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Foxton photos (7 available)

Old photo of Foxton

Foxton maps (2 available)

Old map of Foxton

Foxton books (6 available)

Foxton memories

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Leicestershire memories

Alma Friston nee Oldfield

I was born in Smeeton on April 23rd 1935. I remember staying with a Mr and Mrs Webb. As you approached Smeeton there were cottages on the left hand side, we stayed in the last one next to a lane. The cows came up this lane everyday for milking, quite often straying on to the garden, it was our job to shoo them away. Down this lane was a chapel which was on the left hand side, I remember singing here. We lived in Leicester during the war, having moved from Smeeton and Kibworth Harcourt.
I remember the grocery shop run by Miss Terry, we bought Jelly Dummies to suck on.
Lots of memories walking in the fields and smelling violets ...read more here
A memory of Smeeton Westerby contributed by Alma Friston

School uniform

Kibworth, the Square c1955

When I passed the 11 plus exam I was selected to attend Kibworth Grammar School. The only place that you could get the uniform was the little shop in the photo to the right of the monument in the Square. This meant a trip by train from Wigston to Kibworth. This was quite feasible in the days before Dr Beeching closed all the railway stations. I remember the uniform cost my Mum a fortune and I only attended for one term as my Dad who was in the army was posted to Germany for 3 years. There I went to another school requiring yet another uniform.
A memory of Kibworth contributed by Richard Child

George Lynns grocers

Kibworth, the Square c1955

My dad, Maurice Marsden, started work at the age of 14 in Lynns shop in 1937, after serving in the RAF and Fleet Air Arm during the war.  He returned to the shop to work and finished up as manager.  The shop closed in the 70s.
A memory of Kibworth contributed by graham marsden

Just a Kibbuth Lad

For those who have never been to our village called Kibworth, it is worth noting locals call it "Kibbuth". You live in either "Top Kibbuth"- Kibworth Harcourt or "Bottom Kibbuth"- Kibworth Beauchamp. I myself personally, have lived in both and almost on the boundary of both parishes. For almost the past 40 years (man & boy), I have spent many a happy hour living, playing and working here. Some of my earliest reminiscences are of taking a pair of shoes to be repaired at Old Joe Nourish's cobblers shop on the Leicester Road (just at the end of the Rose & Crown (now Raitha's) car park.

On arrival at his shop, you would press the thumb catch on his ...read more here
A memory of Kibworth Harcourt contributed by Wayne Coleman

Extracts From Foxton & Leicestershire books

Oakham, High Street 1932

A pleasant, traffic-free scene with the horse and cart unattended, patiently waiting for the master’s return from Illsley the saddlers. The post office is on the left then Corney Manufacturing Jeweller. Amongst other businesses is the chemist beyond the Crown Hotel and opposite, the family firm of Matkin’s printers, who from 1881 to 1941 published an almanac listing people and occupations in town and county. Flore’s House protrudes in the distance - one of the oldest houses in Oakham dating from the 14th century.
An extract from from"Uppingham Photographic Memories".

Oakham, Market Place 1932

This classic view has All Saints’ spire behind the shops with the famous Butter Cross (at least 300 years old) in the middle. Hart and Smith next to each other seem to sell just about everything anyone could want - postcards, wooden hoops, newspapers, parasols, toys and groceries. Glaziers, the well-known family draper, milliner, outfitter and clothier is opposite the Butter Cross selling trilby hats at 3s 11d, boys suits from 7s 11d and a galaxy of other goods.
An extract from from"Uppingham Photographic Memories".

Oakham, the Old Pump and Buttercross 1927

Until 1880 this area was the butchers’ shambles, then replaced by the pump (in the shelter, foreground). There are milk churns on the cart outside F W Hart ‘Family Grocer, Tea and Provision Merchant’. Note the errand boy’s bike propped up against the gas light. There is a motorbike and sidecar up in the corner near the Butter Cross. Could it be the one bought for the police station in 1926? A boarding house of Oakham School is behind the pump surrounded by railings.
An extract from from"Uppingham Photographic Memories".

Empingham, Nursery Close c1960

On the left are RDC houses perhaps built in the 1950s. Further down, a large barn and an old house beyond. A local character, Miss Barrow, lived in Ancaster House where she was well known for her vegetable garden. She kept her Rolls-Royce in the barn. The house on the right looks like a former estate cottage of which there are many in the village. Empingham is in the limestone area and now we begin to see more stone walls, as in the photograph.
An extract from from"Uppingham Photographic Memories".

Empingham, Post Office Corner c1955

This is Loves Lane leading off the Main Street and heading for Horn Mill. There is a mixture of housing from thatched and tiled to prefabricated postwar styles. The post office is also a ‘Savings Bank’ and ‘Money Order Office’. Bus timetables announce United Counties services. Lyons lollies and Woodbines are on sale, no doubt amongst many other useful necessities.
An extract from from"Uppingham Photographic Memories".