March 2025 Newsletter
A PDF/printable copy of this newsletter is also available here.
Managing the Wildlife of Bradgate Park
Tuesday 8th April at 7.30pm
We welcome Robb Doyle to our next meeting on 8th April, when he takes a look at the five main habitats found in Bradgate Park that make it such a special place. The key habitats are: Wet Heathland, Acid Grassland, Dry Stone Walls, Ancient Trees and Water Courses. The plant life and wildlife for each habitat will be reviewed along with habitat management tasks. There will be images of the large Red Deer down to the smallest insects. The talk will also look at how human interventions past and present form this fabulous site in the Charnwood Forest.
Bradgate Park is a medieval deer park – a Sight of Special Scientific Interests (SSSI) that was first mentioned circa 1241. It was laid out as a hunting land either side of the banks of the River Lin, and was rather smaller than the current boundary. Today it covers 850 acres of publicly accessible countryside in the Charnwood Forest. The park was one of two parks belonging to the Manor of Groby. It was subsequently acquired by the Beaumont family, passing to the de Quincy family and on to William de Ferrers of Groby.
Annual General Meeting report
The AGM for 2024 was held on 25th February 2025. We should like to thank those members who came to the meeting for their positive and constructive contributions.
In his report, the Chairman said it had been a year of contrasts. On an optimistic note, the attendance at meetings had remained steady and there were enjoyable Members Only visits to Thorney Heritage Museum and Abbey, guided walk around Burbage and tour of Leicester Cathedral. The long awaited Graveyard Survey id now complete and he thanked all those involved in creating this excellent piece of work, copies of which can be viewed in All Saints Church.
The replacement of the old and worn plaques which are part of Lubenham Heritage Trail is almost complete, thanks to funds received from HDC Rural, Arts, Creative, Heritage and Cultural Grants. The new plaques are enamelled aluminium and should last many years. He also praised the splendid LHG Website and thanked Peter White for all his hard work.
On a less positive note and a matter of some concern, the Chairman observed the lack of new volunteers coming through to help with the running and organisation of the Group. This has become more critical with the retirement at this AGM of three members of committee, including the Treasurer and Secretary, post which cannot be filled from the 4remaining committee. He outlined the many projects the Heritage Group has undertaken during the past 24 years for Members and on behalf of the village, helping to put Lubenham on the map. He emphasised we need people with enthusiasm and new ideas if the group is to survive.
Pat Dyke presented the Financial Statement for 2024 and thanked John Butlin for his help in preparing the accounts. After due consideration, the Financial Statement was accepted.
Election of Chair: as there were no other nominations, Jim Burbidge was re-elected.
Election of Committee: the following were elected – David Hannibal, Pip Clements, Esther Handcock, Tess Newman, Michael Weedon.
There followed an in-depth discussion on the future direction of LHG when several useful comments and suggestions were made which will be considered by committee.
Copies of the Minutes and Financial Statement are available from the Chairman.
Members Only Trip to Snibston Colliery,Coalville
Tuesday 29th April at 10.30
Names are now being taken for the first “Members Only” visit of 2025. Snibston Colliery Park is situated adjacent to the Century Theatre, off Ashby Road, Coalville, LE67 3LN, about 34 miles and 50 minutes drive from Lubenham. There is a café and car parking (currently £3 per day) on site and more parking in nearby streets and a town carpark 10 minutes away, see: https://leicscountryparks.org.uk/parks/snibston-colliery-park/.
Please meet in the café ready to start the tour at 10.30am. We will be guided by a former miner and shown the type of machinery used underground and various colliery buildings. As we will not be going underground there is a mine simulation. We will also have some costumed re-enactors telling stories of the mine. I expect the visit to last 1.5 to 2 hours.
I am advised that the café is very good and so you may want to arrive in time for coffee before the tour or stay for lunch afterwards. I understand they serve soups and sandwiches and hot and cold drinks.The visit is free for members and £5 per head for non-members, payable on the day in cash. Please contact Margaret Lewis if you would like to take part.