Brinkhill is a small village in the Lincolnshire Wolds 5 miles west of Alford. The Methodist chapel on the left has been converted into a residence.

Postcard published by R. Baumber, Post Office, Brinkhill & postmarked Horncastle 1909. 

Brinkhill former school.

This was the Natonal School and school master’s house opened in 1851, enlarged in 1861. The Revd Robert Wentworth Cracroft was instrumental in its provision and oversaw its operation for 54 years while Rector of Brinkhill and Harrington. The eastern end of the building was the school.  It closed in 1934, was used as a village meeting room before becoming a dwelling. It has been largely unused since the death of the last owner.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

Brinkhill former schoolhouse.

The western end of the building was the schoolmaster’s house.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

Former shop.

Fondly remembered as the village shop, in the 1840s this building retailed beer until the owner became convinced of the evils of drink. Thereafter the grocery store operated sometimes in combination with a drapery section and a post office. From the early years of the 20th century it was operated by the Baumber family who also had a bakery behind, the gable end of which can be seen to the left. The bakery closed in 1950s but the shop continued, ultimately under two sisters, Ella and Ruby Baumber. Ruby, now alone, shut up shop in 1999. The sundial is a recent addition.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

St Philip's is Early English in style and is built with alternate bands of red brick (2, 3  or 3 courses per band) and greenstone.

The churchyard cross has a 14th century shaft supporting a 20th century Virgin and Child.

September 2015

Built in 1857 by local architects (Joseph) Maughan and (James) Fowler, this small church comprises nave with western bellcote and chancel.

September 2015

Brinkhill St Philip from E

The east window has pronounced hood moulding with floriate stops. There was a cross on each of the three gables. St Philip’s is Grade II listed: see: 

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063633?section=official-list-entry

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

Brinkhill St Philip from NE

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

Brinkhill St Philip from S

Mounted on the south wall of the chancel is a modern cross of St Philip. It was intended to replace the cross fleury which had fallen from the top of the bell-cote, but was considered too heavy for that purpose.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

Brinkhill St Philip from SW

The church has a much-used church hall linked to the north-west corner of the nave.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

Brinkhill St Philip sanctuary

The internal arcade of shafts of the east window and the metal ivy-leaf design of the sanctuary rails are seen here.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

Brinkhill St Philip looking W

The Minton tiles inspired the colours and design of the kneelers and cushions in the chancel.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

The text along the bottom of the three lights reads: These windows were moved from St Clement’s Saltfleetby, restored to the Glory of God and given by Mrs Carolyn Sansom the Lord of the Manor Brinkhill. St Clement’s church has since been used as a workshop and craft shop, a place of worship for another Christian group and has now been converted into domestic accommodation.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

The cross in the churchyard of St Philip’s church is a fine 14th century one. It is depicted in the 1790 sketch by Nattes including the octagonal crenelated knop onto which a 20th century gabled section has been added. The face shown has a Madonna and Child. The whole is Grade II* listed:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1359715?section=official-list-entry

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

The octagonal bowl is 13th century and may have been saved from the previous church; the base is Victorian with detached shafts with decorative annulus rings.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

On the north wall of the chancel is this tablet to a very long-serving rector.

‘TO THE MEMORY OF/ ROBERT WENTWORTH CRACROFT/ YOUNGEST SON OF ROBERT CRACROFT/ (AFTERWARDS AMCOTTS) ESQUIRE/ OF HACKTHORN IN THE COUNTY OF/ LINCOLN BY AUGUSTA HIS WIFE SEC’D/ DAUGHTER OF SIR JOHN INGILBY BART/ OF RIPLEY CASTLE IN YORKSHIRE, AND/ RECTOR FOR 54 YEARS OF THE PARISHES/ OF HARRINGTON AND BRINKHILL./ HE MARRIED IN 1864 THE HONBLE/ ELIZABETH CATHERINE LANE-FOX/ WHO DIED IN 1879. HE WAS BORN AT/ HARRINGTON HALL ON JUNE 15TH 1826/ AND DIED AT HARRINGTON RECTORY ON/ MARCH 22ND 1905 SINCERELY REGRETTED/ BY HIS MANY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS/ OF ALL CLASSES./ "I DWELL AMONG MINE OWN PEOPLE” 2.KINGS.IV.13/ (THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY)

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

J S Trolove was born in Walmsgate and farmed at Ketsby before moving to Brinkhill Manor. He died as a result of the horse pulling his trap bolting and turning into the drive at speed, hitting the gatepost and his being thrown to the ground. He left a widow, Emma and a family of 8 children. Two sons emigrated to New Zealand where their farm is called Brinkhill.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

Brinkhill St Philip looking E

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

The glass panels in three lancets on the north wall of the nave are inscribed in memory of a local chartered accountant. The text reads: These windows have been restored & given in loving memory of Bill Kewley 1941-1993 by his family & friends.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

The organ was installed in the early 20th century. 

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

A calligraphy list of Rectors from 1245 to 2016.  Since the retirement of Revd Cheryl Hilliam in 2016 the benefice has been without a priest.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024

Brinkhill former chapel.

The presence of a few yellow bricks in the fabric of this dwelling is all that reveals its origin as a Wesleyan chapel. It was the second on the site, opened in 1872 and costing £260. The last service was held in July 1966 and it was converted into a house in 1971.

Jean Howard 8 May 2024