Josh Francis

josh

Josh is currently studying Journalism at the University of Lincoln. He reports on a variety of subjects related to the Lincoln community.


Support is growing for the group who plan to build a memorial to the first tank ever built in Lincoln.

According to the Lincoln Tank Memorial Group, the initiative managed to raise £7,000 out of its £20-25,000 goal.

The first tank was constructed in the city during WW1, and took only 37 days to build. It was constructed by Sir William Ashbee Tritton in the South of Lincoln, which is better known now as Tritton Road.

Others who were involved in its creation included engineer William Rigby and Lieutenant Walter Wilson.

Presently, the tank can be seen at the Museum of Lincolnshire life on Burton Road.

However, as previously reported, the Lincoln Tank Memorial Group want to place a replica on the Tritton Road roundabout in 2014, to commemorate the end of the First World War.

Tank memorial committee member Julie Cooke mentioned that funds have been climbing at a good pace recently.

“We have received two further donations; we have also had an enquiry from a multi national organisation who may be interested in donating.

“It’s too early to say yet though, and I obviously don’t want to disclose any further information in case it puts them off!

“We have also had an offer to help with the ground works for the project.”

The memorial group also have plans in place with Micro Brewery Pheasantry Brewery of East Markham in Nottinghamshire to brew special Tank ale.

Mark Easterbrook from the brewery explained how the idea came together.

He said: “[The group] contacted the brewery asking me if it was possible to brew a special kind of beer. It’s a different way of promoting the cause.

“Currently I haven’t designed the beer, but I’m going to probably do some investigations into the ales they had back then and design it similar to that.”

If you wish to donate, contact Julie on [email protected].

A Lincoln church opening this autumn, nicknamed by its founder as the ‘Chav Church’, will put on a musical event as part of its mission to help improve the Moorland area.

Pastor Darren Edwards is putting on an event this autumn called 180 Degrees, which aims to give the local community something they wouldn’t usually have access to.

The free event will be held at the Ignite Church, hosted by Moorland Community Centre, on October 12, shortly after the launch of the new congregation.

180Degrees tickets

The headline artist of the event is MOBO winner Guvna B, a gospel rapper from London, who also has his own clothing label.

Pastor Edwards said: “It’s kind of a calvary event without the food. In a sense it’s more like a gig.

“Were going to have MOBO award-winning rapper Guvna B and my friend Tom, who is a magician and can do all kinds of amazing tricks.”

Darren explained that the event is to help promote the value that Ignite church holds.

“This church’s mission is good news to the estate where it’s based, to bring something new and different to the estate, and raise the quality of life in the area.

“I don’t know if many people on the estate could afford tickets to see a MOBO winner usually, but it’s about doing something new and different.”

Any money made at the event will be put back into the local community, Pastor Edwards said.

“The tickets are completely free, and any money we make from the event will put back into the estate — we’re not doing it so I can get a wage.

“Anyone can get a ticket even if they don’t live on the estate. You can also get family tickets as well.”

The event starts at 7pm and refreshments will be provided. To get tickets, email [email protected].

Pastor Edwards has been documenting his journey of opening the new church in Lincoln. This is his latest video blog:

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