Festival of the Sea sails into Grimsby for another year
The Festival of the Sea sails back into Grimsby on June 22nd to reacquaint the town with its seafaring traditions – and thousands are expected to take part.
Festival of the Sea is a celebration of Grimsby’s relationship with the sea through heritage and culture, whilst also looking to the future. The festival aims to engage, entertain, and inspire residents and visitors, and bring together the community for a day of fun, entertainment, and interactive learning.
North East Lincolnshire Councillor Hayden Dawkins, said: “This Festival will once again provide a true showcase for Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire. It will be packed with family entertainment, and is a perfect way to show how our past, great heritage can be brought into the modern day using the creativity and talent that now exists.”
There has been an overwhelming response to the 2024 event, which has led to an exciting programme of activities, performances, guided walks, installations, and projects.
Swans Events has worked alongside a steering group of local people who are passionate about Grimsby’s history and community spirit to help with programming for the festival for the second year.
Organiser Neoemi Antonelli said:“Festival of the Sea is a celebration of all that makes Grimsby unique. We’re thrilled to have a programme co-curated by local people who know and love this town.”
YMCA chooses Stirlin as contractor for housing project in Lincoln
Stirlin has been appointed as the main contractor for the development of housing at Sheridan Close, St Giles, Lincoln for YMCA Lincolnshire.
This project will include 16 independent apartments, providing essential move-on accommodation and support or assisted living for young people. This is a much-needed facility and contributes significantly to YMCA Lincolnshire’s mission of supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people across the region.
This project expands the housing provision already provided by the charity. CEO Caroline Killeavy said “This is much needed, high-quality accommodation for local young people. Sixteen self-contained modern apartments will provide a much-needed safe space for those who have experienced hardship in their lives.”
Stirlin MD Tony Lawton said: “Social values are embedded at the heart of what we do at Stirlin and so we are unbelievably proud to be part of this project as it will make such a positive difference in the lives of individuals and communities.”
YMCA Lincolnshire has been a cornerstone of community support for over 150 years, managing over 170 units of accommodation throughout Lincoln. Their dedication to providing crucial services to those in need aligns seamlessly with Stirlin’s commitment to delivering exceptional projects that positively impact communities.
£4.19m Grantham town centre transformation to begin
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reinvigorate Grantham town centre with £4.19 million from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund is about to get under way.
The money, secured through a bid by South Kesteven District Council, will transform the Market Place and the Conduit, where refurbished public toilets will be reopened. A second phase will improve the town approach from the railway station to create a pedestrian-led environment.
The Future High Streets Fund is for designated work and can only be used on this project.
The plans were drawn up with input from Grantham residents, alongside businesses and strategic stakeholders, who were asked to list priorities for the town.
Key partners include SKDC councillors and officers, the University of Lincoln, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, the National Trust, St Wulfram’s Church, Grantham College, Grantham Business Club, Grantham Museum, the Woodland Trust and local landowners.
The project will raise the road height of the Market Place to create a single level open space, able to host a regular programme of town centre events. At other times it will be a central open space in a pedestrian-led area with fewer cars.
Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Economic Development, Cllr Ashley Baxter said: “This exciting project is intended to make the town centre an even better place for people to live in, work and visit. We are creating a formal ‘heart’ of Grantham; a traffic-calmed public open space to provide a focus for events and a town centre oasis for visitors to enjoy.”
The work will re-establish a gathering point for residents and visitors, providing an attractive and vibrant place where more people spend more time enjoying the town centre. The SKDC vision will bring a busy Market Place that appeals to the people of Grantham and further afield, fuelled by a new a sense of civic pride.
The Market Place improvements will link through to a rebuilt pedestrian route from the Grantham Railway Station, with clear walkways across the five-road junction to Westgate as a more effective connection to the town centre.
Recent support work has taken place in the cultural quarter of the Arts Centre, Guildhall and cinema near St Peter’s Hill, with the blue-green corridor of the River Witham nearby. The heritage quarter around St Wulfram’s Church links to the historic environment through Westgate with its 18th and 19th Century buildings.
This follows an earlier announcement that several roads in the area are due to be reconstructed before the end of the year, with a promise that disruption will be kept to a minimum through efficient project planning and using the least disruptive traffic management measures.
The current timetable is as follows:
- Market Place Construction – Start Date: 15th April 2024; End Date: August 2024
- Station Approach Construction – Start Date: 1st November 2024; End Date: March 2025
Vehicle ban for country lane to stop fly-tipping
Vehicles look set to be banned from a country lane as South Kesteven District Council moves to halt people tipping rubbish in the vicinity.
Cabinet is being asked to approve a new Public Spaces Protection Order to prevent access to the old A17 Pottergate Road, Fulbeck, except to authorised vehicles.
Requests for action have been received from local landowners and other organisations including Lincolnshire County Council and the National Farmers Union, following frequent fly-tipping.
It follows a Vulnerable Land Panel meeting under the Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership, where key partners including LCC, Lincolnshire Police, local authorities and the NFU considered all options – with a PSPO being the chosen course of action.
Cabinet Member for People and Communities, Cllr Rhea Rayside, said: “This is a vulnerable location for fly tipping on the public road and private land next to it.
“Heaps of rubbish left there are the responsibility of the Council to clear away, and it costs the taxpayer every time this happens. Rubbish dumped on private land can unfairly cost farmers thousands of pounds to clear, as it then becomes the landowner’s responsibility.
“Warning signs have been put up to prevent fly tipping. However, continued incidents are reported yet due to the nature of dumped items, we have not been able to secure the evidence needed to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.”
In June 2020, Pottergate Road and some surrounding land in both South Kesteven and North Kesteven saw several large-scale fly tips consisting of part-processed waste. The heap left at Pottergate Road weighed approximately 40 tonnes.
The proposed Order would include the installation of a gate by Lincolnshire County Council at the north entrance to the old A17 to prevent unauthorised vehicles accessing the restricted area. The south entrance is already inaccessible to vehicle users.
Authorised vehicles would need to obtain access details by contacting the Council.
A four-week public consultation was undertaken from 11 December 2023 to 8 January 2024, which found that 80% said that they agree or strongly agree with the proposed Order. Seventy per cent of respondents said they had experienced or were concerned by vehicle access, anti-social behaviour or fly tipping at the location.
One respondent stated: “The fly tipping is unbearable, the cost to the adjoining landowners in terms of financial cost, environmental damage and blocked access is unsustainable.”
Public Spaces Protection Orders are powers given to local authorities as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Designed to target a particular nuisance in a specific area that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the local community, PSPOs work by prohibiting certain things or requiring that specific things should be done, in law. Failure to comply with a PSPO can result in a fine.
Image courtesy of South Kesteven District Council
The Sandringham Craft, Food & Wood Festival returns
What a Chefs line up the Sandringham Craft, Food & Wood Festival has for you this May Bank Holiday (Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 4 – 6 May, 10am – 6pm).
Saturday brings together Rosemary Shrager and Phil Vickery, Sunday presents Sat Bains and Francesco Mattena, whilst Monday sees local favourite Galton Blackiston team up with Jean-Christophe Novelli. Ben Bartlett the BBQ specialist will be joining the Chefs on a daily basis.
One of the highlights of the Wood Fair are the Chainsaw carvers taking part in the 17th English Open Chainsaw Carving Competition. The overseas carvers are beginning to
travel again giving an entry of over twenty top quality carvers. Admire the skill and creativity of chainsaw artists traveling from around the world! From the USA to Germany, Finland, Canada and the Netherlands, their talent knows no borders. Don’t miss this global showcase of Artistry! This year introduces Kamron Garbe traveling in from Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada, just 4,350 miles as the crow flies.
They will be competing in the Classic Competition, a 2.1/2 day carve that produces some stunning sculptures. Alongside this is a twice daily 30 minute speed carve with everything to be sold by auction. Finally for your entertainment especially from the States is Mountain Mikes Carving Show which promises to be something special.
These are just two elements of the Fair, but there is such a lot more, including a very large Craft Fair and Food Festival. Moving around the show we come to the Craft & Wood exhibitors, demonstrators and competitors. There are nationally selected Artists, Designers and Craftsmen demonstrating and selling their crafts and skills in the main Craft Pavilions.
Into the Food Halls you will find a large array of food and drink for your appreciation from local, regional and national producers.
One new exhibitor this year has a foot in each camp, Craft and Food, with his unique wares from his Orchard in Cambridgeshire. Trinity Apple Marc Spirit is crafted from the heritage apple varieties grown at the orchard and then housed in an Applewood flask or small item of furniture.
The Piazza is the central hub of the festival, that special area where show visitors come together to eat and drink, whilst soaking up the atmosphere and relaxing to live jazz and folk music. There is a large range of Street Food on offer from many different cultures and an equally wide range of beverages to quench your thirst, so do come along hungry and enjoy!
We look forward to seeing you at the Sandringham Food, Craft and Wood Festival. Saturday, Sunday and Monday May 4, 5 & 6.
Entry at the event or book your tickets in advance, online at www.livingheritagecountryshows.com/tickets or ring 01283 820548
Beekeepers gather for largest auction of its kind in the country
The largest auction of its kind in the UK, with more head of livestock for sale than any auction in the country, takes place at the Lincolnshire Showground on March 23rd.
It’s the annual Lincoln District Bee Auction, when colonies of tens of thousands of bees as well as a large quantity of beekeeping equipment will go under the hammer from 10.30am.
The Lincoln District Auction is said to be twice the size of any competitor. It has been taking place for 45 years.
Equipment for sale is in one of the Showground’s buildings, and colonies of bees are ranged outdoors.
Lincoln looks ahead to opening of refurbished market
City of Lincoln Council’s refurbished Cornhill Market will be officially re-opened on Friday 17 May, exactly 86 years after it first opened in 1938.
Funded by a £5.9 million investment from the government’s Towns Fund programme through the ‘Be Lincoln Town Deal’, £1.9 million from City of Lincoln Council, and additional funding of £918,000 from Historic England, the major regeneration works for the building were completed at the end of 2023, including;
- The opening up of the blind arches on the north and east elevations
- A new mezzanine floor overlooking the market hall, a space to enjoy food and drink
- Replacement roofing and glazed lantern
- Demolition of the butcher’s corridor to the south of the building and the construction of a new two storey extension to accommodate a new restaurant with a roof terrace
- New heating and lighting in the building
- Freestanding stalls in the interior space of a contemporary, minimal design for local businesses to promote local produce and an area within the centre of the Market Hall to accommodate seating for the associated food outlets within the stalls
- Unisex toilets including disabled and baby changing facilities
- Repaving and enhancing external areas in City Square have also been completed, to encourage more visitors to use the space in events and activities
- Corner Farm: Catering service, providing satisfying meals such as jacket potatoes and salads
- Stokes: Award winning family business in sourcing, roasting, blending & supplying coffee
- Bella Di Casa: Authentic, homemade Italian ice cream (gelato)
- Tick King: Specialises in watch repairs and watch servicing
- Bradford Plants: A Lincolnshire based husband and wife duo selling a variety of plants
- Oatz and Co: Sweet treats baked with oats, including vegan and gluten free options
- Fabrick Tattoos Embroidery: Alternative embroidery, crafts and sustainable clothing
- Bubble Kiss: Exciting bubble teas and mouthwatering bubble waffles to accompany
- Lincs Mo Mo: Pop up food vendor specialising in tasty dumplings called mo mos
- The Cookie People: Cookies, cookie dough and drinks to satisfy any sweet tooth
New consultant gynaecologist joins The Lincoln Hospital
Miss Narmatha Kangeyan, consultant gynaecologist, is now practising from The Lincoln Hospital.
She obtained her Obstetrician and Gynaecologist specialty training in the North East of England and has over 10 years of experience working as a consultant at Lincoln County Hospital and Grantham Hospital of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust. She currently leads the menopause and fertility services at Lincoln County Hospital.
Her clinical interests include:
- Early pregnancy problems
- Recurrent miscarriages
- Fertility
- Colposcopy
- Post-reproductive health (menopause)
- General gynaecology and urogynaecology
Trekkers sought for Wolds Walk in aid of hospitals’ charity
Ramblers, trekkers and anyone who fancies a walk across the beautiful Lincolnshire Wolds are invited to put on their hiking boots in aid of a local hospitals’ charity.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity has teamed up with Richard Fish Outdoor Adventures to bring you the Wolds Walk for 2024.
This is the first time the charity has organised the walk which will take place on Saturday 20 April from 10am.
It will cover an eight mile circuit starting at Tetford Hamilton Hall, taking in some of the best views of the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Registration is £15 for adults and £10 for children which includes a charity T-shirt. Those taking part are also asked to raise a minimum of £20.24 in sponsorship.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Fundraiser, Gary Burr, said: “We are asking for £20.24 to represent the fact the walk is taking place in 2024. On the day you will be supported by the charity and Richard Fish Outdoor Adventure staff and volunteers.
“Every step you take will enable us to support United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust patients and staff with those extras that cannot be provided by the NHS.
“Children can join the walk as long as they are comfortable with the distance and are accompanied by an adult at all times. Dogs are also welcome to join us as long as they are capable of the distance, are well-behaved, on leads at all times and that owners are responsible for any waste and ensuring they are okay with any livestock we may come across.”
Image courtesy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Work under way on latest Stamford council homes
Work has started on four one-bedroom apartments in Stamford that will add to South Kesteven District Council’s housing stock.
The work is being carried out by D. Brown (Building Contractors) Ltd and, despite recent challenging weather conditions, the homes in Elizabeth Road are scheduled for completion in August this year.
SKDC’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Cllr Phil Dilks, said: “We recognise that housing need in Stamford is extremely high.
“There are currently 250 people on the housing register with a single bedroom requirement who want to live in the town and there are few options for those with this requirement and on a low income.
“Unfortunately, that means young people and families often have to move away from the area to find affordable housing. This makes it imperative that we provide more affordable housing options in this area.
“We are pleased to be providing more homes to meet the demand of specific groups of applicants on our housing register.”
Planning permission for the flats was granted in March 2022. The development comprises four one-bedroom, two-person apartments with landscaping and parking spaces.
The Managing Director of D. Brown (Building Contractors) Ltd, Mr Adam Mayer, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have broken ground on this exciting development.
“Working in partnership with South Kesteven District Council, the scheme reinforces our commitment to building much-needed affordable homes within the District, building on last year’s success at our Trinity Road development, also in Stamford.
“We very much look forward to showcasing this project as works progress.”
Image courtesy of South Kesteven District Council
Another Lincoln shopfront is reborn in Heritage Action Zone Project
Work to give another Lincoln shopfront a new lease of life is almost complete, meaning 11 historic shopfronts have been revamped as part of a High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme.
The latest is 1 St Mary’s Street, where work began in December 2023 to restore the structure and ensure its future.
As part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme, which saw the city council receive a successful bid for funding of £1.68 million in April 2020, the city council has now almost completed the four-year programme of historic building restorations designed to revitalise the area and uncover its rich history.
Included in this have been plans to revitalise Lincoln’s historic shopfronts to bring them back to their former glory.
Shopfronts that have been restored in the city with new and existing businesses launching within the rejuvenated units. These include:
- Freckleface
- Jailhouse Frock
- Katie Cardew
- Sign of the Fish
- Lincoln’s Little Shops
- Gregorio Barbers
- The Plant Room by Sykes
Crown Estate confirms Projekt Renewable support by becoming a patron
The Crown Estate has officially registered its support for Grimsby’s Projekt Renewable by becoming a patron.
With a £50,000 investment now committed to further expand Grimsby’s Alexandra Dock-based Projekt Renewable, Director Richard Askam said: “Ever since I first floated the idea of Projekt Renewable to The Crown Estate, they have been so supportive of the logic and drive that lies behind what we are doing.
“To have The Crown Estate come onboard in 2024 as a #projektpatron and take a space at Projekt which is being designed to further everyone’s knowledge of marine conservation is just brilliant.”
Chelsea Bradbury, Senior Marine Data and Insights Manager with The Crown Estate, added: “We’re thrilled to build on our prior support of Projekt Renewable Grimsby with a financial investment, giving us a physical presence in the local community.
“Through this partnership, we want to make sure everybody in Grimsby and beyond is proud of what’s on their doorstep by showcasing the activity taking place on the seabed to reach net zero and the amazing work being done to protect and enhance nature and marine habitats.
“Potentially even inspiring more people to look at careers in this space. As an offshore wind hub, Grimsby is the perfect location to spark people’s imagination and curiosity, and we’re excited to work with the local community to understand what they would most like to know and learn about this industry.”
The Crown Estate manages land, the seabed and much of the coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland on behalf of the nation, creating long-term value for the country. It is focused on supporting the UK’s energy transition and improving energy security alongside stewarding the protection and restoration of nature. One of the ways it does this is by sustainably developing the seabed to support green, renewable energy industries, such as offshore wind. This partnership provides an exciting opportunity to connect people in Grimsby more closely with its role as manager of the seabed.
An aspirational beacon for Grimsby and beyond, Projekt Renewable was always built with the view to extend and evolve to suit the demands of both the local community and the renewable champions operating within the area. To have The Crown Estate officially join its trio of boxes is an incredibly proud moment for the entire Projekt team.
National Grid faces challenge to its Lincolnshire pylon plans
Lincolnshire County Council’s executive is commissioning an independent report into the potential impact of National Grid’s proposal to build 420 50-metre pylons to run 140km of high voltage cables through the Lincolnshire countryside.
Members plan a formal objection to the scheme that would see cables running from Grimsby to Walpole in Norfolk.
An independent analysis is also being commissioned to look at the impact the pylons could have on Lincolnshire including putting farmland out of use, the visual impact on the flat landscape, the effect on tourism and air traffic limitations.
Council leader Martin Hill said: “The council’s view is that National Grid has dismissed a valid alternative of putting the cables on the sea-bed, and instead plan to blight our landscape and affect our countryside and coastal communities for generations to come.
“We are keen to take urgent action to get all the information about the options. If necessary we will take legal action to challenge the reasoning that this infrastructure is the best solution.” Travel giant says Lincolnshire is one of fastest-growing UK holiday destinations
Lincolnshire has been listed as one of the fastest growing UK holiday destinations, according to travel giants Expedia.
They say based on searches for hotel stays in 2023, Lincolnshire has seen a 70% increase in people looking to visit the county.
The Visit Lincolnshire website also saw excellent growth in 2023. The website has achieved an increase in user traffic up 61% in 2023 compared to 2022.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and environment and the county council, said: “Lincolnshire has always been known as a destination for our fantastic coastline and historic city, but we’re working hard to put the whole county on the map for tourists. In our beautiful countryside and busy market towns, there are truly unique experiences including cycling, walking, golf, birdwatching, manor houses, historic airfields and independent shops. The list goes on! Our Visit Lincolnshire website had more than a million views last year as visitors are inspired to book their stay.”
Equestrians invited to free, charity-led welfare awareness events
Following on from the amazing success of last year’s events, Bransby Horses are once again hosting a series of talks for horse owners covering the latest equine management topics, such as track systems and alternative grazing set-ups.
These events are completely free and aimed at horse owners, equestrian business owners and land proprietors.
Bransby Horses has been rescuing and caring for equines in need for over 50 years and their Make a Difference events offer an opportunity for anyone who is interested to hear from the charity’s experienced teams, as part of their ongoing mission to positively impact the lives of equines.
Events organizer Rachel Dixon said: “We started these events last year and they were really popular, so we thought we’d do another series. For anyone who attended last year we have new material and guest speakers so please come along, as we have a wealth of useful information we would love to share with you.
“A highlight will be at the talk in April when our guest speaker is Dr Tamzin Furtado who will be hosting her Alternative Grazing talk. Dr Furtado is a social scientist from the University of Liverpool, specialising in equine welfare and human behaviour change.
“Dr Furtado recently completed a PhD in managing obesity in horses, where she focused on the welfare of the horse and their relationship with humans. We are really lucky to have her visit us at Bransby Horses and can’t wait to hear her talk.”
Managing Grazing with Track Systems takes place on Thursday, March 14 at 11am.
This is a follow-on event from 2023 where Bransby Horses track ambassadors will share their findings from managing some horses on the track system, looking at the progress they have made and why.
Anyone planning to attend this event will need to wear suitable footwear as the talk will include a visit to one of the charity’s track systems to show delegates how it was set-up and how it promotes movement with the use of water, shelter and enrichment.
This is followed by Alternative Grazing Systems on Thursday, April 25 at 6.30pm, Grassland Management on Wednesday July 17 at 11am and Equine Identification and Registration on Thursday, September 5 at 6.30pm.
All events are free to attend and will be held in the Clifford Marshall Building at Bransby Horses in Bransby near Lincoln.
Booking is essential, light refreshments and free parking will be available.
For more information or to reserve your free space, please call 01427 788 464 or visit BransbyHorses.co.uk/MADE
The UK’s number one children’s entertainment company, Captain Fantastic, starts Lincolnshire parties
For the last 14 years, Captain Fantastic have entertained over 3 million children across the UK and this latest expansion will mean that parents and children in Lincolnshire can experience a Captain Fantastic party first hand.With 11 different party types, ranging from princess, pirate and superhero to disco, spy and challenge, Captain Fantastic parties cater to all types of children.The iconic Captain Fantastic Superhero parties are full of magic tricks and interactive games from start to finish. Alternatively, the Science Parties are a fantastic way to capture children’s imaginations by showing them some truly mind-blowing experiments alongside plenty of bubbles, fun and games.Children also have the choice of joining Pirate Pete or Pirate Polly for an epic pirate voyage across the seas. Captain Fantastic have recently introduced Princess Parties. A Princess Party is the perfect way to capture the imaginations of young guests, with plenty of entertainment for princes and princesses aged 3-7!Captain Fantastic also caters for older children with their epic disco and challenge parties. In a digitally distracted world, they help children to return to real life. Their discos are far more than just DJ hire; every one of their children’s discos is fully interactive and their epic parties come with state-of-the-art disco equipment and plenty of bubbles.Captain Fantastic has been featured on major UK news networks, including the BBC and Sky News. They were even the first company to offer remote learning and parties during the Covid lockdown. They continue to offer a range of virtual parties today so children don’teven need to leave the comfort of their own home in order to be thoroughly entertained.Daniel Ferguson, Lincolnshire franchise owner, has said: “After a couple of years of working as an entertainer in Cambridgeshire, I moved to Lincolnshire with my partner to kickstart my very own Captain Fantastic Franchise. It’s been an incredible journey so far. I still have the flexibility to take on acting gigs and have support across the whole company whenever I need it. This is a truly remarkable opportunity, and I am so excited to see what the future holds!”Tommy Balaam, CEO of Captain Fantastic, has said: “I started Captain Fantastic because I believe in quality entertainment and wanted to create something unique and special. As the father of girl and boy twins, I know the magical feeling that comes with keeping them entertained. I therefore wanted to offer a service that could ensure all children felt that sense of magic at parties.”Captain Fantastic have recently launched their own YouTube series – Captain Fantastic’s Adventures. The series aims to present children with a new type of learning, combining education and wellbeing advice with fun and laughter. Join Captain Fantastic as they explore family-friendly destinations, bringing joy and excitement straight to your screens. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/@CaptainFantasticKids
Scunthorpe’s Plowright Theatre to welcome inspired adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s ‘Hedda’
After a highly successful inaugural run last year, Here To There Productions take their inspired adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic story, ‘Hedda’, out on the road with a 27-date UK tour – including a stop at Scunthorpe’s Plowright Theatre.
Written by Here To There Productions’ Company Director, Andrew Whittle, this exciting new interpretation of one of theatre’s most revered plays was hailed a triumph by both critics & audience alike, enjoying a near sell-out run at The Coach House Theatre in Malvern.
It is a complex tale of female power, jealousy and manipulation, of drunkenness and sexual weakness, of competition between the sexes such as shocked audiences in the 1890s, yet still resonates with audiences today.
Arriving home from an extended honeymoon Hedda struggles to come to terms with her fledgling marriage. Having married for money not love she finds herself already bored with married life, as well as her husband.
Brought up in a sheltered environment, Hedda had yearned for years to be married, to grasp life by the throat and enjoy herself, but instead feels trapped, buried alive with years of tedious, intolerable life ahead of her.
She plots to break that tedium by manipulating & toying with the lives of those around her…with consequences far greater than she could have foreseen.
Here To There Productions are a Midlands-based theatre company dedicated to bringing challenging, yet entertaining productions to audiences throughout the UK.
‘Hedda’ will be at The Plowright Theatre in Scunthorpe from April 9 – 13.
Knitting up a storm for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance
As part of the 30th Anniversary celebrations due to start later in the year, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) are calling all nifty knitters to join together to create the largest yarn bomb ever seen!
The charity’s aim is to cover the whole of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire with hundreds of yellow helicopters and spread the message about their life-saving work. And they need knitters and crocheters to help create this mammoth masterpiece.
There are three ways people can take part. Individual knitters can create a single mini helicopter and display it in a local shop, pub, church, or other community space. More adventurous knitters are being asked to let your imagination soar and design a unique, eye-catching postbox topper, just make sure it includes a yellow knitted helicopter!
Or the ultimate challenge is to yarn bomb your community and join forces with fellow knitters to create a cornucopia of colour.
LNAA’s Volunteer Manager, Kate Kerrigan said: “This is a fabulous way to support the life-saving work of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance from the comfort of your own home. With your help, we are looking to colour the counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire yellow with thousands of miniature helicopters.
“It is so easy to get involved. Just grab your knitting needles and some yellow yarn and register your interest with Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance at ambucopter.org.uk/knitting. We will then send you your knitting pattern which designer Amanda Berry has kindly allowed us use as well as lots of information to help you get involved.”
Works progressing on next phases of Lincoln Enterprise Park
Construction works to deliver the next phases at Lincoln Enterprise Park are progressing to schedule with 80% of space already reserved.
Located on the A46 near Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln Enterprise Park is progressing with phases 7 to 10, which will bring an additional 34,500 sq ft to the park and could potentially create up to 100 new jobs.
Following the continued demand for commercial property in and around Lincoln and a successful planning appeal in 2021, developer and site owner LEP Developments commenced works in October last year, acting as both developer and contractor.
With groundworks done, steel frames ups and roofs complete, works to phases 7 and 8 – which are 6,500 sq ft each – are on schedule.
In total, phases 7 to 10 will bring 13 new mixed-use units ranging from 1,451 to 11,500 sq ft to Lincoln Enterprise Park, offering in-demand expansion opportunities for current occupants and new commercial premises for other businesses.
Current occupant and bespoke kitchen and furniture manufacturer, Krantz Designs, has been on Lincoln Enterprise Park since 2020. With its expanding client portfolio and desire to manufacture all its products in-house, the company has bought phase 7 as well as securing the lease of part of another unit as part of phase 9, giving the company a total of 20,000 sq ft at the park.
Managing director of Krantz Designs, Jamie Krantz, said: “With our showroom on historic Bailgate in Lincoln, we currently manufacture about 90% of our products here at Lincoln Enterprise Park, but for some time have wanted to increase that to 100%.
“We had no desire to move from the park as it’s the perfect location for us, is well managed and has a supportive business network, therefore when Nick secured planning for the next stage of expansion, I jumped at the chance to design and build our new HQ.
“We will have approximately 30 skilled team members at the park when we move into our new spaces later this year, which will include CAD technicians, cabinet painters, machinists and office personnel, and we will be recruiting in due course to fill new roles. The team and I are pleased to be continuing our journey at Lincoln Enterprise Park.”
Managing director of LEP Developments, Nicholas Falkinder, said: “At Lincoln Enterprise Park we support economic growth by providing our premium product in a unique and highly accessible location.
“Because of what we have on offer here and the service we provide, we have been fully occupied for over seven years. Jamie and the team at Krantz Designs are a great example of the business community at the park and how we support those businesses through leasehold agreements, then on to freehold opportunities if required.
“From the outset interest in the new units has been high and this resulted in 80% pre-construction sales in just a matter of months. The majority have been taken by existing occupants, which is what we strive for, and we are welcoming some exciting new businesses later in the year.
“I’m passionate about this park and its success, and for the first time we are developer and contractor, which is an incredible journey to be on to both ensure quality and see the progress onsite each day. I want to thank our community of businesses here and everyone who has made these next phases possible.”
Phases 7 and 8 are due for completion in the summer this year, phase 9 in early autumn and phase 10 in early 2025. Two units remain available to rent or buy and are being marketed by local agents Pygott & Crone and Lambert Smith Hampton.
All contractors working on the site are East Midlands-based and include CM Civils, a Lincoln-based civil engineering company which has delivered the groundworks.
Subject to planning, there is scope for further expansion at Lincoln Enterprise Park.
Countryside hedgerows to be given legal protection to care for wildlife
Hedgerows will be protected in law as the government sets out its plans for domestic hedgerow regulations, following a consultation last year.
Backed by over 95% of consultation responses, and providing continuity for farmers and land managers, the regulations will include a two-metre ‘buffer strip’ from the centre of hedgerows with no cultivation or application of pesticides or fertilisers, and a hedge cutting ban between 1 March and 31 August to protect nesting birds.
A fairer, more proportionate enforcement approach focused on outcomes will see farmers provided with advice to help them comply with requirements – very different from the approach seen previously.
The regulations will support the efforts of many farmers already carrying out vital work to protect hedgerows, providing important ecological benefits including wildlife habitats, slowing soil erosion and water run-off, supporting crop pollinators and absorbing carbon.
This includes over 90,000km of hedgerows being managed through 16,000 agreements in the government’s Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive schemes, and more than 13,000km of hedgerows created or restored using Countryside Stewardship grants.
Farming Minister Mark Spencer said:”Farmers have been protecting, planting and maintaining our hedgerows for centuries and I want to thank them for their continued efforts to help wildlife thrive on their farms alongside food production.
“I am delighted that thousands of farmers are taking up the support and guidance on offer in our Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive schemes.”
