Assess the impact of language, history and landscape on place-names on the Isle of Axholme

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This project aims to discover what place-names can tell us about the landscape, history and languages of the Isle of Axholme through time. It will collect historical forms of place-names, essential to establishing their origins, in order to build a strong foundation for investigation. The project will benefit not only the academic world but also the local community and environmental agencies by promoting a greater appreciation for the landscape and an awareness of possible changes in the future which connect with its more watery past. It will also provide material for the English Place-Name Society survey for Lincolnshire, currently stalled after the death of the county editor in 2001.Living in North Lincolnshire, I am familiar with the project's landscape and historical context, as well as the relationship of the local people with their inland island environment, defined by natural and man-made waterways and still known locally as 'The Isle'. My MA research demonstrated that place-names with topographical or natural features in the Isle of Axholme account for an unusually large proportion of place-names. Substantial alterations to the landscape occurred with the drainage and land reclamation of the 1620s, changing a predominantly marshy area liable to flooding into productive agricultural land. The surviving ancient place-names may not now reflect the meanings they had when they came into existence as meaningful descriptive labels. These descriptions may, though, become more relevant in the future with the predicted consequences of climate change.I am working with the Environment Agency (Trentside), supporting their strategy for the Isle of Axholme, which focuses on sustainability and making spaces for water. My project also supports a 2-year AHRC network on flood resilience (January 2020-December 2021). In addition it links with the aims of The Isle of Axholme and Hatfield Chase Partnership, which seeks to conserve the natural and cultural landscape heritage as well as change the way people understand, perceive and relate to the landscapes in which they live, work or visit. My background in Adult Education has given me the skills to communicate effectively with people from varied backgrounds, pitching the material at an appropriate level for engagement. It is envisaged that information will be provided to the public about the history of place-names in the Isle of Axholme and thecontext of its watery past both independently and in collaboration with related projects.