< PreviousWe’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 letters.yourlettersWe’d love to hear from you. If you haveany news, views or issues you wouldlike us to cover, do get in touch.PICKOF THEMONTHLincolnshire’sbrain drainDear Lincolnshire Today,We often moan about the brain drain fromour county – how uni-graduatesattaining a degree, leave Lincolnshireto establish careers elsewhere.But, has anyone stopped toconsider that the so-calledexperts running our country areall college educated people. I, forone, am glad that I neverfurthered my education. C RossLincolnSpare a thought for cyclists Dear Lincolnshire Today,Spring is here and with it we’ll no doubt see more cyclists on the roads -following in the footsteps of team GB. How sad that the Ozzies should accuseus of cheating though, just because we beat them hollow? Surely they weren’tsuggesting drugs – most people on them can’t even find their bikes, let aloneride them! T Soulby CaistorAnother u-turn? Dear Lincolnshire Today,It may have been morally illegitimate forPhilip Hammond to try to raise the NI on selfemployed people, because it broke aConservative manifesto pledge, but whyshould the self employed pay less than therest of us? I have lost count of the number of self-employed people who avoid tax bydemanding cash as payment. (and I knowsome will say others scrupulously declareevery cash payment within their annual taxreturn) but I’m betting there are many who do not. Surely, Hammond’s so called ‘raid’ on the self-employed was simply levelling the pitch for usall, and perhaps is justified as a way to gather a small portion of unpaid tax. In the meantime, we should all refuse to pay cash to self-employed contractors, and tellthem, when they pay as much NI as we do we might reconsider. G LewisBourneThe winnerof our letterof the month wins acase of wine10 LINCOLNSHIRETODAY© Shutterstock / ESB Professional© Shutterstock / Inna SokolovskaWorshipping the NHS? Well not quite..Dear Lincolnshire Today,I have to agree with the letter from your reader on the NHS but let’s put it into perspective.Whilst I agree it’s scandalous that anyone should be left without food to have with their tablets, or be given something to urinate in, the NHS iswonderful compared to the service I have seen in countries such as the Caribbean. Woe betide us if we should fall ill there and end up in a public hospital. Where there is no air conditioning, where insects (including mosquitos) flythrough open windows at night spreading disease, in wards are so packed there’s hardly a gap between beds, and where deceased lie in shrouds lessthan six inches form your bed. Hospitals where locals who can’t afford to pay for medication have to ask the church to pay for it, where orderlies quietenpatients moaning in pain, with threats of violence if they don’t shut up, and where the only available toilet overflows with faeces. I’m sure readers who travel will be thinking, as I did, that thanks to our medical insurance which covers us abroad during our travels, we’ll be cared forby a private hospital – but these private units rarely have emergency medical equipment so one can easily find themselves, as I did, transferred into oneof these hell holes!Whilst the NHS needs to pull its socks up and improve, it’s not until you experience this first hand, that you realise how lucky we really are! Email, name withheld by request 10_Layout 1 20/03/2017 09:27 Page 1The Grove Care Home is nestled in the leafy village of Waltham, deep in rural Lincolnshire. Our residents enjoy spacious rooms, a newly refurbished lounge and woodland garden. We offer residential & dementia care, in a loving and caring environment. Residents have lots of opportunities to participate in activities and to continue to enjoy their hobbies and interests. Our philosophy at The Grove is simple; our residents are at the heart of everything we do.... Come and see us, we’d love to show you our home!The Grove Care Home, Ings Lane, Waltham, Grimsby DN37 0HB 01472 821 127info@countrycourtcare.comwww.countrycourtcare.comLINCOLNSHIRETODAY11COUNTRY COURT CAREHERITAGE GRIMSBY(TOWN HALL)It can accommodate up to 300 people in elegantsurroundings offering elegance and efficiency and is anoutstanding setting for your special day.Town Hall, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 1HXTelephone: 01472 324109 Website: www.nelincs.gov.ukEmail: Town.hall.bookings.grimsby@nelincs.gov.ukThe Town Hall is an ideal venuefor your weddingFour newrooms available for hire for civilceremonies aswellas weddings PHOTO: WWW.BOW-BELLES.COMLooking for agreat gift idea?A newseasonFabulousgardens andhomesSpringfashionHealthy livingExploringLincolnshire Fabulousgardens andhomesSpringfashionHealthy livingExploringLincolnshire A newseason£2.95 MARCH 2017£2.95 MARCH 2017THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINETHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukBLMGROUPGROUPBLMWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET30 years young30 years young1st 3 issues only£1Lincolnshire Today’s gift subscription for only£27.55 with free deliveryCall 01472 310301or visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341Selecting the RightCare HomeA guide from Amanda Griffiths, Manager at TheGrove Care Home in Waltham near Grimsby Making the move to a Care Home can be a big decision, for somethis may be daunting, for others a relief that they are no longer ontheir own and can enjoy being cared for in the company of others. Some people may have the luxury of taking several months tochoose the right care home, but for others it may need to be aquick decision following a spell in hospital. Many people arrangetheir own care independently, others will be led by their LocalAuthority or Social Worker. It’s always a good idea to do your ownhomework in either situation. A good tip is to know what category of care that you will need,not all homes offer the same type of care. Find out whether you’llneed Nursing Care, Residential care, Dementia care, NursingDementia, or a home that caters for specific conditions or disabilities. CQC and Local authority reports are a good starting place. Onthe CQC website (www.cqc.org.uk) you can search for care homesin your area and read the inspection reports. Finally, visit the home,talk to the staff and manager and to see for yourself whether it willbe suited to you.For more help and advice contact Amanda at The Grove on01472 821 127 or email info@countrycourtcare.com 11_Layout 1 21/03/2017 09:44 Page 1INCENTIVES AND DISCOUNTS AVAILABLETO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT TO VIEW - CALL 01652 658 949LAST FEW REMAINING!Ancholme Mews, Bigby Street,Brigg, Lincolnshire, DN20 8BFTel: 0800 085 0855Visit: www. goldenliving.co.ukIt has never been easier to move into a retirement apartment at Golden Living. Ancholme Mews in Brigg is the perfect setting to enjoy a new lease of life. These stylish retirement apartments combine safety, convenience and easy management with the added benefits of privacy and your own front door key. We offer a number of ways to help make moving a simpler process. We could help sell your existing home at full market value with no estate agents fees to pay or, if part exchange suits your circumstances more, we could even make you an offer for your existing property within seven days. Call in for a warm welcome and we’ll show you around our beautiful show apartments, gardens and residents’ lounge. Prices from £99,95001652 658 94912_Layout 1 20/03/2017 09:28 Page 1Schemes and incentives availableThe Chelmsford3 bedroom terrace homes. From only £244,995 The Hexham2 bedroom mid-terrace homes. From only £163,995The Oaklawn4 bedroom detached homes. From only £325,995The Redcar4 bedroom detached homes. From only £309,995We have developments across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland!Developments coming soon: Oakley Rise, Corby Doddington Grange, Doddington Pinchbeck Fields, Pinchbeckwww.larkfleethomes.co.ukGeneral EnquiriesLarkfleet House, Falcon Way, Bourne PE10 0FF 01778 391555 Sales Office open daily 10am - 5pm2490 0317Prices and information correct at time of going to print. Images are for illustrative purposes only.Solar panels as standardGretton Valley Corby, NorthamptonshireGreetham Square Greetham, Rutland3 & 4 beds from £199,9952 beds from £163,995The Chester3 bedroom mid-terrace homes. From only £184,995Bourne Heights Bourne, Lincolnshire3, 4, & 5 beds from £182,9952, 3 & 4 beds from £161,995The Galway4 bedroom detached home. For only £269,995Whittelsey Green Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire2, 3 & 4 beds from £155,9953 & 4 beds from £199,995The Towcester2 bedroom coach houses. From only £168,995Buttercross Park Oakham, Rutland2, 3 & 4 beds from £147,500Thorney Meadows Thorney, CambridgeshireHempsted Park Peterborough, CambridgeshireThe Barns3 bedroom detached homes. From only £369,495 3 beds from £369,495Langham Barns Barleythorpe, RutlandThe Morgan5 bedroom luxury home. For only £689,995 Last home left!The Paddock Stamford, LincolnshireCall or visit one of our showhomes today!Reserve NowA new home ready for Spring!k Fields, Pinchbeckney MeadThe Cheltenham5 bedroom detached home. For only £406,995 Last home left!Parson’s Prospect Eye, CambridgeshireNow Sold!Tlyspect2490 0317Prices and information correct at time of going to print. Images are for illustrative purposes only.13_Layout 1 20/03/2017 11:12 Page 1BeyondWords14 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWriting for the region’s leading county magazine, I’ve had thepleasure of visiting many captivating homes over the years.But this month, we take a tour of Geoffrey and Gill Fyfe’sbreathtaking Water Mill, in West Deeping; and what a home.16 Á14-19_Layout 1 20/03/2017 14:25 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY15HOMES14-19_Layout 1 20/03/2017 14:25 Page 216 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHOMESWater Mill, on the banks of the riverWelland, is one of those imposingproperties that’s so full of character, onecan’t help wondering what it’d be like tolive there. In fact, current owner,Geoffrey, tells me that’s exactly how hehappened upon the house some tenyears ago. “Having lived in the area some20-30 years at that time we were lookingto move, when I just happened to spotWater Mill was for sale in the localnewspaper. My wife and I had oftenpassed by, wondering what it was likeinside and, despite us wanting somethingfurther south rather than north of wherewe lived, I made the ‘mistake’ of givinginto temptation and arranging to view it.Actually the mistake was taking my wifeand daughters with me, as once we’dstepped onto the property they fell inlove with it and nothing I said seemedremotely likely to change their minds.” “A bit hard to argue too, as I was justas taken as them, in truth” he confides.A short time after, the Fyfe family hadtheir offer accepted and, having sold theirown property were able to move in.Looking at it in all its glory, it must’vebeen like a dream come true.Having begun its life as a Mill andgranary in 1773 and benefitting from thefitting of its very own water wheel in thelate 18th century, this property has beenlovingly restored over the years to offer allthe modern conveniences of a familyhome, while retaining a wealth ofcharacter features; including the originalmill workings. A grander property you’d find hard tobeat and the substantial accommodation,Set over four floors the home has beenthoughtfully divided into a main house areaand water mill sections14-19_Layout 1 20/03/2017 14:25 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY17HOMESset over four floors, exudes opulence tosay the least as it is not only a stunninghouse but also sits within beautifullylandscaped grounds of some 6.5 acres,complete with its own outdoor heatedswimming pool, which the Fyfe’s had todrain and refurbish before they could use(which also included re-homing some fishthat the previous owner had kept inthere) “It’s hard to understand whysomeone might do that as we have somegreat days out there whenever the familycome to visit, watching the kids splashabout as we enjoy chatting or laughing attheir antics” explains Geoffrey.The home itself is entered via animpressive entrance hall, with stairs to firstfloor, access to the inner hallway at therear of the property and access to thereception rooms, plus a large drawingroom with sash windows and pocketshutters overlooking the gardens. There is a conservatory situated to theside of the drawing room and which leadsto the garden outside. A further receptionroom to the front of the property leadsthrough to the kitchen, which features atraditional Aga and, as you’d expect, arange of solid wooden units, plus afeature leaded window. From the kitchen there is accessthrough to the mill and inner hallway tothe rear of the property. The rear hallwayaffords access to a downstairs cloakroomand the ‘River Room’ which offerssplendid views of the gardens, mill streamand beyond.Upstairs and onto a galleried landing18 Á14-19_Layout 1 20/03/2017 14:25 Page 4 ! " NEWStores in Boston, Grantham, Lincoln, Gainsborough & Scunthorpewww.oldrids.co.uk Sale starts 1st April18 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHOMESthere is access to a further staircase leading to thesecond floor and access to a large double aspectbedroom with French doors complete with its ownbalcony, to make the most of that wonderful millstream. To the rear of the property is a large familybathroom, a further double bedroom and also accessthrough to the mill. Up on the second floor, a galleried landing providesaccess to three double bedrooms all designed to takeadvantage of fantastic views, and sharing a Jack andJill bathroom and additional family bathroom. There is again, access through to further bedroomson the fourth floor.The bedrooms all have fantastic views but themaster bedroom has French doors giving accessto a balcony overlooking the mill stream.14-19_Layout 1 20/03/2017 14:25 Page 5LINCOLNSHIRETODAY19HOMESOutstanding Bespoke furniture Chesterfields in Lincoln “For Quality, Style and Value” 01673 866656 www.chesterfieldsinlincoln.co.uk Brunel House, Deepdale Lane, Neleham, LN2 2LL Open Mon - Sat 9am-5pm. Sunday by appointment Deepdale Lane is off A46 3 miles North of Lincoln. Follow the signpost for Lincolnshire Police headquarters. We are first on the left. FOR THATOLD FASHIONEDPERSONAL SERVICEBRIGG BEDSCome visit our showroom at Princes Street, Brigg, DN20 8HGTel: (01652) 651828 Email: briggbeds@hotmail.co.ukwww.briggbeds.co.uk10% OFFVOUCHER**OFFER TO BE USED ONLY ONCEPER CUSTOMERSUBJECT TO TERMS AND CONDITIONSThen there’s the mill section of the dwelling, which was builtapproximately 100 years before the main house and is set overfour floors and interconnects to the main house in several areas.On the ground floor is the Mill Room with door to front aspect,stairs to second floor, original mill workings, flagstone flooringand access to the rear courtyard and dovecote.To the first floor, is the original Mill Room currently used as anoffice, although Geoffrey tells me his wife had designs on this atone time as another bedroom – I can’t help thinking how luckyhe was to have won that particular debate. Especially when I see,the second floor with two more rooms, currently serving asstudies. The second floor also has the mill workings and a staircaseproviding access to a third floor, and a games room, completewith full size snooker table and full of character with its exposedbeams and stonework. Beyond that, on the fourth floor, are twoadditional bedrooms.As Geoffrey puts it: “We take it for granted nowadays I guessbut when we first visited it, we’d just stop at every turn and thinkhow truly remarkable it all is – sadly the family have all left homenow and as empty nesters Jill and I are thinking seriously aboutputting it on the market to buy something smaller,” then adds“We’ve enjoyed our time here, and it’ll be heart wrenching togive it up, but we think it’s about time we moved aside, toprovide someone else with a chance to enjoy what has been awonderful experience, in every way.”Shortly after our visit, the Water Mill went on the market with Hurfordsestate agents in Peterborough at offers over £1,750,000.14-19_Layout 1 20/03/2017 14:25 Page 6Next >