The first Off The Bench apprentices (L-R): Jamie De Boick, Alice Carter, Tyler Wells, Hannah Turner, and OTB Chief Exec Pete Genders (center)
Twenty full-time apprenticeships and 40 pre-aprenticeship works placements are up for grabs for Lincoln young people aged 16-18 years from Lincolnshire youth organisation Off The Bench.
In a month where the government has released the highest unemployment figures the UK has seen since the 1980s, the apprenticeships are targeted at young people who are currently NEET (not in education, employment or training).
The opportunities on offer are Sports Development Assistants and Activity Leaders, working to deliver a range of sports and positive activities to people of all ages across the city, county and national events organisation by Off The Bench in partnership with StreetGames and Lincolnshire County Council.
The apprenticeships offer NVQ Level 2 qualifications, delivered by national training agency ActiveFirst. On completion of all the qualifications, learners will have the opportunity to apply for a position of Apprenticeship Activity Leader with Off The Bench in partnership with Route2.
The pre-apprenticeship programme starts on April 1, and the first cohort of 10 apprentices to start May 1, with the second round to start on September 1, which gives the first 10 a chance to settle in and become mentors for the second 10.
Michael Skinner from Off The Bench said: “We’re all aware these are difficult times for young people at the moment with much of the national media focused on the doom and gloom of the economy.
“We’re therefore extremely excited and happy to be offering the young people of Lincoln the chance of a route into work and getting them active in something they enjoy,” he added.
Steve Walker, Careers Guidance Service Manager at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Careers Lincolnshire, the County Council’s Careers Service, is pleased to provide their support, through partnership working, to Off the Bench and their new initiative to enhance the support offered to unemployed young people in the Lincoln area in accessing support services and opportunities for employment and training.”
For any young person interested in or wanting to apply for one of the available apprenticeships, please contact Off The Bench on 01522 837293 or email [email protected].
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The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
A Shadow Executive made up up Labour and Independent councillors has been formed as the opposition on Conservative-led Lincolnshire County Council.
Councillor Robert Park, Labour Group Leader, will serve as Leader of the Opposition until the next Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2022. The role will then transfer to Councillor Phil Dilks, Independent Group Leader, for the following year.
This follows the agreement at the county council meeting on September 18 that the Labour Group and Independent Group should together be recognised as the opposition.
September’s council meeting also endorsed a protocol to alternate the post of Leader of the Opposition on an annual basis.
The eight elected members of the county council named as the official Shadow Executive are as follows:
Labour
Councillor Robert Parker – Resources, Communications, Commissioning, and Procurement
Councillor Julie Killey – Children’s Services including Safeguarding
Councillor Karen Lee – Adult Social Care, including Local Authority Public Health
Councillor Kev Clarke – Fire and Rescue, including Community Safety and Cultural Services
Councillor Robert Parker said:“This is a practical solution to make sure that there is a recognised Opposition to hold Conservative councillors and particularly the Executive to account for their actions.
“We will be doing so on behalf of the people of Lincolnshire. After all, the Council has a revenue budget of £505 million a year and a capital budget of £208 million: scrutiny of that level of expenditure is essential.
“We will also be putting forward our own policies as will the Independents. Where we agree with their policy proposals no doubt we will support them.”
Independents
Councillor Phil Dilks – Waste, Trading Standards, People Management, Legal and Corporate Property
Councillor Ashley Baxter – Economic Development, Environment and Planning
Councillor Marianne Overton – Highways, Transport and IT
Councillor Richard Cleaver – NHS Liaison and Community Engagement
Councillor Phil Dilks said: “Effective Opposition and well-informed constructive scrutiny in local government contributes to more robust and accountable decision-making. So it’s important that an agreement has been achieved which allows a functioning Shadow Executive to be established.
“We look forward to working creatively to offer positive and innovative proposals for the benefit of the people of Lincolnshire – whilst ensuring that the identity and integrity of both our groups is maintained.”
The return of big and fantastic firework displays in and around the city will create a lot of excitement in November.
The Lincolnite has put together a list of displays to look out for to celebrate Bonfire Night this autumn.
If your display is not on the list and you’d like it to be added, please email full details to [email protected].
Autumn Lights – Lincolnshire Showground
The popular Autumn Lights fireworks display is returning to the Lincolnshire Showground on November 6, with fire and glow entertainers, street food and drink, as well as a funfair.
The fireworks display will be choreographed to music alongside hot air balloons glowing in the night sky.
Where: Lincolnshire Showground When: Saturday, November 6 (2pm-9pm) Cost: £45-£55 per car – buy tickets here
Fireworks will be back at Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank stadium for the first time since 2019 with a fun evening of family entertainment on November 4.
There will also be live music and entertainment, including from the cast of New Theatre Royal Lincoln’s Christmas panto Beauty & the Beast, and a chance to meet the Lincoln City first team.
Where: Lincoln City’s LNER Stadium When: Thursday, November 4 (from 5pm, display at 8pm) Cost: Adults £6, concessions £4, family £18, with discounts for Imps Gold/Gold + Members – buy tickets here.
Lincoln Rugby Club fireworks display
Watch the fireworks at Lincoln Rugby Club. | Photo: Brian Penney
Lincoln Rugby Club in Nettleham will host a fireworks display with fun for all the family – fairground rides, candy floss, a sparkler pit, large inflatable slide and bouncy castle.
There will also be pizzas, burgers, hotdogs and a sweet stall at the family-friendly event.
Where: Lincoln Rugby Club, Lodge Lane, Nettleham When: Friday, November 5 (gates open 6pm, display at around 7pm) Cost: £5 per person or family tickets for £15 (two adults, two children). It is advised to book in advance, but tickets can also be bought on the day. Buy tickets here.
Firework Spectacular at Sir Francis Hill
Firework Spectacular at Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School
The annual firework event will return with a bang at Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School for its 25th year, on November 5.
Fireworks, fairground rides and food will be available at the event described by the school as “a great night out for all the family at one of Lincoln’s most popular firework events”.
Where: Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School, Bristol Drive, Lincoln When: Friday, November 5 (5.30pm-8pm) Cost: Adults £5, children £3, family tickets also available and prices vary. People can purchase tickets here in advance or pay at the gate on the day.
Harmston Young Farmers Bonfire Night
| Photo: Harmston Young Farmers
The free annual family bonfire and firework night held by Harmston Young Farmers’ club for the village and the wider community returns this autumn.
There will be hot food, a licensed bar, sparkler zone, and a rousing performance by The Sleaford Concert Band.
Where: Harmston Village, LN5 9SN When: Wednesday, November 3 (starts 6pm, fireworks at 7.30pm) Cost: Free entry, but donations will be collected throughout the evening for a chosen charity.
The Sturton by Stow bonfire and fireworks night will return on November 6, 2021.
The annual firework spectacular will return to the Sturton by Stow recreation field
There will be food and drink stalls, as well as glow sticks sold by Sturton Youth Club. The event will help raise money for the local recreation field, FOSSA and Sturton by Stow Youth Club.
Tickets will be available from mid-October from Sturton General Stores and Sturton Primary School, with limited tickets available on the gate.
Where: Sturton Recreation Field, LN1 2BU (parking available at the school and Bradshaws) When: Saturday, November 6 (gates open at 5.30pm) Cost: Adults £6, under-14s £4, under-3s free. Family ticket (two adults and two children) £18 if purchased in advance.
The bonfire night and fireworks event will return to the village of Bassingham in 2021. | Photo: Elliot Doody
The fireworks event in the village of Bassingham will return for the first time in four years, for families and anyone who still loves a traditional bonfire night.
Tickets can be purchased from Greens of Bassingham corner shop and The Bugle Horn pub, with a limited number available on the gate on the night.
Where: A field in Bassingham near LN5 9JU When: Saturday, November 6 (starts at 7pm with fireworks at 7.20pm & 7.45pm) Cost: Adults £3, under-16s £2, under-4s free.
Harby Bonfire and Firework display
Harby Bonfire and Firework display will be held on November 5, 2021.
Harby’s firework display is its main source of income to help provide the local playing field, bowls pavilion, tennis court, and children’s play area.
Due to bad weather and coronavirus, Harby’s last firework display was held there years ago, so this will be an extra special event and help raise some urgently needed funds. Food, drinks and refreshments stalls will be available.
Where: Church Road, Harby, NG23 7ED When: Friday, November 5 (gates open at 6pm) Cost: Adults £5 and all under-16s get in for free
Ingham Bonfire Night
Ingham Bonfire Night will take place on November 5, 2021.
Food and drink will be on sale inside the village hall as part of the returning Ingham Bonfire Night.
No sparklers are allowed, but glow sticks will be on sale, while there will be limited free parking at the GP surgery on Lincoln Road.
Where: Ingham and Cammeringham Village Hall and car park When: Friday, November 5 (gates open 6.15pm, bonfire lit at 7pm, fireworks at 7.30pm) Cost: Tickets on the gate – Adults £5.50, Children £4.50 (under-5s free), Family Ticket £18 (two adults, two children)
Witham St Hughs Bonfire and Firework Night
Witham St Hughs Bonfire and Firework Night.
There will be kids rides, food vendors and a bar at this year’s Witham St Hughs Bonfire Night.
Where: Witham St Hughs Village Hall When: Saturday, November 6 (gates open at 5pm, bonfire lit at 7pm, and fireworks at 7.30pm) Cost: Tickets can be purchased online or on the gate. On the gate is priced at £8 for those aged 16 and over and £6 for children aged 5-15. Online tickets are £5.50 for those aged 16 and over, with children aged 5-15 costing £4.50. Family tickets are also available priced at £17.
RAF Waddington will also be hosting a fireworks display on Wednesday, November 3. It is only open to military personnel and will be taking place on base, but the local community will likely be lucky enough to see the display from their homes as per previous years.
Elsewhere in the county, the popular Enchanted Lights event returns to Stourton Estates in Baumber near Horncastle between November 4 to 6.
An alternative evening’s entertainment to a traditional bonfire or fireworks night, including the trees and arboretum lit up with coloured lights, toasting marshmallows on specially designed mini fire-pits, and more – see more information and buy tickets here.
The family of Keith Smith has paid tribute to the 70-year-old biker after he died in a crash with a car towing a trailer near Market Rasen.
The incident happened on October 6, 2021, on the B1202 at Lissington.
Keith’s family released the following tribute:
Keith left home on his trusted motorbike, to make the most of the good weather and have a cup of tea at Willingham Woods. Unfortunately, he never made it home and this is the worst tragedy ever for our family to lose him in such unbelievable circumstances; we are all so devastated.
Keith was a much loved husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, granddad, uncle and friend. He was well respected and loved in many different communities, including Karate (for over 40 years), trials bike riding, the Lincoln branch of the Triumph owners club and the Institute of Advanced Motorcycle training (IAM).
He was first and foremost a family man, he was an engineer, intelligent, intellectual, he was a deep thinker and would be calculated and calm in everything he did.
He had a passion for motorbikes almost his entire life, from the age of 12-years-old. He covered hundreds of thousands of miles over the years on his motorbike, mostly with his wife of almost 50 years, as a pillion. He’d also covered tens of thousands of miles on his bicycle. He enjoyed keeping his mind and body fit and healthy.
We’ll remember him with such love and affection. He was always there for family and friends, no matter what the situation was.
Keith was our rock, the man who was always dependable, reliable and on time. He was always busy with a project and always on the go. He was successful in whatever he turned his hand to, be it family life, work or hobbies.
Keith was our hero, such a quiet, loving, unassuming man and we’ll miss him forever.
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