Holton cum Beckering
Village in Lincolnshire, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Holton cum Beckering is a small village and civil parish in West Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England. It is situated 6 miles (10 km) south from Market Rasen at the junction of the B1202 and B1399 roads. At the 2001 census it had a population of 140.[1]
| Holton cum Beckering | |
|---|---|
All Saints' Church, Holton cum Beckering | |
  Holton cum Beckering Location within Lincolnshire | |
| Population | 140 (2001 census) |
| OS grid reference | TF115813 |
| • London | 125 mi (201 km) S |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MARKET RASEN |
| Postcode district | LN8 |
| Dialling code | 01673 |
| Police | Lincolnshire |
| Fire | Lincolnshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
History
Around the village is evidence of Medieval settlement, defined by cropmarks and ridge and furrow earthworks indicating crofts and enclosures. Near Holton Hall are possible remains of a moat.[2]
In 1885 Kelly's noted that the parish was of 1,862 acres (7.54 km2) with chief agricultural production being of wheat, oats, barley and seeds, and an 1881 population of 165.[3]
Landmarks
All Saints' Church is a Grade I listed Anglican church.[4] Kelly's mentions that it comprises a chancel, nave, aisles and south porch, and a square tower containing three bells, with the chancel incorporating richly painted frescoes and a carved oak screen separating the chancel from the nave. Benches were carved by a Mr Swaby of Marsh Chapel when the chancel was rebuilt in 1851 by a Mr Nicholson of Lincoln.[3] The church was restored in 1859-60 and 1870-74 by George Gilbert Scott, who rebuilt the north arcade and added, according to Nikolaus Pevsner, a "glittering mosaic reredos... made, according to Canon Binnal, by a Catholic Italian who insisted on smoking his pipe while doing it". Also noted was a chalice and paten cover dated 1569.[5] Scott also repaired both aisles, and rebuilt a mortuary chapel and the whole roof.[3]
Other listed buildings are early 18th-century Holton Hall[6] and late 17th-century Abbey Farm House.[7]
Culture
The amateur dramatic society was originally known as the Holton Players. Following a move to Wickenby, in 1970, they were renamed the Lindsey Rural Players.[8]
Academy Award-winning actor Jim Broadbent was born in the village in 1949; his parents, Roy and Dee Broadbent, were founder members of the Holton Players.[9][10]
BBC documentaries
The village was the subject of a BBC Radio 4 documentary Conchies of Holton-Cum-Beckering on 7 May 2007. Presented by Billy Bragg, it interviewed the surviving members of a group of Second World War conscientious objectors who formed themselves into farming communities and an amateur dramatic society.[11]
A documentary on BBC Radio 4 Extra The Holton Players was broadcast on 1 September 2014 (and repeated on 21 June 2017). It was presented by Jim Broadbent.[12]
