JUNE 21ST 1923 – THE GRAND BAZAAR OPENS
A newspaper advert announced the Grand Bazaar and Fete to be held in Queen’s Park and the Corinthians sports ground from 21st to 23rd June 1923, to raise the final funds needed for the building of the Carillon. All were invited to ‘numerous entertainments and attractions’ and cheap railway travel was provided.
An additional £3,000 was needed and it was hoped the Grand Bazaar would raise it. The idea of a carillon had been inspired by those across Belgium, where many Loughborough men had fought and died, so the bazaar stalls had names such as Bruges, Ypres, Malines and Antwerp. As ever with the Carillon, there were a few detractors. Former MP Sir Maurice Levy thought the event might open old wounds amongst those the war had affected.
Summer fun in a great cause
The Grand Bazaar was a huge attraction, and no wonder. Fun, shopping, and entertainment in glorious summer weather, for a cause very dear to Loughborough’s heart: the Carillon War Memorial.
Various local notables were on hand to open the bazaar each day. The third day was the best attended; it was a Saturday and the weather was beautiful. It was opened by Mrs Spears, wife of General Spears, who along with her team of supporters, had been preparing items for the stalls for four years. Mrs Spears described the Carillon as ‘the most wonderful in England.’
Stockings, sweets and skittles
Visitors could browse the stalls for, amongst other things, china, perfumery, cakes, sweets, novelties, cigarettes, fruit, flowers, and, this being Loughborough, hosiery. (A local servant girl was subsequently charged with the theft of some stockings her employer had bought at the bazaar). You could have your fortune told, watch sports displays, enjoy music, including some from the Leicester Regiment’s band, and join in with timeless entertainments like hoop-la and skittles. Loughborough College students sold items they had made, and there was a tea garden.
The star fund-raising attraction was the Alexandra Bedspread, so called because Queen Alexandra had added her signature to it along with many other famous people of the day. The signatures were embroidered and the finished item raffled off at the bazaar. It was won by a local pub landlord and is now in the care of Charnwood Borough Council.
The Grand Bazaar didn’t quite make the hoped-for £3,000. Altogether £2,711 (nearly £210,000 in 2025 terms) was raised by the end of the third day, but further donations were expected from trades unions and other people.
Nevertheless, Mayor William Moss declared the result ‘magnificent’ and was confident that the Carillon would start its life in Loughborough debt-free.
