Lincolnshire residents can find out more about plans for a historic devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire which could bring more than £700m into the region.

Across the country, devolution is moving important choices about local investment, infrastructure and training from government to local decision makers. Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council, and North East Lincolnshire Council have secured a devolution deal with government worth over £750 million which, if progressed, means money and power can move from government to decision-makers in Greater Lincolnshire.

By next spring Lincoln dog Snips could be immortalised in a new statue in the city’s revamped Cornhill Market in the Cornhill Quarter area, and restart his charity fundraising.

Twenty-five Grimsby pubs have received brand new emergency first aid bleed kits, thanks to funding from the Office of the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner. The kits include trauma dressings to control moderate to severe haemorrhaging and chest wounds, and were purchased from The Daniel Baird Foundation. The Foundation was set up following the fatal stabbing of Daniel Baird in Birmingham in 2019. At a meeting of the PubWatch group, 25 kits were distributed to venues. A further 50 kits have been made available to venues in North East Lincolnshire, and will be distributed in due course. Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison, said: “These kits are part of a huge drive to reduce harm from serious violence. I am pleased to have funded the Community Safety Partnership in North East Lincolnshire to enable them to place the kits in local venues. “Everyone needs to feel safe in our pubs, bars and clubs and these kits could potentially save a life, but there is no excuse for violence and we will continue to work with our partners to tackle all violent crime.” Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “I’m really pleased to see these kits being rolled out in venues across our area, and in particular in our town centre. Violence is never OK. There’s no excuse for it and we don’t want to see it in our town centres, on our streets or in our pubs, bars and clubs. “It is my hope that these kits will never need to be used. All of the kits are now registered with East Midlands Ambulance Service, and what that means is that anyone in our area who calls 999 and could benefit from using one of these kits will be able to find out where the nearest one is. “I am very grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner for helping to get these for our area.” The bleed kits are designed to be used by pedestrians who are on the scene of an incident, to reduce the risk of someone succumbing to a life-threatening injury. They are lightweight packs, and can be attached to people, hung up, or kept in vehicles.  

Following an extensive refurbishment, the all-new Antlers Restaurant has opened at the iconic White Hart Hotel on Lincoln’s Historic Bailgate. The hotel’s owner, local businessman Andrew Long, said: “Since reopening the extensively refurbished White Hart Hotel in early November, we have been delighted to have welcomed thousands of guests to our historic hotel.” “We are now equally excited to have launched one of the most impressive elements of the White Hart’s transformation. Antlers offers an elegant and sophisticated destination restaurant in which to dine, socialise and celebrate. It’s the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy the best that the county has to offer in terms of locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, as well as being a showcase for regional artisan makers and producers.” “The menus, created with passion by our talented Head Chef, Chris Punter, are a highlight in Lincoln’s culinary offering.” As well as offering sophisticated in-house dining for hotel guests, Antlers will also be serving local diners with tempting Sunday Roasts, seasonally inspired à la carte Lunch and Dinner menus and a selection of Traditional and Champagne Afternoon Teas. Alongside the food menus, diners will be able to choose from a carefully curated wine list and an extensive range of signature cocktails. In addition, Antlers also offers Private Dining, in a newly created, light filled space at the rear of the restaurant. Suitable for intimate gatherings or celebrations, as well as smaller corporate events, it means that whatever the occasion, Antlers truly has something to offer everyone. Interior design concepts were created by the internationally renowned DO Design Studio. Building work has been undertaken by the Lindum Group in conjunction with many other Lincoln based companies, and project managed by Luxury Hotel Management, working in conjunction with John Robert Architects, Project Management & Cost Control specialists P&BC, together with Banks, Long & Co.

Salvation Army volunteers are busy sorting through hundreds of donations to tailor packages that will go to support families in need in West Lindsey – though they say more donations for their annual toy and food parcel appeal are always needed. Major Colin Bradshaw, Minister of Religion at the Salvation Army in Gainsborough said: “We have had a good response from our appeal, and we have toys gifted to us for children of all ages from 0-16. If a family has a 17- or 18-year-old at home, we always try and pop something in for them too.” As well as gifts of games, toys and selection boxes, families also get a food parcel which includes some luxury items such as biscuits, custard and chocolates. Major Bradshaw added: “Every child on our list has been assessed as being the poorest in the community. What we are doing is about giving hope and raising aspirations of local children, trapped in poverty by knowing that the community and the church care.” Although the toys are wrapped and ready to be distributed, many urgent requests will come in closer to Christmas from families fleeing domestic abuse. Major Bradshaw said financial donations are important to help support requests when they come in. Leader and Deputy Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Trevor Young and Cllr Lesley Rollings were invited to pack toys and meet the volunteers. Cllr Young said seeing the generosity of local people and seeing the work of the volunteers is something he will be thinking about on Christmas Day. He said: “It is fantastic in terms of seeing the amount of donations, and it’s all going to help families at a time of need – which will be very much appreciated. “There is a huge expectation at Christmas for families to not only buy presents but to stock up on good food. It can be a real struggle for families who are doing well, just to get by each week and initiatives like this will help those families a lot and prevent them from getting into further debt.” Cllr Rollings carefully selected items to match the profile of the children on the lists. She said: “I am moved by the generosity of the people who have donated all these items. The toys we are packing, maybe the only toys some children receive. I can’t help but imagine the faces of the children who will open up these presents on Christmas morning. I would like to thank everyone who has supported this worthy initiative.” Malcolm Shepherd, 77, has been volunteering for 12 years and is the food bank coordinator. He said: “At this time of year, it never ceases to amaze me, people’s generosity of toys and food. Throughout the year, we have supported for the food bank as well. “Everyone is struggling but people are prepared to give us what they can for the benefit of those in need.  We are only open two days a week and we give out 200 food parcels in that time, prior to Covid this was only 30.” Despite generous donations, the Salvation Army are appealing for donations of non-perishable food items which are crucial to sustaining the food bank’s ability to meet the ongoing demand. To support the Salvation Army’s initiatives, individuals and businesses are urged to donate non-perishable food items, and funds to ensure a meaningful impact in the community. People can donate money by visiting the Salvation Army Facebook page or by scanning a QR code on the many posters around the town. Drop-off locations for food donations can be found at:

• Gainsborough Salvation Army, Beaumont Street – Mondays & Fridays 9am-1pm/ Sundays 9:30-12pm. Money/Cheques (payable to The Salvation Army) can also be mailed here.
• Gainsborough Salvation Army Charity Shop, Queensway – Monday-Friday 9am-3pm.
• The Gainsborough Salvation Army Toy Appeal has so far provided 330 Children with brand new toys and 136 families with Christmas hampers.

Need support?

• Foodbanks – https://lincolnshirefoodpartnership.org/foodbanks/

New play equipment for children has been installed at a play area hit by an arson attack. Youngsters visiting College Close in Stamford will now be able to enjoy the multi-play climbing frame tower, rocking log, springy bike and the single step log, which all suffered fire damage in June. The rubber mulch safety surface and wooden fencing destroyed in the fire have also been replaced by South Kesteven District Council. Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture at SKDC, Cllr Paul Stokes, said: “This play area is open again and we are pleased to have been able to get the repairs and replacement equipment in place. “The Council provides assets like this for the benefit of local communities and to help the younger generation to be active, enjoying their outdoor play. “It was a shame that somebody chose to disrupt such a large area here, including the conifers growing nearby. “SKDC decided to take positive action at the time, by increasing anti-social behaviour patrols – something we will continue. “A lot of hard work has gone into restoring this area and we would also ask the public to remain vigilant by reporting any future issues.”   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/o_lypa

North East Lincolnshire Council has succeeded in an application for funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP). The funding will be used to help plug the gap in provision for specialised supported accommodation for individuals who have a long history of rough sleeping and those with complex needs. Working in partnership with housing and support providers, the Council will oversee Swan House, and it is confirmed that this extra money will be used to further support the work that will soon be taking place at the new accommodation. Swan House, based on Newhaven Terrace in Grimsby, will accommodate and support homeless and former rough sleepers who are eligible for statutory homelessness assistance to gain independent living skills. Residents of Swan House will benefit from 24/7 housing management and concierge facilities with regular visits from different services. It is also planned to develop a community hub within the building, allowing different organisations to visit and deliver sessions and services not just for residents but for the local community also. Council Leader Cllr Phillip Jackson, who has responsibilities for housing, the economy, and skills, said: “We are hoping that Swan House will be open in the very near future. “Securing this funding will allow us to help those who need the support before they are ready to live independently. We’re very excited to have this extra funding, allowing us to take Swan House and the support we can provide there further than we ever thought.”   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/2B