Homes & Gardens Autumn Events Fashion Inspiration A-Level Results Homes & Gardens Autumn Events Fashion Inspiration A-Level Results £2.95 SEPTEMBER 2022 THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET www.blmgroup.co.uk BLM GROUP GROUP BLM £2.95 SEPTEMBER 2022 THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE 01.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2022 14:40 Page 1UK TOP 40 THE SUNDAY TIMES PARENT POWER GUIDE WWW.LINCOLNMINSTERSCHOOL.CO.UK 98% OF PUPILS ACHIEVED 9-4 AT GCSE 96% OF PUPILS ACHIEVED THEIR FIRST CHOICE UNIVERSITY CO-EDUCATIONAL INDEPENDENT DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL VISIT US AT OUR NEXT OPEN DAY, 22 SEPTEMBER The best in everyone 02.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2022 14:40 Page 1September marks a new beginning and a change for many young people, and also adults with young children, as new school years start – and sometimes even a new school altogether. With A-level results having been released last month and results dropping because of COVID, many have been left uncertain toward university and pushed into clearing. Jeremy Clarkson has come out with his annual “I got two C’s and a U” tweet – ignoring the fact that very few people can be so fortunate as to be drafted into an award- winning show, and everyone always has their own fair share of advice on what to do and how to go about it. September will also be time for a new Prime Minister – at the time of writing, Liz Truss is leading but nothing is secured yet, and both her and Rishi Sunak appear to be racing neck and neck for the title of “least inspiring candidate” ever. We’re lucky to be away from it all up here in Lincolnshire, where we will be, with any luck, welcoming a little more rain to turn our grass from yellow to green. I commented before that we had been called snowflakes for complaining about the weather, but farmers across Lincolnshire and Yorkshire have suffered from the extreme heat and draught, and we’ve been warned to be ready for wobbly vegetables later this year, as the stress will have caused many to grow in unusual shapes. They’re perfectly edible and healthy, so don’t worry about that, and take the time, if you can with the rising cost of living, to support our local farmers here and there. There are plenty of farmer’s markets where one can buy fresh produce cheaper than at the supermarket, and the money goes directly to our farmers when you do. It’s not all doom and gloom despite my writings (and our waters being filled with poo from sewage) as Lincolnshire moving into autumn is a beautiful sight, and I encourage everyone to get out there and enjoy it for what it is. The weather is expected to be extreme again this winter but let us hope for a calm and simple September. I think we’ve earned it. Good reading, as always. Michael Fisher Editor from the editor The magazine that cares WE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place than we found it Lincolnshire Today believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key to maintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staff will be proud to be part of. Community - From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We also extend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causes and charities. Environment - Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources, minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise. Group Editor: Steve Fisher Editor: Michael Fisher Journalist: Tess Egginton Sales Director: Angela Cooper Sales: Kerry Randerson Accounts & Circulations: Angela Sharman, John Downes (01472) 310301 Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson Advertising: Tel: (01472) 310302 Editorial: Tel: (01472) 310305 Part Of The Business Link Magazine Group: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE Email: lincs-today@blmgroup.co.uk Website: www.lincolnshiretoday.net ISSN No: 1366-1299 FRONT COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF STOCK.ADOBE.COM/NESRUDHEEN LincolnshireToday @lincstoday lincolnshiretoday.net This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. If you are unable to participate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass your magazine onto a local hospital or charity? 03.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2022 14:41 Page 1Features 6 THIS MONTH IN LINCOLNSHIRE What’s been going on in the county this month? 10INTERNATIONAL BOMBER COMMAND CENTRE In Memoriam 26HAPPY IN HORNCASTLE This month, we’re exploring Horncastle, the charming market town with a fascinating history and plenty to do for lovers of art, culture and shopping. 32SAUNTER INTO SEPTEMBER A transitional month, September is a time to get ready for the upcoming shift to cooler weather. From smart looks to fun fashion, there’s lots of inspirational ensembles in this issue of Lincolnshire Today. 42PUTTING IN THE PREP WORK This September, its all about protecting your skin and hair to stay healthy, fresh and gorgeous. It’ll set you up perfectly for the autumn chill to come. 46GETTING BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS Fitness isn’t always fun, which is why those who struggle to find the entertainment value in a gym might be missing out on more engaging alternatives. 48AUTUMN FOODS Colder afternoons (a relief after the heat waves) offer opportunities for warmer food, and for getting into the kitchen and making some delicious treats. 52100 DOGS WALK HUMBER BRIDGE On July 3rd over 100 dogs and their families walked the Humber Bridge to raise money for a paralysed French Bulldog. 54LINCOLNSHIRE HERITAGE EXPLORED This month we are looking at Lincolnshire’s legacy of Outdoor Art. 56NEVER TOO EARLY It’s never too early to start thinking about your child’s future, and never too early to look at new schools. We delve here into what to look out for, what to consider, and when to start looking. • Lincoln Minster School • Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate SEPTEMBER A TRANSITIONAL MONTH, SEPTEMBER IS A TIME TO GET READY FOR THE UPCOMING SHIFT TO COOLER WEATHER. FROM SMART LOOKS TO FUN FASHION, THERE’S LOTS OF INSPIRATIONAL ENSEMBLES IN THIS ISSUE OF LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY. contents 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2022 14:42 Page 1COLDER AFTERNOONS (A RELIEF AFTER THE HEAT WAVES) OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WARMER FOOD, AND FOR GETTING INTO THE KITCHEN AND MAKING SOME DELICIOUS TREATS. 62FAMILY BUSINESS While family businesses face a raft of challenges – like many other businesses in this economy – the solutions are often not so simple; they never are where family is involved. 68SEEING SILVER Life expectancy continues to grow, with many living well into their eighties and beyond. After spending half of that going to school, getting married, having kids and working, it’s fair to say that life begins in earnest at fifty. Or is that sixty? 72COUNTY MOTORING Electric vehicles are coming thick and fast now, and new innovations in battery life and efficiency mean that they might soon be capable of the long commutes that have been holding them back this far. • We put the Aston Martin DB11 through its paces 78A CAPPUCCINO WITH… Ahead of Republica’s gig at the Drill Hall in Lincoln this September, we asked lead singer and 90s rock icon Saffron to share her thoughts on life, lockdown and her impressive career so far. 80WHAT’S ON There’s always something going on in Lincolnshire. • We speak to Author Richard Daniels, whose spooky new show takes over Louth Town Hall • Lincoln performer, Kieran Spiers, lands Arts Council funding for new show Desirable homes 12A COMFORTABLE FAMILY HOME This month’s featured property is a stone family home set in an ideal location. 20ATMOSPHERE AND EMOTION This month we look at the work of Alison Johnson, who loves to express feelings that she deems “inexpressible through words” in her art. 22A STUNNING FRONT GARDEN Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping details an impressive recent project transforming a client’s front garden to improve access, install a water feature, and create a peaceful space. 24LUSCIOUS LAWNS Severe weather is creating more concern for the health of our lawns. There is plenty that can be done to protect and rejuvenate them. 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2022 14:42 Page 2Gainsborough stores caught selling illegal cigarettes raided again Two stores previously caught selling illegal cigarettes in Gainsborough have been raided again. Searches of the premises on Trinity Street and Church Street were carried out as part of a multi-agency operation involving officers from West Lindsey District Council, Lincolnshire County Council’s Trading Standards, Lincolnshire Police and Home Office Immigration Officers. Kim Enderby, senior licensing and community safety officer for West Lindsey District Council, said: “These two stores were targeted because illicit cigarettes had been seized during raids in April and fresh intelligence was received that they were again selling illegal tobacco products. Prior to the raids a test purchase operation had taken place, with both premises selling illegal products to plainclothes officers. “Searches were carried out with the assistance of a dog specially trained in locating concealed tobacco. A quantity of illegal tobacco was seized and immigration officers encountered a male working in one of the stores who due to his immigration status was barred from work of that kind. Investigations by the agencies involved are ongoing.” Boston Borough Council is warning residents that courier fraudsters are operating in the town after an elderly couple were conned into parting with £6,000 from their savings. It started with a telephone call from a fraudster posing to be an officer from the Met Police. The man informed them that their bank account had been targeted and they needed to act quickly to protect their money. The scam was so sophisticated, the criminals had every step planned out and even told the couple what to say at the bank if they were questioned about the reason for the large cash withdrawal. The couple, who are trusting to anyone in authority, did exactly what they were told to do, including handing the money to a man who turned up at prearranged time and date who gave them a key phrase and name so they could trust the person who would be knocking at their door. Lincolnshire’s doing better than other regions, says business recovery specialist Amid growing fears of recession, and the escalating cost of living crisis, the latest data from independent business rescue and recovery specialist Begbies Traynor suggests some encouraging signs for Lincolnshire businesses, with the region performing more strongly than other parts of the UK in the second quarter of 2022. The latest Red Flag Alert data from Begbies Traynor reveals that in Lincolnshire significant or early-stage distress (which refers to businesses that have had CCJs of less than £5,000 filed against them) fell by 13% year on year and by 1% since Q1 of this year. The national average was a decrease of 11% since Q2 2021. Across Lincolnshire 5,926 businesses experienced instances of early stage distress in the three months from April to June 2022. During the same period, over half a million firms across the UK as a whole ran into financial difficulties. © stock.adobe.com/ overthehill © stock.adobe.com/Natee Meepian latest news Courier Fraudsters target Boston couple for £6,000 savings 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2022 14:43 Page 1Western School site housing development moves a step closer for Grimsby An opportunity to create the housing development on the former Western School site has been released to tender. The 22.9 acre brownfield site will eventually see a community of up to 297 properties including potentially one to four bedroom houses, including affordable housing and retirement dwellings. In a separate arrangement, North East Lincolnshire Council will also provide an extra care facility on the site. The major ‘spine roads’ into the site and work to bring utilities to the site were completed last year and the Council is now looking for a developer to come forward for the project. Councillor Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “I’m really pleased to see this brownfield housing development progressing now. We know we need more housing, particularly starter houses and ones pre-adapted for our older population, in the borough. We have to get the balance right to meet the needs of our residents.” Work could begin on the site as early as 2023. Environmental Crime enforcement officers are taking to the streets in East Lindsey. The team will be walking around the district’s tourist centres, towns and villages in a bid to enforce and educate people on such things as deliberately dropping litter and those who fail to pick up after their dog or fail to be able to provide the means to pick up after their dog. The officers will be issuing £150 fixed penalty notices to those who are caught breaking the rules. Anyone who does not discharge their liability by paying the fine will face prosecution in court. As well as dog fouling and litter, the team have also been given the powers to deal with other environmental crime such as fly-tipping and graffiti. Some of their work will be carried out using information passed on by members of the public and local councillors. It is hoped that the environmental crime enforcement officers will deter irresponsible behaviour and encourage people to dispose of their rubbish more responsibly. New Environmental Crime enforcement officers to tackle on-street litter £8m Levelling Up boost for Grimsby to repair vital bridges and bolster local industry Vital bridges connecting Grimsby and Immingham will be repaired to boost the local key industries and tourism, prevent road closures and secure future jobs for the region, Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark has announced. In the latest step to level up Grimsby, £8 million of funding has been confirmed to help fix damaged bridges along the A180 – a vital route that connects the region’s key ports, serves residents and tourists and provides an estimated £2.5 billion to the local economy’s Seafood Cluster each year. The funding will prevent months of disruption and closures for residents, as well as making sure local industries can continue to grow and helping to create more skilled jobs in the area. Greg Clark said: “The work to level up vital towns like Grimsby requires acting on what local people say is important and acting on what local people want – including local infrastructure. The funding…will provide a vital lifeline for Grimsby’s industry now and in the future and I am looking forward to seeing how our investment is helping local communities to flourish and further unlock the area’s potential.” and dog fouling in East Lindsey © stock.adobe.com/ Africa Studio © stock.adobe.com/ Hoda Bogdan 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2022 14:43 Page 2Lincolnshire recruiters snapped up by UK-wide group Kingdom Services Group has acquired Mercury Personnel Solutions – the Lincolnshire-based specialist recruiters to the fresh produce, horticulture, warehouse, and distribution sectors. The company will be branded and known as Kingdom Mercury. Robert Carter, Managing Director, and Gary Turner, operations director, will continue to lead the company along with the existing SMT. Robert Carter, Mercury MD, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the achievements that the company has made over the years and extremely excited that the company has been acquired by Kingdom Services Group. I would like to thank the many clients that we have, the flexible workforce and the talented operations and accounts team that have made Mercury Personnel Solutions such a success over the years and look forward to continuing the success story with Kingdom Services Group. “The new merger will enable us to continue with our growth to the next level whilst being supported by the Kingdom Services Group whilst delivering enhanced services to clients and candidates alike.” Well known Brigg Hotel sold to local business The Exchange Coach House Inn and Tavern in Central Brigg has been acquired by the Hunt Group. The historic Exchange Coach House Inn along with the Exchange Hotel and Exchange Tavern have been closed since 2020 and will be refurbished, renovated and fitted out by their property development business ahead of re- opening later this year. Robert Smithson, associate director of Hotels Agency at Colliers advised Joseph Mullen on the sale after almost four decades of ownership, marketing the central Brigg complex for offers in the region of £950,000. Located across a large proportion of central Brigg, the property offers 42 ensuite bedrooms plus substantial public areas including four bars, two restaurants, several function/meeting rooms and an architecturally pleasing alfresco courtyard seating area. The original grade II* listed property was formally a gentleman’s club built in around 1760 and has been frequented by a number of local dignitaries as well as Winston Churchill during World War II. Mablethorpe set to be a leader in medical innovation Mablethorpe is set to be a leader in the development of medical technology and innovation after the government gave the go-ahead for the Campus for Future Living. £8.5m in Town Deal funding has been approved for the campus which will put Mablethorpe at the forefront of medical technology and health and care related teaching and research. In more good news for the area, the government also approved the first phase of the ‘mobi-hub’. Mablethorpe Town Centre Transformation and Mobi-Hub are two projects within the Mablethorpe Town Deal that are aligned to make the town centre more attractive, less cluttered, and more coherent, to the benefit of locals and visitors and to the wider economy. The Connected Coast Board oversees the Town Deal programme and projects for Mablethorpe, and chair Chris Baron said: “The confirmation that these important and innovative projects can go ahead is hugely significant for Mablethorpe and the surrounding area. Both the campus and the Mobi-Hub will be transformational for Mablethorpe, and will bring far-reaching benefits for our communities, and beyond.” latest news © stock.adobe.com/ 88studio 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2022 14:43 Page 3Buildings in historic heart of Gainsborough to be transformed to former glory Plans to repair, restore and regenerate the buildings in the historic market town of Gainsborough are underway – thanks to West Lindsey District Council’s Townscape Heritage scheme. The scheme aims to reverse the decline of the town by offering substantial grants towards the costs to renovate the buildings, bringing empty properties back into use and maximising the potential for them to be used today. The first property which has been awarded grant funding is 27-29 Lord Street. The property is currently empty. It had solely residential use up to 1910, when shop fronts were installed on the ground floor. The property has stood witness to many changes in Gainsborough’s economic fortunes. Thanks to the combined grant funding, the frontage of the building will benefit from a range of interventions to reinstate the historical features. This includes: structural repairs, overhauling brickwork and pointing, repairs to wooden sash windows, reinstatement of the two shopfronts and much more. Heritage organisations in North East Lincolnshire hit the jackpot with £598,000 of National Lottery funding Three exciting heritage projects in North East Lincolnshire are set to benefit from over £590,000 in National Lottery Heritage Fund grants. Grimsby Town Football Club memories and memorabilia will be captured and showcased in a touring exhibition. Fascinating local heritage news will be share on The Heritage Channel, a monthly magazine show broadcast online, and the often overlooked Viking history of Grimsby will be celebrated. All three projects initially received grants through the Heritage Starter Fund scheme, run by North East Lincolnshire Council and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The grants were aimed at providing a foundation for groups to develop initial ideas that would help them to develop larger projects in the future. All three projects ran successful pilots through the Heritage Starter Fund and have now taken the next steps on their heritage journey. © stock.adobe.com/ khosrork Purchase of Freshney Place Shopping Centre completed North East Lincolnshire Council’s purchase of Freshney Place has been completed. It comes with a vow from authority leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, of the authority’s intention to redevelop the centre and the area around it, with plans to offer a real mix within the urban heart of Grimsby. He also assured the council tax paying public of North East Lincolnshire that due diligence has provided assurance that the purchase comes at no direct cost to them, with a combination of grant-funding and rents covering associated costs. External professionals are now being hired to manage the centre day-to-day, as the council continues its medium and long-term look at what is needed to transform the town centre. With a catchment area of more than 300,000 people and a town centre shopper population of more than 170,000 (shoppers who are within a 20-minute drive), Freshney Place continues to play an important role within North East Lincolnshire. It supports 1,700 full and part time jobs. Left to right – Matthew Snee and Katherine Stanley, of West Lindsey District Council, and Andy Hurley, owner of 27-29 Lord Street 06-09.qxp_Layout 1 23/08/2022 14:43 Page 4Next >