Saxilby

Geography

The village lies on the north bank of the Roman Fossdyke Navigation; there are remains of a Roman camp just outside the village.

Etymology

The name is of Viking origin, Saksulfr+by, or "farmstead of a man called Saksulfr" and it appears as "Saxebi" in the Domesday Book (1086). In archived documents the village is often referred to as "Saxelby", with the current spelling of Saxilby only being found in common use from the late 19th century onwards.

Early history

The Romans built the Fossdyke which runs through the Saxilby area, but it is unknown whether they settled on the site. Roman pottery has been found in digs in the area, which is what suggests they may have settled in this area. During the 9th century, Viking invaders took many areas of Lincolnshire and some settled in Saxilby. In the 12th century, the Normans began creating Manors and the Manor in the Saxilby area was given to Odo, the Bishop of Bayeux.

Local government and public services

Saxilby with Ingleby Parish Council is made up of 14 Councillors. The Saxilby Ward of West Lindsey District Council has 2 seats. Saxilby falls under the Gainsborough parliamentary constituency, and the current MP for this area is Sir Edward Leigh, and has been since 1997, and was MP from 1983 for Gainsborough and Horncastle, the former Constituency for the Saxilby area.

Policing in Saxilby falls under the responsibility of the Lincolnshire Police, fire-fighting under the responsibility of the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the village is served by the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS). The closest hospital is Lincoln County Hospital, which runs a 24-hour accident and emergency department. Saxilby has two medical practices: Trent Valley Surgery and Glebe Practice, both located on Sykes Lane. The Vicarage Veterinary Centre is located on Church Road, fairly close St Botolph's Church.

Transport

Saxilby is situated next to the A57), which runs from Liverpool to Lincoln The B1241 road runs through the village, called Mill Lane from the A57 junction until it meets Church Road where it becomes Sturton Road. Saxilby railway station, on the Doncaster to Lincoln Line, is situated close to the centre of the village, having originally been built by the Great Northern and Great Eastern Joint Railway.

Saxilby is served by a number of bus routes:

Education

Saxilby has its own primary school, Saxilby Church of England Primary School which received an overall judgement of Good on their 2012 Ofsted inspection, with one Outstanding feature. A number of secondary schools are located nearby, such as the Queen Elizabeth's High School in Gainsborough and Lincoln Christ's Hospital School on Wragby Road in Lincoln, both of which receive children from the village.

Religion

Saxilby has had a History of various different Christian Churches and Chapels including Anglican, Methodist, Wesleyan and, at one point, a St Andrew's Mission House. Today, Saxilby has a 12th-century church dedicated to Saint Botolph on Church Road. Saxilby also has a Methodist church located on the High Street.

Sport

Saxilby Athletic F.C. is a Men's football club that compete in the Lincoln Sunday Football League. Saxilby Athletic J.F.C. is a junior football club with male and female teams in a variety of age groups. The Recreation field, as well as having a football pitch, is also home to Saxilby Cricket Club, Saxilby Bowls Club, and Saxilby Tennis Club.

Amenities

Saxilby has a Co-op (including a pharmacy, a Post Office, a fabric shop, two barbers/hairdressers, Grocers and florist, and a news agents. The two village pubs are the Anglers Hotel, owned by Heineken Star Pubs Ltd, on the High Street and the Sun Inn on Bridge Street which has now closed. Saxilby has a small number of restaurants, takeaways and cafés including: a tea room, a café a Pizza Restaurant, a Chinese takeaway, and a fish and chip shop. There is a Service station situated on the A57, before the turning onto the B1241. R Barnard is a garage that can be found on Church Road.

The St Andrew's Community Centre is located on the Recreation field and is home to 2 function rooms as well as The Pavilion Bar & Kitchen, the Parish Office, and Saxilby Library. The Village Hall, a former Wesleyan Chapel, is the host to Saxilby Drama Circle, Saxilby Women's Institute and is a venue for many varied events. Saxilby is also home to a very active Scout and Guide community, with all main sections of each movement present. The majority of these groups meet in the Scout and Guide hut on Bridge Street.