£2.95 FEBRUARY 2020 THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET www.blmgroup.co.uk BLM GROUP GROUP BLM £2.95 FEBRUARY 2020THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE Visiting Caistor Healthy Hearts Valentine’s Inspiration Visiting Caistor Healthy Hearts Valentine’s Inspiration 01.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 13:44 Page 1Quality function venue in a prime location on Cleethorpes seafront. For weddings, conferences, banquets, events, christenings, carvery and everything in between, we have something suitable for your requirements. Come down for our fantastic carvery every Sunday between 12 Noon and 3pm. Serving a choice of meats, all the trimmings as well as a selection of dishes off the menu along with beautiful homemade desserts. Kings Hall at Cleethorpes Masonic Kings Road, Cleethorpes. Telephone 01472 692908. Email kingshall@oaklandshallhotel.co.uk 02.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:15 Page 1from the editor Love is in the air, as well as the oncoming of spring – though it’s difficult to tell where winter ends and spring begins now that snow is seemingly a thing of the past. It’s still wet and cold out, but we may be looking forward to some brighter days as February goes on. Along with that, we’ll be looking forward to Valentines Day, which is a pleasant way to break away from the January blues. For many, it’s been Dry January, and a chance to celebrate with a glass of wine or pint of beer. I prefer a tasty cocktail myself, but a glass of shiraz outdoors will never go amiss. Our February issue doesn’t cover wine sadly, but it does cover plenty of places you can go for a glass – and with our annual Wedding Guide released with this issue, there are perhaps excuses to have one. Perhaps not red wine with a wedding dress unless one wants a disaster moment, but the sentiment is there. If you know anyone who is getting married – or if you are yourself – then please do gift the guide on. It’s packed with useful ideas and advice. It’s not all weddings here, though. We look at heart health this month with a charity feature on the British Heart Foundation showing you how you can get involved in supporting this worthy cause, and also a health and fitness feature dedicated to protecting your own heart. Alongside that we have the upcoming events for February, a look at a reader home full of fresh ideas, and we visit Caistor, a market town bustling with new activity and residents, to see what is making it such an appealing place for new families to settle down in. Good reading, as always… Michael Fisher Editor and the Lincolnshire Today team Group Editor: Steve Fisher Editor: Michael Fisher, Journalists: Dominic Cuthbert, Tess Egginton Sales Director: Angela Cooper Sales: Kerry Randerson Accounts & Circulations: Angela Sharman, John Downes (01472) 310301 Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson Advertising: Tel: (01472) 310302 Editorial: Tel: (01472) 310305 Part Of The Business Link Magazine Group: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE Email: lincs-today@blmgroup.co.uk Website: www.lincolnshiretoday.net ISSN No: 1366-1299 © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. If you are unable to participate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass your magazine onto a local hospital or charity? FRONT COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF SHUTTERSTOCK/MEDWEDJA LincolnshireToday @lincstoday lincolnshiretoday.net VISIT WWW.DEXTERSHARPE.CO.UK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Dexter & Sharpe Chartered Certified Accountants At the heart of Lincolnshire We provide a comprehensive range of services, if you would like to find out how we can help you or your business why not head over to the contact us page to find your local office. Our 130 years of experience has taught us to initially listen more than we talk. When we talk, you’ll find that it's plain jargon-free practical advice which is not only accurate but tailored to your specific needs. Having gained a full understanding of your business our aim is to ensure this timely advice helps you and your business achieve its objectives. For a pro-active, friendly and accessible service or your FREE Consultation contact one of our teams: Horncastle: 01507 526071 - Boston: 01205 311966 - Spilsby: 01790 753340 Bourne: 01778 393656 - Louth: 01507 609933 - Skegness: 01754 763222 - Lincoln: 01522 533588 AGRICULTURE • CHARITIES • CONSTRUCTION • FINANCIAL & CONSULTING • MANUFACTUYRING • MEDIA • MOTOR RETAIL & REPAIR • TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS • VETERINARY 03.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:16 Page 1Features 6 THIS MONTH IN LINCOLNSHIRE What’s been going on in the county this month? 28LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE Snowdrops are the flower of February and here we take a closer look at this beautiful little flower 30THE MARKET TOWN WITH THE BIG HEART This month we take a closer look at Caistor, a historic market town brimming with heritage, leisure and community spirit 34LINCOLNSHIRE HERITAGE EXPLORED Woodhall Spa’s history is long and varied; we visit and explore 36BEST DRESSED Much as we love Valentine’s Day, dressing up in your favourite outfit can be its own excuse. With that in mind we cast a look over some of our favourite outfits from the current season and look ahead to see what the spring lines will bring us 42LAST STOP The thing about accessories is that many of them are necessary parts of an outfit, such as belts and shoes. Others, like jewellery, might not be necessary in the same way but an outfit just isn’t complete without them 44FOR THE MODERN MAN Men’s fashion has come along in leaps and bounds over the last few decades and continues to involve to be ever more inclusive and understanding of the wants and needs of modern men 46FACE THE FUTURE Gillian Jackson, beauty educator and owner of Skin Couture Beauty Salon & Gillian Jackson Aesthetics in Caistor, shares her secrets for flawless future proof skin 48SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THE KITCHEN There’s a certain flair to cooking – taking raw ingredients and making them into something special takes time, effort and focus, and can culminate in something incredible. Here are some simple recipes to help kick that off, one of which has a Valentines twist if you want to do something special for your loved one • Meet the chef - Jack Phillips, head chef at Grimsby’s Millfields Hotel 52THE ORIGINS OF LOVE It’s easy to take Valentine’s Day for granted but this romantic celebration has a bloody and convoluted history as we explore • Valentine’s gift inspiration FEBRUARY MUCH AS WE LOVE VALENTINE’S DAY, DRESSING UP IN YOUR FAVOURITE OUTFIT CAN BE ITS OWN EXCUSE. WITH THAT IN MIND WE CAST A LOOK OVER SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE OUTFITS FROM THE CURRENT SEASON contents 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:17 Page 1IT’S EASY TO TAKE VALENTINE’S DAY FOR GRANTED BUT THIS ROMANTIC CELEBRATION HAS A BLOODY AND CONVOLUTED HISTORY AS WE EXPLORE 56BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION Since it was formed some sixty years ago, the British Heart Foundation has funded some of the biggest breakthroughs in the battle against heart and circulatory diseases. Here we shine a light on their history, aims for the future and how readers can get involved 60AT THE HEART OF THE MATTER Help yourself and your heart to become fitter this year 62COUNTY MOTORING If you need a new car, or you just like motors, read on to see what we’ve been driving since our last issue 68WHAT’S ON There’s always something going on in Lincolnshire Desirable homes 14IMMACULATE AND SECLUDED Carefully refurbished, this month’s featured property is light, bright and offers extensive gardens that have been landscaped to perfection 18WHERE THE WARMTH IS We eschew the frostier end of the colour spectrum, relegating those blues and greys aside in favour of the warmer hues of orange, red, yellow and umber 20A LIGHT IN THE DARK Painting became a lifeline for artist Sara Otter and her works can now be found in galleries and exhibitions in Lincolnshire and beyond. This Valentine’s season, we take a closer look at works that beautifully capture love and romance 22PRIVATE PARADISE Readers’ gardens come in all shapes and sizes and this month’s, in particular, proved a great find with its well- stocked borders and bog garden, but also the view beyond. After all, what better way to relax after a busy day in the garden, than with a glass of wine enjoying the sun set in the distance 26GETTING TO GRIPS WITH GARDEN TRENDS If you’re looking for some outdoors inspiration, Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping explores the predicted trends and fashions for gardens for the year ahead 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:17 Page 2Flowers have been planted in anticipation of the 400th anniversary of the sailing of The Mayflower this year. The unique daffodil bulbs have been produced by Spalding’s Springfields Horticultural Society. “The idea of naming a daffodil to promote the Mayflower 400 anniversary events in 2020 was to help raise the profile of Lincolnshire’s daffodil growing industry as well as supporting all those taking part in the Mayflower activities,” said David Norton, Chief Executive of Springfields Horticultural Society and Secretary of the British Flower Bulb Association. One thousand bulbs are being planted in locations around the town including the riverside area and adjacent to All Saints Parish Church. The bulbs are expected to flower towards the end of March / early April, in time for the start of a programme of events, which will take place across the Pilgrim Roots region. Hospice to launch breathe easy programme following grant funding People living in North Lincolnshire with life-limiting lung conditions are set to benefit from a new care programme thanks to £40,000 of grant funding. Lindsey Lodge Hospice in Scunthorpe has been awarded a major Hospice UK grant award through St James’s Place Charitable Grant Programme 2019 to provide the Breathe Easy Enablement Programme (BEEP) to support more patients diagnosed with progressive lung disease to participate in exercise, learn about their condition and how to self- manage at home. It will focus on providing personalised supportive care to enable them to ‘live well’, particularly for those approaching their last year of life. The Programme will be a collaboration of professionals based within the Hospice and externally, for example local GPs, complex care matrons and psychological services. It will launch in March. Fate of Lincoln Grand Prix hangs in the balance Since 1965, the Lincoln Grand Prix has attracted swathes of tourists and celebrity competitors to our county’s capital city. But now the future of the race is in jeopardy after Chestnut Homes withdrew its backing citing a slowdown in the housing market in the face of Brexit and the election. Now race organisers are seeking another sponsor, though they admit that the race might not go ahead this year. “The race has a great history and has great support and has unique characteristics with its extraordinary finish at the cathedral and the cobbled climb,” said Cycling broadcaster and journalist Ned Boulting. “It’s an iconic race and it would be a huge blow to the racing calendar should it go. The circuit is brutal and it’s a real spectacle. It’s everything you want road racing to be. It replicates some of the great races on the continent in Belgium and France. It’s a class event.” © Shutterstock/Neirfy latest news © Shuttertock/urbans Unique daffodils planted to mark Mayflower anniversary © Shuttertock/Ian Melvin 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:18 Page 1The Museum of Lincolnshire Life is looking for people to contribute to an exhibition exploring how VE Day and the aftermath of World War II shaped life in Lincolnshire. ‘Memories of VE Day and Beyond: How WWII Shaped Lincolnshire’ will open at the museum in May 2020, commemorating the 75th anniversary of VE Day. The project team is keen to feature people’s memories and stories of what life in Lincolnshire was like in the period immediately following the war. “Perhaps you could tell us about local housing and communities, changes to industry and the workplace, family life, multiculturalism, or how people spent their leisure time,” said Collections Manager, Ron Frayne. “So if you have stories or memories from this period you’d like to share, please do get in touch.” If you think you can help, email anya.johnson@lincolnshire.gov.uk or francesa.white@lincolnshire.gov.uk. Contributions should be sent before the end of January 2020. Historical finds uncovered in Grimsby Historical finds including a coin, pendant and pottery have been unearthed by archaeologists excavating in trenches alongside the River Freshney in Grimsby. Prior to work starting to transform the town’s Garth Lane area, Lincoln-based PCAS Archaeology were drafted in to search for evidence of a bygone age when this part of central Grimsby was integral to the shipping, fishing and water transport life of the town. The investigations focused on the bank of the medieval West Haven and at the southern end of the west side of the post- medieval Alexandra Dock. A JCB was used to break the surface of six deep trenches to a level where the experts then took over, digging by hand with an eye for the detail and any important finds. Materials found were taken away and cleaned where they will be documented and then returned to North East Lincolnshire. Museum seeks stories of Lincs life after WW11 Plucky seal pup finds way to Tattershall Castle The RSPCA has rescued a seal pup who managed to find his way to Tattershall Castle in Lincoln. It’s thought the young grey seal had come down the weir and climbed up the bank before trying to get into a small dyke. He was spotted by a family walking their dogs who proceeded to call the RSPCA. “It was definitely unexpected to be contacted about a seal pup at Tattershall Castle. The people who spotted him and called us couldn’t believe what they were seeing,” said RSPCA inspector Kate Burris. He was taken to a vet practice overnight before being transferred to specialist facilities at RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre in Norfolk. “He is going to be with us for a few months rather than weeks but they’re hopeful he’s going to be okay,” added Kate. © RSPCA © Shutterstock/Doubleclix 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:18 Page 2Work is set to commence on the second phase of the Boultham Park Restoration Project in Lincoln, thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The £1.17 million project is the latest development in a larger scheme which will focus on improving biodiversity and restoring the historic lake by improving water quality and lake edges in a way that ensures sustainable management. With the focus on improving biodiversity and restoring the lake, the project, which is supported by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and the Boultham Park Advisory Group, will give more opportunities for people to get involved in the park, create more space for wildlife to flourish and open up natural and cultural heritage to existing and new visitors. The 90-year-old public park has already benefitted from a £4.1 million project that has restored key heritage features including the bandstand, main gates, a fountain garden and sundial. The work could take up to a year. A new exhibition at North Lincolnshire Museum celebrates ten years of the Facebook group ‘Scunthorpe Memories’, offering visitors a trip down memory lane. The group – that now has almost 20,000 members from all over the world – was created to encourage people to share old photographs, memories and stories of Scunthorpe and surrounding villages. At the exhibition, visitors will see a display of the most memorable photographs that have been shared in the group over the past decade. There will also be never before seen photographs from the founder’s personal collection. Paul Stebbing, founder of Scunthorpe Memories, said: “It’s important to me and to the members to celebrate this milestone, and we are incredibly grateful to North Lincolnshire Museum for offering to help us mark it by exhibiting a small selection of iconic local photographs that have been uploaded to the group over the years.” The exhibition runs until Friday 14 February. latest news Efforts to get people cycling pay off Plans to get more people on their bikes to improve health and reduce motorised transport are really beginning to pay off, North Kesteven District Council says. The district’s Cycling Strategic Review has been working on a number of projects over the last year and more are in the pipeline for 2020. Cycling and walking arrangements are now an important part of discussions with developers to make sure meeting these needs are built into new schemes and improvements are planned into existing schemes. There are also ongoing discussions with authorities including Lincolnshire County Council to make sure cycling needs are built into road improvements. The Council has also been building relationships with local clubs and last year hosted the first North Kesteven family cycling session. Funding for second phase of Lincoln lake project © Shutterstock/ Duncan Andison Scunthorpe memories highlighted at exhibition © Shutterstock/aboikis 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:18 Page 3www.ashwoodhomes.co info@ashwoodhomes.co Looking for your Dream Home 01406490590 in 2020? Why not find it with Ashwood Homes? Brand New Homes From Just £157,000! Here at Ashwood Homes, we pride ourselves in creating a variety of traditionally built, high-specification homes for everyone from first-time buyers to families and investors! We have a range of developments across South Lincolnshire, mainly situated locally around the Spalding/Holbeach areas - and with over 25 years in the residential property market, we work hard to make homes people are proud to live in. Our high-specification and attention to detail in each of our new homes is what makes us stand out. We always make sure that the latest appliances, flooring, kitchens and even tiling are made available to all purchasers as standard across all of our developments! So, if you are hoping to find your dream home this year, give us a call to find out more about what we offer.. 09.qxp_Layout 1 21/01/2020 11:19 Page 1Next >