A brief account may well here be given of the opening ceremony of this important event in the town’s history, condensed from the public journals of the day. The line was examined by the Government Inspector, Colonel Wynn, and a few days later Mr. Seymour Clarke, the G.N.R. manager, stated that it could not be in a more efficient condition. The opening ceremony was fixed for Aug. 12th, 1855. At an early hour the town was crowded with visitors and shops were closed. At 7 a.m. 2,500 lbs. of beef were distributed among the poorer people. Peals of bells were rung, the Horncastle and Spilsby bands added their music of popular airs. The streets and station were profusely decorated, under the direction of Mr. Crowder, florist, Mr. John Osborne, parish clerk, Mr. Archbould, head gardener to Sir H. Dymoke, Mr. Nelson from Stourton Hall, and a local committee. Flags displayed the arms of the town, those of Sir H. Dymoke, Mr. J. Banks Stanhope, the Bishop of Carlisle, then lord of the manor, the Rose of England, and the Union Jack. About noon a procession was formed in the Bull Ring, to meet the Directors of the G.N.R., by Mr. F. Harwood, master of the ceremonies, in the following order: Navvy bearing bronzed pickaxe and shovel. Banner. Navvies, four abreast. Banner. Two navvies, bearing silver-gilt wheelbarrow. Banners. Horncastle Brass Band. Contractor. Engineer. Secretary. Solicitor. Auditor. Auditor. Banners. Directors, two abreast. Banners. Churchwarden, Dr. B. J. Boulton. The Vicar, Rev. W. H. Milner. Banners. Shareholders and their friends, four Banners. abreast. Spilsby Brass Band. Parish Clerk, Mr. J. C. Osborne, in his robes, preceded by his Standard Bearer. Banner. Members of the various Clubs, with Banner. Banners. Banner. 1,000 School Children, 4 abreast. Banner. The Public. The procession marched from the Bull Ring to the Railway Station, where the elders of the party on the platform, and the children, with their banners, ranged on the opposite side, awaited the arrival of the train bringing the G.N.R. Directors, and as it drew up the bands played “See the Conquering Hero comes.”