Council leaders say they are working on the next phase of ‘investment planning’ for a town’s future as a riverside project – which included spending £66,000 on new signs – draws to a close.
Spalding Reconnected aims to celebrate the town’s history and heritage with arts and nature schemes after receiving just under £250,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2022.
A Freedom of Information request submitted by this website has looked at the costings associated with this project which includes £66,625 for ‘wayfinding’ and interpretation, £59,855 for the arts and heritage trail, £22,450 for a heritage strategy and £26,525 for school and community activities.
Accounts for the Spalding Reconnected project earmarked nearly £60,000 for the willow sculptures
Coun Gary Taylor, portfolio holder for community development at South Holland District Council, said: “The scheme is focused on enhancing the environment and eco-system along the river, improving the area with information points and signs and creating new art and heritage features for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“The river is a great asset to Spalding and its heritage. The water taxi will be returning next year which will be a great addition to the attractions in Spalding, as well as providing a convenient mode of transport for residents and visitors.
“The scheme is also about building a stronger relationship between the town and a crucially important funding partner in the National Lottery Heritage Fund, who have funded the Spalding Reconnected scheme.
Coun Gary Taylor
“The Heritage Strategy developed through the Spalding Reconnected project provides the necessary groundwork for further and increasingly ambitious funding bids, to support the preservation, development and promotion of the heritage within the town.
“These types of relationships are crucially important in supporting further investment in the town into the future. We are proactively working on the next stages of investment planning for the town, alongside Heritage Lincolnshire, in light of the successful Spalding Reconnected project.”
‘Wayfinding’ has been earmarked to receive the most money and this has included £6,800 on developing a full street map for Spalding.
Eel traps are remembered with this sculpture on Spalding’s river bank
A council spokesman said the mapping was a ‘key part of the process’ and ‘provides a unique design/mapping perspective’ for the new signage.
Designs for the new signs are being worked up and could be installed at various locations in February.
The spokesman added: “Designs have recently been circulated to a local advisory board for feedback and comments on design and artwork have informed the initial colour/patterns and layout of the sign designs as well as the final artwork.”
Willow sculptures have been introduced to Spalding’s river bank
The project had allocated £26,000 for community and school activities which have been undertaken by the East Mercia Rivers Trust.
This will also include adding a 150m coir roll habitat for new flora, which will placed either side of High Bridge to increase the biodiversity of the river. The cost of planting and manufacturing this is included within the cost.
A council spokesman said: “This work is added element from the primary schools engagement, eels development project and event release and community and volunteers wildflower planting along the riverside.”
Willow sculptures to celebrate Spalding’s connection to eel fishing have been installed along the river bank
Heritage Lincolnshire has produced a heritage strategy for the town as part of this project and held a number of workshops in 2023.
The other aspect of the project is the three to four sculptures, which were designed to reflect eel traps, that have been dotted between High Bridge and Ayscoughfee Hall School.
Transported Arts – which has called on people to give their projects a chance so the town can ‘rediscover itself’ – and Lincolnshire Willow, which is based in Snitterby Carr, have been involved in this side of the project which has cost £59,855.
One of the willow sculptures installed as part of the Spalding Reconnected projectWillow sculptures to highlight the town’s past have been installed along the river bank in SpaldingOne of the willow sculptures which have been installed along the banks of the River Welland in Spalding
The FOI has revealed that the budget for this project included £10,382.75 to cover inflation, £14,535.85 for contingency and £13,089 for project management and administration.
There was also £4,240 for publicity and promotion and £6,260 for monitoring and evaluation.
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