©Kirton News 2025

December / January 2016

The Editors Letter

And so, another year has come and gone. Many memories for all of you out there. Many good, some more poignant. But all experienced and part of what we are. Let’s just hope we learn from what has kept us alive.

Two passings I feel I have to make mark of; one Angela Scarborough.

A lovely lady; spinster (perhaps a good choice!); devout Christian and true inspiration as far as I’m concerned (though I don’t follow the Faith). She took in injured birds, which is how I first came to know her many years ago, but cared for all she came across.

A stalwart member of the Methodist community; organist for some sixty years, gardener and great contributor both internal and external (she constantly tended the flowers outside the chapel). Her quiet, calming presence a foundation for many to build on. In her memory, please keep that love and concern for all things.

The second mark is the recent death of Gordon Ramsey on November 7th.

Some of you may remember a serialized article about him in Kirton News last year. A true (one of the very many) local hero(s) who made his mark in WW2 and also remembered by those who new him in and around Kirton. I only met the man briefly - but considered it a privilege to have spent what time I had with him - and his wife.

As, I’m sure, one saying goes (and it also applies to Angela) we shall not see their like again.

Not to be dismissive of memory, or nostalgia, things have to move on.

Going back to the house building thing. As mentioned later in this issue, the proposed expansion of the village by some three hundred plus dwellings doesn’t go down well with the locals. Understandably.

Decisions made in Westminster (especially in ‘Westminster’) - or even in Lincoln - are not backed up be research or information or consultation on the ground.

In the thirty plus years I and my good lady have been resident here we have seen a marked decline in industry, shops and services and an increase in ‘chimney pots’. To me, the two do not ‘compute’.

That is not unique to Kirton; Lincolnshire or the East. Westminster/London need to realise there are others outside the M25 who matter in this country.Folks who do - and have paid their taxes, who matter. And vote!

So, laying myself and family open to revenge attacks, and suicide bombings may I say “Vive La France”; Let’s (re)Build ‘Jerusalem’ in England’s Green and Pleasant Land; and, with heartfelt honesty, just bloody sort yourselves out and get on with your neighbour - and yourself.

Happy - and peaceful - 2016

Sam

Not Just for Christmas...

Christmas and New Year should be a precious time to spend with our families, friends and our beloved pets and being thankful for what we have. 

However please also give a thought for Charities like us at Lincs Ark (animal welfare), where it’s our busiest time of year, especially for abandoned animals. The old saying for New Year….. ‘out with the old and in with the new’ could not be more poignant for some less fortunate pets!  Please remember that all pets deserve a home for life and not just for Christmas!

Also throughout the year we are inundated with requests to help abandoned animals, or those needing to be given up through no fault of their own. For example is that very recently, we took in an exhausted and heavily pregnant cat whose kittens all sadly died within 72 hours of being born despite professional help in trying to save them!  It is thought that it was probably the mother cat’s third litter and she was too young and just too frail for these kittens to survive. Sadly, these aren’t one-off cases and along with the numerous cats our fosterers are already caring for we just don’t seem to have enough loving homes for these beauties.

The number of animals coming into our care or being abandoned could be significantly reduced if people neutered their pets. Cats are capable of producing several litters of kittens a year with many becoming pregnant again within a matter of weeks after giving birth. 

We are trying to dispel the myths surrounding neutering and are encouraging this to be done at an early age (usually between 4-6 months). Not only does neutering lower the number of unwanted kittens and cats coming into the re-homing system every year; but, there are many health benefits for both male and female cats. 

If you can offer a home to one of our cats, kittens or small furries please get in touch. We have many on our website and many more waiting to come into our care.

We are also always looking for foster carers. Some people who foster would like to have a pet, but for various reasons are unable to have one of their own. Fostering is an ideal way to fill that animal-shaped gap in your home. You are able to provide the love and care for an animal in need and in return they have a temporary home until a forever home can be found.  Once adopted, there will be another one waiting for you to love and care for. 

If you can help, you can find more information on our website www.lincsark.co.uk or email us lincsarkcharity@gmail.com.

The Kirton Church Fund

Both our winners for the October have won before, one 3 times and the other twice. Congratulations to them both.

There is still time to join the Kirton Church Fund monthly draw in time for Christmas. Wouldn’t a Christmas win come in handy? We have plenty of room for new members and there is a very good chance of winning. Anyone over 18 may take part. Just give Fay a ring for a registration form (01205 723529) or call in Kirton Church.

You can do it monthly if you wish at only £5 per month. (£50 if joining for the whole year and £28 for 6 months.)

The prize fund each month is 1/4 of the money taken each month. The rest of the money goes to the Kirton Church Fund.

The more people that join the higher the prize fund and the more money we raise for the church.

The November draw winning numbers will be printed in the next Kirton News magazine in February.

The December draw takes place on Sunday 27th and the winning numbers will also be printed in the February magazine.

For more information about Kirton Church Fund please ring Fay on 01205 723529

October 2015 Winners

1st PRIZE - £36.62 - TICKET NUMBER: 2
2nd PRIZE - £12.21 - TICKET NUMBER: 47

Letters to the Editor

We recently ‘celebrated’ Hallowe’en and (possibly less so these days) Guy Fawkes night. A time for fun and possible profit for many, but also when thought for others is sometimes suspended - or even forgotten. As one of our more senior village residents has reminded me:-

“Following my flu jab last week I developed a touch of flu serious enough to send me to bed on Saturday, Halloween day, furthermore I wasn’t able to attend the Kirton Band concert for which I bought a ticket. Needless to say I didn’t feel able to greet the children ringing my door bell from 4.30 onward. My reward for being unavailable to hand out sweets was to have an egg thrown at my front door. Being elderly, 80 next year I’m appalled by the lack of consideration and concern for others shown by some parents at this time. Maybe the thoughtless individual who did this would like to return to the scene and clean the mess off my front door as I’m not able to do so.

Regards”
(name and address supplied)

With the ‘Season of Goodwill’ just around the corner and, doubtless, those offending children (and their errant escorts) expecting lavish gifts, perhaps a second thought, and clean up campaign, should be in mind (?)

I highlighted the several planned developments around the village in our November issue and invited comments. I’m pleased to say they came in droves. But all from the negative camp. Here’s a couple of people making excellent arguments against over development:-

“How is the village of Kirton going to absorb the incoming of 309 new houses. This must equate to approx. 700 people plus how many cars. The doctors and schools must be at breaking point. Surely our elected councillors must be aware of the concern the people of Kirton are having. Can imaging another 300 plus cars on the roads at peak time just when the children are going to school .Come on councillors think of the people and not the extra income it will be bringing in with council taxes.”

And again.....

“We would like to make comment on the editors letter in the November addition.

If you could pass on the comments below to Lesley of the Scouts….our letter to the BBC and their response regarding the building of 9 dwellings behind the old Kirton library we would be grateful.

We live at no 17 (Station Road) and are not against the building of affordable housing as it is much needed, however that doesn’t mean we should shove as many properties into the smallest space possible to line the pockets of local wealthy landowners. Most “affordable” houses these days seem to go “buy to let” again profit for landlords not young people trying to get onto the housing market.

I just hope our planners see that 9, 3 bedroom houses is ludicrous for this space, especially in light of the recent accident outside the entrance to what would be these new properties where the emergency services worked for over 2 hours to cut a young lady out of her car.

The mayhem outside of our house [17] at times, would only be made worse with the addition of nine family homes adding to shop vehicles exiting from this very narrow egress/entrance at the side of the library.

Kind regards,
Carol Davis, 17 Station Road”

Carol also forwarded her letter, which she had written in protest to the Council, which contained many salient points to argue against the development.

No one in the Village wants to deny the right of people to own their own home but there comes a time when enough is enough.

There is an opportunity (perhaps) for us to have our say. Though the more cynical among you (e.g., me) would say to choose a meeting date in the depths of January and the darkest of months wouldn’t exactly encourage folks to come out and participate, if you are genuinely concerned about the long-term future of this community you will turn up and make waves.

Latest dates for public consultation on what’s termed as the ‘Local Plan’ are as follows...

Wednesday 13th January
Swineshead Village Hall and Pinchbeck Village Hall

Friday 15th January
Wyberton Parish Hall & Sutton Bridge Curlew Centre

Monday 18th January
Old Leake Community Centre and Long Sutton Market House

Wednesday 20th January
Kirton Town Hall

Friday 22nd January
Butterwick Village Hall and Donington Ruby Hunt Centre

Monday 25th January
Sutterton Village Hall

Tuesday 26th January
Gedney Hill Memorial Hall

Thursday 28th January Holbeach
Community Centre

Tuesday 2nd February
Surfleet Village Hall

Friday 5th February
Crowland British Legion Hall

Wednesday 10th February
All will be between 3.30pm and 7.30pm.

As is the thing these days the Internet is always there to ‘inform’. Google “South East Lincolnshire Local Plan” and see if you can make head or tail of the flannel presented. Or find a simple explanation in words of less than three syllables.

Good luck!

Kirton Kids Club

Brrrrrrrrrr…….finally winter has hit, the leaves are falling from the tress and we have damp, foggy weather.

But nothing interferes with the play of young children!

The Kids Club is still a hive of activity, laughter and fun each morning and afternoon.

Children don’t care that it’s raining outside or that it’s Monday when you wish it was nearly Friday.

Children attending the club just love good food, their friends and lots of great toys and equipment to keep them happy and occupied during the morning and after school sessions.

The run up to Christmas is always very busy and very ‘sparkly’ (as I get out the glitter pots once again).

Planning for each event or special day has been set and the children have so many things to keep them happy and busy. The breakfast sessions start at 7.30am and after school sessions finish at 5.45pm.

The before school includes a hot or cold choice of breakfast and afternoon the children are offered a ‘high tea’ and a drink.

Both sessions have a multitude of activities, toys and equipment on offer to the children each day.

Breakfast club is £3.50 per child per session and after school £5.50 per child per session – with a discount for related siblings attending the same session.

If you would like more information, or a look around, please phone 07583 762072.

Free ‘taster’ sessions are available on request when you can stay with your child and see how they settle in and enjoy themselves. Just ask.

Remembrance Fundraising

Jayne Rush Hair & Beauty held a coffee and cake stand with homemade cards for the remembrance parade on Sunday 8th November. It is always a great turnout for the village and this time was no different.

They would like to thank everyone who donated there time to cake making.

In total they raised £83 on top of what their poppy box had made all for the British legion.

Same time next year Kirton!

News from Kirton Parish Church

Kirton Parish Church will be holding its 6th Christmas Tree Festival in December. This is a major fund-raising event for the church. Please come and support the Festival.

The 1st Christmas Tree Festival

The first Christmas Tree Festival at Kirton Parish Church was held in 2009. It was opened by Mark Simmonds who was the MP for Boston & Skegness at that time.

That very first year there were 28 decorated Christmas trees on display in the church. These were all sponsored by different organisations and groups in the local community. They made such a beautiful display in the setting of our fine church.

Early sponsors included Kirton Parish Council, Kirton Methodist Church, the Kirton Mothers’ Union, The Sisterhood, The Royal British Legion (Men & Womens’ Sections), The Kirton Scouts, Cubs & Beavers, The Kirton Guides, Brownies & Rainbows, The Kids Club, Elwood Briggs & Turner (the local vets), Kirton Primary School, and Middlecott School, The Kirton Youth Club, and The Kirton Brass Band.

The 6th Christmas Tree Festival

The years have passed and the Festival has grown in size and popularity. This year will see the 6th Christmas Tree Festival taking place at Kirton Parish Church. A great many of the original sponsors from 2009 have continued to support the Christmas Tree Festival each year. Such support is greatly appreciated by the members of Kirton Parish Church. We have also continued to welcome new sponsors, year on year.

A big thank you to all the following sponsors of this year’s Christmas trees.

Kirton Parish Council, Kirton Methodist Church, the Kirton Mothers’ Union, The Sisterhood, The Royal British Legion (Men & Womens’ Sections), The Kirton Scouts, Cubs & Beavers, The Kirton Guides, Brownies & Rainbows, The Kids Club, Elwood Briggs & Turner (the local vets), Kirton Primary School, Middlecott Academy, Kirton Bowling Club, Kirton Bell Ringers, Kirton Town Hall Management Committee, Kirton Church Choir, Kirton Church Social Club, Kirton Ladies Luncheon Club, The Scout Shop, Kirton Healthcare (Chiropodists), The Kirton Walkers, The Monday Club, Kirton Fire Station, Kirton Kurlers, Kirton News, Frampton WI, The Salon Hairdressers, Rush’s Hairdressing, LB Hair Studio, White Gables Nursing Home, Woodlands Court Care Home, Maureen Bray, Andrew Dennis (Farmer), Wilson’s Motorcycles, Maggie Welberry, Richard Foster Contracting and Ray Sellars Builders.

Details of the Festival

The Christmas Tree Festival will be opened on Saturday 5th December at 11am by Matt Warman the MP for Boston & Skegness.

It will be open Saturdays 5th & 12th December 11am – 4pm and Sundays 6th & 13thDecember 12 noon – 4pm. A Christingle Service will take place in church from 3pm on the last Sunday of the Festival.

Besides the magnificent display of Christmas trees filling the church, there will be musical entertainment at different times throughout the Festival. Parents will be able to help their children follow a ‘Children’s Christmas Trail’ around the church. Completed Christmas Trail forms can be entered into a draw.

The first three correct entries drawn will receive a prize. There will be a good range of stalls, a Grand Raffle and excellent refreshments all available in church. Make a note of the dates and just come along!

A date for you diary

The next On Stage in Frampton event will be on Saturday 13th February 2016, ‘A Blast from the Past’, with Spiltmilk Dance. This is a family show for all ages incorporating a light-hearted quiz featuring music, dance and events over the last 60 years.

Parish Council News

Kirton Parish Council Meeting Minutes
- September 2015

Public Forum

Residents from Skeldyke Road attended with additional information regarding numbers of Lorries going to/from Ripe Now. One resident said her daughter would not run down this road any longer after too many narrow misses with Lorries. Another was concerned that after one lorry ended up in his conifers at the front of his house that he felt it was only a matter of time before one tipped into his garden.

One resident complained of a car playing loud music outside the Park.

Chairman’s Comments

The library move is almost complete. There are now 15 volunteers and the New Life Fellowship are hopeful that there will be more once the new library is up and running in their building. The library will open for at least 3 days per week. The Chairman thanked Cllr Brookes for his guidance during the process.

The repairs to the War Memorial/Kirton Holme sign and the new footway at the Cemetery are now complete.

Apologies for absence and reason given

Cllrs Austin, Edwards, Fitzgerald, Ransome and Smith gave their apologies and reasons for absence which were accepted by the council.

Receipt of any declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011, and to consider any written requests for dispensations in relation to members’ disclosable pecuniary interests.

Cllrs Hannay and Carter declared an interest in item 12 on the Agenda – Town Hall as members of the Town Hall Committee.

Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting

It was resolved after a proposal by Cllr Danby which was seconded by Cllr Brotherton and agreed by the remainder, that the notes from the meeting on the 20th August, previously circulated were a true account of the meeting and should be recorded as the minutes.

Viewpoints on questions from members of the public

The information given by residents on Skeldyke Road would be used as further information to go to the Planning Inspectorate.

The resident complaining of loud music by the Park was asked to collect the Police should this happen again.

Report from the minutes of the previous meeting/Clerk’s report

a) Follow up from request regarding Station Road pavement on none village side of road not done when village side was slurry filled – works on wish list for 2016

b) Follow up from report of dangerous manhole cover on A16 – investigating. This has now been completed.

Correspondence received which the Council are invited to resolve on

a) Temporary road closure for essential works by BT at Drainside between Hill Lane and B1391 - 21.09.15-16.10.15 as and when required.

b) Temporary road closure – essential highway maintenance – Station Road, Kirton 24.10.15-01.11.15

Cllr Brookes informed members that although Highways had scheduled this work, Anglian Water need to do some work at Willington Road and therefore this could result in 2 roads being closed whilst the work is carried out. Highways were keen that Anglian Water did not carry out the work at the same time.

c) Resident who, along with a neighbour, have maintained the pathway between Drainside and Thorne Way has informed the Council that he feels he is no longer able to continue.

Members asked the Clerk to send the resident a letter of thanks for the work he has tirelessly carried out for a long time.

Matters for the attention of Lincolnshire County Councillors/Boston Borough Councillors

a) Cllr Brookes informed members that the local plan will likely go out to public consultation in the New Year.

b) Cllr Rylott reported that the street sign for Sandpit Lane is still missing (reported back in May). She and Clerk to chase.

c) Cllr Rylott also informed members that there will be a ticket only Bonfire event at the Golf Club on the 6th November.

Planning applications:

B/15/0318 – Erection of a single storey rear extension at 10 The Square, Kirton – NO OBJECTIONS

Appeal to Secretary of State regarding Ripe Now Ltd, Skeldyke Road, Kirton, Boston – any representations in addition to what has already been submitted to be received by 24th September

B/15/0337 – Proposed single and two storey rear extensions to extend existing salon and create flat above at Sweeney Todd, 14 Station Road, Kirton– NO OBJECTIONS

B/15/0345 – Proposed alterations and extensions (amended plan approved under B/13/0117) at Westfield Donington Road, Kirton End. – NO OBJECTIONS

Accounts for payment

It was proposed by Cllr Lee, seconded by Cllr Carter and agreed by the remainder that the accounts as per payment sheet 6 of 12 dated September 2015/16 should be paid. The Clerk informed members that the accounts had come back from the External Auditor with no problems or issues.

Town Hall

Members received a copy of the year to date accounts from the Town Hall Committee for information.

The radiators in the main hall have now all been replaced. This is likely to be the last big expense for quite some time. No others are planned anyway.

Cllr Hannay spoke of the idea of a park at the rear of the Town Hall, which the Council had received last meeting. Again it was confirmed that if the organisers would like to hold a meeting the Council would send a representative (Cllr Hannay said he would attend as a representative). In principal, members agreed to the insurance costs for the proposed park could be added to the Parish Council cover.

Cllr Hannay has now received the parts to fix the Flag Pole. He will liaise with the Fire Station to get it sorted out.

Cemetery

Cllr Lee said that the cemetery is looking the best he has seen it in a while. A big effort was made by the community payback team and they should be commended for their results.

Nothing heard from the Greek and Rumanian Orthodox Church Warden regarding the work at the Chapel. If nothing heard, it was resolved to send another letter recorded mail.

Reports for Various Bodies

Cllr Still reported that the British Legion is likely to close the Kirton branch at the end of October however there will be representation at the Remembrance Service.

It was reported that there are overgrown trees/hedges making the road impassable outside the Recluse on Washdyke road by Cllr Foster. He also reported that Dances Bank is still a mess following the solar farm installation.

It was reported that 49 Marketstead is a real eyesore both front and rear gardens. Clerk to report to Mayflower.

Potholes outside D’Eyne Cottage on Meeres Lane were reported. Just before the bend. Clerk to inform Highways.

Cllr Turner will re teak oil the remembrance stand in time for the service.

Cllr Turner informed members that the area along Church Lane in the Park is overgrown and looking untidy. He also informed members that the scrub area to the rear of the Park is also in need of work. It was resolved that the roadside (Church Lane) area could be cleared by the Community Payback Team. Cllr Turner will contact the Chairman of the Playing Field Committee, Mr Davies and seek ideas from him/arrange meeting.

Parish matters

a) Inspection Rota

Litter in the Park has been reduced since the installation of the new bin by the skate ramps.

b) Reports from committee meetings held since last Council meeting.

Lights and brackets are required by the Xmas Fayre committee around the war memorial. LED lights will replace the solar lights in the War Memorial area plus a smaller but better lit tree. The committee are looking at advertising the fayre and carol concert on banners.

The schools are being contacted regarding having a choir at the carol concert.

c) Report from recent safety inspection in the park.

No issues but some missing safety codes on play equipment. Clerk to chase.

Date & time of the next Parish Council Meeting

Date & Time of next Meeting of the Parish Council Thursday 15th October (Upsall Room, Kirton Town Hall). There being no further business to discuss, the Chairman thanked those in attendance and declared the meeting closed at 8.50pm.

Frampton W.I.

Its December the nights are drawing in the heating clicks on and the year is fast coming to an end. Where did it go? Oh but ladies we have had such fun!!

We learnt about life in the circus and beyond with Val and Rex, we had a quick tour of the potteries with Paula, we visited the Lincoln Castle and some of us walked the walls followed by a yummy afternoon tea. Chris from the RSPB told us all about the birds in our gardens, we had a pub night out and Madge got her fish and chips and we sang her happy birthday, Stuart Binks brought us down to earth with his mending faces talk, and we turned 79 and celebrated with Phoebe singing to us.

Retired DCI Stuart Gibbon made sure we all know how to stay safe in the home and the street and on the internet. What a year we are rounding it off with Tom Sutton our local celebrity in December, and hopefully a mince pie or three?

As this is a double issue I need to tell you about January. We are delighted to welcome Lady Chantal Davies, who will be giving us a talk entitled: Rear View of Westminsterí. I think this is one you should not miss mark your diaries for Thursday 14th January 2016! Usual place, usual time.

I havnt actually mentioned what we have been doing outside of our meetings, this past month or two we have hosted the Haven group at Wyberton Village Hall and marvelled at Mr Joel Hicks.....you had to be there ....trust me!

We have run the catering for the Frampton Craft Fair...exhausting but so much fun and we raised quite a bit of monies for the church fund and for our looming 80th birthday next year. A very big thank you to all our customers and the ladies who helped and the ladies who donated the cakes.

We have welcomed new ladies and are growing by the month, why not come along and see what we are all about? I can promise you a very warm welcome and a bite or two of Christmas cheer! Im wondering if Mr Tom Sutton will be wearing red.. Oh! the competition is something beginning with H ( not to brag at all but I did win the raffle and I did get points for my competition entry....) and Tom Im doing your vote of thanks...this is a first for me and Im quite nervous!

We will be back in the Village Hall Frampton on Thursday December 10th. Come and join us we meet at 7:30 pm, Frampton Village Hall, Middlegate Road, Frampton. Your first taster visit is free.

If you would like to know more about joining Frampton Womenís Institute call Ann McCoy(President) on 01205 366020 or Carol (Secretary) on 01205 722879 email: carolpattrick@gmail.com or me Vanessa (New Members) on 07955 763473 email: vanessajameson@btinternet.com

The Registers

Baptisms - We welcome into God’s family:

Sophie Amella Louth

Weddings - We ask God's blessing on:

No Weddings this month

Funerals - We commend to God’s keeping:

Mr Brian William Grooby
Mrs Wendy Panto