- Keep to the designated footpaths
- Keep dogs under control
- Anyone using the coastline for water sports must stay away from the salt marsh and sand banks.
Are you ready to celebrate World Curlew Day?
This Sunday it’s time to celebrate some of Europe’s largest wading birds along the coastline around Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham.
April 21 is World Curlew Day, designated to draw attention to the plight of a bird population in decline.
there used to be eight species of curlew worldwide and two are now assumed extinct, with the Eskimo and the Slender-Billed varieties having not been seen for decades.
The Eurasian Curlew was once a common sight across the UK, but numbers have drastically declined over the last 40 years. On average, 60 per cent of the curlew population in England and Scotland has been lost since 1980. They are now a red list endangered species, with only 58,500 breeding pairs in the UK.
The Humber Estuary has been classed as an internationally important habitat and is protected in law. Here in North East Lincolnshire, the natural habitat of mud flats is perfect for curlews, who use their long legs and curvy beaks for finding food in our thick estuary mud.
More than 1% of the Humber Estuary’s curlew population can be seen on the North East Lincolnshire coast. That number is likely to be even higher as they also use sites further inland, and they love boggy playing fields.
At Novartis Ings, a unique Mitigation Site, there are flocks of up to 90 birds, which also use the agricultural land around. Loss or change of habitat has been a major factor in the species decline, but sites like Novartis Ings provide a safe habitat for curlews and other birds to rest and feed.
These tall wading birds arrive along our coastline from July onwards with their numbers peaking in January. A group of curlews is called a curfew, a salon or a skein. You can often spot them on football pitches along our coastline, looking for food in the torn-up turf.
Their ‘cur-lee’ call is distinctive, along with their long, down-curved bill that has a flash of pink underneath. They use this curvy bill to eat worms, shellfish and shrimps from the mud flats. Due to their eating habits, female curlews have a longer bill than the males.
Once Curlews make it to adulthood, they are very hardy birds, but many don’t survive to fledging age. This is due to changing landscapes, habitat loss, recreational disturbance, climate change and natural predators. Curlews take 90 days to nest successfully, they need a variety of tall and short vegetation to provide cover and food.
Celebrate our curlew population this Sunday in North East Lincolnshire by respecting our birdlife. Please observe safety measures to protect nesting birds from disturbance by following these simple steps:
Harlaxton Manor opens its doors to host two days of events and opportunities for local businesses
Harlaxton Manor, a premium British country estate and college dedicated to fostering community engagement and diversity, is joining forces with marketing and events company Globella to host two consecutive days of opportunities for local businesses across Lincolnshire.
The first event, the Lincolnshire Hospitality Trade Show, slated for Wednesday 15 May 2024, promises to be a dynamic event focused on networking, innovation, and entrepreneurial inspiration within the hospitality realm.
Entrepreneurs, business owners and industry leaders from various sectors of hospitality will converge to share insights, forge valuable partnerships, and explore opportunities for growth.
Featuring keynote speakers renowned for their expertise and success stories in the hospitality industry, the Lincolnshire Hospitality Trade Show is poised to be an invaluable resource for individuals seeking to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of hospitality businesses.
In contrast, the second event, The Big Business Event, scheduled for Thursday 16 May 2024, offers attendees a unique blend of creativity and inspiration within the business world.
Showcasing pioneering ideas, cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking solutions, The Big Business Event promises an immersive experience brimming with entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.
From thought-provoking presentations to interactive workshops, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the diverse landscape of business innovation and celebrate the vibrant tapestry of talent within our community.
“We are so pleased to be the venue for both the Lincolnshire Hospitality Trade Show and the Big Business Event,” said Dr Holly Carter, Executive Director and Dean of Harlaxton College.
“These events showcase business in Lincolnshire, where we call home. Harlaxton Manor wants to support business and industry in the county and help everyone to thrive. We welcome everyone to the event and know it will be a great success.”
Local businesses are encouraged to seize this opportunity to engage with their community, foster meaningful connections and support other local businesses in Lincolnshire.
By participating in these events, businesses can strengthen their ties to the community, showcase their commitment to diversity and innovation and gain valuable exposure among a diverse audience of potential customers and collaborators.
To reserve your spot at the Lincolnshire Hospitality Trade Show and The Big Business Event, please visit:
https://www.globella.co.uk/bbe
https://www.globella.co.uk/lincolnshire-hospitality-trade-show
Hospital clinicians become world record holders
From swimming in the River Witham to breaking a world record in Estonia, it has been quite the journey for two hospital clinicians.
Nicola Housam and Frances Mills have returned from the Winter Swimming World Championships after helping to break a world record.
They swapped the corridors of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust for the freezing cold of outdoor swimming in the Estonian capital Tallinn, from Monday 4 to Sunday 10 March 2024.
They participated in the front crawl relay alongside 805 other swimmers, securing a world record for the largest ever winter swimming relay which lasted more than seven hours.
The water temperatures fell to as low as 0.5 degrees. The Baltic Sea swimming lanes froze over most mornings so volunteers had to swim to break the ice which was then gathered up before the swimming could start. All swimming was done in a normal swimsuit in accordance with the rules of the Winter Swimming World Championships.
The pair also achieved personal bests for their swims. Nicola, an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Dermatology, finished 16th in the world in the 25m breast stroke and 11th in the 50m breast stroke. Frances, a Specialist Family Practitioner, competed in the 25m front crawl and achieved her own personal best.
They are both founding members of the Boston Bluetits Chill Swimming club, while also being regulars at Boston’s Park Run. They were part of a team of Bluetits from all over the world who travelled together for the competition.
Nicola managed to convince her husband to take part in the world record attempt. The Bluetits were invited as guests to the British Embassy and even got the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Estonia, Ross Allen, to complete a leg.
Nicola said: “We had an amazing time. The cold water seemed to make everyone closer. The adrenaline kept us going.
“Our Bluetit team of over 60 from around the world has done the community proud. We were ‘rent a crowd’ for countries that had small support, we cheered on everyone taking part – from the elite crews to the give-it-a-go crews. The atmosphere was amazing.
“I never thought that when I set up the Boston Bluetits I would help so many people meet each other and make friends. I never thought we’d break a world record either!”
Over 40 countries, from Mongolia to the USA, took part in the bi-annual world championships. Nicola said Estonia embraced them with open arms.
Frances added: “The colder the water, the deeper the friendship. The Bluetits is an amazing, uplifting and truly inclusive community. There is something very special about open water swimming. The laughing and sharing of hot water bottles, woolly bobble hats and a hot flask after a swim in five-degree water changes your day.
“It is good for the heart and soul to be surrounded by swimmers from across the globe doing something that we all love, and it’s great to break a world record too.”
The pair had such a good time that they are already planning their trip to the next Winter Swimming World Championships in Finland in 2026.
Image: Fran (left) and Nicola (right) in Tallinn. Image courtesy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
New plaques highlight Nettleham’s history
Blue plaques have been put up at various locations in Nettleham to highlight points of historical significance and to help inform visitors to the village.
Ward councillors John Barrett and Fraser Brown are behind the project, which has seen four blue plaques installed around The Green.
The plaques have been funded by Nettleham Parish Council, and the West Lindsey councillors have been helped by local historian, Pearl Wheatley.
Each of the plaques has a central QR code, which people can scan with their phone to access historical information about each building via the parish council web page.
The plaques are located at the following locations:
- Beck House, Grade II listed, near the Co-Op. Believed to be the oldest residence in Nettleham. Although there is some evidence it was in existence in the 14th century and called ‘Pond House’; there is more evidence of it in the 16th century. It was the last thatched home in Nettleham until 1906.
- The Plough Inn, Grade II listed, was built in 1690. It was for a while The Manor Court, dealing with certain issues on the demise of Nettleham’s, Bishops Palace (some of the stone taken to rebuild Lincoln Bishops Palace). It was a coaching Inn up to 1906 and could still take two horses.
- The Institute built in 1894, opposite the Plough Inn. It was paid for by a good friend of Nettleham, Herbert James Torr of Riseholme Hall. In its time it was a coffee tavern, an overflow for the old school, a dance hall, a refugee centre for Belgians in WWI and a doctor’s surgery. There was even some sort of shooting range. It closed in 1973 and is home to small businesses.
- The Black Horse Pub, Grade II listed. Built in 1777, its initial area had five cottages and a workhouse run by the Vestry (now Parish Councils), with the pub on the corner. It is possibly the most haunted premises in Nettleham. There are reports of glasses clinking together and child’s laughter, a picture flying across the room, and beer sliding off a table where someone had once died.
Skegness Gateway unveils £151m flood defence plan
The owners behind the landmark Skegness Gateway scheme have revealed a £151 million Flood Risk Resilience Fund (FRRF) as part of a raft of measures that will help defend the development and wider Skegness area from the impacts of flooding.
The plans, which have been collaboratively developed with East Lindsey District Council and the Environment Agency, have been more than 12 months in planning.
The news follows the approval of a Local Development Order (LDO) for the scheme in March, announced at an executive meeting of East Lindsey District Council in Horncastle.
Agreement was given on more than £300m in socio-economic benefits for the region, alongside new homes, jobs, a crematorium and supported living provision. A new TEC college was granted planning permission for the site in February 2023.
The unique FRRF scheme will operate via an ongoing management fee, associated with the 1,000 properties planned for the 336-acre site. A specialist estate management company will be formed alongside this, which will manage the financial model and take an active role in flood risk strategy on site.
A proportion of the money received from the Gateway properties will allow funding agreements to be setup between East Lindsey District Council (ELDC), the Environment Agency (EA) and other vested interest parties for ongoing defence management and flood risk reduction over the lifetime of the development.
Sue Bowser, of Croftmarsh, said: “The Gateway team take the issue of flooding very seriously. It’s one of the key reasons we have generated this funding, which contributes positively to schemes that maintain and mitigate against the risks posed by flooding and water management.
“We’ve worked hard to come up with a solution that not only protects our development, but also our wider home of Skegness, closely collaborating with the Environment Agency and East Lindsey District Council.
“Regenerating the area is hugely important to us as a fifth-generation family in the area, and we’re pleased to see the acceleration of a scheme that will bring new homes, jobs and greater prosperity to our region.”
According to the latest Climate Change Risk Assessment, an estimated 1.8m people are living in areas of the UK at significant risk of coastal, surface or river flooding.
In Skegness, the Gateway’s Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) identifies the coastline defending the project to be 13.8km, running from Burgh Sluice to the main drain outfall at Ingoldmells. Estimates from the Environment Agency put defence management for the next 100-year period, from Saltfleet to the Gibraltar Point coastline, as ranging between £15m per kilometre to £40m per kilometre.
The contribution enabled by the FRRF scheme could cover 27.0% of the defence management at the highest rate and 71.9% at the lowest rate, depending on the approach and measures taken to flood prevention efforts in the region.
Neil Sanderson, also of Croftmarsh, added: “We understand the flooding risks posed to coastal communities across the UK and want to be active in the role we can play in mitigation efforts.
“What we have here is a solution that is bespoke for our town, allowing regenerative efforts to flourish whilst contributing positively to flood defence strategies being undertaken by public sector organisations.”
As part of the Gateway’s flood prevention efforts, a series of flood education and evacuation programmes will also be undertaken by the estate management team, extending to new homeowners as well as the wider population of Skegness.
Raised ground and flood compensation areas are all part of the Gateway’s proposals, aiding flood prevention onsite.
Councillor Steve Kirk, East Lindsey District Council portfolio holder for coastal economy, said: “I am delighted we have been able to agree this significant investment and commitment to help protect this landmark development and the wider area from flooding for many years to come.
“The risk of flooding and the devastating impact it can have must always be taken extremely seriously, and working in partnership with transformational projects like this we can help make real improvements and additions that will safeguard Skegness and its residents and businesses for generations to come.”
Chris Baron, chair of Connected Coast, said: “It is great that this level of commitment is being made to support flood resilience as part of the Skegness Gateway. We have such a fantastic opportunity to invest and deliver transformational improvements for the area through all of our work, and doing this responsibly and respectfully of the environment is crucial.”
Off-road offerings from Enduro Club for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance
A group of local motorcycle enthusiasts decided to set up a new racing club eight years ago, to race their off-road motorbikes. And so the Lincolnshire Enduro Club was born.
The club has gone from success to success during that time; not only have they been racing their bikes, but the members have also been raising money for various charities, and for the last six years all money raised through raffles and auctions has gone to support Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.
Enduro Club PR Manager, Martin, said: “Many of the riders and helpers connected with the club have road going motorcycles as well as their dirt bikes. They recognise the good work that LNAA can provide for both riders and racers, especially when we can all, from time to time, get knocked off our steeds!”
In addition to the club raising £2,000 in 2023, one founder member, Andrew Baker, also set off and walked the 800 km long, Camino Del Norte pilgrimage routes across Northern Spain and raised a further £450.
Club president Kevin Bartle Sr, and 2023 Champion, Dan Johnson, presented cheques to LNAA just before the first race of 2024.
LNAA Community Fundraiser Jac Sutherland said: “This is an incredible donation, and we want to thank every member of the club for their generosity.
“We receive no direct Government funding and rely on the support of organisations like Lincolnshire Enduro Club to keep our helicopter and critical care cars operational, delivering the best pre-hospital emergency care to patients 24/7, seven-days-a-week.”
Lincolnshire Show plans the ‘biggest day out’ with new Garden Show for 2024
A Chelsea-style Garden Show will be among the new attractions on 19th and 20th June.
This year’s Lincolnshire Show will see the return of jaw-dropping performances that have wowed audiences in previous years, as well as new events and areas to discover, alongside traditional favourites.
Organisers are hoping this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever, with the Show’s first ever Garden Show, where some of the county’s best gardeners will be competing to display the best plot.
Last year, 58,000 people visited the Show, along with 2,500 animals and 500 traders or exhibitors, and it is one of the most anticipated events in the region.
Charlotte Powell, Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society (LAS) said that she has big hopes for the Show: “I am thrilled to see the return of our iconic Lincolnshire Show for its 139th Show. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
“We are proud to announce a major expansion of our popular Horticultural Zone with our must-see Garden Show, where some of the best gardeners in the county will be competing for the best plot.
“Furthermore, our Countryside area will feature some new additional entertainment, ensuring a memorable day out for everyone, and we may have some more surprises in store. I invite you all to join us at the Lincolnshire Show, where we will celebrate the best of our region’s agriculture, entertainment and community spirit.”
With Lincolnshire being home to more than 4,500 farms, covering 80% of the county, the Lincolnshire Show is one of the biggest county shows in the country, with its history stretching back 139 years.
Organised by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society (LAS), a registered charity which aims to educate the local community about food, farming and the countryside, the Show remains true to its roots, with a strong focus on farming and country life. All funds raised through ticket sales are invested in the LAS’ charity works, including the LAS Education Programme, and are reinvested in producing the Show each year.
As well as the new Garden Show areas, the Show Main Ring promises stunt displays, livestock performances, the Shetland Grand National and much more, while the Lincolnshire Kitchen returns with live cookery demonstrations and opportunities to taste local produce. The Horticultural Zone, where the new Garden Show will be located, will also see floristry displays and the return of The Potting Shed which premiered at last year’s Show. Lincolnshire’s sky-high heritage will be celebrated during the event and children can try their hand at fun farming activities at the Farm-gate Education Marquee. Meanwhile, the Member’s Lawn is the place to be for a relaxing glass of Pimm’s in the sun.
The Show is also proud to host one of the qualifying rounds of Farmer’s Weekly’s ‘Britain’s Fittest Farmer’ competition, which champions fitness and mental wellbeing and agriculture with gruelling feats of physical strength and resilience.
Spread out over 200 acres at the Lincolnshire Showground, just four miles from Lincoln city centre, the Lincolnshire Show offers breathtaking entertainment, a huge range of exhibitors and retailers, a vintage fairground, historical aircraft, expert cooking demonstrations, equine and livestock shows and much, much more.
In the months leading up the Show, farmers, livestock owners, florists, artists, chefs, craftspeople, entertainers, stunt performers, makers and retailers throughout the county will be busy preparing for the event, which is a highlight of the Lincolnshire calendar.
Local schools will also be getting ready for the LAS Schools’ Challenge to better teach children about agriculture, sustainability, food and nutrition with teachers working directly with the LAS’ education team.
The Lincolnshire Show will be held on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th June 2024.
Tickets bought in advance for this year’s Show are available to buy now, priced at £24 for adults, £8 for children (under 5s are free) and £59 for a family. Tickets can be purchased from www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk, booking fees apply.
Mick’s book sales boost Freemasons’ ambition to raise £2.25m for charity in five-year campaign
Lincoln author and Freemason Mick Lake has donated more than £1,200 – the entire proceeds from sales of his fourth book – to a five-year campaign to raise at least £2.25m for charity .
The book’s entitled Lincoln: Heroic, Tragic, & Bizarre Tales From History, and is a collection of ‘strange but true’ stories from Lincoln and the surrounding villages, and sales will boost the Freemasons’ charity the MCF which will ultimately invest the funds into good causes around the county.
The latest person to see the fruits of Mick’s labours is Paul Crockett, Head of Fundraising at the MCF. He met Mick on a visit to Lincolnshire to meet the committee co-ordinating the fundraising effort.
Mick promised to give to the Freemasons’ fundraising festival all of the money raised between now and the end of the festival in autumn next year. He expected that to be at least £1,000, but it’s already more than £1,200.
The book contains over 70 short stories, and closely follows the format of his first publication, Lincoln – True Tales from History. The first book had a strong focus upon extraordinarily tragic events, and this book contains many stories of a similar nature. However, the new book also has many tales which demonstrate the selfless courage shown by ordinary people whilst going about their daily business.
Says Mick: “The stories are all based in the City of Lincoln, or villages within the surrounding area, with the exception of a small number which describe the remarkable exploits of its citizens whilst travelling in other parts of the world. Every tale in the book is underpinned by meticulous research, and regardless of how bizarre it may seem, each story is completely true.
“The book makes an ideal gift for the ‘difficult-to-buy-for’ person, and I’m happy to provide a signed copy. Email me at saxilbystriker@yahoo.co.uk for further details.” The books are available on Amazon
Farnsfield helicopter is topping for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance
Following the launch of their Great Yarn Bomb Challenge, the team at Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) believe they have spotted the first postbox topper, at Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire.
Created by avid topper designer Lee-Anne Willis, a dental hygienist from Farnsfield, the crocheted masterpiece took two weeks to come together with Lee-Anne spending hours each night designing the intricate pattern.
When Lee-Anne heard of LNAA’s Yarn Bomb Challenge she just knew she had to take part. She said: “The Air Ambulance attended a friend of mine last year, and that brought home to me how important their work is in helping people in their time of need.
“I wanted to support their work and so, when I heard they were calling for crocheters and knitters I knew this was something I could get involved in.”
Lee-Anne has been making post box toppers since 2002 and regularly decorates two in Farnsfield. She has become a master scavenger, collecting items that can be used as the frame with which she can then crochet over.
She said: “I don’t use patterns, rather make it up as I go along, I had just made a few hedgehogs for another project and realised the nose pattern would be a perfect match for the nose of the LNAA helicopter! Then using a plastic helicopter toy I was able to create the rotors and wheels and finally added the LNAA logo.”
LNAA’s Volunteer Manager, Kate Kerrigan said: “The yarn bomb challenge is a fabulous way to support the life-saving work of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance from the comfort of your own home.
“With your help, we are looking to colour the counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire yellow. There is still time to get involved. Just grab your knitting needles and crochet hooks and some yellow yarn and register your interest at ambucopter.org.uk/knitting.”
Lee-Anne’s helicopter topper will be on permanent display on the post box in Farnsfield village, one of thousands of helicopters that will be displayed in Lincs and Notts after the Yarn Bomb Challenge is launched in June.
Horncastle Hotshots score with funding to reignite netball passion in the town
Netball has grown in the UK over recent years and more women than ever are getting involved in the sport. JB’s Sports Coaching wanted to bring the sport to one of the most rural locations in the county in the hope for it to build friendships, develop confidence and make people feel like a part of a team.
Horncastle has limited options when it comes to community facilities and JB’s identified that women in the town had fewer opportunities to be active, often feeling excluded from participating in community provisions which led them to feel isolated, lonely, anxious and poor mental health.
Therefore, the Horncastle Hotshots was created.
Thanks to Sport England’s Together Fund, distributed by Active Lincolnshire, JB’s Sports Coaching were able to deliver 20 sessions on a Monday night, to two age groups. 66 women and girls participated across the sessions, with 34 being 11–16-year-olds and 32, 17 years and over.
Removing barriers for women to attend is a priority for JB’s, to ensure that everyone can attend, get active and reap the health benefits. They decided to run the sessions at the same time as the children’s football sessions at the same location, so that childcare was not a barrier.
One participant noted: “My main challenges were childcare. I was able to take part in this as my daughter took part in the under 17’s netball at the same time and my other daughter was able to sit and watch.” This was a huge success of the project seeing so many mothers and daughters play together, and the mums not just stood at the sidelines watching.
One of the participants said: “It’s great to have something for mums in Horncastle. Toni has made the sessions sociable and inclusive, I really enjoy them.”
Three coaches have now been trained thanks to the funding, all receiving their Netball Level 1 qualification which means that the sessions are continuing in the future. This has also developed the coaches’ self-esteem and confidence.
Toni McHamilton, coach at the sessions, says: “It’s been great to have so many adults and young people getting involved in our netball services. Though there has been an element of competitiveness, it’s been great to see people coming along and enjoying the sessions. Meeting new people, becoming more confident in themselves and their own ability and actually improving their netball skills too!”
Despite a few issues with venues, JB’s were determined to deliver the project realising that to get more people active, it is not about the venue, but about keeping it safe to play, and remaining consistent in the delivery.
England Netball’s Lincolnshire Development Officer, Louise Key, has since been working with the Hotshots to ensure sustainability of the team, with the hope that partnership and support continues within the county for the sport.
