In the Beginning

Ancient Graffiti Shows the Way – A Personal Account

The Layers of History Project run by Heritage Lincolnshire back in 2017 – 2020 has had a lot to answer for. I can honestly say it has changed my life!

It has opened up a whole new world of connection with the place I live and the people who lived here before me.

As someone who is not native to Lincolnshire and this area of South Kesteven, nor in the least bit interested in history, I suppose it comes as a bit of a shock that I could get so fascinated by this thread of life. But fascinated I am.

The expression “all life is here” becomes an understatement when you start to delve back in time. This was not an area of bog dwelling neanderthals that existed in absolute isolation until the real world stepped in in the 20th century, but a wealthy cultural and vibrant area long before the French arrived.

Of all the places that showcase this are our religious institutions, and of those we have many. Fantastic church buildings in what are now small rural villages, and in these buildings is a window into the past. Not necessarily the stained-glass windows, but look amongst the stonework and you will see relics of ages long gone. Windmills, ships, flocks of birds, soldiers, symbols and names of those gone before.

In St James the Great in Aslackby to have some fantastic Graffiti, and back in 2018 we were lucky to have Dr James Wright come over and spend a day in the church. The day was a forerunner to what, at the Aveland History Group we have aimed to do. Get Hands on With History.