Scotter Heritage Trail booklet - V2

Revised version May 2019

Introduction Scotter, standing almost half way between Scunthorpe and Gainsborough, is a village with a long history. One of the earliest forms of the name was Scotere; it has been suggested this name bears traces of both Celtic and Anglo- Saxon origin. Dr. T.B.F. Eminson, a local historian and the village doctor for over 50 years, believed the name described a settlement on the south side of the river with good landing facilities. He gave the meaning as ‘the mooring haven at the waters of the river roadstead’. It was also thought to have some connection with a payment of tax for land and another interpretation gives the meaning as ‘Tree of the Scots’. This Heritage Trail highlights some of the most interesting and historic features of the village. These include a picturesque riverside area with an abundance of wildlife and native fauna and flora. A historic 11th century church ,situated in a peaceful location overlooking the village. A pleasant village green encompasses an impressive war memorial honouring the villagers who served in both world wars. It is kindly suggested you start the trail at St Peter’s Church, shown as number 1 on the map. (there is a small car park outside the church). However, if you wish you can commence the trail at any preferred point. It is acknowledged that some information in the guide has been taken from the book ‘Scotter – Our Village’,written by Olive and Kay Edgar.

St Peter’s Church The church is situated towards the southern endof the village and stands in a commanding position overlooking the River Eau (pronounced ‘E’). In the parish register of 1665 there is reference to the church being dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. It was built in the 11th Century and part of the church appears to be pre-Norman. There is a guide to the interior of the church if you wish to go inside. Taking the main church entrance/exit pathway (south side) and walking down to the end of Church Lane you will see on the left hand corner… 1

The Eau Community Centre This used to be our National School and was built in 1834 at a cost of £346. Children from Scotter and the local area attended until it was replaced in 1930 by the existing school situated up the hill. The premises now house our Library and are also used by various groups for their activities. Look to the right and you will see towards the centre of the village. As you walk down High Street, look to the left and take a moment to view the co-op car park….. 2

The Dovecote Scotter ‘s dovecote* ,or pigeoncote was constructed in the eighteenth century and is a grade 2 listed building.it belonged to the nearby Soulby Farm, that has now been demolished *The dovecote is referred to as a pigeoncote under WLDC Listed buildings. Young pigeons, known as squabs, were prized as a source of very tender meat, and the dung produced by the pigeons was also of value. Pigeoncotes were popular up until the early nineteenth century, when it was realised that the cost of damage done by the birds to the crops and buildings was much more than the value gained from the meat. Continue on your journey and you will see The Sun and Anchor on your left... 3

Sun And Anchor This view is from 1917 (during the Great War). It is one of only two pubs in the country with this name and dates from the visit of King John in 1216. On his travels through Lincolnshire he stayed in the manor house and his retinue lodged at the inn of the time. The story goes that the innkeeper of the time was so honoured by this visit that he altered his sign to the quartering on the shield of the officer in charge which bore a sun and an anchor. Continue a little further down the road and you will arrive at… 4

The Methodist Chapel Scotter had three chapels in the village. John Wesley came to preach here in 1764 - one of several visits to the village, it was certainly eventful. The first “Wesleyan” Methodist Chapel was built in 1815.It was replaced in 1900 by the present Methodist Chapel directly opposite the original building. It is still used regularly for worship. The old building became a grocery store and was eventually owned by the Sanderson family who carried on the business for sixty more years. It is now Rituals Hairdressing and Beauty salon. The road at the corner of the chapel is Hobb Lane and on the opposite side of the road you will see……. 5

Manchester House In the 1800s John Davey built these premises. The name Manchester House was given to many drapery houses at the time because of that city’s importance in the cotton trade. In 1880 he sold it to John Butler and his family who, amongst other things, were potato merchants. At the turn of the 20th Century the family introduced a new variety of potato into the country from North America. Since there had been a change of monarch on the throne they called it the ‘King Edward’. The main road from Gainsborough to Scunthorpe used to turn left at the Chapel until houses were demolished in the 1970s which allowed the A159 to pass straight through the village. The name Hob Lane was mentioned in a leaflet in 1939 by T.B.F. Eminson The old name was re-instated as Hobb Lane in the 1960’s. Walk down here... 6

The Primitive Methodist Chapel The Primitive Chapel was one of the several Methodist places of worship in the village and was in use until 1960. An interesting feature of the building are the 2 minister’s house’s one on either side of the chapel. If you stand on the grass area and look towards the building you will obtain a better view and appreciation of the structure of the building. Another chapel was situated further down the High Street.(previously known as West Street)It was closed in 1948,and later a garden centre was established on the site. A development of new housing now occupies that area named Chapel Court. Crossing the main road (Gainsborough Road) turn right towards the central village crossroads and you will see on your left hand side… 7

The Gamekeeper The building used to be known as “Providence Works”. owned by a firm of Joiners, Wheelwrights and Undertakers –the small building at the end of being used for the undertaking side of the business. Looking across the road with your back to the Gamekeeper there once stood…. 8

The Old House Up to 1900 this thatched cottage was a grocer and ironmonger shop. It was then bought by Charles Lidgett ,who replaced it with the present building and used it for his bakery. Before being used as a shop this was the home of Cornelius Oxley, where John Wesley on one of his visits dined on Beef and potato pie. At the turn of the 20th Century a huge Methodist rally was held; this picture looks back into the village. Crossing the road and walking 9 along the main road towards the bridge, you are now following the path that was once called…

Eau Lane The road from the centre of the village to the river has had many names over the years. In 1880 it was known as Bridge Street and later became Messingham Lane. The 1911 census uses Eau Lane and now it is part of Messingham Road. Walk down here to A159 Bridge… 10

The A159 bridge Situated on the left side of the road just before you reach the bridge was the site of the old Pinfold where straying animals were impounded. The previous bridge was replaced in 1935 by the present structure. Walking across the bridge take a moment to admire the view and turn right walking along… 11



Scotter

The Riverside Showing how the area looked in the early 1900s with a farm on the south side of the river (which is no longer there). Scotter growers were pioneers in sending washed carrots to market in towns and cities across the country, and the gates in the foreground led to a hut where carrots fresh from the fields were washed. In the 1940’s there were 5 mechanical carrot washers in the village. The Riverside offers a pleasant spot for a brief rest. The trees on the opposite side were planted to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. Continue your journey along the riverbank. When you reach the small bridge (Eau bridge) look to your left, across the road and on the corner you will see… 12

Manor Farm House The picture was taken circa 1910. A few steps up Kirton Road takes you to the side of the building where there is an unusual inscription high up on the apex of the back wall ‘Anno Mundi 5710’. This ‘Year of the World’ is based on the Jewish belief that 4004 years elapsed between the Creation and the birth of Christ. So this house was built in 1706 and is probably the oldest in the village. It used to be called Eau House. Here you could choose to walk down Clay Lane and follow the public footpath in a loop back round to this point. For an optional extension to the walk, cross the Eau Bridge to...| 13

The White Swan The picture was taken during the First World War. Since the 1800s the White Swan has been part of the village but gone are the days when it greeted travellers who came to its stables on horseback or arrived on bicycles. Looking across from the White Swan, behind the stone wall there is… 14

The Manor Standing in large gardens the house was built in the 1770’s. It was the residence of successive wealthy Scotter families and only in recent years has it become a care home. King John stayed in The Manor House of that time on his visit to Scotter in 1216, according to written descriptions and evidence of an earlier building, the Manor House would certainly have been on the site of the present Manor –now a Care Home. His entourage probably stayed at the inn which stood on the site of present “Sun and Anchor “ close by. You have now reached the heart of the village -the Village Green... 15

The Green In 1190 Richard I granted the right to hold a weekly market and annual fairs; the fair took place until 1988. The Memorial was erected in 1921 to remember the men who served in the Great War and those who died in the conflict. Looking to your left you will see across the road the old post office. Follow the path between it and the Manor House, towards the church yard, and you will find yourself back at the beginning of the trail. The following is an optional part of the walk and is a little more strenuous. Taking the same exit as the beginning of the trail, leave the churchyard and follow Church Lane arriving at the Eau Community Centre, ready to turn left... 16

The Old School House It was built for the school master in 1846 Next door to the old village school now the Eau community Centre. Follow up the hill and after a short walk you will reach... 17

Scotter Primary School The new School opened in 1932. Standing in spacious grounds with 5 classrooms, a domestic science room and a woodwork room it provided a wider educational opportunity for children from Scotter and the surrounding area. Over the years extensions have been added and there are over 200 children attending the school. After the school turn left... 18

Scotter Village Hall Villagers raised the funds to construct this impressive building which is used every day for many sports and recreation activities. It was opened in 1985 by the Duchess of Gloucester. Walk past the playground down the left hand side of the playing field and turn left after the Multi Use Games Area into... 19

Parson’s Field Owned by the Church this wild area is sited along the banks of the River Eau. It is maintained as a natural conservation area and there is an abundance of wild flowers, grasses and some fine old trees. The more adventurous may like to follow the various paths leading from the bottom of the field. Each path takes you back to the church and thus to the beginning of the trail... 20

Scotter History In the latter part of the 1800’s Scotter suffered from frequent epidemics of pneumonia and similar diseases. 1890 was a particular bad year .Two of the victims were the Village doctor Dr. Robert Eminson and his son Robert Astley Cooper Eminson who was a farmer at Scotter Wood. Dr. Thomas Benjamin Franklin Eminson (another son) followed his father as the village doctor. His patients knew him as ‘Doctor Tommy’ and he served the community for over 50 years. Doctor Tommy was interested in local history and became a published author. He wrote several pamphlets and gave them to friends at Christmas –time and they were on aspects of village history or history of the area. Several pamphlets survive from 1929 to 1938 and are to be found in the Scotter Library and on the Scotter village website www.scottervillage.co.uk Scotter’s War Memorial Scotter memorial is an obelisk of Portland Stone situated in the middle of The Green in the centre of the village. It was unveiled in 1921 to commemorate the thirteen men who died and the eighty who served in and survived the great war. Sadly eight more names had to be added for the men who lost their lives in World War II. Extensive researches has been carried out and detailed information for the above can be found 21on Scotter Parish Council’s website.

Where to eat in Scotter The White Swan 01724 763061 [email protected] www. whiteswanscotter.com The Gamekeeper 01724 762035 www.gamekeeperscotter.co.uk Sun & Anchor 01724 763444 We also have many take-aways in Scotter including - Chinese/ Indian/ fish and chips,and sandwich shop

Where to stay in Scotter The White Swan 01724 763061 [email protected] www.whiteswanscotter.com The Ivy Lodge Bed & Breakfast 01724 763723 www.ivylodgehotel.co.uk

produced by nettl of Scunthorpe: 01724 282 971