London Camera Exchange undergoes upgrade
London Camera Exchange in Lincoln has been upgraded after 15 years unchanged.
As a Canon Pro Partner able to stock the latest Canon equipment, the shop was given the perfect excuse to refresh the store, recently revealing the transformation.
A spokesperson for London Camera Exchange said: “We have been in Lincoln for over 20 years and supply the latest in photographic equipment and Binoculars. We’re proud to be a Canon Pro Partner, which allows us to stock the latest Canon equipment including their ground breaking EOS R mirrorless system and RF lenses. This gave us a great excuse to refresh the store (albeit three years in the planning, but you know what delayed it…).
“The store hadn’t been changed for almost 15 years, so an upgrade was much needed. Please come and visit us, whether you’re new or experienced with photography, we’re always happy to help.”
Find London Camera Exchange at 6 Silver Street, Lincoln, LN2 1DY.
Teenagers dedicate support to Lincolnshire museum
Five young men are dedicating their spare time to help support a local Lincolnshire museum.
After finding out the owner of the We’ll Meet Again WW2 Museum based at Freiston Shore Nr Boston had been diagnosed with terminal illness, Archie, Jacob, Alfie, Leon and Ewan – who’s ages range from 13-16 – have been coming to the museum at weekends dressed in full period WW2 uniforms to talk to the public about items on display and give guided tours of the original WW2 gunline and buildings situated next to the museum.
They have also been busy digging authentic trenches to help with the visual impact.
All the public donations given in recognition of the lads’ exceptional knowledge of the WW2 structures and equipment has gone towards the upkeep of the museum charity.
The group are now volunteering alongside the regular museum volunteers to give the public that extra special experience. The dedication shown by these young men should not go unrecognised, giving the museum owner Paul that extra reason to fight on through his ongoing treatment.
Up, up, and away: Museum plans Airfix weekend
Returning to the Museum of Lincolnshire Life for the first time since the pandemic, the popular Airfix Weekend will see the museum on Lincoln’s Burton Road play host to more 100 models, including the iconic Spitfire.
Members of the Lincoln Model club will be displaying a variety of models including aircraft, tanks, trucks, cars, and robots.
Steve Dunk, visitor experience manager at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome back the modelling society for this unique exhibition, which is a joy for both enthusiasts and families alike. It’s a showcase of magnificent craftsmanship, and visitors can enjoy the rest of the museum too.”
Tickets for the event cost just £3 for adults and £1 per child. Or buy a family ticket for two adults and up to three children for £6.
The Museum of Lincolnshire Life is on Burton Road in Lincoln. It is open Friday to Tuesday, from 10am to 4pm. www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/museumoflincolnshirelife.
Lincolnshire employers among first in country to sign pledge supporting older workers
Lincolnshire County Council has become one of the first local authorities in the country to have signed the Centre for Ageing Better’s Age-friendly Employer Pledge.
The council joins Lincolnshire Cooperative and NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board among the first 80 organisations in the country to sign the free, nationwide scheme.
Now other employers in the county are being encouraged to sign up to the scheme and feel the benefit for themselves of tackling skills and labour shortages through the recruitment and retention of a multigenerational workforce.
Under the initiative, employers commit to taking at least one action a year to improve the recruitment, retention and development of older workers, identifying a senior sponsor for age-inclusion within their workforce and ensuring that age is specifically named within their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies.
The Centre for Ageing Better supports the network of Age-Friendly Pledge Employers by providing an action framework of suggested actions and offering opportunities to learn effective age-friendly practices. Nationally, the employment gap between 35-49s and 50-64s is now at 15 percentage points – 4 percentage points higher than pre-pandemic. Among the 830,000 additional economically inactive people since the start of the pandemic, three in four are aged 50 or above. The picture for older workers in Lincolnshire is especially challenging. Between October 2021 and September 2022, almost three in ten (27.6%) 50-64 year olds in Lincolnshire were economically inactive. This is almost one percentage point more than the national average for this age group in the same time period (26.8%). Faced with record vacancy rates alongside skills and labour shortages, now, more than ever, local employers can benefit from increasing their numbers of older workers and harnessing their skills and experience. Lucy Shevill, HR lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “At Lincolnshire County Council 40% of our staff are aged 50 or over so we could assume that being age-friendly is embedded already. By checking our approaches against the five age-friendly principles and what support we offer older workers specifically, there is still more we can do. “One of the areas we are looking to develop is how we promote our learning opportunities including apprenticeships to older workers where they are currently underrepresented.” Sophie Chapman, Engagement Advisor at Lincolnshire Co-op, said: “We’re delighted to be one of the first signatories of the Age-friendly Employer Pledge and continue to champion older workers. “We have made significant changes to our recruitment processes, are working with external agencies to provide older job seekers with a work placement and employability programme, and support colleagues experiencing age related wellbeing issues. “Over a quarter of our colleagues are aged 55 and over and we recognise the positive difference they make to our family of businesses and the local communities they serve.” Navaz Sutton, Strategic Partnership Manager for Lincolnshire at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “It is great to see some of Lincolnshire’s largest employers leading the way for other local organisations in signing the Age-friendly Employer Pledge. “Lincolnshire’s ageing population is already reflecting the kind of demographics we expect to see nationally in 20 years’ time, so it is key for the county to be an age-friendly pioneer. Signing the pledge is a fantastic first step for employers to prepare for this demographic change and become more age inclusive. There is a real interest in age-friendly approaches in the county and I am excited to support other local employers that are interested in signing the pledge.”An exciting new era for the White Hart Hotel
Positive changes are underway at the iconic White Hart Hotel in Lincoln’s historic Bailgate, with the recent appointment of a new General Manager and an imminent programme for a full transformation of the hotel with a sensitive and comprehensive refurbishment scheme.
The hotel’s owner, local businessman Andrew Long, said: “Since acquiring the White Hart Hotel in July 2022, the intention has always been to maximise the full trading potential and to enhance the status of the full range of facilities. Our extensive refurbishment will respect the centuries of heritage in the building and its exceptional location.
“To now have a confirmed date for the commencement of the works is very exciting for the future of the White Hart, as well as a further ‘milestone’ for Lincoln’s historic Bailgate and the surrounding Uphill area.
“We believe that the hotel will become one of the very best in the region, as well as remaining a popular and welcoming venue for our loyal guests, many of whom have known the hotel for several decades and generations.”
The hotel will close for the extensive refurbishment and improvement works for three months from 1st March and is scheduled for reopening in June. The work will include a complete refurbishment and ‘refit’ of the main Lounge Bar, as well as the addition of a new Club Bar and a relocated Reception. At the same time, the contractors will complete a sensitive refurbishment of the ground and first floor function rooms, inclusive of the former Orangery / Eastgate Suite and King Richard Room.
There will also be a significant reconfiguration of the Restaurant, which will be ‘rebranded’ and re-launched in July. This will include an impressive new frontage onto Bailgate, appropriately elevating the venue as a sophisticated ‘special occasion’ dining destination in its own right, offering high standards of cuisine with extensive use of local produce.
Six bedrooms will be re-launched at the start of June, with the other 44 bedrooms and suites to be refurbished in a ‘rolling programme’ throughout the remainder of the year.
There is also a full re-branding project being undertaken in conjunction with renowned illustrator Chris Mitchell (who has been instrumental in many iconic designs for world-famous brands), which has already commenced in readiness for the reopening of the hotel.
Paul Noble joined the team as new General Manager in mid-January, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the White Hart. Having worked in hotels and restaurants across the country, ranging from country houses to some of London’s finest eateries, he will oversee the preparation for the reopening in conjunction with the senior members of the full project team.
Paul said: “There’s nowhere quite like the White Hart and the uniqueness of this hotel is something which I’m very excited about. The world class location and the future potential are what have drawn me to this role and it’s going to be one of the most sought-after Cathedral city hotels in the country once the refurbishment has taken place.”
Andrew added: “Paul brings a huge amount of experience and energy to the role of General Manager. His appointment will be instrumental to the full delivery of our objectives to create a substantial jewel in Lincoln’s crown.”
Interior design concepts are being handled by the nationally renowned DO Design team. Director, Sarah Daniels, said: “Visiting Lincoln and the White Hart, we were struck by the need to reflect the heritage and innate features that may have been lost over time through previous renovations. We want to bring back a deep, warm feel and the colours and aesthetic choices we’ve planned will give a look that is both sympathetic to the building’s history without taking it back in time.
“This will also be supported by a suitable choice of varied furniture and antiques.”
Building work is to be undertaken by the Lindum Group in conjunction with many other Lincoln-based companies, project managed by Luxury Hotel Management, working in conjunction with John Robert Architects, Building & Quantity specialists P&BC, together with Banks, Long & Co.
Government invests £7m in Lincolnshire to understand flooding risk from groundwater
An new project aimed at better understanding flood risk in Lincolnshire has been awarded £7.18m of Government funding over the next four years.
The new project, led by Lincolnshire County Council, was one of 25 schemes awarded funding by Defra as part of the £200m Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme, announced in 2020.
The project will create a better understanding of groundwater, the least understood flooding mechanism across greater Lincolnshire, and how it can be managed, both in terms of flood risk and as a resource.
Working with trial communities in Barton and Barrow on the Humber bank, Grimsby, and Scopwick near Lincoln – over the next four years, the results of this project will help inform future thinking to how organisations across the county, and more widely, approach challenges around groundwater.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for environment at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Groundwater flooding is the least understood form of flooding nationally. This project will make great strides in addressing this gap by enhancing our capabilities to manage groundwater, whilst simultaneously protecting and enhancing the environment, minimising whole life carbon impacts, and providing amenity benefits”.
Morgan Wray, Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for the Environment Agency said: “As well as providing many local benefits, the evidence gained from this programme will enable successful approaches to be identified and implemented more widely.”
For further information regarding the project, visit the greater Lincolnshire groundwater project page on the Engage Environment Agency website or email Innovative.Resilience@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
As part of the first stage of the project Lincolnshire County Council is seeking assistance from landowners and private individuals to help understand the location of existing boreholes to assist in monitoring and current and future groundwater levels in the trial areas,
If you have a borehole within your property or land and would be willing to work with the council, please contact Innovative.Resilience@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Witham Group raises over £7,000 for charities at annual ball
Local family run business and Royal Warrant Holder, The Witham Group, held its annual charity ball in January and raised a fantastic £7,250 for local and national charities chosen for being close to the hearts of colleagues.
The Lincolnshire-based company, who manufacture lubricants and paints, has been hosting the annual ball for employees, suppliers and customers since 1993 and raises money for charity every year through an auction and raffle.
This year, the money raised has been shared between four fantastic charities:
- Prostate Cancer UK – whose top priority is funding research to stop prostate cancer killing men. They’re investing millions to find better treatments and better tests that can spot fast-growing cancers early, and could be used in a screening programme to save thousands of lives.
- LIVES – LIVES attend to 999 medical emergencies across Lincolnshire, supporting the highly pressured NHS and ambulance service. They will put the money raised towards life saving defibrillators.
- Lincolnshire MS Therapy Centre – A charity supporting people who suffer from the debilitating illness Multiple Sclerosis in Lincolnshire. They offer a variety of treatments, holistic therapies and classes for anyone with a neurological condition. They also offer oxygen therapy which has proved very useful for long covid sufferers.
- Sophies Journey – Sophie’s Journey provides free holidays for children with cancer and their families in Lincolnshire. The charity was set up in memory of a girl called Sophie Robinson who sadly passed away in January 2016 from an aggressive brain tumour. The charity also exists to provide comfort and support to children enduring cancer treatments.
Jobs under threat at British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant
Unite the union has vowed to fight to defend every job under threat at British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant.
The declaration comes today (Wednesday 22 February) after the company confirmed it intends to make approximately 300 workers redundant and close its coking ovens, which produce the fuel to power its blast furnaces.
Unite believes that the proposed job losses are a direct result of the Jingye Group, the Chinese owners of British Steel, and its failure to make good on its commitment to make major investments in the plant and the government’s abject inability to produce a coherent industrial strategy to protect the UK’s steel making capability.
According to the union, British Steel has currently failed to provide any evidence for its financial justification for closing the coking ovens, nor has it provided any information about where it intends to source coke from in the future.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “British Steel workers are faced with the toxic combination of a greedy employer that is reneging on investment promises and a shambolic UK government that has no serious plan for the industry.
“Unite’s members in British Steel are clear that they will fight this and they will have the full support of their union.”
Unite national officer Linda McCulloch said: “This union has not yet seen any financial justification for the closure of the coking ovens. British Steel needs to come clean and open its books in order to try to justify its decisions.
“Unite will pursue every avenue, including industrial action, to defend members’ jobs at British Steel.”
Earlier this month British Steel indicated that it was intending to make 1,200 workers redundant across all of its operations. However apart from the coke ovens, it has not indicated where the majority of the job losses would come from.
Footfall statistics show busiest December in years for Boston town centre
Boston town centre has enjoyed one of its busiest Decembers in recent years, with a footfall increase of up to 65% and a higher number of visitors than were seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data.
The new figures, shared by Boston Borough Council, show that December 2022 saw higher numbers of visitors to the town centre than over any of the previous three Christmas periods, with a 30% increase from 2021, 65% increase on 2020, and a 12% increase compared to 2019.
The Council ran a series of successful events and initiatives to help encourage shoppers into the town over this period, including the popular Festive Market, Illuminate Parade and Santa Fun Run, as well as offering free parking across 15 council car parks in the run-up to Christmas.
Over the past year council officers have also been working in partnership with property owners in the town centre to clear up known fly-tipping and dumping hot spots, including at the back of the former Bambridges offices on Wide Bargate, Boston. This work is to help tackle health and safety risks and to make the town centre cleaner and more welcoming.
Moving forwards, the Council found out last month that it had successfully secured £14.8m from the Government Levelling Up Fund to help kick-start regeneration and secure further investment to the heart of the town centre.
Boston’s Rosegarth Square masterplan, forming part of PE21, seeks to revitalise and repurpose the area between the River Witham and the bus station. It will particularly focus on the area of the former Dunelm / B&M building and the vacant Crown House building, creating a new public park, green spaces, improved pedestrian routes, artwork and other features to create an inviting, safe, accessible and enjoyable place.
Councillor Tracey Abbott, Portfolio Holder for Town Centre, said: “It is so encouraging to see these new footfall statistics showing a really positive trend for Boston town centre, reaching higher levels than we even saw before the impact of the pandemic. This is a great reflection of the hard work that has taken place with businesses to make it a desirable and accessible place to visit and shop.
“Our fantastic range of local businesses are the heart of the Borough, and it is important that we all continue to take pride in our area and do what we can to support them, now and into the future.”
Scott Crowson, Managing Director of Coneys Designer Wear, who have traded in Boston since 1856, added: “It is great to see that an increasing number of shoppers are returning to Boston town centre, and supporting the local independent businesses like ours who depend on them.
“Continuing work to make the town centre an attractive prospect and initiatives to help increase footfall is so important for residents and businesses alike, and we are really pleased to see the Council continuing their commitment to this and securing major funding to help transform parts of the town moving forwards.”
Building work starts soon on Epworth’s community hub
Building work is set to begin on a new community hub in Epworth near Scunthorpe, the latest step in North Lincolnshire Council’s community investment programme – with others developed and expanded in Ashby, Barton, Brigg, Crowle, and Scunthorpe.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “It’s great to see work begin on this new community hub in Epworth. This is the latest part of a multi-million-pound community investment programme designed to create spaces for communities to come together.
“People have said they want access to key services in locations central to them and we have listened. This investment is all about bringing together support and facilities under one roof and locating them at the heart of communities.”
Epworth follows the launch of other community hubs at Ashby Hub, Baysgarth in Barton-upon-Humber, Scunthorpe Central, Crowle’s beautiful Market Hall, and the Angel in Brigg.
Located at Epworth Leisure Centre on Burnham Road, the bug will give residents access to a range of facilities including a library, digital technology, lifelong learning opportunities and community kitchens.
Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for rural communities, said: “The hubs have all been tailored to the needs of individual communities. They are adaptable spaces, this latest development in the Isle will help enable local groups to develop and expand, it will have a positive impact on people’s quality of life.
“The investment in buildings is backed by a raft of community grants which have built playgrounds, outdoor gyms, wildlife havens and a whole range of amazing planting schemes in communities across the area.”
This investment from the council – which last week froze general council tax – complements more than £80m of Government funding which has backed plans for creating a new future in North Lincolnshire.
