Feature

December is often a time to reflect and make plans.

The end of the year marks a new beginning - and a chance to recall the most notable events of the year.

From the good to the bad, we’ve trawled our archives to give you 2020’s most memorable moments.

The year started with an interview featuring a Coningsby family who stumbled upon a seal on their Boxing Day walk.

Michael Poole and his family thought it would just be a ‘normal dog walk’ when they headed for the bank of the River Bain at Tattershall on Boxing Day, 2019.

It was believed the seal had ventured up the River Witham from The Wash and on into the Bain – a distance of around 15 miles!

The seal - affectionately named Sid by the Poole family - was rescued by the RSPCA and released back into the sea in April.

January also saw a major fundraising appeal launched after the collapse of a tower at St John the Baptist Church in High Toynton, near Horncastle.

A fundraising appeal was launched in a hope to raise enough money to carry out the necessary repairs.

To date, more than £3,000 has been raised with a target of £100,000.

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/high-toynton-church

February saw staff at Wolds Wildlife Park, on the outskirts of Horncastle, welcome a new arrival - a zebra!

The foal came into the world with park owners Andrew Riddel and Tracy Walters welcoming the new addition.

Followers of Wolds Wildlife Park on Facebook were overjoyed when the news was announced.

Leader of East Lindsey District Council, Coun Craig Leyland, was forced to shrug off criticism about the authority’s impending move to Horncastle in a multi- 
million pound re-development project.

The plans were granted approval in August - despite objections from councillors.

February also saw Grant Edgar, headteacher at Banovallum School, and then Head Boy, William Brocklebank, have their heads shaved to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Lincoln Hospital Oncology Ward.

The month saw a Woodhall Spa woman refusing to back down in a battle with Lincolnshire County Council over alleged pothole damage to her car.

Sandy Huskisson said her Mini needed repairs costing £260 after she hit the pothole while driving from Tattershall Bridge to Chapel Hill.

She sent the bill for the repairs to the County Council, along with photos of the damaged car and the potholes - and a letter from the garage owner stating the damage was definitely caused by a pothole.

But to her surprise, Sandy received a letter from the County Council doubting her version of events and telling her they needed more proof that the damage was caused by a pothole.

March saw the front page dedicated to Syas - a Bengal Tiger who arrived at Wolds Wildlife Park in July 2017.

Syas had to be put to sleep after battling an illness for some time.

Tributes came flooding in for Syas, and joint owners Andrew Riddel and Tracy Walters thanked the public for their support during a difficult time.

There were also calls for Horncastle residents to ‘support local’ after the nation was plunged into lockdown.

Businesses wee forced to adapt and offer a delivery service or close.

Shoppers were reminded to support local businesses in the town and to not panic buy.

The potential impact of the Covid-19 virus was highlighted by confirmation that the former RAF station at Woodhall Spa had been identified as a potential mortuary site.

The news was announced by the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum.

April saw a Horncastle father and his daughter pay a special kind of tribute to NHS fundraising hero Captain Sir Thomas Moore on his 100th birthday.

Craig Cash is the man behind Twist & Make Balloons and with his daughter Olivia-Mae’s help, they crafted a balloon sculpture of Sir Thomas.

Charities were also appealing for support during a turbulent few months caused by the pandemic.

LIVES and the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance appealed for donations.

• See next week’s Horncastle News for a round up of top stories from May to August.