As we get older, some people find that their central vision unfortunately deteriorates markedly, with blurriness and shadowing. These effects cause difficulties in everyday life, whether it’s watching TV, or reading – even if reading glasses are used.
Some sufferers find too that it is often impossible for them to recognise faces: this can make socialising very difficult.
At the back of the eye there is an area called the macula which has to be in good health for us to see clearly in the centre of our vision. That area can deteriorate with advancing age, causing the problem of poor central vision. That’s why the problem is called Age-related Macular Degeneration, or AMD.
Recent scientific research has found that compounds called carotenoids have a great influence on the macula and on the brain as well. There are more than 700 carotenoids in nature. They are plant pigments found in brightly coloured fruits and in green leafly vegetables.
Three carotenoids are present in the macula in the eye: Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-Zeaxanthin. Low levels increase the risk of developing AMD.
An impression of how Dry AMD can affect central vision, and gradually become more disabling.
Until recently, it is has been difficult to assess whether a person’s levels of carotenoids are adequate to protect the health of their eyes. New research has come up with a simple non-invasive way of assessing carotenoid levels: the ‘LifeMeter’ measuring device is the product of years of research.
It works by shining special light onto a forefinger and measuring the reflected light. The person being tested just has to put the tip of a forefinger into the reading device. After a few minutes, the test is complete.
The LifeMeter device being used to measure a patient’s carotenoid levels. The patient just puts a forefinger into the LifeMeter measuring instrument. There are no needles, and nothing to feel. The measurements are made by shining special lighting onto the finger.
If the person’s carotenoid levels are lower than recommended for continued eye health, food supplement tablets containing suitable carotenoids will be prescribed. Improvements in levels soon occur, and can be confirmed by further testing after about a month.
Carotenoid levels are not just important for eye health: they are now thought to influence brain health, and low levels may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
On Friday, 21 June, O’Brien’s Optician in Brigg is holding a by-appointment free clinic for evaluating patients’ carotenoid levels.
If you’d like to have your carotenoid levels measured, you’re invited to call 01652 653595 or 01652 649024 for your free-of-cost appointment.
Boston Borough Council have been successful in purchasing the former B&M site at the heart of the proposed Rosegarth Square development.
This strategic move empowers the Council to move forward with development proposals and bring forward the vision for the area utilising £14.8 million of Levelling Up funding.
The B&M store ceased operating a number of years ago and since then, the site has been earmarked for redevelopment. The area is an important part of the Council’s overall aspirations for the town centre regeneration.
Leader of Boston Borough Council, Cllr Anne Dorrian, said: “Improving the town centre is one of our top priorities and we are determined to push ahead to ensure our vision becomes a reality.
“Developing this large, derelict building is yet another piece in that transformation jigsaw. I am really pleased that we have been able to utilise government grant funding to purchase the former B&M site, and we have exciting ideas to ensure that the site makes a positive contribution to our town.”
Image – Boston, Lincolnshire – Stock.adobe.com/Tony
Almost 90 churches and chapels in West Lindsey throw open their doors from May 11th for the area’s Churches Festival, which is now in its 27th year.
The Festival offers visitors buildings located across the stunning landscape of the district, just north of Lincoln and encompassing Gainsborough, Caistor and Market Rasen.
The first weekend (11-12 May) will see 41 churches take part in the east of the district, with 47 churches opening for the second weekend (18-19 May) to the west.
Each church offers a unique experience, from stunning architecture; stained glass and fascinating wood carvings to historic monuments, graveyards full of stories and traditional church organs (some of which the public are welcome to play).
Many buildings are also located in the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
And alongside all that heritage and landscape is the welcome church volunteers bring to the event, including their knowledge of local history, delicious homemade cakes and lunches, plant and book sales, flower displays, exhibitions and bell ringing.
Beth Sliwinski from Sheffield, a regular visitor to the event, explains why she travels to the event from Yorkshire said: “If ever a reason is needed to visit beautiful Lincolnshire, this is it. Every church provides its own treats – interesting architecture, friendly volunteers, delicious refreshments, picturesque churchyards – even the drives from one church to the next are a pleasure.”
Long-time visitor Lexie Brookes-Ashmore, from Caistor, says she enjoys the graveyards as well as the churches: “I have been visiting the churches festival since 2012, so this will be my 12th year! My best friend and I cancel all other plans for the festival (plus the September one) and always end the day with a picnic. We love the architecture and history as well as the many interesting graves.”
Highlights from this year’s Festival include:
Stepping back in time to the year 875, when Bishop Aelfnoth built his church at Stow, to serve as Mother Church for his Lincolnshire Diocese. St Mary’s, Stow is a treasure trove of beautiful artefacts and architecture. Other fine churches with Saxon origins can be found at Greetwell and Knaith.
Going forward to the Norman period there are the ironstone churches of Caistor, Nettleton, Market Rasen as well as Middle Rasen with its fine Norman Archway.
Two of the festival’s medieval ‘little gems’ not to be missed are St Oswald’s at Rand, on a deserted medieval village, and St Edith’s at Coates by Stow, with its 11th century rood loft and screen.
Lincolnshire couple Robert and Margaret Isdale have been honoured for their work as foster carers, having looked after more than 150 children during their fostering career.
The couple have been carers with Lincolnshire County Council since moving to the county in 1991, by which time they’d been fostering for ten years.
Now in their 80s, the couple have decided to retire from fostering, and they were honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the council’s annual fostering celebration.
Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor for children’s services, said: “Rob and Margaret have helped so many foster children to fulfil their potential over the years, so we wanted to celebrate all they’ve achieved. I hope they will inspire others to become foster carers and make a life-changing difference to a child in need.”
At the event, awards were also given to carers who have been fostering for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years, as well as those who have made a special contribution. Those who have shown outstanding commitment were also celebrated.
Lincolnshire has a diverse fostering community. Each application to foster is considered on an individual basis and you can be a foster carer regardless of your marital status, sexuality, employment status, ethnicity, or religion. However, you do need to have a spare bedroom for a child or young person to use.
Stamford is welcoming a new Poet Laureate for the town, with Caroline Avnit accepting the honour after a public contest to choose the winner.
Jasper Cairns was named Stamford Youth Laureate at the event at Stamford Arts Centre, which attracted a record crowd, showing the importance of the local poetry scene.
Stamford Laureate Caroline has been a poet since childhood, and will now embark on a range of performances, commissions and civic events during her year in office.
She said: “I feel so grateful to have been chosen as the Poet Laureate of Stamford.
“I absolutely love our beautiful town and am passionate about promoting it. I feel it is a privilege to continue the work that has been done by previous Poet Laureates, in putting Stamford on the map as a poetry destination, along with encouraging both the writing and appreciation of poetry in our town.
“I especially look forward to collaborating with local businesses and involving the community in more activities connected to poetry.”
Caroline has a background in psychology and religious studies, and has always been interested in writing about relationships, nature, the beauty found in the simplest moments of human connection and our relationship to the world around us.
The finalists took part in a live reading before a panel of judges as part of the annual Verse Festival, and the Laureate runner-up on the night was Emmy Jenkins.
New Youth Laureate Jasper Cairns said: “I’m very excited to be Stamford’s new Youth Poet Laureate and am eager to start writing as soon as possible! I think poetry is important now more than ever, so I can’t wait to share what I can offer with Stamford’s poetry scene.”
Both Caroline and Jasper will work closely with Stamford Arts Centre and Stamford Town Hall to support the popular local poetry scene.
Image shows Stamford. Credit: Stock.adobe.com/Nicola
British Steel has been given planning permission to build an Electric Arc Furnace at its Scunthorpe HQ as part of its proposed £1.25-billion transformation – its biggest in more than a century of steelmaking – which is subject to appropriate support from the UK Government.
British Steel President and CEO Xijun Cao said: “We’re extremely pleased to have received planning permissions to build Electric Arc Furnaces at our Scunthorpe and Teesside sites. It is a significant step forward in our journey to net zero and we thank everyone who has supported our plans.
“The proposed installation of EAFs in Scunthorpe and Teesside is central to our journey to a green future as they would help us reduce emissions of CO2 by more than 75 per cent. However, it is crucial we now secure the backing of the UK Government.
“Our owner, Jingye, is committed to the unprecedented investment decarbonisation requires and our desire to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint, coupled with challenging market conditions, means it is imperative swift and decisive action is taken to ensure a sustainable future for British Steel.
“We are committed to working with the UK Government and need to reach an agreement quickly so we can achieve our ambitious goals, secure thousands of jobs and keep making the steel Britain needs for generations to come.”
Significant preparation works, including environmental and technical studies, and equipment selection, are underway to ensure the company’s ambitious proposals can be delivered at the earliest opportunity while discussions with the UK Government continue.
Both proposed EAFs would replace the aging iron and steelmaking operations at British Steel’s Scunthorpe site which are responsible for the vast majority of its CO2 emissions. The company proposes maintaining current operations until a transition to electric arc steelmaking.
British Steel has started preliminary talks with trade unions about electrification, and has promised to support employees affected by its decarbonisation plans.
Xijun said: “We are confident our proposals will help secure the low-embedded carbon steelmaking the UK requires now and for decades to come.”
Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens have received nearly £1,000 in grant funding from East Midlands-based charity – Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) to help plant a new wildflower garden display, enhancing the already beautiful Gardens further for both residents and visitors.
The funding will come from PECT’s 30for30 Grant Fund, a celebration of the organisation’s 30th Anniversary, delivering support to community-led projects in and around Peterborough. The fund aims to support initiatives which enhance environmental sustainability and community engagement.
Taking place in an under-utilised part of the Gardens, the remedial work to create the wildflower display will take place in the Wilderness Garden. The finished display will provide an essential habitat for local wildlife such as bees and butterflies, aiming to increase pollination rates.
Alongside the environmental benefits, the finished display will also promote public health by drawing more residents and visitors to the Gardens, encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle.
Councillor Tracey Carter, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Communities and Operational Housing, said: “I’m very pleased to see that our team at Ayscoughfee have been successful in their application for grant funding, the new wildflower display will only enhance the Gardens further, ensuring they stay a vibrant hub for residents and visitors alike.
“Initiatives such as these are essential in maintaining and improving our public spaces and I’m sure this project will have long-lasting benefits… I can’t wait to see the finished result!”
Kirton in Lindsey Town Council has received funding from the first round of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to support three different projects totalling more than £25,000.
The first project was for £10,103 to buy and install play equipment as part of the redevelopment of the local play area on the Green at Kirton in Lindsey.
To improve safety, £2,500 funding was used to install CCTV on Kirton in Lindsey Library focusing on the Green and play area as there has been anti-social and criminal behaviour previously. The camera links in with North Lincolnshire Council’s Security Control Centre.
The town council has appointed a community coordinator using £13,040 funding (funded for 12 months). The role has been created to focus on linking businesses with organisations and groups, developing cultural and heritage events, sporting opportunities, and identifying gaps that need volunteers or other support.
Neil Taylor-Matson, Town Clerk, Kirton in Lindsey Town Council, said: “Kirton in Lindsey Town Council is pleased with the successful funding bids made to the UKSPF for the benefit of the town.
“Concern has grown about anti-social and criminal behaviour within the town, having CCTV linking back to the Security Control Centre acts as both a deterrent and a means to collect evidence and help the police with investigations.
“Funding has also enabled the Town Council to replace an existing piece of popular equipment at the town play area.
“The Community Co-ordinator role was developed through the Connecting Kirton Project work in 2021-22 which identified the need for a coordinated approach to providing information about activities, organisations and amenities within the town and to develop options for community transport opportunities and volunteer schemes to better support the residents of Kirton in Lindsey.”
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This funding from the Government is making a real difference to organisations and businesses in North Lincolnshire. It is great to visit and see how the money is being used and put to beneficial use.
“Kirton Town Council has made some positive changes for the community. The outdoor play area is a fantastic place for families to go and what is more, the safety has been improved in the area due to the new CCTV.
“The community coordinator has been appointed and will be able to go out and about working with different groups to put on events and create opportunities.”
After 9 months of work, refurbishment and regeneration, Saxilby Footbridge, which crosses the Fossdyke, has had an official opening to the public.
The steel footbridge, which was gifted to the village by British Rail in 1986, has been restored by West Lindsey District Council to ensure a long life and minimise the length of time between maintenance for up to 25 years.
Residents and visitors gathered together smiling, talking and reminiscing the history of the bridge.
The bridge went from green to heritage black; a request of Saxilby Parish Council to coincide with the wider plans they have for the area.
The refurbishment works to Saxilby Footbridge included: shot blasting, rust treatment, steel repairs, bolt replacement, re-painting with a railway grade paint system.
Sally Grindrod-Smith, Director of Planning, Regeneration and Communities at West Lindsey District Council, said: “Seeing everyone come together was a pleasure and a privilege to witness. This has been a significant project for the local community and now all the refurbishment works have been completed, the waterfront looks marvellous.
“We know many people have used the bridge already, but the regeneration of Saxilby Bridge means that people can continue using it for many more years to come. I’m excited to see the area develop and what the Parish Council has planned for the future.”
Chair of Saxilby with Ingleby Parish Council, Cllr Elizabeth Hillman, said: “It’s great to have the footbridge back and looking in such good condition following its refurbishment. The parish council lobbied for this refurbishment for six years as part of the regeneration of Saxilby Waterfront.
“It’s wonderful to see that work coming to fruition. Thank you to West Lindsey District Council for all their work on this project, their project team have been a pleasure to work with.”
Heather Degand is a landscape architect from Welch Designs who helped create the masterplan for the area from community consultation. She said: “Welch Design were absolutely thrilled to produce the masterplan for the regeneration project. It’s fantastic to see the unique landscape of the Conservation Area renewed and benefitting the wonderful, enthusiastic community of Saxilby.”
Image courtesy of West Lindsey District Council
Due to the increased interest in Scouts (boys and girls aged 10 to 14), a new section has launched at 4th Cleethorpes Scouts. Through the support of people within the local community who wanted to share their skills and love of adventure more young people in the area can access the fun and develop skills for life.
Since opening, the Scouts have been learning circus skills and finished off with a celebration of this by visiting a real circus.
The Scouts are always busy learning new things like morse code through activities across the Humber, heading out on an ice-skating trip, kayaking and a visit to Ghetto Skate Park with lots more in the (half) pipeline.
Kelsey, a Scout from the group, said: “I like making new friends and doing new activities. I’m not even joking, you should join 4th Clee Scouts!”
In a recent poll 94% of Scouts said they had developed useful skills. Scouts offers over 200 activities from abseiling and coding to drama and water-zorbing.
Chief Scout, Bear Grylls said: “I’m so excited to see the positive impact 4th Cleethorpes Scouts will be making in the community. But this has only happened because of the hard work and dedication of an amazing team.
“Scouts relies on the kindness and commitment of our adult volunteers. They give as much or as little time as they can spare, and they get out more than they put in – new skills, new friends and the reward of seeing young people grow into fantastic members of their community.”
The doors are open – the group would love to welcome more people to join. For further information about 4th Cleethorpes Scouts or to try it for yourself, please contact Michelle on dc@gycscouts.org.uk
4th Cleethorpes Scouts meet at Albert Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 8LX on Thursdays 19:00-20:30.
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