£2.95 MARCH 2020 THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET www.blmgroup.co.uk BLM GROUPGROUP BLM £2.95 MARCH 2020THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE Lincolnshire wildlife Homes & gardens Mother’s Day Spring fashion Lincolnshire wildlife Homes & gardens Mother’s Day Spring fashion 01.qxp_Layout 1 24/02/2020 10:56 Page 102.qxp_Layout 1 24/02/2020 10:58 Page 1from the editor The month of March is here and we were subject to numerous storms in February, as well as some snow on our end – brief as it may have been. As our weather becomes ever more unpredictable, it’s a reminder that we really ought to be doing more for our planet. Lincolnshire is a beautiful countryside county, and it’s easy at times to assume the rest of the UK is so green and vibrant. A quick visit to the concrete maze of London can prove otherwise. As we move into spring and toward summer, Lincolnshire starts to come to life. Our summer shows crop up to celebrate our agricultural heritage and they’re always a treat to see, and a great way to keep the children interested in our culture and history. Better than forcing them to sit around watching YouTube anyway. In this issue we highlight some of the shows coming up – both those in March, and others further beyond, enabling you to plan ahead. Our March issue also looks at new spring fashion and home trends, taking into account the change in seasons and offering advice on not only what to wear, but what jobs need doing in the garden this month. It’s time for those into horticulture to get busy, especially if you want to try something new this year. All that and more in our March issue of Lincolnshire Today. Enjoy! Michael Fisher Editor and the Lincolnshire Today team The magazine that cares WE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place than we found it Lincolnshire Today believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key to maintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staff will be proud to be part of. Community - From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We also extend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causes and charities. Environment - Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources, minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise. 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/BACHKOVA NATALIA LincolnshireToday @lincstoday lincolnshiretoday.net 03.qxp_Layout 1 24/02/2020 10:58 Page 1Features 6 THIS MONTH IN LINCOLNSHIRE What’s been going on in the county this month? 22THE BRILLIANCE OF BOSTON While often overshadowed by its American namesake, Boston is a town swimming in intrigue and deserving of attention 26LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE The common consensus is that the brown hare was introduced to the UK by the Romans some two thousand years ago. Though some suspect they arrived even earlier, they are now considered naturalised and as much a part of the English countryside as deer and dormice 28SPRING STYLE The start of a new season is always cause for celebration, especially where fashion’s concerned. With spring here, we’re able to share stunning outfits from some of our favourite designers and labels 34STYLISH SWAPS As we enter the spring season it’s all about swapping the thicker, darker and heavier boots, hats, gloves and scarves for lighter, brighter alternatives 36FINDING A NEW LOOK Out with the old, in with the new this spring. Use the new season to revitalise your wardrobe, mix up your look and embrace your own style 38THE BEAUTY YOU’RE BORN WITH There’s a lot of reasons to be excited for the year ahead with fabulous trends focussing on natural beauty 40TAKING THE FIRST STEP Whether it’s running, cycling or a session in the gym, exercise makes for a laudable goal, but often these aims go unfulfilled. The reasons are legion with people struggling to find the will, break the habits of a lifetime or assume they need to make a big investment to get started. Time for a change 42ST HUGH’S HOSPITAL COSMETIC SISTER Q&A Thinking about cosmetic surgery? We spoke to Sarah Grantham, Cosmetic Sister at St Hugh’s Hospital, who outlined some questions you should ask during your initial consultation to get the most out of it and prevent any unnecessary risk 44SPRING FOOD We’ve endured Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis and can hopefully look forward to warmer weather. Here are some recipes to help brighten up those March days 49HOME OR CARE? Many feel that old age begets a lack of independence, but that’s not always the case – if you keep certain things in mind 52LINCOLNSHIRE HERITAGE EXPLORED Old Bolingbroke: A Castle, Roses and a King. [Henry Iv] MARCH THE START OF A NEW SEASON IS ALWAYS CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION, ESPECIALLY WHERE FASHION’S CONCERNED. WITH SPRING ON THE WAY, WE’RE ABLE TO SHARE STUNNING OUTFITS FROM SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE DESIGNERS AND LABELS contents 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 25/02/2020 10:09 Page 1THIS SPRING, IT’S ALL ABOUT ACHIEVING YOUR DREAM HOME AND YOU WON’T EVEN NEED TO MOVE TO ACCOMPLISH IT 54TO MUM WITH LOVE However you decide to spend Mother’s Day this year, we’ve put together this handy gift guide to help get you started 56VISITING WOODHALL SPA Woodhall Spa is famous, and with good reason. We look at what made the area what it is, from the 1800’s through to 2020 60COUNTY MOTORING The new crop of license plates launch this March and continue through to the end of August. New cars bought and registered between these dates will be sporting one of these new 20 series plates. So what new cars are launching and being showcased during this period? 64DATES FOR THE DIARY There’s an abundance of exciting shows and celebrations taking place later this year that we wanted to spotlight some of the very best well in advance to drum up support and help you plan your schedule ahead of time 66A PILGRIM’S STORY We chatted with Seth Lakeman at St Andrew’s Church in Immingham about the inspiration and history behind his new album 68WHAT’S ON There’s always something going on in Lincolnshire Desirable homes 10A RURAL RETREAT With exceptional views across the Vale of Belvoir and Trent Valley, Gelston House is a peaceful paradise that has been carefully extended and reworked to create a home blending modern style with farmhouse flavour 14DON’T MOVE - IMPROVE This spring, it’s all about achieving your dream home and you won’t even need to move to accomplish it 16MAGICAL METALWORK Artist Julia Perry has made a name for herself crafting bespoke jewellery in precious metals, but now she’s branched out and created a life-sized steel horse 18EXPLOSIVE ARTWORK Paul Oz is one the nation’s most popular contemporary artists, famed for his three-dimensional impact and subjects covering pop culture icons and sport stars that have earned him famous fans and high-profile commissions 20THE GARDEN REIMAGINED It is at this time of year that we start to get more calls from people wanting their gardens redesigned as they are beginning to think about their outdoor space and how they want to make use of it in the summer months, as Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping explores 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 25/02/2020 10:10 Page 2 Discoveries unearthed during the building of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass have revealed evidence of 400,000 years of human history. In all, almost 270,000 artefacts have been found during the construction of the new five-mile route, representing every archaeological period from the Palaeolithic era to present day. Each discovery is now undergoing post-excavation assessment and analysis, with funding from Lincolnshire County Council. That process could take up to five years, after which artefacts will return to the county for the benefit of residents. The investigation is probably the largest single archaeological project ever carried out in Lincolnshire, involving discoveries of national and international importance. A team of up to 100 archaeologists were involved in the original fieldwork, painstakingly revealing archaeological treasures between the River Witham and Washingborough Road. The discoveries include a Neolithic and Bronze Age riverside ceremonial landscape, a Bronze Age oak log-boat and a Middle Saxon Christian cemetery with more than 750 human skeletons. © Shutterstock/krugloff latest news County’s past uncovered during Bypass works Charity football match to raise funds for BHF A charity football match taking place in April is aiming to raise money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and raise awareness of the dangers of heart attack. BHF F.C. was set up by Gary Burr, the charity’s Fundraising Manager for the Lincolnshire & Rutland region, after his father tragically died from a heart attack three years ago. Gary has since dedicated his free time to fundraise for the charity and has held events over the past couple of years. Part of this fundraising crusade is the football club which plays several matches every year to raise awareness and fundraise for the charity. The team’s upcoming game takes place on Friday 17 April at Lincoln Unite FC on Ashby Avenue. The charity’s team will test their mettle against Ex Lincoln City players in a rematch of last year’s event which attracted 500 people and raised £3,000. Donna Nook welcomes record number of seal pups A record number of seals have been born this year at Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in North Summercoates. According to figures from the visitor attraction, 2,186 seals were born during the latest season, rising 5.4% on the previous year and topping 2,000 for the first time. It isn’t only the grey seals themselves that are enjoying greater numbers, but the attraction itself, with more than 70,000 visitors between October 2019 and January 2020. The attraction is open all year. © Shuttertock/Wayne Tuckwell 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 24/02/2020 11:00 Page 1Lincoln Box Office – the brainchild of New Theatre Royal Lincoln, in partnership with Visit Lincoln – is aiming to change the face of ticketing in the area and bring a more holistic, coordinated and sustainable future for Lincolnshire’s event and leisure venues. Lincoln Box Office enables users to buy individual or multi tickets in one transaction, from over 100 Lincolnshire venues. With over 15 event categories to choose from, users can search for desired events with ease by category, venue, time, date or keyword, and make a swift online purchase. Lincoln Box Office is supported by The University of Lincoln’s Innovation Programme for Lincolnshire, which aims to help Lincolnshire businesses innovate through the programme’s research and innovation-based activities, interventions and funding opportunities. It will enhance and promote Lincolnshire’s art, culture and tourism and will enable venues to cross promote bespoke offers – such as a great deal on parking or dinner in a restaurant followed by a comedy night. New inclusive community facilities for Skegness completed Skegness now boasts new inclusive community facilities after construction works on the Tower Gardens Pavilion completed. Contractor G F Tomlinson delivered the design and construction of the building via the Scape Regional Construction framework for Skegness Town Council. Works to transform the disused site began in May 2019 following the demolition of the existing Tower Gardens Pavilion. The original pavilion dates back to 1879, and historically provided the town’s largest dance, party and concert accommodation. Now a mixed-use community building, the development features a multi-purpose function room and event space, a changing places hygiene suite, council offices and a café. The new facilities will be enjoyed by the local community and tourists alike – as part of the Council’s ambition to transform Skegness into an inclusive environment and workplace, as well as a vibrant place to visit. The £1.6 million project led by Skegness Town Council has been supported by the community who have been involved throughout the project. New online ticketing platform launches for Lincoln Red Arrows tour banner raffled for charity A tour banner from the Red Arrows’ North American tour was recently raffled at RAF Scampton in aid of the Jon Egging Trust (JET). Avid Red Arrows fan Maxine Schofield Grundy managed to get hold of the promotional tour banner whilst holidaying in the US and had asked some of the Red Arrows to sign it for the one-off raffle which raised £260 for JET. The winning ticket was drawn by Red 3, Flight Lieutenant Nick Critchell, and the lucky winner was Lis Harwood. JET was set up in memory of Red Arrows pilot Jon Egging (Red 4) who tragically lost his life in 2011 whilst completing a display at the Bournemouth Air Festival. Iris Keenan, JET’s Director of Income Generation and Communications, said: “A big thank you to Maxine for organising the raffle and to the Red Arrows for their continuing support of the Jon Egging Trust.” 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 24/02/2020 11:00 Page 2The National Civil War Centre in Newark is offering free Mini Museum play sessions offering little ones fun, engaging activities. Held every Monday during term time between 11am and noon, anyone looking after a child under five, is welcome to join in the Mini Museum. These free drop-in play sessions allow children to explore and play in the galleries, with treasure hunts, sand pits, and lots more fun things to see and do. Each week there will be a different focus, with songs, stories, playing in the gardens and in the large Tudor Hall. There is a café available on site offering hot and cold drinks and a lunch menu should people wish to stay afterwards. ‘These sessions are about bringing children and their carers together in a welcoming environment whilst encouraging children to play and interact with the museum,” said Carys Coulton-Jones, Business Manager at the National Civil War Centre. Boultham Park in Lincoln is receiving more trees to replace those being removed as part of a £1.17 million restoration project. Around 38 trees are being removed as part the restoration project funded by Heritage National Lottery Fund and the City of Lincoln Council. Removing these trees will let in light, allow bank restoration works and reduce leaf litter, which will improve water quality, habitat options and biodiversity at the historic lake. “The only trees to be removed will be those needed to make the project successful and we’ll plant more than we take out,” said City of Lincoln Council’s portfolio holder for Remarkable Place, Cllr Bob Bushell. Taking place during February, the tree work is just a small part of a much wider project to improve biodiversity and restore the lake which is also supported by the Boultham Park Advisory Group and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. latest news County initiative to help pubs, restaurants develop more accommodation Pubs and restaurants in Lincolnshire are being encouraged to develop more accommodation as part of an initiative to make more rooms available to visitors. Run by the county council and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the Greater Lincolnshire Pub Development Project sets out to encourage pubs across the area to add rooms or alternative accommodation to their establishment to support rural tourism. A free toolkit has also been developed and two free workshops are being held, which include practical advice for anyone thinking about developing accommodation within a pub, restaurant or similar establishment. A rural pubs audit has taken place, which has led to Business Lincolnshire producing a helpful pub accommodation development guide containing practical advice on planning and the development process. Support will also be rolled out through workshops, e-learning tools and the support of Business Growth Hub Advisors. Little ones will love play sessions at National Civil War Centre Biodiversity boom for Boultham Park © Shutterstock/fiphoto 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 24/02/2020 11:00 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 9 NNBC FINANCIAL Visit our website to start viewing today... www.lincolnshiretoday.net Available on iPad & iPhone Digital Editions Never miss an issue Read on the go! Ideal for those who spend time away from their office NNBC launch new dedicated mortgage service NNBC Financial has launched a new dedicated mortgage service aimed at a wide variety of people, from first time buyers to self build. NNBC Financial, an independent specialist consultancy serving the East Midlands, has launched a new mortgage offering. Alongside NNBC YMP (Your Mortgage Plus), a dedicated mortgage and protection specialist, they have whole of market access from high street banks to specialist lenders in residential and commercial finance. The aim is to help get the best solutions and deals for you. The experienced team at Your Mortgage Plus offer a friendly and approachable service and always start by having an informal chat and a cup of tea. They will endeavour to keep you informed every step of the way and will ensure to keep the entire process as easy as possible for you. They don’t use any financial jargon and keep everything nice and simple. The new offering is tailored towards a wide variety of interested parties from first-time buyers and movers, to those looking at re-mortgaging, exploring equity release and bridging finance. Moreover, it also provides services for commercial & business mortgages, landlords & buy to let and development & self build. © Shutterstock Jirsak NNBC are available 9am to 10pm seven days a week. To find out more, www.nnbcfinancial.co.uk, email info@nnbcfinancial.co.uk, or 0800 009 6066. 09.qxp_Layout 1 25/02/2020 11:42 Page 1Next >