“If I should die, think only this of me: That there’s some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed” Rupert Brooke The Soldier On the 23rd June 2016 the UK voted to leave the European Union and the county of Lincolnshire, England was the area with the highest vote to Leave. The Lincolnshire vote was driven by the social and economic impact of migrant labour. In this agricultural heartland, responsible for producing England's fresh food; most of the agricultural labour arrived from the EU. Over one decade, Boston saw its migrant population increase by 467% and South Holland by 225%. In 2010 the government ended the Migration Impact Fund; this had provided the additional money for stretched public services due to the massive rise in population. This was not reinstated until 2018. This area will be written into history for its impact on the Brexit vote. As a "Remainer", I wanted to look beyond divisive headlines such as “How a Lincolnshire town became 'the most divided place in England’. “ I am interested in how myth and media portrayal impact on the depiction and experience of a place. History is subjective, in every culture we have histories that are hidden. The one we know is not often the real history. What creates the collective identity of a community? How has national identity evolved in this place? This ongoing project aims to explore a wide range of historical and contemporary socio political and geographical events that have contributed to this. Due to its proximity to mainland Europe & the flat rural landscape, Lincolnshire nicknamed “Bomber county” played a pivotal role in World War II. During the war there were more than 100 military airfields, including dummy airfields and emergency landing strips. The area's contribution to the Battle of Britain and ultimately the success of stopping Germany occupying England, is enormous. The portrayal of the area as racist and bigoted ignores historical migration and links with other communities. In 1942, four Polish air force squadrons moved to Lincolnshire. Polish airmen and airwomen played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain. After the war, the British government brought in the Polish Resettlement Act, meaning many chose to settle in Britain, and stayed in Lincolnshire. Margaret Thatcher, prime minister & avid supporter of the idea of a European Single Market was born in Lincolnshire. Such were the divisions created by her premiership in the UK, the plans for a statue commemorating have been on hold for over a year and the plinth has laid unused and covered in the town of her birth. These contrasting opinions mirror Thatcher’s own opinions on the EU, she began as a pro European, but it was her rejection of the Maastricht Treaty which ultimately signalled the beginning of her demise as UK Leader. The images include portraits of ex air force servicemen & their descendants, from both Polish & British heritage, the legacy the air force has left on the landscape and the memory & significance it continues to hold for today’s local community. Lincolnshire is one of the flattest low-lying areas of England. Historically, the coastline has been gradually flooding and eroding. By 2050, over 75% of the county is forecast to be completely submerged in water; a place so significant in our history, may barely exist. Credit: Bomber Command memorial copyright The Telegraph newspaper 22 January 2019