Charles Bennion
Encyclopedia
Charles Bennion was a businessman, manufacturer and philanthropist
who purchased Bradgate Park
for the people of Leicestershire
.
The son of a farmer, Bennion was attracted by the new technologies of his age -steam power and mechanisation- that were revolutionising agriculture, transport and manufacturing.
He began his career with an apprenticeship at Crewe railway works in Crewe
, Cheshire, and then, having learned a trade which had widespread applications, broadened his horizons by travelling the world as a ship's engineer. On his return to England he became involved in shoe machinery manufacture and in the 1880s he settled in Leicester
which, along with Northampton
, was a leading centre of Britain's boot and shoe industry.
In 1899 he established Pearson and Bennion Ltd in partnership with a Leeds man, Marshall Pearson.
Pearson and Bennion Ltd later merged with the United Shoe Machinery Company of America to form the British United Shoe Machinery
Co. Ltd. Charles Bennion was managing director of the new company from 1899 until his death in 1929.
Charles Bennion's affection for his adopted county and the people of Leicestershire is best shown by his extraordinarily generous purchase of Bradgate Park on their behalf. The park, 850 acres (3.4 km²) of outstanding historic beauty, was put up for sale by its owners, the Grey Family (Baron Grey of Groby was also Earl of Stamford), in 1925. It had been offered to Leicester for public use but the money needed to buy the land could not be raised. Charles Bennion came to the rescue. The park was purchased and placed into a trust and was formally presented to the people of Leicestershire on 29 December 1928. Since then it has become Leicestershire's most visited attraction, popular with local people and tourists alike.
A plaque set in local granite and commemorating Charles Bennion's generosity can be found in Bradgate Park. It reads;
`In grateful remembrance of Charles Bennion of Thurnby of this county who in 1928 with the helpful concurrence of the heirs of the Greys of Groby purchased from them this park of Bradgate and presented it in trust for the city and county of Leicester that for all time it might be preserved in its natural state for the quiet enjoyment of the people of Leicestershire. His true memorial lies around
There is also a Blue Plaque at the former site of the British United Shoe Machinery Co. Ltd in Belgrave Road, Leicester.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
who purchased Bradgate Park
Bradgate Park
Bradgate Park is a public park in Charnwood Forest, in Leicestershire, England, just northwest of Leicester. It covers 850 acres . The park lies between the villages of Newtown Linford, Anstey, Cropston, Woodhouse Eaves and Swithland. The River Lin runs through the park, flowing into Cropston...
for the people of Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
.
The son of a farmer, Bennion was attracted by the new technologies of his age -steam power and mechanisation- that were revolutionising agriculture, transport and manufacturing.
He began his career with an apprenticeship at Crewe railway works in Crewe
Crewe
Crewe is a railway town within the unitary authority area of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. According to the 2001 census the urban area had a population of 67,683...
, Cheshire, and then, having learned a trade which had widespread applications, broadened his horizons by travelling the world as a ship's engineer. On his return to England he became involved in shoe machinery manufacture and in the 1880s he settled in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
which, along with Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
, was a leading centre of Britain's boot and shoe industry.
In 1899 he established Pearson and Bennion Ltd in partnership with a Leeds man, Marshall Pearson.
Pearson and Bennion Ltd later merged with the United Shoe Machinery Company of America to form the British United Shoe Machinery
British United Shoe Machinery
thumb|right|300px|US Founders of British United Shoe Machinery.thumb|right|200px|Charles Bennion, UK founder of British United Shoe MachineryBritish United Shoe Machinery Ltd...
Co. Ltd. Charles Bennion was managing director of the new company from 1899 until his death in 1929.
Charles Bennion's affection for his adopted county and the people of Leicestershire is best shown by his extraordinarily generous purchase of Bradgate Park on their behalf. The park, 850 acres (3.4 km²) of outstanding historic beauty, was put up for sale by its owners, the Grey Family (Baron Grey of Groby was also Earl of Stamford), in 1925. It had been offered to Leicester for public use but the money needed to buy the land could not be raised. Charles Bennion came to the rescue. The park was purchased and placed into a trust and was formally presented to the people of Leicestershire on 29 December 1928. Since then it has become Leicestershire's most visited attraction, popular with local people and tourists alike.
A plaque set in local granite and commemorating Charles Bennion's generosity can be found in Bradgate Park. It reads;
`In grateful remembrance of Charles Bennion of Thurnby of this county who in 1928 with the helpful concurrence of the heirs of the Greys of Groby purchased from them this park of Bradgate and presented it in trust for the city and county of Leicester that for all time it might be preserved in its natural state for the quiet enjoyment of the people of Leicestershire. His true memorial lies around
There is also a Blue Plaque at the former site of the British United Shoe Machinery Co. Ltd in Belgrave Road, Leicester.