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Space at South Lincolnshire

FEZ up for grabs

New high quality business have already been installed and space at the South further infrastructure is now being Lincolnshire Food put in place to provide access to Enterprise Zone (FEZ) the last eight plots in this phase of is now being marketed locally, the development. nationally and internationally. “We are delighted to be working

Lincolnshire County Council with Pygott & Crone who are one of has appointed Pygott & Crone to our most dynamic and experienced be the commercial agent for one commercial agents, to help market of the region’s most exciting new this prestigious development to developments. the UK and beyond.”

Councillor Colin Davie, The South Lincolnshire FEZ executive councillor for economy is west of Holbeach and its main and place at Lincolnshire County focus is to create bespoke space Council said: for new businesses and SMEs in

“The South Lincolnshire the agri-tech sector, especially Food Enterprise Zone is one of high-tech businesses developing Lincolnshire County Council’s cutting edge technology. most signifi cant projects to date, Businesses interested in locating and it’s progressing quickly. at the site can now contact Pygott

“Utilities and roads for the & Crone for more information and University of Lincoln’s national to register their interest.

What will you see in Lincolnshire during the Big Garden Birdwatch?

World’s largest garden wildlife survey returns, 29-31 January 2021 • Over its four decades, Big Garden Birdwatch has highlighted the winners and losers in the garden bird world, and this year, the RSPB are calling on Lincolnshire residents to take part. • In 2020, nearly half a million people took part, counting almost eight million birds over a three-day period. •For many people, garden birds provide an important connection to nature and bring joy and comfort as well as being vital for our mental health and wellbeing.

Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK will celebrate their love of nature and unite to watch and count the nation’s garden birds over the last weekend in January for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, and the RSPB are counting on Lincolnshire residents to join in too.

This year, we’ve seen how important the natural world is to our mental health and wellbeing. There has been a surge in interest in the nature on our doorsteps and many people have come to rely on garden birds to bring joy and comfort in these unsettling times.

This year’s event takes place on 29, 30 and 31 January 2021. Lincolnshire residents are asked to spend just one hour watching and recording the birds in their garden, balcony or local park, then send their results to the RSPB. Close to half-a-million people join in the Birdwatch every year.

Just one hour every year, for the last four decades, has made the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch the largest garden wildlife citizen science project. Now in its 42nd year, 144 million birds have been counted giving the RSPB an astonishing amount of insight into how our wildlife is faring.

Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s Chief Executive, said: “We know that for many people, garden birds provide an important connection to the wider world and bring enormous joy. Lockdown brought few benefi ts, but the last year has either started or reignited a love of nature for many people. There has been a broad and much-needed realisation that nature is an important and necessary part of our lives especially for our mental health and wellbeing. But nature needs us too.”

While house sparrows and starlings may be the UK’s most commonly sighted birds, a closer look at Big Garden Birdwatch data shows that numbers have in fact dropped

centre for food manufacturing dramatically since the Birdwatch began in 1979. House sparrows are down 53% while starlings are down 80%. It’s a pattern echoed by two more garden favourites, with blackbirds and robins down 46% and 32% respectively.

To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2021, watch the birds in your garden or local park for one hour at some point over the three days. Only count the birds that land, not those fl ying over. Tell us the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total you see in the hour.

The parallel event RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch takes place during the fi rst half of spring term, 6 January – 21 February 2021. This year, it celebrates its 20th anniversary of connecting children with nature in their school grounds. Since its launch, over a million school children and teachers have taken part. Further information can be found at www. rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch

SHOPPERS SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD BANKS

Food poverty remains a area by donating their dividend and growing problem across then also following the Society’s the country, and many advent calendar which suggested families struggle to put donating one essential item most dinner on the table this Christmas. needed by food banks each day. In an e ort to tackle this issue, Captain Wendy Brown, Minister shoppers were being encouraged and current Food Bank Co-ordinator to ‘give a little something’ over the of The Salvation Army Food Bank in festive season. Gainsborough, says that due to the

Alongside 40 local community coronavirus pandemic, donations larders and food banks Lincolnshire are needed now more than ever. Co-op encouraged shoppers She said: “We’re seeing an to donate one item every day unprecedented increase in demand throughout most of December like never before. As unemployment in a food bank advent calendar has been rising, more and more campaign. families are needing help from food

Shoppers were able to easily banks. support good causes in the local “We’re also supported local

Surfl eet fl y-tipper pays the price following South Holland District Council investigation

AWest Pinchbeck man was our investigations have allowed us fi ned last month by South to identify and fi ne the guilty party Holland District Council, in this instance. following an investigation “Whenever our enforcement into fl y-tipping in Surfl eet earlier in team can fi nd suffi cient evidence the year. to bring offenders to justice they

The tip, which took place in will, and I hope this sends the July, saw bagged domestic waste message that fl y-tipping can prove disposed from a vehicle into a hedge much more expensive than using a bottom on Park Road in Surfl eet. responsible, licensed waste carrier. The incident was witnessed by a “It also shows the importance member of the public who reported of the team receiving quick and it to the Council, who then began detailed reports when a fl y-tip does an investigation to identify those take place to allow us to gather as involved. much information as possible. Thank

Using the evidence available you to those who helped us to fi nd a man from West Pinchbeck was those responsible and punish them identifi ed as the offender, receiving accordingly.” a £200 fi xed penalty notice from the It is important that information Council on 14 October, which has about tips is shared quickly and since been paid. in as much detail as possible, to

Councillor Gary Taylor, portfolio allow evidence to be gathered and holder for communities and thorough investigation to take facilities, said: “Regardless of its size place. Reports can be made on the or contents, we cannot and will not Council’s website at www.sholland. tolerate any form of fl y-tipping in gov.uk/reportit or by calling 01775 South Holland, and I am pleased that 761 161. schools to make sure children didn’t go hungry this Christmas. At the moment, demand seems to be fourfold the previous levels. The amount of food packages we used to do in a month - we’re now doing in a week.”

There’s still time to get involved and donations can be dropped o at the collection points in store when you are picking up your essentials. Alternatively, those participating from home, work, or school can save up their donations over the month and take them to food banks, community larders, or dropo points at the end of the advent calendar campaign.

Food banks in the area are actively encouraging donors to save their contributions until early January, when donation numbers tend to decrease, and the extra help is needed most.

Lincolnshire Co-op’s Community Manager, Sam Turner says: “We work closely with local food banks and have seen how important their hard work is, and the huge di erence it makes to the community. We’ve got collection points in all our food stores so it’s easy for shoppers to donate.

“We’re proud to support these vital causes and have been overwhelmed with the support from shoppers”

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