England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
South Scarle St Helena

The Parish

The parish of South Scarle lies in the extreme east of Nottinghamshire forming a stretch of the border with neighbouring Lincolnshire. South Scarle is located roughly 7 miles northeast of the large town of Newark on Trent and sits about 2 miles east of the A1133 road which links Newark up towards Gainsborough. Within the wider parish of South Scarle there are two principal settlements, South Scarle, itself, is actually the smaller village whilst on the A1133 sits Besthorpe. South Scarle is a small and compact crossroads settlement whilst Besthorpe is rather linear with most properties lining the A1133. Like most parishes in this area, a curious projection of Nottinghamshire across the Trent into primarily Lincolnshire territory, South Scarle parish was largely engaged in arable farming. Modern developments have come to the parish, the rail line from Newark to Lincoln passing just southeast of South Scarle without grating it a station. Both settlements lie close to the Trent and most drainage makes its way there before turning north and reaching the North Sea through the Humber Estuary. Both settlements are sited at around 10 metres above the sea in flat or gently undulating terrain where local heights gradually rise to a little over 30 metres to the southeast. South Scarle parish was fairly typically sized for its area, covering a little over 1,500 acres it would have supported a population of close to 500 parishioners. In Domesday times South Scarle was a holding of the Bishop of Lincoln, an impressive 21 ploughs plus substantial meadows were the main assets.

The Church

St Helena's church sits at the heart of South Scarle village, the main T-junction meeting at the church site. The first edition of St Helena was a substantial Norman Romanesque church which has been largely replaced over the centuries by later work. Pevsner seeks out the remaining traces pointing out sections of original fabric retained and built over by later work, the largest retained piece is the two0bay northern arcade which remains largely 12th century. The matching two-bay southern arcade marks the start of later changes being 13th century Early English Gothic work. From the 13th and running into the 14th century comes the western tower albeit its eight-pinnacles top dates from the later Perpendicular period. The remainder of the church was also substantially altered during the 14th century with battlements and a clerestory added. AS with most churches there was a Victorian restoration, in this case of the 1870s, and besides refreshing the building substantial work was conducted on the chancel. The villages Main Street passes the site and is amply wide enough for street parking outside the churchyard. The site has a low brick wall surrounding with metal gates granting entry to a relatively open and uncluttered churchyard with few obstacles for the photographer.