Lincoln’s two universities are some of the first to sign an agreement with the local council promising to work together to invest more in the city — including listening to residents more.
The University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University have signed a Civic University Agreement with the City of Lincoln Council in a bid to show their commitment to the county’s capital.
The agreement asks the establishments to:
Build on their own institutional strengths and current civic activities
Reflect the priorities of the people of Lincoln, and what they want from their universities
Work with local institutions, businesses and community organisations, local authorities and plans to “deliver a unified vision for the city”
Develop a clear set of priorities, collaborating and aligning resources and activities with each other and with the City of Lincoln Council, the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP), and the NHS
Create a plan of action for the five-year period 2020–2025
Support will include helping businesses adapt to technical change, and boosting residents’ health.
City of Lincoln Council’s director for communities and environment Simon Walters said the agreement will evolve and adapt to the city’s changing needs.
“It aligns and joins up the current civic activities of the two universities, and articulates a set of goals for further joint working with ourselves and other local bodies.
“This is one of the first such agreements in the country and we look forward to working with the universities to further enhance our city as a great place to live, work, visit, learn and invest.”
The University of Lincoln takes in around 14,000 students and employs 1,600 staff. Bosses have over recent years invested more than £300 million into its city centre campus alongside the Brayford Pool.
University of Lincoln Vice Chancellor Professor Mary Stuart said: “The university is now very much part of the rich heritage of our wonderful region and this civic agreement will allow us to move forward to meet the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century in partnership with all stakeholders.”
The 150-year-old Bishop Grosseteste facility became a university in 2012 and has around 2,250 students.
Rev’d Canon Professor Peter Neil, Vice-Chancellor Bishop Grosseteste University commented: “We as a university are committed to supporting pressing issues within the city.
“By signing this agreement, we will place the city at the top of our list of priorities and look forward to working closely with the City of Lincoln Council to achieve this.”
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times:
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