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Your Letters & Email
To "The Quorndon" In a recent copy of the Spectator magazine there was reference to the effectiveness of what was described as 'The Islington Street Standards Committee' and I do wonder whether Quorn could have use of such an arrangement. It may be that there is already such a committee but under another name or more perhaps informally. The reason I raise this is because of what I have noticed in leaving Quorn going towards Loughborough on High Street. I see that what was the Texaco petrol station, next to the Chequers Restaurant, is now vacant and the area is unbelievably unsightly resembling a grim siege compound with large grey upturned sewerage channels placed around the site as a sort of barrier. How anyone could have the conscience to do this and be allowed to do it is beyond belief. I have also wondered about several other things such as the inappropriate nature of the double yellow lines throughout the streets of Quorn - this may now be necessary because of modern traffic but visiting some of the attractive little villages in, say, Berkshire, one is struck how sensitively this has been done - with the two yellow thin lines being half the width one sees as quite acceptable in large towns and cities but not as plastered in an ugly fashion over the narrow streets of Quorn. Also, whilst I am at it, a 'Quorn Street Standards Committee' may be able to influence a civic pride in the shopkeepers of Quorn so far as the painted frontages, window displays, promotion posters, and discarded wrappers are concerned. So much has been done with the street furniture, flower baskets etc. and yet many other things which are in the control of individuals who could all contribute with a little care and make such a difference to the disorder and ugliness, which perhaps to some, in day to day usage, has become almost invisible. For instance there is a tiny area to the right of Quorn Court, next to the hairdressers, which now has a small sculpture and bush, enlivening this once neglected corner. We now endeavour to keep this neat and tidy, as no one else appears to take responsibility for it. I recently spoke to the Highways Department about dislodged kerbing around the plot and they promptly came and dealt with the problem. They also expressed appreciation when we thanked them for what had been done, observing that little in the way of thanks came their way. I hope these thoughts may be useful as I hope it will be recognised I have but the best interests of the village in mind. It may be, of course, that this is misdirected to "The Quorndon" and that others, perhaps the Parish Council is the place, however the state of the old Texaco garage and your reply to my previous e-mail prompted me to direct this to you Regards James Gibson, Quorn
2nd Quorn Scouts It is good to know that the Scouts are still flourishing! I was one of a small band of a dozen or so founder members who formed ourselves initially into two patrols, Kestrels and Eagles, soon to be followed by Kingfisher, and a little later, Falcons. All that happened from September 1950 to March 1951. That 2nd Quorn came about was due to the efforts of the late Revd Teddy Pilling and the late Baptist Minister, Mr Worsnip. But it all came down to the infectious enthusiasm of 'Skip', Michael Hughes, then a new arrival at Quorn (Soar House) and Loughborough College fresh from his 2 years National Service in REME. He quit the life of a PE teacher after 10 years and set up his own printing business and retired to North Devon in October 1999. But where is all this getting to? Six years ago, I succeeded in tracking Mike down to the leafy West Sussex, near Haywards Heath. On first meeting the "chemistry" worked immediately between us and our wives, Anne and Penny, and we have been regular weekend visitors to our respective homes. Sadly Mike and I have no photographs of those early days. I would be very pleased to hear from any of the founder members, such as Terry Stirling, David Edwards, and so forth - photos or not. I have already caught up with PL Keith Billyard (Kestrels) over at Hathern. I am now semi-retired. Roger Duffel P.S. Mike has just touched 70 and I was born at 1 Cradock Drive on the 4th January 1937. Ed: If you would like to get in touch with Roger his
address is:
I would be most grateful if you could give me some biographical details on Major Geoff Harbourd, Master of the Quorn during the thirties. I am helping the Honourable Patricia Cavendish research her autobiography in which she mentions Major Harbourd as a friend og the family. At that stage her mother was married to Lord Furness and I believe that both her mother, Lady Furness and Patricia Cavendish were active hunters. I would be grateful to receive any information on Major Geoff Harbourd, who was Master of Quorn Hunt in the Thirties. Please send any information by Post or Email. Many thanks Yours sincerely Peter Gray Email: mwjgi@mweb.co.za
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