< Previous80 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSOCIAL SCENERememberingTHE HEROESOver 130 guests danced the night away at Lincolnshire Chamber’s Annual Charity Banquet at the DoubleTree by Hilton.The evening celebrated and honoured the seventieth anniversary of the Dam Busters, with guests dressing up in forties-inspired outfits, live entertainment from Lola Lamour & Her Blue Light Boys, and a themed menu from the venue whichincluded a Bouncing Bomb cocktail.As well as paying tribute to the heroes of the past, those serving today were also remembered as the banquet raised £900 inaid of Help for Heroes. A special thanks was given to Ruddocks, Flowers by Suzanne, Peachy Productions and the DoubleTree byHilton for the support they gave the event.080-081:Layout 1 17/6/13 10:11 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY81SOCIAL SCENEPHOTOS BY ANGELA COOPERThis is just a selection of photographs from this event…Visit www.lincolnshiretoday.netto view and purchasecopies of the photographsLincolnshireTodayTHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE080-081:Layout 1 17/6/13 10:11 Page 282 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWILDLIFESummer visitors such as warblersmarsh harriers and especially ourswallows halted their continentalmarch northwards this spring thanksto the unusually cold conditions.Now the temperatures haveeventually risen, this means analmighty dash across the channeland a frantic flight north to theirbreeding grounds to catch up forlost time. They need insects tosurvive – and lots of them. Devastating things are happeningto our woodlands which are havinga direct effect on these insect-lovingbirds. When, for example, did youlast hear a nightingale? Nightingaleslove to breed in woodlands, alongwith song thrushes, blackbirds,blackcap warblers and yellowhammers,but each year their habitats are changing,for the worse.Research led by the British Trust forOrnithology focused on eleven woodlandbird species in lowland England and cameup with quite alarming results. Thenightingale’s numbers have dropped 54%over the last ten years and the willow tithas dropped 65% in the same period. Theeleven bird species depend on low densevegetation in woodland and scrub, andare therefore potentially vulnerable tobrowsing by deer which tends to reducethis vegetation.Up until now we in Lincolnshire havefive or six species of deer, the Roe deer,Red deer, Fallow deer, Muntjac deer,Chinese Water deer and – we think – Sikadeer. I seem to bump into Roe deer morethan any other but that may be becausemost of my wildlife watching is along theLincolnshire coastal strip where they areclearly thriving.Red deer and Roe deer are indigenousto the UK, but the Muntjac, Fallow, Sikaand Chinese Water Deer are interlopers.They were imported into this country andkept in collections. In the nineteenthcentury the gentry thought it a great ideato release Muntjac into the surroundingcountryside simply because they could!They bred and spread north, reachingLincolnshire in the seventies. If they hadrealised what a destructive critter thisanimal was to our native woodlandflowers and birds they may not have beenso hasty. The Normans brought in thebeautiful Fallow deer and the Chinesewater deer escaped from the collection atWhipsnade Zoo.So many deer, so little regulation ofbreeding populations and no naturalcontrol over populations has to haveconsequences for the ecology and we seethis quite surprisingly in the decline ofmany of our woodland birds. Whereverthere are high numbers of deer there is acorresponding decline in numbers ofwoodland birds such as the nightingale.The nightingale’s population has declinedan incredible 91% in Britain between1967 and 2007.The problem seems to be that deer arebrowsing off the dense undergrowthunder the tree canopy to such a degreethat several bird species can nolonger nest in their traditionalwoodland sites. These birds relyon that secretive cover forsuccessful nesting and the coveris vanishing. The blackcapwarbler simply loves to nestamong the low lying bramblesbut the deer love bramble briers.The nightingale, willow tit,song thrush, willow warbler,marsh tit, hedge sparrow,bullfinch, blackcap, chiff chaff,garden warbler and, surprisingly,even the humble blackbird areaffected by this deer problem.Conservation has meant ahealthy population of birds ofprey today and the sparrowhawk, a woodland specialist, will of courseprey on songbirds but it is naturalpredation and as such will never wipe outa species. However, removing thesongbird’s natural nesting habitat ascompletely as the deer are doing doesmean total annihilation of songbirds inareas of high deer numbers because ofcourse no nests mean no birds.Grey squirrels are also a dreadfulpredator on songbird’s eggs and chicksbut even that does not compare with ‘thedeer effect’. We have always had deer ofcourse but they have always beencontrolled to a greater or lesser degree bybeing part of our diet.Beautiful as deer are perhaps it really istime to consider the bigger picture andtake steps to protect all creatures in ourenvironment. Only we can do this, asthere are no more wolves, bears, lynx tobalance things out. Reducing thenumbers could be a win-win situation forman, wildlife and our countryside.If you would like to purchase photosfrom our wildlife features, visitwww.fotolincs.comA nightingale sang...?Song thrushVisitors to the county will be makingup for lost time this summer, asColin Smale explains082-083:Layout 1 17/6/13 10:25 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY83WILDLIFEBullfinchGrey squirrelYellowhammerFemale Blackcap WarblerNo brambles left on woodland floor082-083:Layout 1 17/6/13 10:25 Page 284 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWALTHAMWaltham provides tranquillityand history by the bucketload –but there’s plenty going on tooNorth East Lincolnshire can certainly offerplenty of contrasts. The hustle and bustle ofGrimsby is certainly complemented by thetraditional seaside splendour of Cleethorpes,while close by are some absolutely delightfulvillages – one of the most appealing beingWaltham.Doubtless the most famous part of Walthamis its famous windmill, which has made a majorcontribution to the village’s prosperity forgenerations – both as a working mill and, later,as a tourist attraction. The present mill datesback to 1879 when it was built bySaunderson’s of Louth – the third attempt aftertwo previous mills failed to cope with stormsand gales. The onion-shaped top and tar-blacktower can be seen at Saunderson’s othercreation, the Maud Foster Mill in Boston, whichis considered very much its twin.The mill cost the grand total of £500 tobuild, saving cash by making use of secondhand timber and the offcuts of a demolishedchurch, and you could suggest that fivehundred pounds has rarely been better spent.Of course, more money and care has beenlavished on it since it stopped being used as aworking mill in the sixties. The sails were allreplaced during the eighties, with one beingchanged again in 2001 when a crack wasfound, and the mill needs to be tarred andpainted every four years to keep it in the verybest condition.The tireless efforts of the Waltham WindmillThe best ofboth worldsThe best ofboth worlds084-086:Layout 1 17/6/13 11:07 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY85WALTHAMPreservation Society over the years ensures it remains a fascinatingexample of how we used to live. The windmill is open at the weekendsand, from 27th July, it’ll be open every day throughout the summerholidays, which makes for a great day out.It’s not just the mill itself that remains a big attraction, however, as itsgrounds are home to a number of independent traders. The shops areusually open, even on days when the mill is closed, and you can easilyspend time picking up craft items, traditional sweets and products andmuch else, and enjoy fine home-cooked food. As well as that, there’s aregular Sunday car boot sale – watch out for the next events on 28thJuly and 18th August – and other special events. Enjoy the sound ofbrass bands on Sunday 21st July, while the August Bank Holiday isModel Engineering Weekend – appropriate given the windmill’sgrounds are also home to the Grimsby and Cleethorpes ModelEngineering Society.While the Windmill overshadows much in the village, the High Streetand surrounding areas also have plenty to offer. The blend ofindependent traders makes it a hugely attractive place to live and work– if you’re after that special something, or the personal touch when it86 084-086:Layout 1 17/6/13 11:07 Page 286 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWALTHAMVisit our showrooms at:9 High St. WalthamGrimsby DN37 0LJTel:01472 822332Free car parking, free measures, free quotes, free local delivery.•Carpets •Vinyls •Laminate •Amtico •Karndean•Wood •Safety flooring •Rugs •Runners•Commercial flooring352 Pelham RoadImmingham DN40 1PYTel: 01469 577332FRESH STOCK!www.millstonegardencentre.co.uk01472 828 150 Cheapside, Waltham, Grimsby DN37 0HX Mon to Sat: 7:00—5:00pm. Sun: 10—4pmEXCLUSIVESAME DAYDELIVERYAT A TIMETO SUIT YOU!BESPOKE LANDSCAPING & GARDEN DESIGN SERVICESGROW YOUR OWNGREAT SELECTION OFVEGETABLE PLANTSGROW YOUR OWN!GREAT SELECTION OFVEGETABLE PLANTS!ULAROUR VERYPOPULARCUCUMBERSSUSUSUMMMMMMERERERBEDDINSUMMERBEDDINGGROWYWYWYW YUOUROUROUROUROWCRCR CRISPISPISPYYYLADS!SALADS!GROW YOUROWN CRISPY SALADS!18 VARIETIEPRO-GROWTOMATOE18 VARIETIESPRO-GROWNTOMATOESFRESH STOCK!VEGETABLE SEEDSFRESH QUALITY TURFRare, AgedRockery StoneLimited supply!FRESH STOCKWonderfulShrubsAdd someflavour toyour garden!FRESH STOCK!MUMBAIBLUESINDIAN DINING EXPERIENCE75 High Street, Waltham, DN37 0LT Tel: 01472 822 779 / 827 367 Email: info@mumbai-blues.co.uk www.mumbai-blues.co.ukcomes to service, there’ll be something for you.Waltham is also gaining something of a reputation for finedining with restaurants such as Fourteen and Mumbai Bluesreceiving wide acclaim. Traditionalists will also be pleased to seethat the pub remains very much the heart of the villagecommunity, taking pride of place on the High Street and always avibrant and bustling location.The honey-coloured stone of Waltham’s thirteenth century AllSaints’ Church is another wonderful attraction and adds to thequaint appeal of the village – and offer a moment of quietreflection in an area where, like much of Lincolnshire, there arestrong links to the RAF.Waltham is the kind of quintessential village that Lincolnshireseems to specialise in, but with Grimsby and Cleethorpes just afew miles away those who live and work there can enjoy the bestof both worlds.The blend ofindependent traders makes it a hugelyattractive place to liveand work084-086:Layout 1 17/6/13 11:07 Page 31stissues only £1Great reasonsto subscribe...Each issue is brimming with a diverse topic range...• Heritage • Fashion • Hair & Beauty • Leisure • Homes & Gardens • County Motoring • Dining Out • What’s On • Free Reader Giveaways and much much more…First 3 issues only £1!FREE delivery to your doorReceive your copy before it hits the shopsORDER FORMYes, I would like to subscribe to Lincolnshire Today magazinefor the next 12 months, with the first 3 issues only being £1.Personal Details:First name:Last Name:Address:Town:County: Post Code:Tel: Mobile:Email:Payment by DEBIT/CREDIT cardName as it appears on card:Type of card: Mastercard / Visa / Visa Debit / OtherCard Number:Card Verification number (3 digits on signature strip):Expiry Date:Amount Authorised:Cheque enclosed YES / NO Please post this form back to: Subscriptions,Lincolnshire Today Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby. N.E. Lincolnshire DN31 2QEMake cheque payable to Business Link Magazine GroupCall now to subscribe on01472 310301 or visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341orScan QR Code4Looking for a great gift idea?A gift Subscriptionis the perfect present that lasts all year round!Total Price: £27.553£1087:Layout 1 17/6/13 09:58 Page 188 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBOOK REVIEWIan D Rotherham’s new book, The LostFens, tells the remarkable story of theFenlands of a few hundred years ago, asbetween 1600 and 1900, up to 10,000square kilometres of wetlands haddisappeared – a huge change to thearea’s landscape. We spoke to Ian,Professor of Environmental Geography atSheffield Hallam University, about thechanging face of Lincolnshire.The Lost Fens is, in Ian’s word, “almostlike a whodunnit. It was about twentyyears ago I started looking at how big theFenlands were. I’ve got family inLincolnshire and I came across a mapfrom the late seventeenth century and itfeatures such a huge extent of wetlands.My friend Chris Smout, who has thewonderful title of Historiographer Royalfor Scotland, wrote about the YorkshireFens, and it struck me, where were they?In the 21st Century we can’t even beginto imagine what two or three thousandsquare miles of wetland would havelooked like, it’s a mind-blowing concept.“So the book attempts to point outthere are two areas of Fenland, linked byLincolnshire, which is the thread thatjoins them together. People know thereare wetlands around Hatfield and ThorneMoors but they’ve no idea howextensive that was – all the way downthe Lincolnshire coast, up from Hull...That was the case in 1650 but it hadgone by 1900 and the book aims to findout why.“I also wanted to find out what theywere actually like – and one great sourcehas been the menus for great feasts,which illustrates what food was available.There was a great feast for theenthronement of the Archbishop of Yorkin the fifteenth century, where theyserved two hundred bitterns, eighthundred egrets, 150 cranes... all comingfrom the local wetlands. When you thinkhow much wetland you need to have150 cranes, you get some sense of howbig the area was.”The book is timely as we consider thefuture shape of the UK, and as Ian pointsout, “I’ve got an article from the eightiesabout areas in risk of flooding, and if youget a map of the area from thenineteenth century, it’s the same areaswe drained and used for intensivefarming. At the moment there’s no waywe can give most of those up because ofthe value to the economy, but there’s ahuge cost because of the rising sealevel.”The Lost Fens is available now fromThe History Press.The lostFENSThe potential for our part of the world to change due to coastal erosion havebeen a familiar story for Lincolnshire in recent years, but it’s easy to forgethow the county looked in the past.Main: Ian DRotherham, authorof The Lost FensRight: The wetlandsaround Lincolnshirewere once soextensive they werehome to thousandsof bitterns088:Layout 1 17/6/13 09:57 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY89SOCIAL SCENEWild in thecountry!The Lincolnshire Young Farmers recently held their annual rally at Revesby Estate Farmand showed just how much fun it can be to become a member.With so many events happening it was hard to keep track. The young farmers tookpart in bed races, egg and spoon rallies, greasy pole pillow fights and of course thehighlight of the day, the tug of war. We also took time to look around the variouscompetitions and couldn’t quite believe the level of skill on offer, with art and craftbeing particular highlights.The celebrations carried on long into the night after with a barn dance held at the farm.To join Lincolnshire Young Farmers or to find out more about this great association,log on to www.lincsyfc.org.uk.This is just a selection of photographs from this event…Visit www.lincolnshiretoday.netto view and purchasecopies of the photographsLincolnshireTodayTHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE089:Layout 1 17/6/13 09:56 Page 1Next >