The North Thoresby History Society was founded in the Spring of 2018, but local historians have been studying the long and rich history of the village for many generations.
About
The North Thoresby History Society was founded in the Spring of 2018, but local historians have been studying the long and rich history of the village for many generations. This has gifted us a wealth of records and information which have now been gathered in a Village History Archive in the former Headmaster’s accommodation in the Wesley Centre.
Our records include a photographic collection of the village going back to the early twentieth century, transcriptions of 16th century inventories and wills, an invaluable Duchy of Lancaster survey of the village in 1608, maps and posters, booklets and essays, census and school records. It also includes everyday items such as a pair of football socks from the village team in the 1960s.
Since 2022, we have published 4 substantial booklets on aspects of village history – the front covers illustrated here. The ‘Village Trail booklet’ gives a comprehensive account of the village’s history.
We have undertaken community archaeological excavations in 2023 and 2025 in ‘Bondcroft field’ to the north St Helen’s Church, revealing intriguing details of the past, including Saxon and medieval pottery. A high-status Saxon grave cover can be seen in St Helen’s Church and the font is Norman. The findings from the digs are also housed in the Archives.
The parish records of baptisms, marriages and burials begin in 1552 and the originals have been transcribed, digitised and published in a set of booklets. The society has also made a series of oral history recordings from longtime residents.
Pdf versions of our 4 history booklets and the Parish Records are available on this website.
Printed copies are available from Ian Wright and the Archive.
The History Society is very grateful to District Councillor Terry Aldridge for £1000 grant to purchase oral history recording equipment and to finance the ‘Art and Heritage in the Community’ element of NTCEA’s ‘Connected Project.’
We owe great thanks to Lincolnshire Community Foundation East Lindsey Investment Fund for awarding us an £8000 grant, £1200 of which will be used to upgrade the Archive Centre, incorporating a third room, providing an additional computer and improving public access. The grant will also finance the location of interpretation boards near several of our historic sites and buildings.
Times and Days
The society has 10 monthly presentations from visiting experts, and from our own.
The programme runs from September to June, the second Thursday of each month, 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
