Sarah Sheardown, Deputy Headteacher at Navenby CE Primary School and Mark Wallace, Headmaster of Lincoln Minster School.
Over 200 schools are due to re-open in Lincolnshire on June 1 in line with government guidance, but the environment is likely to be different to what pupils were used to just a few months ago.
The Lincolnite spoke to two local schools to find out how they plan to ensure the safest possible return for staff and students.
Both Navenby CE Primary School and Lincoln Minster School will have new safety measures in place, including social distancing markers, staggered start/finish and break times, as well as classes being split into smaller groups.
Navenby CE Primary School
Navenby CE Primary School normally has 198 pupils. Around 20 pupils will be returning in Reception and Year 1 on Monday, with both classes split into smaller groups.
27 Year 6 pupils are set to return on a rota, in groups of nine in one week blocks. Key worker children in Years 2-5 will continue to attend.
Several parents have expressed their appreciation for the school’s efforts during lockdown, including home learning resources.
Deputy Headteacher Sarah Sheardown, who teaches Year 6, told The Lincolnite: “The children on the whole are really excited about coming back as they have missed their friends. They don’t quite have an understanding of how tricky it’s going to be, particularly the younger ones.
“I’m excited to go back. It’s been horrible not to finish the primary school journey off properly with my Year Six children, so it will be good to have them in again.
“For some staff, particularly those with their own children, there will be some anxieties, but we are here to do a job and we have put in everything we possibly can to make it safe for pupils and staff.”
She added that for Year 6 pupils the focus will be on continuing with reading, writing and maths, whilst also focusing on secondary school transition. Online resources will continue to be available for those still at home.
Lunchtime supervisors will wear gloves and masks, which other staff will have available to use should they choose to do so.
Lincoln Minster School
Lincoln Minster School usually has 600 pupils across its three sites – Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory and Senior School – as well as domestic and international boarders.
From next week around 75% of pupils are expected to return for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
The lessons for Year 6 will be delivered virtually through their tablets in class, with two teachers present with their small groups to offer guidance and support. Children learning from home will access the same content.
Headteacher Mark Wallace told The Lincolnite: “We are making sure as far as possible that everything is in place for a safe return. We’ve done that as far as possible so everything is ready for Monday.
“It will be great to have more pupils back in the school community and it will be a positive step forward in getting back to some form of what we perceive as normal. It will be a new environment to adjust to and will take a bit of time to get used to.”
Parents should contact their school for arrangements from 1 June. If the school is closed it should make arrangements for your child to attend another school if the child is vulnerable or a parent is a key worker and in need of a school place. More info https://t.co/zLppwtm4Wz
— Lincolnshire County Council (@LincolnshireCC) May 29, 2020
Meanwhile, academies in Lincolnshire also have plans in place, including the Priory Federation of Academies Trust.
Four of the trust’s schools open on June 1 with a further two on June 2 due to having a training day.
Opening dates for schools in the Priory Federation of Academies Trust (VC = vulnerable children, CKW = children of key workers).
If you are unsure whether your child(ren)’s school is reopening, please check with the school directly.
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The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Butlers with Bums and Adonis Cabaret are on the lookout for Lincolnshire “guys with buff bodies to help keep hen party celebrators from disappointment”.
The two companies specialise in serving up naked butlers and have launched a recruitment drive to get more guys on board.
They are looking for buff guys ranging from 23-38 years old to get mingling with hen do guests galore, serving up canapés and drinks and posing for photos. Gym enthusiasts and fitness lovers are being encouraged to apply.
Buff guys are needed to help keep hen party celebrators from disappointment. | Photo: Butlers with Bums
Have you got what it takes to join the team? | Photo: Butlers with Bums
The butlers will be required to wear Butlers with Bums’ signature black and pink attire, including an apron where they will be showing their bum at the back, a collar, cuffs and a bow tie.
Dan Harley, Director of Butlers with Bums and also a former butler, said: “We have a lot of demand for our buff butlers across the UK right now for hen dos, birthday parties and corporate events, but the shortage of guys throughout the UK is becoming a big problem for us.
“We know there are gym enthusiasts and fitness lovers out there that are perfect for the job and would like them to urgently get in touch and get involved.”
Former actor and performer Tristan Mills, who runs the Adonis Cabaret, said: “We are hoping to expand our shows and recruit many more guys.”
The naked butlers will be serving up canapés and drinks and posing for photos. | Photo: Butlers with Bums
Hunks are needed to fill a national shortage of naked butlers. | Photo: Butlers with Bums
Part of Horncastle Railway Station, which was demolished 40 years ago, has survived and is still in use, according to the town’s History and Heritage Society.
A significant part of the building, which was demolished in 1985 to make way for new premises for Bush Tyres, is still in use for its original purpose.
Near to Horncastle, the flagstones which once paved the platform found a new home when they were bought and moved to a property in the district which was being renovated.
They were carefully relaid around the property and today continue to provide a firm and steady surface for pedestrians – just as the original Horncastle Railway Company intended when it built the station in 1855.
Publicity surrounding the discovery of relics and artefacts relating to the Horncastle station has helped to build up knowledge of the line and the role it played in the area.
This includes a milepost, trespass signs, an original hand-lamp (from Woodhall Spa), draughtsmen’s. plans, original tickets, photographs, and even the suggestion that a narrow-gauge train from an old brickworks may be buried under a housing development.
The final half-mile post recovered from the debris on the old Horncastle station site and now preserved privately in the garden of a house in the town.| Photo: Horncastle History & Heritage Society
Very rare Great Northern Railway ticket (pre-1922) from Horncastle to Willoughby (junction for the Mablethorpe Loop Line). | Photo: Dr Chris Extence
Dr Ian Marshman, Chairman of the Horncastle History and Heritage Society, said: “This is a remarkable survival.
“We can’t say where the Horncastle railway flagstones are now in use, but it was an interesting experience to stand on them, just as thousands of passengers had once stood – including the hundreds of soldiers who departed in both world wars, some never to return again.
“Not to mention the countless people off to work, on a train trip to London or the seaside, all things we can no longer do since the station closed. What stories those stones could tell.”
The mystery has also been solved as to what happened to the model of Horncastle Railway Station, which was once displayed in the erstwhile Horncastle Museum.
The missing model of Horncastle station taken in the 1970s when it was on display in the now-closed Horncastle Museum. | Photo: Horncastle History & Heritage Society
The model was built by the late captain Reggie Tweed and had been donated to the museum, but appears to have been lost when it closed.
A retired school teacher recently contacted Dr Ian Marshman and told him he remembered the model being brought by a local historian to Horncastle Community Primary School during a project on the Victorians.
The model was left at the school for safe keeping and was used to illustrate lessons.
It went into storage under the school’s water tower, along with other odds and ends, and then the area flooded. The model and other stored items were damaged beyond repair and had to be thrown away.
Dr Marshman said: “We’re very grateful for this information – and it’s good to know that although the model might not have survived, that several retired teachers still remembered that children had enjoyed using it. It’s also nice to be able to say that we might have finally solved the mystery.”
Locomotive 69808 about to set off from Horncastle with a train for Boston. The flagstones lining the platform edges have recently been rediscovered. | Photo: Wm.Woolhouse Collection/Lincs Coast Light Railway Trust
Horncastle and Woodhall Spa’s railway closed half a century ago. On Saturday, April 3, 2021 it was the 50 year anniversary of the last train rolling out of Horncastle.
The freight was a freight bound for Lincoln, via Woodhall Spa, Woodhall Junction, Stixwould, Southrey and Bardney.
This is where trains had continued to service the sugar beet factory after the closure of the passenger service from Firsby and Woodhall Junction in October 1970.
For Horncastle and Woodhall Spa, it was the end of the line for a service that began on August 11, 1855.
Locomotive 69523 in Horncastle station with the regular two carriages used on the service to Woodhall Spa and Woodhall Junction. | Photo: Wm. Woolhouse Collection/Lincs Coast Light Railway Trust.
The anniversary was marked by a virtual exhibition. Two planned physical exhibitions will take place once coronavirus restrictions have eased further.
Following the results announcement, Conservative Council Leader Martin Hill said: “That’s a very strong result.
“We have a very strong manifesto […] which is basically all about keeping council tax low, services good and also an ambitious programme of building and development.
“I’m very pleased the hard work of candidates and Conservative councillors of the past four years has been recognised and rewarded and I look forward to the next four years.
“Hopefully we will serve the public of this county as best we can.”
The turnout for the election was 31%, compared to 31.98% in 2017. There were 179,165 votes in total out of 569,480 registered voters. 1,314 votes were spoiled.
It saw Councillor Hill joined by several of his counterparts on the district level with Boston leader Councillor Paul Skinner holding his seat, while Tory district leaders Richard Wright of North Kesteven and Kelham Cooke of South Kesteven were also elected to the authority.
Former Lincoln MP and city councillor Karen Lee has also been elected on the county council, after three re-counts, winning her seat in the Ermine & Cathedral ward.
Lincolnshire Labour leader Rob Parker has won his county council seat at the Carholme division.
Conservative candidate for the St Giles ward, Nicola Clarke has taken the previous Labour seat from Robin Renshaw who is set to retire.
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