Firefighters rescue dog from manhole

Bus services lined up to replace cancelled trains between Peterborough and Lincoln today have now been suspended.

Many East Midlands Railway services across routes to and from the city during the popular Lincoln Christmas Market weekend were cancelled due to strike action called earlier this week.

In a last-minute u-turn on December 2, RMT Union suspended planned strikes, however train providers said cancelled services could not be resumed at such short notice.

The rail company told ticket holders on the morning of Saturday, December 4 (traditionally the busiest day of the market) that replacement bus services between Peterborough and Lincoln have been suspended.

They blamed the unavailability of busses.

Those with tickets have been told they will be entitled to a full refund.

A statement on the East Midlands Railway website reads:

“We have regrettably had to suspend our rail replacement bus service between Peterborough and Lincoln today because of no availability of buses to operate. We are regularly contacting bus operators and if we are able to obtain rail replacement we will up date our website.”

To see the full list of routes affected by strike action, see the web page here.

The RMT union, which suspended strikes to work on new proposals for East Midlands Railway, warned that action could be taken later this month if disputes over safety, pay and conditions are not resolved.

For those looking for a unique addition to their Christmas Market experience, look no further than the city’s Medieval fair!

Run by a cooperative of artisans and makers from the Travelling Historial Market, the event is a treasure trove of traditional gifts and unique objects to display proudly in your home.

Visitors can expect a bigger and better display this year, with sellers spread across two venues, St Mary le Wigford Church and St Mary’s Guildhall until Sunday, December 5.

Enter if you dare! Inside you will find stallholders in traditional Medieval dress | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The market is spread across historical Lincoln Venues, including the city\s oldest church and a genuine Medieval Guildhall. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Conversation pieces for your home! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

It’s open 10am until 9pm on Saturday and 10am until 4pm on Sunday.

Traders will include a leatherworker, a top bowyer (bows and arrows), cheeses, dried meats/jerky, spiced punch, the Stagger Inn bar, jewellery, an artist, a potter, mead, reenactments and historical clothing.

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Medieval section of the Lincoln Christmas Market was forced to move from its former Bishops’ Palace location due to ongoing restoration works.

Following this, traders formed a cooperative to run the Medieval Market themselves.

See our 2021 Lincoln Christmas Market Superguide here.

Also see the full list of stalls and where to find them. 

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Plans have been submitted to merge two GP practices in the centre of Lincoln.

If approved, Newark Road Surgery and Portland Medical Practice would merge together to provide care for the 29,000 patients registered at both practices.

Newark Road has over 7,000 patients registered at the surgery, while Portland has around 22,000 registered across three sites (Portland Street, Newland Health Centre and the University of Lincoln Health service).

Patients at both Newark Road Surgery and Portland Medical Practice have until January 15, 2022 to take part in a survey about the merger plans.

Should plans go ahead, they will need to be approved by NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, who are responsible for planning, buying and monitoring local NHS services.

Dr Jane Marshall, GP Partner at Newark Road Surgery said by merging, patients could all benefit from the combined clinical skills and expertise offered across both practices.

Dr Marshall said: “By working together in this way, clinical staff will be able to develop skills in more specialist areas. For patients this means they could be seen by someone who specialises in areas such as palliative care, diabetes, sexual health, mental health, or minor surgery.

“We also plan for improvements in telephone and remote access, aiming for improved accessibility and urgent care provision.”

As part of the exercises, a series of events have been put on for patients to hear more about the plans, as well as asking any questions they may have. Booking is required to attend these free events.

The times, dates and locations for these events are:

• Monday, December 13: CCG stand at University of Lincoln in the Minerva Building Atrium, Brayford Pool Campus, 9m-2pm, no booking required
• Wednesday, December 15: Ruston Sports & Social Club, Newark Road, 6pm-8pm, book online here or call 07890 047409
• Thursday, December 16: Bridge Central, Portland Street, 6pm-8pm, book online or call 07890 047409
• Thursday, January 13: Ruston Sports & Social Club, Newark Road, 6pm-8pm, book online here or call 07890 047409