A Spalding historian has published his first book, drawing together overlooked stories about the town, its buildings, traders and surrounding area.
Forgotten Spalding is a hardback of more than 300 pages created by Patrick Wensor over 18 months after he retired from a career in IT. The book focuses on people and places connected with Spalding, including those who traded in the 1700s and 1800s, and uses their stories to shed light on historic buildings that remain part of the town’s past.
Its subject matter ranges widely. The source describes chapters covering murder, lost buildings, brewing and breweries, as well as the occasions when the celebrated cricketer WG Grace played in Spalding.
Three sections explore Spalding and beyond
The book is arranged in three parts: Lost In Time, which refers to Spalding town; Spalding Brewers and Breweries; and Out of Town.
The final section broadens the book’s geographical scope. It includes material about Surfleet Reservoir, “sand fairs” and the history of nearby roads. These subjects sit alongside the town-centred stories, creating a record that moves between individual people, local businesses, lost structures and wider places around South Holland.
Wensor’s research builds on a long-standing interest in local history. The source says he has written for local historian Nancy Snowden, contributed material about Ayscoughfee and produced work for the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society.
“I’ve always been interested in history and written things for local historian Nancy Snowden and a bit on Ayscoughfee as well as for the society,” said Pat.
He is a trustee of the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society and a member of the Spalding and District Civic Society and Friends of Spalding Cemetery. Those connections reflect the breadth of the project, which covers both the town’s built heritage and the people associated with its history.
Where the book is available
Forgotten Spalding costs £30. Copies are available from Spalding News in Market Place, Geoff Neal Dry Cleaners and Daisies in The Crescent.
The book is also sold at Vine House Farm in Deeping St Nicholas. The source additionally directs readers to a website identified as forgotten-spalding, although it does not provide a complete domain name.
For Wensor, publication marks the result of 18 months of work following his retirement and a project shaped by his long connection with the area.
“I’m really proud of it. “It’s good to get it in your hands and actually feel your creation.”