One of the only remaining prototype bouncing bombs. Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa.

“Should you ever meet a film director scouring the capital for a perfect Victorian street scene in which to set his latest costume drama, do recommend Barkham Street. There is just one snag – it is not in London. Barkham Street was built – by both mistake and design – 128 miles away in remotest Lincolnshire.” Daily Telegraph By Peter Chapman 07 Oct 2000

So what is the connection with Bethlem Hospital, read on…

Unfortunately, at the time of posting the original article by Peter Chapman is no longer available online. A copy from the internet archive  can be read here.

Bethlem Hospital – London (Google Maps)

What will become of rural garages if cars go electric? Will they go the same way as rural churches, pubs and post offices? Could be the next phase of the Jerusalem project…

Jane Wright has an exhibition of internal views of abandoned buildings at Harding House Gallery, Lincoln, 25th May – 14th July https://www.janewrightphotography.com

The green green grass of home – ever wondered where your turf came from?

Graffiti on the disused Fledborough viaduct.

Interesting facts – the viaduct has 59 arches and took nine million bricks to build. Perhaps I’ll get around to photographing it sometime!

In these troubled times of austerity it looks like art is at a crossroads!

If you haven’t done so already please visit the SLUG website to save the Usher Gallery

So, during this project I’ve driven about 4,000 miles, walked about 500 miles and now I am happy to announce my new transport mode – about 40 miles so far…

Just paid a visit to my old friend Mavis Enderby. For those who aren’t aware she is one of Lincolnshire’s famous celebrity villages. Her friends include Boothby Graffoe (obviously), Kirkby Underwood, Claxby Plukacre, Hutton Fenside, Tumby Woodside, Friskney Eaudyke, Bicker Gauntlet (he’s a bit fighty!) Gosberton Cheal and many more. I might get round to a full list one day. In the meantime…

 

 

I don’t usually do archaeological stuff but it was down the road from Mavis. Old Bollingbroke Castle. Birth place of Henry IV, who’d have thought it!

 

Where else would you find patriotic wellies other than the village of Jerusalem

This is a companion story to the preceding post (see below).

Today is 100 years since the end of the First World War. I decided to go my local war memorial at Thorpe-le-Fallows for the 11 o’clock dedication. I was the only one there. On the ground were wreaths that must have been laid years ago – I felt shame!

With no wreath to lay, in an act of sentimentality I placed my buttonhole on the gate chain.

At five minutes to eleven a lone *RAF Sergeant straddled the fence and walked across the field toward me. I started to well up and could hardly speak. We had a short conversation and at 11 o’clock he recited the dedication from memory.

Next week I am going to go and tidy up around the memorial…

*The Western Front Association is a national educational charity whose aim is to educate the public about the Great War. Volunteers also help to maintain memorials and send out representatives on occasions such as this. If you would like to help find out more about WFA here.