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The Metheringham Area is a largely agricultural area. Using the various national census reports from 1801 onwards, it is possible to see how the population has varied over the past 200 years.

The graphs are adapted from information obtained from A Vision of Britain Through Time website, a lottery funded project run by the University of Portsmouth.

Back in the 1960's, the Fenlanders, Metheringham's very own band had a brush with fame. At their height, they were one of Lincolnshire's top beat groups who opened the pop concert on Lincoln South Common in May 1966. The line up included The Who, The Kinks, The Small Faces ( and possibly Status Quo).

Band member, Brian Garill remembers:

The band was formed by Kenny Spencer and myself and we were joined by George Byers and Keith Rossington our early sessions took place in the Royal Cinema. Our biggest claim to fame was an appearance on a Radio program called "Down your way", who visited our new practice site (cowshed on my fathers farm) and recorded the “Cowshed Blues” which then went out on national radio, sadly the recording contracts didn’t exactly roll in !! so more practice needed. We operated for a short while as an instrumental band only, Keith left and was replaced by John Reeves (pictured) and Susan(Vocals) and Richard Byers (organ/keyboard) joined, we also had a singer by the name of Brian Mason for a while.

We were out in that format for possibly 18 months or so,George Byers left and was replaced by John Sweeny(Nth Hykeham) for a brief period until he was replaced by John Clarke (Sleaford).We played many venues in that format but not with anyone famous.

We re-named to “The Brotherhood” with myself (bass)John Clarke(drums) Chris Elkington (lead guitar)and John Clare vocals with Alan Garrill as manager and roadie.

The Brotherhood
Brian Garrill - Bass, John Clarke - Drums, Chris Elkington - Lead guitar

We went to greater heights with this format and worked with quite a few famous bands, still rehearsing in the “cowshed”.

We opened the first night at the then new village hall in Metheringham, it was absolutely packed to the roof!! We were into rock & Blues and no one had a better lead guitarist than Chris Elkington he was quite special and we had some great times together as a band.

We were entered in a competition run by lincolnshire standard group to find the best Lincolnshire band (which then included South Humberside) we beat 11 other bands at The drill Hall in Lincoln and I still have the trophy. Part of the prize was to open the pop concert which was held on Lincoln City's ground and not on the common. We were in the company of some very good bands and stayed to watch a few after us, in particular Georgie Fame, we were supporting a band that night at Cleethorpes called The Pretty Things. We played with The Yard Birds, Dave Dee & Co, Unit Four Plus Two. We played many venues throughout the midlands often sleeping in the van.

I left the band to join the Sleaford Band “Dawn & The Dee Jays and stayed with them for a couple of years and then stopped playing regularly.

The Brotherhood carried on for a couple of years before breaking up.

The Brotherhood members have played on in various bands around including Brass Roots and others and a couple of us turn out together on occasions and stand in for other bands etc.

Done some stupid things in my life but none worse than selling that bass!! (The bass was the same type as Paul McCartney used, hence the reference to the decision to sell it).

Brian Garrill

Thanks also to Alan Harding for use of the photos and help in triggering the memories.

Whites Directories are a valuable source of information about locations in England during the 19th century. They give a comprehensive description of cities, towns and village throughout England. Unlike the national census returns, they are not comprehensive, tending to give only a list of landowners and tradespeople. They are nevertheless indispensable as a research tool.

Thanks to some sterling research work by local amateur historian, Pete Ford, the coverage of Whites Directories for the Metheringham area has now been extended to include relevant entries from 1872, 1882 and 1892. This is in addition to the 1842 and 1856 entries which this site has hosted for some time.

All the Whites entries can be accessed from this page, or from individual village pages.

Please provide feedback on the Metheringham Area Family History forum if you find this feature useful.

It is with much sadness that Metheringham Football Club report the untimely death of Dayne Grove on Wednesday 30 January. He had played for the club from Under 13’s right up to senior level. Dayne was only 19 but in February 2003, when only 14, he was found to have an enlarged heart. He was rushed to Newcastle’s Freeman’s Hospital where he had a heart transplant. With typical fighting spirit Dayne returned to play for his team, the then U15’s in October of that year. He continued through the club's U16’s and U18’s before making two Sunday Senior appearances in 2006 whilst still with the U18’s.

Sadly, in September 2007 he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and despite his gallant battle he passed away peaceful at home with his family on Wednesday. Our sincere condolences go out to mum Sharon Popple, step-dad Simon and siblings Aaron (21), Chelsea (16) and twins Oliver and Holly (11).

Famous people on our doorstep

Frederick John Robinson -Nocton Hall - 19th Century Tory Prime Minister

Perhaps to the surprise of many, Margaret Thatcher was not the only Prime Minister to come out of Lincolnshire as our area saw this country’s twentieth Prime Minister living on our doorstep, namely at Nocton Hall.

Frederick John Robinson was born in London on 1st November 1782, the second of three sons born to Thomas Robinson (second Baron Grantham) and his wife Lady Mary Jemima Grey Yorke. He was educated at Harrow and St John's College, Cambridge and then trained as a lawyer. He ended these studies when the post of private secretary to the Earl of Hardwicke, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, was offered to him. He held this position between 1804 and March 1806.

Remembrance Day is next week. This page at roll of honour.com gives details of Metheringham's war dead from both World War 1 & 2.

A timely reminder.

His Recollections and Reminiscences of Metheringham; pre and post WW2.

Reg Rush - Aged 17

Reg Rush was born in Metheringham around 86 years ago and in the last issue we wrote about his grand-father Amos Cooling. Reg himself has had a more than interesting life and leaving the village as a sixteen year old he went on to attend the Midland Agricultural College in Leicestershire. He was never to return to live in the village as he became a member of the crack 30 Commando Unit in WW2. This Assault Unit was the brain child of Lord Mountbatten and Commander Ian Fleming (author of the James Bond books) and until recently their actions in the war were top secret. An interesting website www.30AU.co.uk shows Reg as a 20 year with the unit. Another member of this unit was Charles Wheeler who later became a journalist with the BBC. Reg later became the Secretary of the Royal Marine Command Veterans’ Association and now lives a busy life in Wells next the Sea, Norfolk. Below is his "Recollections and Reminiscences of Metheringham.

Adepta is a specialist provider of Person Centered services for people with learning disabilities, Autism and mental health problems. We are pleased to be recruiting for full time and part time Support Workers in Supported Living Services in Woodhall Spa and Metheringham, Lincolnshire. The roles offer a fantastic opportunity to develop your career in Social Care, with a nationally recognised organisation. We can offer a range of flexible working options and great learning and development opportunities for people who share our values and commitment to making a positive difference to the lives of the people we support.

Support Workers (Supported Living), Metheringham and Woodhall Spa

Full and Part Time opportunities available, Salary £14,663 pro rata per annum

As a support worker, your focus will be on providing all the support, advice and encouragement the people we support need to live full, safe and active lives as part of their local community.

You will have:
• The ability to work with people with learning disabilities, autism and/or complex needs
• Willingness to support people who may demonstrate behaviors that challenge (full training provided)
• The ability to communicate sensitively and professionally with the people we support, as well as colleagues and outside agencies
• An enthusiastic attitude and professional approach
• Able to work flexibly as part of a rota which may include weekends, nights, early and late shifts
• A full UK driving License

For an application pack please contact HR on 01522 697332
Closing date for return of applications: Monday 17th September 2007

For further details about Adepta and these roles visit www.adepta.org.uk

Famous people on our doorstep.

Humphrey F Ellis was born in the Hermitage at Metheringham on 17 July 1907. His father was the village doctor between 1894 and 1914. Humphrey went on to gain a “First” in Classics at Oxford University in 1930 and from there went on to Marlborough College to teach. Whilst here he wrote articles for Punch Magazine and in 1933 he was offered a post with the magazine as a staff writer. He became best known as a comic writer creating the ineffectual schoolmaster A.J. Wentworth whose fictional diaries were first published in the Punch magazine.

Unlike the England cricket team this summer, our Photo Archive is thriving. The photo archive has been online for only 3 months and, coincidentally, the most popular image reached 100 views today. Its this one:

Its one of the many school photos in the archive. Currently 3 out of the top 5 most viewed images are school ones. The most popular photo is of a Dunston school sports team but has no information attached. If its had 100 views in under 100 days then someone out there knows something about it. We reckon its from the mid to late 60's possibly a little later. So, if you're in it or you mum or dad is or you know who and when, then drop us a line and we'll add your details.