< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE Stephen Hanson has worked on some of the most well-known animated movies of this decade, and his soulful art reflects that with emotion that can be seen and read in every piece. “I have always loved art and knew from an early age that I wanted to become an artist. I’m inspired by so many different artists but back then it was the likes of Arthur Rackham, Brian Froud, Alan Lee, Chuck Close and Frank Frazetta. I was particularly drawn to fantasy and realism and loved the imagination and sense of realism they brought to their work. I left Batley Art College with a distinction in graphic design and illustration and the first job I took was with a greeting card company. Films however were my passion, particularly ones with Man’s best friend Toby Series - based on the real life Toby, this stunning collection depicts the antics of every dog. Toby’s favourite red ball can be found in each painting, except when he’s lost it! 20-21.qxp_Layout 1 15/10/2021 07:17 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 21 ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE THE LITTLE RED GALLERY Love art? Then we’d love to meet you, please call in for a cup of tea and a chat. The Little Red Gallery are feeling ‘Love’ with a fantastic range of pieces and perfect gift ideas. 8 Bailgate Lincoln LN1 3AE 01522 589134 art@thelittleredgallery.co.uk www.thelittleredgallery.co.uk special effects like Ray Harryhausen’s Sinbad movies. They were a huge influence on me and opened my eyes to the possibility of careers in films. I learned everything I could about how they were made and about the artists behind the magic. I spent all my spare time developing my portfolio and after a couple of years started work at Cosgrove Hall Productions in Manchester. For four years I worked as a visual development artist on projects such as The BFG, Dangermouse and Count Duckula. Since then, I have been fortunate enough to work on films such as Balto, The Corpse Bride, Despicable Me and Flushed Away, Arthur Christmas and Adventures with Pirates. In addition to this, I have worked on various TV commercials and illustrated several children’s books including Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven and Kes Gray’s Nelly the Monster Sitter as well as writing and illustrating Froobie Pink and the Night Noises. I still love the world of animation and books and take on commissions from time to time, but the fine art world offers up a freedom for my personal work which I find really exciting.” 20-21.qxp_Layout 1 15/10/2021 07:17 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE Horncastle Cake Art & Hobby House Everything for the Crafter Cake Decorations, Knitting, Crochet, Felt, Ribbons & more www.horncastlecakeart.co.uk 25 North Street, Horncastle, Lincs. LN9 5DX Tel: 01507 525926/522659 H Fabric and essentials to make face masks H Clothing Alterations & Repairs H Fitting Room & Express Service H Fabrics, Haberdashery, Patterns H Crafts Fabrics & Fat Quarters H Soft Furnishing Service YOUR ONE STOP SEWING SHOP Tel: 01652 650047 Email: info@jaylaurs.co.uk 54 Wrawby Street, Brigg DN20 8JE 37 years in business For many of us it may bring back imagery of school collages or art classes, but arts and crafts are actually an important part of our history and culture, along with a fun way to spend time or pick out some unique Christmas gifts. Arts and crafts have always existed within Lincolnshire, but it’s experiencing something of a growth recently. A lot of this can be attributed to shifting interests among consumers, often driven by what is popular on the television. Shows like The Great British Sewing Bee, and the Great Pottery Thrown Down, attracted viewing figures of over three million, and according to statistics the number of people buying craft goods between 2006 and 2020 has risen to almost 73% of the population of the UK. In every semblance of the word, arts and crafts have become mainstream. This has perhaps been helped with how bored people have felt being trapped in their homes during lockdowns. Picking up a hobby is a therapeutic way to deal with lockdown, Arts and crafts © Shutterstock /Parilov © Shutterstock /encierro 22-23.qxp_Layout 1 15/10/2021 07:18 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 23 ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE ALFORD CHRISTMAS CRAFT MARKETS Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st November, 2021 10am - 4pm Alford Corn Exchange and Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th November, 2021 10am - 7pm Alford Corn Exchange Plus Craft Market Stalls in the Market Place for the Alford Extravaganza Saturday 27th, 12 - 7pm Free entry Quality Lincolnshire Crafts Ideal for unusual and individual gifts Meet the Makers and many people have decided to carry it on beyond. There have also been more and more people discovering that there may in fact be markets for their crafts – with online marketplaces such as Amazon and Etsy enabling them to sell all over the world. As Christmas approaches and school holidays run in, it may also be a good time to introduce children to the activity, perhaps by taking them to visit one of Lincolnshire’s numerous craft markets or fairs. There are also plenty of introductory events that let people try their hands at different arts, such as pottery or sewing or embroidery, and learning the skill. Lincolnshire is certainly blessed with its fair share of craft markets and shows – both for learning the hobby or for picking up interesting Christmas presents for loved ones. In this day and age of electronic gadgets and cheap imports, what better way to show your affection for loved ones than to buy something more unique, beautiful and thoughtful and know that it has been made here in the county? It will keep customers’ attention, you can be sure that they want to meet and talk with potential customers too, to get a feel for what you’d like to see and buy. Thankfully, craft fairs across the county are the perfect opportunity for this synergy to take place. certainly be much more unique than what other people receive. There’s also the added opportunity, in many cases, of meeting the very person who painstakingly made the piece in question who, it should be noted, has also had to learn a whole new skill set in addition to their craftsmanship. Like all budding entrepreneurs they have had to learn how to display their products at craft fairs, photograph their products for promoting in the media, how to better use social media platforms, how to brand themselves and how to finance their businesses. Like all businesses craft makers also must prepare accounts and pay tax – even where a craft maker has perhaps entered this as a hobbyist, tax law dictates that any profits are subject to tax. So, anyone out there thinking that craftsmen and women have it easy can see that this is very much a full-time job, not simply a way to opt out of the fast-paced life we all find ourselves in. And, as craft makers are constantly looking to produce new, exciting or alternative designs and pieces that will © Shutterstock /palomadelosrios © Shutterstock /Gulcin Ragiboglu 22-23.qxp_Layout 1 15/10/2021 07:19 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY SPALDING Amarket town on the River Welland, Spalding has a long history, sitting in an area occupied from at least the Roman period, when it was a hub for the production of salt. With a name derived from the Anglian tribe the Spaldingas, who settled here in the 6th century, the town is now more well known for bulb production, and particularly its place in the tulip industry. Spalding has much more to offer however, making it perfect for a quick getaway, day trip, or even your next home. Holding markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays, a plethora of restaurants, shops, museums, and fascinating buildings, the town is also being transformed into a more connected area. This is not only with investment in transport routes, primarily out towards Boston, but with LightSpeed Broadband rapidly rolling out its full fibre network to give Spalding upload and download speeds that are 23 times faster than the average broadband speeds across the East of England and five times more reliable than standard fibre, allowing residents to play more, see more, and do more. Striding around the town, perhaps one of the most famous spots to visit is Ayscoughfee Hall, a unique, Grade I listed house dating from the 15th century. A family home from 1451 to 1902, a place for Belgian WWI refugees, a library, school, and council offices, Ayscoughfee Hall is now a museum and has been adapted through the centuries. This can be seen with the Gothic inspired Victorian frontage, the Georgian Adam style ceiling in the galleried Entrance Hall, and the exposed Medieval features throughout the Hall. The Hall further hosts Geest Gallery, to showcase local artists. Set in 5.5 acres of gardens, there is much to see around the building too, from the Yew Tree walk dating back to the 1720s, to the Ornamental Lake with a War Memorial designed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, and the Ice House which once served the Hall’s kitchens. The Peace Garden meanwhile has plaques commemorating recent conflicts and the regiments who served in them. In addition there are hard surface tennis courts, a bowling green, putting green, children’s playground and a cafe that uses locally sourced, seasonal produce. Surviving through flood, plague, famine, and war, Spalding’s Grade I listed parish church for St Mary and St Nicolas is another key site, sure to be relished by those who appreciate old architecture. Work on the Gothic building began in 1284, and the church reached its current image in the 14th and 15th centuries, with the tower and spire added. If visiting, take a look at the great west window. For a completely novel experience, a short walk away is Chain Bridge Forge, a 19th century blacksmith’s workshop. See metal objects being forged with traditional tools and techniques and take a thrilling blacksmithing workshop at the living museum. The town is also home to Britain’s oldest surviving provincial learned society. Founded in 1710, Spalding Gentlemen’s Society (welcoming women despite the name!) is based in a Grade II listed building on Broad Street, built to house its collections. One should additionally take a quick photo stop at the iconic landmark Chatterton Water Tower and consider venturing just outside of Spalding to see Moulton Take a stop in A town with a rich history, a visit to Spalding will be chock-full of activities. Spalding 26 Á 24-27.qxp_Layout 1 15/10/2021 07:21 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 25 SPALDING © Shutterstock /Steven F Granville 24-27.qxp_Layout 1 15/10/2021 07:21 Page 226 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY SPALDING J.F.Inkley The Man’s Shop The Crescent, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 1AN Tel: 01775 722239 Windmill, claiming the title of the tallest windmill in the country at 100ft high to the top of the cap. Built in 1822, why not take a tour, make a purchase from the Mill shop, or have a break in the Granary Tearooms? While these buildings and venues embody the rich history of Spalding, its roots continue to be uncovered with thousands of artefacts found in archaeological investigations over the past couple of years. Along the route of the Spalding Western Relief Road alone, artefacts have been discovered dating back to the Iron Age, with one of the most interesting finds being a type of Roman oven, known as a tannur. Spalding is not only a location for history buffs however, with wildlife lovers also accommodated for with Baytree Owl and Wildlife Centre, hosting over 100 birds. Take a day trip to see birds of prey, flight demonstrations, and experience handling the magnificent creatures. The centre takes part in a breeding programme, contributing to global conservation efforts, and is one of many independent concessions in the Baytree Garden Centre site. Furthermore, for those looking to be entertained by musicals, comedy, musicians, and movies, visit the South Holland Centre. If travelling around Spalding or simply wanting to embrace the outdoors, why not do something different and hire a water taxi? Wade through the River Welland and the Coronation Channel when we hit the warmer months. Cruise from the heart of Spalding along the Fenland waterways and wildlife corridors to Springfields Outlet & Festival Gardens for some retail therapy or to view gardens designed by Charlie Dimmock, Chris Beardshaw, Kim Wilde, Steven Woodhams, and Sansui Design, as well as steel sculptures. Alternatively enjoy a brisk walk along Coronation Channel, which flows from Crowland, through Spalding, and out to the Wash. © Shutterstock /Steven F Granville 24-27.qxp_Layout 1 15/10/2021 07:21 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 27 SPALDING © Shutterstock /Steven F Granville 24-27.qxp_Layout 1 15/10/2021 07:21 Page 428 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY LIGHTSPEED BROADBAND Q&A Internet speeds have been a challenge for many in the market towns of Lincolnshire. How is LightSpeed Broadband able to achieve these kinds of speeds? Here at LightSpeed Broadband our connections are full fibre, which means we use fibre optic cables every step of the way from the telephone exchange right into a customer’s home. This is 25x faster than the average broadband available in Stamford and Spalding, the majority being part fibre connections, which uses copper for the last part of the route into a person’s home. Full fibre allows for speeds of 1 gigabit per second, which we believe is essential for making sure that areas like Stamford and Spalding aren’t left behind. Local businesses and communities rely on a good, stable connection, and what is available at the moment (part fibre) fails to compare to major cities and much of the rest of the country. Standard fibre is slower because it uses the copper telephone lines for the last part of the route - from the green cabinets on the street to our homes. The telephone network was never designed for high-speed internet traffic so it’s not surprising things are slow at times. The promise of incredible speeds is certainly alluring, but is this paid for in terms of reliability? It’s actually the complete opposite. We all know how frustrating it is when bandwidth is fought over in a home – between family members doing homework, streaming, or gaming, it can be bad enough, but an 1 Gigabit per second Jake Allen, Sales Manager at LightSpeed Broadband Reality for the biggest cities in the country, a fantasy for most of us – but perhaps not for much longer. Lincolnshire Today were able to sit down with Jake Allen, Sales Manager at LightSpeed Broadband to talk about how they’re bringing ultra-fast broadband to homes and businesses across the region. 28-29.qxp_Layout 1 15/10/2021 07:22 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 29 LIGHTSPEED BROADBAND Q&A interrupted connection really brings things to a head. Full fibre connections are not only significantly faster but are also much more reliable and consistent than other forms of broadband, up to 5x more reliable than part fibre. It’s smooth and stable so all the important things you do online become a breeze, from homeworking and gaming to running your business or facetiming family. You can do what you want online, when you want, with as many people as you want. No drama. No bickering. No buffering. Better still, the fibre isn’t affected by the weather and is better for the environment as well. How do you connect a home? Is it a complicated process? When a customer takes the LightSpeed service, our local engineers will make sure they are set up for success from the start - in one home setup appointment they’ll connect our LightSpeed fibre cables directly into the customer’s home from the telegraph pole or underground duct and then set up their LightSpeed Hub which has Nokia Wi-Fi 6 built in so they’re all ready to go. If there is some harder to reach places in the home - an office in the loft, or a garden room are common offenders - where the Wi-Fi typically struggles then we can offer Nokia Wi-Fi Beacons to banish the buffering once and for all. And we don’t stop there, you can rely on us to fix things fast, should we need to. Our UK-based, local service means that our customer services and network teams are side by side at our HQ in Spalding, so there’s no off-shore transfers to worry about. When is this all going to happen? Very soon. Our teams have already been around Stamford, Spalding and Boston and are busy finishing off the network. Wherever possible we’re using existing infrastructure and telegraph poles, both to conserve the impact on the environment and the natural beauty of the area. And by using the latest digital tools to plan our network we minimise disruption and increase our speed of deployment. Inevitably there will be some build works but we are minimising these as much as we can. We’re working on building the infrastructure and a seamless digital experience to quickly and easily connect homes and we’ll be announcing our packages and prices soon. For now, we’re letting people register their interest on our website. We’re moving as quickly as we can, but also as environmentally consciously too, but Stamford and Spalding will soon be ready to connect to the only broadband they'll ever need, and we couldn’t be more excited for it. FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) uses a faster fibre optic cable to the cabinet, but then copper cable from there to the house. FTTP (fibre to the premises) or full fibre uses a fibre optic cable to connect without using any copper cable. LightSpeed Full Fibre broadband (FTTP) vs Part Fibre broadband (FTTC) For more information or to register your interest for gigabit broadband, please visit www.lightspeed.co.uk 28-29.qxp_Layout 1 15/10/2021 07:22 Page 2Next >