From the archive
50 YEARS AGO Loughborough’s oldest man
LOUGHBOROUGH’S oldest man, Joseph Marson of Hastings House, Loughborough was all set to celebrate his 101st birthday.
A native of Hoton, where he worked until well past retiring age, he was fit and well.
His niece in New Zealand had arranged for a special record to be broadcast on the BBC Radio Family Favourites programme on his birthday.
Shepshed wrestler Tony Morris
SHEPSHED’S well-known wrestler, Tony Morris, beat John (TV) Monk by one fall at Loughborough Town Hall.
Tony, who lived at 22 forest Street was aged 29 and won the English lightweight championship belt back in July.
He had been wrestling for seven years and was now at his peak. When he grappled outside his home area he was billed as Tony Cortez.
Mayor turns down Hunt meet event
THE traditional meet of the Quorn Hounds in Loughborough Market Place on Boxing Day was to take place as usual but the Mayor of the town, who would normally be host stepped down from the duty.
Mayor Coun Dr Alec Strachan, a Quaker, was opposed to all blood sports and stated that for reasons of conscience he would not be able to attend.
Eighty-year-old Thorpe House artist
A CHRISTMAS fair held at Thorpe House, Knightthopre Road, Loughborough raised 3170 and paintings and sketches by an 80-year-old artist helped to boost the proceeds.
Walter E Smith who had been at the county council home for the aged, for 14 months told an Echo reporter: “I have been painting and drawing for as long as I can remember.”
When working as a traveller for a firm of men’s outfitters Mr Smith was an artist in his spare time, but since his retirement had been able to devote the whole of his time to his first love.
25 YEARS AGO Total family age was 638 years
PROUD Beatrice Atkins of Old Ashby Road, Loughborough, contacted the Echo to tell of her family, the Warners, which consisted of nine brothers and sisters and whose total family age was an amazing 638 years.
Mrs Atkins’ call followed a letter to the newspaper from Mrs K Pearson, of Judges Street, whose father’s family, the Johnsons, also had nine brothers and sisters with a total age of 621.
Old school playing fields sold for housing
LAND formerly used as school playing fields in Loughborough was sold to housing developer David Wilson Homes, for £4m by Leicestershire County Council.
The 22 acre site, off Atherstone Road, was used by pupils at Woodbrook Vale High School, but the county had now found replacement fields to the rear of the school.