Bransby Horses host free equine worming information evening
Lincolnshire-based equine welfare charity Bransby Horses are inviting horse and land owners to a free worming seminar on Thursday 8th September.
Worming practices have changed considerably over the past decade and with a wealth of information out there, what’s best for your equine may not be entirely clear.
The ‘Make A Difference: Think Twice Before Using Wormers’ event will explain the most up to date veterinary guidelines for anyone in search of more clarity on how best to treat their animals.
Along with Clare Shand from Westgate Labs, the Bransby Horses’ equine welfare team will be on hand to answer any questions and help anyone looking after equines gain a better understanding of what is required to keep an animal healthy.
Bransby Horses’ welfare manager, Rachel Jenkinson, said: “It will also be a good opportunity to hear about our work in general and to ask questions. An effective worming program is an essential part of looking after any horse, pony, donkey or mule, but people may not be aware of the most effective way to do this.
“It’s also a good opportunity to learn how to tighten up your worming program as this could also potentially save you money, at a time when every penny counts.”
The event is free but booking is essential, as places are limited.
To secure your seat on Thursday, September 8 at 6.30pm – 9pm, call Bransby Horses on 01427 788 464 or register online.
Refreshments will be provided.
Football wish comes true for Ray at Neale Court Care Home
Staff at Neale Court Care Home in North Hykeham arranged for 82-year-old Lincoln City fan Ray Inman to attend a league match against Fleetwood on Saturday 27th August at home.
The outing was arranged as part of Country Court’s Make a Wish initiative. Residents are given the opportunity to tell staff about somewhere they have always wanted to go or a special activity they always wanted to do.
Ray’s passion for football started at a young age and he has lots of fond memories of watching Lincoln City. He would regularly go to his Grandparent’s house, and they would all watch the game together or listen in on the radio. He would often shout “COME ON RED IMPS!” These days Ray usually watches sports on TV, but the staff at Neale Court were keen to make his wish to see them play happen for him.
“Ray loves his football and is a huge Lincoln City fan,” said wellbeing coordinator Becky Bourke. “He loves reminiscing and telling us all about when Bill Anderson was the Manager and Andy Graver all-time best goal scorer. His day was made very special as his daughter Karen and his son-in-law Matthew and grandchildren Jack, Lewis and Amelia joined him to watch the match. Ray was in his element. We would like to thank the team at Lincoln City who helped to arrange tickets.”
Ray was born on 22nd January 1940 and loves to talk about his childhood, particularly his school days which he loved. After he finished school, he became an engineer and worked at Ruston and Hornby, a well-known manufacturer of narrow and standard gauge diesel locomotives. Later, he had a change of career, spending seventeen years working for the Royal Mail. Every day he would get up at 4 am to deliver mail in Branston, cycling back to Lincoln post office at the end of his rounds.
Ray is married and has a daughter and five grandchildren, all of whom are very important to him. He has lived at Neale Court Care Home since 2020, he enjoys regular visits from his wife Pat. The staff team at Neale Court love to listen to them reminisce and talk about the past, especially dancing at Park Street every Friday.
To find out more about life at Neale Court please get in touch with home manager Kayleigh Moss on 01522 682 201 or email nealecourt@countrycourtcare.com.
Go-ahead for new leisure and learning hub in Mablethorpe
Councillors have approved planning consent for a new purpose-built leisure centre and digital learning complex for Mablethorpe.
The new 3,000m² hub will be built on the site of the current Station Sports Centre in Mablethorpe and will increase and improve opportunities for leisure and learning in the town.
With £7.4m in Towns Funding through the Connected Coast Town Deal, the development will offer a new swimming pool and changing village, as well as studios and a fitness suite.
There will also be commercial space within the hub and the design of the site will include meeting places and recreational facilities, including an adventure play area.
The development will provide a digital inclusion learning centre to enable local learners of all ages to access distance learning courses and gain new skills that can improve their career prospects.
The development of the hub is being led by East Lindsey District Council. Cllr Richard Fry, the political lead for the Leisure and Learning Hub Towns Deal project, said: “This scheme will help improve the health and wellbeing of residents in Mablethorpe for years to come as well as providing new opportunities for learning in the town.
“It’s no secret that a swimming pool has been a desire of many residents in Mablethorpe over the years. This scheme, thanks to the Towns Deal funding, now makes that possible. I am delighted the Planning Committee approved the application and I look forward to seeing the benefits the scheme will bring to Mablethorpe.”
Chris Baron, chair of Connected Coast, said: “With planning consent approved, we can now move forward with developing the hub which will significantly enhance the opportunities for leisure and learning for Mablethorpe.
“This is an important development and one that will play a crucial role in supporting health and wellbeing as well as enabling people to gain skills that can lead to jobs and business opportunities.
“This is a significant milestone for the project and we now look forward to seeing the development progress over the coming years.”
The new hub will also provide new jobs and business opportunities in the town, and as it is located on a key gateway close to the high street, it will also help to improve people’s overall experience of the town centre.
Plans lodged to revitalise community hub in Epworth
A planning application has been submitted to transform the Epworth Community Hub.
Through the plans a new library, training kitchen, multi-purpose community spaces, and additional workout space will all be added to the existing leisure centre.
Outside, visitors would benefit from additional car parking, including electric vehicle charging points.
The project is part of North Lincolnshire Council’s £5m community investment programme, which makes it easier for residents to access support in the heart of their communities.
Conveniently, community hubs join facilities together under one roof, reducing the need for unnecessary journeys across larger areas.
The Epworth Community Hub follows the successful transformations in Ashby, Barton, Brigg, Crowle and Riddings.
Plans submitted to create visitor destination and education centre within the grounds of historic Harlaxton Manor
Urban Edge Architecture has submitted a planning application to South Kesteven District Council on behalf of Harlaxton College for the restoration of the disused Walled Garden at the historic Harlaxton Manor, near Grantham, to create a stunning and sustainable visitor attraction and educational experience.
As landscape architect and project lead, Urban Edge worked in close collaboration with Harlaxton College to create a masterplan for the 56.65ha site and a detailed landscape design focused around the historic Grade II* Listed Walled Garden, which will not only restore the historic fabric, but recreate the original productive function of the garden and introduce opportunities for education and participation.
The proposals have been submitted following extensive engagement with stakeholders and with representatives of the community and officers of South Kesteven District Council, Historic England and Lincolnshire County Council.
Andrew Cottage, head of Landscape Design at Urban Edge, said: “This is an exceptional project in which we have applied our landscape design skills and understanding of the historic environment to deliver a practical and beautiful scheme that will meet the needs of the College and satisfy the requirements of Historic England and the planning authority.
“On completion the public will have access to assets of heritage significance which have previously been inaccessible to visitors helping them to understand, appreciate and interpret the past.”
The Walled Garden will be made fully accessible and will be arranged around a series of axial vistas dividing the area into a series of garden rooms, each with a different character. Some areas will focus on the historic roots of the garden, emphasising the production of fruit, vegetables, herbs and cut flowers, with others being themed with specialist planting, such as four seasons, medicinal and sensory gardens. Tall hedges aligned with the axial paths will introduce a sense of intrigue and drama by not allowing the whole garden rooms to be seen at once and will create a sense of arrival in to the next character area.
The scheme includes associated visitor infrastructure such as a new car park; footpath network and play area, whilst a large lawn will create a flexible space for informal gatherings and more formal events such as performances and parties. The listed Gardener’s House is being restored and converted by HP Architects Ltd into a new café, visitor facilities and education centre. The two historic vineries will be sensitively replaced and will serve as a café seating area with splendid views across the gardens and an education centre.
Despite the challenges of working with heritage assets, sustainability was a key focus of the design, which included elements such as green roofs, ground source heat pumps and solar panels on the roof of the new energy centre. EV charging points will be included in the car park, and the whole project is targeting BREEAM Very Good.
Concludes Andrew: “This is a remarkable opportunity for us to be involved in a very exciting project to restore an historic walled garden and make it relevant in the 21st century, creating opportunities for education, participation and horticultural innovation. It was immensely rewarding to lead and coordinate such a talented multidisciplinary design team to achieve such an impressive outcome.”
Urban Edge’s design is part of an on-going process by Harlaxton College, the overseas study centre of the University of Evansville, in close liaison with Historic England, to restore and preserve the historic features within the estate and remove the Grade II* listed grounds and gardens from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.
Full Design Team:
Landscape Architect: Urban Edge Architecture
Architect: HP Architects Ltd
Business planner and Cost Consultant: Focus Consultants
M&E Engineer: BCA
Structural and Civil Engineer: CTP Engineers
Sustainability Consultant: Focus Consultants
Ecologist: Inspired Ecology
Arboriculturalist: RPS
“Brutal thug” sentenced to 10 years
A “brutal thug” has been jailed for more than 10 years after being found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm.
Gavin Knight (36), of Doncaster, was sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday 26 August to ten years and six months after an incident in March.
Knight was convicted of causing life-changing injuries to a woman during a “sustained” attack in Cleethorpes.
Officer in the case, DC St Quinton of Grimsby CID, said: “Firstly, I would like to commend the victim for their incredible bravery and resilience throughout the investigation.
“This was a planned and sustained attack by a brutal thug and it cannot have been easy for the victim to come to terms with their injuries. These horrific life-changing injuries were some of the worst I have seen during my career and have affected the victim both physically and mentally.
“I sincerely hope today’s substantial sentence can provide the victim with some sense that justice has been served, and this dangerous man is off the streets.
“I would also hope this sentence of more than 10 years gives other victims of violence faith that this will not be tolerated and that we will leave no stone unturned in getting justice for victims of this type of offence.
“If you have been a victim of serious violence, report it to us and we will act upon it.”
Annual Pumpkin Festival returns to Spalding this October
Spalding’s annual Pumpkin Festival will return to the town this year on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 October, celebrating local horticulture and harvest with an array of games, craft activities, live entertainment, food and gift stalls for the whole family to enjoy.
Organised by South Holland District Council, on Friday the festivities will be hosted in the Gardens of Ayscoughfee Hall from 6pm till 9pm, with the festivities continuing in Spalding town centre on the Saturday, from 11am until 3pm.
In Ayscoughfee, families will be able to enjoy the harvest-themed Gardens with magical decorations created by local community groups, charities and children, as well as a special illuminated trail featuring Pumpkin Sculptures by local artist Jonathan Nicholls.
There will also an enchanting fire garden with fire-lit sculptures and a fire performer, all alongside a variety of traditional garden games, live music, barn dancing and more to join in with.
Whilst the event is free, booking tickets is still required for the Friday event at Ayscoughfee to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
On the Saturday visitors will be able to buy a wide selection of delicious food, crafts and gifts from various special stalls, alongside usual Saturday market traders. The games continue here amongst street entertainment, live performances and scarecrow competition, with a ‘ride on pedal tractor corner’ as well.
There will also be a chance for children to meet Cinderella and see her beautiful carriage, before taking a family stroll down ‘Pumpkin Street’ with incredible professionally carved Pumpkin sculptures decorating Bridge Street.
Councillor Gary Taylor, portfolio holder for communities and facilities, said: “The Pumpkin Festival is always one of the highlights of the year in Spalding, and I can’t wait for this year’s event, with a fantastic range of activities and entertainment to get involved with over the two days.
“I’d like to encourage everyone to come along and get involved, and take part in this celebration of our local harvest and horticulture, whilst having fun together and supporting our local businesses and traders.”
There is a road closure in place for Spalding’s Sheep Market and Gore Lane on Saturday 8 October from 7am till 4:30pm.
Decades-old seafront pub in Cleethorpes sold
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has sold the Punch Bowl Inn, a well-known gastro pub-restaurant in Cleethorpes, for the first time in 34 years to Lancashire-based pub company, Trust Inns.
The Punch Bowl Inn is a popular venue amongst locals and visitors of the North East Lincolnshire seaside town and has hosted many events and weddings over the years. The pub is located along the town’s North Promenade and features a 120-cover bar and restaurant, an entertainment area with a pool table and a large function room.
The previous owners, Bernard and Sheila Stafford can now retire following the successful sale. They said: “After nearly three and a half decades, we felt the time was right to retire and allow for younger blood to invest further in the pub and begin a new chapter.
“The Punchbowl has been a huge part of our lives and we’ve had many fantastic years here. We really enjoyed owning the business and would like to thank all our loyal customers for their support, especially throughout such a tough final period, with the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Punch Bowl Inn will now join Trust Inns’ estate of over 500 pubs across the UK and will be run as a managed house investment.
Mark Brown, Managing Director of Trust Inns, said: “We’re very glad to be adding The Punch Bowl to our expanding portfolio in Yorkshire. Our broker, Sam Ashton – senior business agent at Christie & Co was a pleasure to deal with and we’re excited to be taking advantage of the coastline tourism trade here.”
JW Doubleday shareholders agree to sell the business
The shareholders of Lincolnshire/Norfolk-based John Deere dealership group, JW Doubleday, have entered an agreement with Ben Burgess for the sale of the business.
In line with John Deere’s dealer of tomorrow strategy, Ben Burgess will formally acquire the Doubleday Group with all employees and existing Doubleday depots across Lincolnshire & Norfolk operating as part of the Ben Burgess group.
Founded in the early 1970s by John Doubleday the business has remained family owned, successfully growing for over 50 years and becoming a core part of the agricultural community. In 1982, the business became a main dealer for John Deere – as Deere was first growing its UK presence. JW Doubleday operates from locations in Swineshead; Holbeach, Kings Lynn and Old Leake. The company employs 54 staff.
Ian Doubleday-Collishaw, grandson of the founder, said: “This decision has not been taken lightly but we the Doubleday family, were determined to protect the future of our loyal team and the longevity of a reputable John Deere dealer across our trading area. We believe this is the correct decision for everyone involved.
“Ben Burgess share Doubleday’s values for providing premium brands backed by expertise and excellent standards of customer service. The combination of our joint processes, dedicated teams and the infrastructure already in place at Ben Burgess will deliver the best value to both our team and customers. We are confident the level of service you our customers are accustomed to will continue undisrupted.
“My family and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated team and our loyal customers, many of whom we consider our friends who have supported us throughout our 40 years as a John Deere dealer.”
Ben B Turner Dealer Principal at Ben Burgess said: “The Doubleday family have built a highly successful, strong and customer focused business over the past 50 years and were adamant that they wanted to pass their legacy over to a family business that shared the same values. We are enormously proud that they have chosen Ben Burgess to continue their outstanding work.
“The combined business will strengthen our position in the industry and enable the future investments required in facilities and technologies to proactively support our customers, offer greater opportunities and security to all our employees whilst continuing to grow in a responsible and sustainable manner. This growth will give the company a strong platform to enable our business to continue building on the great legacy of these two-family businesses.
“We aim to conclude the deal by the end of September to facilitate a quick and smooth transition for the benefit of all our staff and customers.”
Final approval granted for the transformation of Pilgrim Hospital’s Emergency Department
Government approval has been granted for the £43.5 million transformation of the Emergency Department at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston.
Back in August 2019, Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Pilgrim hospital and met staff when he announced the provision of £21.3 million funding towards the cost of a new Emergency Department. Additional funding to complete the transformation will come from across the Lincolnshire NHS system.
Since the Prime Minister’s visit, lots of work has been taking place behind the scenes to finalise a design that not only meets the needs of patients and staff now, but also in the future. The Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS England Joint Investment Sub Committee have now approved the final plans.
These will see the hospital’s Emergency Department:
· More than double in size
· Include state of the art innovations and infection prevention control measures
· Have a much bigger resuscitation zone for the sickest patients
· Have more cubicles in which to treat patients
· Have a separate area dedicated to providing emergency care for the hospital’s youngest patients and their families
· Have more training rooms for staff
· Have a much better environment for patients and staff.
Health Minister, Maria Caulfield, said: “We are committed to upgrading and improving our country’s hospitals. I am delighted in this case to confirm approval has been granted for the transformation of Pilgrim Hospital’s A&E, backed by £21.3 million of government funding.“Patients across Lincolnshire will benefit from a new upgraded emergency department at Pilgrim Hospital. This will offer more space and a dedicated area for emergency care – ensuring patients are seen and treated more quickly.”
Work is currently underway to repurpose the four-storey building to the left of the main hospital so that it can be used for additional clinical and office space. Once completed, this will then allow the Trust to clear and demolish the necessary areas adjacent to the existing Emergency Department next year, so that it can then be extended and transformed.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust Chief Executive, Andrew Morgan, said: “Having the final approval for our full business case is the final piece in the puzzle that will enable us to start the transformation of the department.
“It has taken us a little while to get to this stage, partly because we have changed our original plans to make sure they are able to benefit the maximum number of patients and staff, not only now but also in the future.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in helping us to come up with the final design. The input from community groups, patients, partner organisations and staff really has been invaluable and we could not have done this without your support.”
