Boston Borough Council

Work is now underway at St Botolph’s library to ensure the church’s historic and important collection of books can be preserved in Boston for future generations to enjoy.

The books, which number around 1,200 and date as far back as 1170, have been kept in St Botolph’s library since it was established in 1634. However, the building conditions, temperature, and light have posed a risk to the preservation of the books in recent years.

But now, sensitive improvement works are being carried out which mean the collection – that includes early editions of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs by Boston-born John Foxe – can remain at St Botolph’s.

The works, which will see wall repairs, new décor, UV filters, temperature control, and new bookcases, are being carried out respectfully of the building’s heritage.

The improvements to the library are being complemented by the installation of a lighting scheme at St Botolph’s which will create a better lit space internally and provide new external lighting of the whole building, including for displays.

The books date as far back as 1170 | Photo: Boston Borough Council

With the new lighting installed, St Botolph’s will be able to be lit up in different colours to mark special occasions and causes, impressively illuminating this part of town.

The library and lighting works, which have received £200k in funding through Boston Town Deal will enhance St Botolph as a major cultural asset in the town for local residents and will provide a boost to Boston’s tourism sector.

Chris Ladner, Reader and Parish Resource Officer for St Botolph’s said: “This historic and important collection of books really is a jewel in the crown of Boston’s history, and one that has been enjoyed by people over hundreds of years.

“It is an asset of which we in Boston can all be proud, but, as we would expect with buildings of this age, improvements are needed to ensure that we can provide the optimal conditions to preserve these fine books. “In addition, the lighting improvements will allow us to make better use of the building, opening it up for more flexible uses.

“We are really pleased to be working with Boston Town Deal which will secure the library’s future and create a better lit space for more people to use and enjoy.”

Neil Kempster, Chair of Boston Town Deal added: “St Botolph’s library is intrinsic to the historic fabric of our town, and it is a heritage asset of which we can all be proud.

“And, by improving the internal and external lighting, we can strengthen the building’s role as a cultural asset, allowing the space to be opened up for different and flexible uses.

“The board has been keen to prioritise the lighting and library works as we know that they will have a significant and sustainable impact for the town, ensuring St Botolph’s can be enjoyed by people who live here and by those who visit from further afield.

“Through the Town Deal investment in Boston, one of our goals is to build on the town’s unique heritage as we look to the future, and this project certainly achieves this aim.”

As well as the building works that are being carried out, the St Botolph’s team are also painstakingly scanning all the books to create an online archive. This will include the earliest book in the collection, St Augustin’s work on Genesis which was written in 1170.

It is expected that the library and lighting works will be completed by the end of the year.

Boston was blooming, flourishing and looking stunning as the town welcomed an East Midlands in Bloom (EMIB) judge who saw for himself the town’s team efforts.

Judge Peter Beham, accompanied by Carl Beacock, toured the town on Friday, July 15 to see for himself the hard work and many hours put in by volunteers to beautify the town for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.

He was shown around by Alison Fairman, Chair of Boston in Bloom, who presented a portfolio of work volunteers to show what they have achieved since last year’s entry, as well as ongoing and future projects, one of which is to restore the first electric light given to Boston and to install it at Central Park.

Boston has been awarded Gold status for the last six years and volunteers are hopeful they can maintain the standard following this year’s team effort. EMIB judges always take many notes, photographs and make suggestions but do not give anything away on their decision until the official awards ceremony in September.

The judge was shown around 15 areas of Boston and was told volunteers work every Friday morning – a staggering 36 Fridays given up since last October for the benefit of the town.

Alison Fairman, Chair of Boston in Bloom showed the judge round the best of Boston’s flora | Photo: Jaimanuel Photography

This year’s entry, again, saw many businesses sponsor planters or donations of equipment or plants. Boston Seeds had donated 22 bags of daffodil bulbs to the town.

Other community efforts including Wyberton Wombles were celebrated and the judge was shown the new Queen’s Diamond Jubilee flower bed in Central Park where the design was chosen following a competition at Wyberton Primary School. The winners, Annie and Mia, both 8, met the EMIB during the tour.

Judging started at Boston Cemetery and then went judge went on to meet Boston Woods Trust who are working hard with the ongoing development of Dion’s Woods. The judge said during his visit: “How lucky are the people of Boston to have this on their doorstep.”

The tour then went to Willoughby Road Allotments, where the tranquil NHS Wellness Area was viewed. The next stop was the Fisherman’s memorial and on to St Botolph’s Bridge. The town’s buoys, a social history and art project, gathered a lot of interest from the judge.

The route then went to Boston Stump to see the Mayflower bed and then to Central Park to view the new long flower beds, the Art Deco Garden and the newly established Jubilee bed.

Boston was in fine form as the judge toured the town | Photo: Jaimanuel Photography

It was then onto Strait Bargate, Custom House Quay and the Haven Meadow. The tour then finished at Fydell House.

Judge Peter Benham said: “This is the third time I have been to Boston as a judge, I have seen it grow remarkably every year. There is a lot of good work being carried out in the community and their efforts are rewarded by the standard of the displays and the enjoyment they bring.

“I hope more people get involved and partake – projects like this strengthen communities.”

Alison Fairman, Chairman of Boston in Bloom said: “Boston in Bloom was delighted to welcome Royal Horticultural Society judges to Boston. The volunteers have worked very hard over the last nearly 40 weeks on all the areas in central Boston and helping make the town cleaner and greener.

“It has been a great community effort and many people have been involved including the Station Adopters and Wyberton Wombles.

“It would be wonderful to win gold again and we look forward to finding out how well we have done in September.”

Alison also thanked the sponsors, who without them some of the projects would have been impossible.

The East Midlands in Bloom Awards Ceremony will take place in Loughborough on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.

Annie and Mia, both 8, from Wyberton Primary School with their Jubilee flower bed | Photo: Jaimanuel Photography

The judge said during his visit: “How lucky are the people of Boston to have this on their doorstep.” | Photo: Jaimanuel Photography

| Photo: Jaimanuel Photography

| Photo: Jaimanuel Photography

| Photo: Jaimanuel Photography

| Photo: Jaimanuel Photography

| Photo: Jaimanuel Photography