Sophie Coulson

To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Lincoln South fire station is holding a special open day on Friday, August 8, from 10am to 4pm.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is inviting residents to join in on celebrating the landmark occasion and display a number of memories.

Over the last 50 years, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue has grown and developed but Lincoln South remains one of the busiest and most significant for the Lincoln area and county as a whole.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is also inviting all current and retired wholetime, retained and fire service staff who have served at Lincoln South to take an active part in the event too.

Additionally, any photographs and stories about the station and those who have served are being accepted for use.

At the open day, activities and events of the day include:

• Red Arrows and Lancaster flyby
• Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Concert Band
• Urban Search and Rescue demonstrations
• Rescue dog demonstrations
• Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Preservation Support Service demonstrations
• British Red Cross – Fire & Emergency Support
• Strongman fire truck pull for charity

This will include various fire service displays such as USAR line rescue, Road Traffic Collision extraction and Search and Rescue dog demonstrations, the opportunity to take penalties against Lincoln City FC goalkeeping coach and more.

Visitors will be able to have a go in the crash car simulator or try soaking firefighters stuck in the medieval stocks with wet sponges.

There is also music throughout the day provided by Siren FM and a live band.

As well as all the demonstrations, there will be plenty of competitions, food and drinks, a raffle and tombola.

Paul Deighton, Watch Commander Support at West Division, said: “Come along for a fun family day out, see vintage, modern and RAF fire engines.

“Kids can even have a go at squirting some water, try on some fire kit, as well as having the chance to meet Fireman Sam and our safety mascots Freddie, Filbert and Penelope.

“On a serious note, the aim of the day is to show people that the fire service makes Lincolnshire a safer place to live and the job isn’t just about the life-threatening emergencies.”

Any proceeds made on the day go to the Fire Fighters Charity.

A business organisation supporting growth and promoting Lincoln city centre has been highly commended by judges at a national awards ceremony.

Lincoln BIG was praised for the range and depth of funding the organisation has managed to attract to the city.

The judges also acknowledged the city’s business improvement district for having one of the greatest range of activities and financial turnovers of any BID outside of London.

The award was handed to the chief executive of Lincoln BIG, Matt Corrigan, at a special ceremony in Dundee.

Lincoln was just one of five shortlisted for the awards, which recognise BID organisations, who have delivered innovative projects and real economic benefits to their town or city.

“We are absolutely delighted that the hard work of all the Lincoln BIG staff has been recognised,” said Matt.

“We are proud of what we have achieved in bringing in lots of external funding – all of which has been invested in supporting our city centre to grow and thrive.

“The award is also another important step in raising the profile of Lincoln.”

The Lincoln BIG entry has generated external funding from a variety of sources to deliver city centre projects, with funding increasing from £225,000 — at the start of the first Lincoln BID in 2004 — to £1.2m in 2014.

This additional income has meant that BIG is able to deliver bigger and better projects and services to levy payers as well as ensuring its long term financial sustainability.