Arnhem connections in new exhibition

The stained glass window dedicated to the 1st Airborne Signals Regiment in Caythorpe.

St Vincent’s Church in Caythorpe received the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to undertake vital repair work to the nave roof, porch, monuments and stained glass windows, as well as adding a disabled toilet and ramp, baby changing facilities and creating a children’s history trail.

Saturday September 3 saw the re-opening of the refurbished church and launch of the children’s trail and guide to help visitors enjoy the church. Over 100 people attended.

The trail was designed by Jo Russell, Judith Scott and Sally Kelway, with the help of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS). The Archdeacon of Boston, Justine Allain Chapman, attended and joined teams of children and adults to complete the trail.

Archdeacon of Boston Justine Allain Chapman joins in the church children's trail after launching it at Caythorpe. EMN-160909-173255001

Year 9 students from the Sir William Robertson Academy at Welbourn have also been funded to research links between the village, its church and the ill-fated Battle of Arnhem in the Second World War.

An exhibition of their findings and associated artwork entitled ‘A bridge too far’ was displayed in the church last week in the run-up to the village’s annual commemorative Arnhem church service on Sunday.

Matthew Hollingworth, history teacher at the school said: “The project is an ongoing piece of research and the plan for this academic year is for Year 9 to create models of the Battle of Arnhem.”

On September 17, 1944 men of the 1st British Airborne Divisional Signals were billeted in Caythorpe prior to the operation. Of 348 men, 28 died, 149 were evacuated and 171 went missing (captured).

There has also been research into all those from the village who died in the First and Second World War to create Passports of Remembrance to be used at Remembrance services.