There’s been a bit of a hiatus in the Meridian project – due to life getting in the way…. Unfortunately I missed all the lovely days that came in February, but I did manage to get out and explore a little more of the area just North of Boston.
I intended to visit Stickney
The place-name ‘Stickney’ is first attested in the Domesday book of 1086, where it appears as Stichenai. The name means ‘stick island’, and is thought to refer to the linear shape of the village between two streams. The nearby village of Stickford similarly means ‘stick ford’.
Stickney has been chiefly an agricultural community. The ancient 13th-century Anglican parish church is dedicated to Saint Luke and is a Grade II listed building. The parish dates to 1564 . A new chancel was built in 1853 and the rest of the church was restored in 1855. The tower was partly taken down in 1887 because of deterioration, but rebuilt in 1900.
Donations to the poor house and for care of the poor have been recorded since 1552 when William Hardy left a yearly rent charge of £1 6s. 8d. for the poor of the parish.
Stickney was the home of Priscilla Biggadike, who in 1868 was charged and convicted of murdering her husband Richard by arsenic poisoning. They lived in a small two-room house with their five children and two lodgers. She testified that she had seen one of their lodgers, Thomas Proctor, putting a white powder into her husband’s tea, and later into his medicine when Richard was being treated for a sudden attack of severe illness.
At first, the two were both suspects, as they were rumoured to be having an affair. The judge in the case ruled that only Priscilla Biggadike should be prosecuted, and the jury quickly convicted her. She was executed in December 1868. Years later on his deathbed, Proctor confessed to sole responsibility for the murder of Richard Biggadike.
I’ve not got photographs yet of the village itself. That’s for another visit.
However, it’s amazing what you can find whilst just driving around. I saw the sign for the Ark Wildlife park, and almost overshot it. A bit of gentle reversing found me turning into the place and in the end staying for a couple of hours. I would actually have stayed much longer, but the day was coming to an end, and frankly it was bitter cold.
To add to the difficulty, they had just had a power cut, and so couldn’t serve hot drinks, or even offer change from the till. Good job I happened to have the right entry feee.
(http://arkwildlifepark.co.uk/)
The ARK is home to a wide variety of captivating animals, from exotic mammals and fearsome carnivores to stunning reptiles and some less exotic and more farm like creatures.
Included in the collection are a Puma, and Lynx.
The Ark is also right on the Meridian Line, and they have this plaque to prove it.
The Ark offers an all weather attraction throughout the year, and is set in the Lincolnshire Countryside. Visitors can get close up and personal with a wide range of animals.
The majority of the animals at the park are rescues from the European pet trade, who, for one reason or another were neglected, or kept illegally. They now have a permanent home at the Ark.
Photography is actively encouraged.
If you want to visit and support this wonderful venture (which has only been open for two years), please do. It really is worth the trip out.
ARK Wildlife Park,
West Fen Lane,
Stickney,
Lincolnshire,
PE22 8BD
I look forward to hearing from you, please do click the button to continue to get updates on this blog, as I continue my journey down the Meridian Line….
Photographic Musings......... Or 