A garden that responds to people’s Twitter interactions with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has managed to win a gold prize.

As previously reported, the Digital Capabilities garden by academics at the University of Lincoln needs interaction with two Twitter hashtags in order to reveal a hidden part of the garden.

The garden is divided behind hydraulic panels — one side displays a common garden landscape, however the hidden section is adorned with exotic plants.

The exotic section reveals itself when there is a lot of buzz around the Digital Capabilities or Chelsea Flower Show hashtags on Twitter.

The innovation managed to get the garden a gold in the Fresh Garden: Scape Design category.

The garden managed to attract attention from a number of people including comedian Jack Dee and TV presenter Davina McCall.

The garden was a crossover project between the University’s School of Computer Science, School of Psychology and School of Architecture, with help from Harfleet & Harfleet.

Dr Duncan Rowland, Reader in the School of Computer Science, said: “The project has been terrific fun to work on and has brought my own research into cultural computing, together with other computer scientists, psychologists, architects and students to create this award-winning garden.

“I’m delighted it has received this recognition, a testimony to the skill of the garden designers and the cross-disciplinary collaborative spirit fostered at the university.”

Head of Psychology at the University of Lincoln, Professor Harriet Gross, said: “We are absolutely thrilled and the students involved are ecstatic.

“It is a real testament to what can be achieved when such a talented team comes together to work in collaboration.”

Lovely to meet @kimwilde @digcapabilities Today! twitter.com/DigCapabilitie…

— Digital Capabilities (@DigCapabilities) May 20, 2013

@digcapabilities just had @trinnysusannah visit the garden twitter.com/archibarb/stat…

— Barbara Griffin (@archibarb) May 20, 2013

@digcapabilities tweeting heaven! @_harfleet @_richardmwright twitter.com/archibarb/stat…

— Barbara Griffin (@archibarb) May 20, 2013

A pair of Peregrine Falcons nesting on Lincoln Cathedral have had their eggs successfully hatch for the seventh year in a row.

The two birds revisit the iconic Lincoln building every year to have their chicks, and this year there are three babies.

The chicks only hatched a week ago, and bring the grand total of Peregrines born at the Cathedral to 13.

The birds are positioned on one of the tallest points of the Cathedral, so the RSPB have set up a number of viewpoints for visitors to see the protected birds of prey.

Every weekend until July 28, members of the RSPB will be on hand to teach visitors about the birds and help people spot the nest.

There is also a live webcam on the site so people can see the new chicks and their parents 24/7.

Peregrine Falcons became endangered in the 1960s due to the use of pesticides, but numbers began to creep back up after they became a protect species in the 1980s. There are still only 1,400 breeding pairs in the UK.

The birds are one of the fastest breeds of bird, flying at speeds of up to 200mph.

They usually lay their eggs on high cliffs, but have been known to hatch on many cathedrals, disused nuclear reactors and other bizarre spots that resemble high cliff faces to them.

Lincoln will get its first official Monopoly board and people can vote for the 22 landmarks needed to finish the board.

Once the votes are counted up, the city board will get released in October, in time for Christmas.

A customised area on the board will replace the traditional London streets like Mayfair, while the London train stations will have a Lincoln travel theme instead.

Even Community Chest and Chance cards will get a bit of customisation, with suggestions such as “You will be fined for visiting Grimsby”.

Playing pieces, rules and the four corner squares of the board will remain the same.

The Lincoln board was designed by Winning Moves UK, with permission from Monopoly creators Hasbro, due to its historic landmarks and attractions.

Other UK editions of Monopoly include Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford and Sheffield.

Development Director at Winning Moves UK Peter Griffin said: “It won’t be so much a case of what to put on as what to leave off. We are absolutely sure we will be spoilt for choice.”

To cast your vote on a city landmark email Winning Moves.

Which Lincoln landmarks should be on the board? Tell us in the comments:

A team of academics for the University of Lincoln are using the social network Twitter to grow and manage their garden at the 100th RHS Chelsea Flower Show between May 21-25.

The garden, called Digital Capabilities, responds to live Twitter activity, so the public can influence how the garden looks at any time.

The Lincoln team, made up of the University of Lincoln’s School of Computer Science, School of Psychology and School of Architecture, are working alongside designers Harfleet & Harfleet to build the garden.

The structure was constructed by a team of staff and students from the School of Architecture led by Senior Lecturer Richard Wright

It will be divided diagonally by an autonomous-panelled screen, that will separate two planting zones.

Those visiting the garden will see a range of common plants in one zone, with a variety of more exotic plants partially hidden from view behind the screen in the other.

The more excitement there is on Twitter about the Flower Show though, the screen will reveal more of the inner depth of the garden.

Morning peeps, tunes on the radio, measuring for the last panel! #RHSChelsea #design #workshop twitter.com/DigCapabilitie…

— Digital Capabilities (@DigCapabilities) April 21, 2013

Last of the panels made, final finishes, then done for the day! #rhs #RHSChelsea #flowershow #design#digital twitter.com/DigCapabilitie…

— Digital Capabilities (@DigCapabilities) April 19, 2013

Shaun Lawson, Professor of Social Computing at the University’s School of Computer Science, said: “One of the things we’re trying to do through our research is to understand how digital media can be made to meaningfully intersect with the physical world.

“The garden is an opportunity to explore aspects of how we can interweave social media data with real space, as well as how it is possible to make sense of this data by creating thought-provoking visualisations.

“The planting inside represents the exotic or unknown immaterial world of the internet, moderated and revealed by our desire for knowledge and interaction.”

Head of Psychology at the University of Lincoln Professor Harriet Gross added: “I am interested in why gardens can be so important to our psychological well-being.

“Gardens often provide a space where people can think about things away from their day-to-day routines. They can also be places for public celebration and to share with friends and family.

“To reflect the variety of roles gardens can play in emotional and psychological well-being, our exhibit will contrast two distinct types of garden: one is familiar, available and safe. The other is hidden and exotic.

“Most importantly, the experience of the garden will be determined by people’s responses to it.”

To learn more about the project, visit the Digital Capabilities website, or follow the garden on Twitter. Tweet about the garden show to see the Lincoln garden react and use the hashtag, #rhschelsea.

Guys hard at work on the next batch of panels – first coat up! #rhs #chelsea #design #build twitter.com/DigCapabilitie…

— Digital Capabilities (@DigCapabilities) April 18, 2013

Just some of our team, proudly posing in front of @digcapabilities – Doing a stirling job! #RHSChelsea twitter.com/DigCapabilitie…

— Digital Capabilities (@DigCapabilities) April 18, 2013

Lincoln Cathedral has been included in Visit England’s 101 Things To Do Before You Go Abroad bucket list this year.

The competition asked people to nominate their very best experiences and Visit England Chairman Lady Cobham said “the selection process wasn’t easy.”

“We have such an embarrassment of riches in this country, that we couldn’t include every single landmark – but the end result is a mix of the most incredible and unique experiences, with something for everyone,” Lady Cobham added.

Emma Tatlow from Visit Lincoln, said: “Anyone who is a regular visitor to Lincoln knows that the Cathedral is among the best in the country, if not the world. And this has now been confirmed through a public vote.

“The competition was tough, with votes coming in for Stonehenge in Wiltshire, Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle in London, plus York Minister. But I am delighted that Lincoln Cathedral has been officially recognised as one of our leading national treasures.

“Following the announcement, Lincoln is now being included in a high-profile marketing and PR campaign, led by Visit England, to encourage more UK residents to enjoy the attractions in their country.

Phil Hamlyn Williams, Chief Executive of Lincoln Cathedral, said: “We are thrilled. A number of people recently have remarked on the comparatively small number of visitors we welcome to the Cathedral each year, and so how many are missing out on what is a national treasure.”

A heritage museum based in Lincoln will begin to have a number of improvements made, thanks to funding from Arts Council England.

The Museum of Lincolnshire Life was granted £335,000 from the Arts Council England, plus it paid for the new eco-friendly lighting and heating systems.

The museum has already refurbished the reception and gift shop, including the store room, meaning special tours will be available.

Jonathan Platt, head of libraries and heritage, said: “The store tours mean visitors will be able to go behind the scenes and see an even greater slice of Lincolnshire life than ever before.

“And now the building’s more environmentally-friendly, we’ve not just reduced our carbon footprint but our energy bills too.

“However, these improvements are just the beginning. Work has just started on a heritage-themed play area in the courtyard for our younger visitors. This should be completed in the summer, and will hopefully attract more people to the museum.”

He added: “The museum has also successfully bid for an additional £223,000 of funding from Arts Council England for a project entitled Bringing the Barracks to Life, which will use digital technology to explore the museum site and exhibits.”

With the start of the warmer weather around Lincoln, adders have been confirmed to be living in Swanholme Lakes.

The confirmed adder sighting was caught on camera at the lakes, near Hartsholme Park, by City of Lincoln Council’s civic chauffeur Keith Prescott.

This spot was filmed during a recent visit to the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

While City of Lincoln conservation staff and Natural England are reminding people not to disturb the area.

Senior Ranger Ruth Simons said: “We are very pleased and excited at having a new species confirmed in the Lakes where the habitat is ideal for adders.

“It is a fenced off area with restricted access and, if left undisturbed, adders will leave people alone so the advice if anyone should see one is just that – leave it alone, especially this time of year when they are just waking up.”

Ruth Simons added that the adders are unlikely to move into Hartsholme Park due to the differing habitat, but you can find harmless grass snakes and lizards there.

The City Council regularly surveys amphibian and reptile species across sites in the city, but Simons said the additional species was encouraging.

Staff within the park are now compiling an information board for visitor to learn more about the snake, which is considered an declining and therefore protected specials under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).

An adder classes as a venomous snake, and the only one found in the UK, but only bite when provoked. A adder bite can cause nausea and faintness, swellings and vomiting.

Not all bites inject venom, and although painful, most cases are not severe. They can be treated effectively in hospital using anti-venom medicine.

Funding to replace the old white bridge in Hartsholme Park has been approved at a Full Council meeting on Tuesday, April 16.

As previously reported, the designs and plans for the new bridge were approved by the City of Lincoln Council’s Planning Committee.

As the bridge is classed as a public right of way, it is a council requirement to provide a replacement bridge.

A budget of around £65,050 can be put aside for work on the new bridge, with £35,000 coming from existing corporate property budgets and £30,050 from the capital contingency fund.

The new bridge will be built on the old pylons from 1902, which are still standing in the water, and have a non-slip deck.

It will be the same height and width as the previous bridge.

The previous White Bridge, built in the 1960s, was removed from the park last year after the City Council declared it unsafe for public use.

This was due to the timber deck and upper steel work needing replacement, as the pylons below the waterline were in good condition.

It is presently not known when work will begin on the new park bridge.

Ric Metcalfe, Leader of the City of Lincoln Council, said: “We are delighted that we are able to proceed with these improvements to the White Bridge, which is a highly valued piece of park infrastructure.”

A local musician is asking Lincoln residents to tell him what they love most about the city’s Brayford Pool for a new composition.

Composer Jamie Crofts is putting together a piece called My Five Diurnes, which is meant to symbolise the Brayford Pool by day.

Jamie has written a number of pieces in the past, including songs inspired by Brayford Pool’s tide at night.

He said: “I’m doing a series of compositions based on the waterways of Lincoln. I’ve already done a piece about the five Nocturnes, my next piece of work is going to be about the Brayford pool by day.”

Jamie explained why he needs people in Lincoln to help him with his latest work:

“The piece will include music that I have already written and spoken words. When I finish the piece it will include a booklet with all the words written down.

“It will include facts, figures and history of the pool, but right now I’m doing a consultation in which I am asking people what they like most about Brayford Pool.

“It can be anything people are passionate about around the Brayford. It could be a restaurant you like, the wildlife, the reflections of light. It can be literally anything.”

For the spoken word segment of the piece, Jamie is still looking for a voice — and hopes a Lincolnite can take the role.

“I’m still quite new to the Lincoln area so I haven’t gotten anyone in mind yet,” he added. “But if anyone would like to do it, they are more then welcome to talk to me about it.”

To get in touch with Jamie about his work, check his website, Sound Kiosk, or follow him on Twitter and tweet using the hashtag #5Diurnes.

The Waterside Shopping Centre on Lincoln High Street now offers a free WiFi service to shoppers while they browse.

The Waterside set up its free service on April 15, in partnership with The Cloud.

Roy Greening, General Manager at the Waterside said: “Wi-Fi access has been one of our most requested services.

“Free unlimited Wi-Fi is a great way to enhance customers’ overall shopping experience.

“It provides an opportunity for our customers to visit their favourite stores online, read product reviews and socialise with friends.”

To celebrate the launch, anyone who connects to the Wi-Fi service before April 30 will be entered into a competition to win an iPad Mini.

The new WiFi service will work in the Waterside Shopping Centre only.

The 17th annual Active Nation Lincoln 10K Road Race on Sunday, April 7 saw almost 5,500 people taking part, running professionally, to raise money for charities close to their hearts, or to simply keep fit and have some fun along the way.

Also see: Lincoln 10k 2013 results – The winners in pictures

Almost 5,500 people took part in the 17th annual Active Nation Lincoln 10K Road Race on Sunday, April 7.

Ben Livesey from RAF Waddington won the race in 30 minutes 16 seconds, followed by Richard Brown from the Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club in 31 minutes 47 seconds, and Colin Hawkins came third at 31 minutes 50 seconds.

Liz Cocks from Birstall Running club won the women’s race in 35 minutes 21 seconds, ahead of Calli Thackery of Hallamshire Harriers at 35 minutes 55 seconds, and Jenny Blizard from Rochdale Harriers came third in 36 minutes 11 seconds.

Matthew Clarke won the men’s wheelchair race, while Samantha Kinghorn won the ladies wheelchair race.

See the full results | Also see: In pictures: From start to finish line

If you’re considering entering the Lincoln 10k Road Race 2013 this weekend, there are only 300 places out of 5,500 left.

Additionally, the final deadline for entries to the Active Nation 10k is 4.30pm on Thursday, April 4.

This includes entries to the school races on Saturday, April 6, or the wheelchair or 10k event on Sunday, April 7.

Saturday’s events, the Direct Textiles primary school race and the Running Imp secondary school race, are free to enter, while the 10k costs £19 (£17 for those affiliated with an athletics club).

The route for the 10k will be the same as last year, starting on Riseholme Road. Children’s events begin at Yarborough Leisure Centre.

Both of Saturday’s races start and finish at Yarborough Leisure Centre and are free to enter.

Every runner receives a special medal at the end of the race to celebrate their achievement.

To submit your entry from, visit the City of Lincoln Councils website. For information on the 10k weekend, visit the Lincoln 10k website.

An artist in Lincoln has won the challenge to create a special piece of art for a historic area in the city.

Lincoln BIG set up a challenge for residents to design a piece of “street furniture” — be it an archway or interesting feature — on The Strait, the area linking High Street and Steep Hill.

Of the 19 entries, artist Lea Goldberg scooped the top prize with her design, winning £500.

For now, the winning design to fill a 15 foot space at the bottom of The Strait is being kept under wraps.

As well as creating her own art, which range from paintings to sculpture, Lea also co-ordinates the Lincoln Artist’s Market.

Lincoln BIG created the competition on behalf of the Bottom of Steep Hill Traders’ Group, who regularly hold the event Fete on the Strait.

Lea’s idea will now be discussed with local traders and City of Lincoln Council planners before being developed.

The four-day Easter weekend is upon us, and here at The Lincolnite, we hope you don’t suffer too badly with tummy aches from eating too much chocolate.

However, if you find yourself needing a something to entertain the children or yourself until Tuesday, April 2, we’ve hand picked a few fun attractions Lincoln has over Easter.

Fete on the Strait

Where: The Strait
When: March 30, 10am – 4pm
Price: Free

The first fete of the year will have various stalls and entertainment between throughout the day. Stalls include handmade items, food and other great trinkets.

Hartsholme Easter egg hunt

Where: Hartsholme Country Park
When: March 29, 12pm – 3.30pm
Price: £3.30 per child

It wouldn’t be Easter without a good Easter egg hunt, and where better than the beautiful grounds of Hartsholme Park? Let the kids find the treats the Easter bunny left behind while at the same time taking a stroll through the woodland and around the lake.

Children’s Festival

Where: Lincoln Drill Hall
When: March 28 – April 2
Price: Free – £2 for children

The festival will be going on all through Easter (and beyond!), with most events being free. Activties include a dance workshop, film screenings, discos and TV quiz.

For more details on the different events, visit the Drill Hall website.

Lincolnshire Road and Transport Museum Open day

Where: Lincolnshire Road and Transport Museum
When: March 31, 10.30am – 5pm
Price: Free for children, £6 for adults

On Easter Sunday, the Lincolnshire Vintage Vehicle Society will display a number of visting vehicles alongside restoration workshops, a trip on a vintage bus around Lincoln, stalls and refreshments. Those with there own vintage vehicles are welcome to display them on the day too (though note it’s not a typical rally!).

Odeon colouring competition

Where: Lincoln Odeon
When: March 31, 10.30am – 5pm
Price: Free for children, £6 for adults

Next time your family goes to the cinema, be sure to pick up a colouring sheet. The Odeon is running a competition where children can fill in a colouring in sheet and potentially win an Easter egg. Good luck!

Easter at the Waterside

Where: Waterside Shopping Centre
When: March 30, 11am – 3pm
Price: Free

The Waterside Shopping Centre will host Belinda Bunny, who will give out chocolate eggs. Meanwhile the Creation Station will let the kids do some sticking and balloon modelling, have your face painted or make an Easter chick.

Easter Weekend Birds of Prey

Where: Lincoln Castle
When: March 30 – April 1
Price: Castle admission from £4

Meet Mac the Harris Hawk and Loxley the Lanner Falcon over the Easter Weekend.The castle’s falconer Derek Tindall will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about them and falconry. You can even get your photo taken with the birds, and watch some incredible displays.

Easter at Doddington

Where: Doddington Hall
When: March 29 – April 1
Price: From free

As well as The Farm Shop, Garden Centre and cafe being open throughout the Easter period, the Restaurant will host Fish Supper Friday on the evening of Good Friday as well as being open for lunches and Saturday Night Seven.

In addition, the two-day Craft Fair in the Coach House will be on Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, 10am to 5pm. Admission is £1 (under 16s free). Expect to find 35 carefully-selected local crafters presenting their own work; there will be some new crafters this year.

RAF Scampton’s Red Arrows have recorded their trip to their annual training session in Cyprus, revealing great views and complex manoeuvres.

Each year, the team head over to Cyprus as part of winter training for the upcoming display season.

This is known as Exercise Springhawk, and they are based at HAF Androvida for a few weeks while they train.

The team usually undertake three practise sorties per day, to ensure their displays are perfect, to team build and to understand each others roles within the Squadron.

The team recorded their journey to Cyprus while over Greece, where they can be seen flying in formation.

Two significant planning proposals submitted to City of Lincoln Council will see wide scale development around the Brayford Pool.

The University of Lincoln’s masterplan and Network Rail’s Brayford level crossing footbridge designs will go before the council’s Planning Committee on March 27.

Network Rail and Globe Consultants’ proposal relates to the erection of the pedestrian footbridge over the level crossing on Brayford Wharf East — which also leads to further development of the street.

According to the document, the bridge would be built on the west side of the road, and will include lifts of either side.

In order to accommodate the large bridge, the proposal includes making the road one-way, widening the pedestrian pavement and adding a cycle lane.

The plans also include a “curved decked area” to south-east corner of the Brayford Pool. This decking would widen the entrance bridge to the university, and also stop swans lingering on the walkway.

However, swans will be encouraged to use a new swan habitat added on to the existing island in Brayford Pool.

Also, the unused East Holmes signal box will be moved from its current site and placed onto another new decking area along the Brayford Pool’s south bank.

It can then be extended and for office, retail or cafe use.

It is hoped that the addition of the bridge, which had two designs, will deter pedestrians from running through or climbing over the crossing barriers after the signals begin.

Revamped campus

Meanwhile, the University of Lincoln submitted an outline proposal for redevelopment of its main campus.

The masterplan details a variety of new buildings across the campus and the extension of existing buildings.

The new units will range from student accommodation and academic buildings to offices (both university and commercial), restaurants and retail buildings, plus car parking and the potential for a hotel.

Roads through the university campus will also be improved to make it more accessible.

The majority of the work will take place on land south of the train tracks, however there will be some development to buildings on the Brayford side.

The plans mainly aim to expand the university’s provision of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects over the next 10 years.

Additionally, the masterplan fits into the City of Lincoln Local Plan, which aims to connect more people directly with the city centre by improving accessibility.

If the plans remain in their current parameters, the university would have potential to accommodate up to an extra (estimated) 4,500 students.

The Brayford will also benefit from the masterplan, with landscaping around the pool and improved jetties, and an additional curved pedestrian bridge across the pool, linking the campus with Brayford Wharf North.

As previously reported, a walkway between Brayford Wharf East and High Street will be added for pedestrians and cyclists, linking the two areas more directly.

There will also be an additional bridge added on Brayford Head for pedestrians to make it easier to get between Brayford Wharf East and North.

On the Brayford Way bridge, a new crossing will be added to the junction, making it easier for pedestrians to cross between parts of the campus.

It’s also been proposed that more pedestrian crossings are added to Mint Street and Newland Street at the Wigford Way junction, and another along Rope Walk.

Despite the proposed buildings being tall and modern, each will reflect the historic buildings surrounding the site.

The building do no exceed seven storeys in height (the majority being around 5-6 storeys), and gaps between building are generous or purposely added to allow for view of Lincoln Cathedral, from all directions travelling into the city.

Professor Ieuan Owen, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Lincoln, said: “The University has undergone extraordinary growth over the last decade, both in our facilities and in our standing among UK institutions of higher education.

“We’re now recognised as one of the most vibrant and innovative universities in the country, and this masterplan document is an important component in our strategy to continue this upward trajectory.”

John Plumridge, the University’s Director of Estates, said: “With new academic buildings, we can continue to advance our teaching and research, and additional office space will enable us to house spin-out businesses and enhance our collaboration with existing companies.

“New accommodation, shops, cafes and restaurants would all add to the great experience we already offer our students. They would also complement the mix of amenities which residents and tourists can choose from in the Brayford Pool area.”

The council officers’ recommendation for both applications is to approve conditionally. The committee meeting will start at 5.30pm at City Hall on March 27.

Plans to build a new Lincoln skate park on land on the West Common have been halted, though a new site may have been found.

As previously reported, the City of Lincoln Council planned to build a skate park on land near the Grandstand on Carholme Road, after positive feedback from a public consultation.

Designs were finalised, but after further investigation by the council’s legal team, it was discovered the Lincoln City Council Act 1985 would make it difficult to build, and costly to work around.

This means at present, the plans for the £200,000 skate park cannot go ahead.

Antony Angus, Team Leader for Recreation Services at the City of Lincoln Council, said in a post on the skate park’s Facebook group: “We have tried to find a way around this, but short of changing the act, which would be expensive, time-consuming and potentially fruitless, we cannot move forward on this site.

“This is a real shame and everyone concerned at the council is very disappointed. Not least myself.”

New home?

The City of Lincoln Council are not scrapping the idea of a skate park completely though, and have already located a potential spot on the other side of the West Common.

The council are looking at Hobbler’s Hole, off Long Leys Road next to Whitton Park, which was left to the authority by George Whitton as a place for young people to use.

Antony Angus added: “One good thing is the proposed site is less constrained than the West Common, so the design may be tailored to give the users exactly what they want.

“As well as a great skate facility, we want it to be part of a carefully landscaped project with noise mitigation, benches and planting.”

The council are now consulting the public, County Council footpath officers and local residents again, and working with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, who manage the neighbouring Newts Hollow site, regarding landscaping.

The new park will be over 100 metres away from housing to avoid any impact on the nearby houses.

Keen skating enthusiasts will also have a say on the new design of the skate park by discussing ideas on the skate park’s Facebook group.

Due to the new site, the new designs can be bigger, with more obstacles for skaters to tackle.

The final ideas will then go through planning, where anyone with concerns can have their say.

Lincoln’s first ever Clandestine Cake Club meet launched on March 12 at Thomas 2, featuring an array of delicious homemade cakes.

As part of the national club, which centres around a cookbook, members bake various cakes for other members to test at monthly events.

The Lincoln club is run by main organiser Claire Leverett and co-founder Melanie McDonald.

Claire Leverett said: “The cake club is a club designed to help people socialise, make friends and explore their baking hobby. The ethos really is to bake a cake, slice it and share it!

“We meet once a month with different themes at a secret venue, which is released a couple of days before the event, to keep it exclusive to members only.”

She added: “Mel and I are both members of the Clandestine Cake Club but hadn’t made it to a meeting. Then an opportunity arose for a new organiser, and we both emailed our interest. We were invited to do it together so we did.

“All the recipes are very different. Some are from books, some are family recipes. That’s what we want — there’s no judging, it’s non-competitive, and we want to encourage all levels of baking to come and explore and feel confident.

“Plus, you get to cake home — what’s better?!”

Melanie McDonald said: “It’s a great place to get tips and advice from other members as well, which is really important too.”

Sarah Thomas, owner of Thomas 2 and host of the first meet, said: “We got involved when Claire stopped me one day and told me all about it. I hadn’t heard of it before, but when I researched it, I found it was a really cool thing to be a part of, so I couldn’t miss that opportunity.

“I’ve seen a banana loaf that looks lush, and there’s a huge chocolate cake that looks really nice, there’s loads I could take inspiration from and I love the book.”

To join the Lincoln cake club, register on the Clandestine Cake Club website for free and put in your postcode to find your nearest event.

A forum on the website also lets members find out the latest news on where the event will be held and which cakes are being made by other local members.

New signs have been installed to promote a calendar of events for visitors entering Lincoln by one of its main access routes.

The City of Lincoln Council signs in front of the Grandstand, a familiar site to drivers using Carholme Road, have been refreshed.

The new signs were put up this week. They were created with Visit Lincoln and include Lincoln Castle, the cathedral and the Red Arrows.

Visit Lincoln manager Emma Tatlow said: “On a key gateway into the city these signs are a really useful tool to inform visitors, residents and people travelling into the city.

“Hopefully they will inspire people to come back and give them a flavour of the variety of events in the city,” she added.

City Council Economic Sustainability and Tourism Programmes Manager Halina Davies said: “It is important that we make people aware of the vast range of events and attractions the city has to offer and these signs are an effective way of highlighting those to thousands of people each day.”