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Welcome to the Epworth and Belton Arrow

VE Day stands for Victory in Europe day, a key event at the end of WW2.

On 8 May 1945 people all over the world celebrated Germany's surrender, which had been agreed the previous day. This year will be VE Day's 80th anniversary, with lots of exciting events planned.

Lots going on in Epworth and Belton to celebrate!

Epworth Town Council have organised lots of events on the 8th starting with the flag raising ceremony in the Market Place Epworth at 9am and finishing the day with the lighting of the beacon at 930pm at Maw’s Mill, Off Belton Road, Epworth. More details are on page 8.

Belton Park Pavilion, in collaboration with Belton Parish Council are holding a spectacular VE Day 80th Anniversary celebration on Saturday May 10th.

The event promises a day of community spirit, entertainment, and remembrance, transforming Belton Park into a vibrant hub of activity. Full details are on pages 16 and 17.

The June issue deadline for adverts and content is 9th May. The Arrow will be delivered by the 1st June.

Isle of Axholme News

EPWORTH & DISTRICT WI

TUESDAY 13 MAY 2025

IMPERIAL HALL (small hall)

7:30pm

We hope that those of you who attended our Fashion Show in March enjoyed the afternoon and picked up a few bargains along the way. Thanks to your support we are able to donate £500 to Hope House which is a local charity offering services to cancer patients and their family including respite, emergency care, sibling support and counselling, its an amazing organisation. THANK YOU.

At our next meeting we welcome Angus Townley from Crowle Peat Railway who will giveus an insight into the background and ongoing development.

Visitors welcome at £5 to include refreshments. A raffle will be held. Free to members

High Levels WI

Members and guests who attended the March meeting of High Levels WI were treated to an evening of wonderful photographs of Venice and a very interesting commentary about the history of the city.

Chris Ceaser told us of his workshop and gallery at Scrooby and that he is an ambassador for Canson Infinity Fine Art Paper. He also runs workshops, some of which are residential. Chris had a very large collection of photographs printed on this high quality paper for us to browse and purchase. The photographs were of a variety of locations, some local and some much further afield. Chris had divided his talk into sections of the history of Venice. He compared the art work of various artists and his photographs explaining how some paintings were true to life and others displayed artistic licence. We learned how the city was built on tree trunks and why the buildings didn’t sink. He told us about the geography of the lagoons and canals and the ancient peoples who had populated Venice over the years and how the environment had developed.

He explained how he had created some of the wonderful effects with his camera and that he liked symmetry. Venice has architecture from several periods and these were so enticing for a photographer. Chris also added some fascinating facts and some, perhaps apocryphal, stories. Members had enjoyed refreshments during the evening as usual.

In April High Levels WI will learn about the charity, Lincolnshire Rural Support Network and in May there is to be a talk on “The medicine chest in your garden”

If you think you might be interested in joining do come along. We are a friendly group and welcome all women. We meet every third Wednesday at 6.45pm at the Reindeer Inn at Sandtoft. You can see what else we ‘ve done on our website: www.highlevelswi.co.uk Give us a try.

News from the Smithy

The Smithy Museum will open from Sunday 4th May for our 2025 season. Please check out our facebook page for updates on events & times: "Owston Ferry Smithy & Heritage Centre"

Dementia Action Week

The Isle Dementia Friendly Steering Group will be in the Market Place, Epworth on Thursday May 22nd between 9.30am and 2 pm.

If you are affected by Dementia in any way or interested in knowing more about dementia, please come and chat to us.

We would welcome any suggestions from the community for activities to reduce social isolation which can be a risk factor contributing to developing dementia.

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FEMALE FIREFIGHTER CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Local farmer, Ella White, has been a firefighter in Misterton for almost six years and has brought a multitude of talents. She juggles her oncall commitments with full-time farming and is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to all things agricultural. Being in a rural area is a great asset to a station like Misterton. Ella originally joined the service to learn some new skills, and, like most on-call firefighters, a desire to give back to her local community, both of which she has achieved. Her organisational skills have come in handy, too.

Misterton Fire Station’s recruitment drive is live so, if like Ella, you've got existing skills to share, or want to learn some new ones, get an application in. Notts Fire & Rescue Service is looking for people, who want to make a difference in their community. Visit the online careers page (www.notts-fire.gov.uk) to see the type of activities firefighters could expect to be involved in, and further details about the recruitment process.

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VE Day 8th May

Epworth Town Council

9am Flag raising ceremony in the Market Place Epworth

11am Best dressed window competition

St Andrew’s Church bells to be rung

Axholme Art Group exhibition in St Andrew’s Church

South Axholme Academy artwork displayed in town’s shop windows

Epworth Primary Academy display WW2 poetry in Wesley Memorial Church

WW2 themed walk by Bob Fish 3/4 May

To book ring 07925862570

Epworth British Legion stand display of the War Memorial Field 8th May

The Shed on The Isle BBQ 8th May

Wartime jeeps to drive through Epworth 8th May

FREE TICKETS for Lady Kingsnorth

@ The Thurlow 7pm, available from the Wishing Well Shop

9.30pm Lighting of the Beacon to the sound of bagpipes and the reading of The Tribute at Maw’s Mill, off Belton Road, Epworth

For more information please contact The Clerk

@Cemetery Lodge, Burnham Road, Epworth Tel: 01427 872086

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Isle of Axholme News

Crowle & District WI meeting on Thursday 1st May 2025 is Stephen Brown, "L" on Wheels. He has been a driving instructor for many years and will be telling us about all the funny stories connected with it. He comes highly recommended and he is very funny. Please note the change of venue for this meeting only (Polling is taking place in our usual venue). The venue is Crowle Community Hub, Market Place, Crowle DN17 4LA and starts at 7pm. We also hold a Welfare monthly for members who just want a chat or are feeling a bit lonely and want a cuppa and chat at Joy's house and we have a members sub group, Crafty Bees, which members can join for a small fee. Please come along to any of our main meetings, you will be made very welcome. Non Crowle WI members and visitors £4.50 For more information contact : Trish Hindley On 07894318013, e mail : crowleanddistrictwi@gmail.com or Facebook

Isle Group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust-Lockdown and Lepidopteron by Matt Cox

Thursday May 1st 2025 at 7.30pm

On Thursday May 1st 2025 at 7.30pm the local wildlife trust group will be having a talk by Matt Cox who works for the Wildlife Trust as the regional warden for our local area. Matt looks after the local reserves as well as those in the Scunthorpe area and has a wideranging interest and knowledge of wildlife. He will be talking to us about what he saw during lockdown and about British butterflies and moths and showing us excellent photographs. Do come along and join us

This will be the last meeting before our summer break, but we start again on Thursday October 2nd

We meet at Belton All Saints Centre (Church Hall), Stocks Hill, Belton, DN9 1PE

Everyone is welcome, you don't have to be a member of the Wildlife Trust, so please come

along and join us. Entrance fee is £2. There will be refreshments available and a raffle. For further information about the local Trust group and their meetings please contact Tony Lee on 01427 753831 or Chris Trinder on 01427 872051. Details about the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust can be found on their web site.

Crowle Peatland Railway News

Open Weekend

May 10th & May 11th

Father’s Day Train Cab Rides

Give Dad or Grandad the perfect Father’s Day gift — an exclusive train cab ride experience at Crowle Peatland Railway for just £5.00!

Your special someone will enjoy riding the full length of the track alongside our driver in the train cab, while family and friends follow along in our comfortable coach.

No booking required — simply arrive on the day to secure this memorable experience. Complete your visit with refreshments at our café and let the little ones enjoy our children’s games area, open throughout the weekend. The perfect way to make Father’s Day special while creating lasting family memories!

The Old Peat works Crowle, DN17 4BL

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1st Isle of Axholme BP Scouts April 2025

Welcome to spring in BP Scouts where we make the most of our traditional scouting skills by being out and about as much as possible.

Beavers have been busy adding to their numbers with more investitures and finishing off their first footprint badge by working on friendship - learning what it takes to be a good friend, and helping others by arranging a generous donation to Axholme food share. They have also been finishing their road safety badge where we went outside and drew our own chalk zebra crossings to practise safe road crossing. Beaver of the week is hotly contested and “Goofy” the beaver goes home for the week for adventures with the most deserving beaver.

Cubs have been working on their guide badge, and also crime prevention badge which included a visit from the police. They have also been out helping the community by litter picking in the local Westwoodside area. We had our first sleepover of the year at West Butterwick Hall where we also completed our entertainer badge - with gymnastics, singing and dancing. Well done!

Scouts and Senior scouts also had their first camp of the year in Nidderdale, North Yorkshire. We stayed in Summerbridge village hall, and scouts all helped with the catering. We navigated a planned hike to Brimham Rocks on Saturday, had a massive hide and seek game amongst the rocks before walking back to the hall. After cooking and clearing up from dinner, the evening was jam packed with games. Sunday morning was spent at a local activity centre doing archery and target air rifle shooting in teams. After lunch we enjoyed the inflatable session at the newly refurbished Knaresborough swimming pool. It was lovely to see the new scouts and older senior scouts getting on so well together. In our weekly sessions we have been finishing our observer badge (the traditional Kim’s game still intensely difficult, and trying to identify sounds), and continuing our cycling badges (having learnt how to do running repairs and maintenance, we are now planning for our 8km bike ride and carrying messages). Senior scouts cycling badge (called dispatch rider) includes basic car care too, and being able to write a report following an accident. They also all need to be familiar with road signs and symbols - primary school bikeability meets driving test! This term sees more cubs move up to scouts so we will be revisiting our bushcraft and survival skills: axe and knife work, camping and bivouac, outdoor cooking (open fires and stoves) and ropes and knots.

We are looking forward to seeing all four sections on parade, smartly turned out, for the Palm Sunday church parade on 13th April. Photos to follow.

For those interested in BP scouts, the website is www.traditionalscouting.co.uk

Sections all meet at the Westwoodside Village Hall: Monday (Cubs, Scouts and Senior Scouts) meeting at 6pm (Cubs), and 7pm (Scouts & Senior Scouts), and Tuesday evening at 6pm (Beavers).

DONCASTER CANCER DETECTION TRUST

April is such a lovely month, with the promise of warmer days and lighter evenings. We are very happy to report that, with your generous donations, we have purchased a USS lung machine for Doncaster Royal Infirmary at a cost of £19,500. This is a chest ultrasound machine (a non-invasive imaging tool) which will assist the Doncaster respiratory team who are planning on setting up a dedicated pleural service to do a ‘one-stop shop’ pleural clinic. There are more than 700 pleural effusion related admissions per year at DRI, many of which are cancer related.

Our main news is that we are changing the way we will operate as from 1st April. However, due to finalising legal details, it will take a little longer to inform you what is actually happening. Rest assured we will let you know as soon as possible.

In the meantime, should you wish to get in touch with us our contact details are: 22 Wood Street, Doncaster DN1 3LW (passageway to the right of “The Grumpy Goat Coffee House”), first floor (lift available), Room 104. Tel. 01302 325029. Email: info@dcdt.co.uk. Website: dcdt.co.uk. As the office is not fully manned it is best to Email or telephone in advance if you are thinking of coming to see us. As always, we really appreciate your support.

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Belton Park Pavilion, Belton, DN9 1NR www.beltonparkpavilion.org/veday

Belton Park Pavilion, in collaboration with Belton Parish Council and enthusiastic village volunteers, are thrilled to announce a spectacular VE Day 80th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, May 10th.

The event promises a day of community spirit, entertainment, and remembrance, transforming Belton Park into a vibrant hub of activity.

The centerpiece of the celebration is a traditional Afternoon Tea, made possible by a generous grant from North Lincolnshire Council. Initially providing 20 free places for residents over 80, the overwhelming community response has led to the gifting of a further 33 free places, ensuring even more seniors can enjoy the occasion. At time of printing only 7 places were still to be claimed. Demonstrating their commitment to inclusivity, volunteers will also deliver Afternoon Tea to housebound residents across the Parish of Belton, Beltoft and Sandtoft.

Community Support and Opportunities:

HUGE thanks to Barry Napper & Company, Medley Farm, KAT Communications and Belton Parish Council who have all sponsored an Inflatable for children so they can play free on the day.

The Pavilion have now set up a gofundme page to allow the community to contribute too. https://www.gofundme.com/f/let-kids-bounce-free

We would love some photos from the era to add to our display

Additional vintage vehicles (pre-1945) are welcome to join the display.

This event marks a significant step towards revitalising the Pavilion as a central community gathering place, reminiscent of the beloved Field Days of the past. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their finest vintage attire to add to the VE Day Atmosphere.

Please mention “The Arrow” when responding to advertisements Join the Celebration Saturday May 10th 11am to 4pm

We are incredibly excited to bring the community together for this momentous occasion," said Chairman Anthony Temperton. "Our volunteers have worked tirelessly to create a day that honours the past with an exhibition while celebrating the present. We are very proud of the community support we have received so far."

It really is all happening at Haxey Tennis Club !

Following the success of our junior members, Emily and Molly, the club is now in the second, and most exciting phase of a 3 phase development project to transform the club and create an unrivalled, all-weather tennis facility in the area for the local Community.

The club has served Haxey Parish since it’s inception in the 1960’s in an area that has expanded enormously in recent years and it is still the only tennis club in the Parish.

With a strong membership of 90+ for a number of years, it became clear that the club needed to develop its existing 2 court facility with a rundown clubhouse that it still shares with the football club.

In 2020, a Business Plan was drawn up and the members and local residents surveyed to find out what would be the priorities and how much support there would be for developing the club. The majority of members expressed a wish for improved Floodlighting, a third court and a new clubhouse. In addition, a petition was raised to the wider local community as well as other tennis clubs & associations in the area and 120 supporters signed it in support of the project.

So, almost 5 years ago, an ambitious plan was presented to the landowners, Haxey Playing Field Association and, thanks to their forward thinking, their unanimous agreement was given and the real work of turning the plans into reality began.

Architectural drawings were commissioned and submitted to North Lincolnshire Council in an application for planning consent and the final design was approved in July 2023.

Initial costings of the project showed it to be in the region of £220,000 which meant obtaining the required funding was going to be a mammoth task. So, the decision was taken to split the project into 3 smaller phases:

Phase 1: new, improved LED floodlights for the existing 2 courts

Phase 2: build a new 3rd floodlit court with an all-weather surface on all courts

Phase 3: erect a new, modern clubhouse

In March this year, an application to UKSPF, (UK Govt Funding), for £20,000 was successful and new floodlights were installed by the end of September in time for the arrival of the darker evenings to complete Phase 1.

Opening night tournament under the new floodlights

At the same time, thanks to the help of Cllr Julie Reed, who provided a vital level of support throughout, applications were made for Phase 2 and on 19th November, the club were delighted to receive confirmation that the requested funding had been awarded and our very grateful thanks go to all of the following funding organisations :

SSE Renewables SDF (Wind farms):

UKSPF (UK Govt Funding) :

Haxey Parish Council:

NLC Community Grant Fund:

£29,850

£40,000

£5,150

£59,972

Unbelievably, just a week later, the chosen Contractor, Sports Surfacing Solutions of Bingham, Nottingham were able to start the work for phase 2 and it will, hopefully, be completed in Spring 2025.

Membership of Haxey Tennis Club is extremely reasonably priced starting at as little as £6 per month and with the extra court capacity the club is now able to accept new membership applications for what will be an exciting 2025 season.

To join this very friendly and family-oriented club, please go to our website at: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/HaxeyTennisClub/Membership/Join or scan this code:

We also offer a Pay to Play facility for non members to come and try out the sport of tennis which has recently been recognised as being beneficial to both mental and physical health and can combat loneliness too.

Local mum from Crowle who started fitness drive to get ‘wedding ready’ now planning to climb Everest for charity

A mum of two who embarked on a new fitness regime to get in shape for her son’s wedding has now set herself another challenge – to climb Mount Everest.

Jacquie Cotterill, 60, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, started on her fitness journey earlier this year to make sure she looks her best for when her youngest son Jed ties the knot later this year.

But when her friend Tracy Hampson, Operations Director for the learning disability charity Hft, told her she had signed up to take on the world’s biggest peak, Mount Everest, Jacquie jumped at the chance to join her.

Jacquie and Tracy will be joined on the trek by Hft Head of Care and Support for the East region, Ian Earey. Together they have set themselves the challenge of raising £15,000 for the charity which supports learning disabled adults across the UK.

“I’ve never done anything like it before,” said Jacquie. “I had already begun my fitness journey, but when Tracy told me she’s signed up I said I would join her.

“It’s a great opportunity to experience a challenge of a lifetime as well as raising money for a charity which does such valuable work to support learning disabled people.”

Over the past few months Jacquie has been ramping up her exercise regime, cycling, enjoying weighted hula and taking part in personal trainer sessions twice a week.

“I sprang into action when Jed said he was getting married this year – I didn’t want to be wobbling in my outfit,” laughed Jacquie.

Jacquie, a patient safety specialist, and Tracy first met when they worked together in 1998 and have been firm friends ever since.

Jacquie has also been busy training to climb the 5,364 metres up to Mount Everest’s base camp by going on long hikes.

“I’ve bought myself a tent and booked a camp and hike to get me used to what is coming,” she said.

“And I am planning to take on the Three Peaks too.”

Jacquie will sometimes be accompanied on her training by her dogs, 13-year-old Polly the pug and Mavis – a cross between a Great Dane and a Mastiff.

“I have no real concept of what the trek up Everest will be like,” said Jacquie.

“But I’ve got one of my best friends doing it with me.

“It’s going to be a real adventure and I will be glad when we’ve made it to the top.”

Jacquie will be celebrating her 61st birthday while on the challenge.

“I’m sure we will be having a glass of something to celebrate my birthday and completing the challenge,” she said.

“At the same time as nursing blisters and our aching bones.”

The challenge – led by experienced guides - will see the trio start their epic journey in Kathmandu.

Their trip will see them traverse spectacular gorges, hike across suspension bridges and past majestic peaks.

Hft Community Fundraising Manager Emma Macdonald said: “We’re delighted that Ian, Tracy and Jacquie will be walking in the shadow of the world's highest mountain as they trek to the iconic Everest Base Camp.

“We can't thank them enough for all their efforts which will make a huge difference to the lives of learning disabled adults.”

Anyone who wants to support Jacquie’s challenge can donate at www.justgiving.com/page/teamhfteverestbasecampchallenge.

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4th

large selection of Perennials and Summer Bedding Plants

Hanging Baskets available from Mid May

Compost and Tomato plants

Get ready for the ultimate automotive event on Sunday 1st June at Meadowhall!

From high performance supercars to vintage classics, motorcycles and tractors, there’ something for everyone-plus plenty of family-friendly fun.

All General Building Work

- Walls removed - Modernisation - Alterations - Roofing repairs - Re-roofing

- Chimney Stack repair

- Fibre glass and rubber re-roofing

- Plastering

- Landscaping

Established over 30 years

The Hall, Station Road, Owston Ferry, DN9 1AW

07766 688111 (evening) 0800 0689969 (day) info@tvm.ltd

Epworth Bowls Club

We are a small, friendly and active club, founded in the 1930's. Our playing season is from 1st May to 30th August approximately. Our activities vary from league matches, internal competitions and friendly matches. We enjoy some very good fun days with our members, which are held on a monthly basis. Also, we meet up socially at the clubhouse every month during the winter for fun-filled afternoons. Bowling is not just for the elderly and we would like to welcome and encourage new members to join us, male and female, all age groups (children from age 12 yrs). Our weekly roll-ups, which are on a Sunday afternoon at 1pm, are well supported. People walking by will often stop to watch and have a chat, then end up joining our club.

This is a good opportunity to learn a new sport, make new friends, to exercise according to your own ability, all at a very reasonable cost. Social membership is also available if you prefer not to play, but would like to be part of our club. Why not come and have a go, you will be made very welcome and bowls are available to borrow initially.

Annual Bowling membership £35, Social membership £15.

Contact Anne or Fran who will be pleased to give you any further information you require.

Anne Hill

Mob: 07758 220261

Fran Glynn

Mob:07597 870891

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