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Welcome to our jam-packed May issue, full of great reads for you to enjoy at your leisure.

This month we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a day that celebrates the long-awaited end of the war in Europe, with many commemorative events taking place across our county.

Matt Limb OBE, creator and host of the podcast Veterans Voices UK, shares veterans’ memories on this special anniversary with unique stories from service personnel who, as Matt describes, are ‘a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made and the resilience of a generation that shaped the world we live in’ (see page 114).

Our gardening guru Steffie Shields also considers the meaning of this special day, highlighting commemorative gardens to visit. She also explains how wartime memories can be translated in your own green spaces with carefully chosen plants – for example, did you know that apple blossom represents peace, promise and hope? (p.28)

Steffie writes: ‘Peace gardens are always spaces worth visiting in gratitude and reflection. They keep memories alive, offer families solace, and educate the next generations as to the immense sacrifices made on their behalf.’

Keeping with the theme of times gone by, if you’re planning a trip to the seaside, don’t miss Dene Bebbington’s look back at the fascinating history behind one of the county’s most popular tourist resorts – Skegness (p.136).

Like everywhere else in England, the town has seen many changes and it continues to alter and grow, as Dene explains: ‘In a couple of centuries maybe Skegness will have changed nearly as much as in the past two, but hopefully the historic clock tower will still stand as a reminder of its Victorian roots.’

Moving on to modern times, Kate Chapman chatted to Mark Harrison, the Lincoln-born promoter who has worked with some of the biggest names in music and is bringing a star-studded line-up to Lincoln Castle once again this summer (p.38).

Live at Lincoln takes place in June and promises a series of nights to remember, make sure you don’t miss out and book your tickets.

Enjoy getting out and about and see you next month!