WWII veterans remember fallen Commonwealth comrades at International Bomber Command Centre

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WWII veterans remember fallen Commonwealth comrades at International Bomber Command Centre
Commonwealth veterans from World War Two and Windrush laid a wreath and visited the spectacular Lancaster Bomber poppy display at the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) to remember their colleagues who perished during the conflict. The visit by Jamaican veterans Ralph Ottey (101), Gilbert Clarke (98) and Sidney McFarlane (90) on Saturday (10th May) was one of a series of events organised as part of the VE80 Lincoln project to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Ralph, an RAF volunteer, served as a driver with 617 Squadron at RAF Coningsby and RAF Woodhall Spa while Gilbert, also an RAF volunteer, serviced the radio and radar systems of British and American aircraft. Both have featured prominently in national VE Day commemorations, and Gilbert was seated next to Anne, Princess Royal during the celebrations in London on Saturday 3rd May. Sidney was part of the Windrush generation who were invited to the UK to help rebuild post-war Britain. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1958, progressing from aircraftman to squadron leader. During his distinguished career, he was awarded three Commanders-in-Chief commendations for outstanding service. VE80 Lincoln, which was a collaboration between Francourt Events, the IBCC, Lincoln Rugby FC and Sage Blue, honours the rugby players from the UK and Commonwealth, including many national and international players, who lost their lives in the conflict. Sports, especially rugby, played a pivotal role in maintaining morale and fostering resilience among prisoners of war during the Second World War. Director of Sage Blue and co-chair of VE80 Lincoln Sue Liburd MBE DL explained: “The VE80 Lincoln commemorations are more than just a reflection on history, they are an investment in future generations. “The project is dedicated to ensuring that the legacy of World War II is never forgotten, using sporting activities as an innovative and engaging learning tool. “By combining education, history, and sport, this initiative ensures that the stories of resilience, courage, and unity remain relevant and inspiring for years to come.” As well as visiting the IBCC the veterans attended a Ceramic Poppy-Bluet Ceremony on 9th May at Lincoln Cathedral and a VE80 Rugby Festival at Lincoln Rugby Club involving over 150 young people from school rugby teams across the UK and France. Other events held across Lincolnshire between 8th and 11th May as part of the VE80 Lincoln commemorations included:
  • VE Day 80 Beacon Lighting and Dinner– A poignant ceremony on 8th May at the IBCC to mark this significant moment in history. There was also a free, open-air VE Day 80 Concert featuring the Blighty Belles.
  • Heritage site visits– The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre and IBCC hosted visiting touring U18 rugby teams and VIP guests for immersive experiences.
  • Rugby & WWII Exhibition– Until the end of August the IBCC is showcasing a unique exhibition highlighting the connections between rugby and the Second World War featuring untold stories of service, camaraderie and sacrifice.
  • Remembrance Thanksgiving Service– On 11th May the IBCC hosted a special service to conclude the commemorations with a message of gratitude and reflection.
CEO of the IBCC Nicky van der Drift OBE said it was an honour to be involved in the project and welcome the veterans to the Bomber Command memorial. “The VE80 Lincoln project has been a great success and provided a unique opportunity to honour the sacrifices made by millions while educating future generations about the enduring importance of peace and freedom,” explained Nicky. “The support and involvement of the World War Two and Windrush veterans has been pivotal to the project’s impact. “Armed forces personnel from the Commonwealth played an important role in Britain’s war effort and in particular Bomber Command which is why I was so pleased to welcome them to the IBCC to visit our beautiful poppy display and lay a wreath in memory of their fallen comrades.”   Image: Veterans (from left to right) Sidney McFarlane, Gilbert Clarke and Ralph Ottey from British West India Regiments visited International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick, Lincolnshire, to lay a wreath as part of the VE80 Lincoln commemorations.

Retailers recommit to Lincoln’s Waterside centre as £3m invested in rejuvenation

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Retailers recommit to Lincoln’s Waterside centre as £3m invested in rejuvenation
Joint venture owners Wykeland Group and Lincolnshire Co-op have rejuvenated Lincoln’s Waterside centre, delivering a £3m programme of investment and securing the long-term commitment of three major retail brands. The investments by Yorkshire-based property development business Wykeland and Lincolnshire Co-op have been delivered in under two years since they acquired Waterside and have now resulted in a trio of high street stores renewing their leases. Fashion and homeware retailer H&M has extended its lease at Waterside and committed to a major £2m revamp of the centre’s anchor store. Next and The Body Shop have also each signed new leases, giving a major vote of confidence to Waterside and ensuring the three popular stores remain in Lincoln city centre for years to come. New operators have also come on board, including luxury lifestyle brand Rituals, which is opening a new store at Waterside next month. Hull-based Wykeland and member-owned Lincolnshire Co-op acquired Waterside in June 2023. Since then the owners have committed to a significant and ongoing programme of investment that has given Waterside a new lease of life. This has included the creation of a new coffee shop at the heart of Waterside, operated by local independent operator Seven Districts Coffee. Waterside’s joint owners are also investing to create a more attractive and welcoming frontage to the centre from Lincoln’s High Street, along the River Witham. This will enable an improved pedestrian flow by the riverside, into the centre and across the river into The Cornhill Quarter. Two units on High Street have been acquired to form part of the centre and enable the reshaping of the entrance to take place, while Waterside has also undergone a rebrand. These changes have also attracted more visitors into the centre, with footfall in 2024 up by three per cent compared to 2022, before Wykeland and Lincolnshire Co-op acquired Waterside, bucking the national trend. Wykeland managing director Dominic Gibbons said: “Since acquiring the Waterside centre in a joint venture with Lincolnshire Co-op, we’ve invested significantly to ensure it remains a key destination for both local people and visitors to Lincoln. “The new, long-term commitments by H&M, Next and The Body Shop reflect the strength of Waterside and the very positive reaction from tenants to the rejuvenation of the centre. “Waterside’s footfall is buoyant, trading is strong and there’s a great deal of confidence in the centre’s future. “The investments we’re continuing to make, with our partners at Lincolnshire Co-op, are enabling Waterside to buck the retail trend and play a key role in Lincoln remaining a highly attractive location.” Kevin Kendall, head of property at Lincolnshire Co-op, said: “It’s been fantastic to work alongside Wykeland to bring new services into the area, as well as updating pre-existing ones. “Our joint investment is reflected in the shopping centre’s success – long-term commitments from tenants and increased footfall are both great indicators of this.” Waterside’s owners and H&M are now jointly investing in a £2m refit of the centre’s anchor unit. Among other investments, frontages on a number of smaller units at the centre are being revamped and £60,000 has been invested to refurbish the customer toilets.   Image credit: John Aron Photography

Book club provides a lifeline for cancer patients thanks to hospital charity

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Book club provides a lifeline for cancer patients thanks to hospital charity
A book club is providing vital support to cancer patients thanks to charitable funding. When Flo, from Boston, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, little did she know that a book club would provide her with a lifeline to help her cope with living with the disease. Flo had undergone years of treatment for breast cancer including lumpectomies and a mastectomy. This is when she met Annie Theed, MacMillan Breast Cancer Care Co-Ordinator, at the Breast Cancer Clinic at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, who invited her to join her book club. Flo, an Activities Co-ordinator at The Haven Residential Home, Boston, said: “Back then, my mind was all over the place and I couldn’t concentrate, I kept thinking about cancer all the time. But I thought ok, I will give it a go. “I was sent my first book, which was set in the 1800s. It was brilliant reading it – it took me away from my situation. As I turned the pages I drifted away into this other world, which stopped my brain from overthinking things. “I’d forgotten how much I liked reading. I was being sent books that I wouldn’t normally buy, yet I read every one and always got something from it.” The book club was started in 2020 by Annie to keep in touch with patients diagnosed with cancer during the COVID pandemic. Annie said: “We quickly realised that many of our patients were isolated, with no contact from anyone. So, with the help of funding from United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, we started the book club.” Five years later and the club has grown to become a vital online meeting place for cancer patients providing up-to-date information and support for its members. Annie said: “We have created an atmosphere where people feel relaxed and can talk openly. We are one big supportive family all able to signpost each other to services that members have used.” Charity Manager, Ben Petts is delighted that the Book Club has been so successful. He said: “This a wonderful project and as the club meets online, it means anyone in Lincolnshire with a cancer diagnosis can join. The cost of a book could be a lot for some families to find each month; yet by providing this funding, we have ensured the book club is inclusive to everyone.” The book club is just one project supported by United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity. Thanks to the generosity of people living and working in Lincolnshire, the charity can support the county’s hospitals to deliver outstanding care to patients and their families by funding those extras that cannot be provided by the NHS alone.   Image shows Florence Moore reading one of the books

Grimsby’s Top Town Market to reopen in new temporary Freshney Place location

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Grimsby’s Top Town Market to reopen in new temporary Freshney Place location
Grimsby’s Top Town Market is to reopen this Friday (16 May) in a new temporary location within Freshney Place, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of the town centre. The unit, next to Riverhead, will accommodate traders previously based at the old market hall which is currently being demolished to make way for the new leisure scheme. The temporary market is a space for traders to continue operating throughout the redevelopment process, while supporting footfall at Freshney Place. The traders who have moved across to the temporary space are:
  • Birketts Butchers
  • Black Cat Books
  • Carl’s Meats
  • Cobblers & Keys
  • Girlie Gear
  • Graham Thompson Jewellers
  • K&P Collectables
  • Temple Ranch Clothing
  • The Card and Party Box
  • The Veg Stall (incorporating New Haven eggs)
  • Upsa Daisy florists (Friday and Saturday only)
Opening hours for Top Town Market are the same as they were in the previous location, 9am to 4pm, four days a week: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “It’s been a quick turnaround in the unit, and it looks fantastic! Friday is likely to be a really busy day for everyone – alongside this, there’s the Farmers’ Market in Riverhead Square too. “Along with the other developments in the town centre, the redevelopment of Freshney Place is one of the largest single investments in the town’s history and underlines our long-term commitment to revitalising Grimsby for the benefit of the entire community.” Amanda Austin, centre director at Freshney Place said: “We’re delighted to host the market during this transitional period and are looking forward to welcoming their customers. This move highlights Freshney Place’s role as a cornerstone of the town’s regeneration – not only a place to shop and meet friends, but a hub of community life.” The transformation of Freshney Place is one of the key projects in Grimsby’s regeneration strategy. Once complete, the new space at the western end of Freshney Place will offer a contemporary, welcoming environment with upgraded facilities for businesses and shoppers and will be complemented by a new cinema and leisure spaces.   Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council

D-Day walks to commemorate American wartime bravery

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D-Day walks to commemorate American wartime bravery
D-Day commemorations will include walks sharing how American Pathfinder troops flew from an airfield near Grantham to spearhead the Allied invasion of Europe. The walks at RAF North Witham, now Forestry England-owned Twyford Wood near Colsterworth, are part of South Kesteven District Council’s Soldiers from the Sky project. The project illustrates the untold stories of Allied paratroopers from Britain, America and Poland who gathered in the district to train for D Day and Arnhem and flew from local airfields. It was from RAF North Witham, on the eve of D-Day, that C-47 aircraft of America’s 9th Troop Carrier Command carried elite paratroopers from the US Army’s 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions behind enemy lines in advance of the main taskforce. The walks follow the airfield’s still intact runways tracing how, at 21:54 Double British Summer Time on 5 June 1944, the first of 20 Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft took off, skimming the channel at 50ft to fly under enemy radar on their way to Normandy. Paratroopers had spent months training to position Eureka radio signalling beacons and visual markers behind enemy lines. Within the hour the Allied Airborne assault on Normandy was in full swing. The walks last around two and a half hours, and start at 5.30pm from the main Twyford Wood car park, off the A151 Colsterworth to Bourne Road. The walks, on June 5th, 12th, and 19th, are free to attend but tickets must be booked via Ticket Tailor.   Image credit: South Kesteven District Council

Lincolnshire construction firm celebrates milestone first year with 4,000 sq ft Saxilby office build

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Lincolnshire construction firm celebrates milestone first year with 4,000 sq ft Saxilby office build
Lincolnshire-based construction firm Build Manager is marking the end of its first year in business with a major achievement, securing and delivering its first major commercial contract, a bespoke 4,000 sq ft two-storey office development for IFI Group Ltd in Saxilby. The project, which spans a 25-week contract duration, represents a significant milestone for the young company and demonstrates its capacity to deliver fast-paced, high-quality commercial builds. Since being appointed at the end of 2024, Build Manager has wasted no time. In just over four months, the team has finalised designs, delivered the groundworks ‘in-house’, erected the steel frame and tarmacked the new entrance road. The new office is being developed for IFI Group Ltd, a specialist fire safety, risk management consultancy and training provider, and will support their continued growth within the region. The project has brought together a number of Lincolnshire-based collaborators, including architects LK2, structural engineers William Saunders, aggregate supplier UDCS Ltd, concrete supplier AMS Build Group Ltd, roofing and cladding contractor B C Roofing and architectural windows and door specialist Kole Architectural. Build Manager was launched just over a year ago with a focus on upfront commercial viability advice and streamlined, transparent project delivery. Winning the IFI Group contract marked the company’s first large-scale commercial development and a strong close to year one. “To end our first year in business by securing and delivering a significant commercial contract is something we’re incredibly proud of,” said Matthew Jones, director at Build Manager. “This project showcases what we’re all about, efficient delivery, clear communication, and a collaborative approach. It’s been a fantastic way to build momentum heading into year two.” Build Manager was set up by Lincolnshire-based construction professionals Matthew Jones and Ben Taylor. The pair, who have worked in management for a number of local main-contractors, set up on their own after spotting a gap in market for their services. Matthew, from Scotton, and Ben, from Sturton-by-Stow, Lincoln have been involved in many notable projects in and around the county, including £2.2m new build commercial units (60,000 sq ft) at Discovery Park on Whisby Road – North Hykeham, £3m renovation of Lawress Hall for the University of Lincoln and the new £4.5m Community Ward at John Coupland hospital in Gainsborough, to name a few. IFI Group Ltd shared their satisfaction with the process so far, praising Build Manager’s professionalism, reactiveness, and on-site efficiency.
How the finished project for IFI Group Ltd will look
“From the very beginning, the team has been incredibly reactive, professional, and easy to work with,” said Ben Freeman, director of IFI Group Ltd. “Communication has been clear and consistent throughout, and progress on site has been impressively efficient. It’s been a smooth experience so far, and we’re genuinely excited to see our new office coming to life.” As the office build continues at pace, Build Manager is inviting other local businesses considering new developments or construction work to reach out for some free upfront advice and viability studies. “Whether you’re planning a new office, warehouse, or commercial space, we’d love to hear from you. Our goal is to make the process smooth, stress-free, and successful,” added Matthew. Local businesses can contact Build Manager at info@build-manager.co.uk or find out more at www.build-manager.co.uk.   Main image shows: Ben Freeman, owner of IFI Group Ltd, with staff members, Ben Taylor and Matthew Jones of Build Manager and Andy Newman, director of LK2 Architects

Major investment made in outdoor play across South Kesteven

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Major investment made in outdoor play across South Kesteven
Improved playparks are being enjoyed across South Kesteven, thanks to a £100,000 investment by the District Council. They are Arnoldfield Play Area on Gonerby Road, Grantham; Highgrove Gardens on Empingham Road, Stamford; Wild Witham Play Area in South Witham; and Dysart Park, Grantham. All of them benefited from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is Government funding given to projects which can be shown to support the whole community. Cabinet member for leisure and culture, cllr Paul Stokes, who is also deputy leader of the council, said: “We are pleased to be investing in our beautiful parks and urban play areas across South Kesteven, as we make them more fun, safe and accessible for everyone. “The latest programme focuses on replacing existing play equipment that has reached the end of its serviceable life. “We want to encourage more children and families to enjoy everything these areas have to offer, bringing them closer to nature in an outdoor environment where they can play and socialise. “The Council continues to invest in services and facilities across the four towns to ensure residents in every part of the district can enjoy free and accessible open air play.” SKDC has separately invested more than £68,000 for repairs and/or new equipment at 14 play areas district-wide. They are Andrew Road, Stamford, Arnoldfield, Grantham, Churchfield Close, Deeping St James, Elizabeth Road, Stamford, Foxglove Road, Stamford, Harrowby Lane, Grantham, Manor Close, Langtoft, Princess Drive, Grantham, Dysart Park, Grantham, Queen Elizabeth Park, Grantham, Wellhead, Bourne, Kesteven Drive, Deepings, Hornsby Road, Grantham, and Wyndham Park, Grantham. A further £35,000 of work, paid for separately by developers as part of their social responsibilities, has given a new lease of life to the Wellhead Play Area in Bourne. This has brought about the removal of an old wooden fort and entrance gate to be replaced with a multi play unit, roundabout, somersault bars, springer bowl, spinner, and a single easy gate.
  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/o_lypa

£5m award to help commercialise Lincoln-led agri-tech research

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£5m award to help commercialise Lincoln-led agri-tech research

A new partnership led by the University of Lincoln, to develop a globally recognised agri-tech innovation cluster in the East of England, has received a major national funding award from Research England to advance commercialisation of research through new spin-out companies.

Agri-tech Commercialisation Ecosystems (ACE), a partnership project from the universities of Lincoln, Cambridge and East Anglia, has been awarded £5 million by the UKRI-Research England CCF-RED Fund. This will enable the creation of a national agri-tech ‘Technology Transfer Office’ and the new company Ceres Agri-Tech Ltd that will support the commercialisation of early-stage agricultural innovations. Ceres Agri-Tech is a collaborative initiative founded by and located at Cambridge Enterprise, the innovation arm of the University of Cambridge. The project targets key regional challenges, including low wages, workforce skills gaps, and climate resilience by supporting high-quality, inclusive employment and environmentally focused agri-tech innovation. Professor Simon Pearson, founding director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology (LIAT) at the University of Lincoln, said: “We are thrilled that the ACE project has received a vital £5 million award from Research England, which will enable incredible growth within agri-tech and the creation of many new ‘spin-out’ businesses over the next decade and beyond. “Within the next 10 years, ACE aims to fund 95 research projects, create over 1,300 new jobs within the sector and bring a projected £506 million into the UK economy. “In a world where geopolitical instability, climate change and resource scarcity seem to be threatening food security, we now have a great opportunity to create an innovation cluster for the UK that will deliver positive economic, societal and environmental impacts for many years to come.” The ACE project will harness the agricultural and research strengths of Greater Lincolnshire, East Anglia, and Cambridgeshire, turning them into a globally competitive innovation cluster. The region’s dense concentration of crop production, agri-tech infrastructure, and civic support creates a unique platform for high-impact investment and sustainable food system development.
  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/winexa

Military heritage project recruits local volunteers

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Military heritage project recruits local volunteers
South Kesteven District Council is offering volunteers a chance to research their own community’s airborne forces heritage. A free Airborne Ambassadors event is being held at the Wyndham Park Visitor Centre in Grantham at 10am on Saturday 7 June. Just a day after commemorations for the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the two-hour event is a chance to engage with the council’s Soldiers from the Sky project, made possible by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Volunteers can then pursue their own research into the district’s airborne history, and help foster pride in how South Kesteven hosted British, American and Polish paratrooper forces who trained locally for D Day and Arnhem and flew into battle from local airfields Paratroops underwent gruelling training marches, dropped from C-47 Dakota aircraft stationed on giant American airfields around Grantham, supped ale in local pubs, and stayed in properties commandeered as military accommodation
South Kesteven District Council Armed Forces champion cllr Bridget Ley said: “We have a wealth of information about this incredible chapter of South Kesteven’s military heritage, a largely untold story of allied airborne forces who gathered here to fight for freedom. “There are layers of heritage that we have yet to uncover, however, and we hope that our ambassadors can help us share even more of the stories that need recording before they pass from memory.” Project co-ordinators have mapped key locations across the district with airborne connections. Ambassadors can then share local information on village websites, via parish councils, local talks and via local schools.  
Image credit: Google maps

Grant funding offered to North Kesteven communities for VJ Day celebrations

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Grant funding offered to North Kesteven communities for VJ Day celebrations
Seven community celebrations and commemorations of VE Day in North Kesteven have benefitted from a grant fund made available to help deliver local activity. With the grant fund remaining open for further applications for events relating to the 80th anniversary of VJ Day in August, community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises with financial resources below £10,000 can still apply for up to £500 each to support local events that benefit communities. Funded activity must take place within a week either side of August 15 and be of benefit to North Kesteven residents. Deadline for applications is July 21. The seven events funded for VE Day were:
  • Anwick – towards catering, licensing, advertising and entertainment costs for a day of cinema screenings, village decorations and showcase of village memories on May 10.
  • Bassingham – towards decorations, catering and costs associated with a Brownie and Guides tea dance and afternoon tea on May 6.
  • Billinghay – towards food, decorations and a 1940s singer at a buffet following a parade and wreath laying on May 8.
  • Burton Pedwardine – towards the costs of a commemorative Tommy state bunting and flags for a village barbecue and quiz on May 5.
  • Greylees – towards food, entertainment and dance captain for a tea dance at the New Chapel on May 8.
  • Swaton – towards the costs of ice cream, drinks, bunting and planter displays through the village linked to a beacon lighting on May 8.
  • Walcott – towards food, decorations, drinks and promotion of an afternoon tea at the village hall on May 11.
Council leader cllr Richard Wright said it was clear that these small grants had made a significant difference in both initiating and broadening celebration events and activity, ensuring more people could participate in paying tribute to a generation of people who had contributed so much in the pursuit of freedom and peace. “A we saw, VE Day 80 was a wonderful opportunity to come together in celebration of what we have in common, and to use the occasion to reach out to neighbours, friends and our wider communities, and VJ Day brings that opportunity again,” he said. “The fund remains open through to July in order that communities can again acknowledge the significance of VJ Day in August that brought the war to its eventual end, and pay further tribute to all those who served in the Second World War, to reflect on the values that they were fighting for and to collaborate in joyful celebration of everything they secured through victory. “For those community groups that applied and were eligible, the grants made all the difference in promoting, providing and putting-on fun, inclusive, and reflective parties, activities and events for VE Day in order that victory could be sensed again.” Eligible costs include venue hire, promotional materials, decorations, and entertainment and the purchase of refreshments, but not alcohol, commemorative benches or structures.   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Robert L Parker
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