Discover Gainsborough | News

Demonstrations of traditional traders such as woodturning, leatherwork, pottery, and stained glass will take place as Gainsborough’s popular Heritage Skills Fair returns this July.

On Saturday 13 July, West Lindsey District Council will host the event, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to watch the demonstrations and have a go themselves.

Traditional tradesmen and women will be in action in Gainsborough’s historic Market Place, from 9am-3pm. Special free crafts for children will also be available on the day in the activity tent, as well as lots of hand-made traditionally crafted gifts to browse and buy.

Continue reading “Successful Heritage Skills Fair returns for a second year”

A fantastic line up of entertainment came to Gainsborough’s GO Festival at the weekend.

On Saturday 15 June, crowds flocked together despite the weather showing their support for loved ones, national and international performers by singing, dancing and laughing.

For a second year running, the event was in collaboration with SO Festival in Skegness and Mablethorpe.

Continue reading “Gainsborough festival showcases international, national and local performers”

Thousands of people gather to see history roll into Marshall’s Yard at return of vintage tractor rally at the weekend.

An estimated crowd of 3,000 gathered at the Gainsborough-based shopping centre to marvel at more than 20 original Marshall Tractors and steam engines on Sunday – an event that also doubled as the perfect treat for Father’s Day.

The annual tractor rally has been a regular feature at the shopping centre ever since it first opened in 2007 and gives shoppers and visitors the chance to step back in time with a fantastic display of vehicles manufactured at the Yard spanning nearly 200 years of history.

Continue reading “Tractor Event Success at Marshall’s Yard”

The popular ‘Barket’ Dog Market event will be hosted at Marshall’s Yard in what promises to be the ‘ultimutt’ treat for your four-legged friends.

A Crufts-style competition will take centre stage at the event, which will be hosted at the popular Gainsborough-based shopping centre for the first time, after previously being staged in the town centre.

In addition to the dog show, there will be more than 18-themed dog stalls, selfie photo area, a chance to make your own ‘paw-trait’, doggy treats, free face-painting – sponsored by Bomead (McDonald’s) – and food stalls.

The Barket will be taking place close to The Works store and is held in partnership with Jerry Green Dog Rescue, at the Gainsborough-based shopping centre on Saturday, May 18, from 10am to 4pm.

Continue reading “Popular ‘Barket’ Dog Market due to be hosted at Marshall’s Yard”

Save the date for Saturday 15 June as GO Festival makes it way to Gainsborough Town Centre.

From 10am until 6pm, this FREE event will showcase talented performers from Gainsborough and beyond.

The community stage will return with international acts also performing in the Market Place and Elswitha Green that you won’t want to miss.

West Lindsey District Council are pleased to announce a new addition to this year’s festival, thanks to the award by Arts Council England of £30,000 from National Lottery Project Grants. This funding will enable a series of school and community workshops with professional artists and performers to contribute to a spectacular carnival parade as part of the event.

Continue reading “Arts and culture festival returns to Gainsborough”

Lovers of heritage and history can enjoy two weekends of experiences, completely free of charge, as 88 historic churches and chapels invite them to pay a visit this May.

The West Lindsey Churches Festival (now in its 27th year) offers visitors buildings located across the stunning landscape of West Lindsey, just north of Lincoln and encompassing Gainsborough, Caistor and Market Rasen.

The first weekend (11-12 May) will see 41 churches take part in the east of the district, with 47 churches opening for the second weekend (18-19 May) to the west.

Each church offers a unique experience, that could include stunning architecture, stained glass, fascinating wood carvings, historic monuments, graveyards full of stories and traditional church organs (some of which the public are welcome to play). Many buildings are also located in the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Continue reading “Eighty-Eight historic churches welcome visitors at The West Lindsey Churches Festival”

WordFest is a new and exciting festival is coming to West Lindsey this year and promises to bring people together through words, pictures, sounds and music.

WordFest, which is being staged in Market Rasen in July and Gainsborough in September, builds on the success of the Literature Village, which was held in Gainsborough’s Market Place last year.

Organised by West Lindsey District Council, WordFest is all about the area ‘finding its voice’ and promises to be a festival of storytelling, creativity, and imagination.

Continue reading “WordFest to bring people together through sounds, words & pictures”

Gainsborough was aglow with a magnificent display of light and sound as the extraordinary Illuminate festival drew in thousands of visitors on Saturday.

This year’s festival, themed ‘Love Gainsborough’, highlighted the town’s vibrancy and community spirit, attracting more than 2,500 visitors.

Hosted by West Lindsey District Council and supported by Gainsborough Town Council, audiences were captivated by performers including the Beautiful Queen of Hearts, who graced us with a special appearance along with the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit.

The day’s highlights included the mesmerising Illuminate lantern parade, led by an animated and rhythmical samba band called Fire Funk, led by Chris Lewis-Jones, which made its way through the busy Market Place, before gathering outside the Gainsborough Old Hall. The band was followed by children of all ages who proudly held up their wonderful lantern creations, adorned with hearts and lights for the crowds to see.

Continue reading “Illuminate Festival lights up Gainsborough with community spirit”

Residents and visitors to West Lindsey are invited to attend an incredible Illuminate event involving lanterns, projections, and a spectacular fire garden in early March.

On Saturday 9 March 2024, Gainsborough’s special light-themed event returns to the historic heart of the town, including the return of the community lantern parade, a fire garden in the grounds of All Saints’ Parish Church, lanterns on display in the grounds of Gainsborough Old Hall, street performers and samba music.

This year’s event theme is ‘Love, Gainsborough’, featuring willow lanterns made by local school children and artists.

Continue reading “Springtime Illuminate to return to Gainsborough!”

Shoppers will be able to delve into a treasure trove of antiques this Easter as Gainsborough Market welcomes its first antiques fair to the town.

West Lindsey District Council is delighted to welcome MH Antiques and Fairs to its Saturday line-up. Known for their distinctive collection and extensive antiques knowledge, MH Antiques and Fairs will bring an array of antique-themed traders to the open-air market. They will stand alongside the council’s regular Saturday market traders.

Visitors will be able to explore a range of timeless pieces while enjoying the fresh, open atmosphere in Gainsborough’s historic Market Place.

Continue reading “Antiques fair to join Gainsborough Market”