Tetford

History

Tetford is listed as "Tesforde" in the Domesday Book, with a mill, probably on the site of the present 17th-century watermill near the centre of the village.

The parish contains traces of ancient encampments thought to be from Saxon times. It is reputed to be the site where Raengeires, a Briton, defeated the Saxon general Horsa in a great battle.

In 1841 the parish was noted for its fertiliser production made from burnt limestone.

The Edward Richardson Community Primary School was founded through a 1714 bequest from Edward Richardson of a cottage and about 7 acres (28,000 m²) of land towards teaching the poor children of Tetford and Salmonby. In 1821 a National School was built and enlarged in 1897 and 1899.

The White Hart Inn, parts of which date from the 16th century, was once the meeting place of the Tetford Club for local gentry, whose members included Tennyson from nearby Somersby.

During the 2007 United Kingdom floods the village was affected with East Road and West Road being flooded, causing the north of the village to be cut off from the south.

Governance

An electoral ward in the same name exists. This ward stretches south west to Mareham-on-the-Hill with a total population at the 2011 Census of 2,196.

Geography

Tetford is situated in the Lincolnshire Wolds, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, running from Louth in the north, to Horncastle in the south. The village is 6.5 miles (10.5 km) north-east from Horncastle, 10 miles (16 km) south from Louth and 8 miles (13 km) north-west from Spilsby. It is in a shallow valley, at the bottom of a 98 m (320 feet) high ridge on which runs the Bluestone Heath Road. The parish covers about 1,730 acres (7.0 km²).

The Prime Meridian passes just to the east of Tetford.

Community

Village amenities include the Edward Richardson Community Primary School, the White Hart Inn public house, and a doctor's surgery.

Church

A place of worship has stood on the site of the Church of St Mary for over 900 years. The present building erected in the 14th century is built of local greenstone and had a tower added in the 15th century. Outside the north-east of the chancel is a headstone to two gypsies, Tyso Boswell and Edward Hearn, killed by lightning on the eve of Horncastle Fair in 1831.

Inside the church is a memorial to Captain Edward Dymoke who was the champion of George II. His helmet and breastplate are above the tablet high on the arch high up to on the right-hand side of the main area of worship. The inscription reads: "To the Memory of Captain Edward Dymoke, cousin of Lewis Dymoke of Scrivelsby. Champion to King George 2nd. Interred March 5th 1749 also John Dymoke Gent, nephew of the above. Interred July 23rd. 1748. Also of Mrs. Jane Dymoke his wife, Interred July 27th. 1745".

The church was restored in 1910 and seats about 250.

Tetford & Salmonby Scarecrow Festival

Tetford and its neighbour Salmonby hold an annual Scarecrow Festival. Households build scarecrows and display them outside their houses during May every year. The scarecrows are modelled on TV and films persons, historic figures, contemporary figures and fictional icons.

The Festival is largely dedicated to raising funds for the 14th-century church, however, part of the proceeds of the weekend are shared with other local charitable organisations in the village. The Scarecrow Trail is just over 1 mile (1.6 km) long.