Guy Owen

A new local ale has been launched this week to celebrate the 800th anniversary of The Charter of the Forest.

‘Heartwood’, an amber ale crafted by the Lincolnshire Brewing Company, went on sale this week as part of the Tree Charter Champion Pole unveiling.

Available for £3 a bottle, the Heartwood Ale can be purchased from The Crafty Bottle, Lincoln Cathedral shop and Lincoln Castle shop.

Claire Brown, Director of Lincolnshire Brewing Company, said: “In our own way we wanted to mark the anniversary and the new Tree Charter, both of which have connections to our home city.

Claire Brown (right) of Lincolnshire Brewing Company and The Crafty Bottle Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

“Our customers love commemorative ales. Visitors like taking them home to remind them of their visit, whilst residents enjoy trying the new brews and flavours. And it has been great working with Visit Lincoln.

“As a partner we wanted to support their work raising the profile of Lincoln and the county.”

Joel Murray, from Visit Lincoln, said: “It’s been really good fun working with Claire and her team on this Charter of the Forest commemorative ale.

“We came up with the idea several months ago and shared the branding Visit Lincoln created for the anniversary with her – and it looks great on the bottle label.”

The Charter of the Forest re-established rights for people to access the royal forest which was previously taken away by William the Conqueror.

We’re approaching mid-November, and Christmas may not be for another six weeks, however Lincoln is starting to prepare for the festive period already.

Over the last fortnight stores have been donning their festive decorations with coffee shops and bakers releasing their Christmas treats and TV adverts too

But when is it acceptable to start celebrating Christmas?

The Lincolnite went onto Lincoln High Street earlier today (November 10) to find out what date residents will be gearing up for the festive period.

Ian Wright joked that December 24 should be the date people start getting ready for Christmas.

Jack Green, 18, told The Lincolnite that he gets ready for Christmas “as soon as it finishes Halloween. As soon as it strikes November 1 it’s ready to be celebrated.”

Saxophone player Mike believes that people should start celebrating on December 1.

Two female residents said they were getting ready for the festive period now and one said she had “nearly finished” her Christmas shopping.

Another female resident said that she has finished her Christmas shopping already and when asked what she thought about the local Scrooges, she replied “I live with one!”.