A four week programme of refurbishment and resurfacing work at Spalding bus station is due to get underway next week, as part of around £100,000 of investment in the site by South Holland District Council.
The works, which are due to start on Monday (26 September), will include resurfacing across the station, as well as curbing replacement, deep cleaning of shelters and repairs to fencing around the site.
During the refurbishment, which will take place in two phases, the bus station will remain open and operational with services running as normal, although there will be some temporary relocations to allow work to take place.
During the first phase, taking place from Monday 26 September until approximately Friday 7 October, bus services will be relocated to near the existing taxi rank, with five designated bays operational whilst the original bus lanes are resurfaced.
For phase two, which should take place from around Monday 10 until Tuesday 18 October, bus services will return to their usual locations, with the car park and taxi area closed to the public whilst resurfacing takes place. During both phases cars and taxis will temporarily be asked to use the parking area at the other end of the site, near the King’s Road junction.
Councillor Rodney Grocock, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for assets and planning, said: “I am delighted that we are able to make this significant investment in the bus station, helping to make the site a simpler, more attractive and safer place for residents and visitors to use.
“It is vital that we do what we can to ensure that public transport in South Holland is both accessible and desirable for people to use, and that the station is a welcoming place to arrive in the town whether it’s for work, school, or to enjoy some of our fantastic local shops and businesses.”
Signage will be in place throughout the works to help visitors navigate the temporary changes.
Two arrested for racially aggravated assault
Two people have been arrested in connection with a racially aggravated assault, following an incident in Scartho on Saturday (17 September).
Officers were initially called to reports of an alleged attempted abduction of a child at a play area on Louth Road, Scartho, at around 6:00pm on Saturday 17 September. It was reported that a man had attempted to remove a child from a swing, and the man was arrested by officers at 6:10pm.
On investigation, it appeared the man was attempting to help the child get on a swing after the child asked him for assistance. This was further corroborated by the child’s parent, and witnesses in the area. The man has since been released with no further action.
After assisting the child, the man was subject to a racially aggravated assault. Two people have been arrested in connection with this and remain in custody.
Humberside Police said: “We are aware that this incident has attracted a lot of speculation online. We ask people to refrain from posting, reposting or commenting on material that may not reflect the facts, which will be determined as a result of our ongoing investigations. If you witnessed this incident, or have any further information, we would ask that you contact us on 101, quoting log 410 of 17 September.”
Lincolnshire lime supplier snapped up by US firm
Mississippi Lime Company (MLC), an HBM Holdings company headquartered in St. Louis, USA, has acquired Singleton Birch, the independent supplier of lime products based in Lincolnshire.
The acquisition is part of MLC’s strategy to drive growth, innovation and sustainability through geographic expansion and new products and technologies that proactively address customers’ changing needs. Financial terms of the transaction have not been released.
“For more than 115 years, Mississippi Lime has been focused on meeting the evolving needs and priorities of our customers. That focus has served our customers, our employees and our business very well. Our approach is to grow by finding businesses that represent a good cultural fit for us and can complement what we already provide to customers. Singleton Birch is a great fit, and we are delighted to welcome them to the Mississippi Lime family today,” said Paul Hogan, president and CEO of Mississippi Lime Company.
Singleton Birch is based in North Lincolnshire, where it employs more than 150 staff. It will continue to operate under its existing brand and the Singleton Birch management team, led by Chief Executive Officer Richard Stansfield, who will remain in place.
“Singleton Birch has done tremendous work, and we are grateful that Richard and the leadership team will remain in their roles leading the business,” said Hogan. “This acquisition is about growth, innovation and sustainability, and we do not anticipate reducing the number of jobs at Singleton Birch as a result of this transaction.”
“Being part of the Mississippi Lime family will enable us to invest more and power the growth of Singleton Birch,” said Stansfield. “We’re delighted to have a partner for the next stage in our development that shares our culture and values.”
Tickets on sale for Christmas at Belton House with new installations for 2022
Tickets to Christmas at the National Trust’s beautiful Belton House in Lincolnshire are now on sale for its spectacular seasonal trail, which returns later this year.
Running between 24 November 2022 and 1 January 2023 visitors can surround themselves with more than a million twinkling lights, colourful trees and larger than life illuminated installations.
Matthew Findlay, head of UK Trails for Sony Music/Raymond Gubbay Ltd, said: “We were thrilled with the fantastic response from visitors who enjoyed the trail last Christmas and our planning and preparation for 2022 is already well underway. Look out for some new surprises this year.”
The lights are choreographed to a soundtrack of much-loved seasonal music, transforming Belton’s majestic gardens into a winter wonderland. There are picture perfect colour-changing spheres, an immersive triangular tunnel, Luminosi trees and a tunnel of hearts leading to larger-than-life mistletoe – all of which provide plenty of selfie moments around the two-kilometre trail.
Independent street food vendors bring a delicious twist with tasty treats on offer. Complete your walk under the stars with a spiced winter warmer or hot chocolate shared with friends and family. Everyone loves toasting a marshmallow over an open fire and the artisan marshmallow stall gives visitors the chance to warm their hands and enjoy this sweet outdoor tradition.
Christmas at Belton provides a special way to celebrate the festive season with an unmissable outdoor experience. The trail is designed for visitors of all ages and is accessible.
Tickets are selling fast, book now to avoid disappointment: christmasatbelton.seetickets.com
Christmas at Belton is brought to you by Sony Music Limited in partnership with the National Trust. The trail is created by Culture Creative.
Image: Christmas Cathedral by Richard Haughton for Sony Music 2021. Credit Phil Wilkinson.
Heritage project designed to help future generations in Lincolnshire nears completion
Hundreds of years of history and development in 30 Lincolnshire towns has been recorded and saved for future generations following the completion of a four-year project.
The Extensive Urban Survey (EUS) is an Historic England-funded project which has been carried out by Lincolnshire County Council since 2018 and comes to an end in September.
The project began in Holbeach in 2018 to record the archaeology and physical and social development of our historic places in order to safeguard vital information.
The 30 towns involved have also been digitally mapped to help illustrate the growth of each and also to spot patterns. For example, has the town grown around a medieval market centre or along a river? These maps visualise how the towns have changed over time from medieval field-scapes to 1960’s golf courses – everywhere has a history.
Project leader, Nicola Grayson said: “The completion of this project will mean that there is all this knowledge and information available in one place for the benefit of future generations.
“It has been a real privilege to work on this and study Lincolnshire towns which are incredibly varied. There are similarities in development across the towns, but all have a very unique history.”
The EUS has been collating information by looking at what makes Lincolnshire’s towns special, what makes them different, what gives them a sense of place, and how they grew into the places we know today.
The information gathered from thousands of years of development, has been supporting planning considerations, as well as helping those interested in or studying local heritage.
A number of educational resources which help students learn about local heritage have also been produced.
Towns included
(East Lindsey) Alford, Horncastle, Louth, Mablethorpe, Skegness, Spilsby, Wainfleet, Woodhall Spa, Wragby; (North Kesteven) Hykeham, Sleaford; (West Lindsey) Caistor, Gainsborough, Market Rasen; (South Holland) Crowland, Holbeach, Spalding; (North Lincolnshire) Brigg, Kirton in Lindsey, Scunthorpe, Barton upon Humber, Crowle, Epworth; (North East Lincolnshire) Cleethorpes, Grimsby; (Boston) Boston; (South Kesteven) Bourne, Grantham, Stamford, Market Deeping & Deeping St James.
New date announced for Lincoln’s postponed ‘Memory Walk’
In observance of the national mourning period to mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the fundraising walk to raise awareness on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society has been postponed to the following weekend, Sunday 25th September.
The Memory Walk, organised by Lincoln-based behaviour change agency Social Change, was due to be held at Boultham Park on Sunday 18th September, however this date now falls on the bank holiday weekend, one day ahead of the State Funeral. The new date has been decided upon as a mark of respect.
Sponsored by Lincoln City Council and Glenholme Healthcare, the 1.6km Memory Walk is a family-friendly event suitable for all ages and abilities. During the walk, participants will be able to take in the scenic views of Boultham Park, including its large lake and local wildlife, before finishing the afternoon with refreshments and music from the Lincolnshire Hospitals Band. Free car parking will also be available in and around the park.
Lincoln’s Alzheimer’s #MemoryWalk will take place at Boultham Park, South Lincoln, on Sunday 25th September from 2pm onwards. The new date provides time for participants to sign-up to raise funds as part of a nationwide campaign during World Alzheimer’s Month 2022. People can register their interest in attending the event here. Or if you’d like to donate to the event, you can do so here.
How to buy your first home
Buying your first home is likely to be exciting and stressful in equal measure. It provides you with a great sense of freedom and comfort knowing that you are investing in something for the future. However, it can also be hard to navigate as a first-time buyer. Here are some tops tips to help along the way.
Speak to a professional
It can be difficult to know where to start when you begin your house hunting journey. Talking to a professional is a good place to start. Mortgage advisors are able to advise you on how much you will be able to borrow, which will also determine how much you need to save as a deposit. Some advisors charge for their services whilst others are free. Talk to family and friends to see if they have any local recommendations for who to use. The benefit of using a mortgage advisor rather than going directly to banks is a considerable reduction in admin, and many advisors are able to offer additional insight into the housing market, as well as other things you need to consider once you own a home, such as life insurance and income protection.
Establish a budget
Whilst an advisor will be able to tell you how much you can borrow and how much is required for a deposit, there are other costs to consider. Be sure to develop a list of all anticipated costs, including solicitors’ fees, furnishing a home, moving costs, and potential renovation costs. This will give you a truer indication of how much you are likely to spend, and this will allow you to determine whether you are in the position to buy now or whether you need to save for longer.
View as much as possible
Viewing houses is a really exciting part of the house-buying process. It is the most effective way to discover what it is that you really like in a home. It is advisable to view as many properties as possible to really understand what the market has to offer. Start with a search for homes for sale near me to see what is available and go from there. It is also worth trying to view multiple properties on the same day or close together to make direct comparisons between them.
Determine your must-haves
Many of us have a list as long as our arms for what we would like from a future home. Unfortunately, it is often impossible to find a property that satisfies all our wants. Therefore, it is a good idea to make a list of non-negotiables for a home versus things that would simply be a nice extra. This will be totally dependent on your own personal preferences.
Take a step back
It is very easy to get swept up in the house-buying process and become overwhelmed. Try to regularly take a step back and remember the end goal. Try to enjoy the experience as much as possible and speak with those close to you if you’re feeling stressed.
Roman skull found in duck pond
A forensic examination has revealed that a skull found in a duck pond in Louth is from the Roman period.
Officers from Lincolnshire Police and a team of forensics attended the pond at Pear Tree Lane in Fulstow on 16 June following a report of the skull.
The skull was sent off for further examination. The results have now come back.
Detective inspector Richard Nethercott said: “The results tell us that the remains are not modern, and it is likely that this individual was alive during the Roman period, between AD 276 and 342.
“I would like to thank everyone who assisted with the investigation and thank the person who reported this to us.”
The skull will be transferred to a local archaeologist.
Council reaffirms commitment to explore investment opportunities at RAF Scampton
On the same week that a closure parade was held at RAF Scampton to celebrate the rich history of the base, West Lindsey District Council reaffirmed its commitment to the community.
The Red Arrows will be moving from their site in West Lindsey to a new home at RAF Waddington later this year as preparations are under way to close the RAF base.
They put on a spectacular display for guests at the parade with a flypast which also included the Lancaster Bomber, before flying over a number of West Lindsey towns and villages to mark the celebrations.
Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, Councillor Angela Lawrence, and director of Planning and Regeneration, Sally Grindrod-Smith, attended the event at RAF Scampton, which will close at the end of the year.
Councillor Lawrence said: “It was a privilege and an honour to attend the parade and to watch the breath taking displays at RAF Scampton. I enjoyed meeting the personnel who have lived and worked in our district and I am sure it was a day of mixed emotions for many as the base has been here for over a century. Although the closing of Scampton is tinged with sadness we are looking forward to the opportunity for a bright and productive alternative future for the site.”
The council formally submitted an expression of interest in acquiring the site, which could contribute significantly to the ‘Levelling Up’ of economic and social outcomes across West Lindsey, Lincolnshire and beyond.
Should West Lindsey be successful in acquiring the site, the successful delivery partner, which the council is looking to procure, will be required to work with the council and take a lead in managing, master planning and regenerating the site.
Sally Grindrod-Smith added: “As we look to the future, Scampton has been identified in the emerging draft Central Lincolnshire Local Plan as an ‘opportunity’ site. West Lindsey District Council is in the process of procuring a delivery partner to transition Scampton from RAF use to economic driver for Lincolnshire. Whilst we can’t say too much at this early stage we have been clear that we aspire to protect and enhance the site’s heritage and historic importance and ensure community engagement is at the heart of the redevelopment plans.”
The closure of RAF Scampton was announced by the Ministry of Defence in 2018 as part of cost cutting measures.
Driveway cleaning: washers vs brushes
When it comes to keeping your driveway clear of mess and weathering, there’s a lot you can do to address this. Most homeowners’ minds will turn to the universal and ubiquitous solution we’ve all been marketed to with for the past decade or so, the pressure washer. Dan from The Moss Man tells all.
Pressure washers vs brushes
The advantages are many of course, the almost instant results are there for all to see with a pressure wash, but have you thought about the damage it might be doing in the long term? As roof and driveway cleaning specialists, we might have some answers for you.
Water wastage and mess
Pressure washers by their very nature are water intensive and take a lot of effort to really make an impact with, especially when cleaning driveways that are a little larger than normal. A full and thorough job will likely take the average person a few hours, dousing your surfaces with a high volume of water. This is great, as it can take up grime or oil stains that might have attached itself to your paving or bricks for years, but consider the side effects.
Typically a pressure washer throws up all kinds of grit, mud and other messy and unpleasant sludge. Because typically driveways are flat or slightly elevated, there’s a sense of simply moving dirt around when you are trying to make surfaces clean and tidy.
One area that you may have considered complete may become dirty again moments later as debris that you have dislodged simply settles again and becomes part of the mess again. This can lead to even more gallons of water being used to wash away silt-filled water and to make the area seem clear. Moss lichens, mould and algae can also be thrown up and simply make other areas like your garden furniture or your clean car dirty or stained in the process.
Brushing uses a lot less water and once an area has been cleansed, it generally only needs a light hosing afterwards, saving on water bills and the environment in one fell swoop. It also eliminates what can be excessive standing water in other areas of your driveway that can seep into your home or onto gardens.
Driveway cleaning
A pressure washer does an excellent job of cleaning tiles, bricks and driveway materials in general, but there are drawbacks to using this kind of cleaning too. Think about your brickwork, particularly your pointing.
The cement or sand that underpins your patio or driveway is there to maintain leveling, sturdiness and acts as a foundation for everything you have in place. It might not seem much, but having a pressure washer pass over these parts of your driveway, applying the same amount of pressure to those more delicate areas as it does to the grime and dirt is bound to have an effect over time.
Any disturbed sand beneath your driveway will cause imperfections over time and can lead to loose bricks, cracked slabs and an uneven surface. By brushing these with a driveway cleaner instead, you avoid this kind of issue altogether. Brushing just the areas that need cleaning and only touching the joins in between on the surface and with a sideways rather than vertical force means you get more protection and a great job finish.
Finishing is also an issue, there are instances of ‘striping’ being left behind on jobs completed with power washers. The cleaning is only as effective as where the user points it with the stream from the gun. This means you can be left cleaning in narrow lines and missing essential areas due to the less powerful flow being used.
Power washing can also work to blast away surface sediment. This essential element of your patio creates a porous surface area where new problems may start as dirt is attracted to the newly opened pores in the freshly cleaned stone.
Jet washing has its place, but using a patio cleaner that’s designed for the job in hand can mean cleaning and sealing are mutually protected.
