Andrew Phillips

Over 800 Lincolnshire teenagers spent 24,000 hours helping out nearly 80 community projects across the county this summer.

The nationwide voluntary programme called the National Citizen Service (NCS) provides 15-17 year olds an opportunity to take on new challenges, develop vital life skills and to enhance their CVs.

Phil Everett, Communications Manager for NCS EM1, commented: “During the final two weeks, each group takes part in a social action project where they develop and carry out a plan that benefits their local community.”

“It’s an important part of the programme because not only does it build character and boost confidence, but it gives young people the chance to get involved with and really make a difference in their hometowns.”

Dominic Kent, a 15 year-old from Lincoln who spent the summer helping his local community, said:

“Taking part in our social action project has been my favourite part of NCS so far. I’ve loved working with my team, helping one another and watching our project coming together.”

Dominic and the rest of his NCS group have given up their time to help decorate the family area at Sincil Bank football stadium.

Dominic said: ”Hopefully I can inspire others to not only visit the stadium and get involved, but also to take part in NCS because it’s such an incredible experience for me.”

Lincolnshire teenagers not only helped in brightening up Lincoln City’s football stadium, other social action projects that have taken place throughout Lincolnshire include:

• Various parks and houses in Lincolnshire
• North Hykeham Sailing Club and Beckside Care Home in North Hykeham
• Branston and Mere Parish Council and Four Seasons Health Care in Branston
• Gainsborough Adventure Playground Association in Gainsborough
• Church Hall and St. Wilfreds Church in Metheringham
• Greenacres Care Home and Lincs Wildlife Trust in Caistor

Dominic added: “I used to be really shy, but thanks to NCS I feel like I’ve really come out of my shell.”

Despite the summer programmes coming to an end, young people can sign up to take part in the NCS EM1 Autumn programme (a condensed version of the summer programme), scheduled to take place during October half-term starting October 24.

For those with a fiery passion for the hottest of foods, Lincoln BIG is staging an unmissable event for spice-lovers, staging the first-ever Lincoln Chilli Fest on Saturday, September 6.

The Business Improvement Group has teamed-up with St Mark’s Shopping Centre to stage an event that’s expected to get tastebuds tingling.

The event will take place at St Marks Square between 10.30am and 5.30pm, where chill-lovers will be greeted by a range of colourful stalls, all laden with exciting temptations.

Chilli-producers from around the country will be offering shoppers and visitors an “extra warm” welcome, and giving them the chance to try and buy products ranging from hot sauces to chilli mojitos and chili tequila beer.

Lincoln BIG Events & Promotions Manager Michael Armstrong said: “We are delighted to be teaming-up with St Marks once more to stage another “first” for Lincoln.

“If our music in The Garden and Carnival in The Garden events earlier this Summer are anything to go by, it will be a great success.”

The temperature promises to heat up again in the afternoon, when a tongue-tingling Chilli-Eating Contest gets underway in The Garden at St Marks at 3pm.

Competitors will be “going for the burn” by biting into some truly eye-watering fiery chillies.

On a more chilled note, people can sit back and relax to some great sounds. Strummin’ Steve (Steve Jackson) and Easy Bob will be among duos playing some fantastic acoustic-style music in The Garden at St Mark’s during the day.

St Mark’s Shopping Centre Facilities Manager Nikki North said: “We are really looking forward to hosting the first Lincoln Chilli Fest at St Marks and hope visitors have a fantastic time.

“It is great to see new things like this taking place in Lincoln, I’m particularly looking forward to the Chilli-Eating Contest.”

Lincoln BIG also worked with Chilli Fest UK to bring the free event to the city.

More details can be found on St Marks’ website.