Waddington
Waddington is located approximately four miles south of Lincoln, the village is well known for its association with RAF Waddington, one of the oldest airfields in the UK. Waddington is an expanding and developing village with three distinctive areas: upper Waddington (which features mainly historic housing) lower Waddington (which features newer housing developments) and the RAF base. The village features a variety of community venues, as well as two primary schools. It has a vibrant community scene, including a history group, a drama group, three pubs, a pharmacy incorporating a post office and library and small shops.
The village is a documented settlement in the Doomsday book of 1086 and was mainly an agricultural community until the late 19th century. Horseracing also took place on the heathland areas, which are now part of the RAF station. At various times other activities including malting, brick-making and stone-quarrying have taken place in the village. High Dyke, the road that runs between the main RAF station and the service married quarters, lies on the line of the Roman Road Ermine Street.
Artist duo Grennan & Sperandio worked with communities in Waddington during 2017 as part of the Ridges & Furrows project to research and celebrate the village’s heritage. The artists brought residents stories and experiences to the fore and creatively shared the distinct history of the village. Grennan & Sperandio have developed permanent artworks for the village, following a successful bid to Arts Council England for Grant for the Arts funding by Waddington Parish Council. The Emblems artworks are situated on six buildings around the village, along the Heritage Trail.
The current project in Waddington leads on from an initial research phase of the project for which photographer Jonathan Turner carried out a residency in Waddington in spring 2015. Turner documented the identity of the present day village through a series of photographic portraits of residents, as well as creating three historical photographic tableaux based on the Lincolnshire practice of ‘Ran Tan Tanning’. Read more about Jonathan’s residency here.
Find out more about the artworks and events developed as part of the Ridges & Furrows project, and listen to snippets of oral reminiscence from local residents by following the links on the right.