Lincoln business ‘heart bombs’ Castle Square for Valentine’s Day

Lincolnshire Resilience Forum has issued a warning about fake NHS emails asking people to order ‘an Omicron PCR test’.

The government has confirmed more than 30 Omicron cases in the UK now, with some in the East of England.

However, Lincolnshire health bosses said on Thursday no cases of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the county, but that it’s “just a matter of time” until it arrives.

The scam email asks people to “apply now for Omicron PCR test to avoid restrictions”. It claims that people who do not consent or cannot agree to a COVID-19 test and refuse to undergo a swab must be isolated”.

There is also a link for ordering the Omicron PCR test, but it takes the user to fake NHS website. However, the NHS will never ask for payment or for your bank details — so don’t fall for it.

Lincoln Christmas Market is officially underway in the city, with thousands of people enjoying a festive extravaganza.

The annual event was postponed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but usually welcomes around 250,000 people to the Cathedral Quarter over the four days.

Back for a triumphant return this year, Lincoln Christmas Market runs from Thursday, December 2 to Sunday, December 5, offering festive fun, street food, gift stalls and more mulled wine than you could ever imagine.

TAKE A TOUR OF THE CHRISTMAS MARKET

Thousands of people flocked to Lincoln Castle for the market. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

There are over 150 stalls at the Christmas Market for 2021, displaying arts, crafts, food, drinks, gifts and even a tent to book COVID-19 vaccinations. See the full list of stalls.

Lincoln got into the festive spirit on Christmas market day. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln Castle officially opened its doors to the market at midday on Thursday, as thousands of visitors spilled through the doors to take in the sights and browse the stalls.

There are hundreds of stalls, selling quirky items for all! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

It will be open from 10am to 9.30pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10am to 7pm on the final day, Sunday, December 5, leaving you plenty of time to check out the market.

Amusements are also at the market, including a gigantic Ferris wheel. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Organisers of the market, City of Lincoln Council, are strongly advising people to wear face masks in crowded spaces and indoors, due to the looming risk of the Omicron variant.

Spirits were high on day one. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

To read up on road closures throughout the weekend, as well as public transport travel, check out our ultimate guide to Lincoln Christmas Market here.

The market spans across large parts of the Cathedral Quarter in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Lincolnite photographer Steve Smailes wandered around the market to get some action shots. See more of them here:

Ole Ole have a stall at the market, serving delicious fresh food. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Copper Cork, selling boozy hot drinks! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Arts and crafts are always a big hit at the Christmas Market, as well as jewellery stands. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Delicious samosas, bringing exciting international cuisine to Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The market opened at 12pm on Thursday. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

You’ll hardly run out of food options at the market this year. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sport societies at the University of Lincoln are fundraising for a week in memory of former student Grace Millane, who was tragically murdered by a Tinder date when backpacking in New Zealand three years ago this week.

Grace Millane, a 21-year-old marketing graduate from the University of Lincoln, went travelling across the world in 2018, visiting South America before heading to New Zealand that November.

She went on a date with Jesse Kempson, who she met on dating app Tinder, the day before her 22nd birthday in Auckland. Her last sighting was via CCTV stepping into a lift with Kempson in a hotel on December 1, 2018.

It was found that Kempson had strangled Grace to death, pleading rough sex as a defence, before concealing her body in a suitcase and burying her in the Waitakere Ranges, some 12 miles away from Auckland.

Kempson was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years in February 2020, as the story sent shivers down the spines of millions of people around the world.

Grace pictured at her graduation in 2018. | Photo: Facebook

Now, on the anniversary week of Grace’s death, the University of Lincoln Students’ Union are keeping her legacy alive with a series of fundraising efforts.

The fundraiser will see the hockey team and a number of University of Lincoln societies come together for a range of sporty challenges, in aid of three charities.

Tributes poured in for Grace Millane. | Photo: Facebook

The three charities are White Ribbon, which is the leading charity to end male violence against women, Lucie Blackman Trust, which supports families of missing people overseas, and The Blue Door, a specialist service for domestic abuse and sexual violence victims in North and North East Lincolnshire.

All three relate to the tragic incident surrounding Grace Millane’s death, which was looked at in great detail on ITV2’s documentary The Murder of Grace Millane: Social Media Murders.

The challenges will culminate in a 250-minute long hockey game on Saturday, December 4, honouring Grace’s connection to the hockey team at Lincoln uni, which she captained in her second year.

At the time of reporting, the Grace’s Week 2021 fundraiser (donate here) stands at £1,498, smashing the £1,000 target in rapid time.

Activites include a Lacrosse game, a dance challenge, dodgeball tournament, boxing sparring matches, football games and 100 minutes of continuous climbing.