STONEY STANTON

National Diving Centre, 
Stoney Cove

Stoney Stanton Village
Web Site
 

Stoney Stanton is yet another Leicestershire village with a long history of stone quarrying going back to the Romans. After the Second World War, the quarrying business came to an end, but not before thousands of tons of rock had been extracted, leaving deep, water-filled areas. One such site is Lanes Hill quarry, now known as Stoney Cove, where one of the country’s leading water-skiing and underwater diving centres has been established.

The history of the church of St. Michael in Stoney Stanton goes back at least to 1185, but the exterior and interior were completely rebuilt in the 19th century. There is also a Methodist church which is over 100 years old.

The name Sharnford is from the Anglo-Saxon ‘Scarn’, meaning ‘diversion by ford’. The parish church of St Helen was erected in the 15th century and has a peal of six bells. It was restored in 1985, after fire severely damaged the chancel. The church contains an interesting collection of tapestry kneelers. The Methodist chapel, originally Wesleyan, was erected in 1827.

Broughton Astley is a large straggling village of ancient origins, formed as an amalgamation of three communities. When the Domesday Book was written in 1086AD, shortly after the arrival in England of William The Conqueror, there were references to the districts of Broctone, Sutone and Torp.

Later Broctone became known as Broughton, Sutone became Sutton or Sutton-In-The-Elms and Torp became Primethorpe. The original names are of Saxon or Danish style, typical of the period 560-900AD.

The second part of the village name,'Astley', is taken from the family name of the Lords of the Manor of Broughton in the thirteenth century. They were called in various records 'de Astley', 'de Asteley' or 'de Esteley'.
 

Croft Hill stands 128m high in a largely flat area of Leicestershire. The Hill provides a number of habitats including broad leaved woodland, scrub land, acidic grassland and two other distinct areas of grassland. It is an important area in view of the variety of flora, fauna, birds and butterflies which inhabit or visit at various times of the year.

Ancient civilisations lacking modern aids to navigation established a vast network of straight tracks which enabled the traveller to navigate his way to anywhere in Britain. At a very important site of Antiquity three Ley-lines often cross on the site. 

According to history, the 1086 Domesday Survey records Whetstone as having 24 peasants, 11 villeins, one man-at-arms and a windmill. In 1856, the parish of Whetstone was granted its ecclesiastical freedom from Enderby and its first resident vicar, Mr. Newby , who remained in post for the next 55 years.
The years immediately before the Second World War saw the arrival of new industry - aero engine development in the form of ‘Power Jets’ - and Mr (later known as Sir) Frank Whittle with his pioneering work on the jet engine. The present day GEC Alsthom industrial complex is the successor to that venture.

Earl Shilton 
Earl Shilton originates from the time of Simon de Montfort, about 1265 ad. when it was probably known as the Earl's Hill Town. The village lays claim to the origin of Leicestershire's Boot & Shoe Industry and is also well known in the textile trade. The current topic of discussion for residents is the proposed A47 by-pass which is planned for 2006.
Community Website for village information and Business Links.

NARBOROUGH Narborough Railway Station Village web site for Narborough and Littlethorpe	Narborough Hall, in Coventry Road, is considered a fine example of 16th and 17th century architecture. This is a Grade II listed building and still retains its original unusual features. The All Saints’ Church in Narborough dates back to the 13th century, but has been restored so much that little of the original building remains. The Congregational Church was founded in 1662 with the present building dating from 1709. There is also the Roman Catholic Church of St. Pius X to be found in Narborough.
Claybrooke Magna and Claybrooke Parva http://www.claybrooke.org.uk
THURLASTON http://www.thurlaston.com/	The quiet and isolated village of Thurlaston is the largest parish in area in the District. It is predominantly a high quality farmland area.

POTTERS MARSTON

As its name implies, pottery has been an ancient craft of this quiet community of Potters Marston. Evidence of the medieval potters’ craft comes to light from time to time during ploughing. There is also a small medieval church which has been restored in recent years, and Potters Marston Hall dates back to the 15th century.

WIGSTON PARVA

Wigston Parva is one of the tiniest villages in the County of Leicestershire. One of the six houses round the green is the recently restored manor house. The church of St Mary is one of the smallest and oldest churches in the county, dating back to 1160 or even earlier. It only owns the peice of land on which it stands, and entrance can only be gained by way of the garden path of the neighbouring house.