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davieG

City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

By davieG, in General Chat

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davieG

davieG

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7 minutes ago, Parafox said:

 

There's some memories there. I was a regular at Baileys and saw most of those acts. It was a top cabaret venue and it seemed quite odd to me that such "stars" of that era could be attracted to perform in... Leicester.

 

The first time I ever went there was on a Saturday for the 16 to 18 year old's disco. I have vivid memories of walking up all those stairs in my brand new flares and corduroy jacket bought from C&A just for that first visit and getting nearer and nearer to the the magic of being in a proper discotheque. 

 

I felt really grown up.

 

Many years later I was a DJ at The George next door to Bailey's, but I always wanted to be the Bailey's DJ. It seemed so... showbiz.

I'm guessing the Love Affair was in May 1968  as I was there as they'd just got to No1 with Everlasting Love

Paninistickers

Paninistickers

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32 minutes ago, Parafox said:

 

There's some memories there. I was a regular at Baileys and saw most of those acts. It was a top cabaret venue and it seemed quite odd to me that such "stars" of that era could be attracted to perform in... Leicester.

 

The first time I ever went there was on a Saturday for the 16 to 18 year old's disco. I have vivid memories of walking up all those stairs in my brand new flares and corduroy jacket bought from C&A just for that first visit and getting nearer and nearer to the the magic of being in a proper discotheque. 

 

I felt really grown up.

 

Many years later I was a DJ at The George next door to Bailey's, but I always wanted to be the Bailey's DJ. It seemed so... showbiz.

I've thought that the Apollo (opposite curve) could host a genuine regular high end cabaret. They've dabbled at it. But few and far between. 

 

But some seriously priced tables to host, say, Adele a la Las Vegas ....in Leicester. Build it and they will come!

davieG

davieG

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May be an image of 6 people, tram and text

Story of Leicester  · 

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14h  · 

Leicester Central Railway Station, circa 1925.

Credit: Leicester & Leicestershire Record Office.

When it first opened in 1898, Leicester's Central Railway Station was the largest single building in Leicester with an impressive clocktower and gateway. From 1899 to 1966 it linked passengers from the city with the largest market in the world, London. The new station was part of a 136 miles long line extension, which ran from Annesley in Nottinghamshire to the new Marylebone Station in London...

Learn more at: https://storyofleicester.info/.../leicester-central.../

#StoryofLeicester

davieG

davieG

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May be an image of 6 people, street and text

Graham Hulme  · 27m  · 
 
 
An old postcard view looking along Gallowtree Gate from the Clock Tower, with the bank building on the corner of Horsefair Street seen in the far distance. The card was posted to the village post office of Chacombe near Banbury in May 1918. On the extreme right is the old Thomas Cook Building, erected in 1894, which still stands, though it now no longer contains the Thomas Cook & Son Tourist and Excursion Offices. The head of the firm at that time, John Mason Cook, had resolved to build new offices which would meet the firm’s modern requirements whilst also commemorating the origins of Cook’s tours in Leicester and John Cook’s father, Thomas Cook, the founder of the firm, who had died only two years previously. The new building was created by altering and refronting existing old buildings on a site next to where Cook’s already had offices, and was designed by the Leicester architects Goddard, Paget & Goddard. The left hand side of the new building was occupied by Cook’s, as well as the Midland Railway parcels office, while others tenanted the remaining parts. The ornate frontage is of buff terracotta with four commemorative panels depicting in relief important events in the company's history, including Cook's first excursion in July 1841 which was to a temperance rally in Loughborough. Next to the Thomas Cook Building can be seen the premises of the jewellers H. Samuel who are still existing on this site at present. The premises shown in the picture at 7 Gallowtree Gate was previously occupied by Cook’s until they moved into their new building. H. Samuel moved into the old building in 1900, though they had previously occupied 15 Gallowtree Gate since 1896. New, larger premises were built for H. Samuel on the site of 7 & 9 Gallowtree Gate in 1980, and on opening the building was advertised as a new “Jewel Centre” where customers could browse comfortably on three floors.
On the extreme left of the picture the building seen at the corner of Humberstone Gate was the premises of John Allen & Co. Wine and Spirit Merchants. The old building was later demolished and a new store for Burton's the tailor was constructed here about 1926-27 - now occupied by HSBC. The Burton's building was designed by Harry Wilson of Leeds who was a chief architect to Montague Burton's vast tailoring company and he designed many Burton's buildings around the country. John Allen’s premises on the site went back to the early 1800s at least and had originally been the site of the business of a wine and spirit merchant named Henry Richards who died during the 1810s or 1820s. By the late 1820s the business was known as Messrs. Richards, Allen & Co., though Henry Richards had died by this time and his property had for some years been before the Court of Chancery. John Allen appears to has been living at the property by this time and running the business, perhaps for Henry Richards’ widow, and bought the property at auction in Leicester on 29th September 1829. An advertisement for the forthcoming auction appeared in the Stamford Mercury of 25th September which gave details as follows -
“The following valuable freehold estates, late the property of Henry Richards the elder, of the said town of Leicester, wine and spirit merchant, deceased: that is to say - A Messuage or Dwelling-house, with Liquor Shop and Wine Vaults, situate at the corner of Humberstone Gate and Gallowtree Gate…A warehouse, stable and yard, situate in Fox and Goose Lane…A Garden or piece of ground, situate behind the last mentioned premises…A Messuage or Dwelling-house, warehouse, stable, garden and orchard, situate near the town of Leicester, adjoining the turnpike road leading from Leicester to Uppingham…A Messuage, tenement or cottage, garden, and several closes pieces or parcels of land…adjoining the last mentioned premises…and the Manor of the south end of Thurmaston, in the County of Leicester”. The Leicester Chronicle of 3rd October 1829 recorded that John Allen acquired the Humberstone Gate corner property for £5,300 and that this was exclusive of £550 for the yard, stable and warehouse behind. This is probably the same John Allen who is shown in the 1841 census as a wine merchant in Humberstone Gate. He was then aged 55 and had a son, also named John Allen, residing with him, who is shown as aged 25. At the time of the 1851 census John Allen sr. and his family are shown to be residing at 1 Humberstone Gate, at the corner of Gallowtree Gate. His occupation is given as a wine and spirit dealer, employing two men. His age is entered as 67 and his birthplace as Market Harborough. Residing with him are his daughter, Ann (unmarried) aged 38, also with the birthplace of Market Harborough, and his unmarried son John Allen, who is given as aged 34 and born at Leicester. John Allen junior’s occupation is entered as wine and spirit dealer “with father”. John Allen sr. appears to have died in November 1854. His son succeeded to the business and at the time of the 1861 census he is shown with his family residing at the 1 Humberstone Gate premises. He is shown as then aged 44 and his occupation entered as wine and spirit merchant. He married in 1856, the marriage registered at Lincoln. His wife, Charlotte, is shown as aged 27 and born in Lincolnshire. Three children are shown in the census, John V. Allen (aged 2), William Allen (1) and Charlotte (8 months). There were also four female domestic servants shown residing at the household - a cook, two nursemaids and a housemaid.
In March 1870 a notice appeared in the Leicester Journal announcing the opening of John Allen’s “new premises” at 2 Gallowtree Gate. As this is on the corner where the business had already been situated for many years, it may have been referring to a rebuilding of the old premises, or an alteration of the existing one. The notice advertised the sale of “wines of various kinds and spirits of the best quality” which were to be obtained in any quantity from half a pint upwards. Also available were Bass & Co.’s Burton Ales and Guinness & Co.’s and D’Arcy & Son’s Dublin Stout in cask and bottle. By the time of the 1871 census the family had moved to Ashfield House in Knighton parish, as it then was, on the Oadby Road. John Allen is shown as aged 54 with the occupation of wine and spirit merchant and landowner. Charlotte is given as aged 36. The children shown residing with them are Helen (10), George (9) and Frederick (7). Their father, John Allen, died on 30th September 1873, having drowned while fishing from a boat on Saddington Reservoir, just to the south of Fleckney and Kibworth. The subsequent Inquest, held by the Deputy Coroner, Mr Reeve, at the Queen’s Head in Saddington, revealed that Mr Allen had gone there on a fishing trip with several friends. They took three boats out on the reservoir and John Allen was in one of the boats with a friend, Andrew Montague of Newton Harcourt. They had placed two chairs in the boat to sit while fishing but after several hours, their boat suddenly capsized for some uncertain reason and both Mr Allen and his companion fell into the water. The people in the other boats came over to help as quickly as possible. Mr Montague was fetched out but Mr Allen was underneath the upturned boat. When they managed to right it and fetch him out of the water Mr Allen was found to be dead. It was suggested at the Inquest that Mr Allen, who had apparently been looking unwell earlier, may have had an apoplexy and the balance of the keel boat was upset by a sudden movement. However, there was a lack of further evidence and the Jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
Paninistickers

Paninistickers

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4 hours ago, kenny said:

Its a very uninspired design. Its also a shame about the hideous tower blocks between the new entrance and the city.

 

Im not sure it is going to achieve all that much.

It'll be an improvement. And the government are paying 75% of it, rather than pumping its money into that red filth city for once. What's not to like?

kenny

kenny

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1 hour ago, Paninistickers said:

It'll be an improvement. And the government are paying 75% of it, rather than pumping its money into that red filth city for once. What's not to like?

Just that they have employed an expensive out of town Architect to put a canopy on the side of the building so that the entrance faces that rank cheesegrater tower block.

 

Its £22m of pointlessness.

 

I went through Sheffield and Leeds stations last week and they are really impressive places. Ours is sh*t.

davieG

davieG

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They'll plenty on FT that have frequented these two pubs

 

Pin by Lindsay Woodroffe on Leicester | Leicester england, Bedford hotel, Leicester city football

Became the Victoria and Freemans Arms in more recent times

 

John Finch  · 2h  · 
 
Quite a rare image.
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boots60

boots60

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4 hours ago, davieG said:

They'll plenty on FT that have frequented these two pubs

 

Pin by Lindsay Woodroffe on Leicester | Leicester england, Bedford hotel, Leicester city football

Became the Victoria and Freemans Arms in more recent times

 

The Bedford became the Victory in 1980 after Tigers won the cup. Decent sadly missed boozer, popular with nurses.

The Freeman's was a cracking local which started to go downhill after it changed to the Physio & Firkin & a further rebrand as the inaptly named "The pride of Leicester" punters stopped going.

John Finch  · 2h  · 
 
Quite a rare image.

 

davieG

davieG

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https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/bbc-question-sport-stars-host-9610728

 

BBC A Question of Sport stars to host 'one-of-a-kind' live Leicester show
The shows will feature 'rounds and challenges familiar to everyone'


ByBen Carr
08:36, 8 OCT 2024

A Question of... Live is set to appear in Leicester
A Question of... Live is set to appear in Leicester (Image: Supplied)

The stars of iconic BBC TV quiz A Question of Sport are set to reunite for a live tour in 2025. Sue Barker, Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell are set to appear in Leicester as part of the nationwide tour.

A promoter for the “one-of-a-kind” live shows, taking place across March, said they will feature “rounds and challenges familiar to everyone, along with exciting new elements created just for the tour”. Each show will feature a panel of “special guest sporting superstars”, with the line-ups to be announced closer to the event.

 

Audience members will get a chance to test their sporting knowledge against Matt, Phil, and their teams “right from their seats”, the promoter said. The sporting legends will also be sharing stories from their careers as well as from their time on screen.

Host Sue, who left the BBC show in 2021, said: “I am thrilled to be reuniting with Matt and Phil. We love a quiz. We love a laugh. Can’t wait!!”

A Question of… Live is set to be at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall on Thursday, March 6, 2025. Tickets for the event go on sale on Wednesday, October 9, at 10am.

davieG

davieG

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May be an image of covered bridge and text

John Finch  · 2h  · 
 
 
Lovely shot of the canal at Aylestone ( not sure of the year), on the skyline behind the trees is St. Andrews Church on Middleton Street which gives an idea of which way the camera was facing hopefully. The bridge hasn't changed but everything in it's vicinity has.
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davieG

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John sent you a Pin!

 

John Finch  · 7m  · 
 
 
Oxford Street, Leicester. - 1960.
On the right, the Fox's Glacier Mint office building with the trade mark white polar bear attached to the exposed gable end wall, and next door Old Bowling Green pub.
The lack of traffic seems incredible now, you never see Oxford Street this deserted now, not even early Christmas Day !.
davieG

davieG

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Not many will recognise this

 

No photo description available.

MyLeicester  · 

Flowing through the urban maze, nature and street art meet under a sky full of promise.
📸: @jamies_brother
.
.
 
 
  Steve Joyce

It’s Gwendolen Road. Streets named after the architects daughters. Then into the canal by Lime Kiln Lock where it discharges all the plastic bottles and other junk picked up en route. 
MarriedaLeicesterGirl

MarriedaLeicesterGirl

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Okay, this is the weirdest thing I recently discovered, which strangely I think I should have known...

 

Leicester Royal Infirmary is where a Catholic beatified saint died in 1964. He was from Nigeria, and pretty much more famous there. But the Royal was where I was sent first after my near fatal stroke last year - I have an appointment there in a few weeks, and was just checking to see if I could find out where the office was when I saw the article. I just thought it was a very interesting tidbit (I am a Catholic immigrant myself - of course, from Texas not Africa - so it really peaked my interest.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czxl9xk877ko#:~:text=He died in the Leicester,but a very holy life.

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Parafox

Parafox

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10 hours ago, davieG said:

John sent you a Pin!

 

John Finch  · 7m  · 
 
 
Oxford Street, Leicester. - 1960.
On the right, the Fox's Glacier Mint office building with the trade mark white polar bear attached to the exposed gable end wall, and next door Old Bowling Green pub.
The lack of traffic seems incredible now, you never see Oxford Street this deserted now, not even early Christmas Day !.

I used to go to Gateway Grammar school (which is now part of DMU) when Fox's production was there and walked past this place every school day. The smell of cooking sugar and mint was so.. mmmmm. :) 

Parafox

Parafox

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10 hours ago, davieG said:

Not many will recognise this

 

No photo description available.

MyLeicester  · 

Flowing through the urban maze, nature and street art meet under a sky full of promise.
📸: @jamies_brother
.
.
 
 
 
  Reveal hidden contents
  Steve Joyce


It’s Gwendolen Road. Streets named after the architects daughters. Then into the canal by Lime Kiln Lock where it discharges all the plastic bottles and other junk picked up en route. 

 

I think that's in the Belgrave area? I seem to recall a thing like that which, when it was drier, would be just a small concrete channel in the middle. I think it was some kind of overflow outlet into the Soar :dunno:

Edited by Parafox
davieG

davieG

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6 minutes ago, Parafox said:

I think that's in the Belgrave area?

:nono:

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