£2.95 SEPTEMBER 2024 THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET www.blmgroup.co.uk BLM GROUPGROUP BLM £2.95 SEPTEMBER 2024THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE Bustling Brigg Seasonal fashion Family business Education Bustling Brigg Seasonal fashion Family business Education47 Spalding Road, Bourne, PE10 0AU sales@timberdisplays.co.uk Tel: 01778 422700 YOUR LOCAL FRIENDLY, FAMILY RUN PLANT CENTRE Roxies-Roots Monday09:00 - 16:00 Tuesday09:00 - 16:00 Wednesday09:00 - 16:00 Thursday09:00 - 16:00 Friday09:00 - 16:00 Saturday09:00 - 16:00 SundayCLOSED Large selection of bedding plants, shrubs, climbers plus much more. We also supply decking, sleepers, block pavers, sawn timber, compost, bark, top soil and manure with delivery available. We are in the process of expanding the garden centre and looking into establishing a café onsite. It’s been a summer of discontent according to the media, and it’s hard to argue otherwise with riots and extremism showing the ugly side of the country. Thankfully, there was little violence in our region and that’s something to be proud of. Though a protest was arranged in Lincoln, only a few anti- social youths looking to start fights showed up, and they lacked the courage to do much of anything without others to back them up. With the weather cooling, it’s my hope tempers will cool as well – but constant conspiracy theories and misinformation might make that unlikely. Still, I don’t want to talk about bad things here, so let’s move on to what is the start of autumn in Lincolnshire. While many people bemoan autumn due to the loss of the warm weather, I’m personally looking forward to an end to these scorching, dry summer days. The grass in our garden has turned yellow and I can’t imagine our farmers are enjoying it either, so bring on some cooler nights and some rain in my mind. Also, there’s undeniable beauty in autumn, with trees turning gold and crimson and shedding leaves, and animals coming out to gather food to last through the winter. I’ve always enjoyed nature more, and there’s a lot of nature to be had in Lincolnshire – I dare say it’s part of what makes out county so special. If people do have tempers to work off, be it from news, or difficult events in life, we can do worse than go for a walk or a hike through one of Lincolnshire’s forests, or visit a town you haven’t before and explore the county you live in. We’re in control of our own lives no matter what social media would have you believe. Don’t lock yourself away with angry posts but get out there and have fun. Because at the end of the day we choose what we do with our lives, and it’s our choice whether we explore the world we live in and enjoy it, or whether we seethe in front of a computer screen about events outside our control. Good reading, as always. Michael Fisher Editor and the Lincolnshire Today team from the editor Group Editor: Steve Fisher Editor: Michael Fisher Journalist: Tess Egginton Sales Director: Angela Cooper 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/CREATIVE CLICKS 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? LincolnshireToday @lincstoday lincolnshiretoday.net 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.Features 6 THIS MONTH IN LINCOLNSHIRE What’s been going on in the county this month? 20A WARM ATMOSPHERE Brigg is a town with a warm and welcoming feel, but it’s also constantly abuzz with activity – from the market days, to events, shopping and culture. 26A NEW SEASON ARRIVES Autumn is on the horizon, which means a variety of new clothes to add to your closet. 32FINAL TOUCHES With just a few accessories an outfit is instantly elevated. 34REFRESHED CLASSICS Reinvigorate your wardrobe with new takes on the classics. 36CHANGING THINGS UP As we move out of summer and toward autumn, many people will be looking for ways to change up their style. Here are some top tips. 38STAYING SAFE AND STAYING HEALTHY OVER SUMMER It’s not a good idea to stop exercising just because of the warmer weather, but at the same time a failure to account for it can damage more than just your mood. 40EXOTIC MEALS! Many people start to feel a little bummed out come the end of summer, so here are some exotic meals from around the world, to bring a little excitement back into the home. 44NEVER 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 Arts Centre • Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate • Gresham’s SEPTEMBER AUTUMN IS ON THE HORIZON, WHICH MEANS A VARIETY OF NEW CLOTHES TO ADD TO YOUR CLOSET. contentsIT’S NOT A GOOD IDEA TO STOP EXERCISING JUST BECAUSE OF THE WARMER WEATHER, BUT AT THE SAME TIME A FAILURE TO ACCOUNT FOR IT CAN DAMAGE MORE THAN JUST YOUR MOOD. 52TRUST IN FAMILY Family businesses are seen as more trustworthy by consumers, and there’s good reason for it. A family plans for the future and won’t make short-term decisions for quick money if it means damaging the company’s reputation. • Andrew Dams 62COUNTY MOTORING Some vehicles are made to fit the everyman, while others are designed for a specific demographic – and both philosophies have their merits. • We put the GWM ORA 03 PRO+ through its paces. 68AN INTERVIEW WITH… Upon the release of her new audiobook, One More to Die, Lincolnshire Today spoke with Joy Ellis, the Lincolnshire Fens-based crime thriller author. 70WHAT’S ON There’s always something going on in Lincolnshire. Desirable homes 10A BRILLIANT BARN CONVERSION Once dilapidated, this month’s featured property is an impressive barn conversion and true labour of love. 16NATURE IN FLIGHT This month’s art is of Carolina Arbuthnot, whose art is influenced by landscapes and animals and will bring a touch of rustic nature to any home. 18BRINGING NATURE INSIDE Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping explains how you can bring nature into your home.Affordable food hub launches in South Kesteven A national charity, The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) is launching its third food hub in Lincolnshire, bringing fresh, healthy affordable food to the area’s low income communities. Funded by South Kesteven District Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), and Comic Relief, the new hub opened in August at West Grantham Community Centre. This is in addition to sister hubs already operating out of Market Deeping and Stamford. Cllr Rhea Rayside, SKDC Cabinet Member for People and Communities, said: “We are committed to supporting anyone who’s struggling in South Kesteven so it’s great to be working with The Bread and Butter Thing on the launch of their latest hub. “If you’re looking for fresh, healthy, food that eases the strain on the purse strings, we urge you to come and check out any of their food hubs. We are very fortunate to have them here at a time when so many families are struggling.” In a landmark event at the Bowthorpe Oak near Bourne – reputed to be England’s oldest oak tree – Lincolnshire County Council and the Woodland Trust have officially launched the LincWoods project. This ambitious initiative aims to plant 200,000 trees across Lincolnshire by 2026, significantly enhancing the region’s green spaces and biodiversity. It will mean over 130 football fields’ worth of new woodland and 20,000 metres of new hedgerows. The Bowthorpe Oak is estimated to be over a thousand years old and boasts the widest girth of any oak to its kind in the UK at 13.38 metres. The county council and Woodland Trust’s partnership agreement outlines a collaborative effort to deliver the MOREwoods and MOREhedges schemes to landowners across Lincolnshire. Through this initiative, landowners can receive funding and support for planting trees and hedges, contributing to the county’s environmental goals. Great Coates reaches national final of Britain in Bloom contest Great Coates has reached the national Britain In Bloom final, showcasing its impressive floral displays and community work throughout the North East Lincolnshire village. The annual Britain In Bloom awards, run by the Royal Horticultural Society, celebrate villages, towns and cities that have gone the extra mile to beautify their area. Having won the East Midlands in Bloom category, they were put forward to the national judging in the large village category. Great Coates is one of eight in the category including the likes of Floral Forest in Guernsey and Saundersfoot in Bloom in Wales. Royal Horticultural Society Judges Roger Burnett and Ian Beaney visited the village to compare its displays to the other competitors before an overall winner is declared late this year. latest news © stock.adobe.com/DC Studio Image courtesy of South Kesteven District Council New plan aims to plant 200,000 trees in Lincolnshire by 2026New rewilding areas are being identified across the South Kesteven Council area to help pockets of land to go back to nature. Trials at Tattershall Drive, Market Deeping, Rutland Heights in Stamford, and at Queen Elizabeth Park in Grantham have shown the way to restore, protect and increase local biodiversity. South Kesteven District Council is to approach parish councils and its own ward members to identify pockets of land in public open spaces that could benefit from an extension of the existing project. Cllr Rhys Baker said: “Rewilding is a process that allows nature to take back control and, as tall grasses and other plant species grow, this in turn encourages wildlife, insects, birds and mammals. “The idea is that these areas would receive minimum essential maintenance and be allowed to grow as nature intended. “We hope to be able to offer advice, seeds and trees for areas nominated for the project, as in Tattershall Road, Market Deeping, where a bund was created and planted with wildflowers and grasses, with trees set nearby.” South Kesteven Council takes a walk on the wild side Grantham runner steps out in aid of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) is saying a big thank you to a Grantham runner who has raised over £3,000 for the charity’s life- saving work and is already planning her next race. Since her first run in 2021, Rachel has taken part in two Great North Runs and last year’s London Landmarks half Marathon. She is currently training for her third Great North Run with her daughter, Jess, which is taking place on 8 September in Newcastle. Rachel Hamilton has run numerous races in support of LNAA over the years. She said: “As a family we have needed the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance not once but twice. I ran the Great North Run in 2022 in memory of my dear dad who we sadly lost eight years ago and for my aunty, Jane Gosbee, when she was involved in a road traffic incident in 2021. Without the help of the crew she may not be here today.” Consent sought for conservation works on Grimsby landmark Listed Building Consent is being sought for conservation works on Grimsby’s iconic landmark, the Dock Tower. The Grade I listed structure owned by Associated British Ports (ABP) is the only one of its kind in the country and the work will include key structural repairs on the parapets, building of a new staircase, and drainage. If approved by North East Lincolnshire Council, work could start on the historical structure later this year in the hope it can reopen to the public. Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports, said: “It was during some routine maintenance work that it was picked up some of the further works that needed to be done to ensure the tower remains safe and accessible for the future. “The Dock Tower is the jewel in the Port of Grimsby. It has been a beacon to so many over the years and for Grimbarians it is a symbol of home. As its custodians we have over the years spent time and money maintaining it, as it has such architectural historic value, and will be here for many more years to come once these essential works are carried out.” © stock.adobe.com/ArturSniezhyn Image courtesy of Associated British PortsNorth Lincolnshire prepares for first ever Walking Festival As part of its Year of Walking celebrations, North Lincolnshire Council is launching its first ever walking festival in Autumn 2024. Running from Saturday 28 September to Sunday 13 October, the festival will promote and offer a host of free activities for all ages across North Lincolnshire. There is already an incredible amount of walking activities and established walking groups within local communities that are all invited to come together and be part of the festival and host their own events. Whether it’s a history walk around an historic village, a bug hunt in Ashbyville or a simple social walk around Central Park, the council wants to showcase the amazing scenery and routes across North Lincolnshire as well as the great things happening in its communities. Cllr Richard Hannigan, cabinet member for adults and health, said: “Walking really does tick all the boxes – it is easy, free, good for your mental and physical health, you can do it alone or with friends and you can start right outside your front door.” latest news Project to support hospital patients with sensory needs needing emergency care A new project is launching to support hospital patients with sensory needs who are in need of emergency care. Sensory friendly resource bags are being made available at Lincoln, Boston and Grantham hospitals. Patients with sensory needs often find Emergency Department environments overwhelming, due to all of the noises and activity. To support patients with autism or learning disabilities, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust is introducing the bags which include items such as noise-cancelling headphones, an eye mask, stress ball, a sensory chew bracelet and a colouring book with pencils. Each bag also contains an easy-read patient information leaflet and a feedback form to gather insights for continuous improvement. Specialist Safeguarding Learning Disability Nurse Kerry Poberezniuk, Safeguarding and Vulnerabilities Nurse Specialist for Dementia Zoe Chapman and Patient Experience Manager Sharon Kidd came up with the idea. They also had support from Lincolnshire patients who are experts by experience. There are plans for new investment at Spalding’s Sir Halley Stewart playing field, following the completion of a long- term lease for the community asset by Spalding United FC. The new 25-year lease will allow the club to realise their ambitions to increase the field’s offer for local residents and community groups, as well as furthering their own progress as they continue to rise through the football pyramid. Over recent months the club has worked with the Trustee of Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on the deal, which will open up new funding and investment opportunities and create more opportunities for wider use of the popular facility. From the Trustee’s perspective, the lease will further the key priorities for the field, seeing more local residents able to access, use and enjoy the asset, whilst supporting more local clubs and their members to continue to find a home and grow and helping Spalding United FC continue their fantastic progress and remain a key part of the town’s identity. © stock.adobe.com/lordn Spalding United FC agree 25-year deal for Sir Halley Stewart Field © stock.adobe.com/BillionPhotos.com © stock.adobe.com/JTanaHusband and wife make £10,000 donation to thank hospital team Robert and Maureen Macdonald have donated £10,000 to purchase lifesaving equipment to say thank you to the hospital team who resuscitated her. Maureen suffers from atrial fibrillation (AF), a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. As a result she has had several visits to the Emergency Department at Pilgrim hospital and to the Acute Cardiac Unit. Maureen said: “I have had several trips to the hospital and stays on the Acute Cardiac Unit. I can honestly say they are the most amazing team. I owe them my life, without them I would not be here today.” On Friday 5 April, Maureen’s heart stopped while she was in hospital. Staff on the unit were joined by the Critical Care Outreach team who all worked together to perform CPR and successfully resuscitated Maureen. Maureen said: “They gave me the gift of life and time. How can you put a price on that? Thank you just didn’t seem enough.” © stock.adobe.com/spotmatikphoto Aggregate Industries, a building materials supplier, has delivered 89,000 tonnes of rock armour as part of the Environment Agency’s £29 million Stallingborough Sea Defence Improvement Scheme. Aiming to enhance coastal defences and protect critical infrastructure along the Humber Estuary, between the ports of Immingham and Grimsby, this ambitious project required 70,000 tonnes of granite to be shipped from Aggregate Industries’ Glensanda superquarry in Western Scotland via Immingham Dock. The granite, with each piece weighing between 0.3 to 1.0 tonnes, made its two-day sea voyage aboard the 90-meter-long Hagland Saga. Each of the 17 shipments carried approximately 4,500 tonnes. Upon arrival at Immingham, the cargo was swiftly offloaded and transported by road to the Stallingborough project site. Additionally, 19,000 tonnes of smaller grade rock armour, ranging from 60kg to 300kg, were sourced from the firm’s Bardon Hill quarry in Leicestershire and delivered in approximately 700-tonne loads. In collaboration with Jackson Civil Engineering, Aggregate Industries ensured a seamless delivery, overcoming challenges such as unpredictable docking times and the migration of vital bird species which limit works within the designated Humber Estuary site between April and September every year. 89,000 tonnes of rock armour delivered for Stallingborough sea defences Operator named for Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe East Lindsey District Council has named Acis Group as the operator of the Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe. In partnership, the Council and Acis will bring the campus to life to deliver significant benefits to support the health and prosperity of the local community. The Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe is East Lindsey District Council’s flagship project which will bring transformational health, wellbeing, research and community services to this area of the Lincolnshire coast for the first time, thanks to £8.6m government funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Campus consists of two, two-story buildings and open green space all within easy access for the people of Mablethorpe. Beyond the physical structure, the vision is about creating learning opportunities, new jobs, and support for the local community. Alongside a wealth of community-based services the campus will also offer a café facility for all to enjoy. Proposed plans for the Campus by Acis include a range of activities, networking space and room hire, with each initiative designed to make a tangible difference in the community. © stock.adobe.com/LeeNext >