Inside Lincolnshire - Lincolnshire County Council

INSIDE
LINCOLNSHIRE
THE NEWSPAPER FOR RESIDENTS OF LINCOLNSHIRE MARCH 2009
Streets ahead for safety
How Every Street Matters has made
a difference in Lincolnshire
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Talking trash
Lincolnshire is leading
the way in recycling
FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE PAGE 14 ››
FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE PAGE 06 ››
Tackling the
tough times
together
An economic summit aims to ensure Lincolnshire is
best-placed to emerge strongly from the recession
STRIKING A CHORD: Dragons’ Den star Levi Roots visited Gainsborough to open the
new Mercury House business centre. See page 11 for the full story
■ “We can’t stop the global
recession but we must
do everything possible
to help individuals and
businesses survive it.”
That is the message from
Lincolnshire County Council
leader Martin Hill as local
authorities, businesses and
other agencies prepare for
the Economic Summit for
Lincolnshire on 4 March.
The event, hosted by the
Lincolnshire Assembly, will
see organisations such
as county and district
councils, the NHS and
the police meet with
representatives from the
farming, tourism,
construction and
development
industries.
The aim is
to ensure that
Lincolnshire’s
response to
the recession is as coordinated as possible,
both in the short term and
LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL TO SET A COUNCIL TAX RISE
OF 1.75% — BELOW THE RATE OF INFLATION
The
meeting’s
high-profile
speakers include
Cllr Martin Hill
for when the economy
eventually improves.
Chaired by the Bishop of
Lincoln, the Rt. Reverend
John Saxbee, the meeting’s
high-profile speakers will
include Cllr Martin Hill and
Lincolnshire Echo editor
Jon Grubb. The council is
supporting the newspaper’s
current Beating the Credit
Crunch campaign.
The 70 delegates to
the economic summit
are expected to include
representatives from a
range of national, regional
and local organisations,
including the Bank of
England, the Citizens Advice
Story continues on page 09
›› P02
Bulletin
CONTACT INSIDE LINCOLNSHIRE
EDITORIAL
Phone: 01522 782060
Email: insidelincolnshire@
lincolnshire.gov.uk
Address: Inside Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
County Council, County Offices, Newland,
Lincoln LN1 1YL
Website: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
insidelincolnshire
The paper’s managing editor is Janet
Marshall, head of communications and
community engagement
COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING
Summersault Communications
Phone: Gillian Soden, advertising sales
executive, 01926 319942
Email: gillian.soden@summersault.co.uk
Inside this issue...
P06 Waste not, want not
How the county is setting
the pace for recycling
P10 Better prospects
Local schemes are
helping fight the recession
P16 Safety in the garden
A guide to staying safe
this spring and summer
P17 Letters
FACE TO FACE
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Phone: 01507 523456
Address: Newspaper House, Morton Way,
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Inside Lincolnshire is published by
Lincolnshire County Council and delivered
to 329,000 homes and businesses by Royal
Mail. An audio version of Inside Lincolnshire
is available at most county libraries or, on
request, by post.
GENERAL COUNCIL ENQUIRIES
BY PHONE 01522 782060
BY LETTER Lincolnshire County Council,
County Offices, Newland, Lincoln, LN1 1YL
ON OUR WEBSITE
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
BY EMAIL customer_services@
lincolnshire.gov.uk
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For any queries concerning advertising policy,
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02 Inside Lincolnshire
We have looked
very carefully at
our operations and
projections to find
£16 million in savings
without having to
make cuts from frontline services
Read the views of
fellow residents
P19 What’s on
Check out events in
the area
Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill on
the authority’s 1.75% council tax rise
The council is acutely aware of the
difficult financial situation facing
businesses, householders, individuals
and savers at this time of recession.
We believe a large council tax
increase would be unacceptable for
the people of Lincolnshire and have
decided to keep the increase for
2009-10 to 1.75%.
This will be one of the lowest rises
in the country for a similar service.
We have looked very carefully at our
operations and projections to find
£16 million in savings, without having
to make cuts from front-line services.
In addition, we have resisted the
temptation to slash our building and
investment programme or to initiate
large-scale redundancies. Such
actions in the current economic
climate would only add to the crisis.
We expect the council’s finances
to come under considerable
pressure over the next few years.
The government has indicated that
its spending will be limited in future,
negatively impacting grants.
We also expect increased
‘v’ is for volunteers
Young people across Lincolnshire
have a great opportunity to
develop their confidence and
life skills, thanks to a new
volunteering scheme known as ‘v’.
The scheme encourages
16-25 year olds to become active
citizens through volunteering in
their local community.
Over the next couple of months,
workshops on everything from
drama and dance to arts and
crafts will see youngsters learning
key skills that they can then use at
groups where they volunteer.
Two British Red Cross support
days are also on offer, along
with a session looking at holiday
homes for people with disabilities
through the organisation Vitalise.
For further information contact
Chris Bushby on 01529 303707.
demands for our services as the
recession takes hold. At the same
time, our income will be reduced
because our investments, like
everyone else’s, are earning less.
Keeping council tax as low as
possible, but at the same time
protecting the council and public
from the worst effects of the
recession, will hopefully ensure
that we are all best placed to take
advantage in better times.
Cllr Martin Hill OBE, leader,
Lincolnshire County Council
The 1.75% rise set by the
county council only relates to
its share of your council tax bill.
Your district council and the
Lincolnshire Police Authority will
also be setting increases, which
will affect the total amount you
pay. The figures will be made
clear in the council tax bill sent to
you later this month.
Working in harmony
Children’s Services celebrate their glowing
Ofsted report with music and culture
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 04 ››
Happy families
Gainsborough locals graduate
from parenting course
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 05 ››
News
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Who’s your
unsung hero?
If you’d like to say a big thank
you to someone, then why not
nominate them for the Good
Citizens Awards?
The event recognises
exceptional people whose
voluntary work has made a real
difference. The closing date
for nominations is 13 March
so visit www.lincolnshire.
gov.uk/goodcitizen or phone
01522 782239 to find out
how to nominate.
Don’t forget the People’s
Choice Award either, which
lets you nominate a council
employee who has shown
outstanding dedication. The
closing date for this is 1 April.
Forms are available in libraries
and county offices, or you can
go online at www.lincolnshire.
gov.uk/peopleschoice.
LIFESAVER: (l-r) Volunteer
Andy Whittingham with
Richard Beavers
Medic Andy shows
the value of LIVES
Wherever you are in the county, the service of LIVES is never far away,
as heart attack victim Richard Beavers discovered
■ Richard Beavers was
working as a builder at a
school in Owston Ferry last
autumn when his heart
suddenly stopped.
The first trained medic
on the scene was Andy
Whittingham, a volunteer for
the Lincolnshire Integrated
Voluntary Emergency
Service (LIVES). It was his
speedy response to the
incident that ultimately saved
Richard’s life.
“This was my first incident
after signing up to be a
LIVES responder,” said Andy,
who was administering
electric shock treatment
to Richard’s heart just four
minutes after the original
999 call. “I arrived to find
Richard unconscious, but
being given extremely good
CPR by his friend. I took
over until the ambulance
arrived and Richard finally
regained consciousness
later in hospital.”
“The speed with which
Andy arrived probably made
all the difference to me,” said
Richard, who is now waiting
to have a defibrillator fitted
to his heart. “I am extremely
thankful that he was able to
arrive so quickly.”
Although Andy is a trained
nurse, many volunteers
don’t have any prior medical
knowledge at all, and are
trained by LIVES to deliver
basic life support and early
defibrillation. They can also
provide patient assessment,
oxygen therapy and general
patient care.
The volunteers, or
responders as they are
known in the organisation,
receive texts about 999
calls made to East Midlands
Ambulance Service control.
This is especially valuable
in a county like Lincolnshire,
where trained people in
remote villages and areas
can often respond to
situations much quicker than
an ambulance.
Find out more at www.
lives-responders.co.uk
or call 01507 525999
Inside Lincolnshire 03
Star recyclers
Back in time
Some of the county’s keenest recyclers
share their tips on handling rubbish
Lincoln’s Bailgate area will
return to its historic past
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 06 ››
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 13 ››
News
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Students
celebrate
success
Event recognises excellent Ofsted result
with music and culture from talented
youngsters across Lincolnshire
■ Staff from Lincolnshire
Children’s Services
gathered with talented
young people from across
the county to celebrate
recent successes and
a glowing report in the
latest Ofsted inspection.
The Terry O’Toole Theatre
at North Kesteven school
in North Hykeham was the
venue for the celebration.
It featured appearances
by Lincolnshire students
who have achieved notable
academic and other
successes, plus a series
of musical and cultural
performances from several
local schools.
TAKING A BOW: The event gave Laura Crust
from North Kesteven school a chance to
showcase her musical expertise
The Ofsted report said
that Lincolnshire delivers
good performance in
most areas of its work
and has an outstanding
performance when it comes
to helping children stay
safe and achieve economic
wellbeing.
Lincolnshire was one of
only 14 local authorities,
from 150 nationally, to
receive the top grade for
staying safe, placing the
council in the top 10% in
the UK.
DRAMA QUEENS: The Walton
Sixth Form Dancers took part
in the celebrations
Dedication
60 NEWS IN
2NUMBERS
25,00
This month’s news
highlights in numbers
04 Inside Lincolnshire
excelled at GCSE, with the
best results ever in 2008.
An impressive 71.1% of
all Lincolnshire children
50.55%
The proportion of general
household waste that
Lincolnshire homes recycle
every year
gained five A*-C grades,
a percentage increase of
5.6%. This is 5.8% above
the national average.
700
Recent examination results
have also highlighted the
strength of the county’s
schools and the dedication
of students, teachers,
governors and parents.
Lincolnshire schools
THE AGE IN
YEARS OF ST
BOTOLPH’S
CHURCH IN
BOSTON, MORE
FAMOUSLY
KNOWN AS THE
BOSTON STUMP
Young hearts run free
A Chance To Meet
Playbuilder funding will create better
play areas for the county’s children
New social group for hearingimpaired children
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 08 ››
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 15 ››
News
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
✁
General council
enquiries
Your cut-out-and-keep guide
to contacting the council
BY TELEPHONE at the customer
service centre. Calls from the public are
welcome 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday
Social Care – Children 01522 782111
Social Care – Adults 01522 782155
Social Care – Carers team 01522 782224
Registration of births, deaths, marriages
and civil partnerships 01522 782244
Highways and Planning 01522 782070
Schools Transport 01522 782020
Education 01522 782030
TEAMWORK: The
Gainsborough parents
celebrate their achievements
Top of the class
for parenting
Lincolnshire mums and dads are finding that being a parent is the most rewarding job in
the world, thanks to a new course designed to help bond families and communities
■ Parents in Gainsborough
are the first in the county
to benefit from a unique
programme to promote all the
positive factors that come with
good parenting.
The Strengthening Families
Strengthening Communities
course has helped many parents
in the area learn different ways
to develop closer and warmer
relationships with their children.
Mother of three Alison Smith
graduated from the programme
and is full of praise for it. She
said: “I now feel like I can cope
with anything. It has taught me
better ways to discipline and
communicate with my children.
As a family we have set up
rules and reward charts, which
have taught the children to
earn respect and rewards. The
course has helped me so much.”
Niki Toyne enrolled on the
course after seeing an advert
in her local children’s centre.
She said: “Before the course,
I worried about my teenagers’
behaviour. The course has
helped me to talk to them and
the family is so much calmer.”
Courses have already taken
place elsewhere in the country,
with excellent feedback. The
Race Equality Foundation
surveyed graduates of the
scheme with 100% of those
FAMILY VALUES: (l-r) Anita Wood from
the Community Health Service, Mayor
of Gainsborough Pearl Banyard and
actor Colin McFarlane
who did reply to the survey
saying they would recommend
the programme.
Courses are to be rolled out
across the county. For more
details, contact the Lincolnshire
Families Information Services
using the number below.
For more information on this
scheme, please phone
0800 195 1635
Libraries (open 8am-7pm weekdays,
9am-4pm Saturday) 01522 782010
Cultural Services – including museums,
heritage attractions, archives (open 8am-7pm
weekdays, 9am-4pm Saturday)
01522 782040
Corporate Services – including Lincolnshire
Development and Freedom of Information
enquiries 01522 782060
Community Safety – including Lincolnshire
Fire and Rescue non-emergency calls,
emergency planning, crime and disorder
01522 782050
Lifelong Learning (open 8am-7pm weekdays,
9am-4pm Saturday) 01522 782011
Children’s Information Service
0800 195 1635
Fostering and Adoption Enquiry Line
0800 093 3099
Consumer Direct East Midlands
(open 8am-6.30pm weekdays, 9am-1pm
Saturday) 0845 404 0506
A recorded message service operates
outside normal working hours with details
of emergency numbers. Your call may be
monitored and recorded for training and
quality assurance.
BY LETTER Lincolnshire County Council,
County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL
ON OUR WEBSITE www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
BY EMAIL customer_services@lincolnshire.
gov.uk
THE BIG WORD For residents who
speak little or no English, we provide access
to an innovative translation service known
as the Big Word. All callers to the above
customer service centre numbers will be
offered the services of an interpreter
if required.
Inside Lincolnshire 05
Feature
TOP OF
THE PILE
When it comes to making the most out of rubbish, Lincolnshire is streets ahead.
Some of the county’s keenest and greenest recyclers show why Lincolnshire has
recently been named one of the best performing counties for recycling in the UK
A
longside its
beautiful rural
landscapes,
there’s another
reason why
Lincolnshire
has every right to be hailed
a green county. According
to the latest figures, the
residents of Lincolnshire
create less household
waste per person than any
other county in the UK.
A league table in the latest
issue of the environmental
magazine Resource shows
Lincolnshire disposes of
just 241.4kg of residual
waste (the rubbish people
throw away in black, grey or
silver bins for collection) per
person per year.
Elsewhere, the Department
for the Environment, Food
It’s easy to recycle
Diane Hickinbottom from
Skegness said: “The environment
has always been important to me,
especially because I have a 15-year-old
son and I don’t want him to suffer from the
mistakes of previous generations.
“Our house doesn’t generate much
rubbish because we’re a small family
anyway and we avoid buying pre-packed
food. Instead we buy fresh produce, which
actually works out cheaper too.
“It’s about thinking smarter as well.
We return bottles every time we visit
the supermarket so we don’t have to
make an extra recycling trip. Getting the
kids involved is important as well. If you
train them to think about recycling, it will
eventually become second nature to them.”
Air vice-marshal Bobby Robson
from North Rauceby said:
“We recycle as much as we can, not for
our benefit, but for the benefit of future
generations who will inherit the earth. It’s
not that difficult to make a difference; all
06 Inside Lincolnshire
and Rural Affairs’ (Defra)
recycling league table
shows that 50.55% of
Lincolnshire’s general
household waste is recycled
every year, making it the
second highest performing
county in England.
Ian Coates, from the
council’s environmental
management department,
said: “These figures are a
testament to the hard work
of Lincolnshire people,
who have been very
responsive to the recycling
services delivered by the
local authorities.”
Sheer enthusiasm
you need to do is take a little extra care and
time when disposing of your rubbish.
“The services provided by the county
and district councils make it very easy to
recycle. The two recycling centres nearby
have very helpful staff and the kerbside
collections are very good.
“The councils tell you what’s happening
well in advance and are open about what
happens to our rubbish. It’s a supportive
approach that’s very encouraging.”
Ian paid tribute to the work
of the Lincolnshire Waste
Partnership, made up of
county and district councils.
“But we wouldn’t have
done so well without
the sheer enthusiasm of
residents themselves,”
he added.
What is it about the
county’s residents that make
them such good recyclers?
Inside Lincolnshire spoke
to people from two of the
county’s top performing
regions, East Lindsey and
North Kesteven, (see panel
left) to find out more about
their recycling habits.
For more information
contact Waste Services
on 01522 782070
An even
greener future
A new Energy from Waste
facility is being proposed
for Lincolnshire that
would work hand in hand
with the county’s sterling
recycling efforts.
A planning application
is currently being
considered for the facility,
(pictured below) which
will turn residual waste
that can’t be recycled
into energy in the form of
electricity and heat.
Councillor Lewis
Strange, chairman of
the Lincolnshire Waste
Partnership, said: “An
Energy from Waste facility
is the right solution for
Lincolnshire’s residual
waste. Continuing
to send the waste
we can’t recycle to a
landfill site clearly isn’t
environmentally sound
and is increasingly costly
in terms of the fines we
are facing.”
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
WE CAN SORT IT OUT:
Diane Hickinbottom
and son Connor do
their recycling
It’s about thinking
smarter... we return
bottles every time we
visit the supermarket so
we don’t have to make
an extra recycling trip
Inside Lincolnshire 07
Schemes for skills
Help is available across the county
in these tough economic times
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 10 ››
Tasty winners
Tastes of Lincolnshire award
winners revealed
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 13 ››
News
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
NOTICE OF MINIMUM NUMBER OF
THE ELECTORATE REQUIRED TO
PETITION FOR A REFERENDUM FOR
AN ELECTED MAYOR
Under the Local Government Act 2000, one of the things
we have to do by law is let people know about their right
to ask for a referendum if they want an elected mayor to
manage their council. We also have to tell you the numbers
needed for a valid petition. If 5% of the number of people
on the local electoral register submit a petition asking for
a referendum for an elected mayor, then the local council
must hold a referendum in their area. We have listed the
numbers of people the 5% equates to in each council district
in Lincolnshire, as well as the total for Lincolnshire County
Council – these figures apply from February 2009.
5% (rounded)
a. Boston Borough 2386
e. South Holland 3444
b. East Lindsey
5338
f. South Kesteven 5110
c. City of Lincoln
3227
g. West Lindsey
3549
d. North Kesteven 4054
h. Lincolnshire
27108
These figures will be used to check the validity of any petition
received between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010 or any
earlier date required by Government Regulation.
Every year we publish the 5% figures and remind you
of your right to tell us in a petition that you would like a
referendum. The petition must be signed by the correct
number of people (using the 5% figures for your district listed
above) and delivered to a council’s principal office.
Do not forget that in Lincolnshire you have two principal
offices – your local district council and Lincolnshire County
Council. If you want a referendum for both, petitions need to
be completed and sent to both. The address for the councils
in Lincolnshire are:
a. Boston – Chief Executive,
Boston Borough Council,
Municipal Buildings,
West Street, Boston,
Lincolnshire
PE21 8QR.
Tel: 01205 314200
(www.boston.gov.uk)
b. East Lindsey –
Chief Executive,
East Lindsey District Council,
Tedder Hall, Manby Park,
Louth, Lincolnshire
LN11 8UP.
Tel: 01507 601111
(www.e-lindsey.gov.uk)
South Holland District
Council,
Council Offices, Priory Road,
Spalding, Lincs PE11 2XE.
Tel: 01775 761161
(www.sholland.gov.uk)
f. South Kesteven –
Chief Executive,
South Kesteven District
Council,
Council Offices,
St Peter’s Hill,
Grantham,
Lincs NG31 6PZ.
Tel: 01476 406080
(www.southkesteven.gov.uk)
c. City of Lincoln – Chief
Executive and Town Clerk,
City of Lincoln Council,
City Hall, Beaumont Fee,
Lincoln LN1 1DD.
Tel: 01522 881188
(www.lincoln.gov.uk)
g. West Lindsey –
Chief Executive,
West Lindsey District Council,
Guildhall, Marshall’s Yard,
Gainsborough,
Lincs DN21 2NA.
Tel: 01427 676676
(www.west-lindsey.gov.uk)
d. North Kesteven –
Chief Executive,
North Kesteven District
Council,
Council Offices,
Kesteven Street, Sleaford,
Lincolnshire NG34 7EF.
Tel: 01529 414155
(www.n-kesteven.gov.uk)
h. Lincolnshire – Chief Executive,
Lincolnshire County Council,
County Offices,
Newland,
Lincoln LN1 1YL.
Tel: 01522 552222
(www.lincolnshire.gov.uk)
e. South Holland –
Chief Executive,
08 Inside Lincolnshire
Tony McArdle
Chief Executive
Lincolnshire County Council
OPEN SPACE: Lincolnshire
children are all smiles at
The Lawn in Lincoln
Making playtime fun
Children in Lincolnshire will enjoy more safe and secure play areas for free in
the next few years, thanks to the successful Playbuilder scheme
■ Everyone knows
about the importance of
play in shaping a child’s
future. Having spaces in
neighbourhoods that are
not only safe, but also
stimulating and challenging,
is the reason behind a
national government
strategy to build play sites
across the country.
The Lincolnshire Children
and Young People’s Strategic
Partnership has been
successful in a Playbuilder bid,
which will bring £1.13 million
of funding to the county for
fixed play equipment, to help
create adventure playgrounds
for children.
The funding in the first
year will see play sites open
across the county in the North
Kesteven, Boston, South
Kesteven, West Lindsey,
South Holland and East
Lindsey districts by 31 March
2009, with more sites opening
in every district council area in
the next two years.
The play sites will be free
to the public and are part of
a three-year investment from
the Department for Children
Schools and Families (DCSF).
Cllr Patricia Bradwell,
executive councillor for
Children’s Services, said: “We
are delighted to have secured
additional funding, which fits
in with our plans to provide
accessible play facilities in all
areas of the county. Physical
exercise through play is
important for all young people
in the 0-19 age group, and it’s
essential we have quality, safe
and well-maintained facilities.”
Social care is Putting People First
Social care in Lincolnshire
will take a more personal
approach thanks to Putting
People First.
It’s a governmentbacked programme
aimed at modernising and
transforming services.
As part of its three-year
plan, the county council and
its partners have created an
Action Learning Programme
(ALP) to look at the best
ways to involve people
in the way services are
provided.
A three-month trial
is taking place in the
Skegness area to look
at how best to introduce
changes.
Fairplay for football
Football programme expands to give more
local kids exciting new goals to aim for
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 14 ››
Shore thing
Have your say on plans for
future sea defences
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 15 ››
News
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
SEVERE IMPACT: Woolworths stores in
Lincolnshire are among the casualties of the
recession. The Economic Summit aims to help
other local businesses survive and prosper
County’s action plan
for these difficult times
■ Continued from page 1
Bureau and Jobcentre Plus.
Explaining the purpose of
the meeting, Cllr Martin Hill
said: “We understand the
severe impact the recession
is having on individuals and
businesses in the county.
“But understanding isn’t
enough – we need decisive
action of the right kind, at the
right time and place.
“Against that background,
the county council is limiting
This is a great
opportunity
for people to get
together
its share of the council tax
rise for next year to 1.75%
– below the rate of inflation
– while protecting jobs and
services.
“But there is also a need for
more co-ordinated action with
Lincolnshire’s district councils
and our many other partners
to tackle the recession.”
Highlighting the many
benefits of partnership
working, Cllr Hill said: “By
pooling our ideas, we can
better understand the current
situation, continue to provide
excellent day-to-day and
longer-term services, and
help residents through the
recession’s worst impacts.”
Other themes Cllr Hill will
address at the summit are:
■ The need for public
authorities to continue to
provide excellent services at
the lowest possible cost
■ Protecting vulnerable
people by maintaining and
improving services
■ Finding immediate solutions
to short-term problems, while
avoiding knee-jerk reactions
■ Not losing sight of longterm goals, such as the vision
for a truly sustainable and
prosperous Lincolnshire.
The summit will also be
addressed by Richard Wills,
director of development for
the county council, who
added: “This is a great
opportunity for people to
get together and develop
a joint response to these
difficult times.
“We’re aiming to emerge
with a strategy that brings
together expertise from
across the county and
improves the lives of all
Lincolnshire people.”
See future editions of
Inside Lincolnshire for
more details on how the
Economic Summit will help
tackle the effects of the
current recession.
For more information about the Economic Summit or the
Lincolnshire Assembly, please phone 01522 561612 or visit
www.lincolnshireassembly.com
It’s part of
your council
Want to know where
you can get help
on animal health,
teenage services
and transport? Well,
look no further than
Lincolnshire County
Council, which is
focusing on these
three services in the
next phase of its My
Council campaign.
My Council was
launched in October
to raise awareness of
the services provided
by Lincolnshire County
Council. Residents are
urged to visit www.
lincolnshire.gov.uk
for further details on
all services provided.
The answers to your
questions may only be
a click or a call away.
Inside Lincolnshire 09
Feature
WHEN THE GOING GETS
TOUGH
Despite the
economic
slowdown,
Lincolnshire still
offers opportunities
for creative and
resourceful people
to make their mark.
Inside Lincolnshire
looks at three
projects that are
helping people to
get on during
the recession
Countryside gets the green light
Lincolnshire’s rural economy is
receiving a welcome boost, thanks
to a new funding scheme that offers
grants to people working in farming,
business, tourism and heritage.
The scheme is split into two
community partnerships based in East
Lindsey and parts of West Lindsey. The
Lindsey Action Zone (LAZ) stretches
from north of Boston almost up to
Brigg. The Coastal Action Zone (CAZ)
stretches along the coast from Friskney
right up to just below Humberston.
Grants start at £3,500 and a
minimum of 50% private sector funding
is required for most applications. A local
action group made up of people from
the private, public and voluntary sectors
will assess applications.
The scheme is supported by the
EU Leader Programme, Lincolnshire
County Council, East and West Lindsey
HELPING HAND: Rural businesses will be
supported by the new action zones
District Councils, Defra and the East
Midlands Development Agency. For
more details, contact:
■ Judy Bell at LAZ on 01507 354561
or judy.bell@lincolnshire.gov.uk
■ Jo Finlow at CAZ on 01754 610557
or jo.finlow@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Putting Lincolnshire in the picture
A group of keen amateur
photographers are just some
of those receiving help from
the Lincolnshire Co-operative
Development Agency.
The agency aims to support people
across the county in improving their
Everyone can
and has a right to
make a positive
contribution to
their community
10 Inside Lincolnshire
skills, particularly young parents on
a low income and those who are
unemployed or lack qualifications.
It’s something that appealed to
Kelly Page of Women Will – a support
group based in Birchwood, Lincoln
– who successfully applied for a grant
and used it to set up a photography
group for young mothers. The group,
called Luce Ed Ombra, also gives local
people the chance to buy discount
photography services.
Kelly said: “We believe everyone
can and has a right to make a positive
contribution to their community. Our
portrait sessions are affordable and
accessible for local parents. We are
setting up photography courses too.”
To find out how to apply for a grant,
call Andrew Brooks on 01522 550631
or visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/esf.
ON SONG: Reggae Reggae
Sauce creator and singer Levi
Roots officially opened Mercury
House in Gainsborough
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Business
brains
Levi causes a stir
If you would like to find out
more about help available for
businesses in Lincolnshire,
please contact Business Link
on 0845 058 66 44 or email
info@businesslinkem.
co.uk
MERCURY RISING: (l-r) Centre manager Vicky
Addison, Levi Roots and business innovation
officer Sadie Weller
One of the UK’s liveliest
entrepreneurs was on hand to open
Mercury House in Gainsborough,
a purpose-built centre designed to
help budding business people get
their ideas off the ground.
Reggae Reggae Sauce creator and
former singer Levi Roots, who shot to
fame on TV’s Dragons’ Den, declared
the £3.3 million centre open and
addressed a gathering that included
Lincolnshire county councillor Chris
Underwood-Frost and Nev Jackson, the
chairman of Lincolnshire Enterprise.
Cllr Underwood-Frost, the member
for Scotter Rural, said: “Mercury House
provides the ideal environment, support
and opportunities for businesses to
flourish and grow, which is particularly
valuable at this testing economic time.”
Mercury House is open to
entrepreneurs with great ideas who may
not have the office space or technology
to help them get their business started.
The centre offers low rentals, easy
leasing arrangements, state-of-the-art
conference rooms, regular training
days and networking events, plus a
whole range of other services to help
enterprising people get their foot on
the business ladder. It’s the second
business centre of its kind in the county,
the other being Oak House in Lincoln.
For more details email mercuryhouse
@lincolnshire.gov.uk, call 01427 619
500 or visit www.mercury-house.com.
Mercury House provides
the ideal environment,
support and opportunities
for businesses to
flourish and grow
OPENING DOORS: Inside Mercury House
Inside Lincolnshire 11
THE SMOKEFREE
LINCS ALLIANCE
So much has happened since we last updated the people of Lincolnshire. Here’s a roundup of the latest news from the Alliance, plus a chance to win a £20 high street voucher
NO SMOKING DAY:
WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2009
WIN A £20 HIGH STREET VOUCHER
Can you afford not to quit
smoking? Pennies are tight for
all of us this year but choosing
to quit smoking could make all
the difference: if you are a 20a-day smoker, you could save
over £1,000 within six months.
If you feel ready to quit, the
Phoenix Stop Smoking Service
is here to help. We will be on
the road in Lincolnshire for one
week around No Smoking Day
so come and see us at a venue
near you. We offer confidential
one-to-one support and advice
to help you quit, and with our
help you are four times more
likely to be successful.
MON 9 MARCH:
TUES 10 MARCH:
WEDS 11 MARCH:
THURS 12 MARCH:
FRI 13 MARCH:
SAT 14 MARCH:
Moorland Community Centre, Lincoln
Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough
Asda, Lincoln
Morrisons, Lincoln
Stop Shop, Lincoln
City Square, Lincoln
Morrisons, Lincoln
Hildreds Centre, Skegness
Issac Newton Centre, Grantham
Louth Market
Asda, Boston
Outside Superdrug, Spalding
Mablethorpe
Red Lion Square, Stamford
Lincoln City Football Club
To find out more about
Phoenix and the support
it offers, go to www.
phoenixquit.nhs.uk, freephone 0800 840 1533 or
text Quit to 07781 481717.
CHILDREN
FRESH
HEALTHY
HOME
MONEY
PHOENIX
PROMISE
SAVING
SMOKEFREE
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ORGANISER OF THE
YEAR AWARDS 2008
© Crown Copyright MOD
DIARY OF EVENTS
One word from the
list DOES NOT appear
in the grid. Simply
find the word that’s
missing and send it,
along with your name,
address and telephone
number, to Julie Scott,
Smokefree Lincs
Alliance, Beech House,
Waterside South,
Witham Park, Lincoln
LN5 7JH.
No Smoking Day 2008 was a huge
success for the Alliance. During a
week-long, countywide roadshow
we saw over 2,207 people at 16
venues. The Smokefree Homes
project signed up 269 homes and
the Phoenix Stop Smoking Service
helped 141 people to quit. The
Alliance enjoyed success at the No
Smoking Day Organiser of the Year
Awards 2008. Our partnership with
the Red Arrows, Lincolnshire Fire
Service and Lincoln City Football
Club earned us the award for Best
Photo (seen left).
AGED UNDER 16?
We want to know what young people think about smoking, what they
understand the dangers to be and what influences the choices they make.
The project will help shape future campaigns and aid the development of a
Phoenix Youth Stop Smoking Service. If you run, or are part of, a youth group
that would like to have a say contact Julie Scott on 01522 550673.
www.smokefreelincs.co.uk
Feeling the pinch?
Street scene
Local people share what they
think about the recession
Open spaces make it easier
to get around town
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 15 ››
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 14 ››
News
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Simply
delicious
RICH HISTORY: Cllr Eddy Poll
in Bailgate, where the area’s
traditional characteristics will
be preserved and expanded
Bailgate goes back in
time for its new look
New funding for top-quality renovations and improvements will help to preserve and promote the
traditional attractions of Lincoln’s historic streets for tourists and businesses alike
■ Lincoln’s historic
Bailgate is to get a more
traditional feel, thanks to
a successful funding bid
by Lincolnshire County
Council and the Historic
Lincoln Partnership.
These areas
are crucial
for our tourism
and businesses
The funding package,
worth £1.18 million,
includes contributions from
East Midlands Tourism
and the county council,
and it is hoped that the
improvements will benefit
tourism and businesses in
the area. Bailgate is to be
relaid in Yorkstone material
and a landscaping scheme
is planned for the Roman
Well and St Paul area.
The work will be done
using high-quality natural
stone, similar to the
improvements carried out
last year in the streets
around The Collection in
downhill Lincoln.
Work is scheduled to start
in early 2010.
Cllr Eddy Poll, county
council executive member
for economic development
and tourism, said: “Bailgate is
probably the most important
thoroughfare in uphill Lincoln.
At one end of Bailgate is
Newport Arch, originally the
North Gate of the Roman
walled city, and the other
end leads into Castle Hill, the
medieval space across which
the cathedral and castle face
each other. These areas are
crucial for our tourism and
businesses, and we must
continue to attract visitors.”
For more information
on the Bailgate project
call 01522 550500
Congratulations to this
year’s Tastes of Lincolnshire
award winners, who have
been named the county’s
best places for local
produce and quality of
service.
The winners were:
Producers: Mr M Carnell
and Mrs L Parrish-Leech,
Kings Butchers, Claypole
Retailer: Mrs K Byrne,
Pedigree Corner, Spilsby
Growing: Mr M Davenport,
Cote Hill Cheese, Osgodby
Tea room: Mrs I Ward
Kendall, Wold View Tea
Room & B&B, near Tealby,
Market Rasen
Pub: Mrs S Gemmell,
Village Limits, Woodhall Spa
Restaurant: Mrs S Noble,
Windmill Restaurant, Burgh
le Marsh, near Skegness
Accommodation Open
to Residents Only: Mrs S
Ward, Hoe Hill House Bed
& Breakfast, Swinhope, near
Market Rasen
Accommodation Open
to Residents Only (selfcatering): Mrs J Marshall,
Enfield Farm Cottages,
Fulstow, near Louth
Accommodation Open to
Non-residents: Mr P Hunt,
Olde Barn, Marston, near
Grantham
Mr George Award:
Pauline and Chris Thornley,
Sandgate Hotel, Skegness.
Visit www.tastesof
lincolnshire.com for more.
WELL DONE: Mr Carnell and Mrs
Parrish-Leech with their award
Inside Lincolnshire 13
Well grounded
With the gardening season just round the corner,
read some essential safety advice
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 16 ››
Your shout
See what residents in
Lincolnshire want to talk about
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 17 ››
News
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
New plan
is streets
ahead
It’s getting easier and more pleasurable to enjoy
the county’s streets and outdoor spaces
■ For anyone who’s ever
had to pick their way along
a street, dodging traffic
or obstacles, the county’s
Streetscape Design and
Maintenance Policy will be
good news.
Aimed at highways
engineers, the new
document gives advice
on combining essential
maintenance and building
We’ve tried
to tidy up the
county’s streets
and public spaces
work with improvements to
the way streets and outdoor
spaces look and feel.
Historic environment
officer Sarah Grundy helped
CLEAR PATH: Improvements to the
marketplace have attracted pedestrians
write the manual. “We’ve
tried to tidy up the county’s
streets and public spaces.
From improvements made
so far, we’ve had excellent
feedback,” she said.
One case in point is
Stamford. Reducing signs,
lines and parking meant that
roads were clearer and the
historic buildings were visible
once again.
Another example of the
scheme’s positive impact
is at the marketplace in
the village of Billinghay
(pictured above). The new
pedestrianised area has
become an attractive focal
Quality street environments can:
■ Preserve an area’s local
character and purpose
■ Reduce crime and
antisocial behaviour
■ Increase tourism
■ Attract more investment
from business
■ Improve transport access
point for people in the village.
“All those involved have
done a brilliant job,” said
Sarah. “We’re looking
forward to seeing more
streets in Lincolnshire fulfil
their potential.”
The Streetscape Design
■ Make walking and cycling
more enjoyable
■ Boost morale in
the community
■ Create a greater sense of
pride in the area
■ Make streets safer for
pedestrians and motorists.
Manual is available on
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
everystreetmatters with an
online response form
for comments.
For more information,
see www.lincolnshire.gov.
uk/everystreetmatters
Kicking boredom into touch
The Fairplay football
programme in Lincolnshire
is going into extra time.
Building on the scheme’s
success in Lincoln, a
number of pilot projects
have been set up around
the county, expanding
Fairplay even further. The
tournaments are all aimed
at 13- to 16-year-old boys.
A county celebration will
14 Inside Lincolnshire
also take place on 16 April
at Carre’s Grammar School
in Sleaford for 13- to 19year-old boys and girls.
Events will include a street
football tournament and
free workshops.
Fairplay is a unique
partnership involving
the Football Foundation,
Lincolnshire Children’s
Services, Lincolnshire
Safer Stronger
Community Board and
Lincolnshire Police. Its
purpose is to help develop
young people and their
communities, and reduce
antisocial behaviour and
alcohol misuse.
To take part in the
Fairplay programme,
contact David Sampher
on 01522 524096.
What’s on
The Boston Stump turns 700
One of Lincolnshire’s most famous landmarks
is making 2009 a year of celebration
Find out about events coming
up in Lincolnshire
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 18 ››
FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 20 ››
News
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Signing up for fun
Group offers support
and play to children with
hearing impairments
■ Nothing is worse
than loneliness, which is
something many children
with hearing impairments
experience in schools.
“As a teacher for these
children, I noticed how
difficult it was for them, so
decided to do something
about it,” said Lesley Jessop,
a teacher from the Sensory
Impaired Service based at
Tattershall primary school.
That was three years ago,
and the result was the group
A Chance To Meet – open
to all children with hearing
impairments up to 11 years
old, their assistants, teachers
and parents.
Parents and learning
support assistants meet and
chat over coffee, while the
children can chat or sign to
each other. They can also
play games and take part
in activities provided by
teachers who specialise in
children with deafness.
“We hold the group once
every half-term (six times a
year) at different schools
in the area, and organise
activities and refreshments
for everyone,” said Lesley.
“We find friendships are
made very easily between
the children and parents, and
many of them go on to meet
outside of the group as well.”
The majority of the children
We find
friendships
are made very
easily between the
children
use sign language, but it’s
open to everyone across
Lincolnshire and Lesley
encourages people to get in
touch to discuss suitability.
A Chance to Meet also
produces a newsletter to
report on its activities and to
keep parents informed about
the group’s upcoming dates
and events.
For more information,
contact Lesley directly
on 01526 346881
YOURSAY
“How do you think the
recession will affect
Lincolnshire?”
DAVID
WHITEHEAD,
CONINGSBY:
“It’s hard to say what will
happen. People will have
less money so our tourist
industry will obviously
struggle, and there’s a
real risk of rising
unemployment too.”
VICKI TIMMS,
HORNCASTLE:
“I think we’ll
struggle in much the
same way as every other
county in the UK. I think it’s
important too that people
stay positive and not talk
things down too much.”
COASTAL DANGER: Flooding poses a real risk for
low-lying communities. (Picture from Lincshore
Renourishment Group/Environment Agency)
Shoring up the future
Exhibitions are being held
across the county to provide
more information about how
shoreline management plans
are being developed.
The Environment Agency
and local authorities
are working together to
develop long-term plans
for coastal sea defences
from Flamborough Head in
Yorkshire, to Gibraltar Point
and the Wash in Lincolnshire.
“These plans are crucial
for our coastal communities
to manage and maintain
sea defences for the next
100 years,” said Richard
Belfield, assistant director for
development.
To have your say,
attend one of the coastal
roadshows:
■ Friday 20 March (1-8pm),
Saturday 21 March (12-4pm)
The Spa, Bridlington
■ Monday 23 March
(1-8pm) Hornsea Floral Hall
■ Tuesday 24 March
(1-8pm) Shores
Centre, Withernsea
■ Thursday 26 March
(1-7.30pm), Friday 27 March
(1pm-5.30pm)
Grimsby Central Library
■ Monday 30 March (1-7pm),
Tuesday 31 March (1-7pm)
Eagle Hotel, Mablethorpe
■ Thursday 2 April
(1-7pm), Friday 3 April
(1-7pm) Embassy
Centre, Skegness.
Inside Lincolnshire 15
Feature
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Stay safe
outdoors
Each year there are thousands of accidents in the
garden. Lincolnshire Trading Standards Service has
some simple tips on how to be a safe gardener
Electrical equipment and
power tools:
■ Check for wear and tear
on cables and plugs for
electrical items, such as
lawnmowers and strimmers
■ Always use a residual
current device (RCD) to
protect you from electric
shock if you accidentally
damage the cable
■ Always unplug equipment
before inspecting, cleaning
or adjusting it
■ If you hire tools, ask
the hire shop for detailed
instructions and a safety
demonstration
■ If you buy electrical
equipment, ensure it carries
the CE mark, to show
it meets European standards
■ Always wear appropriate
protective clothing, such as
strong shoes, when cutting
the grass, or goggles and
gloves when using strimmers
and hedge trimmers.
Children and the garden:
■ Ensure play equipment
is in good condition and
assembled correctly on
a soft surface — use play
bark rather than the rougher
garden bark chips
■ Many plants can be
poisonous if they are eaten.
Your local garden centre
should be able to advise
■ If you have very young
children, avoid prickly plants,
which they may fall on to.
Water:
■ Never leave children
unattended if you have
paddling pools, water
features or ponds
■ If you have lights or a pump
with your water feature, make
sure they are wired correctly
and use an RCD.
Garden chemicals:
■ Store garden chemicals
LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
ELECTION – don’t lose your right to vote
The Lincolnshire County Council election is to be held on
Thursday 4 June 2009. Persons entitled to vote will be those
shown on the electoral register effective on 1 May 2009.
However, any person who has recently moved and who has
not made an application to be entered on the electoral register
may do so by submitting a registration application form to
the appropriate Electoral Registration Office on or before
Tuesday 19 May 2009. Application forms can be obtained
by contacting the appropriate Electoral Registration Officer.
Please remember if you are not entered on the electoral
register you will not be entitled to vote at the election.
Full details of Lincolnshire’s Electoral Registration Officers,
with contact addresses, are as follows:
DON’T DELAY – ACT AND SAFEGUARD YOUR VOTE
L:/typ/com/elect09/safeguard vote
16 Inside Lincolnshire
SAFE HANDS: Anne
Harrison, chairman of the
Nettleham Gardening Club,
with her compost bin
out of reach of children
■ Always keep chemicals in
their original container
■ Always follow safety
instructions when using
chemicals and don’t exceed
the recommended usage
rates or concentration levels.
Lincolnshire Trading Standards has produced
a useful guide, Safety in the Garden, which
includes these tips, plus many more to help
safeguard you and your family. To get your copy of this
leaflet, or a copy of A to Z of Potentially Harmful Garden
Plants, phone Trading Standards on 01522 554949 or
visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards.
For Electoral Divisions within the area of:
The Electoral Registration Officer’s office is at:
Boston Borough Council
Municipal Buildings, West Street, Boston, Lincolnshire PE21 8QR
(Tel: 01205 314200) (www.boston.gov.uk)
East Lindsey District Council
Tedder Hall, Manby Park, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 8UP
(Tel: 01507 601111) (www.e-lindsey.gov.uk)
City of Lincoln Council
City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln LN1 1DD
(Tel: 01522 881188) (www.lincoln.gov.uk)
North Kesteven District Council
Council Offices, Kesteven Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 7EF
(Tel: 01529 414155) (www.n-kesteven.gov.uk)
South Holland District Council
Council Offices, Priory Road, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 2XE
(Tel: 01775 761161) (www.sholland.gov.uk)
South Kesteven District Council
Council Offices, St Peter’s Hill, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6PZ
(Tel: 01476 406080) (www.southkesteven.gov.uk)
West Lindsey District Council
Guildhall, Marshall’s Yard, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 2NA
Tel: (01427 676575) (www.west-lindsey.gov.uk)
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Letters
Ragwort is still a menace
I wonder if Ms Rainforth
(Inside Lincolnshire,
February) has done any
scientific research, or
consulted veterinary
professionals, before arriving
at her views — I can only think
not. As a horse owner and
qualified riding instructor,
I can say that horses and
other grazing animals DO eat
ragwort, particularly when it
is wilted and dried.
I would also counter the
fact that people know it is
poisonous — they don’t.
In my experience, only
those who have horses or
livestock have learned about
poisonous plants and know
that it is poisonous. Most
city dwellers will not even
know what ragwort is!
A lot of horses die every
year from complications
associated with ragwort.
Having a horse die from
liver failure associated
with eating ragwort is
an extremely distressing
occurrence, and Ms
Rainforth should not
trivialise this matter.
Jenny Burgess,
British Horse Society,
Navenby, Lincoln
A very impressive paper
MEDALLING WITH
TROUBLE: Will the
Olympics cause more
hassle than they’re worth?
An Olympian mistake
■ Anyone other than
limelight seekers like
Seb Coe should have
no good reason to want
To go ahead
and hold
the Olympics
here when the
country is virtually
bankrupt is crazy
the Olympics to be held
in this country (Inside
Lincolnshire, February).
The cost has escalated,
like so many government
initiatives, and we’ll never
know the full extent of it
— only that the taxpayer and
their descendents will be
paying for the Games for
the non-foreseeable future. I
believe Canada is still paying
Get in touch
Please send your letters to Inside
Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire County Council,
County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL.
You can also email insidelincolnshire@lincolnshire.gov.
uk (please give the city, town or village where you live).
We will publish a selection of the best contributions
every month, with a reply where appropriate.
Please note that letters may be edited for space or
other reasons. Anonymous items will not be used. Please
make it clear if you do not want your letter published.
Congratulations on the
format and size of Inside
Lincolnshire. I think it’s a very
impressive paper and have
enjoyed reading it. I was part
of the focus groups in 2007,
which were asked for views
on County News, and I’m
pleased to see that ideas
put forward have obviously
been taken on-board. One
grumble though – where’s
the crossword?
Mrs H Ashman, Louth
back its Olympics after all
these years.
To go ahead and hold the
Olympics here when the
country is virtually bankrupt
is crazy. It is reprehensible
to be milking Lotto money
that is desperately needed to
fund worthwhile charities and
those who are discriminated
against here.
J Ogden, Sleaford
LVIS phone
announcement
The Lincolnshire Visual
Impaired Service (LVIS)
has changed its telephone
number. The service, which
maintains the county’s
Register of Blind and
Partially Sighted People,
and provides advice,
support and rehabilitation
for sight loss, can now be
reached on 0845 372 7419.
Inside Lincolnshire 17
Community
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Happy birthday
St Botolph’s
Boston’s famous church is from all over the world to
700 years old and will be take part in what will be the
biggest festival of culture
celebrating in style
■ Known as the Boston
Stump, St Botolph’s church
is a spectacular sight, a
landmark for seafarers
and people travelling
across the flat fenland
surrounding it.
To commemorate its rich
history and celebrate its
700th anniversary, numerous
events are planned
throughout 2009.
The Vicar of Boston, the
Reverend Robin Whitehead,
said: “This is a very special
year for the church and the
town. Everybody is welcome
to come and spend time with
us. We are expecting visitors
We are
expecting
visitors from all
over the world to
take part
and arts Boston has
staged. We look forward
to seeing you.”
St Botolph’s story began in
1309, when building started
to replace an earlier Norman
church. The church itself was
completed by 1390 but the
tower was an afterthought,
finished almost 100 years
later. Since then, save a
couple of minor cosmetic
changes, the exterior has
remained much as it was back
in medieval times.
Over its 700 years, the
church has played its
part in both national and
international history. It was
a place of worship for the
Puritan emigrants, who
founded a new Boston in the
US in 1630.
To book tickets for the
special birthday events, or for
more information, call 01205
362864 or email festival.
boston@virgin.net.
Selected events
include:
■ 14 March, Lincoln
Cathedral Choir Concert,
7.30pm, £5
■ 27 March, Launch
of 700 Years of History
exhibition
■ 1 June, Magna Carta
exhibition starts
■ 6 June, Boston
Sinfonia Concert, 7.30pm,
£10 (£12 at the door)
■ 17-21 June, 700 Years
of History Flower Festival,
£5
■ 20-21 June, Tastes of
Lincolnshire Food Market
■ 3-31 August, Boston
Art Group Summer
Exhibition
■ 7 October, 700th
Anniversary Dinner,
7.30pm, £40
■ 9 October, Celebrity
Organ Recital by James
O’Donnell, 7.30pm, £10.
For details of events, visit
www.parish-of-boston.org.
uk/anniversary
CELEBRATIONS: Reverend Robin
Whitehead looks forward to
welcoming extra visitors
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18 Inside Lincolnshire
What’s on
What’s on
in Lincolnshire
What’s on
Lincolnshire
County Council
Heritage Sites
This section gives permanent
details for each site, including
long-term exhibitions. One-off
or temporary events and
exhibitions at these sites are
included in the main listings. For
last entry times, please visit www.
lincolnshire.gov.uk/heritage
or call 01522 782040.
■ Battle of Britain Memorial
Flight Visitor Centre
Time: Monday to Friday (except
bank holidays) 10am-4.30pm
Location: RAF Coningsby
Cost: Free parking and entry to
the Visitor Centre. Hangar tours
(10.30am to 3pm) cost adults
£4, concessions £2.65, families
£10.65, children five and above
£2.25, under-fives free.
Features a spectacular free
exhibition called The Lancaster
Contact: 01526 344041 or www.
lincolnshire.gov.uk/bbmf.
■ The Collection
Time: Monday to Sunday
10am-4pm
Location: Danes Terrace, Lincoln
Cost: Free
Contact: 01522 550990 or
visit www.lincolnshire.gov.
uk/thecollection.
■ Church Farm Museum
Time: Monday to Sunday 10am4pm (April to October)
Location: Church Road South,
Skegness
Cost: Free
Contact: 01754 766658 or
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
churchfarmmuseum.
■ Ellis Mill
Time: Saturday and Sunday
2-5pm (April to September),
Sunday only 2pm-dusk (October
to March)
Location: Mill Road, Lincoln
Cost: Adults £1, children 65p.
■ Gainsborough Old Hall
Time: Monday to Saturday
10am-4pm (all year round),
Sunday 1-4pm (March to
October only)
Location: Parnell St
Cost: Adults £4, concessions
£2.65, families £10.65
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Contact: 01427 612669 or
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
gainsborougholdhall.
■ Grantham Museum
Time: Monday to Saturday
10am-4pm
Location: St Peter’s Hill
Cost: Free
Contact: 01476 568783 or
visit www.lincolnshire.gov.
uk/granthammuseum.
■ Lincoln Castle
Time: Monday to Sunday 10am5pm (April and September),
Monday to Sunday 10am-6pm
(May to August), Monday to
Sunday 10am-4pm (October
to March)
Location: Lincoln Castle, Castle
Hill, Lincoln
Cost: Adults £4, concessions
£2.65, families £10.65
Contact: 01522 511068 or
visit www.lincolnshire.gov.
uk/lincolncastle.
■ Lincolnshire Archives
Time: Tuesday to Saturday
10am-4pm
Location: St Rumbold Street,
Lincoln.
Other excellent
sources of
information, or ways
to publicise an event:
MARK OF THE PAST: Inside the
Museum of Lincolnshire Life
■ Museum of Lincolnshire Life
Time: Monday to Saturday 10am4pm (all year round), Sunday
10am-4pm (April to Sept only)
Location: Burton Road, Lincoln
Cost: Adults £2.25, concessions
£1.50, families £6.
Features the Royal Lincolnshire
Regiment galleries, which tell the
story of the regiment from the
American War of Independence
up to the late 1950s
Contact: 01522 528448 or
visit www.lincolnshire.gov.
uk/museumof
lincolnshirelife.
■ Stamford Museum
Time: Mon-Sat (10am-4pm)
Location: Broad Street, Stamford
The council’s
website at www.
lincolnshire.gov.
uk/whatson; phone
01522 552868; or email
events@lincolnshire.
gov.uk
General tourist
information can be
found at www.visitlincoln
shire.com
An Exalted and Convivial Mind
is an exhibition re-interpreting
the fascinating story of Daniel
Lambert, then Britain’s heaviest
man, who died in Stamford
in 1809.
Cost: Free
Contact: 01780 766317 or
visit www.lincolnshire.gov.
uk/stamfordmuseum.
*Concessionary rates usually apply
to children, over 60s and students,
but please check with each site for
exact details. Family tickets apply to
two adults and up to three children.
Inside Lincolnshire 19
What’s on
For more information on news in your county:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
in Lincolnshire
March
■ Welbourn Walkies
1 March 10.30am
Location: Starts at Welbourn
Village Hall.
Join CountrysideNK and
VIP Pet Services to find new
places to walk and let your
dog socialise. Following the
Welbourn Stepping Out
walks, you can choose to walk
either 2¼ or 6 miles through
countryside. Dogs are optional!
Contact: Theresa Hobbs on
01522 694353 or theresa.
hobbs@leisureconnection.
co.uk.
■ The Haunting of
Gainsborough Old Hall
21 March, with performances
at 7.15pm and 9.30pm
Location: Gainsborough Old Hall.
A performance that will
recreate the mystery and
titillation of a mid-19th-century
seance.
Contact: Tickets available from
0845 680 1926 or www.
oxboffice.com.
■ How Manga Took Over
The World
Until 19 April, daily 10am-5pm
Location: The Hub, National
Centre for Craft & Design,
Sleaford.
The exhibition offers a
whistle-stop introduction to
Manga animation for novices
and plenty to keep hard-core
fans immersed. Throughout
the exhibition there will be
workshops for all ages and
ability levels, featuring drawing
and writing storyboards.
Contact 01529 308710 or
www.thehubcentre.info.
■ Wicked Wizards and
Fab Fairies
21 March 10am-4pm
Location: Grantham Museum.
Take part in organised craft
activities linked to well-known
stories and fairy tales. Come
dressed up as your favourite
storybook character. All ages are
welcome, refreshments
available.
Cost: Free.
Contact: Grantham Museum
on 01476 568783.
■ Charity Craft Dabble Day
14 March 10am-3pm
Location: Market Deeping
Community Centre, Douglas
Road.
Come along for a bit
of crafting fun, with five
different card-making
techniques, including
pergamano (parchment craft),
a jewellery-making table, a tutor
and all the materials you need.
Cost: £6 adults, £4 for
accompanied children. All profits
go to Thorpe Hall Hospice.
Contact: Donna on 01778
344550 or visit www.
ROCK CLASSIC: The
Trinity Arts Centre
will host Stairway to
Zeppelin on 27 March
dalexkrafts.com.
■ Community Sports
Exhibition
Now until 25 April, Monday to
Saturday, 10am-4pm
Location: Stamford Museum,
Broad Street, Stamford.
Stamford has a wealth of
sports clubs catering for all ages
and skills. Some have been
established for many years and
have proved themselves to be
part of the community. This is
their chance to show people
what they have done and what
they hope to do in the future.
Cost: Free.
Contact: www.lincolnshire.
gov.uk/stamfordmuseum.
Regular events
■ Lincolnshire Wildlife
Trust events
Location: Gibraltar Point
National Nature Reserve,
Whisby Nature Park and other
venues throughout the county.
Discover wildlife with guided
walks, talks, children’s activities
and more.
Contact: 01507 526667 or
www.lincstrust.org.uk.
■ Trinity Arts Centre
Monday and Tuesday 9.30am6pm, Wednesday to Saturday,
9.30am-8pm
Location: Trinity Street,
Gainsborough.
Varied events, including
films, music, plays, dance and
comedy.
Contact: 01427 676655 or
www.west-lindsey.gov.
uk/trinity.
■ The Haven Gallery
Location: South Street, Boston.
The gallery has two exhibition
spaces and a community
room that can also be used
for exhibitions, meetings and
workshops. Exhibitions change
regularly.
Contact: 01205 365954/
01205 356656 or visit www.
bostonguildhall.co.uk.
Find out more about exciting
developments in your area!
Lincolnshire County Council’s Tourism
Development team is working on lots of
projects including the renaissance of uphill
Lincoln, extensive improvements to enable
visitors to access and enjoy Lincolnshire’s
waterways, along with the promotion of the
county’s food and drink through the everpopular Tastes of Lincolnshire campaign.
DON’T MISS...
20 March – Boston Lock Link
opening new lock and navigation
25 April – The Longest Party
a celebration of the opening of the Water Rail Way
For more information, contact Andy Jee on 01522 550573
or email Andrew.Jee@lincolnshire.gov.uk
4-5 April – Tastes of Lincolnshire
at the Burghley Fine Food Market
www.tastesoflincolnshire.com
c Historic Lincoln
newsletter
c Good Taste
magazine
c Waterways
newsletter
Please tick boxes to receive your free copies
Name
Address
Postcode
Written coupons to be returned FAO Mary Powell, Lincolnshire
County Council, Economic Regeneration, FREEPOST NEA 8642,
Beech House, Waterside South, Lincoln LN5 7JH;
email responses to Dilys.Britt@lincolnshire.gov.uk;
or call 01522 782332 (for Historic Lincoln queries please
call 01522 550641).
The information given to us is confidential and protected under the Data
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Inside Lincolnshire 20