Description

The town of Loughborough is the second-largest settlement in Leicestershire. It expanded massively during the Industrial Revolution, becoming a centre for textile manufacturing and home to John Heathcoat's pioneering warp loom until his factory was destroyed by Luddites, the largest bell foundry in the world, John Taylor & Co, the Falcon works producing locomotives and motor cars, later taken over by Brush, and a major manufacturer of cranes, Herbert Morris. It was also the destination of the first package holiday organized by Thomas Cook from Leicester. Loughborough was an important stop on the last mainline railway to be built in England, the Great Central, part of Sir Edward Watkins' vision to reach Paris by railway via a tunnel under the Channel. Today Loughborough is a thriving market town, home to a leading university particularly associated with sport science, with a roll call of famous names including Sebastian Coe, Sir Clive Woodward and Paula Radcliffe.This fascinating A-Z tour of Loughborough, its interesting people, places and historic events, is fully illustrated with photography and will appeal to all those with an interest in this Leicestershire town.