Thieves steal prized pig sculpture from ‘shocked’ local artist

Thursday has marked six days without a coronavirus death in Greater Lincolnshire, but there have been 60 new cases – a decrease from 71 cases and no deaths this time last week.

The government’s COVID-19 dashboard recorded 44 new cases in Lincolnshire, 12 in North Lincolnshire and four in North East Lincolnshire.

NHS England has also reported no new local hospital deaths across Greater Lincolnshire’s four hospital trusts for the sixth day in a row and currently stands at 1,305 since the pandemic started.

National cases increased by 2,657 to 4,444,631, while deaths rose by 11 to 127,651.

In local news, the number of coronavirus vaccine jabs being given out increased by nearly 10% last week, according to the latest figures.

Data released on Thursday shows altogether 676,851 jabs have taken place in the county between December 8 and May 9 — a further 42,145 in the last week, and nearly 10% up on the 38,553 jabs given the week before.

Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill has urged people to “be careful who you hug” ahead of lockdown restrictions easing next week.

From Monday, May 17, up to 30 people will be allowed to meet outdoors, and social distancing will be dropped between families and friends in homes or private gardens, meaning people can now legally hug each other again.

Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rate up to May 12:

Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from May 3 to May 12. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite

In national news, coronavirus cases in England are at their lowest level since last August, a new study suggests – but it comes amid fears the rapid spread of the Indian variant could push infections up and impact the PM’s final step out of lockdown on 21 June.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the government “is worried about the rise of the Indian variant” and “are watching it very, very carefully”.

Speaking on a visit to a vaccination centre at the Central Mosque of Brent, north-west London, Hancock says the government is “putting in enhanced contact tracing so that people who test positive for this variant get extra support to make sure that we slow the spread as much as possible”.

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Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Thursday, May 13

Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.

60,200 cases (up 60)

• 41,792 in Lincolnshire (up 44)
• 9,684 in North Lincolnshire (up 12)
• 8,724 in North East Lincolnshire (up four)

2,192 deaths (no change)

• 1,617 from Lincolnshire (no change)
• 307 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
• 268 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)

of which 1,305 hospital deaths (no change)

• 812 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
• 41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
• 1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
• 451 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)

4,444,631 UK cases, 127,651 deaths

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.

A five-bedroom home near Grantham with its own 60 metre zip wire is up for sale with a guide price of £1.12 million.

The property on Mere Lane in Aisby also has an open plan living room, dedicated cinema room, gym, tennis court, hot tub, swimming pool and large home office.

In addition to the five double bedrooms, the property also has three en-suite bathrooms, impressive vaulted ceilings, award-winning Chislewood kitchen, Vale Garden Houses orangeries, Tesla charging units and two double garages.

The front view of this impressive million pound home. | Photo: Purplebricks

The entrance Hall. | Photo: Purplebricks

The open plan living room. | Photo: Purplebricks

Relax and unwind in the open plan living room. | Photo: Purplebricks

Check out the large kitchen and dining room. | Photo: Purple Bricks

The contemporary home is set amongst landscaped gardens and grounds measuring 1.3 acres.

Master bedroom. | Photo: Purplebricks

Master en-suite. | Photo: Purplebricks

Master dressing room. | Photo: Purplebricks

Outside, there is surrounding countryside of mature palm trees, giving an impression of an exotic destination abroad.

The home even has its own outdoor swimming pool. | Photo: Purplebricks

The property also boasts its own outdoor tennis court. | Photo: Purplebricks

Lounge/family room. | Photo: Purplebricks

The front garden. | Photo: Purplebricks

The rear garden. | Photo: Purplebricks

The property is being marketed by Purplebricks – see the full listing here.

Lincoln City manager Michael Appleton said the LNER Stadium has felt “eerie” without fans this season, but is looking forward to welcoming them back for the League One play-offs.

Lincoln City are preparing for a two-legged play-off semi final against Sunderland, with the first game taking place at the LNER Stadium on Wednesday, May 19 and the return fixture at the Stadium of Light three days later.

The Imps finished in fifth place after the 46-game League One regular season, securing a spot in the play-off positions to fight for a chance to play at Wembley and earn promotion to the Championship.

The Imps will welcome Sunderland to the LNER Stadium next week. | Photo: The Lincolnite

The players have exceeded expectations this year, with boss Michael Appleton saying he only targeted a top half finish at the start of the campaign, but he is keen for the club to progress.

Speaking to The Lincolnite ahead of Wednesday’s match, Michael Appleton said he is looking for his young squad to perform on the big stage, as over 3,000 fans prepare to return to the stadium for the first time in over a year.

“I hope that our young players thrive and I am glad that we’ve got one or two experienced players back in the team to help them do that.

“I believe that we’ve been starved without fans for so long, with 3,000 fans in it might feel like the place is full!

“At times you can hear a pin drop in here and it’s been quite eerie, I hope it gives them that extra little lift they might need to get through it.”

Pitchside at the LNER Stadium, the calm before the storm. | Photo: The Lincolnite

The Imps have faced the Black Cats three times this season, losing twice and drawing once.

Appleton said: “I think both teams have learned a lot about each other, I think that’s why it might be a tight occasion over the two games.

“It could come down to a little bit of luck or a poor decision, the losers might have to deal with a poor decision as the officiating has been a little bit loose to say the least, as we are well aware.”

There will soon be 3,000 fans in the stadium. | Photo: The Lincolnite

He is referring to a highly controversial last-minute penalty that was given against Lincoln during their 3-3 draw with Peterborough United on May 1, ending hopes of automatic promotion.

“A lot of people I’d spoke to said they’d never seen anything like that, it was a bad one”, said Appleton.

The Imps’ focus is now on Sunderland, with Lincoln just three games away from a place in the Championship next season, something fans must surely have only been dreaming about this time last year.

You can also see what forward Anthony Scully had to say ahead of the game, as he praised the exciting brand of football introduced by Appleton: