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7. Leicester (1) Around Victoria Park, De Montfort Hall, War Memorial, Opal Court, some new places of worship for Hindus and Sikhs and Victorian and Edwardian domestic buildings south of the park
De Montfort Hall is just north of Victoria Park, Leicester. This well designed and spacious concert hall, seating nearly 3000 people, was built in 1913 by the Corporation of Leicester. It is a grand music and performance venue for jazz, ballet, musicals, comedy, opera and concerts given by the resident Philharmonia Orchestra. It is also the venue for the graduation ceremonies of the University of Leicester and De Montfort University.
Opal Court in Lancaster Road, a continuation of Peace Walk, below Victoria Park, is, architecturally, one of the more interesting modern buildings in Leicester. It is a block of flats and apartments for student accommodation.
The 'green' and open Victoria Park with the buildings of Leicester University in the background.
The war memorial in Victoria Park, Leicester which was designed by the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1926.
Close up of the war memorial in Victoria Park. A mighty arch which reminds me of the World War I memorial The Menin Gate at Ypres, Flanders, Belgium. It is a tall arch of Portland stone with smaller arches in the sides.
In the north-east of Victoria Park is a memorial tribute to the United States (All American) 82nd Airborne Division who served in Leicester and County Leicestershire prior to the "D" Day invasion of Europe in December 1944. "They came in freedom They fought with gallantry Many never to return to their homeland"
Typical well built red brick houses and with slated roofs near Victoria Park. Note on the left picture, the craftsmanship of the slate roof and the red brick chimneys and walls. They date from the late 19th to the very early 20th century and always seem to show a high standard of workmanship on the part of the builders-bricklayers and roofers. Many of the houses are converted into flats for badly needed accommodation for students and professionals alike.
Now some more recent architectural modifications to some earlier 20th century houses.
The Shree Geeta Bhavan and Hindu Community Centre, Leicester.
Temples derived from re-used buildings for the Hindu faith (above) and Sikh faith (below) on Clarendon Park Road.
The Guru Amar Das Gurdwara Leicester Sikh Centre, Leicester. |
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