©Kirton News 2025

November 2025

The Editors Letter

Another year has passed, and we look to the commemoration of those who have served and sacrificed in wars and conflicts around the world. I know the people of Kirton will do us proud again and stand in respectful reflection. I will certainly be there, and I hope you will too. The theme of remembrance is spoken in a very thought-provoking way by Father Paul on Page 18.

As is always the case at this time of year, we are full to the brim of events! St Peter and St Paul’s Church have so many things happening between now and Christmas including Wreath Making which is always such fun and you bring something beautiful home to boot! The Methodist Church are holding their Christmas Fayre on Saturday 29th November as are the Kirton Scout Aid Charity Shop (at Kirton Youth Centre). Go to both and pick up some Christmas gifts!

My colleague Andrew concludes his journey down memory lane with the conclusion of the Kirton News story in our 60th year! I must thank him for writing so eloquently and especially for mentioning my Dad who we lost nearly 8 years ago. His love for Kirton and his pride in community service certainly rubbed off on me!

As Barry, our resident foodie has found out, I’m always happy to receive content for the magazine! Anything from book reviews to recipes and puzzles! Please contact me at Editor@kirtonnews.co.uk.

Take care of yourselves and try and keep warm!

Rachael.

Kirton Church Fund

Last October in my report for the November issue of Kirton News I said, “ We may have more numbers than ever before,” but now, just one year later, we have lost so many numbers that we are now down to the lowest amount of numbers in the draw since two years ago in November 2023.

Surely there are more people in Kirton that would like to win some money in a resonably priced draw and with very good odds of winning. Only 20 of the severals thousands of people that live in Kirton take part in the Kirton Church Fund.The other 12 members of Kirton Church Fund live out of Kirton but wish to support the draw and Kirton Parish Church. Some of our members have more than one number to give us some extra support. But we do need more members! It is still only £5 a month and there is a far better chance of winning this than other draws. Come and join us - the more players the higher the prize money. 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. You can also have more than one number if you wish.

How to join Registration forms are available from the back church or from Fay (email: fayngeoff@gmail.com )

Registration forms are also available from Paula’s Gifts at the bottom of Station Road which is an Aladdin’s cave of reasonably priced gifts and cards and well worth a visit.

Like more information about Kirton Church Fund? Then please email Fay at fayngeoff @ gmail.com

Both winners have won before. In fact the first prize winner won first prize in June with their other number! Congratulations to both winners.

October winning numbers will be printed in the December magazine.

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

September 2025 Winners

1st PRIZE - £45.94 - TICKET NUMBER: 60
2nd PRIZE - £15.31 - TICKET NUMBER: 101

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

This month, we meet Laura Sinfield, a local dog trainer!

I am a dog trainer, focusing on 1-1 training to help give people confidence with their dogs that may have a variety of behavioural issues. I also offer group classes from time to time, as well as workshops like loose lead walking, recall and scent detection for beginners.

I became a trainer in 2017 after losing a baby in the January and feeling I was unable to go back to the job that I had at the time.

I built the business up, alongside my mum, doing mainly day care and home boarding. When we moved to Lincolnshire, I decided to fully focus on just the training side of the business.

We have 5 dogs of our own and try to do a variety of things with them including agility, gundog training, scentwork and general obedience.

I am contactable via my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wagsnwoofs2 or my website: www.wagsnwoofs.org.uk or by telephone: 07500 859711.

Blue Elephant Yoga

Winter’s coming, and at Kirton News we’re preparing for the coming storm (otherwise known as Christmas). So Mark, what wisdom from the yoga world have you got for us this month?

There is an old story told in many traditions about a great king who asked his wise men for a saying that would always be true, in both joy and sorrow. After much thought, they presented him with just four words:

This Too Shall Pass

I’ve shared this fable recently in classes and, at first, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. As it happens, neither did the king. But in time he realised its meaning. In moments of sadness, the words brought him comfort, reminding him that troubles never last forever. In moments of celebration, they reminded him to be present and grateful, knowing that joy too is fleeting. For the rest of his life the phrase became his quiet anchor.

It’s a simple idea, yet strangely reassuring. Life is never still and nothing stays the same. What feels overwhelming today often softens tomorrow. And what feels perfect in one moment can pass before we’re ready. To remember this is not to give up, but to meet each moment with more balance, less clinging and less resistance.

In yoga we experience this lesson directly. We hold a posture and notice the intensity, then we let it go. We follow the breath as it expands and then releases. Even stillness moves on into movement again. Nothing stays the same, not even for a second - why not give it a try?

Taking this awareness into daily life can help us meet change with steadier hearts. When things feel heavy, we can remind ourselves: This too shall pass. When life is sweet, we can savour it fully, knowing it will pass as well.

As the year tilts towards winter, perhaps you might carry these words with you. Pause during your day and quietly repeat them to yourself. Notice how they soften your grip on whatever you’re holding - whether it’s a worry, a mood, or even a joyful moment you wish could last forever.

Christmas Convoy Time Again

Hi all, Lincolnshire Vanlife and Lincs Car Club will be doing a Christmas convoy from Sutton Bridge to the Pilgrim hospital again this year on the 20th December 2025.

We will be taking some presents to the children’s ward for those who might not be home for Christmas. Fingers crossed we will be able to do a bit of a light show in the car park for those patients that can look out of the windows. Times and routes to follow. We are also looking for drop-off points around Boston, Kirton or Wyberton and also in the Holbeach and Long Sutton areas. If you can help please inbox me and we can discuss details.

We are asking for some donations from everyone - small toys or sweets (like selection boxes). We hope you can help and join us in helping many people!

We had over 224 vehicles last year and hope we can be bigger this year.

We are also looking for people who want to help with the convoy by being a blocker. Again, please get in touch if you can help with this.

Drop-off points from Boston, Wyberton, Kirton and Sutterton are: Shaun ‘Starky’ Stark PE21 7RS and Wyberton Sports and Social Clubs (only at night for the social club). If anyone wants information then you can find me on Facebook: Shaun Finnemore.

Kirton News turns Sixty!

In October 2011, the current Advertising Manager, Sam Chapman agreed to become our 12th Editor. Through his work at the Boston Standard, Sam had a wonderful way with words and started his first letter in October 2011 with the following message: This publication was born, some forty years ago, from the members of Kirton combined churches, and still has many on the Committee. It is still often referred to as ‘The Church Magazine’. But it isn’t. It’s the Village Magazine, representing all faiths, creeds, believers and non-believers, and my first message to you as Editor is this...The Church in Kirton is worthy of saving for all of us. It serves many purposes and, for the majority of us who are not practicing Christians but are - as I consider myself - christians with a small ‘c’, it also plays a dominant part as a focus of our community. And (in these days especially) we need to focus on what is good about communities. We all attend church at some point. Baptism; Marriage; Funeral. It provides us with a sense of our past; some of the most profound insights into how our community has grown and developed. It provides a quiet space for moments of contemplation; a refuge from the pressures of everyday life. It also provides a place of entertainment - Country Music concerts; Car Boot Sales, all take place in the church and grounds. I don’t have the space to list more here but, you see where I’m ‘coming from’?

Along with penning some wonderful articles, Sam introduced the colour covers to Kirton News for the Summer and Christmas editions and was an advocate of putting any profiles made back into the community.

Finally in February 2018 and after many years with the magazine, The committee including Mary Rayner, Audrey Forington, Anne Dawson and Julie Hunt announced they wanted to retire and Sam made the decision to step down also This just left myself as the compositor so the magazine was in trouble once again. Rachael Wainwright was known to Kirton News as the daughter of the very public spirited Alan Lee and also contributed our recipes for several editions. As a result she was approached with the offer of taking on the Editor’s role and thankfully she agreed. From May 2018, Rachael became our 13th and current Editor. In this time she’s breathed new life into the publication, expanding the print run to over 2,600, increasing the page count to 36 pages per month and for the first time, rewarding our wonderful team of distributes with an annual Christmas coffee morning to say thank-you for the work that they do, ensuring Kirton News is delivered to all homes in Kirton, each month come rain on shine. She also is a big believer in giving any profits back into the community so each Christmas food parcels are donated to local charities and as a first this year, Kirton News became the kit sponsor for a local netball team.

Kirton News has seen many changes in the last 50 years but at it’s heart it’s always been a communication platform for the village, with the content provided by the people of the village, supported by local businesses who advertise with us to cover our print costs and distributed free to all homes by our wonderful band of distributors. A big thank-you to all contributors past and present and let’s see where the next 50 years takes us!

Andrew

Message from Father Paul

With the year drawing to an end we call to mind all that we have done all that has passed, therefore November tends to be a time of remembrance.

This time of remembrance starts on the 1st November as we celebrate the feast of All Hallows, also know as All Saints day. This is the day when we remember all of the saints that have gone before us. This is not the saints that we know and love, whose day’s we celebrate throughout the year, but those unsung heroes who good works has gone unnoticed by the Church and by the world.

No doubt we all know someone who has been a saint to us, a saint known to us alone. These are the people we should be remembering this day. The next day 2nd November is the feast of All souls. All Souls day is the day when we remember all who died, all that have been close to us, but is also a time when those who have no one to pray for them, all those who have been forgotten. This would be a good day where we just to take five minutes to remember these people and all they given us, and perhaps comfort someone who you know may be struggling with their own loss. The last act of remembrance is when we remember those who lost the life in war on 11th November. This should be a time of great gratitude to us as we recall the sacrifice that they paid, that we may have our lives this day.

This however is a double act of remembrance, firstly with those who gave their lives, but secondly as we remember the mistakes that led to war in the first place. If we do not remember these mistakes then we are likely to make the same mistakes. This would be a great sadness, to those who gave their lives for they would have given them for nothing. No good ever came from conflict, always look for peace, in doing so we will bring peace to those who gave their lives.

Warm Homes Local Grants Scheme

Are you looking for support in accessing affordable, sustainable warmth?
The Warm Homes Local Grants scheme makes it possible for eligible residents in Boston Borough!

You can make an application online - www.gov.uk/apply-warm-homes-local-grant, or by contacting our team on 01507 613573.

More about the grants scheme can be found here: www.boston.gov.uk/WarmHomes and attached by finding out about the eligibility requirements.

Please note: Income and savings will be verified in person by BBC officers before we can proceed with your application.

Frampton Gardening Club

We had a different, but interesting take on gardening, when our speaker for the April meeting of Frampton gardening club, was Hannah Sylvester, who is a medical herbalist.

Hannah trained in Western Herbal Medicine at Lincoln University and graduated with a BSc (Honours) in 2010. Hannah has been in practice for 13+ years, helping people with her individually tailored herbal prescriptions, and has helped people with a range of illnesses, including, skin conditions, neurological, muscular- skeletal and reproductive health.

We learned about herbalists through the ages, and talked about connecting with plants and how to use them safely, explaining how herbs work.

Hannah also brought a selection of dried herbs and tinctures with her, which were passed around for us to see, along with empty t-bags, which are used to put the herb of choice in to make a tea.

Certainly the list of plants which could help us if used safely, would include some that many of us already have in our gardens. A very interesting and informative talk.

Our next meeting is the AGM on May 30th. All are welcome to attend, especially anyone who would like to join us on our committee.

On June 27th our secretary, Maggie Welberry has kindly offered to host an ‘open garden’ at her home.

In July we are joining Phil Haines coaches for an outing to Cambridge Botanical Gardens, so our next meeting at Frampton Village Hall will be on August 29th, when the speaker is talking about Lincolnshire cheese. (Annual subscriptions are also due in August)

For more details about the club, contact Ray Harding on 01205 723181 or Maggie Welberry on 01205 722382.

Kirton Parish Council Meeting Minutes
- September 2025

Present: Councillors:     

Cllr M Sohail, Chair, Cllr A Bowen, Vice Chair, Cllr M Elston, Cllr L O’Connor, and Cllr Pryke. Also Present: Clerk D. Fairweather. County Cllrs: Lock and Daish

Following the resignation of Cllrs Astill and Huggins, the Chair thanked them for their services to the Parish Council.

Public Forum

Public again with their concerns over parking at the junction of King Street, and the speed and noise of vehicles. Emergency vehicles having difficulty in accessing properties. Speed reduction signs required on main road. Chair reiterated the Parish Council are in total support of the residents and, together with the Borough and County Councillors are working towards some form of improvement.

Reports From Elected County Councillors

Cllr Daish has information from residents and is taking the matter to Democratic Services. There are various issues with some of the suggested solutions, including parking for residents. Also, residents have witnessed, traffic wardens not issuing tickets on offending vehicles. Proof would have to be collated, by the means of form to complete. Situation with traffic in and out of Kings Court. To be officially reported to LCC by Parish Council.

Reports From Elected Borough Councillors

Cllr Pryke – attended a ‘Pylon’ meeting and was advised the response to the consultation was exceptionally low.

Consultation on ‘Where should Lincolnshire Go’ with the proposals for unitary Councils.

To Receive Apologies For Absence

were received from Cllrs F. Baillie, T. Hartfil-Allgood, D. Jarvis and Borough Councillors Middleton & Rylott, all 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 Meetings Held On 5th & 28th August 2025

Could not be ratified.

To Receive Matters Arising & Clerks Updates From The Minutes Not Included On This Agenda

Town Hall damage to finial on wall. Having met contractors on site it was confirmed the damage was not as serious as initially expected. It was felt rising ceiling joist should be checked also.

Town Hall damage to store cupboard floor. Contractor awaiting costings of replacement supplies. It has been the ingress of water causing the damage via the rainwater goods, and they are to be rerouted as a matter of urgency. It was agreed a specialist be instructed to check joists under main hall.

To Receive Event Updates

Picnic in the ark postponed, ideas for a Halloween party. Town Hall available. Thoughts of what to provide.

Bingo to return this month. Bingo machine to be purchased as borrowed at present and may not be able to continue with that favour.

To Approvee & Adopt The Civility & Respect Policy

Could not be ratified.

To Discuss Speed
Re-Active Road Signs

At the request of Cllr Pryke. Frampton are also looking into reactive road signs on roads that are shared. There is a clear demand for many roads in the village. Trying to increase the numbers on our Community Speed Watch. Clerk to investigate grant funding.

To Discuss Health &
Safety Issues

At the request of Cllr Hartfil-Allgood. There appears to be a line between who is be responsible for what at the Town Hall. Parish Council should be as owners but from history Town Hall have dealt with most of the H & S reporting. Cllr Hartfil-Allgood had suggested to start to itemise areas that require attention and arrange a meeting with H & S officer for THMC.

Finance

To Approve Payment of Accounts as per schedule and Bank Balances. Could not be ratified.

Planning

To Discuss Applications Received Since Last Meeting: Nothing this month.

Members Reports

THA sent via Clerk. Has also received a complaint of parking and yellow lines at Willington Road junction. Hardwick Road streetlights are, at last, working again. Has been speaking with residents on setting up a neighbourhood watch scheme for Hardwick Estate.

RP – complaint received regarding the lack of dog walking places. Complaint from residents of Church Lane and cars blocking driveways and dog walkers not clearing after their dogs. Footpath from London Road is being used as an access to Park where there should be a fence erected along the boundary by the contactors.

A complaint of light pollution from industrial area. Would be part of approval at application stage so no action can be taken.

Date of next meeting:

7th October 2025.

The Registers

Baptisms - We welcome them all into the  family  of the church:

13th October - Emilija Vitunskaite

Weddings - We offer our congratulations to:

None this month

Funerals - May they all rest in peace:

10th October - Alexandra Watts
25th October - Brian Roberts