Charnwood (ward)
Coordinates: 52°39′00″N 1°05′46″W / 52.650°N 1.096°W
Charnwood was an electoral ward and administrative division of the city of Leicester, England. It comprised the northern Leicester suburb of Northfields and its Tailby and Morton ex-council estates.
Geography
Charnwood was bounded by the wards of Belgrave to the north-west, Rushey Mead to the north, Humberstone & Hamilton to the east, Coleman to the south, Spinney Hills to the south-west and Latimer to the west.[1]
To the west, the Midland Main Line separated it from Belgrave, and to the south the Uppingham Road separates it from Spinney Hills and North Evington. To the east it bordered Humberstone, and to the north borders the Troon Way industrial estate.
History
Northfields was named for one of three open fields that once nearly surrounded Leicester. The field was enclosed in 1764 and then used as residential building land 'in good time for the population increase' of the industrial revolution, meaning that Leicester was largely spared the overcrowding problems typical of industrialising towns of that time.[2]
The area was bombed in 1940 causing considerable damage. Many structures were destroyed and 4 people were killed.
Northfields had three football teams dating from 1956. These were Northfield Town, Northfield United and the Northfield reserves.
Northfields has also produced a few notable athletes, including striker Rachel Williams for the Olympic GB women's football squad and professional boxer Rendall Munroe.
The ward was abolished in 2015 with most of its area becoming part of the new Troon ward.
Demographics
Northfields has had a bad reputation for criminal activities. Despite being only 3 small estates it was responsible for 30% of the crime rate within the Leicester area. In response The Northfields Project was set up in order to help to combat crime and make Northfields a safer place to live. The scheme improved areas such as security fencing, lighting and public recreational spaces.
Transport
Charnwood ward had bus services operated by Arriva Fox County and First Leicester which operate into the City Centre.
References
- ↑ Leicester City Council. "Ward Maps". Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ↑ Hoskins, W.G., 'The Making of the English Landscape' (1955)
The Northfields Project Report
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