Bradgate Park talk for WI

MAKING the Connections” was the title of the talk on Bradgate Park by Sue Graham to Kegworth WI.

Most of us have walked in the park and thought we knew it well but Sue gave us an interesting background.

First evidence of life in the park was 560 million years ago with simple organisms and the finding of the fern fossil by a young schoolboy in 1957 is world famous.

It was designated a Site of Scientific Interest in 1956 because of its interesting geology and nature. Fallow and Red Deer roam the park as they have for over 500 years.

The house, lived in by Lady Jane Grey and all her family, was the first unfortified house to be built of brick, eventually deserted in 1749 although the land belonged to the Earls of Stamford until it was purchased by Charles Bennion in 1928 when he gave the park to the people of Leicestershire in perpetuity.

Swithland Woods was added to the bequest in 1932. The park is run by a small number of Rangers ably aided by a lot of volunteers, many of whom are expert in the array of wild life to be seen there; snakes, insects, lichens, birds, etc.. Car parking charges and a cafe and shop fund the park.

The next meeting will be on September 18, at 2.15pm in the Village Hall when the speaker will tell us all about Marks and Spencers. Competition will be for piece of British holiday memorabilia, and as every month, a single flower for the competition of flower of the month.

Visitors and new members welcome.