October 2015:
BELCHFORD St. Peter and St Paul
*Click on the pictures to enlarge them*
The Witham U3A Churches and Chapels Group, founded in February 2010 by Dr John Ketteringham, MBE, celebrated their 100th church visit by visiting SS Peter & Paul, Belchford on 1st October, 2015, Lincolnshire Day.
Belchford is a pretty Wolds village, popular with walkers. The Viking Way is to the west of the village, and the Bluestone Heath Road, a pre Roman road which runs the length of the Wolds, is to the north east. The name Belchford has Scandinavian origins Beltesford, and Old English, Belt’s Ford, from a personal name.
Pevsner devotes just 5 lines describing the church. He did not have the advantage of our group. We were warmly welcomed with tea and cakes by June Bullock, church secretary, and Barbara Bateman, church warden. These ladies have extensively researched village and church history, and we were thoroughly engrossed and entertained by what we heard
Belchford is a pretty Wolds village, popular with walkers. The Viking Way is to the west of the village, and the Bluestone Heath Road, a pre Roman road which runs the length of the Wolds, is to the north east. The name Belchford has Scandinavian origins Beltesford, and Old English, Belt’s Ford, from a personal name.
Pevsner devotes just 5 lines describing the church. He did not have the advantage of our group. We were warmly welcomed with tea and cakes by June Bullock, church secretary, and Barbara Bateman, church warden. These ladies have extensively researched village and church history, and we were thoroughly engrossed and entertained by what we heard
In the 12th century the church was shared between the priories of Spalding and Trentham. More confirmation of a Norman church was discovered in 1885 during one of the many restorations, when evidence of a larger church was found. Because the church was shared, it was divided into two medieties (equal halves) and there were two rectors until the Reformation.
Nicholas Lynch, rector from Belchford, was one of the leaders of the Lincolnshire Rising in 1556. He was protesting about the Dissolution of the abbeys, of which there were many in Lincolnshire. At his trial he said ‘Let the abbeys stand.’ He was executed at Tyburn for treason, along with many others from the county. Our 100th visit took place on October 1st, now celebrated as Lincolnshire Day, in memory of the Lincolnshire Rising.
Nicholas Lynch, rector from Belchford, was one of the leaders of the Lincolnshire Rising in 1556. He was protesting about the Dissolution of the abbeys, of which there were many in Lincolnshire. At his trial he said ‘Let the abbeys stand.’ He was executed at Tyburn for treason, along with many others from the county. Our 100th visit took place on October 1st, now celebrated as Lincolnshire Day, in memory of the Lincolnshire Rising.
The present church dates from 1783. Two of the bells and the lead from the roof of the old church had to be sold to pay for this. Poor workmanship resulted in the chancel being rebuilt again in 1859. There was further work in 1885. More work was necessary on 1900 when the tower, used as the vestry, was taken down, and a new vestry erected on the south side using the old stone, resulting in the building we see today.
One of the bells from the tower, which had 4 pinnacles, is on the floor near the font. In the porch is a plain font. This was thought to be a stoup (a basin for Holy water at the entrance to a church) but is now believed to be the font from the original church.
SS Peter & Paul is part of the Hemingby group of churches. Services are held here every 8 weeks. They are part of the Rural Touring Scheme, where various artists and performers visit and hold concerts and displays in the church. The village holds a Belchford Bake Off every April/May, open gardens, antique tractors, and a mountain bike rally annually as well as the famous Belchford Soapbox Downhill Challenge. At weekends and holidays the village is always busy with walkers and ramblers.
The church will continue to thrive because of the enthusiasm of people like June and Barbara, and the numerous village activities. Do visit Belchford if only to dispel the rumour that Lincolnshire is flat!
The church will continue to thrive because of the enthusiasm of people like June and Barbara, and the numerous village activities. Do visit Belchford if only to dispel the rumour that Lincolnshire is flat!
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