Janice’s passion for gardening greens up part of Lincoln

Stuart Pearcey
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Janice’s passion for gardening greens up part of Lincoln

Driven by a resident with a passion for gardening and part funded by City of Lincoln Council and the Lincolnshire Economic Action Partnership, the Portland Street Project is well under way.

Trying to improve the look of her garden, resident Janice Schlanker first took up gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was encouraged to apply for a grant from the Community Chest with her work gaining recognition from her neighbours and the Sincil Bank Community Hub. As a result of Janice’s application, £2,500 was granted to Sage Gardeners to develop a gardening project with residents. This donation was then matched by McNeil & Co Solicitors to increase the funding. Six planters made by learners from Abbey Access Centre using material given by Jewson Partnership Solutions have been installed at the front of the properties on Portland Street. The project falls into many broader developments being set up by Sincil Bank Community Hub and local communities to regenerate the area, including plans for housing development on Hermit Street. Janice Schlanker said: “Members of the community drive this project under the watchful eye of Sage Gardener CIC. Together we hope to create a beautiful green space in the city centre for the residents to enjoy while improving the area’s appearance to benefit the broader community. “We are working together to create a better sense of community and wellbeing, learning new skills, and expanding friendships; I hope the benefits will be enjoyed for many years. A huge thank you goes out to the neighbours who have been involved and everyone who has supported this project.” Jane Newman, Director at Sage Gardener CIC, said, “The Portland Street project is important to the local community and sets an example about the future of the Sincil area. We are delighted to have been working collaboratively to deliver this project, encouraging people to volunteer, to learn and share practical skills, providing good visual and actual space for wildlife and making the area more attractive.”

Celebrating love in Lincoln’s newest events venue

Tess Egginton
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Celebrating love in Lincoln’s newest events venue
Lincoln’s newest venue, Southside, is to stage its first wedding fair next month to showcase its own spaces as well as local suppliers who can make your big day memorable for all the right reasons. The first Southside Wedding Fair takes place on Sunday 2nd April at the former St Katherine’s Church, which is itself available to hire for wedding receptions of all kinds. The fair will feature a wide range of exhibitors accompanied by live music inside the Grade II listed building. Entry to the wedding fair is free, but tickets must be reserved via the website and printed before arrival or displayed on a smartphone. It will take place between 11am and 3pm at Southside, Colegrave Street, Lincoln LN5 8DW.“We’re so happy to be able to host a variety of wedding receptions here at Southside,” said Emily Nichol, Operations Director at the venue. “As Lincoln’s newest events venue we are excited to showcase the best of local wedding suppliers, providing great ideas and inspiration to make your special day exceptional in every way! “As a venue we’re taking wedding booking enquiries and aim to cater for everyone, so don’t be shy if you’re looking for something a little different. Whether you want a traditional celebration or something completely out of the ordinary, our staff are here to guide and help you from start to finish.” There is plenty of parking available on the day for visitors at the edge of South Common. Interested in having a stall? Book yours now by emailing hello@southsidelincs.com.

Fortis Therapy and Training and Stokes Tea and Coffee celebrate International Women’s Day with a twist

Tess Egginton
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Fortis Therapy and Training and Stokes Tea and Coffee celebrate International Women’s Day with a twist
Wednesday 8 March heralded a collaboration between Fortis Therapy and Training and Stokes Tea and Coffee celebrating International Women’s Day – but with a twist. The organisers wanted to break the mould, and bring something new to Lincoln by way of an inclusive, fun & impactful charity event rather than something more traditional, raising money for three local charities – The O’Flynn Foundation, Just Lincolnshire and Edan Lincs. With International Women’s Day and people around the globe focusing on embracing equity this year, this event addressed empowerment in the modern day, celebrating diversity and inclusion, with an opportunity to openly discuss mental health, modern-day issues and the world’s changing perspectives, all while celebrating together. The event was held at The Blue Room with Magnus The Scandi Chef producing three phenomenal courses of Michelin style cuisine and featuring entertainment by the fabulous Celine Begone, a celebrated drag artist. Celine later joined other panel members on stage to take part in a lively and interesting discussion, hosted by Alexis Powell-Howard (TEDx Speaker and Fortis Managing Director). The panel included Jess Morgan, the marketing and PR guru manager at Rapha UK, Flt Lt Alun Pepper, Senior Leadership Instructor at RAF Cranwell, a Tornado navigator, pilot of the Lancaster on the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and finally and by no means least, Kerrin Wilson the former Assistant Chief Constable at Lincolnshire Police, hostage negotiator, and founder of the GLOW network in Lincoln. The event was made even more celebratory by the support of local small businesses Santa Maria, who made the venue look stunning, Alex and Ollie from Hebb and Griff, who caught all the action on camera, and Karis Hildred of Stokes, ensuring the event ran smoothly. Alexis and the Fortis team then further collaborated with the O’Flynn Foundation to co-host another International Women’s Day event, this time at Healing Manor Grimsby, where Alexis was a speaker on Thursday 9 March. Across the two events hundreds of pounds have been raised for local charities.

The fun of the fair returns to Stamford and Grantham

Tess Egginton
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The fun of the fair returns to Stamford and Grantham
Rides, attractions and fun for all the family as Mid Lent Fairs return to Stamford and Grantham later this month. Whether you want to take a spin on the waltzers, brave it on white-knuckle rides, eat some sticky candyfloss or try your hand at hooking some ducks – there will be something for everyone. Stamford’s fair will be open from Monday 20 March until Saturday 25 March 2023. It will bring attractions to Broad Street, Star Lane, Red Lion Square, Sheep Market, Castle Dyke and Bath Row. The official opening will take place at the Waltzers on Broad Street at 6pm on Monday 20 March. Leader of South Kesteven District Council, Cllr Kelham Cooke said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming the Mid Lent Fair to Stamford and Grantham once again. “The fairs are a colourful part of our tradition and always hugely popular with residents and visitors alike. “With over 100 rides and attractions for all ages to enjoy, it will be wonderful to see fantastic entertainment right here on our doorsteps.” The fair then moves to the Market Place in Grantham on Sunday 26 March until Wednesday 29 March. The official opening will take place at the Dodgems in the Market Place at 2pm on Sunday 26 March. Road closures and restrictions will be in place during the fair.

University Vice-Chancellor to stand down in July

Stuart Pearcey
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University Vice-Chancellor to stand down in July
The Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln’s Bishop Grosseteste University has announced he will retire at the end of July 2023. The Rev’d Canon Professor Peter Neil is the second vice-chancellor of the institution since it gained university title in 2012, and is amongst the longest serving VCs in the UK. During his ten-year leadership, BGU has transformed from its former status as a university college with a strong tradition in teacher education to become a higher education provider that is shaped by a flourishing suite of research and knowledge exchange activities and an enhanced campus estate. Since 2013, the portfolio of taught provision has expanded to include professional studies, social sciences, and the humanities. The volume, scope, and quality of research at BGU has improved significantly with a four-fold increase in the number of researchers returned to the Research Excellence Framework between 2014 and 2021. Knowledge exchange has also gathered momentum during this time, especially through projects in partnership with the public sector. Throughout BGU has remained steadfastly committed to its person-centred approach and focus on the students’ experiences. Professor Neil said: “It has been an immense privilege working for Bishop Grosseteste University as one of the key education providers in the city. It is a very special place and its values and ethos remain as strong today as they did when the then College was opened in 1862. “I am extremely proud of what we continue to do for students and of the contribution that BGU and our community make to the life of the city, county and beyond.” The Chair of University Council Anne Frost said: “Professor Neil has been one of the longest serving Vice Chancellors of this very special education institution. The Council would like to thank him for everything he has done for the university in that time and wish him well for his retirement. We will now begin the recruitment process to find his successor.”

Raft of North Lincolnshire community projects set to share £200,000

Tess Egginton
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A host of community groups and charities from across North Lincolnshire are set to share more than £200,000 to kickstart a range of projects. Local community litter picking groups will get new equipment to continue to keep communities clean while an additional £40,000 has been awarded for more bins in communities across the area. Projects also include CCTV enhancements for parish councils, cash to develop the Scunthorpe Steelworks Rail Tours, money for the development of a multi-use games area in Broughton and almost £10,000 for the redevelopment of the neighbouring sports centre. Some of the cash will be used to develop a soft play unit at St John’s Market, a community charity which provides upcycled sports equipment will get £5,000 and the organisers of the area’s first Pride event are set for a £2,500 cash boost to get the party started. And Baysgarth House Museum will benefit from a development programme while Keadby Community Centre is set for a £25,000 cash boost along with many other projects. Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is levelling up in action here in North Lincolnshire – Government cash is being used to directly support our many communities to develop, to grow and to flourish. “This cash is on top of a great deal more which is being used to create a new, different future for the residents who live here and for those who visit. “Communities in Ashby, Barton, Brigg, the Isle and Scunthorpe will all benefit with a range of projects having been backed with hard cash, ensuring they can get off the ground and that people will be able to get involved. “This latest cash injection gives local organisations, local groups and local residents a fantastic opportunity to directly shape a new, exciting future for North Lincolnshire.”

Council ‘shocked and concerned’ as Home Office lists Scampton as asylum seeker base

Stuart Pearcey
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Council ‘shocked and concerned’ as Home Office lists Scampton as asylum seeker base
West Lindsey District Council is ‘shocked and concerned’ after the Home Office confirmed this week that the site is one of a number of sites being assessed for their suitability to accommodate asylum seekers. A spokesman for the Council said that although the Home Office had said no decision has been made, it appeared that it had, because adverts had appeared in the press from Serco advertising for housing officers to work in Scampton this week. This has come as a great surprise to the Council which has invested a significant amount of time and resources over a number of years in developing a major investment plan for the site. The Council announced only on Monday 6 March that it had appointed a development partner to deliver a prosperous and sustainable future for RAF Scampton. The deal, which will secure over £300 million of investment into the regeneration of the site will preserve, protect and enhance the site by providing aviation heritage, business, aerospace, space and aviation technology and education opportunities. This announcement has led to a flurry of calls with Scampton Holdings Ltd from interested parties. But just a day later, rumours started circulating that RAF Scampton was being considered as a place to be used by the Home Office for the accommodation of asylum seekers, for which there is currently no planning permission and which would prevent the realisation of the major redevelopment scheme which is currently in progress. Cllr Owen Bierley, Leader of West Lindsey District Council has therefore called for Home Office to look elsewhere. He said: “The idea that RAF Scampton is even being considered gives me significant cause for concern, particularly in relation to our local community, who have already been in contact, especially given the fact it is anticipated that 1,500 single men could be moved to the location. Given that the site has poor public transport connectivity and is remote in nature to services, we consider that this site is not suitable for the accommodation of asylum seekers, quite apart from the terminal effect such use would have on the important development scheme underway there. “The issue of housing asylum seekers is not new, yet this idea of using the site at Scampton appears to have come out of nowhere, as the Home Office did not express an interest in purchasing the site, when the Council started a very detailed and thorough procurement process. “Our interest in the site has always been to support our communities. Lincolnshire has a long history of ex Mod sites being disposed of, particularly in West Lindsey. We wanted to ensure this site, given its significant social and historic value to the country, was comprehensively redeveloped to create future economic sustainability for RAF Scampton and indeed across Greater Lincolnshire and beyond. “That is why we have been at the forefront of discussions since 2018, leading with a bespoke planning policy to inform future development. Public consultation has been on going in relation to the development of this policy, over the last four years informing a fully master planned scheme. “We have delivered everything asked of us by the MOD to get into this position of being able to acquire the site and ultimately support them in achieving their Defence Estate Optimisation Strategy. And more importantly, we have a deliverable investment plan, which is ready to go but could not be delivered if the Home Office progress with the housing of asylum seekers on site. “We know that the issue of rehousing asylum seekers is a priority for the Home Office but if they were successful in realising their ambitions of deploying RAF Scampton in this way, it would be counter-productive to the Government’s longer-term investment and Levelling Up agenda. The Government’s flagship project is about helping communities level up by bringing in investment to support our economy, create jobs and boost employment. “For all of these reasons and given the particular circumstances which apply to RAF Scampton, we are urging the Government to remove RAF Scampton from its list of proposed asylum accommodation locations.”

Grimsby office building welcomes social housing provider as new tenant

Tess Egginton
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Grimsby office building welcomes social housing provider as new tenant
Grimsby office building, Cartergate House, is welcoming a new tenant as social housing provider Lincolnshire Housing Partnership (LHP) moves in. As his team are preparing to settle into the new home, LHP Chief Executive Murray Macdonald was greeted by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Finance, Resources and Assets, Cllr Stephen Harness whose authority is the landlord. Cllr Harness said the decision by LHP to move brought with it various benefits – a main one being the influx of professional workers close to Grimsby town centre. “This is further good news, and we are delighted to welcome Murray and his team to this modern office building. “If we look at what is being planned in our town centre in the coming months and years, we see an area that will be transformed – offering more opportunity for work, and leisure for all ages and enforcing our ambition to build a stronger economy and stronger communities. “Work on St James’ House has started in what is now a lovely St James’ Square, the council’s Market Hall and Leisure Scheme is progressing, the redevelopment of Riverhead Square has started, and there is the new Garth Lane area and bridge. “Then there is the forthcoming Onside Horizon Youth Zone which will regenerate the West Haven Maltings and this week Cabinet approval was given to take forward plans to develop good quality new homes on brownfield land at Alexandra Dock – a scheme identified in the Grimsby Masterplan. This is all part of a vision now being realised to bring about massive and positive change for the town centre. These are exciting times,” added Cllr Harness. The move by LHP means the building now has two leading tenants, having been occupied by regional law firm Wilkin Chapman since its construction and opening in 2018. LHP will be occupying the ground floor office suite with just under 5,000 sq ft of space. Mr Macdonald said: “We have recently launched our 2022-2027 Corporate Plan, Great Homes… Strong Communities, which outlines our commitment to a more sustainable future, and working more closely with our customers in their neighbourhoods. “As an organisation we are embracing modern ways of working and providing our colleagues with both flexibility and the most appropriate facilities for them to undertake their role.” Mr Macdonald explained how the organisation, formed by the merger of Shoreline and Boston Mayflower in 2018, has seen customers’ habits change and was responding to that. He added: “We work best when we are engaging with customers and other agencies to deliver housing solutions. Such engagements can work better in the community and, sometimes, in people’s homes. Having a large office with rows of desks is not particularly efficient and so we have taken the view that a smaller office base and increased technology and flexibility will enable us to invest further into the business.”

The Sandringham Food, Craft and Wood Festival returns over the early May Bank Holiday weekend

Tess Egginton
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The Sandringham Food, Craft and Wood Festival returns over the early May Bank Holiday weekend
The Sandringham Food, Craft and Wood Festival returns to Sandringham over the early May Bank Holiday weekend, with a fabulous line up of chefs and the return of the English Open Chainsaw Carving Competition.
The English Open started out in 2004 and 2005 at Sandringham, before moving onto other venues, and now comes back home this year. This year sees the return of international carvers after the relaxation of Covid restrictions.
One such artist carver is Mike Ayers from North Carolina in the USA who, during his last visit to Sandringham created a stunning gladiator sculpture. Mike will be joined by approximately 20 other top chainsaw carving artists.
The festival always has a strong line up of chefs and this year is no exception, with Jack Stein, Spencer Metzer (the 2022 winner of Great British Menu Champion of Champions and head chef at the Ritz), Cyrus Todiwala CBE (Indian Cuisine at Mr Todiwala’s Kitchen and Café Spice Namaste, author and educationalist), and Paul Young (a master chocolatier from London, winner of countless international awards including the Best Sea Salted Caramel in the World).
A food festival in Norfolk should not be without local food hero Galton Blackiston who will be appearing on stage during Monday’s festivities.
Be and Andrea will be ably supporting the team over all three days of the event.
Up to now we have touched on 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 will be 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. 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 and enjoy! We look forward to seeing you at the Sandringham Food, Craft & Wood Festival on Saturday, Sunday & Monday April 29th, 30th & 1st May.
Book your tickets online at www.livingheritagecountryshows.com/tickets or ring 01283 820548

Wild swimming could get better protection at more new sites

Stuart Pearcey
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Wild swimming could get better protection at more new sites
Two swimming spots at Rutland Water are amongst four being considered for designation as bathing water sites and benefit from regular water quality monitoring from this spring. Sykes Lane Bathing Beach and Whitwell Creek at Rutland Water sit alongside Firestone Bay in Plymouth and a section of the River Deben at Waldringfield, Suffolk, all of which have progressed to a public consultation. If designated, it will take the total number of sites to 424, the highest number ever. Once designated, the Environment Agency regularly monitors water quality at bathing waters and assesses whether action is needed to cut pollution levels, working with local communities, farmers and water companies to improve water quality at these locations. Since 2010, the proportion of bathing waters assessed as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ has increased from 76% to 93%. Meanwhile, 72% are considered ‘excellent’ – up from just 51% in 2010. This is the highest level ever, despite the classification standards for bathing waters having been made more stringent in 2015. Water Minister Rebecca Pow said: “England’s bathing water sites are an important part of how we safeguard our precious coastal waters, rivers and lakes, as well as protecting the health of bathers.

The actions we have taken mean that people across the country will be able to swim at more sites and in better quality water, but we know there is more to do.

“I would strongly encourage all residents and bathers to take part in these consultations to help make sure we continue to have cleaner and healthier waters both now and for future generations.” If the sites are designated, the Environment Agency will regularly take samples during the bathing season – which runs between 15 May and 30 September. Residents, businesses, farmers and other members of the public are invited to have their say before the consultation closes on 24 March. When selecting new sites, Defra considers how many people bathe there, if the site has suitable infrastructure and facilities, such as toilets, and where investment in water quality improvements following designation would have the most impact.
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