Meet The Locals

This month we hear from Grandma's Pudding in Friskney!

We are a tearoom that is run by learning disabled adults from all over Lincolnshire (without funding).  We raise money to keep ourselves going to enable us to support as many people as possible. The primary goal was to enhance life for adults with learning disabilities, help them gain confidence, find them jobs and social connections, independence and self esteem. The tearoom has now developed into a community hub for all and lots of people, make friends and connect with others who may be going through a similar life journey. We support those with Dementia and other illnesses. Carers also come along for a coffee, cake or lunch. 

We serve good quality food and cakes. We have free social events, such as movie nights, to help with social isolation issues, with free supper and we are registered as a warm space. 

We have recently won the Dame Barbara Windsor award (shown on ITV two weeks before Christmas 2023 and on Christmas Day on Good morning Britain) and we also won the BBC Radio Lincolnshire ‘Making a Difference’ Award under the Community category.

We would love to reach more people and also raise more awareness of where we are!

We are situated not far from the Wildlife Sanctuary and are open to everyone.

Our phone number is 07899953448. 

People of course, can just walk in as it’s open for everyone. 

We have a daily update on our Facebook page “Grandmas Pudding Co” too!

Kirton Church Fund

June marked the start of our thirteenth year of the Kirton Church Fund monthly draw. How quickly the time has gone! In this time we have raised over £22,500 for Kirton Church, so a very big thank you to all our members and especially those who have stayed with us from the beginning.

Both May winners have won before. In fact number 21 won second prize last month too! Congratulations to both of them!

Now is the time for many people to renew their membership and it does pay to keep in there! After all, if you’re not in it you can’t win it! When we draw out the winning numbers each month all the numbers from 1 to 109 are in the box. However, more than half of these no longer take part so some months we have to draw several numbers before we get a winner.

The prize fund each month is 1/4 of the money taken each month. The rest of the money goes to the Kirton Church Fund and as I keep saying we are working very hard to raise funds to replace the lead on three of the church roofs. This money really helps.

We have plenty of room for more members and there is a very good chance of winning in the Kirton Church Fund monthly draw.

Not already a member? Then why don’t you come and join us? You too could win! Anyone over 18 may take part. You can join at any time during the year and you can do it monthly if you wish at only £5 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.

The July draw will take place on Sunday 28th July and the winning numbers will be printed in the September magazine

Registration forms are available from Fay, please ring 01205 723529 , or call in Kirton Church. Paula’s Gifts on Station Road also has registration forms. For more information about Kirton Church Fund please give Fay a ring.

May 2024 Winners

1st PRIZE - £48.75 - TICKET NUMBER: 66
2nd PRIZE - £16.25 - TICKET NUMBER: 21

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.

Boston Classic Car Club

The last few months have seen many activities in which the Boston Classic Car Club has participated. Regularly each month the Club has two informal meets, arranged by the Club but welcoming any owners/drivers of classic vehicles. On the first Sunday there is an evening meet from 5pm at the Ivy’s on the A17 at Swineshead and on the third Thursday, a breakfast get together from 9.30 onwards at the Langrick Station Café, Langrick Bridge. Club nights continue to be held on the third Tuesday monthly at Graves Park, Kirton from 8pm and members continue to receive a monthly colour magazine – Boston Classic News.

The third Welding Workshop took place in early March and was well attended and appreciated by Club members. The end of March saw the Easter Bonnet meet at the We’ll Meet Again Museum at Freiston. The BCCC once again had a stand featuring four cars at the Practical Classics Restoration Show at the NEC held over three days from March 24 – 26. Also, Sandra Simpson, Club Secretary, was a nominee for national Club Hero Award – an honour in itself!

National Drive-it-day took place on Sunday 21st April and again attracted a good number of members who drove a nearly 50 miles route followed by lunch. Ideal for clearing the cobwebs from many of the cars!

Club members displayed their cars at the Skegness RNLI Lifeboat Station on 7th May and once again, a number of members took part in the Spalding Flower Parade on 11th May .June sees the regular informal get-togethers at The Ivy’s and Langridge Station as well as the Club attending the D Day Commemoration at Boston United’s football ground. Saturday, 22nd is the BCCC Annual Treasure Hunt which promises to be an entertaining event for members. Following closely on from this is the Classic Car and Vintage Festival in Boston town on Sunday 23rd and 2nd July sees yet another visit to the RNLI at Skegness for the BCCC.

August is the month for our Annual Show held at May’s field near Orchard Park, Hubbert’s Bridge, Boston. With an anticipated attendance of over 500 classic cars, commercials and bikes and free entry for pre – booked exhibitors it promises to be another successful show. Add in live music from the popular duo, the Dream Belles, appearances from personalities, ‘Fuzz’ Townshend (Shed and Buried; Car SOS} and Sarah Crabtree (formerly Bangers and Cash and sponsor of BCCC Annual Show 2024 with her company Evoke Classics), trade stands, a licensed bar and hot food, it will be something not to be missed.

Admission for visitors is £7.50 for adults, with accompanied children (under 14) free.

For further details and to pre–book a classic call Graham Lunn on 07719996795 or email glunn1960@gmail.com

Book Review: March Past! by Brigadier Lord Lovat MC, DSO

“March Past” is an autobiographical account by Brigadier Lord Lovat, a British Army officer and clan chief of the Scottish Highlands. The book offers an intimate glimpse into his experiences during World War II, particularly focusing on his leadership of the elite Commando forces during some of the most pivotal moments of the conflict. Lord Lovat, born Simon Fraser, is best known for his role in leading the 1st Special Service Brigade during the D-Day landings. His narrative in “March Past” is a blend of personal memoir, military history, and a tribute to the men he commanded  in 3 & 4 Commando.

 At D-Day it was his personal piper (Bill Millin) that, against the orders of the English War Office, piped the Commandoes ashore on Sword Beach while under heavy enemy fire.  The quote attributed to Brigadier Lovat - “That’s an English order, we are Scottish” has gone down in folk law since.  They went on to take Pegasus Bridge later that day.

Throughout the war, Lord Lovat’s commando forces earned a fearsome reputation among their enemies. Hitler’s infamous “Commando Order” marked them for special treatment if captured. Despite the challenges and losses endured during the conflict, Lovat’s bravery and strategic contributions were invaluable to the Allied forces’ victory.

Lord Lovat’s writing is straightforward and unembellished, reflecting his military background. The prose is clear and precise, often mirroring the discipline and efficiency he valued in his military career. However, it is also imbued with a deep sense of humanity and respect for his comrades.

One of the book’s strengths is its personal touch. Lovat does not shy away from sharing his vulnerabilities and the emotional toll of war. His recounting of the D-Day landings, in particular, is both harrowing and inspiring, capturing the chaos, fear, and determination of the moment.

“March Past” is not just a memoir but also a valuable historical document. Lovat’s first-hand accounts provide a unique perspective on key events of World War II, making the book an important read for history enthusiasts and scholars alike.

While the book is rich in detail and personal anecdotes, some readers may find it somewhat dense, especially those unfamiliar with military terminology and history. 

 “March Past” by Brigadier Lord Lovat is a compelling read that offers a unique perspective on World War II through the eyes of a distinguished military leader. It is a tribute to the bravery of the Commando forces and an insightful exploration of leadership in times of war. For anyone interested in military history, leadership, or personal accounts of World War II, this book is a valuable and enriching read - 5 Stars.

Cllr Anthony Bowen

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance pays tribute to a special Lancaster on D-Day 80th celebrations

On 6th June 1944 a rather special Lancaster Bomber left its site at Raf Waddington to take part in the D-Day Operations. Eighty years later it is believed LNAA’s helicopter resides on that same site.

When LNAA moved across the road from RAF Waddington to its new HQ, it needed a name for the helipad. LNAA pilot, Cpt Tim Taylor began to investigate the history of the old aircraft dispersal site which the new helipad had been built on and soon realised he had uncovered a fascinating story.

The Kookaburras

No 467 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force bomber squadron based at RAF Waddington. Equipped with Avro Lancaster bombers, its crew flew operations in Occupied Europe until the end of the Second World War.

The squadron’s insignia was of a kookaburra with a snake in its beak and its motto – Recidite Adversarius Atque Ferociter, loosely translated as: “Your opponents will retreat because of your courageous attack.”

And the squadron, which was part of the No.5 Group, Bomber Command, certainly lived up to its motto as it gained a reputation for accurate raids on Germany, France and Italy between 1943 and 1945 and fourteen of the squadron’s Lancasters took part in the D-Day operations.

Every Lancaster Bomber in the squadron had its own dispersal site, These were areas adjacent to the airfield runway used for parking the planes.

Today, LNAA’s helipad is on one these dispersal sites, believed to be that of the famous Lancaster ‘S-Sugar’.

A very special aircraft

On the night of 11th/12thMay, 1944 S-Sugar completed its 100th mission, the first allied bomber to reach this milestone. Martin Willoughby tells the story of his father’s involvement on the night the Lancaster made history.

“My late father, Ted, a Bomber Command veteran, and Lancaster Engine Fitter served on the 467 Squadron’s famous Lancaster S-Sugar R5868. The plane’s nose art depicted rows of bombs, one for each operation completed. Over the course of the war, the rows grew as Sugar consistently returned from each mission.

“Flying with Bomber Command had the highest rate of attrition of any branch of the Armed Forces. If you survived, you were deemed incredibly lucky as 3,932 of the 7,377 Lancasters built were lost in action. Crews were superstitious and soon started to clamour to fly in Sugar, believing that she would bring them safely home

“Even when stood on its dispersal site, Sugar seemed undefeatable. One day, when Ted was working in the cockpit, with the aircraft being loaded with bombs, he heard the sound of heavy metal hitting tarmac. Looking out, he saw airmen running in all directions. A 4000lb bomb had fallen from the bomb bay but miraculously had not gone off!

“On 11th May 1944, Sugar left its dispersal site to undertake its 100th mission. Prior to loading the bombs, Ted chalked ‘100 not out’ on one of them.

“Sugar returned.  It had sustained attacks from two German planes for 10 minutes but co-operation between crews in the skies enabled this veteran plane to escape.

“Sugar went on to complete an incredible 137 operations by the end of the war and, with fourteen other Lancasters from 467 squadron, it took part in a raid of German coastal batteries as part of the D-Day operations on 6th June.

“During the mid-1960s Ted embarked on his own mission to find his beloved plane. In 1969 he heard about a Lancaster stood at the entrance to RAF Scampton that may be Sugar. Turning into the gates, the familiar nose art with the bombs came into view. Ted could not believe it! His Lancaster had survived everything, even the scrap yard, where so many Lancasters went to after the War.

“Thanks to Ted, ‘Sugar’ was fully restored and today, this legend from WW2 proudly dominates the entrance to Bomber Command Hall, RAF Museum Hendon.”