< Previous30 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY J oseph Banks was born in London on 13th February 1743, but into an affluent landowning family, and spent his early childhood at their family home of Revesby Abbey in Lincolnshire. After early education at home, he went to Harrow (1752) and Eton (1756) schools where he developed a passion for botany before going to Christchurch College, Oxford in 1760. The following year he inherited the Revesby estate (plus others in Derbyshire and Staffordshire) providing an annual income of some £6,000 – at least £1 million today; he was therefore an extremely wealthy young man. In 1766 he followed his botanical interests on an expedition to Newfoundland and also became a fellow of the Royal Society (at age 23 its youngest) and a Commissioner on the Board of Longitude. His real fame however sprang from the three-year round-the - world voyage in the “Endeavour” with Captain James Cook between 1768 and 1771. Banks personally paid for his own passage and that of seven companions including servants, a botanist, a secretary, an artist – and two greyhounds! The expedition was ordered first to Tahiti to record a transit of Venus across the sun and then continued home via New Zealand and Australia, Indonesia and the Cape of Good Hope. He returned with around 3,500 plant specimens of which some 1,400 were previously unknown. Many (about 80) when classified, were given the genus name ‘Banksia’. Captain Cook named Botany Bay near Sydney in Banks’ honour. Back in England, Banks was at the forefront of the scientific world and his London home became a centre for visiting scientists and correspondence with many others throughout Europe. He became close friends with King George III and advised him in 1773 on setting up Kew Gardens and in 1778 he became the president of the Royal Society; a post he held until his death 41 years later. He was a founder of the Linnaean Society, made a Knight of the Order of the Bath (1794) and a Privy Councillor (1801) and was involved in founding the Royal Horticultural Society. On the international stage Sir Joseph exercised considerable influence playing an important role in promoting Australia, firstly as a penal colony and then by exporting specially bred merino sheep there, effectively starting Australia’s wool industry. Sir Joseph also sponsored Matthew Flinders’ second voyage to Australia (from 1801) with an entourage of naturalists and all their necessary equipment. During this voyage Flinders became the first person to circumnavigate the Australian continent. Sir Joseph was also the inspiration for the transport of Sir Joseph Banks was one of Lincolnshire’s most illustrious sons. We look at his life and legacy. Lincolnshire explored MEMORIAL SCULPTURE, HORNCASTLE HORNCASTLE CANAL, WHARF ROAD, HORNCASTLE 30-31.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2022 14:06 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 31 breadfruit from Tahiti to Jamaica on HMS Bounty and the planting of Chinese tea bushes in India starting that industry there. Sir Joseph visited Lincolnshire every year throughout his adult life (until just before his death) and has left us a considerable legacy. He promoted the drainage of the East, West and Wildmore Fens, land enclosures around Horncastle and both the Sleaford and Horncastle canals which opened in 1794 and 1802 respectively, chairing various meetings on these projects at ‘The Bull’ in Horncastle or the ‘White Hart’ in Spilsby. He was granted the Freedom of Boston in 1771 and became town Recorder in 1808. He was also Lincolnshire’s High Sherriff in 1794 and a founder member of the county Agricultural Society. In Horncastle he built his town house in 1775 and helped, as its president, found the town’s dispensary in 1789, also giving land in 1814 for Horncastle’s new National School. He served too as a Commissioner of the Witham Drainage Board (1785) and as vice-president of the county’s Agricultural Society. Sir Joseph died on the 19th June 1820. Throughout Lincolnshire many places remain associated with him. Sadly, at Revesby Abbey his house has gone, replaced in 1844 by the present ‘Abbey’. Nearby at New York on the B1192 there is still a Botany Bay Farm; part of today’s Revesby Estate. In Lincoln Cathedral there is a memorial to him just inside the west door and the gallery above is known as ‘Banks’ View’. The nearby Assembly Rooms hosted the annual ball during Lincoln’s Race Week which Sir Joseph regularly attended and the Usher Gallery has a famous portrait of him wearing a Māori cloak. In Spilsby the ‘White Hart’ still overlooks the Market Place whilst at Sleaford traces of the Navigation survive including the company’s office and weigh-house. The company seal and motto (in Latin) of “The burden which is well borne becomes light” was designed by Banks and is carved above its doorway. There are reminders of him on the Spa Trail with both an information board and a sculpture recalling the flora and fauna of Australia. Further south in Donington he shares a memorial stained-glass window in St Mary’s church with Matthew Flinders whilst nearby on the outskirts of Boston is the 80-acre Sir Joseph Banks Country Park developed from 1999 onwards. But Horncastle has most to see. There is a ‘Banks Street’ and Sir Joseph’s town house, with its blue plaque, dominates the east end of the Market Place. Near the church is the dispensary building, with another plaque. ‘The Bull’ hotel where he held many meetings and attended the annual ball to support the dispensary is still there. Look for the large upper floor window. Also, a memorial sculpture is situated at the far end of West Street. Finally, in West Street, is the Sir Joseph Banks Centre established by the Sir Joseph Banks Society in 2006 with its “Tribute Garden” and model of the “Endeavour” in the window. The excellent book “Sir Joseph Banks; Rooted in Lincolnshire” (J. S. Burton.) published by the SJB Society gives details of many more people and places associated with Sir Joseph. by Hugh Marrows SIR JOSEPH'S TOWN HOUSE, HORNCASTLE BOSTON COUNTRY PARKSCULPTURE ON SPA TRAIL BULL HOTEL, HORNCASTLE 30-31.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2022 14:06 Page 232 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY THE PETWOOD HOTEL Q&A Can you tell us a little about the Petwood and its history? The former home of an Edwardian Baroness and built on the site of what she referred to as her ‘Pet wood’, Petwood has been a home from home for many people since being built in 1905. Petwood has been many things to many people. It has looked after convalescing soldiers as a hospital in WWI, been the former Officers Mess of 617 Squadron, the Dambusters and played host to the great and good of society. Nestled in the edge of the village of Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire, it is a hidden gem loved by many. The Petwood has hosted many an aristocrat, and even royalty, in its time. What was it that drew so many famous people? In the first instance it was the social connections of Lady Grace Weigall and her husband, the politician and Governor of Australia, Sir Archibald Weigall. With their connections around the globe and amongst the world of royalty and stage and screen, Petwood was often the social place to be seen. Later, as a hotel, the mystique of the house remained and after WWII many people came to Petwood to dine and drink in the shadow of the heroes of the RAF. It Q&A The Petwood Hotel The Petwood Hotel is a piece of history in Lincolnshire with a strong Royal connection. We spoke with Lisa Harding, Marketing Executive at the Petwood Hotel, to find out more about its history through the ages. Lisa Harding 32-33.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2022 14:06 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 33 THE PETWOOD HOTEL Q&A is this connection that Petwood is best known for today. I understand that the Petwood also played an important part in WWI and later again in WWII. Is that true? Very much so. In WWI Petwood acted as a convalescent hospital for recovering soldiers and the building hosted a number of wards as well as an operating theatre to treat those who stayed here. Over 800 soldiers passed through Petwood on their way to recovery and going back home. In WWII, the building was requisitioned by the Royal Air Force and was home to 4 RAF squadrons from Bomber Command. The most notable of these was 617 Squadron, the Dambusters who like 97sqn and 619sqn made Petwood their Officers Mess. It is this proud association of supporting the RAF that continues at the hotel today with the RAF ensign flying proudly over the hotel roof. It’s not only the building that is of historical importance, as the gardens designed by a famous landscape designer of the 1900’s were restored in 2011. Can you tell us a little about that? Harold Peto was a landscape designer and architect who designed the gardens at Petwood for Lady Weigall. He was known for utilising his extensive travels as inspiration for his garden designs and elements of this can be seen at Petwood in the sunken garden and the Temple of Atalanta. When Lady Weigall gave up Petwood in 1933 she took vast swathes of the garden with her including planting, statues and one of the other terraces! The current owners completed a project 2011 to restore the Long Walk back to Peto’s original design enlisting the help of RHS Gold Medal Winner Julie Toll for layout and planting. The gardens subsequently won a BALI award for best garden restoration under £50k in 2018. How will the Petwood Hotel be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee? We are very excited to be celebrating the jubilee with our Petwood Platinum Picnic on Sunday 5th June where we are inviting everyone to come and enjoy a picnic in the grounds of the hotel. We will be having live entertainment on the terrace and hoping for a wonderful atmosphere akin to the street parties of old celebrating the jubilee. Are there any exciting plans in store for the Petwood’s future? We have lots of exciting projects in the pipeline including the continuation of the garden restoration project to restore the Edwardian Swimming pool and some of the smaller architectural features around the gardens. Elsewhere in the hotel we will be refurbishing our function spaces and also continuing our room refurbishment programme which, like a lot of other projects we have wanted to do, has taken a back seat since the pandemic. As the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is celebrating 70 years, what would you say are the highlights of the Petwood’s last 70 years? The biggest highlight at the Petwood has always been when the veterans of the Royal Air Force come to see us whether it is for a reunion or a general visit. To spend time with that generation and hear their stories is a privilege none of us here at the hotel ever takes for granted. A little closer to home, another particular highlight for us was when we reopened the doors after the pandemic and welcomed the public back into the hotel. Petwood is nothing without its people (past and present) and to see so many familiar faces coming back to see us has been an absolute joy and delight. Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, LN10 6QG Tel: 01526 352411 Email: events@petwood.co.uk www.petwood.co.uk 32-33.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2022 14:06 Page 234 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY PLATINUM JUBILEE This simple Jubilee crown candle set is both distinctive and unobtrusive, ensuring a subtle touch of class for any home. It also works well outside in the garden. Sure to draw the eye without screaming “red, white and blue,” this piece is available at www.follie.co.uk This Platinum Jubilee Charm Bracelet is the perfect way to celebrate the Queens Jubilee, and a lovely thoughtful gift to mark any special occasion in 2022! These classic, high shine, sterling silver charms have been stamped with the commemorative mark in the centre, and can be found at www.reevesandreeves.com For the animal lovers out there, this lovely British Bulldog from www.thebigchaircompany.co.uk is sure to compliment any home. The bold colours on a white base make it something that can fit near any décor. A touch of royalty A touch of royalty The Queen’s Jubilee might be a one-off thing but there are many ways to incorporate a little bit of royalty into your life for the long term. This month, we look at some royalty and jubilee-themed accessories for home and person. We’ll be looking specifically for things you can buy and use for more than just the one month. 34-35.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2022 14:07 Page 1PLATINUM JUBILEE This crown silk red tie from www.foxandchave.com is sure to add a touch of luxury and class to any suit. Suitable for any formal attire, and striking without being ostentatious, this is sure to make any formal outfit stand out. This super soft Merino lambswool Union Jack throw with deep fringe is perfect for throwing over the back of the sofa, on the bed, or even in the car to add extra warmth. With the addition of luxury leather straps, it becomes a picnic blanket - perfect for the Jubilee celebrations. If, like us, you haven’t been on a picnic in, well, forever, then this June with its extra long weekend might be a good time to start. Get this at www.annabeljames.co.uk To mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II, Gabriella James, Chairmakers has designed a Special Edition Jubilee Turner Counter Stool upholstered in a traditionally woven Union Flag. For each sold during 2022, Gabriella James will ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ in association with The Queen’s Green Canopy, a charity that has been established for this special occasion. Available online at www.gabriellajames.co.uk 34-35.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2022 14:07 Page 236 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY PLATINUM JUBILEE L incolnshire has a long and complex association with the monarchy. Our glorious capital city is home to a castle built by William the Conqueror as part of his strategy to control the rebellious north of the kingdom. It has stood for almost a thousand years, helping to define the city skyline and attract swathes of tourists in more recent decades. A few hundred years later, Henry of Bolingbroke, born and raised in Lincolnshire, seized the Here’s to Her Majesty and to Lincolnshire We love a royal visit here in Lincolnshire, and none come as special as one from Queen Elizabeth II, who this year celebrates seventy years on the throne. As well as exploring previous visits, we also provide a handy round-up of Jubilee events taking place across the county. Here’s to Her Majesty and to Lincolnshire 36-40.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2022 14:12 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 37 PLATINUM JUBILEE throne of England and was crowned Henry IV, thus becoming the first English ruler since the Norman Conquest, speaking English instead of French (likely with a Lincolnshire accent to boot!). Another few hundred years later, civil war erupted in England as the Parliamentarians and Royalists clashed over the country’s governance and religious freedom. Despite pockets of dissent and uprising, Lincolnshire was staunchly for the crown. Throughout the proceeding centuries, we’ve welcomed many a royal, and the influence of myriad rulers can still be seen to this day – in the names of streets, pubs, and venues. Be that one of the various King Georges we’ve had, or Queen Victoria, who regularly tops polls of Britain’s most beloved rulers. Reigning for sixty years and seven months, Victoria stood as the nation’s monarch with the longest reign until 9 September 2015. Now, marking an incredible seventy years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II this year celebrates her Platinum Jubilee. Over the course of those seven decades, she has routinely proven herself to be a wise and empathetic ruler who has the public’s best interests at heart. Despite the royal family attracting more than its fair share of controversy during her reign – especially over the last few years – 38 Á © Chronicle / Alamy Stock Photo 36-40.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2022 14:12 Page 238 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY she’s deserving of our admiration. As we’ve already touched on, Lincolnshire has been a hotbed of royalist love for centuries. As such, we’ve welcomed with open arms many a royal visit over the years. In June 1958, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip visited Lincoln, Scunthorpe and Grimsby. In Lincoln, she unveiled a commemorative tablet marking the formal opening of Pelham Bridge. She also went on to tour the cathedral and unveiled a window in memory of the Flying Training Command Unit of the RAF. Remarkably, footage of this visit still exists and is freely accessible via YouTube and is well worth a watch. Back in 2002, the Queen visited these parts once again, this time celebrating her Golden Jubilee. During her visit to Scunthorpe, she made history by visiting a British mosque for the very first time. Accompanied by Prince Phillip, she also unveiled a plaque at the Parishes development as well as visiting Lindsey Lodge Hospice and the picturesque Normanby Hall Country Park. In 2009, the Queen and Prince Phillip visited our county again to inspect the Graduation Squadron of the RAF Regiment at RAF Cranwell Lincolnshire. The Queen visited once again in 2017, while Prince Phillip has visited several times over the years. Prince Charles has also made appearances, including in November 1999 (not to mention the Queen’s other son, whose name we won’t include here). It’s impossible to conceive of another British monarch reigning for longer than seventy years. Indeed, it’s difficult to imagine the monarchy even existing that far from now. This Platinum Jubilee is literally a once in a lifetime opportunity, not only for the Queen herself, but for the county and for the nation as a whole to celebrate her longevity. This is a unique chance to celebrate the best of British and the remarkable woman who has helped steer us through tremendous technological, social, and political change. There’s no shortage of great ways to get involved, including watching the beacon lightings, attending a village festival, or hosting your own street party (there are dozens taking place across Lincolnshire alone). There’s also plenty of events taking place all over the county, more than we could possibly list here (we’d need a whole magazine!). But we’ve highlighted a selection demonstration the length and breadth of Lincolnshire. PLATINUM JUBILEE 36-40.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2022 14:12 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 39 PLATINUM JUBILEE Wellhead Park, Bourne Bourne Festival 2022 Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June Since its beginnings back in 2002, as part of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, this annual event has gone from strength to strength, showcasing hundreds of live music acts from the local community, nationally and overseas. This year, to celebrate its 20th anniversary and also in line with the reason for its inception, the festival will be the main focus of celebrating the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebration in Bourne, encompassing the entire bank holiday weekend. Wyndham Park, Grantham Three-Day Family Gala Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June Organised by Lincolnshire Fire Aid, this three-day family gala will provide live entertainment, fairground rides, charity stalls, retail stalls, industrial heritage as well as military displays, vintage and emergency vehicle displays. A wonderful way to spend the Jubilee bank holiday weekend. Ingoldsby Flower Festival Thursday 2 June With the theme of ‘The Queen’s Crowns and Jewels’ this stunning flower display in the South Kesteven village of Ingoldsby will use the power of nature to honour the Queen and wow visitors and locals alike. © stock.adobe.com/Ruth Black 40 Á © Raymond Tang / Alamy Stock Photo 36-40.qxp_Layout 1 20/05/2022 14:12 Page 4Next >