Come and join our Countryside Officer on Saturday 10 June for a walk around High Wood and North Rauceby.
North Rauceby lies on the Southern Lincolnshire edge at one of North Kesteven’s highest points. Anciently known as Rosbi and listed in Domesday as Roscebi, the name derives from the Old Scandanavian for Rauthr+by, or ‘Rauthr’s village’.
Limestone loving plants once common to old-fashioned meadows and pastures can still be found in Rauceby’s wide roadside verges. Ancient trackways and drove roads, like Church Lane, Drove Lane and Ermine Street, still provide ‘wildlife corridors’ for barn owls, buzzards, hares and even glow worms.
This walk is 4.75 miles. Please meet at the High Wood Car Park, Church Lane, North Rauceby at 2.30pm. Please allow up to an two and a half hours to complete this walk and will take you through open countryside, woodland and along farm tracks.
For more information please contact our Countryside Officer by emailing countrysidenk@1life.co.uk or call 01522 688868.
Rauceby Walks is walk number 7 of the collection of Stepping Out walks. All the walks have been developed in to an easy to read booklet with step by step directions to help you along your way which are available to download from www.countrysidenk.co.uk. You can also call us on 01529 308207 or email discovernk@n-kesteven.gov.uk for a hardcopy to be posted to you.
Come and explore the newly installed ‘When in Sleaford…’ trail with local historian Simon Pawley on Sunday 11 June.
When in Sleaford… is a new art trail inspired by the rich heritage of Sleaford. The trail features a series of bronze roundels sited in pavements and on walls around the town acting as way-markers to map out pathways through and around the town and to inform residents and visitors about existing public artworks.
You are invited to come and discover the fascinating history of this delightful market town with local historian Simon Pawley who will share his in-depth knowledge of Sleaford.
Meeting at Navigation House, the walk will include some of the town’s most significant historical sites such as Cogglesford Watermill, Eastgate Almshouses, the Manor House, Lollycocks Field and the National Centre for Craft and Design.
The walk will start at 10.30am on Sunday 11 June meeting at Navigation House. The walk will take approximately 1.5 hours.
You can also discover many points of interest about Sleaford’s historic riverside with North Kesteven District Council’s Sleaford Riverside History Trail!
From the origins of Sleaford Leisure Centre which was once an outdoor lido known as Bristol Baths to appreciating the imposing architecture of Lafford Terrace which was once the most impressive terrace of domestic housing in Sleaford.
With the easy to use map and directions and intriguing historical facts, this self-guided trail is the ideal way to experience the Sleaford of days gone by.
The trail will take approximately 1 hour, but don’t forget to take some time to explore the many charming places along the way including Cogglesford Watermill and Navigation House.
Cogglesford Watermill is thought to be the only Sherriff’s watermill still in operation in England and is a rare survivor from a river that once boasted some 18 watermills at the time of the Doomsday Book. It belongs to a group of mills considered to be most valuable from Lincolnshire, and amongst the most important in the country.
The mill has been producing flour since the early 18th century and the mill has been beautifully preserved by North Kesteven District Council, giving a real insight into milling in days gone by.
Visitors can see the mill in operation during special milling days which take place on the second Sunday of the month. The millers will be busy on Sunday 9 April as the huge water wheel rumbles into action turning the millstones to grind the grain producing their own wholemeal and unbleached white flour.
Whilst you’re there you can learn about the history of the mill and its millers, try your hand at grinding grain and explore the mill. Why not take home a reminder of your day with a bag of Cogglesford Watermill’s very own flour, on sale in the shop.
See traditional ironworking in a traditional Victorian forge located in the heart of the village of Welbourn.
This former forge and blacksmith's workshop dates back to 1864 and is still in working condition. For over 100 years Welbourn Forge has served the needs of farmers and tradesmen in the area.
The forge opens on the first Saturday of the month and now exhibits old photographs, displays and memorabilia along with a restored earth privy. The forge will be next working on Saturday 3 June, 10am to 1pm.
For more information please call 01400 272623 or email goodhand2@tiscali.co.uk.
From 13 May – 9 Jul 2017, Craftspace’s contemporary craft exhibition Made in the Middle, will be on show at the The National Centre for Craft & Design in Sleaford. Made in the Middle is a recurring touring exhibition of high quality contemporary craft and applied art from the Midlands. The eighth in the series, the exhibition provides a great opportunity to purchase and commission work from some of the best makers in the region.
Made in the Middle is part of Craftspace’s 30th anniversary programme and is a partnership between Craftspace and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in collaboration with The National Centre for Craft & Design.
Featuring both recent graduates and makers with established reputations, there is a wealth of creativity on display, including ceramics, jewellery, metalwork and textiles. Selected by an expert panel through open entry, it promotes the best of contemporary craft from makers living and working in the Midlands or with a strong recent regional connection.
28 makers have been selected by a panel of curators and craft sector specialists. The makers offer an insight into the skill, creativity and innovative practice within the region.
Craft is a vital source of revenue and innovation to the UK, ‘Craft generates £3.4 billion for the UK economy…150,000 people are employed in businesses driven by craft skills.’ (Crafts Council 2014).
With recent changes to country’s economy we are keen to highlight and explore the value of craft both in economic terms and social contribution. Through the work and careers of the selected makers, the exhibition will explore enterprise – making as a business – through life of the sole trader . We will also build on the development of digital practices since the last exhibition."
Emma Daker, Exhibitions and Projects Development Manager, Craftspace.
Selected exhibitors include jeweller Dauvit Alexander who creates striking jewellery for men combining found materials and precious gemstones, Aimee Bollu who also takes inspiration from found items which she combines with beautiful minimal ceramic vessels, John Grayson who uses traditional metal forming and enamel decorating processes to create whimsical, humorous and decorative metal objects and Karina Thompson who pushes the boundaries of digital embroidery.
The exhibition will continue its tour to major galleries across the Midlands into 2018 raising the profile of regional makers and giving them the opportunity to sell their work to regional and national collectors. Visitors are encouraged to consider commissioning new work from local makers and a range of more affordable work will be available to buy, whether your budget is a few pounds or a thousand pounds.