Lincoln Independent September 2021

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RACHEL LONDON PHOTOGRAPY

September/October 2021

WANT SAFE AND SPACIOUS FACILITIES FOR POST-COVID EYE CARE?

A clear choice EYE health has suffered during the global pandemic according to Annabelle Magee, director and optometrist at Clear View Opticians.

Patients’ reluctance to get their vision tested and optical health checked has led to a backlog of people experiencing eye

problems at Annabelle’s refurbished Burton Road practice.

“Opticians – and certainly our practice – are one of the safest places to come, so we’d urge people to look after their eyes,” said Annabelle.

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News

RACHEL LONDON PHOTOGRAPHY

Safe care for your eyes FROM PAGE 1.

One in three people believe their eyesight has got worse during the pandemic and resulting lockdowns. Problems experienced include difficulty with reading, headaches or migraines, dry eye and poor night vision.

“People have delayed coming in so the problems are more progressed than we would normally see, a large increase in screen time / TV, less time spent outdoors, are among the few reasons why people are experiencing these issues,” said Annabelle.

“This is due to the fear of COVID and for us it is about providing the reassurance that their eyesight concerns can be addressed in a safe and spacious environment.”

As a NHS provider Clear View Opticians is continuing to go that extra mile to give patients confidence to return for vital eye checks. As per our governing body guidelines all our staff are double vaccinated and will continue to wear PPE, stringent cleaning is being adhered to and we are continuing our “locked door policy” to control the number of patients in the practice. In March the premises were extended to provide a new and expansive dispensing area.

Now in its 11th year the practice has steadily grown, including taking on the former Mucklow and Hardy Opticians on Eastgate.

“We were needing extra space at the Burton Road premises due to growth and the new extension definitely gives patient’s that extra feeling of safety and privacy post COVID.” The refurbishment was very well received by patients when it was unveiled on June1st.

Recognised by Association of Optometrists awards for its professionalism and customer care, the Clear View team has another weapon in its arsenal to give customers added comfort.

Watson the practice’s hypoallergenic young Maltese cross Poodle also is there for stress relief, support and to distract patients of all ages from any anxiety or nervousness. As a trainee Therapy Dog he is proving to be a huge hit with all the patients.

Clear View accepts NHS and Private patients and Annabelle, who is passionate about children’s eyecare has ensured the practice is family friendly while still offering some of the most advanced ocular technology - OCT scan - focusing on early diagnosis and treatment of eye health conditions from a young age. Annabelle encourages parents to get their children’s eye health checked. “Schools in our area do not vision screen your child. The only way to have their eye health checked is with an appointment with an optometrist.”

The practice also specialises in assessment of

Pictures: front page - Annabelle Magee (back) with Watson and the Clearview team at the newly extended Burton Road practice; this page - above left, the new spacious dispensing area; below, Watson in the children’s play area.

Visual Stress for children, Low Vision assessments for the sight impaired and works closely with local hospitals. Annabelle is further accredited by the NHS to accept referrals into her practitioner with specialist interest clinic.

Clear View Opticians, 169 Burton Road, LN1 3LW. T. 01522 542121 or 6a Eastgate, LN2 1QA. enquiries@clearviewopticians.co.uk, www.clearviewopticians.co.uk

For all aspects of Family Law To find out more visit www.ringroselaw.co.uk

Where individuals count

Call us on 01522 561020 September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Editor’s Comments

City’s Sunday shopping divide WE’RE proud of our beautiful city and have every right to be.

It sometimes takes a visitor to Lincoln to remind us how lucky we are to have such wealth of history on our doorsteps, but once nudged we do feel privileged.

Now we are completely free of government-enforced pandemic restrictions we’ve been welcoming tourists back to the city’s streets.

We may have experienced a Staycation Summer in the UK, but getting those visitors to Lincoln does not happen by accident.

Organisations, such Lincoln BIG,Visit Lincoln, City of Lincoln Council and the retailers themselves work hard behind the scenes promoting tourism and staging events such as the Imp Trail to bring bodies in.

We face stiff competition from the likes of York, Nottingham and equally historic centres further afield, so ideas are continually being put forward to give Lincoln the edge.

One of those mooted was a Sunday Shopping Trail taking visitors to our cherished independents and the larger chains they are more familiar with. The plan includes a map and entertainment to unite the uphill

retail area with the High Street.

However the project hit an immediate stumbling block - some of those shops and eateries organisers knew Sunday daytrippers would love do not open their doors.

Opinions are polarised on the subject, but we can see both sides of the debate. The pandemic has made many people evaluate their work-life balance and getting staff to cover Sunday opening has proved difficult for some.

However tourists expect to be able to wander around local shops on a Sunday, especially when the delightful, independent nature of that retail offer is a large part of the destination narrative.

Ideas to glue this divide are needed rather than further arguments. For example could we set up a group of Sunday workers with the right credentials and references, who’d like to spend a few hours meeting different people and helping the local economy?

We’d love to hear your suggestions- contact me amanda@lincolnindependent.co.uk.

You may have spotted that we’ve had a bit of a refresh

What’s in a name? and changed part of our name.

It’s been a long time since we only served uphill Lincoln - our delivery rounds take in many areas of the city and surrounding villages. The Lincoln Independent is a more accurate reflection of what we do, especially as we have increased our print run to 11,000 giving us a wider reach.

We’ve also teamed up with the popular bread+cheese van (see page 20) to further extend our distribution of Lincoln’s favourite magazine.

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Your Lincoln Independent is produced at 29 Belle Vue Road, Lincoln, LN1 1HH (mail only) .

Material for our next edition should reach us by October 12.

We welcome your news and comments and will do our best to publish submitted items, but this is not always possible and we reserve the right to withhold content.

www.lincolnindependent.co.uk EDITORIAL Contact Amanda McSorley on 0781 667 5011 email: amanda@lincolnindependent.co.uk ADVERTISEMENT SALES Rachel Bishop on 07983 460 640. email: rachel@lincolnindependent.co.uk

We are celebrating 21 Years of the Lincoln (Bailgate) Independent magazine in 2021 Lincoln’s premiere free magazine, published by Fire Works Design Ltd - bringing you news and lifestyle from the city and beyond.

We also publish the Hello Lincoln What’s On Guide - the city’s ultimate listings magazine.

11,000 copies of the Lincoln Independent Magazine are printed and hand delivered each month to the thriving residential and business areas of Lincoln and the surrounding villages.

You can also find us in Marks and Spencer on the High Street and the food hall on Tritton Road, Burton Road and Riseholme Road Food Stores Lincolnshire Co-op, hotels, the Quayside Deli at Burton Waters, restaurants, cultural and tourist centres and village newsagents.Bailgate Independent’s targeted distribution works well for clients and we spot check deliveries every month.

In line with General Data Protection Regulations a copy of our Privacy Policy is available to view and download from our website www.lincolnindependent.co.uk or on request from the address above.

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For proof of print run, please contact WARNERS on 01778 391000. © FIREWORKS DESIGN LIMITED 2021- All Rights Reserved. PRINTED ON PAPER FROM SUSTAINABLE FORESTS.

Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

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News

Sunglasses for all seasons

Ebygum - that looks better MORE than 8,000 pieces of chewing gum have been removed from Lincoln’s streets over the last two months.

The chewy clean-up by wardens Danny (left) and Steve was part of Lincoln Business Improvement Group’s effort’s to make the city clean, safe and attractive for residents and visitors alike.

The wardens are pictured installing Ebygum Gumdrop bins in a bid to stop chewing gum being thrown on the floor.

“Gumdrops are bright pink and look like strawberry flavoured bubble gum bubbles, a fun, colourful replacement for the common blank eyesore of the white splodge,” said Chief Executive Sarah Loftus.

“They are to encourage people to throw their gum into the Gumdrops rather than onto the street. It costs 3p to buy gum yet £1.50 to clean it from the street. We want people to fill the gumdrops to keep our streets clean, but also once the Gumdrop is full, the whole Gumdrop along with its contents of waste gum is recycled, so this is great for the environment too.”

Efforts to attract people into the city included the Lincoln Imp Trail, which attracted thousands of visitors to see the statues hand-painted by local artists.

There’s still time for families to enjoy the trail and you can see them all in one place from September 18-20 at Lincoln Castle in the free Imp Farewell Parade.

The statues will go under the hammer at Lincoln Cathedral on October 1 as part of Lincolnshire Day celebrations and in aid of St Barnabas Hospice.

Tickets at £15 are available from www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/events/impauction.

There’s also still time to enjoy a tour of the city on the Lincoln BIG operated bus, which runs from 10.30am-4.30pm until September 30 and takes in all the best sights. Tickets for the hop on - hop off service are available from the Visitor Information Centre or drivers on the day.

Furture events include a Monster Safari for Halloween - find out more about what’s happening in the city through new video trailers at www.youtube.com/channel/UCrzlcNS4tvo1djSrcVeoeuw Lincoln BIG also supports local businesses through the C4G (Collaboration 4 Growth) scheme running until December 31 www.lincolnbig.co.uk/what-we-do/funding-opportunities/ Available to business to business concerns within Lincoln, North Kesteven, and West Lindsey, help includes Grant (between £2,000 - £7,000) or support & advice (12 hours free advice).

Martin Smith Opticians, 22 Saltergate, Lincoln LN2 1DH

For premium eyecare call: 01522 521100

September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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News from the Jon Egging Trust

Jon’s legacy aids 30,000 young people THE tenth anniversary of the death of Red Arrow Jon Egging has been marked with fundraising feats by the charity set up in his name to help vulnerable young people.

The Lincolnshire-based Jon Egging Trust also unveiled a plaque to mark the anniversary near the crash site carrying a poem written by youngsters the charity has helped included those from two county schools.

Jon – Red 4 – died at the Bournemouth Air Festival on August 20, 2011 and his wife Dr Emma Egging set up the Trust (JET) to honour his dreams of helping young people facing adversity.

Since JET was launched in 2011 it has helped 30,000 students aged between seven and 24 at risk of becoming NEET (not in employment, education or training).

“In June 2011, Jon wrote in his diary: ‘With support where and when necessary, we are all equally capable of being the best versions of ourselves’,” explained Emma, JET’s CEO. “It’s something we talked about a lot.

The last ten years have been an incredible journey - turning this vision into a reality. I am so proud of what we have created in the Jon Egging Trust, empowering young people who are struggling to

engage at school to believe in themselves and develop core competencies which are crucial to their success, such as teamwork, communication and resilience.

“Whilst this 10th anniversary year is about acknowledging the difference we have made over the last decade, this is only the beginning. We have big ambitions for the decade ahead which will see us expand our offer to support young people after they leave school, and reach out to a million youngsters by 2031.”

Emma (opposite page, front centre) has played a central role in fundraising activities to reach a target of £100,000 this year, which she started by completing the 33-mile Grantham Ultramarathon, which added £12,199 to JET’s coffers.

In June Emma stepped on a paddleboard for only the fourth time in her life to complete a half-marathon along the River Witham raising £5,000.

She was joined by two former Red Arrows pilots Dan Lowse, and Chris Lyndon-Smith who first suggested the challenge to Emma.

“Emma is a huge inspiration to us all,” said Chris.

“Supporting her and the work the JET does is very important to me as I served alongside Jon in the Red Arrows. Seeing how the

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Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

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News from the Jon Egging Trust

trust has expanded and positively affected the lives of tens of thousands of children is immensely satisfying and to play a small part in that is something I’m very proud of.”

A further £25,000 was raised through the JET10 virtual relay attracting competitors from Ascension Island, Australia and USA coming up with their own challenges (pictured opposite page).

“There’s a serious side to all that we’re doing,” says Emma. “We know that the vulnerable young people we support have been some of the hardest hit by Covid-19, and we now have a waiting-list of schools wanting to sign pupils up to our programmes. This makes us more determined than ever to raise the necessary funds to allow us to expand and help ensure that no young person is left behind as a result of the pandemic.”

For those wanting to take on a physical challenge of their own in. memory of Jon (pictured top left with a young Red Arrow fan) the next big fundraising event is JETRide on September 26, a 50100 mile cycling sportive which starts at RAF College Cranwell.

To sign up to JETRide or learn more about JET’s vital work please visit joneggingtrust.org.uk/events/ The poem, which includes the work of youngsters from St George’s Academy and Priory Witham is published here.

My Future Dreams The sun always shines in the darkness of day, JETs fly by with roaring thunder, Helped by a team working together.

Having a blast, no two sessions the same.

So much fun but lots to gain.

Jon Egging has inspired us all to keep going, To take strides each day, Helping us to see the way to our future.

Built with determination and strength, My future dreams are full of courage and enthusiasm.

Step by step my confidence grows And my fear is swept away.

Learning big skills, knowledge and thrills, Into our future we fly.

I’m now above the clouds and the light is shining on me Flying high to a bright future, Feeling free to climb to my destination.

September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Lives Less Ordinary

Joyce Leyshon

Joyce - the hostess with mostest Joyce Leyshon was 30 when she first started working behind a bar and 92 when she finally stopped pulling pints.

She found her skills in demand internationally in Belgium and Cyprus, but it was at The Joiners’ Arms on Victoria Street, Lincoln, Joyce enjoyed the longest period of her six-decade career. Staff and punters were like family and landlord Ray Houlton was a ‘brilliant’ boss. Ray died in July this year and Joyce would like to dedicate this page to his memory.

JOYCE may have given up her job at Lincoln’s Duke of Wellington pub when she married Cpl Ken Leyshon, but it was not long before the couple took over the running of the 92 Club at RAF Faldingworth.

“Ken worked behind the bar with me - we just really loved the life and all the friends we made.”

Ken’s ‘day-job’ in the RAF was in telecommunications, which saw him posted to Cyprus in the late 1960s. It wasn’t long before news of Joyce’s talents found her being interviewed for a job at a Cypriot nightclub as its manager.

She believes she is the first English woman to run a bar in Cyprus.

“We had to apply for a special permit from the authorities - they weren’t that keen, but we got it.”

I renamed it The Nightbox and it was a fantastic place where Cypriots and British people mixed.

Pictures clockwise from top left: Joyce, 98, with great-great granddaughter Maisie; with Ray Houlton, landlord of The Joiners’ Arms; taking over (centre in white shoes) the SHAPE International Community Club in Mons, Belgium; with her beloved husband Ken Leyshon; pulling pints on her 91st birthday at the Crown Inn and being the life and soul of her 90th birthday party.

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Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

“There was a lot of political trouble in Cyprus at that time, but we ran the club for three years throughout the troubles.”

Ken’s next posting was to Allied Headquarters in Mons Belgium, where Joyce got a job behind the bar at the extensive SHAPE International Community Club and took over as supervisor when the former post holder moved back to England.

“It was a huge place and there was always something going on. I came away with fantastic references.”

Ken had a couple of postings back in England, but came out of the RAF in 1978 and the couple moved back to Lincoln.

Bar work was calling again this time at The Joiners’ Arms on Victoria Street and the rest - as they say - is history.

Joyce was at The Joiners for 27 years and became firm friends with Rose and Ray Houlton.

“It was more like family. We had a lot of locals and it was a really close knit community. There were some really great times - it

was what a local pub should be. Ray was a brilliant boss and landlord.

Ken, now working for Securicor, was naturally part of that family, so was sorely missed when he died in 2006 aged 77.

“Ken and I were very close to Rose and Ray and they looked after me when he died. I never thought about giving up working even when he’d gone.

When Ray and Rose left The Joiners’ Joyce worked at The Crown on Baggholme Road (now The Birdcage), where she did regular shifts until she was 92.

“I’ve just loved the pub life and I still miss it. I’d still be doing it now if I could.”

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News from Ringrose Law

Do grandparents have rights?

MEGHAN and Harry’s Oprah interview earlier this year sent shockwaves through the Royal Family and beyond.

The news the couple were expecting another child was overshadowed by Harry’s revelation that Charles had ‘stopped taking his calls’.

#LatchOnLincolnshire A Breastfeeding campaign, to encourage businesses to be more breastfeeding friendly across Lincolnshire.

To support the campaign and obtain a poster for your business please email LECCG.BetterBirths@nhs.net with your company address.

Alternatively, please follow us on: Better Births Lincolnshire

@betterbirthlinc

And like, share and retweet whenever possible.

We look forward to hearing from you, and thank you in advance

The breakdown of relationships between children and their parents is not that uncommon, but in these situations what happens to the grandchildren?

It is not uncommon for parents to refuse grandparents contact with their grandchildren following a family feud. Grandparents can also find themselves alienated when couples separate or divorce.

This can be very difficult for people who want to play an active role in their grandchildren’s lives.

How to maintain contact with granchildren In the UK, a grandparent has no automatic legal ‘right’ to spend time with their grandchildren, but there are steps they can take to try to re-establish contact, Opening communications with any estranged family member to achieve a direct resolution is a good place to start and family mediation can help with this.

What orders can a court make?

There are various orders the court can make, the most common being for direct (face to face) contact.

A grandparent can apply to court for a Child Arrangements Order, which will regulate contact. Courts will consider whether the grandparents have a valuable role to play in the upbringing of the child; the previous relationship with the child and ensure his or her welfare and best interests. Either parent can object to the Order.

Sometimes indirect contact can be more appropriate, either on a short-term or long-term basis. This can include letters and telephone contact. If for example, a significant period of time has passed since the grandparent and their grandchild last spent time together, the court may order a period of indirect contact, before progressing to direct contact.

Ultimately the court will only make an order if it considers that it would be better for the child than making no order at all.

For advice contact the family law team, which offer free 30minute consultations over the phone or face to face.

Contact Emma Darley on 01522 561020 or email wecanhelp@ringroselaw.co.uk

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Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

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News A branch of

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ANDY Roberts was just 23 years old when he hanged himself.

The fall-out from his suicide was so devastating his brother-inlaw, Luke Ambler, decided to set up a men’s mental health support group in his name.

There are now 55 Andys Man Clubs nationally including one in Lincoln, which was started in March with help from the Lincoln City Foundation and meets at Sincil Bank.

Every Monday night, other than bank holiday, the group runs peer-to-peer sessions which are designed to get men talking and get stuff of their chest. External events such as a recent walk (below) are also organised.

Each club meets on the same day, at the same time, 7pm and all are run in the same way, so that anyone can attend a meeting in another area and be familiar with the format.

Luke explained what happened in the meetings and the ground rules: “No phones, or at least on silent if you’ve got an emergency. Whatever is said in the room, stays in the room. A bit like Fight Club without the fighting. And then the other rule is we don’t talk about politics or religion or medication.

“After that, your facilitator will say, ‘How’s your week been?’

We’ve got a little football or rugby ball and we pass that around.

People say how their week’s been. And then it follows on from there with, ‘What’s a positive from your week?’ Then we have ‘Anything to get off your chest?’.”

Those three questions are always there, and the last two questions always change. It might be something like, ‘What’s your goal between now and next week?’, or ‘Tell us someone who you appreciate in your life and why.’ So it really starts to make people think positively.”

To find out more visit www.andysmanclub or visit the AMC Lincoln facebook page, #andysmanclublincoln.

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Got something to get off your chest?

Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

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News

Hub gets to the heart of mental health issues LINCOLN counsellors are using the power of nearly £50,000 in funding to make a real difference to the lives of people struggling to overcome serious mental illness, the trauma of sexual abuse or to escape suicidal feelings.

The Naomi Watkins Counselling Hub (NWCH) has introduced three new special support groups and the appointment of a part-time sexual violence therapist.

Chief Executive Naomi WatkinsLigudzinska said: “There has been no let-up in our counselling support since the pandemic started, much of which had to be done over the phone and internet. Despite the lifting of many restrictions, we are finding ourselves busier than ever. Covid-19 has been, and continues to be, a serious risk to people’s physical and mental health.

“I’m really proud of our new group sessions, and the fact that they are supported by social media channels and our new NWCH App. We believe they are not only user-friendly but will help to save lives.”

“Our Men’s Suicide Group – ManChat has received £10,000 from Lincolnshire County Council and NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group and is coordinated by mental health organisation

Lincolnshire SHINE. “It is being run by NWCH counsellors Ian Gillman (pictured) and Nick Briggs and is tailored to help men aged between 25 and 59, who are troubled by thoughts of suicide.

People may be referred to the group by NWCH, other agencies or they can selfrefer.

The Serious Mental Illness Group – Known as TALA (The Anti Loneliness Alliance) is also backed by £10,000 from Lincolnshire County Council and NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group and is coordinated by Lincolnshire SHINE.

It is run by NWCH counsellors Nick Briggs and Nicola Wickstead and meetings include mindfulness sessions with the support of a closed Facebook Group “We are also delighted to announce our Young People’s Suicide Prevention initiative – The Willow Project (TWP), which is supported by £10,000 from the Bromhead Medical Trust and which aims to help people between 11 and 18 years old who have thoughts to harm themselves. TWP is run by Karen Hopper-Peart and Debbie Washington.

“People can self-refer or worried parents can get in touch with us by calling 01522 253809. We’re really pleased to have a TWP space coming soon on our new App, so that group participants can continue to chat outside of group sessions,” said Naomi.

Lincolnshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner has also supported the Hub’s tackling of sexual violence and abuse with a grant of £18,000.

“Sadly, issues of sexual abuse are constantly in the news and we are extremely grateful for Lincs PCC’s support in our drive to help sufferers and delighted to report that this funding has allowed us to recruit a part-time sexual violence therapist.”

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Breast Cancer Screening

Cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence Bernadette Trzcinski, Consultant Mammographer, ULHT A ROUTINE mammogram saved the life of Amanda McSorley, Editor of the Lincoln Independent (right) The early detection of breast cancer followed by the treatment and care she received from an immense team of experts at the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust throughtout the pandemic means she is now cancer free.

Amanda is sharing her story to encourage anyone invited to screening to take up that invation and to thank all NHS staff involved in her care and that of other patients.

ON Valentine’s Day 2020 I was told I had breast cancer.

It was a bolt from the blue - there is no family history of this type of cancer and I had not felt any tell-tale lumps.

I almost didn’t go for my three-year mammogram, but I’d already put it off once and don’t like not turning up for appointments.

When the letter came telling me my left breast needed checking again, but not to worry as for most women this was just routine, I didn’t fret as I was ’most women’.

A biopsy followed, but I was still unconcerned as I thought it was probably just a blip on the scan.

However, that blip was an area of microcalcification and I was among the one in seven who get breast cancer in the UK. I needed the biopsy because microcalcification is not always a sign of breast cancer, but due diligence revealed mine was - and the reason I did not feel a lump.

Breast cancer is the UK’s most common type of cancer, but it is also one of the most

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Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

treatable and has good survival rates with around 85 % of women living five years or more and 76% surviving for 10 years or more thanks to advances in screening and treatments.

This compares to just 40 per cent of women expected to survive longer than 10 years in the early 1970s.

My final histology showed that I had a ‘Grade II invasive ductal carcinoma 22mm with high grade DCIS - total tumour size 34mm’.

What this meant in real terms was I needed a real bib and braces job - surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and follow up immunotherapy.

To say I felt reassured that everything could be done was going to be done would be an understatement - I experienced awe that this vast NHS machine was powering into action on my behalf.

The further I got into my treatment and considered the sheer number of people involved - from phlebotomist and haematologists to chemotherapy schedulers and pharmacists to surgeon, oncologists and nurses - I was humbled.

And lucky because as the pandemic progressed it became evident that patients in some areas of the country were not getting treatment at all.

I was soon to learn that the breakthroughs were not just about medical science but also in outlooks, so a patient’s quality of life throughout and after treatment is

given almost equal consideration as survival.

“A cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence - that’s definitely a message we want to get across,” said Consultant Mammographer Bernadette (Barnie) Trzcinski.

I met Barnie and Breast Screening Programme Manager Alysa Page after I been given the all-clear. Their teams had pulled out all the stops to ensure screening could restart after a three month-break due to COVID-19 and were working through the backlog.

Around 30,000 women a year are invited for mammograms at sites around Lincolnshire and 250-300 cancers per year are picked up.

Screening is offered every three years usually to women aged between 50 and 70.

Younger women at risk through family history or other factors will be It was previously 50-64 and Lincolnshire has recently been trialling an extended age range of 47-73.

And Lincolnshire is at the forefront of other developments - another trial using artifical intelligence to examine mammogram scans was carried out at ULHT and is ready to move into the next phase.

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Breast Cancer Screening

“It doesn’t seem so long ago that I would have been using a magniifying glass to look at scans, but now it’s digital measurements and we can see much more.

Currently around 75% of women take up screening. It was higher, but fear of the Coronavirus has seen the number fall.

“It does vary and at the moment it’s down because women are frightened to come in,” said Barnie (in left hand picture above).

“We do see improvements when there’s a storyline on TV involving breast cancer. We’ve also experienced the ‘Kylie effect’ and then the ‘Angelina effect’.”

The Australian popstar experienced breast cancer in 2005 and the Hollywood actress had a double mastectomy as she had the BRCA1 gene and learned there was an 87% chance of developing the disease.

Now I don’t pretend to have the influence of Kylie or Angelina, but I would like to think the breast screening service in Lincoln experiences the ‘Amanda effect’ after this article.

Static screening units have been set up outside Lincoln County and Boston Pilgrim Hospitals completely separate from the main complexes.

“People don’t have come inside the hospital now for screening and we have COVID protocols in place, so we would urge women who have been invited to keep their appointments, “ said Alysa.

Other reasons for non-attendance may include a fear of radiation, compression discomfort and not wanting to face the results.

“We do get all that - we understand and we want women to know that it’s their service - theirs to use and make better and we are listening to them,” added Barnie.

“There has been extensive research that has shown the risk from radiation is far outweighed by being able to get an early diagnosis.

Compression during the mammogram is uncomfortable, but it’s a bit of discomfort that could save your life.”

I could not have put it better, but will just add a quote from my oncologist Dr Abhrojyoti Chaudhuri after I asked him if screening saved my life: “Yes – you didn’t feel the lump and if you hadn’t gone for screening you would have eventually felt the lump when it was much larger and also had the opportunity to spread.

When that happens we can treat you, but it is only to prolong your life rather than cure you, which we have done.” https://www.ulh.nhs.uk/services/breast-screening/

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September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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News

Special occasions deserve a hat ‘’WHENEVER YOU WEAR A HAT, YOUR DAY WILL BE SPECIAL’ – MARGO NICKEL, MILLINER TO THE STARS WEARING a hat can make any outfit complete, according to Verity Stephenson the owner of a new outlet for women’s headwear.

Lincoln Hat Lounge has more than 250 headpieces for hire so Verity is confident she will have the colour and style to suit most tastes and occasions.

“If you’re one of the lucky guests invited to attend a wedding, race day or other formal event we can help. Whether its an exuberant picture hat, a more discreet fascinator or something in between to complete your special outfit you will find what you’re looking for, “ said Verity.

“The hats have been designed and made in Britain and are available in a multitude of shapes and colours ensuring that one will be perfect to complete your look.”

Situated on Burton Road just down from the Bailgate and in sight of the castle, The Hat Lounge offers a personal and friendly service with hat hire starting at £10 for a long weekend.

Verity encourages clients to bring along their outfits to ensure they make the right choice, “We’ve created an elegant, well-lit comfortable room where women can change into their special outfit before taking their time choosing a beautiful headpiece from the huge variety.

B K M L “I’m very aware of how important outstanding customer service is and pride myself on the care I offer clients. “ Want a second opinion? Take along a family member or friend as there is only one fitting (by appointment only) at a time.Verity can also personalise chosen headgear with an extra flourish or colourful decoration.

“Hiring accessories is quickly becoming the way forward as it costs a fraction of the price of buying new and is also sustainable thereby helping the environment.”

Visit www.lincolnhatlounge.co.uk for more information, call 07940 456219 or email lincolnhatlounge@gmail.com

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Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

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Heritage News

The building of the first

BY BERYL GEORGE WITH the redevelopment of the Cornhill Quarter it is appropriate that the third in a series of articles highlighting some of the work of The Survey of Lincoln examines one of the most iconic buildings in Victorian Lincoln – the first Corn Exchange.

Now Santander Bank and the temporarily closed Waterstones the Lincoln Corn Exhchange was opened in March 1848.

As E. L. M. Larken wrote in December 1847: ‘The new Corn Exchange is an improvement which has long been wanted as the merchants and corn factors had before this, no suitable place for meeting…’

There were a number of pressures encouraging the building of a corn exchange in Lincoln.

Market days in Lincoln were by all accounts, chaotic. The Corporation ran beast markets, a butchery and butter-market, and these were all regulated to a certain extent. But there was no general market. In 1827, J. W. Drury argued that Lincoln was in great need of one, for …the number of persons who bring commodities for the supply of the city, being obliged to erect their stalls, and range themselves along the sides of the principal street, nearly make up the road…

Although inconvenient, this arrangement was highly lucrative for the High Street shopkeepers, who charged the stall holders (illegal) fees for the privilege of trading in front of their shops. As late as 1846, it was pointed out in the press that this was influencing the discussions of a suitable site for a general market.

It was important to keep up with other towns. By the mid-1840s, concern was being expressed that if the problems of the corn market were not resolved, farmers would go elsewhere. With the advent of the railways, the movement of goods was changing rapidly and Lincoln’s important river trade was likely to suffer.

They simply had to keep up with other towns, or lose trade. As the Town Clerk remarked in October 1844: ‘In every place of importance corn-exchanges were now provided, or were being erected …’ Linked to this was civic pride: Lincoln was the county

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Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

OVER

35 YEARS

LI SEPTEMBER 21.qxp_Layout 1 31/08/2021 15:01 Page 19

Heritage News

Lincoln Corn Exchange town of an important agricultural county and ought to have an excellent corn exchange.

The Corn Exchange was designed by William Adams Nicholson, a well-known and respected local architect. Nicholson had prepared two different plans in 1845: one was for a single-storey building, the other two-storey, with the exchange hall on the first floor and a vegetable market under it. By 1847, the design had changed significantly.

(Beryl George’s recent book, ‘Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter: Riverside to Railway’, published by Lincolnshire Co-op, is available from the SLHA Bookshop at 2-3 Jews’ Court, Steep Hill, Lincoln, LN2 1LS.) Find out more about The Survey of Lincoln’s work at www.thesurveyoflincoln.co.uk.

The foundation stone was laid with great ceremony in September 1847, the new covered market opened in October 1847 and at the end of March 1848, the first corn market was held in the new Corn Exchange, as reported by the Lincolnshire Chronicle on 7 April 1848: “The new exchange was opened last Friday for the sale and purchase of grain. The room is a very excellent one, being spacious, lofty, and well-lighted… The stalls have all been taken, and on Friday there was a large attendance both of buyers and sellers, who spoke in high terms of the value and accommodation of the room. “

Image Peter Brannan - Usher Gallery, Lincoln.

One of the most famous early visitors to the building was Prince Albert, who came to Lincoln in April 1849 on his way to open the new docks at Grimsby. He was received in the Corn Exchange with great pomp and, once his brief visit had ended, there was a banquet for dignitaries and a ball at the Corn Exchange. Civic leaders must have felt that the building was fulfilling its intended function: not only a place of business but suitable for both high ceremony and polite recreation.

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September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Food and Drink

Win 2 tickets to Duke’s Wine Club

Delicious kerb appeal

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Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

Ben’s tales of sunnier climes, unusual grapes and the producers of the wines tried made for a pleasant escape from the recent grim weather.

The informal nature of the Wine Club event heralded a dip of the toe into the wider world of wine, but left guests thirsting for more.

Ben’s wandered the tables between wines so extra questions could be asked and stories told.

The club is held on the first Thursday of the month - to win a couple tickets worth £50 to a future event simply answer the question below.

Where were wines for the second Duke Wine Club from?

Send your answers to admin@lincolnindependent.co.uk For more information on future Duke Wine Club meetings see the facebook page; Lincoln Wine School on Instagram (@lincolnwineschool) and The Cheese Society (@thecheesesociety).

IMAGES: AMY CLARIDGE

THE aptly named bread+cheese is a mobile business, selling a selection of artisan breads and speciality cheeses in and around Lincoln and Lincolnshire.

Owned and run by Adam O’Meara, a photographer and former Senior Lecturer at Lincoln University, it sells pastries and bread, including cardamom knots, pain au chocolat, traditional Frenchstyle baguettes, and slow-fermented sourdough breads, all supplied

by Vine’s Bakery, Lincoln.

A selection of gourmet cheeses, including Brie de Meaux, Perl Las Organic Blue and Vintage Red Fox, all supplied by The Cheese Society is also for sale.

“We are passionate about providing good food within the local community and introducing people to new flavours, and new flavour combinations,” said Adam.

Food is in the family; Adam’s niece and sister, Lucie Nock and Kate O’Meara, co-run The Cheese Society and his parents ran a successful fish and chip shop in Lincoln for just over 40 years.

Adam is assisted in bread + cheese by his partner, Ruth Charnock, who handles the business’ social media and their one-year-old son, Flynn, who is always keen to sample the croissants.

“In our family, food is a way we express love for each other, so it’s always been very important and a central part of my life.”

The business was born during the first lockdown when new dad, Adam, started making his own sourdough - along with the rest of the country. Frustrated with the results, he asked Emma Vine, of Vine’s Bakery, if he could apprentice there to learn the professional techniques.

He stayed on to help the bakery with their deliveries and quickly realised that, outside of Lincoln, local communities didn’t have wide or easy access to artisan or speciality foods – and especially not during lockdown.

Adam was further inspired by the culture of mobile food sellers in France: “If you visit the small villages, you’ll find a number of producers visiting each week – I wanted to recreate this culture in Lincolnshire.”

Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning, the liveried van is loaded with pastries, and cheeses, as well as accompanying products such as Hawkshead’s Chilli Jam and Quicke’s Whey Butter, to visit locations including Nettleham, Ingham, Scothern, Saxilby, Collingham and Lincoln. Adam will also bring newly printed copies of the Independent on his rounds.

See Instagram @breadcheeselincoln and Facebook @breadandcheeselincoln to find out more.

THE inaugural Duke Wine Club took guests on a tour of the Mediterranean.

They gained insight into some of the lesser-known wine producing countries surrounding this part of the world and their indigenous grape varieties.

The evening at the Duke William on Bailgate was steered by the expert hand of Ben Straw, the owner of Lincoln Wine School, a local Wine & Spirit Education Trust Programme Provider.

The virtual wanderings took in the unexpected with Crete and Lebanon on the eastern fringe of the Mediterranean.

The Western end wasn’t neglected with tastes of some rarer styles from the more well-known regions in Spain, Provence and the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

Ben’s laid-back style of presentation allowed the guests to reap the benefits of his knowledge while enjoying a social evening.

The seven wines tried – from the light and fruity, Italian Fiano to the rich, full and savoury Lebanese Cabernet blend from the Bekaa – were matched to a selection of accompanying dishes.

These included feta stuffed peppers, the beetroot pastry parcels and cheeses supplied by The Cheese Society.

LI SEPTEMBER 21.qxp_Layout 1 31/08/2021 15:01 Page 21

book your christmas party County Assembly Rooms Doddington Hall

Winter Wonderland Christmas Party at Lincolnshire Showground

CUISINE: Typically British.

PARTY MENU: Welcome drink, 3 courses & disco. Weekday parties – Monday-Thursday £32.95, Weekend parties – Friday, Saturday, Sunday £39.50. Hot forked buffet menu £23.30.

Tables from 8+ people, suitable for small private groups, office and business parties.

PARTY SIZE: Max 200 The splendid regency County Assembly Rooms in the heart of Bailgate is the perfect venue for your special festive event.

Enjoy our Christmas party lunch with a welcome drink, and sit down to a delicious three course meal of traditional fayre.

Alternatively, come to our Christmas party for dinner and after the three course meal there is a disco to dance the night away with friends, family or colleagues.

The County Assembly Rooms New Year’s Eve Dinner & Dance Start the evening with a glass of Prosecco followed by our delicious hot forked buffet, choose from - chilli con carne, vegetarian chilli, chicken curry, lasagne, vegetable lasagne, chicken Provençale or mushroom and capsicum Stroganoff, followed by a selection of desserts.

Dance the night away with a spectacular disco from Sounds Alive Entertainment and a glass of Prosecco to see in the New Year.

CUISINE: Festive.

PARTY MENU: Welcome Prosecco, 4 course meal & music until late. £50 per person.

Doddington Hall’s fabulous Christmas Party Nights offer private parties for friends, groups, colleagues and businesses – the chance for you and your party to join their party. Whether you’re planning the annual office party, or gathering a group of friends, you’ll find the perfect event at the Doddington Hall Coach House.

Dress to impress and be transported to a sophisticated soirée within the stylishly refurbished Elizabethan Coach House with marquee extension under the gaze of the Elizabethan Hall. Adorned with fairy lights and finishing touches foraged from the Doddington gardens and woodlands.

Sip on a glass of bubbles to begin the festivities, savour a delicious four course meal and then party the night away to awardwinning ‘Sax Every Weekend’ and DJ. Friday 17 & Saturday 18 December. 7pm arrival with carriages at 11.45pm

CUISINE: Traditional Christmas.

PARTY MENU: £49 per person, glass of bubbly on arrival. 3 course meal with coffee.

Live band and DJ. PARTY SIZE: Parties of all size welcome.

The biggest Christmas party in Lincolnshire is back at the Showground on Saturday 18th December. Enjoy a glass of fizz on arrival, followed by a seasonal three course meal and your choice of starter, main and dessert, all rounded off with freshly ground coffee or tea and mints. After dinner get your dancing shoes on for live entertainment from local band the Baltic Donkeys and a DJ. Arrival is from 7pm with ample free parking for all guests, a full menu is available on our website.

The Showground can also accommodate private parties, just get in touch with the team for availability and more details.

Families are welcome. 8pm till late. £48.95 per head. Call 01522 520098 or e-mail info@countyassemblyrooms.co.uk to book.

Please visit our website for more information.

Photo: Instinctive Photography

County Assembly Rooms, 76 Bailgate, Lincoln LN1 3AR. T: 01522 520098 E: info@countyassemblyrooms.co.uk www.countyassemblyrooms.co.uk

Doddington Hall & Gardens, Lincoln LN6 4RU. T: 01522 812508 E: leahbarr@doddingtonhall.com www.doddingtonhall.com

Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln LN2 2NA. For more information and to book E: events@lincolnshireshowground.co.uk T: 01522 522900 www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk

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Food and Drink

Agnieszka’s enduring love of sushi AGNIESZKA Sliwinska first fell in love with sushi 14 years ago when she lived in Poland. She always had a great passion for cooking and decided to specialise in the art of making sushi.

She had the chance to work with one of the masters of the Japanese dish Matayoshi Haraguchi - and he taught her everything about the secret techniques of making the best sushi.

“I was a keen learner and soon I was able to prepare sushi from scratch.”

After training in 2007 she opened her own sushi bar, which operated for over a year, but Agnieszka’s family situation changed and she came to the UK. In 2014 she finally settled in Lincoln and despite all the upheaval her desire to make sushi remained constant.

She wanted her own business and by the end of 2014 she had created

LincSushi making customised sushi sets and running tutorials on the art of making sushi.

In 2016 she became a manager of a Japanese restaurant in the city and further enhanced her skills.

“In 2017 I visited Japan where I tasted the original Japanese sushi and other regional dishes.”

This February Agnieszka opened her sushi takeaway on the top floor of the Body House Health and Beauty Clinic on Newland.

She creates delicious Omakase Sushi Boxes and combines traditional Japanese techniques with modern, healthy style cooking.

You can find more about Agnieszka and LincSushi on Facebook and Instagram.

Easy salmon, prawn and avocado Ingredients 1 medium to large ripe avocado halved and stoned 100 g fresh or smoked salmon and a few prawns 2 teaspoons Sriracha mayo 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or shichimi 2 teaspoons soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped scallions and ½ nori sheet nori seaweed Bit of wasabi (ready made paste from tube) Pickled ginger Method Spoon the Sriracha mayo into each half of avocado, one teaspoon in each.

Cut the salmon into bite-size pieces or 0.5 cm cubes, arrange over the sriracha mayo, add the prawns (as you like).

Pour one teaspoon of soy sauce over the salmon and prawns, sprinkle with scallions, spices and fresh striped nori.

Serve with ginger and wasabi on the side and extra soy sauce.

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LI SEPTEMBER 21.qxp_Layout 1 31/08/2021 15:01 Page 23

Food and Drink

Hunt is on to find best local dishes FOOD businesses and local chefs are invited to apply for the Greater Lincolnshire Menu competition ahead of Lincolnshire Day on 1 October.

The importance of supporting local businesses has never been greater than it is now. Launched jointly by Lincolnshire County, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire councils, the competition aims to celebrate the exceptional food grown and produced across the whole county.

Each area is looking for the perfect Lincolnshire dish – sweet or savoury – from food producers or professional chefs in their area, for one of the three meals of the day.

North East Lincolnshire is looking for breakfast; North Lincolnshire for lunch , and Lincolnshire County for dinner. .

Cheese Choice

To enter, businesses should send their recipe, why they think it makes the perfect Lincolnshire dish, and a picture to lincolnshireday@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

They also need to include their name, contact details and address so they can be entered into the correct category for their area.

The creators of the winning dishes will then be invited to a Lincolnshire Day celebration event at Normanby Hall Country Park on Friday 1 October.

Entries will close on Sunday 12 September 2021.

Competition winners WINNERS of last month’s competitions were: wine – Carl Andrews of Bracebridge Heath and Gloria Wilkinson of Lincoln; whiskey – Barry Sowden of Nettleham.

SHARPHAM RUSTIC Made at Sharpham House, home to the creamery. This cheese was first made in the early 1990’s at the Ticklemore dairy, Rustic production moved to the new Sharpham Dairy in 2003 and has become one of the most popular cheeses in the range.

Crumbly in texture, golden in colour due to the use of Jersey cow’s milk and a delicate, slightly citrus flavour, Sharpham Rustic is irresistible when served with oatcakes and a sweet chutney along with a glass (or two) of crisp white wine.

A delicious alternative to a Yarg or a Wensleydale with a delightful freshness.

Key Facts Age County of Origin Milk Type Organic

One month England Jersey Cows No

Pasteurisation Region Strength Style of Cheese Vegetarian

Unpasteurised Totnes, Devon Medium Semi-Firm Yes

For a fantastic range of cheeses from around the world contact Lucie Nock, The Cheese Society, 1 St Martin’s Lane, Lincoln, LN2 1HY. Tel: 01522 511003, www.thecheesesociety.co.uk

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LI SEPTEMBER 21.qxp_Layout 1 31/08/2021 15:01 Page 24

Results Round-Up

LCHS students’ grades ‘well-deserved’ STUDENTS at Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School have been praised for their resilience and work ethic by headteacher Martin Mckeown.

“The past few years have been exceptionally challenging for our students and staff, so to get a set of results which continues the school’s excellent record at delivering an outstanding sixth form education, is brilliant.

“The students have been fabulous, and their resilience has been rewarded with some of the best grades the school has ever seen, with an overall pass rate of 97% and with 80% of grades at A*- B (or equivalent). The vast majority of students are off to their first-choice university - all over the UK, with a number being offered places Oxbridge universities.

“These grades are well deserved, the students have worked hard and deserve this recognition.”

Mr Mckeown added his thanks and praise to his staff: “They have shown a level of dedication and expertise beyond that expected. They are all superb and I would like to thank them for their hard work over this exceptionally difficult time.’”

Matthew Dunn, Chair of Governors and Paul Watson,Vice Chair of Governors added their commendations: “This excellent set of results is well-deserved by our students, and governors are delighted to congratulate them all for their achievements, hard work and

24

Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

determination. We also recognise the exceptional dedication of the staff team at LCHS in working tirelessly to ensure that students have had the very best opportunities to realise their dreams and ambitions again this year. Sincerest thanks and congratulations to all.

The successful A-Level results were matched by great performances in GCSE studies.

Pictured above are left to right are: Sam - 2 Bs and 1 C University of Bristol to study Mechanics; Ramunus - 3 A*s Oxbridge University and Natalia - 4 A*s.

Pictured below are from right: Bradley (left) - 3 grade 7s, 1 grade 6, 2 grade 5s, 3 grade 4s - Lincoln United scholarship with Cameron - 1 grade 8, 2 grade 7s, 2 grade 6s, 5 grade 5s - Priory LSST: India - 2 grade 9s, 6 grade 8s and 3 grade 7s - Sixth Form at LCHS; Jade - 1 grade 7, 6 grade 6s, 3 grade 5s and 1 grade 4 - also be Sixth Form at LCHS.

LI SEPTEMBER 21.qxp_Layout 1 31/08/2021 15:01 Page 25

Results Round-Up

Rising to the challenge at UTC STUDENTS at Lincoln University Technical College (UTC) achieved a 100% A Level pass rate with 41% of results graded from A*-A and 78% from A*-C. Roughly half of the students in the sixth form study a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering, equivalent to 3 A Levels, and 100% of students on this course passed with 71% achieving a distinction grade.

“This has been a very difficult year for us all but particularly for year 13 students who have endured disruption to their studies for the last

d’ staff d the this in

grade

two academic years. Therefore, we are particularly pleased that despite numerous challenges our students have achieved excellent and very well-deserved A Level results.” said the Principal of Lincoln UTC, John Morrison.

“I am very confident that the students who aspire to attend university will have achieved the grades needed to be accepted onto their preferred course, despite the unusual circumstances. Both the students and the teaching team have worked very hard, and we look forward to seeing our students succeed in the next stage of their education and career.”

UTC student Rudi Konrath (pictured left) achieved A*A*A* in A Level maths, physics, and further maths. In September he will begin a four-year MEng degree programme in engineering at Peterhouse College with the University of Cambridge.

Rudi’s mother, Amanda Konrath, said: “Over the past four years Rudi has had an exceptionally positive experience at the UTC. The teachers know their students incredibly well and relationships are built on mutual respect.

“Rudi has always been inspired and motivated to aim high, and his incredible work ethic is born from the ethos of the college.

As Ofsted recognised, the UTC environment is underpinned by a strong set of values to which all members of the community subscribe. Huge thanks to this incredible school, for guiding Rudi to achieve his full potential.”

Students reaching full potential at GCSE

ory t be

STUDENTS also achieved ‘outstanding’ GCSE results in the school’s specialist subjects; engineering, maths, science and technology.

Top grades were achieved by 74 per cent of students in the UTC specialisms of engineering and the three separate sciences.

Results were equally as strong in English and maths with 73% and 84% of students achieving a grade 4-9 respectively.

“This has been a very difficult year for us all but particularly for year 11 students who have endured disruption to their studies for the last two academic years. Therefore, we are particularly pleased that despite numerous challenges our students have achieved

excellent and very well-deserved GCSE results.” said the Principal of Lincoln UTC, John Morrison (pictured above).

“We are delighted that many of our year 11 students have chosen to remain at the UTC to continue their studies in our sixth form, and also look forward to welcoming new students in September.”

UTC students Gabrielle Pirie (right) and Elsie Taylor-Camm (left) achieved seven grade 9s in their GCSEs and two distinction* grades in their Cambridge National engineering qualifications. Both students plan to continue at the UTC in September studying A Levels in maths, physics, and chemistry.

Gabrielle’s mother, Kate Thomson, said: “When Gabrielle joined Lincoln UTC she found a school where she could truly flourish and reach her potential. She has worked very hard, received the right support to challenge and develop her abilities, and achieved the excellent results that she deserves.

“I would like to thank all of the teachers and staff at Lincoln UTC who have done an amazing job during an extraordinary couple of years to guide this GCSE cohort through their examinations.”

The college is still accepting applications in year 12 for the 2021/22 academic year.

Visit www.lincolnutc.co.uk or email enquiries@lincolnutc.co.uk.

September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Results Round-Up/News

Check out UoL clearing ‘I WAS ecstatic I’d got in’: Clearing could still be the best way for students to find their dream course this year.

Students still have the chance to book themselves on their dream course starting in October at the University of Lincoln by applying through clearing.

Every year, thousands of students secure places at top universities by going through clearing and more than 70,000 students were accepted in 2020. This year, clearing opened on 5 July and the University of Lincoln has published course vacancies on its website and advisers are operating a call centre. Offers are also being made on social media.

Lincoln offered recent graduate Rachel Pearce a place to study fine art through clearing. “The University of Lincoln were so lovely, they understood and helped with everything. I was so relieved. I was ecstatic that I’d managed to get into Lincoln,” she says.

Rachel has now graduated and loved her time at Lincoln. “The course was really good,” she said.

“You learn practical and transferable skills, and everyone was so nice.”

Clearing Call Centre T. 01522 886644, https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/clearing/

Academy students ace A-Levels DESPITE the challenges of the last two years, Priory City of Lincoln Academy students have excelled in their Year 13 grades according to headteacher Richard Trow.

All students passed their courses, three quarters have successfully applied to university, while 25% are going on to work or apprenticeships. Of those who applied to university, 85% achieved their first-choice destination and all have secured a course of their choice.

Mr Trow said: “We are so proud of this year group. They have looked after each other through the pandemic and shown the grit and positivity needed to succeed, whatever life holds in store for them.”

Pictured is Yuxing Weng as he received the news that he achieved three A*s to go on to study Natural Sciences at University College London.

Chance to Honorary Doctorate for food partnership founder show you PROFESSOR Nigel Curry has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Bishop Grosseteste University for his work setting up the Lincolnshire Food Partnership.

The Partnership’s Co-Chair and Lincoln Independent contributor is a Visiting Professor at the University of Lincoln.

Originally from Grimsby Nigel went to Leeds University to read Economics, Newcastle University to read agricultural economics, and subsequently graduated with a PhD in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge.

His career-long interests have centred on the ‘fairness’ with which resources are distributed, and means of poverty alleviation, particularly in respect of food.

On moving to Lincoln in 2012 he put his knowledge into practice to set up the LFP to encourage the production and consumption of fairer, healthier, greener food.

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Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

care DO you have a passion for helping people in your local area?

Do you want to help your community in response to the pandemic?

Are you over 18? The Voluntary Centre Services might just have the role for you.

VCS are working with Age UK to support residents in care homes across Lincolnshire by helping their families and friends to have Covid-safe visits.Visits mean so much to residents, and can make a real difference to their wellbeing.

Volunteers visitors are needed in the Lincoln area - they will be fully supported, receive all relevant training and have the chance to develop skills and experience in the health and social care sector.

Contact Maddy Hamblett at Voluntary Centre Services for an initial chat by calling 01529 404664 or emailmaddy@voluntarycentreservices.org.uk.

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Community and Environment

Climate Change

BY REBECCA HARDY

Action needed at critical time GALAVANISING the public into action over climate change is the aim behind a series of events in Lincoln this autumn.

They have been organised by The Lincoln Climate Commission emerged from a collaboration with the City of Lincoln Council, Siemens Energy, Transition Lincoln and the University of Lincoln,” Kate Bell, Climate Change Manager from City of Lincoln Council (pictured) explained: “Since then, the group has expanded to include the valuable input from a range of businesses and organisations who wish to work together to make a positive choice on issues relating to the climate.”

The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, will take place in Glasgow this November.

Here world leaders, climate experts and campaigners will meet to discuss what action is needed to tackle climate change, but you can get involved in Lincoln by supporting LCC’s events.

The green events starting in September include a week planned at the University of Lincoln to coincide with the first week of COP26.

A free zero-carbon event is being hosted at University of Lincoln on September 27, titled ‘Roadmap to Net Zero’. Running from 10.30am to 2pm in the Isaac Newton Building Atrium and Lecture Theatre the event will: hear from guest speakers; include an information session and a panel Q&A to end.

“2021 to 2030 is a critical moment in time. What we do in this period will almost certainly determine the course for humanity and our planet,” said Kate “Collaborative and decisive action is required to empower change at scale and contribute to a brighter future. A future of unprecedented business opportunities – finding new growth and talent, cost reductions and building greater resilience.

“This is why the Lincoln Climate Commission is proudly hosting a stop on the Zero Carbon Tour, a series of events showcasing the amazing efforts being undertaken – both locally and globally – to aid in the transition to a net zero carbon economy.

“Together with the Planet Mark community, we hope to inspire our community, highlighting that with enough ambition and active collaboration we can solve one of the most pressing challenges we face as a generation.”

Lincoln Climate Commission aims to communicate the impacts of climate change to a wider audience and it has developed a sustainability toolkit to help people understand what action they can take at home to help the planet.

“The toolkit provides a one-stop guide to all things sustainable. It includes everything from saving energy to reducing plastics at home.”

Tips on how to recycle plastic waste, furniture and computers are

just some of the topics covered by the toolkit. It also helps to understand how to eat more sustainably, conserve water and protect the city’s green spaces.

You can find out more, sign up to the LCC’s events and access the sustainability toolkit by visiting www.lincolnclimate.org.uk For tickets for Roadmap to Net Zero visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lincoln-roadmap-to-netzero-zero-carbon-tour-tickets-164734075053

Web Development, Branding, Social Media, IT Tech Support www.ellmoredigital.com September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Community and Environment

News from Liquorice Park

Park life made up of so many vibrant stories WORDS AND PICTURES: DAHLIA LEE SUMMERTIME storytelling group for families has proved a welcoming hit at Liquorice Park.

The leader was local poet, John Welsh (pictured left) and – with our children clutching their favourite storybooks we joined another family who were on holiday visiting from London. They were clearly thrilled at finding a quirky holiday pastime in an idyllic city green spot and we all enjoyed a blissful hour of story-sharing, and our children reading aloud from best loved books.

Listening to their quiet voices my mind wandered to the special role the park played in this peaceful scene, a perfect setting to gather a group of people to share inspiring stories, a brief meeting of minds and ideas in the fresh air.

The park has its own stories to tell as many lives on their disparate journeys have converged along these well-trodden paths.

Through its previous life as allotments and new incarnation as a Millennium Green, the park has a rich history woven from the many people sharing in its narrative, finding connections and forging memories.

The volunteers bring their own stories, shaping the park with their individual skills and collective enthusiasm, taking away experience and a well-deserved sense of achievement. Passing through on a volunteer day you honestly can’t avoid the contagious happiness radiating from the park!

The value of community green spaces is that they offer this connection through shared stories, histories and a sense of place and belonging.You feel firmly connected to the community here, something perhaps more valuable than ever in this strange summer of new freedoms. What better time to convene and share stories of the past months? You only have to see a grateful note left tucked in a sign to realise how the park touches lives here, “What a beautiful oasis in the city.

Thank you” - a simple message echoing a unanimous experience.

Leaving the storytelling session everyone was in high spirits, and as we watched the other family wander off to their next holiday adventure it was lovely to think they were taking memories of the park with them. Looking up at the swifts who circle endlessly high above the park in summer, we were reminded that other lives are inextricably bound up with this green refuge. Aside the visitors there is an infinite myriad of stories being written in this little ecosystem, tales we can we can only hope to catch a glimpse of as clearly many creatures are sharing this tale, each on their own life path and mostly as blissfully unaware of our daily lives as we 28

Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

are of theirs - something worth contemplating when you next spot a bug scurrying by!

The seasons roll on, and having passed the glorious rich zenith of summer with all its green exuberance and luscious floral displays buzzing with life, there is still ample opportunity to enjoy the waning year. Although the roses have passed their prime and the meadow flowers have seeded and been scythed, there’s blackberries in abundance and monumental sunflowers to marvel at, and all the bounty of late summer to revel in. So plenty of reasons for you to be part of the Liquorice Park story as we turn the seasonal page and enjoy the next chapter unfolding…

There are always new things to spot on the park so look out for the magical shadowy stumpery garden, the compost area and extra seating here and there. Even more will be possible thanks to a generous Co-op Community Champions award, thank you to the Lincolnshire Co-op and to all LP supporters.

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Community and Environment

D

onkey iaries

News from Bransby Horses

Sponsor a special friend at Bransby Horses

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IT’S been a busy summer at Bransby Horses as visitors took advantage of a return to seven-day opening throughout the school summer holidays.

As well as looking after thousands of visitors, the charity’s different teams care for around 350 equines at their sites at Bransby north of Lincoln and Barlings near Langworth.

Shell Craven (above with Matilda) and her team at the Visitor Centre Yard have their hands full with a range of Bransby Horses equines including 16 (18) donkeys and have become experts on these visitor favourites.

Bransby Horses has been part of Shell’s life since 2001 when she started yard-based work experience during secondary school.

Shell went on to study Animal Management at college and returned to work at Bransby Horses during the summer break. After completing a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Chester in 2005, Shell began a full time role as Welfare Assistant in 2008 and became the Visitor Centre Yard Team Leader in 2016.

“After spending my first two weeks doing work experience I knew this was the kind of role I would be interested in. I particularly liked the donkeys as they were different and there was always lots to learn.

That same year there was a donkey training course I attended and found that invaluable.

I wasn’t with the donkeys every day when I first started full time as I originally helped wherever needed. Eventually I moved to the Visitor Centre Yard permanently when it opened and the donkeys came too! I have attended courses in donkey health, care and behaviour with the Donkey Sanctuary, both in work and my spare time. I enjoy teaching new members of the team and supporters about the differences in donkeys and expanding on my own knowledge.”

Training for the team is ongoing as caring for donkeys is a very different proposition

from looking after horses. For example did you know: l Donkeys tend to live longer than horses. The average life-span of a donkey is 30 years, whilst the average horse age is 2533 years old. l Donkeys form a close friendship with other donkeys, usually with one other in particular, and will experience grief when they lose their friend. l Donkeys feet absorb more water than horses as they’re used to living in warmer, drier countries. Our wet climate makes them more prone to abscesses and a hoof disease called ‘seedy toe’.

You can find out more about donkeys and make a new friend by sponsoring Nipper, Domino or Matilda at Bransby Horses.

You’ll receive an sponsorship pack including a certificate and special photo of your chosen Sponsorship Star along with their story.You’ll also receive regular updates about their ongoing care and education, and be able to visit them onsite throughout the year.

Reliable adult deliverers

to help with the distribution of the Lincoln Independent across Lincoln and the surrounding areas Get paid to keep fit Work part time Suitable for retired and semi retired Car owners preferred but not essential We also deliver a variety of other leaflets across the Lincoln area

For further details VISIT

www.lincoln.dor2dor.com

or call 01522 904224

Visit BransbyHorses.co.uk/sponsor or speak to their friendly team in the Gift Shop.

September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Community and Environment

News from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

Wild close encounter RACHEL SHAW LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST A CACKLING of crows distracts me from my work.

I swivel round on my chair to see what’s going on. It’s not the usual jackdaws and crows having a disagreement but a buzzard.

Working from home in Lincoln, I often see and hear buzzards. They lazily ride the thermals above the Lincoln edge, drifting high overhead. But this one is perched – if perched is the correct term – on the roof of the house opposite. The crows are cawing and cackling as they dive-bomb it. The crows like to think that they rule the roost of my urban street. They’re not happy about a bird of prey with sharper talons than them turning up.

The buzzard takes the abuse for a few moments, then opens her wings and departs. It feels like the wild has taken another step closer into the heart of Lincoln.

It’s a step that at one time would have seemed unimaginable. “The Birds of Lincolnshire” co-authored by the founder of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Ted Smith, and published in 1955 notes that the last buzzard’s nest in the county was recorded in 1888. The same book records that peregrines, whose screaming calls will be familiar to anyone who lives near Lincoln Cathedral, were only occasionally seen on the coast in winter.

Buzzards and peregrines are now a familiar sight in Lincoln. There have also been sightings of red kites and it doesn’t feel like it will be long before they too are a more regular feature of our skies. These birds are predators at the top of the food chain. They have made a remarkable recovery after decades of persecution and poisonings.

Against the backdrop of the climate crisis and the catastrophic decline in wildlife, their recovery offers a ray of hope.

Wildlife can recover if given a chance and on the outskirts of Lincoln, it is being given a chance. Earlier in the summer, Doddington Hall estate announced their 100-year plan to bring back nature and “rewild” their estate.

Rewilding has become a new buzzword in nature conservation.

It aims to restore whole ecosystems not just habitats and species.

Reducing human intervention and leaving nature to its own devices. It requires patience, faith and a willingness to accept unintended consequences.

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Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

The result is a more resilient landscape that can cope with extreme rainfall and help prevent flooding elsewhere. Soils that are more likely to be absorbing carbon than releasing it. And, of course, more wildlife including pollinators. A more resilient, rewilded landscape isn’t just good for wildlife, it’s good for people too.

It’s tremendously exciting to have such an important rewilding project so close to Lincoln. This year saw the last of the arable crops grown at Doddington. From now on grazing animals including cattle and deer will be key how the landscape develops. We’ll be able to see the changes from the paths and cycle tracks that run through the Doddington Hall estate.

These large-scale rewilding schemes are happening all over the country and there are possibilities for more in Lincolnshire.

At the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust we’re working with others who are considering a different land management style. We could see wilder landscapes from the Humberhead Levels way up in the north-west of the county to the Fens of the south.

Most of us don’t have the land to enable large scale rewilding and recovery for nature but perhaps you have a garden. Whatever the scale, rewilding is also about a change of mindset. As a first step, stop using chemicals to control insect pests such as aphids – predators like ladybirds and hoverfiles will do that for us. Then we’ll be working with nature rather than against it and bringing a little more wild into the city.

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Community and Environment

News from the Veterinary Hospital

Don’t let the ticks takeover WE know as a nation we’re keen for our pets to join us on our holidays, but we need to make sure our they have adequate protection against ticks.

Due to climate change and increased movement of people and pets between countries there’s been a rise in the species and numbers of ticks prevalent in the UK. Ticks are typically found in grassland, woodland, shrubs and on low-hanging tree branches.

They are not just irritating as there are some dangerous conditions associated with ticks.

Lyme disease This is an inflammatory disorder, which can become chronic if left untreated. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium (Borrelia burgdorferi) which the tick carries. Humans can get the disease if they are bitten by an infected tick.

Ehrlichiosis Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease of the white blood cells, caused by infection with a type of bacterium called Rickettsia.

People can catch Ehrlichiosis as a result of being bitten by an infected tick, but this is rare with only around 10-20 confirmed

cases per year in the UK. Babesiosis Babesiosis is a disease of the red blood cells caused by infection with the tick-borne parasite, Babesia. Human cases are rare with only 10-20 reported per year but it can be fatal in dogs.

Preventative measures There are many different products on the market from collars to spot on treatments that repel the ticks. We do recommend that your pets are covered monthly. After walks, always check your dog thoroughly and contact the team at VH who can advise on how to remove ticks and protect your pet.

Pictured is the lovely Jasper owned by one of the vets at VH-Hannah. Last week at the end of the walk through his favourite woods, Hannah noticed several ticks had landed on Jasper.

Veterinary Hospital,175 Newport, Lincoln, LN1 3DZ, 32 Lincoln Road, Skellingthorpe, Lincoln, LN6 5UU or 51 Doddington Road, Lincoln, LN6 7EN. 01522 80033 Email:vhvets@tiscali.co.uk; www.vhvets.co.uk

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www.proglidelincoln.co.uk September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Community and Environment

On the Allotment

Flat Cap Diaries with Liz Lucas IT has been an interesting first summer with our allotment.

My plan was to spend most of the summer there, digging, planting, sowing, harvesting, living the good life, you know.

However, four tiny blackbirds got themselves thrown out of a nest and abandoned, right onto our patio in very early June. I went to pick them up thinking them dead but they all moved and from that moment we began a fascinating journey, bringing up these four, blind chicks and pandering to their every need.

They took up much of the summer but we did it and they now fly free, having heard the call of the wild. They pop regularly down to our garden table to eat live mealworms and defrosted crickets.

I had help and advice from a marvellous young chap. His Instagram account is ‘Stevie’s Birds’; he dedicates much of his time to saving wild birds. Please take a look.

It is expensive feeding birds, so if you can support Stevie in his endeavours that would be marvellous.

As a consequence, the allotment was more neglected than I had intended.

I put in fennel, kohl rabi and Chinese radishes with the intention of growing things you don’t see so often for sale. The Florence fennel bolted after what seemed like a very positive start. Clearly needed more water than we gave it. Slugs ate all the leaves off the kohl rabi and although not a complete dead loss, the actual edible part is still really tiny. The radish bolted before it had really got going. Again, had to be lack

32

Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

of water. The shed roof is only small so our two water buts are usually only half full. We pay so much a year for water but the tap trickles slowly and I only had two small watering cans. We now have a huge hose!

Our shed, an eBay purchase has a wasps nest inside the doorway. The door is a tad lopsided in its space and packs of wasps sit malevolently in the gap, watching us and chewing away the door frame. The large poly tunnel, you may have previously read, blew down and was damaged, although we managed to salvage that situation.

There are, of course weeds; the weeds are hard work, having been given several fallow years to put their roots down. Docks are particularly deep rooted and take much digging. Bindweed is a perennial problem and one which we must just tolerate. I pull it regularly which weakens the plant but rarely finishes it off! Cardboard is definitely a good way to go and I am looking at the no dig system, of layers of cardboard with soil on the top.

I did put down card in the beginning, last winter. Many of the bigger docks and fiercer plantains have actually grown through it, although this is probably due to slug and weather damage. I am gathering more cardboard as I write. This has to be an easier and less backbreaking way forward.

Nevertheless it has not all been doom and gloom. We have a good tomato harvest; the moved polytunnel gets very hot and steamy and we have tomatoes and cucamelon, which are interesting little cucumbers, that look like melons. The potatoes have been glorious and for the first time ever I have managed some lovely, big onions, as well as spring onions and some very tasty shallots.

We are also blessed with wonderful

neighbours who have shared some of their produce with us.

In the flower bed I have grown five dahlias and half a dozen large sunflowers. The dahlias are magnificent, having a lot more room at the plot than in the garden, and they easily outshine my attempt at vegetables. I have come to the conclusion that I am more of a flower grower than a vegetable nurturer. This first year has been a learning curve, which is a very positive way of covering your failures.

However, it is the most peaceful and gentle way of spending time. Birds sing, people chat and work and the vegetables, despite the weather and insects do grow.

One picks up tips from friendly allotment holders and we are well supported by the allotment society, who run a wonderful shop. I am looking forward to a good few years of learning how to be a vegetable grower.

LI SEPTEMBER 21.qxp_Layout 1 31/08/2021 15:01 Page 33

News from Lincolnshire Food Partnership

£60,000 hub uses food waste to tackle poverty

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THE first food redistribution hub in Lincolnshire has opened as part of a pioneering project which will divert surplus food to organisations throughout the county fighting food !"#$%&!!'$()& poverty.

Unsold food – such as fruit, vegetables, bread, baked goods and chilled food – will be 22231"#4&'(&)*+3563"7$ collected from retailers and suppliers and taken to the hub. It’s then shared between organisations supporting people in need, including food banks, community larders, school holiday clubs and social cafes.

The hub, which is based at Vulcan Park off George Street in GARDEN DESIGN, LANDSCAPING Lincoln, is run by the national charity FareShare. & TREE CARE The £60,000 project has been funded by Lincolnshire Co-op and the Lincolnshire Community Foundation with support from the Lincolnshire Food Partnership.

Initially, the food will come from 21 Lincolnshire Co-op food stores in Lincoln and the surrounding villages, and from Gousto, a major food supplier with a site in Spalding.

It will be shared initially between charities in Lincoln, East Lindsey and North East Lincolnshire who are members of FareShare. After six months, it is the intention to roll out the project county-wide.

FareShare Midlands is working closely with FareShare Hull and Humber to encourage more organisations in these areas to sign up to a FareShare Community Food Membership. This enables groups to access food for a nominal fee, which covers operational costs.

Backed by a highly-skilled and Supermarkets, suppliers and food production and manufacturing experienced team, we’ve built our firms are also being encouraged to join the scheme as donators of reputation on an ability to provide their surplus food. our clients with professional, tailored The hub will be staffed by a mix of FareShare colleagues and landscapes and forestry solutions. volunteers. More volunteers are needed to help with tasks including driving the collection and delivery vehicles and helping Call now on 01522 868717 or 07867 510544 for a to sort and pack the food in the warehouse. Fare Share will be FREE consultation to see how we can improve your garden using an electric vehicle for some of this work, as part of its zeroWe are working within COVID-secure guidelines carbon commitment.

The hub aims to redistribute the equivalent of 1,200 meals to each community organisation every month, making a considerable difference to the lives of many in the county.

LANDSCAPING Contact jessica.kearney@faresharemidlands.org.uk for volunteering opportunities or call her on 07512 570560.

www.landscapinglincolnshire.com landscapinglincolnshire@gmail.com September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Art and Culture

Curtain will go up on New Theatre Royal panto THE city’s longest running, traditional pantomime will be back at the New Theatre Royal Lincoln this Christmas.

Beauty & the Beast can be seen from Tuesday, December 7, 2021 to Sunday, January 9, 2022 with Jake Quickenden as baddie Flash Hugo.

Jake broke onto TV screens on The X Factor in 2012 and 2014 and has since released music; Jake finished runner-up in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! and won Dancing On Ice. On stage he’s appeared in Peter Pan a Musical Adventure , Hair the Musical, Dance to the Music, which visited NTR, and was recently announced as Willard in the new Footloose UK tour.

He will be joined by NTR audience favourite Chris Johnson (CBBC’s Yonko), as Professor Ivar Brainstorm. Chris has appeared in every NTR pantomime since Cinderella in 2016.

Zoe Hanna May will play Belle. She appeared on ITV’s The Voice, securing a place on Tom Jones’ team, and wowed audiences as Maid Marian in NTR’s pantomime Robin Hood (2019) and again more recently in their socially-distanced production, Strictly Cabaret X. Award-wining comedian, actor, and magician, Christian Lee will also take to the stage as Marcel Allumette. Christian reached the Britain’s Got Talent finals in 2016 and appeared on TV’s Max Magic, The Slammer, and Harry Hill’s TV Burp.

Beauty & the Beast follows NTR’s successful 2019 Christmas show Robin Hood, which was one of only five productions nominated for ‘Best Show’ (under 750 seats) at The Great British Pantomime Awards 2020.

Artistic Director and the show’s producer, writer, and director Natalie Hayes-Cowley said, “We set the bar high with Robin Hood and this year we hope to raise it again.You can expect to see this beautiful story come to life on stage thanks to a huge multi-talented cast, with fabulous dance routines, incredible singers performing cult songs, along with the classic comedy, fun, and games you would expect - with an extra touch of magic. This enchanting tale has something for everyone young and old.”

You can book tickets via the Box Office: 01522 519999 or online: www.ntrlincoln.co.uk.

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Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

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Art and Culture

Murder, mystery and memoirs at book festival LINCOLN Book Festival’s upcoming programme of guest author talks will feature gripping true tales of Cold War intrigue, an artistic tour of the Eternal City and a dose of detective mystery across a varied week of literary events.

The city’s annual literary festival returns on October 11 with acclaimed novelists, historians and journalists.

Festival chair Phil Hamlyn Williams said: “We are looking forward to once again bringing audiences and authors together for the unique conversations that have been the hallmark of the festival for many years. We’re delighted to welcome some familiar names as well as several exciting new voices.”

Fiction stars include Lincolnshire-based clinical psychologist and thriller writer Philippa East with her new novel, Safe and Sound; Christy Lefteri, author of million copy bestseller The Beekeeper of Aleppo, whose new book Songbirds has received critical acclaim and Annie Garthwaite, whose debut novel Cecily looks at the Wars of the Roses through the eyes of the Duchess of York.

Crime writing superstar Mark Billingham (pictured) will cast light on his new novel Rabbit Hole.

Mark, who started writing 20 years ago with his iconic debut Sleepyhead, has now had 20 Sunday Times bestsellers, selling over six million copies. Rabbit Hole was touted by The Times for the Booker Prize shortlist.

Children and families can enjoy fantastical storytelling and marvellous mystery with children’s writer Sophie Cleverly, creator of

the Scarlet & Ivy books, who will introduce her new detective story series, The Violet Veil Mysteries.

In non-fiction, narrative historian Giles Milton intrigues audiences with Checkmate in Berlin about the city’s role in the Cold War Award-winning novelist and journalist Will Self discusses his latest book, Will - a funny, candid memoir and about his past battles with addiction.

In The Duchess Countess Catherine Ostler tells the remarkable true story of Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of Kingston and Countess of Bristol, whose extravagance delighted 18th Century Britain until she was embroiled in a scandal.

Loyd Grossman CBE explores the intertwined lives of artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Pope Alexander VII in An Elephant In Rome: Bernini, The Pope, And The Making Of The Eternal City.

Most author talks take place at The Collection on Danes Terrace and more events will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Tickets will be available via the LPAC Box Office - see www.lincolnbookfestival.org

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September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Art and Culture

Tribe exhibition explores Kevin’s creative roots HAVING recently explored his family’s DNA, ancestry and heritage Lincoln artist Kevin Wallhead BA has fused together some of his original influences from his artistic journey over the last 25 years.

Discover the results through the exhibition Tribe – A Reflection and Progression of Ideas and Influences at Harding House Gallery this month.

By incorporating ancient crafts with modern issues Kevin attempts to try to understand the fabric of society: “Where we all come from is the common thread, where we are all going is what should bind us all together.”

Tribe was due to take place in May last year but was postponed due to the Coronavirus.

Tribe, Harding House Gallery, September 11 to October 24, Steep Hill, Lincoln, LN2 1LT, www.hardinghousegallery.co.uk or www.kevinwallhead.co.uk

Amy Winehiss

Artistic trio goes Wild!

THREE Lincolnshire based artists are inviting the public along to an exhibition that’s really Wild!

Fiona Hodges, Liz McLelland and Lisa Tank will be taking over the Sam Scorer Gallery, Lincoln, for a two -week exploration of colour, form and expression that features striking animal sculptures, stunning abstract landscapes and quirky human/cat hybrid sculptures inspired by popular culture.

Although their work is quite different it reflects the women’s shared love of nature - from Fiona combining her sense of the absurd with the internet’s preoccupation with cats, through Liz’s animal portraits and lifelike ceramic sculprures to Lisa’s love of taking her work outdoors or ‘en pelin air’.

The Wild! September 14-26, 2021, Sam Scorer Gallery, Drury Lane, Lincoln, LN1 3BN, www.samscorergallery.co.uk.

See also @wild_exhibition https://www.instagram.com/wild_exhibition/

Esteban’s work INTERNATIONALLY renowned artist Esteban Peña Parga moved to Lincoln last year from his native Colombia and hopes to expand his creative career in the UK’s rich cultural life.

With over 20 years’ experience as an artist Esteban’s varied work includes painting, drawing, sculpture, video and photography.

His latest exhibition The Hot and Cloudy Atmosphere of a Quiet Sun was inspired by a visit to Woolsthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire, birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton.

“Inspired by Newton’s experiments with light, it was there that I had the idea of portraying invisible light,” explained Esteban.

The show’s paintings created using new techniques to capture astrophysical phenomena normally invisible to the naked eye, for example, an X-ray image of the sun or the remnants of a supernova.

The starting point for these paintings is data generated by facilities such as NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and Hubble Space Telescope, both of which detect light waves that fall outside the visible spectrum.

“This approach mirrors my own painting technique. I break 36

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Art and Culture MEET THE ARTIST

SINCLAIR ASHMAN

Pushing the limits of print SINCLAIR Ashman is an experimental artist-printmaker taking his art beyond its usual flat form and displayed behind glass.

His exhibition, The Art of Transformation, will feature prints and paper sculpture made from everyday materials at Lincoln’s Sam Scorer Gallery.

The current Print Fellow in the School of Design at the University of Lincoln Sinclair taught graphic design there for 10 years, but his love of print began in 2013 after he went to a printmaking taster day’at The Ropewalk arts centre in Barton upon Humber.

“The printmaking process provides the inspiration, subject matter and methodologies for my practice. Works include printed sculptures and traditional collagraph prints on paper,” said

Sinclair.

“My processes often include pre and post-print techniques, such as sewing into the paper or burning materials. This has led him to ask questions about his work, such as ‘what should the final form be?’ and ‘when is a piece finished?’.”

His Lincoln show will also be an overview of his work from 2015, but recently, Sinclair has been investigating ways in which he might ‘escape the frame’ – moving beyond traditional forms of printmaking where prints are presented flat and behind glass.

“Flexures are sculptures made from sheets of paper that have been pre-creased in multiple directions, folded, opened up again and then printed. The dried prints are then re-folded to form free-standing sculptures.”

His Treasure pieces are printmaking papers to which silver, gold and copper metal leaf have been glued. Heat from a paint stripper gun reacts with the composition of the leaf, resulting in vibrant, iridescent colours and singed edges of the paper.

Sinclair is an exhibiting member of the Printmakers Council and has previously exhibited semi-abstract landscape photography.

The Art of Transformation by Sinclair Ashman, Sam Scorer Gallery, October 25 - November 7, Drury Lane, Lincoln, LN1 3BN, www.samscorergallery.co.uk.

out of this world down colour, which is otherwise light, into its basic elements: cyan, magenta, yellow, black. I then paint individual layers of each colour until they build to create a new image. As such, I aim to construct a conscious bridge between art and science.”

In South America Esteban (pictured right) is known as the human printer for developing innovative painting techniques using the same four colours as an inkjet printer (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). He builds up layers of paint on paper, up to 50 in total, to create realistic interpretations of photographic images taken from a range of settings, including pop culture, scientific research and his family album.

He has exhibited extensively across South and Central America, the USA and Europe and his new show will open at Galería Nueveochenta in Bogotá in September.

Art lovers can find out more - email: esteban.pena@gmail.com; website: www.estebanpena.com and Instagram: @estebanpenaart.

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Art and Culture

Lockdown impact inspired poetry

BY REBECCA HARDY THE impact of the first lockdown led Maryse Smith to write poetry as an outlet for her experiences.

The resulting poems have evolved into her book Lyrics from Lockdown.

“I think mostly I felt as if we were going through a world war and because I haven’t lived through a world war but all of my family had, I felt that this is my generation’s war and I wanted to write about it.”

The Baby Boomer’s War, one of Maryse’s favourite poems in the book, is about that view of the pandemic and its reverberations in people’s lives.

“This will be something that will be written about and painted and filmed. It is a huge significant thing in our history, and I don’t think many people will forget it.”

Maryse, who is a retired English teacher, says that she has been writing poetry for 64 years on and off, but that her main poetry has been written in the past 20 years.

“Quite a lot of my poems are inspired by places I have visited, but in between I have often responded to things that have happened around me by writing poems,” she explained.

‘Lyrics from Lockdown’ wasn’t planned when Maryse first started writing the poetry, but once she had written a collection of poems, she asked her husband to put them into a book for her birthday.

She then started giving family and friends copies and asked them to make a donation to St. Barnabas.

“Everybody who has had copies have really liked it and they’ve liked different poems. Two or three people said they cried at some of the poems,” said Maryse.

Following the positive feedback from her book, she started to think that maybe others would like to read the poetry, and that St. Barnabas could benefit in some way.

“I hope that I can reach an audience who can appreciate them and I hope I’m not just speaking for myself. I’ve tried to put over points of view that people can appreciate, identify with and empathise with. I think poetry should be for the people.”

Lyrics from Lockdown will be available for £2.99 from Lindum Books with all profits going to St. Barnabas Hospice.

Rachel London also sells beautiful homewares from Denmark, New York, Canada and the UK. Discover statement interior accessories and luxury candles at

33 Burton Road, Lincoln

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Snapshots from the Past

Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School archivist Peter Harrod continues to delve into its pictorial past.

Were you on this school trip from St Giles SMS? IT gives me particular pleasure to publish this snapshot in time as the Garton Archive has so few photographs and other documents from the St Giles schools.

This photograph shows a group of girls and boys from St Giles Secondary Modern School before it ceased to be a mixed school in 1959, when it divided into two separate schools for boys and girls.

In 1974, St Giles Secondary Boys’ School and Myle Cross Girls’ School combined with Lincoln Christ’s Hospital Girls’ High School and Lincoln School to form Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School.

A secondary school has served the St Giles housing estate since it was built in the early 1930s. Since then its schools have established proud traditions and practices, led by able and resourceful headteachers such as Miss J K Gentry and Mr Arthur Humble.

The photograph was sent to me by Jane Burgess, who is a former President of the Old Christ’s Hospital Lincolnians, and who assiduously scans the social media for memorabilia from those four schools.

I have been given no specific information about the picture, but I can infer that it was taken at either Lincoln Central or Lincoln St Marks’ Station when the group of boys and girls, accompanied by at least two teachers, were about to embark on some form of trip.

I believe that the tall teacher at the back next to the Virol (“Children grow strong on Virol”) advert might be Mr John Allen.

Could the other gentleman be Mr Taylor, I wonder?

I was drawn to page 168 of the school’s Log Book, where it was recorded that Mr Allen and Mr Taylor took a ‘School Journey Party’ to Keswick on 6th June 1957.

In the absence of further information, I am suggesting that this might well be the occasion of the above photograph, but the school ’journey’ had become an annual fixture, and I would welcome any other information about the picture by former pupils who might possibly have been on that trip.

Certainly, the fashions suggest that the photo was taken in the 1950s, but I stand to be corrected.

The boy on the far right of the photograph is wearing a blazer with the distinctive St Giles badge, consisting of a yellow stag on a black background with the initials SGS. The website of Saint Giles Church, Langford suggests that little is known of Giles, except that he used his fortune to help the poor.

He became a worker of miracles, and to avoid followers and adulation, he left Greece in about 680 for France where he lived as a hermit in a cave in the deep forests by River Rhône, the mouth of which was guarded by a thick thorn bush. He lived a lifestyle so impoverished that, as legend has it, God sent a hind to him to nourish him with her milk.

One day after he had lived there for several years in meditation, a royal hunting party chased the hind into the cave which Giles inhabited. One of the hunters shot an arrow into the thorn bush hoping to hit the deer, but hit Giles in the leg instead, crippling him. Some legends suggest that the arrow pierced his hand or his arm as he held onto the deer to protect her.

I would be delighted to receive any further information about the photograph, and indeed life at the St Giles schools during the 1950s, ‘60s and early ‘70s.

September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Faces and Places

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Steamin’ back to the city for 2022 THOSE who have missed the spectacle of parading Steampunk followers over the bank holiday weekend will be please to know the festival will return next year.

The Ministry of Steampunk, Lincolnshire County Council, the City of Lincoln Council and Lincoln Business Improvement Group have signed a five year agreement which will see the annual Asylum festival stay in Lincoln until at least 2026.

Coronavirus led to the cancellation of the 2021 event and safety fears in the city saw a planned move to Newark, but the proposed venue, Kelham Hall, went into liquidation in June.

The new deal should secure the future of the festival, which centres around Lincoln Castle and the Bailgate area, and will be held the weekend starting Friday August 26, 2022.

Having grown over the last decade the festival now attracts around 100,000 visitors to the city and is Lincoln's second busiest event weekend after the Christmas Market.

John Naylor of the Ministry of Steampunk, said: "Lincoln has provided a spectacular backdrop for the steampunk community’s creativity since 2009 so we are delighted to be able to return. We are supremely grateful for the support and

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Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

encouragement of Lincolnshire County Council, Lincoln City council and Lincoln BIG together with Lincoln Cathedral and our other local partners.

“We are looking forward to growing and developing this unique event over the next five years to build a spectacular imaginative festival that Lincoln can be proud of.”

Cllr Ric Metcalfe, Leader of City of Lincoln Council, said: “I am very pleased that, collectively, we have been able to reach such a positive conclusion that will see Steampunk return to the city for at least the next five years. In doing so, it will open up a number of opportunities to build the event year-on-year to make it even more spectacular.”

Sarah Loftus, chief executive of Lincoln Business Improvement Group said: "I am delighted that we have a five year deal with Steampunk, local businesses will be pleased to welcome back this event for the City. We are hoping that this five year pledge will allow us to build on the event each year and it will become even more spectacular.”

For more on Steampunk, visit www.asylumsteampunk.co.uk

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Faces and Places

New Vice Chancellor honoured to lead Uni AN academic with a track record of overseeing expansion has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln.

Professor Neal Juster BSc PhD CEng FIMechE will take up the position in October after current Vice Chancellor, Professor Mary Stuart CBE, announced her retirement in March.

Over the last 12 years, under Professor Mary Stuart, the University has grown in size, subject coverage, research activity and reputation - rising from 117th to 17th in the national league tables.

This year it is the Times and Sunday Times Modern University of the Year. Over this period turnover has more than doubled, and student intake numbers have also increased significantly. Lincoln has opened a new building every year for the last decade, culminating with the creation of the Lincoln Medical School in 2021.

Its ambition to continue this trajectory and build its international reach and global impact with Prof Juster at the helm.

He is an influential voice in higher education, an experienced senior academic, and a researcher joining Lincoln from the University of Glasgow where he is currently Deputy Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice Principal.

In this role he has been responsible for the development and implementation of the University's strategy, the University-wide change programme aimed at enhancing the student and staff experience, and the Estates Strategy encompassing the £1bn expansion and redevelopment of the main campus.

Professor Juster said: "I am honoured to be invited to lead the University of Lincoln through the next phase of its proud history.

Prof Mary Stuart with Prof Neal Juster.

The University is vital to the city and its region. It attracts and retains talent, creates jobs, and contributes around £400m to the economy each year. Our collective ambition is to make Lincoln an institution of global significance and to build further on the amazing legacy that Professor Stuart has created."

Diane Lees CBE, Director General of the Imperial War Museum and Pro Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, said: "We are delighted to welcome Neal to Lincoln at this pivotal moment in our institution's history. So much has been achieved by so many committed and talented staff at Lincoln and Neal's leadership will be crucial to create a vision and set the direction for the next period in our evolution."

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September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Not Just A Job

Kirsty Young Associate Director Golding Young & Mawer

Joining the family business is not always an easy option - especially when it’s a regional auctioneering company with a history going back 155 years.

Kirsty Young may have followed in dad Colin’s footsteps, but she has made the auctioneering role her own.

In 2012 she passed the NAVA Technical Award in Chattels Auctioneering and at 17 became the youngest person to be admitted as a full member of the National Association of Valuers & Auctioneers.

Kirsty took to the rostrum for the first time in the summer of 2012, selling over 120 lots. Since 2013 she has firmly established herself as a Senior Auctioneer becoming highly respected by buyers and peers alike. In 2014 Kirsty completed the two year JET I & II (Jewellery Education & Training) course with distinction. She was also appointed Saleroom Manager at the age of 19, beating her father to the position by two years.

What do you love about your role?

In the world of art and antiques you see a vast variety of items from a wide array of individuals, so it’s a privilege to be able to see such a diverse range on a daily basis.

I meet different people every day, especially through my specialism - jewellery. There is often a story linked to each piece and hearing how each person associates to the item is always interesting.

How has it changed since you started out?

The auctioneering business has had to change since I started working part-time while at college. It has had to evolve to meet new market demands and needs. This is especially true of the last year when auctions have had to take the step to online only sales.

We did already have an online bidding application but lockdowns led to more people registering online and needing additional support and assistance. We also now see a number of online valuation requests when it was traditional to turn up to the front door with the item.

The antiques world is often fast paced and constantly changing with fashions and trends coming and going, so determining prices for certain antiquities is an ongoing process.

Lessons learned?

Over the last 12 to 24 months I have learned a number of things.

Firstly, the online world is not for everyone and it is important that we support all members of the community whether they are confident online or not.

I also realise the antiques profession is an ongoing learning process as seeing something new everyday leads to something new to learn and the reference books come out.

At Golding Young we have a team of experienced valuers with a wealth of knowledge who all support both myself and other junior cataloguers. I have learned you should never be afraid to ask as that knowledge ranges across specialist areas.

Any goosebump moments (good and hair-raising)?

Definitely. Working in the auction profession during a global pandemic has certainly been a hair raising experience. Back at the very start of the pandemic the firm was closed down completely leave just Colin and I to provide the essential services. We also had to adapt the business to the changes being made to go forward.

When we were eventually able to reopen into the unknown we had 42

Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

Kirsty happy with her lot a strong team of knowledgeable valuers and a strong technical support, so we were able to move the sales online and adapt to the necessary changes.

Challenges in your work?

For me personally, navigating the business from a 40-strong team down to two individuals was certainly a challenge. However, once we were able to build the team back up it has turned into a much more positive experience. People always willing to support one another as they know that hard times can come at any moment.

What external factors would most help your organisation?

As with all industries there are different external factors that contribute to them. The auction profession itself is very much driven by the consignment of goods from the general public. We are able to assist in the sale of goods and clearance to stop them from inevitably ending up at landfill as often people just do not know what else to do with their excess items. Therefore, just a general longterm recovery plan is needed as in order that we can assist with the clearance of goods as we always have.

How does your business helps drive the area forward?

We are the largest regional auction house covering Lincolnshire.

With auction houses in Bourne, Grantham and Lincoln with regional offices in Louth and Stamford, we want to continue growing our business to ensure coverage to all clients across the area. Together with the ever-growing Lincolnshire market we have connections to meet the current market demand and to ensure that there is a regulated and professional auction house covering the area. We feel passionately about supporting the people and businesses of Lincolnshire in every way that we can.

Our close connection with businesses and individuals within the county is helping to ensure fewer goods are simply disposed of.

We are working to ensure this long standing commitment is maintained and improved in the future.

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Business News from the Experts

Life after furlough TRISTRAN RUSSELL, DIRECTOR, DEXTER AND SHARPE (LINCOLN) LTD BY the time this article is published the flexible furlough scheme will have entered its last month with the Treasury paying 60% contribution to wages and the employer contributing 20% until 30 September.

Many employers have found this to be a valuable scheme over the last 17 months, costing the Treasury £100billion or more, although the number of changes and alterations have caused a lot of concern for some.

HMRC Fraud teams have already found abuses of the hastily devised scheme reclaiming £millions. What will employers do now? No doubt there some redundancies, but has the workforce been trimmed far too much already?

It will be a fine balance between employing staff and maintaining cashflow. Although after talking with many clients there does seem to be a shortage of skilled people, from farm labourers, lorry drivers, administration

staff, professional services etc.

Those prepared to take the time to train employees up will surely see the benefits.

The Treasury’s assistance to the selfemployed and business in general through the SEISS and local government grants has done its job it would seem from the accounts we have seen so far.

Some of that help such as the VAT deferment scheme is already being paid back to the Treasury. It is important to remember that this help, except in a few circumstances, is taxable. In fact, there are extra boxes on the tax returns for this financial year to enter the detail.

amounts submitted on tax returns.

Anyone wanting tax overviews for mortgage advances or re-mortgages are experiencing some serious delays. There is a health warning though, as a taxpayer you do need to be able to tick a box on the return to say all the grants have been correctly claimed. If you have overclaimed, be it erroneously in some cases, then the amount should be paid back in full for that claim.

Please assist your advisor by making sure that any of the Treasury grants received are easily identifiable as the totals of different grants are required to go into different boxes on the tax return.

Several clients were not entitled to any help during the peak of the pandemic; a lot have survived, savings depleted but still trading, happy they have come out the other side.

There will be more scrutiny of tax returns as HMRC try to match up what they have given out in SEISS and other grants to the

Dexter and Sharpe (Lincoln) Ltd, T 01522 533588, info@dextersharpelincoln.co.uk;

September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Business News from the Experts

Divorce can be a tricky business ELLIE JONES, PARTNER FAMILY LAW DEPARTMENT, SILLS AND BETTERIDGE SOLICITORS be instructed and, depending on the type of enterprise, other experts may be needed such as a chartered surveyor.

Some businesses may not have capital value but provide remuneration for one or both parties and expert evidence may still be required to look at the likely income it can produce.

BUSINESSES can be one of the trickier assets to deal with upon divorce.

They can be one of the most significant capital assets available as well as an income provider to one or both parties.

We have taken a look at the three most pertinent questions separating couples with a business need to consider.

Will the business need to be valued?

The starting point is to obtain a valuation of the business, but this is not as straightforward as valuing other assets.

Usually a forensic accountant will need to

Will the business be considered an asset?

A business is not usually an easily realisable asset and will generally be treated differently from resources such as properties or cash investments.

The general principle, however, is that all matrimonial assets will be shared on divorce. A business established and run throughout a marriage by one or both of the parties will usually be classified on divorce as a matrimonial asset.

Many businesses, however, do not have a capital value and are simply income providers. In those circumstances, the court would not necessarily consider the business as an asset, but as an income stream to one or both of the parties.

Can the court order a sale of the business?

Although the court has the power to order the sale of a business it will always try to avoid this if possible.

There are many options available before considering a sale and much will depend upon the nature of the business, any other shareholders or directors and what cash is available.

An option may be for one party to ‘buy out’ the others interest in the business by paying a lump sum. If a lump sum cannot be raised, the court can look at ordering spousal maintenance, if the business is able to generate a sufficient income to sustain such payments.

Offsetting business interests against other assets may also be another option.

For example, if there is a jointly owned property or sufficient savings, those can be divided unequally between the parties or transferred entirely to one party to ‘offset’ interests in the business.

Website: https://www.sillslegal.co.uk; T: 01522 542211; EJones@sillslegal.co.uk.

Polly promotes local talent in book THE Little Book of Small Businesses (Lincolnshire) is designed and curated by Polly Fotheringham at Raven Design Co. Inspired by the number of people setting up on their own Polly started helping businesses with their design and promotional work and decided to promote them all in a book.

"The circumstances of 2020/21 have led many down a more independent path. We all now know that independent businesses are the life-blood of the city and vital to the local economy, LBOSB encompasses the hard work and ingenuity of our local talents,” said Polly a graphic designer based in uphill Lincoln.

The book has been a labour of love and an absolute pleasure to work on. The process has given me the opportunity to meet some incredible socially and eco-conscious creative individuals, with sustainability and community at the heart of what they do.”

Pick up a free copy at various local independent venues; Harding House Gallery, the New Theatre Royal Lincoln, the Happy Culture Cafe, the Craftea Cafe and many more. For updates and more venues see instagram @ravendesign_c0 and facebook @ravendesignC0 44

Lincoln Independent | September/October 2021

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THE BOTTOM LINE

Tax implications of hybrid working JENNIE BROWN, TAX PARTNER, STREETS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS HYBRID working is essentially flexible working, and something that in recent years many employers have had to consider to provide competitive remuneration packages to potential employees.

Quite literally overnight, the pandemic saw this previously perceived perk as a necessity for those businesses who could continue to operate in this way.

Now, many businesses are considering adopting formal hybrid working arrangements to allow employees to split their time between the workplace and home or elsewhere remotely.

Of course, there are a whole host of areas that need to be considered collectively by employers looking at hybrid working arrangements. Whilst less office space and even parking space may help to reduce a business’s outgoings, there are other areas such as Legal and HR, even Payroll to take into account.

Tax is also a key consideration and specifically, the impact on an employee’s permanent workplace and changes to expenses and benefits should be understood, together with associated changes required to tax reporting and costs.

Permanent Workplace An individual’s contract will refer to their permanent workplace. The rules are that individuals cannot receive tax free reimbursement of home to permanent workplace travel. Changes to the place of work, the employees’ home, will require employment contracts to be updated and importantly such changes must be made on the basis that it can be demonstrated the individual is required to perform substantive duties at home as an objective requirement of the job. If the individual is still required to go into the office say two days a week, this may mean their current office will remain the

permanent workplace due to the rules around attendance frequency and if it follows a pattern.

Provision of Equipment Where employers provide equipment to employees who are working from home, if the ownership of the equipment remains with the company and the employee’s private use is not significant, then there is a specific tax exemption that will apply. However, if an employer asks their employees to buy equipment which the employer then reimburses, ordinarily this would result a tax charge.

The Government introduced a temporary relaxation on this point, but only up until 5 April 2022. Importantly, this relaxation is conditional on the offer of reimbursement being made to all employees generally on similar terms.

Contribution to Employees Household Running Expenses Employers can make tax free payments of £26 a month without receipts, to cover reasonable household expenses, but this is conditional on the employee carrying out duties at home, under a formal home working arrangement document, which requires the employee to work from home regularly.

Ordinarily this exemption for home running expenses would only apply to payments made by the employer however, again the Government introduced a temporary relaxation to allow employees to make a personal claim for tax relief, but only if they have to work from home because of Covid and it doesn’t apply if they work from home out of personal choice. This temporary concession is available until 5 April 2022.

It is important to note that any changes as a result of changes to working practices, are reflected in company expense policies.

A change in the type of benefits that attract employees A further consideration is the impact of hybrid working on the demand for employee benefits. Company cars, work place car parking and season tickets may prove less popular whereas other benefits may become more attractive, and this is something employers will need to consider.

Internationally mobile employees The pandemic has not only highlighted how many businesses are able to operate with employees working from home, but also that they could be working almost anywhere.

Businesses may therefore have to deal with tax issues around greater global mobility across its employees - working remotely in a country other than that of their employment contract.

There are many aspects to consider here whether the employer already operates on a global scale or not, and both the employee’s individual tax position and that of the employer need to be taken into account.

No doubt many employers and their HR teams will be looking at or considering the need and benefit to changes in working arrangements over the coming months. It is, however, well worth taking advice on the potential tax implications from a tax adviser.

Contact Streets Chartered Accounts T. 01522 551200; www.streetsweb.co.uk September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Home Front

These Four Walls

Family still living in home bought for £300 in 1920

BY REBECCA HARDY HAYLEY Hodson’s Lincoln home has been in her family for a century and has its own unique story to tell.

24 May Crescent in the city’s West End was first bought by Hayley’s great great grandfather, Harry Clifton in 1920.

“We think the house was built around 1901 and it was originally owned by a reverend, which we know from the documents we have. Then Harry bought it for £300 and it’s stayed in the family ever since,” explained Hayley (pictured centre right).

Following on from the original purchase, the home was passed down through generations, until it was owned by Hayley’s grandmother, Barbara Walker (below right).

“My grandparents worked for the Theatre Royal and my grandma was a seamstress there for many years. She was the wardrobe mistress for the amateur dramatics. The house is quite close to the theatre, so it could be that aspect as to why some of the family stayed here,” said Hayley.

When her grandmother died the house went up for sale in 2017 and Hayley and her husband, Danny bought it and started renovating. It was then that they began to uncover quirks left by her family members over the years.

“When we stripped the wallpaper in the front room, underneath, written on the lining paper, was a message from my grandad. It says something along the lines of ‘I didn’t manage to get it done, leave it as it is and I’ll finish it when I get home’.”

Hayley’s grandfather died when her dad was very young so she never had the chance to meet him. She says that discovering handwritten notes from him was an emotional experience and she has now framed the message.

“When my dad was helping us to renovate, he had a story for everything, like ‘my brother built this’ or ‘that’s so-and-so’s handwriting’. It really was amazing,” says Hayley.

“It was things like the notes that made us think about how much the house meant to everybody who lived here.”

So far in the home there have been countless renovations to give it a new lease of life. The wooden floors have been treated, a fireplace has been fitted in the front room and Hayley and Danny are currently planning an extension.

You can see Hayley’s home updates by following her Instagram account @midcenturyforacentury.

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Property

12 Drury Lane Lincoln

Guide Price £825,000

Skilfully restored period home offers modern living in Cathedral Quarter NESTLING below the ramparts of Lincoln Castle 12 Drury Lane is a fine double fronted city villa commissioned in 1840.

Built in part over the Roman upper city of Lindum Colonia it has undergone an extensive sympathetic renovation program, blending period mainstays with modern lifestyle living, culminating in approximately 3000sqft of light, free flowing accommodation.

The property briefly comprises of reception hall, two formal reception rooms, breakfast kitchen, family room, home office, utility, cloakroom and cellar to the ground floor, whilst to the first floor are three double bedrooms, further double bedroom, currently arranged as self contained studio, with kitchenette and separate entrance, bathroom and shower room.

Outside cast iron gates open onto an extensive brick block parking courtyard, while striking rear gardens incorporate York stone patio areas and stone pathways leading to lawn terraces, rising to the observatory tower with panoramic views over the city.

To view contact JHWalter 01522 504304, info@jhwalter.co.uk.

September/October 2021 | Lincoln Independent

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Chiselwood

Fossdyke Paddock Gainsborough Road, Saxilby An exclusive development of 6 luxury eco homes with interiors by Chiselwood If you’d like to 昀nd out more about the homes at Fossdyke Paddock, please contact us and we would be delighted to tell you more

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