One of Lincoln’s most iconic buildings will play host to a four-week archaeological excavation organised by Bishop Grosseteste University in the hope of uncovering more evidence of our Roman and medieval past.
The university’s archaeology field school will take place between June 20 and July 15 at The Lawn on Union Road. It is open to all adults or children aged 14 and above with accompanying adults, delivering training in the field – from the excavation itself to recording data you find.
Teaching and training will be delivered by expert archaeologists and qualified supervisors, overseen by a Director of Training and Welfare.
Once home to St Bartholomew’s Church, The Lawn is an important site in the heart of Lincoln’s historical roots and this will be the largest excavation at the site in recorded history.
The most recent small-scale excavations at The Lawn were held in the 1980s, when evidence was found of a potential Roman cemetery nearby, along with two possible Roman roads and evidence of the transition from Roman to Early Medieval periods.
It was used for carrying out judicial sentences for cases such as trials by combat, before becoming open fields until 1819, when a ‘lunatic asylum’ was opened in the form of The Lawn. It eventually became the first asylum in the UK to abolish mechanical restraint.
Dr. Derwin Gregory, Programme Leader for Archaeology and Heritage at BGU, said: “Lincoln is a truly unique city that has been a key player during most periods of history, with evidence of Roman, Medieval, Victorian and wartime occupation across the city.
“BGU’s Archaeology Field School is a rare and exciting opportunity to participate in an archaeological excavation at one of Lincoln’s most loved sites and to play a hands-on part in literally uncovering the history of the city.
“At BGU we aim to make archaeology as accessible as possible, so in additional to receiving practical archaeological skills training and academic credits, the course also sets out to use archaeology to promote mental and physical wellbeing and to make it a supportive and inclusive experience for all who get involved.”
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Proposed outdoor dinning spaces in Sleaford’s market square will help to rejuvenate and reinvent the town centre, council officers have said.
They have recommended two restaurants’ outdoor seating areas are given permission to help boost trade within the town.
The Burger Lounge and The Solo Bar & Restaurant have requested permission to expand their seating into the town’s Market Place.
The space is currently used as an ad hoc car park, but there are hopes the dining areas will take greater advantage of the square.
The spaces will be located outside of the restaurants, each measuring 9m by 3m, and will ensure there is enough room for the market to continue.
North Kesteven District Council has pointed to the success of the nearby Sessions House’s outdoor space, saying it has helped to “revitalise this part of the Market Place”.
It says: “Outdoor seating at some cafés and the staging of the ‘Welcome Back Fund’ event post-pandemic has shown what can be achieved, and that this attractive space has far more to offer residents and visitors than simply car parking or the ‘legacy’ market, which has struggled to remain viable as shopping habits have changed.”
Both restaurants expect to take on another two part-time staff as a result, and will operate the areas 9am to 11pm subject a licence.
However, not everyone is happy about the application.
Burton & Co solicitors, which occupies the space between the restaurants, has complained that the application will restrict customers’ access and have a detrimental impact on their business.
However, council officers say it is unlikely to be affected, and the business will benefit from greater passing trade.
A report into the application concludes: “The proposals are considered to be an important element of rejuvenating and reinventing Sleaford’s town centre to allow multi-purpose visits to support its vitality and viability in a manner that will not only support expansion of the businesses directly affected but will more generally support trade within the town.”
The planning committee will decide on it at their next meeting on Tuesday, June 7.
The winners have been announced for the inaugural Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2022 organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, in partnership with the University of Lincoln Research & Enterprise.
Almost 300 people gathered at the Engine Shed in Lincoln on May 26 to celebrate business achievements and find out who won in the 11 categories.
The evening was hosted by Lincoln actor Colin McFarlane, with delicious food from city caterer Salted Orange.
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The 2022 winners and finalists are
SME of the Year
— Sponsored by University of Lincoln Research & Enterprise
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
ADHD 360 Limited – WINNER
Hanworth Country Park
Pallinc
TFM Countrystore
UK Alternative Energy
Family Business of the Year
— Sponsored by Wright Vigar
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Streets Heaver Healthcare Computing – WINNER
Daisy Made Farm
Fox (Owmby) Limited
R H Smith & Sons Wigmakers T/A Smiffys
RW Stokes Tea and Coffee
Exporter/International Business of the Year
— Sponsored by Duncan & Toplis
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
R H Smith & Sons Wigmakers T/A Smiffys – WINNER
Legless Limited
Liz Drury Voiceovers
Makan Bites
Specialist Heat Exchangers
Business Innovation/Innovator of the Year
— Sponsored by Productivity Programme
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Blossom and Best – WINNER
BeamOut Studios
Firmative Media
Live Like Loyalty
Seraph Technologies Limited
Agri-Food Business of the Year
— Sponsored by Stonebow Media
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Jones Food Company – WINNER
JRH Water Management
Seaweed Culture
Charitable Business of the Year
— Sponsored by Ringrose Law
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
MENTalk Lincs CIC – WINNER
Headway Lincolnshire
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance
LIVES
Sophie’s Journey
Environmental / Sustainable Business of the Year
— Sponsored by Lincoln Minster School
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Seaweed Culture – WINNER
Evolve Flowers
JRH Water Management
Systematic Print Management
UK Alternative Energy
Rising Star of the Year
— Sponsored by University of Lincoln Research & Enterprise
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Jonathan Brewer, Tradeglaze (Lincoln) – WINNER
Cheryl Ellron, Makan Bites
Hannah Lockwood-Geck, Fizzco
James Hopkins, DBS Digital
Tom Remington, The Strait and Narrow
Business Leader of the Year
— Sponsored by Lincoln Science & Innovation Park
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Phillip Anderton, ADHD 360
Julie Priestley, DBS Digital
Michael Jones, Hairdressing Supplies Lincoln
Sara Boland, Influence Landscape Planning and Design
Wendy Clarkson, Fizzco
Business of the Year
— Sponsored by Productivity Programme
Photo by Steve Smailes Photography www.stevesmailes.co.uk
Witham Group – WINNER
KryptoKloud
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park
RW Stokes Tea and Coffee
The Strait and Narrow
Andrew Stevenson Award
Luke Smith – Seaweed Culture – WINNER
This award has been created to honour Andrew Stevenson’s legacy after he sadly passed away in December 2020. During his time as Founding Director of Research & Enterprise at the University of Lincoln, Andrew developed and enabled an accessible infrastructure for Greater Lincolnshire Businesses, launching numerous platforms and initiatives. Hundreds of SMEs in the region have benefited from these programmes, raising innovation potential, and driving forward local economic growth.