Lincoln lost 15 shops in just one year

The third annual Bangers & Fizz Charity Quiz, organised by The Lincolnite, Ringrose Law and DPS Digital, took place on Thursday evening, raising over £2,000 for a very good cause.

Over 100 people attended the speed quiz at the White Hart Hotel in Lincoln on November 25, complete with a fizz reception and a two course meal of Redhill Farm sausages and mash with veg, plus dessert.

The event was in aid of Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, who provide support for Lincolnshire residents during their urgent times of need.

The evening was in aid of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Over £2,000 was raised on the night, with £1,500 coming from ticket sales and a further £500 from a prize raffle, meaning vital funds could be donated to LNAA, as well as raising awareness of the fantastic work they do as a charity.

Some great prizes were raffled, including hampers, experience days and a Lincoln City Football Club shirt, signed by the first team players.

Thank you to businesses donating raffle prizes, including: Lincoln City FC, Chef Darren Rogan, The Tower Hotel, British Hamper Company, Stuart Wilde Photography, The Elm Tree, Damons, Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln Cathedral and Elite Fish & Chips.

A signed Lincoln City shirt was raffled and then auctioned by Stonebow Media Partnerships Manager Katrina Burrill. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Quizmaster Ronnie Byrne hosted the fun interactive competition, which was won by Ringrose Warriors, who also won a case of Prosecco for their top knowledge in music, film and television, as well as general trivia.

They were closely followed by Can’t Say That One, Come In Table 5, and Ringrose Warriors 2, rounding off a successful evening of quizzing for Ringrose Law!

All smiles during the speed quiz! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Daniel Ionescu, Managing Editor of The Lincolnite, said: “It was great to get everyone together to enjoy a marvellous night, all in aid of a charity that is so crucial to the county of Lincolnshire.

“Thank you to everyone who came along and supported, helping make the evening the resounding success that it was.”

The legendary quizmaster himself, Ronnie Byrne! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Here are some photos from Steve Smailes to showcase the evening:

Jack O’Hern, trustee at Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, gave a speech at the event. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Mingling and catching up during the fizz reception. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Representatives of numerous local businesses were in attendance. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

A good laugh on a lovely evening. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Hosted at The White Hart Hotel. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Stonebow Media editors: Emily Norton, Daniel Ionescu and Leanne Crawford. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Epix Media team, the winners of last year’s quiz gave it a good go this time too. | 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

The Gainsborough Constituency Conservative Association said justice was served when former council leader Giles McNeill was jailed for 14 months for fraud offences this week.

The former Tory council leader admitted to having a gambling problem after pocketing almost £30,000 from local Conservative associations.

Giles McNeill, 39, was Conservative leader of West Lindsey District Council from May 2019 to September 2020, as well as previously being an electoral agent for long serving Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh.

At Lincoln Crown Court on November 25 he admitted eight theft, fraud and forgery offences totalling £29,770.

The court hear how McNeill paid dozens of fraudulent cheques into his own bank account and kept members payments from 22 party fundraising events over a five year period.

This included paying over £4,000 meant for constituency association coffers into his own bank account the day after Boris Johnson was guest speaker at a Tory party fundraiser in March 2018.

A statement released to The Lincolnite on behalf of the Gainsborough Constituency Conservative Association on Friday said: “This has been a sad and stressful time for everyone concerned but we are pleased that justice has been served.

“The behaviour of Giles McNeill is not a reflection of our association as a whole. Once irregularities were found we immediately acted and contacted the police.

“The message is clear that we will not tolerate dishonesty in our representatives. We are now looking forward positively and working to overcome both the reputational and financial damage we have suffered as a result of his actions.”

• Read the full court report from the sentencing hearing here
• Also read how the ex-council leader stole £30k from the Tory party to fund his gambling addiction

Luxury watch and jewellery retailer Goldmiths opened its new concept shop at the Waterside Shopping Centre in Lincoln on Friday.

The company, which is part of the Watches of Switzerland Group, has invested significantly this year in redesigning its showrooms.

The new Lincoln store was officially opened by Mayor of Lincoln Jackie Kirk on November 26. It follows the recent openings in Braehead, Brighton, Canterbury and Reading.

See inside Goldsmiths’ new concept showroom in Lincoln.

The Lincoln showroom is described as embracing more of a lifestyle-led, relaxed shopping experience. It features a new interior design concept and a showcase of luxury timepieces from prestigious brands in Swiss watchmaking alongside world-renowned fine jewellery brands.

The updated retail concept combines:

• An increased focus on luxury watch brands and a ‘relaxed, inclusive, and experiential’ in- store experience
• Dedicated area for TAG Heuer
• Luxury watch brands Rado, Tissot, Oris and Gucci
• Diamond jewellery offering, and engagement, wedding, and eternity rings.

The updated retail concept includes a dedicated area for TAG Heuer.

The showroom features a new interior design concept.

The showroom also features Goldsmiths own Exclusive Brightest Diamond with its very own proprietary stone cut.

This Goldsmiths’ stone has 88 facets – 30 more than a standard stone. This is used in three romantic engagement ring collections, as well as eternity rings, earrings and necklaces.

Gary Clapham, showroom manger for Goldsmiths Lincoln, celebrated 21 years with the company on Friday.

He said: “I am delighted with the new showroom, I’ve seen many changes during my time here, but this really is monumental and extra special that I can celebrate my 21st anniversary with Goldsmiths, on the opening day of our new luxury showroom. I look forward to welcoming our clients and enjoying many more years to come at Lincoln.”

The showroom embraces a more lifestyle-led, relaxed shopping experience.

Goldsmiths is located at the Waterside Shopping Centre in Lincoln.

Craig Bolton, executive director of the Watches of Switzerland Group, said: “This is a significant milestone for Goldsmiths. Luxury today has become far more relaxed, inclusive, and experiential, so while we are elevating the Goldsmiths brand position, our goal is to make everyone feel valued and at home when visiting our stores.

“Our ambition is for everyone to have a memorable luxury experience long after they’ve made their purchase. We believe the repositioning and new store concept will transform not just the Goldsmiths profile and experience but bring some fresh life to our high streets and we are delighted to launch in the historic cathedral city of Lincoln.”