Senior Boston councillors are calling for a display of solidarity with Ukraine and for the borough council to condemn the Russian invasion.
Councillor Jonathan Noble, the Conservative finance and commercial portfolio holder at Boston Borough Council is putting a motion before the authority’s full council on Monday.
Councillor Noble told Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Jaines he was not surprised by the situation in Ukraine or the actions by President Putin.
He said, however, that since the motion was put together three weeks ago the situation was “far worse than we could possibly imagine”.
“The Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom, their independence,” he said.
“We are locally-elected democratic politicians. We often take our freedoms for granted – there’s been a democratic tradition in this country going back to the 13th century.
“So we are used to democracy and we value our freedoms. The Ukrainians, once a part of the Soviet empire, are now a free, sovereign, independent country and they’re fighting for their survival.”
The motion isn’t the only support the council is giving, with a new logo planned of two hands – one with the Ukrainian flag and another with the UK flag – joined in friendship to go on its freighters, and there are potential discussions about Boston Twinning itself with a Ukrainian city such as Mykolaiv.
Councils are being asked by government to help support refugees arriving in the UK and Councillor Noble said if Boston was called to action it would be willing to dip into its reserves.
Asked if he would house a refugee under the government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme, Councillor Noble said no-one had asked him but he would ‘consider it’.
He said the government asking ordinary citizens for help was “economically a good idea”.
However, he added: “It’s not quite as simple as people think though, obviously, there have to be quite rigorous checks don’t there, for security reasons?
“We have to think that most of them are women and children, but there is a terrorist angle so I can understand the government not just saying anybody can come.”
He urged more weaponry and armed support to be given to Ukraine and hoped his motion would inspire other authorities.
“What the Ukrainians need is they need arm support, they need the latest weaponry, whatever it takes to stop the Russians and bring this war to an end,” he said.
“We learned well before World War Two that appeasement doesn’t work.”
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A family-run jewellers with more than 50 years’ experience is relocating from Newark to open in Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter next week.
Smiths The Jewellers was based on Balderton Gate in Newark for 18 years, but it will now move into the unit previously occupied by Oxfam at 26-27 Sincil Street.
The new shop will open at 10am on Saturday, June 4 and the business has collaborated with Chambers Florists, also of the Cornhill Quarter, to do a jubilee themed window display.
Smiths The Jewellers is a traditional family-run business selling a wide range of jewellery, both new and pre-owned, as well as buying unwanted and broken jewellery. The shop will also offer services such as repairs, alterations and valuations.
The four employees will move over to the new shop and two new jobs have also been created.
Business owner Sonya Smith is the third generation of a family of jewellers and she told The Lincolnite: “We had some amazing customers in Newark, and also who travelled from Lincoln. We are excited to be opening in Lincoln.
“The Cornhill Quarter is vibrant and such a nice place to be and will allow us to expand. We are a great family business with a lot of loyal followers.”
The trial of a Skegness woman who denies causing the death of Nottingham Trent University student Hope Starsmore by dangerous driving has been put back until next year.
Rebecca Porter, 33, of Cottesmore Close, Skegness, was due to go on trial at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27. Her trial was expected to last four days.
However a pre-trial hearing at Lincoln Crown Court was today (Friday) told more time is needed to gather evidence from expert witnesses.
Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Ms Porter her trial would now be listed at Lincoln Crown Court on April 17 next year.
Granting Ms Porter unconditional bail Judge Sjolin Knight explained to her: “Unfortunately there is very little realistic prospect of this trial being ready for June 27.
“I know that is difficult for you. I am sure it is also difficult for the family of the lady who was killed.”
At a previous hearing in October last year Porter pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Ms Starsmore on October 7, 2020 by dangerous driving on the A158 at Burgh le Marsh, near Skegness.
Ms Starsmore was rushed to hospital after a collision in Skegness Road, Burgh le Marsh, at around 8.15am on Wednesday, October 7.
Despite multiple operations, doctors were unable to save her and she died eight days after the crash.
Ms Starsmore had just started a course in medical science at Nottingham Trent University and wanted to become a paramedic.
Due to coronavirus, she had decided to live at home in Skegness and study. She also opted to commute to Nottingham once a week.
She was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary after the crash and placed in a medically-induced coma.
Her brother and her partner had been travelling with her on their way to Nottingham Trent University and received minor injuries.
Despite having moved to the Lincolnshire seaside, Hope had grown up in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Porter will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27 for a further pre-trial hearing.
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