WHAT’S ON Live events, music and theatre productions this spring.

What’s On...

GRANTHAM FEBRUARY AND ALL THROUGH MARCH SNOWDROPS AT EASTON WALLED GARDENS

Visit Easton Walled Gardens as the first new growth of the year emerges and the snowdrops open up across Easton Walled Gardens. There’s little to rival the winter beauty of the snowdrop, and until the end of March, Easton Walled Garden is covered in drifts of this delicate flower, which emerges from a bulb formed the previous March after sitting in wait for almost a year. The gardens were rescued by Ursula and Fred Cholmeley in the early 2000s and have remained a splendid sight since. n Adults £8.25, Wed-Sun 11am-4pm, NG33 5AP.

Lincolnshire Horse Trials

BASED AT THE LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND THIS MONTH, A THRILLING SPECTACLE OF LOCAL EQUESTRIAN TALENT

LINCOLN FRIDAY 18th - SUNDAY 20th MARCH THE LINCOLNSHIRE HORSE TRIALS

Following its cancellation in 2021, the Lincolnshire Horse Trials are back. An established and prestigious equestrian eventing competition held early in the season, attracting national and international entrants. Featuring the three eventing disciplines of dressage, showjumping and cross country, along with a whole host of trade stands. It’s an equestrian event not to be missed! n For more information see www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk.

LINCOLN SATURDAY 19th MARCH MADAMA BUTTERFLY

Russian State Opera presents Madama Butterfly, one of the most colourful & exotic operas, performed live at Lincoln’s New Theatre Royal. Featuring some of Puccini’s most famous arias, including Un bel dì, vedremo and the Humming Chorus. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

n Tickets from £30 from 7.30pm, 01522 519999 or see newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk.

SPALDING THURSDAY 10th MARCH RIGOLETTO

Royal Opera House live screening of Rigoletto. Sung in Italian with English surtitles. n South Holland Centre, Spalding, call 01775 764777 or see southhollandcentre.co.uk. From 7.15pm, tickets £10-£14.

SCUNTHORPE SATURDAY 5th MARCH ROB LAMBERTI – A CELEBRATION OF THE SONGS & MUSIC OF GEORGE MICHAEL

From his hits with Wham! alongside Andrew Ridgeley, so solo his like Careless Whisper, Heal the Pain, Jesus to a Child, Freedom and Fastlove, Rob recreates the genius of George Michael at Baths Hall in Scunthorpe. n From 7pm, tickets £32.50 at Baths Hall, Scunthorpe, 01724 290641 or see www.scunthorpetheatres.co.uk.

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LINCOLN SAT 5th MARCH – 29th MAY GAIA BY LUKE JERRAM AT THE COLLECTION

Get ready to take a trip around the world and explore our planet like never before with Gaia by Luke Jerram. Visitors will be able to gaze upon the Earth as if from space, without ever having to leave the atmosphere. The awe-inspiring art installation, called Gaia, is by the same artist who brought the moon to The Collection in 2018, Luke Jerram. Measuring six metres in diameter, the internally-lit sphere is 2.1 million times smaller than the real Earth. It has been recreated from 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface and each centimetre of the sculpture represents 21km of our planet. n www.thecollectionmuseum.com.

A Simply Daa-h-ling Evening!

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT WITH THE IRREPRESSIBLE KING OF STRICTLY, CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD...

BOSTON FRIDAY 4th MARCH I, ELIZABETH

1568: At a vital but volatile crossroads in history a young queen steps from the shadows to reveal her thoughts on marriage, succession, religion and war. But time is against her. Elizabeth I: Queen at 25, political phoenix and famously unmarried – but who was the woman beneath the crown? Using only Elizabeth’s words, Rebecca Vaughan explores the queen’s struggle to reconcile the desires of womanhood with the duties of sovereignty. Created by Dyad Productions, specialists in historical dramatisations. n From 7.30pm, tickets from £16, at Blackfriars Arts Centre, Boston. Call 01205 363108, www.blackfriarsartscentre.co.uk.

GRIMSBY SATURDAY 26thMARCH CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD: THE ALL BALLS AND GLITTER TOUR...

Join Craig as he talks about his journey from Australia to the West End to Strictly, reveals a wealth of backstage gossip with his trademark wit and candour, and gives a very special performance of some of the music which has been the soundtrack to his career. Craig has served as one of the most keen-eyed judges on Strictly for each of its 19 series and has recently moved to

LINCOLN SATURDAY 19th MARCH JULIE McLELLAND THE BAND FROM COUNTY HELL

Home grown in Lincolnshire, Band from County Hell and Julie McLelland are an original celtic folk band with seven critically acclaimed albums, published works with Cherry Red Records and over 2,000 live performances as part of their history. Live gigs have seen them play from the smallest of venues to outside arenas and they have appeared with bands such as The Levellers, The Stranglers, and UB40. A superb concert taking place at the newly reopened Drill Hall. n The Drill, Lincoln, from 7.30pm, tickets £12.50. Call 01522 534 160, or see www.lincolndrill.co.uk.

south Lincolnshire with partner Jonathan. This show features song, dance, and above all, lots of laughter... a definite recommendation!

Craig is also featured in an exclusive interview with our sister magazine, Rutland & Stamford Pride, the March edition of which is available to read at pridemagazines.co.uk. n Craig Revel Horwood appears in his first solo stage show at Grimsby Auditorium on Saturday 26th March 2022, tickets £25 or £40 for a meet ‘n’ greet VIP ticket, from 7.30pm, call 0300 300 0035 or see www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk.

A New Look for NATURE

Threekingham artist Kay Johns is starting the new year with fresh inspiration, creating a new range of original mixed media prints featuring lavish gold gilt highlights and contemporary black mounts and frames. It’s a smart new way to look at nature, and a super investment in original art...

Who says original artwork should be the preserve of the wealthy? Certainly not Kay Johns, the Threekingham artist who enjoys representing the natural works in her gouache and pastel work. Kay’s work remains instantly recognisable and uncannily charismatic. That’s partly because she recognises the importance of her subjects’ eyes and the way the light – the shadows and highlights – fall on each animal she paints. Taking inspiration from the Lincolnshire countryside, Kay’s subjects range from dogs to hares, horses to birds – pheasants or owls, for example – plus cattle and other livestock including her Lincoln Red mixed-media piece currently approaching completion. A couple of weeks ago, Kay invited us to her studio to see some of her latest pieces. Her work is available as prints on the finest 315gsm art paper, hand embellished and double-mounted for £39, to limited edition pieces and one-off originals, topping out at £5,000 for a 4ft canvas hand-finished and embellished with 24ct gold leaf. “I’ve always believed that art should be available to everyone,” says Kay. “As well as affordable prints, I’ve made available a range of greeting cards – and Christmas cards over the season – plus cushions, towels and chopping boards with some of my most popular characters on.” “Some clients, though, want an exclusive one-off painting or they want their own version of a piece.” >>

Above: Kay’s latest original work is mixed-media in nature and can be embellished with gold leaf.

“I find the countryside so inspiring,” says Kay, “Being able to reflect that world and then capture it on canvas, to bring it into someone’s home, is so rewarding!”

Find Out More: Kay Johns is the Lincolnshire artist based at The Event Gallery in Threekingham, which offers viewing by appointment. For more information and to view Kay’s work, see www.theeventgallery.co.uk or call 01529 240529. Just recently I’ve produced a version of a previous piece as a one-off painting of several hares, changing the poppies which featured before to cornflowers which worked better in the client’s sitting room. Some people design their whole room around one of my paintings, which is really flattering!” “I try to keep my work warm, fun. Some of them might have a hidden mouse in the frame, many are against a light background but recently I’ve been producing paintings on darker backgrounds, which work really well as hand-finished pieces.” “A one-off hand-finished piece is printed on 315gsm fine art paper then transformed into an original one off using mixed medium and foils/gold leaf to create an absolutely exclusive one-off piece.” Kay became a professional artist after working as a children’s book illustrator. She and David – a professional framer – met at a show they were both working at, and pre-Covid, travelled around the UK visiting country shows, game fairs and other outdoor events, setting up their travelling art gallery at each show. With Covid putting a stop to outdoor events, the two have instead taken the opportunity over the past couple of years to reconnect with their local audience, and to make their framing service available to customers for their own artwork (see panel). “I find the countryside so inspiring,” says Kay, “Being able to reflect that world and then capture it on canvas, to bring it into someone’s home, is so rewarding!” n

Perfectly presented artwork...

OVER THE PAST YEAR, DAVID AND KAY HAVE MADE THEIR FRAMING SERVICE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE

David Ball has always added the perfect finishing touch to partner Kay’s artwork, specialising in fine art framing, with the ability to accommodate bespoke frame sizes, plus around 80 different mouldings all in stock, and many mounts. Previously the couple have been so busy framing Kay’s own work that they’ve been unable to accommodate any external framing work, but with fewer country shows in the diary they’re now able to make their bespoke framing service available to customers with their own paintings, textiles, memorabilia and other pieces that require professional framing. David can custom-cut mounts for medals and music memorabilia and seals each piece to prevent any deterioration, as well as using anti-reflective glass to ensure your treasured piece can always be displayed at its best. n Call 01529 240529 to discuss your bespoke framing requirements.

Treat yourself to a relaxing stay in our cosy, country retreat.

Set in the heart of Rutland’s beautiful countryside, Barnsdale Lodge is located on the north shore of Rutland Water, close to the local boutique shops of Oakham and Stamford and numerous walking and cycle trails. You are in the perfect surroundings to do as much or as little as you like.

Enjoy seasonal and local food served up by our team of chefs. We have books and games to entertain whilst keeping warm inside, or why not head off for a brisk walk around the shores of Rutland Water. Your dog is welcome too! We also offer the flexibility of self-catering in our luxury Retreats.

• 46 ensuite bedrooms ~ singles, twins and doubles • Cosy sitting rooms • Beautiful self-catering Retreats • Delicious, fresh and local, award winning food • Private Dining • Courtyard and garden

The Avenue, Exton, Rutland LE15 8AH tel: 01572 724678 reception@barnsdalelodge.co.uk www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk