PEAR TREE LOG

pear tree log: I started this blog to keep my younger son, Jonny, in touch with life in Lincolnshire, while he spent a year working in China. That year turned into five! Now he is home and training to become a physics teacher. This is simply a patchwork quilt of some of the things I enjoy - life in rural Lincolnshire, our animals, friends, architecture, books, the gardens, and things of passing interest.



Wednesday 29 February 2012

A Day Spanning 90 Years

I managed to take a very quick snap of the Buttercross in Burwell as we drove past.  We were in convoy with a ladened car transporter, a very nice convertible,  and a tractor.  Luckily we knew we could turn off the main road once we got round the corner.
I have heard various stories about this building, some say it was the gaol, but I think the truth is that it was converted to a dovecote and now serves as a village hall.  It was built somewhere around 1700 and has obviously undergone many alterations.


Burwell itself is a very small village, which is tucked very neatly into the folds and bends of the Lincolnshire Wolds.  In medieval days it was a market town, and there was a Benedictine Monastery which was founded before 1110 but which was dissolved in 1427, so we can't blame that one on Henry VIII.


Burwell now consists of a few houses, the village hall, a redundant church, a pub/restaurant which serves Thai food, and several farms.

This large and very old barn always gets my attention as we turn off the road, one day I intend to find out its history.  


There used to be a large and very grand house, Burwell Manor House, but that was demolished in 1958 and now all that remains are the stables, more is the pity.
This dried-up lake/pond is one of a series of lakes in the grounds, Lincolnshire is suffering drought conditions - it doesn't bode well for the summer.
Here is the walled garden right next door to the dried out pond.  I wonder whether these are the legacy of those long-gone monks, utilised and expanded in 1760 when Burwell Manor House was built.


So many questions, so many books I need to read, so many local history classes to attend!  Another avenue I want to explore is the Roman connection, because I have heard from one local historian that there was a Roman bowling green here!
This photograph is for Ms Sparrow because I know how much she loves our snowdrops.  This particular house is right around the corner from us, I love the way the snowdrops have spread.
Claythorpe Manor is another old and interesting building - but that is for another day.


We spent this morning looking after my (90 year old)  Aged Aunt, then we came home and spent the afternoon and early evening looking after our five week old granddaughter.  Time to take a break and put our feet up.  It will soon be 7.30am and our grandson will be on the doorstep!

14 comments:

  1. Another wonderful history post to enjoy. I'm still at the office, so will read it in more detail tonight. You are so busy with the very old and the very young....I will try to do some research tonight on the Buttercross in Burwell...too much to do, not enough hours in a day. Do you not agree?

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    1. Hi Meggie, I hoped you would enjoy the post. It is a bit rushed, but I wanted to share as much as I could quickly photograph on our way home. After the frustrations of a busy day I find it helpful. Burwell in Lincolnshire is a tiny village, but it is packed with interesting features. I hope your day is going well.

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  2. Beautiful photos! That first place looks like a teapot missing its handle and spout.

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    1. Hi Knatolee, I hadn't thought of that, but now I look at it again you are quite right, although, perhaps the handle is on the far side and the chimney could be the spout?

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  3. So may octagon buildings! The dovecote a bit ago, and now the buttercross gaol. The only octagon building I've known in my life was a wood barn, and I couldn't find it last time I looked. I need to see what we have about here in the octagon way and go find them. The idea of buttercross gaol is so funny. They just greased up and slipped away, eh?

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    1. I'd love to see that octagonal wood barn - I hope it was merely hiding, not dismantled! Mmn, I do need to check into the history of the building, the person who told me about the gaol part seemed quite convinced about it. I just need a couple of extra hours a day, or maybe an extra day in a week - or maybe I just need to work faster!

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  4. I love the trips you let us take with you. And I like the snowdrops too. No wildflowers out around here yet. (And I'm so hoping our early rains mean a great crop of bluebonnets!)

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  5. Hi Janet, We should be seeing plenty of daffodils soon and then the bluebells will come into bloom in the woods, they look pretty special. I am also looking forward to seeing some shots of your Texas bluebonnets.

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  6. Oh more inspirational building, I love them all, but that first round one is superb. Our tortoise are out now we have warmed up so much earlier than normal and I am trying to keep myself from thinking of an early (hot) summer.

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    1. Hi Linda, It is such a quaint building - unfortunately right on a fairly busy road - but I will take some better photos one day when we have more time.

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  7. You should do "Countryside Tours". Love the photos, especially #7. It would make a lovely note or postcard.

    Yes, please tell us the history of the barn when you get a chance.

    Such a beautiful spot.

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    1. Hi SAS, That old barn absolutely intrigues me, the brickwork is much scarred from many alterations over the centuries and it always 'calls' to me as we go by. Definitely time I went to the local library for some books - I usually rely on the mobile library but they are very light on local history. If I do manage to find anything out I'll definitely do a post.

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  8. Thank you for more snowdrops! They seem to flower for a long
    time--how nice for you. Do you have daffodils growing wild as well? I so appreciate all the wonderful photos of your countryside, old buildings and the variety of animal friends.

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    1. Hi Ms Sparrow, You may be relieved to know that the snowdrops are all beginning to look just a little tired now - so soon I'll be bombarding you with daffodils and bluebells!

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