Wigston
Wigston maps (2 available)
Map of Leicestershire
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
See this old map of Leicestershire
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
Wigston books (6 available)
- 1 photos on Wigston appear in 1 Frith books - View photos of Wigston
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Wigston and Leicestershire
Wigston memories
Read and share memories of Wigston and Leicestershire inspired by Frith photos
Bell Street
I remember going to Bell Street around 1967/8 to see Michael Aspel open "Key Markets" which was a supermarket of sorts, and would be on the left-hand-side of this picture (I think either next door to the Co-op, or may have occupied the same space for a while until it closed down.
Also Foryan's (not sure of the spelling) bicycle and toy shop on the other side of the road (now the cancer charity shop). The old chap who owned it, sold bikes (Raleighs) but knew absolutely nothing about them, so a popular school-boy prank, which was a great source of amusement to me and my friends, was to go into the shop and ask for something like a pair of ...read more here
Contributed by David Harriman
happy days
The corner shop was Tyler's, a sweet and grocers shop. They sold 1d iced lollies made from a juice drink similar to Ribena. You were allowed out to play all day except Sundays, and we would very often go around in a little gang. We especially enjoyed going over the fields (the hills and hollows) behind Church Nook, to two little ponds to fish for tadpoles and further along to Rally Bridge, which was a footbridge across the railway line. Memories come back of running through the steam of the trains across the bridge for a dare.
Contributed by First Name Last Name
Leicestershire memories
Bell Street
I remember going to Bell Street around 1967/8 to see Michael Aspel open "Key Markets" which was a supermarket of sorts, and would be on the left-hand-side of this picture (I think either next door to the Co-op, or may have occupied the same space for a while until it closed down.
Also Foryan's (not sure of the spelling) bicycle and toy shop on the other side of the road (now the cancer charity shop). The old chap who owned it, sold bikes (Raleighs) but knew absolutely nothing about them, so a popular school-boy prank, which was a great source of amusement to me and my friends, was to go into the shop and ask for something like a pair of ...read more here
A memory of Wigston contributed by David Harriman
happy days
The corner shop was Tyler's, a sweet and grocers shop. They sold 1d iced lollies made from a juice drink similar to Ribena. You were allowed out to play all day except Sundays, and we would very often go around in a little gang. We especially enjoyed going over the fields (the hills and hollows) behind Church Nook, to two little ponds to fish for tadpoles and further along to Rally Bridge, which was a footbridge across the railway line. Memories come back of running through the steam of the trains across the bridge for a dare.
A memory of Wigston contributed by First Name Last Name
Extracts From Wigston & Leicestershire books
In the angle between Long Street and Chapel Lane lies this absolutely classic example of a municipal memorial park. The serpentine edging, designer boulders and statutory pavilion are to be seen in almost every suburb of Leicester in varied forms.
An extract from from"Leicestershire Photographic Memories".
A fashionable place to be seen throughout the 19th century was the luxurious Harboro Hotel
(right), originally the Lord Harborough Arms and a coaching inn. It was carpeted throughout,
which was a huge extravagance for the time.
An extract from from"Melton Mowbray Town and City Memories".
This view looks from the junction of the High
Street and South Parade on market day. The sign
of the popular White Lion Hotel is just visible in
the centre of this photograph and Barclays Bank
(now Ladbrokes) is on the far left.
An extract from from"Melton Mowbray Town and City Memories".
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".
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".