Swinstead

The market cross in the centre of Swinstead

The grey stone cottages of Swinstead line the byways between the River Glen and the wooded slopes of Grimsthorpe Park, five miles west of Bourne. The village was known as Suinham in the Domesday Book of 1086 but by 1150 this had changed to Swinsteda, from the Old English meaning "the homestead where swine or pigs are reared".

An old stone market cross on high steps stands in the middle of the village and although the date is unknown, it bears a resemblance to one that can be found in the market place at nearby Corby Glen that was erected in the reign of Edward III (1312-1377), although Swinstead's is less elaborate. This was the focal point of the village in times past, where visiting monks and priests preached the word of God, where the annual fairs were held and where proclamations of important local and national events were made. It was also the spot where villagers gathered to meet and to talk and discuss the momentous events that affected their lives because they realised, as we do today, that there is a security in being with your neighbours in times if crisis and an unspoken fellowship when there is cause for celebration. 

The Ereseby family, whose descendants still live at Grimsthorpe Castle, have stamped their mark on the community since they took possession of the house when it was granted to them by Henry VIII in 1516.Many cottages in the village bear evidence of their ownership with stone plaques built into the front showing the letter A surmounted by a crown. Their patronage is particularly evident in the elaborate memorials that can be found in St Mary's Church, one of the best maintained churches in the Bourne area where so many others are struggling against rising costs and flagging congregations. It has its own private car park near the main gate while the church itself is clean and tidy and a joy to visit and, as an added bonus, it is usually open during the day. Those who run its affairs have decreed that no plastic flowers are allowed in the churchyard but not all modern practices are shunned because we are also informed that the parochial church council can be contacted on the Internet. 

St Mary's Church is memorable for the hideous gargoyles looking out from its low 600-year-old tower while neatly clipped yew trees adorn the churchyard. The north arcade of three bays dates from 1200 and under the tower is a 700-year-old stone figure of a cross-legged knight while in the chancel is a large marble monument from 1809 to the fifth and last Duke of Ancaster, depicted kneeling by the tomb of his two wives. The small single manual organ in the church dates back to the early 19th century and is in perfect condition. The maker's plate on the front announces that it was built by Henry Bryceson and Son, Organ Builders Est 1796, Brook Street, Euston Road, London NW. 

Another instrument of interest is the church clock, installed in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee at a cost of £79 13s. 5d and a framed list of those who contributed hangs nearby. More than a century later, sufficient money was raised to refurbish the timepiece and add an electrical movement to replace the winding mechanism that had tired out so many members of the parochial church council in years past. The work was carried out by the Scunthorpe horologist John Abbott at a cost of £5,500 to mark Queen Elizabeth's golden jubilee and was dedicated at a special ceremony on 28th July 2002 conducted by the vicar, the Rev Andrew Hawes. As in the previous ceremony more than a century ago, a plaque has been mounted on the wall giving the names of those who contributed towards the cost.

Among the family memorials is a gothic monument on the wall of the chancel by J Forsyth in 1883 in memory of one of the distinguished female members and erected according to the directions contained in the will of Elizabeth, Countess of Clare, in loving memory of her mother. It is an ornate affair made of stone with elaborate canopies and small white marble statuettes on short red marble shafts and her coloured coat of arms in the centre. The inscription reads: "Here lies the mortal remains of Priscilla Barbara Elizabeth Bertie, Baroness Willoughby de Eresby, in her own right, and joint hereditary Great Chamberlain of England. Elder daughter of Peregrine, 3rd Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven, sister and senior co-heir of Robert 4th Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven. Born 16th February 1761. Married 23rd February 1779 to Peter Burrell Esquire, afterwards 1st Lord Gwydir. Died 29th December 1828."

SWINSTEAD IN PAST TIMES
A postcard view of Hall Street taken circa 1910.
A view of the village cross at Swinstead taken from a picture postcard which was posted in 1910. Villagers are making the most of the occasion by posing for the photographer while having a chat.
The Harrison family were bakers in the village for three generations, from circa 1871 onwards, and these pictures date from 1930. Proud owner of the van (above) is John (Jack) Harrison, born 1894. The bakery later became the village shop and then a private house. Behind the low front wall of the house is the remains of a millstone. The handcart picture (below) shows the old blacksmith's shop in the background.