Lincolnshire County Council funds advice sessions for farmers

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Lincolnshire County Council funds advice sessions for farmers

Lincolnshire County Council is funding advice sessions for county farmers in the light of a series of government policies that have affected the sector.

In December the council allocated an extra £50,000 to provide additional finance advisory support for farming businesses to plan for the future. Those interested in either impartial one-to-one advice, or taking part in a group workshop can now express an interest. The sessions will be delivered as part of the Lincolnshire Farm Support Programme. Cllr Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Farming is the heart and soul of Lincolnshire and times have never been tougher for those working in agriculture. We allocated this funding to support all of those struggling with a series of national government policy decisions that have potentially disastrous consequences for farmers. “We must protect Lincolnshire’s countryside and agricultural way of life, which is clearly under attack, including from large-scale infrastructure projects like solar farms and pylons. This is not just a matter of local livelihoods, but our nation’s food security. “As well as this direct support straight away, we will also be hosting a Food and Farming Conference later this year to support our farmers, and their future in this county.” The council will be working with other local and regional organisations that offer support to the farming sector to deliver this conference. Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy, environment and planning at the county council, said: “Recent announcements around national living wage, National Insurance increases and inheritance tax measures for farmers have resulted in increased concerns for farm owners around their ability to maintain viable businesses. “In addition, the government has suddenly closed the Sustainable Farming Initative to new applications – a scheme that provided a guaranteed income to farmers for environmental land management. “The impartial advice sessions we are funding include business planning and strategy, managing cashflow, diversification and succession planning. I hope as many farming businesses as possible take up this offer as we help them through the most challenging of times.” Interested farming businesses can complete the Business Lincolnshire enquiry form available on www.businesslincolnshire.com/enquiry or email businesslincolnshire@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Springfield Gallery

Details of multi-million pound government funding for Skegness released

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Details of multi-million pound government funding for Skegness released
Details of multi-million pound government funding previously revealed for Skegness have been released. The Plan for Neighbourhoods was announced by the government at the beginning of March and will see Skegness receive up to £20 million of funding and support over the next ten years. The details of the Plan for Neighbourhoods comes after the government’s confirmation in the October budget that the previously announced Long Term Plan for towns funding would be retained and reformed into a new regeneration programme. The Plan for Neighbourhoods focuses on three goals – thriving places, stronger communities, and taking back control – and areas will be driving forward their own priorities, with community engagement a crucial component of the programme. In line with government requirements, a regeneration plan which sets out a vision for the funding and a four year investment plan will be developed in the coming months. At the heart of this work will be community feedback and involvement. The funding for programme delivery will begin from April 2026. Chris Baron, Chair, Connected Coast, said: “It is great to have details of the programme and the priorities for investment confirmed, allowing us to move forward collaboratively to create a vision and plan for Skegness. “We have been carrying out consultation and engagement since last summer to inform this new government funding, and we will continue to work with local people in the coming months and years so that together we can focus this funding to make a long-term impact. “This is another exciting opportunity for Skegness which will allow us to maximise the town’s potential, and build on the significant investment and transformational projects that are already being delivered.” Paul McCooey, Chair, Connected Coast’s Skegness Sub-Group, added: “We have been awaiting further steer on this funding and now that the details have been announced, we can get to work with our communities, partners, and stakeholders to shape a plan for investment. “In Skegness, we have already seen what can be achieved through partnership working through the Town Deal projects, as exemplified by projects such as the Skegness Learning Campus which is set to be an economic game changer for our area. “Now, we can bring even more improvements to the town to benefit more people long into the future.” Councillor Craig Leyland, Leader, East Lindsey District Council, said: “Now the priorities for investment have been confirmed, we can progress with our partners in ensuring this funding has a long-term impact for residents and businesses in Skegness. “East Lindsey District Council has a proven track record of delivering investments with partners that make a difference to people’s lives and opportunities. This funding enables us to build on that even further and now work can continue in shaping this scheme that delivers what our community wants and needs.”
  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Electric Egg Ltd.

Boston secures funding for VE and VJ celebrations

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Boston secures funding for VE and VJ celebrations
Boston Borough Council has received £10,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to support the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) and Victory over Japan (VJ) commemorations. This significant milestone marks the end of the Second World War and honours the sacrifices made by the wartime generation. These events will provide an opportunity to come together, listen to stories, and reflect on the significance of the Allied victory. With the funds, the Borough Council will buy flags for school children, bunting for the town centre and parish councils, and a large flag for each parish council. These decorations will fill the streets as communities come together to celebrate and remember. The project aims to support the parishes within the Borough and town centre and planned street parties in commemorating these historic events. Councillor Dale Broughton, Boston Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Town Centre, said: “I look forward to seeing our town centre and local parishes decorated in brand new, vibrant bunting for the celebration of VE Day and VJ Day 80th anniversaries. “We are very grateful to UKSPF, as this funding allows us to create a community atmosphere that honours the sacrifices of the wartime generation and brings people together in celebration.” Councillor Emma Cresswell, Boston Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Communities, said: “These celebrations are a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and reflect on what happened 80 years ago. “By providing flags and bunting for schools and parishes, we aim to foster a sense of pride, to remember the legacy of those who fought for our freedom.”
  Image shows Boston, Lincolnshire – credit: Stock.adobe.com/Tony

Art & design students create lights for Sprites and Spirits at Sundown event

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Art & design students create lights for Sprites and Spirits at Sundown event
Magical lights, street theatre and entertainment are coming to Lincoln Arboretum this month and Lincoln College’s Art & Design students have been creating an amazing installation to go with it! More than 40 Level 3 Art and Design students studying at the College’s Christs Hospital Terrace (CHT) campus have worked together with an art company, Lumo, to create a series of water lily inspired lanterns. Lincoln College Art & Design Lecturer, Shelley Hawley, said: “These lanterns have come about from a project that Lumo approached us about recently and we’re so glad they did. We had around 45 students all creating them from material that they provided, and it was a really rewarding workshop. The lanterns are made from willow and tissue paper but are also lit up with multi-coloured lights that can be controlled remotely. “They will be used to light up the lake at the city’s arboretum as part of an event called Sprites and Spirits at Sundown, taking place on Saturday 28th March from 6pm to 8pm. The hours spent creating these will count towards the students’ work experience time and there’s been a possibility of getting some students more voluntary work as a result which is fantastic news.” Lindsay Cameron Johnson said: “Local Landscapes & Hidden Histories is a three-year, community interest project which is made possible with funding from the National Lottery Heritage fund. “The project is a place-based heritage project, which is co-produced with communities, individuals, and organisations across the city. “The project’s key objective is to connect local people to the heritage our parks and open spaces represent. We do this by delivering a meaningful programme of activities and initiatives which connect local park users and underrepresented groups to heritage. “We are extremely excited to be holding the Sprites and Spirits at Sundown event at Lincoln Arboretum, the event pays homage to the parks’ original opening in 1872 which really was a grand affair! The opening ceremony was attended by 25,000 people. “Attractions included brass band recitals, Professor Renzo’s Performing Dogs and Mr Emmanuel Jackson, the Midland aeronaut, in his new balloon. “The event will feature fun performances by Rhubarb Theatre – for example, the ghost of Edward Milner who designed the park layout, a prominent landscape designer and assistant to Joseph Paxton. “At 7pm there will be a parade with lanterns designed and created by LUMO Workshop who have worked closely with local community groups, including Lincoln College of Art and Monks Abbey Primary School, to create an array of lanterns which acknowledge the opening of the Arboretum.” Creative Director at Lumo Workshop, Nadya Monfrinoli, said: “It has been a privilege to work with Level 3 Art and Design students at Lincoln College to create a sculptural installation for the Arboretum and to offer them the opportunity to exhibit in an outdoor public space. We were impressed with the students’ enthusiasm, and we can’t wait for their beautiful work to be seen by everyone on the night.”

Regeneration projects near completion in Gainsborough

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Regeneration projects near completion in Gainsborough
Gainsborough’s Whitton Gardens and Baltic Mill projects, located off Ropery Road and Caskgate Street, are in the final stages of development and are expected to be completed this spring. These projects aim to enhance community spaces, support local businesses, and create a vibrant environment for residents and visitors. At Whitton Gardens, work is progressing on the transformation of the former riverside WC block into a modern café facility. Construction teams from Belton Construction are currently replacing the roof, carrying out internal wall work and beginning electrical installations. The project remains on schedule for completion in May, providing amenities in the riverside location. West Lindsey District Council is collaborating with specialist property advisors, Bruton Knowles, to attract an independent café operator, ensuring the new facility is brought to life as soon as construction is complete. Meanwhile, the Baltic Mill site is being transformed into a green public space, designed as a tranquil retreat by the riverside. Once construction is complete, the site will remain temporarily fenced off until May to allow the newly planted lawns and greenery to establish. Following a recent site visit, Council Leader Cllr Trevor Young and deputy leader Cllr Lesley Rollings expressed their enthusiasm for the progress being made. Cllr Young said: “These projects reflect our commitment to balancing leisure, heritage and nature ensuring Gainsborough is a welcoming and vibrant place for all. It’s great to see this area taking shape and I look forward to seeing the final results.” Cllr Rollings added: “It’s fantastic to see real progress on these much-anticipated projects. The work here reflects our commitment to creating spaces for residents and businesses to thrive and I am sure both areas will be enjoyed by people for many years to come.”   Image credit: West Lindsey District Council

All new buildings in North Lincolnshire to have solar panels

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All new buildings in North Lincolnshire to have solar panels
Every new home or industrial unit built in North Lincolnshire will have to include solar panels, council leader Rob Waltham has announced. This will see hundreds of new buildings generating green, clean, electricity every year. The new rule is included in the council’s draft local plan, agreed at North Lincolnshire’s Cabinet meeting yesterday (Monday 17 March). Cllr Rob Waltham said: “We are seeing solar farms popping up all over the place, taking up valuable farm land and being a blot on the landscape. It makes far more sense to include the panels on houses, factories, and other buildings. The council has already worked with local schools and other facilities to fit panels – generating clean energy and reducing bills. “When the new local plan comes into force, every development will have to include solar panels as standard or planning permission will not be given. This should reduce the demand for farmland and put the panels where they should be.”
  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Andrii

Lincolnshire heroine honored with Women in War exhibition by International Bomber Command Centre

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Lincolnshire heroine honored with Women in War exhibition by International Bomber Command Centre
The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) has commemorated the extraordinary contributions of wartime women with the launch of a new exhibition, as part of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. Guests gathered on Friday 14 March to mark the opening to the IBCC Women in War book festival, which featured the unveiling of ten striking steel silhouettes and the presence of esteemed ‘Modern Giants’. Two spectacular all-female flypasts, symbolising the strength and power of women in aviation, took place to mark the occasion. The first flypast featured a prefect from 57 Squadron at RAF Cranwell, followed by a second, breathtaking display of one Atlas 400M from RAF Brize Norton and one Typhoon from XI (Fighter) Squadron at RAF Coningsby. Nicky van der Drift, chief executive of the IBCC, said: “This exhibition is a testament to the IBCC’s commitment to recognition, remembrance, and reconciliation. We are proud to honour the women who played such a vital role in protecting the freedoms we enjoy today.” The ten steel silhouettes, crafted by Standing with Giants, honour the bravery and resilience of individual wartime women. They will serve as a lasting tribute at the IBCC to the vital roles women played during the war. The silhouettes include Renee Woods, who was tragically killed aged just 23. In a tragic moment of wartime history, brave Renee, a Lincolnshire native from Fishtoft, lost her life at RAF Waddington on 9 May, 1941. A lone Luftwaffe bomber’s devastating raid, dropping five bombs, obliterated the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) building, claiming Renee and six of her colleagues, including manager Doris Constance Raven. Their sacrifice, a poignant reminder of the civilian cost of war, was commemorated with the rebuilding of the NAAFI, christened the Raven’s Club, a lasting tribute to their service and the enduring memory of their untimely deaths. The event also welcomed the ‘Modern Giants’, a group of distinguished women leaders from across the UK who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. The IBCC worked with these women to support the creation of the Women in War silhouettes and officially unveil them. While the modern giants have all had very different experiences, there are several from within the Armed Forces, and many that have been recognised with Honours as well as other outstanding accolades. Their presence underscored the exhibition’s theme of celebrating both historical and contemporary female achievements. Notable attendees included Cressida Hogg CBE, Chair BAE Systems; AVM Suraya Marshall CBE, RAF Assistant Chief of Air Staff; Dame Anita Frew DBE, Chair Rolls Royce; and Baroness Hogg, IBCC Trustee and first woman to Chair a FTSE 100 company, among many others. Baroness Hogg, instrumental in driving the exhibition, emphasised the importance of recognising these often-overlooked heroines. “By 1943, women were integral to the war effort, filling crucial roles in the armed forces, industry, and other wartime organisations,” she said. “These ten silhouettes represent the vast and varied contributions of women, whose capabilities were finally acknowledged in the face of their undeniable impact.” Nicky van der Drift added: “Our thanks go to all those who have played a part in bringing our Women in War silhouettes into existence and honouring their installation on what was an unforgettable day. And a special mention to the families and friends of the wartime women, some of whom went to extraordinary lengths to be present for the unveiling.” The ‘Women in War’ silhouettes will become a longstanding installation at the IBCC’s Memorial Spire. The exhibition unveiling was part of the broader Women in War Book Festival, held on 14 and 15 March, providing a comprehensive exploration of women’s wartime experiences. The IBCC, located in Lincoln, the heart of ‘Bomber County’, serves as a world-class facility dedicated to preserving the legacy of Bomber Command.   Image shows (L-R) silhouettes of Joan Curran, Renee Woods, Stella Charnaud and Madeleine Damerment.

£1m flooding help scheme set for Lincolnshire

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£1m flooding help scheme set for Lincolnshire
£1 million of additional funds have been allocated by the County Council to help residents who have been flooded recently. The Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Scheme is a delivery of the pledge made earlier in the year by Cllr Colin Davie that help would be given to those affected by extremes of seasonal weather. The money will be spent on helping residents to install property flood resilience measures such as flood barriers to doors and passive resistant airbricks. The scheme will be for those households where the living space has flooded in recent storms. Any money left over after those properties have been helped will then go to other properties that were not able to apply to the Government-led scheme which was set up following Storm Henk in January 2024. Each eligible household can be awarded up to £5,000 to carry out these flood resistance works and Lincolnshire County Council officers will be writing to eligible households in the next few weeks to liaise with property owners directly. Cllr Davie, executive member for environment, planning and economic development, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to make this substantial sum of money available to support Lincolnshire residents who were most affected by the recent storms. “We have worked hard to find this money to fund the scheme, and we will make every penny of it count in the real world. “Our flood officers will get in touch with everyone who reported having had water inundation into their homes recently, and from there we can put in place very real measures to help their property become more flood resistant. “This is only a partial solution to the problem of the increasing regularity of floods. A lack of funding from central Government to the Environment Agency, and other stakeholders, means that we need a long-term discussion about how areas such as Lincolnshire can be best supported to keep properties and businesses safe from water inundation. “The PFR scheme is an on-the-ground attempt by ourselves to bring about improvement for the people of Lincolnshire in the short term.”
  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Stockfotos-MG

Councils reaffirm commitment to Alford Windmill

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Councils reaffirm commitment to Alford Windmill

Representatives from Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council and the Alford Windmill Trust have met to reaffirm their commitment to bringing the historic mill back into use.

Cllr Colin Matthews, who represents Alford on Lincolnshire County Council, which currently owns the windmill site, said: “It’s promising to see that partners are still dedicated to finding a resolution that will move this project forward and exploring all options to make the necessary repairs and develop the site into a viable visitor attraction. “Our funding pot of over £450,000, which we have set aside for the windmill repair project, is still committed. “We all still want to see these plans come to fruition. And with this agreement in principle, we’re exploring options that would see us gift the windmill to the local community, through the Alford Windmill Trust, and provide our funding to repair the cap and sails.” In December last year, East Lindsey District Council agreed to reallocate Government funding to Alford Manor House to avoid the risk of losing the funding and ensure it remained in Alford to benefit the town. Cllr Graham Marsh, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction at East Lindsey District Council, said: “It’s clear that from a community level, right up to county level, we all want to see this happen. “The question is exactly how do we do it? Thankfully, I’m confident we have the right people around the table, reaffirming their commitment to the Alford Windmill project. “Conversations will continue here at the district council on how our officers can best support the conservation work at the windmill, preserving its heritage.” John Smith, of the Alford Windmill Trust, said: “We’re grateful that the county and district councils are still supporting our dream of seeing Alford Windmill turn again. It’s only by working together that we can make this a reality. “We’re keen to see the project benefit the Alford area as much as possible. This should include providing opportunities for local businesses to be involved in the development work itself, as well as once the windmill is operational again. “We’re still at the start of the journey, but this is a positive step in the right direction that will help us rebuild confidence in this project. With the support of not just the councils, but the community too, we can build momentum again and help create a lasting legacy for the town.”
  Image credit: Lincolnshire County Council

Fenchurch House Care Home is rated 10 out of 10 by local families

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Fenchurch House Care Home is rated 10 out of 10 by local families
Fenchurch House Care Home, located in Spalding, Lincolnshire, is renowned for providing exceptional residential and specialist dementia care. This has now been reflected by the home receiving the highest rating of 10 out of 10 from reviews left on the online review site Carehome.co.uk. Reviewers include friends and family members of residents, who are asked for their opinion on key parts of care home life, including Care and Support, Facilities, food and drink and overall experience. A recent review from the sister of a resident said about the home: “Every time I visit, I am very impressed with the care and respect shown towards my sister. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. It was my sister’s birthday today and it was made so special for her, with a cake, gifts, decorations etc. My sister always tells me she is very happy at Fenchurch and it really is an exceptional care home.” Another review from the daughter-in-law of a short-term respite stay resident said: “I would like to thank everyone at Fenchurch House Care Home for looking after my mother-in-law while we went on holiday. She had an amazing time joining in with all the activities: singing, bingo, knitting and many more. “I would highly recommend this care home, it’s beautiful. The staff are lovely and went above and beyond to make her stay just perfect. We were able to go away knowing she had the best care.” Carehome.co.uk is the UK’s leading Care Home review website with 16,548 care homes and nursing homes, 15 million visits per year and 362,739 verified Care Home reviews. All the reviews must be verified before they can be published on the site with the team performing several checks to ensure they all comply with their review policy. Ganiyu Lawal, the Home Manager at Fenchurch House Care Home, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive the top score—it’s a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team. Their commitment has made this achievement possible, and we couldn’t be prouder. “We are also incredibly grateful to the friends and family members of our residents for their support and recognition, knowing this reflects their firsthand experiences means so much. A heartfelt thank you to our staff—this wouldn’t have been possible without your unwavering care and commitment.” For more information about Fenchurch House Care Home, please contact Hannah Mills, Senior Customer Relations Manager, on 01775 711 959 or email careenquiries@countrycourtcare.com.
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