News
Ringlet of Peace, Apple Day and Supporting our Communities
RINGLET OF PEACE
With such turbulence in different parts of the world, the message of peace is more poignant that ever. We sent it round the world in 11 days, including our evening event, broadcast on Lincoln Siren Radio on the 21st, the UN Day of Peace.
Katie Childs from the Imperial War Museums attended and unveiled the new memorial to those who fought in WW2, made and presented by Ken Bavin. Bishop Nicholas of Grantham made a thoughtful contribution with a beautiful poem. On the less serious side, it was noted that he was tapping his feet and singing along with the much-loved Kerfiffles band. Thanks to Alan Humphries for organisation, compere and music and everyone who helped with the message and refreshments on the night.
Robin Dunsneath began the idea, now adopted globally. He was ill and is now back on his feet. He writes;
“Just wanted to thank all of you for your support for The Ring of Peace. What was happening in Harmston was also happening around the world. Quite something for us to have developed a scheme that has gone global. On the global scene, I am particularly excited about the number of schools and teachers that have taken part this year.
We have an ambitious target for next year, but so much is achievable if you put your mind to it.”
New Memorial unveiled during Ringlet of Peace event: Katie Childs of the Imperial War Musem, Ken Bavin and Harmston Veteran, Eric Seddon
Alan Humphries passing on the message of Peace round the world
FAIRER FUNDING CAMPAIGN
Nationally, as Vice Chairman of the Local Government Association, I have worked with colleagues to get better funding for our councils and for rural authorities like Lincolnshire. We made the case for better funding for adult care and gained an extra £2bn. Lincolnshire got its share which has made a significant improvement in our County. We made the case for more funding for repairing potholes and got £600m. Next we are working on funds for children.
The way funding is shared between Councils is flawed. Central London and the SE gets a far bigger share and Lincolnshire is short-changed by £94.7m every year. If you include North and North East Lincolnshire, it comes to £116.2m pa. To be fair, part of that is the council tax that we do not charge. Lincolnshire is in the bottom three of lowest Council taxes in the whole Country. Four of the seven District Councils actually get slightly more than average, having raised their tax by the £5 allowed. They also get 4/5th of the new home bonus money, while most of the new costs, such as roads, adult care, children and school transport fall on the County Council.
Nevertheless, we do need a better share from Central Government and I am in full support of that. Please add your support to the fairer Funding Campaign. www.lincolnshireindependents.org
FIGHTING FOR LOCAL SERVICES
Fire Service
Retained fire crews based at Brant Broughton are always ready for local emergency calls. This week at County Council, I supported planning permission for construction of a new Blue Light Hub for fire, ambulance and police emergency services on the site of the current fire station, South Park, Lincoln. In Essex the PCC takes over the fire service from the Council this week, so the two services are fully combined. But with three services hungry for funds, it is important they each keep their identity. The current Lincolnshire PCC is collaborating with other services. Nationally, I have made the case for local decision-making as there could be significant risks if fire crews were too frequently diverted to the other services. They still need sufficient staff and funding.
Thanks to the Brant Broughton Fire Service
More Call Connect
Call Connect is the charity supported by County Council to get you where the buses do not go. We are starting a six month pilot this week to extend hours of service in our area to Sleaford Mon-Fri 6.30am-7.30pm & 7.30-6.30 Sat
Ring up to a week ahead 0345 234 33 44 or 01522 553143
Register for Call Connect Plus if you need collection from home. www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/callconnect/35955.article
SHARING INFORMATION
Community Grants
At LCC, we have Wendy Moore on 01522 552223 wendy.moore@lincolnshire.gov.uk
At NKDC, we have Anne-Marie on 01529 308267 Anne-Marie_Shepherd@n-kesteven.gov.uk
European Funding for rural projects is still unspent;
European funding for improving rural economies. www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/funding
HELPING THE HOMELESS
Coleby Harvest Festival The Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Revd Christopher Lowson, the 72nd Bishop of Lincoln, joined us for the service and supper in the Tempest afterwards. The produce and collection are for the Nomad Trust, helping the homeless. This is a particularly important cause. Together with the YMCA, they are building a new facility to enable them to help more people.
EMAUS Trust I visited the EMAUS Trust in London last week and there is also one in Newark. They provide accommodation and voluntary work for 720 people, giving them a chance to get back on their feet, into work and housing of their own. They have their own en-suite rooms, eat together and are part of a community.
SUPPORTING LOCAL EVENTS
Beautiful garments in the show and artist at work in St Helen’s. Also the village was alive with garage sales, dance displays and rides with a horse and trap.
Heritage Open Days at the Meeting House, Brant Broughton, with cake and an exhibition on Truth, Equality, Peace and Simplicity.SUPPORTING VILLAGE EVENTS
The Meeting House was given in 1701 by a local Quaker farmer and is grade 1 listed, special because of its historic significance and simple unspoiled character.
Welbourn Village Fete and Sports DayThe group meet every Sunday at 11am and every third Thursday at 7.30pm for shared silence in the Quaker tradition and all are welcome.
SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND WILDLIFE
Wildlife Watch, Junior part of the Wildlife Trusts
Our Wildlife Watch Group (WKWW) meets monthly for children to meet the natural world at first hand. Any children interested, please let me know or Jean Martin 01636 612176 or jcmartin0448@gmail.com
Apple Day
September saw frogs and children leaping equally, though carefully, in a fifty-year-old orchard created in a shallow disused limestone quarry on the hillside above Welbourn. The astonishing wildlife value of orchards was evident with a pond and signs of badgers, making the area alive with wildlife, such as the Comma Butterfly. About 40 varieties of apples, including many old Lincolnshire fruits were ripening steadily. The old varieties may not keep as well, but made fantastic flavour when eaten straight from the tree. Thanks to Bill Goodhand who showed us round and talked about the history and fruit of this lovely corner, complete with an old windmill, once with sails 150ft high on top of the hill!
We walked through wildflower meadows along the cliff edge to Hilltop Farm, where the sun came through and children got stuck into apple crushing in earnest, thanks to help from local resident, Paul Dinning and parents. The children loved it. Next, we made apple crumble and apple pie with different varieties, all of which required taste testing with custard. A tortoise and two quail made a popular appearance too.
Wildlife Watch and RSPB Explorers are the junior sections of the Wildlife Trusts and RSPB. Events are aimed at children 7-13yrs. Younger children need to be accompanied and older children can become young leaders. The West Kesteven Group meet monthly at the weekend. Locations match the best places to see wildlife at that time. The aim is for children to enjoy learning about wildlife, and we hope they will want to look after it in future.
On Sunday 22nd October is our Fungi Hunt in Twyford Wood, near the A1 at Colsterworth. One series of Dr Who was filmed in this old RAF site. Experts Jane Ostler and David Feld will be on hand to give us a first-hand insight into this amazing world. Come along and see. Phone or E-mail to let us know you are coming along. 01636 626176 or Marianne.overton@biosearch.org.uk.
Wildlife Watch and RSPB Explorers on Apple Day, Welbourn
Making friends on Apple Day, Welbourn
USEFUL REFERENCES
Access to Wellbeing Services and care
The Carers service 01522 782224
carers_team@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Support for Adult care is available 01522 782155
Roadworks
To receive info’ on twitter #lincscc_roads
Help save lives and keep countryside clean
Report Potholes 01522 782070
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/faultreporting
Or use www.FixMyStreet.com
Report Litter 01529 414155
customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Report illegal parking 01522 511142 or
ParkingServices@lincolnshire.gov.uk
The Wellbeing service will help set up and people in a vulnerable position with finance, transport, support groups etc. 01522 782140
Lincs 2 Advice are on 0300 303 8789
Non urgent health 111, Police 101, fraud 0300 123 2040
Grants community_lincs@n-kesteven.gov.uk
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”
Grants
http://www.idoxopen4community.co.uk/lincolnshire/
Village websites
Withamstaple.com; nocton.blogspot.co.uk
www.facebook.com/groups/WhatOnInNocton
https://dunstondossier.org.uk
Branston http://www .tucann.co.uk/the-sheepwash-times Branston Library 01522 880426
www.parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Potterhanworth
www.facebook.com/groups/455116074527966/ Navenby and Wellingore business
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/NavenbyincSkinnand/
Welbourn, Leadenham and Coleby have sites on LCC.
AND FROM ME…
Locally, I have been working on highways, housing and care for the elderly. This month, we got our Cliff Cluster of Parish Councils up and running again, including members from Bracebridge Heath to Leadenham. We had the Senior planning officer, Mark Williets and discussed with him how the Local Plan is working in practice. The government push for ever more housing unconnected to the needs of local people and without enough funding for facilities or services remains a worry. The new local plan is better, supplemented with Neighbourhood plans in some of our small villages. The Local Plan for Central Lincolnshire is now the set of rules we use in planning decisions. It makes places available for 39,000 new dwellings. I believe we need more control over what type of houses are built. Local residents tell me there is a lack of smart bungalows to downsize into. That would also help fill the need for more affordable family homes. Next we will be looking at Road Safety.
I look forward to seeing you out and about over the Autumn. Let me know if you would like help, or like to help, with anything!
Marianne
Marianne Overton MBE
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