Work starts on £6m care centre in Scunthorpe
Construction has started on a new multi-purpose short-break care centre in Scunthorpe designed to support local young people who have complex disabilities, and their families, by offering access to opportunities and bespoke support.
Hull-based Hobson & Porter, which operates throughout Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, is delivering the £6million project on behalf of North Lincolnshire Council, via its Construction & Highways Framework.
The development, which is being supported with funding from the Government’s Department for Education (DfE), is being built on the site of a former community wellbeing hub that was demolished earlier this year, approximately one mile from Scunthorpe town centre on Alvingham Road.
The single storey building will include multiple sensory rooms, dining and lounge areas, staff bedrooms, 13 specialist accessible residential bedrooms for children with complex needs, accessible kitchens and bathrooms, a medical room, administrative spaces and family rooms. The centre will also feature gardens and outdoor spaces for staff, residents and their families. Work is due to complete in spring 2023.
In addition to offering care to children with complex needs, young people using the new facility will be able to participate in a wide range of activities that will help them build important life skills. The centre will be the new home of Cygnets, which currently offers these services in the area and was recently rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “With Government support, we are investing millions of pounds of local taxpayers’ money in people supporting our most vulnerable children.
“We know how vital it is to local families that their children have access to this brilliant support here in North Lincolnshire rather than going out of the area. It ensures they can stay safe and connected in their own community.”
Joe Booth, business development director from Hobson & Porter, said: “This is a significant contract for Hobson & Porter and further strengthens our position in the health and social care sector.
“It’s also very rewarding to win another good-sized project through North Lincolnshire Council’s Construction & Highways Framework and follows a £4million MRI project in Grimsby, for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which we won through the same framework and completed last year.
“Seeing work start on this latest project is a big moment for everyone involved, especially because it is such an important project for North Lincolnshire that will make a big difference to children with learning and physical difficulties, or other health needs, as well as their families.”
Scunthorpe town centre transformation officially underway as new park and gardens opened
A new park and gardens in Scunthorpe town centre has been officially opened – the first part of major transformation plans backed by Government cash.
The new park and gardens – complete with ultra-modern stonework, weathered steel and a dramatic green makeover – has transformed the former Church Square part of town.
It will complement the soon-to-be-started revolutionary new business hub being built nearby, and with new trees, grass, plants, fountains and seating areas, the park provides a perfect place to relax while visiting the town.
It is ideally located next to Scunthorpe Central, the visual arts centre, the University Technology College and only a stone’s throw from the town’s shops and facilities.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This fantastic space will be enjoyed by the students at the UTC, the visitors to the amazing visual arts centre and the many people who live and work nearby. It is only just the beginning, however.
“The opening of the square is a landmark moment ahead of the rest of the incredible developments coming into town – this is just the beginning of a major programme which will invigorate and reignite the town centre – offering people many more reasons to be here and supporting the hundreds of independent traders.
“We also plan to rename the area in memory of Queen Elizabeth II – with an application being submitted to Buckingham Palace this week.”
The park was officially opened by Scunthorpe MP Holly Mumby-Croft on Saturday, 24 September 2022 with representatives from the Towns Fund Board in attendance.
The park and gardens, completed by Esh Construction, is part of the Government’s national £3.6bn Towns Fund initiative and forms part of North Lincolnshire Council’s multi-million pound plans to re-invent Scunthorpe town centre.
Holly Mumby-Croft is a member of the Towns Fund Board. She said: “It is a pleasure to open the fantastic new public space and I am certain it will be enjoyed by families for many years to come.
“It has been a bit of journey but its amazing to be able to appreciate it in all its glory – I know a great deal of work has gone into getting hold of the materials and the people to get this over the line.
“The funding for this came from Government when we were deep in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic – showing confidence in the development plans the council had put forward and ensuring the economy was kick-started after the challenges that were presented.”
The modern space is designed to become the heartbeat of town centre communities, hosting public events and major celebrations like the Christmas lights switch on.
Alongside the opening was the popular Discover event that saw the town buzzing with hundreds of families enjoying interactive activities, fascinating science experiments and hands-on entertainment.
The modern space is designed to become the heartbeat of town centre communities, hosting public events and major celebrations like the Christmas lights switch on.
Alongside the opening was the popular Discover event that saw the town buzzing with hundreds of families enjoying interactive activities, fascinating science experiments and hands-on entertainment. Work starts on battery storage plant at former Lincolnshire gas power station
Centrica Business Solutions has revealed plans to convert a decommissioned Lincolnshire gas-fired power station into a battery storage facility capable of supplying the equivalent of a full day’s energy consumption for 11,000 households.
Working in partnership with GE, the company has started construction on a 50MW /100MWh battery storage project at Brigg, which will provide energy storage for the 43 onshore wind farms across Lincolnshire, maximising the potential of every megawatt of green electricity and providing vital resilience for the grid. Storing renewable energy in this way makes it possible to better control the peaks and troughs associated with renewable energy generation – charging the batteries when electricity demand is low and discharging when demand peaks. The battery installed at Brigg represents the largest investment in storage capacity Centrica has made to date. It will have the capacity to store 100MWh of electric energy, equivalent to a full day’s energy consumption for around 15 per cent of the homes in North Lincolnshire.
The battery storage system, supplied by GE, will provide grid support and energy services that will not only provide stability to the grid when there are power disruptions but also ensure renewable energy is utilised optimally, which should free capacity to allow more new renewable generation on the network.
Greg McKenna, Managing Director of Centrica Business Solutions, said: “Investing in low-carbon energy assets that boost the UK’s ability to store more renewable energy is key to getting to Net Zero. Lincolnshire has 242MW of onshore wind power capacity, but when supply outstrips demand some of those green electrons will go to waste if not stored. Working with GE we’ll store green energy produced locally and use it as efficiently as possible.
“As the UK’s power generation capacity becomes more distributed and the share of renewables increases, generation flexibility becomes critical to keep the lights on securely, sustainably, and affordably. Brigg battery storage investment will ensure we can maximise the use of the green energy generated by nearby wind farms – storing when the wind blows and discharging when it doesn’t.”
Prakash Chandra, renewable hybrids Chief Executive Officer at GE, said: “The UK has been one of the earliest and largest players in the battery energy storage space and the installed capacity keeps growing. However, there is a need for more if the country wants to achieve its Net Zero emission target for the power sector by 2035. We are glad to bring another project to life together with Centrica.”
Brigg battery storage is set to be fully operational in late 2023 with plans to run the site for 25 years. The solution implemented will be a 2-hour duration system with GE’s flexible duration architecture that will allow Centrica to modify the duration of the system in response to future grid needs and market opportunities.
Vintage tractors appeal to young too
Vintage tractors aren’t just for the older gentleman, say two young enthusiasts who plan to show their tractors this year.
Alex Kettlewell, 24, from Davenham in Cheshire, has been into vintage tractors since childhood and says it’s a great hobby with a real community spirit. He has a 1979 Ford 3600, which he saved up to buy and renovate when he was 16, and a 1959 Fordson Power Major.
“Vintage tractors have a massive social scene,” says Alex, who clocks up 2,000 miles a year on his Ford taking it to rallies. “Recently we went on the world’s largest vintage tractor road run for Cancer Research, from Liverpool to Whitby and back – it was 600 miles. We met loads of great people, that’s what I love about it.
“Young people think it’s not cool, but the teasing at school never phased me. So many of my old school friends just sit at home playing video games, but I encouraged a new friend into vintage tractors recently.
“The appeal for me is the sense of achievement. What I feel I’ve achieved doing the tractors up is brilliant. I’d say don’t be afraid to have a go – if you save up and buy one, it’s a big daunting project, but it’s also a huge learning experience.”
Love and tractors
Alex, who used to spend every spare moment after school with his grandad, Alan Davies, and his vintage tractor, has even encouraged his girlfriend, Jennie Whittingham, 24 into the hobby.
“When we first met she wasn’t at all interested in tractors,” says Alex. “But as she spent more time with me and her dad who’s also into them, she got the bug. She loves the social side, and she has a 425 Nuffield which her dad built for her from spare parts in his workshop, and a 1954 Fordson E1A New Major.
“We drive our own tractors out together and have fun overtaking each other in fields. We also did the road run together,” he says.
Vintage tractors need more young people
Twenty-one-year-old Katie Birch, from Gainsborough, is another young person with a passion for vintage tractors, also inherited from her grandad. She now has her grandad’s Fergie TED20 which she plans to keep true to how he maintained it, and take it to rallies the rest of the year.
Katie took her Fergie to the Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show at Newark Showground last year, as well as Newark County Show – where it broke down in the ring after over-heating! But she says she’s often the only young woman showing a vintage tractor at such shows.
“It’s a shame, we need more young men and women getting into vintage tractors. You’ve got all this history right in front of you when you have a vintage tractor and if you want to restore it then you’ve got a nice project. They’re also just really fun,” says Katie.
The Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show will be held 5-6 November at Newark Showground. There will be lots of history lovers, as the show celebrates a number of anniversaries:
- 70 Years of the new Fordson Major E1A (Produced 1952 – 1958)
- 75 Years of the David Brown Cropmaster
- 50 Years of Massey Ferguson 1200
- 75 Years of Series II Field Marshall
- A celebration of “Nicholson’s of Newark” machinery
- A celebration of Ruston engines from Lincoln
Phase one in progress at job-creating Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park
Works are well underway on the first phase of a business park which will unlock new jobs for North Kesteven.
Phase one of the 37-acre Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park is expected to complete by August next year, ready for the first businesses to move in and call it home.
Local contractor Smith Construction is carrying out the initial enabling groundworks for plots one and three to be built, which make up this phase along with the civils and spine road. Harlaxton Engineering based in Grantham meanwhile are delivering the site-wide utilities connections for the park.
Within plot one will be nine business units ranging from 1,313 sq ft to 2,066 sq ft benefitting from solar panels, energy efficient insulation and electric vehicle charging points.
Plot three contains six slightly larger grow-on business units ranging from 3,369 sq ft to 5,123 sq ft benefitting from solar panels, an electric vehicle charging shelter and extra efficient insulation.
North Kesteven District Council leader councillor Richard Wright said: “To stand onsite where in just under a year’s time there’s expected to be finished units ready to welcome businesses is just fantastic. It’s a real moment to celebrate as a Council committed to investing in our communities, and something to be proud of together as a District.
“There’s been great levels of interest in Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park so far and our marketing agent Banks Long & Co continues to actively promote it and liaise with potential tenants.
“I look forward to seeing the site develop as we reach the next stages of construction, and of course the ripple effect I hope Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park will have in encouraging carbon and energy-saving features to be embedded into other business parks and commercial developments elsewhere.”
Plan submitted for expanded aviation heritage museum
A new museum could champion the pivotal role of RAF College Cranwell and the history and importance of aviation in North Kesteven and the county, if approved.
A new planning application details an expanded aviation museum with a café and educational space, which if given the go ahead would be developed by North Kesteven District Council to replace its current Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum near North Rauceby.
The application if approved would see the creation of the new museum through changing the use of an existing farm building which sits adjacent onsite.
Previously the Carlight factory and currently an industrial unit, this farm building would be reimagined into a cutting-edge tourism and heritage destination marking the advances in aviation history made at RAF College Cranwell and by its servicemen and women past and present, while further cementing North Kesteven’s aviation heritage in the heart of Lincolnshire.
The building’s total footprint would be 6,700 sq ft, up from the current museum which measures around 1,800 sq ft. In addition to bigger and improved exhibition spaces, the bespoke café and learning and conference facilities, there would also be dedicated retail space and car parking under the plan. These expanded facilities could help create additional jobs and volunteer roles.
An outdoor children’s play area would also be added, along with a new access road off Main Street which will help make the museum more visible from the A17 with submission of this signage to follow at a later date.
The new museum would incorporate use of green energy too and electric vehicle charging points, with the Council’s aim in mind for the District to be carbon neutral by 2030.
North Kesteven District Council leader councillor Richard Wright said: “The planning application if approved would see a much larger space made available to display aviation heritage in North Kesteven.
“The next steps will follow the usual planning application process that includes seeking views from various statutory and local consultees. Should the application need to be put forward for consideration by Planning Committee then I look forward to viewing it in more detail as a committee member.”
Delivery of it would be subject to securing funding opportunities. If the planning application submitted is approved, it would become an ‘oven ready’ project to be implemented when all funding is in place and a contractor secured through procurement for the works. When complete all current exhibits would be moved over from the current museum building and this then handed back to the owner.
As part of the project there would also be volunteer opportunities and chance to help shape the implementation of the new museum if approved.
Remaining visiting restrictions lifted at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Hospitals run by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust have returned to the normal visiting arrangements that were in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visitors no longer need to book an appointment to see their loved ones and two visitors may be at a bedside at a time during a ward’s usual visiting times.
Outpatient services, emergency departments and maternity services have also returned to their pre-COVID arrangements.
Infection prevention and control measures will remain in place across all hospitals, including the use of hand sanitiser on entering and exiting areas and visitors are required to wear a hospital-provided mask in all clinical areas.
Director of Nursing at ULHT, Dr Karen Dunderdale, said: “We understand how valuable visiting is to our patients and their loved ones and we have worked incredibly hard to accommodate this wherever possible during the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that is as safe as can be for our patients, their visitors and our staff.
“We recognise that some wards and departments remain high risk and it may be necessary to introduce local precautions as advised by our Infection Prevention and Control team. Where this is the case, our ward teams will be working directly with patients and their families about updated arrangements to avoid any disappointment on arrival.
“Alternatives to visiting in person, such as video calling, remain in place to make sure everyone can stay connected.”
Anyone with recognised symptoms of COVID-19, or other illnesses such as diarrhoea and vomiting, are asked not to visit hospital until they have been clear of these symptoms for at least 72 hours.
Suspected arson at Woodville Road play park in Boston sees £30,000 of damage
Police are appealing for witnesses after criminal damage was caused to a play area in Boston.
Lincolnshire Police’s Force Control Room received a report of a suspected arson at the play area in Woodville Road, Boston, at around 9.30pm on 16 September.
Around £32,000 worth of damage was caused to the equipment. No arrests have been made.
The park is owned by Boston Borough Council.
Leader of Boston Borough Council, Cllr Paul Skinner, said: “It is extremely disappointing that anyone would commit such a mindless and needless act of vandalism to a popular piece of play equipment which was funded by Boston Big Local and was used by the children in our community.
“These actions have meant that certain parts of the park are now out of use. I urge anyone with any information to come forward and help the police with their investigations.”
Anyone who may have witnessed anyone acting suspiciously or witnessed the incident taking place can call the police on 101. Police would also like to hear from anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage of the area.
Please call 101 and quote reference 22000541413 if you can assist with the investigation.
Local families urged to secure tickets for “bewitching” children’s show
The Drill will host the Olivier Award-nominated adaptation of the best-selling picture book ‘Room on the Broom’ next week for four spellbinding performances.
Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic illustrated story, the performances promise to conjure a quirky and fun-filled experience for kids of all ages.
“Children’s theatre doesn’t come much better than this” – The Stage
Craig Morrow, theatre manager for The Drill, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Tall Stories’ energetic and fun-filled adaptation of this timeless children’s story to Lincoln for what’s set to be four powerhouse performances. “If your little ones enjoy fantasy, magic and puppets on errant adventures, they’ll simply love this immersive take on one of the UK’s best-loved children’s classics. “We have a range of performances suited to busy families, ranging from mid-morning to midday and matinee performances, so no matter what your childcare or work schedule, we hope you’ll hop on board and join us next week!” The plot for this immersive adaptation follows a friendly witch and her cat, who are travelling via broomstick when they pick up some unlikely hitch-hikers: a bounding dog, a shrieking green bird and a dripping wet frog. However, they soon discover that the broomstick is not meant for five… Families from across Lincoln and the surrounding areas are invited to find out in person next week for a performance which Time Out hails as “undeniably charming. [With] winning performances, jaunty songs and some delightful puppetry… [it’s] a sweet little enchantment.” North West End UK added: “The show [is] bewitching and fast-paced throughout, which ensure[s] there [is] never a dull moment, alongside the perfectly struck balance between action and song. Room on the Broom [is] children’s theatre at its finest as it takes a special show to keep an auditorium full of very young children captivated.” Suitable for children ages 3 and up, the 55-minute show kicks off on Wednesday 5th October at 1:30pm, with a further performance at 4:30pm. On Thursday 6th October, showings commence at 10:30am, with a further performance at 1:30pm. Tickets start from just £13 and the show has no intervals, allowing the little ones to become fully immersed in this fantastic adventure. To purchase tickets, or to see the full schedule of all upcoming shows at the revamped community hub and entertainment venue, visit https://www.lincolndrill.co.uk/whats-on/ or download the full brochure.Engineering company hit with fine after man installing bird deterrent spikes fell from roof
An engineering company has been fined after one of its employees fell through a roof while installing bird deterrent spikes.
On 13 May 2020, a man working for Craven and Nicholas (Engineering) Ltd on St John’s Road in Boston, stepped onto a fragile roof surface and fell six metres through it – suffering serious injuries to his head and left arm.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that this task was not part of the normal work for employees of the company and they had not properly risk assessed and planned the work at height.
The lack of planning meant that reasonably practicable and recognised control measures that could have prevented the man falling from height, such as the use of purpose designed access equipment and over-boarding of fragile roof surfaces, had not been implemented.
At Lincoln Magistrates Court on Wednesday 21 September, Craven and Nicholas (Engineering) Ltd of St Johns Road in Boston pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 4(1)(a) and 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. They were fined £14,000 and also ordered to pay £6,541.80 in costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Tim Nicholson said: “Where work at height cannot be avoided, it should be properly planned, adequately supervised and carried out in a safe manner using appropriate equipment.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.
“There is a significant amount of guidance available to help companies protect employees when working at height on the HSE website.”
