A Boston view

click photo to enlarge

In the Middle Ages the medieval coastline made the town of Boston, Lincolnshire, much closer to the sea. It thrived as a trans-shipment point for goods going up the River Witham to the city of Lincoln. In 1205 the port was second only to London in the levy that it paid, and by 1300 it was paying a third more than the capital. The Hanseatic League had a base there in the fourteenth century, as did the Greyfriars, Blackfriars, Austin Friars and Carmelites. Decline in the sixteenth century was followed by expansion in the 1700s, and steady growth in the 1800s.

Much of Boston's past can be seen in the town today. The medieval street pattern remains, as do timber-framed and stone medieval buildings. A fine collection of eighteenth century houses, an Assembly Rooms, and warehouses can also be seen. By the River Witham are interesting nineteenth century buildings, including the old Public Warehouse (now flats) - the tall white building in this photograph. And, towering over it all, is the the magnificent, mainly fourteenth century, church of St Botolph. The tower, at 272 feet, is the tallest in England (though there are taller spires), and the building, almost of cathedral proportions, is one of the biggest parish churches in the country.

Boston's past, together with its present status as a busy market town and a regional centre of south Lincolnshire, means that the photographer has no difficulty in finding subjects to frame with the camera. This view of the River Witham, taken from the bridge on John Adams Way, shows the back of the High Street to the left, a section of river frontage, and St Botolph's tower in the background. I have photographed it before, but the overcast sky with a little sun breaking through gave a nice contrast to the scene, and this is my best image of this view to date.

photograph & text (c) T. Boughen

Camera: Olympus E510
Mode: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 42mm (84mm/35mm equiv.)
F No: f7.1
Shutter Speed: 1/320
ISO: 100
Exposure Compensation: -0.3 EV
Image Stabilisation: Off