Bailgate Independent Magazine April/May issue

Independent www.bailgateindependent.co.uk

News, business, community,

APRIL/MAY 2021

arts and lifestyle from Lincoln’s premier magazine

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Use your vote

BY AMANDA MCSORLEY, EDITOR

Josie Rossington of Follie in Bailgate can’t wait for April 12 find out more on pages 4 & 5.

MUCH of what has happened to people over the past pandemic year has been out of their control.

When Lincoln residents go to the polls on Thursday, May 6 they can take back some of that control by having their say on important issues including education, recycling, climate change measures, roads, policing and social care.

Continued on page 3.

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News

Your vote counts in local elections From page 1.

The local elections will decide who represents residents on City of Lincoln Council, Lincolnshire County Council and who will be the next Police and Crime Commissioner.

One seat for each of the 11 wards in Lincoln are up for grabs, which represents a third of the city body, while all seven seats in the county council wards in the city are also to be decided.

Those who live just beyond the city boundaries in West Lindsey and North Kesteven can influence the outcome of the county council ballots in local wards and the identity of the Commissioner, but there are no district council elections.

These visits to the polls were postponed from 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the virus will have an impact on what happens at the ballot box this year - both physically and in terms of the ballot box statistics.

In the run up to previous elections candidates would have been busy campaigning but that has not been possible in lockdown and accusations of this year’s process being unfair have followed.

The playing field can be levelled if residents take time to find out who their local candidates are, what they stand for and make informed decisions.

But why should they bother? In my humble opinion here’s why...

• Elections have consequences - they are a chance for people to stand up for what they believe in and the issues that affect their quality of life.

• Not voting is not a stance, but giving up your voice. If you don’t vote, someone else

“Every election is determined by the people who show up” - LARRY SABATO, POLITICAL ANALYST will make the decision for you.

• It’s your money - take time to decide how it is spent.

• Voting is an opportunity for change there will be no change unless people vote.

• Community duty - supporting the local community, business, friends and neighbours has never been so important.

You need to be registered to vote and the deadline for this is midnight on April 19 followed by the deadline for postal and proxy postal registrations of 5pm on April 20 and 5pm on April 27 for proxy applications.

Apply online at www.gov.uk/registerto-vote The Police and Crime Commissioner's role is relatively new. They are elected every four years to represent the people of county on policing matters and hold the local force to account. PCCs aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service.

There are just two candidates, the current incumbent Marc Jones (Conservative) and City of Lincoln councillor for Birchwood Rosie Kirk (Labour). https://www.lincoln.gov.uk/votingelections/city-lincoln-councilelections/1 https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coun cil-business/elections/3

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Editor’s Comments

The bad and save the bloody rude Willgood, retailthe therapy the day?

Chartered Certified Certified Accountants Accountants Chartered

Talk to us for jargon-free, practical advice Dexter && Sharpe Sharpe Dexter

Lincoln Office Office Lincoln Landmark House House Landmark Riseholme Road Road 11 Riseholme LN1 3SN 3SN Lincoln, Lincolnshire Lincolnshire LN1 Lincoln, Tel: 01522 01522 533588 533588 Tel:

answer to the aquestion above a age.

ITHE MUST be getting bit soppy in myisold resounding YESchecking if the business owners As we’ve been over the pages of pictured way. this issuehere I’ve have foundtheir myself reflecting fondly The funds are there - apparently us Brits on the people and businesses featured - the hoarded £50billion in call cashthem. during the good guys we like to pandemic.

Dan Ellmore with his mad Metro (centre pages) definitely falls into that category as he’s never one to turn a crisis into a drama when we’ve cocked up our IT again.

Then there’s the lovely Mel Langton (p29), who is always so exuberant about her work - as is Martin Holliday (p33), so it’s not surprising both have come to the attention of the world at large.

Making James Pinchbeck (p31) the subject of our regular Not Just A Job feature was long overdue as his ebullience never fades for long no matter what the circumstances.

Karen Cook of Le Sanctuaire and Marie Diamond of LIFEstyle are gems in their own right, but now they have put their heads Whether spending is (p19) a waythat to together consumer to come with an idea repair thetheir economy the ravages of the benefits clientsafter and their businesses. last year be seen.

I could goremains on and to probably should because If thatanother year has taught us edition anything it is there after look at this I’ve is more to justgood money. realised it’slife fullthan of the guys.

Being ablewe to would visit local - touch,the smell However, likeshops to highlight and feel what we’re buying well as over talented photographer, whoas has taken interact with people - will be the a treat for our office at 33 Burton Road, vivacious everyone come(p30).

April 12.

Rachel London For Marie (top right) and thewe When she (above) asked usPirjo if she could decorate Purple teamshe it’swould a return toher some kind had noHolly idea that put heart of normality and we can’t wait to join them.

GET IN TOUCH GET IN TOUCH Your Bailgate Independent is produced at Your Bailgate Independent is produced at 29 Belle Vue Road, Lincoln, LN1 1HH (mail 29 Belle Vue Road, Lincoln, LN1 1HH (mail only) . only) .

and soul into it transforming our BI branded workplace into her own swanky pad. Again there is that enthusiasm for the world around her that all our good guys share and most have in spades.

It’s really not that hard to get into our good books - getting back to us is a pretty smart place to start.

I find it totally incredible that people who are paid (or in one prevalent case volunteer) to communicate and interact with the press and public just ignore emails and calls.

We know most are not as busy as they make out because you can see what they’ve been up to on social media - so you’ve got rude and not very bright.

Phone calls I can almost understand, but many of these bad guys are supposedly professionals specifically trained to communicate.

And there’s no excuse for not replying to emails - this is the ultimate form of shielded communication.

It’s not the odd message that has fallen through the cracks or taking a few days to chew something over. No we’re talking consistent and wanton offending.

I hope at least some of the offenders are reading this, know exactly who we mean and decide to change their ways.

I don’t hold out much hope though - that’s the problem with all badour guys.

We’d like to wish local businesses an early WELCOME BACK.

DEADLINE DEADLINE

Material for our next edition should be emailed to the addresses Material for our next edition should reach us by May 21. in this box by March 19.

We welcome your news and comments and will do our best to publish submitted We welcome your news and comments and will do our best to publish submitted items, but this is not always possible and we reserve the right to withhold content. items, but this is not always possible and we reserve the right to withhold content.

www.bailgateindependent.co.uk EDITORIAL EDITORIAL Contact Amanda McSorley on 0781 667 5011 Contact Amanda McSorley on 0781 667 5011 email: amanda@bailgateindependent.co.uk email: amanda@bailgateindependent.co.uk ADVERTISEMENT SALES ADVERTISEMENT SALES Rachel Bishop on 07983 460 640.

Rachel Bishop on 07983 460 640. email: ra ch e l@ ba ilga te in de pe n de nt. co.u k email: ra ch e l@ ba ilga te in de pe n de nt. co.u k We are celebrating 21 20 Years of the Bailgate Independent magazine in 2020 2021 Lincoln’s premiere free magazine, published by Fire Works Design Ltd - bringing you news and lifestyle from the Lincoln area.

We also publish the Hello Lincoln What’s On Guide - the city’s ultimate listings magazine.

10,000 Under usual copiescircumstances of the Bailgate10,000 Independent copies Magazine of the Bailgate are printed Independent and hand Magazine delivered areeach printed month andto hand the delivered thriving residential each month andtobusiness the thriving areas residential and of business Lincolnareas and the of Lincoln surrounding and the villages. surrounding villages.

You can also find us in Marks and Spencer on the High Street and the food hall on Tritton Road, Burton Road and Riseholme Road Food Stores Lincolnshire Co-op, hotels, the Quayside Deli at Burton Waters, restaurants, cultural and tourist centres and village newsagents.Bailgate Independent’s targeted distribution works well for clients and we spot check deliveries every month.

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Bailgate Independent | April/May February/March 2021 2021

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News

Balancing act to get city back on track A FINE balance is needed between numerous factors to ensure Lincoln returns to some sort of normality, according to Lincoln BIG’s Lee Roberts (right).

The Business Improvement Group’s Operations Manager (Events and Street Management) took up his post last August so has had a baptism by fire.

“I had been able to meet a few people when we went into lockdown again - I’ve still got got some catching up to do.

“We’re itching to get events organised in Lincoln again, but we’ve got to make sure safety comes first and even when all restrictions are lifted we need to be cautious. It’ll be a careful balancing act every step of the way.”

Lincoln BIG has been joined by the city council and other agencies (pictured above) in producing the Lincoln City Centre and Uphill Roadmap to Recovery in line with government direction - some preparations are already taking place.

These include installing a footfall counter, which will not only let retailers know how many people are in the city centre, but also reveal shopping patterns.

“Our wardens have already been out removing grafitti and gum and generally tidying up to show Lincoln at its best and these sort of activities will continue.”

Lee is the former manager of Skegness X-Site Skatepark, which staged the national skateboard championships within two years of opening. When the resort became part of the Lincolnshire Coastal Destination BID Lee wanted the Skatepark to be involved.

“I felt we needed to change the perception of Skegness being somewhere that was cheap and a bit neglected.”

Lee was so passionate about his plans for taking Skegness forward that he was asked to join the BID as Projects Co-ordinator.

“This was when I got a really interested in event management,” explained Lee, who organised Reggae and Viking Festivals among other visitor attractions.

Lee is taking a Diploma in Crowd Safety Management, which has underlined the need for circumspection as the city reopens, reflected in the free outdoor activities planned for the summer.

“I think we’ve used our time well in lockdown to take a good look at how we do things - we’ve had a tendency to do things because we have always done them that way.

“We want to introduce events that enthuse people, that bring creativity and vibrancy and balance the city’s history with modern culture.

“We want to use our history with integrity, but not rest on our laurels.”

“Back to Life.. back to reality”

Welcome back to

LIFEstyle !

Open again 7 days (Whoop whoop!)

Contemporary style and well-being for home and garden

19A BAILGATE, -JODPMO -/ "8 t t www.lifestyle-lincoln.co.uk April/May 2021 | Bailgate Independent

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For A Good Cause

Impact of pandemic on food poverty in city

BY SIMON HOARE, CEO ACTS TRUST

THE last 12 months have been challenging times, but for many in Lincoln, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has meant a reliance on the 'safety net' provided by local charities through the provision of emergency food parcels.

Figures for the first year of the pandemic show that • 6,034 food parcels were given out, representing: • 12,189 individual awards of food aid • 36,234 meals provided to children • 71% increase in KG's of food by Lincoln Foodbank compared to the previous year • 1/5 parcels were given due to lost or reduced income as a result of the pandemic.

While lockdown restrictions have not yet lifted at the time of writing these figures do still give an indication from a one-year period of the impact that the pandemic has had on food poverty in the City.

The data has been collected from the online referral system that Lincoln Foodbank (delivered by Acts Trust), Lincoln Community Larder and Lincoln Mosque used to distribute food parcels. This system was created and managed by Acts Trust. Data has also been collected by St Swithins Church which provided food parcels regularly to the beneficiaries of their Love Your Neighbour programme during the period.

Demand spiked during the first lockdown with a secondary spike starting in the November lockdown.

Sarah, who lives off Monks Road told the Trust: "I think it's hard

WE ARE OPEN

S U P P LY • D E S I G N • I N S TA L L

12th April 2021

D E S I G N • I N S TA L L

6

for people to understand that when you say you have nothing to eat it means nothing. The foodbank is the only thing that helps people like me who are struggling to live.”

The main driver for referrals was ‘benefit issues’. However, almost a third (29.7%) of referrals were coronavirus related, either due to self isolations (10.1%) or due to lost or reduced income (19.6%).

The five areas with the highest levels of food poverty were LN2 5 (Monks Road area), LN5 8 (Sincil Bank/Bracebridge area), LN6 7 (Moorlands/Boultham area), LN6 0 (Birchwood/Hartsholme area) and LN1 3 (Ermine West/Burton Road area).

In terms of weight of food there was a dramatic increase in 2020 in both stock in and out (Lincoln Foodbank only) which highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on demand and supply.

In 2019, Lincoln Foodbank gave out 39 tonnes of food increasing by 71% to 67 tonnes in 2020.

Donations also increased by 62% from 52 tonnes to 84 tonnes in 2020, which highlights the generosity of people in Lincoln towards those impacted by food poverty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To register your organisation for referral status, visit lincoln.restoremytown.com.

For more information visit www.actstrust.org.uk.

Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

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For A Good Cause

Call to sponsor Imp art ST Barnabas Hopsice and the EBP are urging businesses to back an educational programme running alongside this Summer’s Lincoln Imp Trail.

Taking place from July through to September, the Imp Trail will see 30 colourful imp statues dotted around the city.

With support from the business community, the EBP can help even more schools to get involved.

Veronica McBain of charity partners, St Barnabas said: “We have 13 of the indoor statues left to sponsor, and if these are snapped up, it will mean this is the most successful trail yet. We can’t wait to see the creations that pupils and students across Lincolnshire are decorating. We’ve already had a sneak peak at some that children from key worker families have been busy designing since the pandemic hit and they are incredible.

“Sponsoring these creations means we can raise more funds for the vital work the Hospice is continuing to provide despite the recent challenges of COVID-19. Every penny raised funds care for our patients and support for their families.”

To get involved, businesses can visit https://the-ebp.co.uk/the-lincolnimp-trail-education-programme/ or email emma.welbourn@the-ebp.co.uk

Leasingham pupils with their Imp.

Before (left) and after - the St Chad’s Imp.

April/May 2021 | Bailgate Independent

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Lives Less Ordinary

‘You only come this way once’

Joyce Leyshon

Pictures: Our Joycie (top left); in her Wren’s uniform at her sister Audrey’s wedding and (above and below); a young lady around Lincoln (left); the Boultham Baths crash (bottom left); Corporal Spike Robson (bottom left, centre front row).

TO know Joyce Leyshon is to love ‘our Joycie’.

Indie Editor Amanda WHILE Coronavirus restrictions only ending her tenure behind McSorley has known have some of us bemoaning not the bar at the former Crown pub Joyce for more than 30 being able to get away and meet on Baggholme Road aged 92. years, but co-owner new people, at the Independent There’s so much more to Joyce Rachel Bishop has just we’re in the camp that than being an expert pint puller, fallen for her special brand recognises the wonderful although she believes she’s of ‘Joyce de vivre’. personalities on our doorstep. served 3 million in her career.

When she first met Joyce, We’re starting our celebrations of She’s also served her country in Rachel asked the former Wren what was the secret to her the Wrens; beaten cancer three those LIVES LESS ORDINARY with staying young at heart. the fabulous Joyce Leyshon, who times and been a trailblazer in “Sex.” the profession she loves. Even will be a familiar face to many.

The reply was immediate and followed by uproarious her early life was marked by Joyce has had her share of laughter. headlines over the years not least memorable, sometimes tragic She is 98. for being Britain’s oldest barmaid experiences – read on.

Joyce Robson was born on January 16, 1923 at the Sobraon Barracks on Burton Road, Lincoln, the home of the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment. daughter to follow her into nursing.

The Robson family’s history is connected to all three of the armed On March 20, 1939, Joyce had been to get her copy of the Nursing services. Joyce’s dad, Leonard ‘Spike’ Robson, served with the Mirror magazine when she saw a Hampden bomber aricraft crash regiment, which saw him posted to India, Egypt and Palestine and into Boultham Baths. the family lived in Aldershot, Catterick and Ireland, but always The 16-year-old Joyce was first at the scene along with a Mr found its way back to Lincoln.

Dennis from Jacksons Laundry.

“At one point we even lived in a real castle – Dover Castle. We “There was nothing we could do - the crew were all dead and we went everywhere.” couldn’t really get near as it was still on fire. We tried. I remember I The eldest sister of Audrey and Evelyn, Joyce lived with an aunt in was wearing a brown velvet coat and it was covered in blood.

Lincoln attending school on Steep Hill until she was 14 when she “I found out later that the aircraft was from RAF Waddington and went to work for multi-millionaire Rowland Charles Palmerhad been doing reconnaisance around Lincoln Cathedral before Morewood of Alfreton Hall in Derbyshire. one of the engines failed and it went out of control crashing into “I’d been working there for a while when the family decided to Boultham Baths. They had just been emptied that morning.” move to Poland and they wanted to take me with them, but my The dead crew members from 50 Squadron were Pilot Offer mum wasn’t having that and came to fetch me home.”

Robert McAlister, Sgt Walter Freestone with aircraftsmen Norman Joyce then worked as a cinema usherette, for Jackson’s Laundry and Newsham and Frederick Greensill. at a unit for unmarried mothers near The Lawn Hospital.

“I would have done anything to help anyone - I get that from my “Jobs were ten a penny in those days. The job behind The Lawn mother, but there was no helping those men. hospital was in a sad place - it was where they put women who’d “I’ve always looked had children out of after people and still wedlock - that’s what would if I saw they did to them in someone who those days, locked them needed it. up.”

You only come this Mum Nellie was way once ... you determined Joyce should do it right should have a more and make the most steady career and as a of it.” sister at Lincoln See our next issue County Hospital for Joyce joining wanted her eldest the Wrens.

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Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

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News A h of of A branc branch

The Veterinary Hospita l

NOW OP OPE N EN

IN SKELLINGTHORPE

Bransby Horses’ warm welcome for visitors

We are an independent veterinary hospital in Lincoln city centre owned by Carolyn Harvey Myers and Anneli Beese. Our new Skellingthorpe surgery is supported by our existing hospital on Newport and our other branch surgery on Doddington Road.

We have a team of experienced passionate vets, nurses and receptionists who are dedicated to giving outstanding care to all the pets under our care. Visit us today to fnd find out how we can help.

Appointments every day (Monday to Friday) Routine and minor procedures (Monday to Friday) More involved surgery booked at Newport where we have 24/7 care for inpatients Collection of repeat prescriptions

Ask us about the Veterinary Hospital Care Plan: A great way to spread the cost of all your pet’s preventative health care.

Call us now find to fnd out more information or follow us on Facebook

www.vhvets.co.uk

T: 01522 800 333 E: vhvets@tiscali.co.uk vhvets.co.uk

Find us at: 175 Newport, Lincoln LN1 3DZ 51 Doddington Road LN6 7EN 32 Lincoln Road Skellingthorpe LN6 5UU

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Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

EQUINE lovers will be able to visit Bransby Horses from 10am on Monday, April 12.

The charity will welcome visitors for a full seven days that week, but revert to opening times of Wednesday to Sunday, 10am – 4pm from April 19.

Bransby normally welcomes thousands of visitors each year.

Following three months of closure due to COVID-19, the charity and their horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, very much look forward to welcoming visitors back and seeing their awardwinning Visitor Centre bustling again.

Jo Snell, Bransby Horses CEO, said: “I would like to take a moment to thank everyone in the Bransby family for their support, adaptability and resilience over the last 12 months. Our supporters and teams have been fantastic and we simply couldn’t have continued with our vital rescue and welfare work during the pandemic without them.

“We all cannot wait to welcome visitors back next month and see new and regular faces saying a much-missed ‘hello’ to our rescue residents. We’re busy getting ready for the reopening, with lots of grooming and clipping to make sure our equines are looking their best in readiness for our visitors.

“There will be plenty for friends and families to see and do when they arrive, including our brand new play park which now caters for children of all ages, with a dedicated toddler area, new slides, swings and climbing frames.”

The charity will offer a Click and Collect service across both the Café and Gift Shop from its reopening date, allowing visitors to pre-order food and grab a bargain while helping to ensure their rescue and welfare work will continue in the future.

Supporters having a spring clean will also be able to drop off tack and unwanted household items from next month.

Donations can be taken to the Visitor Centre during opening hours or to the dedicated drop off area at Walklands House, signposted in the village of Bransby, Monday to Friday during office hours.

Although the petting of animals and some areas are still restricted, visitors can still watch from a distance and enjoy the new and improved play park.

Visit https://bransbyhorses.co.uk

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News from Martin Smith Opticians

Optician’s latest innovation focuses on children’s eyesight MYOPIA – or shortsightedness – is reaching epidemic proportions across the globe.

Professionals such as Lincoln’s Dr Martin Smith (pictured right) are aware that half the world’s population – 5 billion people will be affected by 2050 and have been exploring ways to tackle the problem.

Martin Smith Opticians of Saltergate has successfully worked towards receiving UK Accreditation for Hoya MiYOSMART lenses for myopia management – one of the first opticians in the country that can now dispense these advanced lenses to children.

Hoya MiYOSMART lenses, use cutting edge technology called D.I.M.S ((Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) to help manage the development of myopia/shortsightedness and Martin Smith Opticians, an award-winning independent optical practice, is delighted to have been accredited by Hoya.

Practice owner Dr Martin Smith BSc DOptom DipTp(IP) Higher Cert Glauc MCOptom is one of the UK’s most highly qualified optometrists keeping abreast of developments in his field so watched the two-year clinical trials with interest. “ If you have noticed your child struggling to see clearly at a distance then your child may have myopia or short-sightedness,” said Dr Smith.

“We are now pleased to have received accreditation to provide Myopia management using MiYOSMART lenses to slow down the progress of myopia. This is ground breaking technology, which can change a child’s physiology, and clinical trials on MiYOSMART showed that the progression of myopia was reduced by an average of 60%.

“MiYOSMART lenses must be worn throughout the day as the main pair of spectacles in order for the technology to be effective.

“Initially, an up-to-date eye examination and prescription is required and the process and commitment to wearing the lens will be explained in a consultation with one of our qualified Dispensing Opticians, Jenn and Sue, at the practice.

Due to the ongoing monitoring of the myopia progression, MiYOSMART will be available to patients on Eyeplan, which is our monthly direct debit payment scheme.”

The needs of active children are catered for as the light and thin lenses use impactresistant polycarbonate 1.59 and give UV protection.

In 2018, the MiYOSMART lens with D.I.M.S technology was awarded the prestigious Grand Prize, Grand Award and Special Gold Medal at the 46th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Switzerland. It was also the 2020 SILMO d’Or Award Winner.

Everyone can help safeguard their youngsters’ eyesight by ensuring they: * Spend more time outdoors, minimum 2 hours a day. * Take breaks from long intensive screen time or near-work. * Have proper lighting, posture and keep the recommended working distance for close work. * Get regular eye check-ups to ensure that myopia or other vision problems are detected and treated early, reducing the worsening of vision, myopia progression and potential complications of high myopia.

For further information please visit www.martinsmithopticians.co.uk or call 01522 521100.

April/May 2021 | Bailgate Independent

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News from NWCH

What’s next for NWCH? A CONFERENCE on Domestic Abuse will be staged by NWCH CIC on November 25 in partnership with Lincs EDAN and Pepperells Solicitors.

The venue is still to be confirmed.

“Domestic Abuse is a very hot issue at the moment, especially in the light of the extended periods of lockdown during Covid-19 and we will be releasing more details about this event in the coming weeks.

We want people to save the date,” said Naomi.

In addition to the above, Naomi runs levels two, three and four courses in Counselling Skills.

She is also passionate about promoting Continuing Professional Development and

runs regular events for both trainee and qualified counsellors, where they can refresh their knowledge and discover therapies that might help their clients.

April 1 may have been NWCH’s fourth birthday but Covid-19 restrictions have put celebrations on ice.

Undaunted, Naomi (pictured with the Civic Party at the hub’s first birthday) is determined not to let this milestone slip by unmarked.

All being well a delayed party is on the cards for September 11, 2021 at Lincoln’s DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Brayford

Wharf North.

Developments are on-going for the Hub and its team and readers can find out more about the NWCH CIC and Naomi’s work by visiting: www.nwcounsellinghub.co.uk See full contact details below.

Giving hope IT’S all systems go for a Lincoln counselling hub which is investing in an expansion move and supercharging its services, After an unbelievingly challenging year which has seen staff run off their feet the NWCH CIC ((Naomi Watkins Counselling Hub Community Interest Company) is determined to help even more people in distress, The hub saw a rise in the number of people counselled from 500 to 800 a month over the past year, so is expanding after taking a third unit on the city’s Allenby Business Park Industrial Estate.

As well as growing and diversifying its services, the Hub now employs 11 people, including eight counsellors, and nine subcontracted counsellors and it has also boosted its use of digital technologies.

“A hectic year saw us transition from offering face-to-face

counselling to existing and new clients to supporting them using the telephone and via the internet. More recently we have been able to get back to also offering some face-to-face support,” said Chief Executive Naomi Watkins-Ligudzinska..

“We are all about giving people hope and saving lives and we are delighted to have snapped-up a unit next door to our original office, meaning we shall be able to occupy three adjacent buildings, which is great as we continue to grow.

“Thanks to our success in winning a £10,000 grant from the Community Asset Development Fund (for Social Prescribers), we will now be able to do group work with people suffering from serious mental illnesses.

“We will be setting-up this facility in our newest unit and moving our training room into that space, following its revamp. Our reorganisation will allow us to create more counselling rooms in the unit currently housing our training section.”

Naomi is also celebrating, after Lincolnshire County Council awarded her a £10,000 grant from the Community Suicide Prevention Innovation Fund. NWCH CIC will work with the SHINE Network to deliver help and will share learning with other

Above and right: NWCH has expanded into a third unit on Crofton Road.

T: 01522 253809 Website: www.nwcounsellinghub.co.uk Email: admin@nwcounsellinghub.co.uk Unit 10, Allenby Business Park, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL 12

Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

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News from NWCH

Naomi shares skills globally and closer to home NAOMI Watkins-Ligudzinska has chalked-up many achievements since launching her counselling venture.

In 2019, she was thrilled to win a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (WCMT) travelling fellowship. It gave her a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to undertake research for six weeks in Australia and New Zealand.

Naomi gained an insight into suicide in young people in those countries and how counsellors are working to prevent this. After sharing best practice with her hosts, she returned home with fresh ideas for her own work to prevent suicide in those aged four to 30 years old.

As a leading UK Domestic Abuse consultant, Naomi has been featured by the BBC and commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council and Bristol City Council and the University of Lincoln.

Earlier this year, Naomi was honoured with a special award given in memory of former EDAN (Lincs End Domestic Abuse Now) project worker Angela Mountain) in recognition of the CEO’s outstanding work to support survivors of domestic abuse.

“Domestic abuse work will always be a huge passion of mine. It is so amazing to be given this dedication of service award. I will never stop campaigning for domestic abuse survivors,” said Naomi (pictured with the award and citation).

As a Lincolnshire Chamber member, Naomi is one of a group of expert advisors offering an hour’s free Recovery Support to businesses as the country comes out of Covid-19.

She has also shared her expertise in in a Self-Harm Awareness for Clinicians webinar prepared for Lincolnshire LMC (a statutory body representing GPs and their practices).

- saving lives organisations supporting males around suicide prevention.

As we went to press, Naomi was also thrilled to hear that the Hub has won a grant of £10,000 from The Bromhead Medical Charity for its Willow Project. This will boost NWCH’s group work aimed at preventing suicide in young people.

From the outset, generous grant support from the National Lottery Community Fund, The Key Fund, The Bromhead Medical Charity and Lincolnshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner have ensured the Hub has been able to help increasing numbers of people by introducing specially tailored programmes.

It has also helped to allow the Hub to continue meeting its rental and wages commitments.

On the digital front, Naomi has upgraded the NWCH website, which introduces the Hub’s counsellors and support staff and keeps visitors up to date with the CIC’s news.

“Excitingly, the finishing touches are being made to our new App, which has been funded by the National Lottery. We’re really looking forward to launching this. It will allow us to reach more people who will have the choice of using it for free, or paying a subscription for

enhanced content,” said Naomi.

Finally, the Hub has installed a new data-secure CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system, to meet its ongoing growth. This was also funded by the National Lottery.

“We are delighted to have grown so rapidly over the past four years and to be helping people of all ages, whether they are struggling with depression, at risk of self-harming, victims of sexual or domestic abuse or experiencing other mental issues which are affecting their lives,” said Naomi.

Above: NWCH Clinical and Safeguarding Lead Christopher Morris and Chief Executive Naomi Watkins-Ligudzinska.

Left: NWCH Hub Co-ordinator and Finance Officer Diane Haines.

T: 01522 253809 Website: www.nwcounsellinghub.co.uk Email: admin@nwcounsellinghub.co.uk Unit 10, Allenby Business Park, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL April/May 2021 | Bailgate Independent

13

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Heritage News

COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY Individuals – Groups

Lincoln Cathedral

Latest tech preserves West Front for decades to come

LAUREN WHITE

RESTORATION works to protect Lincoln Cathedral are on schedule despite the pandemic thanks to its specialist in-house works department.

The West Front – affectionately known as the face of the cathedral – has been receiving highly specialist conservation work to its important historical features, as part of a National Lottery Heritage Fund-backed project to restore the Cathedral and improve its visitor experience.

Tel: 01522 538715 Since 2016 Lincoln Cathedral’s works department’s specially-trained professionals have Mob: 07913 746337 racked up 93,000 working hours on the West Front alone. www.laurenwhitetherapy.co.uk As part of the works, the Gallery of Kings – a beautiful 14th century stone carving depicting eleven kings – is undergoing a twelve-month restoration programme, including high-tech gentle laser cleaning, structural and non-structural pinning repairs, and repairs to the masonry and mortars.

To enable the carving to be cleaned without being damaged, laser cleaning is used to remove carbonate and sulphate pollution that builds up on the surface of the stone over time, creating dark patches. This conservation technique allows the dirt to be removed without abrading the stone surface itself.

A Breastfeeding campaign, Different treatments are also employed for the masonry and mortar to encourage businesses repair work with each area assessed by the specialists and the appropriate method of restoration and conservation used. to be more breastfeeding These works will affirm the Gallery of Kings as one of the finest friendly across Lincolnshire. examples of a 14th century stone sculpture on any cathedral in the country – maintaining its remarkable condition given its age.

To support the campaign and obtain a The Romanesque Frieze – an intricate, 12th century sculpture poster for your business please email depicting a series of biblical narratives – is receiving the same laser LECCG.BetterBirths@nhs.net cleaning and repair treatment, with identical copy carvings being with your company address. produced for the Cathedral’s new exhibition centre, due to open later this year within the new visitor centre.

Michael Sheppard, director of works and property at Lincoln Alternatively, please follow us on: Cathedral, said: “It is an honour to see the vital conservation works @betterbirthlinc Better Births Lincolnshire to the West Front continue on schedule. These are the first substantial works to the West Front since the 1980s, and by And like, share and retweet whenever possible. implementing innovative and cutting-edge conservation practices and techniques, it will be protected for decades to come.

We look forward to hearing from “Lincoln Cathedral is significant in different ways for so many you, and thank you in advance people in the UK, but especially the city of Lincoln and the local community that view it daily. Knowing that we are employing the best treatment techniques and methodology to the iconic building is vitally important and an absolute privilege.”

Guild of Psychotherapists MUPCA, MGASI UKCP Accredited and Registered BACP Registered

#LatchOnLincolnshire

For more information visit https://lincolncathedral.com/.

14

Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

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Heritage News

Wall walk to reopen THE Medieval Wall Walk at Lincoln Castle will reopen on Monday, April 12.

The stone curtain wall is one of the most dramatic features of castle serving as a permanent reminder of its role as a medieval stronghold.

It offers visitors a journey through 1,000 years of history from Gainsborough will cross the Atlantic in a few in Lincoln and panoramic years’ time. But what is going on in a rural place views across the city and like Toynton (above)? And how can we connect surrounding countryside. with the past from our living rooms, when we can’t Kimberley Vickers, general get out and about? manager, explained: "The wall “We will explore some of the online resources walk will run on a timed which are available to everyone for free, and learn ticket for limited numbers, so just how much can be discovered without leaving pre-booked tickets are the house.” essential. This will allow To book a place, please click on the link below and plenty of time and space for in due course you will receive the zoom details visitors to follow in the Please note that bookings will close at 4pm on footsteps of kings, soldiers and Tuesday. April 13. prisoners, immerse themselves in the outdoor experience. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/time-travelfor-the-armchair-archaeologist-a-visit-toBook tickets at toynton-in-1614-tickets-143997818351. www.lincolncastle.com

Time travel with Armchair Archaeology TAKE a trip to a Lincolnshire village in the 17th century with the Society for Lincolnshire History & Archaeology.

Its Time Travel for Armchair Archaeologists on Wednesday, April14 at 7.30pm features A Visit to Toynton All Saints, Lincs in 1614 by Jenne Pape “Fieldwork feels like a distant memory – especially buildings archaeology in people’s homes. But there is plenty we can do without leaving the comfort of our own sofa - armchair adventures that expand our knowledge and understanding,” said SLHA secretary Kathy Holland.

“Join Jenne for a time travelling visit to Toynton All Saints and St Peter, in the Lincolnshire countryside, as we explore the village in 1614.

“King James is on the throne, the Gunpowder Plot is a vivid memory, and a group of religious radicals

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Heritage News

Survey going strong HAVE you heard of the Survey of Lincoln?

Well you have now and in forthcoming issues the Independent will be exploring the Survey of Lincoln’s work to examine and record different structures in the city.

The group’s publications include a series of booklets focused upon the buildings and structures, both past and present, of various neighbourhoods which will be featured in future editions, but for now Andrew Walker explains how its work started.

THE origins of the group predate its founding. The Survey of Ancient Houses was set up in 1970 and was succeeded by The Survey of Lincoln 25 years later. Under the auspices of the former led by Professor Kathleen Major (1906-2000) - a prominent historian of the medieval cathedral and diocese of Lincoln - four volumes (or ‘fascicules’) explored the history of ancient houses in the Close and Bail.

A subsequent volume, Steep, Strait and High, was published in 2016 by the Lincoln Record Society and The Survey of Lincoln, that examined ancient houses south of the Close and Bail, which was produced by Christopher Johnson and Stanley Jones.

Since 1995, The Survey of Lincoln has extended the remit of the original Survey group and has examined many important past and present buildings and structures within the city. Particular emphasis has been placed in The Survey’s neighbourhood-related volumes on the important industrial heritage of the city and on the homes and workplaces of the city’s employees and their families, together with sites of leisure and places of education and worship.

The Survey’s booklets include 12 which examine different neighbourhoods in the city, ranging from exploring uphill Lincoln

to Monks Road, the city centre and the West End to Boultham and Birchwood to the south.

In each volume, chapters are produced by a variety of different authors exploring a wide time period, often from Roman times to the early 21st century. More recently, a thematic series has been begun, in which, amongst other subjects, the history of the city’s pubs and retailers have been placed under the magnifying glass.

The Survey of Lincoln prides itself on the collaborative nature of its work, which over the years has included contributions in its publications from, archaeologists, architects, archivists, civil servants, engineers, historians, museum curators, planners, social scientists and teachers.

It is always keen to recruit people interested in its work and perhaps prepared to contribute to later volumes. In the near future, further volumes are due to be published on Lincoln’s engineering companies, and a second volume is being planned on Lincoln’s West End. The Survey of Lincoln’s books can be bought at the SLHA Bookshop, Jews’ Court, Steep Hill, and Lindum Books, Bailgate.

Find out more at www.thesurveyoflincoln.co.uk

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Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

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Jump into Springtime by shopping online or visiting our Purple Holly showroom when the shops re-open. Shop and indulge to your heart’s content with our beautiful and stylish home accessories and gifts for family and friends.

Browse a wide variety of gifts, garden accessories and glassware and much more from some truly inspirational British and worldwide suppliers.

Time for Potting Fallen Fruits Set of 3 Ceramic Plant Pots. £35

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BI APRIL21qxp.qxp_Layout 1 30/03/2021 10:18 Page 18

News from Ringrose Law

Where there’s a Will

IN these difficult times our perspective on life can change and it may be sensible to address what would happen to our assets and liabilities if we died, writes Nerina Farmer (pictured), Head of Wills and Probate at Ringrose Law.

Importance of Making a Will Everyone should consider how their belongings, money etc will be divided should they pass away. It is not all about money – it could be ensuring that a ring or watch that a grandchild likes actually receives it as a personal memento.

Or it could be a gift of some money to a friend as a ‘thank you’ for their kindness and help over the years. A Will is essential to achieve this and many other things.

Unmarried Couples An unmarried couple living together in a house which they own, may be what is called ‘tenants in common’ – this manner of ownership is often used because the couple have contributed unequal amounts to the deposit on the house. If this is the case and there is no Will in the event of one’s death, their interest in the property will pass through their ‘intestacy’ and be allocated to their nearest relative such as children/parents/siblings but not the surviving partner, who may face financial difficulty and need to sell the house.

Money in a person’s sole name would also pass to the nearest relative, together with any car, sofa or even dog.

Facts to remember People can use their Will to appoint a guardian for children under the age of 18.

Designating who looks after children if both parents have died means their care is your choice not your relatives or social services.

If you marry after making a Will and it had not been made in contemplation of marriage walking down the aisle revokes that version.

In short a Will is a very flexible document. It enables you to choose who is in charge of your assets (the executors) and who gets what (and when if there is a minor as one of the beneficiaries).

A Will can also incorporate trusts to protect assets until someone achieves a specified age or to protect an asset passing to a new partner.

Reviewing your Will I suggest clients review their Wills whether something good or bad happens at least every five years (even if it is just in your head). Will reviews with Ringrose are generally not charged to our existing clients unless changes are required or new Wills put in place..

We can help If you need help in making your Will contact the team at Ringrose Law. Prices start from £170 for a Simple Will, which can protect you and your loved ones for the future.

Visit https://www.ringroselaw.co.uk/personal-law/wills-andprobate/

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BI APRIL21qxp.qxp_Layout 1 30/03/2021 09:39 Page 20

Community and Environment

Liquorice Park

Liquorice Park the countrysid WORDS, IMAGES AND ILLUSTRATIONS: DAHLIA LEE I AM writing this while sitting on a bench in a beautiful calm green space, surrounded by birdsong cutting clear and bright above the drone of the city around me.

With the fresh air carried on a chilly Spring breeze, and the murmuring voices from the few people here and there enjoying a Sunday stroll, the atmosphere is sublimely tranquil.

Welcome to Liquorice Park, a very special place nestled half way up the hill here in lovely Lincoln.

We are lucky to have lived with this cherished green space on our doorstep for over 20 years, and have witnessed its development from abandoned allotments, neglected and inaccessible, to a thriving much loved local treasure.

This four-acre plot on its glorious sunny southwest facing slope, enriches our local community by providing a vital breathing space and welcoming people and wildlife to experience our ‘countryside in the city’ 365 days of the year.

Liquorice Park is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year. Over two decades of the dedicated vision and devotion of the trustees and our

PHOTO: ALAN MASON 20

Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

hard working skilled volunteers, funded solely by grants and donations, has seen the park grow and flourish.

This little gem encompasses a range of habitats, squeezing in a micro-scale woodland, coppice, orchard, herb garden and stunning wildflower meadows contained and connected by stretches of dry hedges and a meandering ever growing network of pathways, all created and beautifully maintained by the wonderful volunteers.

You might even spot a clever canine team member, Tess, our park mascot, who can be seen rounding up the volunteers for tea breaks!

There is no doubt that after the rollercoaster ride of 2020 this winter has proved a long grind for many.

It is a year since we experienced that slowmotion lockdown Spring which bought with it a new enlightened recognition of the benefits of being outdoors, the appreciation of nature on our doorsteps and its benefits to our wellbeing.

Suddenly undervalued urban green spaces are experiencing a rise in popularity, and those quirky ideas hatched by a group of forward thinking individuals in the early days of the park

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BI APRIL21qxp.qxp_Layout 1 30/03/2021 09:39 Page 21

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Community and Environment

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Dahlia Lee and her family live along side the park and, like many other local people, visit regularly getting inspiration for art and photography projects or just to unwind. She will be bringing readers regular updates from Liquorice Park and the volunteer community that maintains it. are now at the height of current thinking.

There is no denying that a walk out in a green space, taking time to zone out of the hum-drum daily demands and zone in to the natural world is a miracle magic mood booster like no other!

Like most families we find it all too easy to hunker down on a gloomy day, the Herculean effort to get out defeating us, but we know so well that a short amble on the park, be it a solitary dawn stroll with a cuppa, or a big family wild noisy ramble of tree climbing and adventure, will have us buzzing, no matter what the weather.

And we can be assured we will experience the seasons in their full glory, and be treated to new views and surprises every day, from rainbows, shooting stars and chattering charms of goldfinches at sunrise to flocks of linnets roosting in the brambles around us while watching yet another spectacular sunset.

And it is a joy to see others sharing this experience. This inspired us to start our @LiquoricePark Instagram account where we

serve a #dailydoseofnature and encourage viewers to #stepoutside.

We think of the park as an extension of our garden, a nature reserve and community space all rolled into one, but above all we like to think of the park as a green beacon casting the light of environment awareness around the city.

Nature has never needed us more than now, we can all do our bit by starting local, and you can’t get more local than your own garden.

We hope that a visit to the park will inspire people to take some of our ideas with them, proving that a chemical free, peat free garden buzzing with vibrant wildlife and wild flowers can host a whole rainbow of life that will benefit us all.

So whatever the next weeks and months bring you can be assured that the park is there to welcome you, and that we will continue to bring you daily doses of nature encouraging you to step outside… there’s so much to see!

Magic green space inspires local artist with pots of talent A SPRING art competition to produce work inspired by Liquorice park has been won by Victoria MacDonald who combined beauty arnd practicality.

“During the pandemic I have been fortunate enough to be able to make some ceramics at my parents' shop and pottery studio on Steep Hill in Lincoln, The Pot Shop,” said Victoria “I often walk through Liquorice Park and one day I collected some leaves there to use as a motif to inscribe on these stoneware pots. With the help of my father's expertise, I was pleased to make these leaf-inscribed stoneware pots.”

Victoria wins a #showthelove, a pack of cards and wild flower seeds.

April/May 2021 | Bailgate Independent

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Community and Environment

News from the Veterinary Hospital

Pet preventative healthcare advice TOO much information can be a bad thing and expert help is needed to sort the good from the waste of time and money.

When it comes to making sure our pets have fewer vet visits while leading the healthiest possible lives the Veterinary Hospital has a wide range of expertise.

“There is so much information out there on preventative healthcare and when and what we should be doing,”said Ruth Peet, one of the practice’s registered veterinary nurses.

“As an independent practice, our vets work together to decide on the preventative products and protocols we want in place at VH to best suit the needs of the pets under our care. We pride ourselves that each pet is treated as an individual based on their lifestyle.”

Vaccinations Vaccinations are an essential part of responsible pet ownership as they keep your pet safe from potentially fatal diseases some of which do risk being transferred onto you and your family.

Vaccinations can now be done at the new Skellingthorpe branch or the Doddington Road surgery.

Pictured is Indie Editor Amanda McSorley’s beloved Jasmine having her annual full

health check and vaccination at the Doddington Road surgery.

Flea and worming Providing effective flea and worming treatment will help prevent infection and disease in your pets.VH have a range of products and formulations so they can ensure that if you are buying products from them, they are effective and easy to administer.

Neutering Neutering is the universal term for castration of male dogs and speying of female dogs.

There are many benefits to having your pets neutered not just for the obvious reason of preventing reproduction. The team will happily talk you through the process and when and why they advise it.

Veterinary Hospital Health Care Plan (VHCP) The team at VH have developed an updated version of the health plan. Gemma and Rachel ( receptionists) who have been involved in its development explained.

“We now have the VHCP (Veterinary Hospital Care Plan) Version 2 - it still spreads the cost of your pets preventative products over the year (on average you will save £146 ) but also now includes the puppy and kitten vaccines.

We have had to make many changes due to COVID, and one is that we can now deliver all your flea and wormers to your door every three months at an extra cost of £1.50 per month.

For more information and to sign up online visit www.vhvets.co.uk.

The Veterinary Hospital, 175 Newport, Lincoln LN1 3DZ, 51 Doddington Road, Lincoln, LN6 7EN, 32 Lincoln Road, Skellingthorpe LN6 5UU, T 01522 800333, vhvets@tiscali.co.uk.

Have your say on greener transport schemes TRANSPORT chiefs are seeking the views of residents, businesses and organisations on plans to make walking and cycling easier in the county.

The Department for Transport (DfT) awarded Lincolnshire £799,900 to be used to give people more opportunities to choose walking and cycling for their day-to-day journeys, to boost active travel and reduce traffic congestion.

After inviting members of the public to submit their ideas, and hosting a virtual cycling summit with local stakeholders last year, the county council has developed eight prospective schemes.

Schemes in the Lincoln area being consulted on are Lincoln and North Hykeham, Newark Road cycle lane improvements and Sturton by Stow low traffic neighbourhood.

If they are supported by the public, each of the schemes will initially be installed temporarily for between a year and 18 months.

After this time a decision will be made after further engagement with local residents and organisations whether to maintain them.

The survey is open until Sunday May, 16 Cllr Richard Davies, executive councillor for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This cash won’t just benefit walkers and cyclists. For every journey we can make active travel a viable option for, we’ll take a car off the road, reducing congestion and pollution for all of us.

“Last year, data from fitness app Strava revealed over 16,000 more 22

Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

cyclists took to Lincolnshire’s roads in 2020, compared with 2019, including thousands more cycling commuters. And, since opening the Lincoln Eastern Bypass with its separate shared-use path alongside, it has proved extremely popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. It’s clear that there is an audience and an appetite in the county for these facilities.”

The Lincoln area cycle scheme rotection introduced to the existing on-road sections of the cycle lane on Newark Road between The Plough Pub in Bracebridge Heath and Ascot Way in North Hykeham in the form of on-road dividers that create a partial physical barrier between cyclists and traffic.

A 30mph speed limit is proposed from the junction of Rookery Lane to Roman Way. The Sturton-by-Stow scheme will create a low traffic neighbourhood by eliminating rat-running between the A1500 and the B1241 through the village.

A closure will be installed at either the junction of the B1241 and The Close, or the A1500 and Eastfield. The location of the closure will be decided by local residents via the consultation and implemented by temporary infrastructure such as traffic planters.

Ideas for pavement widening, new cycleways or road closures online can be submitted at www.widenmypath.com or visit https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/directoryrecord/66026/active-travel-fund-community-engagement

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Community and Environment

News from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust PICTURE: JAMES ADLER

Understanding our critical impact on nature

BY RACHEL SHAW LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

“WALK through the puddle.” of wildflower meadows have been lost The words from a radio interview in the UK since the 1930s. come back to me as I approach a Today, they are rare and special places wide, muddy puddle. It was still with a huge variety of plant someone from the National Trust species including wild orchids. There’s Young birds speaking about the damage that something idyllic and romantic about like this can be inadvertently caused in a meadow on a late spring day, maybe juvenile woodlands. throwing down a picnic blanket and wren are Ok, I’ve got my boots on, they’re watching the sunset. But beneath the vulnerable to waterproof, I’ll walk through the blanket the flowers are crushed and disturbance. puddle. It actually makes me their stems broken. It may seem Picture: smile, a tiny reminder of inconsequential but if lots of people Margaret Holland. childhood, like kicking the do the same, the flowers could be lost. autumn leaves.

It’s not just our actions as individuals Most people have walked round but the cumulative impacts of lots of the puddle. Avoiding it seems the individuals that can be devastating. obvious thing to do but it can have longer term consequences.

Take birds nesting this spring. Not all birds nest high in trees, many There’s a new path that loops round both sides the puddle. The soil nest on or low to the ground in bushes and hedgerows at about the is compacted, tree roots are starting to be exposed and delicate height of a Labrador’s nose. spring flowers about to emerge have been trampled. When the To us, dogs are part of the family, but to birds and other animals, puddle has gone, the path will be wider. dogs are fearsome predators with sharp, deadly teeth.

One person avoiding a puddle has minimal impact - it’s the sheer A dog inquisitively sniffing at the nest will terrify a bird and may number of footsteps that can cause problems. make it take flight. If this happens once, it probably won’t have So many of us have found solace and joy in the natural world over much impact. But with lots of visitors and lots of dogs, this could the last year. And for much of the year, parks and the nearby happen multiple times in a day and young birds are quick to perish countryside were the only places we were actually allowed to go. if left alone for too long.

It’s no surprise that the numbers visiting green spaces, nature The countryside and nature reserves have given us so much over reserves and the countryside have increased.You’ve probably the past year but we also need to respect and protect these places. noticed it on your own walks - I certainly have on mine.

The more responsible we are, the more wildlife there will be for us At Whisby Nature Park, the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust monitor to enjoy. number of visitors. Our previous annual record was 170,000 visitors. Last year, that record was smashed. Even though the Nature Park was very quiet during the first lockdown, in 2020, there were 208,000 visitors.

The same thing happened elsewhere, with other Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves experiencing increases in visitor numbers.

This is wonderful, we want people to visit reserves, experience nature and want to protect it. But there is a problem. The nature reserves only cover 1% of the land area of the county. What’s more, it’s the most sensitive 1% for wildlife and most vulnerable to disturbance. Some of the wildlife living in nature reserves is under threat and has Walking through puddles nowhere else where it can survive. could prevent spring flowers from being Meadow nature reserves (top picture) with their tall trampled on. grasses and flowers are one example. These meadows were once commonplace in our landscape but a staggering 97% April/May 2021 | Bailgate Independent

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Food and Drink

Root vegetable crumble Ingredients 1 Red Onion 1 small butternut squash (this can easily be switched for 4 large carrots, 2 sweet potatoes etc.)

1 cup of frozen peas 2 parsnips 1 teaspoon of garlic granules 1 teaspoon of dried sage 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard 1 veg stock cube 1 cup of rolled oats 1 cup of wholemeal flour 70g of dairy free butter (chopped into small cubes) 1 tablespoon of Nutritional Yeast 1 teaspoon of cracked black pepper 1 tablespoon of milled flax seeds

Veg out!

VEG OUT is a family-run, Lincoln-based vegan food business and Recipe Box delivery service. | It also offers plant based workshops along with virtual food planning and nutrition suppor.t “We make sure that all our recipes have the right balance of nutrients as well as lots of veggies too,” saids Veg Out’s Gemma Whitelock.

“The combination of wholemeal flour, oats and the peas provide all of the amino acids needed to create a complete protein (something that is often a hot topic when talking about plant-based meal options.)

“Eating veggies in season not only helps to make the recipes taste better but also helps to lower the environmental impact too.

“We try to source locally as much as possible and would advocate exploring local veg box schemes and using local farmers and growers as a food source.

To help customers understand their food and the positive impact that it has on their health, Veg Out also includes details on every one of its recipes about how many portions of veg are in each serving of every meal.

“In this recipe for example (when served with the cabbage) there are actually 7 portions of veg which provide lots of lovely ‘good stuff’. It’s easy to get your ‘5 a day’ quota in if you flip the thought process and make veggies the hero of every meal – That’s exactly what we are about and what we do across all of our recipes to help take the stress out of your cooking and help you to feel more able to eat well without compromising on flavour.”

To serve – a large savoy cabbage and gravy of your choice

Ideal as a lighter Sunday meal as the seasons turn towards spring and summer. This recipe can be easily adapted to use whatever vegetables are in season or you need to use up.

Method First, peel and chop your butternut squash, parsnips and red onion.

Aim for chunks around 2cm in size so that your veggies cook evenly in the time. Place into a large casserole dish with a light drizzle of oil with your garlic granules and sage. Mix around well to ensure the veggies have a good coating of garlic and sage before baking in the oven at 200°c for about 20-30 minutes.

While your veggies are roasting, prepare your sauce. Pop your stock cube and mustard into a measuring jug with 400mls of boiling water.

Mix well until the stock cube is dissolved. Allow to sit until you need to assemble your crumble.

To prepare your crumble topper, place your flour and oats into a large bowl with your dairy free butter. Using your fingers, gradually rub the butter into the dry ingredients to create a pale yellowy crumble.

When your veggies are roasted, remove from the oven, add your frozen peas to the dish as well as gradually stirring in your mustard veg stock mix.

Next, add your milled seeds, nutritional yeast and pepper into your dry crumble mix before evenly sprinkling your crumble over the top of your roasted veg mix.

Return to the oven and bake for 30 minutes until the top turns crisp and the sauce bubbles at the edges.

Serve with generous portions of lightly stir-fried savoy cabbage and your choice of gravy.

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BI APRIL21qxp.qxp_Layout 1 30/03/2021 11:30 Page 25

Food and Drink

Wine Wisdom THIS is not an everyday beverage, but then again it’s not every day that you sell your company and get the chance to see it develop.

That is the case for Dawn and Paul Barron who celebrated in style after receiving a bottle of special champers as a congratulatory gift.

Any excuse is a good one to open a bottle of bubbly in our opinion, writes Dawn.

But this time we have the perfect reason.

The coming of age of our Human Alchemy business consultancy as it turns 21 and watching it go on to new adventures with The Lincoln College Group.

Like any parent, after a tear or two and an occasional backward glance, we recently waved it farewell, in the knowledge that we’ll be close by for a few years.

So what better than a bottle of Lanson Extra Age Brut Champagne?

Elegant, sophisticated, reassuringly priced - perfect for our brand.

Full of substance, well known and respected but lively, fun and after a little while in its company, you’re certainly seeing things from a different perspective.

Hurrah and Bottoms Up to all!

The Ginformation

A magic tribute

Magic Gin MAGIC Gin celebrates 30 years operational service of E-3D SENTRY aircraft.

Commonly known as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System), E-3D Sentry AEW Mk I is flown from RAF Waddington under the NATO tactical call sign ‘Magic’.

Since entering service in 1991, E-3D SENTRY has been operated by RAF Aircrew from 8, 23,54, and 56 Squadrons.

Throughout its history, E-3D SENTRY has seen service abroad in multiple theatres including the Balkans, Middle East, Libya, Mediterranean, Caribbean and Afghanistan.

“The Lincoln Distillery is proud to have been asked to produce this special edition gin for the Royal Air Force and with recent news of the E-3D leaving service in October 2021, Magic Gin is the perfect gift for those wishing to raise a glass to celebrate the aircraft and all who flew her. We will miss seeing them in Lincolnshire skies very much,” said distillery owner Matt Felgate.

Magic Gin, 40% abv, £35 from www.thelincolndistillery.co.uk Enquiries: hello@thelincolndistillery.co.uk Tel: 01522703971

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Community and Environment

Flat Cap Diaries - on the allotment with Liz Lucas 12 seeds. I may sow more next week.

One must pace oneself.

Size of plot.. big Tea units.. Several thousand Dug units..some Seeds planted..a greenhouse full.

Early January My sap is rising and I am sitting with a seed catalogue on my knee. This seed catalogue is very long and has few pictures; a proper adult seed catalogue. I have to keep looking things up to see how they turn out. Nevertheless, I am learning the Latin terms for vegetables, which may come in handy, perhaps during the next Roman invasion.

The catalogue is organised alphabetically, so I begin with A. By the time I have reached C, I have 60 odd items in my wish list.

Mid January Chose the coldest, iciest, wettest weekend of the year so far to erect the shed and cover the roof. We were the only people on the entire site. Locals gathered at their windows to watch as we struggled, I like to think heroically, with yards of felting and a listing ladder. The moment we finished the rain ceased. We were soaked through to our underwear.

Late January Went through the seeds I had ordered and found I could sow leeks under glass. I sow

Early February It’s very chilly. I sow some sweet peas, with the vision of erecting a small frame amidst the vegetables.

Difficult to envision colour and scent in this cold.

Mid February The chill refuses to subside; the cardboard strips on the plot have deep, frozen puddles on them. We are forecast snow and so hurriedly erect two water butts to catch the water from the roof of the tiny shed.

Work halts as snow descends, and ice grips. Nothing can be done.

The spring seems a long way off.

End February.

Snowdrops are up.

Early March Have sown more seeds, flowers for my own garden and begun digging on the allotment in earnest. It is still cool and the soil is cold and damp. There appears to be a very healthy population of creeping buttercup. Ah well, I have dealt with it before....

New teaching garden IF there is one good thing to have come out of lockdown it has been an enhanced appreciation of our gardens, writes Guy Petheram.

Time spent in them, in the fresh air, surrounded by green plants and connected a little with nature, has provided some respite.

It has also been a pleasure for me (and a welcome distraction) over the last six months to have designed, built and planted a garden, part of a new floral workshop and studio from which I am delighted to be able to offer a range of garden design courses over the coming months.

The garden is designed to immerse visitors amongst the planting, with stepping stones leading to a central wooden arbour that in time, and as the seasons progress, will sink into the greenery.

As a rule, partially enclosing parts of the garden with foliage and flowers is such a good way to create an inviting and relaxed space.

It reduces the ‘great outdoors’ to a scale we are comfortable with, like a room in the house, it brings nature up close and personal and it allows scent, light and shadow to create an atmosphere that both transports and dials us down a notch.

The studio and garden are the premises of Catkin, run by florist and teacher Rachel Petheram, in the Walled Garden at Doddington Hall, and working for my wife has been both an enjoyable and an interesting experience - the perfect client of course!

Rachel’s brief was to create an intimate and relaxed place for people to come and enjoy. Not just to learn the practical skills of floristry, but also to simply play with flowers and feel the power they have to enhance our creativity, well-being and connectedness, both with nature and ourselves.

A small and intimate studio has been designed specifically with small groups and individuals in mind. A place very much part of the garden that is conducive to a pleasurable and rewarding learning experience.

If you would like to join us, either to learn about designing gardens or about the life affirming power of flowers, please check out the websites below.

For garden design courses - www.guypetheram.co.uk For flower courses - www.catkinflowers.com

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News from Lincolnshire Food Partnership

Community and Environment

Growing food - good for you in so many ways

BY NIGEL CURRY CO-CHAIR LINCOLNSHIRE FOOD PARTNERSHIP EATING fresh, unprocessed, plant-based food is good for your health.

But actually, having a role in growing it is good for your health too: so good in fact that many GPs and other health professionals recommend community food growing (and eating the produce) as a way back to both physical and mental health.

This is often done through a formal process called Social Prescribing (SP).

And SP is on the up. There are over 100 food!"#$%&'(&)*+$ based SP schemes in the UK and early research suggests that they can reduce visits to the GP by 28% and visits to A&E by 24%.

The government is persuaded, too. It has a special fund called Green Social Prescribing that has supported food growing projects for health across the country.

There is bags of scope to develop this in the county. The Lincolnshire Food Partnership has !!!!! ! identified growing projects across the whole of Lincolnshire that could play a role. !"#$%&!!'$()& You can look up community gardens that are 22231"#4&'(&)*+3563"7$ currently welcoming new volunteers on goodtogrowuk.org/map/lincolnshire/, where more gardens continue to be added.

There are also useful resources on the LFP website about how to GARDEN DESIGN, LANDSCAPING set one up. Some growing projects actually have been developed in the grounds of GP practices so that people can readily see and & TREE CARE understand how they work.

The ultimate in integrating food growing with health is what is termed Care Farming. Popular in Europe, this offers people with a defined health, social or educational needs the opportunity to get involved with farming activities for their therapeutic benefit.

Their growth is already a Government commitment through the £1.4 million Growing Care Farming project. We already have some in the County.

The Askefield Project at Friskney and Hall Farm Eastoft, offer support to people with mental health issues. Hall Farm at Messingham runs therapy sessions, particularly for armed forces veterans, and Heath Farm in Sopwick is a residential facility for autism care.

With some government backing both for Social Prescribing and Backed by a highly-skilled and Care Farming already in place, let’s hope that the new experienced team, we’ve built our Agriculture Act makes the link between food growing and health reputation on an ability to provide more mainstream.

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LANDSCAPING www.landscapinglincolnshire.com landscapinglincolnshire@gmail.com April/May 2021 | Bailgate Independent

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Snapshots from the Past

Cruises and cockroaches Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School archivist Peter Harrod continues his exploration of its pictorial past.

A CURSORY flick through the pages of the Lincoln Christ’s Hospital Girls’ High School (LHS) magazines - some of them well over 50 pages long - reveal the school boasted an enviable record in its rich and diverse extracurricular programme during its distinguished 81-year history.

For example, there were frequent educational trips to locations home and abroad, regular eminent speakers on a wide range of different subjects, cultural visits to theatres and to classical and other musical concerts, and outings to sporting events at Trent Bridge, Wembley, Lords and other venues.

One of the more exciting events was a trip on a cruise to the Mediterranean organised for 1,000 fortunate Lincolnshire schoolgirls and boys.

LHS was one of several Lincoln schools to avail themselves of that opportunity, and I am indebted to Janet Croft, née Haworth, Ann Thorpe and Jane Burgess for providing me with photos and information about the trip of a lifetime, now 50 years ago.

The above photograph shows a section of the group.

Janet (back row, second from the right) recalled that the party met on Lincoln Central Station one dull day in October 1969 with some of them braving the LHS summer uniform.

The train was chartered to take them to Southampton docks where they boarded SS Nevasa for a cruise to Lisbon, Naples, Crete, Athens and Venice.

It was clearly nothing resembling the luxury cruises of today, as their accommodation consisted of a dormitory for 12, having six sets of bunk beds on one of the lower decks of the ship, with no porthole and a bathroom along the corridor.

Janet remembered being woken up one night by her friend who needed to go to the toilet but didn’t dare go on her own.

Switching the bathroom light on revealed an army of cockroaches scurrying over the floor. That experience seemed to act as a deterrent against any further nocturnal visits.

Despite calm seas several members of the party woke up the first morning feeling seasick.

Janet couldn’t face breakfast but later, with no improvement in their condition, someone had the bright idea of a kill-or-cure remedy.

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Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

Chocolate. It worked wonders.

Meals on board were a canteen affair with the unappetising food being served directly into a tray.

At some point on the cruise they actually had the option of doing a tour round the galley but were deterred by the smell.

Although she confessed that her memory is ‘somewhat vague’, Janet seemed to remember days at sea being fairly well organised, as they had lessons.

Accompanying them on the trip was Maths teacher Mr Page and Janet recalled that one of his lessons consisted of converting pounds into the different currencies they would need on the trip.

Even though that seems to a former teacher like me to be an excellent example of contextual learning, Janet did not believe that any of them took the lessons too seriously.

Places visited included a tour of Pompeii, where they had an excellent tour guide. From Naples they went on to visit Solfatara, a shallow volcanic crater. Despite the pungent aroma of sulphur, that was another thoroughly enjoyable experience.

In Athens the group visited the Acropolis, and in Crete the children were treated to a conducted tour of Knossos. In Venice Janet also remembered going round the glass factory on one of the islands of Murano.

As is the case with all students’ educational visits, the meagre pocket money allowance was spent on bric-a-brac, but Janet was delighted that her parents had loyally kept the Venetian glass duck on their mantelpiece for many years.

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Art and Culture

MEET THE ARTIST

JOHN MARKALL

John’s art to mark gallery reopening THE art of John Markall will be the first exhibition to open after lockdown at Gallery at St Martin’s.

Originally from Sheffield John (pictured at work) arrived in Lincoln as a young teacher in the 1960s.

His first posting was St Giles Secondary Modern School and he then taught at Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School until retirement.

After a working life of passing skills on to young people John finally found the time and freedom to give more attention to his own work.

High Bridge He is a quiet, contemplative, modest artist and gallery Cafe, Lincoln. owner Phil Bowman said these qualities can be reflected in his work.

“His subject matter is quiet often the less obvious even mundane, a quiet side street or bramble bush can hold his gaze as easily as a glimpse of the cathedral.”

Although not adverse to using technology John prefers to paint on the spot or from colour sketches worked up into more finished pieces back in the studio.

“He can be seen roaming the urban landscape with his homemade trolley full of art materials like some latter-day Stanley Spencer,” said Phil referring to the famous 20th Century artist who pushed his canvas and easel around in an old black pram.

“John’s art has taken him from time to time further afield to more exotic climbs such as Granada and the Costas of Spain. Whatever the subject, usually rendered in oils, his paintings bring joy in a time when we all need it most.”

John ‘s second one person exhibition at runs from April 19 – May 2, Gallery St Martin’s, St Martin’s Square, Lincoln, LN1 1ET, www. galleryatstmartin’s.com, email phil@galleryatstmartins.co.uk.

South Common, Lincoln.

Mildmay Street, Lincoln.

April/May 2021 | Bailgate Independent

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Art and Culture

Literature lovers can look forward to festival’s return LINCOLN’S annual book festival will make a comeback later this year with plans for a week-long programme of guest author talks at city cultural venues.

Organisers of Lincoln Book Festival have confirmed their intention to offer in-person events once again - assuming regulations allow - for the week starting October 11, 2021.

Last year’s festival was originally planned to

take place in May but was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Instead, scheduled guest authors recorded a series of video talks which were released in the autumn on the book festival website – ensuring the long-running literary festival was able to provide some activities for book-loving audiences.

Phil Hamlyn Williams, Chair of the Lincoln Book Festival Trust,which organises the event said: “The pandemic has been a huge blow for the arts locally and nationally but the roadmap for lifting of restrictions means audiences can finally look forward to visiting venues and enjoying live events again later this year.

“We hope fans of literature will be as excited as we are about the prospect of Lincoln Book Festival making its return in 2021.”

Lincoln Book Festival places ‘history at its heart’, celebrating the city’s rich heritage by staging guest talks with authors of new history

writing and historical fiction.

In recent years, the programme has been expanded to feature a wider array of genres, formats and styles including children’s and young adults fiction, poetry, thrillers, and food writing.

Best-selling historian Alison Weir, children’s fiction writer Sophie Cleverly, and food writer and critic William Sitwell were among the 2020 line-up. Previous guest authors include Michael Morpurgo, Tracy Borman and Janina Ramirez.

The 2021 Lincoln Book Festival will have a similarly diverse line-up and the popular flash fiction competition will also return.

The competition challenges authors of all ages to write ultra short stories of exactly 50 words on a designated theme, to be announced on the festival website.

Tickets for Lincoln Book Festival 2021 will go on sale this summer when the full lineup of authors is annnounced. For more information visit the festival website. https://www.lincolnbookfestival.org/

Imp ‘Centre’ of attention A LOVE of colouring, especially in yellow is behind Tobias LovellGoddard’s winning design in Design an Imp competition for Lincoln’s Waterside Shopping Centre.

Tobias, seven, will be able to see his

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Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

winning entry turned into an mini Imp statue, which will form part of the Educational Imp Trail, after it was translated by artist Mel Langton, who will be working on the project when lockdown eases from April 12 onwards.

The centre is a main sponsor of the EBP’s Educational Trail, which will run along side the Lincoln Imp Trail from July 3 to September 9 across the city.

Tobias, who attends Blyton Cum Laughton C of E School, based his design on the original Lincoln Imp being old and made of stone.

His win was announced by Lincoln City player Tom Hooper and artist Mel can be seen on Waterside’s facebook page talking about the competition and her work Matthew McKeown from The EBP said: ‘We’re thrilled to be working with Waterside as both a sponsor and venue for the Education Programme.

“Their support has made it possible for schools from all over Lincolnshire to get involved and learn about our county’s rich and interesting history, whilst also being part of this unique Lincolnshire arts project.”

Talented county artists’ show THE Spring Show by Lincolnshire Artists’ Society will return with Art in The Barn.

If Covid-19 restrictions allow the event will be held at The Stables Gallery at Doddington Hall from Friday, May 14 to Bank Holiday Monday, May 31.

Admission to the gallery is free and it will be open daily 10am-4pm. https://lincolnshireartistssociety.com

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Not Just A Job

Dean Cross General Manager Waterside Shopping Centre

FOLLOWING a successful 25-year plus career in retail management Dean Cross was appointed as General Manager at Lincoln’s Waterside Shopping Centre in November 2016.

He has led the centre through various development phases and is now focussing on an exciting future for the Waterside against a background of the ever-changing face of High Street retail.

Dean believes the centre should be a community space and as it reaches its 30th year in 2022 he wants to build on its commercial, charitable and educational collaborations to ensure the centre can serve shoppers and that community for the next 30 years and beyond.

Great shopping experiences can’t be replaced with a click What is your favourite aspect of your role?

Waterside Shopping Centre is the city’s indoor retail heart and has seen many changes since the official opening in 1992.

Since taking up the role over four years ago I have been working hard to establish local partnerships with many organisations across the city and county including St Barnabas Hospice, Radio Lincolnshire, Lincs Kids, The EBP plus many others.

I probably did not appreciate how varied and exciting my new career was going to be with no two days being the same. One day we can be hosting an event, the next supporting our retailers in growing their business. My work is so varied.

How has it changed since you took up post or due to the Coronavirus pandemic?

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic we have all had to adapt quickly to many challenges that this has presented.

From the very start and then coming out of the first lockdown, the primary objective in everything we planned was keeping everyone safe. Throughout the pandemic and the three lockdowns we have learnt so much and adapted the best way we could do, supported by our retailers.

Lessons learned With the pandemic and coming out of the first lockdown we had to accept that we didn’t always get things right at the first attempt, but we have learnt from this, and have quickly adapted to the changing requirements.

Any goosebump moments so far?

There have been many goosebump moments ranging from the launch of our current Christmas decorative scheme in 2019, to our First Fashion Show supporting our now long-standing charity partner, St Barnabas Hospice.

Other high points have been winning an Investors in Education award for our work with schools and young people to

supporting the Schools Challenge at The Lincolnshire Show.

There have been so many ‘goosebump’ moments.

Challenges facing the Waterside Centre?

Over the ‘nearly’ 30 year history of the centre, there have been many changes which have happened to adjust to the changing world of retail.

The next 30 years will be much of the same, adapting to the mercurial world of being a shopping centre on a UK High Street.

The pandemic I would guess, has played a part in accelerating the expected changes of what the High Street of the future will look like.

What external factor would most help your organisation?

During the pandemic, we have all had to shop differently for obvious reasons. This may have also longer term, changed the way many people shop in the future.

The view, touch, feel or opportunity to try on a garment can never be replaced by a few ‘clicks’.

When it is safe to do so we all need to support our High Street again and take the opportunity to enjoy the shopping experience.

How do you see your position and the centre’s role in taking Lincoln forward?

We will continue to work hard to maintain and engage in existing and new local partnerships to help drive the experience of the city centre for our visitors.

We have gained and grown many partnerships within the city and beyond and work hard with others to enhance the Lincoln ‘offer’.

As a city centre shopping centre we will continue to embrace the changes we will face in the coming weeks, months and years.

April/May 2021 | Bailgate Independent

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Faces and Places

Retired head has a running narrative !"#$%&''(

WHAT makes someone run a 762-mile race?

That’s the distance covered by a 64-year-old Lincoln man for fun and you can find out why in a new book called Running Stories.

As the title suggests it showcases extraordinary stories from ordinary people who run including retired head teacher Malcolm Beresford (pictured) from Lincoln who runs gruelling ultra marathons in the countryside.

The global pandemic has seen a surge in people taking up running and the features those who have used the sport to overcome adversity and experience positivity in their lives – including battling disease, fighting drug addiction, and coping with the aftermath of domestic violence.

Malcolm’s story is one of 80 in the book: “I run for self-knowledge, without which we know no others. I run for joy, to give and to share. I run for life, to enjoy every moment,” said Malcom.

“I recently finished a GB Ultras virtual race, The Great Himalayan Trail. This was a 762 mile race, in which I managed second place … a Belgian runner won the event. I’m 64 years of age, and completed the event in 28 days, almost all walking due to injury, around 10 hours each day.

“Perhaps best of all every penny raised was donated to Food Banks and similar charities all over the country.”

Malcolm has been taking part in another virtual race this time over 1,600 miles and he was leading the international event with 350 miles to go as we went to press.

Running Stories authors Jerry Lockspeiser and Andrew Roberts believe it is possibly the most

revealing insight to date into why people of all ages, speeds and backgrounds run – whether it’s to meet a challenge, prove a point or achieve wellbeing.

“We created this book to celebrate the diversity of the running community, including who runs, why, where and with what benefit,” said Jerry.

“We hope that every reader will find stories they identify with, whether they currently run or not.

More than that, we hope the positivity that shines through every page will inspire non-runners to start. What better way to demonstrate the glory of running than through the experience of others?”

The authors’ revenue from sales of the book will be donated to the Running Charity, a small national organisation working to transform the lives of vulnerable young homeless people through running.

Running Stories is available to buy in print at £8.99 and eBook at £5.99

No county show until 2022

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Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

THE next Lincolnshire Show will take place on June 22-23 2022.

Announcing the cancellation of the 2021 event chairman of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society Jane Hiles said there were just to many obstacles in the way of this year’s show going ahead.

The organising committee had looked at every possible way the show could go-ahead in line with the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, but the Step 4 date of June 21 was just too close to the show dates of June 23-24.

“We kept going long after other shows had cancelled… our hearts said yes, but we had to listen to our heads.”

The society’s statement read: “This has been a very difficult decision to make, but we feel that we have no option as ultimately, the safety of our members, stewards, visitors, exhibitors, contractors

and staff, has to be our primary concern. As well as the significant impact on emergency services, including the NHS. “We offer our sincere apologies and would like to thank everyone for supporting the Show and for their hard work and commitment during this difficult time.

“As a charity, the cancellation of the Show for a second year has a significant impact on us, as all of our surplus funds go towards our educational work, but also affects our exhibitors, businesses and the local community around us.

“During 2021, we plan to put on a range of smaller events to support our charitable objectives to educate the county about food, farming and a sustainable environment, and look forward to making our 2022 Lincolnshire Show the biggest and best show to date.”

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Faces and Places

Queen approves Vice Lord-Lieutenant ANREW Clark (pictured) has been appointed as the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire.

The appointment was made by the current Lord Lieutenant Toby Dennis and Andrew will be his stand-in as the Queen’s personal representative in the county – Her Majesty has approved his selection.

The role includes making the arrangements for all royal visits to Lincolnshire, giving advice on matters concerning the Crown and presenting honours such as OBEs, and MBEs. “I am delighted to be asked to take on the role of Vice Lord-Lieutenant and I look forward to providing support to the Lord-Lieutenant and

the Deputy Lieutenants in our large county,” said Andrew, who lives near Grimsby.

A chartered surveyor specialising in commercial property, he is married to Anna, and has three children.

A founder director of Clark Weightman, a firm of commercial property consultants based in Hull Andrew has also served as chairman of St John Ambulance in Lincolnshire for 16 years and is currently Chairman of the Music Council at Lincoln Cathedral.

He is a trustee of the Lincolnshire Community Foundation, The Tribune Trust and Heritage Lincolnshire.

Trust recognised for care of patients and staff THE county’s leading provider of mental health and learning disabilities services, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised for its outstanding contributions to care in the Health Service Journal Awards.

LPFT was just one of six finalists up for the Mental Health Trust of the Year ASward, with this national recognition commending the ongoing work of the Trust to strengthen the county’s mental health offer and support people to access excellent care as close to home as possible, in the least restrictive environment.

Although not the final winners the Trust’s nomination drew on a broad range of work and initiatives delivered over recent years.

Commended by the HSJ were the transformation of LPFT’s older adults inpatient service, implementation of the Lincolnshire Mental Health Helpline, work on new models of care in children and young people’s services and expanding crisis support.

Also recognised was the trust’s collaborative work with a range of partners and stakeholders across the county, as well as its prioritisation of staff wellbeing and BAME and LGBT+ Staff Networks.

Jane Marshall, LPFT’s Director of People, Planning and Partnerships, said: “We are immensely proud of this recognition, which commends our fantastic Trust on a national scale during a year in which the NHS has faced unprecedented pressure and demand.

“The way in which our staff and teams have stepped up to the challenges of the past year, continuing to provide excellent care to our patients and service users, while looking after one another along the way is awe inspiring.

“We want to thank our staff for their help in achieving this recognition, and for their continued compassion, dedication and care for what we do – we couldn’t do any of this without you.”

Now in its 40th year, the HSJ Awards is the largest annual benchmarking and recognition programme for healthcare.

Representatives from LPFT recently presented to a panel of judges as part of the judging process, including the voices of staff in the presentation.

The Trust has also been recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace by a leading charity.

It has been accredited with level 1 of the Carer Confident benchmark from Carers UK, for its work to build a supportive and inclusive workplace for staff who are or may become carers.

Research carried out by Carers UK shows that one in seven people juggle work with caring for someone who is older, ill or disabled. Without the right support, one in six carers give up work or reduce working hours to care.

Donna Bradford, Service Manager for Carers at LPFT, said: “I am delighted that the Trust has been recognised for the support it gives to staff who have unpaid caring responsibilities outside of work.

“This is a great achievement in the start of our journey as we continue to look at how we can increase the support we provide to staff and I am excited to see our recently established staff carer forum progress and grow.”

April/May 2021 | Bailgate Independent

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Business News from the Experts

Classify and protect your business data SIMON MARSH, HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS, WV SOLUTIONS HISTORICALLY if you had a network, and potentially a server, you required at least a firewall to protect your business.

This was called the castle-and-moat approach. However, since the adoption of cloud services and remote working, businesses have adopted a zero-trust model.

In simple terms, this means anyone inside or outside your systems must be verified before they are trusted with access.

You typically have policies in place that check who is requesting access to what data or apps, from which location, and from what device before granting them access or asking for more identification.

Also, businesses use a multi-layered approach to security to shield their I.T. including additional endpoint security and monitoring software.

But is that enough to really protect your key business data?

Perhaps…

If a business laptop is not encrypted and has a copy of highly sensitive information saved on it, how do you protect it? And what if someone has emailed confidential information by mistake?

A potential solution is to implement a system where you enforce your team and technology to apply a level of sensitivity or classification to

the information at the point of creating and sharing, be it a Word document or an email.

By classifying the sensitivity of a file or conversation, the protection relating to that data follows the file everywhere.

For example, emails containing personal information could be tagged as confidential, which could then encrypt the email and prohibit any forwarding or printing.

With a Microsoft solution, users of Office applications have access to a ‘Sensitivity’ option that allows users to apply classifications to documents.

Alternatively, these classifications can be automatically assigned to documents. The protection is then baked into the file itself rather than relying on the employee having a firewall, using an encrypted laptop, or other levels of security, all of which are still important!

Finally, data loss prevention software can watch for unintentional data leaks and block them from leaving your business altogether.

WV Solutions offer I.T. strategy services and Microsoft solutions alongside Cyber Security audits including phishing campaigns that simulate the same type of emails a hacker would send you.

This will allow you to test your team and implement robust training.

If you would like to find out more about the services WV Solutions offer visit www.wvsolutions.co.uk or email hello@wvsolutions.co.uk.

New team members will help Social Change to grow LINCOLN-based Social Change UK has expanded its team with four new hires and a further two new recruits expected to join the team in the coming weeks.

The award-winning social research, marketing and creative agency specialising in behaviour change have seen a demand for their skills and expertise in the last 12 months. As well as assisting public sector organisations through the pandemic, the agency has also been working with businesses and brands.

New members who joined the team last month are (from left) Marketing Campaigns Manager Lauren Vickers, who has a background in sustainable marketing; Junior Social Media Manager Lindsey Dickinson, from the charity sector; Research Assistant Anna Taylor fresh out of Lincoln University with a psychology degree and Creative Designer Robyn Duncan who has almost a decade of experience.

Two new roles of Account Manager and Web Developer have been advertised.

In addition to covid-related activity, the agency has welcomed new clients from the public, third and commercial sector including British Gypsum, Welsh Government and NHS 34

Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

Lincolnshire.

Kelly Hunstone, Chief Executive of Social Change UK said: “This has been a challenging year for all, but we have come together as a team to push forward our growth plans and make a difference. We are extremely proud to have supported the NHS and our public sector clients through this last year and we look forward to building on those partnerships in the coming years as we surface from this pandemic and work together to address the issues that have emerged as a result of the pandemic. Our new recruits are crucial to bring further capacity and capability in our team and we are excited to have them on board”.

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Business News from the Experts

Has the Taxman got it right?

DAVID NICHOLSON, DIRECTOR, DEXTER AND SHARPE (LINCOLN) LTD AS I write, the UK is having its first Tax Day. As tax advisers, we usually watch out for Budget Day; each time waiting for a raft of new announcements about the latest changes to tax.

of business treatment for holiday lets) and another on Inheritance Tax, which should mean that estates where there is no tax to pay will not be obliged to go through a time consuming and often costly form-filling exercise. However, the doom-laden predictions of substantial tax rises did not happen (at least not yet).

For me this goes all the way back to when I was a trainee in London. In those pre-internet days the most lowly person in the office (me) was sent down to Somerset House to wait in a queue to be handed a weighty pack of budget documents (the so-called Red Book - which was not red and was not a book), which were available as soon as the Chancellor sat down.

What we got instead were perhaps ultimately more fundamental changes in the way that HMRC interacts with taxpayers, a process that was already underway with Making Tax Digital. This is the government’s initiative ultimately to get everyone reporting details of their income from a digital platform on a quarterly basis, the next stage of which is scheduled for April 2022.

This year, for the first time the Chancellor announced that, instead of the traditional Budget hullaballoo, there would be a Tax Day.

A substantial part of the information released talks about the tax “framework” for the next 10 years, about simplification, about supporting HMRCs aim “to make it easy to get tax right and hard to get it wrong”.

That’s not to say there weren’t tax rises in the budget, principally the hike in the rate of Corporation Tax to 25%, but even that was postponed until 2023.

We were expecting Tax Day to be a pile of “consultations” from HMRC on tax raising measures to pay the ever-increasing bill arising from the pandemic.

There was the announcement of a welcome review of the system of business rates (also including a look at the availability

If that sounds ominous to some of you, let me just say that if Tax Day leads to a fairer and simpler tax system and more open consultation with taxpayers and their agents then maybe this time HMRC will have got tax right.

Dexter and Sharpe (Lincoln) Ltd, Landmark House, 1 Riseholme Road, Lincoln, LN1 3SN, 01522 533588, email info@dextersharpelincoln.co.uk, www.dextersharpe.co.uk.

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Business News from the Experts

Businesses rising to the challenge of reopening ANGELA KANE, TRADING STANDARDS ADVISER, BUSINESS LINCOLNSHIRE GROWTH HUB ALL being well, Lincolnshire businesses will begin to open their doors on April 12.

It’s an exciting time for those in hospitality, non-essential retail and personal care, as well as indoor leisure and self-contained holiday accommodation, who have been waiting eagerly for this day to arrive.

Still, there are several challenges that businesses have had to overcome on the road to reopening.

For all sectors, ensuring that their staff and customers remain safe is no easy feat, with Government guidelines in place until at least June 21.

Although things are moving in the right direction, it is still a confusing and uncertain time for businesses. There is no onesize-fits-all approach to a COVID-secure reopening, with guidance heavily dependent on the sector.

Fortunately, Better Business for All (BBfA) and the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub can help with the COVID-secure reopening toolkit. Filled with useful advice and with guidance tailored by sector, it’s free to download and includes everything businesses need to restart their business safely.

But, reopening is about more than just health and safety regulations or trading standards.

To survive in a post-lockdown world, businesses will need to continue to adapt their ways of working, from restructuring supply chains to rebuilding their customer base. Many businesses have seen demand for their products decrease, while the bottom-lines of others have been battered by repeated lockdowns.

Still, it’s not all doom and gloom. Several businesses have got off the ground during the pandemic, with budding entrepreneurs turning pastimes into profits or long-held dreams into reality.

Established businesses have also diversified and discovered new streams of income, with some becoming even stronger and more successful than they were before lockdown began.

At the Growth Hub, we can also offer advice to new businesses just getting off the ground,or long-time traders considering new routes. Whether they’re concerned about food labels or legal obligations, we can help them to become regulatory sound as well as more profitable.

It’s a different world for businesses, and the road ahead isn’t an easy one, but I have no doubt that Lincolnshire businesses will rise to the challenge.

And, if you’d like to give Lincolnshire businesses a hand during this difficult time, remember the importance of supporting local.

For more information visit the Business Lincolnshire website: https://www.businesslincolnshire.com/ or email businesslincolnshire@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Is a business plan important?

JOHN MCHALE, ActionCOACH YORKSHIRE AND LINCOLNSHIRE HOW many times do we hear people say ‘I don’t need a plan, I know what I am doing’ ?

Business Planning seems cumbersome and without proper understanding or commitment is generally not done well, and when not properly implemented it is not effective.

This leads many business owners to run their business moment to moment, often fire-fighting and reacting to the unexpected.

A staggering 96% of businesses are failing and lack of planning could be the reason why.

No one in the construction industy would start to build a house without a plan or just ‘see how it goes’. Yet many business owners don’t seek the same clarity over where they are, where they are going, how they are performing.

We have met many business owners who had a business plan to meet the needs of the bank when first setting up. These plans are often very detailed and comprehensive. The level of detail allows owners and investors to analyse the data and predict whether or not the business will achieve success.

And yet, these are often filed away and never reviewed, revised or even read.

A business plan should be a live document. It should consider the longer terms direction as well as the shorter-term 36

Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

operational goals. Regular and more short-term planning cycles allows a business to adjust rather than just react.

This past year and the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic have demonstrated this perfectly.

When the pandemic hit, all the plans for 2020 were dramatically altered within a matter of days. Over the course of 6-8 weeks businesses were scaling back, shutting down or ramping up operations. Those that had vital information at their fingertips were able to take measured actions and move resources.

At ActionCOACH we establish regular planning cycles with all our clients at our 90 day GrowthCLUB. Planning should be an organic part of your business, instead of a one-off event. It sheds light on what could be possible and new opportunities not otherwise considered. Business Planning takes away the haphazard approach of reacting to whatever life throws at you.

If planning isn’t something you do regularly, find out how it can transform your business.

Visit https://johnmchale.actioncoach.co.uk/ or email johnmchale@actioncoach.com

THE BOTTOM LINE

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What does the roadmap for your post pandemic business look like?

JAMES PINCHBECK, PARTNER STREETS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS THE Government outlined its roadmap for its cautious but irreversible easing of lockdown on February 22.

In the Budget the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced a number of measures aimed at supporting businesses, including the selfemployed, over the coming months as we start our journey to the long-awaited re-opening of many enterprises.

It is hoped his initiatives will see an upturn in the economy – although it will probably be heavily reliant on pent up demand and a surge in consumer spending.

The end of Lockdown 3 seems to be in sight, especially with the vaccination programme gaining such pace and hopefully there will not be another sequel - Lockdown 4.

For those in business the year of pandemic has taken its toll with even the most resilient feeling a little ‘battle weary’ and even fatigued. The businesses that have traded through unscathed are few and far between and most will be looking at some return to normal or to adapt to the new norm.

Therein lies the challenge.

Existing in the here and now may have seen us through the crisis, but coming out the other side will require a plan and some course of action. Perhaps a ‘roadmap’ for business is needed?

The fear is that many business owners don’t have a roadmap in terms of a destination or sense of journey for their concerns or even an understanding about what is needed to take them on that journey.

Is where the business needs to go the same as it was before the pandemic? It may be the case that the choice of destination is not the same for all and a collective position is needed.

The next step is to plan how your enterprise is going to reach its destination.

Many, if not all, businesses have experienced varying degrees of change as to the how, where, when and who of business delivery and whether further tweaks or wholesale modifications of working practices, products/services and personnel are required should be considered.

Adversity has been instrumental in driving organisational change, this is likely to affect or impact on the roles in businesses for years to come. In particular there has been an increase in vacancies for Chief Technical Officers, software developers, marketeers with digital skills and Directors and Non-Executive Directors who can bring fresh, imaginative commercial ideas, along with good governance to the Board.

In looking at whatever model or structure of your business is fit for the new order, consideration has to be given to the need for everything from a refresh to an overhaul, whether it’s the need for investment in process, practices or people all will need some thought. When it comes to people, many business leaders have highlighted concerns about the wellbeing and mental health of their staff during the pandemic, especially those furloughed but as importantly those who have worked through. Just like our school children returning to school, consideration needs to be given to the impact of the lockdown on retention of skills as well as the challenges of returning to the work place.

No doubt the road to recovery will be a bumpy one with challenges along the way. It is therefore vital that businesses prepare for this, looking at how they might not only manage but also predict such challenges. Few, if any, would have had a pandemic on their organisational risk register, that is even if they had one pre-March 2020.

The need also to build resilience and perhaps compassion will be essential as part of a smooth direction of travel.

It is difficult to say - and it would be naive to try and guess - when we might start to feel upbeat in broad business terms.

However, all stakeholders in our businesses should share a sense of achievement and fulfilment along the journey to recovery.

A meaningful response to the ‘are we nearly there yet?’ even before we have left the drive might be a bit much to address, but some form of recognition as to progress along the route map is bound to benefit all.

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April/May 2021 | Bailgate Independent

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Home Front

Garden fun with classic game PASS the Pigs has long WIN GIANT VERSION OF FAMILY FAVOURITE been a favourite travel game for the family postures. selling millions of copies across the world.

PTP is the commerical version of the dice Now the game has been supersized for the game Pig for two-four players and has been garden with the same rules, but now the around since the 1970s. pigs are inflatable - perfect for playing the We have two copies to give away of the game in the garden, pool or at picnics in giant version of Amazons No. 1 travelling the park. game in our easy-to enter competition.

As always the games revolves around Answer the question below: throwing your porkers and seeing how they If your hogs land in the ‘Piggyback’ land with their dotted or blank side position what happens in the game?

Will you get a Leaning Jowler, a Razorback, Email your answer along with your contact Trotter, Snouter, Piggyback or will you Pig details to: Out? Your score depends on their pink admin@bailgateindependent.co.uk marked Pass the Pigs Competition.

• Giant Pass the Pigs is sold by Winning Moved Uk Limited for £14.99 and each pack contains itwo inflatable pigs, rule book, scorecards, two pencils, carry bag, deflation rod and a vinyl plastic repair seal.

Dishing the dirt on spring cleaning If it’s not ‘visibly’ dirty it doesn’t need washing right?

Wrong.

Despite the enhanced hygiene measures people have been taking over the last year, a survey has revealed the grubby truth about how little UK households are washing household fabrics around the home – which experts have shockingly indicated could be harbouring all sorts of hidden nasties.

In the survey of 2000 UK adults by Surcare, the 10 least laundered items in the home include: 1. Rugs – more than 55% of people have NEVER washed or deep cleaned their rug (either in a domestic washing machine or professionally) – ever! Making them the least washed fabric item in the home.

2. Pillows – 41% have never washed their current pillows. Only 5% wash their pillows to the recommended frequency (every three months) 3. Curtains – 34% have never cleaned their curtains. Only 18% factor them into their annual clean 4. Duvets – 25% have never washed their current duvet. Only 12% wash their duvet to the recommended frequency (every six months)

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Bailgate Independent | April/May 2021

5. Throws (and blankets) – Only 15% have washed their sofa or bed throw in the last 12 months 6. Bedding (sheets) – average length between washes was 18 days.

One in ten haven’t changed their bedding in six months 7. Pillow covers – pillow covers are just as neglected as bedding.

The average length between washes was 16 days.

8. Towels – on average we wash our towels once a week 9. Cleaning cloths – only 10% of people wash their cleaning cloths 10. Tea Towels – 21% of people only wash their tea towel once a week, experts recommend it should be changed every day!

Also up there in the overall least cleaned items in the home is the washing machine itself – a massive 62% claim they have not cleaned their washing machine in the past six months.

Despite being responsible for keeping our clothes clean and fresh, the crevices and damp conditions of our washing machines can be a breeding ground for bacteria. They should in fact be cleaned inside and out once a month.

“Fabrics around the home need regular laundering to keep homes healthy”, says Claire Lancaster from Surcare - the sensitive skin home brand that carried out the survey.

“Fabric and fibres in particular can harbour pet hair and pet dander, dust, pollen, bacteria and even mould and mildew – and if left to build up can cause illness and trigger allergies such as asthma and eczema.”

BI APRIL21qxp.qxp_Layout 1 30/03/2021 12:14 Page 39

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