Making Lincolnshire proud
A nurse on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic, an Environment Agency flood hero and a windmill restorer were among the Lincolnshire people honoured in the New Year Honours 2021 list.
A long list of people from across the country were honoured for a variety of achievements, including contribution to the COVID-19 response.
The Cabinet Office publicly announced the full list late in the evening on Wednesday, December 30, but had provided details of three Lincolnshire winners, who The Lincolnite spoke with to get their reaction.
Dr Judith Graham was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the NHS during the COVID-19 response. | Photo: Rotheram Doncaster & South Humber NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Judith Graham, 40, from Scotterthorpe, Gainsborough was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the NHS during the COVID-19 response.
Judith is a consultant psychotherapist who works for a Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire NHS Trust, as well as an Advanced Nurse Consultant.
She has worked in a variety of clinical posts within the NHS for over 17 years and is currently the Director of Psychological Professionals at Rotherham, Doncaster & South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH).
During the pandemic, she worked with RDaSH teams to develop an enhanced staff wellbeing programme. She also worked with trust lead psychologists to establish psychological support hubs.
Judith is also a Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Champion and was recently been appointed as a Trustee and Council Member of the Queen’s Nursing Institute.
She will receive her medal in the coming months from a Lord Lieutenant and will attend a future Royal Garden Party, once it is safe to do so.
Judith told The Lincolnite: “It felt really out of the blue and emotional even talking about it (the award). I was very overwhelmed and never thought I’d have something like that.
“I didn’t believe it initially, but then I was really bowled over and honoured and thinking about my whole team and all of the NHS at the moment as we are all working really hard during this pandemic. I am so proud.”
In her spare time Judith, who also cares for her father, made hundreds of face coverings and ear supports for local nursing homes and carers, as well as supporting food and medication drop offs for a high number of highly vulnerable people in her local village.
Deborah Campbell, who has been awarded a BEM, before she went up with the Royal Air Force to drop the first sandbags during the Wainfleet floods in 2019. | Photo: RAF
Deborah Campbell, 47, who lives just outside Wragby, was awarded a BEM for services to Flood Protection and voluntary service to Young People.
Deborah is a Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency, who she has been employed for 21 years and her role is currently focused on the East Coast.
She was on the frontline during the devastating floods in Wainfleet last year, working long hours to warn the community and help set up a multi-agency response. After an already gruelling 12 hour shift on the ground, Deborah spent four-and-a-half hours directing the RAF, using Chinooks, on where and how best to place ballast to stem the flow of water.
She also led responses to the tidal surges of 2013 in Boston and in 2017 in Mablethorpe, Skegness and down to The Wash, but fortunately this second incident didn’t hit the Lincolnshire coast. One of her other proudest moments are projects the Environment Agency complete that “don’t get much of a fanfare” such as the Louth and Horncastle Flood Alleviation scheme.
She said: “I do this job as I care about the community. Sometimes we can take a lot of criticism from people, but we do it because we care and want to make a difference for the community, which Wainfleet showed.
“It is a nice feeling to have all that camaraderie and support from across the Environment Agency and emergency services.
“I accompanied the RAF to start the placement of the sandbags, the Chinook was on its way and the only person available was me. Going up in the RAF helicopter is something I will never forget and is one of my proudest moments.”
On her award, she added: “It was completely out of the blue and wasn’t expected at all. It makes me really proud of what we as an organisation achieve.
“I am proud individually, but my message is this isn’t really recognition for me, it is recognition for all of us that have dealt with all of the incidents, they all do a fantastic job.”
Jon Sass, who has been awarded an MBE, with his grandsons Jack, Harry and Oliver.
Jon Sass, 78, who lives in Nettleton, Market Rasen, was awarded an MBE for services to the Restoration of UK Windmills and Watermills.
Jon was originally brought up in Brigg and moved to Coventry to do a military engineering apprenticeship before returning to Lincolnshire.
He was around 17-years-old when he first got involved in the industry with a voluntary role at Wrawby Windmill near Brigg, while his day job was working in a motor engineering family business in Brigg.
He assisted in the restoration of Wrawby Windmill. The restoration and fundraising began in 1961 before it opened and was fully operational in September 1965.
Between 1978-1983 Jon was invited to go over to Virginia in America to put into commission a replica post mill on the oldest known site of a windmill in North America. His son Gavin was born during their trip, and he also has another son Alex and a daughter called Carla.
He was also a founder member of the Lincolnshire Mills Group (LMG) whose aims were to preserve and maintain mills in the county.
The father-of-three, who has been living in Nettleton for 11 years, still gives advice on windmills and watermills and is now focusing on doing more research and publishing, with his most recent book in 2017 entitled Saundersons Millwrights & Engineers of Louth.
Wrawby before restoration began at Wrawby Windmill in 1961 (left) and later when Jon Sass and his wife Anne Sass visited the restored mill (right).
On his award, Jon said: “I was shocked. When my wife Anne mentioned it I thought it was a scam at first, but I am very honoured.
“There are a lot of other people, friends of mine, that could have this honour as well, but it has been a lifetimes enjoyable interest and it is nice that this work has been appreciated.”
Former Chief Constable Bill Skelly and serving Assistant Chief Constable Kerrin Wilson. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police
Lincolnshire Police’s former Chief Constable Bill Skelly and serving Assistant Chief Constable Kerrin Wilson will receive the Queen’s Police Medal.
Bill, who retired earlier this month and was replaced by Chris Haward, is commended for investing in the wellbeing of officers and staff at Lincolnshire Police.
He introduced creative and innovative concepts including introduce drones to the force. He also introduced new technology to allow police officers to be out-and-about in their communities for longer, including an investment in mobile data terminals.
At the time of nomination for this honour, Kerrin Wilson was the only female Chief Officer in the UK from an ethnic minority group and is recognised for “inspiring others to greatness” and “placing diversity at the heart of her work”.
ACC Wilson foundeed Supporting Minorities in Lincolnshire through Engagement (SMILE) at Lincolnshire Police, which is also linked to the national body. She is also commended for co-founding GLOW (Greater Lincolnshire Outstanding Women).
She said: “It truly is an honour to receive the Queen’s Policing Medal and I’m delighted that my work has been recognised in this way.
“This proves that efforts across the country to embrace diversity and ensure equal opportunities for all are being noticed, and its important we continue on this path and continue to grow both within policing, and as a society.”
See here for the list of winners.
Fewer cases but more deaths this week
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
Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.
45,645 cases (up 304)
1,760 deaths (up 17)
of which 1,047 hospital deaths (up 11)
3,583,907 UK cases, 95,981 deaths
The charity project turned into a business
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.
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