Celebrating Leicester

28th April 2021 | Business

I was asked by Amberley Publishing to write this book before we heard about Covid-19.

There has been little to celebrate over the past year. COVID-19 meant Leicester has effectively been in a state of continuous lockdown for over a year. The pandemic has affected all of us in different ways. But as we hope for some sense of normality, we can begin to place this event in the context of our long history.

So many history books focus on what is lost, but Celebrating Leicester aspires to highlight and acknowledge the people who have inspired us and changed our world for the better. The book includes writers, actors, politicians, broadcasters, musicians, scientists, academics, sporting heroes and entertainers.

The book is divided into six chapters:

covering people, inventions,
business and industry,
institutions including sport and education,
buildings (old and new),
traditions,
music, arts and the media.

It features the industries that brought employment and prosperity, festivals that draw the community together, local heroes and benefactors, projects that have restored and rejuvenated the city, and Leicester’s ‘famous fors’ and ‘firsts’.

Leicester’s famous citizens

The people of Leicester have been placing their city on the world stage for centuries. Alongside many others, there have been missionaries, anthropologists, explorers of the Amazon, scientists and footballers, Olympic swimmers, machine tool manufacturers, water engineers, politicians, novelists, film directors, furniture designers, makers of confectionery and organisers of comedy festivals.

Leicester’s history stretches back to before the Romans reached the area in 48 AD. Despite unsympathetic development in post-war years, it still has a rich heritage of buildings which are noble, fascinating, and delightful to view.

It has centuries of traditions, and an impressive roll call of men and women who have gained recognition for their contributions to society, and in some cases by simply making us laugh.

Celebrating Leicester will be published in softback on 15 June 2021 at £15.99. The book contains 96 pages with 100 colour and black and white photographs. I am sure Debbie at the bookshop will be pleased to order a copy for you!

Stephen Butt