Littleover

Littleover is a large suburb of Derby, England situated between Rose Hill, Normanton, Sunny Hill, South Derbyshire and Mickleover about three miles south west of Derby city centre.

History

The history of the name of Littleover is simple. It is derived from 'Little Ufre' (Domesday book) and in Old English "Ofer" which meant a slope or little hill, whilst its neighbouring Mickleover is known to be from 'Mickle Ufre' meaning large hill. Littleover was also formerly known as Parver Over.

The village, like many settlements in England, is partially of Saxon and partially of Roman origin; the Burton Road is a Roman road linking the A38 to the City Centre. Its Roman origin is easily confirmed due to its direct route. Burton Road, the A5250, leaves the A38 as Rykneld Road and becomes Pastures Hill just past Heatherton Village. At the top of Pastures Hill it crosses a junction with Hillsway and Chain Lane, whereupon it becomes Burton Road and remains so up to its junction with Babington Lane in Derby city centre. Despite the attraction of the Burton Road Babington lane route, it is possible that the course of the original Rykneld Way did not deviate but continued in a straight line through the rear of what was the Crest Motel, across Chain Lane, then following Owlers Lane and Constable Lane,across what is now the Bemrose School fields, eventually joining what we now call Uttoxeter Old road and further to the recorded camp around Belper Road. This would seem more logical a Roman Route.

Littleover was in the parish of Mickleover until 1866.

Littleover village is situated around the shopping area on Burton Road. The village's public house is called the Half Moon and is noted as being one of two inns in 1577. The older part of the village around St Peter's church was built in the 14th century. The Village has another public house, the White Swan which can be found on Shepherd Street also near the older part of Littleover. Directly opposite the White Swan is Church Street which takes its name from the aforementioned St Peter's and links up with the Hollow which is believed to be of Medieval origin. The age of the Hollow and Church Street are evidenced by the buildings that can be found there; even today the former contains the thatched roofed Littleover Cottage, (very rare in Derbyshire) whilst on Church Street can be found a detached white house, which in its time has been called the White House and would probably have been there before most of the buildings around it. The White House it is believed may date in part to the 16th Century, whereupon it probably would have stood alone with the thatched cottage and church. In earlier times this area was the centre of activity in the village where the square was used for markets, proclamations and general celebrations on public holidays.

Landmarks

Littleover had a landmark by way of the Crest Hotel, built in around the late eighteen hundreds, the site occupied by the Crest being previously occupied by a windmill. However in 2002 the Crest burnt down in allegedly suspicious circumstances. It was too much of a coincidence, it was reported, that the hotel was destroyed at exactly the same time as a new housing development (Michael Goodall Homes) was being built in its former grounds. Today that housing development now stands where Littleover's once well-known hotel used to be.

Other landmarks are the above mentioned Hollow where Littleover Old Cottage can be found.

Culture

As well as the Half Moon and the White Swan, for the younger generation there is the recently refurbished King George V Playing Fields. Fans of Indian food will find a well regarded Indian Restaurant (Basmati, formerly Jee Ja Jee's) in Heatherton Village at the base of Pastures Hill Opposite the Hollybrook public house. Those of us after an Italian flavour will find Frankie & Benny's on Manor Road next to Kennelgate Pet Food Store which was formaly Pidcock Kawasaki. A branch of Subway has recently opened on Burton Road. The Village Fish Bar is located on Burton Road, and is also a very popular location for the locals.

Littleover Community School is a secondary school and is one of the top three in Derby. It is the most favoured school in Derby, excluding independent schools. The area is also home to Derby Moor Community Sports College, on the site of the former Derby School, which is another one of the best schools in Derby. The results at 'DMCSC' have dramatically improved in the past few years.

There is one private school on Rykneld Road, Derby Grammar School for boys from Years 3 to 11, and girls and boys in the Sixth Form, and on Hillsway Derby High School for boys ages 3 to 11 and girls ages 3 to 18 (which ranks highly annually on the national league tables for both GCSE and A Level results).

Education

Gayton Junior School is located here, educating ages 7-11. St Peter's CofE Junior School is located on Church Street eductating years 3 to 6.

Littleover Community School, headteacher - Mr Nichols, of whom's school have a joint sixth form with Derby Moor Community Sports College

Notable residents

• Lee Camp, goalkeeper for Nottingham Forest F.C.
• Judith Hann, TV presenter (Tomorrow's World) was born here^[1]
• Fiona May, athlete.
• Michael Socha, actor
• Kelli Young, member of British pop group, Liberty X

References

External links

• BBC Guide
• Focus on Littleover
• Derby Guide
• Littleover Methodist Church
• St Peter's Church, Littleover
• Littleover news from the Derby Telegraph

Further reading

• Littleover rapist
• Puffin crossing
• Half Moon landlord is attacked with a hammer