Tattershall Thorpe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tattershall Thorpe |
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 Wesleyan Chapel, Tattershall Thorpe |
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 Tattershall Thorpe
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| Population | 245 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | TF219594 |
| • London | 110 mi (180 km) S |
| District | |
| 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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Tattershall Thorpe is a small village, also known as a hamlet, located in the East Lindsey area of Lincolnshire, England. It's about 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Woodhall Spa and 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of Tattershall.
This quiet village has an important link to the Second World War because it was home to RAF Woodhall Spa, a Royal Air Force base.
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RAF Woodhall Spa: A WWII Airfield
RAF Woodhall Spa was originally planned to be a smaller, supporting airfield for RAF Coningsby. Building started in 1940. However, due to the risk of invasion, construction was paused. Work began again in 1942, and the airfield opened later that year.
The base had three concrete runways. It also had aircraft hangars and temporary homes for over 1,000 airmen. Since it was meant for large Royal Air Force Bomber Command planes, it had big bomb storage areas. These were located north of the flying field.
Famous Squadrons at Woodhall Spa
The airfield was mainly used by two important squadrons:
- 97 Squadron: This squadron flew Avro Lancaster bombers.
- 617 Squadron: Also known as the "Dambusters," this famous squadron flew special missions.
Later in the war, 617 Squadron dropped very powerful "Grand Slam" bombs. After the war, flying stopped at the base. But it was used again between 1960 and 1967 for Bristol Bloodhound Missiles. In 2000, part of the site was still used by the RAF to test aircraft engines.
Thorpe Camp: A War History Museum
Thorpe Camp was once part of the living quarters for RAF Woodhall Spa. It was built in 1940. After the war, the local council used it for temporary homes until the 1960s.
By the late 1980s, the site was falling apart and was almost torn down. Luckily, the Thorpe Camp Preservation Group stepped in. This group is a registered charity. They first rented the site and then bought it. They turned the remaining buildings into the Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre. This center is now a museum with exhibits about the airfield's history.
The Bluebell Inn: A Historic Pub
The Bluebell Inn is a very old public house, or pub. It dates back to about 1257 AD. It became an inn in the 1600s, with changes made in the 1800s and 1900s. It is built from "mud and stud," which is an old building method. Part of it has painted brick at the bottom.
The Bluebell Inn is a Grade II listed building, meaning it's historically important. It holds many items from RAF Woodhall Spa. This includes signatures on its ceiling from members of 97, 619, 617 (Dambusters), and 627 Squadrons. These airmen used to visit the pub during the Second World War. Even today, RAF personnel from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and other squadrons from RAF Coningsby sign the ceiling to keep the tradition alive. Wing Commander Guy Gibson, who led the famous 1943 "Dam Busters" raid, visited the pub many times before he passed away in 1944.
Anglo-Saxon Smith's Burial: An Ancient Discovery
In 1981, archaeologists found an Anglo-Saxon burial site in Tattershall Thorpe. It was a single grave, dating back to the seventh century. The body was buried facing roughly east to west.
Inside the grave, they found tools belonging to a smith. These included an anvil and other smith's equipment. They also found bells. These bells might have been used to show that the person was a stranger or someone special. This discovery helps us understand how smiths were seen in society a long time ago.
Images for kids
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Wesleyan Chapel, Tattershall Thorpe
