Whitwick Historical Group

Whitwick Historical Group This page is dedicated to the local history of Whitwick. Research your family history, see artefacts

We all need a cold drink in these hot temperatures! This is a card from the Railway Inn Whitwick, now Maynard’s Estate A...
26/05/2026

We all need a cold drink in these hot temperatures! This is a card from the Railway Inn Whitwick, now Maynard’s Estate Agents.

We have had this photo sent to us from one of our followers Sally Ann Padgett. The little girl is her mum, Wendy Sharpe ...
21/04/2026

We have had this photo sent to us from one of our followers Sally Ann Padgett. The little girl is her mum, Wendy Sharpe - nee Farmer
The lady on the right is her Grandma Betty Farmer née Bonsor. They lived on Leicester Road near Pollys.
Her Mum thinks this was taken around 1952 in Whitwick labour club, but doesn't know who the lady is on the left.
Would anyone recognise her?”

Can anybody help? Does anyone recognise her? Please comment below

19/04/2026

Whitwick Colliery Disaster 1898:

Like many villages in Northwest Leicestershire, Whitwick was a mining community, producing a coal known as Leicester Bright due to its shine. The colliery was owned by Whitwick mining company and the pit where the disaster occurred had been sunk in 1838.

In the early hours of the 19th of April smoke was found in the intake and main roadway of pit no 5. A worker hurried to alert the men working in the mine while the cause of the smoke was investigated. It was soon discovered that timbers within the mine were ablaze, the result of a gob-fire.

Rescue efforts began for the men trapped behind the fire, and efforts were made to extinguish the flames. All of these were to little avail. It soon became apparent that attempts to rescue the men were futile, and would be endangering the lives of the rescuers, so the order was made to make a dam in the mine which would cut off the air supply to the fire.

Of the 42 men and boys in the pit that night, 35 of them lost their lives, with the youngest victim being just 13 years old. Of these 35, 12 of the bodies were never recovered. It is the worst mining disaster in Leicestershire History.

If you are interested in learning more about the disaster or the Colliery, we have various records relating to these, including photographs, maps, and plans. To see a list of some of these records, visit our online catalogue and type ‘Whitwick colliery’ into the quick search bar: https://record-office-catalogue.leics.gov.uk/CalmView/

Image below:

Relatives watch as horse drawn hearses arrive at the colliery (ref: Image Leicestershire 19165)

This morning, Sunday 19th April, members of WHG attended the Whitwick Mining Disaster Primrose service at Christ’s Chur...
19/04/2026

This morning, Sunday 19th April, members of WHG attended the Whitwick Mining Disaster Primrose service at Christ’s Church Coalville and then planted primrose flowers in the memorial garden near the back of Morrisons. It was a very moving service and there is now a fitting tribute in place.
Pictured are members who attended included Trevor Gee who is related to one of the victims.
We will be holding our open day in October based on Mining in Whitwick so please keep an eye out for future information.

WHG wants to wish all their members and followers a very happy and peaceful Christmas
24/12/2025

WHG wants to wish all their members and followers a very happy and peaceful Christmas

These pictures were taken 22nd December 2010 of Holy Cross Church, the school and the Old Covent donated by Jane Knight ...
23/12/2025

These pictures were taken 22nd December 2010 of Holy Cross Church, the school and the Old Covent donated by Jane Knight
We don’t think we are in for a White Christmas this year. If you have any old pictures of Whitwick in the winter please send them in and we will continue to share them in the new year.

Dumps Road and St John the Baptist Church taken in 2009, donated by Jane Knight
22/12/2025

Dumps Road and St John the Baptist Church taken in 2009, donated by Jane Knight

Another snowy scene of the station in February 2009 donated by Jane Knight
21/12/2025

Another snowy scene of the station in February 2009 donated by Jane Knight

Continuing with Mount St Bernard’s photos, These were taken by Robert Weeks in 2018. Who remembers the Beast from the ea...
18/12/2025

Continuing with Mount St Bernard’s photos, These were taken by Robert Weeks in 2018. Who remembers the Beast from the east snow storm?

Thank you to everyone who came to our Christmas Open Aftrrnoon. We had a very enjoyable time. We would like to thank eve...
17/12/2025

Thank you to everyone who came to our Christmas Open Aftrrnoon. We had a very enjoyable time. We would like to thank everyone who has supported the Group this year, became members, attended our events, purchased books or calendars and made donations. We appreciate all of you.
The Station will close Saturday 20th December and re open Saturday 10th January 2026!
This FB page will continue to post Snowy scenes up to the Big Day!

We are going to be posting some snowy scenes over the run up to Christmas. These have been supplied by Jane Kinght. We s...
16/12/2025

We are going to be posting some snowy scenes over the run up to Christmas. These have been supplied by Jane Kinght.

We start with St Bernard's Abbey, taken Christmas Eve 2010.

Please feel free to forward any Christmas/ winter photos of Whitwick that we can share.

Address

The Old Station, North Street
Whitwick

Opening Hours

Tuesday 7pm - 9pm
Wednesday 10am - 12pm
Saturday 10am - 12pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Whitwick Historical Group posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Whitwick Historical Group:

Shortcuts

Share

Category