Welcome to the Botolph's Barn website!
Latest News and Documents Langdyke Countryside Trust latest newsletter Listen to Tawny Owls feeding their young in Royce Wood on 30 May! |
Based in the centre of Helpston, north-west Cambridgeshire, opposite St Botolph's Church and next door to the Exeter Arms, Botolph's Barn provides meeting rooms for the village church and the local community. It also hosts a small exhibition, looking at the history of the village, its connection to Helpston born poet, John Clare and the surrounding natural environment.
The Barn provides broadband access to the internet for members of the local community and can be booked as a venue for corporate meetings and events.
This website provides more information about the Barn, the exhibition and how to book the meeting rooms. It also provides more general information about Helpston, including forthcoming events and details of local groups and businesses, as well as a library of photographs, maps of local walks and links to web cameras located around the village.
Did you know? The Rev John David Paulett was the notorious vicar of St Botolph's from 1888 to 1892, when he left in disgrace. He was unmarried and lived in the vicarage with his sister, Isabella Paulett, who had been the matron of a home in London. She moved to Helpstone with her maid, Lydia Barnett. In 1892 Rev. John David Paulett was aged 58 and the maid Lydia was aged 31 when they married down in London on January 28th. His sister took off to York with embarassment! They went on to have another son Robert and lived together in Peterborough until the ex-Reverend died in 1900! The Lincolnshire, Rutland and Stamford Mercury dated May 13th 1892 gives a report of an ecclesiastical enquiry against John Paulett as he had not adequately performed the duties of his office. He failed to hold two full services on Sundays and neglected to visit the sick and dying! No mention of his 'friendship' with the maid was made!There is a slight reference to this on page 4 of the our Helpston School Master's Diary (see historical documents), as the enquiry was held in Helpston School. |
