2025 marks the 900th anniversary of Boston’s first May Fair. To celebrate this historic milestone, Boston Guildhall Museum will host an exhibition from 22 March to 17 May.
The exhibition will feature photographs and objects from Neil Watson and the Showman’s Guildhall. Additionally, the museum is inviting local residents and visitors to contribute to a community exhibition by sharing their memories of past May Fairs. If you have photographs of the May Fair and would like to contribute to the exhibition, Boston Guildhall asks you to please include the names of the people in the photos if known, an approximate date, and any stories or memories associated with the image/s. Submit your contributions to TICBoston@boston.gov.uk by 12 February 2025 for a chance to be featured in the exhibition. For those without email access, images can be brought to the Guildhall during its opening hours. Unlike many towns that have moved their fairs to out-of-town locations, Boston continues to host its fair in the town centre. It remains one of the top street fairs in the country, cherished by showmen, townsfolk, and visitors. Cllr Sarah Sharpe, Portfolio Holder for Culture at Boston Borough Council, said: “We are very fortunate to live in a town with such rich heritage and history. “Celebrating 900 years of the Boston May Fair is a fantastic achievement, and something we should all be very proud of. “I have many fond memories of the May Fair and am excited to see others’ experiences at the exhibition. “This is a remarkable celebration, and I highly encourage everyone to contribute their photos to make the exhibition the best it can be.”Boston May Fair to celebrate 900th anniversary with exhibition
Night shelter brings new accommodation for homeless individuals in South Kesteven
A night shelter facility to assist with short term accommodation provision has been opened by South Kesteven District Council (SKDC).
Working in partnership with Grantham Ark, SKDC has launched the venue, which consists of a four-bedroom flat, with two beds in each room giving a capacity of eight occupants.
During the activation of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, where rough sleepers are provided with accommodation to get them off the streets, individuals were given space in the shelter, which also provides bathroom and kitchen facilities with basic food provision.
Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Virginia Moran, said: “I am delighted our new facility to help rough sleepers was opened in December in partnership with Grantham Ark. We aim to make this provision available to all those who qualify and those without priority need when the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol is in place.
“It has been a resounding success and those we have helped really appreciated the opportunity to speak to support staff in a more informal setting. Depending on uptake we will consider opening a further shelter in the south of the District in the future.
“Hotel accommodation is not always suitable, there are limited options to access food and often the hotels the Council can access are outside of the main towns and difficult for people to travel to.
“The new accommodation also costs less than providing hotel rooms, and this helps our budget go further in helping some of the more vulnerable people in our district.”
There is a volunteer support worker on site each evening and first thing each morning to signpost individuals to further support and provisions they can access during the day. SKDC has funded overnight security staff to ensure the safety of the people placed and the wider community.
Cllr Moran added: “Face-to-face support helps people transition back into settled accommodation, either through our own Choice Based Lettings system or into private rented housing.
“As of the 14th January we have provided 117 bed spaces to 17 different people. We have already arranged permanent homes for two residents and three more are set to move into settled accommodation in the coming week.”
Grantham Ark protects and supports local people who are experiencing homelessness after being launched in 2020 by the vicar of St Wulfram’s Church in Grantham.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/2B
North East Lincolnshire invites businesses to new collaboration event
North East Lincolnshire’s industrial businesses are being invited to attend a new exhibition event designed to bring industry together and spark conversation and collaboration.
Taking over Grimsby Auditorium on Tuesday 25 March, the inaugural Industrial Connections NEL event, delivered by the InvestNEL team, will see the venue split between an exhibition and presentation area.
Throughout the day, three guest presenters will be speaking on key local economic matters.
Industrial Connections NEL aims to be a catalyst in getting conversations started and helping industrial businesses to better understand who their industry neighbours are and explore what opportunities there could be for working together.
Guest host for the event is journalist David Laister, who many people attending will know from his years of contribution to business journalism in the Humber region. Already confirmed alongside David, is one of the three guest presenters, NELC Chief Executive, Rob Walsh, who will be delivering an update on the Lincolnshire devolution deal.
Invited to the event are North East Lincolnshire companies in the sectors of; manufacturing, engineering, chemicals & process, energy & renewables, ports & logistics, and food manufacturing/processing.
Car park to open opposite New Waltham school
A new car park and drop off zone opposite Waltham Toll Bar Academy is set to open on Monday (20 January).
The 54-space car park on land off Station Road began construction in August in response to parents’ concerns regarding safety.
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Housing at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is a brilliant initiative that will ensure the safety of countless school children.
“We understand the concerns raised by parents and have acted upon them as swiftly as possible. It will undoubtedly be a vital asset to those using the car park and I look forward to it being utilised.”
The car park will be managed by North East Lincolnshire Council and be open from 7am until 6pm during term time with the free drop-off – using the ordinary bays as well as specific zone – restricted to 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm.
The site will be closed from 6pm with barriers preventing evening and night-time entry. Outside of the free drop off times, normal council parking charges will apply. These will be £1.50 for two hours and £2.50 for the full day.
Parking and stopping restrictions, such as double yellow lines, will be introduced along both sides of Station Road to ensure drop-offs are made in the car park only. These restrictions are in place to help prevent parents parking on the grass verges either side of the road.
The car park will also include landscaping to ensure it is shielded from the new homes nearest to the site, as well as considering some natural barriers between the car park and Station Road.
There will also be height restrictions, safety barriers and bollards.
Image credit: Google maps
Tamily named as Director of Barbican Creative Hub University of Lincoln
Tamily Cookson is to be the University of Lincoln’s Director of the Barbican Creative Hub, due to open this spring as Lincolnshire’s future ‘home’ for the cultural and creative sector.
It’s said her appointment will play a pivotal role in shaping the Hub into a dynamic resource for cultural creativity in the region, supporting more than 3,000 businesses and freelancer
In 2024, Tamily founded COLLECTIVE., a community for creative, digital, and tech innovators across the East Midlands, supported by Nottingham Trent University. She has also worked as a creative industries consultant, collaborating with key organisations to develop regional strategies for creative growth and talent development.
She served as a UK Council member for Creative UK (2021-2023) and continues to support the sector as a trustee for Nonsuch Studios, an organisation dedicated to fostering creativity and cultural engagement.
Her commitment to fostering talent, reimagining urban experiences, and driving collaboration across cultural, educational, and business sectors aligns perfectly with the mission of the Hub.
She said: “I am thrilled to join the Barbican Creative Hub at such an exciting time for Lincolnshire’s creative industries. The Hub has the potential to transform the region’s creative landscape, and I’m looking forward to working with the community to unlock its full potential.”
Buyers to raise Humberside Lifting to next level
Scunthorpe-based Humberside Lifting Services has been sold to Bowers & Bowers Holdings.
Originally formed in the 1980s, Humberside Lifting was acquired in 2009, and incorporated the following year, by Malcolm Armstrong, who is now exiting the company.
A specialist in the supply, maintenance and repair of industrial lifting and height safety equipment, Humberside Lifting has an e-commerce platform on which products are for sale or hire, and the company also manufactures bespoke lifting straps.
While Malcolm Armstrong steps away from the company, Andy Bannister, the Operations Director, is staying on. He will help to run, develop and expand the business under the new ownership, which comprises father-and-son duo Malcolm and Ben Bowers, who are experienced in the access industry.
Malcolm Bowers has started, built and sold three access rental companies previously. Although having retired in 2020, he said of his planned involvement at Humberside Lifting: “While family commitments might limit what I can do on site, I will enjoy helping where I can even if it’s remotely.”
The acquirers have purchased the freehold on Humberside Lifting’s premises, which are well suited for expansion.
Ben Bowers said: “We have exciting plans for the business, including ways to improve the level of customer service as well as an improved product range for sale and hire.
“We are pleased the experienced employees will be staying with the business and we will recruit additional team members in due course.”
Will Griffiths, KBS Corporate Transaction Adviser, oversaw the sale of Humberside Lifting. “I’m happy to see the transaction complete and I wish our client, Malcolm Armstrong, all the best for the future,” he said.
Image supplied by KBS Corporate
Owners of former Boston Post Office ordered to carry out repairs
Boston Borough Council has had a legal notice upheld by the courts, ordering the owners of the town’s former Post Office to renovate the historic landmark.
The Grade II listed property on Wide Bargate has been closed since 2014 when the Post Office relocated services to WH Smith’s.
In October 2022, the Council granted planning consent to Red Lion Wide Bargate Ltd to turn it into 22 apartments as well as commercial space on the ground floor.
The following year, the Council started to receive regular complaints about the building’s poor condition.
The Council contacted Red Lion Wide Bargate Limited and were told renovation and repairs would begin in April 2024, however this did not happen.
In June last year, the Council served a formal notice on the owners, instructing for the necessary works to begin to improve the appearance of the property and to preserve it from further decay.
Red Lion Wide Bargate Ltd formally appealed against the notice, stating the poor condition was justified, that the works the Council required were considered excessive and that the time frame to carry out the works was insufficient.
Ahead of the court hearing as part of the formal appeal process, the owners formally withdrew two grounds. The appeal sought extra time for the works and asked for the renovations to start in February 2025.
On 20 December last year, Boston Magistrates Court found the Council were fully justified in taking the action, however it accepted the owner should be granted more time to comply. The court upheld the requirements to improve and repair the building, with an extended deadline for the works to be carried out until September 2025.
Cllr John Baxter, Portfolio Holder for Building Control, Property and Strategic Planning at Boston Borough Council, said: “The former Post Office is a prominent, historic building which is important for the town. Boston Borough Council acted upon the complaints we received which resulted in the legal notice served on the owners.
“The court found in our favour and has granted the notice be upheld. The owners now have to start work on the necessary renovations to repair this significant building and bring it back to an acceptable condition.
“The Council recognises how important buildings such as the former Post Office are to people and to the town’s heritage. It is therefore important that this building is renovated and within an acceptable time frame.”
Cllr Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “I am pleased the court has supported the Council’s response and recognised the legal notice instructing the owners to carry out these essential works should be upheld.
“The longer time goes on, the more the building will fall into further disrepair.
“It is vitally important that work starts as soon as possible to ensure this listed building is preserved as part of the heritage of this historic town.”
New light festival comes to Boston
A brand new immersive, light experience is coming to Boston in February 2025. Boston Brilliance, a light projection festival, is the first of its kind to visit Boston in Lincolnshire.
The festival is set to light up the architecture of Boston town centre, transforming eight iconic landmarks with breathtaking projections, portraying the town’s long and rich history.
The illuminations will be created with the signature artistry of internationally acclaimed projection mapping specialists, The Projection Studio, whom have been responsible for breathtaking spectacles such as the late Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee.
Artists from the studio, Ross Ashton and Karen Monid visited the town in early January 2024 and offered a preview on the Assembly Rooms.
The festival has been made possible due to Boston College being awarded a £100,000 grant from the Arts Council’s National Lottery Project Grants, as well as contributions from the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership and local businesses.
Visitors are invited to the town to discover Boston in a completely new way and to explore the town’s rich history and links to Boston, Massachusetts.
Josh Tyers, Boston Brilliance Event Coordinator, said: “Boston Brilliance is a celebration of Creativity and Heritage in Boston, a landmark event, set to become a defining pivot point moment for Boston, Lincolnshire.
“This exciting celebration highlights the town’s vibrant creative scene and its deep cultural roots.
“The event aims to showcase not only the immense local talent, including student artists, but also feature world-class artists from across Europe, including Lithuania, France, and Spain.
“With this international flair, the festival offers an exceptional platform for cultural exchange and artistic inspiration.
“Visitors can look forward to an array of artistic displays and performances.”
Image: Boston, Lincolnshire – Credit: Stock.adobe.com/Tony Hospital charity bridges the gap to local nature reserve
Staff and visitors can now leave the hustle and bustle of a local hospital and escape back to nature thanks to charitable donations.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity has joined forces with the Boston Woods Trust to build a bridge from Pilgrim hospital to the neighbouring Dion’s Wood Nature Reserve in Boston.
This means staff and visitors can now walk over the footpath and enjoy the growing woodland, lake and meadows.
The Boston Woods Trust is a local independent charitable trust established in 2001 that has a long term plan to develop woodland around Boston for the benefit of all.
Dion’s Wood is the latest addition to the Boston Woods Trust and is located between Willoughby Road and the rear of Pilgrim hospital. The 35 acre site was landscaped in 2021 and by the end of 2022 nearly 17,000 trees and shrubs had been planted and areas of wild flowers seeded.
There are now 3km of paths which can be accessed from Willoughby Road, Rowan Way, Sibsey Road and now through a footpath and the back of the hospital site for staff and visitors.
Charity Manager, Ben Petts, said: “We understand how stressful it can be coming to hospital and so to have a space where everyone can go and enjoy some fresh air and a break away from the hustle and bustle is so valuable.
“As a charity we have tried to create garden spaces at our hospitals, but being able to access a nature reserve is something really special. We were proud to help cover the cost of the works to enable our patients, staff and visitors to be able to access this wonderful area.
“A massive thank you to the Boston Woods Trust for all of their hard work and for everything they continue to do to create these inspirational spaces for local people.”
The access route was created by bridging an existing waterway with a pipe and many tons of soil. A pathway was then created across the top of this to link with a pathway already in the nature reserve. A significant proportion of the cost was funded by the United Lincolnshire Hospital Charity. Boston Woods Trust funded the initial groundwork and the site was cleared by their volunteers.
Boston Woods Trust President, Adrian Isaac, said: “Outdoor space is essential for both mental and physical wellbeing. The woods and parkland provide an opportunity to exercise in a natural environment.
“We are so grateful to have been gifted this land. We not only look forward to watching it grow, but to also see first-hand how much it helps so many people.
“Being able to work with United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals Trust and the charity was a brilliant way to enable even more people to access this space between appointments or even during a lunchbreak.”
Volunteers have not only planted all of the trees and continue to nurture them, but also look after the hedges, meadows and are doing so much to support and encourage wildlife. They have also put in benches and stopping points around the reserve.
Adrian added: “This nature reserve will have a lasting legacy long after we have all gone. Not only will it help with physical and mental wellbeing today, but it will also have a positive impact on reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for years and years to come.”
Image credit: United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Plans to revitalise Boston’s Rosegarth Square take step forward with Crown House redevelopment approval
The planning application for the redevelopment of Boston’s Crown House has been approved. This mixed-use building will be a prominent part of the Rosegarth Square area.
The Crown House development will see a new mixed-use building featuring retail units on the ground floor and apartments on the remaining two storeys above. The scheme will also be enhanced with landscaping, parking and cycle storage to complement the overall Rosegarth Square masterplan, as well as relocating the current toilets and Changing Place into the new building. The scheme aims to transform Rosegarth Square as a thriving community space. It will provide the opportunity for the retail units to offer outside dining as well as the wider area being used by family and friends to meet up and enjoy this part of the town. The changes to the area will also enable quick and easy access to both the bus and train stations and become the gateway to the heart of Boston. This project is a significant part of the Rosegarth Square transformation. With planning permission and demolition notices, Boston Borough Council can now start with the next steps of this project.
The plans follow in the footsteps of the recently approved planning consent for the proposed public realm works, which features new artwork, external social spaces, and a new entrance/drop-off area for the Len Medlock Centre.
It will also include a sensory garden designed for quiet contemplation and reflection, as well as an amphitheatre-style seating area.
Councillor David Middleton, Chair of Planning Committee at Boston Borough Council, said: “The approval of the Crown House redevelopment is a significant milestone for Rosegarth Square and for Boston as a whole. This project exemplifies how thoughtful planning can transform underused spaces into vibrant hubs that benefit the entire community.
“The committee was impressed with the vision and detail in the plans, which will not only enhance the area’s aesthetic appeal but also provide practical benefits like improved connectivity and new facilities. We look forward to seeing this exciting development come to life.”
