Our visit to Lincoln Castle (including the “Poppies wave”) and Lincoln Cathedral Wednesday, 29 June 2016
After a sunny start and gloriously panoramic journey over the Yorkshire Wolds, Humber Bridge and along Watling Street, the rain set in just as the coach carrying 43 of our members reached Lincoln.
Undaunted, our intrepid members made the most of this popular trip. It gave us all a wonderful opportunity to see the touring wave of ceramic poppies at Lincoln Castle just as we are about to honour the centenary of the start of the Battle of the Somme.
Sadly the heavy rain necessitated that we bypass the famous battlements walk with its spectacular views but the newly renovated castle was a dry haven of great interest. This former men’s and women’s claustrophobic prison accommodation of the 1840-1870s was restored for us to view. The untouched chapel arrangements with areas for debtors and the condemned, the remainder given narrow sealed blinkered pews were shocking to us today.
Although we were disappointed that Lincoln’s copy of the Magna Carta had been so recently removed because of a humidity issue, the film about it was engaging and enlightening. After our visit to the castle we walked across to the cathedral where we enjoyed an excellent buffet lunch in a cathedral reception room.
After lunch we were free to explore the Cathedral itself, and marvel at the intricate stone and wood carvings, the choir, the impressive chapter house, find the Lincoln Imp and view the 1958 Duncan Grant murals in the St Blaise Chapel, on the theme shepherds and wool.
The time just flew, and all too soon it was 4pm and time to depart. All in all we had a superb day, well worth the early 8 am start.
Our grateful thanks to Pauline Latham who well deserved our three cheers for her thoughtful and careful organisation which ensured another highly enjoyable outing.
Thank you Pauline.
Jessica Cathcart