Lincoln’s arch heritage

A 15-FOOT arch celebrating Lincoln’s medieval Jewish heritage is set to be installed at the entrance to the city’s medieval Cathedral Quarter.

The wrought-iron structure features the Star of David prominently and includes details depicting the life of Jewish traders during the Middle Ages.

It will be fixed over The Strait, a street in the oldest part of the city, after the council granted planning permission.

John Shipton was a member of the group of local traders behind the project. “We wanted to do something which would remind the people of Lincoln that there was once a thriving Jewish community here,” he said.

In the late 12th-century, Lincoln was the second most important centre of Jewish life after London in terms of both its financial impact and population.

The community was expelled in 1290 after a series of blood-libel allegations and pogroms.

In 1992, a synagogue was founded with services taking place once a month at the historic Jews’ Court building.

Mr Shipton said: “The arch is currently being made. We hope it will be in postion by December.”