Staff and students from the University of Lincoln have helped to tell the story of one of Lincoln’s most iconic geographical features by contributing to a new history book about the Brayford Pool.

The book Brayford Pool: Lincoln’s Waterfront Through Time, is the eighth volume in The Survey of Lincoln series of publications which uncover aspects of the City’s past.

The volume draws on the knowledge and research specialisms of several University staff and students, including MA in Medieval Studies student Lesley Clarke, who wrote a chapter on the recent history of the Brayford Pool area as the location of the University of Lincoln’s main campus.

Arguably, since the 1960s, Brayford Pool constitutes the most radically transformed part of Lincoln’s city centre. The chapters within the collection aim to capture the changing face of Brayford Pool over the centuries, recording its various roles as a centre of trade and industry, a transport hub, and, most recently, a site of leisure and learning.

Alongside Lesley’s contribution, the book also includes a foreword by Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Scott Davidson and there are chapters from Professor David Sleight on ‘Representations of Brayford Pool’; Nigel Horner on; Brayford Pool Pleasure Boating: Past and Present; and Dr Heather Hughes on ‘The development of Brayford Pool as a Leisure Space in the City’.

Another contributor with strong connections to the University is former city archaeologist, Mick Jones (writing as Michael J. Jones), who was a recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal in September 2009.

A book launch took place in mid-November at Lincoln’s historic St Mary’s Guildhall, where Lesley presented her article to an audience of almost 60 people.

Professor David Sleight, Dean for Public Engagement at the University of Lincoln, said: “This is a fascinating new volume detailing the history of one of Lincoln’s most recognised and well-loved features. Despite being born and bred in the city, I always learn new facts and gain fresh insights from these books, such is the quality of research and knowledge within the heritage community.
“This latest volume in the Survey of Lincoln series brings together a broad range of expertise. It’s fitting that many of the authors share a connection with the University, which now has such a prominent place on the Brayford Pool.
“Lesley’s involvement in the volume is a great example of our Student as Producer project, a development of the University’s policy of research-engaged teaching. We always try and ensure that students’ learning is grounded in both research and engagement activities, so this series of books has become an important way of showing the public the value of what we share with and within our city and county communities.”