< Previous40 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FOOD & DINING Fruit Kebabs You’ll need: 200g Strawberries sliced 1 Mango sliced 2 tangerines segmented 100g green grapes What to do: On wooden skewers, thread on the sliced fruit, alternating the strawberries with the mango, tangerines and grapes. Recipe courtesy of www.berryworld.com Picture your venue To promote your services call Angie Cooper on 01472 310302 or email: a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk © Shutterstock /135pixels These sweet fruit kebabs make the perfect healthy home- time treat. Kids can join in the fun by helping to make them too. The China Royal Restaurant 6 Bridge Streets, Brigg, DN20 8LN Tel: 01652 650688 (reservations)/654762 (takeaway) Web: www.chinaroyalrestaurant.co.uk All ingredients freshly prepared with a healthy concept. Open for takeaway. Restaurant now open and taking bookings. Adhereing to Covid-19 guidelines at all times, with screened seatings. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 38-41.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2020 07:15 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 41 FOOD & DINING You’ll need: 1 slice of sourdough bread, toasted 1/2 ripe avocado, mashed Squeeze of lime Salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 French breakfast radishes, sliced 20g Danish blue cheese, crumbled 4 walnut halves roughly chopped and toasted Drizzle of olive oil (optional) What to do: Combine the mashed avocado and lime juice and season well with salt and black pepper. Spread on the toast. Lay the radish slices over the avocado then crumble the cheese over the top, scatter with walnuts and season. Drizzle with olive oil if desired. Recipe courtesy of www.loveradish.co.uk Avocado toast with blue cheese, radish & walnut © Shutterstock /NatashaPhoto The ever-popular brunch dish is given a crunchy twist by topping with pretty, peppery French breakfast radishes and walnuts. 38-41.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2020 07:15 Page 442 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY There are two possibilities for the derivation of Alford’s name. It may come from the Old English for the “Old” ford or mean the “Ford of the alders”, crossing the stream near the thatched Manor House in High Street – though this is mostly now culverted. Local finds of Roman pottery and coins possibly indicate it may date back that far, although settlement dates from Saxon times is more certain as is the town’s market charter of 1263. Alford prospered through mediaeval times since its position between the foothills of the Wolds and the coastal marshlands enabled it to attract trade from both. The town has links with two important historical figures; Anne Hutchinson and Thomas Paine. Anne Hutchinson (nee Marbury 1590? – 1643) was the daughter of the master of Alford grammar school. She became a religious reformer and was an ardent follower of the Reverend John Cotton of Boston who became the leading religious figure in Massachusetts. Anne’s controversial religious views led to her trial in 1637 and a sentence of banishment. She and her husband emigrated to Rhode Island the following year. After moving to New York State she was eventually murdered by local Indians. More famous perhaps is Thomas Paine (1737 - 1809) a Norfolk man who worked in the Alford area from 1764 as a customs and excise officer with an office in the Windmill Inn. Wool was routinely smuggled from the nearby coast in exchange for tea and spirits and Paine’s role in combatting this was not particularly effective. He too eventually emigrated to America where he had much more success as a bureaucrat and administrator. He is credited with suggesting the name “United States of America” and was befriended by both Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. He is best remembered for his writings which included “The Rights of Man” and with assisting Jefferson and Franklin to write the Declaration of Independence. He is commemorated by a Blue Plaque outside the Windmill Inn. A number of important historic buildings survive in the town, the most obvious of which is St Wilfred’s church. Set upon a grassy rise dominating the High Street it dates predominately from the C13th and C14th being built in the then current Decorated and Perpendicular styles, although inevitably there have been alterations and additions over the centuries and it was much restored by Gilbert Scott in the 1860’s. The rooms above the elegant south porch once served as the grammar school, a notable pupil being the adventurer John Smith from nearby This month we visit the market town of Alford and Lincolnshire’s plague town. heritage Lincolnshire explored St Wilfred's and the War Memorial Alford Mill 42-43.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2020 07:13 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 43 Willoughby. (See Lincolnshire Today, April 2020) Smith too went to America becoming a founder and first governor of Virginia, his name forever linked with the Indian princess Pocahontas who saved his life. The churchyard cross, an elegant design by the famous architect Sir Ninian Comper in 1919, serves as Alford’s war memorial. Back along West Street is the Manor House. This underwent a major restoration in 2006, including the rear walled gardens; well worth a visit! It dates originally from 1611 (but was encased in brick in the 1660’s) and is believed to be the largest thatched Manor House in England. Now a museum it was given to the town and is owned and preserved by the Alford Civic Trust. The town has also long been a centre for education. A grammar school was first set up in 1566 with a £50 donation by local merchant Francis Spanning and ten years later was granted a charter “For education … for ever to continue” by Queen Elizabeth I whose name it has taken ever since. Daniel Day-Lewis, the actor, is an old boy. On the eastern edge of the town stands the magnificent 7- storey, 5-sailed Hoyle’s Mill built in 1837. Alford originally had four mills but only this one survives. It is open to the public. Readers will doubtless know the story of the Derbyshire plague village of Eyam, yet not know that Lincolnshire has a plague “village” of its own. Perhaps the most traumatic event in Alford’s history began with the arrival of the plague in 1630 - twenty-five years before the great London plague of 1665. The first death was on 22nd July when the vicar wrote in his register “Incipit Pestis”; the plague begins. Like Eyam in Derbyshire the inhabitants voluntarily sealed themselves off from the outside world and food supplies were left by people from Spilsby and nearby villages at Miles Cross, the crossroads on the present day A1104 a mile to the west of the town. Alford’s townsfolk made payment by leaving money in a hollowed-out stone filled with vinegar to disinfect it. The stone survives in the grounds of Tothby Manor. The town’s estimated population at that time was around a thousand, from amongst whom there were 131 deaths in 1630 and another 19 in the first two months of 1631. In modern times the railway linking Grimsby to Peterborough (and then London) was built by the Great Northern Railway (GNR) and was opened through Alford with great celebrations on 3rd September 1848. Passenger services were withdrawn on 3rd October 1970 when Alford Town band played the “Last Post”. And finally, one little known but intriguing part of Alford’s history – the Alford and Sutton tramway - little known perhaps because it has completely vanished! The tramway ran between its two termini entirely along public roads. Construction began in December 1882 and it opened to the public in April 1884. Within four years however the GNR had opened a “proper” branch line railway between its main line at Willoughby and Sutton thus capturing much of the tramway’s trade and forcing its closure by the end of 1889. All the tracks were removed within a year or so. by Hugh Marrows High Street and St Wilfred's Alford Town Sign The Manor House West Market Place Alford East Market Place Alford 42-43.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2020 07:13 Page 244 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FAMILY BUSINESS It’s often said that small and medium sized enterprises are the backbone of the British economy. Looking a little closer, many of these same businesses are family-run, so it might be more pertinent to say that family businesses are, in fact, the backbone of Britain. According to the Institute of Family Business, two thirds of businesses in the UK are family-owned. That’s 4.8 million in all, 16,000 of which are medium and large businesses. Some are fledgling companies, others have been established for hundreds of 47 Á The backbone of the economy As the heart and soul of our region, family businesses have had unprecedented challenges to contend with in the wake of the pandemic and, for those that trade with Europe, Brexit. But this critical sector is resilient, resourceful and have already more than risen to the challenge. As a family business itself, Lincolnshire Today explores this crucial part of British industry. years, but together family businesses generate over a quarter of UK Gross Domestic Pound. In 2016, for example, the family business sector paid £149 billion in tax, which is twenty-one per cent of UK Government revenues. It isn’t just their production output and financial contribution that makes this sector such an indispensable part of the economy, but also what it offers in terms of The backbone of the economy 44-51.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2020 15:04 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 45 FAMILY BUSINESS © Shutterstock /Monkey Business Images 44-51.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2020 15:04 Page 246 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY LEAKE'S MASONRY Ltd Eve Street, Louth, Lincs LN11 0JJ Phone: 01507 604 828 • Fax: 01507 600 826 leakesmasonry.co.uk • leakesmasonry@aol.com A Third Century of Stonemasonry Craftsmanship From Leake's Masonry A professional family-run business having been established in Louth for 100 years. We were very proud to have been entrusted with the repairs and renovation to the damaged Louth War Memorial. BRIGG BEDS Princes Street | Brigg | DN20 8HG 01652 651828 and so to bed... Horncastle Cake Art & Hobby House Everything for the Crafter Cake Decorations, Knitting, Crochet, Felt, Ribbons & more www.horncastlecakeart.co.uk 25 North Street, Horncastle, Lincs. LN9 5DX Tel: 01507 525926/522659 Oil Fired Boiler Engineer OFTEC Registered Steve Russell Plumbing • Oil Tank Replacement Service • Installation • Commissioning • Repairs • 24 Hour Call Out • Servicing & General Plumbing Call Steve on 07840 531403 T: 01469 574239 | M: 07711 496138 | E: glcommercials@btinternet.com | W: www.glcommercials.com GL GL GL Commercials Commercial Trailer Specialists in Stallingborough, Grimsby Commercial Trailer Hire GL Commercials have a huge range of trailer options available to hire, including flat bed, skeletal, curtain sliders, trombone and more. Commercial Trailer Servicing & Repairs Our sister company, GLC Repairs Ltd, have the equipment and expertise required, whatever the problem, we'll fix it at our purpose built depot. Keeping Your Business Moving Looking for a great gift idea? ARY 2021 T JANUA£2.95 W W W L I N C e30+ y W W W . L I N C O L N S H I R E T O oo ears y O L N S H I R E T OO D A Y N E T oung O D A Y . N E T BLM GROUP www.blmgroup.co.uk 1st 3 issues only £1 Lincolnshire Today’s gift subscription for only £27.55 with free delivery Call 01472 310301 or visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341 44-51.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2020 15:05 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 47 FAMILY BUSINESS recruitment. Family firms employ approximately 12.2 million people in the UK and account for forty-seven per cent of private sector employment. The benefits of family-run businesses are legion, from creating a more open and welcoming workforce, to creating a legacy that resonates with clients and customers. There are, however, a number of challenges for family businesses to overcome, as their greatest strength can sometimes, conversely, be their biggest flaw. It’s a fact of life that relatives bicker amongst themselves. Bringing together the family at Christmas or for social events often ignites the touch paper of old feuds, or creates new arguments in the process. It might just be that the familiarity between family members means that they’ll behave with one another in a way they wouldn’t with unrelated employees. Working with family members runs the risk of bringing household drama into the workplace. Not only can this create tensions between those employees that are related, but can also make working life which can seriously scupper growth plans. One of the other potential threats for family businesses is nepotism, or rather the appearance of favouring one staff © Shutterstock /Aleksandar Karanov MJP Supplies – the sole representative selling Algifol in the UK MJP Supplies is a family-run company set up in 2005. Coming from the owners of A Palmer & Son, third generation farmers in the Lincolnshire fens, MJP Supplies set up to promote the use of Algifol across the UK. Using trace elements on its farm is something that the founders have always believed in to improve the quality of their produce. When they first tried Algifol, they were extremely happy with the results and soon started using it across all of its produce including soft fruits, cereals, potatoes and sugar beet. Over the past 15 years, MJP Supplies has expanded its customer base from local farmers to national growers, being the sole representative selling Algifol in the UK. As well as importing Algifol, it offers a wide range of water, diesel and oil tanks for household and industrial use. Personal safety works hand in hand with the sale of tanks so we also provide a range of protective clothing to our clients. difficult for all staff. It’s inevitable that any family-run business serious about growth will have to look outside the clan when recruiting. Ensuring that these staff members can work free of bickering is critical. If not, a business is likely to struggle holding onto talent 49 Á J & J Oils – offering oil at fair prices with reliable service Oil in South Lincolnshire is available at a fair price and with a reliable service from J & J Fuels. The company, established in 1978, is here to ensure you receive the very best service and at a time that suits you. As member of the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers, you can be sure of a safe service every time with quality of product also assured. The company prides itself on its prompt delivery services as well as our competitive prices. J & J Fuels offers domestic heating oil and farm diesel. As a family-owned and run business, you can trust in our honesty and hard work to get you the product you need when you need it. 44-51.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2020 15:05 Page 448 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Proudly serving the families of Gainsborough and the surrounding areas for over 5 years With sincere empathy and understanding, your loved ones as if they were our own. As your local family run and owned funeral directors, we have dedicated our lives to guiding those in our community through the difficult times of bereavement. 41 Heaton Street, Gainsborough DN21 2EA39 High Street, Saxilby, LN1 2HA www.cliffbradley.co.uk info@cliffbradley.co.uk Funeral Plans from £2,785 Private Chapel of Rest Day and Night Service Pre-paid funeral plans • Servicing • Repairs • MOTs • Diesels • Catalysts • Specialist Engine Tuning JOHN SMITH ––– Auto Repair Ltd ––– “For All Your Motoring Needs” Rear of: 120 Daubney Street, Cleethorpes DN35 7NU Tel: 01472 240 800 • www.jsmithautorepairs.co.uk DIRECT GASKETS LIMITED Contact us today on 01482 219655 or visit our website www.direct‐gaskets.co.uk Since 1989 we have been market leaders in the manufacture of Gaskets. Having been established for over 30 years and based in Hull, we play an important role in the city’s manufacturing sector. Whilst doing this we have also built up a strong reputation for supplying high quality products at very competitive prices and an unbeatable service. The hallmark of a professional auction house offering executor & private client advice & services for valuation, auction sale & property clearance Entries now accepted for the Forthcoming Sales Program & The Fine Art of Auctioneering in Lincolnshire Here for all your selling needs... Regulated by RICS - The hallmark of a professional auction house offering executor & private client advice & services for valuation, auction sale & property clearance. The Bourne Auction Rooms T: 01778 422686 E: bourne@goldingyoung.com BRM Buildings, Spalding Road, Bourne, PE10 9LE The Grantham Auction Rooms T: 01476 565118 E: grantham@goldingyoung.com Old Wharf Road, Grantham, NG31 7AA The Lincoln Auction Rooms T: 01522 524984 E: lincoln@goldingyoung.com Thos. Mawer House, Station Road, North Hykeham, Lincoln, LN6 3QY Visit goldingyoung.com for catalogues, sale results, services & contact details. Sold for £1,000 Sold for £26,000 Sold for £3,600 Left: Sold for £2,250 Right: Sold For £650 Sold for £550 High quality Gold, Silver & Diamond Jewellery Main agents for Citizen, Lorus, Iron Annie and Zeppelin Watches Pre Owned Rolex Watches In-house Repairs & Engraving Ear Piercing Celebrating 40 Years Trading in Louth Butcher Lane, Louth Lincolnshire LN11 9JG. Tel: 01507 604029 www.striacroft.co.uk info@striacroft.co.uk 01427 81061901522 708888 44-51.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2020 15:05 Page 5LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 49 FAMILY BUSINESS member over another simply because they’re related to you. It has to be said, however, that this won’t always be the fault of the employer, and can often give disgruntled employees a means of expressing their dissatisfaction at losing out on that promotion or raise. Say, for example, two employees are vying for a newly created or recently vacated position. Both candidates possess skillsets which would be invaluable to the role, and both have the right kinds of experience. In fact, both are evenly matched when it comes to experience, ability and time served with the company. One of them, however, happens to be the son or daughter of the managing director, while the other is an unrelated employee. If the MD selects their own kin for the position, the other candidate could throw around claims of nepotism – claims they could very well take to tribunal. This isn’t an easy burden for family businesses to bear, but being objective is critical to ensuring workplace harmony and the continued success of the company. Business leaders need to think of their relatives as they would any other employee, especially when it comes to promotion and discipline. For family businesses, the challenges don’t end in the board room, sales floor © Shutterstock /T yler Olson or warehouse. Working together with family members does invite the danger of talking shop over the phone or, should they live together, over dinner. Mental health experts claim that there should be a separation between one’s work and social lives, but this is difficult when both cross over with one another. Some companies have found success in creating specific times or areas where business talk is forbidden, thereby creating that separation between work life and home. But, ultimately, it comes down to the individuals involved and, as ever, what works for one company head won’t necessarily do so for another. Family-run companies have had to work harder than ever during the pandemic and, with the economy needing years to get back on track, will continue to trade in an increasingly challenging environment. But they will endure, they will adapt and evolve and, as we have already seen, they will flourish. Celebrating a century of business at Calders & Grandidge Founded as Calders by James Calder in 1896, Calders & Grandidge have been part of Boston’s heritage for over a hundred years. In the 1930s, Calders outgrew its Boston docks site and moved to its new location on London Road. Still used to this day, the much larger site allowed it to enter the telegraph and transmission pole market. In 1945, it acquired James Grandidge, and, in 1959, a new company was born: Calders & Grandidge. In 1986, the company was granted a royal warrant for the supply of preserved timber fencing and gates to HM The Queen. In recent years, its Boston head office and depot have developed the production capability for top-quality creosoted fencing and gates. Timber poles and railway sleepers still remain at the company’s core, however. These recent investments and developments should ensure the company’s strong positioning in the market well into its second hundred years of operation. To find out more, visit www.caldersandgrandidge.com. 44-51.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2020 15:05 Page 6Next >