Ste Lingard
LightNews LightNews
banner
stelingard.bsky.social
Ste Lingard
@stelingard.bsky.social
830 followers 400 following 980 posts
History & archaeology, esp. of northern England. Alumnus @ Sheff & Brum history. Freelance researcher & project manager in heritage sector @ www.sglingard.com. Chair @StHelensTownAFC.bsky.social.
Posts Replies Media Videos
stelingard.bsky.social
The Benty Grange Helmet, original & reconstruction. It was found in 1848 in a late C7 barrow in Derbyshire - the first Anglo-Saxon / early English example found in the country, 91 years before the #SuttonHoo discoveries. On display in Weston Park Museum, #Sheffield. #Museums Pics my own, from 2021.
The rusted remains of a very old helmet, on display in a museum. The head band, nose guard and main bands forming a cross over the skull survive, with part of a boar crest. For more detail, visit the item's entry on the museum website: https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/benty-grange-helmet/ A replica of the original helmet described in the alt-text to the other picture. This one is complete with extra bands, studded decoration on the bands, a cross on the nose guard and hair bristles on the boar crest.
November 25, 2025 at 11:28 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
This will be good. I'm going to a gig, so can't make it - perhaps you could enjoy it on my behalf? (Ticket link in original post.) #Archaeology
jpwarchaeology.bsky.social James Wright @jpwarchaeology.bsky.social · 1d
My first online talk for nearly a year will take place tomorrow evening (Tue 25 Nov). It will look at how we can use archives, archaeology and dendrochronology to date ancient buildings.

This will be a brand new bespoke talk & I hope you can join us...

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dating-anc...
November 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
stelingard.bsky.social
Here's the #ArchimedesScrew before it was installed. 😲 A serious piece of kit. Pic via www.hydropol.cz
A large metal Archimedes screw laid on its side indoors after manufacture. There are tools and industrial apparatus around.
November 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
The Archimedes screw at Dutton hydroelectric power plant on the #RiverWeaver in action earlier today. It is quite mesmerising. #HydroElectricity #Cheshire
November 23, 2025 at 3:40 PM
stelingard.bsky.social
The #RiverWeaver near Northwich on the beautiful morning (enhanced by listening to TMS #TheAshes).
November 21, 2025 at 9:54 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
#ErmineStreet, looking south just after the point it crossed the River Nene, at Water Newton (Durobrivae). The A1 swings in from the west to join the alignment. Pic from 1976. #Peterborough's suburbs & services have since encroached mightily from the left. #RomanRoadsFriday #RomanBritain
A black and white aerial photograph showing a broad agricultural landscape, divided by enclosure hedges. Villages and hamlets are dotted about, connected by lanes. The large features are described in the main post. Cambridge University Aerial photo collection, CUCAP BYM96.
November 21, 2025 at 9:35 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
A classic example of the famous dry stone door, in Bowness-on-Windermere. Robust, stylish and easy to maintain - you just have to remember to build them from the outside. #AdoorableThursday #Westmorland #LakeDistrict
📷 my own.
A doorway in a stone wall, blocked with stone.
November 20, 2025 at 12:50 PM
stelingard.bsky.social
Eddisbury Hill, #Cheshire, as surveyed by the OS in 1874 and as revealed by modern LiDAR. Early/middle Iron Age, though the ramparts were likely restored by Æthelflæd of Mercia in 914, as part of the long-running campaign against the Vikings. See map alt text for more. #HillfortsWednesday
An excerpt from a 6" Ordnance Survey map, published in 1881 and available via National Library for Scotland. It shows a long, narrow hill with hatched banks and ditches around much of the summit - they are marked 'Castle Ditch' in gothic font. The hill itself is labelled 'Eddisbury Hill', with 'Intrenchment' in gothic font. On the south east slopes the italicised label 'Merrick's-Hill or the Chamber' marks the site of the main royal lodge in the forest of Delamere, built in the 15th century and demolished in the 17th. It is variously known as 'Merrick's Hill', 'The Chamber' and 'The Chamber in the Forest'. For more on the hillfort, visit the Eddisbury entry in the online Atlas of Hillforts. A LiDAR image of Eddisbury Hill, showing banks and ditches surviving prominently in an horseshoe from north east all the way around to south east, with a prominent ridge along the eastern side. Via National Library for Scotland.
November 19, 2025 at 12:14 PM
stelingard.bsky.social
The tomb of King William I and Queen Catherine of Württemberg, in a specially constructed mausoleum on the site of the ancestral castle, outside #Stuttgart. Their meeting, marriage (their second) & brief life together is a case study in post Napoleonic European history. #TombTuesday
📷 my own, 2023.
A large early 19th century marble tomb, with relief decoration and a plaque to Wilhelm, König von Württemburg and Catharine Paulowna, Grossfürtsin von Russland. It is in a dark crypt, illuminated by two floor lamps flanking it.
November 18, 2025 at 11:39 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
GI listed Church of St. Mary the Virgin, #Shrewsbury, has a spectacular spire. 'In 1739, showman Robert Cadman attempted to slide from it, head first, using a rope and a grooved breastplate....His engraved obituary stands outside the west door.' 🫣 #SteepleSaturday #Shropshire #ChurchCrawling
📷 mine
A large church steeple looming alongside a mid 20th century office block, 'Crown House', that houses a branch of Subway. The juxtaposition is stark.
November 15, 2025 at 7:41 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
The #RiverWeaver this morning, a little downstream from #Northwich. #Cheshire
November 13, 2025 at 9:39 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
Howden Minster, viewed through the remains of its east end - a victim of Edward VI and later neglect. The area from the tower to the west end are still in use as the parish church. The whole is GI listed, and one of the most striking buildings in the #EastRiding. #WindowsOnWednesday
📷 my own, Dec 24
A church tower viewed through a large ruined window, long without its glass and tracery. It is a cold but sunny winter's day.
November 12, 2025 at 7:47 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
First World War (and more recent) soldiers would instantly recognise these as 'corduroy roads', the same as they laid across muddy ground. Timeless, practical technology. #FWW
aidanosullivan.bsky.social Aidan O'Sullivan @aidanosullivan.bsky.social · 14d
Memories of plunging my hand deep into the very cold peat to uncover Iron Age wooden planks last seen over 2,000 years ago.

In 1986, I started work on my first archaeology dig at Corlea 1, dated to 148/147 BC. I didn’t know then it would be some of the most spectacular archaeology of my career.
November 11, 2025 at 10:34 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
Parr St. Peter's in happier days, in characteristic pose peering over the terraces into Gaskell Park. #StHelens #HeritageAtRisk #Churches
📷 my own, from 2009.
A large church steeple visible above a terraced street, with a park and playground in the foreground. There is a blue sky, but no leaves on the trees - a nice early winter day.
November 11, 2025 at 10:15 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
Remembering two of my Great Great Grandfathers killed in the #FirstWorldWar: Sgt. Thomas Hallwood DCM (pictured below; killed at Ypres) & L/Cpl. William Molyneux (killed at Delville Wood) both of the Fifth South Lancs), and my other relatives lost in or affected by war. #ArmisticeDay #Remembrance
A black and white photograph of a woman and a man: she wears a long skirt and a blouse, and is seated, her hands in a lap holding a small bag; he is in British Army uniform, resting on a table positioned next to her, with his right arm around her shoulder. They are Mrs Ellen and then Rifleman (later Corporal and Sergeant) Mr Thomas Hallwood, one set of my maternal Great Great Granparents. The photograph was taken at Arthur's Studio, Market St., St. Helens. I have the original.
November 11, 2025 at 9:48 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
The new #HeritageAtRisk Register includes the closest listed building to my childhood home: St. Peter's Church, Parr, #StHelens. I'm sorry to see it has been added, but not surprised - the scaffolding around the steeple has been up for years now. 😔
historicengland.org.uk/listing/heri...
Heritage at Risk: Latest Findings | Historic England
Explore key trends revealed in our latest Heritage at Risk Register and explore the latest news on Heritage at Risk in your region.
historicengland.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 2:44 PM
stelingard.bsky.social
Aerial view of #York w. the two Norman mottes marked w. yellow dots: that on the left is the earlier & the right (Clifford's Tower) later. It makes the choice of sites even clearer than from on the ground, showing their relationship with the rivers Ouse & Foss. #MotteMonday #Castles #Yorkshire
A Google satellite view of an urban area, with two rivers forming a 'Y' shape', converging in the lower centre of the image.
November 10, 2025 at 8:23 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
#VoteAdderParty
November 8, 2025 at 11:41 PM
stelingard.bsky.social
Roman actor's mask found at Stockton Heath, near #Warrington, in 1869. It is perhaps the most striking item found associated with the Wilderspool site, along what is now the A49, a little south of the Mersey. Now in Warrington Museum.
#RomanSiteSaturday #Theatre #Cheshire #RomanBritain
📷 my own
A ceramic face mask, with holes for eyes, nostrils and mouth. Part of the forehead and an eye socket are missing, due to damage. It is on display in a museum case.
November 8, 2025 at 8:32 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
The reassuringly solid Saxon font at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Kingston Deverill. It was found buried in the churchyard during building work in the C19, and is still in use. It is an evocative survivor, given the village's association with King Alfred. #FontsOnFriday #Wiltshire
📷 my own
A large stone font, made from a single block; a crack has been repaired with metal pins and what appears to be a lead solder. It is undecorated, is mounted on a simple stone column, and has an equally simple wooden cover. For more information, visit: http://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/979?menuType=Church A fabric banner depicting a bearded male figure in Central Casting 'early medieval king' clothing, cloak, tunic, crown and all. His right hand holds a sword aloft, held by the blade just below the hilt - so that the hilt and handle appear as a cross. His left hand holds a document with writing on it. The words 'ALFRED THE GREAT' are written above him, and 'THE DEVERILLS' (a reference to a group of villages which each end in that name) beneath him.
November 7, 2025 at 12:15 PM
stelingard.bsky.social
Aye, just like my running shoes.
November 6, 2025 at 6:43 PM
stelingard.bsky.social
The main entrance to an office built to the Ministry of Works 'spider block' design. This was no ordinary office, though, and its staff no ordinary people: this is Block D at #BletchleyPark. #AdoorableThursday
📷 my own, from 2012.
A pair of wooden doors, painted grey and set in a glass brick surround. They give entrance to a large brick two storey structure, functional and stolid looking. Single storey wings run away on either side.
November 6, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Reposted by Ste Lingard
jpwarchaeology.bsky.social
This charming view of a Worcestershire house is from a map of 1744. Its the earliest archival evidence for the property... but we know from dendrochronology that the building is c 300 years older.

Come find out more on Dating Ancient Buildings, 25 Nov:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dating-anc...
November 4, 2025 at 5:40 PM
stelingard.bsky.social
Castleberg, an inland promontory fort overlooking the River Wharfe just west of #Ilkley, #NorthYorkshire. Undated, w. no known excavations. The landscape speaks. #HillfortsWednesday
Detail from an Ordnance Survey map showing a hatched hill labelled 'Castleberg Fort' (the latter word in gothic font) just east of a river and west of a road. A Google satellite image showing a river winding from middle left to bottom centre, through a gently rolling green landscape with some streets and houses in the top right. A yellow oval annotation highlights raised ground with what appear to be the remains of concentric banks and ditches between the river and the houses.
November 5, 2025 at 8:49 AM
stelingard.bsky.social
The West Tower (15th century) at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, #Ormskirk. Its sandstone bulk appears solid, but the church was added to Historic England's 'at risk' register last year. #TowerTuesday #Lancashire #ChurchCrawling
📷 my own, from August.
A large, stone church tower of robust and weathered sandstone, set in a rather gothic looking graveyard. It is of three stages, with diagonal buttresses and a crenelated parapet, with pinnacles. The sky is a menacing grey.
November 4, 2025 at 10:07 AM