RAF Waddington could be the new base of the Red Arrows once their home at RAF Scampton is closed by 2022.
Tobias Ellwood, the Minister for Defence, confirmed in a letter to Lincoln MP Karen Lee that RAF Waddington is one of the three suitable locations where the Red Arrows could be relocated.
Alongside Waddington, RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire and RAF Wittering near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, are the two other possible locations.
The minister said detailed studies for suitability of each base will now be carried out.
Lincoln MP Karen Lee said: “Whilst I am disappointed that the Ministry of Defence is to close RAF Scampton and relocate the Red Arrows, I am pleased with today’s news that RAF Waddington is being considered as a potential new home for the Red Arrows.
“Bomber County has a rich RAF history, and we are proud that our county has been the home of the Red Arrows since 2000. Seeing the Red Arrows fly above Lincoln Cathedral has been an exciting sight. One which the people of Lincoln should continue to see for many years to come.
“As Lincoln’s MP, I have worked hard to keep the Red Arrows in Lincolnshire. My petition calling for this was signed over 5,000 times, and I have made the opinion of people in Lincoln clear to the Ministry of Defence Minister, Tobias Ellwood MP. Lincoln has the facility, the heritage and the people to rightfully justify keeping the Red Arrows in Lincolnshire.
“Lincoln has spoken and now we must wait to see whether the government listens,” she added.
The petition you need to sign to keep the Red Arrows in Lincolnshire
Visit Lincoln and The Lincolnite have been running an official petition to keep the Red Arrows in Lincolnshire once RAF Scampton closes. The petition has over 3,400 signatures.
Lydia Rusling, Chief Executive of Visit Lincoln, said: “As the organisation responsible for tourism in Lincolnshire we are very encouraged to hear that the Red Arrows may stay in the county.
“We have been working alongside The Lincolnite and partners to show our county’s passion and pride in the Red Arrows to keep them in Lincolnshire.
“Our rich aviation heritage attracts people from all over the world, and seeing the Red Arrows regularly in the Lincolnshire skies ensures our connection remains a delight for both residents and visitors.”
Seven E-3D Sentry surveillance aircraft are based at RAF Waddington, where they are operated by Nos 8 and 23 Squadrons as the UK’s contribution to the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force. Photo: Cpl Paul Saxby/MoD
RAF Waddington is one of the RAF’s busiest stations as the hub of UK Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and the main operating base for airborne intelligence aircraft and systems like the E-3D Sentry AEW1, as well as the control centre for Reaper drones in Afghanistan.
Approximately 3,500 Service personnel, civil servants and contractors work at RAF Waddington.
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BAFTA-winning animation film The Snowman will be returning to Lincoln Cathedral this Christmas after a two-year absence.
The Snowman is now an integral part of many families’ Christmas routines, ever since Raymond Briggs’ picture book was published in 1978, before the animated television film was aired on Channel 4 for the first time in 1982.
It has been on our television screens ever since, and will now be coming back to Lincoln Cathedral for a series of special performances on Saturday, December 11.
The performance will be free of dialogue, much like the book, except for the now iconic Walking in the Air which will be sang by a chorister from Lincoln Cathedral Choir.
Come and watch the acclaimed The Snowman at the cathedral. | Photo: Lincoln Cathedral
Screenings will take place at 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 7pm and 8.30pm on the day, returning to Lincoln after a two-year break compounded by COVID-19.
A live orchestra will accompany the storyline to bring it to life for the audience, and the cathedral’s nave will be lit to create a magical festive atmosphere.
Tickets will start at £6.50 and can be purchased from the Lincoln Cathedral website when they go on sale at 10am on Thursday, October 21.
The return of big and fantastic firework displays in and around the city will create a lot of excitement in November.
The Lincolnite has put together a list of displays to look out for to celebrate Bonfire Night this autumn.
If your display is not on the list and you’d like it to be added, please email full details to [email protected].
Autumn Lights – Lincolnshire Showground
The popular Autumn Lights fireworks display is returning to the Lincolnshire Showground on November 6, with fire and glow entertainers, street food and drink, as well as a funfair.
The fireworks display will be choreographed to music alongside hot air balloons glowing in the night sky.
Where: Lincolnshire Showground When: Saturday, November 6 (2pm-9pm) Cost: £45-£55 per car – buy tickets here
Fireworks will be back at Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank stadium for the first time since 2019 with a fun evening of family entertainment on November 4.
There will also be live music and entertainment, including from the cast of New Theatre Royal Lincoln’s Christmas panto Beauty & the Beast, and a chance to meet the Lincoln City first team.
Where: Lincoln City’s LNER Stadium When: Thursday, November 4 (from 5pm, display at 8pm) Cost: Adults £6, concessions £4, family £18, with discounts for Imps Gold/Gold + Members – buy tickets here.
Lincoln Rugby Club fireworks display
Watch the fireworks at Lincoln Rugby Club. | Photo: Brian Penney
Lincoln Rugby Club in Nettleham will host a fireworks display with fun for all the family – fairground rides, candy floss, a sparkler pit, large inflatable slide and bouncy castle.
There will also be pizzas, burgers, hotdogs and a sweet stall at the family-friendly event.
Where: Lincoln Rugby Club, Lodge Lane, Nettleham When: Friday, November 5 (gates open 6pm, display at around 7pm) Cost: £5 per person or family tickets for £15 (two adults, two children). It is advised to book in advance, but tickets can also be bought on the day. Buy tickets here.
Firework Spectacular at Sir Francis Hill
Firework Spectacular at Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School
The annual firework event will return with a bang at Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School for its 25th year, on November 5.
Fireworks, fairground rides and food will be available at the event described by the school as “a great night out for all the family at one of Lincoln’s most popular firework events”.
Where: Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School, Bristol Drive, Lincoln When: Friday, November 5 (5.30pm-8pm) Cost: Adults £5, children £3, family tickets also available and prices vary. People can purchase tickets here in advance or pay at the gate on the day.
Harmston Young Farmers Bonfire Night
| Photo: Harmston Young Farmers
The free annual family bonfire and firework night held by Harmston Young Farmers’ club for the village and the wider community returns this autumn.
There will be hot food, a licensed bar, sparkler zone, and a rousing performance by The Sleaford Concert Band.
Where: Harmston Village, LN5 9SN When: Wednesday, November 3 (starts 6pm, fireworks at 7.30pm) Cost: Free entry, but donations will be collected throughout the evening for a chosen charity.
The Sturton by Stow bonfire and fireworks night will return on November 6, 2021.
The annual firework spectacular will return to the Sturton by Stow recreation field
There will be food and drink stalls, as well as glow sticks sold by Sturton Youth Club. The event will help raise money for the local recreation field, FOSSA and Sturton by Stow Youth Club.
Tickets will be available from mid-October from Sturton General Stores and Sturton Primary School, with limited tickets available on the gate.
Where: Sturton Recreation Field, LN1 2BU (parking available at the school and Bradshaws) When: Saturday, November 6 (gates open at 5.30pm) Cost: Adults £6, under-14s £4, under-3s free. Family ticket (two adults and two children) £18 if purchased in advance.
The bonfire night and fireworks event will return to the village of Bassingham in 2021. | Photo: Elliot Doody
The fireworks event in the village of Bassingham will return for the first time in four years, for families and anyone who still loves a traditional bonfire night.
Tickets can be purchased from Greens of Bassingham corner shop and The Bugle Horn pub, with a limited number available on the gate on the night.
Where: A field in Bassingham near LN5 9JU When: Saturday, November 6 (starts at 7pm with fireworks at 7.20pm & 7.45pm) Cost: Adults £3, under-16s £2, under-4s free.
Harby Bonfire and Firework display
Harby Bonfire and Firework display will be held on November 5, 2021.
Harby’s firework display is its main source of income to help provide the local playing field, bowls pavilion, tennis court, and children’s play area.
Due to bad weather and coronavirus, Harby’s last firework display was held there years ago, so this will be an extra special event and help raise some urgently needed funds. Food, drinks and refreshments stalls will be available.
Where: Church Road, Harby, NG23 7ED When: Friday, November 5 (gates open at 6pm) Cost: Adults £5 and all under-16s get in for free
Ingham Bonfire Night
Ingham Bonfire Night will take place on November 5, 2021.
Food and drink will be on sale inside the village hall as part of the returning Ingham Bonfire Night.
No sparklers are allowed, but glow sticks will be on sale, while there will be limited free parking at the GP surgery on Lincoln Road.
Where: Ingham and Cammeringham Village Hall and car park When: Friday, November 5 (gates open 6.15pm, bonfire lit at 7pm, fireworks at 7.30pm) Cost: Tickets on the gate – Adults £5.50, Children £4.50 (under-5s free), Family Ticket £18 (two adults, two children)
Witham St Hughs Bonfire and Firework Night
Witham St Hughs Bonfire and Firework Night.
There will be kids rides, food vendors and a bar at this year’s Witham St Hughs Bonfire Night.
Where: Witham St Hughs Village Hall When: Saturday, November 6 (gates open at 5pm, bonfire lit at 7pm, and fireworks at 7.30pm) Cost: Tickets can be purchased online or on the gate. On the gate is priced at £8 for those aged 16 and over and £6 for children aged 5-15. Online tickets are £5.50 for those aged 16 and over, with children aged 5-15 costing £4.50. Family tickets are also available priced at £17.
Lindum Firework Display
Lindum Firework Display will return for 2021.
The Lindum Firework Display will return for 2021 after last year’s cancellations.
There will be a fully stocked bar, as well as several local hot food vendors. Guests are requested to refrain from bringing sparkers as they are not permitted at the event.
Where: Lindum Sports Association, St Giles Avenue When: Sunday, November 7 (from 5pm for a light show and firework display) Cost: Tickets can be purchased on the gate – Adults £6, Concession £4, Family of 4 (two adults, two children) £16
RAF Waddington will also be hosting a fireworks display on Wednesday, November 3. It is only open to military personnel and will be taking place on base, but the local community will likely be lucky enough to see the display from their homes as per previous years.
Elsewhere in the county, the popular Enchanted Lights event returns to Stourton Estates in Baumber near Horncastle between November 4 to 6.
An alternative evening’s entertainment to a traditional bonfire or fireworks night, including the trees and arboretum lit up with coloured lights, toasting marshmallows on specially designed mini fire-pits, and more – see more information and buy tickets here.
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