51 Fleetgate, still known to many in the town of Barton upon Humber as Fred Clipson's, is thought to be the oldest residential house in North Lincolnshire, with a history of about 600 years. Following the death of Fred Clipson in 1989, the premises were acquired by Glanford Borough Council and transferred to Glanford Buildings Preservation Trust. Extensive initial restoration, with assistance from English Heritage, was carried out by the Trust. During this work, the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments carried out a detailed survey that provided more information on the building's age and the construction.The property is listed by the Department of the Environment as Grade II.
The building's medieval timber framed rear wing, with its crown-post roof, is a rare survival and dates back to the 15th century. It was originally constructed as a large hall, open from the ground level to the roof - no doubt heated by a fire in the middle of the floor, the smoke curling upwards and escaping through louvres in the thatched roof. During susequent centuries. the open hall was divided into a number of rooms by the insertion of walls, ceilings, a flight of stairs leading to an upper floor with two massive chimney stacks accommodating fireplaces.
The area of the building fronting the street, together with 47 and 49 Fleetgate which originally formed part of number 51, appears to be some 250 years old and probably replaced a timber-framed structure. The scale and quality of the timbering in the rear wing suggests that the building was originally the home of a wealthy merchant. It was later used as a farmstead and in the 19th century it apparently became a boys' boarding school, run by the Rev. Robert Forster. About a hundred years ago it was divided into the three shop units which exist today.
In 1908, 51 Fleetgate was opened by Fred Clipson's father as a barber's shop and later became a newsagent. Unique ceiling posters have survived in the shop through work carried out by a specialist team from the Department of Conservation and Restoration of De Montford University Lincoln.
Many features from past generations have been retained in the building : the slop-stone (the forerunner of the modern kitchen sink), the copper for heating water and boiling laundry, gas lighting jets and a Victorian kitchen range. The building forms a valuable teaching aid, demonstrating the development of the domestic house.
The second phase of the restoration was completed using the Single Regneration Budget. North Lincolnshire Council now owns 51 Fleetgate. This architectural gem is a fitting addition to Barton's rich heritage and complements the town's importance as an historic centre.
Taken from "Barton Regeneration Centre - a short guide to 51 Fleetgate".
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