Reflections 2020: Andrew Morgan – A year we won’t forget in a hurry

Over 1,400 rapid COVID tests have been carried out at the mass testing centre at Lincoln City’s LNER Stadium — and there were more positive results than local health bosses expected in the first eight days.

Almost 800 COVID tests were carried out in the first three days since it opened on January 11, with 15 positives detected by the temporary centre.

As of Monday, January 18, 1,420 tests have been carried out with 31 positive results.

This is a positivity rate of 2.18% and local health bosses were previously expecting between 0.5-1% by the end of the initial two-week cycle.

Inside the rapid coronavirus testing centre at Lincoln City’s LNER Stadium. | Photo: Stuart Wilde for COLC

Registering for your test on arrival. | Photo: Stuart Wilde for COLC

Andy Fox, Lincolnshire County Council’s consultant in public health, said 674 tests had been done at three community testing centres in the county on Sunday, with a total of seven positive results (around 1%).

This comes after Lincolnshire County Council’s director of public health Professor Derek Ward said last week that his team was in conversation with the government about “keeping one or two sites” in both Lincoln and Boston, as well as potentially opening further laboratory testing elsewhere in the county.

A member of staff will talk you through the test and give prompts when needed. | Photo: Stuart Wilde for COLC

Staff working at the rapid testing centre in Lincoln. | Photo: Stuart Wilde for COLC

On Saturday, January 16 the testing centre at the LNER Stadium was temporarily closed due to minor flooding, but it was soon back open again. Mr Fox said there was no concern over any impact of the flooding.

People can continue to just turn up at the testing centre on Sincil Bank, which opens 8am to 8pm Monday to Sunday, until January 25.

After this date, the testing centre will move to St Swithin’s community centre on Croft Street, so those who live in the Monks Road area of the city can attend on a walk-in basis from January 25 to February 7 (also open daily 8am to 8pm).

Before departing the centre you will be given a ‘What happens next’ leaflet. | Photo: Stuart Wilde for COLC

The rapid turnout tests are supplied by NHS Test and Trace and deliver results within an hour via text message and/or email.

There is no need to book and you will be guided through the process from when you first arrive at the site.

Meanwhile, two further sites opened in Boston from Monday, January 18 at the Peter Paine Performance Centre on Rosebery Avenue and Tollfield Campus Haven High on Tollfield Road.

Two ancient human skeletons and other items also believed to be from the Iron Age were found on sites near Lincoln.

Both sets of bones were found in separate archaeological sites near Navenby, which were being prepared by Anglian Water for new large-scale water pipelines.

The skeletons have been sent for further analysis by Trent and Peak Archaeology and Oxford Archaeology East, who carried out the excavations.

Other items including parts of small buildings and fragments of pottery, also believed to be from the Iron Age, were found.

Both sets of bones were found in separate archaeological sites near Navenby. | Photo: Anglian Water

Other items including parts of small buildings and fragments of pottery were found. | Photo: Anglian Water

Jo Everitt, Environment and Heritage Assessor for Anglian Water, said: “We know that Iron Age communities existed in the area around Navenby, and that there is well-defined Roman history there too.

“The main Roman road running from London to Lincoln and on to York, Ermine Street, now known as High Dyke, runs parallel to the proposed Lincoln to Grantham pipeline.

“Such discoveries tell us a lot about our ancient history and how Iron Age communities experienced day to day life. They can also help enhance our understanding of the development of our regional and national heritage.”

Excavations were carried out at the sites. | Photo: Anglian Water

Construction on the first section, which runs from Lincoln to Grantham, is due to begin this spring. Up to 500 kilometres of new, interconnecting pipelines are being planned.

The work at the site is part of a 25-year drive to secure water supplies across the Anglian Water region.

James Crompton, Direction of the Strategic Pipeline project for Anglian Water, said: “We recognise the immense value of finds like this and will always work with experts to handle the discoveries in an appropriate manner.

“We care about the areas in which we are working and will always be respectful of anything we find.”

Two sisters have made it their mission to help kids in need at their local school in Skegness throughout lockdown, donating and delivering everything from meals to learning packs and tablets.

Megan Cox, 26, and her sister Grace, 21, were furloughed from their jobs at Butlins when the country went into the first lockdown, which left them wanting to use their free time to help others.

In March 2020, the sisters helped organise and deliver free school meals to children who go to the Richmond School in Skegness every single week, using their own transport to do so.

This continued throughout lockdown, and it is estimated that Megan and Grace delivered over 350 food parcels to pupils from the Richmond School in just over three months.

The hard work didn’t stop there, though, as the girls have carried on their charitable offerings right up to the current day.

Numerous school reports were hand delivered by the girls in July, as well as over 200 maths packs to help with remote learning at the start of 2021.

They didn’t take any time off at Christmas either, delivering festive hampers to the children during December, before reverting back to school meal delivery for the new term.

Perhaps most amazing of them all, Megan and Grace then responded to the school’s appeal for electronic devices, to enable access to online learning for all children.

They looked to their own unused devices, but when they realised they were too old to update, they bought brand new ones and gave them to the school.

Both girls have said that the best part of doing it isn’t the praise, but seeing the children waving at them from their windows and hearing the excitement in their voices.

Megan said: “I was happy to help by giving up a little lockdown time, knowing it would make such a difference to families in need.”

Her sister Grace added: “I was eager to donate a tablet to support home learning as I was shocked to hear that so many children did not have access to something that could make such a difference.”

Headteacher of the Richmond School, Caroline Wellsted, said: “They are real Community Champions, giving up their time to support team Richmond. A huge thank you from us all for giving so much of their time.”