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.”