Countesthorpe
| Countesthorpe | |
  Countesthorpe |
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| Population | 6,377 (2011) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SP585954 |
| District | Blaby |
| Shire county | Leicestershire |
| Region | East Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Leicester |
| Postcode district | LE8 |
| Dialling code | 0116 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | Blaby |
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Coordinates: 52°33′18″N 1°08′24″W / 52.555°N 1.14°W
Countesthorpe is a large village and civil parish in the Leicestershire district of Blaby, with a population of 6,393 (2001 census, falling slightly to 6,377 at the 2011 census.[1] It lies to the south of Leicester, and is about six miles from the city centre, but only two miles south of the suburb of South Wigston. Nearby places are Blaby and South Wigston to the north, Kilby to the east, Peatling Magna and Willoughby Waterleys to the south, and Broughton Astley, Cosby and Whetstone to the west. According to the 1066 census it had a population of 6.[2]
The name Countesthorpe originates from the 11th century when the area was part of the marriage dowry of the Countess Judith niece of William the Conqueror. The 'thorpe' part of the name is a variant of the Middle English word thorp, meaning hamlet or small village.
The parish church of St. Andrew was started in 1220 by the family of Lord William of Ludbrook. It was restored in 1840 and again in 1907. The 14th century tower still remains.
The village has three public houses:
- The Axe and Square
- The Bull's Head and
- The Railway,
Another public house, the King William IV was turned into a Tesco Express in 2013.[3]
It also has an award winning Indian Restaurant "Dine India", which was mentioned in the national press by patrons Kasabian.[4]
The village is twinned with the town of Mennecy in France.
Education
Countesthorpe has a primary school called Greenfield Primary, a high school named Leysland High School, and a college called Countesthorpe Community College which was attended by the popular music group Kasabian. Leysland High School and Countesthorpe Community College are part of the same multi-academy trust and are in the process of becoming a single 11-19 school in September 2016 under the name Countesthorpe Leysland Community College.
Notable residents
- William Buckingham, VC, First World War soldier.
- Rosemary Conley – author and broadcaster on exercise and health.
- Maurice Tompkin – first class cricketer and professional footballer.
References
- ↑ "Civile Parish population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- ↑ "Area: Countesthorpe CP (Parish)"
- ↑ http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Hundreds-bid-15-jobs-Tesco-Express/story-19808521-detail/story.html
- ↑ Serge curries favour, The Sun, Published: 23 Jan 2010
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Countesthorpe. |
Towns and villages of Blaby District | ||
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| Towns |  | |
| Large villages | ||
| Small villages | ||
| Hamlets | ||