Digby, Lincolnshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Digby |
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 Digby Cross |
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 Digby
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| Population | 621 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | TF078546 |
| • London | 105 mi (169 km) S |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Lincoln |
| Postcode district | LN4 |
| Police | Lincolnshire |
| Fire | Lincolnshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
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Digby is a small village in Lincolnshire, England. It is located in the district of North Kesteven. The village is found near a watercourse called Digby Beck.
Digby is about 6 miles (10 km) north of the town of Sleaford. It is also about 12 miles (19 km) south of Lincoln city centre. In 2011, the village had a population of 621 people.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Etymology of Digby
The name Digby has a cool history! It comes from two old languages. "Dig" is from an old English word, dic, which means "dyke" or "ditch."
"By" comes from an old Norse word, býr, meaning "farm" or "settlement." So, Digby likely means a "farm by a ditch."
Digby's Past: History and Landmarks
People have lived in Digby for a very long time. An ancient axe from the Neolithic period (New Stone Age) was found here. This axe was partly polished.
Two Bronze Age stone axes were also found. These axes are about 4,000 years old. One is now privately owned, and the other is at Lincoln Museum. Two Bronze Age arrowheads were also discovered.
St. Thomas Martyr's Church
The village church is named after Thomas Becket. It has a porch with very old Saxon designs and carvings. The church is built in the Gothic style. It has a tall spire and is a Grade I listed building. This means it is a very important historic building.
In August 1907, lightning struck the church spire. Repairs to fix the damage cost £80.
Other Historic Buildings
Digby also has a round village lock-up. This building is Grade II listed, meaning it is also historically important. A lock-up was a small jail where people were held for short periods.
In the center of the village, there is a medieval stone buttercross. This is also Grade II listed and a scheduled monument. The top part of the cross was likely replaced during the Victorian period.
RAF Digby: A Wartime Airfield
Near the village is RAF Digby. This was once a grass airfield for the Royal Air Force. During World War II, it was home to famous planes like the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire.
Important pilots like Douglas Bader and Guy Gibson served here. The poet John Gillespie Magee, Jr. also spent time at RAF Digby. Later in the war, it became RCAF Digby Fighter Station.
Life in Digby: Community and Nature
Digby has a friendly community with several important places.
Village Facilities
The village has the Digby C of E School. Children aged 4 to 11 attend this school. There is also a local pub called the Red Lion. Digby has allotments where people can grow their own food. There is even a winery that uses local produce!
The War Memorial Hall is located on Church Street. In 2009, the front of the Village Hall was updated. It now has new seating and gardens for everyone to enjoy.
Historic Homes
Beck House on Beck Street is an old stone farmhouse. It is a Grade II listed building and is several hundred years old. You can also see other 18th and 19th-century buildings in Digby. These are now private homes. Digby Manor House is another listed building on North Street.
Wildlife and Nature
The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust looks after an area called Digby Corner. This is a special place for wildlife. In June 2007, a rare pair of Montagu's harriers nested in Digby Fen. These are some of the rarest breeding birds of prey in the British Isles!
Getting Around: Transport in Digby
Digby is located on the north-south B1188 road. This road is about 6 miles (10 km) west of National Route 1 of the National Cycle Network.
Ruskington railway station is 3 miles (5 km) south of Digby. This station is on the train line that goes from Sleaford to Lincoln. If you travel about 15 miles (24 km) south-west from Digby, you will reach Grantham. From Grantham, you can catch an express train to London.
See also
In Spanish: Digby para niños
