Lincolnshire this week.

The University of Lincoln has announced that it will have 700 less places to offer in the future. The 11% reduction in numbers is due to funding cuts. The Uni has declared that it will charge the maximum £9000 tuition fees in 2012. They will work closely with Lincoln College and North Lindsey College to try to accommodate students unsuccessful in their applications.


Fuel tanker drivers in North Lincolnshire are to stage a two week strike in response to their employers, Wincanton attempting to reduce their remuneration. The drivers say this will see them lose 20% in their pay packets. Wincanton say the action will put jobs at risk and is “wholly unnecessary”.

The Grantham Journal has been recalling the time Laurel and Hardy visited the town. The comedy legends checked in to the Red Lion in 1947 before making their way to Barkston where Stan Laurel had a reunion with his father who he had last seen thirteen years previously. The Journal did not report how long it took for him to return, if indeed he ever did.

The proposed High Speed 2 railway project is to be discussed at a meeting of East Lincolnshire Green Party in Louth. A quick glance at the map confirmed that this project is peripheral to East Lincs to say the least but the sandal wearers (or is that the Liberals?) meeting in the delightful sounding Café Rico in Pawnshop Passage are asking :-

“Are you worried that the government is planning to spend £32 billion on a high-speed rail link from London to Birmingham at a time when budgets are being cut and we’re all feeling the pinch? Or are you excited at the proposed project and the advantages it might bring? Come along and share your opinions (we won’t bite...!)

An application has been submitted to build a new £600,000 bird observatory at Huttoft near Sutton on Sea. The plans, by Lincolnshire County Council and Arts Council England are part of a scheme to create a country park along five miles of coastline between Sandilands and Chapel St Leonards. The new building will be glass fronted and feature a café, visitor centre and watch tower.

Casting for the Lincoln Mystery Plays is due to begin soon and preparatory work is well underway for the production due to start this July. Weekly workshops are expected to begin shortly and are to be held at Bishop Grossteste University College.

Lincolnshire hockey players Crista Cullen and Georgie Twigg are competing in the last ranking tournament before the Olympic Games this summer. The Great Britain team hopefuls will be at the Women’s Champion’s Trophy in Argentina.

Brayford eyesore, the former Harbourmasters office is to be transformed in to Japanese eatery Wagamama according to the Lincolnshire Echo. The national chain is being coy about the exact location but the derelict former office would provide an enticing venue for a restaurant. Wagamama will only confirm they are in negotiation to open on the waterfront somewhere.

Sayonara from me for another week. Have a good weekend wherever you are.