Situated in the Welland Valley and overlooked by Rockingham Castle, the village of Great Easton is particularly attractive. Close to the Eyebrook Reservoir, a noted haven for wildlife, the village nestles harmoniously in the rolling Leicestershire countryside. Locally quarried ironstone has provided much of the building material and this has given the village its distinctive character with numerous honey coloured stone cottages. A variety of building styles can be observed and of particular note are the traditional roofing materials with Collyweston stone slates, pantiles, thatch and Welsh slate. For most of its life much of the village has been the property of the Church, being given by Ethelred, King ofMercia, to the Abbot of Peterborough about the year 700. This ownership, which in part continues to this day, has meant that Great Easton has never had the traditional local squire, but merely tenants. Over the years the village has changed its name, previously being known as Eston, Easton juxta Welland or Easton juxta Rockingham. The reason for the addition of 'Great' or its Latin equivalent 'Magna' is unclear as there is no 'Little Easton'. Agriculture has always played an important part in the economic life of the village, although that role is considerably reduced today. However, the numerous farm buildings in the village bear witness to its former importance. Dad's Army During World War II a local emergency arose and the Home Guard were called to 'Action Stations' during the middle of the night. As most of the part time soldiers had to be risen from their beds it took sometime for the force to muster. However one member was missing. Enquiries showed he had set off but had failed to report for duty. Only much later was it revealed that the sleepy guardian of the peace had misheard the instruction and had made his way to Ashley Station, four miles away.