What a year 2010 was! The Lincolnite was founded in May, and since then we covered almost 700 stories from across Lincoln. Now we revisit our most read topics.
Giant rats at Lincoln factory
A pair of two foot rats were captured at a factory in Lincoln in August, after beasts of similar size were found in Bradford earlier in the year. There was much debate over the origins of the animals, with speculation that it might be a South American coypus. But because the rodents did not have the distinctive orange teeth seen in the species, it remains a mystery over the exact source of the captured animals.
Lincoln received a dismissive mention on prime-time television on October 11 on E4 in the comedy show The Inbetweeners. The remark was made during an argument between characters Mr Gilbert and Will. In the argument, teacher Mr Gilbert was trying to convince student Will to tell him who had been vandalising flowers in the neighbourhood. When Will could not tell him, Mr Gilbert said: “You’ve got until Monday to find out, otherwise it’s goodbye first-rate education, hello the University of Lincoln.” To which Will replied: “I’d been to Lincoln and it’s a s**thole.” Opinions were split on the remarks, but most Lincolnites took it lightly in the end.
One of the infamous lines.
Vito Cataffo dies
Vito Cataffo, owner of five Italian restaurants in Lincolnshire, and with shares in 30 other restaurants, died on September 28, at the age of 59. Cataffo had health problems, including diabetes, and his health had deteriorated. He owned the Gino’s and Zucchini’s restaurants in Lincoln, as well as Via Iataliano in Newark, and Passion Restaurant in Bologna, Italy. He also had restaurants in Grimsby, Louth, Sleaford, and was set to open a new eaterie in Grantham in mid-to-late October. Cataffo, who achieved national acclaim following a six-part Channel 4 series Dolce Vito, was looking forward to celebrating his 60th birthday in November.
Filling the market gap
After the Christmas market was cancelled, several lower-profile markets tried to fill in for the thousands of visitors expected to descend upon the city. The Healthy Hub was the first to hold an alternative market and an encore the week after. The city also saw a veggie alternative market and one in North Hykeham. None of the four markets were as packed as the original, but they helped several stallholders to offload some of their perishables.
Mystery illness kills dogs
A Lincoln man’s dog was the latest to die of a mystery illness in September, after going for a walk in Nottinghamshire’s Clumber Park. He took his two dogs to the popular walking area in Sherwood Forest, along with his daughter’s pet dog. Later that day, when all three dogs collapsed and were almost comatose, one dying shortly after. The death is an addition to a string of mystery illness in the area. Last year eight dogs died from similar symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea. Conservationists Natural England carried out tests in the park, which concluded that the illness was not due to man-made poisoning, but a natural phenomenon.
Making Lincoln shine for Christmas
Thousands of people gathered in the city centre on November 18 to count down the seconds to the switch-on of the Christmas lights. Among them was Lincoln’s own Batman and BBC actor Colin McFarlane, who turned on the lights at the War Memorial just after 7pm. However, Harry Potter star Chris Rankin (who plays Percy Weasley) was unable to join McFarlane (as previously announced) on stage due to illness. With background music by the Salvation Army Band, Mayor of Lincoln Geoff Kirby and Lincs FM’s Rob Hammond kept the crowds going until light up time.
Lincoln’s own Batman and BBC actor Colin McFarlane.
Lining up for Katie Price
Hundreds of people lined up outside WH Smith in July to get a glimpse of former glamour model Katie Price and her autograph. She came to the city for a book signing for her new novel Paradise. The visit is not her first time in the county. Due to her love for horses, she is a frequent visitor to the Burghley Horse Trials held in Stamford, South Lincolnshire.
Stood up by the Harriers
The 16 RAF Harrier jets that were due to have their final fly-past the Lincoln Cathedral on December 15 left hundreds disappointed. Many stopped at 2pm across the city, looking up to the skies above the cathedral, waiting for the final flight of the jets. Dozens of people also went to the castle observation point to watch the spectacle, while others were on the castle grounds waiting for the show. Even down hill people stopped in areas with good visibility. But an hour later they were all left disappointed, as the jets did not dip down across Lincolnshire at all because it was too cloudy. The jets flew at high altitude, so people could not hear or see them.
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Ukrainian Independence Day is this month, marking 21 years of freedom from the Soviet Republic, and after the tragedy of Russian invasion earlier this year, a march of solidarity and remembrance will be held in Lincoln.
The walk will take place on Wednesday, August 24, 21 years after the 1991 Declaration of Independence in Ukraine, to celebrate the country in all its glory.
It will take on added poignance this year given the tragedy of the Russian invasion of the Eastern European nation, which has seen a total of 5,514 civilian deaths verified by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Lincolnshire people have opened their homes to refugees from Ukraine | Photo: Bradley Wall
The walk begins at 5.45pm, leaving St Mary le Wigford Church – the base of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre of Lincoln – before meandering through the High Street, the Strait, Steep Hill and Exchequergate.
It will arrive at the intended destination of Lincoln Cathedral where a short ceremony will be held outside the monument in memory of the “Lost Children of Ukraine” – before people make their own way home.
| Photo: John Aaron for The Lincolnite
To embrace the true spirit of the event, participants are encouraged to either hold or wear something blue and/or yellow, signifying the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
Lincolnshire has been a keen player in Ukraine support since the initial fallout of the Russian invasion, with more than 800 Ukrainian people welcomed to safety in our county so far.
At the end of February, just days after Russian troops began their invasion, a well-attended candlelit vigil was held at Lincoln Cathedral, while the iconic landmark lit up in Ukraine’s blue and yellow colours.
Staff and students from the University of Lincoln stood in solidarity with Ukraine. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
As well as this, over 100 University of Lincoln staff and students stood shoulder to shoulder on campus in a defiant act of solidarity back in March – promising anyone affected by the conflict that they are not alone.
In April, the Lincoln Run for Ukraine, organised by those behind the annual Santa Fun Run – the Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia – saw the community get their running shoes on for a good cause around the city.
A historic chapel will become a Greylees’ “premier venue” when it becomes a tea room and cocktail bar, the people behind it say.
The New Chapel on Kinross Road in Greylees, near Sleaford, has been granted a license following a major refurbishment.
The new establishment has been widely welcomed by the community.
However, there were worries from some that the 1am closing time on Friday and Saturday nights would lead to disruption for residents.
Owner Freida Alrashaid told North Kesteven District Council’s licensing committee: “The response on social media and in person has been overwhelming support. The community is very much excited for this.”
She took the late 19th century building on in 2014, and had been working to restore and bring it back into use ever since.
Ramal, who will be the Designated Premises Supervisor, said: “Blood, sweat and tears have gone into this – that shows you our level of passion.
“This will be the premier venue in Sleaford for people to come and enjoy themselves. We hope that people will be happy with what we have produced.”
He assured worried residents that they wanted to serve the local community, and not cause a nuisance to them.
The building was abandoned for a number of years. | Image: David Bosworth
The venue will be licensed to serve alcohol until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and 1am Friday to Saturday, although this will mainly be used for special events.
However, some local residents said at the meeting they still had concerns about late night noise.
Chris Cocks said: “This is a peaceful area to love – with such a late license in the evenings, we will hear the noise and it will be intrusive. We haven’t had assurances on noise limiting technology.
“I am in favour of this venture, but the disruption in the early hours of the morning does worry me.”
Sarah Freeman said she was also worried about the effect on nearby families with young children.
However, Jan Gunter told the committee: “I live around 150 yards away and have no objections at all. We know that 1am events will be the exception rather than the rule.
“We have been promised so many facilities for the area over the years and none have been realised. This is to be welcomed.”
The applicants said they would endeavour to stop noise travelling, and would ask large parties not to park on the street.
The committee has granted the license application, saying that “no evidence had been presented to show there will be problems with anti-social behaviour, increase in traffic noise and parking noise, and that the information was speculative.”
The building was previously Rauceby Hospital Chapel but fell into disrepair over the years.
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