Evington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Evington |
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| Population | 11,133 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SK628030 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LEICESTER |
| Postcode district | LE5 |
| Dialling code | 0116 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
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Evington is a part of Leicester, a city in England. It's also an area for local elections within the Leicester district. Evington used to be a small village. It was centered around Main Street and the old St Denys church.
Because it was close to Leicester, Evington grew into one of the city's outer suburbs by the 1930s. Today, the area includes the historic village. It also has newer housing areas like Rowlatts Hill and Goodwood. In 2011, about 11,133 people lived in Evington.
Contents
Evington's Past: A Look at History
How Evington Got Its Name
The name Evington comes from an old English word. It means 'farm' or 'settlement of Eafa/Aefa'. After the Norman conquest of England, the land was given to a person named Hugh de Grentesmesnil. The first time 'Evington' was written down was in 1259. This was when Walter de Evington leased land in the village.
The original Evington area was quite large. It included places now called North Evington and Evington Valley. These parts became part of Leicester in 1892. They are not usually thought of as part of Evington today.
In 1931, the village had 1,802 people living there. In 1935, Leicester's boundaries grew again. This included almost all of Evington. Only a small piece went to Oadby. The modern Evington area also includes a large housing development from the 1950s. This area is around Downing Drive and Spencefield Lane.
The old Evington village has been a special 'conservation area' since 1989. This means its historic character is protected.
Modern Housing Areas
Rowlatts Hill is a housing area built on a hillside. It was created between 1964 and 1967. It has two tall apartment buildings and smaller houses.
Goodwood is another housing area. It was built in the 1950s. It has almost 1,000 homes. Both Rowlatts Hill and Goodwood are important parts of modern Evington.
Places to See in Evington
Evington Village Green
Evington Village Green is a triangular grassy area. It is surrounded by Main Street, High Street, and Church Street. A war memorial stands on one corner. There is also a Baptist Chapel and a building called the Manse.
The Green is a great open space for playing. It has a very old oak tree. There's also a new children's playground. The Green hosts the Evington Village Fete and Show every year.
Evington Park: Green Space for Fun
Evington Park is a large public park, about 44 acres in size. It opened in 1948. Before that, it was the private land of Evington House. Evington House was built in 1836. Today, the house is used for offices and public services.
The park has many old trees. One mulberry tree is as old as the house itself. You can find outdoor exercise machines, tennis courts, and pitches for football and cricket. There are also bowling greens. Recently, a concrete table tennis table and public toilets were added near the courts.
The Arboretum: A Tree Collection
The Arboretum was created in 1970 for public enjoyment. It's an area south of St Denys Church. It has over 500 trees. These trees are mostly planted in groups of similar types. In one part, many trees are planted as memorials to people who have passed away.
The Hollow: A Historic Site
This area is a protected historical site. It's often called 'Piggy's Hollow'. It contains the remains of moats from a manor house. This house was built in the late 1200s by John de Grey. It is next to St Denys Church.
St Denys Church: An Ancient Building
The Church of England church of St Denys has been Evington's main church for almost 800 years. It was officially opened on October 9, 1219. It is a very important old building, known as a Grade II* listed building.
The church's tower and spire are from the original building. The South and North Aisles were built in the 1300s. The Chancel was added in the 1800s. Its rare set of 4 bells was increased to six in the late 1980s. Inside, you can see three beautiful stained glass windows from 1870.
Evington Chapel: A Baptist Church
Evington Chapel is a Baptist Church. It stands on the corner of Main Street and High Street, near Evington Village Green. It was built in 1837 in a Gothic style. It also has a slate roof and is a Grade II listed building.
Masjid Umar Mosque: A Place of Worship
The Masjid Umar mosque is also known as the Evington Muslim Centre. It was finished in the year 2000. It serves as an important place of worship for the local Muslim community.
Evington's Local Services
Shopping and Community Spots
Evington has two main shopping areas. One is near the old village and includes the local library. The other is towards the northern end of Downing Drive. You can find pubs like The Cedars in the old village and The Dove in Downing Drive.
The Village Hall is a brick building on Church Lane. It is opposite St Denys Church. Its foundation stone shows it was built in 1912.
Nearby places include Goodwood, Evington Valley, Oadby, Thurnby, and Stoughton.
Sports and Healthcare
Evington is home to the Leicestershire Golf Club. This club is located south of the village. The largest employer in the area is the Leicester General Hospital. It is located near Goodwood on Coleman Road.
Local News
The Evington Echo is the community newspaper. Volunteers create it. It is delivered for free to 5,800 homes in the area. The first issue was published in 1981.
Schools in the Area
Evington has several schools for young people.
Primary schools:
- Linden Primary School
- Evington Valley Primary School
- Whitehall Primary School
- Oaklands (a special school)
- Coleman Primary School
- Krishna Avanti Primary School, Leicester
- Spinney Hill Primary School
Secondary schools:
- City of Leicester College
- St Paul's Catholic School
- Judgemeadow Community College
- Madani Schools Federation
Evington Hall is another important old building (Grade II listed). It was built around 1840. In the past, it was a convent school. Then it was part of Leicester Junior Grammar School. Now, it is part of a Hindu faith school that opened in 2011.
Getting Around Evington
Evington has regular bus services. These include Centrebus services 22A & 81 and First Leicester service 22. These buses help people travel easily around the area.
Famous People from Evington
Many well-known people have connections to Evington. England football international Emile Heskey lived here. Both Emile Heskey and Gary Lineker, a famous football player, went to the City of Leicester College in Evington.
Alastair Campbell, a former media adviser for the Labour Party, also attended the City of Leicester College. Dr Nicholas Shepherd, who helped create the internet, went there too. Emile Heskey and Nicholas Shepherd were both students at Linden Primary school in Evington.
The building that is now The Cedars pub was once the home of the novelist E. Phillips Oppenheim. The novelist J. B. Priestley stayed at North Evington Hospital in 1916 after being hurt in France during a war.
