University of Lincoln takes science to the pub
The hugely popular Pint of Science festival returns to Lincoln on Monday 22 May 2023 for a three-day celebration which will take science out of the lab and into the pub.
The aim of the festival is to provide a space for researchers and members of the public alike to come together, be curious, and chat about fascinating research in a relaxed environment.
A dozen researchers from different subject areas at the University of Lincoln will deliver talks over three nights in The Cardinal’s Hat and The Pessimist pubs in the city, covering a range of topics from dog body language to forensic science, and robotics.
Titles of the talks will include “The Secret Minds of Reptiles”, “A Horse in Cow’s Clothing: “The Analysis of Food Fraud” and “Trees for Neurodiversity: Thriving Through Forest School”.
Dr Kay Ritchie, Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology at the University and Pint of Science lead for Lincoln, said: “We’re really excited to bring Pint of Science back to Lincoln for our third year in our local pubs. We’re looking forward to showcasing some University of Lincoln research in a fun and interactive way. With six events across three nights, there’s something for everyone.”
Anna Wilkinson, Professor of Animal Cognition at the University, will give a unique insight into the minds of reptiles, at the Monday night’s event “Understanding Animals”. Speaking about her talk, she said: “Reptiles are generally considered to be sluggish and unintelligent creatures; however, our research reveals that they are anything but. My talk will introduce the audience to the world of reptile cognition, showing evidence of the remarkable cognitive abilities in this group and will consider the implications for their welfare in captivity. This talk aims to get you thinking about what’s going on inside the brains of our scaly friends.”
The Lincoln festival will also include Creative Reactions – a programme where science meets art to produce unique works of art, inspired by scientists’ research. The artwork will be displayed in the South Transept of Lincoln Cathedral between 16 May and 1 June 2023.
Tickets for the Pint of Science talks will be available to purchase from Monday 17 April online: www.pintofscience.co.uk/events/lincoln.
Operation Seabird aims to highlight the need to look out for coastal wildlife
This year’s Operation Seabird has taken place at Saltfleet – just down the coast from Cleethorpes and Tetney – and Barton’s Far Ings nature reserve to raise awareness of our spectacular wildlife.
The Humber Nature Partnership supported the day of action, as the coastline prepares for the Easter break.
Police patrols looked for disturbance and antisocial behaviour – offering advice to visitors about how they can minimise their impact on our coastal wildlife along the Humber Estuary European Marine Site.
Regarded as one of the most important estuaries in Europe for its wildlife and habitats, the Humber Estuary European Marine Site covers the entire Humber Estuary and spans the North Sea from the Spurn Peninsula to north Mablethorpe.
During the spring and summer, the reedbeds and shingle on the beaches support elusive and sometimes rare species such as Bittern, Marsh Harrier and Little Tern during their breeding season.
Over the autumn and winter months, the land and skies around the Humber Estuary fill with migrating birds such as Pink-Footed Geese, with the rich and fertile habitat providing a welcome food source after their long journey from Scandinavia, Iceland and beyond.
Chief Inspector Derek Hussain who is the lead for Rural Crime in Humberside Police said: “Our dedicated Rural Task Force has to deal with a number of reports each year of members of the public on the water, approaching too closely to the wildlife that lives in the area. This includes nesting seabirds and marine mammals.
“The key focus of Operation Seabird is to ensure that members of the public using the waters along the Yorkshire coast and Humber Estuary do so in a responsible way. We want to ensure they keep their distance from the wildlife to prevent intentional disturbance and to safeguard this stretch of coastline, allowing future generations to enjoy the spectacle we see today.”
DC Aaron Flint, Force Wildlife Crime Officer for Lincolnshire Police said: “The Lincolnshire coastline is a very important feature of our amazing county, providing habitat for wildflowers, insects, reptiles, birds and mammals. It also attracts many visitors each year. Unfortunately, each year we receive a large number of reports relating to members of the public disturbing wildlife such as nesting birds or resting seals, damaging the features of our SSSI’s either on foot, using motor bikes/ off road vehicles or airborne vehicles such as paramotors.
“The focus of Operation Seabird is to protect our important coastline whilst also allowing members of the public enjoy it responsibly, this is done mainly through educating the public regarding the need to keep their distance from wildlife to prevent disturbance, stay on footpaths and public areas and not to drive motor vehicles on the sites to prevent destruction of SSSI features. It’s important to note that although education is the main focus of the operation enforcement action and prosecutions will be taken where necessary.”
Jackson Sage, Project Manager for the Humber Management Scheme at Humber Nature Partnership said: “The Humber Estuary is home to up to 140,000 breeding and migratory birds, marine mammals such as seals and Harbour Porpoise, all supported by tens of thousands of hectares of delicate habitats protected under UK law. We want people to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and wildlife we have on our doorstep, but do so in a way that does not come at the expense of the important species and habitats that we are so lucky to have.”
World’s largest festival of public science talks returns to Lincoln pubs
The popular Pint of Science festival returns to Lincoln on Monday 22 May 2023 for a three-day celebration which will take science out of the laboratory and into the pub.
The aim of the festival is to provide a space for researchers and members of the public alike to come together, be curious, and chat about fascinating research in a relaxed environment.
12 researchers from different subject areas at the University of Lincoln will deliver 12 talks over three nights in The Cardinal’s Hat and The Pessimist pubs in the city, covering a range of topics from dog body language to forensic science, and robotics.
Titles of the talks will include ‘The Secret Minds of Reptiles’, ‘A Horse in Cow’s Clothing: The Analysis of Food Fraud’ and ‘Trees for Neurodiversity: Thriving Through Forest School’.
Dr Kay Ritchie, Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology at the University and Pint of Science lead for Lincoln, said: “We’re really excited to bring Pint of Science back to Lincoln for our third year in our local pubs. We’re looking forward to showcasing some University of Lincoln research in a fun and interactive way. With six events across three nights, there’s something for everyone.”
Anna Wilkinson, Professor of Animal Cognition at the University, will give a unique insight into the minds of reptiles, at the Monday night’s event ‘Understanding Animals’. Speaking about her talk, she said: “Reptiles are generally considered to be sluggish and unintelligent creatures; however, our research reveals that they are anything but.
“My talk will introduce the audience to the world of reptile cognition, showing evidence of the remarkable cognitive abilities in this group and will consider the implications for their welfare in captivity. This talk aims to get you thinking about what’s going on inside the brains of our scaly friends.”
The Lincoln festival will also include Creative Reactions – a programme where science meets art to produce unique works of art, inspired by scientists’ research. The artwork will be displayed in the South Transept of Lincoln Cathedral between 16 May and 1 June 2023.
Company fined £2.3m after workers put at risk of death
A major pipeline transportation company has been fined £2.3 million for safety breaches after its employees were exposed to risk of serious injury and even death while working on a leaking pipeline containing petrol under pressure.
Workers at Exolum Pipeline System Ltd, formerly known as CLH Pipeline System (CLH-PS) Ltd, were excavating a suspected pipeline leak in the woodland adjacent to the B1398 and M180 near Holme, North Lincolnshire, between 7 to 10 March 2018. The employees were working in an area where a previous repair had taken place.
The risks arising from the excavation work and exposure were significant. An unknown defect on the previous repair of the pipeline which contained petroleum under high pressure had the potential to form a flammable cloud extending over several metres from the work area, causing those in the immediate vicinity to potentially be covered in a heavy spray of petrol and engulfed in petrol vapour. If ignition had occurred before the area could be evacuated, then there would have been a very high risk of death or serious injury.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found that Exolum Pipeline System Ltd failed to properly identify and control the risks associated with carrying out a pipeline repair.
Exolum Pipeline System Ltd, of King William Street, London, was found guilty of an offence contrary to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and an offence contrary to Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 following a trial at Grimsby Crown Court. The company was fined £2.3 million and ordered to pay £157,431 in costs at Grimsby Crown Court on 24 March 2023.
HSE inspector Mark Leadbetter said: “This incident had the potential to cause serious injury or death to multiple casualties and could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
Spalding company signs £400m deal to supply flowers to Aldi
Aldi UK, Aldi Ireland, and Aldi Süd KG have signed a £400m four-year sole supplier contract for 200 million bunches of cut flowers with long-standing partner JZ Flowers, which operates from sites including Moulton near Spalding.
Julie Ashfield, MD of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “We are incredibly proud of our almost 30-year partnership with JZ Flowers, and are looking forward to seeing the relationship develop further as we grow together. We know that long-term partnerships like this one are fundamental to our mutual success in the UK, and we thank JZ Flowers for their ongoing support as we continue striving to offer our customers high quality products at the lowest possible prices.”
Tessa Zwemstra, MD at JZ Flowers, said: “We are thrilled to extend for a further four years with the new contract. It gives us the long-term security to commit to our growers and make investments throughout our supply chain to ensure ALDI can provide customers with excellent quality, sustainably sourced flowers at the affordable prices it is famous for.”
JZ Flowers has been supplying flowers to Aldi stores across the UK and Ireland for more than a quarter of a century, and employs over 900 staff at its sites in Newport, near Hull, Spalding in Lincolnshire, Naas in Ireland, and Miami in the USA. The company began supplying fresh flowers to the first handful of stores in 1995, and the relationship has evolved alongside Aldi’s growth to see JZ Flowers’ products now sold in over 1,150 stores in the UK and Ireland.
JZ Flowers, who also supply plants to retailers across UK and Ireland, is part of Dutch Flower Group, a unique group of floral trading companies who work together to serve the entire international floriculture chain.
Six years and nine months in prison for Lincoln County Hospital arsonist
A man who set a deliberate fire in Lincoln County Hospital’s A&E causing almost £2 million of damage has been jailed for six years and nine months.
John Gillon Watson, 57, was also given the maximum extended licence period of five years on his release from jail for the charge of arson with recklessness as to whether life is endangered.
Lincoln Crown Court heard how Watson, of Vicarage Court, Sleaford, had entered the hospital as a patient before setting the fire in a room just off the main A&E department in the early hours of the morning on 29 March 2022.
During the investigation, CCTV footage showed a man wearing a distinctive black jacket with Elvis on the back – who was later identified as Watson – in an area which was being engulfed with smoke before he was moved by fire fighters. There were no other people captured on CCTV in the area at the time of the fire starting.
Watson was arrested around 11am that day following a swift response from detectives in Lincolnshire Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
He has remained in custody since his arrest and charge. The investigation also involved arson investigators from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, forensic investigators, and the hospital’s estates and facilities team.
The fire led to the emergency evacuation of the busy A&E department – including sick and injured patients – and carried a huge risk of igniting medical oxygen piping running throughout the hospital. If that had ignited, large parts of the hospital would have been badly damaged. It also led to the instantaneous loss of a CT scanner at the hospital, a machine which can be vital for someone with a serious injury, meaning the potential to treat significant traumas at the hospital was severely impacted.
The Trust declared a major incident as a result of the fire, with patients diverted to other departments at Lincoln County Hospital, as well as other hospitals. In total, the A&E department was closed down for 48 hours, damage to diagnostic equipment meant that more than 3,300 patient appointments for diagnostic tests were delayed.
Six crews from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue were required to tackle the fire. Once extinguished, it was found to have caused extensive damage to the imaging room housing the CT scanner and MRI machine, a mobile ultrasound machine, a computer, bandages, and other equipment, as well as soot and smoke damage to entire department and neighbouring areas.
Detective Sergeant Dave Patten from Lincoln CID led the investigation. He said: “This was one of the most serious and reckless cases of arson we have ever dealt with; the potential for harm should that fire have escalated is unthinkable.
“The impact on the community and the hospital teams has been profound, with patients having to be diverted to other treatment centres, and clean up and repair work impacting the use of a busy emergency department.
“This would have been very frightening for staff and patients, and I hope that today’s sentencing goes some way to providing some comfort that justice has been served against the individual responsible.”
Watson admitted the arson on 20 January.
Man jailed for helping plan a murder in Boston
A man who helped to plan the killing of a Boston resident before disposing of his body into a waterway has been jailed for 13 years and 11 months.
Kamil Zydek had fled the UK once a murder investigation was launched in January 2020. It followed the discovery of a body in the pumping station, Chainbridge Road, which prompted a huge response involving numerous forensic teams, specialists and detectives.
It was one of the largest murder investigations in Lincolnshire for several years, spanning 16 months.
The victim, 41-year-old Marcin Stolarek, is believed to have been assaulted and tied up at a house in Boston before being thrown in the waterway, in November 2019.
Two men had already been convicted for murder, following earlier court hearings in 2021. The motive for the killings has never been fully established.
Zydek never disputed that he was with Ferenc and Kaminski on the night of the murder, but denied his involvement in the killing.
He was stopped by police in the Netherlands in March last year before being extradited. He was then arrested in the UK on suspicion of murder and perverting the course of justice, in May. He had originally denied both charges.
Zydek, 34, of no fixed address, was originally charged with murder but later accepted a guilty plea to manslaughter. He had been found guilty by a unanimous jury in trial last year of perverting the course of justice – after pleading not guilty.
Detective Superintendent Karl Whiffen led the investigation. He said: “Two men had already been held accountable for the murder of Marcin Stolarek, but we knew that there was an outstanding suspect: Kamil Zydek.
“While intelligence told us that he had fled to Europe, we never gave up the search to find him, and more than two years after Marcin’s tragic death, Zydek was apprehended by our Dutch colleagues.
“He was involved the planning, organising, and disposal of the body. He also remained in contact with Ferenc who had previously been jailed for murder.
“He will now spend considerable time in prison.
“This has been an incredibly complex and difficult case to investigate from the start. Our goal throughout was to bring Marcin’s killers to justice and to provide answers for his family.”
In a victim impact statement read at court during the first trial, Marcin’s father said: “The murder of my son caused my heart to break in to a thousand pieces, which will never mend again.”
Another victim impact statement, from Marcin’s mother, read: “I do not know how to put into words my heart-breaking pain…It was he who was supposed to bury me, not I him, although I actually died with him.”
Construction starts on new Gainsborough business park
Work has commenced on a new business park in Gainsborough, which will bring around 50 new jobs to the area.
The new business park, named Wharton Place, is being developed by established Lincoln-based developer and contractor, Stirlin.
Once complete, Wharton Place will see the delivery of over 18,500 sq ft of new employment space across 1.3 acres, with a mix of light industrial units in sizes ranging from 1,270 sq ft – 2,500 sq ft, for a variety of business uses.
Wharton Place is Stirlin’s third commercial development in the area, following the success of their Stirlin Place and Willoughton Place.
The site is located on Foxby Lane, adjacent Lincoln County Council’s Business Centre: Mercury House, with excellent access to major road networks.
All ten units on the development will benefit from allocated parking, an electric sectional door, a personnel door and DDA compliant toilet facility, as well as an eaves height of 5 metres to accommodate a mezzanine floor upon request.
Howard Griffith, Stirlin’s Head of Construction, says: “We are delighted to commence works on Wharton Place. We’re seeing a continued demand for modern, cost-effective industrial space in the area, which has prompted the commencement.
“Our investment in the area is a testament to the town’s growing appeal as a thriving place to live, work and invest in. We are pleased to be able to help facilitate the growing local business base and bring new employment space to the area.”
Jamie Thorpe, Chartered Surveyor for Pygott & Crone, says: “It’s very positive to see the development of Wharton Place being brought forward by Stirlin, highlighting the continued confidence in this sector. The Stirlin team have already delivered two very successful schemes in this location and it’s clear that Gainsborough has been needing new modern business space to accommodate demand in the region.”
‘Late at the Lawn’ – a delectable new dining experience
Lincolnshire Today were keen to visit the new venture by Stokes Tea & Coffee, ‘Late at the Lawn‘, last week, which sees its well-known Lincoln venue on Union Road transform from a day time café eatery to an atmospheric restaurant at night.
The relaxed and cosy dining experience offered delectable drinks and small plates, while staff were friendly and enthusiastic, clearly knowledgeable and willing to offer advice on both the food and drink options, from wine to cocktails.
Alongside a wonderful and warm ambience, the food was fabulous and all made in house with local suppliers, making for an even more memorable evening.
Lincolnshire Today loved its visit, savouring every moment, and can’t wait to return.
‘Late at the Lawn‘ is open on Fridays and Saturdays 18:00 – Late.New energy park proposed for Lincolnshire
A new renewable energy park, which could provide power to more than 190,000 homes is being planned for North Kesteven.
The proposed Beacon Fen Energy Park will be made up of solar and energy storage and is proposed for land east of Sleaford, between the villages of Heckington and Helpringham.
Renewable Energy Company Low Carbon said, if given permission, Beacon Fen Energy Park would generate an estimated 600MW of electricity a year while also avoiding 120,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions annually.
James Hartley-Bond, director at Low Carbon, said: “We are looking forward to speaking directly with local communities about our plans to hear their views first-hand.
“We are currently planning an early engagement consultation so we can ensure residents’ feedback links into the proposals, before holding a statutory consultation which is planned for later this year.
“The UK Government has made clear its plans for the country to reach Net Zero by 2050. Its aim is to increase the nation’s solar capacity fivefold by 2035. If given permission, Beacon Fen Energy Park will be a significant step forward towards reaching this vital goal and securing sustainable energy for the country.”
The project includes building the infrastructure needed to export the electricity the energy park would generate onto the national grid. It is planned this would be via an existing connection point at nearby Bicker Fen.
Mr Hartley-Bond said: “For more than a decade, Low Carbon has been at the centre of the UK’s journey to Net Zero. Through working with local communities, we deliver renewables projects which bring about real change to ensure a cleaner and greener energy industry for all.
“The amount of electricity Beacon Fen Energy Park could generate exceeds 50MW and is therefore classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). This requires us to submit an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Planning Inspectorate.
“We anticipate the development process for the project through to DCO submission and then examination will take between two and three years. Subject to achieving consent, construction would start no earlier than 2026.”
He added: “We look forward to speaking to residents within the coming weeks and introducing them to our proposals.”
