Nocton Notes - My life in and around the village of Nocton, Lincolnshire

News from Metheringham........

2012-01-30T17:40:00.000Z

Margaret is our new correspondent

Published on Sunday 29 January 2012 12:05

NEW CORRESPONDENT – The Sleaford Standard has appointed a new correspondent for Metheringham.

Margaret Kristen is now the point of contact for all news, events and activities in the village which you wish to be published in the Sleaford Standard.

Please contact her about your event or let her know it is happening and she will attend.

You can contact her on 01526 322169 or 079458066366, or by email at maggiekristen@hotmail.co.uk

Let her have details of any events or activities before Thursday evening to be included in the following week’s issue.

HALL NEEDS HELP - Metheringham Village Hall Management Committee are looking to appoint a treasurer, chairperson and a secretary. The situation is getting quite desperate now.

Anyone wishing to apply for any of the positions should contact Jenni Honisett on 01526 320968 or email Dot Howes at dot.howes@tiscali.co.uk

The current chairperson will step down at the annual meeting.

BADMINTON – Anyone interested in playing badminton on either Tuesday or Thursday afternoon at Metheringham Village Hall should contact Kay Bulled on 01526 320589.

FOOTBALL CLUB - Metheringham Football Club is seeking people to run the under-7, under-8 and under-9 teams.

The club has plenty of children wanting to play but no one to run these teams. If you could you spare a few hours to help run the teams, contact the club secretary Pete Ford on 01526 320016.

PANTOMIME – Metherinham Amateur Dramatics group will be performing their latest pantomime, Red Riding Hood, this weekend.

The panto, directed by Darren Hawbrook, can be seen at the village hall on Friday at 7.30pm and on Saturday at 2.30pm and at 7.30pm.

Tickets, priced £6.00, are available at D&K News or via metheringhamamaturedramatic.co.uk

Margaret is our new correspondent - Community News - Sleaford Standard

2012-01-30T17:38:00.000Z

Margaret is our new correspondent - Community News - Sleaford Standard

Police in Lincolnshire

2012-01-30T17:35:00.000Z

Lincolnshire Police force praised for good leadership

Monday, January 30, 2012

Lincolnshire Echo

A review into the way Lincolnshire Police records crimes has praised strong leadership which encourages high standards.

In the first review of its kind by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), it was revealed that out of 120 records created by Lincolnshire Police as a result of calls for assistance from the public, just three had been closed without a crime being properly recorded.

The systems in place for recording incidents reported by the public were also deemed "good", and the way officers deal with victims and identified repeated victims was "good".

The report, called The crime scene: A review of police crime and incident reports, aims to ensure police forces are keeping accurate records of when crimes are reported so areas prone to anti-social behaviour can be monitored as well as offering the right level of support to victims.

Heather Roach, Detective Chief Superintendent, head of crime support, said: "The force has a real commitment to 'getting it right first time'.

"Supervisors within our control room carry out daily audits of incidents and the central point for recording crime – the Crime Management Bureau – is staffed with experienced and skilled individuals.

"The results are really good for Lincolnshire and we feature in the top two or three forces within the country around these standards.

"However there is always room for improvement and what really matters is that at the end of each crime there is generally a victim who deserves the best response we can give along with a successful conclusion."

The findings in the report place Lincolnshire as one of the top-performing forces.

The review did highlight a need to improve how victims are kept in the loop about the progress of their case but said officers do give victims "good" support.

2012-01-30T17:33:00.000Z

Angry fans show red card to Poppies boss

Published on Monday 30 January 2012 09:47

Poppies fans have shown their club’s owner the red card in protest of his handling of the stricken club.

Up to 1,500 supporters held up red placards saying Show Imraan Ladak The Red Card and unfurled banners before Kettering Town’s game against Lincoln City at Nene Park on Saturday.

Mark Severn, chairman of the Kettering Town Supporters’ Trust, which organised the protest, said: “It’s down to Imraan’s conscience now. We are down to one man.

“He has always said he will do his best by the club. We thank him for the good times, but his time here could be up.”

The trust want Mr Ladak to sell the club, to which HMRC issued a winding-up order over unpaid debts to the taxman earlier this month, to someone who can invest money into it.

The four banners carried quotes from Mr Ladak about handing the club to the fans and having supporters’ interests at heart.

Mr Severn said there was also a lot of chanting calling on Mr Ladak to leave the club.

Fans had initially aimed to hold the demonstration at the Poppies’ home game against Forest Green Rovers earlier this month.

But following its postponement because of a frozen pitch the supporters’ trust delayed the protest to Saturday’s home game.

The team did play a home game against Gateshead last Tuesday night, but the fixture was instead used to celebrate the life of Ryan Kirk, a 19-year-old fan who died in a car crash near Grafton Underwood on January 10.

At last Tuesday night’s game there was a mild protest with scoreboard operator Chris Knight writing a message at half-time asking Mr Ladak to go.

Mr Knight said: “Everyone got behind the protest and sent a clear message out there.”

It is understood that former Poppies director Lee Thorn, who made an offer for the club which has since been withdrawn, has organised a fans’ forum at Nene Park at 7pm on Friday.

The trust has launched a fighting fund to help with any potential takeover. For more information visit www.poppynet.co.uk.

Two teams of supporters will play at the Poppies’ old ground in Rockingham Road on Saturday to pay for the funerals of Ryan Kirk and 17-year-old Charlotte Filer, who also died in the accident. The captains will be Ryan’s cousin Curtis and Charlotte’s brother Aaron.

University of Lincoln benefits the City.......

2012-01-30T17:28:00.000Z

University applications for the first year with tuition fees of up to £9,000 are up in Lincoln, despite a national drop of almost 9%.

UCAS figures published on Monday show the number of UK university applications dropped by 8.7% nationally.

In Lincoln, however, the number of applications has actually increased.

Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln recorded an increase of 18.1% in applications to the official deadline of January 15, to 1,919 from 1,585 last year.

BG is charging £7,500 per year for student tuition fees for the majority of its courses and £9,000 for PGCE courses.

The University of Lincoln, which had to reduce its student intake by 11% due to funding cuts, has seen a slight increase of 0.5% in applications as well.

Applications for its £9,000 per year courses went up to 12,576 from 12,387.

University Registrar Chris Spendlove said: “We have seen strong demand for subjects with clearly defined routes into established professions, with notable increases in applications for engineering, accountancy, architecture, nursing and law, among others.”

The University of Lincoln also noted an increase of almost 75% in applications from international students, mainly from China and India, while EU applications remained “steady”.

UCAS Chief Executive Mary Curnock Cook said: “Our analysis shows that decreases in demand are slightly larger in more advantaged groups than in the disadvantaged groups.

“The indications are that demand for HE will continue to outstrip the number of places available in 2012.

Jim Broadbent & Nocton.........

2012-01-30T17:24:00.000Z

Film footage of Hollywood actor Jim Broadbent – which pre-dates his official silver screen debut – has been discovered in Lincolnshire.

A film reel has been found in which the Oscar winner assumes the role of a worker at Nocton Estate, south of Lincoln.

William Franklin from Dunston, pictured left, took part in a film about life on a farm in Lincolnshire in 1976. He didn't realise until his son found a copy that the well-known Lincolnshire actor Jim Broadbent, pictured right, was also in the film.

Named The Greenhouse, the 18-minute black and white production was made in February 1976.

According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), Broadbent's first movie appearance was in The Shout two years later.

But the documentary suggests his first performance may have slipped under the radar.

The star, who plays Dennis Thatcher in the new film The Iron Lady, is seen doing jobs on the farm and speaking to other workers while on his lunch break.

Originally from Holton cum Beckering, near Market Rasen, Broadbent, was then aged 26 with dark curly hair and a goatee beard. Early in the footage, he speaks about the county's landscape in a voiceover recording.

He said: "The land is good around here, very easy to farm with it being so flat.

"Good farming land Lincolnshire."

The film was made by Broadbent's friend Alan Coddington as part of his studies at the National Film School.

It features shots across the fens towards Lincoln Cathedral, potato planting in the fields and glimpses of Dunston, south of Lincoln.

Mr Coddington discovered the original 16 millimetre footage in his loft around six years ago.

He then decided to make a DVD copy as he had no way of watching it in the old format.

One other copy was made for the only surviving worker featured in the film, former tractor driver William Franklin.

However Mr Franklin, 90, of Dunston, was unaware of who Broadbent was until the film was seen recently by his son.

Graham Franklin, 58, a nightclub owner from Cleethorpes, said: "When I looked at the film I thought I recognised his face and then I looked at the case and I recognised the name.

"It was a bit of a 'wow factor' that my dad had been in this film with someone who has gone on to be so famous."

William Franklin received a card from Broadbent when he celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday, January 14.

He said: "It was lovely of him to send the card.

"He was a nice enough chap with the bit I had to do with him. He seemed a bit like us I thought, a bit broad.

"He was a grand fellow."

Since The Greenhouse, Broadbent has starred in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Bridget Jones' Diary, The Borrowers and Moulin Rouge.

He has also appeared in television shows such as Only Fools and Horses.

Mr Coddington, who now lives in Cornwall, said very few people had seen the film.

He said: "I knew Jim quite well at the time. I had known him since I was about 16. But I haven't seen him for about 30 years.

"I don't think a lot of people have seen the film and I don't think Jim has seen it since it was made.

"I couldn't be 100 per cent sure it was his first film but I know he hadn't done much.

"He has gone on to do some great stuff. I'm very pleased for him."

The Nimrod flies into the History Books

2011-06-28T18:54:00.000+01:00

Image via WikipediaLast flight for the Nimrod today. How sad.

Raises Dough!!!!! Very funny!!!!!!

2011-06-28T17:30:00.000+01:00

Class raises dough for church

A breadmaking masterclass. Baker Peter Welbourne with his students at Wellingore. Photo: 8642mf

Published on Sunday 26 June 2011 12:00

A MASTERCLASS in bread making given by village baker Peter Welbourne proved so popular a second class has already been booked up.

Mr Welbourne, whose bakery is based in Navenby, staged a master class in traditional bread making for a limited group of a dozen people eager to learn the tricks of the trade.

It was held in the kitchen of Simon and Dilly Erskine-Krum at Glebe Barn, Wellingore, hence the limited numbers and designed help raise funds towards repairs to the frost-damaged All Saints’ parish church tower at Wellingore.

Having baked the bread the group then got to eat a ploughman’s lunch with it.

Mr Erskine-Krum is treasurer of the church committee who are trying to raise over £100,000 for the repairs to the stone work on the tower.

Another class set for July 16 has already been booked up and there is a waiting list long enough to maybe stage a third and fourth session due to the amount of interest in learning this traditional craft.

Mrs Erskine-Krum said the church tower is a beacon at night on top of the hill and it would be sad if funds could not be found to preserve it.

Now would I go for Branston or Metheringham or Woodhall Spa? Woodhall Spa, I think!

2011-06-28T17:27:00.000+01:00

Lincolnshire villages battle it out in best-kept competition

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Lincolnshire Echo

VILLAGES are fighting it out to be named Lincolnshire's best-kept village.

After round one earlier this year, remaining entries in the Villages And Small Towns Competition will battle it out in two more stages.

Round two will take place in July, the winners will be announced in August.

Villages currently in the running include Saxilby, Branston, Metheringham and Woodhall Spa.

The competition is run by Teresa Palmer of Community Lincs, in partnership with the Lincolnshire branch of Campaign To Protect Rural England.

It is sponsored by district councils, Lincolnshire County Council and Pennells Garden Centres.

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CIWF wins award.......Do they deserve it?

2011-06-28T17:19:00.000+01:00

CIWF wins award for Nocton campaign

10 June 2011 | By Alistair Driver

COMPASSION in World Farming has won an ethical award for its campaign to halt the proposed Nocton mega dairy, in Lincolnshire.

The animal welfare charity picked up the Campaigner of the Year award in the Observer Ethical Awards 2011 on Thursday at London’s Victoria & Albert museum.

It was honoured for its ‘Cows Belong in Fields’ campaign, sparked by Nocton Dairies’ plans for an 8,100-cow dairy unit last year.

Nocton withdrew its application earlier this year. At the time it said the sole reason was the refusal of the Environment Agency to lift its objections made on the basis of the risk of groundwater pollution.

But CIWF claimed ‘the huge intensity of public opposition’ and the work of organisations like itself were also factors.

The award was accepted by leading CIWF officials and celebrity supporters Bill Oddie and vet Marc Abrahams (celebrity vet).

CIWF prevailed over other high profile shortlisted candidates such as Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and 38 Degrees, which also campaigned against the Nocton proposal.

CIWF’s Nocton Campaign Manager, Pat Thomas, said the ongoing campaign ‘stretches beyond Nocton, at a time when the spectre of the factory-farming threatens to undermine the UK dairy industry’.

“We are celebrating both the win and the public momentum behind it that says unambiguously that factory farming is cruel, unsustainable and unacceptable.”

CIWF shared the award with local campaigners, including CAFFO (Campaign Against Factory Farming Operations)

“Defeating the mega-dairy took genuine teamwork and we were happy to provide local support and are grateful for the support that we received in return from local people and groups, particularly CAFFO. It was clear to us from the beginning that the proprietors of Nocton Dairies had dangerously underestimated the knowledge and persistence of local residents and the weight of public pressure,” she said.

The charity said it ‘continues its fight against mega-dairies in the UK’ and said it recently submitted an objection to the proposed 1,000-cow ‘mega-dairy’ in Powys, Wales.

CIWF’s award follows hot on the heels of a Chartered Institute of Public Relations excellence award for the World Society for the Protection Animals’ ‘Not in my Cuppa’ campaign, also opposing the Nocton project.

CIWF’s award was announced the day after the Women’s Institute decided not to vote on a resolution to oppose large scale farms.

Readers' comments (2)

Anonymous | 11 June 2011 10:29 am
Er.Did the application not get withdrawn because the EA said there was an unacceptable risk? Well done Compassion in World farming and all that for what I am sure was a very good and well executed camapign and for that reason alone I am sure you deserve your accolade, but can you explain exactly how your campaign was a 'factor'? Are you suggesting that you influenced the techncial team of scientists in a government agency? Interesting that others are also spotting this tendency among certain donation-funded campaign groups to claim all the credit. http://www.ipaquotas.com/QUOTANEWS.htm
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Vernon Goddard | 28 June 2011 5:15 pm
The way I remember the recent campaign and the results of the planning objections serve me to recall that the major reason why the application failed was owing to the EAs concerns over potential contamination of the local acquifier. The Planning authorities also indicated that "they were minded" to turn the application down for several other reasons none associated with welfare of animals nor on compassionate grounds. Whilst I accept the the support of National bodies were important, they were not instrumental in determining the result. I would have awarded the Ethical accolade to the good people of Nocton, Metheringham, Branston etc etc who stopped this Super dairy with first-class reasoning and a real sense of community.........Let's not rewrite history by passing out accolades to the wrong organisations..........
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And I give you - the good people of Nocton.....

2011-06-28T17:02:00.000+01:00

Village people are the focus for volume two of Nocton history

Published on Tuesday 21 June 2011 16:53

AFTER completing the published work of the history of Nocton, two history enthusiasts have written a second book.

Sue Morris and Sheila Redshaw have completed Nocton - The last years of an estate village; Volume Two, a joint effort which tells the stories of people who lived in the village in days gone by.

While Volume One focused on the agricultural history of the village, Volume Two looks at the people of the village, the school, the church and some of the families who live or who have lived in Nocton.

During her research, Sue found that some families have lived in Nocton since the 1800s and during her time in the village primary school she was able to study the school log dating back to the 1920s.

She also found out about families whose children used to walk to school from the Fenlands, walking over four miles, and evacuees who came to the village in World War Two.

While studying church logs, she included stories in the book about the vicars’ wives who told of their stories of life in the vicarage and various activities at the village hall.

Sheila has lived in the village for over 50 years and provided the photos for the book by meeting local people and sharing their photos.

The two women decided to write the two volumes of Nocton’s history back in 2004, to share what they found out with others as they thought their findings would be of interest to local people.

Sue, who has lived in the village for over 20 years, said: “It was fascinating meeting people and they have been so very generous in sharing their photo albums with us.

“It’s amazing what people have lurking in their cupboards.”

Nocton - The last years of an estate village; Volume Two is available for £25 from D&K News in Metheringham, Nocton Post Office and from Sue herself at 7 The Avenue, Nocton, LN4 2BN, plus £3.50 for postage and packaging.

Well - it's only 6 miles!!!!!!!!!

2011-06-28T16:57:00.000+01:00

Woodhall Spa 10k runners helped by cooler weather

Monday, June 06, 2011

Lincolnshire Echo

COOLER weather helped make the Woodhall Spa 10K slightly less challenging for the 1,200 people who took part.

Runners and wheelchair competitors raced along a route through some breathtaking countryside yesterday, cheered on by well-wishers.

GET SET: Competitors in the Woodhall Spa 10K get ready for the start of the race.

Among the supporters was 11-times Paralympic gold medallist Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Charities and community groups in the village are now expected to benefit from a share of £5,000 raised by the event.

First across the finish line was Matt Bowser, 27, of Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club in 30.41 – a course record in his first stab at the event.

"I thought I would get to 5km in 15 minutes and see how I felt," said Mr Bowser, a recruitment consultant from Brattleby.

"My personal 10K best is 29.57. I enjoyed Woodhall – it was a nice event – I'd never run in it before.

"The conditions were OK, but it was windy throughout."

The first woman to finish was Beverley Wilson of Cleethorpes, in 38.13.

In the wheelchair race, Simon Lawson of Cumbria came first in 23.37.

The three-mile fun run even attracted babies being pushed in prams and two women in wedding dresses.

And the winner was Blake Kenneally-Forrester, 11, of Woodhall Spa.

He said: "I'm exhausted, but happy I was first. I have to have a rest.

"This is the third year I have run it, but I find it tough as I'm usually a sprinter.

"I thought the conditions were good – not too hot, not wet and quite comfortable."

Among the runners were Simon Elmer, 49, of Lincolnshire Police, who ran aid of a fund for the Carpathian Lancers – a Second World War Polish regiment with Lincolnshire connections.

"I have run this 10K every year since it started and the half marathon prior to that," said Mr Elmer, a member of the Anglo-Polish Society of North East Lincolnshire.

"It really enjoy it – it's a great event."

Race organiser Graham Keegan said the event attracts participants of all ages.

"The average age of people taking part is 40, two-thirds are men and half of all competitors are from Lincolnshire with the rest from far and wide," he said.

"We divide up the money from entrance fees to 20 local good cause and we invite the local Brownies, Scouts and football clubs to help us out on the day.

"The event is largely possible to the 100, volunteers who do their bit."

One runner was treated by paramedics after collapsing at the 5km stage.

View more than 200 pictures of the Woodhall Spa 10k...

Branston U3A

2011-06-28T16:49:00.000+01:00

Went to the General Meeting of Branston U3A today. General lecture given on "The Solar system." Excellent talk - informative & funny & enjoyed by all.

Flypast rehearsal..............

2011-06-09T19:07:00.001+01:00

RAF rehearse

Queen's birthday

flypast in Lincolnshire

The Red Arrows will fly over Buckingham Palace at 350 knots (403 mph)

Aircrews have been rehearsing at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire for the Queen's official birthday celebrations.

Chinook and Puma helicopters, Typhoon, Hercules, C130, King Air, HS-125 and Tornado GR4s took part in the practice ahead of the display on Saturday.

The flypast over Buckingham Palace also includes a Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).

The Red Arrows aerobatic display team will conclude the event.

Like clockwork

Sqn Ldr Martin Rendall, who is in charge of planning the flypast, said the rehearsals were important because of the different types and speeds of the aircraft involved.

The flypast will include 11 types of aircraft, including WWII planes from the BBMF

"We have helicopters flying at 100 knots (115 mph) and the Red Arrows flying at 350 knots (403 mph) - so it really is critical we get the timings right," he said.

"We use the BT speaking clock to get the time and every captain is responsible for getting their aircraft in the right place at the right time."

Spitfire pilot Sqn Ldr Duncan Mason, from the BBMF, said: "It is a special privilege to fly over Buckingham Palace.

"But there is always a bit of extra pressure to get the times right, especially when there are so many planes involved."

Lincoln College set their aspirations very high........

2011-06-09T19:03:00.001+01:00

Lincoln basketball team shoots

for the stars

June 8, 2011 → 4.49pm — by Patrick White

A Lincolnshire basketball team has been accepted into the England Basketball National League next season.

Lincoln Stars, who are based at the University of Lincoln, have been accepted into the Division 4 Men’s League for the 2011/12 season which starts in September.

Lucy Willets, Basketball Development Officer at Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, said: “It’s fantastic that we will have a National League basketball club in Lincolnshire.

“Trials for the team are currently being held and it’s an exciting time preparing for the season starting in September.”

“We are hopeful that people across Lincoln and the rest of the county will show support for the team and follow their success in the Division.”

Having a National team in Lincolnshire means players will not have to travel out of the county to play at this high level.

Dave Piggott, coach of Lincoln Stars, said: “Lincolnshire has lots of talented basketball players that currently travel to other neighbouring counties to play for National League Teams. We wanted to create a National Team for Lincolnshire, and we’re delighted to have been accepted into the League.”

Home games will be played on Sunday afternoons starting in September 2011. To find out more, follow the Lincolnshire Basketball Facebook page.

Source: Lincolnshire Sports Partnership

Curry On!!!!!!!!!! or Off!!!!!!!!!!

2011-06-09T17:44:00.000+01:00

Health challenge for Indian restaurants in Lincolnshire

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Lincolnshire Echo

INDIAN restaurants have completed a project that challenged them to offer healthier dishes with no difference to taste.

Five restaurants in Lincolnshire created new menus which had significantly reduced fat, salt and calorie content from last year.

The outlets, including The Passage to India on High Street in Lincoln, and Mowgli, Metheringham were part of a pilot scheme, called Health by Stealth, run by NHS Lincolnshire.

Dr Tony Hill, director of public health for NHS Lincolnshire, said: "This project is innovative because we are trying to change the behaviour of those who supply the food rather than directly targeting consumers to ask them to cut down or cut out."

Work on the project begun after testing at 60 East Midlands restaurants by Trading Standard. uncovered high levels of salt, saturated fat and calories in many takeaway dishes. The other restaurants in the project were The Star of India, Boston, The Agra, Sleaford and Kismet, Grantham.

Safeguarding the elderly.......

2011-06-09T17:40:00.000+01:00

Lincolnshire care homes reviewed in wake of abuse scandal in Bristol

Thursday, June 09, 2011

Lincolnshire Echo

MEASURES to safeguard Lincolnshire people in care homes are being double checked in the wake of the Bristol abuse scandal.

A BBC Panorama undercover investigation appeared to show systematic abuse of disabled patients at Winterbourne View, which is run by Castlebeck.

Some residents were repeatedly pinned down, dragged into showers while fully clothed, goaded and taunted.

Nine people have been arrested and Castlebeck has apologised. Thirteen workers have been suspended.

Graham Marsh, executive councillor for adult social care on Lincolnshire County Council, said a review is under way.

"In relation to the care home that was the subject of the Panorama programme, we have got three people from Lincolnshire placed in the care of the company that runs it, but not at that particular establishment," said Mr Marsh.

"Two of the families are happy with the care and the other has lost confidence in that operation and we are working with them to bring the person back to the county.

"We also have 170 Lincolnshire people in out- of-county care locations.

"We have processes in place but we are double checking them to make sure they are robust and the checks and measures that do take place and are sufficient."

Meanwhile, Mr Marsh has revealed plans are in place in the event of care home provider Southern Cross going into administration.

Southern Cross, which is responsible for looking after 31,000 elderly residents nationally, has announced it will underpay its rent for the next four months as it struggles with a £230 million annual rent bill.

"We have five Southern Cross care homes in Lincolnshire, with about 80 older people in the homes," said Mr Marsh.

"There are also two learning disabled and 16 physically disabled people.

"We have got provisions in place to make sure these people's need requirements carry on, even those who are self-funded, who we also have a duty of care to."

Retired social worker Elaine Smith, 59, whose 90-year-old mother Lilian Smithson is in residential care, said she felt the safeguarding of vulnerable adults fell way behind that of children.

"Very little cases of abuse come to court because it's thought the victims are unreliable witnesses – there needs to be better legal back-up," said Mrs Smith, of Ashby de la Launde.

"It's appalling that it takes something like Panorama to highlight such abuse."

In the case of the Bristol care home, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has apologised for not acting more quickly on information from a whistleblower.

Anyone with concerns about care should call the CQC on 03000 616161.

Support for super dairy.......

2011-02-19T12:07:00.000Z

County farmer: Why I hope the rejected super-dairy plan doesn't go away...

Stephen Riding, part owner of Bonsdale Farm in Blyton.

PLANS for a super-dairy in Nocton, near Lincoln, have been withdrawn, to the delight of campaigners. But dairy farmer Stephen Riding, from Blyton near Gainsborough, believes that this is bad news for the country’s dairy industry...

I have been a dairy farmer all my life and have been on this site in Blyton for 31 years with my brother.

We have 200 milking cows across 900 acres.

I was disappointed when it was announced Nocton Dairies Ltd were to withdraw their plans. They really need to go ahead with it, in my opinion as a dairy farmer.

But it was encouraging that the withdrawal was solely down to the objections from the Environment Agency, as it means they could find another site and have another go with it.

The British dairy industry is shrinking and if we carry on the way we are, in another 20 years there won't be any dairy farmers left.

With the supermarkets acting the way they are, the days of the family dairy farm are dying. Someone needs to be prepared to take up the commitment of a big dairy unit.

The Nocton Dairy would have been able to produce milk ten per cent faster than any other dairy and it would have been a real shot in the arm for the industry.

The other thing is, the Nocton Dairy could have been a test to see if the system would work in the UK.

The technology is imported from America where it is mainly used in drier climates. We don't yet know if it will work over here in the UK and the Nocton Dairy could have been a test.

If successful, we could have developed it across the UK and sites like the Nocton Dairy would have become the norm.

When I first heard about the dairy plans my first thought was the groundwater – its Lincoln's drinking water we're talking about.

The Environment Agency should have spoken up and said something sooner if they were going to object, rather than leaving it until the eleventh hour.

The Nocton Dairy would have been the future of British dairy farming, so hopefully Nocton Dairies Ltd can find another location.

Nocton Dairy plans Scrapped!

2011-02-19T12:04:00.000Z

Plans for Lincolnshire 'super dairy' are withdrawn

The company previously pulled plans for a dairy twice the size of the one being proposed

Plans for the UK's largest dairy farm have been withdrawn, the farmers behind the scheme have announced.

Nocton Dairies Ltd wanted to build the farm, housing 3,770 cows, near Lincoln.

There had been widespread opposition to the plans with concerns raised about the environmental and animal welfare impacts of the proposed "super dairy".

The farmers said their "sole" reason for the decision to withdraw their application was the objection by the Environment Agency.

They said they had written to North Kesteven District Council to formally withdraw their application for planning permission to build the facility.

The council was due to consider the planning application in March.

The original plans for the UK's largest dairy farm were for 8,100 cows on a single site at Nocton Heath - provoking an angry response from opponents who labelled it "the equivalent of battery chicken farms for cows".

Pollution concerns

That planning application was withdrawn last year, but the two farmers, Peter Willes and David Barnes, resubmitted the Nocton Dairies scheme in November with less than half the number of cows.

“Start Quote

This is a victory for consumers, dairy farmers and, of course, the cows within it”

Suzi MorrisWorld Society for the Protection of Animals

In a statement, they said: "The fundamental concept we have been proposing is a sound one: expand dairying toward the east to re-integrate livestock and arable farming, make better use of resources, proactively manage welfare, gain economies of scale, and look to support a long-term reduction in water pollution.

"We challenge other farmers to pick up the baton and see where these concepts can take them."

The Environment Agency had lodged their objection to the plans amid concerns about the potential for pollution seeping through limestone into groundwater, from which drinking supplies are drawn.

An agency spokesperson said: "We have maintained our objection to the revised application for the proposed super dairy at Nocton because we consider the risk to groundwater to be unacceptable.

"We asked the developer to address the risks to groundwater, so important for public water supplies in this area, in their revised application.

"But, despite additional evidence being submitted, our original concerns about slurry management at this environmentally sensitive location remain."

Suzi Morris, UK director of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), said: "While the Environment Agency's objections were the final nail in the coffin for the Nocton plans, our own research made it clear there was a huge range of reasons why Nocton should not be given the go-ahead.

"This is a victory for consumers, dairy farmers and, of course, the cows within it, and we can't forget the Lincolnshire community which has had a narrow escape."

Chaos on roads.......

2010-12-02T16:31:00.000Z

Traffic build up on A46 and B1188

AS the county continues to be battered by snow motorists are being warned to remain highly vigilant.

The A46 between Riseholme Road roundabout and Carholme Road roundabout has now been cleared following a build up of a dozen HGVs stuck in one lane.

The B1188 Metheringham area and the A15 Bracebridge Heath southbound is only possible with care due to snow settling on the roads.

The A46 at Cabourne is now passable following a driver hitting a lamppost and sliding into the middle of the roa

CHRISTMAS FLASHMOB!!! Mariah Carey "All I Want For Christmas"

2010-12-01T16:01:00.000Z

New scheme attacked all round.......

2010-12-01T15:43:00.000Z

Nocton Dairies: Animal welfare lobby slams plans

18 November 2010 | By Alistair Driver

ANIMAL welfare and environmental groups have attacked Nocton Dairies plans, despite the decision to cut cow numbers back by more than half.

Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) condemned the revised plans as ‘an unwanted and unnecessary industrialisation of dairy farming’.

Despite the smaller numbers CIWF said its ‘overwhelming concern remains that this is still bad news for the animals and entirely the wrong direction for dairy farming’.

It expressed fears that ‘this US-style factory farm could set a dangerous precedent for the future of dairy farming in the UK’. Producing milk on this scale would drive the price of a pint of milk down to levels most small farmers could not compete with, it claimed.

It said research had shown the ‘zero-grazing’ system Nocton would deploy is associated with increased risk of many health and welfare problems including lameness, mastitis, reproductive problems and a number of bacterial infections.

CIWF chief executive Philip Lymbery said: “The proposed Nocton development is still the wrong route for dairy farming in Britain.

“It threatens animal welfare and the countryside, will put hard-pressed family farms under even more pressure, and will undermine the integrity of our milk.

“The proposal remains unwanted, unnecessary and unwelcome. The bottom line is that cows belong in fields not in industrial dairies.”

CIWF campaigns manager Pat Thomas pledged the organisation would be ‘throwing all of our weight behind the battle to stop factory farming coming to the UK’.

Viva! described the decision to halve cows numbers and allow cows outside access at Nocton as a ‘victory of sorts’ but insisted it will continue to fight the plans because of the link between intensive dairy farming and ‘bad cow welfare’.

“We still object. It is not like we are going to throw up our hands and say it is wonderful what you are doing,” said Viva! campaigns manager, Justin Kerswell.

“The opposition to this project has sent out a very clear message to the dairy industry the British public are not ready for intensive dairy farming.”

The RSPCA said it would not comment directly on the application but stated it does ‘not approve or support systems which house dairy cows for 365 days a year, and they are prohibited by the Society’s welfare standards’.

But it added: “Just because a system is large, does not necessarily make it bad in terms of animal welfare.”

Friends of the Earth’s food campaigner Sandra Bell said: “Nocton’s promoters have scaled down their plans for now but with a view to expanding them in the future - and they still plan to cram their cows into massive sheds, rather than graze them outdoors.

“The introduction of US-style mega dairies would force small farmers out of business and push the UK’s farming sector further towards crisis.”

Also in: Nocton Dairies: Farmers Plan To Press Ahead With 8,000-Cow Dairy

Nocton Dairies confident it can sell its milk
22 November 2010

Now the debate really starts in earnest!

2010-12-01T15:41:00.000Z

Image via Wikipedia

Nocton Dairies confident it can sell its milk

22 November 2010

NOCTON Dairies director Peter Willes has insisted the Lincolnshire ‘super dairy’ would have ‘no issues’ in marketing its milk, despite the public backlash against it.

A number of major supermarkets have already indicated their reluctance to source milk from the proposed 3,770-cow unit or any similar ones that follow because of consumer concerns over animal welfare.

But questioned on whether he feared retailers could boycott the milk during a live Farmers Guardian online debate last Friday, Mr Willes wrote: “We are already connected in the processing industry and believe we will have no issues in marketing the milk, whether it is in the liquid market or in other dairy products.

“While people want to be negative about this application, it brings very sustainable dairying in the form of high welfare, high efficiency, recycling and renewable energy.”

Nocton’s directors have already held informal talks with processors and supermarkets but have stressed no deals can be signed until planning permission is granted. They said there was ‘private interest’ but acknowledged retailers might wait until the unit is up and running before making any public commitments.

During the hour long debate, Mr Willes delivered a robust defence of the controversial development in the face of a barrage of questions and comments on the ethics and practicalities of the project from readers and co-panellist, Viva!’s Justin Kerswell.

Mr Kerswell described the plans as a ‘retrograde step, when extensive and organic farming remains popular’. He claimed intensive dairy farming was turning cows into ‘something, sadly, akin to Frankenstein’s monster’.

“Mega-dairies are bad for cows and they are bad for people. The British public is rejecting them - and I see no point in the future that they will be convinced otherwise,” Mr Kerswell wrote.

Mr Willes responded by emphasising the benefits the scale of units like Nocton can deliver in areas like animal welfare and the environment. .

“Large dairy farms offer tremendous opportunities for efficiency making investments in specialist cow care, the best facilities, the most able staff and continual training and development possible. This, combined with the production of renewable energy, the lowest carbon footprint and the latest technology to protect the environment keeps the farm economically sustainable in turn,” he wrote.

The third panellist, veterinary scientist Jon Huxley, of Nottingham Veterinary School, argued that the unit should not be condemned because of its scale. “Any farm, no matter how big or small, should be judged on its individual merits,” he said.

Mr Willes also came under fire from local Nocton residents, who sought guarantees their quality would not be affected. He outlined changes made to the resubmitted planning application intended to address such concerns, including the halving of cow numbers, improved digestate storage facilities, higher standard effluent piping systems and provision for the anaerobic digester to be built before any cows arrive.

Heavy snow causes disruption across Lincolnshire

Persistent snowfall is causing problems on many of the county's roads

Snow and icy roads are continuing to cause major difficulties on Lincolnshire's roads as well as school closures across the county.

The A1 is badly disrupted at Grantham, while there are also delays on the A16 at Tallington, the A46 at Nettleton and Cabourne, and the A157 at Louth.

Lincoln's Christmas Market, which regularly attracts up to 150,000 visitors, has also been cancelled.

More than 200 of Lincolnshire's schools have shut for the day.

Lincolnshire Police have urged motorists to take great care, especially on minor routes.

Council cancels Lincoln's Christmas Market

Buses around Lincoln have been disrupted, as have some East Midlands Trains' services.

Staff at County Hospital, Louth, have been working extra shifts, with some staying overnight to avoid unnecessary travel.

Some council services have been affected, including waste collection services in Lincoln, which have been cancelled for the day.

RAF operations at Conningsby, Cranwell and Waddington have also been disrupted, with the Red Arrows grounded at RAF Scampton.

The county's east coast has been particularly hard hit by the wintry weather, with snow and ice causing problems in the Lincolnshire Wolds around Horncastle and out to Skegness and Mablethorpe.

Lincolnshire County Council has set up a non-emergency winter helpline for anyone needing weather-related assistance.

The service is available for anyone who has been unable to replenish essential food, medication or fuel supplies because of the difficult conditions.

Extract from a Blog on the snow in Lincoln today.........

2010-12-01T15:33:00.000Z

Image via Wikipedia

UK snow cancels the Lincoln Christmas market and public transport, closes airports and more.

Kingston upon Hull : United Kingdom | Dec 01, 2010

BY ethelsmith

1 0

1 of 18

1st December 2010: Just after 7.30am the snow is falling hard but at least I have arrived

1st December 2010.

I think I am in danger of becoming a snow bore. Still, you know what we English are like. We are obsessed with the weather which is always too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry or too something or other. The current heavy snowfalls though, apart from being dramatic, have been early, widespread and severe.

The 6.50am bus to work was a little late this morning. Still I was grateful it arrived. The walk to work would easily take me a few hours in lovely weather, let alone in deep snow.

There had been a huge amount of fresh snow falling most of the night. The main roads were reasonably clear but the paths and side roads were treacherous. The journey was not bad until we approached the village of Willerby. It had been snowing for some time by now. Visibility was poor and the roads were poor.

Bt the time we reached the hospital site, a little outside of Cottingham, the weather had truly set in. As I disembarked the bus I had no idea where the pavement ended and the road began. I teetered across deep snow. Drivers were stuck, either trying to park or leave the site. Many had abandoned their cars.

Just before I went indoors I took a couple of brief videos. I snapped a little more as I walked along the corridor to my place of work. The scene was both magical and terrifying.

On the hospital ward the night staff were still around. None of them had been able to get their cars out for the long drive home. In some cases it was to be a very long drive. However those abandoned cars had blocked the exit of many staff.

Suffice to say it is chaos.

Coming home at lunchtime the major roads were now a mixture of slush, snow and ice. The paths though have very deep snow in parts and it is hard underfoot. With only a partial thaw today, tomorrow will be worse. The snow is expected to last a few more days at least. Then no doubt flooding will be a problem for some.

Latest Snow news.

Lincoln's famous Christmas Market has been cancelled due to the bad weather. This is the first time it has had to be cancelled.

Many airports around the country are closed. This lunchtime Gatwick and Edinburgh were not operational. Check details before travelling to an airport just in case. Many bus services are running, but slowly. This means that there are delays. Trains in some parts of the country were cancelled. If you have snow related train enquiries ring 08453 017 641.

Scotland has been badly hit and the Forth Bridge is also closed. There have been avalanche warning for the Highlands of Scotland. In my part of the world the Humber Bridge is closed after 10 inches of snow fell.

Thousands of schools around the UK are closed. This often happens as staff live far from their places of work and cannot get to work in bad weather. It is of course bad news for parents and businesses as parents take a day off work to care for their kids.

Christmas shopping has been put on hold and many people are just buying essential items. This means that businesses hoping for an increase in trade due to Christmas shoppers, will be out of luck.

Hospital transport for outpatient and non essential visits has been cancelled to ensure that those needing urgent transport can be accommodated.

Although much of the UK is affected Scotland and parts of the north have been worst hit. London and parts of the south have only seen snow falls in the last 24 or 48 hours. For the rest of us it has been around for almost a week now. As the weather forecaster said, when he showed a part of the north east of England, which includes where I live, this is NOT the place to be today.

Snow Glorious Snow........

2010-12-01T15:30:00.000Z

Image by tstadler via FlickrWell the snow has come in the last few days with a vengeance. We're snowed in........and it looks like many other areas have the same treatment. Six inches of snow here at Nocton and more in other parts of the country. Areas particularly affected are Scotland, Wales, Sheffield, Derby, Lincoln.............

The concert we intended going to on Thursday - Young Voices in Sheffield - has been postponed and the Lincoln Christmas market has also been called off!!!!!!

Huge numbers of schools have been closed, airports shut, transport affected!!!!!!!!!! The UK is at a standstill!!!!!

Nocton Social Club

2010-12-01T14:35:00.000Z

I really should join the Social Club in the village. It's open most evenings and for nominal membership with concessions for persons of my age I'd be eligible for all the events and cheaper cider!!!!!!! Can't be bad!!!!!!!!!!

Xmas Fayres already!!!!!!

2010-11-26T15:10:00.001Z

Image via WikipediaCan they have arrived so early?
We're going to 2 Xmas Fairs today one at Potterhanworth and the other at our very own Nocton.

Which will be best? The weather's changed though and its all wintry here! Snow has been falling all morning so we're putting the wellies on & walking up to Potterhanworth to the school fair then back to our village........

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr............

Rhi & Mark arrive with the children for a visit to Donna Nook!

2010-11-26T15:06:00.001Z

Image by l.bailey_beverley via FlickrGreat excitement from the grand-children. Their first visit to see the seals at Donna Nook on the coming Sunday.......Get the cameras ready.

Bookcases CONSTRUCTED in record time.........

2010-11-24T15:02:00.002Z

Image via WikipediaThose Ikea products from the past which haunt me with failure did not work on this occasion. We had the bookcases up in record time and can now move all the books & order them properly into genres etc. What a joy..................

Ikea Bookcases

2010-11-23T14:59:00.002Z

Image by Chris JL via FlickrThe Ikea bookcases have arrived!!!!!!!!!!

Logs for Xmas

2010-11-19T14:54:00.001Z

Image via WikipediaHad a delivery of logs & kindling today at not too bad a price. Nothing as cheap as the price in France but nevertheless seemingly quite fair. Starting to fill up the garage again so the idea of developing a Studio in the garage is slipping a little.........Di I want to be warm or do I want to paint?

And - Will it be a white Xmas?

Bad News...........

2010-11-17T15:16:00.001Z

Image via WikipediaThe weather has turned very bad indeed so we've had to call off the visit to the seals. Instead we're dining out at the Chequers in Potterhanworth & packing off the family back to Derbyshire as soon as we can before the snow comes back........

Trip to Meadowhall, Sheffield

2010-11-17T14:50:00.001Z

Image via WikipediaManaged a great trip to the Metropolis of Shopping at Meadowhall today with Bri & Di. Spent a sneaky several hours at the Apple centre!!! How I love that Apple Ipad!!!!!!!

Boxes for the Heart Foundation

2010-11-15T14:43:00.002Z

Image via WikipediaAt last, we've got round to sorting out our garage. Since we moved into the house last year for a number of reasons we've been a little too lax in getting rid of our surplus stuff. Well, finally, it's all in boxes - over 20 of them - and tonight will be on its way to the Heart Foundation......... Thank goodness for that. I'll have my garage back and plans for a Workshop studio can proceed.

Remembrance Sunday

2010-11-14T14:36:00.007Z

Image by Defence Images via FlickrAt this time of the year all the villages of Lincolnshire express their sadness at Remembrance services held at 11 am usually at the village memorial. I'm particularly impressed with the one held at Woodhall Spa.

Elvis Event

2010-11-07T14:26:00.002Z

Image via WikipediaTravelled to Rotherham for Jean's 70th Birthday and an Elvis Event held at a pub. A good time was had............

5th November 2010

2010-11-05T10:45:00.000Z

Where to watch some of the county's best fireworks displays on Bonfire Night

REMEMBER, remember the 5th of November!

Yes, it's that time of year again, when we burn poor old Guy Fawkes to a cinder on top of thousands of bonfires up and down the country and enjoy the snap, crackle and bang of fireworks as we munch on baked potatoes and mushy peas.

Everyone enjoys a good firework display and revellers won't be disappointed with the wide choice of venues in and around Lincoln that are putting on a first-class display this year.

Lincolnshire Showground is once again hosting a massive event, this year being staged by Lincolnshire Fireworks. There will be a traditional bonfire, a giant funfair, food stalls, entertainment, sideshows and more.

"This is certainly the biggest event in the Lincoln calendar," said events secretary Vicki Odam.

"We had about 5,000 people come along last year and this year's event promises to be just as big.

"We've got fire-eaters who will totally amaze you. For the kids, there are some rather large teddy bears and other animals wandering around to keep them entertained – so please do come along."

It all kicks off at the showground tomorrow – gates open at 4pm and there will be a children's firework display at 6.30pm.

Guy Fawkes will get his comeuppance on top of the bonfire at 7.30pm and then the main fireworks display starts at 8.30pm. Book tickets online at www.lincolnshirefireworks.co.uk for a ten per cent discount or call 01522 703344.

If you live near the city centre, Sincil Bank Stadium is staging a night of circus-themed fun, entertainment and a spectacular 15-minute fireworks display to music.

It promises to be fun for all the family with circus workshops, a fire show, music, dance acts, entertainment stalls and more. This promises to be one of the biggest firework displays within the city boundary. It takes place on Sunday at 5pm. For information, call 01522 880011.

The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Spilsby is having a fireworks display and Lancaster Night Run on Saturday. The Lancaster will be doing day and night taxi runs and there will be "Hollywood-quality" fireworks at 8pm, plus there will be a delicious hog roast. For details, call 01790 763207.

Witham St Hughs' third Fireworks And Funfair Extravaganza takes place at Witham St Hughs School tonight. Gates open 5.30pm, fireworks begin at 7pm. There will be funfair entertainment and refreshments.

There is a charity bonfire and firework display on Saturday at Sturton-by-Stow recreation field. Gates open at 6pm, tickets cost £4 and £2. Call 07947 818528.

The Lincoln Bowl in Washingborough will set fire to a wooden castle on Saturday along with a large fireworks display set to music. About 2,000 people are expected to see Jason Bradbury from Channel 5's The Gadget Show light the bonfire.

A Fire And Steam Spectacular firework display and bonfire takes place at the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, Ludborough, on Saturday. Steam trains run from 1.45pm and the firework display and bonfire start at 6.30pm. Admission £1.50. Call 01507 363881.

All clear on the Nocton Front........

2010-11-02T12:03:00.000Z

Image via Wikipedia

Good News from the Doctors

Just returned from a good session with the Doctor. I was to see her about my spirometer tests and the blood test for diagnosing Diabetes. On the first I am within a tolerance range and therefore OK and on the latter she wants me to be reviewed after 6 months to see if a slight change in sugar intake will affect a new reading and be below the threshold of what is concerning.

So, on both counts I’m fine. I also avoided the prospect of a “puffer” since I am only on the margins of requiring one.

Pretty good for a 68 year old!!!!!!!!

They're shaking all over Lincolnshire........

2010-11-01T13:35:00.000Z

Shaking it all about earns Lincolnshire a new British record

Pictured among the crowd throwing their whole selves in are Hollie Collingwood, 9, Evie Moody, 9, and Paige Goddard, 8.

HUNDREDS of Lincolnshire residents set a new British record by putting their left arms in and then out and then shaking them all about.

A group of about 700 people met at the Lincolnshire Showground yesterdayOCT 31 to try and break the record for the most people doing the Hokey Cokey.

The attempt failed to break the world record, which was set at around 7,000 people in September in Coralville, North America, but the group still managed to create a new British record.

The event was organised by members of the Lincolnshire Autism Awareness Rally in an attempt to raise money for children suffering from autism.

FireFighting.............

2010-10-26T16:23:00.000+01:00

Learning centre evacuated as firefighters tackle spate of blazes around county

Lynne Newton, of Glass House Farm craft centre and cafe, in Tattershall Bridge, where fire broke out over the weekend.

FIREFIGHTERS were kept busy over the weekend after four blazes broke out in the county.

An electrical fault caused a fire at a learning centre for people with disabilities in Tattershall Bridge.

The Greenhouse Growth project based at Glass House Farm teaches gardening, art, cooking and computer classes.

Four appliances – from Woodhall Spa, Metheringham, Sleaford and Horncastle – attended the scene after receiving an emergency call at 11.46am on Saturday.

The blaze caused extensive damage, leaving the roof unsafe, but the occupants managed to evacuate before Lincolnshire Fire and rescue teams arrived.

The fault had occurred on the circuit board, which came alight and then spread.

The fire gutted the activity room, the training kitchen and the computer lab.

Owners of the Glass House site Lynne and Keith Newton were away in Sheffield when the fire broke out.

She said: "It is devastating. What is most upsetting is we have had the site for six years and just got it how we wanted it. Now this has happened and set us back.

"We will be running the classes from the cafe for a week and then we will move into a building we are using for storage at the moment.

"Fire and rescue put a lot of effort into saving the cafe, which will be open again on November 2.

"The only reason the fire was caught so early was someone came in to feed our pet lamb, Lamby, while we were away."

The site also houses a cafe and a car sales lot, which will be open as usual.

Keiron Davey, group manager for community fire safety in Lincolnshire, said: "There was quite extensive damage, but we managed to stop the fire spreading to the cafe and a private area nearby and there has been some salvage work done."

In Lincoln, three crews attended a house fire in Coleridge Green, St Giles, at about 6.50pm on Friday.

It was sparked by a candle left unattended, which caused damage to curtains and a bedside cabinet.

Two crews from this incident were then redirected to a fire that had been deliberately sparked in a garden.

It happened in Retief Close, Ermine West, where garden equipment was severely damaged, along with the door of an outhouse. The fire broke out at 7.30pm.

Earlier on Saturday, a flat in Richmond Road, off West Parade, Lincoln, sustained smoke and heat damage after smoking material was discarded.

There was damage to a sofa, cushion and a rug.

A male occupant was treated at the scene and advised to attend hospital.

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