A district councillor is preparing to face his fears in a 10,000ft tandem skydive to raise funds for a men’s mental health charity. South Kesteven District Councillor Elvis Stooke’s leap of faith is taking place in aid of the Grantham Bhive Place2Bee club. It provides somewhere to meet for people to discuss their issues in confidence with volunteer staff members and with each other, as well as helping them take positive steps in day-to-day living. Cllr Stooke, who represents Belmont Ward in Grantham, said: “I’ll be dealing with just one hour of fear – and believe me, heights is one of my biggest fears. But this pales into insignificance compared with what some people face every day to simply lead what we might call a normal life. “It’s been double the fear in some respects as, after a big build-up, my original date was cancelled on the morning of the jump due to bad weather – so I have to go through it all again now. “When I was elected in 2023 I vowed to support a local charity. We don’t have many services that support men with mental health, so I was particularly struck by the Bhive group, which is a wonderful cause that helps men from such diverse backgrounds as foster care to the military. “I support this group with a regular donation from my councillor allowance payment, and will continue to do so for my full term. “I would ask anyone who can afford it to help me get closer to my £5,000 target. If these men can get through each day with their issues, I’m sure I can parachute out of a plane for their future.” The event, at Sibson Aerodrome, is scheduled for Friday, 19th July, at 2.30pm. Donations can be made online at www.gofundme.com/f/bhive-place2bee-mens-club-grantham   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Joggie Botma

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) is joining hundreds of other organisations and celebrating International Paramedic Day, paying tribute to their team of Helicopter Emergency Medicine (HEMS) paramedics and their role in delivering life-saving treatment to people across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Hosted by the UK’s College of Paramedics, the day highlights the profound impact paramedics make every single day around the world. From emergencies to the quieter moments of care, paramedics embody a commitment to making a difference to people’s lives in almost every imaginable situation. Paramedic Matt Burns started his paramedic career working with the London Ambulance, first on the ambulances and then moving onto their fleet of fast response vehicles before joining LNAA 4 years ago. He is one of 19 paramedics at LNAA who work alongside a dedicated team of doctors and pilots, to bring the equivalent of a hospital emergency department direct to patient at their time of need. He said: “When I left school, I was interested in medicine, but I knew I didn’t want to work in a hospital, I wanted to be out and about, working in unpredictable and challenging settings. “The majority of incidents we attend are cardiac arrests and road traffic incidents, sometimes involving multiple vehicles. The environment we work in is often challenging due to location, bad weather or the time of day and this is when paramedics can have a big impact. Using their extensive knowledge, they are able to manage these scenes, many which involve numerous emergency organisations and involve multiple patients. “But there are great rewards with the job, and I particularly enjoy meeting patients when they have recovered from their injuries and are well enough to visit HQ with their families. “I would say to anyone wishing to become a paramedic, ‘go for it’! But I would advise people to get some life experience before starting their career. If you can think on your feet, are compassionate and calm and if you are wishing to work in different and challenging locations every day then this may just be the role for you.” International Paramedics Day takes place on the 8th July every year, as this marks the anniversary of the birth of Dominique-Jean Larrey, the man often referred to as the ‘father of modern-day ambulance services’.   Image of the LNAA by Electric Egg

The ‘Stage 3’ concept designs for two key projects in Cleethorpes, Market Place and Pier Gardens, are heading into the democratic process, being scrutinised by panel members on 15 July, and then Cabinet after that. The outline concepts were originally developed in the Cleethorpes Masterplan, which had responses from thousands of people, saying what they wanted to see in the spaces in the future. Since then, there have been detailed discussions with local businesses, drop-in sessions and online engagement for anyone to give their views, as well as group sessions with creative people, young people and other potential users of the spaces. Pier Gardens The new design harks back to the historic use of space, where people went to spend time. The new vision brings people of all ages and abilities together, and creates a more family orientated area, alongside areas for quiet reflection and education, whilst also increasing biodiversity in the resort. The design proposes a ‘zoning’ system to provide this mix of uses, which will provide a mixture of uses across the park with a consistent theme throughout.

• arrival space at Sea Road/Alexandra Road junction, creating a welcoming space to the gardens;
• events zone to support a mixture of activities/events that could take place;
• play/recreation zone which would consist of a larger central space and provide a mixture of activities for young and older children alike;
• reflection zone at the Sea View Street end of the gardens supporting the existing armed forces memorials that are situated there.

The project makes a vital contribution to heritage led regeneration, complementing other work in the resort. Market Place This project lies within the footprint of the hamlet of Oole which is one of the three hamlets that formed the resort Cleethorpes in the latter half of the 1800’s. It links back to the historic use of space where local commerce and dwell time were a key part of the local community activity. Through the redesign of public space, this project will bring people together again, and raise awareness of Cleethorpes’ unique Victorian built heritage. It links to Alexandra Road which has been the catalyst for heritage led regeneration in Cleethorpes through the successful Townscape Heritage Project. The concept designs have been developed to take into account challenges around parking and highways issues. They also consider the needs of local businesses as well as responses to the detailed consultation earlier this year. The designs for Market Place have allowed for a space that is free of traffic and vehicles for parts of the day to allow a more open space that can support markets and events, or allow local businesses to have external dining, for example. The ultimate aim is to create a space that people want to spend more time in. In order to support the change, it’s proposed to create a new public car park behind the Old Vic Public House just a few minutes’ walk from Market Place, introduce short stay only parking within the existing High Street Car Park, and look at existing parking bays on Osborne and Cross Streets to make sure there’s the right mix of parking, loading and drop off opportunities to meet business and resident needs. Resident parking permits could also be implemented on the streets that lead into Market Place to make sure residents weren’t displaced. Next stage If there are only minor changes to the Pier Gardens and Market Place schemes, or they are agreed in full, then the designs will progress to the next stage of work, full technical design, which looks at, for example, types of materials to be used. This then forms the information to be used for the procurement of contractors. The work to these schemes and the Sea Road building is being funded through the Government’s Levelling Up Funding. The projects form the first phase of delivery of the Cleethorpes Masterplan.   Picture: Flexible space at Pier Gardens. Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council

Lincolnshire county council’s Executive has given officers the green light to pursue the necessary legal orders and land acquisitions for the North Hykeham Relief Road project.

  Image courtesy of Lincolnshire County Council

A security guard is taking part in a fundraising truck pull to say thank you to the hospital colleagues who saved his dad’s life. Paul Harrop junior spends his days working as a security supervisor at Lincoln County Hospital and his spare time training and preparing to take part in strong man events and truck pulls. Paul’s dad, Paul senior, suffered a heart attack a couple of years ago when he was 60 years old and had to have a stent fitted during a lifesaving procedure at the Lincolnshire Heart Centre. Paul junior said: “The care and treatment dad received was simply amazing at the heart centre, on Johnson Ward and on Cardiac Short Stay. They saved his life and he is still having regular check-ups with the team. They were wonderful and thanks to them I still have my dad. I will never be able to thank them enough. “I have been doing strong man events and the Highland Games for a number of years and I also do lots of fundraising truck pulls.” Paul is taking part in the Lincolnshire Truck Pull Championships on Saturday 20 July in North Scarle. He will be raising funds for the hospital teams through the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity. He added: “I was inspired by my trainer Dave Johnson. He has been doing this for many years and gave me the belief that I could also do it. “It is very much mind over matter. I enjoy the challenge and seeing how far I can push myself. It is about having the self-belief and thanks to Dave this is now possible. “I am sure I will be a little bit emotional as my dad will be there watching and supporting me. It means so much to have him there. “I just want the hospital teams to know how much we appreciate them and the care they provide.” Anyone who would like to support Paul junior can do so through the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity – Lincolnshire Truck Pull Championship | United Lincolnshire Hospitals (ulhcharity.org.uk). Dave first started fundraising when his friend Mark Browne was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Dave wanted to raise enough money for Mark to be able to make memories with his family before he sadly passed away. Since then Dave has continued with the events in Mark’s memory. Dave said: “This is the 13^th year we have held an event and it is bigger and better than ever with 20 women and 30 men taking part. The biggest truck we will be pulling is 45 tonnes – that is the same as the average weight of six-and-a-half adult African elephants. “I am really proud that these events enable friends like Paul to be able to fundraise and support other really great causes.” United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Fundraiser, Gary Burr, said: “Paul junior is a great colleague. Not only does he make sure our hospitals are safe and secure for our patients and staff, but he goes above and beyond with his fundraising. “It means so much to our clinical teams when people raise funds for them. It is never expected, but the difference it makes is immense. “As a charity we support the extras not covered by NHS budgets. In recent months this has included funded social events for children with Type-1 diabetes, the purchase of scalp cooling caps to help reduce hair loss for patients undergoing chemotherapy and the purchase of a new interactive sensory play system for sick children. “We know that the teams on Johnson Ward and Cardiac Short Stay will use any funds raised to support patients and staff. Thank you Paul junior – we will all be cheering you on.”   Image: Dave Johnson and Paul Harrop junior. Image courtesy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

The Grimsby Auditorium will be playing host this week, from the 2nd – 6th July, to the wonderful stage adaptation of Sister Act. We were fortunate enough to be invited to view the show live at the auditorium and can’t sing enough praises as to the performance. The songs were iconic, the music exceptional, and the story is an old favourite from what many of us would call a better time of cinema. Most impressively, it even features original music not included in the movies, which nonetheless fits incredibly with the show. The musical is based on the iconic and beloved movie, a sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music which tells the hilarious story of the disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. Stage and screen star Wendi Peters plays “Mother Superior” and knocked the ball out the park with her performance. Wendi Peters is best known for her role as the iconic Cilla Battersby Brown in ITV’s Coronation Street, as well as series regular Cook Jenkins in CBBC’s Hetty Feather. Alongside her screen work, her many stage credits include Diane in the European premiere of You Are Here at the Southwark Playhouse, Madame Latour in the National Tour of John Cleese’s Bang Bang, Mrs Baskin in the West End premiere of Big The Musical at the Dominion Theatre, and national tours of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, White Christmas, Quartet, Oh, What A Lovely War! and Rutherford & Son. The cast also includes Landi Oshinowo as Deloris Van Cartier, Alfie Parker as Eddie Souther and Ian Gareth-Jones as Curtis Jackson, and Eloise Runnette as Sister Mary Robert, alongside Isabel Canning, Julie Stark, Phillip Arran, Kate Powell, Elliot Gooch, Michalis Antoniou, Callum Martin, Esme Laudat, Amber Kennedy, Harvey Ebbage, Joseph Connor, Ceris Hine, Sheri Lineham, Corrine Priest and Samuel John-Humphreys. Sister Act has direction by Bill Buckhurst, choreography by Alistair David, Set and Costume Design by Morgan Large, Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell, Sound Design by Tom Marshall and Musical Supervision by Stephen Brooker. Casting is by Stuart Burt.   SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 July 2024 Tue – Sat 7.30pm Wed & Sat mat 2.30pm   Pricing Tuesday – Thursday £14.00 £27.00 £31.00 £36.00 £44.00 Friday – Saturday £14.00 £30.00 £34.00 £38.50 £46.00   Theatrecard – Opening Night – half price tickets* (max 4 per theatrecard) & Tue –Thu : £5.00 off*  *top two prices only.   Students/ Seniors/ Children – £5.00 off top two prices only. Tue -Thu only. Student / Seniors – Wed matinee only £25.00, excludes Premium seats.   Groups Groups 10+ £6.00 off** Groups 20+ £7.00 off** Groups 40+ £8.00 off** **Tue – Thu only. Top two prices only.

Engineers and pilots of the iconic Red Arrows gathered to share memories and watch the team’s display at Cleethorpes Armed Forces event to commemorate their aiamond anniversary. Formed in 1964, the current Royal Air Force Red Arrows display team carried out a 25-minute display at Cleethorpes, culminating in two jets writing a 60 in the sky using smoke trails. The display was watched by thousands who lined the streets to catch a glimpse of what is widely referred to as the greatest aerobatic display team in the world. Also watching on were a number of former Red Arrows pilots and engineers who have worked on the team . In a special reunion, members of the Red Arrows Association were invited to attend the event organised by RAA member and former Engineering controller Gavin Marshall. Amongst them was engineer Bill Green and fitter Mike Souter, who worked with the team in 1965 and from 1968 to 1972 respectively. Bill began his career in the RAF at Little Rissington, Gloucestershire, in 1963, spending two years with the Red Pelicans who were one of many display teams prior to the formation of the Red Arrows. Eventually, Bill was selected to be part of the Red Arrows engineering team, something he looks back on with delight. He said: “It was great fun and everything I had ever dreamt it would be.” Asked about some of his greatest memories, Bill stuck to a mantra that many of the team follow, saying: “What happens in the team stays in the team, but it’s a year I remember very fondly. “I don’t regret a single moment of it.” However, in his role as engineer, he didn’t solely work on the aircraft. “The ground crew were also the people who gave feedback to the pilots after a flight. Being up in the sky, they’ve no idea how they performed so we would have to tell them how they got on. “Sometimes they would come back grumpy thinking they’d done a bad job when actually they’d performed well and other times it was the opposite.” The day was made even more special for him by watching his beloved Red Arrows perform right in front of his eyes. “I was really looking forward to watching them perform. It always makes me happy seeing them in the sky.” Meanwhile, “fitter” Mike was selected to be part of the team back in 1968, staying with them for a period of four years. “When I was told the news, I was over the moon. “In my first two years I organised a number of things for the engineers before spending the next two years as part of the “Circus”.” Those in the Circus sit in the back of each Red Arrow jet while it’s in flight and are tasked with the service and maintenance of a specific plane for the display season. Mike said: “To be in the air with them was quite the experience. The camaraderie between everyone was just amazing.” He added; “If I could do it all over again, I certainly would.” Dicky Patounas was Red 1 in 2005/06. He said: “When you’re told you’re going to lead the team, it fills you with pride, but also trepidation of needing to deliver such high standards with everyone looking at you. It’s a huge challenge, but one that’s highly rewarding too.” He added: “It isn’t just the pilots that make it work, there is a whole team of engineers, fitters and much more that make everything come together.” Having spent a number of years with the team, Dicky has a whole host of amazing memories. ”Some of my best moments include leading the team down the Mall for the Queen’s Birthday and the display we carried out for our 40^th anniversary.” However, some of his favourite moments had nothing to do with flying. “I used to love speaking to people, both young and old. “We would go to Great Ormond Street Hospital at Christmas and speak to children and even engage with the Royals at certain events. I really enjoyed visiting the children, seeing us made their day and it was a way for the team to inspire a younger generation. “As well as being enjoyable, it was an incredibly humbling experience that I never forgot. I look back on it all with such fondness.”

Final arrangements are being made ahead of works to make Sleaford Market Place an improved space to hold markets, events and public activities. Ahead of the scheme, details on the work schedule are being shared with stakeholders and nearby businesses. Advance signage will also be installed to forewarn of the closure of the Market Place as a car park from July 19, followed by further signs to say that the businesses around the Market Place are open as usual, to give information on alternative car parks and direct people to the temporary location of the market and Farmer’s Market at Eastgate Car Park. Some final onsite checks will then take place before the groundworks begin at the end of July, running through to an expected completion in mid-December. The project will see the Market Place repaved with sandstone setts to lighten up the space and better reflect the surrounding buildings and features. Two raised planters will provide greenery and shade, along with three hardwood benches within the design of the planters and a further seven hardwood benches around its perimeter. The war memorial will benefit from up-lighting and the bollards which protect it will be retained, while resin-bound gravel will highlight the area around it. The old hut will be removed, with the parking attendants who used it relocating to the North Kesteven District Council offices. New lighting under the trees and an information board will also be installed, plus five new cycle hoops. Time-limited Blue Badge Holder parking will be available on the Market Place three days a week when it reopens, in addition to arranged access for church events and services in agreement with the church wardens. Market traders will also benefit from an enhanced environment that, being free of moving vehicles on market days, will give customers more confidence in moving around it safely. It also allows more space for additional potential stallholders, along with better visibility for those existing traders. Operation of the market continues to sit with Sleaford Town Council, who will be able to provide and promote a market that meets the aspirations of residents. North Kesteven District Council Chief Executive Ian Fytche said: “We’re committed to ensuring that the scheme supports the continued success of the town centre; by enhancing the Market Place as a space where people can freely move through its historic setting and shop without the current conflict between pedestrians and lots of moving cars, where the markets can trade more visibly as a key feature of Sleaford, and where community events can take place more readily and in enhanced surroundings. “In readiness for the works to start, we are sharing more information on its phasing with individual stakeholders including the ways we’re working together with our contractor to keep disruption to a minimum. This includes maintaining pedestrian access to shops and businesses as much as possible throughout the works, and ensuring access is maintained to St Denys’ Church.” Civil engineering and construction company Smith Construction is appointed as the contractor to carry out the works. It is a local business founded in 1979 as a family building firm and headquartered in Heckington, and prides itself on its high standard of work. Much of its staff are also local to the area. Hoarding will be put up facing Eastgate and around the main rectangle of Market Place, with pedestrian access to the surrounding shops, businesses and St Denys’ Church kept via the footpaths which will be left accessible. It is hoped there could be an event for young people whereby the hoarding is decorated. The exception to this is limited periods where work needs to take place directly outside a premises. These works are planned where possible around their opening times and they also won’t take long to complete, for the most part limiting access for only a day or so during those closed hours. To limit noise or other impact during the Remembrance weekend, no works will take place during any events on 10 and 11 November. The al fresco seating next to Sessions House will need to be packed away while repaving takes place there from early August until mid-September. It’s hoped the hoarding there can then be removed, while the bulk of the works continue in the main rectangle of the Market Place. The temporary relocation of the market to Eastgate Car Park is for the duration of the works only. While the Market Place is owned by the District Council, the market itself is operated by the Town Council under a licence agreement, which is subject to ongoing renewal discussions. Mr Fytche added: “The temporary relocation of the market is a necessary step during the works, and ultimately we hope that everyone will continue to show their support by visiting it in its temporary location there. Mindful of the historic integrity of the market to Sleaford, we continue working with the Town Council to ensure its ongoing success and hoped-for growth, where we anticipate it being more visible and vibrant in the refreshed Market Place.” The project is being delivered using the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.   Image courtesy of North Kesteven District Council

Two creative advertising alumni of the University of Lincoln have created a powerful national campaign for British Heart Foundation (BHF), to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death in young people. Sudden cardiac death is referred to as a “silent killer,” often going undiagnosed until too late as there are generally no prior symptoms or warning signs. The poignant campaign, “England ‘til I died,” cleverly plays upon the popular football chant, bringing it a new and emotive meaning, underlining the importance of scientific study and fundraising needed to better understand this illness. Launched to coincide with the start of the UEFA EURO 2024, it tells the real-life stories of 12 young England fans who passed away suddenly after experiencing cardiac arrest. The 12 were honoured in commemorative murals painted onto walls in their respective hometowns to bring awareness to the alarming statistics that every single week in the UK, 12 young lives are tragically lost to sudden cardiac death. Pete Ioulianou and Ollie Agius, both University of Lincoln graduates and Senior Creatives at multinational ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi, fulfilled a brief which supports BHF’s aims to raise awareness across the UK that cardiac death also impacts young people, and fund research into finding a cure. Speaking about their work, Pete and Ollie said: “It’s been a privilege and an honour to work on this campaign using the same skills we learnt on the Creative Advertising course at the University of Lincoln all those years ago. Seeing our idea out in the real world and having such a positive impact for a truly important cause has been very special. “We were briefed to change the perceptions of heart disease and to increase the sense of urgency around the cause. People tend to think it only affects the elderly, the overweight, the unfit. But the truth is, it can strike anyone, anywhere, any age, any time. “The football chant ‘England ‘till I die’ was the key. Once we changed it to ‘died’, we knew we had something and that the Euros would therefore be the perfect time to launch, hopefully leading to more awareness.” Damion Mower, Director of Brand at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Our new campaign is a powerful reminder of the impact of sudden cardiac death. Behind every mural is a family who have lost a loved one too soon, and our teams at the BHF have worked closely and sensitively with them to ensure their relatives are remembered in a touching way. “We thank our creative partners at Saatchi for their sensitivity and care in portraying the stories through the campaign creatives. We are truly thankful to the families who have agreed to remember their loved ones to help us urgently raise awareness and funds towards research into heart and circulatory diseases.”   Image credit: Electric Egg Ltd. – stock.adobe.com

When a schoolboy was crushed by a lorry frame, the swift actions of his sister helped save the day. One sunny afternoon last July, ten-year-old Reuben was playing with his sister in a shed near his home when a lorry frame fell on him, crushing his leg. Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) was immediately called and arrived at their rural homestead at Wigtoft, Lincolnshire, within minutes. The doctor/paramedic team quickly identified Reuben had suffered a significant fracture to his lower leg and were concerned for the blood flow to his foot. Paramedic Matt said: “We could see he was in obvious discomfort and so we decided to sedate Reuben before splinting his leg and realigning the fractures.” Due to the complexities of his injuries and given the distance the family lived from a major trauma hospital, it was decided to transport him to Nottingham’s Queen Medical Centre in the helicopter, a journey that took fifteen minutes rather than one hour and fifteen minutes by road ambulance. Mum Suzanne couldn’t believe what had happened to Reuben and praises his sister, Scarlett, for raising the alarm. She said: “The framework was heavy and had done serious damage to Reuben’s leg. Somehow Scarlett was able to lift the heavy metal bars off him and drag him out from under the ironwork, before seeking help. When I arrived at the shed, I could see that he was badly injured and yet he appeared so calm. “We called 999, and luckily Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance was with us super quick! “During the flight the doctor and the paramedic were brilliant. They kept both me and my son calm and explained everything they were doing as they went along.” Over the next few days Reuben had three operations on his leg including a skin and muscle graft and he was fitted with an external fixator to keep his leg stable. A year on, Reuben has made an amazing recovery, and his leg is almost recovered. Suzanne summed up: “We really cannot thank you guys enough for the help you gave us, whilst on the floor with bones exposed my son said multiple times, ‘thank you’ to your team!”

As the school holidays approach and the summer climate hots up, Associated British Ports  are urging people not to swim in their docks and to be careful in the rivers. With the hot weather recently experienced and with the summer break coming up, ABP knows water can be an attractive place to go. In the Humber, particularly around Goole Docks and Albert Dock in Hull. In a campaign due to run throughout the summer months, Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “On a hot day, it might seem like a good idea to cool down in open water, but swimming is prohibited in our docks. “Docks are not a safe place to swim. Apart from being industrial centres, they pose a danger due to the steep walls which makes it difficult to escape. “People also do not know what may be lurking beneath the water that could be a potential hazard. If you want to swim, go to a pool, or find an open water swimming club. If however, you do find yourself in distress, then follow the advice of the RNLI.” The potential dangers of swimming in docks are:

• Deep water
• Unexpected cold-water shock
• Hazards lurking beneath the surface
• Active operational areas
• Waterborne diseases
• Tides

Ben Carpenter, Water Safety Officer at Cleethorpes RNLI said: “If you find yourself in the water unexpectedly, float to live – on your back with your arms and legs spread. You will float with your ears submerged. If you see someone in trouble in the water dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

As part of the 30^th Anniversary celebrations, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) is bringing incredible stories to the airwaves, through its new podcast that immerses listeners into the busy life at the life-saving charity. Hosted by former BBC Radio Lincolnshire presenter, Melvyn Prior, the By Your Side Podcast series takes you behind the scenes of some of LNAA’s memorable achievements over the last 30 years, sharing special moments with patients and crew, past and present. He said: “I’m really excited to be working on this new project with the team at Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance. “I love chatting with people and allowing them to tell their own stories. The sort of thing I’ve done for many years on the radio. “Whether it’s a pilot or paramedic, patient or a fundraiser, everyone has a story to tell and I’m really looking forward to discovering and sharing those stories on the ‘By Your Side’ podcast.” Tune into the first episode as Melvyn chats with Capt Llewis Ingamells who tells of his childhood dream to become an LNAA pilot and why he thinks LNAA’s iconic AW 169 helicopter is so special. Llewis takes you through those first minutes when the 999 call comes into HQ, to starting the helicopter’s computers and receiving clearance from RAF Waddington for take-off on its emergency Alpha signal and the part pilots play alongside the doctors and paramedics at the scene of incidents. Llewis said: “Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance is special to many, its life-saving team of doctors, paramedics and pilots attend some of the most critically ill and injured people in Lincs & Notts on a daily basis. Our 30^th year is a celebration of our life-saving work and through this new podcast series we will share behind-the-scenes stories of what it’s like working for this amazing charity.” Other highlights from the series include LNAA CEO, Karen Jobling, and Thirza Dixon, LNAA’s first fundraiser in 1994, who talk about how far the charity has come in 30 years, past patients who share their heartfelt stories, and a doctor who has a rather extreme life out of their LNAA shifts. The first episode of the podcast is available now on Spotify and LNAA’s website: https://www.ambucopter.org.uk/blogs/podcast/   Image shows Melvyn Prior and Capt Llewis Ingamells

Work started this week to refurbish the current sports court in Grant Thorold Park. The Grant Thorold ‘PlayZone’ multi-use games area (MUGA) will deliver the full refurbishment of the existing tarmacked sports area in the park, and will include basketball hoops, benches, goals, fencing and LED floodlighting. The PlayZone Programme is aimed at tackling inequalities in physical activity and access to facilities. Its aim is to focus on funding community-led spaces, with an emphasis on refurbished safe and accessible mini pitches that will allow groups to be more active. With a pitch size of approximately 30 by 20 metres, the PlayZone will have line marking for football and basketball games. The emphasis is on ‘free to use’ community access, with a booking system to ensure fairness and safety. The PlayZone will also offer the opportunity for more formal sessions to be held, where groups can book for a small fee. The current sports court will be taken out of use for the duration of the works. Site deliveries are expected in the first week, and ground works and construction thereafter. Heras fencing will be installed around the site while works are ongoing for safety reasons. Additionally, in the early weeks, the large tree that currently overhangs the court will have the canopy lifted to allow room below for the new fencing and floodlights. Checks will be done before any works are done to the tree to make sure there are no nesting birds. The planning application for this development was approved earlier this year.   Image credit: Google maps