Heart of Lincs Newsletter - April 2025

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Easter Garden in Sleaford Market Place

Families can enjoy free Easter fun in Sleaford with an outdoor trail and activities on Saturday 12th April, from 11am-4pm. Visit the special Easter garden in the Market Place to collect a trail leaflet, then find all 10 town centre venues displaying special window stickers. Return your completed leaflet to claim a free Cadbury chocolate egg (while stocks last, one per person).

Easter Garden poster

The Easter garden offers even more fun, including Easter card-making, mask crafting, seasonal decorations, and selfie spots. Free children’s face painting will also be available. Plus, every completed trail leaflet enters a prize draw for a chance to win a Nintendo Switch!

After 12th April, the trail continues, with entries accepted at Sleaford Library until Monday 21st April.

This event is funded by the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Events programme.



More Easter Adventures Across North Kesteven

For even more Easter excitement, families can explore a range of festive activities happening across North Kesteven. The Hub in Sleaford will be hosting creative Easter-themed craft workshops, where children can get hands-on with seasonal arts and crafts. Over at Navigation House, visitors can make a beautiful Easter bonnet, whilst learning about the history of Sleaford’s waterways.

Easter Hub

Hub-Sleaford

Nature lovers can enjoy springtime adventures at the Natural World Centre in Whisby, where special wildlife-themed activities will be running on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April. Families can take part in nature trails, wildlife spotting, and interactive storytelling sessions inspired by the season.

Learn about the new Mrs Smith's Cottage mascot Blossom and her bee friends, with activities suitable for eco-warriors of all ages on Monday 7th, and enjoy Chocolate Day and an Easter Egg Hunt at Cogglesford Watermill on Sunday 20th. 

With so much to see and do, there’s something for everyone this Easter in North Kesteven. For full details on all upcoming events, visit the Heart of Lincs website and start planning your perfect family day out.


Live Music & Theatre

April in North Kesteven offers a vibrant mix of cultural events for residents and visitors alike.

At Sleaford Playhouse Theatre, enjoy community-led productions of Fresh Air (3rd-6th April) and The Forest of Forgotten Whispers (4th-6th). Music fans can catch ABBA Rock on Friday, 11th April.

Sleaford Playhouse

The Terry O'Toole Theatre in North Hykeham presents Beauty and the Beast Jr. and Bugsy Malone by young local talent. Other highlights include Night of the Stars with Sandy Smith, the Eddie Cochran 65th Anniversary Show, and All Things McCartney, a tribute to Paul McCartney’s greatest hits.

For a special evening, St. Denys’ Church in Sleaford hosts the Sleaford Choral Spring Concert on 12th April, celebrating Musical Director Rowland Lee. The event features Sleaford Choral and Town Band performing Lee’s Requiem, alongside soloists Kate Woolveridge MBE and Mark Wilde.

Check venue websites for event details and ticket availability.


Stunning New Mural & Explore Local Arts and Heritage Trails

Sleaford’s newest mural is a beautiful celebration of local heritage and biodiversity, featuring the Slea Navigation, Money’s Mill, and Lincolnshire’s regional flower, Viola riviniana. Created by Sheffield artist Peachzz, the mural has been warmly received, adding to Sleaford’s vibrant cultural scene.

Slea mural

Why not explore more of North Kesteven’s arts and heritage? Follow the Ridges & Furrows trail to discover artistic landmarks, enjoy the Riverside Heritage Trail for a scenic journey through history, or take on the Spires & Steeples route linking Lincoln to Sleaford. For an interactive town experience, try the ‘When in Sleaford’ arts and heritage trail; an exciting way to uncover hidden cultural gems.

Find out more about these trails and plan your visit by heading to Time Outdoors on the Heart of Lincs website.


New Exhibition at The Hub: Made in the Middle

Discover the best of contemporary craft at The Hub’s latest exhibition, Made in the Middle, running from 5th April – 6th July 2025 in the Main Gallery. Showcasing work by 37 Midlands-based artists, this exhibition highlights innovation, creativity, and craftsmanship across a variety of materials and techniques.

From emerging talents to established makers, Made in the Middle offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s diverse creative community. Don’t miss this chance to explore and even purchase unique handmade pieces.

Find out more here.


Reminder - Share Your VE Events

Are you planning a VE Day event in North Kesteven? We'd love to hear about it! Whether it's a community gathering, concert, or special commemoration, let us know, and we’ll feature it on our website to help spread the word. Send us the details, and together we’ll create a fantastic roundup of local events to honour this important day.

VE Day logo

Plus, if you're a community group, charity, or social enterprise with financial resources below £10,000, you may be eligible for a grant of up to £500 to support your VE or VJ Day event. Applications for VE Day events close on April 14, so apply early to avoid disappointment. Click here for more details and information on how to apply.

Contact us at heartoflincs@n-kesteven.gov.uk to share your event!


Feature in our newsletter header

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

Sleaford Leisure Centre

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

This month's stunning evening photo was shared by Dave Darmon.



Events & Activities in April


Weekly & ongoing throughout the month

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

Weekly Wellbeing Walks: Across North Kesteven

Women in Air-Force Blue: Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum, 10am-3pm

Hedgehog Trail: Whisby Nature Park, until Monday 21st April


Tuesday 1 April

Wellbeing Walks: Sleaford, Walcott, Martin, Heckington & Leasingham


Wednesday 2 April

Spring Bulb Pageant: Doddington Hall & Gardens, 10am-4pm

Ruskington Wellbeing Walk: Church Bridge, 1.30-3pm


Thursday 3 April

Wellbeing Walks: Waddington, Skellingthorpe & Sleaford

Spring Bulb Pageant: Doddington Hall & Gardens, 10am-4pm

Fresh Air: Sleaford Playhouse Theatre, 7pm


Friday 4 April

Spring Bulb Pageant: Doddington Hall & Gardens, 10am-4pm

The Forest of Forgotten Whispers: Sleaford Playhouse, 7pm


Saturday 5 April

Sleaford Farmer's Market: Eastgate Car Park, 9am-2pm

Spring Bulb Pageant: Doddington Hall & Gardens, 10am-4pm

Children's Creepy Crawlies Workshop: Natural World Centre, 10.30am-12pm

Milling & Steaming: Heckington Windmill, 10.30am-3pm

Fresh Air: Sleaford Playhouse Theatre, 2pm

The Forest of Forgotten Whispers: Sleaford Playhouse, 7pm


Sunday 6 April

Riverside Guardians: Navigation House, 10am

Bus Running Day: Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum, 10am-4pm

The Forest of Forgotten Whispers: Sleaford Playhouse, 2pm

Easter Chick Decoration Workshop: Natural World Centre, 10.30am-11.30am

Fresh Air: Sleaford Playhouse Theatre,7pm


Monday 7 April

North Hykeham Wellbeing Walk:One NK, 10am-11:30am

Visually Impaired Wellbeing Walk: Whisby Nature Park, 10:30am-11:30am

Blossom's Bee Festival: Mrs Smith's Cottage, 12pm-3pm

Easter Talk: 'Wild': Heckington Windmill, 7pm-9pm


Tuesday 8 April

Easter Drop-In Activities: Embellished Eggs: Hub-Sleaford, 10am-2pm


Thursday 10 April

Wellbeing Walks: Waddington, Skellingthorpe & Sleaford


Friday 11 April

Wild Whisby - Hedgehog Activities: Whisby Nature Park, 10am-12.30pm

NavenBEEs Toddler Group: Mrs Smith's Cottage, 11am-12pm

Guided Hedgehog Walk: Whisby Nature Park, 2pm

ABBA Rock: Sleaford Playhouse Theatre, 7.30-9.30pm


Saturday 12 April

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

Wildlife Watch: Whisby Nature Park, 10am-11.30am

Easter Garden: Sleaford Market Place, 11am-4pm

Junior Warden's Club: Whisby Nature Park, 1pm-3.30pm

Choral Spring Concert 2025: St Denys Church, Sleaford, 7.30-9.45pm


Sunday 13 April

Traditional Milling Day: Cogglesford Watermill, 12pm-3.30pm


Tuesday 15 April

Easter Drop-In Activities: Hub, Sleaford, 10am-2pm


Thursday 17 April

Talk: An Introduction to British Orchids: Whisby Nature Park, 7.30-9.30pm


Friday 18 April

Easter Bonnet Decorating: Navigation House, 10am-2pm


Saturday 19 April

Easter Bonnet Decorating: Navigation House, 10am-2pm


Sunday 20 April

Easter Bonnet Decorating: Navigation House, 10am-2pm

Rauceby Easter Egg Hunt: Rauceby Hall, 11am-4pm

Chocolate Day & Easter Egg Hunt: Cogglesford Watermill, 12pm-3.30pm


Thursday 24 April

Wildflowers for All: Whisby Nature Park, 6pm-8pm


Friday 25 April

NavenBEEs Toddler Group: Mrs Smith's Cottage, 11am-12pm


Saturday 26 April

Monthly Workshop: Spring Foraging: Whisby Nature Park, 10am-4pm

Free History Tours: Cogglesford Watermill, 12pm-4pm


Monday 28 April

North Hykeham Wellbeing Walk:One NK, 10am-11:30am

Visually Impaired Wellbeing Walk: Whisby Nature Park, 10:30am-11:30am


Tuesday 29 April

Wellbeing Walks: Sleaford, Walcott, Martin, Heckington & Leasingham


Wednesday 30 April

Ruskington Wellbeing Walk: Church Bridge, 1.30-3pm


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

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