- An educational facility, with an interpretative centre, for use by school children.
- An archaeological site, possibly meriting further excavations.
- A site of environmental value for wildlife.
- A setting for drama performances.
- A summer barbecue site, while watching the sunset.
All these possibilities were suggested by Richard Astle of the Langdyke Trust when he took a group of Trust members round the site on March 1st. Walkers on the Torpel Way will remember having to cross the horses` field by the junction of King Street and the road to Helpston. I, for one, was aware of the banks and hollows but had never really explored the site, which always looked untidy and had an ugly pylon in the middle.
There was an important mediaeval manor house, probably with a moat, in the northwest corner of the site and its land included most of Ufford, Ashton and Bainton and even extended into Helpston, Barnack and Maxey.
There is also a John Clare connection. When he was crossing the ruins on his way back to Helpston one night after harvesting at Ashton, he was terrifies by what he thought was a ghost. He discovered later that it was a foal, which had lost its mother!
At present most of the site is covered in rough grass with a few 200 year old oak and ash trees, but the old and new mole hills indicate some fine soil and there are plenty of rabbit holes. Once the site is made secure and sheep have been grazed, the pasture and biodiversity will improve. There was even a small pond but this dries up in summer. The old stables will not need much to convert them into a visitors` centre. There could be access from the B1443 and parking for a few cars. A fenced area could be used for planting local varieties of fruit trees or garden plots.
All the members on the visit came away sharing Richard`s vision and felt that this is too good an opportunity to miss, because it will benefit all the local communities The Langdyke Trust has one year to apply for grants and raise enough money to buy the site. It will not need a great deal of money to make it into another popular attraction in John Clare Country.
It is hoped that all the local parishes, benefactors and members of the Langdyke Trust will see this as a very high priority in their 2008-9 budgets and make generous contributions. For further information see the Botolph`s Barn website - www.botolphsbarn.org.uk FG 2.3.08
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