Nettleham Welcomes Duke of Kent to Open Bishop's Palace Site

Nettleham welcomed His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent today where he officially opened the Bishop's Palace Site and planted an English oak to commemorate the occasion.

® Stuart Twitchett, WLDC

The Duke arrived in the village by helicopter, at around half past ten, at the Police Headquarters, Deepdale Lane and was welcomed by Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr. Tony Worth and his wife, Jenny. They departed by car for Nettleham Parish Council at the Old School, Mill Hill.

Arriving at the Old School the Lord Lieutenant presented the Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr. Mrs. Irmgard Parrott and Mr. Len Parrott, the Chairman's Consort, the Police & Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick, the Chief Constable Neil Rhodes and the Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr. Terry Williams and Mrs. Kathleen Williams, the Chairman's consort.

® Stuart Twitchett, WLDC

The Duke was escorted into the Large Hall of the Old School by Cllr. Williams and was introduced to Cllr. John Evans who has been the Lead on the Bishop's Palace Heritage Project.  Cllr. Evans gave an explanation of the project and introduced a number of key individuals to the Duke. Including:

• Mrs. Pat Gregory - Founder Member of Nettleham Heritage Association
• Mr. Chris Williams - Chairman, Nettleham Woodland Trust
• Mr. David Gibbons - Headteacher, Nettleham Junior School
• Mr. Nigel Kingston - Editor of Nettleham News; and
• Miss Chrissie Clayton - Orchard Specialist

A number of individuals from support organisations who have provided assistance to the project were also presented, they included:

• Ms Liz Bates - Director of Heritage Lincolnshire
• Mr. David Start - Director (Retired) of Heritage Lincolnshire
• Ms Mary Hurst - WREN
• Mr. Barry Billingham - Cory Trust

Also in attendance were:

• West Lindsey District and Parish Councillor Giles McNeill
• Parish Councillor Mrs. Janice Clayton, Vice Chairman of Nettleham Parish Council
• Parish Councillor John Hill
• Parish Councillor Joe Siddall
• Parish Councillor Mrs. Susan Harland
• Parish Councillor Allan Bonney

© 2014 Creation Media

A little after eleven o'clock His Royal Highness was escorted to the Bishop's Palace Site by Councillors Evans and Williams and given further information about the project, walking through the parish cemetery, into the newly named Swathe and through into the site where the Duke was invited to plant a commemorative English Oak by Mr. Rod Newborough, a forestry expert. There were cheers, applause and frenetic waving of flags by local school children.

At a quarter past eleven the Duke formally cut a ribbon on the ceremonial gateway into the main field of the Bishop's Palace Site and officially opened the site. Cllr. Williams proposed a vote of thanks.

© 2014 Nettleham News 

The tour continued into the Bishop's Palace Site into the schedule Ancient Monument with an explanation of the visible archaeological features.

Around half past eleven the Royal Party departed the village from in front of the White Hart public house and Methodist chapel for their next engagement.

EXCLUSIVE: New Development Considered for Nettleham

A consortia of three landowners have started preliminary discussions with Nettleham Parish Council which will ultimately lead to them seeking to develop a 30 acre (14 hectare) site off Larch Avenue, Nettleham.

It is understood that the range of housing developed could include starter homes for first-time buyers, accommodation for the elderly and even provision of a care/nursing home.

However, owing to changes currently happening in the planning system it is likely that planning permission will not be applied for for at least 18 months, if not 24 months. It is to the credit of the developer that they have approached Nettleham Parish Council to begin consultation with both the council and the wider community.

It is understood that technical assessments have previously been undertaken including ecological, highways and flood risk but that owing to the proximity of the Sewage Treatment Works there may well be some constraints to the extent of the development.

The possibility of what sort of 'planning gain' - benefits for a local community from development - the developer might offer are now being considered. Part of the development of the site might include landscaped areas, woodland planting, walks or an open space amenity which could include sports provision. Local community organisations such as the Nettleham Woodland Trust and the various sports organisations in the village will doubtlessly be approached for comments and ideas.

If and when planning permission is sought by the developer, from West Lindsey District Council, who are the local planning authority, Nettleham Parish Council becomes involved as a statutory consultee. Local people are free to express their view to both the Parish and District Councils. The most persuasive arguments that hold sway, when the Planning and Development Committee at West Lindsey District Council are determining a planning application, are those based on planning policy guidance.

Boundary Planters & Village Hall Blamed for Best Kept Village Failure

Above: Nettleham's score sheet
(click to enlarge).

Nettleham Village Hall and the Planters at the village limits are to blame for the failure of Nettleham to make it through to the second round of judging in the Lincolnshire Best Kept Village Competition.

As reported on this blog (here) Nettleham fell out of the race to be named Lincolnshire's Best Kept Village in the third category; Large Village or Small Town earlier this month. Hard work by the staff of Nettleham Parish Council has led to the release of the score sheet months before it would normally be available. One judge comments:

"First impression were good, but the appearance of the Village Hall and the flower boxes at two approaches to the village were noticeably disappointing."

Nettleham Village Hall is currently scheduled for major renovation works this August with a new roof and new toilet facilities. Nettleham Parish Council is committing the majority of the funding for the project (£60k-£70k) whilst the Village Hall Committee is contributing around £20,000.

The wooden planters, installed at a number of the entrances of the village, a few years ago, were done so without the fulsome endorsement of the Parish Council at the time. However, councillors were, narrowly, minded to approve the scheme. The matter was discussed at some length at the May meeting of Nettleham Parish Council's Property Committee.

Nettleham Woodland Trust Herald Monk's Wood Opening

Following two years of planting, a man-made wood has been ceremoniously opened to the public. The Nettleham Woodland Trust began work to create Monks Wood in February 2009.

More than 20,000 trees have been planted in the woodland, which spreads across 15 acres in Ashing Lane Nature Reserve, Dunholme.

A choir of schoolchildren, from Welton St Mary's Primary School, braved the May showers to sing at the grand opening, which took place yesterday at 1.30pm. They performed choreographed renditions of celebratory songs Great Day and Summer is Icumen In.

The youngest child in the choir then joined Mrs. Joy Monk, widow of Mr. Dennis Monk, who the wood is named after, to ceremoniously cut the ribbon and officially open the wood. Mr. Monk was director of Lincoln's Waste Recycling Environmental for 13 years. In an emotional speech, Mrs. Monk said:

"This really is a wonderful occasion and I'd like to congratulate the NWT for their forward thinking.

"Much hard work has gone into this project and the young people here today are the future users of this wood.

"I hope they'll have lots of fun in the trees for years to come.

"My husband would have been very interested in this project and keen to be a part of it. If he knew it was named after him he would have been surprised, honoured and dumbfounded.

"This wood really is for everyone for ever."

Mike Kennedy, chairman of the local advisory panel for Waste Recycling Environmental, spoke before the ceremonial opening. He said:

"What a community project we have here. This is exactly what we want for our community, our children and our children's children.

"I call this project one of the best of the best."

Paul Leroy, chief executive of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said:

"It really is a day to celebrate.

"The LWT has played a very small role, but worked with WREN and NWT in the development of Monks Wood.

"The wonderful thing about this project is how the community came together and put in a huge amount of effort to get to where we are today.

"This is one of the most significant community volunteered projects in the East Midlands and the LWT is proud to be neighbours with Monks Wood."

Nettleham Woodland Trust Plan Record Attempt

Nettleham Woodland Trust is making hoping a record-breaking attempt will soon be sprouting in a local wood as the they try to plant their name in the record books.

Local residents will attempt to break a record by taking part in 'Tree O'Clock' – a nationally organised event that will attempt to break the record for the most trees planted in an hour.

The current figure stands at 18,124 trees planted in one location and the Nettleham Woodland Trust is hoping it can help smash the record and help the environment at the same time. Monks Wood, which is part of the Ashing Lane Nature Reserve near Dunholme has been selected as the site for the tree planting, which takes place on Saturday, 5th December 2009 from 11:00am until 12:00noon.

Left: Giles McNeill with local volunteers planting trees at 'PC Wood, Nettleham', February 2008.

The event is being organised through BBC Breathing Places and the number of trees people have pledged to plant around the world currently stands at 209,953 across 66 counties.

Nettleham Woodland Trust is asking any willing volunteers to arrive by 10.15am at Monks Wood and bring their own spade to ensure there is enough equipment to make the bid possible. Giles McNeill said:

"I wish everyone the best of luck with this record breaking effort and hope to be able to participate."

Rachel Shaw, spokesman for Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said:

"Hot food will be provided by Nettleham Scouts on the day. There will be a toilet on site and people should remember to wear warm clothing, gloves and boots, as the site is very muddy.

"There will be a bit of a walk from the car parking areas to the tree planting site. This will be about half a mile."

Lincoln Rugby Football Club Relocation

The Lincoln Rugby Football Club's application for planning permission has now been submitted to West Lindsey District Council, the planning authority, for their proposed new ground at a site on Lodge Lane, Nettleham.

They aim to construct a two storey club house incorporating six changing rooms, a function room and bar with car parking for 150 and ancillary facilities.

Together with plans to include four full sized pitches and a minimum of seven pitches for use by the club's mini and junior sections.

The plans have been submitted following agreement with the University for a 50 year lease over a site of 32.5 acres. The lease will be drawn up under the terms of the Landlord and Tenant Act, which means that under normal circumstances the club will be entitled to a renewal of the lease for a further 50 years. There will be a break clause after 25 years and if the University decide to exercise that option or seek to break the lease upon expiry (i.e. in 50 years time), they will be obliged to relocate the club onto an acceptable alternative site, with two years prior notice.

The facilities will be utilised by University students to train and play Rugby, Rugby League (in season) and American Football. Their matches are usually played on Wednesday afternoons.

Representatives of the Rugby Club have met regularly with representatives of Nettleham Parish Council and are working with them to address the views of local residents. Nettleham Woodland Trust, a local charity, is keen to be involved in the landscaping of the site.

The Club have obtained a revised costing for the project and expect to be able to deliver the facility within a figure of £1,450,000.

The Longdales Trust remains supportive and has agreed to provide an award of £500,000with the possibility of a further grant or loan of £100,000

West Lindsey District Council have received a submission for an application for grant funding of £100,000.

The Rugby Club expect to raise around £200,000 from their own membership and have other 'irons in the fire' which could raise a further £150,000 – this includes a possible loan of £100,000 from the RFU.

Unfortunately, the Club's application to Sport England for funding of £400,000 has been refused, so the club are urgently seeking other sources of capital to replace this.

The Club expect a decision on the planning application by the end of the year, although it is believed that the application will go to the Planning Committee at west Lindsey early in the new year, and, if the club can raise the majority of the finance required in good time, contractors could be on site by 1 April next year with completion towards the end of 2010.