Fotherby is a small village in East Lindsey, 3 miles north of Louth.

This is a view from the south along the road from Louth which beacme the A16.

Undated postcard.

The Almshouses were erected in 1866 on the site of the old glebe house to provide accommodation for six poor people.

Each occupant was to receive 9/- per week. Applicants had to be over 60 and live, or have lived in the village.

The founder, Everitt Allenby, was a wealthy businessman who lived in Surrey but was a native of Fotherby. His brother John also left an endowment for beef, flour and coals for the residents.

Jean Howard, March 2024

The self-explanatory plaque erected between the central pair of entrances.

The buildings were designed by James Fowler of Louth and are Grade II listed; see:

 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1168127?section=official-list-entry

There is a fine set of railings along the main frontage and an ornamental brick wall along Church Lane.

Jean Howard, March 2024

Little Grimsby Lane railway bridge on the former East Lincolnshire Railway. (This is the track bed running under the bridge.)

"On 28 September 1991, the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway obtained a Light Railway Order authorising the reinstatement of the East Lincolnshire Railway between Waltham and the former Keddington Road level crossing near Louth, which would include the line through Fotherby"

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

National Grid Reference TF 322 910

DB 7 August 2022

The East Lincolnshire Railway line from Grimsby to Boston crossed Peppin Lane in Fotherby. Two tracks are visible still in the tarmac.

The Lincolnshire Wolds Railway hope to be able to extend their heritage line to this point and beyond towards Louth.

To the right of the tallest gate pier access can be obtained to a footpath leading along the course of the trackbed to the Fairfield Industrial Estate in Louth.

Jean Howard, March 2024

The East Lincolnshire Railway line from Grimsby to Boston crossed Peppin Lane in Fotherby. Two tracks are visible still in the tarmac.

The Lincolnshire Wolds Railway hope to be able to extend their heritage line to this point and beyond towards Louth.

The building to the west of the crossing was the crossing keeper’s home.

Jean Howard, March 2024

The East Lincolnshire Railway line from Grimsby to Boston crossed Peppin Lane in Fotherby. Two tracks are visible still in the tarmac.

The Lincolnshire Wolds Railway hope to be able to extend their heritage line to this point and beyond towards Louth.

This view looks towards Louth. The remains of the crossing gate and three reinforced concrete gate piers can be seen.

Jean Howard, March 2024

This view of the former line is looking north towards Grimsby.

The crossing gate is still amongst the greenery being held together by the ivy.

Jean Howard, March 2024

St Mary's was built by James Fowler in 1863 to replace an earlier church. The style throughout is Early English.

Fowler gave the porch a steeply pitched roof.

April 2016

The chalk chancel has lancet windows and there are paired lancets to the nave.

All windows have decorative stonework round the arches.

April 2015

The three-stage tower has plate tracery at the belfry stage and carries a sturdy broach spire.

April 2015

A photograph showing the old church before the 1863 renovation under James Fowler.

Stones from this church were taken to Brackenborough Hall, about a mile south, and rebuilt as a garden folly.

Jean Howard, March 2024

Looking east towards the sanctuary. Typical decorative use of bricks by Fowler.

DB 7 August 2022

This colourful modern tympanum was painted by the members of the Sunday School in 1980s and a faculty was granted for its erection.

Jean Howard, March 2024

The chancel arch is best viewed from the east where Fowler’s love of using polychromatic masonry can be seen as contrasting use of red brick and flush stonework bands.

The inner moulding is supported on paired annular stone shafts.

Jean Howard, March 2024

In memory of Thomas Allenby d.1832 and family.

DB 7 August 2022

In memory of William Everitt Allenby d.1824 and family. 

DB 7 August 2022

To the south of the altar is a piscina and beside it the lowered window sill acts as a seat for the priest with an unusual angled arm rest on each side.

Jean Howard, March 2024

The wooden reredos can be seen in the photo of the sanctuary.

Three plaques read: THIS REREDOS IS ERECTED BY/ THE PARISHIONERS IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE/ OF REV. WALTER FARNSWORTH, MA. BNC./ OXFORD;

then: VICAR OF/ FOTHERBY WITH LITTLE GRIMSBY,/ 1905-34 AND RECTOR OF UTTERBY 1921-34;

then: ALSO/ EDITH/ BRADBURY/ BELOVED WIFE/ OF ABOVE/ A PERFECT/ HELPMATE/ DIED 1952

Jean Howard, March 2024

A closer view of the sanctuary.

DB 7 August 2022

In memory of Gertrude Oyler d.1961.

DB 7 August 2022

This window depicts birds and animals and, from the signature, appears to be designed by H W Harvey of York.

The window commemorates Gertrude Mary Blanche the only child of Fotherby farmer Daniel Allenby who died aged 26 in 1871. Gertrude married George Oyler, a farmer’s son of independent means, at Louth in 1893.

They lived in Worcestershire where they had the three daughters mentioned: Veronica Blanche Allenby; Judith Audrey Allenby; and Phyllis Eileen Marion.

The second, Judith, is an accomplished watercolourist. Gertrude died in Newton Abbot, Devon where she moved after her husband’s death in 1931. She is buried in Fotherby.

Jean Howard, March 2024

The most impressive churchyard monument is this one to the founder of Fotherby’s almshouses. It reads: SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF/ EVERITT ALLENBY/ (SON OF THOMAS AND MARY ALLENBY)/ WHO WAS BORN AT FOTHERBY 13TH DECEMBER 1794/ AND WHO DIED AT HIS RESIDENCE SURBITON IN THE COUNTY OF SURREY/ ON THE 26TH DAY OF JULY 1868

Starting his working life as a Lincoln fellmonger, Everitt Allenby rose to become a partner in Lewis & Allenby, ’London’s leading silk mercers’ at 195 Regent Street. By 1860 he had bought Glenmore House, built only 20 years before and now a hotel in Surbiton’s conservation area. That is where he died in 1868 leaving an estate worth ‘less than £100,000’.

Jean Howard 9 March 2024

Beneath the Uvedale cross the Latin inscription records ‘Here lies the body of Robert Uvedale A.M. for 38 years vicar of this parish. He died on the 28th day in the month of July in the year of our Lord 1856 aged 75. May his soul be with God. Also Agnes Diana Ashton great niece of the above aged 5 months. This tablet is erected by his affectionate sister Diana West

Jean Howard 9 March 2024

In dear memory of/ Ernest Haddon Owen, Lieut./ 3rd Lincolns, attd 1st South Wales Borderers./ Born Feb. 4. 1886. Fell in action at Festubert/ Dec 21st 1914./ Sursum Corda. 

Sursum corda, literally ‘Up hearts’ is the opening of the eucharistic prayer and is translated into English as ‘Lift up your hearts’.

Ernest is recorded on a CWG in the Louth town cemetery and an image of the stone can be seen at: 

https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/96228

His photograph can be found at:

https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3351589

He was a solicitor and partner in the Louth practice of Haddon Owen.

Jean Howard 9 March 2024

The interior is red brick with stone bands, with two-colour brick round the arches in typical Fowler style.

This view looks towards the west and the tower arch in which medieval masonry has been used.

April 2015

Looking west towards the tower arch.

DB 7 August 2022

"Nave and chancel walls of red facing brick with flush ashlar bands and all rear arches are of polychromatic brick, and the cornice is dentillated. All fittings are C19"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063137?section=official-list-entry 

DB 7 August 2022

"The tower arch incorporates some early C13 masonry including keeled responds and double chamfered arch, however the capitals are entirely C19"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063137?section=official-list-entry 

DB 7 August 2022

"C15 plain octagonal font"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063137?section=official-list-entry 

DB 7 August 2022

The Society for Promoting the Enlargement, Building and Repair of Churches and Chapels was formed in 1818 and incorporated in 1828.

Fotherby received a grant of £65 in 1861 (the church was completed in 1863).

April 2015

The arms at the top are divided to show the Mitchell arms to the left and the Uvedale arms to the right.

The text reads: Sacred/ to the Memory of/ Mrs Charlotte Mitchell/ relict of Mr John Mitchell/ of Boston, Merchant,/ and daughter of the/ Rev. Robert Uvedale DD/ Rector of Langton near Spilsby/ and Vicar of Swineshead,/ by Diana his wife, Daughter of/ Bennet Langton, of Langton,/ Esquire./ She died at Louth,/ August 29, 1826, aged 55,/ and is buried here./ This Tablet was erected/ by her Affectionate Brothers,/ the Rev. Robert Uvedale M.A./ Vicar of this Parish & of Hogsthorpe,/ and the Rev. Washbourne Uvedale B.A./ Vicar of Kirmond and of Markby/ in this County.

Jean Howard 9 March 2024

This memorial documents the career of Revd Thomas Jacob Freeth who was vicar of the parish for 47 years. It records that: "This church was rebuilt and the vicarage house erected through his exertions. He also greatly improved and extended the churchyard where his remains are interred.”

Jean Howard 9 March 2024

"IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF EDWARD KYME CORDEAUX, C.B.E., D.L. OF BRACKENBOROUGH LAWN, COLONEL, THE LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT, HIGH SHERIFF OF LINCOLNSHIRE 1925, BORN 7TH DECEMBER 1866, DIED 16TH JULY1946, AND OF HIS WIFE HILDA ELIZA AGAR CORDEAUX, M.B.E. BORN 27TH OCTOBER 1870, DIED 3RD APRIL 1946. 

DB 7 August 2022

Miss SOPHIA UVEDALE Died at Fotherby Feby, 18th, 1813 AGED 63.

DB 7 August 2022

First world war memorial with three names.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/54273 

DB 7 August 2022

"The steeply pitched gabled porch has a richly moulded outer door with floriate stops and an arched niche above. There are wooden side benches, trilobe side lights and a second moulded doorway within"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063137?section=official-list-entry 

DB 7 August 2022

The portrait in oils is of Everitt Allenby who founded the village almshouses.

The painting originally hung in No 6 of the almshouses as that was where the Trustees held their meetings.

Eventually it was decided this was an invasion of the privacy of the resident so the meetings were moved away and the church was asked if they would take the painting

Jean Howard, March 2024

C19 pulpit.

DB 7 August 2022

"Sunday school. 1837 ... West gable front has central renewed double doors under timber lintel, and above an ashlar plaque inscribed 1837"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1119674?section=official-list-entry 

DB 7 August 2022

The date-stone above the door of the old Sunday School is expertly cut and decorated with sprigs of foliage. As can be seen the chalk walls have been correctly pointed with lime mortar. The Sunday School is Grade II listed; see:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1119674?section=official-list-entry

Jean Howard 9 March 2024

Undated postcard.

Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire 1919 states "The living is a discharged vicarage, consolidated by Order in Council, 23 Feb. 1891, with Little Grimsby, joint net yearly value £280, including 77 acres of glebe here, and in the gift, for the next presentation of the Lord Chancellor, who has two turns in three, the remaining turn belonging to and held since 1905 by the Rev. Waiter Farnsworth M.A. of Brasenose College, Oxford"