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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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Laura Evans

Another view of the gentleman’s toilets and shops on Russell Square, this time with a young couple in the foreground.

 

 

 

 

No photo description available.

Looking down Willow Bridge Street. Russell Square would have been behind Grandpa as he took the photo. In the near distance on the right you can just see the start of the name of Liverpool Street on the side of the shop, just behind the lady in the white apron. I love the guy in the foreground strutting down the street with his hands in his pockets, I wonder what he was thinking at the time.
Free Falling Foxes

Free Falling Foxes

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2 minutes ago, davieG said:

May be an image of road

Belgrave Gate 1963.

Wow, what beautifully manicured roundabouts, they would have looked even better in the summer and in full bloom

I know there is an argument that they, and grass verges, should be left wild - as they tend to do now - so has to benefit wildlife, but if maintained like in the picture above and planted with flowers that attract pollinators,  wouldn't it be a win win?

Or, leave wild still but sow wild flowers in abundance. 

Of course another consideration these days is cost and I suspect that is the real driving reason whilst areas such as these are now neglected.

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Foxdiamond

Foxdiamond

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7 hours ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

Wow, what beautifully manicured roundabouts, they would have looked even better in the summer and in full bloom

I know there is an argument that they, and grass verges, should be left wild - as they tend to do now - so has to benefit wildlife, but if maintained like in the picture above and planted with flowers that attract pollinators,  wouldn't it be a win win?

Or, leave wild still but sow wild flowers in abundance. 

Of course another consideration these days is cost and I suspect that is the real driving reason whilst areas such as these are now neglected.

Agree about the flowers for pollinators. Some towns roundabouts had the floral displays sponsored by local businesses 

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davieG

davieG

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May be a black-and-white image of 8 people, street and text

What a great photo we have to share with you today - the Beaumont Shopping Centre in Beaumont Leys, seen here around 1990!
In this view we have Radio Rentals and is that Dixons to the left? In the middle distance we have Tesco - which is still there today.
We remember Bejam was down near the market stalls - when we were kids we always went there followed by a Happy Meal at McDonald's!
Do you visit Beaumont Shopping Centre back in the 90s? What shops can you remember?
davieG

davieG

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Located on the corner of East Park Road and Chesterfield Road in the Evington district of Leicester. The site had previously housed St. Thomas church, which was built in corrugated iron. The Evington Cinema opened on 16th October 1916 with Madame Jane Hading in "The Spirit of France". A ladies orchestra provided the music (local men were away fighting in World War I). It had a columned veranda over the entrance, and the façade was dominated by a hexagonal tower on each side. Seating in the auditorium was provided for 778 in the stalls and 200 in the circle.
Always independently operated, the Evington Cinema became the head office for a small chain of local Leicester cinemas. In April 1970, it was sold to another operator for use as an Asian cinema screening ‘Bollywood films, but this use ceased in 1978, and the building lay empty and unused, apart from being used as a shelter for some homeless people. In November 1984, the building was seriously damaged by a fire, leaving the auditorium roofless. Four teenagers were charged with arson.
The auditorium section of the building was demolished in 1989 and a block of flats named Scarborough House was built on the site. The facade and foyer area were saved to be used for offices for Fara Estates, and is known as Fara House
davieG

davieG

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Melbourne Picture Theatre, 1963. Located on the corner of Hartington Road and Melbourne Road. The Melbourne Picture Theatre opened May 18, 1920. It was taken over by Associated British Cinemas (ABC) chain in November 1931, and was modernised. In October 1938, it was taken over by the independent Midland Cinema Co., and they operated it until its closure in 1961. The building was converted into the Five-Ways Bingo Club. In 1979, it reopened as Apsara Cinema, screening 'Bollywood' films. It was later closed in 1986. In the 1990's it was converted to a mosque, today known as the Masjid Usman (Markaz Masjid of Leicester)
davieG

davieG

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Memories of Leicester is at (National Tramway Museum).
Granby Street in 1938. Tram No.100 heads towards the City Centre from Stonegate. It will proceed to Fosse Road on Route 3. An Austin 10 is parked in front of the National Cash Register Co Shop while an American "Oldsmobile" is outside the "Roneo" duplicator shop. Outside Russells music and piano emporium is a Morris 10cwt van used by the LMS and LNE railways for local parcels deliveries, while approaching is a 1932 Morris Minor. Parked outside "Harris of Granby Corner" is a 1936 Morris Commercial Van belonging to Leicester Co-operative Society.
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Free Falling Foxes

Free Falling Foxes

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16 minutes ago, davieG said:

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Memories of Leicester is at (National Tramway Museum).
Granby Street in 1938. Tram No.100 heads towards the City Centre from Stonegate. It will proceed to Fosse Road on Route 3. An Austin 10 is parked in front of the National Cash Register Co Shop while an American "Oldsmobile" is outside the "Roneo" duplicator shop. Outside Russells music and piano emporium is a Morris 10cwt van used by the LMS and LNE railways for local parcels deliveries, while approaching is a 1932 Morris Minor. Parked outside "Harris of Granby Corner" is a 1936 Morris Commercial Van belonging to Leicester Co-operative Society.

And today

Screenshot_20250607_144149_Maps.thumb.jpg.07e74457f8047399d41a99227aeb75bb.jpg

One positive thing to note, comparing past and present scenes I've noticed, is we do tend to have far more trees and far fewer cars in the centre these days.

Somethings are better.......

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davieG

davieG

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On June 11th 1960, the Royal Oprea House, Silver Street in Leicester closed. It welcomed many stars including Greta Fayne. In 1949 she starred in 'Red Riding Hood' ...lower down on the bill were the up and coming Morecambe and Wise, with Freddie Frinton as principal comic.
Foxdiamond

Foxdiamond

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On 11/06/2025 at 09:32, davieG said:

May be a black-and-white image of 1 person

May be an image of text

 

On June 11th 1960, the Royal Oprea House, Silver Street in Leicester closed. It welcomed many stars including Greta Fayne. In 1949 she starred in 'Red Riding Hood' ...lower down on the bill were the up and coming Morecambe and Wise, with Freddie Frinton as principal comic.

I remember Freddie Frinton in a tv sit com with Thora Hird

Free Falling Foxes

Free Falling Foxes

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29 minutes ago, Wymsey said:

What does anyone think on this?..

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/leicester-parks-countryside-remain-risk-10256899?int_source=nba

 

I think by any metric you care to employ, that side of the city, that borders on the Blaby district has had enough - more than enough - development in recent times. Blaby District too, has had some huge new developments meaning,  that if you ignore the different authorities and just look at it from a general overall area - which is what nature/wildlife and the general environment would see it as, it is being way over burdened. 

As well as major new housing estates, there has been lots of retail and commercial buildings - including one waste site plus another proposed, plus lots of smaller housing schemes too.

Then, if you look at the major roadways in the area including the M1 and a couple of its junctions as well as the A46 and others, it seems clear to me that LCC and Blaby District have written the area off regarding green breathing spaces.

I think it's borderline scandalous. 

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The Fox Covert

The Fox Covert

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Another post which appeared in my Facebook page and I thought of passing it on here. 

The original text of the post - in Art Rooms.

Stanier Jubilee No.45616 'Malta GC' passes Wigston Magna station (closed 1968) on the Midland main line
by Rob Rowland

503737358_122235418364188378_3323214395709849295_n.jpg

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