Waltham is a large village 4 miles south west of Grimsby.

Much of the interior of All Saints' church dates from c.1300 but there was extensive reconstruction, including the tower and nave, in the late nineteenth century.  James Fowler of Louth was the architect.

undated postcard

Much of the interior of All Saints' church dates from c.1300 but there was extensive reconstruction, including the tower and nave, in the late nineteenth century. James Fowler of Louth was the architect.

Peter Kirk Collection, 1997

Viewed from the north-east. The north aisle and N transept were rebuilt in in the 1870s.

Jews' Court collection, 1978

View from the south-east.

Jews' Court collection, 1978

Looking through the chancel arch back towards the nave.

DB 10 December 2023

Looking east towards the altar.

"Restorations of 1867 and 1874 by James Fowler of Louth included re-roofing, re-seating, new tower ceiling, rebuilding chancel and south aisle"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1161283?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

White's Directory 1872 reports :-

"The Church (All Saints) is a large Gothic fabric, consisting of nave, chancel, north and south aisles, vestry, and a square tower containing three bells.

In the tower is a beautiful groined roof of pitch pine, with a large boss in the centre. It was partly restored, newly roofed, excepting the north aisle, and vestry added in 1867, when the old unsightly pews were replaced by neat open benches, at a cost of £1000, raised by subscription.

In the same year a handsome stained glass window was inserted in the east end of the chancel, by subscription, in memory of the Rev. Thos. Still Basnett, who was rector of Waltham for 23 years.

In the south wall of this part of the building are still the ancient sedilia and double piscina, in good state of preservation.

In the east end of both north and south aisles are remains of mortuary chapels, with piscina in each.

It is estimated that it will require about £600 to complete the restoration of the church, the north aisle not having been as yet touched, and a new porch being much required.

It is also intended to raise the tower five feet by adding a new parapet, and to point the whole of the walls. The building furnishes about 300 sittings.

The rectory, valued in K.B. at £15. 10s. l0d., and now at £470, is in the patronage of the Chapter of Southwell, and incumbency of the Rev. John Ash Gaussen, M.A., who has 378 acres of land in lieu of tithes. The Rectory House was rebuilt in 1836 by the Rev. E. G. Marsh, M.A. Prebendary of Southwell, the then incumbent, at a cost of £2200, and is a large mansion in the Elizabethan style"

DB 10 December 2023

Two inscriptions in the glass at the bottom of the window :-

"TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH WHELPTON LATE OF THIS PARISH DIED 11TH DEC 1859 HER SONS WILLIAM AND HENRY 1874 "HER CHILDREN ARISE UP AND CALL HER BLESSED"

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF THOMAS STILL BASNETT MA DD 23 YEARS RECTOR OF WALTHAM DIED FEBRUARY 13TH 1865"

White's Directory 1872 has in 1867 "a handsome stained glass window was inserted in the east end of the chancel, by subscription, in memory of the Rev. Thos. Still Basnett, who was rector of Waltham for 23 years"

DB 10 December 2023

"C19 double- chamfered arch to organ chamber"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1161283?section=official-list-entry 

The organ chamber dates from 1911 but the present organ was moved here in 1977. 

DB 10 December 2023

"THIS ORGAN was removed from a United Reformed Church in Mansfield ... in the year of QUEEN ELIZABETH II Silver Jubilee ... 17th July 1977"

DB 10 December 2023

"double piscina formerly with trefoiled arches (central sections now missing) beneath square hoodmould with carved foliate ornament"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1161283?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

"triple sedilia with detached shafts, moulded capitals and pointed moulded arches beneath crocketed and finialed gables"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1161283?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

Window depicting St Ursula and St Cuthbert.

Given by Rev. Horn, Rector and his wife in memory of their daughter Annie d.1911 and their son Francis d.1918. Francis was a Lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment who was mortally wounded in France.

DB 4 February 2023

"Sir George Doughty JP (13 March 1854 – 27 April 1914) was a British ship-owner and politician from Grimsby in Lincolnshire. He sat in the House of Commons for most of the period from 1895 to 1914 ...

He was educated at the Wesleyan Higher Grade School in Grimsby, and became a merchant, a ship-owner, and a partner in the Grimsby-based firm of Hagerup, Doughty and Company Ltd.

He became an alderman of Grimsby, and was twice Mayor of the town, and was a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for the Lindsey area of Lincolnshire"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Doughty_(politician) 

DB 4 February 2023

Looking west towards the font.

"3-bay arcades of pointed double-chamfered arches on quatrefoil piers with diagonal shafts between the foils, moulded capitals and bases on diagonally-set plinths, the north piers slightly more ornate. Wide pointed double-chamfered tower arch on shafted responds with plain moulded capitals and bases. Blocked square- headed door and outline of former nave gable above"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1161283?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

Looking east towards the chancel.

Kelly's Directory 1930 reports :-

"The church of All Saints is an ancient fabric of stone of the Early English and Decorated periods, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, south porch and a tower with parapet of later date and spire containing 6 bells, rehung with the addition of 3 new bells in 1887, at a cost of nearly £250:

the tower, which has now a wood ceiling, was originally groined: the chancel retains sedilia and a double piscina, and there is a piscina at the east end of each aisle:

the stained east window is a memorial to the Rev. Thomas Still Basnett, 23 years rector of Waltham, d. 13 Feb. 1865, and to Mrs. Elizabeth Whelpton, of this parish, d. 1I Dec. 1859, and in the tower is a stained window erected at a cost of £30:

in the north aisle there is one to Dr. Bushell Anningson, erected by his widow in 1918:

there are three other memorial windows erected in 1920 to Lieut. Francis Cuthbert Horn and Annie Storey Horn, to Robert Gray Beatniffe esq. and Mrs. Beatniffe and to Sir George Doughty M.P .:

in 1867 a slab was found in the nave with brass half-effigies and an inscription to Joan or Johanna Waltham, ob. March 27, 1420, and her son and daughter; and in 1849 an inscribed brass, cracked in half and loosened from the stone, was discovered under the boards of a pew in the north aisle, bearing the legend :- " Hic jacent Johannes et Margareta uxor ejus quondam pater et mater Johannis Waltham, nuper Sarum Episcopi quorum animabus propicietur Deus. Amen ": John Waltham, whose parents are commemorated in this inscription, was Keeper of the Rolls from 1381 to 1386, and was consecrated twenty-sixth Bishop of Sarum in 1388, and in 1381 was appointed Keeper of the Privy Seal and Lord High Treasurer of England, which high office he held till his death, c. Sept. 17, 1395: the king, Richard II. "mortem ejus gravissime tulit, et in amoris testimonium," commanded his body to be interred near the tomb of King Edward I. in Westminster Abbey; no record of his parentage or place of birth was known to exist before the accidental discovery of this brass; both brasses are now affixed to the sills of windows in the chancel:

the church was thoroughly restored in 1867 and 1874, when it was new-roofed and reseated, and the south aisle and vestry rebuilt, at a cost of about £300:

the north aisle was rebuilt in 1876 by Bushell Anningson esq. at a cost of £500, and a new porch erected from designs by the late Mr. James Fowler, architect, of Louth :

in 1887 the tower was restored and entirely rebuilt from the line of the belfry windows, under the supervision of Mr. E. W. Farebrother F.R.I.B.A. of Grimsby, at a cost, including three new bells, of £700:

a new organ was presented by the late Sir George Doughty M.P., J.P. in 1906, and an organ chamber was built in 1911, at a cost of about £300; in 1918 a new altar was erected and oak  panelling was placed round the sanctuary walls and side chapel at the east end of the south aisle by Miss Beatniffe:

in 1920 the organ was enlarged and reconstructed by W. V. Doughty esq. J.P. and Mrs. R.Charlton:

the church affords 300 sittings"

DB 10 December 2023

"Fine C14-C15 Perpendicular font has ornate octagonal bowl with carved flowers and angels holding shields, on later shaft with trefoiled panels and moulded base"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1161283?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

C19 pulpit.

DB 10 December 2023

"C19 roofs throughout"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1161283?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

View west with a Christmas tree festival in progress.

DB 10 December 2023

Looking east.

DB 10 December 2023

Local signage states :- 

OPERATION MANNA

"VOEDSEL UIT DE HEMMEL"

"FOOD FROM THE SKY"

"BREAD FROM HEAVEN"

In the final few weeks of World War II, thousands of Dutch people were dying of starvation and having to scavenge for anything remotely edible, even tulip bulbs.

Occupying German forces agreed to allow British and American aircraft to undertake a low level drop of food supplies, providing that all of their guns pointed upwards.

Many of the Lancaster fliers were from Lincolnshire, and in particular, some from RAF GRIMSBY (WALTHAM) Squadrons.

This Commemorative panel shows a lone Lancaster, with guns elevated skywards, dropping doves of peace, each holding a symbolic "bread of heaven" wafer for the starving crowds below. A figure representing a reborn Holland wrapped in the national flag, emerges from a tulip bulb, through the severed barbed wire, and reaches skywards to gather the welcome food"

DB 10 December 2023

"DEO GRATIAS 

WE praise Thee: we bless Thee: we worship Thee: we give thanks to Thee for those who from this Parish of WALTHAM gave their lives for home & country in the GREAT WAR of 1914-1918"

DB 10 December 2023

"In loving memory of Bushell Anningson M.D. Lord of the Manor of Waltham, who departed this life 19th July 1916, aged 77 years, this window was erected by his sorrowing wife Claudine"

Dr Bushell Anningson was instrumental in restoring the north aisle in 1874.

DB 10 December 2023

Looking west.

"Restorations of 1867 and 1874 by James Fowler of Louth included ... rebuilding chancel and south aisle"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1161283?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

Looking east towards the Lady Chapel.

DB 10 December 2023

An inscription in the glass seems to read :- 

"A.M.D.G. ET IN PIAM MEMORIAM ROBT GRAY BEATNIFFE & MARIAE ANNAD UXORIS HANC FENESTRAM GRATO AMIMG PINGENDAM CVRAVIT FILIA

LUCIA JOHANNA QUAE MAGNUM ETIAM ALTARE CUM MUROR INTEGUMENTIS ANTEA DONAVERUNT SACELLUMQUE IN HONOREM BMV POSVERAT AD MCMXIX"

Google Translate renders this as :-

A.M.D.G. (For the greater glory of God) AND IN PEOPLE MEMORY OF ROBT GRAY BEATNIFFE & MARIA ANNAD WIFE, THEIR DAUGHTER GRATEFULLY PAINTED THIS WINDOW

LUCIA JOHANNA WHICH ALSO GAVE A LARGE ALTAR WITH A WALL COVERING BEFORE AND PLACED A CHAPEL IN HONOR OF BMV (Blessed Virgin Mary) IN 1919.

DB 10 December 2023

An angel with two right feet?

DB 10 December 2023

"SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF EMMA GEORGIANA THE YOUNGEST AND BELOVED CHILD OF JOHN SAUNDERSON AND ANNE BEATNIFFE WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE SEPTEMBER 5TH 1835 AGED SIX YEARS

ALSO OF LUCY JANE THE BELOVED WIFE OF MESHACH RICHARDS AND ELDEST DAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE JOHN SAUNDERSON AND ANNE BEATNIFFE WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE NOVEMBER 23RD 1830 AGED 25 YEARS

ALSO OF THE ABOVE MESHACH RICHARDS WHO DIED JANUARY 25TH 1844 AGED 37 YEARS AND OF ANNE THE BELOVED WIFE OF THE ABOVE JOHN SAUNDERSON BEATNIFFE WHO DIED DECR 11TH 1846 AGED 59 YEARS

ALSO OF THE ABOVE JOHN SAUNDERSON BEATNIFFE WHO DIED JUNE 15TH 1864 AGED 78 YEARS"

DB 10 December 2023

"IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF ELIZABETH, ELDEST DAUGHTER OF THE LATE THOMAS THOMPSON, OF THIS PARISH, AND THE BELOVED WIFE OF GEORGE WHELPTON, OF ALBERT ROAD, REGENT'S PARK, LONDON; WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE DECR 11TH 1859, IN THE 59TH YEAR OF HER AGE. HER END WAS PEACE"

DB 10 December 2023

A depiction of Moses, Saint George and Solomon. 

"TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF SIR GEORGE DOUGHTY Kt M.P. J.P. 1854-1914"

DB 10 December 2023

Oak screen made by Thompson's of Kilburn.

DB 10 December 2023

Kelly's Directory 1930 notes "in the tower is a stained window erected at a cost of £30".

DB 10 December 2023

White's Directory 1872 has "Austin George, vict. King's Head" and Kelly's Directory 1930 has "King's Head, Chas. Mountain, Waltham, Grimsby"

DB 4 February 2023

Local signage has "Memorial Cenotaph

This cenotaph was unveiled on 11th November 1920 to remember those Waltham servicemen who lost their lives during the First World War. The funds to build it were donated by the villagers at a total cost of £358.7.9

The names of the servicemen who fell in WW II were added to the cenotaph in 1945"

DB 4 February 2023

It states in "A List And Brief Details Of Chapels In The Grimsby & Cleethorpes Circuit Past And Present" prepared by Colin Shepherdson March 1998 that :-

"The chapel was opened on the 4.5.1845 and the foundation stone for a Sunday school was laid on the 30.5.1870 and opened one year later on the 30.5.1871.

The chapel, according to the 1887 6" O.S. map, stood opposite to the Wesleyan chapel and the last service was held on the 31.12.1933. It has since been demolished"

Datestone preserved by Waltham Methodist Church.

DB 4 February 2023

"The village has three public houses, The Kings Head, the Tilted Barrel and the Tea Gardens"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltham,_Lincolnshire 

DB 4 February 2023

Postcard dated 1915.

"The Volunteer Training Corps was a voluntary home defence militia in the United Kingdom during World War I"

https://https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volunteer_Training_Corps 

Waltham's Methodist Chapel is the third one built in the village by the Wesleyans. This building was opened in 1875.

August 2021 

This seven-storey mill with six sails was built by Saundersons of Louth in 1880.

It was designed to also operate under steam power and ceased to work from wind power in the 1960s.

Frith postcard from David Robinson Collection, undated

This fine mill has six sails and seven storeys.

It ceased to work commercially in the 1960s but was later restored to full working order.

Location of mill: TA 259 033

Peter Kirk Collection, 1997

This six-sailed brick tower mill on the edge of the village (TA 259033) was built in about 1880 by John Saunderson of Louth.

It is approximately 85ft (24m) high and has six storeys.

It was restored to working order and is maintained by the Waltham Windmill Preservation Society.

Frank Robinson, 2010