Hagworthingham 25-09-22

Cycling UK Louth Ride to Hagworthingham

Sunday 25th September 2022

Today’s Ride Leader Paul Linder had devised a splendid, if ‘undulating’ ride to Hagworthingham to take refreshments at JJ’s Café. The weather forecast was for a dry day with some sunshine and an increasingly brisk wind.

Apologies had been sent by Chris Owen but meeting up with Paul at Louth’s Leisure Centre were Rob Cook, John Ambler, John Rickett, Reg Bagshaw, Tim Newbery and Keith Roberts. Alan Hockham had arranged to meet up with us at Hagworthingham.

Departing on schedule at 9.30 am, Paul led us through the roadworks in Louth and eventually along the quiet lanes through Little Cawthorpe and the attractive woodlands of Maltby and Haugham. A club favourite since the 1980’s.

A steady climb now out of Skirbeck valley, passing Woody’s Top just beyond Oslear’s Lane. A former YHA, Keith added that his father was a voluntary warden here. The descent of Ruckland Lane to the Carrs is always a thrill and a test of brakes, followed by another big push on the pedals to ascend to the top of Tetford Hill and the Bluestone Heath Road. Today’s highest altitude of about 145 m. Time for a breather and a farewell to Reg who would depart for home. He’d done well with all the climbing so far.

Once more a swift descent to the River Lymn in Tetford before heading to Somersby, the birthplace of Alfred Lord Tennyson. Tennyson was born, and spent the first 28 years of his life here in Somersby. His father George Clayton Tennyson was rector of St. Margaret’s, Somersby and of its namesake in the neighbouring village of Bag Enderby. The Poet Laureate, inspired by the idyllic landscape, composed poetry as he went on his daily walks. We were reminded of Tennyson’s poem ‘Maud’ which was set to music. This work (“Come into the garden Maud”) is however far from cheerful and is based on Tennyson’s thwarted relationship with wealthy Rosa Baring, from Harrington Hall.

Enjoying quintessential English countryside, we passed through Bag Enderby. The sort of place that J R R Tolkien would have felt at home in – Bilbo and Frodo Baggins did of course set up home in “Bag End” but that one is in Worcestershire.

Lincolnshire’s Bag Enderby derives its name from 'Eindrithi', Old Scandinavian person’s name. 'Bag' because of the shape of the parish and to distinguish it from Wood Enderby and Mavis Enderby.

The church was built in 1407 from money bequeathed by the Enderby family.

Following the River Lymn we would continue our journey past Fairy Wood to the famed Harrington Hall and onto Stockwith Mill Bridge. Stockwith Mill was once a favoured café stop for the club but it’s now a wedding venue.

Not far from here to Hagworthingham and we were greeted warmly by Alan Hockham who had also ‘enjoyed’ a hilly ride across from home. Hot drinks, a mix of bacon and sausage buns and a variety of cakes were very welcome.

Our return route would take us back past Stockwith Mill before climbing Ketland Hill and Harrington Hill. We still had Brinkhill (‘brink’ Old Danish for ‘on the edge of’) and Red Hill to follow. Did someone mention hills! Were hills in the brief?

In Brinkhill there’s a cottage with an interesting sundial above the front door, fortuitous as the sun was increasingly breaking through the cloud. Brinkhill itself is an ancient settlement and the raised earthworks forming the remains of a Roman salt road linking Skegness to Lincoln can still be seen.

Arriving in South Ormsby, Alan would now head for home whilst the remaining 6 riders would follow Paul’s route to Swaby, Muckton with its fine wild cyclamen and Little Cawthorpe. With the sunshine continuing to warm our backs (temperatures had been lifted to 15 degrees Celsius) and with winds lighter than forecast it was a pleasant ride back to Louth.

Cycling distance, a little over 50 km with in excess of 500 m of climbing. Many thanks to Paul for leading and devising the route and to all for the great turnout.