Information on Loughborough

Loughborough commemorates Heathcote

Posted on 18/07/2007
Loughborough Newsdesk

A permanent tribute to pioneering inventor and lace maker John Heathcoat will be unveiled at the Loughborough home he once owned next month.

Charnwood Borough Council will reveal a Blue Heritage Plaque at 38 Leicester Road to commemorate the life and times of Heathcoat on Monday, 20th August.

The plaque is the first of its kind to be put up by the Authority in a bid to recognise well-known figures from history and major events of significant local interest.

Heathcoat was one of the key figures in the lace industry in Loughborough in the early 1800s and his inventions revolutionised the trade.

However, many workers feared the creations would cost them their livelihoods and, in June 1816, a Luddite gang smashed the machinery in Heathcoats factory in Mill Street, now Market Street.

Heathcoat lived in fear of further attacks by the Luddites and eventually moved his business to Tiverton, in Devon.

Last year, a secret cellar was discovered at the back of Heathcoats Leicester Road home with a tunnel leading into the garden " and its believed this was created so he could make a quick escape should the Luddites attack. Keeper of Charnwood Museum Susan Cooke talking about the tunnel said: "We dont know if (John Heathcote) did actually hide down there because he fled Loughborough and went to Devon."

Charnwood has made an application for the building to be given listed status and the plaque will be visible from the street to remind people of its historical interest.

Cllr Peter Lewis, Charnwood Borough Councils Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, said: "This policy of drawing attention to places and people of interest in the community started under the last administration and Im very happy to continue that initiative.

"This is the first occasion that a plaque will be unveiled. Too often we forget the locals because there is more interest in national or international matters but frankly, local lives and local people are just as important and should be remembered.

Anthony Gimpel, Charnwood Borough Councils Conservation and Design Technician, said: "We are planning to install more plaques in Loughborough and other towns and villages in Charnwood.

"Wed like to hear of any suggestions of famous people and events which may be commemorated that will be a talking point and a lasting contribution to the heritage of the Borough.