East Lindsey announces investment of more than £7.8m in district

Stuart Pearcey
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East Lindsey announces investment of more than £7.8m in district

East Lindsey District Council has this week announced investment of more than £7.8m in the district, as part of a transformational fund designed to create welcoming places, support events, attract visitors, develop local communities and enable business growth.

The East Lindsey Investment Fund, approved by councillors in September, created a £10m budget, with the council’s Executive Board this week approving the award of £7.83m for use across the Fund’s four distinct target areas of community development, promoting the visitor economy, business support and to boost the attractiveness of the area. Among the major awards was a new £1million ‘Pride in Place’ community grant fund scheme. This will support community groups, parish and village halls, voluntary and third sector organisations in leading and delivering local projects and initiatives that help improve community safety, deliver environmental benefits, improve local transport and connectivity, enhance local amenities and facilities or deliver events and activities that increase footfall and pride in the area.
  • Further allocations were also given:
  • £1.8million for tourism related activities
  • £1.25million for place and asset improvements
  • £650k for cultural events and arts engagement
  • £250k for heritage projects, including support for the development of vibrant markets across the district, public car park enhancement and resurfacing works in popular destination such as Sutton on Sea, a wayfinding strategy to include new signage, lighting and street furniture, works to enable shop front improvements and the creation of a business case for new visitor facilities and infrastructure that promote the Lincolnshire Wolds as a tourist destination.
One of the major tourism-based allocations is to The Woodland Trust to buyHarrison Woodlands near Louth. This ancient 483-acre site is currently badly damaged and closed to the public, with the Trust committing to removing invasive and diseased trees, restoring the woods and opening them to the public for the enjoyment of East Lindsey residents and visitors, meeting the council’s investment ambitions to further develop its market towns and stunning countryside, including the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as a leading tourist destination. A selection of the projects receiving community development funding allocation included a continuation of a successful crowdfunding platform, support for local community hubs, the creation of new mental health focused town maps and programmes around digital inclusion and teaching basic budget skills. Business support funding included the hosting of networking and other business events, a strategy to increase access to skills and jobs with local education and training providers, sector specific grants for investment in green technology and the delivery of new employment sites in the district. Councillor Craig Leyland said: “I am delighted that we can make this incredible investment into East Lindsey and its residents, businesses and visitors, supporting an array of fantastic projects and initiatives across an unprecedented number of themes and priorities. “We are in a fortunate position, that very few councils are, to support these bold investment opportunities and bring about the changes that people want to see. The awarding of these funds is just the start though, and I am looking forward to continuing to work with our local communities in the months and years ahead to make these ideas a reality, and to establish East Lindsey as a wonderful tourist destination, s flourishing economy and, most importantly, a place to call home.”

Lincolnshire will still go to the polls on May 1st

Stuart Pearcey
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Lincolnshire will still go to the polls on May 1st
Lincolnshire County Council intends to go ahead with elections on My 1st in spite of other authorities postponing them in the wake of impending devolution. Council leader Martin Hill says they’ll run alongside elections for a new Mayor, adding: ““We have been planning for our elections to go ahead as usual, and it is not a surprise that we are not included in the list of councils that are postponing theirs. “We expressed an interest in Greater Lincolnshire being part of the first wave of local government reorganisation, and had said we would be open to deferring our elections if needed. We did not request specifically to defer our elections.
“Although it’s disappointing that we won’t be in the first phase of reorganisation, we will keep pushing for more straightforward local government across Greater Lincolnshire. I believe we must look at what is best for residents and what will offer the best value for money, and develop proposals that deliver this.”

Brigg’s The Rabbit Hole named Regional Finalist for Independent Bookshop of the Year

Tess Egginton
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Brigg’s The Rabbit Hole named Regional Finalist for Independent Bookshop of the Year
Independent Brigg bookshop The Rabbit Hole has made it to the Regional Finalist Stage for The Independent Bookshop of the Year award at the 2025 British Book Awards. 72 independent bookshops are listed as finalists across nine different regions and countries, with judges seeking out the best independent bookshops across the UK and Ireland, with a keen interest in what independent bookshops do in their local community and how this impacts their bookselling and range. The Regional and Country Winners of the Independent Bookshop of the Year award will be announced on Tuesday 11th March, whilst the overall winner will be revealed during The British Book Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House London on Monday 12th May 2025.

The Rabbit Hole is a friendly, community-focused Indie Book Shop in Brigg, with a little bit of something for everyone.

The shop is especially passionate about books for children, with a dedicated, large and varied selection of fiction and non-fiction books for kids. However, you will also find a selection of books for older children, YA fiction, grown up fiction, and an eclectic selection of non-fiction. 

​The Rabbit Hole additionally hosts author/illustrator events and workshops, as well as being behind the No Limits Festival, featuring an action-packed programme brimming with authors, inspiring illustrators and live performances, bringing the magic of books and creative arts to life.

Turn out the potting shed, urges Heritage Seed Library

Stuart Pearcey
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Turn out the potting shed, urges Heritage Seed Library
Do you have Ray’s butter bean, Grandpa’s Cress or Mrs Taylor’s Red Pear hiding in your garden shed or greenhouse? A charity is calling on gardeners to find and share their unusual edible heirlooms in a special #SeedSearch.
If you’ve got an intriguing heritage seed that’s been passed down the generations, or a little-known vegetable variety that you can’t buy in the shops – the Heritage Seed Library wants to know about them.
The Library, part of sustainable gardening charity Garden Organic, is calling on gardeners in central England to search their veg plots, sheds, local libraries and community archives to find and share special heritage seeds and stories – to safeguard them for the future.
The #SeedSearch is part of a two-year project – ‘Sowing your Seeds: Heritage Crops for a Resilient Future’ – supported with a grant of almost  £175,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Catrina Fenton, head of the Heritage Seed Library, said: “With an increasingly unpredictable climate and the loss of both wild and cultivated biodiversity, this important project will help us share knowledge of local and heirloom crops growing in vegetable plots across the Midlands.
“We’re incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and for National Lottery players for making this project possible. In our lifetime, we’ve lost many hundreds of vegetable varieties, grown for generations by families and communities. The Heritage Seed Library addresses this by maintaining a living collection of vegetables, regularly sown and grown to maximise adaptability and viability.
“Working in partnership with community and individual growers, this vital project will help us share knowledge of heritage crops, many of which will have been selected and bred locally for their special characteristics and resilience.
“We’d like to learn more about under-represented plants that are thriving locally, as well as finding out and sharing the stories of the people behind them, including their culinary and cultural significance.”

Horncastle Powerlifters push fundraising to limit for LNAA

Tess Egginton
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Horncastle Powerlifters push fundraising to limit for LNAA
The Horncastle Powerlifting Club really know how to push their fundraising to the max! They racked up an amazing £300 for the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance with a powerlifting competition, pushing all their members to the limit for an incredible cause. LNAA Community Fundraiser, Caroline Barnes went along to meet the team to give thanks for all their efforts. She said: “The highly skilled doctors, paramedics and pilots of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance help people across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, involved in life-threatening incidents every single day. “LNAA is one of the UK’s leading Helicopter Emergency Service charities, bringing the equivalent of a hospital emergency department to patients at the scene, giving those with the most severe injuries and medical conditions the very best chance of survival when minutes matter.” It is the generosity and goodwill of supporters throughout the area that funds the £13 million needed to keep the air ambulance in the skies and the fleet of critical care cars on the road 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. For more details on how to support Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance visit: www.ambucopter.org.uk

Get ready for two unforgettable nights of music

Tess Egginton
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Get ready for two unforgettable nights of music
Once again, Live Promotions are bringing fun nights full of music to historic Lincolnshire landmarks, with discounted advance entry tickets available now. Lose yourself by reliving your favourite Ibiza anthems with Ellie Sax & friends at Lincoln Castle this July, then in August don’t miss an epic night full of the greatest tribute acts at the stunning Grimsthorpe Castle. Rewired Festival is set to light up Grimsthorpe Castle on Saturday 16th August 2025, bringing an electrifying line-up of the UK’s best tribute acts to the iconic venue. See all the hits from legendary bands like Oasis, ABBA, Queen, Madness, Blur, Steps, and Arctic Monkeys. Ministry of Sound Ibiza Anthems with Ellie Sax & Friends is the brand-new live show, from the world’s biggest dance music brand. Visit Lincoln Castle on Saturday 26th July for this ultimate party night! Book your discounted advance entry for both shows at www.rewiredtributefestival.co.uk and www.livepromotions.co.uk/ministry-of-sound.

Bold new outdoor art installation coming to Burghley in 2025

Tess Egginton
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Bold new outdoor art installation coming to Burghley in 2025
The historic gardens of Burghley House are set to be transformed this spring and summer by Botanic Tapestry, an exciting outdoor art installation created by artist duo Graphic Rewilding. This innovative exhibition features a series of large-scale botanical flags that celebrate the harmony between art, nature, and history, bringing a bold new vision to Burghley’s stunning grounds. Each design in this captivating series draws inspiration from the beauty of Burghley’s gardens as well as the intricate floral depictions found in the still lifes, marquetry, ceramics, and textiles in Burghley’s Collections. Graphic Rewilding have offered their own artistic interpretation, weaving nature’s beauty into contemporary art. Flowers, insects, butterflies, and foliage come to life, with dynamic patterns and colours reflecting the elegance and energy of Burghley’s thriving landscape and rich artistic heritage. More than just a visual statement, Botanic Tapestry highlights the deep connection between nature and well-being. This unique art experience invites you to pause, reflect, and immerse yourself in the landscape, fostering a renewed appreciation for the natural world around us. Botanic Tapestry will unfold in two stages, offering visitors fresh perspectives throughout the year. From 15 March to 21 April 2025, the flags will form a grand processional route through Burghley’s South Gardens set against the dramatic south façade of Burghley House. With the South Gardens open for just a few weeks each year, this exhibition presents a rare opportunity to explore this exclusive setting while engaging with art in nature. The installation will then transition to Burghley’s Sculpture Garden for the summer season, running from 26 April 2025. Here, it will be reimagined along the picturesque banks of Burghley’s Lake and Graphic Rewilding will expand the exhibition with additional artworks.
A CGI image of the upcoming art installation
Graphic Rewilding’s co-founders Lee Baker and Catherine Borowski are on a mission to reconnect people to the natural world through art to foster positive mental well-being. The artists are now working across the globe, with artworks unveiled in China in 2024 and new works across the US being launched later this year. Botanic Tapestry at Burghley represents their largest and most ambitious UK project to date. Lee Baker from Graphic Rewilding describes the inspiration behind the project: “From the lush wildflower meadows and diverse ecosystems, to the intricate still life paintings, textiles and Chinese enamelled porcelain housed in Burghley Collections, the extraordinary beauty of the art, nature and heritage has been a seemingly endless source of inspiration for our latest installation.” Miranda Rock, Executive Chair, Burghley House Preservation Trust, said: “The flags designed by Graphic Rewilding will bring a playful new layer of interpretation to the garden. Both dramatic and colourful – we’re excited for Burghley’s visitors to see how they enliven the surrounding landscape.” 

Lincolnshire trailer firm headed by three sisters celebrates 60th anniversary

Tess Egginton
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Lincolnshire trailer firm headed by three sisters celebrates 60th anniversary
One of the oldest specialist trailer businesses in the UK that counts politicians and TV celebrities among its clients is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Scott Trailers is run by three sisters from the family firm’s base in Walcott, Lincolnshire. The firm was founded in 1965 by Bevis Scott and his wife Jean, and their three daughters Claire Scott, Michelle Harper and Kay Scott are now directors of the business. Adding to the family ties is Michelle’s husband Chris Harper who works in the workshop with their son Jack Harper. Meanwhile, Kay’s two children, Richard and Katie, both work part-time at the firm. With British politician Douglas Hogg and TV presenter/garden designer Alan Mason among its former celebrity clientele, as well as current young TV personality and farming protégé Joe Trofer-Cook, the firm remains one of the most successful and recognised dealers in the country. It is hugely proud of its relationship with Lincolnshire-based Dyson Farming, owned by inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist James Dyson, for which it regularly supplies Ifor Williams trailers. With dad Bevis still keeping a close eye on the running of the business, Claire Scott said the fact the firm is such a well-respected family-run operation is a major factor in the success of the company over six decades. She said: “I do think us being a family firm plays a big part because you really are a family, so you try your hardest to help the company succeed. “As a family we are all in it together, you don’t want to let each other down. “Dad is 86 and Dad and Mum live in the yard so they still drop into the business every day to say hello and chat to customers, he likes to talk to them. “We are looking forward to the future, where we will be continuing to offer the level of service we have offered over the past 60 years.”

Lincoln Castle gets world’s only display of three historic legal documents

Stuart Pearcey
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Lincoln Castle gets world’s only display of three historic legal documents

Lincoln Castle has become the only place in the world where it’s possible to see, side by side, three of the most important documents in British legal history.

To celebrate the 800th anniversary of the 1225 Charter of the Forest, visitors are invited to see the 1225 charter, the 1215 Magna Carta and 1217 Forest Charter. The legendary Magna Carta declared that kings had to act within the rule of law, its equally important companion document, the Charter of the Forest, reclaimed land for use by ordinary people. Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, above, executive councillor for culture at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The legacy of Magna Carta, as a symbol of liberty and the rule of law, is well known. Less so, the Charter of the Forest, which, in re-establishing the rights of ordinary people to access swathes of common land, became of one of the earliest examples of the establishment of fundamental rights, privileges and economic protection for freemen. “I am proud that Lincoln Castle is the only place in the world where these international icons of law and fundamental human rights can be seen side by side. I hope that people take this fantastic opportunity to see them.” The three documents are on display until 1 June 2025 in the David P J Ross Magna Carta Vault.

Work starts on one of Grimsby’s biggest single investments

Tess Egginton
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0
Work starts on one of Grimsby’s biggest single investments
Work has started on site on one of the biggest single investments in Grimsby town centre’s history, the Freshney Place leisure scheme and associated new food hall and complementary market. National construction company GMI Construction Group will lead the build of the leisure scheme, having worked on similar projects in other towns and cities across the UK. Ed Weston, GMI’s Commercial Director, said: “We are proud to be part of this transformative project that will breathe new life into the town centre. Our expertise in delivering both urban regeneration projects and high-quality mixed-use developments will ensure that Freshney Place becomes a vibrant destination for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.” Amanda Austin, Centre Director, Freshney Place, said: “This is a major milestone for Freshney Place and the wider Grimsby town centre. The start of construction marks the beginning of an exciting transformation as we develop a fantastic new offering. “Freshney Place has served the community for nearly 50 years, and as work gets underway we can be confident it will remain a popular destination for the people of Grimsby into the future. “We look forward to sharing progress as the works continue, and want to reassure our customers that it will be business as usual throughout the development phase.” North East Lincolnshire Council leader Philip Jackson said: “We promised to get the main work started early in 2025, and that’s what’s happening. We’re on a hugely ambitious journey, with significant investment of public funds across our towns and borough. We’re investing in one of the largest schemes this council has ever invested in. We believe this is right for the town. “Our Freshney Place regeneration scheme is, in my firm belief, the most important regeneration project we have seen in North East Lincolnshire. It is key to the future of our town centre – underpinning the other regeneration taking place as well as securing the future of Freshney Place and the 1,700 local jobs it supports.” Following initial works within Top Town Market last week as soon as it closed, the focus now is to complete an internal strip out of the building, including mechanical and electrical fittings as well as asbestos removal. This will be followed with the demolition of the market building in the summer. The external demolition of the former BHS building will start in early March. The hoardings are up to make sure that there’s a safe working environment for all those on site. Hoardings will be put up in Victoria Street, from Devonshire House to the former House of Fraser building, signalling the start of the main works. Flottergate Mall entrance to Freshney Place has also been closed off. The main entrances to Freshney Place at Riverhead Square and Brewery Street remain open as normal. Additionally, the market roof car park is to be closed off from Monday 17 February.
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