Blue plaques have been put up at various locations in Nettleham to highlight points of historical significance and to help inform visitors to the village.
Ward councillors John Barrett and Fraser Brown are behind the project, which has seen four blue plaques installed around The Green.
The plaques have been funded by Nettleham Parish Council, and the West Lindsey councillors have been helped by local historian, Pearl Wheatley.
Each of the plaques has a central QR code, which people can scan with their phone to access historical information about each building via the parish council web page.
The plaques are located at the following locations:
- Beck House, Grade II listed, near the Co-Op. Believed to be the oldest residence in Nettleham. Although there is some evidence it was in existence in the 14th century and called ‘Pond House’; there is more evidence of it in the 16th century. It was the last thatched home in Nettleham until 1906.
- The Plough Inn, Grade II listed, was built in 1690. It was for a while The Manor Court, dealing with certain issues on the demise of Nettleham’s, Bishops Palace (some of the stone taken to rebuild Lincoln Bishops Palace). It was a coaching Inn up to 1906 and could still take two horses.
- The Institute built in 1894, opposite the Plough Inn. It was paid for by a good friend of Nettleham, Herbert James Torr of Riseholme Hall. In its time it was a coffee tavern, an overflow for the old school, a dance hall, a refugee centre for Belgians in WWI and a doctor’s surgery. There was even some sort of shooting range. It closed in 1973 and is home to small businesses.
- The Black Horse Pub, Grade II listed. Built in 1777, its initial area had five cottages and a workhouse run by the Vestry (now Parish Councils), with the pub on the corner. It is possibly the most haunted premises in Nettleham. There are reports of glasses clinking together and child’s laughter, a picture flying across the room, and beer sliding off a table where someone had once died.
Cllr Barrett said: “As well as providing people with interesting, historical information, we hope the plaques will serve to attract people into Nettleham in the hope they will support our wonderful local shops and cafes while they are here.”
Cllr Brown added: “We believe local businesses are the life blood of any community and the plaques will go some way in supporting them. In addition, if you live in the village, it is good to know some of the background to where you live.”
Image courtesy of West Lindsey District Council
