History

The earliest record of human habitation in South Holland is believed to date back to 3,000BC, with evidence of flint tools having been found in the West of the district. An ancient document dated approximately 600AD mentions a tribe called the Spaldas.  This also indicates that during this period there was another settlement in the region.

The market town of Spalding is believed to have been founded by the Romans, when it became a major Roman port and helped them to gain access to the coastal district for the production of salt from the salt water.  This industry prospered until approximately 250AD.  There were also farmers with herds and flocks that grazed the open fen land.

Domesday and the Middle Ages

After the Norman Conquest, Spalding began to grow as a market town and is mentioned in the Domesday book.  The Spalding Priory had already been built in 1052, followed by Spalding Manor in 1066.  The Benedictine Monks took over the Priory in 1077 and are thought to have held this until some time in the 1200s.  The only remaining part of the building believed to have survived is now known as the The Priors Oven.

During the Middle Ages Spalding inhabitants started to encroach upon the edges of the silt land for agricultural use, but the whole expanse of peat land remained virtually undrained until the mid-17th century.  Nevertheless, Spalding was already becoming known as a provider outlet for local produce due to the rich soil.

Spalding continued to prosper and grow, especially between 1750 and 1850, due to the drainage of Deeping Fen and improvements in road links.  This helped Spalding to become a leading market centre and was reflected by the development of the marine trade as the River Welland was tidal and gave access to the Wash and the North Sea.  In 1801 thousands of acres of Deeping Fen was used to grow oats.  Woad was also cultivated on the recently- drained land, along with flax and hemp for oil production.  In the Holbeach and Donington areas ‘white’ opium poppies were grown until the nineteenth century.

Victorian Expansion

It was during the Victorian Ages that Spalding really began to expand following the introduction of the railways.  Predominately agriculture and horticulture based, by the late nineteenth century South Holland boasted a wealth of different crops including mustard, early cabbages, carrots, celery, asparagus, turnips, mangolds and fruit trees.  Vast areas of arable land were also given over to potato production.  Between 1880 and 1900, as railways made the transport of produce much more widely and cheaply available, Dring’s Yard in Spalding produced less than a dozen boats, a significant reduction over previous years, indicating the decline of the port.

It was in the closing years of the century when growers in South Holland started to produce daffodils and narcissus for the cut-flower market, later introducing the Darwin tulip in 1905.  The production of the bulbs became a principal aspect of Spalding industry at that time.

The First World War

During the First World War the production of potatoes increased.  After the war finished a network of narrow gauge railways were constructed across the region to ensure swift delivery to market, the largest of which was in Fleet [over 20km].

The first sugar beet factory in the county was built in Spalding to enable the production of sugar and ease the supply shortage.

In the 1930s the Geest family came to the UK from Holland to start up the flower bulb import business and later introduced the banana import business in 1953. With great successes in both industries, Geest then saw an opening within the market to become one of the major prepared food specialists of the 20st Century - a tradition carried on today by Bakkavor, currently one of Spalding's largest employers.

Modern Day Spalding

Spalding today still has a strong agricultural influence on the food industry, producing fresh vegetables such as brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage.  Because of the high volume of food locally produced the area also required the construction of food processing plants and canning facilities. These were pioneered by Smedley and Lockwood.  Large quantities of pumpkins are grown locally and this has given rise to an Annual Pumpkin Festival.

The South Holland area is a testament to its inhabitants. They have successfully fought against nature throughout its long history and have had to constantly adapt.  When the fens were drained those who made a living from the freshwaters became arable farmers.  They were followed by generations of families in tune with the land that have passed on their skills to their successors and the inhabitants to-date.

South Holland is now home to the National Centre for Food Manufacturing, keeping abreast of the latest technology and moving with the times.  The significance of the varied food production in the county and its impact on the country has become especially important during recent years due to the economic climate and the increased awareness of environmental issues such as food miles and food security.

Spalding continues to be a thriving Market Town with a bright future ahead of it.  The Red Lion Quarter development will become a focal point in the area to celebrate Spalding’s long and varied history in relation to quality food and food production.

Red Lion 'Time Capsule' Project

Here are just some pictures of the contents that are contained in the Time Capsule, chosen by members of the public, board members,local school children and local Spalding students attending Boston College. The capsule contains many interesting documents, National and local newspapers of the day and several surprising items that were selected including; Avatar the best selling film of the year. The capsule will be opened in 100 years and we hope it will prove of interest to future generations.

The photgraph on the right was taken at the actual burial of the Time Capsule in the Red Lion Quarters Artrium near the front entrance and can be located via the plaque near the buildings reception area. In the picture from the left to right are Mark Emmerson (Commercial Manager at Boston College) Katrina Gilbert (Marketing Manager at Boston College) Richard Baggaley (Red Lion Quarter Centre Manager) Sue Daly (Principal at Boston College) and Finally Councillor Howard Johnson. The Boston College Marketing Team have been responsible for running the Red Lion Quarter marketing contract since the development began and liaised directly with the public, schools, students and construction agents during this interesting project. The Time Capsule was created specifically for the project by a local company in lead and specially sealed with gas to enable the contents to survive for 100 years.