Fifteen members and friends visited Scampton and Cammeringham on 6 August on a trip organised by the SLHA Churches group.

We were welcomed at St John the Baptist in Scampton by Revd Sue Deacon who provided refreshments before explaining how the church had won the National Churches Trust UK ‘Open for Visitors’ Award for 2022.

She also gave us the story of the two stained glass windows designed by Claire Williamson to commemorate the history of RAF Scampton and the 617 Dambusters Squadron. We also learned how the church was engaging with the local community and hosting visits from schools.

The first of two unexpected bonuses was being invited to see the Grade II listed gateway arch behind Scampton House Farm. This early seventeenth-century structure originally led to the long-demolished hall built for Sir John Bolle in 1603.

Our second treat came when John Lockwood invited the party to see the twelfth-century vaulted undercroft in his home, Cammeringham Manor House.

Jean Howard then guided our visit to St Michael in Cammeringham. Our visit proceeded despite the exterior walls being covered in scaffolding.

Jean explained the confusing architectural history of a building which had obviously been far larger and enlightened us about the interior features including the impressive chancel monument to Jane Tyrwhytt and why Jane, a spinster, was described as ‘Mrs’.

Some of the party then retired to the Dambusters Inn in Scampton to see the remarkable display of memorabilia assembled by the landlord, Greg Algar.

Thanks for making this event a success are due to Sue Deacon, John Lockwood and Jean Howard.

Photos: The Tyrwhytt memorial at Scampton and the gateway to Scampton Hall

MA

SLHA has published a book about Bernard Gilbert written by Dr Andrew Jackson. It is volume no.4 in the Studies in the History of Lincolnshire series.

Here are more details: 

Rural England Through War and Peace: The Literary Work of Lincolnshire’s Bernard Samuel Gilbert, 1882–1927

by Andrew J. H. Jackson

Bernard Samuel Gilbert was an outstanding author whose name is all but forgotten today. This book arises from a rediscovery and reading of Gilbert’s work, and is an important new study that seeks to re-establish the writer’s reputation.

Andrew Jackson is Professor of Local, Regional and Landscape History at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. He is a historian and geographer, but his research extends into the fields of English Literature and Art History.

More details about the book and arrangements for purchasing can be seen here.

Photo: Andrew Jackson, author, and Wendy Atkin, production editor 

In his contribution to the Sunday Special held in Nettleham on 21 January, Neil Wright told the story of the Corporation Building in Boston’s Market Place which was completed in 1772.

This imposing three-storey brick terrace, built by Boston Corporation, originally consisted of four houses (perhaps the first ‘council houses’ in England) with business premises on the ground floor. Occupying a space in the centre of the terrace, with open access to Market Place and the riverside quay behind, was a fish market with a law court above. 

The buildings have been modified considerably over the years - especially at ground floor level - but it is still possible to appreciate many of the original Georgian features.

Photo: East elevation of Corporation Building (Stewart Squires) 

At the Sunday Special event in Nettleham on 21 January Tom Bell of PCAS Archaeology described the work he undertook with colleagues on the former Lindsey Centre site in Gainsborough over a 4-week period in summer 2023.

Evidence, principally from the numerous post holes uncovered, suggested that the area had been part of the town’s medieval market

Tom’s presentation tellingly reflected the practical frustrations of field archaeology; scorching weather and a spell of heavy rain both created very challenging conditions for this investigation.

Photo: Demolition team at the Lindsey Centre.