Historical tales are recalled in new book
MANY historical events that took place in and around Loughborough feature in a book which looks at Leicestershire and Rutland’s defensible structures.
Defending Leicestershire and Rutland places a number of sites into their political, social, historical and military contexts and examines the impact figures such as William the Conqueror, Richard III and Oliver Cromwell have had on the counties.
From the Civil War skirmish at Cotes Bridge, to the Loughborough’s military establishments, the book looks at events that took place in the town and at locations such as Mountsorrel, Castle Donington, Bradgate House and Coalville.
Author Mike Osborne, who lives in south Lincolnshire, told the Echo there are also references to “the ‘hush-hush activities’ at Beaumanor, aircraft production at Brush, the airfield at Wymeswold, the Cold War microwave tower at Copt Oak, the castle at Mountsorrel, the beam-benders diverting German bombers at Mount St Bernard and more”.
Mike’s interest in fortification began with childhood visits to castles and has developed over the years.
He was a volunteer co-ordinator for the Defence of Britain Project recording the military structures of the 20th Century.
And, after a 30-year career in education, he took early retirement and since then has produced nearly 20 books - including the best-selling Defending Britain.
When asked why he decided to focus on Leicestershire and Rutland, Mike, whose son went to college in Loughborough, said: “I’ve lived in south Lincolnshire for over 40 years and I’ve got to know the surrounding counties. They’re attractive places to go to and beneath the surface there’s a wealth of detail that people are generally not aware of and that interests me.
“There’s something to be found everywhere.”
• Defending Leicestershire and Rutland can be purchased at fonthillmedia.com and via Amazon.