THERE’S still time to catch an exhibition at Newarke Houses Museum that marks the 80th anniversary of the ‘Leicester Blitz’.
The city was bombed several times in 1940 and 1941 but the raid on the night of 19-20 November 1940 was by far the worst – with 108 people losing their lives.
The new exhibition documents that night in detail through objects, pictures and personal stories of the damage that was done.
It also shows how Leicester prepared for air raids and explains what happened on those dreadful nights, often in the words of those who were there.
Deputy city mayor for culture, leisure and sport Cllr Piara Singh Clair said: “This exhibition is a wonderful tribute to the people who led the rescue efforts during the Leicester Blitz, as well as a poignant reminder of those who lost their lives.”
The exhibition was due to open on the 80th anniversary of the raid in November last year, but had to be postponed due to COVID restrictions.
It will now continue at Newarke Houses Museum until Sunday (4 July).
For more information, visit www.leicestermuseums.org/TheLeicesterBlitz
From mid-July, the holiday habits of generations of Leicester people will provide the theme for the museum’s summer exhibition.
Featuring everything from day trips to Bradgate Park and weekends in Skegness to exotic holidays in the sun, Wish You Were Here will be a joyous look back at 100 years of holidays.
Wish You Were Here runs from 17 July until 26 September.
Newarke Houses Museum is open from 10am to 4pm on Mondays to Saturdays, and from 11am to 4pm on Sundays.
Admission is free.
Please remember your face covering when visiting the museum.
Picture caption: Image shows the Faire Brothers factory, which stood next to the shoe and boot manufacturer Freeman, Hardy & Willis on the junction of Humberstone Road and Rutland Street. The first bombs to land on the Freeman, Hardy & Willis building fell at about 7.59pm on 19 November 1940.