Loughborough
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Loughborough_Carillon.jpg
Loughborough (pronounced 'luff-burra' or 'luff-bruh') is the largest town in Leicestershire, England (City of Leicester excluded). The population of the town in 2001 was assesed at 55,492[1] (http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/your_council/about_leicestershire/statistics/research_info_population.htm). It was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, and it is the administrative centre for the Charnwood district.
The town has the world's largest bell foundry — Taylor's Bellfoundry, which made the bells for the Carillon war memorial, a landmark in the town.
The A6 Trunk Road passes through the town on its way along the Soar Valley, south to Leicester or north to Kegworth and Derby. Junction 23 of the M1 lies to the West of the town and forms the clearest division between Loughborough and Shepshed. The A60 leaves the town to the west before turning north towards Nottingham
The Midland Main Line runs frequent rail services through the town from London St Pancras to Sheffield and Nottingham. The Great Central Railway also once ran through the town, and now it is the home of a preserved section of line.
'Nottingham' East Midlands Airport is 10 miles north of Loughborough at Castle Donington
To the South of the town centre lies the Shelthorpe Estate - a large council estate, and the largest in the country when built in the 1920s and 1930s. Shelthorpe Estate has its own schools, chip shop, 'Bargain Booze' and carwash.
In 1841 Loughborough was the destination for the first ever package tour organised by Thomas Cook, for a temperance group from Leicester. On the edge of Loughborough to the north, Dishley Grange Farm was the home of Agricultural Revolutionist Robert Bakewell. The farm is currently home to the annual Leicestershire County Show.
Loughborough has its own newspaper, the Loughborough Echo, but in common with many towns and villages in Leicestershire is also served by the Leicester based Leicester Mercury.
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Education
Primary schools (age 4-11) located in Loughbrough include Rendell Primary School, Boothwood County Primary, Holywell Primary School, Mountfields Lodge C.P School and many more.
There are three 11-14 year old schools; Garendon High School, Limehurst High School and Woodbrook Vale High School. Most of the students from these schools then attend Burleigh Community College to sit GCSE exams two years later. Many then continue to the sixth form to sit the A-level exams. A significant number also choose to go to Rawlins Community College, in Quorn which approximately a 10-15 minute drive from Loughborough town centre.
The De Lisle Roman Catholic High School caters for 11-18 year olds.
The town's independent schools are Fairfield Preparatory School (ages 4-11), Loughborough Grammar School (for boys, founded 1496), Loughborough High School (for girls) and Our Lady's Convent School (for girls).
The primary campus of Loughborough University is located to the west of the town centre. The University is the base for a number of athletes, including Paula Radcliffe, Sebastian Coe, and Steve Backley. Other higher/further education facilities in the town include the RNIB Vocational College and Loughborough College. The Loughborough College of Art and Design is now the university's School of Art and Design.
Employers
The Brush Traction Works were once the largest employer in Loughborough. That role is now filled by Loughborough University. Other major employers include AstraZeneca (formerly Fisons) and 3M Health Care Ltd.
Ladybird Books used to be based in Loughborough.
Shopping
The centre of Loughborough's shopping area in the pedestianised Market Place. A large outdoor market is held on Market Place every Thursday and Saturday, a smaller flea market is held on Fridays and there is a monthly farmer's market. Major chains with shops in Loughborough include Tesco, J Sainsbury, Boots the Chemists, Thorntons and Argos.
'The Rushes' shopping centre has recently been built on the site of the old bus station and includes M&S and Woolworths. The Rushes is linked to the existing town centre area by the Churchgate & Churchgate Mews the latter includes many individually styled boutiques and a beauty salon.
Recreation
The Rugby Union Loughborough Rugby Football Club play at the Derby Road playing fields.
Other sports teams include the non-league Loughborough Football Club, and the Loughborough Aces (Collegiate American Football). There is also a Netball league which plays at the Charnwood Leisure Centre.
In November the annual street fair takes over the centre of the town and closes the A6 for 3 days.
Twin towns
- Épinal, France
- Gembloux, Belgium
- Schwäbisch Hall, Germany
- Zamość, Poland
- Bhavnagar, India (community link)
External links
- Charnwood Borough Council (http://www.charnwoodbc.gov.uk)
- Loughborough Internet (http://www.loughborough.co.uk/)
- Great Central Railway (http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/)
- Visit Leicestershire: Loughborough and Charnwood (http://www.visitleicestershire.com/explore/lough)sv:Loughborough