Grimsby In Bloom to expand community facilities
Grimsby In Bloom committee members and volunteers have revealed their plans for an extra piece of land which is in the process of being granted to them on a 99-year lease at the Duke of York Gardens.
A Community Asset Transfer approved by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet means the group will be able expand into the large piece of land alongside their current Pavilion base, off Corporation Road, where they already provide a café, a garden room for community hire, a woodwork workshop and a small vegetable garden.
The group welcomed Cllr Stephen Harness, North East Lincolnshire Council Portfolio Holder for Finance, Resources and Assets, along to the site to see what they have planned.
The extra land, which is 51m x 34m, will allow the group to provide a flower and vegetable garden and a tree nursery, expanding their horticultural and environmental initiatives, and to build a small office for administration. The terms of the lease mean that they will be responsible for the maintenance of the site and will also be able to attract outside investment.
Grimsby in Bloom is a community-focused initiative dedicated to enhancing the local environment, fostering community engagement and addressing societal changes in Grimsby.
The group is keen to address community issues, such as social isolation, by providing a safe space for individuals to connect. They also offer mental health support through confidential counselling sessions, and youth engagement by providing practical workshops for children and scout/cubs groups. They provide environmental education by promoting gardening and horticultural activities to enhance the local environment.
The group held a lease on part of the land between 2015 and 2020, but this asset transfer, at a peppercorn rent, will give them the opportunity to manage this larger site well into the future.
North East Lincolnshire Council approved the transfer of the land at its Cabinet meeting in June following an extensive business case put forward by the group. The council considers proposals for Asset Transfer where certain organisations or groups can demonstrate they contribute significant social, economic or environmental benefits to the community. These benefits can be taken in lieu of monetary value demonstrated in rent.
Councillors agreed that the proposal “provides a social return on investment at a far out-weighted monetary equivalent to otherwise proposed rent.” The lease will now be progressed.
Grimsby in Bloom currently has 20-plus volunteers and a nine-strong management team. Chair Elaine Atkinson said the new lease and extra piece of land will allow the group to expand its facilities and also to incorporate a tranquility/friendship garden for older residents.
“We are thrilled that we will now have more space to do what we want to do,” she said. “This extra space will allow us to show the community that we are not just about plants.
“Gardening and horticultural activities are very much a part of what we do but we are here for wider community enhancement to provide a place where local people can come and join in or simply sit and feel comfortable, perhaps learn a new skill, and have some company if they want it.
“The extra land will mean a lot to our volunteers as at present we only have a small strip down the side to grow things, but this will allow us to have a proper vegetable and fruit garden with polytunnels, and we also plan to create a dipping pond, a nature area and a wormery,” she said.
Grimsby In Bloom also works closely with the DWP offering local people a chance to gain skills for employment.
“We had two volunteers who we put through the food hygiene qualifications and they have now gone on to new jobs,” said Elaine. “We had another lady who was just walking through the park and now volunteers for us twice a week. We are always looking for more volunteers and we really welcome people from ethnic minority groups who can teach us about growing a greater variety of fruit and vegetables,” she said.
One service user, Claire, said the group is providing a safe haven for her home-educated 13-year-old daughter to socialise and take part in activities which are helping to build her confidence.
She said: “It helps me enormously to see my daughter progressing and just to know that she has people here that she can talk to.”
Cllr Harness said: “Grimsby in Bloom has provided a comprehensive business case showing that they are community-focused and that they align with the Royal Horticultural Society’s principles to form a strong foundation as a vibrant hub, offering a range of activities, support, and events for the local community.
“Moreover, their planned expansion illustrates a commitment to enhance and broaden the initiatives, fostering a sustainable impact on the local environment and community engagement.
“We are very happy to grant them this lease, and they will now have full autonomy to concentrate on improving the sustainable provision of leisure and recreational use of the site, and to enhance the biodiversity of the area and make investment in the security of the site to deter anti-social behaviour.”
Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council
Councillor to take leap of faith for men’s mental health
A district councillor is preparing to face his fears in a 10,000ft tandem skydive to raise funds for a men’s mental health charity.
South Kesteven District Councillor Elvis Stooke’s leap of faith is taking place in aid of the Grantham Bhive Place2Bee club.
It provides somewhere to meet for people to discuss their issues in confidence with volunteer staff members and with each other, as well as helping them take positive steps in day-to-day living.
Cllr Stooke, who represents Belmont Ward in Grantham, said: “I’ll be dealing with just one hour of fear – and believe me, heights is one of my biggest fears. But this pales into insignificance compared with what some people face every day to simply lead what we might call a normal life.
“It’s been double the fear in some respects as, after a big build-up, my original date was cancelled on the morning of the jump due to bad weather – so I have to go through it all again now.
“When I was elected in 2023 I vowed to support a local charity. We don’t have many services that support men with mental health, so I was particularly struck by the Bhive group, which is a wonderful cause that helps men from such diverse backgrounds as foster care to the military.
“I support this group with a regular donation from my councillor allowance payment, and will continue to do so for my full term.
“I would ask anyone who can afford it to help me get closer to my £5,000 target. If these men can get through each day with their issues, I’m sure I can parachute out of a plane for their future.”
The event, at Sibson Aerodrome, is scheduled for Friday, 19th July, at 2.30pm.
Donations can be made online at www.gofundme.com/f/bhive-place2bee-mens-club-grantham
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Joggie Botma
Rutland resort welcomes new Executive Head Chef, and Restaurant & Bar Manager
July brings fresh, new talent to Rutland Hall Hotel in the guise of Christian Koroma and Michael Crompton.
Christian joins the 4-star lakeside resort as Executive Head Chef while Michael joins the hotel as Restaurant & Bar Manager.
The duo have worked together in previous roles for over five years, and between them have clocked up several decades of hospitality experience which they will put to good use at this prime Rutland resort.
With Christian firmly at the helm of all kitchen operations across the resort, which includes Blossoms restaurant, corporate and event functions in the Lakeside Suite and Pavilion Venue, and the forthcoming Four Roots Wellness space, the menus are all being reviewed and refreshed to reflect the new chef’s passion for using fresh, local and seasonal produce.
“I like everything to be made in house and will be revising all the menus, including introducing a new terrace dining option, expanding the afternoon tea offering and more,” explains Christian.
“I’m keen for us to use local growers and to pick our own produce where possible,” he adds.
The new Restaurant & Bar Manager, Michael, is keen to express his drive and commitment towards customer satisfaction.
“I am absolutely passionate about our guests and creating happy and memorable experiences every time they visit. I am looking to deliver the wow factor here at Blossoms; ensuring that the great food and great service we provide gives all our guests a first-rate experience.”
The owners of Rutland Hall are committed to the ongoing development of the resort. Following the opening of the grand Pavilion Venue earlier this year which seats up to 450 guests and is the largest of its kind in the county, the resort is also opening a new wellness centre, called Four Roots, later this summer.
An exciting calendar of new events and menus will be announced over the coming weeks.
Celebrating the life-saving difference of LNAA’s paramedics
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) is joining hundreds of other organisations and celebrating International Paramedic Day, paying tribute to their team of Helicopter Emergency Medicine (HEMS) paramedics and their role in delivering life-saving treatment to people across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
Hosted by the UK’s College of Paramedics, the day highlights the profound impact paramedics make every single day around the world. From emergencies to the quieter moments of care, paramedics embody a commitment to making a difference to people’s lives in almost every imaginable situation.
Paramedic Matt Burns started his paramedic career working with the London Ambulance, first on the ambulances and then moving onto their fleet of fast response vehicles before joining LNAA 4 years ago. He is one of 19 paramedics at LNAA who work alongside a dedicated team of doctors and pilots, to bring the equivalent of a hospital emergency department direct to patient at their time of need.
He said: “When I left school, I was interested in medicine, but I knew I didn’t want to work in a hospital, I wanted to be out and about, working in unpredictable and challenging settings.
“The majority of incidents we attend are cardiac arrests and road traffic incidents, sometimes involving multiple vehicles. The environment we work in is often challenging due to location, bad weather or the time of day and this is when paramedics can have a big impact. Using their extensive knowledge, they are able to manage these scenes, many which involve numerous emergency organisations and involve multiple patients.
“But there are great rewards with the job, and I particularly enjoy meeting patients when they have recovered from their injuries and are well enough to visit HQ with their families.
“I would say to anyone wishing to become a paramedic, ‘go for it’! But I would advise people to get some life experience before starting their career. If you can think on your feet, are compassionate and calm and if you are wishing to work in different and challenging locations every day then this may just be the role for you.”
International Paramedics Day takes place on the 8th July every year, as this marks the anniversary of the birth of Dominique-Jean Larrey, the man often referred to as the ‘father of modern-day ambulance services’.
Image of the LNAA by Electric Egg
Designs for key Cleethorpes projects head into the democratic process
The ‘Stage 3’ concept designs for two key projects in Cleethorpes, Market Place and Pier Gardens, are heading into the democratic process, being scrutinised by panel members on 15 July, and then Cabinet after that.
The outline concepts were originally developed in the Cleethorpes Masterplan, which had responses from thousands of people, saying what they wanted to see in the spaces in the future.
Since then, there have been detailed discussions with local businesses, drop-in sessions and online engagement for anyone to give their views, as well as group sessions with creative people, young people and other potential users of the spaces.
Pier Gardens
The new design harks back to the historic use of space, where people went to spend time. The new vision brings people of all ages and abilities together, and creates a more family orientated area, alongside areas for quiet reflection and education, whilst also increasing biodiversity in the resort.
The design proposes a ‘zoning’ system to provide this mix of uses, which will provide a mixture of uses across the park with a consistent theme throughout.
- arrival space at Sea Road/Alexandra Road junction, creating a welcoming space to the gardens;
- events zone to support a mixture of activities/events that could take place;
- play/recreation zone which would consist of a larger central space and provide a mixture of activities for young and older children alike;
- reflection zone at the Sea View Street end of the gardens supporting the existing armed forces memorials that are situated there.
Revesby Country Fair brings daredevil delight to Lincolnshire with brand new attraction
Organisers have announced a new main ring attraction, as well as a new activity for families to enjoy on 4th August
Revesby Country Fair, a popular Lincolnshire family day out, will wow audiences with a brand new attraction at this year’s show.
Dangerous Steve has been announced as a new main ring attraction for 2024, offering a fast-moving performance featuring quad bike and motorbike tricks, as well as breathtaking chainsaw stunts.
Visitors will also be able to marvel at Steve’s one-of-a-kind “roll over” stunt on his motorised monocycle – a unique and daring stunt that no one else in the world has performed on a genuine monocycle.
For those who fancy something a bit slower paced, Nunny’s Farm has been announced as a new activity, offering animal handling and up close encounters with a variety of farm animals.
Visitors can enjoy hands-on experiences with all their favourite animals, from ponies and donkeys to rabbits and guinea pigs – as well as a few other surprise farmyard friends.
John Roe, Chairman of Revesby Country Fair, said: “We’re excited to announce Dangerous Steve as one of our new main ring attractions this year. With his performance and daredevil stunts, including a blindfolded motorbike jump, he’s a real crowd pleaser.
“We’ll also have the much-loved Nunny’s Farm at the show who will be bringing along a variety of furry friends – we’re looking forward to welcoming them for the first time.
“Tickets are available online now and are cheaper if you buy in advance, so we’d encourage everyone to secure their tickets to ensure they don’t miss out. Plus, you’ll also be able to skip the queues on the day, so it pays to plan ahead!”
As well as the brand new attractions, visitors to this year’s show will be able to enjoy traditional favourites including classic cars, vintage tractors, shire horses, show jumping and mounted fancy dress. Atkinson Action Horses will also be performing in the main ring with a show that promises to “thrill, excite and astonish.”
What’s more, the event promises its annual cooking, growing and flower competitions, plus live music, ‘have a go’ hobbies and the iconic ‘Revesby style’ terrier racing.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online in advance, priced at £15 for adults, £5 for children (aged 5-16) and £35 for a family of five (two adults and up to three children).
On-the-day tickets will be priced at £16 for adults, £6 for children (aged 5-16) and £37.50 for a family of five (two adults and up to three children).
To find out more about Revesby Country Fair, or to book tickets, please visit revesbycountryfair.co.uk.
For the latest news and information about Revesby Country Fair, follow @RevesbyCountryFair on Facebook, @RevesbyFair on X, and @revesbycountryfair on Instagram.
Another step forwards for North Hykeham Relief Road
Lincolnshire county council’s Executive has given officers the green light to pursue the necessary legal orders and land acquisitions for the North Hykeham Relief Road project.
The county council’s Executive voted to progress with publishing the legal orders during their meeting on Tuesday 2 July.
Cllr Richard Davies, Executive Member for Highways, said: “This is another huge milestone for the project that brings us one step closer to making the final piece of Lincoln’s ring road a reality.
“The next step is to publish the legal orders and wait while the consultation process is underway. Once the consultation period’s ended, we’ll have a clearer idea of whether a public inquiry will be needed.
“There’s an enormous about of legal paperwork to get through with a road of this size before we can actually start building, but we’re doing all we can to move things along so we can start works late next year.
“In the meantime, the team will also continue working on preparing a full business case for the DfT.”
Construction of the new relief road is expected to start in late 2025 and to be open by late 2028. The cost of the project is currently estimated to be between £180m and £208m.
The North Hykeham Relief Road project will 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 constructed, including at Station Road and over the River Witham.
Image courtesy of Lincolnshire County Council Security guard to pull in a truckload of funds to thank hospital teams
A security guard is taking part in a fundraising truck pull to say thank you to the hospital colleagues who saved his dad’s life.
Paul Harrop junior spends his days working as a security supervisor at Lincoln County Hospital and his spare time training and preparing to take part in strong man events and truck pulls.
Paul’s dad, Paul senior, suffered a heart attack a couple of years ago when he was 60 years old and had to have a stent fitted during a lifesaving procedure at the Lincolnshire Heart Centre.
Paul junior said: “The care and treatment dad received was simply amazing at the heart centre, on Johnson Ward and on Cardiac Short Stay. They saved his life and he is still having regular check-ups with the team. They were wonderful and thanks to them I still have my dad. I will never be able to thank them enough.
“I have been doing strong man events and the Highland Games for a number of years and I also do lots of fundraising truck pulls.”
Paul is taking part in the Lincolnshire Truck Pull Championships on Saturday 20 July in North Scarle. He will be raising funds for the hospital teams through the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity.
He added: “I was inspired by my trainer Dave Johnson. He has been doing this for many years and gave me the belief that I could also do it.
“It is very much mind over matter. I enjoy the challenge and seeing how far I can push myself. It is about having the self-belief and thanks to Dave this is now possible.
“I am sure I will be a little bit emotional as my dad will be there watching and supporting me. It means so much to have him there.
“I just want the hospital teams to know how much we appreciate them and the care they provide.”
Anyone who would like to support Paul junior can do so through the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity – Lincolnshire Truck Pull Championship | United Lincolnshire Hospitals (ulhcharity.org.uk).
Dave first started fundraising when his friend Mark Browne was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Dave wanted to raise enough money for Mark to be able to make memories with his family before he sadly passed away. Since then Dave has continued with the events in Mark’s memory.
Dave said: “This is the 13th year we have held an event and it is bigger and better than ever with 20 women and 30 men taking part. The biggest truck we will be pulling is 45 tonnes – that is the same as the average weight of six-and-a-half adult African elephants.
“I am really proud that these events enable friends like Paul to be able to fundraise and support other really great causes.”
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Fundraiser, Gary Burr, said: “Paul junior is a great colleague. Not only does he make sure our hospitals are safe and secure for our patients and staff, but he goes above and beyond with his fundraising.
“It means so much to our clinical teams when people raise funds for them. It is never expected, but the difference it makes is immense.
“As a charity we support the extras not covered by NHS budgets. In recent months this has included funded social events for children with Type-1 diabetes, the purchase of scalp cooling caps to help reduce hair loss for patients undergoing chemotherapy and the purchase of a new interactive sensory play system for sick children.
“We know that the teams on Johnson Ward and Cardiac Short Stay will use any funds raised to support patients and staff. Thank you Paul junior – we will all be cheering you on.”
Image: Dave Johnson and Paul Harrop junior. Image courtesy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Sister Act The Musical wows at Grimsby Auditorium
The Grimsby Auditorium will be playing host this week, from the 2nd – 6th July, to the wonderful stage adaptation of Sister Act. We were fortunate enough to be invited to view the show live at the auditorium and can’t sing enough praises as to the performance.
The songs were iconic, the music exceptional, and the story is an old favourite from what many of us would call a better time of cinema. Most impressively, it even features original music not included in the movies, which nonetheless fits incredibly with the show.
The musical is based on the iconic and beloved movie, a sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music which tells the hilarious story of the disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.
Stage and screen star Wendi Peters plays “Mother Superior” and knocked the ball out the park with her performance. Wendi Peters is best known for her role as the iconic Cilla Battersby Brown in ITV’s Coronation Street, as well as series regular Cook Jenkins in CBBC’s Hetty Feather. Alongside her screen work, her many stage credits include Diane in the European premiere of You Are Here at the Southwark Playhouse, Madame Latour in the National Tour of John Cleese’s Bang Bang, Mrs Baskin in the West End premiere of Big The Musical at the Dominion Theatre, and national tours of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, White Christmas, Quartet, Oh, What A Lovely War! and Rutherford & Son.
The cast also includes Landi Oshinowo as Deloris Van Cartier, Alfie Parker as Eddie Souther and Ian Gareth-Jones as Curtis Jackson, and Eloise Runnette as Sister Mary Robert, alongside Isabel Canning, Julie Stark, Phillip Arran, Kate Powell, Elliot Gooch, Michalis Antoniou, Callum Martin, Esme Laudat, Amber Kennedy, Harvey Ebbage, Joseph Connor, Ceris Hine, Sheri Lineham, Corrine Priest and Samuel John-Humphreys.
Sister Act has direction by Bill Buckhurst, choreography by Alistair David, Set and Costume Design by Morgan Large, Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell, Sound Design by Tom Marshall and Musical Supervision by Stephen Brooker. Casting is by Stuart Burt.
SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL
Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 July 2024
Tue – Sat 7.30pm Wed & Sat mat 2.30pm
Pricing
Tuesday – Thursday
£14.00 £27.00 £31.00 £36.00 £44.00
Friday – Saturday
£14.00 £30.00 £34.00 £38.50 £46.00
Theatrecard – Opening Night – half price tickets* (max 4 per theatrecard) & Tue –Thu : £5.00 off* *top two prices only.
Students/ Seniors/ Children – £5.00 off top two prices only. Tue -Thu only.
Student / Seniors – Wed matinee only £25.00, excludes Premium seats.
Groups
Groups 10+ £6.00 off** Groups 20+ £7.00 off** Groups 40+ £8.00 off**
**Tue – Thu only. Top two prices only.
Medical students swap classroom for helicopter in air ambulance taster day
On 25 June, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) hosted a successful taster day where doctors and paramedics showcased the multifaceted aspects of pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM) to medical and paramedic students.
Shayda Karimi, a doctor with LNAA put the special day together for trainee doctors and paramedics to gain an insight of working within the Air Ambulance environment. PHEM is rarely included in medical school or foundation curricula meaning fewer junior doctors and medical students choose this area of medicine as a career option.
Shayda was delighted with the enthusiasm shown by the delegates. She said: “It’s great to see our future HEMS doctors and paramedics working together and taking their first steps into this rewarding and challenging career.”
The simulations illustrate the difficulties pre-hospital critical care teams face when treating patients at the scene of an incident and highlight the differences to treating patients in hospitals. The students were also given a tour of the helicopter to see the vast array of specialist equipment carried on each mission.
Hana Holder, a Year Four medical student at Lincoln University who has an interest in trauma medicine, had not realised that there were careers in HEMS medicine before attending the day.
She said: “Practising real life scenarios is not something that I had done before and the simulations brought to life the importance of teamwork. The doctors and paramedics shared their knowledge on how to deal with trauma at the roadside which has really built on my knowledge. It made me realise how rewarding working in a PHEM environment is and I would now consider working for an air ambulance in the future.”
