Heart of Lincs Newsletter - December 2023

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Festive Delights: Unwrap the Magic at a Christmas Market

Dive into the festive spirit at one of North Kesteven's enchanting Christmas Markets this December, including Heckington's Shop Small market, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, on Saturday 2nd and the Sleaford Christmas Market on Sunday 3rd.

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Stroll through the festive stalls adorned with handmade crafts, unique gifts and locally sourced treasures, creating a magical atmosphere that defines the holiday season.

These markets not only offer a delightful shopping experience but also provide a wonderful opportunity to support local businesses and artisans. Embrace the joy of giving by choosing thoughtful, locally crafted gifts that carry the spirit of the community.

Shopping locally not only adds a personal touch to your holiday finds but also contributes to the vibrancy and sustainability of our community.

Celebrate the magic of the season while making a positive impact by choosing to shop local in North Kesteven's festive markets this December.

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Community Spotlight - A Sustainable Christmas Centerpiece

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Heighington's Knitted Christmas Tree

Enjoy a festive masterpiece with Heighington village's new Knitted Christmas Tree!

Crafted with love by A Good Yarn Heighington and their devoted team, this festive masterpiece boasts a spectacular design and a fantastic green ethos, and the team hope it becomes a beloved sight during the holidays for years to come.

Supported by the Parish Council, this wonderful idea from the hardworking group based at Jubilee Hall has come to life. Join us in admiring and appreciating this symbol of community spirit and sustainable festivity. 🎄


Twelve Days of Christmas at Doddington Hall

Discover a mesmerising experience this December with Doddington Hall's "Twelve Days of Christmas". Continuing until 22nd December, immerse yourself in a daily dose of festive magic, with extended opening hours on selected dates into the early evening.

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Doddington Hall

Enjoy the festive ambiance of Christmas within a cherished family home, a witness to countless Christmas mornings over its four-century-plus history. Explore the present-day creations of the family and staff, contemplating how the holiday may have unfolded through the ages.

Aligned with the estate's sustainability goals, the Doddington creatives prioritize natural, recycled, and upcycled resources; birch, willow, and bulrushes from their own gardens alongside recycled materials from the estate, contribute to reducing single-use plastic and imported materials, celebrating the beauty and value of Doddington Estate's resources.

You can find further details on the Doddington Hall website.

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Winter Wonderland Walks

Embark on enchanting winter wonderland walks in North Kesteven, discovering the district's serene beauty.

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Navigate through picturesque landscapes, adorned with frost-kissed trees and crisp winter air and enjoy a magical atmosphere. For curated walking experiences, visit the Hill Holt Wood website. There, you can download detailed routes, ensuring a seamless exploration of North Kesteven's hidden gems.

Whether you seek a leisurely stroll or a more challenging hike, these walks cater to all preferences, offering a chance to connect with nature during the winter season. Lace up your boots, download your chosen route, and let the winter wonderland walks become a memorable part of your seasonal experience in the Heart of Lincs.


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Have you taken a beautiful photo of the district that you'd like to share?

Email heartoflincs@n-kesteven.gov.uk with your favourite photo and you could feature in our next newsletter.

This month's photo shows a snowy view over Waddington.



December Events and Activities

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Throughout December

The Twelve Days of Christmas: Doddington Hall

Exhibitions, Workshops, Clubs and Dance Programme: Hub-Sleaford

Weekly Wellbeing Walks: Across North Kesteven

A Tale of Two Apprentices Exhibition: Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum, Fri-Mon, 10am-2:30pm

Museum of Memory Exhibition: Mrs Smith's Cottage, Fri-Mon, 12pm-4pm


Friday 1 December

Nature Tots: Whisby Nature Park, 10am-11:30am

Little Bumbles Forest School: Sleaford/Ruskington Woodland, 10am-12pm

Dick Whittington: Sleaford Playhouse Theatre, 7:30pm


Saturday 2 December

Heckington's Shop Small Market: Heckington Green, 9am-12pm

Sleaford Farmer's Market: Market Place, 9am-2pm

Junior Wardens: Whisby Nature Park, 10am-12:30pm

Ruskington Winter Market: Ruskington Village, 10am-4pm

Steaming & Milling Day: Heckington Windmill, 11am-4pm

Father Christmas: Heckington Windmill, 12:20-3:30pm

Dick Whittington: Sleaford Playhouse Theatre, 2:30pm & 7:30pm


Sunday 3 December

Millstream Square Christmas Market: Sleaford, 10am-3pm

Mrs Claus & Music: Navigation House, 10am-2pm

Ruskington Farmer & Craft Market: Ruskington Village Hall, 10am-2pm

Sleaford Christmas Market & Light Switch-On: Sleaford, 11am-4:30pm


Monday 4 December

Christmas Pom-Pom Gonks Workshop: Heckington Windmill, 7pm-9pm


Tuesday 5 December

Simply Social Coffee Morning: Silk Willoughby Village Hall, 10am-12pm


Wednesday 6 December

Silk Willoughby Art Group: Village Hall, 9:30am-12pm

Student Whittling & Wellbeing Workshop: Whisby Nature Park, 2pm-3:30pm


Friday 8 December

Little Bumbles Forest School: Sleaford/Ruskington Woodland, 10am-12pm

NavenBEEs Toddler Club: Meeting Father Christmas: Mrs Smith's Cottage, 11am-12pm

Scratchy Beard in Concert: Leadenham Village Hall, 7:30pm


Saturday 9 December

Christmas Wreath Making: Navigation House, 10am-2pm

Wildlife Watch: Whisby Nature Park, 10-11:30am

Wartime Christmas Crafts - Family Activity Day: IBCC, 10:30-3:30

Steaming & Milling Day: Heckington Windmill, 11am-4pm

Santa and Mrs Claus at the Mill: Cogglesford Watermill, 12pm-3:30pm

Visit Father Christmas: Heckington Windmill, 12:30-3:30pm

Father Christmas at the Cottage: Mrs Smith's Cottage, 1pm-3pm

Christmas Joy - The Sleaford Concert Band: St Denys Church, 6:30-9pm


Sunday 10 December

Christmas Wreath Making: Navigation House, 10am-2pm

Milling Day: Cogglesford Watermill, 12pm-3:30pm

Visit Father Christmas: Heckington Windmill, 12:30-3:30pm


Tuesday 12 December

Simply Social Coffee Morning: Silk Willoughby Village Hall, 10am-12pm


Wednesday 13 December

Silk Willoughby Art Group: Village Hall, 9:30am-12pm


Friday 15 December

Little Bumbles Forest School: Sleaford/Ruskington Woodland, 10am-12pm


Saturday 16 December

Children's Christmas Wreath Making Workshop, IBCC, 11:30-1pm

Carols at the Mill: Cogglesford Watermill, 2pm-3:30pm


Sunday 17 December

Battle Over Britain with Q&A: Sleaford Playhouse Theatre, 3pm (doors open 2:30pm)


Tuesday 19 December

Simply Social Coffee Morning: Silk Willoughby Village Hall, 10am-12pm


Wednesday 20 December

Sleaford Repair Cafe: Riverside Church, 12:30-3pm

Student Whittling & Wellbeing Workshop: Whisby Nature Park, 2pm-3:30pm


Thursday 21 December

Talk: The Cranes at Willow Tree Fen: Whisby Nature Park, 7:30-9:30pm


Have an event for our 'What's On' calendar?

Send us an email: heartoflincs@n-kesteven.gov.uk