The Celebrating Mile Lane Project 2022/23
Mile Lane is an ancient route and today forms the "backbone" of the Beacon Heath estate - a routeway spanning the past and future!
In March 2022 a small group of local residents met up in March and started to make some plans including:-
"Walks with Kev" - memory walks with local resident, Kev Pearson, exploring the histories of the relationship between the estate, Mile Lane and Mincinglake Valley Park
- Do you remember the Quarry, the tip and hours of playing out!?
In April, in June/July/August and again in September 2022 we enjoyed walking together to explore the extraordinary beauty and heritage of Mile Lane and the landscape to the north of the Beacon Heath estate. Guided by local resident, Kev, and in relaxed company we walked with around 50 people in total over 5 tours, learning histories that you'll never find in text books, sharing a laugh and memories with neighbours. We hope to persuade Kev to walk again - if you'd be interested in joining them, the great news is that they're are still active and you can get in touch here - (1) Mile Lane Pod Open Group | Facebook
In March 2022 a small group of local residents met up in March and started to make some plans including:-
- - Memory Walks
- - Greening the estate
- - Halloween Spooky Workshop and Stroll!
"Walks with Kev" - memory walks with local resident, Kev Pearson, exploring the histories of the relationship between the estate, Mile Lane and Mincinglake Valley Park
- Do you remember the Quarry, the tip and hours of playing out!?
In April, in June/July/August and again in September 2022 we enjoyed walking together to explore the extraordinary beauty and heritage of Mile Lane and the landscape to the north of the Beacon Heath estate. Guided by local resident, Kev, and in relaxed company we walked with around 50 people in total over 5 tours, learning histories that you'll never find in text books, sharing a laugh and memories with neighbours. We hope to persuade Kev to walk again - if you'd be interested in joining them, the great news is that they're are still active and you can get in touch here - (1) Mile Lane Pod Open Group | Facebook
SOME OF THE FEEDBACK FROM WALKS WITH KEV
I really enjoyed the memories of the people who grew up in this area. I finding out a little bit more of the history. The Iron Age Fort - that's just amazing! The views, you can picture it can't you with the ramparts and the huts. Definitely glad we came today. A nice group, plenty of chatter. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
It's been fantastic! It's been really interesting to listen because it's jogged memories of the quarry particularly and the cliff. That had gone, I'd forgotten all about that so that's been really interesting and going up to the hillfort, that's been an ambition for a long time. Its been lovely. Like-minded people, really amiable. Exercise involved. What's not to like!?
I've wanted to go to the fort for ages but as a woman on my own, even with my dog, if Adrian wasn't going to come with me, I'd feel perfectly comfortable coming to something like this. There have been a couple of people including Kev who know everything about where we've been and that's been brilliant. It's been fantastic.
I really enjoyed the memories of the people who grew up in this area. I finding out a little bit more of the history. The Iron Age Fort - that's just amazing! The views, you can picture it can't you with the ramparts and the huts. Definitely glad we came today. A nice group, plenty of chatter. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
It's been fantastic! It's been really interesting to listen because it's jogged memories of the quarry particularly and the cliff. That had gone, I'd forgotten all about that so that's been really interesting and going up to the hillfort, that's been an ambition for a long time. Its been lovely. Like-minded people, really amiable. Exercise involved. What's not to like!?
I've wanted to go to the fort for ages but as a woman on my own, even with my dog, if Adrian wasn't going to come with me, I'd feel perfectly comfortable coming to something like this. There have been a couple of people including Kev who know everything about where we've been and that's been brilliant. It's been fantastic.
Spooky Craft Workshop
Monday 24th October 2022
We had a wonderful time, in partnership with the Beacon Centre, with 30 local residents making fantastic halloween lanterns
FEEDBACK FROM WORKSHOP
It was good and friendly. Really enjoyed making the pumpkin lantern.
Amazing timing for the beginning of half term. I brought 4 children with me today and they all loved it.
Really nice combination of activities! Thank you for the refreshments from the lovely volunteers.
Good resources for the kids to use and enjoyed the refreshments. Really friendly volunteers.
Making a spider was excellent!
Its been excellent, great community spirit, great for the kids especially during half term. Would definitely come again.
Monday 24th October 2022
We had a wonderful time, in partnership with the Beacon Centre, with 30 local residents making fantastic halloween lanterns
FEEDBACK FROM WORKSHOP
It was good and friendly. Really enjoyed making the pumpkin lantern.
Amazing timing for the beginning of half term. I brought 4 children with me today and they all loved it.
Really nice combination of activities! Thank you for the refreshments from the lovely volunteers.
Good resources for the kids to use and enjoyed the refreshments. Really friendly volunteers.
Making a spider was excellent!
Its been excellent, great community spirit, great for the kids especially during half term. Would definitely come again.
The Spooky Stroll
October 2022
We had fantastic fun with 60 local residents who shared a Spooky Quest up Mile Lane with us for Halloween 2022
FEEDBACK FROM SPOOKY STROLL
Thank you so much. This was a fabulous activity for the kids! We are so grateful!
Absolutely brilliant
Great costumes and lots of fun
Children had fun!
Thank you everybody!!
Excellent, thank you
Spooky fun, thank you
Fun spooky characters, music, sweets and pumpkins
October 2022
We had fantastic fun with 60 local residents who shared a Spooky Quest up Mile Lane with us for Halloween 2022
FEEDBACK FROM SPOOKY STROLL
Thank you so much. This was a fabulous activity for the kids! We are so grateful!
Absolutely brilliant
Great costumes and lots of fun
Children had fun!
Thank you everybody!!
Excellent, thank you
Spooky fun, thank you
Fun spooky characters, music, sweets and pumpkins
Easter Craft Workshop
In order to bring the Mile Lane project to a grand finale, the Pod arranged an Easter Craft Workshop in March 2023, in partnership with the Beacon Community Centre. Wonderful crafting fun was had!
and finally .....
The Mile Lane Easter Egg Trail - March 2023
One hundred wonderful Beacon Heath folk came to join the Mile Lane Pod in the Mile Lane Easter Egg Trail, then back to the Beacon Community Centre for refreshments, more play and crafts and a specially prepared Beacon Heath Heritage Exhibition. What a wonderful day!!
In order to bring the Mile Lane project to a grand finale, the Pod arranged an Easter Craft Workshop in March 2023, in partnership with the Beacon Community Centre. Wonderful crafting fun was had!
and finally .....
The Mile Lane Easter Egg Trail - March 2023
One hundred wonderful Beacon Heath folk came to join the Mile Lane Pod in the Mile Lane Easter Egg Trail, then back to the Beacon Community Centre for refreshments, more play and crafts and a specially prepared Beacon Heath Heritage Exhibition. What a wonderful day!!
Celebrating the Beacon Lane Shops!
A lovely little group of local residents (the Shops Pod) met for chats over tea and cake whilst reflecting on the important role of the Beacon Lane Shops in the social history of the Heath.
They all have strong family connections with the shops and discussion soon turned to life in the sixties and to the social changes the shops have seen in their time.
A lovely little group of local residents (the Shops Pod) met for chats over tea and cake whilst reflecting on the important role of the Beacon Lane Shops in the social history of the Heath.
They all have strong family connections with the shops and discussion soon turned to life in the sixties and to the social changes the shops have seen in their time.
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We mark the sad passing of Glenn Bearne in April 2026, dear member of the Beacon Lane Shops Pod. Glenn was an informed, intelligent and valuable member of the group. Always ready to help others. He is a very sad loss will be greatly missed by us all. |
International "Taste & Share" Food Event - 6th July 2024
In July 2024 the Shops Pod hosted their first mini-event on the Shops Terrace! Inspired by the changes that we all saw in the British menu within the lifetime of the shops the wonderful Pod created a "Taste and Share" event, inviting their neighbours to bring along examples of international dishes for all to share.
A lovely afternoon was spent in the company of around 45 local people, all chatting and sharing together for the first time.
A great success for the Pod! Here's what people had to say ....
"I think it's a wonderful activity to connect people and you can try the food from different communities. If I'd known you guys were bringing food in from the community I would definitely have brought something from Pakistan. Definitely it is a positive activity in terms of connecting and sharing the different foods and meeting new people. Yea, I really like it here."
"I think this is an excellent idea. There's quite a few people here that I've never seen before."
""It's a lovely idea. I don't really see that many people any more. It's just a place I walk through really so it's really nice to see people doing stuff. I loved the food!"
What a lovely day!
Visit to the Devon Heritage Centre - 18th July 2024
Then it was off to the Devon Heritage Centre to research the build date of the shops. The Pod were able to securely establish that the shops were first occupied in 1961 meaning that they were built in 1960/61. More than this it was clear that whilst the flats around were built first they were numbered leaving a gap where the shops would appear establishing the planning of the shops as an integral part of the estate. Great work!
Then it was off to the Devon Heritage Centre to research the build date of the shops. The Pod were able to securely establish that the shops were first occupied in 1961 meaning that they were built in 1960/61. More than this it was clear that whilst the flats around were built first they were numbered leaving a gap where the shops would appear establishing the planning of the shops as an integral part of the estate. Great work!
All image rights reserved by the Devon Heritage Centre
Christmas at the Shops 2024
On 7th December 2024 the Pod hosted an incredibly successful family-fun Christmas crafting event in partnership with Beacon Heath Church on King Arthur's Road. The event was totally free and open to all. The room was packed with Christmas creativity and goodwill!
This was followed by community carolling on the terrace with mince pies kindly donated by Spar. A lovely way to end the year.
On 7th December 2024 the Pod hosted an incredibly successful family-fun Christmas crafting event in partnership with Beacon Heath Church on King Arthur's Road. The event was totally free and open to all. The room was packed with Christmas creativity and goodwill!
This was followed by community carolling on the terrace with mince pies kindly donated by Spar. A lovely way to end the year.
Beacon Lane Shops Heritage Sharing Event
14th September 2025
On a blustery Sunday afternoon the Beacon Lane Shops Pod and the Mile Lane Pod hosted an event for their neighbours. Twenty or so Beacon Heath-ers shared memories, laughs, hot drinks and creative fun. A truly intergenerational event with ages ranging from 6-86(!!) and a thoroughly Beacon Heath-y happening!
14th September 2025
On a blustery Sunday afternoon the Beacon Lane Shops Pod and the Mile Lane Pod hosted an event for their neighbours. Twenty or so Beacon Heath-ers shared memories, laughs, hot drinks and creative fun. A truly intergenerational event with ages ranging from 6-86(!!) and a thoroughly Beacon Heath-y happening!
BEACON LANE SHOPS ORAL HISTORY RECORDINGS
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Mario Maston
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Heather Foot
Photo credit: Devon Heritage Centre
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