Leicester was my home for many years, it’s the place that I did most of my schooling, wallowed in fashion, established a career, overindulged in alcohol, learned the art of driving and most of all created lifelong friends
Leicester City established in the roman times and continues to be a growing city. Leicester is very diverse city today due immigration, starting with post war; polish servicemen did not return to Poland and economic migrants were arriving from the Ireland. In the 60’s, Indians started to arrive and in the 70’s Asians from Kenya and Uganda. In the 90’s Somalian’s and then there was influx of Eastern Europeans when the European Union expanded in 2004.
The city was once known for its engineering, shoemaking and hosiery industries but as time has gone on, companies have sought cheaper manufacturing in other parts of the world killing UK manufacturing.
Leicester is in the East Midlands region of the UK
Jewry Wall Museum
The museum grounds contain one of Leicester’s most famous landmarks, the Jewry Wall, part of the Roman town’s public baths. It is one of the tallest surviving pieces of Roman masonry in the country.
Holy Cross Primary School.
My first school in Leicester was founded in 1824 by Dominican Fathers at another site in the city. The school has been at its current location for just over 40 years old, nevertheless the school is 90 years old today.
Leicester Market
A perfect saturday job seeing me through college, I loved the atmosphere and banter between the traders. This job was the start of some amazing friendships and drinking buddies for future nights out. Leicester Market is about 800 years old and is the largest outdoor covered market in Europe. There is an indoor market containing a fish market and delicatessen, as well as stalls selling clothes, haberdashery, footwear, jewellery, gemstones, and confectionery.
The Clock Tower
A major monument and popular meeting point in the centre of Leicester. A Grade 2 Listed Building built in 1868 as a traffic island The Clock Tower was designed by Joseph Goddard who won a competition and constructed of Ketton stone and Montsorrel granite.
There is four benefactors depicted on the Clock Tower are:
Simon De Montfort (c.1208-1265). Earl of Leicester
William Wyggeston (1467-1536), a wealthy wool merchant; twice mayor of Leicester; MP for Leicester 1504, founder of Wyggeston’s Hospital.
Sir Thomas White (1492-1567). A native of Reading, he endowed various Midlands towns, including Leicester, with £40, to be used for interest free loans to young men to establish themselves in business. These funds having greatly appreciated since the 16th century, loans are still administered by local trustees.
Alderman Gabriel Newton (1683-1762), woolcomber, mayor of Leicester in 1732. After the death of his only son, he used much of his wealth to provide educational facilities for the poorer children of the town.
Leicester De Montfort University
De Montfort University is named after Simon De Montfort one of the benefactor on the Clock Tower. It is also the university that I did my first degree, I can still remember being accepted on to the course. I was the only girl and I had an amazing time at De Montfort Uni
In the UK, we use the term pub crawl, basically we don’t stay in one pub all night. I started to look for some old photos of the pubs that I used to frequent but it became apparent that there was way to many to list. Giggles 😃 I shall just show my readers a photo of my local public house and maybe do another blog in a few weeks listing some of the venues to reminisce with friends/bloggers.
The Midland Public House
“The Mid” as it was known, was a fantastic pub with lots of atmosphere, especially the bar. It was wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I have fond memories of the place and its characters. I understand that the building got planning consent for change of use from public house to 14 flats. There is so many impressive buildings around Leicester, that I’m going to blog about them separately over the next few months.
Leicester is renowned for some delightful food.
Pork Pie
The Melton Mowbray pork pie is named after Melton Mowbray, a town in Leicestershire. Pork pies became popular among fox hunters in the Melton Mowbray during the late eighteenth century.
Red Leicester Cheese
It used to be called Leicestershire Cheese, after the county in which it was originally made, but is now called Red Leicester
Stilton Cheese
The blue vein cheese was established in Leicestershire village in the eighteenth century.
Walkers Crisps
Founded in 1948 by Henry Walker of Leicester. Walkers crisps has 58% of the British market
Leicester has provided some famous faces/celebrities too
Kate O’Mara – Actress
Kate O’Mara was born Frances Meredith Carroll on August 10, 1939 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England.
Graham Chapman – Actor/Writer
Graham Chapman was born on January 8, 1941 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England.
Sue Townsend – Writer
Susan Lillian “Sue” Townsend was born 2 April 1946 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England.
Gary Lineker – Former Footballer/sports Broadcaster
Gary Winston Lineker, OBE was born 30 November 1960 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England.
There is too many celebrities to name but I hope it gives a little insight to Leicester.
zebrakat 
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