< Previous90 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBUSINESS LINCSThere’s little enough good business news in thecountry at the moment that even small victoriesare seen as signs of a recovery. It is an indicationof the county’s strength then, that Lincoln BIGhas secured a boost in European funding to thetotal of £612,000, which must be used by 2014.This money can be used for a number of differentprojects, but is likely to be pushed into makingLincoln a more attractive shopping destination tothe people both within the county, and those whocome from further afield. What’s more, it is thelargest single grant that Lincolnshire has securedto date, and goes a great deal to showing what therecovery potential of the town truly is. Matt Corrigan, Chief Executive of Lincoln BIGsays, “This funding will allow us to review signagein the city and look at ways to make it even easierfor visitors to find their way around. We will alsobe working with the Lincolnshire Chamber ofCommerce to develop a range of business supportmeasures, including training and business advice,to help city businesses become more successful.”Not the only story of success in the region,Market Rasen has won the bid to become one ofthe twelve prestigious Portas Pilots in England.Another fifteen such locations will be chosen inJuly, and we can only hope that more places inLincolnshire can secure such funding. So what does being a Portas Pilot mean forMarket Rasen? The money is to be used to supportthe economy in Market Rasen and to improve itsshopping district and high street. To facilitate thisthey will receive specific experts to help then turntheir plan into action, and the funding to the sumof £99,000 will be left with the West LindseyDistrict Council (though ear marked for the PortasPilot, so the WLDC cannot spend it).The planned breakdown for the Portas Pilotfunding at this time is to have £37,000 dedicatedto market regeneration, £45,000 to sustainableshopping, £12,000 in promotion, £4,000 intidying up the town and £550 on administration. Unfortunately the TV spin off series run byMary Portas is unlikely to feature Market Rasen, asthe TV company behind it have admitted the roadtraffic and noise in the area make filming difficult.Despite this loss in free publicity and mediaattention the money will surely go a long way totransforming the town. Businessas usualBright news for Lincolnshire, as a numberof funding projects are won in the county090-091:Layout 1 15/6/12 10:45 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY91BUSINESS LINCSSmokesignalsby Jill Elkington ofHE LettingsAccording to the latest FireStatistics for England , therewere 321 fire fatalities in2010/11 – 28% fewer than tenyears earlier and 58% fewerthan 25 years before that. Non-fatal casualties from fires havealso declined but not to such a great extent.It’s interesting that, during this period, smoke alarmownership has increased dramatically. In 1987 only 9% ofhouseholds had a smoke alarm while the figure is nowsomewhere in the region of 86%. These statistics confirmsmoke alarms save lives, with any type of working alarm betterthan nothing.One of the problems we encounter frequently is that oftenants removing batteries from the alarms. Batteries areremoved for various reasons – a tenant being short of moneyor removing the battery to use in some other appliance. Ourpreference would be for mains connected smoke alarms to befitted to all the properties we manage. While this is not a legalrequirement, it is certainly our recommendation. There have been several high profile tragedies in whichpeople have died because they had disabled the smoke alarmwhich has then failed to warn them of the danger. Obviously,this is very worrying and I would encourage anyone to ensurethat they use and test their smoke alarms correctly.We all need to take our responsibility seriously in order toprotect our own and the lives of others. Whether you are ahome owner, tenant or landlord, make sure you have a smokealarm fitted and test it regularly – it could save your life.For further information regarding the legalities ofletting a property, call Jill Elkington on 01522 698899or email info@helettings.co.uk.Legal servicesfor elderly peopleexplained by Diane GendersWith age comes a whole new range of issues that areunderstandably unwelcome as they relate to succession,death, family inheritance and personal ability to control one’slife, assets, health and other responsibilities. In the end, allthese issues have to be dealt with, but often, as they seemcomplicated and confusing, they are left to others to decidewhat happens. These others can be remaining family or thestate – or a combination of both.It doesn’t have to be this way! In fact, it’s never too early tostart planning your own future. With help and planning, allissues that confront us in the final stages of our lives can bedefined and sorted out by us, while we still have the freedomof mind and spirit to make these important decisions.Unfortunately, time is the enemy in this regard and thelonger we leave it the more difficult it is to keep full control.Your close family is, of course, always a great comfort andhelp, but all too often, those you intend to rely upon cancause additional unwelcome pressures when you try to ensurethat family members – sometimes predatory – do not manageto gain undue financial advantage over others by capitalisingon your situation.It’s never too early to plan and then revise plans ascircumstances develop, so the best approach is to plan yourfuture when you are in good health so your express wishes arefollowed later when you may not be so fortunate. Aconsultation will bring peace of mind and a sense of securityin your latter years.For more information, contact me on 01522 516500or email diane@dianegenders.co.uk.Highly Experienced Team of Family LawyersDivorce and Separation Wills & ProbatePower of AttorneyAdministration of Estates Court of ProtectionCall for more information on01522 516500www.dianegenders.co.ukOffices also in Nottingham090-091:Layout 1 15/6/12 10:45 Page 2British red foxVulpes vulpes 92 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWILDLIFEIf you look out into the fields andmeadows of Lincolnshire this month,you’ll no doubt see tiny flashes of reddarting among the grass and bushes.And if you watch for long enoughsmall heads will peak above the ferns.July is here, and with it comes themoment when young kits will beginto forage for themselves, learning thetricks of the trade for their inevitableseparation from their family inSeptember.Foxes have long been considered apest and a rodent in the British Isles,despite having shared these lands for aslong as we have. Lately they haveearned an even less deserved reputationwith tall tales of urban foxes actuallymugging and attacking fully-grownhumans. Here in the vast countrysideof Lincolnshire however, foxes are keento remain apart from ourselves. Scavengers and predators by nature,they have been gathering food fortheir young since they were born inearly March. Their kits will havealready experienced the outside worldat this time, hiding in bushes andbrambles as they watch their parentshunt. Now is the time for them tolearn to forage for themselves, thoughstill with their parents standingprotectively nearby. Not yet rabbits, hares and birds forthese kits though. Their fare is muchslower and easier to practice with;earthworms, grubs and other insects.Kits will practice their pouncing skills,leaping up to a foot off the groundand landing paws first on their prey.Life isn’t all work for them however,and once their small bellies are fullthey will continue to chase andwrestle with their siblings among thegrass. Highly playful and social, thischildish behaviour still serves apurpose in setting out a chain ofdominance within the pack. Acommon method of settling disputesamong kits is to stand on their hindlegs and place their fore paws on theirsiblings chest. Whichever kit falls overfirst loses the battle. Foxes commonly live in small socialgroups or packs, usually of three to sixadults. Though there will often be anequal number of dogs and vixens, thealpha female is the one who mostcommonly mates. Young kits dispersefrom the pack around Septemberbecause this prevents inbreeding. Italso gives them enough time to find orform a new group, before the coldwinter truly arrives.Though foxes inhabit both thecountryside and urban cities across theUK, in the Lincolnshire region theyare most commonly seen in fields andmeadows, parks, woods or onfarmland. Foxes are in themselves,highly inquisitive and were theywithout kits, they have been known toinvestigate leftover food, bins orgarden toys. There are even amateurvideos caught of them playing ongarden trampolines. Fact File– Foxes are considered mysticalguardian spirits in Japanese culture, wherethey are known as Kitsunes. AncientJapanese people lived alongside them andtreated them with respect and reverence,there was even a fox God - Inari. It’sthought that this may have been becausefoxes could be counted on to hunt rodentsand other pests, and protect livestock. Solong as the chickens were cooped away! British red foxVulpes vulpes 092-093:Layout 1 15/6/12 10:46 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY93WILDLIFEBarnOwlTyto alba The barn owl is one of the most easily recognisable birdsin the United Kingdom, and in rural areas of the country,like Lincolnshire, they’ve been near permanent sights atfarms. Named such for their habits of nesting in barns andother used farm buildings, barn owls can also roost and nest incrooks and holes in trees. This is probably where they originallynested before humans began farming. Barn owls are easily distinguishable from other owls by their heartshaped faces, white plumage on the bottom of their body, andmottled brown on the top. This contrast works in a similar way tosharks. By providing camouflage if a predator was looking down onthem from above, or if they were looking up at them from below.Unlike common folklore barn owls do not hoot, instead they screechand hiss. They are also a rare species in that, like humans, barn owls havewidely differing habits and personalities. Most are nocturnal and hunt bynight, though there are a good portion who simply ignore this traditionand hunt by day. In either scenario they are perfectly adapted predators. Barnowls rely on a strong sense of hearing, which research suggests can filter outunnecessary sounds and can distinguish between a vole or a mouse, just bybreathing patterns. Their feathers are incredibly soft and are also covered in tiny hairswhich catch air, this means that a barn owl in flight is near silent, giving them a ghostly orethereal presence. Though unable to see in the dark, their eyes are twice as light sensitive asour own, enabling them to better use what light is offered by the moon. July is an auspicious time for the barn owls in Lincolnshire. Their eggs were laid earlyApril, and the young owlets have been growing and feeding since then. But now it is timefor them to make their first flight. Owlets of the barn owl species are unique in how theyact compared to all other birds. Chicks of most species do little more than sit in a nestbegging for food, sleeping and defecating. But barn owls are more like mammals in theiryoung. Instead owlets commonly play with one another, hissing, pouncing on theirsiblings and inquisitively inspecting their living area. If handled by a human,owlets will commonly play dead and refuse to move. Towards the second half of July the owlets will leave the nest for the first time,though they will continue their training games of pouncing and swooping, oftenon leaves or plants, or anything that catches their attention. They will alsocontinue returning to the nest together as a family for a few months, beforedispersing between September and November. Again how long a family staystogether is completely dependent upon the whims and personality of theindividual barn owls. If you want to see barn owls in Lincolnshire, look for places where grass isable to grow long and rough, attracting voles and mice. Farmland wherecrops are grown is a very common place to see them, and barn owls havebeen known to perch on fence posts as they look for prey. Fact File- Following thepopular success of the Harry Pottermovies and books, where owls arekept as pets and companions ofyoung witches and wizards. Thenumber of owls being kept as petsby young children has increased inthe UK. This has led to many casesof injuries between birds of prey,and young children who cannotcontrol them. 092-093:Layout 1 15/6/12 10:46 Page 294 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYPET CAREhe concept of sending yourdog to day care may seem a bitfar-fetched at first and oftenpeople can’t get their heads round theconcept. Doggie day care is somethingour American cousins have been doingfor years, along with council owneddog parks and open plan doggieholiday camps instead of thetraditional boarding kennels that weare accustomed to. All of theseconcepts have one thing in common,the dogs are free to mix with eachother. After having worked with groups ofdogs in a day care environment for thepast four years, when I’m asked thequestion, “what are the benefits ofdoggie day care?” I often don’t knowwhere to begin but there are probablytwo fundamental benefits that areworth going into more detail on.Firstly, let’s take a look at some ofthose popular pet dog breeds of today.The trusty Labrador, the reliable cockerspaniel and even today’s fashionablepoodle; crosses of these two types thatcan display strong instincts fromeither parent. These dogs wereprimarily created for a specificpurpose; they are breeds that love towork. Nowadays, these formerchampions of field and game arefound lounging on the sofa at homeall day while their owner is out atwork. Excess energy and lack of thecorrect stimulation are the two mostcommon causes of behaviouralproblems in the average pet dog – andwhere does that lead? Ever come hometo your slipper chewed or the kitchenbin emptied out onto the floor? Orhow many of you have a neighbourwho goes to work and leaves their dogto bark consistently throughout theday? A day care routine like the onesadopted in dog crèches up and downthe country is the closest thing thattoday’s average pet dog can find to“work”. Dogs can return home at theend of the day exhausted and feelingcontent that they did a good job. Secondly, when was the last timeyou opened a newspaper and readsomething positive about a dog in thecommunity? You probably can’tremember. Dog aggression, whether itsdogs attacking other dogs or animalsor dogs attacking people, is anincreasing problem that’s only gettingworse. Sending your puppy to a daycare environment where dogs areallowed to mix freely under humansupervision could be the step you tookwhich prevented your own dog fromending up on that page of thenewspaper in years to come. Socialskills and what we refer to as “gooddoggie manners” are all vital to raisingthat perfect family dog you alwaysdreamed of, a dog that can be takenanywhere and is simply a joy to spendtime with. Many of my ownWhy DoggieDay Care?The Americans have been doing it for years, but why should we considersomething as extravagant as doggie day care?When I see dogsbursting through thedoor each morning,desperate to get intothe crèche to playwith their friends, Icouldn’t be happierwith the decision Imade to turn mypassion for dogs intoa career. T094-095:Layout 1 15/6/12 10:48 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY95PET CAREcustomers take their dogs caravanningor camping and have used day care asa means to not only socialise theirdogs with other dogs, but also getthem used to spending time withother people in a new environment. The two points mentioned also leadon to something much more seriousfor dogs and dog loving humans alike.Often, behavioural problems canbecome too much for some owners andthey simply take the dog to a rescuecentre or have it put to sleep.Unwilling to face the problems theythemselves created, they opt for theeasy way out and nine times out tenthese owners will get a new puppy inthe following months to try for a freshstart. This cycle alone has put such anadded pressure on animal welfarecentres who simply can’t cope with thesheer volume of unwanted dogscoming through the door. Anyone likeme who owns a pet services companywill probably tell you that promotingresponsible pet ownership is the basisof why they started, to break the cycleof people rehoming dogs because theywork too many hours or the dogchewed the furniture. So if you have apuppy, or you’re thinking about gettingone, don’t rule out the possibility ofday care without trying it out foryourself. When I see dogs burstingthrough the door each morning,desperate to get into the crèche to playwith their friends, I couldn’t be happierwith the decision I made to turn mypassion for dogs into a career. Lincoln’s one stop horse riding shopFriendly, knowledgeable staff with years of horse owning experienceQualified saddle fittersClothing and footwear for all the familyHorse feed stockists43-45 Chieftain Way, Tritton Road, Lincoln, LN6 7RYTel: 01522 533 822 Email: thetackbox@talk21.comwww.thetackbox.biz094-095:Layout 1 15/6/12 10:48 Page 296 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYSudokucompetitionClosing date for entries is: 20th JULY2012To enter just email the numbers thatappear in the yellow squares to:competitions@blmgroup.co.ukWin a £20 voucher tospend with any of ouradvertisers in this issue.Astrology by Linda Lancashirewww.lindalancashire.co.ukbroomsticks@lindalancashire.co.ukSTARSLincolnshire Today’s guide to the astro month ahead...Last month’s solutionSagittarius Nov 23 - Dec 21Money poses an uncomfortable problem,and you will look at your home andfamily life in a new way. Talks aboutsharing responsibilities may hit a stonewall if you are dealing with someone whois bone idle and unmotivated.Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 20You can rely on your ingenuity to comeup with a solution to a problem.Juggling everyday tasks can be toughgoing but you are not about to admitdefeat at the first hurdle. It’s your life todo with what you wish.Aquarius Jan 21 - Feb 19A chance meeting with an old friendmay lead to a great new social life. It’stime to have some fun because younever know what doors may open and,if you’re single, just who you may teamup with as a result. Pisces Feb 20 - Mar 20It’s not only work and money that hasbeen keeping you busy lately. Your lovelife has been under scrutiny and a makeor break situation is looming on thehorizon. A new romance beckons, butdo your homework before jumping infeet first.M1A1YLeo Jul 24 - Aug 23A trip proves more pleasure thanbusiness. A surprise development in yourlove life creates both excitement andtension in the air. An impulse to turnthings upside down is because you areon a romantic mission.Virgo Aug 24 - Sep 23A personal relationship will be underscrutiny. A lover may issue an ultimatumregarding your future together. Bills keeparriving through the letterbox and theyneed paying so it’s a matter of jugglingyour finances accordingly.Libra Sep 24 - Oct 23Take control of your money and youcould end up richer. You’re ready to askkey questions and then take decisions.You will find the words to make peoplefeel good about themselves, and knowexactly what buttons to press to get yourown way.Scorpio Oct 24 - Nov 22Your mind is working faster than ever infinding ways of accomplishing yourgoals. Dismiss someone’s deliberatestupid comments as their jealousy andtake it as a compliment that you must bedoing something absolutely right. Aries Mar 21 - Apr 20If there is a tense and brittle atmosphereamongst close relatives or workassociates, you can rest assured there ismore going on behind closed doors thanyou are being led to believe. Make sureyou get the details right and the supportyou need.Taurus Apr 21 - May 21Changes that seemed impossible arebeginning to manifest themselves.Someone trying to muscle into yoursocial circle could be why you areexperiencing conflict and tension.Obsessive thoughts about a recent eventprevent you from acting calmly.Gemini May 22 - June 21A first date will go amazingly well.Someone paying you a bit of attention willperk you up no end. Working on a creativeproject will bring out the very best of yourartistic abilities and you may choose toturn a hobby into a profitable business.Cancer Jun 22 - Jul 23A love match may go from cool to redhot! Your new love has a lucky touch withmoney and you are in for the mostenjoyable time of your life. A last minuteholiday arrangement ensures you are inthe right place at precisely the right time. M2A7RYour 617823954324957168589614237435198672892376415761245389158432796273569841946781523673859412514236987892147563385714629126395874947682135239468751758921346461573298096:Layout 1 15/6/12 10:48 Page 1ClassifiedLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY97If you are gettingmarried then this guideis your must haveaccessory. It’s full ofadvice, hints and tipsfrom the county’s topwedding specialists andwill provide you withinspiration for your bigdayTo receive a copy of the county’s most prestigious, full colourWedding Guide, send a S.A.E. to:Lincolnshire Today Wedding Guide, Armstrong House,Armstrong Street, Grimsby, North East Lincs DN31 2QEPlanning for yourspecial day?Alternatively visit www.blmgroup.co.uk/ltwgand view the whole guide onlineLeisure ParkBritish ClassicsHeritage MotorsParts 1948 to dateRetail Trade ExportSpecial ProjectsRestorationsManufacturingCountry Workshops Risegate,Nr Spalding, Lincs, England PE11 4EZTel/Fax-01775 750 223-www.british4x4centre.co.ukClassic LandroversMotorsHigh Street, Burgh le MarshTel: 01754 810318The Bell Hotel is located in the attractive village of Burgh leMarsh, eight miles from Skegness and ten miles from the tranquil Lincolnshire Wolds.This delightful hotel offers guests nine en-suite bedrooms andthree self-catering cottages located in the hotel grounds. Inaddition, an attractive bar is enjoyed by both locals and visitors. There is also a separate function room for those special occasions.BELLHOTELDining OutSHOWERFIXShower Repair, Maintenance & InstallationAll Major Brands CoveredSpare Parts & New Showers Supplied & FittedTEL: 07771 924003Keep This Advert & Get 20%Discountwww.showerfix.co.ukPlumbing & HeatingHolistic HealthPut your health and wellbeing in our hands!Western Herbal Medicine Colonic Hydrotherapy Candida Diagnosis & Treatment Diet & Nutritional Therapy Stress Management Therapy15 Chapel Court, Brigg, DN20 8JZT: 01652 651385www.earth-energies.co.ukRetford & Gainsborough Garden CentreFor all your gardening needsShrubs, Roses, Trees, Bedding plants & gift wareor simply relax & unwind in our beautiful cafe. Serving freshly cooked breakfasts, hot lunch orjust a sandwich & cake. Come & See us soon!T: 01427 848 784www.retfordgainsborough.co.ukBar Road, Saundby, Nottinghamshire DN22 9EUGarden Centre & CafeBrandy Wharf Leisure ParkGodfrey and Joan of Brandy WharfLeisure Park offer you a hearty welcomeBrandy Wharf Leisure Park is a family runCamping & Caravan Site located next tothe peace & calm of the Ancholme River.We offer boat mooring & launching, fishing facilies & a warm & friendly welcome to all; that includes your children & pets. Contact us today on 01673 818010brandywharflp@freenetname.co.ukwww.brandywharfleisurepark.co.ukSunday 5th AugustThe GREAT family day out!Country ShowOFF LIMITSare a versatile band specialising insongs from the 50s to the present;Elvisto Robbie, Beatlesto Bryan Adams, Oasisto Queen,Claptonto Kaiser Chiefsand much, much more.If you are after a great, tight band that canplay all types of music for your event or partythen Off Limits are the band for you. Please contact us for a demo disc.Tel: 01427 615177 www.offlimitsband.co.ukLincolnshire’sPremier Party BandEntertainmentOFF LIMITS097:Layout 1 15/6/12 10:51 Page 1Have you got a passion for living?Have you got a passion for living?Visit www.lincolnshiretoday.netVisit www.lincolnshiretoday.net98 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY ONLINEThat may be it for this month’s Lincolnshire Today, butdon’t forget that before the August issue, there’s plentygoing on online. Log onto www.lincolnshiretoday.net forthe latest in county news and much more besides! If youhaven’t been online in a while, here are some of thefantastic stories we’ve covered in recent weeks…Wolla view of wildlifeA new sculptured wildlifeviewing area has beencreated on the coastal dunepath at Wolla Bank by theCoastal Country Park andthe Lincolnshire CoastalGrazing Marshes Project.The viewing area is madefrom green oak andincorporates cut out imagesof the wildlife that can beseen from it.Manby Beaver Groupspent an afternoon learningabout the importance of thegrazing marshes for wildlifeand then worked with an artist to create designs which werethen incorporated into the viewing area.The viewing area is located in a natural hollow in the dunesand overlooks Anderby Marsh which supports species such asbarn owls, marsh harriers, kestrels, water voles, grass snakes,butterflies and damsel flies. Gardening help from plot to plateAspiring gardeners are being urged to pick up their spades,get digging and plant for the future.Perhaps you’ve thought of growing your own vegetables orfruit but never really knew how to go about it. Well, help is nowat hand.South Holland has joined the Master Gardeners scheme andgreen-fingered duo Glenys Bower-Macer and Jane Broome,and the rest of the 10-strong team, are ready to help yourgarden grow.The project issupported by theHealth and Well-beingFund, a partnershipbetween NHSLincolnshire andLincolnshire CountyCouncil, and issupported by SouthHolland DistrictCouncil.Jane said: “Now’s a good time to think about buying someseeds and getting them going whether you have a window box,a patio or yard for some pots or a back garden, large or small.”Glenys’ and Jane’s help is completely free of charge andbefore you know it you could be enjoying home grown veg fromplot to pot and then plate.Jane added: “It’s cheaper than buying veg, it’s fresher andwhen you harvest those first few salad leaves or potatoes itgives you a great sense of satisfaction.”All households in South Holland can take part in this excitingnew and free project. Check it out atwww.mastergardeners.org.uk LincolnshireToday online...Next month inLincolnshire TodayLooking forward to our Augustissue? So are we! With area featureson Gainsborough and Revesby aswell as the usual mix of fashion,health and fitness, hair and beautyand dining features. We’ll also bereporting on the Waddington AirShow and bringing you all the news and ideas on things to doin the county that matter.It hits shelves in newsagents and supermarkets across thecounty in late July – and then is uploaded atwww.lincolnshiretoday.net!What’s been happening this month on the county’s top lifestyle website?098:Layout 1 15/6/12 10:52 Page 1North Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership099:Layout 1 15/6/12 10:52 Page 1Next >