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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 6h

Cheers Steve, I appreciate it. They're sort of footnotes that wouldn't be usually be in the post itself, so in many cases its in the alt-text or not at all unfortunately. I'll do my best to add them to the post where I can though, and thanks again.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 6h

Nine years ago today I walked from Rochester to Sissinghurst, en route for Hastings. I happened upon a touching #BattleofBritain crash site, near #Staplehurst: P/O Clifton died there on 1 Sept 1940. I visited his grave, near Taunton, a couple of years later. RIP 'Curly' Clifton. (See Alt text.)

A white wooden cross with a poppy wreath around its shaft, in a hedge next to a country lane - Grave Lane, near Staplehurst, Kent. There is a noticeboard next to it bearing a sheet of information. Pilot Officer John Kenneth Grahame 'Curly' Clifton died there on 1 September 1940, when his Hurricane crashed after being hit by fire from a Dornier. It was the day after his first and only (I think) aerial victory. He was 21. The plaque on the cross is from a fragment of his Hurricane's fuselage. For more information (including photographs of Pilot Officer Clifton and the unveiling of the memorial in 2009), visit:

https://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Clifton.htm

https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/62087

A memorial cross in a graveyard, with the inscription:

'IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY OF

PILOT OFFICER JOHN KENNETH GRAHAME CLIFTON, R.A.F.,
KILLED IN ACTION
1st SEPTEMBER 1940, AGED 21

PER ARDUA AD ASTRA
ALSO OF HIS MOTHER, SUSIE DORTOTHY ANDERSON CLIFTON, DIED 18TH MARCH 1941, AGED 54
TO LIVE IN HEARTS WE LEAVE BEHIND IS NOT TO DIE'.

It is in St. John's Churchyard, Staplegrove, Taunton, Somerset.

A cross in a graveyard, with a church in the background and blue skies beyond.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 8h

I do like Blackjack beers.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 12h

And what a setting!

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 1d

Let's be Haven none of that!

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 1d

I'm stumped as to where that is.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 1d

Waiting for Deptford Creek Bridge to put lower the road back into place, nine years ago this morning (headed for #Rochester). The bridge spans the mouth of the River Ravensbourne, which was first bridged in 1804. It has long been a busy spot: Domesday noted many watermills nearby. #Walking

A group of people waiting at a barrier as the carriageway ahead has been raised to near vertical. The words 'BUS LANE' appear as if on a wall.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 1d

St. Walburge's, #Preston, viewed across the railway lines from the back of Croft Street in 1969, just over 100 years since that wonderful spire was completed - what an inspiring contrast it must have provided. #SteepleSaturday #Lancashire #ChurchCrawling

A black and white photograph of a beautiful, slender, church spire in the early decorated style, above a scent of dereliction in the foreground. Historic England Archive 2624_132.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 1d

This is terrific.

Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · Jan 7

'Sutton Hoo & Syria: The Anglo-Saxons Who Served in the Byzantine Army?' This is one of the most exciting things I've written (so far..!). Thanks to everyone who helped.
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 2d

I went to #NewCenturyHall in Manchester last night, to see #ParadiseLost for the first time in 10 years. They were grand 🤘...and so was the venue itself: built in 1963 for the Co-Op, lots of original features, sprung dance floor...and this massive 'disco ceiling'. Bloody great.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 2d

As seemed likely, it turns out that a soldier went a-souveniring... www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 2d

Having reached #WestsminsterAbbey nine years ago last evening 'today' was spent at leisure in #London. I stocked up on maps for the final stretch to Hastings, and visited the IWM, where the Jolly Boat 'Anglo Saxon' caught my eye - see the alt text for a link to its remarkable story. #OnThisDay

A slightly blurred photo of a smiling man wearing a blue Mind (the mental health charity) t-shirt, standing in front of the doors to Westminster Abbey.

The front of Stanfords map and travel bookshop.

The Jolly Boat Anglo Saxon (a small, wooden, clinker built life boat) on display in a museum, viewed from the stern. A Supermarine Spitfire and part of V2 rocket are visible in the background. For more on the boat and its remarkable story, visit: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30004040

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 2d

The reassuringly solid 12th century magnesian limestone font at #Selby Abbey. It is one of the oldest items on the site. #FontsOnFriday #Yorkshire #ChurchCrawling
📷 my own

A large stone font at the west end of a huge Abbey Church, viewed from that end looking along the nave. The impressive wooden ceiling and arcades are visible in the background.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 3d

This is sad indeed. RIP.

Marked by a wonderful photo: a look of quiet satisfaction, Phil Barker smiling in the background...and that floor!

Council for British Archaeology @archaeologyuk.bsky.social · 3d

We are very sad to hear the news of Mike Corbishley's passing.

Mike was a long-time supporter of the CBA and co-founder of YAC. We’ll be celebrating Mike’s life and contributions in an upcoming issue of British Archaeology.

Here he is in 1986, celebrating the conclusion of a Wroxeter excavation

Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 3d

#WalthamAbbey Church, viewed from the site of its former east end - the stone on the ground marks the site of the high altar and supposed burial place of #KingHarold II (one of several). Taken nine years ago this morning, before setting off to walk to Westminster Abbey.

A large external wall, the end wall of a church - showing signs it was once internal - stumps of projecting walls hint roughly at a larger incarnation. There is a lush lawn between the camera and church, with a memorial stone set into it. It is a beautiful, sunny day.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 3d

The stout stone remains of the strongroom in the headquarters building of Legio II Augusta, at #Corbridge, #Northumberland. Pictured on a glorious day last August.
#RomanFortThursday #RomanBritain

The remains of an underground strongroom, reached by a short staircase. Little survives above ground level, but the stonework set into the ground looks very robust.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 4d

Excellent. Daryl is a good egg.

Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 4d

Shucks. Special indeed. We're lucky to have him in our club and town's history. That, alongside the work St. Helens Council did with Stuttgart in the same period, really do mean a lot.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 4d

At Reed village (just south of #Royston), by the A10 / #ErmineStreet, nine years ago this morning. With well over 200 miles walked, I had just bumped into the 'Volvo Support Pony' awaiting a group of reenactors walking a related route. The coffee biscuits were welcome.
📷 by their support driver.

A man looking tired but in good spirits, dressed in an outdoor coat and shorts, standing in front of a Volvo with its hatchback open. A red and white umbrella leans on the car, and two 'Saxon' shields lean against its bumper.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 4d

Kororipo pā, commanding #Kerikeri basin. It is effectively a promontory fort, w. the inlet on three sides. From here Ngāpuhi Rangitira (chief) Hongi Hika mounted many successful campaigns, armed with muskets gained through trading w. Europeans. #Aotearoa #NewZealand #HillfortsWednesday
📷 my own.

Replica stockade and tower, at the neck entrance to the Pā.

The view across the basin, with the Stone Store - New Zealand's oldest surviving stone building - plainly visible. It was part of the second Church Missionary Society station in the country.

The main bank and ditch defences, with the interior and further defences beyond.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 4d

That's great. Really well done Mike.

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 5d

GII* Winstanley Hall is in a perilous condition (on HE's 'At risk' reg. as priority A) & without a viable plan might soon be lost. It is of special interest to #SherlockHolmes enthusiasts as a location for Granada's 'The Master Blackmailer' (1992). #Wigan
www.placenorthwest.co.uk/kingswood-pl...

Kingswood plans 432 homes at derelict Winstanley Hall - Place North West

Wigan Council will consider the full application from the housebuilder, which seeks permission to sensitively restore a 16th-century mansion into a 36 flat block, complemented by an adjacent 396-home ...

www.placenorthwest.co.uk

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 5d

Crikey! A historic heritage crime with every chance of a happy ending.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

New Orleans couple discovers ancient Roman grave marker in their yard

Discovery of 1,900-year-old headstone dedicated to Roman sailor sets off effort to repatriate item to Italy

www.theguardian.com

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 5d

The gibbet of #CaxtonGibbet, by #ErmineStreet / A1198 in #Cambridgeshire. Caxton itself is a village just over a mile to the south, but they sensibly put the gibbet next to the McDonalds, a mile and half away to help cater for the crowds. Taken nine years ago today, whilst hoofing it to Hastings.

A large wooden gibbet next to the entrance to a McDonald's at a road junction in the countryside. A sign read 'No HGVs', with a McDonald's advert in the background and another sign that reads 'Caxton Gibbet Park'. The gibbet has been rebuilt several times. For more information, visit: https://capturingcambridge.org/places-in-south-cambridgeshire/caxton/caxton-gibbet/

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Ste Lingard @stelingard.bsky.social · 5d

Roman floor tile found at Corbridge and on display in the museum there. Note the 'LEG VIV' stamp, for 'Legio VI Victrix'. #TilesOnTuesday #RomanBritain #Northumberland
📷 my own

A floor tile on display against a black background in a museum case, held in place by clasps top and bottom. For more information on the site, visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/corbridge-roman-town-hadrians-wall/history-and-stories/history/

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