Beacons, dogs shows and a dove among highlights of jubilee around Sleaford so far

Proceedings kicked off on Thursday with the pre-written proclamation to announce the festivities. This included Sleaford Town Crier John Griffiths addressing assembled residents and the Mayor Coun Linda Edwards-Shea in the market place.

These words were repeated by representatives in surrounding villages during the afternoon and evening as events were staged to mark the jubilee beacons being lit, which was set off by the Queen at Windsor.

An event with fun fair stalls, stilt walkers, balloon modellers, and a bagpiper playing the Queen’s favourite tune was held in the centre of Metheringham, however, the beacon could not be lit after a dove decided to nest in it!

Parish council chairman Keith Parker explained: “We’ve known since nesting season started in March. She hatched two and we thought we would get away with it but surprised us with laying three more eggs. Her partner sits on the telephone wire over the road and they swap turns on the nest.

"They are protected species so there was no chance of lighting the beacon, so we bought a Tikki lantern and lit that instead.”

He said: “We must be famous as the only village that didn’t light the beacon!”

After holding a fun run for around 25 people on Thursday morning, South Kyme villagers held a get together over glasses of Pimms at their parish church that evening.

Ade Chapman, one of a team of five organisers, explained they were lighting an electric ‘beacon’ on top of South Kyme Tower, to protect the ancient timbers from a naked flame.

Events across the four days were funded by the parish council and the Coronation Hall. This included a dog show at the hall on Friday with historic displays of photographs of agricultural life.

Another beacon was lit at Kirkby la Thorpe with cake served. The proclamation was read by resident and ex-Grenadier Guardsman John Bradbury.

At Ashdene care home in Sleaford, Jubilee celebrations were held on Thursday when the kitchen team outdid themselves with afternoon tea. Tara Stafford Allen sang and manager Jilly Hunt said: “One gentleman has been a bit under the weather but when the national anthem came on he stood upright very proudly and sang it all the way through. He has served in the RAF for many years so that was just wonderful to see. We had a raffle and raised £108 for the residents fund.”

Sleaford Kesteven Rotary Club also donated a lot of plants and help to get the main garden Jubilee ready.

Families joined together for a fun teddy bears’ picnic at the Duke of Wellington in Leasingham on Friday, as well as looking around the village for a scarecrow trail.

Holdingham Grange care home in Sleaford held a jubilee party for 178 guests and residents, including cakes, fancy dress and entertainer.

Cranwell held a summer fair followed by fancy dress and sports on the field and Brant Broughton held a parade and gathered for a fancy dress competition, games, presentation of souvenir mugs and a raffle for the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance.