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Well, we were supposed to have a load of Imps around Lincoln last year, but covid stopped all that. This year, however, they appeared all over the place. I am not going to bore you with the 30+ on show as I have just started 'collecting' them.
First off, what do you know about the Lincoln Imp ? Apparently, many years ago when the original cathedral was being built the artisans had to put up with a mischievous imp. He would hide their tools, distract them and generally get in the way of things. The Bishop was called and he asked the imp why he was so annoying. " I like it here" said the imp "It is so much fun" (or something such). So the bishop said "Well, if you like it so much you can stay here forever" and turned him into stone.
Here he is in the Cathedral ....
On to some of the imps around town.
This one is at the top of Steep Hill (yes, that is its name, in the middle of the picture). The lamp post is meant to be leaning and has been replaced twice in the past. There is a local story saying that it was installed upright once, the gang then had to return and replant it correctly, so it leant over again.
I like this picture as it shows everyday happenings - there is a man and his dog, a man watching his wife (maybe) taking a picture of the imp and everyone else walking up and down steep hill as usual.
This one is in the High Street. The imp is in front of a boarded up shop front which has three pictures of the Lincoln Imp painted on it.
.. and a close up.
A couple from the top of town - first a 'grab shot' outside the castle. The young lady was posing for her mum.
Another, outside an art gallery in the Cathedral Quarter. It is one of the smaller 'Educational imps' given to local schools to decorate. This one is from Reepham Primary School and was painted by the Headmistress.
I asked the lady in the gallery if she could turn the imp around so I could photograph the back of it. I then saw the reflection of a passerby in the window which makes it look like the imp is wathching them.
Here is the front -
So there you are. If you want to come and see for yourself the imps are on show around Lincoln town up until 16th September then will be inside the castle from the 18th to the 22nd before being auctioned off in aid of local charities.
First off, what do you know about the Lincoln Imp ? Apparently, many years ago when the original cathedral was being built the artisans had to put up with a mischievous imp. He would hide their tools, distract them and generally get in the way of things. The Bishop was called and he asked the imp why he was so annoying. " I like it here" said the imp "It is so much fun" (or something such). So the bishop said "Well, if you like it so much you can stay here forever" and turned him into stone.
Here he is in the Cathedral ....
On to some of the imps around town.
This one is at the top of Steep Hill (yes, that is its name, in the middle of the picture). The lamp post is meant to be leaning and has been replaced twice in the past. There is a local story saying that it was installed upright once, the gang then had to return and replant it correctly, so it leant over again.
I like this picture as it shows everyday happenings - there is a man and his dog, a man watching his wife (maybe) taking a picture of the imp and everyone else walking up and down steep hill as usual.
This one is in the High Street. The imp is in front of a boarded up shop front which has three pictures of the Lincoln Imp painted on it.
.. and a close up.
A couple from the top of town - first a 'grab shot' outside the castle. The young lady was posing for her mum.
Another, outside an art gallery in the Cathedral Quarter. It is one of the smaller 'Educational imps' given to local schools to decorate. This one is from Reepham Primary School and was painted by the Headmistress.
I asked the lady in the gallery if she could turn the imp around so I could photograph the back of it. I then saw the reflection of a passerby in the window which makes it look like the imp is wathching them.
Here is the front -
So there you are. If you want to come and see for yourself the imps are on show around Lincoln town up until 16th September then will be inside the castle from the 18th to the 22nd before being auctioned off in aid of local charities.
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