After The Coronavirus In Lincolnshire Part 1

After The Coronavirus In Lincolnshire Part 1

After The Coronavirus In Lincolnshire Part 1

After the coronavirus in Lincolnshire part 1 – What have we got to look forward to? Lincolnshire has lots to offer so get set to explore.  As this is part 1, the title indicates that there are more parts to this blog and, by definition, more and more things to look forward to.

After The Coronavirus In Lincolnshire Part 1 – Let’s Socialise

The list is almost endless of course.  The Coronavirus won’t be with us for ever I’m sure so it’s nice to be able to think ahead to life after ‘lockdown’.  What would be your choice?  Fish n’ chips perhaps?  What about fine dining or a lovely pub meal?  Perhaps a trip to the seaside or a visit to your local church?  A really important thing to focus on is the social aspect of our lives.  It’ll be lovely to just socialise again wouldn’t it.

The Kinema In The Woods

After the coronavirus part 1 - The Kinema In The Woods, Woodhall Spa on WhatsOnLincs, what's on in Lincolnshire by LincsConnect, the Lincolnshire blogger

The Kinema In The Woods, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire

Perhaps it’s not an obvious choice for some but what about a trip to the cinema?  Have you ever been to The Kinema In The Woods in Woodhall Spa?  If you haven’t, I can personally recommend a visit.  Blockbuster movies are available but something you might not have realised is how The Kinema has maintained its history.  Yes, there are some new screens but the ambiance remains the same.  You can still enjoy a good movie on the big screen but you’ll also enjoy an intermission to purchase your ice cream and drinks at ‘normal’ prices.  If you’re lucky you’ll be able to enjoy the dancing feet of Alan Underwood as he entertains on the spectacular organ and remote piano.

After the coronavirus part 1 - The Kinema In The Woods, Woodhall Spa on whatsOnLincs, what's on in Lincolnshire by LincsConnect, the Lincolnshire blogger, LincsBlogger

The Kinema In The Woods, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire

Such is the fame of The Kinema that you will no doubt be able to find numerous pictures and videos of it when you search the internet.  These pictures have been borrowed from their website but I’m sure The Kinema will be more that happy to see your pictures too if you care to share them on Twitter @TheKinema – I’m sure they will be delighted if you would follow them there too.

It goes without saying of course that The Kinema has suffered the same fate as the rest of us due to the Coronavirus lockdown.  However, if you fancy purchasing some vouchers for birthday, Mother’s Day or any other day for that matter I can’t think of a nicer way to treat someone during our period of isolation.

After the coronavirus part 1 - The Kincema In. The Woods, Woodhall Spa gift vouchers on WhatsOnLincs, what's on in Lincolnshire by LincsConnect the Lincolnshire blogger, LincsBlogger

You can order your vouchers by clicking here

The Petwood Hotel

Skipping across the village (just around the corner actually) you’ll be able to visit the fabulous Petwood Hotel.  Yes, I know I’ve mentioned it before but it is a beautiful hotel with fabulous staff and, as the spiritual home of LincsConnect it does hold a special place in my heart.

After the coronavirus part 1 - The Petwood Hotel is the spiritual home of LincsConnect. On WhatsOnLincs, what's on in Lincolnshire by LincsConnect the Lincolnshire blogger, LincsBlogger

The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire

The grounds and building are always spectacular and each season helps to create a special magic.  Not only have I organised Nordic Walking sessions from the hotel but Emma was kind enough to host the LincsConnect networking meetings on Friday evenings too.  With a bit of luck they will return in the not-too-distant future (let’s keep our fingers crossed).  However, in the mean time The Petwood Hotel is a lovely place to visit for Afternoon Tea, lunch, or a delicious evening meal.  The history housed in the hotel is really quite breathtaking too so if you get the chance to visit for a coffee, a glass of wine or a G&T in the gardens be sure to take a wander around inside.  You won’t be disappointed whatever the weather.

After the coronavirus part 1 - The Petwood Hotel on WhatsOnLincs, what's on in Lincolnshire by LincsConnect the Lincolnshire blogger, LincsBlogger

The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire

It would be a poor show if you couldn’t get a gift voucher so the Petwood Hotel is ready to deliver (excuse the pun) there too.  You can order and have a bespoke gift voucher delivered as a .PDF to your email address.  What could be more convenient?

After the coronavirus part 1 - Petwood Hotel Gift Vouchers on WhatsOnLincs what's on in Lincolnshire by LincsConnect the Lincolnshire blogger, LincsBlogger

To order you Petwood Hotel gift voucher click here

Time Alone

There are so many lovely places to visit and things to do in our fabulous County of Lincolnshire so let’s not forget how diverse it is.  From the beautiful towns and villages to the wide open spaces of the fens and the rolling hills of the Wolds.  We really are lucky.  Socialising, whether we realise it or not, is something we have (perhaps) taken for granted.  It’s not until we’ve had the luxury taken away from us for a while that we realise how much we crave it.

I’m talking from a personal point of view of course but I wonder if I’m expressing the thoughts of many?  I often like to be on my own;  Walks alone, bike rides alone, driving alone….. ‘home alone’…  but now I realise that I’m never really alone.  Family is everything to me so now I realise that my periods alone are just times to reflect and rejuvenate.

After The Coronavirus In Lincolnshire Part 1 – What Next?

Being such social creatures perhaps it’s the simple things that we have missed the most?  By the time this is all over will we have re-evaluated our priorities?  I’m only speculating of course but will we be moving away from the big corporate organisations and move instead to the family run businesses and sole traders who will offer us the quality we want without the ‘designer label’ price tags?

As we become more ecologically aware will we be less inclined to travel so far and more inclined to value what we have on our doorstep?  Let’s face it, we have so much on our doorstep that it’s difficult to decide what we want and what we are looking forward to the most.  Personally I’m looking forward to getting back outside with my Nordic Walking groups to enjoy good company in the ever changing environment that Mother Nature serves to us.

After The Coronavirus In Lincolnshire Part 1 – The High Street Is Changing

The High Street is changing and will probably not change back to what we had become used to.  Perhaps now is the time for the sole traders and small businesses to step up to the mark and become the national or even global kings and queens of the future.  Could we do it?  I’ve seen things change around me in a very short space of time.  Politicians of all persuasions are talking to each other like never before while at the same time big High Street shops are closing their doors with little or no likelihood of them re-opening again.

All of this makes me ask the question; What have we got and what are we looking forward to…?

Fish and chips?  How about Fish and chips at the seaside?  A family day out with happy people making the most of our lovely coastline.  Am I allowed to have a favourite?  Skegness, Mablethorpe, Sutton-on-Sea, Anderby Creek…. They are all fabulous seaside resorts but my personal favourite is Cleethorpes.  There is just something about it that has a draw for me and makes me want to be there.  Lovely walks along the sea front eating my fish and chips from @PapasFishNChips located on the pier, crossing the light railway and spending time around the boating lake with a coffee from the cafe in the  Discovery Centre

After the coronavirus part 1 - Papas Fish and Chips, Cleethorpes on WhatsOnLincs, what's on in Lincolnshire by LincsConnect the Lincolnshire blogger, LincsBlogger

Fish and chips from @PapasFishNChips located on the pier

 

After the coronavirus part 1 - The Discovery Centre, Cleethorpes on WhatsOnLincs, what's on in Lincolnshire by LincsConnect the Lincolnshire blogger, LincsBlogger

Boating lake & cafe at the Cleethorpes Discovery Centre. It’s always a ‘must visit’ place for me. Find them on Facebook and Twitter and give them a follow.

Grimsby & Cleethorpes – Two ‘Must Visit’ areas of Lincolnshire

Just a short drive away form Cleethorpes is Grimsby.  If you get the chance to visit there please make a point of going to the Grimsby Central Hall.  I have visited there several times and can highly recommend it.  I once saw a performance of ‘The Armed Man’ (A Mass For Peace) performed by the Grimsby Philharmonic and was extremely impressed by the performance and also by the acoustics of the Central Hall.

After the coronavirus part 1 - Grimsby Philharmonic on WhatsOnLincs, what's on in Lincolnshire by LincsConnect the Lincolnshire blogger, LincsBlogger

Grimsby Philharmonic led by Susan Hollingworth BEM – if you get the chance to hear them perform you’re certainly in for a treat. Click here to visit their website.

The Grimsby Central Hall is really worth a visit.  I was lucky enough to be given a tour once and was really surprised at what I saw.  I’m not going to give too much away as I think the Hall is worthy of a blog of its own.  However, in addition to being a fabulous building on the outside with a grand staircase on the inside and superb acoustics for performances, it also houses a Fishermans Chapel dedicated to local fishermen & Merchant Seamen who lost their lives at sea.

I’m not a historian or an architect but I really do love learning local history and taking in the architecture around me.  If you see me walking around somewhere new I’m usually the one looking up.  If you haven’t done it, I recommend you give it a try.  Look up above the boring flat glass shop windows and doors and marvel at the fantastic building above.  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

After the coronavirus part 1 - Grimsby CentralHall on WhatsOnLincs, what's on in Lincolnshire by LincsConnect the Lincolnshire blogger, LincsBlogger

Grimsby Central Hall – It’s not the best picture but it does show the grandeur and size of the building. Click here to go to their Facebook page

Scunthorpe

I know Scunthorpe has a lot to offer but right at the top of my list of things to do and places to visit in the area is the Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society (Find them on twitter as @AFRailway).  I’m not an avid train enthusiast or train spotter but this has really captured my imagination.  I’m looking forward to the end of the Coronavirus restrictions so that I can pay a visit here.  If you haven’t heard of it before I suggest you take a look at their website www.afrps.co.uk.  You can email glenn@afrps.co.uk who I suspect will put you on a mailing list to let you know when their services begin again.  In short, the trip involves a rail tour around the steel works at Scunthorpe.  I have a feeling that it’ll be extremely interesting.

After the coronavirus part 1. Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society, Scunthorpe on WhatsOnLincs, what's on in Lincolnshire by LincsConnect the Lincolnshire blogger, Lin csBlogger

Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society

How Long Should A Wish List Be?

In a County as big as Lincolnshire I think this wish list could go on and on!  Perhaps it’s best if I pause for breath now though.  I still have walks in the Wolds, expeditions in the Fens and outings in Grantham (the canal springs to mind) and lunches in Stamford to fit in.  I think I’m going to have to do a series of blogs on the subject don’t you?

After The Coronavirus In Lincolnshire Part 1 – Any Recommendations For Part 2?

My list of things to do and places to visit after the Coronavirus restrictions are lifted is very long but not by no means complete.  I know there will be many things that I haven’t visited but really ought to so if you have any suggestions please let me know.

“Stay Home Save Lives”

Have a good week everyone and keep smiling.  We shall get through this pandemic if we work together.  Don’t forget that #LincsConnect is here for you 24/7

https://www.whatsonlincs.co.uk

Resilience Wins

Resilience Wins

Lincolnshire Businesses Fight Back

It can’t have escaped your attention that since the Corona Virus outbreak businesses and communities have adapted at an amazing rate.  Closures of our friendly and much loved businesses have meant local (and national) bosses have had to seriously ‘up their game’ in order to carry on trading.  We have enjoyed the comforts and luxuries of fine dining, takeaway dining, drinking at home, drinking in the local pubs, visiting and socialising with friends and family, theatre, cinema….. I could take up the whole blog just listing the things we have been enjoying that have come to an abrupt halt over the last few days.  Finances are obviously a big concern so making swift decisions to recoup potential future losses has been a priority for many.

Takeaway Or Takeaway…?

Being used to having so much choice it’s inevitable that the sudden closure of our local businesses has come as quite a shock.  Finances aside, it’s been heartening to see local hotels step up to the mark to carry on providing a service for us.  In Woodhall Spa the beautiful Petwood Hotel (the home of so much Lincolnshire and National history) has turned it’s hand to providing take away (or order and collect) ‘Petwood Afternoon Tea’ as well as their special ‘Petwood Basics Box’ – I haven’t had chance to sample the latter yet but I’m sure it’ll be a very special treat. It’s certainly not going to be your traditional idea of a fast food takeaway that’s for sure. Perhaps that’ll be the subject of a separate blog all of its own.

Home of so much local and national history, a beautiful building and delightful gardens it’s hardly surprising that Managing Director Emma Brealey and her fabulous team would ‘step up to the mark’ and produce something special to keep their loyal customers and friends happy.  If you haven’t visited yet I highly recommend you make it a special treat sometime later this year when the Corona Virus ordeal has relented. Here’s a little reminder of what you might experience:

Possibly one of the countries most photographed hotels. the Petwood Hotel is certainly outstanding. Give them a call on 01526 352 411 to book your next stay

 

Beautiful Borders

Lincs Connect doesn’t ‘just’ cover Lincolnshire.  We have lots of local businesses on our borders serving people from our county and one such business is Bare Waxing on Bawtry Road in Hatfield Woodhouse.  Just down the road from Scunthorpe and not too far from Gainsborough this beauty salon is run by Nichola.  Initially starting as a small beauty therapy business I have seen Nichola build it up with increasing members of staff and now a second salon in Doncaster too.  Obviously offering a waxing service but also including fake tans, nails, massages and all the usual beauty services.  Having known Nichola for some time I can personally recommend her and her team.

Bare Waxing in Hatfield Woodhouse is certainly worth a visit if you’re in the Scunthorpe area. You can contact Nichola on tel:01302846873

 

Fancy A Tipple?

Drinking in the bars, restaurants and hotels of the County aren’t an option at the moment but if you fancy a drink you could visit one of our many breweries for a takeaway beer or perhaps pay a visit to Small Beer Ltd in Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln,  Don’t be fooled by their name, ‘Small’ Beer isn’t actually a small shop, it’s more of a very successful going concern that has been around for over 40 years.  selling bottled beers and ciders through to cask ales as well as soft drinks and spirits.  In fact, they’ve got quite a range and I’m looking forward to paying a visit very soon.  Just to make life easier, you can order online or even through their own App.  Life doesn’t get much easier!

Small Beer Ltd are open to the public and can be found on Churchill Business Park, Sleaford Road, Bracebridge Heath or why not give them a ring on 01522 540 431

 

How Does Your Garden Grow…With Free Delivery

As many of us will be spending more time at home it makes perfect sense that Pennell’s Garden Centres in Lincoln, Cleethorpes and Sleaford should be offering free delivery of plants, shrubs and equipment.  As I write this I can see that the sun is shining outside and I can hear the sounds of lawn mowers and scarifiers.  Spring is here and while we have an enforced period at home what better way to responding your time than catching up with the gardening and preparing it for (hopefully) a glorious Summer.  Why not give the team a call to discuss your early Spring purchases

Pennell’s Garden Centres are located in Lincoln, Cleethorpes and Sleaford. If you would like to contact them for your Spring purchases just click pn this picture to see their website

 

On The subject of Free Delivery…

Did you know that the Doddington Hall Farm Shop is now offering free delivery and they use an electric car to do it too!  I’m sure everyone in Lincoln must be aware of Doddington Hall with its lovely walks, fantastic building and fabulous cafe and shops. Sadly the cafe is closed at the moment but the Farm shop is still in full swing offering free local delivery for up to 10 miles and a very small charge for journeys up to 25 miles.  Perhaps, as a farm shop where they produce much of their own produce I should schedule another dedicated blog to cover it and some of the other wonderful farm shops that we have in the County.  For those of us who are regular frequenters of Doddington Hall, we’ll know exactly how good it is.  If you haven’t tried their produce, you’ll just have to take my word for it.  You can visit the Doddington Hall website simply by clicking on the picture below:

Just A Sample

Obviously there is much more going on in our lovely County so this is just a very small snapshot.  If you would like me to do a full blog on your business why not get in touch?  You can tweet me of course @LincsConnect or drop me an email at martin@lincsconnect.co.uk I’ll be more than happy to help promote your local business or charity.  Talking of which, have you seen my ever expanding blog which highlights the good things people are doing during the CoronaVirus pandemic?  If you know of any good deeds happening around the county that need a mention please do get in touch.

Contact me if you would like your business or charity adding to this blog

 

That’s all I have time for at the moment but there will be more blogs and updates coming very soon.

Stay safe everyone.  Keep your distance and keep your hands clean