Yards in the North End of Mountsorrel numbered thirteen. They were often named after the occupier of the house at the entrance to the yard, or the owner. So over the years the names of the yards often changed. Two yards remain with the original houses -Greens Yard and Black Horse Yard. A new house has been built in Post Office Yard. Continue reading “Yards in the North End of Mountsorrel”
Robin Davies is talking about growing up in Mountsorrel and working at the Brush in Loughborough. He lived in Hawcliffe Road shown in the photo.
Robin was interviewed by Chris Berry
Ted Sutton was born in Mountsorrel and has lived in the same house in Market Place all his married life. He was interviewed by his neighbour June Wakeling
Beryl McDowall has photographed several species of birds sampling the delights of her feeders hung on trees close to the River Soar. Continue reading “Bird-feeders on River Soar.”
Report from Beryl McDowall from the banks of the River Soar with her photographs.
The very hot spell we had fairly recently encouraged the grass snakes (Natrix natrix) to emerge from the protection of the compost heap and rotted tree trunks which have been spiked up to encourage wildlife. One snake sloughed (or shed) its skin in the grass. I was able to disentangle the skin, and photograph it. A slough is also the name given to the discarded skin.
A couple of years ago a small snake was spotted swimming across the river, and emerging from under the landing stage beside the boats. After a few minutes in the grass, it slid back into the Soar and swam (at a considerable speed!) to the cover of the tall grasses on the towpath side of the river.
Last year I saw three different grass snakes on three consecutive days: one plain green one slithering across the mown grass track to the protection of the nettles; a brown one with clear patterns, on the compost heap; a plain brown one on a soil path – all well camouflaged.
Beryl McDowall, August 2015.
The River Soar is not only a place for pleasure on the water but also a rich and developing source of natural life – plants, mammals, fish and birds. In this post Beryl McDowall shares a few of her own photos of some of the mammals and birds seen on the river banks in recent years, as well as one showing a pike (Esox lucius) in the hands of two skilled anglers. There are slightly surprising photos such as a mink (Mustela vison) on the moorings and a now all-too-rare hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). Long-tailed tits (Aegithalos caudatus) often come as a group of four or five to take advantage of feeders and buzzards (Buteo buteo) are regularly seen in the sky above Mountsorrel.
Mink (Mustela vison) on River Soar moorings opposite Waterside Inn, Mountsorrel
More wildlife photos to follow soon……………………….
These five houses at the top of the Green were once owned by the Earls of Lanesborough. They owned 8000 acres of land in County Cavan, Ireland. They also owned estates in England and Wales including property in Mountsorrel. Continue reading “Houses at the Top of the Green”
This picture of the children outside the school building was taken in about 1892.
This photo of the Jacques Academy pupils was taken in about 1897.The school at this time was run by Miss Sarah Jacques (left), assisted by her sister Annie.Prominent Mountsorrel names amongst the pupils included Ball, Dennis, Proudfoot, Harrington, Scott and Wass
Staff and pupil teachers Christchurch School 1895
Pupils and staff at Christchurch school around 1886
Christchurch pupils date unknown
Pupils and teachers of St Peter’s school 1898
When the Alvis factory in Coventry was bombed in 1940, its workforce was transferred to Mountsorrel to work at the Linkfield Road premises of Clarke’s Boxes.The factory was requisitioned by the government and box manufacturing moved to Rothley and Shepshed for the duration.
Continue reading “Rolls Royce factory, Mountsorrel 1945”
These images show the houses on Leicester Road before they were demolished to make way for the flats
