Choose a Topic ....
Photograph Galleries
ABCDEFGHIKLMNOPQRSTUWY
Firsby
 
Firsby, Methodist Chapel
Firsby, Methodist Chapel
Firsby, Methodist Chapel

Firsby's Wesleyan Methodist chapel in Fendyke Road opened in 1903.

July 2016

Firsby, Methodist Chapel Wesleyan
Firsby, Railway Gatehouse 1916
Firsby, Railway Gatehouse 1916
Firsby, Railway Gatehouse 1916
One of the few buildings surviving from the former Firsby Station on the East Lincolnshire Line is the gatehouse, or crossing keeper's cottage, alongside the B1195.
 
This drawing of the east elevation of the gatehouse was made when a small extension was added to the north (right) in 1916.
 
It is apparent that the building was originally faced in brick, with quoins possibly in contrasting brick; and it had a slate roof.
 
Original drawing from GNR Engineers' Office
Firsby,
Firsby, Railway Gatehouse 2021
Firsby, Railway Gatehouse 2021
Firsby, Railway Gatehouse 2021
The gatehouse, seen here from the east, as it is in the engineers' drawing, stood on the west side of the line and south of the station at the point where the long down platform began. (Part of the platform wall can be seen in the centre of the garden.)
 
The house has retained its basic "footprint", but the brick walls have been rendered and roof covered in concrete tiles.
 
Jean Howard, May 2021
Firsby,
Firsby, Railway Station
Firsby, Railway Station
Firsby, Railway Station

The village of Firsby was rather small to have such a large and imposing station as this to serve it.

Opened in 1848 it became the junction station for trains to Spilsby in 1868 and Skegness, the first section of which opened to Wainfleet in 1871.

Closed with the line in 1970, the photograph shows the almost complete remains of its overall roof which it retained to the end.

Trains to Skegness now bypass the site to the south and little remains today of this once impressive collection of buildings.

Peter Grey Archive, 1969

Firsby, railway station
Firsby, Railway Station
Firsby, Railway Station
Firsby, Railway Station
This view from the south-west looks along the principal approach road to the station.
 
This large country station had an all-over roof covering the platforms, and a cast iron footbridge.
 
In the background to the right is the chimney of the pumping station situated a short distance to the east.
 
Nearest the camera is the stationmaster's house with a large Venetian window on the west elevation.
 
Photograph c.1900, courtesy Stewart Squires

Firsby,
Firsby, Railway Station House 1
Firsby, Railway Station House 1
Firsby, Railway Station House 1
The only surviving structure from the range of station buildings is this house. It backed on to the down platform and was the first building reached when approaching from the public road.
 
The house was probably occupied by the station master, though there was a similar house at the other end of the range.
 
The large Venetian window on the east (left) elevation seen in the photo of 1900 has been replaced by smaller conventional windows and new windows have also been inserted in the south elevation.
 
Jean Howard, May 2021
Firsby,
Firsby, Railway Station House 2
Firsby, Railway Station House 2
Firsby, Railway Station House 2
In striking contrast, the east elevation of the house is built in dull yellow brick in very plain style. This faced immediately on the down platform and was embraced by the all-over roof.
 
The windows appear to be modern replacements, though both the ground floor window and the doorway are topped by original flat arches with shaped brick voussoirs.
 
Jean Howard, May 2021
Firsby,
Firsby, Railway Station portico
Firsby, Railway Station portico
Firsby, Railway Station portico
The classical portico in front of the entrance is an unusual decorative feature for a country station.
 
Sketch by Peter Lely.
Firsby,
Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew

Firsby was once a railway junction and very little else.

St Andrew's church, built in 1856, is the work of G. E. Street*.

* George Edmund Street (1824-1881) was a leading architect in the Victorian Gothic revival. He built many churches and is best known for the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand, London, a far cry from Firsby.

Mark Acton, 2016

Firsby, St Andrew, G E Street
Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew

Same viewpoint, same day, different camera, different photographer.

The cross seen to the left of the picture has a base and lower shaft dating from the fifteenth century. It has been restored and converted into the village war memorial.

May 2016

Firsby, St Andrew church, war memorial
Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew

Wintertime view of the church from the south.

Frank Skelton, 1970s

Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew

Firsby St Andrew from east

The church is Grade II listed;

see: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1267350?section=official-list-entry

The apse is lit by a tall gabled east window of three lights with plate tracery. An ornate cross tops the stone capped gable.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church
Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew

Firsby St Andrew from north west.

This aspect shows the rose window in the west end, the paired lancets of the nave and a vestry with tall chimney and pointed doorway to the west.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church
Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew
Firsby, St Andrew

Firsby St Andrew from south east

This view shows how the east window projects from the curved roof of the apsidal chancel.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel

Looking east towards the sanctuary. 

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, Chancel
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel Arch
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel Arch
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel Arch

Chevron decoration to the outer moulding and undercut decoration to the capitals of the responds.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, Bible Inscription
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, Bible Inscription
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, Bible Inscription

The inscription on the fly-leaf of the Book for the Communion Table.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, Bible Inscription
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, East Window
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, East Window
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, East Window

At the bottom of the central light it says: THIS WINDOW WAS PRESENTED BY JOHN ASHLIN OF FIRSBY DIED DEC 4TH 1878.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, window stained glass
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, Royal Arms
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, Royal Arms
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, Royal Arms

The royal arms of 1736 name William Hetherington, churchwarden, presumably because he commissioned its painting and perhaps paid for it too.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, royal arms
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, Royal Arms, Signature
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, Royal Arms, Signature
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, Royal Arms, Signature

Rather unusually the artist has signed his work. It seems to read: WmIambt Clough pinxit (painted).

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, royal arms
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, Sanctuary
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, Sanctuary
Firsby, St Andrew, Chancel, Sanctuary

‘Sedilia on south side with segmental head, inner cusping, responds and lable stops. C19 communion rail and choir stalls.’ 

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church
Firsby, St Andrew, Churchyard, Bootscraper & Cross Base
Firsby, St Andrew, Churchyard, Bootscraper & Cross Base
Firsby, St Andrew, Churchyard, Bootscraper & Cross Base

The original limestone base of the 14th century cross lies alongside the bootscraper next to the south porch of the church. The stone is listed Grade II; see:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1223351?section=official-list-entry  and:

https://lincscrosses.org.uk/firsby-medieval-churchyard-cross/

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Churchyard, Bootscraper, Cross Base
Firsby, St Andrew, Churchyard, Noticeboard
Firsby, St Andrew, Churchyard, Noticeboard
Firsby, St Andrew, Churchyard, Noticeboard

Nice to see a hand-painted board.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Churchyard, Noticeboard
Firsby, St Andrew, Churchyard, War Memorial
Firsby, St Andrew, Churchyard, War Memorial
Firsby, St Andrew, Churchyard, War Memorial

The War Memorial is based on the original mediaeval cross, the lower half of the shaft being 15th century. It was unveiled on 18 September 1921 by Revd Cyril Arthur King. It is listed Grade II; see:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1223275?section=official-list-entry

See also:

https://www.roll-of-honour.com/Lincolnshire/Firsby.html

and:

https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/43083

and:

https://lincscrosses.org.uk/firsby-medieval-churchyard-cross/  

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Churchyard, war memorial cross
Firsby, St Andrew, Gothic Ledger Stone (de Firsby)
Firsby, St Andrew, Gothic Ledger Stone (de Firsby)
Firsby, St Andrew, Gothic Ledger Stone (de Firsby)

Although half-covered by carpet this would seem to be the ledger of ‘? de Firsby ... 1470’ noted by H A Beetlestone in1935.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church
Firsby, St Andrew, Ledger Stone (Hetherington)
Firsby, St Andrew, Ledger Stone (Hetherington)
Firsby, St Andrew, Ledger Stone (Hetherington)

It would appear that this ledger is for the person who is named as churchwarden on the royal arms. This reads: In Memory of/ Willm Hetherington Gent/ who died the 19th day of June 1757/ AGED 59 YEARS/ He was a tender and indulgent Husband,/ A kind Master, and a sincere Friend./ Blessed are the Dead, which die in the Lord,/ For they rest from their Labours/ And their Works do follow them./ Also Lydia his Wife/ who died Jan the 26th 1763/ AGED 62 YEARS./ All Earthly Bodies yeald to Deaths Decree/ The Soul survives for all Eternity/ And such trust have we through Christ to/ ??

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, Hetherington
Firsby, St Andrew, Memorial (Walls)
Firsby, St Andrew, Memorial (Walls)
Firsby, St Andrew, Memorial (Walls)

A very handsome memorial to Mary Alice Walls who died in 1877 aged 19. It depicts a young red-haired woman in white robes against a squared gilded background within vertical borders of passion flowers. Above it reads:

LET THE WORD OF GOD DWELL/ IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM; and below: IN MEMORY OF MARY ANN WALLS/ MUCH LOVED DAUGHTER OF R.G.WALLS RECTOR OF THIS PARISH AND/ ANNIE HIS WIFE. SHE DIED JULY 25TH 1877 AGED 19.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, Mary Alice Walls
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave

Firsby St Andrew looking west.

This view shows the position of Cheales’ Charity Board, the western rose window, the War Memorial and the Union Flag and decorations around the details of war service.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Bellcote
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Bellcote
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Bellcote

The double bellcote is built over the west end of the nave, a common design feature of Victorian country churches.

Below the bellcote - not visible here - is a rose window in plate tracery.

May 2016

Firsby, St Andrew bellcote
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Charity Board
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Charity Board
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Charity Board

‘William Cheales/ of Hagworthingham in the/ county of Lincoln, Gentleman,/ by deed of grant bearing date/ the 28th day of December 1675, did/ give and devise a close or parcel of/ land, situated in the parish of Thorpe,/ and measuring four acres more or less,/ for the benefit of the poor of Firsby:/ and by this deed the Churchwarden/ or wardens of Firsby for the time being,/ are appointed to hold the said close/ upon the trusts following: that is to say/ Upon trust to let or farm the said close/ and yearly to distribute the rent/ among such of the poor of Firsby/ as are dwelling within the parish,/ and it is declared that this distri-/ bution shall be made under the/ direction of the Minister and in/ the presence of the largest charge/ bearers of the parish.’

William Cheales was probably a descendant of Antony Cheales who bought an estate in Hagworthingham in 1590 according to Maddison’s ‘Lincolnshire Wills.’

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, Charity Board
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Commandment Board
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Commandment Board
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Commandment Board

This commandment board carries not only the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament but also Christ’s commandments of the New.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Font
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Font
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Font

A Victorian font, each face of the bowl with cusped tracery and a plain shield.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, font
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Organ
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Organ
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Organ

A polished and attractive instrument with its blue and gilded pipes.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, organ
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Pulpit
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Pulpit
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, Pulpit

The design of the cylindrical stone pulpit incorporates a flight of steps and an integral book-rest supported on a detached shaft of Purbeck marble. It may be by G E Street.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, pulpit
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, War Memorial
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, War Memorial
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, War Memorial

Though called a roll of honour this commemorates the dead in both world wars.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, war memorial
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, West Window
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, West Window
Firsby, St Andrew, Nave, West Window

The rose window in plate tracery in the western gable of the nave. The ribbons of text read: ROOTED IN CHARITY; STEADFAST IN FAITH; JOYFUL THROUGH HOPE.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, window stained glass
Firsby, St Andrew, Porch
Firsby, St Andrew, Porch
Firsby, St Andrew, Porch

‘Gabled porch with south doorway with pointed head, chamfered surround, including slender shafts as responds, and hood mould.’ 

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, porch
Firsby, St Andrew, Roll of Honour
Firsby, St Andrew, Roll of Honour
Firsby, St Andrew, Roll of Honour

Found stuck into the front of the Book of Common Prayer, dated September 1918, from the rector’s desk is this list of those who served, the names on the right being those who were killed.

Jean Howard 7 September 2024

Firsby, Saint Andrew Church, roll of honour
Firsby-Louth, GNR Railway Boundary Marker Post
Firsby-Louth, GNR Railway Boundary Marker Post
Firsby-Louth, GNR Railway Boundary Marker Post

This GNR boundary marker post stands alongside the former East Lincolnshire line on the stretch between Firsby and Louth.

It probably indicated the boundary of the line for the benefit of the contractor during construction.

Jean Howard, 2021

Gunby, GNR post