Lauren Westwood

Child-minders all over Lincoln will be left twiddling their thumbs with all of the fantastic, fun-filled activities lined up for kids this summer. Here are just a few of The Lincolnite‘s highlights happening around Lincoln.

Lincoln City Community Open Day — July 24

Sincil Bank Stadium

Take the family for a tour of Lincoln City Football Club at the annual open day, featuring rides, stalls and a whole world of football related fun including the Senior Cup semi-final match against Scunthorpe United.

Match price: £4 (adult) £2 (concession)

Events at The Showroom:

For further information call The Showroom on 01522 508360.

StreetDance – The Film — July 16, 1:30pm

Watch spectacular performances from Britain’s Got Talent dance acts Flawless, Diversity and George Sampson in this film featuring the best of the Britain’s dance scene.

Price: free

StreetDance – The Moves — July 30, 1.30pm

After July 16’s event, have a go yourself as Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson presents a film demonstrating the mighty moves from the dance flick, StreetDance. Get into the groove!

Price: free

Dance Taster Sessions — July 30

Time to put those moves to the test. Choreographer and dance teacher, Nikki Mclusky, will be hosting a series of dance classes for kids aged 11 and above. Which will you choose?

9-9:45am Ballet
10-11am Dance fitness
11-12noon Carnival
12-1pm Jazz

Price: free

Events at City of Lincoln Libraries:

For further information email [email protected], or to book a place call 01522 782010 and ask to be put through to the relevant library.

Storytelling Extravaganza

Rhymetime
Ermine Library (July 8, 10:30-11:30am)
Tots are invited to join in a singing, rhyming session with SoundLINCS music leader, Ann Stott.

Draw Me a Star
Boultham Library (July 12, 2.15pm)
Here youngsters will have the chance to make sun catchers and a word collages inspired by Eric Carle’s story ‘Draw me a Star’, which will be retold through drama. Twenty places are available for kids between 3 and 4.

Storytelling with Kirsty Mead
Boultham Library (July 19, 1-2pm) and Ermine Library (July 22, 10-11am)
What would you do if you found an aeroplane in your cupboard? With movement, music, art and a trip to the moon, storytelling has never been so much fun! Enjoy Oliver Jeffer’s magical tale ‘The Way Back Home’ with your little tykes.

First Moves – Dance for Toddlers
Birchwood Library (July 23, 10.30–11.30am)
Jump and jive for joy with dancer and choreographer, Kayla Dougan-Bowtell. A real treat for teenyboppers and fun for the whole family!

Prices: free

Ridiculously Long Roald Dahl Read-aloud-a-thon — August 3, 10am

Lincoln Central Library

Hear all about the escapades of favourite characters, Matilda, Charlie and the BFG during six hours of stories and poems by the ultimate children’s storyteller, Roald Dahl. Colouring activity sheets will be provided to entertain the miniature members of the audience.

Price: free. Donations for the Bus Book charity accepted on the day.

Events at Lincoln Drill Hall:

For more information visit www.lincolndrillhall.com.

Frog Princess — July 9, 11am

Who doesn’t love a good wedding? Especially when it’s between a prince and his princess who happens to be (yes, you guessed it) a green amphibian? Experience a magical morning as Scottish company Vision Mechanics combine storytelling and puppetry to bring this Russian folktale to life. This event is aimed at 3-8s.

Price: £5

Storybook Day — July 9, 1pm

Games, dance and drama activities await those who venture in for an afternoon of Hansel and Gretel inspired fun. Who can resist the chance to create their very own house of sweets? This event is aimed at 4–8s. More information available at www.storybookdays.co.uk

Price: £7.50

New Youth Theatre: Camp Rock — July 11-14

Get rockin’ with this brand new songfest inspired by the Disney musical of the same name. Air guitars at the ready!

Price: £6.50 (£5.50 concessions)

Main photo: Jill, Sincil Bank: Lutoniall

By Lauren Westwood lauren

Teachers took to the streets on Thursday to join a national protest against the planned changes to public sector pensions, which will include an extended retirement age and higher personal pay ins.

We asked Lincolnites for their opinions on the strike, to which they showed little support:

Lesley and Craig Hall

Craig Hall (39) Lincoln, self-employed telecom engineer

“I don’t agree with it at all. Strikes have never really solved anything in the past. The whole country is going through an economic struggle at the minute. I’ve always worked in the private sector. I’ve had to sort my own pension out. I’ve taken pay cuts this year. I’m not on strike; I’ve still got to go to work. They’re well out of order striking.

“I also think that the government has handled it really badly. Their cuts have been too heavy, without a doubt. They’re handling the negotiations with the teachers badly. The government are just as much to blame.”

Lesley Hall (35) Lincoln, nurse

“I’m a nurse and I don’t agree with it. You don’t see doctors or nurses on strike. I don’t think it solves anything. I think all it does is cause propaganda and arguments.

“It affects everybody who has children. We have children and fortunately our school hasn’t gone on strike which we totally appreciate. But I don’t agree with it. I put into my pension every month, and I appreciate that I do get a pension at the end of my thirty years and I’m grateful for that, but I think it’s become a very greedy nature. And in the long term what does it show [children]?”

Caroline Strathon

Caroline Strathon (38) Lincoln, unemployed

“I think it’s just the climate at the moment. Everyone’s having to face cuts. Teachers obviously feel strongly about theirs, along with lots of other people. I think that they’ve got to get their voices heard somehow but I don’t think it will have any effect, not with the current government.

“I think a lot of people would like to go out on strike but not everybody has the opportunity, not everyone has unions. I was a legal assistant and we didn’t have a union and I was made redundant. It’s difficult.”

Shelley and Lee Seville

Lee Seville (30) Scampton, Royal Air Force

“I think it’s disgusting. With the things that [the forces] go out and do, [the government’s] still messing with our pensions and we’re not striking. If [teachers] think they’ve got things bad, they want to get themselves out to Afghanistan.

“In this day and age you’ve got to take the rough with the smooth. We’ve got troops going out with not enough equipment, the wrong equipment, stuff that’s falling apart. And they’re whinging, they’re still living the life of luxury, they’ve got holidays. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

Shelley Seville (29) Scampton

“Everyone’s taken a bit of a cut in everything. If anyone should be going on these strikes really it should be the people with problems like the forces. It seems to be the forces that get the other end of it.

“I think when the money goes up, when we do start to see a difference and everything starts to go back up again, hopefully it will make it easier for everyone else, but at the moment everyone’s suffering.”

Andy Marley

Andy Marley (55) Lincoln, Chair, University of Lincoln Branch of UCU

“We’re protesting about the planned changes to our pension scheme, because at the moment the scheme actually is solvent. It’s paid for by member and employer contributions.

“We’re seeking not to intimidate people; we’re seeking to talk to people and actually try and break some of the normal media feelings that the tax payer is paying because the tax payer isn’t paying, we’re paying.

“[The government] is looking for us to work longer, pay more in and get less out.”

Lauren has recently graduated from Loughborough University with a Masters in Creative Writing. She enjoys film, literature and kickboxing.