< Previous50 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY WOODHALL SPA From its former bromo- iodine spring water to its exceptional shopping and hospitality offering, the story of Woodhall Spa is a fascinating one. Lincolnshire Today takes a closer look. T he story of Woodhall Spa takes us back to the early 19th century, when John Parkinson, a mining entrepreneur, searched for coal in the area. Though the pit plan failed, what Parkinson accidentally struck instead would literally make the village’s name. The bromo-iodine spring water that escaped the shaft was found to have significant health benefits, first curing some ill cattle that drank from a stream it had flowed into. People then began not just drinking the water, but bathing in it to treat certain ailments such as gout. So it was that local landowner Thomas Hotchkin took advantage of the alternative prospect by building a small bathhouse, and letting word spread about the new mini spa resort. The famous ‘Iodine Spa’ was later expanded into six treatment rooms with an adjoining hotel. Its popularity grew to such an extent, that in the 1880s it was sold to a ‘Syndicate of Gentlemen’—in other words, a group of investors. London architect Richard Adolphus Came was employed to create the Broadway, which has become Woodhall Spa’s centre for retail therapy. Gift shops, craft stores and bakeries nestle alongside health and aromatherapy purveyors, echoing the village’s past as a place to revive and recuperate. Came also designed the wide tree-lined avenues that added a touch of the lavish around the Spa Bath and Pinewoods Bath. These features’ planning and installation, there to remain to this day, was the landmark point that birthed Woodhall Spa as a must-visit destination. During the Edwardian period many members of high society, up to and including royalty, flocked to the then- named Victoria Hotel and added to the spa’s prestige. The fashion wasn’t to last, Wonderful Woodhall Spa Wonderful Woodhall Spa 50-55.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2023 09:56 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 51 WOODHALL SPA © Village Limits and the spa village gradually received less foot traffic. But this didn’t dampen Woodhall Spa’s charm, the power of its origin, history and continued innovation bringing its reputation forward into the present day. The wealth of heritage spilling out from a humble healing spring is survived by the Spa’s many historic buildings. These include a handful of grand and quirky churches linked to the parish of Woodhall Spa, including the understated Victorian church of St. Peter’s in the village itself. The adorably compact 13th-century St Leonard’s chapel is close by at Kirkstead, one which has extra status as a listing in Simon Jenkins’ book ‘England’s 1000 Best Churches’. The chapel once served as a chantry for Kirkstead Abbey and retains its 53 Á Independent ladies store SHE Boutique to open new store in Woodhall Spa SHE Boutique, the independent lady’s store in Boston and Woodhall Spa, will be opening a new store named Intimates @ SHE Boutique, which will take over the former Glenn James lingerie shop. Located on Tattershall Road, Intimates @ SHE Boutique will stock the same great makes and lingerie but will be adding both nightwear and swimwear to their selection, creating the perfectly intimate shopping experience. SHE Boutique has made waves in Boston and Woodhall Spa as a small but unique independent that stocks some truly incredible brands such as Soya Concept, Taifun, and Sandwich for clothing, and Empreinte and Fantasie among its lingerie range, and many more lingerie brands to come. The range of unique and stylish clothes ensures any customer will stand out from the crowd, and the new store will be no different in that regard. Visit the new store at Albany House, Tattershall Road, where the new selections of lingerie are guaranteed to make you feel good on the inside and look great on the outside. 50-55.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2023 09:57 Page 2A stunning new development of one, two, three and four îûõšńńĸĖńĸûŨƒěűĖńŹűŨűÓĺõěĺďŨŞûïěƧïÓűěńĺěĺïįŹõěĺď ïÓšŞûűŨȤƨńńšěĺďȤűŹšĎûõšûÓšďÓšõûĺŨ ÓĺõûįûïűšěïďÓšÓďûõńńšŨÓįįÓŨŨűÓĺõÓšõȣ * Don’t miss out, register your interest and make your move to a new Rippon home. It really is the place to be in ’23. RIPPONHOMES.CO.UK Woodcock Grange, Tattershall Road, Woodhall Spa LN10 6TL ȮŞûïěƧïÓűěńĺŨÓšûěĺõěƑěõŹÓįŞįńűŨŞûïěƧïȼûšĸŨʖ ńĺõěűěńĺŨÓŞŞįƘȣ ńĸûűĖěĺďĺûƒěŨïńĸěĺď űń¾ńńõĖÓįįŞÓ A LITTLE BIRDIE SAYS... GRANGE WOODCOCK 50-55.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2023 09:57 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 53 WOODHALL SPA Puddle Ducks bring swim school to rural community Local child and baby swim school, Puddle Ducks Lincolnshire is launching lessons at a brand- new venue in Bucknall, bringing vital life skills to the rural community. Located on a picturesque farm in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside, Swim Blue at Abbey Warren Retreat is a private and exclusive heated indoor swimming pool providing a warm, inviting setting for youngsters to learn to swim. Swimming teacher Becky Dean says: “We are thrilled to be running all our Baby and Pre-School programmes at this fabulous new pool. Lessons will be suitable for newborn through to 4 years.” The sessions will run from 9.30am until 12noon on Wednesday and Friday mornings enabling young swimmers to gain water-confidence and a love of swimming. Puddle Ducks Lincolnshire opened in 2010 and provides innovative baby and child swimming lessons to over 900 children. For more information about Puddle Ducks Lincolnshire please call 01949 831322 or visit puddleducks.com original 13th-century door and Norman font for visitors to admire. The Cottage Museum provides another window into the village’s past with displays illustrating the development of the spa, highlighted by glass plate photographs taken of the surrounding area by John Weild. His family owned the cottage that now houses the museum from 1887 until the mid-1960s, but the collection of Weild’s negatives were sold with the building along with his equipment and studious notes. The museum showcases a number of period rooms, including the living room, kitchen, parlour, and bedroom, all of which have been meticulously restored and furnished with original period pieces. Further exhibits include artefacts, photographs and textiles that shed more light on the area’s rich cultural heritage. With its pleasant setting and informative exhibits, the Cottage Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in diving into the local history as a way to learn about the area, or make their visit even more memorable. When you’re done immersing yourself in what rural home life was like in the late Victorian era, don’t forget to explore the outdoors too. It’s thought that the four- storey Tower on the Moor was once a 15th-century hunting lodge, built out of local brick for Ralph Cromwell of Tattershall Castle. Today however, it stands watch over 19 magnificent acres of pine woods owned by the Woodland Trust. To complement the protected wilderness, Jubilee Park offers easy strolls around a variety of manicured gardens. The rock garden features an array of rocks and stones from all over the world, while the herb garden showcases an extensive collection of fragrant herbs and flowers, and the sensory garden fosters calm and tranquillity for all its visitors. Spanning over 22 acres, the park also hosts plenty of sporting and recreational activities for all ages. The tennis courts, putting green and children’s playground are all perfect places to get the exercise in on a sunny day, while the open-air theatre hosts a variety of cultural and entertainment events throughout the year for adults and families alike. Even on a quiet day, the lake at Jubilee Park’s heart invites anyone who wants to take a slower pace. Surrounded by lush green lawns and wonderful spots for 55 Á 50-55.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2023 09:57 Page 454 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Charles H Hill Ltd. Moor Lane, Horsington, Woodhall Spa, LN10 5HH. Tel: 01526 388281 www.charleshhill.co.uk PETER SCOTT 1 The Broadway WOODHALL SPA 01526 353935 Open 7 days R. ARNOLD Funeral Directors Independent Family Funeral Directors Est 25 Years We take care of the smallest of details with compassion and dignity, we personalise every service for each family. Woodhall Spa 01526 341 707 Lincoln: 01522 542 701 Sutton-on-Sea: 01507 442 300 Mablethorpe: 01507 473 100 Alford: 01507 463 200 Louth: 01507 608 200 Email: rarnoldlincoln@gmail.com www.rarnoldfuneralservice.com A local family run restaurant Stixwould Road, Woodhall Spa LN10 6UJ T: 01526 353312 E: info@VillageLimits.co.uk W: www.villagelimits.co.uk Restaurant Relax in our restaurant and let us look after you while you enjoy some traditional pub favourites. Enjoy Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner. Pub Just want to relax with a drink? Our garden is open from April to September. We have limited bar seating inside – please reserve a table online Bed & Breakfast Enjoy one of suites or rooms for your stay in Woodhall Spa 50-55.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2023 09:57 Page 5LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 55 WOODHALL SPA Sunday 21st May 2023 The 16th Annual Woodhall Spa Country Show The New Showfield, Green Lane, Woodhall Spa LN10 6QY. Tel: 07903 205811 Email: info@woodhallspashow.co.uk • www.woodhallspashow.co.uk A great day out for the whole family with not to be missed shows and livestock competitions. FREE O NSITE PAR K ING picnics, it’s also home to a wide variety of waterfowl and wildlife, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers. There are several paths that wrap around the water and are maintained with pride, so it’s easy to see a new side of this natural beauty spot between the seasons and different winding walks with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. If you’re out for culture on a rainy day or on late nights post-sightseeing, Woodhall Spa has you covered here too, and for that you can thank Lady Grace Weigall. After the Victoria Hotel burned down on Easter Sunday 1920, a sports pavilion on its grounds was left disconnected from the hotel, and so Sir Archibald and Lady Weigall purchased the ruins with plans for the surviving satellite structure in 1922. Captain Carleton Cole Allport pitched in to help transform the old pavilion into a cinema in record time; it opened its doors on 11th September at 7pm that very same year. The Kinema in the Woods looks much the same to this day, up to and including the low roof trusses. These make Screen One unsuitable for projection from the back of the auditorium, so films are instead projected from behind the screen and flipped using a mirror. What could have been considered an obstacle, means that the Kinema may well be the only cinema in the UK that uses the old method of rear projection. This on top of being one of the oldest continuously operating picture houses in the country, preserved in its original Art Deco style. Live events and concerts are screened alongside new, cult and classic movies, these and a working original Compton Kinestra organ providing thrilling experiences for every kind of film or theatre lover. The Kinema isn’t the only modern venue Weigall had her hand in either. She was also lady of the house at Petwood, an Edwardian stately home in Tudor Revival style, which is now running as the Petwood House hotel. The hotel gardens designed by landscape architect Harold Peto are also open to the public, while the building has an extra historic connection with the RAF. The local 617 Squadron, who you might recognise as the Dambusters, used the hotel as an officer’s mess with their comrades. A memorial to the men of 617 stands in Royal Square, free for anyone to visit and pay their respects whenever they make a visit to the village. Woodhall Spa may no longer have its namesake, but it has certainly held onto its historical significance and beauty. Even without a dip in a healing spring, it can only do the heart and soul good to discover – or rediscover – a place of such peaceful charm. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and historic landmarks, you’re certain to make memories no matter how often you take a trip to this deceptively thriving and activity packed corner of Lincolnshire. If you’re only now thinking of paying a visit for the first time, then be sure you’re in for an experience. 50-55.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2023 09:57 Page 656 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY LinkIndustry warning given over wormers after overdosing among sheep Farmers are being warned to take care when using wormers including the ingredient “closantel” after reports of overdosing. Giving an animal too much closantel can cause blindness, says the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS). Reports of overdosing – and subsequent problems – have risen in recent months among many UK farmers, leading to fears that some wormers may have been dosed with too much closantel. With no explicit figures showing a problem in the medicine, however, it is now thought that farmers are not taking sufficient care when it comes to following instructions on the wormers – which isn’t always easy when weight variation of sheep or cattle are taken into account. SCOPS are advising farmers to split sheep into weight groups and mix their wormers separately, rather than try to find an average for a larger batch that could potentially overdose the animals. Sustainable farming incentives could be brought forward The Sustainable Farming Initiative was designed to replace an EU regime and will see farmers paid subsidies for planting wildflowers and winter bird food on their land. SFI aims to help farmers manage land in a way that improves food production and is more environmentally sustainable. Farmers will be paid to provide public goods, such as: improved water quality, biodiversity, climate change mitigation, animal health and welfare. The intention of the scheme is to support the growth of food and crops without further damaging the environment and ensuring that biodiversity necessary to the survival of plants, flowers, and crops continues into the future. The scheme will also see public funds given to farmers who help to create more hedgerows, manage pests without the use of insecticides, and who monitor nutrient run-off levels. The scheme assures that farmers will have the choice on whether to take part or not and will be able to choose which elements of the scheme they use without any obligation to partake in more. DEFRA have said that currently (early 2023) there are 32,000 Countryside Stewardship agreements in place, and that they aim to have at least 70,000 agreed by 2028, which would cover 70% of the country’s farmland. © stock.adobe.com/ Ines Porada UK and US must forge a more sustainable future for agriculture together Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey has called on both the UK and US to continue to stand together to a forge a more secure and sustainable future for agriculture. In a speech at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Winter Conference in Washington DC in February the Environment Secretary outlined how UK and US co- operation is vital to promote sustainable food production and global food security and will pay tribute to the farmers of Ukraine. This follows the recent launch of the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan – the five year delivery plan to halt and reverse the decline in nature. The Environment Secretary highlighted how ensuring nature and food production go hand-in-hand is a vital, shared goal between the two countries, with both developing landmark reforms to incentivise and reward environmental stewardship, while also harnessing new markets and tackling threats posed to food security by climate change. © stock.adobe.com/Dusan Kostic © stock.adobe.com/Baronb 56-61.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2023 09:59 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 57 Supporting the rural community Consultations to begin on giant solar farm in Lincolnshire farmlands Several large solar farms are in early consultation stages across Lincolnshire – with a solar farm in North Kesteven that could power over 180,000 homes underway, and early letters sent out to residents around Gainsborough and Kirton Lindsey as to another to be built near the village of Blyton. Not all these developments have the backing of locals, however, as the 7,000 Acres Group are concerned that the proposed developments are taking up valuable farmland (Grade 3b and above), reducing our ability to provide food security for thousands of people. There is also the consideration that the production and transportation of the solar panels and equipment will create a substantial carbon footprint before these projects are built. Covering our countryside with vast quantities of plastic, glass, metal and batteries is not “Levelling up the Nation.” The Group agrees with the UK Government, that a much more suitable approach to developments of this nature is that they are built on brownfield sites – in line with current guidelines. Lincolnshire farmer enshrined as world record holder for wheat yield A Lincolnshire farmer, Tim Lamyman, has entered the Guinness Book of World Records and now holds the world record for wheat yield – with a staggering score of 17.96 t/ha, beating out the previous record holder from New Zealand. Tim Lamyman grew DSV Champion Winter Wheat after being impressed by its disease resistance, but only managed to plant 83 plants per square metre in 2020 due to drilling too thinly. Despite that, the crop brought a large yield which showed Tim the potential it had, and the record-breaking harvest was drilled on the 22nd September 2022. It was not all simple plant and forget however, as crop nutrition took centre stage with a collaborative program designed between specialists to ensure the best yield possible. The world record breaking figure could raise eyebrows among Lincolnshire farmers however, and could be a sign of the future of farming – at a time when the Government is trying to get more out of what we have, to feed an ever growing population. A high- pressure job, a lack of days off, long days alone and uneven hours – these are being given as just some of the reasons for why suicide rates amongst farmers are considerably higher than the average for other careers. According to psychiatrists, farmers spend long hours working alone with little human contact, which can allow existing mental health problems to spiral out of control. In some cases it’s common for farmers to work whole days without seeing another person, especially in more rural areas like Lincolnshire. The Farm Safety Foundation are encouraging farmers across Lincolnshire to speak up about the issue, after a survey of farmers under 40 found that a staggering 94% claimed mental health as the biggest hidden problem facing the industry. Charity “Yellow Wellies” is bringing together over 300 organisations involved in agriculture to highlight the problem, and to break down the stigma of mental health so that farmers can feel free to talk about it openly. All too often is the stigma on farmers to remain resolute and steadfast, to keep working, and to not complain – but this can lead to serious problems later down the line, and can have a knock-on effect on the farming industry’s ability to attract new talent. © stock.adobe.com/Dmitrijs Dmitrijevs © stock.adobe.com/ alexlukin © stock.adobe.com/DZMITRY PALUBIATKA 56-61.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2023 09:59 Page 258 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FARM & COUNTRY LINK L incolnshire has long been known as a large and sprawling yet interconnected agricultural community. A mild climate, healthy soil and distinctive miles of flatland makes this county the perfect home for arable and animal farming, so little wonder that these trades were well entrenched in the culture here even before Roman rule. Grains and cattle were exported in large quantities from across Britain to Europe, which is partly why the Romans first caught the whiff of our wealth as an invasion prospect. But Lincolnshire in particular would come to be the vanguard of agricultural progress, giving it the longevity and productivity the county’s farming tradition is known for today, in producing 11% of England’s total crops and livestock. After the system upheaval of Roman settlement and development of villa farms, which were large-scale operations for the time and covered hundreds of acres of land, it wasn’t long in the grand scheme until the next big shift. Arable farming had fallen out of fashion for a while in the Middle Ages, in favour of sheep kept for meat and wool by rich landowners. But during the 18th and 19th centuries, arable farming underwent a revolution in technological advancement. Independent farms and their workers are under constant threat from economic adversity today, and this pattern is echoed back through history. Small crop farmers barely had time to recover from landowners driving them off their fields, before they faced the new threat of machine farming. Such was the fear of progress into mechanisation between 1800-1900, that the workers managed to obstruct its adoption through threats and violence for some time. Past, present and future Past, present and future We take a look at Lincolnshire’s fascinating agricultural history, and just what the future has in store for the nation’s breadbasket. 56-61.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2023 09:59 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 59 “For those times when you need a helping hand on farm or on land” 4 Church Road | Wittering | Peterborough | PE8 6AG Tel: 01780 782924 | Mobile: 07860 608825 enquiries@kevinjohnsoncontracting.co.uk www.kevinjohnsoncontracting.co.uk l Lime spreading (Lime stone and Lime x70) and can arrange soil testing with GPS l Fertilizer spread including variable rates l Drilling with 6 metre tine drill l 220 hp tractor and driver l 8 row Maize drill l Mowing with Triple mowers (with or without conditioner) Your Ifor Williams Trailer Distributor Trailers from Camping to 3500kg gross Sales • Repairs • Servicing • Spares Sole Distributors in Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Pickup canopies also available You are welcome to view our stock of Trailers Tel: 01526 860317 website: www.scott-trailers.co.uk e-mail: office@scott-trailers.co.uk Opening hours: Mon to Fri 8am-5pm Sat 9am-12 noon • Other times by appointment Horsebox Commercial Livestock Unbraked Farm owners who had machines on their land were subjected to letters promising to break them and burn the property on which they stood. There were many reports of such threats being put into action, but all the same, the likes of threshing machines and steam tractors would slowly become the norm going into the 20th century, bringing with them a vast increase in the quantity of goods produced by farms. The joys and difficulties of farming always come side by side, as anyone who makes it their living will know. Despite the unstoppable tide of change, the labourer of Lincoln’s history rarely stagnated in a job, often moving farms every one to two years. As recently as the sixties and seventies the ability to go straight from working one farm to the next © stock.adobe.com/Gill 60 Á 56-61.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2023 09:59 Page 4Next >