Parish News from Boston Borough Council - February 2025

Welcome to Parish News from Boston Borough Council. If you have any enquiries about any of the articles, please feel free to contact the communications team at communications.unit@boston.gov.uk

Boston Brilliance feedback form

Please share this feedback form with your residents and contacts who attended Boston Brilliance at the weekend.

Feedback on the event can be provided here: Boston Brilliance Feedback Survey We would like to hear from you.

Boston Brilliance transformed Boston Town Centre into a mesmerising spectacle, captivating thousands of visitors with breathtaking architectural projections, interactive exhibitions, and live performances

Eight iconic landmarks were lit up in a dazzling display of colour, celebrating Boston’s rich heritage and artistic talent. This incredible event was made possible through a collaboration between Boston College, the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, and The Projection Studio, with funding from Arts Council England and additional backing from local councils and businesses.

Alongside Boston College students, artwork from local schools, including St Nicholas C.E. Primary Academy, Gipsey Bridge Academy and others were displayed on The Assembly Rooms throughout the event. This provided young artists with an incredible opportunity to see their work projected onto one of Boston's key landmarks.

With its incredible success, Boston Brilliance has set a new standard for cultural events in the town, leaving a lasting impact and a glowing legacy for the future!

Leader’s blog

Cllr Anne Dorrian has launched a monthly blog, which provides an insight into the meetings and events she attends and the people she meets along the way.

The blog also includes her monthly diary, pictures and lots more!

You can read her blogs here: www.boston.gov.uk/Leadersblog

Lincolnshire County Council and Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority election – May 1

If you are voting for the first time on May 1 you need to be registered

Recently moved house or changed your name? You need to update your details to be able to vote

The deadline to register to vote for the Lincolnshire County Council elections and the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Mayoral Elections is midnight on Friday, April 11

For more information on the elections, including nomination packs, key dates for postal vote applications, proxy votes and Voter Authority Certificates, visit: www.boston.gov.uk/article/27990/Greater-Lincolnshire-Combined-County-Authority-Mayoral-Election-and-Lincolnshire-County-Council-Elections

New website launched for Rosegarth Square

Boston Borough Council has launched a new website dedicated to the Rosegarth Square regeneration project. This website will serve as the central hub for all information and updates related to the project.

You can now find project information, updates, press releases, project timelines, and much more on the website, all in one easily accessible place.

You can view the new website here: https://rosegarthboston.co.uk/ it is also linked through via the Boston Borough Council website under Invest and the Boston Town Board website too.

Boston Borough Council welcomes Sport England investment

East Lindsey District Council welcomes Sports England’s investment into our community and is proud to be recognised as one of the 53 places benefiting from this national initiative.

We know that being active has the power to transform lives, improving physical and mental health while strengthening communities. This funding provides a fantastic opportunity to break down barriers to physical activity, ensuring more people in East Lindsey can lead healthier, happier lives.

We look forward to working closely with Active Lincolnshire, local partners, and our residents to shape a programme that reflects the unique needs of our community.

Cllr Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: "I am thrilled to see Boston included in Sport England's initiative to break down barriers to physical activity. This investment will support our community by providing additional resources that are needed to promote healthier lifestyles and address the inequalities that have long affected our residents. By continuing our beneficial relationship with Active Lincolnshire, I hope we can build on our aspirations to encourage local residents to become healthier and more active."

A huge thank you to Sport England for recognising East Lindsey’s potential and investing in our future!

Multi-Million Pound Investment Delivering for Boston - press release issued by Boston Town Board

Multi-million pound funding is being invested in Boston through a number of transformational projects that will bring long-term and significant benefits for the community.

In its latest annual report, Boston Town Board illustrates how Boston's ambitious plans are being realised and are already starting to have an impact.

The new report comes against a background of significant existing and new funding opportunities for Boston and highlights the great progress of the Towns Fund projects which were identified as part of Boston's Town Deal with government in 2021.

Some of the key milestones and achievements for Boston detailed in the report include:

Work getting underway at the Mayflower, the flagship Town Deal project in the town which, when complete, will offer an inspirational learning and community space;
Blenkin Memorial Hall thriving as a resource for the community after being officially opened by HRH Princess Anne the Princess Royal;
The refurbished library at St Botolph's attracting interest in the Stump's historic book collection, and in Boston, from all over the UK;
The Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics supporting 84 businesses in Boston to achieve their business goals;
Confirmation of further funding which will see the Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre fully refurbished into a modern health and fitness space to meet the needs of local people;
Improvements moving forward at Boston Railway Station, including the creation of two small business start-up offices, which are now being marketed for hire, and
A number of shop front and public space improvements underway in the town centre with more improvements to follow in 2025.

Community events in Boston this year

Save the dates for exciting community events in Boston throughout 2025! From the lively May Fair to Fun at the Beach, there's something for everyone.

Mark your calendars for:

Friday 11 April: Children’s Easter activities
Opening Saturday 3 May: May Fair celebrating its 900th anniversary
Friday 30 May: Children’s performing arts activities
Saturday 31 May: Boston Hanse day
Sunday 13 July: Boston Strongest and Food Fest
Wednesday 16 July to Wednesday 3 September: Beach in the Park
Wednesday 16 July: Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Tuesday 22 July: Golden Oldies
Friday 8 August: Children’s wildlife activities
Saturday 9 August: Skate Jam
Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 August: Knights of Skirbeck re-enactment event
Tuesday 19 August: Fun in the Sun additional needs event
Friday 22 August: Children’s circus skills activities
Friday 31 October: Halloween event
Friday 28 to Sunday 30 November: Christmas market/Illuminate parade/Boston Santa Run

New Makers & Farmers Market at Boston

Boston Borough Council is delighted to announce a new Makers & Farmers Market, alongside the regular market on the last Saturday of each month, March to October!

There’s also a special offer - pay for one market, get one free at £22.00 per pitch - Email 'Markets@Boston.gov.uk' for more information

Story Tellers website launched

To celebrate National Story Telling Week, a new website has been launched for South and East Lincolnshire.

The Story Tellers website is the new online hub for events and projects funded by Arts Council England, through the SELCP NPO programme.

The new website is a fantastic showcase of past and ongoing projects, involving local artists, practitioners, and the public.

Events and activities range from light nights, virtual reality museums, and theatrical work to vintage celebrations, soundscapes, and interactive archives. Each project and event is designed to welcome and involve local residents and communities at every level.

In addition to this, the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership has a new partnership and project with Arts&Heritage.

It includes an innovative project to matchmake local artists and practitioners with heritage partners. They are keen to bring local heritage to life in a range of new and innovative ways, whether you're a local artist, podcaster, photographer or other creative, we want you to be involved.

A free artist and heritage match making workshop will take place at North Sea Observatory - Sunday 2nd March 9am-4pm.

You can visit the Story Tellers website at www.story-tellers.co.uk

The Local Community Centre invites everyone to their Fish & Chip Supper Race Night

Families are welcome to enjoy an evening of excitement and delicious food, along with a raffle, on Saturday 29 March!

Doors open at The Local Community Centre, PE21 6EB from 6.30pm, with the first race happening at 7pm.

Food options include:

Adults: £8 (Fish supper, alternative on request)
Children: £4 (Sausage supper)
No food option: £2 entry

Food should be preordered by 22 March. No bar available, so attendees should bring their own drinks. Tea/coffee will be available.

Horse owners can reserve a horse now for only £5 each!

Book tickets and food orders via text to Amanda on 07931 716635

Charity Number: 1185735

Please note this is not a council event.

Art Road Trip

Come along to a public drop-in sessions and discover the National Gallery’s ‘Art Road Trip’. You can take part in a range of creative activities, or just have a look at the art on display.

Everyone is welcome, and no artistic skills are required!

Some of the Art Road Trip activities include:

Collaborative Collage - Using different papers and fragments of paintings from the National Gallery’s collection, visitors will be encouraged to add their own piece to a large-scale collaborative artwork.
Community Stained Glass Installation - Using coloured acetate and chalk pens, participants will add their own fragments to a collaborative stained-glass-inspired installation. By the end of the day, the empty tape shapes will be filled with unique designs from the whole community Hopefully, the sun will shine through them!
Pipe Cleaner Sculptures - Thinking about statues or characters in artworks, participants will be supported to make playful and curious pipe cleaner sculptures.
Easels for Free Drawing
‘Keeper of Paintings’ App on iPads

The mobile studio will visit Lincolnshire from 1–12 March 2025!

As well as bringing this opportunity to schools in Boston, there will also be a number of free, public sessions. No need to book – just find the van and pull up a seat!

Join in at:

Ingram Memorial in Boston’s Market Place – Saturday 1st March, 10am-2.30pm
RSPB Frampton Marsh – Sunday 2nd March, 10am-4pm

Find out more: The National Gallery’s Art Road Trip | Transported

Boston Town Board annual report

Boston Town Board have published their annual report. You can read it online here: https://bostontownboard.co.uk/flipbook/bar-2024.html

Scam alert

Scammers are once again claiming to be from the council, and are calling or knocking on resident's doors!

If you are unsure of any company calls or doorstep approaches, contact the Home Energy and Retrofit team on 01507 613573 who will be able to check your case and confirm any details.

All contractors working alongside us - whether at the door, by email or over the phone - will be able to quote the customer’s unique case reference number at the start of any call/correspondence.

If they cannot quote the number, you are advised not to allow entry or should end conversations and then contact the HEART team for clarification

Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership

As a proud partner of the Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership (ECP), we’re delighted to share the partnership’s Annual Report for 2024, showcasing our collective achievements over the past year

The ECP brings together likeminded partners to work together to protect Lincolnshire’s environment and effectively tackle waste related crimes.

This year, we’ve seen a significant reduction in fly-tipping and illegal waste activity across the county and we’re continuing to empower communities to help fight waste crime.

The ECP continues to lead the way in enforcement, awareness, and prevention, ensuring a cleaner and safer environment for all.

Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/ECP-Annual-Report-2024

Boston RiverCare spring clean-up

The organisation is looking for more volunteers to help clean up the Haven Riverbank.

Anyone interested should turn up on Tuesday 11th March at 9.30am at the Pilgrims Fathers Memorial, PE22 0RB. All equipment will be provided but volunteers are expected to wear appropriate shoes.

Published: Friday, 7th March 2025