Chapel Saint Leonards 04-02-2024

Although in marked contrast to the temperature’s Tim was enjoying last week, it would in the end be a very mild day with temperatures up to 12 Degrees Celsius. Windy however with gusts of around 35 mph forecast for the afternoon. Never the less, a number of club members had decided to take part in the excursion to Chapel Saint Leonards along a route Paul have devised year or two ago. Meeting up with Tim Newbery at Louth’s Leisure Centre were Sven Livesey, Paul Linder and John Rickett. Chris Owen and Alan Hockham had arranged to join the ride between Little Cawthorpe and Beleau Bridge. ETA back into Louth about 3.30 pm.

 

Skies were bright and there were even a few beams of sunshine squeezing their way through gaps in the cloud and good progress was made as we passed by Maltby Wood, Haugham Wood and Burwell Wood, delineating the boundary of the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

 

A brisk backwind aided our efforts to Ailby before winds turned more abeam towards Alford where we’d bid farewell to Chris. We hoped he’d find some refreshments nearby. For the remaining team, less than 10 miles to brunch at the Garden Centre which we looked forward to.

Early records of Chapel Saint Leonards date back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded the village as "Leovarden". At that time, it was a small hamlet with a population of just 10 people. In its early days it shared the parish with Mumby Chapel whose church was dedicated to the Frankish Saint Leonard.

 

Mumby Chapel no longer exists as it was swept into the sea in violent storms in 1570. Holinshed related in his contemporary Chronicles: "This year [1570] the fifth of October chanced a terrible wind and rain both by sea and land ... Mumbie chappell, the whole town was lost, except three houses".

 

Following refreshment at the Garden Centre, the return would require much more effort into the increasingly blustery conditions. Straightforward enough along the A52 all the way to Munby where Alan would turn for home. Tim had requested a short break at Woody’s Bar and Restaurant at Woodthorpe and thanks go to Paul for gifting hot drinks. A pleasant chat over tea and coffee.

With the skies now threating a little rain, we were cheered by the sight of abundant snowdrops in the copses of trees surrounding Claythorpe Water Mill.

 

Paul's turn to head for home at Burwell Park with Tim, Sven and John returning to the Leisure Centre at 3.25 pm having covered 45 miles. Many thanks to all for the company.