July News

New

Cllr Richard Johnston (Lincolnshire Independent)

Richard was elected onto the District Council this week. Previously a company Chief Executive, he now serves his community well and the vote was overwhelming. He also supports the Parish Magazine, twinning, the U3A and a community choir. Richard is keen to make a good, fresh start listening and supporting the warm community of Skellingthorpe to a bright future.

The North Hykeham Mill Ward was won by conservative Cllr Roe with Lincolnshire Independent Cllr Nikki Dillon a creditable second, ahead of two national parties.

Brant Broughton Fire and Rescue Service

More paid on-call firefighters are needed locally, especially during daytime hours. All training is provided and it is a great thing to do for our villages. Ring 0800 3580 204 or look online https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lincolnshire-fire-and-rescue/jobs

Three Big Celebrations

1. Perhaps like me, you joined one of the Big Tea Parties to celebrate 70 years of the NHS? The extra £20bn for the NHS sadly does nothing for the shortfall in care. Nationally I have been working on producing a green paper with some solutions.

2. We celebrated 100 years the RAF locally with a baton travelling round the county, arriving at Witham St Hughs for a presentation to the children. Thanks to Mathew Jeffrey for organising it and joining me for an evening in Parliament.

3. I joined 10,000 women celebrating the centenary of women being able to vote in the national elections. Women were able to stand and vote in local elections in 1907, but it took a world war for women to be seen as competent in many fields of work, including government. As the most senior woman in the Local Government Association representing 400 councils, I was also privileged to speak in Europe and I finally made it onto BBC Woman’s hour!

Campaigns

Taking our local issues to the National Table

National Public Transport Day: You may also have seen me on the news campaigning to keep the subsidies that enable buses to run in many of our rural areas. We are asking for the Bus Operator’s Grant to be passed to Councils so we can pick the routes our residents need. It was removal of that grant by the County Council that halved the buses from Welbourn to Grantham. Other routes need support too.

Democracy Day: We held a huge conference in Birmingham ICC to seek good ideas for our councils and influence our ministers and public. I was re-elected Vice Chairman of the Local Government Association and as Leader of the Independent Group, I have an office and staff to support Independent Councillors nationally.

Waste: One of our members has calculated that the contract with the Energy from Waste Plant at N.Hykeham has been very poor value and in any case alternatives now need to be sought. I met with the conservative responsible, Cllr Poll and will be following up on the issue. I responded to the consultation pointing out we need small local facilities, like Leadenham, where people can take their waste.

Brexit: I met with the new minister for Local Government, James Brokenshire MP. We agreed a new joint committee between Local and National Government to ensure the solutions are as smooth and practical as possible.

Standards and Equality: I have a joint committee between local and National government to create a charter that better attracts women into the role. Currently only a third of councillors are women and only 10pc of leaders. We have created a European Charter for Councils and we are working on one for England.

And More Locally

To tackle speeding through our villages, we are getting more Speed Indicator Devices. I asked the Police and Crime Commissioner to do more. He has agreed and is putting in place 12 unmarked vehicles to deal with speeding, illegal phone use, drugs and alcohol. 47% of traffic through Carlton was speeding and 70% on Thurlby Road. We need to do better to respect our villages.

The rendering Site at Norton Disney has received more objections than any other application, ever. Public meetings have been held on the Skellingthorpe application. The two applications are expected to together reach the District Council for comment, then the County Council Planning where I sit, for a decision .

Highways

We have at last some significant improvements from the A17 at Beckingham, village roads at Welbourn, Leadenham, Thurlby and Bassingham. Next is to look at which road resurfacing to push for first. We have met with officers to review Carlton Le Moorland, the Pottergate and Broughton Road.

Please keep saving lives by reporting dangerous potholes.

01522 782070 or better mark the location on the map using the link from the home page of the County Council website, called “Report a Highways Fault”. It is the start point I need to chase them up.

EVENTS We have had a series of brilliant events, organised by and with our village communities.

The Soapbox Downhill Challenge at Coleby

Around 3,000 people attended this national championship event, raising over £7.5K clear for the village hall and two charities Lives and the Air Ambulance. Thanks to all for terrific support at this biennial event.

Open Gardens at Bassingham and Welbourn

A huge thank you to all for the brilliant support in opening gardens, making cakes, running teas and activities. Over £3,000 was raised at each event, for the Lancaster at Norton Disney and the Church path at Welbourn.

Witham St Hughs Academy, Welbourn, Carlton Le Moorland and Norton Disney all held events on June 30^th, making a very busy day! Thurlby Rose Festival was magnificent, once again, raising a useful £600.

I was honoured to open the fun-filled Village Fete at Beckingham in June. The home made teas, plant stall, exhibition and the innovative snail race and worm hop were popular and the Classic cars magnificent. £1,400 was raised for new village signs.

Some Regular Events

Fridays

First Friday monthly at the Marquis, Wellingore 12.30

All Fridays: Hammond Hall, Bassingham Coffee Morning for all ages. Harmston Happy Hour in Village Hall 6-9pm, Beckingham Social Club and Witham St Hughs Village Hall

Sundays in August: Excellent Teas in Temple Bruer Schoolroom 2-5pm

Regular Events Continued

Lunch Clubs

July 10^th and 24^th Bassingham Village Lunch Club Book 789236 £5 noon and August 7^th and 21^st

July 17^th and 31^st Bassingham Lunch Club Book 789935 £5 noon and August 14^th and 28^th August

July 16^th Carlton Le Moorland Vill. Ha. 788303 £3.50 1pm and 20^th August

Music

First Wed monthly Traditional Folk Music (Instrumental) at the Bugle Horn, Bassingham LN5 9HQ on the first Wednesday monthly 8 – 11pm Excellent meals are available too, thanks to Pat and Caroline.

First Thurs monthly Folk at the George, Leadenham 8pm

Excellent meals from Michael and Karin Willgoose.

Health Walks

Every Wed. Five Bells, Bassingam 10.30am

Every Fri The Venue, Navenby 10.15am

July Events

7^th Jazz in July, April Cott, Fen La, Bassingham £4 2-5pm

7^th/8^th Secrets of the hidden gardens, Wellingore. Park at Wellingore Memorial Hall £3 Eleven gardens 1-5pm

7^th Wellingore Granby Day Out Music Festival 4pm

8^th Leadenham Tennis Club Open Afternoon 2-5pm

11^th U3A Wellingore Memorial Hall “The District Herbalist” 10am for 10.30a start

11^th Coleby Library and Coffee Morning Vill. Ha.10.30am

14^th Books and butties, Wellingore Memorial Hall 10-12

14^th Bassingham Choir Fantasia in St Michael’s, Bassingham £7 incl. wine and refreshments 7.30pm

15^th House Concert and Supper, home of Marianne and Peter Overton, Welbourn, Kesteven Quartet Book with Jean Martin 01636 626176 £15 incl. food 6-9pm

15^th Garden Party at the Old Rectory, Coleby incl. live music and dancing, bring your own food. £15

15^th Vicky Clayton Leadenham Vill. Ha. 7.30pm

15^th Coffee Morning, 33 High St, Navenby 10.30-noon

15^th Sea Dipping and sand sculptures with Wildlife Watch at Gibraltar Point 10am

18^th Mary Queen of Scots comes to St Peter’s, Navenby Tickets £15 incl. refreshments 01522 810030 7.30pm

21^st/22^nd Crafts at Cranwell Village Hall 10-4pm

24^th Welbourn Music Appreciation Soc. in St Chads 7pm

29^th Teas in the Garden Thurlby Corner LN5 9EQ £1, 2-4pm

August

2^nd Cha and Chat Welbourn Village Hall 2-4pm

3^rd 4^th Witham St Hughs Summer Beer Festival (Facebook)

5^th Big Folk Event at the George 11am-late

5^th Artisan Market at Leadenham Village Tea House

5^th Coleby Car Boot Sale

Local Wildlife

Dormouse still sleeping in my hand

Our Wildlife Watch Group joined an official survey checking dormouse boxes at Chamber’s Wood. The kestrel chick below was one of four in an owl box, near our house, where we have been gardening for wildlife for many years. So we can track its future, it was ringed by expert Alan Ball, who used to be our road safety officer! Next meeting for Wildlife Watch and RSPB Explorers is Sea Dipping and sand scuptures on Sunday 15^th July at Gibraltar Point. Book 01636 612 683

Wildlife Boxes: We have some excellent bird boxes for sale to a good home, thanks to one of our members.

Join us on July 15^th for the House and Garden Concert!

Some Useful Information

Transport and Travel

Call Connect 8.30am – 7pm Weekdays and to 5pm Saturdays 0345 234 33 44 or 01522 553143 www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/callconnect/35955.article

Dial a ride 01522 544983 Disabled door to door

Car-sharing www.lincshare.co.uk

Trains www.thetrainline.com

Local Plan www.central-lincs.org.uk 01529 308084

Planning on line

See and comment on applications to get your voice heard. Search “planning on line north Kesteven”

Village websites