Coleorton Heritage Group
The group is continuing with interviews of local residents; if there are any local residents who would like to take part in these interviews please do get in touch.
We are making good progress collecting the information required for the heritage leaflet. The group has identified a number of sites and these will be combined with other information to make an interesting heritage leaflet, and village walk. It is hoped to have this leaflet produced by late summer.
The group has also nearly completed the historical mapping of Lower Moor, there will be three maps showing how this area looked in 1807, 1885 and 1903.
The group is also mapping interesting species found in the parish, and some of this information will be contained in the heritage leaflet. If you are aware of particular species of either animals or plants found within the parish please do let us know.
The next meeting of this group is on Wednesday 19 May starting at 8.00p.m., at the Rectory, Ashby Road. If you would like to attend please let the heritage wardens know.
Progress on Coleorton Wood
The Parish Council has now agreed the purchase of Coleorton Wood with LCC, although there are still some details to be agreed, and the transfer of ownership has not yet taken place. Meetings have taken place with LCC Forestry Officer who is advising the Parish Council on the forestry work that is required to be carried out in the wood. It is hoped that this work will assist in attracting particular species of birds to the wood and is part of a scheme promoted by the RSPB. The heritage group will look at the possibility of also promoting the historical heritage of this site, which was The Coleorton Colliery known locally as “The Bug & Wink.
New Lount Reserve. We are continuing to monitor the situation with the sale of this site and will look at working with the ongoing owners to see how we can protect the rich heritage of this site.
Heritage Conference
I attended the annual LCC’s Heritage Conference on Saturday April 24th and gave a short presentation on my first year as a Heritage warden. The conference was well attended.
Working with Ashby Museum on John Crocker material and research into the history of Coleorton.
We are making good progress with the cataloguing this material, although it will take a long time to complete; those interested in researching the material should contact the museum. www.ashbydelazouchmuseum.org.uk
The temporary exhibition on “Coleorton and The Beaumonts” has now finished; it was well attended and promoted a high level of interest from local individuals.
War Memorial Project
I am continuing to collect biographical information on those individuals listed on the war memorial; to date I have completed all biographies for WW1 and there are 5 from WW2 to do. Once I can get this information into an acceptable format we will look at placing the information on the website. If anyone can add to the information I have on any of those listed on the war memorial please contact the heritage wardens – photographs in particular would be very much appreciated.
I would also be interested to hear from anyone who has any information on:-
Private David Walker of 14th Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). He was killed in action on 7th August 1918 (aged 27). He was born in Montrose in Scotland, his parents lived in Dundee, but he enlisted in Coalville. He is one of those listed on the war memorial; does anyone know what his connection with Coleorton was?
WW2 Names:-
|
Rank
|
Initials
|
Surname
|
Regiment
|
Date of death
|
|
Stoker
|
K W
|
Bettison
|
HMS Submarine Triad
|
16/10/1940
|
|
PTE
|
L
|
Granger
|
Army Catering Corps
|
06/10/1945
|
|
FUS
|
E P
|
Robinson
|
2 Royal Enniskillen Fusiliers
|
15/10/1943
|
|
PTE
|
P
|
Topham
|
Pioneer Corps
|
16/03/1943
|
|
PTE
|
G H
|
Turner
|
2/3 Leicestershire Reg.
|
22/02/1942
|
As these are more recent I am hoping that some relatives will have details and perhaps photographs of these individuals.
I have completed the investigation into the surrounding villages’ war memorials. Swannington has its own War memorial in St George’s Church and I will submit a separate report for this.
Repairs to War Memorial
We are hoping that the stonemason will be able to start this work during the month of May 2010.
