Rod Collins

Toot Hill at Healing Near Grimsby and Great Coates in Lincolnshire
A look into this ancient mound with research, analysis, an old map and original photograph.
What can we find out ? This looks very interesting indeed. . .
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The Jews House in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Some research which reveals the remarkable story behind this beautiful medieval building on Steep Hill in the City of Lincoln.
There’s quite a story to be told here of a former woman occupant that should interest many, even those with no real interest in history or at least I hope . . .
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In 1886 there was a fabulous discovery made - it became known as the Brigg Raft
Here’s an account based on a contemporaneous newspaper report and the modern day English Heritage information . . .
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Mary Leffley of Lincolnshire was ‘hanged by the neck until dead’
For many this would have been grievously wrong, in this case for all it would have been - she was innocent !
An amazing Lincolnshire tale . . .
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Rev John Gilbert Surman, M.A the Military Clergyman
Here’s a fascinating story of a very interesting man, a man from Healing near Grimsby in Lincolnshire no less - don’t misss this one - I love it . . .
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The ‘Glorious Revolution’ or The Revolution of 1688 in Lincolnshire
A look at a wonderful contemporaneous document relating to the Earl of Dumbarton’s Regiment here in Lincolnshire and more specifically Sleaford - wonderful stuff . . .
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The Vicarage at Seaford in Lincolnshire
A look at the origins of the old building next to St Deny’s church in Sleaford town centre - it’s 15th century and takes a great photograph . . .
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What is [The] Mile Tree in Lincolnshire ?
I get a lot of emails from people who say they love these ‘investigation’ style articles and all the things of interest they bring to the surface.
I feel the same about them myself though it’s not always easy to find the subject matter - however something this morning piqued my interest and perhaps it may do the same for some of you . . .
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The History of the Lincoln Racecourse
Once again and old map piqued an interest and it’s something I thought we may well enjoy delving into.
I was surprised to see a ‘Race Ground’ marked on such an old map . . .
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Hanged from Grimsby !
You can’t do it now of course, though most of the population say they’d like to, but once upon a time we had the Death Penalty in this country and a trawl through an old newspaper this morning threw up this little gem about a Grimsby man . . .
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David Lloyd George Comes to Grimsby & Louth
Famous for being the Prime Minister of Great Britain during the First World War Lloyd George dared set foot in Grimsby once upon a time and was given a warm Lincolnshire welcome
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Tibbs Inn in Lincolnshire
Once again an old map has thrown up something of interest, well to me at least.
I’d like to find out more about this old public house and perhaps understand why it was deemed worthy of inclusion on a map
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Bathing Houses in Lincolnshire ~ History, Information and Locations
Twas whilst scrutinizing an old map of Lincolnshire this early eve that I cast my beady eye over a location strangely marked.
It was just south of Skegness and simply marked . . . Bathing House
It’s another historical quest to find out more
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Lincolnshire Slang, Dialect, Strange Words and Sayings
Here’s a go at compiling a list of some of the words and sayings which are regarded as coming from the various towns and villages in Lincolnshire
Should be quite interesting this Read the rest of this entry »

Minting in Lincolnshire
A visit and subsequent research in the history of the village and church
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Newland Gate in Lincoln ~ Gone but not Forgotten
There are some remarkable surviving pieces of Medieval building work in Lincolns but sadly some things are lost including Newland Gate, an old sketch inspired some research . . .
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The Jews’ Court in Lincoln
A building which every regular visitor to Lincoln will be familiar with and even one-time visitors are unlikely to have missed if they walked Steep Hill.
It is a very important building both in Lincolnshire terms and national terms . . .
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Life in North Cotes Lincolnshire Between the Wars
Regular readers of the site will know I’m very, very interested in the personal side of history, everyday life as it were.
It’s not only because it is fascinating in of itself but more importantly it tends not to get recorded and once lost it’s lost forever.
A very popular article that countless 1,000s have read is the one on the Bunkers at Stallingborough - now, it’s a matter of record what the site was and the size of the guns on it etc but what wasn’t recorded anywhere was Len Copsey’s accounts of everyday life and trying to start diesel generators on a winter’s morning - gold dust in my eyes.

To that effect here is an account put together by Neville based on life at North Cotes as experienced by his father, it’s great stuff and I hope you’ll all give it a read.
My thanks to Neville for putting this together - it’s fantastic to get on record - now over to Neville . . .
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Newsham Booth Lights in Lincolnshire for Navigating the River Humber
What are they, where were they and when were they built ?
Nice little article this . . .
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An old map of the River Humber and Grimsby area
We’re off on another ‘Magical History Tour’
A rather fine and rare map showing the River Humber in the 1500s has some interesting details marked
The question is what are they and where are they - at worst this old map is very interesting indeed at best it could be …
Epic !
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The Rise and Fall of Grimsby Fish Docks
A look at the history behind the rollercoaster ride that is the story of the port and docks at Grimsby in Lincolnshire.
I visited the docks recently and put together an extensive photographic record which illustrates the sad state it’s in today - a tour de force of an article and I hope regulars will give it at least a quick look . . .
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The Knights Templar in Lincolnshire
This is intended to provide a home for documentary evidence that comes to light concerning the history of the Templars here in Lincolnshire.
Taken from original Medieval scrolls and manuscripts they can provide a fascinating insight into the everyday life and management of the legendary Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon.
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Tilby in Lincolnshire ~ The Exploration of a Mystery
Once again we’re on the trail of another enigma thrown up by an old map of Lincolnshire . . .
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Linwood Warren Nature Reserve in Lincolnshire
This was a fabulous day trip, a great place, also quite important, I took plenty of photographs, some of which need some input and opinion.
Wonderful place, wonderful day and of interest to those who love a day out, some nature and it’s also of importance to those would be historians as well
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A Medieval Document Connected to Lincolnshire and Newsham Abbey
Here’s something a little bit special, special for several reasons. Take a beautiful medieval document, nearly 800 years old, written in inexorable Latin which is connected to Newsham Abbey !
That should be enough - to look upon such a thing but then what if the unintelligible were to be translated . . .
Enter Neville !!!!!

I would urge everybody to give this a read as it’s quite fantastic, a tremendous piece of work by Neville so I hope you’ll all give it a thorough read, it’s well worth it even if you’re not one for the history articles.
It should be noted that I can take no credit for this whatsoever, the credit for what follows belongs entirely to Neville Sisson.
That’s enough from me - I now hand you over . . .
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