Things to do

It’s fair to say that the new Star Trek films have endured something of a mixed reception from both fans and newbies in recent years. Be it meddling with much loved characters or not living up to the general high standards of the hordes of ‘Trekkies’ out there, director JJ Abrams certainly didn’t nail the first two films in his ...

Alongside eight of the UK’s top jazz musicians, courtesy of the Gary Stevens House Band, Matt Ford will enchant you with ballads from Sinatra, Crosby, Bennett, Monro and more. He takes to the stage at Spalding’s South Holland Centre on Friday night at 7.30pm. Tickets are £18 and can be booked through the box office on 01775 764777.

Stamford Shakespeare Company presents Wind in the Willows at the beautiful Tolethorpe Hall this summer. This stage adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic novel captures vividly the idyllic world of the river bank and the distant Wild Wood where wily weasels lie in wait. Nautical Ratty, modest Mole and wise old Badger are determined to save the irrepressible Mr Toad from ...

Once Upon A Time… is a perfect workshop for little ones taking place at Peterborough’s Key Theatre during the summer holidays. Take a trip to the land of Make Believe with stories by Glenys Newton and Janina Vigurs and meet all sorts of characters along the way. Find inspiration in the stories that you hear and create something special to ...

Youngsters can keep boredom at bay during the school summer holidays with the help of South Holland District Council’s popular Summer Fun brochure. Each year the brochure lists the wide range of leisure and cultural opportunities for children, young people and families in South Holland over the summer break. The 2016 edition has been distributed to every school child in ...

A free Bikeability course for youngsters is being staged in Spalding during the summer holidays.   The course takes place at the Castle Sports Complex on Monday, August 22, and is aimed at 11 to 16-year-olds.   Youngsters will learn vital skills to help them keep safe while cycling on the road.   It is a level three course which ...

A pair of British theatre talents take to the stage for Almeida Live’s first ever broadcast, Richard III, tonight (Thursday) at 7pm at Spalding’s South Holland Centre. This explosive new production is screened live with Ralph Fiennes as the villainous Richard III and Vanessa Redgrave as the vengeful Queen Margaret. Tickets are £13.50, £12 concessions, £10 under 26s, schools and ...

There’s no excuse for boredom this summer when the South Holland Centre is offering a host of arts and drama activities to keep the kids entertained. Children aged four to seven can explore their inner dino at a Dinosaur Drama Day run by Act II Theatre Company on Thursday, July 28, working towards a short performance at the end of ...

Bakkavor’s annual Party in the Park returns on Saturday for an evening of music and fun. The event takes place at Spalding’s Springfields Events Centre from 6pm. Bakkavor is celebrating its 30th anniversary and entertainment has been lined up to mark all three decades, starting with the 80s Experience Tribute Band. This will be followed by a Take That tribute ...

I’m not one of the many people who consider the original Ghostbusters films to be all-time classics. But, judging by the (largely negative) response the new film has endured since it was announced that the Ghostbusters were being re-cast as women (shock, horror), plenty of people still hold the two 1980s films near and dear to their heart. It’s largely ...

I’ve never really been all that enamoured with the story of Tarzan. I know it’s considered by many to be a classic – you’ll probably like at least one of the many films or stories – but I can’t remember really being bothered by any of them. However, casting the likes of Samuel L Jackson, Margot Robbie, Christoph Waltz and ...

The South Holland Centre’s young programmers “Youth Takeover” go alfresco for the summer edition of their popular Acoustic Café on Tuesday. This music event brings local, young acts to Spalding’s beautiful Ayscoughfee Gardens playing live music for everyone to enjoy. It’s a free event so just turn up from 6pm with a blanket and maybe a picnic for a relaxing ...

Para-cyclist and former vet Julian Earl will be at Bookmark, Spalding, on Wednesday at 7.15pm. Julian worked as a vet, later becoming president of the Lincolnshire Veterinary Association. In 2012 he suffered serious injuries in a cycling road race that ended his clinical work. He is now an approved para-cyclist targeting the national championships. In his book Julian entertains with ...

There’s lots of entertainment lined up over the weekend as part of This Life, Live It. Organised by the churches of Long Sutton, Lutton and Dawsmere, the events take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Leicester’s De Montfort University Gospel Choir kick off proceedings on Friday at 7.30pm. The concert takes place at St Mary’s Church, Long Sutton. Renowned illusionist ...

If you’re looking for something to keep the kids entertained during the summer holidays, why not check out The Umbrella in Spalding? The Westlode Street youth club has three events running during the holidays. On Monday, July 25, there is the Little Mix Dance Day, a fun packed Little Mix-inspired dance workshop. There is an Army and Camo Fun Day ...

Spalding Parish Church Choir hosts an informal evening of music on Sunday at 6.30pm. Songs will include Moon River, The Impossible Dream, Eternal Flame, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Consider Yourself (from Oliver), The Heavens are Telling and The Hallelujah Chorus. The concert takes place at Spalding Parish Church. Admission is free and there will be a retiring collection for choir ...

The original Independence Day remains one of my favourite films. Not because it had a brilliant story or stellar acting, but simply because (way back in 1996) it was perhaps the first blockbuster action film that I saw at the cinema. Fast forward 20 years and director Roland Emmerich is back with Resurgence, a sequel that stays true to the ...

Spalding’s regular Voices Unplugged singing group, led by Jane Wells, meets regularly throughout the autumn and winter to prepare for an informal concert. On Saturday there will be a summer singing social which is a chance for new people to meet regular members of Voices Unplugged, and enjoy an afternoon of singing together. The event takes place at Methodist Church ...

Lesley Garrett Sunday, July 24, 7.30pm King’s Lynn Corn Exchange Tickets £25 Box office: 01553 764864 www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk Fresh from a further successful production at Opera North, soprano Lesley Garrett returns to the recital stage with special guest, British baritone Roland Wood, who made his debut at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden. Together with pianist Anna Tilbrook they present a varied ...

Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar are two of the most sought-after performers on today’s folk circuit. Thanks to Spalding Folk Club, they perform at Spalding’s South Holland Centre on Wednesday, July 6, at 8.15pm. Ciaran is a former all-Ireland fiddle champion and Greg was already established as a solo singer and guitarist before they joined forces in 2011. Tickets are ...