Committee Meeting Ride 05-08-2023

Cycling UK East Midlands Region Ride to Claythorpe Watermill

Saturday 5th August 2023:

Following the Cycling UK East Midlands Region Committee Meeting, on this occasion being hosted by Tim Newbery in Louth, a short ride had been arranged to take refreshment at Claythorpe Watermill.

It would be equally fit for an outing today as it would form part of the Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) Birthday Rides, celebrating the organisations 145th Anniversary. CTC was formed by a small group of cycle touring enthusiasts in Harrogate on the Bank Holiday falling on Monday 5th August 1878.

Not so promising was the weather forecast as ‘Storm Antoni’ was set to cross the country bringing strong winds and persistent rain. In the end, most of the rain had cleared by 2 pm leaving behind a legacy of occasional slight rain and drizzle. So it was that Tim Newbery and Ian Prince departed about 2.30 pm for the 20 ish mile ride. Tim riding a vintage Mercian and Ian a well-travelled and loved Brompton, which he had ridden in the World Championships.

Our route would take us to Little Cawthorpe and up onto the ‘Top Road’ and thence to Muckton. Yes, the roads were indeed mucky from the rains but the name actually derives from the Old English persons name ‘Muca’ and Old English ‘tūn’ = Muca’s settlement. Onwards past woodlands that were once heronries and to our highest point of the ride at about 50 m AMSL. Views, somewhat obscured by the drizzle, of the middle marsh and Great Eau Valley.

Not far past the old railway station and associated buildings at Aby to Claythorpe Watermill where we were the only visitors, perhaps the only visitors of the day. Fine cups of coffee were enjoyed whilst looking around this Grade II listed former grain mill. Once known as Empire Mills, the original building dates to 1720 but was largely rebuilt in the early 19th Century and the top storey in 1890 after a fire. The mill last ran in the late 1970s but you can still see the remaining millworks.

The adjacent bakery is sadly in urgent need of repair. According to Ian, with his connections with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, the bakery falls into a category of a building at risk and maybe eligible for grant assistance. A bakery forms part of the historical context story about the mills reason for the bakery being there. Transport in those days was a significant time and cost especially for perishables. 

Our return journey had been planned to use a section of green lane and bridleway to Toot Hill with an opportunity to view the remains of a motte and bailey castle but conditions may have been a little slippery. The land at Tothill was part of the land of Greetham which belonged to the Norman earls of Chester. The site dates to the 11th or 12th century, probably representing a fortification dating to King Stephen's reign.

However, after just a few miles we wouldn’t miss out as we would pass by Castle Carlton which boasts its own motte and bailey castle, also founded in the 11th or 12th Century. It is thought to have been built as a response to the turmoil of King Stephen's reign by Ralph de la Haye, an active supporter of Stephen. A land of castles and rich history.

Our final leg would take us through Legbourne Furze and Stewton and we’d eventually return to Louth by about 5 pm having covered 22 miles.