Children would often come to feed Nardoo and Pinto. Photo: Geoffrey Morey
Have you ever wondered how you might react if you saw kangaroos hopping around Lincoln High Street? Or perhaps alongside your car? Well that was common practice in the late 1950s to early 60s.
Picture this: you’re driving down Nettleham Road late at night, and in the reflection of your car headlights you see kangaroos hopping down the street.
You may be excused for thinking you’ve gone totally mad, but in the 1950s and 60s a few of these marsupial creatures found a home in Lincoln, thanks to a man who took them in as pets.
Geoffrey Morey published a book about this very time in 1962, detailing why he got kangaroos in the first place and how they adapted to their Lincolnshire surroundings.
Geoffrey and Pinto having a friendly wrestle. Photo: Geoffrey Morey
The Lincoln Kangaroos tells the story of a couple of kangaroos who lived within the shadow of Lincoln Cathedral and became local superstars.
It initially looked like Geoffrey wouldn’t get his kangaroo dream when a disagreement with Buckingham Palace denied him at first.
Four kangaroos had been brought over from South Australia after a joking remark about bringing them to the UK.
Two of them were soon living in a bedroom inside a London hotel as the owner waited for a response from the royal family, while the other two were presented to Edinburgh Zoo.
Geoffrey had been given assurance that if Buckingham Palace were to reject the two animals, he would be allowed to house them in Lincoln, due to his knowledge on them during his time in Australia.
After back and forths with important figures in London, Geoffrey was told he wouldn’t be getting the kangaroos, much to his despair.
The idea of kangaroos being in Lincoln became a big news story, and it escalated from local papers to national news outlets.
A kangaroo in Lincoln? You must be hopping mad! Photo: Geoffrey Morey
It was even picked up by an Australian newspaper, and when reading about Geoffrey’s ordeal, a local decided to gift him two kangaroos out of gratitude.
Before long, Pinto and Nardoo were passengers on a boat heading to England, specifically Geoffrey’s house in Lincoln.
Geoffrey built a kennel in his back garden for the kangaroos, using straw on the floor and a small heater on the walls to keep them warm.
Kangaroos and dogs sharing a bowl of water. Be honest, you weren’t expecting to see something like this today, were you? Photo: Geoffrey Morey
As was to be expected, this was far from a usual pet experience, and naturally they drew plenty of attention.
Children would bring fruit to feed Pinto and Nardoo, or even just peer over the wall and watch them hop around the garden.
“Making friends with the children”. Photo: Geoffrey Morey
Very early on into owning the kangaroos, Geoffrey spotted Nardoo tangled in a wire fence with her leg trapped.
Due to being a doctor himself, Geoffrey drafted in his colleagues at the hospital to help save Nardoo rather than have her shot.
In what became a remarkably uplifting tale, almost every medical expert in Lincoln worked on getting Nardoo better, even designing her a makeshift walking splint to help her recover.
Nardoo in her walking splint. Photo: Geoffrey Morey
What anaesthetic do you use for a kangaroo? Well, peppermints obviously. Nardoo would remain calm and quiet during operations so long as she had peppermints to chew on.
Once Nardoo recovered she, along with Pinto, would develop a bit of a habit for leaving home to go on adventures.
An infamous moment is recalled by Geoffrey, the time when Pinto ended up in a Lincoln cemetery after leaping over a seven foot high wall.
After the gardener struck up the lawn mower in Geoffrey’s backyard, Pinto became startled and sprinted away, clearing the wall with ease and going missing for hours.
Geoffrey was at work when he was called by a puzzled young boy who said a phrase that is very rarely heard in Lincoln.
“Did you know your big kangaroo is in the cemetery at the end of your garden?”
It took Geoffrey most of the day to get Pinto back, but eventually did after she found herself in a coal shed, several hours after first leaving.
As well as this, while on holiday in East Africa, Geoffrey read a story in a Ugandan newspaper with the headline “Lincoln police on the hop”.
“Hey Mum! What about a game?” Photo: Geoffrey Morey
The story was about Geoffrey’s kangaroos being spotted by a driver late at night, who called the police in astonishment as three wild animals were jumping on the road ahead of him.
The man called police and said: “You may think I’m drunk or even mad, but I’ve just seen three kangaroos jumping down Nettleham Road.”
A ‘Lincoln Safari’ then took place as police scanned the city looking for Pinto, Nardoo and Matilda, before eventually being brought back safe to the garden after a three hour hunt.
Perhaps most fascinating of all about this story, the kangaroos would be welcomed into the house and would even strike up a friendship with the family dogs.
Whether it’s a kangaroo or a dog, food is always on the mind. Photo: Geoffrey Morey
While the kangaroos preferred to box and the dogs enjoyed chasing things, they shared a common bond of laying in front of the fireplace during a cold evening.
“They’d grab the best place in front of the fire too, if they could.” Photo: Geoffrey Morey
It wouldn’t just be Pinto and Nardoo that Geoffrey had to cater for though, as Nardoo would go on to birth five babies.
Johnny and Matilda were the first two, but a double tragedy over the spell of a few months saw Pinto taken away to the zoo due to his aggressive nature, and Johnny fall ill and tragically die while the family were on holiday.
Geoffrey wrote to a man in Australia who collected kangaroos, to tell him of the loss of Pinto and Johnny, and before long he was gifted two more for his family.
These were named Pinto II and Quogga, but the latter was found dead in her kennel just four days later.
Aranda would be born after Pinto II’s arrival, along with two other babies at the time of publishing the book.
It is unsure what happened after the book was published, but we can assure you that no kangaroos now live there!
The book was found by Pirjo Holtta, owner of second hand goods shop Pre-Loved From Lincolnshire, who couldn’t believe the story when she saw it.
“I’ve lived in Lincoln since 2007 and I had never heard the kangaroo story from round the corner!”
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There have been 1,643 new coronavirus cases and 83 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire this week – compared to 1,670 cases and 71 deaths last week.
Some 304 new cases and 17 deaths were reported in Greater Lincolnshire on Friday – the third day in a row with 17 deaths.
The government’s COVID-19 dashboard recorded 252 new cases in Lincolnshire, 28 in North Lincolnshire and 24 in North East Lincolnshire.
On Friday, 14 deaths were registered in Lincolnshire, two in North East Lincolnshire and one in North Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.
NHS England reported six new local hospital deaths at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, four at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) and one at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals. Some 51 hospital deaths have been recorded this week, compared to 48 last week.
On Friday, national cases increased by 40,261 to 3,583,907, while deaths rose by 1,401 to 95,981.
Lincolnshire health bosses estimate that 80-90% of new coronavirus cases in the county are now a mutant, more infectious strain of COVID.
Figures earlier this week said that by January 8, 59.2% of cases had confirmed the new virus — up from 36% by the end of 2020 — and now county leaders estimate the number to be even higher.
The COVID mutation that has taken over most new cases in Lincolnshire is not only more infectious, but also more deadly, it has been revealed.
NHS bosses are hoping to offer all care homes in Lincolnshire the first COVID vaccine dose by the end of the week. This comes as almost 5.4 million people have received jabs nationally.
Director of Nursing at Lincolnshire CCG Martin Fahy told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that about three quarters has been completed so far.
A single week in December saw Lincolnshire deaths reach 13 times the yearly average, explained local health bosses frustrated with COVID deniers.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Director of Public Health Professor Derek Ward explained that the week including December 14 would usually see an average of 23 deaths, but 2020 say 301 deaths that week.
In national news, there are no plans to pay everyone in England who tests positive for COVID-19 £500 to self-isolate, No 10 has said.
The PM’s official spokesman said there was already a £500 payment available for those on low incomes who could not work from home and had to isolate.
The coronavirus R number in the UK has fallen sharply since last week, suggesting the lockdown is slowing the spread of coronavirus.
The R, which refers to the number of people that an infected person will pass COVID-19 on to, is between 0.8 and 1 across the UK, according to the figures released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
This means for every 10 people infected with COVID-19, they will pass the virus on to between eight and 10 others.
Lincoln City has taken the top spot with the highest infection rate in Greater Lincolnshire.
This week saw South Holland at the top which was put down to two outbreaks in care homes with up to 100 cases. South Holland has now dropped to third place in the region.
Greater Lincolnshire still remains way below the national average infection rate of 472.9, with just 217.3 per 100,000 of the population.
Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rate over the last seven days up to January 22 according to the government dashboard:
Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Jan 15 to Jan 22. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Friday, January 22
Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.
45,645 cases (up 304)
31,814 in Lincolnshire (up 252)
7,067 in North Lincolnshire (up 28)
6,764 in North East Lincolnshire (up 24)
1,760 deaths (up 17)
1,255 from Lincolnshire (up 14)
272 from North Lincolnshire (up one)
233 from North East Lincolnshire (up two)
of which 1,047 hospital deaths (up 11)
638 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up six)
32 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (up one)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
376 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (up four)
3,583,907 UK cases, 95,981 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.
The COVID mutation that has taken over most new cases in Lincolnshire is not only more infectious, but may also be more deadly, it has been revealed.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there is “some evidence” the new variant of COVID-19 which is more transmissible could have a “higher degree of mortality”.
However, he said all current evidence continued to show that vaccines remain effective.
Health bosses in Lincolnshire on Friday estimated 80-90% of new coronavirus cases were the new variant.
Boris Johnson told reporters that there were currently no plans to change lockdown rules saying “this is the right package of measures” and that it was down to people obeying the current lockdown and enforcement.
Mr Johnson was speaking during a press briefing on Friday where health bosses said 1 in 55 people now had coronavirus in England.
There are now more than 38,000 people in hospital nationally – 78% higher than the peak of the first wave.
Mr Johnson said: “We’ve been informed today that in addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant, first identified in London and the south-east, may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.
“It’s largely the impact of this new variant that means the NHS is under such intense pressure.”
In response to questions over death spikes caused by the new variant he said: “Death numbers will continue to be high for a little while to come.”
Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, said there was already confidence the new virus spread more easily, but that it was unclear why that was.
He said there was no difference in terms of age range being affected.
Sir Vallance added the outcome for those in hospital with the new variant was the same, however, there was evidence “there’s increased risk for those who have the new variant, compared to the old virus”.
Early evidence suggests the difference shows 13-14 deaths per 1,000 infected as opposed to 10 in 1,000 for the original virus.
However, he added: “That evidence is not yet strong, it’s a series of different bits of information that come together to support that, and I want to put it into context as to what it might mean.
“But I’m stressing that these data are currently uncertain and we don’t have a very good estimate of the precise nature, or indeed, whether it is overall increase.”
He confirmed there was increasing evidence the new variant would be susceptible to the vaccines and studies of the Pfizer Biontech vaccine showed “very good neutralisation”.
“There’s increasing confidence, coupled with I think what is a very important clinical observation, which is that individuals who’ve been infected previously, and have generated antibodies, appear to be equally protected against original virus and new variant,” he added.
England’s Chief medical office Chris Whitty said there had been a “turning the corner” for the number of people catching the virus, adding it was coming down from an “exceptionally” high level.
A Lincoln couple will reopen their independent pizzeria at a new location on Friday night, with an array of main and signature pizzas and Belgian waffles.
Weirdough’s Pizza Emporium will open at Tap & Spile on Hungate from 5pm on Friday, January 22, but it initially started out as a charity project making Neo-Neapolitan pizzas.
Husband and wife team Matt and Rachel Barnes have lived in Lincoln for around five years and last year they wanted to do something to raise money for the NHS.
Matt starting to prepare a pizza. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Kneading the dough. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Matt used to work at a Lincoln school, but they were closed to most pupils for a few weeks in March, so he started working on a project and Weirdoughs Pizza Emporium was born.
It was initially run from The West End Tap from the end of last summer, but in January the pub announced it would not reopen again under its current management, so Weirdoughs had to find a new premises.
The base ready for the next stage of the pizza making. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Matt putting the pizza into the oven. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The tasty pizza in the oven. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Adding the finishing touches to the pizza. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
All profits made from the food sold – just under £2,000 – went to the NHS. The couple also did some drop offs at the coronavirus ward at Lincoln County Hospital.
Matt was made redundant at the end of May and Rachel was due to give birth four weeks after that.
It was a hectic time for the couple as Rachel, who works at a primary school in Peterborough, would be on maternity leave and Matt would soon have no income.
The Margz main pizza – San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The Weirdough – San Marzano tomatoes, parmesan, Emmental, mozzarella, red onions, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, spicy Nduja sausage, rocket, balsamic glaze and garlic drizzle. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
As the pizzas were working so well and following feedback from customers, the couple decided to turn it into a business.
Dan Neale, who previously ran the West End Tap, has joined the Weirdoughs team of four as a pizza chef.
Or why not try a Create Your Own Weirdoughs Waffle? | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The dough is homemade 24 hours ahead to make their special main and signature pizzas, while customers can also order a create your own Weirdoughs waffle.
The Belgian waffles come with a variety of toppings such as Kinder Bueno, Crunchie, and Galaxy Caramel, with sauces including white and milk chocolate, salted caramel and toffee, with ice cream.
Weirdoughs will open Friday to Sunday 5pm-9pm and Wednesday to Thursday 5pm-8pm for takeaway or delivery.
Pre-ordering is advised via Facebook or Instagram or by calling 07734 297 035, with the latter option preferred if it is after 4.30pm.
Owner Matt Barnes will help meet your pizza needs. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Delivery is available to the following areas: Ermine, St Giles, Monks Road, High Street, Bailgate, Boultham, West End and the city centre.
Weirdoughs will try and accommodate other areas too, but it may incur additional charges, while the takeaway will also be joining Uber Eats in the near future.
Weirdoughs will be based inside the Tap & Spile pub in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Once pubs are allowed to reopen again, customers at the Tap & Spile will able to order Weirdoughs food straight to their table and Matt said he can’t wait for people to able to experience it that way.