WHAT'S ON: Bawtry

GARDEN CLUB: At our May meeting Mr and Mrs Wagstaffe, from Leicester, enlightened us on the art of Growing Vegetables for a Show. A lot of hard work and dedication is certainly required to prepare a vegetable for the show table! 

Mr and Mrs Wagstaff are National judges for the Vegetable Federation and the RHS, and I am sure we all came away with a small tip for showing vegetables at our own show in September. At the end of April members enjoyed a great day out at Reighton Gap Nursery, near Filey. In July, a visit to Breezy Knees Gardens near York is planned. Our next meeting on June 7 is about Ferns and the speaker is Ann Robbins. The schedule and entry forms for our Garden Show on September 10, are now available for collection in Bawtry Library, Bawtry Flower Shop and The Timber Joint. The show is open to the residents of Bawtry and the surrounding area, so please support this community event. Last reminder for anyone out there who has photographs or memories to share from the Croft and Craft shows held in Bawtry in the 1980s and 1990s. Please contact Liz Cruddas on 01302 719121 if you have any information. The group meet the first Tuesday in the month, in the Methodist Church Hall, Station Road, Bawtry. Visitors/new members are always welcome. For further 

information, please contact Sylvia on 01302 719015.

NEW MAYOR AND DEPUTY: Cllr David Kirkham is the new mayor of Bawtry. Cllr Kirkham, who is a founder member of Bawtry Residents Group, was elected into office as the town’s first citizen by his fellow councillors at the meeting of Bawtry Town Council that was held in the New Hall. In his acceptance speech Cllr Kirkham outlined his three main priorities as mayor. These included more public participation in the workings of the council that will reflect the opinions of the people of Bawtry and improve democracy. He would like the council and its people to have more of an influence on the development of Bawtry through the Bawtry Neighbourhood Plan that is currently being prepared. He wants Bawtry Town Council to be as efficient and effective as possible. Her fellow councillors elected Cllr Claire Lukey as Deputy Mayor. Members of the council thanked Cllr Alexander (Sandy) Young for his hard work as mayor over the past two years. Cllr Young had delivered his comprehensive report on the past 12 months of the workings of the council at the start of the evening meeting saying his two years as mayor had seen many changes on the council and it had not been an easy time.  

COMMUNITY GAMES: The town’s much anticipated Annual Sports and Gala Day, that have been sponsored by town solicitors Jones and Co, will be attracting the crowds once again to the Memorial Sports Ground (MSG) on Saturday, June 4. Residents and visitors of all ages have the opportunity to flock to the South Parade recreation ground to enjoy a wide variety of fun and games that have been organised by town charity Bawtry Action for Recreation and Sport (BARS). Chairman of BARS Matthew Brierley said: “The action at the MSG gets underway at 1pm and runs until 5pm. Attractions on the afternoon will include the ever popular Bawtry Jubilee six-a-side football competition that kicks off at 11am and that will be hotly contested by 14 teams representing Bawtry businesses. The squad from last year’s runners up Jones and Co. will be looking to go one better this time around and snatch the trophy from 2015 champions Pangea Cocktail Bar. There will also be a full programme of races for children and for families with everyone who takes part receiving a prize and medals for the winners. Winners of the Welly Throwing Competition will also be collecting medals. Markham Main Colliery Brass Band will be providing the live music and students from Bawtry’s The Dance Space will be presenting a spectacular display of street and modern dancing at 2pm. A bouncy castle, children’s rides, penalty shootout and coconut shy also provide further entertainment and there will be a cake stall, sweet stall and gardening stall. Refreshments will include food stalls serving hot snacks, tea, coffee and cold drinks from the pavilion as well as ice cream. The grand raffle will gives those attending the opportunity to win a top prize. Townsfolk will have a chance to inspect the latest plans that have been drawn up to build a new pavilion at the MSG. There is no parking at the MSG and everyone is advised to walk down to the South Parade venue to enjoy what will be a memorable community day.”

MOTORCYCLE NUISANCE: Members of Bawtry Town Council have expressed concern about the activities of a number of off road motorcyclists that are causing a nuisance on land at the rear of the Kings Wood housing estate off Doncaster Road. It is understood that the motorcyclists have gained access to the land by the removal of fencing.