A large part of Alkborough parish is a Conservation Area, one of 17 within North Lincolnshire, ‘designated’ by North Lincolnshire Council under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. This means that its special character can be safeguarded and enhanced. Further information about what this means to the community can be found on the North Lincolnshire Council website click here
Within this conservation area are some important listed buildings, including St John the Baptist Church (Grade I listed), the Methodist Chapel (Grade II listed) and Walcot Old Hall (Grade II*) amongst several others including residential dwellings. There are also two scheduled ancient monuments - Julian’s Bower Turf Cut Maze and Countess Close moated site. The community of Alkborough & Walcot has many important amenities in addition to the Church and Methodist Chapel – the primary school, a Children’s Play Area, Cricket Club, Coronation Club, Tea Room and the Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve. Many groups meet in the parish, such as the Women's Institute, Alkborough Choir and the History Group.
Residents of Alkborough and Walcot can take genuine pride in their parish community.
Gallery
Alkborough Parish Council makes all kinds of decisions for the benefit of the community and also embarks on projects through grant funding to further enhance the parish. Information about current and recent projects, news and activity will be posted on this community page.
News
Grass Cutting at the Church and Low Wells
The Parish Council has appointed a new person for cutting the grass at the Church grounds and Low Wells. This started just in time for the improvement in the weather and the start of the grass growing season. Both areas are looking very good.
Cycling Event in our parish
Curlys Athletes will be holding an exciting spectacle for the villages in our area. On 22nd May 2016 a Duathlon (run/bike/run) will start at Normanby Park 09:00 with a 10k run and then a 40k cycle on the roads through the villages of Normanby, Flixborough, Burton, Thealby, Coleby, West Halton, Alkborough and Walcot, followed by a further 5k run back in the grounds of Normanby Park. The race should come through Alkborough & Walcot from around 10:00 and on-going individual cyclists coming through until around 11:30. Alkborough & Walcot Parish Council are happy to see this event coming through our parish. For more information see flyer. To see how you can support this event click here.
Parish Paths Partnership
North Lincolnshire Council were previously responsible for the maintenance of the several public footpaths and bridleways, and the cutting of grass verges within our parish. Click here for map. In 2017 NLC introduced the Parish Paths Partnership initiative whereby Parish Councils could take over this maintenance and appoint and pay contractors directly; this was initially done as a pilot project by NLC. A sum of money is provided to the Parish Council by NLC for grass cutting and it is the Parish Council's responsibility to obtain a contractor. A competitive tendering process is used to obtain a suitable contractor.
Parking on the Highway
There are areas within the parish where vehicles have been parked inappropriately, and in some cases dangerously, on bends, over footpaths and across driveways. This could result in a serious accident. In an attempt to improve the situation, the Parish Council has delivered an information leaflet – ‘Parking on the Highway’ (produced by North Lincolnshire Council and Humberside Police) to all households within the parish. The Parish Council asks that all drivers park in a considerate manner and follow the advice in the leaflet.
Pruning of the trees alongside the church path
A De Minimus order has been granted by the Diocese of Lincoln to allow pruning of the trees that line the church path. These trees are overhanging and causing obstruction in addition to cutting out light to the path. This was granted provided that no Tree Preservation Order existed. After checking with the planning department at North Lincolnshire Council it was established that no Tree Preservation Order existed. However, as these trees are within the Conservation Area, the Parish Council had to apply for permission to carry out these works. This permission was granted and as soon as the weather permits, this pruning will be carried out.
Update - The trees have now been pruned.
Dog Waste Bins
The Parish Council try very hard to encourage dog owners to be responsible and clean up after their pets. To assist with this, the Parish Council in a joint effort with Alkborough Primary School has installed a dog waste bin between the end of Huteson Lane and the Play Area. This is to try to eliminate the problem of dog fouling on the school playing field. The Parish Council installed another bin back in August 2015 on West Halton Lane opposite the Cricket Club. Two other bins are provided by North Lincolnshire Council at the Environment Team Car Parks located at Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve and Whitton Road.
Projects
Alkborough War Memorial
Back in January 2015 the Parish Council were successful in receiving a North Lincolnshire Council Community Grant to pay for the cleaning and refurbishment of the War Memorial. This came at an important time since the 100th Anniversary of the First World War 2014-2018 was underway. The War Memorial is a focal point in the centre of Alkborough Village and a constant reminder to the community of its important history and of the sacrifice made by previous members of this parish who gave their lives for the benefit of others. At the Remembrance Day Service on Sunday 8th November 2015, the newly refurbished memorial made a fitting tribute.
Low Wells
For many years Alkborough Parish Council has maintained the area known as Low Wells by paying for the grass to be cut and by making repairs.
Members of the public have had free access to Low Wells for over a hundred years. Cattle and horses will have been watered at the trough and a pump for the spring water was in use during the last century. It was also the site of almshouses which were demolished towards the end of the 19th century. The Low Wells Project enabled the surrounding area to be tidied and improved to create a flat area for picnicking. It was registered as a village green in 2012 which meant that members of the public could continue to use the area for recreation such as dog-walking and rambling. In addition, thanks to a North Lincolnshire Council Community Grant the Parish Council were able to carry out extensive repairs and improvements to the site in 2014. The well area was restored by the rebuilding of the brick arches and a name and date plaque was installed. A bench kindly donated by Winterton Lions has been sited on the grassed area in front of the well. The Parish Council will continue to maintain Low Wells by keeping the area tidy and in a good state of repair.
