On page 24 of the new “Leicestershire Round” guide book, a map of Rearsby shows the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph. I have walked many times along the section of footpath from Rearsby (packhorse bridge) to Rearsby Road. I was always intrigued as to what lay behind the high wall protecting the convent. The picture below now reveals the hidden convent building.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace were founded in 1884 in Nottingham, a religious congregation of women to promote the peace of the church both by work and word.
For your information it is now the former home of the religious order. I read in the “Leicester Mercury”, (Saturday edition 7th October), planning permission has been secured for the conversion of the main building into eight dwellings, together with the erection of three new bungalows and five houses. This type of development follows many others in Leicestershire and neighbouring counties, where large residences are bought up and become multiple apartments.