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Tuxford's Heritage
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 The
ancient parish church of St. Nicholas Tuxford.
Standing proud and tall in the centre of the village of Tuxford is the
beautiful church of St. Nicholas. Undoubtedly it is the oldest building in
the parish. Although there is no mention of our church in the Doomsday
Book, there was no doubt a place of worship on the site at the time. It is
thought that the herringbone stonework at the west end of the south aisle
is from Saxon times.
The first known Rector of Tuxford was William in
1179. As the church cannot be dated accurately this date was used to
celebrate the Octocentenary in 1979.
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The Methodist Church
The Methodist Church in Newcastle Street was built in 1841 and was first
used by another free church community. The Methodists at this time
worshipped in a chapel at the top of Blue Bell Yard. The Primitive
Methodists worshipped in a 'Tin Chapel' on Lincoln Street. The Wesleyans
moved into the Newcastle Street premises in the late 1800's and formed a
part of the Retford Methodist Circuit, and at one time had a resident
minister. The Sunday School used to meet in the building which was the
residence of the caretaker, until the building of the present Sunday
School in 1907.
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The Victorian Lamp
The Victorian Lamp, although not in its original position or state was
unveiled on 31st December 1897 by the Duchess of Newcastle in
commemoration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee (Queen Victoria).
On the same
site, KSR Accountants is the only remaining building of what
was formerly the butter market. This was open air until 1852 when the Duke
of Newcastle built the indoor market for the local traders.
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 The Read Grammar School
Opposite the church stands a gracious elegant building dated 1669. It was
formerly known as the Read Grammar School. Charles Read of Darlton
bequeathed in his will funds to build and maintain a school for boys. He
left instructions that the school was to be administered by six local
trustees to ensure that his rules were carried out. The School Rules can
still be seen hanging in the building today.
Although it ceased to be
school in 1915, the Read's Foundation still funds education in the village
today.
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 The Lock-Up
One of the only two remaining Lock-ups in Nottinghamshire is to be found
here in Tuxford. Built in 1823 it stands on the village green in Newcastle
Street. It has two separate cells (one for men and women) with their own
earth closets. Ventilation to each cell is via two circular holes, with
iron bars on the front and back walls. In 1884 an extension to the back of
the building housed Tuxford's Fire Engine.
Early maps show the village
pinfold, which remained until the 1920's, behind the Lock-up.
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 Tuxford
Windmill
 Walks
of Life
If you have a nostalgia for yesteryear, you are bound to enjoy a visit
to Walks of Life, a nationally important collection of handcarts and
hand powered agricultural machinery housed in restored and newly
constructed barns on a working farm at Tuxford. The collection is owned
and run by Dorothy Harrison, who has spent her retirement saving these
important pieces of trade and agricultural history from destruction and
lovingly restored them to working condition.
Walks of Life really is one of those hidden treasures which is worth a
special journey to visit.
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