The “great shame” of historic Lincolnshire place names which could die out
Historic place names could disappear from Lincolnshire maps for the first time in hundreds of years.
The current councils draw their names from ancient kingdoms of Kesteven, Lindsey and Holland, which have endured through the centuries.
However, they will likely be abandoned in the new council shake-up, as the new authorities’ boundaries are unlikely to align with the old kingdoms.
Local leaders have said it’s a “great shame” that these pieces of history will vanish.
Councillor Owen Bierley, who previously led West Lindsey District Council, said: “The Lindsey name goes back millennia. It helps people identify with where they live.
“The last local government reorganisation created ‘Humberside County Council’ in northern Lincolnshire, which led to apathy because people didn’t identify with it.
“They thought of themselves as Lincolnshire, those allegiances are very important.
“It will be a great shame to lose Lindsey. Whatever happens, people will still treasure the traditional names.”
Lindsey, Kesteven and Holland are all mentioned in the Domesday Book – a survey of England in 1086 – with some stretching as far back as the seventh century.
They have been incorporated into various council names over the years, but none of the proposed names for Lincolnshire’s new, bigger authorities includes them.
West Lindsey Councillor Ian Fleetwood also pointed to the mistakes of Humberside as something the government should avoid.
“Humberside was a political animal created to unite the area around the new Humber Bridge,” he said.
“For the government to come along and get rid of Lindsey and Kesteven with so much history over hundreds of years is completely wrong.”
Councillor Marianne Overton, who represents part of North Kesteven, said there was little benefit to abandoning the old names.
“When the current councils were formed in 1974, the historical names were chosen to link to people’s heritage.
“It’s so valuable, and when there’s big changes, there’s a real risk people lose touch with the local area.
“We’re throwing all that out and it’s hard to see the benefits.”
A range of names have been put forward for different proposals for Lincolnshire’s new map, with the government’s decision expected next month.
The government believes that the simplification makes council services more efficient and better value for money.