Cemetery not shown on the OS 25 inch map surveyed 1887 but is shown on the following map revised 1903.

DB 1 September 2022

General Store & Post Office, Gauntlet Road. Unfortunately displaying a sign reading "closed until further notice".

OS 25 inch map published 1889 shows the post office being located on High Street near the former White Horse public house.

Kelly's Directory 1913 has " Post, M. 0. & T. Office. - Philip Lambert, sub-post-master. Letters through Boston delivered at 6.-15 a.m.; dispatched at 6.55 p.m. & on sundays 6.5 p.m"

DB 8 August 2022

Closer view of signage.

DB 8 August 2022

Pevsner comments :-

"Said to be dated on rainwater heads 1774. A crisp Georgian cube ... The front has three tiers of segment-headed sashes ... Unfortunately the parapet has been removed and replaced by a hipped roof".

DB 8 August 2022

Reported in "A List And Brief Details Of Chapels In The Spalding Circuit Past And Present" prepared by Colin Shepherdson & Norman Leveritt September 1997 (Revised August 1988) that :-

"The Society had exclusive use of a room in a dwelling house as a place of worship from 1835 to 1854 when the first chapel was built. The room then continued in use as a Sunday school.

The foundation stone for a second chapel, built adjacent to the old one in School Lane, was laid on the 11.8.1908 and the building opened on the 5.12.1908.

The architect for the new chapel was Mr Greenfield of Sleaford.

The old chapel continued in use as a Sunday school and the premises are still in use with a membership of 20"

DB 8 August 2022

Text above the window reads "PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH 1908".

DB 8 August 2022

View of the Church and Sunday School.

DB 8 August 2022

Village pump opposite the war memorial.

A pump marked here on the OS 25 inch map published 1905. National Grid Reference TF 2255 3767.

On the back of the modern woodwork there is a label stating "Designed and built by South Lincs Sawmill". 

DB 8 August 2022

"Public house. 1665, in Fen Artisan Mannerist style, altered C19 and C20 ... In the gable a stone plaque inscribed "John Drury 1665""

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062015?section=official-list-entry

DB 8 August 2022

The oldest dated house "1665" in the village.

Listed in White's Directory 1856 "East Wm. vict. Red Lion" and in 1872 "East Wm. farmer & vict. Red Lion"

Kelly's Directory 1909 "Thorlby John Edward, Red Lion P.H.; excellent accommodation for commercials & cyclists; full-size billiard table"

Kelly's Directory 1913 "Thorlby John Edward, Red Lion P.H"

Kelly's Directory 1930  "Thorlby John Edward, Red Lion P.H TN Donington 18"

DB 8 August 2022

St Swithun's in Bicker, described by Pevsner as 'truly amazing', has a truncated Norman nave, longer Early English chancel and a Decorated crossing and tower.

It also contains some old woodwork.

Mark Acton, 2008

This is a cruciform church with a Norman nave.

September 2011

Kelly's Directory 1930 reports :- 

"The church of St. Swithin is an ancient building of stone, in the Norman, Early English and later styles, consisting of chancel, clerestoried nave, aisles, south porch and a central embattled tower containing 6 bells:

the most ancient portion (consisting of two bays of the earlier nave, with its clerestory) is an excellent example of Late Norman work, but the rest of the nave was built in the Elizabethan period:

there are also traces of a 13th century reconstruction:

the north portion of the church was restored in 1876, at a cost of £1,407, and in 1893-4 the south aisle and porch and the clerestory of the nave were restored at a cost of £1,448, and the chancel repaired by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners:

there are 300 sittings"

DB 8 August 2022

White's Directory 1872, prior to later repairs, reports that :-

"The Church (St. Swithin), which comprises nave with clerestory, aisles, chancel, south porch and a square tower, is a small fabric, in a very dilapidated condition.

It contains, a piscina and much of the old oak seating still remains"

DB 8 August 2022

"Parish church. Early C12, late C12, early C13, late C13, C14, C15, C16, restoration 1876-1911"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 8 August 2022

Church viewed from the west. C19 west window with reticulated tracery.

DB 8 August 2022

"Chancel has 3 late C13 bay arcades with round shafts, octagonal and annular capitals, double chamfered arches"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

Looking west, through the crossing and towards the nave.

DB 1 September 2022

"In the chancel are 2 sets of C15 pews with blank panel tracery"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry  

Pevsner comments "CHOIR STALLS. With some tracery and nice little niches"

DB 1 September 2022

Three lancet windows restored C19.

Stained glass 1919. Central lancet glass has the inscription "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF JOHN ROBERT PARKER AND ANNIE HIS WIFE".

DB 1 September 2022

"C19 facetted ashlar pulpit"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

No information concerning the roof but presumably renewed C19?

DB 1 September 2022

Altar made by George Barnsdale & Sons, Donington in 1967 from an oak tree originating in the vicarage garden.

DB 1 September 2022

"In the sanctuary a C13 triple sedilia, with detached shafts, pointed and moulded heads"

DB 1 September 2022

In the north wall of the sanctuary "an early C14 tomb niche with cusped head

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry

DB 1 September 2022

"Chest tomb and gravestone. Limestone ashlar. 1749 and 1761.

Rectangular gravestone with segmental head. Scrolled cartouche with cherubs, to William Base d.1749, beneath the cartouche an epitaph.

Chest tomb to John Spur, d. 1761, with side inscription panels, gadrooned corner pilasters; on the west end a semi- circular headed niche containing a carving of Christ Triumphant"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1360491?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

Memorial to John Robert Parker d. 1898. A plaque inside the church reads :- 

"THE CLOCK IN THE TOWER (1902) AND THE EAST WINDOW IN THE CHANCEL (1919) ARE THE GIFTS OF ANNIE PARKER, THE FORMER IN MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND JOHN ROBERT PARKER, THE WINDOW TO COMMEMORATE BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE"

DB 1 September 2022

Looking east from the crossing into the chancel.

DB 1 September 2022

"The tower crossing has tall early C14 pointed arches with deeply moulded heads on shafted and facetted piers with annular capitals"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

"The 3 stage tower has chamfered string courses and embattled parapet with grotesques and early C14 2 light belfry openings with trefoil heads and quatrefoils"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

Looking from the nave, through the tower crossing, towards the chancel.

DB 1 September 2022

This arch in the south arcade has zig-zag or chevron and billet moulding typical of the late Norman period.

September 2011

"2 bay early C12 nave arcades consisting of large drum pillars, scalloped capitals, later C12 roll moulded and chevron arches with billet moulded hoods. A further pair of shafts is buried in the west wall, showing that the nave has been truncated"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

North side of the C12 nave arcade. Vestry & toilet located behind the modern wooden screen.

Pevsner comments "The nave has been truncated, which makes what is left all the more amazing: so ambitious and yet so short. The remaining two bays have very fat round piers with heavily scalloped capitals and cruciform abaci. That looks emphatically early Cl2"

DB 1 September 2022

The twelfth-century nave clerestory at the west end of the nave consists of just two lights flanked by blank openings, all with shafted reveals, cushion capitals and roll moulded heads.

September 2011

Clerestory viewed from the north side

"C12 nave clerestory of 2 lights flanked by blank openings, all with shafted reveals, cushion capitals and roll moulded heads. Scalloped corbel table"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

"Late C13 tub font with engaged octagonal columns, with foliated capitals and stubby supporting bases."

September 2011

"At the west end a fragment of C10 cross shaft with interlace decoration"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

Interesting C13 or C14 label stop.

DB 1 September 2022

Looking east towards the remembrance corner and organ.

DB 1 September 2022

Looking west towards the vestry.

DB 1 September 2022

C19 Romanesque door with billet moulded head.

DB 8 August 2022

Looking from the chancel towards the organ in the north aisle.

A plaque attached to the organ reads "RECONSTRUCTED BY EUSTACE INGRAM, 361 LIVERPOOL ROAD LONDON, N., 1898"

DB 1 September 2022

In memory of the fallen from both world wars.

DB 1 September 2022

"Our Glorious Dead"

Names of the fallen from WW1 & WW2. 

DB 1 September 2022

Framed and glazed WW1 Roll of Honour displayed in the remembrance corner at the east end of the north aisle.

DB 1 September 2022

"Gabled south porch having recut C14 outer door with double chamfered head"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 8 August 2022

"C14 inner moulded doorway"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

"In the east wall a reset stoup with above a C10 interlace carving"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

Looking east from the south transept towards the Lady Chapel. 

DB 1 September 2022

Looking west.

DB 1 September 2022

A view from the church entrance, looking through the south transept, towards the Lady Chapel.

DB 1 September 2022

"IN LOVING MEMORY OF FARNDON GROOM MOUNTAIN CORPORAL IN THE 72ND COMPANY IMPERIAL YEOMANRY (ROUGH RIDERS) AND FOR MANY YEARS A CHORISTER OF THIS CHURCH WHO DIED AT PRETORIA IN THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY DURING THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR 18TH DECEMBER 1900 AGED 19"

DB 1 September 2022

Lady chapel at the east end of the south aisle.

DB 1 September 2022

"In the south aisle a C14 piscina with cusped ogee head and sunk triangular panels above"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

"A continuously moulded pointed door on the south"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

Doorway in the south aisle giving access to the crossing tower. Plaque above the doorway reads :- 

"THE CLOCK IN THE TOWER (1902) AND THE EAST WINDOW IN THE CHANCEL (1919) ARE THE GIFTS OF ANNIE PARKER, THE FORMER IN MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND JOHN ROBERT PARKER, THE WINDOW TO COMMEMORATE BOTH HUSBAND AND WIFE"

DB 1 September 2022

"Near the south door a wall monument in the form of an escutcheon with scrolled sides and shield to Rev. Hinckesman d.1744"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062014?section=official-list-entry 

DB 1 September 2022

Chest in the south aisle which seems to be dated 1734.

DB 1 September 2022

"THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION IN  THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR THE MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM DEATH AND DESTRUCTION IN THE AIR RAID OF MAY 12TH 1941, WHEN 14 HIGH EXPLOSIVE BOMBS FELL ON THE VILLAGE BUT NOT ONE EXPLODED. ONE BOMB FELL IN THE CHURCHYARD 20 FEET FROM THIS SPOT"

DB 1 September 2022

Former vicarage adjacent to the churchyard. 

In 1872 White's Directory records "a discharged vicarage, valued in K.B. at £15, and now at £560. The Dean and Chapter of Lincoln are patrons, and the Rev. Henry Thomas Fletcher, M.A., J.P., who is domestic chaplain to the Duke of St. Alban's, is the incumbent, and has a good residence". 

Kelly's Directory 1930 has "The living is a discharged vicarage, net yearly value £400, with residence, in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln, and held since 1913 by the Rev. George Herbert Clark" 

DB 8 August 2022

A small village green with telephone kiosk, village sign and village history. 

DB 8 August 2022

"The memorial was unveiled on Sunday 10 October 1920 in a ceremony attended by local people, and included the choir of St Swithin's Church, the Reverend George Herbert Clark, Major SC Wright DSO and Mr WS Royce MP.

The ceremony combined welcoming home returning soldiers, with the commemoration of those who had died.

The memorial was designed and constructed by Messrs M Tuttell and Son of Lincoln, who built numerous war memorials in Lincolnshire including those at Canwick, Eagle, and Witham on the Hill (all Grade II-listed).

The dedication includes the names of 13 people who died during the First World War, including Nurse Martha Jane Pattrick (d1917), as well as three who died at home from the effects of war.

Following the Second World War an additional inscription was added to the memorial with a further four names"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1448483?section=official-list-entry 

DB 8 August 2022

Reported in "A List And Brief Details Of Chapels In The Spalding Circuit Past And Present" prepared by Colin Shepherdson & Norman Leveritt September 1997 (Revised August 1988) that :-

"i) A house was registered by the Wesleyans for worship in 1780 and their first chapel built in 1811.

ii) A new chapel was built for the Wesleyans in the High Street in 1846 and was later taken over by the Free Methodists. The chapel closed circa 1912 and is now, although much altered, a dwelling house "Chapel Cottage""

DB 1 September 2022

Former White Horse Inn.

White's Directory 1872 has "Partridge Wm. vict. White Horse Inn"

Kelly's Directory 1913 "Gout Robert, White Horse P.H"

DB 1 September 2022

Former White Swan public house now Swan House.

DB 8 August 2022