Coleorton Parish

Coleorton Parish in Leicestershire includes the villages of Coleorton, Coleorton Moor, Church Town and Farm Town
as well as parts of Peggs Green, Griffydam and Lount

Heritage Wardens’ Progress Report

September 2010

Coleorton Heritage Group

Interviews of local residents have currently ceased and the group is looking for further people to take part. If you are aware of any local residents who would like to take part in these interviews please do get in touch. The memories from these interviews are an important resource and the group is keen to collect as many recollections as possible.

We have reached the unusual situation with the heritage leaflet of having too much information. The group is now reviewing what information to include in this leaflet, which will take the form of a heritage walk.

The group has now completed the historical mapping of Lower Moor; we have 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 may 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 the group is Wednesday 6th October, at 8.00p.m., The Rectory in Ashby Road. If you would like to join us please let the Heritage Wardens know.

Progress on Coleorton Wood

The Parish Council has now agreed the purchase of Coleorton Wood with LCC and the purchase is progressing slowly. Meetings have taken place with LCC Forestry Officer who is assisting the Parish Council on the forestry work that may be required. 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”.

I have been carrying out surveys of the wood so that we have a better understanding of what is there and how we might manage the site going forward. I should point out that this change in ownership of the site will NOT change the current arrangements for public access to the site.

New Lount Reserve. We have been informed that LCC will retain ownership of this site. I will discuss with the rangers who manage the site if there is any positive way in which we will be able to assist them to improve the wild life value, and heritage of the site.

Working with Ashby Museum on John Crocker material and research into the history of Coleorton.

Cataloguing is progressing well, although it will take a long time to complete. The material has a great deal of information on:-

Coleorton
The Beaumonts
The Coleorton Estate
The development of the Coal Industry in Coleorton
And much more.

Those interested in researching the material should contact the museum.
http://www.ashbydelazouchmuseum.org.uk/

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.

Repairs to War Memorial

The War memorial has now been repaired, cleaned and all the wording specially treated. The stonemason has made an excellent job; the memorial looks very impressive and it is now possible to read all of the names.

Viscount Beaumont School

I have recently visited the school and made a list of the heritage records that they hold. It would be a very worthwhile project to create a history of the school from its beginnings in 1702 through to the present day. If anyone has any information relating to the history of the school please contact the heritage wardens.

Other Areas of Interest.

I am particularly interested in researching the history of Coleorton Pottery, which was operational from 1835 to 1935. If anyone has any information, photographs or examples of the pottery please contact the heritage wardens.

I am also interested in the history of Lount Pipe Yard so would appreciate any information on this as well.

John Macdonald (September 2010)

Any questions about the work of the heritage wardens or if you have something about Coleorton to share
email the Heritage Wardens >>

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