Owner fined for failing to maintain historic Boston property
The owner of a listed building has been prosecuted by Boston Borough Council after failing to carry out essential maintenance on the historic property, following warnings and a legal notice.
The English Heritage listed property, located at 65A-67 Wide Bargate in Boston, had fallen into a state of disrepair that caused concerns for its long-term safety and turned it into an eyesore in the local area.
Contact was made by the council to the building’s owner in December 2023, asking for necessary improvements to be made to safeguard the building and enhance its appearance.
No works were undertaken, and in June 2024 the council issued a legal notice under section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act, specifying the work that was considered necessary and setting a timescale for it to be completed by October of that year.
Despite this formal notice, no works were undertaken, and the owner failed to engage further with the council, leading to the need for legal action to be taken.
The case was heard at Boston Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 25 March, where the owner was found guilty in her absence and imposed a fine of £660, along with a victim surcharge of £264 and an award of £350 in costs to the council, making a total amount payable of £1,274.
The owner of the property is also still required to carry out the necessary renovations to the property, with the council able to take further legal action if this does not occur.
A Boston Borough Council spokesperson said: “Boston’s historic buildings form a key part of the town’s character, and we are committed to doing everything within our power to ensure they are maintained and managed in a way that preserves them and prevents them from becoming a blight on the community.
“Our planning enforcement team has worked over a prolonged period to engage with this property owner to make sure the required works were carried out, but unfortunately were left with no choice but to pursue legal proceedings to see action taken.
“We are pleased to see the court find in the council’s favour, and hope that these important renovations will now get underway to bring this listed property back to the state it should be.”
Image: Boston, Lincolnshire – credit: Stock.adobe.com/Tony
Scunthorpe school expands to meet demand
A new nursery is to be introduced at Priory Lane Community School in Scunthorpe to meet increasing demand for funded early years education, for three-and four-year-olds.
North Lincolnshire Council has approved plans to accommodate up to 15 (full time equivalent) places for nursery aged children within its existing foundation class, ensuring a smooth transition from nursery to reception.
Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for children, families and communities, said: “This is fantastic news for local families, and I look forward to more children getting the opportunity of the best possible start in their education.
“Expanding nursery places means more children will have access to high-quality early learning, helping to build strong foundations for their future success and is something that I am very pleased to support.
“Most importantly, this expansion will give more children the opportunity to develop essential early learning skills, preparing them for a smooth and confident transition into primary education within their own community.”
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/highwaystarz
An April full of activities as Burghley bursts with life and excitement
Whether it’s family adventures at Hide & Secrets, an Easter Sunday Treasure Hunt, exploring 500 years of history inside the house, or discovering outdoor art that celebrates nature & well-being, Burghley is bursting with life and excitement inside and out, with something for everyone to enjoy this month.
Hide & Secrets Adventure Play
Open daily, from 10am-5pm, an Easter mission awaits for woodland explorers and secret spies at Burghley’s Hide & Secrets Adventure Play. Pick up a free Spymaster’s Guide on arrival and take on special spy missions across fun-packed play zones, woodland trails and The Hidden Towers.
Easter Egg Treasure Hunt
On 20 April (10am-5pm), one of Burghley’s most popular events of the year returns. On Easter Sunday hunt for hidden clues throughout the Sculpture Garden, solve the puzzle, and claim a delicious chocolate egg from Burghley’s Easter Bunny.
Craft Workshops
From 7-11 and 14-17 April (12pm-3.30pm), join Easter-themed Craft Workshops, where you’ll be guided step by step in crafting your own Easter creation.
Beastly Boring Tours
On 7-10, 12, and 14-17 April (9.30am-10.30am), enjoy history with a twist. These engaging, costume-guided tours bring Burghley’s stories to life for younger visitors. Discover quirky, curious and surprising tales from the past 500 years.
Family Friendly Food
Whether you’re after a quick bite or a relaxed lunch, there’s something for everyone. The Muddy Mole, at the heart of Adventure Play, serves takeaway lunch boxes and drinks ideal for families on the go. For something more leisurely, the Garden Cafe offers light lunches and snacks, while the Orangery Restaurant features a seasonal menu with plenty of tasty options for children.
And Amo La Pizza is back for Easter, from 5-18 April (11am-4pm, 2pm on Fridays), serving at Hide & Secrets Adventure Play. Renowned for their artisan wood-fired pizzas, Amo La Pizza are a Burghley favourite, back serving from their converted horsebox.
Botanic Tapestry: ‘An Artistic Bridge to Nature’
A vibrant display of botanical flags, inspired by Burghley’s historic collections and flourishing gardens, is at South Gardens until 21 April (closed on 11 April) and at the Sculpture Garden from 26 April, exploring the connection between art, nature, and history. Designed to uplift and inspire, it’s a celebration of creativity and wellbeing in a beautiful setting.
South Gardens Spring Opening
Open daily until 21 April (closed on 11 April), from 10am-5pm, the seasonal displays in the South Gardens never fail to disappoint. Stroll through sweeping displays of spring bulbs and vibrant colour, all framed by views across the Parkland, Lake and beyond.
Visit Burghley House
Open daily from 10.30am-4.30pm (closed on Fridays), step inside one of the grandest houses in England; a magical home of magnificent State Rooms, awe-inspiring artworks, priceless treasures and centuries of stories.
Treasury Exhibition: ‘Flowers in Art’
Open daily from 10.30am-4.30pm (closed on Fridays), Flowers in Art invites you to explore a beautiful collection of books, woodwork, porcelain, and ceramics, all featuring intricate floral details through marquetry, inlay, and weaving.
Churches Festival set to welcome visitors in West Lindsey
West Lindsey’s 2025 Churches Festival will celebrate the rich architecture and heritage, tranquillity and spirituality, of the area’s churches.
Paul Howitt-Cowan, one of the organisers of the festival, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming visitors from far and wide to our beautiful county. One hundred churches will be opening their doors to visitors during two weekends in May and we are even including a few neighbouring churches across the border in North Lincolnshire as well!”
On 10th & 11th May churches will fling open their doors in the west of West Lindsey. Tower tours at St Andrew’s, Kirton in Lindsey, a family friendly ‘mouse hunt’ at St Genewys, Scotton, and Viking Graffiti at the cruciform Anglo-Saxon Minster church of St Mary at Stow, are amongst the activities on offer.
Travel across the Lincolnshire border to Epworth, birthplace of Methodism, to visit the Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, built as a lasting memorial to John Wesley, considered the father of Methodism and his brother Charles, composer of over 6,500 hymns.
Highlights during week two, on 17th & 18th May, in the east of West Lindsey, include ‘Value it, Flog it’ at St Edmund’s, Riby, where you can receive expert advice on your treasured items. St Peter and St Paul, Middle Rasen enjoy ‘Holiday Memories’, Holy Rood, Market Rasen celebrate ‘angels’ and St John the Baptist, Nettleton depict the ‘Colours of The Rainbow’ through vibrant floral decorations.
West Lindsey churches also showcase their communities’ histories through the ages. As well as delightful 14th-15th century pew ends, Ulceby St Nicholas has a rood screen linked to nearby Thornton Abbey. Hainton, St Mary’s, remembers the Heneage Family through its collection of nationally important monuments, spanning five centuries from brass memorials of 1435 to modern day memorials of 1954. 11th century Glentworth, St Michael shares its links to the Mayflower Pilgrims that sailed to American from Boston.
All Saints, Tealby displays information of the village links with Victorian poet Alfred Lord Tennyson. And Scampton, St John the Baptist proudly recognises its close association with the RAF, with windows dedicated to personnel from RAF Scampton and 617 Squadron and interactive screens exploring the lives of people buried in the miliary and war graves in the churchyard.
Some churches open for you to take time out from the busy pace of life. The small wooden St John the Divine, Southrey invites just that, whilst also serving strawberries and cream. And there are plenty of other churches offering tempting cakes and refreshments.
Paul summed up what the festival means to the communities in West Lindsey and said: “We know many people visit year after year and for that we thank you for your support in making this one of the biggest and best Churches Festivals in Europe. Not only are you supporting our church heritage, you are also supporting many of our small villages.”
Image: St Michael’s Church in Buslingthorpe (Push Creativity)
900 years of the Boston May Fair celebrated
The May Fair 900 Exhibition has opened at Boston Guildhall, inviting visitors to explore the 900-year history of one of England’s oldest and most cherished fairs.
This unique exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the centuries, uncovering how the Boston May Fair has evolved from its medieval roots to the vibrant event it is today. The exhibition will feature local historian Neil Watson’s photographs and artefacts, some dating back to the 1850s. Neil will also be giving a talk at the Guildhall on Saturday 26 April (1.30pm to 3pm) covering the Fair 1850-1920.
On Saturday 10 May the exhibition will close with the Boston Model Fairground Show and live entertainment in Beadsman’s Lane alongside the museum.
David Worthington, museum, events and venue officer at Boston Guildhall, said: “The May Fair has been a part of Boston’s story for centuries, and this exhibition is a fantastic way to help celebrate its incredible history. We’re delighted to invite people of all ages to step back in time and discover how this beloved fair has grown and changed over the last 900 years.”
Landmark Grimsby site snapped up
Hull-based commercial developer Wykeland Group has acquired a landmark site in Grimsby and announced new investment is on its way.
Wykeland has purchased the former Ramsdens Superstore site from the Grimsby-based retail and cash and carry business Ramsden Group and, as the new owner, will take the lead in rejuvenating it.
That has already begun with Wykeland announcing that, in a linked transaction, a deal has been agreed to sell part of the site to family-owned retailer Farmfoods, for the development of a new 15,000 sq ft store with car parking.
The sale of just over an acre of land to Farmfoods is subject to full planning permission for the new frozen food and groceries store. A planning application has been submitted and, if approved, the store is expected to create up to 15-20 new jobs.
Wykeland will retain the remaining 1.8 acres and explore opportunities to attract further investment and regeneration, while investing around £100,000 to improve the site, including structural repairs to a property fronting Cleethorpe Road.
Wykeland has also renamed the development as Ramsden Park, in tribute to the site’s history as the place where the Ramsden Group business was founded, with the opening of the Ramsdens store in 1946.
Ramsden Group and Wykeland have previously secured investment by coffee house chain Starbucks in a drive-thru and eat-in café on the corner of the site facing Cleethorpe Road and Park Street. The Starbucks facility has traded successfully for more than three years.
Now, with Farmfoods also coming on board, Wykeland is exploring further opportunities to revitalise the site.
Wykeland Development Director Jonathan Stubbs said: “We’re pleased to announce we have acquired the site from Ramsden Group and have also concluded a deal, subject to planning consent, to bring in new investment from one of the UK’s most popular food retailers.
“As well as supporting Farmfoods through the planning process, we’ll be investing in improvements on site and exploring further development opportunities.
“We’re committed to the regeneration of this important location on the main route between Grimsby and Cleethorpes and keen to hear from investors who would like to work with us to realise its potential.”
The site has existing planning approval for 65,000 sq ft of retail development, with units ranging from 1,000 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft. Wykeland will also consider other viable options for development.
Image: An aerial view of the former Ramsdens Superstore site in Grimsby. Wykeland Group has acquired the site and will now take the lead in rejuvenating it. Picture credit: Chris Frear
18th Century hotel to be sold in Skegness
The Vine Hotel, a guest house and event venue in Skegness, is to be sold.
Dating back to 1770 and reported to be the oldest property in Skegness, The Vine Hotel comprises 25 ensuite bedrooms, a restaurant, two bars, and function spaces, set within 3 acres of lawned gardens and outside dining areas including five dining pods. The property also has planning permission for a further 20 letting bedrooms which could be created under new ownership.
The Vine Hotel is known for its connection to poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, and is home to ‘Tennyson’s Tree’, where he is known to have written much of his work.
The hotel was acquired by the current owners over 10 years ago, and has since undergone significant investment and development.
Matt Hill, Senior Business Agent at Christie & Co who is managing the sale, said: “The Vine Hotel is a busy, successful and historic Hotel, Bar and Restaurant which we are proud to be marketing and would be an asset to any owner’s portfolio.
“The opportunity also offers further potential as there is granted planning permission for 20 additional lettings bedrooms within the ground of around 3 acres.”
The Vine Hotel is on the market with an asking price of £1,795,000.
Image credit: Christie & Co RAF Scampton to be sold on open market despite regeneration plans
The UK government will sell RAF Scampton on the open market, rejecting West Lindsey District Council’s bid to acquire the site for a £300 million redevelopment project.
Earmarked initially by the previous Conservative government for migrant housing, the site’s asylum plans were scrapped in September. The Home Office cited regulatory requirements preventing a direct sale to the council, emphasising that disposal of public land must follow market rules.
Since March 2023, the site has cost over £60 million. Government officials claim the sale will prevent further taxpayer losses. Meanwhile, the council, which had partnered with Scampton Holdings Ltd. for regeneration, argues that contamination, heritage issues, and infrastructure limitations make a public-private partnership the only viable option for redevelopment.
Scampton Holdings remains committed to the project despite setbacks. Chairman Peter Hewitt criticised the delays, while local MP Sir Edward Leigh called the government’s decision “madness,” arguing it wasted time and resources on failed asylum plans.
Image credit: Google mapsChildren in hospital benefit from diners’ generous donations
Charitable donations made by diners at a Lincoln restaurant will help keep children occupied whilst being cared for in hospital.
The children’s wards at Lincoln County Hospital have been stocked with new arts, crafts and play equipment thanks to a generous donation from Mowgli Street Food, Lincoln.
The popular Indian restaurant has been fundraising since June 2024 and has raised a staggering £7,775 by asking customers to donate an additional £1 to United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity when paying for their food.
Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group Chief Executive, Professor Karen Dunderdale, recently met with the restaurant’s Charity Leader, Jonny Clamp and his colleague Elli Gale to show how their donation had been spent. She said: “It is fantastic that the residents of Lincolnshire have supported our charity by making a donation when paying their bills at Mowgli Lincoln.”
The Mowgli team also met patients and staff during the visit and pledged to continue to fundraise for the children’s wards. Jonny said: “We are a local business, and we want to support a local charity that helps the people in and around Lincoln. Most of our customers donate, it is just £1 on someone’s bill, what is an extra £1 when it makes such a difference here in this ward.”
In 2024, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity received over £1 million in donations and funded projects across the county’s hospitals in Lincoln, Boston, Grantham and Louth.
Picture shows: Jonny Clamp and Ellie Gale from Mowgli Lincoln with Professor Karen Dunderdale and team from Lincoln County Hospital Childrens’ Wards
Key tenant secured for new Scunthorpe town centre building
A key tenant has been secured for a new building in Scunthorpe town centre. The Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) will take over the office space at Elizabeth Quarter.
Elizabeth Quarter is a newly developed three-storey building owned by North Lincolnshire Council, featuring a ground-floor café and reception area, with modern office spaces on the first and second floors, covering approximately 1,250 sq m.
RDaSH will lease the office space for 15 years. The space will be used for clinical consultations, patient appointments, and as the headquarters for the Community Mental Health and Talking Therapy workforce.
The occupation of the offices by RDaSH is expected to facilitate the lease of the ground-floor café to another tenant.
Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council
