Things to expect in Lincoln in 2017

For many, 2016 offered a glimpse into a New Year of possibilities and unexplored territories. From the promise of eventual divorce from the European Union, to the beginnings of major local infrastructure projects, there’s already lots to add to look out for in the months ahead.

Our roundup of top milestones to expect this year includes some of the biggest events of 2017 for your calendar:

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Scampton Airshow

The first Scampton Airshow will take place at RAF Scampton, home of the RAF Red Arrows aerobatics team, between September 9 and 10, 2017.

The show will help to raise funds for the RAF Charitable Trust.

It was arranged following the discontinuation of the Waddington Airshow, which was regularly attended by over 140,000 visitors.

Read the latest on plans for the 2017 airshow from director Paul Sall in his column for The Lincolnite.

Tickets are only available in advance here.

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Lincolnshire Business Expo

The countdown has officially begun to the largest business to business event in the county. The Lincolnshire Business Expo takes place on Wednesday, January 18 at the Lincolnshire Showground.

The day will feature more than 35 guest speakers at 25 events including TV personality and tech guru Jason Bradbury, Bank of England East Midland Agent Alastair Cunningham and Managing Director of Russell Payne & Co and Archive 365 Russell Payne.

Some 90 businesses will be exhibiting throughout the day.

There’s still time to register for free attendance to take part in a range of seminars, workshops and to hear from the wide range of speakers. 

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Lincolnshire Show

The Lincolnshire Show is one of the most highly anticipated events on the Lincoln calendar. Featuring a range of local businesses, show-stopping performers, food, drink  and livestock, the show welcomes thousands each year.

The show makes place across the ground of the Lincolnshire Showground off the A15 on June 21 and 22.

Find out more about the event on the website here. 

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Lincolnshire County Council elections

The next Lincolnshire County Council elections will be held this spring.

The process of selecting candidates for the 77 electoral divisions is currently underway and the date for elections had been provisionally set for May 4.

In the 2013 elections, the Conservative Party lost overall control of the council after previously enjoying a sizeable majority. The Conservatives have 36 seats.

The UK Independence Party became the council’s second biggest party, but lost six of its councillors to defections. Labour now form the official opposition.

Changes to the electoral constituencies of the county are still under consultation with the Boundary Commission for England. While no county constituencies would be lost under final recommendations, a number of changes will affect areas of the county.

The BCE must report to Parliament in 2018 and, if agreed by Parliament, the new constituencies will be in use at the next scheduled general election in 2020.

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Lincoln Knights’ Trail

Inspired by the overwhelming success and popularity of the 2015 Lincoln Barons’ Charter Trail, a collection of 35 unique knight sculptures will form part of a new city attraction for 2017.

The hand-designed sculptures, complete with horse and shield, will be scattered across distinct locations across Lincoln from May 20 to September 4.

Knights have been designed around two key figures from the Battle of Lincoln – Nichola de lea Haye and William Marshall. They’ll form part of the commemorations for the 800th anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln.

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High hopes for Lincoln City

For the first time in many years, there is some real optimism at Sincil Bank with Lincoln City at the top of the Conference.

The Imps now have an excellent chance of returning to the Football League for the first time in six seasons, with games against the likes of Portsmouth, Doncaster Rovers and yes Grimsby Town to look forward to.

Before that though, Lincoln have the opportunity to be giant killers in the FA Cup 3rd round tie against Championship side Ipswich Town, with nearly 5,000 Imps travelling down to Suffolk this Saturday.

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First phase of Cornhill Quarter to open

The first phase of the £70 million project by Lincolnshire Co-op to redevelop the Cornhill Quarter of Lincoln is expected to reach completion in the summer of 2017.

The scheme is aiming to give new life to the area of Sincil Street, City Square and the Cornhill. The first £12 million phase of work has seen the modern extensions of the Grade II listed Corn Exchange building removed.

In September, the first three national retailers were confirmed for the area – Cosy Club restaurant, Danish home and general store Flying Tiger Copenhagen and men’s formal wear fashion brand Moss Bros. They’re set to open in the summer.

The development coincides with the development of a multi-million pound Lincoln Transport Hub, including a new 1,000 space pay and display car park, state-of-the-art bus station and other facilities.

Check out our feature on ongoing projects in Lincoln, as well as the exciting new developments that 2016 brought the city.

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Completion of the International Bomber Command Memorial Centre

Construction is well underway for the Chadwick Centre, part of the £9.5 million International Bomber Command project on Canwick Hill in Lincoln.

When completed, the centre will accommodate exhibition and installation spaces for permanent and touring displays, artworks and related informations.

There will also be an archive of interviews with veterans, both air and grounds crew and support staff from around the world.

The collection will become the largest free to use research and repository on Bomber Command in the world once launched in summer 2017.

Read the New Year Reflections columns from IBCC director Nicky Barr. 

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Lincoln Grand Prix Festival of Cycling

The annual Lincoln Grand Prix Festival of Cycling will take place between May 12 and 14 including criteriums, a sportive, uphill dash and the highly anticipated men’s and women’s Grand Prix.

Entering its 62nd year, the event will see elite athletes race across the historic city before crowds thousands strong.

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Asylum Steampunk Festival

The Lincoln Steampunk Festival claims to be the biggest and longest running of its kind on earth. Every year the city is transformed into a flamboyant, Victorian fantasy world with attendees dressed in their finest outfits.

The 2017 festival runs from August 25 to August 28 at numerous venues across the Cathedral Quarter of the city.

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Lincoln Christmas Market

A regular top spot of best Christmas market guides, the annual event is attended by around 250,000 people each year. The traditional German market features a range of local and national traders as well as entertainment, food, drink and rides.

The 2017 market will take place from December 7 to 10.