The Kirby Muxloe History Group
Our Group was formed in 2006, with the following aims:
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To encourage public interest in the heritage of the community through a regular programme of meeting.
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To promote amongst residents and newcomers an appreciation of the history, archaeology, landscape and wildlife of the area.
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To collect information about the history of Kirby from artefacts, documents, newspapers, books, articles, photos and interviews to create a village archive.
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To assist various events taking place in the village with photographic displays.
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To encourage younger people and people new to our village, to gain a better understanding of our village history.
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To record people's memories of life in the village many years ago.
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To interact with other societies in the county and beyond with similar interests and aims. ​​
A small section of our extensive collection of photographs and memorabilia.
ARP memorabilia donated to KMHG by Janis Timson
Group Highlights
Our stall at the 2009 - Kirby Muxloe Fun Day
We support village events, such as the annual Kirby Muxloe Fun Day. The photo shows our stall in 2009, outside on the playing fields. High winds and inclement weather at such events mean that these days, we usually "pitch our stall" inside, in the Village Hall, opposite the Refreshment Area.
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We enjoy chatting to vistors to our stall about the history of our village. Sometimes, they are kind enough to bring along postcards, photographs, slides or documents relating to Kirby's past, which we gratefully copy and return.
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We are also extremely grateful for any donations of material relevant to the history and heritage of our village. In this context, "history" means anything that happened yesterday or earlier !
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Our stall in 2014 at the Beaumanor Hall Heritage Fair
We also support County events that are heritage related. The photo shows our stall at the 2014 Leicestershire Heritage Fair, held at Beaumanor Hall. These events offer the opportunity for us to share heritage information with local history groups and residents of neighbouring villages.
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Our own Photo Exhibition in 2014
From time to time, we organise exhibitions of our own like our Photographic Exhibition of 2014, held in our Village Hall.
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We were very pleased that not only did we get hundreds of people coming through the door, but many people said how much they had enjoyed the event.
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We usually bring along copying facilities to these events, so that anyone bringing along heritage items can have them copied or photographed there and then.
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2014 Visit to Bede House
In July each year, we usually organise an outing for our members, although non-members are also welcome to apply to come along too. In 2014, we visited Bede House, an English Heritage property in Lyddington.
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The lovely weather (which we didn't organise!) meant that everyone was able to walk around this very pretty village as well.
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Richard III facial reconstruction
The majority of our meetings include a talk by an external speaker. In 2015, we were fortunate to welcome Richard Buckley to talk to us about "The King under the Car Park". Richard was the Project Manager responsible for the excavation that discovered the remains of King Richard III.
Richard Buckley is a member of the Leicester University Archaeological Department, who were also responsible for the facial reconstruction of King Richard's bust, from the archaeological evidence.
Kirby Muxloe Fun Day 2009
Beaumanor Hall Heritage Fair 2014
The KMHG Photo Exhibition 2014
Visit to Bede House 2014
Richard III- talk in 2015
Our 10th Anniversary Cake
In 2016, we celebrated our 10th anniversary with a special cake at our AGM. There was plenty for everyone, with a complementary glass of wine to wash it down!
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2016 Roll Out The Barrel Event
We have a tradition of organising, in November of alternate years, a party event for our members. In 2016, it was titled "Roll Out The Barrel" and included a professional vocalist, who sang many of the familiar popular songs from years gone by. The sing along was accompanied by a pie and mash supper.
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It was an opportunity for people to eat, drink and be merry, and join in with the sing-along. History can be fun, after all !
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2017 Visit to Donnington le Heath Manor House
In July 2017, our visit was to the newly-refurbished "1620's House" at Donington le Heath.
Our excellent tour guides gave us a fascinating insight into life in the 17th century, both for the better-off and for those "below stairs".
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We learned about the Herle and Pakeman families who had connections not only to Donington, but also to our own village of Kirby Muxloe. The weather cooperated and so there was also an opportunity to stroll around the garden and maze.
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Bradgate House and Park
In 2018, we visited Bradgate Park and the ruins of Bradgate House, in the company of an expert guide.
There was something for everyone – history, archaeology, garden design, flora and fauna, and, of course, the underpinning story of the Grey Family. The fate of Lady Jane Grey will be known to most, but our guide also gave us a potted history of the background and context of the tale.
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Although the house is now in ruins, a chapel still remains and this has been used to house some exhibits that illustrate the history of the Grey family. There are some picturesque reproduction tapestries and wall coverings, in addition to the original alabaster mausoleum that honours the memory of Henry and Anne Grey.
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With a light breeze and a setting sun, it had been a lovely evening for a gentle stroll through the park. The tales of Bradgate Park, the house and the Greys made it an event to remember.
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Our 2018 Exhibition: Kirby's Past
Our 2018 Exhibition, titled "Kirby's Past", displayed many photographs not previously exhibited, as well as memorabilia connected with World Wars 1 and 2. We showed what life was like for the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Wardens, through the records that they received and created.
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Many of our visitors brought along documents and photographs, either as donations to our archives or for us to copy. These are always welcome.
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Our 10th Anniversary cake
2016 Roll out the Barrel
Visit to Bede House in 2017
Visit to'1620s House' Donington le Heath 2017
2018 Bradgate House and park visit
Exhibition in 2018
a Visit to Hough Mill in 2021
On a warm summer's evening in July 2021 we all made our way out towards Swannington to visit Hough Mill, Califat Spinney and the surrounding countryside.
The private guided tour was conducted by two very knowledgeable members of the Swannington Heritage Trust and an enjoyable time was had by all.
We split into two groups with one group visiting the Mill and the other visiting the Califat Spinney. At half time we were treated to drinks and biscuits whilst sitting in the open air and viewing the lovely surrounding countryside. After the break the groups swapped over. The guides were so informative and friendly that it made the visit very enjoyable.
Many of the group decided to climb right to the top of the mill, the last few steps being quite tricky! Fortunately all was well and we all drove home happily after a lovely evening.
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Hough Mill on a summer's evening
Photo Judith Upton
One of our guides explaining the actual working of the mill . Photo Judith Upton
Bede House visit 2014
A visit to the Guildhall in Leicester in June 2023
On June 19th 2023 we visited the Guildhall in Leicester. The Guildhall is an Grade 1 listed building and dates back over 600 years. It is one of the best preserved timber framed halls in the country; holding one of the oldest public libraries.
By the time the committee members arrived almost all of our visitors were ready and waiting! We were greeted by some lovely friendly staff and after waiting until the alloted time for our visit - our tour commenced.
Our guide was so enthusiastic and helpful describing all the rooms and contents in a very engaging manner. It was a hot day and luckily as we walked through various rooms there was time to sit and listen to the stories of this amazing building.
Eventually many of us descended the stone steps into the cellar. There on display were various grusome looking metal restraints which were used on prisoners centuries ago.
After such an interesting tour, we returned to the entrance and deposited our donations before making our way to the cafe for a welcome sit down and some light refreshments.
The Guildhall, Leicester Photograph Judith Upton
Taking a break in the Guildhall
Photograph Judith Upton
A Visit to Leicester Castle in 2024
This year we visited Leicester Castle and St Mary De Castro Church. Who knew that such a wealth of history was packed into such a small area and so close to home!
It was a pleasent sunny day and a large group gathered to be met by our tour guides for the day, Elizabeth and Matthew from De Montfort University. The 12th century Castle has centuries of diverse history, having been visited by royalty and used as a courthouse and prison. All that now remains is the Great Hall, John of Gaunt's cellars, the Motte and a lovely grassed area which grimly contains the bodies of many hanged straight from their verdict at the Courthouse. Elizabeth gave us a very engaging talk with lots of information and a few intriguing stories of courthouse happenings and we were lucky enough to be allowed to access the cells.
Back outside we passed under the Turret Gateway which separates the religious precinct from the Castle precinct, moving on to the Trinity Hospital Chapel and Herb Gardens.
We were then taken into the DMU museum which is built around the only remains of the Medieval Church of Annunciation; the museum holds both permanent and temporary exhibitions, a legacy in leather being the display at the time of our visit.
Finally we visited the wonderful St Mary De Castro church, the venue of the knighting of Henry IV and the marriage of Chaucer. This was such a chance to soak up the atmostphere of such a special place in the midst of the city centre.
Many thanks to Christine Randall for this article
The entrance to Leicester Castle
Photograph Judith Upton
Passing under the Turret Gateway
Photograph Judith Upton
Exhibition in 2018
Hough Mill on a summer's evening
Bede House visit 2014
2024/25
Programme
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Tuesday 18th March 2025
Leicester Cathedral Revealed
Matthew Morris - ULAS
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Tuesday 20th May 2025 (AGM)
Music Hall - the Singers and the Songs
Dr Ann Featherstone
Novelist & Retired University Lecturer
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Coming Soon - 2025/26 program
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