The Heritage Trust may be a small, volunteer run charity but we are very busy preserving the heritage of Swannington for benefit of current and future generations.
All you need to know about the dates of mill openings, family heritage events, archives evenings, walks, talks or volunteer sessions can be found here.
Contact Katrina our Trust Chair and Events Coordinator via our Contact Page to find out more.
October 2019
Hough Mill open 2-5pm
Additional dates for October. Enjoy all the Mill has to share with history, stunning views, beautiful walks and much more!
- Sunday 6th October
- Sunday 13th October
- Sunday 20th October
- Sunday 27th October
Sunday 27th October – Three short talks on the history and restoration of Hough Mill
Each talk is limited to 15 places and needs to be booked via Eventbrite
The talk looks at the origin of Hough Mill – was it built around 1790 or in the 1820s? Then continues with the lives of the Griffin millers and the sale of the mill to the Hough family
Book via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-owners-of-hough-mill-swannington-tickets-76656568861
James Kirby worked the mill at the end of the Griffin ownership and the start of the Hough ownership. His family worked other local mills.
Book via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-kirby-millers-and-the-girls-who-lived-in-the-mill-tickets-76656769461
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A 25 year epic challenge dealing with heritage guardians, planners, fund raisers and millwrights as volunteers have contributed thousands of hours of work in restoring Hough Mill
Book via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/restoration-of-hough-mill-tickets-76656907875
Archive Group – Meet in the Swannington Village Hall, alternate Mondays 7pm to 9pm.
Scanning, cataloguing and indexing historical documents and photographs. Come and see the archive.
- Monday 7th October
- Monday 21st October
Land Management – Meet 9am Wednesdays and Fridays at Hough Mill
The team maintains 14 acres of woodland and acid grass heathland that were formerly coal mining and railway sites. Hough Mill work includes the Gorse Field and Califat Spinney, some sessions are at the Swannington Incline.
- Wednesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th October
- Fridays 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th October
November
A month of glorious leaf colour in the Califat Spinney
Saturday Land Group meet 10am at Snibston No 3, Spring Lane
Maintains part of the Snibston No 3 Colliery (1850-1880 and 1892-1895) and adjacent section of the Leicester and Swannington Railway. A chance to volunteer if you work during the week.
- Saturday 9th November
Trees from around the world – 2pm Saturday 9th November
15 years ago the Trust replanted part of the Califat Spinney with trees from all over the world. Come and enjoy the glorious autumn colour.
Book via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trees-from-around-the-world-tickets-76685663885
Land Management – Meet 9am Wednesdays and Fridays at Hough Mill
The team maintains 14 acres of woodland and acid grass heathland that were formerly coal mining and railway sites. Hough Mill work includes the Gorse Field and Califat Spinney, some sessions are at the Swannington Incline.
- Wednesdays 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th November
- Fridays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th November
Archive Group – Meet in the Swannington Village Hall, alternate Mondays 7pm to 9pm.
Scanning, cataloguing and indexing historical documents and photographs.
- Monday 4th November
- Monday 18th November
Califat Coal Mine Excavation
Leicestershire Industrial History Society lead the excavation of the Califat Coal Mine (1855-1873) coal mine buildings and work closely with Swannington Heritage Trust. Digs are from 9.30am-1pm followed by an optional lunch at the Bull’s Head, Thringstone.
- Tuesday 12th November
December 2019
A great month for enjoying a walk along the permissive paths through the Trust sites, they are open 6am to midnight every day and are supplemented by public footpaths.
Christmas at the Mill – 2pm Sunday 1st at Hough Mill
- Craft stalls, children’s crafts, refreshments, games
- Santa’s Grotto
- Explore Hough Mill
Saturday Land Group meet 10am at Snibston No 3, Spring Lane
Maintains part of the Snibston No 3 Colliery (1850-1880 and 1892-1895) and adjacent section of Leicester and Swannington Railway. A chance to volunteer if you work during the week.
- Saturday 14th December
Archive Group – Meet in the Swannington Village Hall, alternate Mondays 7pm to 9pm.
Scanning, cataloguing and indexing historical documents and photographs. Come and see the archive.
- Monday 2nd November
Califat Coal Mine Excavation
Leicestershire Industrial History Society lead the excavation of the Califat Coal Mine (1855-1873) coal mine buildings and work closely with Swannington Heritage Trust. Digs are from 9.30am-1pm followed by an optional lunch at the Bull’s Head, Thringstone.
- Tuesday 10th December
2020 Events
Thursday 9th July 2020 – Leicestershire & Rutland Heritage Awards, The Century Theatre, Snibston, Coalville
Sunday 31st May 2020 – Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society History Fair at Beaumanor
Tuesday 13th October 2020 – A Coal Mining Dynasty – talk to Shepshed Historical Society
Thursday 15th October 2020 – Trouble and Strife, the challenges in getting a wife – talk to Leicestershire and Rutland Family History Society, Market Harborough Branch