Recent publications

Coleorton's great coal-mining innovator

Elaine Oldham has shared her research about Huntingdon Beaumont, the "Great grandfather of railways"

During this strange time Rob & I have been spending much of it sorting through old research papers, magazines, memorabilia etc. in a not particularly successful attempt to downsize … and in so doing I came across a letter by the wife of Huntingdon Beaumont about her husband, to Sir Percival Willoughby in 1623 …

… And with thoughts of the approaching winter and the need to heat our houses, my thoughts turned to the open fires that were once enjoyed throughout the land, the coal that fuelled them … and the pioneers who developed the coal industry.

Read about Huntingdon's life, achievements and his wife Joan's letter >>

Waiting for the Bomb

Terry Ward has written for Community Voice which is a free magazine distributed around Coleorton and neighbouring villages. The October issue carries the story of Orlit Posts that were a feature of the cold war national defence when it was genuinely expected that a nuclear war with Russia would happen.

Up in Farm Town there are the remains of one such defence unit. Read more about Orlit Posts and underground bunkers >>. Since publication one reader has been in touch and to tell us about her father who was in Royal Observer Corps and stationed at the Coleorton unit. The information she provided will be the basis of an update to the article soon.

Blue Plaque update

The plaque by Fishpond Bridge had started to look a bit drunk! the problem was that the ground was very rocky there and the post would not stay firm. We didn't want to screw it to the stonework of the bridge (it's Grade II listed) but Mike Cox thought up a clever scheme to attach the plaque to the bridge without screws or damage. Hopefully it will stay put for a long while.

This also gave us the opportunity of erecting the plaque for Bell Cottage whose land adjoins the bridge. Links to more information about all Coleorton Blue Plaque sites >>

Working Group Meetings

Our active members meet every month or so to organise activities and coordinate research. Meetings have been put on hold for the while but will resume as soon as we are able. If you're interested in local history and would like to be involved with our group please come along. This is an informal working group meeting and we'd love to welcome new people, hear their stories and together build our knowledge of Coleorton heritage. Call Sandra on 01530 440000 or email enquiries@coleortonheritage.org.uk to let us know you're coming.