Our family home

RETURN TO "358 OUR FAMILY HOME"

Fosse Road North

THIS MAP IS REFERENCED BY TWO ARTICLES: See returns below

RETURN TO "GROWING UP ON FOSSE ROAD NORTH LEICESTER"

OR

RETURN TO "A WALK DOWN KING DICKS ROAD AND BACK AGAIN"

Leicester 1837

CLOSE THIS WINDOW TO RETURN TO THE ARTICLE"

Watts Causeway

RETURN TO "A WALK DOWN KING DICKS ROAD AND BACK AGAIN "

The Cherry Orchard mosaic

Photograph © Jewry Wall Museum; Leicester Arts and Museums Service, reproduced with permission.

This archive photograph shows the portion of the mosaic flooring found on the Dannet Hall estate in 1851. The photograph was probably taken in the 1960s or 1970s when the mosaic was moved from New Walk to the Jewry Wall Museum. It is not currently on display. The text reads: "ROMAN TESSELLATED PAVEMENT which occupied one end of a chamber of a Roman villa, first discovered in 1782 in the 'Cherry Orchard' Danett's Hall, Leicester. PRESENTED BY Dr NOBLE M.B. & Removed at the expense of the L&P.S (Literary & Philosophical Society) AD 1851".

RETURN TO "A WALK DOWN KING DICKS ROAD AND BACK AGAIN "

Fosse Road Terrace 1887

RETURN TO "GROWING UP ON FOSSE ROAD NORTH LEICESTER"

King Richards Road

The most notable features are the absence of the Central Station and railway line, the diversion of King Richard's Road with the demolition of the side streets (Flora, Clara, Kate etc), the central ring road - Oxford Street, Vaughan Way, Burley's Way)

RETURN TO "A WALK DOWN KING DICKS ROAD AND BACK AGAIN "

King Richards Road Development

Detail of King Richards Road development from the Ordnance Survey maps of 1887 (lower) and 1902 (upper). Changes to note include: the infill from Kate Street to Bow Bridge Works; Tudor Road; the network of new streets north from Noble Street between Fosse Road North and Tudor Road; Great Central Street station and the railway viaduct across the Soar and West Bridge; the Leicester to Swannington railway station behind Tudor Road.

RETURN TO "A WALK DOWN KING DICKS ROAD AND BACK AGAIN "

Postcards of King Richard's Road - 1

These views of King Richards Road were taken about eight years apart and feature the short stretch between Dannett Street / Buckingham Street and Clara Street / Catesby Street. The upper image is looking down the incline in the direction of West Bridge. The shop on the corner of Buckingham Street belonged to Ernest Arthur Pinder who was a greengrocer and upholsterer. His name appears only once in the Wright's Directory of Leicestershire 1906. The previous owner was William Webb; the subsequent owner, Groom Bond - both greengrocers. By 1957, the proprietor was George Ernest Banbury who had taken up occupancy between the two wars.

The second photograph is looking up the incline towards the Fosse Road. The greengrocery shop on the left hand side of the image can be clearly seen. On the opposite side of the road is the Newfoundpool Inn which stood on the corner of Dannett Street. Details of the advertising painted on the wall above the door can be seen on the localised view. There had been a public house on this corner since before 1870 with a succession of beer sellers (Joseph Dimmock, Thomas Woolston, Thomas Fidler). Alfred Crowhurst from Lincoln married Florence St Clair Pain in Birmingham in 1889. By 1891 they had taken up the licence of the Newfoundpool Inn. Their son, Frederick Alfred Crowhurst was born in 1896. Alfred continued to manage the inn until his death in 1924 when the licence was taken over by Florence. In due time, Alfred took over the establishment from his mother and ultimately presided over its change of name to the Crow's Nest. Florence Crowhurst died in 1949.

Photographs:
A. & B: King Richard's Road: from old postcards 1906 and 1913: Leicester Past and Present ~ A walk down memory lane: facebook
C. The Newfoundpool Inn: © Chris Pyrah. Reproduced with permission.

RETURN TO "A WALK DOWN KING DICKS ROAD AND BACK AGAIN "

Postcards of King Richard's Road - 2

The building on the left of these photographs was originally called Turret House (now Estonian House). The railings had disappeared by the 1960s (presumably claimed as part of the 'Iron railings for the War Effort') during the second World War. This low wall is the one mentioned in the text of the main article.

The photograph of tram number 7 on Route 4 about to turn right from King Richards Road into Fosse Road North was taken on 23 June 1937.

The electric tramway service started up in the city on Wednesday 18 May 1904 although services to Fosse Road did not begin until Tuesday 12 July 1904. At this time there were two services as follows :-
Clock Tower, Eastgates, High Street, St. Nicholas Street, Great Central Street, Northgate Street, Frog Island, North Bridge, Woodgate, Fosse Road North ;
Clock Tower, Eastgates, High Street, St. Nicholas Street, St. Nicholas Square, Applegate Street, West Bridge Street, Duns Lane, Braunstone Gate, Hinckley Road, Fosse Road Central.
Each of the above services ran as a complete circle so in that the service via Great Central Street (outwards) returned to the Clock Tower via West Bridge Street (and vice versa).

However, on Thursday 23 September 1915, the service via West Bridge Street was altered to fork right into St. Augustine Street, then up King Richards Road and right into Fosse Road North (instead of going via Duns Lane, Braunstone Gate, Hinckley Road, Fosse Road Central). Although other tram routes would still be using Hinckley Road, the section of track along Fosse Road Central became largely redundant. Route numbers for trams were introduced on Saturday 14 October 1933 with the service via Great Central Street being allocated number 3 and the King Richards Road service number 4. Bizarrely, route numbers for buses were not introduced until Thursday 4 June 1936

By the end of the 1930s it was considered that King Richards Road was being severely congested by the presence of trams on this comparatively narrow road so the decision was made to dig up the tram lines following the last day of tram service along King Richards Road on Sunday 2 April 1939. The first bus service to Glenfield Road (Route 31 which was also linked to the Evington service) began the following day along King Richards Road. The tram service via West Bridge Street therefore reverted to its pre-1915 route although this only lasted until Sunday 29 October 1939. The circular operation between the two tram routes had also been discontinued. The route via Great Central Street would terminate at the Daneshill Road junction. The last tram to Fosse Road via Great Central Street ran on Sunday 6 July 1947 and in its place a new bus service to Henley Road (Route 40) was inaugurated.

Text by Chris Jinks, Director and Secretary, Leicester Transport Heritage Trust Limited

Photograph: Tram on King Richard's Road June 1937 by M.J. O'Connor: Leicester Past and Present ~ A walk down memory lane: facebook

RETURN TO "A WALK DOWN KING DICKS ROAD AND BACK AGAIN "

King Richard's Road looking west

Two views of King Richard's Road looking westwards from a similar point separated by about 50 years. The photographer was positioned near to the corner of Tudor Road.

The upper view which is undated was taken in the early 1900s. It is clearly before 1914 which was when tram services were running along the road. The buildings on the right hand side of the road where constructed during the major development of the west end of the town between 1887 and 1902 which included the building of the West Bridge railway viaduct. The clue is probably given by the Great Central Cutley Store, although this name does not appear as such in the trade directories. The main ironmonger on King Richard's Road belonged to F. Wagstaff and Company which was situated on the west corner of Poplar Avenue. He is listed in the 1903 trade directory although prior to that he traded in 1901 from Hinckley Road.

Old postcard: King Richard's Road: Leicester Past and Present ~ A walk down memory lane: facebook

The lower view is dated October 1956. The outline of the building on the corner of Poplar Avenue is clearly visible. The occupant in the Kelly's Directory for Leicester, 1960, was Clifford Hewitson, hardware distributor. Between Poplar Avenue and Coventry Street (behind the viewer) were Frederick Smith, painter; Central London Meat Company, butchers; Mrs P Levy, Ladies hairderesser; Eversmart Express Limited, Cleaners and Dyers; Photovogue, photographers.

On the right hand side of the road and closest to the camera were J.G. Bailey & sons, plumbers who adjoined Cant's the butcher on the corner of Tudor Road. From there to Kate Street were Lynette, ladies' outfitter (having taken over from Danalan); G. Folwell & sons, pork butchers; W.J. Hallett & son, provisions merchants; Ortons, china distributors; Midland Corn Company, corn and seed merchants; Leonard Kirk, baker; Modkem Limited, manufacturing chemists; Dane Hill Tavern; Dick Kerr Motors Limited; William Dayman, woodworkers supplies; Dandy Sports, sportswear manufacturers; Mrs M Corser, confectioner; Jack Healey, off licence.

CLOSE WINDOW TO RETURN TO THE ARTICLE

King Richard's Road 1960

The left hand side of the road starts at the junction with Clara Street. The terrace of shops down to Kate Street runs: M Kelly (Chemists) Ltd.; Home & Colonial, Grocers; Geo. E Dilley, House Furnishers; Alma's (Ladies Hairdresser); Harrowby's Stores (hardware dealers); Harry Mitchell (stationers); Eastmans (Butchers); Barclays Bank; AW Masters (Plumber).
The right hand side of the road begins at Catesby Street: Running to Andrewes Street: G.H. Ratcliffe (greengrocers); The Richmond Arms (Bass sign); (a private house); Leicester Co-operative Society (grocers). On the opposite corner of Andrewes Street (at 48D) Henry Freer (hairdresser)

Detail from Kelly's Directory 1960

RETURN TO "A WALK DOWN KING DICKS ROAD AND BACK AGAIN "

A West Bridge and Railway Viaduct Gallery

Upper: A panoramic view of the West Bridge Railway Viaduct in 1957 by artist Richard Piccaver of Alfreton. There is a clear representation of the small businesses under the right hand span as West Bridge Street passes towards King Richard's Road. The river Soar winds its way through the factories into the middle distance. At the extreme right, the railway line curves into the Great Central Station.

Middle: Two paintings by David Weston, the Leicester artist. On the left is his 1979 painting of the railway viaduct and the busy street scene passing under it. The time is the 1940s prior to the disappearance of the electric trams. This view was captured from the old Pex hosiery factory. On the right is his 1982 painting, again of the 1940s. The arch of the West Bridge takes prominence in the foreground with the right hand span of the viaduct behind.

Lower: A 1910 postcard of the West Bridge with an electric tram passing over it. St Mary de Castro Church can be seen in the background.

RETURN TO "A WALK DOWN KING DICKS ROAD AND BACK AGAIN "

Fosse Road / King Richard's Road junction

Two views of the juction between Fosse Road North and Central, King Richard's Road, Glenfield Road and Kirby Road

The upper view was taken from a position just north of the corner of Noble Sreeet and Wentworth Road (to the right). The road workings are for the laying of the tracks for the extension of the electric tram system. This dates the photograph to about 1903. The church with the spire is St Andrews Methodist Church (also called King Richard's Road Methodist Chapel). The spire was removed during the 1950s. The turret structure on the roof of the house at the end of the terrace (originally Turret House; now Estonian House) can be clearly seen. The house on the right nearest the camera is Fosse Road Villa; the one further away was called Fosse Road House. The latter became a convent.

The lower view is from a postcard dated 1904. Although entitled Top of King Richard's Road, the camera position is inside Glenfied Road. The focal point is the spire of St Andrews Methodist Church. In front of the church there is a tram proceeding to the right into Fosse Road Central. The church on the immediate right is St Paul's. The high wall and trees to the left mark the boundary of Fosse Road House.

Old postcard: "Top of Glenfield Road": Leicester Past and Present ~ A walk down memory lane: facebook

RETURN TO "GROWING UP ON FOSSE ROAD NORTH LEICESTER"

"God's Crossing"

St Paul's Church was originally designed to include a slender spire which, if built, would have been the second tallest in the town. Various reasons have been given for why this addition was rejected. One possibility was that the site overlay ancient Roman mine workings and would not stand the weight. Also suggested was that there was not enough money to complete the project. Presented here are two subtly different artist's impressions of what the finished church would have looked like. The black and white version was used as the frontispiece to the book Fifty Years of Church, Men and Things at St Pauls, Leicester 1871-1921 written by John Edward Hextall, MA and Arthur Brightman BA.

St Andrews Methodist Church on the opposite corner of Fosse Road Central did feature a spire. These plans were published in the Building News in March 1880. The spire was ultimately removed in the 1950s.

CLOSE WINDOW TO RETURN TO THE ARTICLE

Added: April 9th 2014
Updated May 14th 2016

Return to Top of Page