Sleaford residents invited to share Old Sidings memories at Cogglesford Watermill event

Anyone with stories connected to Sleaford’s Old Sidings area from over the years is invited to an event celebrating the people and places that have shaped the area. Stories from the Old Sidings is a chance to share memories linked to the land and buildings around the train crossing in Sleaford town centre – including the Bass Maltings, the railway and sidings, the Carre Arms Hotel, riverside industries and local businesses – and to preserve those stories for future generations.

This free event will run from midday to 3.30pm daily at Cogglesford Watermill in Sleaford, from this coming Friday November 13 until Monday November 16. 

Team members can digitally copy any photographs of the area which you have to share. There’ll also be information on the Old Sidings Masterplan project, and a model of the Bass Maltings will be available to view upstairs. The model, by Kayne Powell, is so highly detailed that it took over ten years to complete.

Council Leader Councillor Richard Wright said: “We’d love anyone with past or present stories of the Old Sidings to join us for this event, to celebrate how this part of Sleaford has been so intertwined with people’s lives locally over the years and to share their photos and memories to help illustrate its importance.

“It’s also a chance to reflect with others over tea and coffee on what the Old Sidings area is to Sleaford and what it could be in future, and of course to enjoy the historic Cogglesford Watermill as one of our fabulous visitor venues.”

Memories shared at the event will be showcased later on in the Old Sidings Masterplan project, or simply preserved for posterity if you prefer. Access to the upper floors of the watermill is via steep wooden steps. The event coincides with the first phase of public engagement on the Old Sidings Masterplan, alongside a survey live until November 22 at https://my.engaged.space/osm-sleaford/

For those unable to complete the survey online, paper copies will also be on hand at the event at Cogglesford Watermill, or alternatively people can call 0800 170 1223 to request survey information to be sent out via post.

The Old Sidings Masterplan is a forward vision being led by North Kesteven District Council for a range of disused land and buildings around the train crossing in Sleaford, including the Bass Maltings buildings, which are privately-owned and protected by 24-hour security surveillance, according to the council due to 'urban explorers' said to be taking renewed interest in the site due to the recently raised profile.

The masterplan brings together landowners and stakeholders to develop a vision to make the Old Sidings area investment-ready for heritage-led regeneration. It will be created using expertise from masterplanning specialists Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios working with a range of other expert partners, including engagement specialists Deetu who are leading on the public consultation for the emerging masterplan.

The completed Old Sidings Masterplan will be used to guide future decisions; while also supporting discussions with partners, landowners, investors and the community.

To get email updates on the masterplan direct from the project team, you can register to be a project partner at https://my.engaged.space/osm-sleaford/