Kibworth Festival 1976
Whilst recently helping out at Kibworth Harcourt Post Mill over Heritage Weekend – 14 and 15 September – I was given a souvenir programme from the Kibworth Festival which took place between 23 October and 31 October 1976 – 48 years ago this very month.
Upon studying the pamphlet I note there were six exhibitions throughout the village festival week including a flower festival in St Wilfrid’s Church presented by the Ladies of Kibworth Church Flower Guild.
In the New High School an Arts and Craft exhibition together with a local history exhibition.
At St Wilfrid’s Hall – it is the building near to the Co-op gates on High Street – there was a Victorian kitchen; a reconstruction of a kitchen from the 19th century with tea and cakes being served daily. Kibworth clock making, a tannery and Kibworth Lemonade Factory were in evidence here in the exhibitions.
The Manor House courtyard had a selection of old farm equipment and vehicles for inspection.
The Windmill – a fine example of a 17th century post mil – was open daily for guided tours and was floodlit at night.
And finally at the Gun Club opportunities were provided to test one’s skill in clay pigeon shooting with prizes for the highest score of the week! Interestingly the club site was on Wistow Road on the right after the railway bridge – a site currently used as a storage site for Network Rail whilst they develop the electrification of the Midland Main Line.
Inside the back cover of the booklet there is a list of Clubs and Societies. These include
Angling Club; Bridge Club; Fernie Supporters Club; Kibworth Evening Centre; Red Cross; Residents Association; Rugby Football Club; Toc H; Welcome Club; Working Men’s Club and Institute and Youth Club. I suspect none of these currently exist.
How times have changed!
Stephen (Editor)
Looking back…
