< Previous50 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Heritage comes in varied forms, none more so than the memorials and monuments scattered throughout the county recalling the events, the people and their achievements that have shaped Lincolnshire’s history. And they come in a variety of shapes and sizes from the imposing to the sombre, the grand to quirky, from plaques and monuments to gravestones and statues. Some are nationally important whilst others are of purely local interest. Lincolnshire churches of course contain numerous monuments, many recalling local gentry or dignitaries who caused them to be created after their deaths. Outstanding examples are those of the Willoughby family in the chapel named after them in St James’s church Spilsby. In the same church are three memorials to Sir John Franklin, the arctic explorer, and his two brothers, James and Willingham, who both had successful careers in the Indian military and judiciary. In the tiny church of St Leonard’s at Haugh, high on the Wolds, is an elaborate memorial to Sir John Bolle and family. After the siege of Cadiz in 1596 his association with the aristocratic Lady Oviedo gave rise to the ballad of the Green Lady. Another legacy of successful people was their founding of almshouses. The Fotherby almshouses (1867) were founded by Everitt Allenby, local boy who made his fortune in London, whilst in Heckington two almshouses (1886 and 1904) commemorate local worthies Henry and Edward Godson. Religious figures too have left their mark. In Wainfleet is the Bishop Wayneflete school building founded by William Patten, born in the town, who rose to become Bishop of Winchester. Another bishop was Richard Foxe from Ropsley, Secretary of State to Henry VII and founder of King’s School, Grantham where Isaac Newton was a pupil. A commemorative plaque marks his birthplace in the High Street. Lincolnshire has been the birthplace of famous explorers too. Sir John Franklin has a prominent statue (1861) in his home town of Spilsby inscribed with an epitaph by Alfred Lord Tennyson inscribed, whilst Matthew Flinders has a statue, with his cat Trim at his feet, in Donington. Both also have memorial plaques at the sites of their birthplace. In this category we should perhaps include Sir Joseph Banks of Revesby who has a Blue Plaque marking his town house in Horncastle and is remembered by the SJB Centre nearby. Also, in Horncastle a blue plaque in Church Lane adorns the shop of William Marwood the famous Lincolnshire hangman. Alfred Lord Tennyson, Lincolnshire-born poet laureate to Queen Victoria, has an imposing statue (1905) on the green by Lincoln cathedral. At Old Bolingbroke we This month we look at Lincolnshire’s heritage of monuments and memorials. heritage Lincolnshire explored Lytchgate St Mary's Wainfleet Fotherby Almhouses 50-51.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 08:02 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 51 find memorials to Henry IV born there in 1367; the only king born in the county. Lincolnshire scientist Isaac Newton (born 1642) has a fine commemorative obelisk at Stoke Rochford Hall but cannily also left his mark in the shape of a carved sundial in Colsterworth church. And, of course, his apple tree lives on at Woolsthorpe Manor where he was born. A few miles away stained-glass windows and a plaque in St James’s, Skillington remind us of the vicar there, Charles Hudson, who died descending the Matterhorn after taking part in its first ascent in 1865. Not all memorials recall the famous however; some are to local unsung heroes. One of my favourites is the beautiful, carved lytchegate to churchwarden Charles William Tindall at the isolated Wainfleet St Mary’s church. At Saltfleet is the Freshney Pump. Local boy Frederick Alan Freshney fought in the Boer War, but aged 32 was wounded and paralysed, dying in his home village in 1906. A particularly unusual gravestone is in St Mary’s Tetford. Tyso Boswell and Edward Hearin, both gypseys (not normally buried in churchyards) who were killed by lightening in 1830. Another evocative gravestone is at St Andrew’s, Fulletby, that of Henry Winn who died aged 93, amongst whose many accomplishments was his tenure as parish clerk for 80 years, earning him an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. And a rather grand stile at the junction of the Nev Cole Way and Viking Way near Nettleton Grange commemorates the famous 1930’s Lincolnshire rambler. And events too get remembered. A plaque outside St James’s church Louth marks the start of the Lincolnshire Rising in 1536 whilst the Civil War Battle of Winceby (1643) features on both the village sign and a memorial stone outside Winceby House. Another Civil War legacy is the name of Clapgate Farm, near Greetham; named from the repeated clatter of the gate as troops passed through heading to the battle. The natural disasters of floods feature often too; at Louth (1920), Saltfleet (1953) and Horncastle (1960) whilst inscriptions on the tower of Boston Stump record highwater levels of seven floods between 1781 and 2013. A more modern event is commemorated at Grantham station in the Platform 2 waiting room where a specially commissioned, colourful stained-glass window shows the LNER locomotive “Mallard” achieving the world steam speed record in July 1938. And finally, a few curiosities! Unique (I think) is one beside the Viking Way near Somerby to a more domestic event. An elegant stone column dated 1770, erected by Edward and Ann Weston of Somerby Hall, celebrates “29 years of their happy conjugal union”. Even some murders are remembered! In Surfleet churchyard by the southeast gate is the macabre curiosity of Samuel Stockton’s gravestone (1786), murdered nearby. In St Nicholas’s churchyard Cuxwold is Enoch Golding’s grave; he was a 24-year-old gamekeepers assistant, murdered in 1860. Amongst the more unusual are two recalling Lincolnshire’s geological past; “natural” memorials we might say. They are beside Little Cawthorpe’s “Splash” and outside Louth museum. Both are glacial erratic boulders. Next month we’ll look at memorials for the RAF and Lincolnshire’s role as “Bomber County”. by Hugh Marrows Sir John Bolle Memorial, Haugh Newton Monument Stoke Rochford Battle of Winceby Memorial StoneBishop Waynefleete School Wainfleet Memorial Pump Saltfleet 50-51.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 08:02 Page 2NFU reveals results of annual farmer business confidence survey The NFU’s latest ‘Confidence Survey’ reveals that both short- and mid-term confidence among British farmers has remained negative for the third year running. One of the key concerns from respondents to our survey was the phasing out of BPS, with 78% saying they believe it will have a negative impact on their business. This is followed by the rise in input prices and changes to regulation and legislation due to Brexit. The survey also shows that 44% of farmers and growers have been impacted by the pandemic, with the figure jumping to 73% for horticulture businesses. Confidence is critical for all businesses as it influences production, investment and growth intentions, and so has a wider impact on farming’s economic contribution as well as food production. NFU President Minette Batters highlighted that levelling up urban and rural areas would help build confidence within the industry and boost business and investment opportunities for farmers, in turn delivering more for the country. “The fact that both short- and mid-term confidence has remained negative since 2018 is very telling of the uncertainty and challenges farmers continue to face,” she said. “Farming is a long-term business. Confidence in our businesses is absolutely crucial if we are to continue to be productive and profitable and the driving force behind sustainable, climate-friendly food production around the world. “Yet this survey shows that many farm businesses are still reeling from the impacts of the pandemic and that there is lots of apprehension about the significant changes to rules and regulations coming down the tracks. “It is not surprising that the phasing out of BPS is the top concern among our membership. Farmers will start seeing payment rates being reduced this year, without any new schemes to replace this income and a lack of detail about the interim and future schemes. Not knowing what kind of standards will be involved in these future schemes makes it very difficult for farm businesses to plan for the future. “Farmers need to know that the government is supporting them and investing in rural Britain. We need to know that the government is working to level up urban and rural areas and resolve issues such as rural planning, rural crime and inefficient broadband and connectivity. “Investment in these areas will help build confidence and provide more opportunities for farm businesses, enabling them to deliver even more for the country, from producing more quality, sustainable and affordable food to contributing to the government’s green growth ambition.” 52 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Farm&Country Farm&Country Link © Shutterstock /Juice Flair Defra releases farm business income forecasts Defra has released the provisional figures for the 2020/2021 Farm Business Income report, which demonstrate the volatility farmers continue to face. While some farmers are expected to see an increase in income, particularly within the livestock and poultry sectors, Defra anticipates a drop in income of 43% for cereals businesses, 35% for crop businesses and 10% for dairy businesses. “The decreases in income that many farmers are currently experiencing, while expected after such a difficult year, will be a huge blow as farmers become increasingly concerned about their bottom line, especially as they also face reductions in BPS farm support payments later this year,” said NFU Vice President Tom Bradshaw. “We all know that income can vary from sector to sector, region to region and year to year. Volatility is something farmers are well versed in managing but it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with, especially while there is so much uncertainty about the future and how farm support schemes will operate. Industry uncertainty was revealed in the NFU’s recent business survey, which showed confidence is already low among farmers, largely due to the changes in agricultural policy and the continued lack of clarity as to what the new schemes will require of farmers and how they will fill the income gap. “It’s therefore crucial that the Agricultural Transition Plan not only supports farming in the move from BPS to ELMs, but also provides the productivity improving measures, such as grants and investment in R&D, it has promised so we can build resilience, profitability and sustainability across all sectors,” said Mr Bradshaw. The final farm business income results are due to come out in October 2021. © Shutterstock /Africa Studio 52-55.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 08:12 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 53 Supporting the rural community News News Farmers encouraged to use new tool to take back control Farmers are being encouraged to use a new two-minute tool to reassess the health of their business, work-life balance and financial affairs in easy, manageable chunks. Developed in conjunction with a group of farmers in Cornwall, Two-Minute Farmer addresses all the complexities of modern farming life, but in a straightforward and practical way. It allows farmers to assess 10 elements – including paperwork, environment and lifestyle – of their daily lives which affect individual success and wellbeing, identifying areas for improvement and linking to a knowledge hub to help make positive changes. “We started out by holding informal meetings in a local pub and what emerged was that everyone needed different things – the complexity was immense and it is only increasing,” explains Harriet Housam, who led the project with support from Stephens Scown and Agri-tech Cornwall. “What was also clear was the mental element of feeling overwhelmed, so we created the Tractor Wheel of Life to consider the key questions which affect farmers’ business and physical wellbeing. In this way we can break big complex issues into two-minute chunks so they’re less overwhelming.” Farmers score each element out of 10, with zero meaning that area requires the most work and 10 indicating an area of complete satisfaction. They then plot those scores on a wheel chart to see if it creates a balanced wheel – which will roll easily – or a very spiky one, indicating that there are problem areas to address. Having proved the concept in Cornwall, Miss Housam now wants to roll it out across the UK and to create an app. This could also be used to collect anonymous data on regional trends in how farmers are faring, which could then feed into suitable knowledge exchange in regional roadshows. © Shutterstock /Gill Kennett © Shutterstock /EPStudio20 Prince’s Countryside Fund awards £89k to projects across the UK A year on from the first lockdown, the impact of COVID-19 has continued to affect our already isolated rural communities. Yet the ingenuity and resilience of these communities has astounded The Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF). The PCF is a nationwide charity which powers community-led solutions through their grant programmes. Thanks to the Barclays 100?100 UK Covid- 19 Community Relief Programme, the PCF has been able to support a further 13 projects in rural areas that are delivering vital community services and enhancing the lives of people who live there. Keith Halstead, Executive Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund, said: “From Kent to Scotland, from Meals-on-Wheels to a rural radio station, the unique ways in which our rural communities have been coming together to support each other through the pandemic is incredible. “Thanks to funding from Barclays, another 13 communities have been supported through our grant programmes and we hope our investment will help these communities bounce back and thrive.” 52-55.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 08:12 Page 254 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY British Wool abolish outward carriage fees for 2021 season The British Wool co-operative has stated it will abolish onward carriage fees for approved collection sites as part of changes to producer haulage charges for the 2021 season. Producers will now not have to pay for transporting their wool to collection sites this year. A charge of £5.15 per wool sheet is usually made for deliveries to haulier depots and authorised collection sites. According to the co-operative, the change would “further support” farmers following a tough year due to the impact of COVID-19 on the sector. “Throughout the pandemic British Wool’s depots and collection sites remain open in a Covid secure manner,” said Andrew Hogley, CEO of British Wool. “We continue to accept all types of wool from all producers, a principal which lies at the core of our cooperative ethos.” © Shutterstock /Dalibor Sevaljevic Coalition of rural organisations urges national ban on sky lanterns A group made up of 18 organisations has written to Environment Minister Rebecca Pow to explain how the Government’s approach not to regulate sky lanterns is now significantly out of date and out of line with other countries, where the release of sky lanterns is considered an environmental crime due to the harm they cause animals, habitats and the countryside. By enacting Section 140 of the Environmental Protection Act 19902 the Secretary of State can prohibit or restrict the importation, use, supply or storage of injurious substances or articles, such as sky lanterns. 152 local councils have already banned the release of sky lanterns on council property but with no national legislation the countryside and our farms remain unprotected. Tim Bonner, Chief Executive, Countryside Alliance, said: “Sky lanterns are a blight on the countryside and incredibly dangerous… It is high time their use was ended swiftly.” © Shutterstock /EduardSV Supporting the rural community NewsNews Jacket spud campaign a social success Brits have shown their love for the humble spud, with AHDB’s latest jacket potato campaign receiving over 55.3 million social impressions during the six-week period. The New Packed Lunch’ campaign, which ran from 18 February - 31 March 2021, ran across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and TikTok, to remind consumers of the virtues of the classic baked potato. For the first time, AHDB worked in partnership with BritMums and Tribe to create targeted content for different consumer groups in a bid to reach a wider audience. Videos demonstrating the ease and speed, as well as the nutritional and versatile qualities of part microwaved and oven baked jacket potatoes, received over 2 million views. Visits to the revamped Lovepotatoes.co.uk went up 680% during the campaign, as consumers made use of jacket potato recipes, information on the different spud varieties and how jacket potato can form part of a healthy and balanced diet, alongside some hints and tips. © Shutterstock /pilipphoto 52-55.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 08:12 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 55 www.mjp.supplies • Tel: 01406 362325 • Mobile 07702293727 MJPSupplies mjpsupplies For the purpose of importing and selling Algifol™ biostimulant products to farmers and growers of specialist crops Watch your profits grow Small quantities Amazing results Special offer on 1 litre bottles bought direct from our website SKIP HIRE/WASTE TRANSFER STATION: Tel: 01472 241342 Option 1 Email: waste@brianplant.com PLANT/HAULAGE/AGGREGATES/EARTHWORKS: Tel: 01472 341499 Option 2 Email: info@brianplant.com www.brianplant.com SKIPS - HOUSEHOLD & COMMERCIAL MINIS, MIDIS, BUILDERS & RORO FAST RELIABLE SERVICE LICENSED WASTE TRANSFER STATION & TIPPING FACILITY KEVIN JOHNSON - AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS “For those times when you need a helping hand on farm or on land” 4 Church Road | Wittering | Peterborough | PE8 6AG Tel: 01780 782924 | Mobile: 07860 608825 enquiries@kevinjohnsoncontracting.co.uk www.kevinjohnsoncontracting.co.uk • Fertiliser Spreading 12m to 36m • Lime Spreading • Maize Drilling • Grass Mowing with Triple Mowers CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS To find out how to get your business on the up visit www.dextersharpe.co.uk Offices in Boston, Bourne, Horncastle, Lincoln, Louth, Skegness & Spilsby We pride ourselves on providing a pro-active, friendly and accessible service. Experts in Accounts and Tax Returns Tax Planning and Book-Keeping Audits and Business Advice We’re here to get you in the right direction Keeping business on the up… 52-55.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 08:12 Page 456 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FARM & COUNTRY LINK - EQUINE Social media sites are full of pleas for livery yards that offer ‘24/7’ turnout all year round or can guarantee turn out every day. This is coupled with land prices increasing and livery yard owners needing more clients to make their businesses worthwhile. Thus, what land there is needs to be carefully managed, especially in wet areas and turnout becomes the Holy Grail. In parallel with this is a growth in ‘retirement livery’. Horses are living longer but are not always up to the job their owners want horses for. They don’t want to see otherwise healthy, happy horses put to sleep merely on age The evolving equestrian industry The evolving equestrian industry It is noticeable that grass livery – once the poor relation of horse ownership – has become much sought after as more horse owners turn to a more ‘natural’ way of life for their horses. It is noticeable that grass livery – once the poor relation of horse ownership – has become much sought after as more horse owners turn to a more ‘natural’ way of life for their horses. 58 Á grounds, but can’t afford stabled livery for two or more horses. So, for the lucky few with land but little else to offer liveries, a business opportunity presents itself. The main requirements for retirement livery are usually that the horse lives turned out on a permanent basis, barring illness or injury, in a herd system with other horses, both mares and geldings. It can often work in areas of cheap land but little else, such as Wales or Scotland, though owners may find this restrictive in visiting. Owners normally look for field shelters or free access to safe barns, with 56-58.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 08:14 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 57 FARM & COUNTRY LINK - EQUINE © Shutterstock /Petri V olanen 56-58.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 08:14 Page 258 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FARM & COUNTRY LINK - EQUINE large or unrestricted varied field grazing and water, though of course safely fenced at the perimeters. Horses are likely to be unshod, but owners will require regular trims, dentistry, worming and inoculations plus vet attention, all of which are costs are likely to be in addition to the basic livery fee. Ad lib forage is usually provided in winter, with hard feed for those that require it – many don’t. Supervision at least twice a day is essential and there should be some stabling and individual fields for ill or injured horses. Anyone offering this service should consider planning requirements and all horses should be insured if possible. Some will be uninsurable, so you will need to work out a way to ensure bills are met by the owner. Any vet bill should be addressed to the owner. A contract setting out each party’s responsibilities and duties is a must. It should ensure that the service provider can take the decision to put to sleep on veterinary advice if the owner cannot be contacted. One problem might be that of owners abandoning their horses and not paying, but any business risks bad payers. Make sure there is a deposit sufficient to cover the cost of humane destruction and get owners to pay by direct debit which you control. Thus, you can spot problems early on. You are unlikely to make a fortune, but it can be a business to run in parallel with another, or to make use of otherwise unproductive land. Plus, you make old horses very happy © Shutterstock /arthorse Importance of the equine industry Horses are part of our way of life in England – especially here in the Lincolnshire. Indeed, these quickfire statistics from the British Equestrian Trade Association’s National Equestrian Survey prove how popular horses remain and the importance of the nations’ equine industry. • There are 27 million people in Britain with an interest in the equestrian industry. • There are 374,000 horse-owning households in Britain • The estimated horse population in Britain stands at 847,000 • The average age of a horse is 13 • There are 5 million British households with at least one ex-rider. 56-58.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 08:14 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 59 FARM & COUNTRY LINK - MACHINERY © Shutterstock /Juice Flair With a great many suppliers spread across the vast rolling fields and farms of Lincolnshire, it’s safe to say that the county is the nation’s fruit and vegetable basket. Not only that, but we can lay claim to some of the UK’s best and most delicious produce. Our food sector contributes a massive £2.5 billion to the area’s economy, but we’re not resting on our laurels. The Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership has, on numerous occasions, expressed its desire to double this figure by 2030. Though we are indeed singing the county’s praises, the sector doesn’t exist in a vacuum and is vulnerable to a variety of challenges and setbacks – from the unpredictability of British weather, to crop disease and crises in the economy. Despite rhetoric to the contrary, supermarkets are continuing to squeeze local suppliers, often leaving them out of pocket or going under. Increased competition from discounters is only serving to exacerbate the issue. The agricultural sector has always had something of a reputation for being conservative and steadfast, adapting slowly to changes, much like the crops they harvest. Put a new piece of machinery on the market, especially one Ensuring the right tool Lincolnshire’s farming sector is critical not only to the regional economy, but nationally. Yet that would be downright impossible to achieve without the machinery and equipment that keep this crucial sector moving. 60 Á Ensuring the right tool 59-61.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 08:15 Page 1Next >