Navenby

Navenby
Navenby village from the Viking Way
Population	1,666
OS grid reference	SK987580
District	North Kesteven
Shire county	Lincolnshire
Region	East Midlands
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LINCOLN
Postcode district	LN5
Dialling code	01522
Police	Lincolnshire
Fire	Lincolnshire
Ambulance	East Midlands
UK Parliament	Sleaford and North Hykeham

Navenby (Template:PronEng) is a village and civil parish in Lincolnshire, England. Lying 8.7 miles (14 km) south of Lincoln and 8.9 miles (14 km) north-northwest of Sleaford, Navenby has a population of 1,666 and consists of 861 households. It forms part of the North Kesteven local government district.

Navenby, which has Bronze Age, Roman and Medieval heritage, was made a market town with charters from Edward the Confessor, William Rufus and Richard II of England. When the market fell into disuse in the early 19th century, it returned to village status. A Bronze Age cemetery has been found at Navenby, as well as remnants of an Iron Age settlement. Evidence also suggests that Navenby was a significant staging point along the old Roman Ermine Street. The Romans are reported to have had a small base or garrison in the village.

The rural parish of Navenby straddles Ermine Street, known locally as High Dyke. This runs between the neighbouring villages of Boothby Graffoe and Wellingore and covers more than 2,100 acres (8.5 km²). The Viking Way, a 147 mile (237 km) footpath between the Humber Bridge in North Lincolnshire and Oakham in Rutland, also cuts through the village. The Vikings exerted great influence over Lincolnshire from the 9th century, as can be seen in the many local place names ending in "-by," such as Navenby. Names ending with "-by" meant homestead or village.

History

Main article: History of Lincolnshire

Early history

Ermine Street in Navenby today

All that now remains of Navenby's market cross

Archaeological investigations around Navenby indicate the area has been occupied since at least the Bronze Age, approximately 600 BC. The remains of Iron Age farms have also been found, at Chapel Lane. These finds are deemed so historically important that the site is now protected as a Public Open Space by the district and parish councils, supported by Navenby Archaeology Group.

Significant Roman finds include parts of shops and houses. These properties would have fronted onto Ermine Street, where Roman armies marched to and from the Legionary Fortress at Lincoln. The city of Lincoln was very important at this time, as it was likely the capital of the late Roman Province of Flavia Caesariensis. Evidence suggests that Navenby was a significant staging point along Ermine Street, and the Romans are reported to have had a small base or garrison in the village. A possible Romano-British Temple and some burial sites have been unearthed in the village in recent years.

Cremations dating to the middle Saxon period have been discovered too, near the junction of High Dyke with Chapel Lane. Late Saxon remains were also found under and around St Peter’s Church, indicating the original Roman village had moved from Ermine Street to Church Lane and North Lane by the late Saxon period.

The Saxon name for Navenby has not survived, but the current name is derived from the Old Scandanavian word "Nafni+by", which means "farmstead or village of a man called Nafni". The Vikings exerted great influence over Lincolnshire from the 9th century, as can be seen in the many local place names ending in "-by". In the Domesday Book of 1086, Navenby's name is similar to today's and appears as Navenbi and Navenebi. A lasting reminder of the Vikings presence in Navenby can be found in The Viking Way, a 147 mile (237 km) footpath which cuts through the village.

Middle Ages

Navenby, originally an agricultural village, was made a market town with charters from Edward the Confessor, William Rufus and Richard II of England in the Middle Ages. The wide main street, which now doubles as Navenby High Street, is lasting evidence of its market town status. A market square once stood at the centre, marked by a cross erected in honour of Queen Eleanor. Today the square has gone and the cross is a ruin.

Parish records exist for Navenby from 1681, although Bishop's transcripts go back to 1562. The documents show the village hosted two annual fairs while operating as a market town, one on October 17 for farm animals, and the other a feast on the Thursday before Easter. Another popular event was a Hiring Fair for servants, which was held each May Day. Servants gathered to seek employment and were taken on for a period of one year.

The records also show that care of the poor was taken seriously in Navenby from at least 1772, when part of the parish was enclosed. Such was the significance of Navenby at this time that a workhouse for the parish poor was erected here, although this was later given over to other uses. A Sick Society was also founded in 1811, to provide for the frail and elderly, and a Parish School was built next to St Peter's Church by subscription in 1816. Following the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act, however, Navenby parish became part of the Lincoln Poor Law Union.

19th century

Church Street – now renamed Church Lane – in 1907

The same scene today – with St Peter's in the background

When the market ceased to operate in the early 19th century, Navenby lost its status as a market town and returned to its roots as an agricultural village. This is how it was described in 1839, in the Penny Cyclopaedia by The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge:

Navenby is in the hundred of Boothby Graffoe, parts of Kesteven, on the road from Grantham to Lincoln, 124 miles from London.

The church is partly of Early English and partly of Decorated English architecture. The windows of the chancel are very fine specimens of Decorated character, particularly the east window, the mullions and tracery of which are remarkably graceful.

There were in 1833 two dame schools, with 18 children; two day-schools, with 25 children; and one endowed day and Sunday school, with 109 children in the week and 166 on Sunday.

— Penny Cyclopaedia

Many buildings were erected in Navenby during the 19th century, including a small Wesleyan Methodist chapel in about 1830, which was completely rebuilt in 1840. A Temperance Hall was built in 1852, later used as a second base by the Wesleyan Reformers.

Other notable events included the creation of the Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1844, which consisted of five men and a manual engine. The Provincial Gas Light and Coke Company also started supplying gas lighting to the village from 1857, and a train station was built three-quarters of a mile (1.2 km) west of the village, on the Lincoln to Grantham branch of the Great Northern Railway, in 1867.

By 1871, the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln was the principal landowner and Lord of the Manor of Navenby. But, despite the industrial progression, fear of 'dark forces' persisted. A witch bottle was discovered in the foundations of a Navenby farmhouse in 2005, thought to date back to about 1830. Containing pins, human hair and urine, the bottle was supposed to protect a household against evil spells.

Modern history

File:Navenbymeth.jpg

Navenby Methodist Church

The Navenby Witch Bottle

Navenby was an agricultural village at the dawn of the 20th century, but the outbreak of the First World War brought more change for the community. A small airfield, Wellingore Heath, was opened on land bordering Navenby in 1917, to provide a base for the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service. Many of the officers were based in Navenby and the flat landscape, with its cliff-top situation, proved an ideal situation for flight operations.

T.E.Lawrence, perhaps better known as Lawrence of Arabia, was stationed at nearby RAF Cranwell just after the war, in 1926, where he wrote a revised version of his Seven Pillars Of Wisdom. He mentioned Navenby in a letter to a friend at the time, saying: "I'm too shy to go looking for dirt. That's why I can't go off stewing into the Lincoln or Navenby brothels with the fellows. They think its because I'm superior: proud, or peculiar or 'posh', as they say: and its because I wouldn't know what to do, how to carry myself, where to stop. Fear again: fear everywhere."

Wellingore airfield closed after the war ended, but re-opened in 1935 and expanded to a full airfield during the winter of 1939–40. By now known as RAF Wellingore, notable officers stationed at the site included Group Captain Douglas Bader and Wing Commander Guy Gibson – both regular visitors to Navenby. The base served as a relief landing ground for RAF Cranwell from April 1944 until its final closure in 1945, and it was then used as a camp for Prisoners of War from Germany and the Ukraine. While held in Wellingore, the inmates were often made to work on the farmland around Navenby, growing and harvesting food.

Navenby lost many men during the two World Wars and the village war memorial is situated within the churchyard of St Peter's. The rough hewn stone Celtic Cross is mounted on a plinth with a three-stepped base and cost £200. It was manufactured by Messrs G Maile & Son Ltd and unveiled in April 1921. There are 22 names for the First World War and eight for the Second World War inscribed on it.

Governance

See also: Lincolnshire

A panoramic view across Navenby lowfields and the old station, towards the Trent valley, from the end of Clint Lane

The parish of Navenby was originally in the higher division of the ancient Boothby Graffoe Wapentake, in the North Kesteven division of the county of Lincolnshire. The term Wapentake dates back to the Vikings and was used to describe a collection of local parishes. It originally meant “show your weapon” and the idea behind the term was that all those in favour of a resolution would raise their sword or axe to show agreement.

The History of the County of Lincoln, a book published in 1834 by Thomas Allen states:

Navenby in the 1920s

File:Newnav.jpg

The same scene in 2008

The Wapentake of Boothby Graffoe is bounded on the north by Lawress wapentake; on the east by Lincoln Liberty and Langoe wapentake; on the south by Loveden wapentake; and on the west by Nottinghamshire. It is separated into High and Low Divisions. Through this wapentake a Roman road passes from Lincoln to Brough, a village just without the bounds of the county. The High division of the wapentake of Boothby Graffoe contains the villages of Boothby, Coleby, Harmston, Navenby, Skinnard, Swinethorpe, Welbourn and Wellingore. Navenby is formerly a market town. The living is a rectory, rated at £17 10s. 0d., and is in the patronage of the Master and Fellows of Christ Church College, Cambridge.

— The History of the County of Lincoln

Today Navenby has its own Parish Council, which deals with issues such as play area revamps and the protection of Public Open Spaces. The council is based at High Street, Navenby. The current chairman is Steve Woollas and the vice chairwoman is Margaret Lyon. The second tier of local government provided for Navenby is the Conservative-controlled North Kesteven District Council, which is responsible for housing problems and public health. The council is based at Kesteven Street, Sleaford. Navenby is also represented by two local councillors on the district council. Marianne Jane Overton, an Independent, and Michael David Wylie, a former Independent but now Conservative. They were elected in May 2007.

Conservative-controlled Lincolnshire County Council provides the top tier of local government for Navenby, with responsibility for highways, sites of special interest and schools. It is based at the County Offices in Newland, Lincoln. Navenby has one representative on this council, Marianne Jane Overton, who also represents Branston ward. At Government level, Navenby is represented by the Right Honorable Douglas Hogg QC, the Conservative MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham constituency. He is a former Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and his constituency head office is in Sleaford.

Navenby comes under the East Midlands constituency for the European Parliament and is represented by six politicians, including former Conservative turned Liberal Democrat Bill Newton Dunn. Newton Dunn lives in Navenby and his European responsibilities include Vice-Chairman of Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy Committee. In the 1980s, Newton Dunn coined the much-used phrase "Democratic deficit" in a pamphlet in the 1980s.

Geography

See also: Geography of Lincolnshire

The 'Ridge' – known as Lincoln Cliff

Topography

The rural parish of Navenby straddles the old Roman Ermine Street, known locally as High Dyke. This runs between the neighbouring villages of Boothby Graffoe and Wellingore and covers more than 2,100 acres (8.5 km²). The Viking Way, a 147 mile (237 km) footpath between the Humber Bridge in North Lincolnshire and Oakham in Rutland, also cuts through the village.

Navenby is located at 53°11′31″N 2°26′35″W and known as a Lincolnshire Cliff Village, as it is situated on a ridge of Jurassic limestone called the Lincoln Edge or Lincoln Cliff. The small cliff is one of only a few hills in Lincolnshire. Lying 8.7 miles (14 km) south of Lincoln and 8.9 miles (14.3 km) north-northwest of Sleaford, Navenby enjoys warm summers and dry frosty winters.

During the Ice Age, most of the region surrounding Navenby was covered by ice sheets and this has influenced the topography and nature of the soils. Much of Lincolnshire is low-lying, in some places below sea level, but Navenby's cliff-top position means it is 226 ft (69 m) above sea level, giving it commanding views over the River Witham valley.

The parish of Navenby is elongated in an east-west direction, extending east to the Lincoln Heath and west to the River Brant. The size of the parish has varied over the last two centuries. In 1821 it covered 2,110 acres (8.5 km²); in 1951 it was 3,345 acres (13.54 km²).

Climate

According to the Köppen classification, the British Isles experience a maritime climate characterised by relatively cool summers and mild winters. Compared with other parts of the country, Lincolnshire - and Navenby - are slightly warmer and sunnier in the summer and colder and frostier in the winter. Owing to Navenby's inland position, far from the landfall of most Atlantic depressions, it is one of the driest places to live in the UK, receiving, on average, less than 3ft (600 mm) of rain per year. The mean annual daily duration of bright sunshine is four hours and 12 minutes; the absence of any high ground is probably responsible for the area being one of the sunniest parts of the British Isles.

Climate data for Navenby
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Source: MSN

Housing

Dial House, North Lane, Navenby

Although house prices have traditionally been lower than the national average in Navenby, they have been rising quickly in recent years. In 2004, the average house price rose by 8.2% to £163,186, according to the Land Registry, while in 1999 the average was £60,000.

The district surrounding Navenby - North Kesteven - remains a relatively inexpensive place to purchase property. Consequently, owner occupation is 77% - which is higher than both the regional and national averages. However, the rising prices of recent years are resulting in housing becoming increasingly "out of reach for those on average incomes." A 2004 Housing Needs Study, carried out by Fordham Associates for North Kesteven District Council, highlighted the need for 460 "affordable homes" to be built each year for the next five years in Navenby and the surrounding villages.

Houses of specific interest in Navenby include Grade II-listed Dial House in North Lane, which has a priest's hidey hole, and the Old Rectory in North Lane, which was built of Ashlar stone in 1859 by H A Darbyshire, a London Victorian Architect renowned for his Gothic style.

Streets

Clint Lane, Navenby

Many of Navenby's street names hint at its past. For example, the street now known as Clint Lane was formerly Watery Lane, apparently due to the number of springs that ran along it. The only ‘watery’ part of Clint Lane today is a duck pond. The street includes a mix of 18th century cottages, Victorian properties, Grade II-listed farm buildings and 20th century homes.

Gas Lane, which is next to Clint Lane, was originally called Meg's Lane. It was re-named Gas Lane after The Provincial Gas Light and Coke Company set up a base there in 1857. The firm later became the Navenby and Wellingore Gas Light and Coke Company. Although the business has long since disappeared, the street name still survives.

The street now known as Church Lane was originally Church Street. The road was named for the village church, St Peter's, which is located here, as is a former village school, now a private house. The school was built by subscription in 1816 and carries the inscription ‘The Benefit Society 1821'.

Transport

See also: Transport in Lincolnshire

Navenby High Street

All that is left of Navenby station

Roads

Navenby village lies at the eastern end of Navenby parish and is best accessed by road, as the A607 trunk road passes through the heart of the village, doubling as the High Street. Navenby can also be reached from the A15 road, which runs past the end of Green Man Lane and links Lincoln with Sleaford. Editors of the website roadghosts.com claim this is one of the most haunted roads in Britain.

Rail

Navenby once boasted its own railway station, which was built in 1867 as part of the Lincoln to Grantham branch of the Great Northern Railway. It fell victim, however, to the Government's post-war railway closure programme, which was designed to modernise the service and return it to profitability. Some 3,318 miles of railway were closed between 1948 and 1962 under this scheme, including Navenby station, which was shut in 1962. Today, the closest stations to Navenby are Lincoln, Sleaford, Grantham and Newark North Gate. Grantham and Newark are both part of the high-speed London to Scotland East Coast Main Line, while Lincoln and Sleaford are branch line stations.

Bus

Bus services to and from Navenby are limited. The main service is provided by the Stagecoach travel company, which runs the Number 1 service from Lincoln to Grantham, via Navenby, along the A607 every 30 minutes, from 7 am until 7 pm, every day except Sunday. There is only one bus on a Sunday. The same Number 1 service runs in the opposite direction too, from Grantham to Lincoln via Navenby, every 30 minutes each day except Sunday. Hodson’s Coaches of Navenby runs an extra bus each Sunday to Lincoln.

Demography

Year	Population
1801	479
1811	542
1821	625
1831	778
1851	1,057
1871	1,000
1851	1,057
1871	1,000
1901	779
1911	796
1921	824
1951	851
1971	938
2001	1,666

2001 UK census	Navenby	North Kesteven	England
Total population	1,666	94,024	49,138,831
Long term illness	19.2%	17.8%	18.2%
Unemployed	2.4%	2.4%	3.4%
Aged 75+	11.4%	8.3%	7.6%
Average age	43.6	40.8	38.6
Ethnic white	98.9%	98.9%	90.9%
Christian	85.2%	82.4%	71.8%
Married or re-married	64.0%	61.4%	50.9%
Good health	68.7%	69.6%	68.6%
Living alone	24.5%	24.8%	30.0%
Owner occupied	83.7%	77.1%	68.9%
Degree+ education	21%	16.2%	19.8%
Providing unpaid care	10.3%	10.2%	10.0%
Two+ cars	38.6%	36.3%	29.4%

The last official census of 2001 found Navenby had 861 households and a population of 1,666, of which 792 were male and 874 female. This figure shows a population growth of more than 70% in the past 30 years, mainly due to on-going house-building projects.

The 2001 census revealed there were only three ‘second homes’ in the village, but that many villagers commuted each day to work. The great majority of properties are owner-occupied, with just over 100 rented from the council or private landlords. Most of the houses (over 500) are classified as detached, the average number of rooms per property is 6.03 and the average household size is 2.31.

Ethnic diversity is minimal in Navenby. Statistics for 2001 show that of 707 households questioned, 703 were classed as white. Of those 707 households, 104 were pensioners living alone, 176 were couples without children, 27 were lone parents and 153 couples with dependent children. This is closely followed by people aged 45–64 (442) and children aged 5–15 (221). Children aged under 4 (69) and people aged 16–24 (115) are in the minority. Almost 200 people (190) over the age of 75 were living in Navenby in 2001. The mean age of Navenby’s population is 43.48 and the median age is 43.50. In 1851, 136 babies in every 1,000 died in their first year. This figure dropped to 107 per 1,000 in 1911 and three per 1,000 by 2001.

The people of Navenby enjoy a high employment rate, although most work outside the village. Almost 600 commute each day, with the average journey to work being 12.5 miles (20.18 km). The 2001 Census revealed that of 1,186 people questioned aged 16–74, 722 were economically active, with men working an average of 44.79 hours each week and women an average of 31.23. The service industry was the largest sector of the local economy, employing 67% of all workers, compared to 1841 when 48% worked in agriculture. Manufacturing work was carried out by 178 people in 2001 and 565 were in the service industries. Of these workers, 371 were classed as managerial and professional. In 1841, just 16.6% of male workers had middle class jobs, but the 2001 census showed this figure had increased to 47.9%.

Those with few or no qualifications numbered 597 in 2001, while 328 had higher diplomas, degrees or further degrees. In contrast, about 53% of children aged 5–14 went to school in 1851, but today 58% of those aged 16–17 stay on at school.

Landmarks

Mrs Smith. To her left is her cottage and Navenby Methodist Church, where she was a member.

Mrs Smith's cottage

The heart of Navenby village is a designated conservation area, as many of the stone and brick-built houses date back hundreds of years. More than 20 of the properties, as well as the 1935 red telephone kiosk in High Street, have listed building status.

Mrs Smith's Cottage

Mrs Smith's Cottage is a Grade II listed building which was built in the mid-19th century of early Victorian red bricks. It is notable because the only modern innovations are an inside toilet, cold water tap and electricity. The range, the heart of the house, was in daily use for cooking and heating until the mid 1990s. The only access to the bedrooms is by a simple ladder. Electricity was installed in the 1930s and the only other visible modern innovation is the coldwater tap, which was installed to prevent the local council condemning the Cottage in the late 1970s. However, the original outside privy and washhouse can still be viewed.

The Cottage is named after its last resident, Mrs Hilda Smith, who lived in the cottage until 1995, when she was 102 years old. When Mrs Smith died, villagers mounted a campaign to ensure the cottage kept as 'something special' for Navenby.

Today the cottage is run as a museum, having been granted official Museum Status in March 2000. It is open for much of the year and staffed by volunteers. The old pig sty and storage shed, deemed beyond repair, were demolished and the bricks used to construct a purpose built visitor centre. This houses exhibitions on the village of Navenby, together with other exhibitions of local interest.

St Peter's Church

The Grade I listed Anglican parish church in Navenby is dedicated to Saint Peter. Despite parish registers existing from 1681, and Bishop's transcripts which go back to 1562, it is difficult to date the building as it has a mishmash of styles, although its origins are probably 13th century.

File:Navenbypic.jpg

‎St Peter's in around 1907

St Peter's Church today

St Peter's is made up of three different parts, including a mid-19th century west tower, which replaced the original in 1859–60 after it fell down. The perpendicular clerestory is decorated with shields in quatrefoils and is lit with closely set three-light windows.

The tall decorated chancel has very large windows. The side windows have reticulated tracery, while the large east window was partly rebuilt in 1875–1876. It is composed of six lights with two large mouchettes nodding to each other, as well as a very large reticulation unit.

The sedilia and piscina are thought to date back to William de Herleston, who was rector of St Peter's from 1325–1329. He was Edward I’s chancellor and later became Canon of Llandaff. A founder's tomb, which is in a slightly different style, is probably that of his successor, John de Fenton, who was rector until 1832. The font is a lavish Victorian affair by Charles Kirk Junior, which was shown at the 1862 International Exhibition in London. The Pulpit is Jacobean and the Rood screen by Temple Moore dates from 1910. The Royal Arms are signed "Thomas Hunton of Lincoln. Painter 1710." There is a late 13th century grave slab too, with an inscription in Norman script which says ‘Pray for Richard de Lue’ (Louth).

The church also contains an Easter sepulchre. The carving is recognised as one of the finest in Lincolnshire, if not in the country, and receives a mention in virtually every book written on churches and their architecture. The churchyard is managed as a nature reserve.

In 1982, church officials threatened to close St Peter’s Church after being refused permission to sell silverware to pay for urgent repairs. The decision was made by Archdeacon, the Venerable Michael Adie, who said sales were against church policy and funds must be raised locally.

Education

The old school in Church Lane

The present-day school

See also: Education in Lincolnshire

Navenby is served by its own village school, Navenby Church of England Primary School. It is a voluntary controlled school for children aged four to 11. There is a choice of nearby senior schools for older Navenby pupils, although none are within the village. Lincolnshire County Council operates a preference system for parents, which allows them to choose a preferred school, rather than one for which they are in the catchment area. Statistics show that most opt for the closest, which is Sir William Robertson High School at Welbourn. This is a mixed comprehensive school named after Field Marshal William Robertson, who was born in Welbourn and served in the First World War.

Other senior schools within a ten-mile radius include Branston Community College, and two Grammar schools in nearby Sleaford – Carre's Grammar School for boys and Kesteven and Sleaford High School for girls. Private schools are available in Lincoln.

Nearby Lincoln has two higher education institutions, the older being Bishop Grosseteste University College, which started life as a teacher training college linked to the Anglican Church in 1862. During the 1990s, the college branched out into new subject areas with a focus on the arts and drama. The larger University of Lincoln began as the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside in 1996, when the University of Humberside opened a Lincoln campus next to Brayford Pool. Lincoln Art College and Riseholme Agricultural College, which had previously been part of De Montfort University in Leicester, were absorbed into the university in 2001. The university changed its name to the University of Lincoln in 2002. In the 2005/6 academic year, 8,292 full time undergraduates were studying at the university.

Many local senior schools offer Sixth Form tuition, but further education courses for students aged 16 and over are also provided by Lincoln College, which is the largest educational institution in Lincolnshire. It has 18,500 students, of whom 2,300 are full time.

Culture and community

The Lion and Royal

The Lion and Royal pub sign

Public houses

Navenby used to be served by three public houses on its High Street but, in recent years, The Butcher's Arms has been changed into a private house. Now just the King's Head and The Lion and Royal remain.

The Lion and Royal dates from 1824 and is Grade II-listed. It serves home cooked food and real ale. It is probable the pub was just called The Lion when first opened, but added 'Royal' to the name in honour of a special visitor. There is a large emblem over the front door, topped by the Prince of Wales's feathers, which was presented after the Prince (later Edward VII) stayed there, albeit only briefly, in 1870. A lion-headed water hydrant also stands nearby, which was installed during the 1930s for the use of cottages not connected to the mains water supply.

The 18th century King's Head is probably the oldest pub in the village. It is also Grade II-listed and serves real ale and home-cooked food. It has a garden and restaurant and the traditional pub game of Table Skittles can be played here.

Historic pub: The Green Man Inn, at the junction of Green Man Lane and the A15, was once a staging post for travellers and may have also been a court house. The Lincoln Club was established here in about 1741, catering for distinguished gentlemen. Sir Francis Dashwood, founder of the notorious Hellfire Club, was a member, as were Lord Monson of Burton and Lord Robert Manners of Bloxholm. Today the pub is a private house.

Folklore

Pentagram: Navenby is said to be part of the Temple Bruer Pentagram. The Pentagram includes the nearby villages of Temple Bruer - which has strong connections with the Knights Templar of the 12th century - as well as Wellingore and Harmston. It appears the sign is centred on the sewage works just west of Navenby.

The Pentagram is seen as having magical associations and is often said to have offered protection to witches. It also, however, has links with Christianity, Freemasonry and The Knights Templars, who used the Pentagram symbol to represent "infinity, connectiveness and oneness."

Ghosts: Although the A607 trunk road passes through Navenby, the village can also be accessed from the 'haunted' A15, which runs past the end of Green Man Lane. According to local legend, a hanging tree once stood at the junction of these two roads and those who died there still haunt the area.

Food

Lincolnshire has a number of interesting local dishes, including stuffed chine and haslet, and Navenby has a particular reason to be proud – as several food champions live in the village. Navenby baker Pete Welbourne was named as Great Britain's Baker of the Year in 2004, for his Lincolnshire Plumb Bread recipe, and Odling Bros butchers' shop has enjoyed repeated success in an annual competition to find the best Lincolnshire pork sausages in the county.

Economy and media

See also: Lincolnshire

Some of the shops and takeaways on Navenby High Street

Navenby was originally an agricultural village, with most people living off the land or trading goods in the local market. Statistics show that, in 1841, 48% of villagers worked in agriculture, but today the majority of villagers, 67%, are employed in the service industry and most commute to work away from Navenby. The village does, however, offer some work opportunities, with the High Street lined with shops, fast-food stores and public houses. There is also a doctors' surgery, Building Society and residential care home within the village.

Nearby Lincoln offers a wider variety of work, with its economy based mainly on public administration, commerce, arable farming and tourism. Over the last few years, Lincoln has also seen rapid development in its retail sector, in an attempt to compete with the neighbouring cities of Nottingham and Sheffield.

The local newspaper for Navenby is the Lincolnshire Echo, which includes news and sports reports, as well as job adverts. The local radio stations for the village are BBC Radio Lincolnshire on 94.9FM and Lincs FM on 102.2 FM. The newest addition to the local airwaves is Siren FM, a community radio station which broadcasts on 107.3 FM from the University of Lincoln.

Sport and clubs

See also: Lincoln City F.C.

File:Navenbyfclogo.gif

Navenby Juniors FC Logo

Navenby has its own bowls club, Navenby Bowls Club, with approximately 50 members. The bowls season lasts from May to August and club members take part in three Bowls Leagues; Division 3 of the Cliff Bowls League, Section C of the City Evening League and Division 3 of the Lincoln and District League. At least three evening matches are held each week during the season.

Navenby also has several football teams for children, which are run under the title of Navenby Juniors FC. The teams play in the Under-12, Under-11, Under-10, Under-9 and Under-8 sections of the Grantham Youth Football League. The Under-10 team were the 2006–2007 League Champions and the Under-11s were the Fair Play League Winners in 2006–2007.

Nearby Lincoln has a professional football team, Lincoln City F.C., nicknamed 'The Imps', which plays at the Sincil Bank stadium. Navenby villager Tracey Duxbury is a member of the Lady Imps team, the women's team attached to Lincoln City. She became one of the youngest people to achieve the UEFA B coaching license in 2006.

Other clubs include Navenby Archaeology Group, which is aimed at uncovering the village's rich historic past. There is also the Women's Institute, which has just celebrated its 40th anniversary, and Artists of Navenby, a 40-strong group of artists.

See also

• List of civil parishes in Lincolnshire

Bibliography

• Allen, Thomas (1834). The History of the County of Lincoln.
• Burgess, Neil (2007). Lincolnshire's Lost Railways. Stenlake Publishing. ISBN 9781840334074.
• Burnham, Barry C. (2001). Roman Britain in 2001. ISBN 0520073037.
• Campion, Edward G. (1976). Lincolnshire Dialects. Richard Kay Publications. ISBN 0902662317.
• Mills, A.D. (1991). A Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0192800744.

External links

• General historical information on Navenby
• Photographic views of Navenby today
• Details of the 'Navenby Pentagram'
• The story behind one of the gravestones at St Peter's Church