Whitwick & District U3A - History Group

Objective

The History Group meets during the afternoon of the last Monday of the month. History topics are varied and suggestions from members are always welcome. Summer meetings are usually outdoor visits and winter sessions are talks at Thringstone Methodist Church Hall.

OUTDOOR MEETINGS

Members have discussed the relaxation of lockdown restrictions and the need to balance life, risks and numbers. The consensus is moving from six people to a maximum of 15 for now.

Places must be booked for the walks. Participants should also complete a personal risk assessment - this does not need to be shared with the Group Leader.

Mon Mar 29th There will therefore be a short history walk around the Peggs Green area. There is plenty of interesting history packed into a small area - coal mines, brickworks, horse drawn tramways, blacksmith's forge, post mill, two public houses, church, a French language bible, the house of a surgeon, historian and retired publican and more.

Mon May 24th - We will explore the coal mines, railways, public houses etc of the area of Coalville that used to be Swannington (Ashby Road Coalville to Spring Lane Swannington plus Thornborough Road and Mantle Lane). People who have booked will have received joining instructions by a separate email.

Mon Jun 28th - Grace Dieu, led by Ann Petty. Ann grew up on the Grace Dieu Manor estate where her father worked and always provides a fascinating insight into life on the estate that cannot be matched by other guides.

Mon Jul 26th - Belvoir Road Memories - Keith Pare

Mon Aug 23rd - Historic Ravenstone - Lyn Jordan

Digital History On a Monday

The suggestions for viewing during 2020 and early 2021 can be found on this page.

Contact

Roger (Bis) Bisgrove at history at whitwicku3a dot org dot uk

Please note that as an anti-spam measure e-mail addresses on this page are NOT links, but should be manually copied

Pictures

More pictures are available in the Gallery

June 2021 -

A guided walk by Ann to discover the history behind Grace Dieu Manor and Grace Dieu Priory. Here are a few pictures of the visit.

What used to be the main entrance to Grace Dieu Manor

Ann talking to the group next to Grace Dieu Viaduct

At Grace Dieu Priory

April 2021 -

A guided walk around Snibston Colliery Park with Bis, including along the old railway line to Oliver's Crossing. Here are a few pictures of the visit.

October 2019 - Gas in Leicestershire.

Some slides from the talk

Composite view with end of terrece house, young boy in yard, and two young boys being flowerpot men in the ends of large pipes
Title slide, showing the house where Paul first lived with his family

Gas showroom on Belvoir Road
Coalville Gas office

Retort house with tall chimney, a few houses and open fields
View from the Whitwick gas holder to Green Lane

September 2019 - Breedon Hill Fort.

Information board showing location and view of site realted to quarry
Breedon Iron Age Hill Fort information board

Peter Liddle explaining the site to members
Breedon Iron Age Hill Fort

Panoramic view of surrounding countryside
Panoramic view from the Hill Fort

Field with sheep grazing and Breedon church behind
Field of sheep with archaeological discoveries

Composite picture of stained glass window and various carvings
Breedon church with Saxon wall carvings

Interior of church with views of a memorial, the organ and members
Interior of Breedon Church

Page content updated 7-7-21