New book tells story of hardships of family life at Navigation House

A new book has been compiled on the story of one of 
Sleaford’s history commercial landmarks which will be unveiled when the attraction is reopened to the public in May.
By Andy Hubbert
Published 1st May 2021, 06:05 BST
The new book on Navigation House by Harriott Righini-Brand. EMN-210426-152824001The new book on Navigation House by Harriott Righini-Brand. EMN-210426-152824001
The new book on Navigation House by Harriott Righini-Brand. EMN-210426-152824001

The book, entitled ‘Navigation House – Home and Workplace of the Mettam Family’ was written and researched by artist Harriott Righini-Brand, who realised there was a whole untold story of the Mettam family and their time living and working in Navigation House (or ‘Wharf House’ during their time there) after the building was disused by the Sleaford Navigation Company.

Harriott explained: “It came about as I made two sculptures about the blacksmiths, the Mettam Family and in particular Lizzie Mettam, who was born upstairs in 1800 and lived there all her life bar 10 years when she moved to Grantham Road.

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“The only surviving daughter of eight children, she looked after her two brothers and father from the age of 14 after the early death of her mother.

Lizzie Mettam. EMN-210426-152814001Lizzie Mettam. EMN-210426-152814001
Lizzie Mettam. EMN-210426-152814001

“The book reflects the process of finding out about the family, re-connecting parts who had become separated, using Ancestry and family accounts and photos and the cemetery records.”

Harriott said it is printed in black and white because in Lizzie’s times few photos were taken, not much was written down and times were hard.

She has been in contact with relatives of the family in Canada over the internet and put together their memories of the house at the time and their relatives who lived there.

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She says: “Constance’s account is fascinating giving a full idea of life in Navigation House from keeping a pig to the reputedly first flushing toilet in Sleaford.”

At £5, it is available as an e-book or to buy from Navigation House. Copies are available at the reopening of the house on Friday, May 21 between 12-4pm, which will have the theme of ‘afternoon tea’ as this is something Lizzie Mettam was famous for.

There will be free jam puffs made with Cogglesford Watermill flour, whose staff will be talking about their upcoming restoration works and Sleaford Museum will be informing people about their reopening.

Harriott’s two sculptures will also be installed reflecting the family and a mysterious necklace made from a bullet linked to Lizzie, dated from 1914.