Exploring the legacy of Ethelburga – a community project focused on the Anglo-Saxon heritage of Lyminge, a village in the Elham Valley in East Kent.
Despite Covid, the Lyminge Anglo-Saxon Festival got underway in a socially-distanced way on Monday with the first event: Meet the Author Rob Macintosh, who has written a trilogy of novels on the Mission of St Augustine, who brought Roman Christianity to Kent in 597. Of particular interest to us in Lyminge is that a central … Continue reading Lyminge Anglo-Saxon Festival gets under way
The new archaeological display in the north aisle of the parish church has now been fully installed. The exhibits on display are a selection of the few tantalising excavated fragments that give an insight into how the Anglo-Saxon church was built. A graphic panel provides more information about these exhibits. We have used them, as … Continue reading A new archaeological display for the parish church
Pouring the first pint 12 noon and the first draught pint of Queen Ethelburga's Ale was served in the Coach and Horses. The anticipation and pleasure of drinking Queen Ethelburga's Ale QEA is what you might call a traditional ale, quite malty but with a Kentish twist given by East Kent Goldings Hops which are … Continue reading Queen Ethelburga’s Ale on draught at the Coach and Horses, Lyminge
Queen Ethelburga's Ale So here it is. After months of planning, and following the commencement of brewing last month, Queen Ethelburga's Ale has arrived in Lyminge. It tastes pretty good! It's an excellent session ale for this warm weather, lots of malty flavour, with that characteristic taste of East Kent Goldings Hops, the distinctive Canterbury … Continue reading Queen Ethelburga’s Ale arrives!
Long-term readers of this blog will remember the unveiling of the first information panel on Tayne Field, commissioned by the Lyminge Historical Society and created by Laura Samuels of historical consultancy Jakaranda Tree working with graphic designer Lee Simmons. One of the key aims of the Pathways to the Past project has been to build … Continue reading New information panels for the village
Coming to Lyminge from 21 June to 4 July 2021 Pathways to the Past has entered into partnership with the Lyminge Association to give the 2021 Lyminge Festival an Anglo-Saxon theme. You can find the full programme of events in the June edition of the Lyminge Newsletter, available here. Set out below are the events … Continue reading The Lyminge Anglo-Saxon Festival
The path to the burial site On a beautiful warm afternoon, with the cow parsley in full flower, the villagers who were disturbed during the archaeological excavation of Queen Ethelburga's church were again laid to rest. Readers of this blog will remember a few encounters with these villagers of the past. We excavated eight graves … Continue reading Laying our ancestors to rest
New path to the north door When we launched our project, there was always more to it than just excavating the Anglo-Saxon church, important though that was. A key benefit, which counted a lot with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, was the proposal to create step-free access into the church for the first time. This … Continue reading New access to the church for those with reduced mobility
The block of ragstone selected for the new sculpture in the churchyard Work is progressing to complete the new artworks that are being created for the church. Gallaghers of Maidstone have very generously donated a piece of ragstone that will be turned into a piece celebrating the achievement of Queen Ethelburga who built the first … Continue reading Progress at the church
In centuries past, it was normal for churches to raise funds by brewing a Church Ale. There are records indicating that in Lyminge, there was a structure to the north side of the church where the Church Ale was habitually consumed. We are delighted to be able to revive this ancient tradition with Queen Ethelburga's … Continue reading Queen Ethelburga’s Ale
Pathways to the Past 