Claythorpe Water Mill

Cycling UK Louth 'mini' club Ride

Claythorpe Water Mill 19-07-2020

Another week of cloudy skies and occasional rain had kept us waiting for even a semblance of summer to return. Heavy overnight downpours hadn’t helped but luckily for us the skies did at last clear for the start of our ride, and it was crystal clear blue skies that for once greeted today’s members: Tim Newbery, Rob Whitworth, Rob Cook, John Ambler, Chris Owen, Reg Bagshaw, Jason Bartup and Alan Hockham.

Today was also ‘National Ice Cream Day’ so we were looking forward to an icy treat at Farmer Brown’s Ice Cream Parlour.

Meeting up at the Meridian Leisure Centre there was time for a quick chat before departing within seconds of the scheduled 09.30 am start time. ETA back to Louth sometime between 3 and 4 pm.

Initially a route to Keddington Corner and Rushmoor Country Park before a very pleasant spin through South Cockerington. A little bit of re-grouping was required! before the pace setters got back on track to view Old St Peter’s Church at Saltfleetby. Tim had opted to take the little used Salter Gate which directly passes by the ‘leaning’ 15th Century tower. The place names give a clue to the importance of the salt industry in this area in the Middle Ages with a trade route from the coast passing through here.

Due to the instability of the church, slowly sinking into the marshes, the tower is all that is left as the body of the church was moved back in 1877 to its new location on the corner of North End Lane and Main Road.

Leaving the tower behind, Charles Gate did admittedly deteriorate into a joining up of potholes before turning south to Three Bridges. Tim did note Reg’s disapproval but he’s used to it! On approaching Gayton Top a loud explosion could be heard, Alan’s rear tyre rapidly deflating before our eyes. A speedy repair but further mechanical issues meant that Alan would have to temporarily depart for home (with a little bit of assistance from the family). Jason, Rob Whitworth and Reg had gone on to Woody’s at Woodthorpe to settle in and order refreshment, the ‘pack’ arriving a little later. We would hope to meet up with Alan at Farmer Brown’s having picked up a different bike.

Following drinks and friendly banter, Reg and Chris departed for home whilst the remainder continued through Beesby to Markby. Most of us had visited St Peter’s Church before but it’s always a pleasure to return to this rather fine place of worship. St Peter's is one of England's rare thatched churches, and the only one in Lincolnshire. Lying adjacent to the Augustinian priory of St Peter founded by Ralf FitzGilbert in 1160, the church bell is thought to be the earlier Priory refectory bell. The demise of the priory as a result of course of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII. In 1611 the present church was built with a tiled roof. In 1672 the churchwarden Richard White, substituted the tiles for thatch and took the tiles as payment. The thatched roof was last replaced in 2008.

Following the short rest, it was time to move on to the Ice Cream Parlour. Alan was already in residence and it was much busier than the last time we visited a month or so ago. Jason very kindly surged forward to join the queue and treated everyone to an ice cream. Rob Whitworth opted instead for a bacon bap, something he perhaps would come to regret as he was thereafter closely followed by wasps wanting a share. Rob Cook once again took advantage of the comfort of his folding stool, and Tim also used his which had been generously given to him by Rob.

It was so tempting to stay a while longer, enjoying the warm sunshine, but there was another 20 miles or so to Claythorpe and a visit of the water mill. Through twisting, increasingly potholed minor roads through Cumberworth and Bonthorpe it was never the less pleasant to soak in the fine views of the countryside. Through Alford and by now a little more of a headwind although good progress was made and we arrived at Claythorpe just before 2 pm. The good folk did their best to serve coffees and sandwiches as quickly as they could and at least the public can now use the café and restaurant without having to pay for admission to the wildlife park. The water mill itself dates to the 18th Century but the mill last ran in the late 1970’s.

The last leg now, and a slow climb up to the top road at Authorpe Grange and a run through Muckton and Little Cawthorpe back to Louth. Arriving at Tim’s at 3.30 pm, the Louth contingent having completed about 46 miles (55 miles for Jason). Carrot cake from Cakey Bakey Yum Yum café, Patrington seemed to go down well! Many thanks to all for the company.

Back into the hills next week!