Up hill and downdale

Wednesday, 11 August 2010 20:08

Gringley on the HIll - a village up hill from Shaw Lock

The village has a long history and dates back to 1086, known then as Gringleia super Montem in the Doomsday Book. It has only 300 houses and a population of around 750. It is a farming village; sheep and cows can be  seen side by side with some of the houses at the bottom of the hill.

From Shaw Lock, it is an uphill walk of about  a mile - not my forte, but the village is worth a look

Looking back at Shaw's Bridge below lock

From the ancient mound of Beacon Hill above the village, five counties can be seen on a clear day. Lincoln Cathedral is one landmark visible to the south east. The Beacon, site of a pre historic hill fort, was used as a look out point and for signaling many years ago.

The 13th century Butter Cross marks the location of the former market at the top of Cross Street

The church of St Peter and St Paul is opposite the pub (The Blue Bell Inn) and surounded by some of the older houses. A church has stood in the village for around a thousand years.

Until 1722, Augustine canons travelled from their priory in Worksop, through the dangerous Sherwood Forest, to serve the community of Gringley at the church. From November that year, the church had its own vicar, who, along with the suceeding vicars, was dependant on tithes from the community and received them at the Butter Cross.

Nave and chancel from bell tower

For those of a squeamish disposition, do not read the text below this photo of a stone coffin outside the church!

The Ghost Creeper in York showed us some Roman stone coffins. Apparently the hole in the bottom was to allow the products of decomposition - liquid and gas - to escape; otherwise the coffin would explode.

Happy dreams folks!