The Grantham Oak, on Belton Lane, has come second England’s Tree of the Year competition, organised by the Woodland Trust.

A Hackney plane tree has been crowned winner for 2020, after the public voted overwhelmingly in its favour. The Happy Man Tree is a street tree outside the now demolished Happy Man public house in Woodberry Grove, just off Seven Sisters Road

Last month, it was decided that the tree will be felled before the year is out to make way for redevelopment.

The competition is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery which gives a £1,000 care award to the winning trees.

The Grantham Oak is believed to be more than six centuries old,  the days of Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt.

But its future looked less certain in 2018, when  a utility company set up working around the tree, parking heavy equipment under its branches and digging trenches nearby, inadvertently threatening its roots.

The Woodland Trust, which is based in Grantham, sprung into action, working with the council to make sure that adequate protections were put in place to ensure the tree’s future – a rope barrier has been erected to keep vehicles from driving over its roots, followed by a special protective surface over the wider area.

The Grantham Oak should still have a long life ahead of it.

A new partnership has been created to help eligible residents secure energy efficiency improvements to their homes – and offer advice on keeping warm.

South Kesteven District Council is joining forces with other local authorities across Lincolnshire to form Lincs 4 Warmer Homes – L4WH – which helps people save money and reduce their energy use.

Those who qualify can upgrade their heating or get other improvements including:

• Loft insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• Solid wall insulation
• Boiler replacements
• First-time central heating

Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Robert Reid, said: “This scheme is to help vulnerable residents get additional funding through the Energy Company Obligation and make energy-efficiency improvements to their homes. A warm home is something no one should be without.

“Funding is limited and will be released on a first come first served basis so I would urge anyone who thinks work might need to be done to get in touch as soon as possible.”

The county-wide organisation, Lincs 4 Warmer Homes, connects residents with funding and installers to keep people warm while keeping energy bills under control.

For example, households can get their heating facilities changed through National Grid’s £150m Warm Homes Fund, a programme only available through local authorities and registered social landlords.

Residents in receipt of certain income-related benefits who rely on storage heaters, fixed and/or portable room heaters and solid fuel fires could upgrade to A-rated gas central heating or, where mains gas is not an option, LPG will be offered, subject to survey to determine eligibility and acceptance by the installer. 

The funding has come through National Grid’s £150m Warm Homes Fund, a programme administered by Community Interest Company, Affordable Warmth Solutions  and only available through local authorities and registered social landlords.

Householders who think they could benefit from new heating and could meet the eligibility criteria can contact the L4WH Team online via www.l4wh.co.uk, call (01472) 326434 or email l4wh@nelincs.gov.uk.

More information on energy efficiency and keeping warm can be found at the SKDC website: http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=8146

The countdown to Christmas has started, and National Trust’s beautiful Belton House in Lincolnshire is getting ready to welcome its glittering Illuminated Trail back this year, between 27 November 2020 – 3 January 2021.

Christmas at Belton House is the perfect way to get outside in the fresh air and into the festive mood. Wrap up warm, get your Christmas sparkle on, and be surrounded by over a million twinkling lights, colourful trees and amazing illuminated installations, transforming Belton’s majestic gardens into a winter wonderland.

It takes between one to two hours to complete the magical mile-long trail, with special light installations along the way set to classic Christmas music.

Wander beneath unique tree canopies drenched in Christmas colour, surrounded by giant baubles, glowing flowers, glittering snowflakes, and clusters of trees wrapped in ever-changing ribbons of colour.  And don’t forget to look out for Father Christmas along the way!

The trail’s installations and sparkling lights provide picture-perfect social media opportunities around every corner.

Trail highlights for 2020:

*NEW* this year:

• Candle Magick– Created byCristina Ottonello these giant luminescent candles rise high into the night sky, welcoming you on your way to the Meadow of Light.
• Meadow of Light – marvel at Lightwork’s meadow of light as it gently shimmers and sways.
• Baubelles – Also created by Lightworks, this glowing installation immerses visitors in a tunnel of modern ‘baubles’ and strips of electric light.
• Aurora –More fantastical creations by Cristina Ottonello these over-sized illuminated lanterns soar between the trees.

Back by popular demand for a second year:

• Laser Garden – Step into a garden like no other, abloom with colourful laser lights.
• Tunnel of Light – This majestic tunnel, adorned with over 100,000 pea-lights and almost 50 metres long, is stunning to look at from a distance or to immerse yourself within, making it an Instagram showstopper.

“Wandering around this sparkling trail set against the dark night sky is like entering a wintery fairy-tale”, said Belton House general manager, Ian Cooper.

“This uplifting festive experience is suitable for all ages, and provides a safe, socially-distanced outdoor environment where visitors can enjoy Belton House’s spectacular gardens, festooned with colour and Christmas lights,” he added.

Book your tickets safe in the knowledge that if Covid-19 Government legislation requires cancellation, you can re-book your slot or get a refund.

Christmas at Belton is brought to you by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music, and hosted by the National Trust.  The trail is created by Culture Creative.

For more information please contact: Sarah Runnacles | sarah@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07788490146.

What:              Christmas at Belton – the magical, after-dark, illuminated trail
When:             From 27November 2020 – 3 January 2021. Open from 4.30pm, last entry

8pm and closes at 10pm. The festive trail is open on selected dates. For full details and bookings please visit nationaltrust.org.uk/beltonhouse.

Why Visit:      Discover a Christmas illuminated trail for all the family set within the beautiful

landscape of Belton House.

Admission:    Advanced From: Adult £19, Child £13.50, Family £60 (2 adults & 2 children).  Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under.

Parking £8 per car. Free for National Trust members when booked in advance.

Website:         nationaltrust.org.uk/beltonhouse | #christmasatbelton | #mychristmastrails
Address:        Belton House, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2LW

Works to replace the worn out carriageway on the A607 Carlton Scroop, between Normanton on Cliff and Hough Lane, will start on Monday 21 September.

The total programme of works is expected to last for five weeks, subject to suitable weather.

As part of the works, a full night-time road closure will be in place throughout the duration of the project from 7pm to 6am, Monday to Friday.

The diversion route for the closure will be via the A607 to Leadenham / C308 to Leadenham by-pass / A17 to Holdingham roundabout / A15 to Quarrington roundabout / A153 to Honington / A607 to Carlton Scroop, and vice versa.

Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “As part of these works, we’ll be resurfacing a stretch of the A607 near Carlton Scroop to replace road surface that’s nearing the end of its serviceable life.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to minimise disruption throughout the five-week project, including maintaining access for residents and emergency services throughout the works.

“I want to thank everyone in advance for their patience during the works. The A607 is an important road, and these improvements will ensure remains safe and continues to operate smoothly for years to come.”

For up-to-date information about this and other roadworks, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/roadworks.

by Countryside Alliance

These new rules will introduce the independent Geographical Indications (GI) schemes ensuring that products such as stilton and Melton Mowbray pork pies will continue to be protected as we leave the EU. This is great news for Britain’s food and drink producers as well as consumers who can continue to purchase with confidence.

The Countryside Alliance has long believed that honest labelling is essential for consumers and producers and we call on the Government to go further and introduce mandatory country of origin labelling on all meat products. 

Currently all fresh meat sold in the UK must be labelled showing where the animal was reared and slaughtered but this does not cover products such as sausages, bacon and ready-meals.

Consumers are taking much more notice about where the meat they eat originates and the Countryside Alliance wants labelling that shows where the animal was reared and slaughtered for all meat, including that where meat is an ingredient.

Currently sausages made in Britain from Danish pork can be legitimately labelled as British because the meat has been processed in the UK. We believe food marked as British must come from British farmers and producers. 

Country of origin food labelling must be mandatory for all meat to ensure a level playing field for British farmers after we leave the EU.

Geographical Indications Schemes

The new rules will introduce the independent Geographical Indications (GI) schemes and will make sure that popular and traditional produce from across the country will be granted special status to mark out their authenticity and origin, for example Scotch whisky and Welsh lamb.

This means that shoppers will be able to buy their favourite food and drink with confidence, and producers whose foods are granted GI status will benefit from intellectual property protection so that others cannot imitate them. GIs are highly valued by producers and are exemplars of the wide range of quality British products enjoyed around the world. They represent around a quarter of UK food and drink exports by value, approaching £6bn in export value in 2019.

GIs are only awarded to highlight regional and traditional foods whose authenticity and origin can be guaranteed. The new logos representing the unique and protected nature of these products to consumers have been unveiled today, which can be displayed on all British produce which is given GI status.
 

Residents are being asked to share their opinions on a proposal to build much-needed council properties on a patch of disused land in the heart of Grantham.

The 24 new homes, off Swinegate, would be one and two-bedroom flats for people on the South Kesteven District Council housing register – those who most urgently need a home.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Cllr Robert Reid, said: “This development would help SKDC deliver much-needed high quality new social housing to Grantham – something that is needed in our towns, throughout the district and across the country as a whole.

“These properties would be built to the Lifetime Homes standard to support the changing needs of residents now and into the future. They are designed to be inclusive, accessible, adaptable, energy efficient, sustainable and good value.

“This is an exciting proposal and would improve the local area.”

The development would form part of SKDC’s Housing Strategy and demand shows a requirement for  128 properties to be built in central Grantham. Developing homes in line with demand also helps free up larger properties within SKDC’s stock to ensure more residents have a home that suits their needs.

SKDC has already consulted organisations including Lincolnshire County Council Highways and Grantham Civic Society.

The public consultation will be open for responses between Monday 26 October and Sunday 8 November. The full details and survey can be found by searching for “Swinegate Development” on the SKDC website.

There will also be two Covid-safe drop-in sessions at The Newton Room, Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham on Tuesday 27 October, and Friday 30 October, both from 9am–6pm.

After a planning application is submitted, people will also be able to formally comment on the proposal to the SKDC planning department.

The proposal’s strong street line along Swinegate is in keeping with the rest of the street. At the rear, the block is stepped away from neighbouring properties to minimise overlooking. This also allows the buildings to centre around a communal entrance courtyard.

The garage site has existing planning permission for nine flats and SKDC’s proposal would expand that to 24 one and two-bedroom apartments.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust is re-introducing visitor car parking charges, with new lower rates, from Monday 2 November.

Parking charges for visitors were paused in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As more and more services have been reintroduced, there is now a need to monitor parking and make sure patients and those visiting loved ones are able to park on the hospital sites.

In recognition of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Trust has decided to introduce lower charges than before, and to introduce a half-hour free at the beginning of each stay.

The new charges from Monday 2 November 2020 will be as below:

Up to 30 minutes    FREE

Up to 1 hour     £1

1 to 4 hours     £2

4 – 24 hour      £5

Motorcycle parking    FREE

Blue Badge holders    FREE (the vehicle needs to be pre-registered at main reception with the blue badge displayed in the windscreen. Vehicles  previously registered will still be on the system).

Concessions

Remain in place as before. For further information discuss with the ward or department.

In addition, and in line with new Government guidance, parking will now be free for more patients than ever before, including:

blue badge holders

frequent outpatients who have to attend regular appointments to manage long-term conditions

parents of sick children staying in hospital overnight.

Patients who believe that are eligible for free parking should mention it to the clinic or ward reception team upon arrival.

To ensure continued compliance with infection prevention measures, car parking payment machines will be regularly cleaned throughout each day and hand sanitiser will also be available for people to use before and after using the machines. However, people are advised to pay by cards wherever possible to reduce the risk of spreading infection.

Patients and visitors are encouraged wherever possible to register to use the good2go website (www.parkgood2go.com/) to pay for car parking online after their visit.

The charges will be reviewed again in March 2021. Parking for all staff is free at the Trust.