UPDATE - FEBRUARY 9th 2006

Windows into the Past

The latest phase of the Bare Bones Wormgate Heritage Project in Boston has hit the streets.

Heritage posters are going up in shops and businesses in the Wormgate area as part of the Wormgate Regeneration Scheme. The posters have been produced from initial research undertaken by the Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire and each covers a different aspect of the areas heritage. How did Wormgate get its name? Who was living in Fountain Lane 700 years ago? How can we recognise the Georgian buildings and how has the commercial activity in Red Lion Street changed since the middle of the 19th century? These questions and many more are addressed as part of the temporary displays. You can see the posters at Pelo hairdressing salon, IPS Recruitment and Godfrey Brothers in Wormgate as well as B.H. Brett Family Butchers in Red Lion Street.

The posters are only a tiny fraction of the information about the history of the area, which will be the subject of a temporary exhibition in the Stump from the middle of April. The exhibition will also feature many of the pictures that have been taken by local people as part of the heritage project. Cameras are still available from the Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire if you would like to record your impressions of historic Wormgate. More of these images will be available to view in the future on the Heritage Lincolnshire website.

We would also like to hear from people who have old photographs or postcards of the area that could be used in the exhibition. Perhaps someone has a picture of the timber-framed house in Archer Lane or of the Seven Stars Inn that stood at the southern entrance to Wormgate. Does anyone have any pictures of the Jazz club that used to be held in the old sail loft in Fountains Place; or just pictures of the people who used to live and work in the area. If you think you can help then please get in touch.

For those of you who would like a preview of the information coming out of the research then you can attend the next Wormgate Walk on Thursday 23rd February at 17.45, starting from the Church House at the southern end of Wormgate. Jim Bonnor and Jenny Young from the Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire will be leading a tour around the area and explaining about the architecture, the archaeology and the people who have lived here throughout its history.

If you want to get involved in Bare Bones Wormgate or want further information then contact Jim Bonnor, Boston Community Archaeologist at the Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire on 01529 461499 or email at