Metheringham
| Metheringham | |
| Lincolnshire | |
|---|---|
 Metheringham High Street | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TF069615 |
| Location: | 53°8’21"N, 0°24’12"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 3,384 (2001) |
| Post town: | Lincoln |
| Postcode: | LN4 |
| Dialling code: | 01526 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | North Kesteven |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Sleaford and North Hykeham |
Metheringham is a village in Lincolnshire, in Kesteven, the south-western part of the county. The village is nine miles south of the county town, the City of Lincoln, and ten miles north of Sleaford.
History
The village is recorded as a manor in the Domesday Book of 1086.[1] The name of the village is from the Old English language, perhaps from "Medrices ham"; 'Medric's homestead'. The earliest surviving document relating specifically to the village is dated 24 June 1314, from the reign of Edward II. A great fire in July 1599 left only a few houses standing. It started in a gully that ran the length of the village street.[2]
White's 1842 Directory of Lincolnshire called Metheringham "a large improving village, on a gentle declivity, between Lincoln Heath and the Cardyke navigation, 9 miles S.E. of Lincoln. Its parish increased its population from 536 in 1801, to 880 in 1831, to 1197 in 1841,and contains 5682A[cres], 1R[ood], 32P[erches] of land." It also notes, "An ancient Cross, which stood in the village was replaced by a new one in 1835, at the cost of about £25, and a market is now held round it on Saturday evenings. The drainage of the parish is aided by a steam engine of 25-horse power, and has dried an ancient spring called Holywell." It describes the church (see below) and adds, "Here is a Wesleyan Chapel, erected in 1840. A School was established by subscription in 1841, and there is a flourishing Sick Club, and also a Cow Club. The poor parishioners have 3R.37P. of land left by one Colley; and an annuity of £3, left by John Ellis in 1829."[3]
The village was the birthplace of H F Ellis (1907–2000), the writer who developed the comic schoolmaster character A J Wentworth BA in the magazine Punch and later in The New Yorker.[4]
The village war memorial records the names of 42 men who died for their country in the First World War and 8 who fell in the Second World War.[5]
Geography
Metheringham lies three miles east of the Lincoln Cliff escarpment, and on the western edge of fenland that extends southeast towards Boston and the Wash. It lies on the north to south B1188 between Ruskington and Branston, and on the east to west B1202 and B1189. Dunston is a mile to the north, and Scopwick and Blankney are to the south. The railway station is on Station Road (B1189).
The centre of the village is a conservation area. To the west and the A15 is Metheringham Heath, on which is a SSSI at a local quarry. To the east is Metheringham Fen, across which lies Metheringham Delph, which drains into the River Witham from where it connects to the Car Dyke near an old wartime airfield. The Metheringham Delph nature reserve at Tanvats, and Sots Hole, are nearby.
Churches
The parish church is dedicated to St Wilfrid, and is in the Metheringham group of churches with Blankney and Dunston. There is a Methodist church, built in 1907 by the architect Albert Edward Lambert. San Damiano House is one of the five houses in England of the Community of St Francis, a Franciscan Anglican religious order for women.[6]
Community
Metheringham is known to locals as "Meg". The village population is approximately 4500.
The village has a primary school, a cafe located on the high street, a Co-op store, and a traditional butcher's shop that has been in the village for over 80 years. It has four public houses – the Star & Garter on Prince's Street, the White Hart Inn, the Lincolnshire Poacher, on High Street and the Londesborough Arms.
Metheringham has transport links to surrounding villages, towns and Lincoln. It has rail services to Lincoln, Doncaster, Sleaford, Spalding, Peterborough, Newark, Nottingham and Leicester.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Metheringham) |
- Metheringham primary school
- Metheringham and District Community
- St Wilfrid's church
- Metheringham Airfield
- "Jet-powered luge - a tea tray on wheels", Lincolnshire Echo YouTube channel
- Metheringham Football Club
References
- ↑ Metheringham in the Domesday Book
- ↑ The Origins of 'Meg' Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- ↑ Metheringham 1842. Retrieved 10 April 2014. Details of development in the rest of the 19th century appear in the 1892 edition: Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- ↑ Obituary. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- ↑ Metheringham highlights. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- ↑ Site of Society of St Francis, European Order