Willoughby on the Wolds

OPEN GARDENS. Willoughby on the Wold’s Open Gardens event is being held on Sunday this weekend, June 10.

And it is much much more than just open gardens. There will be 14 gardens open to the public along with other attractions including, Ploughman’s Lunches, teas and other refreshments, two performances by Ratcliffe Chorale, an acoustic guitar player throughout the afternoon, where you can also relax with a glass of Pimms -with donations to Rainbows -- displays of sculpture and children’s artwork There will also be sales of plants and books, bell ringing at the church and a WI stand selling cakes etc.

There will be lots of activities for children including a Scarecrow Hunt, a children’s stall, crafts and soft play area and garden There will also be a Gin and Wine Tasting event as well as a Charity Raffle with great prizes including two tickets to see Phantom of the Opera in London. Entry fee tickets are £3.50 with accompanied children being free.

All proceeds go to support local charities.

The event promises to be a great fun afternoon that wil cater for all ages. Car Parking available at the top end of the village in West Thorpe. Assistance dogs only please.

CENTENARY. As part of preparations for the Commemoration of the Armistice Centenary, a steering group in Willoughby on the Wolds preparing to mark the milestone with a village event is asking villagers to share aspects of their family history from the time of the Great War.

Mr Don Aldiss, a parish councillor and leading the Centenary group, says such stories might concern men, or women, who served in France or in some other theatre of war – or be about life at home during the conflict.

“While accounts of people who lived in the village at the time would be of particular interest, it is felt that anything that reflects people’s experience of the time would be welcome.”

Mr Aldiss says his own grandfather served mostly in East Africa, he has written some notes about his war medals. These are the campaign medals awarded to anyone who served from 1914 until 1918, so were extremely common.

It is possible that if sufficient suitable material is received, then a commemorative supplement to the village magazine could be prepared, or some kind of exhibition in the village, or both.

The Steering group are making an appeal for material and would be delighted to hear from anyone with any information.