Glen Parva facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glen Parva |
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 Whetstone Lane lock on the Grand Union Canal |
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 Glen Parva
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| Population | 17,189 |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LEICESTER |
| Postcode district | LE2 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
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Glen Parva is a village and civil parish in Leicestershire, England. It is located in the Blaby district and has a population of over 17,000 people. In 2011, about 17,189 people lived in Glen Parva, including a part of Eyres Monsell.
Glen Parva is very close to Leicester city centre. This means it is considered part of the larger Leicester Urban Area. It is also near other towns like Aylestone and South Wigston. You can find it about 4.5 miles south of Leicester city centre. It's also close to Fosse Shopping Park, which is a very large shopping area.
The village is mostly a place where people live. It does not have big shopping malls or entertainment centres. However, there are some smaller shops at a place called Carvers Corner. Here you can find a newsagent, a post office, a chemist, and a barber shop. There is also a place to buy sandwiches and a members-only club.
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A Look at Glen Parva's Past
The first settlement in Glen Parva was likely near a river crossing called The Ford. This spot is now known as Glen Ford. There is good evidence that a medieval village once stood here. The name "Glen Parva" means "little Glen." This helps to tell it apart from Great Glen, which is sometimes called Glen Magna.
In 1881, Glen Parva Barracks were opened. These became an important military base in the 1960s. A part of Eyres Monsell was later included in the parish of Glen Parva. This happened when Bolton-Eyres Monsell bought the land. The area is named after him. The Glen Parva Parish Council helps manage this area along with the Leicester City Council.
Carvers Corner, where many of the local shops are, is named after the Carver family. Stephen James Harold Carver and his son Stephen Graham Carver owned the shops there. They also ran the post office and newsagents until the late 1980s.
Places to Visit and Things to Do
Glen Parva has several useful facilities for its residents.
- Local Park: The village park has lots of things to do. You can find recreational equipment for playing. There is also an astroturf pitch with a football goal and a basketball hoop.
- Memorial Hall: The park also has a memorial hall. It has been recently made bigger and more modern. This hall can now be used for parties, wedding receptions, and other events.
- Scout Hut: Behind the memorial hall, there is a Scout hut. This is home to the local 62nd Leicester Scout group.
The village has two nurseries for young children. There is also Glen Hill Primary School. This school used to be in two different places. Now, all the students learn at the Featherby site. The old Cork Lane site was sold for building houses.
Glen Parva is also home to HMYOI Glen Parva. This is a place where young people who have broken the law go. Even though it is within Glen Parva's boundaries, it is separated from the main village by a railway line. You can only get to it from Tigers Road in South Wigston. The Knightsbridge Road estate was built to house the officers who worked at this facility. Today, these houses are all privately owned.
There is a footbridge over the railway line. It can be reached by a path behind the houses at the end of Knightsbridge Road. This bridge used to connect the estate to the young offenders' institute. However, it is no longer used and has a locked gate.
Eyres Monsell has two primary schools: Eyres Monsell Primary School and Rollsten Primary School. The pork pie library used to be in the Eyres Monsell area. It is now part of the saffron ward in Leicester.
Natural and Historic Landmarks
Several important waterways pass near Glen Parva.
- Canals and Rivers: The Grand Union Canal and the River Sence both flow to the south of the village. To the west, you will find the River Soar.
- Old Railway Line: The Great Central Railway used to run through Glen Parva. This old railway route has now been turned into a paved path. It is part of the National Cycle Network - route 6. This path is popular for walking, cycling, and even horse riding. It leads directly into Leicester's city centre.
- Nature Reserve: East of the village, there is the Glen Parva Local Nature Reserve. This is a special place where nature is protected.
Well-Known People from Glen Parva
Glen Parva has been home to some interesting people:
- Robert Cruickshank: He was a hero in World War One and won the Victoria Cross. He lived in Glen Parva for many years until he passed away.
- Tom Ford: This professional snooker player was born in Glen Parva.
- Jonathan Morgan: He is a semi-professional association football player. He later became the manager of Leicester City W.F.C. and lives in the village.
- Sue Townsend: This famous author wrote the popular Adrian Mole books. She grew up in Glen Parva. Many people think that the places and characters in her books were based on local spots and people.
