THE GRANGE, FOWKE STREET

The Grange in Fowke Street is often confused with Rothley Grange in Cross Lane on the Mountsorrel border. Rothley Grange is a listed building, The Grange is not, much to the surprise of local residents.

The Grange, in 4 acres, was sold in 1899 for £2,000. It was described as an eighteenth century Country House with 9 Bedrooms, 4 Maids Rooms, very large Lounge, Hall, Dining Library, Butler's Pantry, Servant's Hall, 2 Coach Houses, Harness Room, Motor House, Carriage House, Electric Light Station, 4-stall Cowshed, Hay Loft, 2 Loose Boxes and 5 Closes of Pasture.

It was finally owned by Charnwood Borough Council and stood empty for 10 years before being sold to William Davis for development. In July 2008 the Sales Office opened ready for the next phase in the life of The Grange.

The watercolour painting of the rear of The Grange in 2008 is reproduced by kind permission of William Davis Homes.

THE GRANGE IN 2008

Sadly, this is not the original eagle but the hunt is on to see what happened to it. The late Jack Moore said that it had been taken to Charnwood Borough Council for safe keeping so where is it now? Any information to the Site Editor, please, on 0116 2303405.
In a photograph dated 1948 there is no eagle over the front door so any information on its history would be very welcome.
It is sad that our history is lost in this way so the hunt is also on for the plaque of the discus player and any information on its history is being sought.
The millstone has been stolen and this would be around the time that the graves were being excavated so will now most likely be a feature in another garden.

LOOKING BACK and FACING FORWARD

Do you remember the article in the Rothley Post about the stone Cider Press which used to be an ornamental feature in the garden?

It has been saved and is now the central feature of the patio area to the rear of the original building.

Work has still to be completed to this part of the garden but this shows the site of the Cider Press. July 26th 2008.

The above shows how the rear of the building looked in October 2005.

The rear of the main part of the building in October 2005.

The signs of dereliction in October 2005.

The side of The Grange in March 2007.

The buildings by the side elevation in March 2007 taken from Fowke Street.

The car park in March 2007 is now a car park in 2008 but also with apartments fronting Fowke Street.

This view of the storage buildings at the back of the original car park was taken from the 'island' playing field in February 2007.

Newly built apartments have now taken the place of the old storage buildings and have a lovely view of the gardens. July 2008.

THE GARDENS

A view of the rear gardens looking from the house to the church with the concrete computer block to the right. April 2002

The concrete computer block. The old cider press is between the yew trees. April 2002

Looking towards the house which is to the left. The large Oak has a girth of 4 metres. April 2002. The Oak features in the landscaping to be carried out in 2008.

The oak was surrounded by daffodils. April 2002

Mrs Abbot Robinson was a keen gardener and changed the garden tremendously over the years. The features in the stream on the boundary were created by her and the remains shown above and below could still be seen in April 2002.

The stream is not the Rothley Brook but appears to have been created for the water feature and this created the 'Island Field' used as a football field. The stream joins up again with the Rothley Brook just before the bridge on Homefield Lane.

Part of the formal garden looking towards the rear of The Grange. April 2002.

The large yews on the left have now been removed for the new buildings on the site of the old concrete computer block. taken in April 2002.

Janice and Brian in April 2002 by the Wellingtonia which has a girth of 6 metres and has been recorded as one of the Ancient Trees of Rothley. One of the new apartments has been called Wellingtonia.

Part of the garden included a lovely lily pond hidden by a yew hedge. A feature included a stone mill wheel as a table. In this photograph taken in April 2002 some destruction on the site had already taken place. A wooden seat has been tipped into the pond.

The same view looking to the lily pond in July 2008.

A view of the mill wheel. April 2002.

In June 2006 the mill wheel had been stolen. This was taken during the excavations of the burial site.

The transformation of the derelict Grange shown in September 2005 with all the features retained and captured in the watercolour painting of 2008 kindly reproduced with the permission of William Davis Homes.

Further updates will be made to the website during the progress of the building and landscaping of the gardens. August 2008.

For more information on the burial site please click on the following link: