Council Chief Executive steps down after 11 years in his role
North East Lincolnshire Council Chief Executive Rob Walsh is to step down in May next year after 11 years at the helm of the unitary authority.
He said: “Not in my wildest dreams did I expect to experience the career that followed my early days as a trainee solicitor with the council in Cleethorpes.
“The privilege and the responsibility has never been lost on me. There is no greater honour than being Chief Executive in the place you are proud to call home and where your family has grown.”
During his tenure as Chief Executive, he has steered the borough through investment, change, challenge and opportunity.
Working with colleagues, partners and politicians, Rob oversaw the borough becoming the first area of the country to secure a ‘Town Deal’ from central Government in 2018. That deal shone the national spotlight on the borough – paving the way for a series of successful and significant funding bids, the benefits of which will be seen in the years ahead as major regeneration schemes are completed.
Rob was also integral in the formation, in 2016, of a unique partnership with the then Clinical Commissioning Group in North East Lincolnshire, which saw health care teams integrated with colleagues at the council. This established a joint working arrangement aimed at improving health care for residents in the borough.
As Rob leaves next year, the dawn will break on the new Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority. During his years as Chief Executive, he has worked extensively on the devolution agenda for the region and takes immense pride in the success he and his peers and colleagues have achieved in securing the deal that is being taken forward.
He added: “It really has been a pleasure to know and work with so many professional, dedicated and wonderful people over the years. Together we have strived to take our borough forward, fronting up to the challenges and being ambitious about the opportunities. I would like to thank every single person who has joined me on this journey over the last decade and I know that journey will continue.”
Discover ‘The Meaning of Beer’ at Brigg’s Hop Inn with award-winning beer writer Jonny Garrett
Jonny Garrett, the multi-award-winning journalist, author and filmmaker who is best known as the founder of Youtube’s Craft Beer Channel, which has over 160,000 subscribers and 13 million views, will be welcomed to the Hop Inn in Brigg for a Meet the Author event on Wednesday 18th December at 7pm.
Tickets are available to book on a Pay What You’d Like basis and should be reserved in advance either from The Rabbit Hole or via this link.
About The Meaning of Beer:
What’s the oldest and most consumed alcoholic beverage on earth? BEER, of course. And it might just be our most important invention. Since its creation 13,000 years ago, our love of beer has shaped everything from religious ceremonies to advertising, and architecture to bioengineering.
The people who built the pyramids were paid in ale, the first fridge was built for beer not food, bacteria was discovered while investigating sour beer, Germany’s beer halls hosted Hitler’s rise to power, and brewer’s yeast may yet be the answer to climate change.
In The Meaning of Beer, award-winning beer writer Jonny Garrett tells the stories of these incredible human moments and inventions, taking readers to some of the best-known beer destinations in the world – Munich and Oktoberfest, Carlsberg Brewery’s historic laboratory, St Louis and the home of Budweiser – as well as those lesser-known, from a 5,000 year old brewery in the Egyptian desert to Arctic Svalbard, home to the world’s most northerly pub. Ultimately, this is not a book about how we made beer, but how beer made us.
APSS named finalists in Lincolnshire Construction and Property Awards 2025
Commercial design and fit out company APSS has been named as finalists in both the Design Consultant of the Year and Development Project of the Year (Under £5m) categories for the Lincolnshire Construction and Property Awards 2025, cementing its reputation as a leader in innovative design and development in the region.
Organised by the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, the awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and sustainability in the construction and property sector. APSS’s nominations highlight its dedication to delivering creative, client-focused solutions that combine cutting-edge design with practical functionality.
Recognition for Exceptional Design
The nomination for Design Consultant of the Year in conjunction with Bainland Lodge Retreats, underscores APSS’s commitment to providing tailored, high-quality design services.
“Our team takes immense pride in creating designs that not only look stunning but also enhance functionality and user experience,” said Laurence Barrass, Managing Director of APSS. “Being named finalists in this category is a testament to the creativity and hard work of our talented designers.”
Spotlight on Development Excellence
The second nomination, Development Project of the Year (under £5m), celebrates the standout project of LEW Electrical Distributors’ new headquarters in Gainsborough. It showcases APSS’s expertise in project management and execution. The project, completed earlier this year, exemplifies APSS’s ability to transform spaces while meeting the highest standards of sustainability and efficiency.
Stuart Marsland, Sales Director for APSS, said: “This project truly reflects our ethos of combining visionary design with practical implementation. Being recognised in this category is a huge honour and validates the efforts of everyone involved.”
Innovation and Collaboration at the Core
At the heart of APSS’s success lies a dedication to fostering strong partnerships with clients and stakeholders. The company’s collaborative approach ensures that every project is tailored to the client’s unique requirements, resulting in spaces that are not only visually striking but also highly functional and future-ready.
Over the past year, APSS has placed a particular emphasis on sustainable design and development, incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices into its projects.
Laurence added: “We are thrilled to be finalists in these awards. It’s a reflection of the hard work, creativity, and passion that drives our entire team. At APSS, we strive to deliver excellence in everything we do, and these nominations highlight the impact we’re making in the Lincolnshire construction and property sector. Regardless of the outcome, we are incredibly proud to be recognised alongside some of the Lincolnshire’s best.”
“Our team takes immense pride in creating designs that not only look stunning but also enhance functionality and user experience,” said Laurence Barrass, Managing Director of APSS. “Being named finalists in this category is a testament to the creativity and hard work of our talented designers.”
Spotlight on Development Excellence
The second nomination, Development Project of the Year (under £5m), celebrates the standout project of LEW Electrical Distributors’ new headquarters in Gainsborough. It showcases APSS’s expertise in project management and execution. The project, completed earlier this year, exemplifies APSS’s ability to transform spaces while meeting the highest standards of sustainability and efficiency.
Stuart Marsland, Sales Director for APSS, said: “This project truly reflects our ethos of combining visionary design with practical implementation. Being recognised in this category is a huge honour and validates the efforts of everyone involved.”
Innovation and Collaboration at the Core
At the heart of APSS’s success lies a dedication to fostering strong partnerships with clients and stakeholders. The company’s collaborative approach ensures that every project is tailored to the client’s unique requirements, resulting in spaces that are not only visually striking but also highly functional and future-ready.
Over the past year, APSS has placed a particular emphasis on sustainable design and development, incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices into its projects.
Laurence added: “We are thrilled to be finalists in these awards. It’s a reflection of the hard work, creativity, and passion that drives our entire team. At APSS, we strive to deliver excellence in everything we do, and these nominations highlight the impact we’re making in the Lincolnshire construction and property sector. Regardless of the outcome, we are incredibly proud to be recognised alongside some of the Lincolnshire’s best.” Free commemorative trees set for North Kesteven communities
Local groups, charities, businesses, schools and more can apply to North Kesteven District Council for either a single specimen tree, or packs of five or more fruit trees, plus planting packs and advice.
Under the Coronation Living Heritage Fund, granted to the District Council to mark the King’s Coronation, community orchards are set to be established around North Kesteven. Applicants can request one or more packs of five fruit trees, including Lincolnshire heritage species, to be planted together in a place that is accessible to the public (as a minimum accessible for harvesting the fruit).
“These orchards will provide a resource for the communities that host them going forward, as well as a boon for wildlife and biodiversity,” said Council Leader Councillor Richard Wright. “And by including some Lincolnshire heritage species, people will be able to reinforce and enjoy some living history right on their doorsteps.”
The second offer is for 50 individual specimen trees to be planted throughout the district to commemorate the 50th anniversary of North Kesteven District Council which was established by order of Parliament in 1974.
The specific trees planted will vary depending on the preferences of the local community and the suitability of the site, with a list of available trees placed on the Council’s website and advice on offer.
Councillor Wright continued: “The formation of NKDC had a great impact on the area in 1974 and our teams – many of whom were born and raised locally, or live within the district – have a proud heritage of supporting our ‘district of flourishing communities’. We want to continue that action, and these commemorative trees are just a small symbol of that commitment.
“We’d love to see the trees planted far and wide around North Kesteven, and hope that they will offer pleasure to the communities that host them, as well as boosting biodiversity and making a contribution towards capturing carbon from the atmosphere.”
Anyone can apply for a tree, provided it will be planted in a place where the community can enjoy it for generations to come. This could include businesses, schools, village halls, pubs, village greens and amenity land, churches and other similar locations.
The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 20 December, but applications will close sooner if capacity is reached. All planting should take place this winter, before April 2025.
Interested parties should visit www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/communitytrees for more information and to apply, or contact 01529 414155 and ask for the Climate Change team (orchards) or Partnerships team (individual trees). Email enquiries can also be sent to climate_change@n-kesteven.gov.uk regarding the orchards and partnershipsteam@n-kesteven.gov.uk for individual trees.
Image credit: North Kesteven District Council
Local artists encouraged to enter work ahead of exhibition at the Usher
The Usher Gallery Trust is calling all Lincolnshire-based artists to submit their work for ‘Art of the Now’, an open exhibition launching in July 2025 at the Usher Gallery.
Age and experience are no barrier to entry as the Open exhibition looks to celebrate the wide variety of Lincolnshire’s art scene.
Laura Garner, exhibitions and interpretations assistant at the Usher Gallery, said: “We’re really excited to open up the Usher to showcase some of the best work from our amazing local artists.
“Our judging panel will be on the look out for originality, creativity, quality and skill, and on top of the fantastic opportunity to display your art in the Usher, there’ll be five cash prizes up for grabs too!
“We’re always blown away by how talented the county’s artists are, and we can’t wait to see all your fantastic submissions.”
The judging panel will consider all work from Lincolnshire-based artists that has been completed in the last 3 years in any of the following mediums: painting, video, photography, textiles, and sculpture.
Submissions are open until 7 April, and it is free to enter your work.
Image credit: Lincolnshire County Council Round-Britain walker returns home after two years on the road
A Lincolnshire man who has spent two years walking the entire coast of mainland Britain in his quest to raise £100,000 for charity has marked journey’s end with an open letter of thanks to a boy he met in a Welsh village a year ago.
Freemason Chris Jones, who lives near Woodhall Spa, said: “It was November last year when this young man in his Minecraft top ran after me in the street in a village near Conwy to give me a pound coin. I wanted him to know how grateful I was for his donation. I felt he deserved to know that he had helped me towards my fundraising target of £100,000 to support the charity that saved my life when I was contemplating suicide, and can do the same thing for others every day, thanks to the generosity of people like him.
“It was a rainy horrible morning, and as I crossed the street this young chap was running up behind me. When I looked around to work out why he was alone in the street in his PJ’s, there was a group of faces in the upstairs window of a house waving at us. His mum, and I guess his siblings… That really moved me; I was so far from home and this little fella had obviously seen me walking up the road from his window… Incredible, people… especially young people…
“His donation was one of seven pound coins given to me by children on my travels, all of which have been given to the Freemasons’ charity the MCF. The charity put me in touch with a counselling service when I was at my lowest ebb, and thanks to them I’m here today.
“I walked the entire coastline of Britain to raise awareness of mental health issues and to raise money. I didn’t know at the outset what target to set, so I decided to shoot for the moon and aim for £100,000.
“I’ll be home for Christmas, by which time I shall have raised a significant proportion of that, and I hope to be able to get the remainder by writing a book about my journey ‘On The Edge’. I called it that because I was ‘on the edge’ of suicide, and on the edge of the country, navigating by keeping the sound of the sea in my right ear.”
Chris started his walk in Skegness on New Year’s Day 2023, since when he’s has walked almost 6,300 miles, worn out six pairs of boots, carried a 35kg pack throughout his journey, slept indoors in beds when they were offered, and wild camped when they weren’t. The ceremonial ‘end’ of the walk will be marked with a return to Skegness Masonic Hall on December 14th.
He said the conversations he’d had on his travels had highlighted the extent of the struggles so many people were having with their mental health. “If you’re struggling, you first step must be to ask for help,” he said. “There’s no shame in that, and it will turn your life around, just as it has mine.”
Boston Freemasons boost five good causes with cash donations
Freemasons of Boston-based Lodge of Harmony have shared £1,300 between five good causes in the area.
The Thistles Charity at Sutterton was given £500, and gifts of £200 each were made to Boston Choral Society, Kirton Brass Band, South Lincs Guides Association, and Boston Stump Food Bank.
The £800 making up the four £200 donations came from the Lodge’s 100+ Club. The £500 donation was one of more than 70 made by the Freemasons’ Province of Lincolnshire, which invites all of its Lodges to pick the good cause of their choice to receive it.
The picture shows charity representatives recipients with Lodge Master Geoff Bell, Charity Steward Phillip Featherstone, and 100+ Club organiser Alan ‘Tiny’ Clifton.
Play park re-opens in Grantham with more than £100,000 of improvements
Children now have more options for outdoor fun following the re-opening of a play area with more than £100,000 of improvements.
New apparatus, with safe flooring and inclusive features, has been unveiled at Beeden Park Play Area in Grantham, welcoming all children, including those with limited mobility or sensory requirements.
The money has come from the FCC Communities Foundation, with an additional £21,570 investment by South Kesteven District Council, with £5,000 from the Rotary Club of Grantham.
The park serves the Beechcroft Road area of the town, where more than 30 new play features have been added. Highlights include a multi-use games area, a rota web climber, an inclusive roundabout, junior and toddler multi play units, sensory boards and fitness equipment for all ages.
The new equipment, installed by Wicksteed, is designed with accessibility and inclusivity in mind, providing both sensory experiences and space to accommodate wheelchairs.
Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure Cllr Paul Stokes, who is also the Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “We were all thrilled to take part in the grand opening of the new and improved Beeden Park, which now offers fantastic, up-to-date, safe and modern equipment for all.
“Green spaces and play areas are crucially important for our community and make a huge difference to the wellbeing of those living in the area.
“We are delighted that the FCC Communities Foundation agreed to award us the money to improve the facilities here. I also need to thank Cllr Steven Cunnington for his drive and design input on the project.
“Together, we’ve created a vibrant and inclusive space for youngsters of all ages and abilities. There is also a range of outdoor gym equipment, which means this investment has provided something for everyone. It’s a space that works for the whole community.”
The equipment is designed to accommodate children aged two and above, and includes a covered social area for teenagers.
FCC Communities Foundation is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community projects through the Landfill Communities Fund.
FCC Communities Foundation Grant Manager Penny Horne says: “It’s wonderful to see something we have funded finally open and ready to make such a difference to young people and families across Grantham. FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that benefit local communities and this is a great example of what can be achieved.”
Image credit: South Kesteven District Council
Free face-to-face clinics for families affected by dementia in Lincoln
Nationwide and Dementia UK are bringing free face-to-face specialist dementia care to Lincoln.
The clinics will be hosted by Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses in Nationwide’s Lincoln branch, offering life-changing support to families and individuals living with dementia in the area.
Support includes practical and emotional advice on all aspects of dementia – from worries about memory problems and understanding a diagnosis and how the condition can progress to help with financial and legal issues. Appointments can be booked via Dementia UK’s website here.
Nationwide branches offer a safe, comfortable and private space for families to discuss any aspect of dementia, which aims to help 100,000 people affected by dementia.
As part of the partnership, Nationwide will host 200 pop-up clinics in branches around the UK, and fund 30 dementia specialist Admiral Nurse posts through Dementia UK.
The clinics form part of Nationwide’s new social impact programme, Fairer Futures, which addresses three of the UK’s biggest social issues through charity partnerships – dementia (Dementia UK), youth homelessness (Centrepoint) and family poverty (Action for Children).
Latest research from Nationwide found that:
- One of the main asks of banks and building societies by dementia carers was for a dementia-friendly environment in branches (48%).
- Over four in ten (43%) wanted help to better understand care costs and options.
- Nearly six in ten (59%) of those caring for someone with dementia were concerned about the impact the disease would have on their finances.
- 50% of dementia carers are worried by the cost of residential care, with older people (55+) being the most concerned about this. 49% are worried about other costs, such as costs at home.
County Council says it’s being short-changed by Government’s funding formula
Lincolnshire County Council believes it’s being short-changed by more than £100m a year due to the Government’s funding formula, and is extremely concerned at the additional financial pressure caused by the removal of the £9m Rural Services Grant.
This reduction in funding is in addition to rising costs associated with increased demand in adult social care, children’s services and home-to-school-transport.
And the recent increase in national insurance contributions is expected to raise costs by up to a further £15m, with the rise in the national living wage costing at least an additional £5m.
Council Leader Martin Hill said: “While some additional money has been promised, there is also very significant cause for concern that it will not be enough to cover these huge extra costs.
“We are particularly disappointed to see that the Rural Services Delivery Grant has been scrapped. This was introduced in recognition of the additional challenges rural authorities face in delivering services, and its removal seems like a backward step.
“Instead, the government has said it will focus on ‘deprivation’ in reforming the funding system. There is currently no clarity as to what this means, and we have a real fear that money will be taken from rural communities and given to urban areas – making our unfair deal even worse.
“We need assurances from Government that we will be compensated for these additional costs in this year’s settlement. At present all that appears certain is the Government’s expectation of a five per cent increase in council tax.”
