Some old Lincolnshire photos...

[Geoff-E]

To me, they look more like labourers working on a road, (or ditch)  than farmers.

Yes some sort of large drainage channel.

[Redroger]

Possibly one of the major maintenance jobs on the drainage canals and waterways to ensure they don't silt up and cause flooding. Relatives of mine owned a farm in the Burgh area in the 2nd half of the 19th century so I am very interested.

[Redroger]

To me, they look more like labourers working on a road, (or ditch)  than farmers.

Yes some sort of large drainage channel.

Given the general area I wonder if they were preparing for the installation of the large culvert at Thorpe, now known as Thorpe Culvert as a result.?

[Eilleen]

I thought they might be digging for tatties 

[Redroger]

If they were Eilleen, then they would be digging into the sides of earth mounds known as graves.

[PabloC]

Hi,

Ah, Thorpe Culvert. That may well be it, as that's pretty much a stone's throw from the general area this family came from.

[PabloC]

...and another couple. First up, All Saint's Church, Wainfleet, 1907.