East Kirkby Aviation Heritage Centre 7th August 2024

With the airshow at East Kirkby Aviation Heritage Centre last Saturday being a ‘sell out’, we had hoped it would be a little quieter today for our annual visit. The weather looked to be dry and warm although rather cloudy with winds forecast to average about 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph!

Meeting up at Louth’s Leisure centre were John Rickett, Steve Croton and Tim Newbery. Rob Cook had sent apologies. ETA East Kirkby 12 noon and back into Louth by 3 pm.

 

Routing through Hallington and Raithby to the Bluestone Heath Road was pleasant enough and we were glad to find that the ancient drover’s road had been re-dressed some weeks ago, so no loose gravel to concern ourselves with. Sunny skies were now clouding over encouraging a number of buzzards to soar above our heads.

 

Departing the Bluestone Heath Road at Tetford Hill, Steve and John enjoyed the descent all the way to the River Lymn. Roads were surprisingly quiet although we did meet a few other cyclists.

 

The Lymn Valley took us to Somersby and Bag Enderby. The accidental tourist might have assumed that there’d be some grand village sign depicting the ‘Tennyson’ connection, with Alfred Lord Tennyson having been born in Somersby and his father George Clayton Tennyson a vicar of both Somersby and neighbouring Bag Enderby churches.

 

Somersby today lies in some obscurity. A pity as Lord Tennyson is still celebrated as one of the most successful poets of the Victorian era. He was born on August 6th 1809, so we’d just missed his birthday. Alfred attended Louth Grammar School at 7 years of age but he spent 4 unhappy years there, hating the bullying and harsh discipline. Alfred took solace in the tranquillity of Somersby and the surrounding countryside and the River Lymn inspired his iconic poem ‘The Brook’ amongst others.

 

No time to linger and we were soon to be joined by Alan Hockham on our route to Hagworthingham. Water Lane and the fording of Hagnaby Beck continues to be badly potholed and with loose sand and gravel so care was needed. In spite of John cycling through the ford, no mishaps today and we were soon ascending Horncastle Hill and Hungry Hill. Yes, really, that’s its name. Fortunately, not long to go before arriving at the NAAFI café at East Kirkby Aviation Heritage Centre (although Tim did take Alan on a short detour).

 

Last year we had paid full entry fees and toured the museum and viewed Avro Lancaster NX611 'Just Jane' but today we obtained complimentary tickets for the café only. The Lancaster was behind closed hangar doors being scheduled for ‘taxi-runs’ tomorrow.

After about an hour at the centre, the Greenwich Meridian Trail would take us to Old Bolingbroke with a particularly sharp ascent back up to Horncastle Hill. Time for a breather. More hills to follow with Harrington most noteworthy.

 

Passing the ‘Massingberd Arms’ at South Ormsby, Steve commented that the pub was now serving hot food again and has received some good reviews. Perhaps worthy of a visit.

 

Alan from here would depart for home with the remaining trio arriving back into Louth about 2.45 pm having covered 46 miles. Total ascent about 2500 FT. Many thanks to all for the company.