Welcome to the Village of Great Bowden
The beautiful village of Great Bowden lies on the edge of the Welland Valley and has a past history dating back to Anglo Saxon times.
Great Bowden still enjoys a village way of life and to this day has retained itself by largely remaining within its ancient boundaries. Surrounded by attractive countryside and separation of settlements land, Great Bowden has a unique relationship with its larger neighbour, Market Harborough.
The village’s picturesque centre consists of beautiful greens, shops, pubs, the village hall and our historic church.
With a population of approximately 1000, Great Bowden has an active Parish Council, a variety of services, a host of clubs/groups, two pre-schools and a primary school.
If you would like to know more about the history of Great Bowden and its Heritage, please go to Groups. The Historical Society or Archaeological & Heritage Group can provide a wealth of information.
For the latest news please view the current Village Newsletter which includes a Diary of events for all groups/societies.
Sutton Road & Dingley Road
Select event for venue & further information.
Add forthcoming event Information/reports
News & Information
Crime-Busting residents get their reward
Neighbourhood Watch scheme of Great Bowden
Recognition has been awarded to David French & Alistair Swatridge for the village of Great Bowden residents for their efforts to fight the tide of crime.
Please see full Harborough Mail article from Thursday 8th May 2008 - Click Here
Enter the X Factor
Closing Date 16th May 2008 (see full information below or on festival page)
THANK YOU !
Great Bowden Litter Pick Volunteers
The litter pick undertaken on Saturday 5th April was very successful. Several bags of discarded rubbish and litter were collected from some of the entrances to the village. The volunteers met outside Weltons at 9am and split into teams after being given the appropriate equipment for the task.
The volunteers worked hard until 11.30 when the weather turned.
If you would like to volunteer for a future litter pick, then please do get in touch with the Compass Group via the website and we will be in touch.
Thank you again to all involved. Pictures kindly supplied by Rosemary Culkin. (Click to enlarge)
Great Bowden Cemetery Project
NEW UPDATES ADDED (22nd April 08) concerning the Ivy Clearing Project and Yew Tree information
Alf Herbert, resident of Great Bowden has spent almost a year raising awareness of the flooding and poor maintenance of the cemetery in Dingley Road. Alf has undertaken clearing of undergrowth, planting a wildflower area, recording and collating information about the site. The Parish & District Councils as well as many villagers 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.
http://www.greatbowden.org/GreatBowdenCemeteryProject.php
If anyone would like to help in anyway please do get in touch via the website's contact page or email greatbowden@aol.com
Enter the X Factor
As part of the Great Bowden Village Festival 2008, the festival commitee has organised a musical competition, The X Factor for all young singers and musicians in the area with prizes of up to £500.
If you say 'yes' to each of the following, send your entry form to us today. (entry form below)
- live within 7 miles of Great Bowden
- sing or play a musical instrument
- perform on your own or with a band or group
Dates & venues of age group heats & finals as follows:
- under 11 year olds - 15th June from 1pm, Great Bowden Village Hall
- 11-14 year olds - 29th June from 1pm, Great Bowden Village Hall
- 15-18 year olds - 20th July from 1pm, Great Bowden Village Hall
- FINALS - 23rd August 6pm, St Peter & St Paul Church, Great Bowden
Closing Date 16th May 2008
Great Bowden Village Festival 2008
It has become a village tradition to hold a festival in Great Bowden every four years. 2008 is a festival year. The Festival begins in February and a series of events will take place throughout the year. The purpose of the festival is to celebrate the village. We hope that the festival will also raise some money for village charitable causes. The village hall refurbishment and the village sign both benefited from contributions made following previous festivals.
To view all forthcoming events and to read the Newsletter in full, please click the link below.
http://www.greatbowden.org/GreatBowdenVillageFestival2008.php
Village Festival Wall Planner - download
Village Festival 2008 - Pancake Race
Archaeology & Heritage Group
Great Bowden Heritage - The Winter Months gives all an insight into work carried out during this period. Report compiled 30 January 2008.
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
Great Bowden Primary School PTA - Plant Sale
We will be having a Plant Sale with a book stall, cake stall and cream tea's on Saturday 24th May at the Village Hall. We are looking for helpers to do a leaflet drop around the village a few weeks before the sale asking for any old books, video's etc, we will also need help collecting items a week later.
If anyone is having a clear out at home and has unwanted books, video's or DVD's we are happy to collect and store these now for you. Please contact Rebecca Winship on 01858 535933 if you are able to help or have any donations.
Also the school is collecting Sainsbury's vouchers (Active Kids) and have in the past been able to exchange these for very useful equipment. We would welcome any vouchers you may have at all by passing them onto the school or to a pupil.
Thank you - The PTA of Great Bowden Primary School
The Local Development Framework (LDF) - Character Assessment
A short while ago a report was mentioned 'Landscape Character Assessment 2007', undertaken by HDC, which had appeared on their website. As some may be unaware of this work and others may be concerned about its content I thought it worthwhile obtaining more detail. I have now finished my 'probing' and enclose a note, which puts the LRA in context. The contact point for the report detail is:
http://www.harborough.gov.uk/ppimageupload/Image59408.PDF all pages -
We need to be aware, not panic and ensure we keep our ears to the ground, which I am sure our 'front line' councillors will do.
Report Link
Information and report by John Hunt
View up Station Road
* Population figures taken from the 2001 census give a total of 954 residents within Great Bowden Parish. Since 2001 new properties have been built on the site of the old Countryman pub as well as on Langton Road and more recently the conversion of Bishops House into apartments. Great Bowden Parish 2001 Census of Population.
Documents available to download on this site are saved in PDF format. You will need Adobe Reader to view them. Click the link below to download the software.
