1903: Today saw an extension to Peterborough's growing tram network when the service to Newark began, the trams travelling along the Eastfield Road. The driver - the motorman - had to stand in an open area to drive the tram and was exposed to all weathers. He worked a ten-hour shift, six days a week, at a rate of 5d an hour, which provided him with a weekly wage of 25s. (Peterborough Advertiser)
Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.
For such a small hamlet, Upton is satisfyingly full of interesting buildings and historical items. This is shown in the number of listed items in the area, none of which is as fascinating as the grade II listed sundial near to the manor house. The sundial was commissioned by Bishop Dove who lived in the manor house and was Bishop from 1601-1630 when he died. The sundial was originally kept in the garden of the manor house. But has since been moved to a paddock alongside the manor.
The plinth of the sundial is stone and features striking cavities that make it appear more as a piece of modern art than early 17th century garden furniture. The style and shape of the sundial appear to be in the style of Scottish stonework from the 17th century and may well be a rare lectern sundial, which would be quite appropriate for a bishop. How it came to rest in Upton is not known.
One account taken from The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire by John Bridges completed in the early 18th century and published in 1791 claims that it was created in the reign of Charles I and given that Bishop Dove died in 1630, we may assume it was created between 1625 and 1630. A sketch held in the collection of Castor church (of which Bishop Dove was rector) shows many of the details that once adorned the sundial but have been lost to the weather.
The sundial can be observed from a footpath near to the paddock, but is situated on private land.