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Ghost sign for Freeman, Hardy & Willis Ltd. on Coventry Road in Market Harborough, 2018.
No full textGhost sign reading: 'Freeman, Hardy & Willis Ltd. / Boots & Shoes'. Founded in 1875 by William Freeman, Arthur Hardy and Frederick Willis, Freeman, Hardy & Willis Ltd. was a major chain of footwear and leather manufacturers. There was a branch in nearly every town in the UK in the early 20th century, but in 1929, the company was acquired by Sears and then later became a part of the subsidary British Shoe Corporation, based in Leicester. By 1996, the company no longer existed
Ghost sign for The Union Inn on the corner of Stockwell Head and The Borough in Hinckley, 2018.
No full textGhost sign for The Union Inn, depicting their company name with a blue square behind it. There are two copies of this sign, one facing The Borough and one facing Stockwell Head, but they are not available to view in our collection at this time. The Union Inn is a Marston's pub
Linda Harding Oral History Interview
No full textAn oral history interview from Linda Harding, Outreach Officer at Leicester Museum.She discusses her role in depth along with examples of the community work that she does. This can be exhibitions with community groups or library cases. She discusses the development of the dementia project. Talk of difficulties with the elements of particpation and getting people into the museum.Talks about the development in the attitude towards engagement and inclusion within the museum and argues the outreach is an important aspect of a museum's work
Philip French Oral History Interview - A Museum's Pupose
No full textExtract from full interview with Philip French (Philip_French_29th August 2017). An oral history interview from Philip French, Curator of Leicester History in Leicester Museums.He talks about how museums need to 'educate and entertain' and how although certain aspects have developed and changed (such as interpretation), the museum's purpose has remained the same
Stuart Bailey interviewed by Catherine Hallsworth, 24 January 2017
No full textStuart Bailey (SB) interviewed by Catherine Hallsworth (CH) on 24 January 2017. SB recounts early interest in history of Leicester, England. Comments on rise of demolitions in city during 1960s and 1970s; in response SB joined Civic Society at age 22. Mentions childhood visits to Floral Hall and Westleigh cinemas. Recalls heritage sites from youth which have since been demolished including Britannia Hosiery, The Temperance Hall, Wyggeston's Hospital. Describes road developments in Leicester and demolition of Victorian villas on Kirby Road to accommodate Narborough Road North. Opinion offered on unnecessary demolitions in city such as Westbridge Railway Station and Luke Turner Factory. Talks about physical developments in city and negative impacts on its heritage, comments on demolition of Leicester Royal Infirmary and St Luke's Chapel. Recalls joining Leicester Civic Society and describes campaigns against demolition of Leicester's historic building. Recounts campaigns to prevent development of high rise buildings in proximity to heritage sites. Mentions helping the people of Aylestone conserve Aylestone Meadow Nature Reserve. Describes attitudes of City Council towards de-listing of heritage buildings. SB describes formation of Civic Society in 1971, Society visited and dated every building in specific radius of city; assessed whether buildings had conservation value, made recommendations to City Council. Describes the condition of existing 1940s terrace houses in Leicester, including Clarendon Park and New Walk. Comments on slum clearance. Recounts discovery of Richard III and growing impact of archaeological discoveries on increased understanding of Leicester's heritage. Comments on attitudes of general public towards heritage preservation and limited membership of Civic Society. SB describes increase in post war legislation enacted to protect historic built environment. Comments on importance of heritage in city planning and positive relationship between well-kept cities and wellbeing of citizens. SB describes positive changes he has witnessed to Leicester, comments on greater public awareness of its history and architecture
George Wilson interviewed by Catherine Hallsworth, 6 January 2017
No full textGeorge Wilson (GW) interviewed by Catherine Hallsworth (CH) on 06 January 2017. GW describes early awareness of the history and industry of Leicester, England. Details work with Leicester City Council, discusses working with Konrad Smigielski and his contributions to Leicester's Architecture. Description of slum clearance, general improvement area schemes and public reaction to these changes. Comments on architectural developments in city, Haymarket Centre. Describes how developments have contributed to loss of Leicester heritage. Comments on contemporary public use of Clock Tower. Details personal attitudes towards heritage, preservation of historic buildings. Mentions importance of heritage to the development of cities and neighbourhoods
Bill Larder interviewed by Jenny Escritt, 5 July 2017
No full textBill Larder (BL) interviewed by Jenny Escritt (JE), 5 July 2017. BL recalls moving to Melton Mowbray, Leicester in 1946 after being stationed in Palestine during Second World War. Describes farming under contract for the War Agricultural Executive Committee. BL gives an overview of the work he did and purpose of the Committee. Comments on rationing, working hours and pay. BL describes working for Nourish Agricultural contractors in the 1950s e.g. Rutland, Melton Mowbray. Mentions social life, played football on Saturday for Somerby, showed newspaper cutting of cup final report, Nesbit's ran the football. Worked in agriculture until 1960s. Noticed that changes in farming methods from the 1940s to early 1960s meant it became more mechanised. Bill enjoyed life in agriculture and travelling around, the independence. Later moved to a council house in Somerby, three bedroom house with large garden, no modern conveniences but did have an inside toilet, washhouse for washing. Comments on regular visits to local pub in Somerby, occasional visits to cinema. Mention birth of first child 1947, had more children in following years. Children visited him at work. Recounts severe winter in Somerby, describes some of the conditions affecting farming work, anecdote about a spanner getting frozen to hand. Recalls having one of the first TVs, had radio, BL's wife listened to Woman's Hour. Went on holiday every year, visited family, borrowed firm's van; not much traffic on roads and vehicles didn't travel very fast then. Had little spare time due to farming commitments. Remembers first supermarket in Melton Mowbray
Denis Kenyon interviewed by Colin Hyde, 14 February 2017
No full textDenis Kenyon (DK) interviewed by Colin Hyde (CH) at interviewee's home, 14 February 2017. DK briefly describes family history, born in Shanghai, Father worked in knitting, returned to UK in 1952. Family spent duration of Second World War in Australia, father interned, DK sent to school in UK in 1948. Apprentice at woollen mill in Yorkshire, then machinery manufacturers in Lancashire. Comments on changes in trade in 1960s regarding dyeing, in 1966 got job at TW Kempton. Recalls favourable impressions of Leicester, settling in, discovering village of Hallaton. Describes situation of hosiery industry in 1960s, dealing with boss Tommy Kempton, details of the company, taking over from Dora Chambers, Sales Director, visiting Marks and Spencer, local networks. Mentions building on Burleys Way, other factories, expansion of business, selling designs to customers, large runs decreasing, increasing costs. Talks in detail about trip to Russia in 1967 for Trade Exposition, which kick-started export trade. Describes enjoying trading in Ireland with Dunnes, buying Russell's in Leicester, contract with Ministry of Defence for jerseys, woollen pullovers. Reflects on TW Kempton expansion in the face of larger companies buying up smaller companies. Reflects on enjoyment of work, new countries to export large quantities of pullovers to, selling in Iraq where one salesman used bribes and was jailed, high opinion of Iraq, dealing with huge orders, issue of inflation in 1970s, 'Working Together' campaign raised awareness of issues in industry. Talks about issues leading to end of the company in 1989, what happened, TW Kempton constantly in newspaper, efforts to sell company, by 1990 companies closing. Talks about military pullovers business bought by individual and DK taking it on, based at Cyprus Road, exporting successfully. Reflections on the general situation in the industry at the time. Reflects that the end of TW Kempton was a good thing in the end, bank manager seeing the situation, staff finding jobs in the industry if they wanted them. Describes good relations with trade unions, training people, character of different factories, enjoyed working with people at Burleys Way and Cyprus Road. Brief comments on various subjects: family firms, large versus small firms, keeping Cyprus Road manageable, manufacturing in China at the end of the 1990s. Final comment on Tommy Kempton and the factory at Burleys Way, insistence on quality.File replaced with redacted file on 23.01.2024 by Colin Hyde
Margaret Forrester interviewed by Julie Hollingsworth, 5 April 2017
No full textInterview with Margaret Forrester [MF], born 1932 in Sapcote near Hinckley, Leicestershire. Father from Lancashire worked in a slipper factory; mother was a dressmaker. [00:01:04] Talks about the origins of Eatoughs shoe manufacturers as a family business. [00:04:20] Mentions working as a shorthand typist. [00:05.12] Describes working in shoe room. [00.6:20] Describes working on repairs of new shoes. [00:10:40] Talks about different styles of managers at Eatoughs. [00:13:01] Describes when the receivers were called in at Eatoughs. [00:19:27] Briefly mentions attitudes of office workers in Leicester. [00:22:09] Talks about working for Burgess Engineering at Sapcote and Hinckley. [00:28:05] Describes 'boring' work when linking hosiery at Jennings factory in Hinckley. [00:36:42] Talks about American managers and Nelson Burgess engineering. [00:00:58] Describes childhood memories of wartime and singing for American troops. [00:04:04] Talks about singing in church. [00:06:50] Describes singing in pubs and clubs. [00:09:14] Details going to The George, Hinckley, for dances with live show bands. [00:22:30] Describes getting in trouble for staying out late aged 16. [00:27:45] Describes how she came to sing with visiting bands. [00.31:45] Met husband at a dance
Jessie Knowles interviewed by Terry Dixon, 23 February 2017
No full textInterview with Florence Jessie Knowles, referred to as Jessie [JK], born 1921, Blaby, Leicestershire. Father a mechanic. [00:02:46] lived in a terraced house in Blaby.[00:03:39] Attended Blaby Church of England School. [00:05:06] Describes her three years at Enderby Senior School. [00:06:04] Describes in some detail her various jobs at Corahs factory including details of wages and conditions. [00:10:25] brief details of life during wartime. [00:14:25] Describes her role as firewatcher during the war. [00:17:55] Describes local village hop involving locally based soldiers and dance band. [00:19:37] Talks about getting married. [00:22:29] JK and Stuart Knowles [SK] (son) describe first home and the sanitary arrangements. [00:26:005] JK made redundant from Corahs when men returned from the war and became a dining supervisor. [00:29:00] Describes giving birth and maternity care. [00:31:08] Describes in detail housing shortage post war and attempts to provide temporary housing with pre-fabs. [00:39:21] Detailed description of working as a dinner lady and volunteer helper at Benbow primary school in the 1960s. [00:47:05] JK and SK talk about husband working at Leicester market, shopping and visits to Leicester