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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 23 2007, 5:21 AM EDT (current) | Agnes14 | 1 word added, 1 word deleted |
| Sep 3 2007, 2:29 PM EDT | Agnes14 | 6 words added, 3 words deleted |
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The following information is courtesy of Robert Laird, Ayr. Please contact the site administrator if you have any further information regarding the Shield of Donington Hall.
John Shields (b.18th April 1857) from Perceton Mains, Irvine, was a farm servant from the age of 10. Saving his earnings, he married and took on a farm near Loudoun Castle when he was 24. Whilst there he was thought a 'promising lad' by Lord Donington who lived at Loudoun Castle at the time, and was offered the management of the his Lordships farms in Leicestershire. He later became the Estate Agent for Lord Donington, and later sold considerable part of the land on behalf of Lord Donington and purchased much of it himself.
He espied a lime outcrop on one of the properties and knowing the value to agriculture, leased the property from his employer. From a small old fashioned kiln his fortunes grew and he re-invested in plant installation. As the reputation grew he turned the company into a Limited Liability Company with his son Capt. C.F. Shields as the Manageing Director. He entered quarrying world proper, when he opened the Breedon and Cloud Hill Limestone Quarries at Islay Walton, Derbyshire. The quarries were famed for it's footpath gravel and red Breedon tennis-court top dressing, stone for roads and limestone chip for concrete aggregate.
He maintained several quarries in a 30 mile radius and retained 1,000 acre of farm land (200 acres ploughed). He also acted as the Chairman of the Bench of Magistrates for Ashby-de-la-Zouch and for over 40 years acted as the Chairman of Castle Donington Parish Council & Leicestershire County Council.
Other projects included Director of Offilers Brewery Ltd., Derby, and Shilton Brick & Tile Co., Coventry, and Governor of Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. For around 20 years he acted as the vice-president of the Institute of Quarrying.
He bacame Lord of the Manor of Donington Hall (once prison for German prisoner's of war), replacing the Marquess of Hastings. It is now the headquarters of British Midland Airlines and the famous Donington Park circuit.
Reference
Irvine Herald March 13, 1942. Prosperous native of Perceton: Mr John G. Shileds.Shields. owner of famous Donington Hall.
John Shields (b.18th April 1857) from Perceton Mains, Irvine, was a farm servant from the age of 10. Saving his earnings, he married and took on a farm near Loudoun Castle when he was 24. Whilst there he was thought a 'promising lad' by Lord Donington who lived at Loudoun Castle at the time, and was offered the management of the his Lordships farms in Leicestershire. He later became the Estate Agent for Lord Donington, and later sold considerable part of the land on behalf of Lord Donington and purchased much of it himself.
He espied a lime outcrop on one of the properties and knowing the value to agriculture, leased the property from his employer. From a small old fashioned kiln his fortunes grew and he re-invested in plant installation. As the reputation grew he turned the company into a Limited Liability Company with his son Capt. C.F. Shields as the Manageing Director. He entered quarrying world proper, when he opened the Breedon and Cloud Hill Limestone Quarries at Islay Walton, Derbyshire. The quarries were famed for it's footpath gravel and red Breedon tennis-court top dressing, stone for roads and limestone chip for concrete aggregate.
He maintained several quarries in a 30 mile radius and retained 1,000 acre of farm land (200 acres ploughed). He also acted as the Chairman of the Bench of Magistrates for Ashby-de-la-Zouch and for over 40 years acted as the Chairman of Castle Donington Parish Council & Leicestershire County Council.
Other projects included Director of Offilers Brewery Ltd., Derby, and Shilton Brick & Tile Co., Coventry, and Governor of Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. For around 20 years he acted as the vice-president of the Institute of Quarrying.
He bacame Lord of the Manor of Donington Hall (once prison for German prisoner's of war), replacing the Marquess of Hastings. It is now the headquarters of British Midland Airlines and the famous Donington Park circuit.
Reference
Irvine Herald March 13, 1942. Prosperous native of Perceton: Mr John G. Shileds.Shields. owner of famous Donington Hall.
