Fun filled festive three-day extravaganza to take over Gainsborough
A fun filled festive three-day extravaganza for the whole family to enjoy is being hosted in Gainsborough by the team at Marshall’s Yard in partnership with Gainsborough Town Council and West Lindsey District Council.
Families are invited to visit Gainsborough from Friday November 18, to admire the Christmas lights displays in both the Market Place and at Marshall’s Yard, whilst also enjoying a festive packed programme of free entertainment and activities.
The magical three-day weekend [Friday 18 – Sunday 20] is kindly supported by the Estate Agent, Paul Fox, based at Marshall’s Yard and as well as a programme of free, live entertainment and things to do, over 30 food and craft traders will be lining Market Street offering all of the festive foodie treats you’d expect to find.
Assistant centre manager at Marshall’s Yard, Melissa Cutforth, said: “We’re really looking forward to hosting this year’s festive celebrations at our Christmas Lights Festival.
“We feel we’ve thought of the whole family this year making the weekend as inclusive as possible and can’t wait to see the town lit again for Christmas.”
There will be Hepy’s Hog Roast serving hot pork sandwiches and the Giant Frying Pan serving traditional German sausages, as well as non-traditional stalls such as Right Stuff Cater Inn Caribbean food, Traditional Leisure Chinese noodles and Oh La La Fries serving loaded fries.
Finally, if after all that hot food and festive fun shoppers fancy a little treat, traders; The Cookie Stop, Frisby Fudge, Madam Crepe and The Donut Box will be there to cater for those with a sweet tooth.
A quirky double decker bus bar will also be parked up all weekend in the Market Place, for people to enjoy a warm mulled wine or hot chocolate whilst chatting to friends and family, watching the amazing live performances, or just taking in the Christmas sights.
For the first time in several years, Gainsborough will be hosting its very own ice-skating rink in the Market Place alongside a traditional carousel at Marshall’s Yard both completely free for families and shoppers to enjoy.
Cllr Pat O’Connor, Mayor of Gainsborough, said: “Recognising the cost of living being a challenge for many this Christmas, the event is focused on being as accessible as possible and making sure everyone can enjoy the festivities of the event.
“With plenty of free attractions including horse and carriage rides, face painting, a chance to meet Santa and his real reindeer, craft workshops, live entertainment and much more there’s sure to be something for everyone this Christmas in Gainsborough.”
Grimsby gets festive
The beginning of the festive season in Grimsby will be marked with a ‘Fabulously Festive Weekender’, taking place from Friday 25 – Sunday 27 November in the town.
This three day programme will see St James’ Square and Grimsby Minster host seasonal craft, gift and food stalls, alongside the awe-inspiring Gaia (Earth) exhibition.
There will be colourful and lively entertainment throughout the weekend, including stilt walkers, performance acts and live music, as well as further festive fun at Top Town Market and in Freshney Place.
Friday 25 will see market stalls hosted from 10am right through until 8pm, with a community Christmas tree lighting event taking place at 6.30pm in the square.
During the tree lighting event, there will be performances from All for One Choir, East Coast Elite band and a blessing from the Minster’s Vicar, Father Chris Hewitt.
On Saturday 26 indoor and outdoor festive stalls will be open between 10am and 4pm, with entertainment throughout the day, including live music from the ‘Fabulously Festive’ stage.
Fab performers will include ‘Toy-box Christmas’ stilt-walkers, cheeky elves and a ‘Man in a Christmas present’, plus there will be the chance to say hello to a little, life-like, baby reindeer.
Inside the Minster alongside the Earth exhibition, the project’s sponsor MyEnergi will be hosting story-telling for children, with readings from ‘Sparki & The Journey to Earth’.
Also on Saturday, Grimsby Top Town Market will be bringing shoppers and children further festive cheer by hosting seasonal story-telling, crafts, live music and walkabout acts.
In Freshney Place Shopping Centre, children can meet the mischievous ‘Grinch’ character as he causes mayhem. Then, as Santa and his Elves are in Grimsby, why not pop over to the Elf Station, pose for a family photo and get creative with festive arts and crafts.
On Sunday, the weekend’s festivities conclude with tasty food and drink stalls in St James Square from 11am-4pm, with music from The Cleethorpes Band.
Freshney Place will be hosting Marty Clarke who will be singing Christmas classics. In the evening Grimsby Minster will be holding its annual Advent Service, at 7pm.
This year’s town centre Christmas event has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is organised by The Culture House on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council.
Cllr Tom Furneaux, NELC cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: “It’s lovely to see what’s being planned for people to come together and support each other. This event always feels like a good start to the Christmas period! Please do come into the town centre to support your local businesses too.”
Football “thug” handed prison sentence
A “thug” has been given an 18-month prison sentence following disorder at a football match in February.
Sean Gleeson, 27, of Granville Road, Scunthorpe, appeared at Grimsby Crown Court yesterday (Monday 14 November) after pleading guilty to GBH at an earlier court appearance.
The charge related to an incident prior to the Scunthorpe United v Rochdale football match at Glanford Park on Saturday 19 February 2022.
Before the match, Gleeson entered a pub and walked up to a teenage Scunthorpe fan, with whom there had been no prior engagement, and punched him in the face.
Gleeson was given 18 months in prison and a seven-year football banning order.
The judge described Gleeson as a “thug” who was “spoiling for violence.”
Assistant Chief Constable David Marshall said: “Football-related violence will not be tolerated in our area, and we work closely with our football clubs to stamp out such behaviour.
“With the World Cup beginning at the weekend, this sentence is a timely reminder to the small number of people intent on causing football-related trouble that there is no place for these actions in the modern game and our region.
“We can, and will, bring those responsible for such behaviour to justice and hope to bring an end to all football-related violence.
“Families and true supporters want to follow their teams without the fear of trouble and violence and as a force we want to continue to help keep our local football matches a safe environment for everyone.”
In addition to Gleeson’s custodial sentence, two other Rochdale fans pleaded guilty to entering the field of play. Raegan Kelly, 25, and Robert Hampson, 33, both from Rochdale, were handed fines and three-year football banning orders.
A 17-year-old Scunthorpe fan was given a youth referral order after pleading guilty to entering the field of play and throwing a flare.
Christmas Market & Festive Lights Event details revealed for Grantham
Full details have been revealed ahead of Grantham Christmas Market and festive lights switch-on for Sunday 4th December.
A Christmas craft market and charity stalls will run between 11am and 5pm, boosted by live music and entertainment, the chance to enjoy festive food and drink – plus yuletide activities and fun for children of all ages.
The cast of Rapunzel, Grantham’s 2022 panto from Polka Dot Pantomimes, will open the event with a flourish live on stage at 11am. Oh yes they will!
The free event takes place in the Market Place, Narrow and Wide Westgate, with the lights switch on ceremony at 4.30pm at the Market Place Christmas Tree.
A spokesperson for South Kesteven District Council said: “We are delighted with the line-up for this year’s festive events in Grantham and look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to share season’s greetings and experience the very best of what Grantham has to offer.
“It’s a great chance to stock up on Christmas goodies for Santa’s shopping list while supporting local business.”
Grantham’s regular businesses will trade alongside the glittering specialist stalls for stocking fillers and gifts, as well as traditional wintry refreshment.
The craft market and charity stalls will offer cards, crocheted creations, jewellery, clothing, candles, speciality jams, chutneys and sweet treats – and much more.
Live music and entertainment comes from the Rock Choir, Gabriel Gibson, Nataly Arbon, Grantham School of Dancing and Kaci Jai. Buskers and walkabout entertainment will add to the atmosphere.
For the children, Winter Princesses and Elf Antics performances take place throughout, with balloon modelling, Glitter Face Painting, Children’s crafts and a Children’s Fun Fair.
The event is being supported by Lincolnshire Fire Aid, who will be bringing their collection of vintage fire engines to explore.
A traditional Nativity scene and manger will be in its usual place at St Peter’s Hill Green.
North East Lincolnshire awarded share of £6.7m for new Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme
North East Lincolnshire Council has been awarded a share of £6.7m to develop innovative solutions to flood and coastal resilience in the community.
The funding is shared with Doncaster Council and a partnership between both councils, Anglian Water and Yorkshire Water has been formed in order to tackle surface water flooding in the urban environment, where there is very little scope for large scale flood storage works.
New alternative solutions are required in the built environment and this project will be trialling a range of sustainable drainage retrofit techniques within the highway and around local schools to help mitigate against flooding, increase flood resilience and to enhance the local environment.
The programme is funded by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) as part of the £150 million Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme which has been awarded to 25 flood risk management projects. The project will run for six years and will be managed by the Environment Agency.
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this funding from DEFRA to help create and deliver a programme where we can reduce the likelihood and consequences of flooding in the area. We will also be working with local schools in the area to provide curriculum approved lessons around the water cycle, sustainability and water management. I look forward to watching this project develop over the coming years.”
Anglian Water will work in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council and its delivery partner Equans. Jonathan Glerum, Anglian Water’s regional flood risk manager, added: “We are thrilled this funding is coming to North East Lincolnshire. It is the cumulation of a number of years’ hard work with our partners at the council, and I am very much looking forward to seeing the difference this project will make to how we manage flood risk and enhance the environment collaboratively across the council’s area.”
Andy Smith, Equans project lead on the North East Lincolnshire scheme, said: “We are excited to be working on this vital project to help become more resilient to the effects of flooding and climate change within our local area. The lessons we will gather from this six-year programme will be used to help inform future approaches for investment in flood and coastal risk management.”
Seven-year-old girl’s fundraising efforts see new play equipment for Immingham park
An Immingham park now has new play equipment thanks to a £2,500 fundraising drive by a seven-year-old girl.
Elysia Nicolaou, who lives near Immingham’s Pilgrim Park, raised the money after an arson attack on her favourite climbing frame in April this year.
Helped by her mum Vicky Shakespeare, Elysia launched her own fundraising page and asked people to sponsor her to walk across the Humber Bridge and back.
Teachers and friends from her school, Pilgrim Academy, got behind her and Elysia’s big-heartedness inspired about 50 others to take part in the walk in June.
Her fundraising target was £500 but her efforts resulted in lots of donations from family, friends and businesses and she raised more than five-times that amount.
Elysia, along with her mum and nanna Nadine Haigh, handed over a donation of £2,536 to North East Lincolnshire Council’s grounds maintenance team at Pilgrim Park in August.
The team put the money towards buying a new multi-play equipment with a climbing net, climbing bars and a pole, a slide and firefighter’s pole.
Elysia said she was very excited to see the new play equipment: “When it got burned down, I was really, really sad and it was my favourite bit of the park that I used to play on with my friends.
“I raised the money to pay for it by walking across the Humber Bridge and back. I hope everyone will like it a lot.”
Mum Vicky said: “It’s really nice to see, we’re so proud of the effort she’s put in. Elysia has been to see it everyday as it was being built, she’s really proud of herself.
“We’ve seen her grow so much with the effort she’s put in, it’s really nice to see.”
Ward members Cllr Georgia Astbury, Cllr Karen Swinburn and Cllr Stewart Swinburn, who is also portfolio holder for Environment and Transport at North East Lincolnshire Council, have supported Elysia in her mission to replace the park equipment.
Cllr Stewart Swinburn said: “Elysia has done a fantastic job to raise the money towards this equipment. Children are already enjoying it. I’m sure that everyone will make the most of the wonderful piece of equipment that Elysia has raised money for.
“We’re hugely grateful to her and her friends and family for their generous donation.
“Most people love their local parks and play areas and we are working hard to improve them so more children can enjoy playing outdoors.”
Cllr Georgia Astbury, ward member for Immingham, added: “It’s been great to have been on the journey with Elysia, from her initial thoughts on wanting to do some fundraising to now seeing the park equipment in place.
“It has been great to see the whole community rally round her every step of the way and achieve something as great as this. I’m proud of everyone who was involved.”
A plaque will be mounted on the new climbing frame to thank Elysia for raising the funds towards buying it.
Immingham’s Pilgrim Park can be found in Church Lane. It’s home to the Pilgrim Monument and is part of the Pilgrim’s Trail.
Grimsby shop with “troubled past” has licence revoked
A Grimsby business which has previously sold alcohol to underage shoppers, saw a member of staff hit a customer over the head with a hammer and had a Samurai sword behind the counter has had its licence revoked.
A hearing was held at Grimsby Town Hall on Friday 11 November following an application by the chief constable of Humberside Police to review and request the revocation of the licence of Cartergate News and Wine due to “serious concerns” over the management of the premises.
Since Mr and Mrs Rameshkumar became holders of the premises licence, first with Mr Rameshkumar in 2007 and then with Mrs Rameshkumar in 2021, there have been numerous issues in relation to crime and disorder, the protection of children from harm and public safety. They have breached conditions placed on the licence on several occasions, with ongoing failures to comply with old and new conditions following reviews.
Humberside Police applied for the most recent review on the grounds that the premises or those linked to the premises are undermining the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety under the Licensing Act 2003. A representative for Humberside Police said at the licensing sub-committee: “It is clear that the responsibility of being a licence holder is not being taken seriously. We would go as far to say there is a blatant disregard for the licensing conditions.”
Representation for Mrs Rameshkumar stated at the hearing that a sale of the premises would be going through within the next six to eight weeks.
Following the hearing, chair of the committee, Councillor David Hasthorpe, concluded: “Thank you to everyone for their attendance at the hearing today. We have taken into consideration all representations, both in writing and orally.
“We acknowledge and sympathise with the personal circumstances of Mrs Rameshkumar. However, this sub-committee takes breaches of conditions very seriously.
“We have taken into account the troubled past and multiple breaches of the licence conditions as outlined by Humberside Police. In addition, we are mindful of the fact that there is no guarantee that the sale of the business will actually take place. This sub-committee has a duty to deal with the here and now and to protect and reassure the local community.
“There are clear admissions of breaches of conditions, which is a blatant disregard for the licensing objectives. The premises licence holder has the ultimate responsibility for the running of this business and this sub-committee is not assured that this can happen safely moving forward.
“This sub-committee has decided that revocation is the only reasonable and proportionate option today.”
In the time the couple have held the licence, there have been reports of a staff member attacking a customer with a claw hammer, and staff threatening and/or chasing customers from the property on several occasions, once whilst a staff member was in possession of a knife. There have also been reports of underage alcohol sales, selling to people when drunk, youths in drink causing problems around the premises and buying stolen goods to sell in store.
A recent visit in September found that Mrs Rameshkumar did not know how to operate the CCTV and that there was a “complete disregard” for the condition on the premises licence. In Humberside Police’s application for a review, they stated: “Due to the continued issues at the premises and no regard to wanting to change how the premises is run by either party, it is the view of the chief constable that the premises will continue to undermine the licensing objectives.”
The view of the chief constable is that the premises has had an extremely troubled past both historically and more recently. Whilst previous incidents have been when Mr Rameshkumar has been the licence holder, Mrs Rameshkumar has had a known involvement in the premises. Humberside Police stated in its application prior to the hearing that it is “extremely concerned that Mrs Rameshkumar and those connected with the premises will continue to have no regard to running the business and will continue to undermine the licensing objectives.”
Agricultural Growth Zone created to support Lincolnshire and Rutland
An Agricultural Growth Zone has been created to support Lincolnshire and Rutland’s agricultural sector.
The Ag Zone was announced at the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s annual conference and will unite the work at Bishop Burton College’s Showground Campus, the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, the Lincoln Institute of Agricultural Technology (LIAT), Barclays Eagle Farm Lab and the cluster of agritech companies now being established on the Riseholme Campus.
It will create a centre to support agriculture and a skills pipeline to attract the next generation into the industry, from schools engagement through further and higher education and on to postgraduate education and continuing professional development for the farming industry.
The Ag Zone will continue the growth of collaborative research which has attracted over £60m of investment to the area since 2016 and supported the establishment of new agritech businesses such as Fruitcast and Agaricus Robots, both created at Riseholme in 2021.
The long-term aim is to link the cluster of skills, innovation and business support to a network of commercial demonstration farms across Lincolnshire to trial new technologies.
The Ag Zone will also work to secure additional investment to help farmers adopt new technologies, helping to ensure that Lincolnshire farms have the support they need to secure this new investment.
“Greater Lincolnshire has the UK’s leading agricultural sector underpinning the food economy in the UK Food Valley where there are over 75,000 people employed in farming, food processing and distribution,” said Sarah Louise Fairburn, deputy chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and chair of its Food Board.
“Our farms produce over £2 billion of crops and livestock, 11% of the English total, with particular strengths in fresh vegetables where we have 30% of English production, as well 20% of the sugar beet, 19% of the poultry and 19% of the ornamental crops in England.
“But we know the agriculture sector is changing rapidly as the food chain reacts to pressures created by the pandemic, conflict in Europe, the cost of living crisis and policy changes.
“It is vital we help the industry adopt new technology and skills, support investment in the industry and address long-term challenges such as climate change. By bringing the key organisations together who work on this in Lincolnshire we will help our farmers and support the continued growth of the agritech sector through the work of the Ag Zone.”
Councillor Colin Davie, executive councillor for economic development, environment and planning at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “‘The Ag Zone is the next big development in the UK Food Valley and comes at a time of great change in our farming industry. We are determined to ensure that farmers across Lincolnshire have the tools needed to succeed, including the tenants on our county farms. I look forward to supporting the Ag Zone in helping our farms to access the support which will enable them to thrive.”
Councillor Owen Bierley, leader of West Lindsey District Council, said: “West Lindsey is keen to support the growth of agritech and is pleased to be working with partners on the A15 corridor north of Lincoln as they establish the Ag Zone.
“We want to create a highly skilled, dynamic economy along the A15 corridor and see agritech and the sustainable growth of farming as being essential to this mission. Building on the developments we have already seen at Bishop Burton and on the University’s Riseholme Campus is a key part of our vision and we will do everything we can to support the momentum of this cluster.”
Professor Simon Pearson, director of the Lincoln Institute for Agricultural Technology at the University of Lincoln, said: “The university is delighted to be supporting the Ag Zone. At LIAT we have been pioneering technologies ranging from agricultural robotics and digital systems to soil management and energy systems.
“We are also developing a cluster of agritech businesses on our Riseholme Campus and are keen to see this continue to grow with support from organisations such as Barclays Eagle Lab. Working with our partners in the Ag Zone will ensure we can help support the adoption of technology across the farming industry.”
Bill Meredith, principal of Bishop Burton College, said: “Bishop Burton is the leading provider of training for the next generation of farmers in the region and at our Showground Campus we focus on precision agriculture and the way in which technology is transforming our industry.
“We look forward to working with our partners in the Ag Zone to ensure we provide a complete skills package to meet future industry needs.”
Andrew Buckley, chairman of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, said: “The Agricultural Society is keen to support the Ag Zone as it builds on the work we do with schools, farmers and the wider community to promote the agricultural industry as a dynamic and progressive sector of the economy. Through our educational and events programmes we look forward to working with our partners to deliver outreach across the community.”
Lisa Bagley, head of the Barclays Eagle Farm Lab, said: “Barclays Eagle Farm Lab is one of a network of Eagle Labs across the UK, but the only one which focuses on agritech. Our partnership with the University of Lincoln ensures that the companies we support have access to farms and workshops to develop their technology, as well as links to business start-up and growth support.
“Working with our partners in the Ag Zone we will continue to offer a national service to link agricultural innovators to the farming industry and the support they need to grow and flourish.”
Caistor welcomes glorious new gift shop
A new shop has opened at 10 South Street, Caistor, providing a wonderful array of handmade items and showcasing a variety of small businesses – you’ll never be stuck finding that perfect gift again.
The Little Gift House is a family-run business created by three ladies who grew up in the town.
They said: “We are all creative and have our own small businesses and saw an opportunity to bring those businesses together.
“Once we made the decision to take the shop on we knew we wanted to give other small businesses the chance to sell their products within the shop, and help expand their customer base as well, and give the shop a wide variety of products to offer.”
Visit The Little Gift House at 10 South Street, Caistor, LN7 6UB.
Freshney Place development planning application submitted
The planning application for a new market hall, a cinema and other leisure facilities at the Western end of Freshney Place have now been submitted into the planning system.
This is another opportunity for people to have their say on the scheme before it is considered by the Planning Committee in the months ahead, and is the time when statutory authorities can also submit their detailed comments.
As previously reported, the council has won significant grant monies for the transformation of the western end of Freshney Place, which it bought during the summer. The proposed leisure development will house a new cinema, with local and regional operator Parkway Entertainment Group coming in as an anchor tenant and pledging to provide a great venue to complement its offer in Cleethorpes.
The plans will also feature a remodelled entrance to the centre, which will be lined with units for leisure and eateries, and an entrance to a new and transformed Market Hall.
Prior to submission, public drop in sessions were held by the project team to inform residents and businesses what the scheme might look like if approved, as well as talking through the timescales for the various phases of the development.
During the consultation, the main issues highlighted by visitors included the leisure use of the area, parking once the improvements have been made, and the design, look and feel of the planned new buildings.
Alongside the plans for the Freshney Place development, North East Lincolnshire Council has launched a new project aiming to improve the town centre street scene. Focused on the Victoria Street West pedestrian precinct and surrounding streets, officers are encouraging owners of a relatively small number of street-facing properties to make improvements. They are writing to the owners of properties and advising them on the works needed to bring their buildings to an acceptable standard.
Work is also progressing on the Riverhead scheme, with the plans being put forward for approval by the Council’s Cabinet at the meeting next month. These plans do not require planning permission as it is permitted development on public land. If approved, work is expected to start in the early new year.
Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the Council, said: “We have said all along that we are working to improve our town centres, to make them more attractive for people to live and work in. We have already seen the improvements to Garth Lane and St James’ Square completed, and now we’re working hard to deliver other elements of the Grimsby masterplan, as well examining opportunities to use empty spaces differently.”
