East Lindsey District Council is happy with the conditions of donkeys at Skegness beach in the recent hot temperatures despite online criticism from residents and visitors.
A Facebook post by Kim Beasley, who visited the beach on Tuesday (July 24), claimed the donkeys were ‘ready to collapse’ and there was ‘no shelter, a bucket of hot water and the sands were hot’.
It was shared 28,000 times with over 4,000 comments and Kim told Lincolnshire Reporter: “The public are very angry and compassionate about this.”
Things got heated on social media with some annoyed about the rumoured conditions and others displeased that some made assumptions without knowing the facts.
The council officer however said the animals had both shade and water and that licenses were being complied with.
Epton’s Donkeys, the company which runs donkey rides on the beach said animals would “never be put in harm’s way” and disputed allegations that they were mistreated.
A concerned resident took a photo of the donkeys at Skegness beach.
Council responded to concerns
East Lindsey District Council sent an environmental health officer to visit the donkeys.
The Council’s Public Protection Service Manager, Jon Challen, said: “The Beach Donkey operators are expected to comply with their licence conditions and the council does undertake random inspections to help ensure this is the case.
“The operator is expected to carry out an assessment before taking their donkeys to work, this includes ensuring weather conditions are suitable and the donkeys are in good health/fit.
“Our Environmental Health Officer has visited the donkeys this week and they had both shade and water.
“We can only deal with the conditions of the licence and our recent visit suggests these are being complied with. We would suggest you talk to the RSPCA if you have welfare concerns.”
‘Love and compassion’ for donkeys
Chris Epton of Epton’s Donkeys.
Chloe Epton, who’s family owns Epton’s Donkeys in Skegness, said: “Recent posts have made out the donkeys of Skegness are being mistreated and I want to point out that this is not the case at all.
“The Epton family have owned donkeys for a huge number of years and are extremely well trained in regards to their treatment and welfare.
“Chris Epton is the best owner that they could possibly have as he is so passionate about them and would never put them in harm’s way!
“The donkeys’ health are checked regularly and there are never any complaints! We have won national awards such as ‘Britain’s best donkey’ and are extremely proud of the life we give them.
“The work they do on the beach is to give them the best treatment possible! The amount of love and compassion which has been given to these donkeys is endless and I hope people can see this!”
RSPCA and Donkey Sanctuary
A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “We attended the donkeys on Skegness beach within a few hours of being called, following concerns from a member of the public. We spoke to the owners and gave them advice.
“We’d like to thank members of the public for contacting us and if there are further concerns about these or any other animal, we would urge people to ring the RSPCA on 0300 123 4999.”
National charity the Donkey Sanctuary added: “The Donkey Sanctuary does not encourage or endorse the use of donkeys in any form of entertainment, but does recognise donkeys are used in activities such as beach rides.
“The welfare of donkeys should be the highest priority – they should be physically fit, have access to fresh clean water, food, and protection from the elements.
“Complaints about donkeys working in the heat are not uncommon at this time of year and our donkey welfare advisers are able to visit, monitor and give guidance and support to donkey operators where appropriate.”
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Virgin Wines will be the first of five front of shirt sponsors on Lincoln City’s home kit for next season.
Throughout the 2021/22 season, the Imps will have five different club partners feature as sponsors on the front of the home shirt.
This means that fans who want to buy the shirt can get it without a sponsor, and then have the option to add one of the five sponsors at a later date, free of charge.
Virgin Wines will be one of five sponsors to go on the front of the shirt next season. | Photo: Lincoln City FC
Virgin Wines is the first of those sponsors to be announced, and it is set to be a huge boost for Lincoln City – though the investment figure has not been disclosed.
The online wine retailer is the largest of its kind in the UK, and more than 90% of its wines by volume are exclusive, delivering over one million cases to customers during 2020.
Lincoln City’s vice chairman Jay Wright is also the CEO of Virgin Wines, and he has said this partnership gives him “great pleasure and pride.”
“I know this will be a rewarding and successful partnership and we look forward to developing the relationship even further over time.”
How the new kit will look next season. | Photo: Lincoln City FC
The new home shirt was announced on May 28, with the classic red and white stripes inspired by the 1978-1983 era of the club.
The change in sponsor comes after the Imps ended their front of shirt partnership with investment specialists Peregrine at the end of last season.
Anthony Scully, Imps forward. | Photo: Lincoln City FC
An adult shirt costs £45 and a junior shirt costs £35, which you can order here.
The Virgin Wines sponsor is only available to supporters over the age of 18, and more sponsors are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The ground has officially been broken for the University of Lincoln’s new research and development facility, which is due for completion in spring 2022.
‘The Bridge’ Advanced Engineering Research and Development facility will be located alongside the Lincoln Science and Innovation Park and house £1.2 million worth of equipment in specialist laboratories. This includes advanced electron and atomic force microscopes, as well as surface analysis and thermo-mechanical instrumentation.
The ground breaking event took place at the University of Lincoln’s Brayford Pool campus on Wednesday, June 16, with representatives from the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Gleeds, Siemens, Dynex and Teledyne e2v, as well as Henry Brothers who are the contractors for the build. Greater Lincolnshire LEP are investing £1.9 million in the facility.
The specialist hub will act as a centre for collaborative research and development between business and industry partners, and the University of Lincoln.
Alongside high-tech laboratories including clean room facilities, there will be innovation and learning lounges for businesses to engage in training, development and networking activities.
The concept has been co-developed with a working group of industry-based scientists and with engagement from a consortium of more than 20 companies in the region. It is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.
Professor Ian Scowen, of the University of Lincoln, said: “We are excited to begin our realisation of a collective vision for developing new approaches that enable businesses to innovate new products.
“Working with dedicated cutting-edge facilities and within environments that encourage business interaction, we aim to bridge barriers to innovation across the range of enterprises in the engineering and materials sectors in Greater Lincolnshire – from the smallest to the largest. The Bridge project is already underway, but this building will add an important focal point for activities in the future.”
Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We are delighted to be investing £1.9m in this new 788m2 R&D facility for Greater Lincolnshire. It will catalyse growth and productivity, promoting research and innovation in the SME supply chains of several key sectors of our economy.
“The Bridge will provide access to commercial scientists for diagnostic support and to potential business opportunities and regular networking forums for knowledge exchange.
“This new facility will directly enhance innovation in advanced materials technologies in the region, helping to create a stronger, more competitive and more resilient manufacturing and engineering sector.”
A Boston shop owner has closed his doors and been given a suspended prison sentence for selling counterfeit cigarettes.
Timurs Olehnovics and his Tauras LT Ltd store on West Street, Boston were subject to a Lincolnshire Trading Standards investigation on February 18 last year.
Officers found 1kg of hand-rolling tobacco and over 5,000 illicit cigarettes that were hidden in the kitchen area at the back of the shop.
Lincolnshire Trading Standards seized around 5,000 illicit cigarettes. | Photo: Lincolnshire County Council
The owner admitted to selling them for around a month, saying he knew he shouldn’t have done it but needed the extra cash.
As well as this, he admitted to hiding the products in an attempt to keep them away from police and investigators.
The cigarettes were hidden away in the kitchen area. | Photo: Lincolnshire County Council
Timurs Olehnovics, 34, of King Street, Boston, was given a 26-week prison sentence suspended for two years, as well as being fined £1,318.73.
Mr Olehnovics was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community, and has since closed his store.
The owner has now closed his shop as a result. | Photo: Lincolnshire County Council
Alan Griffin from Lincolnshire Trading Standards said: “Mr Olehnovics was well aware that what he was doing was wrong, and the products he was peddling were dangerous.
“This latest prosecution is further evidence that Lincolnshire Trading Standards is serious about tackling illicit tobacco in the county.
“The sale of these products attracts other anti-social behaviour and criminality, and any information residents have about counterfeit and illegal cigarettes can help us stub it out.”
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