D-Day commemorations will include walks sharing how American Pathfinder troops flew from an airfield near Grantham to spearhead the Allied invasion of Europe.
The walks at RAF North Witham, now Forestry England-owned Twyford Wood near Colsterworth, are part of South Kesteven District Council’s Soldiers from the Sky project.
The project illustrates the untold stories of Allied paratroopers from Britain, America and Poland who gathered in the district to train for D Day and Arnhem and flew from local airfields.
It was from RAF North Witham, on the eve of D-Day, that C-47 aircraft of America’s 9th Troop Carrier Command carried elite paratroopers from the US Army’s 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions behind enemy lines in advance of the main taskforce.
The walks follow the airfield’s still intact runways tracing how, at 21:54 Double British Summer Time on 5 June 1944, the first of 20 Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft took off, skimming the channel at 50ft to fly under enemy radar on their way to Normandy.
Paratroopers had spent months training to position Eureka radio signalling beacons and visual markers behind enemy lines. Within the hour the Allied Airborne assault on Normandy was in full swing.
The walks last around two and a half hours, and start at 5.30pm from the main Twyford Wood car park, off the A151 Colsterworth to Bourne Road.
The walks, on June 5th, 12th, and 19th, are free to attend but tickets must be booked via Ticket Tailor.
Image credit: South Kesteven District Council
Lincolnshire-based construction firm Build Manager is marking the end of its first year in business with a major achievement, securing and delivering its first major commercial contract, a bespoke 4,000 sq ft two-storey office development for IFI Group Ltd in Saxilby.
The project, which spans a 25-week contract duration, represents a significant milestone for the young company and demonstrates its capacity to deliver fast-paced, high-quality commercial builds.
Since being appointed at the end of 2024, Build Manager has wasted no time. In just over four months, the team has finalised designs, delivered the groundworks ‘in-house’, erected the steel frame and tarmacked the new entrance road.
The new office is being developed for IFI Group Ltd, a specialist fire safety, risk management consultancy and training provider, and will support their continued growth within the region.
The project has brought together a number of Lincolnshire-based collaborators, including architects LK2, structural engineers William Saunders, aggregate supplier UDCS Ltd, concrete supplier AMS Build Group Ltd, roofing and cladding contractor B C Roofing and architectural windows and door specialist Kole Architectural.
Build Manager was launched just over a year ago with a focus on upfront commercial viability advice and streamlined, transparent project delivery. Winning the IFI Group contract marked the company’s first large-scale commercial development and a strong close to year one.
“To end our first year in business by securing and delivering a significant commercial contract is something we’re incredibly proud of,” said Matthew Jones, director at Build Manager. “This project showcases what we’re all about, efficient delivery, clear communication, and a collaborative approach. It’s been a fantastic way to build momentum heading into year two.”
Build Manager was set up by Lincolnshire-based construction professionals Matthew Jones and Ben Taylor. The pair, who have worked in management for a number of local main-contractors, set up on their own after spotting a gap in market for their services.
Matthew, from Scotton, and Ben, from Sturton-by-Stow, Lincoln have been involved in many notable projects in and around the county, including £2.2m new build commercial units (60,000 sq ft) at Discovery Park on Whisby Road – North Hykeham, £3m renovation of Lawress Hall for the University of Lincoln and the new £4.5m Community Ward at John Coupland hospital in Gainsborough, to name a few.
IFI Group Ltd shared their satisfaction with the process so far, praising Build Manager’s professionalism, reactiveness, and on-site efficiency.
How the finished project for IFI Group Ltd will look
“From the very beginning, the team has been incredibly reactive, professional, and easy to work with,” said Ben Freeman, director of IFI Group Ltd. “Communication has been clear and consistent throughout, and progress on site has been impressively efficient. It’s been a smooth experience so far, and we’re genuinely excited to see our new office coming to life.”
As the office build continues at pace, Build Manager is inviting other local businesses considering new developments or construction work to reach out for some free upfront advice and viability studies.
“Whether you’re planning a new office, warehouse, or commercial space, we’d love to hear from you. Our goal is to make the process smooth, stress-free, and successful,” added Matthew.
Local businesses can contact Build Manager at info@build-manager.co.uk or find out more at www.build-manager.co.uk.
Main image shows: Ben Freeman, owner of IFI Group Ltd, with staff members, Ben Taylor and Matthew Jones of Build Manager and Andy Newman, director of LK2 Architects
Improved playparks are being enjoyed across South Kesteven, thanks to a £100,000 investment by the District Council.
They are Arnoldfield Play Area on Gonerby Road, Grantham; Highgrove Gardens on Empingham Road, Stamford; Wild Witham Play Area in South Witham; and Dysart Park, Grantham.
All of them benefited from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is Government funding given to projects which can be shown to support the whole community.
Cabinet member for leisure and culture, cllr Paul Stokes, who is also deputy leader of the council, said: “We are pleased to be investing in our beautiful parks and urban play areas across South Kesteven, as we make them more fun, safe and accessible for everyone.
“The latest programme focuses on replacing existing play equipment that has reached the end of its serviceable life.
“We want to encourage more children and families to enjoy everything these areas have to offer, bringing them closer to nature in an outdoor environment where they can play and socialise.
“The Council continues to invest in services and facilities across the four towns to ensure residents in every part of the district can enjoy free and accessible open air play.”
SKDC has separately invested more than £68,000 for repairs and/or new equipment at 14 play areas district-wide. They are Andrew Road, Stamford, Arnoldfield, Grantham, Churchfield Close, Deeping St James, Elizabeth Road, Stamford, Foxglove Road, Stamford, Harrowby Lane, Grantham, Manor Close, Langtoft, Princess Drive, Grantham, Dysart Park, Grantham, Queen Elizabeth Park, Grantham, Wellhead, Bourne, Kesteven Drive, Deepings, Hornsby Road, Grantham, and Wyndham Park, Grantham.
A further £35,000 of work, paid for separately by developers as part of their social responsibilities, has given a new lease of life to the Wellhead Play Area in Bourne. This has brought about the removal of an old wooden fort and entrance gate to be replaced with a multi play unit, roundabout, somersault bars, springer bowl, spinner, and a single easy gate.
A new partnership led by the University of Lincoln, to develop a globally recognised agri-tech innovation cluster in the East of England, has received a major national funding award from Research England to advance commercialisation of research through new spin-out companies.
Agri-tech Commercialisation Ecosystems (ACE), a partnership project from the universities of Lincoln, Cambridge and East Anglia, has been awarded £5 million by the UKRI-Research England CCF-RED Fund.
This will enable the creation of a national agri-tech ‘Technology Transfer Office’ and the new company Ceres Agri-Tech Ltd that will support the commercialisation of early-stage agricultural innovations. Ceres Agri-Tech is a collaborative initiative founded by and located at Cambridge Enterprise, the innovation arm of the University of Cambridge.
The project targets key regional challenges, including low wages, workforce skills gaps, and climate resilience by supporting high-quality, inclusive employment and environmentally focused agri-tech innovation.
Professor Simon Pearson, founding director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology (LIAT) at the University of Lincoln, said: “We are thrilled that the ACE project has received a vital £5 million award from Research England, which will enable incredible growth within agri-tech and the creation of many new ‘spin-out’ businesses over the next decade and beyond.
“Within the next 10 years, ACE aims to fund 95 research projects, create over 1,300 new jobs within the sector and bring a projected £506 million into the UK economy.
“In a world where geopolitical instability, climate change and resource scarcity seem to be threatening food security, we now have a great opportunity to create an innovation cluster for the UK that will deliver positive economic, societal and environmental impacts for many years to come.”
The ACE project will harness the agricultural and research strengths of Greater Lincolnshire, East Anglia, and Cambridgeshire, turning them into a globally competitive innovation cluster. The region’s dense concentration of crop production, agri-tech infrastructure, and civic support creates a unique platform for high-impact investment and sustainable food system development.
South Kesteven District Council is offering volunteers a chance to research their own community’s airborne forces heritage.
A free Airborne Ambassadors event is being held at the Wyndham Park Visitor Centre in Grantham at 10am on Saturday 7 June.
Just a day after commemorations for the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the two-hour event is a chance to engage with the council’s Soldiers from the Sky project, made possible by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Volunteers can then pursue their own research into the district’s airborne history, and help foster pride in how South Kesteven hosted British, American and Polish paratrooper forces who trained locally for D Day and Arnhem and flew into battle from local airfields
Paratroops underwent gruelling training marches, dropped from C-47 Dakota aircraft stationed on giant American airfields around Grantham, supped ale in local pubs, and stayed in properties commandeered as military accommodation
South Kesteven District Council Armed Forces champion cllr Bridget Ley said: “We have a wealth of information about this incredible chapter of South Kesteven’s military heritage, a largely untold story of allied airborne forces who gathered here to fight for freedom.
“There are layers of heritage that we have yet to uncover, however, and we hope that our ambassadors can help us share even more of the stories that need recording before they pass from memory.”
Project co-ordinators have mapped key locations across the district with airborne connections.
Ambassadors can then share local information on village websites, via parish councils, local talks and via local schools.
Seven community celebrations and commemorations of VE Day in North Kesteven have benefitted from a grant fund made available to help deliver local activity.
With the grant fund remaining open for further applications for events relating to the 80th anniversary of VJ Day in August, community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises with financial resources below £10,000 can still apply for up to £500 each to support local events that benefit communities.
Funded activity must take place within a week either side of August 15 and be of benefit to North Kesteven residents. Deadline for applications is July 21.
The seven events funded for VE Day were:
Anwick – towards catering, licensing, advertising and entertainment costs for a day of cinema screenings, village decorations and showcase of village memories on May 10.
Bassingham – towards decorations, catering and costs associated with a Brownie and Guides tea dance and afternoon tea on May 6.
Billinghay – towards food, decorations and a 1940s singer at a buffet following a parade and wreath laying on May 8.
Burton Pedwardine – towards the costs of a commemorative Tommy state bunting and flags for a village barbecue and quiz on May 5.
Greylees – towards food, entertainment and dance captain for a tea dance at the New Chapel on May 8.
Swaton – towards the costs of ice cream, drinks, bunting and planter displays through the village linked to a beacon lighting on May 8.
Walcott – towards food, decorations, drinks and promotion of an afternoon tea at the village hall on May 11.
Council leader cllr Richard Wright said it was clear that these small grants had made a significant difference in both initiating and broadening celebration events and activity, ensuring more people could participate in paying tribute to a generation of people who had contributed so much in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
“A we saw, VE Day 80 was a wonderful opportunity to come together in celebration of what we have in common, and to use the occasion to reach out to neighbours, friends and our wider communities, and VJ Day brings that opportunity again,” he said.
“The fund remains open through to July in order that communities can again acknowledge the significance of VJ Day in August that brought the war to its eventual end, and pay further tribute to all those who served in the Second World War, to reflect on the values that they were fighting for and to collaborate in joyful celebration of everything they secured through victory.
“For those community groups that applied and were eligible, the grants made all the difference in promoting, providing and putting-on fun, inclusive, and reflective parties, activities and events for VE Day in order that victory could be sensed again.”
Eligible costs include venue hire, promotional materials, decorations, and entertainment and the purchase of refreshments, but not alcohol, commemorative benches or structures.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Robert L Parker
16 University of Lincoln researchers will share their scientific discoveries during the world’s largest festival of public science, set to return to the city on Monday 19 May for a three-day celebration.
The festival aims to provide a space for researchers and members of the public to come together, be curious, and chat about research in a relaxed environment. Since its inception in 2013, the annual festival has grown to involve more than 25 countries and hundreds of cities around the world. In the UK, there are over 400 events held across 45 cities.
The researchers will bring science out of the lab and into the pub, delivering talks over three nights in Lincoln venues including The Cardinal’s Hat, The Pessimist and DoughLoco, covering a plethora of topics – ranging from rewilding to nanotechnology, and social connection in sport.
Talks will include “Children’s quest for justice: A peek into their moral world” – exploring how children navigate moral dilemmas and decide right from wrong, “Mum, Dad, donor: Mitochondrial disease and designer babies” – covering the groundbreaking technique of IVF using DNA from three parents, and “Exploring strange new worlds: How might Star Trek act as a blueprint for the colonisation of space?” – discovering whether or not the well-loved sci-fi series could provide us with a blueprint for interplanetary travel and the possibilities of living on another world.
Kay Ritchie, associate professor in cognitive psychology at the University and Pint of Science lead for the University of Lincoln, said: “We’re really excited to bring Pint of Science back to Lincoln for our fifth year in our local venues. We’re looking forward to showcasing some University of Lincoln research in a fun and interactive way. With eight events across three nights, there’s something for everyone.”
The Lincoln festival will also include Creative Reactions – a programme where science meets art to produce unique works of art, inspired by scientists’ research.
Applications are now open as the Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Champion Awards return for 2025.
Nominations are welcome to recognise apprentices of any age, in any job role, who have made significant progress, overcome challenges or have made a real difference to their organisation during their apprenticeship.
The awards are also a chance for employers and training providers to showcase excellence and innovation throughout the apprenticeship journey by recognising trainers and mentors, or anyone who plays a substantial role in supporting apprenticeships.
There are two employer categories this year to recognise the contributions both micro and small employers and large employers make to apprenticeships.
Thea Croxall, strategic skills and employment manager at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Since these awards began, we’ve seen hundreds of examples where apprenticeships have made a real impact on both the individuals undertaking them, and the organisations they work within.
“The awards are the perfect opportunity to celebrate these achievements and highlight the value of gaining qualifications whilst learning on the job.
“I’m looking forward to see who will be nominated for this year’s awards and hearing even more fantastic success stories.”
Nominations for the awards can be made until 12 noon on Monday 9 June.
The Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Champion Awards are run by Lincolnshire County Council in partnership with the Lincolnshire Public Service Compact group and North and North East Lincolnshire Councils and aim to shine a spotlight on the individuals and organisations driving apprenticeship success.
The four categories for entries are: Greater Lincolnshire Apprentice Champion 2025, Greater Lincolnshire Trainer Champion 2025, Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Employer Champion 2025 – Micro and Small Business, and Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Employer Champion 2025 – Large Business.
An awards event will be held in September 2025.
50 trees planted across North Kesteven are taking root, commemorating the District Council’s 50th anniversary.
The final sapling to be planted, an oak located in a community green space off Sheldrake Road, Sleaford, represents the gold oak tree that features within the Council’s official crest.
This oak was taken from the coat of arms of the East Kesteven Rural District Council, which was one of the three councils that merged on April 1, 1974, to form the new North Kesteven District Council. Ultimately it originated on the crest of Kesteven County Council, a predecessor of Lincolnshire County Council, representing the ancient forests of the old county.
Mirroring the oak planted at Millennium Green, North Hykeham in April 2024 – the first of the 50 trees – oaks are also indicative of North Kesteven District Council’s strategic objective to significantly increase tree cover, habitat and growth within its climate action response.
In total 15 species of tree have been planted at schools, pubs and churches, in cemeteries, areas of new housing and on village greens, playing fields and within established woodland with advice on suitability from the district tree officers.
Council chairman cllr Andrew Hagues said: “This tree, like the oak on our shield, represents the strength and resilience that have been the hallmarks of our District.
“As this sapling takes root, it embodies the growth and prosperity that we have nurtured together. It will stand as a living monument to our past, a beacon of hope for our present, and a seed of potential for our future.
“Let this tree planting be a gesture of our commitment to the environment and to the people of North Kesteven. May this oak grow tall and strong, mirroring the steadfastness of our Council, may it grow and prosper, as communities and councils shall, for many years to come; and may it serve as a reminder of our rich heritage and the fertile future that lies ahead.”
Boston Borough Council is calling on the community to nominate local heroes for the 2024/2025 Boston Heroes Campaign.
This event honours individuals from diverse backgrounds who have demonstrated exceptional kindness and made significant contributions to the community, either through volunteering or in their personal endeavours.
The award categories include Lifetime Achievement, Group Champion, Individual Champion, and Young Person of the Year 2024/5.
Councillor Emma Cresswell, portfolio holder for communities and people, said: “I have always been impressed by the sheer number of nominations and the overwhelming support this campaign has received in the past years.
“This initiative was launched to foster positivity within our diverse and lively community. Over the years, we’ve observed an outpouring of support for Boston and have seen the immense pride that many Bostonians have for their community.
“At the core of this campaign, we aim to provide the people of Boston with the chance to highlight their unsung heroes who have made a lasting impact on the community—whether through small acts of kindness or life-changing support.
“I urge as many people as possible to participate in nominating. It’s the collaboration and support among individuals, groups, and organisations that make our community. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be a part of these awards, which are dedicated to celebrating the very best of these efforts.”
Visit https://www.boston.gov.uk/article/28273/Boston-Heroes-2025 to submit your nomination. The deadline for nominations is midnight on Friday 30 May 2025.
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