Tuesday, October 26, 2010

FireFighting.............

Learning centre evacuated as firefighters tackle spate of blazes around county

Glass House Farm craft centre
Lynne Newton, of Glass House Farm craft centre and cafe, in Tattershall Bridge, where fire broke out over the weekend.
FIREFIGHTERS were kept busy over the weekend after four blazes broke out in the county.
An electrical fault caused a fire at a learning centre for people with disabilities in Tattershall Bridge.
The Greenhouse Growth project based at Glass House Farm teaches gardening, art, cooking and computer classes.
Four appliances – from Woodhall Spa, Metheringham, Sleaford and Horncastle – attended the scene after receiving an emergency call at 11.46am on Saturday.
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The blaze caused extensive damage, leaving the roof unsafe, but the occupants managed to evacuate before Lincolnshire Fire and rescue teams arrived.
The fault had occurred on the circuit board, which came alight and then spread.
The fire gutted the activity room, the training kitchen and the computer lab.
Owners of the Glass House site Lynne and Keith Newton were away in Sheffield when the fire broke out.
She said: "It is devastating. What is most upsetting is we have had the site for six years and just got it how we wanted it. Now this has happened and set us back.
"We will be running the classes from the cafe for a week and then we will move into a building we are using for storage at the moment.
"Fire and rescue put a lot of effort into saving the cafe, which will be open again on November 2.
"The only reason the fire was caught so early was someone came in to feed our pet lamb, Lamby, while we were away."
The site also houses a cafe and a car sales lot, which will be open as usual.
Keiron Davey, group manager for community fire safety in Lincolnshire, said: "There was quite extensive damage, but we managed to stop the fire spreading to the cafe and a private area nearby and there has been some salvage work done."
In Lincoln, three crews attended a house fire in Coleridge Green, St Giles, at about 6.50pm on Friday.
It was sparked by a candle left unattended, which caused damage to curtains and a bedside cabinet.
Two crews from this incident were then redirected to a fire that had been deliberately sparked in a garden.
It happened in Retief Close, Ermine West, where garden equipment was severely damaged, along with the door of an outhouse. The fire broke out at 7.30pm.
Earlier on Saturday, a flat in Richmond Road, off West Parade, Lincoln, sustained smoke and heat damage after smoking material was discarded.
There was damage to a sofa, cushion and a rug.
A male occupant was treated at the scene and advised to attend hospital.

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It's a DOG'S life.......at Metheringham

Army war hero dog leads parade at fair – then pauses for nap in car boot

Treo
Retired Army sniffer dog Treo with his handler, Dave Heyhoe.
A DECORATED war hero opened this year's Metheringham Fair And Feast – and then went to have a nap in a car boot.
Retired Army sniffer dog Treo led the opening parade with his handler, Dave Heyhoe.
The pair used to serve in the Royal Irish Regiment and now live in New York, near Coningsby.
Sergeant Heyhoe, who retired at the same time as Treo, said: "As the theme for the fayre this year was heroes and heroines, it seemed fitting that Treo open it.
"He has saved countless lives while he was out on patrol in Afghanistan.
"We've been together six years now. I was happy to take part in the opening parade today – I will do anything I can to highlight the work of our armed forces dogs."
Treo was awarded the Dickin Medal – the animal version of the Victoria Cross – for his work in Sangin, Afghanistan, in November 2008.
In August and September 2008, he found two hidden "daisy chain" bombs made out of multiple explosives wired together, potentially saving hundreds of lives.
Despite cold weather the rest of the Fair and Feast, which was held in Metheringham on Saturday, was well attended.
cheerleaders
Members of the Angels dance squad at Metheringham Fair And Feast.

One of the organisers, Dot Howe, said: "The Fair And Feast is always popular and people tend to come in all weathers.
"The Lincolnshire Co-operative won best dressed shop, as staff came in as Land Army workers.
"It is good to see people getting involved."
Community liaison officer with the Metheringham Co-operativeTeresa Bradburn said: "We have had a very positive response from people coming into the shop. We like to get as involved as we can with community events.
"I think things like this bring everyone together and we always try to be at the hub of village life.
"All the different stalls and entertainment mean there is something for everybody and that really helps in getting the community spirit going."
Each year, the event attracts more than 60 market stalls, street entertainers and dance acts.
There were also horse and cart rides around the village.

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Hello Hello Hello.........

Parking fines could be the highest in UK under new plans by county council

Parking fine
Motorists could soon be fined £80 for parking misdemeanours under new proposals by Lincolnshire County Council.
MOTORISTS caught parking illegally in Lincolnshire could soon be paying the highest fines in the UK under new proposals.
Lincolnshire County Council is to seek advice from the Department for Transport (DfT) on whether it can charge offenders £80 for parking misdemeanours.
The Conservative-controlled authority believes it would be the first in the UK to go above the current Government guidelines of £70.
County council officials are developing plans to take control of parking enforcement from Lincolnshire Police and say this penalty increase would save taxpayers at least £250,000 over the next five years.
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Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond would need to give special authorisation if a formal application was submitted. But motoring group the AA believes hiking up fines to raise revenue for the council would be illegal.
County council divisional highways manager Brian Thompson said: "The Government has previously indicated that Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) should not be financially detrimental to local authorities.
"As it stands, the scheme would currently result in a significant deficit for Lincolnshire.
"For this reason, we are planning to approach the Department for Transport to explore the possibility of a rise in the penalty to mitigate the costs entailed."
County council estimates suggest the cost of implementing CPE would be almost £1.5 million over a five-year period if it was run using its own staff.
Using an external company would cost £743,000 during the same time frame.
An application for CPE is expected to be submitted by the county council to the DfT by February next year.
AA head of public affairs and parking spokesman, Paul Watters, said applying to raise the maximum parking fine charge to raise cash was "against the law".
Mr Watters said: "Councils are not allowed to use penalty levels as a revenue-raising exercise.
"It must only be to deter drivers. The council is naive if it thinks it can set penalty levels to raise revenue."
Discussing the issue at yesterday's county council highways, transport and technology scrutiny committee, councillors gave a mixed reception to increasing the fine.
Mr Thompson said it would have a "significant effect" on finances.
He added: "But it would make Lincolnshire different."
Conservative Councillor David Brailsford said: "I am going to suggest we don't go out on a limb. I know there are financial implications, but to charge higher in Lincolnshire than anywhere else would be extremely unpopular."
Independent Councillor Ray Newell said: "What is the argument against getting more money in from someone that is disobeying the instructions? This will either sink or swim. In the financial climate by putting this figure up it's more likely we will be swimming than losing."
But Lincoln Birchwood Tory Councillor Eddie Strengiel said the current financial climate provided its own pressures.
He said: "The current financial situation is a little bit sensitive."

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University of the Third Age - Branston

Went to sign up for the U3A at Branston today. They have a general meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month when a guest speaker presents a talk and all members get to chat, catch-up and share a cup of coffee. Unfortunately we got no further than the reception committee.
The committee - consisting of two formidable ladies - caught us before we could be assimilated into the coffee crowd. Plucked from obscurity, we were then subject to a few questions and the ultimate shame i.e. not being allowed to join the group. And it wasn't our age, nor our looks or our clothes. No - the group is so successful that there is a waiting list for "new" people.
So - we're now on said list with three people ahead of us. I did ask the reception committee how long it would take before we became members and she told me - in no uncertain terms - it depended on "natural wastage". Looking around the room it shouldn't take too long!
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Sunday, October 24, 2010

Metheringham - Didn't they do well?

Westerman bags a hat-trick in Imp's demolition of lowly Cherry Willingham

Paul O'Rouke
Victory's Paul O'Rouke (green shirt) against Welton SSC.
THE nets were bursting in the Sills and Betteridge Lincoln Sunday League this weekend, with three sides recording double figures.
Leading the way with 11 were Division Three leaders Lincoln Imp who thrashed lowly Cherry Willingham 11-0.
A Scott Westerman hat-trick was ably supported by Danny Oxby, Craig Thornton, Ross Simpson and Callum McCall who scored two each.
After going 2-1 down to the previously undefeated Ruston Eagles, the introduction of Stuart Smith for Victory Athletic changed the game in their favour.
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Danny Kent bagged a hat-trick, while Karl HutchinsonPaul Nicholson and Dave Curtis grabbed two apiece to complete a remarkable 10-3 scoreline.
Ivy Tavern completed a 10-0 drubbing of bottom side Branston in Division Two. Joe Ayers was the star with three goals while Fin Lynch and Danny Wells added two each in the rout.
FSC Victory showed their pedigree in the Premier Division as goals from Ryan CreanePaul O'Rourke and Tom McGann gave them a 3-1 success over title rivals Welton S&SC.
A brace from Bob Barnsley was enough for FVA Jerusalem to give them a comeback victory at Scothern, 2-1.
Goals from Rob Coles, Shaun Matthews and Joe Smith earned Hunters Leap a 3-3 draw and their first point of the season against Burton FCW.
Scott Robinson scored the only goal of the game for Swan Athletic against AFC Hykeham while Jon Miller grabbed a late goal for Metheringham to snatch a 2-1 victory at Moorlands Railway.
Horncastle Town move to the top of Division One with a 3-1 win over Royal Oak Washingborough, with Will Carter,Tony Edwards and Pete Ward all on target.
Previous leaders CW Golden Eagle went down 2-1 to Wragby while a much-improved Gatehouse earned their first win of the season with strikes from Martin Langtry, Adam Toyne and Liam Slingsby.
As well as the Ivy, four other sides scored five or more in Division Two.
Tom Hewitt, Craig Barlow and Craig Rothwell, assisted by brother Gary, all grabbed two for Claytons SS as they beat Dynamo Varsity 6-1.
Stuart Denniss scored three for Fox and Hounds in their 6-1 win against North Scarle while The Bull and Ruskington Raiders both registered five.
Division Three saw 44 goals in five matches. Alex Rook knocked in three in Rustons S&SC's 7-0 thumping of Metheringham 2nds to go into second spot.
James Drabble scored four as Welton S&SC Reserves defeated Newton United 5-1and Woodhall Spa came from two down to win 5-2 thanks to three goals from Richard Jackson.
Division Four leaders Cross AFC extended their lead at the top with a 3-2 win at Burtons FCW Reserves. Dunholme went second with a late Matt Starbuck penalty, the game's only goal against The George Market Rasen, while Luke Wells scored twice as Witch and Wardrobe defeated Green Barrel 4-0.
Varsity are top of the table in Division Five with a close 3-2 defeat of Travellers Rest thanks to two goals from Daniel Daubney.
Alex Petchey's goal for Waddington United was cancelled out by Liam Wright as Waddington held Division Five contenders Peter De Wint to a 1-1 scoreline.
Michael Barrand and Steve Ormrod scored The Shed's first goals of the campaign in a 2-2 draw with Poachers.
In Division Six, second-placed Inter FC failed to make the most of AFC Harpars' cup commitments as they were held 3-3 by Shakespeare BBH while Birchwood Leisure earned their first point with a 2-2 draw against Queen in the West.
In the Jock Mitchell Trophy, AFC Harpars were comfortable 6-1 victors over Division Five side Evolution and Joiners Arms eased past Stags Head 3-1.

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Nocton and the Super Dairy........

Cow (Swiss Braunvieh breed), below Fuorcla Ses...Image via Wikipedia

lincolnshire_echo

Three reasons why dairy should go down the drain

I AM most impressed with the coverage you have given to the proposed Nocton super-dairy, both for and against.
I am against the idea for several very simple reasons – smells, carbon footprint and jobs.
If the dairy is only going to reduce costs by 10 per cent, why bother?
Canny Scottish farmers are already achieving such savings with herds of no more than 100 cows by installing robot milking parlours.
Guess what – the cows approach the robot when the cow decides it is time to be milked and choose to do so three times a day.
At each milking, the cow is computer monitored for health and the correct amount of food and, in return, gives the farmer more milk for his bucks.
There are a number of advantages to this approach. The cows can collect their own breakfast in the summer months, there are no problems with the neighbours and no logistical problems in getting rid of the slurry.
There are strict legal requirements to be met when slurry is spread on the land and this can be managed easily with a herd of 100 cows.
However, all sorts of problems – including the weather – would make the task more difficult for 8,000. Hence the potential problem with smells.
Secondly, we, the public, are under pressure all the time to reduce our carbon footprint – in our homes, on our holidays and in our cars.
Yet this project will add hundreds of tonnes of carbon to the yearly ratings.
It must surely be far more efficient to let cows fetch their own food, rather than bring it to them in a lorry.
If a carbon tax is introduced, I hope it is added to unnecessary lorry and tractor miles for tasks such as this.
Such a tax would soon transform an 8,000-cow dairy from being a cash- maker to a loss-making enterprise.
Finally, Lincolnshire has two big industries – farming and tourism.
With an annual value of about £1.6bn, farming is the bigger. Tourism is just a whisker under £1bn.
As far as jobs are concerned, the figures are reversed, with 10,000 in agriculture and 17,000 in tourism.
If Lincoln became known as Stinkin Linkin, tourism would certainly suffer.
A small 2.5 per cent drop in visitor numbers could equate to 425 jobs.
That is why Arrow Rock, Missouri, set up a 15-mile exclusion zone from the town centre for such enterprises, to protect its tourist trade. Lincoln should do the same.
Lincolnshire tourism suffered badly in the last foot and mouth epidemic, so why create unnecessary problems now?
While economies of scale appear great at first sight, I would imagine any business this size would be even more vulnerable to supermarket pressure on price than more flexible, smaller units.
Even with 8,000 cows, the dairy will not have power over the market.
Perhaps the directors of Nocton Dairies Ltd could take a trip to Scotland before submitting their application and see how the canny Scottish farmers make more money out of milk and see how they could revise their plans so we could all be happy.
CHRISTOPHER DARCEL Holmfield, Fiskerton.

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They didn't survey us!!!!!!!!!!!


A national broadband speed survey has found that Lincoln is in the top five areas in the UK with the fastest internet connection speeds.
The survey, carried out by Broadband Expert, collected data from more than 48,000 speed tests across the UK, with Lincoln coming fifth.
For the 446 Lincoln users tested in the survey, the average download speed was 7.36 Mbps.
Internet users in Liverpool recorded speeds of 7.72Mbps, making them the fastest in the UK.
The slowest speeds were recorded in Galashiels and Dumfries with just over 2.8Mbps.
Rob Webber, commercial director of Broadband Expert said: "Our results show that there are vast disparities between broadband speeds across the UK, towns and cities only 50 miles apart differ by speeds of 3.12 Mbps or more."
The disparity is particularly great in Lincolnshire highlighted by a recent race when a carrier pigeon, transporting a video file uploaded to a memory card, proved to be faster than the same file being downloaded to a computer in Skegness.
Setting off from a Yorkshire farm, the pigeon covered a total distance of 120km, while only 24% of the 300MB file had uploaded to the internet.
The broadband speed data was collated by independent consumer site Broadband Expert between March and August of this year, a total of 48,408 test results were used.

They definitely didn't survey the good residents of Nocton!!!!!!!!


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Walking in Nocton and Lincolnshire

rainy walkImage by moionet via FlickrWhen it's a bright Sunny day and it's also a sunday what better than to get out in the Lincs countryside. So with our best walking kit on, proper boots and even a walking stick we walked up to the Ancient woods on the way to Potterhanworth turning on to the secondary road through to Wasps Nest. This was measured out as one & a half miles. We couldn't find a bird sanctuary at Wasps Nest [ perhaps there isn't one] so we found a bridle path we thought would take us back to base. After some treking around the countryside after about another half hour we could see the Church at Nocton in the distance. We passed the cricket field on our way home.
Now the question is : Can we do that walk every other day even when it's raining????????
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