Exclusive Viewing Day: You’re invited to Ashfield Park, Lincolnshire
Tingdene Residential Parks are delighted to extend a special invitation to you for our upcoming viewing day at Ashfield Park, Scunthorpe, a vibrant community exclusively for the over 50s.Join us as we unveil a range of new plots and thoughtfully designed homes, whilst exploring the benefits of park home living firsthand. With brand new 1- and 2-bedroom homes available, starting from £139,500, our viewing day is your chance to explore the new opportunities available at the park and imagine the fulfilling lifestyle that can be achieved by making Ashfield Park your new home.Our friendly team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and help you get started on your journey.We look forward to seeing you.Date: Tuesday 20th FebruaryTime: 10am – 4pmLocation: Burringham Road, Scunthorpe DN17 2AL
Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/february-viewing-day-introducing-ashfield-park-lincolnshire-tickets-810758940817?aff=oddtdtcreatorOr call our team on 01933 837192 to book a place.
Gainsborough gears up for evening light show
Gainsborough is getting ready for an evening of lightships when Illuminate, involving lanterns, projections, and a spectacular fire garden, comes to town in early March.
On Saturday 9 March, Gainsborough’s special light-themed event returns to the historic heart of the town, including the return of the community lantern parade, a fire garden in the grounds of All Saints’ Parish Church, lanterns on display in the grounds of Gainsborough Old Hall, street performers and samba music.
This year’s event theme is ‘Love, Gainsborough’, featuring willow lanterns made by local school children and artists.
There will be daytime activities at Parish Church and in the Market Place where you can make your own lantern from 10:30am – 2:30pm and evening activities around the Old Hall and All Saints’ Parish Church.
Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Stephen Bunney, expressed his delight for the arrival of Illuminate. He said: “The return of the community lantern parade for this year’s Illuminate will be a fantastic sight in the town. As Chairman of the Council, I am delighted to invite residents and visitors to West Lindsey to attend this spectacular event.”
West Lindsey District Council’s event lead, Dr Anna Scott, added: “This year’s event is about Gainsborough as a community – bringing people back together for a town centre parade that they have helped to create. Illuminate has been made possible thanks to our partnership with All Saints’ Parish Church and Gainsborough Old Hall, and we’re grateful for their support to make the event possible.”
English Heritage, who manage Gainsborough Old Hall, are delighted to be involved with the event once again, with Area Manager Louise Fountain adding: “It is fantastic that Gainsborough Old Hall and English Heritage are once again able to work with West Lindsey District Council on such a wonderful event. I am delighted to be able to open the grounds up for the Illuminate event and to use the Old Hall as a stunning backdrop for the performers and lanterns we expect to see on the night.”
This event has been made possible by funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, West Lindsey District Council and Gainsborough Town Council.
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance leaves its mark as boy rescued in 2006 raises funds
When a road traffic incident left eight-year-old George trapped in a submerged car, fighting for his life, it was the quick actions of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance crew that gave him the best chance of survival.
It was January 2006, and George was travelling with his mum, Jo, near Spalding, Lincolnshire, when the car caught some loose chippings at the edge of the road and suddenly began to zig-zig from side to side. Before they knew it, the car was heading down the bank as the car flipped and landed upside down, fully submerged in water.
Jo managed to free herself from the vehicle and rushed to the passenger side of the wrecked car to rescue her son. She managed to open the back passenger door and scramble inside.
With only a small pocket of air inside the submerged car, she knew time was against her. It seemed like an eternity before she was able to release his seatbelt and pull George unconscious out of the back of the car and onto the bankside.
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance crew arrived in record time and they quickly decided to airlift George straight to Pilgrim Hospital, Boston. The flight took just 7 minutes, something that could have really made a difference.
George is now 25 years old and recalls the accident. He said: “I was in a bad way, and it was thought that I wouldn’t make it.”
George will be forever grateful to Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and as he got older, he began taking part in challenge events and selling raffle tickets, encouraging others to buy a ticket and support LNAA’s life-saving work.
So far, George has raised £6105.86 which could buy enough fuel for the helicopter to fly to the scene of 15 emergencies and be by the side of more critically ill and injured patients.
George is currently selling tickets for LNAA’s Spring Raffle. More information can be found on LNAA’s website www.ambucopter.org.uk/lottery/raffle.
On your marks, get set, BAKE for Chairman’s charities
This year South Holland District Council will be adding a new and exciting contest to its Spring into Spalding event.
On Saturday, March 30, the town centre will be filled with fun activities and entertainment for visitors to enjoy – including a Bake Off which has been organised by South Holland District Council Chairman Councillor Andrew Woolf.
The competition, which will take place at the South Holland Centre, will be judged by Councillor Woolf and Matty Edgell who won the Great British Bake Off in 2023.
This is an exciting new addition to the popular event, which has been made possible following a grant of £6,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Any bakes can be entered into the competition but Easter themed treats are recommended to really impress the judges.
There is not an age limit and all abilities are welcome too, so whether you’re just starting out or have been baking for decades you can get involved.
Entrants will be able to arrive at the South Holland Centre from 10am to set up and display their yummy creations. You will not be able to park outside so please make sure you – or someone you know – is able to carry your bake to the centre.
Special judge Matty will begin looking at and tasting the entries along with Councillor Woolf at 11am before the winners are announced and presented with their prizes on the stage in the town centre.
Afterwards, visitors will be invited to the South Holland Centre where they will be able to purchase slices or whole cakes in return for a donation which will be going to the Chairman’s Charities – Blood Cancer UK and Mencap.
Councillor Woolf said: “This is such an exciting event and I’m really pleased to be part of the judging panel.
“We’re hoping to see if we can find our very own Star Baker here in South Holland so I’d like to encourage our local residents to get on board and support this event.
“As if that wasn’t good enough, visitors will be able to buy some slices – or an entire cake – after the judging has finished so there is more than one way to donate on the day.
“It promises to be a really fun – and hopefully delicious – competition.”
Image shows Matty Edgell
How you can influence the way art is displayed at Lincoln’s Usher Gallery
Lincolnshire residents are being invited to have their say on new displays at the Usher Gallery in Lincoln.
Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, the Gallery will be changing the artwork on display, and ideas on what the public would like to see at Usher Gallery and what you think would inspire more people to visit. Complete the survey online at www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ushergallery.
Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, executive member for culture at Lincolnshire County Council, said “With hundreds of artworks in the county’s collection, and only a limited space to display them, a rehang is the perfect opportunity to bring some pieces out of the archives that haven’t been displayed in a while.
“It’s also an opportunity to take stock; what do our visitors love seeing when they come to the Usher Gallery? What do people want to see more of?
“We also want to hear from people who have never visited the gallery before, or haven’t been back in a long time; how can we entice you in to experience free art in Lincoln?
“All the feedback we get will help us make sure we’re showcasing a wide range of the art from our collection, and telling compelling stories from our county and beyond.”
As well as completing the online survey, on the Let’s Talk project page you can share memories of visits to the gallery, exhibitions or events you’ve attended.
The rehang will take place in stages – one gallery space at a time – and the Usher will remain open as normal throughout so visitors can continue to enjoy art for free in Lincoln.
The survey will close on Friday 12 April to allow gallery staff to begin collating feedback.
202 litter louts fined over £86,000 in North East Lincolnshire
People caught littering across North East Lincolnshire were fined over £86,000 by the Council’s enforcement teams in 2023.
202 people were found guilty of littering on the borough’s streets at magistrates courts with each offender paying £428 on average.
Their fines totalled £44,620 with costs and victim surcharges accounting for a further £41,909. Fines were issued throughout the year by the Waste Investigations Support and Enforcement (WISE) team in partnership with the City of Doncaster Council. This comes after Waste Investigations Support and Enforcement (WISE) team started patrols in the borough on 1st December.
Offenders were made to pay a £220 fine with costs and the surcharge ranging anywhere from £34 to £180.
Those found guilty of littering are dealt with via the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) which allows magistrates courts to deal with minor offences more efficiently and quickly.
Here, a single magistrate and legal adviser can determine punishment for non-imprisonable offences such as littering or watching TV without a licence.
Between January 2022 and January 2024, 700,000 criminal cases were completed through this process across the country. These cases do not require the defendant to appear in person, allowing them to plead online.
Ultimately, this speeds up the process and allows for large scale offences, such as littering, to be dealt with quickly and easily.
Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder of Safer and Stronger Communities, believes these figures are a testament to the hard work of the WISE enforcement team.
“Over 200 people being found guilty of littering shows just how hard our colleagues are working to stamp out what is a massive issue.
“As a Council, we are committed to improving the borough’s environment by keeping the streets clean and maintaining the area as somewhere everyone can enjoy.
“We advocate a zero-tolerance model on issues like littering and are focused on providing quality enforcement to ensure we can successfully tackle these types of incidents.”
Image courtesy of North East Lincolnshire Council
Volunteer groups urged to apply for grants of up to £500
Lincolnshire Community Foundation and North Kesteven District Council are looking for smaller, volunteer-led, non-profit organisations in the district to apply for grants of up to £500.
Councillor Sally Tarry of North Kesteven District Council, said the funds would come from the NK Community Lottery, which was designed to connect communities to the good causes and to make it easier for them to access small funding opportunities.
“Small regular sources of funding can be the difference between a community group surviving and flourishing. With this fund meeting both running costs, overheads and general expenses as well as specific expenditure linked to any projects, we anticipate it making an enormous difference to the vibrancy and variety of community life within North Kesteven.
“When the 500 or so players of the NK Lottery buy their tickets weekly, they are not only doing so in the hope of winning up to £25,000 for themselves, but also in the knowledge that most of their £1 ticket purchase will directly benefit good causes locally. Being able to re-distribute some of that money in grants of up to £500 each is a wonderful way of ensuring maximum benefit across the broad sweep of community organisations, operating in support of community cohesion and the District’s ongoing wellbeing.”
She said the application process was straightforward and help in applying was straightforward. Funds should be used to ensure the good health and mental wellbeing of residents; to promote connectivity (digital/peer support); to host community/cultural activities and events that bring communities together; to support youth activities including uniformed groups.
Examples of the type of project costs that can be requested include volunteer expenses, resources and equipment, event costs, premises costs, sessional fees, running costs, insurance and annual subscriptions.
The closing date for receipt of applications is on 1st March 2024, with decisions notified within 6-8 weeks. Details are available on the Lincolnshire Community Foundation’s Grants Page at www.lincolnshirecf.co.uk.
Hayley Crawford, Grants Manager at Lincolnshire Community Foundation says: “The Fund is a wonderful opportunity for the community to apply for funding to receive support in continuing making North Kesteven prosper. I’d encourage any group interested in applying, but not sure whether they might be eligible, to contact us at LCF”. Contact hayley@lincolnshirecf.co.uk or ring (01529) 305825. Download an Application Form from our Grants Page at www.lincolnshirecf.co.uk
Rescued horses help raise awareness of equine welfare
Visitors can learn how to spot a horse in need and find out how one of the UK’s largest equine welfare charities care for these often misunderstood animals, on the Bransby Horses Welfare Trail.
Officially opening this month, the trail is a permanent fixture at the free to visit charity based in the village of Bransby, not far from Lincoln city.
Winding around the 600-acre site, visitors are taken on a wheelchair and pushchair friendly walk where information posters and questions about equine health help people test their knowledge and find out interesting facts about horses’ health.
Senior press officer Maria Thompson said: “We have hundreds of visitors every year, a lot of them are families who enjoy being outside and meeting our rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules (equines). We’ve launched this trail, which takes them around the fields where our horses are, to help raise awareness of proper equine welfare.
“Most people know about the needs of dogs and cats but equines are less understood. We hope the trail will help to engage people with our cause to make sure every equine has a life worth living, promote responsible horse ownership and ultimately reduce the need for our intervention.”
Bransby Horses, like many other equine welfare charities, rely on members of the public to report or raise concerns if they see or know of equines in need, as many are in fields and out of sight.
Last year the charity dealt with 1622 horses as either new or ongoing welfare concerns, underlying the importance of promoting responsible horse ownership.
With around 50,000 visitors a year, Bransby Horses hope the trail will demystify the world of equine welfare for both adults and children while raising awareness of the need for charities like theirs.
Bransby Horses is free to visit and take part in the trail. There is also a café with special offers on homemade afternoon teas, soup and scones through March, second hand tack and charity shop as well as a gift shop.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead.
For further information visit BransbyHorses.co.uk
Shipping company buys Stallingborough land for new office complex
Shipping company DFDS has bought seven acres of land on Stallingborough’s Pioneer Park as the first stage in developing a new combined commercial office.
The company plans to create a modern and more sustainable building which will consolidate several of its office-based colleagues from various functional sites across the Humber into one central location.
Fran Williams, DFDS HR Director for the UK and Ireland, said: “The building will be much more energy efficient and less environmentally impactful than our existing facilities, and we hope to create a modern and collaborative environment to make working for DFDS even more attractive.
“The new facility will be accessible by public transport and a new bicycle route, and for many of our colleagues it reduces the journey distance and time, all of which help our mission to become a net-zero company.
“We are now at an advanced phase with this project, and we are working with architects and designers to finalise the building concept and design. Incorporating green spaces, relaxation, and recreation areas, are examples of the features this building will have that differentiate it from our existing facilities.
“It will offer an environment that will allow us to attract some of the best talent from surrounding areas as well as helping us to retain the highly skilled colleagues that we already have. It’s exciting to think we will have a building that will look and feel as good as our professional values and vision.”
Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is great news and we’re really pleased to welcome DFDS to the Pioneer Park development having chosen North East Lincolnshire for their new office. We welcome the investment in our local economy which will support jobs and growth in the area.”
The 1,000 people employed by DFDS on the Humber include office-based staff alongside those working in the company’s terminal, warehouses, cold stores and trucks.
Generous donation to support premature babies and their families
A team of RAF colleagues have flown into action to support the hospital unit that cared for a colleague’s premature baby.
Vienna Margarson was born at 25 weeks weighing 730 grams.
Her parents say the care and support they and Vienna received on the Neonatal Unit at Lincoln County Hospital was simply amazing.
Her dad, Corporal Margarson, said: “Vienna spent 88 days in hospital after she was born, much of which was here in Lincoln. The whole team were amazing. From Louise the midwife who supported us through Vienna’s early arrival to the whole Neonatal Unit Team. We will never be able to repay them for all of the care they provided to Vienna and their kindness and support to us.”
Vienna’s parents joined forces with friends and family, as well as Corporal Margarson’s colleagues from the RAF Waddington gymnasium, to raise funds for the unit. The gym staff held an 880 mile sponsored Watt Bike ride in the Waterside Shopping Centre to mark the 88 days of care Vienna received in hospital.
They also held numerous raffles with prizes that included a signed Lincoln City football shirt and hampers donated by local businesses. Corporal Margarson’s nan Sylvia also organised a bingo event in North Somercotes that was really well supported. Together they raised £3,553.
Vienna and her parents were joined by RAF colleagues on a recent visit to present a cheque to the unit via the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity. They were welcomed by nurses Thea Smith and Sarah Russell who both looked after Vienna.
Thea said: “It is the best feeling in the world to see Vienna and how well she is doing. It has made my week. For the family, friends and the RAF colleagues to raise all of this money is so humbling and amazing.”
Gary Burr, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Fundraiser, said: “We cannot thank the Margarson family enough for all of their support and amazing fundraising. However, the best gift for all of us is seeing just how well Vienna is doing. She is the inspiration behind all of this.
“Donations from patients and the public enable the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity to provide the additional extras in our hospitals that cannot be provided by the NHS.
“We will use this money to directly support the young babies and their families on the unit. It is going to make such a difference to so many.”
The family also delivered lots of hand knitted hats, blankets and teddies for other babies on the unit.
Image courtesy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
