Local man climbs onto Cathedral scaffolding

More than 276,000 people flocked to Lincoln Christmas Market as the festive event made a comeback following last year’s cancellation.

More than 150 stalls were in Castle Square, Lincoln Castle grounds, The Lawn, and Westgate, providing a wide range of both local and national gifts, food and drink between December 2 and 5. There was also fun for all the family including a funfair and a big wheel, where one Lincoln couple got engaged.

The visitor numbers for this year’s event represented a 15% increase on 2019, despite the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the largest crowds of people to the city Covid since hit.

As well as the market, people were also able to enjoy stunning views of Lincoln Cathedral, which was lit up in purple for advent.

Councillor Neil Murray, portfolio holder for economic growth at City of Lincoln Council said: “Lincoln Christmas Market was dearly missed last year and to have received such positive feedback for this year’s event is very rewarding.

“This market brings millions of pounds to the local economy and sees many visitors who go to the market at Christmas return again and again to the city to explore what else we have to offer.

“I’d personally like to thank all City of Lincoln Council staff involved in making this such a successful event, and to our partner organisations for all their work. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the market in 2022.”

Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the event. The 2022 Lincoln Christmas Market will take place between December 1 and 4 next year.

The festive event was enjoyed by many people, but some were left frustrated by the decision to close the Park & Ride at the Lincolnshire Showground on Sunday after adverse weather left the ground too muddy.

The Bon Jovi Experience, the only tribute band in the world to be endorsed by the man himself, will be performing in Lincoln next May.

Described by Jon Bon Jovi as “the best Bon Jovi tribute band I’ve ever seen”, The Bon Jovi Experience will play all the big hits when they come to the Engine Shed in Lincoln on Friday, May 20, 2022.

They remain the only tribute act in the world to have played live with Jon Bon Jovi himself, and are a rarity in the realms of tribute acts in being endorsed by the artist they are imitating.

The show was due to take place on Friday, October 8 this year, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now be in May 2022.

Chad Kroeger, lead singer of American rock band Nickelback, said of the tribute band’s lead singer: “Have you seen this guy? He looks so much like Jon Bon Jovi, it’s freaky man!”

The band consists of Tony Pearce as Jon on lead vocals, Steve ‘Edd’ Edmunds as lead guitarist Ritchie Sambora, Nick Overfield as bass player Hugh McDonald, Paul Dunstan as drummer Tico Torres and Steve Lawrence as keyboard player David Bryan.

Tickets cost £23.10, so don’t be Livin’ On A Prayer and be sure to get them from the Engine Shed website before they sell out!

Councillors have officially confirmed their reasons for rejecting proposals to build a controversial oil drill in the Lincolnshire Wolds – but taken noise concerns off the cards.

Lincolnshire County Council’s Planning and Regulation Committee originally voted to refuse Egdon Resources’ plans for Biscathorpe in November 1.

Egdon had said the area was believed to contain more than 30 million barrels of oil, which would provide 15 years’ supply.

On Monday, councillors confirmed unanimously that they thought the plans were contrary to the Minerals and Waste Local Plan Core Strategy and Development Management Policies, as well as the East Lindsey Local Plan.

A report before councillors said: “The introduction of extended periods of external lighting into this largely unlit protected landscape would have an adverse impact on the character of this special landscape that cannot be satisfactorily mitigated.

“This would draw attention to the development and create a lit visual intrusion into this largely dark sky location.

“The public benefits… do not outweigh the identified harm to the character of the Wolds AONB and the county council… do not consider it is possible to mitigate these impacts to an acceptable level.”

There was also uncertainty over the timescales of the project.

However, head of planning at the authority Neil McBride advised councillors that noise concerns should be removed from the reasons.

“It would be very difficult to bring forward a defence in relation to noise,” he said.

Chairman Councillor Ian Fleetwood agreed with the officer’s recommendation.

“We need to get on and deliver the reasons to the applicant and the public so people have some certainty where the council stands,” he said.

Councillor Alison Austin added: “I don’t particularly recall noise being the main issue. We refer to the policies but I don’t think noise was the one that was important or key.”

Objectors gathered in the committee to watch Lincolnshire County Council reject the plans for Biscathorpe at the start of November. | Photo: Daniel Jaines

The Biscathorpe plans have faced a fierce backlash since their reveal with a petition handed to the council carrying more than 1,800 signatures, while more than 200 locals also submitted objections.

Campaigners said the drill would fly in the face of climate concerns – though the climate does not come under planning regulations.

Five of the parish councils closest to the site – Donnington-On-Bain, Hemingby, South Elkington, Welton-Le-Wold and South Willingham – also objected to the plans, along with MP for Louth and Horncastle Victoria Atkins, Natural England, Historic England, and multiple other organisations.

The developers said the site would be restored to agricultural use once the drilling had finished.

Egdon previously drilled in the location in 2018 and said there was little impact, it also said it was going to work closely with the Environment Agency.

Councillors and objectors have previously highlighted a lack of national policy allowing climate change to be considered as a material planning policy.