Get active in2013 Plus fashion,fine food, homeinspiration andmuch more!www.blmgroup.co.ukwww.blmgroup.co.ukBLMGROUPGROUPBLMBLMGROUPGROUPBLMWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET£2.95 JANUARY 2013£2.95 JANUARY 2013WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETA fresh startto the yearA fresh startto the yearGet active in2013 Plus fashion,fine food, homeinspiration andmuch more!THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINETHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE25 years young25 years young001:Layout 1 7/12/12 14:48 Page 1Sue Kitchen | Managing Partner23 Algitha Road, Skegness Lincolnshire PE25 2AGTel: 01754 766 991 |Fax: 01754 769 318skegness@hwca.com |www.hwca.com/skegnessWe provide high quality financial advice to local businesses and individuals. Being part of Haines Watts places us in a unique position - allowing us to offer our national range of services without losing the local personal attention to detail. Being in Skegness we are always close by to pop in and have a chat and help and advise you.We specialise in Accountancy, Book Keeping, Tax Planning, VAT and Financial Services.Corporate Finance Taxaon VAT I.T & Accountancy soware support Expenses Asset FinanceProud to have been associated with Business Link for 25 Years A P Robinson & Co are a well established firm of qualified accountants and business advisors serving Grimsby, Lincoln, Brigg and Scunthorpe. Not only are our staff highly experienced, customer driven and trustworthy, above all we are personable – a friendly face to accounting!We offer a comprehensive range of services which have been tailored to fit the needsof any size business, whether you are a start up or an established company.Accounting Auditing Taxation AdviceBusiness Planning and Consultancy ServicesHR and Payroll Information TechnologyIn-house Financial Advisory ServicesIf you would like to speak to us, please do not hesitate to get in touch.T: 01472 345888 E: enquiries@aprobinson.biz or visit www.aprobinson.biz107 Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN31 3ER002:Layout 1 7/12/12 12:23 Page 1Welcome to 2013, and to what looks set to be a fabulous year herein the county!It’s a big year for all of us at Lincolnshire Today too as we’recelebrating 25 successful years in business. And, as I’ve been Editorhere throughout that time this must, surely, make me one of thelongest serving editors in history!Looking back over the years, I’ve witnessed so many changes -mostly for the better. Lincoln is now home to not one but twouniversities, Grimsby and Scunthorpe remain industrial powerhouses, and the southof the county is the garden of the UK. Lincolnshire is now a commuter belt, withmany enjoying a relaxed home life in the county while working elsewhere. Morethan ever, Lincolnshire is connected with the rest of the UK - and beyond.It’s with this in mind that we compile our magazine each month. We try andmirror the increasingly cosmopolitan lifestyles of our readers, and over the years,having spoken to many of you at the various events we attend and via the lettersyou send, as well as social media, we’ve found out exactly what you want to see inthe magazine. Your views have helped us shape the various changes you’ll havenoticed in recent issues. As a result, we were the first full colour county magazine in Lincolnshire, the firstin the county to launch an online magazine and the first to make their onlineedition available via tablets, iPhones and android phones. We were also the first toprovide a full event photography service to venues across the county and the firstmagazine to provide social media links. We're also proud to be the first Lincolnshiremagazine to provide an online news service to its readers - which you can havemailed to your inbox or read on the site - depending which you prefer. 2013 also sees a few improvements to our magazine and our website and we'resure you'll like these – but the magazine is yours, so keep telling us what you think!Good reading as always,Steve FisherEditorLincolnshireToday@lincstodaylincolnshiretoday.netEditor:Steve FisherJournalists:Steve Williams, Mike Shields, Michael Fisher, Stuart PearceySales Director: Teri CooperSales: Angela Cooper, Jo Waddington,Leon MurrayAccounts: Angela Sharman,John DownesCirculations: Dawn CookDesign & Production: Gary Jorgensen,Mark Casson, Rachel GreenAdvertising: Tel: (01472) 310302, Fax: (01472) 310312 Editorial:Tel: (01472) 310305, Fax: (01472) 310317Part Of The Business Link MagazineGroup: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street,Grimsby,N E Lincs DN31 2QEEmail: lincs-today@blmgroup.co.uk Website: www.lincolnshiretoday.net ISSN No: 1366-1299© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded orotherwise without express permission of the copyright holder,for which application should be addressed first to thepublisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither thepublisher nor its participating agents accept liability for lossor damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives orother material of whatever nature submitted to thispublication. The views expressed in this publication are notnecessarily the views of those held by the publisher.This magazine is now fully recyclable. Byrecycling magazines, you can help reducewaste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes ofpaper already recycled by the UK paperindustry each year. Before you recycle yourmagazine, please ensure you remove allplastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. Ifyou are unable to participate in a recyclingscheme, then why not pass your magazineonto a local hospital or charity?WelcomeFRONT COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF WWW.LEE-BEEL-PHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK003:Layout 1 7/12/12 14:53 Page 1The active issue!Start 2013 with a bang with our special features14 Make a splash in 2013Getting more active doesn’t have to be achallenge16 On your bike!See more of the county by swapping fourwheels for two50 Going for goldGetting sporty doesn’t mean you have tocompromise on beauty52 Super humans!Don’t know where to start? How to find theideal training programme54 A fresh startFour guinea pigs put the latest diets to the test86 On the starting blocksExploring the vital role our schools play ingetting kids moving92 On the starting grid...Our bumper motoring section includes aprofile of Lincolnshire racing ace Jack Harveyplus the latest cars on the forecourtsFeatures6 This month in LincolnshireYour fast guide to what’s been happening10 Silver successLincolnshire Today’s publishers mark 25 yearsat the top38 Lincolnshire WalksWragby and Langton-by-Wragby40 Stay cool in the coldOur fashion pages open with a look at how tolook – and feel – hot this winterJanuary 2013Contents346032004-005:Layout 1 7/12/12 12:25 Page 156 Fabulous foodThe delights of local produce permeate ourdining guide62 Setting the scenePlenty of inspiration if you found anengagement ring under the tree75 Farming SpecialA closer look at one of Lincolnshire’s mostimportant industries84 Winter warmersIt may not look it, but there’s still wildlifeabout even in the coldest months90 Community spiritHow businesses are playing a vital role inlocal life105 That’s entertainment!Make the most of your free time with ourwhat’s on guide112 HoroscopesWhat does 2013 have in store?At home18 New home sweet homeIt may appear tough, but there are ways toget on the property ladder22 School of styleWe visit a little piece of history in the villageof Stow29 Bold as brassMake a style statement with some must-have items32 The personal touchHow a Lincolnshire couple have addedtheir own spin to the traditional cottagegarden34 A wave of new ideasOur garden expert helps you keep thegarden lovely in the bleakest of monthsSocial Scenes12 HCPT Ball49 Lincoln Sportsman’s Club82 Lincolnshire Young Farmers County Ball829084105004-005:Layout 1 7/12/12 12:25 Page 26 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLATEST NEWSGet ready forthe Battle PromsThe Burghley House Battle Proms are always one of Lincolnshire’smost exciting nights out – and tickets are now available for nextyear’s event.The ninth annual Burghley House Battle Proms Concert will takeplace on Saturday 6th July 2013 and will include all of the favouritehighlights such as a full orchestral programme, Spitfire display,breathtaking fireworks, Napoleonic cavalry, two hundred livecannons, picnic in the park atmosphere and a sing-along ‘Last Nightof the Proms’ finale. As you cope with the cold, dream of balmy summer days filledwith champagne picnics and sublime classical music. Take advantageof the early online booking offer - prices are frozen at the 2011 rateof £29 per adult until 1st February. Head to www.battleproms.com tobook tickets and find out more.Over the past eight years, £130,000 has been raised for CombatStress at the Battle Proms, both through audience donation and acontribution of the concerts’ profits.Winteringham Fields & ScunthorpeUnited team upA unique event has been held atthe home of Scunthorpe UnitedFootball Club.While the majority of supporters atGlanford Park were gearing up towatch ‘The Iron’ take on Bury in aleague encounter, a select number ofguests were being treated to theunderstated service and delectabledishes being cooked up by worldrenowned restaurant WinteringhamFields.Chef Colin McGurran and his team took over therestaurant following an invite by the club’scommercial manager Michelle Harness. The night was a huge success with more thaneighty guests enjoying four courses which includedfoie gras parfait, roast North Sea lobster risotto andcharred fillet of beef.Michelle Harness says, “It was very successfulevening and we hope to hold similar eventsfeaturing local chefs dishing up courses for oursupporters. We would like to thank Colin and histeam for agreeing to host the evening.”The secrets manywindow companiesdon’t want you to knowNational window, door and conservatoryrepair specialists WindowGeeks has opened inLincolnshire, giving home owners access to areal money-saving option. The average singlerepair or replacement undertaken byWindowGeeks is less than £65.With 35 years’ engineering experience, 24 ofthose with the Corps of Royal Engineers, JohnFoord has become the area’s first WindowGeek.John says, “WindowGeeks prides itself ontelling the truth. It’s become successful by doingexactly that, and that’s what first attracted me tothe brand. Many businesses are guilty of sellingcustomers more than they actually need.WindowGeeks is different. By fixing or replacingonly the broken parts, our customers getsomething asgood as new andsave a smallfortune in theprocess.”“WindowGeeksis a nationalbrand, but I ownthe Lincolnshirefranchise. Thatmeans customers get the security of a big brandwith the personal approach of a local business.”For more information, visitwww.windowgeeks.co.uk.006-007:Layout 1 7/12/12 12:30 Page 1100,000 donors in 100 daysThe regional launch of the 100,000 donors in 100 dayscampaign took place in Lincoln with the help of Town CrierKaren Crow.NHS Blood and Transplant wants to recruit 100,000 newdonors in the 100 days to protect future blood stocks.Every year 225,000 new donors are needed to replaceexisting donors who drop out of the system. This year,the need is more urgent following a dramatic declinein the number of younger donors signing up. The Lincoln Town Crier and NHSBT staff cametogether in Lincoln High Street to celebrate the giftthat costs nothing and encourage people tobecome blood donors. Staff dressed as presents tosymbolise the gift that blood donors give torecipients.LATEST NEWSLightningstrikes twiceWere you a part of the Lightning crew?Newark Air Museum wants to hear from you.As part of its tribute event, the Museum isactively looking to record the history of itsLightning T5 exhibit XS417. This particularLightning has flown 2603.10 hours during anoperational career running from 1962 to 1988and has been based at a number of differentLightning bases during that time. During thisservice it flew with 226 OCU, 23 Squadron, 56Squadron, the Lightning Training Flight (LTF)and 11 Squadron.The museum is trying to make contact withthe people associated with this particularLightning, so that it can document the servicehistory of the airframe. The information that isbeing sought comes from the Log Books ofthose people who flew XS417, and whereverpossible in-service photographs of XS417would be greatly appreciated.Contact them at Lightning History Project,Newark Air Museum, Drove Lane, Winthorpe,Newark NG24 2NY, or via email toenquire@newarkairmuseum.orgTrawler man’streasure at auctionA medal presented to a trawler man from Grimsby who helpedprotect Britain’s coast during the First World War has made the highestprice for such an award at auction.The George V medal for distinguished service was presented to G.M. Barnes for his work in the Dover Patrols in February 1916. Withfierce competition from collectors in the room and on the telephone,the medal sold for a hammer price of £380, well above its pre-saleestimate of between £150 and £200, at thesale at auctioneers Golding Young & Mawer.Auctioneer John Leatt says, “It was unusualfor a medal such as this to come onto the openmarket because very few were awarded forservice during the First World War to civilians.With its strong Lincolnshire connection, weexpected a lot of interest before the sale butthe level of competition was unprecedented. Itfinally sold for a £380 which is thehighest price such a medal has ever made atauction and almost double the price of asimilar medal which was sold locallysome time ago.”If the answer’s yes...If you’ve popped the question during the festive season, whynot visit the Wedding Fayre at the Bentley Hotel & Spa in SouthHykeham, Lincoln, on Sunday 6th January.Let the team take the stress out of organising your special daywith a wide range of exhibitors from the ceremony, to bridalgowns, florist, through to the finishing touches to make yourwedding a day to remember. Running from 10am to 3.30pm,come along to find out what the Bentley Hotel & Spa can offeryou as the perfect venue for your wedding day.For more information, call 01522 878000 or visitwww.bentleyhotellincoln.co.uk.006-007:Layout 1 7/12/12 12:30 Page 2Now available oniPad & iPhoneDigital EditionsNever miss an issueRead on the go!Now available oniPad & iPhoneIdeal for those who spend time away from their office Visit our website to startviewing today...WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETDigital EditionsNever miss an issueRead on the go! ! " #!$$$%&'!!%' !" #$$ $ %& ' ($ !"#$$## 008:Layout 1 7/12/12 12:30 Page 1www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fostering009:Layout 1 7/12/12 12:31 Page 1Next >