Dale Benton

Proud locals can share their love for Lincoln as a new scheme is being launched to help promote the city to tourists.

The Lincoln Ambassadors Scheme, launching September 20 as part of Lincoln BIG, will see volunteer ambassadors learn more about the various attractions and events that take place within the city and represent Lincoln to the many tourists that visit the city.

Lincoln BIG Chief Executive Matt Corrigan said: “Ambassadors will be encouraged to take on a variety of wide-ranging roles, so there is bound to be something to suit different tastes and to fit in with the amount of time people have to spare.

“We hope to create a pool of enthusiastic volunteers, who have good local knowledge, a desire to help others and a real passion to share their love of Lincoln with visitors.”

Volunteers will assist Lincoln BIG events throughout the city with roles such as stewards, information assistants, warden helpers and taking charge of welcoming visitors to Lincoln.

“In return for their participation, Lincoln BIG can offer relevant training and paid expenses,” Matt Corrigan added.

“This is a great way for individuals to get out and meet new people and gain a real sense of achievement in making a difference and improving the visitor experience in Lincoln.”

Those interested in becoming a volunteer and want to find out more are invited to attend the Lincoln Ambassadors Scheme Launch, which takes place on Friday, September 20, in City Square from 11am to 3pm.

Two young Lincoln powerboat enthusiasts will be competing in a world championship power boat competition this weekend.

Lucy Brewer (12) and her younger brother Jonathan (11) will be competing in the World Championship Powerboats Series at the National Watersports Centre, Nottingham this Saturday, August 31.

Jonathan and Lucy have been competing in an annual British Championship series of six rounds, held at various locations across the UK.

Lucy said the influence of her family’s involvement with powerboats sparked her interest and desire to race a powerboat: “My dad, grandad and grandmother have all raced powerboats in the past and my father took us to a race last year.

“We saw all the other kids racing so we asked if we could have a go. Both my brother and I really liked it, so we got our licences and finished our training.”

With junior powerboats reaching a top speed of 40+mph, Lucy acknowledges the physical and mental demands in powerboat racing.

She added: “I play netball at school which can be quite demanding, but it’s nothing compared to powerboat racing. You need both physical and mental stamina to race.”

Powerboat GP, the premier circuit for power boat racing in the UK, secured the return of Powerboat Racing to Nottingham last year after an absence of 10 years.

The junior “GT15” class World Championships, which Lucy and Jonathan will be competing in, is just one of the many races throughout the weekend.

Jonathan loves the support he has recieved from his friends: “My friends think that it is really cool that I get to travel all over the country and race my boat.

“They always ask me about the races and support me.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-kacOJRNUE

Over 40 teams from around the world will be competing, with other races including a round of the F2 World Championships and various other classes of boats racing for the Powerboat National Championships.

The World Powerboat Championship rounds for F2 and GT15 (junior class), in association with Peters & May Group, consists of power boats reaching speeds in excess of 200kph.

All racing is supervised by trained RYA Powerboat Racing personnel, and licences are only issued after a satisfactory standard has been reached.

Special guest British Touring Car Championship legend Tiff Needell will be present, along with Green Light TV as they chart every twist, turn and flip of the Powerboat GP television series featured on Sky Sports.