by Martin Thomas | Jul 6, 2021 | Gala Events, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, WhatsOnLincs
Gala Events Pyro Picnic at the Lincolnshire Showground on 23 & 24 July. Click on the picture to book your tickets
Gala Events Pyro Picnic By LincsConnect, The Lincolnshire Blogger
The Gala Events Pyro Picnic by LincsConnect blog has been written as part of the Lincs Connect #WhatsOnLincs series of blogs. If you would like a blog writing for your local event please do get in touch. contact details are at the end of this blog.
It’s Been A Long Time Coming
Gala Events Pyro Picnic by LincsConnect for WhatsOnLincs: With the end of the pandemic lockdown very much in sight, now is the time to celebrate. What better way than with a ‘pyro picnic’ by Gala Events? The whole event will be at the Lincolnshire Showground and includes food stalls, drinks, music, fairground and more. Just in case you aren’t quite sure about ending the Covid19 restrictions, you’ll be pleased to know that the whole event will include a drive-in or walk in experience. The news just seems to get better and better. Gala Events are putting on one of their championship winning fireworks displays for our delight.
Daylight Fireworks
Gala Fireworks are the proud winners of the British Fireworks Championships 2016. Previous winners at Belvoir Castle Gala Fireworks have been more than used to taking the centre stage on the winners podium. Victory after victory after victory – it’s a constant case of ‘updating’ and ‘pushing the boundaries’ of pyrotechnic displays to get to the top and stay there. Having spoken to the Director Andy I can sense his enthusiasm for what he and Co Director Aaron do. Together, along with the rest of their team I have absolutely no doubt at all that we’re in for a real treat on 23rd and 24th July.
With a pedigree like this I just know that we are all in for a big treat. Click on the picture to go to the Gala Fireworks website or why not email your enquiry to info@galafireworks.co.uk
Believe it or not, the first display will be visible in the daylight thanks to the paint powder technology. It’s all brought to you with smoke effects, vivid colours and sound. That’ll be followed by the evening display which will surely be an unforgettable experience. Make sure you have your phone or camera charged up because you’re going to want to capture these special memories.
Light Fuse, Stand Well Back…
When you’re a championship winning Firework Display Team you don’t tend to rely on a box of matches… Click on the picture to see the rest of this video from 2015 on YouTube. For telephone enquires call (01522) 214966 – no event is too big or too small.
Now is the time to celebrate with a ‘pyro picnic’ but don’t expect anyone to be lighting the fireworks with a match! If you haven’t already, I suggest you click on the picture above to see how it’s done.
It’s a huge operation that takes skill and a lot of double checking. A large dose of passion to please the audience is right up there with their list of priorities too. Based in Lincoln and Boston these guys are local and proud of it. They are pushing the boundaries both with the artistic content of their displays and the quality of training of their staff but the company doesn’t define itself with their firework expertise alone.
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Gala Events – Fireworks And More
You can be forgiven for thinking that Gala Events are centred around firework displays but read on to find out more:
Gala Events can organise everything from your event management to providing the bar, flowers, photography/videography, the marquees and even the portaloos. The firework displays need not always be on a huge scale either as they cater for weddings and parties. If you have a group of 20 or 20,000 Gala probably have the event solution for you.
These credentials speak for themselves:
“We won the British championships in 2016 in Plymouth.
We have won the following firework Champions events….. Belvior Castle in 2013, Eastnor Castle in 2014 and Stanford Hall in 2016.
2nd place at Belvior Castle in 2017.
And 2nd place at the British pyromusical championships in Southport in 2014.
As Gala Events, We also won the Central England prestige award in 2020 for Event Entertainment Specialist of the Year.”
Pretty impressive don’t you think?
Gala Events Pyro Picnic – Meet The Directors
Meet Andy and Aaron, the two directors of Gala Events.
Gala events are a Lincolnshire company but don’t underestimate their national presence. These two gents have been very busy all over the country with events to suite all occasions.I could ramble on and on but perhaps it’s best to let Andy and Aaron give you a glimpse of what they can offer. Follow the link below to their Facebook page and scroll through for a bigger sample of what they provide:
Andy is the Operations Manager. Everything you don’t see, do experience and certainly do enjoy is down to him. Our safety is down to everyone but Andy oversees the operation of the projects. Here’s a little resume from the website:
“Andy has been around the professional firework display arena since 2002. He has fired many hundreds of displays and project managed some of Gala’s big successes, not least the 2016 British Championship win. Within the Gala family, he takes responsibility for many of the things that go on behind the scenes including the legal and financial elements of the business. He is constantly looking for new effects, and innovative ways to improve the final delivery ensuring Gala stay on top of their game.”
Aaron is the display and design manager so the heavy burden of what we see is down to him! That’s a pretty hefty responsibility don’t you think? Here’s what their website has to say:
“The magic you see from a Gala Display is all Aaron’s work. Aaron has a vast knowledge of effects, unrivalled enthusiasm, and a broad musical range. These all contribute towards his ability to design displays to any genre or for any occasion. Aaron has been producing breath-taking displays for many years. Always looking for that new effect or combination of design sequences that put Gala one step ahead. He also controls social media activities to keep the public up to date… If you want to talk fireworks – Aaron is your man!”
Having chatted to Andy it’s refreshing to hear that Gala Events are passionate about supporting local businesses. That’s a theme that I’ve been running on Lincs Connect since its start. In fact, you could say that supporting everything Lincolnshire is a passion of mine so it’s nice to hear this team share my enthusiasm.
Click on the picture to go straight to the box office. Grab your tickets early before it’s too late!
Gala Events Pyro Picnic – Running Order
The running order is subject to small changes depending on the light on the night but here is a fairly accurate itinerary for the Pyro Picnic evening:
17.00Hrs Gates Open
The air will be filled with family friendly music played by the resident Gala Events DJ. He’ll be taking requests on the night via social media so make sure you’re following in advance.
19.30Hrs Mororbike Stunt team
Aaron Stannage has been performing motorbike stunts with the team from the age of 3 and is now running the Stannage Stunt Team. A quick check of the website gives you an insight into what we will be treated to. You might want to have a look for yourself: www.stannagestuntteam.co.uk
21.00Hrs Daylight Fireworks Show
You’ll need to see it to believe it but this aerial show is certainly going to be fabulous.
22.00Hrs Grand Finale
The evening will have been fabulous I’m sure but this is probably ‘the’ event you’ve been waiting for. What display could be better than a championship level display? Be prepared to be wowed by the perfectly timed fireworks display with music. Make sure your camera is fully charged!
Gala Events Pyro Picnic – Relax
The gates open at 5.00pm but don’t stress if you’re still travelling home from work as the show doesn’t start until around 7.30pm. However, the earlier you arrive, the more chance you’ll have to enjoy everything else that has been organised for you. You won’t be able to miss the fun fair of course so if you want to enjoy the rides make sure you make your way over there early. Alas, I get travel sickness on the Children’s ‘Tea Cup’ ride so I’ll have to be content with watching the fun. I know my son and friends will be enjoying themselves here though. I just hope they discover the fun-fair before finding the bar!
Ferry Ales Brewery will be taking care of your drinking needs throughout the evening and I can personally recommend them. Gala Events have thought of everything of course so if your priority list doesn’t include the funfair or the bar there is still a shopping village to keep your attention. You’ll find lots of local traders there from wax melts and other gift stalls to holiday Travel Counsellors and sweets. If that doesn’t appeal perhaps you might like to talk to Soper BMW about your next car.
Whether you take your own picnic or buy food from one of the many local stalls you’re bound to have a good time. If you like what you see so far, don’t forget that there is more to enjoy than is printed in this short blog!
Contact Gala Events
The team are contactable through their websites Gala Events Ltd (currently under re-construction) and Gala Fireworks If you’re on social media follow them on Twitter @Gala_Events_Ltd and Facebook Gala Events. The social media platforms will be live during the events for you to make requests with the resident DJ so follow early and to keep up to date with this and other events. As always, there is always the telephone back up so why not give them a call on (01522) 214966
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Click on the picture to visit the online Gala Fireworks Shop
The Gala Fireworks shop is located at Mad Mac’s, 2 Maud Street, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 6TP. A supply of top quality fireworks is always in stock to cater for your celebrations from small wedding gatherings to birthday parties, work events and much more. Pop in to see what is available today. Stock can be seasonal so, for your convenience, why not visit online? You can check prices and availability as well as place your order from the comfort of your own home. Click on the picture above or this link Gala Fireworks Shop to go straight to the online shop.
Post Event…
The Pyro Picnic has happened and was a great success. I thought it would be nice to share a few insights with you along with a few more pictures and a video. Enjoy…
Gala Events Pyro Picnic – Setting Up
Just another day in the office! The fireworks are all set up and the display is ready to go – just a few final adjustments to be made by Aaron on his laptop. When you’re out in the field, the field becomes your office and the desk is covered in grass!
Final adjustments…
When only the best is good enough it’s best to check and check again. Those final adjustments make all the difference…
Final checks and adjustments
The sound guys helping keep us all entertained
The party wouldn’t be right without some local food and drinks of course so here are a few snapshots of some local traders:
Food and drink to keep the picnic going
Jaguars on parade…
Live Entertainment
Using bikes, quads and a fair amount of petrol the stunt team certainly kept the crowds entertained during the day
Single and two bike jumps plus the human torch to entertain the crowds during the day
Gala Events Pyro Picnic – Daytime Fireworks
We all know how spectacular the fireworks are at night but these daytime fireworks add a different dimension. A perfect choice for wedding and family celebrations during the daytime. The video doesn’t really do them justice but here goes anyway…
It’s all done with special paints and sound to complete the daytime effect. The end result is both a ground level and airborne display.
Meanwhile, close to ground level, the colours are pretty spectacular
Gala Events Pyro Picnic – The Sky Darkens
As the sun disappears and the darkness depends it’s time for a quick video to show off the event from the vantage point of the back of my truck:
The Pyro Picnic as dusk falls
Gala Events Pyro Picnic – As Night Falls
While others took their seats for the main event I took to the tailgate of my truck to gain good vantage point. The reflections on the cars show just how bright the fireworks were.
A stunning display and a silhouette
The Official Display Video
Enjoy…
Until Next Time…
That’s it for now. I hope you enjoyed this special blog. I’ll be grateful for any comments and feedback so feel free to email me at martin@lincsconnect.co.uk
Advertising comes with a FREE link to the blog for as long as you want it so you can use it again and again to help promote your business or charity. If you would like a blog about your upcoming event or business please get in touch. You can email me at martin@lincsconnect.co.uk or call me on 07966 174878
Look after yourself and each other but above all, ‘have fun’
“Putting the social back into social media” #LincsConnect is always here for you.
by Martin Thomas | Jun 30, 2021 | Lincoln, Lincolnshire, Sleaford, WhatsOnLincs
WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford Through The Eyes Of LincsConnect
WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford by LincsConnect. This is the second of my series of blogs ‘through the eyes of LincsConnect’. I’m sure you’ll find it useful.
It’s funny how a pre-conceived blog can change so much and so quickly. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Sleaford many times so the layout of the blog was already pre-conceived. However, my research made me realise how little I know about the town.
Sleaford – Getting There
Sleaford is conveniently located between Grantham (15 miles), Newark (19 miles), Boston (17 miles), Lincoln (20 miles) & Stamford (29 miles)
Split Sleaford into three areas and you’ll realise that there is more to the town than meets the eye. We have Quarrington, Old Sleaford and New Sleaford (or ‘Sleaford’ as we know it now). New Sleaford has enveloped both Old Sleaford and Quarrington during its recent ‘growth spurt’. We can therefore be forgiven for not realising how much the landscape has changed. In fact, the landscape has changed dramatically. Over the last 250 years or so we now the ‘Old River Slea’ and the ‘New River Slea’ plus a railway line or two. I’ll talk more about the rivers later though.
The A15 running North/South come to Sleaford from Lincoln in the North and Peterborough from the South. Driving East/West the A17 links Boston through Sleaford to Newark.
The Sleaford railway station was opened in 1857 nd led to the ultimately demise of the canal. It’s the only station in the region to offer North/South ‘and’ East/West destinations. Trains run from Peterborough and Skegness as well as Nottingham and Lincoln.
WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford (Quarrington)
Quarrington is worthy of a mention on its own but is now part of the larger town of Sleaford.
St Botolph’s Church, Quarrington. Click on the picture to go to the website
The St Botolph’s Church (click the link to find them on Facebook) was originally built in the 13th Century but was rebuilt in 1812 and its tower was restored in 1887. Sunday services are being held weekly at 11.00am* with evening services via Zoom at 6.00pm. *The obvious Covid19 restrictions apply so if you would like to attend the service please pre-book by emailing your request to stbquarrington890@gmail.com
Quarrington is located South West of Sleaford centre with the A15 to its West and A153/B1517 to its North and is thought to be the ‘mother’ parish of Old Sleaford. The walk from Quarrington is regarded as ‘easy’ and is just 3-4 miles round trip to Sleaford depending on your route:
WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford (Old Sleaford)
Old Sleaford, as you might expect, had its (Northern) border running along the Old (original) River Slea. I’ve also read that there was a Roman road running through Sleaford from Tattershall to Ancaster. My research so far suggests that I have a choice of either King Street or Bloxholm Lane. You can probably guess what town my next blog will focus on then!
Old Sleaford was possibly an iron-age tribal centre but since then it has had links with William the Conqueror in 1086 and had a castle built by Bishop Alexander of Lincoln in around 1120/30. Sadly though the castle fell into disrepair and was demolished in around 1600. During its popularity it played host to both King John and Henry VIII (separately of course)!
The site of the castle is still visible and is shown in this aerial picture. The picture was taken from Wikipedia but there is no evidence of the originator to reference here I’m afraid.
“The visible remains are now only a moat, a scrap of masonry (one small, toppled portion of a wall in the north-east corner of the inner bailey) and associated earthworks”. For more information visit the Wikipedia site. I’ll be paying a visit to the site soon and hope to be able to provide updated pictures.
Further reading Indicates that there was a large Manor House (the Hussey Manor House, build in 1400) at Old Place, Sleaford. It included a moat, gate house, chapel, kiln drying oven and extensive outbuildings. Sadly it was demolished in 1822 to make way for the new building. If you’re planning a visit to the area look up ‘Old Place’, Sleaford.
WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford Navigation
The river Slea surfaces to the South West of Ancaster at West Willoughby (West of Sleaford) and flows through Sleaford to South Kyme. Here it becomes the Kyme Eau and then joins the River Witham at Chapel Hill.
The diagram shows the seven locks used in the new River Slea while the blue line to the right shows the course of the Old River Slea
The River Slea and the Nine Foot River (or Nine Foot Drain) merge in Sleaford to become one River Slea. As the river passes through the town it becomes part of the Sleaford Navigation. The 12.5 miles canalisation was opened in 1794 to allow continued navigation. Inevitably (with the advent of the railway) it became redundant and fell into disrepair. Thankfully much of it has now been restored and re-opened. The Old River Slea was allowed to run its normal course (South of the canal) and the two rejoin at Cobblers Lock before becoming the Kyme Eau at South Kyme and eventually joining the River Witham.
WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford Navigation House
The old clerks office (Navigation House) serves as a visitors centre for the canal and incorporates a shop selling local produce. More importantly though it houses a museum and information centre with wall maps, information boards, TV and audio rooms and lots of interesting articles to inform the young and old alike. Built in 1838 this grade II listed building is a piece of history in its on right. When visiting be sure to make your way to Navigation Yard to have a look. I know you’ll be impressed so make it a date in your diary. For up-to-date information give them a follow on Twitter @NavigationHouse
Their current opening times are Friday to Monday 12.00pm-4.00pm. You can ring them on 01529 305904 or email navigationhouse@n-kesteven.gov.uk to book group tours too.
WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford Cogglesford Mill
Covid19 is still threatening its ugliness across the world but you’ll find the staff at Coggesford Watermill are very friendly and have your safety in mind. Please do contact them prior to your visit (see the YouTube video above for details). Don’t forget your mask while looking around this historic building though.
From Navigation House you’ll find Coggesford Mill just a short walk away. Look out for the Kingfishers while you’re walking along the river bank. If you’re lucky you’ll see a flash of bright blue as one goes fishing for a snack.
If you’ve come from Navigation House hopefully you bought some duck food for the inevitable feeding spectacular. It’s always a special moment for childen if you have any with you. However, for the adults you’ll find an array of freshly ground flour and other local produce in the shop at Coggesford Mill and if it’s a sunny day you may want to buy an ice cream there too.
Coggesford Water Mill – if this picture downs’e tempt you to visit I don’t know what will…
The mill was originally a single story building but was later extended to three stories. Built in the 18th Century it’s still producing freshly ground flour to this day. Its history goes way back to Saxon times so the building we see today with its two sets of millstones is relatively modern!
Seeing and hearing the mill in action is a real treat so I do hope you get to experience it. I’ve noticed that there was a virtual tour as well as special school trips so please do get in touch by email cogglesfordwatermill@n-kesteven.gov.uk for more information and to book. Follow Cogglesford Mill @Cogglesford on twitter too for regular updates.
WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford Museum
Discover more of the history of Sleaford by visiting the museum. Currently open every Saturday between 10.00am and 3.00pm. Click on the picture to go to the website or follow them on Twitter @MuseumSleaford
This local history museum is a charity run by volunteers. Opening times are limited as I write this blog but please do visit the website and twitter page for updates as additional opening times will inevitably follow the easing of Covid19 restrictions. Don’t forget to book in before arrival to make sure they have a slot available as visits are limited to four people at a time. Keep up to date on Facebook at Sleaford Museum
Historically (excuse the pun) the museum has had exhibitions but they are limited at the moment. Checking the website will give you the full up-to-date details though.
Local history talks take place at St Deny’s Church rooms (off the Market Place) and start at 7.30pm. Follow this link for a timetable: Events and Talks
St Deny’s Church is visible from Eastgate (A153/B1517) and is a ‘must see’ Grade I listed building dating back to the 12th Century. Click on the blue links to read more and find them on Facebook here St Deny’s Church Sleaford
Getting there: The address is 81 Southgate (contact number 07518 972016) with plenty of parking and a rail link
WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford Places Of Interest
Sleaford certainly is a gem in the Lincolnshire countryside with lots of interesting things to do and places to visit. It’s a market town with regular markets on Mondays and Fridays plus a famers market every first Saturday of the month. It also has a thriving shopping area too with independent shops as well as some big chain stores. If you fancy some shopping and a bite to eat or a drink you’ll be spoilt for choice. Just 7 minutes drive from St Deny’s Church in Sleaford is Kirkby-La-Thorpe. Here you’ll find the 12th Century small church which also happens to be called The Church Of St Denny’s.
The Queens Head Bar And Restaurant
Kirkby-La-Thorpe is worthy of a mention because of its church of course but also the village pub which was formerly called The Queens Head Inn (on Boston Road). The original pub achieved the prestigious Top 13 Pub in the UK award with its fantastic food and great value. It closed in early 2019 due to a combination of COVID19 and the death of a former owner. Since then it has been taken over by a new team who’ve been putting in the hours and hard work to completely renovate and rejuvenate it. New menus are planned with the emphasis on locally sourced produce.
The Queens Head team have been posting their progress on Twitter so if you would like to follow their journey click on this link: @QueensKirkby now. You can join in with the chat there and watch the changes being made as well as the new menus coming to life.
New beginnings means a new logo and I think this one is very smart. It’s modern and fresh which reflects nicely what the new owners aim to achieve. You can follow them on Twitter @QueensKirkby For reservations call 01529 305743 or visit the website www.thequeensheadpub.com
Cocktails At The Queens
Here is the new Cocktails List for the New Pub. Why not save the list to your phone and place your order when you get there?
The Queens Head is set to open its doors once again as a pub on 19 July 2021 and the restaurant will be opening shortly after. Put Sunday 1 August in your diary for the restaurant but don’t forget to book your table in advance to avoid disappointment. I have no doubt that this is going to be a very popular local pub and restaurant once again.
WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford Music
You can’t really write about Sleaford without mentioning the Saboteurs so sit back and have a listen to one or two of their songs. They bill themselves as ‘alternative’ and ‘grunge’ but I just like their modern Indie feel. Have a listen and make up your own mind.
The Saboteurs bill themselves as ‘Alternative’ and ‘Grunge’ but if you like modern indie music I think you’ll agree that whatever labels they put themselves under, they’re simply ‘very good’. Click on the picture to hear a different sample of their music.
Sleaford seems to have more that it’s fair share of music opportunities so it wouldn’t be right to omit the Sleaford Live Fest which is (normally) held in May every year. Follow them on Twitter @Sleaford_Live and Facebook Sleaford Live Festival where you’ll find lots of links to local music and arts events. Indie rock or folk music isn’t for everyone of course so if you prefer choral music, Sleaford has that too. Normal rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings with at least three concerts each year. However, with the onslaught of the dreaded Covid19, rehearsals have been put on hold until August 2021. For more information take a look at the Sleaford Choral Society website and don’t forget to follow them on Twitter too @ChoralSleaford
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WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford Oktoberfest
The annual Oktoberfest organised by Sleaford round Table has been around since 2011 but had the obvious break during the Coronavirus pandemic. As a charity fund raising event the Oktoberfest raised a whopping £11,500 in 2019. With your help I’m sure it’ll raise even more this year.
Sleaford & District Round Table presents the 10th Sleaford Oktoberfest Click on the picture to go to the website
With drinks, music and entertainment planned it’s bound to be a good event. Sixteen different breweries will be involved including five from Lincolnshire. In addition there will be lager, cider and perry on sale too plus a gin and schnapps bar. I think pretty much all tastes will be catered for!
The bar will be open until midnight each night (from 6.00pm on Thursday and Friday and from 12.00pm on Saturday) with an Oompah band entertaining from 4.00pm and 7.15pm on Saturday. The band line up can be found by visiting the Sleaford Oktoberfest website.
It’s all happening at the Boston Road Recreation Ground and free parking is available. It’s a ticket free event so please pay at the entrance where you’ll be issued with a wristband to prove payment.
More Places To Visit
This blog really could go and and on as there are so many places to visit in the Sleaford area. The blog isn’t a definitive ‘what’s on’ for the area though so as a result I’ll cut the next bit short just to give you a taster:
Rauceby Hall will be opening its gates to welcome visitors once again from 14 to 18 July 2021. Visitors to Rauceby Hall are invited to see the performances of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ which will be performed by Sleaford Playhouse Theatre who can be found on Facebook and Twitter @SleafordTheatre
Tickets are on sale for the performances so if you want to join the fun just click on the picture below to go to the ticket office:
Click on the picture to book your tickets
If walking is your preferred form of relaxation and mindfulness then Sleaford has certainly got you covered. The River Slea and Canal offer scenic routes with locks and mills being just part of the delights. This is one of the routes provided by Sleaford Navigation which I’m sure you will enjoy. Keep your eyes open for the Haverholme Priory too. Follow the link to read about the sad demise of the priory building. Personally I think it’s really quite tragic.
Click on the picture to read and download the walk which has been uploaded by Sleaford Navigation
WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford – Charity
Charity begins with you and me but with so many charities needing our help it’s difficult to know which ones to choose. This North Kesteven website has a list of local charities in Sleaford so if you’re able to donate or volunteer please do click on the picture below for more information:
Are you able to help a local charity? Click on the picture to go to a list of local charities in Sleaford. Perhaps you can volunteer or make a donation?
Additional Blogs By LincsConnect:
Take a look back at some of the previous blogs to see what you might have missed. Click on the picture to go straight to the blog:
Around Me In Lincolnshire – Gainsborough
#LincsConnectJobs Hour for jobs and courses
Great Grimsby Day 2021
WhatsOnLincs – Sleaford
That’s it for now. I hope you enjoy my local ‘Around Me’ blogs. I’ll be grateful for any comments and feedback so feel free to email me at martin@lincsconnect.co.uk
You may also like to read the ‘Aviation Trail’ blog by Visit Lincoln. Have a look to discover more about the Sleaford area
Aviation Trail by Visit Lincoln
If you would like me to visit your town please do let me know. Advertising comes with a FREE link to the blog for as long as you want it so you can use it again and again to help promote your business or charity.
Look after yourself and each other
Your own Lincolnshire Blogger – Copied but never bettered. “Putting the social back into social media” #LincsConnect is always here for you.
by Martin Thomas | Jun 18, 2021 | Advertise, Antenatal, Aromatherapy, Around Me, Art, Charity, Covid-19, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Lincs Connect, LincsConnect, LincsConnectJobs, Mandarin Therapies, Massage, Stress, Suicide, Support, Twitter
WhatsOnLincs – Gainsborough, Through The Eyes Of LincsConnect
WhatsOnLincs – Gainsborough near Lincoln UK. Gainsborough was once (in 1013) the capital of England. England was ruled from the Gainsborough Castle which is now the site of the Gainsborough Old Hall. The status was short lived but if ever there was a claim to fame, ‘this’ has to be a pretty good contender.
Managed by English Heritage, the Gainsborough Old Hall is closed at present but will reopen in summer 2021 (3 July). Follow @GainsOldHall on twitter for updates. Click on the picture to go straight to the English Heritage website page to book your advance tickets.
Getting To Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
Located on the banks of the River Trent, Gainsborough (capitol of England in 1013) has historically had easy access routes. Moving on, you’ll see on this map that Gainsborough is still easily accessible from the M180 to the North, the A1 to the West, the A15 to the East and the A57 from the South. These routes make Gainsborough ideally situated for your next outing to explore our rich heritage in Lincolnshire.
The Trent Bridge was completed in 1791 (there was formerly a ferry crossing) which put an end to commercial shipping as larger boats are unable to navigate under the bridge. However, rail links are very much alive and available. With two train stations (Lea Road and Gainsborough Central) rail travel is easy. Trains run direct from/to Retford, Sheffield, Doncaster and Lincoln from Lea Road. The Gainsborough Central station has direct routes to Cleethorpes and Brigg. It’s even possible for travellers to get to Gainsborough from the new capital (London) with just one change.
Gainsborough, Lincolnshire – easy access from every direction.
The Gainsborough Heritage Trail
Gainsborough Heritage have produced a free booklet which includes a 90 minutes walking route. To download the .PDF click on this map
The brochure which has been produced by Gainsborough Heritage is an easy to follow and very informative glossy paper pamphlet. As a result it will easily fold into your pocket or bag. If you’d like a copy click on the picture above to download a .PDF to print at home. If you prefer a printed paper version email your name and address tourism.info@west-lindsey.gov.uk The .PDF is ideal for carrying on your mobile phone. For more information follow Gainsborough Heritage Association on Facebook.
WhatsOnLincs – Gainsborough With Call Connect
Call Connect provide an affordable and convenient bus service throughout the County. Click on the picture to go to their website. You can also follow them on Twitter for regular updates @CallConnectBus
Call Connect provide a valuable bus service throughout the County. Gainsborough is well serviced by the buses so if you would like to book a journey simply register on their Call Connect website then book your journey. Obviously they are adhering to all of the Covid-19 safety measures so you’ll be required to sanitise hands and wear a face covering before your journey.
News News News
EU Settlement Scheme
Time is running out so if you or someone you know are from the EU and you wish to settle and work in the UK you need to act NOW!
For help with completing your application to settle in the UK contact South Lincs Citizens Advice NOW. Click on the picture or the blue link to email your interest.
A Note from Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire
“With just weeks to go before the EU Settlement Scheme deadline, our support helpline has seen a large increase in calls and referrals and we are working hard to help each and every client that contacts us for support with their application. Many of the enquiries were from people unsure whether they need to apply to the scheme or not, many are from people who did not yet make applications for their children and we are also seeing queries from people trying to track their applications that have not yet been concluded or are facing issues accessing their application or need to provide further evidence.
Our support team are working hard across Lincolnshire to meet the demand and we aim to help as many clients as we can in the run up to the deadline.
As well as providing telephone advice and online support, we also have drop in sessions and can offer face to face advice in different locations across Lincolnshire.”
“..EU citizens, EEA and Swiss nationals and those who hold an EEA family permit not to wait until the last minute to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).”
Where To Go For Help
Click on the picture to find the freephone number and link to download the application NOW.
Opening the blue picture above will show you the FREE 0800 448 0734 number to call for assistance and the website will also give a link to download the application. Multi lingual posters and more information are posted by @eusssupportlinc on Twitter.
If you know someone who may be wanting to stay in the UK please pass this information on
Local Charity
Click on the logo to go to the latest blog
Two thousand one hundred and sixty four and counting…. That’s how many Greyhounds this fantastic local charity have managed to re-home. That’s a fantastic achievement. To top it off they have a policy of guaranteeing to accept any dogs that are returned. It’s not ideal to have dogs returned but some new owners find they can’t cope with the reality of owning a dog. That said, looking at the percentages across other charities you’ll find this Gainsborough trust are performing well.
As a charity they are always looking at ways of raising funds. One of the successful fund raisers is their lottery. For just £1.00 a week you’ll be in with a chance of winning a cash prize and, with a limit of 216 members it’s pretty exclusive. Follow @LincsGreyhounds on Twitter for regular updates but if you would like to join their lottery visit the website Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust or call today:
07941 313 025
WhatsOnLincs – Gainsborough – Trinity Arts Centre
Actually, ‘I’ won’t be entertaining you but the fabulous people at the Trinity Arts Centre will. Pantomime tickets are already on sale so if you want to book your moment of ‘normality’ you’ll need to get a move on. Aladdin opens on 10 December 2021 with the last show on 2 January 2022. Click on the picture below to go straight to the booking page and follow them on Twitter @TrinityArtsGain for regular updates:
Panto season will soon be here so NOW is the time to book your tickets for the fun packed show. Family fun for everyone even if you aren’t taking children
Beginning life as the Church Of The Holy Trinity in 1843 this listed building has been completely renovated inside to become what we now know as the Trinity Arts Centre. Just in case you were wondering, yes it is located on Trinity Street – obviously! As expected, the Centre offers a large and diverse range of entertainment to cover most tastes. As a result this little snapshot of what you can expect is by no means exhaustive. Click on the picture to see more:
Just a taster… There’s lots more to see at the Trinity Arts Centre so click on the picture to go straight to the calendar and bookings pages.
WhatsOnLincs – Gainsborough – Bearded Fishermen
The Bearded Fishermen are a Gainsborough based charity supporting Mental health and Suicide Prevention. If you need help give them a call NOW:
0300 365 0019
The team are always available to help and have a proven track record. If you’re suffering, don’t suffer in silence! The Bearded Fishermen are here for you and offer support by phone, in person (face to face) and via video. So if you need them, call them NOW. The picture will take you straight to their website where you can access more information so don’t delay. You can call them on 0300 365 0019 or find them on Twitter @Brdfishermen_uk and Facebook Bearded Fishermen Charity
Not all super heroes wear capes – some wear beards. Don’t suffer with poor mental health and suicidal thoughts. click on the logo to go straight to the website for help
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#MandarinTherapies and @MandarinMothers provide mobile complementary therapies from the comfort of your own home across the whole of Lincolnshire and beyond. Call 07966 174 878 to book today. Providing bespoke treatments so every massage is as individual as you. Treatments include Aromatherapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), Antenatal and Postnatal massage.
Gainsborough
Gainsborough has far more to offer than I can include in this blog but I hope you have enjoyed this little taster.
Something missing? Get in touch if you would like something adding to the blog. Local advertising is always welcome too of course so call me on 07966 174878 to have yours included here. The phone may go to answerphone if I’m with clients so you can also email me at martin@lincsconnect.co.uk
Additional Blogs By LincsConnect:
Click on the pictures to go straight to the most recent blogs:
LincsConnectJobs Hour
Sorry, Not sorry, Thank You
WhatsOnLincs – Gainsborough
That’s it for now. I’ll be doing more ‘Around Me’ blogs so get in touch if you would like me to feature your town.
You may also like to read about the ‘Aviation Trail’ by Visit Lincoln:
Aviation Trail by Visit Lincoln
by Martin Thomas | Jun 7, 2021 | Jobs, Lincolnshire, lincolnshire Business, Lincs Connect, LincsConnect, LincsConnectJobs
LincsConnectJobs Hour
LincsConnectJobs hour for jobs and courses is here for you every day whether you’re posting vacancies or looking for work.
LincsConnectJobs Hour For Jobs And Courses
LincsConnectJobs hour – to be more precise, it’s a hashtag so you need to add #LincsConnectJobs to your posts to help people find you. When you’re posting vacancies or searching for jobs and courses #LincsConnectJobs is the place to be. The hour starts at 10.00am every Monday and is open to all agencies and businesses or charities who wish to get their vacancies and courses noticed in the local Lincolnshire area. In addition, it’s the place for everyone to go to when searching for a job or course. It’s a local hub to help you find good connections as well as jobs and courses.
LincsConnectJobs Hour – It’s Here For ‘You’
#LincsConnect is the established hub (database) so when posting vacancies or courses I recommend the following format:
#LincsConnectJobs #Jobs
#LincsConnect
#Location (Where is the vacancy/course)? Use a hashtag for the location to make sure you reach out to people searching for news in their area. Include brief details about the vacancy.
#YourHahstag Include your own hashtag (if you have one) to let everyone know that they can search for your specific uploads.
Include a link to either yourself or directly to the vacancy information
Include a picture or video wherever possible as an attention grabber.
An example of a tried and tested format. Note the use of both #LincsConnectJobs ‘and’ #LincsConnect to get as much exposure as possible
Tried And Tested
The format in the picture above is tried and tested over 12 years so I know it works.
#LincsConnectJobs Is The Hub
#LincsConnectJobs isn’t trying to replace the work of others or steal their hard earned followers. Quite the opposite in fact. The #LincsConnectJobs and #LincsConnect hashtags are designed to be the hub or the ‘go to’ place for people to look to find you. Adding the two hashtags to your tweets on a daily basis will undoubtedly increase your readership and following.
Team Work Works
It may sound obvious but being precious about your own account and not sharing posts from others will only lead to your own posts stagnating. When we work as a team we can increase followers and readership for each other. It shows that you’re an ‘all inclusive’ site and improves your standing and respect on twitter. If you’ve been posting but only getting one or two retweets or interactions increasing your readership can only be a good thing!
It’s good to work together
Get Noticed To Get Results
Making sure you tell your followers about the #LincsConnectJobs hour will improve readership for everyone. That brings us back to ‘Team Work Works’. Using the #LincsConnectJobs hashtag is excellent but it needs a little time (and your input) to make it into ‘the’ place to look across the whole county. With that in mind you need to include the #LincsConnect hashtag too (not the @LincsConnect address) as it has been established for more that 12 years and is already recognisable across the county. Using both hashtags will help drive people to the #LincsConnectJobs hashtag so it’s a win, win situation.
LincsConnectJobs Hour – Courses
If you know of any colleges, schools or universities that are offering courses please point them to #LincsConnectJobs. After all, the courses are designed to lead to self improvement and self improvement may lead to fresh job searches.
#LincsConnectJobs Hour For Jobs And Courses – The Format
LincsConnectJobs hour for jobs and courses – Start each hour with a quick introduction. Let everyone know who you are, what you do and what you have to offer. Some of you may be on a fixed wage while others may be an agency working on fixed fees or commission. We all have to live and pay bills so don’t be afraid to be ‘up front’ with your charges.
Can’t Make It In Person?
Life is often hectic and committing to a dedicated hour each week can be difficult at best! Scheduling tweets is perfectly acceptable but do consider what you put in your posts if you are away from your desk. Here are some examples that I’ve found work well:
Introductory post: Good morning everyone, apologies for not being able to make it in person today. I’ve scheduled a few tweets for the hour but will visit the hashtag later to retweet for you and show my support.
Subsequent posts: My advice is to stick with the theme that you are not participating in person. I recommend that you use the hour to post informative messages about yourself. Tell people what you do. Let them know if you have a particular reputation in engineering or any other speciality recruitment. The hashtag is live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone can visit to read the posts at any time so make your posts relevant. Letting people know who you are and what you do is important if you want people to follow you. It’s really not ‘just’ about the job vacancies!
That introductory post is perfectly acceptable as you have pledged to support others. With that in mind, the others should feel comfortable retweeting your posts and offering you their support.
Be Part Of The Team
Would you like to host the hour? Hosting the hour will help to show your personality and will let people get to know the person behind the tweets. My diary is open so please do let me know if you would like to be a host.
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#MandarinTherapies is a fully mobile complementary therapies service operating throughout Lincolnshire and beyond. Fully Covid-19 secure of course with treatments ranging from 1 to 2 hours. Call 07966 174878 to book
LincsConnectJobs Hour – Getting It Right
Perfection is a good goal but getting it right every single time is a difficult task. We are all human so be prepared to make a few errors (I still make lots of mistakes but try to learn from them). LincsConnectJobs hour for jobs and courses will only work if we are all consistent. By working together we will have the hashtag trending on Twitter, Google and other platforms (I’ve made that happen several times before).
Good luck
I hope you find this post useful. Please do feel free to email me at martin@lincsconnect.co.uk if you have any questions or suggestions.
Additional Blogs By LincsConnect:
Click/tap on the picture to go to the #LincsConnectValentines blog
Best wishes
LincsConnect is your Lincolnshire Blogger – often copied but never bettered. “Putting the social back into social media” #LincsConnect is always here for you.
by Martin Thomas | Jan 31, 2021 | Aromatherapy, Art, Father's Day, Lincolnshire, Lincs Connect, LincsConnect, Mandarin Therapies, Massage, Mother's Day, Mothering Sunday, ShopLincs, Valentines, Vouchers
Father’s Day In Lincolnshire
In the UK Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.[28] (15 June 2025). The day doesn’t have a long tradition; apparently it became popular in the UK sometime after the Second World War but exactly when is proving to be elusive!
Note the location of the apostrophe; it’s Father’s Day as opposed to Fathers’ Day. The correct apostrophe comes before the ‘s’ denoting that it is singular. In other words, you may celebrate your father on this day but you’re not celebrating all fathers in the world.
What will you be doing to celebrate Father’s Day this year? A special gift perhaps or some quality time together? A meal out is always a popular choice but if the budget doesn’t stretch that far you can always find a locally made gift.
Perhaps a walk in the countryside might be ideal? Other popular gifts include vouchers for golf instruction or track days. You might even consider a train or helicopter experience. There’s always something to suite you whatever your budget may be.
Whatever you decide, I hope you have a lovely time with your father.
Father’s Day And Valentines In Lincolnshire – A Treat Wherever You Are
Treating a loved one and saying a special ‘thank you’ to someone special is what this blog is all about. You can make a difference to someones health and wellbeing simply by saying ‘thank you’.
Gifts don’t have to be big or expensive to show how much you care. A small gift will show how thoughtful you are and how much you appreciate someones love, dedication, help and support. A pledge can even be free! Have a look at the advertisers below to see what’s on offer and make your choice.
Showing your love and expressing how much you care will really say a lot about you.
Look beyond Father’s Day In Lincolnshire and consider sending your gift from Lincolnshire to your Dad even if he lives further afield. Whether you’re local or planning to visit Lincolnshire there’s something here for you. Remember too, it’s not just about Father’s Day so look to the future and try to support our local traders when you want to buy a gift.
Father’s Day In Lincolnshire Gift Ideas
An expensive gift is always nice but ‘expensive’ isn’t always appropriate or necessary. Making time to be with your Dad can be the simplest and most rewarding gift. We live in very busy times, rushing here, there and everywhere. STOP! Take a breath, have a think. What would your Dad ‘really’ appreciate? A meal out or in is always welcome but perhaps making time to be together for a walk, a trip to the pub, a round of golf or a pledge to do things together… I’m sure you’ve got the idea by now?
Father’s Day In Lincolnshire – Look For The Unusual And Unique
For those of you who know me you’ll know that I like art and all things ‘arty’. Alas, I can’t even draw a stick man properly so I’m lucky there are so many talented artists around doing what they do best. Creating art is a true gift but liking art is a very personal thing. Variety is key so if you’re looking for local art as a gift I highly recommend taking a look at the #LincsConnect hashtag.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that all art consists of a picture in a frame. Yes, you’ll find watercolours and oil paintings in frames as well as some very creative photography but you’ll also find other things like bespoke pottery, glassware, jewellery and edible artistry too. You’ll find something you like for your gift either here or on the #WhatsOnLIncs website. We are all individuals with individual tastes so take a look to find that unique gift for that special person this Father’s Day.
Art can be expensive and very personal so perhaps you could consider a gift voucher. A truly personal art related gift is a private sitting with a local photographer. A nice family photo in a frame (or digital) will last for many years and evoke happy memories.
Father’s Day – A Walk In The Park
Having mentioned ‘pledges’ as part of the gifting idea, consider going for a walk together. Not all fathers are mobile but day out together using whatever aids are necessary will show your thoughtfulness.
Lincolnshire is blessed with some fantastic parks, many of which are wheelchair friendly too. Living close to Lincoln I can think of four wheelchair friendly parks that have many miles of pathways. Thinking further afield I can think of at least two parks in the Lincolnshire Wolds and numerous pathways along our coast. Make a pledge today to explore new parks and walks together. Whether you’re kicking fallen leaves, admiring the spring flowers, summer blooms or winter chills, being ‘together’ is the key.
Take the pledge further by joining a group walking session. Being together doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be locked together or shoulder to shoulder for the whole walk. In a group walking session you can be together even when you’re with friends or strangers.
Mothering Sunday In Lincolnshire – It’s A Gift
Mothering Sunday in Lincolnshire (in the UK) shouldn’t be confused with the American ‘Mother’s Day’ although we use the terms here interchangeably. We associate mother’s day with gifts of flowers but that isn’t always practical. Mothers of all ages deserve to be remembered and celebrated so where children may surprise Mum with flowers or a hand made gift there is plenty more to consider as the children get older and become wealthier. A gift voucher is an ideal way to treat your Mum when you live a long way from home but for those who are closer or are able to travel perhaps a gift of a meal out (or in) might be just the job.
Whether it’s Mothering Sunday in Lincolnshire, Father’s Day in Lincolnshire or Valentine’s Day in Lincolnshire you’re looking in the right place to gather some special gift ideas.
Mothering Sunday – A Brief History
Mothering Sunday (in the UK) shouldn’t be confused with the American ‘Mother’s Day’ (although we often refer to the day as ‘Mother’s Day’). In Britain, during the Middle Ages, children often moved away from home to work from as early as just 10 years old. Mothering Sunday grew as a tradition when the children were allowed home on the fourth Sunday of Lent to visit their home or ‘mother’ churches, and their mothers. Christian festival of Lent.
Mothering Sunday 2025 will fall on 30 March.
Mothering Sunday In Church
It has become traditional for children to receive flowers in church to take home for their Mother and Sunday Schools often help children to make small gifts and pictures to take home to Mum too.
Mothering Sunday
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What would your Mum appreciate for Mother’s Day on this Mothering Sunday 30 March 2025 Call Mandarin Therapies on 07966 174878 to book a special gift for your Mum
Mothering Sunday will soon be upon us (30 March) so if you know of something special that needs to be in a local blog give me a call. Contact me on 07966 174878 or martin@lincsconnect.co.uk
Now is the time to get in touch if you would like to advertise on the next blog. Don’t delay as it may just be the route to your next customer.
Whether you’re shopping for Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Valentines Day, birthdays, Christmas or ‘thank you’ gifts don’t forget to support local traders. Use #ShopLincs on your social media tags.
Mothering Sunday – Say It With Flowers
Flowers make a lovely gift at any time of the year. They are an ideal gift that can say so many things from “I love you” to “Happy Anniversary” of even “Get Well Soon”. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could give a gift that will be a daily reminder of certain events or commemorations? Regardless of the size of garden, patio, tub or windowsill a plant or packet of seeds could say so much more than a single item. The planting, nurturing, expectation and delight of a plant, bulb or seeds really are a labour of love.
Celebrate Mothering Sunday on 30 March 2025
Have you ever considered planting a wild meadow of your own? A flower bed doesn’t have to be restricted to flowers and shrubs. Try mixing in some vegetables with your flowers when you create your flower bed. An edible gift that helps the planet and pollinators surely has to be a positive.
Let Your Imagination Help You
Have you considered chocolates? Perhaps a hand made gift, a book, a weekend retreat or a complementary therapies voucher. There are lots of local traders who have Etsy shops and sell from websites so do let your imagination (and this blog) help you when it comes to buying a gift this year. Lincolnshire has everything you could need from Mothering Sunday gifts to Valentine’s breaks to romantic hotels and local ‘staycations’. Have a look at the advertisements below to get some inspiration.
Mothering Sunday In Lincolnshire – Dining In Or Dining Out?
Restaurants should be fully booked but dining out isn’t always an option. You can still celebrate with a meal though, simply by using the click and collect or delivery options that we became used to during Covid lockdown. Contact your local hotel, restaurant, pub or takeaway to see what they have to offer. Choose somewhere local and place your order today. Get creative. We did it during the lockdowns so if distance or work patterns mean you’re apart you could order a meal for yourself and someone else and enjoy it over a Zoom, Teams or FaceTime catchup.
We ‘are’ creative and we ‘can’ do it so get it organised before all the delivery slots are gone. It’ll be a wonderful way to show someone how much you care and how thankful you are for their support. Oh, and you’ll be supporting our local eateries who have so readily shown their support for us over the years.
Advert
Dining out at its finest is certainly on the cards at the award winning The Bottle & Glass in Harby. From breakfast through to evening meals, you won’t be disappointed. Get cosy by the fire and celebrate with your loved one at The Bottle & Glass, Harby. For more details, contact info and bookings click here to go straight to the website book ng page. You can also call 01522 703438 for the quickest and easiest way to book your table
From personal experience I can confirm that both The Bottle & Glass in Harby and The Queens Head in Kirkby-la-Thorpe are absolutely superb restaurants. Their dedication to to excellence is truly remarkable.
Perhaps my best recommendation is to book tables at both!
Book early to enjoy the gastronomic delights at the AA Rosette award winning Restaurant ‘The Queens Head’ at Kirby-La-Thorpe. Let head chef Mark Howard and his team guide you through the culinary delights on offer. Whatever the occasion, you won’t be disappointed. You can book by phone (tel 01529 300750) or email. The menu changes with the seasons so whenever you book you’re sure to be impressed. Follow the team on social media: X/Twitter @QueensKirkby and The Queens Head on Facebook
Mothering Sunday In Lincolnshire – Dining In
Dining in can be just as special as dining out of course so if you aren’t able to get to a restaurant you still have other options. ‘Ambience’ is everything so if you’re cooking a surprise dinner I recommend that you set the scene. A table set for two or a dinner party is definitely the way to go. Put your creativity to work to make the table look special. Attention to detail is key so have a search around to see what you can find that will work well. We have many inspirational platforms to search these days so make the most of sites like YouTube and Instagram to get your creativity flowing.
With just a little thought and imagination, a few led lights and the right colours you can easily transform a dining table into something romantic and special. Choose your colours wisely.
Preparing the table need not be difficult but you can make it feel special with just a little imagination
Recipe Tip
One of my favourite lamb recipes (mainly because it’s super tasty but also because it’s so easy to cook) is grilled lamb chops with a local honey and mustard glaze. Serve it up with fresh seasonal vegetables and add some vine tomatoes to spruce it up with a bit of red (and flavour of course). I’m not a fan of mustard but this recipe really works. You won’t be disappointed I’m sure:
Two lamb chops per person. Heat the grill, spread a thin coating of whole grain mustard onto each lamb chop, sprinkle some brown sugar or drizzle some local honey onto each one then cook under the grill until the glaze changes colour. Turn the chops over and repeat. The whole cooking process takes just a few minutes. Be careful not to over cook the chops though as they are best served tender. Even ‘I’ can cook this one!
Mothering Sunday In Lincolnshire – Dining In
It’s time to cook up a feast so when it comes to dining in, you’re going to need the right kit. From personal experience I can recommend Stuart Wallace Electrical Ltd in Branston when it comes to purchasing a new cooker. Delivered locally with the price backing of the Euronics team. A very friendly service with no fuss and a nationally backed scheme to ensure a very competitive buying power to rival the big High Street chains.
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Stuart Wallace Electrical Ltd in Branston is a member of Euronics and has the buying power to be very competitively priced, Take a look at www.stuartwallace.co.uk for cookers and everything else electrical. You can call the shop on 01522 791496 and follow on Twitter (X) @SWEuronics for up-to-date offers
Mothering Sunday – Dining In The Warm
Whether you decide to dine out or dine in it’s always nice to have a cozy home. A real fire during the cold weather is lovely (and really special too) but not all of us have that option. All is not lost though as we can achieve that warm and cozy feeling with central heating. When planning your evening or lunch make sure you set the temperature to fit the mood.
Preparation is king so if you’re planning on having a real fire make sure that it’s all set up and ready to go in advance. Let’s face it, a real fire is always special.
Mothering Sunday In Lincolnshire – It’s A Gift…. Voucher
Buying a gift and supporting a local trader at the same time may not always be easy. ‘Now’ is the time to consider a gift voucher. A voucher for a meal out, manicure, massage, go-carting experience etc etc is the perfect way to support our local service sector while showing someone how much you appreciate them. If you’re looking for a Mothering Sunday, Father’s Day, Valentines or Christmas gift for him or for her search Twitter and Facebook for the hashtag #LincsConnectChristmas or #LincsConnectValentines and #ShopLincs to see what’s on offer locally. Failing that, I’m sure your preferred internet search engine will come up with something for you.
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Mandarin Therapies & Mandarin Mothers provides bespoke mobile complementary therapies in the comfort of your own home. Order your eVoucher now and enjoy the massage later in the year. Contact Mandarin Therapies on Facebook and @MandarinMothers on twitter. All emergency services and armed forces are entitled to 20% discount too. Show someone how much you care by ordering a 1, 1 1/2 or 2 hours massage.
Tel 07966 174878. Aromatherapy (including Antenatal & Postnatal) treatments are available throughout Lincolnshire with bespoke blends of essential oils.
Mothering Sunday In Lincolnshire – Arts And Crafts
If, like me, you enjoy discovering those handmade, hand painted, hand stitched, bespoke gems of quirkiness and delightfulness, you’re in the right place. Venturing outside of the realms of Valentines you’re sure to find something of interest on the #LincsConnect hashtag from Valentines to Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter and Christmas with everything else in between. I highly recommend that you pop in to the chat to see what’s happening. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the #WhatsOnLincs website too where you’ll find all sorts of interesting posts. You’re sure to pick up a bargain too.
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From exquisite original paintings to delightful hand sewn gifts and fabulous felt creations, Serena has something for everyone in her online shop. For your home or as a gift, every artwork is unique. Click on this link to go to the online shop and follow Serena on Facebook TwibellArts Bluesky Twibell Arts, Instagram SerenaBeeley and Twitter (X) @TwibellArts
Mothering Sunday In Lincolnshire – Local Authors
We are blessed with some fabulous local authors in Lincolnshire so it’ll be no surprise to you when I recommend a book…. or two, or more for a Valentines gift. Whether it’s the physical ‘book’ with pages and writing or an e-book, the sentiment is the same. What a fabulous gift for your partner or friend.
Looking for a personalised gift for the reader in your life who wants a little more? Why not grab an Ellie Jay Book Box? Local Lincolnshire author Ellie Jay offers signed paperback thrillers alongside your choice of scented candles, snacks, bookmarks and other hand-picked add-ons for your loved ones. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or just because they deserve it. Book boxes are available to order from Ellie Jay’s shop: elliejaywrites You can also follow her on Bluesky @EllieJayWrites Instagram @EllieJayWriter and X/Twitter at @EllieJayWrites
Probably the most exciting thing about books is the variety of genres that you have to choose from. Whatever your mood, there’ll be a book for that! Here in Lincolnshire we are blessed with some fabulous local authors so why not explore what Ellie Jay and Tracy Baines have to offer?
Tracy writes gritty, warm-hearted sagas inspired by her heritage and growing up in a small seaside town on the east coast of England. You can discover much more about Tracy and her work as a romantic novelist and best selling historical saga author by visiting her website www.tracybaines.co.uk where you’ll also be able to follow links to amazon and Hive to purchase paperback, audio or ebooks.
A Walk In The Park
Having mentioned ‘pledges’ as part of the gifting idea, have you ever considered going for a walk together?
Lincolnshire is blessed with some fantastic parks, many of which are wheelchair friendly too. Living close to Lincoln I can think of four wheelchair friendly parks that have many miles of pathways. Thinking further afield I can think of at least two parks in the Lincolnshire Wolds and numerous pathways along our coast. Make a pledge today to explore new parks and walks together. Whether you’re kicking fallen leaves, admiring the spring flowers, summer blooms or winter chills, being ‘together’ is the key.
Take the pledge further by joining a group walking session. Being together doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be hand in hand or shoulder to shoulder for the whole walk. In a group walking session you can be together as a couple or friends but be ready to accept new friends too.
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Nordic Walking with Mandarin Fitness is a great social hour which has the added advantage of helping you to maintain your fitness and health goals. This friendly group meets each Saturday morning in various locations around the City area. For an up-to-date timetable take a look at the Mandarin Fitness Facebook page or call Master Trainer Martin on 07966 174878 to chat and book your place. You can also check the Twitter feed on @MandarinLeisure
The Lincolnshire Coast
Lincolnshire is blessed with a very large coastline and lots of coastal walks. We have the traditional arcades too of course and it’s always nice to support our local businesses. Why not plan your next coastal walk today? Perhaps you could combine a coastal walk with an evening out. Skegness, Mablethorpe, Sutton on Sea and Cleethorpes all have lots to offer with local coffee shops, cafes, restaurants and, of course, fish and chip shops. If the seaside isn’t on your list of priorities I strongly recommend a walk around Hubbards Hills in Louth. Take a a look at the WhatsOnLincs – Hubbards Hills blog at the for of this blog to get a little more inspiration.
While you’re out, why not consider a bit of retail therapy? There are lots of family orientated places to visit so if you’re out as a couple or taking children with you there is definitely something for everyone in Lincolnshire.
#ShopLincs – Made To Last
Traditionally we may have thought of a Mother’s Day present or Valentines gift as a short term gift designed to last a day or so. Jewellery is the exception to that rule of course but what about something quirky that’s made to last? Better still, something individual that’s made to last and is a ‘one off’ design! Finding a gift like that might be difficult in a normal shop but a bespoke painting or piece of art may be just what you’re looking for. I think I may get into trouble if I bring home any more paintings or vases but I’m always looking and sometimes I come across the perfect piece that captures the mood.
Mum deserves some creative thinking. Something that captures the essence of your feelings during the last year as a gift sounds like a tall order. I recommend thinking about what your goal may be. A gift to show your love is our usual idea but you may have broader considerations. A thoughtful gift to say ‘thank you’ to a friend, neighbour or family member for their help and support may be the way to go. The gift may be as a thank you token for a hero and saviour whose help, support and love you couldn’t have done without during the post pandemic concerns or today’s financial worries. Food for thought!
Time To Escape
Sometimes you just need to escape! Exotic holiday retreats are lovely of course but then there are the uncertainties of rail, bus and local transport. The obvious answers are often right in front of us! You could consider a short (or long) stay locally to re-charge your batteries and re-connect with the person or people you love. Relaxing with a glass of something nice in the hot tub or walks in the countryside; getting away is the ideal way to reconnect with friends and family.
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The Lincoln Holiday Retreat is just on the edge of Lincoln City centre. It’s close enough to get to easily, but remote enough to be a little holiday hideaway. This relaxed, tranquil, hidden gem is situated in a natural wildlife habitat. It boasts majestic skyline views of Lincoln and lovely local walks. Surely this is the perfect getaway location. Click this link Lincoln Holiday Retreat to go to the website. Don’t forget to follow @Lincoln_Retreat on Twitter or Lincoln Holiday Retreat on Facebook for regular updates.
Is Mothering Sunday Ever Complete Without Chocolate?
I’m guessing that the majority of us are chocolate lovers so, as a result, chocolate is probably high on the gift list. I have to admit that I am a chocolate lover so every day is just ‘one’ of the days I enjoy this sweet treat. Having been lucky enough to have attended a specialist chocolate tasting event in Lincolnshire a few years ago my appreciation for this sweet treat has increased immensely. Did you know that there are even special ways to savour the flavour of chocolate?
Chocolate has long been a ‘must have’ luxury so we are lucky to have so many dedicated chocolatiers in our County. When making your selections I highly recommend that you look beyond the supermarket big names. Instead, seek out some of our fabulous local chocolatiers to discover what delights they have to offer.
Edible artistry – that’s a fabulous combination. You can buy these (and more) handmade chocolates from No. 12 Chocolatier in Kirton in Lindsey or have them delivered from the online shop. Either way, you’re in for a treat so why not order a special hand made gift today? Don’t forget to follow No.12 Chocolatier @No12Chocolatier on Facebook too for updates and offers.
A top tip for savouring the flavour of a quality chocolate is to bite a small corner (emphasis on ‘small’) and take your time to suck the chocolate in your mouth. See how many flavours you can pick out. That’s a tip I learned from Kathryn at Cocoa Encounters:
Let Kathryn guide you through the intricacies of chocolate tasting with an ‘in person’ or online experience. Learn how to discover some of the hidden flavours which are locked into some of the finest chocolates from around the world. Click here CocoaEncounters.co.uk to go to the website but don’t forget to email to book yourself, your partner or your group onto one of the sessions. Email Kathryn today at cocoaencounters@gmail.com and don’t forget to follow her on Instagram cocoaencounters and X (Twitter) @KathrynLincs for regular updates and chocolate chat.
Mothering Sunday In Lincolnshire – Fine Dining Or Diamonds?
Champagne, fine dining, diamonds…. Well, “two out of three ain’t bad” – in moderation of course! Who doesn’t like fine dining, fine foods and lovely jewellery? It’s a time when we feel the need for luxury and pampering. Christmas is behind us and summer seems quite a way away so why not enjoy a little of what you fancy? I really enjoy a fine dining experience and I’ve even been know to splash out on some expensive jewellery too. There’s nothing wrong with that!
Looking forward to summer (and the rest of your life) it doesn’t take a genius to understand that occasional indulgence is fine but regularly over eating and excessive drinking will take its toll on our health. The diamonds though… well, they’ll take a toll on the bank balance!
We all know what we need to do to stay healthy. When it comes to weight loss it’s worth remembering that 20% of weight loss is accounted for by exercise and 80% is accounted for by diet. We need both of course and sometimes we need a little help to stay motivated, on track and injury free. Never be afraid to ask for help. Both physical and mental health are both of the utmost importance to our wellbeing. Oh, and with the right planning, you’ll be able to indulge a bit more throughout the year without feeling guilty.
#ShopLincs
Whether you’re shopping for Valentines, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, birthdays, Christmas or ‘thank you’ gifts don’t forget to support local traders. Use #ShopLincs on your social media tags.
Mothering Sunday
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What would your Mum appreciate for Mother’s Day on this Mothering Sunday 30 March 2025 Call Mandarin Therapies on 07966 174878 to book a special gift for your Mum
Mothering Sunday will soon be upon us (30 March) so if you know of something special that needs to be in a local blog give me a call. Contact me on 07966 174878 or martin@lincsconnect.co.uk
Now is the time to get in touch if you would like to advertise on the next blog. Don’t delay as it may just be the route to your next customer.
Valentines In Lincolnshire 2025
Valentines In Lincolnshire 2025. What do you have planned for Valentine’s Day in Lincolnshire? There’s lots on offer from our great County of Lincolnshire so please explore this blog to discover what’s here for you. You may even be surprised by some of its history too so take a few minutes to indulge yourself for a Romantic Valentines in Lincolnshire.
Valentines in Lincolnshire
Where to start? We all know how we interpret Valentine’s Day now but it wasn’t always the same. If the notion of Valentines day can change over time then now is the ideal time to change it again. Here’s how to make Valentines in Lincolnshire fitting for more modern times. Don’t (solely) focus on Valentine’s Day as a day (or weekend) of gifts, cards, vouchers and displays of affection for partners and lovers. Instead, make Valentines in Lincolnshire a time when you focus your love and gratitude toward people around you. Let’s try to make it the best Valentines in Lincolnshire for everyone.
Taking the notion further, perhaps Valentines could be a time to make a pledge to each other. Not like a New Year resolution, but something meaningful for you as a couple, friendship or family. What would you pledge? Perhaps it will be something along the lines of ‘meeting once a week or month for quality time together’? The ultimate pledge may be a proposal of marriage of course. Health and happiness are high on the agenda so if making a pledge is your goal, make it thoughtful and meaningful.
Ancient & Modern
St Valentines Day in the 11th Century was about ‘Courtly Love’ referred to the act of ‘loving’ rather than love. In France around the time of the first Crusades (1099) Courtly Love was a term used where a knight would win the affections of his employers wife by performing deeds to impress her (there is no reference to sex or to ‘love’ as we understand it today). Times have changed and the modern interpretation of deeds to impress takes many forms from sending a card anonymously (closer to the Courtly Love idea where the affection would remain secret), to gifts of jewellery, chocolates and meals out.
Valentines In Lincolnshire – Time For Change
We’ve become used to living in challenging times. Rising above Covid restrictions, economic worries and other challenges is what makes us so unique. It’s always good to think differently. As a result, changing the Valentines In Lincolnshire ‘norm’ is definitely what’s needed. Start by broadening our horizons; The people you love need not be your lover. If a friend or neighbour has been particularly kind and helpful you can make Valentines day the perfect opportunity to show how much you care and appreciate them. Local Valentines gifts for him and Valentines gifts for her are all around us. Search here for your perfect gift today.
Valentines In Lincolnshire – Special Offer
Mandarin Therapies celebrated 34 years in business on 14 February this year. You could have taken advantage of the special Valentines eVoucher for just £34.00 (offer ended 14th February 2025). However, you can still take advantage of the special members discount and emergency services Armed Forces discounts if you’re eligible. Ask about membership and prices.
Enjoy your treatment in your own home when the time suits you. Now ‘that’ is a bargain! Check Mandarin Therapies on Facebook or @MandarinMothers on Twitter daily and follow the instructions there. All Armed Forces, Emergency Services and NHS staff are automatically entitled to 20% discount so make sure you have your proof of employment handy when booking. Visit www.mandarinleisure.com
Domestic Abuse Is Real
A repeat message I know but by watching the video and learning the signs you may actually be able to help someone.
Domestic abuse is a daily worry for many people across the UK and Lincolnshire is no exception! Do you know someone who used to be bubbly and outgoing but now seems more withdrawn? Perhaps you never see your friend alone anymore because the partner is always around to keep a ‘watchful eye’. These are just two signs of potential domestic abuse. Some signs (bruising) are obvious but control and abuse can take many forms. What can you do about it? You can contact @edanlincs (End Domestic Abuse Now in Lincolnshire) via twitter, through their website www.edanlincs.org.uk or by phone 01522 510041.
Call the National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247 if you need help. If you need immediate help call Lincolnshire police on 101. If you are in danger dial 999 and if you need a silent call add 55. As a direct result the police control room WILL monitor and trace your call and will dispatch staff to rescue you. Don’t suffer alone. Do seek help. If you need refuge follow this link to REFUGE which is open 24 hours a day and has a ‘quick exit’ button for your safety.
If you know of someone who is or may be suffering, ‘do something about it’. There is a ‘domestic abuse’ button on the Lincolnshire Police website which will be useful for information and reporting. As a direct result, you could save someone a lot of pain and heartache.
Bright Sky – Domestic Abuse App
If you are suffering domestic abuse or are fearful for someone who is, click on the picture above to download the App to your phone. Please make sure that your phone is completely private and is not being monitored by the abuser before downloading. In emergency dial 999
Domestic abuse – know what to do. Bright Sky provides practical support and information. Click on the picture above to go to the website where you’ll find more information.
Advertising And Lincs
Please do get in touch if you would like to advertise on this blog or share a link to your own Lincolnshire blog
Additional Blogs By LincsConnect:
Mandarin Leisure Valentines Anniversary. Celebrating over 34 years in business
Don’t Rely On Algorithms For Lincolnshire Connections
WhatsOnLincs – Hubbards Hills
WhatsOnLincs Explained
Mothering Sunday, Father’s Day and Valentines In Lincolnshire. There’s lots on offer from our great County of Lincolnshire so I hope you found this blog useful.
Take care
“Putting the social back into social media” #LincsConnect is always here for you.
