Lincolnshire County Council set to raise council tax by 4.95% amid funding concerns

A Covid-19 testing bus is launching this week offering supervised lateral flow tests for people without symptoms in areas with high deprivation, low vaccination uptake and high infection rates.

The Lincolnshire County Council’s Public Health has joined forces with Stagecoach to launch the bright green bus providing rapid testing with results within 30 minutes.

Councillor Martin Hill, LCC leader and chair of the Lincolnshire Outbreak Engagement Board, said: “This is another addition to our community testing programme and will help us to identify Covid amongst those people who are showing no signs of having the infection.

“We’ll use the bus at various locations around the county where it might be most needed. It provides a quick and easy way for local residents who might be out shopping or taking a stroll to pop in and take a supervised lateral flow test or pick up test kits.

“Not only will it give people peace of mind with an on-the-spot testing opportunity, it will also provide us with extra data on infection rates – even more important with the new Omicron variant emerging.”

Residents can also pick up test kits to use at home and make sure they aren’t infected before visiting family and friends with vulnerable members, large indoor events or other high-risk environments. Staff will be on hand to provide advice and guidance on testing.

Natalie Liddle, acting head of service – health protection, said: “The testing bus is a timely boost for our testing programme in Lincolnshire.

“The bus will be used in locations across the county where our data shows it is most needed, for example areas of high deprivation, low vaccination uptake and areas where there are high infection rates. The bus will provide residents with quick and easy access to lateral flow testing.”

More than 276,000 people flocked to Lincoln Christmas Market as the festive event made a comeback following last year’s cancellation.

More than 150 stalls were in Castle Square, Lincoln Castle grounds, The Lawn, and Westgate, providing a wide range of both local and national gifts, food and drink between December 2 and 5. There was also fun for all the family including a funfair and a big wheel, where one Lincoln couple got engaged.

The visitor numbers for this year’s event represented a 15% increase on 2019, despite the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the largest crowds of people to the city Covid since hit.

As well as the market, people were also able to enjoy stunning views of Lincoln Cathedral, which was lit up in purple for advent.

Councillor Neil Murray, portfolio holder for economic growth at City of Lincoln Council said: “Lincoln Christmas Market was dearly missed last year and to have received such positive feedback for this year’s event is very rewarding.

“This market brings millions of pounds to the local economy and sees many visitors who go to the market at Christmas return again and again to the city to explore what else we have to offer.

“I’d personally like to thank all City of Lincoln Council staff involved in making this such a successful event, and to our partner organisations for all their work. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the market in 2022.”

Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the event. The 2022 Lincoln Christmas Market will take place between December 1 and 4 next year.

The festive event was enjoyed by many people, but some were left frustrated by the decision to close the Park & Ride at the Lincolnshire Showground on Sunday after adverse weather left the ground too muddy.

The Bon Jovi Experience, the only tribute band in the world to be endorsed by the man himself, will be performing in Lincoln next May.

Described by Jon Bon Jovi as “the best Bon Jovi tribute band I’ve ever seen”, The Bon Jovi Experience will play all the big hits when they come to the Engine Shed in Lincoln on Friday, May 20, 2022.

They remain the only tribute act in the world to have played live with Jon Bon Jovi himself, and are a rarity in the realms of tribute acts in being endorsed by the artist they are imitating.

The show was due to take place on Friday, October 8 this year, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now be in May 2022.

Chad Kroeger, lead singer of American rock band Nickelback, said of the tribute band’s lead singer: “Have you seen this guy? He looks so much like Jon Bon Jovi, it’s freaky man!”

The band consists of Tony Pearce as Jon on lead vocals, Steve ‘Edd’ Edmunds as lead guitarist Ritchie Sambora, Nick Overfield as bass player Hugh McDonald, Paul Dunstan as drummer Tico Torres and Steve Lawrence as keyboard player David Bryan.

Tickets cost £23.10, so don’t be Livin’ On A Prayer and be sure to get them from the Engine Shed website before they sell out!