'Nocton in Lincolnshire' - blog closing

Goodbye and thankyou

I have lived in the village since Jul 2005 and established this blog in Jan 2007. The original aim was to record much of the miscellany relating to village history left lying around in cardboard boxes, thus making it available online for others to read.

It then morphed into a campaigning blog during Nocton Dairies plan to establish a huge factory farm on Nocton Heath. The blog has since transformed into a resource for advertising local events and happenings in and around the village, occasionally for providing comment on public administration and planning applications.

After much deliberation, I feel it is now time to get on with my life and enjoy my retirement, without constantly seeking items to keep the blog populated. The existing material will remain 'live' for archive purposes, however it will no longer be maintained or kept up to date. Comments will still be published though where submitted.

The following resources will still be available for your local information:

• 'What's on in Nocton' [published on Facebook]
• 'The Nocton News' [published by Nocton Parish Council]

Thanks for reading my blog over the years, wherever you are located... and goodbye.

Stewardship margins - Nocton Estate

[photo taken 11 June 2018]

Beeswax Dyson Farming - don't mess about

Steelwork springing up

I refer to my blog dated 19 Apr 2018.

Just four weeks ago the groundworks for the new potato store were underway - it is amazing how quickly you can get steelwork erected!

Plate 1: Steelwork being erected

Plate 2: Proximity to other buildings

Plate 3: A useful addition to the farm complex

Plate 4: Potato store in perspective

Beeswax Dyson Farming - potato store

Groundworks underway

I refer to my last blog dated 23 Feb 2018 which reported that planning approval had been granted for the construction of a new potato store.

You will see from the following photos that work has commenced in delivering the underlying foundation for the new potato store. At this rate, it won't be long before steelwork is being erected and we will see another building in place to complete this impressive modern farm complex.

Plate 1 - soil clearance and bund creation

Plate 2 - stone foundations being laid and rolled

Plate 3 - stone delivery in progress

Plate 4 - tonnes and tonnes of stone

Plate 5 - location of potato store in

relation to the farm complex 

GP Planning Ltd

"GPP have recently assisted Beeswax Dyson Farming Ltd in obtaining planning permission for a new Potato Store facility adjacent to their existing farmyard complex on the Nocton Estate, Lincolnshire.  The state of art Potato Store facility will be 90 metres long by 56 metres wide and 12 metres high.

Potatoes are required to be stored in a fully insulated building that is suitable for controlling the temperature and condensation levels. The proposed Potato Store will hold up to 7,500 tonnes of potatoes per annum.

The proposed building will have a controlled ventilation system, which allows crop respiration heat to be removed and the crop to be dried and cooled. Fans are positioned to create a flow of air through the crop. Cooling will be achieved using an ambient mechanical cooling system (fans) by internal recirculation of air (without cooling) to eliminate temperature variation.

We are really pleased to say that planning permission was granted in February 2018 before the statutory determination deadline, in the main because we provided a sufficient amount of detail in the Planning Application submission to avoid any ‘pre-commencement’ planning condition requirements."

Source: https://www.gpplanning.co.uk/storage-facility-high-tech-potato-ventilation/

Nocton Cricket Club - construction progressing

New pavilion

I refer to my last blog dated 16 Mar 2018.

Despite the difficult weather conditions this Spring, it is commendable that progress has been maintained in constructing the new cricket pavilion.

The concrete base has been laid, along with pipes for all services. A new septic tank has been sunk into the ground. The wooden frame has been erected and roofing trusses put in place. Internal stud walls have been constructed and the building has been boarded out.

It has also been necessary to lay a new access track to enable materials to be delivered to site without churning up the saturated land. This has enabled the project to continue, despite the inclement weather conditions.

Plate 1 - new access track laid

Plate 2 - frame under construction

Plate 3 - roofing trusses in place

Plate 4 - boarding out

Plate 5 - woodwork to eaves being finalised

Plate 6 - breathable membrane applied

Plate 7 - almost weather tight

Beeswax Dyson Farming - vacancies

Harvest Workers

Enthusiastic summer staff are required to support the core workforce through the peak harvest and cultivation period.

Extended working hours are common throughout the harvest period and in return for hard work and commitment we can offer competitive rates of pay, with the opportunity to gain hands on experience in an exciting progressive business.

Experience on modern farm machinery is essential. Accommodation may be available.

Email your CV and explain why you’d be the right person to join us to: recruitment@beeswaxdyson.com

Closing date: 27/04/2018

Source: https://www.beeswaxdyson.com/vacancies/

Nocton Cricket Club - 2018

Fixtures

I refer to my blog dated 14 Nov 2017 regarding the planning application for the new cricket pavilion, kindly being provided by Beeswax Dyson Farming Ltd.

Work is well underway as can be seen from the photographs. Further work to level out the grounds will be carried out at the season end.

Awaiting demolition [10 Nov 2017]

Demolition underway [12 Feb 2018]

New foundations awaiting concrete [20 Feb 2018]

New concrete base and walls being erected [13 Mar 2018]

Fixtures for 2018 season

The first four fixtures are 'Away' to allow time for the new pavilion to be completed.

1. Sunday 22 Apr 2018 [13.30hrs]  - Away v Hartsholme CC
2. Sunday 06 May 2018 [13.30hrs] - Away v Sleaford CC
3. Sunday 20 May 2018 [13.30hrs] - Away v Woodhall Spa CC
4. Sunday 03 Jun 2018 [13.30hrs] - Away v Scothern CC
5. Sunday 10 Jun 2018 [13.30hrs] - Home v Heighington CC
6. Sunday 17 Jun 2018 [13.30hrs] - Home v Billingborough CC
7. Sunday 01 Jul 2018 [13.30hrs] - Home v Old Lincolnians CC
8. Sunday 08 Jul 2018 [13.30hrs] - Home v Hartsholme CC
9. Sunday 15 Jul 2018 [13.30hrs] - Away v Billingborough CC
10. Sunday 22 Jul 2018 [13.30hrs] - Home v Caythorpe CC
11. Sunday 29 Jul 2018 [13.30hrs] - Away v Old Lincolnians CC
12. Sunday 05 Aug 2018 [13.30hrs] - Home v Sleaford CC
13. Sunday 12 Aug 2018 [13.30hrs] - Away v Caythorpe CC
14. Sunday 19 Aug 2018 [13.30hrs] - Home v Woodhall Spa CC
15. Sunday 26 Aug 2018 [13.30hrs] - Away v Heighington CC
16. Sunday 02 Sep 2018 [13.30hrs] - Home v Scothern CC

Source: http://nocton.play-cricket.com/website/web_pages/167036

Beeswax Dyson Farming - planning approval

17/1703/FUL

Application: Erection of a potato store building and associated infrastructure
Location: Land Adjacent To Nocton Woods, Nocton, Lincolnshire

This planning application was mentioned in my blog dated 17 Dec 2017 and has recently been approved by the local planning authority.

Decision Notice [15 Feb 2018]
"Whilst of significant scale the proposals are considered to be of importance to the continued operations of the Nocton Estate and for the purpose of agriculture in terms of policy LP55 of the CLLP, the benefit of which would outweigh any harm caused, which it is considered would be minor in this instance."

Dyson defends subsidies to big farms

"Subsidies we receive go directly into the activities they are designed to support but are dwarfed by our own investments."

http://commonagpolicy.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/dyson-defends-subsidies-to-big-farms.html

Beeswax Dyson Farming - landscaping

Nocton Estate

I refer to my last blog dated 17 Dec 2017.

Great efforts have been made to retain and integrate the existing vegetation, but much work is underway to improve the landscape of Nocton Estate following the construction of the new farm complex and relief road.

Landscaping the 'relief' road - Cyclone Way

New trees being planted out - Cyclone Way

A programme of thinning and maintenance is being carried out to numerous trees and there is extensive planting of new saplings and mixed hedging whips, not just to help screen and soundproof the new farm complex, but also to provide a haven for wildlife and improve biodiversity. Saplings and hedging are being planted alongside the new farm 'relief' road (Cyclone Way) and wildflower-rich buffer strips have been added too.

Public footpath - maintenance and new planting

New copse, hedging and landscaping the bund

All this work will help improve the ecological enhancement and amenity value of the estate. It will also enhance the public rights of way in the area.

New gates - Wasp's Nest access to Private Road

New gates - Nocton Wood House access to Private Road

Any fencing that has reached the end of its serviceable life is being replaced as well.

Farm complex with triple row of screening and new fencing

Nocton Cricket Club

I refer to my blog dated 14 Nov 2017.

Following approval of the planning application to replace the old cricket pavilion, I am pleased to report that work is now underway to demolish the wooden structure. In time we will see a new pavilion emerge, hopefully to be enjoyed during the forthcoming cricket season.

Nocton Cricket Pavilion - work underway

Feathered visitors in the adjacent field - Greylag geese

Report of the 2017 Season

Nocton Cricket Club review dated 28 Oct 2017.

Beeswax Dyson Farming - education

Countryside Classroom

Beeswax Dyson Farming offer curriculum linked educational visits for all key stages centred around farming and food production, livestock, land management, renewable energy, resource protection and environmental conservation.

New farm complex - now operational [photo dated 15 Dec 2017]

Beeswax Dyson Farming Harvest 2017

An informative video on YouTube... and what a great soundtrack - right up my street!

Lincolnshire Farming

A very interesting interview from Sun 31 Dec 2017. BBC Radio Lincolnshire Alan Stennett talks to Richard Williamson, MD of Beeswax Dyson Farming.

[Richard joined Beeswax Dyson Farming Ltd on 24 Nov 2014. He was previously the Farms Director at Velcourt Limited, where he had responsibility for a team managing farmland in the South and South West of England]

Nocton Estate Light Railway

Local history

I have already visited this topic in my blog some while ago - on 29 May 2007 and more recently 31 Jan 2017.

A Simplex 20HP engine, originally from Nocton Estate

[now operating on the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway, Skegness]

My research into the standpipe situated on the bridleway between Nocton and Dunston has prompted me to provide more information about the innovative use of narrow-gauge track on the Nocton Estate.

In 1920, W. Dennis & Sons built four miles of 1ft eleven and half inch gauge rail at Nocton on the heavy fenland east of Wasp's Nest. Trucks were originally pulled by horses or pushed by hand. The line was greatly extended after 1926 to connect the fen to the railhead at the centre of operations, close to the standard gauge railway between Lincoln-Sleaford (now the MAC Ltd facility). A small stone quarry was also connected by a line. In total the Nocton Estate Light Railway (NELR) extended to almost 23 miles of track.

In the 1930's a further extension was planned to be laid northwards through Nocton to Manor Farm, but this was refused permission by the County Council, so the line ended at Wray's Yard. The NELR was to become the largest and longest lived agricultural narrow gauge in the county, if not the country.

The NELR served every aspect of the farming operation, by transporting a variety of produce (mainly potatoes, grain and sugar beet). It also carried muck for spreading, coal for the pumping engine on the fen, food and water for the livestock and provided a regular water supply to the many farms and cottages remote from the villages (the water was loaded into large water tanks mounted on converted wagons). It even delivered the post in the guard vans.

There was even a special passenger coach (called the Queen Mary) provided exclusively for the shooting parties. Staff were also regularly carried in the wagons. Gangs of potato pickers were collected from the main train line and transported into the fields for work.

A couple of steam engines were purchased to pull the loads, one was a Fowler 0-6-0 tank engine, but the other has not been able to be identified. Built in 1926, the Fowler 0-6-0 was built new for the NELR. For the enthusiasts, its works number was 16991.

The Fowler 0-6-0 had a greater shunting capacity over the smaller Simplex engines and was purchased to run the 'main line' of the Nocton Estate. The petrol-fuelled Simplex engines acted in support, operating down the many spur lines into the fields. Unfortunately, the Fowler proved too heavy for the track and she was sold after just 4 years of service to George Cohen and Sons - a scrap metal merchant. I understand this tank engine was offered for sale again in 1937, but with no offers she was sadly scrapped at Burnhope, Co Durham in 1938.

Of course, all steam engines require a water supply to operate efficiently. In addition to the two steam tank engines, there were steam traction engines and ploughing sets operating in the fields, and there was a wider requirement for a supply of water around the estate, as mentioned earlier.

To avoid having to return to the centre of operations at the railhead to obtain water, a series of  standpipes were provided in various locations around the estate. We have now identified one such standpipe, located on the bridleway between Nocton and Dunston - and there was another on Nocton Fen, but its exact location is now unknown.

In later years, as tractors started to take over from the steam engines, there was a new requirement for the NELR, as fuel had to be transported around the estate. This was done in specially converted wagons, so that the tractors could be filled up locally.

In 1955, the NELR was still operating, carrying around 17,000 tons of produce per annum. However, work to improve the estate roads started in earnest to enable lorries to access the fields directly, so by the end of the 1960's, much of the light railway had closed.

There are very few physical reminders of the NELR remaining on the estate. When the author wrote his book 'The Lincolnshire Potato Railways', there were still some remains of track at the railhead both inside and outside the grain mill on the MAC Ltd site, along with some old water tanks removed from the wagons. There was also some track over a culvert running towards the old pump station on the fen.

Although, many of the items above may no longer be in situ, we can report that one of the standpipes is still in its rightful place - the one on the Nocton to Dunston bridleway.

Accreditations

I can recommend viewing the many fascinating photographs and images of the Nocton Estate Light Railway on the 'Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway - History' web-link.

Much of the equipment found on the LCLR owes its survival to being utilised on the Nocton Estate. The oldest locomotive is one of the Simplex 20HP bow-framed units (Motor Rail No. 1935 dated 1920), however the original Dorman petrol engine has been replaced by a diesel. As can be seen from the photograph above, the name plate on the unit commemorates 'Nocton' as its place of work.

You may also like to know a Nocton Estate Light Railway inspired model (4mm scale - 9mm gauge track, representing the narrow gauge) was built for the Staffordshire 'Tracks to the Trenches 2014' Great War Centenary event.

There is a video on YouTube that gives you an idea of what these narrow gauge railways were like

I have managed to locate a website (Rail Map Online) that shows the route of the Nocton Estate Light Railway overlaid onto a map so we can see its exact route over the topography of the area.

View focused on railhead

The full route of Nocton Estate Light Railway

Main extracts from:

• 'The Lincolnshire Potato Railways by Stewart. E. Squires - ISBN 0 85361 352 4]

Minor extracts are from:

• A Lincolnshire Lad Looks Back by Len Woodhead [ISBN 0954 02229 7]
• Nocton - The Last Years of an Estate Village - Vol 1 by Sheila Redshaw and Sue Morris [ISBN 9781 87325 7807]
• John Fowler and Co
• Fowler's Century of Locomotive Building

Bridleway crossing - standpipe

Background

In times past, people and organisations used ponds, streams and wells for their water, but during the 1930’s standpipes were introduced.  These tapped directly into springs and the water table to provide much cleaner water.  The metal standpipe at the bridleway crossing is one such facility and was manufactured by ‘Glenfield and Kennedy Ltd of Kilmarnock’ in cast iron.

Glenfield & Kennedy Ltd - standpipe

photo by Geoff Hall [18 Dec 2017]

Water standpipe between Nocton and Dunston

photo by Geoff Hall [18 Dec 2017]

Purpose

The standpipe was originally sited close to the narrow-gauge track that formed the Nocton Estate Light Railway.  This surplus track from WW1 proved to be a very efficient and effective way of transporting goods and materials around the estate.

Nocton owned two steam locomotives for use on their 'potato railway', supplemented by a number of smaller Simplex 20HP petrol locomotives.  The only detailed information remaining about these steam locomotives, is that one of them was a 'Fowler 0-6-0 tank' engine - which was delivered to Nocton in 1926.

Both steam locomotives would have required water during their daily operation - and it is possible the standpipe was used for topping-up.  There was also a steam traction engine that powered the threshing machines during the 1940's and this would probably have required water during its operation too.

Whilst the Fowler locomotive could haul a 30 ton load (compared to the Simplex 20-25 ton load), it proved too heavy for the narrow-gauge track operating on Nocton Fen.  After a number of derailments and after restricting use to the other parts of the estate, it was soon sold on.

It is possible the standpipe was used to irrigate crops, but the most likely use was for providing water to :

• livestock [pigs, sheep and cattle] in the crew yards and fields, and
• remote farms and cottages around the estate

The workers and farming families around the estate relied on their clean and potable water deliveries, otherwise their only source was from drainage dykes and rainwater.

'Water trains' operated every Tuesday and Friday to deliver clean water to these small communities.

[Source: The Lincolnshire Potato Railways by Stewart. E. Squires]

If you look carefully at the top of the pillar, there is a water coupling.

Water coupling

photo by Geoff Hall [18 Dec 2017]

Heritage Statement - Planning Application: 16/0654

The following reference is made:

14.6: "The standpipe shown above is located on the bridleway between Nocton and Dunston.  It is a relic of the water supply which was installed around the estate to provide easy access for the steam engines on the light railway. This would need to be removed and relocated to facilitate the widening of the field access.  It is of modest significance and should therefore not be considered as a constraint provided that it is refurbished and relocated."

Relief Track - Sheet 1 of 3 - Planning Application: 16/0654

Annotation to bridleway junction diagram:

"Standpipe highlighted in 14.6 of Heritage Statement to be retained, refurbished plus descriptive plaque added."

Parish Council - update from Ben Wills

Beeswax Dyson Farming

There was an update from Ben Wills of Beeswax Dyson Farming about current and proposed developments on their Nocton Estate at the Parish Council meeting on 12 Dec 2017.

I have supplemented this report with more information from the internet:

Nocton Wood House - new admin centre

The mezzanine and office fit out was completed by Acorn Partitions & Storage Systems Ltd: "This involved a conversion of the large estate building into modern commercial offices.  The works included interior design by the in-house design team, installation of a mezzanine floor and staircase, glass partitions to create offices and meeting rooms, decoration works and supply of all office furniture."

The Beeswax team moved into their newly refurbished premises on Monday 11 December.

Nocton Wood House

photo by James Thompson [Instagram]

Nocton Wood House

photo by Geoff Hall [15 Dec 2017]

Nocton Woods - Farm Complex

The new complex is pretty much complete as envisaged in the planning application 16/0654/FUL. With the access to the new facilities this year, it has resulted in an 'easy' harvest.

There is another planning application 17/1703/FUL under consideration, for a new potato store building. This will be located alongside the Amenity Block on the new farm complex and will be set back on the site to minimise its impact on the horizon from Wasp's Nest. In any case, the ridge height of the building will be much lower than the Grain Store. Furthermore, the protective 'bund', when fully planted out, will also help merge everything into the landscape.

The plans are to grow potatoes on circa 150 hectares of land, producing somewhere in the region of 7,500 tonnes. The potato plant has a high water requirement and a shallow rooting system, making it vulnerable to drought. However, as reported in my blog dated 02 Jun 2017 about my visit to the Nocton estate, the irrigation factors are well catered for.

Amenity Block and Grain Store

photo by Geoff Hall [15 Dec 2017]

Newly-constructed bund

photo by Geoff Hall [15 Dec 2017]

Bund from public footpath

photo by Geoff Hall [15 Dec 2017]

Bund from Wasp's Nest estate road

photo by Geoff Hall [15 Dec 2017]

Nocton Estate - access

The new access road to the farm complex has been very successful at removing heavy farm machinery away from those areas with public access. However, there have been occasional issues with pedestrians, cyclists and motorists using this new access as a public highway - when in fact it is a private road only to be used for farm business.

Beeswax Dyson Farming don't really want to install barriers on each junction so are considering other measures e.g. signage. The new road will be named 'Cyclone Way', chosen by Sir James Dyson after an internal competition for suitable suggestions.

The Old Sleaford Road access at Top Lodge is now going to have stone walls and pillars reinstated to deter any heavy plant and machinery turning down this road. The plan is to try and reproduce what the entrance was like from old photographs, even down to replacing the Dragons holding the Ripon Coat of Arms on the top of the pillars if these can be located.

The Marquess of Ripon's Coat of Arms incorporates a shield depicting three 'stags at bay' and an inverted V, with a central smaller shield embossed with a Royal Coat of Arms of three rampant lions, a harp and two roses.
[Source: 'Nocton: The Last Years of an Estate Village - Vol 1 by Sheila Redshaw and Sue Morris]

Top Lodge gateway - off Sleaford Old Rd

Dragons holding the Ripon Coat of Arms

Wasp's Nest - Old Fen Workshop

There is a planning application 17/0347/FUL relating to the conversion of this old workshop into a building for functions, meetings and staff training. It is hoped this work will commence soon.

Use of new technology

The use of imaging technology is being used to great effect, highlighting those areas of crop that require more fertilisation or irrigation. The spraying machinery can target specific areas, rather than treating the whole area, saving on wastage and unnecessary costs.

'Beeswax Dyson Farming is high on technology with widespread use of drones and self-drive tractors and machinery. Small agricultural robots, now being tested, are forecast to replace large tractors with major savings in costs.'

Source: https://www.farmweb.co.uk/news-events/newsletters/2017/farmweb-news-29112017/

Developments in corporate culture are to be found too

'Beeswax Dyson Farming, Britain’s largest farming company, invests considerably more of its profits back into the environment than EU law requires. From anaerobic digesters that turn waste food into electricity to drones which save bird nests from combine harvesters, Beeswax Dyson is fully committed to a policy of environmental and wildlife protection.

In its owner’s own words, ‘We do far, far more than we need to’.'

Source: http://www.cps.org.uk/blog/q/date/2017/11/24/would-the-environment-be-safe-in-the-free-market-s-hands/

Red telephone box - Wasps Nest

Refurbishment complete

I refer to my blog dated 11 Oct 2017 and can report the red telephone box at Wasps Nest has now been fully refurbished.

Refurbished telephone box at Wasps Nest

What a super job. It will be interesting to see how this will be used... perhaps it can be used as a source of history relating to Wasps Nest?

Why is it called Wasps Nest?

There are many theories. One story that seems to hold more credence than others was related by an old woman [Granny Clayton] who used to live down Nocton Fen. According to her, the original Wasps Nest was a building that had an outer door from every room to the yard - a bit like the cells of a wasp's nest. It was rumoured to be a haunt of highwaymen in years past, as it provided many alternative escape routes. There was even a priest's hole located in the chimney to provide a convenient hiding place.

The cottages and houses on the fen never had electricity or mains water. The estate management decided not to spend money modernising these buildings, but concentrated on modernising the tied properties in the main villages of Dunston and Nocton. Over time, the fen families were moved into the village properties, leaving many of the fen properties vacant and abandoned. These were then demolished during the 1960's.

The remaining houses near the top of the fen at Wasps Nest were saved from demolition by their comparative good state of repair.

There used to be an active Nocton Fen Social Club at Wasps Nest for the use of the many people who lived down the fen. The Wasp Nest Hall was used just like the other two village halls at Nocton and Dunston. It was finally closed in 1959 due to the reduction in population on the fen.

Nocton Fen Rd, Wasps Nest - with estate access bridge over Carr Dyke

Abbey Hill Cottages, Wasps Nest - footbridge over Carr Dyke

Nocton Park Priory

Just above Wasp Nest is an area known as Abbey Hill containing old ruins [Explorer 272 GR 07736478]. This was an old Priory for Black Canons of the Order of St Augustine - so called from the colour of their robes. There are no ruins above ground, with only the undulations and mounds in the land showing where the foundations are located.

It was Robert D'Arcy who founded the Priory in the Park at Nocton, dedicated to St Mary Magdelene for a Prior and four Canons of the Order of St Augustine. The only remains of it are some large stones, broken hillocks and uneven turf on the rising ground which overlooks Nocton Fen. Some broken pottery was found on the site a few years ago and presented to Lincoln Museum. The ashes of a Mr JH Dennis (who latterly owned the Nocton Estate) are scattered in a small fenced enclosure on the site.

There is an eight page ‘Information Sheet’ published by Lincolnshire County Council: Lincolnshire Museums. It was written and compiled by Timothy Ambrose, City and County Museum, Lincoln - July 1979. The sheet is titled ‘Nocton Park Priory’ and is referenced: Archaeology Series No. 15.

There was a searchlight battery stationed on the Abbey Hill during the 2nd World War, owing to the number of important bomber airfields located nearby. There was even a dummy airfield laid out at Partridge Farm on the fen, consisting of reflectors and lights, which were switched on to confuse enemy fighters when they were in the area.

Sources:

1. Nocton: The Last Years of an Estate Village Vol 1 - by Sheila Redshaw and Sue Morris
2. A Lincolnshire Lad Looks Back - by Len Woodhead
3. Historic England
4. Lincolnshire County Council - Information Sheet Archaeology Series No.15 - Nocton Park Priory

Planning application - cricket pavilion

Nocton Cricket Club

Nocton Cricket Pavilion [November 2017]

17/1432/FUL
Replacement of the existing pavilions and chemical toilets with a new pavilion | Cricket Ground Pavilion, Cricket Club, The Bridleway, Nocton, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN4 2BH

Case Officer: Tony Sargent
Applicant: Ben Wills

Rec'd: 03 Oct 2017
Validated: 25 Oct 2017
Expiry: 28 Nov 2017
Deadline: 20 Dec 2017

Purpose
The building will be used as a cricket pavilion. The accommodation consists of:

• Two changing rooms [these are increased in size from the existing to provide sufficient space for team changing]
• An umpires room
• A disabled/woman’s toilet and a men’s toilet
• An area for a scoring bench
• A tea room [which will include a food and drink preparation area and sitting area]
• A veranda for protected viewing

There is the possibility it could be used by others, Beeswax Dyson Ltd, the local community, the scouts etc.

Beeswax Dyson Farming - article

Sir James Dyson

Searching the web as I do from time to time, I came across this article about our local landowner. You might be surprised at the extent of his investment in farming land.

Whilst Sir James might be rather disappointed with the title of the article, it can be located on this link if you wish to have a read.

Nocton Estate - Beeswax Dyson Farming

Construction of relief access road

My last report on the work being undertaken to create a relief access road to the new farm complex was dated 18 July 2017.

I can now report the construction of this road is in its final stages. There is only the tarmac base and top coat to be laid, with remedial landscaping to be carried out.

This new private access road will enable heavy farm traffic to be diverted away from the old winding estate road between Top Lodge and Nocton Wood House, to which the public retain access rights, thus improving safety on the estate.

Plate 1 - Final deliveries of road stone

Plate 2 - Top level of road stone being compressed

Plate 3 - Kerbing complete; tonnes of road stone delivered;

base level of tarmac now being laid

Plate 4 - Tarmac equipment

Farm complex and other work

I have also reported on the extensive work to improve Nocton Estate - which is taking place alongside the everyday activity of running a large farming business.

Plate 4 - Nocton Wood House

Plate 5 - Alterations underway

Plate 6 - Conversion from private residence to new

administration centre of Beeswax Dyson Farming Ltd

The farm complex is progressing well too. With the harvest underway the new grain dryers and storage facilities will be in demand.

Plate 7 - Farm complex near Wasp's Nest

Plate 8 - Case tractor with tillage system for soil management

Plate 9 - Crops almost ready for harvest

Finally, during my evening wander of the estate to gather the above photos, I couldn't help but snap a few images of the wonderful skies and the setting sun.

Plate 10 - Evening sun over Nocton Estate

Plate 11 - Stunning Lincolnshire skies