Billinghay

Billinghay is a village and civil parish in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England. The village is situated approximately 7 miles (11 km) north-east from Sleaford, and lies on the B1189 Walcott road near its junction with the A153. Just south of the village towards Sleaford is North Kyme. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 1,808, increasing to 2,190 at the 2011 census, increasing to 2,203 at the 2021 census. The settlement is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The name originates from a Saxon name for a fishery. The topography in ancient times would have been that of a small settlement on a gravel mound surrounded by marsh which was flooded in winter. After the draining of the fens in the late 18th century the area became rich agricultural land as it is today. Billinghay parish church is an Anglican church dedicated to St Michael and All Angels. It dates from the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, with some later additions, and parts of it have been rebuilt. It is a Grade I listed structure. The parish is part of the Carr Dyke group of parishes, which also includes churches at Martin, North Kyme, South Kyme and Walcott. After the phased closure of Lafford High School due to falling pupil numbers between 2008 and 2010, Billinghay Primary School remains the only school in the village. It is a voluntary controlled Church of England school, which has close ties with the Church of England, but responsibility for employing staff and maintaining the building remains with the local authority. In 1986 village was twinned with Ballon, in the Sarthe department of France.