Final arrangements are being made ahead of works to make Sleaford Market Place an improved space to hold markets, events and public activities. Ahead of the scheme, details on the work schedule are being shared with stakeholders and nearby businesses. Advance signage will also be installed to forewarn of the closure of the Market Place as a car park from July 19, followed by further signs to say that the businesses around the Market Place are open as usual, to give information on alternative car parks and direct people to the temporary location of the market and Farmer’s Market at Eastgate Car Park. Some final onsite checks will then take place before the groundworks begin at the end of July, running through to an expected completion in mid-December. The project will see the Market Place repaved with sandstone setts to lighten up the space and better reflect the surrounding buildings and features. Two raised planters will provide greenery and shade, along with three hardwood benches within the design of the planters and a further seven hardwood benches around its perimeter. The war memorial will benefit from up-lighting and the bollards which protect it will be retained, while resin-bound gravel will highlight the area around it. The old hut will be removed, with the parking attendants who used it relocating to the North Kesteven District Council offices. New lighting under the trees and an information board will also be installed, plus five new cycle hoops. Time-limited Blue Badge Holder parking will be available on the Market Place three days a week when it reopens, in addition to arranged access for church events and services in agreement with the church wardens. Market traders will also benefit from an enhanced environment that, being free of moving vehicles on market days, will give customers more confidence in moving around it safely. It also allows more space for additional potential stallholders, along with better visibility for those existing traders. Operation of the market continues to sit with Sleaford Town Council, who will be able to provide and promote a market that meets the aspirations of residents. North Kesteven District Council Chief Executive Ian Fytche said: “We’re committed to ensuring that the scheme supports the continued success of the town centre; by enhancing the Market Place as a space where people can freely move through its historic setting and shop without the current conflict between pedestrians and lots of moving cars, where the markets can trade more visibly as a key feature of Sleaford, and where community events can take place more readily and in enhanced surroundings. “In readiness for the works to start, we are sharing more information on its phasing with individual stakeholders including the ways we’re working together with our contractor to keep disruption to a minimum. This includes maintaining pedestrian access to shops and businesses as much as possible throughout the works, and ensuring access is maintained to St Denys’ Church.” Civil engineering and construction company Smith Construction is appointed as the contractor to carry out the works. It is a local business founded in 1979 as a family building firm and headquartered in Heckington, and prides itself on its high standard of work. Much of its staff are also local to the area. Hoarding will be put up facing Eastgate and around the main rectangle of Market Place, with pedestrian access to the surrounding shops, businesses and St Denys’ Church kept via the footpaths which will be left accessible. It is hoped there could be an event for young people whereby the hoarding is decorated. The exception to this is limited periods where work needs to take place directly outside a premises. These works are planned where possible around their opening times and they also won’t take long to complete, for the most part limiting access for only a day or so during those closed hours. To limit noise or other impact during the Remembrance weekend, no works will take place during any events on 10 and 11 November. The al fresco seating next to Sessions House will need to be packed away while repaving takes place there from early August until mid-September. It’s hoped the hoarding there can then be removed, while the bulk of the works continue in the main rectangle of the Market Place. The temporary relocation of the market to Eastgate Car Park is for the duration of the works only. While the Market Place is owned by the District Council, the market itself is operated by the Town Council under a licence agreement, which is subject to ongoing renewal discussions. Mr Fytche added: “The temporary relocation of the market is a necessary step during the works, and ultimately we hope that everyone will continue to show their support by visiting it in its temporary location there. Mindful of the historic integrity of the market to Sleaford, we continue working with the Town Council to ensure its ongoing success and hoped-for growth, where we anticipate it being more visible and vibrant in the refreshed Market Place.” The project is being delivered using the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.   Image courtesy of North Kesteven District Council

Two creative advertising alumni of the University of Lincoln have created a powerful national campaign for British Heart Foundation (BHF), to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death in young people. Sudden cardiac death is referred to as a “silent killer,” often going undiagnosed until too late as there are generally no prior symptoms or warning signs. The poignant campaign, “England ‘til I died,” cleverly plays upon the popular football chant, bringing it a new and emotive meaning, underlining the importance of scientific study and fundraising needed to better understand this illness. Launched to coincide with the start of the UEFA EURO 2024, it tells the real-life stories of 12 young England fans who passed away suddenly after experiencing cardiac arrest. The 12 were honoured in commemorative murals painted onto walls in their respective hometowns to bring awareness to the alarming statistics that every single week in the UK, 12 young lives are tragically lost to sudden cardiac death. Pete Ioulianou and Ollie Agius, both University of Lincoln graduates and Senior Creatives at multinational ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi, fulfilled a brief which supports BHF’s aims to raise awareness across the UK that cardiac death also impacts young people, and fund research into finding a cure. Speaking about their work, Pete and Ollie said: “It’s been a privilege and an honour to work on this campaign using the same skills we learnt on the Creative Advertising course at the University of Lincoln all those years ago. Seeing our idea out in the real world and having such a positive impact for a truly important cause has been very special. “We were briefed to change the perceptions of heart disease and to increase the sense of urgency around the cause. People tend to think it only affects the elderly, the overweight, the unfit. But the truth is, it can strike anyone, anywhere, any age, any time. “The football chant ‘England ‘till I die’ was the key. Once we changed it to ‘died’, we knew we had something and that the Euros would therefore be the perfect time to launch, hopefully leading to more awareness.” Damion Mower, Director of Brand at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Our new campaign is a powerful reminder of the impact of sudden cardiac death. Behind every mural is a family who have lost a loved one too soon, and our teams at the BHF have worked closely and sensitively with them to ensure their relatives are remembered in a touching way. “We thank our creative partners at Saatchi for their sensitivity and care in portraying the stories through the campaign creatives. We are truly thankful to the families who have agreed to remember their loved ones to help us urgently raise awareness and funds towards research into heart and circulatory diseases.”   Image credit: Electric Egg Ltd. – stock.adobe.com

When a schoolboy was crushed by a lorry frame, the swift actions of his sister helped save the day. One sunny afternoon last July, ten-year-old Reuben was playing with his sister in a shed near his home when a lorry frame fell on him, crushing his leg. Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) was immediately called and arrived at their rural homestead at Wigtoft, Lincolnshire, within minutes. The doctor/paramedic team quickly identified Reuben had suffered a significant fracture to his lower leg and were concerned for the blood flow to his foot. Paramedic Matt said: “We could see he was in obvious discomfort and so we decided to sedate Reuben before splinting his leg and realigning the fractures.” Due to the complexities of his injuries and given the distance the family lived from a major trauma hospital, it was decided to transport him to Nottingham’s Queen Medical Centre in the helicopter, a journey that took fifteen minutes rather than one hour and fifteen minutes by road ambulance. Mum Suzanne couldn’t believe what had happened to Reuben and praises his sister, Scarlett, for raising the alarm. She said: “The framework was heavy and had done serious damage to Reuben’s leg. Somehow Scarlett was able to lift the heavy metal bars off him and drag him out from under the ironwork, before seeking help. When I arrived at the shed, I could see that he was badly injured and yet he appeared so calm. “We called 999, and luckily Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance was with us super quick! “During the flight the doctor and the paramedic were brilliant. They kept both me and my son calm and explained everything they were doing as they went along.” Over the next few days Reuben had three operations on his leg including a skin and muscle graft and he was fitted with an external fixator to keep his leg stable. A year on, Reuben has made an amazing recovery, and his leg is almost recovered. Suzanne summed up: “We really cannot thank you guys enough for the help you gave us, whilst on the floor with bones exposed my son said multiple times, ‘thank you’ to your team!”

As the school holidays approach and the summer climate hots up, Associated British Ports  are urging people not to swim in their docks and to be careful in the rivers. With the hot weather recently experienced and with the summer break coming up, ABP knows water can be an attractive place to go. In the Humber, particularly around Goole Docks and Albert Dock in Hull. In a campaign due to run throughout the summer months, Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “On a hot day, it might seem like a good idea to cool down in open water, but swimming is prohibited in our docks. “Docks are not a safe place to swim. Apart from being industrial centres, they pose a danger due to the steep walls which makes it difficult to escape. “People also do not know what may be lurking beneath the water that could be a potential hazard. If you want to swim, go to a pool, or find an open water swimming club. If however, you do find yourself in distress, then follow the advice of the RNLI.” The potential dangers of swimming in docks are:

• Deep water
• Unexpected cold-water shock
• Hazards lurking beneath the surface
• Active operational areas
• Waterborne diseases
• Tides

Ben Carpenter, Water Safety Officer at Cleethorpes RNLI said: “If you find yourself in the water unexpectedly, float to live – on your back with your arms and legs spread. You will float with your ears submerged. If you see someone in trouble in the water dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

As part of the 30^th Anniversary celebrations, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) is bringing incredible stories to the airwaves, through its new podcast that immerses listeners into the busy life at the life-saving charity. Hosted by former BBC Radio Lincolnshire presenter, Melvyn Prior, the By Your Side Podcast series takes you behind the scenes of some of LNAA’s memorable achievements over the last 30 years, sharing special moments with patients and crew, past and present. He said: “I’m really excited to be working on this new project with the team at Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance. “I love chatting with people and allowing them to tell their own stories. The sort of thing I’ve done for many years on the radio. “Whether it’s a pilot or paramedic, patient or a fundraiser, everyone has a story to tell and I’m really looking forward to discovering and sharing those stories on the ‘By Your Side’ podcast.” Tune into the first episode as Melvyn chats with Capt Llewis Ingamells who tells of his childhood dream to become an LNAA pilot and why he thinks LNAA’s iconic AW 169 helicopter is so special. Llewis takes you through those first minutes when the 999 call comes into HQ, to starting the helicopter’s computers and receiving clearance from RAF Waddington for take-off on its emergency Alpha signal and the part pilots play alongside the doctors and paramedics at the scene of incidents. Llewis said: “Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance is special to many, its life-saving team of doctors, paramedics and pilots attend some of the most critically ill and injured people in Lincs & Notts on a daily basis. Our 30^th year is a celebration of our life-saving work and through this new podcast series we will share behind-the-scenes stories of what it’s like working for this amazing charity.” Other highlights from the series include LNAA CEO, Karen Jobling, and Thirza Dixon, LNAA’s first fundraiser in 1994, who talk about how far the charity has come in 30 years, past patients who share their heartfelt stories, and a doctor who has a rather extreme life out of their LNAA shifts. The first episode of the podcast is available now on Spotify and LNAA’s website: https://www.ambucopter.org.uk/blogs/podcast/   Image shows Melvyn Prior and Capt Llewis Ingamells

Work started this week to refurbish the current sports court in Grant Thorold Park. The Grant Thorold ‘PlayZone’ multi-use games area (MUGA) will deliver the full refurbishment of the existing tarmacked sports area in the park, and will include basketball hoops, benches, goals, fencing and LED floodlighting. The PlayZone Programme is aimed at tackling inequalities in physical activity and access to facilities. Its aim is to focus on funding community-led spaces, with an emphasis on refurbished safe and accessible mini pitches that will allow groups to be more active. With a pitch size of approximately 30 by 20 metres, the PlayZone will have line marking for football and basketball games. The emphasis is on ‘free to use’ community access, with a booking system to ensure fairness and safety. The PlayZone will also offer the opportunity for more formal sessions to be held, where groups can book for a small fee. The current sports court will be taken out of use for the duration of the works. Site deliveries are expected in the first week, and ground works and construction thereafter. Heras fencing will be installed around the site while works are ongoing for safety reasons. Additionally, in the early weeks, the large tree that currently overhangs the court will have the canopy lifted to allow room below for the new fencing and floodlights. Checks will be done before any works are done to the tree to make sure there are no nesting birds. The planning application for this development was approved earlier this year.   Image credit: Google maps

Horse rescue charity Bransby Horses has started a 30-consultation period in which 17 roles at all levels are at threat of redundancy. CEO Jo Snell said: “Like many other charities, we’ve seen our running costs rise exponentially in recent years due to various external factors including soaring food and energy prices and increasing rates of pay in the employment market. As a result, the cost of delivering our equine welfare and estates work across our two sites, Bransby and Barlings, has risen by over 50% since 2018. “Despite the incredible generosity of our supporters, we’ve unfortunately seen the gap between our expenditure and our income widening in recent years, to the point where we are currently forecasting an unsustainable £2.5m deficit this year.” She said the organisation had begun to address this mismatch several years ago be introducing several measures aimed at lowering costs. ” However, while these measures delivered £450,000 in savings over an 18-month period, it became clear that more action was needed to address the ever-widening gap. Consequently, we launched a comprehensive review of our operations in November 2023. “As a result, we’ve sadly identified 17 roles at all levels within the organisation, including our senior leadership, equine welfare and support service teams, that are at risk of potential redundancy.” She said the organisation was devastated that rising costs had led to this position, and was committed to doing everything it could to support everyone affected through this difficult process. She added: “While the new operating model will significantly reduce the £2.5m deficit, it will not eliminate it. As a second phase of this project, we’re reviewing all charity assets and facilities with our new structure in mind to identify any further cost reduction or income generation opportunities. This stage of the process is already under way, and we anticipate it will be completed by the end of this year.” The award-winning Visitor Centre in Bransby will remain open as usual (five days per week, including the Café, from Wednesday through to Sunday), providing the opportunity to learn about equine welfare and meet some of the hundreds of horses, donkeys, ponies and mules currently homed at the site.

A thrilling, freefalling thank you has been given to Shelley, Niki, Louise and Linda who took part in Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) Sky Dive Day earlier in the month and raised an incredible £3,477. On 6 June, the four super supporters pushed themselves out of their comfort zone and took to the skies for an unforgettable tandem skydive. Flying through the clouds at 120mph they had a truly magical experience, with an incredible birds-eye view of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire as they descended. Shelley, from Lincoln, said: “The air ambulance crews have helped a few people I know out of some sticky spots over the years and in a large rural county like ours it’s an invaluable service that I have long supported when I can. “The team at Skydive Langar made it an unforgettable day and I’m proud to have contributed to such a worthy cause. I would highly recommend this incredible experience to anyone looking to make a difference while having the time of their life!” The next LNAA Skydive Day, delivered in partnership with Skyline Events, takes place on 6 October at Nottingham Airfield, Nottinghamshire. For more details email events@ambucopter.org.uk

Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has finished delivering the first stage of works as part of a masterplan to reinvigorate the historic Tower Gardens in Skegness. On behalf of Skegness Town Council, who are developing the site with Heritage Lincolnshire through SCAPE’s Regional Construction Framework, G F Tomlinson worked alongside Influence Planning and Design and Gleeds to complete the £590k initial phase. The completion of the project was marked with a ‘ribbon cutting’ ceremony earlier this month, with Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Jimmy Brookes, Town Clerk, Steve Larner and G F Tomlinson’s Framework Manager for SCAPE, Craig Stopper, in attendance, along with local councillors and representatives from Heritage Lincolnshire, Influence and Gleeds. The first stage of the Tower Gardens Masterplan formed part of the Towns Fund Grant Scheme and was safely delivered whilst the park remained open to the public, ensuring availability for continued use of the amenities with minimal disruption. Landmark works included the refurbishment of the pond and its perimeter railings as well as the reinstatement of the pond pump, together with enhancements to overall accessibility through the re-levelling of the land and re-routing of footpaths. A specialised sensory area was created around the bandstand of the historic site for the local community to enjoy, where planting by the project team and members of the local community was undertaken as part of a community planting day held in March. The enhancement works will ensure that Tower Gardens continues to provide a valuable and accessible central space for Skegness residents to enjoy, bringing people together for community events and outdoor activities. In support of the local community, G F Tomlinson sourced 58% of its labour for the scheme from within a 40-mile radius of the site, providing local job opportunities for the region. Alongside this over 99% of construction waste for the project was diverted from landfill, reducing the environmental impact on the community. G F Tomlinson has a long-standing relationship with Skegness Town Council having previously delivered the Tower Gardens Pavilion back in 2020. Adrian Grocock, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “It has been a pleasure to be working alongside our long-term client, Skegness Town Council, once again to bring the first phase of the vision for the Tower Gardens landscape renovations to life, reinvigorating a historical central landmark so that residents can continue to enjoy it for years to come. “The scheme fully compliments our earlier project on the Tower Gardens Pavilion. The team and all suppliers have worked exceptionally well together to overcome operational and design challenges in a fully collaborative environment, delivering enhancement works that will benefit the town for many years to come.” Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “The Tower Gardens in Skegness is an excellent example of how utilising green spaces can enrich communities, bringing together local residents who enjoy the outdoor and natural environments. We are immensely proud to be working in close partnership with G F Tomlinson on such a positive project which is providing a place residents can be proud of, whilst leaving a lasting historical legacy.” Steve Larner, Town Clerk of Skegness Town Council, said: “It is wonderful to see everyone enjoying Tower Gardens now that the first phase of works are complete. This scheme has delivered improvements around the bandstand and central area of Tower Gardens. “The pond has been restored to its former glory and the sensory play has been a big hit.   We have received many positive comments from both residents and visitors alike. A big thank you goes out to everyone involved in the first phase of this project.” Shona Hatton, director at Influence Landscape Planning & Design, said: “The conservation and enhancement of this Grade II Registered Park and garden helps reestablish Tower Gardens as one of Skegness’ primary green spaces. “Influence is proud to have sensitively conserved and restored the park’s main features and introduced new elements of design that enable all the community to have a sense of pride and ownership. The work reinforces the park as a quality destination in its own right as well as a pleasant onward approach and gateway to the Grand Parade and sea front. “The physical improvements create a safe and accessible park for all, with the central features of the cascade and pond creating a vibrance and energy that had been lost, right at its heart. The gardens now have a sense of its original charm and enable people to hark back to an era when Pleasure Gardens were places for socialising and enjoyment.”

Work has officially begun on the significant regeneration project at 2-4 Market Place in Caistor. Promising to continue the reawakening of Caistor, the news came as compound construction began in the Market Place yesterday (June 19th), signalling the long-awaited start of this Lincolnshire Wolds project. Messenger – part of the BCR Group, principal contractor for the project and the team who recently undertook and completed the cutting-edge conservation work at Lincoln Medieval Bishops’ Palace, Greenwood Projects – the firm that has supported 2-4 Market Place from day one with Graham Tait Project Managing, and AnotherKind Architects, will be working hand-in-hand with the Caistor and District Community Trust (CDCT) to ensure a smooth start to this scheme of work, as the on-site compound settles into the Market Place for Phase One of the renovations. While the arrival of the compound will reduce the number of parking spaces available in the town centre, Neil Castle, Company Secretary of the Trust, explains that the impact on the local businesses and residents as well as visitors has been fully considered and mitigated by Highways as well as Caistor Town Council. “It’s understandable that concern has been raised about fewer parking spaces being available in the town centre,” said Neil. “To keep as many spaces free as possible, the compound has been thoughtfully constructed and will be decorated in collaboration with the Caistor in Bloom volunteers to feature the work of local artists. It has also been agreed that contractors will be parking off-site away from the prime parking locations.” “Highways has been involved from the initial planning stages, and is on board with the requirements needed on-site,” Neil added. “Having had considerable conversations with our primary contractor, Messenger, about the best way to manage the compound needs alongside those of local residents, businesses and visitors, Highways has performed its due diligence and, in doing so, has galvanised the Caistor Town Council into reviewing parking options locally, which can only be of further benefit for the town. “To say we’re are delighted to see work commencing to breathe life back into these buildings is an understatement. They have for too long stood neglected in our town square.” Caistor has seen a boom in business recently, both with new arrivals, as well as those resident businesses that are up-scaling and taking up vacant units, so to be able to further add to this enterprise by providing opportunities for community activities, social space and to help bring additional tourism to the town, is incredibly important to all involved in the 2-4 Market Place project. Supported with principal grants from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Architectural Heritage Fund, investment from Community Share Holders and Co-op UK, a Towns Fund grant from West Lindsey District Council, and additional support from The Pilgrim Trust, Caistor Town Council and the Lady Neville Trust, the diverse and vibrant mixed-use development scheme that has been carefully planned out with AnotherKind Architects will include the repair and conservation of the complex of historic buildings, transforming 2-4 Market Place into a space the whole community can be proud of. Having been vacant for several years and noted on the building’s ‘at risk’ register as needing immediate attention, the restored buildings, in their full glory, will create spaces for retail units, which could include a restaurant/cafe, a community space for functions, exhibitions and other community activities, self-catering holiday lets, and – in Phase Two – spaces that can be used as offices or arts-and-crafts business units, storage for local archival materials and a space for the Trust to work from. With work now underway, prioritising the completion of the market square facing shopfronts of 2, 3 and 4 Market Place, the community room above number 4, two holiday lets above numbers 2 and 3, the new core service building and the restored courtyard, the continued collaboration between the Trust and its partners will support the aim to get work completed on Phase One for Summer 2025. As work progresses, hard hat tours for shareholders, funders, schools and other interested parties will take place, showcasing the history of the buildings, their current state and how this regeneration project will benefit the area in the long term, enhancing what Caistor already has to offer both as a place to live and work as well as a place to visit.