Houghton on the Hill
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  Map sources for Houghton on the Hill at grid reference SK6703
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Houghton on the Hill is a village lying six miles to the east of Leicester in the East Midlands in England.
An entry for Houghton on the Hill is recorded in the Domesday Book.
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[edit] Residents
The population of Houghton is approximately 2,000. Many of Houghton's residents commute to Leicester, Uppingham (in Rutland) or other nearby towns. The village is the birthplace of the famed landscape artist John Glover (1767-1849). The designer Ashley Miles Dennis, better known as Ash (A Special Human), also now resides in the village. One time member of the village, and still frequent visitor, is the author and noted social theorist Kingsley Dennis. Peacocks enjoy roaming freely and terrorising residents, mostly Rachel Gregory. A fat, black and white cat lives at 36, St Catharine's Way.
[edit] Services
Services in Houghton on the Hill include:
- School
Houghton on the Hill C of E Primary School is situated in the lower part of the village. It was erected in 1856 and extensions were built in 1966, 1976 and 1983. It is a co-educational Church of England (controlled) Primary School and educates children from 4 to 10 years of age. The number of children enrolled at the school is now 200. The catchment area is made up of Houghton on the Hill and Ingarsby but most of the children come from other areas.
- Churches
There are two Churches in the village; the Anglican St Catharine's Church and a Methodist Church, both situated on Main Street.
- Public Houses
The two pubs in the village are The Old Black Horse, on Main Street, and The Rose & Crown, on Uppingham Road.
- Selection of Shops
Retailers in the village include a Co-op, a Newsagent, and a Chemist. There is also a fish and chip shop and a hairdresser.
- Bus Service
The hourly 747 bus service between Leicester and Uppingham, which runs through Houghton-on-the-Hill, is the only public transport available. Most residents commute by car.
- Teams
There is also a football team (Houghton Rangers Junior Football Club) who play on Weir Lane playing fields as well as a cricket team (Houghton Cricket Club) who play on Dixon's field in the southern end of the village next to the School.
- Village Hall
There is a village hall situated in the centre of the village with a bowling green attached. It is used by the local school.
Houghton has a scout troop ranging from Beavers to Explorers (Formerly Venture Scouts) whose group scout leader is Marion Keene. There is also a Tennis Club situated on the Weir Lane Playing facilities.
- Newsletters
The village has a monthly newsletter, the Houghton News, which features articles from various village groups, events listings, and reports from Parish Council meetings.
[edit] Fun Day
Every summer (since The Queen's Jubilee - 2002) the village holds its Summer Funday. This takes place on a Saturday (1st weekend in July) and goes on all afternoon (starts with parade at 2:30). This event attracts all the villagers (young and old) who wish to participate from organising the events in the field and helping with the organising of the Fancy Dress competition to helping set up the stalls and gazebos on the main field at the back of the Pub.
The Fun Day begins with a parade from Paresh's newsagent at 2:30 going down St Catherines Way past St Catherines Church, down Main Street and towards the field at the back of the Old Black Horse pub where the judging will take place.
[edit] Politics
Houghton-on-the-Hill forms part of the Thurnby and Houghton ward of Harborough District Council, currently represented by three Liberal Democrats, including Harborough Council leader Simon Galton. Cllr Galton is also Houghton's representative and Liberal Democrat group leader on Leicestershire County Council, where the village forms part of the Launde division. Houghton is also a Civil Parish with a Parish Council made up of independent elected members.
Houghton was, until 1997, part of the Harborough constituency at Westminster, represented by Edward Garnier. However, following boundary alterations that year, it was moved into the neighbouring constituency of Rutland and Melton, whose MP since 1992 has been Alan Duncan.
[edit] Former railway
There used to be a railway that ran through Ingarsby, approximately two miles north of Houghton. Its station was named Ingarsby for Houghton on the Hill owing to its use by commuters from the larger village. The railway line and station were closed in 1954, but both the station building and the station master's house remain in Ingarsby, having been converted to residential properties. The most notable sign of the railway's existence is a long unused rail tunnel. This is notable because only one side was demolished, leaving only one entry point and no exit.
[edit] External links
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