Quorn, Leicestershire

Quorn is a village in Leicestershire, England. Its name was shortened from Quorndon in 1889, to avoid postal difficulties owing to its similarity to the name of another village, Quarndon, a few miles away. Its original name is said to derive from the Old English "cweordun". "Dun", Old English for Hill, where "cweorn", Old English for millstones, are quarried.

History

The quarrying of stone in Quorn began at a very early age at Buddon Wood, on the edge of the parish. Granite millstones were quarried in the early Iron Age, and under the Romans stone was quarried for building in Leicester. Some of the larger millstones can still be seen in the area, however these days they are either used as garden ornaments, or worked into seats or slabs.

The first known evidence of the village is in the Lincoln Episcopal Registers for 1209–1235, as Quernendon. Other variations of the village name over the centuries include Querne, Quendon, Querendon, Quarendon, Qaryndon, Querinden, Querondon, and Quernedon.

Today

The village had a station called "Quorn and Woodhouse" on the Great Central Railway that was shared with the neighbouring hamlet of Woodhouse. The station is now on the preserved Great Central Steam Railway. Not only is the site of historical and cultural interest throughout the year, the station hosts a spectacular fireworks display on the Bonfire weekend.

In the centre of the village is Rawlins Community College, a 14-19 Comprehensive school. This is on the site of the Thomas Rawlins grammar school for Girls.

The dual-carriageway A6 Quorn-Mountsorrel bypass opened on 28 October 1991.

On the edge of the village is Quorn Hall, former home of the Meynell family, who were involved in the local Quorn Hunt (a fox hunt).

The 'Banks' area of the village has recently undergone extensive redevelopment, and is now an ornate paved area with seating, designed to remsemble the letter 'Q' when seen from the air.

Sarson Street, running adjacent to Rawlins Community College, features many 19th Century terraced cottages, formerly those of framework knitters. Framework knitting was a major local industry until the onset of major mechanisation, and the cottages along this road display certain features typical of such an activity. Large windows for example were intended to allow in the necessary amount of light by which to work.

In the past few years, efforts have been made to cater for the local young people. These have resulted in a half pipe being built next to the basketball court on the park, and a green shelter erected on the same site. The large park, with its shaded are by the stream, large football pitch and half pipe are now appeals to people of all ages. Examples of how the park contributes to the village can be seen at the large and successful Mayday fete, as well as the local pub football matches occasionally held there.

The village prides itself on its green spaces, and more evidence of this can be seen with the opposition to proposed development at Caves field. This is a large cricket pitch with a pavilion near the centre of Quorn, which was the focus of interest from a housing development company. Objection was widespread, not only at the prospect of losing the cricket field but also due to the threat to a neighbouring wetland ecosystem, considered valuable by environmentalists and the village population.

Notable residents

Quorn was home for many years to Gordon Banks, the 1966 FIFA World Cup winning goalkeeper, and is currently home to the offices of fitness guru Rosemary Conley.

External links

* [http://www.thequorndon.com/ The Quorndon.com] - Village news website
* [http://www.rawlinscollege.org.uk/ Rawlins College.org.uk]
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