August 25, 2017 8.12 am
This story is over 78 months old
Martin Hill: Make the bank holiday great again!
Some great things to do in Lincoln this weekend.
By Martin HillLeader of Lincolnshire County Council
The August bank holiday is a great British institution – not least because it’s the last one before Christmas!
But what are the best ways to spend this weekend and what’s left of the summer?
If you haven’t been for a while, I’d urge you to put our very own Lincoln Castle at the top of your list of places to visit.
Earlier this summer, it fought off opposition from across the UK to be named the country’s favourite castle.
It attracted a stunning 43% of the vote in an online competition organised by HolidayLettings.co.uk, well ahead of runner-up Bamburgh with 17%.
This weekend (August 25-28), the castle and the uphill area of the city are celebrating the bank holiday in style with the hugely popular Steampunk Festival.
What’s more, Lincoln Castle is currently hosting Domesday Book – the most important document in English history.
It’s the star attraction in the council’s Battles and Dynasties exhibition, which also includes all kinds of national treasures on display at The Collection.
Spanning 1,000 years of history, they include William the Conqueror’s order for the creation of Lincoln Cathedral, Mary Queen of Scots’ death warrant, Queen Victoria’s throne and Edward VIII’s abdication letter.
If you want to visit either or both parts of Battles of Dynasties, please bear in mind that this unmissable exhibition only runs until September 3.
Away from Lincoln, Gainsborough Old Hall is displaying the superb Tudor-style costumes used in the acclaimed BBC drama Wolf Hall.
Again, though, the clock is ticking, as they’ll only be at the attraction until August 28.
If sea, sand and (hopefully!) sunshine are your thing, take a trip to Lincolnshire’s great coastal resorts such as Skegness and Mablethorpe.
Love the “great outdoors”? Why not stretch your legs in the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the wonderful Fens?
Personally, I’m a great fan of getting out in the countryside on my bike, getting fresh air and exercise with my irrepressible Patterdale terrier, Boris.
I also love cooling off on a hot day at the Bourne Outdoor Swimming Pool – one of several superb lidos across Lincolnshire.
Sadly for Boris, he isn’t able to join me in having a dip – riotous behaviour isn’t allowed at the facility, and he isn’t overly keen on the water!
Looking ahead to September, I’d suggest the Stamford Georgian Festival, where you can enjoy everything from street theatre and celebrity speakers to a costume ball.
The festival, which includes many free events, will be delighting visitors from September 21-24 – check out www.stamfordgeorgianfestival.co.uk for full details.
The South Lincolnshire Walking Festival also gets underway on September 23, offering something for walkers of all abilities and interests right up until October 29.
That’s the day British Summer Time ends, by the way, so let’s all make the most of it while it lasts!
You’ll also find suggestions for things to do in Lincolnshire at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/heritage or call Lincolnshire County Council’s Customer Service Centre on 01522 782040.
Martin Hill OBE is the Conservative Leader of Lincolnshire County Council. A former farmer, Martin was elected to Lincolnshire County Council in 1993, representing Folkingham Rural. He became council leader in 2005 and was later awarded an OBE for services to Lincolnshire. Martin lives in a former pub at Kirby Underwood with wife Janice and their irrepressible Patterdale Terrier, Boris.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The August bank holiday is a great British institution – not least because it’s the last one before Christmas!
But what are the best ways to spend this weekend and what’s left of the summer?
If you haven’t been for a while, I’d urge you to put our very own Lincoln Castle at the top of your list of places to visit.
Earlier this summer, it fought off opposition from across the UK to be named the country’s favourite castle.
It attracted a stunning 43% of the vote in an online competition organised by HolidayLettings.co.uk, well ahead of runner-up Bamburgh with 17%.
This weekend (August 25-28), the castle and the uphill area of the city are celebrating the bank holiday in style with the hugely popular Steampunk Festival.
What’s more, Lincoln Castle is currently hosting Domesday Book – the most important document in English history.
It’s the star attraction in the council’s Battles and Dynasties exhibition, which also includes all kinds of national treasures on display at The Collection.
Spanning 1,000 years of history, they include William the Conqueror’s order for the creation of Lincoln Cathedral, Mary Queen of Scots’ death warrant, Queen Victoria’s throne and Edward VIII’s abdication letter.
If you want to visit either or both parts of Battles of Dynasties, please bear in mind that this unmissable exhibition only runs until September 3.
Away from Lincoln, Gainsborough Old Hall is displaying the superb Tudor-style costumes used in the acclaimed BBC drama Wolf Hall.
Again, though, the clock is ticking, as they’ll only be at the attraction until August 28.
If sea, sand and (hopefully!) sunshine are your thing, take a trip to Lincolnshire’s great coastal resorts such as Skegness and Mablethorpe.
Love the “great outdoors”? Why not stretch your legs in the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the wonderful Fens?
Personally, I’m a great fan of getting out in the countryside on my bike, getting fresh air and exercise with my irrepressible Patterdale terrier, Boris.
I also love cooling off on a hot day at the Bourne Outdoor Swimming Pool – one of several superb lidos across Lincolnshire.
Sadly for Boris, he isn’t able to join me in having a dip – riotous behaviour isn’t allowed at the facility, and he isn’t overly keen on the water!
Looking ahead to September, I’d suggest the Stamford Georgian Festival, where you can enjoy everything from street theatre and celebrity speakers to a costume ball.
The festival, which includes many free events, will be delighting visitors from September 21-24 – check out www.stamfordgeorgianfestival.co.uk for full details.
The South Lincolnshire Walking Festival also gets underway on September 23, offering something for walkers of all abilities and interests right up until October 29.
That’s the day British Summer Time ends, by the way, so let’s all make the most of it while it lasts!
You’ll also find suggestions for things to do in Lincolnshire at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/heritage or call Lincolnshire County Council’s Customer Service Centre on 01522 782040.
Councillor Martin Hill is the leader of Lincolnshire County Council.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The 2024 Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are now open for nominations, seeking to spotlight outstanding businesses within the Greater Lincolnshire area.
Hosted by Stonebow Media, the publisher behind The Lincolnite and the MyLocal platform, this prestigious event is designed to honour the achievements of the regional business community.
Thanks to the headline sponsorship from the University of Lincoln Enterprise & Research department, the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of local enterprises.
The awards are also sponsored by Ringrose Law, Duncan & Toplis, Sills & Betteridge and Pearson Hydraulics. A small number of sponsorship opportunities remain available. Contact [email protected] to discuss partnerships.
Businesses can nominate themselves across eleven awards categories:
The deadline for nominations is May 24, with the judges’ deliberation lunch set for May 29.The judging panel includes business experts and professionals from Lincolnshire and event sponsors.
The Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2024 gala will take place at the Engine Shed on July 12, 2024.
Enhance profile & credibility: Securing an award or being shortlisted acts as a powerful endorsement, signaling trustworthiness to potential customers and helping to distinguish your business from competitors. Displaying the award on your communications can significantly boost your brand’s perception.
Insightful focus & feedback: The application process encourages deep reflection on your business strategy and direction, offering invaluable feedback and clarity, even for new ventures.
Team confidence boost: Recognition from the awards can significantly uplift your team’s morale, affirming the value and potential of your business in the eyes of industry experts.
Marketing & PR boost: Being associated with the awards, even as a nominee, can enhance brand visibility, providing ample content opportunities for social media and other marketing channels.
Networking opportunities: The awards connect you with local business leaders and experts, offering a platform to seek advice, share ideas, and foster future partnerships. The ceremony itself is an excellent occasion for networking with peers and celebrating mutual successes.
Potential to win: Entering offers a chance to win and gain all the associated benefits, but even without taking home a trophy, the process can yield significant advantages for your business.
A Lady Gaga loving kitten owned by a couple who run a charity for disabled pets featured on Channel 5’s The Pet Psychic.
Pet Psychic Beth Lee-Crowther comes to the aid of pet owners and in Tuesday night’s episode she met Cookie the kitten, a depressed camel, and looked at whether a dog can predict the future.