Ice House tours launch for summer season

BE TRANSPORTED

BACK to Blaby village’s Victorian past during a tour of the historic Ice House at Bouskell Park.

Summer tours of the Grade II Listed Building are now open for booking. The tour includes a guided walk across Bouskell Park with information given about the archaeological features. You will then have an opportunity to look inside the restored Ice House and learn about how and when it was used. See here for booking details: Ice House Tours

Bouskell Park was once the site of a medieval village, the remains of which were cleared to create parkland and gardens for Blaby Hall. Much of the park’s features date back to this period including the Ice House built in 1843.

The historic Ice House was a form of early refrigeration and it would have been used by the residents of Blaby Hall to store ice that could be used to preserve food and cool drinks. Domed and circular in shape, the Ice House is covered by an earth mound with a small circular ventilation opening at the top.

In December 2019, £156,000 was awarded to Blaby District Council by The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of a £173,000 project. This exciting ‘Buried Bouskell’ project restored the Ice House to its former glory and helped preserve its structure and heritage for the future.

The works the installation of a new retaining structure, rebuild of the tunnel entrance, a new door and dome cover. Railings, landscaping of the area and signage were also included as part of the extensive redevelopment.

Councillor Nigel Grundy, Blaby District Council Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said: “It was enormously satisfying when the Buried Bouskell project came to fruition and the historic Ice House was finally restored. Now we are proud to run regular tours to this landmark within picturesque parkland to allow people a glimpse into Blaby village’s Victorian past.”

Councillor Les Phillimore, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, Community and Environmental Services, added: “It is estimated there may be something like 2,500 ice houses left in Britain so they are not a common feature and fully restored ice houses are even rarer and of enormous historical value. Most of them are also located in the grounds of grand houses - so we like to think our ice house is pretty unique and is a great asset to our District as a visitor attraction. Book a tour and see for yourself.”

Tours cost £5.50 per adult and up to four children can go free per adult.

Tours run from 10am until noon and upcoming dates are: Wednesday 5 July; Saturday 8 July; Wednesday 9 August; Saturday 26 August.

The walk around Bouskell Park is among 12 special Heritage Walks located across the District which allows people to enjoy picturesque surroundings while also learning about the area’s history.

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Loughborough Town Hall launches summer season with incredible line-up of shows

LOUGHBOROUGH Town Hall is excited to launch its summer season, full to the brim with live music, musicals, comedy, drama and community events!

Highlights for this season include some first-time visitors to Loughborough Town Hall, such as Jenny Eclair with her brand new hilarious tour, Sixty Plus! (FFS!). Audiences can also look forward to the incredible WhitneyQueen of the Night, Carl Hutchinson, Showaddywaddy, Jonathan Agnew and much more, sure to get audiences dancing (or rolling) in the aisles. Summer 2023 is set to be huge for music and musical theatre lovers, with Whitney - Queen of the Night coming direct from the West End on 14 September. The phenomenal production celebrates the life and music of one of the greatest ever singers with a sizzling cast and incredible live band.

Continuing the live music, don’t miss out on Sinfonia Viva bringing grand orchestral music to Loughborough Town Hall on 20 September. The incredible soaring sounds of the East Midlands orchestra are sure to make hairs stand on end and even bring a tear to the eye, as they fill the auditorium with some of the world’s most renowned classical pieces. Coming soon, audiences need to get tickets ‘toot-sweet’ for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 22-25 June. Meanwhile, the ever-popular Keyworth School of Theatre and Dance Revue takes place on 1 July. And as if that wasn’t enough to excite theatre fans, we have no fewer than three shows in a week for young audiences through July and August, putting on Peter Pan, Mary Poppins and Annie.

Comedy fans will have plenty to chuckle about with Jenny Eclair coming to Loughborough on 29 September after extending her tour due to popular demand! Her show Sixty Plus! (FFS!) confronts a new decade of decrepitude, as Jenny asks whether she should celebrate or crawl into a hole? Audiences can also look forward to laughs from UK comedy’s best-kept secret Carl Hutchinson on 15 September and can join Live with Aggers fresh from the Ashes on 26 September for hilarious anecdotes and moving stories from the incredible career of the master broadcaster and ex-cricketer.

On 1 September, local legends Showaddywaddy are back for another unforgettable night of chart hits, while West End treats in September include the unmissable Phantom of the Opera, which brings The Music of the Night to Loughborough Town Hall from 5-9 September.

The fan-favourite An Evening With… programme is back with new stars ready to regale audiences with laughs, stories and amazing anecdotes from their varied careers. This summer, the England hattrick hero from the 1966 World Cup win Sir Geoff Hurst shares tales of his storied footballing career on 18 September. Plus, comedian and award-winning columnist Mark Steel brings his unique and hilarious take on life to the Town Hall on 16 September.

Add in gems like the Sock Gallery Summer Exhibition 2023 (29 July-30 August) and the Leicester Society of Artists Annual Exhibition (beginning 7 September), and there really is something for everyone this summer!

Date for your diary