Leicester Chronicler - Leicester in 1969

On 15 December 1969, The Times newspaper published a supplement promoting the City of Leicester titled `Leicester -A Special Report'. This special feature reflects the optimistic stance of the supplement and its distinguished contributors more than three decades ago.

The main article in The Times supplement on Leicester was written by the distinguished Leicester-based historian, the late Professor Jack Simmons. His overview of the city and its relationship with the county of Leicester was titled `Roots in the Family Business'.

The making of shoes and socks, and light engineering was given as the city's main industries. Simmons described the lively market and the enthusiastic support of local people for their principal sporting teams, Leicester City and Leicester Tigers; and he wrote of how the character of modern Leicester is derived from its historic past:

"To a degree unusual for a great industrial town it is the product of a long evolution, to be traced back almost continuously for two thousand years. Apart from the sieges it suffered in 1173 and 1645 its history has been little interrupted by violence. Its life has been a story of steady continuous adaptation to changing circumstances and opportunities."

The final article in the supplement was written by the then Bishop of Leicester, the Right Revd Dr Ronald Williams. He spoke of Leicester's religious history, tracing it from the 3rd Century until the time he was writing, and underlining the strong tradition of religion-based charity, citing the Elizabethan Wyggeston's Hospital, the Mission for the Deaf and the Samaritans of the present day. In 1969, the Bishop was also mindful of the challenge presented by immigration, and praised the incumbent of St Peter's Church for creating `a warm-hearted centre for those willing to be identified as Christians (which is) at the heart of wider community efforts for the whole immigrant community:

"Leicester still keeps some of its traditions, one of which is a marked spirit of good will towards the religion it has known for at least 1500 years, and a strong social conscience, combined with a sturdy refusal to be dragooned into too much churchgoing or involved in too much generosity by those whose duty it is to engage in such irritating activities"

The veteran BBC journalist, the late Roland Orton, described the employment prospects for Leicester people. He presented the remarkable statistic that if every job then advertised at the local Employment Exchange was to be take by a local person, only forty people would remain out of work.

Leicester was still a city of relative prosperity, with textiles at its heart. However, he noted the decline in the membership of the Leicester Footwear Manufacturers Association, warning of future problems in that industry, yet concluded his article on an optimistic note:

"Whatever the future holds for hosiery and shoes, one thing seems assured - the variety of trades in Leicester and district, spearheaded by a thrusting engineering industry, assures a continuance of the conditions which make it one of the busiest and most prosperous cities in Britain."

"The College of Art, first recognised as a regional college in 1935, is one of the largest in Britain and offers a wide range of studies. New buildings are springing up around the ancient Newark Gateway, a reminder of the past as Leicester Polytechnic looks to the future."

John Watson

"Few cities can claim to be as well placed as Leicester for communication links with the rest of the country. Its situation in the centre of England gives it a geographical advantage which eases travel and assists commerce."

Edward Parkinson

"Leicester may seem a rich prize for a shopkeeper, but it is a tough one to take. At least one large store has been driven out by slow initial sales. Leicester shoppers are canny and close with their money. They are slow to take to a new store, but once their trust is won they are faithful."

Carol Wright

"All Leicester's culture, though, relies heavily on the work of an enthusiastic minority. The solid lump of citizenry remains largely indifferent to the arts and prefers to sit glued to the television."

Michael Tate

"Leicester stands at the very centre of its county, which is pre-eminently agricultural: the county of Robert Bakewell, of pork pies and good cheeses, the sweet-sour Leicester, the noble Stilton. Much of the produce of Leicestershire still flows into Leicester, to the great open market at its heart."

Leicester - A Special Report
The Times
Monday 15 December 1969