Site updated 14th February 2010.
Exciting extracts from 'A Brief History of Leire - Part II' by the Leire History Group.
10th November - details of our talk to Leire Council.

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28th February 2010
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11:00 am - 15:00 (ish)

HISTORY UPDATE

Exciting extracts from 'A Brief History of Leire - Part II' by the Leire History Group.

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Weather Leire
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PENULTIMATE SESSION, 5th April 2009

Matthew best summed up the day with this contribution -

On Sunday, during a short break from slashing and burning, I enjoyed a sun drenched walk back up from where we were currently working.
I encountered a variety of little critters but what was most pleasing were the number of butterflies, visiting the violets or just basking in the sun.

Our hard work clearing the banks seemed well justified with large clusters of violets all along the walk. In only twenty minutes I saw six species of butterfly before returning to work, happy in the knowledge that we were having such a positive effect.

Species encountered:
Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Peacock and Comma."
(goto butterflies)

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Your humble author again went to work with the chainsaw as it was his last chance to cut things down and burn 'em and prove he can carry a whole tree whilst posing in a sweaty, smelly, padded green thing.

Matthew, Graham, Ron, Trudie and Jill carried on working like soldier ants to chop down trees by hand and feed the fire.
Our thanks to Martin for joining us today and working very hard on clearing up the brash.

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We have been very remiss lately. Both your humble author and his partner Jill have not taken any arty farty pictures recently, so here is one to help you with your collection....

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Achievements

Looking back over this season we realise that many of the banks look very bleak. There are lots of woodpiles along the walk and scars from some of the fires are evident.
However, the banks will start showing varietys of wild flower long since gone from Leicestershire (never mind The Jubilee Walk), the woodpiles will be either gone next season or left to rot to encourage homes for wild-life and the fire-scars are being grassed over or buried over the coming months.

The Jubilee Walk will be a lighter, drier, safer and more beautiful walk than ever before.

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Nice Bit 1 - Buzzards.

All work stopped for ages as we watched transfixed by 6 Buzzards taking to the thermals.

We don't know if it was 2 families and their juveniles or what, but we do know that we were awed by their beautiful circling flights as they got higher and higher over the walk.

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Nice Bit 2 - Queens Arms.

Ron, Jill and your humble author popped into the The Queens Arms, Leire after "work" today and were hosted by Mick at The Queens Arms (have I mentioned that?).

What a lovely treat! We sat in the very pretty (and clean) garden on one of the many tables in the early Spring sunshine, and were utterly delighted.
Mick ran from his band (as lead guitarist) who were setting up for the Sunday night, to serve us without a qualm.
The most impressive part was Mick simply said "same again?" for the second round.
Perfect service! The Queens Arms, Leire.

We will certainly be going to one of their very well priced Sunday dinners (book ahead) and the Tuesday Steak Night - great value.

UPDATE - We all celebrated the end of the 2009 season with a Sunday Special Beef Platter at the Queens Arms (order it before Saturday afternoon on 01455 208997).
It was beautiful. The platter came with beef and potatoes and vegetables on it. I aint no food critic so I lack some of the words to describe the taste and quality of the food, but here goes.. GORGEOUS. The beef melted in your mouth. It had been cooked overnight on the pilot light, as far as I could tell. Just visit the Queens Arms and find out for yourself. As far as we are concerned it is simply a lovely pub, with kind people serving with a nice range of fresh real ales and a great menu.

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