The Beautiful Parts of Leicester no-one seems to talk about!

Hello Dear Readers,

Here, after a little delay, is the post as promised.

I recently went back to Leicester for a little wonder around. I took my camera with me because I was keen to shown you some of the more picturesque parts of the city I lived in for three years.

Now, I know you might be scoffing - you might might well say that beauty and Leicester City Centre are mutually contradictory terms. You would have a point; but there are some rather beautiful bits in amongst the 'grimness'.

And before you ask, no I am not talking about the ubiquitous shopping facilities in Leicester. Although they are perfectly pleasant as far as they go (especiallg John Lewis), I can find perfectly good shops elsewhere.

No, what can't my interest this time, was some of the interesting buildings that make the city environment far richer than many would have you believe. There are, for example, Medieval Survivals that are dotted about the city, as well as other buildings of historical interest.

There is the old town hall and city court, with its wonderful beams and Middle Ages demenour. I have put that on the top of the page to attact attention. Although it is now simply a museum about social history, it was used as the main court and meeting place of the council well into Victorian Times. I believe that it was the main Civic Centre in Leicester until 1873, which when you think about the all the industrial buildings that sprang up around it, seems all the more remarkable that it survived so long. It is open most days and is next to the cathedral.

The Unitarian Church is an exceptionally fine example of Eighteenth Century religious architecture. The symmetry, emphasis on reason, the use of pillars in a classical style, tapered windows mixed with square windows, all align to give the impression of a building based on reason and religious impulses. The use of red brick reminds one that at the time, not using stone for a church was quite a break with tradition, emphasising the novelty of the Unitarian perspective in 1780, or so: essentially that you can be a Christian without believing in the Trinity. From the perspective I have taken it, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a country house, but if you visit the building in Leicester, you will see the grave yard and former school rooms which surround it. In about 1900 or so, there would have been a great many people connected with the church, since it provided schools rooms, assistants for parents in the area and of course, the functions of a place of worship. The chruch continues to be a place of worship for modern day Unitarians still based around Great Meeting in Leicester.

Then, there is the very interesting St. Mary Le Castro - a very fine example of a Medieval Romanesque church - it could be out of text book of 'how to build like its 1100 AD'. The arches above the windows simply ache with the period! Walking around the building was atmospheric in the extreme. You could imagine that people such as Simone De Montfort, King John, John of Gaunt, Henry VIII and very possibly seen this church; and even more impressively, it has hardly changed over that time! Its well worth a visit - but check its open before you go - it seems to be open for about an hour one day a week!

Finally, there is the Newarke Museum. Although the contents of the museum are hardly worth a special visit, being comprised of little bits of Leicester history in only passing depth, the front of the building is very smart. The museum is also free, so, if you find yourself in the East Midlands why not - but don't make a special visit for the musuem. The churches, on the other hand are special!

Moving to the Midlands

Not long now until M-day. By 'M' day, I mean of course, I am Moving to the Midlands; which I am quite looking forward to. I went for a walk around Leicester the other week, and I was impressed by the city and its amenities owing to the fairly copious number of museums and also the number of shops and shopping areas. I was also rather impressed by the Sainsbury petrol station there, the busiest in the country, with a mere 30 pumps if you please. The branch is so busy that it never closes being open 24 hours a day. Customers are allowed into the shop throughout the night, whilst the staff are kept safe by a floor to ceiling glass enclosure much like a bank. I am sure other cities in the Midlands will be the subjects of visits before long. Having been to Brighton, Bath, Winchester and Salisbury, which are fairly southern based, it will be nice to visit the midland equivalents, Warwick perhaps, Worcester and dare one say it Birmingham.
On other matters, one piece of good news, one piece of bad news. The bad news is that W.F. Deedes, subject of one of the first personality of the week articles, has died. Cafe Lumiere sends its condolences to his family and hopes Deedes has found there to be the afterlife which he believed in.
It is also Stephen Fry's 50th birthday and the BBC has set up a website to celebrate. You can find out more at http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/features/stephen-fry.shtml. Enjoy...!