Lincolnshire Tech Week success: Over 800 people engage in series of events

People in Greater Lincolnshire will have two weeks from December 2 to slow down COVID-19 infections, in the hope to go down a tier ahead of the festive period.

All of Greater Lincolnshire, including North and North East Lincolnshire, will be put into the toughest COVID restrictions (tier 3) when the current lockdown ends. Here’s what it means.

Nationally just 1% of the country is in the lowest tier, with 32.2 million people in tier two areas and 23.3 million in tier 3. London has been put into tier 2 as part of the new proposals.

Parts of Lincolnshire, including East Lindsey and Boston, have among the highest infection rates across the nation.

Political leaders in the region have expressed their disappointment, but called on residents to pull together to get Lincolnshire out of the rut.

Lincolnshire’s most recent seven-day data. | Data: GOD UK

Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman, whose constituency covers part of East Lindsey — the district council with the highest infection rates — said there was light at the end of the tunnel.

“The tier allocations will be reviewed based on local data, and if it is safe to do so, we will be able to move to lighter restrictions,” he said.

“We will not be in tier 3 forever, but the longer we take to bear down on the virus, the longer we will spend in the highest of tiers.

“We all have a personal and collective responsibility to our friends, family and neighbours.”

Lincolnshire is on the new tier 3 lockdown.

Several leaders noted that numbers had been coming down recently already as the country moves into the fourth week of lockdown.

The leader of City of Lincoln Council Councillor Ric Metcalfe said: “I am confident that by working hard with residents and partners across the city we can continue to drive our infection rates down and aim to safely move out of tier 3 in time for Christmas.”

In making its decision the government has confirmed it looked at a series of key indicators. They are:

1. case detection rates in all age groups (currently 307)
2. case detection rates in the over 60s (281 now)
3. the rate at which cases are rising or falling
4. positivity rate (the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken)
5. pressure on the NHS (high currently)

A map of Lincolnshire showing the seven-day coronavirus rates as of November 25. | Map: GOV UK

In Monday’s decision for Lincolnshire, for instance, the government said: “There has been an overall improvement, but case rates remain high throughout the county, at 307 per 100,000 and in the over 60s it is 281 per 100,000.

“NHS pressures in Lincolnshire remain high and show signs of increasing, particularly for the units treating the more serious cases.”

For the Humber region, which covers North and North East Lincolnshire, it said: “The picture in Humber is improving with case rates now falling in 3 of the 4 lower tier local authorities.

“However, case rates in all ages and in over 60s remain very high. Positivity is 12.6%. There is ongoing pressure on the local NHS.”

All council leaders pushed the government’s key messages of hands, face and space.

There were 508 new coronavirus cases and 29 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday.

South Kesteven councillors have approved plans to build 71 homes on land East of Folkingham Road in Morton.

Lincolnshire County Council put plans before district councillors in Wednesday’s Planning Committee.

21 of the homes (30%) will be affordable housing. There will also be pedestrian and cycle connectivity to the village and a play area. Developers said vehicular access to the planning area is acceptable.

There will be a £415,614 education contribution, £46,860 NHS contribution and £30,000 to extend the bus service as a result of the builds.

The masterplan for the 71 homes.

Objections included concerns over the negative impact on the character of the area, residential amenity, highway/transport infrastructure increase, flood risk and the impact on ecology/biodiversity.

The location of the development site. | Photo: Google Maps

Concerns were also raised about the speed of the traffic on the A15 near to the development. Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership will be asked to consider adding a 30-mile speed limit for traffic on this section of the A15.

Cllr Phil Dilks said: “It really hits you how busy and thundering the lorries come through that village.”

Cllr Harrish Bisnauthsing agreed that “the traffic thunders past.”

Six councillors approved plans while five abstained to the proposal due to road-traffic concerns.

An eight-year-old boy from Lincoln has raised over £1,500 for local food banks by walking 150km during lockdown.

Charlie Bell set the aim during the second national coronavirus lockdown to raise money for the Lincoln Community Larder.

His JustGiving page had a target of £150 — £1 for every kilometre he walked — but he has since raised over ten times more.

Over £1,558 has been raised from almost 150 donations at the time of reporting, an impressive total in just three weeks.

He has so far walked 135km and has just 15km to go before completing his challenge.

Despite the long distances, Charlie is feeling good.

Charlie said: “Walking 150km may ache, but it’s worth it if people can eat as a result.

“I have chosen to raise money for Lincoln Larder because nobody should ever have to go without food, especially during lockdown.”

He has done the challenge every day during lockdown, uploading his progress after walking with different family members who are supporting him along the way.

Charlie on one of his walks with his dad Stuart.

Charlie’s dad Stuart said he is immensely proud of his son for carrying on through difficult times.

“Obviously it has been hard for him as he does get tired after being at school all day, but he has done this without any motivation or the need for us to remind him to walk.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support and kind hearted nature of him for such a young boy, it makes us both so proud of him.”

No matter the weather, Charlie has been out there walking every day.

Charlie is a keen lover of sport, so when his football, cricket and cycling clubs were stopped, he channelled a famous footballer’s recent efforts against child poverty to keep active and raise money.

Marcus Rashford’s campaigning for the extension of free school meals vouchers put him in the national spotlight, and Charlie has been inspired by the Manchester United forward’s work.

His dad Stuart said: “Obviously he has seen what Marcus Rashford has done and taken note, his school also regularly raise money for charity as well.”

To continue to donate to Charlie’s great cause and challenge, visit his JustGiving page.