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Barwell was the site of a major meteor impact in the UK. On Christmas Eve 1965, the village was showered with fragments, that when combined, were about the size of a traditional Christmas turkey. Fortunately, no one was hurt, although some minor damage to buildings and property occurred.
Source: John Nichols, Antiquities of Leicestershire , Vol. IV.
[edit] Future Expansion
There are currently plans to expand Barwell to the North and West with a Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE), which will see approximately 2,000 new dwellings being built. It is hoped that this will have a major impact in the area, with the aim to regenerate some of the more deprived areas of the village.
[edit] Famous Inhabitants
David Peace, the well known "Mind of Information" lives in the village of Barwell. His reminiscences of "The Barwell Lightning Bolt" (not to be confused with the meteorite), "Queen Victoria's Lost 'High Tea' Tea Set" and "The Vision of Bristol in the Sky" are all now part of popular Leicestershire folklore. It seems quite odd that there are no web sites dedicated to this man and his incredible insights into modern life.
Watford and former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland grew up in the village.
[edit] Industry
Between the 19th and late 20th centuries, Barwell was a busy industrial village consisting of numerous Shoe, Hosiery and Knitwear factories. Due to competitive pressure from abroad these once large factories have all but ceased trading.
Nevertheless Barwell, still retains three industry estates including Dawsons Lane, Stapleton Lane and the larger Moat Way. The luxury sport car maker Noble Automotive Ltd is located in Barwell and the largest employer within the village is the parcel company Crowfoots Carriers employing around 100 people.
Hinckley United football club play at the recently built Marston's_Stadium to the south of the village.
[edit] External links
(Source: Wikipedia) |