< Previous70 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFEThe marsh harrier is most certainly abird of fens, marshes and reed beds, butthey were extinct in Britain until veryrecently. In 1970, after almost 200 years,the marsh harrier began its magnificentcomeback. They had been shot, had losthuge swathes of marshland when thefens were drained after the 17th centuryand had suffered water pollution.But in the mid-seventies the realisationof their dilemma brought about hugeenvironmental changes - our watersbecame cleaner, bodies such as the RSPBand local wildlife trusts oversaw greatimprovements in our countryside and weare now seeing their return.Although we don’t have the hugeacreages of reed beds we once had, theyhave discovered that those endlessstretches of growing wheat fields aresimilar reeds and can breed easily there. Of course, if they do find an attractivemarshy area of their own they will take toit like, well, like a duck to water!In May last year, we were told twobuzzards were seen on this site. Thepicture actually showed one buzzardperched atop a hawthorn while the otherbird was a male marsh harrier in flight.The next day we went down there andimmediately saw male and female marshharriers carrying nest material to aparticular spot in the reeds in a marshy‘patch’. While watching we saw the malebring food for the female which she tookin mid-air, in a magnificent aerialmanoeuvre called a “food pass”. We watched them until 22nd Maywhen we decided to leave them wellalone, but kept watch from longdistance. If these birds managed to rearyoung it would be a first for this part ofLincolnshire.Somewhere deep in that reed bed, onthe ground, there was a huge flat nestmade of reeds that held three to eightbluish white unmarked eggs. Food passes went on all through thesummer and eventually in August wewent back on site to get pictures of theyoung on thewing. They hadreared three tothe flyingstage.There weremany playfulaerial dog-fightsand each day three young buzzardswould swoop in to join in the fun. Itlooked angry at first but it happened sooften we’re certain this was simplyjuvenile, boisterous play.When the nearby hay field was cutthey discovered dead mice in the dryinghay that had come to grief from themower blades. They took full advantageof this free lunch, scratching about in thehay much like a chicken searches forseeds on the ground. They also ate quitea few frogs, many of which they left ontop of the round hay bales. We often sawmarsh harriers on top of these bales andassume they had left the frogs there butwe had seen buzzards perching theretoo.Sometimes they hunted mice by flyingover the hayfield but they were stillinexperienced hunters, grabbing themouse or vole, but also grabbing ahuge handful of hay too, flying offwith the lot. By 5th September, they had allgone, migrating south, no doubt tospend their first winter in the genialclimate of Southern Spain.Will those parents return to nest hereagain? When May arrives we’ll bewatching, and of course we’ll let youknow…Our Fenland birds areRETURNINGIn 2012 a pair of marsh harriers bred for the first time on a reserve on the outskirts of NorthThoresby and no one was more surprised than we were! Their home is a small boggy patch in thecorner of a field with a substantial crop of bulrushes - rolling acreages of fenland it isn’t!070-071:Layout 1 21/1/13 10:13 Page 1PHOTOS & WORDS COURTESY OF COLIN SMALE - WWW.FOTOLINCS.COM070-071:Layout 1 21/1/13 10:13 Page 272 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSLEAFORDSleaford may well be undergoing the mostremarkable transformation of anywhere inLincolnshire over the next few years. This maybe considered anathema to some, as much ofthe appeal of the town comes from itsheritage and its sense of history – but don’tworry, the changes are certainly in keepingwith the spirit and the style of the town andthe result will be a fantastic blend of old andnew.Sleaford is changing as more and morepeople are finding it the perfect place torelocate. Indeed its position more or less deadcentre of Lincolnshire means many decide tobase themselves in the town – whether forwork or pleasure. This has led to somecongestion in recent years, hence the recentadoption of the Sleaford Masterplan. This wasintroduced in 2010 and its aims are toimprove the town centre, reduce trafficChange isin the airSleaford is in line for a new look – but withits sense of history and heritage still playinga major part072-074:Layout 1 21/1/13 10:18 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY73SLEAFORDcongestion, encourage new shops andjobs and generally make it a nicer place tolive.The Master Plan estimated that Sleafordmay need to accommodate somethinglike four thousand new homes over thenext 25 years. Something like thisobviously isn’t going to happen overnight,and much work has to be done to decideon the best possible way to make thispossible – especially as the Masterplanalso emphasises the importance ofcreating more green spaces andimproving the public environment. As thecouncil have made clear, it’s certainly anexciting opportunity – but it will need notonly support from the town’s numerousorganisations and its residents to make it asuccess, but also the will to improvewhat’s on offer.The work to revamp the SleafordMaltings – which was intended to getunderway a year or so ago – may havebeen disrupted by discussion over theeffect on traffic flow in the area andexactly how many new roads will need tobe built, but the town still remainshopeful that the Grade II listed buildingwill become part of a major newdevelopment scheme, involving topretailers.In the meantime work has been carriedout elsewhere in the town. The mostnoticeable at the moment is undoubtedlythe £2.65 million refurbishment ofSleaford’s Leisure Centre. The buildingclosed in the autumn and when itreopens, later this year, residents arepromised a “first class” facility with a newpool, a bigger gym and otherimprovements inside, plus a refreshedlook on the outside.Sleaford can certainly have a goodclaim to be one of the cultural hotspots ofthe county. The Carre Gallery welcomesnumerous exhibitions throughout theyear, with the Mckinnels LincolnshireCommunity and Life Exhibition a recentvisitor, where illustrations of local life tookcentre stage.It’s work in three dimensions whereSleaford has the edge, however, as it plays74 PHOTOS: LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILThe MasterPlan estimated thatSleaford may needto accommodatesomething like fourthousand new homesover the next25 years.072-074:Layout 1 21/1/13 10:18 Page 274 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSLEAFORDhost the National Centre for Craft andDesign. The building itself is a majorattraction, with its architecture reallystanding out in the beautiful riversidesetting of Navigation Wharf, but it’s whatgoes on inside where it makes a splash.Formerly known as The Hub, the Centreis one of the UK’s most significant venuesfor the visual arts and you can be assuredof seeing a number of important andunique items whenever you visit –especially as the venue doesn’t have apermanent collection but is home to aconstantly changing programme ofexhibitions.From March, for example, the Centrewill be home to The Window Collection –an experimental new venture that aims toreflect British life over the years through anumber of specially selected objects. Thisgradually evolving display, powered byguest donations from the public and fromselected artists, curators and writers, takesits reference from the British MassObservation Projects that took place fromthe thirties, and examples of popularculture from throughout the decades arewelcomed.The Centre takes its status as a majorcultural hub seriously and so much of itstime is also devoted to promoting the artsamong the local community. The NCCDYouth Forum, for example, are a group ofyoung people who meet every week toexplore craft and design, take part in artistled workshops and be a voice for youngpeople at the centre. The results of theirsessions can be seen on a regular basiswith the events they hold to celebrate,promote and share their creative ideasinspired by the exhibitions at the Centre.The youngest members of the family canalso get involved in the fun andexcitement of getting creative with a hostof special events – with the latest DinkyDesigners club taking place on 27thFebruary.Sleaford’s arts scene is also getting aboost with the news that the PlayhouseTheatre is enjoying a financial windfall tohelp restore it to its former glory. Onlyone other Georgian playhouse exists asidefrom the Sleaford Playhouse, and it hasbeen awarded a £5000 grant by theTheatres Protection Fund’s Small GrantsScheme to restore the building.The Grade II listed building will beundergoing a fenestration project on itswindows, and intriguingly, the works willbe carried out by stonemason PhilTopholme, whose father Bill removed andrenovated the original stone work back in1947. While the building has been alibrary, a school and a benefits office inthe two hundred years it’s been standing,it was a theatre first, so the new buildingwill owe a lot to its tradition.Changes such as these illustrate that,while Sleaford may be undergoingsomething of a transformation in the nextfew years, its strong sense of history andheritage will remain.The Centretakes its status as amajor cultural hubseriously and so much of itstime is also devoted topromoting the artsamong the localcommunity.PHOTO: LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL072-074:Layout 1 21/1/13 10:18 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY75SOCIAL SCENEUpcoming Lincoln Sportsman Dinners... Football referee Howard Webb on 14th March 2013 Spring ball with live band and cabaret 17th May 2013To contact the club you can email at info@lincolnsportsmans.com, telephone on 01522 508355 or visit the comprehensive website at www.lincolnsportsmans.comDinners are held at The BentleyHotel, South Hykeham, LincolnGuest of honour at the latestevent from the LincolnSportsman’s Club was golferGordon Sherry. Gordon is bestknown for being crownedAmateur Champion in 1995, thesame year he was part of GreatBritain’s victorious Walker Cupteam who beat off thecompetition from a US teamincluding one Tiger Woods. Afterturning professional he played inthe Open and Masters and theaudience at the Bentley Hotelheard some hilarious stories frombehind the scenes at these events.As ever the Club made a donationto a sporting talent of the future, inthis case Abigail Burr, a promisingyoung swimmer from the LincolnVulcans who is ranked in the UK’stop ten for her age.John Copsey, Harry Gilbert, Paul Coldron,Mike Glover, Eric GledhillAbigail Burr andGordon SherryJohn Goldsboroughand Keith StocksColin Arison, Clive Myes and John RichardsDoug Nightingale, Steve Alcock and Tony WardRichard Grayson andMichael PicklesThe John Richards partyPHOTOS BY RICHARD PICKSLEYA fineScottish SherryBernard Ross andRoy Froggatt075:Layout 1 21/1/13 10:25 Page 176 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBUSINESS LINCSSuch has been the depressed state of theeconomy in recent years, you may beresigned to the idea that any potentialbusiness start-up is doomed to failure – butthat’s certainly not the case. Indeedthroughout Lincolnshire there’s plenty ofenthusiasm about and numerous successstories to be found.Certainly the government are chipping into make it easier for people to start up newbusinesses and, to that end, they’veannounced a £30 million boost to theirStart-Up Loans scheme. This additionalmoney will boost the total pot for Start-UpLoans to over £110 million over the nextthree years, potentially helping to start tensof thousands of new businesses. The agelimit for applications will now also beextended from 24 to 30 years old,providing the opportunity for even morepeople to strike out on a new career path.Those who take part in the scheme canreceive support and mentoring to developtheir ideas. When the business plan isrobust and approved, they’re then able toaccess financial support in the form of alow interest loan – typically around £2500with a repayment period of up to fiveyears. Since the scheme was launched lastautumn, over £1.5 million worth of loanshave been approved, helping over 460new businesses get off the ground.Innovative new companies could alsobenefit from Lincoln’s multi-million poundscience and innovation park, created bythe University of Lincoln and LincolnshireCo-operative and aiming to transform adisused site in the heart of the city. Theaim is to create a centre of science andtechnology expertise and home to a mix ofuniversity and commercial enterprises inwhat is a first for the city. Des Curran, director at Marchini CurranAssociates, who are developing the park,says, “Bringing together commerce andacademia is a forward-thinking move. Thefinished project will create a world-classenvironment for leading scientists andinnovative business leaders.”On a smaller scale, though no lessvaluable for those who can takeadvantage, there are a number of schemesto assist people in finding new careers andmoving into new areas. Shoppers inLincoln, for example, will have seen theViTaL shop in Sincil Street. The shop is runby charity Young Potential and itsOperations Manager Hilary Jones says,“ViTaL stands for Volunteers in Trainingand Leadership. Our aim is to equip peoplewith the skills which they need to workeffectively as volunteers, by offering oursupport, guidance and expertise.”Volunteers can include graduates tryingto enter the jobs market, people keen toswitch to the voluntary sector or jobseekerslooking to get work experience, while theysearch for a career opportunity. All theprofits from the shop go towards activitiesfor disadvantaged and disabled youngpeople in Lincolnshire, and the shop is inan area which is affected by LincolnshireCo-operative’s £100 million plans toredevelop this part of Lincoln through itsLindongate scheme.The region’s businesses, too, are gettinginvolved in finding new talent – aware ofthe importance of a steady stream of newNewBLOODFinding new talent is important in allaspects of business – and the hunt is onthroughout Lincolnshire076-077:Layout 1 21/1/13 10:27 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY77BUSINESS LINCSfaces and new ideas into their sectors.Young people in Lincoln wanting to kick-start a retail career, for example, willbenefit from an innovative new trainingprogramme creating Apprenticeshipopportunities across the city.The National Skills Academy for Retail ispartnering with Lincoln BusinessImprovement Group to trailblaze the RetailApprenticeship Scheme, a new conceptwhich aims to unearth and develop thebest young recruits for retailers. Among thelocal businesses involved in the scheme areElite Meats butchers, the White Hart Hoteland Bailgate Kitchens and Cookware, whoare all looking for eager apprentices keento learn about the retail trade. Lincoln BIGis also looking for an apprentice to work inthe Lincoln Visitor Information Centre.Amanda Petrie, Head of Retail andLogistics Academy said that there is wealthof benefits to independent retailers. Shesays, “SME retailers in Lincoln that sign upto the scheme will be provided with acost-free and comprehensive recruitmentservice, which will match them up with asuitable apprentice. Crucially – and to thebenefit of business owners – eachapprentice will be employed by RATA,reducing the risk, cost, time andadministration for retailers.”Jane Rexworthy, chief executive of theNSA for Retail, says, “This isn’t aboutcreating short-term jobs – we are aimingto launch a new generation of retailleaders and entrepreneurs in England, withthe talent and ability to forge a long-termand successful career. Opportunities will becreated in all areas of the retail sector –from developing entrepreneurial skills frombusiness owners, to working as part of amarketing, IT or finance team, to joiningan independent shop where learners willbe given the opportunity to gain all of theskills necessary to run a retail outlet.”Schemes such as these illustrate that nomatter whether you’re looking for achange of career or aiming to set up onyour own, help is at hand acrossLincolnshire.Left: The National Skills Academy for Retail is partneringwith Lincoln Business Improvement Group to trailblaze theRetail Apprenticeship SchemeTop right: The ViTaL shop in Lincoln aims is to equip peoplewith the skills which they need to work effectively. BanksLong & Co surveyor Matthew Brooks is pictured helpingshop manager Mark Mullany with stockBottom right: The Prince’s Trust has helped hundreds ofyoung people set up and launch their own businesses inLincolnshire. Lindsay Gardner attended the ExploreEnterprise Workshop in Louth before successfully launchingSpire Chocolates076-077:Layout 1 21/1/13 10:28 Page 2It’s no surprise that money is tightaround this time of year. No soonerhave we got over the Christmasholidays and we’re faced with thatdeadline of 31st January - the daywhen self-assessment tax returnshad to be completed.If you’re reading thismagazine as soon as it comesout and you haven’t alreadymet that deadline, then you’llhave to get a shift on. There’snow an automatic penalty of£100 if you’re even one daylate, with further penaltiesmounting up if you’re stilltardy with the figures. It usedto be that, if you’d settled allyour tax, you could avoid this,but now you’ll have to pay thefines for a late tax returnregardless. Of course, as well asfilling in the form, 31st Januarywas also the day the tax actuallyhad to be paid by – and thereare fines for late payment aswell.For some of us the frantic taskto complete the tax return may,thankfully, not be an issue, but it’sworth considering your financialposition these days as you may noteven be aware of your obligations. Forexample, the rise of eBay and otheronline auction sites are making it easierthan ever for people to buy and sellproducts online – but when do you stopbeing a seller and start becoming aprofessional trader, and therefore required tooperate like a business, in the eyes of thetaxman?There’s no hard and fast rule for what it78 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBUSINESS LINCSconsidered trading and it will usually dependon the individual circumstances. For example,you may enjoy making toys in your spare timeand start selling them online – initially onlycovering your costs. If the toys become morepopular, to the extent you start selling themat a profit and set up your own online shop,you’re now almost certainly a trader andtherefore will need to start making a record ofyour costs and income and informing thetaxman of your status.If you’re just selling the odd unwanted itemonline, you’re unlikely to be considered atrader – though if the items you’re selling gofor more than £6000, there may be a capitalgain chargeable under the special chattelrules.Lincolnshire has plenty of experts on thecase who can consider your personalcircumstances and decide if you need to bealerting and paying the taxman – and if itturns out to be something you should havedone a while ago, they can also help youwork out how you’re going to settle what youowe.A number of businesses have been in thenews recently as part of the debate on howmuch tax should be paid – so make sureyou’re on top of what you owe.We hear much thesedays about the taxstatus of bigbusinesses – but areyou sure about yourobligations?A taxing issueA taxing issue078:Layout 1 21/1/13 10:29 Page 11stissues only £1Great reasonsto subscribe...Each issue is brimming with a diverse topic range...• Heritage • Fashion • Hair & Beauty • Leisure • Homes & Gardens • County Motoring • Dining Out • What’s On • Free Reader Giveaways and much much more…First 3 issues only £1!FREE delivery to your doorReceive your copy before it hits the shopsORDER FORMYes, I would like to subscribe to Lincolnshire Today magazinefor the next 12 months, with the first 3 issues only being £1.Personal Details:First name:Last Name:Address:Town:County: Post Code:Tel: Mobile:Email:Payment by DEBIT/CREDIT cardName as it appears on card:Type of card: Mastercard / Visa / Visa Debit / OtherCard Number:Card Verification number (3 digits on signature strip):Expiry Date:Amount Authorised:Cheque enclosed YES / NO Please post this form back to: Subscriptions,Lincolnshire Today Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby. N.E. Lincolnshire DN31 2QEMake cheque payable to Business Link Magazine GroupCall now to subscribe on01472 310301 or visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341orScan QR Code4Looking for a great gift idea?A gift Subscriptionis the perfect present that lasts all year round!Total Price: £27.553£1079:Layout 1 21/1/13 10:30 Page 1Next >