Duke of Kent to Open Bishop's Palace Site

Nettleham will welcome His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, who will officially open the new heritage amenity of The Bishop's Palace on Wednesday, 11th March 2014.

The site consists of an original palace of the Bishops of Lincoln and covers an area of over three hectares. The sites use dates back over one thousand years when it was originally the Manor of Nettleham, owned by Queen Edith, wife of King Edward ‘the Confessor’.

Three centuries later, in February 1301, a document signed by King Edward I whilst staying at Nettleham, proclaimed that his son Edward of Caernarvon (later Edward II), would be the first English Prince of Wales in this Lincolnshire village.

The site is an ancient scheduled monument, it has been leased by Nettleham Parish Council, from the Church Commissioners, and had been used as a paddock for many years.

District Councillor, Cllr. Giles McNeill said:

"I am very much looking forward to the Duke's visit. I know that a lot of local people, together with the Parish Council, and the support of English Heritage and other partners, have all put a lot of time, effort and energy in to this project. It is fitting that such an historically important site is being opened up for public access and moreover that it is being opened, officially, by His Royal Highness.

The site now comprises a heritage area (the Scheduled Ancient Monument) with a discovery trail and interpretation panels. In addition, adjacent to the scheduled area, a new area (Bishop’s Meadow) has been created with wild-flower meadowland, a woodland of native species, a heritage orchard and dry stone wall reconstruction.

The site is situated close to Nettleham C of E Junior School which will be undertaking a series of history-related projects on the meadow area.

During the preparation of the Nettleham Parish Plan in 2007, public consultation identified the site as being one which should be developed into a heritage amenity for all to enjoy. The Parish Council approved the project in 2010, the Church Commissioners, who own the site, were contacted and a lease was agreed in 2012.

Funding for the project was obtained from Heritage Lottery Fund, WREN and Cory Trust for various aspects of the project. Several local organisations are involved in the project, including Nettleham Parish Council, Nettleham Heritage Association, Nettleham Woodland Trust, Nettleham C of E Junior School and the local village quarterly publication, Nettleham News.

More Lottery funding for West Lindsey – and less Whitehall interference

Giles McNeill backs plans to increase funding for local good causes


West Lindsey could benefit from an extra quarter of a million pounds in Lottery funding every year, under new proposals launched by Conservatives. Giles McNeill, Nettleham Parish Councillor, today gave his backing to plans to reform the National Lottery, restoring its independence and increasing money for the good causes of sport, the arts, heritage and the local community. The Labour Government has diverted Lottery money away from these causes, including pouring £544 million of Lottery funds into the Millennium Dome.

Under the plans launched by David Cameron:

· A National Lottery Independence Bill would free the Lottery from ministerial inference, return it to good causes and make it accountable to Parliament rather than the Government.
· End the waste of Lottery funds going to dubious projects which undermine public confidence. All Lottery distributors would be required to take into account the reputation of the Lottery as a whole when deciding grants.
· National Lottery distributors’ administration costs would be capped, and the savings ploughed back into good causes.
· The way that Lottery tickets are taxed would be changed, moving away from a per-ticket tax to a gross profits tax on the Lottery operators. This would allow the operator more freedom to increase sales and therefore returns to good causes.

This package of measures could see an extra £182 million per year for grassroots sports, arts projects and the voluntary sector – equivalent to £280,000 per Parliamentary constituency, every year. This is enough money to pay for four grass pitches, two flood-lit outside tennis courts, or save an arts organisation which has experienced funding cuts by the Arts Council.

Giles McNeill said:

"Under Gordon Brown, Lottery money has been snatched from good causes by bureaucrats. The arts, sport, heritage and charities have all suffered. We need to give money back to local grassroots initiatives, and stop politicians in Whitehall interfering. I welcome these reforms, which could mean an extra quarter of a million pounds every year in West Lindsey to improve quality of life.”