Massive history project nears end

Hundreds of years of history and development in 30 Lincolnshire towns has been recorded and saved for future generations following the completion of a four-year project.

The Extensive Urban Survey (EUS) is an Historic England-funded project which has been carried out by Lincolnshire County Council since 2018 and comes to an end in September.

The project began in Holbeach in 2018 to record the archaeology and physical and social development of our historic places in order to safeguard vital information.

The 30 towns involved have also been digitally mapped to help illustrate the growth of each and also to spot patterns. For example, has the town grown around a medieval market centre or along a river? These maps visualise how the towns have changed over time from medieval field-scapes to 1960’s golf courses – everywhere has a history.

Project leader, Nicola Grayson said: “The completion of this project will mean that there is all this knowledge and information available in one place for the benefit of future generations.

“It has been a real privilege to work on this and study Lincolnshire towns which are incredibly varied. There are similarities in development across the towns, but all have a very unique history.”

The EUS has been collating information by looking at what makes Lincolnshire’s towns special, what makes them different, what gives them a sense of place, and how they grew into the places we know today.

The information gathered from thousands of years of development, has been supporting planning considerations, as well as helping those interested in or studying local heritage.

A number of educational resources which help students learn about local heritage have also been produced.

Towns included
(East Lindsey) Alford, Horncastle, Louth, Mablethorpe, Skegness, Spilsby, Wainfleet, Woodhall Spa, Wragby; (North Kesteven) Hykeham, Sleaford; (West Lindsey) Caistor, Gainsborough, Market Rasen; (South Holland) Crowland, Holbeach, Spalding; (North Lincolnshire) Brigg, Kirton in Lindsey, Scunthorpe, Barton upon Humber, Crowle, Epworth; (North East Lincolnshire) Cleethorpes, Grimsby; (Boston) Boston; (South Kesteven) Bourne, Grantham, Stamford, Market Deeping & Deeping St James.