The COVID Christmas rules for tier 3 Lincolnshire

The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners!

The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.

“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.

“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.

“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.

The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”

There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.

The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.

The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.

The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.

We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.

Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Awards categories:

• Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award – sponsored by Visit Lincolnshire*
• Experience of the Year – sponsored by LNER*
• Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Destination Lincolnshire*
• New Tourism Business Award of the Year– sponsored by Lincoln College*
• Pub of the Year – sponsored by Heart of Lincs*
• Resilience and Innovation Award – sponsored by Visit Lincolnshire*
• Self Catering Accommodation of the Year – sponsored by Stonebow Media*
• Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year – sponsored by Destination Lincolnshire*
• B&B and Guest House of the Year – sponsored by Stonebow Media*
• Taste of England (Taste Lincolnshire) – sponsored by Destination Lincolnshire*
• Small Visitor Attraction of the Year– sponsored by Lincoln College*
• Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Destination Lincolnshire*
• Customer Service Excellence Award – sponsored by Lincoln College
• Marketing Campaign – sponsored by LNER
• Arts, Culture and Heritage – sponsored by Duncan & Toplis 

To enter and for more information visit the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Awards website 

*VisitEngland award categories 

A dog loving couple living in Grantham will open a special swimming pool in the local area to provide fun and fitness for canines.

Janice Benson, 46, had worked in the retail industry for 25 years across the country and most recently in Grantham, where she has lived for 12 years.

Along with her husband Neil, who works off shore, they wanted to take their dogs to a swimming pool, but found there was nothing to meet their needs in the local area.

This sparked the idea of Splash Doggy, a 32 foot swimming pool for dogs which will open on Heath Lane close to the RAF Barkston Heath training base on Monday, July 4.

Jack getting ready to try out the swimming pool!

Dexter trying out the new facility near Grantham.

Splash Doggy will be open Tuesday to Saturday, between 8am-6pm, offering 30 minute private sessions for people to bring a maximum of five dogs, who must be known to one another. Owners are allowed in the pool if it is to help encourage their pets, and there are dog life jackets are available for nervous canines if needed.

The sessions are priced at £20 per dog, but are reduced if you bring more, for example, £40 for four canines.

The sessions must be booked online in advance here and the website will be live from Saturday afternoon (July 2).

Dogs who are nervous with water like Victor can wear a life jacket.

The couple trialled the pool with their own dogs – Marley the long-haired miniature Dachshund Marley, Jack the Chihuahua Jack Russell cross breed, and Victor a mixed breed rescue dog from Romania.

Dogs belonging to their friends and family also tested out the water with great success and the husband and wife duo now can’t wait to open.

Splash Doggy co-owners Janice and Neil Benson.

Janice, who is originally from South Shields, told The Lincolnite: “Splash Doggy is a 32 foot, above ground, swimming pool, which we will be using for people to come with their dogs for fun and fitness.

“We wanted to take our dogs to something like this but there was nothing in the local area so the idea grew into it being something we would provide.

“It is good exercise for dogs and for their mental wellbeing. It is about the dogs and their owners having fun.

“I am very excited and can’t wait to welcome dogs and their owners, and to see them having a happy time.”

Splash Doggy has a 32 foot swimming pool for canines to enjoy!

Great fun for dogs!

Neil and Janice are both canine first aid trained and he added: “There is a problem with finding areas where it is safe for dogs to go into water, and knowing what is there and the inherent dangers, and this is the main why we are doing this.

“We initially bought the pool for our own dogs and decided to open it up as a safe environment for more dogs to have fun in the water.

“It is brilliant exercise for dogs. A one minute swim is the equivalent of a one mile walk for a dog.”