A bench which celebrates the history of Loughborough Market and Fair has been unveiled in the town centre.
Loughborough based artist Jacqui Grace, designed the bench as part of a project with Charnwood Borough Council, Soar Project and Loughborough Churches Partnership.
The bench includes illustrations of famous fairground rides such as a carousel and a ferris wheel.
Market stalls, Loughborough Town Hall and the Sockman also appear on the front of the bench.
Visitors to the town’s historic market were invited to paint the 800 squares which are on the back of the bench earlier this year.
In 2021, Loughborough’s Market and Fairs celebrated 800 years of being awarded the Royal Charter by King Henry III.
Jacqui said: “I am so proud to be able to celebrate Loughborough’s Market and Fair in this piece of work and it has been great to welcome local residents to help paint the back of the bench to give it a real community feeling.”
Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr Margaret Smidowicz, said: “Loughborough’s Fair and Market hold a special place within the town and to all of the residents and visitors. This bench is a lovely way of being able to mark their history and what they mean to Loughborough.”
Cllr Jennifer Tillotson, the Council’s lead member for economic development, regeneration and town centres, said: “Loughborough is a proud market town and it plays an important role in the town. To be able to mark both the market and fair with this bench is really special.
“I would like to thank Jacqui for her hard work in designing the bench and all the visitors who helped paint the squares on the bench.”
The bench is located in Cattle Market, outside the NatWest bank.
Loughborough Fair will be returning from November 8 – November 11 for its 802nd year.
Loughborough Market operates a retail market on Thursdays and Saturdays and a vintage market on Fridays. To find out more about Loughborough Market, visit: https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/markets_fairs
