RSPB Frampton Marshes

This was a place we were looking forward to seeing. It was in fact really close by to where we were staying.

According to the RSPB site: Blessed with a variety of freshwater habitats, Frampton Marsh provides close views of the abundant birdlife of The Wash - the biggest bay in England. Avocets, Redshanks and Skylarks can all be seen in summer, with thousands of ducks gathering on the freshwater scrapes in winter.

This is a landscape surrounded by waters teeming with life. The reserve is set against the shore of The Wash, the UK’s most important estuary for birds. Explore freshwater wetlands, reedbeds, wet grasslands and large shallow pools known as scrapes.

Here a few images to remember the day.

A gathering of Black Tailed Godwits

Black -tailed Godwits in flight

Sedge Warbler

Reed Bunting

Sand Martins

Spoonbills

Young Shelduck

We followed some of the trails and photographed some of the birds, but of course you need to visit a few times at different time of the year to appreciate this wonderful site - we had just a few hours on one day. but had a wonderful time neverless.

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Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre

The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is a family run museum and was set up in 1989. It is now widely seen as a living memorial to the 55,573 men of Bomber Command who lost their lives during WW2. It holds two of the rarest aircraft, an Avro Lancaster Bomber MKVII and DH Mosquito NFII, in its collection along with many wartime vehicles including a Ford WOT1 Crew Bus, the only one of its kind in existence.

The owners feel that Bomber Command has never been given the recognition that it deserves and they see it as their job to educate both old and young as to the acts of heroism and dedication shown by Bomber Command throughout the Second World War. 

The average age of air crew, each man a volunteer, was 22 and not even 1 in 4 completed their first tour of 30 operations, most definitely a debt that we cannot repay but also a debt that should not be forgotten.

The Heritage Centre is based on the old wartime airfield of RAF East Kirkby and retains the original 1940's Control Tower and the Hangar is built on the original wartime hangar base. The Museum is built up entirely around RAF Bomber Command and is expanding every year. It is their common ambition to fully rebuild it to a complete original wartime airfield preserving the memory of Bomber Command for many years to come.

We were not quite sure of what we would see on this visit, but as it was not a huge distance from Kirton, (at East Kirkby) we decided to pay a visit. Although we went on a casual visit, we were very fortunate to arrive on a day when the Lancaster was being brought out for some taxi runs down the grass runway, while paying people enjoyed a ride and are able to explore the whole aircraft internally.

Avro Lancaster Bomber MKVII being moved from the hanger

Getting ready!

Engines all started (the noise!) and moving down the grass

Making its way back to the spectator area

A couple of images of identification. It really was worth seeing so close and to hear of their aims and achievments so far.

From their website I have copied their aims for the restoration:

Restoring Avro Lancaster NX611 'Just Jane' to airworthy condition

The future for NX611

The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is currently working through a programme of restoration with Avro Lancaster NX611 with the aim of taking her to an airworthy condition.

It has been our ultimate ambition to be able to restore NX611 to an airworthy condition but also keep her accessible for the general public to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere created by a Lancaster. For us to keep NX611 as a credible 'peoples memorial' to Bomber Command available to many people, no matter their background or financial situation (After all those that flew with Bomber Command came from every imaginable background) we must strike a healthy balance between keeping her in a good condition but also allowing the public to experience her.

The aircraft is being worked through part by part on a long term restoration project with progress being made throughout the years while NX611 continues to taxy from March to November.  The whole project is estimated to cost £4million all of which is being raised through museum admission fees, donations and Lancaster taxy rides.

Throughout the restoration process we will continue to taxy NX611 for demonstration and public taxy rides, even once NX611 is restored to an airworthy condition it would continue to be available to the public for taxy rides and internal tours, we are aiming to keep it as accessible as it currently is.

Overall, a great day out and well worth the visit.

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Lincoln and the Cathedral Minster

Today we visited the city of Lincoln. We did not have a general exploration in mind, but had set the Cathedral as our main choice. So we parked on the outskirts at a `park and ride` and rode into the bus station near the center of the city. From there we walked through part of the town, across the River Witham, and past the castle up to the cathedral.

So really, my view of Lincoln was on this route only, but still a great place to see.

This bold and striking sculpture, called Empowerment spans the river Witham in the centre of Lincoln. It takes its inspiration from turbine blades, symbolic of the rich engineering heritage of the city. The turbine blades transform into dynamic figures that reach out to empower one another, just as the blades empower one another within the turbine.

Moving along beside the river we came to High Bridge, also known as the Glory Hole, which carries the High Street across the River Witham. Apparently, it is the oldest bridge in the United Kingdom on which buildings still stand. The bridge was built around 1160. The ribs of the original bridge survive, making it possibly the second-oldest masonry arch bridge in Britain and certainly the oldest with intact buildings on it. The current row of timber framed shops on the west side of the bridge date from about 1550.

Barge moored to the river side.

Lincoln Cathedral, also called Lincoln Minster and formally the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln, is a Church of England cathedral. It is the seat of the bishop of Lincoln and is the mother church of the diocese of Lincoln. The cathedral is governed by its dean and chapter, and is a grade I listed building.

The earliest parts of the current building date to 1072. The building was completed in 1092, but severely damaged in an earthquake in 1185. It was rebuilt over the following centuries in the Gothic style.

The cathedral became the tallest building in the world upon the completion of its 160-metre-high (525 ft) central spire in 1311. It surpassed the Great Pyramid of Giza, and held the title until the spire collapsed in 1548 and was not rebuilt.

The cathedral holds one of the four remaining copies of the original Magna Carta, which is now displayed in Lincoln Castle. (I wish I had known that when we visited!) It is the fourth largest cathedral in the UK by floor area, at approximately 5,000 m2 (50,000 sq ft).

I found it difficult to get an image of the cathedral which showed anything but a small part of this massive building. This image above is of one of the gateways to the area in general.

East end of the Cathedral

Probable a South door

The cloisters which led to the Chapter house. These days the cloisters are used for various functions such as craft fair and sales.

The Bishop`s Eye rose window

The Dean`s Eye rose window

The two large stained glass rose windows, the matching Dean's Eye and the Bishop's Eye were added to the cathedral during the late Middle Ages. The former, the Dean's Eye in the north transept dates from the 1192 rebuild begun by St Hugh, completed in 1235. The latter, the Bishop's Eye, in the south transept was reconstructed a hundred years later in 1330.

`Lincoln Cathedral is fortunate to have an organ that is admired by players across the world. Completed in 1898, it proved to be the last completed cathedral instrument finished by ‘Father’ Henry Willis himself, and one of his finest.

It also has the distinction of being one of the two Father Willis organs in English cathedrals to retain its original tonal scheme. It is a magnificent instrument both for solo recital playing and for accompanying the daily routine of worship in the cathedral, supporting both large-scale congregational singing in the nave and the more subtle requirements of colouring Psalms, anthems and canticles alongside the cathedral choir`. Altogether, a wonderful building with hundreds of years of various styles of architecture in it.

The central nave was built in what is called the "Early English Gothic" architectural style. Spectacular to say the least.

Lincoln`s Tournai fonts

Tournai fonts are a type of baptismal font made from blue black limestone during the 12th and early 13th centuries in and around the Belgian town of Tournai by local masons.

A wedding party outside the magnificent west end of the Cathedral

The Chancery, a Grade I listed building, in the lane at the east of the Cathedral.

The building has been called the Chancery for most of its history, but is also known as `Katherine Swynford's house` after its most famous occupant. Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster, the third wife of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.

For me, it is important as a surviving example of early C14 and late C15 domestic building, and because of its early use of a brick front.

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Boston and the Church of St Botolph - The Stump

Just a few minutes away from our village of Kirton is the town of Boston, one of our main destinations for this holiday. The town is famous for having possible the largest parish church in the UK - The Stump, as it known. It`s actually St Botolphs.

It has been referred to as "Boston Stump" since it was constructed.

The current main church building was started around the year 1309. The main body of the church was complete by 1390, but at that time the church had no tower.

The famous tower was built in stages between 1425 and completed by 1510. It rises to a height of 272 feet and is topped by a superb octagonal lantern, somewhat reminiscent of that at Ely Cathedral. The effect of the tower architecture is breath-taking at first viewing.

Whenever you are near Boston, and obviouly while you are in the town, the church dominates the skyline - it is magnificent. So to start with, here are a few images of the beautiful building.

A couple of riverside image of the Stump

As you can see, even in the market square it towers over the town

The town square on a non market day.

A view of the sanctuuary showing the miserycord seats and the reredos.

The High Altar at St Botolph's with an ornately carved wooden reredos behind it. This reredos is a Victorian embellishment, but much of the woodwork in the church, particularly the misericords are far more ancient, dating from the C14th.

One of the many roof bosses

The 17c Cotton pulpit

The church has many interesting pew ends, such as this one

Two Green Man carvings found on pillars outside the south porch

A fourteenth alabaster tomb in a recess of the south aisle, believed to be that of Dame Margaret Tilney, who laid the tower foundation stone in 1309. (There is some uncertainty about this tomb).

The memorial to St Botolph. It is thought by modern historians that the connection to St Botolph may be incorrect as the general consensus nowdays is that St Botolph was linked to the church of St Botolph in Iken where he came ashore and built a monastary

The Boston church is particularly well known for its close ties to the Pilgrim Fathers and the foundation of America. In 1612 John Cotton became vicar of St Botolphs. His radical puritan views made him many enemies among the established church hierarchy.

Eventually, Cotton found the religious intolerance he faced too much of a burden. He gathered a number of like-minded followers, and sailed to the New World on the Griffin, following the earlier Mayflower and Arbella pilgrims to America.

John Cotton is commemorated in the bottom left of the above stained window.

Bearing in mind the above mention of John Cotton, Pilgrim Woman (see above) is a new statue commemorating the story of women and families who were also arrested as Puritan separatists during the 17th Century. This group of separatists have a large historical significance and this work commemorates Boston's important role in the story of the Pilgrims.

The installation comes as preparation for the 2030 Puritan anniversary 'Boston 400' which celebrates 400 years since the formation of Boston, Massachusetts.

The sculpture features two 50cm stone women on a large plinth, you can view this installation on Church Close across from St. Botolph's Church and Boston Library.

The old Custom House, now offices, dating from 1725 and part of (on the left) Pilgrim House which is a Grade II Listed building and dates back to 1668.

The town of Boston has had an important conection to the wool industry in the past. The wool trade was what made Boston rich and between 1279-1288 37% of all wool exported from England went out through the port. The Wool Staple moved from Lincoln to Boston in 1369 and by 1377 Boston was the tenth largest town in the country. By the 1380s the cloth trade in the town was dominated by the Hanseatic merchants, (a medieval commercial and defensive network of merchant guilds and market towns in Central and Northern Europe) who accounted for 89% of cloth exports through Boston and King’s Lynn. The figure from 1377-1427 was 98%. Boston also traded in wax, dried fish and fish oil, furs and goatskins.

These two images refer to the Hanseatic merchants and were seen in the church.

And then onto the statue below, seen near the church.

Herbert Ingram (27 May 1811 – 8 September 1860) was a British journalist and politician. He is considered the father of pictorial journalism through his founding of The Illustrated London News, the first illustrated magazine. He was a Liberal politician who favoured social reform and represented Boston for four years until his early death in the shipwreck of the Lady Elgin

He played a major part in supplying fresh piped water to the town, a move that was met with rejoicing and brass bands when the taps were turned on for the first time.

The allegorical figure at the base of the monument (above) is a reference to Ingram's efforts to bring the first piped water to the town.

The first day that we visited Boston was a maket day and the bagpipe `busker` was trying to make some money from the visitors. I must say I thought he was awful! Apart from that, a great and interesting day.

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Kirton - Our holiday base

Kirton is a small town just south of Boston in Lincolnshire, where we had our holiday accomodation for a week while we explored around Boston.

Kirton was one of the first Royal centres for the Saxon kingdom established after the Romans left in the fourth century. It was also a major administrative centre for the Holland district of Lincolnshire in the seventeenth century.

One prominent figure in village life was farmer and philanthropist William Dennis. He was benefactor of the Town Hall (below), which was built in 1911 to commemorate the coronation of George V, and the founder of a family business still flourishing in the village today. This is a statue in his honour in the village.

Born in 1841, he built up a huge potato enterprise and supplied all the potatoes eaten at a dinner for the poor of London to mark King Edward VII’s coronation.

His farm, Woodlands Organic Farm, consists of level silt fields which were reclaimed from the sea by the monks of Crowland Abbey some 900 years ago.

It`s intersting how the Fens were drained. It appears that attempts to drain the Fens, and to protect land from flooding, began as long as Roman times, and continued throughout the Middle Ages, but the ‘Great Draining‘ took place in the seventeenth century. King James I declared in 1620 that ‘the Honour of the Kingdom would not suffer the said Land to be absorbed to the Will of the Waters, nor let it keep Waste and unprofitable.’ He would himself be responsible for the reclamation of the fen lands. He invited Cornelius Vermuyden to England, initially to drain marshes in Essex: Vermuyden was a Dutchman, then only 26 years old. The great works of large-scale drainage of the mid-seventeenth century in Fenland that followed, like the Old and New Bedford Rivers and the Denver Sluice, are some of the largest man-made landscape features in England.

When I compare places like Kirton with the Suffolk villages that I am used to, it emhasizes to me what a beautiful part of the world I live in! KIrton is very much `houses and houses` but I guess that in all fairness, unless you live there, you can`t appreciate its character.

One interesting old building I came across was the Old King's Head

The Old King's Head is a former public house listed as a Grade II historic building. The earlier part of it was built at the end of the 16th century and underwent major alterations in 1661. It is red brick in English bond, with recent tiles on a former thatched roof. It became a domestic residence in the 1960s, but had fallen into disrepair and was purchased in 2016 by Heritage Lincolnshire, which has assigned over £2 million for its restoration.

During the 1660’s the Old King’s Head was remodelled by masons (not architects) in the Fen Artisan Mannerist style. This was an extremely skilful type of architecture for masons of the time. Contemporary buildings were rarely built with bricks, with only those of high status normally used brick work.

This meant when building The Old King’s Head it would have needed a skilful mason for the design and construction. It also once had a thatched roof which has now been preserved under new panelled roofing.

Not only does the building itself hold historic significance but the people who have inhabited The Old King’s Head throughout the years have infused it with life. Over the 400 years it spent as a public house it has seen a wide range of land lords and owners including the famous boxer, Johnny Cuthbert.

The building has many stories and mystery’s attached to it. There is a tale of a Victorian woman haunting the top of the stairs. A previous resident who lived there as a child told Heritage Lincolnshire ‘how nobody wanted to be last down the stairs because it was so spooky’.

As a starting point for exploration, Kirton was ideal.

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