GLEN PARVA

'Glen Parva' is a suburb of southern Leicester. It is outside the city boundaries, and forms a civil parish of the district of Blaby. To the north it runs into Aylestone, and to the east Eyres Monsell. To the south and west it is not immediately surrounded by development.
It is a largely residential area with no main shopping or leisure centre. There a few small shops located in Glen Parva. The main shopping area is known as Carvers Corner. Here there is a Newsagents, Off Licence, Post Office, Chemist, Barbers, Cob Shop and Accountants. The chemist is run by a dedicated pharmacist and is undervalued with the work he provides, often staying late top finish his duties. Brian? runs the local barbers and his short back and sides have legendary status within the local community. In the surrounding area there is also a beauticians and another off licence, providing the western side of Glen Parva closer amenities. On the western side there is also a working mens club which is members only.
In the area there is also a park, known as Dorothy Avenue Park to some locals due to its position at the end of Dorothy Avenue but its name varies. Located at the park is a play area, a memorial garden along side the memorial building and the 62nd Scouts are also based here. The park has recently gone under some refurbishment with the memorial hall being extend and modernised along with the park facilities. The park has an astro turf pitch with a Football goal and basketball hoop located at opposite ends. There was calls to fence the area off to stop balls disappearing into the bushes based at the back of the goal but the calls where unanswered by the local council. The park has been updated and now contains a seating area, a roundabout, a slide, swings and a climbing frame. It also contains a revolutionary roundabout; it contains a hollow centre with a spinning ring on the outside. It was once vandalised by a man and his dog but the local youths were blamed for the destruction by the council in its local newsletter. A section of the park is fenced off and contains an area for toddlers and there carers to play in. There are swings, a small climbing frame and a seating area based here.
The 62nd Scouts are renowned in the area as one of the best scout troops and this is thanks to great leadership is has encountered over the years. The scout den which is located around the back of the memorial hall was once victim of countless vandalism and robbery but this has improved with the area being fenced off and secured. The scout troop has faced many financial difficulties in the past but the situation has improved in recent years thanks to rising numbers.
The memorial refurbishment has refreshed the look of the park and with it has removed the tatty looking it was gaining. The hall can now host parties, wedding receptions and other events with the improved facilities.
The village has two nurseries and a primary school. One nursery is based on Cork Lane and the other at the Memorial Hall. The local primary school is known as Glen Hills. It runs from the ages of 4+ to Year 5. It was once split into two campuses: One based at cork lane and the other on Fetherby Drive. It was decided to combine the campuses as the site based at cork lane was old fashioned and the facilities were poor, the site was sold off for a housing development. Once the new school was built at the
Fetherby Drive site, the old building was decommissioned. Unfortunately it was burnt down by arsonist before being demolished.
The village has a young offenders institute, HMYOI Glen Parva, although this is actually based outside the boundaries of Glen Parva. The Grand Union Canal and the River Sence both pass to the south of the village. To the west is the River Soar.
The Great Central Railway used to pass through Glen Parva. The route has now been made into a paved walkway which leads into Leicester.
Glen Parva is called so to distinguish it from Great Glen (rarely Glen Magna).
Glen Parva was made famous by the discovery of the Glen Parva Lady, a rich female Anglo-Saxon Burial, now located at the Jewry Wall Museum, Leicester.
Sue Townsend who wrote the Adrian Mole books grew up here. It is specuated than many of the locations and characters in the books were based on local places and people.

Contents

External links

External links

★ Glen Parva Parish Council