Lancaster Road © rafiki MMVII
Brookenby is a small and developing community in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds, designated as an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' (AONB). The village is just 10 miles from the market towns of Louth, Market Rasen and Caistor.
HISTORY:
Until the late 1980's, Brookenby did not exist, the site was the living accommodation for married families stationed at RAF Binbrook. When the station was closed down, and after the last Lightning left, the land was sold to a local developer who then sold the houses on the open market. With the village of Binbrook just one mile away, a new name had to be produced and the old name 'Brookenby', reputedly the name of a former 'plague village', was reactivated. Since then, the village, whilst having its fair share of teething troubles, has slowly risen, phoenix-like, from the ashes of the former service married quarters.
INFRASTRUCTURE:
As would be expected, the houses themselves were built to a very high standard, some as early as 1938 / 39, others as late as the mid-1950's. There is a range of housing available from 2 bedroom terrace houses to 7 bed detached houses.
Typical row of 2 and 3 bedroom houses. © rafiki MMVII
3-bedroom detached houses © rafiki MMVII
EDUCATION:
Pre-school: There is a small group run by mothers for pre-school children. The group meets on a regular basis in a designated room by the church.
Primary: Binbrook Primary School is one mile from Brookenby.
Secondary: There are 3 secondary schools within 10 miles of Brookenby catering for all standards.
Caistor Grammar School is a state selective day school in the market town of Caistor, 6 miles from Brookenby. Caistor is usually found in the top 50 schools nationwide for GCSE and 'A' level results and has had students accepted for Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Yarborough Caistor School, again in Caistor, is a traditional 'Secondary Modern' with an excellent record. Pupils at Yarborough are closely integrated with Caistor Grammar School both academically and on the sports field.
De Aston School is a state comprehensive in nearby Market Rasen that takes all pupils up to 6th form.
Monks' Dyke College is a Technology College located in Louth.
MEDICAL FACILITIES:
Hospitals: The County Hospital at Louth is the nearest NHS Hospital and is a constituent section of the Lincolnshire NHS Trust. There is a 24 hour 'Walk-in' service for emergencies. There is also the 'Diane, Princess of Wales Hospital' in Grimsby. The major hospital is in Lincoln, 38 miles away.
Medical centre: There is a small medical centre in Binbrook for all medical support. It is manned on a daily basis with 3 GPs and supporting staff. Surgeries are held at advertized hours during the week, but weekends and night times are covered by NHS Direct.
Dentists: There is a NHS dentist in Market Rasen who is currently accepting new patients.
CHURCHES: Brookenby has a small Anglican parish church located in the lower wing of the Community Centre. It is a constituent member of the Walesby group of parishes within the West Wold Deanery. There is also an Anglo-Catholic Parish Church in nearby Binbrook.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Local buses run through Brookenby on a regular basis for Louth and Market Rasen. The county city of Lincoln is accessible by bus from either Louth or Market Rasen.
SHOPS: Brookenby has a small independent convenience store selling the usual products. Daily newspapers and magazines are also available. There are some small shops in Binbrook, one mile away.
SPORTS: There are currently no sports facilities at Brookenby, although the Parish Council is currently negotiating for a patch of land for use as a sports field. Close to Brookenby is an international standard motor racing circuit at Cadwell Park.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES: Brookenby has a thriving Youth Club.
GARAGES: The nearest garage for servicing and petrol is Binbrook Motors on the Grimsby Road.
COUNCIL SERVICES: West Lindsey District Council supplies free bins for:
Household waste: Black, collected once per week, currently every Thursday New dates from 1 April 08.
Recycling: Blue, collected every two weeks, currently every other Thursday. Newspapers, put inside the blue bin, are collected at the same time. This change starts with effect from 10 April 08 and occurs every fortnight from then on.
Gardening waste: Green bins are supplied at an annual charge of £24.50 . These bins are collected every two weeks, currently every other Monday.
POLICING: Brookenby has a very active dedicated Community Support Officer who patrols the village on a very regular basis.
BINBROOK TRADING ESTATE: The Binbrook Trading Estate is part of the Brookenby Parish and is in the process of expanding on the site of the former RAF Binbrook station site. some of its many former RAF buildings are now available by contacting the management offices.
