As we get older, some people find that their central vision unfortunately deteriorates markedly, with blurriness and shadowing. These effects cause difficulties in everyday life, whether it’s watching TV, or reading – even if reading glasses are used. Some sufferers find too that it is often impossible for them to recognise faces: this can make socialising very difficult. At the back of the eye there is an area called the macula which has to be in good health for us to see clearly in the centre of our vision. That area can deteriorate with advancing age, causing the problem of poor central vision. That’s why the problem is called Age-related Macular Degeneration, or AMD. Recent scientific research has found that compounds called carotenoids have a great influence on the macula and on the brain as well. There are more than 700 carotenoids in nature. They are plant pigments found in brightly coloured fruits and in green leafly vegetables. Three carotenoids are present in the macula in the eye: Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-Zeaxanthin. Low levels increase the risk of developing AMD.

Until recently, it is has been difficult to assess whether a person’s levels of carotenoids are adequate to protect the health of their eyes. New research has come up with a simple non-invasive way of assessing carotenoid levels: the ‘LifeMeter’ measuring device is the product of years of research. It works by shining special light onto a forefinger and measuring the reflected light. The person being tested just has to put the tip of a forefinger into the reading device. After a few minutes, the test is complete.

If the person’s carotenoid levels are lower than recommended for continued eye health, food supplement tablets containing suitable carotenoids will be prescribed. Improvements in levels soon occur, and can be confirmed by further testing after about a month. Carotenoid levels are not just important for eye health: they are now thought to influence brain health, and low levels may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. On Friday, 21 June, O’Brien’s Optician in Brigg is holding a by-appointment free clinic for evaluating patients’ carotenoid levels. If you’d like to have your carotenoid levels measured, you’re invited to call 01652 653595 or 01652 649024 for your free-of-cost appointment.

Boston Borough Council have been successful in purchasing the former B&M site at the heart of the proposed Rosegarth Square development. This strategic move empowers the Council to move forward with development proposals and bring forward the vision for the area utilising £14.8 million of Levelling Up funding. The B&M store ceased operating a number of years ago and since then, the site has been earmarked for redevelopment. The area is an important part of the Council’s overall aspirations for the town centre regeneration. Leader of Boston Borough Council, Cllr Anne Dorrian, said: “Improving the town centre is one of our top priorities and we are determined to push ahead to ensure our vision becomes a reality. “Developing this large, derelict building is yet another piece in that transformation jigsaw. I am really pleased that we have been able to utilise government grant funding to purchase the former B&M site, and we have exciting ideas to ensure that the site makes a positive contribution to our town.”   Image – Boston, Lincolnshire – Stock.adobe.com/Tony

Lincolnshire couple Robert and Margaret Isdale have been honoured for their work as foster carers, having looked after more than 150 children during their fostering career.

  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Stockfotos-MG

After 9 months of work, refurbishment and regeneration, Saxilby Footbridge, which crosses the Fossdyke, has had an official opening to the public. The steel footbridge, which was gifted to the village by British Rail in 1986, has been restored by West Lindsey District Council to ensure a long life and minimise the length of time between maintenance for up to 25 years. Residents and visitors gathered together smiling, talking and reminiscing the history of the bridge. The bridge went from green to heritage black; a request of Saxilby Parish Council to coincide with the wider plans they have for the area. The refurbishment works to Saxilby Footbridge included: shot blasting, rust treatment, steel repairs, bolt replacement, re-painting with a railway grade paint system. Sally Grindrod-Smith, Director of Planning, Regeneration and Communities at West Lindsey District Council, said: “Seeing everyone come together was a pleasure and a privilege to witness. This has been a significant project for the local community and now all the refurbishment works have been completed, the waterfront looks marvellous. “We know many people have used the bridge already, but the regeneration of Saxilby Bridge means that people can continue using it for many more years to come. I’m excited to see the area develop and what the Parish Council has planned for the future.” Chair of Saxilby with Ingleby Parish Council, Cllr Elizabeth Hillman, said: “It’s great to have the footbridge back and looking in such good condition following its refurbishment. The parish council lobbied for this refurbishment for six years as part of the regeneration of Saxilby Waterfront. “It’s wonderful to see that work coming to fruition. Thank you to West Lindsey District Council for all their work on this project, their project team have been a pleasure to work with.” Heather Degand is a landscape architect from Welch Designs who helped create the masterplan for the area from community consultation. She said: “Welch Design were absolutely thrilled to produce the masterplan for the regeneration project. It’s fantastic to see the unique landscape of the Conservation Area renewed and benefitting the wonderful, enthusiastic community of Saxilby.”   Image courtesy of West Lindsey District Council

Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC) have relaunched their popular community grant schemes and begun accepting applications for 2024/2025 from local groups, organisations and charities who require support with projects that will improve Boston town centre. The BTAC Small Grant Scheme, originally introduced in 2005, and the Empowering Healthy Communities Grant Scheme, introduced in 2021, were both effective in supporting key initiatives across the town centre in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping recovery efforts and building future resilience. Combined there is nearly £27,000 of funding available, and local groups, organisations and charities can apply for up £1,000 from each scheme towards a large project or to fund it entirely. Previous successful application funding has been used for venue hire, to purchase equipment, cover insurance costs or produce publicity materials. Organisations which received funding from schemes previously include: Boston Centenary Methodist Church, Butterfly Hospice Trust – Therapy Service, Boston & South Holland Talking Newspaper, and Boxes of Hope CIC. Councillor Barrie Pierpoint, Chair of Boston Town Area Committee, said: “We’re really pleased that as a Committee we’re able to relaunch these two schemes for the new financial year, they’ve proved very popular previously and serve a great purpose to support local initiatives which improve our historic town centre. “I would encourage all local groups, organisations and charities who may be interested in receiving grant funding for an upcoming project, to please check the Boston Borough Council website and see if you might be eligible.”   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Chris Loneragan

  Image: Stock.adobe.com/Ondra

An ultra-rare Roman artefact found at Norton Disney is to go on display next month.

Discovered last summer by members of the North Disney History and Archaeology Group, it’s this hollow dodecahedron, made of copper alloy and brought to light after being buried for 1,700 years.

At 8cms tall it’s one of the largest of only 33 such artefacts found in the UK, made even rarer because it’s undamaged.

In partnership with The Lincoln Tea & Coffee Company, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance is inviting people across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire to put the kettle on and ‘Make Time for a Cuppa’ by hosting a coffee morning or a tea party in support of the charity’s life-saving work.

The service, which gets no central funding and relies entirely on donations to keep it flying, says ‘Make Time for a Cuppa’ is a great opportunity to get together for a catch up, have a brew, eat delicious cakes and biscuits, and make a life-saving difference to people in their communities.

Susie, Founder of The Lincoln Tea & Coffee Company said: “We are proud to be supporting the work of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance. After visiting their HQ, we can’t help but feel in awe of the helicopter, doctors, paramedics, and wider team. It’s so amazing to collaborate with them on their ‘Make Time for a Cuppa’ campaign and we are delighted to be gifting free coffee bags to everyone who signs up to make a ‘cuppa’ and host an event. We are overjoyed to be making a donation from our LNAA website bundles too, so here’s to making time for a cuppa.”

In the first three months of the year, LNAA has already been tasked to 404 missions and as summer approaches the team are gearing up to what they expect will be their busiest summer ever. But for the crew to bring the hospital to the patient, they need to raise over £13 million in 2024. Hosting a ‘Make Time for a Cuppa’ event and raising money means the doctors and paramedics can continue to be by the side of the most critically ill and injured patient’s when they are most in need.

LNAA’s Community Fundraising Manager Helen Watkinson said: “We are excited to be working with The Lincoln Tea and Coffee Company in this brand-new venture.”

“Their support will allow us to continue to keep our helicopter in the skies and our critical care cars on the road, providing emergency treatment to people living and working in Lincs & Notts. This partnership with The Lincoln Tea and Coffee Company will help us raise vital funds and further grow the awareness of our work.”

Just under £325,000 has been awarded to community projects and groups via a scheme which has been funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural Prosperity Fund, distributed by the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. Lincolnshire Community Foundation’s GRASSroots programme, which has previously supported several projects including Willoughby Road Allotments in Boston, Alford Corn Exchange in East Lindsey and Boxes of Hope in South Holland, has awarded the money in its latest round of decisions. This brings the total awarded since July to more than £1million to parish councils, village halls and community groups. The successful projects are: Boston Borough: Swineshead Silver Band – Improvements to the building which hosts the band, including connecting water facilities and accessible toilet facilities. Volunteer It Yourself CIC – Renovating the Local Community Centre to include improvements to the outdoor space – including raised beds – and addition of a pergola which will host outdoor events and groups. All works will be carried out by a group of at least 15 young people who are not in education, employment or training, who will all receive accredited City and Guilds qualifications. Kirton Parish Council – Renovation to the clock tower at Kirton’s town hall which requires substantial works to several areas including the guttering and roof tiles. Additionally, complete refurbishment of the double doors at the main entrance to the hall. Lincoln City Foundation (Boston) – A physical activities programme for people who are living with or recovering from cancer. East Lindsey: Desire Change CIC – Renovations to an unused building in a small paddock area into a suitable indoor space which can then be used to deliver an increased number of community health and wellbeing workshops, one to one sessions and small group opportunities. Burgh Angling Society and Community Reserve – Installation of a sheltered area attached to the main cabin which will provide a covered space for visiting groups – such as schools and the general public – and replacement picnic benches. Additionally, new pathways and biodiversity improvements to the site. Hensell Goat Rescue Care Farm Charity – Capital and accessibility improvements to enable more people with disabilities to access animal-assisted therapy. Covenham Sailing Club – The purchase, service and maintenance of several pieces of water equipment such as safety boats, wetsuits and buoyancy aids to expand access, with a particular focus on young people facing disadvantage accessing sailing. Sutton On Sea Residents’ Association – Funding towards the cost of activities and facilities for the Furlongs Festival on 21st August 2024. Hogsthorpe Parish Council – Improvements to the local playing fields, including new picnic tables. The installation of a rubberised surface and picnic tables within the picnic area of the playing field which is adjacent to the children’s playpark. This is part of the ongoing refurbishment of the playing fields. Hemingby Village Hall – Improvements to the exterior of the village hall, as part of a wider total refurbishment to the facility. Lincoln City Foundation (Louth, Skegness, Mablethorpe) – Funding for the Fighting Fit programme which is a physical activity programme designed to support people living with or recovering from cancer. Thimbleby Village Hall – To be used as part of a project re-organising the hall layout, bringing toilet facilities into the hall and improving kitchen facilities. East Coast Pride (Skegness) – To support Skegness’ first ever Gay Pride event, including a programme of events which will celebrate the local LGBT+ community and provide a boost to the local economy at the end of the season. Chapel St Leonards Parish Council – To provide overhead netting to the netball/volleyball/football hard court area on the play park, as well as new equipment. South Holland: Pinchbeck Parish Council – Improvement works including a renovation of the Community Hub’s conservatory, art room and kitchen, along with the development and maintenance of a website for the Hub. This is targeted at increasing awareness of the Hub’s Services and increasing the range of activities available for local people. Gedney Dyke Village Hall – Equipment to support the Village Hall’s rapidly expanding Gardening Club and ongoing project to develop biodiversity at the Hall. The funding will also go towards a shed to store the new equipment safely and securely. Flinders Founders (Donington) – A renovation of the BMX track at the Teen Park which will see overgrown vegetation cleared away from the track and a new limestone surface installed. Long Sutton Parish Council – New equipment, new signage, information boards and picnic benches for the nature reserve, materials needed to provide sensory garden areas and a blue plaque for Alfred Piccaver – a famous opera singer who was born in the town. Tydd St Mary Parish Council – Further improvements to the Glebe Field (building upon significant improvements already funded through UKSPF), including making the Glebe Field area more user friendly and accessible by upgrading car parking, installing a natural garden and providing a covered picnic/seating area. Friends of Spalding Railway Station – Improving the gateway to the town through wall art installations by high quality artists, new railway themed planters and hanging infrastructure along with new plants, shrubs, trees and benches to the town’s railway station. Spalding Rugby Club – New toilets and community changing rooms suitable for a wide range of sports, abilities and needs. Some grants are subject to conditions of award, which may affect delivery. In a joint statement, Leader of Boston Borough Council, Councillor Anne Dorrian, East Lindsey Councillors Steve Kirk, portfolio holder for The Coastal Economy, and Adam Grist, portfolio holder for Market Towns and Rural Economy and Councillor Paul Redgate, portfolio holder for Finance, Commercialisation, Levelling Up and UK Shared Prosperity Funding at South Holland District Council, said: “This round of funding shows that we are able to reach so many different areas of the sub-region through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. “Within each district we have been able to award significant funding to several projects, village halls and Parish Councils which all share the same goal – supporting their local community. “We are all excited to see not only the impact this funding has on the great work being carried out by the recipients but also the people and businesses of the sub-region who will certainly benefit through visitor economy centric projects as well as those with a focus on bringing people together for a variety of different reasons.”   Image: Stock.adobe.com/Stockfotos-MG