City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[Parafox]

 

 

A bike propped against the kerb by it's pedal is something you never see anymore.

 

Edited 13 May 2025 by Parafox
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[davieG]

History of Leicestershire in Images

Graham Hulme  ·

 

An old postcard view looking towards Uppingham Road with Overton Road seen on the left, from around 1910. The building seen at the corner between the two roads is the chemist’s shop of Frederick William Goodess. The building at the corner still exists and is still a pharmacy. Mr Goodess is shown as a chemist and druggist in various local directories, of the period from about 1906, which give him as at 25 Market Street with a branch at 2a Uppingham Road. The earlier Wright’s Leicester directory of 1903 shows him as a chemist in Hotel Street. Mr Goodess was born in Leicester in 1864 and at the time of the 1871 census, when he was aged 6, was living with his parents, Joseph and Sarah Goodess, in Junior Street. His father’s occupation at the time was as a warehouseman. He was still with his parents at the time of the 1881 census when his father’s occupation was shown as office clerk. Frederick was given as a scholar. By 1891 he was married (in January of that year at a Wesleyan chapel in Boston) and the couple were living at 1 Friar Lane and Frederick’s occupation was entered as “Chemist & Manager, Medical Dispensary”. The couple had a boarder living with them who was shown as a chemist’s assistant. In 1901 Mr Goodess was living in Hotel Street at the chemist’s premises which is shown in the 1903 directory. Shown with him in the census was his wife, Mary Ann, and a six year old daughter, Muriel. The household also consisted of various assistants, servants, a housekeeper and a lodger. The census of 1911 shows Mr Goodess residing at the 25 Market Street chemist’s shop with his wife and sister in law. His occupation is entered as “Pharmacist & Dispensing Chemist”. The 1921 census also shows him at the Market Street premises, with his wife and daughter, Muriel, and a housekeeper. His entry in Kelly’s directory of 1925 still gives his address as 25 Market Street, but the branch at Uppingham Road is no longer included. The directory gives Albert Edward Davidson as a chemist at the Uppingham Road premises. The 1928 telephone directory gives “Goodess City Pharmacy Ltd.” at 25 Market Street and a second entry for Mr Goodess gives his home address as Victoria House, Highfield Street. Mr Goodess and his wife appear to have retired to Norfolk a little later. He died on 9th January 1949, aged 84, and his probate record gives his address as The Limes, Catfield, which is in the Norfolk Broads.

The Leicester Mercury of 25th February 1935 featured a piece written by Mr Goodess about his schooldays in Victorian Leicester 60 years before. He first attended the infants department of the Great Meeting in Bond Street and when older, transferred to the larger boys school next door “under the headmastership of one Mr James Hepworth, a man to be feared, especially by slackers and wrongdoers. He was a short, very stout man, with a short grey beard. He believed strongly in the cane, and plenty of it”. Mr Goodess wrote that rarely a week passed but some boy would play truant “especially…if the May or October Fair were here, or a circus were visiting the town with its mile long procession, and the clown Bimbo on stilts, was racing the tramcars up the London Road”. Or perhaps the mounted band of a regiment was parading through the town that day. There would surely be a few boys missing or arriving very late and Mr Goodess said “some of their excuses were very plausible and original, but they didn’t wash with Pa Hepworth, who would be in his glory administering so many stripes with the cane on each hand or each culprit, and given before the whole school as a deterrent”. The boys had various tricks for counteracting the effects of the cane and one such was to split the cane, (kept in the headmaster’s desk) at the top with a knife so that when next used it would often split right down “to the accompaniment of the ribald laughter of the boys. This made Mr Hepworth very mad, and a lad was at once sent out to buy a new one, with which he laid on extra good and hard”.

Despite all this Mr Hepworth took infinite pains as the examinations approached, more especially those for the South Kensington Science and Art Certificate. Mr Goodess well remembered going with a party of boys one or two days a week to his private house in Garendon Street or Upper Kent Street soon after six o’clock in the morning for botany lessons, and a walk round Evington seeking specimens. He also remembered fights between schools, which were quite common. After school dismissal a crowd would rush off to meet the boys of the opposing school, armed with sticks, stones and what were known as “toggies”. These were scarves in the end of which were tied stones or pieces of wood, and were whirled round and round. “Woe betide the boy who got a crack with one. We had our individual leaders and I remember one nicknamed Curly Mills, who was a fearless fighter. After a few years at the Great Meeting school Mr Goodess was transferred to a new Board School at Elbow Lane (now demolished). He eventually won a free scholarship, in a competitive examination, to the Wyggeston Boys School, which was then under the headship of the renowned Rev. James Went. The scholarship was for three years, with no school fees and all books found. It was a marvellous uplift to him to be suddenly introduced to the Classics and Foreign Languages, but the most fascinating of all was the chemistry and physics laboratory, and Mr Goodess felt this influenced him in eventually taking up the career of a chemist, in which he was very successful.

[LFEFox23]

Anyone got any photos of inside the old Saffron lane running tracks, football, hockey, pitches?

 

I remember running a few races for the school their, also football in the middle pitch of the running track!

 

Ahhhhh they were the days....

[davieG]

24 minutes ago, LFEFox23 said:

Anyone got any photos of inside the old Saffron lane running tracks, football, hockey, pitches?

 

I remember running a few races for the school their, also football in the middle pitch of the running track!

 

Ahhhhh they were the days....

The track is still there, it's mainly the velodrome that's gone.

 

[davieG]

 

Leicester Memories

Phill Martin 

Style Council gig, De Montfort Hall 1984.

[kushiro]

21 hours ago, LFEFox23 said:

Anyone got any photos of inside the old Saffron lane running tracks, football, hockey, pitches?

 

I remember running a few races for the school their, also football in the middle pitch of the running track!

 

Ahhhhh they were the days....

 

This is from 1969:

 

 

 

You might like this:

 

 

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble 

Belgrave Gate 1961.

[boots60]

10 hours ago, davieG said:

 

Leicester Memories

Phill Martin 

Style Council gig, De Montfort Hall 1984.

Footwear pinched from the ten pin bowling.

[Wolfox]

On 15/05/2025 at 14:21, LFEFox23 said:

Anyone got any photos of inside the old Saffron lane running tracks, football, hockey, pitches?

 

I remember running a few races for the school their, also football in the middle pitch of the running track!

 

Ahhhhh they were the days....

4th fastest in mid Leicester mate 

 

I still have the certificate to prove it 

 

sporting mediocrity is my ambition !

[The Fox Covert]

Picked up from my Facebook feed, a painting by Rob Rowland of a southbound train leaving Leicester Midland station, passing the junction to Ashby and Burton.

An instantly recognisable spot, with Welford Road passing over the railway above the tree line at the top of the painting, although sadly the junction to the Ashby and Burton branch is not there any more.

A later stablemate of the locomotive in the painting, No. 673, was preserved and used to be in the museum at the former tram terminus on London Road, near the junction with Shanklin Drive. I don't know where it is now but it apparently it hasn't been in operating condition for decades.

[davieG]

On 19/05/2025 at 19:07, The Fox Covert said:

Picked up from my Facebook feed, a painting by Rob Rowland of a southbound train leaving Leicester Midland station, passing the junction to Ashby and Burton.

An instantly recognisable spot, with Welford Road passing over the railway above the tree line at the top of the painting, although sadly the junction to the Ashby and Burton branch is not there any more.

A later stablemate of the locomotive in the painting, No. 673, was preserved and used to be in the museum at the former tram terminus on London Road, near the junction with Shanklin Drive. I don't know where it is now but it apparently it hasn't been in operating condition for decades.

I used to sit on that bridge with a few mates when I was pre-teen trainspotting.

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/new-bus-routes-announced-leicester-10203179

 

New bus routes announced for Leicester, Loughborough, Fosse Park, Coalville, Shepshed and Hinckley

ByHannah RichardsonLocal Democracy Reporter
04:00, 22 MAY 2025

Four new bus routes have been announced serving Fosse Park, the city and Leicestershire towns. The additional services are set to be launched by operator Arriva this summer.

The services will connect Coalville to Leicester, Hinckley to Fosse Park, Ashby to Loughborough, and Witherley to Measham. Arriva said the services would launch over the next two months, and would run in addition to the existing journeys offered by the company.

The operator said it had worked “closely” with Leicestershire County Council to “shape services that truly meet the needs of local people”. Full details of each new service can be found below.

 

Each of the new services is “fully accessible”, Arriva said, and customers can purchase single and return fares or use any valid Arriva ticket or app product "within the relevant boundary areas".

Jonathan Wills, network manager at Arriva Midlands, said: “These new routes are about better connecting communities – whether you're commuting, shopping or meeting friends, there’s a bus for that. We've worked closely with Leicestershire County Council to make sure people have more reliable and regular options so they can get where they need to go.

“We really hope these routes will make it easier for people to choose the bus over the car. It’s a small improvement that can make a big difference to our roads and our environment.”

 

The new services
LC12: Witherley – Atherstone – Market Bosworth – Measham

Starting on Monday, July 14, this route will run once in the morning and once in the afternoon on weekdays. It also serves Fenny Drayton, Ratcliffe Culey, Sibson, Carlton and Newton Burgoland.

 

LC14: Hinckley – Sapcote – Stoney Stanton – Fosse Park

Running several journeys each weekday and Saturday, the buses will stop at Aston Flamville, Sharnford, Broughton Astley, Cosby, Littlethorpe, Narborough and Enderby Park and Ride. It starts on Monday, June 2.

 

LC15: Coalville – Stanton-under-Bardon – Markfield – Newton Linford – Anstey – Leicester

Starting on July 14, there will be multiple weekday and Saturday services on this route which will also stop at Hugglescote, Ellistown, Markfield Court, Glenfield and Glenfield Hospital.

 

LC16: Ashby – Osgathorpe – Shepshed – Loughborough

Also running several journeys each weekday and Saturday, the buses start on June 2 and will connect Lount, Newton Coleorton, Peggs Green, Griffydam, Belton and Nanpanton.

[kenny]

2 hours ago, davieG said:

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/new-bus-routes-announced-leicester-10203179

 

New bus routes announced for Leicester, Loughborough, Fosse Park, Coalville, Shepshed and Hinckley

ByHannah RichardsonLocal Democracy Reporter
04:00, 22 MAY 2025

Four new bus routes have been announced serving Fosse Park, the city and Leicestershire towns. The additional services are set to be launched by operator Arriva this summer.

The services will connect Coalville to Leicester, Hinckley to Fosse Park, Ashby to Loughborough, and Witherley to Measham. Arriva said the services would launch over the next two months, and would run in addition to the existing journeys offered by the company.

The operator said it had worked “closely” with Leicestershire County Council to “shape services that truly meet the needs of local people”. Full details of each new service can be found below.

 

Each of the new services is “fully accessible”, Arriva said, and customers can purchase single and return fares or use any valid Arriva ticket or app product "within the relevant boundary areas".

Jonathan Wills, network manager at Arriva Midlands, said: “These new routes are about better connecting communities – whether you're commuting, shopping or meeting friends, there’s a bus for that. We've worked closely with Leicestershire County Council to make sure people have more reliable and regular options so they can get where they need to go.

“We really hope these routes will make it easier for people to choose the bus over the car. It’s a small improvement that can make a big difference to our roads and our environment.”

 

The new services
LC12: Witherley – Atherstone – Market Bosworth – Measham

Starting on Monday, July 14, this route will run once in the morning and once in the afternoon on weekdays. It also serves Fenny Drayton, Ratcliffe Culey, Sibson, Carlton and Newton Burgoland.

 

LC14: Hinckley – Sapcote – Stoney Stanton – Fosse Park

Running several journeys each weekday and Saturday, the buses will stop at Aston Flamville, Sharnford, Broughton Astley, Cosby, Littlethorpe, Narborough and Enderby Park and Ride. It starts on Monday, June 2.

 

LC15: Coalville – Stanton-under-Bardon – Markfield – Newton Linford – Anstey – Leicester

Starting on July 14, there will be multiple weekday and Saturday services on this route which will also stop at Hugglescote, Ellistown, Markfield Court, Glenfield and Glenfield Hospital.

 

LC16: Ashby – Osgathorpe – Shepshed – Loughborough

Also running several journeys each weekday and Saturday, the buses start on June 2 and will connect Lount, Newton Coleorton, Peggs Green, Griffydam, Belton and Nanpanton.

Arriva can barely manage the services they are supposed run at present, how are they going to manage even more!

[The Fox Covert]

3 hours ago, davieG said:

I used to sit on that bridge with a few mates when I was pre-teen trainspotting.

One of my brothers was at Lancaster Boys, and the Midland Main Line was in clear view from the school buildings. Train spotting was not an official part of the school curriculum but the school had more than its share of spotters!

[davieG]

49 minutes ago, The Fox Covert said:

One of my brothers was at Lancaster Boys, and the Midland Main Line was in clear view from the school buildings. Train spotting was not an official part of the school curriculum but the school had more than its share of spotters!

Went there as well, also when the school was on Victoria Park we would run down to the cemetery after school to see the Thames Clyde Express pass through sadly the line doesn't go to Scotland now.

[davieG]

Wigston In Photos 1945-2005  · 

Follow

 

Admiral Sportswear

"Making the kit for Manchester United to wear in the FA Cup Final"

May 1979

(Photo by Neville Chadwick)

[davieG]

Born and Raised in Leicester

WA Lea’s store, on the corner of Humberstone Gate and Charles Street, Leicester

[davieG]

 

 

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble 

Vestry Street Swimming Baths.

[davieG]

Rail Thing - REAL Trainspotting (1945-1968)  · 

Join

Chris Ward

46122 "Royal Ulster Rifleman" with the 18.15 Nottingham Victoria - Rugby and 92073 with the 17.08 Annesley - Woodford at Leicester Central. 3rd June 1964. Annesley engines and men... Photographer unknown.

[davieG]

 

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble  

 

Waterloo Street 1972 before it became Tigers Way.

[Parafox]

On 27/05/2025 at 09:54, davieG said:

Rail Thing - REAL Trainspotting (1945-1968)  · 

Join

Chris Ward

46122 "Royal Ulster Rifleman" with the 18.15 Nottingham Victoria - Rugby and 92073 with the 17.08 Annesley - Woodford at Leicester Central. 3rd June 1964. Annesley engines and men... Photographer unknown.

 

Magnificent machines.

[davieG]

Story of Leicester

 

A look along New Walk (left) and King Street (right) in 1951.

Fancy some Robertson's Lemon Marmalade, or a nice cup of Ovaltine?

New Walk is a rare example of a Georgian pedestrian promenade. Laid out by the Corporation of Leicester in 1785, the walkway was intended to connect Welford Place with the racecourse (now Victoria Park) and is said to follow the line of a Roman trackway, the Via Devana.

Originally named “Queen’s Walk”, after Queen Charlotte, consort of George III, it was eventually the popular name of the “New Walk” that survived. Almost a mile long, New Walk has been a Conservation Area since 1969, ensuring its unique character is protected.

Photograph from The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland

#StoryofLeicester

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble  

London Road 1961.

[davieG]

On 28/05/2025 at 11:31, davieG said:

 

Waterloo Street 1972

 

Just now, davieG said:

Waterloo Street is the road on the left just pass the bridge

 

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble  

 

Oxford Street (date unknown).