Katrina Burrill

Lights, camera, celebration! Lincoln College transformed The Drill into a hub of excitement and recognition for their annual awards on Wednesday, November 22.

Supported by The Lincolnite and MyLocal, the evening was a dazzling showcase of the remarkable talents and achievements of students and staff from Lincoln and Newark. Guests were treated to a culinary delight – an autumnal three-course feast, lovingly prepared and served by the college’s own budding chefs and hospitality students.

But the night wasn’t just about tantalising taste buds. The room was filled with music and drama as the college’s Performing Arts and Music students took to the stage, turning the ceremony into a vibrant spectacle of talent.

Capping off the evening was a moment of pure inspiration. Emily Evans, a former Newark College student turned aspiring search and rescue helicopter pilot, shared her journey. Her compelling speech, woven with tales of how her education propelled her towards her daring dreams, left everyone in awe and admiration.

Group CEO Mark Locking | Photo Stuart Wilde

Lincoln College Group Principal and CEO Mark Locking said: “What a fabulous way to celebrate our wonderful students and staff.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended, including our main sponsors Stonebow Media and all of the local firms that sponsored individual awards.

“There were some amazing stories of our students overcoming adversity to succeed in their careers and our staff going the extra mile to make that happen.”

Entertainment from the Performing Arts Students | Photo Stuart Wilde

| Photo Stuart Wilde

Emily Evans | Photo Stuart Wilde

Sponsors included University of Lincoln, Root Studio, Bluedale Consultants, Royal Air Force, Newark & Sherwood District Council, Lincolnshire Police, ​​The Orders of St Johns Care Trust, Home from Home Care, Siemens, GF Tomlinson, Core Architects, Currys, Aura, Lee Stafford Education Academy, The English-Speaking Union, Pilgrim, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and Streets Chartered Accountants. 

The 2023 winners 

1. A Level Student (Including Access to HE) Award – Molly Richens and Jessica Dowell
2. Performing Arts & Creative Arts Award – Matthew Taylor
3. Business & Education Apprentice Award – Kimberley Pickett
4. Air and Space Institute Military Award – Elizabeth Bedells
5. Air and Space Institute Civil Award – Cody Harrison
6. Policing College Award – Willow Van Landegham
7. Care College Award – Leah Camille
8. Engineering & Technology Apprenticeship Award – Joe Greeves
9. Care Services Award – Kiera Pepper
10. Construction Student Award – Matthew McCullagh
11. Construction Apprentice Award – Harry Overton
12. Engineering and Technology Student Award – Courtney Cash
13. Hair and Beauty Student Award – Yin Ping Wong
14. Hair & Beauty Apprentice Award – Isabella Stenner
15. Community & International Students studying in the UK Award – Anastasiia Makogon
16. Philip Dawson Supported Education Award – Ethan Wright
17. Tourism & Hospitality Award – Megan Garrick
18. Sport & Protective Service Award – Ciara Haines
19. Maths & English Award – Tallulah Dolan
20. Richard Arbon Award for Overcoming Adversity – Deimantas Kalvelis
21. Kev Gibbon Most Improved Student of the Year Award – Ethan Nicholson
22. Entrepreneurial Achievement Award – Tom Shaw
23. Support Staff Extraordinary Contribution award – Jasmin Craft
24. Education and Training Extraordinary Contribution Award – Andy Selby
25. Extraordinary Support Team Contribution Award – Student and Apprentice Recruitment Team
26. Education and Training Extraordinary Contribution Team Award – Plumbing Department
27. Extraordinary Community Award – Stephen Trevor
28. Apprentice of the Year Award – Kimberly Pickett
29. Student of the year for 16-to-18-year-olds – Willow Van Landegham
30. Student of the Year award for people aged 19 and over – Ethan Wright

All photography by Stuart Wilde 

A woman who falsely claimed to be driving a car which struck another vehicle outside a Spalding pub was given a suspended jail sentence.

Katie Andrews, 31, of Coronation Close, Spalding, was the registered the keeper of a white Audi Q5 which collided with a Honda car near the Ivy Wall pub. 

Lincoln Crown Court heard the occupants of the Audi drove off without reporting the accident but an eye witness rang the police to report the collision which occured at 5.30pm on 18 February 2022.

The eye witnesses reported a male was driving the Audi, and a small dent and scratch was caused to a wheel arch of the Honda, the court was told.

A notice was sent to Andrews, who was the registered keeper of the Audi, and she replied by falsely claiming to be the driver when the collision occurred.

In the notice Andrews stated she was 36 weeks pregnant and in pain at the time  of the  collision, and said she would not have driven off if she had seen the damage to the other car.

After police examined CCTV footage and the eye witness report Andrews was arrested. 

During her police interview Andrews admitted not being behind the wheel but did not name the male driver who she said was a friend who was helping her out when she was pregnant.

The matter was sent to Lincoln Crown Court where Andrews pleaded guilty to doing an act intended to pervert the course of public justice.

Chris Jeyes, mitigating for Andrews, said she was a mother of four children who made admissions to the police once matters came to light.

Mr Jeyes told the court: “We do not know who that individual was who was driving and he can never be prosecuted.

“It was not a sophisticated offence. The underlying driving offence would have been a summary only matter dealt with in the magistrates court.”

Passing sentence Judge James House KC acknowledged: “She is a fool, but not a sophisticated one.”

Judge House told Andrews her lie had passed the custodial threshold.

“The incident was caught on CCTV and was also seen by a witness who said the driver was male,” Judge House said.

But the Judge said he could pass a suspended sentence on Andrews because of her guilty plea, her lack of relevant previous convictions and the fact she was a mother of four children.

Andrews was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for 12 months, but Judge House warned her: “You won’t get another chance.”