< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSoltho Gardens, close to Wragby andMarket Rasen, could well be something youmiss if you don’t pay attention. It’s one ofthose places you speed past on the way to otherplaces in Lincolnshire thinking ‘I must go thereone day’. Too often we’re in too much of a rushto take the time to visit such places, but when wearranged to visit with owner Debbie, we wereglad we did.As you pull into the large driveway that leadsto Goltho Gardens, you are struck by theimmediate calm that falls upon the place as soonas you enter. Being so close to a main road, you’dthink the traffic noise would impact on theatmosphere. Not so, what you have here is aseries of gardens all thought out perfectly andFull ofwonderGoltho Gardens is one of the Wolds’ hiddengems, we take a walk around its charmingfour-and-a-half acres.G20-23_Layout 1 25/01/2018 08:01 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21GARDENSwith a sense of care and attention that’s perhapslacking elsewhere in gardens we’ve seen recently.Having been at the site around sixteen years,Debbie has made the plot truly her own. As sheexplains, “What we were after was a house we couldbuy and turn some land into a show garden. It’sbeen a lot of work, but it’s been worth it. We’re realplantaholics if that’s a term and we’ll go to the endsof the earth for good examples, but UK nurseries areobviously the best.”The plot and house were practically derelict whenpurchased and seeding and initial planting was along process, but complete with large pond andlandscaping it’s a wonder to behold.22 Á20-23_Layout 1 25/01/2018 08:01 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSGoltho works because each area has a clearaim. Smart, but not to the point of sterility orlooking false, the garden is a full-time job butlooks incredible for it. As well as orthodox flowerbeds and produce gardens, there’s a beguilingwildflower meadow which sways colourfully in thebreeze and is awash with butterflies at the time ofour visit. As well as a rose garden complete withgorgeous David Austin roses in pinks, whites andreds and a peony garden, there’s also a potagerplanted with herbs and vegetables that sits pretty20-23_Layout 1 25/01/2018 08:01 Page 3You need to renew or subscribe if you want your green waste bin emptying after March 26, 2018. This service is for 21 collections a year and costs £40. You must subscribe by February 23, 2018 to ensure you receive all 21 collections.To subscribe or renew your subscription, visit:www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/greenwaste NOW!Please check your Green Waste calendar as your Green Waste collection day may be changing. There will be 21 collections; 18 from Spring to Autumn and three collections throughout Winter. If you are unable to apply online please call 0800 08 55 037 from January 8, 2018. You can still subscribe after February 23, 2018, however we cannot guarantee 21 collections.Let us take your green wasteRenew or subscribe onlineNOW!LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23in a brick-paved section. There’s also a nut walk, whichhas hazels and ferns planted to provide even moreinterest.The great thing about Goltho is that you can spotflowers dotted around the garden, then on your way out,buy a potted example or cutting to plant at home. Aswell as this there are tea rooms and a bed and breakfastshould the peaceful surroundings sufficiently grab you.It’s certainly grabbed us and no doubt we’ll be returningwhen the mood takes us.For more information, visit www.golthogardens.com 20-23_Layout 1 25/01/2018 08:01 Page 424 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYt is predicted that balcony gardening and verticalgardening will be the new big things. This meansthere is likely to be better choice in planters that slotonto balcony rails. There are also new models of clochestoo, so that you can grow seeds and vegetables on yourbalcony.In recent years it has all be about making the garden anextra room to your house. Bring the indoors outside tomake an “outdoor room”. This year the next trend is thehome as an ‘indoor garden’. House plants are making abig comeback. Along with this are ‘grow lights’ or ‘growkits’ which enable you to grow food or start seedsindoors. They use LED lights that mimic daylight and youcan buy mini-greenhouse gardens to have indoors.It is also predicted that solar lighting will get better andbetter. Solar lighting in a garden is popular as you do notwant to have to keep changing batteries, and getting thegarden wired for electricity can be expensive. Thereforesolar lighting will be improving and this year we may seemore choice in the shops with more daring and stylishdesigns. Wildlife gardens have already become fashionable aspeople want to work with nature and ensure that theiroutdoor space provides a home for nature. However, thisSo 2018 is underway andthere are always new trendsand fashions for gardens andthis year is no exception asEd Fuller from Fullers Forestryand Landscaping explains.The nextbig thingI© Shutterstock / VICUSCHKA24-25_Layout 1 24/01/2018 12:42 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY25year it is predicted that we will be much more interested inhow environmentally-friendly our gardening products are.This will be from ‘natural’ bug and slug killers which willhave naturally occurring ingredients to the use of plastics inour garden. The use of peat is also another environmentallysensitive subject and so some companies are looking atpeat-free and peat reduced composts. Peat bogs providevital habitats for a variety of flora and fauna which arepotentially being lost.Another possible new garden fashion this year could bewinter barbecues. In some countries, such as the US, Chileand the Nordic countries including Sweden and Finland,they have outdoor barbecues no matter how cold it is. Thisis not something that has caught on in the UK yet, but itmay be something that in time we will all be doing. Somepeople go as far as having a BBQ hut in their garden, but ifyou look online there are lots of hints and tips on how tohave the perfect winter barbecue and entertain your familyand friends outside all year round. No matter what the latest trends are your garden shouldbe your perfect outdoor space to enjoy. Spring is justaround the corner and so you need to thinking aboutgetting your garden ready for the summer months. If youwant to make some changes or you just need to have a bitof tidy up now is the time.Specialised Servicesin Garden DesignLandscaping andTree MaintenanceBacked by a highly-skilledand experienced team,we’ve built our reputationon an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored gardening and forestry solutionsFREE NO OBLIGATIONQUOTATIONSFULLERSForestry & LandscapingCall 01522 868717 or 07867 510544info@fullersforestry.co.uklwww.fullersforestry.co.ukwww.landscapinglincolnshire.comAround thegarden•Prepare vegetable beds and sow some vegetables undercover• Prune winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering• Divide bulbs such as snowdrops• Prune hardy evergreen hedges and renovate overgrown deciduous hedges• Use a pressure washer to clean paths, steps, paving and patios• Plant colourful, evergreen Phormium ‘Cream Delight’ in a patio pot to brighten winter displays• Protect blossom on apricots, nectarines and peaches• Prune Wisteria• Take care not to walk over borders or on lawns where spring bulbs and flowers will be emerging• Prune Conservatory climbers© Shutterstock / Grisha Bruev24-25_Layout 1 24/01/2018 12:42 Page 226 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCAISTORWhereheritage andhospitalitycollide© Shutterstock / Gill KennettAlthough Caistor boasts all the trappingsone would expect of an olde English village,with its Grade 1 listed church, independentsellers and vibrant community spirit, there’sso much more going on.26-29_Layout 1 24/01/2018 13:09 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY27CAISTORLincolnshire is often wrongly thought of as beingcompletely flat, like the earth of old science. Yetnestled atop a hill at perhaps the county’s highestpoint is Caistor. From this vantage point thepicturesque village enjoys startling views of thesurrounding Wolds and its panoramic skyline. The façade of the village retains its antiquity withthe buildings a blend of Georgian and Victorianarchitecture. One of its most impressive structures isSt Peter and St Pauls church which sports an Anglo-Saxon tower with an original Roman wall visiblefrom its southern boundary. In fact, there’s a total of54 Grade II listed buildings, two Scheduled AncientMonuments and, most impressively, in excess of 150significant archaeological finds. The market town isa veritable treasure trove of history, a place wherethe old and new collide.Though history is undoubtedly endemic toCaistor’s continued appeal, natural beauty is a closesecond. It sits at the heart of some of Lincolnshire’smost stirring scenes, with mere words alone failingto capture that sublime splendour. Suffice it to saythat locals have much to be thankful for eachmorning, throwing open those curtains and takingin the luscious scenery. Though Mother Nature takesmost of the praise, it’s through the tireless efforts oflocal residents and businesses that sees Caistorretain its natural beautiful and overall orderliness.Their efforts pay off year in year out, with the villageracking up numerous accolades. Since its inceptionin 2009, Caistor in Bloom has won well over twentydifferent awards. No doubt there’s more on the way. Though history and natural beauty are keycomponents to idyllic village life, they alone aren’tenough to foster the kind of caring community thatCaistor is famed for. It’s as much to do with thevariety of independent retailers, restaurants andother establishments that provide ample space forfriends and families to spend time with one another.Indeed, many of these venues have been firmlyestablished in the heart of the community for years– decades even – and make a vital contribution tothe local economy each year. 28 Á26-29_Layout 1 24/01/2018 13:09 Page 228 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCAISTORDespite its tranquil, some might saysleepy, backdrop, Caistor is far fromlacklustre with one event or anothertaking place at any given time. Theweekly market, which takes place everySaturday from 9am to 2pm, is a hive ofactivity, while those looking for some alittle livelier can turn to the Caistorrunning club who meet most Tuesdaysand Thursdays at the Sports and SocialClub. The town’s itinerary of events areorganised well in advanced, with theannual street party, Christmas dos andactivity days just some of the highlightsahead. The Caistor Arts and HeritageCentre at 28 Plough Hill speaks to thetown’s affinity with creative pursuits andif there’s one thing we’ve learned fromspeaking to local artists, it’s that theWolds are an unending font ofinspiration. The village itself boasts its fairshare of artists. The Arts Centre has a team ofvolunteers working in all areas,organising exhibitions, music andheritage events and generally helping outin front and behind the scenes. TheCentre also welcomes people from thearea to add value by bringing theirspecific skills. This runs alongside thevarious exhibitions and events that areheld at the Heritage Centre, plus thepermanent exhibition tracing the historyof the town from 8000BC to the presentday.Younger folk aren’t forgotten abouteither, with Caistor leading by examplewith its ample skate park. There’s also theSKINCOUTUREluxurious beauty therapies/skincouturebeautyskincouturebeautySkin CoutureSkin Couture Beauty Salon, Market Place, Caistor LN7 6TW skincouturebeauty@outlook.com@01472 852063www.skincouturebeauty.co.ukSkin Couture Beauty Salon, Market Place, Caistor LN7 6TW skincouturebeauty@outlook.com@01472 852063www.skincouturebeauty.co.ukWe are boutique beauty salon on a mission tomake you look & feel fabulous.Keep up to date with all our latestoffers on treatments and products26-29_Layout 1 24/01/2018 13:09 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY29CAISTORYour new Lincolnshire Co-op funeral office is openPeople in and around Caistor can discuss plans and make arrangements atLincolnshire Co-op’s new funeral branch.The arrangement office on High Street means anyone can simply pop in tospeak to staff for help with funeral plans and advice. It includes a private arrangement lounge, a reception area and a displayshowing the handiwork of the office’s memorial masons, who use new technologyand traditional hand carving skills. It was officially opened in January, with Caistor and District Lions Club andCaistor Arts and Heritage Centre each receiving a £250 donation during thecelebrations.Lincolnshire Co-op Head of Funerals David Dernley said: “We pride ourselveson delivering a professional, affordable and sympathetic service whenever familiesneed us. “We’re also committed to providing transparent prices and helping people find a funeral they can afford, and to show this we’vesigned the enhanced Fair Funerals Pledge.”For more information, call 01472 859222. gym to boost health and fitness, whichboasts all-weather cross trainers, bicyclesand resistance machines. This is all ontop of the tennis courts already available,and the addition of a basketball court inmore recent years, so it’s safe to sayCaistor is a sporty sort of town. Locatedjust off Brigg Road, Caistor Town CricketClub is often regarded as one of the mostimpressive and scenic grounds to play inall of Lincolnshire. Nowhere is the community spirit ofCaistor as forthcoming than with itsCaistor Lions organisation. Although thegroup fall under the World’s biggest andmost active service club organisation,their focus is entirely on bettering thelocal community. As the group covers allits own costs, it means that whateverdonations and money it raises can gostraight to worthwhile causes, and thegroup raises thousands for the villageeach year. Although the group’s exactremit isn’t easily defined, they are behindsome of Caistor’s best loved events,including the annual firework display andthe Beer Festival. Caistor also means business, and aswell as being a great place to live, it alsoserves as a vibrant setting for successfulbusinesses. The best way to support anybusiness, be that heritage, hospitality orotherwise, is to check out the village foryourself, soak up the views, steep in thehistory and, more importantly, get stuckinto the community spirit. 26-29_Layout 1 24/01/2018 13:09 Page 4Next >