People across Lincoln paid their respects on Remembrance Day to honour those who lost their lives at war to defend our freedoms.
Remembrance services have been observed since the end of the First World War in 1918 to honour members of the armed forces who lost their lives serving their country in the line of duty.
A brief service, organised by the Royal British Legion, and two minutes’ silence was held on Thursday, November 11 at the war memorial on Lincoln High Street, where wreaths were also laid. There will also be events across the county on Sunday, with a long list of road closures in place.
A brief service and two minutes’ silence was held at the war memorial in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
People laid wreaths and paid tributes to honour those who lost their lives. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
See the full gallery from Lincoln at the end of this story.
Local children honour Bomber Command
More than 1,000 children (233 from six local primary schools) joined the International Bomber Command Centre learning team for the annual Children’s Service of Remembrance on November 10.
The children at the IBCC placed poppies in the Memorial Walls. They were joined by a further 840 pupils who linked to the service via the IBCC’s YouTube channel.
| Photo: David Harrison
| Photo: David Harrison
| Photo: David Harrison
| Photo: David Harrison
The schools designed and created wreaths and also took part in a poetry competition with the winners reading theirs as part of the service.
The 2021 winners were winners Jess, aged 10, from Heighington Millfield Academy and Toby, aged 10, from Navenby Church of England Primary.
| Photo: David Harrison
| Photo: David Harrison
| Photo: David Harrison
| Photo: David Harrison
Special Remembrance event at Witham St Hughs Academy
Witham St Hughs Academy is located on the site of former RAF Swinderby and has a significant number of children from military families on roll.
The school continued a tradition started last year with the creation of a poppy field and silhouettes of soldiers.
The school continued a tradition started last year with the creation of a poppy field and silhouettes of soldiers. | Photo: Witham St Hughs Academy
This year the project grew again with more than 900 poppies. | Photo: Witham St Hughs Academy
This year the project grew again with more than 900 poppies and more soldiers added to the display for the local community to enjoy. To commemorate Remembrance Day, the forces children led a whole school service and read poems.
Richard Stock, who joined the academy as headteacher in January this year, played the Last Post and Reveille which was a surprise for the children and the local community who visited to watch. Mr Stock had previously played the Last Post at Lincoln Cathedral on Remembrance Day for four consecutive years during the 90s when he was aged 16-19.
Headteacher Richard Stock played the Last Post and Reveille. | Photo: Witham St Hughs Academy
| Photo: Witham St Hughs Academy
| Photo: Witham St Hughs Academy
| Photo: Witham St Hughs Academy
| Photo: Witham St Hughs Academy
Headteacher Richard Stock said: “It is a real privilege to be able to show our respect, gratitude and empathy to all of our service men and women during the time of Remembrance.
“Our short service within our poppy field of Remembrance is our way of bringing together the whole school community. Personally, it was a real honour to be able to mark the occasion by playing The Last Post at Witham and share the poignant occasion with all of the children.”
Upcoming Lincoln Remembrance events
Another service will be held at the war memorial on Saturday, November 13, this time organised by City of Lincoln Council in conjunction with the Royal British Legion.
The Armistice Service will be attended by the Lord Lieutenant, the Civic Party, members of council, freemen and more, with a wreath-laying opportunity and music provided by the Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue band, at 10.40am.
The day after, on Remembrance Sunday, November 14, Lincoln Cathedral will host its usual annual service, with the Mayor of Lincoln in attendance along with the Civic Party and members of the council at 10.15am.
A free annual service of Remembrance will take place at 10.43am on Sunday, November 14 at the Spire Memorial, The International Bomber Command Centre. This year, 34 wreaths will be laid by different organisations and the IBCC choir and orchestra will be playing.
Elsewhere in the county, West Lindsey District Council have said the chairman will be at All Saints in Gainsborough on the morning of Remembrance Sunday, and then All Saints Parish Church in Nettleham in the afternoon for two separate services.
In North East Lincolnshire, there will be services held in Grimsby, Immingham, Laceby, New Waltham and Cleethorpes to allow people to pay tribute.
See The Lincolnite’s full gallery of the Lincoln High Street remembrance event below:
Lincoln MP Karl McCartney attended the Remembrance Day event. | Photo: The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: The Lincolnite
| Photo: The Lincolnite
| Photo: The Lincolnite
| Photo: The Lincolnite
| Photo: The Lincolnite
| Photo: The Lincolnite
| Photo: The Lincolnite
| Photo: The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: