£2.95 DECEMBER 2018THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE30+ years young30+ years youngWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETwww.blmgroup.co.ukBLMGROUPGROUPBLM£2.95 DECEMBER 2018THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINEAll you wantfor ChristmasAll you wantfor ChristmasGreat giftideasSparklingseasonalfashionMouthwateringfestive recipesGreat giftideasSparklingseasonalfashionMouthwateringfestive recipeswishingall ourreaders amerrychristmas01.qxp_Layout 1 12/11/2018 16:28 Page 1love chocolateLOVE BRANDS • LOVE SHOPPING • LOVE LINCOLNSHIRELOVE OLDRIDS & DOWNTOWNlove towelsLOVE LEGOlove unicornsORYHÁRZHUVLOVE PETSlove beautylove pyjamas/29(79Vlove undiesLOVE JUMPERSlove decorationsLOVE CHRISTMAS TREESLOVE FESTIVE LIGHTSlove bagsLOVE SHOESlove noveltyLOVE PUZZLESLOVE JEWELLERYLOVE COOKINGlove suitslove choiceORYHERRNVLOVE BRANDSlove garden toolslove beddinglove sconeslove scarves02-03.qxp_Layout 1 12/11/2018 16:30 Page 1STORES IN GRANTHAM, BOSTON & SCUNTHORPESHOP ONLINE AT WWW.OLDRIDS.CO.UK 02-03.qxp_Layout 1 12/11/2018 16:30 Page 2ORDER 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. 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Lincolnshire DN31 2QEMake cheque payable to Business Link Magazine Group&Call now to subscribe on01472 310301 8or order online www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341Total Price: £27.55Subscribetoday4 great reasons tosubscribe...3Each 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…3First 3 issues only £1!3FREE delivery to your door3Receive your copy before it hits the shopsorScan QR Code nnlooccniiLcnnnMYTNUOCETIRUOVAFS’NOIGEREHT ss’erriihssrnsENIZAGBOTCO59.2A£ 8102REB nniFnniL ttsennlcon rihh es oelici nmutuAneddraGsseemmooHH nsn&& eD stsiitrAlacoLnoihsaFnmutuA n ssraaAggninerrislocnLylsooicilDeliciusinconshiDininwd sstnevEmocpUsssirA gni MLBPOku.oc.puoogmlb.wwwwwr CCNNIILL.WWWey+03 OOTEERRIIHHSSNNLLOOooyssraaesr TEENN.YAADDgnnuo MTTAST ZAMVO52£ 802 F S Oku.ocpuoogmlb.wwwwr uoyllAMYTNUOCETIRUOVAFS’NOIGEREHT ttnnawuENIZAGBMECED59.2A£ 8102REB rooofllA rrhrhCouyh mtsimnraaw sman asrerdeaearrurolllagnginhishiswiwishinluede saediggttaaeeerrGGf ttffffiig noihsafnosaesnillkrapS lagn c samatmsisrhrchyrrermeasreremechitm revviitsefniretawhtuoM sepiceerg CCNNIIL.LWWWCCNNIIL.LWWWWWWWWWWWW.LIINNCey+03C OOTEERRIIHHSSNNLLOOOOTTEERRIIHHSSNNLLOOOOLNNSSHHIIRREETTooyssraaesrO TEEN.NYAADDTTEEN.NYYAADDOOODDAYY.NNEETgnnuoT MLBku.oc.puoogmlb.wwwwwrFirst 3issuesfor£1Lookingfor a greatgift idea?A gift Subscription is the perfect presentthat lasts all year round!TTTTTT04.qxp_Layout 1 12/11/2018 16:31 Page 1from theeditorFRONT COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF SHUTTERSTOCK/MELINDA NAGYLincolnshireToday @lincstoday lincolnshiretoday.netGroup Editor:Steve FisherEditor:Michael Fisher, Journalists:Dominic Cuthbert,Stuart Pearcey, Tess EggintonSales Director: Angela CooperSales: Kerry Randerson Accounts & Circulations: Angela Sharman, John Downes(01472) 310301Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen,Mark CassonAdvertising: Tel: (01472) 310302, Fax: (01472) 310312 Editorial: Tel: (01472) 310305, Fax: (01472) 310317Part Of The Business Link MagazineGroup: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street,Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QEEmail: lincs-today@blmgroup.co.uk Website: www.lincolnshiretoday.net ISSN No: 1366-1299© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded orotherwise without express permission of the copyright holder,for which application should be addressed first to thepublisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither thepublisher nor its participating agents accept liability for lossor damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives orother material of whatever nature submitted to thispublication. The views expressed in this publication are notnecessarily the views of those held by the publisher.This magazine is now fully recyclable. Byrecycling magazines, you can help reducewaste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes ofpaper already recycled by the UK paperindustry each year. Before you recycle yourmagazine, please ensure you remove all plasticwrapping, free gifts and samples. If you areunable to participate in a recycling scheme,then why not pass your magazine onto a localhospital or charity?Merry Christmas!In days long gone the ever-present question of Christmas wouldbe “Will it snow?” Nowadays, it seemswe have a whole lot more questions toask, but if the current spate of extremeweather is anything to go by – and if theweather forecasts prove accurate – then we may yetbe in for a white Christmas. In fact, it’s predicted that we mightsee a colder winter than we have for the last one hundred years,so a certain degree of wrapping up warm will certainly be advised!Of course, there’s more to December than snow and sleet. Christmas is here, orsoon will be. Although some will have all their gifts already bought and wrapped,it is perhaps inevitable that some of us, myself included, will still be looking forthose perfect gifts and will, as per tradition, leave the wrapping until the lastconceivable minute. It’s all a part of the charm, or so I say to anyone whoasks why I’m not more organised about it.Lincolnshire has its own charm come winter as well, not just in termsof Christmas celebrations, but also its aesthetic appeal. As the darknights come sooner, the county lights up, and snowflakes dancingbetween the branches of trees create a beautiful juxtaposition tothe dark skies. That is if you want to spend your time lookingupward, of course. There’s plenty going on to keep your attentionsecured, as our December issue will highlight. Pantomime season isin full flow, and with the holidays ahead, both from work andschool, they make for a great night out for the family.For those looking for a little more mature entertainment, there’s nobetter time to try out Lincolnshire’s night life than around December,and our Lincoln area feature this month highlights a few places to dropby. Beyond that, we have the Christmas markets, events and all manner offantastic celebrations taking place across the county, highlighted in our what’son section, combined with our fashion, hair and beauty pages focusing this monthon looking fantastic for those Christmas parties.It’s all go, both for us and for our readers, and our December issue is packed full ofideas. All that’s left is to dive in, enjoy yourself – and be sure to have a very merryChristmas and a happy new year!Good reading, as alwaysMichael FisherEditorand the Lincolnshire Today team05.qxp_Layout 1 12/11/2018 16:32 Page 1Features8 THIS MONTH IN LINCOLNSHIREWhat’s been going on in the county this month?28INVEST GAINSBOROUGH SPORTS DINNERThis exclusive Sports Dinner was organised by the owner ofHemswell Court and the Vice Chair of Invest Gainsboroughand hosted by Pygott and Crone whose very own TimDowning was on hand to greet guests and mingle30MIRROR MIRRORIt’s the most fabulous time of the year with parties galore.We’re talking about work do’s, Christmas Eve get-togethersand the big day itself. But then there’s also the Boxing DayBash, not to mention New Year’s Eve. The calendar is chock-a-block with parties, so you’ll need to make sure you’ve gotenough outfits on your side36LOOKING YOUR BESTYou’ve picked out your outfit, had your hair, make-up andnails seen to, but there’s still something missing. Withoutadding a few carefully chosen accessories, your look remainsunfinished38BEST DRESSEDThere’s a lot to be excited about this December, true, but it’salso a great excuse to put your suit on, buff those shoes andstrut your stuff40THOSE ALL-IMPORTANT PARTIESChristmas is here, and that inevitably means social events.Whether it’s a Christmas party, work do or nights out withthe friends, here are some beauty tips for the mostwonderful time of the year42A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT YOUR FANCYEach year, the Christmas period seems to start earlier andearlier. Be it Starbucks’ latest insulin-spiking latte, thesupermarket’s Christmas sarnies or just the general air ofgluttony, it can be difficult trying to maintain any kind ofdietary decorum. Thankfully all hope is not lost44WINTER RECIPESTis the season to be busy with a million other things, buthere are some quick, easy and healthy recipes to help keepthe body ticking in the most hectic month of the year!49CHERISH CHRISTMAS IN LINCOLNWith its plethora of hotels, restaurants, shoppingopportunities and festive events, December is the prime timeto visit Lincoln54LINCOLNSHIRE FOSTERING SERVICESLincolnshire Fostering Service has launched a new campaignto attract more long-term foster carers, so we spoke to themto find out what it’s all about56CHRISTMAS GIFTSFor those of you who still haven’t found that certain specialsomething for your friends and family, don’t panic. There’sstill plenty of time and with Lincolnshire Today’s curated giftguide, the only thing you need to worry about is making sureyou see the looks on your loved one’s faces as they open uptheir pressiesDECEMBER3030WITH THE FESTIVE PERIOD UPON US THECALENDAR IS CHOCK-A-BLOCK WITH PARTIES,SO YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU’VE GOTENOUGH OUTFITS ON YOUR SIDEcontents06-07.qxp_Layout 1 13/11/2018 11:08 Page 11313WE’VE PUT TOGETHER A SELECTION OFFURNITURE PIECES THAT WILL HAVE APOSITIVE IMPACT. BUT WE COULDN’T GONEGLECTING CHRISTMAS NOW, COULD WE,SO EXPECT A FEW FESTIVE FEATURESTHROWN INTO THE MIX64LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFETo celebrate this festive season, Lincolnshire Today looksat the three most quintessential Christmas plants66COUNTY MOTORINGThough we’d all love a new car for Christmas, most are alittle out of the budget as gifts. That said, there’s a lotcoming in the New Year and much to be excited about,so for those looking to plan ahead, here are someexciting new cars looking to enter the market70LINCOLNSHIRE HERITAGE EXPLOREDLouth has much history to explore. This month we visitand discover72WHAT’S ONThere’s always something going on in Lincolnshire78OH NO IT ISN’TIt wouldn’t be Christmas without a panto or two andwe’ve collected up a few of our favourites taking placeacross the county this festive seasonDesirable homes13GIFTS FOR THE HOMEWe’ve put together a selection of furniture pieces thatwill have a positive impact. But we couldn’t goneglecting Christmas now, could we, so expect a fewfestive features thrown into the mix16A GARDENER’S OASISCromwell View is a home that could not be in a betterlocation. It has received some serious TLC, beenrenovated extensively, and most importantly presents agarden one would love to get lost in20LIFE HALF REMEMBERED MEMORIESThis month we look at an artist whose oil painting’s useof warm romantic light, curving shapes and soft coloursconjures nostalgia and blissful feelings22A GARDEN LIKE NO OTHERAs readers’ gardens go, this month’s visit to the home ofLeigh and Beverley Perkins in Market Rasen wassomething of a first for this humble reporter, as thecouple also specialise in growing carnivorous plants,which certainly helped keep the recent infestation ofwasps away from us26WINTER WONDERLANDAt this time of year our gardens can look wonderful.Although it is not the right weather to be sitting in thegarden, we can still enjoy it from the warmth of ourhomes, as Ed Fuller from Fullers Forestry andLandscaping explains06-07.qxp_Layout 1 13/11/2018 11:08 Page 2North Lincolnshireprimary schoolsnumber one nationallyPrimary schools across North Lincolnshire are improving at a faster rate than the national average in reading, writing and maths –putting them first in the country. Provisional results for Key Stage 2 pupils (aged 10 and 11) in North Lincolnshire show 65% of children attained age related expectationsor better in reading, writing and mathematics. This is compared with 64% of children nationally and 62% of children in Yorkshire and theHumber.This puts North Lincolnshire first in the country for rate of improvement in reading, writing and maths between 2016 and 2018; fourth inthe country for rate of improvement in reading between 2017 and 2018, and fifth in the country for rate of improvement for reading,writing and maths between 2017 and 2018.The vast majority of six and seven-year-olds met the expected standard of phonic decoding in 2018, compared with 80% in 2017. Thisimprovement rate places North Lincolnshire seventh best in the country.North Lincs autismprovision opens new wingto meet demandOptions Barton, a specialist residential and education provision forchildren with autism and associated complex needs, has opened a new wingto meet the demand for specialist support.The new building enables it to extend its student intake to offer specialistsupport and expertise to more young people with autism.Located on site next to the adventure playground, the new building hastwo classrooms and two multi-use rooms, catering for an extra ten studentsaged 8-19 of mixed ability.One of the multi-use rooms will provide space for families to use whenvisiting their children at Options Barton, which offers full and part-timeeducation placements, outreach and a variety of residential placements.The space will also be used for leisure activities, while the other multi-use room will provide opportunities for sensory play, offering art andother messy play activities such as making play dough and drawingin sand trays.Army of Santas totake over BostonAn army of Santas will flood through Boston on Sunday,December 16, wearing the famous red suit.They will be willing participants in Boston’s Santa Run,Jog or Walk. The event organised by Boston CommunityRunners will coincide with one of the festive marketsrunning in the Market Place and Pescod Square.Entrants will pay £10 for their Santa suit for the day andwill receive a medal and a goody bag at the finish of thecourse in the Market Place. The start will be in CentralPark.The event is being sponsored by Forceshift Skip Hire,Jakeman’s Confectionary, Calders and Grandidge, BruceMather Estate Agents, South Lincs Foodservice and TotalSports and Supplements.© Shuttertock.com/Ints Vikmanis© Shutterstock/Anna Nahabedlatestnews08-10.qxp_Layout 1 13/11/2018 10:58 Page 1THOR’S tipi bar is returning to Lincoln this Christmaswith Lincoln BIG confirming the pop-up will become aregular staple during festive season for the next threeyears.This year, the tipi will be open daily from November 9until December 31 (but closed on Christmas Day) and willoffer a festive experience for Christmas shoppers, wearyworkers, visitors and families alike.Two linked canvas tipis will form the bar, which will befestooned with lighting and decked out with woodentables and benches, cosy furs and an open fire pit, around which customers can soak up the Viking hygge.A brand-new drinks menu offers exciting new lagers, pale ales and Guinness whilst festive favourites such as mulled wine and hotcider will ensure there is something to warm everyone’s cockles.Landmark NorthAmerican tour forRed ArrowsThe Red Arrows are set to carry out their largest ever tourof North America as they paint the skies of the US and Canadared, white and blue.Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the Red Arrowswould display across the Americas, reaching millions of peopleand showcasing the very best of British aviation.“After an incredible year celebrating RAF 100, it seems only fitting that the Red Arrows prepare to illuminate the skiesof our closest allies in 2019, celebrating and strengthening our incredible relationship with the US,” he said.The Red Arrows’ return to the US will mark the first significant tour of North America in a generation, with the teamlast touring in the country in 1993.The tour is expected to generate £2.5 billion in direct foreign investment for the UK.Local goods drivesales growth forLincolnshire Co-opTotal yearly sales for Lincolnshire Co-op were boosted 5.4% to reach£329 million, driven in part by sales of local goods which hit a recordhigh of £3.2 million.For the 2017/18 financial year, sales of the Society’s ‘Love Local’ rangeshot up by 45%. Over forty firms supplied the Co-op’s food stores withalmost 200 products made right here in Lincolnshire.Rising customer numbers and an increased basket spend saw salesrise 6.9% in food stores. Investment in services like in-store bakery,improved chilled ranges and high standards during April’s ‘beast fromthe east’ and the hot summer also helped boost performance.Chief Executive Ursula Lidbetter said: “We’re delighted with our strong trading performance this year, particularly in thecurrent tough retail climate. It’s not just about the figures, though. I’m proud of all the ways we make an impact in ourcommunity.”THOR’S tipi barreturning to Lincolnthis Christmas© The Red Arrows08-10.qxp_Layout 1 13/11/2018 10:58 Page 2Next >