Wednesday, February 02, 2011

WHAT WAS THERE BEFORE?


From Alan Richardson, Ancholme Mews, Bigby Street, Brigg

A number of my residents are very interested in the history of the land that Ancholme Mews now stands on. We know it was a roofing firm before us but have no idea what has graced the area before that. Can anyone help? Perhaps some of the friendly bunch at BASH (Brigg Amateur Social Historians) can.

NF adds: Phillips (builders/electrical) spring to mind as being occupiers for many years. Didn't they construct a wide range of council houses in the area? Ernest Ward Roofing, of course, was there latterly, prior to the Mews taking shape. If you have helpful info for Alan, please post it as a comment here and he will be able to collect it. If you can't do that, for whatever reason, email scoopfisher@aol.com and I'll be happy to pass it on.



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3 comments:

Sova said...

The old OS maps show it as a builder's yard going back to the 1950s. Before then, it seems to be undeveloped land used as a garden or similar by the school or vicarage.

Ken Harrison said...

Hi Sova.....I'm making an educated guess, but there maybe some clues in the surrounding infrastructure. On one side there is St Clare's Walk - presumably in recognition of the St Clare Order of nuns who ran the school in the Manor House- the Manor House being the home of the Elwes family before moving to Elsham Hall.
The Manor was donated to the order by the Elwes.
The land on which St John's is built (previously a site of a chapel of ease in/from the C17th) was also donated.
On the other side of Ancholme Mews is the old vicarage and behind the Mews is a building associated with the old vicarage. This building was later used by Brigg Prep School and latterly by ?Demeiter House school. There is also a lane running down to the house and buildings behind and dividing the Mews from the school.
Since St John's Church + vicarage are 1850+ additions, my guess that St Clares Walk and Mews' sites were some sort of open pasture - probably belonging to the Elwes family and perhaps, partly, to the vicar as part of his glebe. Both groups would require stabling and pastures for their horses. Additionally, is the name Ancholme Mews giving us a clue? - with mews being normally associated with stable lads' accommodation above stables.
It shouldn't be too difficult to establish for what the land was used. Should be some info in the library. The Enclosures hit Brigg in the first part of the C18th (rather late), so surrounding field boundaries will probably originate from then.

Ps Alan - if you roses grow well, it's probably the result of well-manured soil!!!

Sova - why don't you join us on Brigg People?

Ken Harrison said...

Sorry, mistake, Brigg Enclosure = early C19th.