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Bitteswell

Bitteswell photos (15 available)

Old photo of Bitteswell

Bitteswell maps (2 available)

Old map of Bitteswell

Bitteswell books (6 available)

Bitteswell memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in Leicestershire below.

Leicestershire memories

Countesthorpe

My name is Marlis Franz. I am German. In 1952,  I was 15 years old, I visited my English penfriend in Countesthorpe together with my mother. We spent a wonderful time there. Going on holiday was not normal at this time and something special - particularly going to England.
My English girl-friend lived together with her parents in Countesthorpe, Station Road. When we visited her there was a post office in this house and a little shop. What a surprise when I saw the Countesthorpe photos and there was a photo "Countesthorpe, Station Road". I think it must be the house where the Fletcher family lived in when we visited them. I cannot forget the wonderful weeks we spent there ...read more here
A memory of Countesthorpe contributed by Marlis Franz

Basset Street School

I remember this school so well, my first born went to this school in 1983 and so did my daughter, it's a shame they pulled part of it down. I remember walking the children over to what is now the infant school to use their swimming pool, later when they pulled some of the old school down the children were moved to the infant school in South Wigston, on the Countesthorpe Road, where all three of my children went, they then moved on to South Wigston High School where they had a real good head master, Mr  Bothamy (sorry about the spelling).
A memory of South Wigston contributed by ruth carroll

South Wigston, Gloucester Crescent

South Wigston, Gloucester Crescent c1960

I moved to South Wigston in 1978 as a newly wed, I lived on Marstown Avenue which then was a two way road, and very busy, and I remember using these shops all the time. I used to do my shopping in what is now called Jacksons and is a Sainsburys shop. I notice looking at the picture of the 1960s that not a lot has changed but the end shop on the left of the picture is now a fish and chip shop, all that keeps changing is the type of shop. I no longer live in South Wigston but do get to visit it still, and even now in 2008 things are very much the same.

A memory of South Wigston contributed by ruth carroll

Blaby Road west end

South Wigston, Blaby Road c1965

This view is not much different from the forties. This photo has been taken from outside Rawlinsons butchers shop to the right and St Thomas's church to the left ( both out of shot). The first shop to the right is Eric Holmes Cycle shop. Eric Holmes Jnr was a school friend of mine and we both attended Basset Street Juniors(just round the corner). The road off to the right is Countesthorpe Road. The roof that appears to stick out of the line of roofs on the right is the 'Ritz' cinema (now a bingo hall)
A memory of South Wigston contributed by Richard Child

Extracts From Bitteswell & Leicestershire books

Kegworth, the Lock c1965

To the east of the village, we see a timeless view of an industry wiped out by the growth of the national railway system. Once utilised to deliver raw materials and to take away the finished products to Derby or to Leicester, the waterway is basically reduced to the status of a leisure facility.
An extract from from"Leicestershire Photographic Memories".

Kegworth, view from Church Tower c1965

A view which highlights the growth of industrial Kegworth. In 1965 uncomfortably large utilitarian factory/stores nestle close to the church, among the irregular tiled roofs of an earlier era.
An extract from from"Leicestershire Photographic Memories".

Castle Donington, Bondgate c1955

Although quiet, even in 1955, Bondgate is on the line of the turnpike road between Long Easton and Ashby-de-la-Zouch. We can still appreciate in these photographs the quality of houses and shops, before the destructive work of the modern window salesman spread like a rash over the country.
An extract from from"Leicestershire Photographic Memories".

Castle Donington, King's Mill c1955

This is a leisurely view typical of many to be seen on the rivers Trent and Soar. The need to protect the crossing of this river provided the initial raison d’etre for the castle and the village.
An extract from from"Leicestershire Photographic Memories".

Castle Donington, King's Mill c1955

This terrace of almost picturesque millworkers’ cottages now sits quietly, adjacent to the isolated and decaying great water wheels which once powered the mills. Originally for corn milling, the mills in their later life were given over to a variety of industrial uses.
An extract from from"Leicestershire Photographic Memories".