©Kirton News 2023

October 2019

The Editors Letter

How fast can a year possibly go? I realise I always write my letters to you in the middle of the month prior to the edition but still, you can slow down a little please Father Time!

As you will notice from our not so pretty front page, we are focusing on litter this month. The photograph, taken recently, is not from Kirton but near to the Witham Tavern in town. The reason why I’ve used it is to illustrate that this problem is now epidemic and flytipping and litter are becoming such an everyday occurrence that we see it around every corner.

Is it only me who thinks that this has happened fairly recently? When I say recently, I mean in the last couple of years. I know litter has always been there but the volume of rubbish and places it’s being dumped has, I’m sure, increased dramatically in that time. I came across some myself in the Town Hall car park a few weeks ago. Food waste that was dumped the night before and left to rot overnight. There are two bins within steps of where I assume the people had been. There is absolutely no excuse for it and of course I tidied it up.

So we inevitably ask, who could it be? Was it a group of young people? People who had finished work and were on their way home? Or, and I hate to use the term so I’ll diplomatically say, anyone who has moved to this Country within the last decade or so? The point is, we can very easily blame a specific demographic but I don’t think we should jump to conclusions. I’m all for catching people in the act and when that happens we may be surprised at what we find.

Just as it feels like anti social behaviour has also increased, our ability to tackle the perpetrators of both littering and loitering has decreased. What’s the best way to deal with it all? Take a photo, put it on social media and stir up a frenzy of digust from your armchair? Shout at the person from a window or behind a hedge for fear of a backlash? Or, go out and sort it out ourselves?

Two women from Boston, Maxine Stones and Heather Murrell, have started up their own ‘Clean Up Boston’ campaign. Their aim is to report anyone caught littering and to clean up our town with help from volunteers. I don’t know about you but when I see photographs from the streets of Boston in years gone by, I’m astonished that it’s the same place and very sad to see what parts of it look like now. But I’m also positive that Boston and our villages can be places we can be proud of again.

Maxine and Heather are holding their next meeting at the Sportsman on Rosebery Avenue on 18th November at 7pm. They have made it very clear that ANYONE is invited to attend, it has nothing to do with any political party and that they will not condone discrimination of any kind. I will be attending and will be finding out what plans are in place and to see if we can follow suit in Kirton. I am also happy to be part of a group of litter pickers.

If anyone would like to attend the meeting with me or be involved in litter picking in the village then do email me.

Rachael

MEET THE LOCALS:
This issue, we’re talking Nil Khunti, Proprietor of Saffron and the One Stop convenience and pet store:

1) How long have you lived in the area?
Since 2017.

2) Saffron and the One Stop are now thriving businesses, do you feel you have been welcomed by the people of Kirton?
Great feeling and very friendly people in area.

3) What business experience did you have before you opened in Kirton?
We had a shop in past and coming to Kirton was completely new to us. When we opened our business in Kirton people did welcome us and all the people were very friendly and helpful and support our business.

4) You now run Saffron, One Stop and the new Pet Shop, are there plans for any more expansions?
Not at the moment but let's see in the future!
If you would like to book a table at Saffron, please contact Nil on 01205 722772.

Kirton Primary School is Celebrating

Kirton Primary School is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Basic Skills Quality Mark. This Quality Mark is an internationally acknowledged accreditation, supporting and recognising improving standards in the provision, practice and performance of English and mathematics.

In addition, Kirton Primary is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted in two award categories in the National Special Educational Needs and Disability Awards 2019.

We have been shortlisted for awards in the categories of Most Inclusive Practice Across a School and Most Innovative Special Needs Intervention.

The winners will be announced later this month.

Kirton Church Fund

The September draw takes place on Sunday 22nd with the winning numbers printed in the November magazine.

The October draw takes place on Sunday 27th with winning numbers printed in the December magazine.

Well done to the winners, especially our first prize winner who is a first time winner.

This month I’ve been looking back to August in past years and every year since we started in 2012 we have lost a member in August! The good news is that this year we have bucked the trend and still had all the players for the August draw. However next month will see the fund loose two numbers. I have so far managed to recruit a new member, welcome aboard and good luck to them. Sadly though it does leave us one number short so the prize fund for September will drop. How about joining us so that we can get the prize fund back up? You could be lucky and win. There is plenty of room for more members and there is a very good chance of winning in the Kirton Church Fund monthly draw.

Come on and join us, anyone over 18 may take part. 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.

You can join at any time during the year and 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.

Registration forms are available from the back of church,from Paula’s Gifts on Station Road, from Kirton Library or from Fay, please ring 01205 723529, or for more information about Kirton Church Fund please give Fay a ring.

Data protection. All information (name, address and phone number) of Kirton Church Fund members is held solely for the purpose of managing Kirton Church Fund and is not passed on to any other organisation or used for any other purpose.

August 2019 Winners

1st PRIZE - £41.81 - TICKET NUMBER: 72
2nd PRIZE - £13.95 - TICKET NUMBER: 27

Letters to the Editor

Hi Rachael

We held the Fosdyke Tractor Run & Charity Event on 12th May 2019 and now have all the money collected in and would like to let everyone know how much was raised on the day.  This year the event raised a fantastic £4311.86 for local Macmillan Cancer Support.

Thankyou to everyone who supported the event and for all the generous donations.

Russell Nicol

Kirton Kids Club

Do you need – good affordable childcare for each end of the school day? Look no further – KIRTON KIDS CLUB runs from 7.30am to 5.45 pm each day that Kirton Primary School is open.

Children are given a choice of menu in the morning plus a drink and after school a ‘high tea’ and drink as well as oodles of other options with celebrations and parties included.

Breakfast club is £4.00 per child per session and after school is £6.00 per child per session with a 10% discount for related siblings attending the same session.

Children enjoy an ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of toys and equipment to use, plus indoor and outdoor activity areas.

For more information about availability of places, please phone 07583 762072 and book a free taster session where you can have a good look around while you stay and watch how your child enjoys the club and surroundings.

Your Neighbourhood Needs You - Kirton Neighbourhood Plan (incorporating Kirton End & Kirton Holme)

Residents of Kirton Parish, the Parish Council strongly believes in using a Neighbourhood Plan to significantly influence the design and quality of housing developments and encourage proposals that enhance the quality of life in Kirton, Kirton End and Kirton Holme.

Neighbourhood planning is not just about housing, but everything regarding the Neighbourhood, replacing poor design with better design, improving the conditions in which people live, work, travel and take leisure. Widening the choice of high-quality homes, making it easier for jobs to be created, moving from net loss of bio-diversity to net gains for nature.

We feel that a community led plan to help influence development would be a great asset to improve the quality of life of those that both live and work in the Parish.

Find us on Facebook as: Kirton Neighbourhood Plan , on our webpage: www.kirtonneighbourhoodplan.co.uk or you can email comments and views to admin@kirtonneighbourhoodplan.co.uk

While paper copies of interest questionnaires, available from 1st October can be found at Kirton Library, Kirton Town Hall, The Post Office, Costcutters, Paulas Gifts, Kirton Leisure and Kirton Holme Golf Club.

Closing date 1st December 2019.

Aid to Banglades from The Freemasons

Lincolnshire Freemasons have contributed towards £20,000 sent to support thousands of people whose lives have been devastated by flooding in Bangladesh.

The money has been given by the Masonic Charitable Foundation, the national charity supported by all Freemasons in the UK, including 3,400 in Lincolnshire.

The money will be used to provide urgently-needed humanitarian assistance in the wake of floods which have: killed 114 people, affected more than 7.5m others, damaged or destroyed 600,000 houses, wrecked 6,640km of roads and other vital infrastructure, destroyed thousands of hectares of crops.

The aid being supplied will provide vital supplies for the many thousands of displaced people; including blankets, mosquito nets, water buckets and personal hygiene products, which will be distributed in Kurigram District, which has been hit especially hard by this disaster.

Rose Caldwell, Chief Executive of Plan International UK, which is delivering the aid on the ground said: “We’re hugely grateful for this generous contribution to Plan International’s disaster response in Bangladesh. These funds will make an enormous difference to hundreds of families affected by the devastating floods and help them get back on their feet by providing urgent essentials like hygiene products, water buckets and mosquito nets.”

Lincolnshire’s Provincial Grand Master Dave Wheeler said: “Many people have died and hundreds of thousands more have been displaced by these terrible floods. I’m very pleased that through the Masonic Charitable Foundation Freemasonry is able to move so quickly to provide this essential funding for Plan International UK who are providing rapid support to those worst affected by this disaster.”

What’s happening at Kirton Parish Church?

The church Harvest Festival Service was held on Sunday 22nd September. The congregation’s generous donations of tinned and dried food were gratefully received by two local charities – The Boston Food Bank and The Boston Women’s Aid.

On All Souls Day, Saturday 2nd November at 11am, Kirton Parish Church will hold a special Memorial Requiem Eucharist honouring all the departed. During this special and moving service we will remember those who have died during this past year. All are welcome.

The Kirton Church Christmas Tree Festival will be taking place this year over the first weekend of December. All previous sponsors of Christmas Trees will be contacted. Any business, organisation or society that has not taken part before, but would like to sponsor a Christmas tree, please contact Margaret Ormston, Churchwarden, on 01205 722052.

Kirton Parish Council Meeting Minutes
- July 2019

Public Forum

2 residents attended. The first wished to complain about the speeding along Lighton Avenue/Saxon gate. She asked that the community speed watch team be deployed there.

The other resident came regarding planning B/19/0180 – Erection of 7 terraced two storey dwellings at Land off Penny Gardens, Kirton. She gave her concerns regarding the proposed development. Both residents left.

Chairman’s comments

The chairman asked for a vote regarding the co-option of Mr Alex Wilson. Cllr Brotherton abstained as he knows Mr Wilson from his time as Mayor. It was resolved to co-opt Mr Wilson. Mr Wilson accepted the co-option and duly signed the declaration.

The Chairman also reported that he had received a resignation from Sue Ransome.

The Chairman reported that the bench in the park had been moved. It is thought it was by the contractors as the grass had been mown not strimmed around it.

There have been two complaints received from residents regarding trees overhanging onto their properties from the trees owned by the Parish Council. One at the rear of the Town Hall and the remaining along the side of the Old Chapel cemetery. The Clerk and the Chairman had met with the tree surgeon. Members were asked to consider allowing the work to go ahead without the usual 3 quotations as the work was needed asap. It was resolved to get the work done.

Cllr Danby also reported that the ‘Tommy’ had been bent in the War Memorial – he was not sure whether it had been done deliberately or whether it had just been knocked.

Apologies for absence and reason given

Cllr C Sharp and M Brookes sent their apologies and reasons for absence which was accepted by the Council.

Cllrs Welton and Blackman did not attend nor send their apologies prior to the meeting.

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

Cllr Bemrose declared a personal interest in Town Hall on the agenda as her mother is Chairman.

She is also a parent governor at the Primary School.

Cllr Watson is on the Boston Borough Planning Committee and will take no part in item 15 on the agenda (planning).

Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting

It was resolved that the notes of the meeting held on the 27th June 2019, previously circulated, should be recorded as the minutes.

Police Matters

No Police attended, however Cllr Turner informed members that there have been issues in the village regarding youths on pushbikes causing a nuisance. The Police are aware of who most of these youths are and will be taking action.

There are some ongoing issues regarding travellers on the LCC site behind Landrover/Sports Bike. These issues are hoped to be resolved soon.

There is a current trend again for cars to be put up for sale on the grass verge next to the roundabout on the A16. Cllr Danby asked the Clerk to chase up the decision previously made about getting low shrubs on the grassed area to stop vehicles parking on the grass. Clerk to chase up.

Viewpoints on questions from members of the public

Members resolved that the Clerk should ask Dave Mitchell at LCC to survey Lighton Avenue as a possible spot for community speed watch.

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

Cllr Austin reported no change in ongoing issues despite the recent meeting held with head of Highways.

Cllr Watson reported that Environmental Health had attended the last bike night and were not concerned with the level of noise from either music nor bikes – this was from the road that the resident last month complained about the noise. It was also reported by Cllr Watson that the speed van was at the last meeting and this could very well account for the reduction in bike noise from/to the site and on the A16. This matter could be ongoing. It was reported by the Clerk further that Environmental health said that the number attending the function was now a matter for Licensing and had referred it.

Accounts for payment/Finance

It was resolved to accept the payments as per payment sheet dated July 2019 4 of 12.

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

Potholes reported on A16 at the roundabout to LCC. Cllr Austin agreed to chase this up.

Uneven pavement reported on the pavement on the Frampton side of Horseshoe Lane, in poor state of repair. Was scheduled to have been done but never carried out. Reported to LCC ref 342401.

LCC report that they need to investigate this matter further

Cllr Austin agreed to chase this up.

Cllr Austin informed members that this work has now been scheduled to be done

Contacted Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership regarding the crossing issues on Station Road, I have asked for their help in enforcing the double yellow lines outside the Kebab shop plus have asked about the possibility of having the columns to the ‘z brites’ changed to illuminated ones.

Road Safety (Accident Investigation) Manager is in talks with Andy Wharf at Highways at the Borough.

He will also ask the parking Enforcement Team to visit the village over the next few months as a priority.

Cllr Austin agreed to chase this up.

Cllr Austin told members that this matter was not deemed high on the priority list by Highways, but it could be looked at again when the evenings get darker. Cllr Hannay will forward a photograph of the columns on the crossing which clearly show that the columns could support being lit.

Overgrown Hedge into the road on Willington Road outside Old Vicarage reported to LCC.

Grass opposite the secondary school where the buses turn has not been cut at all this year. The same applies for the triangle to Edinburgh Crescent hampering vision as you try and leave Edinburgh Crescent. Reported to LCC.

Footpath from A16 towards Skeldyke on Frampton side of the village is so overgrown from the hedge that it is difficult to walk on, or use wheelchair/pushchair. This is annual moan, asked to add to the maintenance schedule. Reported to LCC.

Update from LCC – taking enforcement action

Traffic lights on High Street not working properly, lights working sporadically then not at all – reported to LCC. Update – fault assessed – will continue to monitor

Correspondence received which the Council are invited to resolve on

a) Ashwood Homes development – road names shown on map as agreed by Parish Council previously.

b) Email received from resident regarding overhanging trees at the rear of the Town Hall (area to the left of the gateway which was not cut back last year). Request we also cut this area back as trees massively overhanging her property.

It was resolved to have the work necessary carried out.

c) Lincolnshire County Council – Re flood Investigation for flooding at King Street – request for information

d) Request from resident at Kirton End to put up a bus stop at the top of Willington Road.

It was resolved for the Clerk to get prices for a shelter to present to council at the next meeting.

e) Request from resident for a bench to be erected on the Lighton Avenue triangle grassed area

It was resolved that this would not be done.

f) Lincolnshire Mobile Library Service – in process of renewing arrangements for provision of vehicles. The large ones currently used will be replaced by smaller ones, which although means some areas will be more accessible, they won’t be able to carry as many books. They are going to be in touch again in the future regarding provision of book collections.

g) Email received from parishioner wanting help to find land to make a memorial garden.

Cllr Sharp had previously contacted the parishioner and suggested the Boston Woods

Trust. Members agreed with Cllr Sharp’s suggestion.

Town Hall

The work to the storage room in the Town Hall had been completed plus the outside remedial work had also been done. The Clerk has received a cheque from the Town Hall Management Committee for half the fee of the work done in the storage room. This was received with thanks.

Cllr Brotherton had attended the last meeting of the Management Committee. The committee has offered to increase their contribution to all internal repairs to £200 from £150. This was also appreciated by members.

It was resolved to get a price to do the rest of the work to protect the building by taking the tarmac away from the edge of the building. Clerk to ask contractor for price to do the work.

Cemetery

Cllrs Sharp and Brotherton are going to be having a meeting next week.

Mr Pete Booth is refurbishing the bench in the cemetery.

Cllr Turner mentioned that the annual test of the memorials was due this Autumn. Cllrs Danby and Turner will do this in the Autumn.

Parish matters

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

The Neighbourhood plan group have produced an initial document. Clerk to forward to all.

In addition, Cllr Sharp has done a comprehensive document which is like an emergency plan. It was resolved to update the councillor information then have one copy in the library and one in the Town Hall.

2) Update on Park Inspections

The chain link fence needs replacing next to the gate. Clerk to arrange for it to be done. Also the side gate needs fixing. Clerk to arrange for this to be done too.

Reports for Various Bodies

Cllr Danby would like to propose that the War Memorial is refurbished in time for the 75th Anniversary of VE day next year. He suggested a simple ceremony marking the occasion. Also plaques to commemorate the fallen along with moving ‘Tommy’ so it doesn’t get damaged again.

Cllr Bemrose would like to have another village day to commemorate the 75th anniversary, but will need to think of suitable timing due to weather unpredictability.Suggestions are ongoing.

Planning applications:

Retention of front entrance door at 46 Willington Road, Kirton - no objections.

Erection of detached garage block at Croft House, Skeldyke Road, Kirton - no objections.

Timber barn to use as a stable for private use at Holly Cottage, Drainside North, Kirton– members felt this could not be for private use when they are advertising livery services at this premises. the current barn is not shown on the plans – plans inaccurate.

Erection of 7 terraced two storey dwellings at Land off Penny Gardens, Kirton – this area is not on the development plan; highways issue with more cars parking on bend/road; not in keeping with the surrounding development; overdevelopment of the plot.

Infill straw store at The Holmes, Holmes Road, Kirton - no objections.

Erection of a single storey dwelling at Land at Kelvyn, Wash Road, Kirton – not in keeping with the area.

Advertisement consent for installation and display of 1 non-illuminated fascia sign and 1 non-illuminated hanging sign at The Dairy House, High Street, Kirton - no objections.

Planning Decisions:

Prior approval for a proposed single storey rear extension tied in with existing part retained extension following partial removal of existing single storey extension at 62 Willington Road, Kirton – refused.

Erection of 2 detached dwellings (1 two storeys with integral garage and 1 bungalow) and new vehicular access at 52 Station Road, Kirton – grant.

Frampton Gardening Club

The wind, rain and sun have done their worst this summer, so that in spite of staking delphiniums and peonies, a summer blast laid them all flat, roses have been battered, dead headed and then battered again by the rain. The weeds, spurred on with sunshine and showers are growing in abundance, threatening to swamp the flowers.

Not all is lost though, tomatoes in the green house are doing well and after the netting went up to deter the rabbits , the runner beans are at last getting to the top of their support poles and the courgette is sending out flowers with promise of a late summer harvest, and hydrangeas positively thrive in wet conditions.

In spite of the erratic weather, the Club has fortunate in its planned outing this year to Peter Beales Roses near Norwich in June, the roses were at their stunning best and the rain held off until we were all safely on the coach to return home. The detailed talk into the grafting and budding of roses for commercial retail purposes was fascinating, and made us all appreciate the value of the rose bushes we buy.

2019 hasn’t been the beautiful summer of 2018, but it has had its moments, as I write we have recovered from a mini heatwave, only to be drenched by thunderstorms! A typical English summer?

The club July outing to the Butterfly Garden is at the end of July, and we all hope that the weather remains kind to us, so we can at least catch a glimpse of the beautiful butterflies for which this garden in Amber Hill is famous. This is followed by afternoon tea at the newly refurbished Four Cross Roads Inn, where members can sit and chat compare notes of sitings.

I would like to invite anyone to come along as a guest, to see how well we have done, it’s usually well attended and members all have the opportunity to vote for their favourite exhibits, cakes and preserves coming top of the list for excited judges.

The Bill Castle Award will be given to the member attaining the highest overall number of points. The club starts its normal meetings again in September on Thursday 26th at Frampton Village Hall at 7.30pm. entrance to the first meeting is free and membership only £10 per year with £1 entrance per meeting. We have many varied speakers during the autumn, winter and spring months and two outings during the summer.

These outings include visits to large houses and gardens and to more intimate ones, all with interesting plants and flowers for members to admire and be inspired by, usually with a chance to buy a little treasure or two. You can be assured of a warm welcome if you come along, with no horticultural knowledge needed, just a desire to enjoy flowers, plants and vegetables, and friendship of like minded people.

Maggie Welberry