Littleover
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
Other landmarks are the above mentioned Hollow where Littleover Old Cottage can be found.
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).
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
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
situated between Rose Hill, Normanton, Sunny Hill, South Derbyshire
South Derbyshire
South Derbyshire is a local government district in Derbyshire, England. It contains a third of the National Forest, and the council offices are in Swadlincote....
and Mickleover
Mickleover
Mickleover is a suburb located two miles west of the city centre and is the most westerly suburb of the City of Derby in the United Kingdom.-History:...
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
Mickleover
Mickleover is a suburb located two miles west of the city centre and is the most westerly suburb of the City of Derby in the United Kingdom.-History:...
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
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, is partially of Saxon
Saxons
The Saxons were a confederation of Germanic tribes originating on the North German plain. The Saxons earliest known area of settlement is Northern Albingia, an area approximately that of modern Holstein...
and partially of Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
origin; the Burton
Burton upon Trent
Burton upon Trent, also known as Burton-on-Trent or simply Burton, is a town straddling the River Trent in the east of Staffordshire, England. Its associated adjective is "Burtonian"....
Road is a Roman road linking the A38
A38 road
The A38, part of which is also known as the Devon Expressway, is a major A-class trunk road in England.The road runs from Bodmin in Cornwall to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. It is long, making it one of the longest A-roads in England. It was formerly known as the Leeds — Exeter Trunk Road,...
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
Icknield Street
Icknield Street or Ryknild Street is a Roman road in Britain that runs from the Fosse Way at Bourton on the Water in Gloucestershire to Templeborough in South Yorkshire...
and becomes Pastures Hill just past Heatherton Village
Heatherton Village
Heatherton Village is a residential housing development located at the southern tip of Littleover, Derby, England. It comprises modern housing, several public amenity parks, shops, a school and a nursery...
. 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
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
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
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
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
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
) 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 VillageHeatherton Village
Heatherton Village is a residential housing development located at the southern tip of Littleover, Derby, England. It comprises modern housing, several public amenity parks, shops, a school and a nursery...
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
Littleover Community School
Littleover Community School is a coeducational secondary school situated on Pastures Hill, Littleover, Derbyshire in England, with an age range of pupils from 11–18....
is a secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
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
Derby Moor Community Sports College
Derby Moor Community Sports College Trust, formerly known as Derby Moor Community Sports College and Derby Moor Community School, is a secondary school and specialist Sports College situated on Moorway Lane, Littleover, Derby....
, on the site of the former Derby School
Derby School
Derby School was a school in Derby in the English Midlands from 1160 to 1989. It had an almost continuous history of education of over eight centuries. For most of that time it was a grammar school for boys. The school became co-educational and comprehensive in 1974 and was closed in 1989...
, 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
Derby Grammar School
Derby Grammar School is an independent and selective grammar school at Littleover near the city of Derby, England. Founded as a school for boys in 1995, it takes boys from the age of seven and currently has around three hundred pupils...
for boys from Years 3 to 11, and girls and boys in the Sixth Form, and on Hillsway Derby High School
Derby High School, Derby
Derby High School, Derby, is an independent secondary school with a junior department at Littleover, Derby, England. The senior school is for girls only, but the kindergarten and junior school are co-educational.-Overview:...
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 CampLee CampLee Michael John Camp is an English-born Northern Irish footballer who plays for Nottingham Forest and internationally for Northern Ireland as a goalkeeper. He has also played for the England under-21's.-Derby County:...
, goalkeeper for Nottingham Forest F.C.Nottingham Forest F.C.Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship... - Judith HannJudith HannJudith Hann at Littleover, Derby, Derbyshire, England, is a freelance broadcaster and writer specialising in science, food and the environment.-Education:...
, TV presenter (Tomorrow's World) was born here - Fiona MayFiona MayFiona May was an athlete who competed for the Great Britain and later Italy in the long jump. She won the World Championships twice and two Olympic silver medals...
, athlete. - Michael SochaMichael SochaMichael Socha is an English actor, best known for his roles in the critically acclaimed films This Is England and Summer, and the television series This Is England '86 and Being Human.-Early life:...
, actor - Kelli YoungKelli YoungKelli Young is an English pop singer. She was a member of British pop group, Liberty X which also consisted of Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, and Jessica Taylor....
, member of BritishGreat BritainGreat Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
popPop musicPop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
groupBand (music)In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
, Liberty XLiberty XLiberty X were a British pop vocal group formed by the five contestants eliminated from the final ten qualifiers from the 2001 ITV show Popstars. The group consisted of Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, Kelli Young and Jessica Taylor...
External links
- BBC Guide
- Focus on Littleover
- Derby Guide
- Littleover Methodist Church
- St Peter's Church, Littleover
- Littleover news from the Derby Telegraph