Community groups in South Kesteven are being urged to apply for project funding before the next council funding deadline of 20 August.
More than £7,000 was awarded to four projects across the district in the last allocation round of South Kesteven District Council’s Community Fund.
Boothby Neighbours were awarded £800 to set up a Good Neighbours Scheme, operated by volunteers, to help less able residents have access to assistance to help them complete tasks. The Boothby Pagnell group also hopes to prevent isolation through transport to village events and new social gatherings such as a breakfast club.
The D Day Darlings wartime tribute choir will be singing at the Caythorpe Gala in September thanks to a council award of £1,740. Gala organisers have booked the choir to celebrate the Arnhem 80th Anniversary event at the village’s annual 216 Parachute (Signals) Squadron reunion, commemorating Caythorpe’s rich history with the Parachute Regiment.
Grantham’s Christchurch Methodist church is to have a fully functional sound system in its Shepherd Hall thanks to an award of £3,699 towards the total cost. The sound system, with speakers, amplifiers, sound induction loop driver and mic system will enhance the versatility of the hall, making it suitable for a wide range of activities benefitting the local community.
Bourne’s SCIFEST will be staging two community events at Bourne Corn Exchange in September and October thanks to a council award of £1,135 towards the total cost. The aim of the science-based events is to engage with families with school-aged children, to increase the profile of science and give an understanding of how science touches all lives.
Cllr Rhea Rayside, SKDC Cabinet member for People and Communities, said: “Once again a wide range of extremely worthwhile causes are benefitting from our SK Community Fund awards, all set to make a beneficial difference to people’s lives.”
Community groups can apply for up to 80% of eligible costs to a maximum of £5,000, with the remaining 20% as a required applicant contribution.
The small grants scheme can fund 100% of project and event costs up to £2,000, with no match funding required. This scheme is only open to groups that hold £10,000 or less of financial resource.
For Community Fund enquiries and application forms email: communityfund@southkesteven.gov.uk
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Stockfotos-MG
£38m community diagnostic centre builds reach milestone
An exciting milestone has been reached in the development of two new community diagnostic centres (CDCs) in Lincolnshire.
The external structures of the buildings in Lincoln and Skegness are now in place and the £38 million build programme to create the NHS-run facilities is now approximately half-way through.
In recent weeks, 71 modular units have been craned into place – 42 in Lincoln and 29 at Skegness – to create the shells of the buildings.
Work is now steaming ahead inside to create the state-of-the-art and welcoming facilities that will be home to a variety of diagnostic services, including X-ray, MRI, CT and non-obstetric ultrasound.
These services will be run by experienced hospital staff from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, using the same clinical systems already in place in the county.
Professor Karen Dunderdale, Group Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group, said: “The progress that has been made since planning permission was granted earlier this year is fantastic and we are currently on track to deliver these new facilities for Lincolnshire’s patients before the end of this year.
“We know that when anyone needs a diagnostic test, they want to access this quickly to support the rest of their ongoing care. Our CDC programme, through our first CDC on Gonerby Road in Grantham and temporary facilities in Lincoln and Mablethorpe, is already making a significant difference in improving access, and we’re confident that these new facilities will continue to reduce waits and make testing more convenient.”
Each CDC is being designed to consider the health needs of the local community.
In Skegness, plans for the Old Wainfleet Road site include a dedicated chemotherapy room to reduce the amount of travel necessary for cancer patients and a dental X-ray. These services, along with MRI and CT scanning, have not previously been available in the town.
Lincoln CDC, which is on Lincoln Science and Innovation Park, will have dedicated training facilities to support the training of future radiographers, with ULHT becoming one of the first NHS Trusts in the country to link directly with a school of radiography at the University of Lincoln.
Partners from a range of organisations, including the NHS, local councils, local businesses and the construction teams involved in the builds, recently held a celebration at each site to see the progress being made.
Image: Lincoln Community Diagnostic Centre pictured at the beginning of August 2024 – credit: United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
South Kesteven Council takes a walk on the wild side
New rewilding areas are being identified across the South Kesteven Council area to help pockets of land to go back to nature.
Trials at Tattershall Drive, Market Deeping, Rutland Heights in Stamford, and at Queen Elizabeth Park in Grantham have shown the way to restore, protect and increase local biodiversity.
South Kesteven District Council is to approach parish councils and its own ward members to identify pockets of land in public open spaces that could benefit from an extension of the existing project.
Cllr Rhys Baker, said: “Rewilding is a process that allows nature to take back control and, as tall grasses and other plant species grow, this in turn encourages wildlife, insects, birds and mammals. Over time we anticipate that more species move in to create a balanced natural environment, as well as some welcome colour.
“The idea is that these areas would receive minimum essential maintenance and be allowed to grow as nature intended. Not everywhere is appropriate for this, as we need to take into account the recreation use of green space and safety aspects too.
“We hope to be able to offer advice, seeds and trees for areas nominated for the project, as in Tattershall Road, Market Deeping, where a bund was created and planted with wildflowers and grasses, with trees set nearby.
“We hope that people will be able to learn more about their natural environment through these areas where we can re-connect people with nature at minimal cost.”
SKDC’s commitment to increase wildlife habitat and improve biodiversity is a key strand of the Council’s Corporate Plan, which seeks a Sustainable South Kesteven and following the declaration of a Climate Emergency, states: “We will protect and enhance the natural environment and wildlife habitats, working to actively restore and rehabilitate damaged eco-systems.”
New locations will now be identified with guidance from SKDC ward members, parish councils, and the Council’s Sustainability and Climate Change team and its grounds maintenance staff.
Deadline approaches for communities to apply for Council grants
Community groups are being urged to apply for project funding before the next South Kesteven District Council funding deadline of 20th August.
More than £7,000 was awarded to four projects across the district in the last allocation round of South Kesteven District Council’s Community Fund.
Boothby Neighbours were awarded £800 to set up a Good Neighbours Scheme, operated by volunteers, to help less able residents have access to assistance to help them complete tasks. The Boothby Pagnell group also hopes to prevent isolation through transport to village events and new social gatherings such as a breakfast club.
The D-Day Darlings wartime tribute choir will be singing at the Caythorpe Gala in September thanks to a council award of £1,740. Gala organisers have booked the choir to celebrate the Arnhem 80th Anniversary event at the village’s annual 216 Parachute (Signals) Squadron reunion, commemorating Caythorpe’s rich history with the Parachute Regiment.
Grantham’s Christchurch Methodist church is to have a fully functional sound system in its Shepherd Hall thanks to an award of £3,699 towards the total cost. The sound system, with speakers, amplifiers, sound induction loop driver and mike system will enhance the versatility of the hall, making it suitable for a wide range of activities benefitting the local community.
Bourne’s SCIFEST will be staging two community events at Bourne Corn Exchange in September and October thanks to a council award of £1,135 towards the total cost. The aim of the science-based events is to engage with families with school-aged children, to increase the profile of science and give an understanding of how science touches all lives.
Cllr Rhea Rayside, SKDC Cabinet member for People and Communities said: “Once again a wide range of extremely worthwhile causes are benefitting from our SK Community Fund awards, all set to make a beneficial difference to people’s lives”.
Community groups can apply for up to 80% of eligible costs to a maximum of £5,000, with the remaining 20% as a required applicant contribution.
The small grants scheme can fund 100% of project and event costs up to £2,000, with no match funding required. This scheme is only open to groups that hold £10,000 or less of financial resource.
East Mercia Rivers Trust given £150,000 after pollution incident
East Mercia Rivers Trust, charity formed by the merger of Welland Rivers Trust and Lincolnshire Rivers Trust, has received a financial boost of £150,000 after the Environment Agency accepted an Enforcement Undertaking offer from Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Ltd.
The payment is part of an undertaking offered by the company for a leak of aerosol production trade effluent from its site on Sinfin Lane, Derby. The pollution occurred on 12 August 2021 into the Cuttle Brook as it flowed through Sinfin golf course.
Reckitt Benckiser produces household cleaning products, healthcare products and infant/child nutrition products. The undertaking occurred because of a discharge that led to the death of 371 dead bullheads and 10 sticklebacks. It also caused a prolific growth of sewage fungus and perfumed odour to the brook.
The effluent was found to be seeping out of the bank of the brook within the site. It also resulted in low oxygen levels and was 130 times more polluting than untreated sewage. The company took prompt action to stop the polluting discharge and investigate the cause. It had stopped by the following day.
In addition to the donation, Reckitt Benckiser has spent £300,000 to prevent any recurrence of the pollution incident and paid the Environment Agency’s costs of over £10,000.
Paul Chambers, Environment Officer for the Environment Agency said: “Enforcement Undertakings allow polluters to positively address and restore the harm caused to the environment and prevent repeat incidents.
“The Environment Agency will consider acceptance of Enforcement Undertakings submitted for suitable cases to restore the environment, improve practices of the offending company and avoid longer criminal court cases. However, we will prosecute in appropriate cases.
“As well as donations totalling £150,000 to East Mercia Rivers Trust that will bring great benefits to the environment, Reckitt Benckiser has made significant improvements to the Sinfin Lane site drainage system, and particularly its trade effluent pipework.
Rachel Butler, Executive Director at East Mercia Rivers Trust said: “The donation from Reckitt Benckiser has directly contributed towards a major river restoration project as part of East Mercia River Trust’s ambition to restore the Upper Witham landscape at scale.
“An important limestone river, this watercourse forms the headwaters of the Witham catchment and is home to white-clawed crayfish and brown trout amongst other native flora and fauna.”
Construction team goes the extra mile for hospital charity
The team behind the construction of two new NHS community diagnostic centres (CDCs) in Lincolnshire are going the extra mile to raise funds to enhance care.
Staff from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT), modern methods of construction specialist MTX and DAY Project Management are joining forces to walk 35 miles over two days in aid of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity.
The team hope to raise £15,000, which could fund equipment such as an interactive Kitten Scanner to help children to prepare for an MRI scan.
The challenging route the team plan to take will start at Skegness CDC in Old Wainfleet Road, Skegness, and end at Lincoln CDC on Lincoln Science and Innovation Park.
These two new facilities, which are currently under construction and due to open in winter 2024, will offer patients improved access to state-of-the-art diagnostic testing away from busy hospital sites, including CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound and echocardiograms.
Alistair Nelson, CDC Design and Implementation Lead at ULHT, said: “During our work to develop the CDC programme in Lincolnshire, we have seen first-hand how these community-based NHS facilities are making a difference to helping patients to access the tests they need quickly and easily.
“We, along with our construction partners, wanted to see what else we could do to support our youngest patients. Our fundraising could contribute towards equipment such as a Kitten Scanner. There is currently one such scanner at Grantham hospital and it has made a significant difference to the children who have been able to use it, allowing many to have their scans without the need for any sedation or a stay in hospital.
“We’re excited to take on this challenge, and offer our thanks to the Lincolnshire Ramblers Association, who have provided incredible support and advice in creating the route for the walk.”
MTX Managing Director, David Hartley, said: “The creation of a network of CDCs is a key element in improving access to care and patient experience across the country. We are delighted that United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust has chosen to partner with MTX for delivery of two new facilities, based on our proven track record of rapid and cost-effective delivery.
“The opportunity to further support the Trust in their endeavour to purchase innovative equipment comes as a welcome challenge, and one that Team MTX are looking forward to taking on!”
DAY Project Management Director, Phil Davies, said: “DAY Project Management are really proud to be supporting United Lincolnshire Hospitals in delivering two community diagnostic centres at Lincoln and Skegness providing state-of-the-art community-based NHS facilities. The chance to undertake a charity walk and raise funds to support patients is something we are delighted to be involved in.”
The United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity has previously supported the CDC programme by funding benches at Grantham.
The charity also funded the original Kitten Scanner that has made a massive difference for young patients at Grantham and District Hospital.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Fundraiser Gary Burr said: “As a charity we fund the extras not covered by the NHS and we’ve been proud to have previously supported Lincolnshire’s CDC Programme. We hope to see further enhancements at Lincoln and Skegness CDCs, which will help to make our spaces even more relaxing and welcoming for patients. We wish the team the best of luck in their challenge.”
The walk will take place on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 August 2024.
Donations to support the team’s charity challenge can be made via a JustGiving page by following this link.
Image: courtesy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust. ULHT CDC Design and Implementation Lead Alistair Nelson, DAY Project Manager Adam Nevin, ULHT Procurement Head of Category Kate Savage, and MTX Project Manager Conor Brogan outside Skegness CDC
Conker the donkey adds his weight to council’s fostering campaign
Conker the donkey, goats, and highland cows are the latest to show their support for foster carers in North East Lincolnshire, after Nunny’s Farm became the latest business to join the Council’s fostering-friendly scheme.
The animals at Nunny’s Farm, in Nunsthorpe, Grimsby, were out in force as council officers met with the farm owners Joanna and Neil to discuss how they can work with the local petting farm.
Nunny’s Farm is the latest business to sign up to NELC’s Fostering-Friendly business scheme, which encourages local businesses to consider how they can best support local foster carers, from offering discounts on local goods and services to offering extra support to employees who may also be foster carers.
Councillor Margaret Cracknell, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “It’s great to see Nunny’s Farm has signed up to the scheme, and is ready and willing to offer support to our foster carers.
“We’ve had some fruitful initial discussions about opportunities for children and families, for foster carers, for looked after children.
“Nunny’s Farm is a fantastic local resource, offering children in our area an opportunity to get hands-on experience with animals and amongst nature.
“I’m pleased to be able to welcome Neil and Joanna to our fostering-friendly business scheme and look forward to working with them in the future to support our foster carers.”
Joanna said: “We are proud to be part of this amazing initiative, especially as Neil’s father was fostered as a young boy. It is a great way for us to be able to pay it forward, and we are excited to work closely with the families on this scheme in our community.”
East Lindsey Councillors pump money into communities
East Lindsey District Councillors have been allocated funds to support organisations and community projects in their wards through the Councillors’ Community Grant Scheme.
The scheme provides councillors with the opportunity to support non-profit organisations in the East Lindsey area. Recent grants have been awarded to a wide range of beneficiaries, including the Wragby and District Social Group, Horncastle and District Community Association, and a range of community events and public buildings.
The latest round of grants incoudes:
Wragby – Councillor Ru Yarsley has awarded £200 to Little Angels Toddler Group to assist with purchasing role-play clothes and equipment for the children.
Spilsby – Councillor Ellie Marsh has awarded £500 to Spilsby Recreation Ground to assist with their playing field drainage works project.
Wragby – Councillor Ru Yarsley has awarded £400 to East & West Barkwith Parish Council to assist with their D-Day commemoration project.
Wragby – Councillor Ru Yarsley has awarded £150 to Wragby and District Social Group to go towards the costs for their monthly outings, which help tackle loneliness within the local area.
Spilsby – Councillor Ellie Marsh has awarded £500 to 2nd Spilsby Scout Group to assist with their kitchen refurbishment.
Wragby – Councillor Ru Yarsley has awarded £150 to Wragby Market to help with market advertising, using new signs.
Horncastle – Councillors Sandra Campbell-Wardman, Richard Avison and Fiona Martin have awarded £1,000 to Horncastle and District Community Association to assist with the installation of a hearing loop in their main hall.
Withern and Theddlethorpe – Councillor Travis Hesketh has awarded £595.20 to Withern Village Hall to assist with purchasing an electronic till and EPOS System.
Mablethorpe – Councillors Claire Arnold and Kate Marnoch have awarded £1,000 to Flanders Friends to assist with purchasing equipment for their 1940’s weekend, including banners, high visibility jackets and gazebos.
Fulstow – Councillor Edward Mossop has awarded £500 to Utterby Village Hall to assist with their building restoration project on the village hall.
Skegness – Councillors Richard Cunnington, Danny Brookes, Mark Dannatt and Billy Brookes have awarded £2,000 to East Coast Pride to assist with the 2024 pride event taking place in September.
Withern and Theddlethorpe – Councillor Travis Hesketh has awarded £500 to Maltby Le Marsh Women’s Institute to assist with hiring speakers to present to their groups.
Tetford & Donington – Councillor Daniel Simpson has award £250 to Hemingby Village Hall to assist with the costs associated with their 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Spilsby – Councillor Ellie Marsh has awarded £500 to Spilsby and District Public Hall to contribute towards purchasing a new fridge.
Louth – Councillors Rosalind Jackson, David Hall, Sam Kemp, Andrew Leonard, Darren Hobson and George Horton have awarded £1,340 to Louth Navigation Trust to assist with their Slipway to Summer community event.
Lincoln Book Festival opens its 2024 chapter
Lincoln Book Festival 2024 will take place from 26-29 September, bringing big name authors and rising stars of the publishing world to the city for four days of engaging talks, readings, discussions, workshops and Q&As.
The theme for this year’s festival is “generations” and the most eclectic programme in the festival’s 20-year history features plenty of options for audiences of all ages to come together and connect through all aspects of the written word, packed into four days.
Highlights include:
- Chef, food writer and presenter Rick Stein, signing copies of his glorious new book, Food Stories.
- Author Jules Acton, a fresh new voice in nature writing, and her brilliant debut title, Oaklore.
- Music scenes, eras and movements with Britpop pioneers Audrey Golden and Jane Savidge, talking tunes with Dr Guy Mankowski.
- In conversation with YouTuber, author, and LGBT campaigner Jamie Raines and podcast collaborator and creator Shaaba.
- Verse and Vibes open mic night – a chance for local creatives to perform original prose or poetry.
- Tips on how to get published for creative writers – an interactive workshop with Writing East Midlands.
- The Book Club live collaborative podcast – bring your book club to join the discussion in this real-time recording.
- Paranormal research, stories and scepticism plus a ghost story writing workshop revealing secrets of the genre.
- Flash fiction short story competition winners celebration and launch event.
Council seeks opportunity to make more Grimsby town centre grants to businesses
North East Lincolnshire Council is on the lookout to offer more capital grants for business ventures and community-based organisations to reactivate empty properties in Grimsby town centre.
The aim of the scheme is to bring forward smaller projects which will enhance the major regeneration works that are currently taking place, including a repurposed Riverhead Square, major works at St James House to create a small business hub, an NHS Community Diagnostics Hub, the Horizon Youth Zone, and a new cinema and leisure development.
The fund can cover projects that fit with at least one of the following six town centre priorities identified in the Masterplan:
- Introduce more diverse uses to the town centre
- Reconnect the town centre and the community with the waterfront
- Promote and support community ownership and participation
- Identify development opportunities within the town centre, including low-carbon initiatives
- Prioritise health and wellbeing activity in the town centre
- Enhance employment, skills and entrepreneurial opportunities
