May 10, 2016 11.58 am
This story is over 90 months old
“Fuming” Lincoln mum takes son out of school following Fitbit row
The mother of a Lincoln village schoolboy has expressed her anger after she claimed his electronic fitness bracelet was confiscated. Suzy Stimpson said she took her 11-year old son Alfie out of St John’s Primary Academy in Bracebridge Heath on Friday after he was told he could not wear his Fitbit. She explained the school had enforced…
Fitbits have been banned from the Lincoln village school.
The mother of a Lincoln village schoolboy has expressed her anger after she claimed his electronic fitness bracelet was confiscated.
Suzy Stimpson said she took her 11-year old son Alfie out of St John’s Primary Academy in Bracebridge Heath on Friday after he was told he could not wear his Fitbit.
She explained the school had enforced a ban on ‘fancy bracelets’, but argued the gadget had been helping him lose weight and improve his fitness.
Taking to social media she said: “I’m not going to let this drop,” threatening on Friday to not let him return to school unless he was allowed to wear it.
Her Facebook post received over 100 ‘likes’.
Suzy said: “We sent him to school on Monday without his Fitbit, which he was very unhappy about.”
Update on Tuesday, May 10:
Suzy told reporters that after her social media posts and speaking with The Lincolnite, the school agreed to allow pupils to wear Fitbit bracelets, except for during PE lessons. “I’m very happy with the outcome,” she said.
The bracelet measures steps and encourages a healthy lifestyle. Suzy claims it was confiscated following a talk in the school’s assembly.
She added previously: “I think children who are told not to wear their Fitbit are being very poorly treated.
“My son has had his Fitbit six weeks and he’s lost four pounds in weight. He’s healthier and fitter already.
“Alfie is really embarrassed about it all. [The school has] made him feel small by taking it off him.”
The Lincolnite contacted St John’s Primary Academy, but the school declined to issue a statement about the matter.
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times:
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