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Welcome to our midsummer issue, which in spite of what’s felt like a very soggy summer so far, aims to brighten up your days with some sunny insights into some of our county’s fascinating people and places.

With the Paris Olympics headlining a season of top sporting action, Kate Chapman met up with 20-year-old sprint cyclist Ed Lowe, who is making his Olympic debut with Team GB at the Games. Ed, who grew up in Stamford and got his first road bike at the age of seven, began working with the GB Cycling Team Talent Development programme a few years ago and has been focussing on his goal of securing an Olympic spot ever since. Good luck Ed, we’re rooting for you! You can read his story on page 34.

Kate also went to find out more about mother of three Amanda Baxter’s mission to help make a difference via the Holbeach based international aid agency Boxes of Hope, which is supporting people in crisis, both at home and in war-torn Ukraine (p.66). Amanda began the charity at her kitchen table in early 2022, and since then it has sent 25 lorry-loads of aid to Ukraine while helping people closer to home with emotional and practical support and advice.

Meanwhile, Caroline Bingham caught up with former nutritional biochemist turned florist and teacher Rachel Petheram, who made a career change after studying with the world renowned London-based florist, Paula Pryke (p.48).

Rachel, who established her company Catkin Flowers within the walled garden at Doddington Hall, also became a Reiki practitioner and master.
“I find that flowers have such an emotional connection for people and each flower has its own special properties,” she says.

By coincidence, I also spent an enjoyable day out at Doddington Hall recently, helping to judge the work of talented budding sculptors selected from across the country for the Young Sculptor Award, in the delightful setting of Doddington’s Kitchen Garden (p.80).

Do plan a day out at Doddington and enjoy a leisurely walk around more than 300 inspiring works of art on display in the grounds of this historic house this summer – it’s a great way to make the most of the gorgeous gardens, whatever the weather!

See you next month.