenda's own design
Brenda is still making trips to charity shops looking for scarves
- one particular design she is hoping to find has eluded her
for 40 years. "It's a design I did myself in 1967 that went
into production - I saw someone wearing it on the underground.
I always said I would carry on collecting until I found my own
scarf."
The Snibston exhibition runs until May 2008. For details go to
www.snibston.com or phone 015 30 278444
Plans for 149 new homes
PLANS FOR 149 dwellings on an old allotment
site will shortly be submitted to Charnwood Borough Council.
Before submitting the planning application, landowners Rothley
Temple Estates held a public exhibition in November 2007, giving
residents the opportunity to ask questions and give their opinions.
Around 100 people attended. The development site is on land west
of Loughborough Road, south of Hallfields Lane.
Rothley Parish Council has also been consulted about the proposals
and at their January meeting, representatives Andrew Bamber and
Tim Coleby updated councillors on the plans. They reported that:
o there will be 149 dwellings (a third will be 2 bedroom, a third
3 bedroom and a third 4 bedroom)
o Charles Church is the developers and will be joint applicants
with Rothley Temple Estates
o the majority of the dwellings will be two storey, a small number
will be 2.5 storey
o 30 per cent will be 'affordable homes': managed by a Housing
Association, some rented, some shared ownership. Located in three
blocks in three areas.
o the only vehicle access will be from Loughborough Road
o a footway and cyclelink will be provided from Hallfields Lane
o there will be a variation in roof heights
o there will be a green frontage on Loughborough Road and a children's
play area adjacent to the allotment access.
o an area of informal open space will be located at the western
end by the existing public footpath
o the existing allotments will be retained and the parkland to
the south of the allotments made a public open space
o the Hallfields Lane footpath will be improved
o a new bus stop will be provided on Loughborough Road opposite
Woodcock Farm
o the 30mph limit on Loughborough Road will be moved south
o the density of the development will be 37 dwellings per hectare
o the package of 106 agreements will include contributions towards:
public art, schools, libraries, medical facilities, social services,
the new Rothley Centre and highway/pedestrian improvements to
Hallfields Lane.
o the development will have a design and layout based on the
theme of 'traditional village streets' with new buildings and
landscaping that makes use of high quality materials.
Parish Councillors commented that the development would put additional
pressure on the Red Lion crossroads which is already congested
during the rush hour.
Chairman of Rothley Parish Council Percy Hartshorn said: "The
Parish council feel that was is being proposed is better then
what is on the site at the moment, building there is inevitable
and we have been working with Rothley Temple Estates so that
we get something we like rather than something forced on us like
the Rothley Service Station development."
Rotary Club’s thank you
THE ROTARY Club of the Wreake Valley is
sending out a message of thanks to all local residents who supported
their 'Santa Sleigh' collection in December, in aid of Rotary
Charities.
A spokesman said: "During the last 12 months we have held
a Summer Tea and Carol Service for local elderly people, taken
disadvantaged children for a day out at Wicksteed Park, supported
LOROS, Age Concern and other local and overseas charities. We
aim to do the same and more during 2008."
Rotary membership is open to business and professional people.
If you are interested in socialising and helping those less fortunate
than yourself the club would be delighted to hear from you. For
more details please call 07979 645605 during the day.
Homes money promised
THE GOVERNMENT will provide £36 million
for improving Charnwood's Council housing if the Borough Council's
new housing ALMO gets good enough marks when it is inspected
this autumn.
The Audit Commission will carry out the inspection of 'Charnwood
Neighbourhood Housing' and it must receive two stars to get the
money.
Charnwood has 6000 homes it wants to improve to meet the Decent
Homes Standard and is planning to spend £55 million on
the project over the next six years."
Susan says goodbye
ROTHLEY'S POLICE Community Support Officer
Susan Hall left the Police at the end of February.
Susan started work as a PCSO in Rothley in March 2006.
NHW Area Co-ordinator Marion Vincent said: "Susan has been
an excellent CSO during her time with us and is a highly respected
person around our villages. Her work with NHW has been brilliant
and we have worked very successfully together to increase the
cover and communication."
On January 31, Susan was presented with the Chief Superintendent's
Commendation for outstanding work with community and family issues,
for her work with the media and the community following the disappearance
of Madeleine McCann.
Susan said: "The support given to me during my two years
by PBO Steve Rhodes has been of great value and added so much
to my enjoyment of the job
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Cropston award winner
A CROPSTON B&B has won a top regional
award.
Pic: (l-r) GMTV presenter Andrew
Castle, Linda Jee,
Tim Jee and Steve Brown, Chairman of the East
Midlands Tourism at the Gala dinner where the
presentations were made.
Horseshoe Cottage Farm has been awarded Gold in the Bed and Breakfast
category at the East Midlands Tourism Enjoy England Excellence
Awards.
Part of the Wolsey Lodge group, the 5 star Bed and Breakfast
will go forward this spring to compete on behalf of the East
Midlands against eight other regional finalists from across England
in the 2008 Enjoy England Excellence Awards to be held in Liverpool.
Proprietors Linda and Tim Jee have run Horseshoe Cottage Farm,
near Bradgate Park, as a luxury Bed and Breakfast for the past
three years. After being shortlisted in the last three they were
visited by a mystery guest.
"We are thrilled to have been awarded the Gold Award"
says Linda Jee. It reinforces our belief that we are providing
a superior service and venue for our guests. We always try to
give that little bit extra in terms of service, location, ambience
and food, but winning this award proves to us that our efforts
are appreciated."
Local post offices closing
THE POST Offices in Cropston, Newtown Linford
and Kingsgate Avenue, Birstall are to close.
The closures are part of the Post Office's Network Change Programme,
which will see 2,500 branches closed across the country. The
Post Office currently has 14,300 branches.
The Post Office says customer visits to Post Offices are declining
and that the network lost £200 million in 2006/07.
New church extension
WORK ON a £250,000 extension to Thurcaston's
All Saints Church began in January.
The project, first planned by the Parochial Church Council two
years ago, will see the provision of a community room, office,
kitchen, disabled toilet and disabled access.
"This is a very exciting project that will enhance the facilities
we have, all on one site" said Deputy Churchwarden Jeff
Kennington, who is co-ordinating the project with Rector Simon
Foster, Professor Jim Alty and David Parkes Bowen.
Uses of the new extension will include children's activities
and church events. The space will also be available for hire
for use by the wider community.
Funding for the project has come from a variety of sources including
the Edith Murphy Foundation, Charnwood Borough Council, Thurcaston
and Cropston Parish Council and fundraising by parishioners.
The extension should be completed by the end of May.
Racing a family affair
A TWELVE year old kart racer from Thurcaston
is aiming to improve his winning ways in 2008.
Pic: George Line
George Line will be travelling to over 40 meetings across the
country this year, his last in Cadet Racing. He will be competing
again in the Motors TV National Karting Challenge where he finished
third in 2007.
The most recent success for George, a pupil at the Martin High
School, Anstey, was first place at the south Yorkshire Kart Club
meeting at Wombwell near Barnsley. At his last six race meetings,
he has had four wins, a second and a third.
George said: "I like everything about racing: meeting people,
the adrenalin, and it's good for the family, we all work together
to do as best we can."
Formula 1 doesn't do it for George. "Single seaters are
a bit boring and I want to drive touring cars as I like close
racing" he said.
Crime report
Crime Report : Rothley, January 2008
Burglary other 5, damage 5, theft 3, theft from vehicle 2.
4 persons were dealt with at locations in Rothley for possession
of illegal substances.
From PC Keith James 1276 and PCSO Susan Hall 6646
Top marks
A DANCE Academy is celebrating after its
first exam results saw all students getting top marks.
Pic: Bianca Zarcone with some of
her pupils in Rothley
Village Hall
Bianca's Dance Academy is run by Bianca Zarcone (21) and started
in 2005, with classes held in Rothley, Barrow and Quorn.
She said: "Ballet, Tap and Freestyle pupils all took their
very first exams in December at Rothley Village Hall and every
candidate gained Honours, the highest achievable level. I am
so proud, this is an exceptional outcome for their first exams."
The Academy, which has around 120 pupils and caters for ages
from 2-5 to 16 plus, is preparing its bi-annual show at Loughborough
Town Hall in June. "It's set to be our biggest show yet
and we are all very excited" said Bianca.
A dancer since the age of 16, Bianca is a qualified teacher and
an associate of the International Dance Teachers' Association.
She said: "Dancing is a great form of exercise and the Academy's
classes promote teamwork which is an essential life skill! The
main benefit of dance and performance is definitely improving
self confidence and belief and after a great performance, pupils
are always left on a high, thirsty for more."
Pupils do as little or as many classes as they wish and range
from absolute beginners to children who compete in national dance
festivals and competitions.
Classes are priced between £2.50 and £4 and all pupils
have the opportunity to take part in shows, IDTA exams, festivals
and demonstrations at school fetes and galas. To find out more
call Bianca on 07984 170 873.
Cemetery chapel
THE REFURBISHMENT of Rothley Cemetery Chapel
is nearing completion.
The Parish Council has spent £25,000 on repairs to the
roof and windows, including timber treatment, repointing and
new brickwork. A further £5,000 is budgeted, for damp proofing
and a chemical toilet.
Pic: Frank Sleath
Builder Frank Sleath built the cemetery chapel in 1904 and was
himself buried in the cemetery on December 24, 1924.
A Parish Council spokesman said: "Once completed, the chapel
will be in a state worthy of its historical significance within
the village."
Rothley History Society has expressed an interest in using the
revamped building for its projects.
Junior chef
A TEENAGER from Cropston has won a place
in the final of a competition for chefs.
Richard Jee (15) of Horseshoe Cottage Farm, Cropston, has won
a place in the regional final, of the Rotary, Young Chef competition.
The District Final was held at the Samworth Enterprise Academy,
Leicester on Saturday February 9 where Richard cooked his way
to first place, beating 11 other competitors.
The competition is open to 11-17 year olds, was sponsored to
this stage by Waitrose and encourages young people to design
and cook a healthy, three course meal for two people in just
two hours with a budget of only £12.
Richard, whose parents run the award winning, Bed and Breakfast,
Horseshoe Cottage Farm, attends Ratcliffe College and hope to
pursue a career in food. Currently studying for his GCSEs in
the summer, he was mentored by Head Chef at Rothley Court, Matt
Skelton.
"I have always been interested in food but from the eating
perspective, now I have got the inspiration to look at food combinations
and in particular presentation on the plate" says Richard.
Cricket club’s season ahead
FOLLOWING THE weather affected summer last
year, Rothley Cricket Club is hopefully looking forward to a
much happier season in 2008.
Pic: (l-r) Wayne Richardson (Chairman-RPCC),
Will
Greenwood, Tim Stimpson, Richard Cockerell, Matt
Cornwall and Dean Richards
Although the weekend senior league teams had a mixed season last
year, the weekends and the evening local pub tournament was enjoyed
by the many who participated and the club is looking forward
to the new season.
The 1st, 2nd Saturday XI and Sunday XI's are keen to recruit
new faces from the village and surrounding area and would welcome
anyone to come along and join in. Practice nets are on Tuesday
evenings at Leicester Cricket Academy 8-9pm. If interested, please
contact Martin Williams (Secretary) by email: martin.williams@rainbridgetimber.co.uk
so he can contact you with further details.
The junior section continues to go from strength to strength,
with kwik cricket, U11, U13, U15 and U17 all now being supported
by the club. Over 70 youngsters regularly take part in practices
on Friday evenings and matches during the week. The junior teams
all performed well throughout last season, particularly the under
13s who finished second in their district league. Winter coaching
sessions will start in February. Any young cricketer interested
in joining in should contact Steve Thomason (Junior Organiser)
by email: steve@thomason.eclipse.co.uk.
On a very positive note, the cricket club, through its now regular
annual charity fundraising efforts, donated a tremendous £8,610
to charity last year. £2,560 was raised at the annual charity
cricket game 'Sporting All Stars' XI v Leicester Tigers XI and
£5,700 from a charity dinner in November at Loughborough
Grammar School, with Dean Richards, Richard Cockerill and Will
Greenwood. A further £350 was donated from the local pub
tournament.
Club spokesman Steve Thomason said: "Thank you to the Tigers
and everyone who suported these events."
He added: With over 70 youngsters regularly playing cricket each
week and a ground and pavilion to maintain, the club would welcome
anyone willing to help. If you have previous cricket experience
and would like to help coach, are handy with DIY or lawn maintenance,
or simply offer 'a pair of hands' and some time, please contact
Martin Williams (Secretary) by email martin.williams@rainbridgetimber.co.uk
"2008 promises to be another positive year. Let's hope this
year it's on the field as well as off it."
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Parish Council notes
A FULL meeting of Rothley Parish Council
was held on January 21.
Councillors were given a presentation from Rothley Temple Estates
to update them on the proposals for 149 dwellings on the old
allotment site, south of Hallfields Lane.
PCSO Susan Hall reported some incidents of criminal damage: to
a fence on Fowke Street, garden plants on School Street and to
the Rothley Imps portacabin on the Fowke Street playing field.
There has been no damage to the Youth Project portacabin, she
said. One person was cautioned for a drug offence on the Ridgeway.
The Council agreed to give permission for a fun fair on Bunney's
Field.
The Council agreed to lay slabs on an acre of rough ground near
the Rothley Imps portacabin on the Fowke Street playing field
and to site there a metal picnic table and seat unit that is
currently held in storage.
The council has updated its business plan for the new Rothley
Centre and has identified four sources of funding it intends
to approach within the next month.
It was agreed to talk with PCSO Susan Hall about the problems
of oversized vehicles parking on Greenway Close causing an obstruction
to pedestrians.
A FULL meeting of Thurcaston & Cropston
Parish Council was held on November 15.
It was agreed that the Clerk contact the Land Registry to ascertain
ownership of the Penfold at Cropston
There was no meeting in December.
A full meeting of Thurcaston & Cropston Parish Council was
held on January 17.
Chairman Richard Younie reported that no ownership of the Penfold
has been registered with the Land Registry. It is possible to
occupy the land and wait for 12 years. Should the land not be
claimed during this time registration can then take place. The
Chairman has informed the local history society who were interested
in the Penfold and may form a volunteer group to clear the land.
The Council agreed a precept for 2008/09 of £32,000, no
change on the previous year.
Horticultural society
IN NOVEMBER, Thurcaston & Cropston
Horticultural Society had a wonderful pictorial tour of Irish
Gardens by John Page.
His Irish talk took us from the far north to the extreme south,
giving us an insight to the most glorious gardens you could imagine.
These gardens survive in their exotic form because of the rains
coming off the Atlantic and the Gulf Stream, so making it a virtually
frost free area.
Our gardening year finished with our usual Christmas Party and
quiz, which was a great success.
2008 starts our new year, which is a very special year. It will
be our 25th anniversary and so we have booked a feast of speakers
with subjects to suit every interest and, of course, will include
mid-summer garden visits, which have yet to be finalised.
So come and join us, you will be made most welcome. We meet on
the second Wednesday of the month in the Village Hall at Thurcaston
at 7.45pm.
2008 Programme
March 12, David Tarver, Auriculas
April 9, Don Whitton, Euphorbias
May 14, Brian White, Scented leaf pelargoniums
June TBA
July TBA
August, Garden visit, Mary Clarke, Ulverscroft
Aug/Sep, Annual Show, Thurcaston Village Hall
October 8, Ann Bird, Roses in Japan
November 12, Ken Wade, Sweet peas
December 10 Christmas Party
From Paul Day, Chairman
Creative craft group
A NEWLY formed craft group had its first
meeting in January.
Pic: Rothley Craft Group
Rothley Craft Group meet at the Rothley Centre on Mountsorrel
Lane. Member Maureen Bulmer said: "The reason behind the
group is to bring together those who enjoy making their own greetings
cards, creating jewellery, building scrapbooks, box making and
bead worked items with a view to sharing ideas, hints, tips,
techniques and helping others who wish to further develop their
own particular hobby.
"We are a mixed ability group who will enjoy contributing
to a common interest in these crafts with other like minded members.
This first meeting was very successful and rewarding with a lot
of enthusiasm and a great deal of support".
She added: "If you are interested in joining us why not
pop in for a chat you will be sure of a warm welcome." The
group charges £2 per morning to cover the cost of room
hire, tea and biscuits.
For more details contact Maureen 0116 2303604
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WI news
2008 WILL be a celebration year for Rothley
WI as this November will be our 60th anniversary.
The first meeting of the year opened with a sizeable treat of
refreshing fun with words, anecdotes, jokes and poems straight
from the pen of local personality Norman Harrington, husband
of one of the members of RWI, Barbara Harrington, Norman's way
with short stories, jokes about life's every day events and his
wonderful use of prose flowing from one subject to the next with
such relaxed composure kept all the members enthralled and very
amused. 'Humour and Poetry' is to be highly recommended as a
cheery and pleasurable presentation and one which was particularly
well received by RWI on a dull and damp January afternoon.
At our February meeting Richard Adams presented a review of his
'Travels with a Camera'. All visitors are very welcome to join
us at the Rothley Centre, Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley on the first
Wednesday of each month from 2-4.30pm.
THURCASTON & Cropston WI's speaker
in February was Val Williams who gave a talk accompanied with
slides entitled 'An Arctic Experience'.
In July 2006 Val went on a cruise that took her to the Arctic.
She started by telling us about the plant life on the tundra.
We were shown slides of the brightly coloured flowers, plants
and mosses that grow there, cheering up the austere environment
considerably.
Val and her fellow passengers started their journey around the
island of Spitzbergen. Slides were shown of the inhabitants of
the area such as puffins and wild geese, whilst on the shore
were seals and walruses. Val's obvious love of polar bears shone
through and the slides she produced of them and their antics
were excellent. Compared with Britain the summers are cold and
bleak and the weather matched the landscape which initially seemed
very dreary and lacking in colour. The only brightness seemed
to be the brightly painted shops and houses. In the past coal
mining had been a major industry in the region, but the mines
closed down over 100 years ago.
Finally the cruise headed for the Arctic. Pictures of icebergs
were of particular interest. We were told that they were actually
blue in colour. This is because the ice is old and all the oxygen
has gone out of it. Tour leaders on the ship expressed their
concerns about global warming and the effects it is having on
the area and Val was asked to everyone about all that is happening.
Our next meeting will be held at the Memorial Hall, Anstey Lane,
Thurcaston on Thursday March 6 when our speaker Linda Robinson
will give a talk entitled 'Plant Diary' colours for your garden.
History society
OH DEAR! Doesn't time fly? It only seems a month ago since
I was writing the report for Rothley History Society for the
Jan/Feb issue of the Rothley Post. Now I come to think about
it, it wasn't much more than a month, certainly not two months!
Christmas has come and gone and we are well into the New Year.
Rothley History Society wishes the readers of the Rothley Post
all the best for 2008, and we would invite those who read of
our meetings to come along and spend an evening with us.
Our January meeting was very well attended when we were delighted
to welcome Peter Johnson and his most entertaining talk about
Snowdonia and the Ffestiniog Railway. The slides, a mixture of
old photographs and new, made us aware of what time and tree
growth does to the countryside. Sometimes it hides the ugly,
but other times it obscures the view of the beautiful scenery
of our country.
Peter took us through magnificent countryside, past little villages
and interesting houses. On our sixty minute journey the train
stopped at six stations and we were told that one can even stand
at the track side and with the arm properly extended, halt the
train. At one small station a lady, dressed in traditional Welsh
costume, greeted the train and sold post cards and cups of tea
to the visiting passengers.
In the past there were three classes but the poor quarrymen,
who travelled to the quarries on Mondays and returned home on
Saturdays, were in a quite different carriage, in fact it was
only a wagon with very small windows and bench seating. They
even had to provide their own candles! What a difference between
the wealthy sight-seeing visitors and the working man.
But I don't want to tell you too much of what you missed, nor
do I want to give too much away in case other societies would
like to engage Peter and his fascinating talk. Peter has promised
to come back again with a different talk.
At Christmas I received a most interesting book about St Pancras
- its hotel, its station, its tracks and trains, its past and
its future (now the present). After reading this book then listening
to Peter, I realised that there were many differences but just
as many similarities.
I go up and down to London very frequently and have watched with
great interest the changes going on. By pure chance I was at
St. Pancras on the day the first Euro train arrived, and I delayed
my journey to see it arrive. Incidentally the champagne bar is
quite something to see - I am sorry to say I didn't have time
to try a glass.
And so to the future - our February talk, with David Ramsey on
"The Slate Industry of Leicestershire", will have come
and gone by the time this Rothley Post issue is published. I
have heard David's talk before and know that our members will
find it most interesting.
So we move onto March with our talk, on the 19th, by Jane May,
the New Walk Museum's expert on ceramics. We all have ceramics
in some form or other, so it will be most interesting to find
out more about old ceramics and new.
My oldest ceramic is a shard of a Nabatean bowl which was given
to me by the archaeologist who took a friend and I on a tour
of Petra in Jordan. Incidentally, this was one of my absolute
favourite holidays. Now there's an idea!! Sorry, you'll have
to wait until the next Rothley Post.
On April 9th our outing takes us to the Potteries - a follow
up to our talk, to the well-known but recently updated Wedgwood
Pottery. On offer are several alternatives for you to choose
- the theatre with the story of the founder, Josiah Wedgwood;
the museum with its very topical "Abolition of Slavery Exhibition";
a self-guided tour seeing how the different craftsmen and women
add their own contribution to the final product; or you can try
your hand at a selection of ceramic crafts. I wrote last month
that I knew what I want to do. Two weeks ago I was at Wedgwood
and, yes, I did try my hand at (guess what?). It was very satisfying
and I am thrilled with it. Come along and I will show you. There
are eight different things you might like to try. And don't forget
that there is the Wedgwood shop.
After lunch at Wedgwood, we go on to Burleigh Pottery - the last
Victorian working pottery in England. I visited Burleigh last
year and was absolutely fascinated with the processes of long
ago still being used to produce beautiful items. Their method
of transfer printing is now only practised by two potteries in
the world. Burleigh certainly produce what may well be "the
antiques of the future", and very collectible.
It is a most friendly place to visit and we were very impressed
by the way in which the employees moved from one job to another
to help each other. One doesn't see a lot of this nowadays! I
had the chance to throw a pot. I tried several times but none
were good enough to be fired! Never mind, perhaps I shall have
another go on the 9th. Or perhaps you would like to have a go?
When I have been somewhere which I have thoroughly enjoyed, I
always want to share the experience with others, and this is
your chance to have that experience.
At this moment we still have a few places left on this outing,
so come along to our March meeting - your last chance - to book
yourself onto the tour. If you are alone, please don't feel lonely
- when you are in a group it is always friendly and good fun.
Don't forget we now have our own website: www.rothleyhistory.co.uk,
and www.yahoogroups.com.
From Noreen Wilson, Rothley History Society
AT THURCASTON AND Cropston Local History
Society's first meeting of 2008, on January 15th, was attended
by 22 members to hear Pauline Fitchett give an interesting talk
about her life growing up in the mining community of North West
Leicestershire.
Although in recent years Pauline has lived in Rothley, she was
born and raised in the village of New Swannington and spent the
majority of her life there, and is proud of her family `s mining
heritage.
Pauline began with a brief history of the mining industry in
N.W. Leicestershire. Mining for coal had been undertaken for
centuries but major pits (mines) were mainly sunk and began to
be worked in the early to mid 19th century, to cater for the
increased demand for coal brought about by the Industrial Revolution.
Pits in the area included Coalville, Snibston, Thringstone, Whitwick,
Ellistown, Coleorton and Bagworth, to name a few. The pits often
had exotic names like Calcutta and California, but the working
conditions bore no resemblance to these fanciful names. Initially,
all pits were privately owned and Snibston had the distinction
of having the Stephenson family as its owners.
The mining industry was nationalised in 1947 and Coleorton Hall
became the local headquarters for the National Coal Board. Mining
continued apace throughout the 1950`s, 60`s and 70`s, but by
the 1980`s it was in decline, influenced by less demand for coal
for domestic use and imports of cheaper foreign coal to supply
commercial need, coupled with industrial strife and union conflict
with the government of the day. The remaining Leicestershire
pits all gradually closed down with Bagworth being the last in
1991.
However, there was still coal in the Vale of Belvoir, but development
of new mining was vigorously opposed by the late Duke of Rutland.
Only one pit, at Asfordby, was eventually opened in 1994, but
it closed in 1997.
Pauline`s maternal grandfather was a miner at Whitwick colliery
and her father worked as a foreman in the lamp room - safe maintenance
of the miners` lamps was vitally important. Work conditions in
the pits were always hazardous despite efforts to improve safety
over the years. Miners were given a "tally", rather
like a large coin, to keep on their person during their work
below ground and the tally would be handed back at the end of
each shift. This was to ensure, in the case of accidents, each
man was accounted for. The pits were commonly infested with mice
and rats, so the miners had to take their food or "snap"
in tin containers with close - fitting lids to prevent the food
being stolen by the rodent population!
Before mechanisation ponies were an integral part of the work
in the pits and spent the majority of their working lives below
ground, only being brought to the surface for a few days each
year, when these animals must have rejoiced to see daylight and
breathe clean air.
Unlike the later years of the mining industry, in her Grandad`s
era there were no pit - head baths, so the miners would have
to walk home in their blackened clothes ingrained with coal dust.
Homes did not have bathrooms, so a tin bath would be set before
the living room fire and filled with water heated on the open
fire for the miner to wash away the grime of his day's work.
Accidents in the pits were not uncommon and sadly one of Pauline`s
uncles was killed by a roof fall. Another hazard was the highly
flammable methane gas and a slight spark could start a fire.
In one such incident, Pauline`s Grandad was badly burned - there
were no first aid facilities or NHS care at that time, so he
was carried home by his work-mates to be nursed by his wife.
Although he made a reasonable recovery, he was never able to
work again, so Pauline`s Grandma turned their front room into
a grocery shop in order to earn a living for them and their 7
children, one of whom was Pauline`s mother. Later a newspaper
round added to their income. Sadly after working so hard to care
for her family, her Grandma suffered a stroke and died at the
age of 54 years. Pauline's Mum took over caring for her father
and continued to do so even after she was married.
In conclusion, Pauline showed us her large collection of memorabilia,
including family photos, a shawl dating from around 1880, a musical
jug and a gas mask tin. She also talked of the camaraderie within
the mining community and the importance of the close knit family
life she treasured from her childhood.
At our meeting on Tuesday March 18, Brian Kimberley talked about
'Local Archaeological Finds'.
There will be NO MEETING in April.
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Speed humps
THE COUNTY Council is proposing to construct
four speed cushions on Fowke Street, to reduce vehicle speeds.
The proposed design of these traffic calming measures are the
twin cushion type that vehicles can straddle.
They will be located on the bridge near the Island Field, by
the Fowke Street playing field entrance gate, outside the Grange
and at the junction with School Street.
Before installation, the County Council will conduct a consultation
exercise which will include contacting all residents on the affected
street with details of the proposals.
New bus service
A NEW bus service linking Loughborough
and Thurmaston via Mountsorrel and Rothley Lodge has been launched.
The number 27 bus will now travel between Loughborough's Baxter
Gate and Thurmaston shopping centre.
The route serves Loughborough, Barrow on Soar, Waltham on the
Wolds, Seagrave and Sileby and the newly extended route will
also go through Mountsorrel, Rothley Lodge, Syston and Thurmaston
shopping centre.
The service which is provided by Leicestershire County Council
and operated by Woods Coaches, will give new links for leisure,
work, shopping and education. It will run hourly from Monday
to Saturday from 7am to 6.55pm and replaces the 27 service previously
operated by Centrebus.
It is partly funded by developments at Rothley Lodge and Barrow,
providing the additional bus needed to operate this extended
service. Approximately 50 per cent of the service will be funded
from these developer contributions over the next five years,
as part of a wider range of improvements in the community. The
service will cost £167,000 a year, less the amount of bus
fares collected.
Nicholas Rushton, Leicestershire County Council's Deputy Leader
with responsibilities for Highways, said: "The local bus
services we support now carry well over 2.5 million passengers
a year. More and more people in Leicestershire are using buses,
which helps to tackle road congestion, improve air quality and
helps people get out and about within their communities."
The County Council will be marketing the 27 service to help ensure
that it is well used and so viable for the long term.
A new timetable is available by calling 0116 305 8777. They will
also be available from Tourist Information Centres, Service Shops
and libraries and can be requested by emailing: passengertransport@leics.gov.uk
They can also be downloaded from Leicestershire County Council's
website: www.leics.gov.uk/transport_downloads
Planning
104 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley - replacement of existing house
with new dwelling
Holly Lodge, 60 The Ridgeway, Rothley - ground floor extension
and internal alterations
45 Swithland Lane, Rothley - cutting down of one sycamore tree
46 Kiln Garth, Rothley - conversion of existing roof space with
insertion of dormer windows to roof
82 Swithland Lane, Rothley - erection of extension to side and
rear of dwelling
7 Paddock Close, Rothley - lopping of one sycamore
39 Woodgate, Rothley - alteration to provide accommodation in
the roof
6 Plain Gate, Rothley - erection of conservatory to rear of dwelling
17 Anthony Street, Rothley - crown reduction to weeping willow
tree
1 School Street, Rothley - erection of a two storey extension
to rear of dwelling
34 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley - site for the erection of one detached
bungalow
Corner Cottage, 46 North Street, Rothley - felling of one plum
tree and one deciduous tree to side of dwelling
25 Swithland Lane, Rothley - erection of single storey extension
to front and first floor extension to side and rear of dwelling
14 Templar Way, Rothley - erection of extensions to front and
side, roof extensions to sides and dormer extension to rear of
dwelling
8 Latimer Road, Cropston - erection of a two storey extension
to side of dwelling replacing an outhouse
41 Anstey Lane, Thurcaston - works to numerous trees to alleviate
overcrowding
177 Station Road, Cropston - two storey extension to side, first
floor extension to rear and canopy to front of dwelling
63 Station Road, Cropston - erection of single storey and dormer
extension to front and first floor extensions to rear of dwelling
Bybrook Lodge Farm, Swithland Road, Cropston - extension to ancillary
buildings in use for holiday lets
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