A total of five candidates are standing in the City of Lincoln Council elections in the Moorland ward.
Labour’s Bob Bushell is defending the seat, with the Conservatives, Greens, Liberal Democrats and UKIP also fielding candidates.
Bob Bushell – Labour
Bob Bushell
Age: 64
Marital status: Other
What are the main issues affecting your ward, and how would you address them if re-elected as a city councillor?
In no particular order: The lack of affordable housing. Social deprivation. Crime and disorder. Highways issues. Dog fouling. The potential loss of Boultham Library. The protection of open spaces and allotments.
I would continue to support the building of more council houses. Work with other agencies to mitigate the affects of poverty. Continue meeting with the police team. Promote Lincoln as a city companies should invest in to create skilled employment. Highlight the problems of dog fouling. I would continue to actively support the “Save Lincolnshire Libraries ” group. Lobby the county council to invest in our highways and footpaths.
What makes you different to the other candidates in your ward?
I have lived in Lincoln for over 50 years and have had a home in Moorland ward for nearly 36 years. I have worked in mental health for over 40 years. I have extensive experience in being a city councillor.
I am committed to making the ward and the city an even better place to live and to tackle all the issues that ultimately affects us all.
I believe I have the personal skills and objectivity to work with all members of the community and other agencies. I love Lincoln and I’m proud to represent the city at every opportunity.
Tell us something interesting about you that not many people know.
I play ukulele in the Lincoln Ukulele Band.
David Denman – Conservative
Age: 54
Marital status: Engaged
What are the main issues affecting your ward, and how would you address them if elected as a city councillor?
If elected I will:
1. Fight to tackle Moorland’s traffic congestion;
2. Work with local residents to keep the Ballast Hole railway
level.
3. Provide feedback from Moorland residents and businesses to local police to make Moorland safer; and
4. Be available to residents by phone and email 24/7 and to hold two sugeries a month with no appointment necessary.
What makes you different to the other candidates in your ward?
The work I undertake in my professional life has given me a valuable insight into how environmental issues and planning law can affect local communities.
I have also been a Lincoln city councillor before representing Glebe ward in the north of the city.
Tell us something interesting about you that not many people know.
I love cricket and playing the drums.
James Grigg – Green
James Grigg
Age: Not provided
Marital status: Not provided
What are the main issues affecting your ward, and how would you address them if elected as a city councillor?
Being a little way from the centre of the city, I feel that transport is a major issue for Moorland – both to get to shops, services, and leisure facilities located in the city centre, but also in managing traffic from other areas of the city passing through the ward to the same locations.
So it is crucial there are good transport routes and services for all the people in the ward.
Moorland also benefits from some excellent green spaces, which I would want to ensure are well looked after for the benefit of everyone living nearby.
What makes you different to the other candidates in your ward?
As a Green Party candidate I stand apart from the other parties, with a fresh vision and perspective on Lincoln and the world at large.
What matters to me is not short term success for myself or the political party I have chosen to support, but the ongoing sustainability of our planet and our society.
Having Green voices in the city council will bring a much more rational and careful approach, ensuring there is fairness for all the people of Lincoln now, and leaving a better world for future generations.
Tell us something interesting about you that not many people know.
I have solar panels on my house! It’s been great to see others with them while I’ve been canvassing. I generate more power than I use, the excess goes back into the grid for other people to use the carbon free energy, I highly recommend getting some if you can!
Kevin Harrington – UKIP
Kevin Harrington
Age: 51
Marital status: Married
What are the main issues affecting your ward, and how would you address them if elected as a city councillor?
As a city councillor it would be my role to represent the residents on local issues like tackling crime, street cleaning, bin collection, road repairs and maintenance, dog fouling, speeding and general behaviour.
I think PCSO’s are good for the community and as a council we should try to increase their presence in all wards. We want to make this ward, and the country as a whole a safe clean and prosperous place to live. We believe in giving local people the power to make local decisions.
What makes you different to the other candidates in your ward?
Whilst I am a UKIP candidate I see my role would be to represent the views and thoughts of all the people of Moorland ward.
I will listen to any issue and act where appropriate. My experience as an Army Officer in human resources will help as I am used to discussing and deciding upon major strategic issues and then implementing them on the ground.
I will ensure that the views of the people in Moorland ward are heard and provide constructive feedback.
Tell us something interesting about you that not many people know.
I ran the ultra marathon in Biel, Switzerland; a 100km race. Whilst in the army I have served in many countries including Turkey, New Zealand, Gibraltar, Cyprus Norway, Belgium, Denmark and Germany.
Ross Pepper – Liberal Democrats
Ross Pepper
Age: 28
Marital status: Single
What are the main issues affecting your ward, and how would you address them if elected as a city councillor?
Some parts of the ward are suffering from high levels of deprivation. We need find ways for providing extra support to those areas to ensure we create a fair and equal society. By investing in projects to support local families and businesses, especially those aimed at young people like additional apprenticeships or youth groups where they can develop new skills, we could help alleviate the problems the ward faces.
What makes you different to the other candidates in your ward?
Being a local resident in Moorland for 20 years, I am well placed to understand the needs and concerns of Moorland’s residents, and I feel I have the passion and commitment to fight for a better deal for Moorland on the council.
I also want to make politics local again, where the people living in the ward know their local representative and can approach them to talk about the issues that matter to them as individuals and work alongside them to help improve the neighbourhood.
Tell us something interesting about you that not many people know.
I am currently in the middle of writing a novel.
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A new family-run restaurant and takeaway serving authentic Greek food has opened in Lincoln city centre, and The Lincolnite went to check it out.
Spyridon Tsichlis and his wife Marisofi Kiourtzidou came up with the idea for The Greek Brothers and opened their first restaurant and takeaway in Mansfield in February 2021.
After visiting Lincoln Spyridon said he loved the city and the “beautiful atmosphere” and an opportunity came up to purchase the lease of the building next to Wilko off the High Street on Waterside South, formerly occupied by JayDees and The Fish King.
The Greek Brothers serves a variety of Gyros including chicken, pork, halloumi, and burger. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Souvlaki is another Greek favourite on the menu. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Spyridon bought the lease with his father-in-law Dimitrios Kirtikos and, after a lot of work inside including renovating the kitchen, The Greek Brothers welcomed its first customers on Monday, May 9.
The Greek Brothers takeaway and restaurant is open seven days a week between 11am and 7pm, and Spryidon said he is hoping to extend these hours in the future. Customers can also order authentic Greek street food from the takeaway, including via Deliveroo.
Gabby Kennedy and Spyridon Tsichlis from The Greek Brothers in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Take a look inside! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The new takeaway and restaurant has created four new jobs, with an additional six to be hired in the future.
See the rest of our photo gallery below:
Gabby Kennedy and Spyridon Tsichlis from The Greek Brothers in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
We are investigating a serious assault after a man has received multiple stab wounds.
We received a call to reports that a man had been found with serious injuries in Mareham Lane, Sleaford, at around 3.30pm on Sunday 15 May.
The victim, who is in his 30s, was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
We have arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH). He remains in police custody.
We would like to hear from anyone who may have captured CCTV, dashcam or Go-pro footage in the location at the time the incident was reported, or in the few hours before hand.
Detective Inspector Remy Simon said: “We are carrying out investigations in this area and you may see an increased police presence while we do that. We know this might be worrying, and we would like to reassure you that we believe this to be an isolated incident. There are a number of lines of enquiry we are following up on.
“The victim was found near a busy road and there is a good chance that our local community may have information or footage which could help our enquiries, so we would encourage people to check their dashcams, Go-Pros or CCTV as soon as possible and share anything which may help with us. We’d like to hear about, or view, anything you may have, no matter how small you think it is, as every piece of information could prove vital.”
There are a number of ways to get in touch:
By calling 101 quoting incident number 262 of 15 May.
By emailing force.[email protected]putting incident number 262 of 15 May in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.