VIDEO: Video of images projected onto Navenby heritage attraction for consultation event

Last year, North Kesteven District Council successfully secured money from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help bring Mrs Smith’s Cottage in Navenby back into use as a tourism destination after structural problems with the roof were uncovered.

Alongside the physical work taking place on site consultations are being held with the community and included a video of photos put together by North Kesteven School of North Hykeham being projected on to covers on the scaffolding that has recently gone up

Passers by were asked about Mrs Smith, their memories of her and the cottage and what they would like to see once the restoration is complete.

Jeffery Kenyon, Principal Economic Development Officer, said: “We’re keen to find out as much as we can from the community while works are taking place at Mrs Smith’s Cottage as it will give us a wealth of information for when the re-opening takes place.

“We chose to hold the consultation evening where the film was projected on the same evening as the nearby Navenby Church of England Primary School parents evening as it gave us the chance to speak to more people than we would normally be able to at that time.

“Any feedback we get is gratefully received; anyone who would like to share their memories of Mrs Smith, the cottage and aspirations for the future is more than welcome to contact us.”

It is anticipated that the restoration, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, will continue for the next three years, with a re-opening in 2019.

Anyone wanting to find out more about the restoration of Mrs Smith’s Cottage is invited to attend a drop-in session at NKDC’s Navenby office, in North Lane, from 10am to noon on Wednesday, March 15.

It is free for anyone to pop along and find out about the project, look at information on what is happening, get involved in future volunteering, give their opinions and share any memories of the cottage and Mrs Smith.

Tea and coffee will be available and those working on the project will be available to answer questions and gathering research as part of their consultations.

For more information, or to share your memories of Mrs Smith and the cottage call 01522 811469 or email [email protected]

* With walls only a single brick thick and the only modern innovations an inside toilet, cold water tap and electricity, Mrs Smith’s Cottage offers a glimpse into life in a bygone age.

The museum is named after its last resident who lived there happily and independently until 1995, when she was 102 years old and who lived in the Cottage for some 75 years.

The building and the contents were preserved by the will and effort of local residents as something very special - displaying as they do the simple and contented life of a lady who had little time for modern innovations.

Typical of early to mid 20th century rural life, the old black range, a single cold water tap, period furniture, a washhouse and ladders to the bedrooms are all preserved as Mrs Smith used them until she died.