St Botolph, Helpston

     The bf stayed with me for a week just before I moved.  In fact the final full day of his stay was dominated by the house sale.  However earlier in the week, when things were a little less hectic, I took him to the village of Helpston in the Soke of Peterborough and John Clare Cottage.  It was my second visit and his first. For those who don't know the cottage in question was the birthplace and sometime residence of the 'peasant poet' John Clare (1793-1846) It is a delight; there is the cottage itself (an atmospheric museum), charming garden and contemporary, but being built like a barn in no way intrusive, visitor centre.  It really is worth a visit.

     On the other side of the village High St, and near the John Clare memorial designed by Michael Drury of Lincoln, is the small parish church dedicated to St Botolph, with, in the graveyard, the burial place of the John Clare.  I love the archway into the graveyard! The most distinctive part of the church is the octagonal west tower and spire.  The interior is, to be honest, a little dull.  However its setting is all very picturesque: the former vicarage to the south and a number of beautiful houses clustered around all built of the local oolitic limestone.  In all a rather lovely village on the edge of the Limestone Belt, spoilt alas by the all too intrusive 20th century.  Apologies for the low number of photos - more will follow - but we're kinda chaotic here for the time being!