The mosaic path which now leads up to, into and around Nocton Parish Church is not only a focus for the village community but also a heritage attraction - prompting the inclusion of Nocton for the first time in the county council’s publication ‘Places to Visit in Lincolnshire’.

The new path is user-friendly for church events such as weddings and funerals, and provides much-needed access into the church for people with disabilities. Consultation with wheelchair users about how the design could best incorporate their needs influenced the width of the centre panels, which allow for wheels to pass either side.

Local heritage is celebrated through the historical motifs in the design, and the accompanying interpretation boards include name plaques commemorating the efforts of the 62 volunteers who worked together on the mosaic.

The LHI scheme provided opportunities for all kinds of local people to be involved in creative projects, giving them a chance to express their feelings about local history and their heritage in practical ways, and an incentive to produce booklets and leaflets with information about Nocton Village Trail Association, and the markers along the trail.

Pebble mosaic was a new skill to everyone involved. They enjoyed the craftwork so much that they have gone on to make a tessellated Roman mosaic on the site of the former village pump, where they hope also to create an oak seat carved with images of local flora and fauna.

Most ambitiously, through North Kesterton District Council, they were looking into the possibility of a grant from Europe to work on a longer path: having created 75 metres, they went on to consider three quarters of a mile!

Disparate groups of people have been able to integrate and to understand one another. Youngsters from the local primary school worked alongside granddads, grandmas and older people from the community for the common good. Barriers have been broken down between newcomers and the long term residents. The project has helped the older folk to cope with changes in a creative way, and helped the newcomers to understand local values, attitudes and opinions.

The project has created a tangible sense of pride in the village, "a real feelgood factor", that has brought the community closer together and also been picked up by groups from other parishes, Lincolnshire councilors, the Arts Council - and estate agents, who present Nocton as a better place to live because it is such an active community.