About Sutton Bridge
Tides
...and how they are “created”
Tidal Heights are basically governed by the gravitational attraction of the Sun and to a greater extent by the Moon. At the Spring and Autumn (March and September) equinoxes when the sun and the moon both decide to get their acts together the effect is at its greatest and we have Super Tides.
The sun and moon go through different alignment phases and this affects the size of the tides. When the gravitational pull of the sun and moon combine, we see larger than average tides – known as spring tides. When the gravitational pulls offset each other, we get smaller tides known as neap tides. We see two periods of spring and neap tides roughly every month.
Yet some spring tides are higher than others. This is because tidal forces are strengthened if the moon is closest to Earth in its elliptical orbit (astronomers call this perigee). Tide forces are also enhanced when the sun and the moon are directly over the equator. For the sun this happens on or around 21 March or September (the equinoxes). Spring tides are always higher at this time of year. The moon’s orbit also takes it above and below the equator over a period of 27.2 days. Just as with the Sun, the tide generating forces are at their greatest when the moon is directly overhead at the equator.
Very large spring tides occur when these astronomical factors coincide. Approximately every 4.5 years the moon is closest to the Earth, and is also overhead at the equator, at either the March or September equinox. Astronomical tide levels through 2014 and 2015 are at their largest in an 18.6 year cycle when the earth, moon and sun align such that they combine to create a greater than normal force over the oceans.
In some places, these extreme tidal conditions can cause water levels to be 0.5m higher than a normal spring tide, but the weather can have a greater impact than even these largest of tides.
High Pressure and lots of sunshine will keep the high tides lower than the predictions, low pressure and rain allows the tides to come up even higher.
For the UK tidal predictions are made assuming an atmospheric pressure of 1013 millibars a difference of 1 millibar causes a height difference of about 1cm.
The tidal height predictions for next month for Sutton Bridge
Highest tides are in :-
The Tide table for Sutton Bridge is published by Fenland District Council.
This shows the predicted time and heights for “Wisbech Cut”. About 4 miles North of the Swing Bridge.
Clubs, Societies, Schools and Services Offered
CPSL MIND (Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, South Lincolnshire)
We believe that everyone has Mental Health, just like Physical Health. Sometimes it’s great, and sometimes we need a little help. Its not always easy to talk about mental health but talking is important so we try to make it a little easier in our Good Mood Café at Pippa’s Pantry, Sutton Bridge, at 10am on Tuesdays. Anyone can drop into a café and talk about anything from the weather to the plot of their favourite soap. Sometimes people talk about how they are feeling and that’s ok. Our facilitators Nick and Chloe are on hand to welcome people who come along and to support volunteer facilitators.
Lots more information about CPSL Mind and our volunteering opportunities can also be found on our website, https://www.cpslmind.org.uk.
IAN COLLINS SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Why not make 2022 the year to embark or progress onwards with your musical journey by learning to play, or to play better! Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced professional player, we can help you achieve your goals and aim to make learning to play the instrument FUN!
We understand that people learn at different speeds and so our lessons are tailored to suit each individual whilst encouraging progress. We welcome all ages and abilities from 5 upwards and offering a mobile teaching service our musical journey takes place in the comfort of your own home on your own instrument (we can also bring our digital Piano if required).
We teach Piano, Keyboard, Organ and Music Theory. Many of our students are learning `just for fun` however we also offer graded examinations through the London College of Music and ABRSM syllabuses. Group lessons are also available and we are hoping to run a series of community events in the local area throughout the year (Covid permitting) so please keep an eye out for these.
If this sounds like something you would like to try then please do get in touch with us – it would be great to hear from you. Email us at info@iansschoolofmusic.org or phone 07523 152261.
Jelly’s & Jolly’s
Jelly’s & Jolly’s are a community association made up of like minded people who raise funds throughout the year for a Christmas Toy appeal. We organise Quiz Nights, put on craft fairs during the year, run a front garden competition which is free to enter and a number of afternoon teas or tea dances. If you would like to join us please contact Anne Scarlett 01406 351319.
Quiz Nights 2022
25 March
22 April
20 May
24 June
22 July
19 August
23 September
21 October
25 November
Xmas Gift Bazaar
26 November
SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE MINI OWNERS CLUB
I'm Gena and I'm the founder of South Lincolnshire MINI Owners Club. We started together in 2020 as Lincolnshire Mini Owners but then lockdown came and somewhat burst our bubble and so we ran our Mini owners group alongside Cambs Mini Club and joined in their meets. In deciding to relaunch the group, my friend Lennie and I decided that as Lincolnshire is such a massive county, we would be better off downsizing and concentrating on South Lincolnshire. I live in Sutton Bridge as does my daughter Chloe and Lennie lives in Bourne.
We'd like to recruit more Mini owning members and to find out what those new members would like to get back from the club. Would they prefer Saturday or Sunday runs out? Would they like one evening each month at a local pub such as the Anchor Inn and others I can look into or at a fast food place or somewhere completely different? Lennie has lots of ideas but we'd like to share them and make South Lincolnshire MINI Owners Club an enjoyable place for all Mini owners whether they have a classic Mini, a BMW MINI, a Moke, Scamp, Mini Marcos, Midas or GTM kit cars... whatever so long as it's a Mini at heart. We want to know if you want to visit car events or family suitable places, as children are welcome too.
Anyone interested in joining can find us on Facebook, Instagram and also 'Next Door'. I can also be contacted directly on LincolnshireMiniOwners@Gmail.com
Sutton Bridge Art Group
Our Group meets at the Curlew Centre in Sutton Bridge every Wednesday Afternoon from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
There is a program of visiting artists for everyone to enjoy and perhaps learn from. Artists of all abilities are welcome – even if you believe you can’t paint. An afternoon session with the group costs £2:00, including tea or coffee and biscuits; although the first two sessions are free. Initially Art materials are available for you to use. For more information please contact either Alison on 01945 420218 or Anita on 01406 350752. You could also email Alison at alisonmarkillie@yahoo.co.uk
We look forward to meeting you.
Sutton Bridge Bowls Club
Sutton Bridge Bowls Club was formed in 1909 and is situated in the centre of the village, behind the old school buildings on Bridge Road, Postcode PE12 9SF. The outdoor bowling season runs from mid-April to the beginning of September, and the club fields mixed teams in the Spalding League (on Thursday and Fridays) and Banks Rose Bowl League on Wednesdays. The club has around 35 members and welcomes new members, both experienced bowlers and those wishing to take up the sport. We also arrange friendly matches against other local clubs during the summer. We have open drives on the first Sunday of the months from June to September. We hold in-house competitions during the season which consist of singles, pairs and team matches with 2, 3 and 4 wood competitions. Club membership is currently £25 for existing members and £20 for new members, with game fees set at £3.00 per person per game. Contact Ray Ward on 01406 364015 for further information.
Sutton Bridge Buns & Roses
Sutton Bridge Carers Group
We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month in the Constitutional Club from 11:30am to 3:30pm. We have tea or coffee and biscuits before having lunch, followed by entertainment and a raffle. For more information please contact Jaqui on 01406 351 733. New members are always welcome.
Sutton Bridge Community Larder
For the past seven years your food bank has supported families and individuals in times of crisis in the local area. Having moved from St Matthew`s Church into a unit in Railway Lane we have been able to design the interior to create space for a greater range of items, including toiletries, nappies, household. To raise money for running costs of the foodbank we have a range of items for purchase - includes loads of non-food items, cosmetics, household and toys at fabulous discount prices
Fresh potatoes * Vegetables * Logs
Monetary and food donations will always be gratefully received – we have collection points in the Coop at Sutton Bridge and St Matthews Church OR they can be brought to the unit. Many thanks to our team of volunteers, without whom none of this is possible. Join us, new team members always welcome. Contact TERRY YORK (Chairman) Tel: 01406 35912. Unit 8 Railway Lane North Industrial Estate, PE12 9UN. Open Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 9am – 1pm.
Sutton Bridge Constitutional Club - The Con Club
The Club was founded and has operated continually since 1911. It has seen two World Wars and various economic crisis’ but 2020 has proved to one of the most challenging years. We are still here with a membership of some 500. We offer a social club with facilities for socialising, snooker, darts and a quiz. We are complying with all legislation to provide a safe and friendly environment for all in Sutton Bridge to enjoy. We are a member’s club and by joining, members can benefit from low priced drinks, great low-price food and free entertainment. We have two championship standard snooker tables where league matches are held on a regular basis and Friday night roll up snooker is extremely popular. Darts league and friendlies are held on Monday night. Quiz night, with the chance to play for £250 Play Your Cards Right is held on Monday evening from 7.30pm. Open the Box - a big money prize is held on Friday night - you must be in the club on Friday Night and be a member to have a chance!
Food and drink: Our great restaurant provides home cooked food at very reasonable prices. Sunday lunches and bar snacks available during opening hours. We have some of the lowest drinks prices for miles!
Our opening hours are: (subject to change without notice, depending on trade)
Monday to Thursday: 12.00pm - 2.00pm and 6.30pm -10.30pm (closed Tuesday)
Friday: 11.30am - 2.00pm and 6.30pm - Midnight
Saturday: 12.00pm - 4.00pm and 7.00pm - Midnight
Sunday: 11.30am - 3.00pm and 7.00pm - 10.00pm
Please contact us on Email: sb-cc@hotmail.co.uk, telephone 01406 350 990, call in during open times - New Road PE12 9RA or find us on Facebook.
Sutton Bridge Football Club
Sutton Bridge United Football Club was inaugurated in 1908 and is affiliated to Lincolnshire Football Association. They have played on the Memorial Park since 1953. Prior to this they had played at the RAF Camp, Railway Lane and Wrights Lane. When they moved to the Memorial Park the villagers all worked together to raise funds and build a new pavilion to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II coronation in June 1953. The pavilion is still standing to this day but is no longer fit for purpose and a new more up to date building is required.
In the time the club has been running it has had up to three senior teams at a time and has played in all local leagues at one time or another. They have also run Colts and Youth Teams. The club are presently running one senior team playing in the Peterborough & District Football League on Saturday afternoons, alongside this there are three youth teams playing in the Mid Norfolk Youth League. These are one under 14's (2020/21 season) and two under 11's. In 2020/21 season they will all be playing Sunday mornings.
The club consists of approximately seventy players, coaches and other volunteers. The present secretary David Earth has been involved in the club since 1985. Prior to joining the club he had been involved with The Five Bells Tydd St Mary Football Club as secretary. In 2019 he was awarded a Meritorious Service award for his over forty years service to local football by Lincolnshire Football Association. He is the third person to receive a long service award from the County FA. The others were George Milligan in 1983 and Peter Guy in 2006 after he had retired with 53 years service from player, linesman, groundsman, tea boy to chairman. The present club and team officials are:
Chairman David Smith can be contacted on 07951 429608 or email: davik3smith@btinternet.com, Secretary David Earth on 01406 365105 or 07960 465233 or email: earth.david@yahoo.co.uk, Senior Team Manager Tony Riches, Coaches Liam Burton and Ben Thompson. Under 14's Manager Coach Mark Twigge assisted by David Smith, Under 11's White Team Manager/ Coach lan Billinghurst assisted by Karl Bollons. Under 11's Yellow Team Managers/Coaches Jamie King and Tyler Sones.
Sutton Bridge Golf Club
The golf course has been here for over a hundred years. As a nine hole course, you can play four, nine, or thirteen holes and you are back at the clubhouse. It lends itself to a shorter game where time is of the essence. If you want to hit a few balls, we also have a driving range. The club bar and restaurant caters for all visitors and is also available for private functions. Our Quiz Nights (first Friday in the month) are always very popular. It would give us great pleasure if more local people and others from further afield came and gave our lovely club a try. Call 01406 350323 or visit www.club-noticeboard.co.uk/suttonbridge
Sutton Bridge in Bloom
We are a now much reduced team of 4. The lack of volunteers has meant that the team have had to re-assess the areas which can be reasonably managed. We are now limited to working on a few gardens and containers. However, I’m pleased to say that the WI have taken temporary care of the container at the top of the Falklands Road and over the past year have planted it for winter and summer. The planting has been excellent and the In-Bloom team are grateful to the WI for their care of this container. We have also been contacted by a gentleman who is going to plant a couple of containers with winter flowering plants.
During the lockdown of 2020, the team worked on the gardens in its care, but I’m sad to say that the Community Garden in particular has suffered severe vandalism during this summer, even to the extent of damaging the young silver birch which is now at a precarious angle and may not survive – time will tell. Shrubs, the pathway and the bench in this garden have also suffered and we find ourselves unable to rectify the damage. This is particularly upsetting as the garden was always intended for the community to enjoy. Indeed, in the early days of the garden being made it was often used by people who, after attending a funeral at St. Matthews, would come to the garden to sit and reflect.
The future of the In-Bloom at Sutton Bridge rests with the community. Volunteers are desperately needed.
If you wish to become involved in the group, then please contact us on 01406 359827 or e-mail: sbinbloom@btinternet.com We would much welcome help.
Sutton Bridge PLAYERS – AMATEUR DRAMATIC GROUP
A group started by Ian Collins and Colin Robinson for the people of Sutton Bridge and surrounding areas who have an interest (or curiosity?) in all- or anything “AmDram”, its focus is for its members to have FUN!
Whilst it already boasts, and would welcome, people of all ages who have experience in Performing (singing, dancing, acting etc.), Directing, Writing, Set-Construction, Lighting, Sound, Costumes and Props, Front-of-house Management and so on, those with no experience whatsoever are not only welcome, but encouraged! Come along and learn skills from others, become part of this friendly, local group in any capacity you would feel comfortable with but most of all, HAVE FUN!
For more details, please contact Ian Collins on 07523 152261 or email suttonbridgeplayers@outlook.com
u3a Sutton Bridge
If you are aged 55+ and no longer work or raising a family - we call it your third age. U3A Sutton Bridge gives you opportunities to develop your interests or discover new ones, make new friends and just have fun, a world of experiences is open to you in your third age - so what's stopping you? LEARNING NOT LONELY
U3A Sutton Bridge - Come and Join Us to see what we have to offer call 01945 420082 or email: enquiries@u3asuttonbridge.org or visit our website: u3asites.org.uk/suttonbridge
Sutton Bridge Voluntary Car Scheme
Provides lifts for people to doctors, hospitals, clinics and other essential needs. New drivers are always welcomed. Costs are only 40p per mile with a minimum charge of onnly £5.00 and drivers will gladly wait for patients and take them home after their appoitments. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are available for those that require it. For more details, please contact Jill on 01406 364338 or Sharon 01406 366820
WESTMERE PRIMARY SCHOOL
… is a part of ‘The Griffin Federation’ It is a family of three primary schools: Gedney Drove End, Holbeach St Marks and Sutton Bridge Westmere who all believe in ‘Learning Together for Excellence’, and who are all judged as ‘Good’ by Ofsted. Their core values of Wisdom & Knowledge, Koinonia, Respect and Perseverance are lived out in their daily work with children. They value the partnership they have with parents and carers and all of their schools have an open door policy. They very much look forward to welcoming you into their schools.
Further information, including the Curriculum, Term Dates, Ofsted Reports and much more can be found on their website:- https://www.griffinfederation.co.uk/westmere-primary-school/westmere-home-page/
Executive Headteacher: Miss Karyn Wiles
The Griffin Federation, Anne Road, Sutton Bridge, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE12 9TB
Tel| 01406 350205 Email admin@griffinfederation.co.uk
Charities
Regular Church Services, Activities and Information
Church of England. St. Matthew’s Parish Church Vicar: Rev Paul Carey-Slater: 01406 478 230. Email: rev.paulcareyslater@yahoo.com. For baptisms, weddings and funerals contact The Deanery Administrator, Caz Dennis 01406 423460. Mon - Thurs, 9am - 1pm. Email: EEDeanery@lincoln.anglican.org. Church Wardens: Mr Kevin Wheeler 01406 258477 and Mrs Margaret Pratt 01406 366715. Sunday Services: 2nd, 3rd & 4th Sundays Parish Eucharist, 10.00am. First Sunday in the month 10.00am Morning Praise.
Roman Catholic Church Holy Trinity Church, Foxes Low Road, Holbeach. Father Paul Lloyd 01406 423034. Masses 6.30pm Saturdays, 9.30am Sundays.
Methodist Church Albert Street, Holbeach. Our services at Holbeach are each Sunday at 10.30am apart from final Sunday of the month which is 3pm. At Lutton Marsh there is a service at 2.30pm on 1st Sunday of the month. Further details can be fund here: South Holland Methodist Circuit (shollandmethodist.org.uk) I'm happy to be contacted on luke.smith@methodist.org.uk and 01406 493235
Baptist Church Pastor Jonathan Greenwood, 6 West Street, Long Sutton, PE12 9BN. Website: http://www.longsuttonbaptistchurch.org Facebook http://www.facebook.com/longsuttonbaptistchurch
Salvation Army Wellesley Street, Kings Lynn. PE30 1QD Sundays 10.30am Morning Worship. Monday 12noon, Worship and Fellowship lunch.
Society of Friends (Quakers) 21 North Brink, Wisbech. Clerk: Starr Farr. Meeting for Worship Sundays 10am followed by social coffee. All welcome, see website.
SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE BLIND SOCIETY
Registered Charity Number: 1182486. Join our campaign to end loneliness and social isolation. We provide support and help to visually impaired people, improving their independence and increasing their quality of life. We have people living with sight loss who have been waiting 6 months or more in your area, do you have a few hours to spare and enjoy making new friends? Why not become a volunteer. We are looking for Volunteers to join our Home Befriending service within the Spalding area. If you are friendly, outgoing, have a good listening ear and a bit of spare time then please call us today. Together we can end loneliness.
Call 01476 592775 or email slbs@blind-society.org.uk or visit our website www.blind-society.org.uk Open Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire and the Curlew Centre have been working together for several years to offer residents of Sutton Bridge and surrounding villages the opportunity to access free, independent and impartial advice on a range of issues, the most frequent of which are debt, benefits, housing and employment, but which can range from consumer, health and relationship issues.
Unfortunately, due to Covid, the video- and telephone link access previously available at the Curlew Centre is temporarily suspended. For now, people may visit the Spalding office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for emergencies only. Where necessary clients will be offered a pre booked face to face appointment with an advisor.
The telephony and digital services remain available for clients to access help and support. The Adviceline number is 0808 278 7996 and webchat and email services can be accessed via https://www.citizensadvicesouthlincs.org.uk/
Sunbeams Playgroup
Situated on the Westmere School site on Anne Road, Sutton Bridge, we offer Monday - Friday term time care, 9.00am - 3.30pm for children from 2 to 5 years in 2 mixed age groups. For more information please contact Heather or Leona via email: sunbeamsplaygroup@btconnect.com
Sutton Bridge Parish Council
Chairman - Simon Booth, Vice-Chair - Anne Scarlett, Michael Booth BEM (also on South Holland District Council (SHDC)), Chris Brewis (also SHDC ), Kim Davies, David Bruch FCA, Colin Robinson, Ray Perkins, Michelle Pitt, Rachael Goodwin and Terry York.
Councillors may be contacted by email following the form : cllr.<forename><surname>@suttonbridge-pc.gov.uk, thus to email Councillor Robinson, use the address:- cllr.colinrobinson@suttonbridge-pc.gov.uk
Clerk Robert Smith: clerk@suttonbridgeparishcouncil.co.uk.
Meetings are held monthly on the last Tuesday in each month (except August)
Parish Council website: www.suttonbridgeparishcouncil.co.uk Full details of meetings, agendas, minutes, responsibilities and activities are shown on the website.
November 2022 Weather Report
A Rather Grey Month
Overall a somewhat dull month, maybe typical of November. Rainfall at 62mm was a little above average but totals locally vary for example Spalding was wetter. Rain appeared on 18 days including a consecutive stretch of 11 days mid month. There were however no notable downpours.
Maximum day time temperatures have been a little above normal ranging from a below average 6°C (29th) to a “balmy” 17°C (11th). Nigh time minima varied between 0°C (21st) and 11°C (8th) with a distinct lack of frost.
Atlantic conditions have dominated with winds often from the South or Southwest. Interestingly air pressure recorded on the 17th was the lowest so far this winter. The end of the month and the start of December have seen a period of anticyclonic gloom-overcast conditions but lacking any real rainfall. This is a characteristic of high pressure sometimes in winter. Early December looks to be a continuation with maybe a North Easterly and later Northerly blast of Artic air.
8th December 1844
“It has blown a most desperate East wind, all razors, a wind like one of those knives seen in London shops with blades all drawn and pointed.
Be warned. (from Fitzgerald )
As for Christmas, despite what the cards suggest, statistically there is a higher risk of snow at Easter.
Loads of weather lore exists centred on Christmas.
“A green Christmas makes a fat Church yard.”
“If the sun shines through the Apple tree on Christmas Day. There’ll be an abundant crop the following year.”
Christmas Day last year saw very little sunshine yet my Bramley Apple tree this year was loaded.
Keith Day
Weather Man.
A History of Sutton Bridge - 1745 to the Present Day
Peter Clery
1745 - 1814
The South Sea bubble was a financial scandal in 1720-21 which outweighed anything before or since. What has that got to do with Sutton Bridge which at that time did not exist? The area was grazing, some of it salt marsh washed daily by the tides. The land was farmed by graziers living in and around Sutton St. Mary, now Long Sutton. But it was good grazing and the rents were as high as 13-14 shillings per acre (65-70p) but averaged around 7 shillings (35p) making it a profitable holding for the owner Lascells Metcalf. ( The earliest record of dry’ish land here may be around 1660 when certain grandees were given power by the Crown, to enclose some 6,700 acres of Sutton and Lutton marshes). Now read on........
One of the few people to come out on the right side of the South Sea scandal was one Thomas Guy, a shrewd part time banker and printer and stationer. He bought into the stock as early as 1711 and when others were frantically buying, he was discretely selling in tranches of £10,000 in then money to clear a profit of no less than £234,000. It was said that this was the largest honest fortune made out of the bubble and the Guy’s Hospital it built the best memorial the Bubble left behind. It impossible to calculate realistically this value in today’s devalued currency.
Thomas Guy’s Trustees needed sound investments which would support the running costs of the Hospital. They cast their eye over the lands of Lascells Metcalf, originally in 1728 and after considerable delays which included detailed calculations on the cost of repairing and maintaining the sea defences, the estate of about 5,500 acres including un re -claimed saltmarsh was purchased in 1746 for some £39,000 – £7/acre -14 years purchase of the rents. Their full report is in the author’s hands. At that time, there were virtually no buildings and certainly no village of consequence, the river crossing being a risky trip fording or boating across the river at low tide. However the Treasurer of Guy’s, Benj. Avery in an internal memorandum, wrote in 1738 that “Guys was not for buying anything but what will produce a profit”.
The Trustees proved good landlords and willing to invest. By 1814 Wm. Marrat described the settlement at Sutton Wash as “mostly belonging to Guy’s Hospital and having about 80 houses, three inns, one wash house for sea air and bathing” and added “that merchants and shipowners reside there”.
1814 - 1843
The next major development was the straightening of the outfall of the River Nene. The old course, meandering to the east through what is now known as Wingland, was silting up and blocking easy access to the Port of Wisbech. After the necessary Act of Parliament in 1827 (the Nene Outfall Act) work started to straighten the river from what is now known as Foul Anchor (Gunthorpe Sluice) to the sea. A massive task. The new course was dug out through Guys Hospital dry land and the first bridge, designed by Sir John Rennie, was built across the dry bed of the designated new course for the river. Both ends of the works had been blocked by removable barriers and it was a dramatic day when these barriers were lifted and the river allowed to flow down its new course which it has stuck too ever since, fortunately for us. It was said the Victorian engineers responsible for the new cut calculated that the river flow would scour out the last few feet of the river bed and that this need not be (very expensively) dug out. They were proved right.
Two mock “lighthouses” were built at the seaward end of the new cut to mark what has been described as the last major task for the draining of the inland fen. They remain a daylight guide to shipping. A replacement bridge, designed by Robert Stephenson, was an iron swing bridge, built in 1850 at a cost of more than £20,000. It remained in use until 1897.
Meanwhile, Guy’s Hospital Trustees continued investing in their property. The old brick buildings in the village such as the block opposite the Co-op are witness to this as are other similar buildings. There are also major farmsteads and farmhouses built around the 1850s. This period has been described as The Golden Age of English Farming and Guy’s invested accordingly. For instance, Avenue Farm, Curlew Lodge and Thompson on South Drove. Others including The Maze have been demolished and many of the Victorian farm buildings have gone or are going the same way.
Guys also built St. Matthews Church finished in 1843 and the vicarage adjoining. The resident agent at that time was William Skelton, a overnor of Guy’s Hospital. And during his long term of office, he organised buildings including schools and a “Working Man’s Institute”. He also laid down roads (e.g Hospital Drove) planted trees, organized an annual agricultural show and was chairman of Long Sutton magistrates. He built up an effective modern well run estate and a stained glass window to his memory was installed in the church.
1843-1913
An Urban District Council had been established by 1859 and the Long Sutton School Board took over the schools in 1879 with a new building in Bridge Road. This accommodated 450 children average attendance 149 boys, 140 girls and 100 infants. Still there but not used since the school was moved to the new site at Westmere in the 1980s.
The next major drama to hit Sutton Bridge was the attempt at an enclosed dock. There had been riverside wharfs for very many years trading mainly timber, coal and corn. A company was formed to create a new enclosed dock with a coal hoist and rail connection on the lines of Lynn and Boston. Substantial funds were raised as £1 shares with 10 shillings (50p) paid. The story has it that the contractors failed to drive the piles through the silt into the underlying clay. Be that as it may, the dock collapsed in 1881 with just one ship entering and leaving, just in time. There was a colossal financial loss for the original investors as the unpaid 10/- per share were still due and there were bankruptcies, suicides and enforced exiles by those due to pick up the tab for this financial disaster.
The builders of the new port in 1987 took care to have the piles driven deep enough into the clay. A unique golf course now occupies the site of the collapsed dock.
The present bridge was built in 1897 for the Midland & Great Northern Railway at a cost of £80,000. One track was rail, the other road. The swing section, 165 ft 6ins long and weighing 750 tonnes was operated by water hydraulics via two massive 75 and 70 ton (standby) containers housed in the tall pump house still to be seen in what was the old railway yard. The water pressure generated by these weights descending opened and closed the bridge through ingenious hydraulic piping. Steam power drove the containers back up their slides ready for use next time. This neat Victorian operation was converted to electrically driven oil hydraulics during refurbishment in 1987-91.
After the collapse of the dock, matters stayed on a fairly even keel for the next 40 years apart from the inevitable influence of the first world war. In 1913, the year before the outbreak of WW1, Kelly’s Directory for Lincolnshire described the community as: “chiefly one side of a street running to a considerable length with a short street or two diverging from it on the north, besides several detached residences. There is a good quay on the riverside and warehouses for corn, coal and timber. About two thirds of the houses at Sutton Bridge and nearly all the land in Sutton and Lutton marshes belongs to Guy’s Hospital, London.......
1913 – 1977
The area of the civil parish and urban district is 6,176 acres and the population of the civil parish 2,156.” The same directory indicated a Parish Clerk and Sexton (Richard Triffit) ; a Surveyor, Collector and Sanitary Inspector (Thomas Whitehead); a coastguard (George Gibbons) & five men; and a county police station, Constable Wm. Ranby in charge. The Station Master was Frederick Moule.
The next major event in Sutton Bridge was the compulsory purchase by the government of the whole Guy’s Hospital Estate in 1921. This was part of the post war wish to establish homes and businesses for returning soldiers. Houses in the village were sold and the five or six big farms were split up into hundreds of smallholdings each with cottage and buildings. Some of these can still be identified up New Road and are making nice little non-agricultural homes. The big farmhouses were split into multiple occupation. Lloyd George was Prime Minister when this national policy was implemented but he expressed doubts about its efficacy. A lot of little holdings would, he though, be less efficient as food producing units than large well run farms. So it proved.
In the inter war years, Sutton Bridge village developed independently of the Ministry of Agriculture, the new owners of the rural estate. In the 2nd World War, an aerodrome was established across the river, north of where the power station now is. This was a key war time activity and the people it brought to the district affected the whole area. There are some who can remember still those days. There are Commonwealth and other war graves in the Church to this day of those who lost their lives in the air or on the ground. Post war adjustments saw an increase in the village population which now stands at 4,454 and the development of local businesses such as Leesons Garage which started in 1949. Food factories were established across the river and provided welcome employment.
The next major change which affected the rural population but the urban hardly at all, was the sale of the rural estate. As an early privatization, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher decreed its sale as under Ministry of Agriculture management, the estate was losing money after repairs and management. It was bought by an agricultural investment company, The Lands Improvement Group, under an ingenious contract which gave all the tenants an option to buy their holdings. Few did. Lands Improvement, whose then Managing Director is the author of this history, paid the same price, in real terms as Guys Hospital had paid in 1746 – 14 times the annual rents.
1977 - Present Day
During this company’s ownership, the by- pass came through the southern part of the estate thus leaving the village relatively traffic free. A new port was constructed on the riverside making use of the old dock entry as a turning bay for vessels which do not come in stern first. The new port, costing some £10m, was opened in 1978 amid considerable public interest. The largest addition to the community during this time was the Falklands Estate, 300 houses off Bridge Road. The name has nothing to do with the war. The architect had connections with the Islands and named the streets after areas he knew. There was increasing employment in the area including the development of food processing industries across the river.
A gas fired power station was built south of the factory area and opened in 1999 at a cost of £337m. A charitable fund had been set up and part of the fund, known as S 106 money. Along with locally raised funds, this provided most of the money to pay for a new community centre adjoining the Memorial Park. Now known as the Curlew Centre, it cost some £600,000 and was opened, by the then Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Tony Worth, in December 2011. There is also a Power Fund set up from the same source. This can provide funds of upto £2000 a year for eligible local activities. Local contact Michael Barton. See Sources of Local Funding on page 10.
In 1997, the rural estate was sold to the Henry Smith Charity, the second richest charity in the country and community life on carried on much as before. The charity owns land opposite the Anchor Inn designated for some 200 new houses. Let us hope the local facilities, schools and health are expanded to meet the new demand when it occurs. All the while, the matters which concerned the Guy’s Trustees back in 1740, protection from the sea and land drainage, have been the un- ceasing care of those responsible since then. Sea defences have been raised as recently as the 1980’s after flooding in 1977. The South Holland Internal Drainage Board maintains the watercourses which drain the parish into the River Nene. This by heavy iron tidal flaps which open at low tide to allow the water flow out but close on the incoming tide to keep out the salt water. A simple system which works well. Long may it continue.
Acknowledgements and Sources: Trustees of Guy’s Hospital; Kelly’s Directory; Lindsey Robinson; John Barker; Author’s papers. The Eye of the Wind” Peter Scott 1961.