It’s A Knockout event to raise funds for hospitals charity
Plans are underway to bring It’s A Knockout to the county in aid of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity.
Gather a team to take part in the action-packed day, which will be held on Sunday 30 June at Sleaford Town Football Club.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Fundraiser, Gary Burr, said: “It will be a fun action-packed day to raise money for the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity. This is a great chance to get together with friends, families, and work colleagues to have some fun while raising money for your local hospitals charity.”
Participants must be aged 16 and over. The charity is looking for teams of 10 people. There is a £20 entry fee per person and each team is asked to raise £800 minimum sponsorship.
Kirstie Cartledge is part of the Bowel Cancer Screening Team at Lincoln County Hospital. Kirstie and colleagues have formed a team called the Bowel Screening Babes who will all be dressing up as poo emojis. She said: “What a brilliant way to get everyone together for such a worthy cause. We have got colleagues, friends and family members in our team.
“We will have an extra challenge due to our costumes, we may not be the fastest but we will certainly be having loads of fun. The most important thing is that everyone enjoys the day and we raise lots of funds for our charity so that they can do even more to support patients and staff.”
Gary Burr added: “We’re working with Lincolnshire based We’re a Knockout which is going to bring all of the inflatables for the day. Dress appropriately as you will get wet! Changing facilities are on site.
“Every penny raised will be used to help the charity support United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust patients and staff with those extras that cannot be provided by the NHS. So every participant and every obstacle you overcome really will make a massive difference.
“We’re also looking for stall holders to attend this event, so if you would like to attend with a stand please get in touch: charities.team@ulh.nhs.uk
“It’s guaranteed to be a great day and we can’t wait to share it with you.”
For more information about the charity and to book your place at the It’s A Knockout event, click here.
Image courtesy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
New benches to get people talking in Grantham
Three benches in Grantham’s parks are being designated as places where a chat with a friendly stranger is welcome.
‘Happy To Chat’ benches have been installed in Wyndham, Queen Elizabeth and Dysart Parks and will provide an opportunity for a quick chat or long conversation with a friendly passer-by.
The South Kesteven District Council initiative aims to tackle social isolation and promote community cohesion by encouraging people to interact with others in a safe, public space.
The benches were officially unveiled by Cllr Gloria Johnson, Chairman of South Kesteven District Council, and Cllr Paul Stokes, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, in a ceremony also attended by volunteers and representatives from South Kesteven District Council.
Cllr Stokes said: “We know how important parks and open spaces can be in encouraging community interactions and so we are delighted the ‘Happy To Chat’ benches will provide yet another opportunity for people to socialise whilst visiting the park.
“The benefits of being able to connect with others are significant but unfortunately some people can go for days, or even weeks, without the simplest of human contact. We’re really hopeful the benches will help to break down that social barrier and allow our communities to connect.”
The benches feature a simple welcoming sign which reads “Sit here if you are happy for someone to stop and say hello,” making them easily identifiable as a ‘Happy To Chat’ bench.
They are located near the Visitor Centre and Model Boating Lake in Wyndham Park, along the river path facing the fishing pond in Queen Elizabeth Park and next to the Bandstand in Dysart Park.
The Council is welcoming everyone to get behind the scheme to encourage community interactions between people of all ages, as well as to strengthen support for those experiencing loneliness.
Image courtesy of South Kesteven District Council
New South & East Lincolnshire Cultural Conference to take place at Blackfriars Theatre
A new South & East Lincolnshire Cultural Conference is taking place for the first time at Blackfriars Theatre, Boston, on Wednesday 22 May, from 9.30am to 4pm.
The conference will provide arts and heritage organisations and practitioners across the region the chance to network, share ideas and get involved in the launch of a new creative programme.
There will also be opportunities for breakout sessions, where visitors can learn more about using digital to be creative, cultural mapping, Arts Council Funding and much more.
This event is part of the Partnership’s Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation project.
To book your place now, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-south-east-lincolnshire-cultural-conference-2024-tickets-884953328227
If you want to learn more about the conference, you can read more at First South & East Lincolnshire Cultural Conference taking place this May – East Lindsey District Council (e-lindsey.gov.uk)
Lincolnshire schools get funding boost from Bookmark Reading Charity
More schools in Lincolnshire will get the chance to boost their child reading programmes with the offer of a potential £1,000 for new books and resources.
Bookmark Reading Charity is building upon its existing support in the county by providing additional ongoing resources to schools. Primary schools across the region are being invited to join Bookmark’s School Network Programme; these schools will receive £1,000 worth of resources across an academic year.
Bookmark Reading Charity is also looking for volunteers to join their network of more than 2,000 readers who help pupils in schools face to face or online by delivering reading sessions with children at risk of falling behind. The charity says its volunteering opportunities gives volunteers a sense of fulfilment and achievement as well as helping to positively impact children’s lives by igniting the joy of reading.
The charity originally launched its Your Story Corner programme in 2022 when it delivered £144,000 worth of books and resources to 72 primary schools in Lincolnshire. This was to ensure all children had access to high quality and diverse books as well as trying to develop rich reading cultures in all primary schools in this area.
The charity is now following up its Your Story Corner offering with an opportunity for eligible schools to become part of its School Network Programme.
Emily Jack, CEO of Bookmark Reading Charity, said: “We believe Bookmark’s School Network Programme is a fantastic way for us to continue supporting the schools we know are most in need of literacy support.
“We also need volunteers across Lincolnshire to continue the momentum of what we are trying to achieve. Reading online or in person for thirty minutes a week really can change a child’s future and have a positive effect on the opportunities available to them throughout their life.”
Available to previous Your Story Corner schools that meet Bookmark’s eligibility criteria, the School Network Programme is here to help schools that need support the most.
This year Bookmark has reached out to 67 schools in Lincolnshire for the School Network programme. This is based on schools’ pupil premium data, child deprivation statistics and results for Key Stage 2 SATs.
Image: Stock.adobe.com/Rawpixel.comFire crews pass £80,000 fundraising target
Over the last year, firefighters and staff at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have been raising money for the Fire Fighters Charity with the aim of raising at least £80,000 in the charity’s 80th year.
The combined effort from events across the county, has already exceeded this target and raised a total of £88,101 to enhance the quality of life for serving and retired firefighters, fire personnel, and their families.
Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, executive councillor for fire and rescue at the county council, said: “What an amazing achievement for our fire crews who take the time to run events that their communities love and raise money for a great cause. From car washes to ladder climbs, Lincolnshire events raised the most money of any county in England and Wales – a fantastic achievement!
“Thank you to everyone who supported these efforts and for being so generous.”
Station Manager, Lee Marsh, said: “The Fire Fighters Charity does incredible work to support current and ex-firefighters and their families. They support so many people in what can be a very challenging role. Once again, our fundraising in Lincolnshire is something to be very proud of as we have exceeded even our own expectations and this figure could not have been reached without the amazing generosity of the people of Lincolnshire!”
Alford fire station’s ‘Alford to Alford’ motorcycle ride was the individual event that raised the most money which totalled almost £10,000. Many of the fire stations taking part in these events are crewed by On Call firefighters and the service is always looking for new recruits to be part of the team at their local station.
Later this year the charity will announce the total funds raised including from the charity lottery, clothes recycling at fire stations and other regular donations.
Image courtesy of Lincolnshire County Council American military nostalgia visit for RAF Saltby D-Day commemoration
A D-Day 80th anniversary event at Saltby airfield on 8 June will turn back the clock to commemorate its wartime role.
RAF Saltby was home to America’s 9th Troop Carrier Command during 1944, flying paratroopers of the US 82nd Airborne Division to Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion of Europe.
The D-Day 80th Anniversary Commemoration at RAF Saltby event, from 10.30 – 3pm, will include a service of commemoration, military re-enactors, an Army field kitchen and talks in the Buckminster Gliding Club clubhouse.
The event is free but tickets for the airfield access and talks must be booked separately via Ticket Tailor.
Senior United States’ military representatives will be attending on a nostalgia visit to an airfield that played a significant role in the Allied war effort, the latest in a series of such visits.
They include the commander of the United States 314th Airlift Wing from Little Rock, Arkansas, the modern day equivalent of the 314th Troop Carrier Wing operating from RAF Saltby in 1944.
Author and Troop Carrier Command world authority, Lt Col Mark Vlahos, is also attending, giving an illustrated talk – RAF Saltby 314th Troop Carrier Group – and offering to sign any of his books for visitors who have previously bought copies.
He will be portraying Colonel Clayton Stiles, the Commander of the 314th Troop Carrier Group stationed at RAF Saltby in WW2, ‘visiting’ for the first time since the war ended.
Another talk from heritage specialist Brian Riley – Airborne Forces of Britain, the United States and Poland – focuses on the unique alliance and presence locally of Allied airborne forces from the United States, Britain and Poland that helped change the course of the war.
Darren Bond’s talk – America’s 82nd Airborne Division – will reveal the division’s history and its association with RAF Saltby and includes a demonstration of battle kit worn by both American and British airborne soldiers.
Cllr Richard Dixon-Warren, SKDC Armed Forces Champion, said: “RAF Saltby played a critical role in the invasion of Europe and we are delighted to help tell the story of the American contribution that helped turn the tide of war.”
For Buckminster Gliding Club, Chairman John Elkington said: “We are extremely proud of the heritage here at the airfield. We have a permanent memorial to allied forces and this event is an opportunity to honour the American troops and aircraft that flew from here on 6 June 1944.”
The commemoration is the latest in a series of US nostalgia visits over the years. The 314th Airlift Wing also gifted £3,000 to help restore the bells at Saltby Church.
The event has been organised by South Kesteven District Council, Saltby Airfield History Group and the Buckminster Gliding Club.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Robert L Parker
Venue reborn to boost social life of North Lincolnshire village
A bid writing service set up by MP Andrew Percy has helped to save the former St Oswald Church Hall in Keadby near Scunthorpe and convert it into a public hall.
Funding attracted for the project includes:
- £70,000 to help buy the property funded by the North Lincs Enhanced and Prosperous Pot.
- £36,000 UKSPF Levelling-Up funding from the Government for structural work, kitchen and electrical and new roof on extension.
- £9,611 North Lincs Council Community Grant pot for heating/air conditioning system. This is the fund the Conservatives set up when we took over running the Council.
- £26,000 SSE Axholme North Fund for flooring and decorating.
- £3,900 Axholme North SSE Fund for new chairs and Tables cooker and kitchen equipment.
North Hykeham’s £200m relief road gets planning permission
Members of the county council’s Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee voted in favour of granting planning consent for a relief road for North Hykeham at a cost of about £200m
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “I’m incredibly happy to say that the North Hykeham Relief Road has officially been granted planning permission, which means we’re one step closer to a full ring road around Lincoln.
“Now that planning consent’s been granted, our team can formally enter into negotiations with landowners while continuing to prep all of the legal orders needed before construction can start. These include compulsory purchase orders granting powers to obtain the land needed for the road and side roads orders granting powers to improve or alter the highway.
“Our current plan is to present these to Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee in June and then Executive in July, before making them live for public consultation.
“The focus will then be preparing a full business case for DfT before making a start on building the road late next year.”
Building the new relief road is expected to start late next year and to be finished by late 2028. The cost of the project is currently estimated to be between £180m and £208m.
The North Hykeham Relief Road project would see a new dual carriageway built, linking the A46 Pennells Roundabout to the newly constructed Lincoln Eastern Bypass, creating a complete ring road around the city.
As part of the project, new roundabouts would be built at South Hykeham Road, Brant Road and Grantham Road. A number of bridges would also be needed, including at Station Road and over the River Witham.
Cllr Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The new relief road will form the final section of a complete ring road around Lincoln, making it much easier for people to get around the area.
“Among its many benefits, the North Hykeham Relief Road will help reduce congestion in and around North Hykeham, Lincoln and the surrounding villages; and improve journey time reliability; help us meet the area’s growth target; and better connect the A46 between the Midlands through to the Humber ports.”
Heritage asset scheme comes to an end – but there could be more to come
A scheme investing in heritage assets around the historic quarter of the Port of Grimsby recently came to an end, but with hopes that funding may be found for second round of funding.
Dr Stella Jackson, Regeneration Project Manager, said: “We are very happy with what we have achieved as a group since 2019, particularly working in difficult conditions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our aim was to halt any further deterioration to the buildings, bringing them back into use, and creating local jobs. The knock-on effect has been the promotion of the historic dock area’s heritage, new facilities, an improved environment for people that work in the area and, of course, a strengthening of ties across the wider community.
“We are hopeful for a continuation of PSiCA as we move through 2024, particularly as the original scheme’s end comes at a time when there is much attention on the dock. Work being undertaken by businessman Tom Shutes is well underway at the Ice Factory, which will ultimately become a conference venue and office spaces, while ABP has its sights on the creation of a film quarter with proposed purpose-built studios. A hotel, proposed to be sited next to the Ice Factory, will also make a significant difference to the area.
“From a PSiCA perspective, this is already generating further interest in the historic area of the dock, encouraging people across this sector to look at many of the buildings as possibilities for their businesses.”
The Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas fund has been delivered as part of the Greater Grimsby Heritage Action Zone, and has supported projects such as Creative Start’s Great Escape, Turntable Gallery (building 88), the Creative Start building expansion, and Alfred Enderby smokehouse, which has more recently undergone a full schedule of works. In total, 16 grants have been awarded, 19 buildings improved, and more than 3,600m2 of commercial space has been improved or created.
The PSiCA scheme began with a total pot of £1m, and has been a joint project between Historic England and North East Lincolnshire Council, with support from Associated British Ports (ABP) and the council’s regeneration partner Equans. The five-year grant scheme began in 2019 and officially finished in January 2024, but several of the bigger projects supported by PSiCA ran into late March.
Creative organisations are the dominant sector to have utilised the PSiCA grant scheme to date, along with Enderby’s smokehouse and the Peterson’s project. Steve and Caroline Ridlington of WE1 Heritage have renovated nine properties, offering workspaces and studios to artists, small businesses, and Blue Chip companies. They also, with PSiCA’s help, renovated ‘Coffee on the Docks’, a popular café space on Auckland Road with a rustic interior.
Steve commented earlier: “This is an amazing place to be, you are surrounded by so much rich history and the architecture is so inspiring. This is a really exciting time for Grimsby, and we feel privileged to be associated with the scheme and its partners.”
As part of the wider ‘Kasbah Remade’ programme of regeneration, the scheme has also generated new opportunities to access and appreciate the area’s heritage and contribute to its ‘sense of place’, including Heritage Open Days events which, in 2023, saw approximately 2,000 visitors to the area. The Heritage Open Days return in September, look out for details in the summer!
Simon Bird, ABP’s Regional Director for the Humber ports, has been keen to see the area emerge as a vibrant place for people to work. He said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this scheme and to see the wonderful transformation of the buildings, some for great purposes, which is truly inspirational. We are creating a rich fabric of businesses very different to the purpose the buildings began life as.
“The Heritage Open Days on the port have proved very popular and it’s a great opportunity to showcase the amazing work that is being achieved here. We know more great things are yet to happen as we drive our vision for a film quarter on site.”
David Walsh, the principal adviser for partnerships at Historic England said: “We are delighted to see the fantastic progress made on the historic docks by local people, businesses and organisations as part of this scheme. They have led the way in regenerating the Kasbah conservation area and reviving the sense of community and life that has always existed on the docks.
“North East Lincolnshire Council has done a great job as lead partner, with support from Associated British Ports. The development of the Ice Factory will also have a huge impact on the docks.
“There is much more to do and more opportunities to grasp to further regenerate the area. We look forward to continuing to work with North East Lincolnshire Council, Associated British Ports and other partners to help make the historic docks a vital commercial hub in Grimsby once again.”
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance celebrates 30 years of saving lives
May 2024 marks a very special milestone for the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Since airlifting their very first patient on 13th May 1994, LNAA has provided a life-saving Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the local communities of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. To date, the life-saving charity has responded to over 29,000 missions.
LNAA CEO, Karen Jobling, said: “This remarkable charity has come a very long way since its humble beginnings in 1994, when we operated out of a temporary building and could only get to patients if there was money in the bank to fuel up the old ex-police bölkow helicopter.
“Thirty years later LNAA now responds, on average, to four missions a day. Its state-of-the-art helicopter and two Critical Care Cars enable crews to give the very best treatments, day and night, to some of the most seriously ill and injured patients when they need it most, ensuring the patient has the best possible outcome.”
Shaun knows only too well how vital the service is, especially to people living in rural and coastal communities. Thirty years ago, he was one of the first patients to be airlifted to hospital by Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and says the speed which the helicopter flew him from Boston Pilgrim Hospital to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre, saved his life.
Shaun was six years old when his heart stopped beating not once but three times. The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance team ensured he received the specialist care he so desperately needed.
It was July 1994 and Shaun was with his family shopping in Skegness when he suddenly slipped and banged his head causing a seizure. He was rushed to Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital where doctors fought to stabilise him each time his heart stopped beating. Due to the seriousness of his injury’s the medical team decided he needed to be transferred immediately to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).
The two-hour journey by road ambulance from Boston was deemed too risky for the young boy and so Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance were called. In less than 30 minutes, they had safely airlifted Shaun to QMC where he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. He remained in hospital for three weeks, the first week in an induced coma.
Shaun will be forever grateful to the LNAA crew. He said: “If they hadn’t flown me from Pilgrim Hospital to Queen’s Medical Centre I probably would have died.”
The 30th anniversary of this wonderful charity’s service to the community is a time for celebration as well as a reflection on how far it has travelled. Karen said: “We receive no direct Government funding, and have only come this far, thanks to the incredible support from people, businesses and communities in Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire.
“As we celebrate this huge milestone for the charity and look back on how we have been able to make a positive impact on the lives of so many people, we are reminded that we must ensure that LNAA continues to be by the side of patients for the next 30 years. We’d like to thank all our supporters for their past and future support.”
Throughout this 30th Anniversary year, LNAA will be running a series of fundraising events and activities. To find out how you can get involved and help ensure this 30th year is one to remember, visit www.ambucopter.org.uk
