| Middle Rasen | |
|---|---|
 St Peter’s Church, Middle Rasen | |
  Middle Rasen Location withinLincolnshire | |
| Population | 2,043 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | TF089890 |
| • London | 130 mi (210 km) S |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Market Rasen |
| Postcode district | LN8 |
| Police | Lincolnshire |
| Fire | Lincolnshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | |
| |
Middle Rasen is a village andcivil parish in theWest Lindsey district ofLincolnshire, England, located about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west from the town ofMarket Rasen.[1] The population of the civil parish at the 2011 census was 2,043.[2]
Rasen is mentioned inDomesday Book of 1086, butWest Rasen, Middle Rasen and Market Rasen are indistinguishable. In its entirety the list includes ten separate references to Rasen, which as a whole consists of 144 households.[3][4]
Today's village results from the merger of the two historic villages of Middle Rasen Drax and Middle Rasen Tupholme.[3][5][6]
Middle Rasen has had two churches. A church dedicated toSt Paul Middle Rasen Drax took part of its name from the parent house ofDrax Priory in Yorkshire. In 1846 St Paul's comprised anave,chancel, Southaisle and western tower, with the probable remains of a demolished north aisle and north chapel. – it was demolished in 1860, with parts of its fabric used to restore of the church ofSt Peter.[7][8][9] Grade II*listed St Peter's church dates from the 12th century, with later alterations and additions, and an 1861restoration by Pearson Bellamy and John Spence Hardy, of Lincoln.[7][10]
In 1885Kelly's Directory noted villageWesleyan,Primitive Methodist, andReformed Wesleyan chapels. It described a parish land of sand and clay, with a clay subsoil, on which wheat, barley and turnips were grown, and with pasture. Parish area was 3,550 acres (14 km2), supporting an 1881 population of 928. There were 17 farmers listed, four of whom had added trades, variously a miller, cattle dealer, butcher & cattle dealer, and machine owner. Other occupations were a blacksmith, beer retailer & blacksmith,millwright, grocer, shopkeeper,wheelwright, carrier, grocer & draper, butcher & cattle dealer, miller, publican, and dressmaker, and a shoemaker who also ran the post office.[9]
A towerwindmill, built in 1827 for the grinding of cereal, ceased working permanently in 1925, and is now used as a store.[11] A previous three storey red-brickwatermill dated from the late 18th century, with 1827 remodelling – its remaining wheelhouse is Grade II listed.[3][12][13]
Middle Rasen Primary School was built in 1875 to replace acharity school founded through a bequest by John Wilkinson, who died in 1720. In 1878 the school became aBoard School, and in 1903 the Middle Rasen Council School. The charity still supports the current school.[3][9][14]
Theecclesiastical parish is part of The Middle Rasen Group of theDeanery ofWest Wold. The 2013 incumbent is The Revd Charles Patrick. Since the demolition of one church the other has carried both dedications, and is known to the Diocese asDrax St Peter & St Paul. The parish maintains a modern church hall which is used by the village.[15][16] To mark the Millennium a new clock, new bell frame, and three additional bells were installed.[17]
The Middle RasenMethodist church maintains a chapel on Gainsborough Road. TheAnglican and Methodist churches hold joint services at a former RAF base 4 miles (6.4 km) away.[18]
The Bowling club maintains a Bowling Green on Church Street.[19] The village has numerous sports and social clubs, including a Cricket Club and a Horticultural Society.[20]
Media related toMiddle Rasen at Wikimedia Commons
