£2.95 NOVEMBER 2020 THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET www.blmgroup.co.uk BLM GROUPGROUP BLM £2.95 NOVEMBER 2020THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE Winter warmers Homes & gardens Fashion Hair & beauty Winter warmers Homes & gardens Fashion Hair & beauty 01.qxp_Layout 1 02/11/2020 12:50 Page 1HOW DO I APPLY? £25,000 TO STRENGTHEN YOUR BUSINESS AFTER COVID-19! Has COVID-19 changed the way your business operates? If some new equipment or machinery can help you to adapt, Grants4Growth provide Lincolnshire SMEs with grants of up to £25,000! 02.qxp_Layout 1 02/11/2020 12:51 Page 1from the editor Ordinarily this time of year, we’d be on a Halloween comedown, with Firework Night on the way, and anticipating Christmas. Although all these occasions will still very much be going ahead, things will look more than a little different this year. With the pandemic showing no signs of abating, parents will be forgiven for not wanting to let their kids knock on doors for sweets and, somehow, trick or treating for facemasks and hand sanitiser isn’t quite the same. Many firework displays, meanwhile, have either been cancelled this year or will be going ahead with social distancing measures. The run-up to Christmas looks to be similarly affected with light switching-on events either being severely downplayed this year or cancelled entirely. It can be tough to know what festive events are still worth attending or even still on, so we’ve put together a guide to get you into the seasonal spirit. It’s only November, but this is the prime present buying period and, now more than ever, local retailers and businesses need your support. So, this year, we implore you to shop local and use the shops, artisans and suppliers on your doorstep. For inspiration, you need only turn to our handy gift guide. Assuming the government’s rule of six remains in place, the big day itself will look a lot different for many families this year. We’ll not make any predictions as guidance is still changing faster than most people can keep up with. Thankfully, with apps like Skype and Zoom, we don’t have to be apart even when we’re not together. Given that Christmas will be on the smaller side this year, many might opt to go out to eat instead. For our own restaurant recommendations, and a few tempting cocktail recipes, just turn to our food pages. And, if you’re looking to shape up before the deluge of rich food, our health & fitness feature focuses on some of the best and gentlest exercises that have the biggest impact. Stay safe, Michael Fisher Editor and the Lincolnshire Today team Group Editor: Steve Fisher Editor: Michael Fisher Assistant Editor: Dominic Cuthbert Journalist: Tess Egginton Sales Director: Angela Cooper Sales: Kerry Randerson 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 © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. 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? FRONT COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF HTTP://AIRPOWERART.CO.UK LincolnshireToday @lincstoday lincolnshiretoday.net VISIT WWW.DEXTERSHARPE.CO.UK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Dexter & Sharpe Chartered Certified Accountants At the heart of Lincolnshire We provide a comprehensive range of services, if you would like to find out how we can help you or your business why not head over to the contact us page to find your local office. Our 130 years of experience has taught us to initially listen more than we talk. When we talk, you’ll find that it's plain jargon-free practical advice which is not only accurate but tailored to your specific needs. Having gained a full understanding of your business our aim is to ensure this timely advice helps you and your business achieve its objectives. For a pro-active, friendly and accessible service or your FREE Consultation contact one of our teams: Horncastle: 01507 526071 - Boston: 01205 311966 - Spilsby: 01790 753340 Bourne: 01778 393656 - Louth: 01507 609933 - Skegness: 01754 763222 - Lincoln: 01522 533588 AGRICULTURE • CHARITIES • CONSTRUCTION • FINANCIAL & CONSULTING • MANUFACTURING • MEDIA • MOTOR RETAIL & REPAIR • TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS • VETERINARY 03.qxp_Layout 1 02/11/2020 12:52 Page 1Features 6 THIS MONTH IN LINCOLNSHIRE What’s been going on in the county this month? 24FARMING With suppliers spread across miles of vast rolling fields and farms, it’s safe to say that Lincolnshire is the nation’s fruit and vegetable basket . 26LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE Although the red fox is active all year round, it’s perhaps most often associated with autumn, no doubt down to its evocative orange fur which can range from auburn right through to burnt umber. We get to know the fox a little better. 28IN LOVE WITH LAYERS It’s the time of year to wrap up warm with jackets, coats and layers, all of which offer ample excuses to experiment to find a super stylish look. 34HEAD TO TOE It’s all about boots, gloves and a little glamour this issue as we use the excuse of colder days to accessories our hearts out. 36BEST OF BOTH A little bit traditional, a little bit modern – men’s fashion is never static and there’s plenty to be excited about this season. 38GETTING YOUR GLOW ON Give yourself the early Christmas present of beautiful skin this year. 40SWEAT THE STRESS AWAY Getting in a good workout, whether it involves yoga or kickboxing, is a powerful way to relieve stress. 42SOPHISTICATION AT HOME With gatherings limited to just six people inside or out of the home, many a Halloween and Bonfire Night plan has been scuppered. So why not combine the two this year and spend the evening in with some sophisticated cocktails? Here we share a few of our favourite tipples to get you started. 47BEAUTIFUL, BOUNTIFUL BRIGG As with all market towns, Brigg may look a little different with social distancing measures in place, but there’s still plenty worth visiting for – from retail and leisure, to beautiful river walks. NOVEMBER IT’S THE TIME OF YEAR TO WRAP UP WARM WITH JACKETS, COATS AND LAYERS, ALL OF WHICH OFFER AMPLE EXCUSES TO EXPERIMENT TO FIND A SUPER STYLISH LOOK. contents 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 02/11/2020 12:53 Page 1ALTHOUGH THE RED FOX IS ACTIVE ALL YEAR ROUND, IT’S PERHAPS MOST OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH AUTUMN, NO DOUBT DOWN TO ITS EVOCATIVE ORANGE FUR WHICH CAN RANGE FROM AUBURN RIGHT THROUGH TO BURNT UMBER. 50CARING Pre-planning your own funeral takes the burden of friends and family and ensures you’ll get exactly the send-off you’re after. 52LINCOLNSHIRE HERITAGE EXPLORED Lincolnshire churches are an ever-present sight in our countryside. We look at some of the more unusual ones. 54COUNTY MOTORING The pandemic has changed the car buying plans of almost 14 million UK drivers, with 7.5 million motorists indicating they are now less likely to buy a car in the next year. If you fall into this camp, here are some new vehicles that may alter purchasing plans and are sure to provide pure driving pleasure. 58WHAT’S ON There’s always something going on in Lincolnshire. 61THE GIFT OF GIVING This year, more than any other, is a cautionary tale not to leave your Christmas shopping to the last moment. Desirable homes 10FROM MUD FLOORS TO CONTEMPORARY LUXURY Starting out as nothing but four walls and a roof, this month’s featured property has undergone a significant transformation. 16A WARM, WELCOMING WINTER As the clocks change and the early dark settles, we all of us need our home to be a space of comfort, of warmth and of relaxation . 20ILLUSTRIOUS ILLUSTRATORS We take a look at some of the UK’s best loved illustrators who have brought to life some of the most memorable and moving children’s books for the better part of a century. 22REMEMBER, REMEMBER YOUR GARDEN IN NOVEMBER We usually close the door on our gardens at this time of year as we spend more time inside. However, we do not stop landscaping, as we carry out this work all year round. Now is a good time to be doing larger hard landscaping projects and there are many reasons why, as Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping explains. 04-05.qxp_Layout 1 02/11/2020 12:54 Page 2latest news Cyclists in Scunthorpe will see a raft of changes with a major programme of works designed to improve connectivity to the town centre from surrounding residential areas. New cycle lanes, dedicated access routes, additional signage and secure cycle parking bays are all being introduced as part of moves to encourage more people to cycle into the town centre for work, leisure and shopping. North Lincolnshire Council has received some cash from the Government’s Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund to kickstart the project. “Now, more than ever, it is vital that the cycling network in Scunthorpe town centre is updated to make it easier and safer for cyclists when travelling in and out of the area,” Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council “The funding from the Government will enable us to carry out much-needed improvements between Ashby Road and Scunthorpe town centre to improve the cycling network.” © Shutterstock/Blazej Lyjak Cash secured for cycling revolution in Scunthorpe Regeneration funding for Skegness & Sutton-on-Sea Skegness and Sutton-on-Sea are set to receive £1,250,000 of initial funding from the Government under the Town Deal Programme. Pedestrianisation of part of the Skegness foreshore and plans to accelerate delivery of a new Colonnade development in Sutton-On-Sea will now come to fruition after the announcement was made. The funds come from the Towns Deal Accelerated Funding, which is part of the Towns Deal, an ambitious project that will see around 100 towns across the UK benefit from more than £3.6 billion for improvements that each town identified can use to put forward strategic plans for in the form of Town Investment Plans. Skegness and Mablethorpe and Sutton have joined forces for their bid of more than £50 million to boost employment and training opportunities and community facilities under the Town Deal. A group of local stakeholders, businesses and community groups have formed a board called the Connected Coast to ensure the bid is as strong and representative of local needs as possible. In Sutton-on-Sea, the existing, unsafe 1950’s Colonnade concrete structure will be demolished to make way for an extensive redevelopment scheme to boost footfall and trade in the town as well as increased opportunities for outdoor leisure activities for all of the family. The new development will soon be submitted for detailed planning consent and includes a new landmark multi-use building housing a café, gallery and exhibition space and viewing decks. It will also offer sheltered trading areas, craft and performance spaces as well as 15 new modern beach huts and six luxury holiday lodges. The surrounding green and open space areas will also be enhanced around existing heritage features to provide a mix of outdoor leisure facilities and recreational space for local residents and future visitors to enjoy. 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 02/11/2020 12:56 Page 1Lincoln Cathedral’s Dean’s Green open to the public for the first time in over 40 years Members of the public can now access and enjoy the newly landscaped Dean’s Green for the first time in over 40 years. Many in Lincoln will know the Old Deanery as Lincoln Minster School and the surrounding Dean’s Green as the playground. Over the last two years, both have been carefully restored and renovated as part of a National Lottery-funded project. Fenced off for over four decades as it formed part of the Lincoln Minster School boundary, the now open Dean’s Green has been beautifully landscaped with lawns, flower beds, seating and a water fountain. All visitors can now enjoy the peaceful, outside space and marvel at the magnificent view of the North-side of the Cathedral, which until now hasn’t been fully visible. In addition, visitors can see and get close to the Wren Library doorway and Dean’s entrance to the Cathedral which are both within the Dean’s Green. A swathe of Lincolnshire’s lost peat-fenland will be transformed into nature reserves as part of a new scheme aimed at the national’s natural recovery. The Wildlife Trusts has launched ’30 by 30’, a public appeal to raise £30 million to start putting nature into recovery across at least 30% of land and sea by 2030. Only 10% of land is protected in the UK and much of this is in poor condition. That’s why The Wildlife Trusts recently called on Government to introduce a new landscape designation for England called ‘Wildbelt.’ This would be for the purpose of putting land into nature’s recovery, such as through the creation of wildlife corridors, natural regeneration of woodland, restoration of wetlands, and rewilding. Among the projects will sees Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust restore 50 hectares of the county’s lost peat-fenland at Bourne North Fen to become a home for a wide variety of wildlife, linking up important nature reserves. Lincolnshire fenland to be © Shutterstock/Kev Gregory © Chris Vaughan Photography turned into nature reserve 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 02/11/2020 12:56 Page 2latest news Creative Immingham girl crowned ‘LEGO Young Explorer’ of the year Watch online as Anglo-Saxon cemetery near Lincoln is excavated An early Anglo-Saxon cemetery near Lincoln that has lain hidden for 1,600 years has been excavated. The site in Cammeringham was discovered by metal detectorists back in September 2019, who found a series of weapons and dress accessories. The discovery of a cremation site close to Lincoln is highly unusual and is part of what marks this as a site of national significance. “This is really exciting. It is such an important and significant site for our Lincolnshire heritage,” said Lisa Brundle, finds liaison officer at Lincolnshire County Council. “We’ve seen amazing jewellery, brooches and weapons found here previously, including a brooch showing a mysterious moustached man – he is thought to have provided the wearer with luck. Who knows what we might find this time!” The project is being run by Network Archaeology and will include excavation of the site, preservation of finds, and working with local schools. The entire excavation, which took place in September, was streamed online. Trust in August, asked children to get creative and build adventurous nature scenes using only LEGO Bricks, LEGO Minifigures and the great outdoors to be in with a chance of winning big. Thousands of creative children across the UK took part, letting their imaginations run wild with entries including blizzard scenes created in back gardens, sand-castle queens being delivered ice-cream on hovercraft trucks and pirate wrecks discovered in local parks. £600,000 grant for partnership project tackling homelessness A new team is in place to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping across four Lincolnshire districts thanks to a £600,000 Government grant. South Kesteven, North Kesteven, South Holland and West Lindsey district councils are working together under the banner of Change4Lincs to support people known to be rough sleeping or at risk of having to do so. The project is due to be launched on Monday, 12 October. The 14-strong Change4Lincs team is made up of a project co-ordinator, physical health nurse, four outreach workers, four tenancy support officers, two local lettings officers and two intensive support workers. They aim to: • Reduce, through prevention, the number of people at risk of rough sleeping • Reduce the number of ‘repeat’ rough sleepers • Reduce the number of rough sleepers who are likely to become entrenched • Improve physical and mental health and wellbeing • Provide effective support in settled accommodation A young girl from Immingham has fended off competition from thousands of other kids across the UK to be crowned the ultimate ‘LEGO Young Explorer’. Eight-year-old Lexie spent her summer holidays getting creative in the great outdoors. For her entry – which was submitted via Facebook by mum Jo – Lexie created a series of scenes which saw some LEGO Gardeners having a busy day in the sunflower window boxes, before returning home to LEGO way for some zip line fun. The competition, launched by The LEGO Group and National © Shutterstock/Andrey_Popov 06-08.qxp_Layout 1 02/11/2020 12:57 Page 309.qxp_Layout 1 02/11/2020 12:57 Page 1Next >