The Victoria County History of Lincolnshire – Spalding

The Victoria County History (VCH) project was founded in 1899 as a national undertaking to record and write up the history of every county in England. At its inception, the project was dedicated to Queen Victoria, which is how it got its name.

In addition to the VCH ‘big red books’ that many may be familiar with, the VCH project encourages local historians to become involved in creating something more manageable, known as VCH Partnership Publications (formerly called VCH Shorts). These are smaller paperback volumes that record the history of a single town or a group of parishes. Recently published examples include Castle Donnington in Leicestershire and Bosbury in Herefordshire.

A VCH of Lincolnshire was first attempted in 1906, but only Volume II was ever published, focusing on the county’s religious houses. After that, the money ran out, and despite several attempts to date, a complete VCH of Lincolnshire hasn’t been completed. In a small but significant way, the VCH Lincolnshire – Spalding group is starting to make a change.

The project is based at the Centre for Fenland Studies at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and supported by Spalding Gentlemen’s Society. Meeting monthly, a group of volunteers has come together to research the history of the town in order to produce a VCH Lincolnshire – Spalding Partnership Publication. The targeted completion date for this is 2028.

Our Supporters

The project is overseen by two advisory boards: the VCH Academic Steering Group (who advise on academic and VCH matters), and the VCH Management Board (who are responsible for the project’s governance). Both boards meet quarterly.

The VCH Lincolnshire – Spalding project is fortunate enough to have been supported by many individuals and organisations who are willing the group to succeed in its mission to produce a definitive history of Spalding.

The University of Lincoln and the University of Leicester history departments have generously offered their time and expertise. Lincoln Record Society has been an enthusiastic supporter of the project from the outset, together with the Institute of Historical Research (IHR), which produces the Victoria County Histories.

We owe a particular thanks to our funders: Lincoln Record Society (charity number 513433) and the Victoria County History Trust (1043526). If you are interested in supporting the project by donating, please email vchspalding@gmail.com. 

Get involved

The project is always on the lookout for new members who might enjoy researching and writing a piece for VCH Lincolnshire – Spalding. The VCH Research Group currently meets every month at the Centre for Fenland Studies in Ayscoughfee Hall Museum to share findings and work on areas of common interest. However, you don’t have to come along to meetings unless you wish to – just stay in touch by email if you prefer.

You don’t have to be an academic or a professional historian; experience of research and a love of local history or a particular interest in an aspect of Spalding’s past is all that’s required. The main areas that need to be covered are: landscape, settlement and buildings, land ownership, economic history, social history, religious history and local government across all periods of history. This means that there is an area of interest for everyone

If you feel you would like to join in with writing the VCH of Spalding, please contact vchspalding@gmail.com