‘Intimidating’ Lincoln drug alley to be gated-off next week

A strange flying object described by some as a ‘UFO’ was seen in Lincolnshire’s skies on Monday night, and it turns out it was a NASA rocket and satellite.

One person who lives near the South Common in Lincoln captured a photo of the light in the sky at around 10pm on September 27. It was also seen in locations such as Skegness, as well as various other places across the globe.

Landsat 9, a NASA satellite to monitor the Earth’s land surface, successfully launched at 2.12pm (Eastern Daylight Time) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. NASA said on Monday that Landsat 9 is performing as expected as it travels to its final orbital altitude of 438 miles.

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket with the Landsat 9 satellite onboard launched on Monday, Sept. 27. | Photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Whilst some people in local social media groups, including ‘You’re probably from Lincoln if’, correctly identified the unusual cone of light, others pointed to aliens and UFOs, and even the petrol crisis.

Luke Vickers said: “It’s a fuel drop. Quick get it.”

Phil Kitchen said: “It was a UFO and the aliens onboard saw the ridiculous queues outside a petrol station and decided there was no intelligence on earth so turned back.”

Darren Gallacher said: “The space station was due to be visible tonight (Monday), however it’s not usually that bright.”

Kerry Halls said: “Panic over! Aliens not coming to take over, it was a rocket launch! How incredible!”

The first Landsat satellite launched in 1972. Since then, NASA has always kept a Landsat in orbit to collect images of the physical material covering our planet’s surface and changes to land usage.

Those images allow researches to monitor phenomena including agricultural productivity, forest extent and health, water quality, coral reef habitat health, and glacier dynamics.

NASA said: “Success! Landsat 9 launched today to continue a nearly 50-year legacy of monitoring the health of our planet. A partnership with USGS (U.S. Geological Survey), the satellite will help people manage the Earth’s natural resources with science-based decisions.”

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said: “NASA uses the unique assets of our own unprecedented fleet, as well as the instruments of other nations, to study our own planet and its climate systems.

“With a 50-year data bank to build on, Landsat 9 will take this historic and invaluable global program to the next level. We look forward to working with our partners at the U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of the Interior again on Landsat Next, because we never stop advancing our work to understand our planet.”

Landsat 9 joins its sister satellite, Landsat 8, in orbit. Working in tandem, the two satellites will collect images spanning the entire planet every eight days.

See more information about NASA’s new mission here.

Lincolnshire television heartthrob and Disney superfan Jake Quickenden is excited to get the show on the road after meeting all his fellow cast members for the first time ahead of this winter’s Christmas pantomime at the New Theatre Royal Lincoln – Beauty & the Beast.

Panto was unable to go ahead in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, so it will be a welcome return when The Beauty & the Beast takes centre stage between December 7, 2021 and January 9, 2022. Tickets are on sale priced at £25.50 for adults and £22.50 for anyone under 18 or over 65 – book tickets online here.

Scunthorpe-born Jake Quickenden, who will star as baddie Flash Hugo, most recently featured in Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, until he had to withdraw on medical grounds due to a shoulder injury, suffered in a gruelling water test.

The cast of this year’s Christmas panto at New Theatre Royal Lincoln – Beauty & the Beast. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Jake, who has done panto across the country every year for around six years, told The Lincolnite: “I’ve always been a fan of Lincoln, it’s a beautiful little place and I feel at home around here.

“I’m very privileged that I was able to do something in SAS and it was a brilliant show. It’s one end of the spectrum to the other now, I’m doing panto.

“I really enjoy doing panto. It’s been out of action for a few years so it’s lovely to be back and we’ll have a good crowd in and hopefully we’re going to put on a really good show, a fun show for all the family.

“Today (Monday) is the first day I’ve met the whole cast. It’s been absolutely brilliant and everyone is lovely and super talented. I can’t wait to get into rehearsals and get the show going. I’m a huge Disney fan and Beauty & the Beast is wicked, this will be one not to miss.”

Scunthorpe-born Jake Quickenden plays the part of baddie Flash Hugo. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The full cast gathered for the press launch of the Christmas panto – Beauty & the Beast. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Joining Jake in the largest ever cast for Lincoln’s longest running traditional pantomime is Zoe Hanna May from ITV’s The Voice, who will play the lead role of Belle.

She said: “I’m feeling very excited. It’s amazing to finally all be together as a cast and meet the people I haven’t met before, it all feels very real.

“I don’t think I know anyone who’s not seen Beauty & the Beast, the original Disney movie, and I absolutely love it, love the songs and Belle as a character, so I feel very lucky to be playing her. I think it’s going to be a really strong cast that are a really close-knit family too.

Hanna Zoe May will play the lead role of Belle. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

She added: “I love the Christmas Market in Lincoln and all the Bailey’s hot chocolate, and at the cathedral, and up at the top it’s so pretty and quaint, I love it.”

James de Lauch Hay will play the part of the Beast/Prince Roberto said: “I’m feeling so excited, everyone is so lovely and welcoming. Everyone’s so excited to be back in the theatre again.

“There’s nothing more wonderful or spectacular or magical as a pantomime, which I think we all need. We all need a feel good show to celebrate a hard year and for everyone to get out and enjoy themselves. I’m really excited to be here for Christmas.”

A panto cast full of talent. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

CBBC’s ‘Yonko’ Chris Johnson will play Belle’s father Professor Ivar Brainstorm. This will be Chris’ seventh successive pantomime at the New Theatre Royal Lincoln.

He said: “Lincoln has become essentially my Christmas home. One of the oddest sensations from last year was not coming here at any point, that was very strange, I’ve been here that much and it’s such a part of my December, so I’m going to make up for last time.

“Theatre as a whole, it is wonderful to see that it is surviving and finding a way to get back out there to people. Panto is so important, it is the gateway for a lot of kids into theatre and live performance. The fact that panto is back and bringing the spirit of Christmas…nothing beats it!”

CBBC’s ‘Yonko’ Chris Johnson will play Belle’s father Professor Ivar Brainstorm

Britain’s Got Talent finalist Christian Lee will play Marcel Allumette, the quirky candelabra.

Strengthening the cast further are Lincoln’s own Chris Hayes, Paul Aitchison, and Georgia Hayes-Cowley, who will star as Humphrey Battenburg, Mary Muffintop and Mindy Singit respectively.

Get ready to enter the New Theatre Royal Lincoln for this year’s Christmas panto – Beauty & the Beast. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Natalie Hayes-Cowley (left), the theatre’s Artistic Director and the show’s producer with three leading cast members – James de Lauch Hay, Jake Quickenden and Zoe Hanna May. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Natalie Hayes-Cowley, the theatre’s Artistic Director and the show’s producer. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Camilia O’Grady, Vanessa Dumatey and Laura Wenton will be making their New Theatre Royal Lincoln debuts starring as Serenity Rose/Gigi Vavaoo, Cindy Singit and Lindy Singit respectively. The role of Carrie Cupcake will be shared by Ruby Grayson and Kyla Hurdley.

A family run cafe and restaurant at Lincoln Golf Centre officially opened this week and The Lincolnite went to check out the new menu.

Brian Logan has run Lincoln Golf Centre at Thorpe on the Hill near Lincoln for 22 years, while his son Paul is a professional golfer. Then, his son Jamie Logan launched an outside ice cream and coffee shop with his husband James Gibbons in April this year.

The couple’s first business venture, The Oaks at Whisby, proved to be a big hit and continued to grow, so a pop-up breakfast and lunch menu was added. It then moved into a newly renovated premises at the golf centre and opened for business this month.

There is a range of food available at The Oaks at Whisby. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Oaks’ large breakfast. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Avocado Smash is proving to be very popular. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln couple James and Jamie Logan are the owners of The Oaks at Whisby.

It can seat 50 diners at time inside, and a further 30 outside, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is open Monday to Sunday between 9am and 9pm.

The menu includes full English breakfasts and a vegetarian alternatives, the very popular Avocado Smash, Caesar salads, buffalo chicken wings with blue cheese, as well as granola pots, chocolate brownies, scones and more, using fresh Lincolnshire produce.

Buffalo chicken wings with blue cheese, which has the option of being served with fries. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Chicken Caesar salad. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

There are also dishes suitable for vegetarians including the veggie breakfast. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The chocolate brownie with ice cream. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The granola pots are also popular. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The locally sourced food comes from local Lincolnshire businesses including Odlings Butchers, Welbourne Bakery and Blyton Ice Cream. They have also collaborated with local businesses for the decor and plants inside the cafe.

The couple are also hoping to expand the business further and add a dinner menu of stonebaked pizzas in the coming weeks, as well as a home delivery service option. A Sunday dinner service will launch in the coming months.

Jamie and James want to make The Oaks at Whisby a hub for the community and not just about golf, including wine tasting nights and wreath making classes.

The Oaks at Whisby is located at Lincoln Golf Centre in Thorpe on the Hill near Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Inside The Oaks at Whisby. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Oaks at Whisby opened in a new indoor premises on September 22, 2021. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The outdoor seating area seats up to 30 people. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

James Gibbons runs the business on a day-to-day basis and has worked in hospitality all his life, managing restaurant openings for Marco Pierre White and working on others in Sydney and London.

His husband Jamie is originally from Lincolnshire and is a nurse by trade, working remotely for an Irish university writing health care policies, while running the business ‘back office’ part-time.

Jamie told The Lincolnite: “We’ve been blown away by the support. We’ve been fortunate enough to have a number of events being hosted here, and we are excited for what the future holds, it’s really all come together.”

Meanwhile, The Oaks at Whisby will hold an outdoor Christmas, craft and farmers’ market between 10am-4pm on November 27 to support local businesses and artists.

A golf membership is not required to eat at The Oaks, and car parking is on site and free of charge. To book a table at The Oaks you can either call 07585837535 or email [email protected]ks.com.

COVID cases across Greater Lincolnshire continued to rise by more than a quarter week-on-week on Tuesday, while anti-vaxxers sent out fake “official” letters as they ramp up their campaign against giving doses to young people.

The latest figures come as the government’s data shows infection rates have increased in all districts but Lincoln city over the past seven days.

North Lincolnshire in particular has seen a massive leap up the national rankings in the week to September 27. The unitary authority, along with South Holland District Council, are now both in the top 100 highest infection rates in the county.

The latest COVID stats for Lincolnshire:

• 733 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Greater Lincolnshire on Tuesday with 492 in Lincolnshire, 75 in North East Lincolnshire and 166 in North Lincolnshire.
• Last Tuesday there were 583 cases – a rise of 26%
• Four further deaths of Lincolnshire residents were also recorded
• Hospital data updated to include three further deaths in United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust
• Nationally, cases rose by 34,526 while deaths increased by 167

Lincolnshire’s infection rates from September 6 to September 27. | Table: Daniel Jaines, Data: Gov.UK

A Lincoln school has been among several across the country to have been sent a fake coronavirus consent letter by anti-vaxxers.

The letter included a fake NHS logo and a “consent checklist” for vaccination. Headteachers were asked to share the letter with students but later apologised after the mistake was realised.

Sir Robert Pattinson Academy in Lincoln was among the schools sent the hoax email. Headteacher Dale Hardy has since contacted parents/carers apologising and telling them to ignore the original email.

Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi said on Monday that vaccination remained a personal choice but criticised people who had threatened and abused school staff.

“I want teachers and students to know that I will always stand up for them and tackle harassment head on, so teachers can do their vital jobs safely and children can get the education they deserve – regardless of choices made over vaccination,” he said.

Nationally, the UK Health Security Agency has recommended a series of changes to ease pressure on the NHS, including ending testing and isolating patients before planned operations and resuming normal cleaning procedures.

According to the BBC, the organisation has also said the social distancing could also be reduced.

Bosses hope the move will help tackle massively hiked up waiting lists which have built up during the pandemic.

Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Tuesday, September 28

113,834 cases (up 733)

• 74,630 in Lincolnshire (up 492)
• 18,381 in North Lincolnshire (up 166)
• 20,823 in North East Lincolnshire (up 75)

2,342 deaths (up four)

• 1,716 from Lincolnshire (up four)
• 317 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
• 309 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)

of which 1,410 hospital deaths (up three)

• 866 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up two)
• 44 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
• 1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
• 499 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (up one)

DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF THE LATEST UPDATE. POSTCODE DATA INCLUDES DEATHS NOT IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES OR IN HOSPITALS OUTSIDE AUTHORITY BOUNDARIES.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust has appointed the interim CEO in a permanent role after a successful two years in the role.

LCHS is the primary community healthcare provider in Lincolnshire and aims to support people to manage their health at home and reduce the need for hospital admissions, caring for thousands of patients each day.

Maz Fosh has worked in the NHS for twelve years and was appointed as interim chief executive of Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) in 2019, after six years as an executive director.

She navigated the trust through the uncertain and difficult COVID-19 pandemic and supported the Lincolnshire healthcare system with the establishment of urgent treatment centres and was nominated for national awards in her time.

Maz’s efforts have been rewarded with a permanent chief executive role, after dramatic increases in staff morale and wellbeing, and making LCHS the first NHS Community Services Trust to receive a Good grade in 2021 from Ofsted.

Her role will start with immediate effect, and chair of LCHS Elaine Baylis has said that Maz will provide “key strengths” in continuing the trust’s development.

Baylis said: “I am delighted to announce that following a national competitive process for the position of Chief Executive, Maz Fosh was the successful candidate.

“Her values, compassionate leadership and approach to collaboration and innovation were key strengths that were all demonstrated throughout the process.

“I am looking forward to continuing working with her as the Trust progresses on its journey as an outstanding provider of community healthcare and a respected partner in the Integrated Care System (ICS) in Lincolnshire.”

Maz Fosh said of her appointment: “I am extremely pleased to be able to continue to lead LCHS and build on the exciting progress we have achieved so far.

“We’ve experienced some very challenging times over the last year or so and I’m very proud and appreciative of how my colleagues continue to rise to the challenges we face in the NHS, with the support of our wider health and care partners and volunteers in Lincolnshire and beyond.

“I am passionate about innovation and collaboration and I very much look forward to continuing to develop and transform our services, working in partnership with my LCHS colleagues, Lincolnshire partners and the population we serve.”