JW Doubleday shareholders agree to sell the business

Tess Egginton
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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

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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.”

Take part in Lincoln’s ‘Memory Walk’ to unite against dementia

Tess Egginton
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Take part in Lincoln’s ‘Memory Walk’ to unite against dementia

Lincolnshire residents are being invited to take part in a fundraising walk to raise awareness on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society next month.

The Memory Walk, organised by Lincoln-based behaviour change agency Social Change UK, will be held at Boultham Park on Sunday 18th September as part of a nationwide campaign during World Alzheimer’s Month 2022.

Sponsored by Lincoln City Council and Glenholme Healthcare, the 1.6km Memory Walk is a family-friendly event suitable for all ages and abilities. During the walk, participants will be able to take in the scenic views of Boultham Park, including its large lake and local wildlife, before finishing the afternoon with refreshments and music from the Lincolnshire Hospitals Band. Free car parking will also be available in and around the park.

There are an estimated 11,975 people living with dementia in Lincolnshire according to NHS Digital, with research by the Alzheimer’s Society predicting that the number will swell to 17,940 by 2030. Social Change UK hopes to raise enough money for the organisation to support local people affected by dementia and to help fund vital services in the future.

Growth director of Social Change UK, Alison Howard said: “Boultham Park is a special place to many local people, and we’re thrilled to be able to host this incredible event on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society next month. The day itself will include music, food vans and entertainment – it’s an afternoon to bring friends and family together and, of course, remember loved ones who have been affected by dementia.

“Alzheimer’s Society is transforming the landscape of dementia forever. Until the day we find a cure, we will create a society where those affected by dementia are supported and accepted, able to live in their community without fear or prejudice.

“We encourage everyone to get involved with this Memory Walk; we all know someone who has been affected by dementia and taking part in this event will not only encourage us to honour their memory but will also help us raise vital funds for this brilliant organisation.”

Lincoln’s Alzheimer’s #MemoryWalk will take place at Boultham Park, South Lincoln, on Sunday 18th September from 2pm onwards. People can register their interest in attending the event here. Or if you’d like to donate to the event, you can do so here.

Government cash won to boost number of electric vehicle charging points in Lincolnshire

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Government cash won to boost number of electric vehicle charging points in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire County Council has led a successful bid for almost £1million of funding aimed at getting more electric vehicle chargers into areas with limited off-street parking. The bid, aiming to deliver hundreds of new electric vehicle charging points across the Midlands, was made in June focusing on the first tranche of money offered as part of Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Pilot. A partnership of five local authorities across the Midlands region – Lincolnshire County Council, Herefordshire Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council – alongside Sub-National Transport Body Midlands Connect submitted the bid. The resulting award of £935,355 is to be distributed between the five councils. It is expected that this support from Government will now attract an additional £2.8million of private sector investment, with the cumulative funds being used to install a total of 322 standard and 27 rapid public EV chargers across the Midlands. In Lincolnshire, the funding will be used to deliver 101 standard and 8 rapid charging points across the county. The majority of these will be on-street chargers in residential areas with the remainder being placed in council-owned carparks and other council-owned land. Analysis by Midlands Connect found that Lincolnshire needs 1,404 new public EV charging points by the end of 2025 to meet the needs of the growing EV market and it’s hoped that this latest good-news around the Government funding will spur on more region-wide installation of charging points. Estimates suggest that the installation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging points will also create an influx of jobs in the region with over 3,600 related roles set to be created in Lincolnshire by the end of 2032. At present, 93% of electric vehicle owners have access to off-road parking. It’s hoped that increasing the number of public charging stations will make it easier for those without a driveway to make the switch to an electric vehicle, while also increasing the ease of travel and charging for all EV users in the county. Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, said: “We are delighted that our bid for over 300 charge points to five Local Authorities across the Midlands has been successful. “This is a vital next step in our efforts to improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the region ahead of the ban of diesel and petrol vehicles in 2030. This funding will improve the lives of those living within the Midlands, particularly for those who do not have access to off-street parking and may struggle to charge their vehicle otherwise. “We recently published an EV planning tool to help our Local Authorities better choose charge point locations across the region – this tool along with successful funding is a huge uplift for the whole region.” Cllr Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, the authority leading the bid, added: “This is another success on the road to our future targets for Electric Vehicle use in Lincolnshire. “As a county, we are keen to make greener choices and we know that many Lincolnshire residents and businesses have already, or are planning to, make the switch to an electric vehicle well ahead of the ban on new diesel and petrol car sales in 2030. “This successful bid means that we can install more charging points in various locations and is another part of our greener journey for the future. “We live in a very large county. It’s because of these longer distances faced by Lincolnshire residents and businesses as part of their daily lives that it is very important we have a comprehensive network of public charging points to instil confidence in longer journeys with electric vehicles. “The success of this bid for funding will have a very positive effect and hopefully encourage further growth in the sector.”

Terminally ill secondary school teacher smashes fundraising goal for her children

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Terminally ill secondary school teacher smashes fundraising goal for her children
A terminally ill 48-year-old mother of two from Newton on Trent has smashed her fundraising goal for her children, to give them something to look forward to. Sam Pickersgill was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and received treatment for her condition. Following a kick to the head from a horse in December 2021, Sam was brought in for a brain scan, which found progressive brain and leptomeningeal disease, limiting her life expectancy significantly. Sam was referred to St Barnabas Hospice in January 2022 for psychological support and future planning to help her with the emotional difficulties and uncertainties that came with her diagnosis. Mary Hall, a specialist nurse practitioner and Katie Lyon, a health and rehabilitation support worker from St Barnabas, took over her wellbeing and care planning in April. Sadly, in July 2022, after enjoying a family holiday to Lanzarote, Sam was given the dreadful news that the metastasis had progressed further in the brain and leptomeningeal and that she is at high risk of sudden death. Mary says: “When I first met Sam at her home, she threw her arms around me. From that point, I’ve seen her each week and have built a supporting relationship with the whole family. I have loved learning more about Sam the secondary school teacher, 14-year-old Hattie’s love of horses and 10-year-old Dominic’s obsession with Real Madrid. “Sam has invested a lot of time supporting others in her life, and I feel it’s a privilege to do something in return to help her and her loved ones during this difficult time. St Barnabas will be with Sam when and where she needs us. We cannot change the outcome, but we can make every day count until then.” Sam is fundraising to give Hattie and Dominic something to look forward to. Sam’s health makes it difficult for her to know day-to-day how she is going to feel, so she’s hoping that the family can do something for the children during such a difficult time. Sam says: “I want to give the children memories to treasure.” Last week Sam started a GoFundMe, hoping to raise £1,000, but in just five days the total stands at £4,536! A fantastic result that keeps getting better as the days go on thanks to the generosity of the community. On top of this, there have been offers from organisations and individuals to give Sam and her family a getaway holiday, as well as local equestrian centres offering Sam’s horse-obsessed daughter, Hattie, riding lessons. St Barnabas Hospice is also hoping to find an organisation that can help provide 10-year-old Dominic with a football experience. Sam is a much-loved secondary school teacher, who has inspired thousands of people in her community through her work. Many of the people who have donated on her GoFundMe or have offered support via social media remember her fondly from their school days. Former student Carly Young shares some memories of having Sam as a teacher: “In 2017 I moved schools to attend the Priory Witham Academy, where Sam was my Head of Year. We bonded from the get-go and Sam made me believe in myself. “I have so many great memories from school with Sam, my favourite has to be on sports day when I ran the 100m for my tutor group. Sam was at the finish line shouting my name and as I ran I just wanted to make her proud. For coming first place, Sam gave me a big hug and told me how proud she was of me. “She even took time to write a reference for my university application, and bearing in mind it was the Christmas holidays she did it for me during her time off! I’m now going to be attending university to study mental health in September and that is all because of her showing me how to believe in myself. “She wasn’t just my teacher, she saved my life and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. Sam, I’ll always look at the moon for you.” If you can support Sam and her family, please visit her GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/give-my-children-something-to-look-forward-to. Additionally, if you would like to support St Barnabas Hospice to find ways to treat Dominic with anything football or Real Madrid related, please get in touch with St Barnabas Hospice via 01522 540 300 or by emailing fundraising@stbarnabashospice.co.uk.
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