Loscoe
Loscoe is a historic village within the parish of Heanor & Loscoe, with origins dating back to at least the 13th century. Its name is believed to derive from Old Norse, reflecting early Scandinavian influence in the area. In medieval times, Loscoe formed part of the Draycott estate and developed as a small rural settlement.
Coal Industry
From the 19th century onwards, Loscoe was shaped significantly by the coal industry. The development of collieries transformed the village into a thriving industrial community. Mines such as the Old Loscoe Colliery, Bailey Brook Colliery and Ormonde Colliery provided employment for generations of local families and played a central role in daily life.
The industry left a lasting mark on both the landscape and the community, fostering a strong local identity. Although coal mining declined in the mid-20th century, its legacy remains an important part of Loscoe’s heritage. This is reflected in features such as the preserved winding wheel, installed in the village as a reminder of its mining past.
Loscoe Colliery Memorial
Looking north to the Loscoe Colliery winding wheel memorial with the A6007 Heanor Road on the right and the Red River Nature Reserve on the left. The pit was sunk by Goodwin and Griffin in the early 1830s to work the Deep Hard and Deep Soft seams. It was taken over in 1840 by E.D.Whittingstall and then by the Butterley Company in 1856 as part of their growing empire of coal workings. When the seams became exhausted the mine closed in 1933. The Midland Railway ran a branch to the colliery from the Langley Mill to Heanor and Ripley branch just behind the bus garages at Langley Mill.
Loscoe Dam
Loscoe Dam is one of the village’s oldest surviving features, with origins dating back to around the 13th or 14th century. Originally created to serve as a fishpond and to power a mill associated with nearby Codnor Castle, it played an important role in the area’s early economy.
Today, Loscoe Dam provides a valued natural and recreational space, supporting local wildlife and offering a reminder of the village’s medieval past.
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Red River Local Nature Reserve
The Red River Local Nature Reserve is a more recent addition to the local landscape, created on land previously affected by industrial activity. The reserve takes its name from the distinctive reddish colour of the water, caused by iron compounds leaching from former colliery spoil and mineral deposits.
Now a well-established green space, the reserve supports a variety of habitats and wildlife, and is an important environmental and community asset. It also reflects Loscoe’s transition from its industrial past to a more sustainable and environmentally focused future.
War Memorial
The Loscoe War Memorial stands as a quiet and dignified tribute to the men of the village who lost their lives during the Second World War. Situated in a small garden area between Furnace Lane and Grandfield Street, the memorial provides a place for reflection and remembrance within the heart of the community.
Constructed from sandstone and set with a bronze plaque, the memorial bears the names of thirteen local servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice between 1939 and 1945. Its simple yet respectful design reflects the character of the village and the deep sense of gratitude held by residents past and present.
Although modest in scale, the memorial plays an important role in preserving Loscoe’s local history. It serves as a focal point for remembrance, particularly during annual commemorations such as Remembrance Sunday, when members of the community gather to honour those who gave their lives. Wreaths are also laid annually as part of these acts of remembrance.
Together with nearby memorials in the wider parish, the Loscoe War Memorial ensures that the sacrifices of earlier generations are not forgotten, and that their legacy continues to be recognised by future generations.
Today
Today, Loscoe retains elements of its historic character while serving as a valued residential area within the wider parish. Its rich heritage—shaped by agriculture, industry and environmental renewal—is reflected in local landmarks and the surrounding landscape.
