WHAT'S ON: Bawtry

HALL CHANGE: The Ruth Worsman-run Limited 2 Art shop in The Courtyard off High Street is moving to larger premises. In a couple of months the art gallery will be transferring to the Old Town Hall in Market Place. Ruth said: “I am really excited about the move. The new premises will be one of the largest galleries in the north east of England. Changes to the internal layout of the building are still to take place and so the opening is expected to take place around May. I already have a number of pictures of old Bawtry and I will be setting up a Bawtry History Corner and I will be delighted if townsfolk who have any old Bawtry pictures would like to include them in the display. I will also be encouraging local amateur artists by organising a bi-annual painting competition. More information can be found on the Limited 2 Art Facebook page.”

HERITAGE WALKS: The programme of Heritage Walk Summer 2016 has been organised by Doncaster Civic Trust. Three strolling sessions have been arranged on April 24, July 3 and August 21, all setting off from outside Cooplands Bakers shop on the corner of Market Place and Scot Lane 2pm. The Bawtry walks go via Top Street, Tickhill Road, High Street, South Parade, Swan Street, Arcade, High Street, Church Walk, Wharf Street and Town End and will each last for around two-and-a-half hours. Numbers are limited to 20 per walk, cost £5 each, and Steve Kimber and Andy Ward will lead the way along the route that will explore the town’s rich medieval, Georgian and Victorian heritage. Bookings can be made at Doncaster Tourist Information Centre 01302 734309 or [email protected].

CUTTING REMARKS: Members of Bawtry Garden Club gather in the Methodist Church Hall on April 5 7pm for their latest meeting. Club member Corrine Finlan will present a demonstration on pruning. At the May meeting there will be a talk on vegetables. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month 7pm in the Methodist Church Hall on the corner of Doncaster Road and Station Road. Contact Bawtry Garden Club secretary Sylvia 01302 719015. The club is planning its inaugural garden show on September 10.

LIBRARY FRIEND: Townsfolk that value the long-term continuation of Bawtry Library as a community-run facility can become a Library Friend. Information can be obtained from the volunteer staff at the Top Street facility.

NEW SQUADRON: A new air cadets squadron has been formed at Robin Hood Airport. 558 Squadron was officially formed at a special event held in the permanent home of Avro Vulcan XH558, hanger three at Robin Hood Airport, when over 100 air cadets were in attendance. The new squadron has been created from the squadron formally represented as 1053 Detached Flight Armthorpe. The ceremony was followed by a formal dinner attended by Air Commodore Stewart and XH558 pilot Martin Withers DFC.

PLAYERS WANTED: Bawtry Cricket Club is on the look-out for new players for its junior and senior teams. Indoor net practice sessions are being held at Queen Elizabeth’s High School in Gainsborough, Yorkshire Main at Edlington and Hill House School at Auckley. More information about the pre-season practice sessions and about the club itself which plays its home matches at the town’s Memorial Sports Ground, South Parade, can be accessed at www.bawtry.play-cricket.come.

ON THE CARDS: New players are welcome at the weekly Thursday evening whist drive in the New Hall 7pm in the main hall.

SAFER PETS: The Bawtry RSPCA centre is giving dog and cat owners the opportunity to have their animal microchipped. From April 16 it will be a legal requirement to have all dogs microchipped to avoid a £500 fine. From now until the law comes into force, the RSPCA centre is offering to microchip animals for £12 which includes registering online. The offer also applies to cats and rabbits. The Black Firs Farm, Great North Road centre is open six days each week 11am-4pm (closed Wednesdays). Contact 01302 714100.

TOUR PLANNING: Excitement is mounting in the town in anticipation of the arrival of the Tour de Yorkshire on April 30. Residents affected by the race passing through their community will be receiving information nearer the day regarding parking and traffic management. Both the separate ladies’ and men’s races will be preceded by a support and advertising vehicle procession of around 60 motors and South Yorkshire Police will be operating a system of rolling road closures ahead of the racers. Like race enthusiasts across the channel the Tour de Yorkshire fans will be allowed to chalk the names of their favourites on the road surface of the race route.