University prepares for Royal visit

The University of Lincoln will exhibit at the government’s upcoming COP26 climate change conference, and it will be showcasing its cutting edge net zero robot farmers.

The UN climate change conference COP26 will take place in Glasgow from October 31, aiming to bring nations together in a united effort to accelerate action towards combatting global warming.

The Lincoln institute for agri-food technology, a specialist research institute of the University of Lincoln, will be in attendance at COP26 to exhibit its robotics and artificial intelligence technology at the event.

The technology will be on display at COP26. | Photo: University of Lincoln

The university will be showcasing ‘Robofruit’, which uses AI and novel picking technology to harvest ripe fruit in an environmentally conscious way.

The net zero element of it comes from reduced food waste by better utilising crops, and it will also help to address any labour shortages in the UK.

Using AI technology, fruit can be picked and packed with robot assistance. | Photo: University of Lincoln

Aiming to be the future of sustainable food production. | Photo: University of Lincoln

The agri-food technology institute are also responsible for Robot Highways, which sees robots assist farmers by carrying out essential energy intensive physical farm processes, including picking and packing fruit and treating crops.

Lincoln is the only university in the UK to be selected for an exhibit at COP26. | Photo: University of Lincoln

Dr Amir Ghalamzan-Esfahani, Associate Professor in Robotics at the University of Lincoln, who will be showcasing Robofruit, said: “We are demonstrating to the world how robotics and automation are shaping the future of UK and international farming and food production.

“The University of Lincoln is at the forefront of the UK’s agri-tech and agri-food developments, with our research and teaching supporting innovation and developing workforce skills alongside partners across our food and farming sectors. Together, we aim for a net zero emissions across the industry.”

| Photo: University of Lincoln

West Lindsey District Council will get £10 million from the government as part of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Autumn budget to help regenerate Gainsborough.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak outlined his Autumn budget on Wednesday, which had nearly £30 million of levelling up funding dedicated to Lincolnshire.

£19.6 million was awarded to Lincolnshire County Council for improvement works on the A16 corridor between Spalding and Boston, while £10.3 million of the total £4.8 billion government fund will go towards improvements in Gainsborough.

Designs for the new cinema in the old Lindsey Centre in Gainsborough. | Image: WLDC

West Lindsey District Council hopes that with this funding, which will be spent by 2024, can help projects including

• A new four-screen Savoy cinema, redeveloping the old Lindsey Centre site, three commercial units and a car park.
• Improving Whitton’s Gardens, creating a new park at the Baltic Mill
• Refurbishing the bus station
• Creating new homes in the town centre above shops
• Improving the Market Place as the centre piece of town where people can enjoy outdoor dining, visit our traditional twice weekly street market and meet with friends and family.

The successful funding bid was treated with a wholly positive reaction from councillors, including leader of WLDC Owen Bierley, who said: “We are aware of how competitive this funding was, and how many local authorities had submitted proposals, so needless to say we are absolutely delighted that we have been awarded the full allocation of our bid.

“This amount of money can have a real benefit to our community, and I want to thank all the officers involved for putting together and submitting such a robust, strong plan.”

Gainsborough MP Edward Leigh.

Sir Edward Leigh MP – who supported the bid and personally spoke to ministers to assist with the bid – added: “This project will have an incredible impact on Gainsborough, offering a chance for the town to get investment that will really make people sit up and take notice.

“This town deserves it, and I am absolutely delighted and cannot wait to see the work taking place.”

Mablethorpe’s first large Tesco superstore opened on Thursday.

The 20,000 square foot superstore created 115 new jobs in the coastal town and seven colleagues joined the team after completing the regeneration programme working with People Plus England.

The supermarket will be open 7am-11pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sundays.

The local mayor was among those present at the opening of Mablethorpe’s new Tesco superstore.

It is also part of Tesco’s Community Food Connection (CFC) which takes surplus food, that is still fit for use, and donates it daily to local groups and food banks to help those who need it most in the community.

Tesco presented three charities and community programmes – Mablethorpe Primary Academy, Furnichurch, and Springwell Community Learning – with special grant donations of £1,000 each at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new supermarket on Friday, October 28.

Officially opening the new Tesco superstore in Mablethorpe.

The car park at the new Tesco superstore in Mablethorpe.

Liz Stewart, Store Manager, said: “We are incredibly proud to support these very special local charities and to have presented them with the community grants today. We know this money will make a real difference to the groups.

“We are extremely excited to have opened our Mablethorpe superstore. The new store offers the local community a brilliant service, Changing Places Facility, F&F clothing and a broad range of products, as well as available free-to-use EV charging points. We look forward to welcoming our first customers.”