Lafarge back Charnwood heritage project

Company makes donation to pioneering initiative seeking to research the history of local towns and villages

LAFARGE are backing a major new project to unearth the history of the Charnwood Forest area in Leicestershire.

Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK, who have their headquarters in Syston and operate their flagship granite quarry at Mountsorrel, have donated £500 to the Charnwood Roots Project.

The initiative, run by the Leicestershire Victoria County Trust, aims to research the history of 27 towns and villages in and around the Charnwood Forest area of the county, including Mountsorrel, Syston, Rothley and Quorn.

Local people will be invited to get involved and help with archaeological digs, document research, building and landscape surveys and oral history gathering.

A major development grant of £19,100 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has allowed the venture to get off the ground, while other donations, including the money from Lafarge, have demonstrated local support.

A condition of gaining the lottery grant, the local fund-raising means the Trust can apply for further HLF backing to support what the organizers hope will be a four-year project involving hundreds of Charnwood residents.

Angus Shedden (pictured), site manager at Mountsorrel Quarry, said: ‘Leicestershire contains important sources of igneous rock which have been quarried since Roman times, so quarrying is a major element in the history of both the county and of Charnwood Forest.

‘Lafarge are proud to be part of this heritage and proud to be able to support such a pioneering project which will really bring the community together to delve into the past and ensure it is recorded for future generations.’