Shadow Minister for Communities, MP Lyn Brown. Photo: Stuart Wilde
The Shadow Minister for Communities, Lyn Brown, has praised efforts for community cohesion in Lincoln and echoed views that Saturday’s demonstrations are unwelcome.
She also said that people in Lincoln she spoke to about the anti-mosque protest on Saturday said they were worried.
The MP met with Lincoln groups and organisations on January 16, who have made special efforts to improve the lives of people in the area.
The City of Lincoln Council and partners have engaged in a number of campaigns over two years in order to improve cohesion in the city.
Among specific achievements, the group were commended for the recent “SHUSH campaign”, as well as the “Meet in the Street” event and “World Hello Day”.
A prevalent topic of debate focused on the planned East Anglian Patriots (EAP) demonstration and counter-demonstration on January 18.
The Shadow Minister said that, after speaking with the Chairman of the Islamic Association, the community in Lincoln are a ‘trailblazer’ for cohesion.
“It’s been fabulous to hear all of the initiatives for cohesion that have been going on in the city”, said MP Lyn Brown. “Lincoln is a place of pride and of identity.
“In response to the concerns for immigration, I didn’t notice load of Bulgarians and Romanians running through the Channel Tunnel and I think we have perhaps learned that there is a lot of hype, and hype can bring fear.
“Lincoln appears to be understanding that these issues could create tensions, and it is working out ways in which to mitigate. Local authorities are planning and working with people, which is a great thing to do.
“With regards to the EAP demonstration on Saturday, the people I spoke to were worried. There is also a very clear perception that these people weren’t from Lincoln or Lincolnshire and they didn’t get any purchase last time they came.
“Possibly the best thing that can happen is nothing. Lincoln is a tolerant place, but it is been forced into hosting this march. The people I have met want them to stay away, so stay away.”
Simon Walters, Assistant Director for Corporate Review and Development said: “Overall in the city, community cohesion is good. People enjoy living in the city and feel accepted in the city. But, of course, there are occasions where that’s not the case.
“When we get occasions like the planned march on Saturday, it makes people worried as to where to turn to next.
“Rather than respond after the event, and try to bring the community back together, we aim to work in advance with the community.
“Form speaking today with members of the Islamic Association, advance relationships in the community can be vital for when we sense issues emerging in an area.”
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Eight people were fined for two separate COVID-19 rule breaches over the weekend, after being found partying and camping near Woodhall Spa.
Officers were called to two different incidents at Ostler’s Plantation, a woodland area near Woodhall Spa on Saturday, January 16 and on Sunday, January 17.
Five people were issued with £200 fines after a report of partying at around 11.08pm on Saturday.
The next morning, police were again called to the area at 8.21am after people were seen camping at the location.
Three people were fined as a result of this, again valued at £200 due to being first time offenders.
If these fines are paid within 14 days of the offence, the cost will be cut in half to £100.
On the same weekend, but this time in a different location, six urban explorers were fined after travelling from three different counties to try and gain access to an abandoned hospital in Grantham.
The behaviour of COVID-19 rule breakers has been described as “dangerous” by Lincolnshire Police’s assistant chief constable Kerrin Wilson, who referred to them as “Covidiots”.
Grimsby Town signed defender Rollin Menayese on loan until the end of the season.
The 23-year-old central defender is coming from fellow League Two side Mansfield Town, who he joined in the summer of 2020 after three years at Bristol Rovers.
It is new manager Paul Hurst’s second signing of the window, as he looks to turn the club’s fortunes around after Ian Holloway’s departure.
Menayese has made 14 appearances for Mansfield this season, scoring two goals, and he hopes to now help Grimsby in their fight against relegation.
The new signing said: “I found out a couple of weeks or a week ago, when I spoke to the manager, spoke to my agent and I was very interested and keen to join.
“I think it’s the right time for me because I really want to push myself, I want to keep on improving and hopefully we can get some wins.”
Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst was pleased to be able to bolster his defensive options for the coming games.
He said: “He’s a player that I have been aware of for some time.
“At the start of this season, I had said that I had been watching games and he is someone that caught the eye while he has been at Mansfield.”
Rollin will be available to play in the Lincolnshire derby with Scunthorpe United on Saturday, which could be huge in how the relegation fight pans out.
Scunthorpe are currently hovering just two points above the relegation zone, with Grimsby currently in the bottom two, staring demotion to the National League in the face unless form turns around.
It’s very tight at the bottom of League Two, but Scunthorpe and Grimsby are in danger of relegation. | Photo: BBC Sport (accurate as of January 18, 2021)
The first appointments went ahead at 11am on Monday, January 18, with the site having the capacity to deliver 1,500 vaccines every day.
The new COVID-19 vaccination centre in Boston. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
It will be open seven days a week from 8am to 7pm, prioritising the most vulnerable people in the area before expanding to the wider community.
Letters have been sent out to people over 80 years of age who live within 45 minutes driving distance of the centre.
The letter invites people to book their vaccination through the national booking service, either online or by telephone.
Details will only be given to those who are sent a letter or contacted, so people are being urged not to contact their GP about this and wait for the NHS to come to you.
1,500 jabs could be delivered every day at the Boston vaccine hub. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
It is part of a national push to get people vaccinated across the country, as health secretary Matt Hancock said he is aiming for everyone to have had the first dose by September.
The site is another option for people who are eligible for the vaccine at this stage, meaning they can secure an appointment for the Boston PRSA up to seven days in advance.
Alternatively, people can wait to be called by the NHS and be invited to their local vaccination sites, of which there are now 21 in Greater Lincolnshire.
The full list of sites operating as vaccination hubs in the county are:
Hospital Hubs
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust
Lincoln County Hospital
Boston Pilgrim Hospital
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust
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