Students to save with Canon cashback campaign

Tess Egginton
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Students to save with Canon cashback campaign
With freshers getting ready to start university, they can save money with Canon’s new Student Cashback campaign – available at Lincoln’s London Camera Exchange.

Helping students follow their passion, claim up to £450 on select Canon products from cameras to lenses and printers.

Simply choose your product, buy at a participating retailer (keeping a copy of your receipt or order confirmation), and submit your claim. Explore qualifying items here, or head to London Camera Exchange on Silver Street in Lincoln. With a Canon Pro Centre, London Camera Exchange’s specialists – updated with the latest knowledge and technical know how from Canon on a regular basis – are on hand to guide you through products and answer technical questions.

Promotion valid between 1st September 2023 and 31st May 2024. T&Cs apply.

DPA and Currys expand Tech4Families to provide devices for disadvantaged families across Lincolnshire Coast

Tess Egginton
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DPA and Currys expand Tech4Families to provide devices for disadvantaged families across Lincolnshire Coast
The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) have expanded their Tech4Families scheme to help drive digital inclusion by connecting disadvantaged families across Lincolnshire Coast with laptops and digital access. The scheme consists of microdonations from customers of Currys, allowing the DPA to purchase new laptops for children experiencing digital poverty. Parents are able to apply online or via a dedicated text line, and the successful families will receive a laptop and resource pack. The scheme was initially launched in September 2022, targeting five key areas in the UK including Staffordshire, West Cumbria, the Norfolk Coast, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend, and Ayrshire, and is now being extended to Lincolnshire Coast – an area in the UK with a high level of digital poverty. The Tech4Families expansion aims to provide deprived families across Lincolnshire Coast with digital access by rolling out laptops and devices, equipping them with resources they need to gain equal opportunities, helping to support the 11 million people in the UK currently experiencing digital exclusion. Elizabeth Anderson, Interim CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said: “Tech4Families is more than just a programme, it is a catalyst for change. The expansion signifies a renewed dedication to empowering families with the tools and resources they need to navigate an increasingly digital world. “Access to laptops and digital resources is not only necessary from an education perspective but it allows individuals to apply to job advertisements which are often online, opens more job opportunities in ‘work from home’ roles and provides people with access to services, such as online banking. “We hope that this Tech4Families expansion can deliver more individuals across the UK with the support they need and we’re excited to extend its benefits to even more communities. Providing people with access to resources, equipment and connectivity will not only benefit individuals, but also the wider community and economy, and this must be the priority for businesses, policy makers and third sector parties.” The expansion will support the aims of the DPA’s National Delivery Plan, launched in the House of Lords earlier this year, which set out six key missions that stakeholders must work towards to achieve the goal of ending digital poverty within the UK by 2030. Catrin Hale, Group Social Impact manager for Currys, said: “Digital Poverty is a nationwide issue that needs addressing, so we are proud to be involved with an initiative that brings such huge benefits to individuals’ lives. “Enjoying amazing technology, through being in possession of the skills and devices to access them, should be an essential for everyone: allowing people to connect, learn, work and carry out everyday tasks. “After seeing great success in our initial five target areas, we hope that the Tech4Families extension across Lincolnshire Coast provides more communities with the digital access they need to improve their quality of life.” If you wish to apply for the Tech4Families scheme, or donate in support, please visit https://digitalpovertyalliance.org/tech4families/ or text your name and address to 07984 445476 to receive a paper form.

University of Lincoln Professor to be awarded a British Academy medal

Stuart Pearcey
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University of Lincoln Professor to be awarded a British Academy medal
Professor Carenza Lewis has been awarded a British Academy medal, in recognition of her distinguished accomplishments in landscape archaeology and lasting impact on social sciences. Carenza Lewis is Professor of Public Understanding of Research at the University of Lincoln, and is awarded the British Academy Landscape Archaeology Medal 2023. This annual award was created by British Academy Fellow Professor John Coles, to establish an Academy medal for its field – awarded for the very first time in 2007. Professor Lewis is the first woman to receive this award. Professor Lewis is well-known for her time on the hit Channel 4 show Time Team and joined the University of Lincoln in 2015 as Professor of Public Understanding of Research. A specialist in medieval archaeology, her research into the historic development of rural settlements has over decades involved thousands of members of the public in new excavations. These have thrown new light on the origins of today’s villages and towns and the impact of events such as the Black Death plague pandemic. Since 2019, she has introduced this publicly engaged approach to archaeological investigation into Europe and spearheaded innovative research into the public benefits of participation in heritage. Some of Lewis’ other public engagement initiatives include ‘Dig School’ which provided a virtual experience of archaeology to teachers and school children during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, and real-world archaeological digs for University of Lincoln humanities students, investigating a never-before explored location within the beautiful and historic grounds of the University’s Riseholme Campus. Professor Lewis said: “I was stunned to be awarded the British Academy Landscape Archaeology Medal 2023! Such a very prestigious award has to be a pinnacle of anyone’s career, and I am absolutely delighted. “I am both immensely proud of and humbled by this honour, not least on behalf of all the people – including literally thousands of members of the public – who have taken part with me in archaeological fieldwork advancing knowledge about the historic landscapes we all share. “It has been an absolute privilege to work with so many people over the years in developing new insights into the past development of historic settlements and landscapes in the UK and Europe, in benefitting so many people and places in the present, and in widening access to historic landscape archaeology for the future.” Professor Lewis will be awarded her medal in person at a dedicated British Academy ceremony in London on Wednesday 11 October.

Council’s dog poo fines cost individuals more than £450

Stuart Pearcey
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Council’s dog poo fines cost individuals more than £450
The first two prosecutions under strict North Lincolnshire Council rules about dog fouling have gone through the courts, with fines of £466 being handed out. A recent ramping up of rules and a zero tolerance policy by council enforcement officers has led to a major clampdown on anyone seen not picking up after their dog or not carrying the means to pick up, both of which are a criminal offence. Anyone seen breaking the law must give their details to council enforcement officers, and unpaid fines will be pursued by the courts. The council’s web site explained that Daniel Boothby, of Hereward Place in Scunthorpe, failed to pay a £100 fixed penalty notice after failing to pick up after his dog on Queensway. It went on to say: “The case went to Doncaster Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty and was fined £100 with costs of £326.04 and a £40 victim surcharge – a total of £466.04. “Kim Seager, of Hereward Place, Scunthorpe, received a £100 fixed penalty notice for not carrying poo bags, the means to pick up after her dog, also on Queensway. She did not pay the fine and was slapped with the same amount when her case went before the court.” The recent ramping up of Public Space Protection Order in North Lincolnshire came after residents called for greater protection against nuisance behaviour and more stringent measures against perpetrators. As well as dog fouling it also included new bans on town centre cycling, street drinking and begging.

Lincolnshire biomass business snapped up in multi-million pound acquisition

Tess Egginton
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Lincolnshire biomass business snapped up in multi-million pound acquisition
Flush Energy Limited has looked to Lincolnshire for its first acquisition, as the start-up business seeks growth opportunities in the biomass sector. Flush Energy has secured a multi-million pound funding package comprising private equity investment as well as debt finance to assist with its growth plans, following its acquisition of the business and assets of 3F Pellets Limited (in administration), a manufacturer and supplier of wood-based pellet products including biomass heating pellets. Flush Energy is now focussed on returning the Lincolnshire-based plant to production and targeting further acquisition opportunities. Led by corporate partner, Philip Ashworth, a multi-disciplinary team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP comprising Nicole Waldron (corporate), Samuel Peake (property), Nick Wilson (employment) and Fiona Phillips (tax), advised Flush Energy on the acquisition from joint administrators, Andy Pear and Milan Vuceljic of Moorfields Advisory. Andrew Jackson also advised Flush Energy on the private equity investment and debt finance package. The insolvency and reorganisation team at international law firm Clyde & Co LLP, led by partner Andrew Foster and assisted by Tristan Cox-Chung (legal director), Andrew Robertson (senior associate) and Lily Pidge (associate), were instructed by the joint administrators on the acquisition. Clyde & Co’s corporate team, led by partners Simon Gamblin and Rob Lowe, provided legal advice to the debt funders. Grant Lodge, CEO of Flush Energy, said: “We are delighted to have concluded the acquisition of the Lincoln pellet plant and are making swift progress with getting it back into production and yielding RHI income. “We look forward to continuing to work with Philip Ashworth and his excellent team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors, who we expect to be a key part of our team, helping us with our growth plans in the coming years.” Philip Ashworth said: “We are absolutely delighted to have assisted the team at Flush Energy on its first acquisition. It has been a complex transaction involving various regulatory issues, raising private equity and debt funding. Flush Energy is now well placed to grow the business, which offers a solid customer base from a fantastic location. “It has been a pleasure to act for Grant and his team and we are confident that they will make significant in-roads into the biomass sector over the coming months.”

Parkinson’s UK’s Grimsby support group issues urgent appeal for volunteers

Tess Egginton
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Parkinson’s UK’s Grimsby support group issues urgent appeal for volunteers

Parkinson’s UK’s Grimsby support group has issued an urgent appeal for new volunteers. Local residents are encouraged to get in touch if they can spare a few hours each month to ensure the group can continue to support people affected by Parkinson’s.

The group meets monthly and provides information, support, friendship, and activities to local people affected by Parkinson’s, their families and carers. This support group is in urgent need of new volunteer Group Helpers to ensure these meetings, which are a lifeline to many, can continue.

Volunteers can work flexibly yet still have a big impact and will help to ensure those affected by Parkinson’s can continue to attend the Grimsby support group meetings. Even just a few hours each month can help massively – from meeting and greeting new members, to coordinating group activities, there is much to give to and be rewarded from with these roles.

Rose Crawley, Network Support Officer, Parkinson’s UK, said: “The Grimsby support group is a lifeline in the local area for those affected by Parkinson’s, but unless new volunteers step forward people could be left without the support they need. We have a number of different roles available including helping to plan activities, fundraising, producing a newsletter and keeping in touch with our members.

“If you can spare a few hours a month we’d love you to volunteer alongside the amazing people who are part of this group – with your support we really can change lives!”

Fran Sellers, Finance Contact of the Grimsby Support Group, said: “I get to see the positive impact bringing together local people with Parkinson’s and their families for friendship and support really makes.

“I encourage anyone interested in helping to get in touch – volunteering is a great way to meet new people, have new experiences, and will ensure we can keep this vital support available.”

Around 145,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, including approximately 252 people in Grimsby alone.

For further details about the volunteering vacancies at the Grimsby support group, contact Rose on rcrawley@parkinsons.org.uk or 0344 225 3634.

Government puts more money into Lincolnshire peatland restoration

Stuart Pearcey
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Government puts more money into Lincolnshire peatland restoration
Thousands of hectares of peatlands including two in Lincolnshire are set to be restored with financial help to help tackle climate change and recover biodiversity. The Fens East Peat Partnership will restore over 1,300 hectares of peatland in the Fens East, which includes agricultural peatlands and landscapes already being restored. The partnership will share knowledge and expertise with practitioners facing similar challenges across peatland landscapes. In the Humberhead Levels the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust will restore relic raised bogs which have historically been drained for agriculture or for fuel. Restoration activities will see action to control scrub and improve water level management to improve the landscape. Community events and training days will also be delivered to engage local landowners in peat restoration. The work is part of a Government investment of more than £50 million in peat restoration, building on its pledge to restore approximately 35,000 hectares of peatland in England by the end of this Parliament, and leave the environment in a better state for future generations. Peatlands are an iconic feature of England’s landscape – often referred to as “our national rainforest”. They contain over half of the country’s terrestrial carbon stores and provide a haven for wildlife, as well as supporting better water quality and natural flood management. However, 87% of England’s peatlands, including lowland peatlands are degraded, damaged and dried out, emitting tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. The funding from government will help restore these environments, in turn helping protect wildlife and restore their critical ability to manage water quality and reduce the risk of flooding. The projects being awarded funding stretch from Somerset to County Durham and will see iconic peatland habitat, such as the Great North Bog, Dorset Heaths and the Lincolnshire Fens restored. Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “Our peatlands hold over half of our terrestrial store of carbon, but with just 1% in a near natural state and soils drying out we must take urgent action to prevent further carbon from being emitted into the atmosphere.

“Backed by over £16 million of government funding these new landscape-scale projects will drive collaboration and supercharge peatland restoration across the country to tackle climate change and fight biodiversity loss.”

New £5.5m training centre welcomes first young engineers

Tess Egginton
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New £5.5m training centre welcomes first young engineers
A new £5.5m training centre will launch the engineering careers of more than 60 young learners now it is open for business. The new arrivals at the building at Pioneer Business Park in Stallingborough are among 250 taking up courses at three sites owned and operated by Humberside Engineering and Training Association (HETA). The new centre is purpose-built and provides facilities for electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and fabrication and welding, with an IT suite, classrooms and meeting rooms. It sits at the heart of North East Lincolnshire Council’s £42m South Humber Industrial Investment Programme (SHIIP) area, which is being promoted as a major industrial development opportunity. Iain Elliott, HETA’s Chief Executive, said: “This is the culmination of about nine years of thought, discussion and planning – and more than a few sleepless nights. We couldn’t have picked a worse time to build it. We exited Covid, the war started in Ukraine, material costs were soaring and supply of materials and labour were an issue. But we were only two weeks late and we were on budget.” The total investment is £5.5m, broken down into a build cost of about £4.2m with land purchase, fees and VAT making up the rest. Iain added: “It’s a £5.5m investment in the future of engineering training in North East Lincolnshire and beyond. It’s for those people who are coming out of school and want to take engineering as a career and for employers who need that skilled labour coming through. We know young people are now seeing apprenticeships and engineering and other technical trades as a viable alternative to university.”   Image shows HETA CEO Iain Elliott outside the new centre.

Louth to stage its first food and drink festival on Lincolnshire Day

Stuart Pearcey
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Louth to stage its first food and drink festival on Lincolnshire Day

A new celebration and showcase of Lincolnshire food and drink producers comes to Louth on Sunday 1 October, as part of the town’s inaugural Food and Drink Festival – and it’s already fully booked with stallholders.

The Festival, organised by East Lindsey District Council, will take place on Lincolnshire Day from 10am to 4pm, and will welcome over 60 different stalls to the town centre featuring a variety of different food and drink businesses, primarily from the Greater Lincolnshire area. There should be something for all tastes to enjoy, with products on sale including local cheeses, chutneys, cakes, pastries, wines, beers, tacos, pizza, gin, waffles, fudge, fries, chocolate, ice cream and much more. As well as stalls to buy the delicious delicacies there will also be demonstrations from local suppliers and venues throughout the day, as well as live music and a children’s area, featuring pop-up shows from Rhubarb Theatre performing The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The Festival is being held as part of the Council’s Vital and Viable Market Towns initiative, working with local communities to protect, promote and preserve East Lindsey’s market towns. The Festival is designed to promote the nationally recognised unique food and drink offer in Louth and the surrounding area. Councillor Adam Grist, East Lindsey District Council portfolio holder for Market Towns and Rural Economy, said: “We are immensely proud of the fantastic variety of high-quality food and drink businesses on offer in Louth and the surrounding area, and it will be fantastic to see residents, visitors and traders coming together to celebrate and explore for themselves. “Whether you’re a sweet or savoury person, or if you like a tipple or something non-alcoholic, I can guarantee there will be something new for you to try that is being grown, made, baked or brewed right here in Lincolnshire. I would encourage everyone to save the date and come along to support our brilliant local businesses and producers and help to put Louth and East Lindsey on the culinary map.”

Council closes more shops after illegal cigarette sales

Stuart Pearcey
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Council closes more shops after illegal cigarette sales

Lincolnshire Trading Standards has closed two more shops for selling illicit tobacco – taking this year’s tally to 12 closure.

The latest two shops to be closed on 11 August – The Corner Shop on Eastgate in Louth, and Mini Market Shop on High Street, Boston – mean eight different shops have been forced to close since the start of July 2023.
Issued by the courts, closure orders make it illegal for anyone to enter the shop building, except in exceptional circumstances, and can be issued for up to three months. The service has just had its 29th closure order issued since 2020. The orders cover 19 different shops across Boston, Lincoln, Louth and Spalding – with some stores being forced to close two or three times as illegal trading continued. Principal Lincolnshire Trading Standards officer, Andy Wright, said: “Unfortunately, in most towns in Lincolnshire there are shops that sell illegal cigarettes and vapes. On the face of it, they will often look they sell food items as a façade to mask the true purpose of the shop, which is to sell the illegal products. “Together with Lincolnshire Police, we’re working hard to disrupt the illegal tobacco market in the county. And the Courts have been very receptive to our applications and have granted the maximum closure period of three months in respect of all but one of the premises, which received a two month closure. “There’s a definite link between the sale of illegal cigarettes and other crime. We’re focusing our efforts largely in areas where residents have indicated that they feel at risk from crime and anti-social behaviour. “In some areas, such closure orders have led to a 12% reduction in reported anti-social behaviour and a 16% reduction in violent crime. In short, we’re listening to the concerns of local people and taking action to remove criminals trading in the town, and the related crime they bring. “After the three month closure period has ended, we fully intend to reapply for further closures if the illegal activity is still happening. This is exactly what we’ve done on West Street in Boston where Bucharest, Europlus, and Tatry (now Market Azadi) have all been closed on three separate occasions for a total of nine months each.”
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