All Souls' Day 02-11-2022

2nd November 2022 - All Souls’ Day (the third and final day of Hallowtide).

It is thought to date back to at least the 10th Century as a commemoration of the faithful departed. During ecclesiastical processions, ‘Soul Cakes’ would be given to the poor in exchange for their prayers. Banned in the 16th Century, ‘Soulers’ (children and the poor), started the custom of going from door to door to say prayers and sing psalms and songs in exchange for a soul cake, the origin of trick or treating.

On this auspicious day, Cycling UK Louth would opt for a ride to Tetney. Perhaps a soul cake at Manning’s Café? Apologies had been sent from Reg Bagshaw and Alan Hockham which left Tim Newbery, Rob Cook and Paul Linder to head out to Tetney Golf Club, with the aim of returning about 1.30 pm before the onset of rain and gale force winds.

Skies were bright and a brisk southerly wind aided our journey to Manning’s Café. No soul cakes on the menu but we enjoyed fine barista coffee and vegetarian sausage buns.

With the weather being so agreeable, Rob suggested a route back to Louth via the Lincolnshire Wolds, the premise being that the hills would afford us some shelter. Having sold the idea to Tim and Paul, we would route to North Thoresby and Beesby (Doomsday “Baesbi”) with views of our first Medieval Deserted Village of the day.

The ’Valley’ was indeed sheltered and it wouldn’t be long before we were descending to the ‘Dales’ via North Elkington, our second Deserted Medieval Village. Distinctive cries from Buzzard heard overhead.

A final leg through Little Grimsby and Brackenborough with fine views of the distinctive earthworks of our third and final Deserted Medieval Village! (one of the best surviving in Lincolnshire).

Arrived back in Louth on schedule at 1.30 pm having covered 34 miles. Winds by now gusting in excess of 30 mph.

SOUL CAKE CAROL

A soul-cake! A soul-cake!

Please good Missis, a soul cake!

An apple, a pear, a plum or a cherry,

Any good thing to make us all merry.

One for Peter, two for Paul,

Three for Him who made us all.