Some of Lincolnshire’s most influential public figures have been sharing their New Year’s resolutions for 2018 with us.
Our columnists have been busy reflecting on a hectic and memorable 2017, while looking forward to what will take place this year.
Take a look at their New Year’s resolutions below.
Martin Hill
Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill with his dog Boris
On a local level, as I have already mentioned, I am really hopeful that our Fairer Funding campaign will reap benefits for Lincolnshire.
On a national and international level, we all recognise that the Brexit negotiations have been tricky. But this makes it all the more important that our government sticks to its principles and continues to work hard to deliver the best outcome for all of us.
With that optimistic note, I would like to wish Happy New Year to all Lincolnshire Reporter readers!
Nick Boles
Nick Boles, Conservative MP for Grantham and Stamford. Photo: Policy Exchange
Personal: To get fitter than I was before I became ill.
Professional: To do everything in my power to get more new homes built so that young people have the same chance previous generations had to get a home of their own.
Sir Edward Leigh
Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh
In 2018 I will continue to do my best for local residents, campaigning on local issues and fighting for our corner of Lincolnshire in Westminster.
I know that keeping up pressure to make sure that we get broadband properly rolled out to rural areas will continue next year, as to will my efforts to fight the closure of local facilities like bank branches.
John Brewin
Chief Executive of LPFT John Brewin. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter
Personal: I’d also like to find time to be mindful and help me look after my own mental health.
Professional: I’d like to ensure patients and public have a greater voice in improving services.
Andrew Morgan
Andrew Morgan, chief executive of Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust
Personal: To continue exploring the county of Lincolnshire, having moved here in 2015.
Professional: To continue to support staff in ensuring their feedback directly shapes the future development of excellent community services.
Matthew Lee
South Kesteven District Council leader Matthew Lee
A key resolution for 2018 is to get out and about more – both professionally and personally. There are still corners of our lovely district that I have yet to explore and lots that are always worth another visit.
Similarly, as the leader of the council, I really value seeing the excellent work going on in our communities, whether it’s meeting volunteers, start-ups or established companies.
My final resolution is one I know I share with many, many people – to stop smoking. I’ve tried before, but I’m determined that this is the year. Wish me luck!
Richard Wright
North Kesteven District Council leader Richard Wright. Photo: Steve Smailes/Lincolnshire Reporter
Personal: Never look back, only forwards. The future is there for us to shape and I want to work with anybody and everybody to shape a better future.
Professional: To pursue central government to deliver policies that help local government to deliver results for the betterment of all out residents. Alongside, ever increasingly-influential senior NKDC officers, I will work to deliver any and every improvement in services and provision for North Kesteven residents.
Jeff Summers
West Lindsey District Council leader Jeff Summers
Personal: I will eat less, exercise more, become fitter and leaner in an attempt to keep up with my wife! Spend more time revelling in our beautiful countryside bird watching, walking, cycling and visiting new places. Whilst enjoying all above I will pursue a dynamic agenda of business for the council.
Professional: We will continue to provide the best services across the council that our budgeted resources are capable of delivering while ensuring we fully address the physical and social needs of all residents. We will continue to enhance the physical, financial and social benefits for all constantly pushing for improvements in health, education and work opportunities.
Nikki Silver
Nikki Silver, CEO of LIVES
Personal: To run the Lincoln 10k with my amazing LIVES team without stopping and to survive the installation of a new kitchen at home with a smile on my face and sense of humour intact.
Professional: To continue to bang the drum loudly for LIVES and its amazing 700 volunteers who look after the people of Lincolnshire in their hour of need, and for Lincolnshire.
George Smid
Chair of the European Movement East Midlands, George Smid
In 2018 we must stop treating the EU as our worst adversary. We made it clear we were not happy and it is now time to forge a new partnership. Bombardier and the recent US attack on our PM prove that Europe is still our closest kin. (For a very good approximation Europe means EU.)
In 2018 I wish the EU will acknowledge why the UK voted to leave. Then parallel negotiations should start exploring the UK staying after March 2019. As Brexit of 2017 differs from Brexit of 2016, the EU of 2018 will differ from the EU of 2016 too. We must see that as a legitimate option to honour the vote to Leave.
For the UK I wish Remainers and Leavers talk to each other. Only then we can reach a Brexit solution acceptable to both. Otherwise, this country will stay dangerously divided.
In June 2016 we did not vote for being poorer, Derbyshire did not vote for less money for the Peak District National Park, Grimsby did not vote to lose their fishing industry, Lincolnshire farmers did not vote for losing farm subsidies.
In 2016 we did not vote for the Brexit of 2017.
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The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
A horse, a dog and a deer were rescued from the water during a busy weekend for Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, who also saved a stuck pigeon.
A crew from Saxilby and water rescue team Gainsborough Fire Station attended Brayford Pool on Saturday, May 15 to reports of a dog in the water. A passing boat took the crew out to the island, who rescued the dog that fortunately was uninjured.
On the same day a horse, named Luna, was found stuck in the river at Rivermead in North Hykeham. She was rescued using lines and stropes.
Fire crews from Lincoln helped to rescue a distressed horse called Luna from the river. | Photo: Tegan Harteveld
The horse was checked over by a vet and was uninjured. The other horses are now safely back in the field.
Luna’s owner Tegan Harteveld told The Lincolnite that someone had trespassed in the nearby field and opened the gate, meaning over 10 horses got out with her beloved animal ending up in the river.
The vet was called immediately, who sedated Luna and Tegan believes the next couple of days will be crucial due to the adrenaline wearing off.
Luna after being pulled out of the river near Lincoln. | Photo: Tegan Harteveld
Luna safely on dry land after being rescued from the water by fire crews. | Photo: Tegan Harteveld
Tegan with her beloved horse Luna. | Photo: Tegan Harteveld
She said: “You hear stories of horses ending up in ditches and rivers, but you never expect the phone call to be about your own animal.
“The next thing most owners think, myself included, is how they got out. When I found out it was by a person/people, I was angry and very upset.
“This could have been avoided at all costs. They had no right to be in that field, it’s private land. Now my horse and myself are paying the price for someone’s stupidity and ignorance.
“I’m just relieved that the amazing fire brigade managed to pull her out and she was the only one in. If there had been multiple horses, I doubt the outcome would have been a success.”
Fire crews helped to pull the horse to safety.
A healthy Luna before her terrifying ordeal. | Photo: Tegan Harteveld
This is Luna- the beautiful horse rescued by crews from Rivermead near Lincoln yesterday. Thankfully she’s doing ok now. Animal rescue is an important part of the work our crew do #notjustfirespic.twitter.com/0cOyaCqBFQ
— Lincs Fire & Rescue (@LincsFireRescue) May 16, 2021
On the same day, crews help a deer stuck in the Fossdyke Canal. The deer was rescued from the water by crews and released back into the wild.
Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue also helped the RSPCA rescue a poor pigeon in Boston on Sunday, May 16.
Over the last few weeks The Lincolnite readers have been voting for their favourite IMP from this year’s trail and the results are in.
With almost 25,000 votes for the 31 IMPs, the winner — by over 700 votes — is the Steam Explorer by artist Rosie Ablewhite, sponsored by Jacksons Workwear Rental, with a total of 4,443 votes.
Following closely behind was Majestic by Lizzy Mason, sponsored by Saul Fairholm, and Girls Can by Rosie Ablewhite, sponsored by Girlguiding in Lincolnshire with 3,654 and 3,328 votes respectively.
The much-anticipated Lincoln IMP Trail will be on show across the city from July 3 until September 8 after being postponed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned for the locations reveal soon.
After the main trail, the IMPs will come together to form a guard of honour at Lincoln Castle before moving to Lincoln Cathedral on Lincolnshire Day, October 1, for an auction to raise funds for organisers Lincoln BIG’s charity partner, St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice.
The 31 imps were designed by national and local artists who were successful following a competition and selection process by the sponsors. There are also five smaller roving community imps, including Wind, which The Lincolnite adopted.
Lincoln’s new arcade bar Carousel will open on the High Street next week after more than £1 million of investment — and The Lincolnite went to check it out for a sneak peek.
Carousel will open in the building formerly occupied by Ruddocks on Wednesday, May 19. It includes various experience zones, including simulation shooting range Quickdraw, Shuffle board, social darts with interactive lanes, and a plethora of arcade machines.
The arcade machines include Time Crisis, Daytona racing, Sonic and Mario at the Olympics and Down the Clowns, as well as a dance mat, basketball hoops and air hockey.
Sit down have a drink, eat some food and play some games at Carousel. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Plenty of arcade machines to try. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Social darts with a difference, including various mini games. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Tables can be pre-booked for food and drinks, or experience areas for fun and games, both via Carousel’s website. Walk-ins will be accepted from the opening date on May 19, but due to the coronavirus restrictions the venue’s capacity will be limited initially.
There is a wide range of food ranging from large plates, such as the Carousel beef brisket, to burgers, hot dogs and plank pizzas.
There are also small plates including Halloumi sticks, Korean BBQ Bao buns, sweet chilli chicken skewers and Bombay Caulibombs.
The variety of drinks includes beers, wines, spirits, alcoholic and non-alcoholic slushies and a what is described as an “Instagram worthy” cocktail menu.
Carousel’s “Instagram worthy’ cocktail menu includes these drinks. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Fortune Favours is a vodka-based cocktail, with peach liqueur, pineapple juice and grenadine. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Tropic Like It’s Hot contains gin, elderflower, apple juice, cranberry juice, lime and mint. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The cocktail menu at Carousel.
Carousel has created 40 new jobs for the local community and Operations Manager David Nejrup can’t wait for the venue to welcome its first customers.
He told The Lincolnite: “We are delighted to launch our new concept Carousel in the city.
“Carousel has been in development for over two years. In that time and through our research and development, we noticed a shift in what guests wanted from a new bar concept.
“We found that guests wanted more than the usual extensive product range, amazing cocktails and fantastic food. They wanted to be entertained and have an experience while socialising and at Carousel we feel we have created just that.
“Not only do we have a fantastic street food-inspired food menu, an extensive selection of draught beers, wines and spirts and an Instagram worthy cocktail menu, we have taken competitive socialising to the next level. There is so much to do here, there is something for everyone.”
Smoked salmon salad. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Pulled beef brisket and the cheese burger are just some of the tasty menu items at Carousel. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Or why not whet your appetite with a tasty Halloumi dish? | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Carousel is operated by Lindum Leisure, which is leasing the building and has links to a group of businesses including Home, Curiosity Shop and Craft.
Carousel is located on Lincoln High Street in the building formerly occupied by Ruddocks. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Detective Constable Aaron Flint of Grantham is appealing for witnesses and information following the report of substantial damage being caused to Ancaster Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Branches have been cut from trees, some of which are hundreds of years old and rubbish, including tyres, wood, and other items, have been dumped at the site. It is believed this has happened sometime during the last two weeks.
The area in question is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage a SSSI.
The penalty for this offence up until 2015 was a fine of up to £20,000. This has now been changed giving the courts the power to give an unlimited fine.
There were a number of tyres at the site. Photo Lincolnshire Police
DC Flint said: “These sites are extremely fragile and highly vulnerable to damage. We will be working closely with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust to identify the offenders and bring them to justice. This is not only a mindless and selfish act of vandalism but also serious crime against our environment.
“We take all reports of wildlife crime very seriously. We would encourage anyone who has been in this area in the last two weeks and may have any information, not matter how irrelevant you may feel it is, to contact us on 101.”
Garden furniture was also found. Photo Lincolnshire Police
Rachel Shaw, spokesman for Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, added: “This is a senseless act of vandalism to a wonderful nature reserve. It’s also a drain on our resources as it’s likely to be costly to remove, and, most concerning of all, the damage to the trees and shrubs will have a long term impact.
“A number of trees have had branches removed and bark damage that may affect their survival. The shrubs that have been damaged are box. Box is very slow growing and unfortunately some of the stems cut and damaged are over 100 years old so will take a long time to regenerate.”
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is an area that’s of particular interest to science due to the presence of rare species of fauna and flora, important geological or physiological features. These areas are of very high conservation value, and need to be protected.
DC Flint is asking for anyone who may have information about this offence to contact 101 or crime stoppers quoting occurrence number 21000263099 or by emailing him directly at [email protected]
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