< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYThere was a time when rabbit stewwas a common fixture on tables up anddown the country. But boiled bunny hasgone the way of the lardy cake, andwhile farmers markets and half decentbutchers will still likely stock cottontailmeat, you’re more likely to find a rabbitin an underwear drawer oraccompanying an Easter egg. Though Christianity stamped outpaganism, it wasn’t before a number of‘heathen beliefs’ were incorporated inand (for lack of a better term) madecanonical. Easter is a celebration ofbirth and rebirth, informed as much bythe murder and resurrection of Christ asthe blossom and baby animals. Inliterature, as in life, the rabbit issynonymous with fertility and rebirth,and with its role as perpetual prey, italso embodies innocence. With black tipped ears, rabbits aresmaller than hares, but sport a similargrey-brown coat, with thatcharacteristic fluffy white tail. They livein vast underground networks known aswarrens, found throughout the countryin almost any environment, fromgrassland to sand dunes. Like much of nature, the outwardlyadorable animals aren’t without theirQuite what rabbits have to do with chocolate, eggs or thecrucifixion remains to be seen, but this time of year, the county isa literal breeding ground for bunnies, so we bring you thelowdown on one of our county’s most abundant animals. Lincolnshirewildlifesordid foibles. As grass grazers, rabbitsend up swallowing a lot of hard-to-digest cellulose. To compensate, theyuse hindgut fermentation, which resultsin the passing two different types offaeces. The first is the hard droppingsdotting almost any green space inEngland, while the other is soft, stickyblack pellets. The latter are gobbledback down – in a charming practiceknown as coprophagy – for furtherdigestion to extract maximum nutrients.Unlike cows who chew the cud, rabbitsare incapable of vomiting. Something toconsider next time you’re readingBeatrix Potter. As the savage nihilism of WatershipDown showed, rabbits have plenty tobe fearful of. They’re hunted by dogs,humans, birds of prey, stoats and so on.But there’s also myxomatosis, a diseasewhere affected rabbits erupt intotumours, developing blindness, feverand finally death. Introduced as ameans of controlling rampant rabbitpopulation, the blighted bunnies arestill a familiar sight in Britain. It’s notuncommon for the affected to lie inwait of a hungry fox, resigned to thecruel fate they’ve been dealt. HappyEaster!60-61_Layout 1 20/03/2017 09:56 Page 1© Shutterstock / Pim Leijen60-61_Layout 1 20/03/2017 09:56 Page 262 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLOUTHWe hear much these days about thelack of community spirit and certainly itcould be said, that many towns thesedays looks pretty much the same – thesame chain stories and a rather blandapproach. But if you’re after somethingdifferent, then Louth is the completeantithesis.In Louth, the town centre is dominatedby local independent traders, many ofwhom have been in the area forgenerations. Yes, there are the big brandstoo if you want them, but these areinterspersed with unique shops that offera fabulous mix of items you won’t findanywhere else. It’s the perfectcombination of both local and nationalnames. The independent nature of Louthis something the residents truly believe in,with a 2008 local pressure group formedunder the name of `Keep Louth Special`,which lobbied against a proposal for amajor supermarket on the local cattlemarket site. The local Council supportedtheir choice, and noted that more than50% of residents opposed the idea of alarge retail development. Such is Louth’s quality, in recent years ithas been commended in two nationalsurveys as one of the nicest places in theUK to visit. Countryfile named it as theUK’s favourite market town in 2012 andthe Sunday Times highlighted it,alongside Stamford, as the best place tolive in Lincolnshire, paying particularattention to its huge number of delis,farm shops and cafes and regularmarkets.That local approach is very importantand throughout the year there arenumerous events that go on in Louth thatensure there’s good reason to pay a visit.Much of this is thanks to the hard work ofthe Louth Town Partnership, who workhard to maintain the fabulous village-styleatmosphere. In recent years, for example,when shops have fallen empty, the teamhave filled the gaps with photos andimages of Louth in the past, and invitedvisitors to pass on their memories of thetown to be displayed – a simple touchbut one which makes the place look thatlittle bit brighter.Don’t mistake Louth for a silent ruralcommunity, however, for it has a bustlinghistory based around thriving markets,which remain active to this very day. TheFromLouthwithloveLouth is a community in every sense of the word, with akeen determination to make sure they’re not swallowedby the faceless nature of modern life.62-64_Layout 1 20/03/2017 13:35 Page 1LOUTHweekly Louth markets are a great way tosupport local suppliers, but also to getfood fresher than it might be in thesupermarkets. Louth also has a strong andvaried arts scene, with the PlayhouseCinema having been converted from achapel in the 1920’s. Another suchexample is the Riverhead Theatre – run byvolunteers – which is active year roundand boasts an impressive array of showsfor all ages. With a recording studio basedin the town as well, there are several highprofile names which have performed orpracticed within Louth, and manychampion the area to this very day.The Louth Museum documents muchof the history of the area, from its© Shutterstock / ShaunWilkinson64 Á62-64_Layout 1 20/03/2017 13:35 Page 264 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLOUTHButcher Lane • Louth • LincolnshireTel: 01507 604029 • www.striacroft.co.ukLincolnshire Jewellers, Engravers & GoldsmithsEstablished 1978Wide range of high quality Diamond, Gold andSilver Jewellery, Watches, Clocks and Giftware.In house Jewellery Repairs, Engraving, Valuations and Insurance. Watch Repairs. Above all we ensurethe highest quality of productsand services. Opening Hours:Monday - Friday 8.30am - 6:00pmSaturday 9:00am - 11.30amConsultations are by appointmentMonday - Friday 8:45am - 11:00am & 4:00pm - 6:00pmSaturday 9:00am - 11.30amTel: (01507) 609929After hours emergencies - 07956 991959We are a small animal veterinary practiceLooking after your pets atBlack Sheep Vetswww.blacksheepvets.co.ukEmail: info@blacksheepvets.co.ukWe havemoved to:2 Eastfield Rd,Louth,LN11 7AN We havemoved to:2 Eastfield Rd,Louth,LN11 7AN We are a small animal veterinary practiceinception as a trading down in the 18thCentury, to the building of the canal in1770, which was commissioned at astaggering cost of £28,000 (a princelysum in those days). The museum is madeup of four galleries and a library and hasan award-winning range of displays thatdocument both the town and the localarea. Lincolnshire is, as always, rich inhistory and culture. Louth goes back a lotfurther, however, and was listed in theDomesday Book in 1086 as a town of 124households. Louth Park Abbey was founded in 1139by Bishop Alexander of Lincoln, andalthough only earthworks survive today, itis still a sight visited by many. Nowadays,however, what dominates the skyline ofLouth is the tower of the parish church ofSt James, which stands at over threehundred feet and is a famous landmark.The architecture echoes much of thetown itself; a mix of Georgian andVictorian that has been faithfullypreserved. In fact, much of the towncentre is lined with brick buildings fromthe 17th and 18th Centuries. Of course, the local area thatsurrounded Louth also proves quite theattraction, with the Lincolnshire Woldsbeing an area of outstanding naturalbeauty and a haven for wildlifeenthusiasts, or just those wishing to relaxor admire the sights. Louth isgeographically and locally known as theCapital of the Wolds. Three hand axeswere also found in the Wolds aroundLouth itself, which dated back to between400,000 and 190,000 years ago –suggesting that the Louth area wasinhabited for far longer than many daredto imagine. Perhaps back then, the areawas one of outstanding beauty as well,and certainly one of abundant resources,as several Bronze Age arrowheadssuggest. Louth is a community which tries itsbest to be special, and like many things inlife, the effort has led to results. Itscultural, historical and local aspects havebeen fiercely protected, and the town hasflourished as a result. A destination formany that look to retire withinLincolnshire, it is undoubtedly one of thejewels in the region’s crown. © Shutterstock / Gill Kennett62-64_Layout 1 20/03/2017 13:35 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY65CARINGCliff Bradley & SonsFuneral Directors LtdFor a prompt, sympatheticservice from a recognisedfamily businessPrivate Chapel of RestDay and Night ServicePre-paid funeral plans41 Heaton Street,Gainsborough, DN21 2EA(01427) 810619www.cliffbradley.co.ukWe are all of us incredibly varied people, with differenthobbies, hopes, dreams and desires. This is a universal truth ofmankind, and one that has been known for centuries. Yet it’sstill a little strange to see that many treat the elderly asthough they are all cut from the same cloth. Assuming thatcaring for one is the same as caring for any other. A one sizefits all solution, if you will. This could not be further from thetruth.Every older person will have their own ideas about whatthey’d like to do and where they feel most comfortable. Eachwill react to their situations in different ways and it’s importantto remember that finding out what someone does or does notlike is as simple as asking them. And that’s the most importantthing really, the fact that when it comes to choosing a careoption for our loved ones, that we take into account whatthey want – and what they will feel most comfortable with.The health benefits of happiness are so widely known that it’snot even worth going into them, but they of course still doapply here.In general there are three main routes an older person willconsider when their health begins to deteriorate and theydecide they need more assistance and support. They maydecide they prefer the continual support of living full-time in acare home with staff on hand around the clock. Alternativelypeople may feel more independent and wish to continueliving at home. In this regard they should look to adapt theirresidence to accommodate their changing circumstances, butmight also consider arranging for visits from local carers. Thethird option is to take something of a middle ground and looktowards retirement homes that offer sheltered accommodation,where they own a flat, bungalow or home, but there are carerson the grounds that can help or offer aid where necessary.Choosing to live at home is something that needs to beconsidered carefully, if just to see whether it is something that isgoing to promote health or wellbeing. Once again everyone’scircumstances are different and it will depend on how the mindand body are adapting to old age. Some are able to remainmobile and self-sufficient right up until the end of their lives.Others, through no fault of their own, lose some of thiscapability – and thus might not be suited to living alone.Sometimes the desire to continue living in your home couldappear to be at risk from changing circumstances which may© Shutterstock / Photographee.euWhat’sbestfor you66 ÁWhat’sbestfor youThere’s no one-size fits all solution for care, and it’s important to knowwhat options are available.65-67_Layout 1 21/03/2017 09:41 Page 166 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCARINGWinter Storage Only £75include a Service for only £25 extraScooters kept securely and charged weeklyService & RepairsWe have an up to date fully equipped Service Centre to help with anybreakdowns or repairsFantasy IslandSea Lane, Ingoldmells01754 872898207 Roman Bank,Skegness01754 768006HireWheelchairWheelchair£5.00per day£25.00per week£25 refundable DepositScooterScooter£12.00per day£65.00per week£50 refundable Depositmean it’s no longer suitable. This doesn’t have to bethe case, however, as there are many ways to adapta home to suit older age. These include stairlifts formobility, through to specialised walk-in baths all theway down to a buzzer system at a door – so thetenant doesn’t need to get off their seat every timethe doorbell rings. There are a huge amount ofcompanies who cater for this and can advise onwhat might be the best idea for any givenindividual. No one should be made to feelashamed or less capable because they strugglewith what was once simple tasks. That is just aprocess of growing up, as any young adult canattest when asked why they can’t run around withas much energy as they had as a child. Insteadpeople must adapt, taking steps to make difficulttasks easier, rather than avoiding the issuebecause it feels uncomfortable.Alternatively there’s the option to continue livingat home but arrange for regular visits from carersand possibly arrange to visit a club or daycarecentre a couple of times a week. Many careproviders do often invite in non-residents topartake in luncheon clubs or special events, which can bea great boost for older people who may not otherwise be able toget out and about as much as they like. For many old people,they are happy to continue their live on their own but welcomethe occasional outing or visit to provide a break from the samefour walls and a chance to have a chat and a cuppa with friends.It also provides those who care for them at home a chance torelax, knowing they’re in safe hands.It is important to build a trusting relationship betweenpatient and carer however, as in some cases you would beletting this person into their homes, which might be a risk.While agencies will always vet and be careful around who theyhire, it’s still worth ensuring the individual in question iscomfortable and feels they can trust the carer. At the end of theday if you are arranging this for someone else it’s important toremember it isn’t you who will be dealing with the carer, soyour opinion should never be worth more than the oneneeding care.The other option, and a happy middle ground, is making useof sheltered accommodation and retirement housing schemes.It’s certainly the case that many older people remain fiercelyindependent and wish to enjoy privacy, but at the same timewould welcome some company and the peace of mind thatsomeone is always on hand in there’s a problem.In these developments, residents treat where they live – itcould be a suite or a bungalow – as their own homes, comingand going as they please, inviting guests when they want andengaging any carers and other services at their own request. Atthe same time, though, communal areas mean they can enjoyeach other’s company and have someone to turn to when theyrequire companionship and assistance, while the properties© Shutterstock / Africa Studio65-67_Layout 1 21/03/2017 09:41 Page 2LINCOLNSHIRETODAY67CARINGhave constant security so there’s always someone on hand incase problems occur.This kind of accommodation is sometimes used by those insearch of respite care – they may have just left hospital or arerecovering from a serious illness and are aiming to get back ontheir feet. The safety net of sheltered accommodation can helpease the transition back to total independence, or provide amoment to consider the next move, which could well bestaying in this kind of set-up full time.It might be however, that a person feels they are unable to livein their home any longer. Be it due to their health, the difficultyor simply the lack of interaction. As such, the next option is oftenlooking at care homes themselves. Such a decision might besuggested by others, due to a trip or fall at home, but it’s worthkeeping in mind that the final decision should ultimately be theperson making the move. Is there a good reason for going intofull-time care? The only two reasons one should accept is thatthere is a risk to your health of staying at home, or that yougenuinely want to make the move, be it for company, moreactivities or simply a more relaxed atmosphere. A person shouldnever feel forced to go into care, as that attitude will simplyensure the experience is not enjoyable. Thankfully Lincolnshire has a wide variety of care homes, andbecause of the pleasant countryside surroundings, they oftenhave more space and fresh air than many do in other regions.There are more types of cares homes than many immediatelyrealise, from nursing homes where one might have dedicatedmedical staff to help with many tasks, through to care homeswhich practice a more apartment style approach – with centralcommunity lounges or recreation facilities. Which one isultimately chosen should depend on what is needed.Many elderly people seek to bolster the interaction theyreceive by taking on pets, and the health benefits of a cat or adog have been well-documented. Being forced to give up a petto move into care can be a devastating prospect, so it would bebetter to spend some time looking for a care home whichallows pets. It might also be worth asking to speak to someother residents to get a more unbiased opinion on how theyfeel. At the very least look to see if they are acting happy withtheir home. Beyond that, ask about the facilities they haveavailable, what they can offer in the case of a medicalemergency, but also what recreational activities are available forthe guests. And then ask the tenant if they would be interestedin those activities. It’s not much use being impressed by a carehome’s Bowls green if the family member doesn’t like the sport. Care, and in general, the end of our lives in any regard, is adifficult thing to talk about – with many putting it off until thelast moment. It shouldn’t have to be that way however, andnasty surprises can be avoided by handling things at an earlyopportunity. It’s worth keeping in mind that we are happier andhealthier when there isn’t something bogging us down, so asmuch as it may scream catchphrases from television, it is worthgetting all your affairs in order and achieving that peace of mind.It may sound cliché, but it is scientifically proven to help! For more informationinfo@countrycourtcare.comwww.countrycourtcare.com0843 506 9452Opening in August 2017!New Luxury Tallington Care Home, opening soon!Our new Care Home in Tallington located on Main Road, PE9 4RP will be registered to provide personalised residential and dementia care in a luxury environment, but at an affordable cost to the local community. The home will be purpose built in traditional stone to promote a lifestyle for residents that offers superior accommodation and a high quality of personalised care. The home will boast 30 en-suite bedrooms, a hair salon, a café/bistro, a shop, a cinema room, numerous lounges and communal areas. Brand-new Care Homeopening in August 2017!A brand new care home on Main Road, Tallington, PE9 4RP issoon to open its doors, when it officially opens in August 2017.The new Tallington Care Home (yet to be named) will be a brand-new, luxury 30 bed Care Home and will be hosting a Public OpenDay in August 2017 “All are welcome to come and enjoy somerefreshments, meet the management team, staff and view thestunning new residential & dementia home, so please keep youreyes peeled for a date/time, which will be announced soon” saidCountry Court Care Managing Director, Alykhan Kachra.The New Home is being built next to Tallington Care Home onMain Road and will showcase how style and elegance has beenincorporated in to the development of a care home. The new CareHome will be built from traditional stone, whilst incorporating stateof the art design and functionality. This new build project will be the latest Care Home to join theCountry Court Care group, a national, award-winning provider ofresidential, dementia and nursing care. Winner of the “ResidentialCare Provider of the Year 2015”, Country Court Care has one simplephilosophy; “Our residents and their families are at the heart ofeverything we do”.The new Care Home is now taking enquiries. For all enquiriesplease email Robb Shingles on info@countrycourtcare.com,telephone 0843 506 9452 or visit www.countrycourtcare.com.65-67_Layout 1 21/03/2017 09:41 Page 368 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYPETS© Shutterstock / Dennis van de WaterA few toomany poundsObesity is a problem; we all know that.It’s touted across the news, the web andin our hospitals, and its effects are beingfelt quite heavily on the NHS. Most ofthe time this is caused by a combinationof an unhealthy diet and a sedentarylifestyle, but it’s worth pointing out thatit’s often not just ourselves that suffer.In the animal world, especially withdomestic dogs and cats, there has beenan epidemic of obesity as well, and thishas just as much – if not more – of animpact on our furry friends than it doesus. Our pets eat what we choose to givethem, and exercise as much as they areable in the confines in which we live. Inall respects, it is the owner’s responsibilityto care for them, and such should berealised the moment one chooses to takeon a pet. Not all animals becomeoverweight by neglect, however, and it’simportant to know that some peoplesimply spoil their pets too much, orperhaps give in to begging behaviourwhen it’s not necessary. As humans, weeat multiple meals in the day to manageour much larger body-mass. If a dogbegs at each meal, and receives scrapsfrom it, that will be far more than theyneed, and weight-gain will result.Obese animals suffer a loss in quality ofWe often hear about the obesity epidemicin humans, but our unhealthy lifestyles havealso passed onto pets – with many obesedogs and cats suffering as a result.68-69_Layout 1 20/03/2017 09:57 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY69PETSFOR A CARING ANDPROFESSIONAL APPROACHTO ALL YOUR VETERINARY NEEDS•Pre-purchase Examinations •Endoscopy•Stables & Theatre •Tendon Scanning•Reproductive Ultrasound •Mobile Xray Unit.Estate Office, Boston RdSPILSBYTel: 01790 752227Heath Road Trad. Est.SKEGNESSTel: 01754 767444110 High StreetMABLETHORPETel: 01507 478182Fenwold VeterinaryPractice Ltdlife, much like humans do, andthere are further implicationswhich might lead to trouble,such as an increased risk ofdiabetes, arthritis, heart diseaseand certain types of cancer. Muchlike us, being obese can reducelife expectancy.Pet obesity is a rising concern inthe veterinary industry, andsomething which may be seenmore often if owners don’t takesteps to help their pets lose weight.The most obvious symptom ofobesity in animals is excess skin andfat, along with a reduced rate ofmovement – but in dogs especially,it’s worth pointing out that a doghas a healthy weight when the ribsare just about visible. This is acommon problem because inhumans, visible ribs suggestsotherwise, and some owners feel dogsare underweight when ribs can benoticed.There are, realistically speaking, only two ways ofreducing your pet’s weight; a reduction in calorificintake and increased exercise.It’s always best to speak to a vet before engaging oneither of these routes. Vets will have access toknowledge and resources the average animal ownerdoes not, and can even suggest specific food-typeswhich should help. The goal is a long-term reductionand also maintenance of this, with a goal to bringingthe animal back to a healthy and happy weight andthen keeping there from then on. For animals which may have a little more difficulty,there are now a range of animal exercise centres too,the problem having become so large that gym-likearrangements have to be made. For most, however,simply giving them a good walk once or twice a day –with some decent distance covered – will improve botha pet’s exercise and also their mood.And, of course, it can never hurt for us to get outthere too! © Shutterstock / Olena Savytska68-69_Layout 1 20/03/2017 09:57 Page 2Next >