Housing company donates over £100,000 to local charities
Welland Homes, a housing company wholly owned by South Holland District Council, has made a £100,373 donation to three local charities after another successful year, helping to support in-need residents and good causes across the district.
The company, incorporated in 2015, was established to increase the housing supply in the area to meet demand, set high standards for housing design and improve the quality of rental accommodation available to residents.
Ten years on, Welland Homes now has 57 open market properties in its ownership, and the company is making donations from its profit margin to three local charities: Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire, Active Lincolnshire and South Holland in Bloom.
Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire will receive £91,173, which will be used in their continued work to provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on rights and responsibilities, giving support on a range of matters including consumer matters, money advice, welfare support, employment, housing and family and personal matters.
Active Lincolnshire will benefit from £6,000 of support, for their work to provide opportunities for everyone in Lincolnshire to be active every day. This includes working with partners to address inequalities and inactivity and responding to the specific needs of people and places.
Finally, South Holland in Bloom will receive £3,200 to aid them to provide assistance and support in connection with the Britain in Bloom competition to various villages across the district.
A Welland Homes spokesperson said: “We’re delighted that Welland Homes has had another successful year, and that we are again able to support these great local causes that help improve our district and the vital support available for residents.
“Welland Homes continues to grow and develop, as it has done over the last decade, which is testament to the hard work of everyone involved with the company as it has rightly established itself as a landlord of choice, providing high-quality and desirable homes right here in South Holland.”
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Jo Panuwat D
Spilsby Sessions House restoration takes step forward
A planning application and listed building consent has been submitted to restore the Grade II listed Spilsby Sessions House into a multi-use community facility.
Spilsby Sessions House is one of two culturally significant, heritage at-risk attractions which East Lindsey District Council secured Government funding to help attract new visitors and to create a multi-use area for everyone to enjoy.
Following detailed site preparations and surveys over the past few months, the collaborative project between East Lindsey District Council and the Spilsby Sessions House Trust has reached a key milestone.
New designs as part of the planning application show the potential restoration of the building to allow a multi-use space to maximise the use of the attraction for generations to come.
This restoration project will not only allow the building to be operational again, but it will support the economy of Spilsby as the space will be able to be leased out.
The project at Spilsby Sessions House comprises of major repairs to the building, to allow it to be reopened for cultural and art uses, as well as to have a wider daytime use as a community space.
By improving the access into the Sessions House, the building will be a welcoming space for everyone. A new café area is part of the plans to serve local people and visitors to the Lincolnshire Wolds and coast.
Pranali Parikh, Director of Economic Development, said: “The submission of planning and listed building consent for Spilsby Sessions House marks a significant milestone in this project.
“The very detailed on-site work conducted so far has been invaluable, providing the project team with crucial insights and information necessary for the next phase of the programme, subject to planning and listed building approval.
“This is an important and historic building for Spilsby and a key piece of the vibrant cultural tapestry of East Lindsey. Subject to approval the scheme will enhance the heritage asset, support the local economy and generate visitors for the Lincolnshire Wolds.”
Bruce Knight, Trustee of Spilsby Sessions House, said: “The submission of the planning application marks a very significant and exciting point in the Spilsby Sessions House journey.
“It is a complex building and a sensitive heritage site and with the project aims for delivering a sustainable, multi-functional, cultural facility, it has taken a considerable amount of careful design work to reach this point.
“With planning now being submitted, we hope we can soon progress to the point of beginning to see the plans becoming a reality for the community.”
Image credit: Google maps
Plans for Scunthorpe’s new science and tech centre progress
North Lincolnshire Council has secured listed building consent for alterations to St John’s Church in Scunthorpe, moving forward with plans for a £2.5m children’s science and technology centre.
The new facility, called Discover@20-21, will be located next to the 20-21 Visual Arts Centre and is set to open later this year, thanks to funding from the Government’s Towns Fund.
The centre will feature interactive digital displays and exhibits designed to engage young audiences with STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics). Among the planned installations is a projector system that will create digital artwork based on these themes, which visitors will be able to control with the push of a button.
To accommodate large-scale exhibits and light-sensitive displays, such as Luke Jerram’s “Museum of The Moon,” the church will also undergo modifications including the installation of retractable lighting and blackout blinds. These improvements will reduce the need for costly external hires and high-level access equipment, making it easier to host significant exhibitions.
The project aims to boost local tourism by attracting more visitors to the area and support community regeneration. St John’s Church, a former place of worship, has served as an arts venue since the early 2000s.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/shintartanyaNorwood Park commemorates VE Day with charity celebration for the British Red Cross
Norwood Park is set to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a charity Afternoon Tea event to raise vital funds for the British Red Cross while paying tribute to its lesser-known role in the war effort.
Taking place on Thursday 8th May, the event will bring together local residents, historians, and members of the community to honour the courage, sacrifice, and spirit of those who served both on and off the battlefield.
A Community Celebration of Service and Remembrance
Guests will be welcomed to the historic Norwood Hall for an afternoon tea-style buffet, accompanied by a display of wartime memorabilia, historic photographs, live performances from the Mansfield Male Voice Choir with representatives from the Red Cross in attendance.
Additional informative talks will share untold stories of Norwood Park’s history and role during WWII while the estate’s resident metal detectorist will display finds uncovered across the estate, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past beneath our feet.
Speaking on the upcoming celebration, Madeleine Walker, General Manager at Norwood Park, said: “We are incredibly proud to be hosting this event. It’s a chance to bring the community together, honour our estate’s connection to the war effort, and shine a light on the quiet acts of service carried out behind the scenes.”
Honouring Norwood Park’s Wartime History
During the Second World War, Norwood Hall served as a convalescent home for wounded servicemen, under the care of the British Red Cross Society. Between 1942 and 1946, the estate provided a place of recovery, rehabilitation, and rest for those returning from the frontline.
The Hall was fitted with 100 hospital beds, 12 of which were located in the Drawing Room which is most regularly used today as a ceremony space for weddings, while nurses worked tirelessly to care for the wounded.
Over the course of the war, the estate is estimated to have housed well over 1,000 servicemen. Soldiers arrived at the Norwood Estate, from Harlow Wood Orthopaedic hospital, many having sustained significant injuries. In their initial stay at Norwood, many patients arrived in plaster casts, some were bed bound and some hobbled about on crutches and walking sticks, making the best of it.
After 4-6 weeks of rest and rehabilitation under the care of Red Cross nurses, patients were transferred back to Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital to have their casts removed after which they returned to Norwood to undertake a programme of physical rehabilitation and PT on the estate lawn under the watchful eye of Sargent Bradley, the Physical Training Officer stationed at Norwood Park.
Wartime Memories
Sir John Starkey Bt, who is the current custodian of the Norwood Park Estate was just a young boy during the war, but remembers the era vividly: “As a child, I was fascinated by the plaster casts the servicemen wore and used to plead with them to bring one back after their hospital visit so I could try them on for size. Sadly, none ever did, though I suppose they weren’t allowed to!”
Reminiscing about the period, Sir John added: “The servicemen living on the estate were incredibly kind to us children. For my fourth birthday, they crafted a Greenline Double Decker Bus out of wood, which I still have to this day. I believe they made a wheelbarrow for my sister, too — a more practical gift so she could help the gardener in the kitchen garden!”
In a touching gesture, Sir John will also be celebrating his 87th birthday on the day—inviting fellow residents to join in marking the occasion with a slice of birthday cake. He remarked: “As a seven-year-old, I remember the excitement of VE Day so clearly — I hung Union Jack flags in my bedroom, and we celebrated all around the house.
“It’s a date that has always held great personal significance for me, feeling even more meaningful that my birthday falls on the day. Marking the date with this anniversary event will be an incredible moment of remembrance and celebration.”
Unsung Heroes
Alongside the incredible contributions of those on the frontline, the contributions and support of those at home was paramount. Among those quietly supporting the war effort from home was Frank Jordan, a WWI veteran himself, who tended Norwood’s wartime Kitchen Garden supplying the House chefs with fresh produce used to feed the recovering servicemen throughout their stay on the estate. His daily work is a further example of the many unsung heroes who contributed behind the scenes.
Call for Memorabilia and Local Involvement
Norwood Park is inviting local historical societies and residents to participate by showcasing their own wartime memorabilia. Guests are encouraged to wear or bring items of historical significance—whether personal heirlooms, medals, or photographs—as a way of sharing stories and keeping memories alive.
Event Details:
Wartime Memories
Sir John Starkey Bt, who is the current custodian of the Norwood Park Estate was just a young boy during the war, but remembers the era vividly: “As a child, I was fascinated by the plaster casts the servicemen wore and used to plead with them to bring one back after their hospital visit so I could try them on for size. Sadly, none ever did, though I suppose they weren’t allowed to!”
Reminiscing about the period, Sir John added: “The servicemen living on the estate were incredibly kind to us children. For my fourth birthday, they crafted a Greenline Double Decker Bus out of wood, which I still have to this day. I believe they made a wheelbarrow for my sister, too — a more practical gift so she could help the gardener in the kitchen garden!”
In a touching gesture, Sir John will also be celebrating his 87th birthday on the day—inviting fellow residents to join in marking the occasion with a slice of birthday cake. He remarked: “As a seven-year-old, I remember the excitement of VE Day so clearly — I hung Union Jack flags in my bedroom, and we celebrated all around the house.
“It’s a date that has always held great personal significance for me, feeling even more meaningful that my birthday falls on the day. Marking the date with this anniversary event will be an incredible moment of remembrance and celebration.”
Unsung Heroes
Alongside the incredible contributions of those on the frontline, the contributions and support of those at home was paramount. Among those quietly supporting the war effort from home was Frank Jordan, a WWI veteran himself, who tended Norwood’s wartime Kitchen Garden supplying the House chefs with fresh produce used to feed the recovering servicemen throughout their stay on the estate. His daily work is a further example of the many unsung heroes who contributed behind the scenes.
Call for Memorabilia and Local Involvement
Norwood Park is inviting local historical societies and residents to participate by showcasing their own wartime memorabilia. Guests are encouraged to wear or bring items of historical significance—whether personal heirlooms, medals, or photographs—as a way of sharing stories and keeping memories alive.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday 8th May 2025
- Time: Guests are welcome from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, afternoon tea served at 3:00pm
- Location: Norwood Hall, Norwood Park Estate, Halam Road, Southwell, NG25 0PF
- Tickets: Minimum donation of £15 per adult / £5 per child
- Proceeds: All profits to be donated to the British Red Cross
- Booking: Visit norwoodpark.co.uk/whatson or contact events@norwoodpark.co.uk / 01636 302099
Spring and early summer highlights in Burghley Gardens
Visitors to Burghley Gardens over the coming weeks can look forward to a varied programme of seasonal activity. From outdoor art to guided walks and talks, the events offer visitors a chance to experience the gardens in different ways as spring progresses into summer.
Botanic Tapestry: Outdoor Art Installation in the Sculpture Garden from 26 April
Following its debut in the South Gardens, the outdoor art installation Botanic Tapestry continues into the summer in the Sculpture Garden at Burghley, reimagined in a new location along the banks of the lake. Here, the large-scale botanical flags stretch across the dam in a spectacular display, offering a fresh perspective on the artworks. New elements have been added across the Sculpture Garden, bringing drama and discovery.
Created by artist duo Graphic Rewilding, Botanic Tapestry celebrates the harmony between art, nature, and history. More than just a visual statement, this unique art experience is designed to encourage moments of reflection and a renewed appreciation for the natural world. Among the new features in this phase of the exhibition are a monumental banner suspended been two Douglas Firs and textile wraps on selected trees – intended to offer moments of interest and surprise as visitors wander and explore the space.
Dawn Walks in the Gardens: 7 and 14 May
Two early morning guided walks will offer a rare opportunity to experience Burghley Gardens at first light. Led by Head Gardener Joe Whitehead, these walks provide a peaceful exploration of the gardens as the day begins, with the chance to hear the dawn chorus and see the sun rise over the lake. The walk is followed by breakfast served in the Orangery Restaurant.
Spring Tour, Talk & Tea in the Gardens: 8 May
This afternoon event invites visitors to join the Gardens team for a guided tour of the South Gardens and Sculpture Garden. Led by the Head Gardener, the tour explores seasonal highlights, planting schemes and upcoming projects. There will be plenty of gardening advice and ideas throughout the tour, offering inspiration to take home to your own garden. The session concludes with Afternoon Tea served in the Orangery Restaurant’s Rose Garden.
Looking Ahead: Wildflowers in Bloom from June
From June, visitors to the Sculpture Garden can look forward to the return of the wildflower displays. These naturalistic plantings will bring bold bursts of colour to the landscape as summer progresses, adding a dynamic and ever-changing feature to the garden experience.
Ticket information
- The Gardens are open from 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 4.30pm. Gardens & Adventure Play tickets booked online in advance cost £10 Adult, £8 Child (3-15 years), £32 Family (2 Adults, 3 Children). House, Gardens & Adventure Play tickets cost £20 Adult, £9 Child (3-15 years), £52 Family (2 Adults, 3 Children); Annual Passes offering unlimited visits start at £26 for a Child Annual Pass.
- Entry to the Botanic Tapestry exhibition is included with any Admission Ticket or Annual Pass.
- Dawn Walks in the Gardens take place on 7 and 14 May from 6.45am to 9.30am. Tickets cost £30 per person and include breakfast in the Orangery Restaurant
- Spring Tour, Talk & Tea in the Gardens on 8 May from 1pm to 4pm. Tickets cost £55 per person and include Afternoon Tea.
Classic Ibiza’s audience choose tracks for Burghley House show
As Classic Ibiza’s sold-out return to Lincolnshire’s Burghley House on Saturday 26 July draws ever closer, the concert organisers have announced the results of an extra-special audience track-poll to celebrate the show’s 10th birthday.
Over the Easter weekend, the concert’s 58,000 social media followers were able to select the house tunes they most wanted to be performed live by Stephen Hussey’s Urban Soul Orchestra and the show’s special guests, London Community Gospel Choir.
The thousands of votes have now been counted, and the eight most popular tracks featuring at the show are: Blackwater (Octave One); Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless) (Crystal Waters); (I Wanna Give You) Devotion (Nomad); Lola’s Theme (The Shapeshifters); Saltwater (Chicane); Sun Is Shining (Bob Marley vs. Funkstar De Luxe); Sunchyme (Dario G); and You Got the Love (The Source ft. Candi Staton).
London Community Gospel Choir are one of the world’s most in demand choirs, having recorded with the likes of Adele, Blur and Madonna. They’re also due to perform Pacha Ibiza (Flower Power) in June. Taking to the stage with Urban Soul Orchestra for the first time, the combination will create a soulful wall of sound that is not to be missed. London Community Gospel Choir will also be joining DJ Jose Luis for a live mash-up of even more iconic house tunes at the start of the show.
Classic Ibiza’s Lisa Ward says: “A huge thank you to everyone that voted in this year’s track poll. We’ve landed on a perfect mix of stone-cold house classics and some really uplifting, sing-along moments, which is what Classic Ibiza is all about. Having seen London Community Gospel Choir perform the Albert Hall over Christmas, I know that the combination with the incredible Urban Soul Orchestra is going to be something truly magical.”
Elsewhere in the concert, Urban Soul Orchestra will be performing more tracks than ever before in a “best-of” set, packed full of audience favourites from the show’s 10-year repertoire. Insomnia by Faithless, Born Slippy by Underworld and Adagio For Strings by Tiësto are among over 50 anthemic tunes that will be given the full orchestral treatment. Urban Soul Orchestra have worked for over 25 years with many dance music greats, including Groove Armada, Robert Miles and Nightmares On Wax.
Tickets to Classic Ibiza at Burghley have sold-out in record time. Concertgoers are urged to use the show’s official ticket resale site, Twickets, if they have missed out. The show is proud to be supporting Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.
Visit classicibiza.co.uk for more information.
Image: Urban Soul Orchestra at Classic Ibiza (credit: David Evans Photography)
Charity market garden to open its doors for a fun day in June
A market garden near Boston that supports people with a learning disability will be raising much needed funds at its annual open day in June.
Organisers at Thistles Market Garden in Sutterton are expecting up to 150 people to attend the event, which will feature plant sales, sheep petting, a barbecue, tombola, cake stall, music and refreshments.
The charity’s third annual open day will take place on Thursday 19th June from 10am until 2pm.
Thistles supports adults with a learning disability and currently provides purposeful activities in horticulture to 22 people from Boston, Spalding, Heckington and Holbeach.
Not only does Thistles support people with a learning disability, it also sells the fresh seasonal produce that the service users grow from seed.
By attending the open day you can find out more about what goes on at Thistles and support the charity’s most important fund-raiser of the year.
“Our open days are always great fun,” said Thistles manager Michael Burgess. “Last year we raised over £1,000 which helps us provide various activities for our service users and buy the equipment we need for the market garden.
“If you’ve never visited before, why not come along? You’ll have a great time and you’ll be supporting a really good cause into the bargain.”
Raffle tickets are now on sale offering a top prize of £100, a second prize of £50 and other prizes including a free ticket for the Heckington Show in July.
You can find Thistles Market Garden on Station Road in Sutterton near Boston.
Thousands of poppies take flight in striking VE Day 80 tribute
A display of over 20,000 ceramic poppies, arranged in the silhouette of a Lancaster Bomber, has been unveiled at the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) in Lincoln ahead of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8th May.
The striking installation, created by Lithuanian artist Darius Sirmulevicius who now lives in Lincolnshire, will serve as a summer-long tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War.
The poppies, each one unique, will be available for sale with proceeds going towards the IBCC, Wooden Spoon Rugby Charity and British West India Regiments Heritage Trust.
IBCC CEO Nicky van der Drift said: “During WWII, more than a million men and women served in or supported Bomber Command, and Lincolnshire housed over a third of all the RAF Bomber Command stations.
“In the UK, the red poppy is the national symbol of remembrance. Despite the devastation and horrific loss of life in war-torn Europe, poppies flourished and grew on battlefields and this spectacular display in the shape of a Lancaster Bomber is a fitting tribute to their sacrifice.
“It serves as a point of remembrance, a reminder of the cost of war and an education piece for all ages, which is at the heart of everything we do here.”
The unveiling also marks the launch of VE80 Lincoln – the final stage of the Rugby & World War Two Project, hosted by World Rugby Memorial, designed to honour the 80th anniversary of D-Day (6th June, 2024).
The project, which began in Normandy and continued through Nijmegen and Arnhem, will culminate in Lincoln on VE Day with a series of events at locations across Lincolnshire from 8th to 11th May 2025.
Over 280 young male and female rugby players from U18 teams in the UK, France, the Netherlands and Jamacia will take part in the events including an international VE80 Rugby Festival hosted by Lincoln Rugby Club on Saturday 10th May.
Other VE80 Lincoln commemorative events will include:
- VE Day 80 Beacon Lighting and Dinner – A poignant ceremony on 8th May at the IBCC, marking this significant moment in history.
- Heritage site visits – The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre and IBCC will host visiting touring U15 rugby teams and VIP guests for immersive experiences.
- Ceramic Poppy-Bluet Ceremony – On 9th May (16:30 till 18:30) a moving tribute will take place at Lincoln Cathedral, incorporating its military altars in honour of those who served.
- Rugby & WWII Exhibition – From now until August the IBCC will showcase a unique exhibition highlighting the connections between rugby and the Second World War featuring untold stories of service, camaraderie and sacrifice.
- Sunday Thanksgiving Service – On 11th May (10:15 till 11:15) the IBCC will host a special service to conclude the commemorations with a message of gratitude and reflection.
Burning Sensations unveil new cost-effective pellet stove
Burning Sensation Fireplaces are incredibly excited to unveil the latest addition to their showroom. With environmental concerns being high on consumer’s minds, introducing ‘Peggy’ the innovative wood pellet burning stove, from Italian stove manufacturer La Nordica, seemed like the perfect way to address these concerns.
Pellet stoves are relatively new to the UK market and so far, have predominantly been used as central heating systems, with bulky units that often require a room of their own in your home. However, La Nordica are changing all of this with their fabulous range of freestanding stoves that are perfect for installation into living spaces.
Burning wood pellets is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to heat your home and as the pellets produce very little ash, looking after your stove is also very easy.
Peggy has been specifically designed with the UK household in mind, as this stove can be installed into a fireplace opening and in appearance is much like a traditional log-burner. However, with Peggy, gone are the days of storing bulky and increasingly costly logs and smokeless fuels. Small sticks and firelighters are a thing of the past, the simple press of a button will fire Peggy into life. Controllability is key, as this stove will self-regulate itself to your chosen room temperature, feeding itself from the integral hopper as required, inevitably cutting down on the cost of fuel. Then, at the end of the day when you turn the stove off, it goes through a self-cleaning process before finally shutting down.
Fo more information and to see this amazing new stove on working display, visit the showroom in Armstrong Street, Grimsby.
Truckfest drives into Lincoln for early May bank holiday
Car-crushing monster trucks, death-defying stunt shows, special celebrity guests, fantastic family entertainment, live music, delicious food and drink, a huge variety of trade stalls and so much more makes its way to Lincoln on Sunday 4th and Monday 5th May.
A fan favourite from last year’s show; the stars from TV’s Gladiators will be joining again! On Sunday meet Sheli McCoy and Matty Campbell as featured as ‘Sabre’ and ‘Bionic’ in ‘BBCs Gladiators’. Then Monday, don’t miss Emily Steel and Alex Gray as featured as ‘Dynamite’ and ‘Apollo’ in ‘BBCs Gladiators’.
With over 1,000 trucks already booked, this year’s show promises incredible trucks of all shapes and sizes including American rigs, customised trucks, emergency vehicles & vintage trucks.
Adrenaline-fueled action will be taking place across the entire weekend, from massive monster trucks crushing cars (and even some you can ride in!) to motorcycle stunt shows and family friendly wrestling.
Two incredible Optimus Prime trucks will also be at the event; an American 1986 Freightliner FLT80 Cabover, which has been fully restored and customised to look like the classic 80’s truck, as well as 2001 American Peterbilt 379 Transformer Truck, which appeared in the recent Transformer movies!
As well as all the live action, there will be amazing performances across the weekend from a diverse line-up of bands, including Definitely Oasis, widely recognized by Oasis fans around the world as the top Oasis tribute band.
Huge industry showcases are always at the heart of the show, bringing with them the newest models and exciting displays. Expect to see stands from DAF, Volvo and Scania to name a few. Browse a wide variety of trade stalls and pick up some trucking merch or try some culinary delights from one of the catering units.
For those wanting to experience everything the show has to offer, camping at Truckfest offers best value for money. Family passes for 2 adults and 2 children or for 3 adults are available, these include your pitch; vehicle pass and entry to the show for the entire weekend.
If you want to be a part of Europe’s biggest and best trucking show, make sure to head this May to the Lincolnshire Showground! Discounted advance tickets are available now on www.truckfest.co.uk.
