Heritage goes on display
A DIVERSE collection of heritage art from across Leicestershire has gone on display in Hinckley.
Calligraphy from a Hinckley-based bus driver is among the items on display at the free exhibition at The Atkins Building in Lower Bond Street.
Also featured are an embroidered fire screen from Worthington, narrowboat crochet work, a decorated Measham canal ware teapot and a poster for a procession in Ashby de la Zouch celebrating the relief of Mafeking, from 1900.
Paintings and drawings depict scenes including Hough Windmill, Mountsorrel market, the Grand Union Canal at Foxton and historical parts of Loughborough.
A spokesman for one of the contributors, Swannington Heritage Trust, said: “The painting of the substantially restored Hough Mill was composed from the south side of the adjacent pond in the Gorse Field.
“It is believed that the pond is a site where local people dug out the surface coal a thousand years or more ago.”
Leicestershire and Rutland Heritage Forum organised the exhibition, with contributions coming from many of its members who are passionate about preserving their heritage and sharing it with the world.
Michael Beech, chairman of the forum, said: “This is the first time we have used the Atkins building for a display.
“There are representatives from across the counties of Leicestershire and Rutland with 11 organisations making contributions to the exhibition.
“Some are established museums, but others are heritage groups that don’t normally have any public display. I am very pleased with the result and our visitors will be impressed.”
The exhibition is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Saturday hours depend on if there is a wedding in the building. The exhibition runs until August 31.
More information is available on the Leicestershire and Rutland Heritage Forum website, or by calling Mr Beech on: 07854 237671.