The Capital’s Heritage on Display

No one can have failed to notice that the beginning of June was dominated by the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. For those interested in historic buildings it was a great opportunity to view the capital’s many heritage sites on t.v., safe from the inevitable rain and in the comfort of our homes. Whatever the criticisms of the BBC’s Jubilee Pageant coverage, the camera-work was undeniably professional in recording the celebrations both outdoors (the Queen’s ceremonial routes) and indoors (the magnificent Westminster Hall with its breathtaking medieval architecture.) Unique vantage points gave a new perspective to some of the familiar streets and buildings. Admiralty Arch at the head of the Mall became a magnificent back-drop to the red, white and blue crowds slowly making their way to the palace to glimpse the royal family.

Admiralty Arch and the crowds on The Mall

Similarly the view of Westminster Hall’s interior showed the Queen and her invited luncheon guests from a rarely seen aerial perspective. (Keen viewers will also have noticed details of the 1393 hammer-beam roof, seen at close quarters!) In the newspapers, many fabulous photographs of that weekend’s events appeared. Among these, the one that impressed me most was a wide angled view of the royal family attending  the Service of Thanksgiving at St.Paul’s Cathedral.

The Service of Thanksgiving, St.Paul’s Cathedral

Maybe it’s an “age thing” with me but, as in 2002 when Brian May played guitar on top of Buckingham Palace, I found Madness’  elaborate performance somehow equally disrespectful of the esteem in which we have come to hold the royal family and their palaces. Surely their set could have been delivered, like the other artists , from the specially constructed stage? ( I realise I might well be in the minority here!)

Moving on as they say...the subject of metal theft has again been in the news in recent weeks. This time St. Michael’s and All Angels church in Howarth, West Yorkshire was targeted by thieves for evidently the third time. Famous due to the fact that two of the Bronte sisters are buried there, the church is now facing the prospect of a plastic roof being installed as well as a planned £1.25M restoration programme having to be re-evaluated in light of the recent extensive internal damage to religious paintings and plasterwork caused by the theft. The vicar of the church, the Rev. Mayo-Smith, reflected the feelings of many when he  commented, ”My response is one of great sadness because of the lack of respect it shows, not just for churches but for historic buildings in general”.

Turning to a happier topic, summer has (apparently) arrived and that can only mean the LHAR Volunteers’ Summer Event, to be held at Gunby Hall, near Spilsby  at the end of June. Having attended several of these events I am eagerly anticipating this one (though I can hardly believe that it is a year since a similar event was held at Doddington Hall.) All we need now is a fine day! Is that too much to ask, considering the year’s atrocious weather so far?

I will of course be providing some comments from the Gunby event in my next blog!

Colin, Heritage Steward

Heritage vs Nature

While completing surveys recently, I started to think about why heritage is at risk and in what ways.

The heritage at Risk website suggests ‘gradual erosion’ is the main risk to Lincolnshire’s built heritage.

At a now disused Victorian chapel, I looked up at the gothic style tower. Amongst the gargoyles looking back, I also noticed a small tree growing through the brickwork. In fact, around the building, several trees had taken root, moss was growing on the walls and ferns were settled in the guttering.

I thought, perhaps, this tree illustrated gradual erosion. When a man made building is no longer used, nature slowly starts to move in and take over….quietly and unnoticed.

The Heritage At Risk project aims to document and record these buildings so they are noticed and, hopefully, a plan can be developed for their future.

Karen, Heritage Steward

Roman heritage in Lincoln

For a recent survey, I came across a Roman tombstone in central Lincoln. It was set into the exterior wall of a church about 2 metres above ground height. With Latin and Anglo-Saxon inscriptions, the tombstone is thought to be from a large cemetery which was once south of Lincoln.

It appears that re-use has preserved this monument and it is now an integral part of the building. Having its own record on the heritage database ensures it is not overlooked. As I took photographs, I wondered if, perhaps, this was a contender for one of the smallest features on the survey database (measuring about 1 metre by 0.5 metre).

I will definitely look out for some more unusual fragments of heritage as I continue with the surveys.

Karen, Heritage Steward

An architectural gem

My first year as a Heritage Steward is coming to an end and I want to share with everyone my discovery of the jewel in our Lincolnshire heritage crown. Ellys Manor House, Great Ponton, near Grantham.

Between 1500 and 1520 the Ellys family of rich Hanseatic wool merchants built an imposing new home of Ancaster limestone. They chose to have the inside walls of the upper rooms covered with paintings of trees, animals, birds and foliage. Pevsner has described these as “the most complete, extensive and important domestic decoration of this date in the country."

500 years later it is still possible to stand and marvel at these glorious scenes painted by those medieval artists. There have been some changes over the centuries, including the use of the house as a rectory, but it is still owned by a family dedicated to preserving this wonderful unique part of our Lincolnshire heritage. Ellys Manor House is a treasure whose paintings are at risk and need our support.

Celia, Heritage Steward

To find out more about Ellys Manor House visit http://www.ellysmanorhouse.com