Leicester Mercury

MUSEUM TELLS STORY OF LEICESTER’S BLITZ

80TH ANNIVERSAR­Y OF ATTACK TOLD - USING TESTIMONIE­S OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED THROUGH IT

- Leicesterm­useums.org/news/ the-leicester-blitz-1940

AN exhibition telling the story of when the blitz came to Leicester is ready to welcome visitors – once restrictio­ns ends.

The display at Newarke Houses Museum commemorat­es the 80th anniversar­y of the Leicester Blitz – the worst attack on the city by the Luftwaffe.

Leicester was bombed several times in 1940 and 1941 but the raid on the night of November 19 to 20, 1940 was by far the worst.

The exhibition documents that night in detail through pictures, paintings and personal stories of the damage that was done.

It also shows how Leicester prepared for air raids and covers all the German attacks.

It retells how people acted on those nights, often using the words of those who were there.

Councillor Piara Singh Clair, deputy mayor for culture, leisure and sport, said: “This exhibition is a wonderful tribute to the people who led the rescue efforts during the Leicester Blitz, as well as a poignant reminder of those who lost their lives.”

The exhibition was due to start on the anniversar­y of the attack, but Covid restrictio­ns have prevented the museum from opening.

When it is allowed to reopen, booking will not be necessary but visitors will need to wear a face covering and give their test and trace details to enter the museum.

A one-way visitor flow, capacity management, hand sanitiser stations and additional air flow systems will help to keep visitors safe.

As well as the Blitz exhibition, Newarke Houses Museum is home to the Tigers regimental display, a cobbled street scene of bygone Leicester and a recreated First World War trench.

More informatio­n about the Leicester Blitz can be found at:

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?? ?? DESTRUCTIO­N AND DEDICATION: Above, the pavilion in Victoria Park; below left, ambulance outside 33 Severn Street; below right, the Rescue of Isaac Blaskey; bottom left, looking across Severn Street to Highfield Street; bottom centre, staff of Asfordby street Police station, summer 1940; bottom right, Poole family, 36 Twycross Street
DESTRUCTIO­N AND DEDICATION: Above, the pavilion in Victoria Park; below left, ambulance outside 33 Severn Street; below right, the Rescue of Isaac Blaskey; bottom left, looking across Severn Street to Highfield Street; bottom centre, staff of Asfordby street Police station, summer 1940; bottom right, Poole family, 36 Twycross Street
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?? ?? EXHIBITS: Artefacts collected for the exhibition at Newarke Houses Museum, above right, in Leicester include fragments of high-explosive bombs, above, ARP and nurses uniforms, police and wardens’ badges and a sandbag. There are also accounts from the people who were there CHRIS GORDON
EXHIBITS: Artefacts collected for the exhibition at Newarke Houses Museum, above right, in Leicester include fragments of high-explosive bombs, above, ARP and nurses uniforms, police and wardens’ badges and a sandbag. There are also accounts from the people who were there CHRIS GORDON
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