Some 140 hay bales worth around £10,000 used to keep pigs warm at night were destroyed in an alleged arson attack at a farm attraction in Scunthorpe.
The owner of The Pink Pig Farm Sally Jackson went to the site on Holme Lane where there are around 400 pigs and piglets, after being alerted to the fire at around 6.15pm on Friday, February 26.
Humberside Police said they are investigating the reported arson after they attended the scene. The officers have been following up a number of lines of enquiry to determine those responsible.
Due to its location the fire was allowed to burn out under the supervision of the farmer. Fortunately, no animals or people were injured.
This is the second suspected arson at the farm during lockdown after another incident last year.
Sally told The Lincolnite: “It was a big blaze around the height of up to the eaves of a two-storey house.
“The fire brigade came down and monitored the blaze to make sure it wasn’t going to spread. They felt it could naturally burn out and this took a few days.
“The pigs were no more than 100 metres from the fire. They had a very lucky escape. Had it been dry and windy they could have been in real danger.
“I thought ‘not again’, it is such a worry and I honestly don’t think the teenagers know the kind of devastation it can cause. We just want to stop people doing it as arsonists get a taste for it and keep doing it until they are stopped.”
The Pink Pig farm said these photos were taken just before the fire and is urging anyone who recognises those pictured to email [email protected]
Humberside Police is urging anyone who has not yet spoken to them who may have information to call 101 quoting log number 542 of February 26.
The farmers who own the pigs now need to source more straw and the cafe continues to open for an hour a day for takeaway coffee.
Sally also thanked people for spreading the message, being proactive and raising money for the farm, with any donations being passed directly to the farmers. A fundraiser set up by Candice Priest has raised over £650 by the time of publication.
The Pink Pig Farm will reopen again fully for business on April 12, including the indoor and outdoor play areas, two cafes and the animal trail where visitors can get up close and personal to the pigs.
Booking online is essential with tickets costing £8 per person.
Sally added: “We cannot wait to see people back again. We’ve been eligible for a grant and been really careful and cut our overheads.”
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
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.
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