Farm & Country Link Woodhall Spa Health & Fitness Spring Fashion Farm & Country Link Woodhall Spa Health & Fitness Spring Fashion £2.95 MARCH 2025 THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET www.blmgroup.co.uk BLM GROUPGROUP BLM £2.95 MARCH 2025THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINEWelcome… March typically brings spring showers but many will be looking forward to them after the chilly month of February. Spring brings with it many changes in our routines, affording us more time in the garden and more opportunities (whether we make excuses or not) to get out and about to improve our fitness. If it’s gardening you want then we have some advice from our professional gardeners for you, and if you’re looking to switch up your wardrobe for the new season, then we’ve collected some hot new ideas in our fashions section as well. We explore the risks of ultra processed food in our health and fitness section, and then suggest some new recipes made using seasonal vegetables that are incredibly simple to make and will avoid those ultra processed foods as well. Don’t forget to check out our what’s on pages as well. There are a lot of events taking place in the region – from shows to festivals – all looking to welcome in the spring. So, if you’re looking to brighten up after a gloomy February then make sure to get out and experience everything Lincolnshire has to offer. Good reading, as always. Michael Fisher Editor and the Lincolnshire Today team from the editor Group Editor: Steve Fisher Editor: Michael Fisher Journalist: Tess Egginton Sales Director: Angela Cooper Accounts & Circulations: Angela Sharman, John Downes (01472) 310301 Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson Advertising: Tel: (01472) 310302 Editorial: Tel: (01472) 310305 Part Of The Business Link Magazine Group: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE Email: lincs-today@blmgroup.co.uk Website: www.lincolnshiretoday.net ISSN No: 1366-1299 FRONT COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ANDRE This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. If you are unable to participate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass your magazine onto a local hospital or charity? LincolnshireToday @lincstoday lincolnshiretoday.net The magazine that cares WE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place than we found it Lincolnshire Today believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key to maintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staff will be proud to be part of. Community - From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We also extend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causes and charities. Environment - Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources, minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise.Features 6 THIS MONTH IN LINCOLNSHIRE What’s been going on in the county this month? 22AN ENCHANTING VILLAGE With a rich and fascinating past and bustling present, Woodhall Spa has a lot to explore. 28SPRING INTO A NEW SEASON With brighter days coming, a new season of clothes are ready to be adorned. 34ENHANCE YOUR ENSEMBLE An accessory or two will enhance any outfit. 36LAID BACK MENSWEAR Lincolnshire Today shares some relaxed yet stylish ensembles to try this March. 38MIXING THINGS UP FOR SPRING We’re finally leaving winter behind, which means fresh opportunities to make a difference to your look. 40MARVELLOUS MARCH MEALS Seasonal veg is a great way to welcome in the spring, and we pick out some great recipes. 44YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT People are becoming increasingly conscious as to what they consume, with major shifts away from ultra-processed food. How big of a deal is this? 47CONTINUING IN COMFORT Arranging for care is sometimes a part of adapting for the sake of your family. MARCH WITH BRIGHTER DAYS COMING, A NEW SEASON OF CLOTHES ARE READY TO BE ADORNED. contentsIT’S A TOUGH TIME TO BE A FARMER AND IT FEELS LIKE EVERYONE IS AN ENEMY. WE BREAK DOWN SOME OF THE TOUGH DECISIONS FACING FARMERS, AND THE REASONS BEHIND THEM. 60COUNTY MOTORING It’s a good time for fans of motors, with new cars coming in all shapes and sizes. • We put the Subaru Forester through its paces 66WHAT’S ON There’s always something going on in Lincolnshire. 70AN INTERVIEW WITH… Lincolnshire Today spoke with chart-topping singer Gareth Gates ahead of his new show, ‘Gareth Gates Sings Love Songs from the Movies’. Desirable homes 10A TRANQUIL OASIS This month’s featured property offers peace and seclusion in a stunning stone home surrounded by 5.7 acres of grounds. 16URBAN POP Hue Folk is a new exciting emergent British Urban Pop artist, creatively using bold colours and iconic images for their designs. 18AWAKEN YOUR GARDEN FOR SPRING Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping gives tips on how to awaken your garden for spring. 20AN EDIMENTAL APPROACH ‘Edimentals’ — a term coined by horticulturalist Stephen Barstow for plants that are both edible and ornamental — are increasing in popularity, providing an easy and gorgeous way to grow food. Farm & Country Link 50FARM & COUNTRY LINK NEWS The latest news from across the countryside. 52ATTACKED ON ALL SIDES It’s a tough time to be a farmer and it feels like everyone is an enemy. We break down some of the tough decisions facing farmers, and the reasons behind them. 57THE HEART OF THE COUNTY’S RURAL HERITAGE As The Lincolnshire Agricultural Society (LAS) prepares to celebrate the 140th Lincolnshire Show, it’s the perfect time to reflect on its lasting impact and the benefits of being part of this thriving community. 58LIVES Q&A We talk with Amy, LIVES educator, to learn more about the power of first aid training.New accommodation to be built in £65m contract at RAF Digby Work starts on one of Grimsby’s biggest single investments Work has started on site on one of the biggest single investments in Grimsby town centre’s history, the Freshney Place leisure scheme and associated new food hall and complementary market. National construction company GMI Construction Group will lead the build of the leisure scheme, having worked on similar projects in other towns and cities across the UK. Amanda Austin, Centre Director, Freshney Place, said: “This is a major milestone for Freshney Place and the wider Grimsby town centre. The start of construction marks the beginning of an exciting transformation as we develop a fantastic new offering. “Freshney Place has served the community for nearly 50 years, and as work gets underway we can be confident it will remain a popular destination for the people of Grimsby into the future. “We look forward to sharing progress as the works continue, and want to reassure our customers that it will be business as usual throughout the development phase.” The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has awarded a £65 million contract for new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire. RAF Digby is the RAF’s oldest station, established in 1918, but is now operated by Strategic Command. The contract was awarded to Galliford Try with Arcadis as a Technical Support Provider and will see four new blocks of bedrooms created for junior ranks. Each block contains a kitchenette, drying rooms, laundry rooms and social spaces, as well as 69 single ensuite rooms. The buildings have been designed to be as carbon efficient as possible as part of MOD and wider government push towards net zero. They will benefit from solar panels and be heated using air source heat pumps. Other energy efficiency measures include provision for a system to recover heat from the waste water in the showers, temperature- controlled heating zones, energy efficient LED lighting, and electric car charging points. The contract value also includes provision of car parking, street lighting and landscaped outdoor communal areas. Lincoln Castle gets world’s only display of three historic legal documents Lincoln Castle has become the only place in the world where it’s possible to see, side by side, three of the most important documents in British legal history. To celebrate the 800th anniversary of the 1225 Charter of the Forest, visitors are invited to see the 1225 charter, the 1215 Magna Carta and 1217 Forest Charter. The legendary Magna Carta declared that kings had to act within the rule of law, its equally important companion document, the Charter of the Forest, reclaimed land for use by ordinary people. Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, executive councillor for culture at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The legacy of Magna Carta, as a symbol of liberty and the rule of law, is well known. Less so, the Charter of the Forest, which, in re- establishing the rights of ordinary people to access swathes of common land, became of one of the earliest examples of the establishment of fundamental rights, privileges and economic protection for freemen.” The three documents are on display until 1 June 2025. latest news © stock.adobe.com/hopsalka © stock.adobe.com/chrisdorneyPlans have been approved for a major new development in Epworth including a new GP surgery, a new Holmes and Garden Centre and foodstore. The proposed development, on Belton Road in the town by Millea Land, will take place on predominantly brownfield land. The proposals will offer an economic boost and create around 100 new jobs for local people. During the planning process, the plans have been amended through discussions with Epworth Town Council and Council’s Highway Officers. These changes have included a new controlled crossing on Belton Road and improvements to the public right of way linking the site with the town centre, including a safe pedestrian route. Jonathan Millea of Millea Land said: “Gaining approval for this major development in Epworth is the culmination of over four years of hard work and listening to the community. “We are very excited to deliver the development, and we will look to get onsite as soon as possible. These plans will bring many huge benefits to the town and area, including new jobs, better medical facilities and better shopping choice.” Major new development approved in Epworth Donations enable ‘dementia pets’ to be given to Lincolnshire hospital wards Charitable donations are enabling ‘dementia pets’ to be given to hospital wards in Lincolnshire. The fluffy cats and dogs will soon provide comfort to patients with severe dementia through one of the simplest forms of therapy – a cuddle. The project has been supported by the Trust’s Safeguarding and Patient Experience Teams and led by the Trust’s dementia practitioners. The sensory aids are being offered to help sooth dementia patients during their stay within United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The Precious Petzzz are life-like animals, the cats purr and they all simulate breathing as they sit on the beds and laps of patients. The designs include spaniel and border collie puppies, as well as a variety of cats. All come with their own bed. United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity has funded these sensory dog and cat aids which will soon be available at Lincoln, Grantham and Pilgrim hospitals. The aids have been endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Society and are being introduced in accordance with Dementia UK guidance. © United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust Celebrate Mother’s Day with a hand-crafted, heartfelt gift With Mother’s Day around the corner, many will be seeking the perfect present. This year, why not shop local with a hand-crafted, heartfelt gift from online craft shop Country Stitches (www.countrystitches.co.uk)? Sarah, the hands behind the store, makes pretty fabric gifts and accessories using good quality fabrics – both vintage and new – to create pieces that stand out with attention to the little details. No two items will be identical, and some pieces are ‘one-offs’, making everything unique. Sarah lives in a semi-rural part of Lincolnshire, writes books for children, and previously published a novel for grown-ups. She finds inspiration for both sewing and writing projects by getting out and about on adventures, especially exploring castles and ruins. North Lincolnshire’s Imagination Library delivers millionth book The Imagination Library scheme in North Lincolnshire has reached a major milestone, delivering its millionth book. This achievement was celebrated with a special event at Live Well Isle of Axholme, where families, schools and Imagination Library author and illustrator Neil Clark gathered to mark the success of the initiative. The child who received the millionth book was presented with a raft of prizes at the event including a family ticket to see Pirates Love Underpants at the Baths Hall in June donated by Norwell Lapley Productions. Since its launch in 2013 more than one million free books have now been delivered to over 27,000 local children, with North Lincolnshire delivering a sixth of all Imagination Library books in the whole of the UK. North Lincolnshire Council will continue to fund the scheme, which delivers a free book each month to every child under five, supporting them to develop a love of books and reading for pleasure. latest news Skegness to get housing pods to address housing needs East Lindsey District Council is to acquire four new accommodation pods in Skegness in a move to address housing needs. The plan involves installing the pods to provide temporary housing solutions as part of the council’s broader strategy to tackle homelessness and support vulnerable residents. Councillor William Gray, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Ageing Better, said: “This approval is a testament to our commitment to improving housing options for our community. These pods will offer safe and secure accommodation for individuals who are facing housing challenges.” Councillor Sarah Devereux, Portfolio Holder for Partnerships, said: “The introduction of these accommodation pods is a vital step in our mission to support our homeless community. These pods provide immediate shelter, warmth, and safety, while we work with individuals to find more permanent solutions. We are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to safe and dignified living conditions.” Each sleeping pod provides a bed, chemical toilet, and charging facilities. They are designed to help people who have been sleeping on the streets and have complex needs, making hostel-style accommodation unsuitable. Alliance Leisure has begun the transformation of the historic Embassy Theatre in Skegness to turn it into one of the UK’s first Scandinavian-inspired ‘culture houses’ by the end of April this year. This redevelopment supports East Lindsey District Council’s vision to enhance local engagement with the arts, celebrate diversity, and create a venue with year-round appeal. Works on this project are being delivered through the UK Leisure Framework, bringing together a proven team of leisure development specialist including Universal Construction and LK2 Architects. Axiom is overseeing day to day project management, with Alliance Leisure responsible for the overall project delivery. The project incorporates two new single-storey extensions, adding to the venue’s current footprint. 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