Boston Big Dig

At the end of July/beginning of August, for three weeks, an archeological dig took place in the Market Place in Boston, here are some of the things that they found in those three weeks. The "diggers" were professional archeologists and also volunteers of all ages.
They opened four trenches, one near the Herbert Ingram statue, on the site of the old Butchery,

one at the end of Dolphin Lane, on the site of the old Buttercross,

one outside the old Corn Exchange Hotel where the present day Marks and Spencer's stands,

and one in front of the Assembly Rooms.

These are just a few of the many things that they uncovered.

A 16th. century brass hairpin.

A wooden flea comb.

Above and below: Clay pipes.

A dagger sheath.

Various pins.

pottery.

A snuff bottle.

A trading token.

An upper part of a medieval boot or shoe.

Castle on the The Town Bridge

This unique picture of a busy shipping scene near the Town Bridge was the work of William Brand and was published in 1795. The Corporation Buildings on the right were erected in 1772 and the Assembly Rooms had not yet been built. It also shows the old wooden bridge with its lamp standards, but the most remarkable thing about the picture is the appearance in it of the castle like tower at the West end of the bridge , from which Stanbow, or “Stonebow” Lane probably derived its name. This is the only known picture to show this structure. On page 251 of Pishey Thompson's History of Boston he writes "The bridge being in a very ruinous state, and in danger of falling, was taken down in 1629, and a new one erected. This bridge had a stone gateway standing across it, and it is probable from this circumstance, that the lane called Stanbow Lane, which would be very near the western extremity of the bridge, has derived its name."

Market Cross and Buttercross

The structure shown here once stood in the Market-place and was taken down in 1730. It was used as a market cross and is mentioned in 1639, 1645, and 1654 but there is no record of when it was built.

The Corporation paid £630 for taking it down and building a new Buttercross (below) on its site to be used as a market for the sale of butter, cheese etc. The room above was the Assembly-room, a place for transacting public business, and holding public meetings. It was completed in 1732. The turret and clock, with the wind dial, were added in 1745.

This building was taken down in 1822 when the present Assembly Rooms were built.

The Fair

The smell of candy floss and toffee apples, the caterpillar and speedway, the steam yachts, Rhona the Rat Girl and the boxing booth……….
Boston Mayfair has a very long history (to at least 1125) and traces it’s origins back to the great trading fair of medieval times although this was very different from the modern funfair that we know.

In the Middle Ages fairs were like markets and were held only once a year with merchants coming from all over Europe to buy and sell at the Boston fair.

However, by the 1890’s, the mix of fair rides and stalls that we know was certainly occupying both the Market Place and Wide Bargate and it is now one of the few remaining street fairs in the country.

The event, which has a Royal Charter, occurs in the first week of May (usually the 3^rd) and is surrounded by tradition and ceremony.

The Mayor declares the fair open at noon (see below) from the Assembly Rooms balcony overlooking the Market Place and the ceremony is attended by VIP guests including representatives of the Showmen’s Guild.

After the Fair has been declared open the mayor and guests tour with representatives from the Showmen’s Guild and are allowed to ride free on any of the attractions.

Families of showmen have been coming to Boston for generations, occupying the same pitches with their rides and stalls, which are jealously guarded. The Fair stays in the town for seven or eight days.

Below (1) Sideshows outside the Peacock and Royal Hotel in the 1940's.

Below (2) The Helter Skelter near the Post Office in Bargate in the 1920's.

Kiosk on the old Town Bridge

This kiosk used to stand on the old Town Bridge on the opposite side to the Assembly Rooms. It was demolished when the old bridge was pulled down and the new one built in 1913. Judging by the wording on the door it apparently sold cigarettes and cigars.



The Buttercross

In the Market Place, opposite to the end of Dolphin Lane stood the Buttercross (above) a large building of an oblong shape, open below on all sides, and supporting on stone pillars, a spacious assembly room, in which most of the public business of the borough was transacted.

It was built in 1732 and the turret and the clock, with the wind dial, were added in 1745. It was demolished in 1822 and the clock was put on a building (below) that stood on the present site of Barclay's Bank.