ST JAMES, WESTBOROUGH
A peaceful location, with some beautiful buildings hereabouts. There is also a nice area for the kids to play, but be aware of the nearby river, it can run quite quickly and there are some steep banks near here.
Westborough is mentioned in the Domesday Book as already having a priest there, and a church, and there are 120 acres of meadow, but it is unknown when the first Saxon church was built on this site.
Two small circular openings in the north wall are thought to be remnants of the earlier Saxon church on this site, (they can be seen better from the outside of the building).
The church that we see now was built on nearly its present scale in the early 13th century, with a nave of three wide bays with narrow aisles, a long chancel without aisles, and a western tower. The 13th century octagonal font is beautifully carved with interlaced designs.
There was further building during the late 14th or early 15th century, transepts were added to the north and south of the nave; the Nave roof was raised to provide a clerestory; the small chapel or sacristy was added on the North side of the Chancel, and a Porch built over the South door.
There are interesting old Oak bench ends reset into more modern seating in the Chancel, one showing the Devil licking the backs of those at prayer. The walls have some of the original plaster, and two painted panels remain: the figures of Time and Death.
In 1951 a large restoration project was begun to restore and repair the church. Being so near the River Witham, damp is always a problem. Cache placed with the kind permission of - Westborough and Dry Doddington Parish Council.
The church is usually kept locked and due to the location I would suggest that visits should be made during the daylight hours.
THE CACHE
Walk through the church gate and you will almost immediately find the stone commemorating the life of Thomas MUSSON.
SUBSTITUTE THE VISIBLE NUMBERS AS :
'JK' of June 'LMNP'
AGED 'QR' YEARS
N52 59 ABC
W00 44 DEF
WHERE
A = J + L
B = N
C = M
D = K
E = J+K
F = J