West Deeping. CHURCH : ST ANDREW
My Saturday churchcrawl of South Lincolnshire concluded with a visit to West Deeping. This was church number nine of the day, and by the time that I had picked up the Roman Road, King Street, to get back to West Deeping, I had cycled just over 30 miles. It was about 15 miles straight down King Street from where I picked it up just outside Wilsthorpe until Ailsworth and as I got on to King Street I realised that it was head wind all the way! Therefore, a mid point break to photograph West Deeping church was very welcome.
A very ancient settlement this, with evidence of settlement in Prehistoric times. Given that it is so close to the Roman Road, King Street, West Deeping also had a Roman connection. In my research for this piece, I found that a very rare Roman item had been found at West Deeping, this was a "curse tablet" Curse tablets’ are small sheets of lead, inscribed with messages from individuals seeking to make gods and spirits act on their behalf and influence the behaviour of others against their will. The motives are usually malign and their expression violent. Fascinating stuff.
West Deeping today consists of a church, a public house and about 100 houses. The church of St Andrew is, in parts, about 750 years old. The tower dates from 1370, with the font also dating from the 14th Century. Inside a chandalier, similar to that found in nearby Langtoft, is dated 1770.
The church was open and a postcard was available. No church history booklet though, this in keeping sadly with the other churches visited in the area that day. For anyone wanting to photograph this church please note that scaffolding was up on the South side of the church as I visited.
Some lovely scenic views to be had here, particularly when shooting from an old stone bridge to the South. A very beautiful area this, with the river Welland running by the church. A nice ending to a very pleasant day out.
Now it just remained to get back on King Street, brace myself for the head wind again, and head home to Peterborough, stopping off at Ailsworth for a well earned ice cream and can of drink!
