City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[WarehamFox]

1 hour ago, RoboFox said:

A historic building that could've easily been preserved and redeveloped replaced by a the most generic, shit, prefab office block? 

 

Basically the story of Leicester City planning for about the last 40 years. 

Proper Art Deco, should never have been replaced with what is there now 

[davieG]

History of Leicestershire in Images

John Finch

 

Granby Street, Leicester.

[davieG]

Leicester Media Online  · 

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Leicester will be lit up like never before in March, as a world-class and hugely popular free festival returns to the city.

Over four nights, from 12-15 March, a spectacular mix of large-scale projection, mesmerising light and sound installations plus amazing interactive performances by local, national and international artists will transform the city centre as part of an exciting programme of events lined up for Light Up Leicester 2025.

Brand new for this year’s festival, the third since 2020, will be a series of free public events, performances and parades, offering something different to enjoy each evening, alongside the dazzling programme of illuminated installations.

Highlights include a parade featuring over 300 local school children inspired by King Richard III and the city’s diverse cultural heritage, presented by local arts organisation Inspirate, a stunning light, paint and dance performance by Nupur Arts inspired by the Hindu festival of Holi, an illuminated bicycle ride, and a magical performance by French street theatre company Compagnie des Quidams featuring giant illuminated horses, which will take to the streets on the final night of the festival (15 March).

Audiences can also look forward to an exciting trail of illuminated artworks, which will be on show every day for the full four days, from both local and international artists. Highlights include a playground of giant glowing bubbles called Evanescent by Sydney based artist duo Atelier Sisu (pictured), The Beacon, a dramatic 2km-high column of light projected into the sky by Tom Campbell, and two stunning art installations by Paris-based Collectif Scale, Double Flux and Hula Hoop, that combine movement, music and digital technology to produce a dynamic and mesmerising experience.

People will also be able to enjoy a brand new digital art projection and animation that will light up Leicester Cathedral, created especially for Light Up Leicester by award-winning local artists MBD. The projection, called Cathedral, Culture and Crown, will feature a dazzling mix of projection, animation, immersive audio and a bespoke soundtrack, which will transform the iconic building into a moving visual feast that celebrates the city’s rich history and communities.

Project lead Ellie Brooks from Leicester-based MBD is proud to be involved.

“Cathedral, Culture and Crown is a large-scale projection mapping experience that will connect us with the stories that have helped shape Leicester,” she said.

“By blending tradition with light, sound, and storytelling, we hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the history that joins us together.”

Cathedral, Culture and Crown is just one of the many free spectacular artworks and events taking place across the city centre from Wednesday 12 March until Saturday 15 March.

The Very Revd Karen Rooms, Dean of Leicester, said: “The Cathedral is very excited to be partnering with colleagues from the city council, Art Reach and BID Leicester for Light Up Leicester this year.

“The chance to showcase the Cathedral and the recent work done here and to highlight the 10 year anniversary of the reinterment of Richard III makes it a particularly special year for Light Up Leicester and this amazing city.”

City centre businesses are being invited to get involved in the festival by offering space in their window displays for a photographic exhibition created by artist collective Urban Canvas and local schools. Working with professional artists, participating children will be creating their own artworks through ‘Light Painting’ - a photographic style that uses long exposure times to capture moving images of lights. The collated artworks will be displayed in the windows of local businesses to create an art trail for the duration of the festival.

Paul Steele, CEO of Art Reach, said: “We’re really excited to be working with Urban Canvas to create an exciting window trail of light paintings across the city for the festival. Young people will create dynamic photographs that capture their light paintings under the theme of ‘My Leicester’ and ‘Future Stories’. We will be working with young people and community groups across Leicester to create these paintings in the lead up to the event in March. We can’t wait to see what they produce and look forward to seeing their work across business and shop windows during the festival.”

Any city centre business that can support Light Up Leicester by offering window space for the Light Painting Trail should contact Art Reach directly at [email protected]

Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “For four nights in March, Leicester will come alive with light and colour, with extraordinary performances and installations by international artists that people will be able to enjoy free of charge.

“Schools and communities are getting involved too, with our partners at Inspirate and Art Reach working with local groups across the city on projects that will celebrate the city’s diversity and bring an extra dimension to the festival.

“More than 80,000 people enjoyed the stunning installations that Light Up Leicester brought to the city back in 2022. Thanks to the generous support of our funders and sponsors, this free festival will be back in March to brighten up the dark winter nights for many thousands more.”

Full details of the festival, including information about all the installations, the opening day parades, free performances and a Gallowtree Gate night market, are now available on the festival website

www.lightupleicester.com

Light Up Leicester is presented by Leicester City Council, BID Leicester, Leicester Cathedral and Art Reach. It is made possible through the generous support of Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Global Streets, PPL PRS and headline sponsor Highcross.

The festival runs from Wednesday 12 March until Saturday 15 March 2025.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for those wishing to be involved in Light Up Leicester 2025.

Those interested in sponsoring the event should email [email protected]

#LightupLeicester

 

[davieG]

 

Leicester Memories

Peter Taylor 

 

Old Postcard of Great Glen Station , Midland main line between Leicester and Market Harborough.

Closed to passengers in 1951 - Completely 1964 .

[davieG]

 

Leicester Memories

Paul Burgess  

[davieG]

Story of Leicester

 

Fredric Lennard and his five sons Samuel, Thomas, Henry, John and William built up a large shoemaking business in Leicester. In August 1901 they patented the Liberty brand of footwear. Here is their factory that was on Eastern Boulevard with the famous Statue of Liberty replica which was installed after the family took a trip to America after World War II.

We think this photo was taken in the early 1980s looking at the cars - the orange one looks like a Vauxhall Chevette, what do you think?

[davieG]

 

Garden Street Island - Leicester

Sohidul 

Haymarket, Leicester (1970’s)

[CosbehFox]

https://bbc.in/42lmkuJ
 

Crackinf story of a family investing £143k to get Queniborough community pool back up and running 

[davieG]

 

Leicester Memories

David Hutchinson  · 

 

January Anniversary

Death of a Leicester industrialist

Nathaniel Corah

Nathaniel Corah (1777–20 January 1831) was a trader of hosiery and textiles from Leicester in England. He founded the firm N. Corah & Sons which became one of the most important textile manufacturers in the country.

Born in Barlestone, Leicestershire he trained as a framesmith and first produced garments on a knitting frame on his farm. An early textile business he formed folded with debts and this resulted in a brief prison sentence.

In 1815, upon his release from prison, he started a new business trading clothing items between Leicester and Birmingham. He would purchase locally produced textiles at The Globe public house on Silver Street and trade them in Birmingham. By 1824 his business had expanded and he was able to buy a block of buildings in Leicester's Union Street.

In the 1830s his sons John, William and Thomas joined the firm which became N. Corah & Sons Ltd. The Leicester-based company expanded over the next twenty years and this required moves firstly to a new premises on Granby Street and then to the famous St. Margaret's Works site, which opened on 13 July 1865. Such was the rapid growth of this company that by 1866 over one thousand people were employed at St. Margaret's Works.

Nathaniel Corah died on the 20 January 1831 after a brief illness.

[Parafox]

38 minutes ago, davieG said:

 

Leicester Memories

David Hutchinson  · 

 

January Anniversary

Death of a Leicester industrialist

Nathaniel Corah

Nathaniel Corah (1777–20 January 1831) was a trader of hosiery and textiles from Leicester in England. He founded the firm N. Corah & Sons which became one of the most important textile manufacturers in the country.

Born in Barlestone, Leicestershire he trained as a framesmith and first produced garments on a knitting frame on his farm. An early textile business he formed folded with debts and this resulted in a brief prison sentence.

In 1815, upon his release from prison, he started a new business trading clothing items between Leicester and Birmingham. He would purchase locally produced textiles at The Globe public house on Silver Street and trade them in Birmingham. By 1824 his business had expanded and he was able to buy a block of buildings in Leicester's Union Street.

In the 1830s his sons John, William and Thomas joined the firm which became N. Corah & Sons Ltd. The Leicester-based company expanded over the next twenty years and this required moves firstly to a new premises on Granby Street and then to the famous St. Margaret's Works site, which opened on 13 July 1865. Such was the rapid growth of this company that by 1866 over one thousand people were employed at St. Margaret's Works.

Nathaniel Corah died on the 20 January 1831 after a brief illness.

 

My mum and my aunt both worked there in the 60's and 70's as examiners/menders. They would have rolls of material that they had examine for faults such as dropped stitches and, tiny holes that the knitting machines had created and, once found, mend them with a darning needle or a crochet hook so that the final roll of fabric was perfect before going to the next stage. My mum says that working there were the best times of her life. It was such a (pardon the pun) close knit workforce and that Corah's valued and looked after their whole workforce.

 

Time moves on and now it's a shambles of small industries, ( I hesitate to say sweat shops) mostly producing cheap clothing/fabric products. 

Edited 24 January by Parafox

[Free Falling Foxes]

On 24/01/2025 at 19:33, Parafox said:

 

My mum says that working there were the best times of her life. It was such a (pardon the pun) close knit workforce and that Corah's valued and looked after their whole workforce.

 

 

My Mam worked at Corahs during the 1940s. Like yours, she had fond memories of working there.

One story she told me was when she was asked to model some nylon stockings, the type with the seam running up the back, for the senior management. The board had asked for one of the girls with nice legs and my Mam was chosen.

She was then asked to walk on, and along, the board room table - fully clothed I hasten to add, so they could determine if they looked good.

[Wolfox]

 

Allandale Road…. The classroom would be on the right had side of the pic

 

i remember the Hampshires as a kid

 

The butcher was just to the left I think (now a hairdresser called Butchers)

[davieG]

I used to get the bus from that stop outside the station, Nos 27 Link Road, 28 Clarendon Park Road, 29 Stoneygate.

 

 

Born and Raised in Leicester

London Road, Leicester. 1963

[Stadt]

7 minutes ago, davieG said:

I used to get the bus from that stop outside the station, Nos 27 Link Road, 28 Clarendon Park Road, 29 Stoneygate.

 

 

Born and Raised in Leicester

London Road, Leicester. 1963

The amount of street furniture now is completely overwhelming. Double yellows, bollards, traffic calming measures, signs etc makes streets far uglier 

[Parafox]

1 hour ago, Stadt said:

The amount of street furniture now is completely overwhelming. Double yellows, bollards, traffic calming measures, signs etc makes streets far uglier 

 SPS would say it makes journeys by bike or foot safer. 

 

 

[davieG]

The ones that puzzle me when you’re approaching an island and it reminds you the speed limit is 50

[davieG]

 

History of Leicestershire in Images

Jan Smith 

Leicester, the new Charles Street was opened on 21st June 1932. There were many celebrations including an ox roast.

[davieG]

Born and Raised in Leicester  · 

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Belvoir Street, 1960's

[Free Falling Foxes]

1 hour ago, davieG said:

Born and Raised in Leicester  · 

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Belvoir Street, 1960's

Now.

Fewer cars today!

[davieG]

Leicester Memories

Peter Taylor  

 

A busy day on Gallowtree Gate Leicester 1945 .

 

Hiltons Shoes on the left, there used to 6 or more shoe shops on Granby St / Gallowtree Gate and probably all made in the East Midlands

[kushiro]

On 30/01/2025 at 02:15, davieG said:

Born and Raised in Leicester  · 

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Belvoir Street, 1960's

 

What an evocative picture. You're going to make me cry in a minute (haven't been 'home' in six years).

[Free Falling Foxes]

3 hours ago, kushiro said:

 

What an evocative picture. You're going to make me cry in a minute (haven't been 'home' in six years).

Sadly, you may cry even more if you did return for a visit.

Edited 31 January by Free Falling Foxes

[davieG]

 

Born and Raised in Leicester  · 

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This picture of a horse-drawn tram on the Hinckley Road route, in Leicester, dates from about 100 years ago. The driver of the Leicester Corporation tram is well protected against the elements. It looks very much as though it was winter when the picture was taken, with no leaves on the trees, and the driver and his conductor obviously had time to pose for the photographer. A mother and baby can be spotted in the tram. This picture reminds us of travel at a more leisurely pace than we are used to today

Credit Leicester Mercury

[davieG]

 

Leicester Memories

Peter Taylor 

Beatrice Road Leicester ( date unknown )

 

50's ?

[kushiro]

21 hours ago, davieG said:

 

Born and Raised in Leicester  · 

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This picture of a horse-drawn tram on the Hinckley Road route, in Leicester, dates from about 100 years ago. The driver of the Leicester Corporation tram is well protected against the elements. It looks very much as though it was winter when the picture was taken, with no leaves on the trees, and the driver and his conductor obviously had time to pose for the photographer. A mother and baby can be spotted in the tram. This picture reminds us of travel at a more leisurely pace than we are used to today

Credit Leicester Mercury

 

 

If the photographer had swung his camera round a bit to the right they'd have taken a shot of 2, Fosse Road Central - the place where, in 1884, Leicester Fosse Football Club was established.