New Local History Project Begins With Call for Volunteers
Earlier in 2025 we were pleased to fund a new project with the Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust (LVCHT) to undertake historical research introducing the history of the various communities of Charnwood Forest.
When complete, this will be made available online for the public.
This project builds on work undertaken between 2013 and 2017 as part of Charnwood Roots, with volunteers playing a prominent role in bringing records together and researching Charnwood Forest’s history.
For this new project some other historical information will also need to be collected, and that’s where volunteers have a new opportunity to get involved.
In early 2026 LVCHT will begin part of this project in Thornton and Botcheston.
If you’ve always wondered about how these places developed, who lived there and what they did for a living, this is your opportunity to help us find out!
You don’t need to have any experience of history research – although if you do, great!
You will be supported by a qualified historian, and free training will be provided.
Whilst some volunteers may wish to work locally, LVCHT can pay travel expenses for those wanting to explore the archive at the county record office in Wigston.
LVCHT would love to hear from you, so if you would like to find out more about joining them – please contact Dr Susan Kilby at sk565@leicester.ac.uk.
The overall project is being run by Dr Pam Fisher and Dr Susan Kilby at LVCHT.
This project is made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund support provided to the Charnwood Forest Landscape Partnership Scheme that underpins the Geopark.
Who are the Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust?
We are a registered charity (number 1128575) and a company registered in England and Wales (number 6683052).
Our aim is to research and publish the history of every town and village in Leicestershire, from earliest times to the present day.
This is part of a great national project which began towards the end of the reign of Queen Victoria, who accepted the dedication of the history. Since then, over 6,300 parish histories have been produced for places across England, each covering more than 1,000 years of history. Our aim is to ensure Leicestershire is fully represented in this national series.
So far, Leicestershire has five of the iconic ‘big red books’, covering general themes in the county’s history, and more detailed accounts of the city and 43 towns and villages in south-east Leicestershire, including Market Harborough and surrounding villages. These were published between 1907 and 1964, and the parish histories can be read online. Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust was formed in 2008 to continue the series. Working with volunteers across the county, we have published paperback histories of Castle Donington, Buckminster and Sewstern, and Ibstock. We have also published online histories of Kirby Bellars, Leire and Welby, and some shorter sections for a number of villages near Leicester.
Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust is reliant on grants and personal donations to fund our work? You can become a Friend of Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust in exchange for an annual donation of at least £20, or join our 200 Club for £50 annually, when you will be entered into a quarterly draw for a cash prize. Terms and conditions can be found on our application forms for the Friends or our 200 Club. Donations can also be made through Paypal.
Thornton 