Continuing on from my earlier post about some of Leicester’s interesting buildings, this is St Nicholas’ Church, the oldest surviving place of worship in Leicester. Built around the 9th or 10th century there are still some original features left such as the original walls of the nave, though part of it was demolished after 1600 and the spire was removed in 1805.
It is built next to the surviving wall of the Roman baths, which were probably used up until the 4th century.
This building is Pare’s Bank which was designed in 1900. It was built as part of Grey Friars House which was owned by one of the partners in the bank and was part of Grey Friar’s Friary where Richard III was buried.
The statue below, unveiled in 1998, is of three sportsman – a cricketer, a footballer and a rugby player. It was made by Martin Williams to celebrate the success of local teams representing the three sports in 1996-97.
This impressive building is the Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower, built in 1868 with a design by Joseph Goddard and sculptures by Samuel Barfield. The sculptures are of four local benefactors – Simon de Montfort, the Earl of Leicester, Thomas White who founded a charity, William Wyggeston, a former mayor and Gabriel Newton, founder of several Leicester schools.
This plaque notes the location of Alderman Newton’s Boys School.
Alderman Newton’s School was opened in 1784 using money bequeathed by Gabriel Newton (he being one of the Clock Tower’s subjects). Land that had been purchased by the School of Greyfriars in 1863 was the site of Richard III’s grave.
And finally the Wyggeston Hospital Boys’ School which was established in 1877 by Thomas Wyggeston in memory of his brother William, a wool merchant and mayor of the city who also features on the Clock Tower. David and Richard Attenborough are among its notable alumni.
You can find more of my photos of Leicester here.
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