Kibworth facts for kids
Kibworth is a place in Leicestershire, England. It is made up of two villages: Kibworth Beauchamp and Kibworth Harcourt. In 2011, Kibworth Beauchamp had about 5,433 people, and Kibworth Harcourt had about 990 people. The villages are mostly separated by the main train line. Kibworth is close to interesting places like Foxton Locks, Market Harborough, and Leicester.
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History of Kibworth
In 1270, a man named Walter de Merton bought a large part of Kibworth Harcourt. He was the person who started Merton College, Oxford, a famous university college. He bought the land from Saer de Harcourt. Saer had to sell it because he supported a losing side in a war called the "Second Barons' War". This war was led by Simon de Montfort.
Most of Kibworth Harcourt still belongs to Merton College today. You can see a special stained-glass window in the local church, St Wilfrid's. It shows Walter de Merton. The church is a very old and important building.
A village school was started in 1709. It received money from Sir Nathaniel Edwards to help it run.
Kibworth Harcourt was the birthplace of a famous writer named Anna Laetitia Barbauld (1743–1825). Her brother, John Aikin, was also born here. Their father, also named John Aikin, was a teacher. He ran a special school in Kibworth and was a church leader nearby. The family moved away in 1757.
On July 23, 1825, the old tower and spire of St Wilfrid's church fell down.
Kibworth's Story on TV
In September 2010, Kibworth was the main focus of a TV show. It was called Michael Wood's Story of England. The show was presented by Michael Wood. It told the history of England by looking at the story of Kibworth. This documentary was shown on BBC Four and BBC Two.
A book with the same name was also published. People said the TV series was like "Who Do You Think You Are?" but for a whole community. Local people formed a group called the Kibworth Improvement Team (KiT). They made a new website. They also received money to continue the show's legacy. They created a guide booklet for visitors. They also put up information panels around the villages. They made study materials for local schools. They also started a digital archive, like a "Virtual Museum."
Things to Do in Kibworth
Kibworth has many shops. These include two charity shops. There is also a local newspaper called The Kibworth & District Chronicle. Since 2002, new shops have opened, including a Co-Op supermarket. New houses are still being built on the edge of the village. This sometimes causes discussions among residents.
The Bookshop opened on the High Street in 2009. In 2012, it won an award for being the best independent bookshop in the region.
Kibworth is also home to a secondary school called Kibworth Mead Academy.
On September 8, 2024, a new skatepark opened in Kibworth. It was built during the year. The skatepark is one of the newest fun places for people to visit. A new zipwire also opened recently.
Getting Around Kibworth
Bus services connect Kibworth to other towns. Arriva Midlands runs a bus route between Leicester and Market Harborough. Stagecoach Midlands runs a route between Leicester and Northampton. Both routes go through Kibworth. The main train line runs through the area. However, the Kibworth railway station closed in 1968.
Sports and Fun
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Cricket
It is not clear exactly when Kibworth Cricket Club started. But people were playing cricket in the villages as early as 1846. The club moved to its new ground in 2006. Kibworth Cricket Club has been very successful. They have won 13 County championship titles. They also won the ECB National Club Cricket Championship twice, in 2004 and 2008.
Kibworth has four senior teams that play in a top league. They also have a women's team. The club has a strong junior training section. Young players compete in the Leicestershire Youth League.
Football
The local football club used to be called Kibworth and Smeeton. In 2018, it changed its name to Kibworth Town. This change brought together the younger and older teams.
Other Clubs
Kibworth CE Primary School hosts Kibworth Rugby Stars. This is a rugby club for young children, from 18 months to 6 years old.
The village also has clubs for other sports. These include snooker, tennis, golf, bowls, and dance.
Kibworth Harcourt Mill
The mill is a very old and important building. It last worked in the 1930s. Until 1936, it was owned by Merton College, Oxford. Then, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) took over its care. The mill was repaired between 2020 and 2021. This cost £350,000. Parts of the mill are from "at least 1711." It is the last working post mill in Leicestershire.
Famous People From Kibworth
Many notable people have lived in Kibworth:
- John Aikin (1713–1780) was a church leader and teacher. He lived and taught in Kibworth from 1730 to 1758.
- Anna Laetitia Barbauld (1743–1823) was a poet and writer. She wrote essays and children's books. She was born in Kibworth Harcourt.
- John Aikin (1747–1822) was a doctor and writer. He was Anna Laetitia Barbauld's brother. He was also born in Kibworth Harcourt.
- James Beresford (1764–1840) was a church leader and writer. He was the rector of Kibworth from 1812 until he died.
- Colonel John Worthy Chaplin (1840–1920) won the Victoria Cross. This is a very brave award for courage. He was buried in Kibworth New Cemetery.
- Edmund Knox (1847–1937) was a church leader. He was the rector of Kibworth from 1884 to 1891.
- Samuel Perkins Pick (1858–1919) was an architect. He studied at Kibworth Grammar School.
- T. E. R. Phillips (1868–1942) was a church leader and astronomer. He studied planets. He was born in Kibworth.
- Wilfred Knox (1886–1950) was a church thinker. He was born in Kibworth.
- Ronald Knox (1888–1957) was a religious writer. He was born in Kibworth.
- Sir Nicholas Harold Lloyd Ridley (1906–2001) invented the Intraocular lens. This is an important invention for eye surgery. He was born in Kibworth.
- Stu Williamson (born 1956) is a photographer. He also played drums for the band The Marmalade. He lives in Kibworth.
