Plans for Queen’s Jubilee flagpoles in England’s “finest stone town” – Stamford – have been causing some controversy as not everyone agrees with the idea.
The Georgian streets of Stamford and its 600 listed buildings have made the Lincolnshire town a magnet for period dramas, Hollywood film crews and generations of tourists.
Stamford doubled as Meryton in the 2005 film of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice starring Kiera Knightley. It was also a backdrop for blockbuster The Da Vinci Code and the 2011 film Middlemarch.
And with stunningly beautiful architecture it became the very first designated conservation area in England and Wales in 1967.
However Stamford, described by Sir Walter Scott, as “England’s finest stone town,” has become an unlikely battleground for a row over new flagpoles.
In December, leader of Lincolnshire County Council Martin Hill announced plans for nine new flagpoles across England’s second largest county.
The list included one at Stamford’s registration office in Ryhall Road.
Lincolnshire County Council estimates each flagpole will cost around £300, with a further £400 installation fee, making the cost of the project somewhere in the region of £6,300.
Councillor Hill hopes flagpoles will encourage people to have pride in where they live, especially with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year.
But the idea has not been well-received by some town, district or county councillors in Stamford, who believe the money could be better spent elsewhere.
What benefits a flagpole would have for Stamford, was one question that was asked.
At a Stamford Town Council meeting on January 25, district and county councillor Richard Cleaver said he did not think it was a good idea, while leader of South Kesteven District Council Kelham Cooke added he thought “money could be spent on other purposes”.
Councillor Steve Carroll proposed the council writes to Councillor Hill, outlining that residents believe it is ‘a ridiculous idea’ with there being far more pressing things to spend money on, such as potholes. This was approved unanimously.
Councillor Cooke, who represents Stamford East on Lincolnshire County Council, said: “I understand why the flagpole was brought forward as part of the jubilee and to promote civic pride but Stamford does have quite extensive flagpoles around the town.”
Plans for a series of new flag poles to be erected in nine locations around the county are hoping to encourage people to have pride in where they live.
Stamford District Council and Registration office in Ryhall Road is listed as one of the locations.
Lincolnshire County Council has already put in three planning applications to place new six metre high white glass fibre flagpoles in Lincoln.
An individual six metre high fibre glass flagpole from one of the UK’s leading sellers typically costs £335, including VAT.
Some Lincoln residents have also questioned if public money needs to be spent on extra flagpoles.
Mother-of-three Louise Wilkinson, 41, said: “I got the bunting out for VE Day, and we had a socially distanced party with our neighbours.
“I am sure we will do the same for the Queen’s Jubilee, but I don’t think the council needs to spend money on encouraging people.
“Those people that want to do it will no doubt get their own flags and bunting, and those that aren’t bothered will just treat it as an extra day off.”
Councillor Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said the aim was to “encourage everyone to have pride in where they live”.
“We have so much to celebrate as a county and as a nation,” he said.
“This will particularly be the case in 2022 with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and plans for enhanced Lincolnshire Day celebrations.
“Flag-raising is just one way we will mark these and other events, but it’s symbolic of our proud history and strong future.”
The list of locations for the new six metre high white glass fibre flagpoles includes:
Boston Carlton Road Centre
Boston Fire Station
Grantham Fire Station
Lincoln Myle Cross
Lincoln County Emergency Centre
Lincoln North Fire Station
Louth Keily House
Skegness Fire Station
Stamford DC and Registration office
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Lincolnshire’s biggest rock festival was back with a bang over the weekend – after being delayed four times.
Thousands of rock fans descended on Lincolnshire Showground for Call Of The Wild festival, and were treated to a host of upcoming and well-established acts.
Headliners included Massive Wagons, Reckless Love, and Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, established by legendary Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell after the death of frontman Lemmy.
The four-day rock extravaganza also had many local bands on the billing, including Lincoln-based The Velvet Queens, who announced their new single ‘The Morning After..’ in collaboration with the festival itself.
Many of the attendees had bought early-bird tickets for the festival back in 2019, following the inaugural event three years ago.
Speaking to The Lincolnite Podcast, Dave O’Hara, co-founder of the festival, spoke of his gratitude to the ticket-holders for sticking by them through a difficult couple of years, and admitted the atmosphere at this year’s event had lit a fire within his team going forward.
Listen here:
Call Of The Wild festival started in 2019, and the second show has been pushed back numerous times due to changes in COVID-19 legislation, including one instance where the festival had to postpone just weeks prior to the guidance changing.
Improvements will be made to the cycle network between Pinchbeck and Spalding after the government awarded a payout of £1.8 million to fund Lincolnshire County Council’s Active Travel Plans.
The money allocated to Lincolnshire will be spent on improving facilities along both the Spalding and Pinchbeck roads, subject to feasibility.
The two communities of Pinchbeck and Spalding will be connected with a safe and direct active travel route while also linking up with the important destinations along Wardentree Lane and Enterprise Way.
This route was identified as a priority for active travel development during the council’s work with stakeholders on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for Spalding.
Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “I’m delighted to see further active travel money coming to Lincolnshire. Active travel is something that can benefit all of our communities and I’m pleased to see the development of a route in the south of our county.
“Having been actively developing this idea for one of our Local Cycling and Walking Plans (LCWIPs) it’s clear to see that the benefits are going to be widely felt. This is a great success in one of our bids to the Department for Transport.
“Lincolnshire has invested in developing a LCWIP for each of our strategy board areas. We believe the LCWIPs will be the key for unlocking more of the active travel funding and we look forward to working with the DfT to develop more ideas from our plans for Lincolnshire.”
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