< Previous30 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSrejuvenated with lavender bushes andcentre beds which accommodatecatmint, giving glorious shades of bluein the summer. Formal hedging is set intwo stages and there are two lawnedareas known as the bowling alleys. TheEnglish yew hedges here not only givea formal look, they are also used formedicinal purposes, with extract fromthe clippings used withinchemotherapy products.Looking back towards the Hall, theclock tower stands majestically close by.In 2007, a number of yew trees werepollarded so that the clock tower,which was somewhat hidden by theovergrown trees, came back into viewand the result is very grand indeed.The driveway approaching GunbyHall is known as Lime tree Avenue,with Horse chestnut Avenue on theopposite side. A cherry walk has beenplanted which stretches from the frontto the rear gardens. Nearby, an old yewtree’s trunk is dividing itself intoindividual stems – a fascinating feature!Past the tennis court we enter thewildflower walk, which will soon becovered in aconites and snowdrops,followed by primroses, crocuses andforget-me-nots later on in the spring. Aserpentine path twists its way throughthis part of the garden and, up above,tall beech and chestnut trees tower oversmaller cherries and crab apples.A mass of daffodils will also sooncome into bloom and anemones willcarpet the area in April. After the springflowers have gone, this will laterbecome a rough grass area. Nearby is ashrub rose border and beyond theredwood tree there are fantastic viewsof the parkland and countrysidebeyond. The cherry tree walk continueseast towards the church.To the back of the Hall is a vastlawned area, with a beautiful whitecherry tree – prunus ukon – a mulberrytree and the most amazing Cedar ofLebanon tree – planted in 1815 and theonly survivor of five trees planted atthat time!Rose beds are enclosed in boxhedging neatly next to the rear of theproperty allowing for uninterruptedviews of the entire length of the gardento the geraniums at the far end. Here,another rose bed has also been planted.Head gardener Clive tells us that thegarden is constantly evolving andmany gardening techniques are used toensure continued rejuvenation.We reach the far end of the gardenwhere there is a wooded area, with agateway through to the parish churchof Gunby. Afterwards we head towardsthe Ghost Walk, where there is animpressive rectangle pond full of carpand other species, with a pathalongside planted with junipers. It issaid that this area is haunted by one ofthe Massingberd daughters who hadtaken a fancy to Buttoncap, one of thegroomsmen, much to the disdain ofher father, with murderousconsequences!Without further ado, we make ourway to the Walled Kitchen Garden,29-31:Layout 1 20/1/12 15:21 Page 2LINCOLNSHIRETODAY31GARDENSwhich is one of the most impressive ofits kind and has survived and beenmaintained for several generations. A75 yard long herbaceous border runsthrough the middle, and there is amagnificent collection of roses whichwere gifted to Lady Diana MontgomeryMassingberd in 1963.A huge variety of vegetables and fruitare grown in the kitchen garden,including 21 varieties of pear and 49varieties of apple, many of which are inthe Field Marshall’s orchard just beyondthe wall.Close by to the Walled KitchenGarden, through the wrought iron gate,is Kipling’s famous quote inscribed inthe stone, ‘Our England is a garden’and it is said that he was a frequentvisitor to Gunby Hall.The second walled garden has borderswhich come alive in the spring. A rosetrellis has been erected and manyvarieties of rose were planted here inthe seventies.Catmint flourishes in the centre bed,with a wall germander border whichattracts hundreds of bees in the spring.A herb garden is enclosed by boxhedging and nearby a blue templestands majestically to one side. Threelarge greenhouses accommodategeraniums and other flowers andplants, including tomatoes.The gardens are maintained by HeadGardener Clive and his assistant, Sam,as well as thirteen volunteers whoregularly help with the dailymaintenance of this eight acre haven.This wonderful garden has beendescribed as an ‘oversized cottagegarden’ divided into a variety ofindividual sections. Open all yearround, both the Hall and gardens arewell worth a visit.Gunby Hall has two National GardenScheme Open Days booked for 2012 on28th April and 18th August. BothGunby Hall and Gardens will be openfrom 11am to 5pm. Gunby Hall is oneof the Gardens that opened in 1927 forNGS’s very first opening year and ispart of a programme that celebratesthis 85th year anniversary.Other events at Gunby Hall include aSpring Fair on 25th March, the launchof Lincolnshire Walking Festival on26th May, the Summer Fete on 15thJuly, Autumn Fair on 16th Septemberand Apple Day on 7th October. Forfurther information, visit the ‘What’son’ tab of the Gunby Hall websitewww.gunbyhall.org.ukGunby Hall is open throughout theyear. 2012 opening times are: Gardens and Tearoom open daily(apart from Monday and Tuesday)11am – 5pm (or dusk if earlier)£4 for Gardens only, Tearoom freeGunby Hall open Wednesday andSunday afternoons 2pm – 5pm (ordusk if earlier)£6 Hall and GardensFree for National Trust MembersFor further information, contact GunbyHall on 01754 890102 or visitwww.gunbyhall.org.uk29-31:Layout 1 20/1/12 15:21 Page 332 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLINCOLNSHIRE WALKSExploring Lincolnshireon footOur starting point is Tetfordbuilt around a still undevelopedcore of an Anglo-Saxon villageand close by too is the BluestoneHeath road, a prehistoric Woldstrackway. Tetford also has thedistinction of occupying thejunction of a Roman road andthe Greenwich meridian; oneforming the northern boundary of thechurchyard and one the eastern. Thereare two curiosities at St Mary’s churchworth visiting. The lords of the manorwere the Dymoke family who held thetitle of King’s Champion. Inside thechurch is some “Champion’s” armourused at the coronation of George II.And in the churchyard (northeast ofthe chancel) is a bizarre gravestoneshared by two gypsies killed bylightening on the same day in 1830.Salmonby lost its church when it wasdemolished in 1976; only its clock nowsurvives at Tetford.On the climb to Fulletby we pass HoeHill to the left and Nab Hill to theright. The former, rather deceptivelyresembles a hill fort, but is merely ageological formation of erosionresistant rock. On Nab Hill howeverat age fourteen, because theelected clerk could neither readnor write, he held the postfulltime from 1845 until 1910, atotal of 80 years, qualifying himas England’s longest acting publicservant. St. Andrews church datesfrom 1705 being much restored in1857. Henry’s grave is in thechurchyard opposite his former shop.He lived in the village throughout his98 years!As we descend towards Belchford wepass the “Hills and Holes”, theprobable quarry for the “greenstone”from which St Peter and St Paul’schurch was built. Of Belchford’s earliestchurch nothing survives and from a1781 building only the west doorremains, the rest having been rebuilt in1859 and 1909.Perhaps the most significant event inBelchford’s history arose at the time ofthe Lincolnshire Rising in 1536 whenthe rector Nicholas Leach ill advisedlyjoined the march on Lincoln. Whenthe “Rising” failed his fate was to behung, drawn and quartered at Tyburn.There is a local history informationboard outside the churchyard.FISHING LAKESNEAR TETFORDSALMONBYCHURCHYARDJOINING THEROMAN ROADTetford, Salmonby andBelchfordValleys and hills plus four attractivevillages make up this exhilaratingroute in the southern Wolds.there have been many prehistoricarchaeological finds.Fulletby too is unique amongstLincolnshire villages being mentionedin the Guinness Book of Records. Herein January 1816 was born one HenryWinn. At age ten his father died and heleft school to support his mother andyounger family members but continuedto educate himself at home. Aftermarrying he opened a general store,mastered the trades of decorator andauctioneers clerk, became the villageconstable, Sunday school teacher, andlocal tax collector and inaugurated avillage sick club. In 1850 he foundedFulletby’s first school and a librarystocked with his own books. He wasparish clerk too and for this achievedhis entry in the Guinness Book ofRecords. First assuming the role in 183032-33:Layout 1 20/1/12 15:22 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY33LINCOLNSHIRE WALKSThis Wolds hereabouts was extensively settled inprehistoric times and abundant finds of flint tools andpottery have been made in all four parishes visited onour walk.THE ROUTE. From Tetford church walk through thevillage and past the inn. At the first bend take thefootpath on the right through to a footbridge. Cross andturn right and follow a lane to a road junction. There goright a few paces and take the footpath on the left.This soon crosses a footbridge, passes between twolakes before keeping forward by a hedge to a road. Turnright for about 75 yards and then go left on a field pathbeside a hedge. At the next road turn left into Salmonby.At the road junction the abandoned churchyard is upsteps to your left.Otherwise bear right for a few yards before taking thesigned track on the right. Climb a stile on the right andthen bear left over two more nearby stiles. Now headtowards the far end of Salmonby lake to a footbridgeover the feeder stream and head up the slope to a fencewith a kissing gate. Turning left a clear path now leadsabove a wooded valley for nearly a mile. When the treesend aim directly uphill towards Fulletby radio mast (withtwo stiles in intervening fences) to join a road in thefield corner at the hilltop. Go left and immediately right into Fulletby and takethe second right (Winn Lane) down to the church. Fromit go right and then left down School Lane to reach astile on the right. Walk down the middle of a largemeadow heading for a stile by a gate then continuedown another meadow to a kissing gate. Beyond that thepath climbs steeply beside a hedge; at the top are twofingerposts. Note the view to Lincoln Cathedral! Fromthe second post bear right, keeping by the right-handhedge and descending towards Belchford. The way is wellsignposted now down to the River Waring beyond whichwe join Dams Lane leading down into Belchford village.There turn right to pass the church. Keep ahead at twomore junctions to leave the village and in about three-quarters of a mile turn right on the approach road forGlebe Farm, Low Yard. In about 150 yards the right of way bears off to the leftand a well-signed route now leads back to Tetford;zigzagging through two right and two left-hand turns.From a bridge the final section is along the old Romanroad. In Tetford village follow North Road back to thestart.by Hugh MarrowsFACTFILESTART: Tetford churchMAPS: OS Landranger 122 (Skegness) • Explorer 273DISTANCE: 8¾ miles • 14 kilometresREFRESHMENTS: Tetford – The White HartBelchford – The Blue Bell InnAPPROACHINGBELCHFORDON THE ROMAN ROADNEAR TETFORDHENRY WINNSGRAVESTONESt MARY'S TETFORD32-33:Layout 1 20/1/12 15:22 Page 234 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYStop CAISTOR LOCO SHOPattheWe are a family run Model Railway Shop in the heart of theLincolnshire Wolds in the small market town of Caistor.We stock a wide range of products; Bachmann, Hornby, Peco, Gaugemaster to name just a few...Opening Times:Mon, Tues, Thu: 10am-3pm Fri: 10am-3pm & 5pm-7pmSat: 10am-5pm Closed Wed & Sunwww.caistor-loco.co.ukPostal Address: Ashtree Enterprises, 33 Nettleton Road, Caistor LN7 6NJThe Paper Shop- Newspapers - Tobacco - Confectionery - Greeting Cards We run a Rural & Local Newspaper delivery serviceavailable to Caistor and all surrounding villages10 Market Place, Caistor, LN7 6TW T: 01472 851333Caistor Balloonsat Caistor Post OfficeHelium Balloons for alloccasionsFoil or Latex – ArrangementsTo order call:01472 851201Caistor Post Office25 Market PlaceCaistor LN7 6TUPLOUGH HILLCAISTOR ARTS & HERITAGE CENTRECafe LibraryArt ExhibionsHeritage TrainingOpening Times:Monday to Saturday 0900 to 1700 Sunday & Bank Holidays 1000 to 1600Library late nights are:- Monday 1900, Thursday 1800T: 01472 851605 E: admin@28ploughhill.co.ukwww.28ploughhill.co.uk34-40:Layout 1 23/1/12 10:02 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY35CAISTOR37A real communityJust like the A46, life couldhave passed Caistor by.Gradually stripped of its roleas the administrative centrefor the whole of northernLincolnshire, it could haveslipped sleepily intoobscurity. But it didn’t.Today the thousand year oldtown doesn’t mind the lossof that power, because it hassomething more powerful - areal sense of community andshared interest.We look at the town through the eyesof Deborah Barker, who runs her ownbusiness, and is active on the TownCouncil, as part of the Caistor in Bloomteam and was part of a trio that spenttwo years on a town plan to chart thetown’s progress into the future…Even on a wet day in winter there’s asense of community in Caistor. There’s afeeling that this small town is entirelycomfortable with itself, and is a placewhere the residents recognise the place inwhich they live has a value beyond thebricks and mortar of their own homes. This is a place where numerousindependent traders still offer all sorts ofservices, where meals on wheels are stilldelivered, and where quality of life reallymatters.That’s what Deborah Barker loves aboutit. Although the history radiating from itsbuildings and street names is importantand palpable, it’s the people who live andwork in them that make it what it is.Having worked around the world forForte Hospitality, Deborah returned tolive in a place where she still knowspeople with whom she went to school,where her children could walk to theirown school, and where it wasn’tnecessary to jump in the car to get apaper and a bottle of milk.Caistor could be a synonym forcommunity. In a town of less than threethousand people there are sixty activecommunity groups, which is whatspurred her to become more involvedwith it.For Deborah it really began when shesaw that the Town Council wanted toco-opt a new member. “I wondered if Icould make a difference,” she says. “Atthe time I didn’t know many people,and I thought being on the councilwould help me catch up.”Councils often struggle to co-opt newmembers, and, being no different,Caistor was quick to snap her up.Deborah, who would be the first toadmit that she lives life at a million milesan hour, threw herself into local politics,and is now not only a councillor, butlists membership of the economicdevelopment committee, the lightscommittee and press officer on her CV. She stood for election to West LindseyDistrict Council, and in the processknocked on every door in the town, aswell as those in surrounding villages.34-40:Layout 1 23/1/12 10:02 Page 236 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYJust forGentsJust For Gents Barbers Shop9 Market Place Caistor LN7 6TWTel: Caroline on 07826848221Trendy Styles for Kids, Teenagersand even Dads! Traditional styles for OAP’sOpening times: Wed, Thurs, Fri: 9am - 5.30pmSat: 9am - 2pmSee you there for a friendly welcome!TRADITIONAL BARBERSAdults: £7.50Kids under 7 yrs:£5.50OAP’S: £5.50Headshave: £5GREENACRESCAREHOMEAre you struggling to look after an elderly loved one?Greenacres care home in Caistor offers the following:Respite Care: • Holiday • Need a break • Illness • RecuperationDay Care: • From £25.00 Per day • All meals provided• We may be able to provide transport (subject to conditions) • Bath if required • Activities & EntertainmentLong or short term care:• Single rooms available • Fully trained caring staff• Activities & EntertainmentGreenacres Care Home Caring in the CommunityTel: 01472 851989The Salutation InnNettleton, CaistorT: 01472 851228www.thesali.co.ukGreat Food Great Bar Great PlaceThe Salutation Inn, 'Our Sali' to the locals, strives to be both family friendly and entertaining. We cater for all occasions - family meals out, celebrations, and romantic'tete-a-tete' moments. We also have a well stocked bar, and hold some really goodguest 'real ale' beers. The atmosphere is very friendly with everyone pitching in to make our guests feel welcome and at home. The Salutation Inn, 'Our Sali', is a good place to be!Caistor Church of England and Methodist Primary SchoolSouthdale, Caistor, LN7 6LY Tel 01472 851396email - enquiries@caistor-joint.lincs.sch.ukwww.caistorprimary.co.uk We Care, We Share, We Learn Together““Our school is a wonderful place to be, it is warm, friendly and we have high expectations of our pupils. We are proud of our pupils’ achievements! Contact us today toarrange a visit...COUNTRY CASUALS & EQUESTRIAN WEARWe stock men, women and childrens brands such as Joules, Anky Puffa & PikeurCome and visit to see our East Of India gifts andmuch more for all occasions, including chocolates, cards and candies…11 South Street, Caistor, LN7 6UB T: 01472 852244 www.millberrys.co.uk34-40:Layout 1 23/1/12 10:03 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY37CAISTOR38Perhaps that led ultra-keen gardenerErnie Brown, then a Caistor resident, toknock on her door and start the processthat showed her, more than anythingelse, just how good the townspeoplewere.“Ernie suggested reviving the gardencompetition. He was brilliant, andrevived interest in it and asked lots ofpeople to enter,” she says.Then he asked what she thoughtabout starting a Caistor in Bloom group.“He’d been involved in Grimsby andCleethorpes, and thought it would workin Caistor as well.“We organised a meeting in May 2009,and I thought a dozen people mightturn up. When we got there, there weremore than forty. It was overwhelming!People were so excited about it that wewere able to enter the ‘in bloom’competition only two months later, andwe got a silver award. It was amazing!”That success provided the impetus forothers to get involved, and members ofthe community groups formed newfriendships as they worked together.Working parties tidied the Town Hall carpark, wild flowers were planted near thedoctors’ surgery, companies operatingnearby came on board as sponsors, WestLindsey District Council gave permissionfor roadside planting and a trio ofengineers living in the town created asafe way to support a 50-foot Christmastree in the Market Place. For the future the town hope to workwith other organisations and install birdboxes and plant a community orchardand to enter the ‘in bloom’ competitionas a small town rather than a largevillage. “Ten more marks next year willgive us a chance of winning, then wecould be in Britain in Bloom,” she says.Volunteers go out litter picking on aregular basis – but this is no ordinarylitter pick. Deborah has arranged forWest Lindsey District Council to send astreet sweeper on the same day, andmore than forty volunteers turn up.“Even in the cold weather last Januaryfifteen turned up,” she says. “When westarted collecting we had sixty bags ofrubbish in a few hours, but we collectless now. People leave their homes withbags and pick litter up when they’rewalking about the village, and we’realmost at the point when we can askpeople not to drop it in the first place,”she added.And then there was Channel 4’sVillage SOS programme, which watchedthe creation of a library, exhibition spaceand museum in an old building at theheart of the village. “People are stilltalking about that, and it was monthsago,” said Deborah.What’s been achieved in Caistor hasbeen achieved by lots of people pullingtogether, and the catalyst of efforts bysome particular individuals. She singlesout for praise Roy Schofield, of the Townand West Lindsey councils, who wasinstrumental in securing more than £2million for the town, which was spenton its older buildings, and re-instatingYork stone paving in place of Tarmac.“Twenty years ago, Caistor was sadand tired. Today it has come onmassively. Its civic pride has beenrestored. It’s precious, special and peoplehere feel comfortable with each other.Deborah Barker34-40:Layout 1 23/1/12 10:03 Page 4Architecturalwalks too. Eachwalk aims to givethose who maynot have walkedaround the areabefore an insightinto the historythat exists andalso offers thosewho think theyknow the areafacts they perhaps didn’t consider previously.The walking festival also offers the chance to walk to Pelham’sPillar on 7th June, which takes in the old workhouse and aroute through the Earl of Yarbrough’s private woods, whichorganiser Alan Dennis thinks is perhaps the first time walkershave been able to embark on this route in years.“We’re really excited about this as it gives walkers a wholenew route to explore,” he says, “Caistor is in the process ofregistering as a Walkers are Welcome town. This is an innovativecommunity-led scheme for towns which have something specialto offer walkers.”“During the festival finale itself we are hoping to offer a‘virtual walk’ at the library, where those who aren’t able to joinus on the walk can experience the countryside and hear thetalks without missing out.”This could well see Caistor becoming more known in the areafor a place to ramble, and with such natural beauty on itsdoorstep, you’d be missing out if you didn’t investigate. Log onto www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk to find out more.38 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCAISTORWe need to shout about that,” she said. Then the phone rang and, still operating at a million miles anhour, she had to dash round to The Paper Shop to replenish thesupply of Caistor calendars, which had sold out…Taking a walkThe eighth Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival is taking placefrom Saturday 26th May to Sunday 10th June and will offersome splendid walks to choose from in Lincolnshire’s Areas ofOutstanding Natural Beauty and surrounding countryside.Caistor Heritage Trust, the Town Council and the Caistor Societyhave come together to plan the festival’s finale, which will takeplace on 10th June and will be run as an open day. There will beno need to book and walks will include a Roman and Medievalwalk, a Georgian and Victorian walk, and also Industrial andBATES & MOUNTAINWe can assist you in most legal matters, including: ConveyancingTrustsWills and EstatesDivorce and Family DisputesCrimeCompany and Business MattersEmployment Law Landlord and Tenant Grimsby Office:The Old Courthouse42 Brighowgate, GrimsbyDN32 0QWT: 01472 357291Caistor Office:6 Market PlaceCaistorLN7 6TLT: 01472 851224www.batesandmountain.com34-40:Layout 1 23/1/12 10:03 Page 5LINCOLNSHIRETODAY39CAISTORSealord creating anextended family in CaistorMost people in Caistor will be aware ofthe work of Sealord. The company hasbeen based in the town at the NorthKelsey Road Industrial Estate since 1999and has grown to become its secondlargest employer. A subsidiary of a majorinternational business based in NewZealand, the Caistor site processes highquality fresh and frozen fish and is adedicated supplier to Waitrose, providingfabulous quality produce to stores acrossthe country.Sealord itself, which is currentlycelebrating its fiftieth anniversary, isactually half owned by the Maori peopleof New Zealand. The company hasalways thrived thanks to its familyapproach and this is particularly true atCaistor. Many of the team have beenwith the company for many years – forexample, Elaine Cook has been at Caistorvirtually from day one as Chilled AreaProduction Manager and has nowworked her way up to become Fresh FishBuyer. All who work at the company citethe family atmosphere as a major factorfor its success.As Managing Director Keith Brownpoints out, “Caistor has beentransformed since this became adedicated supplier to Waitrose in 1999.When we arrived much of this buildingwas a rundown old barn, and Waitroseasked if we could make it work on aturnover of £3 million a year. In our firstyear alone we made £10 million, so itbecame a massive success story. From thesix or seven or so we were employinglocally when we began, we now employ240 people, almost all locals, and thedeal with Waitrose is worth some £55million a year. Almost everyone inCaistor who could be employed isemployed. We own more land so wehave plans for further expansion.“The main source of our fish is Iceland.What sets us apart is that we can havefish caught last night, just eight hoursold. That’ll be processed this morning,on a plane to Humberside Airport ateight o’clock tonight and in our factoryat midnight. It’ll be packed tomorrow, sowe can get fish to the customer just 36hours after it’s caught.”Sealord Caistor take their responsibilityas a part of the local community veryseriously and play an active role insupporting many projects to make thetown a nicer place to live. They regularlyinvest in the Caistor in Bloom group whohave helped the town win the prize forSealord regularly acquireChristmas trees from Enebakk inNorway......which then take pride of placein Caistor’s Market SquareSealord are among Caistor’s biggest employers – and they take theirresponsibilities to the town seriously40 34-40:Layout 1 23/1/12 10:03 Page 6Next >