Historic anniversaries in Leicestershire

While our first post focused on the past 100 years, we know that Leicester and Leicestershire have a much longer history than that, so this next post takes an ever increasing look back through the historical anniversaries we are marking this year, beginning with a local celebrity who is an absolute icon around the world, not just the East Midlands.

It’s the big one! Britain’s most recognisable voice and the man who has done more for the natural world than possibly anyone else on earth turns 100 years old in May. While he wasn’t born in the city, Sir David Attenborough moved to a house on the University of Leicester campus when he was five years old as his father took on the role of Principal. He spent his childhood collecting fossils from around the Leicestershire countryside, with many happy hours at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery also inspiring the young naturalist. Legend tells that he used to collect newts from a pond nearby the campus and sell them to the professors! The half a billion year old landscapes of Charnwood still inspire him to this day, having featured in many of his television programmes over the years, and he still retains very close links with the University of Leicester, returning there regularly for talks and receiving a Distinguished Honorary Fellow of the University award in 2006. He was also made an Honorary Freeman of the City of Leicester. As we mark this momentous occasion, it is worth reflecting on the impact he has had on wildlife in our county, across the UK and around the world.

Leicester’s Guildhall, which dates from 1390, became Leicester’s first town hall in the mid-16^th century – but faced an uncertain future when it was replaced by the purpose-built Town Hall in 1876. Despite calls for its demolition, the ancient timber-framed building was saved thanks to the work of Leicester Archaeological & Historical Society and the determination of city councillors. It reopened to the public as a museum and performance venue on 19 May 1926 after a major programme of restoration. To celebrate this centenary, the Guildhall will be running free guided tours that chart the building’s restoration and renaissance. Taking place on Wednesday 4 March, the tours will run at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Places on the Then & Now: The Guildhall Restoration tours should be booked in advance. There will be another chance to join the Guildhall Restoration tour on 4 May when there will also be a celebration day of activities, performances and hands-on history.

Leicester’s iconic Town Hall turns 150 this year! A competition was held to design the building in the early 1870s and was won by a local architect, Frances J. Hames, with the opening ceremony taking place on 7 August 1876! Up to this point the city council had traditionally used the Guildhall as its meeting place, but the imposing and modern Town Hall was built to help deal with the increasing workload (and staff required). Town Hall Square (and its iconic fountain) were also built alongside it at this point. As well as the Council offices and Council Chamber, law courts, Sanitary Department, School Board and 30 lamplighters, the Borough Police and Fire Brigade also had stations in the building. To this day the Town Hall still hosts key functions of local Government, weddings and the records office.

The Y Theatre is Leicester’s oldest surviving theatre, having opened on 5^th December 1900. It started life as the Association Hall, holding lectures, penny concerts and events for the local community. During the First World War they became the YMCA Hut, providing refreshments, beds and entertainment for over 1 million service men fighting for the country. In the 1930s they became The Playhouse, building a reputation as a venue for professionals and the community including the YMCA Musical Society for over 40 years. Today the Y Theatre still hosts community events, touring musicians and the top names of comedy throughout the year! Famous faces to tread the boards over the years have included Will Young, Jenny Eclair, Johnny Vegas, Rosie Jones, Romesh Ranganathan, Jo Brand, Josh Widdicombe, Zoe Lyons and Jason Manford to name just a few!

Find out more about the Y here

The world famous Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe was established 175 years ago in Melton Mowbray. Originally opening as a bakery by John Dickinson in 1851, it was his Grandmother, Mary Dickinson, who is credited with creating the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie that we know and love today. First using a wooden dolly to hand-raise the pastry, then introducing jelly to protect the meat inside. The delicious pies soon became popular enough that the Shoppe became essential. John was joined in 1886 by Joseph Morris and the pork pie brand Dickinson & Morris was born, so along with the 175th anniversary of the shop, we’re also celebrating 140 years of this most iconic of pies.

Find out more about the history of pies here

Established in 1851, the Leicester Secular Society is the oldest secular society in the world and has been operating in the city for 175 years! From their home at the Secular Hall on Humberstone Gate they have been offering talks, events, discussions and much more for 145 years (it opened on 5 March 1881!) This is a place where the battle for human rights and equality has been fought, where the likes of William Morris, Charles Bradlaugh, Annie Besant, George Bernard Shaw, Bertrand Russell and Tony Benn plus many other campaigners have spoken.

Find out more on the Story of Leicester site

Leicester Cathedral is celebrating a very special anniversary this year. 450 years ago, in 1576 they have the first recorded evidence of sign language being used in an English church. Documents found at the local record office showed sign language was used in a marriage ceremony at St Martin’s Church – as it was called then – on 6 February 1576. Thomas Tilsye was deaf and married his wife Ursula Russel with signing assistance. The cathedral held a special service incorporating British Sign Language (BSL), to “recognise a unique moment in our history” on Sunday 8 February 2026, nearly 450 years to the day!

Read about it on the Cathedral website

600 years ago, the Parliament of Bats was held in Leicester between the 18 February and 20 March, and 29 April to 1 June. This has nothing to do with the furry creatures of the night (though there may have been some in the castle hall), but the threat of violence! Tensions were running high due to an ongoing dispute between Cardinal Beaufort, the Bishop of Winchester and off-and-on Lord Chancellor, and the Duke of Gloucester, the King’s uncle and regent. Leicester was chosen to host Parliament but firm rules were drawn up prohibiting swords and other weapons to quell the risk of violence. This did not deter the members and their attendants who armed themselves instead with bats! This abuse of the rules led to bats being prohibited at later parliaments. This sitting of Parliament also saw the knighting of King Henry VI, then only 5 years of age, at St Mary de Castro church, which was also allegedly the place where Geoffrey Chaucer married his second wife.