South Holland District Council

Spalding’s annual Pumpkin Festival will return to the town this year on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 October, celebrating local horticulture and harvest with an array of games, craft activities, live entertainment, food and gift stalls for the whole family to enjoy.

Organised by South Holland District Council, on Friday the festivities will be hosted in the Gardens of Ayscoughfee Hall from 6pm till 9pm, with the festivities continuing in Spalding town centre on the Saturday, from 11am until 3pm.

In Ayscoughfee, families will be able to enjoy the harvest-themed Gardens with magical decorations created by local community groups, charities and children, as well as a special illuminated trail featuring Pumpkin Sculptures by local artist Jonathan Nicholls.

There will also an enchanting fire garden with fire-lit sculptures and a fire performer, all alongside a variety of traditional garden games, live music, barn dancing and more to join in with.

Whilst the event is free, booking tickets is still required for the Friday event at Ayscoughfee to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. Tickets can be booked at www.sholland.gov.uk/PumpkinFestival.

On the Saturday visitors will be able to buy a wide selection of delicious food, crafts and gifts from various special stalls, alongside our fantastic usual Saturday market traders. The games continue here amongst street entertainment, live performances and scarecrow competition, with a ‘ride on pedal tractor corner’ as well.

There will also be a chance for children to meet Cinderella and see her beautiful carriage, before taking a family stroll down ‘Pumpkin Street’ with incredible professionally carved Pumpkin sculptures decorating Bridge Street.

Councillor Gary Taylor, portfolio holder for communities and facilities, said: “The Pumpkin Festival is always one of the highlights of the year in Spalding, and I can’t wait for this year’s event, with a fantastic range of activities and entertainment to get involved with over the two days.

“I’d like to encourage everyone to come along and get involved, and take part in this celebration of our local harvest and horticulture, whilst having fun together and supporting our local businesses and traders.”

There is a road closure in place for Spalding’s Sheep Market and Gore Lane on Saturday 8 October from 7am till 4:30pm.

For more information please follow SHDC_ Communities on Facebook or visit www.sholland.gov.uk/PumpkinFestival.

A new scrutiny group of councillors, the first of its kind formed by the South and East Lincolnshire Council Partnership, will look to work with local and national partners to influence, change and improve the public transport service in Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland.

The Joint Public Transport Task and Finish group, made up of elected members from all three council areas, will look to scrutinise topics of common interest that would benefit from a joint, partnership approach.

Whilst the Partnership has no direct management of public transport provision, the group will look to gather data and feedback for the area, and understand the policies in place on a regional, local and national level. It will also gather examples of best practice and innovation taking place elsewhere, to present a series of recommendations for the future of the service.

The outcomes from this focus by the Partnership will include new policies and approaches to public transport in the sub-region, new innovative projects that can be promoted on behalf of residents, and a stronger ability to lobby for change and investment at a local and national level

Public transport was chosen as the first area of focus for the Partnership due to the wide-ranging influence it is able to have, including for economic growth, social mobility, giving access to town centres and leisure facilities, and its support for the visitor economy.

Despite not running these services themselves, the Partnership has an important role to play in helping to bring about change and improvements, and will look to work closely with the organisations with direct control over public transport in the area, including Lincolnshire County Council and other providers.

Councillor Chris Brewis, chairman of the Joint Public Transport Task and Finish group, said: “I am delighted to be chosen to chair this new group, having long been an advocate of the importance of effective and accessible public transport.

“I am looking forward to working collaboratively with councillors from across the Partnership, and with our external partners and organisations who provide the services, to bring a wealth of knowledge and ideas together and create a strong collective voice for the area.

“Our ambition is to be able to put forward innovative and impactful recommendations that will not only improve our public transport provision but, through that, the daily experience for our residents, visitors, local businesses and economy.”