New campaign launched to inspire walking and cycling in Lincolnshire
A new campaign, #StrideAndRide, has been rolled out across Lincolnshire, encouraging more people to walk and cycle across the county.
Working alongside the Let’s Move Lincolnshire campaign, #StrideAndRide has been created to motivate residents to walk and cycle locally, inspiring people to move more and get involved in activities and events across the county.
#StrideAndRide will help raise awareness of the different options for walking and cycling in Lincolnshire and how this can benefit people; from spending more quality time with family to getting involved in new lower-intensity sports like walking netball or walking football. As well as highlighting the physical advantages of regular exercise, the campaign will also focus on the mental health benefits that walking and cycling can offer, such as boosting good moods and reducing feelings of anxiety.
The campaign will also encourage more residents to join community walking groups, including the Lincolnshire Co-operatives Wellbeing Walks, led by specially-trained volunteer leaders, to help improve physical and mental well-being and reduce isolation.
Although the campaign aims to resonate with all audiences, it will focus more specifically on engaging with those who struggle to engage in any physical activity at all, those aged over 55, and people who live in coastal areas within the county.
Emma Tatlow, CEO of Active Lincolnshire, said: “By creating greater awareness about the benefits of walking and cycling and the options to do so in Lincolnshire, #StrideAndRide hopes to inspire people to move more, through signposting to activities, events and providing ideas and motivation.
“We’ve found that by incorporating walking and cycling into daily routines, it gives people the opportunity to have some ‘me-time’; the chance to get away from life’s stresses and catch up on a podcast or socialise with friends – even if this is for a quick ten-minute stroll. Walking and cycling doesn’t just improve people’s physical health, it supports mental well-being too, and this is the message we’re keen to get across to Lincolnshire residents.
“With many affected by the cost-of-living crisis, walking and cycling offers some of the easiest and cheapest ways to become more active this winter. Living in such a beautiful county with hundreds of walking and cycle routes, this campaign is a fantastic way for people to get involved in increasing their exercise and fitness in the local community, and for free!”
The campaign will focus on four main incentives: Giving the mind and body a boost, adapting habits and defaults, inspiring exploration and challenges, and focusing on the family. These ideas were identified and developed using behavioural change research and insights.
More information about the #StrideAndRide campaign can be found here: www.letsmovelincolnshire.com/strideandride
Work to start in New Year as construction contract signed for Campus for Future Living
East Lindsey District Council has officially appointed Lindum Group to construct the £8.5m Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe.
The signing of the build contract is a significant milestone for the Council as it marks the first council-led Town Deal project moving to the delivery stage in 2023.
The flagship project for the Lincolnshire coast and wider East Lindsey has received £8.5m from the Mablethorpe Town Deal funding from the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, supported by the Connected Coast Board.
Work will now begin on site in January with turf cutting scheduled for early February. The build is scheduled for completion and handover to the Council in 2024.
Led by a coalition of local, regional, and national partners, the Campus for Future Living offers significant potential in reducing health inequalities in Mablethorpe as well as across the district.
It presents an opportunity to put Mablethorpe at the forefront of medical technology and innovation, offering a centre for health and care related teaching, training, research and development.
Accommodation, a coffee hub and parking facilities are also part of the scheme.
Cllr William Gray, portfolio holder for communities and better ageing at East Lindsey District Council, said: “The signing of the construction contract is a milestone for the Campus for Future Living and I am delighted the council has Lindum Group on board.
“The possibilities the Campus of Future Living offers residents and the opportunities it will bring to people in Mablethorpe and our communities are truly exciting.
“The Town Deal, particularly with this project, gives us an opportunity to improve the lives and wellbeing of residents and for that change to have a lasting impact for generations.
“I look forward to seeing work start on site in the New Year.”
Lindum Group MD Freddie Chambers said: “We are delighted to be here today to sign the construction contract and we anticipate work starting on site at the end of January.
“It is a great project for Lindum to be involved in, not just because it’s the area’s first Towns Fund scheme but also because it should have a positive impact on local health care, which as a large employer of Lincolnshire people, is important to us too.
“We have been working closely with the council to develop the design of the building which also has many ‘green’ credentials. Using BREEAM Excellence guidelines as a benchmark, it will incorporate air source heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage systems. There will also be electric charging stations for mobility scooters and lots of natural ventilation. All these elements will help to reduce the running costs and operational carbon impact of the finished building.”
Julian Free CBE, deputy vice chancellor, University of Lincoln, said: “We are very excited about the Campus for Future Living and are confident it will have a positive impact on the people of Mablethorpe and beyond.
“It is fantastic to have the Campus for Future Living construction contract with Lindum signed. We are now firmly advancing to the delivery of what will be a transformative project in Mablethorpe driving better health and social care outcomes for the local community. The University is pleased to have played its part in getting to this stage and looks forward to being an active participant in the completed Centre.”
Chris Baron, chair of Connected Coast, said: “The signing of the construction contract is a significant milestone for the Campus for Future Living that brings us ever closer to getting started on site.
“With the Campus, we will have a national exemplar in medical technology and innovation in our area that is set to bring jobs, investment, and opportunities for our local communities.
“I look forward to seeing work begin and the exciting vision for this project translate into delivery on the ground.”
Lincoln’s festive lights hanging on for deer life after more vandalism
Lincoln Business Improvement Group have once again encountered damage with one of the Lincoln Christmas Light Trail structures.
Lincoln BIG have been working with Fizzco Projects to illuminate the city this festive period to welcome visitors and residents into Lincoln and to look to put Lincoln on the map as a place to visit over Christmas.
The reindeer was installed along with the other illuminations for the Christmas light switch on event in November and has been a massive highlight this year as Lincoln BIG look to build on the popularity of last year’s light trail.
Unfortunately, as with last year, the lights have been damaged. This occurrence is the third instance on the reindeer this year, with the previous two being repaired. Unfortunately, the reindeer cannot be repaired this time and for the duration of it being out, it will only be partially lit.
Lee Roberts, head of operations for Lincoln BIG, said: “I am extremely disappointed and frustrated that yet again the Christmas lights have been damaged. We have been planning hard for months how to dress the city differently this year and how we can welcome everyone to Lincoln and showcase the city during challenging times for everyone.
“Building on last year and the success of the light trail concept, our aim this year was to provide opportunities for people to explore Lincoln and make lasting memories for themselves and their families. A lot of hard work, time and money has been invested in the Christmas illuminations and it is extremely disappointing that yet again the actions of a mindless individual or small group of individuals has had a negative impact on the city.
“We have been planning how to make these additional features bigger and better for 2023 and beyond, but this consistent battle against vandalism and damage makes us question whether this type of animation is right for the city. For next year we may have to put the lights behind barriers to avoid damage. I want to thank everyone who has managed to enjoy the light trail this year without the need to damage the lights and we apologise for the partially lit reindeer.”
Fizzco’s founder and company director, Wendy Clarkson, explains: “Fizzco has worked with Lincoln BIG all year to plan and create something magical for Christmas in Lincoln. Unfortunately, and frustratingly the continued vandalism of the Giant 7-metre Reindeer has led to extensive time and labour commitments as well as financial expense for both our company and Lincoln BIG.
“Something that was meant to be a new and exciting addition to the Festive Light trail for everyone in Lincoln to enjoy has been ruined by a few individuals without care or thought for others in their community. This is now the second year in a row that Christmas features in Lincoln have been vandalised over the Christmas period, making it challenging when planning to expand the Light Trail in 2023.”
Former Lincolnshire County Council offices hit the market
Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) have been appointed by Lincolnshire County Council to dispose of its former offices at The Avenue, Lincoln.
The offices, which are distributed across two pairs of semi-detached buildings and a further detached building, offer some 15,780 sq ft of accommodation between them.
The period buildings occupy a prominent location within Lincoln city centre and will be offered for sale as a whole or in up to three separate lots.
Andrew France, associate director at LSH, said: “This is a rare opportunity to acquire some landmark heritage assets in a prime central location. The configuration of the buildings offers enormous redevelopment potential and we are looking forward to seeing proposals come forward.”
Skegness firm moves towards ‘diesel-free’ future with van acquisition
Skegness-based Micronclean has added two ‘diesel-free’ vans to its fleet, saving as much as 3,000 gallons of diesel in their first year.
Initially they will be based in Baldock and Grantham delivery duties across the South and West Midlands.
Ricky Sheen, transport manager at Micronclean, said: “The two new Maxus EDELIVER 9 vans represent a major step forward as we work towards reducing the carbon footprint of our transport fleet. Historically we have always optimised our delivery routes to improve service levels, minimise fuel consumption and reduce costs, yet whilst this will continue, these vans also offer us a step change in our journey.
“The trials we undertook proved that as the technology stands currently these vehicles are ideal for local delivery routes, yet we will need to use internal combustion engines for some duty cycles. Where this is the case, we are looking to use Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) which will reduce net carbon emissions by up to 90%. In this way as we constantly renew our existing transport fleet at the end of their economic life, we have options to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Sophie Harris, QSHE associate director at Micronclean, added: “These vans are the first tangible elements of our MicronGreen agenda as we start setting a bold pathway to zero carbon emissions.”
College takes over Old Bakery to create Lincoln’s only not-for-profit fine dining venue
Lincoln College has taken over the Old Bakery on Burton Road to make it the only not-for-profit fine dining restaurant in the city, and help plug skills gaps in catering and hospitality across Lincolnshire.
Using a grant for the Lincoln Towns Fund, the College bought the restaurant and invested in a dining room and kitchen refit, before opening the doors to the public again this week.
Further Towns Fund money has been invested in the College training kitchens at its Monks Road campus to mark the launch of the Lincoln School of Hospitality and Catering.
Level three college students and apprentices will get the opportunity to work alongside the Head Chef Barry Dawson at the Old Bakery as part of their “Finishing School” preparation to enter the workplace.
Mark Taylor, Lincoln College Director of Business Development, said: “When the previous owner put this place on the market we saw it as the perfect partner to the Lincoln School of Catering and Hospitality.
“Our new Old Bakery manager Chris and Head Chef Barry will continue to serve the best fine dining food in the city, but we’ll all be working towards a much bigger training solution for the county.
“Our catering, front of house, barista and mixology students will get to learn from Barry and Chris and work in a real-life industry setting that has the highest standards. This will enable us to produce really experienced, productive apprentices for restaurants, pubs and bars across the county.
“We also want to work with local business to deliver new courses to their staff to ensure the county’s tourism and hospitality sector has the highest standards of delivery and customer service.”
Old Bakery Manager Chris Wilson said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity for me personally and it’s really going to enliven the local scene. Every penny spent in the Old Bakery will be reinvested in education and training from now on – that’s a totally new concept.”
Jobs saved as Grantham hotel sold out of administration
The Olde Barn Hotel in Grantham has been sold out of administration, seeing all jobs saved.
The sale to an unnamed buyer comes after the hotel fell into administration for the third time.
It had previously been rescued by Shepherd Cox Hotels (Grantham) Limited in 2020, part of the Shepherd Cox Hotel Group.
The Olde Barn Hotel has over 100 bedrooms, a leisure club, restaurant and function facilities.
Nicholas Barnett, administrator at Libertas Insolvency Practitioners, said: “I can confirm that following an extensive marketing campaign (that took place prior to my appointment), a sale of the business and assets took place shortly after my appointment as administrator of the company.
“I am pleased to report that all employees were transferred to the purchaser and as such there will be no redundancies.
“Furthermore, the purchaser is honouring all pre-paid future bookings, so the hotel continues to trade and customers will not be affected.”
Image credit: Google maps
Tips for dealing with a rogue electrician
Rogue traders can cause a great amount of inconvenience in your life. They can damage your property, wound your trust in other professionals, and waste your money.
While there are hotspots to be wary of when it comes to rogue traders, these devious schemers exist everywhere. You must be vigilant, avoiding door-to-door electricians and sourcing recommendations from trusted resources only.
Still, bad luck can strike anytime, and despite your best efforts, you may encounter rogue electricians anyway and be conned by them. Here’s what to do in those situations.
Get Legal Advice
You shouldn’t allow a rogue trader to get the best of you. While a hefty defeat can compel you to put the matter to bed, reviewing your legal options at the earliest opportunity is best. If a rogue trader has caused problems at your property, you should be able to get any damage fixed or get your money back in these circumstances. If you discover rogue electricians engaging in dubious schemes on your property, then calling the police on 999 is a valid response, too, as they’re potentially causing significant damage to your property, which can harm others.
Don’t be dismissive of these activities. Rogue electricians are conducting criminal activities that warrant an emergency response. If they get away with what they’ve done, no doubt they’ll continue their nefarious pursuits elsewhere. Overcome any feelings of panic and failure, and acknowledge the serious nature of these situations and the wider impact they can have on others.
Find Your Replacement
Your home cannot be left in tatters. Incomplete electrical work is also a hazard, so these problems must be reversed immediately with a suitable replacement service. The electrician you work with must be registered and regulated. Some operate via schemes that the Government has approved, which means you can contact their operators directly and quickly should any issues arise. You can look elsewhere too, but the vital thing is that these traders have been vetted and not just brought in from a door-to-door interaction or touted by a family friend.
It would help if you also avoided Googling ’electricians near me’ and instead consulted MyBuilder for full access to free quotes from vetted electricians. You can quickly describe your electrical problem, choose between the responses of many specialists, and then browse reviews around their services for additional assurances. You can do all of this before offering any of your personal details.
Learn From Mistakes
Some people face difficulties dealing with rogue electricians even before any work has commenced. These schemers may turn up uninvited at your door and have a rather overbearing presence. If you’ve fallen prey to these schemes before, you need to learn from the experience. Refuse any special offers put to you. Try not to let them exploit any concerns you may have about your energy usage and bills. Refuse to be pressurised, consult another third party, and do your research before commencing any work.
Mistakes made don’t need to be yours exclusively, either. Learn from other people’s accounts too. Remember, rogue electricians often pretend they’re miracle workers who have identified a problem that needs immediate solutions and payment, but new tricks can always materialise. Realise you’re not alone and use that to your advantage by staying informed.
What you need to know about opening a care home in Lincolnshire
If you have plenty of experience in business management, and a profound desire to help people, then you may be considering launching your own care home business in Lincolnshire.
While it’s not the right role for everyone, becoming a care home owner can be a lucrative career choice. A career that could give you the opportunity to provide high standards of care and attention to those in need. It’s also a sector in need of additional facilities to cope with the marked increase in the elderly population of the UK that is predicted over the coming decades.
If you are keen to help meet this growing demand and start your own care home in your local area in Lincolnshire, then read on for a clear and concise guide to discover the important factors you need to consider before entering the industry.
The Kind Of Facility You Will Choose
Before you go ahead with launching your care facility, you need a solid and detailed business plan in place. To help you prepare this crucial document, one of the first choices you need to make is what kind of care home facility you would like to manage. There are two main types: residential homes and nursing homes.
- Residential Homes – Residential care homes focus on offering accommodation and daily care for residents, which includes assistance with eating, washing, toileting, dressing, and taking medications. All meals are provided by the care home, as well as laundry services, cleaning, and the provision of daily activities and outings for those who are physically capable. While medical professionals may visit a residential home, and while such a facility is capable of providing both emergency and palliative care, this type of home is not a medical institution. This means they are not ideal for those who require round-the-clock medical attention.
- Nursing Homes – A nursing home is a facility that provides the same accommodation and services as a residential home but with additional medical capabilities. These range from being able to provide intravenous fusions to caring for patients who require oxygen, feeding tubes, or colostomy bags. Nursing homes will have medically qualified staff on site 24 hours a day. They are best suited for patients who require constant medical care due to serious mental or physical health conditions.
Man charged following assault on woman and children
Following an assault on a woman in a supermarket car park on Holles Street in Grimsby, a man has been charged.
The incident was reported to Humberside Police shortly before 6pm on Saturday 10 December 2022.
It was reported that a man assaulted a woman causing facial injuries. Passers-by intervened and attempted to restrain a suspect who is reported to have assaulted one of those helping, causing minor injuries.
Thankfully the woman was not seriously injured.
Daniel Skinner, aged 38-years-old of Salacon Way, Grimsby, was arrested in connection with the incident and has subsequently been charged with two counts of Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) and also for failing to surrender to police bail.
