Book of the Month – September 2010

DEFENDING LINCOLNSHIRE
by Mike Osborne The History Press, The Mill, Brimscombe Port, Stroud, Glos GL5 2QG
ISBN 978 0 7524 5399 6 £18.99
From the Iron Age to the nuclear age Lincolnshire has seen civil war and been a defence line and attack base in two world wars. This comprehensive review puts them in the historical and social context of the times.

Iron Age hill forts (Honington); Roman forts (Lincoln, Ancaster, Caistor, Horncastle) and coast defence against Saxon invasion; medieval motte and bailey castles (Lincoln, Stamford, Castle Bytham, Castle Carlton, Swineshead); and fortified houses (Boothby Pagnell, Goltho); polygonal fortresses (Tattershall and Bolingbroke); in the Civil War Torksey Castle changed hands a number of times between King and Parliament; during the Napoleonic Wars there were threats of coastal invasion and raising volunteer forces; followed by Victorian barracks (Sobraon, Lincoln) and drill halls.

In the First World War we made tanks and aircraft, there were army camps (Belton), forts and an anti-submarine boom across the Humber, submarines at Immingham Dock and seaplanes at Killingholme. In the Second World War airfields proliferated for defence and attack (Bomber County), Skegness hotels and Butlins were commandeered, Dalby Hall was Headquarters for the British Resistance Organisation, radar (Stenigot), Royal Observer Corps posts, and defence lines of pillboxes and anti-tank devices. Highly recommended. (See Heritage Open Days events) (DNR)

LINCOLNSHIRE BOOKS IN BRIEF
• The Women They Left Behind compiled by Nick Triplow, Tina Bramhill and Jade Shepherd
Fathom Press/CPO Media ISBN 978-0-9555959-3-5 £5
Stories from Grimsby fishing families. Fishing out of Grimsby was one of the toughest jobs in the world. And it depended on women. Compelling and long overdue account of their resilient lives – wives, mothers, sisters and daughters left behind to keep homes and struggle with money. A fitting tribute.

• Fish It! Lincolnshire by Chris Keeling
Arc Publishing, 166 Knowle Lane, Brents Green, Sheffield S11 9SJ
ISBN 978-1-906722-08-1 £8.99
Guide details of fisheries, drains and rivers with species present. Sixty-four sites plus seven rivers and a dozen drains. Illustrated in colour.

• Iron in the Blood by Fred Pope (aka Bob Oakes)
Tucann Books, 19 High Street, Heighington, Lincoln LN4 1RG
ISBN 978-1-907516-02-3 £9.99
A Blacksmith’s story. Forty years of magic with metal. Classic architectural ironwork to contemporary sculpture. Told with humour. An inspiring teacher and motivator of apprentices. Charming illustrations by Emma Douglas and Barrie Dunwell plus colour pictures of creations. Cold Hanworth Forge and Blacksmithing School near Welton. To see more go to www.blacksmithteaching.com

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