Concerns as woman claims she was sexually assaulted before jumping in car

The No. XIII Squadron at RAF Waddington has been presented with a new Squadron Standard, which is only the third in its 106 year history.

The Squadron Standard is a flag with the Squadron badge and battle honours listed upon it. Squadron Standards were introduced in 1943 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Royal Air Force.

The XIII Squadron (the Stabbed Cats) has a motto of “We assist by watching” and has a history dating back to 1915. The Squadron in its current guise stood up as the first UK based Reaper Squadron in 2012, with its first operational mission in April 2013.

The Squadron provides real-time surveillance and reconnaissance in support of frontline troops.

The No. XIII Squadron at RAF Waddington with the new Squadron Standard. | Photo: UK MOD Crown Copyright 2021

The Standard was presented by Deputy Commander of Operations, Air Marshal Gerry Mayhew, at a formal parade at RAF Waddington on Thursday, which included a Typhoon flypast provided by RAF Coningsy. The Standard was consecrated by The Venerable (Air Vice Marshal) John R Ellis QHC.

The formal presentation and parade of the new 13 Squadron Standard took place on July 29, 2021 at RAF Waddington. | Photo: UK MOD Crown Copyright 2021

XIII Squadron paraded at RAF Waddington to receive their new Standard. | Photo: UK MOD Crown Copyright 2021

A Squadron has “to have been of 25 years standing or to have earned to Monarch’s appreciation through exceptionally outstanding operations” to qualify.

Air Marshal Mayhew, a former Commanding Officer of XIII Squadron, was the parade Reviewing Officer with Officer Commanding XIII Squadron, Wg Cdr Ferris, the Parade Commander.

Marching during the formal parade at RAF Waddington. | Photo: UK MOD Crown Copyright 2021

Wing Commander Ferris said: “XIII Squadron’s Standard parade is a proud moment for us all where we can reflect on our history as well as looking forward to our future.

“This event gives the Squadron personnel and their families a chance to acknowledge the vital operational contribution the Squadron continues to provide, thank those that support us and celebrate appropriately after months of operating under Covid-19 restrictions.”

The No. XIII Squadron at RAF Waddington was presented with only the third Squadron Standard in its 106 year history. | Photo: UK MOD Crown Copyright 2021

Air Marshall Mayhew, Deputy Commander Operations, performed the Reviewing Officer role and presented the new Standard to XIII Sqn. | Photo: UK MOD Crown Copyright 2021

North Kesteven District Council are once again investigating complaints of unpleasant smells, loud noises and black residue pollution that continue to plague the village of Skellingthorpe near Lincoln.

On this occasion, the operating company says the dead animals brought via lorries to the rendering plant are causing the unpleasant smell, as stock accumulates at the facility — and warm summer temperatures are not helping the situation either.

Residents in the village, particularly on Jerusalem Road, have been frustrated by the issue for over two years due to the smell and noise coming from the factory run by A Hughes & Son — earning it the nickname of Smelly Skelly.

A black soot-like substance coming from the nearby animal rendering plant since at least last summer was reported to the district council and A Hughes & Son. More recently, a concerned resident contacted The Lincolnite about the air being “absolutely sickening this week and totally unbreathable today [Thursday].”

He said he exchanged emails with the environmental health team at the district council, who told him they already received a number of complaints regarding the odour in Skellingthorpe over the last three days.

The matter is being investigated by the council, who have visited the area with A Hughes & Son. The firm told The Lincolnite the council reportedly claimed the site was operating in accordance with its permit conditions.

Several residents in Skellingthorpe found their cars covered in the black soot like substance.

Alan Asker, Operations Manager at A Hughes & Son, said: “The hot weather has affected product being transported to the site which is outside our control.

“The UK rendering industry is unable to fully control odour generated from material carried in lorries, in much the same way the council cannot control odour from a refuse collection vehicle.

“All our providers of transport are registered and comply with the animal by-products regulations.

“A recent inspection from the NKDC Environmental Heath Team confirmed the site was operating in accordance with it permit conditions.”

A spokesperson for the council said: “We are aware, we are investigating and we have visited locally. There’s a lot of information to process and a further update will be given to those who have contacted us in the near future.”

Plans for the new animal by-products processing plant in Skellingthorpe.

In February this year, plans were unanimously approved to demolish the existing animal by-products processing plant and build a new processing plant at the farm on Jerusalem Road. The site is owned by Leo Group and run by A Hughes & Son, a company which was bought by Lincoln Proteins Ltd.

Meanwhile, we reported in May that Lincolnshire County Council will consider the re-submitted application for a controversial animal rendering plant in nearby Norton Disney.

Lincoln Proteins Ltd resubmitted their planning application for the facility at Villa Farm on Folly Lane after it was previously refused in February 2020 by Lincolnshire County Council amid concerns over heritage and location. Previous plans also prompted protests by residents who campaigned to “say no to the stink”.

Lincolnshire long-distance runner Sam Atkin has been forced to bow out of the men’s 10,000m with an achilles injury, just 5k into the race.

It’ll be a big blow for the Grimsby-born athlete, who has spent so long training for the event, and at one point in the race was even in fourth place.

Speaking after the race, Sam told The Lincolnite: “It was playing up yesterday really bad, and it played up last night.

“The therapists got it moving again, but it was all over the place out there with everyone slowing then starting up. I must have got tripped so many times which did not help it.”

In the end, the race was won by Ethiopian Selemon Barega and Great Britain’s other hopeful, Mark Scott, finished 14th.

Speaking to The Lincolnite earlier this month, Sam’s parents told how he joined Grimsby Harriers at a young age, winning every race he ran in, before eventually moving onto Lincoln Wellington at the age of 15 because he was getting so quick that he would win adult races.

After the race, Sam’s mum Helen told The Lincolnite: “It’s definitely not the end. That was a heck of a learning experience for Sam. It will give him resolve.”

Sam Atkin, representing Team GB, and his twin sister Jen, who is the current Miss Great Britain.

His next big step came at 18-years-old, when he was offered a scholarship in Idaho in the United States of America.

Sam currently lives and trains in Idaho, meaning his contact with his family has been limited, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sam qualified for the Olympic Games in dramatic fashion, after narrowly missing out on the 5,000m qualifying time, which is his preferred event, but then went on to run the now 5th fastest 10k in UK history.