Owners of former Boston Post Office ordered to carry out repairs

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Owners of former Boston Post Office ordered to carry out repairs
Boston Borough Council has had a legal notice upheld by the courts, ordering the owners of the town’s former Post Office to renovate the historic landmark. The Grade II listed property on Wide Bargate has been closed since 2014 when the Post Office relocated services to WH Smith’s. In October 2022, the Council granted planning consent to Red Lion Wide Bargate Ltd to turn it into 22 apartments as well as commercial space on the ground floor. The following year, the Council started to receive regular complaints about the building’s poor condition. The Council contacted Red Lion Wide Bargate Limited and were told renovation and repairs would begin in April 2024, however this did not happen. In June last year, the Council served a formal notice on the owners, instructing for the necessary works to begin to improve the appearance of the property and to preserve it from further decay. Red Lion Wide Bargate Ltd formally appealed against the notice, stating the poor condition was justified, that the works the Council required were considered excessive and that the time frame to carry out the works was insufficient. Ahead of the court hearing as part of the formal appeal process, the owners formally withdrew two grounds. The appeal sought extra time for the works and asked for the renovations to start in February 2025. On 20 December last year, Boston Magistrates Court found the Council were fully justified in taking the action, however it accepted the owner should be granted more time to comply. The court upheld the requirements to improve and repair the building, with an extended deadline for the works to be carried out until September 2025. Cllr John Baxter, Portfolio Holder for Building Control, Property and Strategic Planning at Boston Borough Council, said: “The former Post Office is a prominent, historic building which is important for the town. Boston Borough Council acted upon the complaints we received which resulted in the legal notice served on the owners. “The court found in our favour and has granted the notice be upheld. The owners now have to start work on the necessary renovations to repair this significant building and bring it back to an acceptable condition. “The Council recognises how important buildings such as the former Post Office are to people and to the town’s heritage. It is therefore important that this building is renovated and within an acceptable time frame.” Cllr Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “I am pleased the court has supported the Council’s response and recognised the legal notice instructing the owners to carry out these essential works should be upheld. “The longer time goes on, the more the building will fall into further disrepair. “It is vitally important that work starts as soon as possible to ensure this listed building is preserved as part of the heritage of this historic town.”
  Picture: The former Post Office. Credit: Google maps

New light festival comes to Boston

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New light festival comes to Boston

A brand new immersive, light experience is coming to Boston in February 2025. Boston Brilliance, a light projection festival, is the first of its kind to visit Boston in Lincolnshire.

The festival is set to light up the architecture of Boston town centre, transforming eight iconic landmarks with breathtaking projections, portraying the town’s long and rich history. The illuminations will be created with the signature artistry of internationally acclaimed projection mapping specialists, The Projection Studio, whom have been responsible for breathtaking spectacles such as the late Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee. Artists from the studio, Ross Ashton and Karen Monid visited the town in early January 2024 and offered a preview on the Assembly Rooms. The festival has been made possible due to Boston College being awarded a £100,000 grant from the Arts Council’s National Lottery Project Grants, as well as contributions from the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership and local businesses. Visitors are invited to the town to discover Boston in a completely new way and to explore the town’s rich history and links to Boston, Massachusetts. Josh Tyers, Boston Brilliance Event Coordinator, said: “Boston Brilliance is a celebration of Creativity and Heritage in Boston, a landmark event, set to become a defining pivot point moment for Boston, Lincolnshire. “This exciting celebration highlights the town’s vibrant creative scene and its deep cultural roots. “The event aims to showcase not only the immense local talent, including student artists, but also feature world-class artists from across Europe, including Lithuania, France, and Spain. “With this international flair, the festival offers an exceptional platform for cultural exchange and artistic inspiration. “Visitors can look forward to an array of artistic displays and performances.”
  Image: Boston, Lincolnshire – Credit: Stock.adobe.com/Tony

Hospital charity bridges the gap to local nature reserve

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Hospital charity bridges the gap to local nature reserve
Staff and visitors can now leave the hustle and bustle of a local hospital and escape back to nature thanks to charitable donations. United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity has joined forces with the Boston Woods Trust to build a bridge from Pilgrim hospital to the neighbouring Dion’s Wood Nature Reserve in Boston. This means staff and visitors can now walk over the footpath and enjoy the growing woodland, lake and meadows. The Boston Woods Trust is a local independent charitable trust established in 2001 that has a long term plan to develop woodland around Boston for the benefit of all. Dion’s Wood is the latest addition to the Boston Woods Trust and is located between Willoughby Road and the rear of Pilgrim hospital. The 35 acre site was landscaped in 2021 and by the end of 2022 nearly 17,000 trees and shrubs had been planted and areas of wild flowers seeded. There are now 3km of paths which can be accessed from Willoughby Road, Rowan Way, Sibsey Road and now through a footpath and the back of the hospital site for staff and visitors. ​Charity Manager, Ben Petts, said: “We understand how stressful it can be coming to hospital and so to have a space where everyone can go and enjoy some fresh air and a break away from the hustle and bustle is so valuable. “As a charity we have tried to create garden spaces at our hospitals, but being able to access a nature reserve is something really special. We were proud to help cover the cost of the works to enable our patients, staff and visitors to be able to access this wonderful area. “A massive thank you to the Boston Woods Trust for all of their hard work and for everything they continue to do to create these inspirational spaces for local people.” The access route was created by bridging an existing waterway with a pipe and many tons of soil. A pathway was then created across the top of this to link with a pathway already in the nature reserve. A significant proportion of the cost was funded by the United Lincolnshire Hospital Charity. Boston Woods Trust funded the initial groundwork and the site was cleared by their volunteers. Boston Woods Trust President, Adrian Isaac, said: “Outdoor space is essential for both mental and physical wellbeing. The woods and parkland provide an opportunity to exercise in a natural environment. “We are so grateful to have been gifted this land. We not only look forward to watching it grow, but to also see first-hand how much it helps so many people. “Being able to work with United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals Trust and the charity was a brilliant way to enable even more people to access this space between appointments or even during a lunchbreak.” Volunteers have not only planted all of the trees and continue to nurture them, but also look after the hedges, meadows and are doing so much to support and encourage wildlife. They have also put in benches and stopping points around the reserve. Adrian added: “This nature reserve will have a lasting legacy long after we have all gone. Not only will it help with physical and mental wellbeing today, but it will also have a positive impact on reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for years and years to come.”   Image credit: United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Plans to revitalise Boston’s Rosegarth Square take step forward with Crown House redevelopment approval

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Plans to revitalise Boston’s Rosegarth Square take step forward with Crown House redevelopment approval

The planning application for the redevelopment of Boston’s Crown House has been approved. This mixed-use building will be a prominent part of the Rosegarth Square area.

The Crown House development will see a new mixed-use building featuring retail units on the ground floor and apartments on the remaining two storeys above. The scheme will also be enhanced with landscaping, parking and cycle storage to complement the overall Rosegarth Square masterplan, as well as relocating the current toilets and Changing Place into the new building. The scheme aims to transform Rosegarth Square as a thriving community space. It will provide the opportunity for the retail units to offer outside dining as well as the wider area being used by family and friends to meet up and enjoy this part of the town. The changes to the area will also enable quick and easy access to both the bus and train stations and become the gateway to the heart of Boston. This project is a significant part of the Rosegarth Square transformation. With planning permission and demolition notices, Boston Borough Council can now start with the next steps of this project.
The plans follow in the footsteps of the recently approved planning consent for the proposed public realm works, which features new artwork, external social spaces, and a new entrance/drop-off area for the Len Medlock Centre. It will also include a sensory garden designed for quiet contemplation and reflection, as well as an amphitheatre-style seating area. Councillor David Middleton, Chair of Planning Committee at Boston Borough Council, said: “The approval of the Crown House redevelopment is a significant milestone for Rosegarth Square and for Boston as a whole. This project exemplifies how thoughtful planning can transform underused spaces into vibrant hubs that benefit the entire community. “The committee was impressed with the vision and detail in the plans, which will not only enhance the area’s aesthetic appeal but also provide practical benefits like improved connectivity and new facilities. We look forward to seeing this exciting development come to life.”
  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/shintartanya

Council fines almost 1,400 drivers for illegal school gate parking

Stuart Pearcey
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Council fines almost 1,400 drivers for illegal school gate parking
North East Lincolnshire Council fined almost 1,400 drivers who parked illegally outside schools in its area last year. There are now 12 schools that have signed up to a safety campaign, with Great Coates Primary and Reynolds Academy being the latest additions. The scheme began in 2022 when CCTV cameras were installed outside of Signhills Academy in Cleethorpes. Old Clee Primary Academy welcomed the cameras a few months later when the system went live at the site in Grimsby. To ensure all parents are reliably informed, there is a three-step process. Prior warning is given before cameras go live with parents being informed of what is to come. Those deemed to be illegally parking for the next two weeks are issued with a warning letter, but not fined. After that, PCNs are issued by enforcement teams. Drivers caught stopping on the yellow zig zag lines will receive a £70 penalty charge notice. This is reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. The aim of the scheme is to enforce the keep clear markings restriction more effectively and help change behaviour long-term. Ultimately, it helps to ensure children are arriving and leaving school safely by minimising the risk of nearby traffic and vehicles. Over 2024, 12 schools took part in the scheme, issuing the 1,364 fines between them:
  • Great Coates Primary School – 9
  • Lisle Marsden Church of England Primary Academy – 125
  • Macaulay Primary Academy – 41
  • Old Clee Primary Academy – 119
  • Ormiston South Parade School – 109
  • Queen Mary Avenue Infant and Nursery School – 198
  • Reynolds Academy – 25
  • Scartho Junior Academy – 152
  • Signhills Academy – 66
  • Stanford Junior and Infant School – 51
  • Waltham Leas Primary Academy – 134
  • Welholme Academy – 335
Councillor Ron Shepherd said: “Whilst this is a positive result, it is worrying that there were 1,364 incidents where people continued to park illegally. “These actions endanger children and other pedestrians in the area. School staff inform us that the cameras are working to deter people from stopping illegally, and we will continue to do this to make our school gates safe for everyone. “We will robustly continue to enforce in school areas and work in consultation with schools to ensure the restrictions are adhered too.”

Lincolnshire organisations benefit from Ørsted community fund

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Lincolnshire organisations benefit from Ørsted community fund
Lincolnshire organisations feature in the latest round of community fund donations by wind farm developer Ørsted, taking the fund to the £3m milestone in grants awarded since launch in 2017. Seventeen organisations have been awarded a share of over £226,000 in the last quarter of last year. Ørsted operates six wind farms on the East Coast. The East Coast Community Fund is a legacy project from two of the wind farms: Hornsea 1 and Race Bank. These two windfarms have a combined capacity of nearly 1.8 gigawatts, meaning they can power electricity for 1.5 million UK homes. Imran Nawaz, Senior Advisor & Community Benefit Fund Manager for Ørsted, said: “It’s been a fabulous way to start 2025, hearing about all these incredible projects. Well done to the worthy organisations, we’re looking forward to seeing the impact of their efforts and continuing our commitment to supporting local communities.” Hannah Bester, Senior Manager, Volunteering & Citizen Science Team at the Marine Conservation Society said: “Funding will enable us to engage with over 700 volunteers across eastern England, from South Holland to the East Riding of Yorkshire. Many of our volunteers take part in citizen science activities, like Beachwatch where they collect, record, and remove beach litter. “Beachwatch positively impacts our marine environment by collecting valuable data evidence to influence policy change on problematic litter, like single use plastics and sewage related items, while also removing litter pollution and encouraging positive behaviours through volunteering in the outdoors.” Organisations awarded grants in the latest round of the Community Benefit Fund are:
  • Angle for the Community, Running Costs and Volunteer Training, £2,880
  • Samaritans of Boston, Being There for Listening and Outreach, £9,900
  • Wrangle Parish Hall, Internal LED Lighting Conversion, £2,800
  • Sussex Bowling Club, Second Rescue of Sussex Bowling Club in Cleethorpes, £5,000
  • The Boston Preservation Trust, Fydell House:Repairs, Improved Accessibility and Dedicated Volunteer Space, £33,000
  • Ren’s Rescue, Ren’s Withernsea Wildlife Hub, £3,224
  • Rock Foundation UK Limited, Heneage Road, Grimsby – Creating a Sustainable Future, £16,000
  • Shalom Youth Centre, Youth Worker East Marsh, Grimsby, £26,908
  • Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire, Cleethorpes – Backyard Nature Clubs, £5,000
  • Bells and Whistles Exercise Group, Paths & Potholes, £1,500
  • Boston Squash & Racketball Club, Energy Efficiency (Insulation) Improvements, £5,000
  • Favour Foundation Limited – Your Place – Oasis Garden Hub and Garden Volunteer/Buddy Scheme £20,878
  • Hornsea and District Indoor Bowls Club Ltd, Battery Storage System, £18,720
  • Orchestras Live, Intergenerational Music-Making Activities Engaging Community Groups in Withernsea and Hornsea, £15,000
  • Synergy Grimsby CIC, Woods, Waves, Walks and Workshops, £28,000
  • Marine Conservation Society, The Power of the East Coast Community for Ocean Conservation, £23,267
  • Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire, Rural Outreach, £9,810

London Community Gospel Choir join Classic Ibiza’s birthday celebrations at Burghley House

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London Community Gospel Choir join Classic Ibiza’s birthday celebrations at Burghley House
Classic Ibiza is returning to Burghley House near Stamford on Saturday 26 July, promising an extra-special show to mark the concert’s 10th birthday. To celebrate, Stephen Hussey’s 32-piece Urban Soul Orchestra will be joined by the incredible London Community Gospel Choir, adding a fresh dynamic with their soulful vocals and harmonies to a musical set crammed full of stone-cold house classics. Founded in 1982, London Community Gospel Choir has become one of the world’s most in demand choirs, gracing headline events and venues such as The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Glastonbury, the Grammys and the Royal Albert Hall. They have also recorded with a veritable who’s who of popular music, including Adele, Blur, Madonna and Gregory Porter. Classic Ibiza’s Lisa Ward says: “It’s hard to put into words how excited we are to be joined by the truly awesome London Community Gospel Choir as our special guests. Just imagine the soulful wall of sound they will create with Stephen Hussey’s amazing Urban Soul Orchestra. This summer’s Classic Ibiza is a show you’ll not want to miss – it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!” This summer’s Classic Ibiza will feature a best-of set made up of firm crowd favourites from the show’s 10 year history. Including more tracks than ever before, USO’s orchestral performance will recreate the experience of hearing a club DJ, with one track seamlessly transitioning to the next. London Community Gospel Choir will be performing in the first half of the show alongside USO and DJ Goldierocks, as well as with DJ Jose Luis in his Afro/Latin House set. London Community Gospel Choir’s Leonn Meade adds: “Much of house music has its roots in gospel, with artists such as Barbara Tucker, Joe Smooth and even Aretha Franklin providing iconic vocals on some real club classics. Our collaboration with Classic Ibiza this summer is going to be something very special, and we can’t wait to bring our unique vibe to the party at Burghley House in July.” Ticket sales are strong again for Classic Ibiza’s tour of our country’s best-loved stately homes this summer, with some venues already approaching 50% capacity. For further information, visit: classicibiza.co.uk   Image credit: David Evans Photography

Weronika signs for Imps first team

Stuart Pearcey
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Weronika signs for Imps first team
University of Lincoln sports therapy student Weronika Kruszyna has joined Lincoln City FC Women’s first-team. The University of Lincoln and Lincoln City FC have a longstanding partnership that was recently strengthened by a new coaching agreement that sees both men’s and women’s first team footballers coached by professionals at the club. Players in the women’s first team at the University will also have clearer pathways through to professional football and can find themselves in contention to play for Lincoln City Women. Weronika has also recently been awarded one of eight prestigious Sports Scholarships from the University of Lincoln for the academic year 2024/25. She said: “When I knew I would be starting at the University of Lincoln, I contacted several teams including Lincoln City. They invited me to a trials day and shortly after offered me a contract. “It felt amazing to pull on the Lincoln City shirt for the first time, and I couldn’t wait to get started on a new chapter in my football career. I am incredibly excited about the future.” Lincoln City Women’s head coach Charlotte Dinsdale added: “Weronika has been a brilliant addition to the squad, and it was a special moment for all of us when she scored her first goal. “The club works closely with the University of Lincoln throughout all sorts of areas on and off the pitch, with students on placement across the football club whether it’s here in the Academy or covering our match with the communications team. “Everyone here is excited to see how we can continue this and see more opportunities for University of Lincoln students.”

£40,000 park equipment upgrade to begin in Grantham

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£40,000 park equipment upgrade to begin in Grantham
Dysart Park in Grantham is set for some new up-to-date play and fitness equipment thanks to sponsors who support the annual Rotary Swimarathon. It is designed to appeal to teenage/youth visitors and will include a three-deck climber with scramble net, rope climb and slide bars, as well as a workout fitness station and a ladder wall. The upgrade comes from a £30,000 investment funded by South Kesteven District Council’s UKSPF fund with a £10,000 contribution from the Rotary Club of Grantham, which runs the Rotary Swimarathon. Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Paul Stokes, who is also Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “We are very pleased to have the support of the community through this Rotary funding, as this play area will ultimately be used by the community. “The fitness equipment will complement the equipment already on site which was funded previously through the Rotary Club, and we look forward to all of the additional features helping the park maintain its popularity as a go-to destination.” The older children’s play equipment comprises a multi play unit including a banister slide, spinning pole, net climber, vertical rope climb, climbing grips, social seating, and multiple level decks. There will also be a wipeout surf and balance board. Fitness equipment includes a fitness station designed to enable nine simple exercises to increase strength, tone muscles and increase flexibility. Near this will be a ladder wall and five-a-day fitness panel, where users turn a wheel to choose different exercises. Work is expected to begin at the park next month, by contractor Sutcliffe Play. President of the Rotary Club, Andrew Gregory said: “It’s always rewarding to see the community fundraising through Rotary and turn it into something tangible that offers a real benefit to local people and visitors.” The Rotary Swimarathon, which this year runs across the weekend of Friday 7th to Sunday 9th February is a major fundraiser now in its 36th year. During this time it has raised over £1 million towards the Community of Grantham and surrounding villages. The £10,000 grant comes from the 2024 event. Teams of up to six swim in a relay for 50 minutes raising money to support Grantham charities and local causes/deserving projects. There are just a few lanes left so anyone interested should text 07454 941349.   Image credit: South Kesteven District Council

Work begins to transform former WC block at Whitton Gardens into a café

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Work begins to transform former WC block at Whitton Gardens into a café
Work to transform the former WC block at Whitton Gardens has begun. The project, part of the £18m town centre regeneration programme by West Lindsey District Council, will see the building, which sits on the riverside in Gainsborough, converted into a cafe. A team from Belton Construction, the company delivering the project for the council, will complete the work by May this year. The Whitton Gardens car park will be closed while the work takes place. Council Leader and Gainsborough ward member, Cllr Trevor Young, said he was pleased work was starting and was looking forward to seeing the results: “It’s great to see work starting on this project and I’m sure the café will be a welcomed addition to the area.” The work being carried out to refurbish the former WC building is part of a wider investment in Gainsborough that includes the new four-screen cinema, Market Place public realm improvements, new green space at Baltic Mill, Townscape Heritage investment into historic buildings, and upgrades to the bus station. West Lindsey District Council is also working with Project Centre to improve access to high-quality green spaces in Gainsborough. The council’s ground maintenance contractor has been carrying out planting work at Whitton Gardens and will complete finishing touches in line with the completion of the café in May. Sally Grindrod-Smith, Director of Planning, Regeneration and Communities at West Lindsey District Council, said: “We’ve a number of exciting developments ongoing across the district, and the Whitton Gardens’ development is one of the projects helping us kick off 2025 as we mean to go on. “The new cinema will be opened in the summer, we’ve work continuing in Gainsborough town centre to help increase visitors and boost local business, and later this month we will be launching the marketing for the restaurant and retail units being delivered as part of the cinema and leisure scheme – it’s going to be an exciting year.”
  Image credit: West Lindsey District Council

Fire-damaged former cinema and bingo hall to go under the hammer in Spalding

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Fire-damaged former cinema and bingo hall to go under the hammer in Spalding
The former Savoy Cinema in Spalding, which, with a 1,500-person seating capacity, was Lincolnshire’s largest cinema when it opened in 1937, is to go up for auction this month with a guide price of £250,000-£270,000. Converted to a bingo hall after audiences declined in the 1970s, the imposing building was damaged extensively by a fire in 2021 and has since remained disused. Now the 15,000 sq ft cinema, which stands on a 0.7 acre site, is being offered for sale by joint auctioneers SDL Property Auctions and Eddisons Peterborough. The auctioneers believe the building would be suitable for redevelopment and South Holland District Council has confirmed it would support proposals for a mixed-use commercial and residential scheme on the site. The Westlode Street property is close to the town centre, within Spalding’s conservation area. Andrew Parker, auctioneer and partner at SDL Property Auctions, said: “This was once a splendid building that was a real asset to the town of Spalding and it has been disused and unloved for over three years since the fire. “It would be great to see an imaginative mixed-use scheme bring the site back to life, perhaps retaining the original 1930s art-deco façade. Needless to say, the council’s support for a redevelopment scheme makes this a fantastic investment opportunity.”

‘Give us more money for flood defences’, says County Council

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‘Give us more money for flood defences’, says County Council

Lincolnshire County Council is calling on the government to make more funding available to help the county deal with the effects of climate change after more than 100 properties were flooded in the recent heavy rain.

Almost 40 of these properties are thought to have also been affected by the heavy rainfall during storms Babet or Henk previously. Nearly 1,000 homes and businesses were flooded in total in October 2023 and January 2024 during those two storms. Lincolnshire County Council carried out 264 separate ‘Section 19’ flood investigations to determine the contributing factors to the flooding. These investigations suggest recommended actions that various organisations and communities could take to reduce the risk and impacts of flooding in the future. Where possible, the county council took immediate action to address the recommendations, including further jetting of drains, increasing capacity of our drains through new projects, and engaging with landowners about their responsibilities. The council says it has no powers to force any other organisation or individual to carry out repairs, and many simply do not have the funding or resources to carry out their actions quickly. Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for environment at Lincolnshire County Council, explains: “Hearing that some properties have flooded twice – during Babet or Henk and again this week – is completely devastating, and whilst we’ve done what we can to better prepare the county for heavy rainfall – following the recommendations in our Section 19 investigations – there’s simply not been enough time or enough funding for all organisations to make the identified improvements. “In some areas, we understand that watercourses reached or even exceeded the levels they rose to during storms Babet and Henk, and they were considered exceptional at the time. Ultimately, there is no getting away from the fact that the amount of rainfall we’ve seen this week, falling on saturated ground, is going to cause issues in some places without serious extra investment from the government. “As well as trying to reduce the impacts of climate change in the future, there must be plans put in place to address the impacts of climate change that we are feeling in Lincolnshire, and across the country, now.” The county council completed two major drainage schemes in 2024 in Brant Broughton and Hough on the Hill, and work is ongoing on two more schemes in Kirkby on Bain and Long Bennington. Cllr Colin Davie continues: “Together, these four schemes alone represent an investment by the county council of more than £1.5m in better protecting Lincolnshire in periods of heavy rain. And, since April, our highways teams have completed 672 drainage-clearing jobs, focussing on areas that were most severely affected by the previous storms, in readiness for something like the events of this week. “Much of the flooding was caused by the sheer amount of water that was just too much and caused overtopping on local watercourses. Protecting these will require extra investment and intervention from the Environment Agency and other partners. “In some areas, drains were also overloaded causing surface water flooding. This is why we’re working hard to improve the drainage systems in areas prone to flooding, and work with other landowners to make sure all parts of the system are working properly. All of which takes time and investment.”

Grantham day nursery sold

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Grantham day nursery sold
Business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Ancaster Village Nursery & Forest School in Grantham. The day nursery is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted and provides care for up to 52 children at a time, operating from a purpose-built rural property. The sale also included the 46 place ‘Out of School’ club which the company runs from the local village primary school. The nursery has been owned and managed by Linda Lukies since 2007. After many successful years in the childcare sector, Linda made the decision to retire, prompting the sale of the business. Following a confidential sales process with Jassi Sunner at Christie & Co, it has been sold to new market entrant, Kiddi Corporation Ltd, which is owned by Rupinder Sandhu, a former care home operator expanding into the childcare sector. Linda Lukies, former owner of Ancaster Village Nursery, said: “I would like to wish Rupinder and Ancaster Village Nursery every success for the future. It has been an absolute pleasure running this wonderful setting with such a passionate staff team and I know that, with Rupinder’s vision and experience, I have left everything in the safest hands.” Rupinder Sandhu, the new owner of Ancaster Village Nursery, said: “I am extremely committed to delivering high-quality care in the community, drawing on my background in residential care. “Working with children has always been a passion of mine and, as a parent of young children, I understand first-hand the challenges faced by parents. This drives my dedication to ensuring that childcare settings are nurturing, supportive, and positively promote children’s development.” Jassi Sunner, Associate Director – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, said: “With its excellent location, Ancaster Village Nursery & Forest School has built a fantastic reputation over the years under Linda’s leadership. “The rural setting is logistically well placed for parents and has become a key choice for local families seeking high-quality childcare in a ‘home from home’ environment. After a competitive marketing process, we secured an offer from Rupinder, an experienced care home operator, looking for a new challenge in childcare. “This transition is a perfect fit, and I have no doubt that Rupinder will build on the strong foundations Linda has established.” Ancaster Village Nursery & Forest School was sold for an undisclosed price.  
Image credit: Christie & Co

Rents cut at Brigg and Ashby markets to encourage businesses to set up stalls

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Rents cut at Brigg and Ashby markets to encourage businesses to set up stalls
Rents at Brigg and Ashby markets have been cut, in some cases to as low as £5 a pitch, to persuade more people to start trading. Changes in the set up of the markets have provided some savings to the council and these savings have been passed on to the traders, in the hope that more people will take the opportunity to become entrepreneurs and join the market. The previous rent at Ashby market was £18. This has been cut to £5 per pitch, or £10 where the council provides a gazebo and weights. In Brigg, the rent was £18, which has been cut to £9 per stall. The rent for the farmers’ market was £25, but this has been reduced to £12.50. North Lincolnshire Council leader Rob Waltham said: “If you have every wanted to run your own business, or turn a skill or hobby into a business, now is the time to step up and give it a go. These are two vibrant markets in the heart of the community, and this rent cut makes them accessible to all.” Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for community wellbeing (rural), said: “Leaving the stalls up in Brigg will mean they can be used by community groups and charities to hold pop-up markets, increasing the viability of the town centre. Also local town centre enterprises will be able to use the stalls when the market isn’t in use. “The changes to Ashby Market make it more sustainable and attractive to traders.” The markets run at Brigg and Ashby every Thursday from 8am, however bad weather may affect the number of stalls. In Brigg, the farmers’ market is held on the fourth Saturday of every month, Brigg Arts & Craft market is every second Saturday and Brigg Indie Market is every third Saturday.   Image: Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for community wellbeing (rural) at North Lincolnshire Council, with council leader Rob Waltham. Credit: North Lincolnshire Council

Illuminate event to light up Gainsborough

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Illuminate event to light up Gainsborough
On Friday 21 February, a special free event returns to the historic heart of Gainsborough, including the return of the community lantern parade, a fire garden in the grounds of All Saints’ Parish Church, a new film projection inside Gainsborough Old Hall, street performers and samba music. This year’s event theme is ‘Postcards from Gainsborough’, where postcards that have been produced by local school children will be projected inside the Old Hall. There will also be workshops to make lanterns in the weeks prior to the event. Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Stephen Bunney, said: “February will see the return of our wonderful Illuminate event which brings the community together for an enjoyable event in the town. I am delighted to once again welcome residents and visitors to West Lindsey to attend this spectacular event in Gainsborough.” West Lindsey District Council’s event lead, Dr Anna Scott, added: “This year’s event is about Gainsborough as a community – bringing people back together for a town centre parade that they have helped to create. “Illuminate has been made possible thanks to our partnership with All Saints’ Parish Church and Gainsborough Old Hall, and we’re grateful for their support to make the event possible. We’re also pleased to be working with Lincolnshire County Council this year too, extending the number of workshops we’ve been able to offer.” English Heritage, who manage Gainsborough Old Hall, are ‘delighted’ to be involved with the event once again, with Site Manager Joley Baker adding: “We’re so pleased to be taking part in Gainsborough’s Illuminate event once again this year. “It was one of our busiest days in 2024 and we loved seeing everyone enjoying the Hall, especially locals who hadn’t visited since they were children, so we hope to see just as many faces this time around for what I’m sure will be another fantastic evening!”
  Image: Gainsborough Old Hall. Credit: Stock.adobe.com/Peter

£23m Lincoln Community Diagnostic Centre opens

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£23m Lincoln Community Diagnostic Centre opens
More NHS diagnostic services are now available in Lincoln, with the opening of a new £23m facility on Lincoln Science and Innovation Park. The Lincoln Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) is run by the same teams as Lincolnshire’s NHS hospitals, but offers an alternative venue to access vital diagnostic tests quickly and easily, away from busy hospitals. The state-of-the-art facilities include MRI, CT, non-obstetric ultrasound, X-ray and echocardiograms. Patients can also access physiological testing, such as blood testing, ECGs, spirometry and FeNO testing, which is being provided in partnership with Lincoln Healthcare Partnership Primary Care Network – a group of local GP practices. Services at the CDC can be accessed with referral from hospital or a GP. The first patients to use the Lincoln CDC attended for CT scans. Patient Sarah Williamson, from Navenby, said: “It’s a really lovely building, even the light panels in the ceiling look great and make it feel welcoming. The free parking makes a difference as it takes away any worry about finding a parking space. “It’s quite exciting to be the very first patient here and the energy of the staff really shows too, they seem excited to be here.” The dual contract for construction of both Skegness and Lincoln CDCs has been delivered by Modern Methods of Construction specialist MTX Contracts Ltd. MTX Managing Director David Hartley said: “We have been privileged to partner with the Trust to deliver this dual contract for Community Diagnostic Centres at Lincoln and Skegness that will have such a huge impact on waiting lists and significantly improve the patient experience. “Our hard-won experience designing and delivering fully compliant NHS facilities combined with our use of Modern Methods of Construction and offsite manufacturing enables us to create these vital units faster, greener, safer and more cost effectively than conventional building processes, with no compromise in quality. “Working concurrently on the two projects presented additional challenges for our team, but at MTX we view every project as a learning opportunity to continually improve the service and value we can offer our NHS Trust partners.”   Picture credit: United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Plans for new South Holland Health and Wellbeing Hub get green light

Tess Egginton
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Plans for new South Holland Health and Wellbeing Hub get green light

Plans for the new South Holland Health and Wellbeing Hub have been approved, as the transformational redevelopment of the Castle Sports Complex site in Spalding moves a step closer.

Receiving the support of councillors and officers at the district’s planning committee on Wednesday (8 January) evening, work will now get underway to begin the first phase of development, which is planned to commence in Spring 2025, with a scheduled completion date in Autumn 2026. The project, which is receiving £20 million of UK Government funding alongside further investment from South Holland District Council, will address health and wellbeing through the provision of improved sport, recreation and leisure facilities, alongside new health and wellbeing services and facilities for residents. The first phase of works will include the creation of a single building containing two new swimming pools, village changing facilities, multi-sport hall, fitness suite, cycle and group exercise studios, health and wellbeing consultation rooms, children’s adventure play area and updated reception and servery areas. Around the rest of the site, it would see the creation of a new outdoor 3G pitch, park run circuit, community garden, running loop, additional cycling provision and improved car parking with electric vehicle charging points, along with necessary remedial works to the bowls hall. The final plans were put together following widespread consultation with residents in spring 2024, followed by further amendments taking into account feedback from national bodies, statutory consultees and local community groups to ensure the plans reflected the interests of as many people as possible. A Sport England study in 2021 showed that South Holland had the 4th worst rate of exercise and activity in the country, with these new, state-of-the-art facilities designed specifically to offer the widest possible range of activities and opportunities to support residents to live active and healthy lives. Whilst construction is taking place users of the current ‘dry side’ of the Castle Complex will be able to use temporary fitness suite and group exercise facilities at the Spalding Campus of Boston College on Red Lion Street. The existing swimming pool and ‘wet side’ will remain fully operational throughout the works. Councillor Gary Taylor, South Holland District Council’s project sponsor, said: “It is brilliant news that this ambitious project has received its long-awaited planning permission, and I cannot wait for work to get started and for these exciting plans to become a reality, bucking the trend of leisure provision nationally. “We have done everything we can to ensure this once-in-a-generation opportunity for new state-of-the-art facilities best represents the priorities, interests and needs of as many of our residents as possible, and I am confident that the finished product will be a fantastic place to socialise, exercise and play and to receive vital health and wellbeing support, for many years to come.”

Public asked their views on Lincolnshire’s pharmacy provision

Stuart Pearcey
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Public asked their views on Lincolnshire’s pharmacy provision

Lincolnshire residents are being asked for their views about pharmacy provision throughout the county in a two-month consultation running from now until March 8th.

The public are being asked if they think the locations, accessibility and services provided by pharmacies are adequate – both now, and for the future.

All Health and Wellbeing Boards are required to produce a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment at least every three years, to ensure the best decisions about pharmacy services are made for the people of Lincolnshire. Councillor Sue Woolley, Executive Councillor for NHS Liaison and Community Engagement, and chair of the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “The feedback we receive from the public will help us put together our next Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. “Pharmacies, often known as ‘chemists’ provide lots of different and important services and this review makes sure that they provide what our residents want and need, and that they’re in the right places. “Residents and interested groups can have their say on the draft PNA on the link below and make their views known.” Take part in the consultation at the Let’s Talk Lincolnshire platform.  

Cleethorpes gets another £250,000 to protect fragile coastline

Stuart Pearcey
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Cleethorpes gets another £250,000 to protect fragile coastline
North East Lincolnshire Council has been given £250,000 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the Dynamic Understanding of the Natural Environment project to explore options to save and better protect the fragile coastline. It will also support opportunities to increase access, inclusion and participation for local communities and visitors through an activities and education programme. DUNE focuses on North East Lincolnshire’s coastline, in particular the natural salt marsh and sand dune environments of Cleethorpes on the south bank of the Humber, which include internationally important habitats and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Investing in skills and capacity to maintain the heritage asset is central to the project, with the recruitment of a Research and Engagement Advisor. This post will build knowledge and relations across the area and develop future activities, including working with schools and using new digital technologies increasing access to information and heritage. A Coastal Ranger will also come on board to help protect the most sensitive areas of the SSSI, support ecological and bird surveys and educational activities. Building on five years of targeted funding, this latest award comes as we celebrate a £10million milestone. Between 2019-2024 North East Lincolnshire was an ‘Area of Focus’, meaning they received targeted support to apply for project funding. It has since become one of the places in our Heritage Places initiative, receiving support over 10 years and allowing opportunities for wider funding. This new funding is part of Heritage Places allowing North East Lincolnshire Council to build upon their status by investing in natural heritage. Helen Featherstone of The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “At the Heritage Fund, we believe in the power of heritage to create positive and lasting change, now and in the future. We know that when our investments contribute to the long-term vision for a place, the benefits can be profound and long-lasting for its local community, visitors, and economy. “So, it is wonderful news that thanks to National Lottery players, the Heritage Fund’s support in the ‘DUNE’ project has taken our total investment across North East Lincolnshire since 2019 to an impressive £10million. “Working with North East Lincolnshire Council has allowed us to understand the long term heritage ambitions of the areas. North East Lincolnshire remains a priority for the Heritage Fund through our initiative “Heritage Places”; a ten year programme to continue to support the heritage aspirations of the area, which leave a legacy for all to enjoy.”

Charity funds virtual sky panels to enhance experience on maternity hospital wards

Tess Egginton
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Charity funds virtual sky panels to enhance experience on maternity hospital wards
Midwives and patients are set for an enhanced experience on Bardney and Nettleham wards at Lincoln County Hospital. A new lighting panel featuring a blue sky and clouds has been fitted on the ceiling above the midwives’ station on Nettleham Ward. This area is central to the building and does not receive any natural light. On Bardney Ward, the panel which features a lake and mountain has been placed on the wall. The panels give off light and move through different settings, adjusting as appropriate for the time of day. The new panels were paid for by United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity and will help with staff morale and patient experience. Last year, staff working on these wards said they struggled with the lack of sunlight during their shifts, and they’d found this impacted on their mood and effectiveness. Some midwives were experiencing symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, and the lack of natural light exacerbated their symptoms. Improving the lighting was suggested as a possible solution and the sky panels were investigated and found to be a viable option. The virtual sky panels help to promote wellness, reduce stress and anxiety and improve patient and staff experience in clinical settings. Claudia Coggan, a midwife on Nettleham Ward, said: “I work as a coordinator and have found that natural light struggled to reach us at the midwives’ station where the computers were situated. We felt like all we had was artificial light for our long shifts. The shadows on our keyboards did not help. “We heard we were having a new lighting system above where we worked and helped choose the screen picture. “The light screen was installed, and the distribution of light is much better now and the best part is that we can adjust the intensity of the light according to our needs. It is easier to work on computers and there is less eye strain.” Bardney Ward is for women in labour and Nettleham Ward is the antenatal and postnatal ward for mothers and their newborn babies. Patients on these wards will also benefit from the improved environment, making it a little more welcoming and homely. Ben Petts, Charity Manager at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, said: “We are delighted to be able to fund these virtual sky panels and help support staff and patient wellbeing. “They bring a bit of the outdoors indoors and have really improved the look and feel of the wards.”   Image credit: United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
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