£2.95 APRIL 2016£2.95 APRIL 2016THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINETHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukBLMGROUPGROUPBLMWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET30 years young30 years youngA life lessordinaryHomeinspiration Art for art’ssakeFabulousfoodExploringLincolnshireHomeinspiration Art for art’ssakeFabulousfoodExploringLincolnshireA life lessordinary01_Layout 1 18/03/2016 11:11 Page 1Rose Lodge Care Home, Market DeepingFamily means a lot to all of us and we understand the importance of selecting the right care 01778 344454email info@countrycourtcare.com www.countrycourtcare.com.02_Layout 1 18/03/2016 11:18 Page 1If we believed what the ‘nay-sayers’ tell us, then we’d all throw ourselvesoff the nearest cliff. Apparently there’s going to be mass immigration if we don’t exit the EU.Although, if we do, there will be a mass exodus of ex-pats returning, whoare no longer welcome to live abroad. Also, since George Osborne is re-introducing austerity measures, you’ll need to replace your car with an SUV,because those pot holes are getting bigger and, should you live longenough to draw your pension, don’t fall ill because the NHS will have beenall but abandoned.This all sounds like terribly bad news on the face of it, but think again – all theseproblems will now give our politicians something to pre-occupy them. They will nolonger have to justify their existence by dreaming up new ways to keep us ‘safe’.Take for instance, those annoying bleepers in cars that tell us we haven’t got our seatbelt on, before we’ve hardly shut the door. Then there’s the tax on sugar, thesmoking ban, workplace pensions – because we’ve all been too lax to save for ourretirement, and the living wage.There’s also going to be another recession in the next 12 months, according tosome prophets of doom, since the country has one every 6 years. Thankfully, here in Lincolnshire, we’re relatively protected from the rigours ofeconomic meltdown. Mortgage repayments don’t absorb as high a percentage ofour disposable income and we don’t have the same stresses and strains as thoseliving in London – and for that I’m mighty glad I moved back to Lincolnshire. For me, there’s nothing better than being able to enjoy the peace and quiet oftaking my dogs for a walk through our countryside or enjoying the exhilaration of acycle ride. It’s all too easy to take such things for granted and that’s why I enjoy compilingLincolnshire Today each month. It reminds me to get out and about in our county andenjoy the simple things that we might otherwise miss. Whether its a bit of retail therapyyou need, or finding a new eatery, a night out with friends, or inspiration to turn yourhome into a proverbial castle, you’ll find it all in our latest issue. Good reading as alwaysSteve 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/WAVEBREAKMEDIAMORE WAYS TO READLINCOLNSHIRE TODAYLog onto www.lincolnshiretoday.net03_Layout 1 18/03/2016 11:19 Page 1Features6 THIS MONTH IN LINCOLNSHIREWhat’s been going on in the county this month?32FROM ARTS TO MARKET Louth is a quintessential market town steeped inculture and mystery and in love with its richand bountiful history36ON YOUR BIKEThey say that those who cycle regularly in mid-adulthood typically enjoy a level of fitnessequivalent to someone 10 years younger38COOL AND CLASSYWhether it’s a dress or denim, this season is allabout looking cool, comfortable and, above allelse, chic44A FEW OF YOUR FAVOURITE THINGSAccessories offer a great way to experimentwithout a complete wardrobe change46SMART & CASUALSmart casual has long been the staple of men’sfashion, and the spring season proves it can stillbe adventurous49FOOD & DININGSome wonderful recipes and a look at somedelightful places to eat out54DOUBLETREE HILTON’S 4TH BIRTHDAYOnce again Lincolnshire Today enjoyedcelebrating with the DoubleTree Hilton at their4th Birthday party 56LINCOLNSHIRE’S HERITAGE EXPLOREDIn 1848 Lincolnshire truly entered the railwayage with the opening of two major routes. Weexamine the history of one of them 59FAMILY BUSINESSIt’s intriguing how consumers are turning awayfrom the corporate faceless giants these daysand favouring family-owned businesses62A NATURAL GETAWAYWe were invited to experience all Center Parcshad to offer, nestled in the beautiful andsecluded Sherwood Forest 64LINCOLN SPORTSMAN’S DINNERJeff Probyn was guest of honour at the LincolnSportsman’s dinner at the Bentley HotelcontentsAPRIL3838WHETHER IT’S A DRESS OR DENIM, THISSEASON IS ALL ABOUT LOOKING COOL,COMFORTABLE AND, ABOVE ALL ELSE, CHIC04-05_Layout 1 18/03/2016 11:43 Page 11515THE GOOD WEATHER IS FINALLY HERE, WELLALMOST, SO THERE’S NO BETTER TIME TO GETOFF THE SOFA AND SPRUCE UP YOUR HOME65THE LATEST TEMPTATIONSOur motoring correspondent took off to the 88thGeneva Motor show to bring you the low downon the very latest offerings that’ll be arriving inour showrooms very soon…72ON LOANLoaning horses is well known in the equineworld for many reasons. Your horse might wanta quieter life, you’re away to university, or he’sjust outgrown. Some seem to work very well forall concerned, but some turn into nightmares;and nightgeldings.7430TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY AT THE LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWWe’d like to extend to all our subscribers apersonal invitation to come and meet the teamand enjoy a glass of wine at our corporatemarquee by the ringside76WHAT’S ONThere’s always something going on in LincolnshireDesirable homes13HOMEMAKER SUPPLEMENTFrom the bedroom to the garden, andeverything in between, our homemaker’ssupplement looks at the fine art of large-scalerenovation15A PASSION FOR LIVINGThe good weather is finally here, well almost, sothere’s no better time to get off the sofa andspruce up your home. But where do you startand how do you make the most of this, yoursingle biggest investment?22ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIREAn artistic edge can help to add colour and lifeto any room. So, when it comes to adding thatfinishing touch, why not consider the work oflocal artists?24CREATING A RELAXING HAVENOne of the great things about working for theregion’s premier County magazine is the varietyof gardens we get to visit. They provide oodles ofideas to take back and try at home and we knowfrom the many letters received, that we’re notalone30GET FIT WITH GARDENINGEd Fuller from Fullers Forestry and Landscapingshows you the many positive benefits ofgardening04-05_Layout 1 18/03/2016 11:43 Page 2West Lindsey District Council has revealed a capital investment plan to spend £61 million over the next five years. The investment willfocus on service improvements, commercial opportunities and growth. The latter includes £20 million investment to support theregeneration of Gainsborough – but brings a sting in the tail with a council tax increase of 2.59%.Councillor Jeff Summers, Leader of West Lindsey District Council, said: “The council has to find ambitious ways it can protect servicesthat residents’ value. It means we need to continue to develop commercial opportunities and encourage economic and housing growthto help pay for these services.“As an entrepreneurial council we recognise that we need to have a clear, robust plan of how we are going to support ourcommunities and this capital investment programme is key.”Councillor Tom Regis, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee at the council, added: “The outcome of the local governmentfinancial settlement for 2016/17 was disappointing and has provided a challenge to the authority. However, we believe the plans thathave been put in place will ensure that residents continue to be well served and receive quality services.”LATEST NEWSHedgerow and Boundary GrantScheme open for applications The new hedgerow and boundary grant scheme withinCountryside Stewardship is now open for applications. The schemeoffers an opportunity for farmers to carry on positiveenvironmental work outside of a multi-annual stewardshipagreement, particularly for those that have come out of Entry LevelStewardship (ELS) and not been able to access CountrysideStewardship.The hedgerows and boundaries capital grant opened forapplications closes on 30th April 2016. It offers up to £5,000 offunding, with a minimum of £1,000 for farmers who want torestore boundary features, such as hedges and stone walls, toprotect their local wildlife or landscape. Farmers who want to carryout more extensive boundary improvements can apply for thesecapital funds as part of a mid or higher tier application for 2017.Richard Morley from Savills agribusiness team in Lincoln, isundertaking applications on behalf of farmers and landowners whocould be eligible for all capital items that are on offer, allowingfarmers to select the appropriate options in creating an applicationbespoke to their farm.Kelham Hall to hostambitious programme oflive musicWorking in partnership withCrescendo Talent, a LiveMusician and Artist bookingagency from Lincoln, KelhamHall will hold ‘An Evening ofClassical Music starring MathewCrane’ on Saturday 23rd April.With doors opening at 7pm,the evening will feature liveperformances from Lincolnshirebased artists and leadingclassical star Mathew Crane,who has performed at some ofthe most prestigious stages inthe country. He has performed alongside many celebrities notablyKatherine Jenkins and Alfie Boe.Beyond this, Kelham Hall is planning to host an exciting program oflive music events throughout spring, details of which are below:Saturday 26th March, 7pm- 10pm an evening of Jazz and SoulSaturday 23rd April, 7pm – 10pm an evening of Classical Music,Starring Matthew CraneSaturday 30th April- Monday 2nd May- Cars in the ParkFriday 20th May 7.30pm- An Evening of Big Band Music, Starringthe Good Guys Orchestra and Guy GarrettTickets can be purchased in advance online atwww.kelhamhall.co.uk/event-calendar For more information on the agency and artists contact: 07787 950813 or 01636 980 000.Council plans£61mspending plan PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/MELANIE HOBSON06-07_Layout 1 18/03/2016 12:07 Page 1Anglo-Saxon island discoverednear Louth An Anglo-Saxon Island has beendiscovered at Little Carlton, near Louth,in a significant archaeological find thathas resulted in a wide range ofartefacts. The settlement was initiallydiscovered after local metaldetector enthusiast, GrahamVickers, found a silver writingstylus, which was used forwriting, and dates back tothe 8th century, in a disturbed plough field. Archaeologistsfrom the University of Sheffield have since unearthed some300 dress pins and a large number of Sceatta coins, as well asanother 20 styli. Students from the university later unearthed impressivequantities of Middle Saxon pottery and butchered animalbones. The diversity of the find was described by Dr HughWilmott, of the University of Sheffield’s archaeology department,as “particularly unusual.” He went on to say that trade weightsand other objects indicate that the settlement was a “high-statustrading site and not an ordinary village.”He added: “Far from being very isolated in the early medievalperiod, Lincolnshire was actually connected in a much wider worldnetwork, with trade spanning the whole of the North Sea.”NewInnovation Councilseeks to enhance prosperityin Lincolnshire An Innovation Council has been established to advise the Greater LincolnshireLEP board on strategy to improve the economic prosperity of the area. It’s remitwill be to drive innovation across the Greater Lincolnshire area, increase businessstart-ups, business growth and productivity, and to do so will bring togetherrepresentatives from the public and private sectors to offer advice on innovationstrategy, priorities and programmes. The council is chaired by Professor Mary Stuart, vice chancellor of the Universityof Lincoln, and is seeking to recruit dynamic people with experience andexpertise in innovation, who have the enthusiasm and desire to move theagenda forward for the benefit of Greater Lincolnshire. Strong business networks locally and nationally are desirable and people arebeing encouraged to apply from across the whole greater Lincolnshire area. The council will have a core member of six and will invite selected expertswith specific skills to attend theme meetings, which will be held quarterly.Lincolnshire arts restorationproject completed Heritageexperts haveplayed a key rolein the opening tothe public for thefirst time of thestudios of aneminentVictorian artistsand his designer wife.Focus Consultants supported a successful second round bid to theHeritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for £2.4 million grant funding in support of theproject at the home of G F and Mary Watts. Watts Gallery Trust has now recreated G F Watt’s studio and created agallery dedicated to Mary Watt’s work in the east wing of the Grade-II listedproperty Limnerlease in Compton, Surrey, which has opened to the publicfor the first time. As well as seeing where the couple worked, the public can also view someof their most famous paintings and sculptures, including The Court of Death(c. 1870-1902, Tate Britain), a huge painting that took G F Watts 32 years tocomplete. Watts’s last major work, it is displayed upon a recreation of theoriginal pulley system designed by the artist to allow him to work upon thevast canvas in its entirety.Funding available to supportLincoln’s cultural scene Events and festival organisers are being urged to help Lincolnattract more visitors and strengthen the city’s cultural offer, bybidding for a share of £50,000 in funding. The second phase of the Cultural Destinations Events Fund hasbeen made available as a key strand of the Arts Council England-funded Cultural Destinations Project in Lincoln. Now Lincoln Big and Visit Lincoln, which were successful insecuring this money in January 2014, are inviting organisationsand individuals to apply for a share and help Lincoln to bringmany more visitors to the city, during 2016 and beyond.Visit Lincoln Partnership Manager Emma Tatlow said the aim isto attract new audiences from a wider catchment area and raiseLincoln’s profile as a great cultural destination. She said: “Eventsand festivals form a really important part of the city’s offer. Localresidents and day visitors’ benefit and this fund offers anopportunity to further enhance our existing events programme.”A total of £50,000 is available. The money will be allocatedbetween now and the end of March 2016, to support eventstaking place in 2016-7. PHOTO: LUCIAN MILASAN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM06-07_Layout 1 18/03/2016 12:07 Page 208_Layout 1 18/03/2016 11:20 Page 1www.donamottparks.comThe Ultimate Lincolnshire Holiday LodgeLakeside Park, North Somercotes, Nr Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 7RB Tel: 01507 358428Deer’s Leap at Lakeside ParkNOW OPEN! PRICES FROM ONLY £99,000The Willerby Windsor Lodge is the ultimate in luxurious holiday home living and provides:• Spacious 40ft x 20ft, 2 or 3 bedrooms• ‘Highland Heather’ Interior schemes• Large lounge area with full height ceiling• Family sized dining area with bay window• Integrated Bluetooth MP3 system• Master bedroom with king size bed and walk-in wardrobe• Double sliding patio doors to outside decking area• Holiday Park open mid-March to end of NovemberNow open for viewing at Lakeside Park - The most exclusive new holiday home location and the ultimate in holiday lodges.Deer’s Leap is a private, gated estatein a beautifully landscaped, woodland lodges designed and built exclusively for Don Amott Parks by Willerby.09_Layout 1 18/03/2016 11:21 Page 1Next >