Walcott, Lincolnshire
| Walcott | |
| Lincolnshire | |
|---|---|
 St Oswald's Church, Walcott | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TF130566 |
| Location: | 53°5’41"N, 0°18’47"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 566 (2011) |
| Post town: | Lincoln |
| Postcode: | LN4 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | North Kesteven |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Sleaford and North Hykeham |
Walcott is a small village in Kesteven, the south-western part of Lincolnshire, sitting about two miles north of Billinghay and seven miles north-east of the town of Sleaford. The population of the civil parish at the 2011 census was 566.
The name of Walcott is Old English in origin and the leading theory is that this village, and the two similarly named villages of Lincolnshire, Walcot in Kesteven and Walcot in Lindsey, may be derived from the Old English wala cot, which means "cottage(s) of the Britons".[1] The 'Wal' element may have alternative origins, as for example weall (wall) or walu (ridge).
Name
The name of Walcott is Old English in origin and the leading theory is that this village, and the two similarly named villages of Lincolnshire, Walcot in Kesteven and Walcot in Lindsey, may be derived from the Old English wala cot, which means "cottage(s) of the Britons".[2] The 'Wal' element may have alternative origins, as for example weall (wall) or walu (ridge).
History
In the Domesday Book account the settlement appears as "Walecote". In 1086 Walcott contained twenty-five households, seven freemen and two smallholders, land for four plough teams, and a ten-acre meadow. In 1066 lordship of the manor was held by Hemming of Branston, Lincolnshire|Branston, but by 1086 it was held by Walter D'Aincourt, who was also Tenant-in-chief to the King.[3]
The Gilbertine Catley Priory of St Mary was founded between 1146 and 1154; and dissolved in 1538 at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. No sign of the priory can now be seen, but the site is a scheduled monument.[4]
Walcott is recorded in the 1872 White's Directory as a hamlet of Billinghay parish, part the Langoe wapentake, and near the Car Dyke navigation. The hamlet had a population of 609 within a land area of 3,247 acres which stretched eastwards to the River Witham. The fenland between the hamlet and the Witham had been enclosed in 1799 and was "well drained and cultivated". The land was in the possession of various local families, but had been, between 1780 and 1787, held by William Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam. At the enclosure, the tithes - typically one-tenth of the produce or profits of the land given to the rector for his services - were commuted to an allotment of 143 acres to support the parish vicar.
An "ancient" St Oswald's chapel of ease began decaying in 1776, and was replaced in 1852 by a new chapel, built by subscription in Early English Gothic style, the curacy of which was attached to Billinghay vicarage. A Wesleyan chapel had been built in 1820.[5]
Two "ancient" trees, one of 4,000 feet of wood, were dug up at Walcott Dales (near the River Witham), in 1811; an axe was also discovered, by which one of the trees was "supposed to have been felled". In 1817 "several" tumuli were found, one of them containing coffins and human bones. About half a mile west of the hamlet was reported the former Catley Priory, founded by Peter de Billinghay during the 12th-century reign of King Steven for nuns and brethren of the Gilbertine Order, and which at the 16th-century Suppression of the Monasteries was given to Robert Carre of Sleaford. The priory stood on 40 acres of ground, which, when investigated in 1791, revealed "several" gravestones, human bones and pieces of painted glass.[5]
Trades listed at Walcott in 1872 included two shoemakers, two joiners, one of whom was also a wheelwright, a blacksmith, and a cattle salesman. There were thirty-six farmers, one of whom was also a grocer, draper & baker, another also a draper, one running a beerhouse, one a butcher, and one also the licensed victualler of the Black Horse public house. There were two beerhouse licensees, one of whom was also a carrier; he and a further carrier operated between the village and both Sleaford and Lincoln.[5]
Community
The parish church is a Grade II listed building of red brick dedicated to St Oswald and built in 1852.[6] It was presumably named after a previous chapel at Walcott, dedicated to St Oswald, and given by King John to Spalding Priory. The previous chapel stood in the centre of the village and was pulled down around 1790[7]
As at 2010, Walcott has one public house, The Plough, and a primary school; the school caters for Walcott children and has study links with Martin village primary school three miles away.[8]
The countryside around Walcott is of agricultural use, with sheep farming and the growing of potatoes being prominent.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Walcott, Lincolnshire) |
References
- ↑ Mills, Anthony David: 'A Dictionary of British Place-Names' (Oxford University Press, 2003) ISBN 978-0-19-852758-9
- ↑ Mills, Anthony David: 'A Dictionary of British Place-Names' (Oxford University Press, 2003) ISBN 978-0-19-852758-9
- ↑ Walcott, Lincolnshire in the Domesday Book
- ↑ National Monuments Record: No. 351201 – Catley Priory at Walcott
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 White, William (1872), Whites Directory of Lincolnshire, p.590
- ↑ National Heritage List 1061750: St Oswald, Walcott (Grade II listing)
- ↑ National Monuments Record: No. 351220 – St Oswald's Chapel
- ↑ "Walcott Primary School". Walcott Primary School. http://www.carrdykefederation.co.uk/walcott/page/home/. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
