Understanding The Old King’s Head
At the end of October, Neil Parker from APS provided some guided tours around the Old King’s Head in Kirton (near Boston) to a number of interested visitors, some of whom had lived in the building or had strong associations with the property.
One Kirton resident who attended brought along some pictures of former boxing legend Johnny Cuthbert, standing outside the back door of the property. In the photo, Cuthbert proudly displays a framed boxing belt, from his boxing career in the 1920s and 1930s, where he won and retained the titles of British Featherweight and British Lightweight champion several times. The photo dates from the 1950s when Cuthbert was the leaseholder and landlord of The Old King’s Head; his graffiti signature has already been found during the survey work, conveniently dated 1952!
We are currently undertaking a detailed building recording project with Heritage Lincolnshire, working in partnership with FAS Heritage and Rodney Melville & Partners, the project architects. Currently the 16th century former coaching inn is a Grade II Listed Building, but Heritage Lincolnshire believes there is a strong case to put to Historic England in favour of upgrading the Listed Status to Grade II*.