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It feels as though autumn has arrived a little early this year, as leaves are already turning brown due to the drought and some trees are losing theirs already. Despite the shortage of rainfall over the summer we seem to be heading for a bumper crop of fruits and berries. My vine has more bunches of big, juicy grapes than I have ever seen. I might be treading them later this month – albeit in a couple of large washing up bowls rather than a press.

We have loved putting this issue together for you packed with features about your favourite topics.

Lincolnshire born landscape painter Heather Burton. Read her story on page 82. We have gardens, following my own visit to Yew Tree Farm at Gosberton. This was my first time touring this award-winning garden created by Robert Bailey-Scott and his wife Claire. I hope you get a flavour and want to visit next year when they will once again open under the NGS. The feature is on page 26.

Barbara Young pays tribute to the county’s finest piece of architectural heritage – Lincoln Cathedral. Barbara toured as the end of the Cathedral Connected project was marked. The vicinity around the Cathedral, its new exhibition spaces and visitor facilities are now meeting 21st-century expectations. Turn to page 68 to read more.

Lincolnshire Life celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2021 and a project we sponsored as part of our celebrations is now complete. I was invited to cut the ribbon on The Tower, a sanctuary for raptors and other wildlife at Ashing Lane Nature Reserve near Dunholme. The full story is on page 95.

Our ‘Taste of Excellence’ Food, Drink and Hospitality Award nominations came to a close on 26th August. Thank you so much for all of you who have voted online and through the post. We will be passing the baton to our judges now. This will be the first year since the pandemic that they will be fully out and about once more deciding on our ultimate winners.

big days and the full scope of the curriculum are caught up with, we have some excellent venues, businesses and education providers to help you make your choices.

Have a wonderful September.