St John’s Chapel, next to the School on Ashby Road, has served the community since it was opened in 1857; however the chapel is now in danger of being lost to the community as it is considered surplus to Church requirements and may be declared redundant. We believe every effort should be made to retain this beautiful and historic chapel as a community building rather than let it lapse into private hands or disrepair. The cemetery will remain open to visitors and new burials.
The Heritage Group is actively engaging with the Diocese regarding options. One possibility is to create a heritage centre:
- For people to visit and learn about Coleorton history and heritage and to undertake research and use the Group's archive of material
- More permanent displays of local history
- A place to meet for local groups
- A nearby facility and support for visitors to the surrounding graves
If you feel the same then please sign our petition, copies of which are available at our local pubs: The Angel, The Kings Arms and The George or contact us on the number or email below.
More about St John's Chapel and its history >>
Sleuthing get-togethers
Our "Sleuthing" sessions - when Coleorton Heritage Group and friends get together to see if we can identify faces and places in old photos - have proved very successful. The Heritage Group have some photos that we didn't have names for and many people brought their own collections.
We made some identifications, met new friends and had a great time doing it. Our next "Sleuthing" session is on 8th June starting at 10.30am at The New Inn at Peggs Green.
If you have a photo you want help with do come along - or come anyway and enjoy. More about our "Sleuthing" events >>
Working Group Meeting
Our active members usually meet every month or so to organise activities and coordinate research.
If you're interested in local history and would like to be involved with our group please contact Sandra - details below - and I'll let you know about the next meeting. These are informal working group meetings.
In the meantime we'd love to hear your 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.
The Coleorton Heritage Group
The Coleorton 2000 Committee was initiated in 1998 to devise a way of commemorating the new millennium. We developed the Millennium Garden in a plot of land kindly donated by Joan Cull, erected a commemorative sign and organised various associated celebrations and events.
More recently the group has been concerned with researching, recording and making publicly available local heritage, social, industrial and family history. We also support various restoration projects, for example the Bakehouse. So the name was changed to "The Coleorton Heritage Group".
Further information from enquiries@coleortonheritage.org.uk or phone Sandra Dillon (Chair) on 01530 440000
We send out a newsletter every month or so with news about our activities and events. If you would like to receive our newsletter please subscribe >>.
Blue Plaques
We have launched "the Coleorton Blue Plaque" scheme to commemmorate buildings and sites in the village which have historic significance.
Research Resources
We have brought together some sources of information about social, family and economic history of Coleorton.
Articles
We publish articles in St Mary's monthly parish magazine, Community Voice and on the Coleorton website.