< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY onwhat’sLincoln February 10 Crafty Beer Festival - The County Assembly Rooms The Crafty Beer Festival is back by popular demand! Come along for a day of hoppy happiness and crafty delights at The County Assembly Rooms in the heart of Lincoln. Enjoy a diverse selection of brews on tap, complemented by the lively backdrop of all-day live music. Tuck in to delicious Mexican street food paired with your perfect pint - the ideal mix of flavours and entertainment for a great day out. Don’t miss out on the beer-soaked fun, incredible music, and delicious bites. Gather your friends, bring your enthusiasm, and let’s make this Crafty Beer Festival an unforgettable experience. © stock.adobe.com/Starmarpro Scunthorpe February 1 You’re Bard - Plowright Theatre Four Shakespeare shows. Endless possibilities. You - the audience - decide everything, from the play to the performance style. Even which actor plays which part. This hilarious, unpredictable new show, featuring actors whose past experience includes the RSC, Bristol Old Vic, Cheltenham Everyman, Dubai and the West End, promises an unforgettable evening of Shakespeare unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Lincoln February 3 Bridgerton-Style Ball - County Assembly Rooms Step into the enchanting world of the Bridgerton Ball at Lincoln County Assembly Rooms. Embrace an evening of elegance, intrigue, and a touch of scandal. Secure your place through carrier pigeon requests, or Fatsoma tickets, for a night of unforgettable glamour and secrets. Spalding February 3 Country Roads - South Holland Centre Leave your 9 to 5 worries at the door and get ready as – for one night only – the Kings and Queens of country music are celebrated. Enjoy the very biggest country songs of all time; 9 to 5, The Gambler, Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, King of the Road, Crazy, Rhinestone Cowboy, Jolene, Dance the Night Away, Walkin’ after Midnight and many, many more. Lincoln February 3 Come and spend an evening with former Welterweight World Champion, Kell Brook. Hear Kell talk about some of his biggest fights including the blockbusters against Triple G and the grudge match v Amir Khan. Scunthorpe February 8 Giovanni: Let Me Entertain You - The Baths Hall Giovanni Pernice is back in 2024 for his brand new live tour - LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU. The Strictly Come Dancing champion and BAFTA winner is the epitome of live entertainment. Giovanni will be joined by a world class cast of professional dancers and West End performers to bring you an unforgettable experience. A show of non-stop action - prepare to be entertained. Dancer, performer, showman...Giovanni is THE Entertainer. Stamford February 10 Metalwork & Paper Crafts Workshop - Stamford Arts Centre Join Stamford-based metal worker, Shalini Austin, in this fun crafting workshop! Make your own flowers, leaves or creatures using copper foil, recycled cans and card stock. Then take your designs home with you. 62 Á LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 61 Grantham February 14 WonderDome - Planetarium Show - Guildhall Arts Centre Get ready for a space-tacular adventure! Be awed, inspired, and enlightened. Hop into WonderDome and blast off into a 45-minute journey through the stars, let the magic of space envelop you. Parents, don’t forget to book a seat too! Spalding February 16 Soul Kinda Wonderful - South Holland Centre After a sell-out concert at the South Holland Centre, Richie Sampson brings back his multi award-winning show ‘Soul Kinda Wonderful’. The show has been performed for David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson and Tom Cruise, to name just a few. Soul Kinda Wonderful are the official number one tribute act in the UK to the legendary Drifters. They also celebrate the golden era of Soul and Motown by performing songs by iconic groups such as the Temptations, Four Tops, and of course the Drifters. So get your tickets and come along to enjoy all your favourites, such as ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’, ‘This Old Heart of Mine’, ‘Under the Boardwalk’ and many many more! © stock.adobe.com/anekoho © stock.adobe.com/highwaystarz Lincoln February 9 An Evening with the Welsh Wing Wizard, Ryan Giggs - DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln Enjoy an evening at the DoubleTree by Hilton, listening to arguably one of the all- time greatest players of the Premier League, Ryan Giggs. Lincoln February 10 Lincoln Vegan Market - Cornhill Quarter The popular Lincoln Vegan Market in Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter is back this February Half Term. Enjoy a variety of vegan street food, artisan bakes, craft cheeses, handmade cosmetics, ethical clothing & jewellery, arts & crafts and charity stalls. 62 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY WHAT’S ON Spalding February 17 Mrs. Churchill - My Life with Winston - South Holland Centre They say that behind every great man, there is a great woman. Was this true in Churchill’s case? What of Clementine, his wife for 56 years? Did he bully her like he did so many other people? Lincoln February 17 The History of Rock - New Theatre Royal The History of Rock is a celebration of rock music through the decades, featuring the music of artists such as Led Zeppelin, Cream, Guns n Roses, AC/DC, Queen and many more. Rediscover the seeds of rock & roll in the 1950s, the birth of rock in the 60s, right through to the classic rock of the 70s and 80s. A must see for any fan of rock, experience this iconic music brought back to life by an exceptional live band consisting of some of the finest musicians and performers from around the world, original visual footage of the featured bands and artists, as well as incredible concert staging and lighting. Stamford February 29 A Short History of Flowers - Stamford Arts Centre This author-lecture at Stamford Arts Centre includes tales of exploration, unrequited but also enduring love, botanical piracy and excessive hybridisation bringing these beautiful flowers to life. © stock.adobe.com/Viktor Iden © stock.adobe.com/innervision Was he as grumpy and irascible at home as he often was in the House of Commons? Given his strength and conviction, did Clem have any influence on him at all? Or was she ‘the little lady at home’? All these questions will be answered, and many more, in Liz Grand’s superb, moving, sensitive and informative portrayal of Clementine Churchill. Kirkby la Thorpe February 24 Dining in the Dark - The Queens Head Bar & Restaurant Taking place in a darkened room, this unusual dining experience will stimulate all of your senses. Once the lights go out, you will get the chance to experience flavours, textures and smells like never before. Each dish on the menu has been paired with a different wine, so you can also gain a greater understanding of how wine can be used to complement a meal. All of the courses on offer will be created using local produce, and cooked by the award winning chef Barry Liversidge. Scunthorpe March 7 Ukrainian National Opera Presents: Madama Butterfly - The Baths Hall No opera can match the tragedy and sorrow of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Set in Japan at the turn of the last century, it is the story of a doomed love affair between an American naval 64 ÁFriday 9 February 2024 - £23.50(plus fees) Keeping the Faith to the original sounds of the underground movement that started on the dance floors in the North and eventually swept the Nation including an 11-piece band with 4 lead vocalists performing over 30 original hits. From 6.30pm to showtime, we'll be featuring Northern Soul DJs, Richard Dixon and Steve Thompson playing in our bar area. Veterans of the Northern scene, they'll be playing the best and rarest vinyl, of 'northern' favourites. Then after the show, stay and enjoy another drink, and dance as the music continues with more tunes to get you out on the floor. Northern Live - Do I Love You Saturday 9 March 202464 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY WHAT’S ON officer and his young Japanese bride whose self-sacrifice and defiance of her family leads to tragedy. This touching tale of innocent love crushed between two utterly different cultures resonates as strongly as ever in today’s world. Stamford March 8 Me & Mr Jones - Stamford Arts Centre Me & Mr Jones are Rachel Foster (voice) and Paul Deats (piano). They perform beautiful original songs, made with love. Nostalgic for another time but very much for today, the duo are accompanied by an awesomely talented rhythm section; ‘The Whole Affair’ - Simon Paterson (double bass) and Steve Smith (drums). Alongside their original material, Me and Mr. Jones will also be serving up sweet music from the American Songbook and other long loved confection. Grantham March 8 The Sensational 60s Show - Guildhall Theatre Music Masters are a five piece Vocal/Instrumental group with a wealth of experience behind them, performing the length and breadth of the UK over many years. They have put together a show featuring some of the best songs and cosmos, delivered in a distinctive storytelling style, allowing imaginations to roam free and inspiring minds, both young and old alike. Stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae, black holes, the search for life beyond Earth…the evening will explore them all, as well as taking a poignant look at ‘The Power of Smallness’ and something truly profound and inspirational for younger audience members, destination ‘Destiny’. A wonderful evening of inspiring family entertainment for all ages with a stunning soundtrack and live presenter. Lincoln March 10 Mother’s Day Vintage Afternoon Tea - IBCC The IBCC’s annual celebration of Mother’s Day will return this year, featuring music from vintage singer, Alan Jackson. You can enjoy a delicious IBCC baked afternoon tea on vintage crockery and, to spoil your Mums a little more, there will be a complimentary mini bottle of prosecco for each mother. As you dine, Alan will take you back in time to remember the melodies of a bygone era. Recreating songs from past greats such as Johnny Mercer, Dick Haymes, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra as well as many others, Alan’s lyrical baritone vocal delivery and easy style enchants ears and tempts toe-tapping. So, whether you delight in listening or love singing along, Alan’s magical musical stylings offer something for everyone. instrumental pieces from the 50s and 60s, a time when popular music swept the whole world, and changed a generation of music lovers forever. Boston March 29-30 Wonders of Our Universe - Blackfriars Theatre Immerse yourself in an evening of exploration, each second meticulously crafted to produce a visually stunning and emotionally charged journey through the © stock.adobe.com/Liliya Trott Lincoln March 12-16 Science By Luxmuralis - Lincoln Cathedral Be immersed in awe-inspiring light projections of the natural world using Lincoln Cathedral’s gothic ceiling architecture as the canvas. Come and enjoy the beauty of light and to immerse yourself in appreciation of the natural world around us. The installation will see the cathedral transformed into a fully immersive artwork exploring the contributions of science to human understanding of the physical world around us. The creative light show will be enhanced by a bespoke soundscape created by David Harper and the multi-sensory experience will transport visitors through elements, molecules, DNA, and the greatest discoveries of humanity, all projected onto the historic walls of the Cathedral. © stock.adobe.com/Chris WhiteCould you tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a published author? I’m a clinical psychologist by background and I still work as a clinical psychologist part- time now, so I came to creative writing quite late, but I’ve always loved books. It wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I had another go at playing around with creative writing, having done a little bit in school like most people. I started working on a novel which turned out to be terrible, which is pretty much in the bin, but really enjoyed thinking about my characters, scenes and telling the story on the page. Off the back of that I started to join some writers’ groups. While I gave up on that novel, I started writing short stories, which was a really good way of practicing my writing, learning the sort of stories I wanted to tell, and gaining an opportunity to get some feedback on my work from fellow writers. After a little while I started submitting those short stories to journals, magazines, and competitions. A lot of them got rejected, but I got a few published or placed in competitions and that was key in making me think that maybe I was good enough to take this writing thing seriously. In 2015 I left my full time NHS job as a clinical psychologist and went into part-time work in my own practice, which gave me An interview with bestselling author Philippa East Lincolnshire Today spoke with Philippa East, the Lincolnshire-based author of psychological thrillers, ahead of the publication of her fourth gripping book, A Guilty Secret. 66 Á LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 65 AN INTERVIEW WITH…66 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY AN INTERVIEW WITH… more time to write, and I thought “maybe this is the time to have a go at this novel that’s been bouncing around in my head.” That book ultimately became my debut, Little White Lies. As a clinical psychologist as well as an author, how do you balance your two roles? I think there’s a lot of crossover. Training and practicing as a clinical psychologist and writing psychological thrillers scratch the same itch for me, they try to make sense of what it means to be a human and why we do the things that we do, how we overcome obstacles in our lives, and I’m constantly fascinated by those psychological, human experiences. Being a clinical psychologist and a fiction writer are two sides of the same coin for me. On a practical level I’ve been lucky enough to now be able to do my psychology work about one and a half to two days a week and the rest of the time I have for writing, which is a huge luxury and privilege for me. How does being a clinical psychologist influence your writing and the formation of your characters? In a few ways. I like to think that I have a good basic grasp of characterisation because in my training as a clinical psychologist we learn how people operate psychologically. I hope that I can present characters that feel authentic and realistic on the page, and that their motivations, reactions, and behaviours make sense because there’s always a logic to people. The other part of it is that in the psychological thriller genre, the genre I write in, often you’re exploring quite difficult or dark themes, and that’s something that I do in my psychology work as well and have been trained to do. I hope readers can feel they’re in a safe pair of hands going into some of those topics, and one of the things that is common for me across both my work as a psychologist and as a writer is that I always believe people can overcome those difficulties. Typically in my books my characters have an arc of redemption or resolution, and that’s a fundamental thing for me in my clinical practice as well; to believe that people can recover and find ways to navigate the things that might have happened to them. I hope that my training as a clinical psychologist has helped me know how to go to the dark places in a way that feels meaningful and not gratuitous, but also gives people a message of hope about recovery and resilience. Your new book A Guilty Secret was published on 18 January, could you tell us about it and why you think people would enjoy reading it? I had a lot of fun writing this book and I hope that readers will have a lot of fun reading it. A Guilty Secret is about a remote Scottish boarding school, a group of troubled teenagers getting up to no good in the woods at night, the death of a beloved psychotherapist that came out of the blue seemingly, and two estranged ex-spouses who have been thrown together to try and make sense of the connections between all of these creepy goings on, past and present. One of the things that I really enjoyed about writing this book is that it’s set in Scotland, which is where I’m from originally. The boarding school in the book, St Michael’s, is based on the boarding school that my dad attended in Perthshire, which was basically in the middle of nowhere, and that was quite a fun setting to play around in. I also got to visit some of my old haunts by setting scenes in Edinburgh. I hope this book will appeal to anyone who likes a good psychological thriller. There’s lots of twists and turns, and I’m always intrigued to see whether readers can figure out the plot twists and the answers to my mysteries; mostly they can’t, which is good, but you can set yourself a new challenge with this book! What inspired you to write this novel? One of the inspirations was my fascination with the risky and creepy games that we play as teenagers. For example, the teenagers from this boarding school play ‘light as a feather, stiff as a board’. I just really like this idea of a group of teenagers who are in quite an elite, isolated, exclusive setting, getting involved in these kinds of games which we all come across in some way. But then what if one of those games which you played went hideously wrong? I think I was drawing on some of my own teenage experiences, although I didn’t have as guilty secrets as the characters in this book do - I promise! What are your influences for your stories? The book that I’m working on now is very much inspired by true crime and true crime podcasts, and one of the main types of true crime that I’ve become really fascinated by recently is the modern day cult, so I’m writing a book in that sphere. One of the fun things that I’m playing around with is actually having episodes of a true crime podcast interspersed throughout the book. Now living in Lincolnshire, have you found it to influence your writing? My first book, Little White Lies, is set in Lincolnshire. It is about a family whose missing child is found miraculously seven years after she’d been abducted and comes home. One of the key things that I wanted in that book was for this family to be a very ordinary family, a very relatable family. So setting it in Lincolnshire felt like a really good fit. More generally, I love being in the countryside, I find nature very inspiring. If LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 67 AN INTERVIEW WITH… I’m trying to grapple with a plot idea, I’ll often take a big, long walk. It really helps me be in that happy, healthy, creative mode to live somewhere like Lincolnshire that’s so beautiful. As part of local folk duo, The Miracle Cure, does music influence your writing at all? I think for me music and my writing feel quite separate, if for no other reason that I feel that I’m much more capable as a writer than a musician! Music is my hobby, but saying that, my third book centres around a teenager who is an incredibly talented violinist. I play the violin as well, though not as well as Chrissie Goodlight in I’ll Never Tell, but it was really fun to use my knowledge and experience of playing the violin in that. Do you have any advice for aspiring Lincolnshire authors? One of the things I’ve found in Lincolnshire is it’s a little bit hard to find other writers. A good place to start is to join or see what’s going on with Writing East Midlands. There are also Lincolnshire writers on social media. A bunch of us have a little group on Twitter (X). If you search for Lincolnshire writers, you’ll stumble across us. I think it’s always good to connect with other writers when you’re trying to pursue your own writing journey. I would advise writers to really take time and invest in your writing, put in the work to learn your craft and get feedback, not just think that you know it all or that your first draft is perfect, because it never is! Also do your research on the process of getting published. Take advantage of all the information on Google and find out what you should be doing and give your work the best chance. You’re always welcome to message me on social media and ask questions. I’m always happy to help aspiring writers! Where can people find you and your new novel? I’m on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I always encourage people to go to my main Amazon page. If they click the Follow button it will always let you know if I have a new book coming out. You can buy my book in the fantastic independent bookshops we have here in Lincolnshire, specifically Lindum Books in Lincoln, The Rabbit Hole in Brigg, and Walkers Books in Stamford. My book will also be available through Waterstones and Amazon, but the other online site that I recommend for buying any book is bookshop.org, because any time you buy a book through them you support independent bookshops. I also have a free event taking place at Sleaford Library on Thursday 15 February, 2.30-4.00pm. Come along to the author talk and you can ask questions and get a signed copy of A Guilty Secret! Spaces are limited so to book email sleaford.library@gll.org, call 01522 782010, or pop in. 68 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Aries Mar 21 - Apr 20 Sometimes you have to put yourself and your needs first rather than forever being at the beck and call of everyone else. A bold move in either your personal life or at work will pay dividends. All you need now is the confidence to follow your convictions. Taurus Apr 21 - May 21 A conversation gives you food for thought as your feelings for someone either begin to grow stronger, or make you want to end a relationship for numerous reasons. At home, choose your words wisely to avoid being misunderstood. Gemini May 22 - June 21 Should you be worried that someone is getting cold feet? You may have to revise a plan and look in a brand new direction, but remember things often happen for the best. A family celebration reunites you with someone you have not seen for a long time. Cancer Jun 22 - Jul 23 A conversation gives you food for thought. Someone may make a suggestion that sets your brain racing encouraging you to make the most of a situation. Concerns over a loved one’s health and wellbeing will be put to rest as improvements are taking place. Leo Jul 24 - Aug 23 You may stumble across some secret information that really makes your day and could change your plans one way or another. Romance is also in the air as you find yourself buzzing over the possibility of something new and wonderful. Virgo Aug 24 - Sep 23 You may have strong opinions about some things, but be mindful that other people are also entitled to their points of view. A little tact and diplomacy often goes a long way. You stand to gain an enormous amount if you’re clever and use your brain. Libra Sep 24 - Oct 23 You know better than to ignore your hunches. Never listen to people who constantly try to drag you down. Remove yourself from such jaundiced company and associate only with friends who have your interests at heart. Scorpio Oct 24 - Nov 22 During this fast moving phase, remain flexible and take each day as it comes. Decisions have to be made, but it’s also important that you keep your options open as several new sensational doors are about to open. SUDOKU competition Closing date for entries is: 20th FEBRUARY 2024 To enter just email the numbers that appear in the purple squares to: competitions@blmgroup.co.uk Win a £20 voucher to spend with any of our advertisers in this issue. Last month’s solution O2C0T your stars Lincolnshire Today’s guide to the astro month ahead... Image courtesy of shutterstock/Meowu Sagittarius Nov 23 - Dec 21 There is no point in pretending that you care about a certain person or situation if truthfully you don’t. There is a strong need for you to be honest about how you feel, otherwise you may find yourself wasting your time. Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 20 The last thing you need is to feel stuck in a rut. A fresh approach will open your world; it’s time to do something completely different. A romantic relationship goes up a gear, steering you in a direction you never imagined possible. Aquarius Jan 21 - Feb 19 Choose your words carefully and you will get out of a scrape. No one can force you to do anything against your will. You are in charge of your own decision making and actions. Pisces Feb 20 - Mar 20 A new understanding will be reached between you and someone you have to work or live with, for now, that is. A newcomer on the scene or a secret admirer is about to give you a lot of attention that will make you feel somewhat curious. 238694157 514873296 769215843 482136579 395748621 176952438 623489715 851327964 947561382 859634721 263971485 741285369 935462178 672198543 418753692 326549817 594817236 187326954classified To advertise your services call Angela Cooper at Lincolnshire Today on 01472 310310 British Classics Heritage Motors Parts 1948 to date Retail Trade Export Special Projects Restorations Manufacturing Modifications Country Workshops Risegate, Nr Spalding, Lincs, PE11 4EZ Classic Landrovers Tel/Fax 01775 750223 www.british4x4centre.co.uk Motors Stuart Wilde Photography Ltd The best photography is about much more than taking a picture. It’s about capturing a moment, telling a story, preserving a memory. Sometimes it’s about looking at things a little bit differently. Tel: 07974 695626 www.stuartwildephotography.com fortheBid The essentialgu d Gr f LINC. 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You don’t have to be an adrenalin junkie to work here but it helps… Contact Angie Cooper on 01472 310310 © stock.adobe.com/indomercyNext >