Sileby
| Sileby | |
  Sileby |
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| Population | 6,331 (at 2001 Census) |
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| OS grid reference | SK604151 |
| District | Charnwood |
| Shire county | Leicestershire |
| Region | East Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LOUGHBOROUGH |
| Postcode district | LE12 |
| Dialling code | 01509 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | Loughborough |
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Coordinates: 52°43′52″N 1°06′22″W / 52.731°N 1.106°W
Sileby is a former industrial village and civil parish in the Soar Valley in Leicestershire, between Leicester and Loughborough. Nearby villages include Barrow upon Soar, Mountsorrel, Ratcliffe-on-the-Wreake, Seagrave and Cossington.
The origins of the village date back to around 840 AD.
The area was settled by the Danes - Leicestershire forming part of the Danelaw along with other counties in the vicinity. The name Sileby may in fact come from the Danish name 'Sighulf'.
History
Traditionally, Sileby was split into two wards, separated by the brook that flows through the middle of the village. These are St Mary’s to the north and St Gregory’s to the south. Recently however, due to Boundary Commission changes, a third ward of ‘Barrow West’ was added albeit as an arbitrary boundary essentially for electoral purposes. This division was strongly resented at the time owing to local rivalries and the idea of a portion of the village being annexed was not popular. In practice however this division is largely ignored. Even the idea of the two traditional wards is becoming somewhat lost as the village grows and new people move in unaware of the significance of the historical division.
One of Sileby's most distinguishing features is the Anglican church of St. Mary founded around 1152. It is a Grade II* listed building, and only 4% of listed buildings in the country are Grade II* status, which means it is of very significant interest. The Gothic tower now houses a fine ring of 10 bells, which attract ringers from far and wide.
Transport
The village has a railway station on the Ivanhoe Line, and trains run regularly to Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Lincoln.
Socialising
Pubs include the Horse and Trumpet (Steaming Billy), the "Free Trade Inn", and the White Swan These pubs cater for all tastes. The Horse and Trumpet ("Steaming Billy"), located at the top of Mountsorrel Lane opposite St Mary’s Church is a regular village drinking house offering bar meals and frequent entertainment. Further towards the middle of the village on Swan Street is the White Swan. The only pub in St Gregory’s ward is the Free Trade Inn which stands at the junction of Cossington Road and Manor Drive. This is one of the oldest buildings in Sileby, dating back to the 15th century. This is a traditional pub serving some food but is generally a ‘drinking’ pub boasting a wide variety of beer and lager. The village also has two private members' clubs – the Working Men’s Club on King Street (next to the Horse and Trumpet), and the Constitutional Club on Cossington Road. Both clubs have separate function rooms.
The Working Men’s Club has a wide range of age groups amongst its membership, and holds traditional bingo nights.
The Constitutional Club has many facilities on offer including a full-size snooker table, pool table, long-alley skittles and a private function room. The club is a great venue for live bands and entertainment at the weenend, holds popular bingo sessions every Wednesday night 9.00pm and Sunday afternoon 4.00pm, regular general knowledge and music quizzes raising money for charity. The club was also the home of the extremely popular Sileby Annual Flower & Vegetable Show held each September which no longer takes place. There is also the hugely popular Sparky's Santa Sunday held on the first Sunday in December with many displays, stalls and hog roast to get you ready for the seasons festivities.
Sport
Sileby has a great number of sporting clubs, many of which have enjoyed success in recent years. There are well established clubs and facilities for cricket, football, tennis and lawn bowls, as well as many others clubs for rugby, baseball and shooting amongst others.
Community
Sileby has a community magazine, Talk@Sileby. The magazine is published by volunteers three times a year. Electronic copies of all issues can be found on the village website (another project run by volunteers).
Sileby Community Centre is located on the High Street and has a large main hall with numerous ancillary rooms including a kitchen and bar, as well as a separate sports hall. It is housed in what was formerly a Wesleyan chapel that was given to the village some years ago and is now managed by the Parish Council.
There is an active Scout group, which meets at its HQ on Brook Street, a former shoe factory.
Each year in September there is the Sileby Annual Flower and Vegetable Show held at Sileby Constitutional Club. This is an extremely popular event in which local residents and growers of all standards are welcomed to come along and take part.
Notable residents
- David Howe, speedway rider[1]
Development
The village has expanded greatly in the past 5 years, with several hundred new houses being built.
References
- ↑ "Speedway: Leicester Lions fans get ready to roar at Rye House", Leicester Mercury, 19 March 2010, retrieved 2011-06-01
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sileby. |
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