©Kirton News 2025

February 2026

The Editors Letter

A very Happy New Year to you all from Kirton News. I’m pretty sure I wrote this exactly a year ago but 2026 just doesn’t feel real. It feels far too futuristic to even be writing it but here we are! I do hope you all had a happy time over the Christmas and New Year period. Unfortunately, I had that awful flu virus for a full two weeks so had to relinquish my cooking duties and was waited on hand and foot (that bit was alright)!

Once again, we held our annual Christmas Coffee Morning for our distributors. I think it gets better every year with some new faces and many familiar, all coming together to be thanked wholeheartedly for their service to our community.

I was saddened to hear about the passing of Jack Hall at 103 years of age. I interviewed Jack a few years ago as he neared his 100th birthday. He was so welcoming, full of stories and I honestly believe, fitter than I was! His son got in touch with us and you can read a little more about his life on Page 23.

Even though January and February feel like the longest, dreariest months, there are still lots of events in this issue if you can brave the cold!

We would love more of your contributions in 2026! If you have anything you’d like to say, someone you’d like to thank, a poem, recipe or a puzzle you’d like to share, get in touch! I’m always contactable at Editor@kirtonnews.co.uk.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Rachael

Kirton Church Fund

The January draw winning numbers will be printed in the March magazine.

Congratulations to our winners! All prize winner have won before. In fact the first prize winner for December also won 2nd prize in September and coincidently his wife won 1st prize last Christmas.

A cheque for £1524.58 has been paid into the church bank account bringing the total raised by the KCF for Kirton parish church in 2025 to £2327 and the total raised to over £26,200 since we started in June 2012. A massive thank you to everyone who continues to support us and a happy and prosperous new year to you all!

I have just heard this morning that there is a new member joining the KCF bringing the total of numbers in the draw to 50 and the number of players to 33. Welcome and good luck to our new member.

There is still have plenty of room for more members though and there is a very good chance of winning in the Kirton Church Fund (KCF) monthly draw. Why not come and join in? Anyone over 18 may take part.

You can join at any time during the year at £5 a number per month and therefore £60 annually, £30 for 6 months and £15 for 3 months. You can of course pay the £5 monthly if you wish.

Not already a member? Then why not come and join?

The February draw takes place on Sunday 23rd February. The winning numbers will be printed in the April magazine.

This is my 135th Kirton Church Fund report for Kirton News since the draw started in June 2012 and will also be my last. After 13 and a half years I am handing over the books etc. to Carol Norwood who will continue to run the Fund. I am moving away from Kirton to join my new husband in North Lincolnshire as soon as my house is sold. I thank everyone for their friendship and support during my 26 years in Kirton and send my best wishes to you all.

Carol will let you know their contact details but registration forms are still available from church or from Paula’s Gifts on Station Road. Look out for more information in March.

November 2025 Winners

1st PRIZE - £46.87- TICKET NUMBER: 107
2nd PRIZE - £15.63- TICKET NUMBER: 113

December 2025 Winners

1st PRIZE - £46.87- TICKET NUMBER: 101
2nd PRIZE - £15.63- TICKET NUMBER:67

Data protection. All information (name, address and phone number) of Kirton Church Fund members is held solely for the purpose of managing Kirton Church Fund and is not passed on to any other organisation or used for any other purpose.

Meet The Locals

Meet the Village’s New Painter & Decorator, Shane Elston.

There’s a new brushstroke of brilliance in the village—and it belongs to Shane Elston, a skilled painter and decorator. After years of honing his craft under seasoned professionals, Shane has launched his own local business this year, and hopes to bring fresh energy, care and attention, and a personal touch to homes across the area.

He prides himself on using high-quality materials, offering fair prices, and leaving every space cleaner than he found it. No fuss, no mess—just beautiful results

Local Roots, Lasting Impressions

Shane is a local village resident and he and his family are active members of the community. He spends most of the weekends standing in the rain on the sidelines with his young children who play for Boston Rugby Club!

He knows the quirks and character of village homes like the back of his hand. From charming period cottages to modern extensions, he’s worked on them all—and now he’s ready to make his mark as an independent tradesman.

“I’ve always loved the transformation process. There’s something satisfying about turning a tired room into a space people feel proud of. Now that I’m working for myself, I can really focus on giving each client the time and attention they deserve.”

His services cover a wide range of interior and exterior work, including:

• Wall and ceiling painting

• Wallpapering and feature walls

• Woodwork and trim restoration

• Exterior facades and fencing

• Colour advice and design input

He's punctual, reliable, polite, and takes great pride in his work. He’s known for his clean finishes, tidy workspaces, and friendly, down-to-earth approach. No jargon, no fuss—just honest craftsmanship.

He's now taking bookings for Winter projects. Whether you’re refreshing a guest room or finally tackling that hallway you’ve been ignoring, he’s ready to help!

Please give Shane's business a warm village welcome—and maybe a few walls to work on!

To arrange a free quote or chat about your ideas, call 07786730399 or email Elston.Decorating@gmail.com

Blue Elephant Yoga

The Problem With Resolutions!

January arrived and hopefully, you started the year full of hope. With a fresh start often come bold promises and the inevitable list of New Year’s Resolutions. Usually they revolve around health: more exercise, eating better, or giving something up like alcohol or cigarettes. And while the spirit in which those intentions are written is admirable, by the time you’re reading this, many of those resolutions will have quietly slipped away, replaced by the familiar rhythm of everyday life.

But here’s the thing. Maybe the problem isn’t us. Perhaps it’s the idea of resolutions themselves.

Most resolutions ask for too much and too quickly. They rely on motivation, which is a wonderful thing but not a particularly reliable companion. They often ignore the realities that come crashing back once January settles in: work, tiredness, weather, family commitments, and the simple fact that we are creatures of habit. When enthusiasm fades, the resolution often goes with it, usually replaced by guilt or disappointment. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. Statistics suggest only around 8% of resolutions are kept for a full year.

February, on the other hand, is a quieter month. Let’s be honest, it’s a bit of a limbo month. There’s less fanfare and fewer expectations. And maybe, just maybe, that makes it a better place to begin.

Instead of resolutions, it can be more helpful to think in terms of small, repeatable choices. Things that fit into real life rather than hovering above it. A short walk most days. Stretching for a few minutes before bed. Pausing before reacting. Nothing dramatic. Nothing you need to announce on Facebook.

This is where yoga, in its simplest sense, quietly enters the picture. Yoga isn’t about flexibility or impressive poses, despite how it’s often presented. At its heart, it’s about paying attention. Noticing the breath. Feeling the body as it moves or rests. Choosing presence over autopilot, even briefly.

That kind of attention doesn’t require a mat, special clothing, or an hour of spare time. It doesn’t even cost anything. It can be as simple as noticing your feet on the floor while the kettle boils, or taking a slower breath before answering the phone. These moments don’t look like progress, but they add up, a bit like compound interest. Over time, real change happens.

Unlike resolutions, small practices don’t demand perfection. Miss a day? It doesn’t matter. There’s no sense of starting again from scratch. You simply return, as many times as needed. This is how change tends to happen in real life. Gradually. Almost unnoticed.

So if January didn’t go to plan, and you’ll be in very good company if it didn’t, that’s not a reason to give up. It might be an invitation to try a different approach. One that’s kinder, more realistic and better suited to the long year ahead.

No resolutions required. Just small, steady steps. Taken often enough, they tend to lead us exactly where we need to be.

And I know this because I’m a world-class expert in making resolutions…… and failing them. Years of first-hand experience!

Namaste

Message from Father Paul

When we think about February our minds are often drawn to two things, firstly the cold winter weather that is before us and secondly the joys that are brought to us as we celebrate St Valentine’s Day. St Valentine’s Day gives us a glimpse of hope on these long cold winter nights, a sign of love in the world around us. It is with this in mind that I write this month’s piece with a sense of gratitude, being overwhelmed with people generosity, the love you have shown to Carol and myself as you welcomed us into your community, and the support you have shown to our church. We would like to thank you all for your support over the past year, at services, coffee morning, fares and in particular at our Christmas tree festival, which was an amazing start to the celebrations of Christmas. We would also like to thank all those who sponsored us during the Christmas tree festival by showing their trees, please find a list of the sponsors at the bottom of this piece. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the local people in the community who organised the race night we had at Kirton Leisure towards the end of January. Thanking those from Acorn Taxi’s and East Coast Access Professional Tree Services for sponsoring the evening, along with all who sponsored races, horses and riders. We all had a wonderful night at Kirton Leisure, raising much needed fun’s for the Church, thank you so much for your support. Our gratitude also goes out to Mark at the Old Kings Head; he has turned the tragedy of Christmas day when a car was driven through the wall of the Old Kings Head, into a positive. For while the repairs are being organised, the damaged wall space has been transformed into a fundraiser for the church. I like to think of the church being part of the community not separated from it, therefore the church is your church, we are here to support the community in any way we can, we can offer warm clothing, food, advice a quite moment of prayer. You do not need to be a Christian to come in, everyone is welcome, we want it to be a community space that is used by the community. Please feel free to come along, you are welcome to join us for any services, or if that is not you why not come along for a coffee morning or one or our other social events. Keep an eye on our social media sites or our web site for further details.

Sponsorship for the Christmas Tree festival and Fair with heart fell thanks goes to: Steve Robinson – Trees, The Merry Monk, Kirton Kebab and pizza, Golden Fryer, Kirton Co-op, Kirton Flower shop, Shed, Paula’s Gifts, The Black Bull, Kirton Post Office, The Barbers shop, Evelyn’s Bakery, Jhay Stores, Sylvia’s Kirton.

This wall has seen better days… but it’s helping to do some good

Following an accident on Christmas Day, staff at The Old King's Head are turning a difficult moment into something positive by raising much-needed funds for our parish church – a vital part of our community and village life.

While repairs are being organised, the damaged wall space has been transformed into a fundraiser. It has been divided into squares, and for a suggested £2 donation, supporters are invited to write a short message in a square and be entered into a prize draw once all the squares are filled.

It’s a simple way to make good use of the space, bring the community together, and support an important local cause.

Please visit The Old King's Head to take part and help support our village church.

The car that crashed into the building. C. Mark Nundy

Remembering Jack Hall

One of Kirton’s oldest and well-known residents, Jack Hall, passed away last Monday, 5 January 2026, at the age of 103.

Jack had lived his whole life in Kirton, apart from 4 years in the Army during WW2. He was born in Kirton Skeldyke, then moved to Kirton in 1949 after he was married, and then spent 51 years in his bungalow on Horseshoe Lane.

He moved to a care home in Melton Mowbray in July 2025, to be closer to his family.  Unfortunately his health deteriorated gradually, and then rapidly during the final months of his life, and he died peacefully.

I’m sure that there are many people in Kirton with stories about Jack.  He played football for Kirton Town in the early 1950s, and was one of the founders of the Graves Park Social Club. Kirton News sends its condolences to Jack’s family.

Citizens Advice relating
to Power of Attorney

A friend has suddenly fallen ill, which has made me think about getting my affairs in order. I’ve heard of setting up a lasting power of attorney, but I don’t really know where to begin, or if I really need to, as I’m not very old.

The first thing to know is that anyone can make a lasting power of attorney; it's not something purely for older people to consider.

Appointing a lasting power of attorney (LPA) means nominating someone such as a trusted friend or relative to act on your behalf and manage your finances, care or medical treatment, if you ever lose mental capacity. This could be because you're diagnosed with a health condition that prevents you from doing so, or something happens to you, such as an accident.

The kinds of illness which might prevent you from making decisions for yourself include: dementia, mental health problems, a brain injury, alcohol or drug misuse or the side-effects of medical treatment. Setting up an LPA doesn’t mean you’re expecting anything to happen, it’s something you might want to do in case something happens in the future.

There are two types of LPA, property and financial affairs and health and welfare. You don't have to make both types at the same time but you must make an LPA while you are still capable of making decisions for yourself. This is called having mental capacity. Both types must be registered before they can be used and you should choose who manages your affairs for you, if you’re no longer able to, very carefully.

A property and financial affairs LPA gives someone the authority to deal with and make decisions about things like buying or selling property, bank, building society and other financial accounts, welfare benefits and debts. You can give someone power of attorney to deal with all of those affairs, or only certain things. If you want to make an LPA which only deals with certain matters, you should make sure that it’s drawn up very carefully.

A health and welfare LPA gives someone the authority to deal with and make decisions about things like where you live, your day-to-day care, and your healthcare treatment - either for all aspects of your personal welfare, or only certain things. It's not possible to use a health and welfare LPA until the person who made it has lost their mental capacity.

Kirton Parish Council Meeting Minutes
- October 2025

Present Councillors

Cllr M Sohail, Chair, Cllr A Bowen, Vice Chair, Cllr Hartfil-Allgood, Cllr P Head, Cllr D Jarvis, and Cllr Pryke. Also Present: Clerk: D. Fairweather. Borough: Cllr Rylott. County Cllrs: P. Lock and B. Daish.

Public Forum

Residents still complaining of parking at Kings Street/Willington Road Junction. Despite photographic evidence given County Cllr Daish advised that LCC prefer survey evidence-based information, and there will be no changes will be sufficient evidence from such surveys.

Cllr Daish advised that double yellow lines are not necessarily the action as this may cause problems with residents that have no off-road parking.

Suggestions to improve drive behaviour. Seven people trained on Community Speed Watch and will now be able to progress with surveys.

Reports From Elected County Councillors & Borough Councillors

Cllr B Daish - there was success in the past with parking ticket fines at Skeldyke Road/Horseshoe Lane.

Cllr R Pryke – highways and environmental issues reported.

Reactive Speed Signs - despite Frampton initially stating they were not interested in reactive speed signs, they have now had a rethink. Clerk to write and ask if they would like to join with Kirton on various ‘shared’ roads.

Local Government Re-Organisation proposals. Northern and Southern Lincolnshire, Southern to be North Kesteven, South Kesteven, Boston and South Holland and East Lindsey. Decision expected before the parliamentary recess in 2026.

Cllr Pryke is still investigating the claims of nineteen leisure facilities in Kirton. This figure includes the school field and golf course!

To Receive Apologies For Absence

These were received from Cllrs F. Baillie, J Barton, and M. Elston. Council resolved to accept reasons given.

To Receive Declarations Of Interest Under The Council’s Code Of Conduct Relating To Business On The Agenda

None.

To Approve Notes Of Meeting Held On 4th November 2025

Proposed Cllr Bowen seconded Cllr Head that these be accepted as a true copy to be called minutes. Unanimous.

To Receive Updates
From Clerk

Town Hall damp problems. Damp is receding now water goods have been redirected. The only downright not moved has been assessed and water runs away to soakaway at the rear. Practical checks have been undertaken, including under-floor and roof void, showed dry apart from the ridge joint which could not be inspected.

Inspections under the floor showed the damp continues through to the tower. Felt another inspection is required. Concerns if major work required must be in conjunction with THMC with regarding to bookings.

Loss adjuster has advised Insurance Company it is not an insurable loss due to the length of time the damp has been occurring. Clerk communicating with insurance company requesting how this could have avoided, and what formal maintenance plan should be in place. This is what insurance is for. Ongoing communications. Councillors all agreed a plan must be in place for regular checks of the building.

Parent Parking at School. Following letter from Clerk, Head confirmed an additional letter of request had been sent via the children.

Sir Middlecott Close/London Tree. Complaints of overgrown hedging causing problems for wheel and push chairs. Some work taken place, clerk to check if cleared sufficiently.

Town Hall Car Park new lines. County Cllr Lock confirmed the work had been agreed with Highways for the spring. Clerk to leave with Town Hall Management and Cllr Elston, who had made the original contact.

Warm Homes Local Grant. Boston’s uptake poor. Clerk had applied for the coffee morning and been successful. Also available for residents to apply for heating.

To Receive
Events Updates

Christmas Tree lighting drew a modest turnout due to weather but was well received.

Senior Citizens meal. Everything in hand. Numbers down at 60 this year. Primary children to sing before meal. Choral society after.

Bingos are going well. Extra raffle for the Christmas bingo, selling tickets for last three months. Almost £1,000 raised since started in May.

There is a Boston Christmas window competition, questions of why this has not been expanded to Parishes.

No reason they could not be included but it would be at a cost to the Parish.

To Discuss/Approve Plans For New Play Equipment In Rec

Quotations and presentation of life like pictures for the area behind the Town Hall. Equipment to include adult gym run, additional gym equipment for the less abled. Trail sections with climbing, up and over, balancing. Basketball octopus style where ball exists from several chutes, that dispensers the ball in any four directions once hi and a football goal. A nest swing which again is ideal for lesser abled children. All with ground floor protection where required for safety reasons. Installed and inspected annually for a total of £38978.06, this also includes a second gym run for Dame Sarah Swift. Scope and layout agreed in principle with safety emphasized. Fencing from Dame Sarah Swift to be used to portion off gym equipment which by law must have a barrier of thirty-five metres.

Councillors all agreed a successful result, Proposed Cllr Hartfil-Allgood seconded Cllr Bowen that the quotation be accepted. Clerk to ascertain if the whole amount of project must be spent by 31st January or just the £24999 grant amount.

Finance

To Approve Payment of Accounts as per schedule and receive bank balances.

Proposed Cllr Head, seconded Cllr Pryke.

Precept figures must be submitted by 30th January. Finance meeting arranged for Friday 12th December

Planning

To Discuss Applications Received Since Last Meeting

Tree works in The Weir, Skeldyke Road.

B/25/0436 Land off Avalon Road - footpath appears to be now two meters wide and construction traffic will be able to use. Concerns this will be used as a roadway going forward.

Council had no objections to Pindergate being the name for development off Holme Road, Kirton End.

Members Reports

THA – Advised of numerous car damage within the village. Has been reported to PCSO A Zelenkauskienne, but reiterating any incident must be reported to the Police 101.

Proposed Cllr Hartfil-Allgood seconded Cllr Sohail to go into closed session for members reports.

THA – Concerns over the relationship between the Parish Council and Town Hall Management Committee and usage and cost of the hall to the PC.

Clerk: concerns over damage by previous contractor of the Parish Council that had caused damage to a property in the Parish. Residents to act for costs of repairs. Clerk had spoken with Contractor who would have been prepared to make a gesture towards costs had they been successful in receiving the contract again this year, which was not the case.

On advice from insurance Company the resident will have to act themselves.

Date of next meeting

6th January 2026.