I was given the chance to take a look inside a red brick water tower in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire.
The tower, built in 1884 by the Leicester Poor Law Union, was part of the Countesthorpe Cottage Homes complex, which was an attempt by the Poor Law Union to place impoverished and orphaned children into model "cottage homes" rather than large central workhouses and foster a family-style environment.
The tower housed the main water supply tank for the complex, and the adjoining building, the site’s central boiler house and coal store, provided heating and hot water to the cottages.
The tower’s design was created by prominent local architect Isaac Barradale, using red brick with stone corbels and brick machicolations around the upper gallery and a steep pyramid-shaped roof.
The building is currently Grade II listed (as of 1981).
The building was converted into a private residence after the cottage homes closed in 1972.
My visit was part of a fundraising event for St Andrew’s Church Restoration Fund in the village and included a very interesting talk about its history from Sally Bailey and afternoon tea on the lawn before we toured the building and climbed to the tower itself. In my film, we first see the tower from ground level before reaching the top, which has been converted to provide spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding Leicestershire countryside.
A fascinating delve back into our region’s industrial heritage, preserved for future generations by a sympathetic conversion and new life as a modern family home.
A Short film by me featuring action from Saturday`s Wales Rally GB Sweet Lamb stage and its water splash. Wales Rally GB is the final round of the WRC and sees the worlds top rally drivers competing over a series of stages in the hills and valleys of Wales, Various models of car are used and are based on their road going counterparts but all have been highly modified for the demanding and fast paced motor sport of rallying. see some photos from the day after the jump. > Some images from the Wales rally GB Sweet lamb stage.
This short film was shot by me during the early morning sunrise at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire. The film features Bradgate park which was the birthplace and early home of Lady Jane Grey - 9 days Queen of England. The park is well known for its herds of red and fallow deer who roam freely amongst the spectacular scenery of this unspoilt part of Leicestershire.
The 29th and 30th September 2018 saw the #BMX National Series come to #Leicester Huncote Hornets BMX track, The event (rescheduled due to weather issues in early spring) saw riders of all ages arrive in the Leicestershire town from across the country to do battle on the Hornets BMX track behind the Pavilion leisure center. My film aims to give a sense of the race atmosphere on day two of the event where a dramatically cloudy sky and lighting gave a cinematic feel to races on the track. Hold on tight this is a fast one !.
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