< PreviousLincolnshireheritageexploredThe Greenwich Meridian traverses the full lengthof our county and with close to 61 miles of it wehave more of it than any other county; thoughbeing a large county helps of course! Yorkshire bycontrast has only 8 miles where the line clips theEast Riding just west of Spurn Point. But beforelooking at its course and the main accessiblelocations within Lincolnshire we should first knowsomething about its origins and its internationalimportance.So, what are meridians and why are theyneeded? Latitude can be fairly easily calculated asthe equator forms a natural “0” degree base linewith parallel lines equidistantly spaced north andsouth ending with 90 degrees at both poles.Meridians – of longitude - however runnorth/south forming circles around the globe allof which converge at the poles, so distancesbetween them vary with latitude. In the early daysof navigation therefore sailors could (fairly easily)calculate, by measuring sun and star angles fromthe horizon, where they were in terms ofnorth/south. However, calculating east/westpositions was much more problematical and theirresults were frequently wildly inaccurate. Thesolution was found to lie in measuring thedifference in time from some pre-determinedbaseline with that at your present position, butearly clocks worked from pendulums and wereimpractical at sea due to temperature changesand ship movements. However, because theearth spins anti-clockwise (if viewed from abovethe north pole) time, is different at every place –whether east or west from that line – and meanseach location has its own local time.Navigational difficulties were such that in1674 Charles II decided to establish a RoyalObservatory at Greenwich to tackle theproblem, but progress in finding accuratelongitude positions for ships by astronomicalmeans remained slow and problems persisted.Finally, in 1714, a Board of Longitude was setup offering huge rewards (a million pounds intoday’s money) for anyone who could designan accurate sea-going clock.THE GREENWICH MERIDIANThe Greenwich Meridian stretches acrossthe Lincolnshire landscape, an invisiblefeature that is nevertheless of national,indeed world-wide, importance.30-31.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2018 10:45 Page 1the line too; or simply hop back and forthfrom one hemisphere to the other. (A fewOS grid references may help!)The line enters Lincolnshire nearHumberstone Fitties (GR TA325068)where a marker is set into the sea bankfootpath. After passing through Fulstowand then, within sight of Louth church, itpasses the well-preserved mediaevalvillage of Brackenborough. In Louth itself,in Eastgate, there is a metal strip-markerin the pavement and a lozenge-shapedplaque on a shop wall. The meridiancontinues south over the Wolds where itpasses within a few feet of the little churchat Ruckland (GR TF333781) and then atTetford there is a tablet in the lane besidethe church or you can cross it simply bywalking through the churchyard. A fewmiles further and it enters Snipe DalesCountry Park where the footpath map willguide you to its Meridian Stone (atapprox. GR TF335686), a block of localsandstone with another plaque markingthe exact line.After Hareby it reaches the East KirkbyAviation Centre which has a meridianLINCOLNSHIRETODAY31Lincolnshire enters the story here inthe person of clockmaker JohnHarrison of Barrow-on-Humber, towhom there is a dedicated exhibitionin Barrow’s church. An adoptedLincolnshire “son” (he was born nearDoncaster but came to Lincolnshire asan infant) Harrison set his mind to theBoard’s challenge and over many yearsdesigned sea-going chronometersnumbering H1 to H4, and finallywinning the prize; though payment wasmuch delayed by prevarication fromthe Board. Even then sailors had to waityears for the clocks to be commerciallyproduced so that all ships could haveone.Before the days of stage coaches localtime differences were unimportant buttheir faster journeys meant guards neededto adjust their watches along the way. Butthe advent of railways made adjustingtimetables for local differences crucial; forexample, London and Plymouth times varyby about twenty-minutes. The (almost)nationwide use of Greenwich Mean Timewas therefore introduced by around 1855.Many other countries however continuedto use their own times since any meridianwill suffice as a base-line for timecalculations. Eventually an internationalcommon “0” degree baseline becamedesirable, but it was not until 1884 at aconference in Washington that the world-wide use of both Greenwich as the “Prime”meridian, and the consequent Greenwich“Mean” Time, was agreed upon.The course of the meridian throughLincolnshire is shown on OS Explorer mapsas a bold green line and it is easily visitedat several locations. Most of us know wecan have a foot in both hemispheres atGreenwich but back here in Lincolnshirethere are places where you can straddlemarker and then at the Stickney WildlifePark there is a new meridian compass-style memorial; plus yet another plaque.Next comes Boston where Meridian Closeand Meridian Road can be found. In thelatter, (GR TF343438) on a small green, isa stone plinth bearing a metal plaqueunveiled by Boston’s mayor in December1984 to mark the meridian centenary.Further south still is a large circularmeridian memorial by the roadside ofFrampton Roads (between Frampton villageand the RSPB nature reserve) (GRTF344388) placed there in 1991. Furthersouth again several public footpaths crossthe meridian on Kirton Marsh near the RiverWelland outfall into the Wash. Next comesHolbeach where the meridian goes throughthe town’s western edge and Meridian Viewand Greenwich Avenue can be located.Also, in Wignal Gate is a millstone andplaque sited on the meridian line.The meridian finally leaves Lincolnshire,some 61 miles from the Humber, nearCole’s Bridge just west of Throckenholt.(GR TF353092)by Hugh Marrows30-31.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2018 10:45 Page 2Help to BuyOnly a 5% deposit required and it’s not just for first-time buyers!*Help to get on the property ladderNo Stamp Duty to pay on purchases up to £300,000 for first-time buyers!Help to make yours your ownSpecial offers on selected plots with items such as free flooring.Visit our website for more information and details of all our current developments or call us on 0845 450 7872.Current developmentsBoston Boston GateCorby Oakley RiseNettleham Nettleham ChasePinchbeck Pinchbeck FieldsComing soonColsterworthHorncastleLouth Moulton Sleaford Weston Mede Details correct at time of going to print. *Subject to approval and status.www.allison-homes.co.uk Why rent, whenwe can help you to buy? from £187,500 from £294,995 Building on our reputation3160 0918Allison Homes, Falcon Way, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 0FFTel: 01778 391555enquiries@allison-homes.co.uk32-37.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2018 10:46 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY33BOSTONAn old market town that grew intoprominence in the 11th century, Bostonhas a long history and a strong medievalcore that still resonates throughout ittoday. Most visitors flock to the areaspecifically to see the number of sitesthat hold historical significance, such asSt Botolph’s Church, which was builtbetween 1309 and 1520 and knownlocally as the Stump, St Mary’s Guildhall,which was built in the 1390s and is now amuseum, the market place, which hasheld trading markets since 1132 andweekly markets every Wednesday andSaturday since 1308, Shodfriars Hall,which was built around 1400, andBlackfriars Theatre, an ex-friary and oneof the town’s earliest surviving medievalbuildings from the 13th century. Theseare all key locations for history fanaticsand architecture admirers, but if you wantto really embrace and learn about thetown’s deep history, take the MedievalHeritage Trail to see all these sites andmore, lesser known, stops to really stepback in time. If one would like to leave the Medievalperiod though, move along to FydellHouse. A Georgian house with a formalwalled garden built in the 1720s, FydellHouse is the oldest remaining building inthe town from its era and said to be thegrandest house in Boston. Despitesuffering bomb damage in WWII, thehouse is still standing and is now used forweddings, relaxing vintage afternoontea’s, talks, and is currently beingrestored so it can live on as a piece ofBoston for future generations. It alsointriguingly has “the American Room”which was opened by Joseph P. KennedySenior, father of John F. Kennedy, on hisvisit to the town as US Ambassador toGreat Britain in 1938.The WW2 Home Front Museum isanother site to visit if one wants tocontinue to map Boston’s history.Adjacent to WW2 Coastal Defencestructures, the living education history35 Á© Shutterstock/Randall RuntschHistory, natureand hauntsA Halloween hotspot with numerous naturereserves and a plethora of historical sights,Boston is the perfect place to enjoy the crispautumn breeze this October.32-37.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2018 10:46 Page 2Whatever your fashion wants, needs or desires... Whatever your Fashion age, size or styleAll your favourite brands including:Stores in Grantham, Boston, Scunthorpe & online www.oldrids.co.uk 3OHDVHQRWHQRWDOOSURGXFWVDUHDYDLODEOHLQDOOVWRUHV3OHDVHFDOODKHDGLI\RXDUHLQWHUHVWHGLQDVSHFLðFEUDQGLOVE OLDRIDS & DOWNTOWNLOVE SHOPPING • LOVE FASHION • LOVE BRANDS32-37.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2018 10:46 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY35BOSTONmuseum has a large and rare collection ofmemorabilia from the Second World War,as well as a 14ft Lancaster bomber.Perfect for both children and adults, ithas been endorsed by Dame Vera Lynnand its Blitz experience has been givenhigh praise by visitors.Boston is receiving a significant amountof investment to maintain its history andserve its future. Over £1 million has beeninvested in the regeneration of the towncentre and Boston has been a prioritydevelopment area for the HeritageLottery Fund since 2013 - 12 projectshave received over £8 million betweenthem so far. It’s most famous landmark, StBotolph’s Church, received over £1million from the National Lottery, to makeit appealing to tourists and to create aneducational centre and museum spacetelling the story of Boston. One can seethat the future looks bright for Boston.Boston is not only a historicalgoldmine, but it is ideal for anyone wholoves to be surrounded by nature. Set onthe River Witham, Boston is part of ‘TheWash’, the largest estuary in the country,a site of Special Scientific Interest, and animportant area for wildlife in Britain,hosting waders, wildfowl and rare birds ofprey. From Boston Marina one can takeboat rides out to the Wash in an excitingday trip, which will give you a chance tosee Boston’s historic port, birdwatch andsee the area’s colony of seals.Multiple nature reserves are near thetown and offer spectacular views of ‘TheWash’. One of these is Frampton Marsh.Maintained by the RSPB, Frampton Marshis made up of wetland, freshwaterscrapes and wet grassland which providebrilliant opportunities for close views thearea’s wildlife. Frampton Marsh also offerstours of the seasonal wildlife which aretailored to attendees - thus are suitablefor beginners to experts - and are greatto embrace the crisp autumnal air. Someirregular appearances by uncommonbirds have been recorded at FramptonMarsh, causing great excitement forornithology enthusiasts. This year, forexample, there was a rare sighting of thesnowy owl, and last year the stiltsandpaper was seen - only the second ofits kind seen in England! A primeoccurrence that one should look out fornow, though, as we are in autumn andmove towards winter, is the return of theBrent Geese as they graze on the saltmarsh and wet grasslands. One can alsosee the Brent Geese from Frieston Shore- another RSPB nature reserve by Boston.Now made up of a tidal saltmarsh,lagoons and wet grassland, FreistonShore was once rather unbelievably abusy beach resort. For a specialexperience, sign up to the reserve’s HighTide Walk for a chance to see thousandsof wading birds swirl in the sky beforethey roost in the shore’s salt waterlagoons. Another great site to visit to enjoywildlife in Boston is Havenside CountryPark, which overlooks ‘the Haven’ stretchof the River Witham. Here you canexperience animals from oyster catchers37 Á© Oscar Johns / Shutterstock32-37.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2018 10:46 Page 436 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWe just love wood - don’t you?BEAL & FAIRCHILDJOINERY MANUFACTURERSManufacturers of quality timberdoors and windows since 1964Beal and Fairchild also manufacture staircases,handrails, cabinets, furniture, kitchens andconservatories in our workshops in Boston,Lincolnshire. Our website can only give you aflavour of our craftsmanship. Whatever yourequire in wood, come to us!Call 01205 364158 today for a Free Estimate!The Workshop, Broadfield Lane Ind Est., Bostonwww.bealandfairchild.co.ukJ&JFUELSBOSTONOil in South Lincolnshire is available at a fair price and with a reliable servicefrom J and J Fuels. We are here to ensure you receive the very best service andat a time that suits you.As member of the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers you can be sure of a safe serviceevery time with quality of product also assured. We pride ourselves on our prompt deliveryservices as well as our competitive prices. Offering domestic heating oil and farm dieselwithin a 30 mile radius of Boston.01205 760 638Bakers Lane, Freiston, Bostonwww.jandjfuels.comC&C AUTOSVolkswagen & Scooter SpecialistsTel: 01205 367565The Autobarn Broadfield Industrial Estate Broadfield Lane Boston PE21 8DR cncautos@live.co.ukwww.cncautos.co.ukPREMIUM MULTI-FUELSTOVES & FIRESELECTIC & GAS FIRES AND SURROUNDSWe have an extensive range of fireplaces, multi-fuel and wood burningstoves along with a magnificent collection of gas fires, electric fires andsurrounds on display at our showroom in Boston, Lincolnshire.Our stunning selections from leading British and Scandinavianmanufacturers such as Elgin & Hall, Jotul, Chesneys, Dimplex, ValorContura and Arada to name but a few, means we cater for all tastes.Our friendly and helpful staff are always on hand to give you someideas and help to guide you with your purchase. Visit our showroom orcall us today on 01205 310 327.Church Road, Boston PE21 0LG | Tel: 01205 310 327 E-mail: sales@bostonheating.co.uk | www.bostonheating.co.ukHere at The Thatched Cottage in Sutterton,we are proud to serve delicious food in ourstunningly refurbished restaurant and bar,with a warm atmosphere.Pools Lane, Sutterton, Boston Tel: 01205 461006enquiries@thethatchedcottagerestaurant.co.ukwww.thethatchedcottagerestaurant.co.ukWhether you are calling in for that special occasion meal, a satisfying snack or a socialdrink with friends, you will always receive the very warmest of welcomes.All our food is prepared in the restaurant kitchen using only locally sourced ingredients.As well as our À la Carte we also offer Early Bird, Lunch and Children's menus. We alsooffer a Chef's Specials menu on Friday and Saturday evenings. We provide the very bestin business buffet lunches as well as catering for charity functions and special occasions.Chef's specials are also available all week.To accompany your meal we have a wide selection of fine wines, draught & bottledbeers, cask ales, spirits and soft drinks.Great Fen Road, Wyberton Fen, Boston, Lincs PE21 7PB. Tel: 01205 362378Email: merrimans1@btconnect.com www.merrimansrestaurant.co.ukMERRIMANSLOUNGE & RESTAURANTDeliciously Deliciously LincolnshireGoldAwarded for outstanding quality and service byLincolnshireTodayawardWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET32-37.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2018 10:46 Page 5formerly a friary, which was destroyed in afire, and it is now said to house the ghostof a monk - why not go for a show, andstay to see if the monk appears?Another Boston location that manyparanormal enthusiasts enjoy is RevesbyAbbey. The basement is the height of theghostly activity with eerie tunnels,corridors and a maze of servants’quarters. The site originally held aCistercian monastery, founded in 1143,which was demolished and replaced by acountry house. If you’re feelingadventurous, several ghost hunts areorganised at the grand house, with fourplanned by different groups this October.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY37BOSTONTo discover more about our extensive range of timber products, including a wide selection of fencing and gates, visit:www.caldersandgrandidge.comEmail enquiries@caldersandgrandidge.comor call our experts on 01205 258866and barn owls to bats and seals.Also within the park is the PilgrimFathers’ Memorial which standswhere a group of puritans werearrested trying to flee the countryin 1607. After seeing thismonument one might want toreturn to town, to the BostonGuildhall to learn more aboutBoston’s involvement with thePilgrim Fathers, as the museum iswhere many of them were triedand imprisoned.With Halloween this month,Boston has a lot to offer to get youin the spirit. Carving pumpkins is atradition high on the Halloweenchecklist, and Boston has just theplace to pick your perfect pumpkin- “Bell’s Pumpkin Patch”. The patchopens on the 15th of October witha giant pumpkin weigh off, along withother activities including the exhilaratingpumpkin cannon. If you’re feelingcreative, on October 25th the town’sregular craft market will feature Halloweenthemed activities, alongside its usualselection of unique, handmade items. Thetowns ‘Halloween Fun’ event follows onthe 27th at Boston market place wherethe traditional Saturday market will be fullof seasonal activities and even a RodeoPumpkin - why not go and see how longyou can hold on for?Of course Halloween wouldn’t becomplete without a thrillingly spookyexperience. Boston has tonnes of ghoststories, hosts numerous haunted sights,and you’ll find some great ghost walksand hunts in the run up to Halloween.Perhaps the most famous ghost in town isthe Grey Lady, a widowed woman whothrew herself of the Stump with her newbaby. Legend states that she will appearif you run around the Boston Stump threetimes when the bells chime at midnight.The Church Keys, which was built in 1520but is now a bar and restaurant, is said tobe one of the most haunted buildings intown, with the current owner describing anumber of unexplainable occurrences,and Blackfriars Theatre is anotherfamously haunted site. The building was© Jon Nicholls Photography / Shutterstock32-37.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2018 10:47 Page 6walks38 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLincolnshireThis month’s off the beaten trackbegins in Skillington - which, as always,has a rich history. Firstly, there’s thenearby airfield at Saltby, which was onceused as a bomber base. It was also usedto fly gliders to the D-day invasion and,later, an airborne assault on the bridgesat Arnhem. The runway back in those daysextended onto parish land. Many of theforces personnel stationed therefrequented the two Skillington inns, theBlue Horse and the Cross Swords, whichdate back to c1830 although it is saidSkillington and SaltbyIn our quest to escape the hubbub of our busy lives eachmonth, we get one of our intrepid reporters to switch offtheir phone and swap their brogues for walking shoes toexplore another of Lincolnshire’s hidden gems. that Ale Houses existed in the village asfar back as 1696 when four houses werelicensed. There is also the St James churchfeaturing 13th century and 14th centurycentury stonework and two stained glasswindows, both depicting the Matterhorn,one donated by Whymper and “BrotherMountaineers” which was created afterthe rector of the church, Charles Hudson,fell to his death after a climb of theMatterhorn. Sadly, despite being regarded as oneof the best amateurs of his time (1865)he died on the descent along withveteran alpinist Edward Whymper whofell 4,000 feet.Route:First we go up the lane at sideof the chapel, soon turning right intoBack Lane and following it round to thechurch. From the green we continue downhillto the right for 100 metres or so, to asigned footpath going off to the left. Ashort track and a gate walk up a meadowtakes us to a stile in the centre of the tophedge, then - in the second meadow -we head for another stile in the far left-hand corner. Now we keep forward ongrass headlands through four fields to afarm road and turn right.At a bend and waymark, we go leftthrough a hedge to a second waymark afew feet ahead, through another hedgeand turn right to a stile at the road. We38-39.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2018 10:48 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY39LINCOLNSHIRE WALKSgo left for 300 yards and at theentrance of Heslin’s Barn Farm, we turnleft along the farm road. Just beyondthe farmhouse a waymark directs usonto a grass track. And, at the fieldcorner, we take a left onto another trackPHOTOS COURTESY OR RICHARD PICKSLEYand at a concrete road, cross onto acontinuing track (half left).On reaching the corner of StokePasture Wood, we follow the track left,soon bearing right past Mere Barn Farmwhich continues to a grass track with ahedge on our left. When the track splitswe keep the hedge on our rightcontinuing to a 3-way footpath joining awide track; none other than the VikingWay.Turning sharp left we follow this as itloops around the end of Saltby airfieldrunway then keep forward on concreteairfield roads past a low hanger andsome woodland. Where the trees end, ata Viking Way sign pointing left, is a seat,flag poles and the airfield memorial.From here, we head back to Skillingtonkeeping left past the gliding club andveering right onto a track to reach a roadbefore turning left back towardsSkillington.A great way to blow off the cobwebsand burn a few calories while taking insome of Lincolnshire’s rich and pleasantland.38-39.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/2018 10:48 Page 2Next >