Freemasons’ donation supports riding lessons for disabled children
The Fenland Group of the Riding for the Disabled Association has been supported in its mission to give riding lessons to disabled children thanks to a donation of £500 from Freemasons of the Alexandra Lodge at Long Sutton.
More than 40 years of commitment by volunteers and donors have meant the charity has taught more than 1,000 children to ride, says the Group’s Chair Paul Brett. “The group is not a riding school. We do not own our own ponies or facilities, and everything we do is enabled by the generosity of our volunteers and supporters. Over the past 40 years the group has taught well in excess of 1,000 children to ride, and this donation will help the group to continue to provide the children with their riding sessions. We are extremely grateful to member of the Alexandra Lodge for their generosity.”
The Fenland Group of the RDA was created in 1981 by Elizabeth Dixon-Spain and Jane Carter, who wanted to give disabled children the opportunity to share in the joy of riding. The group gives children from The Tulip Academy in Spalding free riding lessons each week during the spring, summer and autumn terms.
From those early days Liz and many others are still very actively involved with the group more than 40 years later. The group is a registered charity, and relies solely on its volunteers and donations to keep running. Currently there are about 30 volunteers who regularly give up their Wednesday mornings to help, and some of them also bring their ponies for the children to ride.
In the picture Alexandra Lodge Master Richard Diggle and his predecessor Chris Woodrow presented the cheque to Paul Brett watched by founder Liz Dixon-Spain and volunteers Andrea Brett, Sara Woodrow, Ginny Gray, Fiona Ralling, and Jane Goodger – together with ponies Cashew and Molly.
The Freemasons’ Provincial Charity Steward Paul Ellis said: “There are 76 Freemasons’ Lodges in Lincolnshire, each of which gives £500 to the good cause of its choice from a central ‘pot’ called the New Provincial Benevolent Fund, meaning £38,000 is given every year to enhance the quality of life in our communities.”
Hands off Grimsby’s Post Office, council urges Government
Plans to close Grimsby’s Post Office as part of the list of 115 directly owned branches being considered for potential closure, the Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Philip Jackson, has written directly to the Government’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade to ask for his support to keep it open.
“This is something that we feel really strongly about, and wanted to get to the highest authorities as soon as possible,” said Cllr Jackson.
“Along with significant funding from the Government and other agencies, along with work being done by our partners, we are in the midst of delivering a once in a generation town centre regeneration programme.
“The Post Office is at heart of Grimsby town centre, and our plans, and those of our partners, particularly for Freshney Place and the Community Diagnostics Centre within it and the housing development at Garth Lane, will bring significant additional footfall to the town centre in the coming years.
“To consider closure of the Post Office at this point would be a damaging and backwards step, particularly when our residents are starting to see visible signs of positive and impactful change on the high street.
“We will continue to petition Government to keep the Post Office open in the town centre, to try to make sure that we keep the best facilities here for our residents and businesses.”
One week to go: Lincolnshire Food & Gift is almost here!
The countdown is on! With just one week until the Lincolnshire Food & Gift Fair returns to the Lincolnshire Showground, excitement is building as exhibitors, and organisers of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society make their final preparations for one of the region’s most beloved annual events.
Taking place on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December, the fair promises to be a festive extravaganza filled with delicious local food, unique gifts, and holiday cheer.
Hundreds of exhibitors from across Lincolnshire and beyond will come together to showcase the very best of handmade crafts, gourmet treats, and seasonal delights, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
“Lincolnshire Food & Gift is one of our favourite events of the year,” says Verity Newcombe, Head of Communications at the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the talent and creativity of local businesses while giving visitors the chance to get into the festive spirit and find something truly special.”
Among the exhibitors gearing up for next weekend is Cheesy Pig, a Lincolnshire-based business known for its indulgent handmade cheesy treats. They’ve been part of the fair for several years and are thrilled to return in 2024.
“We love Lincolnshire Food & Gift – it’s such a fun, festive event,” says the team at Cheesy Pig. “Our favourite part is seeing customers enjoy our products and hearing their feedback. The Showground is always buzzing with festive cheer, and we can’t wait to be part of it again this year!
“We’ve been busy preparing and can’t wait to meet new and returning customers and introduce our Christmas special ‘The Crimbo’ to this year’s menu.”
This year’s fair will also feature:
- Live demonstrations from local chefs and craft experts.
- Children’s Christmas Workshops for little ones to create their own festive masterpieces.
- Plenty of festive food and drink, with hot chocolate, mulled wine, and seasonal dishes to enjoy.
- Storytime With Father Christmas – Children can visit Santa’s magical lounge, where he’ll read one of his favourite festive stories. Each child will receive a small gift and enjoy a glass of milk and a cookie while listening to Santa read. There will also be a chance to have a photo taken with Santa to capture this magical moment.
St Mary’s Street in Stamford named number one UK high street for independent shops
St Mary’s Street in Stamford has been named the number one UK high street for independent shops.
The AmEx study, with retail experts GlobalData, showcases small businesses and the valuable role they play in their community.
Bustling St Mary’s Street scored highly across all the factors and delivering a unique experience for shoppers.
Britain’s top high street hotspots for independent shops:
- St Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire
- Devonshire Street / Division Street, Sheffield, Yorkshire
- Gloucester Road, Bristol
- Market Street / Bridge Gate, Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire
- Stoke Newington Church Street, Hackney, London
- High Street, Narberth, Pembrokeshire
- Oldham Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester
- Bailgate, Lincoln, Lincolnshire
- Byres Road, Glasgow
- The Lanes, Norwich, Norfolk
Lincoln’s Bomber Command Centre in for two Tourism Excellence Awards
Lincoln’s International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) has been shortlisted for two Tourism Excellence Awards.
The centre has been nominated for its accessible and inclusive tourism approach, and in the ethical, responsible, and sustainable tourism category in the regional awards run by Destination Lincolnshire and Discover Rutland.
The IBCC has welcomed more than 550,000 visitors from more than 54 countries since opening in 2018, despite COVID closures, contributing an economic impact locally of over £30 million.
Visitors to its iconic memorial Spire and surrounding ‘Walls of Names’ can learn more about the hidden history of Bomber Command. The walls are etched with the names of the nearly 58,000 men and women who tragically died while serving or supporting Bomber Command during WWII.
The centre’s dedicated team offers guided tours and visitors can explore the exhibitions and gardens as well as stopping off at its locally sourced café.
Nicky van der Drift, chief executive of the IBCC, said: “It’s an honour to be shortlisted for these awards and placed in such great company. It’s a testament to the hard work of the team of staff and volunteers bringing such enthusiasm to each day, determined to make everyone’s experience as enjoyable as possible during their time at the IBCC.
“History is for everyone, and so we pride ourselves on being as accessible as possible for everyone who wants to learn about the fascinating and sometimes controversial legacy of Bomber Command.
“Whether this is through our education offerings for families and children, or making sure our team is equipped to look after visitors with accessibility needs, our commitment to ensuring an interesting and rewarding time is what makes a trip here so special.
“We’ve got lots in store for 2025 already as we continue expanding and improving our offering. Winning these awards would be such an important accolade.”
The IBCC has an impressive collection of awards, including VisitEngland’s Gold International Tourism Award and Gold Accolade Award and TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards every year for four years, among many others for tourism, heritage, interpretation and education.
Additionally, in 2023 the centre won the VisitEngland Large Visitor Attraction Bronze Award, making it the third best in the country behind only Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, and Blenheim Palace.
Charlotte Goy, chief executive of Destination Lincolnshire, said: “Created to shine a light on businesses across the county, The Tourism Excellence Awards celebrate every aspect of the visitor economy – I’m thrilled to see so many fantastic businesses from across Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland shortlisted in this year’s celebration of tourism.
“Seeing applications come in from all areas of our LVEP region, and in numbers which have exceeded our previous years, I know the judging panel had their work cut out for them when it came to marking each submission. A heartfelt congratulations to everyone who made it onto the shortlist.
“I truly hope to see more of our incredible Lincolnshire businesses represented on the national stage at 2025’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.”
The award ceremony will take place at the Lincolnshire Showground on Friday, February 28th 2025, the winners of which will feed directly into the national Visit England Awards for Excellence.
New code system lets anyone report full or damaged bins
About three quarters of litter and dog bins in West Lindsey have now been fitted with QR codes to make it easier for people to report when they’re full or damaged.
The QR codes are on stickers and when fitted can be scanned directly from any mobile phone, allowing people to report directly back to the council.
Work started on fitting the QR codes to bins in July, and now 1,200 of the 1,950 have the stickers ready for scanning.
Councillor Ian Fleetwood, who originally raised the QR code idea at Full Council last year, said the scheme had proved popular among residents: “People have been very positive, and not just residents in my ward, but across the district. The responses have shown the QR codes are really making a difference.
“We are the authority responsible for waste and recycling across West Lindsey and any scheme like this only serves to make what the council does even more efficient.
“What’s so good about the scheme is that a resident can report a problem with a bin 24 hours a day, which helps make the whole process very efficient.”
Plans submitted for new mixed-use development in Boston
Boston Borough Council has submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of the Crown House site on the Rosegarth Square regeneration scheme.
Within these proposals the Council has also taken the opportunity to provide new public toilet facilities and to relocate the existing Changing Places facility. In addition, the council has also submitted demolition notices for both Crown House and the former B&M buildings, marking an important milestone in transforming this area of the town centre.
These plans follow in the footsteps of the recently approved planning consent for the proposed public realm works, which features new artwork, external social spaces, and a new entrance/drop-off area for the Len Medlock Centre. It will also include a sensory garden designed for quiet contemplation and reflection, as well as an amphitheatre-style seating area.
The Crown House proposal, subject to planning consent, would see a new mixed-use building featuring retail units on the ground floor and apartments on the remaining two storeys above. The scheme will also be enhanced with landscaping, parking and cycle storage to complement the overall Rosegarth Square masterplan.
The scheme aims to transform Rosegarth Square as a thriving community space. It will provide the opportunity for the retail units to offer outside dining as well as the wider area being used by family and friends to meet up and enjoy this part of the town.
The changes to the area will also enable quick and easy access to both the bus and train stations and become the gateway to the heart of Boston.
Councillor Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “The submission of the planning application is another major milestone in transforming this run-down part of town into an exciting new space for everyone.
“By integrating with the wider Rosegarth Square redevelopment, the proposal is expected to bring lasting benefits to Boston, improving the area’s visual appearance, accessibility, and community potential.
“It’s been a long-held aim of mine to be able to respond to resident’s concerns regarding the provision of public toilets so I am delighted that we are able to offer these improved facilities much nearer to the town centre.
“The plans reflect our commitment to bring a brighter future for our town and a place where Boston people, businesses and visitors can all be proud of.”
Investment in Australia and America sees international growth for Grimsby kids swimwear brand
Children’s swimwear brand Splash About has seen international growth in both Australia and the USA. The company, which is headquartered in Grimsby, has acquired its distribution partner Little Toggs in New South Wales, rebranding the business Splash About Australia Pty Limited, and for the first time the business has hired a team in the USA.
The move into both continents will accelerate relationships with infant swim schools, retailers and facilitate distribution as demand for product increases.
Commenting on the Australian acquisition, Lesley Beach, Joint Managing Director of Splash About International Ltd, said: “The potential for growth in Australia is huge with over 1.8 million children currently learning to swim. We had a strong presence in the market working closely with Little Toggs, but the infant swimwear and accessories market has grown exponentially.”
Lesley continued: “Demand for our Happy Nappy swim nappy has soared due to its technical design which prevents faecal leaks. Unwelcome leaks are bad for business; pools need to close for cleaning and lessons must be cancelled, which results in unnecessary and avoidable expense.
“Insisting on a reusable Happy Nappy to prevent these accidents is a simple, proven cost-effective option, saving operational costs and in turn increasing revenues.”
To facilitate demand, Splash About has invested in state-of-the-art warehouse facilities to quickly fulfil orders and maintain a high level of customer service. In Australia the business is based in New South Wales and will be spearheaded by Little Toggs founder Kylie Hadid and in America, Damien McDonnell is heading up business development in Texas.
In addition to swimwear and swim accessories, Splash About has devised a range of flexible Partnership Programmes to work with swim schools globally regardless of their size, which are aimed at helping them drive revenue, operate efficiently, and decrease costs without increasing prices.
New extension to special school brings additional places for Lincoln pupils
Pupils, staff and partners are celebrating the official opening of a new extension to St Christopher’s Special School in Lincoln.
The new block provides additional teaching spaces including eight classrooms, a food technology and social skills room, a hall and kitchen, small group rooms and calming spaces. There’s also a medical inspection room, hygiene facilities, and staff and meeting rooms.
In addition, the existing school has undergone remodelling work to provide two further classrooms and therapy spaces, such as sensory and physiotherapy. Outside, the school now has improved playing areas, a horticulture area and sensory garden.
Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive member for children’s services, said: “Combined with the new site for St Christopher’s primary-aged pupils, which opened last year, this project has created over 100 extra special school places for the city and surrounding area.
“Moving forward, the Hykeham Road site will now cater to St Christopher’s secondary-aged pupils. Staff and pupils have been in the new-and-improved school since the start of term, and the feedback has been very positive so far.
“This is the latest success resulting from our special school improvement project, which has seen over £100m invested to improve facilities and create over 500 additional places across the county. We’re now planning a second phase of improvements to build on that good work.”
Niall McCordick, head of school, added: “With an ever-growing demand for special need places, St Christopher’s are very excited about the opportunities the new build offers our students and the wider community.
“It is essential for both our families and young people to create opportunities which enable them to access high-quality, special education close to home.
“The excellent work being carried out across Lincolnshire special schools will enhance the future prospects of our children and young people, and we are very proud to be a part of this journey.
“LCC have been so supportive, and we have worked collaboratively with outside contractors to develop this very special resource which will serve the local community for years to come. We look forward to a brighter future!”
The new extension was a design and build contract carried out by Wates, using architecture services from Kier Design.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Rawpixel.com Scout Group awarded £30,000 to renovate outdoor activity area
Andy Oliver from Goxhill and Barrow Scout Group, said: “Here at 1st Goxhill and Barrow Scout Group we give young people aged between 6 and 18 years, from all over the Ferry Ward of North Lincolnshire, the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities that engages and supports young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to their communities and society.
“The funding grant from North Lincolnshire Council will allow us to improve our outdoor activity area, which is an important building block in the redevelopment of our HQ facilities, helping to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all to enjoy.”
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Stockfotos-MG
