Our Villages

Legbourne and Little Cawthorpe

A Living History...

Two Villages, One Community

Nestled in the Lincolnshire Wolds, Legbourne and Little Cawthorpe have been home to families for generations. While they maintain their distinct characters, they've always shared a deep connection - from shared schools and churches to intertwined family histories.

Legbourne - The Larger Village

Population: Approximately 300 residents

Parish Church: St. John the Baptist (Norman origins)

Notable Features: The Old Mill, Village Hall, War Memorial

Legbourne has long been the more populated of our two villages, centered around its beautiful church and traditional village green. The village has Saxon origins, mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Legeburne."

Historical Highlights:

Medieval Times - Important market town with annual fairs
Agricultural Heritage - Rich farming land supporting generations of families
Victorian Era - The railway brought new prosperity and connections
Modern Day - A thriving community balancing tradition with change

Little Cawthorpe - The Quieter Neighbour

Population: Approximately 150 residents

Parish Church: St. Helen's (12th century)

Character: Peaceful farming community with strong family connections

Little Cawthorpe has always been the quieter of our two villages, but no less important to those who call it home. Its smaller size has created an especially close-knit community where everyone truly knows everyone.

What Makes It Special:

Family Traditions - Many residents trace their families back generations
Agricultural Life - Working farms still at the heart of the community
Natural Beauty - Rolling fields and ancient hedgerows
Community Spirit - Small but mighty when it comes to village events

Shared Heritage

Connections That Bind Us

Throughout history, our villages have shared:

Schools - Generations attended the same village schools
Churches - Families worshipped and celebrated together
Work - Farming, trades, and businesses that served both communities
Celebrations - Joint village fetes, sports days, and social events
Challenges - Supporting each other through wars, economic changes, and loss

Changes We've Witnessed

What Our Stories Capture

The voices in our collection span decades of change:

From horse-power to tractors in our farming communities
From oil lamps to electricity in our homes
From walking everywhere to cars for all
From large families in small cottages to smaller families in larger homes
From everyone knowing everyone to welcoming newcomers
From self-sufficient villages to commuter communities

Yet through all these changes, the essential character of our villages - the warmth, the connection to the land, the care for neighbors - remains strong.

Today's Community

Looking Forward While Honouring the Past

Today, Legbourne and Little Cawthorpe are home to:

Long-established families whose roots go back generations
Newer residents who've chosen village life for its peace and community
Young families raising the next generation of villagers
Retired folk who remember how things used to be
Working people who commute but call this home

This memory project celebrates all these voices, creating a bridge between past and present, between longtime residents and newcomers, between the old ways and the new.