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:

• 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

  Main image shows Norwood Park Estate. Photo credit – Rachael Phillips Photography.

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.

Full event details and ticket information are available at www.burghley.co.uk

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 10^th 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)

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.