Time is running out for communities to apply for funding to plant new mini-orchards.
The deadline for applications is 27 September, with funds available from South Kesteven District Council thanks to the Coronation Living Heritage fund marking the accession of King Charles lll.
Parish councils and community groups can apply for up to £1,500 to plant a minimum of five fruit trees on publicly accessible sites with protective spirals and canes, information signage and protective fencing as required.
Applications are also invited from parent/teacher associations with public accessible space, and planting could be particularly popular for schools with an Eco Schools Green Flag Award.
Planting is expected to start in November, with all projects to be completed, together with dedication services, by the end of March 2025.
To request an application form and information on the criteria for funding please contact the Community Engagement Team at communityengagement@southkesteven.gov.uk
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LATEST ARTICLES
Discover your Autumn escape at Ashfield Park!
Looking for the perfect place to settle down this autumn? Ashfield Park in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire is hosting an exclusive Open Day on 17th September 2024.
The park is excited to present a stunning new home, perfect for those over 50 seeking a peaceful and welcoming community.
Located on the outskirts of Scunthorpe, Ashfield Park offers a relaxed, close-knit lifestyle while still providing easy access to the amenities of the town.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the friendly team, tour the park, and explore why so many have chosen Ashfield Park as their forever home.
Whether downsizing or planning for a comfortable retirement, guests are sure to feel at home in this inviting setting.
📅 Mark the calendar: 17th September 2024 | 10am – 4pm
📍 Ashfield Park, Burringham Road, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire DN17 2AL
Almost sixty more miles of coast are opened for walkers
Walkers now have a legal right to walk a 57-mile stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path between Sutton Bridge and Skegness.
This means the majority of the coastline of The Wash is now open to walkers, since this section links to the existing section of the around the Norfolk coastline and to Lincolnshire’s open National Trail between Skegness and Mablethorpe.
Victoria Manton, Deputy Director for Natural England in the East Midlands, said: “This new stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path will give people from all over the country access to our beautiful local coastline, connecting them with nature and providing health and wellbeing benefits. The trail will also support the local economy – bringing walkers and visitors to the towns and villages for daytrips, refreshments and places to stay.”
The path provides multiple opportunities to spot sea birds, waders and other nature with views across The Wash, which is of national and international importance, and also across the rich farmed landscapes of Lincolnshire. The Wash attracts large numbers of migratory and overwintering birds such as knot, dunlin and oystercatcher. The route of the path has been carefully assessed to avoid impacts to protected species. At Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve works have been undertaken to create a year-round dry route.
The trail passes through Boston, passing the memorial to the Pilgrim Fathers who sailed to America on the Mayflower. The trail north of Boston is a new route on a relatively new coastline and as it cannot continue to Skegness until a new bridge is built it stops at a convenient point to allow walkers to either turn around or to turn inland to pick up other paths.
Parts of the path are very remote with no public facilities or connecting paths for many miles, so walkers are advised to be self-sufficient, taking enough food and water for the journey, checking the weather and wearing appropriate clothing and footwear.
Natural England worked on this section of the King Charles III England Coast Path with its key partner Lincolnshire County Council.
Darren Braine, Senior Officer for the King Charles III England Coast Path at Natural England said: “It has taken many years of working with our partners and land owners to deliver this exciting new National Trail around The Wash and to create this key link in the long distance network. But our work isn’t done. The River Steeping has presented a particular challenge and we are designing and installing a new bridge across the estuary.
“In the meantime, we have to keep this area closed for public use as there is no means of crossing these dangerous tidal waters. Until the new bridge is installed, there are about five miles of the trail that are not yet open for public use, but we have forged ahead with opening the other 52 miles.”
The King Charles III England Coast Path, once completed, will be a 2,700 mile National Trail around the whole of the English coast, enabling people to enjoy, recognise and value the benefits of our environment. Over 95% of the English coast is expected to be walkable by the end of 2024, with work to finish the job following on closely behind.
Full schedule revealed for No Limits Festival
The full 2024 schedule for No Limits Festival has been revealed.
The event, allowing families to meet their favourite authors and unleash their creativity, will storm into Normanby Hall Country Park near Scunthorpe on 21 and 22 September (10am – 4pm).
Brigg-based, award winning, independent bookshop, The Rabbit Hole, has curated an action-packed programme brimming with author talks and workshops, local food & craft stalls, poetry & spoken word, historical re-enactments, outdoor theatre, live music and local performers, bringing the magic of books and creative arts to life.
For this very-special weekend, entry is completely free, giving families the perfect chance to discover everything the award-winning park has to offer.
Sparkling Burghley’s cracker of a Christmas Fair
Burghley House has unveiled more details about its 2024 Christmas Fair, including a chance to soak up weekend seasonal cheer later into the evening.
Returning on 28 November, the four-day event will feature over 150 stalls selling festive favourites and gifts spread across the Elizabethan house’s stately surroundings, including its cobbled courtyards.
The region’s largest Christmas Fair, set against the backdrop of one of England’s greatest Elizabethan houses, attracts 25,000 visitors each year.
As well as the usual opening hours of 9.30am – 4pm on the Thursday and Sunday, this year visitors will be able to shop into the evening over the weekend, with the Fair open until 7.30pm on both the Friday and Saturday.
With live singers on both nights, festive fizz and cocktails – along with thousands of twinkling lights – the evening shopping sessions aim to add even more seasonal sparkle and Christmas cheer.
And while tickets need to be booked online in advance, this year sees a new Flexi Ticket option, giving access on any one date during the Fair.
With the historic house as a stunning backdrop, the event will again feature traditional chalets and a large heated marquee, along with an avenue of pagodas all bedecked in Christmas decorations and lights.
Also back by popular demand will be a large Victorian carousel, lit up for the season, while festive music will add to the atmosphere throughout the site… plus there will be the chance of a few snow flurries, whatever the weather.
Along with stalls selling a wide selection of products, many from artisan makers – including a range of stocking fillers, luxury gifts, handmade decorations, winter clothing and homewares – Burghley’s Christmas Shop will also be open throughout the Fair.
Additional chalets will fill the ‘Garden Courtyard’, which was new last year, and among food and drink will be everything from traditional mulled wine and indulgent hot chocolate to warming raclette and tempting sweet and savoury crepês.
With free parking, tickets cost £10 adults and £5 children (3-15 years), and must be booked online in advance, with no ticket sales on the gate. Visitors will also be able to book an arrival timeslot to minimise queues and crowds. The new Flexi Ticket costs £15 for adults and £7.50 children.
For full details, visit www.burghley.co.uk.
Lincoln lantern walk to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week
Parents and families are invited to take part in a lantern walk and other events to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) is supporting parents and families this Baby Loss Awareness Week, from Wednesday 9 October until Tuesday 15 October.
Rachel Bond, Specialist Midwife, said: “Baby Loss Awareness Week is important as it provides a space for families who have had a pregnancy loss or experienced the death of a baby to come together and remember their babies as part of a community.
“Sadly, despite baby loss being common it is still a taboo, people don’t know what to say, so often they say nothing due to the fear of upset. This could create a barrier; cause friendships to break down or make parents feel they need to move on sooner than they are ready and push their sadness and grief away as others have moved on.”
Baby Loss Awareness Week is about raising awareness and breaking down taboos, showing the importance of acknowledging and supporting families after pregnancy loss or the death of a baby.
Families who have a miscarriage, ectopic or molar pregnancy often haven’t shared the joy of their pregnancy as they are early on, so they feel unable to share their sadness as people didn’t know they were pregnant.
Many people grieve in silence, returning to work and life without sharing their story, which can be very lonely, especially when their family member, friend or colleague may have also had a pregnancy loss and share the same sadness without them even knowing.
Rachel added: “This week can prompt painful feelings, but is also an opportunity for people to tell their stories and realise they are not alone.
“ULHT supports Baby Loss Awareness Week, as we want families we have cared for to know, that they are still in our thoughts after they leave hospital. Each and every baby matters, regardless of gestation, and of whether they were alive, they remain important.”
Lincoln, Boston and Grantham hospitals will be lit up pink and blue throughout the week, as well as Lincoln Cathedral and other local landmarks.
Hospital chapels in Lincoln, Boston and Grantham will be open during this week with trees of remembrance, where anyone can add their own tag and light a candle.
Lincoln Cathedral will also have a quiet space open for anyone to visit for reflection and to light a candle all this week.
A service of reflection will be held at the Boston Stump (PE21 6NW) on Sunday 13 October at 2pm. There will be an opportunity to light a candle and add a name tag to the tree of remembrance.
For the lantern walk on Sunday 13 October from Bishop Grosseteste University, families meet from 6pm and at 7pm the lantern walk to Lincoln Cathedral begins. There will be an opportunity to light a candle and reflect at the cathedral.
To find out more and book a space for the lantern walk please visit the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity website.
The lantern walk for Baby Loss Awareness Week has been funded by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity.
Ben Petts, Charity Manager, said: “It is important to us to support Baby Loss Awareness week, to assist our communities throughout their interactions with our hospitals and not just when they are patients.”
Baby Loss Awareness Week ends with the global “Wave of Light” on Tuesday 15 October. Join families across the world by lighting a candle at 7pm and leaving it burning for at least one hour to remember all babies that have died too soon.
To join the official virtual Wave of Light, take a photo of your candle and post it to Facebook, X or Instagram using #WaveOfLight at 7pm or join the BLAW Facebook event to watch the livestream.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/U-JINN Photography
£52,000 grant to fund more mental health support for Lincolnshire farmers
A grant of £52,000 has been given to Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) to support more mental health provision within the county’s agricultural and rural communities.
The money has come from Lincolnshire County Council’s public health grant and will fund practical support for mental health and wellbeing through caseworkers and volunteers in the county charity.
Cllr Wendy Bowkett, executive councillor for adult care and public health at the county council, said: “We know that our farming communities have been facing difficult times and there has been an increase in demand for mental health support in recent years. LRSN’s Mental Health Service does a fantastic job and I’m so pleased we’ve been able to extend this provision to make sure vulnerable farming families have the help they need.”
The grant will increase existing LRSN caseworker capacity by 50% over 2 years, offering bespoke and consistent support to help manage their mental health and wellbeing.
Amy Thomas, Head of Charity at Lincolnshire Rural Support Network, said: “We are delighted to work with Lincolnshire County Council to extend the support that we provide to people living and working within agriculture, horticulture and allied industries across Lincolnshire.
“At LRSN we have seen a significant increase in the number of people reaching out to us for support, as farmers and growers across the county navigate the many and complex challenges facing the industry. The funding from Lincolnshire County Council will help us to reach and support more people, and to offer a lifeline when its needed most.”
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Springfield Gallery Clee Fields soccer tournament hailed as a success
New state-of-the-art football facility at North East Lincolnshire’s Clee Fields has welcomed over 70 young people to a free football tournament.
Teams from organisations across the borough participated, including Cleethorpes Trinity Centre, Fusion Community Hub, YMCA, Centre4, West Marsh Community Centre, Immingham Oasis, Toll Bar Academy and Grimsby Town Foundation.
Each organisation delivers weekly sessions with tournaments held on a bi-monthly basis as part of the Fair Play Football initiative.
The scheme is open to boys and girls age 12 to 19 and is delivered by North East Lincolnshire Council and its partners.
It aims to provide a cost-free opportunity for the younger generation who are signposted via their local schools, the Youth Justice System and the Young People’s Support Service.
In Friday’s tournament, the teams were divided into two leagues with Cleethorpes Trinity Centre being declared eventual winners in a tense final against Fusion Boxing.
CEO of The Trin Centre, Andy Cox, said: “I attended the Fair Play event held at the new YMCA Clee Fields facility on Friday. It was great to see so many teams take part representing youth groups from across North East Lincolnshire.
“This was the fourth event that The Trin have been invited to and this was bar far the biggest and best yet. The standard of football was really high too which is a credit to each of the organisation’s being represented and their coaches.
“I believe that the Fair Play provision is of great value to our community as football is a great engagement activity. For us personally, we run our sessions on a Friday night to provide our young people with access to free football which runs alongside our open access Youth Club.
“Using data from our local policing team we have managed to demonstrate the positive impact that these sessions are having on anti-social behaviour statistics in our area. This data along with case studies that we have been collecting, allow us to evidence that the work associated with the Fair Play programme is working.”
The first Fair Play Tournament of the school year was funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner, on behalf of Humber Violence Prevention Partnership, was held at Clee Fields on Ladysmith Road on Friday, 6th September.
Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape to be major hub in £2m national art project
The Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape is going to feature as a major hub in a £2m ground-breaking national art project, Nature Calling.
The project is funded by Arts Council England, the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) and National Landscapes in England.
Nature Calling is a first for National Landscapes because of its size, scope and the level of investment. It aims to inspire communities across England to connect with National Landscapes, increasing their access to nature, improving their wellbeing and inspiring a sense of belonging in these special places.
Nature Calling will bring together the 34 National Landscapes in England, local arts organisations and community groups from within a 30-minute journey time of their nearby National Landscape. They will work together to co-create artworks inspired by these iconic places and the results will then be shared with the public in a Season of Art from May to October 2025. It is expected that 70,000 people will take part.
National Landscapes are the UK’s nearby countryside. 66% of people in England (44 million) live within 30 minutes of a National Landscape, over 1 million people live within them and at least 170 million people visit every year. Nature Calling aims to encourage even more communities to feel welcome to enjoy these special places on their own terms.
The Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape will work with communities in the surrounding market towns in both East and West Lindsey Districts, Northeast Lincolnshire District and communities within the Wolds itself. The producing partner is Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure & Culture, who are a local charitable trust bringing culture to Lincolnshire’s communities.
John Watkins, Chief Executive of the National Landscapes Association, said: “The great thing about Nature Calling is that it’s a chance for new voices to interpret the National Landscapes of England in new ways. Arts Council England and Defra funding means we can deliver our first all-England arts programme with six National Landscape teams working with artists to celebrate these iconic places with a season of events in 2025.”
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: “Throughout time, our greatest artists have been inspired by England’s wonderful landscape. Now, we’re supporting a new generation of artists to bring to life their own awe-inspiring work in response to our natural environment. I’m excited to see what they will create.”
Nature Calling is a partnership project between the National Landscapes Association, Activate Performing Arts, Poetry School and 6 National Landscapes that will operate as key hubs of activity. Taking inspiration from National Landscapes, writers will start the creative process with words in the form of poetry, song, prose or rap for example. Using these words, local communities will work with artists to co-create their presentation piece for the Season of Art. This could include dance, theatre, installation, digital, or music.
Image: Stock.adobe.com/Gill Lincolnshire County Council sells land at Kirton to grow local economy
Lincolnshire County Council has sold 10.16 acres of development land to expand Kirton Distribution Park.
The purchasers – Melbourne Holdings – will initially be constructing ‘Stonebridge Business Park’, a 25,000 sq ft space comprising 9 new industrial units, on the land.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy at the county council, said: “This sale marks an important development for the well-established Kirton Distribution Park, paving the way for the phased development that will significantly enhance the area’s economic landscape.
“As a council we have responded to a growing demand for more industrial space in the county. We’re committed to supporting businesses to start up, grow and re-locate in Lincolnshire, creating jobs, supporting local supply chains and enhancing the local economy.”
Lucie Bryant, Director at Melbourne Holdings, said: “We are delighted to further our commitment to supporting employment and industrial growth in Lincolnshire with our recent acquisition and proposed development at Kirton Distribution Park.
“The purchase comes after recently securing planning permission to deliver a diverse range of warehousing that will support start-ups, growing businesses, large companies and international trade in this key strategic position, reinforced by Lincolnshire County Council and Boston Borough Council.
“The units will be available off plan via our appointed agents Pygott and Crone, and we look forward to working with current and prospective requirements with design and builds opportunities being considered.”
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/shintartanya 