Much to see in Leicestershire
From here in Woodhouse Eaves, the heart of rural England, there is
much to see and do if you are so inclined. You are in an old slate-mine
house, built from Swithland slate from the near-by quarry, closed over
a hundred years ago, and a walk through the next-door bluebell wood
which you overlook, and you can see the water filled deep blue foreboding
slate quarry pits only used by intrepid divers these days. (Bluebell
season end of March).
A 20 minute further walk towards Newtown Linford brings you to the ancestral home of Lady Jane Gray, and the adjoining museum. It is also in the middle of the Charwood Beacon similar too National Trust land it is the home to nearly 300 deer, and from the summit you can survey the12 country shires of middle England.
Should you wish to attend church, then there is a choice or traditional service some with communion some family service at the 3 parish churches within a short walk. You can watch cricket in summer at nearby Rothley or Newtown Linford. Steam train enthusiasts are amazed at the local privately owned double gauge railway running trains regularly at the weekends from Loughborough, to Quorn, Rothley and then to the outskirts of Leicester. Once a year in June a VE day celebration is commemorated at the stations with everyone in period attire and a salute offered from a Spitfire, Stuka and occasionally the Lancaster WWII flight.
Another local attraction is the Taylor's Bell Foundry in Loughborough (of Dorothy L Sayers fame - "The Nine Taylors"). Donnington Park Motor Racing Circuit and Motor Museum is about 20 minutes drive away a fascinating tour of history. Belvoir Castle in another must while in the area.
We are 20 minutes from East Midlands Airport and within half an hours
drive for those that are traveling on further afield. Taxi to the Midland
mainline station takes approximately 20 minutes.
ARMS: Quarterly per fesse indented Argent and Gules in the first quarter
a Torteau charged with a Cinquefoil Ermine in the second quarter a Lion
rampant double queued also Argent in the third quarter an Ostrich Feather
Ermine in the fourth quarter a Maunch Sable.
CREST: On a Wreath of the Colours a Fox courant over Stubble proper.
SUPPORTERS: On the dexter side a Bull Sable ducally gorged Or and on
the sinister side a Leicestershire Ram proper.
Motto 'FOR'ARD FOR'ARD'.
Granted 25th January 1930.
The arms incorporate elements from the heraldry of four important County
families, three of whom became Earls of Leicester.
The ermine cinquefoil is that of the Beaumont family, in 1103 Robert
de Beaumont was made the first Earl of Leicester. The Earldom eventually
passed through the sister of the fourth Earl (FitzParnel) to her husband
Simon de Montfort (1206-1264), from whose arms the white doubled tailed
lion on red is taken. Simon also held the Honour of Hinckley, to which
appertained arms consisting of a shield parted palewise indented silver
and red, from which is derived the fessewise indentation in these arms.
The ermine plume is the badge of John of Gaunt (another Earl of Leicester)
and the black sleeve is the badge of the Hastings family, who built
castles at Kirby Muxloe and Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
The running fox refers to fox hunting, which first originated in an
organised form in Leicestershire in the 1690's.
The bull and ram symbolise the County's original major industries, grazing
and wool. The bull's coronet represents the link with the Duchy of Lancaster,
several Earls of Leicester were also Dukes of Lancaster.
The motto again refers to fox hunting, it is placed between a hazel
leaf and a red martlet, which refer to Lord Hazlerigg, Lord-Lieutenant
of Leicestershire from 1925 to 1949 and Lieutenant Colonel Sir Robert
Martin, Chairman of the County Council from 1924 to 1960.