Inaugural Meeting June 1995

Further committee meetings were held in preparation for the public inauguration of The Survey of Lincoln. On April 5^th Stanley Jones joined the founding individuals. They agreed to buy a copy of ‘London Survey’d – the work of the Survey of London 1894 -1994’ and to borrow a copy of that group’s latest volume. The City of Lincoln Council had provided a grant for £1000 but the group agreed to seek more funding. Numerous county and local societies, historical and architectural would be invited to send representatives.

A meeting to discuss final arrangements for the launch of The Survey of Lincoln was held on 13^th June 1995. 47 people were to be invited to attend the public meeting, from Lincoln, Heckington, Branston, Torksey, Nocton, Cambridge, Nottingham, York, Oxford,and Sheffield; several still remain supportive members.

The Inaugural Meeting was held at the Civic Trust premises in St Mary’s Guildhall. Dr Alan Vince outlined the aims of ‘the Survey’ and explained the purpose of the meeting as an opportunity to get a consensus of opinion as to its direction.

Chris Johnson spoke about Topography, suggesting that individual properties would only need short accounts but that aspects such as industry, housing and local individuals could warrant projects. Volunteers able to read old documents would have an important part to play.

Bob Pilling considered Architecture, and how the work could be conducted. The available material was vast in quantity and an approach would need to be agreed to make the aspect manageable.

Alan Vince spoke about Cartography and Demography, mentioning various mapping options including digital mapping and scanning. He suggested an extent for the Survey – High Bridge to Bargate, Stamp End to Tritton Road, and South of the Witham to St Catherine’s. Dr Dennis Mills had studied the population of Lincoln in the 1880s and there was much similar work that could be undertaken.

Funding was discussed; there was a hope that funds to employ a co-ordinator would be found but anyone willing to volunteer their time and effort would be encouraged, perhaps with expenses paid.

Referring back to The Survey of Ancient Houses, it was recalled that publication of that survey had not originally been intended. Part of the output of Survey of Lincoln could be deposited unpublished at Lincolnshire Archives.

Those present decided to hold a General Meeting in November 1995 to generate wider public interest with an update on progress. The first part would be for members, the second open to the public.