Regeneration of Gainsborough’s historic heart celebrated

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Regeneration of Gainsborough’s historic heart celebrated
Restored historic shopfronts and quality residential units have been unveiled in Gainsborough’s town centre. West Lindsey District Council leaders celebrated the transformation of several properties in the town with a tour. The Townscape Heritage Initiative, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Government’s Levelling Up Fund, has supported the reinstatement of historic shopfronts, attracting businesses to relocate to the historic heart of Gainsborough. It has also led to the creation of much-needed housing with residential units being created above the shops, many of which have already been let. Property investors and business owners were proud to showcase their work to council leaders and talk about why they have invested in Gainsborough town centre. Cllr Trevor Young, Leader of the Council, said: “I am proud to see the transformation in Gainsborough and how both local businesses and investors are contributing to the development of our town. “The quality of work, both inside and out, is simply stunning and it is incredible to see people from outside the area are seeing the potential of the town and investing in Gainsborough. It is a town steeped in history, so to see the heritage of these buildings combined with modern infrastructure is really special.”
  Image shows Cllr Trevor Young, Leader of the Council, and Cllr Lesley Rollings, Deputy Leader, in Gainsborough Market Place. Credit: West Lindsey District Council

South Kesteven District Council offers new grants scheme for military commemorations

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South Kesteven District Council offers new grants scheme for military commemorations
South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) is offering grants for community groups organising commemorations on or around the summer’s 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe and Victory in Japan. The new Commemorative Events Scheme Fund offers grants of up to £2,000 to fund events including street parties and beacon lightings. It supports May’s national programme to commemorate the cessation of WWII hostilities in Europe in May 1945. Events in August for the commemoration of Victory in Japan Day (August 15) will also be eligible. Events must take place within one week of either VE Day (before or after 8 May 2025) or VJ Day (before or after 15 August 2025). Cllr Phil Dilks, SKDC Cabinet Member for Armed Forces, said: “These are incredibly important anniversaries for us all to mark and remember their significance for our peace and freedom. I am delighted that we can support communities to stage their own events.” The fund will close for applications for VE Day Events on 14 April and 21 July for VJ Day Events. Application forms are available from communityengagement@southkesteven.gov.uk   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Robert L Parker

Business leaders invited to help shape Greater Lincolnshire’s economic future

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Business leaders invited to help shape Greater Lincolnshire’s economic future

Businesses have been invited to play a key role in the future growth of Greater Lincolnshire by becoming part of the Economic Advisory Panel.

The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA) has opened applications for membership and a chair of the panel, which will help build a strong and successful future for the area. This is an opportunity for those who lead or own businesses across the region to provide advice, recommendations and guidance to the GLCCA board and the new mayor. It is a statutory requirement of the new devolved authority to bring together these key people as part of a formal board, comprising of 10 panel members from the private sector. They will serve a three-year term with one selected as chair. Shaping and influencing the development of economic strategy and policy within Greater Lincolnshire, membership is also an opportunity to provide a business voice. This will allow a new elected mayor to ensure that future economic plans for the GLCCA are heard in Westminster. It is hoped the panel will see a range of businesses represented. All of them will be vital to Greater Lincolnshire’s future and align to the GLCCA’s priority growth sectors of agri-tech and food, clean energy, ports & logistics, defence, and advanced manufacturing, along with the core sectors of education, housing and construction, transport and infrastructure, small business, and the visitor economy. Key priorities of the GLCCA are to turbo charge business growth, improve the adult skills offer across the authority footprint, support the building of good quality homes, and improve infrastructure and public transport. The investment to support the development of these priorities is now being devolved down from central government with a £720m pot over the next 30 years.
  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/U-JINN Photography

Initial works to begin on Alexandra Dock housing site in Grimsby

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Initial works to begin on Alexandra Dock housing site in Grimsby
The next step towards the complete transformation of Grimsby Town Centre’s Alexandra Dock area is being taken. Following approval at a meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet, initial work will begin to look at an overall vision for the waterside land and how it could be redeveloped. This will focus on the potential to transform brownfield areas in and around Alexandra Dock. This investigative work will run alongside a refresh of the town centre masterplan, and a look at the current infrastructure in the area – including the highways and public transport. In a report to Cabinet members, it was outlined how funding of up to £500,000 is potentially available from Homes England and MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) over the financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26. If the council was successful in securing some of that funding, it would be used to support the progression of plans. Fuller details would be outlined in future Cabinet papers, adds the report. It goes on to highlight how this redevelopment, as well as changes that have taken place, or are in progress, are in line with ideas outlined in the Grimsby Town Centre Masterplan. The current plan, which will now be refreshed and updated, was the basis for multi-million pound funding bids to Government, which were successful and have supported the work so far. This has included the new Garth Lane bridge leading to the redesigned walkways, grass areas and river embankments, the new OnSide Horizon Youth Zone, and the plans for 123 new homes on land bought by the council. There’s also the Freshney Place Leisure, Foodhall and Market scheme, the new-look Riverhead Square, E-Factor’s redevelopment of St James’ House, the work on St James’ Square and visual improvements to Victoria Street. North East Lincolnshire Council Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, whose portfolio includes regeneration, said after the meeting: “Giving people reasons to visit, live in and enjoy our town centre means it must diversify and we are making great strides in doing just that. “We must now continue on this transformation path, and this is the next step that can be taken with the support of partners and those around us.”
  Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council

The BIG Lincolnshire County Wedding Show returns to the Lincolnshire Showground

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The BIG Lincolnshire County Wedding Show returns to the Lincolnshire Showground
The BIG Lincolnshire County Wedding Show is back at the Lincolnshire Showground on Sunday 23rd March (11.00am-3.00pm) with all the wedding inspiration you have ever dreamed of! Dreaming of the perfect wedding dress? Ready to book the magical venue? Then bring your bride squad for the ultimate day of wedding planning – see premier wedding gown boutiques, award-winning photographers, luxury wedding venues, formal wear to wow, mother of the bride and guest attire, wedding cakes that are works of art, and much much more! This is Cupid’s Wedding Shows’ biggest event yet with over 65 of the region’s greatest wedding suppliers. With Fashion Shows at 12.00pm & 1.45pm, lots of goodies for couples, free parking and cafe at the event it is the perfect day out for anyone in the midst of wedding planning. Whether you have just started your wedding planning or only have a few things left to organise, you can rest assured you are in the hands of experts as you will only see trusted wedding suppliers dedicated to doing what they do best. Your dream wedding can become reality! FREE tickets are still available online at www.cupidsweddingshows.com – or £4 on the day with no pre-booked ticket.

New planning system overhaul will ignore local views and could harm countryside Councillor criticises

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New planning system overhaul will ignore local views and could harm countryside Councillor criticises

County councillor Colin Davie has reacted to the government’s new Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

The Bill includes an overhaul of how government decisions on nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) can be challenged, and calls for the planning system to be simplified so more houses can be built more quickly. Cllr Davie is the executive member for economy, environment and planning at the council. He said: “Once again we are seeing how the government is pushing ahead with industrial-scale developments in the countryside and are now reducing the ability of local authorities to challenge decisions and represent the views of local people. “Fast tracking decisions on major infrastructure projects further reduces engagement with local communities and councils and our ability to challenge these proposals. “I can only conclude that the examination and decision making on these projects is largely a rubber stamping process- removing the ability for residents to have a meaningful input on developments in their local areas. “What they are billing as ‘reducing red tape’ is in fact riding rough shod over our green and pleasant land – both for NSIPs and now for housing developments too. “This planning bill tries to bypass local planning committees and the important role of local councillors in determining planning developments – particularly in rural areas like ours. It also could allow developers to destroy wildlife habitats in the pursuit of housing at any cost. “In Lincolnshire we have many areas where permission has been granted but delivery of this housing by developers have not been forthcoming. In fact, we are not meeting our current local plan requirements, let alone new targets. “The barriers are clearly not within the local planning system.”
  Picture shows Cllr Colin Davie. Image credit: Lincolnshire County Council

Art trail transforms Grantham into a gallery

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Art trail transforms Grantham into a gallery
Grantham is becoming an art gallery – and residents are being asked to play their part. A project to share the beauty and creativity of art is under way at venues across the town, including the Leader’s office at South Kesteven District Council (SKDC). Grantham Creates was awarded £4,965 towards the initiative from the SKDC Community Fund to organise and produce community and amateur artwork displays in empty units and shop windows. The idea of Grantham as a Gallery is to add to the amount of display space already available in the town. Darren Whiting, the force behind Grantham Creates, said: “We have agreed with local shops and businesses to show art in many forms including 3D models, paintings and prints. “This will allow people to see what can be created by local amateur and professional artists and community groups that have been working across the area.” Those taking part in this long-term project to promote a trail of creativity and encourage public participation include Darren’s Union Street Gallery, Bhive, Grantham Museum, Pendulum Gaming, The George Centre, Kitchen & Coffee, and The Reading Room, who have given over window space. Models for Heroes and Outwood CIC will have also been involved in creating the artwork. SKDC Council Leader Cllr Ashley Baxter said: “Art should be for everyone. People will be able to see how it brings colour and life to the streets of Grantham and I’m pleased to be able to take part by inviting people into the council offices to see what’s here. “I’ve borrowed this huge canvas, now on public display here at South Kesteven House in the heart of Grantham, which people can see up close if there are no meetings in progress. “I hope we see more and more of this relatable, uplifting and colourful art from our local artists scattered across Grantham, and further across the district in due course.” The grant will fund multiple display stands to display the art, a projector to increase the size of the piece of art to allow more people to see it on display, and a printing press to create articles and allow them to fill window displays. Many of those taking part in displays will also join in the making process. To participate in creating art, or to offer display space, drop into the Union Street Gallery in Grantham. The artwork on loan to Cllr Baxter’s office is ‘Welder’, a mixed media relief painting.   Picture shows Cllr Baxter with South Kesteven House artwork. Image credit: South Kesteven District Council

Stamford welcomes film industry professionals

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Stamford welcomes film industry professionals
Film industry professionals have been welcomed to Stamford as part of a project to attract production companies to South Kesteven. Producers, crew, location managers and commissioners saw a showreel of films and TV series shot locally – from The Crown to Frankenstein, Bridgerton and popular BBC series Strike. The Spotlight on South Kesteven Screen Industries Networking Event was organised by Lincolnshire County Council’s Visitor Economy Team. It’s part of a £55,000 Set-Jetting project funded by South Kesteven District Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Harlaxton Manor, Stamford, Burghley and Grimsthorpe Castle have all hosted major productions. Burghley Commercial Manager Philip Gompertz and Lucie VonCarthy, public access lead for Grimsthorpe Castle spoke of their experiences with advice on hosting. Filming in the district provides income for locations, plus attracts visitors increasingly influenced and attracted by film and TV show locations – worth £892m to the UK annually. The County Council is now preparing a guide to inform and support property owners who are interested in offering their locations, from contemporary homes to run-down farmyards. South Kesteven District Council tourism lead Josh Farmer said: “Our Set-Jetting project offers an exciting and valuable new direction for South Kesteven. It brings in money from film production companies and we know tourists love to visit film locations. “Too few people in the industry know where Lincolnshire is and the huge amount it has to offer for filming. This project is putting South Kesteven on the map.” Hayley Toyne, Growth Manager at Lincolnshire County Council, added: “Lincolnshire, and South Kesteven, have a great deal to offer the TV and Film Industry and we’re keen to present our area as ‘film friendly’ as possible. “Attracting more productions has many economic benefits, both pre and post filming, from the support services needed to host cast and crew, through to the promotional opportunities of seeing Lincolnshire on screen. “It’s important that we reach out to the screen industries using processes and terminology they recognise, and present the county as a viable, convenient, and exciting new location to explore. This initiative has been a great springboard to making that happen.”   Image shows Stamford. Credit: Stock.adobe.com/Nicola

Dementia UK helps tackle tough conversations around dementia with free clinics in Lincolnshire

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Dementia UK helps tackle tough conversations around dementia with free clinics in Lincolnshire
Nationwide and Dementia UK’s free face-to-face clinics are returning to Nationwide branches in Lincolnshire this March, offering specialist support in a safe, comfortable and private space for people to discuss any aspect of dementia. Hosted by Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses, the clinics are open to anyone impacted by dementia, offering life-changing support to families and individuals in the area. The clinics will take place over the next month, and appointments can be booked via Dementia UK’s website here. The clinics will offer practical and emotional advice on all aspects of dementia – from worries about memory problems, understanding a diagnosis and how the condition can progress to help with financial and legal issues. Ahead of the appointments, Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity, has shared tips on how to discuss dementia with a loved one and encourage them to visit their GP if they are showing signs or symptoms of the condition. Someone develops dementia every three minutes in the UK, and it is often a challenge to obtain an accurate diagnosis of dementia. Tackling tough conversations – tips on speaking to someone who is showing signs of dementia from Admiral Nurses:
  • Act – if the person suddenly becomes upset or frustrated with themselves, this can be a good opportunity to have a conversation with them about the symptoms they are experiencing and if they’d like support with seeking help
  • Explain – the signs and symptoms of dementia are often shared with other conditions. Explaining this, and encouraging the person to seek advice from their GP can be less daunting than suggesting they seek a diagnosis of dementia. You can also explain that a prompt diagnosis of dementia will help them seek the right support sooner
  • Support – seeking support can be tough, and people will appreciate help in arranging the appointment and attending it. You can also help them to keep a symptom diary which will support a healthcare professional to make an accurate and timely diagnosis
The Lincolnshire clinics are part of Nationwide’s social impact programme, Fairer Futures, which addresses three of the UK’s biggest social issues through charity partnerships – dementia (Dementia UK), youth homelessness (Centrepoint) and family poverty (Action for Children). Nationwide is funding 30 dementia specialist Admiral Nurse posts through Dementia UK, and is hosting 200 pop-up clinics in branches across the country. To book a confidential and in-person appointment with an Admiral Nurse in Lincolnshire, visit Dementia UK’s website here. The clinics will visit:
  • Lincoln, 325 High Street LN5 7DW – 18th, 19th and 20th March
  • Grimsby, 53 Victoria Street DN31 1UU – 25th, 26th and 27th March
Ruby Guild, Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK, said: “We’re looking forward to returning to Lincolnshire. Nationwide branches offer a safe and private space for people to access specialist support for dementia, and the Fairer Futures partnership is helping us bring face-to-face support to people in a familiar location.” Debbie Crosbie, Chief Executive Officer of Nationwide, said: “Nationwide wants to help people live their best life possible, for as long as possible. By working with Dementia UK to fund more Admiral Nurses and turning our branches into dementia clinics, we’re helping to tackle the country’s leading cause of death. “As a mutual, we work for the good of society as well as our members. We believe this and Nationwide Fairer Futures will change hundreds of thousands of lives for the better.”

Help select the soundtrack to Classic Ibiza’s birthday celebrations

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Help select the soundtrack to Classic Ibiza’s birthday celebrations
With the outdoor concert season drawing ever closer, the organisers of Classic Ibiza at Burghley House on Saturday 26 July have announced details of an extra-special track poll to mark its 10th birthday celebrations. This year they are asking for your help to select the tunes being performed by Urban Soul Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Hussey, and the show’s special guests, London Community Gospel Choir. This summer’s Classic Ibiza will see Urban Soul Orchestra perform more tracks than ever before in a set that is packed full of firm audience favourites. Insomnia by Faithless, Born Slippy by Underworld and Adagio For Strings by Tiësto are among the anthemic tunes sure to be given the full orchestral treatment. London Community Gospel Choir will bring a fresh dynamic to the first half of the show, creating a euphoric wall of sound with Urban Soul Orchestra in a performance not to be missed. The organisers have compiled a shortlist of 12 tracks in their repertoire for you to choose from that lend themselves perfectly to the addition of a gospel choir. The shortlisted tracks are: Blackwater (Octave One); Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless) (Crystal Waters); (I Wanna Give You) Devotion (Nomad); Lola’s Theme (The Shapeshifters); Praise You (Fatboy Slim); Saltwater (Chicane); Sun Is Shining (Bob Marley vs. Funkstar De Luxe); Sunchyme (Dario G); Unfinished Sympathy (Massive Attack); Where Love Lives (Alison Limerick, Frankie Knuckles, David Morales); Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? (Moby); and You Got the Love (The Source ft. Candi Staton). Classic Ibiza’s Lisa Ward says: “Classic Ibiza has always been about reimaging iconic house tunes to create a unique musical experience that is truly memorable. This year we’ll be taking the show to a whole new level, with London Community Gospel Choir joining Stephen Hussey’s incredible Urban Soul Orchestra as our special guests. “Our annual track poll is a massive hit with our social media followers, so we want to do something extra-special to mark our 10th birthday celebrations. It gives our concertgoers the chance to feel part of the creative process – a true case of playing to your audience!” You can join Classic Ibiza’s 58,000 social media followers by placing your vote here. Voting is open until 21 April. The eight most popular tracks being added to the set will be announced shortly afterwards. Last year’s poll received over 5,000 votes. Tickets to Classic Ibiza at Burghley House are selling fast, with the venue already at 70% capacity. The show is proud to be supporting local charity, Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. Visit classicibiza.co.uk for tickets and more information.   Image credit: David Evans Photography
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