Levelling-up cash to create children’s science and technology centre in Scunthorpe
A new science and technology centre for children and families will be created in Scunthorpe with £2.5m Government levelling-up cash confirmed.
Repairs to the walls, roof and exterior of St John’s Church will mean the whole building will become accessible and connected to the recently developed gardens in Church Square.
The creation of the even larger space for events and activities paves the way for ‘Discover@20-21’ a new centre where children and families will experience interactive science and technology activities – adding to the award-winning arts and heritage exhibitions.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This work will restore one of our key heritage sites and a notable local landmark. It will be fantastic to see the hoardings finally come down and open this space up further for community events.
“This is the latest part of our plans which have been backed by millions of pounds of Government cash, everything is designed around creating a new, different future for Scunthorpe town centre – the science and technology centre will be a major addition to Scunthorpe.
“We must create more reasons to come into town so people can have different experiences and leisure activities. That is what we are doing to create a new, modern, thriving place and the Government has shown its confidence in these projects with hard cash.”
The plans will be developed further if the council gets Listed Planning Consent. Included will be further development of the park and gardens, extending the wildlife haven in the heart of the town, expanding the space for families and nearby school children and connecting the venue to the outdoor space.
The church will also have a new eco-friendly climate control system installed opening the door to new exhibitions and displays.
This latest development is at the heart of a raft of schemes designed to radically transform the town centre by bringing more businesses and jobs, new homes and a rich cultural quarter using cash from the Towns Fund.
Holly Mumby-Croft, MP for Scunthorpe, is vice chair of the Towns Fund Board. She said: “There is no doubt that traders in high streets up and down the country are fighting hard to be part of a new future.
“These latest plans will reshape the experience people can have in the heart of the town, there will be more reasons for people to come along and that will mean more people shopping and spending money with local traders.
“The cash from Government is being used to develop a range of projects that connect people – physically and virtually – to jobs, culture, leisure and retail. It’s really exciting and I am looking forward to seeing the church transformed and a new science and technology centre developed.”
This latest cash is just part of the more than £80m of Government funding which has backed the council’s plans for creating a new future in North Lincolnshire. This includes cash for roads, new motorway junctions, enabling people to develop their skills and supporting communities.
Cash from the Towns Fund, Future High Streets, Levelling-Up, UK Shared Prosperity and through other Government departments comes alongside £75m for a new port development, £5m for the A15 enhancements, investment in the new university campus, tens of millions for education and the £200m plus paid to support jobs throughout the pandemic.
New housing development in the centre of Grimsby takes a step forward
Proposals for a new housing development in the centre of Grimsby will be taken forward following a North East Lincolnshire Council Cabinet meeting.
The Town Centre Masterplan identified the Alexandra Dock area as a major asset for Grimsby, with significant potential for it to be used in a more intensive way, including development of a major residential district, which takes advantage of access to the water space and key improvements to the nearby spaces and facilities available.
Brownfield land near Alexandra Dock was identified in the Grimsby Town Centre Masterplan as a key area that could be used to generate that new housing stock.
Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the council, said: “Our main objective of this work is to create a place that connects the town and its community with its waterside, creating a fantastic urban living environment that’s kind to the planet.
“There’s a long way to go yet, and developments of this scale don’t happen overnight. We are working to improve the town centre as a whole, including increasing the leisure offer with our redevelopment of the western end of Freshney Place, and, through other Towns Fund projects, changing how the town is used as a whole.”
The first housing phase is proposed to be the site behind the Onside Youth Zone, accessible from Fisherman’s Wharf. The area was put forward, and formed part of, the Towns Fund projects that were agreed with Government in 2020/21.
Significant recent work has been done with Homes England to consider how the opportunities for the area might be taken forward. The council has managed to secure funding from Homes England, which has funded initial studies into the potential regeneration of Alexandra Dock.
Further discussions are ongoing to try to secure additional funding for initial technical studies required to progress the plans for the area, and to start the procurement of a development partner to work with the council on this scheme.
Alongside this, it’s planned to submit a bid to the Brownfield Land Release Fund, administered by One Public Estate (a locally-led partnership in partnership with DLUHC, funding works to regenerate public sector owned land and buildings). If secured, this money would increase the available budget to help deliver higher quality ultra-low-carbon homes.
Some initial land remediation work will be done this year to begin preparing the site for future phases of the work. Public will be able to have their say about the plans as the project develops.
Warren Wood View welcomes home movers
Warren Wood View in Gainsborough is calling all home movers to make 2023 the year of your big move with the use of Easymove.
Offering a stunning range of two, three and four-bedroom homes, Warren Wood View, developed by leading UK homebuilder Keepmoat, boasts a semi-rural location with an abundance of amenities close by.
If you are wanting to move to a new Keepmoat home but still have a property to sell, as the name suggests, Easymove, makes selling your property easy. The sale of your existing home is managed for you, leaving you more time to think about how great your new one is. Plus, your estate agent fees will be paid for which could save you a small fortune.
Don’t just take our word for it, meet newly wed customers Rebecca and Paul Foottit. Rebecca and Paul came to Warren Wood View and sold their old home using the Easymove scheme, leaving time for them to plan their wedding ahead of the big move to their new 4 bedroom detached Hardwick home.
So, if you and your soul mate have decided to tie the knot, why not come say ‘I Do’ to your new home too!
You’ll never tire of the green open spaces, beautiful walkways, and stunning woodland views, all while being just 1.5 miles from the bustling town centre of Gainsborough. Not only that, the development is a connectivity hub, with a bus stop and train station all within walking distance, ready to connect you to Lincoln, Doncaster, Peterborough and beyond.
If you’re looking to buy your first home, or you’re a home mover, let the Warren Wood View team be by your side every step of the way. Ask about 5% deposits with the ‘Deposit Unlock’ scheme for all and use their free mortgage advice service.
To view four stunning showhomes, open Thursday to Monday 10am – 5pm, get in touch today on 01427 857950 or take a look at https://www.keepmoat.com/warren-wood-view-gainsborough
Works get underway on new 20-acre Lincoln employment site
Local contractor and property developer, Stirlin, has commenced works on a new commercial site in Saxilby, Lincoln, which will create hundreds of new jobs.
The new site, known as Enterprise West Lindsey, will provide up to 350,000 sq ft of commercial development opportunity, delivered by Stirlin in partnership with Castle Square Developments.
Enterprise West Lindsey is prominently located on Skellingthorpe Road, opposite Stirlin Court and adjacent the established Riverside Enterprise Park (by Stirlin and Castle Square), benefitting from convenient access to the A1 and A46 Lincoln bypass.
Stirlin are well underway with the first phase of works on site, while working alongside a general ecologist to ensure protection of the natural environment. Phase one includes all main infrastructure works, such as the installation of a pumping station and foul drainage, as well as surface water and access roads, taking it from a greenfield site to development parcels which are ready for building out.
Tony Lawton, Stirlin, says: “We are delighted to commence infrastructure works at Enterprise West Lindsey. This scheme has been several years in the making, so this is a real milestone for all involved. Enterprise West Lindsey will provide employment opportunities for years to come, supporting the continued growth of the economy in Greater Lincoln.”
Surveyor at Banks Long & Co, Harry Collins, says: “We have been working alongside Stirlin and Castle Square Developments for some time to bring this scheme together, it is fantastic to see the hard work coming to fruition and to bring this excellent scheme to the market. Enterprise West Lindsey will conclude another exciting development within Saxilby – an ever growing industrial/employment location near Lincoln.”
Lincolnshire horse owners invited to equine health experts’ free information evenings
Bransby Horses are hosting a series of free-to-attend events aimed at horse owners where experts in weight management, laminitis, farriery, rural crime and track systems will share their experiences and offer advice.
Bransby Horses’ Welfare Campaigns Officer, Rachel Dixon said: “Through these talks we are hoping to raise awareness of the early signs of some common horse health issues, as well as offering preventative management tips for owners.”
The first information evening, looking at weight management, will take place on April 20 at the charity’s main site in Bransby near Lincoln.
Following on from this on May 18, registered farrier Scott Sykes DipWCF, will present a talk about laminitis.
This will be followed by a talk on track grazing systems on July 13 and the Lincolnshire’s Rural Crimes team will give the final talk on September 20.
The events are free but booking is essential as places are limited. Call 01427 788 464, email mail@bransbyhorses.co.uk or visit BransbyHorses.co.uk/MADE to secure your place per event.
Each event takes place at 6.30pm, in the Clifford Marshall Building. Light refreshments and free parking available.
Dyslexic Lincolnshire author who was “shot, stabbed and set on fire” launches debut novel
Dyslexic author Nick Love’s debut revenge thriller, ‘2600 Feet Per Second’, follows ex-Royal Marine Commando Chris ‘Laser’ Beem as his military past catches up with him in spectacular fashion.
Nick is a bright 61 year-old Lincolnshire lad. Born in Sleaford, he now lives in Lincoln with wife Delia. His life hasn’t been the insular, rural life you might expect. Nick served for a decade as a Royal Marine Commando and then travelled the world as an IT consultant and salesman.
Nick’s military experience inspired his debut novel. Like Nick, the book’s hero saw active service with Royal Marines 42 Commando. He served in the Falklands during the Argentine invasion, and he lives in central Lincoln, with his wife. Unlike Nick, however, Chris has a young daughter, Matilda, who is a central character in the book.
“We’ve no children,” says Nick. “We weren’t lucky enough. We did try.”
Nick’s love of family might surprise some, given his own childhood experiences.
“My parents never liked each other. My mother refused to carry me home after I was born. I always felt rejected and never felt loved.”
His parents divorced when Nick was eight. Neither wanted him, so his grandmother brought him up. Rejection continued throughout school, where he was underestimated by his teachers and his fellow pupils.
“My report card read dismally. At school, I was called ‘thick’, which was hurtful, especially as I didn’t think I was thick. I played chess at the age of five.
“I didn’t know I had Dyslexia. In the 1960s and 70s, it wasn’t recognised.”
Nick was diagnosed aged 35.
“It’s not a lack of intelligence. You’re number- or word-blind. Sentences jumble themselves. Doing a cryptic crossword with me is huge fun,” he jokes.
Nick left Lincoln in 1978 and joined The Royal Marines. Nick loved The Marines “and they loved [him] back.”
Tears well in Nick’s eyes as he recalls the first time he felt accepted and valued. “Nobody there rejected me. They welcomed me with open arms.”
The Marines encouraged Nick and he blossomed. He attended Exeter University, on day release, where he graduated with an HND in Business. He was popular: “I had stories to tell, was confident. A little cocky perhaps.” Nick fondly remembers university as “Fabulous. It took me to a completely different place. It opened my eyes.”
“I’ve been shot, stabbed and set fire to,” he says. In Belfast, a group of men on a bridge poured a lit stream of petrol onto them, as they drove beneath.
Experiences like this and having “witnessed death first-hand,” left Nick with PTSD. After a decade with the Marines, he left.
Nick then went into sales. He thrived in a sales environment, where many struggle with rejection. “I’d been rejected most of my life, so I didn’t take it personally when someone said ‘no’.” During tough times, Nick consoled himself with “at least no-one is shooting at me.”
After more than 30 years in industry, Nick retired.
He then focused on completing the book. “I’d have an idea – a mental image of a scene and write just one page. I’d show it to Delia who’d say ‘That’s great – go write another one’.”
The book took ten years “due to a lack of time and lack of faith.” The sequel took six months.
Despite the similarities, Nick insists it’s a work of fiction. “A lot of first novels are semi-autobiographical,” he says. “You have to write about something you know.”
Nick wrote using simple, short sentences, wanting it to be easy to read. “I wanted people with Dyslexia to know, there’s no need to feel ashamed. You can give it a go. No matter what your challenge, there is always a way through it. I’m proof of that.”
Nick seems relaxed about sales. He has been told: “This would make a great film.” He jokes that it would fulfil a fantasy if he could collaborate on the film with his namesake, Nick Love (Director of The Sweeney, The Football Factory and others).
Nick’s debut novel, ‘2600 Feet Per Second’ was published in January 2023 by Olympia Publishers. It is available on Amazon.
By Jeremy (Jez) Donaldson
Prison for rogue trader who cheated over £140,000 out of his victims
Lincolnshire Trading Standards has secured a prosecution against a dodgy handyman who defrauded at least 23 victims across the East Midlands.
William Bower, 44, of Tolney Lane, Newark on Trent, has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to 13 counts of fraud at Lincoln Crown Court.
Mr Bower has a history dating back over 15 years of fraudulent activity resulting in three previous suspended sentences for fraud offences from 2007, 2009 and 2017.
Since then, William Bower continued to operate across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, targeting elderly and vulnerable people who were looking for landscaping, gardening or property works. He was overcharging; taking large – and sometimes several – deposits; encouraging them to agree to more, unnecessary work; and then actually doing little to nothing. The work he did complete was often substandard.
One of Mr Bower’s victims said their run-in with him has caused them to lose all confidence in themselves. In a statement they said: “My independence has been taken away from me. [Mr Bower] has broken his word on all of his promises. How could he be so callous and uncaring about two vulnerable people?”
Most of Mr Bower’s victims had sought tradespeople to carry out work at their properties through online trader marketplaces where users submit details of the job they need doing and take quotes from local businesses to carry out that work. Using a wide variety of business names and versions of his own name, Bower managed to avoid negative reviews that might have come from customers he had swindled previously.
Lincolnshire Trading Standards Officer, Alan Griffin, explains: “When he was being interviewed under caution in September 2020, William ‘Billy’ Bower couldn’t even remember all of the business names he’d traded under, he had used that many.
“The original case against Mr Bower was a strong one, consisting of 13 charges all under the Fraud Act 2006. However, his day in court was put back numerous times due to claimed medical episodes preventing him from attending court, including heart attacks and a stroke.
“No medical evidence was provided to justify the delays. On one occasion, when it was claimed Mr Bower was in a vegetative state in hospital and so could not attend court, footage from the day before shows him walking up to the house of one of his previous victims.
“William Bower finally appeared before a judge in November 2022 to plead guilty to the charges against him. He was remanded in custody to await his sentencing.”
Incredibly, whilst in custody at HMP Lincoln, Mr Bower maintained contact with one Leicestershire victim, calling him persistently to continue his harassment and intimidation.
Alan Griffin continues: “During the delay, Trading Standards services across the three counties identified ten further victims and these were taken into account on his sentencing. Two further fraud related matters were transferred from Nottingham Magistrates court, so that his criminality was dealt with together.
“This has been a long and drawn-out case, and we’re indebted to our Trading Standards and police colleagues in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire for their support in helping put William Bower behind bars. I’d also like to commend Bower’s victims for coming forward, and cooperating with the authorities in this case; it is your evidence that has brought him to justice.
“Although Mr Bower has repaid some of the money he’s swindled – mostly in the last few months – he still owes over £100,000 to his latest victims. It’s clear that his attempts at refunds were a last-ditch attempt to save his own skin after legal proceedings were started against him.”
At Lincoln Crown Court on 27 February 2023, William Bower was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison. Further investigations have now begun for future hearings to discuss compensation for his victims.
The court also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Mr Bower must not use trader marketplace websites to offer landscaping or property work; must not enter any property in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire or Leicestershire to carry out or advertise for landscaping or property work; must not take any money upfront for work; and must provide all his customers with a contract including his most up to date contact details and address.
Another of Mr Bower’s elderly victims said in a statement: “I have received so many lies and excuses that I could fill a book with them. I should have contacted Trading Standards sooner, but I was ashamed to admit that I had been conned so easily.”
Vicky Salmon, anti-fraud community safety co-ordinator at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This is a fantastic result for Trading Standards and takes a rogue trader off the streets. It’s also a cautionary tale for residents when looking for tradespeople for work on their homes, especially when using online trade checker websites.
“If you find a business, check if they’re a member of ‘TrustMark’ – the government’s trader scheme, ‘Buy With Confidence,’ or a similar scheme or trade association that carries out checks.
“Make sure you receive documents relating to your work and know your rights to cancel. If something does go wrong, never be too afraid or embarrassed to report it to Trading Standards as soon as possible.
“You can find further advice on finding a trader you can trust, or report a rogue trader, on the Citizens Advice website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer.”
Freemasons give £2,000 to support those bereaved by suicide
Those left behind in the aftermath of a suicide carry the pain of its loss undiminished for the rest of their lives – and a charity set up to support them says too many still suffer alone and unsupported.
But Freemasons are providing support to redress that balance by donating £2,000 to the Scunthorpe branch of national charity SOBS – Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide – which supports people from as far afield as Mablethorpe, Skegness, the Isle of Axholme and Grimsby as well as Scunthorpe.
Members of Scunthorpe based St Lawrence Lodge and the Lodge of St John have each given £500, both of which donations have been match funded by the national Freemasons’ charity the MCF.
The money will be used to replace the soft furnishings and curtains in a seaside caravan operated for the last six years at Thorpe Park near Cleethorpes by SOBS volunteers. It’s a haven offering periods of respite to survivors, or for otherwise impossible seaside holidays for the single parent families that suicide can create.
The caravan was bought after four years of intense fundraising to gather the £46,000 to buy and furnish it. The SOBS branch organiser is Nina Shrimpton, who lost her son Russell to suicide 11 years ago. She said it was hard to get mental health support. “It’s just not available,” she said. “We do what we can, and providing the caravan is part of that. People need to get away, particularly after a funeral.”
The facility is now six years old, and volunteers Nina and Judith Johnson want to freshen up its interior. “We provide all of that. People who need to use the caravan don’t need to be bothered by having to sort out bedding, so we make sure that’s all done,” said Nina.
“We have tried to make the caravan into a home away from home, with games to play and bikes for the children to ride. The contribution from the Freemasons is massive. With your money we can buy new bedding and replace the curtains, which tend to fade in the strong sunlight. You’re supporting us in helping people to get away, and we’ve had some lovely feedback from the people we’ve helped,” she added.
- Are you a survivor of bereavement by suicide? The Scunthorpe SOBS group meets at the Community Centre on the town’s Lindum Street on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. There are almost 70 branches nationwide, which can be found at the web site uksobs.org Email the support service at any time email.support@uksobs.org, or call the national support line 0300 1115065 between 9am and 5pm on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Seven years in jail for man who took to roof top in nine hour incident
A Cleethorpes man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after appearing at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday 3 March.
Ryan Tomney, 26, of Normandy Road, Cleethorpes, pleaded guilty to committing arson and affray, along with threats to kill, criminal damage and assault of a police officer in relation to an incident on Lincoln Boulevard, Grimsby, on Thursday 28 April 2022, spanning more than nine hours.
Tomney took to the roof top of a row of terraced houses and threw items off the roof before being arrested by police in the early hours of Friday 29 April. It is during this time that residents on this terrace had to be evacuated for their safety as Ryan set fire to their roof space which started to spread. He proceeded to throw tiles and other missiles from the roof top, causing significant damage to houses, cars and causing injury to a police officer.
Officer in the case DC Connolly said: “Tomney’s intentions were to cause as much disruption as possible and evade capture from the Police. This led to the evacuation of nearby properties.
“However, I want to tell people who look to cause this type of disruption to our communities by going on roof tops that we will always pursue them through the courts. We will deal with them robustly and take action.
“The police and partners, including Humberside Fire and Rescue, worked exceptionally hard to bring the incident to a safe conclusion, despite Tomney’s reckless actions.
“Tomney is a selfish man who had no consideration for those whose properties he was damaging, or the community that was deeply affected by his mindless actions.”
Humanitarian gesture to provide homes for 21 refugee families
Families fleeing war-torn countries are to receive welcome support from South Kesteven District Council, from temporary homes offered to them through a Government scheme.
Full Council has agreed to accept a £2,098,750 allocation from the Government-funded Local Authority Housing Fund.
This will be supplemented by £2,383,750 from SKDC’s Housing Revenue Account reserves giving a total £4.482m project to purchase 21 properties.
These will add to the SKDC social housing portfolio, initially for use by Afghan and Ukrainian evacuee families who have arrived legally in the UK and later by families on the SKDC Housing Register.
Afghan resettlement prioritises those who assisted the UK with military operations in the country, plus those at greatest risk from the Taliban. Schemes to assist Ukraine nationals focus on legal resettlement and support for women and children refugees displaced by the conflict.
The Local Authority Housing Fund is to ease pressure on local housing demand and create a new and permanent supply of accommodation for local authorities to assist UK nationals in the future.
The Leader of South Kesteven District Council, Cllr Kelham Cooke, said: “This humanitarian gesture is something we should all be proud of, as it gives something back to those who supported the UK in Afghanistan and to Ukrainians escaping the terrible suffering in their own country.
“This investment will help refugees in their hour of need and create a lasting legacy by providing housing to help address local demand, and reduce future homelessness pressures for local people as the evacuees move out of the system.”
Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, Cllr Robert Reid said: “Local authorities and communities have worked tirelessly to provide safe refuge for people in their hour of need, with South Kesteven residents currently providing homes for the highest number of Ukraine refugees in the whole of Lincolnshire.
“The new scheme is not aimed at those who have arrived in the UK illegally, outside of Government sponsored resettlement schemes. Many of the families we are talking about, brought in by the UK Government, are with host families on short-term placements or living in temporary hostel accommodation.
“While this project allows the Council to access external funding, it requires SKDC to commit £2.38m of its own resources, in addition to the main Budget papers being considered this week.”
Full Council voted to accept the Government allocation of £2,098,750 to support the purchase of 21 new homes in the District to meet short, medium and long-term housing need.
They also agreed to move £2,383,750 from the SKDC’s Housing Revenue Account Priorities Reserve to fund its contribution.
The Local Authority Housing Fund helps provide affordable accommodation for legal evacuees until their visas expire in around 3-5 years’ time, by supporting local authorities. SKDC expects to approach developers with a view to purchase 19 two- or three-bedroom new-build homes and two four-bed+ properties.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities fund is worth £500m nationally.
SKDC is one of three local authorities in Lincolnshire, among just 180 nationwide, to be selected to benefit from this fund.
