Thirdly I wanted to re-visit St. Nicholas church, north Lynn. A few years ago this church passed into the care of the Churches Conservation Trust and extensive repairs have recently been completed. Often called a ‘chapel’ as for much of its existence it was a chapel of ease to St. Margaret’s church (as Holy Trinity, Hull was to All Saints, Hessle until the mid 17th century), the latter serving the original settlement established by the first Norman bishop of Norwich alongside what became ‘Saturday market place’ while St Nicholas served a settlement extension of the 12th century (with nearby ‘Tuesday market place’). St. Nicholas’ west tower was certainly topped by a spire in the 18th century but the current needle spire was designed by G.G. Scott in 1869.
Currently the C.C.T. are hoping to open the church every day although this relies on volunteers. The restored church has already been the venue for some public events and this, it is hoped, will continue.
The Churches Conservation Trust do great work across the country and their efforts will be much needed across this century. I am an active supporter – current membership is £42 pa.
Nearby St. Nicholas church is museum to the ‘North End’ fishing community, now all but gone. Part of the museum is in a property that use to be a shop and post-office in the 1960s in which my late half-sister worked.