Artist's work explores Leicestershire’s past

A free temporary exhibition exploring the work of John Flower, one of Leicestershire's greatest 19th century illustrators is currently on display at Melton Carnegie Museum.

John Flower worked during the nineteenth century and produced a wonderful array of watercolours and sketches, and was chiefly known for his architectural drawings, many of which were of buildings in Leicester and Leicestershire.

Born in Leicester in 1793 John Flower was apprenticed to a framework knitter in 1806, his interest in drawing and natural talent led him to give drawing lessons before he was twenty years old. He gained the famous Leicester embroidery artist Miss Mary Linwood as a patron and spent a year in London studying with the watercolour artist Peter de Want. He returned to Leicester working as a landscape artist and teacher of drawing.

In 1826 he published a volume of lithographs 'Views of Ancient Buildings in the Town and County of Leicester'. This new exhibition on Flower's life and work is entitled 'A Self-Taught Genius' and is on display at the museum until the end of December.

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities said:

"John Flower's beautiful illustrations are an inspiration to all those who see them and this exhibition showcases his extraordinary skill and his contribution to the history of Leicestershire. I would urge people to go along to the museum and take a look at the wonderful pieces on display."

The museum is also hosting a range of events and activities for visitors throughout October including:

• Wacky Wellies on Thursday 20th October, 10.15am, 11.30am and 2pm
It’s the season for jumping in muddy puddles so join the museum for this wacky welly workshop. (Free Event - pre-booking is required, all children must be accompanied Tel 0116 3053860)

• Myths and Beasties - Family Learning Sessions every Saturday throughout October for craft based workshops from 10 am-12.
(Free event pre -booking is required. Suitable for children aged 4+ who must be accompanied Tel 0116 3057806.)

For further information about the exhibition or any of the events above, please call: 0116 305 3860, email meltonmuseum@leics.gov.uk or see: www.leics.gov.uk/meltonmuseum.

Free resource packs available to help communities go green

A novel set of free resources to help householders and local communities to reduce their environmental impact has just been launched by the Communities Cutting Carbon project.
Community Greening Packs contain useful gadgets such as energy monitors and water-saving equipment, along with a wide range of useful information from local organisations on how to go green. They are available now for free loan to communities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

For more information click here

Green Directory for Leicestershire & Rutland

Vale Villages in Transition Green Day, Bottesford

The Rural Community Council (RCC) has produced a Green Directory in partnership with the Communities Cutting Carbon project. The directory provides information on more than 30 community green groups in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and gives details of local food projects, recycling schemes, car sharing groups and so on. There are also details about the many support organisations, such as Communities Cutting Carbon, that can help local groups to get a new project off the ground.

One of the green groups listed is Vale Villages in Transition, a local initiative, focused on the Vale of Belvoir. It is part of a growing international movement to address the twin challenges of peak oil and climate change. Events so far include several film showings, public talks and a well-attended Green Day. 

The RCC provides help and support to those who live and work in rural Leicestershire & Rutland. It is involved with a wide range of projects and issues, all of which are becoming of increasing importance as the quality of rural life, and the services provided for rural communities, deteriorate.

To read more about the Green Directory and download a copy click here

Converted village barn perfect for 'royal' photoshoot

When Joanne Withers of Queniborough-based Nine Photos discovered Manor Farm in Rearsby had turned a disused barn into a delightful wedding venue, her creative juices started flowing. What better place to stage a wedding photoshoot for the One Stop Wedding Shop (also based in Queniborough) and the various local suppliers associated with the business! "We work well as a team" said Joanne, "and we wanted to show how we can collaborate to help couples create what they have in mind for their wedding day."

With Royal Wedding fever at its peak, Joanne came up with a Rule Britannia (red, white & blue) theme; the 18th century barn and the lovely setting of Rearsby, with its medieval seven-arch bridge and village green, provided the perfect backdrop for the overall vision of rural England, tea parties and royal occasions.

"We had a great time being creative with ideas for how to create your own wedding style and everyone from the make-up artist to the balloon supplier can be found in the One Stop Wedding Shop".

The nine local suppliers collaborating in the photoshoot were:

www.one-stop-wedding-shop.co.uk (bringing all the elements of the perfect wedding together)

www.ninephotos.co.uk (photography)

www.sharons-sugarcraft.co.uk (wedding & celebration cakes)

www.allofouryesterdays.co.uk (vintage china & country styled accessories)

www.raffiaflowers.co.uk

www.rearsby.net/manor (wedding venue)

Uneeq Jewellery: 0116 260 1832

Sharon Pinkz, Nails & Beauty: 07751 900741
Kimberley Exquisite Chair Covers: 07914 512974

and at the last count there were 13 others also offering services through the
One Stop Wedding Shop, 1487 Melton Road, Queniborough, LE7 3FP. Tel: 0845 075 8530

All images © Copyright Nine Photos 2011

Discovering Rutland

Rutland is the smallest county in England, just 18 miles from north to south and 17 miles west to east. Its motto 'Multum In Parvo', meaning 'much in little', describes it perfectly.

Buttercross, Oakham
© Copyright Lisa Batty

Oakham and Uppingham

Oakham is the county town and lies near the northern shore of Rutland Water. It's an easy place to find your way around, with plenty of shops, from reputable well-established stores (of which there are several) to the many smaller shops selling gifts, arts and crafts, antiques and so on. Wednesdays and Saturdays are market days, with a farmers' market on the third Saturday of the month.

If the town's history interests you, you can follow the Heritage Trail. This takes in 14 ancient buildings. Trail leaflets and other information about places to visit in Rutland can be had from the library or the Rutland County Museum.

An exciting venture for the town is Live @ The Museum, a 188-seat venue offering live music, theatre, comedy and cinema. It is situated in the Rutland County Museum.

A tour of the Grainstore Brewery is a must if you’re a real ale lover and want to see how a micro brewery operates. You can also enjoy a Ploughman's Lunch or Supper following the tour.

Market Square, Uppingham
© Copyright Colin Smith

Uppingham (south of Rutland Water) also has a good range of shops, many still family owned and run. Like Oakham, it is the ideal place for browsing around and discovering hidden gems.

The town has some lovely old buildings, including Uppingham School. The Church of St Peter and St Paul, which stands in the Market Square, dates from the 14th Century.

Uppingham's weekly market is every Friday and there's a farmers’ market on the second Friday of each month.


Fishing on Rutland Water
© Copyright Mat Fascione

Rutland Water

Built for the purpose of supplying water to the area, Rutland Water is one of the largest man-made reservoirs in Europe. It's set in 3,100 acres of countryside and provides the opportunity for a variety of sporting and leisure activities including windsurfing, rock-climbing, sailing and canoeing.

As well as dinghies and fishing boats, bikes are also available for hire. A cycle trail runs right round the lake and the 23-mile full circuit is well used by both leisure cyclists and those taking part in sponsored rides.

For the less active, the Rutland Belle provides cruises on the reservoir with full commentary of the points of interest along the way.

As a nature reserve, Rutland Water is one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries in Great Britain with in excess of 20,000 water birds using it. It was here that the first osprey chick to fledge in Central England for 150 years was hatched in 2001, as part of the successful Osprey Project. The ospreys come back year after year and 2010 was the most successful breeding year ever. The birds have recently returned for the summer and you can view one of the nests on a live webcam. Click here to go to the webcam.

There are lots of bird hides and nature trails at the Egleton and Lyndon visitor centres, with experts on hand to help with identification.


For more information go to the Discover Rutland website


The Rutland Walking Festival starts on 22 May and runs until 5 June; the Festival booklet is now available from the website.