LINCOLN’S first city-wide history festival will take place Saturday-Monday, May 4-6. A part of City of Lincoln Council’s ongoing events programme the Lincoln Festival of History will allow visitors to enjoy a journey through the ages. The city-wide celebration will focus on pivotal moments in Lincoln’s past with different zones exploring different eras. For example the Roman encampment within the Colosseum Quarter will include living history displays in St Paul in the Bail and Castle Square where there will be traditional Roman crafts and pop-up Gladiator performances!
A vicus was a settlement outside a Roman fort and over the weekend it will be home to a blacksmith, baker, tiler, decorator, carpenter, weaver and potter all ready to demonstrate traditional skills.
At the Viking Mint zone in Cornhill Square visitors will be invited to make their own pewter coins and colour in their own shields. They can also immerse themselves in the period by cheering on the adversaries in the pop-up battle sequences. Experience more historical re-enactments at Lincoln Castle, engage with living history
and captivating tales at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life and delve into the exciting treasures of the Lincoln Museum. Further activities will be announced over the next few weeks with a festival schedule in April’s edition of the Independent.
Cllr Naomi Tweddle, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council said: “We hope Lincoln Festival of History will become a key event in the city’s yearly calendar, celebrating the city’s rich history.
“Growing year on year, this event will enable visitors to unlock the past and celebrate the legacy of Lincoln - where history comes to life.
“Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a curious explorer or simply seeking a memorable day out – this multi day experience is for you.”
Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, executive member for heritage and culture at Lincolnshire County Council, added: “Visitors already flock to the city to explore our fabulous heritage and history, but the events at the castle and our museums over this extra special Bank Holiday weekend will really bring the past to life!
“Put the date in your diary for what is set to be a fascinating and entertaining weekend for the whole city.”
Samantha Mellows, Director of Visitor Experience and Enterprise at Lincoln Cathedral said the city’s rich and diverse heritage is something that deserves to be celebrated.
“Lincoln’s long history is all around us, not just in the internationally important buildings such as the cathedral, castle and our many medieval buildings, but in our impact on the country and the whole world.”
Ben Webb, from Place Immersive, in charge of curating the Viking Mint added: “We’ve got loads planned including living history displays, viking battles, coin minting and shield making for the younger vikings. “It’s set to be a great weekend for all to enjoy!"
For more details scan the QR code or visit the web address above.
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I am very happily donating my column this month to ensuring we cover the details about the Dino Dig- a big draw for youngsters over the Easter holidays.
Having to squeeze it in here is indicative of a recurring fact that I hope everyone is finally grasping - there’s so much going on in Lincoln. More of that later - first the all important Dino low-down.
The Lincoln BIG organised event takes place between March 29 and April 14 in the city centre with the main custom-built attraction in the Cornhill Quarter. There will be a range of dinosaur-themed activities such as the unearthing of a T-Rex fossil at the DinoDig site, dinosaur footprints to follow to fun at local businesses.
Three caged dinosaus can be discovered around the city and Dino Rangers will have a baby T-Rex to meet and greet young fans, Inspired by his son's love for dinosaurs, Ben Webb, Managing Director at Immersive Hire and Founder of DinoDig, wanted to create a pop-up event space that was fun, inspirational and unique. He designed the attraction to have something for children of all ages to enjoy.
“I think the fossil pit will be popular and we’re providing small wooden brushes for the guests to unearth our impressive complete T-Rex fossil. We’ve also got some fun face-hole photo boards and we’d love guests to tag us in their pictures using @dinodiguk #dinodig! We’re hugely
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excited to be debuting this pop-up attraction in Lincoln and we can’t wait to see guests enjoying a truly immersive experience. For more see www.lincolnbig.co.uk/newsevents/events/dino-city
Lincoln is buiding up a full calendar of regular annual events to bring people in and promote the city.
Gone are the days when Lincoln was ‘ a best kept secret’ and we need to start embracing our big city credentials.
Why shouldn’t Lincoln have a restaurant week like Leeds of a history festival to rival York? But these and events, such as the Dragon Boat Race, also deserve local support.
for our next edition should reach us by March 15, 2024.
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Ric has worked for the people of Lincoln for 42 years and some great things have been achieved over that period.
We wanted to pay tribute to Ric’s local government career by focusing on some of the council’s more recent achievements under his stewardship.
They say a picture paints a thousand words so I’ll shut up now and just say thank you Ric.
“ I am proud to o昀er a world-class service with an oustanding diagnostic suite rarely found in eye clinics, optical practices or hospitals ”
Dr Martin Smith
BSc DOptom DipTp(IP) Higher Cert Glauc | MCOptomTHIS is the last issue of the Independent in which we get to call Ric Metcalfe councillor, writes Editor Amanda McSorley. He retires as the Leader of City of Lincoln Council and Carholme Ward member at the local elections on May 2 and the authority will shortly go in to purdah - a news black out.
DIVE into the heart of Chinese tradition and join Ringrose Law and LIVES for a day of thrilling competition, community spirit, and charitable giving at the 2024 Lincoln Dragon Boat Race.
And 2024 is actually the Chinese Year of the Dragon - a symbol steeped in ambition, courage, and innovation, perfectly embodying the spirit of race competitors.
Hosted on Lincoln Brayford Waterfront, on Saturday, June 15, the event promises to be a family-fun-filled experience from midday onwards.
“Immerse yourself in a tradition that dates back centuries, originally celebrated to bring prosperity and avert misfortune, and has since evolved into a globally beloved sport,” said organiser Alex Bennett of Ringrose Law.
“The 2024 race marks the seventh annual event proudly organised by Ringrose Law
and LIVES, bringing together the community in a vibrant display of teamwork and determination.
“Last year, we were thrilled to see 24 dynamic teams clash oars in a bid to secure the coveted title, drawing crowds by the hundreds and raising nearly £20,000 for LIVES. This year, we aim to soar even higher, and we’re already off to a flying start with 10 teams, including headline partners Siemens, already preparing to get under starter’s orders.
Organisers are urging other teams to join them on the Brayford for one of the city’s top summer events.
Dan Greig of National Grid, victors of the 2023 race said: “National Grid is thrilled to return, supporting LIVES. Last year’s race was a highlight, and we’re eager to defend our title against the best Lincoln has to offer.”
Teams need to be made up of up to 10 paddlers, a drummer leading the charge and a skilled helm to guide the boat. Beyond the race, the festival atmosphere will be buzzing with activities for families and spectators, ensuring a day packed with entertainment, fun, and community engagement.
John Knight, Director of Ringrose Law, acdded: “We’re gearing up for an extraordinary day of racing and festivities. It’s more than a race; it’s a chance to make a difference for LIVES, supporting the invaluable work of Lincolnshire’s first responders.”
For more information see the Lincoln Dragon Boat Race page on the Ringrose Law website. Register at https://www.ringroselaw.co.uk/about/ lincoln-dragon-boatrace/#2024lincolndragonboatrace
A TEAM from the University of Lincoln has attended Buckingham Palace, where it was presented with the highest honour that can be awarded to a University in the UK by Her Majesty the Queen.
The Queen’s Anniversary Prize recognises outstanding work carried out by UK universities benefits the wider world. It is granted every two years, and this is the first chosen by HRH King Charles III.
The award is for the work of Lincoln Institute of Agri-food Technology (LIAT) in supporting the success and sustainability of the UK’s food and farming industries through innovations in research, education and technology.
It was presented with the Queen’s Anniversary Prize by the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, at a special ceremony held at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, February 22.
Prof Neal Juster,Vice Chancellor, Prof Simon Pearson, Director of the LIAT and Prof Andrew Hunter, former Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation (retired), were accompanied by PhD students involved in the innovative agri-tech projects.
“When it was announced that we would receive the award in November last year, everyone involved was incredibly proud to be recognised for the highest national honour bestowed on a UK university,” said Prof Juster.
“In the eight years since it was founded, our Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology has gone from strength to strength, forming key partnerships within the agricultural sector, leading the way with innovative projects, and putting sustainability on the agenda for the future of the sector.
“To be presented with this award by the Queen is a great honour and a suitable reward for everyone who has been involved with making the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology the huge success that it is today.”
Professor Simon Pearson, Founding Director of LIAT at the University of Lincoln, said: “This award is recognition of the work the university is doing to change people’s lives, in the UK and all over the world.”
‘I wish I knew then what I know now’
The decisions facing young people today are as tough as they’ve ever been, but there’s a vast well of experience locally from those who have already made those work and life choices.
The Independent is asking business and community leaders what advice they would give their 18 year-old selves and how they got to where they are today.
As Chartered Accountancy firm Wright Vigar is our feature sponsor we’re getting the ball rolling with Director Paul Colcomb, 39, who started out as a WV apprentice.
“THE one piece of advice I'd give to someone starting their career, is aim high, work hard, and never stop learning. The wisdom you gain from colleagues, peers, and loved ones is priceless. As you develop, value the people around you, listen and support as those people are key to team success.
You work for a very long time and enjoying being at work with a great team creates a great environment for success.”
MY journey started after finishing my Alevels when I had a big decision to makeshould I head off to university or dive straight into work?
After a successful interview, I felt going into the workplace was my best option. So, in November 2003, shortly after my 19th birthday, I joined Wright Vigar.
I started AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) studies at Lincoln College, followed by Chartered Accountancy in Nottingham.
Balancing work and studies wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. The apprenticeship route suited me perfectly. I gained invaluable experience working with clients in the office, and got to apply the theories I learned to real-world business scenarios. I owe a lot to my office mentor - thanks to their guidance, I was able to qualify as a Chartered Accountant a year earlier than many of my friends who chose the university route. It was a proud moment when I became a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in March 2015.
As Wright Vigar expanded, so did my role.
With new offices opening in Sleaford, Gainsborough, and Retford, opportunities came knocking. I found myself progressing from trainee to Business Services Adviser leading my first audit in 2007, which was daunting at the time.
After an internal reorganisation I was appointed a Senior Business Services Adviser in the Managing Director’s team and got the opportunity to fill in as manager covering a holiday. I wanted to make the most of this opportunity and worked hard over the two weeks which resulted in a permanent management role.
I was determined to keep developing and progressing becoming a Director in 2018. My role gives me the challenge of growing a portfolio and developing a network of professionals to work with. This is different from the technical day-to-day work but I have enjoyed building some long-standing, good relationships which have helped grow my portfolio and add value to my clients.
In 2021 a fresh challenge came, as I took on responsibility for the Newark office after acquiring another firm.
Integrating teams and systems was a challenge, but with a solid team and supportive clients, it’s been a smooth transition
My portfolio of clients consists of mainly owner-managed businesses and as their trusted adviser, I support them to realise their business goals. Some of these clients have been with me since the early days, making the journey even more fulfilling. Outside of work family is everything to me. I’m married to Hannah and we’re blessed with two wonderful children Harriet and Hugo.
Family holidays and outings are our favourite way to spend time together. When I manage to get some free time, you’ll find me on the cricket pitch, golf course, or on five-a-side game. pitch Oh, and I can’t forget to mention, I am a Nottingham Forest season ticket holder. I lost my father in July 2023. He was an accountant too and his guidance shaped me in more ways than I can count. I wish I had the chance to thank him properly for all he did. But hey, I know he’s up there, proud as can be.
BURTON Hathow Preparatory believes
STEAM will be a powerful, integral part of its future as it enters its second decade. Leading computer scientist and ‘Oscar winner’ Simon Robinson is the school’s chairman and proprietor, so it would be incongrous for Burton Hathow not to embrace the world of engineering and technology.
Burton Hathow already offers a specialist programme of science and teaches many aspects of technology through its arts and weekly computer programming lessons.
Simon is the co-founder of Foundry, a leading computer software company that enables the special effects for all our favourite Hollywood films, including Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, War for the Planet of the Apes and Kong: Skull Island as well as winner of the 2018 Best Visual Effects Oscar Blade Runner 2049
He is fully supporting Burton Hathow in looking for new and innovative ways to immerse pupils into both STEAM and computer programming opportunities.
“There has to be a place in the curriculum, and in the further enrichment programme of our school, for pupils to actively immerse themselves in areas of science, technology and engineering. We are particularly keen to make sure that girls are given the opportunity to gain hands on, practical experience. We want to capture their interest and instil confidence from an early age. We want Burton Hathow to play a part in promoting equality in the industry. It starts here.”
From September 2024, the school is looking to introduce engineering as part of its enrichment, which will give the pupils a real head start.
Head Teacher, Claire Lyons, explained: “As part of our focus on STEAM (the revised acronym which now adds Art to the original Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) we are looking to offer scholarship opportunities to children moving into years 5 and 6 next September.
“It is not unusual for us to have children joining us for an ‘eleventh-hour’ boost before secondary school and we see the significant impact it has on their learning habits and their developing interests.’
The parent of one such pupil shared his experience of choosing Burton Hathow for that ‘final lap’.
“When we looked into moving to Burton Hathow towards the end of key stage two, we seriously considered the potential impactsboth positive and negative. Only a few weeks in, we were overwhelmed by the weight of the positives. The changes I saw in my child’s engagement and interest in learning was remarkable and their newly found determination to succeed academically was carried firmly into secondary education.
“We went from knowing nothing about school to knowing everything. It was wonderful to see our child so excited about learning.”
To register your interest in the year 5 and 6 scholarship programme, please scan the QR Code below and follow the steps.
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IT was 20 years on March 1 since Tara-Marie took over the ownership Face Facts and over 30 since she first started working at one of Lincoln’s longest established beauty salons.
Tara is celebrating by offering one lucky reader the chance to sample a ground-breaking skin treatment that has well and truly stoked Tara’s professional interest – SkinStorm. It layers multiple treatments to achieve dramatic skin transformations – freezing, resurfacing, peels, filling, oxygen and light therapies.
“We have always been at the forefront of new treatments but there has been nothing over the last few years that has excited me,” said Tara (pictured)who specialises in permanent makeup, eyebrows and skin treatments.
mission is to ensure that you or your loved ones can stay at home. Whether it is short term care to assist with recovery after hospital surgery or illness, or long-term complex care to assist with daily living; we are confident we can provide outstanding care in and around the Lincoln area
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“I like to keep to key areas I’m passionate about. I have had a microdermabrasion system since 2006 and the different needling systems for over 10 years. My big equipment investment was an advanced needling and freezing oxygen system in 2018.” Tara’s equipment supplier Crystal Clear was the first company to bring microdermabrasion to the UK so she keeps an eye on their latest innovations.
“I noticed the Skinstorm machine when they launched it two years ago and I can honestly say I just had to have it! I needed it - it was everything I did but to the extreme. Everyone talks about hydrotherapy but I’d never been excited about a machine that just does that but this one did six things.
“Why wouldn’t I want this machine? But then there was the price. After Covid the beauty industry, and businesses like mine many others, took a bashing, we haven’t recovered yet but I’m a fighter and I love my industry, I’m lucky to be in one of the most beautiful parts of Lincoln so I just took the leap to bring my skills back to the future and it makes you so excited to be able to offer something so good, so exciting with amazing results.” To win a full Skinstorm session worth £150 just answer the following question and email your answer marked Skinstorm to enquiries@face-facts.co.uk
When did Tara Marie become the owner of Face Facts?
For more information see https://www.face-facts.co.uk/skinstorm-2/
WHEN a famous guest booked into a Lincoln hotel he found that his name was already on the door of his room
The Bernie Taupin Room at the Castle Hotel on Westgate was booked for a mystery guest.
Hotel owner Paul Catlow explained: “We launched two new suites in the hotel and as with all our deluxe rooms we name them after famous Lincolnites such as Tennyson, Franklin, Gibson rather than room numbers.
“One of the new suites we decided to name after Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s songwriter, as he grew up in Lincolnshire.”
Paul’s wife Saera recently took a booking for two VIP’s and a film crew.
“We were eventually told who was staying in one of the new suites a few days prior and it turned out to be Bernie Taupin himself with his brother. It’s the irony of naming a room after someone famous and the very person comes and stays in that very room.”
Taupin was touring Britain to promote his new book Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton and Me, making numerous radio and television appearances.
“He stayed with us, dined with us, had a drink with Saera and I and posed for lots of photos with us, staff and other guests.
“We never thought we would ever meet him and he ends up staying and dining with us - a music legend from Lincolnshire who just happened to be a really nice, humble great bloke. He said it was a first for him staying in a room named after him.”
The Stonebow and Guildhall are situated on the site of the southern gateway to Roman Lincoln. The gateway has stood for over 1800 years; although the present building was not completed until 1520.
The Guildhall sits proudly above the Stonebow and is the Official Home of the Mayor of Lincoln. Tours are available of this interesting historic building, which includes the main Council Chamber, where Lincoln’s Council still meets and, most importantly, the old Debtors’ Prison which now holds an impressive range of Civic Insignia, including the King Richard II Sword and many other Mayoral and City artefacts.
For more information about the open days, or to make a private appointment please contact:
Kate Fenn, Civic Manager on 01522 873303
E-mail: kate.fenn@lincoln.gov.uk
IT doesn’t matter how old you are or what condition you’re in, EMS training is for everyone.
If you haven’t exercised in years, you have problems with your joints, you don’t like exercise, or you don’t want anyone else to see you exercising, EMS training can help all people reach their goals faster. So no matter what you want to achieve we can build a tailor-made programme for you in our private studio.
Whole Body EMS (electro muscle stimulation) personal training is intensive and highly efficient, with each 20 minute session offering the equivalent workout to 90 minutes in a conventional gym. Depending on fitness levels, users need only do one or two of Melanie Dunn’s 20 minute sessions a week to maintain or increase their fitness, offering a significant advantage over traditional exercise methods.
Here’s just one example of how EMS could help you: most of us suffer from a bad back at one time or another in our lives.
Around 80% of cases can be described as non-specific low back pain with no specific cause. The pain can arise from insufficient core strength and weakly developed muscles in the abdominals and
the deep lying back muscles that stabilize the spine. In about two thirds of cases non specific low back pain becomes chronic to the point where the sufferer avoids exercise, thus weakening the muscles even further.
EMS can be used therapeutically or preventatively in combination with easy targeted exercises to strengthen the torso and back muscles in the long term in a sustainable way.
Try EMS at Melanie’s private studio in uphill Lincoln - arrange a call through her website (listed above) or phone 07539 635575.
There are a few medical conditions that are contra-indicated and therefore EMS would not be appropriate.
THIRTY intrepid health workers have signed up to do a 14,000ft charity skydive to raise £15,000 for Lincolnshire NHS Charity.
The staff from Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) and Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) will jump at the Langar Skydive centre, near Nottingham, on Saturday, June 22.
The money raised for the dedicated NHS charity of both LPFT and LCHS will go towards items and services that go over and above NHS provision to enhance patient care and staff wellbeing.
The participants will experience an adrenaline-packed free-fall at 120mph before gently floating to the ground for five minutes by parachute.
Mark Platts, Executive Director of Finance, Digital and Estates at LPFT (pictured above) said: “I’m really looking forward to the skydive, not because I’m counting down to jumping out of a plane at 14,000ft, but because I’m really looking forward to being part of a great event that is bringing so many of us together to help raise as much as we can for our charity.
“From recent discussions with patients and staff I know the funds
we are raising can and will make a real difference, which is the best motivation anyone could ask for.”
Sarah Chaytor, Effective Practice and Education Lead at LCHS added: “I’m really excited to take part in this charity skydive, it’s a great way to raise money for Lincolnshire NHS Charity. As a staff member, I see first-hand the amazing work the charity does.
“I will be joined by three of my other team members, and we thought it would be a fantastic opportunity for us to bond. It's not every day that colleagues get to experience a charity skydive together!”
Lincolnshire NHS Charity recently launched its new website with the support of NHS Charities Together, which features its new logo and strapline - For the little extras that make a big difference.
To donate visit www.justgiving. com/campaign/lincolnshirenhscharityskydive.
For more about Lincolnshire NHS Charity visit the new website at www.lincolnshirenhscharity.org.uk or call 01522 459552.
We use the latest in computer technology to give you the ability to ‘walk around’ your new kitchen before it’s built, allowing you to amend any small features along the way including the use of soft close drawers and a choice of storage metalwork – small features that really make your kitchen stand out.
Once we’ve agreed your bespoke kitchen design, it will then be built within our Lincolnshire factory using the highest quality materials and our modern machinery.
PETER HARROD continues to explore The Garton Archive of Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School.
ONE of the many rewards of my role as archivist of the Garton Archive at Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School is that from time to time I receive unexpected and unsolicited enquiries and/or donations.
One of those occurred recently when the school was approached by Dame Rosalind Savill who was making an enquiry into the career of her great aunt, Lucie Savill OBE, legendary headmistress of Lincoln Christ’s Hospital Girls’ High School (LHS) from 1910 to 1943.
LHS alumna Joyce Skinner OBE described her appointment in 1910 as the most auspicious date in the school’s history as Miss Savill did more than anyone else to establish the high reputation of the school not only in the city and county but also in the country at large. She was also a person of profound Christian faith. The email began with what Dame Rosalind thought might seem a ‘strange enquiry’: “Please could you help me?”
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She informed me that her great aunt Lucie Savill had had her portrait painted when she retired and that she was under the impression that it might now belong in our archives.
She attached a black and white photograph of the portrait that was taken for the family but was particularly keen to have a colour image for a talk she was giving on her family’s Huguenot ancestry at The Huguenot Museum in Kent.
I could find no evidence in the Garton Archive documents or LHS magazines that Headmistress Savill’s ancestors were in fact Huguenots so my curiosity was instantly aroused.
Former pupils of LHS will recall that the portrait, painted by the celebrated artist James Gunn RA and reproduced here, used to hang in the hall at LHS as a lasting tribute to Miss Savill’s leadership.
When the School closed down in 1974, the portrait was moved to LCHS and now hangs in the former hall at Lincoln School now known as the ‘old hall’ at LCHS.
It is located appropriately among boards containing the many university successes of LHS former pupils, including Joyce Skinner herself.
Dame Rosalind was delighted that we were able to accede to her request, and the photograph was sent in time for her talk.
There followed a most pleasant exchange of emails with Rosalind who is a charming person and clearly a chip off the old block! She told me how she had been to Lincoln several years ago and was delighted to meet a former pupil of LHS who told her that she would never have applied to Oxford without the belief and encouragement of Miss Savill.
That person would almost certainly have been Joyce Skinner who was an undergraduate at Miss Savill’s own college, Somerville, and who would have been present at the same gathering.
Rosalind’s own expertise lies in the field of French 18th century decorative arts, and Sèvres porcelain in particular. There are several videos on YouTube of her talks, masterclasses, and interviews. I am delighted to report that she intends to visit LCHS this year to see the portrait of her celebrated great aunt at first hand.
ARTHUR WARD of The Survey of Lincoln examines one of several buildings in Lincoln designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
LOCATED off Lindum Road, the Usher Gallery commands a prominent site on the hillside below the Medieval Bishops’ Palace and Cathedral. Built to a design by the eminent architect Sir Reginald Blomfield (1856-1942) it is one of three buildings for which he received commissions in Lincoln, the other two being the Public Library on Free School Lane (1910) and the Westgate Water Tower (1911).
James Ward Usher (1845-1921), after whom the gallery is named, was Lincoln-born and educated at Lincoln Grammar School and Totteridge Park School, Hertfordshire, later taking over his father’s business as a jeweller and watchmaker, situated at 192 High Street facing the Cornhill. The current shop, under the name of James Usher, is located at 26-27 Guildhall Street, Lincoln.
In accordance with his will, completed two days before his death on 20 September 1921, James Ward Usher, left monies for the erection of a suitable building to house his collection of ceramics, clocks and watches, coins, enamels, miniatures and silver. On his death, this passed to Lincoln Corporation, which, after much deliberation over a suitable site for a building to house the Usher Collection, agreed on 10 April 1922 to purchase Hatfield House, Lindum Road, temporarily to accommodate the collection. Following rejection of this suggestion the collection was housed for a time in the Public Library. It was agreed that Sir Reginald Blomfield should design
a suitable building for its display. Following much wrangling and doubts about the recurring cost of an art gallery, the Corporation purchased Temple Gardens, named after a small folly on the site, built by Joseph Moore as a copy of the Greek Choragic Monument of Thrasyllus. The grounds also included a house. The site was acquired for £8000 in 1924.
Blomfield’s original plans showed the exterior of the Gallery clad in Ancaster stone, later modified to Nottingham red brick between stone pilasters to reduce the cost from £34,000 by some £5,000. The Gallery floors were to be of teak, and the entrance paved with Yorkshire stone and
black marble with stairs of Portland stone. The imposing south front measures some 110 feet in length and rises through two floors to 42 feet at the parapet. The design is in the Beaux-Arts style, a simply planned, two-storey building with a central vestibule and stairs, and galleries off each side.
There is a Doric pilaster order, red brick panels and central pediment over the entrance door. Internally there is fixed furniture and a delightful round window high up above the stairs through which there is a framed view of the cathedral tower. A similar detail is designed into the Lincoln Museum building adjacent. The building contract was secured in July 1925 by Messrs William Wright and Son, Limited of Lincoln, and the foundation stone (not inscribed) laid on 10 March 1926. The opening ceremony occurred on 27 May 1927 by the Prince of Wales (later, briefly, King Edward VIII). This is marked by a tablet in the entrance hall commemorating Mr. James Ward Usher and his gift to the city.
Today the Usher Gallery still houses the Usher Collection and provides gallery space for permanent and visiting exhibitions, having been returned to its original built form, stripped of a later Curtois Gallery and Coin Gallery, and now replaced with a lobby, reconfiguring the entrance to the west elevation to link better with the later building, housing Lincoln Museum.
To find out more about The Survey of Lincoln and its work, see www.thesurveyoflincoln.co.uk.
THE Society for Lincolnshire History & Archaeology (SLHA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a conference looking at achievements, developments and discoveries in the county over the last half a century. There’s an open invite to the event at Bishop Grosseteste University on Saturday, April 20 -although the foundations of the society were established in 1844, the present organisation was established in 1974. The talks will include:
Reflections and Looking to the FutureAn overview of the foundation of SLHA over the last 50 years, the current role and activities and aspirations for the future. This will be presented by Andrew Walker, Chair of the Society and regular contributor to the Lincoln Independent.
Local history from the Humber to the Wash - members of SLHA’s Local History team will reflect upon its activities since 1974 ranging from its campaigning, including the county museum development and the work of the churches group, to
gauging the influence of some of its key members such as Flora Murray and Terence Leach. The team will conclude with a consideration of a possible local history agenda for the future in Greater Lincolnshire.
Presented by Mark Acton, Jean Howard and John Manterfield.
Industrial Archaeology, Past, Present and Future - exploring the last 50 years of the activities of the Industrial Archaeology Team with reflections on events and contributions that the Society has made to increasing knowledge of industrial archaeology throughout Lincolnshire.
Presented by Neil Wright, Stewart Squires and Stephen Betteridge
Building Recording Techniques over the last 50 Years - looking at how these techniques have changed and developed over the last 50 years.
Presented by Ken Hollamby, Naomi Field and Mark Gardiner.
A FEATHER floating gently from the sky is said to be a sign that loved ones are always close by.
St Barnabas Hospice is helping people honour the memory of their loved ones with a personalised ironwork feather,as part of the Hospice’s spring ironwork appeal - Feathers from Above. Buy an ironwork feather on the St Barnabas Hospice website and it will appear in a beautiful display at Aubourn Hall Gardens and Grounds.
The ironwork feathers are made at three different heights to create a moving display of art that will interact with the wind. At the end of the display supporters will be invited to choose a feather and collect an accompanying personalised tag.
Feathers from Above display will be open from Saturday, May 4 to Friday, May 17 - book through the website with a unique code for one free entry with every feather purchased. For other visitors, the entry fee is £8 per person and free for children under 16.
Caroline Swindin, Head of Fundraising and Lottery said: “We are thrilled to be offering a new ironwork design. Our previous spring appeals have been so well-loved and supported, raising vital funds for local Hospice care across Lincolnshire.
“The feathers provide an opportunity for individuals and families to remember their loved one with a tangible and personalised ironwork that they can take home and display forever.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to local steel fabricator, Kevin Baumber, for the design and creation of the handmade ironwork feather and Aubourn Hall Gardens and Grounds for facilitating the emotional
and moving display of dedicated feathers.”
Highlights of Lincolnshire Archaeologyan exploration of archaeological developments and discoveries in Lincolnshire over the last 50 years with highlights from the Fens, the City of Lincoln and wider Lincolnshire set against a backdrop of the active involvement of the Society including disseminating knowledge. Presented by Richard Watts, Mick Jones and Tom Lane.
Admission is £32 and pre-booking is essential through Eventbrite or visit v www.slha.org.uk for further details and a booking form.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/goldenjubilee-conference-tickets784379238417
Special night displays with curated lighting, photos of the loved ones, music, and a welcome drink will take place on Thursday and Friday, May 2-3. Tickets are £10 per person through the St Barnabas website.
The appeal is also supported by Rebekah Watson (above). In April 2021, at age just 33, her sister, Natalie, was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. She was cared for by nurses from St Barnabas through its Hospice at Home service.
“My sister, Natalie, was a funny, kind, and beautiful mother, sister, and auntie. She loved everybody she met and was so generous,” said Rebekah.
“The St Barnabas nurses that visited Natalie at home, were a huge support to her and us, as a family. They could not do enough for Natalie in the final weeks of her life, going above and beyond to make sure that she was comfortable.
“We have seen first-hand just what a difference St Barnabas makes to its patients and their families, which included the invaluable help and support members of our family received after Natalie’s death.
“I look forward to seeing so many special people being remembered through the Feathers from Above appeal alongside my sister, this spring.”
www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk
LAURA STRATFORD
BY LAURA STRATFORD GREATER LINCOLNSHIRE FOOD PARTNERSHIP
WE were waiting anxiously in hospital with our 6 year old.
He was in considerable pain, and not allowed to eat or drink while he awaited an emergency operation to have his appendix out.
Grateful to be offered a bed in the children’s ward, we browsed the large and attractive wall posters as we waited, that explained healthy diets in bold coloursthe need to eat less of foods high in sugar, salt and fat; a balance of complex carbohydrates and proteins; and a greater diversity of fresh fruit and vegetables.
It’s stuff we are all taught at school and are reminded of regularly through the media. When Small Son finally went into surgery that evening, we suddenly realised how ravenously hungry we were, and went in search of a decent meal.
We don’t have any allergies or dietary needs to complicate our search - just normal human bodies that need nourishment every day!
As we walked through the labyrinth of corridors, we passed vending machines that dispensed snack bars, crisps and pop. Some of them were chilled machines and also contained white bread sandwiches containing variations of mayonnaise-based fillings.
A branded sign pointing to the hospital eatery assured us that coca-cola was part of a balanced diet.
Both cafes had stopped serving cooked or fresh food, although crisps and snacks were still available.
Eventually we came to the hospital shop where several aisles of plastic-wrapped,
ultra-processed snacks were for sale.
After considerable searching, we found the first vegetable of the day: a salad in the shop fridge. It was mostly lettuce and grated carrot. It looked wet, tired and unappetising, even (especially) to people who like salad and raw vegetables.
It seemed like the epitome of the misery of being on a calorie-controlled diet. We were not tempted to buy it.
I thought wryly of the poster in the children’s ward. In a hospital there is no shortage of awareness of what constitutes healthy food.
The longer I work in food partnership, becoming increasingly aware of the dietrelated health and obesity crisis that we are walking into, the more I feel strongly that it is not education the public lacks, but the availability of delicious, nourishing food (and in many cases, an adequate income to afford it).
But decisions - even in hospitals - are driven by profit-making on the back of the natural human propensity towards foods high in salt, sugar, and fat.
It’s time, then, to reframe healthy food as a public good. As we move away from the old agricultural Basic Payments Scheme (where public subsidies are paid to farmers and landowners according to area of land) and we move towards the principle of public money for public goods, the opportunities are abundant.
Limiting junk food advertising and availability in public places, and using public food procurement to support our farmers to produce healthy, sustainable food are obvious places to start.
What we need is not more educational posters, but to normalise good food in public life.
IMAGINE this, if you will - you’re lounging on a brand-new leather sofa, the kind that squeaks with sophistication and the faint promise of many a lazy Sunday.
In one hand, a glass of Viña Vik’s ‘A’ Cabernet Sauvignon, in the other, a Cuban cigar that you’re only pretending to know how to smoke.
This, my friends, is the life – or at least, the life according to the ‘A’ Cabernet Sauvignon from the golden soils of the Millahue Valley, ‘Lugar de Oro’ or ‘Golden Place’.
Don’t let the rather tame labelling put you off, the juice in there is outstanding. From its bold beginnings amidst the Andes’ foothills to the spicy crescendo of pepper and the dark fruits that follow, every sip is like receiving a text message from your most adventurous friend: ‘Guess where I am now?’
It’s a globe-trotting journey through taste, with the comforting, creamy finish of knowing your passport is safely tucked away in the drawer.
Capped with natural cork, this bold, leathery, and spicy red boasts a 14% ABV, making it as spirited as a flamenco dancer.
BLACK Pepper Rokke is a new soft cheese from the makers at Padstow Cheese Company, creators of the old favourite, Cornish Jack.
A spreadable and creamy cheese flavoured with cracked black pepper and a subtle hint
Joking aside this is truly a superb wine, and I don’t say that often. I have been asked on many occasions what do the most expensive wines taste like, and honestly, they are quite often as complex and delicious as this, an absolute steal at around the £19 mark, from Slurp Wine, 8Wines or Majestic.
I treat this wine like toilet paper during lockdown - my cellar is never caught without it.
So, as we savour this Chilean masterpiece, let’s raise our glasses to the VIK vineyard, to the art of pretending to be a cigar aficionado, and to the sheer delight of breaking in a new leather sofa with the perfect bottle of wine.
Francesco Canni, Aspiring Sommelier
of black garlic.
This is the perfect comfort cheese, spread over a water biscuit and topped with sweet pickles. For a more intense flavour, why not try the Truffle Rokke.
The Padstow Cheese Company is a husband and wife cheesemaking team based in Padstow, Cornwall. Their award-winning cheeses have been favourites of ours over the years and we are so excited to support their new range of Rokke soft cheeses.
Key Facts
Age 3 months +
Country England
Milk Type Cows
Organic No
Process Pasteurised Region. Cornwall
Strength Medium
Style Greamy
Vegetarian Yes
FULL-service national law firm Shakespeare Martineau is celebrating its third anniversary in Lincolnshire and more than six months in its new home in Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter.
Going from strength to strength, the team has grown from an initial duo of lawyers at the start of 2021 to 17 staff and partners, whose expertise covers corporate, employment, agriculture, dispute resolution, immigration, residential conveyancing, private client and commercial work.
Recent appointments include employment partner Danielle Lister, associate solicitor in the commercial property and development team Paul Bloomfield, residential conveyancing legal assistant Kelly Flear, as well as office support assistants Elisha Kinnaird and Kerry Myhill.
To accommodate its growing team and expanding client base, the firm invested in a major refurbishment at 12-14 St. Mary’s Street, which now boasts updated meeting and office spaces as well as informal working areas for visitors and collaboration zones.
Based in the Cornhill Quarter, directly opposite the railway station, the firm is located at the building once known as “Portland House”.
Steeped in history, previous occupants (as recently reported in the The Lincoln Enquirer by The Survey of Lincoln)
include, at the time of construction, the Lincoln Wagon and Engine Company, a finance company for the leasing or purchase of railway rolling stock (see insignia above). More recent occupiers comprise Lombard, the NFU and Banks Long.
Shakespeare Martineau recently sponsored the Lincolnshire Farming Conference where it hosted a workshop for delegates on the opportunities within the industry.
“While we support businesses and families of all shapes and sizes, just like our building’s predecessors we do have very close relationships with the farming community,” explains Amy Cowdell, partner and national agriculture sector lead.
“Despite its traditional roots, the agricultural industry is fast-paced with legislation changes rife among the immediate sector and wider land ownership.
“We’re currently helping multiple landowners and developers keep abreast of biodiversity net gain and the opportunities that will arise from natural capital. And, despite much of the UK’s net zero responsibilities resting on the shoulders of landowners, government support is changing, so the pressure is on for farmers to get creative with their business strategies.”
Local commitment
Part of a national firm, with offices across the Midlands, London, South West,Yorkshire and Scotland, clients benefit from Shakespeare Martineau’s wide-ranging expertise from more than 1,200 experts, while also benefitting from the Lincoln team’s extensive knowledge of the local market.
Local talent benefits too, as head of the Lincoln office Michael Squirrell explained: “The aim of establishing a national firm in Lincoln was always to offer something different in the Lincolnshire legal market. We remain committed to bringing in and retaining talented individuals, who can service the local community and clients further afield.”
Recognising a need to support communities and make a positive impact on the environment locally and nationally, the firm is B-Corporation accredited, which means it is legally required to consider the impact of business decisions on its people, customers, suppliers, communities and the environment.
Working with businesses and organisations of all sizes, Shakespeare Martineau delivers an extensive range of specialist legal services and has expertise across multiple areas including but not limited to: construction, energy, intellectual property, education, banking and finance, healthcare, investment funds, manufacturing, agriculture, later living, social housing, charities and real estate.
The firm also provides services for individuals and families, whether on a personal basis or for succession and tax planning purposes.
Wednesday
6 March 7pm
Thursday 7 March –
Friday
8 March
Friday 8 March 6.45pm
Friday
8 March 7pm – 11pm
TERRY O’TOOLE THEATRE
Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival
£10.95, Con £9.50, Child £9.50 www.betterboxoffice.co.uk/terry-otoole-theatre T 01522 701305
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN
Bouncers
Tickets £26
www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
T 01522 519999
THE ENGINE SHED, LINCOLN
New Purple Celebration –The Music of Prince
Tickets £22, Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. www.engineshed.co.uk
LINCOLN LABOUR CLUB & INSTITUTE, NEWLAND, LINCOLN
An Evening with Professor Elemental and Madam Misfit
Kick off the spring in true ‘Chap Hop’ style with an evening of music, merriment, and mischief!
Admission £12
T 07825 631723
BROADBENT THEATRE, WICKENBY
Friday
8 March 7.30pm
Dire Straits Tribute –Alchemy Live
This group of professional players and friends share a common love of the music of Dire Straits.
Tickets £20
www.broadbenttheatre.org
T 0300 400 0101
LINCOLN ARTS CENTRE
Friday 8 March 7.30pm
Saturday 9 March
2.30 & 7.30pm
Saturday 9 March 6.30pm
Saturday 9 March
7.30pm –10pm
Sunday 10 March 6.30pm – 11pm
Sunday 10 March 7pm
Sunday 10 March 7.30pm
Sunday 10 March 7.30pm
Wednesday 13 March 7.30pm
DECIMAL PLACE, 10 BURTON ROAD
Weird Garden
An evening of alternative sounds and art by Diseaseofvenus, Flash Cassette, Phoebe, and Sorgen. Free
Peter K Rollings, Experimental Sonic Machines, Lincoln
T 07954 719138
THE KOMODO, BUTCHERY COURT, LINCOLN
Yellowbelly Records: True Foxes + Support On the door £7
www.linktr.ee/yellowbellyrecords
THE ENGINE SHED, LINCOLN
Holly Humberstone
Tickets £23.50, Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. www.engineshed.co.uk
T 01522 837400
THE DRILL, LINCOLN
Peatbog Faeries
Tickets £22, 14+ only www.lincolndrill.co.uk
T 01522 534160
TERRY O’TOOLE THEATRE
The Rod Stewart Songbook
Tickets £18 www.betterboxoffice.co.uk/terry-otoole-theatre T 01522 701305
BROADBENT THEATRE, WICKENBY
Vanya – Cinematic Presentation by the National Theatre
Andrew Scott (Fleabag) stars in Simon Stephens’ new version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. Tickets £10 www.broadbenttheatre.org
T 0300 400 0101
Wednesday 13 March 7.30pm
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN
Steven Brinbery is: Simply Barbra
Performed worldwide for over 25 years this is a live homage to one of the greatest divas.
Tickets from £16
www.southsidelincs.com
T 01522 437942
Thursday 14 March 7pm
Thursday 14 March 7.30pm
Thursday 14 March 7.30pm
Thursday 14 March –
Friday 15 March
Friday 15 March 7pm
THE ENGINE SHED, LINCOLN
Feeder: Black & Red Tour 2024
Tickets from £29.50, Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. www.engineshed.co.uk
T 01522 837400
THE DRILL, LINCOLN
Lloyd Griffith: Baroque and Roll
Tickets £18.50, 16+ only
www.lincolndrill.co.uk
T 01522 534160
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN
Vampires Rock
Tickets £35.50
www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
T 01522 519999
LINCOLN ARTS CENTRE Peak Stuff
£14, Live Pass £10, 15+ www.lincolnartscentre.co.uk
T 01522 837600
THE ENGINE SHED, LINCOLN
Giants of Rock ’24 – The Ultimate Rock Tribute Showdown
Thatcher-Rite Standard £10, Live Pass £5, 15+
www.lincolnartscentre.co.uk
T 01522 837600
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN
Bouncers
Tickets £26
www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
T 01522 519999
THE ENGINE SHED, LINCOLN
Taylormania: Taylor Swift Eras
Tickets from £22.50, Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. www.engineshed.co.uk
T 01522 837400
Friday 15 March 7.30pm
Friday 15 March 7.30pm
Saturday 16 March 7.30pm
Saturday 16 March 7.30pm
Tickets from £17, Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. www.engineshed.co.uk
T 01522 837400
THE DRILL, LINCOLN
The Devout – Depeche Mode Tribute
Tickets £20, 14+ only www.lincolndrill.co.uk
T 01522 534160
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN
Legally Blonde – UoL
Musical Theatre Society
Tickets £20, Student £13
www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
T 01522 519999
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN
The George Michael Legacy
Tickets £25.50
www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
T 01522 519999
THE DRILL, LINCOLN
Martin Kemp – Back to the 80s
Tickets £25, 18+ only www.lincolndrill.co.uk
T 01522 534160
Saturday
16 March 8pm
Saturday 16 March 3pm
THE BLUE ROOM AT THE LAWN, UNION ROAD, LINCOLN
Edgar Macias Quintet Plays Buena Vista Social Club
Edgar Piano & vocals, Chris Bowden alto sax & percussion, Tom Hill bass & vocals, Miles Levin drums, Richard Sealy congas & percussion.
Adult £16, Jazzpac members £14, Students & U18s £8, Pay on the door www.jazzpac.co.uk T 01522 529717
LINCOLN CATHEDRAL Chapter House Recital
The identity of its composer is no longer known, but could it be a long-lost piece of music by William Byrd?
Free with cathedral admission www.lincolncathedral.com T 01522 561600
Sunday
17 March –
Tuesday 19 March 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Monday 18 March 7pm
TERRY O’TOOLE THEATRE
New Youth Theatre: Fame Jr £11, Con £10.50, Child £10.50 www.betterboxoffice.co.uk/terry-otoole-theatre T 01522 701305
THE ENGINE SHED, LINCOLN Gong & Ozric Tentacles: The Last Blast!
Tickets £25, Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. www.engineshed.co.uk T 01522 837400
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN
Thursday 21 March –
Saturday 23 March 7pm – 9.30pm
Thursday 21 March 8pm
Friday 22 March 7pm
Friday 22 March 7pm
Friday 22 March 7.30pm
Friday 22 March 7.30pm
Saturday 23 March 7pm
Tuesday 19 March 7.30pm
Wednesday 20 March 7.30pm
Ukrainian National Opera: Madama Butterfly
Tickets £38, Concession £36 www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk T 01522 519999
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN
Edge Street Live Presents Brian Bilston
Tickets from £19.50
www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
T 01522 519999
Saturday 23 March 11am & 5pm
Saturday 23 March 7.30pm
Saturday 23 March 7.30pm
Sunday 24 March 3pm
Sunday 24 March 7pm
THE BLUE ROOM, THE LAWN, UNION ROAD, LINCOLN 1984 by George Orwell Big Brother is Watching. Brand-new adaptation of Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece with an updated twist from the Asylum Players.
Tickets £20, This event is 18+ only www.lawnlincoln.com/the-blueroom-events T 07765 854025
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN Comedy Night at The Royal
Tickets £15
www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
T 01522 519999
THE DRILL, LINCOLN Creeper
Tickets £22.50, 14+ only www.lincolndrill.co.uk
T 01522 534160
THE ENGINE SHED, LINCOLN
Iain Stirling: Relevant Tickets £22.50, This event is 14+ www.engineshed.co.uk
T 01522 837400
LINCOLN ARTS CENTRE
The Talent
Tickets Standard £12, Live Pass £8 www.lincolnartscentre.co.uk
T 01522 837600
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN
Revisiting Amy
Tickets £23 www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
T 01522 519999
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN
Oassis + Support from Bobby-Joe Coleman
The East Midlands number one tribute to Oasis.
Tickets £10, booking required www.southsidelincs.com
T 01522 437942
LINCOLN CATHEDRAL
LINCOLN ARTS CENTRE
It’s Showtime 2024
Tickets £15
www.lincolnartscentre.co.uk
T 01522 837600
THE DRILL, LINCOLN
The Longest Johns
Tickets £18.50, 14+ only
www.lincolndrill.co.uk
T 01522 534160
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN
Seven Drunken Nights
Tickets from £28.50
www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
T 01522 519999
LINCOLN ARTS CENTRE
Lincoln Symphony Orchestra
Tickets £14, Conc £12, Child £7
www.lincolnartscentre.co.uk
T 01522 837600
THE ENGINE SHED, LINCOLN
Ben Fogle: Wild
Tickets £30, Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
www.engineshed.co.uk
T 01522 837400
Sunday 24 March 7.30pm
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN
Arrival – The Hits of ABBA
Tickets from £26.50
www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
T 01522 519999
Tuesday 26 March 7pm
Wednesday 27 March 7pm – 10pm
Saturday 23 March 7pm
St John Passion
Bach’s most famous pieces of sacred music, telling the story of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Tickets from £10
www.lincolncathedral.com
T 01522 561600
THE DRILL, LINCOLN
Lottery Winners
Tickets £20, 14+ only
www.lincolndrill.co.uk
T 01522 534160
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN
Jam Night
Sharpen up your performing skills, make local and industry contacts, or just socialise. Expect original material, covers, improvisation, and more.
Free entry
www.southsidelincs.com
T 01522 437942
Wednesday
27 March 7.30pm
Saturday 30 March 5pm
Sunday 31 March 7.30pm
BROADBENT THEATRE, WICKENBY
The Motive and The Cue –Cinematic Presentation by the National Theatre
Sam Mendes directs Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud and Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton in this fierce and funny new play.
Tickets £10
www.broadbenttheatre.org
T 0300 400 0101
THE DRILL, LINCOLN
Emofest
Tickets £15, 18+ only
www.lincolndrill.co.uk
T 01522 534160
LINCOLN ARTS CENTRE
True Motion
Tickets £9, Concession £7.50
www.lincolnartscentre.co.uk T 01522 837600
Wednesday 3 April –
Thursday 4 April 7.30pm
Friday 5 April 7pm
LINCOLN CATHEDRAL
The Best of Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated An immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer and cinema’s most iconic music with a live chamber orchestra illuminated by light.
Tickets £31
www.lincolncathedral.com
T 01522 561600
THE ENGINE SHED, LINCOLN
From The Jam ‘All Mod Cons’ 45th Anniversary Tour
Tickets £32.50, Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
www.engineshed.co.uk
T 01522 837400
Sunday 7 April –
Sunday 14 April 2pm & 6.30pm
Thursday 11 April –Saturday 13 April 7.30pm
Saturday 13 April 8pm
Monday 15 April 6.45pm
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN
The Adventures of The Little Mermaid
Adult £21, Concession £19, Child £15 www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
T 01522 519999
BROADBENT THEATRE, WICKENBY Dark Sublime – Common Ground Theatre Company Exploring the world of television and fandom, the lives of those who make it and adore it.
Adult £12, Con £11 www.broadbenttheatre.org
T 0300 400 0101
THE DRILL, LINCOLN Red Herring Comedy Club
Tickets £17 www.lincolndrill.co.uk
T 01522 534160
NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN MacMillan Triple – ROH Screening
Tickets £18, Concession £15 www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
T 01522 519999
Tuesdays and Fridays 6.30pm –7.30pm
Tuesdays every second & last of the month 6.45pm –9pm
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN
Conroy Irish Dance Academy
Irish dance classes for children and adults competitively or just for fun. Entry £7
www.facebook.com/conroyirishdance
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN
Life Drawing
One short pose and one long pose class guided by local artist Tom Humby. Materials provided, all welcome.
Adult £8, Con£6, Book online www.southsidelincs.com
T 01522 437942
Thursdays 2pm – 3pm
LINCOLN CENTRAL LIBRARY Craft Club
Relax, socialise and share your story through the things you make. 16+.
Prices £9, Concession £7
www.lincolnmuseum.co.uk
T 01522 782040
Thursdays Until 21 March 5.30pm –7pm
Thursdays Until 21 March 7.15pm –9.15pm
Fridays 2pm – 3pm
Sundays 12pm – 1pm
USHER GALLERY, LINCOLN Life Drawing Classes (Untutored)
Prices £9, Concession £7
www.lincolnmuseum.co.uk
T 01522 782040
USHER GALLERY, LINCOLN Life Drawing Classes (Tutored)
Prices £11, Concession £9
www.lincolnmuseum.co.uk
T 01522 782040
LINCOLN CENTRAL LIBRARY
Learn My Way
Free, basic beginners’ IT course. FREE, booking required
T 01522 782010
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN
Conroy Irish Dance Academy
Irish dance classes for children and adults, competitively or for fun!
Entry £7
www.facebook.com/conroyirishdance
LINCOLN CENTRAL LIBRARY
Fridays 2pm – 3pm
Until Friday 8 March
Learn My Way
Free, basic beginners’ IT course. FREE, booking required T 01522 782010
LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND
Tractors Into Schools
Friday 5 April 7.30pm
Saturday 6 April 5pm
THE DRILL, LINCOLN
The Blow Monkeys
Tickets £25, 14+ only
www.lincolndrill.co.uk
T 01522 534160
THE DRILL, LINCOLN
Badlands: Three & A Half(pipe)
Tickets £18, 14+ only www.lincolndrill.co.uk
T 01522 534160
www.instagram.com/museumof
LINCOLN
CENTRAL LIBRARY
Until
Sunday 24 March
10am – 5pm (11am – 4pm on Sundays)
Initiative partnering farmers with schools within the county building closer links within the two communities, showing the role tractors play in bringing food to our tables.
www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk
T 01522 522900
HARDING HOUSE GALLERY, STEEP HILL, LINCOLN
The Artful Lodgers
An exhibition of paintings by Rachel Rogers, Glynne James, and Gill Vines..
www.hardinghousegallery.co.uk
T 01522 523537
Until Sunday 10 March 10am –5.50pm
Wednesday 6 March 7.30pm
GALLERY AT ST MARTIN’S, LINCOLN Nadin Group
An exhibition featuring the work of members of group set up to remember art teacher Gill Nadin. Free www.instagram.com/galleryatst martins T 07720 810468
BY ZOOMSt John the Baptist Church Burringham, Lincolnshire
By Zoom - an introduction to a remarkable Lincolnshire church built by S. S. Teulon in the Gothic Revival polychrome style, Presented by Ken Redmore Admission by donation www.slha.org.uk
Wednesday 6 March 10am – 1pm
JEWS’ COURT, 2-3 STEEP HILL, LINCOLN LN2 1LS
Celtic Inspired Craft
A papercraft workshop presented by Kathy Holland inspired by the beautiful patterns and creatures associated with Celtic Art. £8.50 SLHA Members £7.50 includes, equipment, materials, tea & coffee. NB first floor accessible only by stairs. www.slha.org.uk
WATERSTONES LINCOLN
Wednesday 6 March 7.30pm
Thursday 7 March 7.30pm
A Night of Crime with Philippa East & Nell Pattison
Local crime authors are in conversation to mark Philippa’s latest thriller ‘A Guilty Secret’. Ticket £5
www.waterstones.com
T 01522 540011
ROBERT HARDY BUILDING, BISHOP GROSSETESTE UNIVERSITY, LINCOLN Birds, Beasts & Bugs of the Bog by Alasdair McKee
Tickets RSPB Members £4, NonMembers £5, Accompanied Child Free, On-the-door card or cash, Free parking on campus after 6pm www.lincolnrspb.org.uk
T 01522 753809
Friday 8 March 7.30pm
THE VENUE CINEMA, BISHOP GROSSETESTE UNIVERSITY
Film: Afire (Germany 2022. 12a)
Emotions run high among friends as a forest fire approaches in this dark comedy drama.
To join contact membershiplfs@gmail.com
Free for members, No guest tickets www.lincolnfilmsociety.com
T 01522 889782 (after 5pm)
LINCOLN COLLEGE
Saturday 9 March 10am – 1pm
Open Day
Giving prospective students, along with their friends and family, a chance to look around and get an idea of what college life is like. FREE, booking essential www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lincoln-collegeopen-day-tickets-600097125657
T 01522 876000
Saturday 9 March 2pm
QUEEN’S PARK COMMUNITY HUB, SOUTH PARK, LINCOLN
Lincolnshire Family History Society
Nicola Hallam discusses 19th Century Lincolnshire Poachers, looking at the people convicted, where and why they were poaching and how they were punished.
Free, non-members welcome lincolnbranch@lincolnshirefhs.org.uk
T 07941 245322 (Tracey Fairhurst)
BRAYFORD WATERFRONT
Sunday
10 March
10am – 12pm
Monday
11 March –
Sunday
17 March
10.30am – 5pm
Monday
11 March
7.20 pm
Industry & Innovation
Walking Tour
Focusing on Lincoln’s more recent history, covering the19th Century to the present day. Free, Capacity is limited, booking recommended www.lincolnfreewalkingtour.co.uk
GALLERY AT ST MARTIN’S, LINCOLN Tinashe Chipawe
Free
www.instagram.com/gallerya stmartins T 07720 810468
ROBERT HARDY BUILDING, BISHOP
GROSSETESTE UNIVERSITY, LN1 3DY
The Art Of The Automobile Lecture by Roger Mendham at Lincoln Arts Society. Everyone welcome.
Non-members £10
T 01522 789491 (Niki Gan)
LINCOLN CATHEDRAL
Tuesday
12 March –
Saturday
16 March 7pm – 10pm
Science by Luxmuralis
An immersive show which is designed to enable people to explore and contemplate the contributions of science and human understanding of the world around us.
Adult £8, Child £6, Under 5s Free www.lincolncathedral.com
T 01522 561600
Sunday 17 March 2.30pm
THE OLD SCHOOL, NETTLEHAM LN2 2PE
Sunday Special Ruston Bucyrus by Derek Broughton, Early Results from Excavations in Cammeringham by Lisa Brundle and Samuel Forster of Grantham – John Manterfield. Admission £4. SLHA members £3 – Pay on the door www.slha.org.uk
GALLERY AT ST MARTIN’S, LINCOLN
Monday 18 March –Sunday 24 March
10.30am –5pm
Tuesday 19 March 1.30pm –3pm
Wednesday 20 March 7.30pm
Anne Mayes and Edie Painting by Anne and photos by her grand-daughter
Free
www.instagram.com/galleryatst martins T 07720 810468
NIGHTINGALE ROOMS, NETTLEHAM ROAD, LINCOLN
Tales of the Tower
A talk by Keith Hanson. Lincoln Bailgate U3A. Entry on-the-door £2 www.u3asites.org.uk/bailgate/home
ST HUGH’S HALL, MONKS ROAD, LINCOLN LN2 5AQ
The Archaeology of the SPA Water Pipeline
Helen Noakes covers the various archaeological responses to the Strategic Pipeline Alliance water pipeline which runs north to south across the length of the county. Admission £4. SLHA Members £3 pay on the door or through Eventbrite - Promocode SLHASAVER24
www.slha.org.uk
Friday 22 March 7.30pm
THE VENUE CINEMA, BISHOP GROSSETESTE UNIVERSITY
Film: Fallen Leaves (Finland, 2023. 12)
A man and woman form a relationship which is jeopardised by the man’s issues with alcohol, in this droll, dry and deadpan romantic drama.
If you are still interested in joining the society, please contact membershiplfs@gmail.com
Free for members, No guest tickets
www.lincolnfilmsociety.com
T 01522 889782 (after 5pm)
Lincoln College has a wide range of Adult Education courses covering everything from British Sign Language to Creative Writing.
Saturday 9 March 11am –1.30pm
UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN Postgraduate Open Day
The best way to find out about postgraduate student life at Lincoln and talk to the Postgraduate Team about support services.
Free, booking essential www.lincoln.ac.uk
T 01522 882000
Monday
11 March –
Sunday
17 March
10am – 4pm
LINCOLN MUSEUM
Jason And His Argonauts On Tour
Psychedelic work of acclaimed disabled artist Jason WilsherMills.
Pay what you decide www.lincolnmuseum.com
T 01522 782040
Saturday
23 March
12pm – 2pm
LINCOLN MUSEUM
Sounding the Museum
This practical workshop, led by researcher and designer Elvira Grob, will consider the possibilities of a multi-sensory museum. Free, booking essential www.lincolnmuseum.com
T 01522 782040
Monday
25 March –
Sunday
31 March 10.30am –5pm
Friday
29 March –
Sunday
28 April
10am – 5pm (11am – 4pm Sundays)
Thursday 4 April 6.30pm
Wednesday 10 April 6.30pm
GALLERY AT ST MARTIN’S, LINCOLN
Danny Mangella
Free www.instagram.com/galleryat stmartins
T 07720 810468
HARDING HOUSE GALLERY, STEEP HILL, LINCOLN
Uplifting
Enjoy the paintings, weavings, and glass work of Gill Edwards, Carly Gilliatt, Joy Gosney, Emma Mayle and Megan Allaway. www.hardinghousegallery.co.uk
T 01522 523537
THE ENGINE SHED, LINCOLN
The Psychology Of Serial Killers With Jennifer Rees
Tickets £24.50, This event is 14+ www.engineshed.co.uk
T 01522 837400
WATERSTONES LINCOLN
An Evening with C. J. Tudor
C. J. Tudor launches her latest edge-of-your-seat thriller ‘The Gathering’.
Ticket £5, Book & Ticket £20 www.waterstones.com
T 01522 540011
Thursday 11 April 7.30pm
Friday
12 April 6.30pm
Saturday
13 April –
Sunday
14 April 9am –5.30pm
Saturday
13 April 10am – 3pm
Wednesday 17 April 6.30pm
Mondays 9am –12.30pm
ROBERT HARDY BUILDING, BISHOP GROSSETESTE UNIVERSITY, LINCOLN
Lammergeiers of the Spanish Pyrenees by Ashley Grove
On-the-door Card or Cash, Free parking on campus after 6pm RSPB members £4, non-members £5, accompanied child Free www.lincolnrspb.org.uk
T 01522 753809
LINCOLN MUSEUM
An Evening with Anthony Horowitz
Ticket £8, Book & Ticket £26 www.waterstones.com
T 01522 540011
MINT LANE HUB, LINCOLN
Introduction to Permaculture
2-day course on the basics of Permaculture Design, hosted by EarthLincs.
Suggested donation of £20 per person per day, Email to secure your place - earthlincs@gmail.com
VILLAGE HALL, CARLTON-LEMOORLAND
Workshop with Max Neale Portraits in acrylic.
Members £15, non-members £18
T 01522 811510
WATERSTONES LINCOLN
An Evening with Erin Kelly
The bestselling author discusses her latest modern Gothic mystery The House of Mirrors.
Ticket £5, Book & Ticket £20
www.waterstones.com
T 01522 540011
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
10am – 12pm
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
10am –2.30pm
Mondays 10.30am11.30am
LINCOLN CENTRAL LIBRARY
Reaching Communities
Discuss issues relating to benefit support, housing, and debt with the Citizens’ Advice Lincoln and Lindsey team. FREE
www.better.org.uk/library /lincolnshire/lincoln-central-library T 01522 782010
ST GILES METHODIST CHURCH
Coffee Morning Monday – Craft Morning. Wednesday – Bacon Rolls. Friday – Toast bar & board games.
WITHAM PARK, WATERSIDE SOUTH, LINCOLN, LN5 7JN Toy Library & Soft Play 0-5s play area with sensory room, picnic area, toy and soft play hire, and more. toylibrary@childrenslinks.org.uk
T 01522 546215
LINCOLN CENTRAL LIBRARY
Messy Play
Enjoy the creativity of messy play with your child. Suitable for babies, toddlers and preschool children. FREE
Wednesdays 10.30am –11.30am
LINCOLN CENTRAL LIBRARY, FREE SCHOOL LANE
Story & Rhyme Time
Have fun listening to stories and singing rhymes. Suitable for 0 –4-year-olds and their parents. Free
T 01522 782010
Wednesdays 10.30am–12pm
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN Rock Choir
Build new friendships, experience unique events, and improve your general wellbeing by participating in the UK’s leading contemporary choir! www.rockchoir.com
LINCOLN CENTRAL LIBRARY
Wednesdays Term time only 4pm – 4.45pm
Lego Coding Club
Build stories from your imagination and then bring them to life by learning to code with LEGO.
FREE, booking essential www.better.org.uk/library /lincolnshire/lincoln-central-library T 01522 782010
Thursdays 10am – 11am & 11.30am –12.30pm
TESCO EXTRA, WRAGBY ROAD, LINCOLN
TinyTalk Baby Signing
Help your child learn how to communicate before they can talk.
www.tinytalk.co.uk
T 07590 123908 (Danielle)
LINCOLN CENTRAL LIBRARY
Thursdays 10.30am –11.30am
Connect Over a Cuppa
Reconnect and have a catch-up with others over a cuppa and a biscuit. All refreshments provided.
Free, donations welcome
LINCOLN CENTRAL LIBRARY
Thursdays 11am – 12pm
Family History Help
Using the resources available in the library’s archives and online databases.
Free, booking required www.better.org.uk/library/lincoln
Thursdays 12.30pm –2pm
AGE UK, 36 PARK STREET, LINCOLN, LN1 1UQ
Bring Me Sunshine
Dementia-friendly singing group, full of fun, friendship, laughter and music! Cuppas and cakes included.
£3.50 per person, must be accompanied by a carer or loved one.
T 03455 564 144
Thursdays 9am
THE BLUE ROOM, THE LAWN, LINCOLN
Dance Fit with Nick
Mondays
First & Third Monthly 1.30pm
THE ARK, MOOR LANE, NORTH HYKEHAM
Music For Memory
Singing group for people with memory problems with carers. Donation of £1.50 welcome, Free parking and refreshments lhoenes@virginmedia.com
T 01522 262656 (Linda)
Mondays 6.30pm –7.30pm
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN
Emily Warrior Yoga
Start your week with a 60minute yoga class for the mind and body. Book online £8 www.emilywarrioryoga.com
Fridays Term Time Only 10.30am –11.30am
A fun and lively fitness class for all levels, no dance experience necessary.
Adult £4, All proceeds go to charity www.lawnlincoln.com
T 01522 523548
LINCOLN CENTRAL LIBRARY
Sensory Play
Play session for babies and prewalkers.
Free
www.better.org.uk/library/lincolns hire/lincoln-central-library
T 01522 782010
Saturdays 9am
BAILGATE METHODIST CHURCH HALL
Bailgate Yoga Club
Gentle 1-hour flow yoga class led by Elisabeth of Moksha Yoga. All levels welcome, mats available for use.
Adult £8, Student £6.50, £40 for 6week pass, Booking essential www.mokshalincoln.com T 07493 387328
Saturdays 10am
TOBY CARVERY, ST MARKS, LINCOLN Lincoln Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club
If you are a military veteran or still serving, come along to meet likeminded people for a breakfast and banter. www.afvbc.net
Saturdays 10am – 2pm
LINCOLN CENTRAL LIBRARY, Crafty Saturdays
Get creative and have fun discovering your crafty side. Suitable for 4 years and over, plus parents or carers Free
T 01522 782010
Saturdays 10am– 3pm
LINCOLN CENTRAL LIBRARY Lego Club
A place for children to use their imagination and build their own world using Lego.Suitable for 4 years and over, plus parents. Free
www.better.org.uk/library/lincolns hire/lincoln-central-library T 01522 782010
Until Wednesday
27 March 9am
Tuesday
5 March 6pm – 9pm
DODDINGTON HALL & GARDENS Spring Bulb Pageant
Please note the Hall is closed and admission is for gardens only. Open Wednesday, Friday, Sunday & Bank Holiday Monday.
Adult £9.50, Child £4.50 www.doddingtonhall.com
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN
Sound Bath with Peter Ison Therapies
A relaxing 2 hours which will comprise; sound bath, mini crystal to take home with you, a hot drink and a good chat!
Tickets £20
Book by phone or email peter@tranquil-awakenings.com T 07500 137365
THE DRILL, LINCOLN
Wednesday 6 March 6.30pm – 9pm
Thursday 7 March 11am – 12pm
Friday 8 March 6pm
MINT LANE CAFÉ, LINCOLN World Food Supper Club –Celebrating Spain
Celebrate good food and diverse cultures, featuring Hilal back to cook up a Turkish Breakfast feast.
Tickets £25
www.lincolnshirefoodpartnership.org
T 07875 407997
SAUSTHORPE STREET, SINCIL BANK
Saturday 9 March 9pm
Saturday
9 March 2pm – 4pm
Sincil Bank Litter Pick
Please wear sensible clothing and gloves. Equipment and refreshments will be provided.
EARTHLINCS, MINT LANE, LINCOLN Wayapa Wuurrk with Debbie Karen
An earth connection practice based on ancient indigenous wisdom focusing on taking care of the earth. Spirit wellbeing-led workshop. Free, tea and coffee provided www.instagram.com/earth_lincs
Saturday 9 March 10am
Butterfly Club
Accessible club night for adults with additional needs and their carers.
Tickets £5, Carer Free www.lincolndrill.co.uk
T 01522 534160
WATERSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE, HIGH STREET, LINCOLN
Kids’ Club
Join Lisa from Hartsholme Rangers who will be leading a special Toddler Time story telling of the Scarecrow’s Wedding. Free
www.watersideshopping.com
T 01522 529566
Friday 8 & 15 March 11am
Sunday 10 March 2.30pm –4.30pm
INTERNATIONAL BOMBER
COMMAND CENTRE, LINCOLN
Mother’s Day Vintage Afternoon Tea
Enjoy afternoon tea complemented with an array of vintage swing & jazz performed by Alan Jackson.
Complimentary mini bottle of prosecco for each mother.
Adult £35, Child £12 www.internationalbcc.co.uk
T 01522 514755
Mondays From 11 March 7pm
BURTON ROAD METHODIST CHURCH, LINCOLN RockFit
Classes combining dance fitness, cardio and toning with metal and rock music. Suitable for all fitness levels. Rock out and get fit.
First Class £1, Normal Price £6 Facebook: RockFit with Loli www.rockfit.org.uk
Wednesdays From 13 March 7pm
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN
RockFit
Classes combining dance fitness, cardio and toning with metal and rock music. Suitable for all fitness levels. Rock out and get fit.
First Class £1, Normal Price £6 Facebook: RockFit with Loli www.rockfit.org.uk
LINCOLN CATHEDRAL
Tuesday 13 February 12.30pm
The Mindful Mile
Join leaders as they set a gentle pace of three laps around the Cathedral and reconnect with nature. This month complete the mile before visiting Gaia. Meet at the West Front www.lincolncathedral.com
T 01522 561600
VISITOR CENTRE, HARTSHOLME
Friday 15 March 10am – 11am
LINCOLN ARTS CENTRE Superheroes & Superstars
Join performer Jack Boal and facilitator Lila Robirosa for a morning of creative exploration for kids aged 5-12 years old. Free www.lincolnartscentre.co.uk
T 01522 837600
Sunday
10 March
10am – 2pm
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN
Second Hand Sunday
If you love a bargain hunt then come along and soak up all the indoor car-boot vibes!
Entry £1, Pitch £10 www.southsidelincs.com
T 01522 437942
LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND
Sunday
10 March 10am –2.30pm
BRANSBY HORSES, BRANSBY, LINCOLN
Donkey Talk & Tour
www.bransbyhorses.co.uk
T 01427 788464
Toy Collectors Fair
200-table treasure trove of collectibles, from Corgi and Hornby to Sci-Fi, Star Wars, film and TV related items.
Adult £3.50, Senior £3, U15s free www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk
T 01522 522900
Saturday 16 March 9am – 5.30pm
COUNTRY PARK, LINCOLN Toddler Time
Dress to get messy! All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Child £3.70 hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk
T 01522 873735
WATERSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE Artisan Market
Find a truly unique gift for yourself or loved ones.
Free entry www.watersideshopping.com
T 01522 529566
HILLSIDE GARDEN, LINCOLN
Saturday 16 March
10am
Clean Up
Part of The Great British Spring
Clean and celebrates National Lottery Open Week as one of its funded projects. Wear suitable warm and waterproof clothing and footwear. The event will take place whatever the weather. Free, all equipment will be provided, children must be accompanied by an adult www.greensynergy.org.uk
T 01522 533077
Saturday 16 March -
Sunday
17 March
10am – 4pm
LINCOLN CASTLE
Discover Lincolnshire Weekend
Join specialist guides for a free taster tour of the grounds and discover more about the castle’s colourful history.
Free entry to Castle grounds, Other admission fees apply www.lincolncastle.com T 01522 782019
Saturday 16 March
2pm – 4pm
Thursday
21 March
10am – 4pm
EARTHLINCS, MINT LANE, LINCOLN Film Afternoon
Showing short climate and sustainability films. Check social media for more details. Free, tea and coffee provided www.instagram.com/earth_lincs
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN
BIG UP Lincoln
Calling all Lincoln based artists, writers, event organisers, musicians, venue owners, and creative souls. Register now to join in designing a flourishing creative future for our communities. Brought to you by Local Motion. www.southsidelincs.com T 01522 437942
WATERSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE
Saturday
23 March 9am –5.30pm
Saturday 23 March -
Sunday
24 March 10am – 4pm
Saturday 23 March 2pm –3.30pm
The Lincoln Record Fair
AA Record Fairs bring over 100tables of vinyl records from different national dealers together in one place. FREE
LINCOLN CASTLE Dog Friendly Days
Free entry to Castle grounds, Other admission fees apply www.lincolncastle.com T 01522 782019
EARTHLINCS, MINT LANE, LINCOLN, LN1 1UD Climate Café
Inclusive, safe space to discuss climate concerns in a structured, safe and supportive environment. All welcome. FREE, Tea & Coffee, Booking required by email. theclimateimps@gmail.com (Rachael)
LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND
Friday 29 March –Saturday
30 March 9am – 5.30pm
Friday 29 March –Sunday
31 March 12pm – 3pm
Saturday 30 March
2pm – 4pm
WATERSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE Easter Artisan Market Free entry www.watersideshopping.com
T 01522 529566
VISITOR CENTRE, HARTSHOLME COUNTRY PARK, LINCOLN Easter Egg-Citement
Explore the park and find the hidden treasures left behind by the Easter bunny All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Child £3.70, Egg Hunt sheets available hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk
T 01522 873735
EARTHLINCS, MINT LANE, LINCOLN Litter Pick
Bring pickers if you have them, some will be provided. Meet at Mint Lane for city centre litter pick.
Free, tea and coffee provided www.instagram.com/earth_lincs
LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND
Thursday 4 April 1pm – 2.30pm
Saturday 6 April 10am – 4pm
VISITOR CENTRE, HARTSHOLME
COUNTRY PARK, LINCOLN
Whittling
Whittling, or wood carving, is fun and creative and teaches safe knife skills. Aimed at eight to 13year-olds.
Child £4, must be accompanied by an adult, booking essential. hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk
T 01522 873735
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN
Big Spring Event
A celebration of Lincolnshire Indie businesses featuring a collection of the best stalls from makers, artisans, food and drink producers and many more.
Free entry
www.southsidelincs.com
T 01522 437942
Sunday 7 April 6.30pm
Book signing 9.30pm
Monday 8 April
Wednesday 10 April 1pm – 2.30pm
SOUTHSIDE, COLEGRAVE STREET, LINCOLN Isabella Dorta
The Tik Tok poet reads from her new book 'the letters i will never send'. Open mic slots available as doors open.
Tickets 24.10
www.southsidelincs.com
T 01522 437942
LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND
Arthur Swallow Antiques & Home Show
www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk
T 01522 522900
HARTSHOLME COUNTRY PARK
Whittling
Whittling, or wood carving, is fun and creative and teaches safe knife skills. Aimed at eight to 13year-olds.
Child £4, must be accompanied by an adult, booking essential. hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk
T 01522 873735
WATERSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE
Thursday 11 April 11am – 3pm
Sunday
31 March 10am – 4pm
Sunday 24 March 11am – 3pm
The Lincolnshire County Wedding Show
Free tickets available online or £4 on the day www.cupidsweddingshows.com www.lincolnshireshowground.co. uk T 01522 522900
LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND
Sunday 24 March 8.30am –3pm
Wednesday 27 March 1pm – 4pm
Saturday 30 March 12pm – 5pm & 6pm –11pm
The Vintage Flea Market
Admission £3, Cash only www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk T 01522 522900
COMMUNITY ROOM, TESCO EXTRA, WRAGBY ROAD, LINCOLN
Community Cuppa Free drinks and biscuits
THE ENGINE SHED, LINCOLN Craft and Crust Music Festival Tickets £25 www.engineshed.co.uk T 01522 837400
Tuesday 2 April 10am – 4pm
The Big Craft Event Lincolnshire’s best crafters and artists, showcasing contemporary and traditional skills
Adult £3, Under 16s Free www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk
T 01522 522900
MUSEUM OF LINCOLNSHIRE LIFE Easter Event
Go on an egg hunt, meet Victorian characters sharing their Easter customs, and children’s seasonal crafts.
Last entry for crafts 3.30pm. Tickets Child £4, All children must be accompanied by an adult.
T 01522 782040
Wednesday 3 April 10am –11.30am
BANDSTAND, LINCOLN ARBORETUM Natural Dye Workshop
Create natural dyes out of plants! Supplies provided but bring anything you’d like to use. Child £4, all must be accompanied by an adult, booking essential hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk
T 01522 873735
Saturday 13 April –
Sunday 14 April
Various Times
Kids’ Club Join Lisa from Hartsholme Rangers for dino-themed activities.
Free
www.watersideshopping.com
T 01522 529566
LINCOLN ARTS CENTRE
There’s A Monster In Your Show
Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures are leaping from page to stage as the ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series makes its debut as a musical show.
Tickets £16
www.lincolnartscentre.co.uk
T 01522 837600
LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND
Sunday 14 April 10am – 4pm
Sunday 14 April 10am
Countryside Lincs
Advanced Tickets Adult £11, Child £6, Family £32
www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk
T 01522 522900
RISEHOLME ROAD, LINCOLN
City of Lincoln 10K
General entry £38, Athletics Club Member £36, Entrants must be 15+ on event day
www.runforall.com
TRIBUTES have been paid to one the county’s best-known and respected artists Pete Moss who died in February.
The ceramic artist exhibited nationally and internationally but was also known for being an educator and arts activist spending over 30 years living and working in Lincolnshire. His various teaching roles included Head of Department at Lincoln College of Art between 1970-80 and also Director of Studies and VicePrincipal at Lincolnshire College of Art and Design (1982-94).
A past president of the Lincolnshire Artists’ Society (1997-2015) Pete was described by fellow member Phil Bowman as a ’massive presence in the arts’.
The Lincolnshire Artists’ Society has lost a true giant. Pete’s intricately glazed
ceramics can be found well beyond the boundaries of this county and indeed this country. His skill as an artist craftsman was held in such high regard.
“Operating with only one lung and a visage that had been modified many times from too many rugby scrums, Peter was an imposing figure. His bluff, irreverent cheekiness belied a caring generosity of spirit as many a former student could testify.
“His passion for the arts extended beyond his studio to pass on skills to the next generation, sit in countless meetings and mentor so many people over the years that his contribution to the arts will be sorely missed.
“Special thanks and thoughts to his wife Jan for her devotion and care of our dear friend.”
Pete’s bright and intricate ceramics were seen by art lovers across the world including Australia, Sweden, Russia, Estonia and Norway and he was a regular exhibitor in Lincoln and the wider region.
Lincoln Museum and Usher Gallery added its tribute: “Pete was a skilled ceramicist and used colour, pattern and form to create visually striking pieces. He was an exceptional advocate for the arts in Lincolnshire and beyond, and his long career in teaching and mentoring students in the creative arts will be what many
remember him for, alongside his own career as an artist and craftsman.
“We pass on our love to his family at this sad time and continue to celebrate his work in the Usher Gallery.”
Pete also gave his time generously to promote the arts as a way enhancing life for everyone and played a key role in the establishment of the National Centre of Craft and Design now The Hub-Sleaford.
“We were lucky enough to be the home of Past, Present, Future, a Pete Moss solo exhibition in 2010. We’re looking back at these memories fondly as we hear of Pete’s recent passing. A true master of his craft, we know many visitors and staff have pieces of his work that will be cherished for years to come. It was always a pleasure to welcome Pete to the Hub as an exhibitor and a friend. The Hub team send our love to his family during this time.
Pete originally trained in ceramics and glass at Bournemouth College of Art and the Royal College of Art gaining a Master of Art (Hons) in 1968. He counted himself lucky to have experienced a major period of change in art school teaching and been supported by influential art mentors – in turn influencing his approach to nurturing young talent.
His full-time educational career finished in 1995 and he concentrated on being a full-time artist and arts consultant presenting workshops and lectures, accepting commissions and generally staying connected with art and the creative industries.
CHANGES have been made at Lincoln Crematorium to ease the process in booking services for families of lost loved ones.
Included in the new services introduced by City of Lincoln Council is the opportunity to view available time and date blocks allowing families to make arrangements with funeral directors at times that work for them.
Funeral slots will also be increased from 40 minutes to 1 hour from April 1, giving mourners time to say their goodbyes ahead of other services taking place.
Finally, the number of services will be increased, making Lincoln Crematorium more accessible for families, with the use of both chapels.
In using both chapels throughout the day, the number of services available to families will now
increase from 11 to 14, creating more flexibility for those grieving.
Cllr Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council said: “These upgrades will improve the service offered for all users of the cemetery and crematorium service.
“We understand that losing a loved one is incredibly difficult and can be a stressful time for the family.
“These new systems in place should help alleviate some of this stress as families plan the services their loved ones deserve.”
For more information call 01522 873646 or visit www.lincoln.gov.uk/lincolncrematorium .
A SOCIETY embracing Scottish music and dance has celebrated its 75th year of bringing Highland traditions to the city, writes REBECCA POOLE.
In November 1948 the Caledonian Society of Lincoln was established by members of the Presbyterian Church, who were predominantly Scottish professionals, to promote the culture of the country through dance classes, music nights, and other events.
“An awful lot of the people who started the Presbyterian church were Scottish and were with the RAF who were down here as a result of the Second World War. It used to be very big indeed when it began and was slightly stricter to begin with, you had to be Scottish in those days but it’s mellowed a great deal over the years,” explained Alastair Mainland, Society Dance Master and Past President.
One man has been a member for over 40 years and has played a leading role in the Caledonian Society as one of its longest serving presidents.
“At the 75th anniversary dinner-dance, Ray Hunter stood up and gave the Selkirk Grace (pictured above). We have four members of our society who are 90 years old now and Ray is one of them. He has played a massive role in the society,” said Alastair.
“He’s a very special gentleman and we feel we owe him a lot of credit to keep the thing going. Ray was also the previous Dance Master and he
passed the baton onto me. I dream of being like him one day at 90 and still dancing!”
The Caledonian Society is mainly a Scottish Country Dancing Group, but it also hosts various social activities such as themed nights, quizzes, and talks throughout the year, along with its annual celebrations for St Andrew’s Day and Burns’ Night. It is represented by current president Pam Tatam.
For more information contact the society’s secretary Alison at alisonsmessages@gmail.com or by telephone on 07518 455774.
AGED 25 or under and think no-one is listening to your needs or views?
On Tuesday 9 April, LocalMotion Lincoln will be working in partnership with the team at The Network at Lincoln College to hear the voices of anyone between the ages of 15 to 25 living in across Lincoln.
The event itself is being designed by young people, for young people. “With the help of organisations working with young people across our city and surrounding communities we have been able to connect to a really diverse group of young people that are telling us what they want from the event and even offering their support on the day” said LocalMotion’s Charlotte Brooks. The topics covered will include housing, crime, health, city centre master planning, climate and much more.
“It will be an informal space similar to an ‘internal café’ forum with a creative twist. There will be a quiet space for those that find group
environments overwhelming and many different ways to have your say. “You will need to sign up to one of the sessions. We would encourage you to arrive within the first half an hour for the session you register with QR codes for and you can leave any time. “If you can’t attend don’t panic! You will still have chance to have your say via an online survey with the same topics covered on the day.
“Keep an eye out on Instagram and Facebook for news of this being released or email hello@localmotion.org.uk to be sent the link directly.”
Charlotte is urging young people to get involved and not to think ‘why bother?’.
“Because we are listening. In this space you will be the majority voice and we assure you that what you say will get considered in future city and community vision development, by City of Lincoln Council and partners. What have you got to lose? “ Visit hello@localmotion.org.uk or text 07736 900332.
WHEN you hear about cloth nappies you probably imagine sheets of white cloth on the washing line and a mother in her apron with children everywhere.
Possibly (if you’re old enough) you can even recall the smell of the nappy bucket behind the back door.
There is no denying that disposable nappies have offered a convenient and affordable solution to busy parents, who are now more than ever under pressure to ‘have it all’. But did you know that disposable nappies remain in landfill for up to 500 years? That means that if Henry VIII wore nappies they would still be on our planet today.
Like most things, times have changed and cloth nappies are making a huge comeback. Rising costs of living mean that even disposable nappies are becoming more expensive and people are becoming more mindful of what they put in their bin.
Whilst flat nappies and pins do still exist, modern cloth nappies are now stylish, easy to launder and, in some cases, collectible! Nappies no longer need to be soaked, exposed to harsh chemicals or scrubbed by hand either thanks to significant improvements in laundry detergents and washing machine technology. Networks of support have developed and there is a growing movement of people enjoying the benefits of reusables.
Unfortunately like most ‘eco’ products, some cloth nappies can be quite expensive and this is off-putting for many parents when budgets are tight and disposable nappies are incredibly cheap. This is where a cloth nappy library can help.
Supported by the NCT Lincoln branch (National Childbirth Trust) Lincolnshire’s cloth nappy library has relaunched and developed around 20 new cloth nappy kits for residents across the county to try.
Style Trial Nappy Hire Kits are available for newborns (£15), babies aged 3-30 months (£10) (yes, one nappy will fit your baby for nearly 3 years) and specific night nappies (£10), as well as kits for children up to around 4.5years (£10).
Additionally our free nappy trial kits, which are made up of stock that is no longer commercially available, provide everything you need to try cloth nappies on a rolling hire basis. With our advice and support you will spend no more than £1.50 per week on washing your nappies.
Our volunteers are spread across the county to ensure we can reach lots of different communities. We can be contacted via our active Facebook page ‘Lincolnshire Cloth Nappy Library’ or via email on nappylibrary.lincoln@nct.org.uk
MARCH is really the ‘getting ready for spring’ month in the garden.
There are annual tasks that need to be done this month, refreshing your pots not the least of them.
Dig out the top few centimetres of soil in your permanent pots and dig in a good few handfuls of fresh compost.You might add some water granules and a bit of fertiliser too to get them off to a good spring start.
Plants cannot get out to find their own food so you have to make their prison a good place to live!
March is a good time to divide overgrown clumps of particular plants.
It’s easy to do; dig up the plant in question completely, slice it in half
or into more pieces if really huge, with a spade or an old kitchen knife (sounds violent but it’s therapeutic for the crabby) and replant all the pieces in different parts of the garden or give them away to fr iends.
I do this often with geranium ‘Patricia’ as it takes up a lot of spacevery beautifully - and with a highly scented pink, which spreads madly.
Your snowdrops will be more or less over now so, while they are still visible you can dig up the clump to divide them into smaller pieces.
Make sure you dig up the actual bulbs; snowdrops can bury themselves very deeply into the soil. Once dug up you can gently tease apart the clump and replant, so increasing your pleasure for next year with even more snowdrops.
I like to chop the buddleia down also this month.You can, of course leave it if you prefer a taller plant, but I like to have the flowers at nose height, as I enjoy their scent and can see the butterflies more easily if they are lower.
Most of all I spend this month looking forward, planning, planting growing on the flowers and vegetables I will enjoy in the spring and summer. March, for all the trying weather is a month of transformation and positivity. Lots to do and much to look forward to.
MADAM – This is for your splendid gardening writer Liz Lucas, whose articles I always enjoy although I no longer garden myself. I moved to Lincoln into a flat in 2012 with a lovely communal garden, with no work on my part.
I, like Liz, have a Christmas cactus, which blooms profusely each November and is over by Christmas. I exchange its usual rather neutral-coloured pot for a red one and stab into the plant several artificial poinsettia on straight wire stems. This does not seem to damage the plant at all – perhaps it aerates it?
At Twelfth Night they are removed with all the other Christmas decorations, the plant returned to its usual pot and watered and fed until next year. I enclose a photo of it in all its festive glory. I would mention that my husband and I have read the Independent since it first started as the Bailgate Independent and we used to collect our monthly copy from your old office on Burton Road. Now we normally find it at Waitrose. We always find something interesting to read.
Yours etc, Hilary Silk, Williamson Street, Lincoln.
AS I walked along Burton Road in Lincoln, I wondered how long it would be until the swifts returned?
How long until we hear their screaming calls as they scythe through the sky? They are currently in Central Africa, flying high above the forests of the Congo River Basin.
They haven’t landed since they were here last August. They are remarkable birds but what will they face when they return?
Like swallows, house martins and a host of other birds that fly here for the summer, they feed on insects. Will there be enough insects for them?
Wildlife faces a huge crisis, not just here but across the globe. At times, we may feel helpless and powerless to do anything about it. But, there are those who are making a tangible difference. There are communities who are making Lincolnshire a little bit wilder: creating wild flower areas for pollinators and other insects, putting up bird boxes, making bug hotels and digging ponds. Some are growing their own organic vegetables to share with their community, making use of water butts and compost bins.
Places like Liquorice Park in Lincoln, Hardwick Scrub and Ingleby Clay near Saxilby, Monks Wood on Ashing Lane near Dunholme –these and more have been created and are cared for by local people. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help wildlife and create places so people have access to natural greenspaces on their doorstep.
These are the communities we would like to hear from for the Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2024. This year, the Awards are focusing on communities. They are our way of saying thank you to the community groups that are making a difference in our county and by championing their efforts we also hope they will act as a rallying cry to encourage others to do more for nature.
Community groups, parish councils, gardening clubs, church groups from the villages, towns and cities across the county are invited to enter the awards to share what they have achieved so far and to join us in celebrating those achievements.
The initial entry is simply using our online form to tell us what you’ve done and share a few photos. Finalists will then be visited by our team of judges so they can see your greenspace and meet members of the community.
Then on Saturday, September 28 at Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, we will be coming together to announce the winners. It will be a day of sharing how we can all help nature in our neighbourhoods with advice and workshops.
The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards are organised by the Rotary Club of Lindum, Lincoln, and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Thanks to the support and sponsorship from Pennells Gardens Centres, we are able to run the Awards and offer prizes of £300 for thewinning community and £150 for two runners-up.
Find out more and enter the Lincolnshire Environmental Awards at lincstrust.org.uk/lincs-environmental-awards The deadline for entries is Monday, June 17.
THE conversion of a former British Red Cross ambulance into a luxury camper by a Lincoln body shop caught the eye of TV presenter George Clarke. The red Land Rover Defender 110 won Best Professional Conversion category in the Van Conversion of the Year Awards judged by the host of George Clark’s Amazing Spaces.
DUB Plus Lincoln (DUB+), based at Lincoln Enterprise Park, is made up of professional vehicle converters Danny Parker, Wayne Goodwin and Phil Crisp, all of whom are passionate about repairing and modifying cars at work and in their spare time.
“We’ve all worked in the vehicle repair industry all our lives. I think between us we’ve got probably about 90 years’ worth of experience in the body shop,” said Danny, owner and founder of DUB+.
“It’s what we’ve always done, we’re always playing with cars and we’ve always worked in this industry so it’s nice that we have a job that’s not pressured to go to because we all enjoy doing it.”
The vehicle, which belongs to a customer, was given a major overhaul.
“It’s got all the latest Victron equipment in there, it’s very high-end and very expensive as a kit to buy without fitting it. It took me quite a long time to get my head around how to fit everything into the area to keep it safe, but it works a treat.”
Although the Land Rover is a diesel vehicle, everything inside has been converted to electric to provide a more efficient way of traveling long distance. “It could literally go around the world. When you’re driving, the vehicle charges the two leisure batteries up, as does the solar panel, then they go through a little inverter which can run 240 sockets and 12v sockets all without being plugged into a hook-up like you would with a caravan.
“When you’re away, you can literally park at the side of a cliff and do what you could do in a campsite because the batteries will sustain three or four days offgrid without moving.
Danny was inspired to enter the competition, which was launched by eBay in 2023, after a customer put forward the idea.
“A customer sent me a message on Instagram with the video of George Clarke explaining about the competition. I thought it was interesting and had a good look at it but I thought it was beyond us and we wouldn’t do anything with it.”
However, that weekend he decided to enter three vehicles including the Land Rover, his own vehicle which he completed during lockdown, and his partner’s camper.
“They picked the Land Rover, which is great. We like to test ourselves on a daily basis. We’ve all been in jobs where we’ve not tested ourselves, hence why we want to do this, to give it a go, challenge our knowledge and just push things to the next level.”
RESILIENCE to floods caused by heavy rainfall and rising water levels in Lincoln can be achieved through current laws being enforced.
The Central Lincolnshire Local Plan highlights when developers are legally obliged to alleviate flood risks by laws introduced by the government over a decade ago.
“When people see a flooded field, they think that you can’t build houses there because it floods. It will be flooded because there’s no drainage there and once the field is saturated, water just sits on top,” explained Kate Bell, Climate Change Manager, City of Lincoln Council.
“The point of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems is that you build these natural swales and reedbeds where they store the water when there’s a sudden downpour of rain and then release it into the drains at a much slower rate so that it doesn’t overwhelm them.”
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) have been in UK law since 2012 when legislation was introduced to allow the inclusion of SuDS in developments that needed planning permission, however it is expected in 2024 that this will become a mandatory requirement for most new construction.
“We’ve got some examples where we’ve got SuDS systems that have worked really well over the last few months when we had that flooding event last year and then again in January.
LN6 housing development. When it was a field, it would’ve also been flooded and have water just sat there but now it’s completely dry.”
SuDS are used to mirror natural processes of drainage such as the introduction of swales and reedbeds to make new developments resilient to flooding and to provide protection to existing properties.
“Reedbeds are really good at storing water but then underneath there’s hard drainage which links them to drain the water out of the reedbed very slowly.
“The thing with the urban drainage is that it’s not just about protecting new homes, it’s about adding resilience and protection for the surrounding homes too. The flood defences are there to support the wider area.
“The woodland areas and wetland areas
the water.”
Flooding can occur when local rivers and other bodies of water rise to unprecedented levels and is unable to go anywhere due to full or blocked drains caused by fallen leaves or litter.
Adaptation can help to protect homes and businesses in the city, caused by extreme weather events, as set out by the Carbon Capture, Climate Resilience and Adaptation pathway of the Lincoln Climate Action Plan.
Those who live in high-risk areas can improve their properties to help preservation in the event of flooding by making changes such as installing a floodresistant front door and creating an easily accessible store for flood barriers.
“What we used to say is these were 1-in100-year events where you get high levels of rainfall which leads to flooding in areas that the existing drain systems can’t cope with, but what we’re finding is that they’re not 1-in100-year events,” said Kate. Lincolnshire County Council is the Local Flood Authority and can be contacted for sandbags and additional support. To report a flood, contact its Customer Service Centre 01522 782082.
“Where LN6 (pictured above) is, there’s a big field that’s not been developed which at the moment has stagnant water sat on top of it, then you’ve got a drain which leads to the river Witham, and then the
around the city are also doing their job to store and hold on to water. Boultham Park and Hartsholme Country Park, neither of which have natural lakes, had reservoirs put in to hold water. The one at Hartsholme has a weir where it takes excess run-off from Skellingthorpe Road to hold back
Those who suffered internal flood damage to their homes or businesses during Storm Babet or Storm Henk can apply for up to £5,000 to make their homes more resilient to future flooding. The scheme will close in 2025.
Register for the Property Flood Resilience Grant online
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/environmentplanning/property-flood-resilience-
IT’S important to be aware of the risks when buying a house with your partner, especially if you’re unmarried. It’s very exciting, but also a large commitmentso it’s vital to have some important conversations.
You’ll need to consider the upfront costs - for example, how will the deposit be paid? If one person is contributing more than the other, it may be worth getting something in writing.
There are also the ongoing running costs of a home, such as mortgage payments and bills. While it may seem obvious to opt for the 50/50 option, this may be difficult if one of you earns less. When buying a house, there are two types of co-ownership - ‘joint tenants’ or ‘tenants in common’.
Joint tenants own the property equally, with the financial obligations and benefits shared equally too. If one of you were to pass away, their share would automatically pass to the other - known as ‘the rule of survivorship.’
‘Tenants in common’ allows both of you to have a proportionate share. We’d advise that this is supported by a Will, as the rule of survivorship does not apply. This option is favourable when there are unequal contributions to the deposit or either of you has children from previous relationships.
Solicitors can prepare a ‘Deed of Trust’ which sets out exactly what will happen to any equity if the property is sold. It’s also important to note that while a joint mortgage can just be paid by one person, both of you are liable for the debt.
If you’re married or in a civil partnership, or subsequently get married or enter a civil partnership, then matrimonial/civil partnership laws take precedence.
A court will consider the existence of any documents such as a Deed of Trust signed prior to your marriage but will not necessarily abide by it.
If you’re looking to buy a house with your partner, we wish you the best of
luck and happiness. Just make sure that you’re fully protected and aware of the law to avoid any unfortunate situations down the line.
For advice on buying your home, contact Jo Sworder on 01522 515921, email jo.sworder@wilkinchapman.co.uk or visit www.wilkinchapman.co.uk.
FINANCIAL forecasting can often feel like the weather forecast, with financial predictions not always being as rosy as planned or, in many cases, as hoped.
A bit like the weather… while sunshine is predicted rain all too often can be the outcome.
Many businesses will look to use financial forecasting as part of their day-to-day management, but equally numerous are those that only produce financial forecasts based on need, say for external finance or investment.
Certainly, those routinely producing forecasts can and do tend to benefit from having validity and accuracy with greater assurance around the numbers and the assumption used to produce them. They are also likely to be subjected to more review, check and challenge helping to improve their rigour over time.
The challenge in terms of effective financial forecasting is felt more by those looking to produce ad hoc forecasts. Often this can be the early start-up or scale up businesses looking for capital or investment to take it to the next stage. New founders or entrepreneurs looking for funding are likely to be a qualified accountant or have the prerequisite skills or experience to produce financial forecasts.
Therefore, when preparing financial forecasts to seek or obtain financing, entrepreneurs and business owners
often make several common mistakes.
These can undermine their credibility with lenders or investors and reduce the chances of securing the needed funds.
Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid:
l Overly Optimistic Revenue Projections
One of the most common mistakes is projecting unrealistically high sales or revenue figures. Entrepreneurs may be overly optimistic about their growth potential, leading to inflated forecasts
l Underestimating Expenses
Underestimating operational costs, including operating expenses, cost of goods sold, and unexpected expenses can result in cash flow problems.
l Ignoring Seasonality and Cyclicality
Failing to account for seasonality or cyclicality in your business can lead to inaccuracies in your forecasts.
l Lack of Detail
Some entrepreneurs provide vague or incomplete financial forecasts, omitting crucial details that would help lenders or investors understand their assumptions.
l Inconsistent Projections
Inconsistencies between different parts of your financial forecast, such as a mismatch between revenue growth and expense growth, can raise doubts about the accuracy of your projections.
l Not Adequately Addressing Risk
Failing to acknowledge potential risks and uncertainties in your business plan can erode investor or lender confidence.
l Neglecting Working Capital Needs
Overlooking the working capital requirements necessary to support growth can lead to cash flow shortages.
l Not Demonstrating Financial Expertise
Lenders and investors want to see that you understand your financials. Failing to demonstrate financial literacy can undermine confidence.
l Overlooking Debt Serviceability
When taking on debt, entrepreneurs may not account for the interest and principal payments in their forecasts.
l Ignoring Feedback
Entrepreneurs sometimes resist feedback from financial professionals, investors, or lenders, leading to missed opportunities for improvement.
By avoiding these common mistakes and presenting well-researched, realistic financial forecasts, entrepreneurs can enhance their credibility and increase their chances of successfully obtaining financing. As you might expect the support of an accountant is often a real asset, not least that it provides increased assurance to potential lenders or investors.
FUTURE farming opportunities, biodiversity and carbon were the key discussion points at the Lincolnshire Farming Conference at the Lincolnshire Showground. Hosted by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society the event included talks and workshops by industry experts at Epic Centre.
Topics covered included the future of the agricultural industry, the new Government targets and why now is the most challenging time to be involved in the farming sector.
David Webster, Chief Executive Officer for LEAF (right), gave the keynote speech and talked about current challenges within the industry, how things are changing and how engagement with sustainability is no longer optional. “There is no question that
farming faces some enormous challenges currently, but the overriding message from all speakers was remarkably positive about the opportunities that also exist for farms to support decarbonisation and nature recovery on a significantly increased scale,” said David.
“It really does feel as though we are on the cusp of momentous change in our approach to food production and the adoption of nature-based solutions in that context.”
Other speakers included Liz Bowles from Carbon Cutting Toolbox; Janet Hughes, Department for Environmental Food & Rural Affairs and Michael Kavanagh from the Green Farm Collective. Sponsors of the event, Shakespeare Martineau, Streets Chartered Accountants and Brown & Co &
JH Walter held a workshop for delegates on the topic of BNG, Carbon Voluntary Bio-diversity markets. Anglian Water and the University also hosted alongside with ‘Practical steps to building farm resilience’.
Watch conference highlights at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P LX7wm6cthiwPc9ejUHLXhY3SLOydTk4hf
WALDECK Consulting and YMD Boon Ltd were among the winners at the seventh annual Greater Lincolnshire Construction & Property Awards.
Almost 300 people gathered to celebrate the sector with a blacktie event at the Doubletree by Hilton in Lincoln sponsored by Willmott Dixon.
Héloïse Evans, Head of Marketing, Communications, Policies and Events with event organisers Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce said: “This awards night was a brilliant opportunity to recognise excellence in the Construction and Property industries within our county, showcasing remarkable projects, innovations, and forward-thinking companies.
“We are delighted to see the growth of these awards each year and as the standards of nominations continues to increase, it proves more challenging to select just one winner amongst the future-industry leaders and multi-million-pound projects. The awards also helped raise £3,500 for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.
The winners of the Greater Lincolnshire Construction & Property Awards 2024: Apprentice / Young Achiever of the Year - Sponsored by Lincoln College Conor Penlington from Waldeck Consulting Architecture/Design Company of the Year – Sponsored by the University of Lincoln YMD Boon Ltd
Engineering Consultant of the Year
Waldeck Consulting
Development Project (over £5 million) – Sponsored by Shakespeare Martineau
Lincolnshire County Council (Lincolnshire Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Programme)
Development Project (under £5 million) – Sponsored by Waldeck
Viridis Building Services (Blenkin Memorial Hall Boston)
Residential Project of the Year – Sponsored by UK Alternative Energy
Longhurst Group (Caxton Place, Boston)
Supplier/Sub-Contractor of the Year
Architectural Imaging Solutions
MANUFACTURING isn't just about making things—it's the backbone of the economy in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland.
With over 66,000 workers and a contribution of £4.76 billion, this sector powers progress, innovation, and prosperity in the region.
As the world changes faster than ever, the manufacturing and engineering industries stand strong.
But it's not just about making products; it's about shaping the future. However, it's not all smooth sailing.
Growth Hub, also offers fully funded support for manufacturers.
Its Bi Annual Manufacturing Conference is an example of how Business Lincolnshire brings together industry leaders to provide insights on topics like workforce training, AI, and sustainability, while exhibitors offer support and funding opportunities, helping businesses to thrive.
resource. He works with businesses, diagnosing issues and connecting them with the right support.
"Manufacturing isn't just about making things; it's about shaping our future, driving economic growth, and supporting our communities," said Trevor.
Manufacturing faces challenges such as workforce development, new technology adoption and development, and sustainability goals. There are many programmes and initiatives in the region to support manufacturers, like the Greater Lincolnshire Engineering and Manufacturing (GLEAM) Network, which brings together experts, businesses, and educators to share ideas and drive our sector forward. Business Lincolnshire, the region's
And the support doesn't stop there. Initiatives such as the Manufacturing Support Programme and Made Smarter East Midlands offer resources and funding to help manufacturers grow and innovate too. Both programmes provide access to a wealth of resources—from opportunity assessments and consultancy to grant funding and digital transformation guidance.
Trevor Durant, Business Lincolnshire's Manufacturing Adviser, is another vital
Our Business Advisers can support your business with fully funded, tailored advice.
"In Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland, our commitment to manufacturing excellence is unwavering. Together, with the collaborative efforts of industry leaders, policymakers, and dedicated individuals, we will continue to pave the way for innovation, prosperity, and success." The heart of our manufacturing sector lies in its people - from factory workers to researchers, each person contributes to the region’s vibrant industry.
Trevor added: “In Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland, Business Lincolnshire is dedicated to manufacturing success. Together, we'll keep pushing boundaries, driving innovation, and ensuring the regions manufacturing sector continues to thrive.”
To find out more visithttps://www.businesslincolnshire. com/industrysupport/manufacturing/
