A new COVID-19 vaccination centre, one of the largest in the country, will open in Boston next week, and The Lincolnite went for a look inside.
The centre is based at the Princess Royal Sports Arena on Great Fen Road, and will be operational as of Monday, January 18.
It will be helping to deliver the national coronavirus vaccine rollout, offering vaccinations to vulnerable people in key priority groups.
A look inside Boston’s new COVID-19 vaccine site. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The first patients to use the centre will live within 45 minutes of the site and are in the process of being contacted to book an appointment.
Strict coronavirus guidelines are, of course, in place at the centre, including the wearing of a face covering at all times.
It is among the largest in the country. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Social distancing has been set out by staff and volunteers at the centre, as well as a one-way system to avoid people crossing over.
The centre has been introduced as a response to the large volume of coronavirus cases in the Boston area, as well as two rapid mass testing sites which will open next week.
Staff will replenish PPE and help with any issues patients have. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Boston remains alongside Grantham and Lincoln as one of the Lincolnshire areas with the highest COVID transmission.
How the vaccination beds look. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Here are the steps and where to go when getting your COVID-19 vaccination at the new Boston site.
Step 1: You will be greeted at the entrance and encouraged to sanitise your hands, before being guided through a single-file door to the next stage.
You are directed through a single-file door towards the centre. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Step 2: Once you are through the door, you will follow the one-way system through a gazebo, heading towards the vaccination hub.
A long gazebo-style walkway leads you to the main entrance of the hub. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Step 3: At the end of the tented walkway is the entrance to the sports hall, which is where you will be given your vaccine.
You will arrive at the sports hall, where the vaccination takes place. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Step 4: This is like the reception area, where you will sign in and wait further instruction, waiting in socially distanced seats behind a rope. This is where you will fill in a consent form.
You will be asked to wait in socially distanced spaces behind a rope before making your way to the main area. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Step 5: This is where you will be taken to allow for vaccinations to occur at a safe two-metre distance away from everyone else.
You will then be shown to a seat to wait for your vaccination to take place. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Step 6: Staff will be on hand to assist with any queries or concerns you have before getting called to the tent for vaccination.
Sanitiser and social distancing among the many measures inside the centre.| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Step 7: Once you have been vaccinated, you will be asked to leave the sports hall by following the designated exit signs.
Once the vaccination is done, you will be escorted away from the building safely. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
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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: