£2.95 NOVEMBER 2024 THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET www.blmgroup.co.uk BLM GROUPGROUP BLM £2.95 NOVEMBER 2024THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE New season fashion What’s on Winter warmers Homes and gardens New season fashion What’s on Winter warmers Homes and gardens tfPikth ’iltiftithlW ufamily rendly,at your local fri satmrishc ctrfePick the pecee ylyr id entrun plant ce erete t ve stiset theStar ’ll be spoilt for choice.of sizes you ’s in eege selection of trith a lar fe W Sta lacr slt ce M . O a wide rangewe 00 -9.ondayM OPEN -d90001- 1166.16.16. 00000 0078 42274227el: 017: 01T sales@timberdisplayscouksales@timberdisplayscou U0 0APE1PE1 ourne,ouoad, BBpalding R7 S4 th usn wiasoseusws 12 S uS aS rF hT W uT S OSEDOSEDCLEDSEDunday 00-9. d daydaytatur 009.riday 0 9.hursday 09.ednesday eW 00 9.uesday 0- sd9 00016 00 -1 00 0016.00 00000 00 0-16.0 0 - 6.16 - 16- 6.6 0-16.0-1 0-10-1 sales@timberdisplays.co.uksales@timberdisplays.co OSECLunday Sund EDEDChristmas isn’t here yet. Personally, I love November – it’s the month I was born in – but it does tend to get a little sidelined as far as months of the year go. We have bonfire night, but that’s a single night and only gets a shelf for some fireworks in supermarkets if we’re lucky. About the only attention it gets is police warning youngsters not to be reckless with fireworks. Meanwhile, Christmas goods for December are piled onto us and those same twenty Christmas songs that have been played for the last thirty years plus continue to be blasted into our ears. Spare a little thought for November, where the nights start getting darker and our homes warmer as the heating is cranked up. For warm food and the calm before the storm that is the Christmas rush. With the holidays being so commercialised and branded nowadays, November, to me, feels a little more honest – the start of winter, when the last leaves have fallen and everyone starts to bring out their winter fashion. The changing of a season is always a big deal, though it’s less so of one now than it used to be in history. In times past, we’d have just collected the harvest and would now look forward to much-deserved time off, with drinking and merrymaking. History tends to paint the common folk as slaving away, but records suggest that even peasants in medieval times got a lot more time off work than we do now, and the winer months were a big source of it. For us in Lincolnshire, November means new clothes, new menus, new shopping and – of course – care on our roads, which may soon start to become icy. Take care, wrap up warm, but spare a thought to enjoying November for what it is, and not just wishing it away in favour of Christmas. 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/PELLINNI 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? 12LINCS & NOTTS AIR AMBULANCE This year the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance celebrates its 30th year of being by the side of patients. 28NEW NOVEMBER STYLE As we watch temperatures drop, nights close in, and party season begin, a new outfit or two is a must. 34ENHANCE YOUR LOOK WITH ACCESSORIES Accessories are an essential finishing touch to any outfit. 36LAYER UP With colder days arriving, it’s time to layer up. 38LOOKING GLAM THROUGH WINTER There’s plenty to do already in November, what with Christmas around the corner, but if you’re going to make a statement in the winter months, there are things to keep in mind. 40STRESSING OUT Stress is a normal part of our everyday lives, and yet letting it run rampant can lead to a host of health and wellbeing problems. 44LINCOLN HOSPITAL, CIRCLE HEALTH GROUP Q&A Discussing Hip and Knee Surgery with experts at the private Lincoln Hospital. 46WINTER RECIPES Cold and dark nights mean warm food is more important than ever, but so is using seasonal goods to bring about that Christmas spirit. Don’t worry, we’ll save some Christmas recipes for next month. NOVEMBER AS WE WATCH TEMPERATURES DROP, NIGHTS CLOSE IN, AND PARTY SEASON BEGIN, A NEW OUTFIT OR TWO IS A MUST. contentsWHAT’S ON - THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON IN LINCOLNSHIRE. 51THROWING THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS BASH With more and more people staying home for Christmas, family dinners – or a Christmas party with friends – are becoming more ubiquitous. Throwing a good one means more than just serving food and drink, however. 58COUNTY MOTORING The focus of this month’s motors is exciting new developments in EVs, which are fast becoming popular – and affordable – on our roads. 63CHRISTMAS IN CARE Christmas can become less and less fun as we grow older, and even be a source of sorrow in our later years – but Christmas in a care home doesn’t have to be that way. 66WHAT’S ON There’s always something going on in Lincolnshire. Desirable homes 14A SERENE BARN CONVERSION Stunning countryside views and a pristine barn conversion await at this month’s featured property. 20WINTER WONDERS Leigh Lambert was born and raised in Newcastle- Upon- Tyne, where he resided for the first twenty years of his life. Lambert began to draw as soon as he could hold a pencil, with his family quickly recognizing his artistic flair. 22FLOURISHING FRUIT TREES Ed Fuller explains how fruit trees are for every garden. 24ANDREW DAMS Selecting a quality greenhouse can make all the difference to your plants and flowers, seeing them flourish. 26PREPPING FOR WINTER As freezing gusts, frost, and snow get ready to blow through gardens, it is important to pre-empt potential damage.Surplus defibrillators to help save lives in Ukraine Five defibrillators, surplus to requirements at South Kesteven District Council buildings, are on their way to help save lives in Ukraine. They are fully functional and needed in Ukraine, where a long-running conflict with Russia means that many goods and services are hard to get hold of. The exact destination is not yet known as it may change due to developments in the military campaign. Bernard Wood, from Generate – a Stamford-based humanitarian aid project for Ukraine – said: “Winter will be very hard for many in Ukraine so it’s an ideal time to take them out there with other donations this autumn. “Generate is a humanitarian aid project created to raise funds and donations of hardware for the benefit of those caught in the Ukraine conflict. I must thank the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) for endorsing the project; it felt like a milestone – and a responsibility too. “The current initiative is to contact individuals, businesses and organisations that may have surplus tools and equipment, in the hope that these could be donated to our project. Generate also purchases aid inside Ukraine, with donated funds.” Spalding town centre will be merry and bright this Christmas, as South Holland District Council and Spalding Town Board announce a £70,000 investment in a variety of new festive lights. The investment comes from the initial funds from Long Term Plan for Towns, a new Government programme providing £20m over ten years to support chosen towns to improve their high streets. The new displays are designed to last for 10 years and will stretch across the town centre and Market Place, down Francis Street and Hole in the Wall and extending into The Crescent. Investment in the look and attractiveness of the high street, especially tying in with events that bring more footfall, was a popular point raised as part of Spalding Town Board’s recent consultation, where over 500 local residents shared their priorities for the Long Term Plan for Towns funding. Among the new decorations will be almost 40 column displays that will stretch across the street, new string lights and a star topper for the town’s Christmas tree, column and maypole decorations and around 320 metres of icicle lights. Cleethorpes makes ‘Bucket and Spade’ list of top ten seaside attractions Cleethorpes has secured a place on the Seaside Heritage Network’s Bucket and Spade List of the Top Ten favourite seaside places. A public vote put the resort’s Lakeside area at Number 7, behind features at New Brighton, the Isle of Wight, and Folkestone, with Scarborough’s Grand Hotel coming in at Number 9. Voters said of Cleethorpes’ Lakeside area that it was family friendly, very accessible for mobility restricted disabled people; calming and great for mental well-being; and spacious. Dr Kathryn Ferry, founder member of the Seaside Heritage Network, stressed how important it was to see people and communities getting behind the vote: “Our winners this year are not the usual suspects but that is a timely reminder that seaside heritage is not always grand or obvious. These are attractions that make their location unique, they are distinctive things that are highly valued by residents and visitors alike; it’s for that reason thousands of people took the time to register their choice.” latest news © stock.adobe.com/Zamrznuti tonovi © stock.adobe.com/haidamac Major investment made for new Christmas lights in SpaldingA campaign to bring more wildflowers and biodiversity to Lincoln while reducing carbon has launched. Launched by Lincoln-based My Square Metre, Plant it Forward will see local businesses pledging to plant one square metre of wildflowers on behalf of a business of their choice, with that business then doing the same to pass it forward, and so on. My Square Metre is the first of its kind online carbon offsetting calculator, which identifies often overlooked daily carbon- producing activities, and offsets through wildflower planting. With an aim for Plant it Forward to reach 2,000 square metres of wildflowers, My Square Metre is hoping that through the interest and support of local businesses, Lincoln will be taking a step closer to a net zero carbon future as well as creating new habitats and boosting biodiversity. In Britain, 97% of wildflower meadows have been lost since the second world war and 53% of native plants have been lost in the last 20 years due to human impacts. Meadow loss leads to a reduction in pollinators which are essential in food production. Local businesses sign up to start wildflower planting project Jaylaurs Sewing Studios to celebrate 40th anniversary with event featuring celebrity sewing guests Jaylaurs Sewing Studios is inviting all customers, old and new, to celebrate its 40th anniversary of trading in Brigg on Saturday 23rd November. Whether you like to sew and craft or prefer to let Jaylaurs Sewing Studios do the sewing for you, be the first to view their wonderful new spaces. A special event will welcome celebrity sewing guests, offer goody bags or alteration discount vouchers to the first 30 customers, and offer 15% off metered fabric and 15% off alterations (23rd November only). A spokesperson for Jaylaurs Sewing Studios said: “Through challenges and successes, and the amazing support of the local community, Jaylaurs Sewing Studios would like to thank you all for your loyalty and consistent support over the last 40 years. Our customers have enabled us to grow and become the business we are today. From a humble, cold, wet and windy market stall in 1984 to our amazing new super spacious retail premises in 2024.” Amongst the guests at the anniversary event will be Rebecca Grimbleby, who will be sharing her experiences as a finalist on the 2021 series of Great British Sewing Bee. Rebecca will be happy to answer questions and some of her wonderful creations will be on display. Karen of Stitches by Karen Taylor will also be in attendance, with some of her garments on display. Jaylaurs Sewing Studios stocks fabulous patterns from Karen, who trained as a pattern cutter at ESMOD International in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In 2014 she moved to the UK, to Lincoln, and in 2015 started working towards creating Stitches by Karen Taylor. Karen has developed her own line of sewing patterns with the aim of providing well-fitting garments for all shapes and sizes. Lucy Picksley, aka Sew Pretty Sew Mindful, is also a guest at the event. Jaylaurs Sewing Studios stocks Lucy’s amazing bag patterns and fabric collections. Specialising in bag making, Lucy is happy to chat and answer questions. The sewing pattern designer based in Gainsborough has made appearances on Sewing Street TV, runs The Creative Wellness Hub, and is a blogger for Craft Cotton Company. Revamp work starts on Embassy Theatre at Skegness Transformational work on the historic Embassy Theatre in Skegness has started on-site as part of Cultural Skegness, an East Lindsey District Council led project designed to bring a new ‘culture house concept’ to the town. The redevelopment is designed to help the venue, which has been in Skegness since 1926, to expand and adapt to current needs, creating improved, modern, and accessible facilities that will provide residents and visitors with a bigger and better offer of activities and shows to enjoy. The ambition for the culture house is to create a space to support the exploration and enjoyment of new opportunities and activities for young people and the local community, whilst continuing to develop the creative sector in the Lincolnshire coast. The plans include significant upgrades to seating within the auditorium, an extended storage area for staging and equipment, and the creation of a new feature entrance and multi-purpose space to the southern side of the building. A new external seating area will be introduced, and there will be upgrades to existing changing rooms, lift and toilet areas throughout. latest news Planning consent granted to regenerate two Alford attractions Two heritage and culturally significant attractions are set to expand their offer and attract even more visitors to the Lincolnshire Wolds following the approval of planning consent. With unanimous decisions, East Lindsey District Council’s planning committee granted planning permission and listed building consent for Alford Manor House and the grounds of Alford Windmill. The permission for Alford Manor House will realise a new, permanent, flexible event space which will see the temporary marquee removed that has been in place since 2006. The new function room will allow the Manor House to provide event space for up to 100 people. The consent also includes minor works to the car park and construction of a canopy to store large pieces of machinery for the Rural Life Museum and workshop. The consent for the Alford Windmill site includes a new visitor centre, refurbishment of the Miller’s Cottage into a two-bed holiday accommodation, refurbishment of the Sail Store as an educational space, the pigsty to be converted into a children’s play area, refurbishment of the former shop to display Millwright tools, and landscaping throughout. © stock.adobe.com/ Олена Виноградська Image courtesy of East Lindsey District Council North Lincolnshire has picked up a clutch of prestigious Britain in Bloom East Midlands awards from the Royal Horticultural Society. The newly developed Somervell Community/Inclusive Allotments scooped a major award – the RHS Judges Award for Community Focus. Elsham Parish Nature Reserve, which used to be an old quarry, also received a Judge’s Award. The site is owned by Elsham Parish Council. The judges commented that the site “is now transformed into a wonderful wildflower and wildlife facility which, as it develops, will be fully enjoyed by villagers and visitors alike.” Central Park in Scunthorpe won an award for Excellence in Horticulture and Standards. Recent work installing planters on local streets, including Britannia Corner, won a Bronze award. Cllr David Rose, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “This is a marvellous achievement, and a welcome reward for the workforce who have put so much effort in over the past 12 months. North Lincolnshire’s green spaces are going from strength to strength.” Britain in Bloom awards for North Lincolnshire’s parks, allotments and nature reserves © stock.adobe.com/ MNStudiochristmasatbelton.co.uk 22 CDKǨ&?6C 6bV\^XVaV[hZf"YVf` hfV^a[ʩfZjZfmʩcZ Your Ifor Williams Trailer Distributor Trailers from small domestic 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 T: 01526 860317 W: www.scott-trailers.co.uk E: office@scott-trailers.co.uk Opening hours: Mon to Fri 8am-5pm Sat 9am-12 noon HorseboxCommercial LivestockUnbraked H Clothing & Curtain Alterations & Repairs H H Fitting Room & Express Service H H Fabrics, Haberdashery, Patterns H H Crafts Fabrics & Fat Quarters H H Soft Furnishing Service H You’re invited to our big relaunch Saturday 23rd November With guest appearances from Rebecca Contestant from Great British Sewing Bee Karen Taylor from Stitches by Karen Taylor Lucy Picksley from Sew Pretty Sew MindfulNext >