Blyton

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Blyton
Lincolnshire

Church of Saint Martin de Tours, Blyton
Location
Grid reference: SK855945
Location: 53°26’38"N, -0°42’50"W
Data
Population: 1,383  (2011)
Post town: Gainsborough
Postcode: DN21
Dialling code: 01427
Local Government
Council: West Lindsey

Blyton is a village within Lindsey, the northern part of Lincolnshire. It is situated approximately four miles north-east of Gainsborough. From Blyton the village of Laughton lies to the north, and Pilham to the south-east, while the course of the River Trent runs nearby to the west.

Blyton had a population of 1,383 (including Thonock) according to the 2011 census.

The name of the village is believed to be a combination of the Old Norse and Old English; it has a Norse landowner's name with an English suffix, from Blig tun, meaning "Bligr's farmstead".[1]

History

The village is listed in the Domesday Book as "Blitone".

Great Central Railway's heavy rail line between Gainsborough and Grimsby came to Blyton around 1848, at which time Blyton railway station was established within the parish. Although the line is still operational, the station has closed.

During the Second World War, Blyton was home to the bomber airfield RAF Blyton, just north-east of the village. It was abandoned in 1954. The B1205 road skirts the southern border of the old airfield, and the A159 runs through its western edge. Today the airfield has been converted into Blyton Raceway for motor sports and karting.

Churches

The parish church, St Martin, was established in the 11th century. The lower parts of the tower are Norman]] and sections of the aisle are Early English]]. The chancel was rebuilt in 1877, but retains a window from c.1300. The font is of Perpendicular style. The north wall of the chancel bears an inscription to the children (d.1613 and 1615) of Sir John Wray]].[2]

St Martin's is a Grade I listed building.[3]

There is also a Primitive Methodist chapel built in 1851.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Blyton)

References

  1. Mills, Anthony David: 'A Dictionary of British Place-Names' (Oxford University Press, 2003) ISBN 978-0-19-852758-9
  2. Cox, J. Charles: 'Lincolnshire' (Methuen, 1916} page 65
  3. National Heritage List 1064159: Church of St Martin (Grade I listing)