All you want for Christmas Festive food What to wear Great gift ideas All you want for Christmas Festive food What to wear Great gift ideas £2.95 DECEMBER 2022 THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET www.blmgroup.co.uk BLM GROUP GROUP BLM £2.95 DECEMBER 2022 THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE 01.qxp_Layout 1 15/11/2022 09:08 Page 1Grott o Santa’s Every weekend from Saturday 26th November until Sunday 18th December £8.50* per child Meet Santa, receive a present and a goody bag and lots, lots more! Festive Fairy Tales It might be a tradition for you or for me, Watching a pantomime brings such joyful glee, But can you guess which one is which It’ll be right in front of you, oh no it’s not, oh yes it is! £3.50 per child Saturday 26th November - Saturday 31st December *Excludes Eventbrite booking fee Discover Bransby this Christmas! Come and visit our rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules! Enjoy a great day out for all the family at our award winning Visitor Centre, &DI«*Lɓ6KRSDQG3OD\3DUN For more information on opening times, call, ̰QGXV online or follow us on social media. Find us at LN1 2PH 01427 788 464 BransbyHorses.co.uk DOGS welcome FREE entry 02.qxp_Layout 1 15/11/2022 09:09 Page 1from the editor 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 T T T FRONT COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF STOCK.ADOBE.COM/JENKOATAMAN 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 T T T It’s finally here, the month of December, and that means the joy (and panic) of Christmas. Already, adverts for various stores are releasing and being judged. I’ve always considered this a strange and bizarre habit of people; why should we care about a John Lewis advert? (Though, to be clear, it is a VERY good advert this year). Isn’t Christmas about spending time with family, picking our heartfelt gifts for one another and getting raucously drunk? Well, the deeper meanings of Christmas might be very different but historically speaking it certainly was much more about getting drunk than anything else. Christmas as a celebration began back in Roman times, where it was a hedonistic time of food, drink and other more carnal delights. That was pretty much inherited here in the UK, but everything changed in 1645 in England, when Oliver Cromwell and his Puritans vowed to “rid England of decadence”. This continued in America, where you could be FINED in certain cities for exhibiting any Christmas spirit (Bah! Humbug, indeed!). When Christmas finally did return, it was a celebration involving drinking, partying, singing and dancing once more, but the Governments of the time worried this would lead to unrest and rioting from all those pesky and drunken lower classes, and so it was re-invented in the late 1820’s to be a “stay at home” event involving family, food, moderation and – importantly for the profits of the upper classes running many businesses – gifts for one another. By now, we’ve all accepted that as fact and a way of life, but at least some degree of Christmas spirit has been returning over the years as we spend more time out, and as Christmas parties and markets involve more and more people – something that would have shocked and worried Oliver Cromwell, I’m sure. I, however, am all for the more festive and fun parts of Christmas, and encourage everyone to get out this December, leave the house behind and have a little fun. It’s been one heck of a year and I dare say we all deserve it! Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Michael Fisher Editor For all your legal needs this Christmas. To find out more: ringroselaw.co.uk | 0333 3580 393 03.qxp_Layout 1 15/11/2022 09:09 Page 1Features 6 THIS MONTH IN LINCOLNSHIRE What’s been going on in the county this month? 22CHRISTMAS COMES ALIVE IN LINCOLN The city of Lincoln takes on a whole new life at the festive period, one that goes beyond the Christmas lights. 28LINCOLNSHIRE HERITAGE EXPLORED After exploring Stamford last month, we return to look at the River Welland and the Stamford Canal. 30FESTIVE FASHION With Christmas this month, Lincolnshire Today showcases a range of gorgeous looks, whether you’re dressing up for cocktail parties or keeping cosy at home. 36A SPRINKLING OF ACCESSORIES A few accessories are essential to make an outfit pop. 38TIS THE SEASON TO BE STYLISH Lincolnshire Today displays some sleek ensembles for December. 40GLAM FOR THE HOLS The holiday season is here and it’s time to get out and be glamorous. 42PREPARING FOR A NEW YOU IN A NEW YEAR Rather than shame people over their desires to relax this Christmas, we thought we would look ahead to the New Year and how to set healthy, attainable New Years Resolutions. 44WINTER DELIGHTS Christmas is here, and food is a large part of that. We’ve collected here some options for meals, snacks and more that can all be made at home without too much fuss, along with some bright cocktails that won’t look out of place on any spread. 50SPREADING JOY Christmas is a time to share love and make memories, but surprising your family and friends with a couple of presents to show your appreciation is also sure to spread joy! Whether you only have a few stocking fillers left to find, or are completely out of ideas, Lincolnshire Today is ready to help with this merry gift guide! DECEMBER WITH CHRISTMAS THIS MONTH, LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY SHOWCASES A RANGE OF GORGEOUS LOOKS, WHETHER YOU’RE DRESSING UP FOR COCKTAIL PARTIES OR KEEPING COSY AT HOME. contents 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 15/11/2022 09:10 Page 1THE CITY OF LINCOLN TAKES ON A WHOLE NEW LIFE AT THE FESTIVE PERIOD, ONE THAT GOES BEYOND THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. 54THE COUNTY AND CHRISTMAS Christmas means something slightly different to everyone. But while we all have our own treasured memories and family traditions, one thing that can be agreed on is that it’s a time for enjoyment of everything that brings us happiness. 58CARING FOR CARERS We’ve talked a lot about caring in recent months, but it’s time to talk about carers as well – be they professional carers, or family left to look after loved ones. 62A TRIO OF 4X4S Winter is just around the corner, so we check out three 4x4s that may well whet your appetite for on-road driving - and the rough stuff! 66LUXURY, SOPHISTICATION AND PERFORMANCE The Lexus LC Coupe has always looked classy and beast-like all at the same time. With fluid flanks, a low- slung roofline, and razor-sharp lights, it never fails to create a sense of supercar-esque theatre. But now Lexus has stepped the pace up further, by ushering in a soft-top version. 68WHAT’S ON There’s always something going on in Lincolnshire. Desirable homes 12IDEAL FOR ENTERTAINING A hidden gem on the outskirts of Fotherby, The Oaks is a capacious but cosy house with areas inside and out that offer a fabulous flow for entertaining. 18ART OR ARTIST? There’s nothing new about artists and authors working under pennames or pseudonyms, but there is a certain mystique that it brings. This month we look at the work of Ryder, a mystery artist who prefers people to focus on the art instead of the artist. 20WARMING UP THE GARDEN FOR CHILLY DAYS Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping offers tips on how to ensure your garden is still usable during winter. 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 15/11/2022 09:10 Page 2latest news Lincoln care home placed in special measures after allegations of abuse Lincoln Christmas Market announces St Barnabas as Charity Partner St Barnabas has been selected as the Lincoln Christmas Market’s very first Charity Partner. Both organisations are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year and have been highly regarded and much loved by the local communities for all those years. Taking place from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 December in the beautiful and historic Bailgate area, the Lincoln Christmas Market welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. St Barnabas will be in attendance, occupying a traditional wooden cabin by the Lincoln Cathedral where the charity will have their annual Tree of Life on full display. The Tree of Life is part of the Hospice’s Light Up a Life campaign, which sees families and friends join together to remember loved ones they have lost. The Hospice is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and help over 12,000 people across Lincolnshire each year by providing free, compassionate, dignified palliative and end-of-life care, as well as wellbeing services such as bereavement support, counselling, and welfare and benefits advice. Cllr Neil Murray, portfolio holder for inclusive economic growth at City of Lincoln Council, said: “It is an incredible special year for us at the Lincoln Christmas Market and we are proud to welcome St Barnabas as our first Christmas Market Charity Partner as we both celebrate 40 years. “Lincoln Christmas Market started with just 11 stalls and is now a very well recognised event not only across the county but the country. “To celebrate 40 years, we have a host of new elements to the market, including a new stage area, a special opening ceremony at Noon on the first day of the market and of course, our first charity partnership.” A Lincoln care home for people with learning disabilities and autism has been placed in special measures by a health watchdog, following allegations of abuse. An investigation by Care Quality Commission (CQC) at the Phoenix in Lincoln discovered that residents “retreated to their bedrooms as they were scared.” The facility, which is run by Linkage Community Trust, when subjected to a CQC inspection, was found to be inadequate due to a number of anomalies ranging from areas of the property being “visibly dirty” through to risks that were not always identified, and medicine records that did not always contain the information for safe practices. Debbie Ivanova, CQC’s director for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, said that the standard of care had “deteriorated significantly” since the last inspection at The Phoenix. She stressed: “People’s safety and wellbeing needs weren’t always being met, and risks weren’t effectively managed.” © stock.adobe.com/Electric Egg Ltd. © stock.adobe.com/ sewcream 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 15/11/2022 09:11 Page 1Brigg power station chosen for UK first by adding hydrogen to gas supply Centrica Business Solutions is to start injecting hydrogen into its gas peaking plant at Brigg in North Lincolnshire as part of a UK first trial with HiiROC aimed at better understanding the role of hydrogen in power production. The 12-month trial will be part funded by a grant from the Net Zero Technology Centre, which has given 20 projects a total of £8m through its Open Innovation Programme. Each is aimed at developing technology which could reduce emissions offshore, accelerate clean energy production and enable the delivery of the UK’s net zero ambitions. The 49MW gas fired plant at Brigg is designed to meet demand during peak times or when generation from renewables is low, typically operating for less than three hours a day. It’s anticipated that during the trial, getting under way later next year, no more than three per cent of the gas mix could be hydrogen, increasing to 20% incrementally after the project. Longer term, the vision is to move towards 100% hydrogen and to deploy similar technology across all gas-fired peaking plants. HiiROC’s proprietary technology converts biomethane, flare gas or natural gas into clean hydrogen and carbon black, through an innovative Thermal Plasma Electrolysis process. This results in a low carbon, or potentially negative carbon, ‘emerald hydrogen’. Because the byproduct comes in the form of a valuable, solid, pure carbon it can be easily captured and used in applications ranging from tyres, rubbers and toners, and in new use cases like building materials and even as a soil enhancer. Welcoming day students from 3 months to 19 years and boarders from Year 3 www.qe.org | admissions@qe.org | 01423 333330 | York YO26 9SS Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate Set in more than 220 acres of beautiful North Yorkshire countryside • Over 80% of our students go on to their fi rst choice university • Rated ‘Excellent’ by ISI 2019 • 81% A*/A achieved at A Level Join us at our next Open Day on 28th January 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 15/11/2022 09:12 Page 2Freshney Place development planning application submitted The planning application for a new market hall, cinema and other leisure facilities at the western end of Freshney Place has now been submitted into the planning system. This is another opportunity for people to have their say on the scheme before it is considered by the Planning Committee in the months ahead, and is the time when statutory authorities can also submit their detailed comments. Significant grant monies have been won for the transformation of the western end of Freshney Place. The proposed leisure development will house a new cinema, with local and regional operator Parkway Entertainment Group coming in as an anchor tenant and pledging to provide a great venue to complement its offer in Cleethorpes. The plans will also feature a remodelled entrance to the centre, which will be lined with units for leisure and eateries, and an entrance to a new and transformed Market Hall. latest news Downsized plans submitted for Lincoln Imp’s Stacey West Stand project Lincoln City FC Directors have downsized plans for the redevelopment of the iconic Stacey West Stand at the LNER Stadium. Original plans for the stand included an extra tier with a hospitality suite, boosting capacity by around 1,500, but due to the current economic climate, the project will now proceed as a two-tier development. In a press statement, the club said: “Against the acute backdrop of an economic climate that has further weakened, and which remains both challenging and volatile, this project has presented many challenges which were unforeseen at its outset three years ago. Despite this, the board’s non-negotiable position on investment remains unchanged – firmly and responsibly committed to growth and progress, but without placing the financial future of the club at risk. “Following a further project review, the board concluded that the original proposal would present an unacceptable risk to this commitment. Nevertheless, it remains absolutely dedicated to investing in infrastructure, and to delivering on the original project objectives – increasing capacity, improving fan experience and creating new community facilities.” Boston shop owner fined more than £3,000 for selling unsafe food items Selling frozen meat pies at room temperature has cost a Boston shop owner more than £3,000 in fines and costs. Ilhami Dilner, appearing at Boston Magistrates’ Court, pleaded guilty to three offences of keeping meat pies at a temperature that might result in a risk to health. The pies were intended to be sold frozen, and carried instructions that they must be kept at or below - 18°C. The court heard that food safety officers from Boston Borough Council visited the shop in June, July and October last year, finding packs of defrosted pies on the shelves each time. Despite being told to keep the pies frozen, Mr Dinler continued to instruct his staff to take packs out of the freezer and display them on the shop shelves. Mr Dinler was fined a total of £1,740, plus £1,235 costs and a £175 victim surcharge, a total of £3,160. © stock.adobe.com/ Joe Gough 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 15/11/2022 09:12 Page 3Despite uncertainties in the housing market, retirement property company, Lusso Homes are reporting significant interest in their unique luxury living model. Their flagship site Tye’s Close in Ludford, a small village on the edge of the Lincolnshire wolds, will feature no more than 9 homes, designed for the over 45s. Unlike traditional park estates, each property benefits from large, landscaped gardens, allowing residents to enjoy the outdoor space while soaking up 360-degree views of the outstanding scenery. As well as being set in rolling countryside, Lusso homes can offer superior, custom-built decking, garages, outdoor storage and even hot tubs, all of which add to the overall exclusivity of this raised standard of park home living. The properties available were advertised in a relatively low-key campaign which invites private viewings ahead of a public open day. The same day as the advert went out, they gave their first tour of the site with a constant flurry of interest since. Could this new model of gated community living be the future of downsizing? It certainly would seem that Lusso has hit the nail on the head for couples looking to retire and downsize their homes without losing their space, privacy or standard of living. Comments from interested parties so far have indicated this, “The way you have set out the plots is, without doubt, the best site we have seen in our 3-year search….Tye’s Close layout ensures none of the homes are overlooked, with the landscaped gardens making each plot very private…We can clearly see why the homes are priced as they are given the exclusivity and undoubtedly great value for money & due to the limited supply will only go up in value rather than traditional parks” Following years of uncertainty, it’s become obvious that people are seeking more enjoyment from their time spent at home and with Lusso’s mantra being “Downsize your home, upgrade your lifestyle” it seems this upgraded model of park home living is the perfect fit in the current climate. THE FUTURE OF DOWNSIZED LIVING? 01673 847743 sales@lussohomes.co.uk www.lussohomes.co.uk 06-11.qxp_Layout 1 15/11/2022 09:12 Page 4Next >