Cinderella at the New Theatre Royal Lincoln – a magical ‘must see’
Lincolnshire Today had the pleasure of attending the opening night of Cinderella on 9th December, at the New Theatre Royal Lincoln, and can only highly recommend a visit.
If you’re needing a little push towards getting into full Christmas spirit then this is the place to find it. With a star-studded cast, fantastic props and staging, including a flying horse and carriage, the wonder of this classic tale is fully brought to life.
It was lovely to see mother and daughter duo Kerry Katona and Lilly McFadden on stage together. As a mum I imagine they are having the best of fun. Featuring as ‘Butox’ and ‘Baby Butox’ they both really engaged with the audience and brought a real sense of fun to their roles.
Fantastic costumes were on display for the full cast with hilarious modern twists.
Jake Quickenden in a ball gown is a sight to behold as this year he plays the Fairy Godfather. Once again Jake brought his contagious personality to the theatre, his sense of fun, and ability to draw the audience in with a sly wink of his eye – it’s just what panto is about.
Arran Wilson as Goldina Donatella, the wicked Stepmother, was my favourite character – funny, great characterisation and choreography, a really well payed role. Jack Barnard as Prince Charming this year really has the loveliest of singing voices, and with Georgia Hayes-Cowley playing Cinderella, this year’s cast are full of talent and fun, a real ‘must go see’.
Playing now until 8th January, book tickets to avoid missing out on the most fantastic panto.
By Angie Cooper
Grimsby haulage company acquired by large Latvian logistics business
Kreiss SIA, a Latvian-headquartered European transport and logistics group, has acquired C Neil Dowson Limited, a haulage and distribution business based in Immingham Docks.
Kreiss provides transportation for goods, including pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, hazardous cargo, and frozen and perishable goods, across Europe. The business currently has offices in six different countries, a fleet of 2,000 trucks and trailers, and employs around 2,400 staff.
A team from Weightmans LLP, led by Paul Raftery, provided legal advice to Kreiss on the acquisition, its first in the UK.
Founded in 1990 by Neil and Julie Dowson, C Neil Dowson provides haulage services throughout the UK. The business boasts a fleet of tractor units, skeletal trailers, forklifts, and its own yard, located one mile from one of Europe’s largest ports, Immingham Docks in Lincolnshire, all of which will be acquired by Kreiss as part of the deal.
The acquisition provides Kreiss with a new base in the UK, enabling the business to further expand its international operations.
Sergejs Zalizko, board member of Kreiss, said: “We are delighted to welcome C Neil Dowson in to the Kreiss Group. This acquisition will help us build out our UK base to enhance our services for clients in the UK. C Neil Dowson have an excellent reputation in the market, and we are pleased to be working with them and their team to continue to deliver first-class haulage solutions to customers.”
Neil Dowson, operations director of C Neil Dowson, said: “Over the past 32 years of trading, C Neil Dowson company has been recognised by its customers, staff and suppliers for its loyalty and reliability within the market. These principles can now be carried into the future with the support of Kreiss behind us. Becoming part of Kreiss Group marks a new chapter for C Neil Dowson and I am confident that it will be a positive move for the business and its customers.”
Kreiss was advised on the deal by a team led by Paul Raftery at Weightmans LLP, Chasz Coulsting at Crowe UK LLP and Stuart Laight at SJL Advisory.
Sell side, C Neil Dowson was advised by Mark Daubney at Bridge McFarland LLP and Mike Beckett at Forrester Boyd.
New £5.3m theatres unveiled at Grantham and District Hospital
The first patients have been welcomed for surgery in two new state-of-the-art theatres at Grantham and District Hospital.
The £5.3m modular building includes two operating theatres, along with their associated preparation rooms, utility facilities and a six-bed recovery bay. There is also an area for staff to change and take a break.
The theatres include an ultraclean ventilation system and digital screens which allow theatre teams from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) to access real-time patient and diagnostic information.
Vel Sakthivel, consultant orthopaedic surgeon and ULHT’s surgery division clinical director, said: “This is a very exciting project for us at ULHT which significantly strengthens our ambition to be a centre of excellence at Grantham in our planned elective surgery programme.
“Our two new theatres increase our available theatre capacity at Grantham by 50%, taking us up to six theatres. For our patients, this will support our efforts to reduce their waiting times for procedures, and also give them a better environment with state-of-the-art facilities to receive their care.”
To make the new theatres possible, the build has included:
- more than 19 miles of cabling for power, lighting and controls
- three miles of data cabling
- 1,200 metres of fire alarm cabling
- 1,000 metres of pipework
- 1,350m of medical gas pipework
Family Hubs coming to Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire County Council has been selected as one of 75 local authorities to benefit from the government’s Family Hubs programme.
Hosted by the Department for Education (DfE) and Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), the Family Hubs programme aims to make a positive difference to parents, carers and their children by providing high-quality, joined-up, whole-family support services from conception and through a child’s early years until they reach the age of 19 (or 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities).
Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive councillor for children’s services, said: “It’s well-known that a child’s early years have a significant impact on their later life. So, we want all Lincolnshire children to have a happy, healthy start in life and be well prepared for school.
“There is clear evidence that by supporting all families, identifying risks early and preventing problems from escalating, we can achieve better long-term outcomes for children and their families. That means we must ensure families get the right support, at the right time, in the right place.
“The Family Hubs programme is not about new buildings, but about adapting how and where we deliver information, advice and help to make it more welcoming and accessible for all families, particularly when they need it most.
“Importantly, it will mean additional investment, allowing us to build upon the support already provided by our children’s centres and the early help team. And we’ll be working closely with our partners, families and local communities to improve the services available, particularly in the crucial first 1,001 days of a child’s life.
“We’re delighted to see funding being directed towards early years at this critical time, considering the impact of the pandemic on small children’s development. We’re confident that this programme will make a significant difference to our families and give Lincolnshire children a firm foundation for the future.”
Great Wall of Grimsby officially unveiled
A group of artists were joined by North East Lincolnshire’s Mayor for the official reveal of a magnificent new mural depicting much-loved scenes in Grimsby.
The Great Wall of Grimsby, which can be found on the Needham’s Butchers building in Garibaldi Street, includes meticulously detailed characters, shopfronts, buildings and lost landmarks from the town.
Artist Dale Mackie designed the new mural, which was painted over several months by Sam Delaney and scores of volunteers from arts recovery organisation Creative Start CIC.
The Great Wall of Grimsby is the fourth mural in the Paint the Town Proud project. Others can be found at the entrance to the Grimsby Town FC Fanzone, the side of Little Oaks Nursery on Corporation Road and the side of Appleleaf Chartered Accountants’ building in Town Hall Street.
Speaking at the opening event, Cllr Stephen Beasant, Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, said: “This is an absolutely amazing artwork. As a ward councillor and Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, I’m immensely proud and over the moon to see it.
“A lot of people have been involved in this and I’d like to thank you all for what you’ve done.
“This is really celebrating the heritage of the town. It means so much to me. It’s one of the highlights of my mayoral year.
“This is going to be a lasting legacy for the East Marsh and we should all be proud of it, whether we’re young, old or whatever. It is absolutely fantastic, it’s a work of art.”
Grimsby Auditorium’s Sleeping Beauty and the Whinging Wicked Witch to open this weekend
Grimsby Auditorium’s magical panto Sleeping Beauty and the Whinging Wicked Witch opens this Saturday (10 Dec), running until Friday 30 December 2022.
Coronation Street legend KEN MORLEY will play King Reginald, TV personality MARTIN DANIELS will be Magic Muddles, and with 1 million Tik Tok followers KITTY HARRIS will play Princess Beauty, while IAN NORTON is Nurse Loosie Laxative, ROSANNE PRIEST is Queen Malcontent, ASH STEVENSON is The Prince and DINO SAWASS The Forest Dinosaur.
The stars will be backed by terrific supporting artistes and the ‘Panto Warriors’ dancers and singers.
Will Beauty’s father succeed in keeping her away from the only spindle left in the Kingdom or will the prophecy of the Whinging Witch come true?
From the producer of last year’s spectacular Cinderella and the Lost Slipper, enjoy another unforgettable pantomime with television stars, laughter and surprises, stunning scenery, dazzling special effects and discover if dreams really do come true!
Lincolnshire online retailer selling outdoor accessories enters administration
Northcore, an outdoor accessories and lifestyle online retailer based in Lincolnshire, has entered administration.
Graham Bushby, Nick Edwards and Matthew Haw of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of Louth-based Northcore Limited, as well as Shade Limited, on 30 November 2022.
Shade Limited, trading as Shade Station, is an online retailer of sunglasses, glasses and watches.
The businesses were taken over by Internet Fusion Group (IFG) last year.
The Joint Administrators say they are currently reviewing the financial position of both companies to ascertain the prospect of continuing to trade the businesses, and the viability to sell them as a going concern.
Choose gifts that make a difference this Christmas
Equine welfare charity Bransby Horses are offering a novel way to support them this Christmas.
Buying one of their Gift Cards With a Difference means supporters can donate to them on behalf of someone else – helping stretch the finances this festive season.
Bransby Horses’ Maria Thompson said: “We know things are tough right now and just want to let our supporters know they can buy a gift of warmth, food or medical treatment for any of our residents as a gift card to give at Christmas.
“It means they can donate to us on behalf of someone they know would appreciate the gesture.”
Buying a Bransby Horses Gift Card with a Difference is a great way to help horses like Gerald.
He was found by worried members of the public collapsed in a ditch with maggots and lice all over his legs.
Rescued by near-by RSPCA centre he was then signed over to Bransby Horses for the long term specialist care he needed.
At only two-years-old it was touch and go.
As well as advanced liver disease and severe dental problems he also needed a blood transfusion.
Bransby Horses welfare manager Rachel Jenkinson said: “Despite his issues Gerald showed a real determination to get better. His conditions were difficult to treat as he had multiple issues but despite being close to death – he pulled through on more than one occasion.
“He’s a lovely pony and the team who work with him are very fond of him.”
Gerald’s case highlights the long-term investment required to fully care for horses and ponies in need.
Rescuing animals like Gerald is just the start of the story and the lifetime of treatment and care they need is made possible thanks entirely to donations from members of the public.
Gift Cards With a Difference enable Bransby Horses to continue to care for Gerald and hundreds like him.
They have over 1,000 equines in their care, making them one of the UK’s largest equine welfare charities.
Every gift card purchased provides essential care to these equines.
Call 01427 788 464 or visit BransbyHorses.co.uk/gcwad
Santa’s Grotto now open at Bransby Horses
Tickets are selling fast to visit Father Christmas in his magical grotto at Bransby Horses this December.
As one of Lincolnshire’s best-kept secrets and recent Visit England Gold award winners, the charity’s Visitor Centre and beautiful walkways provide an idyllic festive destination.
Every weekend until December 18, Santa will be in his grotto where children can meet him, receive their gift and take photographs.
Being such a popular guy means tickets must be booked online through Eventbrite – but all proceeds will be helping Bransby Horses continue to rescue and rehabilitate horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in need.
Bookings can be made here: BransbyHorses.co.uk/visit-us
Local mum, Rosa visited with her young family when the grotto first opened: “My young son loved meeting Santa in his grotto. We got a lovely welcome pack and stopped at the elves shack first. It was truly magical and he even got a present to take home. It was the best day for the whole family.
“This isn’t your usual Christmas experience because you can also see beautiful horses and learn about the great work this charity does. The food at the Café is delicious and my son is still talking about the big slice of carrot cake he got only few minutes before meeting Santa.”
Recent visitor Sammi was also impressed with the experience and took to Facebook to write: “I can highly recommend this!! went today and it was lovely.”
PR officer Maria Thompson said: “We feel very lucky to have the man himself, Santa Claus, at Bransby Horses. I think a few of our donkeys managed to pull in a favour from him.
“As well as meeting Santa Claus, visitors can also do a little Christmas shopping in our gift and preloved shops and meet some of our lovely horses, ponies, donkeys and mules who are all getting super excited for the big day.”
Throughout December there is also an activity trail for families to follow and this is included in the ticket price for Santa’s Grotto or costs £3.50 per child to do on it’s own.
No booking is required for the trail, visitors should just ask in the Gift Shop.
The Café will also be open serving breakfast, lunch and light refreshments to eat in or takeaway – there is always a delicious cake selection, which includes vegan options.
Bransby Horses is open Wednesday to Sunday 10am – 4pm. They are also open seven days a week during Lincolnshire school holidays and bank holidays as follows;
· Open Wednesday 14th December – Saturday 24th December
· Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
· Please note car park gates are locked at 4.15pm.
New energy centre opens at Grantham College
Grantham College has officially opened its new energy centre which sets out to develop students’ skills and “be part of a brighter future.”
Principal Paul Dean welcomed visitors and the Mayor of Grantham, Councillor Graham Jeal, cut the ribbon to open the centre.
Mr Dean said: “It is a real delight to open these facilities after all of the work from our staff, suppliers and contractors. This centre will help us develop the skills of the students that are so urgently needed if we are to transition to net zero.
“Sometimes colleges have to lead and take risks and have vision for capacity to be developed. When these skills are developed, the opportunity to develop businesses is there and investing in green skills is a win win. It should not be seen as a cost but a long-term investment.
“We at Grantham college want to be a part of a brighter future, supporting energy security and the transition to net zero. It is hoped it will help solve current skills gaps but also help to inspire our students.”
The college’s existing engineering and link block spaces have been transformed to create a centre that combines engineering and construction with state-of-the-art and industry-standard equipment.
It provides new learning opportunities in electrical engineering, plumbing, gas fitting and renewable energies including solar, wind and air.
This project also extends the curriculum to not only give students more skills, but allows more businesses to work with the college.
Steven Peacock, Vice Principal of Grantham College, showed guests around the centre to give them an exclusive look into the project.
He said: “We are very delighted that the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership has funded this project. The two disciplines of construction and engineering are taken into account with a view to developing technologies and looking towards the future in terms of energies.”
With the new centre, the college offers a number of courses including levels 1 to 3 in plumbing studies, levels 1 to 3 in construction skills, as well as apprenticeships in plumbing and domestic heating and engineering fitting alongside other courses.
The centre will also offer flexible green skills boot camps including introductions to heat pump installation, solar panel installation, smart metering and more.
