Forum for residents of St Georges Park and Long Leys Road Lincoln

[john shipton]

I was able to trace and track down Russell Trimble of Witham Archeology who was involved with the recent archeological dig on Baker's Field.
He warmed to my telephone conversation when I discussed with him of his findings.
He has found the remains of a Roman homestead and animal bones from the Roman era. This appears to be part of a Roman village which could be in and around the surrounding land of Baker's Field. Roman small holdings could be scattered too in the western part of the West End of Lincoln where the navigational canal and dykes are situated.
Some of the roads could be Roman built leading into the city of Lincoln. But remains of buildings and roads lie underneath open spaces, fields and what constructions that have been built from the Middle Ages and there from.
Details obtained from local contacts who know about the historical heritage of Lincoln, tell me that Lincoln City Council knew about what lay underneath Baker's Field since the 1980s. One of the reasons for not disclosing this is because the council had no money for an organised official excavation. So the excuse was "let sleeping dogs lie."
Time Team could have been contacted regarding the site but it takes about 18 months for any investigation to begin and by the time any decision could be reached, the new cemetery may have been built by then. As the land is owned and rented out at present by Lincoln City Council to Arthur Baker, City Council might not give their permission. So this is not road to go down as it may lead to a dead end.
The reason why Russell Trimble was called in is because of the possibilities of Baker's Field being used as a buriel ground, in other words, a cemetery. So a small archeology dig had to be organised due to this because of the site known to be Roman. Also to test the water levels of the field.
With the artifacts found, these will be looked at, investigated and recorded.
Lincoln City Council's approach to Roman sites found in Lincoln, is eventually to build over them. This has been done so far. There are only a few in the city itself which can be viewed. But these can be subjected to vandalism.
If residents wish to know more about historical archeology in the city of Lincoln, please contact Mick Jones and his small team on 01522 873271. Mick is City Council's archeologist.
It is a shame that Lincoln City Council did not follow through a vision of having a Roman Centre for Lincoln on par with the Viking Centre in the city of York. The local authority and businesses in York used this purpose built centre, its castle, medieval buildings and wall surrounding the old part of the city, to attract tourists, visitors and to encourage its residents to visit such places which have been on the city's maps for centuries.
The local council thought about the road infrastructure, parking and park and ride and put them into place. In fact, all concerned put money into schemes to achieve this vision for the city. And it worked!
But alas for Roman Lincoln, not much of a vision!
Consecutive councils whether Conservative or Labour for years ignored what could be achieved in attracting visitors and tourists to Lincoln. In the process it lost its direct rail link to Kings Cross. The only bypass built forms part of the A46.
Lincoln City Council pulled down multi-storey car parks, built upon used car parks and concentrated in building a university for Lincoln saying that this was the way forward for prosperity sake. It forgot its residents and ignored what the people of Lincoln wanted or suggested to create a city which would be noted throughout the UK and the world.
The only festival for Lincoln and a main attraction well known todate is the Christmas Market but that only lasts for four days of the year.
Will our Urban Village eventually be forgotten too, just like what lies underneath Baker's Field.
I hope not!