Scothern Update: War Memorial Plans, Community Resilience and Parish Priorities
Today, 19 October 2024, I visited Scothern and met with Lisa Brooks‑Shield, Clerk to the Parish Council, at Scothern Garden Centre.
What began as a very wet morning slowly brightened, and although a few roads made the journey interesting, nothing was going to stop me getting there. (And if anyone from Lincolnshire County Council happens to read this, you’re welcome to use the photo below.)
Much of our conversation focused on the progress of the War Memorial relocation.
The monument is in need of cleaning, the names are fading and the stonework has darkened, and three additional names will need to be added. Its current position, tucked into a corner of the graveyard, makes access difficult and limits the ability to hold ceremonies there.
West Lindsey has offered a grant to support relocation, but finding a suitable spot within the cemetery may prove challenging. The village hall, however, offers a promising alternative: plenty of space, room to safely close off part of the car park for gatherings, and the potential to create a meaningful focal point for the village, which has no central square or marketplace.
We also discussed Scothern News, the Local Resilience Forums (LRFs), progress on the community emergency plan, Parish responsibilities, community groups, the grants policy, and wider financial matters.
It was a genuinely valuable morning, one that ran well past lunchtime, even if we didn’t actually stop for lunch. We passed the Bottle and Glass pub, now under new ownership, and I think that’s a sign I should try it next time.
A word of thanks as well to the staff at Scothern Nurseries: polite, helpful, and a real asset to the village. I’m looking forward to planting these asparagus seeds at my allotment next year.