Somerby - Leicestershire
Somerby is a small village just south of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. It probably has a population of 600 people. It has a parish church (All Saints), a primary school, a pub (The Stilton Cheese), small shop (The Shop of Loveliness) and an Equestrian Centre. It is close to the border with Rutland and includes the settlements of Burrough on the Hill, Leesthorpe and Pickwell.
During World War 11, the village was used as a base station and testing ground for Operation Market Garden, the airbourne attack on Arnhem.
All Saints
The church was built in the 12th Century from stone showing portions of Norman work. The parish register dates from 1601 of which can be seen the British Museum. The tower and the steeple are in the centre of the church. The church was restored in 1885 and seats 220 people. It is a grade 1 listed building with British Heritage.
During the summer of 1944 when the men of the 1st Airbourne Division were stressed from a series of operations, Lt. Pat Glover of the 10th Battalion made a habit of relieving his frustration by taking pot shots with his rifle at the birds outside his office. Two or three rounds went through the cockeral-shaped weather vane on top of the church. This now sits inside the church and is a talking point for visitors.
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| Cockeral shaped weather vane - All Saints Church - Somerby |
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