Greater Wigston Historical Society White Gate Farm, Newton Lane, Wigston Magna Leicestershire _______________________________________ BULLETIN 52 PROPERTY OF GWHS PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS - OCTOBER 1998 TO FEBRUARY 1999 Wednesday 21st October 1998 'The Chesterfield Canal’ - Richard Harrison 7.30p.m. U.R. Church Boys' Brigade Rooms. Wednesday 18th November 1998 "The Demon Drink” - Cynthia Brown PROPERTY7.30p.m. U.R. Church Boys' Brigade Rooms. Wednesday 16th December 1998 Christmas Party with quiz etc. 7.30p.m. U.R. Church Boys' Brigade Rooms. Wednesday 20th January 1999 'The late Dennis Taylor's slides of Wigston 1960/70's - Peter Clowes 7.30p.m. U.R. Church Boys' Brigade Rooms. Wednesday 17th February 1999 A.G.M. followed by 'Conquest of CB II'-Colin Knowles & Chris Smart 7.30p.m. U.R. Church Boys' Brigade Rooms. ************************************************************************** CANCELLATION OF Please note the audio visual slide show "Still on the Western Front" planned for llth November has had to be cancelled. This is due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the presenter. We are sorry to disappoint those who were hoping to attend this event. **************************************************************************GWHS FRONT COVER DRAWING ~ This drawing shows the unusual tower windmill at Chesterton in Warwickshire. It being a circular domed structure standing on six great stone legs. It was erected in 1632 from a design attributed to Inigo Jones, by Sir Edward Peyto, of the family that occupied the manor house for centuries until its demolition in 1802. The mill was modified in 1860 & was last used in 1910. Most of the gearing is of timber & originally there was a central wooden structure containing a staircase & the lower bay of a hoist. The millstones are on the first floor set on an oak frame; unusual in this country but the sails are of the common cloth type. The cap is turned into the wind by a hand operated geared winch mounted on the framework in the cap, which engages with a rack, located on top of the tower. Jim Colver ************************************************************************** The Bulletin is published three times a year on 1st February, June & October. Articles etc. (which are always welcome) should be submitted to either of the Joint Editors three clear weeks before the publication date please. Joint Editors; Mrs. Chris Smart, 197 Queens Road, Leicester. Mrs. Tricia Berry, 7 Wensleydale Road, Wigston. June meeting In March 1998 Caroline and Anthony Wessel had visited the Society in Wigston to talk to us about the history of Beaumanor Hall and the Herrick family. On Wednesday the 17th of June the Society met in the Paddock Street car park for a coach journey to Old Woodhouse. This later visit was to enable to us to see the Hall and grounds. Caroline and Anthony met us there and were to act as our guides for the evening. Beaumanor Hall which was built in the 1840s for William Perry Herrick, has played many roles over the years. Originally built as a grand country home, it was signals unit during the Second World War. It is now owned by Leicestershire County Council and is used as a conference centre. Ornate ceilings, exquisite wood carvings and elaborate stone and plasterwork feature in the main ground floor rooms. The galleried landing, grand staircase and stainedPROPERTY glass window dominate the entrance hall. Caroline reminded us of the history of the house, the Herrick family and the people who used to work for them. The slides which we had viewed in March did not do justice to the magnificence of the stained glass window at the top of the first flight of stairs. The window has 21 panels each representing the coats of arms of the Herricks and their spouses. We divided into two groups for the tour of the house. We visited the main ground floor reception rooms and kitchens. This was followed by a visit to the cellars. Some of the cellar rooms contained displays of domestic implements from years gone by others were empty but their original functions were explained. Refreshments were served and some members took the opportunity to have a look around the grounds. This was a most fascinating visit which was enhanced by the knowledge and enthusiasm of our guides. ************************************************************************** JULY MEETING In July the society made a return visit to Olwen Hughes' lovely home in Stoneygate. In spite of having only returned from America the previous day she seemed her usual bright, energetic self! She began by giving us a short talk about Thomas Birch the woodcarver whose house she now occupies. It had been designed for Thomas in c!895 by the Leicester architect Isaac Barradale.OF Thomas Birch was born in Stretford, Nr. Manchester, where his father & brother had established a woodcarving business. The John Ryland Library has some notable examples of their work as has Barwell & Bottesford churches in Leics. Thomas married Amelia Fleetwood who was from another Manchester craft family. They came to live in Leicester to a property at the rear of Spa Place, Humberstone Gate, before moving to Evington Road. When Amelia inherited some family moneyGWHS they built the Stoneygate House which they named 'Fleetwood' (her maiden name). Thomas had a studio behind The Hind public house on London Road. However, with the failure of the Manchester Ship Canal they lost a lot of money and had to move to a more modest home on Clarendon Park Road. They had four children, Harry who went to Canada, Edna who followed him, Mary who stayed at home, & Alan who went to Stoneygate School & Leicester School of Art. He was the only artistic one & had a studio in Market Place. His only daughter Mona opened a cafe in Loseby Lane- before joining the R.A.F. during W.W.II & making meals for Lancaster Bomber Pilots. In recent years Olwen has made contact with Mona, who lives at Countesthorpe, & the two are planning a museum of her grandfather's work. Olwen' s husband then took us in two separate groups on a tour of the house. We were able to see examples of Thomas's work, particularly on fireplaces & the banister with its carved lion on the newel post. There was a display of the history of the house in maps & documents researched by the Hughes' . We then returned to the garden room for a delicious supper minus the sausage rolls which met an unfortunate end! We were then shown more most beautiful items of carving, embroidery & painting. It is obvious that anything artistic is a delight to her. She revealed that the Leicester Mercury had now published 1000 of her drawings & went on to describe some of the Millennium projects she is involved with. These include an arched window to the shopping precinct with stained glass to be made by De Montfort University students depicting themes from history such as Magna Carta, Lady Jane Grey, Wolsey, Mary Queen of Scots & the Clock Tower & with banners down the sides designed by the School of Design. A Millennium mile of architects & plaques & also the Cathedral who are planning a book of church development in Leics. over 1000 years. She offered to design a project for Wigston should we feel inspired to do something here. Eventually we had to go, it being nearly 10.30p.rn! Tricia Berry, in the absence of the Chairman, gave Olwen & her husband a warm vote of thanks for their wonderful hospitality. Also Bill Woodward a family friend who came to help them cope with us, & who she revealed, had offered to do the entire evening should our kind hosts not have arrived back in time. ****************************************************************************** August meeting On Wednesday the 19th of August the Society met at All Saint's Church in Wigston for a guided tour conducted by the Rev. Green. The main body of the church was built 1280-1350. Later it was extended, the North aisle, with its rounded pillars and plainPROPERTY capitals, first. The South aisle, with its octagonal pillars and decorated capitals, second. Later extensions formed the chancel and the tower and crocketed spire. In 1637 the roof was replaced. The original would have been wooden shingle or thatch. The line of the old roof can still be seen. At the same time the pitch of the roof was altered to a shallower pitch and the clere storey was added. In the early nineteenth century a major restoration was carried out. New church furniture was provided by the local solicitor Hiram Owston who lived nearby in Bushloe House. In 1942 the Lady Chapel was restored in memory of his daughter. The restoration of St. John's Chapel was carried out in 1963. Unlike many churches All Saints suffered little damage at the hands of Cromwell's army. Even so they destroyed figures and the rood screen and stole the church silver. The present silver was donated by George Davenport in 1661. His infamous descendant was George Davenport the highwayman. Patronage was an important consideration in the Middle Ages. Pre reformation the church had been in the hands of the Prior of Lenton in Nottinghamshire; post reformation it lapsed to the Crown. Elizabeth the 1st appointed Thomas Thornton to what was one of the richest livings in the County. It then passed to the Velde family who lived at Lenton Priory. The Company of Haberdashers in London are patrons currently and each year the Rev. Green attends one of their lunches in the City. - After the talk we were able to look at many of the interesting monuments inside the church. A few members braved the wooden, spiral staircase to be led into the bell ringing room in the tower and learnt a little more about this aspect of the church's history from Richard Carter.