Heritage Archive
(February 2020)

24 February 2020

Silversmith makes national name

“Life has a much better imagination than me,” says celebrated silversmith Shannon O’Neill. She tells Kate Chapman about her career, which has taken many exciting twists and turns before bringing her to Lincolnshire. Shannon O’Neill has been privileged to work overseas, made props for blockbuster films and more recently was awarded the prestigious commission to Read more…

Town is open for business

If you have ever wondered what a quintessentially English market town looks like, then a trip to Horncastle at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds is exactly what you need, says Melanie Burton. Long recognised as the antiques centre of Lincolnshire, the town is still brimming with a vast selection of shops, both antique and Read more…

Traders’ tokens – Crowland

Look up Crowland and you are likely to learn of its Abbey and Trinity Bridge and little else. But even though it is one of our smaller county villages, it ought not to be overlooked because it too has its own fascinating pages in history. By Colin Smale According to records its monks lived to Read more…

Solvitur ambulando – It is solved by walking

2nd February 2020: a bright day – clear, by Maxim Griffin A rare Sunday with nothing on the calendar. Cold and blue. A bit of a breeze. My third son wants to fly the kite he got for Christmas. Boots on lads. Rucksack stuffed. Stove, crumpets, butter, a towel just in case. We pile across Read more…

23 February 2020

Aiming for a greener footprint

Nestled just off the busy A46 Grimsby to Lincoln road on the Viking Way, the historically important Victorian and Georgian town of Caistor may be small in size but it is big in community spirit and has much to offer the visitor and resident alike. By Melanie Burton Whether you are wanting a base from Read more…

Lincoln Drill Hall

Lincoln Drill Hall, which is located on Broadgate and runs all the way through to Free School Lane, was opened in 1890. Although purpose-built for military training, community and social events were held in the hall from an early stage. It was designed by architects Goddard and Son for the 1st Lincolnshire Rifle Volunteers and Read more…

20 February 2020

City centre a magnet for visitors

New survey findings report that 83 per cent of city shoppers love to support independent businesses. Glynis Fox reports on how a thriving retail environment in Lincoln is responding to changing demands. Lincoln certainly has a wonderful mix of homegrown and niche businesses, which attract locals and visitors alike. Despite the often reported challenges facing Read more…

16 February 2020

Back on the rails with bumper show

Model rail enthusiasts were left distraught after their lifetime’s work was wrecked by vandals last year, but 12 months on Kate Chapman hears that Market Deeping Model Railway Club has risen like a phoenix from the ashes and is promising its biggest and best show yet in 2020. More than £30,000 worth of damage was Read more…

1 February 2020

Solvitur ambulando – It is solved by walking

5th January 2020 – grey/blowy, brighter later, by Maxim Griffin We nearly hit a muntjac, but it cleared the wall in one miraculous leap. There was some cursing and exclamation – “Yeah! I know! Like a massive springy badger!” Christmas at the dog end now – most of the trees are down, the lights away, Read more…

Brigg’s Angel reappears

Colin Smale continues to trace the history of 17th-century traders’ tokens in Lincolnshire. Compared to everyday coinage, traders’ tokens are quite rare, as they were only in circulation from 1656 to 1672. This month we look at examples struck in Brigg and Burgh le Marsh. BRIGG The farthing shown (Picture 1) has its origins in Read more…