Desford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Desford |
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 St. Martin's parish church |
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 Desford
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| Population | 3,676 (2001 census) |
| OS grid reference | SK4703 |
| Civil parish |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Leicester |
| Postcode district | LE9 |
| Dialling code | 01455 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
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| Website | Desford parish council |
Desford is a village in Leicestershire, England. It is about 7 miles (11 km) west of Leicester and 7 miles (11 km) north-east of Hinckley. The village sits on a hill about 400 feet (120 meters) above sea level.
Desford also includes the small areas called Botcheston and Newtown Unthank. In 2021, about 4,592 people lived here. Desford is mentioned in the Domesday Book from 1086. Its name might mean "Deor's Ford," suggesting it's very old, from the time of the Anglo-Saxons. Another idea is that it means a "ford" (a shallow river crossing) where many wild animals visited.
Contents
History of Desford
Old Buildings and Land
About 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Desford, at a place called Lindridge, there is a rectangular moat. A moat is a wide ditch, usually filled with water, built around a castle or house for protection. This moat is up to 13 yards (12 meters) wide. It surrounds an area about 115 yards (105 meters) by 127 yards (116 meters).
In the 1800s, when the moat was drained, people found six old pots from the early 1300s. This suggests that an important building, like a manor house, once stood on the island inside the moat. This moat is now a protected historical site.
In 1261, a powerful lord named Simon De Montfort owned the land of Desford. After he died in a battle in 1265, King Henry III gave Desford to his own son, Edmund Grouchback.
The Old Hall or Old Manor House is on Desford High Street. It was built around 1600. It is made of brick and has a special timber frame. This house is a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a very important historical building.
Churches in Desford
The main church in Desford is St. Martin's Church. It has a font (a basin for baptisms) that is from the Norman period, which is very old. However, most of the church building we see today was built in the late 1200s.
The church has tall, narrow windows called lancet windows. The tower and spire were added later, around the 1300s or 1400s. In 1884, the church was restored. The tower has six bells that were made in 1912. St. Martin's is also a Grade II* listed building. The first priest of St Martin’s was recorded in 1246.
Desford also has a free church, which is a Baptist church. It was built in 1866. An even older Baptist chapel was built in 1790, but only its graveyard remains today.
How Desford Grew
Until the 1700s, most people in Desford worked in farming. They grew crops in large open fields and let their animals graze in meadows.
In 1759, a law was passed to "enclose" Desford's common lands. This meant the large open fields were divided into smaller, private farms. Before factories became common, many people in Desford worked from home. They made stockings using a special machine called a framework knitting machine. This was called a "cottage industry." Over a hundred people were framework knitters in Desford in 1851.
In the 1800s, coal mining became a big industry nearby. In 1875, people tried to dig a coal mine in Desford, but it failed because of too much water. The closest coal mine, Desford Pit, was only two miles away. Many people from Desford worked there until it closed in 1984. A large half winding wheel was put up in Lindridge Lane to remember the mine.
The Leicester and Swannington Railway was built through Desford in 1832. It was first used to carry coal from the mines to Leicester. Desford railway station was built to serve the village. Today, the railway line only carries goods, not passengers.
Today, Caterpillar Inc. has a large factory in Desford. It is a major employer for people in the area.
Local Pubs
Over the years, Desford has had many pubs. Some of the old names include The Blacksmiths Arms and The Red Lion. Today, only two pubs are still open: The Lancaster and The Blue Bell Inn. The building of The Roebuck can still be seen, but it is now a private home. The White Horse Inn is now an Italian restaurant.
Desford Aerodrome
South of Desford, there used to be an airport called Desford Aerodrome. It was first mentioned in 1929. By 1936, it was a flying training school. Pilots learned to fly planes like the De Havilland Tiger Moth. They even used an early type of flight simulator.
During World War Two, the aerodrome was an RAF training center. After the war, a company developed a new training aircraft called the R.S.3 Desford here.
Today, the old aerodrome site has been turned into an industrial area. This is where the large Caterpillar Inc. factory is located.
Things to Do in Desford
Desford has several places for people to enjoy.
- There are three pubs in the wider area: The Blue Bell and Lancaster Arms in Desford, and The Greyhound in Botcheston.
- Desford has a primary school and a secondary school called Bosworth Academy.
- You can find an Italian restaurant, a public library, and a sports club.
- Tropical Birdland is a fun place to visit. It has many different kinds of birds and is located in Lindridge Lane.
- There are two Co-Operative shops, a local store that also serves as the post office, a Fish and Chip takeaway, and an Indian takeaway. There is also a café called the "Food Room."
Sport in Desford
"Sport in Desford" (SiD) is a charity that manages a large sports area. It was started in 1988. They have developed a 5-acre (2-hectare) site with a clubhouse, a Scout Hall, and tennis courts.
Parks and Green Spaces
The local council looks after several open spaces for everyone to use:
- The Pickard Recreation Area: This park was given to the village for young children. It has play equipment, a grassy area with trees, and seating.
- The Kirkby Road Recreation Area: This is a large grassy area near the primary school. It has space for two football pitches and play equipment for both younger and older children. Seating is also available here.
See also
In Spanish: Desford para niños
