Wednesday 27 November 2024

LAHS Research Grant Follow-On Funding for Loughborough Project

This grant continues to help fund a project led by the Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust to document the town's history since 1750

Inside Taylor's Bellfoundry, Loughborough (2013). To note image was taken before the completion of the recent building work. Photo by Dr Pam Fisher

Last year, LAHS provided a grant to help support the VCH's work in researching the first part of its project to document the history of Loughborough since 1750. Further details of which are available here. That stage of the project focused on social, cultural and religious life and the VCH are pleased to report that it has now reached the stage of a first draft, with publication expected by the end of 2025.

The second stage of the project in now underway, with the aim of researching and eventually publishing a paperback on transport, farming and industry. Specifically, the additional funding by LAHS will go towards completing the section on industry, assisting in the cost of co-ordinating the contributions of local volunteers and the costs of gathering the data in archives.

Why is this project important?

Loughborough is the county’s largest and most important town after Leicester, and one that has been shaped by its industry, both economically and physically, as working-class housing dominates the townscape. The town has adapted to industrial change by reinvention, moving from lace/hosiery through heavy engineering, then chemicals/pharmaceuticals, with a new science park now being developed adjacent to the university campus. There is an important story here that is waiting to be told.

What are the project's aims?

The funding will go towards a second paperback, in a planned series, forming a VCH history of Loughborough, and should be invaluable to local and family historians, archivists and heritage professionals. The draft text of which is expected to be complete by late 2026.

Further information about the Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust and its aims can be found here.

If you feel your project could benefit from the LAHS Research Fund, please get in touch!