TOWARDS AN EVENING IN WEST BUTTERWICK

 The intention was to begin this post with a pint in Scawby Brook, at the Horse & Cart. Sadly, it's been replaced by housing.

There was another pub here, the King William IV, but that's closed too. It used to brew its own beer.

The GCR's station named Scawby & Hibaldstow served this area.

Hibaldstow village was the home of Cross Coaches.

Next stop, the airfield at Kirton Lindsey, where this Luton Minor was found.

Also seen there was a Rollason D.31 Turbulent.

Messingham is a medium-sized village south of Scunthorpe.

The local bus, owned by Goodson & Wright, in Messingham. the early 1930s This firm was absorbed into the 'Enterprise and Silver Dawn' company.

Here's Holy Trinity church in Messingham (Jules & Jenny - Creative Commons License).

AT LAST! Some beer. This is the Bird in the Barley at Messingham.

There's also the Horn Inn.

We now head to the banks of the River Trent, and the village of East Butterwick, home of the Dog & Gun, a fine pub with Dark Tribe beers (Creative Commons License).

Our next calling point is just across the river. There used to be a ferry, but not any longer.

So, we're obliged to use the M180 bridge, to the north (Creative Commons License). Take a look at the map if you're lost.

And so we arrive in West Butterwick. This is North Street.

Here's the mill.

A certain Mr Maw used to have some old buses for transporting workers to the fields in the area. His yard was in West Butterwick.

It's getting dark over West Butterwick church.

So it's time to visit the Three Horseshoes. Warning - it's closed at the time of writing.

Next time..... we'll see some trolleybuses and much of the Isle of Axholme.

"NEXT TRAIN'S GONE!!"

I've stolen the title from a quote in Will Hay's comedy, "Oh Mister Porter". You'll see why when we get to Brigg railway station, but in the meantime, we'll arrive in the village of Barnetby le Wold. Here's a postcard of Kings Road.

 

The Railway pub in the village is shut for ever.

However, the Whistle & Flute, next to the station, is still serving pints.

Barnetby station, seen here in GCR days, circa 1910, is an important junction.

Here's Barnetby, photographed in the early 1970s.

There's plenty of freight passing through Barnetby. 56056 is westbound, in 2002.

A class 60 heads in the opposite direction.

EWS (DB) and Freighliner class 66 locos are a common sight these days.

Trans Pennine and East Midlands run the passenger services.

In the distance, looking west, is Wrawby Junction, whre trains towards Market Rasen, Brigg and Scunthorpe go their separate ways. The semaphore signals have now gone.(Derek Hoskins - Creative Commons License).

We approach Brigg along Wrawby Road.

This is Bridge Street.

The bridge itself, crossing the River Ancholme.

Brigg Market Place.

Brigg railway station in 1961, when it had a decent train service (Ben Brooksbank - Creative Commons License).

Today, the station is served by just one train in each direction, Monday to Friday. The signal box survives to control the level crossing.

Brigg does have a few pubs. The Brocklesby Ox is no longer one of them.

Another one that's gone, the Queens Arms, seen when it had its own brewery in 1998.

Luckily, the good citizens of Brigg have a free house, the Yarborough Hunt, to serve them decent beer.

A quick trip over to the small town of Caistor, as it's market day. If you're lost, here's the map.

There's also a big wedding taking place.

Oh dear, another lost pub, the Nickerson Arms at nearby Rothwell. This postcard is now the only reminder of it.

Now we head for North Kelsey Moor, but the Queens Head is now closed.

In North Kelsey itself was the Royal Oak, another one gone.

Fortunately, the Butchers Arms is still in business.

That seems to be a good place to end this post. Next time, we'll be heading back to the Trent.