Landscape works have commenced to transform a former golf course into a wetland nature reserve in Lincolnshire. Located at Sandilands, near Sutton-on-Sea, the National Trust’s 62-acre site will see open water and islands, grasslands and sand-dunes, as well as reedbeds and ponds, complete with walkways and boardwalks. A new visitor centre and café, designed by local practice Jonathan Hendry Architects, will help fund the conservation of the wetland when the project completes in Spring 2026. Sandilands sits on the ‘east coast flyway’ migration route and the new reserve will be a vital resting and refuelling stop for birds as well as a habitat for hundreds of species of wildlife and flora. Newark-based Influence Landscape Planning & Design was appointed by the National Trust to deliver Stage 4 technical design services, and Stages 5-7 landscape architecture services for onsite monitoring for the implementation of the works. Shona Hatton, director at Influence Landscape Planning & Design, said: “We are very proud to be assisting the National Trust in the delivery of its first nature reserve in the county. The land formation for the wetland creation to the south of the site is well under way, and it’s already possible to get a real sense of what the final site will look like. “The Lincolnshire Coast is rich in biodiversity and the National Trust is working hard to protect and enhance the natural world here, creating new habitats for migrating birds and many other species. Our designs give nature a place to flourish, and inclusive, accessible spaces for people to enjoy it.” Kirsty James, general manager for Sandilands, said: “A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes and we are excited now to see work begin on the physical changes at Sandilands. “We’re looking forward to seeing the area transform to not only create a haven for wildlife, but also provide a peaceful and calm space for people to walk, spend time with friends and family, and simply enjoy the beauty of nature and the outdoors.”   Image: An impression of the wetland habitats – copyright National Trust, Peter Farmer, Wayne Lagden

Community projects and skills programmes in Boston and East Lindsey have been given a boost of more than £325,000 combined from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), distributed by the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, and Lincolnshire Community Foundation (LCF). Several community projects, sports clubs, parish councils and village halls have been awarded more than £250,000 across the two districts in the final round of funding from LCF’s GRASSroots scheme, which has been funded by UKSPF. The GRASSroots scheme has now given £1.9 million in grants. With match funding, this has led to a total investment of £2.9 million in parish councils, village halls and small community projects. Funding has also been awarded to support Boston’s Christmas Event, ensuring that the success of last year is repeated and developed further in support of town centre businesses. Additionally, more than £77,000 of savings generated through the efficient management of current contracts have been awarded to projects which fall under the People & Skills theme of the Partnership’s UKSPF programme. This has been awarded after a competition between existing UKSPF Skills projects which are already successfully delivering, in order to support them to ‘scale up’ and reach more residents at this late stage in the programme’s life. The GRASSroots funding has been awarded to: Boston: Leverton Village Hall – renovation of the hall, including upgrading the toilets and kitchen space, along with the addition of a wheelchair ramp. The Local Community Centre, Boston – New fire alarm system. Forbes Road Bowls Club, Boston – Fibreglass shelter and new spectators’ patio. Fishtoft 400 – Portable defibrillator and provision of mobility and balance classes. Friends of Holland Fen with Amber Hall – refurbishment of village hall toilets plus a new fridge/freezer. Swineshead Silver Band – External building works to weatherproof building. East Lindsey: East Lincolnshire Food Collective, Wragby – Distribution of food to East Coast communities along with setting up of Children Eat Free. North Thoresby Community Orchard – Acquisition, creation and installation of a community orchard space. Skegness Islamic Centre – Capital works to the community spaces and funding to support community activities. Thornton Le Fen Parish Council – The development of community greens incorporating Gipsey Bridge and Bunkers Hill. The Village Church Farm, Skegness – Development of an outdoor community space. Stixwold Village Hall – Community garden creation project. Horncastle Parkrun – Set up and running costs of a Parkrun group in Horncastle. Alvingham Village Hall – Heating, cooling and ventilation system. Horncastle & District Community Association – Replacement of centre windows. Partney Dalby & Dexthorpe Memory Victory Hall – Refurbishment of hall toilets. Covenham Village Volunteers – Replacing doors, upgrading kitchen facilities and building of fire exit. Swifts Junior FC, Ingoldmells – The building of a disabled toilet and refurbishment of two mixed use toilets. Baumber Village Hall – Building works to lay hardstanding and provide wheelchair accessibility. Additional funding for expanding successful projects: University of Lincoln – Higher Engineering – New to East Lindsey, this project has already been highly successful in Boston and South Holland. The University will deliver Level 4 ‘taster’ sessions introducing young people and adult learners to AI, Agri-Tech and careers in the food production sector. UK Fresh Produce Network (UKFPN) – Access to Finance and Institutional Investment Event – UKFPN will hold an event at the London Stock Exchange, inviting businesses from East Lindsey (mainly from the agricultural sector) to meet financial experts from banks, venture capital firms and institutional investors, with a view to securing additional inward investment. PAB Languages – Global Gateway – A programme supporting the development of entrepreneurship and upskilling employees of our larger businesses to engage with export and international markets – funding means it is now available in East Lindsey. Boston Town Centre 2024 Christmas Event – Funding towards the new synthetic ice rink at the event. Steadfast Training – Connect2Grow – A project which is helping individuals who are out of work with skills training and support, identifying suitable vacancies, providing job interviews and follow-on in-work support. Currently running in South Holland and Boston, this funding will open the project up to East Lindsey. Councillor Anne Dorrian, leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “It’s great to see a number of projects across the Borough receiving funding which I know will go towards making a huge difference to all of the communities involved. “I’m also delighted that funding has been made available for the town’s Christmas event this year. It promises to build on the success of last year’s event, which was also supported by the UKSPF, and will bring festive joy to our residents, businesses and visitors.” East Lindsey Councillors Steve Kirk, portfolio holder for The Coastal Economy, and Adam Grist, portfolio holder for Market Towns and Rural Economy, said: “This final round of awards from LCF certainly does not disappoint, with several projects across the district receiving grants. Each one will have an impact on many people and we’re looking forward to seeing the results. “In addition to this, it is brilliant to see that skills programmes will be given a boost with further funding. Many people are already taking advantage of the free training on offer from a number of different providers, made possible by UKSPF, and we are pleased that many more will be able to do this as a result of this latest funding boost.”   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Stockfotos-MG

VisitEngland has awarded Lincoln’s sightseeing bus tour 95% on its quality assurance scale, earning it a Gold Accolade. The Gold Awards are given every year to participants in the Visitor Attraction quality scheme who achieve a high standard, and that the assessor felt were truly deserving of recognition. Nominations for the accolade are based on a range of feedback, including the annual assessment, observations by the assessor, customer feedback – both directly to VisitEngland and online customer reviews. Sharon Stone, Corporate Manager responsible for the Sightseeing Tour Bus, said: “This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Tour Guides and the operator Stagecoach East Midlands – I couldn’t ask for a better team!” The overall Visitor Attraction Scheme is designed to help visitor attractions to improve, whether through increased visitor numbers, a more engaged visitor experience.  The Tour assessment is tailored to the type of experience offered to visitors, in our case, 2,000 years of history with live commentary to include Lincoln’s Magna Carta, the stunning Cathedral and Castle, Roman Lincoln, Aviation Heritage and much more. Accreditation was awarded based on feedback from a mystery passenger, who turned out to be the Lead Assessor for the UK.  The assessment was based on a number of criteria including the branding and appearance of the sightseeing bus, the welcome by trained Tour Guides, the live commentary of 2,000 years of history, our advertising collateral and customer feedback. VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:  “These accolades highlight the wonderful visitor experiences provided by English attractions, from the warmest of welcomes to amazing food and drink, from great storytelling to outstanding customer service. “Our tourism businesses are the bedrock of our industry and it is wonderful to highlight and celebrate the fantastic service and experiences they give visitors, time-after-time. From museums, gardens and nature reserves to farm attractions, estates and theme parks, these attractions go out of their way to make visits memorable.”

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) is saying a huge thanks to the Len Pick Trust for generously funding the cost to kit out one of its new doctors. Doctor Chris Woodmansey joined LNAA earlier in the year and needed to be kitted out with a made to measure outfit that would be suitable for the demanding work that he and the rest of the LNAA team undertake every day. Thanks to the Trustees at The Len Pick Trust and their generous donation of £3,554, Chris now has a specifically designed uniform which will help him to provide a range of emergency procedures for the patients that he will treat. He said: “Our uniform is essential for the work that we do, and we ask it to do a lot for us! It’s vital that we can get to anyone who needs our help no matter where or when the incident happens. So, the uniform must be built for below-zero winter nights, fire resistance, climbing through a hedge, walking down a ditch, or any other conditions we find after landing. “There are multiple durable storage pockets which allows us to keep emergency equipment immediately to hand but protected. And a uniform that fits well means we’re not inhibited when performing a procedure or rushing to a patient.” The Len Pick Trust, based in Bourne, Lincolnshire give grants to organisations that will benefit the people of the town. Trustee David Bailey explained why it was so important for them to make this donation to LNAA. He said: “Everybody in Bourne could benefit from Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance at any time.  Bourne is a rural town and the importance is there for all to see. The air ambulance flies overhead regularly and most of us know people in the town who have been helped by LNAA. “These uniforms are not just a nice set of uniforms, they are protecting the medics. Our funding has bought a uniform that will look after the person looking after the patient.”

Eye-catching maroon tulips are being offered for planting across the South Kesteven District as part of a growing international Airborne Tulip Memorials trail. It’s part of South Kesteven District Council’s ‘Soldiers from the Sky’ project, funded by National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund to commemorate a unique chapter in the District’s military heritage. Men of the British 1^st Airborne Division trained with allied paratroopers from America and Poland and flew from airfields at Barkston Heath and Saltby for Operation Market Garden – the Battle of Arnhem – in September 1944. Tulips colour-match the distinctive beret worn by British airborne forces. The first bulbs have been planted in Grantham’s Heroes Commemorative Orchard with more going into the town’s Council-owned Wyndham Park, Grimsthorpe Castle, Harlaxton Manor and village churchyards. A number of free bulbs remain available for visitor sites, schools, parks, parish councils, public spaces and members of the public, possibly with family links to airborne forces. Cllr Rhea Rayside, SKDC Cabinet member for People and Communities, said: “It’s a wonderful tribute and we are grateful to National Lottery players who have enabled us to carpet South Kesteven with these beautiful flowers. “We look forward to creating this living memorial to remember and commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of so many.” Cllr Dixon Warren said: “Airborne forces gathered here in 1944 to train and eventually depart for Arnhem from local airfields. These tulips will add their own colour to a story forever linked to South Kesteven.” Cheshire man Darren Kaye, whose grandfather fought at Arnhem, started the memorial trail in the Netherlands at sites around Arnhem. Airborne Tulip Memorials have taken root in the UK at The Royal Chelsea Hospital, Merville Barracks in Colchester and The National Arboretum. To request bulbs, please email armedforces@southkesteven.gov.uk with quantities requested and proposed planting sites.   Image credit: South Kesteven District Council

  Image credit: West Lindsey District Council