Gainsborough’s Christmas Lights Festival takes place on 15th and 16th November.
It’s being organised by West Lindsey District Council with support from Gainsborough Town Council and sponsorship from businesses Gainsborough Building Services, Elm Cottage, Elite Signs and The Egg Stop, Heapham.
The two-day event includes live music in Market Place over both days, and local schools, choirs and community groups taking centre stage. Music will also be provided by a DJ on Friday evening, and on Saturday with live bands, Bikraley and Back Chat Brass, bringing this dazzling event to a close.
There will also be a vintage funfair, and the Giant Snow Globe, which proved so popular last year. Rides are 50p each (sold as £2 tokens). Tokens can be purchased on the day at the booth in the Market Place. 50% of funfair proceeds will go to The Brain Tumour Charity, this year’s chosen charity by West Lindsey District Council Chairman, Cllr Stephen Bunney.
Street entertainers will be mingling among the crowds over both days, and there will be festive market stalls offering a variety of food, drink and gifts; and Santa’s Post Box will be there to ensure everyone gets the chance to get their letters to North Pole in plenty of time.
Cllr Lesley Rollings, Deputy Leader of the Council and Chairman of Prosperous Communities at West Lindsey District Council, said: “Everything is in place now to ensure the event is another spectacular success and I like many other people am looking forward to the start of the festival in just two weeks’ time. I look forward to seeing you all down there.”
Parking in Council-owned car parks is FREE from 6pm on Friday 15 November and all day Saturday 16 November
George Barnsdale, a highly respected manufacturer of premium timber windows and doors, is proud to announce its 140th anniversary.
Since its founding in 1884 by George Barnsdale, the family-run business has become a cornerstone of the Lincolnshire village of Donington, contributing to both the local community and the broader construction industry.
To commemorate this landmark anniversary, George Barnsdale is set to publish a special commemorative newspaper that details its rich history, milestones, and the significant impact it has had on both the local community and the timber industry.
A staff celebration will also take place, honouring the dedicated team whose hard work and craftsmanship have been vital to the company’s success.
The story so far
The journey began when a young George Barnsdale purchased a modest plot of land in Donington Market Place, establishing a small carpentry workshop that quickly garnered a reputation for quality craftsmanship.
Over the decades, the company, which offers a nationwide project management and installation service, has evolved significantly, transitioning from steam-powered machinery to advanced robotic technology, all while staying true to its roots and commitment to high quality timber products.
Impact on the local community
George Barnsdale has played an instrumental role in sustaining the local economy of Donington. By providing valuable, highly skilled jobs, the company has supported hundreds of families over the years.
The Barnsdale family’s involvement extends beyond employment; they actively contribute to local charities, educational initiatives, and community events, solidifying the company’s position as an integral part of village life.
Innovative manufacturing practices
The company’s state-of-the-art factory is a testament to its dedication to quality, sustainability, and innovation. With a commitment to environmentally responsible practices, George Barnsdale takes pride in its proactive sourcing of timber from certified sustainable forests, ensuring that every piece
of wood is traceable and responsibly harvested. The company also employs a multitude of energy-saving measures, including using recycled fuel made from timber waste to power its generator.
The factory is equipped with CNC-controlled machinery, humidity-controlled environments, and stringent glazing standards, ensuring that each product not only meets but exceeds industry expectations.
However, it is the significant investment of time and expertise in design and software setup that truly sets George Barnsdale apart. This commitment has enabled the company to efficiently adapt its range of products for precise customisation, allowing for the creation of unique, high-performance windows and doors tailored to individual client needs. Furthermore, George Barnsdale’s rigorous testing processes—including weather performance, security evaluations, and paint durability—ensure that its products deliver long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance.
A legacy of excellence
Throughout its 140-year history, George Barnsdale has embraced its role as a custodian of heritage buildings, ensuring their preservation for future generations. The company has been involved in numerous pan-European industry research projects, collaborating with organisations like the Building Research Establishment and the British Woodworking Federation to enhance the longevity and performance of timber fenestration.
Tom Wright, Managing Director of George Barnsdale, commented on the anniversary:
“As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we reflect on our heritage and the strong ties we have with our community. Our legacy is not just about producing exceptional timber products; it’s about the people who make this company what it is. We are dedicated to maintaining our family values while continuously innovating to meet the needs of our customers. Our commitment to sustainability and excellence remains unwavering, and we look forward to another 140 years of success and community engagement.”
As the company looks to the future, it remains committed to its mission of uplifting communities and providing exceptional products that enhance the beauty and functionality of homes and businesses.
For more information about George Barnsdale and its 140th anniversary celebrations, please visit https://georgebarnsdale.co.uk.
Ahead of COP 29 next week, The Green Life Pantry in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, has taken measures to make sure it is one of the small businesses helping to drive progress in the UK’s journey to Net Zero.
The zero waste eco store, which has been running since 2019, provides residents with an opportunity to stock up on day-to-day items in a more eco-friendly way by using ‘bring your own’ containers or paper bags. This includes dry goods, such as baking supplies, dried fruit, loose tea and coffee beans, as well as environmentally conscious replacement products such as wash detergents, shampoo and soaps.
Jenny Salvidge, founder of The Green Life Pantry, came up with the idea as a way of helping her community become cost effective, eco-logical and less reliant on plastic. After leaving full-time-employment, Jenny sought out a Start-Up Loan of £12,000 via programme partner Norfolk & Waveney Enterprise Services to help launch the business.
Jenny Salvidge, founder of The Green Life Pantry: “The Start Up Loan was pivotal in helping me to launch The Green Life Pantry and in turn, allowing me to support a community of eco-conscious people throughout Lincolnshire.
“I would certainly encourage other businesses to consider what steps they can take to become more sustainable, no matter how small they may be.”
Richard Bearman, Managing Director, Small Business Lending at the British Business Bank said: “We are immensely proud to support the entrepreneurial spirit within communities that traditionally face barriers to financing. It is our firm belief that by providing access to financing, we are not only fostering innovation but also empowering individuals to create sustainable enterprises that contribute positively to our economy and society.
The Green Life Pantry exemplifies our commitment to supporting sustainability-focused businesses. Jenny has now established a thriving, eco-conscious business, demonstrating the transformative impact of the Start Up Loans programme.”
Rutland Hall Hotel is delighted to announce the appointment of Sunil Kanjanghat as the resort’s new Director General Manager. With over 20 years of global experience in the luxury hospitality sector, Sunil is set to bring his strategic expertise and focus on first class experiences to Rutland Hall after an exceptional tenure at Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa, part of the Hand Picked Hotels portfolio.
Known for his impactful leadership, Sunil is eager to contribute his vast expertise to the resort’s development and to build on Rutland Hall’s growing reputation as a premier luxury destination in the UK.
“I am thrilled to be joining Rutland Hall Hotel at this time of change and growth,” explains Sunil. “I look forward to working with the existing team and I am also eager to collaborate with the owners, Priyesh Patel MBE DL and Minesh Patel, on the exciting and innovative projects to come. I am looking forward to what the future holds.”
Sunil’s arrival coincides with several new developments at Rutland Hall which include the refurbishment of the leisure facilities and the opening of Four Roots Wellbeing which will offer guests a unique, four-hour curated journey which includes bathing, treatment, relaxation and dining.
Sunil’s career spans senior leadership roles across many luxury five star and four red star experiences in Asia and England, where he has developed a reputation for driving operational excellence. Throughout his 8 years with the Montagu Arms in Hampshire, the Terrace restaurant held a One Michelin star. His portfolio of 5-star hotel successes includes Lainston House, part of the Exclusive collections, Le Meridien luxury hotels and the Sheraton, a 5-star deluxe hotel in Asia.
Sunil is a St Julian’s Scholar and a graduate of the prestigious Innholders Scholarship from Cranfield University. His outstanding success in delivering luxury experiences stems from his exceptional management style, which is characterised by a focus on leading, supporting, and inspiring. This makes him the perfect fit to guide Rutland Hall through this exciting period of investment and development. Sunil’s vision and experience in managing large-scale projects and historical properties will be instrumental in furthering the hotel’s commitment to excellence.
Priyesh Patel MBE DL, co-owner of Rutland Hall Hotel, expressed his enthusiasm for Sunil’s appointment: “We are excited to have Sunil on board at such an important time for our hotel. His leadership style is nothing short of remarkable, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on our operations, our team, and, of course, our guests.”
Life-saving charity, the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance has responded to its 30,000th call – in its 30th anniversary year.
The helicopter and crew landed at the scene of an RTC near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, in the hours of darkness last week (30 October).
The doctor and paramedic crew treated two women and a child, who were then taken to hospital. It is the unique combination of a specialist crew with the speed and capability of the helicopter that gives patients the best chance of survival.
LNAA CEO Karen Jobling sad: “This milestone during LNAA’s 30th anniversary year, was made possible because of the support of people living and working in the communities of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.”
LNAA’s team of specialist paramedics, doctors and pilots have already responded to almost 1,500 life-saving missions this year.
October proved to be extremely busy and the crews were called out to 141 incidents of which 58 of these were undertaken during the hours of darkness.
With the aid of night vision goggles (NVGs) the crew are able to fly at night to reach patients involved in the most serious of incidents until 2am every day.
LINCS & NOTTS Air Ambulance photo shoot G-LNCC
Each pair of NVGs cost £14,000 and it is thanks to the generosity of people living and working in the communities of Lincs & Notts that we can equip the crew with this state-of-the art equipment allowing them to provide pre-hospital emergency care to those in need whilst everyone is asleep.
Karen added: “We need £13 million this year to provide this 24/7 service, every day of the year. We receive no direct Government funding, and have only come this far, thanks to everyone who continues to support us, giving our patients the best chance of survival and recovery.”
South Kesteven Districtt Council has promised to underwrite the future of its services to residents with the commissioning of a £10m depot on Turnpike Close to replace the current one on Alexandra Road.
The new depot, being built by the Lindum Group, will be operational late next year or early the year after, at which point the old deport, built in the 197s, will close.
The new premises will be home to more than 250 staff operating a range of services including bin collection, street cleaning, and maintenance of parks, housing repairs, and the vehicle fleet.
Cllr Richard Cleaver said the new site would allow service provision to expand to meet the needs of a growing population. “This is a significant capital investment that demonstrates SKDC’s commitment to future-proofing services for our residents.
“The current depot at Alexandra Road, Grantham, was built in the 1970s and is now at the end of its operational life. It is no longer fit-for-purpose, does not allow for service expansion and does not support the Council’s current and future operational needs.
“There are also issues with site access as it is in the heart of a residential area, health and safety concerns with respect to movement of vehicles and poor welfare standards for staff.”
Lindum Group Co-chairman Edward Chambers said: “We share SKDC’s vision of creating facilities that foster operational efficiency and sustainability while being future proof.
“Our in-house team of architects and engineers have helped to make the scheme viable. They worked with the council for four months to help align the project specification to the council’s budget and performance requirements.
“I look forward to seeing this building progress over the coming months and once complete, it will ensure SKDC can continue to meet the needs of a growing population by providing vital services from a modern, purpose-built facility.”
The impact local foster carers have on supporting children in North East Lincolnshire was celebrated this week at a brunch for local businesses.
The event, at Grimsby Town Football Club’s Blundell Park ground, brought together some of the 100-foster friendly businesses, schools and ambassadors for the first time.
Opened with remarks from Director of Children’s Services at North East Lincolnshire Council, Ann-Marie Matson, the brunch showcased the voices of some of the children that have been brought up in the care of local foster families.
The event also saw the premiere of a new foster carer recruitment advert that was directed by Jack Spring (Three Day Millionaire) and voiced by Tommy Turgoose (This is England).
Later, the room hit an emotional note when hearing the account of one foster carer and her journey from nursing to fostering children.
Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children and education, said that the overarching theme of the event was about exploring how the community can support foster carers.
“We’ve heard some incredibly emotional accounts about the lengths our wonderful foster carers go to, supporting children that have often been through significant trauma.
“Our foster carers have an incredible impact on the lives of our children in care, so it’s important that, as a community, we look for ways to support them.
“There are lots of things that businesses can do to support our foster carers, from offering additional annual leave to employees that foster, to making products and services available at a discount for our carers and their children.
“If any businesses would like to find out more about becoming a foster-friendly business, please get in touch.”
Please don’t disturb any seals on Cleethorpes beach over the next few weeks, says North Ace Lincolnshire Council.
Not all seals are stranded, it says. Many are simply resting, and disturbing them can be dangerous and sometimes even fatal to them.
Seal sightings are common at this time of year as the winter pups begin to move further from their breeding ground at Donna Nook and come to rest in Cleethorpes. The area between Cleethorpes Leisure Centre and Donna Nook is part of The Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve, which is a special landscape that is recognised as a wildlife haven of international importance.
The newly-independent seals can happily swim up to 60 miles a day, which can take them as far as the Netherlands. If resting seals are disturbed, they can become distressed, which can damage their health and use up vital energy they need to get home. Seals are also wild animals and they can carry diseases and cause injury to people if they feel under threat. They do have a nasty bite.
As a Humber Special Area of Conservation species, seals remain protected. They only come onto land to breed, rest and digest their food. Flushing them back into the water reduces their ability to gain energy from their food and uses up energy to return to the sea.
Repeated disturbance can seriously affect a seal’s energy, and a seal on the beach may have many encounters with several people over one day. When seals are flushed into the sea, they may be injured from stampeding, gashing their bellies on rocks, tearing skin on sand or ripping out claws.
Cllr Henry Hudson, NELC Portfolio Holder for Environment, said: “While the young seals are still finding their way around, we are more likely to encounter them on our beach, which is their natural habitat.
“They need to be left alone to rest after a hard day’s swimming and fishing until they’re ready to return home by themselves. They can be dangerous if they feel threatened and members of the public should keep away and please keep their dogs on leads.”
NELC ecologists are asking members of the public to follow this advice if they encounter a seal on our beaches:
If you spot a seal on the beach, keep your distance
Keep or put your dog on a lead
Don’t usher them into the water, they’ve hauled out because they need a rest from swimming
If you see one in distress or ill, report to the Resort Team and Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue.
If you see a seal in distress, the best thing to do is call the Resort Safety Team on 01472 323356. Keep a watch from a safe distance and try to keep other people and dogs away until assistance arrives.
Picture: 2024 Winner: Long Tongued Bat Approaching Banana Leaf by Marilyn Taylor
UK independent retail group London Camera Exchange (LCE) is inviting entries for LCE Photographer of the Year 2025, following the success of the inaugural 2024 contest, which attracted more than 13,000 entries.
This year’s competition incorporates 14 dierent categories and is open to photographers of all levels of experience*. New for 2025 is the ‘Emerging Talent’ category for students currently studying photography, with a prize for both the student and the university or college, helping to support the development of future photographers. As last year, the popular ‘People’s Choice’ category will be open to public voting.
Entries can be submitted online at https://poty.lcegroup.co.uk/ or in person at any of LCE’s 26 stores across the UK. The entry deadline is midnight on 21 January 2025, with early entries having a better chance of winning the publicly-voted category.
The competition has been made possible with the generous support of leading photo industry brands including headline sponsors Canon, Nikon and Sony, plus partners Fujifilm and OM System.
Winners receive a share of the £10,000 prize fund and impressive trophy, with the overall competition winner presented with a total of £3,000 in LCE vouchers. The awards ceremony will take place at The Photography & Video Show in March 2025 at ExCel, London. Final shortlisted images will be displayed at an exhibition at the show and be featured in a special commemorative book.
Judges include respected photographers and editors including SheClicks founder and journalist Angela Nicholson, Chris George, content director at Future Publishing, and street photographer Peter Dench.
Lee Harasyn, managing director of LCE, commented, “Last year’s competition was immensely popular, attracting large quantities of high-quality entries across every category and genre. We’re thrilled to announce it is now open for submissions for the second year, and proud to provide this platform for photographers to showcase their talents and gain visibility. With the addition of the ‘Emerging Talent’ category we are
pleased to help showcase the creativity and vision of up-and-coming photographers, providing them with an opportunity to present their work and find a route into the industry early in their careers. We can’t wait to see the entries and look forward to discovering some exceptional photographers.”
The LCE competition is open to photographers aged 18 and over. Entries will be accepted from photographers worldwide, however, prizes will only be awarded to UK residents. Full terms and conditions, rules and FAQs can be found at https://poty.lcegroup.co.uk/
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LCE is the UK’s largest chain of independent photographic stores. A trusted brand, the retailer offers a wide selection of products and services for beginner, enthusiast and professional photographers, as well as filmmakers and creators, and has been recognised for its outstanding customer service and support across the photographic media for many years.
North East Lincolnshire Council employee Lenny Would has decided to retire after nearly six decades maintaining all manner of vehicles for the council and its predecessors.
Lenny, now 72, started as an apprentice for Grimsby Borough Council in 1968 when he was just 16. Fixing anything from bin lorries to lawnmowers, he spent time honing his skills before moving to the former depot on Weelsby Avenue in 1971.
Over 20 years later, he moved to the current depot at Doughty Road to continue his role as a motor fitter, working on and repairing the Council’s fleet of lawnmowers.
During his time working in the garage, he devoted most of his efforts to the lawnmowers used to cut grass in the borough’s parks and open spaces as well as the grass verges. It’s calculated that Lenny would have sharpened around two million lawnmower blades in his time at the Council.
He said: “When I started out as an apprentice, I was working on all sorts. One day it’d be a wagon and the next a bin cart.
“When I started it was only meant to be for six months, but my boss at the time asked me to stay and now I’ve done over half a century here.
“In all those years, the thing I’ve enjoyed the most though is how friendly the other staff are and the banter we used to have with one another. “
For Lenny, the key to him staying so long was the satisfaction he got for fixing the machines. “I loved working on the mowers and it was something I was good at too. Once you got into it you could just keep going.
“Granted, there were some times when the job could be quite difficult, but I always enjoyed the challenge of getting the lawnmower working again.”
Reflecting on the past 56 years, it’s the people Lenny will miss the most. “Some people I’ve seen through their whole career. Take Danny Mills for example, I knew him when he was an apprentice and now I’m finishing with him as my boss.
“I’m so thankful for everything they’ve done for me and for how friendly everyone has been to me during my time here.”
Looking ahead to retirement, Lenny is hoping to spend more time relaxing. “I’m looking forward to not having to get up so early and being able to take time for myself after all these years. I’ll also be visiting my allotment plot more often.”
However, even after all that time, Lenny isn’t completely giving up on repairing lawnmowers. “I’ll still be fixing the odd mower for friends and family and cutting my neighbour’s grass when I can.”
Thanking Lenny for his dedication to the Council, Rob Walsh Chief Executive, said: “’I just want to say a huge thank you to Lenny on behalf of everyone associated with the Council. 56 years of service is simply immense. He enters retirement with our very best wishes and sincere gratitude; I can only imagine that he has many a story to tell!”
The team at Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance are saying a huge thank you to David Grimwood and his family for raising a fantastic £3,000 from their Winkfest event.
Held in The Swan pub at Moulton, Lincolnshire, the fundraiser featured raffles, auctions, tombola amongst other events. First held in 2005, Winkfest has, 19 years later, turned into an annual fundraiser for LNAA’s life-saving work.
David said: “Our event started as a surprise 80th birthday party for my our late mother. My nieces took her out for lunch while we got things ready and friends and family arrived. What a shock then, when she arrived at the house and announced that she was only 79!
We still went ahead with the party and mum decided we should raffle the presents that guests had brought and give the £80 raised to LNAA. We enjoyed the day so much we decided to do it again and call it Winkfest as my nickname is Wink!
When mum passed away in 2020, Winkfest carried on growing in popularity each year. We outgrew our garden and when the lady of The Swan suggested we hold the event in the beer garden we gladly took up her offer. This year was a great success with a local band providing the entertainment and almost 400 people attending. Winkfest is definitely here to stay and we are already planning for next year.”
LNAA Community fundraiser, Jac Sutherland said: “We are extremely grateful for this fantastic donation. It is thanks to the generosity and goodwill of supporters who create fundraisers like Winkfest, that the crew can provide critical care to patients at scene, giving those with the most severe injuries and medical conditions the very best chance of survival when minutes matter.”
It is thought that Winkfest has raised over £20,000 in total, that is equivalent to five life-saving missions.
Lincolnshire County Council is in a race against time to restore a road in the centre of Mablethorpe after badgers have tunnelled under it.
The badgers have dug under Seaholme Road in the town, and repairs must be finished before the end of November, after which it’s illegal to dig around badger setts. That would mean leaving the work until next July, with the road closed in the meantime.
Badgers are a protected species, all works on their setts have to be done between July and the end of November due to the badgers’ mating season. What’s more, a start in the work has been delayed whilst Natural England granted a licence, insisting that the road had to be closed during the work to keep the badgers safe.
Cllr Richard Davies said it was extremely frustrating that the council had not been given this licence until now, and the holdup meant that delays were inevitable for drivers.
Three thousand pensioners that will miss out on the winter fuel payment this year will be given a £200 boost by North Lincolnshire Council.
The council has looked at how it could help the pensioners most in need following the Government’s decision to scrap the winter fuel payment for the vast majority of pensioners. Further investment is also being provided to pensioners through an air fryer and slow cooker programme that will be available to all residents of pension age.
The money will be given to pensioners who do not qualify for pensioners tax credit but do receive council tax support. There is no need to apply – letters will be sent direct to those eligible that they can exchange for the £200 at any post office.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We have looked at how best to support the most vulnerable pensioners following the Government’s cruel decision to scrap the winter fuel payments for most pensioners.
“With some pensioners having to decide whether to eat or heat we had to act and are investing £600,000 to help those most in need. In addition, our investment in helping older people with air fryers and slow cookers will help ensure our residents will be able to limit their energy usage whilst also supporting healthy eating.
“The money will be in people’s pockets before Christmas, going some way to help older people who may be struggling with high bills this winter.
“This is on top of the other support the council provides to pensioners – such as an energy switching service, open access libraries which serve as warm locations, leisure packages, a free bus pass and free car parking.”
Supertmarket Aldi is calling on charities, community groups and food banks in Lincolnshire to register to receive surplus food donations from its stores this Christmas.
In partnership with community giving platform Neighbourly, the supermarket’s Lincolnshire stores donate surplus food year-round. But with all stores set to close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, the festive season provides an opportunity for even more charities to benefit from the partnership.
Charities will be paired with local Aldi stores this Christmas and will be able to collect fresh and chilled food products nearing the end of their shelf life.
Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “We know that the services provided by our incredible charity partners are needed now more than ever. That’s why we are dedicated to providing as much support as possible for the communities we serve this Christmas.”
Steve Butterworth, Chief Executive Officer at Neighbourly, added: “Christmas can be a challenging time for some families, and we expect many will depend on the services of local charities this year.
“We’re sure there are lots more groups out there that could use the extra help that businesses like Aldi provide, so we encourage them to sign up.”
Any groups interested in collecting unsold food at Christmas that are not currently working with Neighbourly can get in touch with them at aldi@neighbourly.com by Friday 8th November.
Housebuilder Honey has submitted plans and exchanged contracts on a 12.3-acre site in Witham St Hughs, Lincolnshire, to deliver a £45m, 170-home development.
The proposed site, which will be called Nova, is located off Warren Lane and is a short drive from the A46.
Subject to planning, the development will comprise a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes and feature 17 of Honey’s different house types. Of the 170 homes, 28 have been allocated as affordable housing.
The proposed site in Witham St Hughs will form part of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan which looks to ensure that all new homes are well-designed and in appropriate locations to benefit the needs of the community.
If given the go ahead by North Kesteven District Council, work at the development is anticipated to start in early 2025 with the first residents expected to move in by the end of next year.
Since being launched in October 2022, Honey has secured 19 sites across Yorkshire and the East Midlands that will deliver 2,349 homes and a combined gross development value of £665m.
The housebuilder is backed by private equity firm Alchemy Partners and its Alchemy Special Opportunities Fund IV which has £937m of fully committed capital.
Honey Chief Executive Officer, Mark Mitchell, said: “Our thorough market research identified Witham St Hughs as a popular residential location for us to build in and expand our development footprint in the East Midlands.
“We are seeing strong demand for high-specification homes from prospective buyers living in and looking to move to the local area. Our thoughtfully designed homes, which combine style, substance and sustainability will satisfy this.
“Now that we have exchanged contracts and submitted plans for our Nova development, we look forward to North Kesteven District Council considering our proposal.”
Work being done to review the Heritage and Culture offer in the district has been a topic of discussion this week. At Monday’s Newark and Sherwood District Council Policy and Performance Improvement Committee, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts, Councillor Rowan Cozens, presented a summary of activity, both undertaken and planned, to offer more arts engagement for local residents.
Comments in the 2022 Resident Survey called for more arts and culture events and activities, and, over the past year, the District Council has worked with local partners on a number of relevant projects.
The Council has continued to work with other members of Newark Cultural Consortium to deliver and promote Newark Creates events including the very popular Wild In Art BookBenches around Newark, the daisy themed installation over Newark Market Place and the fantastic Festival of Creativity.
An agreement has also been made with Newark Town Council to provide curatorial support for the Town Hall museum and to work towards better alignment with the National Civil War Centre – Newark Museum.
Many of the events not only fulfil the desire for more arts activities but also align with other objectives from the Council’s Community Plan. For example, in support of the Motion for the Ocean, artists have been commissioned to develop initiatives in Clipstone and Ollerton and to work with local schoolchildren to produce the summer surfboards and beach hut exhibition in Newark’s Buttermarket while community art projects in Balderton have also shared this theme.
Various graffiti art projects have also promoted the Council’s values around green initiatives.
Councillor Cozens said: “It has been such a positive year in Heritage and Culture with a fantastic amount of activity taking place and an amazing number of residents engaging with the arts.
“Heritage, culture and the arts are hugely important for so many reasons, from bringing people together to supporting mental health and highlighting how wonderful our community is.
“Because of these benefits and their value, there is always more that we can do and there are so many exciting projects in the pipeline. These include, after around 40 years of false starts, the first credible and costed plan to site the Kiddey Sculptures which could mark the start of a new art trail across the town taking in a dozen businesses.
“We are also looking forward to building work starting early next year for the Castle Gatehouse project for which we have secured £1.2 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and a further £3.3 million from the Towns Fund.
“£80,000 has also been approved though the budget process to deliver plans aimed at increasing access to music in Newark and Sherwood which are being informed by feedback from local musicians and music providers.”
Last year, Arts Council England awarded the Heritage and Culture provision at the Council ‘National Portfolio Organisation’ status and, through this, an array of ‘Open Doors’ activity has been delivered across the district including music works in Ollerton for people with care and support needs; arts awards for home-educated children in the Millgate area of Newark; music and movement sessions for children and their parents in Rainworth; community led touring exhibitions in Bilsthorpe themed around mining; and work with the visually impaired to develop arts projects with Newark’s train stations.
Recent work through the NPO has enabled items from the Council’s collection of 95,000 objects, many of which have local or national significance, to be taken out into the community across the district as part of the ‘Our Heritage’ project.
The NPO has also funded a series of Artists in Residence at the National Civil War Centre who have had the opportunity to display objects from the reserve collection in their gallery to inspire their work.
The Centre itself has recently been awarded the national Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award for Best Small Museum, recognising the fantastic range of events for all ages which take place there from a Mini Museum toddler group on Thursday mornings to monthly Family Saturday events and Hidden History Walking Tours of the town, all resulting in admissions being 25% ahead of target for the first quarter of 2024.
The Learning and Participation Team at the Centre have also been honoured with the prestigious Sandford Award for their nationally acclaimed schools programme.
The neighbouring Palace Theatre Newark has also had a successful year, having just hosted the national Bill Kenwright Ltd. tour of Blood Brothers to sold-out crowds. Their varied and thriving programme of shows, from drama to ballet, comedy, music, and community dance and theatre, culminates in the annual pantomime.
In 2023, this achieved record sales and this year’s Aladdin sales are currently a full house ahead of where they were last year. General theatre admissions were also up 55% for the first quarter of the year from the same period in 2023.
The Council’s Arts Development Team have also been working with the community and arts partners to deliver activities including the Live and Local Village Ventures programme, a live arts programme which takes place in rural communities each year, while the artistic talents of residents have recently been recognised with a photography competition celebrating the district.
Rutland Hall Hotel, in partnership with Vision Live Events, is excited to be bringing a larger-than-life West End experience to the UK’s smallest county of Rutland.
On Saturday, 30th November, a troupe of experienced performers will be singing, dancing and entertaining an audience of over 350 in the Pavilion Venue at Rutland Hall.
In addition to a welcome drink and two course meal, attendees will be treated to a live and immersive performance.
“This supercharged event will blend West End musical flair with festive singalongs. Alongside timeless hits from Jersey Boys, there will be plenty of seasonal songs, a dedicated dance troupe, plus the ever-popular acrobatic Lex and his LED wheel.
“The Jersey Quartet Christmas Experience is a first for Rutland and is going to give us all a fabulous night to remember,” explains Kate Cadman, Marketing Manager, Rutland Hall Hotel.
Following the live performances, guests will be encouraged to dance the night away, making it a perfect event for families (with older children), friends, and corporate get togethers.
“There are still tickets available, but these are selling fast, so make sure you book soon to avoid disappointment,” adds Kate.
Ticketing & Event Details:
Date: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Location: The Pavilion, Rutland Hall Hotel
Ticket Price: £65 per person, including dinner, a welcome cocktail and live show
In 2019, Newark and Sherwood District Council declared a Climate Emergency, setting a target to reduce the impact of climate change and achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. Monday’s Policy and Performance Improvement Committee was an opportunity for District Councillors to look at the progress that has been made towards this goal.
The District Council’s carbon footprint for 2023/24 was 3,141 tonnes and the Council is working on reducing this through many activities and behaviour changes, including switching to greener utility providers and exploring alternative fuels like HVO for environmental services vehicles, which account for nearly a third of these emissions.
In the past year alone, the Council has installed solar panels at Dukeries Leisure Centre, Vicar Water Country Park and Sconce and Devon Park as well as planting over 4500 trees across the district.
Solar PV projects are also a major part of the District Council’s strategy to cut carbon emissions. The District Council has installed solar panels at multiple sites, saving money and reducing its carbon footprint.
Projected savings over the next 12 months indicate that, across Newark Sports and Fitness Centre, Vicar Water Country Park, Dukeries Leisure Centre, Sconce and Devon Park, and The Beacon, carbon will be reduced by 74 tonnes and over £42,000 will be saved.
A Decarbonisation Plan for Council buildings has been created in partnership with Newark firm BE Design. This plan outlines energy efficiency measures and carbon reduction strategies for sites including Blidworth Leisure Centre, Brunel Drive Depot, Castle House, Dukeries Leisure Centre, Newark Beacon, the Palace Theatre Newark and National Civil War Centre, Sconce and Devon Park and Vicar Water Country Park.
In the past few years, The Carbon Trust has updated its stance on tree planting and now considers this a valid method for accounting for carbon savings. The District Council has been successful with tree planting schemes and plans to do more to offset carbon emissions in this way.
Since 2019, over 19,000 trees have been planted or given away, and the Council is always looking for more opportunities to increase this number. This year, even more trees will be planted once planting season begins, including new trees on Clay Lane and Sherwood Avenue Park as part of its regeneration.
The Green Rewards App was launched in the district in 2022, helping the community to make positive changes by logging carbon-reducing activities. With 608 residents signed up (a 5.2% increase since April 2024), 73 tonnes of carbon emissions have been avoided so far. Residents have also been aided in lowering their carbon emissions with the rollout of kerbside glass recycling, reducing multiple visits to and from recycling sites.
£93,000 has recently been awarded to the Sherwood Forest Trust from the District Council’s UKSPF allocation to support a community tree nursery. Their goal is to plant 10,000 trees in the next 3 years and, so far, they’ve recruited 680 volunteers for planting and seed collection, gathered 40,000 seeds, planted 2,000 trees, and have 4,600 trees maturing on site, ready for planting.
Councillor Emma Oldham, Portfolio Holder for Climate and the Environment, said: “These are just some of the exciting initiatives the District Council is undertaking to help achieve our net zero targets by 2035.
“This is an extremely important cause to me personally and we must act with urgency. The enthusiasm of our officers in pursuing this goal and thinking creatively about ways in which to do so is really heartening.
“I recognise that setting an example for our residents is vital and we’re always looking for solutions to help residents reduce their carbon footprint, making it as easy for them as possible.
“Together, our actions are securing cleaner air for residents and better protecting tenants’ homes and residents’ services against volatile energy prices. We’ve also got some exciting climate action plans up our sleeve and can’t wait to share our growing ambitions with you all soon.”
Money raised by a former chairman of South Kesteven District Council will be used to help men improve their mental health.
Cllr Gloria Johnson has presented a cheque for £888 to the Place2Bee Mens group which is run by South Lincolnshire Blind Society at their BHive.Community hub in Finkin Street, Grantham. The money was raised during her 2023-24 year in office.
Place2Bee offers a safe space for men to meet in a non-clinical environment where they can take part in activities as well as talk to trained volunteers about any issues they may have. It is open on Mondays from 6pm-9pm and Thursdays from 5.30pm-8.30pm.
Cllr Johnson said she particularly wanted to support the group because of its work with former members of the Armed Forces.
“My late husband served in the RAF for 23 years so it is a cause that is close to my heart,” she said.
The money was presented to Susan Swinburn, chief executive of the South Lincolnshire Blind Society where the BHive is based.
“Place2Bee gives men the time and space they need to relax and help each other,” she said. “On some evenings up to 50 men can attend, quite a few of whom are ex-forces and this very kind donation will help us to continue providing the help they need.
“We are very grateful to Gloria for highlighting the issue and how important it is to provide support for men’s mental health in our community, this donation will help us to continue to provide that safe space just for men in a non-clinical environment in the heart of our town.”
Picture shows Cllr Gloria Johnson (left) with Susan Swinburn. Image credit: South Kesteven District Council
Lincolnshire Co-op has taken a radical step in its search for about 30 new stores by offering a £5,000 finder’s fee to anyone who can identify a suitable location.
It has pledged to pay the money when stores are opened on the identified sites as it seeks to expand its food business by about a third.
Following a £1.8m investment, Laceby Food Store near Grimsby opened in late June, and Scartho Food Store, also near Grimsby, opens this week.
As well as building new stores, the Co-op is open to renovating existing buildings, taking on freehold and leasehold sites, and business acquisitions.
The retailer has expressed interest in sites within Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, and North Norfolk.
Steve Leach, Lincolnshire Co-op’s COO, said: “We have an ambition to be the UK’s fastest growing co-operative, and we’re keen to deliver even more valued services.
“We’re driven by our purpose, which is to make life better in our communities. Having a presence in more communities means we’re able to make even more of an impact.”
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