The Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty October 2015 to March 2016

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1 The Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service The Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service is a jointly funded partnership between Natural England, East Lindsey District Council, West Lindsey District Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and Lincolnshire County Council. We aim to: Protect and enhance the landscape and its distinctive features Encourage community interest and involvement Raise awareness of the Wolds Promote sustainable development and appropriate enjoyment The Lincolnshire Wolds JAC The Lincolnshire Wolds has an established Joint Advisory Committee (JAC): a partnership of public, private and voluntary organisations and representatives who have a special interest or working knowledge of the area. The JAC acts as a forum to advise and guide activity on a wide range of issues across the Wolds and is instrumental in developing, implementing and monitoring the AONB Management Plan. Currently there are 21 representatives: Wolds News Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty October 2015 to March 2016 Churches Together in all Lincolnshire Community Lincs Campaign to Protect Rural England CLA (Country Land and Business Association) Defra East Lindsey District Council English Heritage Environment Agency Forestry Commission Groundwork Lincolnshire Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire Lincolnshire County Council Lincolnshire Sports Partnership Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust National Farmers Union East Midlands National Trust Natural England North East Lincolnshire Council Ramblers - Lincolnshire TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) West Lindsey District Council For further information please contact: Stephen Jack Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service Manager Helen Gamble Project Officer Ruth Craig Project Officer (Lincolnshire Chalk Streams) Will Bartle Monitoring Officer (Lincolnshire Chalk Streams) Nicki Jarvis Project Officer (Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival) Sam Phillips Project Officer (Down Your Wold) Claire Harrison Administration and Technical Assistant The office is usually open Monday - Friday 8.30 am pm Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service Navigation Warehouse, Riverhead Road, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 0DA Telephone: Fax: aonb@lincswolds.org.uk Website: Your guide to news and events in the Lincolnshire Wolds If you would like this leaflet in an alternative format, please contact us. Printed on FSC certified paper.

2 The Lincolnshire Wolds Woodland Below 50m above sea level m above sea level Over 100m above sea level Boundary of AONB Character Area Boundary The next edition of Wolds News will be available in April Please note that the views expressed by organisations and individuals contributing to Wolds News are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service. Welcome to the 33rd edition of Wolds News As winter fast approaches we reflect on a very busy six months of activity including success with the 11th Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival, the 2nd Lincolnshire Wolds Festival of Archaeology and the imminent launch of the 1st Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Festival. The County was also very fortunate in hosting the British Cycling Tour Championships this summer, with Cadwell Park and the Bluestone Heath Road in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB hosting some very competitive time trailing. The event was blessed with good weather and attracted a high quality field, with a wide range of visitors - many lycra clad - from neighbouring counties. Whilst budget cuts abound, we have been very fortunate to be able to continue with providing support and grant aid via the Sustainable Development Fund and the Small Grant Scheme. Please contact our office for advice as these yearly grants are always popular. As you travel around the Wolds, keep an eye out for the new interpretation panels. The original panels were installed in 2001; we have been lucky to achieve funding to replace seven last year and 11 are being replaced this winter, just in time for the 40th Anniversary of the Viking Way long distance footpath. Keep an eye out for special events during spring and summer of 2016! Please do make contact with any views on this edition of Wolds News, or if you have any thoughts on future articles please drop us a line. Don't forget, for a full recap of all of our partnership activities please visit which includes our latest Annual Review ( ); and for a wider national round-up of AONB news please visit Steve Jack 0 N 5 miles Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service Manager 0 8 Km Lincolnshire and South Humberside Tourism Cartography by Lovell Johns Ltd. Oxford 1993

3 What s On Winter 2015/16 For up-to-date information regarding these events, please check with our office: Please reduce the risk of spreading plant diseases ensure footwear and clothing are clean Check out for more community events and news throughout the year Wolds News just isn't big enough to mention them all! Events Guide Key MEET PARKING LEADER Thursday 1 October Lincolnshire Day Walk! 9:45 am to 3:00 pm approx. Celebrate our County s Day by using a bus to start a walk in our lovely Wolds countryside. Starting in Market Rasen we walk up to 9 miles, along public footpaths and through woodland discovering the old riverside mills on our way up to Tealby and across to Risby enjoying fine Wold views before returning to Market Rasen. Bring a packed lunch & drink. Note: Bus fare is applicable. Stagecoach InterConnect No.53 buses depart: Grimsby bus station 8:40, Laceby 9:01, Caistor 9:19, Nettleton 9:22 arriving Market Rasen at 9:33 am. OR Lincoln city bus station 8:40, County Hospital 8:50, Nettleham 9:02, Welton 9:11 arriving Market Rasen at 9:35 am. Return buses depart in each direction from Market Rasen. Check bus times with leader or Traveline on or Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 October Wolds Words Festival Join us for the acclaimed annual festival of reading, writing and performance, which takes place at various locations across the Lincolnshire Wolds visit Sunday 25 October Snipedales Walk! 10:00 am to 3:00 pm approx. Enjoy a circular walk, up to 10 miles, along public footpaths in the lovely area around Hagworthingham and Snipedales nature reserve. Snipe Dales Country Park, signposted off the A158 onto the B1195 road towards Spilsby. Grid ref: TF O.S. map 273 Postcode PE23 4JB At the Snipe Dales car park - charges apply Ramblers (Skegness & Horncastle Group) Tel: Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 'Celebrating Lincolnshire Chalk Streams' Festival Launching with a 'Play in a Day' event for young children, there will be various activities to get involved with on chalk streams, leading up to the Festival Finale Friday! Visit lincolnshire-chalk-streams Tuesday 27 to Thursday 29 October Wolds Words Children's & Young People Programme Events for all the family to enjoy visit Wednesday 18 November Up into the Wolds! 10:00 am to 2:30 pm approx. A delightful 8 mile walk through Willingham Woods to the Wold village of Tealby, with fine views en-route. Willingham Woods, near Market Rasen. Grid Ref: TF O.S. map 282 Postcode LN8 3RQ Willingham woods car park off the A631 road between Market Rasen and Ludford. Ramblers (Grimsby-Louth Group) Tel: Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 November Alford Christmas Craft Market Saturday 28 November Caistor Christmas Food Fair & Lights switch on Sunday 29 November Louth Christmas Craft Market Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 December Alford Christmas Craft Market Saturday 5 December Market Rasen BIG Christmas Market Sunday 6 December Horncastle Christmas Cracker Market Sunday 3rd January 2016 The 17th Annual Macmillan Round Louth Walk Registration between 10:00 am and 11:00 am A choice of 2, 6 or 14 mile walk to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. A 5.00 entry fee is payable (which goes to the charity) and includes a charity badge and route map. Children and dogs welcome at the responsibility of the parent/owner For further information and sponsorship forms, please contact Event Organisers Linda Judd - reddragonlj@hotmail.com tel: or Jamie Davenport - jdavenport@macmillan.org.uk tel: Hallington Road, southern end of Hubbard s Hills Grid ref: TF O.S. map 282 Postcode LN11 9QU Limited parking at southern end of Hubbard s Hills, with additional parking available at the northern end of Hubbard s Hills, accessible from Crowtree Lane A self-guided route, event organised by Macmillan Cancer Support Saturday 12 March Viking Way by Train & Bus! 9:00 am to 2:00 pm approx. The Viking Way celebrates its 40th anniversary this year so today we ll walk a pleasant 8½ mile section of it enjoying fine views from Barnetby via Bigby, Somerby, Searby and Grasby to finish in Caistor. Take the train there and return by bus! NOTE: We do not return to Barnetby on this walk Trains depart: Cleethorpes 8:26, Grimsby 8:34, Habrough 8:44 to Barnetby OR Depart: Lincoln Central 8:08, Market Rasen 8:24 to Barnetby. At the end of our walk to Caistor, partake in refreshments in this delightful town before catching the Stagecoach InterConnect No.53 bus back to Grimsby or Market Rasen and Lincoln. Check train times with leader. 9:00 am at BARNETBY railway station. Grid ref: TA O.S. map 281 Postcode DN38 6DG Stuart Parker, Ramblers (Lincolnshire Area) Tel: Market Place, Market Rasen Grid ref: TF O.S. map 282 Postcode LN8 3HJ Festival Hall or John Street car parks (charges may apply). Stuart Parker, Ramblers Lincoln Group Tel: Saturday 17 October to Sunday 1 November AgriSculpture Trail Discover for yourselves the new and unique straw bale sculpture trail across West Lindsey on farms, woodland and other accessible spaces. There are 15 in total, with 5 in the Wolds so visit As its Christmas, take the chance to explore the bustling events of the Wolds market towns. Discover lots of interesting stalls selling crafts, food and gifts. Many of the shops will be open too an ideal opportunity to support the local businesses and get into the Christmas spirit. Check local press for further details closer to the day! Sunday 15 November Caistor Victorian Christmas Market 10am to 4pm Caistor Town Hall Selection of crafts and gift stalls Event information If an event incurs a charge, it will be highlighted. Any bus or train fares, car parking, refreshments or entrance fees need to be paid for. If you are unsure of your capability to complete an event, please contact the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service for further information one week before the event. Walk leaders have the right to refuse the participation of an individual if judged unable to complete the event. The leader s decision is final. Children are welcome, but under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. If your dog does accompany you on a walk, it must be on a short lead at all times. For all events you will need to bring your own food and drink. Please bring appropriate clothing for the weather, including suitable footwear for muddy paths and fields. A leader or representative will be at the start of every event, whatever the weather. Please note our office is only staffed Monday to Friday. The Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service reserves the right to change or cancel an event without prior notice. Whilst we make all our events as safe and as enjoyable as possible, any event attended is done so at your own risk. PLEASE USE PUBLIC OR SHARED TRANSPORT WHEREVER POSSIBLE

4 Wolds News Winter 2015/16 SNIPPETS October sees the end of the Heritage Lottery funding for Down Your Wold. But, fear not as the LWCS has agreed to continue the project officer funding on a 3 day a week basis until April 2016, meaning that further funding can be sought and more events and activities can be delivered. The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project has been awarded over 45,000 of Heritage Lottery funding to deliver a fantastic three year project. The project will focus on providing a variety of opportunities for people of all ages to learn about and engage with our rare and unique chalk stream habitats in and around the Lincolnshire Wolds. The funding has enabled us to take on a Graduate volunteer, Gary Cooper, in a four month placement over the summer and autumn. Gary will be working with the LCSP to help organise and deliver a variety of events including our first ever festival of 'Celebrating Lincolnshire's Chalk Streams'. We are also looking at setting up a web camera to provide live streaming images of a beautiful section of chalk stream. This opportunity will help to provide Gary with the work experience, skills and knowledge to help him in a future career in nature conservation. In the lead up to the festival we will be running a photography competition with two categories 1) Chalk Stream Landscape and 2) Chalk Stream wildlife. There will be individual category winners and runner up prizes with a fantastic overall prize of 500, the winners will be chosen by the public. Our festival 'Celebrating Lincolnshire's Chalk Streams' will take place during the October half term school holiday. We will be launching on Monday 26th October 2015 with a 'Play in a Day' event for young children. During the week there will be a various other activities to get involved with on chalk Early autumn will see How To guides uploaded to ready for community groups to use when beginning their own investigations into local heritage. On behalf of the Down Your Wold steering group we would like to thank everyone who has supported the project. Investigating history has never been so much fun! Engaging the Lincolnshire Community with their chalk stream heritage streams leading up to the Friday when we will have a festival finale to celebrate with everyone who has taken part. We will be organising more activities for the school holidays in the Easter and Spring holidays in 2016 so keep an eye on our website and Facebook pages for more details about all these great events Wolds Words Festival This autumnal festival has given us our cultural fix for literature, performance, local history and crafts for the past 14 years and this year's festival will be no different. From 21st to 25th October, the Wolds Words Festival is coming to Louth, Spilsby and surrounding areas. Events include a chance for those budding artists to have a go with our Sketchcrawl events in Somersby & Louth. Local author Nick Louth will be with us again to offer two events to this year's festival, a chance for you to ask him questions on his self-published book and a full day's workshop enabling Nick to pass on his experiences and expertise. chalk-streams/lincolnshirechalk-streams chalkstreams@lincolnshire.gov.uk Annual events which prove to be extremely popular will be back including; Far Welter d, Craft Workshops with Eve Marshall and M & G Designs. There really is something for everyone as 2015 sees October Half Term full with events for children and their families, from learning crafts with grandma, granddad, mum or dad to music with the whole family also sees the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll s Alice in Wonderland book so we have Rough Magic theatre doing their adaptation of this classic. For further information and to download a full programme visit: Making a Difference! R.A.B.I - the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution - is a grant-making charity which helps farming people in financial difficulty and can make all the difference to families. Tailored to individual needs, confidential support is given to farmers and farmworkers of all ages, including state benefits advice and one-off or regular grants, as well as funding for things like disability equipment, essential household goods, and hospital travel costs. R.A.B.I does not pay business bills but can pay for relief farm staff if, for example, someone is unable to work through illness or a family member is ill. The charity can help with care home and home-help costs and also runs two residential homes. In addition it can pay for training to allow people to develop skills they can use to get off-farm work to supplement their income. R.A.B.I supports around 2,000 farming families a year with grants of 2 million. Its work is funded by public donations, money raised at events arranged by its county committees, businesses and community groups. To find out more visit org.uk or call R.A.B.I s confidential helpline Whilst R.A.B.I. is a national charity, its funds are distributed at a grass roots level. In Straw-Struck! Giant-sized straw sculptures will appear across West Lindsey s landscape during the autumn in a unique celebration of our local heritage. The eye-catching countryside trail will feature 15 mammoth creations including trains, trees and tractors on farms and agricultural land around the district from Saturday 17th October to Sunday 1st November. Local artists will be showcasing their talents by working with our rural communities to create AgriSculptures that reflect the landscape. You will be able to find your own way around the trail either on foot, for those that are close together, or by other transport for those that are in more remote locations. All of the sites are free of charge and accessible with easy parking and refreshments. Prosperous Communities Committee Chairman Cllr Owen Bierley said, The sculptures will be on display across the district from Blyton and Cabourne Parva east of Caistor to other diverse locations including the Lincolnshire Showground. At each site there will be an information point explaining where the materials have come from and where they will go next, so visitors will know the story of how each sculpture was made. The Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, Lincolnshire Young Farmers, the National Farmers Union and the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service have given help and advice on the trail. New RDPE LEADER funds for rural business & community projects New Rural Development Programme (RDPE) LEADER funds are being launched nationally to support financial investment into small rural business and community projects to boost their capacity and productivity. In the Lincolnshire Wolds, the funds will be delivered by Lincolnshire County Council's Lindsey Action Zone (LAZ) Local Action Group. LAZ Programme Funding of 2 million has been secured to support business and community projects involved in innovation, tourism, heritage, farming, forestry and rural services. The funds can be accessed by businesses, farmers, foresters and those involved in tourism, heritage and community initiatives where they are supporting growth in the rural economy. It will be used to support the creation of jobs, improvement of productivity and efficiency, the provision of new rural services or to increase tourism visitors to the area. Free information events will be held around the county to launch the funding, 2014, R.A.B.I. gave out over 64,000 in grants to support farming families across Lincolnshire. A challenge that Lincolnshire has is to raise enough funds and become self-sufficient with its fundraising efforts. Whilst an agriculturally productive county, there is a perception that there isn t a need, and this couldn t be further from the truth. If you can help at all, please get in touch. Perhaps choose R.A.B.I. as your charity of the year, book a presentation to hear more about the charity s work, support a fundraising campaign or simply follow on social media for news and updates: search for R.A.B.I. charity on Facebook or Twitter. For further information: Milly Fyfe, R.A.B.I. regional manager, East Midlands milly.fyfe@rabi.org.uk West Lindsey events co-ordinator Andy Deighton said: We are really excited about our AgriSculpture project. It s going to be a fantastic way to discover West Lindsey and we re hoping our artistic efforts will attract residents and visitors to explore some of Lincolnshire s hidden gems while at the same time learning about our farming industry and heritage. For more information please contact: Andy Deighton, Events Coordinator andrew.deighton@westlindsey.gov.uk AgriSculptureWL AgriSculptureWestLindsey including one at Horncastle on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds:- 29th September 2015, Gainsborough Old Hall 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm 13th October 2015, Admiral Rodney Hotel, Horncastle 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm To book your place laz@lincolnshire.gov.uk. For further information: Judy Bell, LAZ Manager laz@lincolnshire.gov.uk

5 What price our British food? The issue of low prices for farmers has been in the news since the summer with little hope of a solution or an upturn for many dairy, livestock or arable farmers. The issue behind the farming industry s problems is one of global market volatility. Prices for most food are affected by what happens in the rest of the world these days, not what happens here at home. For example, China s economy has slowed so demand for lamb and dairy produce, amongst other things, has declined. That means that there s more produce to be sold in the rest of the world. Add in Russian trade sanctions, higher levels of supply at home and a strong pound against the Euro and you get a reduction in the UK s farm gate price of milk and lamb of about 30 per cent. Arable farmers, too are suffering financially because their costs of production are above the price they receive for their wheat, barley and oilseed rape. The position is not good for many producers. So what is the solution? Well, shoppers can help farmers by asking for and buying British food whether that s in the Oxcombe Pottery In the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds at Oxcombe Farm there is a beautiful barn conversion where the exciting craft and art of pottery can be learned. Thanks to a grant from the Lindsey Action Zone the old shed is now a light and bright space, with lovely views. A wood burning stove keeps the pottery warm in winter, using wood from the farm of course, and all the clay scraps are recycled to use again. There are several classes each week and other groups have used the pottery for an evening outing or even a children s birthday party. Many people like to have a go at throwing on the wheel but others have made sculptures, hand-built pots for the garden, tiles and a fabulous green dragon with red teeth! The kiln has now done over twenty firings. It is always an exciting moment when the door is opened after cooling down from 1200 C and the glazed pots come out. Blue glazes on white earthenware, painted designs in slip, carved patterns in the clay, smoke firing, traditional Tenmoku glazes on stoneware; these are just some of the techniques taught at the pottery. supermarket, corner shop, pub, café or restaurant. By creating a greater demand for British products, we can all help support this vital industry. Look for the Red Tractor logo on dairy produce, meat, flour, in fact on thousands and thousands of different foods, and you know that you ll be getting a top quality item that s been produced with care and is traceable from field to plate. When you re next shopping for the weekend joint, why not visit your local butcher rather than the supermarket spending a little bit more on a quality leg of lamb or sirloin of beef means that you ll be buying something produced to some of the highest welfare standards in the world, and probably not very far from the shop! Without farmers, we wouldn t have the beautiful Lincolnshire landscape that we all love. And the damage to our economy would have a massive knock-on effect on local businesses and jobs, too. So in the words of the National Farmers Union's campaign, if you want great British food tomorrow, buy great British food today! Find out more about how you can help Back British Farming visit the NFU website: Alison Pratt, NFU regional communications adviser Thanks to a grant from the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service there is a shed for storage sourced from Louth Interskill and a couple of benches to enjoy the summer sunshine. These are also popular with walkers who come along the bridleway through the farm and stop to rest awhile and were much appreciated when two large groups dropped by for tea and cakes on the final day of the Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival, one expected and the other which just happened to arrive when the kettle was on! Beginners to experienced potters are very welcome to join the classes and the studio is also available for hire. For more information please visit: oxcombepottery.co.uk Have you seen T.E.D.? The Big Lottery Funded project Talk, Eat and Drink (T.E.D.) in East Lindsey is now underway and will become more and more of a household name over the coming months as the staff team grows and take up their posts. The T.E.D. project aims to achieve a number of things, such as helping rurally isolated people over 50 to access new events and activities, share a bite to eat and make new friends. Older people will also be offered the opportunity to develop new skills and be recognised for their contribution. Over the next 6 years, T.E.D. will be guided by older local residents to commission 1 million of new services to support community groups and strengthen social connections. The project will initially focus on the towns and surrounding areas of Louth, Mablethorpe, Alford and Skegness. So how could you get involved with T.E.D.? There are two main volunteer roles: the T.E.D. Friends who will be on hand to encourage and support people to get out and about and for Community Researchers who will assess businesses and services against Age-friendly standards. We will start looking for people for these roles in the autumn and they will be the real stars of the T.E.D. project. You might want to be more active and get out and about more yourself, Greater Lincolnshire is well known for its farming heritage and the Lincolnshire Wolds is no exception. We re also a county that looks to the future, often leading the way in farming practices. Many traditional farm buildings have fallen out of use, often beyond adaptation for the working needs of the modern farmstead. New planning legislation in place to help buildings find alternative achieve uses, but approvals and consents still need to be sought and getting quality results from a development can be a challenge. The Greater Lincolnshire Farmsteads Guidance is a new package of information and advice aimed at owners and developers of farm buildings alongside local planning officers. An Assessment Framework outlines a simple staged approach to identifying distinctive elements of a traditional farmstead. A series of Design Principles carries them forward to the development stage, working with the character of a farmstead as it takes on its new use. Launched in July this year, it s already been applied by both local planners and developers in and around the Wolds. in which case our T.E.D. Network will help you to find just the right group or activity for you. You won t need to have a special referral to benefit from the project, everyone will be welcome. Save the date We will also be holding regular activities that you could attend from trips to local festivals to gala nights and pop up cafes. The first FREE event is planned for Thursday 1st October in Louth an afternoon tea, with music and entertainment, which is sure to be popular so be sure to book on quickly as places will be allocated first come first served! Funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fun managed by Community Lincs To keep up to date with T.E.D. please contact: ted@communitylincs.com A Future for Traditional Farm Buildings Traditional farm buildings in Greater Lincolnshire have suffered comparatively higher levels of loss than other counties in England. Analysis of over 10,500 farmsteads in Greater Lincolnshire revealed that 57% of farms existing prior to 1905 have been entirely demolished or have lost half or more of their working buildings. Of farms in the Lincolnshire Wolds, 49% have experienced the same levels of loss. Those that remain anticipate a change of use and much needed investment. The new guidance will help secure futures for these characteristic and much valued emblems of our farming landscapes. The Greater Lincolnshire Farmsteads Guidance was produced by Historic England and Locus Consulting, a heritage and planning consultancy based in the East Midlands. The project was undertaken in partnership with local authorities across Greater Lincolnshire. Copies can be downloaded now from the Historic England website or via your local authority website. Adam Partington, Director Locus Consulting (Aerial Photograph Historic England) A regular planned 19th century farmstead in the Wolds with multiple crew yards