A one-woman protest on Monday highlighted a campaign to save Lincoln’s Westgate car park toilets from closure.
Fiona Purkiss, who runs Midas Arts in the Bailgate, stood outside the public conveniences to highlight her petition against the City of Lincoln Council’s plans to close all but the disabled toilets, and only reopen facilities for major public events.
Executive members of the authority will be asked on Thursday to approve the plans, which will also see the Victorian urinals at The Lawn on Union Road and Newport Arch closed permanently and facilities at Lucy Tower opened for special events only — in a bid to save £86,000 per year.
Molly thought it was pretty ruff too. | Photo: Daniel Jaines
Businesses elsewhere in the city have also launched their own petitions to stop people urinating and defecating in side alleyways, along with other antisocial behaviour – believed to be due to a lack of facilities – by gating up entrances.
Opposition leader Conservative Councillor Thomas Dyer said his party was also concerned about the proposals.
“We acknowledge the city council needs to make efficiency savings, but it’s clear the council should support visitors, tourists and residents.
“The amount of public urination that has been occurring in the uphill areas is a real concern for us, as well as businesses.”
He added that Lucy Tower was a “major car park” for the city. “It’s not visitor friendly, tourist friendly or friendly for the people of Lincoln,” he said.
“There are problems in the City of Lincoln, no toilets in the centre of Lincoln. So look what’s happening outside people’s businesses.
“The City of Lincoln need to stop burying their head in the sand. It’s a crucial service that the council provides.”
To spend a penny you’ll need to pay 20p at Castle Square. | Photo: Daniel Jaines
Councillor (Labour) Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place, denied the city council was proposing to “permanently” close the Westgate toilets.
“Rather, following consultation with the public, we are seeking to keep the disabled toilet open and allow the main facilities to be available during events.
He said the Castle Square facilities were just “a short five minute walk away.”
“The proposals to executive are to keep the toilets open at Castle Square, Tentercroft St, the bus station and the Westgate disabled facility,” he added.
“Add to this the upcoming redevelopment of toilets at the Central Market and we believe this provides a spread of facilities across the city, uphill and in the city centre, to serve the needs of shoppers and tourists alike.”
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Police were called to a sleepy village near Lincoln overnight when a house party grew out of control, sparking alleged fights, smashed windows, damage to items in the home and disruption to neighbours.
Several concerned people in Harmston called the force between 10pm and 11pm on Monday, July 26.
Officers attended the party on Vicarage Lane and found around 70 people leaving the area. The force told reporters the party had ‘got out of hand with far more people attending than they believe had been invited.’
Neighbours reported fighting, loud music, windows at the property being smashed and damage to items inside the house.
Police said there were also reports of some of the youths driving, whilst believed to be under the influence of drink or drugs.
Lincolnshire Police told The Lincolnite in a statement: “This anti-social behaviour is unacceptable and disturbed many residents in the area and the village.
“To behave in this way is inconsiderate and shows no respect to people trying to sleep or living in the area.
“Our Neighbourhood Policing Team, for Harmston, will be working with those involved and anyone who has any concerns should contact them.”
People in Boston are being asked for their help to identify people in a set of CCTV images, in connection with the fraudulent use of a stolen bank card in the town.
A man and woman fraudulently used a stolen bank card between 11am and 1.10pm on Saturday, July 17 to purchase £210 worth of items from Next and Superdrug at Pescod Square, TK Maxx and Sports Direct at Boston Shopping Park on Horncastle Road and CEX on Wide Bargate.
Lincolnshire Police said they wished to speak to the people in the pictures.
The female offender is described as white, is of a slim build with dark, long straight hair. She is believed to be in her 30s or 40s.
The second offender, who is wearing a white t-shirt in the image, is described as a white male with brown hair and a medium build. He is believed to be aged between 35-45 years old.
A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson added: “We would also like to speak to the man stood behind the male suspect as he may be able to help us identify the offenders.”
If you know who they are or have any other information that can assist officers, you can get in touch:
By calling 101, quoting crime occurrence number 21000401219.
By emailing [email protected] – don’t forget to quote occurrence number 21000401219 in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity, CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
A replacement imp has been selected as a temporary placeholder for the Community Imp that was smashed in half by a vandal, and it should be put up in Lincoln city centre this week.
The city was sent into shock last week when one of the 30 imps from this year’s Lincoln Imp Trail, The Community Imp designed by Sian Bristow and a local schoolgirl in tribute to the NHS, was destroyed by a 20-year-old man.
Bradley Pennell, of Ogilvy Drive in Bottesford, Scunthorpe was charged with criminal damage after the imp was cut in half in the early hours of Wednesday, July 21.
The imp was cut in half and has now been moved from its spot by organisers of the trail, Lincoln BIG.
He has been released on bail and is due to appear at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on August 5.
There have been calls from the public for him to pay for all the damages if found guilty.
There were genuine concerns that the imp, which is valued at around £20,000, might not be able to be repaired, but the good news is that a fix job will happen.
The imp has been destroyed.
In the meantime, organisers Lincoln Business Improvement Group were looking for a placeholder to put at the spot of the Community Imp on Guildhall Street.
After a Twitter poll to allow the public to decide which they’d prefer, a bright red imp was selected and will go in place of the Community Imp on Friday, July 30 or Monday, August 2, on a temporary basis.
The red sculpture will be in place until the Community Imp is ready. | Photo: Lincoln BIG
The prototype was designed by an artist called Denise McCoid from Hull, depicting a shiny red colour on the traditional design for all the sculptures on the trail.
It is unclear when the damaged imp will be repaired and back where it belongs, but it should be okay in time for the auction on Lincolnshire Day, October 1, where the imps are sold to raise money for St Barnabas Hospice.
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