The people hard at work while many take a break
Now that schools across Lincolnshire have broken up for the summer break, many of us will be preparing for a well-earned rest at some point during July and August.
While you are packing your cases, travelling, or perhaps sitting on a beach, we can be thankful for those who are still working hard, providing vital services while we are having a good time.
The armed forces, police, nurses and doctors will automatically spring to mind when we think of valued frontline workers.
But at the county council, there are many employees who will also be doing equally valuable work.
As you will be aware, we have Fire and Rescue stations across Lincolnshire. The importance of our firefighters was highlighted nationally when crews from Spalding, Skegness, Lincoln and Kirton, helped battle the fires at Saddleworth Moor near Manchester and Winter Hill near Bolton in early July.
Crews have also been busy dealing with grass fires across our county, so please take care during dry spells especially with barbecues, campfires and discarded cigarettes.
During the winter months we have gritters on constant standby. However, the unusually warm weather has seen us calling on a gritter lorry to put sand on a road where the tarmac had become sticky as a result of the heat.
And talking of roads, one of the main issues I am asked about by members of the public is potholes.
Of course, during the summer months our relentless battle to maintain our roads to a decent standard continues with crews out across the county carrying out repairs.
If you see a pothole, please let us know online here.
Across Lincolnshire, the county council plays a critical part in ensuring vulnerable people are looked after – both young and old.
Care workers give immense support to youngsters and their families, as well as helping adults in need to maintain their independence and live well in their own homes. They also provide a vital service for those in hundreds of residential homes in Lincolnshire and on the borders of our county.
Staff working for the county council’s Wellbeing Service are on hand too. They provide a 24/7 monitoring service through personal alarms to help people that have fallen or have other emergencies at home.
So as you are taking your break, whether at home or elsewhere, you may wish to reflect on how lucky we are to be able to rely on such a dedicated workforce.
Councillor Martin Hill is the leader of Lincolnshire County Council.
Lincoln City have added more firepower to their attack with the signing of experienced League One goalscorer John Marquis.
Marquis, 29, has a proven goal record at this level with the likes of Doncaster Rovers and Portsmouth over the last five years, and will sign with Lincoln until the end of the season.
He is the third player to join the Imps in the January transfer window, following the loan signings of Swansea City duo Morgan Whittaker and Liam Cullen.
The striker said of joining the club: “I want to score goals and help the team as much as I can. When chances are created, I want to get on the end of them, which is the best way I can help the team. It’s an opportunity to get in the areas where I do my best work, which is in and around the box, and get myself and the team some goals.
“I’m a centre forward that first and foremost works hard for the team, I want to help where I can with my energy and aggression at the top end of the pitch. I’ve also got some good experience to pass on to help the younger players who are already here, but I can also learn from them as well.”
Marquis has joined the Imps until the end of the season. | Photo: Lincoln City Football Club/Andrew Vaughan
Imps boss Michael Appleton added: “John is a proven goalscorer who adds experience to the squad and provides something we’ve missed while Tom Hopper has been out injured.
“It gives us more options in a key position, that we’ve lacked all season, allowing us the opportunity to play two up front and he will really help Liam Cullen by shouldering some of the responsibility for leading the line.
“It will also ensure that we do not need to rush Tom Hopper back from the serious injury that has kept him out of action since early September.”
It is expected that the transfer business will not yet be done at Lincoln, with defensive options being stretched to the limit at the moment due to the long term injury of Lewis Montsma.
Marquis will wear the number 27 shirt worn by Morgan Rogers last season, and is expected to go straight into the match day squad for Tuesday’s away match against Rotherham United, subject to EFL confirmation.
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