Spotlight on Heritage – A Walk Through Evington’s Living History with Helen Pettman
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this episode of Spotlight on Heritage on Soar Sound, we join Helen Pettman—Chair of Friends of Evington—for a walking conversation through one of Leicester’s most distinctive and quietly remarkable places: the Evington Conservation Area. What emerges is not only a portrait of a place shaped by layers of historical and natural significance, but a reflection on how local knowledge and community care sustain our shared environments.
The episode begins outside the boundary of the conservation area, where Helen describes the thinking behind the inclusion of a strikingly modern house. It’s a reminder that conservation is not only about preserving the past—it’s about recognising how different eras and architectural styles coexist, forming a narrative that evolves with the community.
We follow Helen through the streets and green spaces of Evington, pausing at key points: the Shady Lane Arboretum, the historic moated site known as Piggy’s Hollow, and the arboreal vistas that give this part of Leicester its unique atmosphere. Along the way, Helen points out how conservation is a matter of details—broken signs, overgrown verges, forgotten stories—and how these small things matter to the wider character and feel of the place.
Environmental stewardship runs throughout our discussion. Helen explains how projects like Evington in Bloom and the City Council’s grassland management policy are not just about appearances, but about biodiversity, pollinators, and how we learn to coexist with our environment more sensitively. There’s a palpable sense of the past lingering in the air here—not only in the remains of Norman churches and Saxon speculation, but in the birdsong, the shifting light, and the sounds of a place always in transition.
We also reflect on how the Evington Echo, the local community paper, keeps these stories alive. From commemorating the efforts of individuals who have shaped the community, to quietly celebrating the green spaces and local landmarks that define everyday life, Helen makes a compelling case for hyper-local media as a vital part of cultural memory and identity.
This conversation touches on many things—social change, civic loss, the future of conservation—but at its heart is a simple question: why does a sense of place matter? Helen’s answer is both practical and profound. It brings people together, she says. Regardless of background, belief, or tradition, we all share the places we live in. And through care, curiosity, and cooperation, we keep them alive.
You can listen to the full episode via the Soar Sound podcast feed. For more information about Friends of Evington and the Evington Echo, visit Evington Echo.
