Articles

Why do our three local churches share one website?

This month’s poems are both Haiku

The Wistow estate was bought by the Halford family in 1603. The Hall was built for Richard Halford, who was High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 1621 and a prominent Royalist during the Civil War. He was made a baronet by King Charles I in 1641 after having been imprisoned (and then released) by the Parliamentarians. King Charles slept at Wistow the night before the Battle of Naseby.

Within the Harborough District there is a wealth of nationally recognised heritage assets. There are 1,281 listed buildings, 6 historic parks and gardens, 65 scheduled monuments and 63 conservation areas. All of these are designated heritage assets and protected through national legislation.

Our Wednesday 20 April meeting will host a talk by Nick Turrell. Nick is an award-winning gardening journalist who writes for The Sunday Times, the Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and the RHS Magazine. He has also worked on TV and radio programmes including Radio Leicester every weekend. The subject will be “Tricks of the Trade of Garden Design” and should be of particular interest to anyone who has recently purchased a ‘new build’ house and is looking for inspiration for their ‘blank’ plot. He will also include a reference to his ‘On Call Garden Doctor’ service, where he visits your garden for one hour, chats about the issues, offers design advice and writes a ‘prescription,’ which you can then take to the garden centre to get what you need as and when you are ready. Sounds an excellent idea!

May I suggest you put the kettle on and make yourself a brew before starting to read this? It may take a few minutes and you might need tea or coffee to help digest the contents. RG

On 26 January Harborough District Council agreed to allocate funding from its Community Fund this year for projects. These will improve spaces and places as well as supporting young people aged 11+ with diversionary activities, anxiety, self-image and childhood inactivity.

Our first meeting since February 2020 took place in the lounge of the Grammar School Hall on Monday 24 January when 26 members of the Society enjoyed an inspiring evening.

Here is an occasional column devoted to certain happenings in and around our district which we have noted.

“The most individualistic 19th century church in the county.” Inspired by Joseph Goddard, son of Henry Goddard and built by H Goddard & Sons in 1865/6 in what is called typical High Victorian style. Thirteenth century Gothic references however using a new and very unconventional material for churches at this time, brick. Joseph Goddard in subsequent years became the creator of one of Leicester’s most notable monuments, the Clock Tower. Our picture shows the impressive north face. It has five bays with three-light windows with quatrefoil piercings in their Bath stone heads. The broach-spire is also brick built.

Where in Kibworth might you find this rather fine geometrically decorated stained glass window?

The Friends of St Wilfrid’s Church wanted to thank all those who supported the Jazz Night on Friday 26 November 2021. A profit of £460.67 was achieved which will go towards the refurbishment of the church clocks.

Over the past 12 months the club has grown and established itself within the local community. We now boast a really healthy active membership with ages ranging from 15 to 80. We have become more than just a cycling club, most of us have become really good friends and do other activities together.

Last month we featured internationally renowned Creative Designer Harvey Gardiner from Kibworth Harcourt (read the full article here). He had submitted a design for a bronze statue of Agatha Christie for Torquay Harbour. Nearer to home, Harvey has also designed a large monument for Leicester Tigers (Rugby Football Club). The monument commemorates the 53 Leicester Tigers players that died in the Great Wars and the remaining 36 players currently known to have survived. 

The local branch of the Central Midlands Co-op bade a fond good-bye to their manager Donna Rood on Sunday 6 February. Donna has, very much, been a team player in our community over the last few years. And, even more so during the pandemic. We wish her every success in her next appointment and welcome Suni to Kibworth.