Quorn Local History Group - News Update

Posted to website April 29th 2021

Great News! As the group's Lottery Funded Heritage Board project moves a step nearer, all of the boards have now been delivered to their home in the Old School and it’s hoped that they will in position by the end of May.

The group's on-line talks programme continued on Monday 26th April with a very interesting presentation from group member Ann Brown titled ‘Great British Statues’. Some of our most famous statues were discussed from Lady Justice to Boudiccea, the Lions once outside HSBC Bank in Shanghai, and the Leicester Boer War Memorial. All were made by Ann's ancestor and foundry owner John Webb Singer and we were informed that J.W Singer and Sons were founded in 1819 and based in Frome, Somerset. The company used the Investment Casting ‘Lost Wax’ process to produce incredibly detailed large statues. The talked was well received by members and guests alike.

The programme continues and on 24th May when John Adsley will present ‘‘A just measure of pain’’ and will analyse 15 centuries of the changing definitions of what constitutes criminal activity, the methods and the philosophy behind punishment in Britain. Explore notable cases in Leicestershire that had a national impact and discover what punishments were meted out to some Quorn residents who broke the law, including imprisonment, transportation and even death. This promises to be another very interesting evening.

On-line talk sessions can be joined at 7.00pm with the talk commencing at 7.15pm. Members will receive the Zoom joining instruction via the monthly newsletter. Visitors are always welcome and can register by email to quornlhg@gmail.com.

Farnham House welcomes its first residents

Posted to website April 29th 2021

McCarthy Stone has welcomed the first homeowners to Farnham House, its new Retirement Living development on Loughborough Road in Quorn.

Read the press release.

Quorn Care Home launches initiative to support Local Community

Posted to website April 29th 2021

A care home in Quorn has launched a new initiative to help support older people in the local community.

Read the press release.

New Quorn business aiming to tackle plastic waste

Posted to website April 21st 2021

Disposal of single use menstrual products - tampons, pads and applicators generates 200,000 tonnes of waste per year. Absorbent underwear can help to reduce this.

Read the press release.

Quorn Care Home gets Perfect Score

Posted to website April 19th 2021

Care UK’s Lonsdale Mews, on Farley Way, has been awarded a review score of 10 by leading website carehome.co.uk.

Read the press release.

Quorn Local History Group – News Update

Posted to website April 7th 2021

The group's online talks programme is proving to be popular, with the audience numbers increasing with each talk. On Monday 29th March we were treated to ‘A (virtual) walk around Quorn St. Bart's Churchyard’ when Sue Templeman introduced us to a variety of interesting gravestones and the Quorn family characters that are buried there. Using the latest photographic techniques the unusual designs and imagery on some of the memorials became visible for the first time in many years. We learnt of the properties of both local Swithland and Welsh slate and the sculptors’ marks.

The programme continues and on 26th April Ann Brown will present ‘Great British Statues’ - a talk about some of our most famous statues from Lady Justice to Boudiccea, the Lions once outside HSBC Bank in Shanghai, and the Leicester Boer War Memorial, all made by her ancestor and foundry owner John Webb Singer. This promises to be a very interesting evening.

There follows on 24th May a talk entitled ‘A just measure of pain’ when John Adsley will be presenting the changing definitions of what constitutes criminal activity, the methods, and the philosophy behind punishment in Britain. He will explore notable cases in Leicestershire that had a national impact and discover what punishments were meted out to some of Quorn residents who broke the law - including imprisonment, transportation and even death.

On-line talk sessions can be joined at 7.00pm with the talk commencing at 7.15pm. Members have priority and receive the Zoom joining instruction via the newsletter. Visitors are welcome but most register at least 24 hours before by email to quornlhg@gmail.com.

The group's Lottery Funded Heritage Board scheme continues as does the Gravestones Photography project. The group are very grateful to member Phil Fricker who has taken the project forward gathering an amazing number of photos and information. Natasha, a local 6th form student, has volunteered to continue the work.

Membership of the QLHG is open to all who have an interest in Quorn's history and heritage. Full details can be found at www.quorndon.com/quorn_local_history_group.php.

Stafford Orchard - Old School Playground Extension Improvements

Posted to website April 6th 2021

The small area behind the Old School was designated in 1920 by the park benefactors for use by the then school as a playground extension and an access gate (since blocked) was provided.

The council staff supported by the Stafford Orchard Advisory Group have for sometime had the idea to improve the area (currently somewhat neglected) by utilising the space as a small crafts and education area adding rustic seating and tables. Of course when not being used for these activities the area would also be open and available for general seating and use by all. The projected works would be carried out locally and within the current council budget.

The benefits of outdoor activities and education are of course well known. To proceed, the Council's Grounds and Facilities Committee have tasked the SOAG to provide evidence of a need for such an improvement in our village. Several local groups have already expressed their enthusiasm for the idea. If you or a group that you work with think that this scheme may be beneficial, the Parish Office would very much like to hear from you at. Contact parishclerk@quorndon.org.

McCarthy Stone team in Quorn celebrate award

Posted to website April 1st 2021

The McCarthy Stone team in Quorn is celebrating after being awarded a Five Star customer satisfaction rating in an independent survey announced by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) for the 16th year running.

Read the McCarthy Stone press release.

Quorn Parish Council - Interim Strategic Plan Consultation

Posted to website March 17th 2021

The pandemic has created many changes for all of us and Quorn Parish Council is changing its own plans to better help the village during the coming year.

Download Quorn Parish Council Interim Strategic Plan Consultation.

Quorn Local History Group

Posted to website March 4th 2021

Thanks to members stepping up, the groups online talks season continued last Monday with Dennis Marchant providing an interesting talk about the village's Stafford Orchard Park from its recorded origins in the thirteenth century through to the present day. Included was a review of the conditions applied when the benefactors conveyed the recreation field to the people of Quorn. The evening was well received and over thirty people joined the talk.

The group's next talk is set for Monday 29th March when Sue Templeman is welcomed back to guide us through a virtual tour of St. Bartholomew's Churchyard.

On 26th April, Ann Brown will describe the many famous statues made by her foundry-owning ancestor, and on 24th May John Adsley will explore 15 centuries of criminal activity in Quorn, Leicestershire and beyond.

As well as the online talks programme, the Local History Group have not stopped working since Covid restrictions limited the activities. With the exception of the Oral Histories Project, QLHG have installed a National Schools Heritage Board in the Old School, updated and digitised the Quorn Walking Guides, installed missing Public Right of Way signs (thanks to LCC), completed and published the Village Sculpture Trail, and finalised fourteen Heritage Board. Also, the Parish Records Review was completed and the Gravestone Recording and the monthly Members Update emails continue.

If you would like to join this friendly group or get involved with projects don’t hesitate to get in touch.

On-line talk sessions can be joined at 7.0pm with the talk commencing at 7.15pm. Members have priority and receive the Zoom joining instruction via the newsletter. Visitors are welcome.

Membership of the QLHG is open to all who have an interest in Quorn's history and heritage. Full details can be found at www.quorndon.com/quorn_local_history_group.php.

Amateur Photographer in Quorn Wins £250

Posted to website January 31st 2021

Quorn resident, Dennis Marchant, is celebrating after being selected as the winner of McCarthy Stone's recent photography competition.

The competition, run by the leading manager and developer of retirement communities which is currently building the Mill Gardens and Farnham House Retirement Living development in Quorn, called for local residents to share their photographs of their favourite Quorn scenery, wildlife and landscapes.

Dennis' image entitled 'Stafford Orchard' was chosen as the winner by the Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor David Snartt. The Mayor commented: 'The standard of all the entries was phenomenal, and were all a real testament to the wonderful area in which we live, it was certainly a tough job to judge. I chose Dennis' image as the winner as I felt it captured our beautiful Orchard in all its glory'.

Samantha Watkins, Deputy Divisional Sales and Marketing Director at McCarthy Stone Midlands, added: 'Quorn has so many stunning views and places to visit, it is important that our new community at Mill Gardens and Farnham House get to discover some of these for themselves, and we thought our photography competition offered the perfect way to do this. I echo Councillor Snartt when I say that all of the entries we received were brilliant. I'd like to offer our congratulations to Dennis for his winning photograph as well as our thanks to Councillor Snartt for taking on the tough role of judge.'

Dennis commented: 'I was thrilled to be chosen as the winner of the competition. We are really fortunate to have some wonderful landscapes here in Quorn, so it was an absolute joy to photograph'.

Once complete, the development will offer a choice of thoughtfully-designed bungalows and apartments. Farnham House apartments will benefit from a 24/7 call system and camera entry system, as well as a House Manager to provide that extra peace of mind when it comes to safety and security, along with a stylish homeowners’ lounge, hotel-style guest suite and landscaped gardens. Each individual freehold property at Mill Gardens will also enjoy its own private rear garden and a driveway with maintained front gardens, and selected bungalows will also have a garage.

Mill Gardens and Farnham House are situated in the heart of Charnwood Forest and just off the High Street, meaning all daily necessities are within easy reach. When it comes to eating out, you'll be spoilt for choice. The local area offers everything from traditional English pubs to contemporary cafes and restaurants.

For more information about Retirement Living in Quorn call 0800 201 4741 or visit McCarthy Stone.

Quorn Local History Group Update

Posted to website January 30th 2021

The Quorn Local History group have started the new year in a positive mood following the well attended Annual General Meeting held online in December. After three years in post and one of the founding members of the group, Paul Goodman stepped down from the Chair of the committee. He was thanked for his efforts and will remain as an active group member. New committee member Mary Harlow was welcomed as was returning member Dennis Marchant. The groups finances, membership and projects status were presented. A reminder that the group's Facebook page and Village Online Museum postings were continuing and proving popular. The QLHG Charnwood Lottery income from ticket sales have provided a limited income stream and all were encouraged to support the group by buying tickets if they could. The membership were thanked for their continuing support through these troubled times. A presentation by Dennis Marchant on the group's 'Quorn Parish Archive Project' followed.

On Monday 25th January, Sue Templeman present an online talk on the group's Quorn Heritage Boards Project'. Sue provided an interesting insight into the 14 boards that are completed but not yet printed. The boards cover many aspects of Quorn's history. It was a much appreciated talk, highlighting that this has been a huge and fascinating project, to which Sue along with other members have dedicated an enormous amount of time and expertise. Not being able to see the full display in the Old School as planned, this was the nearest we could get - for now. It is a National Lottery Heritage Fund project and Fund and the Lottery players were thanked for making it possible.