| Leicester
Chronicler Tempus omnia revelat Time reveals all
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| Listening
to the historic heartbeat of the City of Leicester
and
its environs in the English East Midlands A reflection of past and present thoughts and aspirations |
Design
© Stephen Butt 2006 Rev 14/10/06 |
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| Historic images - the clock tower | ||||
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The Clock Tower stands just outside the eastern boundary of the medieval town, near to the former East Gate. It is a memorial to four of Leicester's notable benefactors, namely Simon de Montfort, William Wygston, Sir Thomas White and Gabriel Newton, although their influences on the town were unique and distinctive. The tower was designed by the Leicester architect Joseph Goddard and completed at the cost of exactly one thousand pounds. The column of the tower is of Ketton stone, excavated locally (from the neighbouring county of Rutland). The four statues around the base are of Portland stone and the angled pillars of of granite and serpentine. |
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This view of the Clock Tower is from High Street looming towards the Haymarket and Belgrave Gate. On the left is the Eastgates Coffee House on the corner of Churchgate. This was built in 1885 to a design by Edward Burgess. This same view today would show the Haymarket Shopping Centre immediately behind the Clock Tower. |
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Until 1862, the area now described as the `clock tower' or Eastgates, was covered by a large building formerly used as assembly rooms. In earlier times, this area was known as Coal Hill, where coal and other commodities were sold on the open market. During the Danish occupation of the area, this site continued to be used as a market place, but outside the jurisdiction of the town. It was also known, for some time, as Bere Hill. The 17th Century building severely restricted the development of the area. Its demolition enabled the creation of the open space which is still used today as a meeting place for the people of Leicester, even though it is outside the medieval town. |
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The Clock Tower |
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