Bluebells, Beltane & A Coronation - Love Horncastle May Blog
Welcome to May! May is a fantastic month where it really starts to warm up and we get those beautiful, long days. It is a super time to get out and explore new places. There are also loads of fabulous events going on to celebrate the Coronation. If you take a trip into town you will see that the Horncastle Lions and the Horncastle WI have been busy decorating! The flags and bunting are up and have you seen the yarn bombing....well worth a look. The town is looking absolutely cracking.
The Coronation Celebrations
The Festivals Committee in association The Town Council and with lots of other volunteer organisations and individuals have been working hard behind the scenes to bring you a fantastic programme of events so be sure to head into town next weekend to see what is going on. Here's the programme of events:
1st - 7th May Arts & Music Festival at St Mary's Church including art from all schools.
3rd May QEGS concert at St Mary's
5th May Family Bingo Night at The Stanhope Hall
6th May Screening of the Coronation at The Football Club and also at St Mary's Church.
Events on the playing fields and at the sports clubs from 1pm, ending with a firework display at 9pm. Lots of music and entertainment as well as things to join in with - fancy dress competition, games, circus skills workshop etc. St Mary's Church and the Churchyard will be lit up on Saturday evening.
8th May - Volunteers Market taking part in The Big Help Out at the Community Centre on Manor House Street - come along and see how you can help out in your community. There is also a Community Coronation Cake Competition at the Squash Club.
From today, you can also take a look at the amazing Coronation Collage over at the Coning Street Co-op. Over 250 portraits have been submitted from local community groups. Well done everyone and fantastic work Rebecca, Member Pioneer Horncastle.
Photo by Rebecca
Bluebells
We recently took a walk out to Rigsby Wood near Alford. Under the care of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Rigsby wood is a semi ancient woodland. It is a haven for wildlife and at the bluebells are just beginning to come out. Give them a few more weeks and they will be magnificent. Your can find out more here:
www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/rigsby-wood
Please note that the wood does not permit dogs and is quite hard to access as it is situated down a narrow path.
Tattershall Carrs was recommended by LoveHorncastle follower, Katherine Bretan and although you can take your pooch, unfortunately again, it isn't wheelchair accessible. Here's a photo by Katherine taken earlier in the week:
We will keep researching though to find an accessible source of bluebells! More information about visiting Tattershall Carrs can be found here:
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/tattershall-carrs/
Beltane
We asked Shelly over at Flange & Prong to tell us a bit more about Beltane and here is what she had to say:
“Beltane is the Gaelic festival of May Day, celebrated in the northern hemisphere. It literally means bright fire or lucky fire. The 1st May, celebrated with fires, maypole dancing, well dressing, and feasting. It celebrates the return of the light. Belenus is the Sun God and it’s thought that it is representative of him and the May Queen. It is also very strongly associated with fertility, young ladies would jump over Beltane fires to increase their chances of fertility. Beltane marks the end of spring and beginning of summer. Ancient Gaelic Celts were herdsmen mainly, this marked the new livestock cycle. Fairies were believed to play tricks at this time of year, poisoning milk and dairy products. So offerings were left to please the fae-folk. We’ve had a big revival in recent years, Beltane is celebrated by Pagans and Druids, huge fires are lit to welcome in the Sun. We as witches and Pagans mark the 1st May with a ritual, and offerings to the gods and goddesses. It’s important we observe this Sabbat, leading us nicely into Litha. Blessed Beltane, Shelley."
Find out more about the services Flange & Prong provide by visiting their website: www.flangeandprong.com
Local Art Exhibitions
Here's an update from the Joseph Banks Society:
The Sir Joseph Banks Society’s Natural Science and Heritage Museum are launching three major exhibitions over the coming months. The first exhibition, which is running now until 30th June, features the work of notable wildlife artist, naturalist, and falconer George Edward Lodge (1860-1954). Born in the town, he was also a prolific illustrator, best remembered for his superb illustrations for Dr Bannerman’s 12 volumes of The Birds of the British Isles. This special exhibition will feature work never seen before in public and includes a selection of his paintings and personal objects donated by the George Edward Lodge Trust.
Open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10am-4pm, with extended hours during school holidays. For more information visit: www.joseph-banks.org.uk
The Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival 20th May – 11th June
The Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival, held during May and June each year, is an ideal way to explore and appreciate all that the Lincolnshire Wolds has to offer. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1973, this year we will be celebrating 50 years since the official recognition of this beautiful and cherished landscape.
During the 3-week festival there will be over 150 amazing events and activities taking place, across a multitude of locations, with many of the activities free of charge or at a reduced cost.
This event encourages you to get outdoors, explore the stunning scenery around the Wolds and is a fantastic opportunity to learn interesting skills, make new friends and find some inner peace.
Join in and discover some of the many activities that help make the Wolds such a wonderful place to be, from water sports, horse riding, guided walks and fishing, to navigation, dancing, art, gliding and much, much more!! We have a whole host of activities to attract both visitors and locals, young and old and even our four-legged friends. It is a fabulous opportunity to try something new in the beautiful surroundings of the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Details of all the events and activities taking place can be found in the festival programme, which is available at attractions and venues across the Wolds and on the website - www.woldsoutdoorfestival.com
The Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival has been developed collaboratively by a steering group of organisations, including: Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service, The Ramblers, Active Lincolnshire, Heritage Lincolnshire, Stourton Estates, South Ormsby Estate, Lincolnshire County Council, The East and West Lindsey District Councils.
Have a wonderful month.
LoveHorncastle
