District news from the Horncastle area

East Barkwith

Gardening group - A full and ambitious programme of visits to places of interest for members of the Barkwith and District Gardeners’ Association and an ever-widening circle of friends has now been organised by Les Robinson for 2016.

Many seats on the very popular trips are booked up well in advance, but there is always the possibility of a last-minute cancellation if someone is indisposed and Les can be contacted on 01673 857063 for details.

He usually keeps a waiting list too in case of seats becoming available nearer the time.

The programme begins with a visit to Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire on Thursday, February 25, to see the snowdrops.

It continues in April with a trip to the Lincolnshire Daffodil Show at Springfield on Saturday, April 16.

On Thursday, May 26, the coach party will travel to the Swiss gardens and Shuttleworth in Bedford.

The first holiday of the year leaves for Norfolk on Sunday, June 12, followed by a day mystery trip on Thursday, June 30.

In July, holiday makers have a five-day trip to Wales to look forward to, with a mystery visit on the way.

Althorp, the childhood home and last resting place of Princess Diana, is the chosen venue on Thursday, August 4, while on Thursday, December 1, the coach leaves for an overnight visit to Thursford for the Christmas spectacular.

Destinations are still to be decided for both Tuesday, October 4, and Thursday, October 27, and there is the possibility of a trip to Burton Constable while it is decorated for the Christmas season.

Les has his clipboard at the ready to take orders for the breakfast stop along the way, which has become a tradition, and he has almost always booked the party in for good food at reasonable prices for a meal on the return journey, too.

The time and energy Les spends to ensure everything runs smoothly is always appreciated by his happy travellers.

Horncastle Ladies

Ladies club - At the first meeting of 2016 for Horncastle Ladies Club, the president welcomed members and guests and said what an enjoyable occasion the Christmas lunch had been at the Admiral Rodney Hotel.

Discussions were held as to possible outings during the year.

Members also looked at which charities they would like to support in 2016. A decision will be made at the next meeting.

Trevor Rogers, a volunteer gardener at Gunby Hall, was the speaker for the meeting.

He gave many useful tips on how and when to prune shrubs and fruit trees, before answering questions from members.

The next meeting will be in the community centre on February 9 at 2pm, when Peter Harness will be telling more tales of old Horncastle.

New members and guests will be very welcome.

Tattershall

Pantomime - Tickets for the Coningsby and Tattershall Lions’ pantomime production are selling like hot cakes.

Once Upon a Circus will be performed in the village hall on Saturday and Sunday.

The Sunday matinee has already sold out, but there are still some tickets available for the Saturday evening performance – if you are very quick.

Doors open at 7pm, with curtain up at 7.30pm.

Penny’s Place and the Cake Fairy in Coningsby, together with Barracks in Tattershall, still have a few tickets left for sale.