— Lindsay Narey is a PR professional and trainee journalist currently residing in Nottingham, who used to live Lincoln. After Steep Hill winning the Best Street in the UK, Lindsay shares her fondest memories of Steep Hill, and why she is proud of Lincoln.
Lindsay Narey
You’d have thought the Romans might have spared a thought for ladies in inappropriate footwear when they made a cobbled cliff face the connection between Lincoln’s uphill and downhill drinking zones. Unfortunately, they didn’t.
Steep Hill, newly crowned Best Street in the UK by the Academy of Urbanism, was not designed for tackling in heels. I’m sure the reason for this is obvious to locals and visitors alike but just in case – the clue is in the name.
It’s quite simple really; wearing silly shoes, drinking several glasses of Pinot Grigio and then taking on a 1 in 7 gradient might well equal a twisted ankle and unfortunate end to your evening. Despite this danger, the descent from historic Bailgate to the High Street is risked by countless foolishly clad feet every weekend.
Why? As an ex-resident of the fine Cathedral city I may be biased, but where else can your night out be enhanced by a walk/stagger down a narrow hill dotted with Norman houses, Roman architecture, cosy tea rooms and pretty gift shops? Where else can you entertain yourselves by coming up with the most inventive way of reaching the next pub along the route uninjured? Why not walk backwards, slide down on the hand railings, adopt an unusual reversed-ostrich style saunter, or if all else fails, get on the floor and roll down! Steep Hill, despite its heel-based hazards, is unique.
On hearing about the well-deserved Best Street in the UK title I felt truly proud, and was moved to help spread the good news via various social networks. Based on the response the subject, obviously lots of others feel the same. Whether memories of racing up the hill in childhood, entertaining visitors with a leisurely tourist-trail stroll, or braving the icy pavements to reach the crowds in Castle Square on New Year’s Eve. When it comes to stories of ascending or descending Lincoln’s virtually-vertical stretch of cobbles, everyone has a tale to tell.
It’s really great to see the fantastic city of Lincoln given some recognition and Steep Hill is central to the many charms it has to offer. If you’re a local then appreciate what is on your doorstep, and if you’ve never been before, then you should pay a visit — remembering to pack a pair of sturdy flat walking shoes of course.
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The unbelievable moment a seagull got its beak round a duckling on a riverbed in Lincoln has been captured by a local wildlife photographer.
The picture was taken by Tony Cooper, 66, who is retired from his day job and has spent about 12 years photographing wildlife as a hobby, using a 400mm lens on a full frame camera.
He saw it take place at Hartsholme Park, with the seagull grabbing the duckling by the head and forcing it down its throat. Tony shared the footage on social media, garnering a mixed reaction and prompting a debate.
Some say it is just an act of nature captured on camera, while others have said it is too much and should not have been shared, but Tony argues there’s more to wildlife than the nice shots.
He told The Lincolnite: “From a photographic perspective it makes for a dramatic story and shows people the other side of nature, which is not all about bunnies and butterflies.
“I get out doing wildlife most days and see this side to nature a lot, but don’t always get a shot so it makes a change to be able to put this side over in spite of mixed reactions.
“Wildlife programmes show a lot worse than this so I’m a bit surprised by some of the reactions I get.”
Officers were called to reports of a burglary in progress at a premises on Harlow Street, Grimsby at 5:20am this morning (Thursday 26 May).
Following a prompt response from officers five men (from London, Essex and Loughborough) have been arrested on suspicion of burglary.
Whilst carrying out a search of the area and property officers also discovered a cannabis grow at the premises alongside equipment often used when growing cannabis.
Electricity had also been abstracted dangerously.
If you have any information that may assist us with our enquiries, please contact us on our non-emergency number 101 quoting log 46 of 26 May.