Archive
May 2011
Archaeology Weekend
Most years Great Bowden Heritage & Archaeology excavates as part of the Festival of British Archaeology. This involves much work just before, during and after the weekend. This year, however, things were different. The hard work was spread over two years translating a 14th century Latin document, held at the British Library, describing the Open Fields of Great Bowden in detail and then putting together a book entitled Furlong & Furrow on the same subject.
The book also contains a list of over 200 furlong names, many Anglo-Saxon in origin. These names would have been used in everyday conversation during the medieval period describing where people were going, where they were working and locations for scandal, news and gossip. Everyone would have known the character of the land described and how productive it was. We have inherited a picturesque description of our parish.
Michael Wood has written a very supportive foreword and has encouraged us to begin work on our next major research project - the history of St Mary in Arden. We have made a start by producing a DVD giving details of all the gravestones and inscriptions which were surveyed in the 1950s and which will provide a valuable tool for family historians.
At the Festival event we also had a number of displays and events linked to the medieval fields and remaining ridge and furrow earthworks. A couple of guided walks were made to nearby good examples of ridge and furrow and there were displays of our finds and field walking and the local celebrities of the 14th century. For those who like hand-on activities we ran a pottery workshop and will fire the pots in our homemade kiln. We also had a visit from the Hallaton Treasure Roadshow and people were able to make an Iron Age coin to take home. And we mustn’t forget of course the excellent tea and cakes served throughout the day by our catering team. In all about 120 people attended.
Copies of Furlong & Furrow can be obtained from Steve Allen on 01858 433021
For information on St Mary in Arden gravestone database please contact Muriel Bibby on 01858 465793
If you would like to join the Fieldwalking team please contact Rosemary Culkin 01858 463079.
May 2011
Whit Walk
For many years, in medieval times, it was the custom for religious processions from the villages in this area to make their way to the old church of St Mary in Arden at Whitsun to collect the holy chrism oil and take it back to their own parishes for use in baptism, confirmation and consecration. Normally this would have been a time of great celebration and friendship and an occasion to meet up with people from other neighbourhoods. However in 1264, during the Baron’s Revolt, things went horribly wrong.
Probably in that year people from Kibworth came with armed men in attendance as this was in the middle of civil strife in the country. Kibworth supported De Montfort and local soldiers fresh from the victory at Lewes when the King Henry III had been captured almost certainly would have been part of the procession. The subsequent fight and killing at St Mary in Arden was brought to light by Michael Wood’s TV series on Kibworth last year.
Great Bowden Heritage & Archaeology thought it would be good to walk with people from Kibworth in a gesture of friendship and make them very welcome at St Mary in Arden. Sadly only a late 17th century ruined chapel now remains on the site but we did our best to make it as clean and attractive as possible with a new St Mary’s banner and
floral decorations and held a short Compline service there to finish the day.
We stopped at Foxton on the way for refreshments from the village store and also at St Peter and St Paul’s church in Great Bowden where we tucked into a delicious tea with home made cakes. About 30 people took part and we also enjoyed the company of three small children and three well behaved dogs. The no 44 bus driver was a bit surprised to
see a long queue waiting for the bus at Great Bowden for the outward journey to Kibworth and people from Kibworth also took the 44 bus back to Kibworth from Market Harborough Station at the end of the day.
The sun shone and our route, although perhaps not entirely the one taken in 1264, was very pretty and the views and vistas of the Leicestershire countryside were much appreciated although quite different from those experienced by our distant ancestors in the open fields that would have existed during medieval times.
March 2011
Litter Pick – Thank You
A huge thank you to all the volunteers and FOCSA who helped on the litter pick.
The litter pick was very successful, collecting in total 26½ bags of litter as well as wheels/tyres, road signs, a sale board, cutlery tray, car parts & hyperdermic needles!
19 people volunteered over the 2 days.
Picture: Some of the bags collected from Leicester Lane.
February 2011
Good News for Great Bowden and its Separation Land
* update Thursday 3rd February 2011
Public Inquiry - Land off Berry Close, planning application
The Appeal has been dismissed.
For full details of appeal dismissal please click here.
January 2011
Village Voices with Harborough FM
Groups and Societies within Great Bowden
Wednesday 12th January - Village Hall
Harborough FM held an evening for members of all groups within the village to join them for the evening.
To let Harborough FM and its listeners know about the groups, the activities , members, socials events and characters that form the strong community of Great Bowden village.
Tenth recording in the series run by Mkt HarboroughFM 102.3 radio station.
Tell us about life in Great Bowden. It's history, wildlife, local talent, significant structures, etcetera,plus clubs and organisations and any charities they may support.
For more information telephone HFM on 01858 464 666
November 2010
Public Inquiry - Land off Berry Close, planning application
** update Thursday 4th November2010
Application No: 10/00120/OUT – Berry Close
Appeal Reference: APP/F2415/A/10/2128267/NWF
The Inquiry is now closed and the Inspector has gone away to make his decision.
Several villagers spoke and gave their objections verbally as well as the Parish Council and the Ward Councillors.
The Inquiry was well attended by concerned local residents.
We hope the decision will be made public within the next 2-6 weeks.
Application for 'Access for Development' into Separation Land EV/3
between the village of Great Bowden and Market Harborough.
September 2010
FOCSA - APPLICATION NUMBER 2010/C332/03
The Application was considered by County Hall on Thursday 16th September and regrettably permission was granted.
Still, thanks go to all residents, Parish Councillors and Ward Councillors who fought hard to oppose the applications by FOCSA and highlight the issues of the improper way in which Focsa moved onto the site without planning permission or notice to residents and also without a fully signed contract being in place with Harborough District Council.
Thanks also go to the Harborough Mail who brought the full story and facts to the Harborough distrcit.
June/July 2010
GREAT BOWDEN HERITAGE & ARCHAEOLOGY
During June and July the Archaeological Section of Great Bowden Heritage carried out two weekend excavations in the village.
The first excavation was carried out over the weekend of 26-27th June in Christchurch Paddock which is the field next to Great Bowden Cemetery. The weather was extremely hot throughout and we had to do some work under the shade of parasols.
The earthworks in the field yielded some interesting remains including a beaten earth surface with some medieval pottery and in a second pit stone foundations and cobbled surfaces probably the remains of a barn. In this second pit the pottery was slightly later probably around 1500-1600. Two trenches in the hollow which runs in a L shape through the paddock revealed a cobbled surface and was probably an old track way.
The second excavation was in the field next to Great Bowden Village Hall known as The Strip. We were looking for the remains of an old barn which was there in 1891 but of which there is no trace visible today. We succeeded in finding some stone foundations but not sufficient to determine the actual size of the barn and again we found several areas of cobbles plus medieval and later pottery sherds.
This excavation was part of the nationwide Festival of British Archaeology and was open to the public along with a display of our current projects and tea and cakes in the Village Hall on the Sunday afternoon. We estimate that we had just under 100 visitors.
This now completes the group’s digging activities for this summer and we shall turn our attention to field walking when the crops are harvested. We may also experiment with the geo-phys resistivity meter we hope to purchase in the winter months.
Both the above digs were shallow and did not require much digging once the turf was removed. However the group is urgently in need of some more muscle and additional strong diggers before we can attempt to do deeper digs. If you are interested or know anyone who is and can give up the occasional weekend for a social event involving hard physical work, please get in touch.
Rosemary Culkin, Archaeology warden
View more Images of Christchurch paddock.
View more Images of the weekend excavations. 
June2010
Green Fair information
If you were unable to attend the event but keen to find out more information please view the attachment to see who was there and how to contact them. Photos of the day are also included. (Green Fair 2010)
Energy Tips
Supplied by the BIG Switch Off Campaign which took place in October 2009
Top Tips for the Home
Top Tips for your Work Place
Typical Energy Usage for Household Appliances
Usefull information:-
Green cleaning - Bicarbonate of soda including Olive Oil, Vinegar & Lemons
Remember ‘Phil’ can buy bicarbonate of soda in bulk for you at a great price.
Which Wood Burns Best? A guide for wood burning stoves and fires. A carbon neutral way to warm your home.
June 2010
Barnardo's Collection June 2010
Thank you to all those who contributed to the collection recently.
A total of £394.39 was raised and banked to the charity.
May 2010
Great Bowden Recital Trust presents…
Junior X Factor 2010 Competition
THE RESULTS
April 2010
Great Bowden Heritage
Members of Great Bowden Heritage met up with historian Michael Wood and David Johnson from Market Harborough Historical Society on 16th April at St Mary in Arden while filming for a programme, English Story, which is about the history of Kibworth.
April 2010
Great Bowden Winners courtesy of the Neighbourhood Watch
Great Bowden was chosen as the winning bid and awarded £3,500 for a speed monitor.
Special thanks go to David French and Great Bowden Primary School for all their efforts.
April 2010
Great Bowden Heritage and Archaeology - Digging at The Heights.
24th April 2010
We had glorious weather for our first day of digging at The Heights where we and the property owners had already found many sherds of Roman pottery.
We found several more sherds in the pit we dug and one sherd of Samian ware
which is rather unusual.
No diggers - it must be tea break!! & The first pit amongst the tulips.
The excavation in full swing & Searching for finds on one of the spoil tips.
It 's hard work in the sunshine. & When you have finished you have to backfill the trench.
And then stamp it down.
May 2010
APPLICATION BY FOCSA SERVICES (UK) LTD
Application refused
Full information will be available soon. It is understood operating hours were a main factor.
April 2010
PLANNING APPLICATION 10/00120/OUT
LAND OFF BERRY CLOSE
The application was refused permission at the planning committee meeting last night.
Tuesday 13th April 2010.
January 2010
LIBERAL Democrat Phil Knowles has won the Great Bowden and Arden by-election
The result was:
Barry Champion (Cons) - 598 votes
Phil Knowles (Lib Dem) - 966
Majority: 378
Voter turnout: 27.8 per cent.
http://www.harboroughmail.co.uk/news/BREAKING-NEWS-Lib-Dems-win.6022844.jp
January 2010
APPLICATION BY FOCSA SERVICES (UK) LTD
The Parish Council have been notified that the application by FOCSA Services for parking and storing of refuse vehicles, provision of a vehicle workshop and bulking of dry recyclable materials at Tin House Farm / N P Timber, Welham Lane has now been received by the County Council.
The County Council’s Identity Number for the Application is 2009/C168/03. The deadline for comments is now CLOSED (25th Jan)
A copy of this application can be viewed and downloaded via the following link www.leics.gov.uk/eplanning_searchform.htm then entering the above application number and clicking search.
The officer dealing with the application is Miss Jennifer Shaw and she can be contacted on 0116 305 7054
November 2009
New owners of Welton's introduce themselves
Our names are Nicky and Milan, and we moved to the village, just over 2 years ago.
We both have full-time jobs, so we are hoping the current staff will remain in the business, and help us to build on Welton's good name.
We will be extending the product ranges over the coming weeks and months.
We hope to be able to offer:-
Fine wines, Port and speciality beers.
Dry Cleaning-drop off and collection service.
Internet, fax, scan and copying service.
Fruit and Veg-with delivery service of weekly boxes.
We are also going to continue with the tea room and hopefully build on this.
We are also planning to open later, to offer as much convenience to the village as possible.
I think we all agree the Post Office is a necessity for everyone.
We look forward to providing a great service in Great Bowden.
Nicky & Milan
Welton's Opening Hours Information Tel: 01858 465433 or Email: nicky@weltonsdeli.com
November 2009
New - Crime Map
A new crime mapping service has just been launched which also give the details of the local police team. The link is below and can also be found on the Neighbourhood Watch page for future reference.
Crime Map for Great Bowden and Arden Ward
The site will take a moment to open.
November 2009
Waste site decision handed over |
|
A decision on the site of a Leicestershire waste collection depot has been handed to the county council. Focsa Services UK Ltd, wanted to store vehicles and some waste at the compound on Welham Road, Great Bowden, but faced opposition from nearby residents. Harborough District Council, which uses the firm for some services, was to consider the planning application. Now officials said after obtaining legal advice they decided to hand the matter to the county council. Those objecting to the new depot had insisted it was unsafe to have it so close to the busy A6. |
|
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/8359701.stm
GREAT BOWDEN PARISH COUNCIL
FOCSA
- Parish Council - Full Response (PDF, 203 Kb)
Great Bowden Parish Council's response on the issue of Focsa, their application for planning after moving onto the site and the concerns for Great Bowden and it's community.
http://greatbowden.leicestershireparishcouncils.org/19265.html
5th November 09 - Residents left angry after meeting no-show
29th October 09 - 'Secret' Waste Site Slammed
22 October 2009 - Compost centre could have new site on farm
Leicestershire villagers in uproar over waste depot operation
October 2009
Great Bowden Visual Arts Group
Fourth Annual Art Exhibition
We would like to say a big Thank You! to the exhibitors and visitors who supported our fourth
Annual Art Exhibition, making it a great success.
Standing in a sea of exhibition space next to an island of flat pack display screens with only a few hours to put them together was daunting. Luckily, as a team we worked intuitively together….. we all knew it was time for coffee! The exhibitors arrived later that day and by the time each item had been placed it had become a very inspiring place to be. We looked forward to opening at 10 am the next morning.
With the exhibits generating a buzz of appreciation, conversation and debate amongst nearly 250 visitors during the course of the weekend, stewarding was both fascinating and rewarding. Sitting behind a desk for that length of time is not usually such an engaging experience!
The People’s Choice vote was a tie between Karen Harrison’s “Sheep” and Jan Nelson’s “Breeze on the Water” – you all voted with such enthusiasm, thank you!
We look forward to seeing you again next year.
Liz Denness
Publicity Officer
On behalf of Karen and Paul Harrison, Kay and James Carpenter
Great Bowden Visual Arts Group
October 2009
Local Development Plan
Housing - Future of district – ‘best way forward’
Residents who helped the council plan for future development in the district can now view what is being considered as the best way forward.
The key points emerging from the potential strategy are:
- 30% of future housing in the district will be located at the Leicester fringe, the majority of which will be close to the A6.
40% to Market Harborough, the majority of which will be to the north west of the town, and 30% spread between other settlements. Rural development will be limited to that which supports affordable housing, local services and local employment.
- New shops and other services will be created in existing retail centres. There will be limited new business and industrial land.
- There will be greater emphasis on 'river corridors' and so-called 'green wedges', which are areas of green space between urban areas which help separate developments, as well as maintain their character and identity.
In January, a six week consultation will begin to get residents' views on the Core Spatial Strategy draft, which is currently being finalised.
View the document at www.harborough.gov.uk/corestrategy or click here.
Core Spatial Strategy -Towards a Final Draft - October 2009
All information above taken from HDC dedicated page.
October 2009
Litter Pick
Thank you to all who helped with the Litter Pick on Saturday 10th October
July 2009
Great Bowden Heritage & Archaeology
Archaeological test pitting at Great Bowden
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th July 2009
We dug a total of 6 metre square test pits in different parts of the village with the kind permission of the landowners. We were very lucky as the weather stayed fine on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons and we only got wet on Friday evening when we dug one pit in advance. Pete Liddle, the County Community Archaeologist visited the site on Saturday afternoon.
We had approximately 130 visitors who went round some, or all, of the dig sites and most of whom enjoyed the tea and cakes in the Village Hall afterwards. Both children and adults joined in sieving the spoil tips to look for finds. Finds were more or less what we expected a good deal of post-medieval and medieval pottery with a few bits of metal, mostly nails, and animal bones, worked flint, and the clinker type remains of metalworking in one pit with burnt brick. One site yielded an interesting substantial stone floor at one metre depth. This may be the floor of a building or a courtyard but because of its depth is very old and will require further investigation by Great Bowden Heritage and Archaeology. Unfortunately the only finds associated with the floor are metal; a part of a horseshoe, a piece of lead and a thin strip of copper, all of which make dating very difficult until further evidence is found.
The Archive section of the Heritage Group will process and identify the finds and they will then be sent to the Archaeologists at County Hall for verification. Finally the finds will be returned to the owners of the land where the pits were dug. Great Bowden Heritage and Archaeology would like to thank everyone who visited and supported the event.
Rosemary Culkin
Archaeological Warden for Great Bowden
For Pictures - please click image below
ongoing
Great Bowden Cemetery Project
Alf Herbert, resident of Great Bowden has spent well over a year raising awareness of the flooding and poor maintenance of the cemetery in Dingley Road.
Clearing of undergrowth, Ivy and planting of a wildflower area, recording and collating information about the site has been undertaken by Alf and many dedicated residents of Great Bowden inclduing Parish Councillors.
The District Council are also involved in helping to improve the situation.
All information gathered can be viewed on the link below as well as all the photographic evidence taken.
Great Bowden Cemetery Project - Link
ongoing
Planning in the District
Future of district – ‘best way forward’
Residents who helped the council plan for future development in the district can now view what is being considered as the best way forward.
The key points emerging from the potential strategy are:
- 30% of future housing in the district will be located at the Leicester fringe, the majority of which will be close to the A6.
40% to Market Harborough, the majority of which will be to the north west of the town, and 30% spread between other settlements. Rural development will be limited to that which supports affordable housing, local services and local employment.
- New shops and other services will be created in existing retail centres. There will be limited new business and industrial land.
- There will be greater emphasis on 'river corridors' and so-called 'green wedges', which are areas of green space between urban areas which help separate developments, as well as maintain their character and identity.
In January, a six week consultation will begin to get residents' views on the Core Spatial Strategy draft, which is currently being finalised.
View the document at www.harborough.gov.uk/corestrategy or click here.
Core Spatial Strategy -Towards a Final Draft - October 2009
All information above taken from HDC dedicated page.
http://www.greatbowden.org/GreatBowdenPlanningforthefuture.php
February 2009
Snowmen of Great Bowden 2009
February 2009 brought snow and the snowmen builders!
All Year - 2008
Village Festival 2008
Village Festival page including articles and picture gallery for the events
October 2008
Local Village Hall Triumphs at UK Environment Awards
click image to enlarge
The recently completed Great Bowden Village Hall was announced as the Overall Winner at the Biffaward Awards 2008 - a prestigious national awards ceremony held on 09 October, on board HMS Belfast, London.
Great Bowden Village Hall’s successful application to Biffaward for £50,000 formed part of a larger project to build a safer and modern village hall, improving the environment for existing users and attracting future users. Against stiff competition, the project was chosen to go forward to the final round of the annual Biffaward Awards. Great Bowden Village Hall competed against six other projects to become the winner of the Buildings for Community and Culture category, receiving an exclusively designed trophy and a prize of a further £2,000 towards its work.
Great Bowden Village Hall then went on to be chosen as the Overall Winner, and receiving a further exclusive trophy, and a cheque for £5,000. Judges praised the project for its high levels of community involvement and sustainability.
Biffaward, which is managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, distributes landfill tax funding to environmental and community projects across the UK. Since 1997, hundreds of communities and wildlife habitats have been awarded funding. Its annual awards ceremony recognises the achievements of the diverse projects which have used their funding to make a real difference.
Tim Lowth, Chairman of Biffaward, was guest speaker at the ceremony. He said: “The Biffaward Awards is an opportunity to applaud those who have had the determination and commitment to make a real difference to their local communities and environments and I congratulate everyone involved in this project.
2008 celebrates the landmark of £100 million in funding awarded through the Landfill Community Fund. This has gone towards hundred projects, and winners like Great Bowden Village Hall are excellent examples of funding going to support local communities in improving their environments.
Biffaward supports a huge range of projects the length and breadth of the UK and we gain a great deal of satisfaction from providing funding which can help to improve people’s lives and environments in so many different ways. This year’s winners will provide inspiration for even more groups to benefit from this funding in the future.”
10 Years On - Historic Information Article - Village Appraisal 1998
Link to 'A Brief History of Great Bowden' and 'A Great Bowden Chronology 1086 - 1998'
Information taken from Village Appraisal book 1998
A Brief History by Prof. H Arthur Jones
Chronology compiled by Michael C Brown
Any Information?
Pictures kindly provided by Richard Bradshaw.
In the Bowden Theatricals one my grandmother Vera, is the girl laying down on the right, in the Bowden school juniors she is the blonde girl standing on the far right.
Do you know anyone else in these pictures? If you do let us know at greatbowden@aol.com
click to enlarge pictures
Jack Pitts 1909, Bowden Theatricals, Bowden School Juniors
Bowden Coronation Festivities & Harborough Show 1897 cup inscription
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