£2.95 MARCH 2016£2.95 MARCH 2016THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINETHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukBLMGROUPGROUPBLMWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET30 years young30 years youngStep intoSpringLuxe livingFarm &CountryspecialNew seasonfashion Free countyweddingguideLuxe livingFarm &CountryspecialNew seasonfashion Free countyweddingguideStep intoSpring01_Layout 1 24/02/2016 13:47 Page 1Rose Lodge Care Home, Market DeepingFamily means a lot to all of us and we understand the importance of selecting the right care IPNF5PmOEPVUNPSFBCPVU3PTF-PEHFPSBSSBOHFBWJTJUQMFBTFDBMM01778 344454email info@countrycourtcare.comPSWJTJUPVSXFCTJUFPOwww.countrycourtcare.com.Stores in Boston, Grantham, Lincoln & Gainsborough(]HPSHISLVUZLSLJ[LKKLWHY[TLU[Z^OLU`V\ZWLUKVYTVYL6ɈLYHWWSPLZ[VM\SSWYPJLKTLYJOHUKPZLVUS`W\YJOHZLKPUHZPUNSLKH`,_JS\KLZÄ[[PUNJVZ[Z(SS[LYTZH]HPSHISLPUZ[VYLAvailable on Upholstery, Flooring*, Beds, Bedroom Furniture,Dining, Technology, Large Domestic Appliances,Fitted Kitchens*, Custom & Bespoke Curtains,Leisure Furniture, Garden Buildings, BBQs and Spas*.OFFER AVAILABLE IN STORE8TH FEBRUARY - 1ST APRIL 2016.RECEIVE £120IN VOUCHERSSPEND VOUCHERSSTARTPURCHASEITEM02_Layout 1 24/02/2016 13:48 Page 1Well we’re told Spring has sprung, although the Met office aren’t rulingout the possibility of snow just yet. How weird is that? Of course you’ll know for sure that spring has arrived when you seepeople in the high streets blinding you with their translucent white legsshowing beneath their shorts, or that over-achieving neighbour outtending garden beds, while you’re being berated for not yet getting thoselast few outdoor Christmas decorations down! Last year it took me untilabout April to get all ours down – a personal best for me as I usuallymanage to stretch it till only February.Perhaps that’s why Mrs Fisher decided we should live in the countryside,presumably she was growing weary of neighbours frowning at my under achievementin the garden. That was a steep learning curve for me, a ‘townie’– first I discoveredthat the hover mower couldn’t cope with a lush one and a half acre lawn, then Idiscovered the merits of a petrol driven garden tools after cutting through the cableof my electric ones so often that it was only a matter of time before I suffered anelectric shock. That day came while I was trying to shear the cable with my teeth –as us fellas do – but usually we remember to unplug said cable first! After pickingmyself up from the floor and somehow living to tell the tale, a visit to the dentist hadto be made as the shock had blown out every filling. Fortunately, he had a greatsense of humour and agreed to do the work at half price as he would be dining outon the story for some time! So, do tread carefully this month. A&E departments will be awash with gardenersand DIYers bearing the scars of warring with a circular saw or chain saw - my adviceis offer to hold the ladder for your wife so you can catch her when she falls (justjoking ladies). The answer clearly is to book one of our home inspiration experts orlandscape gardeners, leaving you free to enjoy life to the full.While someone else is wrestling with the power tools you could be sampling a mealat one of the restaurants we’ve tried and tested this month, or follow in the footstepsof our heritage expert, Hugh Marrows, who reveals Lincolnshire’s cultural past, in a newseries of articles which begins this month. This issue also sees the return of our everpopular feature on Lincolnshire artists, and of course the usual plethora of entertainmentfor a great night out and much much more besides. Enjoy ! Steve FisherEditorLincolnshireToday@lincstodaylincolnshiretoday.netEditor:Steve FisherJournalists:Michael Fisher, Stuart Pearcey, Dominic CuthbertSales Director: Angela CooperSales: Kerry Randerson, Christine JewittAccounts & Circulations: Angela Sharman, John Downes(01472) 310301Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen,Mark CassonAdvertising: 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.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/FOREWERMORE WAYS TO READLINCOLNSHIRE TODAYLog onto www.lincolnshiretoday.net03_Layout 1 24/02/2016 13:50 Page 1Features6 THIS MONTH IN LINCOLNSHIREWhat’s been going on in the county this month?30WHERE PAST AND PRESENT MEET Woodhall Spa is one of those rare locationswhere cultural heritage and modern lifestyle gohand in hand34LINCOLNSHIRE WALKSThere’s nothing better than a brisk, bracingwalk to get fit - it’s also a great way to meet likeminded people 36IN BLOOMSpring is here and it’s finally time to put awaythat winter fashion50THIS GIRL CAN!CrossFit Witham member Amy talks us throughthe fitness phenomenon that is CrossFit andhow it is changing womens attitude towardsexercise52THOSE SPRING MONTHSIt’s not time to bring out the barbeque just yet,but warmer days will mean more opportunitiesto eat out57FARM & COUNTRY NEWSThe latest news from across the countryside60THE FARMING FRONTIERThrough farming, Lincolnshire has become aninternationally recognisable brand, but it hasbeen a long and arduous journey 63PETSYou might be thinking of going away for theEaster holidays, but who’s going to look afteryour pets?64EQUINEIt’s not unusual to see dogs in the stableyard,but is Fido covered if something goes wrong? 66BURTON HUNT BALLThis year, the Lincolnshire Showground’s EpicCentre played host, once again, to the BurtonHunt Ball68LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFELike all American imports, we’ve begrudginglycome to love the grey squirrel the little crittercontentsMARCH3636WITH SPRING ERUPTING IN EARLY BLOSSOM,THERE’S NO BETTER EXCUSE TO TAKEADVANTAGE OF THE SHORTER NIGHTS ANDBRIGHTER DAYS04-05_Layout 1 24/02/2016 13:50 Page 12626AS AN EARLY SPRING BRINGS THE GARDENOUT IN BLOOM AND QUIETLY USHERS IN THESUMMER, IT’S TIME TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OFTHAT MOST UNDERUSED PART OF THE HOME70LINCOLNSHIRE’S HERITAGE EXPLOREDWelcome to our new series about Lincolnshireheritage. We begin in the south of the county atCrowland72COUNTY MOTORINGShould we be surprised that driverless cars arealready being tested on our roads?79CARINGMany elderly people wish to hold onto theirindependence as long as possible, so what can bedone to help achieve this?84WHAT’S ONThere’s always something going on in Lincolnshire89A SPORT FOR THE HEARTGetting into golf can seem an intimidatingprospect, but there’s a lot of good reasons to giveit a go – including living a healthier lifeDesirable homes12RURAL CHARMDenton Lodge is an impressive reader’s home ina fantastic location on the edge of the renownedVale of Belvoir with its famous Castle and lovelyopen countryside18CLEAN AND CONTEMPORARYModern design tends to get lumped in the samecategory as clinical and functional furniture anddecor - the reality couldn’t be further away fromthat assumption20THE COUNTY ON CANVASSIn the long-awaited return of our ‘Artists ofLincolnshire’ feature, we talk to local artist CarlPaul22A GARDEN WITH A TWISTNot everyone wants to spend time in theirgarden weeding, pruning and dead headingplants. Here’s one such garden with a verydifferent twist24FORWARD THINKINGEd Fuller from Fullers Forestry and Landscapingshows you how to get the best out of the earlySpring26BRINGING THE INDOORS OUTWarmer weather and longer days mean there’snever been a better time to bring the indoors out04-05_Layout 1 24/02/2016 13:50 Page 2Reactions to the news that RAF Scampton is to become the newhome for Lincolnshire’s International Air show have been comingin thick and fast. The Minister of State for Defence, Earl Howe, and the RAFCharitable Trust (RAFCT) announced the news earlier today andhas been welcomed almost universally. Councillor Roger Patterson, who represents the Scampton ward on West Lindsey District Council said: “This is fantastic news for the people ofScampton, West Lindsey and Lincolnshire as a whole. Not only does it keep the air show in the county, it also secures the future of RAFScampton, in its 100th year, and that of the Red Arrows squadron.Cllr. Jeff Summers, the Conservative Leader of West Lindsey District Council added: “Lindsey has big ambitions to grow our tourism industryand this is exactly the sort of news that we wanted to hear. I am confident that West Lindsey District Council will rise to the challenge tosupport delivering an air show in the district and we stand ready to assist the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust to do so.”LATEST NEWSHeckington gets Lincolnshire’smost energy efficient homesWork has begun on a new high-quality council housing schemein Heckington, paving the way for Lincolnshire’s first Council-owned super-energy-efficient cheap-to-live-in Passivhauses.Pioneering a move into the ultimate in energy efficiency living,North Kesteven District Council will be the first local authority inthe area – and one of just a handful nationwide – to build to thisnew green standard.The two houses will be a part of a new 22 home scheme atKyme Road, Heckington, developed as part of the Council’s on-going commitment to increase the availability of quality affordablehousing locally by building 500 new homes over a decade. They will make a significant contribution to meeting identifiedneed for affordable housing in Heckington and fit with theCouncil’s commitment to build to its own adopted qualitystandard, Fabric First Plus, which exceeds the requirements ofbuilding regulations for insulation, space and durability.Passivhaus is a rigorous standard of energy efficiency with greatcare taken in the quality of materials, insulation levels, design andconstruction. Life-saving charityurges Lincoln locals tosign up for 10kLincolnshire charity LIVES is urging local people to sign up and raisecrucial funds at this year’s City of Lincoln 10k in April.It is critical that the charity receives support from the localcommunity at this year’s event. LIVES is one of nine official partnercharities for this year’s Asda Foundation City of Lincoln 10k, and thecharity is now on the search for runners of all abilities to sign up andhelp raise funds to support its life-saving work across Lincolnshire. The City of Lincoln 10K has been running for 20 years and this yearmarks the second time that the event been organised by Run For All -an organisation which celebrates the legacy of the late Jane TomlinsonCBE, who raised almost £2 million for charity through a seriesof endurance challenges - despite being diagnosed with incurablecancer.Entries can be booked direct online, but don’t forget to let LIVESknow you are supporting them.Reactions tonews overRAF Scamptonhosting Air Show 06-07_Layout 1 25/02/2016 12:00 Page 1Lulu teams up for Military Wives Choir withcharity single and Lincolnshire date Pop sensation Lulu has teamed up withThe Military Wives Choir for a newsingle ‘Cry’, which was released onFebruary 26th. All proceeds raisedby the song will be donated toThe Military Wives ChoirFoundation. The charity, which is forservice personnel and theirfamilies, supports women inthe British militarycommunity. Lulu cited herstruggle with post-traumaticstress disorder and herviolent upbringing as theimpetus for getting involvedwith the Military Wives. To help support the single’s release, Lulu will perform ‘Cry’with a different Military Wives Choir at each of her 34 UK tourdates throughout March and April. For her Lincolnshire leg of thetour, Lulu will perform with the choir at the Meres Leisure Centrein Grantham on Saturday March 12. Schools invited toexplore Lincolnshire’srare chalk streamsThanks to funding from Natural England, the Lincolnshire ChalkStreams Project is offering to take groups from primary and secondaryschools out to explore Lincolnshire’s rare chalk streams. Will Bartle, monitoring office, said: “This is a great opportunity for pupils toexplore chalk streams, a rare habitat found only in a few places in the UK. Justsome of the wildlife we’d expect them to see include freshwater shrimps anddifferent types of mayfly larvae, these are particularly good indicators of waterquality.“They could also see fish such as brown trout and bullheads, and other creaturessuch as crayfish. Our offer to schools ends in July so I’d encourage them to booksoon.”Primary school groups will be able to take part in a classroom-based experimentto study the life cycle of mayflies using simple equipment. Secondary schoolspupils will be taught how to survey and identify invertebrates using astandardised survey method.All the necessary equipment, including nets, trays and ID guides will beprovided through the funding from Natural England. Cleethorpes awardedNational Lottery funding torestore historic area Businesses on twoCleethorpes streets willbe able to apply forgrants to restore andrepair originalarchitectural featuresand shop facades. It’s part of a schemelaunched by NorthEast LincolnshireCouncil which will use £1.9 million of lottery funding for the CentralCleethorpes Seafront Townscape Heritage project. It will see the ornateVictorian wrought-iron balconies along Alexandra Road restored and therenewal of many public spaces, including stone work and paving. Sea View Street is the most historic part of the Conservation area,containing the oldest historic fabric and the most original historic shops.Although increasingly attractive to independent retailers and restaurants, thestreet still has three building identified as at risk.Alexandra Road is one of the main pedestrian and vehicular routesrunning parallel to Cleethorpes sea front, and is dominated by typicalVictorian terraces. Poorly maintained properties, eroded original features andunsympathetic alterations mean that it is no longer in keeping with the area. A brand new weddingvenue in Woodhall Spa,with a difference!Abbey Farm is situated in the beautiful Lincolnshirecountryside and is an idyllic backdrop for your wedding day.With the benefits of a tranquil, peaceful location with 5 acres oflush green lawns and views of open farmland beneath theromantic ruin of Kirkstead Abbey. This private but accessible venue is only moments away fromthe delightful Woodhall Spa with all its attractions including awealth of hotels and other wedding services; weddingstationery, hair, beauty and even a bespoke wedding cake anddress shop.The Lincolnshire Oak Barn is built in the traditionalLincolnshire style, which has resulted in a truly amazingbuilding with masses of character and charm but without thecold and cobwebs. There is even a real fire flickering in atraditional oak beamed fireplace.www.abbeyfarmweddings.co.ukPHOTO: FEATUREFLASH / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM06-07_Layout 1 25/02/2016 12:00 Page 2READERS’lettersWe’d love to hear from you. If you have any news, views orissues you would like us to cover, do get in touch.PICK OF THE MONTHThe winner of our letter of the month wins a case of wineWe’d love to hear from you: Lincolnshire Today, Armstrong House, Armstrong St.,Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE. Email: lincs-today@blmgroup.co.uk We reserve the right to edit published lettersHurrah for ScamptonDear Sir,I was delighted to read that the annual airshow is to return to Lincolnshire in 2017.Like many, I was absolutely horrified when the annual show at RAF Waddington was axeddue to security concerns over protests at the base over the RAF’s reaper drones. One can only hope that the Scampton show will prove as popular as the Waddington Show whichwas always a sell-out event. I have no truck with the drones but Lincolnshire has a great aviation history and the protesters atWaddington should be truly ashamed of themselves for getting in the way of celebrating this. R PursegloveGrimsbyShould we stay or should wego nowDear Sir,I was intrigued to read MP Karl MCcartneys reasons forleaving the EU which seem to boil down to three mainconcerns: immigration control, having the ability to make ourown policies in the UK and laws being made at Westminsterrather than Brussels. What I do not understand is that the EU decided thatanyone relocating to another European country can be refusedentry if they cannot prove they can support themselvesfinancially. So, why do we have to leave the EU to improveimmigration control? I was also of the belief that the majority of the regulationshave been largely beneficial to the UK and, before evenjoining; Westminster seemed to make the UK the first countryto adopt any EU laws ahead of the other countries so whatmakes Mr McCartney think leaving the EU would change this? Surely, leaving the EU would have serious financialimplications for both the UK and the EU. British businessestimates that two thirds of jobs in manufacturing depend ondemand from Europe and leaving could put up to 50,000apprenticeships at risk. Furthermore, the EU has negotiatedtrade-opening agreements with over 60 other countriesincluding Japan, Australia and America, so wouldn’t leavingthe EU mean the UK losing out on the benefits of such deals? There is also the maxim that united we stand divide we fallwhich rings very true here as a strong EU helps reinforcesecurity and this is no bad thing given the growing spates ofterrorism. One can only shudder at how terrorists wouldrejoice at any weakness in the EU and no amount of moneycan make up for lost lives. R TurnbullLincolnPICKOF THEMONTHPHOTO: MICHAEL LYNCHTaking food from childrens’ mouths Dear Sir,An EU VAT review could end Britain’s exemption on food, medicine andchildren’s clothingEU official says review planned for VAT across the union which couldthreaten long-standing British right to waive sales tax on key items”I find it disgraceful that an unelected European Commissioner wouldeven consider effectively taking the food from childrens’ mouths and theclothes off their backs.This is a logical consequence of being in a politicalunion where EU central regulation and harmonisation is paramount.When EU’s desire for uniformity is supreme, it’s clear British children willbe the ones to suffer the consequences. It would appear the EU wants tobe the Milk Snatcher Supreme.David Cameron is quickly learning he may get minor concessions in afew areas from the EU but that they will take away important areas ofsovereignty with the other hand.The EU wants full political and eventually fiscal union and by taking awayBritain’s zero VAT rating on food and childrens’ clothing they are beingentirely consistent with their own logic, as harmful as it may be. UKIP’s small business spokesman and East Midlands MEP Margot Parkersaid: Yet more lunacy from the EU and yet again British people will suffer.The poorest will be the most hard hit. It is time we voted to get OUT ofthis undemocratic and unfair organisation.Diane James MEP Email08_Layout 1 24/02/2016 13:53 Page 1 Love the Lincolnshire coast?Create your very own home from home at Thorpe Park Holiday Centre, Cleethorpes *Package price includes siting, connections, standard accessories, this year’s entry level site fees, water charges, rates and insurance. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Bourne Leisure Limited is registered in England and Wales, no 04011660. Registered office 1 Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. HAV695_1048 To find out more about holiday home ownership or to arrange a visit call:0333 202 1448 visit: thorpeparkholidaycentre.comPop in and see us: DN35 0PWOur favourite bits:* An owners’ lounge and gym just for you* Get ready to make a splash in our heated indoor pool and outdoor Space Bowl flume and Lazy River* Dare to try something new on our climbing wall and zip wire * While away an afternoon at our well stocked fishing lake* The seaside resort of Cleethorpes is just a short stroll awayHoliday homes from just £16,295*with first season’s site fees included!Calls to 0333 numbers are charged at standard UK rates and will be included in any inclusive minute bundles.09_Layout 1 24/02/2016 13:54 Page 1Next >