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SKEGNESS AND ITS LANDOWNERS

Skegness is mentioned in a Charter granted by Richard I (Richard the Lion Heart, pictured left) in the tenth year of his reign (1199) to the Abbey of Revesby, by which he confirmed to them their possessions in Skegness. Without giving details of the land owned, which is somewhat uninteresting to the general reader, a list of subsequent landowners should prove interesting:

Walter de Marescall (Henry III), Simon de Kyle, Robert de Tateshall, John de Orreby (1316), Sir Robert du Wylughby and Margaret his wife, Roger de Somerville (1338), Philip de Somerville (1355) Prior and Convent of Bolington, John Newdigate (sixteenth century), William Smyth, D.LL. (Brazen Noze College, Oxford), Michael Arragebyn (1523), Lionel Quadring, Thos. Lyytlebury (1546), Chas. Duke of Suffolk.

Nicholas Saunderson, Viscount Castleton, held at his decease in 1641 the advowson of the Church of Skegness, tenure not known. The family of Saunderson was descended from Alexander de Bedick, alias Saunderson of Washington, in the Bishopric of Durham, who lived at the time of Edward 111. His son James married Margaret, daughter of William Wilton, alias Saunderson, and had a son, Alexander, who assumed the surname of Saunderson. By Maria his wife, daughter of John Filton, he had a son Robert, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Stavely, of Stanhope. A descendant of these was Robert Saunderson, Bishop of Lincoln.

A later descendant of one branch of the family was Sir William Saunderson, who wrote the history of Mary, Queen of Scots, King James and Charles I. His brother Nicholas married Frances, daughter of Sir George Manners, of Haddon, and had issue Nicholas (who at the time of taking the above inquisition was upwards of fourteen years of age, and was then styled Nicholas Saunderson, Baronet, Lord Saunderson, Baron of Bautne and Viscount Castleton), Peregrine, George, Mildred, Grana, Rutland and Francis. To each of his daughters he left £3000.

The property in this neighbourhood came into his possession as heir to his mother, the daughter, as above noted, of John Hiltoft Mildred, the eldest daughter, married Thomas Belayse, Viscount Fauconberg, and died without issue.
Nicholas, his successor, died prematurely, and Peregrine, his next brother, in all probability died before him, as George, the third brother, succeeded to his titles. By Grace, his wife, he was father to four sons. The youngest, James, succeeded to the dignity and estates, and in 1714 he was created Baron Saunderson of Saxby, and in 1716 he was raised to the dignity of Viscount Castleton of Sandbeck, and in 1720 to that of Earl Castleton, in the county of York. He died in 1723 without male issue, when the said honours became extinct.

His great estate he devised to his cousin Thomas Lumley, Earl of Scarbrough, by Frances, daughter of Henry Belayse, with whose descendants it still continues.

Source: A Topographical and Historical Account of Wainfleet and the Wapentake of Candleshoe in the County of Lincoln by Edmund Oldfield, 1829.

NEW PLANS UNVEILED FOR SKEGNESS SEAFRONT DEVELOPMENTS

New concept designs have been drawn up for the redevelopment of the Bola’s fire ravaged Parade Complex site on Grand Parade Skegness and for proposed development of land to the North of the entrance to Tower Gardens also on Grand Parade (the latter in the ownership of East Lindsey District Council).
Taj Bola has now commissioned a firm of nationally acclaimed architects and an urban planning consultant to develop the visuals into plans to submit to East Lindsey District Council for a planning application.
Taj Bola said “The original ideas that we had would have been wrong for Skegness we have listened to the comments that people have made and realise that the town does not want a city centre or Las Vegas development on its seafront. We however need to move forward as a resort. This can be achieved in a number of ways which we have incorporated in our new plans”.
The proposed buildings are representative of style and quality incorporating high standards in terms of environmental design and energy efficiency (green tourism) that can only be a positive statement for the town.
Neither of the Bola’s developments will require additional service or access roads to be not constructed through Tower Gardens nor will the proposed Piazza Building North of the entrance take anything from the gateway to the park, in fact it will provide an open face.
Two floors of new activity leisure will be the key to the all weather Piazza project with the introduction into the resort of an ice rink, simulated skydiving, rock climbing wall, indoor themed golf and a venue for presenting live children’s entertainment.
Tourist lead retail units and a continental brand restaurant in a Mediterranean setting would occupy the ground floor of the climate-controlled building with fountains and palm tree’s with access from Grand Parade to a sun court enclosure over looking Tower Gardens.
Mr Taj Bola said, “Like many other seaside towns the seafront needs more investment. The time is right for investing in Skegness but it has to be based on providing sustainable new leisure and not more of the same, we have not only to attract a wider audience but offer the local community things that will appeal to them”.

A 1999 local news story about the auction of the historical Skegness plans document as in the photograph below. The news article hold little gems of revealing information such as Castle Boulevard was to be named Osbert Road, and an aquarium was originally planned for the Pleasure Gardens.

But the burning questions must be -  WHO ended up buying the historical document and WHERE is it today? Don’t worry, folks - we’re on its trail…

History going under the hammer
A REMNANT of old Skegness that dates back to 1878 is due to go under the hammer this week end.
A plan of the proposed development of the Earl of Scarbrough’s estate goes before the auctioneer at Turner Evans auctioneers, Roman Bank, tomorrow, Saturday.
The framed plan, which measures 36in by 27in, roughly covers an area from Grand Parade in the east across to Roman Bank in the west, and from Lumley Road to Osbert Road, now known as Castleton Boulevard.

Referring to Skegness as “the Sea Bathing Place of Skegness on the Lincolnshire Coast,” the plan is signed by land agent, HV Tippet of Rotherham.
There were some interesting ideas in the proposals, for instance the plan shows the “pleasure gardens” on Grand Parade with an aquarium and winter gardens, bandstand, and pavilion.
The Hildreds Hotel, now the site of the Hildreds shopping centre, is marked on the plan, and there was a music hall proposed for the corner of Scarbrough Avenue and Rutland Road.
There were also stables behind what was the Scarbrough Hotel, on the corner of Grand Parade and Scarbrough Avenue.

The auction of antique furnishings and effects begins at 11am Turner Evans’ Mart Saleroom, and the goods can be viewed today, Friday, between 1pm and 6pm and on the day of the sale.
Pictured below Is the plan of the proposed development of the estate of the Earl of Scarbrough,
which is being auctioned tomorrow by Turner Evans, Roman Bank, Skegness.

Source: Skegness Herald 1902
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SKEGNESS
It is rumoured, and we believe that there is a great deal of truth in the rumour, that we are on the eve of another great development scheme.
Since the advent of the now agent to the Earl of Scarbrough (S. Coetmore Jones, Esq.,) there has been unusual activity at the noble earl’s estates offices, which to the careful observer indicated that there was something on the tapis.

From what we can learn Mr Jones has conceived a grand idea for the further extension of Skegness, and which, if carried out, will add materially to the prosperity of our already popular seaside resort. “Progress” seems to be the motto of the new and esteemed agent, and judging from the energy and enterprise he is displaying, the inhabitants of Skegness may look forward to a still brighter future.

There has been great activity in the building trade here during the past five or six years, and in nearly all the streets that were formed or laid out about twenty years ago splendid residences have been, or are being, erected. In consequence of the providing a splendid Golf Links on the sand-hills to the south of the Vine Hotel, a large number of handsome bungalows have been erected near there and they are occupied by gentlemen from Nottingham, Derby, and other places.

It is the intervening space between the Vine Hotel and the High Street, or a portion of it, that is now to be laid out for building purposes. We understand that a street is to be formed from the entrance to the Cricket Ground near the railway station to the Drummond Road, at a little distance back from this road a new street will branch off and lead to the Vine Hotel, and that from the present roadway leading to the sewage farm a street will also be formed across to the above-named hotel.
These proposed streets will form excellent situations for residences.

THOUSANDS of regular visitors to Skegness recall the original entrance to the Pier and are also familiar with the transformation which has been effected. Here is a photograph which shows the between stage, taken just after the Christmas holidays of 1935.

The photograph shows how the old pay-box, Pier manager’s office turnstiles, and the kiosks which flanked the entrance had been demolished and a considerable section of the Pier deck taken up.
An article in the local newspaper reported: “The new entrance will have an imposing elevation, and the improvements include seven shops and a refreshment room, with a fine glass-covered arcade leading up to the turnstiles. Below the structure, public conveniences are being constructed and other improvements carried out. The architect is Mr W. F. Wills, of Skegness. and the work is being carried out under the supervision of Mr Percy E. Cash, the Pier Company secretary and manager.”
Many residents and visitors suggested that the concert hall should have been transferred to the landward end of the Pier.

Photo of Skegness Pier in 1903

Photo of Skegness Pier after the rebuilding in 1936