£250k awarded for new Spalding town and riverside improvements scheme
A new project celebrating and promoting the unique heritage of Spalding’s town and riverside has been awarded just under £250,000 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The project, that emerged from the Spalding Town Centre Improvement Programme and has been developed in partnership between South Holland District Council, Heritage Lincolnshire, Transported Arts, East Mercia Rivers Trust and Lincolnshire County Council, is called Spalding Reconnected: Historic Town & Riverside, and will seek to create and promote several townscape and riverside improvements, together with future funding opportunities all based on Spalding’s heritage.
These include the installation of new waymarkers, signage and trails, community artwork installations, river-based environmental initiatives with schools and developing strategies to achieve more investment for the town centre and riverside in the future.
Funding for the project runs up until April 2024, with the partner organisations working closely with local schools and the wider community, as well as representatives from the public, private and voluntary sector, to help achieve these ambitions.
The aim of the project will be to bring the rich history and heritage of Spalding to life for residents and visitors, using high-quality research and storytelling to provide information and insights about buildings and places throughout the town.
The funding was made possible through matching funding support from South Holland District Council’s existing three-year programme of investment via the Spalding Town Centre Improvement Programme. The Programme has brought partners together to work for the future of the town and to identify and secure much needed additional funding.
The development and delivery of the project is being taken forward in partnership with Heritage Lincolnshire, who will project manage the initiative, with East Mercia Rivers Trust, Transported Arts and Lincolnshire County Council all supporting and providing expertise through their project delivery roles.
Councillor Rodney Grocock, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for Spalding town improvement, welcomed the new funding, saying: “I am really pleased that this exciting new project has received the support of National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, who have recognised the hard work and ambition that have been put into these plans.
“We are surrounded by an incredible amount of fascinating history and heritage in Spalding, and I hope that this will be the start of an important relationship with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, that can help to support bigger and bolder projects for the town centre and District for many years to come.
“I hope that this initial funding will help more people to learn about the town’s past and to explore and enjoy what it has to offer now, as well as playing a vital part in helping us to secure future investment into South Holland.”
Matt Bentley MSc IHBC, Senior Manager (Conservation and Heritage) for Heritage Lincolnshire, said: “Heritage Lincolnshire are extremely excited to support South Holland District Council in delivering this transformational project for Spalding. The town has an exceptional history and heritage, and this project will not only improve the town visually, but crucially engage more people with the town’s heritage, creating a legacy for the future.”
Dr Ian Marshman, Historic Environment Officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Spalding’s riverside is unique, with its wealth of historic buildings and green spaces, it brings nature and heritage right into the town centre.
“Building on the County Council’s recent Extensive Urban Survey of Spalding’s historic environment, we are delighted to be working with our partners on this project.
“This funding will help encourage visitors to explore the town’s heritage, create new habitats for nature, and improve the sustainability of the town centre.”
Nick Jones, Director of Arts Council England-funded Transported Programme hosted by the University of Lincoln, said: “Transported are delighted with the news of this much welcomed Lottery funding and excited to be working with the local community and artists to create activities and artworks together that reflect Spalding’s unique heritage.”
Patricia Oliveira Antunes, Welland Project Manager at East Mercia Rivers Trust, said: “We are very excited to be part of this project in the Lower Welland and working closely with partners and the community of Spalding.”
Grimsby Town slip to £930,000 loss despite turnover rise
Grimsby Town have slipped to a £931,000 loss in newly released accounts for the football club’s year ending May 2022, dipping from a £196,000 profit in the year prior.
Turnover however increased by over 26% from £3.5m to £4.4m thanks to the return of fans to the ground following the COVID-19 pandemic – to the highest level in nearly 20 years – and a successful season on the pitch which saw promotion to League Two. Matchday receipts increased to £1.4m compared to £680,000 in 2021 and there was an increase in revenue from commercial and hospitality activities.
Due to the prior year’s relegation, income from sources such as the Premier League, EFL and National League reduced from £1.5 million to £720,000.
Grimsby Town’s new owners invested £1.5m of loans into the company during the year, ensuring the club’s progress, some of which was used to repay debt in the form of loans from the previous principal shareholder and the balance was used to fund improving operations and infrastructure of the club.
Equine health experts host free information evenings for Lincolnshire horse owners
Bransby Horses are hosting a series of free-to-attend events aimed at horse owners where experts in weight management, laminitis, farriery, rural crime and track systems will share their experiences and offer advice.
Bransby Horses’ Welfare Campaigns Officer, Rachel Dixon said: “Through these talks we are hoping to raise awareness of the early signs of some common horse health issues, as well as offering preventative management tips for owners.”
The first information evening, looking at weight management, will take place on April 20 at the charity’s main site in Bransby near Lincoln.
Following on from this on May 18, registered farrier Scott Sykes DipWCF, will present a talk about laminitis.
This will be followed by a talk on track grazing systems on July 13 and Lincolnshire’s Rural Crimes team will give the final talk on September 20.
The events are free but booking is essential as places are limited. Call 01427 788 464, email mail@bransbyhorses.co.uk or visit BransbyHorses.co.uk/MADE to secure your place per event.
Each event takes place at 6.30pm, in the Clifford Marshall Building. Light refreshments and free parking available.
London Camera Exchange undergoes upgrade
London Camera Exchange in Lincoln has been upgraded after 15 years unchanged.
As a Canon Pro Partner able to stock the latest Canon equipment, the shop was given the perfect excuse to refresh the store, recently revealing the transformation.
A spokesperson for London Camera Exchange said: “We have been in Lincoln for over 20 years and supply the latest in photographic equipment and Binoculars. We’re proud to be a Canon Pro Partner, which allows us to stock the latest Canon equipment including their ground breaking EOS R mirrorless system and RF lenses. This gave us a great excuse to refresh the store (albeit three years in the planning, but you know what delayed it…).
“The store hadn’t been changed for almost 15 years, so an upgrade was much needed. Please come and visit us, whether you’re new or experienced with photography, we’re always happy to help.”
Find London Camera Exchange at 6 Silver Street, Lincoln, LN2 1DY.
Teenagers dedicate support to Lincolnshire museum
Five young men are dedicating their spare time to help support a local Lincolnshire museum.
After finding out the owner of the We’ll Meet Again WW2 Museum based at Freiston Shore Nr Boston had been diagnosed with terminal illness, Archie, Jacob, Alfie, Leon and Ewan – who’s ages range from 13-16 – have been coming to the museum at weekends dressed in full period WW2 uniforms to talk to the public about items on display and give guided tours of the original WW2 gunline and buildings situated next to the museum.
They have also been busy digging authentic trenches to help with the visual impact.
All the public donations given in recognition of the lads’ exceptional knowledge of the WW2 structures and equipment has gone towards the upkeep of the museum charity.
The group are now volunteering alongside the regular museum volunteers to give the public that extra special experience. The dedication shown by these young men should not go unrecognised, giving the museum owner Paul that extra reason to fight on through his ongoing treatment.
Up, up, and away: Museum plans Airfix weekend
Returning to the Museum of Lincolnshire Life for the first time since the pandemic, the popular Airfix Weekend will see the museum on Lincoln’s Burton Road play host to more 100 models, including the iconic Spitfire.
Members of the Lincoln Model club will be displaying a variety of models including aircraft, tanks, trucks, cars, and robots.
Steve Dunk, visitor experience manager at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, said: “I’m thrilled to welcome back the modelling society for this unique exhibition, which is a joy for both enthusiasts and families alike. It’s a showcase of magnificent craftsmanship, and visitors can enjoy the rest of the museum too.”
Tickets for the event cost just £3 for adults and £1 per child. Or buy a family ticket for two adults and up to three children for £6.
The Museum of Lincolnshire Life is on Burton Road in Lincoln. It is open Friday to Tuesday, from 10am to 4pm. www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/museumoflincolnshirelife.
Lincolnshire employers among first in country to sign pledge supporting older workers
Lincolnshire County Council has become one of the first local authorities in the country to have signed the Centre for Ageing Better’s Age-friendly Employer Pledge.
The council joins Lincolnshire Cooperative and NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board among the first 80 organisations in the country to sign the free, nationwide scheme.
Now other employers in the county are being encouraged to sign up to the scheme and feel the benefit for themselves of tackling skills and labour shortages through the recruitment and retention of a multigenerational workforce.
Under the initiative, employers commit to taking at least one action a year to improve the recruitment, retention and development of older workers, identifying a senior sponsor for age-inclusion within their workforce and ensuring that age is specifically named within their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies.
The Centre for Ageing Better supports the network of Age-Friendly Pledge Employers by providing an action framework of suggested actions and offering opportunities to learn effective age-friendly practices. Nationally, the employment gap between 35-49s and 50-64s is now at 15 percentage points – 4 percentage points higher than pre-pandemic. Among the 830,000 additional economically inactive people since the start of the pandemic, three in four are aged 50 or above. The picture for older workers in Lincolnshire is especially challenging. Between October 2021 and September 2022, almost three in ten (27.6%) 50-64 year olds in Lincolnshire were economically inactive. This is almost one percentage point more than the national average for this age group in the same time period (26.8%). Faced with record vacancy rates alongside skills and labour shortages, now, more than ever, local employers can benefit from increasing their numbers of older workers and harnessing their skills and experience. Lucy Shevill, HR lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “At Lincolnshire County Council 40% of our staff are aged 50 or over so we could assume that being age-friendly is embedded already. By checking our approaches against the five age-friendly principles and what support we offer older workers specifically, there is still more we can do. “One of the areas we are looking to develop is how we promote our learning opportunities including apprenticeships to older workers where they are currently underrepresented.” Sophie Chapman, Engagement Advisor at Lincolnshire Co-op, said: “We’re delighted to be one of the first signatories of the Age-friendly Employer Pledge and continue to champion older workers. “We have made significant changes to our recruitment processes, are working with external agencies to provide older job seekers with a work placement and employability programme, and support colleagues experiencing age related wellbeing issues. “Over a quarter of our colleagues are aged 55 and over and we recognise the positive difference they make to our family of businesses and the local communities they serve.” Navaz Sutton, Strategic Partnership Manager for Lincolnshire at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “It is great to see some of Lincolnshire’s largest employers leading the way for other local organisations in signing the Age-friendly Employer Pledge. “Lincolnshire’s ageing population is already reflecting the kind of demographics we expect to see nationally in 20 years’ time, so it is key for the county to be an age-friendly pioneer. Signing the pledge is a fantastic first step for employers to prepare for this demographic change and become more age inclusive. There is a real interest in age-friendly approaches in the county and I am excited to support other local employers that are interested in signing the pledge.”An exciting new era for the White Hart Hotel
Positive changes are underway at the iconic White Hart Hotel in Lincoln’s historic Bailgate, with the recent appointment of a new General Manager and an imminent programme for a full transformation of the hotel with a sensitive and comprehensive refurbishment scheme.
The hotel’s owner, local businessman Andrew Long, said: “Since acquiring the White Hart Hotel in July 2022, the intention has always been to maximise the full trading potential and to enhance the status of the full range of facilities. Our extensive refurbishment will respect the centuries of heritage in the building and its exceptional location.
“To now have a confirmed date for the commencement of the works is very exciting for the future of the White Hart, as well as a further ‘milestone’ for Lincoln’s historic Bailgate and the surrounding Uphill area.
“We believe that the hotel will become one of the very best in the region, as well as remaining a popular and welcoming venue for our loyal guests, many of whom have known the hotel for several decades and generations.”
The hotel will close for the extensive refurbishment and improvement works for three months from 1st March and is scheduled for reopening in June. The work will include a complete refurbishment and ‘refit’ of the main Lounge Bar, as well as the addition of a new Club Bar and a relocated Reception. At the same time, the contractors will complete a sensitive refurbishment of the ground and first floor function rooms, inclusive of the former Orangery / Eastgate Suite and King Richard Room.
There will also be a significant reconfiguration of the Restaurant, which will be ‘rebranded’ and re-launched in July. This will include an impressive new frontage onto Bailgate, appropriately elevating the venue as a sophisticated ‘special occasion’ dining destination in its own right, offering high standards of cuisine with extensive use of local produce.
Six bedrooms will be re-launched at the start of June, with the other 44 bedrooms and suites to be refurbished in a ‘rolling programme’ throughout the remainder of the year.
There is also a full re-branding project being undertaken in conjunction with renowned illustrator Chris Mitchell (who has been instrumental in many iconic designs for world-famous brands), which has already commenced in readiness for the reopening of the hotel.
Paul Noble joined the team as new General Manager in mid-January, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the White Hart. Having worked in hotels and restaurants across the country, ranging from country houses to some of London’s finest eateries, he will oversee the preparation for the reopening in conjunction with the senior members of the full project team.
Paul said: “There’s nowhere quite like the White Hart and the uniqueness of this hotel is something which I’m very excited about. The world class location and the future potential are what have drawn me to this role and it’s going to be one of the most sought-after Cathedral city hotels in the country once the refurbishment has taken place.”
Andrew added: “Paul brings a huge amount of experience and energy to the role of General Manager. His appointment will be instrumental to the full delivery of our objectives to create a substantial jewel in Lincoln’s crown.”
Interior design concepts are being handled by the nationally renowned DO Design team. Director, Sarah Daniels, said: “Visiting Lincoln and the White Hart, we were struck by the need to reflect the heritage and innate features that may have been lost over time through previous renovations. We want to bring back a deep, warm feel and the colours and aesthetic choices we’ve planned will give a look that is both sympathetic to the building’s history without taking it back in time.
“This will also be supported by a suitable choice of varied furniture and antiques.”
Building work is to be undertaken by the Lindum Group in conjunction with many other Lincoln-based companies, project managed by Luxury Hotel Management, working in conjunction with John Robert Architects, Building & Quantity specialists P&BC, together with Banks, Long & Co.
Government invests £7m in Lincolnshire to understand flooding risk from groundwater
An new project aimed at better understanding flood risk in Lincolnshire has been awarded £7.18m of Government funding over the next four years.
The new project, led by Lincolnshire County Council, was one of 25 schemes awarded funding by Defra as part of the £200m Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme, announced in 2020.
The project will create a better understanding of groundwater, the least understood flooding mechanism across greater Lincolnshire, and how it can be managed, both in terms of flood risk and as a resource.
Working with trial communities in Barton and Barrow on the Humber bank, Grimsby, and Scopwick near Lincoln – over the next four years, the results of this project will help inform future thinking to how organisations across the county, and more widely, approach challenges around groundwater.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for environment at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Groundwater flooding is the least understood form of flooding nationally. This project will make great strides in addressing this gap by enhancing our capabilities to manage groundwater, whilst simultaneously protecting and enhancing the environment, minimising whole life carbon impacts, and providing amenity benefits”.
Morgan Wray, Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for the Environment Agency said: “As well as providing many local benefits, the evidence gained from this programme will enable successful approaches to be identified and implemented more widely.”
For further information regarding the project, visit the greater Lincolnshire groundwater project page on the Engage Environment Agency website or email Innovative.Resilience@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
As part of the first stage of the project Lincolnshire County Council is seeking assistance from landowners and private individuals to help understand the location of existing boreholes to assist in monitoring and current and future groundwater levels in the trial areas,
If you have a borehole within your property or land and would be willing to work with the council, please contact Innovative.Resilience@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Witham Group raises over £7,000 for charities at annual ball
Local family run business and Royal Warrant Holder, The Witham Group, held its annual charity ball in January and raised a fantastic £7,250 for local and national charities chosen for being close to the hearts of colleagues.
The Lincolnshire-based company, who manufacture lubricants and paints, has been hosting the annual ball for employees, suppliers and customers since 1993 and raises money for charity every year through an auction and raffle.
This year, the money raised has been shared between four fantastic charities:
- Prostate Cancer UK – whose top priority is funding research to stop prostate cancer killing men. They’re investing millions to find better treatments and better tests that can spot fast-growing cancers early, and could be used in a screening programme to save thousands of lives.
- LIVES – LIVES attend to 999 medical emergencies across Lincolnshire, supporting the highly pressured NHS and ambulance service. They will put the money raised towards life saving defibrillators.
- Lincolnshire MS Therapy Centre – A charity supporting people who suffer from the debilitating illness Multiple Sclerosis in Lincolnshire. They offer a variety of treatments, holistic therapies and classes for anyone with a neurological condition. They also offer oxygen therapy which has proved very useful for long covid sufferers.
- Sophies Journey – Sophie’s Journey provides free holidays for children with cancer and their families in Lincolnshire. The charity was set up in memory of a girl called Sophie Robinson who sadly passed away in January 2016 from an aggressive brain tumour. The charity also exists to provide comfort and support to children enduring cancer treatments.
