Relocation, relocation, relocation: Start your new life in Yorkshire with Keepmoat

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Homebuyers and relocators who have their sights set on the stunning regions of East Yorkshire, Humberside and South Yorkshire can take advantage of home offers such as EasyMove and Deposit Unlock, to help make for a smooth and easy transition into a new home, thanks to housebuilder Keepmoat. EasyMove As the name suggests, EasyMove*, makes selling your property easy. Keepmoat will manage the sale of your existing home, so you have more time to think about how great your new one is. It’s not only convenient to sell your existing home with Keepmoat’s Easymove scheme, but it also saves you a pretty penny too. How it works couldn’t be easier, as when you reserve your new home with Keepmoat, they’ll work with you to help sell your current property. This includes everything from arranging valuations and agreeing on a selling price, to advertising and marketing, viewings, and surveys – Keepmoat will take all the hard work from you. The housebuilder will even pay the estate agent fees which could save you a small fortune. Say goodbye to your old home and move into your new Keepmoat home to start the next exciting chapter in your life. *T&Cs apply. Remember to express your interest in EasyMove when you reserve your plot. Deposit Unlock Deposit Unlock* is a scheme that has been recently introduced to help all types of buyers purchase a brand-new home with just a 5% deposit. Giving you the freedom to buy, without needing a big deposit or lots of equity in your home. Whether you’re buying your first home or your next one, this could help to make the move much more affordable. Developed by the Home Builders Federation, the home building industry and mortgage lenders, it provides homebuyers with 95% loan-to-value mortgages at competitive rates. Available to both first-time buyers and existing homeowners, it makes buying a new home more affordable, without needing to save for a huge deposit. Deposit Unlock is currently available via selected lenders and on homes within selected developments, including several of Keepmoat’s within East Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Humberside. However, the scheme is expected to be more widely available across the UK soon. To benefit from Deposit Unlock, simply find the perfect home for you at one of Keepmoat’s participating developments and talk to one of the friendly Sales Executives. They’ll be able to offer advice on whether this scheme is right for you. Keepmoat will then supply written confirmation to specified lenders, and once approved you can proceed in reserving your Keepmoat home. *T&Cs apply. Remember to express your interest in Deposit Unlock when your reserve your plot. Find your dream home in Yorkshire Whether you’re a first-time or second-time buyer with plans to move to the area, Keepmoat has a great selection of accessible and beautiful developments at the heart of the county that have been designed to allow you to lay down roots and build a new life. These developments in the East Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Humberside regions are the embodiment of tranquil, rural living, set within already well established and friendly communities, so you can feel right at home. Ideally located to help reduce reliance on cars, all of Keepmoat’s developments are built less than a kilometre from fantastic public transport links. There is also great access to major cycle routes, providing opportunities to keep active. These sites are also complete with ample green, outdoor spaces as well as attractive ponds and lakes, so that you can be surrounded by nature right outside your door. Finding your new dream home can be easy and affordable, so don’t forget to speak to your Keepmoat Sales Executive about the EasyMove or Deposit Unlock schemes when reserving a plot. Warren Wood View, Gainsborough Warren Wood View is set within the stunning semi-rural location of Gainsborough, nestled between Lincoln, Scunthorpe and Bawtry, all just a 30-minute drive away. This exciting development boasts modern and attractive two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, which are ideal for those looking to relocate, or settle down and start a family. With large open spaces, nature walkways, a play area, and a local community centre, Warren Wood View has an inviting, warm community feel. Keepmoat has also pledged funds towards a new primary school on site, which will be just stone’s throw away from your front door. With four showhomes on site to view, The Halstead, The Bamburgh, The Windsor and The Danbury, you’re certain to find the perfect home for your needs. Kingfields Park, Hull Keepmoat’s Kingfields Park site in Hull has just launched its brand-new phase of homes, which include a collection of attractive two-, three- and four-bedroom properties that are all available to reserve now. Located in the sought-after suburb of Kingswood, just north of Hull, this development is ideally located where the city meets the countryside, making it accessible to the city whilst being surrounded by breathtaking open green spaces. With the perfect opportunity to benefit from the EasyMove scheme, you can easily sell your existing home with the help of Keepmoat, and watch your new home be built at the same time. Making your new home your own is easy with a fantastic selection of kitchen finishes and upgrades styled to your taste. Cygnet, Doncaster Nearby in South Yorkshire is the idyllic Cygnet development in Doncaster, that boasts stylish lakeside two-bedroom apartments suitable for first-time buyers looking to branch out. With the Deposit Unlock scheme you could buy your dream home with as little as £9,400. Complete with vast amenities, outdoor facilities, and picturesque views, Keepmoat is also investing to improve the local green space within the vicinity of the site, so that you can feel at one with nature. These contemporary and modern homes are up to 64% more energy efficient than older homes, keeping them easy to manage and affordable to run. With these new build properties being conveniently placed near fantastic public transport links and access roads into Doncaster and beyond, Cygnet at Lakeside is the perfect place to call home.   Image credit: Shaun Flannery/shaunflanneryphotography.com

Lincolnshire health and safety specialists acquired

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PIB Group has acquired health and safety specialists Emprocom, who bring complementary services and expertise to the group’s risk management proposition. Based in Lincolnshire and servicing clients further afield across the East Midlands, Emprocom will form part of the PIB Risk Management division. The two businesses enjoy an existing relationship, which has led to the new collaboration. Carl Gryniewicz will continue in his role as director on completion of the deal, working closely with Adrian Robinson, Managing Director for PIB Risk Management. Adrian Robinson said: “I have deep respect for Carl and his talented team, and I’m absolutely delighted to give them all a warm welcome to PIB Group. Their knowledge, expertise and passion for servicing clients will be a real credit to us. “It’s very exciting to be able to join forces and work together along with our existing colleagues to continue building our market-leading risk management proposition. “The team’s presence in the East Midlands will give an extra boost to our regional footprint and expand our client base, while providing them with access to an even broader range of products and services across our PIB Group family.” Carl Gryniewicz, director for Emprocom, said: “This is an exciting step for Emprocom as we become part of PIB Group. Joining a like-minded organisation with a similar ethos and culture was an important characteristic in selecting a new home for our future. “We were attracted to PIB because of their stability as well as a good alignment in long-term visions, customer focus and pride in achieving true satisfaction in helping clients. We look forward to the many opportunities ahead to leverage the expertise and scale of PIB, and also bringing our complementary skills to the ongoing success of the PIB Risk Management division. “I’d like to say a big thank you to our loyal customer-base for their support, and we look forward to enjoying those relationships for many more years to come.”

Woman arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after incident in Friskney

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A woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an incident in Friskney saw two boys sustain stab wounds. Lincolnshire Police attended a property in Fold Hill, Friskney, following a call at 1.49pm on Tuesday, 29 November reporting a concern for safety. From around 4.30pm yesterday specially-trained officers negotiated with a woman inside the property, and this continued for several hours. Firearms officers were also present at the scene. Officers forced entry into the property shortly after 1am this morning (30 November). Two boys, both aged 10 years old, sustained stab wounds in the incident. Both were taken to hospital, but neither is believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries. A 39-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. She remains in police custody. The road was closed for several hours while officers were at the scene but it has now reopened. Police say there was no wider threat to residents during the incident.

Grimsby’s former Weelsby depot site due to be demolished

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North East Lincolnshire Council has received a £50,000 grant from Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) to deliver initial works on a disused site in Grimsby. The site, on the former Weelsby depot site, off Weelsby Avenue near the crematorium, will be subject to initial groundwork to help prepare it for future development. Work on the brownfield site is likely to entail demolition of the existing buildings, and clearing the site. The groundworks will be commissioned in the coming months, and subject to costs coming within budget, initial clearance and remediation works could start in 2023. Once the groundworks have been completed, this site will likely be issued to the market as a small housing site for approximately 25 houses. Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the Council, said: “I’m really pleased to see our bid for funding for this site backed by Government – for the good of the environment, using brownfield sites has to be our preference where we can. “We continue to work with Homes England on trying to secure the funding for other brownfield sites in the borough.” Once the work is commissioned, local residents will receive further information regarding the works. The project has been developed with the support of the Brownfield Land Release Funding (BLRF2) and the One Public Estate programme.

Works to alleviate flood risk at Hartsholme Country Park now complete

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Works to perform improvement on the dam wall at Hartsholme Country Park are now complete.
These works will increase the potential outflow from the lake, reduce the risk of flooding in high rainfall events and make it safer for staff to maintain the dam. Overall, the works, which were conducted by Cheetham Hill Construction Ltd (CHC), included:
  • Removal of ornate stonework, metal railings and gate at the inlet
  • Removal of the existing concrete slab and steelwork supports that are the current deck to the culverts (which allow the water to run under Skellingthorpe Road)
  • Repair and raising of brickwork walls currently below stonework
  • New concrete deck to be cast and profiling of the footpath
  • New rubbish/debris screen, stop logs and access ramps to be installed
  • New metal railings that match existing to be installed, extending the wall protection by 20metres either side of the inlet
  • Ornate stonework to be reinstalled
As part of the company’s social value contribution to the project, CHC have also made a contribution of £15,000 to Lincoln Community Larder, which will provide 1,500 days of food to 2 adults (£30 2 adults, 3 days) or feed 8 adults for a year. This is in addition to supporting charities local to their head office including The Salvation Army, Air Ambulance, local homeless charities, sports teams and schools. Cllr Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council, said: “These vital works at Hartsholme have futureproofed the park and have helped alleviate any flooding concerns. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our visitors for their patience during these works.”

Property owner prosecuted for failing to maintain Grade II Boston building

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The owner of a listed property in Boston has been prosecuted by Boston Borough Council for failing to carry out proper maintenance of their building.

DCFM Quotas Limited has been ordered by Boston Magistrates courts to pay almost £4,500 in a fine and legal costs. The property at 15 High Street, Boston (also known as 1 Bridge Street) is a Grade II statutorily listed building, due to its historical and architectural importance. It is also located within the Boston Conservation Area that covers the centre of Boston, which is recognised by Historic England as an area of special historical importance. The Council first identified that the building was not being properly maintained following an inspection in September 2019 and the Council requested the owner of the building to undertake the necessary renovations and redecoration of the building. After initial negotiations with the property owner failed to result in improvements being carried out, the Council says it had no alternative but to serve a formal notice to legally require that the necessary works were undertaken to improve the appearance of the property and help preserve it from further decay. The owner failed to comply with the requirements of the legal notice and despite repeated attempts by the Council to secure the renovation of the building, no works were carried out, resulting in the Council taking the owner to Court. On November 18, 2022, a representative of the owner of the building, DCFM Quotas Limited attended Court and pleaded guilty to the offence of failing to comply with the requirements of the legal notice although he had previously pleaded not guilty at an earlier court hearing. The court fined DCFM Quotas Limited £675 and awarded the Council its full legal costs of £3,804, a total of £4,479. Cllr Nigel Welton, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Planning at Boston Borough Council, said: “Boston town centre has lots of historically important buildings, seen by hundreds of people daily as they shop or drive through the town. Therefore, it is vitally important they are properly maintained not only because they are heritage assets, but as part of providing a positive impression for the street scene of the town. “This is a building which was not being properly maintained. Despite repeated attempts by the council to get work started, the property owner failed to do so and the council had no other choice but to take the owner to court. “I am pleased the court found in the Council’s favour. It sends a clear message to other property owners that we will take action if processes to secure the renovation of these important buildings are ignored.” The building is still required to be renovated and the Council will now be seeking that the owner of the property carry out the necessary works so that the building is restored.

“Let your hair down for less” – Rapunzel offers Lincoln’s cheapest panto

Rapunzel – the ‘Tangled’ Panto at The Drill is Lincoln’s cheapest panto this Christmas. A family ticket for two adults and two children is a full £22 cheaper than any other panto in the city, offering all the fun of a fabled family favourite for less. Craig Morrow, theatre manager at The Drill, said: “Despite Grimm Tales of the cost of living, the panto offers everyone a very Hairy Christmas. We’re proud to say that this is Lincoln’s cheapest, most affordable pantomime this year. “This was particularly important to us because we’re proud to be an affordable inclusive venue open to all. We know how tough this winter might be for many families and so although ticket prices are low, the quality is every bit as high as you’d expect from our legendary Christmas pantos; and with a cheap and cheerful pre-show food offer, Christmas at The Drill is a treat you can afford! “Let your hair down for less! We hope that friends and families from all over Lincoln and the region will join us in cheering ‘OH, YES IT IS (cheaper).’” Staged by Jamie Marcus Productions, the family favourite pantomime will launch on Friday 9th December, running through to Monday 2nd January for a total of 51 energetic shows, including schools performances and shows that are socially distanced, signed or relaxed for audiences of different abilities. Sarah Edwards, production assistant & associate producer at Jamie Marcus Productions, said: “Last year, we were absolutely delighted with the reaction and the warm welcome we received from Lincoln audiences as not only the first post-Covid panto, but also the first production at the newly re-opened The Drill. “The show was given such a rapturous response at every performance, which repaid all our hard work and preparation in producing a panto again within the restrictions of social distancing and daily testing for the entire cast and crew. “Panto is a fairy tale brought to life so it’s inherently creative and imaginative, whether you’re thinking about how to write characters that are true to the story yet recognisable to today’s audiences, or designing the sets and costumes and how they’ll work on stage, or which magical special effect will best achieve the ‘wow’ factor. “It’s a wholly collaborative process, and JMP Ltd is fortunate to work with such a talented team of experts in their field who all invest their time and skill in every aspect of the production to make it an experience that audiences will talk about all year round.” Based on the original german folk tale published by Brothers Grimm in 1812 and famously adapted for the Disney animated feature ‘Tangled’, the seasonal pantomime will be full of fun and follicular frolics, including well-known songs, slapstick routines and, of course, a hilarious dame. Back by popular demand, James Campbell is taking on the role of the local tavern owner and baker extraordinaire, ‘Dame Betty Belinda Buttercake.’ James will also be directing the show this year, making this a landmark performance for the theatre veteran who has entertained audiences at The Drill for 10 years. Director and dame, James Campell said: “I’m delighted to be returning to Lincoln for my 10th panto at The Drill. I’m also thrilled to be directing this year as well, taking over from the fabulous Julie Fox. Audiences can expect the usual mix of magical storytelling, fabulous dance routines, great songs, and of course, plenty of laugh-out-loud comedy!” Phoebe Bruerton will play the titular Rapunzel, accompanied by Scott Goncalves as the smouldering Finn Riley. Craig Garner and Jordan Shield will star as The Scabbington Twins, who play Mother Gothel’s (Emma Clare) hapless henchman. Audiences may recognise Craig from his performances in blockbuster films as ‘Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows,’ ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ ‘Pokemon,’ and ‘Snow White & The Huntsman.’ Tickets are available from just £17 for wheelchair users and children under 16 or £21 for adults. Family tickets (two adults and two children) start at just £68 at regular performances, with the £8 discount being applied automatically upon checkout. Groups of 10+ also benefit from a 10% discount when booked together. For those looking to book a BSL-interpreted showing, please book for Saturday 10th December at 2pm or Tuesday 27th December at 2pm. The latter will also be a relaxed performance, suited to (but not limited to) people with autistic spectrum conditions, people living with dementia, parents with very young children on their first trip to the theatre, anyone with sensory and communication disorders, or people with learning disabilities. For those looking for something to nibble before (and during) the show this year, The Drill is offering soup bowls and grab-’n’-go hot festive rolls, as well as delicious festive treat boxes filled with mince pies, cookies and cakes, on top of the usual mix of chocolates, sweets and ice cream.   Image credit: Roddy McMillan

Lights, sound and creativity – Festive Fabuloso tour starts this Friday

Excitement is building for Festive Fabuloso, a free touring community celebration of lights, sounds and creativity, which kicks off this Friday in Horncastle.

The cultural experience is coming to a market town near you in the run up to Christmas. East Lindsey District Council successfully applied for Arts Council England funding earlier in the month and were awarded the full £30,000 to deliver the events for residents and visitors. Festive Fabuloso will see Alford, Horncastle, Louth, Spilsby and Wainfleet, which are all part of the Council’s Vital and Viable programme, brought to life with illuminations, street theatre and some crazy, creative, interactive installations! Around 350 school children have also been involved too, following a series of workshops where they made their own creative art pieces to be displayed during Festive Fabuloso. Each Festive Fabuloso will bring various exciting installations, including:
  • Carousel Fabuloso – new interactive artwork featuring local children’s designs
  • Digital Carousel – Digital version featuring loads more local designs
  • Fabuloso Organ – crazy sound machine
  • Silent Disco – a chance to dance in the street
  • Digital Graffiti – paint pictures onto a building in the marketplace (Wainfleet excluded)
  • Shadow Stage – make your own stories with 2D puppets and shapes (Wainfleet excluded)
  • Performances from a range of different artists
The fun starts in Horncastle Market Place this Friday, December 2 from 4pm-8pm where there will also be performances from Zeph, a Blues guitarist and singer; Earth Bound Misfits, street entertainers; Dance 10, a local community dance group and Horncastle Community Choir. Festive Fabuloso will then move to Wainfleet Market Place on Saturday, December 3 from 12noon-6pm and will include performances from Zeph and the Earth Bound Misfits. Festive Fabuloso will be part of the Wainfleet Christmas Market. Louth will host Festive Fabuloso in the Cornmarket on Thursday, December 8 from 4pm-8pm with performances from the Earth Bound Misfits, Zeph, the community choir Sing Out Louth and Studio 2000, a community youth dance group. Businesses in Louth will also be open for people to do some late night shopping. The entertainment continues on Friday, December 9 in Alford Market Place from 4pm-8pm where there will be performances from the Earth Bound Misfits and Zeph. The festive finale will be in Spilsby Market Place on Saturday, December 10 from 4pm-8pm for even more entertainment from Zeph and the Earth Bound Misfits as well as Alford Morris. Whether you live locally or are visiting from further afield, you can come and enjoy Festive Fabuloso for free! Festive Fabuloso is part of East Lindsey District Council’s Vital and Viable project, which aims to work with local communities in Alford, Horncastle, Louth, Spilsby, and Wainfleet to protect, promote and preserve the towns by keeping them thriving, clean centres which are attractive places to live, work and visit. Bringing new touring events to the district is a part of the council’s cultural strategy – a new framework that supports investment opportunities and employment in cultural sectors. The approved Framework supports the development of cultural provision through town centres, heritage and natural assets as well as festivals and events across East Lindsey. The strategy sets out an ambitious vision for culture, connecting heritage and the visitor economy while recognising the health and wellbeing benefits culture brings to people’s lives.

Grants awarded to local creatives to develop new ideas

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A total of more than £61,000 has been awarded to 13 local creative individuals and organisations to help them test and develop ambitious and innovative ideas which can then be upscaled in the future. The “Creative Ambition Pilot” grants have been made available as part of the Grimsby Creates programme, with up to 100% funding available following an application process. Over the next six months, the programme will provide seed funding to encourage the development of new partnerships. It is anticipated that the outcome of the initial scoping work will be funding applications to organisations such as Arts Council England to deliver projects of scale. Creative individuals and organisations receiving funding include artistic collaborations, children’s theatre, local history and a pilot comedy festival. Two examples of the funding received are:
  • Grimsby-based Red Herring Games has received a grant to do the research and development work on a free training programme to help people develop their creative writing skills. Jo Smedley from the company explained: “We’re planning to link up with other local people, existing authors and organisations to build a creative writing project inspired by North East Lincolnshire as a place, with the ultimate aim of a published work. We want to mentor and foster creative writers in the local area, build local relationships with institutes and authors, and develop new writers’ knowledge and skills.”
  • Meanwhile, Gary Swan has received a grant to develop the concept for a new music festival for North East Lincolnshire. “I want to join the dots together in terms of what could be provided, how it could work, and how we could put on a multi-stage and venue festival to showcase the sound of North East Lincolnshire. I want people to be inspired to pick up an instrument, to take part and promote the great culture we have here.”
Cllr Tom Furneaux, Cabinet member for culture, said: “This fund will help provide resource for creative people and organisations with capacity to consider ambitious projects which build on the successes of the Grimsby Creates programme and Heritage Starter Fund. “North East Lincolnshire’s cultural scene is growing rapidly which can be seen in events like Festival of the Sea, murals from Creative Start, outdoor concerts at the Meridian Showground and visual arts in Grimsby Minster. I’m really looking forward to seeing how local organisations and individuals can make the most of the grants, and create a collaborative working relationship between arts, heritage and culture practitioners in our borough.” The full list of successful projects is:
  • East Marsh United (Josie Moon): Developing Grassroots Community Creativity in the East Marsh of Grimsby
  • Susan Baker: Walking Past. A collaboration of artists and creatives marking making 2D and 3D work and using storytelling and digital media to create access to, and nurture an interest in art and heritage
  • Red Herring Games (Jo Smedley) : Safe Harbour Planning and Pilot. To support unpublished writers
  • Gary Swan: Revival Festival. Exploring development of music festival
  • Music in Mind CI0 (John McHugh): Grimsby Voice ‘Explore’. Exploring local dialect in schools with music
  • Annabel McCourt: Catch Me if you Can. Development of major project exploring invisible and odourless gases working with South Humber Bank industries
  • Breakwater Theatre (Andy Evans): Kasbah Theatre – a viability week. Testing whether a children’s theatre could be established
  • Frances Hodson: Stories from the Collection. Exploring ways to share ephemera, social history and costume from NELC collection
  • Emma Lawn: Coritani Heritage Project Development. Developing a music and storytelling performance about the Coritani (Corieltauvi) tribe
  • Gill Hobson: New Lights. Developing new collaborative light based visual art project
  • Lauren Smith: NEL Comedy Festival. Researching the development of a new comedy festival
  • Lowercase Theatre (Lisa February and Matt Gray): Research and Development for Lowercase Theatre’s First Piece of Theatre
  • Lynsey Powles: Abandoned. Exploring using abandoned spaces for temporary exhibitions
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport funds the Cultural Development Fund, which is administered by Arts Council England.

David Medlock to be honoured with Freedom of the Borough

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David Medlock, chair of the Medlock Trust, is to be awarded Honorary Freedom of the Borough in recognition of the continuing commitment and support given to the community by the Medlock Charitable Trust.

The honour from Boston Borough Council has been accepted following a unanimous vote from all sides of the Chamber at Monday night’s Full Council meeting. David is “extremely touched by the gesture” after being nominated by Councillor Anne Dorrian. A formal ceremony for 2023 will now be arranged to officially present him with the honour. The Medlock Charitable Trust is a grant-making organisation focused on supporting all sectors of the community and alleviating deprivation in the UK. With a primary focus on funding projects in Somerset and Boston, the trust works with charities supporting the young, elderly, disabled and vulnerable through education, healthcare, housing, sport, arts and culture, environmental initiatives, community services and training and employment schemes. David said: “The Medlock Charitable trust have been working in Boston since 1986 and by the end of this financial year the trust will have donated £50m to various good causes in this country and abroad. For a boy born and raised in Fenside and educated at Boston Grammar School not an insignificant achievement. “I am proud of my father, his brothers and sisters and it is a huge pleasure for me to continue our work with the various projects in Boston. This has been made possible by the very many warm and generous Bostonians who have given freely of their time to helping others. Our contributions are of no value without those working on the frontline. “To be given the Freedom of the Borough is a great honour for both I and my family and I trust we can continue to enjoy many more visits to this great town.” David joins Professor Jonathan Van Tam who was awarded the Freedom of the Borough in 2021 and Alison Fairman in 2016 and many others going back to 1901.