About
The Group
The group’s aims are the advancement of research, education, and preservation of artefacts and records relating to the history of Eastwell in Leicestershire, and its surroundings.
The current membership is around 40, with many more supporters both locally and in the wider heritage community.
Anyone is able to join the group, but currently most members are from the village or surrounding district.
The annual subscription is £10.00, which covers free entry to the annual programme of speaker meetings and other events.
The group is totally run by volunteers, and there are opportunities for members to undertake research, help with running the group and/or events, as well as contributing to the development of Eastwell Heritage Centre.
Achievements
We are proud to have developed a successful local history group, which has now operated for many years, and networked with other heritage individuals and groups, both locally and more widely.
The group’s most significant achievement is the restoration of the ex. Eastwell Iron Ore Co. narrow gauge locomotive ’Lord Granby’ as a static, albeit moving exhibit. This was undertaken by the group over a ten-year period, with the intention that it would form the central exhibit for a heritage centre to tell the story of our local ironstone quarrying industrial heritage.
This work, including related research conducted over this period, was undertaken by Eastwell History Group volunteers to a high standard. It was supported by local fundraising, and practical help and support from industry and the wider heritage steam community, but did not rely on any formal grant funding.
In 2024, the team were encouraged to hear that this work to restore ‘Lord Granby’ had been included in a shortlist of ten nominees for the 2024 Steam Railway Magazine Award. The award showcased the broad range of heritage railway activity nationally during 2023. ‘Lord Granby’ didn’t come last, despite the strong competition from established heritage railways with some high-profile projects.
Plans
The main area of activity is the development of Eastwell Heritage Centre to tell the story of our local ironstone quarrying and agricultural heritage. This involves research, conservation and restoration of exhibits, communications, fitting out the exhibition area, etc.
While the Centre is in development, open days are held occasionally so supporters and visitors can see progress, and also have an enjoyable day out.
It is intended to develop the centre so it can be opened to general visitors on occasions, and also to visiting groups – which will provide more opportunities to get involved!
For information on becoming a member of Eastwell History Group, or our ‘100 Club’ which generates funds for the group and development of Eastwell Heritage Centre, please contact:
There are currently around half a dozen speaker meetings and social events a year. Our friendly speaker meetings cover specific historical subjects; recent meetings have looked at the history of local WW2 airfields; gargoyles; and local ironstone quarrying history.
Our publications Aspects of Eastwell and More Aspects of Eastwell are a good starting point for those interested in finding out more about the history of the village.
If you are reading this you’ll know that this website is being developed to present information and records relating to Eastwell, Leicestershire. This includes the local iron ore quarrying industry from 1881 until closure in 1967, which is also the main theme of Eastwell Heritage Centre being developed at Crossroads Farm.