Over the last year, firefighters and staff at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have been raising money for the Fire Fighters Charity with the aim of raising at least £80,000 in the charity’s 80th year.

  Image courtesy of Lincolnshire County Council

A bid writing service set up by MP Andrew Percy has helped to save the former St Oswald Church Hall in Keadby near Scunthorpe and convert it into a public hall. Funding attracted for the project includes:

• £70,000 to help buy the property funded by the North Lincs Enhanced and Prosperous Pot.
• £36,000 UKSPF Levelling-Up funding from the Government for structural work, kitchen and electrical and new roof on extension.
• £9,611 North Lincs Council Community Grant pot for heating/air conditioning system. This is the fund the Conservatives set up when we took over running the Council.
• £26,000 SSE Axholme North Fund for flooring and decorating.
• £3,900 Axholme North SSE Fund for new chairs and Tables cooker and kitchen equipment.

Mr Percy said: “Councillors John Briggs and Julie Reed and myself are proud to have saved this facility for the community. We sadly lost John Briggs recently, but I know that this is one of the many projects across the North of the Isle he was proud to have been associated with and to have delivered for the benefit of the local community. “The building was in a fairly deprived state and needed a lot of work, but now the downstairs looks really good and is open to be hired by local groups. Lots of work remains to be done on the upstairs. “Well done to everybody involved in helping to save this property as a community facility. Phase 2 planning is well underway, and we hope to have more good news in the future!””

Members of the county council’s Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee voted in favour of granting planning consent for a relief road for North Hykeham at a cost of about £200m

A scheme investing in heritage assets around the historic quarter of the Port of Grimsby recently came to an end, but with hopes that funding may be found for second round of funding. Dr Stella Jackson, Regeneration Project Manager, said: “We are very happy with what we have achieved as a group since 2019, particularly working in difficult conditions during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Our aim was to halt any further deterioration to the buildings, bringing them back into use, and creating local jobs.  The knock-on effect has been the promotion of the historic dock area’s heritage, new facilities, an improved environment for people that work in the area and, of course, a strengthening of ties across the wider community. “We are hopeful for a continuation of PSiCA as we move through 2024, particularly as the original scheme’s end comes at a time when there is much attention on the dock.  Work being undertaken by businessman Tom Shutes is well underway at the Ice Factory, which will ultimately become a conference venue and office spaces, while ABP has its sights on the creation of a film quarter with proposed purpose-built studios.  A hotel, proposed to be sited next to the Ice Factory, will also make a significant difference to the area. “From a PSiCA perspective, this is already generating further interest in the historic area of the dock, encouraging people across this sector to look at many of the buildings as possibilities for their businesses.” The Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas fund has been delivered as part of the Greater Grimsby Heritage Action Zone, and has supported projects such as Creative Start’s Great Escape, Turntable Gallery (building 88), the Creative Start building expansion, and Alfred Enderby smokehouse, which has more recently undergone a full schedule of works.  In total, 16 grants have been awarded, 19 buildings improved, and more than 3,600m2 of commercial space has been improved or created. The PSiCA scheme began with a total pot of £1m, and has been a joint project between Historic England and North East Lincolnshire Council, with support from Associated British Ports (ABP) and the council’s regeneration partner Equans.  The five-year grant scheme began in 2019 and officially finished in January 2024, but several of the bigger projects supported by PSiCA ran into late March. Creative organisations are the dominant sector to have utilised the PSiCA grant scheme to date, along with Enderby’s smokehouse and the Peterson’s project.  Steve and Caroline Ridlington of WE1 Heritage have renovated nine properties, offering workspaces and studios to artists, small businesses, and Blue Chip companies.  They also, with PSiCA’s help, renovated ‘Coffee on the Docks’, a popular café space on Auckland Road with a rustic interior. Steve commented earlier: “This is an amazing place to be, you are surrounded by so much rich history and the architecture is so inspiring.  This is a really exciting time for Grimsby, and we feel privileged to be associated with the scheme and its partners.” As part of the wider ‘Kasbah Remade’ programme of regeneration, the scheme has also generated new opportunities to access and appreciate the area’s heritage and contribute to its ‘sense of place’, including Heritage Open Days events which, in 2023, saw approximately 2,000 visitors to the area. The Heritage Open Days return in September, look out for details in the summer! Simon Bird, ABP’s Regional Director for the Humber ports, has been keen to see the area emerge as a vibrant place for people to work.  He said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this scheme and to see the wonderful transformation of the buildings, some for great purposes, which is truly inspirational. We are creating a rich fabric of businesses very different to the purpose the buildings began life as. “The Heritage Open Days on the port have proved very popular and it’s a great opportunity to showcase the amazing work that is being achieved here. We know more great things are yet to happen as we drive our vision for a film quarter on site.” David Walsh, the principal adviser for partnerships at Historic England said: “We are delighted to see the fantastic progress made on the historic docks by local people, businesses and organisations as part of this scheme. They have led the way in regenerating the Kasbah conservation area and reviving the sense of community and life that has always existed on the docks. “North East Lincolnshire Council has done a great job as lead partner, with support from Associated British Ports. The development of the Ice Factory will also have a huge impact on the docks. “There is much more to do and more opportunities to grasp to further regenerate the area. We look forward to continuing to work with North East Lincolnshire Council, Associated British Ports and other partners to help make the historic docks a vital commercial hub in Grimsby once again.”

May 2024 marks a very special milestone for the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) as it celebrates its 30^th anniversary. Since airlifting their very first patient on 13^th May 1994, LNAA has provided a life-saving Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the local communities of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. To date, the life-saving charity has responded to over 29,000 missions. LNAA CEO, Karen Jobling, said: “This remarkable charity has come a very long way since its humble beginnings in 1994, when we operated out of a temporary building and could only get to patients if there was money in the bank to fuel up the old ex-police bölkow helicopter. “Thirty years later LNAA now responds, on average, to four missions a day. Its state-of-the-art helicopter and two Critical Care Cars enable crews to give the very best treatments, day and night, to some of the most seriously ill and injured patients when they need it most, ensuring the patient has the best possible outcome.” Shaun knows only too well how vital the service is, especially to people living in rural and coastal communities. Thirty years ago, he was one of the first patients to be airlifted to hospital by Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and says the speed which the helicopter flew him from Boston Pilgrim Hospital to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre, saved his life. Shaun was six years old when his heart stopped beating not once but three times. The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance team ensured he received the specialist care he so desperately needed. It was July 1994 and Shaun was with his family shopping in Skegness when he suddenly slipped and banged his head causing a seizure. He was rushed to Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital where doctors fought to stabilise him each time his heart stopped beating. Due to the seriousness of his injury’s the medical team decided he needed to be transferred immediately to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC). The two-hour journey by road ambulance from Boston was deemed too risky for the young boy and so Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance were called. In less than 30 minutes, they had safely airlifted Shaun to QMC where he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. He remained in hospital for three weeks, the first week in an induced coma. Shaun will be forever grateful to the LNAA crew. He said: “If they hadn’t flown me from Pilgrim Hospital to Queen’s Medical Centre I probably would have died.” The 30^th anniversary of this wonderful charity’s service to the community is a time for celebration as well as a reflection on how far it has travelled. Karen said: “We receive no direct Government funding, and have only come this far, thanks to the incredible support from people, businesses and communities in Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire. “As we celebrate this huge milestone for the charity and look back on how we have been able to make a positive impact on the lives of so many people, we are reminded that we must ensure that LNAA continues to be by the side of patients for the next 30 years. We’d like to thank all our supporters for their past and future support.” Throughout this 30^th Anniversary year, LNAA will be running a series of fundraising events and activities. To find out how you can get involved and help ensure this 30^th year is one to remember, visit www.ambucopter.org.uk

Draft designs to transform Cleethorpes Market Place and Pier Gardens will go on show this week with businesses, residents and visitors urged to have their say on the planned multi-million-pound schemes. The areas are to be rejuvenated, supported by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. North East Lincolnshire Council was awarded £18.4m for the resort last year, following the development of the 2022 Cleethorpes Masterplan, which was spearheaded by Hemingway Design. Everyone is asked to attend the drop-in event on Wednesday 15 May at The Knoll on the corner of Knoll Street and Alexandra Road (entry through Blighty’s Café) from 12 noon until 7.30pm. On the same day, an online questionnaire will be launched for people to submit their thoughts on the concepts through the ‘Have Your Say’ page on the Council’s website. It will last for two weeks, closing on 22 May. Designs will then be finalised before recommendations are put to the cabinet in the summer. On show will be draft designs for a new-look Market Place created by UK based company, Gillespies. They show public space for events, markets and for people to sit in a welcoming space and enjoy a coffee. The concepts for Pier Gardens show it completely transformed with quiet areas where nature can thrive, and other family areas where children can enjoy the outdoors. These have been created by leading landscape architects WSP. Both draft schemes have already taken account of the views of hundreds of people who helped to shape the Cleethorpes Masterplan. Opinions were also sought in a consultation held earlier this year – and now there’s another chance for people to say what they think about these latest visuals. Those thoughts will then be considered in final plans. The designers have ensured that both plans consider the make-up of the areas, including access for businesses and residents, existing roads, utilities, and in the case of Pier Gardens the views towards the shoreline and the current natural environment. Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the Council with responsibilities for regeneration, said: “We are looking forward to seeing what the respective designers and landscape architects have created from the public’s responses. “Of course, we want the residents of the borough to have their say on the designs as they will be using the spaces in future years. “This is a great time for North East Lincolnshire as a whole as we move into a new era for our towns. However, we want to make sure you have your say throughout this process so be sure to visit the drop in sessions or provide your comments online when the questionnaire opens.”

Lincolnshire County Council is participating in Foster Care Fortnight 2024, taking place from May 13th to May 26th. As part of this national campaign launched by the Fostering Network, the Council is championing the incredible work of foster carers and encouraging people to consider becoming a carer under the theme of Fostering Moments. A series of podcasts will be broadcast featuring heartfelt discussions and stories from foster carers, showcasing the meaningful moments that have shaped their fostering experiences. The fortnight will also see a Foster Walk, a social media campaign and an online information event where people can find out more about becoming a foster carer. “Foster Care Fortnight is an opportunity for us to highlight the incredible work of our foster carers and encourage more individuals, couples and families to consider becoming foster carers,” said Deborah Crawford, Head of Lincolnshire Fostering Service. In Lincolnshire, there are over 300 children in foster care, supported by 214 fostering households throughout the county. Foster carer Paula Doyle who stars in the podcast said: “By sharing my own unique stories, I hope to reflect on the life-changing difference foster carers can make to Lincolnshire children.” For those wanting to find out more, the online ‘You can foster’ Information Event takes place on Thursday 16^th May at 12:30pm, book your place by visiting their Facebook page – Lincolnshire Fostering.