This is the latest in a series of articles written by popular historian Arthur Tomlin more than 25 years ago. Mr Tomlin sadly died a couple of years ago. He was extremely well-known in the area as an artist and historian
BOTCHESTON is a small, pleasant hamlet situated seven miles west of Leicester, containing 480 acres of very heavy clay soil.
In 1850, Botcheston had 68 inhabitants who mainly lived off the land.
Between 1750 and 1800 it was recorded that there were quite a number of framework knitters in the village, although it is mentioned in the Domesday Survey in 1086, very little is known about it until 1563, when five dwellings were recorded.
In its early days it was spelt as “Bocharston” and later became Botcheston.
One of the oldest buildings in the village is The Greyhound pub, which was originally two of the very early cottages joined together. These were rebuilt around a tree and the tree’s trunk could be seen up to a short time ago. It officially became known as The Greyhound in 1856.
On the south side of Botcheston runs the Leicester to Swannington railway. This is one of the earliest railways in the country and was built by George Stevenson.
In the past, Lord Maynard was a landowner but in 1850 the hamlet of Botcheston was made part of the Earl of Stamford and Warrington’s Manor of Groby.
Later the Duchy of Lancaster became landowners, and in 1965 a plaque was erected in a roadside meadow in the village to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the founding of the Duchy.
The plaque was unveiled by Sir Robert Somerville, who planted a tree during the same occasion.
The village was subject to tithes or “inappropriate” tithes as they were often called. The Earl of Stamford and Warrington received £60 annually from this entitlement.
The old brickyard can still be seen where clay was extracted to make bricks to rebuild the original cottages.
One of these was “Wayside” which was built in the 1600s. Mainly farm workers were housed in these cottages of which a number were built around 1800.
A school was built in the village in 1903 and was used until the Second World War when it was closed to become a store for the education department.
Desford Parish Council gave the school to the village to use as a village hall in 1970. On the east wall of this hall is a plaque on which are the names of those from the village, who gave their lives in World War Two.
It is very curious that in 1992 the local administration for the villages of Botcheston and Newton Unthank was directed from Desford Parish Council, but the births, marriages and deaths of residents of both villages must be registered in the Parish of Ratby, as they have always been regarded as hamlets of Ratby Parish. Although Botcheston is a village consisting virtually of one long main street surrounded by farmland. It is not generally known that sited in the centre of the street in 1992 was a very enterprising fish breeding farm. The lakes were stocked with fish that were originally purchased from Israel. Each lake has more than 600 fish of different ages and numerous species.
During the summer the lakes are a great attraction for wildfowl, and in the winter months they are a haven for swans. In a peaceful meadow bordering the Rothley brook flows a petrifying spring.
Like many other villages in the county, Botcheston has grown in the last decade.
Many business people from neighbouring towns are now living in Botcheston to enjoy the tranquillity and peace that has been the hallmark of the village throughout the ages.
NEWTOWN UNTHANK Newtown Unthank is a hamlet in Ratby Parish; it is situated six miles west of Leicester and has an average of 346 residents.
In 1860 it had 45 inhabitants who were mostly employed on the surrounding farms.
The land is very flat and the soil of gravelly nature. In 1850, the lord of the manor was the Earl of Stamford and Warrington, who held the land as part of his manor of Groby. His tenants were Richard Pratt and Henry Browne who resided at Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
The village was originally known as Newton. The name Unthank is thought to have emerged from the attitude of the farming community towards the texture of the soil which was extremely difficult to grow crops in, and consequently they became disillusioned and “unthankful”.
In 1150 Newtown Unthank possessed a water mill. Although it was known as Desford Mill it was positioned in Newtown Unthank.
The mill drew its water from the Bagworth Brook which up stream supported Thornton Mill and down stream was the source of power for the Anstey and Glenfield Mills, and by the time it had reached Newtown Unthank it was known as the Rothley Brook.
The mill was complemented by the addition of a windmill in 1709. The windmill did not live out the life of the watermill as there was no record of it after 1872.
When the water flow was diminished by the formation of Thornton reservoir, steam power was introduced in 1854.
Desford Mill ceased operating in 1922 after almost 800 years of service. It has now been converted into a private residence.
Since the Domesday Survey in 1086, a total of 123 watermills have been listed as being in existence in the county up to the present time.
The Leicester to Swannington railway passes through Newtown. It also had a station prior to 1965 when the line was closed to passenger traffic.
In 1920 the village had 13 dwelling houses, but in recent years is has steadily grown as a number of professional people are now living in this very attractive village.