Come and meet us at the Anstey Gala on Saturday, 9th September 2023. This year our theme is Transport. As well as many photos of Anstey vehicles of days gone by, Anstey’s first motorised bus, John Bull, will be present. Not only will you be able to see this renovated 1909 bus, but you will…
The History of Marwin Machine Tools, by Brian Kibble
The History of Marwin Machine Tools, by Brian Kibble The two founders of the Marwins were Ernie Hopwell and Derek Robinson – they both worked for the well known Wadkins woodworking and cutting tool machinery company on Leicester’s Green Lane and old Mr Wadkin had been hoping they would take over after his retirement –…
“Army Days” – Recollections of being a soldier by Tony Muddimer
“Army Days” – Recollections of being a soldier by Tony Muddimer “I left Loughborough by rail on the morning of 5th November as Mr Tony Muddimer and arrived at Norton Barracks Worcester and became Sapper Muddimer 22933638 Royal Engineers. We had an introductory briefing in which we were told that it was to be an…
This Saturday 4 Nov: Anstey’s “John Bull” to Feature on Great British Car Journeys
On Saturday November 2nd at 8pm on Channel 4, Great British Car Journeys will feature Anstey’s very own “John Bull.” Don’t miss it! The photo below was taken during filming at Stonehurst in September – you can see Peter Davidson on the left; Tom Duffin on the right. Read more about John Bull here: “John…
Enquiry Answered: Did the framework knitters use wool from local sheep?
Enquiry: The framework knitters in Anstey – did they make woollen stockings and if so did they use wool from local sheep? When boot and shoe manufacture took over were they using hides from local cattle? (hence Harry Roberts Leather Tannery – when did that come into existence?). If that’s the case, did local farms…
Enquiry Answered: Was there ever a paper mill?
Enquiry: Were there/are there Anstey businesses using cardboard (for boxes) and paper, e.g. Anstey Wallpaper, Artisan Press, Suburban Press, Ulverscroft Large Print Books. Where did the paper/cardboard come from originally? Was there ever a paper mill? (as in Papermill Row, Paper Mill Close). I’m aware of Broughton’s Timber Yard – was the timber used for…
Enquiry Answered: What was the old building behind Bradgate Brides?
Enquiry: What the old tall building behind Bradgate Brides was originally used for? There’s a sign on the wall LUXURY OFFICES TO LET. Brian Kibble Replies: The building in The Nook (near) you refer to was originally built in the 1870’s for Burton and Stone boot and shoe factory – the machinery was driven by…
“John Bull” – Anstey’s first full-sized motor vehicle
The Story of John Bull” “Fifty years ago (1969) as I was preparing for Anstey’s Local History Exhibition, Anstey’s George Salisbury answered our appeal for photographs and sent me the 1909 picture of the arrival of John Bull and shortly afterwards Josie Bryan put forward the picture of John Bull at it’s garage in Church…
A new lease of life for old Kirby and West Milk Float
Thanks to Brian Kibble for sending over this photo of the reconditioned Kirby and West Milk Float at the 2019 Anstey Gala. The vehicle now sells coffee for The Bridge charity, which “helps people in Leicester on their journey from hopelessness to hope.”
Old Anstey Receipts from 1930s – from wireless sets to physician’s invoices
Our thanks go to Diane Green for loaning Anstey Archivist Brian Kibble this wonderful set of old receipts and invoices – which we have now been able to scan for both the archive and our online collection. Brian notes that he particularly likes the Horrace Elliot receipt as his father joined them in 1931…
June Meeting: “Leics Framework Knitters”
Anstey Local History Society Our next meeting will be held on: Wednesday June 19th2019 at 7.00.p.m. in Anstey Community Library Leicestershire’s Framework Knitters Speaker: Jess Jenkins (Leicestershire Records Office) Anstey was a large part of the county’s framework knitters community. Members: Free Non-members: £2.00 http://www.ansteyhistory.com Tel:07870197958
Old Anstey Photographs – A. P. Ross Grocers on Cropston Road
We would like to give our thanks to Angela Driver who has given us permission to publish this family photograph of A.P. Ross Grocers on Cropston Road, Anstey. The family are descendants of the Ross’s Provision Market’s owner and any information that anyone can give us on the date of the photograph, or on the…
Thomas Sketchley of Anstey, Architect of Old John, Bradgate.
A few months ago our team was contacted by a family who are decedents of Thomas Sketchley, the architect commissioned by George Grey, the 5th Earl of Stamford, in 1784, to build the well known Leicestershire landmark – the mock ruin known as Old John. We were able to provide some starting points for information…
Cropston Road in the Early 1900s
We often get enquiries, and one received this week led our archivist Brian Kibble to retrieve these fascinating photographs of Cropston Road circa 1910 and 1923. Today this stretch of road is where you will find such shops as the Yum Yum Cafe and A Stitch in Time, opposite the Anstey Co-Op.
Anstey WW2 Community Sharing Day – In Pictures
On Wednesday 18th April 2018, Anstey Local History Society hosted a WW2 Community Sharing Day, where we welcomed the whole community to take part and share memories, reunite with old friends and talk to experts about artefacts they had brought in from home. A big thank you to the Anstey Town Charity, who gave us…
Beaumanor History Fair – In Pictures
A big thank you goes to Jane for creating our wonderful stall, and to Paul, Alison, Kath and Beck who volunteered on the day. Our team in action … Here’s a glimpse of the other organisations there on the day. A fieldwork tent was set up outside, exhibits included the most recent roman mosaic to…
Fire at the Nook Yard 1938
Fire at Nook Yard 1938 An article by Sharon Grey and Michael Tedd Loughborough Library Volunteers were told by a visitor to their stand, at the Century of Stories Event Day at Anstey Library on 25th January 2017, a family story about an ancestor, John Heggs who spoke about a lady he knew who lived…
Introduction to the Ned Ludd Story of Anstey – by Ian Porter
“It is well documented that Ned Ludd who hailed from Anstey smashed his masters’ frame in a fit of temper. What is not so well known is that frame breaking existed as a tactic to control fraudulent process within the trade…this was long before Ned was born in the mid 18th century. So if frame breaking existed before…
In Memory of Anstey Local Willie Thorne
Willie was born in a cottage which stood just to the rear of the Passage to India restaurant and in the late 1960s he was in the 18th Coy Boys’ Brigade at the Methodist Church just 50 yards from his home where our Anstey Local History Archivist Brian was his Company Captain.
Why is one of the roads on the Jelson Estate off Cropston Road named Nothill Way?
Nothill was the name of one of the common or open fields, which existed before the Enclosure Act of 1762, when the land was awarded to Richard Hurd, the Rector of Thurcaston, in lieu of tithes (taxes). At this time Anstey was part of the Chapelry of Thurcaston. The area is now part of Castle…
Anstey Local History Society 