NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across the county including a brand new book by local author Dominique Allen.

Author’s new book follows Gertie’s Path

FIRST IN A NEW SERIES OF BOOKS FROM LOCAL AUTHOR IN SHOPS NOW

Joyful, heartwarming and designed to make the reader smile. That’s what sets a new trilogy of books from local author Dominique Allen apart, and makes them ideal as fireside reading this autumn.

All For Overalls is the first in a trilogy of books featuring the central character of Gerald, ‘Gertie’ to his friends, who wants to be called Gerry’ at the start of WWII! Set during the Dunkirk summer of 1940 in a rural area not dissimilar to Stamford and the surrounding countryside, the story follows Gertie and his friends as they adapt to wartime ways.

All for Overalls is available now from Walkers bookshops, whilst its sequel If the Sock Fits, set amid the Battle of Britain and the start of the London Blitz, is currently with the books’ publisher. A third volume, Raids, Rallies & Reserves,

STAMFORD has the backdrop of 1941 and the news of Pearl Harbour. Dominique lives with her twin sister Kesriel and has had the stories in her mind for a number of years, but around five years ago she sat down to turn her characters and ideas into proper manuscripts. The two sisters say that the stories are not designed to be ‘gritty’ or challenging to read, but warm, easy and very entertaining, allowing the reader to see life through the perspective of a trio of childhood chums, Gertie, Al and Walker as they commit to becoming ‘salvage scamps,’ and doing their bit for The Effort. Dominique is currently working on further manuscripts so The Salvaged Summer Trilogy could be just the beginning of a longer series.

n Buy from Walkers bookshop, Stamford and Oakham. See www.gertiespath.co.uk, or buy from purchases@gertiespath.co.uk.

Christmas Market Dates

FESTIVE SEASON COMES EARLY TO LINCOLN AS MARKET PLANNED FOR 1st-4th DECEMBER

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas is on its way, in the centre of Lincoln. The City of Lincoln Council has announced that Lincoln Christmas Market will return from Thursday December 1st to Sunday 4th December, with a park and ride service operating once again from the Showground. Entrance is free and no tickets are required for the event, which began in 1982. “Lincoln brought the first traditional German Christmas market to the UK as part of its friendship and twinning with the town of Neustadt.”

LINCOLN “The event grows annually, constantly adding more new attractions to excite the senses of visitors from near and far.” “From its beginnings in 1982 with just 11 stalls in Castle Square, the market now takes over most of the cultural quarter of the city, with well over 200 stalls.” “For some, the Christmas Market is the most important event in the city’s calendar as it brings over 250,000 visitors to Lincoln. These visitors often return at other times in the year when they realise what Lincoln has to offer.” n lincoln-christmasmarket.co.uk.

Loch swim for Ross

GRANTHAM ADVENTURER COMPLETES 48-HOUR NON-STOP 100-MILE SWIM

GRANTHAM When you’ve already completed a 1,780mile swim right around Great Britain, it’s difficult to know what to do for an encore. Grantham adventurer Ross Edgley, though, has recently topped his last achievement with a 100-mile 48-hour non-stop swim in Scotland’s Loch Ness. Having competed in the Great British Swim in 2018 Ross resolved to hang up his goggles, but has decided to once again take the plunge to raise awareness of the sea forests beneath the world’s oceans and their ecological importance. Ross put on a stone in weight in preparation for the event following a 10,000 calorie a day diet. n Find out more about the adventurer and his book, The Art of Resilience, via his website, www.rossedgley.com.

Fun for the family at new adventure playground...

GRANTHAM Oh to be young again! If we were, we’d probably head to Belvoir Castle, which has just announced that its new adventure playground will open on 15th October, as Pride appears in shops. The new attraction has cost £350,000 and is themed around the past and present custodians of the 16,000 acre estate. Meanwhile the Duchess of Rutland has just published The Accidental Duchess, her new autobiography, featured in this month’s Pride. n

£8,700 raised for Air Ambulance

BLANKNEY GOLF CLUB’S ANNUAL CHARITY AM AM DAY RAISES FUNDS TO KEEP SERVICE IN THE AIR

xxx BLANKNEY Organisers of the Blankney Golf Club Annual Charity Golf AM AM event have said a big thank you to the 41 teams who competed in the event for the Lincolnshire & Notts Air Ambulance. The day raised a staggering £8,700 for the service and organiser Jo Middleton, said: “We couldn’t have raised so much without the fantastic generosity of so many companies and friends who supported the day in some way. From corporate sponsorship to donating raffle prizes to preparing home made teas, we thank the volunteers and all our friends who came to help on the day!” n The future of Skegness holiday park Butlins – established in the town by Billy Butlin in 1936 – has been secured after the resort was sold back to the Harris family, which has interests in Bourne Leisure, Haven and Warner Leisure. The Harris family originally purchased it in 2000 but sold it just 18 months ago.

SKEGNESS n

£300,000,000

LOCAL NEWS

In Brief

BRANSBY A happy ending for Limpopo thanks to Bransby Horses...

A pony rescued from one of the worst cruelty cases Bransby Horses has ever seen, is settling into her new home. Of the 27 horses taken in by the charity, Limpopo is one of the lucky ones. It took 18 months of veterinary care and rehabilitation to get the seven year old mare to a point where she could be rehomed. Bransby Horses is dedicated to improving the lives of horses, donkeys and mules. Founded in 1968 Bransby Horses is now one of the UK’s largest equine welfare charities, currently responsible for around 1,000 equines. n See bransby horses.co.uk.

New Walled Garden at Harlaxton

HARLAXTON’S FOUR-ACRE WALLED GARDEN SET TO BE RESTORED AND REVITALISED

A four-acre walled garden in the grounds of a historic house in Lincolnshire is set to be restored and revitalised. Set close to the gatehouse of Harlaxton Manor, the impressive Walled Garden was constructed in the late 19th century and it is among the largest in Britain. Plans put forward by Harlaxton Manor and its custodian, Harlaxton College, will see the expansive garden and its buildings restored to productive use, with an emphasis on education, sustainability and community participation. The project will see the gardens reinvigorated, with a new sensory garden, medicinal garden and orchard, as well as a Shakespeareinspired garden and an avenue of blossoming trees. Other areas will grow fruit and vegetables for consumption by the students of Harlaxton College and visitors. Meanwhile, colourful ornamental plants will be incorporated into the design to attract pollinators. The historic walls, gates and railings will also be restored along with existing buildings which include the Gardener’s Cottage, outbuildings and glasshouses.

GRANTHAM Enhancing the area further, these structures will be regenerated to create spaces for education and visitors, plus a restaurant/café that looks out onto the gardens. n

LOCAL NEWS

In Brief

LINCOLNSHIRE DRIVERS NEED TO SLOW DOWN, NEW STUDY FINDS...

Lincolnshire has the highest number of speeding offences in England and Wales each year, with 5.43 offences per 1,000 residents according to new research. Forbes found that on average, there are 4,164 speeding offences each year in the county, but in 2020 there was a decade high of 6,734 drivers caught breaking the speed limit. n

New Reservoir Plans...

ANGLIAN WATER CONFIRMS PROPOSED LOCATION FOR RESERVOIR AHEAD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION

SLEAFORD Anglian Water has released information on a new reservoir it intends to construct prior to a public consultation. The company says we have experienced one of the driest summers on record and that a new reservoir serving 500,000 homes is necessary to secure supplies and avoid taking water from underground aquifers. A new reservoir is proposed south east of Sleaford between Scredington and Helpringham which will incorporate leisure facilities and habitats for wildlife. Anglian Water says it will begin public consultation on the plans with a dedicated website due to go live in October. n

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Subject To Contract • Well Appointed Four Bedroomed Farmhouse • 2.58 acres, 1.04 hectare Site • Over 10,000sqft of Farm Buildings, Glasshouses, Open Stores, Abandoned House • South Facing Garden with a Number of Flower Borders, Paved Patio, Pond, Mature Trees, Raised Pergola, Garden Shed, Glasshouse • Modern Kitchen and Bathroom, Utility Room and Pantry

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Subject To Contract