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Metheringham
History Group meet on the last Monday of the month, in Metheringham Methodist
Church Hall, at 7.30 evening.
The Group is extremely active in a wide variety of ways, of which the following
are a few current examples:
Metheringham
Village Walks
Our
third Village Walk for this year will
take place on September 23 at 2pm. This will be the last for 2001, but they will start again next
March. This September’s walk will take us to the origins of Metheringham; to
Drury Street, the spring and the site of the ancient moat and its fish ponds,
and the site of the original Hall.We
are hoping that the field walk will still take place – this depends on foot
and mouth precautions. Full details will be posted around the village nearer the
time.
Participation
in the 2001 Metheringham Fayre and Feast
We shall be joined by members of Thomas Lord Burgh’s Retinue, a re-enactment
group set in the time of the War of the Roses (1460-96). The main group will be
camped outside St Wilfrid’s Church, and using the church as it would have been
then. There will be plenty of action from the Group. Again, more details will be
available nearer the time.
We are looking for people who would like to dress up and take part in our Feast
activities in various ways. We are having a set of stocks set up and need
volunteers to sit and have something (not sure what yet) thrown at them.
Onlookers will pay for the privilege of throwing the missiles and the proceeds
will go to the Church to say “thank you” for allowing the group of
re-enactors to use the property.
If
you’re interested in being in the stocks, you could get yourself sponsored (so
much per minute, say) to raise money for your own organisation or chosen
charity.
Singing for History!
And now to add something extra special to this year’s Feast
celebrations - CABRA, the famous Lincolnshire choir, who have most generously
agreed to sing in aid of Metheringham History Group’s funds.
From their extensive repertoire, twenty two members of the
choir will entertain with popular songs, also combining a smattering of old
English tunes in keeping with this year’s Medieval theme, under the guidance
of CABRA’s Musical Director, Kathleen Berg.
CABRA choir itself was formed six years ago by six
individuals who enjoyed singing for pleasure. Their meeting place was at Bill
Brown’s home, CABRA House, so the choir adopted the name CABRA (a province in
Dublin and also a castle).
Over the years this excellent choir has grown in number and
gone from strength to strength, reaching the very high standard it has achieved
today, and which the residents of Metheringham and other visitors will be able
to enjoy at our 2001, October Feast.
Norah Pellatt, Chairwoman, Metheringham History Group.
The
History Group will also be putting on a small exhibition in the Village Hall,
where we would be pleased to see you and talk about the many things that are
going on; not least of which is…..
Metheringham
Post Office
 We
are still moving forward with the Old Post Office Project, intending to use the
property as a Village Heritage Centre and tea room. The project includes the use
of the garden behind the building. We are currently in discussion with the Co-op, who own the Post Office, regarding a possible lease arrangement
and grant applications.
The
old post office building has been damaged by vandals and is looking very sad. We
are now able to borrow the keys when needed, and have cleared up a mass of
broken glass both inside and out. Measurements are being taken ready for plans to be drawn up for the building’s renovation, and photographs are
being taken for a Listing application to be presented to English Heritage.
North
Kesteven district Council have generously allocated significant staff time to
help us through the many stages that lie ahead. This has been a major boost to
our progress.
Our
top priority now is to set up a Steering Group to work in partnership with
officers from North Kesteven Distict Council. This
Group will oversee the work on behalf of the local community and will have a
major say in how the project develops. We only need a Group of 4 or 5 people who
have an interest in what is going on and are able to put a little time, thought
and effort into this rewarding work. Anyone who might be interested is
invited to contact Heather Routledge on (01526) 320156. Alternatively, if
you want to find out more from North Kesteven District Council, you can
telephone Helen Turner at 01529 414155.
When
we have our Steering Group we shall be organising an open Social Gathering for villagers to and see for themselves what is
happening. This will offer a further opportunity for volunteer groups to be
organised, ready for when we are given the go-ahead.
We
want to thank everyone who took the time to fill in the questionnaire that went
out with the last MACLA Newsletter, and those who signed the list at the
Vicar’s Fete.
We
are supported by MACLA, Metheringham Parish Council, and Heritage Lincs, as well
as by North Kesteven District Council. But the Post Office needs all our
support; everyone is good at something practical, and anyone that wants to help
will be warmly welcomed to help us in any way. This is a village project for the
whole village -young and old
alike.
This
is a unique opportunity to be part of a project that will bring pleasure for
generations to come!
 Literally on the day before this Newsletter goes to the printers we have
heard that the owners of the Old Post Office, the Lincoln Co-operative Society,
have withdrawn it from the open market, have undertaken to implement urgent
repairs, and have granted the Metheringham History Group time to prepare and
submit grant applications for its refurbishment. This is excellent news and
makes the formation of the Steering Group even more essential.
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