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Tuesday 16th July 2024  

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Quorn Business and Industry

Up until the mid nineteen century most industry in the village was cottage based, primarily frame-work knitting. During the 1820s two hosiery factories were established and by the middle of the century Quorn had a sock and glove manufacturer (Websters) and a twist lace, silk net and cotton tatting factory (Balms), located where the Church Rooms are now. Wrights Mill, elastic webbing manufacturers, arrived in the village in 1860. By 1911 Wrights employed over 30% of the working population of Quorn and they are still present in the village today.

In addition to the factories, this section also contains information about the quarry, the railway and shops, all of which had an impact on village life.


 White Hart, Quorn, matchbox label, 1980s  White Hart, Quorn, matchbox label, 1980s
This is a matchbox label, from a box of promotional matches, either given out or sold at ...... cont.
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 Quorn Griswold Workers 1896  Quorn Griswold Workers 1896
This item appeared in the newspaper in the second half of last century, but refers to ...... cont.
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 Sale of Quorn Fields Farm 1933  Sale of Quorn Fields Farm 1933
Quorn Fields Farm was situated down a long track off Barrow Road, now known as Flesh ...... cont.
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 Wright’s presentation watch, Miss Ellen Ball 1953  Wright’s presentation watch, Miss Ellen Ball 1953
Ellen Ball, known as Nell or Nellie, was born in Quorn in 1888. She worked at Wright’s ...... cont.
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 John Mellor Cars, Wood Lane, Quorn  John Mellor Cars, Wood Lane, Quorn
John Mellor Cars had premises in Loughborough and Quorn. The Quorn garage was on the ...... cont.
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 M Wright and Sons, WW2, producing military webbing for the USA  M Wright and Sons, WW2, producing military webbing for the USA
M Wright and Sons Ltd of Quorn produced American webbing alongside British military ...... cont.
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 Two Crescent Hosiery Co. Ltd, Quorn  Two Crescent Hosiery Co. Ltd, Quorn
Two Crescent Hosiery Co. Ltd was a hosiery company founded by George Farnham of Quorn ...... cont.
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 A Barge from Cupitt’s Coal Wharf, Quorn; at Mountsorrel Wharf, 1908  A Barge from Cupitt’s Coal Wharf, Quorn; at Mountsorrel Wharf, 1908
Explaining the Pictures Photographs 1 and 2 were taken at Mountsorrel Wharf in ...... cont.
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 Rural District of Barrow upon Soar - Official Guide  Rural District of Barrow upon Soar - Official Guide
This booklet ‘Rural District of Barrow upon Soar - Official Guide’ was published during ...... cont.
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 Quorn Cross, early 1960s  Quorn Cross, early 1960s
Although this view of Quorn looking from Meeting Street up towards Quorn Cross is easily ...... cont.
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 Barrow on Soar and Quorn Midland Railway Station  Barrow on Soar and Quorn Midland Railway Station
The old, now demolished, Midland Railway Station was very firmly in the Parish of Barrow ...... cont.
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 The Manor House Hotel, Woodhouse Road, Quorn  The Manor House Hotel, Woodhouse Road, Quorn
The Manor House Hotel on Woodhouse Road opened in 1899, the year after the opening of the ...... cont.
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 Quorn Fields Farm History – The Hickling family and farm sale in 1974  Quorn Fields Farm History – The Hickling family and farm sale in 1974
Quorn Fields Farm was situated down a long track off Barrow Road, now known as Flesh ...... cont.
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 Quorn Lodge Farm, 1952  Quorn Lodge Farm, 1952
The author of the following piece which appeared in the press in 1952, is describing a ...... cont.
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 The Moss family in Quorn and Quorn Fields/Lodge Farm  The Moss family in Quorn and Quorn Fields/Lodge Farm
The milk bottle below was dug up from an old tip in Quorn and dates from the 1920s. It is ...... cont.
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 Buddon Wood, Quorn, Trig Point, 1950s  Buddon Wood, Quorn, Trig Point, 1950s
Before 1974, Buddon Wood in the south of Quorn Parish, off Wood Lane, was beautiful ...... cont.
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 Bennett’s Trade Directory 1901-02 – Quorn entries  Bennett’s Trade Directory 1901-02 – Quorn entries
Below is the Quorn section from Bennetts trade directory for Leicestershire for 1901/02. ...... cont.
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 Bennett’s Trade Directory 1899 – Quorn entries  Bennett’s Trade Directory 1899 – Quorn entries
Below is the Quorn section from Bennetts trade directory for Leicestershire for 1899. ...... cont.
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 Wrights Directory 1899 – Quorn entries  Wrights Directory 1899 – Quorn entries
Trade directories are a valuable source of information for both the local and family ...... cont.
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 Kelly's Directory 1899 – Quorndon entries  Kelly's Directory 1899 – Quorndon entries
Directories are a valuable source of information for both the local and family historian. ...... cont.
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 Frederick Penfold, Quorn stonemason  Frederick Penfold, Quorn stonemason
Frederick Richard Penfold was a stonemason who had his business in Quorn. He married ...... cont.
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 Wrights Directory 1898 – Quorn entries  Wrights Directory 1898 – Quorn entries
Wrights Directory 1898 – Quorn entries Trade directories are a valuable source of ...... cont.
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 George Gartshore (1830 to 1917), farrier to the Quorn Hunt  George Gartshore (1830 to 1917), farrier to the Quorn Hunt
This document relates to the payment of expenses to George Gartshore by his employer, ...... cont.
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 Wright's Directory 1896 – Quorndon entries  Wright's Directory 1896 – Quorndon entries
Trade directories are a valuable source of information for both the local and family ...... cont.
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 Gambles building firm, 1950s  Gambles building firm, 1950s
Brothers Ron and Aubrey Gamble ran a building firm in Quorn, G Gamble and Sons, which was ...... cont.
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 Adnett’s grocery shop, High Street, Quorn  Adnett’s grocery shop, High Street, Quorn
Ernest and Joan Adnett ran a grocery shop in Quorn, at what is now (2022) Ferrari’s ...... cont.
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 Rex Bloore, Quorn – business card  Rex Bloore, Quorn – business card
Rex Bloore was well known Quorn businessman in the 1960s and 1970s. His main business was ...... cont.
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 Aylward and Son, electrical shop, High Street, Quorn  Aylward and Son, electrical shop, High Street, Quorn
Frederick and Elizabeth Aylward moved to Quorn in about 1935. They lived on Loughborough ...... cont.
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 22 High Street, Quorn - discovery behind a wall!  22 High Street, Quorn - discovery behind a wall!
In September 2021, local optometrist Mohammed Bhojani was having some alterations ...... cont.
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 Bull in the Hollow/Needless Inn  Bull in the Hollow/Needless Inn
The Bull in the Hollow is a well-known landmark, standing as it does on the main road ...... cont.
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 Quorn, Hunt Class railway engine  Quorn, Hunt Class railway engine
Over the years Quorn has given its name to many products; from ships to custard and ...... cont.
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 A fete in Quorn, probably 1940s  A fete in Quorn, probably 1940s
Quorn has always liked a good fete or celebration and it is thought that this one may ...... cont.
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 Hilda and Mary Harper, Leicester Road, 27th May 1941  Hilda and Mary Harper, Leicester Road, 27th May 1941
Looking down Leicester Road from outside no 14, which is roughly where the entrance to ...... cont.
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 John Henry Boyer Warner, 2 September 1849 – 12 April 1891  John Henry Boyer Warner, 2 September 1849 – 12 April 1891
JHB as he was known is remembered locally for selecting ‘Quorn’ as the name for a small ...... cont.
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 King William IVth pub, Leicester Road, 1930s  King William IVth pub, Leicester Road, 1930s
A rare coloured photograph of the King William IVth pub, which stood on Leicester Road, ...... cont.
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 Harold Crossley, Quorn Fields Farm  Harold Crossley, Quorn Fields Farm
Harold Crossley was a hostler (ie he looked after the horses), employed by farmer Percy ...... cont.
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 Three Quorn businessmen  Three Quorn businessmen
These three Quorn men are (left to right) Stan Orton, Tommy Howlett and Frank Hudson. ...... cont.
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 The Quorn Ranch Company, North America  The Quorn Ranch Company, North America
Introduction The Quorn Ranch(e) Company was an English syndicate formed in 1886 ...... cont.
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 A Quorn football team, circa 1919  A Quorn football team, circa 1919
This photograph is a football team taken in Quorn. The player on the back row, (second ...... cont.
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 Marquees for M Wright and Sons Centenary 1960  Marquees for M Wright and Sons Centenary 1960
Marquees on the field on School Lane, ready for the Wright’s centenary celebration event ...... cont.
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 Medicine bottle from Green's chemist, Quorn  Medicine bottle from Green's chemist, Quorn
This medicine bottle came from Green's chemist on High Street, which was situated where ...... cont.
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 Alfred Charles Morrison of Quorn - Pioneer of the electric milk float  Alfred Charles Morrison of Quorn - Pioneer of the electric milk float
A fascinating article about Alfred Morrison, a former village resident, who was an ...... cont.
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 Machine shop at M. Wright and Sons, Quorn, early 1920s  Machine shop at M. Wright and Sons, Quorn, early 1920s
In the 1920s the machines were belt driven, feeding off overhead line-shafting. As well ...... cont.
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 M. Wright and Sons factory, Quorn, approx 1880  M. Wright and Sons factory, Quorn, approx 1880
Fifteen men standing outside M. Wright and Sons factory in about 1880, possibly a little ...... cont.
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 Manor House Hotel, Quorn  Manor House Hotel, Quorn
The Manor House Hotel on Woodhouse Road opposite the railway station, was built for the ...... cont.
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 M Wright and Sons, Quorn - Centenary Celebration, 1960 - Programme  M Wright and Sons, Quorn - Centenary Celebration, 1960 - Programme
M Wright and Sons, elastic webbing manufacturers, started in Leicester in 1860 and moved ...... cont.
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 Thompson and Gamble, builders of the Cradock Drive housing development  Thompson and Gamble, builders of the Cradock Drive housing development
Who were Thompson and Gamble? Thompson and Gamble were a well-known ...... cont.
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 The QUORN Tool and Cutter Grinder  The QUORN Tool and Cutter Grinder
Since its launch in 1974, the Quorn Tool and Cutter Grinder has achieved legendary status ...... cont.
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 12 Freehold Street, Quorn – Shop and Off-Licence  12 Freehold Street, Quorn – Shop and Off-Licence
The first of these photographs was taken in about 1909 and shows Joseph Birkin standing ...... cont.
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 M Wright and Sons, Quorn – Winding Room  M Wright and Sons, Quorn – Winding Room
Wright’s factory has been in Quorn since 1870. This photograph of the winding room is ...... cont.
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 Robert Sutton, Quorn Family Butcher  Robert Sutton, Quorn Family Butcher
This photograph was taken on High Street in Quorn around 1920, and shows Robert and Gerty ...... cont.
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 Air raid shelter in Quorn  Air raid shelter in Quorn
World War Two started in 1939 and continued for six years. During this time there was ...... cont.
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 The Mill House pub, Quorn, ladies darts team, October 1947  The Mill House pub, Quorn, ladies darts team, October 1947
Loughborough Echo, Friday, 17th October 1947 The Mill House pub was on Leicester Road, ...... cont.
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 M Wright & Sons Ltd, New automatic weaving looms, January 1947  M Wright & Sons Ltd, New automatic weaving looms, January 1947
Loughborough Echo, Friday, 31st January 1947 Invention by Quorn man New ...... cont.
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 A unique Quorn business - ships in bottles!  A unique Quorn business - ships in bottles!
One of the most unusual small businesses that Quorn has supported over the years, must be ...... cont.
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 ‘Quorna’ Tape, made by M. Wright and Sons of Quorn  ‘Quorna’ Tape, made by M. Wright and Sons of Quorn
‘Quorna’ was a brand name used by Wrights factory in Quorn in the early and middle parts ...... cont.
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 Meeting Street, Quorn – Then and now  Meeting Street, Quorn – Then and now
The earlier of these two photographs is thought to have been taken in about 1911. The ...... cont.
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 Thomas Cradock of Quorn Court  Thomas Cradock of Quorn Court
Thomas Cradock was born in Loughborough in 1795. He married Mary Octavia Grover (known as ...... cont.
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 Thomas Lucas, jeweller, Quorn - Watch paper  Thomas Lucas, jeweller, Quorn - Watch paper
Watch papers were round papers, placed between the inner and outer case of a pocket ...... cont.
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 Video - Tom Long haymaking in his meadow, 1960s  Video - Tom Long haymaking in his meadow, 1960s
This converted cine film shows Tom Long making hay in his meadow in the early 1960s. The ...... cont.
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 Blacksmiths shop, Meeting Street, Quorn, 1935  Blacksmiths shop, Meeting Street, Quorn, 1935
On Saturday 17th August 1935, The Illustrated Leicester Chronicle published this ...... cont.
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 Home Farm and the Pepper Family  Home Farm and the Pepper Family
Life in Quorn was very different in the 1900s, with many more farms in the village. One ...... cont.
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 Ploughing prize, 1848, William Sarson, Quorn  Ploughing prize, 1848, William Sarson, Quorn
The wording on this impressive tankard says: “1st PRIZE for Ploughing Presented by ...... cont.
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 Jackie Mann – Quorn farmer, Soar Road, early 1900s  Jackie Mann – Quorn farmer, Soar Road, early 1900s
John Mann, or Jackie as he was known, was born in Barrow upon Soar in 1854. On 12th ...... cont.
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 Charles Tomblin – killed near Quorn Station, September 1936  Charles Tomblin – killed near Quorn Station, September 1936
Charles Tomblin was born in Barrowden in Rutland on 14th April 1871, one of five ...... cont.
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 C. A. Taylor, Tobacconist, Quorn  C. A. Taylor, Tobacconist, Quorn
This letterhead and business card was kindly given to Quorn Village Online Museum in ...... cont.
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 Lloyd Eric Tomlyn, 1928 to 2016 – Memories of Quorn  Lloyd Eric Tomlyn, 1928 to 2016 – Memories of Quorn
Lloyd Eric Tomlyn was born in Mountsorrel in 1928, the son of Eric Dudley Ernest Tomlyn ...... cont.
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 Harvest at Home Farm, Quorn, early 1900s  Harvest at Home Farm, Quorn, early 1900s
Thomas Pepper was born in 1883 in Long Whatton. He was married twice and had six children ...... cont.
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 Quorn Laundry buildings  Quorn Laundry buildings
Quorn Laundry was based on Barrow Road, where Quorndon Terrace is today. This photograph ...... cont.
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 Quorn Hygienic Laundry basket  Quorn Hygienic Laundry basket
This Quorn laundry basket (or hamper) was used by the Pagets from Nanpantan Hall in ...... cont.
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 Masterbuilder construction set, made in Quorn 1940s  Masterbuilder construction set, made in Quorn 1940s
This is definitely one of the more unusual Quorn artefacts that has come to ...... cont.
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 Aerial view of Wright's factory and surrounding area - approx 1952  Aerial view of Wright's factory and surrounding area - approx 1952
This aerial photograph was taken in the early 1950s, as evidenced by the size of the lime ...... cont.
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 Postcard – Mountsorrel Quarry 1909  Postcard – Mountsorrel Quarry 1909
This postcard raises many questions! It may be asked how a Mountsorrel Quarry postcard ...... cont.
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 WW1 Puttees! Made by M Wright and Sons  WW1 Puttees! Made by M Wright and Sons
This advert appeared regularly in the Tatler between 1917 and 1919. It is advertising ...... cont.
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 Quorn cigarette tin, early 1900s  Quorn cigarette tin, early 1900s
This Quorn cigarette tin is very well worn and we think is a very rare find. Underneath ...... cont.
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 Quorn meat substitute and our village – a connection or not?  Quorn meat substitute and our village – a connection or not?
One question that people often ask is whether there is a connection between the name of ...... cont.
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 Church Room fundraising fete, June 1929  Church Room fundraising fete, June 1929
In 1922 a committee was formed to raise funds for the building of a Church Room. Several ...... cont.
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 Insurance plaques, Quorn  Insurance plaques, Quorn
Beginning in the 18th century, insurance fire plaques were attached high up on buildings, ...... cont.
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 Bus on Leicester Road, Quorn, 1910  Bus on Leicester Road, Quorn, 1910
This fantastic photograph was taken on the east side of Leicester Road in 1910. The house ...... cont.
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 Two buses at Quorn Cross, 1930  Two buses at Quorn Cross, 1930
A very interesting street scene showing Quorn Cross in about 1930. Whilst the quality of ...... cont.
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 Wright's Factory, weaving room 1923/24  Wright's Factory, weaving room 1923/24
One of the elastic weaving rooms at Wright's factory, Quorn in 1923 or 1924. The ...... cont.
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 Tommy Allen 1911 to 1996  Tommy Allen 1911 to 1996
Thomas William Allen was born on 30th April 1911 at 46 Meeting Street and lived in Quorn ...... cont.
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 High Street, Quorn in the 1950s  High Street, Quorn in the 1950s
Two photographs of High Street, Quorn, looking towards Quorn Cross, in the 1950s, showing ...... cont.
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 William Wilders – Carrier of Quorn  William Wilders – Carrier of Quorn
William Wilders was born in Quorn in 1838 and died in 1893. We are lucky to have this ...... cont.
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 Quorn Building Society  Quorn Building Society
Quorn Building Society, or as it was originally known, the Quorndon and Neighbourhood ...... cont.
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 Wrights Factory Rules, 1946  Wrights Factory Rules, 1946
The poster below hung in Wrights factory on Leicester Road for many years. It dates back ...... cont.
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 Soar Valley News, April 1977  Soar Valley News, April 1977
The Soar Valley News was a four page, black and white community newspaper/newsletter type ...... cont.
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 Deer roaming around the White Horse in Quorn! 1988  Deer roaming around the White Horse in Quorn! 1988
During road works near the White Horse pub in Quorn in 1988, ancient deer bones were ...... cont.
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 Howlett’s Bus Company, Quorn  Howlett’s Bus Company, Quorn
This is a Bedford OWB Duple bus, registration number DAY137, built during WW2. Howlett’s ...... cont.
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 Vena Grain, 1895 to 1989. Oral history interview from 1985  Vena Grain, 1895 to 1989. Oral history interview from 1985
Vena Grain was born in Leicester on 21st February 1895, and the family moved to Quorn in ...... cont.
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 The Mill House Inn, Leicester Road, Quorn, early 1900s  The Mill House Inn, Leicester Road, Quorn, early 1900s
To the left of the archway is the Mill House Inn, which at this time was run by Silas ...... cont.
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 Quorn bus, 1929  Quorn bus, 1929
In the 1920s and 1930s there were several different firms running buses through Quorn. ...... cont.
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 Meeting Street, Quorn  Meeting Street, Quorn
As the years go by and as Quorn Village On-line Museum continues to grow, it becomes ...... cont.
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 Video: Wrights - Weaving Narrow Fabrics in Quorn since 1860  Video: Wrights - Weaving Narrow Fabrics in Quorn since 1860
Wrights factory has been in Quorn since the 1860s and continues to thrive today. This ...... cont.
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 Quorn Station 1937  Quorn Station 1937
This is a photograph taken on Quorn railway station when it was run by the London & North ...... cont.
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 Picture by W E Cooke – Coal Wharf, 1879  Picture by W E Cooke – Coal Wharf, 1879
This picture of the Coal Wharf on Soar Road in Quorn, was drawn in 1879 by local ...... cont.
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 Misses E & M White – Homemade cakes price list  Misses E & M White – Homemade cakes price list
This price list dates from about 1910. Ethel and Muriel White were the daughters of ...... cont.
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 Barrie’s Fruit and Veg Shop, Quorn Cross  Barrie’s Fruit and Veg Shop, Quorn Cross
‘Barries’ fruit and veg shop, in a prominent position on Quorn Cross, was run by Barrie ...... cont.
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 Ann at Quorn’, High Street, Quorn  Ann at Quorn’, High Street, Quorn
‘Ann at Quorn’ was a high class clothes shop at 20 High Street in Quorn. It was ...... cont.
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 WW1, Wrights factory ‘War Service’ lapel badge  WW1, Wrights factory ‘War Service’ lapel badge
During WW1 Wrights factory in Quorn was employing over 2,000 people and working round the ...... cont.
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Total: 349 artefacts returned over 4 pages


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