NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across the county including a visit to Lincolnshire from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

PM’s flying visit to RAF Coningsby...

RISHI SUNAK AFFIRMED LINCOLNSHIRE’S PLACE IN FUTURE OF AVIATION

CONINGSBY Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently visited RAF Coningsby to affirm Lincolnshire’s role in the future of defence aviation. The UK will work with Italy and Japan as part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to deliver the next generation of combat air fighter jets. Due to take to the skies by 2035, the ambition is for this to be a next-generation jet enhanced by a network of capabilities such as uncrewed aircraft, advanced sensors, cutting-edge weapons and innovative data systems. By combining forces with Italy and Japan on the next phase of the programme, the UK will utilise their expertise, share costs and ensure the RAF remains interoperable with our closest partners. During his visit to RAF Coningsby, the Prime Minister

UK MOD Crown Copyright 2022.

viewed the Typhoon aircraft which have been at the heart of the UK’s air policing for two decades. The new combat aircraft designed by GCAP is expected to replace the Typhoon when it is retired. Taking a core role in a The Prime Minister also met joint combat air system could RAF Coningsby’s Quick support an average of 21,000 Image: HRH Reaction Alert Station engi- jobs a year and contribute Prince of Wales Facebook page. neers and pilots, who protect an estimated £26.2bn to the UK’s skies 24 hours a day. the UK economy by 2050. n

For Sutton on Sea in 2023

COLONNADE AND PLEASURE GARDENS GET GREEN LIGHT FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT

A multi-million pound project to bring new investment, opportunities and facilities to Sutton on Sea has moved a step closer as ELDC approved the redevelopment of the Colonnade and Pleasure Gardens. Physical construction is set to begin in spring 2023 and it will be completed and operational by May 2024. The Colonnade project is part of the Connected Coast Town Deal and has been approved by the Government to receive £4.2m of Town Deal funding, with the remaining costs funded by the Council. The proposed development is designed to deliver economic

EAST COAST growth to the area and provide residents and visitors with state of the art facilities. Final plans for the site now include an accessible toilet and first-floor viewing platform within the main pavilion, as well as two new craft studios beneath the seasonal overnight lodges. The enhancements to the Pleasure Gardens will also create new sensory play facilities, additional seating areas, and space for pop-up events and markets. There will also be additional walkways, as well as the popular paddling pool, anchor water feature, and tennis courts remaining available for public enjoyment. n

Full moon in Skegness

ARTIST LUKE JERRAM’S MUSEUM OF THE MOON EXHIBIT COMES TO SKEGNESS IN FEBRUARY...

The Embassy Theatre was over the moon to announce that it will host three renowned installations by the artist Luke Jerram this coming spring. Gaia, Museum of the Moon and Mars will be exhibited at the East Coast venue from 10th February to 24th March. Their six-week stay will see the venue transformed from a traditional theatre into a space for some

SKEGNESS reflection, observation and education. Gaia (Earth) will open the season followed by the Museum of the Moon with the Lincolnshire and East Coast debut of Mars concluding the season. Museum of the Moon is an inflatable seven metre photorealistic representation of the moon, accurate to 1:500,000; the 120dpi Gaia is 1.8m times smaller than the Earth. n

Retirement after 30 years for Kerrin Wilson...

LINCOLNSHIRE Assistant Chief Constable Kerrin Wilson, has retiring after three decades in policing. Over the years Kerrin’s various roles have seen her delivering training to the Iraqi Police in Baghdad, work as a hostage negotiator for 20 years and being awarded the prestigious Queen’s Police Medal for helping to develop women and people from minority backgrounds in policing. n

Give the gift of Lincolnshire...

A BOOST FOR TOURISM IN LINCOLNSHIRE WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE GIFT CARD

LINCOLNSHIRE Tourism is set to receive a boost in 2023 with the launch of a new Lincolnshire Gift Card, marketed through VisitLincoln.com which reaches millions of holidaymakers and residents every year looking for memorable experiences and things to do. Shops, restaurants and venues can all be a part of the initiative, which will facilitate both digital and physical cards. There are no costs for a business to take the Lincolnshire Gift Card, no additional equipment is required and those with a card will be able to spend its value on experiences, dining out and products right here in the county. n See www.visitlincoln.com. Communities across North Lincolnshire will be blooming after almost £30,000 of cash has been shared for spring planting schemes. The area’s In Bloom initiative was launched four years ago and has seen almost £120,000 given for spring planting.

NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE n

£30,000 for Blooms

LOCAL NEWS

In Brief

LINCOLN

A new future for The Old Bakery...

The Old Bakery restaurant on Lincoln’s Burton Road has reopened as a training restaurant for students of Lincoln College with chef Barry Dawson staying on to give students real-world experience of the restaurant trade. The Old Bakery was formerly run by Ivano and Tracey de Serio, but will now be run as a not-forprofit dining experience to produce highly skilled apprentice chefs and front of house staff who will have had real-world experience in the profession. The Old Bakery also received a makeover with a refitted kitchen and a new look dining room. n www.theoldbakery.co.uk.

The Great Wall of... Grimsby!

BRIGHTENING UP NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE WITH A SUPER MURAL

A group of artists were joined by North East Lincolnshire’s Mayor for the official reveal of a magnificent new mural depicting muchloved scenes in Grimsby. The Great Wall of Grimsby, which can be found on the Needham’s Butchers building in Garibaldi Street, includes meticulously detailed characters, shopfronts, buildings and lost landmarks from the town. Artist Dale Mackie designed the new mural, which was painted over several months by Sam Delaney and scores of volunteers from arts recovery organisation Creative Start CIC. The Great Wall of Grimsby is the fourth mural in the Paint the Town Proud project. Others can be found at the entrance to the Grimsby Town FC Fanzone, the side of Little Oaks Nursery on Corporation Road and the side of Appleleaf Chartered Accountants’ building in Town Hall Street. Cllr Stephen Beasant, Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, said: “This is an absolutely amazing artwork. As a ward councillor and Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, I’m immensely proud and over the moon to see it.”

GRIMSBY “This is really celebrating the heritage of the town. It means so much to me and it’s one of the highlights of my mayoral year!” n www.paintthetownproud.com.

LOCAL NEWS

In Brief

20 YEARS OF BLESSINGS FOR LINCOLNSHIRE’S HARD-WORKING GRITTERS!

The Right Reverend Dr Nigel Peyton, Assistant Bishop of the diocese of Lincoln, conducted an annual blessing of gritters, salt and crew ahead of the winter weather arriving, bestowed the blessing for the 20th year that the ceremony has taken place. n

Green space for Sleaford

PLANS ARE A STATEMENT OF INTENT TO TRANSFORM A GREEN SPACE IN THE CENTRE OF SLEAFORD...

SLEAFORD An overgrown eyesore in the centre of Sleaford could be transformed if plans put forward by North Kesteven District Council come to fruition. A large green space in the centre of the town adjacent to Moneys Yard could be transformed into a riverside garden, linking the existing square and car park to the town centre as part of the ongoing Heart of Sleaford project. The space is a derelict private garden, which would be opened to the public, with a riverside footpath, café and seating area. Planning permission is currently being sought by the council. n

YORK LODGE Fold Hill | Friskney | Boston | Lincolnshire | PE22 8RG WESTAWAY 8A Reeves Lane | Wing | Rutland | Leicestershire | LE15 8SD

• Spacious and Well Appointed Five Bedroomed Detached House in 3.22 Acres • Unique Opportunity to Acquire a Superb Modern Dwelling • 4 Reception Rooms, Large Modern Fitted Kitchen Diner, Separate Utility Room • 5 Bedrooms, 2 En-Suites, Integral Double Garage, Mature Gardens, Paddocks and Pond FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION £695,000

Subject To Contract

KINGERBY VALE FARM Bishop Bridge | Market Rasen | Lincolnshire | LN8 3LY

• Attractive 4/5 Bedroomed House and Commercial Premises Set in 3.6 Acres with Swimming Pool • Suitable for Working From Home or Variety of Different Businesses • Over 7,000sqft of Retail Showrooms, Workshops and Stores • Horticultural and Garden Machinery Business Available Separately FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION £875,000

Subject To Contract • Grounds Extending to a Total of 2.4 Acres Including Paddocks, Mature Private Gardens and Yard • Over 8,800sqft of Useful Agricultural Buildings with Separate Access • Superb Views over the Martinsthorpe Valley of the River Chater • 4 Bedrooms, Master En-Suite, Large Kitchen/Diner, Utility and 3 Reception Rooms • Located Close to the Conservation Area

FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION £1.45 Million Subject To Contract