Walking insight

AT ITS last meeting of 2017, members of the Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society (LAHS) were treated to an insight into the walking journey to Tiverton which local man Ian Porter undertook, when he followed in the footsteps of local lace-makers.

Following an attack on his lace-making factory, John Heathcoat took his business to the small town of Tiverton in Devon, and many of his Loughborough workers also made the 200-mile journey, assured of work when they got there.

No-one knows exactly how many workers walked to Tiverton, nor whether or not they took all their belongings with them, but we do know that it would have taken about 10 days for them to get there.

At the 200th anniversary of the Luddite attack, and the walk to Tiverton, a group of local people, led by Ian Porter, and a group of people from Tiverton began their two-week, 20 mile a day journey following a great send off at the Picnic in the Park 2016.

For the most part the weather was perfect, being neither too hot nor too cold: who knows whether the lace-makers would have endured scorching sun, or summer showers.

Ian and friends decided to make the journey on as much of the canal towpaths as possible, but the walkers of 1816 would probably have followed the Fosse Way.

With a large dog in tow as well, the 2016 journey was interesting, but luckily the group only veered off the route when they were reaching the end.

And what an ending it was! Towards the end of their walk, the group were joined by descendants of John Heathcoat, members of the Heathcoat-Amory family.

When they arrived in Tiverton they were greeted by the Lord Lieutenant and led to a reception at the Tiverton Museum of Mid-Devon Life, where there was a special display focussing on the development of Heathcoat’s lace-making factory in Tiverton.

The group were then taken to Heathcoat’s factory where they were met by the High Sheriff and over 150 local folk.

What a way to commemorate such a momentous event in the history of both the towns of Loughborough and Tiverton!

The next meeting of the LAHS will take place on Thursday, February 8, from 7.30pm - 9.30pm at the Methodist Church on Knightthorpe Road, when Caroline Sharp will talk about what it’s like to play the Loughborough carillon!

This talk is free to members of the Society, £3 to non-members.

For more information about the society please email: oldrectorymuseumloughborough@gmail.com