Farlesthorpe and the coast 18-02-2024
Cycling UK Louth Sunday ride to Farlesthorpe and the coast - 18th February 2024
Today we’d try out a route that Alan Hockham had devised with a refreshment break at the Burgh Angling Society and Community Nature Reserve at Farlesthorpe, before a ride along the coast to Mablethorpe.
Heavy and persistent overnight rain had continued well into the morning but by 10 am precipitation had just about stopped in Louth.
Tim Newbery and John Rickett would make their way through Little Cawthorpe and along the Top Road, a murmuration of starlings creating a very pleasant distraction in the rather overcast conditions and partially flooded roads. At least it was mild and with a back wind very good progress was made to Alford where we met up with Paul Linder and Steve Croton. 11.00 am and ahead of schedule.
A few miles further to Farlesthorpe and a first for the club, a stop at the Burgh Angling Society and Community Nature Reserve following a recommendation by Alan.
The Burgh Angling Society was formed in 1953 fishing at the former brick pits, post glacial boulder clay providing the raw material for a once thriving industry. The name of the Burgh Angling Society was chosen because some of the members played dominoes in Burg-le-Marsh and an Alford Angling Club already existed.
The site has undergone considerable change in the last decade or two and with advice from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust the clay pits have been restored and a unique nature reserve created. Whilst sitting enjoying hot drinks and snacks we sighted Robin, Chaffinch, Great Tit and a number of Mallard. Perfect for a longer stay on a warm sunny day.
Adjacent to the clay pits is a disused brick kiln, circa 1855. Although related to the common ‘Scotch’ kiln which has an open roof, this has a vaulted ceiling and is one of only a handful of ‘East Lincolnshire’ kilns known to still exist intact; the others being at Sutton-on-Sea, Stixwould and Baumber.
The clay would initially be dug in the winter months and left to be tempered by weather and frost. In the spring the clay would be passed through a pug to form a malleable clay before being moulded by hand in wooden formers. Firing wouldn’t take place until the summer when the kiln would be loaded with 30,000 bricks at a time. Chalk was mixed with the clay and the bricks when fired were of a characteristic yellowish colour and can be seen in many of the buildings in Farlesthorpe and neighbouring villages.
Interestingly, the Livesey family had interests in the brickworks here and owned land and manors. We wondered if Sven is related to this noble and ancient family as he might have been able to have given us a guided tour of the estates!
Following Lincolnshire County Council’s Cycle Route C7 to Huttoft and the coast, we opted to divert along Huttoft Bank to Mablethorpe as the promenade route was unsuitable for road bikes due to the build-up of loose … and wet … sand. Perhaps one for the summer with a visit to The Vista at the Boat Shed.
Great to have seen Karen Hockham at Sutton-on-Sea although only enough time for a quick “hello”. John would also note seeing the roads named after famed test pilot Alex Henshaw MBE.
Born in Peterborough he was educated in Lincoln and with help from his father (who thought it safer for his son to be in an aircraft rather than a motorcylce) he learned to fly at the Skegness and East Lincolnshire Aero Club.
He went on to an illustrious career becoming chief test pilot for Spitfires and Lancasters. He achieved the remarkable feat of barrel-rolling the four-engine heavy bomber! Post war he had the job of re-construction along six miles of the Lincolnshire coast including Sandilands with a residential estate bearing his name and all the roads named after the various aircraft he flew.
Plenty of options for lunch at Mablethorpe but in the end we chose to dine at Gerado’s, having enjoyed their fayre quite recently. At long last, having had an unexpectedly wet journey through Huttoft, the cloud was breaking up and rays of sunshine flooded through the windows lifting our spirits. Time then to depart for the last leg back to Louth.
The journey along Stain Lane was quite a push into an increasingly brisk headwind but after bidding farewell to Paul and Steve at Withern, Tim and John arrived back at the Leisure centre at about a quarter past three. 48 miles for the Louth contingent. Many thanks to all for a fine day out.