Lincolnshire this week.

Previously in this blog we checked on the progress of Eve the seal who found herself rescued by a seal sanctuary in Germany. She was fattened up, fitted with a tracking device and released in the hope that she would find her way back to Iceland. Instead she headed to the Orkney Islands and then down the east coast where she was again rescued. Authorities at Natureland in Skegness wanted to take her back to Iceland but were refused permission. They have now decided it would be in her best interests to stay at the sanctuary. Richard Yeadon from Natureland reports that the seal is enjoying life. "She seems very chilled out in the resident seal pool, enjoying five meals of the best quality herrings a day.


"I'm sure we have made the right decision for her."

Plans for a massive renovation of Lincoln Castle are to go on show. The work will provide a permanent home for Lincolns copy of the Magna Carta, which will be 800 years old in 2015. More of the old prison will be opened and it will be possible to walk round more of the walls. Councillor Eddy Poll, executive member for cultural services, said: "This is an opportunity to find out about what will be happening up at the castle over the next couple of years - improvements that will make it one of the UK's top historic attractions.

"Not only will this ensure that this local landmark is kept in good condition for future generations, it'll also attract thousands more visitors, providing a sizeable boost for the local tourism economy."

Gainsborough MP Edward Leigh has explained why Parliamentary funding of his Italian lessons was good value for money. The outspoken Catholic politician explains :-

"I started taking Italian lessons when the Government was suggesting I be made Ambassador to the Vatican," he said.

"It was a role which I eventually turned down because I wanted to continue representing our part of Lincolnshire in Parliament.

"Currently, I am chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Holy See (Vatican) and involved in the British-Italian parliamentary group as well.

"I think I'm the only Member of Parliament to have given a speech in the Palace of Westminster in Italian.

"It happened when we had the privilege of welcoming a deputation of Italian MPs and they were very touched.

"I'm also in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

"Every country in the Council of Europe makes an effort to speak English, so why shouldn't we try and speak their languages as well?

"That said, having obtained a working knowledge of Italian, I am no longer taking lessons through the Foreign Office."

The University of Lincoln was expecting to receive about 5000 calls from prospective students through clearing yesterday. Whilst there are spaces available, Drama, Dance and Social Work all filled up. Biomedical Science, Accountancy and Finance, English and History have all been very popular. Lincolnshire students have bucked the national trend in their grades. Results have been down on previous years in the country but not here. Must be the fresh air and wide open skies.

Residents of leafy Woodhall Spa are up in arms over the last bank in the village closing down. There are about 50 independent shops in the resort and lots of wealthy residents but that hasn’t stopped HSBC, the worlds local bank, deciding that Woodhall was rather too local and shutting the branch for good leaving only the Post Office. Ironically, holders of most other banks accounts can service them through the Post Office but not HSBC. David Clarke, chairman of Woodhall Spa Parish Council, said they had taken their business elsewhere because of the closure.

"We have a lot of residents who are not quite in their prime and they like face-to-face contact," he said.

"They don't really like ATMs, they want to speak to somebody and I think HSBC are really losing out on that customer relations ability and that's where we're suffering.

"People who want face-to-face will have to go to Horncastle. I don't see why anyone should travel that far just to go to a bank... when it should be dealt with locally."

In a statement HSBC said: "The branch is only open for limited hours during the week and not on weekends and customer usage of it has fallen significantly over the past few years.

"Customers are now increasingly using branches where they work, or they are using the 24-hour convenience of internet or telephone banking.

"Closing a branch is never an easy decision but we are working with the small number of customers who use the branch to see if we can help them reorganise their finances."

That’s it for another week in Lincolnshire. Would be quite nice to nip over to Woodhall Spa for an ice cream or a pint but don’t forget to take plenty of cash. Have a good one.

Time to reflect.

There was a time before the London Olympics began that I really feared the spectacle would resemble the spoof documentary Twenty Twelve rather more closely than we would all have liked. The G4S debacle seemed to indicate that all was not well in the preparations.


All that seems a million miles away now as we digest the magnificence of the closing ceremony and in particular the success of the Great Britain team. The games went ahead with no security issues that we were made aware of. London’s creaky public transport system was discovered to be not so decrepit as we thought. The press, usually desperate to find some way of showing these things in the worst possible light realised the nations preoccupation was the success of our athletes and the way the games were going, starting with Danny Boyles triumph of an opening ceremony.

Quite what Alex Salmond made of all those Scots wrapped in the union flag we don’t know but he must have been the only one in the entire country wishing failure on the proceedings. The truth was no one cared which part of the Union the athletes came from, if they were Brits they were cheered to the rafters. There were some unlikely looking Brits too and no one more so than Mo Farah. What a lovely story that made. Mo’s father is British and the family evacuated from war torn Somalia when he was a child. The rest is history and the crowds attitude was if you’re in the GB vest, you’re one of us and you’re going to be supported as if you had red white and blue coursing through your veins.

Particular highlights for me were the cycling, that’s my passion. Brad Wiggins in particular then later on the track with Sir Chris Hoy bringing down the curtain on a truly magnificent Olympic career, Victoria Pendleton, so strong yet fragile and all the others as the gold’s silver and bronze piled up. The rowers, I just love that commentator and who can forget Gemma Gibbons in the judo, so delighted with her silver medal sobbing all over her opponent?

Where do we go from here? We’re a happier nation, no doubt about that but can we keep that up as the days grow shorter? As for me I’m definitely getting the bike out this weekend. If there’s time.

                                  The big screen in Lincoln where thousands gathered to
                                  cheer on the Brits.
                                        

Cool finish on a warm day sets City on their way.

Speaking in a trailer for BBC Radio Lincolnshire for the forthcoming season, Michael Hortin ventured the opinion that City fans would see a more competitive side this term, certainly more so than had been the case for the last few seasons. I was sceptical but having watched the season opener I’m inclined to the view that he just might be right. City dominated the first half but saw just a Jamie Taylor finish as reward for their efforts.


The second half took a more predictable tone with the Imps retreating back ever further inviting their opponents to attack them and when the sanctuary of the corner flag was sought with six minutes remaining, that’s twelve minutes from the end of the game with injury time, not that the players were to know that, the crowd were sensing that maybe this was taking caution a little too far.

Nevertheless, City held on to record a rare first win of the season and a home win at that, traditionally our Achilles heel even back to Keith’s time. This habit of trying to sit on a one goal advantage had the home fans biting their nails and after a first half of relative superiority the home support were expecting more and fans were trying to encourage their side to get further forward and defend up the pitch.

This lack of ambition late on is going to come back and haunt City, who badly need to get more fans through the turnstiles at the 12th Imp Sincil Bank Stadium, if they’re not careful. There were several good opportunities to double the score including a free kick in a good position just outside the box which was scooted into the corner to general groans.

Still, mustn’t grumble about a rare winning start, the new players impressed, Jamie Taylor produced an all action display topped off with a good goal, lobbing the keeper when the ball dropped to his feet from Dan Gray and he was awarded a well deserved man of the match accolade. The players looked fit and sharp even in sapping warmth and overcame a mini injury crisis to get the season off to the perfect start.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.

In a sure sign that the year is rolling on, the nights are certainly drawing in and there was the first indication that autumn is round the corner the other morning with a good old misty start. All this means, yes you guessed it, the new football season is upon us. Those of a glass half full disposition will be thinking, here we go, it can’t be as bad as last year and the year before and those of the half empty persuasion will be saying oh yes it can.


For long suffering Imps fans a mixed close season. It seems an age ago now that the new signings were rattling in to Sincil Bank, sorry the 12th Imp Sincil Bank Stadium. We all thought we might be entering a new dawn with early team building. Then the announcement that the squad was complete, to general scepticism admittedly, then one or two more and the disheartening effect of the Sam Smith affair.

It’s easy to say the Sam Smith business is symptomatic of the way things have been at City lately but of course the club did not invite the offer, or we presume not and once the offers were coming in, having an unsettling effect on the player no doubt, there was only one outcome, getting the maximum cash out of the situation which hopefully was the case.

Who is now going to get the goals, I hear you ask? Well, who was going to get them anyway, many of us will have been thinking not really having had the benefit of seeing Smith perform to any great degree. Who indeed is going to keep them out at the other end? This question clouded by the news that Josh Gowling is on the transfer list which didn’t ought to have been a surprise given his history with the manager. It’s financial is the answer from Mr Holdsworth. This brings further questions as to the financial stability of the club given that one wage earner is off the payroll who may or may not be replaced. The transfer fee realised may or may not be released into the playing budget we hear. Or part of it. Or none of it, the board hasn’t decided.

All will be revealed over the coming months. We may have a new name for the stadium but there is a very familiar feel to the start of another season, familiar of late that is. There was a time, not long ago, when the start of the season could be greeted with great anticipation. Maybe there are those feeling that time old euphoria at the start of another season. If you are, I’ll have a pint of whatever you’re on.

Lincolnshire this week.

Skegness town councillors were left feeling far from jolly when they saw the proposals for a new statue of the resorts fisherman mascot intended for the railway station concourse. The figure is normally depicted skipping along with arms outstretched but this was decreed too much of a temptation for local children to swing from and the new design shows the iconic (and copyrighted) Jolly, prepared for Lincolnshire County Council, with his arms by his side. All this comes shortly after a spat between the town and East Lindsey District Council over unflattering comparisons with other resorts that left town officials embarrassed. Skegness Mayor Mark Anderson, said: "It looked like a Buddha, it was like a gargoyle basically. It was completely against what our image of our town is.


"People and businesses were upset by the publicity surrounding the poster campaign so we certainly do not need this now."

Chris Briggs, from Lincolnshire County Council, said: "There has been a recent accident at the station involving some of the new materials and we are aware there is a court case pending on that.

"So what we didn't want to do was produce another design which would entice children or whoever to swing on the arms of the statue, which could also damage it, and may lead to some claims.”

Just what Skeggy didn’t need especially now the sun has come out to rescue the disaster of the British summer although the good spell is predicted to be of the blink and you’ll miss it variety.

The Red Arrows are due to perform in Russia this weekend after a gap of 22 years since they last appeared in the country. The display is part of celebrations of the centenary of the Russian Federation Air Force and will be held 25 miles from Moscow .Maria Vassilieva of the BBC’s Moscow office said "I believe that the Red Arrows are quite famous in Russia,

"The kind of show they are doing is very different and the show which the Red Arrows bring to Russia is described as more elegant and stylish.

"These are the words which are used to describe them in all the advertisements which we can see now in Moscow."

A spokesman for the RAF added "This is an exciting opportunity for the Red Arrows to work with our Russian partners on a high-profile event, which will enhance the reputation of the UK's armed forces throughout the world."

Two weapons described as “magic swords” in today’s Echo have gone on display at Boston’s Guildhall museum. The swords are from the 13th or 14th century and are inscribed with runes that have not been deciphered. It is thought these writings were intended to invoke special powers in the owner. The swords were found in the River Witham and may even have been placed in the waterway, which was a major thoroughfare, deliberately as a votive offering to please the Gods. The artifacts were found in the river near Bardney. It is possible the inscriptions were not visible to the naked eye but have been revealed due to corrosion caised by their immersion.

Lord Monson, aristocratic owner of Burton Hall has turned to former Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Brian Paddick in an effort to solve the mystery of his sons death in a Kenyan police cell. Alexander Monson was arrested for smoking cannabis near his mothers home in the coastal resort of Diani south of Mombasa. "Brian is there to give me advice and tell me things so that it adds weight to my statements," Lord Monson said.

"He was very sympathetic about what happened to Alexander and I wanted to add him to the panel of advisors for the charitable foundation.

"I wanted him to get involved in the charitable foundation where I am using my son's case to help tackle some of the issues with policing in third world countries and he will be valuable to me in finding out what happened to Alexander.

"He is personally advising me and, since he has the ear of Nick Clegg, he is very useful. It is very sad that this young sprig of Lincolnshire has met his end like this so hopefully the foundation and the help of Brian Paddick can stop it happening to others."

A sombre end to this week’s news from Lincolnshire. Don’t think that has inspired me to visit that particular region. Wherever you’re heading, or if you’re staying put. Have a good weekend.

Lincolnshire this week.

Lincoln can look forward to a state of the art science park by the end of 2013, the University of Lincoln has announced. The facility, similar to ones in Welwyn Garden City and Cambridge, will be a mixture of college departments and commercial buildings, housing the School of Life Sciences and a new School of Pharmacy. Mary Stuart, the university's vice chancellor, said: "This will bring massive benefits to the city in terms of employment and inward investment.

"Highly skilled professionals who have previously looked outside Lincolnshire for career opportunities will be attracted to the area or encouraged to stay.

"The potential to bring in new investors and high-tech businesses to boost the local economy is enormous."

The development is a joint one with Lincolnshire Coop and Ursula Lidbetter, chief executive of the Coop, said: "We think there's a huge opportunity to turn this underused site into a stimulating place to work and study.

"It's an ideal location for a science park as it's so close to the university campus and Lincoln city centre."

The initial, joint investment will be £10m and planning permission will be sought later this year.

This years Skegness illuminations will be the biggest and best yet, according to organizers. The big switch on has emerged from the umbrella of the SO festival to be an event in it’s own right, once again. The extravaganza will feature a whole days entertainment this year. Spokesman George Facey said: “We received rave reports about last year’s event and I’m sure this one will be even better and bring extra visitors and business to the town, which is what the economy needs.”

The day will feature dance and fitness workshops and as the big moment ariives it will be preceded by talented local singers and dancers and Hollyoakes and Over the Rainbow star Steph Davis in what is described as a spellbinding show.

It’ll be here before you know it, the ice rink is to make a return to Lincoln this Christmas. Organisers Lincoln Business Improvement Group said previously the rink was unviable and it has not made an appearance for two years. Quite what has happened to make it viable this time we don’t know but the popular feature will be back on City Square for the festive period. Rachel Hanson, events and promotions organiser at Lincoln BIG, said: "It just makes Christmas - everybody loves it.

"It's similar to now as you walk through town and you see the beach and the Olympics screen - it's great to see children and families all enjoying it together."

The Echo, Stagecoach and Lincs FM are sponsoring the ice rink.

A new world record has been set in Lincolnshire but before speed freaks get over excited it’s for the most number of tractors simultaneously ploughing a field. Yes, we know how to set the world alight. Helen Rainthorpe organized the bid in memory of her father, John. More than £21000 was raised for Cancer Research during the ploughing marathon. Helen Rainthorpe believes the bid may stand the test of time. "I think the record is a one-off effort," she said. "It needs that community spirit to get this number of vehicles together.

"Even in America where they have the numbers, I don't think travelling the distance to get together could be done."

"I've been blown away by the sheer number of people who have come to support it and the Quadtrac drivers who have come such long distances. I want to say a huge thank you to each and every one of them."

Adjudicator Anna Orford from Guiness World Records said the achievement had a clear Lincolnshire identity.

"I didn't know what to expect but even when they were lined up at the start it just looked stunning," she said. "And then when they put their lights on and the crowd cheered it was fantastic because they knew they had the record.

"Every record is special and with this it is very specific to the region – it is very much a Lincolnshire record."

Well it’s a bit late to wish you a good weekend but it’s certainly turned out that way at the Olympics with Super Saturday a definite understatement. Here’s hoping for some more medals.

Have a good week.

You can never have too many Imps.

It was announced several days ago that the name our stadium lottery had been won by fans fundraising group 12th Imp. The group are closely affiliated with the Vital Lincoln website.


The board at Lincoln City naturally reserved the right to approve the name put forward by the winning ticket holder and Steve Prescott was duly wheeled out to announce on BBC Radio Lincolnshire this morning to a distinctly underwhelmed Rod Whiting that henceforth the football ground would be known as the 12th Imp Sincil Bank Stadium. Whether there was any embellishment to the original proposal by 12th Imp by the board we will not know but at least the renaming was carried out in a dignified manner unlike a certain very high profile North East club one could name.

The group raised a staggering £1500 which led to 30 entries in the competition. Although the initiative did not produce anything like the hoped for £50000 nevertheless the draw did see £21000 for the playing budget which, I have to admit was greatly in excess of the amount I thought would be raised so well done to the club and particularly well done to 12th Imp. For a community club, a much used and much doubted epithet by many fans, it’s perhaps fitting that the stadium should now be named, essentially, after the fans who are any small clubs one constant feature, their 12th man. Again and again our fans have come to the clubs rescue and to their aid and here we have another shining example. One bit of bright news in what could be another dismal season with the Sam Smith affair putting a dampener on any pre season optimism.