Lincolnshire Pride September 2023

Just like buses, you wait ages for a 75th anniversary to come along, and then two arrive at once. Last month saw the 75th anniversary of the NHS, so we’ve taken a look at how healthcare works in Lincolnshire, conducting a thorough examination of the NHS in the county to check it’s still in good health.

This year also sees the 75th anniversary of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Living in a county that’s so rich in nature and diverse in landscapes, it’s too easy to take its ecology for granted. In fact, the county’s 99 nature reserves and its many important or rare species are managed or monitored by a Trust which in turn relies on 27,000 members and 1,300 volunteers. This month we’ll celebrate this important organisation, responsible for preserving Lincolnshire’s unique coastline, woodland and reserves. Also this month we’re meeting Brad Johnson of RNLI Skegness Lifeboat Station to find out more about an organisation which came to the aid of over 40,000 people across the UK last year, and helps Skegness’s 2.3m holidaymakers to stay safe and enjoy some of the best beaches in the UK. And finally... Lincolnshire’s RAF Coningsby hosted a very special guest recently as HM King Charles III visited the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to meet veterans of the Dambusters’ Operation Chastise. Enjoy images from the event on page 12.

Our best wishes for a wonderful month!

Executive Editor

robin@pridemagazines.co.uk

We’re always looking for scenes of Lincolnshire to feature on our covers and in the magazine. If you’re a budding photographer, email your pictures to the address above!

48 EDUCATION The best local schools.

76 FARMING IN LINCOLNSHIRE

As harvest gets underway, we’re meeting Lincolnshire’s hard-working agricultural communities.

FOOD

52 DINING OUT Brilliant dining South Ferriby’s Hope & Anchor.

56 RECIPES & WINE A great recipe for autumn plums and alcohol-free wine.

HOMES & GARDENS

60 WELCOME HOME A contemporary eco-home in a stunning country setting.

70 HOMES A helping hand in the kitchen.

LIFESTYLE

86 FASHION Country clothing with Alan Paine and luxury accessories.

90 COSMETICS Mellow yellow cosmetics for autumn.

94 WEDDINGS Ruskington’s Amelia and Nathan celebrate their day.

THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE AREA READ PRIDE MAGAZINE

Pride Magazine is delivered free of charge, via Royal Mail, to high value homes in the county. Our circulation is to homes in the top three council tax bands, which are predominantly worth over £300,000. This guarantees the magazine has an affluent readership commensurate with our content. The magazine is also sold in leading newsagents and supermarkets and we also deliver the magazine to local businesses including selected hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, doctors, dentists, executive motor dealerships and golf clubs. This helps to ensure we have a continued presence, right across our catchment area.

Our titles also have more social media fans than any other local magazine. In addition we have over 45,000 online visitors viewing our magazines free of charge, online, on their tablet, computer, laptop or mobile phone via our website, our app, and via the Readly and Issuu platforms. If your business would benefit from being showcased to the wealthiest people in the area, please call our friendly sales team on 01529 469977.

THE PRIDE TEAM

Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson.

Advertising Director: Zoie Wilkinson.

General Manager: Matthew Deere.

Executive Editor: Rob Davis.

Sales Executives: Aisha Joyce, Amy Meader, Mia Garner, Gemma Mills, Yvette Curry.

Accounts Department: Steve Parrish, Margarita Pavlesevica, Chloe Watson, Beth Freeman-Burdass.

Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray.

IT Manager: Ian Bagley. Web Developer: Joe Proctor.

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660,000 visitors to Lincoln Castle...

LINCOLN CASTLE AMONG THE TOP 20 MOST VISITED FREE ATTRACTIONS IN BRITAIN

VisitEngland has named Lincoln Castle among the top 20 most visited free attractions in 2022.

With over 660,000 visitors last year, the castle joins a prestigious list of tourism heavyweights like the Natural History Museum, British Library and Tate Modern in the top 20. In a crowded field of museums and art galleries, Lincoln stands out as the only castle to make the list.

Lincoln Castle general manager, Kimberley Vickers, is delighted to see the medieval monument in the top 20. She said: “After two years affected by the various lockdowns and restrictions, 2022 was a strong return to doing what we do best; providing a warm welcome and a memorable day out.

“Our location in the historic heart of Lincoln means we’re uniquely placed to not

only be a must-see for tourists in the city, but also an ideal green space for locals to meet with friends or enjoy a picnic.”

The huge increase in visitors was undoubtedly

£824m Tourism Boost

helped by a certain friendly fire-breather who took up residence at the castle in April.

“Lucy the Dragon proved so popular that she extended her stay by three months and

this year, Lucy’s return – this time with new friend Norman in tow – has solidified our reputation as the castle of dragons!”

n See www.lincolncastle.com.

RESEARCH REVEALS NEW RECORD

FOR BENEFITS OF TOURISM IN EAST LINDSEY

Tourism in East Lindsey was worth £824m to the local economy in 2022 according to a new report by Global Tourism Solutions.

In terms of visitors, the report found that 4.48million people visited East Lindsey in 2022, up 19%, with 1.92m staying in the district and over two and a half million visiting for the day.

Shopping and enjoying local hospitality were the two most popular activities, with almost £173million spent in the district’s shops and over £163million in its cafés, restaurants, and bars.

8,918 tourism-related jobs were maintained and supported in East Lindsey throughout 2022, the third highest figure since 2011 and showing nearly a full recovery to the pre-pandemic levels of employment in the sector.

£219m of economic impact alone was enjoyed within the Wolds’ AONB.

n Our image shows the new £5m Skegness Pier, Embassy Theatre and new outdoor amphitheatre space, recently approved by ELDC councillors. Redevelopment partners include the Mellors Group and Magna Vitae.

SKEGNESS

LINCOLN

Image: Travellight, via Shutterstock.

Lincolnshire in Bloom

LINCOLNSHIRE LOOKING AHEAD TO 2023 EAST MIDLANDS IN BLOOM COMPETITION

The town of Boston enjoyed a visit from East Midlands in Bloom judges last month in advance of the East Midlands in Bloom Awards Ceremony which will take place in Spalding this month.

Judges were shown around by Alison Fairman, Chair of Boston in Bloom who presented an array of work that volunteers have achieved since last year’s

100,000

entry including Dion’s Wood where 17,000 trees have been planted in the last year, Willoughby Road Allotments, as well as Pilgrims Patch and the Haven Meadow and Custom House Quay with the tour ending at Fydell House.

“Our volunteers always work very hard in all areas in central Boston to help make the town cleaner and greener,” says Alison. n

trees now planted

MAJOR MILESTONE REACHED AS 100,000th NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE TREE IS PLANTED

Conservation repair work on the Alfred Enderby Smokehouse on the Port of Grimsby has just about been completed including the reinstatement of traditional signwriting on the building. Alfred Enderby is one of four companies which form the Grimsby Traditional Fish Smokers Group, which has received EU recognition for its method. Last month’s Pride reported on broader plans by ABP, NELC and GGIFT to rejuvenate the area. n

The 100,000th tree in North Lincolnshire – part of the council’s ambitious plan to create swathes of new green areas across the region – has been planted. The milestone tree was planted on Scunthorpe’s Kingsway as a tribute to King Charles by the council’s cabinet member for environment

David Rose, ambassador for the environment Chris Patterson and Scunthorpe MP Holly Mumby-Croft. The council originally pledged to plant 172,000 trees – one for every person in North Lincolnshire –but this target has been increased to 250,000, as part of the Government’s Northern Forest plan. n

of the country will receive £14m for new Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS). Lincolnshire County Council will lead on this for Lincolnshire; the project is part of a national plan to improve wildlife habitats and biodiversity across England. n

LOCAL NEWS

In Brief

SPALDING

Ayscoughfee tennis courts are set for a £120,000 renovation

Popular tennis courts in Ayscoughfee Gardens in Spalding are set to undergo transformative refurbishment work, thanks to a partnership between South Holland District Council and the Lawn Tennis Association.

LINCOLNSHIRE 48 areas

£14m for Nature

A total of £120,000 will be invested to fully renovate the courts to provide quality facilities to the local community, with £100,000 coming from the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, supported by a £20,000 investment by SHDC. Work will include resurfacing, painting and new fences and gate for the courts, as well as new nets and markings to help improve the experience for players. n

NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE

GRIMSBY

Reinstatement of traditional sign writing ‘down dock...’

BOSTON

Image: NELC.

Image: NLC.

Connect

Networking at the Lincolnshire Showground with KuKu

AWARD-WINNING NETWORKING EVENTS are a speciality of KuKu Connect, which operates in Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

Last month saw the group’s summer reception held in the Tennyson Pavilion of the Lincolnshire Showground’s Epic Centre, with the Chief Executive of the Showground Charlotte Powell attending.

Stephen Goddard and Philip Brooks-Stephenson founded KuKu Connect with the aim of creating an alternative to the usual way business events are run.

“At our Connect Receptions there are no pitches, no presentations and no push, meaning you are free to talk to whoever you like throughout the evening, come and go as you please and if you’re a member, you can access additional ‘member only’ benefits,” says Stephen. For more information on the group, see www.kukuconnect.co.uk.

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

HM King Charles III

visits RAF CONINGSBY

His Majesty King Charles III recently met World War II veterans and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight team at RAF Coningsby

His Majesty The King visited RAF Coningsby recently, meeting Royal Air Force veterans from the Second World War and their modern day counterparts plus those currently serving as part of the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Eighteen veterans, aged 98 to 102, met with His Majesty at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight hangar, along with BBMF aircrew and ground staff as well as Typhoon pilots and ground crew from 29 Squadron.

One of the veterans, Flight Lieutenant Russell ‘Rusty’ Waughman DFC AFC, was a heavy bomber pilot who survived the Nuremburg Raid as well as on separate occasions a mid-air collision and his aircraft being upturned by wind. As a result, he was awarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Force Cross.

The visit was hosted by the RAF station’s Combat Air Force Commander; Air Commodore Howard Edwards. >>

KING CHARLES VISITS RAF CONINGSBY

Above/Main: As part of a wider visit to Lincolnshire, HM The King visits RAF Coningsby and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. HM met BBMF veterans and personnel, as well as personnel from 29 Squadron who took part in the King’s Birthday Flypast.

>> He said: “It has been a real honour to welcome His Majesty, and to provide the opportunity to bring together veterans from the Second World War, the BBMF team that upholds their legacy and the Typhoon pilots and engineers that conduct front line operations today. Overall, a magnificent event that showcases the fantastic people and community that surrounds RAF Coningsby.”

Other veterans included Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC AE who as a Mosquito pilot flew 50 bombing raids, plus Warrant Officer Eddie Humes who was the sole-survivor of a transport aircraft crash only to be captured and imprisoned, and also Iris McClements, who worked in the Royal Observer Corps to plot aircraft movements.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight welcomed His Majesty and distinguished guests to their hangar with a backdrop of World War II Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Lancaster bomber. His Majesty also took great interest in a Chipmunk positioned in the hangar – the same aircraft that the then

Prince Charles learned to fly in during his time at Cambridge University in 1968.

The Officer Commanding of BBMF, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, said: “It was a real privilege to host His Majesty at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. For our veterans and all of those who are part of the BBMF Team this was certainly a day to remember.”

It was also an opportunity for The King, accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, to meet and congratulate members of RAF Coningsby’s 29 Squadron who provided the Typhoon flypast for The King’s Birthday.

29 Squadron formed part of the impressive flypast that took place on 17th June for His Majesty The King’s official Birthday, following Trooping the Colour which took place in the morning on Horse Guards Parade. Eighteen Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth and Coningsby formed a CR, to denote Charles Rex, over the heads of the wowed crowds. n

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight welcomed His Majesty and distinguished guests to their hangar with a backdrop of World War II Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Lancaster bomber...

Photos: Leo Moharram and Nathan Edwards/MOD © Crown Copyright 2023.

GOING WILD

across Lincolnshire

This year sees the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, whose 27,000 members and 1,300 volunteers all help to preserve Lincolnshire’s coastline, woodlands and the charity’s 99 nature reserves. Here, we speak to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive, Paul Learoyd.

Words & Images: Rob Davis & Rachel Shaw.

What makes Lincolnshire so unique as a place for wildlife?

Lincolnshire remains predominantly rural and agricultural but there is a perhaps surprising diversity of landscapes which brings a range of different habitats and associated wildlife.

The long coastline with large sandy beaches, sand dunes, saltmarshes and mudflats, is bordered by the two great estuaries of the Humber and The Wash. In the Isle of Axholme in the north-west there are peatlands and near Market Rasen and Woodhall Spa, remnants of heathlands. The limestone ridge north and south of Lincoln has important grasslands with ancient woodlands in south Kesteven; the central Lincolnshire Clay Vale has nationally important limewoods; the chalk-capped Wolds provide a landscape of rolling hills.

How does the Trust work and what values does it embody?

Since our formation in 1948, the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has been working to protect andrestore wildlife and wild places across Lincolnshire. We currently look after nearly 100 nature reserves, safeguarding the very best of our remaining species and habitats.

Many of these reserves are firmly rooted in our local communities. Both Far Ings and Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserves, for example, were established through the efforts of local passionate naturalists and are supported by local volunteers. Reserves also exemplify the importance of good management to protect and restore rare and fragile habitats and show how it’s possible for nature to return to a landscape that was once quarried, for example at Whisby Nature Park, or under arable crops as at Willow Tree Fen.

We work with many partners including Local Authorities on developing landscapewide projects and the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership as well as Lincolnshire’s Environmental Records Centre.

Our vision is of a thriving natural world, with our wildlife and natural habitats playing a valued role in addressing the climate and ecological emergencies, and people inspired and empowered to take action for nature. We look to establish common cause and work in partnership with others to develop new, innovative ways to put nature in recovery.

Tell us about the larger campaigns and projects the Trust is involved in?

The Origins of the LWT

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust was founded in 1948 by Ted Smith to protect wildlife and wild places in Lincolnshire, from the Humber to The Wash. Today there are 46 individual Wildlife Trusts in the country.

Nature is good for our health and wellbeing and we need nature as much as it needs us. We work across the county to inspire people to love and care for our wildlife. This has been fundamental to the Trust since it was founded. As well as preparing to launch the Trust, in 1948 negotiations had been underway to establish Gibraltar Point as a new kind of nature reserve; one that protected wildlife but also that people were encouraged to visit. On 10 December 1948, the Trust signed a landmark agreement with Lincolnshire County Council to manage Gibraltar Point – a nature reserve that would be open to the public for the quiet enjoyment of nature and for education and research.

The Trust also provides advice on land management, monitors planning applications and runs specialist projects to enhance the region’s biodiversity.

Working in partnership with other important organisations and landowners is key to helping nature recover at a landscape scale; one example is lowland peat. With its capacity to store carbon, peat is becoming increasingly recognised as part of the solution to addressing the climate change crisis.

There are really two major areas of lowland peatland in Greater Lincolnshire: the Fens and the Humberhead Levels. These areas are incredibly important for food production.

However, over time they have seen significant decline in biodiversity and face water resource and flood risk management issues. Through the Fens East Peat Partnership and Humberhead Levels Partnership, many partner organisations have backed our landscape-scale approach to securing and restoring these important peatland areas. >>

Above: Lapwings are one of the highlights of Lincolnshire’s birdlife and namesake of the Trust’s magazine.

>> We are also working collaboratively with local communities through the new National Lottery Heritage Fund supported Nextdoor Nature project. This project aims to bring communities together to empowered them to rewild their neighbourhoods.

The project is giving people the skills, the tools and the opportunity to take action for nature. The focus areas are initially Boston, Cleethorpes, Gainsborough, Grimsby, Mablethorpe, Skegness and South Holland. What difference has the LWT made to the county’s wildlife over the past 75 years?

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has ensured all the key habitats in the county can be protected and secured for the future.

In the 1950s and 1960s, coastal habitats at Gibraltar Point and Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes were saved from proposed caravan sites developments. Wildflower-rich meadows were bought and saved from the plough.

The nature reserves we can visit today could have been lost without the actions of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

23rd-25th SEPTEMBER 2023

THE WILDER LINCOLNSHIRE FESTIVAL...

Go wild in Lincolnshire this month and enjoy a celebration of Lincolnshire’s diverse landscapes whilst celebrating the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s 75th anniversary. The Wilder Lincolnshire Festival takes place at Doddington Hall in September and will feature inspiring advice and practical advice for ‘wilding’ your local greenspace or garden plus activities centred around arts and crafts, guided walks, behind the scenes at the stately home where the rewilding initiative Wilder Doddington is currently underway, plus wildlife identification activities, yoga and mindfulness in nature sessions.

The Wilder Lincolnshire Festival takes place at Doddington Hall near Lincoln on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th September from 11am-4pm, entry is free.

In securing nature reserves, species have been protected and populations have recovered. Successes include plants such as pasqueflower and tall-flowered thrift, birds like the little tern, along with butterflies and other insects, and the rare natterjack toad. Birds that were once lost from Lincolnshire or on the brink have returned including bittern, marsh harrier and crane. The ongoing management of the reserves ensures that they remain suitable for the rare species as well as more common wildlife.

While the effort on nature reserves is often most visible to the visitor, campaigns to improve building design have been necessary to safeguard the future of swift and the sparrowhawk which only returned to Lincolnshire’s skies as steps were taken to reduce pesticide use, notably DDT in the 1960s. The Trust led on this work locally and sadly continues to need to do so, as new damaging chemicals are applied in our countryside.

How will you be celebrating 75 years?

We’re holding a festival in September where people will be about to find out we can all play a part in making Lincolnshire wilder. It’s being held at Doddington Hall which has an inspiring plan to rewild the estate. They are ending arable farming and letting nature take over. The result will be more wildlife and biodiversity; lots more carbon locked away in soils and vegetation; better water quality; and reduced flooding.

With this as the festival backdrop, we hope to inspire people to take action themselves. We’re being joined by some of the communities and other organisations that we work with so there will be lots of practical advice to show what is possible.

We’re also launching a brand-new range of merchandise including t-shirts, mugs and notebooks. There are five designs featuring some of Lincolnshire’s special species including the silver-washed fritillary butterfly and a sleeping hedgehog. The artwork has been created by Jenny Mawson, a student on the final year of the Illustration degree at the University of Lincoln.

As the Trust’s Chief Exec, what challenges are you facing in the future?

Our natural world is in trouble. Wildlife is disappearing at an alarming rate and we live in a time of climate emergency.

But there is still hope. We can tackle both of these critical issues, but we have to act now. By leaving more space for nature, protecting fragile habitats and letting soils, rivers and the atmosphere recover, we will inevitably lock increasing amounts of carbon away.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust was the third county Trust to be formed after Yorkshire and Norfolk, and there are now 46 covering every county in the UK. Wildlife Trusts are all working on nature-based solutions that can contribute to achieving net zero for the UK.

It can also go even further, helping nature and society to adapt to climate change, and simultaneously deliver numerous public co-benefits whilst aiding nature’s recovery. We need a rapid scale up of nature-based solutions to make this happen and ensure nature can play a central and valued role in addressing social challenges including climate change.

We’ve introduced flood resilience and resistance measures to visitor centres on The Wash and Humber Estuary to reduce the risk from major coastal flooding, following major coastal flood events in 2013. New volunteer accommodation on the coast is being built on stilts to provide safe and resilient places for trainees to stay while working at coastal nature reserves.

In the south of the county, at Bourne North Fen, we’re creating an ecosystem-based model of lowland farming. Through the cessation of ploughing and wetting the submerged peat, the site will provide space to store water in a flood as well as capturing more carbon. These ecosystem services will be sold as a trial business model for farmers in the area to replicate.

There is a clearly very concerning news on global climate impacts at the moment, alongside weak progress from the UK Government on mitigation and adaptation policy. But inspiring examples from Lincolnshire and Wildlife Trusts across the UK provide a much-needed dose of positivity and show how seriously we are taking the threat of climate change.

In its 75-year history, The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust hasn’t shied away from a challenge. We want to accelerate and expand our nature-based solutions work to meet the challenge of the climate and nature crises, and we are keen to work with others to make this happen. n

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust FIVE CURRENT CONSERVATION PROJECTS

Our local Wildlife Trust coordinates a number of larger conservation projects including these...

n Nextdoor Nature: Wildlife Trusts across Britain have teamed up with the National Lottery, whose Heritage Fund has made available £5m to provide advice and support to improve dull patches of land in their communities. Help is available in many of Lincolnshire’s communities, allowing those keen to bring nature to their redundant local spaces with hedgehog holes, mini-ponds, wild flower gardens and so on.

n Wilder Humber: Working alongside renewable energy company Ørsted, Wilder Humber is a five-year project designed to restore marine habitats and species throughout the largest tidal estuary on the east coast. It is rebuilding the Humber’s lost oyster population and restoring lost seagrasses.

n FEPP: The Fens East Peat Partnership (FEPP) is highlighting the importance of restoring peatland, areas which are important for absorbing and storing carbon. 99% of the area’s waterlogged peatlands have been damaged by agricultural drainage and urbanisation. FEPP aims to restore them, creating habitats for wildlife to thrive in the process.

GO WILD: A Lincolnshire Nature Reserve Near You...

Whisby Nature Park: Former sand and gravel pits covering 370 acres, now a grassland, marsh, and lakeland habitat. British Dragonfly Society hotspot.

Gibraltar Point, Skegness: 1,000 acres of coastline. The first Official Bird Observatory back 1949 and still one of only 19 sites for monitoring bird populations.

Far Ings, Barton: 220 acres of reserve on the banks of the Humber. Reedbeds, meadows, freshwater and saltwater ponds. The reserve has been home to bitterns since 2000.

Snipe Dales, Spilsby: Country park and nature reserve covering 220 acres, with mixed woodland, wet valleys and scrubland.

Willow Tree Fen, Spalding: Created in 2009, formerly intensively farmed land, now a Fenland habitat for lapwings, skylarks and from 2020, nesting cranes.

Deeping Lakes: 160 acres of flooded gravel pits now home to wildfowl and waterbirds. Terns, plovers and lapwings are all in residence. n

n Humberhead Levels Partnership: The LWT is one of 12 organisations working together to create an internationally renowned, unique network of wetlands in a predominantly agricultural landscape, whilst supporting thriving communities and wildlife. The 2,000km2 landscape in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire drains 20% of England.

n Dynamic Dunescapes: Work is also underway to restore 26.5km coastline including the wild-flower rich SaltfleetbyTheddlethorpe dunes and Gibraltar Point dunes. Species which will benefit include the natterjack toad, wild orchids and plus a range of plants, mosses and lichens.

For more information on any of the above see www.lincstrust.org.uk.

Paul Learoyd, chief executive of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY...

SPILSBY

THURSDAY 7th SEPTEMBER

ORIGINS OF GARDEN BIRDS

Talk with guest speaker Robert Oates about the origins of our familiar garden birds.

n From 7.30pm, Franklin Hall, Spilsby.

SCUNTHORPE

THURSDAY 14th SEPTEMBER

UGANDA: GORILLA AND CHIMPANZEE TREKKING

Join Scunthorpe and Brigg Area Group for a talk on African wildlife, with guest speaker, John Davison.

n From 7.30pm, St Hugh’s Church, Scunthorpe.

SKEGNESS

SATURDAY 16th SEPTEMBER

GREAT BRITISH BEACH CLEAN

All equipment will be provided. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring gloves if you have them. Please note there is a charge for the car park.

n Anderby Creek, Skegness PE24 5XW.

SLEAFORD

TUESDAY 19th SEPTEMBER

BIRDS, BUGS AND OTHER WILDLIFE IN HUNGARY

Join Sleaford Area Group as Geoff Trinder gives a talk on birds, bugs and other wildlife found in Hungary.

n Winchelsea Hall, Silk Willoughby, NG34 8PG.

BARTON ON HUMBER

WEDNESDAY 20th SEPTEMBER

BARTON AREA GROUP AGM AND HEDGEHOG EVENING

Join the Barton on Humber area group for its annual general meeting followed by an evening of hedgehogs hosted by Andrew’s Hedgehog Hospital.

n Far Ings Road, DN18 5RG.

LINCOLN

SATURDAY 7th OCTOBER

FAMILY FUNGI FORAY

Explore a great variety of fungi. Autumn is the best time to explore this little-visited world

n £3 per person, please pay on the day in cash.

Whisby Nature Park, Thorpe, LN6 9BW.

Booking in advance is essential by emailing whisbyeducation@lincstrust.co.uk.

For more conservation and nature events across Lincolnshire, see www.lincstrust.org.uk/events

NATURE IN NUMBERS: Fact & Figures...

27,000: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has 27,000 members who receive the Trust’s 50-page Lapwings magazine three times a year and enjoy access to nearly 100 reserves.

8,520: The number of acres under the custodianship of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

1,300: 1,300 volunteers and 78 full-time members of staff work with the Trust.

99: There are 99 nature reserves across Lincolnshire, each with its own unique geography and range of species. The beauty of the county is of course its wide variety of landscapes from chalk streams to coastlines, limewoods to marshlands, quarries to fenland.

75: Established in 1948, the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. It’s one of 46 trusts across the UK and was the successor to the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Trust, led by Ted Smith.

16: Lincolnshire has 16 Wildlife Trust area groups, covering the whole of the county.

10: Encouraging young people to take an interest in nature is an important part of the Trust’s mission. There are three education centres in the county, plus 10 Wildlife Watch groups for those aged six to 14, and four Nature Tots groups for children up to five years old. n

The Grow with Nature Club at Hawthorn Tree School in Boston, took the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s Young Environmentalist Award 2023.

The Grow with Nature Club at Hawthorn Tree School in Boston, took the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s Environmentalist Award 2023.

Lapwing:

Considered one of the most revered bird species in Lincolnshire, the Lapwing is a ‘red list’ conservation species. The distinctive rounded wings of the lapwing span 84cm and are displayed beautifully when it wheels around a winter sky in a massive flock. In spring, these flocks disperse and some birds breed in the UK. Listen out for their ‘peewit’ calls on grasslands and wetlands. n

Common Crane:

The Common Crane as the UK’s tallest bird and is instantly recognisable with the ruffle of tail feathers and very long legs. Their bugling call is also very distinctive. With a wingspan of over two metres, the large birds have been successfully reintroduced from the brink of extinction with 71 pairs observed across the UK in 2022. The species can be seen at Willow Tree Fen Reserve near Spalding. n

Silver-washed Fritillary:

The silver-washed fritillary butterfly gets its name from the silver streaks on its underside. It is on the wing in summer, preferring sunny glades in woodlands. Despite declines, its range has spread over recent years. It can be seen from June to August around woodland habitats like Lincolnshire’s limewoods and reserves like Snipe Dales and Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln. n

Grey Seal

A favourite at Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in the winter months, the grey seal is the larger of two UK seal species. From about November the seals return to Donna Nook to give birth to their pups: adorable white ball of fluff. Despite how adorable they look though, visitors should always be mindful of the distress that too much fuss can cause a new-born seal pup and their protective parent. n

LWT Area Groups

Local Trust contacts, right across Lincolnshire...

Alford & Mablethorpe: John Richardson www.lincstrust.org.uk/alford-mablethorpe

Barton Upon Humber: Vernon Chapman, www.lincstrust.org.uk/barton

Boston: Gillian Walsh, www.lincstrust.org.uk/boston

Bourne: Vin Fleming, www.lincstrust.org.uk/bourne

Gainsborough: Dan Bardsley, www.lincstrust.org.uk/gainsborough

Grantham: John Chadwick, www.lincstrust.org.uk/grantham

Grimsby & Cleethorpes: Jennie Redpath, www.lincstrust.org.uk /grimsby-cleethorpes

Horncastle & Woodhall Spa: Viv Rhodie, www.lincstrust.org.uk /horncastle-woodhall

Isle of Axholme: Tony Lee, www.lincstrust.org.uk/isle-of-axholme

Lincoln: Janet Mellor, www.lincstrust.org.uk/lincoln

Louth: Biff Vernon, www.lincstrust.org.uk/louth

Market Rasen: Charles Palmer, www.lincstrust.org.uk/market-rasen

Scunthorpe & Brigg: Eddie Gaunt, www.lincstrust.org.uk/scunthorpe-brigg

Sleaford: Anthea Ashmore, www.lincstrust.org.uk/sleaford

South Holland: Nicholas Watts, www.lincstrust.org.uk/south-holland

Spilsby: Stef Round, www.lincstrust.org.uk/spilsby

How to get involved: There are many ways to get involved in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, from becoming a member from as little as £27/year, to taking part in your local Area Group activities, getting your kids involved with Nature Tots or Wildlife Watch or by volunteering for the Trust. For more information on any of the above, call 01507 526667 or see www.lincstrust.org.uk.

75 Years of the NHS

Every single day across Lincolnshire, a miracle occurs. Thousands of people receive healthcare free at the point of delivery, thanks to 13,000 dedicated professionals working in GP practices, hospitals and within the community....

Words: Rob Davis. Image: Dr Elton Pardoe, Dr Vindi Bhandal and Dr Gaspar Da Silva, partners at Sleaford Medical Group.

WHO DOES WHAT...?

The NHS in Lincolnshire

In Lincolnshire the NHS serves 813,119 people, it’s used by 10,000 people daily. 13,211 people are employed by it directly, with a further 2,000 staff across GP practices, pharmacies etc...

The NHS is quite a complicated organisation to say the least. At its core is the Integrated Care Board or ICB, which receives an overall budget from NHS England and distributes its budget to ‘buy’ services. The ICB is part of our Integrated Care Service, known as Better Lives Lincolnshire, which serves as the title for the overall strategy of healthcare delivered by its partners, like the ICB, Lincolnshire County Council and East Midlands Ambulance Service – which is one of just ten ambulance services operating throughout the UK.

The ICB is responsible for providing Primary Care in Lincolnshire, which means it funds the delivery – by contract – of general practice by 81 privately owned and run GP surgeries and 113 pharmacies. The ICB also has overall responsibility for the distribution of the NHS budget for Lincolnshire. Providing mental health care and support for those with learning difficulties in Lincolnshire is the Lincolnshire Primary Foundation Trust (LPFT) which works under contract to the ICB too.

The ICB also contracts the Lincolnshire Community Healthcare Service (LCHS) to run community hospitals such as Spalding’s Johnson Hospital and County Hospital in Louth, as well as community nursing and at-home medical (i.e.: not social) care in the county (e.g.: stroke rehabilitation). Finally, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (ULHT) provides hospital facilities in Lincoln, Boston and Grantham in partnership with the ICB. However, additional hospitals in Scunthorpe and Grimsby are funded by a separate ICB; the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership. Currently, NHS dentistry comes from a different source, although it may fall within the remit of the ICB in the future.

The ICB replaced the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) from 1st July 2022, to better integrate healthcare services. n

IN MEDICAL PARLANCE, the NHS’s condition is probably best described as being ‘in a serious but stable’ condition.

With the advent of the 75th anniversary of modern healthcare in Britain, the government has tackled Covid-19, taken action to ensure the training of new doctors including the opening of five new medicals schools –such as the one at the University of Lincoln – and it is taking on more staff, whilst increasing NHS funding by 3.8% in real terms over the next three years.

That’s not to say that the system isn’t under pressure though with demand still exceeding provision. In 1948 just prior to the creation of the NHS, infant mortality was 26,766 annually, and today, that figure is 2,323.

Life expectancy in 1900 was just 47, rising to 64 in 1945 and 81 in 2020. Overall the population of Britain has increased from 41m in 1900, to 50m in 1948 and 67m today. Today, NHS patients have more treatment options, with ever-greater sophistication in medicines, procedures and technology.

75

YEARS OF THE NHS

Dr Caroline Johnson, MP & Paediatric Consultant

The NHS invests millions in MRI scanners, computer networks and robots to assist in surgery; technology that Aneurin Bevan could never have envisaged in 1948 when, as Minister of Health, he announced the National Health Service Act at Park Hospital Trafford.

Despite the demand for the NHS’s services, and the expense and scale of the organisation, Dr Caroline Johnson, who is both an MP for Sleaford & North Hykeham, but also a consultant paediatrician working in the NHS, remains adamant that in another 25 years when we’re celebrating its centenary, the decisions being made today will ensure Britain can continue to provide healthcare that’s free at the point of use, exactly as was envisioned back in 1948.

actually there are plenty of similarities,” says Caroline. “Both involve working long hours, commitment, and they require you to have a really strong sense of empathy. But both professions allow you to look after people and improve their lives, too.”

Health in Lincolnshire

79.3% of Lincolnshire folk report being in good health! Females live 4.5yrs longer than males. Life expectancy is 79.4 (men) and 82.9 (women), both slightly below the national average. There were 6,559 births in the county in 2021.

Caroline was raised on Teesside. In 2001 she married husband Nik, returned from honeymoon and also graduated from Newcastle University Medical School all within a month, moving down to Lincolnshire and working locally, as a Junior House Officer in Lincolnshire, then a Senior House Officer and specialist registrar in Nottingham.

“At first glance, politics and healthcare would seem to be disparate professions but

“When I began working in community paediatrics I’d just had nine months off looking after our first child, Rosie. I’d been there for her, attended mother and baby groups and Tumble Tots, and I had really enjoyed spending time with her.” >>

NHS in Numbers: Healthcare nationally and right here in Lincolnshire...

n In July 2022, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) were replaced by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), of which there are 42 in England plus 14 regional healthcare boards in Scotland and Wales.

n The NHS employs 350,593 nurses, midwives & health visitors, and 1,257,395 people in total, an increase of 24% from 2010.

n As of May 2023, there were 36,468 fully qualified GPs working in the NHS in England.1 As of November 2022, there were 132,902 doctors in England’s hospital and community health services. This is 21% higher than five years ago and 33% higher than ten years ago.

n In January 2023 there were about 29.5 million GP appointments in England. That’s 11% more appointments than January 2020.

n Since December 2016, the number of permanent qualified GPs in England has fallen by 6.2%, from 28,375, to 26,629 in January 2023 The number of GPs in training, however, has risen from 5,625 in December 2016 to 9,138 in January 2023.

n An average of 43,241 people visit A&E every day. A further 23,854 attend minor injuries/walk-in facilities; 13% and 32% up on 2013. There is an average of 12,363 admissions to hospital via A&E daily.

n As of January 2023, there were 7.2m patients on the waiting list for treatment in England. In Dec 2018 there were 4.5m patients on the list.

n In 2022 there were 322,637 nurses in England’s hospital and community health services. This is 15.8% higher than five years ago.

How much does it cost to run the NHS?

For the financial year 2023/24, the Department of Health & Social Care’s budget is £160.4bn, of which 85% (£136.34bn) is passed directly on to the NHS. The NHS spends £71.5bn on staff costs, £32.1bn on procurement, £14.9bn on Primary Care (e.g.: GPs), £9.2bn on prescriptions and £19.7bn on non-NHS healthcare (e.g.: dentistry).2 The NHS’s real-terms budget will increase by 2% to 3.8% in 2024.3

What happened in the NHS in Lincolnshire from 2022/23?

n Lincolnshire’s NHS Budget was £1.23bn for 2022/23.

n The NHS workforce in Lincolnshire (whole time equivalent) is 13,211.

n Lincolnshire’s Integrated Care Board (ICB) serves 813,119 patients.

n In Lincolnshire, the NHS owns or leases 206 different sites: 118 primary care sites, three acute sites, 44 mental health sites and 41 community sites.

n Lincolnshire has 81 GP surgeries. There are 2,230 patients to every GP.4

n There are 113 pharmacies across Lincolnshire.

n There were 4,853,123 primary care (GP) appointments in 2022/23.

n 141,361 people attended A&E in Lincolnshire in 2022/23.

n 288,102 people had surgical interventions/diagnostic procedures.

n There were 694,776 outpatient appointments and 68,309 admissions.

n Community healthcare staff made contact with patients 811,333 times.

n 190,593 calls for an ambulance were made in Lincolnshire in 2022/23.

Birth of the NHS: 75 years of healthcare...

Prior to 1948 there was such a thing as free healthcare, with general practices covering workers from 1911 via Lloyd George’s National Insurance Act. However, healthcare services were run independently (disorganised or at least run inconsistently) by volunteers or organisations like the Red Cross. Hospital treatment was not covered without membership of contributory schemes. By 1948 about half the population could access GP and hospital services, but following the 1942 Beverage Report by the eponymous Liberal economist, the Conservative MP and Health Minister, Henry Willink advanced the notion of a National Health Service in 1944. When Clement Attlee’s Labour Party won the 1945 election he appointed Aneurin Bevan as Health Minister, who formally proposed the service in Westminster. At the launch of the NHS by Bevan on 5th July 1948, the service had at its heart three core principles which endure today: that it meet the needs of everyone, that it be free at the point of delivery, and that it should be based on clinical need, not an ability to pay. n

1948: NHS formed to provide free healthcare at the point of delivery.

1956/7: Immunisation begins for polio/whooping cough and diphtheria.

1960: First kidney transplant and pacemaker, first hip replacement performed in 1962.

1968: Measles vaccine is introduced.

1972: CT scans introduced.

1978: First ‘test tube’/IVF baby.

1979: First heart transplant.

1980: MRI scanners introduced.

Keyhole surgery used for the first time.

1988: Free breast screening is introduced to reduce breast cancer deaths in women over 50, the first of its kind in the world

1994: Organ donor register set up.

2000: NHS Walk-In centres set up.

2012: DNA mapping announced which will lead to more precise treatment.

2013: Cancer Drugs Fund is established creating a national list of approved fast-track drugs giving uniform access to treatment across the country.

2018: NHS England announces children in England will be the first in the Europe to access personalised cancer medicine.

2020: Covid vaccine launches. 90-year old Margaret Keenan is the first to receive it.

2022: NHS staff awarded George Cross. n

“But with that there comes a realisation that some children have contrasting experiences. I worked alongside families of children with chronic illnesses, with the children seeking asylum, children with conditions like ADHD and those who were the subject to child protection concerns or emotional and physical abuse.”

“It was those experiences that made me realise that as well as a need to offer healthcare, we can offer help to children by other means. In medicine you tend to take care of one person at a time, whilst in politics you can make pre-emptive changes and create policy to help in other ways.”

Caroline’s early political interest was in working with the Young Conservatives back on Teesside, helping a local councillor to leaflet-drop. In 2008 she approached the regional director of the party with a view to becoming involved in politics within her area and contested the Scunthorpe seat in 2010.

Following the resignation of Stephen Phillips in November 2016 Caroline stood as a candidate for the constituency of Sleaford & North Hykeham in 2017 and remains the area’s MP to this day.

She has served as Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State for Mental Health and Public Health and also sat on the Education Select Committee until October 2022. She is now a member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee.

Caroline also continues to serve as a consultant paediatrician working for the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, raising an interesting point about the relevance of MPs working in other professions.

“In the same way it’s important to have politicians all over the country to reflect the differences from constituency to constituency, having politicians from different professions helps to improve the diversity of knowledge and the richness that MPs can bring to the House,” she says.

Above/Left: Aneurin Bevan talking to a patient on 5th July 1948 at Park Hospital in Davyhulme, near Manchester on the day the NHS came into being. Image: Creative Commons.

Opposite: Dr Caroline Johnson, MP and Paediatric Consultant, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

“During Covid-19 I worked as a volunteer vaccinator and carried on working in the health service, which ensured I had first-hand experience of the pandemic which makes my insight and experience of it more relevant back in the Commons.”

Similarly, Caroline’s role as a working medic not only underwrites her ability to guide policy but to know what we should expect of healthcare and how the NHS should deliver it.

“Lincolnshire is making good progress in clearing the backlog of those awaiting diagnosis and treatment, with Grantham’s new Community Diagnostic Centre, for example, and with the replacement of CCGs (Clinical Commissioning Groups) with ICBs (Integrated Care Boards) which allows for greater autonomy and flexibility at a local level.”

“The opening of Lincoln Medical School took place in 2018 which means the first students from the school will be on the wards this year and will become newly qualified doctors next year. In conjunction with the publication last month of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and as waiting list pressures from Covid ease, that means we should see staff pressures easing in a way that’s sustainable for the future and in a way which will reduce agency spending and achieve one of the current government’s five priorities.”

“We’ve been working closely with Stuart Mumby-Croft of Lincolnshire Police, based in Sleaford, to raise awareness of the fact that what was once seen as a means of smoking cessation has instead become a health concern in itself with illegal vapes containing such concerning substances as antifreeze and carcinogenic or toxic substances. We’re keen to define what constitutes a dangerous vaping product and take action against those which will harm young people.”

This, Caroline says, is an example of the way healthcare can influence politics and vice versa for more joined-up thinking on health policy, led by a government which recognises the need to invest in the NHS for the future.

This Month’s Baby Boom

Statistically, 27th September is the busiest day for British labour wards. Count back nine months and ahem... Christmas and New Year festivities were in full swing. About 2,000 people are born on that day each year, 200-300 babies more than on a typical day!

“In June I was proud to attend the opening of two new mental health wards run by LPFT and based at Lincoln County Hospital, which are state-of-the-art in terms of the equipment they possess and which offer a more therapeutic environment.”

“More broadly, the Government is keen to ensure that as well as making people live longer, they also live better. Our aim is to increase life expectancy by five years through tackling obesity, promoting exercise, ensuring good air quality and by approaching new healthcare challenges that arise.”

“At the end of June, Laranya Caslin, the headteacher of St George’s Academy in Sleaford gave evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee of the prevalence of vaping in schools.”

“In the past few years we have seen government and the NHS work together to

ensure an incredibly successful Covid-19 vaccination rollout, and we’re seeing ever-greater innovation in healthcare from the result of stem cell research to genomics – to better understand the underlying cause of diseases – to technology and the facilitation of drugs which are personalised to the individual – particularly in the field of oncology – to increase their efficacy.”

“The NHS has remained at the forefront of innovation for the past 75 years and I strongly believe that will continue into the future.”

“But I think what we can really be proud of is the daily miracles that are performed every day by those working in a health service that, having evolved and adapted into the 21st century, has also retained its original principle of providing free healthcare at the point of use, for everybody in Britain.” n

“What we can really be proud of is the daily miracles that are performed every day by those working in a health service that, having evolved and adapted, has also retained its original principle of providing free healthcare at the point of use...”

STORIES FROM THE FRONTLINE WORKING in the NHS

This month we’re meeting some of the most dedicated people in the NHS working hard to keep Lincolnshire healthy!

60 Years in Nursing:

Howard Straughen-Simpson joined the NHS as a Cadet Nurse back in 1962 at the age of 17 and retired in January this year after a 60year career in nursing.

“When I started my nurse training, my salary for the year was £290. However the feeling of helping others provided me with immeasurable reward, and that has never gone away,” says Howard.

Howard worked as a nurse in London and Hull, and as a charge nurse in London specialising in trauma. He went on to qualify as a mental health nurse, a role which inspired much of his career. He was a nursing lecturer in both London and the midlands, and held roles as a senior nurse tutor and assistant director of nurse education. When most people would be planning their retirement, Howard joined ULHT in 2008 as a Senior Psychotherapist. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he spent his time supporting NHS staff on the front line by going to different units and some wards and providing a therapeutic service to staff.

To coincide with the NHS’s 75th anniversary, Howard was nominated for an NHS Parliamentary Award by Dr Caroline Johnson, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, alongside another Lincolnshire NHS hero, Martyn Staddon, for his work creating a unified patient experience reporting board.

To mark his retirement, Howard was presented with a replica of the George Cross medal that was awarded to the NHS by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. n

Words & Images: Rob Davis / ULHT.

The 84 Year Old Porter: Peter Quinlan

Peter ‘Snowy’ Quinlan is an 84-year-old hospital porter in Lincoln who says he has no plans to stop working as he enjoys helping patients so much. Peter originally came to work at Lincoln County Hospital for three months but he is still transporting patients around the site 23 years later! He not only brightens up the day for patients, but also the NHS colleagues he meets throughout his shift.

“I really love it, especially being part of such a great team. It’s so lovely and a privilege to be able to put able to talk to patients and to be able to put a smile on their faces during what is often a really worrying or stressful time.” n

Three generations of one family have cared for patients at Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital. Jane Dalton has worked in the NHS for 49 years and still loves her job as a Labour ward co-ordinator and midwife. Caring for others clearly runs in Jane’s family as her mum Molly Dalton started her training as a nurse at the inception of the NHS in 1948 and she was a sister in A&E before she retired at 63. Jane’s daughter Robyn has also followed in their footsteps and is a deputy ward manager on the hospital’s maternity ward. “This has been not only a lifelong profession, but a passion too,” says Jane. “When I do eventually retire, I hope that will be a legacy. But the real legacy, I hope, will be the most caring, competent and kindest clinical midwife who has followed in my footsteps: my daughter!” n

The Children’s Nurse: Anne Cooper’s 45 years in the NHS...

A children’s nurse who started her training at Great Ormond Street – the hospital for sick children, straight from school – says despite all of the changes in the NHS, caring for others is why she is still working after 45 years.

Anne Cooper, was just 16 years old when she applied to be a nurse and two years later she started her training in London.

During her career, Anne has worked at several children’s hospitals in London and the south of England where she became a ward sister, before she relocated to Lincolnshire in 1995.

Anne said: “When I qualified it was the era of the starched aprons and hats. I can remember parents only being allowed to visit at the weekends.”

“We were everything to those children, especially those that would stay for weeks, months or even years in some cases. None of the machines were computerised and we did everything manually or by sight.”

Anne officially retired in 2020. However, one month later the pandemic began and she returned to the hospital to help out.

“I’ll continue to do this for as long as I enjoy it. I love to care for others. A simple thank you from a family really does make a big difference.”

“However, at the end of the day knowing that you have helped a child, when they needed you most, really is the only reward we need. There is no better feeling in the world!” n

Mother & Daughter: Jane & Robyn Dalton...

Lincolnshire Orthopaedic Surgeon, Vel Sakthivel: Proud to be making Lincolnshire a centre of excellence...

A hospital surgeon says he is proud to be part of the team helping to make Lincolnshire a national leader in treating surgical patients who have had their treatment delayed due to the pandemic and especially creating a centre of excellence for orthopaedic surgery.

Vel Sakthivel is the Divisional Clinical Director for Surgery at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and an orthopaedic surgeon.

Mr Sakthivel started his surgical training in India, before coming to join the NHS at Leighton Hospital in Crewe to continue his work, he then became an Orthopaedics Consultant while working at University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Southampton.

He joined the Orthopaedics Team at Grantham and District Hospital in September 2014 and is so proud of what has been achieved by the team since then.

He said: “Not only do we have some of the newest and state-of-the-art theatres in the

country, but surgeons love to operate here and following an independent review and assessment by a national team we have been named as one of only eight elective surgical hubs in the country in the initial pilot program from the National GIRFT (Get It Right First Time) team.”

“We have also recently been highlighted as having the shortest length of stay in the country following hip and knee replacement surgeries. This really is brilliant news for our patients and wonderful recognition for our teams.”

Vel, whose wife is also an anaesthetist working at the Trust, says he is so proud to work for the NHS.

He added: “I honestly believe that the care and service provided by the NHS is one of the best in the world. This is why we chose to come here and work all of those years ago.”

“I am so proud of what we have achieved as a Trust and am really looking forward to what we can do in the future for the people of Lincolnshire.” n

* The original healthcare facility was in rented premises within St Swithins, opening in November 1769 before a hospital was created on Lincoln’s Drury

Lane between 1776 and 1777. In 1878 a new purpose-built hospital was opened on Sewell Road, designed by Alexander Graham. It was named Lincoln County Hospital. ** Boston Cottage Hospital opened in 1871 and moved from temporary premises to a purpose-built facility in Bath Gardens just off Skirbeck Road with an outpatients’ department added in 1926, a nurses’ home in 1934 and maternity unit in 1936. A new building was proposed and a design competition held in 1961. The first phase of a new hospital, named after The Pilgrim Fathers, opened in 1971 with subsequent phases officially opened by HRH Princess Anne on 27th June 1977.

Below: Our hospitals in numbers. Lincoln County Hospital has around 6,158 staff, Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital has around 3,146 staff and Grantham & District Hospital has 952 members of staff. (Figures Sep 2022)

Meet the GPs:

What’s the best thing about being a doctor and what persuaded you to become a GP?

Undoubtedly the best part of the job is that you can be there for the patient, helping them and becoming familiar with their needs. Before becoming a GP my doctor was there for me, and even having an appointment with him made me feel better. It’s a chance to provide reassurance as well as access to treatment or medicine.

How great is the workload for a modern GP and what challenges are you facing as a profession?

The workload is greater than ever and I don’t think there’s a single GP anywhere that doesn’t long for more time to spend with their patients.

Be Nice To Receptionists!

GPs retiring and the delay in ensuring new doctors are entering general practice have both created a strain, but our commitment as a profession is still very much to offering the best possible care to all of our patients.

Has the profession changed with the advent of new technology and is modern living having an adverse effect on our health?

The digitisation of records and their storage online has resulted in much more efficient ways to access patient information and ensure the process from primary care to follow-up diagnostics and treatment is more prompt. The internet, though, does tempt people to self-diagnose... not always reliably!

Modern life is definitely faster in pace with more screen time and work emails constantly flashing up on your phone screens often proving a real source of anxiety for many in society. It may be conventional advice but it’s still sound: keep active, watch your weight, look after yourself and enjoy a healthy diet to stave off conditions like diabetes. Enjoy life, too, and live happily, with as little stress as possible! What do you need as GPs from government, from the NHS and from patients themselves to help you deliver healthcare effectively?

From central government: long term funding and a commitment to work towards efficiency. From patients: attend an appointment if you make one, and do look after your health. n

Matters of Life & Death: Five Common Conditions...

The top five conditions that patients who are registered with GP practices in Lincolnshire sought help for in 2021/22 were: hypertension (high blood pressure) which affects one in four adults, then depression, which is thought to affect one in six people. That’s followed by obesity (impacting an estimated 25% of population). The next most common condition is diabetes which, as of April 2023, now affects 5m people. Type 2 diabetes is most common, accounting for 90% of those with the condition. The fifth most common health complaint is asthma, which affects one in 12 adults, plus one in every 11 children, or 5.4m people overall. Sadly, in 2021 there were 9,128 deaths in Lincolnshire, of which 31.3% were before their 75th birthday. 25.9% were those with underlying cardiovascular disease, 25.2% had underlying cancer, 10.7% involved Covid-19, and 3.5% had COPD. n

n The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance has its helicopter, of course, but also two Critical Care cars plus highly-skilled doctors and paramedics who can carry out life-saving advanced procedures on scene before transferring patients to the hospital. The service receives no NHS or direct government funding and responded to 1,620 incidents in 2022. Keeping the service operational each year costs £10 million.

www.ambucopter.org.uk.

n LIVES is a Lincolnshire based charity made up of volunteer first responders who give up their free time to respond. LIVES is passionate about bringing people together to give them the confidence to respond to 999 medical emergencies including cardiac arrests, traffic collisions and falls, using their skills and knowhow to improve patient outcomes.

www.lives.org.uk.

n Macmillan is on hand to provide information and support following a cancer diagnosis or during treatment. www.macmillan.org.uk

n Providers of nursing care like St Barnabas (stbarnabashospice.co.uk) and Marie Curie (mariecurie.org.uk) help to support the NHS as it provides palliative care.

A report by the Institute of General Practice Management reports that 75% of GP admin or reception staff receive abuse on a daily basis. It’s unfair, since their job is to guide patients towards the most appropriate clinicians... if they ask a question, they’re not just ‘being nosy’ as is sometimes (very unfairly) suggested!

The main remit of this feature is the NHS, but it would be remiss to overlook the voluntary healthcare sector and its contribution to looking after patients in Lincolnshire...

Above: Dr Elton Pardoe, Dr Vindi Bhandal and Dr Gaspar Da Silva, partners at Sleaford Medical Group, sleafordmedicalgroup.co.uk.

Brad Johnson & The RNLI SAVING LIVES AT SEA

Every year 2.3 million people find themselves in Skegness, making the most of the coast. Central to their experience is enjoying its coastline, the safety of which is underwritten by the RNLI, the voluntary emergency service which celebrates its 200th anniversary next year.

“IT’S A SHAME. We wish we could make every outcome a good one,” says Brad Johnson. From RNLI Skegness Lifeboat Station we’re reflecting on the sad fact that between our making an appointment to visit the crew, and our arrival the following week, the importance of the service was proven with the rescue of one youngster and the recovery of another further up the East Coast by another station.

“It affects us all. We all have families. And it’s following the most difficult outcomes that we rely the most on our ability to be there for each other as a team; a team which looks after each other as much as we look after those enjoying the beach or sea. Without that sense of togetherness, we’d all find it hard to go on the next callout or to continue to volunteer in a role we love so much.”

It’s a poignant start to a conversation which is otherwise about the sense of fulfilment Brad and the team derive from their work and from the working relationship they enjoy between themselves. A birthday card is being passed around the station for everyone to sign. Brad pauses to write a short, light-heated note about the recipient only having another 15 years on the inshore lifeboat, which volunteers usually step down from the inshore lifeboat at age 55.

“The inshore lifeboat (ILB) can be pretty uncomfortable; you’re on your knees, being shaken around by the waves,” he explains.

“But I’d say that 80 or 90 per cent of our jobs involve taking the ILB because most callouts are this side of the wind turbines, along the shoreline – which are about three miles out – and because we can get it in the water much quicker than the all-weather lifeboat.”

Words: Rob Davis.

The first thing to note about the RNLI is that the organisation is funded entirely by charity: donations, legacies and fundraising events. The RNLI receives no funding from central or local government but works closely with government agencies such as the Police, Ambulance and Coastguard.

2024 will see the 200th anniversary of the RNLI, founded by Sir William Hillary who lived on the Isle of Man. In its history the service has saved over 144,000 lives so far.

In 2022, the RNLI’s lifesavers across 238 lifeboat stations saved 506 lives, and came to the aid of nearly 40,000 people (39,680). RNLI lifeboats – which are manned mostly by volunteers who give up their time for free –launched 9,312 times last year. That’s in addition to delivering lifeguard services to 242 lifeguarded beaches – like Skegness’s Central Beach – and engaging with the public in the provision of education to ensure the promotion of water safety.

The RNLI: In Numbers...

n The RNLI celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2024 and has saved 144,000 lives to date.

n There are 238 lifeboat stations and 65,600 operational crew, plus 449 lifeboats in the fleet.

n In 2021 the service came to the aid of 12,903 people and 232 animals.

n Skegness has over 30 operational crew members and 40 non-operational members supporting the service. The station has only one salaried member of staff, its mechanic.

n RNLI Skegness Lifeboat Station two lifeboats are its Shannon-class All Weather Lifeboat, and its D-class Inland lifeboat. The number of callouts each year range from 40-70.

Perhaps the next most remarkable aspect of the service is that the operational staff –there are about 30 at the RNLI Skegness Lifeboat Station – are all volunteers who typically live within five minutes or so of the station. Only the station’s mechanic is employed by the service as they’re responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the station’s £2m all-weather Shannon-class lifeboat.

In the event of a 999 call, the caller will speak with the Coastguard (which is funded by the Department of Transport). The RNLI’s assets (e.g..: operational staff and lifeboats) are resources available to the Coastguard, which will request a tasking via a pager from a station’s Launch Authority. Technically, the Launch Authority has the ability to express any reservations about a suggested launch in the interest of their crew’s safety as well as the appropriateness of the lifeboat for an incident, but if the Launch Authority ratifies the launches, still the Coxswain or Helm of the lifeboat also has the decline a deployment if they deem any element unsafe. This is called the Triple Lock, and ensures that all launches have the agreement of the Coastguard, Launch Authority and Commander to ensure the most effective and safe launch.

In reality, though, the Coastguard, Launch Authority and coxswain are all familiar with the nature of the work and have a close working relationship based on experience and trust. That being the case, they’re almost always in agreement about a launch. In which case, the crew’s pagers are then activated, and the volunteer crew gets to the station, with more information and dynamic risk assessments constantly informing the team of an evolving incident. >>

Left: Brad Johnson at RNLI Skegness Lifeboat Station.

>> Missing children on beaches, inflatables which have drifted out to sea, those who get into difficulty in the water and stranded vessels all contribute to the RNLI’s workload.

“It wouldn’t be correct to apportion blame for any of the incidents we attend,” says Brad. “Sometimes it’s a case of bad luck or changing weather conditions which are factors in the incidents that we attend. Sometimes a lack of experience for pleasure craft owners can occasionally be a factor, but people enjoying a day at the beach or on the sea are rarely able to anticipate immediate danger.”

“However, we are really keen to point people towards our campaigns. We’ve water safety advice for adults and age-appropriate advice for lower and upper primary and secondary school-age youngsters and special campaigns like Float to Live.”

“The latter is a five-step guide, aimed at preventing panic if you are in the water, encouraging a casualty to tilt their head back with their ears submerged, breathe normally and move their hands to stay afloat whilst spreading arms and legs to aid stability, avoiding panic if their legs sink.”

“It’s the opposite course of action to struggling, flailing around or trying to swim whilst gasping for breath, which uses up lots of energy, and it’s a way of avoiding cold water shock, too.”

“Education is really important to us. Like any other emergency service, we believe that prevention through education is so important, and we’d love nothing more than to be no longer needed, but sadly as we see, the need is still very much there.”

“Another message that I think everyone in the RNLI would love to impart is to leave inflatables behind, rather than bringing them to the beach.”

“We have good dialogue with local retailers about their danger, but it’s still frustrating to see them being used in the water. I think the message is to enjoy the East Coast – it is a unique and wonderful landscape, after all –but to respect the water.”

The temperature of water around Lincolnshire’s coastline tends to be about 13°c on average, that’s well below the temperature at which cold water shock can occur. Even relatively still days can still see wind speeds of about 10mph, which can carry an inflatable quite far, very quickly.

Even a short way from the beach, water depth is about seven metres, and a little further from the coastline towards the shipping lanes of the North Sea it’s around 20 metres deep. The drying heights like the inner and outer Green Dogs of Lincolnshire’s coastline can also lead to people becoming stranded as the tide comes in, so it’s important to look at tide times and be aware how landscapes can change.

Most of the RNLI Skegness Lifeboat Station’s incidents occur between the beach and the offshore wind turbine. As a carefully-executed RNLI training exercise proved, a casualty near the wind turbines is almost impossible to spot, appearing as little more than a tiny speck from the beach, even on a relatively clear day.

Whilst the smaller of the station’s two vessels, the ILB, is used for the majority of callouts, the larger all-weather lifeboat (ALB) can launch within approximately 15 minutes. At 24 knots (28mph) it’s no faster than the smaller, more agile ILB and it’s approximately ten-times more expensive to deploy.

However, it also has a range of 250 nautical miles, and with its two mighty turbocharged waterjet engines, it’s capable of operating even in shallow water with impressive manoeuvrability even in fierce conditions. Lincolnshire’s £2.2m Shannon-class ALB vessel has been in service since 2017 and is named the Joel & April Grunnill after two prolific local fundraisers.

“We’re really lucky to have such support from the public and we’re especially grateful to the 40 non-operational volunteers who help to keep the public aware of the service and why we’re so important,” says Brad. “As a team we’re all incredibly close, and we make no distinction between the importance of the operational and non-operational people who help to keep the station functioning.”

“Even if you’re not actually on the lifeboat during a callout, the role you can play in the RNLI is incredibly important, and people who are interested come along for a few weeks, spend time in the station and then decide for themselves if they’re happy to join us.” Brad is especially proud of the station’s diversity, and says there’s move love in the lifeboat station than anywhere he knows.

During Pride month in June, Brad recalled being nervous about joining a very male, heterosexual environment as the station’s only openly gay crew member, but says:

“I’ve never felt more part of a family and a community than I have since I joined the RNLI. We’re a group of brothers and sisters, a family. And underpinning all families is love, trust and an unwavering level of respect.” >>

“We’re really lucky to have such support from the public and we’re especially grateful to the 40 non-operational volunteers who help to keep the public aware of the service and why we’re so important,” says Brad...

>> The station has volunteers from different ethnicities and three female operational volunteers; Michelle Collins, who has also worked as a PCSO in the town as well as with RNLI Skegness Lifeboat Station, plus Liz Thein and Ellie, who at 20 years old and as an employee of the ice cream kiosk opposite the station is also a fantastic ambassador for the service, says Brad.

She’s a really enthusiastic and excellent volunteer crew member he says and can tell she has the ability, attitude and skill to progress up the ranks at the station.

“I was born and raised in Skegness and left the town to study marketing at the University of Herefordshire. I’ve lived in Hertfordshire and now work in higher education for NCUK: The University Consortium with an awesome Chief Executive and team who are happy to accommodate my volunteer work.”

“I returned to Skegness in 2020 and had friends on crew, so when I expressed an interest they suggested I spend time on the station. I loved it right from the start and joined up as shore crew before serving as boat crew for nine months. Then, from January this year I took on the role as Launch Authority.”

“The solidarity we have as a team means we can work together to create a good outcome where possible for those who need our help.”

“The crew and charity both mean so much to me, it’s already proven to be an experience through which I’ve created some lifelong connections while making a real difference in my community.”

n Brad Johnson is a volunteer member of the RNLI’s Skegness Lifeboat Station’s operational crew. To find out more about volunteering for the charity visit rnli.org/volunteer and to donate to its lifesaving work, GoDonate.org/RNLI.

GRIMSTHORPE

Castle, Park & Gardens

Lincolnshire’s best kept secret

Stunning family home surrounded by 3000 acres of parkland, gardens, woodland and lake walks, an adventure playground and more!

Visit this October Half Term, between Sunday 22 and Sunday 29, for Grim Castle Tours, Spooky Woodland Walks, Scary Storytelling, Pumpkin Picking and Halloween Trails!

OPEN DURING SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER

HALF TERM, PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION

What’s On...

STAMFORD

THURSDAY 31st AUGUSTSUNDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER

THE DEFENDER

BURGHLEY

TRIALS 2023

HORSE

Quite probably the best display of horse and rider in harmony anywhere in the country. With over 173,000 visitors over the four days, more than 600 carefully selected exhibitors, an average of 80 of the world’s top competitors and a prize fund of over £300,000, 21st century Burghley Horse Trials is a far cry from the inaugural event, which took place over 60 years ago with just 19 competitors and in front of a mere 12,000 people.

n Burghley House, PE9 3JY. Call 01780 752 131 or see www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

Mad, bad... and dangerous!

AN EVENING WITH ‘THE WORLD’S GREATEST LIVING EXPLORER.’ SIR RANULPH FIENNES IS MAD, BAD AND DANGEROUS...!

GRIMSBY TUESDAY 12th SEPTEMBER

SIR RANULPH FIENNES OBE: MAD, BAD AND DANGEROUS

Ranulph has circumnavigated the surface of the globe from pole to pole, became the first person to cross the Arctic and Antarctica on foot, and he is the oldest Briton to summit Everest. Enjoy spending an evening in his company as the explorer shares stories of his legendary exploits and adventures, live in Grimsby.

n From 7.30pm, tickets £33.50, Grimsby Auditorium, DN31 2BH. Call 0300 300 0035 or see www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk.

LINCOLN

THURSDAY 21st, FRIDAY 22nd, SATURDAY 23rd

SUNDAY 24th

LUNA CINEMA AT LINCOLN CASTLE

The UK’s number one outdoor cinema experience. This year enjoy William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet on Thursday; Mamma Mia on Friday; Top Gun: Maverick and finish off with the Rocky Horror Picture Show on Sunday! Take along a picnic!

n From £17.50, Lincoln Castle, www.thelunacinema.com.

LINCOLN

FRIDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER

CHOIR PERFORMANCE IN LINCOLN CATHEDRAL

Lincoln Lions invite you to come along and enjoy an evening with the South Wales Male Choir along side Waddington’s Military Wives Choir

n From 7.30pm, Lincoln Cathedral, tickets £22.38. See www.lincolncathedral.com.

LINCOLN

THURSDAY 28th SEPT THE ELTON

JOHN SHOW

This year’s farewell performance by Elton John at Glastonbury proved just how enduring the singer’s legacy of hits remains. This tribute show recreates the magic from Rocketman to Tiny Dancer and Sacrifice.

n From 7.30pm, Lincoln New Theatre Royal, doors from 6.30pm, from £24.50, see newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk.

Pippa Funnell riding Grafton Street in 2022. Image: Peter Nixon via Burghley Horse Trials © Nixonphoto.

GRANTHAM

SATURDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER HEY BEATLES: LIVE!

Nationally-acclaimed tribute Hey Beatles make their return to Grantham’s Guildhall playing a hit-packed two-hour set of some of the greatest pop hits of all time! All-new for 2023 are video and visual elements, so this unmissable show will take you on a journey through the music of John, Paul George

and Ringo via period correct costumes, instruments and plenty of chances to sing along. Evoking the spirit of the swinging 60s from Love Me Do to Let It Be, from the Cavern to the Rooftop. This not to be missed concert will transport you back in time to the 1960s.

n From 7.30pm, tickets £16. Grantham Guildhall Arts Centre, call 01476 40615 or see www.guildhallartscentre.com.

The Lincolnshire Wolds

‘50 FOR 50’ CELEBRATES THE WOLDS’ 50 YEARS AS AN AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY...

SKEGNESS

FRIDAY 15th SEPTEMBER FROM GOLD TO RIO

A nostalgic journey back to the New Romantic era which ruled the charts for over a decade. Hits include Gold, Rio, True, The Reflex, Through the Barricades, Save A Prayer, Lifeline, Girls on Film, to name just a few.

n Skegness Embassy Centre, tickets £25.50, from 7.30pm.

SKEGNESS

FRIDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER GO YOUR OWN WAY: THE FLEETWOOD MAC LEGACY

An authentic tribute to supergroup Fleetwood Mac, from Little Lies to Dreams.

n Skegness Embassy Centre, £28, from 7.30pm, call 01754 474100 or see www.embassytheatre.co.uk

LINCOLNSHIRE ALL THROUGH SEPTEMBER

THE LINCOLNSHIRE

WOLDS: 50 FOR 50

Throughout 2023 Lincolnshire has been celebrating the milestone of 50 years since the Wolds was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

September sees no fewer than 11 events taking place from a performance by harpists Lise Vandermissen and Oliver Wass at Langton Church on 2nd September, to a guided walk around Tennyson’s Churches with Helen Gamble from St Margaret’s Church in

Send your press releases and events to editor@pridemagazines.co.uk

SPALDING

THURSDAY 14th SEPT A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN

The literature of Virginia Woolfe brought to life on stage by Rebecca Vaughan as she performs Virginia Woolf’s 1928 exploration of the impact of poverty and sexual inequality on intellectual freedom and creativity.

n South Holland Centre, Spalding, PE11 1SS, tickets £16, call 01775 764777 or see southhollandcentre.co.uk.

LINCOLN

THURSDAY 28th SEPT WINE TASTING: EMERGING REGIONS

Croatia, Georgia, & India, emerging wine producers, showcased at Doddington Hall’s farm shop.

n £15/adults, from 7.30pm, See www.doddingtonhall.com.

the village of Bag Enderby on 10th September. A guided walk around Gunby Hall near Spilsby will take place on 12th September, whilst on 14th September, a fascinating talk on the Unsung Heroes of the Lincolnshire Wolds will be presented by David Rodger of the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Services at Louth’s Navigation Warehouse. All of these events and more will celebrate the Wolds’ designation in 1976, 216 square miles of unique and beautiful habitat. n For more information see www.lincswolds.org.uk.

Defender Burghley Horse Trials

Images by Peter Nixon: Peter is an international Freelance Equestrian Photographer, who has covered four Olympics and will be going to Paris next year. He provides editorial and commercial images to the leading players in the industry as well as private individuals and is the Horse Trials’ official photographer.See nixonphoto.co.uk.

THE DEFENDER BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS returns to the parkland of Stamford’s Elizabethan stately home this month, with another three rounds of competition designed to test the skill of both horse and rider at the most demanding, world-class level.

For 20 years, one of the most high-profile competitors in the event has been Zara Tindall. The rider’s first Burghley, in 2003, was one of the most impressive top-level debuts in modern sport. Aged just 22, she and her big chestnut equine partner, Toytown, blasted round the huge cross-country track like a tornado, coming across the finishing line a staggering 23 seconds under the optimum time.

It’ll go down as being one of the most memorable events in the history of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials, a fixture of which Zara and her parents are clearly very fond.

“Burghley is one of my favourite events,” Zara says. “My father was the cross-country course-designer for many years and he won it on Maid Marion in 1973, two years after my mother won her European Championship title here on Doublet, which was owned by my grandmother, the late Queen. It’s been a special place for my family and of course I would love to win it myself.”

Those watching in 2003 will always remember the ease with which they shot round Burghley’s unique, testing undulations and over the demanding fences. Zara’s experience in the racing world showed: she rode with long reins and in a forward seat, utterly trusting Toytown, who had taken Zara from her Pony Club days to the greatest event in the world.

Burghley’s Best Brands

Some of the country’s best brands sponsor the Burghley Horse Trials, such as Defender, Rolex, Boodles, Joules, LeMieux, Holland Cooper, Fairfax & Favor, Pol Roger, Agria, Ariat and Dubarry.

“In his younger years Toytown was a nightmare to hack out and ride,” remembers Zara. “He had a lot of attitude and personality; he was a very expressive, exuberant character. He loved showing off, but he was a redhead at heart. He was really tricky, but he loved his job and loved a crowd, which at a major event was fantastic because he upped his game.”

“We came up the levels together and had the most amazing partnership. I shall never forget that feeling he gave me across country.”

“I remember that first Burghley and my father giving me such stick for being so far inside the time. I told him I didn’t have any choice in the matter; Toytown was pulling my arms out at the end! I loved Burghley and I loved having him there. That was where he was meant to be, that was his big stage,” Zara says.

Zara and ‘Noddy,’ as Toytown was known at home, went into the final show jumping phase at Burghley that weekend in the lead.

But the fairy-tale didn’t quite happen. They hit one jump to a loud groan from the excitable crowd and dropped to second. They hadn’t quite pulled off what would have been a historic win; Zara is the only rider whose parents, Mark Phillips and HRH The Princess Royal have both won Burghley; Mark in 1973 and the Princess Royal in 1971. >>

Above: Zara Tindall on Class Affair at the 2022 Burghley Horse Trials.

Above/Right: Last year’s winner, Piggy March.

>> But it was an eye-catching performance that they then used as a springboard to securing the European Championship title in 2004 and the World Championship in 2006. And, in a way, it was the right result. The outstanding British competitor Pippa Funnell, one of Zara’s sporting mentors, won Burghley 2003 as a result of Zara’s pole down, and became the first ever rider to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing (the Kentucky Three-Day Event in the USA, the Badminton Horse Trials and Burghley consecutively); “Pippa still owes me!” laughs Zara.

In the intervening years between Burghley 2003 and Burghley 2023, Zara has married the World Cup-winning rugby player Mike Tindall and they have had three children together. Mia, Lena and Lucas are often pictured at horse trials with Zara and Mike; eventing is a very family-friendly sport.

It’s a really sociable event for visitors too, and some who visit Burghley enjoy the fixture without ever seeing a single horse.

TEA & THE TROT UP...

A new way to enjoy Defender

Burghley Horse Trials in 2023

Brand new for Burghley in 2023, Tea & The Trot Up is a way to capitalise on the frisson of excitement as this year’s fit, gleaming contenders are presented to the Ground Jury by their stylishly dressed riders. This year, 100 guests can watch the Trot Up from inside the Main Arena, whilst enjoying a first-class Champagne cream tea, and expert insights on this year’s event from Captain Mark Phillips, a former Burghley winner and Burghley cross-country course-designer for many years. Tea & The Trot Up will also include a tour of five key fences on this year’s cross-country course, in groups of no more than 25 with Captain Mark Phillips, plus former winner Jane Holderness-Roddam.

n Tea and the Trot Up costs £300/head and is limited to 100 places, no entrance ticket needed, book online at www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

With 600 trade stands and a keen social scene, the event is both World Class sporting fixture and country show, celebrating the best of rural life with the very best shopping and socialising with Champagne courtesy of sponsor Pol Roger.

The Defender Burghley Horse Trials is one of just seven events worldwide with the very highest five-star classification, meaning the skill of horse and rider cannot be overstated.

Last year saw the debut of course designer Derek di Grazia who is presiding over a subtle evolution of the course once again this year.

Despite having its origins in 1961, a 21st century Burghley Horse Trials now means a dedicated TV channel, live-streaming the event to the world, and a site covering 530 acres. 20 acres alone are concentrated around a central ‘village’ with the relocation of the entire Horse Trials team, normally based in a dedicated office just off Barnack Road, into temporary digs in the heart of the event. The team is so busy that key sponsor Defender (one of three new sub-brands for Land Rover) lends the team about 50 vehicles to get around the site.

For Stamford, too, the event is a terrific source of pride, even if it does see more than 170,000 visitors descending on the town. The Burghley Horse Trials is worth about £20m to the local economy, with local hotels and restaurants booked out a year in advance and many local businesses benefiting greatly from the huge footfall around the town. Spring saw Zara and Class Affair achieving their best result to date at Kentucky in the spring, although their appearance at this year’s Badminton was scuppered by a family function… well, we say family function, it was her uncle, King Charles III’s coronation. Happily though, Zara was one of the first of around 80 entries for this year’s Defender Burghley Horse Trials.

“I’m going to try to get past fence seven this time!” she jokes. “Class Affair has got so much scope and if I can keep his concentration, he should suit Burghley really well.” n

Course designer Derek di Grazia and Event Director Martyn Johnson.

KEEPING UP-TO-DATE with BURGHLEY TV & BURGHLEY RADIO

If you can’t attend every day of Burghley in person, watch all the action, enjoy great interviews and see behind-the-scenes features on Burghley TV, presented by racing’s Nick Luck and Rosie Tapner....

With so much happening at The Defender Burghley Horse Trials, and the fact that you can only be in one place at once, it’s easy to miss some of the action. Alternatively, you may just want to relive some of the highlights of this year’s Burghley after the event. Happily, last year saw the debut of Burghley TV for just that reason!

Burghley TV combines uninterrupted live-streamed footage of this most prestigious CCI5*-L event with expert commentary, analysis and behind-the-scenes footage plus interviews from seasoned eventing reporters Nick Luck and Rosie Tapner.

EVENTING: Dressage, show jumping, cross country...

Three Day Eventing is a comprehensive test of the all-round ability of the horse and rider, comprising Dressage, Cross Country and Jumping phases...

n The Dressage phase of the Three Day Event tests the basic training of the horse, whilst helping him to develop an improved posture for carrying a rider and testing his obedience and calmness.

n The most popular and the most demanding of the three disciplines is Cross Country. With over four miles of course and 30 fences, visitors can get close to the action at Burghley on Saturday.

n Held on the Sunday of the Event, Jumping is the final element of the competition and the course at Defender Burghley is designed by International Course Designer Paul Connor.

The Concours Complete International (CCI) is the competition rating for eventing, Burghley’s CCI5*-L is the highest level of competition, suitable for horses and riders with a good deal of experience and success in international competition.

Other CCI5*-L events include Badminton and Kentucky which together with Burghley constitute the ‘grand slam’ of eventing.

As well as all the live action of Defender Burghley; from the first horse inspection on 30th August to the final prize-giving on 3rd September, Burghley TV includes an exclusive preview of the cross-country course with Derek di Grazia, plus interviews with last year’s winner Piggy March.

The Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Final will also be live-streamed and Burghley TV also features a comprehensive library of historic Defender Burghley Horse Trials footage, stretching back to 1990. You can also stay in the loop whilst enjoying the Defender Burghley Horse Trials with BHT Radio, which broadcasts on 87.7fm with live audio commentary plus podcasts from Wednesday’s Trot-up to the conclusion on Sunday afternoon.

n A year-round subscription to Burghley TV costs £20, and gives you access to hours of footage from past events, see www.burghley-horse.co.uk/burghley-tv.

THE HISTORY OF THE BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS...

The Burghley Horse Trials arrived in Stamford in 1961 through serendipity. A previous competition at Harewood House was cancelled in 1961 due to an outbreak of Foot & Mouth, so the 6th Marquess of Exeter David George Brownlow Cecil offered the use of the parkland of Burghley House to the British Horse Society, and the rest is history.

In its second year Burghley ran the FEI’s European Championship. It went on to host two World Championships (1966 and 1974), six European Championships (1962, 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989 and 1997) and one Young Riders European Championship (1978). No other horse trials site has staged as many Championships.

Burghley Horse Trials is one of only seven CCI 5*-L events worldwide and in 2003 a victory at Burghley saw Britain’s Pippa Funnell becoming the first rider to ever win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. Andrew Nicholson has completed The Burghley Horse Trials more times than any other rider: 36 times, notching up five wins, five seconds and six thirds.

In 1971, HRH Princess Anne rode at Burghley and took the European Championship title. Captain Mark Phillips also has a long standing association with the event, winning Burghley in 1973 and subsequently becoming its Course Designer. Their daughter Zara Tindall is the only child of two former winners to compete at the event. n

THE DEFENDER BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS in Numbers....

£20m It’s estimated that the event is worth £20m to the local economy, with visitors shopping locally, staying in hotels and dining in local restaurants during the event, and providing Burghley’s 600 trade stands with access to a well-heeled market for luxury goods. It’s estimated that 25% of visitors are between 45 and 54 years of age, 75% of attendees are female, and half of visitors earn more than £60,000...

173,000 There are around 173,000 visitors to the event each year, and about 40% of them travel more than two hours to attend.

13,000 The Burghley estate covers more than 13,000 acres, 2,000 acres of which is the main estate. The Horse Trials takes up 530 acres of space including 20 acres for the central ‘village.’ 22,277 metres of tents and marquees are erected to create spaces like the main arena, and trade stands. That’s the equivalent area of 919 tennis courts.

12,000 The first Burghley Horse Trials in 1961 had just 19 competitors and 12,000 spectators attending.

20,000 Over 20,000 ice creams are consumed during the event (subject to the weather!), whilst visitors enjoy 4,800 glasses of Champagne – Pol Roger is a sponsor – and 26 gallons of Pimm’s!

340+ Over 340 horses will take part in the competition, with around 80 competitors. 800 officials and volunteers are responsible for running the cross-country element of the competition, which is usually 6,500m long and comprises 30 obstacles. Over 50 doctors and vets are on hand to ensure the health of riders and horses.

1961 The event has been running since the early 1960s and the most prolific winner is William Fox-Pitt who has taken the top prize six time, (1994, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2011).

Eight horses have completed Burghley six times: Watkins (Tanya Cleverly), Smokey VI (Chris Collins and William PowellHarris), Significant (Clare Lewis), Fairfax (Rodolphe Scherer and Heidi Antikatzidis), Happy Times (Sam Griffiths), Armada (Oliver Townend and Andrew Nicholson), Lazy Acres Skip On (Sarah Oliver), Ballincoola (William Fox-Pitt). The youngest horse ever to win Burghley was Merely-A-Monarch, aged six in 1961. The oldest were the 17 year old horses Lenamore (Caroline Powell, 2010) and Vanir Kamira (Piggy March, 2022).

£110,000 The first prize for winning Burghley is £110,000; the most offered in the sport of eventing. The total prize fund is £300,000. n

HRH The Princess Royal on Doublet at Burghley in 1971.

Piggy March...

Piggy March or Georgina March nèe French won Burghley in 2022 and she represented Team GB at multiple World and European Championships. She has also won Badminton in 2019 on Trevor Dickens’ Vanir Kamira, the same horse upon which she rode to victory at Burghley. Piggy and husband Tom March run their eventing yard and stud in Maidwell in Northamptonshire. n See www.piggymarch.com.

Zara Tindall...

Zara Tindall is well-known as the daughter of HRH The Princes Royal, and Captain Mark Phillips, both former Burghley Horse Trials competitors. Her father was a long-standing cross-country course designer, too, until handing over the task to Derek di Grazia in 2022. Last year, Zara competed on Class Affair, achieving a score of 28.4 in the dressage. n

See www.zaratindall.com.

Oliver Townend...

Oliver is the former world number one and is likely to ride three horses at Defender Burghley this year, including his 2017 winner Ballaghmor Class, on whom he took team gold for Britain at the Tokyo Olympics. They will be among the favourites to win again - the 16-year-old grey is the ultimate ‘Burghley horse’ and should be thrilling to watch. n

See www.olivertownend.com.

Alice Casburn...

A true rising star, twenty-one year-old Alice Casburn, who lives in Norfolk, made a brilliant Burghley debut in 2022, finishing fifth on her homebred Topspin. They are back for a second shot at it: watch them eat up the demanding cross-country course with all the exuberance of youth and confidence in their partnership! Alice’s mother Caroline also rode at Badminton. n

The Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2023...

Provisional Timetable

Wednesday 30th August

4pm First horse inspection.

Thursday 31st August

9am CCI5* Dressage

9.30am LeMieux Pony Club

Team Jumping (House Arena).

Lunch Break Yogi Breisner: Better cross country, without hiring a course.

End of Dressage Dickie Waygood: The right platform for cross country success.

Friday 1st September

9am CCI5* Dressage

9am Dubarry Burghley Young Event

Horse 5 year old Final (House Arena).

12.45: British Breeding Stallion Parade (House Arena).

2pm: Dubarry Burghley Young Event

Horse 4 year old Final (House Arena).

Lunch Break Carl Hester: The road to Grand Prix, featuring superstar equine guest.

End of Dressage Katie Jerram - Hunnable: Changing tack — eventers try side saddle.

Saturday 2nd September

9am Final horse inspection.

11am CCI5* Cross Country.

Sunday 3rd September

9am Final horse inspection followed by Shetland Pony Grand National.

9am FBSPS Topspec Gold Cup Sports Pony Final (House Arena).

10.30 Morning Jumping Session

12 noon SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse HOYS Qualifier.

2pm Band Display.

2.30pm Final Jumping Session - Top 24.

3.30pm Parade of Fox Hounds.

3.45pm Presentation of Prizes.

Find Out More: Defender Burghley Horse Trials takes place from 1st-4th Sept.

Thursday/Friday/Sunday £27/adv.

Saturday £48/adv. Car parking £15/day adv. Four day admission £93/adv, car parking £50/adv, membership from £350. See www.burghley-horse.co.uk or call the box office on 01780 752 131. n

Local Schools

St Hugh’s School

Lincoln Minster School

Based in the idyllic village of Woodhall Spa, we are a leading independent Nursery, day and boarding Preparatory School for boys and girls aged 2-13.

Set in our own beautiful grounds, we have exceptional facilities. The enviable learning environment at St Hugh’s provides a space where classrooms and playing fields provide equal opportunities for all – be it in a lesson, a match, a concert or a play, there are opportunities for children to develop, encouraged by caring professionals who are proud to be part of the school and who love what they do. From day one, even our very youngest children benefit from specialist teaching in French, Music and PE, as well as Swimming in our heated indoor pool.

Underpinning what we do is the care and support needed for every pupil to thrive throughout their education and wherever

their aspirations take them. As part of their learning journey, we prioritise wellbeing, happiness and exciting learning.

In our last ISI inspection we achieved ‘excellent’ in all areas and our Nursery was deemed ‘outstanding’. We are proud to have been shortlisted for Independent Prep School of the Year 2021, Small Independent School of the Year 2022, and Independent School of the Year for Student Wellbeing in 2022 & 2023. In addition, we recently won the School category for the Lindum Lincolnshire & LTA Tennis Awards and were a finalist in the Lincolnshire Sport & Physical Activity Awards 2022.

n Visit us on our Open Day on Thursday 5th October to see the opportunities on offer: Tel: 01526 352169

Email: office@st-hughs.lincs.sch.uk

Website: www.st-hughs.lincs.sch.uk

Lincoln Minster School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 4 – 18 years. The school includes Preparatory, Senior and Sixth Form teaching as well as an extensive offering of out-of-hours support, activities, and clubs. The school provides an enriched education that consistently creates high achievers with purpose, ambition, and character. The small class sizes provide each student with the attention and individualised nurturing needed to support their development as they reach their full potential. One of the main priorities for the school is to nurture the academic abilities of their pupils. Their Aspire Programme is designed with this in mind, providing opportunities that aim to extend knowledge and understanding, provide

stimulating and demanding academic challenges, and, ultimately, inspiring students to apply for the most competitive courses at the most prestigious institutions.

The Preparatory school was ranked in the UK top 40 Preparatory Schools (The Times Parent Power Guide 2023) and became a finalist in the national Independent Schools of the Year Awards (2022) for Student Wellbeing. The Senior school’s sports offering was also shortlisted in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards (2022) for Sporting Achievement and ranked in the UK’s top 70 sporting schools, in 2022.

n To find out more, families can book on to a whole school Open Day at the Preparatory and Senior School on the 6th October. Call 01522 551300 or see www.lincolnminsterschool.co.uk

“An ‘excellent’ rated school with great facilities!”

“The best in everyone...”

Copthill School, Stamford

Stamford Schools

There really isn’t another school like Copthill in the area. In an age where parents worry constantly about how much exercise their children are getting, or how addicted to their phones and iPads they are Copthill School, near Uffington, is a perfect solution to those concerns.

It has the most amazing 300acre grounds, which hide the sorts of delights and challenges which will make any child forget Fortnite in an instant.

Whether its building rafts on its gorgeous stretch of the Welland, learning about World War I in a purpose-built trench, or playing all sorts of sports on its astroturf pitch, Copthill provides opportunities for children that inspire their imaginations and kick-starts a passion for learning.

But it’s not just about the Forest School, wooden fort,

farm with live animals, outdoor kitchens and any other number of other outdoor marvels. Academic attainment and Copthill’s indoor educational resources are of an extremely high standard too. There’s a fully kitted out laboratory for science, all the classrooms have state-ofthe-art digital teaching facilities, while music pods and a studio cater for the arts and of course, as you would expect at a school with such a strong health the dinner hall is a bastion of fresh, healthy eating.

The next Open Morning is on Friday 7th October from 9.00am - 11.00am (no need to book) as it’s an informal morning where the Copthill children, will show you their Copthill School.

n Copthill Independent School for children age 2 - 11 Years, Barnack Road, Uffington, Stamford PE9 3AD Tel: 01780 757506 or visit www.copthill.com.

Woven into the fabric of the beautiful Georgian town, Stamford Schools offer an outstanding, contemporary education for boys and girls aged from 2 to 18.

Founded in 1532, the Schools have an impressive foundation of nearly 500 years of learning, upon which is built a resolute focus on preparing students to lead happy and fulfilling lives in the 21st Century. Despite its long heritage, Stamford is a forward-thinking, vibrant, and distinctly unstuffy environment. Comprised of a Nursery and Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form, the Schools are dotted around various sites across the town and offer over 60 acres of sports fields, gardens and grounds.

The Schools take pride in developing active, engaged, independent learners.

From their first day children are given opportunities and breadth of experience, which combined gives them an education that develops their ability to think for themselves. Stamford is one of the top sporting schools in the Midlands, supported by quality teaching and coaching, and investment in sporting facilities, including the newly-opened Wothorpe Sports Centre.

Pastoral care at Stamford is given the highest priority; valuing and supporting each students’ individuality, encouraging personal resilience and equipping children with a toolkit to lead a healthy life.

Students leave the Schools a Stamfordian; happy, socially responsible, with a clear sense of self, skills for life and the right qualifications for their next steps.

n Various Open Events are being held this autumn. Visit stamfordschools.org for more details or email admissions@ses.lincs.sch.uk.

“Curiosity, excitement and desire for 50 years!”

“Creating happy, rounded and grounded young people…”

Whole Winteringham lamb project loin, shoulder, pea purée, garden peas, dukkah, jus, compressed baby gem lettuce £27.

Stunning Dining in

South

Ferriby at The Hope & Anchor

This month we’re enjoying brilliant dining at one of Lincolnshire’s best pub restaurants. Find out why it’s worth the journey to the Hope & Anchor...

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

HOPE & GLORY is what we discovered in North Lincolnshire this month, with a visit to South Ferriby’s Hope & Anchor. It’s about as far north as you can go in Lincolnshire without getting your feet wet, adjacent to the Ferriby sluice, the marina and Humber.

Happily that means evening diners are able to enjoy panoramic views of the sun casting its golden hour glow over the estuary. However, that also means the place isn’t exactly central in Lincolnshire, which is a shame because if I had my way, I’d frog march everybody in the county, in single file, to the door of the place and encourage them to personally experience the exceptional dining, warm welcome and sheer effort that the team puts into their dishes.

The Hope & Anchor dates back to the 19th century and was more of a boozer until a flood in 2013 saw to its closure. Slawek Mikolajczyk arrived at the place and conducted a back-to-brick refurbishment of the place, opening in 2016. Slawek is hardly one to do things by halves, as evidenced by the previous kitchens in which he’s worked; Le Manoir with Raymond Blanc, La Gavroche with Roux and a little closer to home at Winteringham Fields.

Given his CV, Slawek should have been less modest (or less pessimistic) about his probable success. His business plan originally anticipated about 250-300 diners a week. But if God wanted us to live by a business plan, he’d have been an accountant, not a monotheistic deity.

In the first week Slawek reached and breached over 1,000 covers and though that’s settled to about 700 covers a week now, it’s safe to say the place is ridiculously popular and enjoys a fantastic reputation, commensurate with the team’s skills and creativity.

Teamwork makes the dream work, so they say, and there’s a team of six chefs in the kitchen at any one time.

And they stick around too, thanks to the fact that Slawek really looks after them and does his best to impart every possible trick, technique and example of best-practice in his protégés.

The team eats, drinks and enjoys food together; they enjoy gym workouts together and apparently even embark on a daily regime of team-building push-ups prior to service… healthy body, healthy mind and a healthy dose of friendly competition between chefs, apparently.

In between shifts at Winteringham Fields, Slawek used to volunteer to help out the village butcher in order to teach himself to prepare his own meat. >>

MEET THE CHEF SLAWEK

Originally from Poland, Chef Patron Slawek has worked at Gordon Ramsay on Royal Hospital Road, Tom Kerridge at the Hand & Flowers, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and locally at Winteringham Fields before restoring The Hope & Anchor in 2016. Slawek’s ‘food heaven’ is Sunday lunch, but his ‘food hell’ is over-spiced dishes! n

MIKOLAJCZYK

‘While you wait’ selection incl Maldon oyster, spicy chicken wings, Kabanos, pork crackling, £4/ea.

on the MENU

Starters

Lobster bisque sour cream, toasted bloomer bread £8.

Five Maldon oysters

garlic mayo, pickle cucumber, chilli, dill £17.

In-house cured meats from the ‘whole animal’ project, turmeric spiced pickled cucumber, bloomer bread crackers £12.

Main Courses

Grimsby haddock, mushy peas, tartare sauce, triple cooked chips £16.

H&A burger, triple cooked chips, red pepper relish, pickled cucumber, cheddar, brioche £17.

Whole Winteringham lamb project loin, shoulder, pea puree, garden peas, dukkah, jus, compressed baby gem £27.

Sharers

Full native lobster, 8oz fillet and choice of two sides and a sauce £97.

F2 Highland Wagyu rib-eye 16oz, choice of two sides and sauce, £140.

Hundred day aged Côte de boeuf choice of two sides and a sauce, £3.50/oz.

Desserts

Chocolate mousse, chocolate ice-cream, almond crumb £12.

Vanilla crème brûlée gooseberry sorbet, meringue, strawberry salsa £9.

“Book in soon and enjoy the skill, commitment and the creativity of the team. The Hope & Anchor, we can confidently say, is one of the best quality pub restaurants in Lincolnshire...”

>> Today, Slawek and his chefs take one 700kg cow, two pigs, two sheep and about 50 chickens a month, butchering them all in-house, advocating a no-waste philosophy.

The approach is called Whole Cow Project, Whole Pig Project and Whole Lamb Project. The team uses everything from the finest cut of beef for the restaurant’s Côte de boeuf, to trimmings from the pig for the home-made sausages and charcuterie they make in house, and boil up bones to create in-house stocks.

All meat is hung for a minimum of 30 days in the fridge and, in fact, the Côte de boeuf is aged for a hundred days, whilst charcuterie is conditioned for between three and six months.

The team also forage together for the samphire, chickweed and wild garlic growing around the banks of the Humber and Slawek is a

passionate pickler and preserver, with jars in the dining room containing everything from home-made kimchi to chutneys plus his home-infused lobster oil. Bread, ice creams and sorbets are made in house too.

Happily there’s just a single menu, served during both lunchtime and evening service. It comprises a few ‘while you wait’ options like oysters, pork crackling and Kabanos from Slawek’s native Poland.

There are 12 starters and no fewer than 17 main courses. As a menu, such a choice of dishes might seem a little too comprehensive for chefs to be well-practiced in each one’s creation. But upon closer scrutiny, it’s a cleverly created list of dishes whose production is predicated on butchering and preparing meat, creating portions and completing as

NB: This is a sample menu, and featured dishes are subject to availability and change.

Fish & chips £16.

Maldon oyster £17/five.

Crème brûlée £9.

Lobster tail and 8oz fillet £62.

much of the prep work as possible so that, at the point of a customer ordering a particular dish, it can leave the kitchen as efficiently as possible. Each dish comprises just three or four elements, haloing around a particular ingredient, which means the team has a tonne of butchery and prep work before service, but they operate really efficiently during service, with lots of love lavished on key ingredients.

Take a simple dish like fish and chips; the fish is hand-brined in house, chips are triplecooked and batter is homemade from the real ale served over the bar. Hopefully it’s a dish the team enjoy preparing, too, as the Hope & Anchor serves over 150 of them a week!

This is proper feel-good food and just one look at the sharing dishes should be enough to make any diner swoon; 20oz chateaubriand;

16oz Wagyu rib-eye, or a full native lobster

with 8oz beef fillet or even a whole rack of Winteringham lamb, for example.

There’s no doubt that The Hope & Anchor is a bit out of the way. If it was in the centre of Lincoln they’d be queuing around the Cathedral and all the way down Steep Hill. But even if you’ll incur a bit of travel, we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Whilst you’re in the area, visit Humber Bridge Garden Centre and the Tileworks, or Normanby Hall, or spend a bit of time at Far Ings nature reserve. Failing that, just book into one of The Hope & Anchor’s five beautiful rooms and make a night of it.

However you justify your visit... just visit. Book in soon and enjoy the skill, commitment and the creativity of the team. The Hope & Anchor, we can confidently say, is one of the best restaurants in Lincolnshire. n

DINING OUT AT... Hope & Anchor at South Ferriby

The Pitch: “A casual and informal space with no compromise on the quality of food: strong and bold, with an emphasis on simplicity.”

Food Served:

Tuesday to Thursday 12 noon - 2.30pm; 5pm - 8.30pm. Friday and Saturday 12 noon - 8.30pm. Sunday 12 noon - 5pm.

The Hope & Anchor, Sluice Road, South Ferriby DN18 6JQ Call 01652 635334 or see thehopeandanchorpub.co.uk

In the KITCHEN

This phenomenal recipe will make use of the plums in your garden and turn your world upside down!

PLUM UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

Preparation Time: 20 minutes. Cooking Time: 45 minutes. Serves: 8-10 people.

225g plain flour • One teaspoon baking powder • Pinch of salt • 75g unsalted butter, softened

• 150g granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 250ml milk

• 4-5 ripe plums, pitted and sliced • 50g unsalted butter, melted • 75g cup brown sugar

Preheat your oven to 175°C, gas mark four. Grease a round flan dish or cake pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing well after each addition. In the greased dish pour the melted butter and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over it. Arrange the sliced plums on top of the butter and sugar mixture in a single layer. Pour the cake batter over the plums, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until a table knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Place a serving plate upside down on top of the dish, then carefully flip the cake onto the plate. Gently lift the dish off the cake, revealing the beautiful plum topping. Allow the cake to cool completely before serving with clotted cream or custard. n

A new local gin that’s been 75 years in the making!

Brand new trio of flavoured gins pays homage to Fred & Ivy, and to 75 years of Gates Garden Centre...

As this edition of Pride goes to press, Cold Overton’s Gates Garden Centre will be celebrating its 75th anniversary and as part of its Family Fun Weekend there will be an official launch for its new 1948 range of three flavoured gins, each inspired by founders Fred & Ivy Gates and by English country garden botanicals. Apple & Pear, Viola & Lemon Thyme and Raspberry & Lavender flavours blend beautifully with a floral juniper base. The 1948 range is available at Gates Garden Centre’s 12,000ft2 farm shop, which opened in 2019. 40% ABV n £37.99 / 70cl; £16.99 / 20cl. www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

The Wine Cellar

THIS MONTH WE’RE CELEBRATING A NEW TRIO OF LOCAL SPIRITS, WE’VE ALCOHOL-FREE WINES AND A MIDSUMMER SPIRIT FLAVOURED WITH RHUBARB AND CITRUS...

KEEP A CLEAR HEAD: A trio of alcohol-free wine to enjoy...

Matarromera Group is well known for Spanish wine from its 160 hectares vines. Win is alcohol-free, 12-month oakaged and with cherries and blackberries on the palate, £7.53 / 72cl / 0% ABV.

A well-produced Muscat wine with fresh apple, peach and citrus notes and just a bit of acidity. Muscat de Alejandria grapes ensures it has a plump and rounded grapey flavour, and it’s also low on calories, £8.99 / 75cl / 0% ABV.

Created using Müller Thurgau and Merlot, Wild Idol is an alcohol-free rosé that’s vegan, gluten-free and low calorie. Blessed with aromatic peach notes and lots of bubbles! £29.99 / 75cl / 0% ABV.

Spirit of the Month

Amaro Santoni, Florence, Tuscany, £29.87 / 50cl / 16% ABV

If you’re enjoying the later summer sunshine in the garden, we’ll direct you to this super aperitif, born in Florence. Its recipe was devised by its namesake Amaro in 1961 to a recipe that proved unique and popular. Created with rhubarb, it’s infused with undertones of citrus, of olive leaves and iris among 34 botanicals, too. With its moderate alcohol content of 16%, it is ideal for savouring in a versatile manner day or night. Enjoy with tonic water, with Prosecco or as a negroni cocktail. n Purchase from www.amarosantoni.com or good independent merchants.

Liquid Engineering for Social Occasions

Wasn’t there a brand of car engine oil which claimed its products were ‘liquid engineering?’ Well, then, this whimsical organic gin must be liquid engineering for social occasions! Beyond its novel packaging in a mock oil can, it was, we think, the first gin to be guaranteed 100% organic. Produced in Alta Langa, Italy, it has sage and lemon botanicals plus licorice root and damask roses. Guaranteed to make any occasion run smoothly! n

£25 / 50cl / 42% ABV, www.engine.land

n Our featured wines are available from the best local independent wine merchants, supermarkets and online, prices are RRP and may vary from those stated.

IN HARMONY with NATURE

Kevin & Julie Whyte’s stunning contemporary property is an eco-home par excellence, created by architect Jonathan Hendry and nestling in four acres of beautifully landscaped grounds...

Words: Rob Davis.

THE DETAILS

Kingsfield Pond, Barnoldby-le-Beck

Location: Barnoldby-le-Beck, Grimsby 6.4 miles, Louth 13.7 miles.

Provenance: Architect-design ecohouse created by Jonathan Hendry as a ‘Paragraph 55’ dwelling in August 2019, covering four acres and set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Rooms: 52ft open plan living space plus games room. Four bedrooms each with en suite, swimming pool.

Guide Price: £1,950,000. Find Out More: Savills, Olympic House, Lincoln LN6 3SE. Call 01522 508908 or see www.savills.co.uk.

THERE’S SIMPLY NOTHING SIMILAR to Kevin & Julie Whyte’s ‘country home.’ This is not your traditional stone property with two floors, a pitched roof and wisteria up the walls. Rather, it’s a bona fide Grand Design-style house that not only has masses of space, natural light and practical features, but also a tremendously beautiful setting that’s entirely in harmony with the natural world. The family had never built or even renovated their own property, but did maintain an ambition to create their ‘forever home’ when Kevin sold his business and embarked on semi-retirement. You’d think he and Julie would have dipped their toe into the water – or in this case, the pond – with a house-building project that was a little more conventional in nature, and more modest in scale, for their first project. But fortune favours the bold...

When the family saw that Kingsfield Pond was on the market they were instantly captivated not just by the plot itself, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near the very pretty village of Barnoldby-le-Beck, but by the prospect of a contemporary architect-designed home envisioned by local architect Jonathan Hendry, who had already designed five ‘country house clause’ properties in rural Lincolnshire. And this one, luckily for Kevin & Julie, would be his magnum opus.

Several previous efforts to achieve planning permission for the site had been thwarted, but Jonathan Hendry is renowned for creating properties in the spirit of ‘Paragraph 55’ of the National Planning Policy Framework which makes one-off houses ‘of exceptional design [...] reflecting the highest standards of architecture’ to be created even in open countryside or sensitive rural areas.

Kevin & Julie purchased the site in July 2018 and the build began in August 2019. The property comprises three distinct areas; a communal living space, bedroom wing and a guest suite. With expansive areas of glass, it’s held up by 40 steel columns which have been wrapped in engineered elm.

The elm used is sourced entirely from a single forest in Norfolk and the same forest has been used to source all of the flooring in the property too. Larch and glass is used to clad

the exterior of the property, and crowning the open-plan living space is a sort of very contemporary cupola with solar collectors and louvered windows.

It’s just one of many eco-friendly features of Kingsfield Pond, the inclusion of which is admirable, since the setting is so pretty it would be a shame if the house was at odds –instead of existing in harmony – with its environment. The property’s triple-glazing, underfloor heating, two ground-source heat pumps and no fewer than 70 solar panels plus its bank of Tesla batteries, for storing electricity, all help to minimise running costs.

External blinds provide shade in high summer and are controlled via a home automation system which integrates control of heating and ventilation, lighting, home entertainment and security into a single app on your smartphone. >>

>> The enormous 52ft open plan living space is zoned to create a living space, dining area and a kitchen with near-panoramic views of the property’s surroundings. Created in the same elm timber, it features three ovens, Bora induction hob, refrigeration appliances and a brace of dishwashers, all by Siemens, and there’s a Quooker boiling water tap and a separate utility room too. Each of the four bedrooms have en suite bathrooms, and the property has a heated indoor swimming pool with hot tub all enclosed in a glass vestibule, with a separate gym too.

If you’re already looking at the property and thinking it’s achingly beautiful, the best is perhaps still to come. Set in four landscaped acres, Kevin & Julie have planted tens of thousands of plants and shrubs, and over 300 trees – willow, silver birch, cherry and acer –within the garden, all adhering to the same grid as the steel/elm vertical structures, meaning that everything is harmoniously parallel.

“It’s unspoilt, peaceful and wonderful,” says Kevin. “We’ve enjoyed living here and bringing Jonathan’s vision to fruition. A move out of the area means that we’re really reluctantly putting the property on the market. Currently we’re keeping our options open as to whether to embark on another project, but we’ll never own another home like Kingsfield Pond. It’s truly unique and wonderful!” n

n Wildwood, Aisby Guide Price: £1,850,000

Wildwood is Lincolnshire’s only Huf Haus, created in 2004 using post and beam construction methods. Five bedrooms, open plan living space and panoramic glazing. 12 acres of land. 020 3795 5920, www.themodernhouse.com

n Hendrix, Sudbrooke Guide Price: £1,500,000

Hendrix is a truly unique executive home, with versatile living accommodation totalling over 4,800 sqft. 1.1 acre plot, seven bedrooms, swimming pool, sauna, solar panels and air-source heat pump. 01522 510044, www.mundys.net.

n The Edge, Alkborough Guide Price: £2,500,000

The Edge is an innovative, architecturally designed eco-friendly home along the banks of the River Humber with circa 5,000sq ft, an open plan living kitchen, and four bedrooms all with en suites. 01724 282868, www.paul-fox.com

NEW AIR FRYER FROM, NINJA...

Indomitable rise of latest kitchen gadget continues with latest flagship model

THE POPULARITY of air fryers continues unabated, with sales rocketing by over 3,000% in the last 12 months.

Ninja is the market leader, so its new flagship model is worth considering. The firm’s Foodi FlexDrawer Air Fryer has a capacity of 10.4 litres, but more meaningful is the ability to cook two foods, two different ways, in two different cooking zones. You can also consolidate the space to fit in, for example, a 2kg leg of lamb. Using 75% less fat and 45% less energy than a conventional fan oven, and cooking 65% faster, the Ninja can crisp, air fry, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate and prove, its drawers and internal shelves are dishwasher safe. It’s available for £269.99 and comes with a five-year guarantee. n

IDENTIFY NATIVE BUTTERFLY SPECIES FROM YOUR KITCHEN WINDOW...

British Butterflies Benefit from Lincolnshire Designer’s Kaleidoscope of Butterflies...

LINCOLN-BASED graphic designer

Stuart Gardiner, who has worked with brands including Selfridges and the V&A, has come up with an infographic tea towel and print featuring all 60 native and migrant butterflies of the UK, illustrated at their actual size and identifying which are most endangered. For every tea towel sold, Stuart Gardiner Design will donate 75 pence to Butterfly Conservation, and for every print sold the company will donate £2 to the charity. The company, which has an ethical, sustainable approach, manufactures all its products in Lincolnshire. n £12/tea towel; £36/print, studiogardiner.com.

STELLAR’S NEW RANGE ECLIPSES ALL OTHERS...

STELLAR is easily the best manufacturer of pans and bakeware, but even they’ve excelled themselves with Eclipse, a new range of flagship pans which will probably survive the end of the world itself. Bulletproof, immortal and utterly indestructible quality. Suitable for all hobs incl., induction, tri-ply. Fry/sauté pans also available. n £237/set three; £325/set five, from www.stellar.co.uk.

THE VERY BEST kettle in the world would simply have to come from premium appliance maker Wolf. Precise temperature control between 35° and 100°c, 1.5 litre capacity, cool touch, five year warranty. n £345, www.cooksandcompany.co.uk.

NEW FURNITURE RANGE FROM SOPHIE ALLPORT

THE DENIZEN of stylish country homes, Lincolnshire’s Sophie Allport this year released a new range of furniture to complement her textiles and home accessories. Pictured here is an example from the Witham collection, created in light brown reclaimed pine with intricately carved feet. This round table measures 120cm, comes ready-assembled and each one will have its own unique character and imperfections. n £1,295, buttoned chairs £395/ea, www.sophieallport.com.

Lincoln designer Stuart Gardiner has created a tea towel with 60 butterfly species on, with a donation to Butterfly Conservation with each purchase.

Lincoln designer Stuart Gardiner has created a tea towel with 60 butterfly with each

Net Zero and the New Window Company... why you should care!

Should we care about Net Zero Carbon? Absolutely, says Roy Wakeman OBE, Chairman of the New Window Company in Stamford and Caythorpe...

All responsible governments are now committed to achieving net zero carbon economies, some by 2030. Should we care? Definitely!

The aims and objectives of the net zero programmes will be met by taking action on all fronts including government legislation, product innovation, energy conservation and most important individual action taken by all.

The carbon emissions (greenhouse gas) are created from a process, this being burning and or using fossil fuels to create energy, consuming energy that has been provided by the former process or can be locked into products or buildings that will only be released when these come to the end of their life. This is described as embodied carbon.

To achieve net zero means having an equilibrium between the carbon consumed and released and the carbon credit gained in the process. So, for example using concrete in the building process will generate a high embodied carbon content as opposed to using timber which has a low carbon embodiment.

The building or material supply chain must be sustainable and energy efficient. The building regulations are used to control and govern the use of materials and processes, they are broken down in different parts specific to end use and are there to make sure we improve our efficiency in the use and the process of building.

Revision to Part L has just been published and is now has to be used by all involved, it sets the standard for energy efficiency and carbon emissions.

It is recognised that the construction industry has to adapt to using different and sustainable methods of construction which is challenging as the materials used have different thermal properties. This means that Concrete and brick will have difficult time as opposed to timber, glass, and some metals. Moreover, house builders, developers and clients must ensure compliance with part L to create more low carbon and energy efficient homes. Elsewhere Part Q Security has already been published and this has had a dramatic effect on the performance of doors and windows and their ironmongery specifications. The improvements have had a beneficial effect on the thermal insulation of the products so that Houses and buildings will be warmer and less costly to run.

It seems that the desire is there to meet our net zero targets but already there is a question over the cost of achievement, the energy watch dog is currently asking the government for the cost of switching from current methods of energy production to green methods like wind, solar and nuclear.

We must all be aware of the fallout following the Grenfell Tower disaster and therefore the need for stricter building standards. There is now a growing demand for higher specifications and product/process testing.

As providers of high-quality timber windows and doors (carbon negative over their projected life) we feel that we are well placed to help our customers contribute to the target of net zero by 2030. n

Farming in Lincolnshire

Greater Lincolnshire is responsible for 10% of England’s agricultural output, and the sector is worth £1.8bn to the UK economy. This month we’ll meet the farmers maintaining our reputation as the county that feeds the country...

Words: Rob Davis. Image: Harvesting with T H Clements of Benington.

Livestock in Lincolnshire...

WHILST LINCOLNSHIRE is a predominantly arable county, there are still some livestock operations around the countryside helping to keep consumers connected with their food and ensuring the survival of heritage breeds. One of the farming operations in Lincolnshire keeping the traditional Lincoln Red alive and well is the South Ormsby Estate, home to the Massingberd-Mundy family for over 400 years. The estate’s grass-fed, high-welfare beef and farm-reared poultry is available at www.southormsbyestate.co.uk.

Staying with cows for just a second, Home Farm Dairy at Spital on the Street, north of Lincoln, is a 1,700 acre mixed farming operation run by Adam Duguid. Just a few hundred years ago the county had around 400 dairy farms, but now that number has dwindled to just 30 or 40. With 400 cows, Adam’s herd is about twice the average herd size, with each of his ‘girls’ producing about 22 litres of milk a day, which can be purchased direct from the dairy’s vending machine. The farm also serves dairy cooperative Arla.

Income From Farming

In 2021, agriculture generated £30.0bn worth of produce while consuming £18.9 worth of goods and services, giving a net contribution to the UK economy of £11.2bn.

Egg Production with Noble Foods...

Lavinton Lamb is Sophie Arlott’s delicious traditional-breed lamb previously named the ‘Best Meat in Britain’ at the Great British Food Awards 2019. It’s favoured by Michelinstarred chefs and has previously been sold in Harrods’ food hall and at Fortnum & Mason. It’s also available from www.lavinton.com

Grasmere Farm is based in Deeping St James and since 1969 its founder Stuart Stables has been keeping his Hampshire-cross pigs in open straw yards with plenty of room to stretch their trotters. The company has a dedicated butchery and a production kitchen on the farm producing their own sausages –14 different varieties – plus Lincolnshire delicacies such as haslet and stuffed chine. Grasmere Farm has butcher’s shops in Stamford, Market Deeping, at Vine House Farm in the Deepings, and it also sells to consumers via its website at www.grasmere-farm.co.uk. n

THERE ARE ABOUT 39M commercial laying hens in the UK, and on average 11bn eggs are laid by hens in the UK each year, making the UK 86% self-sufficient in egg production. The UK egg industry is worth £1bn and employs 13,000 people. Each of us eat around 200 eggs each year, with 60% of those purchased from mainstream supermarkets and 25% from discount supermarkets.

The most popular egg brand in the UK is The Happy Egg Co., produced by Noble Foods and on sale in Tesco, Sainsbury’s & Asda. Noble Foods works with 250 farms across the country, grading and packing 32m eggs a week at its North Scale premises between Lincoln and Newark. The average size of a laying flock is about 16,000 birds, purchased as chicks at about 16 weeks old.

Birds have a productive life of anywhere between 56 and 70 weeks, although that has been extended to 100 weeks by some producers amid Avian Influenza to reduce the movement of poultry. Hens lay between two and four eggs a day, so about 32,000 per flock daily, and after their productive life, the birds are exported as meat or used for premium pet food. Noble Foods also owns five large feed mills across the country, producing feed for its own hens and other livestock from wheat and other grains, soya, and pea proteins.

The Happy Egg Co., branded eggs are seen as free range ‘plus’ which means the birds enjoy additional enrichment, even more space and higher quality feed. Battery egg production was banned in 2012 and now free range eggs account for 70% of the UK egg market.

n For more information see www.noblefoods.co.uk.

Above: Happy Egg Company free range ‘plus’ birds enjoy space, enrichment and high quality feed.

Images: Openfield.

Harvesting Cereals in Lincolnshire:

PRIOR TO MECHANISATION, the cereals harvest was a back-breaking, labour-intensive task. From using a scythe to cut the stalks, to beating the cut stalks (i.e.: threshing) and separating the grains from the chaff, to cleaning the debris, it was a gruelling process.

Scotland’s Patrick Bell created a ‘reaping machine’ in 1828 which used a revolving reel and rows of shears to cut the crop.

But it wasn’t until the 1850s that a couple of American firms created refined versions. Eventually the two companies merged together in 1926 to form Caterpillar, now known for its earthmoving equipment.

Steam engine and threshing machine maker Clayton & Shuttleworth, based at Stamp End Works in Lincoln, created the first European-built combine in 1931 with a

three-metre wide ‘header,’ which bagged the threshed crop into grain sacks.

Claas developed its first combine in 1937 and today its green, white and red combines are still used by many Lincolnshire cereals farmers, albeit with automatic adjustments, GPS guidance and automatic steering, on-the-fly crop quality analysis, engines of up to 790hp, grain tanks up to 18,000 litres and headers (the bit at the front) measuring up to 40ft in width.

In the 1850s, harvesting grain from an acre of land necessitated about 23 hours. 50 years later that had dropped to eight hours. Today, you’d expect to combine an acre of land in about half an hour. It’s not just the speed of the harvest that has increased either, but the quality of crop.

Based in the Lincolnshire Wolds, near Louth, Tim Lamyman is the world’s best cereals farmer… as least if you take yields as the criteria.

In January 2023 it was confirmed by Farmers Weekly that following harvest 2022, Tim broke his own previous world records for crop yields by achieving 17.96t/ha of yields from his wheat crop and 16.21t/ha of winter barley. About 8t/ha is an average wheat yield.

This has implications for the financial viability of cereals farming in Lincolnshire, for the self-sufficiency of England in terms of its cereals output, and for food security, especially as we’ve seen – with the disturbance of grain supplies from Ukraine in 2023, a country responsible for 10% of the world’s wheat – what can happen when international supplies of cereals are disrupted. n

Cereals in England

Openfield in Colsterworth KEEPING OUR FARMERS FARMING...

Unless you’re in the farming industry – and specifically the cereals sector within arable farming – you’ve probably never heard of Openfield. But as a national cooperative, representing 4,000 British farmers, it’s a terrifically important company!

It’s impossible to overstate the importance of Openfield to Lincolnshire’s cereals farmers. Owned by 4,000 British farmers, the company is based at Colsterworth in Grantham but has offices in Yorkshire, East Anglia, Hampshire, Somerset and the Cotswolds too. It’s responsible for selling about 17% of the UK’s marketed grain and works with its farmers to provide harmony between supply and demand for arable crops, smoothing out the financial undulations of farming. The company specialises in combinable crops and can convey to farmers what demand there might be for different grades and varieties of milling wheat, wheat destined for animal feed, malting or animal feed barley, oilseed rape destined for crushing (to create cooking oils and spreads) or energy production, beans and peas. In conjunction with agronomists’ insights, this helps with planning crop rotations and the purchase of the most appropriate seed varieties and fertilisers. Farmers can also sell all – or some – of their crops in advance of the following year’s harvest based on their predicted value, i.e.: futures. Openfield can also provide access to export markets when production exceeds market expectations, or meet shortfalls in a particular product by securing the best prices for grain imports. The company negotiates with anything from the UK’s biggest flour mills – supplying industrial bakeries – to malthouses supplying breweries, or directly to manufacturers of products such as wellknown breakfast cereals and biscuits.

In short, Openfield is unique as it’s a national cooperative representing British farmers’ interests, helping them to do business better, and to endure financial changes such as the recent destruction of grain stores in Ukraine, which will cause turbulence in international markets. n www.openfield.co.uk or @OpenfieldTM on Twitter, Instagram and Threads.

The UK is about 80% self-sufficient in grain, and about 80% of our cereals are grown within an 80 miles radius of Cambridge. 2.9m hectares of cereals are grown in England, on 16,500 farms with a total value of £4bn.

Images: Openfield.

The Potato Harvest with Branston:

TESCO IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT when it comes to feeding Britain. With over 4,149 stores in the UK and Ireland, with just under 30% of the UK’s total grocery market share and with revenues of £61bn, the retailer has significant hegemony.

It’s also impossible to underestimate the importance of potatoes to the British diet or to farming in Lincolnshire. Over 80% of UK shoppers regularly consume potatoes, and they account for 12% of the UK population’s total fibre intake.

Virtually all of Tesco’s fresh and prepared potatoes are supplied by Branston Ltd, supporting British farmers and operating from three sites including its Branston headquarters. The company is supplied by over 100 growers in producer groups based around each site.

In total Branston handles over 350,000 tonnes of potatoes a year. Figures are a bit complicated given all the different sizes of potatoes in a crop, but we reckon that each tonne in weight contains between six and eight thousand tubers, and so around 20 trillion individual potatoes are handled by Branston each year.

The company endeavours to find the best home for each one, and not waste a single potato. Some of those that are too large or small for retail packs go into their prepared lines, such as ready to roast; while cosmetically challenged spuds are peeled in their ingredients factory to be supplied to ready meal manufacturers. The firm will soon have even more options, with a state-of-the-art potato protein extraction facility due to open at the site soon, followed by a mash plant next year.

For retail in the UK, potatoes tend to categorised into crop groups – whites (the large ones of which are packed as bakers), reds, and ‘specials’ including Maris Piper and King Edward. Maris Piper is still one of the most popular named varieties around, recognised as a good, floury all-rounder.

Potatoes destined for the Lincoln site tend to come from Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and the Eastern Counties. Seed potatoes are planted in spring, once the ground temperature warms up and they are grown through the summer months, ready to be harvested in autumn.

n See www.branston.com for more details.

FARMING in ENGLAND: National Figures...

In 2021 the total value of the UK’s agricultural production in the UK was £27.2bn. Livestock was worth £16.3bn, or 60% or the agriculture, whilst the arable sector was worth £10.9bn or 40%. The average UK farm size in 2021 was 81 hectares. However, almost half of all farms were less than 20 hectares in size.

Farming Employment

467,400 people were employed in the agricultural sector in the UK in 2021. 300,600 of those are Farmers, business partners, directors or spouses. 166,800 are salaried employees, managers and casual workers.

In the livestock sector dairy accounted for £4.8bn (18%) of output, beef for £3.3bn (12%), poultry for £2.9bn (11%), sheep for £1.5bn (6%), pigs for £1.4bn (5%), eggs for £0.8bn (3%). £1.4bn (5%) ‘other.’

In the arable sector cereals accounted for £4bn (15%) of output. Vegetables/flowers accounted for £3.2bn (12%). Potatoes accounted for £0.7bn (3% of output), followed by fruit £0.9bn (3%) and industrial crops £1bn (4%). £1bn (4%) ‘other.’ In terms of land use, there are 105,200 farm holdings in the UK and a total of 9m hectares of land. There are 32,000 lowland grazing farms, 20,300 general cropping farms, 16,500 cereals farms, 7,200 mixed operations, 5,600 dairy farms. Of the UK’s total farming area, 32% (2.9m ha) is used for farming cereals, 17% (1.5m ha) for general cropping, 15% (1.4m ha) for lowland livestock grazing, 9% (790k ha) for dairy, 2% (190k ha) for horticulture, 1% (85k ha) for poultry and the same again for pigs.

Image: Potato harvest with Branston Ltd, Will Selby Project.

Image: Andrew Leeson, Branston Senior Seed Manager in a field of Laura potatoes.

Image: Andy Weekes.

Vegetable Production in Lincolnshire:

‘THE FENS’ is often used as a term to refer to areas of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk; about 1,500 square miles of land in total. But in reality, the area’s characteristics, such as its peat, silt and calcareous soils, for example, can differ significantly from area to area.

The Fens covers 4% of England’s farmed area but produces over 7% of England’s total agricultural production, worth £1.23bn and employing 80,000 people (Source: Fens for the Future). It produces 20% of England’s fresh vegetables, 20% of England’s potatoes and about the same quantity of England’s sugar beet, as well as cereals, oilseed rape and protein crops.

90% of the Fens’ farmland is Grade I or Grade II quality, especially the area along the A52 from Boston to Skegness which were drained from the 1630s into the 1700s leaving behind dark alluvial soils which are ideal for growing potatoes and brassicas. Today they’re home to two of Lincolnshire’s larger vegetable producers (T H Clements and Staples) as well as a number of other agricultural operations.

Chris Gedney is Managing Director of T H Clements, based at Benington along the A52. The company farms 11,000 acres in Lincolnshire and a further 1,200 acres in Cornwall, with its 28-acre Lincolnshire site employing between 400-600 people. The company grows cauliflowers, broccoli, cabbages, leeks, vining peas plus potatoes and wheat as a rotation crop, but is well-known too for its Brussels sprouts. In the run-up to Christmas the company will run up to 16 harvesters, working 24/7, to provide Britain with 192,000,000 sprouts! It’s a forward-thinking company too, committed to achieving carbon-neutral status by 2040 and investing in modern farming techniques which work with nature.

Other vegetable farming operations include Wrangle’s Staples which has been family-owned for over 60 years and produces broccoli, kale, cauliflowers, cabbage, courgettes, brussels, baby veg, potatoes and organic veg too, across 10,000 acres.

Meanwhile, Lincolnshire Field Products farms 6,500ha (16,000 acres), with a mix of owned, rented and contract-farmed land around Boston, Spalding, Wisbech and as far inland as Sleaford. The company is one of the top three producers of brassicas in the UK, growing cauliflowers, broccoli, cabbage, kale and sprouts as well as pumpkins and sweetcorn plus organic vegetables too.

And finally, Fen Peas Ltd grows over 5,500 acres, with Stephen Francis and his team harvesting peas on 82 growers’ farms across Lincolnshire, producing garden peas, mini-garden peas and a few economy peas too for the retail and food service sectors, growing over 12 different varieties to cover their customers’ requirements. n

n The UK’s 2021 potato harvest was around 5.31m metric tonnes (so 14,337,000,000 potatoes in total) and assuming a yield of 20 tonnes per acre, we calculate a total of 265,500 acres in the UK or 108,000 hectares. With Lincolnshire’s UK share of production being somewhere in the region of 13%, that amounts to around 35,000 acres or 14,000 hectares of local land given over to growing potatoes in fields every six or seven years throughout a crop rotation.

Image: T H Clements’ site in Benington.

FARMING in LINCOLNSHIRE

Combinables are among the most commonly grown crops in Lincolnshire, which produces 12% of the UK’s wheat alone

n Greater Lincolnshire has 1,685 holdings producing cereal crops, which represents about 8.8% of the total number of UK farms producing cereal crops. 322,899 hectares (797,900 acres) of land is used for growing cereals, which constitutes 10.9% of the total land dedicated to growing cereal crops in England.

n Most cereals are harvested from the middle of July and run through August, but the weather can have a huge impact on this. A typical cycle for an arable farmer starts in September when the ground is worked and the seeds are sown. In spring time the crops start to grow rapidly, and fertiliser is applied to give the crops the nutrition they need. Harvest then starts in July where the crops are harvested and brought into the grain store.

n The UK produces over 16 million tonnes of wheat, mostly for human consumption, although it has an increasing use as biofuel. Barley growers produced 8.1 million tonnes of barley in the UK mostly for beer, whisky, and malt vinegar. Increasingly, arable farmers also grow oilseed rape, mostly for use as cooking oil.

COMBINED CROPS

Amount of crops produced in Lincolnshire as a percentage of national output and their value...

Crop: % England: Value:

Wheat 12.2% £183m

Barley 8.4% £43.3m

Oats 3.5% £2.2m

Oilseed Rape 14.7% £75.4m

Protein Crops 11.4% £15.1m

Other Cereals 9.5% £400k

Other Non-Cereals 10% £2.2m

Data: Defra/Business Lincolnshire. Figures relate to Greater Lincolnshire.

NB:

FARMING OUTPUT

Lincolnshire output expressed a percentage of the whole country’s output and value of each type...

CATTLE POPULATION

Population of cattle in Lincolnshire with number of heads/percentage of total England population...

POULTRY

Heads of each poultry classification in Lincolnshire and population expressed as national percentage...

ARABLE CROPS

Hectares of each crop type in Lincolnshire plus expression as percentage of England’s output...

OTHER LIVESTOCK

Head of each livestock classification in Lincolnshire plus percentage of England’s population...

Greater Lincolnshire is responsible for 10.7% of the total agricultural output of England, which means Lincolnshire’s total agricultural industry is worth £1,838,000,000 to the UK economy.

Data: Defra/Business Lincolnshire. Figures relate to Greater Lincolnshire.

No Paine, No Gain

No Paine no gain this month as we present the latest jackets and jackets from Great British country clothing brand Alan Paine...

Words & Images: Mandy Bray.

Rutland Ladies Tweed Waterproof Shooting Coat In Lichen, £259.95.

1. Combrook Ladies Tweed Shooting Coat In SpruceShooting Fit, £439.95 and matching skirt £169.95.

2. Surrey Ladies Double Breasted Tweed Coat In Taupe, £249.95.

3. Fernley Ladies Waterproof Weekend Coat In Woodland, £299.95.

4. Fernley Ladies Waterproof Cape In Woodland, £169.95.

5. Aylsham Ladies Fleece Gilet In Blue Steel, £89.95 For local stockists see www.alanpaine.co.uk.

Rearing To Go silk scarf in teal and rust, hand made, designed by Clare Haggas, 30x109cm £79, www.clarehaggas.com.

Country Style

Make

Main Image: Hold Your Horses navy & gold narrow silk scarf, 100cm x 100cm, £79, Clare Haggas, www.clarehaggas.com.

1. Holland Cooper umbrella, £49, at Burghley Horse Trials or at www.hollandcooper.com.

2. Mulberry soft nappa leather gloves, black, £205, www.mulberry.com.

3. Dubarry Cassidy wax hat, £29, www.dubarry.com.

4. Equestrian navy medium tail silk hair scrunchie, £35, Clare Haggas of Louth, www.clarehaggas.com.

5. The Windsor, mini handbag, high shine navy croc leather, £325, Fairfax & Favor, Stamford, www.fairfaxandfavor.com.

6. Peachy Belts of Knossington’s plaited leather belt, black at Cavells, Oakham, £120, www.cavells.co.uk.

7. Fairfax & Favor keyring mirror in black croc, £30.

8. Sherpa Lined Regency wellington, Black Croc, £169, Holland Cooper at Burghley, www.hollandcooper.com.

9. Carl Hester gilet, black, £165, Holland Cooper at Burghley, www.hollandcooper.com. n

Mellow Yellow

RICH WARM COSMETICS FOR WHEN SUMMER TURNS INTO AUTUMN

1. The warmth of the Orient

Goutal, the high-end Parisian perfumier presents Ambre Fétiche, with base notes of vanilla and leather, and heart notes of geranium and iris. Warm, powerful and smokey, it’s a deep and richly rewarding scent for evenings out. Perfumier Annick Goutal opened her first shop in 1981 on Rue de Bellechasse and the brand’s scents are still hand-made, natural in origin.

£165 / 100ml / EDP goutalparis.com.

2. Nails by Hermès

Hermès presents Jaune Impérial, a solar shade with ochre undertones, one of 24 shades in its range, providing radiant colour and a long-lasting lacquered shine with intense pigments, £45/15ml, www.harrods.com

3. Detoxify your skin

Espa presents a deeply cleansing body scrub that refines, smooths and clarifies, for intensely hydrated and replenished skin. Natural Sea Salts sweep away dry, dull skin, grapefruit, cypress and eucalyptus cleanses while sweet almond oil nourishes and hydrates, £40 / 700g.

4. A reviving treat

Aromatherapy Associates’ products power many spa treatments, and now you can enjoy a spa treatment at home, and get out of the right side of bed thanks to the brand’s Revive shower oil, with uplifting zingy grapefruit, warming neroli and energising juniper, £30/250ml.

5. Midnight oil to treat your skin to some luxury...

Caudelie invites you to pamper your skin with this rich body treatment created from argan oil, fig and shea oil. Designed to nourish and treat the skin from head to toe, it’s blended with an array of scents including coconut and orange blossom, leaving no oily residue behind.

£20/50ml, Space NK, Stamford or spacenk.com.

6. The timeless beauty of nature...

Floral Street has teamed up with the Van Gogh museum to produce a range of fragrances to honour the artist. His 1889 Sunflowers is celebrated with this fragrance with bergamot, honey & bellini, available as a room fragrance, diffuser reeds and an EDP. £28/ 10ml EDP, £22/100ml room scent; www.floralstreet.co.

All our beauty products are available from local independent stockists unless otherwise stated, please note that prices stated are RRP and may vary.

Classical Elegance

Celebrating the classically-styled wedding of Amelia and Nathan who married recently near Sleaford

Wedding Photographer: Lauren Stacey Photography, www.laurenstaceyphotography.co.uk.

EVER FELT like you’re getting on a bit?

Back in 2012 we had the joy of inviting Ruskington’s Amelia Whalen into the office for a week’s worth of work experience. She was absolutely lovely, and in subsequent years, Amelia and her mum and dad, Amanda and Tom Whalen, have stopped by to see us at the Lincolnshire Show to update us on how their daughter’s getting on.

A few weeks ago, though, Tom emailed to ask if we’d like to feature Amelia’s recent wedding in Pride.

I can scarcely believe that 11 years have passed, but even if they haven’t been kind to the team here, they’ve been exceptionally well-mannered to Amelia and her new husband Nathan, a beautiful couple who enjoyed the happiest day of their lives celebrating with family and friends back in May.

Amelia now works as a freelance makeup artist in the wedding industry and at a farm shop close to the couple’s home in March, Cambridgeshire. Nathan meanwhile is exceptionally cool, working across the UK as an air conditioning engineer.

The two met in 2019 and the following year the prospect of picking your co-bubbler to lockdown with, during Covid, would give Amelia the necessary nudge and encourage the two to move in together.

Once restrictions were lifted, the two enjoyed a holiday to Rhodes with Nathan’s parents Sarah and Vernon. Unbeknown to Amelia, Nathan was planning a proposal and having sought father-in-law to-be Tom’s permission, Sarah was entrusted with the secure (and secretive) transit of the all-important ring.

Whilst enjoying a night out at a local taverna, Nathan took Amelia completely by surprise with a romantic proposal, down on one knee, overlooking a Greek harbour with its stone buildings, Mediterranean sea and mountainous scenery.

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

AMELIA & NATHAN

The couple wanted a relaxed, classicallystyled and enjoyable wedding… and there was really only one place to hold the ceremony itself.

“I wanted a wedding that was close to home, and All Saints Church in Ruskington is really important to mum. We’ve held family christenings there and it was where my mum and dad were married, so it’s a really special place for the family.”

Amelia and Nathan turned their attention to finding a reception venue and fell in love with Sleaford’s Carre Arms, which for the past 25 years has been owned by Lisa Cuñago and her family. At the heart of the hotel is a beautiful Victorian glass-covered orangery with lots of natural light.

Wedding Ceremony: All Saints Church, Ruskington, www.achurchnearyou.com.

Wedding Reception: The Carre Arms Hotel, Sleaford, 01529 303156, www.carrearmshotel.co.uk.

Wedding Dress: Jesus Peiro at Frances Day, Southwell, 01636 813967, www.francesday.co.uk.

Bridesmaids Dresses: sixstories.co.uk.

Groomsmen’s Suits: Robert Goddard, www.robertgoddard.co.uk.

Bridal Hair: Rebecca White Bridal Hair,Sleaford, 07539 623826. Also Molly Chung @mollychunghair.

Makeup Artist: Georgia Deadman, 01485 522282, norfolkmakeupartist.co.uk.

Weddding Cake: Angelic Delights, Ruskington, 01529 969722, www.angelicdelights.co.uk.

Weddding Flowers: Blooming Crafty, Metheringham, 07850 455574.

Seat Covers/Welcome Sign: Finishing Touches, finishingtouchesweddinghire.co.uk.

Wedding Disco: Nightlife Entertainment, 07821 419289, www.nightlife-entertainment.co.uk. n

Happily, the May bank holiday weekend was available which meant a long weekend of celebrations among family and friends.

Amelia visited Frances Day in Southwell, whose specialising in wedding dress brands from international bridal icons such as Jesus Peiro.

Her chosen dress from the designer’s Textures collection was a taffeta dress with wrap-around skirt, V-neck and square back, with ruched waist.

Meanwhile the bridal party and the groomsmen wore classic black including tailoring for the gentlemen’s tuxedos from Robert Goddard of Wisbech.

“As a freelance makeup artist I was quite keen to work with someone I trust and that could only mean Georgia Deadman who I really love working with and we chose Sleaford’s Rebecca White and Molly Chung as stylists for the bridal party’s hair.”

Arriving at the church, Amelia stepped out of a beautiful silver frost Jaguar Mk2 from Rutland Wedding Cars. >>

>> Meanwhile, to complement the couple’s classic colour scheme, Amelia and Nathan commissioned Metheringham-based florist Blooming Crafty to create their flower arch at the church, plus bouquets and buttonholes using white roses, orchids and gypsophila.

The couple’s four-tier cake was created by Ruskington-based Angelic Delights, with two fruit tiers plus tiers of strawberry & Champagne and lemon & raspberry.

Evening entertainment included a disco by Night Life Entertainment plus a photobooth and a confetti cannon which were all a huge hit. For their photography, Amelia was seeking a particular kind of look and found Lauren Stacey based in Newcastle. The couple were thrilled to learn that Lauren was willing to travel and the images of the couple speak for themselves.

And finally, the couple enjoyed a honeymoon to Bali and Dubai taking time out to reflect on their special day.

“It was an incredible day and we’re really grateful to our parents, Amanda & Tom and Sarah & Vernon for their love and support, as well as our friends and our attendants. The whole day was so special and it meant so much to have everyone sharing it with us!” n

Wedding Photographer: Lauren Stacey Photography, www.laurenstaceyphotography.co.uk.

“Blooming Crafty created the flower arch at the church, plus bouquets and buttonholes using white roses and orchids...”

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