11 minute read
NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across the county. Find out which Lincolnshire veteran is celebrating their 100th birthday!
Johnny Johnson celebrates 100 years
LINCOLNSHIRE-BORN SURVIVOR OF THE DAMBUSTERS RAID CELEBRATES CENTENARY
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LINCOLNSHIRE Congratulations and messages of best wishes poured in as Lincolnshire Dambuster George ‘Johnny’ Johnson celebrated his 100th birthday recently. Johnny was a bomb aimer with the 617 Dambusters squadron and was just 22 years old in 1943 when the raids took place. He was part of the Lancaster crew who led the raid on the Sorpe dam, and one described Barnes Wallace’s bouncing bombs as being ‘like glorified dustbins.’ “I’ve enjoyed my life I must say that. I still think of Lincolnshire as my home, not only was I born there, but I spent most of my operational war time in Lincolnshire airfields because Lincolnshire was known as the Bomber county, because there were so many airfields so close together,” he said, adding that to be a part of the raid was a ‘thrilling experience.’ n
Seeing Red in Lincoln?
1980s AND 1990s BAND SIMPLY RED HAS CONFIRMED A BIG GIG FOR SUMMER 2022
LINCOLN With snow and frost due to reach Lincolnshire this month, it’s almost impossible to think that spring is on its way, let alone summer, but if you’d like something to look forward to when the blue skies and sunshine make an appearance once more, we’ve got just the thing! The Lincolnshire Showground has confirmed that its big pop act for summer 2022 will be Mick Hucknall and Simply Red, who will host an open air concert at the venue on 1st July from 5pm. Few bands have enjoyed the success and longevity of Simply Red. With over 60 million albums sold worldwide, five UK number one hit albums and over a billion views on YouTube, Simply Red remains one of the UK’s most successful bands, formed in 1985 in Manchester by Mick. The group’s hits include Fairground, Holding Back the Years, If You Don’t Know Me By Now, Stars, and For Your Babies. The group will also be joined by Lisa Stansfield. n Tickets £57.20, on sale now. See simplyred.seetickets.com. We’ve many other ideas for summer fun, too, later in this edition!
Fairytale of New York
AUTHOR JOSEPH’S HISTORY-BASED NOVEL
SLEAFORD A Sleaford writer has unearthed a collection of Second World War era photographs taken by his two grandfathers who both served in the RAF. Whilst researching his latest novel, Fairytale Of The Other New York, the themes of the book motivated author Joseph Kiel to investigate what his grandparents got up to during the war. “The narrative of Fairytale involves a young woman returning to Lincolnshire to care for her elderly nan. At the start of the book she stops off at the new International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln, and this sets the theme regarding family history and the stories that are handed down the generations, and also the mysteries from the gaps in knowledge where certain things have become lost over time.” Both Joseph’s grandfathers were stationed abroad during the war and took photographs of the various places they went, from Jerusalem and Nazareth in Palestine to North Africa, and then in the later years of the war they were both in India, on opposite sides of the country. His maternal grandfather, John, had previously trained at RAF Cranwell and also spent time at RAF Sutton Bridge in South Lincolnshire during the war. n Search for Fairytale of The Other New York on Amazon.
Pride team have their cake for BBC Children in Need 2021...
PRIDE Another slice? Why not... it’s for charity after all. Last month the Pride team enjoyed a pyjama and dressing gown day and made cakes to sell in the office for the BBC’s Children In Need. The surprise best seller turned out to be Abbi Moon’s delicious vegan chocolate cake, and the team managed to raise £60, contributing to the charity’s £39,389,048. n
Film director is seeking stars!
LEGENDARY MOVIE DIRECTOR RIDLEY SCOTT IS FILMING IN LINCOLN... AND HE’S LOOKING FOR EXTRAS!
LINCOLN He’s famous for films such as Alien, Gladiator and Bladerunner, but now Ridley Scott is bringing the silver screen to Silver Street... or at least, to somewhere in Lincoln –exact locations for the filming of Ridley’s new movie remain secret for the moment. What’s not a secret, though, is that the director is looking for extras to appear in the movie, which has a working title Marengo. The name refers to a battle fought in June 1800 between French forces under First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte and Austrian forces near Piedmont, Italy. n See www.two10casting.com/apply. The City of Lincoln Council along with partners Visit Lincoln and Lincoln BIG have been awarded more than £175,000 in government funding as part of the government’s Welcome Back Fund. This money will be used in a range of areas across the city through a range of environmental improvements, and help grow the local economy through the delivery of large events.
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£175,000
LOCAL NEWS
In Brief
BOSTON x
City status for Boston approved by full council...
Last month Boston Borough Councillors met to discuss applying for city status, and councillors voted to press ahead with the bid. To instil civic pride in Boston, highlight and promote its heritage and its worldwide connections, and increase investment opportunities for economic growth it was agreed that the Council will submit an application for the town to receive City Status as part of celebrations for Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The deadline for city status applications is due to pass as Pride goes to press. n
Scunthorpe’s new enterprise hub...
A planning application has been submitted for a new enterprise and innovation hub in Scunthorpe town centre. The plans funded by Government cash include business space, workshops, meeting rooms, breakout spaces and business development and networking areas. The focus will be on creating space for technology businesses and those in the creative industries. Alongside the flexible office space and meeting rooms the proposal includes a licensed café and bar and 46 en suite studios for young professionals. Globally recognised architects AHR have designed the concepts for the £10.7m redevelopment for North Lincolnshire Council as part of the Government’s Future High Streets Fund. The project is designed to further drive regeneration in the area. Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We’re confident this will be a game-changing addition to the high street, continuing the development already made into Church Square and extending it further into Scunthorpe. We worked closely with the town’s MP Holly Mumby-Croft to secure the money for this amazing
SCUNTHORPE new development. “The development here will radically reshape this area of Scunthorpe, attracting new people for new reasons into the heart of the town.” n
LOCAL NEWS
In Brief
BILL PAYNE IS LOOKING FOR A HOME FOR HIS TRACTORS...
Bill Payne’s 24 classic tractors and 10 historic carts are a familiar sight on the A17 near Spalding. The 83 year old enthusiast was hoping to secure the £500,000 needed to create a museum based on his collection, now though, he’s hoping to sell them at auction instead, to keep the collection in private hands. n
Councillor’s green award
CHAMPION OF GREEN SPACES GIVEN TOP AWARD FOR HIS ‘SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION’ TO GRANTHAM... GRANTHAM Environmental champion Cllr Dr Peter Moseley has been named Councillor of the Year at the 2021 Green Flag Awards in recognition of his ‘significant contribution’ to South Kesteven’s public parks and green spaces. Peter has been the driving force behind Green Flag status for Wyndham Park and Queen Elizabeth Park in Grantham and his more recent work focused on reducing the area’s carbon footprint as a response to climate change. Peter has led on improvements to Dysart Park, Queen Elizabeth Park and the town’s community orchard as part of his role. n
Rawsons Lane, Boston £995,000
This fabulous, architect designed property, completed less than two years ago, stands in a much sought-after position and while it is incredibly convenient for schools, amenities and the hospital, the view over the acres of parkland to the rear is absolutely breath-taking. With the internal dimensions alone approaching 7000 square feet, Eight Elms is a spacious property indeed. The accommodation includes a large living room with triple doors opening onto the rear patio and garden, large games room with bar, a cinema room and a stunning home spa complete with a six metre swim spa, sauna and gym. Outside, the property has the most beautiful outlook and an oak framed triple open-ended garage.
Pilleys Lane, Boston £495,000
This extended four bedroom family home is convenient for Pilgrim Hospital and enjoys a private, established plot with a garden extending to approximately 1/3 acre. There are en-suite facilities to two of the bedrooms and the master suite has an electric staircase which leads up to a home office / hobbies room above. There are two reception rooms plus a fabulous garden room which has electrically operated remote control ceiling panels to allow the perfect temperature all year round and enjoys superb views of the gardens. Offered with no onward chain.
The Coach House, Algarkirk £750,000
An absolutely magical plot with so much opportunity for the right buyer. The Coach House has a private, tree-lined approach which opens up into a fantastic gravel courtyard with the detached former coach house as the central feature with full planning permission to convert into a fabulous four bedroom property. The already converted two bedroom former dairy is complemented by a range of ancillary buildings to include a beautiful garden/dining room and detached guest bedroom with free-standing bath. The secluded woodland grounds approaching an acre, are totally enclosed by a combination of fencing and a beautiful period brick wall. Offering great potential for both residential and commercial use (subject to consents).
London Road, Kirton £475,000
Situated in the heart of the village within walking distance to many amenities, this most attractive period property and detached shop date back to the late 1800’s. There is also an annexe as well as a detached two storey former coach-house included within the sale, making this unique property one that has the potential to appeal to many different types of buyer. The coach-house comprises two large rooms over two storeys and could be idealy converted into additional accommodation subject to the appropriate consents.
CEDAR HOUSE Middlegate Road West | Frampton | Lincolnshire | PE20 1BX DELAMERE Main Road | Wrangle | Boston | Lincolnshire | PE22 9AN
• An Exceptional Architect Designed Mansion Located in 2.7 acres of Landscaped Gardens • Superb Family Residence Offering 8 Bedrooms, 7 Bathrooms • Excellent Entertaining Facilities including 50ft Kitchen/Living Area • Heated Indoor Swimming Pool with Gymnasium • Atria Games Room with Private Seating Area and Hot Tub • Sunken Croquet Lawn and Garden Room with Barbecue • Secluded Lake Overlooked by Deck and Marquee Lawn • Garaging for Over 6 Vehicles and Parking for Over 30 Vehicles FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION £2.75 Million Subject To Contract
WEST SKIRBECK HALL AND PARK London Road | Boston | Lincolnshire | PE21 7HF
• Exceptional Grade II Mansion Set in Over 11 Acres of Secluded Historic Parkland • 4 Reception Rooms, 7 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms, Extensive Entertaining Facilities • Landscaped Gardens, Original Architectural Features, Coach Houses and Outbuildings • Recent Upgrades to Allow for Immediate Use as Superb Holiday Letting Accommodation or a Private Haven
FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION £1.95 Million Subject To Contract • Unique Opportunity to Acquire a Large Family Home in ¼ of an Acre of Mature Gardens • Set in Beautiful Mature Gardens with Private Patio • 5 Reception Rooms Comprising 3 Living Rooms, Large Sun Lounge and Dining Room • 5 Ground Floor Bedrooms with 1 First Floor Bedroom • Large Kitchen with Separate Utility Room, Double Garage FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION £425,000 Subject To Contract
