Ashby History Comes to Life

LOUDOUN GALLERY

Ashby the Spa Town

In the early 19th century, waters with curative properties were discovered at Moira and Ashby began to entertain hopes of becoming a fashionable spa town. The classical baths building enjoyed some success but ultimately fell into decay and was demolished in 1962.

This exhibition will showcase local primary school children's work on the spa town, supported by photographs and other items from the Museum's own archives. more pictures

28th February - 31st March

Looking through the Lens - My favourite places

a photographic exhibition by Lesley Hextall

My interest in photography started in childhood with my first camera and stayed with me throughout. I purchased my first digital camera, with only 2.7million pixels in 1999 and studied Digital Photography for four years. Technology has progressed but my love of walking, wildlife and landscape photography remains constant. I remain an enthusiastic amateur and enjoy entering competitions and have achieved moderate success in Leicestershire & Rutland Life, Derbyshire Life and C.P.R.E. landscape competitions amongst others. Some of these images are displayed in this exhibition.

The images displayed in this exhibition are all taken locally and show the magic created when the light is just right and you are there to capture the moment.

The 350th Anniversary of the Congregational Church in Ashby

A celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee

The Medieval Woman - instrument of the Devil, exulted above all angels

The exhibition looks at the roles of European women in the Middle Ages and how they were viewed in the eyes of the church and in the law. For much of the time girl power really did not feature in life as medieval women had their lives controlled by men, a girl obeyed her father and a wife was the property of her husband.

However there were some opportunities for women to make their own lives, although they were few and far between. In towns as well as the countryside, women worked in a wide range of trades, often with their husbands and fathers. Wealthy widows had a certain amount of independence - although they could be required by the King to remarry to ensure their lands were under male control - and the mothers and wives of important men could have enormous influence on politics.

The exhibition follows the lives of young and old women, illustrated with the stories of real medieval women, including Margaret Beaufort, Henry VII’s mother; The Empress Matilda, who waged a civil war against King Stephen; Eleanor of Aquitaine, the strident mother of Richard the Lionheart; Roesia de Verdun, the founder of Grace Dieu Priory; and French writer Christine de Pisan.

On display are replica costumes and a range of replica and original personal items, such as mirrors, needle cases, jewellery and a wonderful glass linen presser.

Sport in Ashby - "Olympians one and all"

Standard Soap Ltd

Soap making in Ashby goes back to 1892 and the Standard Soap Company dates from 1928 but at the end of 2011 the factory closed its gates for good. This exhibition will contain photographs and other images as well as information and film which document the firm's proud history.