47 Spalding Road, Bourne, PE10 0AU sales@timberdisplays.co.uk YOUR LOCAL FRIENDLY, FAMILY RUN PLANT CENTRE Roxies-Roots Monday09:00 - 16:00 Tuesday09:00 - 16:00 Wednesday09:00 - 16:00 Thursday09:00 - 16:00 Friday09:00 - 16:00 Saturday09:00 - 16:00 SundayCLOSED Large selection of bedding plants, shrubs, climbers plus much more. We also supply decking, sleepers, block pavers, sawn timber, compost, bark, top soil and manure with delivery available. We are in the process of expanding the garden centre and looking into establishing a café onsite. The June month always brings so much to Lincolnshire. Not only is it the traditional time for barbecues and hot days out, but a raft of shows arrive across the county and, with school holidays on, there’s a whole host of outdoor activities to take part in. Getting outdoors and interacting with people is important on many levels, teaching younger people the importance of socialisation but also keeping people of all ages fit. Walking is a low-effort, high-reward form of exercise that many of us don’t get enough off in our daily lives. It’s good for the body and it’s good for our stress levels, which is why everyone should try to get out this summer, even if they normally wouldn’t. Do take care as temperatures are expected to continue rising. Shows across Lincolnshire have started having frequent areas to get some water for yourself and animals especially, but that hasn’t stopped people needing to be airlifted out in past years by the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, and each trip for them takes contribution from generous people across the county. A little care can prevent them having to be called out and prevent you having to spend time at a hospital. This is obviously most important for those who are older or younger, so be sure to take care of your loved ones. Don’t let that become an excuse not to get out however – and make sure to check our “What’s On” pages for ideas of where you can go this summer.. Good reading, as always. Michael Fisher Editor and the Lincolnshire Today team Think of a farmer this summer. from the editor Group Editor: Steve Fisher Editor: Michael Fisher Journalist: Tess Egginton Sales Director: Angela Cooper Sales: Kerry Randerson, Jordan Mason 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/TONG2530 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? 10PROJEKT RENEWABLE Q&A We sit down this month to speak with Richard Askam to find out about Projekt Renewable, an initiative that aims to inspire a generation, and also to open peoples’ eyes as to many opportunities in the region. 24PLENTY TO LOVE ABOUT LINCOLN Lincoln is a city where the modern day and historical meet and intertwine to create an incredible experience. • STACK Q&A 36SUMMER ARRIVES As we enter a new season, there’s an abundance of chic new clothes to add to your closet. 42ONE OR TWO ACCESSORIES No matter the occasion, a few accessories will pull together your look. 44ELEVATED MENSWEAR Lincolnshire Today features some looks that will help you enhance your wardrobe. 46ELEVATE YOUR ROUTINE BY EMBRACING BODY CARE In days gone by, a typical body care routine might have been slapping on some bargain lotion before going out for the evening. Today however, that just isn’t cutting it. 50TRANSFORMATIVE LIFESTYLE The link between physical activity and overall quality of life is well-documented, with researchers consistently identifying regular movement as one of the most effective ways to enhance one’s wellbeing. 54SUMMER FOODS Summer is here. While the barbecue is perhaps the most recognised way to eat this month, we won’t belittle you by teaching you how to slap meat on a grill. Instead, here are some great options you can cook at home and save for later - ideal for taking out to a barbecue or even on a day out with the family. 58DON’T STOP FOR THE HOLIDAYS Learning continues even after the schools close for summer, and these are some of the most pivotal moments in a person’s development. • LiNCHigher Q&A JUNE AS WE ENTER A NEW SEASON, THERE’S AN ABUNDANCE OF CHIC NEW CLOTHES TO ADD TO YOUR CLOSET. contentsLINCOLN IS A CITY WHERE THE MODERN DAY AND HISTORICAL MEET AND INTERTWINE TO CREATE AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. 70TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES AS WE AGE All too often do we look at the elderly and forget that we will count ourselves among their number one day. A little work now can save yourself a lot later. 74YOUR NEXT MOTOR As we approach the midway point of the year, we look at what may be coming in the near future. • We put the KGM Musso through its paces 82WHAT’S ON There’s always something going on in Lincolnshire. Desirable homes 12EXUDING CURB APPEAL This month’s featured property is a splendid stone dwelling with a classic essence and quality finish. 18PAINT AND STONE It’s rare for us to come across an artist who works in such wildly different mediums, that was until we were introduced to polymath Lucy Cortese, an accomplished watercolourist and stone carver. 20THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD DESIGN Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping explains how designing your garden is important. 22THE SEASON FOR SHEDS AND SUMMERHOUSES With sheds and summerhouses continuing to prove popular, Andrew Dams has a wide range of choices and the expertise to help you select the right option for your needs. Farm & Country Link 62FARM & COUNTRY LINK NEWS The latest news from across the countryside. 64ENGLAND’S LARDER Lincolnshire’s favourable climate, fertile soil, and signature stretches of open space birthed a tradition of arable farming and animal husbandry that predates even Roman occupation and continues to flourish. North Hykeham’s £200m relief road gets planning permission Construction underway on two new NHS community diagnostic centres Construction work is underway for two new NHS community diagnostic centres (CDCs) in Lincolnshire as part of a £38million investment in services. The centres in Skegness and Lincoln will offer a variety of diagnostic services, including X-ray, MRI, CT and non-obstetric ultrasound, for convenient, timely care away from busy hospital sites. The Skegness CDC will be located on Old Wainfleet Road, while the Lincoln CDC will be on the Lincoln Science and Innovation Park, off Tritton Road. Both facilities will be run by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT). Julie Frake-Harris, Chief Operating Officer at ULHT, said: “The start of groundworks on the Skegness and Lincoln sites is a significant and exciting step forward in the delivery of this programme for our patients. “Working in collaboration with NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, we have involved patients and clinical teams at every stage of development to ensure we are creating an environment that is welcoming, modern and fit for purpose for the broad range of patient groups who will be able to use it.” Members of the county council’s Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee voted in favour of granting planning consent for a relief road for North Hykeham at a cost of about £200m. Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “I’m incredibly happy to say that the North Hykeham Relief Road has officially been granted planning permission, which means we’re one step closer to a full ring road around Lincoln. “Now that planning consent’s been granted, our team can formally enter into negotiations with landowners while continuing to prep all of the legal orders needed before construction can start. These include compulsory purchase orders granting powers to obtain the land needed for the road and side roads orders granting powers to improve or alter the highway. “Our current plan is to present these to Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee in June and then Executive in July, before making them live for public consultation. “The focus will then be preparing a full business case for DfT before making a start on building the road late next year.” Ayscoughfee Hall Museum & Gardens receive grant funding to plant new wildflower garden display Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens have received nearly £1,000 in grant funding from East Midlands-based charity – Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) to help plant a new wildflower garden display, enhancing the already beautiful Gardens further for both residents and visitors. The funding will come from PECT’s 30for30 Grant Fund, a celebration of the organisation’s 30th Anniversary, delivering support to community-led projects in and around Peterborough. The fund aims to support initiatives which enhance environmental sustainability and community engagement. Taking place in an under-utilised part of the Gardens, the remedial work to create the wildflower display will take place in the Wilderness Garden. The finished display will provide an essential habitat for local wildlife such as bees and butterflies, aiming to increase pollination rates. Alongside the environmental benefits, the finished display will also promote public health by drawing more residents and visitors to the Gardens, encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle. latest news The architect impression of Lincoln Community Diagnostic Centre © stock.adobe.com/Stockr Image courtesy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS TrustThe Department for Education has approved the county council’s bid for a new 154-place special free school providing support for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. The project is currently in the very early stages, with the council exploring potential locations in the centre of the county. Design work will be progressed over the coming months, in partnership with the DfE. Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell, executive member for children’s services, said: “This new school has been a long-term aspiration for the council, and we’re very grateful to the DfE for making it possible. “Over the last few years, the council has invested around £100m in improving and expanding special schools across the county, meaning more pupils with special educational needs and disabilities can now attend a local school instead of having to travel large distances for their education. “This new project will continue that good work.” Government offers support for Lincolnshire’s efforts to create special school It’s A Knockout event to raise funds for hospitals charity Plans are underway to bring It’s A Knockout to the county in aid of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity. The action-packed day will be held on Sunday 30 June at Sleaford Town Football Club. United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Fundraiser, Gary Burr, said: “This is a great chance to get together with friends, families, and work colleagues to have some fun while raising money for your local hospitals charity.” Participants must be aged 16 and over. The charity is looking for teams of 10 people. There is a £20 entry fee per person and each team is asked to raise £800 minimum sponsorship. Kirstie Cartledge, part of the Bowel Cancer Screening Team at Lincoln County Hospital, has formed a team called the Bowel Screening Babes who will be dressing up as poo emojis. She said: “We may not be the fastest but we will certainly be having loads of fun. The most important thing is that everyone enjoys the day and we raise lots of funds for our charity so that they can do even more to support patients and staff.” Thousands of tonnes of sand will bolster Lincolnshire coastline’s flood defences About 400,000 cubic metres of sand has been topped up on beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point to help reduce the risk of flooding for Lincolnshire’s coastal communities. The Environment Agency’s annual beach management sees sand dredged from licensed areas of the seabed pumped onto the beach to replace levels naturally lost to the sea throughout the year. This reduces the risk of flooding for 20,000 homes and businesses, 24,500 static caravans and 35,000 hectares of land. Replenishing the sand means that the beaches, instead of hard defences like sea walls, take the brunt of the waves’ force and energy. This reduces the amount of damage and erosion to those hard defences and lessens the risk of water overtopping them. The Environment Agency has been restoring sand levels on the Lincolnshire coast every year since 1994. In addition to reducing flood risk, the work brings supplementary social and economic benefits by retaining the sandy beaches for a vibrant tourism industry. Image courtesy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust © stock.adobe.com/LIGHTFIELD STUDIOSNew wildlife watching facilities offer a bird’s eye view at Barton’s Waterside Hidden cameras are to be installed in bird boxes at Waters’ Edge Country Park in Barton, meaning visitors can see local wildlife without any disturbance. The boxes, to be installed in a £30,000 project, will be linked to monitors inside the viewing area so visitors can see the birds up close. The funding will also be used to help wildlife by introducing floating tern rafts on some ponds, which will help birds breed on site in order to maintain the local tern population. Cllr David Rose, cabinet member for environment, said: “We have so much precious wildlife right on our doorstep, but it is difficult to see it and connect with it without disturbing it. “This welcome funding will give us – literally – a bird’s eye view. In addition, the new tern rafts will hopefully mean not only will we be able to maintain the tern population at Waters’ Edge but increase it as well.” latest news Council successful in purchase of former B&M site Boston Borough Council have been successful in purchasing the former B&M site at the heart of the proposed Rosegarth Square development. This strategic move empowers the Council to move forward with development proposals and bring forward the vision for the area utilising £14.8 million of Levelling Up funding. The B&M store ceased operating a number of years ago and since then, the site has been earmarked for redevelopment. The area is an important part of the Council’s overall aspirations for the town centre regeneration. Leader of Boston Borough Council, Cllr Anne Dorrian, said: “Improving the town centre is one of our top priorities and we are determined to push ahead to ensure our vision becomes a reality. “Developing this large, derelict building is yet another piece in that transformation jigsaw. I am really pleased that we have been able to utilise government grant funding to purchase the former B&M site, and we have exciting ideas to ensure that the site makes a positive contribution to our town.” Over the last year, firefighters and staff at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have been raising money for the Fire Fighters Charity with the aim of raising at least £80,000 in the charity’s 80th year. The combined effort from events across the county, has already exceeded this target and raised a total of £88,101 to enhance the quality of life for serving and retired firefighters, fire personnel, and their families. Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, executive councillor for fire and rescue at the county council, said: “What an amazing achievement for our fire crews who take the time to run events that their communities love and raise money for a great cause. From car washes to ladder climbs, Lincolnshire events raised the most money of any county in England and Wales – a fantastic achievement! “Thank you to everyone who supported these efforts and for being so generous.” © stock.adobe.com/Marko Fire crews pass £80,000 fundraising target © Image courtesy of Lincolnshire County Council © stock.adobe.com/Philip J OpenshawNew benches to get people talking in Grantham Three benches in Grantham’s parks are being designated as places where a chat with a friendly stranger is welcome. ‘Happy To Chat’ benches have been installed in Wyndham, Queen Elizabeth and Dysart Parks and will provide an opportunity for a quick chat or long conversation with a friendly passer-by. The South Kesteven District Council initiative aims to tackle social isolation and promote community cohesion by encouraging people to interact with others in a safe, public space. The benches feature a simple welcoming sign which reads “Sit here if you are happy for someone to stop and say hello,” making them easily identifiable as a ‘Happy To Chat’ bench. They are located near the Visitor Centre and Model Boating Lake in Wyndham Park, along the river path facing the fishing pond in Queen Elizabeth Park and next to the Bandstand in Dysart Park. New community orchards created across South and East Lincolnshire Fifteen new community orchards have been created across Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland thanks to the delivery of home energy efficiency upgrade works for residents in the sub-region. Osborne Energy delivered retrofitting schemes on behalf of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership to eligible residents who applied for Government funding in 2022 to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Following the delivery of those schemes, Osborne Energy awarded around £6,500 funding as part of its social value commitment which has led to the creation of the new community orchards. Each one will help support a natural habitat for wildlife to thrive, particularly pollinators, and give members of the community an opportunity to connect with nature on their doorstep. The gardens will all be managed and maintained locally by residents. Volunteers will receive ongoing support to help them learn more about orchard maintenance and it is hoped that the sites will provide a focal point for future events and community gatherings such as Apple Days and Wassails. Lincolnshire schools get funding boost from Bookmark Reading Charity More schools in Lincolnshire will get the chance to boost their child reading programmes with the offer of a potential £1,000 for new books and resources. Bookmark Reading Charity is building upon its existing support in the county by providing additional ongoing resources to schools. Primary schools across the region are being invited to join Bookmark’s School Network Programme; these schools will receive £1,000 worth of resources across an academic year. Bookmark Reading Charity is also looking for volunteers to join their network of more than 2,000 readers who help pupils in schools face to face or online by delivering reading sessions with children at risk of falling behind. The charity originally launched its Your Story Corner programme in 2022 when it delivered £144,000 worth of books and resources to 72 primary schools in Lincolnshire. This was to ensure all children had access to high quality and diverse books as well as trying to develop rich reading cultures in all primary schools in this area. Image courtesy of South Kesteven District Council © stock.adobe.com/Louis-PhotoNext >