Birthplace of poet Tennyson hosts fundraiser for historic church near Horncastle

Somersby House, a grade II listed building, is to host a cake and savouries sale at a special coffee morning on Tuesday, March 24, between 10 am and 12 midday.

Plants and dahlia tubers will also be on sale at the spring event, which is expected to attract a healthy-sized attendance.

All the proceeds raised will go towards the ongoing upkeep of the historic St Margaret’s Church, which sits in Somersby’s adjoining village of Bag Enderby.

Somersby House was once the rectory of Somersby and Bag Enderby, where Tennyson’s father, the Rev George Tennyson, served as rector for 24 years until his death in 1831.

Tennyson was born at the rectory in 1809 and was baptised in St Margaret’s Church, where he also tolled the bells in the tower.

As a boy, he attended King Edward VI Grammar School in Louth and enjoyed summer holidays in Mablethorpe and Skegness. He went on to become one of England’s most respected poets and was Poet Laureate for much of Queen Victoria’s reign.

The splendid Church Lane church, which is also a Grade II listed building, dates back to 1407 and contains mementoes and a bust of Tennyson.

Visitors to the March event are advised that the postcode for Somersby House is PE23 4NR and it can be found via What3Words, using marmalade, walled, release.

The event follows a successful strawberries and cream teas fundraising celebration on the lawn of the old hall opposite the church last summer.