Displaying items by tag: Kibworth Beauchamp

KIBWORTH RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

1923 - 2006

The Kibworth Rugby Football Club was established when a number of rugby enthusiasts met in St Wilfrid’s Institute, Kibworth, on 13^th December 1923. The meeting agreed to form a Rugby Club in the village, the Club would be known as the Kibworth Rugby Football Club. The shirts would be black along with navy blue shorts although the kit soon became all black. The first game was arranged for Boxing Day 1923 but there is no record of the opposition or the result. The first recorded fixture was played against Wigston ‘A’ on 2^nd February 1924. Several fixtures were played up to the end of April that year.

The 1924-25 season saw regular fixtures played against Belgrave Juniors, Aylestone Athletic, Kettering, Syston with a total of 28 fixtures played during the season. The pitch was in a boggy field (now Brookfield Way, Kibworth) known as the ‘Floodies’ and accessed through a gate adjacent to the Railway Bridge on Station Street. The changing rooms were situated at the rear of the Old Swan Public House.

During the third season the Club won the Leicestershire Junior Cup beating Highfields Medway in the final that was played at the Leicester Tigers Welford Road Stadium.

The Club moved into the next decade with a healthy financial and playing strength; after a few years the Club was able to field two teams and appoint a coach. The Club moved to a new ground at the Old Recreation Ground in the village (this was possibly the Smeeton Road Recreation Ground which is very close to the Old Cinema) and utilised the Old Cinema as changing rooms. (The Old Cinema is now the Kibworth Scout Hut). During this period the club became more established financially with the playing strength increasing. The social side of the Club also started to flourish with the first club dinner held in1938.

With the outbreak of the Second World War rugby along with most other sport, was suspended.

It was not until 30^th January 1950 that a number of former Kibworth Rugby Football Club players got together and decided to revive the Club. A playing field in Fleckney Road, Kibworth was utilised and changing rooms were again located at the Old Cinema. The first game was away against Old Wyggestonians on Saturday 23^rd September 1950 which Kibworth lost, however the remainder of the season went very well with the only loss being the first game.

As the years passed with the Club flourishing a decision was made to relocate the Club to Market Harborough for the 1957/58 season. The club played at the Little Bowden Recreation Ground with changing rooms at the Three Swans Hotel and later at the Collegiate School. Wellingborough Rugby Football Club were the first opponents to play at the new venue. The Club continued to prosper and during the 1958/59 season a 3^rd team was formed and match fees were introduced. The Club faced problems with the availability of the Little Bowden Recreation Ground having to play some games at Bowden Hill. The Club began negotiations during the 1960/61 season to use a rugby pitch at Gores Lane, Market Harborough, which culminated in the building of a Clubhouse and changing rooms at Gores Lane. The first fixture at the Club’s new home was against Wellingborough RFC on the 7^th October 1962.

The move to Gores Lane propelled the Kibworth Rugby Football Club forward, fielding three senior teams with a Colts team following in 1963. The new facilities enabled the Club to become an integral part of local rugby and the social side of the Club’s activities also expanded. To cope with the growth of the Club an extension to the Clubhouse was built. Kibworth Rugby Football Club progressed into the next decade as a very successful enterprise

The 50^th anniversary of Kibworth Rugby Football Club’s foundation was marked with a game against their first opponents, Wigston, in April 1973.

The next major step forward was the Club’s purchase of the Gores Lane ground, from the Symington Company of Market Harborough which was completed on 13^TH March 1980. This enabled the Club to increase the facilities with a second pitch and an extension to the changing rooms completed in 1985. The new extension was opened with a game against Wellingborough RFC on 20^th October of that year. The Club expanded its playing strength and was fielding four teams plus a Colts side and started planning the introduction of a mini/junior section.

In 1988 a major transformation of the Club began when negotiations with McAlpine Builders commenced culminating in the sale of the Gores Lane ground to the McAlpine Company in 1989. Kibworth Rugby Football Club moved to a new ground in Northampton Road, Market Harborough. The new ground had three pitches, floodlights and an impressive clubhouse and changing rooms. These excellent facilities were opened on 15^th October 1989 by the President of the Rugby Football Union followed by a game against an international XV.

Kibworth Rugby Football Club continued to flourish in their new surroundings as it progressed into the next decade eventually fielding six senior teams, Colts and a mini/junior section. The success of the club continued into the new millennium, however a major change to the club was on the horizon.

2006 saw the demise of the Kibworth Rugby Football Club when the members voted to change the name of the Club to Market Harborough Rugby Union Football Club.

Acknowledgements

Market Harborough Rugby Union Football Club

Memories of Kibworth by Joan Spain

The Great Kibworth Run Part 2

Age 8 to 11

1^st Girl and winner                             Elise Tear                                                 0.17.13

1^st boy and 2^nd                                    Anthony Markley                                       0.17.14

Age 7 and under

1^st Boy                                                 William  Adams                                           0.18.45

The race was held on Sunday 28^th September 2003 in memory of Dr Richard Warner who served as a GP in Kibworth and died in 2002 from kidney cancer. He was one of the original group who conceived the run and assisted in organising the first Great Kibworth Run.  His widow, Dr Jo Warner, donated the Richard Warner trophy to be presented to the winner of the half marathon and also joined the Run Committee. The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research was the Run’s Charity and the response from competitors and spectators was quite outstanding.

The 2003 race replicated the first event with the addition of a 1/3^rd marathon course with the aim of encouraging runners who could manage the shorter distance and also the timing of the fun runners. This necessitated a new course for the 1/3^rd marathon which followed the ½ marathon route to the Saddington reservoir turn where the routes split and the 1/3^rd marathon turned left and re-joined the 1/2 marathon route at the Gumley X roads. A Great Kibworth Run website had been developed to widen access to the event and enable entrants to download entry forms.

A total of 706 runners entered the three races and the number of runners registering ‘on the day’ exceeded expectation to the extent that medals for some ½ marathon and fun runners ran out and had to be presented at a later date.

RESULTS

½ Marathon

Winner                                    Stephen Gale              1.15.09

1^st Female and 25^th                 Sandra Grimes            1.32.22

1^st Veteran and 10^th                Shane Edge                 1.24.44

1/3 Marathon

Winner                                   Tony Harrison             0.56.46

1st Female and 9^th                 Debbie Marsden         1.05.18

Fun Run

1sy boy                                    James Yarwood           0.14.24                                              

1^st girl                                      Jessica Edge                       0.16.3 9

Charity Donation:                                                      £32,220

Hope Foundation for Cancer Research

The 2005 run was held on Sunday 25^th September following a similar pattern to the previous events with the addition of a power walk race which followed the 1/3 marathon course. The fun run had become popular and very competitive for children of all ages so the fun run timing range was increased to include fun run age groups, 7 years and under, 8 to 11 years and 12 to 14 years. Entries for the 4 races amounted to 780 with 157 entering on the day.

RESULTS

½ Marathon

Winner                                                                        Rob Pullen                  1.22.51

1^st  female, 1^st female veteran and 12^th                     Sandra Grimes            1.33.44

1^st  male veteran and  4^th.                                           Shane Edge                 1.28.01

1/3 Marathon

Winner                                                                        Brent Stevenson         0.53.53

1^st  female and 15^th.                                                    Clare Turner                1.05.37

Power Walk

Winner                                                                        Mike Spencer              1.50.05

First female and =2^nd.                                                Jane Thorpe                1.55.26

Fun Run                                                                      Diane Render              1.55.26

Age 12 to 14

1^st boy                                                                        Zaccharie Tyler             0.13.57

1^st  girl and 8^th                                                             Jessica Edge                  0.15.20

Age 8 to 12 

1^st boy and 2^nd                                                           Jonathon Monk            0.14.22

1^st  girl and 26^th                                                           Alexandria Sloan           0.17.19

Aged 7 and under

1^st boy  and 44^th.                                                         Joshua Ashman              0.18.10

1^st  girl and 129^th.                                                        Louise Jones                    0.23.44

Charity  Donations:   

Leicestershire Leicester and Rutland Headway                            £5,100,00

The Hope Foundation                                                                     £5,100.00

The run Committee decided that a proportion of the funds raised by the Great Kibworth Run would be used to support local community activities, with an emphasis on children’s groups, youth groups and sporting organisations with a maximum award limited to £500.00.

A small Committee comprising of one from the run Committee and three from the Kibworth and District Chronicle was formed to adjudicate on the applications.

Grants to Local Organisations:                                                    £

Kibworth Methodist Youth Group                                               240.00

South Leicestershire Mobile Toy Library                                      350.00

Kibworth Primary School Parent Teachers Association              500.00

Kibworth 3^rd Brownies                                                               500.00

CARE Shangton                                                                           500.00

Kibworth 1^st Cubs                                                                       500.00

Kibworth Joint Recreation Committee                                       500.00

Toddlers (Mother and Toddlers)                                                500.00

ADS and Aspergers Support Group                                            500.00

South Leicestershire CVS                                                            500.00

Kibworth and Smeeton Junior FC                                              500.00

Kibworth 1^st Scouts                                                                     500.00

The 2007 run was held on Sunday 30^th September 2007 following a similar pattern to the last event with the addition of a half marathon team race. With the Great Kibworth Run becoming financially stable 223 direction/information signs along with stands and stakes  were purchased.  For the first 3 runs signs had been borrowed from The Ivanhoe Runners.

581 entries were received by race day and a further 202 entered on the day.  The weather was fine with competitors and spectators having an enjoyable event.

  Race starter briefing runners before start

Fun Run start

           Runners powering through Kibworth section    

Medal hanging team at the ready

RESULTS

Half Marathon

Winner                                                  Sean Fenwick                              01.12.41 

1^st Female and 5^th                               Nicola Clay                                 01.19.44 

1^st  Male Veteran and 4^th                     Graham Stephens                      01.18.57 

1st Female Veteran and 38^th               Wendy Joy                                   01.34.08

1/2 Marathon Team Race 

1^st  Male Team                                      Kibworth and Fleckney Men’s A         Time unavailable   

1^st  Female Team                                  Kibworth and Fleckney Ladies            Time unavailable 

1/3^rd  Marathon

Winner                                                David Turvey                            00.49.49 

1st Female and 5^th                                Sally Newman                          00.54.37  

 
1^st  female  1/3 Marathon

Power Walk

Winner and 1^st female                         Toni Boa                                   01.20.34  

Power walk winner approaching finish

1^st male and 4^th                                   David Robbins                           01.47.12

Fun Run

Age 12 to 14

1^st Boy                                                   Stephan Ashman                    0.17.44

1st Girl  and 27^th                                   Lorna Grubb                             0.21.26

Age 8 - 11

1st Boy  and 5^th                                     James Hatton                         0.18.40

1st Girl  and 21^st                                   Emily Hollis                             0.20.40

Age 7 and Under

1st Boy  and 41^st                                        Kieran Ashman                     0.22.57

1st Girl  and 104^th                                     Jocelyn Parkes-Bowen         0.26.36

CHARITY DONATIONS

Hope against Cancer                                                                          £2,300.00 

(plus £1,000.00  raised by the Hope Team)

Age Concern (Leicestershire & Rutland)                                             £3,300.00

Leicestershire Leicester and Rutland Headway                                 £3,300.00

Midlands Immediate Care Scheme who provide essential

medical cover during the Great Kibworth Run                                   £500.00

Grants to local organisations:

Foxton Primary School,                                                                       £200.00

Home Start                                                                                          £316.00

Laughton/Mowsley Cricket Club                                                        £425.00

Kibworth 1^st Cubs                                                                              £425.00

3^rd Kibworth Brownies                                                                        £425.00

Fleckney Mother and Toddler Group                                                £177.00

Fleckney and Kibworth Running Club                                               £425.00

Kibworth Playscheme                                                                         £425.00

Sunflower Radio                                                                                 £425.00

Kibworth Primary School                                                                     £425.00

Kibworth Primary School Parents Assoc.                                           £425.00

Kibworth Centenary Brass                                                                   £350.00

The 5^th Great Kibworth Run was held on 27^th September 2009 and once again held races to suit competitors of varied abilities and ages. A major innovation this year was the introduction of ‘on line’ entries thus saving considerable administration time. This proved very successful with 585 entering before there event. A further 223 entered on the day. To deal with the late entrants a separate reception desk for each of the four races was provided to register the runner and issue race numbers. Barney Haynes, who had joined the run Committee, donated a trophy, to be presented to the 1^st female finisher in the 1/2 marathon, in memory of  his late wife Sarah. The highlight of the day was the Fun Run where 245 runners crossed the finish line.  These runners, aged from 1 to 56, some in fancy dress, made for a great spectacle. The 'Keep on Moving' team made up of over 30 adults with learning disabilities, many of whom had  previously taken part in little or no physical activity, enthusiastically completed the 2-mile course to great cheers from the many spectators.

Keep on Moving Team

RESULTS

Half marathon

Winner^t and 1^st male veteran             William Nock                                      1.18.23  

Winner ½ half marathon presented with the Richard Warner frophy by Martin Corry   (England and Tigers Rugby captain)

 1^st Female and 13^th                                Beverley Gray                                     1.30.44

1^st female veteran and 36^th                  Angela Ladkin                                     1.39.42

Third marathon

Winner                                                  John Mulholland                                0.57.09

1^st Female and 11^th                               Kathyrn Lovelock                                  1.05.34

 1^stfemale 1/3 marathon reaches the finish

Power Walk

Winner and =1^st                                    Sarah Thompson                                            1.48.16

              Catherine Rich                                      1.48.16

1^st male and 8^th                                      Michael Hemmingway                           1.55.00

Fun Run

Age 12 to 14

1^st boy                                                  George Bettsworth                                   0.14.55

1^st Girl                                                 Emily Hollis                                               0.15.21

1^st girl Fun Run 12 to 14

Age 8 to 11

1^st Girl and winner                             Elise Tear                                                 0.17.13

1^st boy and 2^nd                                    Anthony Markley                                       0.17.14

Age 7 and under

1^st Boy                                                 William  Adams                                           0.18.45

Winner 7 and under fun run with Martin Corry

 1^st Girl and 4^th                                     Holly Coulson                                           0.21.44

CHARITY DONATIONS :

Macmillan Cancer Support                                         £11,800

Grants to Local Organisations

The Well                                                                      £250   

1^st Kibworth Cubs                                                       £300   

Fleckney and Kibworth Runners                                 £300   

Harborough Expedition Scouts                                    £250   

1^st Kibworth Brownies                                                £250   

Kibworth Theatre Company                                       £300   

2^nd Kibworth Brownies                                               £200   

Kibworth Methodist Pre-School Nursery                   £150   

Kibworth Tennis Club                                                 £250   

Teddy Bears Play Group                                             £300

Wilfrid’s Children’s Group                                          £350

Kibworth Primary School Parents Association           £350

Mowsley Primary School                                            £350

Kibworth Pre-School Nursery                                     £300

The 2011 Great Kibworth Run was held on Sunday 25th September following the format of previous events. The most popular races are the ½ marathon with 201 entrants and the fun run with 165 entrants. Unfortunately, some of the records of this run are not available.

Results:

Half Marathon

Winner                                    Mark Powell                            01.12.48

1^st Female and 17^TH                Julie Lamb                              01.29.10

Third Marathon

Winner                                    Jamie Short                            00.47.02

1^ST  Female and 12^th               Rachel Swan                           01.03.09

Power Walk

Winner                                     Dale Broughton                      01.31.32

1^st Female and 2^nd =               Sandra Ankers                       01.44.34

                                                 Pauline Churchill                    01.44.34

Fun Run:

Age 12 to 14

1^st boy                                       Oscar Trier                              0.12.21

1^st girl and 7^th                            Charlotte Mathews                  0.14.16

Age 8 to 11

Winner                                       Henry Hopkinson                    0.14.01

1^st girl                                            Olivia Hartley                          0.15.09

Age Under 7

Winner                                      Joseph Humphreys                 0.15.08

1^st girl                                       Eliza Parsons                           0.20.25

CHARITY DONATIONS:

Macmillan Cancer Support                          £11,600.00

Unfortunately, there is no record of the grants to local organisations.

The 7^th  Great Kibworth Run was held on 29^th September 2013. The closure of the main route into the village by Network Rail to replace the Station Street railway bridge affected the usual road closures in High Street and Smeeton Road. However, with the co-operation of Leicestershire County Council and additional marshals the run was able to go ahead.

It was a perfect day gorgeous weather, large field of runners and lots of spectators made this Great Kibworth Run a big success.

RESULTS:

Half marathon

Winner                                    Simon Allen                                         1.15.25

1^st female                               Tori Green                                           1.26.20

1^st Male veteran                     Graham Stephens                              1.21.39

1^st Female veteran                   Julie Lamb                                          1.31.51

Third marathon

Winner                                      Jamie Short                                      0.47.52

1st Female                                  Debbie Napier                                   0.56.44

Power Walk

Winner and 1^st female                Catherine Rich                                1.41.49

 1^st male and 2^nd                         Michael Hemmingway                    1.41.55

Fun Run

Aged 12-14

1^st Boy                                            Ben Masser                                      0.11.29

1^st Girl                                           Tessa Rhodes                                   0.14.22

Age 8 to 11

1^st Boy                                          William Adams                                 0.13.13

1^st Girl                                           Alexandra Peet                                0.14.13

Age 7 and under

1^st Boy                                          James Butcher                                  0.14.23

1^st Girl                                          Lucinda Thompson                          0.17.20

CHARITY DONATIONS :

Age UK Leicestershire and Rutland                                                             £7,000.00

The winner of the age categories in the 2-mile fun run earned a prize

 for the school they attend:

 Lucinda Thompson, Kibworth C of E Primary School                                    £1,000

William Adams, Kibworth High School                                                           £1,000

James Butcher, Old Mill Primary                                                                   

School, Broughton Astley                                                                                     £1,000

Tessa Rhodes, Oakham School                                                                       £1,000

EPILOGUE

The 2013 Great Kibworth Run, the seventh, became the last of the very successful Great Kibworth Runs. After organising seven bi-annual events, between 2001 and 2013, a number of the original organising Committee members had decided to retire. The Great Kibworth Run was unusual in that it was organised by a small Committee of local villagers who recruited volunteers to help on the day of the event whilst most other runs are organised by running clubs with far more resources.  This put a heavy work load on the Committee members practically on the day of the event.

From the first run the event became a favourite fixture for many in the Kibworth area and   attracted entries from as far afield as Scotland, the South of England and many places in between. Over 51,000 people, with ages ranging from babies in pushchairs to 70 years entered the seven runs which raised a total of over £110,000 for many local charities. The original objectives of the organising Committee were achieved but more would have been possible if the event had continued.

Although four people joined the organising Committee over the years, requests for additional people to join the run Committee, to keep the event going, were unsuccessful and regrettably the decision was made not to continue the Great Kibworth Run.

Prologue

The Great Kibworth Run was held on 7 occasions between 2001 and 2013 becoming a popular event for running enthusiasts and the local community. The run was born out of a desire by a small group of local running enthusiasts who in 2000 decided to organise a run in Kibworth with the objectives of:

• providing an activity, which would involve members of the local communities of all ages and abilities.
• raising funds for local charities.

The Great Kibworth Run 2001

A small Committee was formed to organise the first event and decided to hold a half marathon and a family fun run. The size of the task soon became apparent and advice was sought from the Ivanhoe Runners, a running club experienced in organising running events. Tasks included Affiliation to England Athletics, obtaining sponsorship from local businesses, selecting and measuring the routes, arranging a reception area for competitors to enter and receive race numbers, deciding the position of marshal points (65) and direction/information signs, water stations, start and finish areas, the timing of the runners.

The start and finish positions were located in the Kibworth High School (now Kibworth Mead Academy) grounds, off Smeeton Road, with race administration located in the adjacent Leisure Centre. The route for both runs required the closure of Smeeton Road from the High School to High Street and High Street for 1 hour to allow runners to use the roads safely. The road closure order was granted by Leicestershire County Council and necessitated planning diversion routes and road sign positions. The race route followed Smeeton Road to High Street, Meadowbrook Road, the recreation ground, the Kibworth Primary School grounds to return to Smeeton Road where the fun run turned towards the finish and the half marathon continued along the rural section of the course for the next 11 miles before returning to the finish line via Smeeton Road.

The first Great Kibworth Run was held on Sunday 30^th September 2001. Entry forms were printed and made available for potential entrants. Volunteers were recruited for all the many tasks required on the race day to hold a successful event.

Completed entry forms were received and, along with those who entered on the day, total entrants exceeded 500. Of these runners most were local, 10 entrants in the Fun Run were 5 years and under and 5 entrants in the Half Marathon were 60 years and over. The event was a success and many letters were received from competitors praising the event.

RESULTS

Half Marathon

Winner                                      Ishmaq Ahmed                    1.14.51

1^st female and 11th                  Sandra Grimes                    1.28.21

1^st male veteran and 4^th          Les Chesterton                    1.24.58

1^st female veteran and 22^nd    Nicki Wray                           1.37.30

Fun Run

1^st boy                                        Eddie Glaister

1^st girl                                        Jessica Bridgewood

Charity Donation:                    £17,182

St Luke’s Hospital, Market Harborough,

Palliative Care Fund

How race day unfolded and the thoughts of one of the Committee members:

6.30 am           The organising Committee meet at the Kibworth High School, at least the weather is fine. A lot of nerves, is it going to be successful?

6.40 am           Two teams, one for Kibworth and the other for the villages on the route set off to erect route signs, 136 in total and water stations.

7.00 am           Didn’t realise how much noise a mallet hitting a wooden stake made at this time on a Sunday morning, hope we didn’t disturb too many people.

8.00 am           Return to Leisure Centre, it has started to rain, that won’t help. Thankfully only a short shower. All signs, stakes, tape and water stations in position.

8.30 am           Start and finish area laid out. Runners’ reception area prepared in the Leisure Centre, all we need are some runners. Have much needed bacon sandwich.

9 am                Three cheers! A runner has arrived to enter the event, what a relief, at least one competitor.

9.15 am           More competitors arriving, looks promising.

9.30 am           The place is a hive of activity, registered entrants arriving along with more entering on the day, weather still fine although it is a bit windy, things looking very promising.

10.00 am         The Great Kibworth Run T/Shirt stall is doing an excellent trade. Entrants for the Family Fun Run arriving, there is a feeling of excitement about the place. It is going to be OK.

10.30 am         Place is full of people, the warm-up session is about to start. All marshals for the road junctions and road closures on first half of the route in position. That’s a relief, we couldn’t hold the event without them.

10.45am          Road closures in place making Smeeton Road and High Street a safe environment for the runners. Some of the fun runners are very young, glad we opted for road closures even though it was bound to cause some inconvenience to motorists. Plenty of spectators at the start and along the road into High St.

10.50 am        Real air of excitement and anticipation, warm up sessions ends, runners asked to take their places at the start, half marathon at the front, fun run behind.

11.00 am         Start whistle blow for half marathon runners.

11.01 am         First rows of fun runners straining at the leash wanting to set off, shall we let them go now, no, it is too close to the half marathon runners.

11.02 am         Whistle blows again, the fun run has started. Starter has to jump aside to avoid being overrun by 235 enthusiastic young runners who are so keen to get going.

11.10 am         The leading runner is already flying past the High School entrance with a lead of at least 1 minute over the second runner. If he goes on at this pace he will be back before all the fun runners have finished. Good crowd of spectators cheering the runners on their way creating a great atmosphere.

11.15 am         All marshals, a total of 65, now in position for the second part of the course, we owe these volunteers a big thank you, you couldn’t hold the event without them. It is no fun being stuck at a cattle grid near Gumley Cricket Pitch on a windy day for 2+ hours with a few cows for company, thank goodness it’s not raining.

11.16 am         First fun runner approaches the High School having overtaken a number of the half marathon runners, he gets a terrific cheer from the crowd. Runners from both events pouring along Smeeton Road towards the High School where good work by the marshals ensures that the fun runners are directed to the finish and the half marathon runners are directed towards Smeeton Westerby and 11 more hard miles. Tremendous enthusiasm from the young runners some of whom are very competitive as they approach the finish. The crowd really appreciates the efforts of these runners.

11.35am          All runners have cleared the road outside the High School, decide to lift the road closures 25 minutes earlier than anticipated. This eased the inconvenience to motorists.

12.00 pm         Growing anticipation among the increasing number of spectators gathered around the finish area waiting for the leading runner to arrive. The team who will time and record the runners as they finish are in position along with medal presenters, stop watches, clip boards and medals at the ready.

12.13 pm         Cheers from the spectators indicate the first runner is about to arrive. He turns into the High School towards the finish, there are no other runners in sight. Hope they haven’t taken a wrong turn.

12.22 pm         Second finisher in sight and arrives to a noisy reception from the crowd. Steady flow of runners arriving at the High School to great cheers and encouragement, some horrified to find they still had to run around the football pitch before reaching the finish. One runner finishes then joins a friend who he accompanies to the finish and is timed again putting the results out of sequence and causing much annoyance to the timers.

1.15   pm         The last runner arrives to a good cheer, he had run almost all the course with a leg injury, yet despite advise to give up, finished the run.

1.20 pm           Presentation of prizes:

1.40 pm           Runners and spectators begin to disperse, bit of an anti-climax but relief that the event was successful. Lots of praise from runners who really enjoyed the event.

1.45 pm          Start to clear up, collect all the signs from the route.

4.00 pm          All done, time for a pint at the Kings Head.

The Great Kibworth Run Part 2 includes winners and donations for the races every other year from 2003 to 2013 plus several photos!

BLONDIN

Who was Blondin?

Jean-François Gravelet was born in 1824, changed his name to Charles Blondin and became a world famous French acrobat and tightrope walker. His fame and fortune followed his tightrope walk over the gorge below the Niagara Falls in 1859.

The Kibworth Connection.

Rumour has it that Blondin visited Kibworth Beachamp for a demonstration of his skills.

Myth or Fact?

Francis P Woodford in his book, A History of Kibworth, adds some weight to the story that Blondin gave a performance in High Street, Kibworth Beauchamp.

Woodford describes the event as follows:
‘The Royal Oak Public House (in High Street) was kept by Mr Staines. It was from the roof of this house to that of one of the houses opposite, that Blondin had a rope stretched, on which he walked blind-folded, and wheeled a barrow across; and also on which he balanced a stove and cooked a pancake, which he tossed in the air, to the thrills and wonder of a great crowd below but only to a small addition to his purse.’

The performance by Blondin followed his usually performed stunts. Woodford does not give a date for this performance but Blondin gave a number of performances in England including locations in and near Leicestershire.

12^th July 1861 Derby ArboretuMr John Stain ham.

13^th July 1861 Aston Park, Birmingham.

30^th July 1861 Nottingham.

1^st July 1862 Whitwick Cricket Ground, Leicestershire.

11^th and 12^th September 1862 Campbell Street, Leicester .

These performances indicate that Blondin was near enough to Kibworth to have given his performance, most likely between his performances at Whitwick and Leicester. There is no record of a Mr Staines as the landlord of the Royal Oak Public House, however on 28^th May 1867 the licence for the Royal Oak was granted to a Mr John Stain. Blondin was in England during 1869 and gave a performance at the Crystal Palace in November that year.

So examining the evidence, if indeed he did visit Kibworth Beauchamp, it could have been in 1861 whilst in England giving performances at Whitwick and Leicester or during John Stain’s tenure as landlord of the Royal Oak when he was in England in 1869.

Myth or Fact-will we ever know for sure, but it makes for a good story.

NB. Blondin gave his last performance in Belfast in 1886.

Acknowledgements

Kibworth to Smeeton A Stroll Down Memory Lane by Philip J Porter 
Encyclopædia Britannica 
Wikipedia

The central cemetery pathway

The Kibworth Cemetery is situated on the A6 Harborough Road, Kibworth Harcourt in Leicestershire.

During 1891 an extension to the graveyard at St Wilfrid’s Church was discussed at Vestry Meetings. It was decided that an extension to the graveyard was not feasible and on 29^th February 1892 a meeting of village residents was held in the Village Hall and a Burial Board was formed.

The elected members of this first Burial Board were:

• Rev. Charles Henry Thomas Cruttwell (Chairman, Anglican Minister)
• Rev. Edmund Hipwood, (Congregation Minister)
• Mr. William Henry Ward
• Mr. George Reginald King
• Mr. William Harcourt Lovell Clark
• Rev. John Newman (Methodist Minister)
• Mr. William Horton
• J.S. Dickinson, (secretary)

The first meeting of the Burial Board was held on 8^th March 1892 when the secretary was instructed to enquire from the owners of 7 potential sites whether they would be willing to sell from 2 to 4 acres for a Cemetery. The 7 potential sites were reduced to 2, the current site on Harborough Road owned by Merton College, Oxford and allotment land between the Railway and Harborough Road belonging to Mrs. Haymes.

The Board decided that the sites should be subject to survey by A.J. Draper the Diocesan Surveyor to ascertain their suitability for a Cemetery having regard to the nature of the sub-soil and the facilities for drainage.

At the Board’s meeting on 5^th May 1892 the meeting agreed to borrow money from the Public Works Loan Commissioner to fund the purchase of the land and the work required.

Following the report from Mr Draper the Board decided to purchase the Merton College site.

At the Board Meeting on 25^th June 1892 a draft contract to purchase 4 acres 3 roods and 28 perches of land from Merton College, Oxford was accepted.

This decision was placed before a Vestry Meeting on the 4^th July 1892 when some opposition to the draft contract was expressed.

At the Vestry meeting on 11^th October 1892 the following was proposed:

‘that there should be only one building erected on the Burial Ground and that such building be a Lychgate on the unconsecrated land’, and ‘that two thirds of the Burial Ground should be consecrated and one third unconsecrated.

At their Burial Board meeting of 1^st November 1892. Mr. Coleman, the occupier of the Merton College field, was awarded £26-10s-0d compensation for loss of the field.

A loan of £2,000 was granted and on 3^rd January 1893, Charles Edward Hare, a Bank Manager, was appointed as the Burial Board’s Treasurer.

Tenders were issued as follows:

Contract 1

For Levelling & Draining: £202 to £398, was awarded to Edward Mason of Kibworth.

Contract 2

For Making & Fixing wrought iron fencing, entrance gates etc. £175 to £290, awarded to Edward Mason.

Contract 3

For the Lychgate £408 to £675-15s-0d was awarded to Mr Haycock of Great Glen.

Tenders 1 & 3 were withdrawn. Edward Mason submitted revised tenders of £235 for Contract 1 and £413 for Contract 3. These tenders were accepted, leaving Mason Builders responsible for all the construction work.

On 10th May 1893 the purchase of the site from Merton College was completed at a cost of £750.

The first phase of the cemetery was completed in 1893 and consecrated in June of that year. The first burial, Florence May Kimbell aged 4 years, took place in August 1893.

Improvements to the Cemetery have seen access improved and pathways upgraded.

The Kibworth Joint Burial Board is now made up of representatives from both Kibworth Parish Councils and they have regular meetings to discuss burial costs and further improvements.

In 2021, an Epitaph software licence was purchased from Edge IT by Kibworth Harcourt Parish Council for the Joint Burial Board, for all of the burials since 1893 and in future, to be recorded and when completed, the details are due to be made available online.

Natural Burial Area

Kibworth Joint Burial Board has reserved an area for natural burials. This area will not have any headstones and only biodegradable coffins and caskets will be allowed.

The Natural Burial Area

The Lychgate

The Lychgate was built between July and October 1894 by Edward Woodford Mason, son of John Mason, one of Kibworth’s most celebrated builders and founder of the family firm. Historic England listed the Lychgate as a Grade II listed buulding in September 2022 ((Ref 1480910) - https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1480910?section=official-list-entry).

The Lychgate (front aspect)

Lychgate (rear aspect)

In February 1895 a wooden bier was presented to the Burial Board by Mr Haymes. This beautifully crafted trolley was pulled by the village Sexton. The bier would collect the coffin from the deceased's house and take it to the cemetery entering through the Lychgate into the burial ground.

Inside the Lychgate showing the bier and inside of the front doors

The Joint Burial Board agreed in 2021 to have the bier renovated and it is due to be cleaned, polished and any repairs made by a specialist from Lubenham in 2022.

After restoration the bier was returned to the Lychgate on 5th October 2022. (additional information by Kevin Feltham).

 Acknowledgements

Stephen Butt
The Kibworth Chronicle
Kibworth Joint Burial Board and current chairman, Dr Kevin Feltham
Kibworth History Society

The Railway Arms, 6 Station Street, Kibworth Beauchamp

The Railway Arms

© The Bitterman and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence

The Railway Arms Inn, also known as The Railway and the Railway Tavern was built in 1845 shortly before the Midland Railway Company obtained powers to build a line from Wigston to Market Harborough via Kibworth. The Inn’s location at 6 Station Street was close to the Kibworth Railway Station. (see Kibworth Railway Station-Modern)

At the Market Harborough Petty Sessions on 3^rd January 1846 the first licence for the Railway Tavern was granted to William Hall, butcher and licensee, of Kibworth Beauchamp. The Police Superintendent was not too happy with Mr. Hall and the Paynes Leicester Advertiser for The Midlands & Adjoining Counties report of the Court proceedings said;

‘During the Court proceedings the Superintendent complained that Hall had allowed gambling and drunkenness to a late hour annoying neighbours. When the Magistrates granted the licence, they cautioned Hall warning that if he continued to allow such practice the licence would not be renewed’.’

Paynes Leicester Advertiser for The Midlands & Adjoining Counties later reported:

‘On 4^th November 1848 William Hall held a sale at the Railway Tavern of his furniture, brewing vessels and barrels before leaving the Inn’.

The Railway Inn 1903 - photograph by John Elcock

Behind the Inn was a large yard with stabling for 12 horses, pigsties and a blacksmith's shop. The original buildings were demolished along with an adjoining cottage in 1926 and replaced by the present building. A further extension was added in the 1960s.

The pub is situated within the Kibworth Beauchamp Conservation Area of the Harborough District, however it is not listed.

The Railway Inn was a former Ansell’s House and some years ago the individual rooms were altered to form one large room which consisted of a games area with a pool table and dart board, a central public bar area and a lounge bar area. There was a wall picture of railway themes and scenes of bygone Kibworth. The Inn also had a skittles long alley which doubles as a function room. The skittles alley was removed in 2020 and the area is now incorporated into a large walled beer garden at the rear.

Star Pubs and Bars (the pub business of Heineken) took over ownership of The Railway Inn in the spring of 2019 and closed the pub on 5^th January 2020 for a £200,000 refurbishment project. The Inn reopened on the 22^nd February 2020. The covid-19 pandemic meant the pub had very limited opening until mid May 2021.

Acknowledgements

Kibworth and Smeeton Inn and Innkeepers1753 – 1968 by Philip Porter
Leicestershire Live

THE GREAT FAMINE AND THE BLACK DEATH

The 14^th century was a difficult period for Kibworth Beauchamp, Kibworth Harcourt, Smeeton Westerby and indeed the whole country. 1314 saw the start of the Great Famine, followed by The Black Death in 1348, with both leaving a trail of death and economic problems for the three villages.

The Great Famine 1314 to 1317

During 1313 severe gales caused havoc in the villages damaging buildings, hedges and trees. Hard frosts in the first months of 1314 persisted until April followed by a hot dry summer which baked the ground resulting in a poor harvest. Autumn brought torrential rain and this extreme weather persisted throughout 1315 and 1316 leaving crops rotting and dying in the fields. Livestock suffered through the lack of animal fodder. This resulted in a severe shortage of food stocks and increased prices adding to the hardships engulfing the villagers. These food shortages persisted into the next decade. The death toll from the famine was approximately 10% of the population along with a severe damage to the economics of the villages.

The Kibworth Harcourt accounts for 1315 to 1318 show increasing rent arrears with the number of poverty-stricken tenants forced to give up their land increasing from 6 to 40 a year.

The Black Death 1348 t0 1553

The Black Death was a bubonic plague, caused by the bacterium now identified as Yersinia pestis, which originated in Asia around 1346 spreading across Europe to reach England in the summer of 1348. The plague spread throughout England very quickly leaving a trail of death in its path.

During that summer rumours, possibly through Kibworth Harcourt’s association with Merton College, Oxford, began to circulate in Kibworth of a terrible pestilence. Later that year the plague reached Leicestershire and arrived in Kibworth at the beginning of 1349.

The first deaths were recorded in Kibworth Beauchamp in April that year. The Kibworth Harcourt court rolls, held at Merton College recorded the first deaths in the village on 29^th April 1349.

Image used to portray the disposal of bodies during the Black Death

The court roll only recorded deaths of landholders and tenants.  The deaths of women, children, labourers and those not owning any land were not recorded.

Kibworth had the heaviest known losses from the Black Death of any English village and whilst the figures are not absolutely accurate, with some records lost, the death toll for Kibworth Beauchamp, Kibworth Harcourt and Smeeton Westerby was about 500. The mortality rate from the Black Death in England was estimated at 40% and when compared to the estimated mortality rate in Kibworth Harcourt, at least 70%, indicates that the village was far more severely affected than most. There appears to be no explanation for the disparity in these mortality figures.

The Kibworth Harcourt court rolls from this period, held at Merton College Oxford, give an indication of how the villagers tried to keep things running as near normal as possible, vacant tenancies were filled, new village officers appointed, and children whose parents had died and were too young to tend their parent’s land were[D1] [D2] [D3] [D4]  cared for.

With the heavy death toll disposal of the bodies was a problem and open mass graves known as ‘Death Pits’ or ‘Plague ‘Pits’ were utilised.

By the end of 1350 The Black Death had begun to abate.  However minor outbreaks of the disease appeared over the next few years and continued into the early years of the 15^th century.

Having to cope with the deaths of so many relatives and friends had a large impact on the people who survived the disease.  This coupled with the damage to the economies of Kibworth Beauchamp, Kibworth Harcourt and Smeeton Westerby, had a severe effect on village life over the next few decades.

Acknowledgements

The Story of England by Michael Wood

The BBC Magazine 11^th June 2020, ‘On how pandemics shape society’ by Michael Wood

Britain Express, The Black Death in England 1348-1350’ by David Ross

Demographic Changes In Kibworth Harcourt Leicestershire In The Later Middle Ages by   David Postles

Wikipedia

1571 – 1797

The first recorded trace of the Foxton family in Kibworth was the birth of John Foxton in 1571. He was the son of Samuel Foxton born 1530 in Leicester. John married Annis, born, c1575, in Kibworth Beauchamp. They had four daughters and two sons; Richard born 20 Nov.1609 and William born1613 who died in the year of his birth. John Foxton died leaving a will dated 29th August 1767 and Annis died in1635. Their son Richard Foxton lived in Kibworth Beauchamp and in 1646 married Agnes/Ann born 1626 in Leicestershire to parents’ unknown. Together they had eight children including Matthew born 1648. In 1673 Matthew Foxton married Jane Fox born1652 in Kibworth Beauchamp and they had four children: Ann born 1674, Elizabeth born 1676, Elisabeth born 1668 and John born 18th December1685.

Extract from the Kibworth Toll Book 1719 showing John and Matthew Foxton

From 1705 the Foxton family lived in Manor Farmhouse, 39 Main Street, Kibworth Harcourt. (see Manor Farmhouse, 39 Main Street, Kibworth Harcourt-Ancient). Jane Foxton died in 1711 and Mathew died in 1723. In Matthew’s Will he left a legacy for the poor of Kibworth Harcourt as shown in this extract from:

The thirty second report of the commissioners appointed in pursuit of the Act appointing Commissioners to continue the inquiries concerning Charities in England and Wales: Township of Kibworth Harcourt

Foxton Charity

Matthew Foxton of Kibworth Harcourt by WILL dated 3d Jan 1721, and proved at Leicester 1723 devised a half yard land in Kibworth Harcourt be divided equally between his two grandsons, and charged one share theof with the sum of 5s. per annum for the use of the poor of Kibworth Harcourt and the other share with the like sum of 5s to be paid on the feast day of St. Matthias for the like poor and to be distributed among them at the discretion of his heir-in-law for the time being and the minister of the parish church and the churchwardens of the town of Kibworth Harcourt forever. One share of his land was inclosed under the Kibworth Inclosure Act and the Commissioners, by their award, dated 14 July 1780, allotted to Elizabeth Wright in lieu of her property therin, a piece of land in West Field, Kibworth Harcourt, containing 4a. Or. 38f.

The present owner of this allotment is Samuel Lamon of Kibworth Harcourt who distributes the sum of 5s. on the 24 February among old and impotent poor persons of the township. The Commissioners could not obtain any information regarding the other 5s. per annum or the land upon which it was charged.

Matthew Foxton’s son John married Sarah Ward at St Wilfrid’s Church, Kibworth Beauchamp on 3rd July 1715. They lived in Manor Farmhouse and had two children, George, born 1716, and Ann born 1718. John Foxton died on 6th September 1767 and Sarah Foxton died on 1st December 1768.

Sarah and John Foxton’s headstone St Wilfrids Churchyard

In memoey of SARAH WIFE of In Memory of JOHN FOXTON JOHN FOXTON who departed who departed this Life September this Life November 29th 1768 3rd in the Year of our Lord 1767 Aged 80 Years Aged 82 Years The rightous shall be had in everlasting remembrance

John Foxton’s daughter Ann married John Owsley of Kibworth Beauchamp at St Wilfrid’s Church, Kibworth Beauchamp in 1739. George Foxton continued to live in The Manor Farmhouse becoming a land owner and grazier. In 1740 he married Elizabeth Fowler at the Church of St John the Baptist, Goadby. They had two daughters, Elizabeth born 1745 and Sarahf born 7th April 1747.

Sarah Foxton married Robert Adams on 6th September 1779 at Kibworth Beauchamp. They had eight children, the youngest was Poyntz Adams born on 4th September 1789 in Leyton, Essex. Poyntz was educated and mentored by his uncle Rev. Thomas Thomas. (see Rev Thomas Thomas part 1 and Poyntz Adams part 1-Modern)

George Foxton, Gentleman and Lord of the Manor was a much-respected man by his tenants and acquaintances but unfortunately he suffered from a serious nervous complaint which for many years left him dependant on others to survive. George Foxton’s wife, Elizabeth, died in March 1784.

It is likely that Rev. Thomas Thomas, who had been living with the Foxton family from 1788, supported and cared for George Foxton, who may have been suffering from dementia. George Foxton died on 6th December 1794.

The Gentleman Magazine 1794 reported his burial as follows:

‘County Leicestershire; Place Kibworth Beauchamp; Church name St Wilfrid; Burial date 30 Dec 1794; Burial person forename George; Burial person surname FOXTON (GENT); Person age 78; Burial person abode KH;

(Transcribed by June James; Credit June James; File line number 192)

Elizabeth and George Foxton’s headstone, St Wilfrids Churchyard;

In memory of ELIZABETH the wife of GEORGE FOXTON Gent She died on the 19th March 1784 in hope of a joyful Resurrection in the 60th year of her age In memory of GEORGE FOXTON Gent He departed this life Dec 24th 1794 In the 79th year of his Age in hopes of a joyful Resurrection through Death’s dark horn we hope she safely trod: Blessed are the faithful for they (illegible) The way to peace, Contentment and to God. Rest in hope.

On 21st September 1796 at St Wilfrid’s Church, Kibworth Beauchamp George Foxton’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth, married Rev. Thomas Thomas and they lived at Manor Farmhouse. Elizabeth Thomas died on the 6th September 1797, within a year of her marriage. (see Rev homas Thomas part 1-Modern)

There is a plaque commemorating the lives of Rev. Thomas Thomas BD and his wife Elizabeth (nee Foxton) in St Wilfrid’s Church, Kibworth;

Consoled in approaching Death by Faith scripture and the Hope of Advancement to Life eternal on September: 1797 dyd Elizabeth the Daughter of George Foxton of Kibworth Gentleman and Wife of reverend Thomas Thomas. BD. Rector of Isham. Alfo in Memory of Revd. Thomas Thomas BD. who died Dec 1st 1825 in the 85th Year of his Age. O Grief allow that Death nor Tomb profound Can duft reviving lock in charnel Ground When JAH commands the Clay dead form arise And Spirit like ascend to Sion Skies so Grievance more to feel nor fancyd Gloom But Rapture that confess a glorious Doom Where Saint becomes in Soul embodying Frame. A Monument of Praise to Shiloh’s Name.

With the passing of Elizabeth Thomas and the marriage of Sarah Foxton to Robert Adams and this family living in Essex there were no members of the Foxton family left in Kibworth Harcourt.

Written by David Adams with research by Jeni Molyneux

Research by Jeni Molyneux in December 2019 at the Pembrokeshire Archives uncovered the copy of the ‘Schedule of title deeds’ kept by Rev Thomas Thomas and this pencilled list of ‘lease and release’=sale of property relating to the Foxton family:

Schedule of title deeds, relating to an Estate at Kibworth Harcourt and Kibworth Beauchamp in the county of Leicester regarding the property of the Reverend Thomas Thomas clerk deceased.

(Document obtained from the Pembrokeshire Records Office)

20th and 21st September 1740

Indentures of lease and release. The release between John Foxton and Sarah his wife of the 1st part Thomas Ward and George Woodcock of the 2nd part and George Foxton, son and heir of this John Foxton and Sarah and Elizabeth Fowler /eldest daughter of Elizabeth Fowler widow/of the 3rd part.

3rd April 1783

An Indre between George Foxton and Elizabeth his wife of the one part and Thomas Ward/son and heir of Thomas Ward deceased of the other part.

29th August 1767

The Will of John Foxton

6th August 1794 The Will of the said George Foxton

26th 27th November 1795

Indentures of lease and release.

The release between Elizabeth Foxton of the 1st part the Reverend Thomas Thomas clerk of the second part William Peppin and John Johnson the third part and Thomas State and William Starked of the fourth part.

27th 28th February 1817

Indentures of lease and release. The release between John Foxton Adams, Robert Adams the younger, Poyntz Adams, Dorothea Oursley Adams and Elizabeth Adams (children of Sarah Adams deceased) of the one part and the Rev Thomas Thomas of the other part.

3rd March 1817

A n indenture between the said John Foxton Adams, Robert Adams the younger, Poyntz Adams, Dorothea Oursley Adams and Elizabeth Adams of the first part; William (W) Wartnaby of the second part, the Reverend Thomas Thomas of the third part, John (W) Wartnaby of the fourth part and John Arthur Arnold of the fifth part.

Indres (Indentures) of fine wherein John Hartnaby is plaintiff John Foxton Adams Robert Adams Poyntz Adams Dorothea Oursley Adams and Elizabeth Adams are Defunct.

POYNTZ ADAMS 1789-1870 Part 2.

May 1811 Dr Poyntz Adams left London to set up as a general practitioner in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire. His career as a country practitioner was ahead of him with a set of expensive instruments bought for him, by his uncle Rev.Thomas Thomas.

In a letter from Poyntz Adams at 5, St Thomas’s Tents, Southwark to his uncle.

‘I go to church every Sunday and it is Mr Neve who does duty, his wife called to see me about a poor woman that I am attending. I have got already twenty -six patients on my books.
I have not had any midwifery yet, but I have been spoken to by two persons who live about four miles from Sodbury. Mr Drayton, surgeon called upon me last week, he has no doubt but I shall do very well. He left this place eighteen months ago; the reason he left was on account of the prejudices of the people was so much against him on account of him becoming an anabaptist while he was at Sodbury. The population of Sodbury was taken three weeks ago and it amounted to twelve hundred and thirty five including women and children.’

Grandson of George Foxton of Kibworth
correspondence with his uncle Rev.Thomas Thomas.

‘A youngest son who had to make his own way’

Whilst Poyntz Adams did not live in Kibworth except on visits his grandfather was George Foxton who lived in Manor Farmhouse, Main Street, Kibworth Harcourt and his aunt Elizabeth Thomas, nee Foxton. His mother Sarah was born, lived her early life and was married in Kibworth before moving to Essex. (see The Foxton Family of Kibworth-modern). From the Rev Thomas Thomas’s’ correspondence we see that Dr Poyntz Adams was educated and financed by him. The letters reveal the difficulties and hardships facing a young man of small means but the ambition to undertake medical training in the early 1800’s.

Poyntz Adams went as a medical student to London in 1810; he gives us an outline of his weekly schedule in letters written to his uncle and sponsor Rev.Thomas Thomas.
It was this uncle who funded him throughout his studies and training to become a surgeon and who helped him to set up his first practice at Chipping Sodbury.