Desford
Encyclopedia
Desford is a village and civil parish in the North West Leicestershire
district, 7 miles (11.3 km) west of the centre of Leicester
. The parish includes the hamlets
of Botcheston
and Newtown Unthank
and a scattered settlement at Lindridge.
up to 13 yards (11.9 m) wide enclosing an area about 115 yards (105.2 m) by 127 yards (116.1 m). In the 19th century it was temporarily drained and six early 14th century pottery vessels were found. A building such as a manor house
is likely to have stood on the island created by the moat. The moat is a scheduled monument.
There are records of a manor
at Desford from at least the 15th century.
The Old Hall or Old Manor House in Desford High Street is a gable-roofed building with an irregular front of four bays
, dating from about 1600 or a few years thereafter. It is built of brick in English bond with stone quoins
and has a timber frame. The house has a two-storeyed porch whose upper storey is jettied
. Attached to the house is an early 18th century service wing built of brick in Flemish bond. The Manor House and its attached buildings are Grade II* listed buildings.
of Saint Martin
has a Norman
font
but the present building appears to be late 13th century. The chancel
includes two lancet window
s. There is a south aisle with an arcade
that seems to be late 13th century. The west tower and spire are Perpendicular Gothic and therefore later: a window in the tower west wall is 14th century. The architect Stockdale Harrison of Leicester restored St. Martin's in 1884. The tower has a ring
of six bells, all cast by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough
in 1912. St. Martin's is a Grade II* listed building.
St. Martin's parish is part of an united benefice with St. Mary Magdalene, Peckleton
.
Desford has a free church
, which is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain
.
s were enclosed
by Act of Parliament in 1759.
The Leicester and Swannington Railway
was built through the parish in 1832. It passes within 0.6 mile (0.965604 km) of the village and Desford railway station
was built at Newtown Unthank to serve the parish. The Midland Railway
took over the line in 1845 and had extended it to by 1848. British Rail
ways withdrew passenger services in 1964 and today the Leicester to Burton upon Trent Line
carries only goods traffic.
Caterpillar Inc.
is now a significant employer in the parish (see below).
had created Desford Aerodrome on Carts Field plus land in the adjoining Peckleton
parish by 1936. It was a flying training school, with George E. Lowdell as its Chief flying Instructor. The majority of aeroplanes used were De Havilland Tiger Moth
single engined biplanes. An early form of flight simulator was also used and was visible from the public road. Leicester Aero Club used the aerodrome until it moved to nearby Ratcliffe Aerodrome. Early in 1939 Lowdell flew the first flight of the New Malden
-built Reid and Sigrist R.S.1
Snargasher from Desford.
The aerodrome has been redeveloped as an industrial site where Caterpillar Inc. now has a large factory.
s: the Blue Bell, Bull's Head, Lancaster Arms and White Horse in Desford, the Greyhound in Botcheston and the Red Lion at Lindridge.
Desford has a community primary school
and a secondary school, Bosworth Community College.
Desford has a post office, a public library and a sports club. Tropical Birdland
, a visitor attraction exhibiting many bird species, is at Desford.
North West Leicestershire
North West Leicestershire is a local government district in Leicestershire, England. Its main towns are Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Coalville.The district contains East Midlands Airport, which operates flights to the rest of Britain and to various places in Europe...
district, 7 miles (11.3 km) west of the centre of 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...
. The parish includes the hamlets
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
of Botcheston
Botcheston
Botcheston is a hamlet in the Hinckley and Bosworth district of Leicestershire about west of Leicester. It is in the civil parish of Desford and about a mile north of the village.Botcheston has about 200 households, a public house and a village hall....
and Newtown Unthank
Newtown Unthank
Newtown Unthank is a hamlet in the Hinckley and Bosworth district of Leicestershire about west of Leicester. It is in the civil parish of Desford and about a mile northeast of the village....
and a scattered settlement at Lindridge.
Manors
At Lindridge about 1 miles (2 km) north of the village is a rectangular moatMoat
A moat is a deep, broad ditch, either dry or filled with water, that surrounds a castle, other building or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices...
up to 13 yards (11.9 m) wide enclosing an area about 115 yards (105.2 m) by 127 yards (116.1 m). In the 19th century it was temporarily drained and six early 14th century pottery vessels were found. A building such as a manor house
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
is likely to have stood on the island created by the moat. The moat is a scheduled monument.
There are records of a manor
Manorialism
Manorialism, an essential element of feudal society, was the organizing principle of rural economy that originated in the villa system of the Late Roman Empire, was widely practiced in medieval western and parts of central Europe, and was slowly replaced by the advent of a money-based market...
at Desford from at least the 15th century.
The Old Hall or Old Manor House in Desford High Street is a gable-roofed building with an irregular front of four bays
Bay (architecture)
A bay is a unit of form in architecture. This unit is defined as the zone between the outer edges of an engaged column, pilaster, or post; or within a window frame, doorframe, or vertical 'bas relief' wall form.-Defining elements:...
, dating from about 1600 or a few years thereafter. It is built of brick in English bond with stone quoins
Quoin (architecture)
Quoins are the cornerstones of brick or stone walls. Quoins may be either structural or decorative. Architects and builders use quoins to give the impression of strength and firmness to the outline of a building...
and has a timber frame. The house has a two-storeyed porch whose upper storey is jettied
Jettying
Jettying is a building technique used in medieval timber frame buildings in which an upper floor projects beyond the dimensions of the floor below. This has the advantage of increasing the available space in the building without obstructing the street...
. Attached to the house is an early 18th century service wing built of brick in Flemish bond. The Manor House and its attached buildings are Grade II* listed buildings.
Churches
The Church of England parish churchChurch of England parish church
A parish church in the Church of England is the church which acts as the religious centre for the people within the smallest and most basic Church of England administrative region, known as a parish.-Parishes in England:...
of Saint Martin
Martin of Tours
Martin of Tours was a Bishop of Tours whose shrine became a famous stopping-point for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. Around his name much legendary material accrued, and he has become one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints...
has a Norman
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
font
Baptismal font
A baptismal font is an article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.-Aspersion and affusion fonts:...
but the present building appears to be late 13th century. The chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
includes two lancet window
Lancet window
A lancet window is a tall narrow window with a pointed arch at its top. It acquired the "lancet" name from its resemblance to a lance. Instances of this architectural motif are most often found in Gothic and ecclesiastical structures, where they are often placed singly or in pairs.The motif first...
s. There is a south aisle with an arcade
Arcade (architecture)
An arcade is a succession of arches, each counterthrusting the next, supported by columns or piers or a covered walk enclosed by a line of such arches on one or both sides. In warmer or wet climates, exterior arcades provide shelter for pedestrians....
that seems to be late 13th century. The west tower and spire are Perpendicular Gothic and therefore later: a window in the tower west wall is 14th century. The architect Stockdale Harrison of Leicester restored St. Martin's in 1884. The tower has a ring
Change ringing
Change ringing is the art of ringing a set of tuned bells in a series of mathematical patterns called "changes". It differs from many other forms of campanology in that no attempt is made to produce a conventional melody....
of six bells, all cast by John Taylor & Co of Loughborough
Loughborough
Loughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
in 1912. St. Martin's is a Grade II* listed building.
St. Martin's parish is part of an united benefice with St. Mary Magdalene, Peckleton
Peckleton
Peckleton is a small village and civil parish located in the Hinckley and Bosworth district of Leicestershire, England. The villages of Kirkby Mallory and Stapleton also form as part of the parish. Thus, according to the 2001 census, the parish had a population of 1,077...
.
Desford has a free church
Free church
The term "free church" refers to a Christian denomination that is intrinsically separated from government . A free church does not define government policy, nor have governments define church policy or theology, nor seeks or receives government endorsement or funding for its general mission...
, which is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain
Baptist Union of Great Britain
The Baptist Union of Great Britain, despite its name, is the association of Baptist churches in England and Wales. -History:...
.
Economic history
Desford's common landCommon land
Common land is land owned collectively or by one person, but over which other people have certain traditional rights, such as to allow their livestock to graze upon it, to collect firewood, or to cut turf for fuel...
s were enclosed
Enclosure
Enclosure or inclosure is the process which ends traditional rights such as mowing meadows for hay, or grazing livestock on common land. Once enclosed, these uses of the land become restricted to the owner, and it ceases to be common land. In England and Wales the term is also used for the...
by Act of Parliament in 1759.
The Leicester and Swannington Railway
Leicester and Swannington Railway
The Leicester and Swannington Railway was one of England's first railways, being opened on 17 July 1832 to bring coal from collieries in west Leicestershire to Leicester.-Overview:...
was built through the parish in 1832. It passes within 0.6 mile (0.965604 km) of the village and Desford railway station
Desford railway station
Desford railway station was a railway station in Leicestershire, England on the Leicester and Swannington Railway, which later became part of the Midland Railway's Leicester to Burton upon Trent Line. The station was about northeast of Desford village, close to the hamlet of Newtown...
was built at Newtown Unthank to serve the parish. The Midland Railway
Midland Railway
The Midland Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom from 1844 to 1922, when it became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway....
took over the line in 1845 and had extended it to by 1848. British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
ways withdrew passenger services in 1964 and today the Leicester to Burton upon Trent Line
Leicester to Burton upon Trent Line
The Leicester to Burton-Upon-Trent Line is a freight-only railway line in England linking the Midland Main Line south of to the Cross Country Route at...
carries only goods traffic.
Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
is now a significant employer in the parish (see below).
Aerodrome
South of the village, Reid and SigristReid and Sigrist
Reid and Sigrist was a British engineering company based at Desford, Leicestershire, England. They were an instrument manufacturer in the interwar era, specialising in aircraft applications mainly producing aircraft parts and instruments but later became a Camera manufacturer...
had created Desford Aerodrome on Carts Field plus land in the adjoining Peckleton
Peckleton
Peckleton is a small village and civil parish located in the Hinckley and Bosworth district of Leicestershire, England. The villages of Kirkby Mallory and Stapleton also form as part of the parish. Thus, according to the 2001 census, the parish had a population of 1,077...
parish by 1936. It was a flying training school, with George E. Lowdell as its Chief flying Instructor. The majority of aeroplanes used were De Havilland Tiger Moth
De Havilland Tiger Moth
The de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and was operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952, when many of the surplus aircraft...
single engined biplanes. An early form of flight simulator was also used and was visible from the public road. Leicester Aero Club used the aerodrome until it moved to nearby Ratcliffe Aerodrome. Early in 1939 Lowdell flew the first flight of the New Malden
New Malden
New Malden is a town and shopping centre in the south-western London suburbs, mostly within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and partly in the London Borough of Merton, and is situated from Charing Cross...
-built Reid and Sigrist R.S.1
Reid and Sigrist R.S.1
|-References:* Gunston, Bill. Back to the Drawing Board: Aircraft That Flew, but Never Took Off. London: Zenith Imprint, 1996. ISBN 0-76030-316-9....
Snargasher from Desford.
The aerodrome has been redeveloped as an industrial site where Caterpillar Inc. now has a large factory.
Amenities
The parish has six public housePublic house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
s: the Blue Bell, Bull's Head, Lancaster Arms and White Horse in Desford, the Greyhound in Botcheston and the Red Lion at Lindridge.
Desford has a community primary school
Desford Community Primary School
Desford Community Primary School is a primary school for all students living in Desford and nearby districts for ages 4 to 11. The number of students attending the school in 2006 was 329. As of 2009, there are 237 students. The school mascot is the reindeer.- Lessons and the School Grounds :All...
and a secondary school, Bosworth Community College.
Desford has a post office, a public library and a sports club. Tropical Birdland
Tropical Birdland, Leicestershire
Tropical Birdland in the north of the village of Desford, Leicestershire, England, is a visitor attraction that has many bird species including parrots, toucans, hornbills and owls on display. Some of the birds are allowed to fly out-of-doors during visiting hours.The photograph opposite is of a...
, a visitor attraction exhibiting many bird species, is at Desford.