There are multiple theories on the origins of the village's name. One presented in The Place and River Names of the West Riding of Lindsey is that the name of the village is derived from "Dunham" from 'dun' meaning hill, and 'ham' meaning river bend. An alternative origin by Ekwall suggests the name came from "Donna's ham", meaning the 'ham' or enclosure of Dunna, possible an Anglo-Saxon.[1]
Within the village, Dunholme has a post office, a village shop, St Chad's CE Primary School on Ryland Road.
The parish church is dedicated to Saint Chad, and is a Grade I listed building, built in Early English style.[2] It contains a kneeling effigy to Robert Grantham (died 1616), which was restored in 1856 and 1892.[3] The church forms part of the benefice of Welton, Dunholme and Scothern.[4] The rood screen was carved by the Congolese sculptor Mahomet Thomas Phillips.[5]
Every summer, the village holds a village fête. The fête is held in the centre of the village near the church and involves a duck race alongside many other activities.
Dunholme has had a significant impact on Lincolnshire history. Terence Leach, who was headmaster of the village primary school, was a passionate advocate of Lincolnshire history and wrote a number of books on the areas's history. He is best known as the author of a series of books on Lincolnshire country houses. He also helped create the annual Brackenbury Lectures in aid of the Raithby Methodist Chapel. More recently Adrian Gray, the son of a former vicar of Dunholme, has published several books on Lincolnshire history.
Education
William Farr C of E Comprehensive School is partially located within the parish boundary and is accessible from Honeyholes Lane in the village of Dunholme, however the main entrance is located on Lincoln Road in Welton.[7]
Geography
The village stands almost exactly in the centre of its parish, on the banks of the Welton Beck, which follows into the village from Welton in the north.[8]
Work on the A46 bypass started in February 1987, being built by A.F. Budge.[9] The bypass was opened on Friday 13 November 1987, by Zena Scoley, the chairman of the county council. The bypass cost £1m, and was 1.5 miles long.[10]
