Place Information
|
Anstey is a large semi-industrialised village in Leicestershire, England, located north west of Leicester in the borough of Charnwood. Its population was about 6,000 at the 2001 census although this is likely to have increased. The village is separated from Leicester by the Rothley Brook, Castle Hill Park and the A46, and it borders the villages of Glenfield, Groby, Newtown Linford, Cropston and Thurcaston as well as the suburb of Beaumont Leys and Anstey Heights. To the north-west lies Bradgate Park. Anstey is known as the Gateway to Charnwood Forest. It is a combination of traditional English village (with two village greens - the top green and bottom green) and an industrial town (with several 19th-century hosiery factories, many of which are now being turned into apartments) which is made up mostly of a number of small estates, both council and private which are intertwined , often with no clear border. Anstey has been the site of a number of house-building schemes in recent years, increasing the village's population significantly - this, alongside the rising unemployment caused by the closure of local industry has caused a rise in criminal activity in the area[1][2][3][4], which was once renowned for being a safe and relatively wealthy area. At the most recent parish meeting it was accepted that Jelson Homes would be allowed to build a further 47 homes reaching from Bradgate Road to the top of Link Road[5] which has caused controversy in the village. Anstey is widely expected to benefit from the regeneration of Leicester Centre, more so than other Leicester suburbs and bordering villages.[6] Sometimes Anstey is mistakenly referred to as being a town, mainly because of the usage of Anstey Town for one of the football teams,as well as due to its large size and population although it is in fact a village. History
Anstey dates back to Angle origins, when it was known as Hanstige (later Anstige), meaning a narrow forest track (specifically the meaning is either 'one-way' or 'steep road'[7]). Anstey was positioned between Charnwood Forest and Leicester Forest.[8] Whilst developing the site for the new Co-op store in 2002 archaeologists were called in and found remains dating back to the 12th century. A plaque recording this has been placed on the wall of the new shop. The place-name of Anstey is first recorded in Domesday Book when it was held by one of the county’s largest landholders, Hugh de Grandmesnil, castellan of Leicester.[7] Anstey became an independent parish in 1866, having previously been a chapelry of Thurcaston.[7] Anstey appears to have had its origins in two distinct settlement foci, each associated with a separate manor, one associated with Leicester Abbey and one with the Ferrers of Groby.[7] It is believed that Anstey once had a sizable military force - in 1431 William Porter "furnished XIX hommes and IX archers".[9] When Bonnie Prince Charlie's army moved south during the 1745 rebellion, although the main body of troops were turned back at Derby, a foraging party reached the commons of Anstey.[9] Local industry included hosiery, boots and shoes, box-making, and wallpaper, although nearly all the local factories have now either been demolished or converted into flats. The most notable family of Anstey was the Martin family, who lived in the village from the 13th century until 1892.[10] Two members of the family held the position of Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, and the local high school is named after them.[10] They lived at Anstey Pastures (now demolished), before moving to The Brand in 1892. Famous past Anstey residents include Ned Ludd (Ludlam),[10] the machine-wrecker whose name was appropriated by the Luddites - whose name was adopted in a recent household development in the village: Ned Ludd Close, and snooker player and commentator Willie Thorne, who started playing snooker at the village's Conservative club.[11] Footballer Derek Dougan lived in the village during his time at Leicester City. According to legend, the last wolf to be killed in England was shot in a forest "near Anstige in Wolfdale".[10] Wolfdale was a nearby district towards Newtown Linford, and the name has survived in a slightly altered form with Wooldale Close, one of the streets in the village. Research Tips
|
