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ALL THINGS LINCOLNSHIRE: Howard, Jean and Start, David, editors

Review by Robin Brumby, Taunton (Mayor of Louth, 1970-71), 2008

My reaction when asked to review this book was delight, knowing David Robinson and his multifarious involvements with Lincolnshire life; I anticipated many insights about the county where I spent my youth. Anticipated delight became actual when the book arrived. A first look showed that I knew many of the contributors and the list of contents made clear that here was something for everyone. The most striking tribute to David Robinson is that everything is for him. That is the thread that links the articles together. As the editors say: 'This is not a disparate selection, but an acknowledgement of the wide diversity of David’s interests and expertise: most of all they represent his passion for All Things Lincolnshire'. And what a well-chosen title! All here is about Lincolnshire and the whole of Lincolnshire is here; and, if that second claim is somewhat bold, that is surely forgivable.

Delight also in the physical appearance of the book, good both to view and to handle. The typeface is clear and it is well illustrated with photographs, cartoons, pen and ink drawings, diagrams; and I know exactly where the cover painting was made! Unfortunately, pages 171-8 are printed upside down and in reverse order in my copy. Is mine the only rogue copy? Besides the foreword, lists of contributors and subscribers and editorial notes there is a list of David’s own publications.

The contents form two groups – Reflections and Studies. There are 12 of the former which in general provide memories of David and Joyce Robinson but include one poem, one article on Lincolnshire humour, one on Brian Ansell and a carving for Louth Museum, and one by Joyce Robinson.

The 29 Studies take up 230 pages and form the major group of articles on the county past and present. The worth of the book stands on the quality of these - and triumphantly stands. They vary markedly in length. While six pages are average Linwood Warren: a journey of discovery by Catherine and Peter Wilson takes 30 pages in a detailed exploration of the historical and natural history of this site.

The range of topics is wide: local history, archaeology, geology, landscape and spires, county personalities across the ages, wildlife and The setting of Horncastle College by David himself – and more. Something for everyone’s interests and, for me in particular, articles by Ray Carroll on John Speed’s map of Lincoln, Brian Dawson’s entitled Two songs and a singing game and Roger Norburn’s Jean Ingelow and her poetry. I am sure other readers will find their own favourites.

I end unashamedly with two studies where I have personal links with the material and again, I am sure, other readers will have this experience with some articles. The members of Parliament for Louth by Lord Norton brought back memories of my active part in Labour campaigns, particularly the 1966 election when I was Labour candidate. His account is thorough and interesting in recounting the ebb and flow of support for the major parties since 1885 and the mini biographies of the MPs themselves, weighted to those since 1945. I thought Mrs Wintringham warranted more attention as only the second woman to sit in the House of Commons and thus a more significant figure than the later Tory knights to whom Lord Norton devotes space.

Roger Evans in Grasby in 1873 writes of Charles Turner, Vicar of the village and an incident in which my antecedents could have among the “scoffing rabble”. Roger Evans writes attractively and authoritatively about the event and the issues behind the uproar and suggests links between the happenings and two of the vicar’s sonnets. There are vivid contemporary illustrations. This study is an example of the high quality of the book.

I can recommend this wide-ranging and worthy tribute to Lincolnshire’s own Renaissance man to all interested in ALL THINGS LINCOLNSHIRE. The irony is that probably the only person capable of adequately reviewing such varied riches is David Robinson himself!