Dear Editor
What an Interesting Summer!
Among several interesting happenings in Kibworth since the last Chronicle there were: another Metro Bank One Day Cup match at Kibworth C.C. with 2023 holders Leicestershire Foxes moving across from Grace Road to Fleckney Road for the match versus Surrey.
The nights now noticeably drawing in; some treesbeginning to show early autumn colouring ; and two extraordinary meetings of Kibworth Beauchamp Parish Council. Key decisions concerning the Community Hub were dealt with at the second of these on 16 August. The tender cost to complete the phase one of the project build, which includes the library extension, was approved, and also the signing of the various contracts authorised, namely, the build contract, the architects’ contract, the project management contract, and the civil & structural engineer contract. (Maybe a congregation of contracts?)
What an interesting Hub Heritage
Thus the upgrading of GSH proceeds and indeed has welcome potential as a Community Hub, whilst hopefully still mindful of its unique heritage covering near 700 years.
For which we not only acknowledge pupils and staff over the centuries, but especially 14th/15th century trustees/benefactors like Robert Chapman, William Haynes, Roger the clerk, (all Kibworth Harcourt), Robert Stanesby and Richard White (Smeeton Westerby), William Weston, (Carlton Curlieu), and Williams Swan and Langton, (Kibworth Beauchamp). Key people when it all got started.
What an interesting opportunity to establish a permanent celebration of this rich local history somewhere in the Hub, distinctive to Kibworth, one of England’s earliest schools. Whilst Oadby Beauchamp College, appropriately acknowledges its succeeding Kibworth Beauchamp Grammar School, noting 1359 in its history, what about where it all began? Let’s hope that PRESENT Hub planning ensures this unique PAST is celebrated by generations using the Community Hub in the FUTURE.
Where’s an interesting starter?The alumni – online Chronicle archive for Oct. 2022 issue p.19 – is a useful starter, (to which names can continue to be added), as also a ‘History of KBGS’ by member of staff (1945-9) Bernard Elliott, with all 101 pages online, (thanks to ex KBGS pupil Dr. Peter Lee, Provost of Wentworth College, University of York 1985-2005).
Roger Garratt
Kibworth Allotment Society
