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Timber framed building in Archer Lane
(from Pishey Thompson)
Wormgate |
Wormgate in Boston is one of the oldest streets in the town. Its curved shape reflects its close association with the river, which was straightened in the early 19th century. In the medieval period Wormgate was home to businesses run by many of the local, and not so local, monastic houses who exported their produce from their estates through the town. Fountain Lane, which connects the area to the modern shopping thoroughfare of Strait Bargate, was named after Fountains Abbey as the monastery owned a warehouse there.
During the 18th and early 19th centuries many grand houses were built with elaborate architectural detailing, reflecting the resurgence in Boston's importance as a port and a gateway to the newly drained fens. Also during this period many properties were established as schools, continuing a tradition begun in the medieval period when the Grammar school was situated in Wormgate and run by the town guilds.
From the end of the 18th century Red Lion Street developed and was named after the Red Lion Inn that stood on Strait Bargate, where Woolworths now stands. Housing began to be built along the narrow alleys that ran off the streets and this reached its zenith in the late 19th century when numerous small dwellings were constructed in the gaps behind the terraces occupying the street frontages.
Wormgate has always been an important commercial area and many of the buildings were used as shops or warehouses throughout its history. Inns, taverns and pubs have also been a common feature; the Wormgate Inn can trace its origins back to the 16th century when it was known as the Dog and Duck and the Little Peacock Inn was originally a waggoner's inn, frequented by wagon drivers bringing in produce from the northern fens.
The more recent decline in Wormgate's fortunes reflects its current location within the town, cut off from the main commercial areas in the Market Place and Bargate and separated from the southern quarter by the impressive parish church of St Botolph. The area still retains a great deal of its historic character but is in need of investment and refurbishment to safeguard its future.
Boston Borough Council and the Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire are working in partnership to deliver the historic environment objectives within the emerging Regeneration Scheme for Wormgate. Through the Boston Community Archaeology Programme awareness of the depth and importance of Wormgate's heritage is being raised through a community based interpretation project - Bare Bones Wormgate.
Local residents and businesses are being encouraged to participate in uncovering the history of their area through a series of walks, displays and consultation exercises. Disposable cameras have been distributed to most properties in the area to invite people to record what they find special and interesting about the environment in which they live and work.
Bare Bones Wormgate will culminate in an exhibition in the parish church and it is hoped that it will result in a forum within the community which will have a specific remit to respond on heritage issues as the regeneration scheme progresses and to act as a conduit for future interpretive projects.
