What a year it has been!

We had the Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics and Paralympics...and Gainsborough had it’s share of good news too.

In January classical music composer John Mackfall, 62, of Misterton, achieved success in the national Oldie Composers contest, eventually making it through to the final.

Gainsborough War Gaming Society members told us in February how they used model armies to play war games at Melrose Sports Club every week.

In March All Saints Church put out an appeal for more bell ringers, while a dream came true for Ann Betts, 69, who started Gainsborough Craft Club at the Salvation Army Hall.

In April Misterton friends Maria Cockram and Val Jarvis showed off the Crufts rosettes won by their champion dogs, while Hoot Comedy Club was celebrating its fifth birthday at Trinity Arts Centre.

Singing for the Brain was an innovative new idea introduced to help dementia sufferers at Foxby Hill Care Home in Gainsborough in May. An initiative of the Alzheimer’s Society, it was getting good results in helping to recapture memories through music.

First Morton St Paul’s girl guides were marking their 40th anniversary in June with a 1970s-style party, including dancing to the Donny Osmond hit Puppy Love and racing on space hoppers.

Meanwhile Gainsborough people were being urged to give blood in the run-up to the Olympics. Donor Christina Dukes, 45, of Rampton, said: “It only takes five minutes and it could save a life.”

The racy novel Fifty Shades of Grey was flying off the shelves in Gainsborough in July when it became the fastest selling paperback in Britain since records began.

While members of the Gainsborough and District Heritage Association were busy organising a tractor rally to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Field Marshall Series 3A.

In August Holly Girven, 15, of Laughton, who uses a wheelchair, won a Diana Award for being an inspiration to other young people.

Cat lover Liz Burman unveiled her new five-star luxury hotel suites for felines at Leawood Cattery, Gainsborough, The Miss Kitty suite had a faux leather bed while the Mew Hefner suite had Playboy blankets.

A kitchen sink was among items discovered in September when Gainsborough’s Conservation Volunteers cleared Mercer Wood, and the spotlight was also on Act Now, a Gainsborough drama group giving adults with learning disabilities the chance to appear on stage.

Proud dad Marc Grinhaff revealed in October how his toddler daughter Isabelle, three, had learnt to water ski at Lound at the age of one.

Sewing teacher Kellie Riccardo, 43, of East Stockwith, was helping women to shape up in November with a corset-making class at Trent Valley Academy.

While a new exhibition about life during the two world wars opened at Gainsborough Heritage Centre.

In December we highlighted Kirton in Lindsey Civic Society’s 25th anniversary.

So it’s goodbye to 2012 and hello to 2013.Happy New Year to you all!