Reports

2019

At our meeting held on Thursday 3rd October, we welcomed Alan Jacobs, the retired manager of Beaumanor Hall, who came to talk about the hall and its history.

A house has stood on the site since at least 1277, and the hall has been rebuilt at least three times. The estate came into the hands of Sir William Herrick, a wealthy business man, who bought it in 1595. It remained in the Herrick family until the death in 1915 of the wife of the late Sir William Perry Francis.

The property was later acquired by the MoD and was used for military purposes between 1939 and 1945. The military sold the estate to Leicestershire County Council in 1974, who transformed it into a conference centre.

This was an extremely informative and well-presented talk, given by a very enthusiastic historian. Members felt they had gained an insight into a little known but very interesting piece of local history.

On the 11th September members enjoyed a lovely lunch on the Great Central Railway. We boarded the train at Rothley and travelled to Loughborough. The railway with all its history and the journey evoked fond childhood memories for many members.