NK Heritage Network

On 27th March 2007, a meeting was held at Metheringham Airfield with archaeology, history and heritage groups from all over North Kesteven to discuss forming a NK Heritage Network. This was organised by Suzanne Saunter, Community Development Officer (RACol) of the Healthy Communities, Economic Regeneration Department of the Development Directorate of Lincolnshire County Council (Lincs C.C.). She was supported by Sarah Grundy, Historic Environment Officer, of Lincs C.C.) and Alisdair Aldous of ArtsNK. There was a good turnout with about fifty people there, in groups from Norton Disney to Washingborough. Sleaford Museum Trust was represented by the Chairman.

Suzanne opened the meeting, giving the background of the idea, then David Start, Director of Heritage Lincolnshire (who gave a talk at SMT's AGM in 2005) spoke about the value of community heritage and the great contribution that local groups and societies can make to our knowledge about local heritage. Then there were presentations from Navenby Archaeology Group and Branston History Group, after which there was general discussion in two large groups. The consensus at the end was that the NK Heritage Network should be formed with regular meetings every three months.

On 19th June the second meeting was at Heritage Lincolnshire in Heckington. About fifteen people attended the meeting. The first speaker was Sue Chambers, who is a funding advisor at North Kesteven District Council (NKDC) and she talked about applying for Heritage Lottery Fund funding. Then Sarah Grundy spoke about what we have in the Lincolnshire Historic Environment Record. There was a demonstration of the Washingborough Archaeology Group (WAG) internet forum.

The third meeting was not held until 30th October and was at the Thomas Garrett Heritage Rooms in Heighington with about fifteen people present. By then, Suzanne Saunter had left Lincs.C.C. and Alisdair Aldous had also gone. Sarah Grundy has taken over organising NK Heritage Network and she chaired the Heighington meeting.

The first speaker was Dennis Mills who spoke of his considerable experience researching the history and archaeology of North Kesteven. He provided a detailed parish history template with extensive sources. Of interest to SMT in his references is the fact that the Society for Lincolnshire History & Archaeology (SLHA) are building up a catalogue of all Lincolnshire oral history tapes. He also mentioned the NKDC collection of archive photos and aerial photos and oral history tapes. Next came Victoria Blyth from Bishop Grosseteste University College (BGUC) with a Powerpoint presentation on what the proposed BGUC Heritage Consortium can offer to heritage groups in Lincolnshire.

She asked first "Why have a heritage consortium?" This would pool and share knowledge, create a bank for publication/research/interest, provide a resource for the community, provide educational and social events for the community and enable partnerships between students and local groups. "How will the consortium operate?" It will have a constitution and a committee, there will be a series of lectures throughout the year chosen by the committee, there will be a number of workshops by BGUC, plus social events and trips out. BGUC will fund lectures for the first year so they will be free the first year. The committee will budget for speakers and trips for the coming year and then give an idea of the cost, thought to be just over £12 per person. BGUC will subsidise some of the costs, such as providing rooms.

In November, a meeting at BGUC of interested parties elected an interim committee. At this November meeting, it was wondered whether the Consortium would absorb the NK Heritage Network. Washingborough Archaeology Group might find their online noticeboard needs realised by the Consortium. It was agreed there is a need to watch overlaps between heritage organisations. Lincolnshire Heritage Forum is a separate organisation and managed by Lincs C.C. After the meeting, the Chairman of SMT had a useful conversation with Catherine Wilson, President of SLHA and Craig Spence, resident archaeologist of Bishop Grossteste, about SMT, the Bass Maltings and other Sleaford topics.

The final speaker at the Heighington meeting was Adam Daubney, the Lincolnshire Finds Liaison Officer for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, who gave a colourful and fascinating talk, backed up with a large box of Neolithic axes, Roman coins, Anglo-Saxon brooches and other antiquities which were passed around with great interest.

The next meeting of NK Heritage Network is on Thursday 28 February at 7 pm, again at the Thomas Garrett Heritage Rooms in Heighington. The agenda is: Brenda Webster on the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology oral histories project: Civilians at War; Adrian Wilkinson with an Introduction to the Lincolnshire Archives; refreshment break; Peter and Sheila Gill on "'Mrs Smith's From Cottage to Museum,' an illustrated talk with slides and a Blue Peter Demonstration and how we went about obtaining grants". I heard the last talk before at Sleaford and District Civic Trust and can recommend it. For information on the NK Heritage Network contact Sarah Grundy, Historic Environment Officer at Lincolnshire County Council and at sarah.grundy@lincolnshire.gov.uk