Warning as cow dies choking on balloon

Youths in hospital after drinking and taking drugs in the park

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In partnership with Lincoln College, a new Professional Policing Degree, which is a route into police officers roles in the UK, was launched at a Policing College live virtual open day.

The degree programme, which is validated by the University of Derby, will see students cover a wide range of theoretical and legislative subjects – gaining the knowledge they need for a rewarding career in the police service.

Students will also get the chance to serve as Lincolnshire Police Special Constables while they study.

Lincoln College Associate Director of Higher Education Becki Hamnett said: “This is a must for students interested in careers with the Police and it is the first step towards becoming a police constable with Lincolnshire Police.

“You’ll prepare for the fast-moving world of policing by following a curriculum written and licensed by the College of Policing, studying a wide range of theoretical and legislative subjects including investigation, intelligence, serious and organised crime, murder and extremism.”

The Degree is being offered as part of Lincoln College’s new Policing College, which is supported by Lincolnshire Police and G4S.

The Policing College also delivers level two and three technical qualifications to prepare students for police support job roles including; Emergency Call Handlers, Custody and Detention Officers, IT Officers and Business Admin staff.

Lincoln College Head of Service Sector Stuart Reddington said: “The technical courses are a great way to prepare for police support roles, or progression to the Professional Policing Degree. 

“These courses have been co-designed by Lincolnshire Police and G4S and students will get to take part in some amazing enrichment activities with serving officers and support staff, including real public order and counter terrorism exercises.

“Our graduates will be very well placed to progress onto apprenticeships and full-time roles with the Police and G4S”

The Policing College held its first live Zoom open day last week with guest speaker Assistant Chief Officer Andrew White.

See the full Zoom open day event here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=321040199024842&ref=watch_permalink

ACO White said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Lincoln College in the provision of new courses in the Policing College.  In particular, the provision of a Policing Degree course is an exciting development that will provide local students with a chance to train to be a police officer and then be considered for appointment upon graduation.

“Lincoln College and Lincolnshire Police are both embedded in our local communities and I look forward to seeing students studying over the coming year.”

To find out more and apply go to: https://www.lincolncollege.ac.uk/news/new-lincoln-college-professional-policing-degree-launched/

Orlando Cenoj (18), of Eastgate in Sleaford, appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on 23 July and pleaded guilty to possession of a class A drug with intent to supply.

Officers carried out a warrant at his home address on the afternoon of 19 June and Cenoj was arrested after being caught throwing the drugs out of an upstairs window.

Detective Constable Sally Sands says:

“We had an officer at the back of the property who was waiting patiently when a small orange case similar to a kinder egg was thrown from upstairs and bounced off an Audi.

“Inside was 25 deal bags of cocaine so Cenoj was very much caught red handed.”

He was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Co

‘UFO’ spotted in south Lincolnshire

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Lost lions, hidden gateways, suits of armour, the bling of Dark Age warriors, World War One art made from old shell cases and a Skull and Crossbones pipe cast are all part of Lincoln’s first online archaeology festival.

Run by Lincolnshire County Council’s Investigate learning team, from 27 July until 1 August, visitors to the Collection Museum’s website and Facebook pages will be wowed by some of the amazing archaeology found in the county and beyond.

Over the six days, our learning team and curators will take you behind the scenes at the Lincoln Castle, the Collection Museum and the Museum of Lincolnshire Life.

At Lincoln Castle, viewers will be treated to scenes which very few have seen before, including an 800 year old carved hunting scene in the cellar of one of the towers,  a carved lion which once stood in the gateway of the Castle, and explore a hidden gateway over  900 years old.

Viewers will also see some of the finds from the Bath House in the Castle, including pottery and pipes, as well as some treasures from the Council’s stores, including a suit of armour and a golden Thor’s Hammer necklace.

Viewers will also be in the home of one our resident historians for a Facebook Live, looking at a number of WW1 artefacts, including postcards, a diary from the Battle of the Somme, awe-dropping trench art and some WW1 medals.

The festival will also include a sneak preview of our tours of the Roman Posterngate, which is hidden beneath the streets of Lincoln.

The festival, will also including a thought-provoking lecture on the display of pre-Christian religious objects.

Dr Erik Grigg, learning officer at Lincoln Castle, said: “This is set to be such a special festival, and being online has given us the opportunity to reveal hidden objects and spaces at our heritage sites. People will be able to explore all the amazing artefacts we have here from the comfort of their own home. There are so many brilliant things to see, and I hope this encourages people to, when they are able, to visit our heritage attractions to find out more.”

For a full line up of events and content, visit www.thecollectionmuseum.com 

https://www.thecollectionmuseum.com/exhibitions-and-events/view/archaeology-festival1

Residents spending time at home or on daily exercise in the county have made some amazing finds this lockdown.

While gardening in his home, Andrew Deaton from Moulton found a rare type of medieval seal matrix with a depiction of St Margaret of Antioch with the devil (picture 1), whilst André Lopes from Grantham on a walk near his house found a wonderfully in-tact Bronze Age flint arrowhead.

These are just two of 200 finds reported to Lincolnshire County Council’s archaeology service so far this year.

Almost 85,000 objects and over 150 coin hoards have been found in Lincolnshire since 1997, when the national scheme of reporting locally found objects, began. And this year, over 1.5 million objects have been recorded nationally.

Lisa Brundle, finds liaison officer at Lincolnshire County Council, explains: “It’s amazing what people are finding in the county. We’ve seen everything from prehistoric stone axes, Bronze Age sword pommels, Iron Age brooches, Roman tweezers, coin hoards, early medieval cemeteries and medieval buckles to post-medieval bells.

“People come to us with their items, and we work with a team of volunteers from across the county to research and catalogue them.”

Before lockdown, Elliot Luke, 20, from Durham, a student at the University of Lincoln, was a volunteer with the archaeology team. Elliot explains:

“Coins are extremely fun to identify – and there are so many ways to do it – from photographing various angles, changing the contrast on images to highlight details, to just old-fashioned comparisons by spotlight and magnifying glass against old records. It is amazing. For me, it just reinforces how close we are to our heritage, and how important it is that we remember this!”

Dorothy Paterson, 78, from Stow also helps out in the scheme. Dorothy talks about the time she was recording a Roman miniature axe:

“It’s great to have the privilege of recording something that was used long ago; that was last perhaps in the hands of a Roman, Anglo-Saxon or a Viking before it was found. Even common or garden objects like buckles are exciting, but this find was even more special – a Roman miniature axe (picture 2). What on earth was it for?

“After much research I found it was probably a votive offering- which God was it offered to and why? Was there a villa with an altar in that field, or even a Roman temple? Why a miniature? Why a weapon? So, such a little piece led to much reading and thought – really fulfilling for me personally.”

For more information about finds in your local area visit www.finds.org.uk

If you’d like to become a volunteer or to report an archaeological find, contact us via email Lisa.brundle@lincolnshire.gov.uk  or follow the work of her team on Twitter @HistPlacesLincs

Police are investigating a report of animal cruelty in which three sheep have died and eight others have been reported missing.

This incident was reported to have taken place between Friday 17 July and Saturday 18 July at Surfleet Marsh, in between Surfleet and Fosdyke.

They believe a vehicle, possibly a 4X4, entered a field and ran over three of the resident sheep. One sheep died as a result of the collision. One of the other two injured sheep was set on fire while it was still alive. This sheep, along with the other injured sheep had to be put to sleep.

Investigating Wildlife Crime officer PC Martin Green said: “This is a horrific incident that has caused much upset to the farmer. Unfortunately, we do believe this was a deliberate act and we are carrying out investigations to bring the offenders to justice.

“We believe a 4X4 was driven into the field where the sheep were kept sometime between Friday and Saturday. Three of the flock were knocked down and have sadly died.

“The farmer has also reported that eight sheep are missing. We believe these eight sheep may have been chased into the River Welland or they may have been stolen.

“We would like to hear from anyone who may be able to assist with our investigation. Any information no matter how insignificant it may seem, may help us to investigate this cruel act and identify those responsible.”

Police would like to hear from any witnesses, anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area or anyone who has dashcam footage.

There are a number of ways you can report

• By clicking on the email link force.control@lincs.pnn.police.uk- please remember to put the reference 168 of July 18 in the subject box.
• Via the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 168 of July 18.

A construction industry manager has won a prestigious national award for his work building new homes in Newark. 

Chris Laywood has been named as the winner of a National House-Building Council (NHBC) Pride in the Job Quality Award for his‘excellence in site management’ at Ashberry Homes’ Middlebeck development. This is his third NHBC award.

Chris, 39, who was senior site manager at Middlebeck until April this year, has since been promoted to a new role within the company, as contracts manager with responsibility for developments across the Eastern Counties.

Winners of NHBC’s Pride in the Job awards were announced on Friday 19 June, with fewer than 450 site managers out of 11,000 across the UK being honoured with the prestigious industry accolade.

The awards scheme, which celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year, recognises site managers who demonstrate excellence and commitment to producing homes of outstanding quality.

Chris said: “I found out that I’d won my third Pride in the Job award during a work Zoom call, and I was shaking with excitement after receiving the news!

“I believe the success of Middlebeck is due to the excellent management skills of the site’s sales and construction teams. We’re all very committed to our work. The team is 100 per cent dedicated to delivering great quality homes and customer service, and we really do put our hearts into what we do.

“Another reason why Middlebeck is doing so well is because it’s the home to a new Artisan range of properties, meaning the houses here are very well designed with a wide range of buyers in mind.

“Since lockdown – like many builders – we’ve had to face a few challenges at the site, but we’ve been able to communicate and adapt the site quickly to apply the correct safety measures.

“I think it’s important for a site manager to have high standards and be a motivator to their team, and I also think it’s very important to be a people person too.

“The Pride in the Job award is a brilliant achievement not just for myself but for my team too. It feels fantastic for all of us to have won!”

Over the course of nearly a year, site managers across the UK have been observed and judged by NHBC officials.

The judging process for the Pride in the Job awards takes in a multitude of criteria, including consistency, leadership skills, attention to detail, interpretation, technical skills and health and safety.

Christopher, along with other Quality Award winners, will now be put forward for the next stage of judging for a Seal of Excellence award.

For more information on the homes being built by Ashberry Homes, visit ashberryhomes.co.uk.

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Environment Agency outlines measures polluter must take to restore river after incident that killed over 100,000 fish

·         The incident is thought to be the worst river pollution incident ever recorded in the county

·         It’s only the second time a polluter has been tasked with remediation plans by the EA – under the Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2015

·         A separate investigation into the circumstances has now concluded and court proceedings have started; a hearing date is pending

The company responsible for a serious pollution that killed over 100,000 fish has now been told how they’re expected to aid its recovery – by creating new, better habitats within the river and maintaining these for at least the next decade.

The Environment Agency has outlined the measures Omex Agriculture Ltd must take in order to restore the river to its former health, issuing a remediation notice under the Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2015.

It’s only the second time since the legislation has come into force that it’s been used to have a polluter put right environmental damage they caused.

In March 2018, Omex was responsible for polluting the River Witham with ammonia, which severely damaged the river and its ecosystems. The pollution affected over 40 kilometres of river from Bardney to the Wash and killed over 100,000 fish. It is thought to be the worst river pollution incident ever recorded in the county.

But now a plan has been set forward outlining how Omex will help the river bounce back over the next decade.

By the end of this year, Omex must investigate and design a number of habitat improvements to help boost the river’s ecology, such as fish refuges and improved woody and marginal areas to help them shelter, spawn and feed.

Fish refuges are to be installed across half a dozen locations on the river by the end of January, with other habitat improvement works completed by the end of June 2021.

Omex must also look at whether it’s possible to create further backwaters along the river – calm, still areas where fish can breed and shelter, especially when flows in the main river are high – with the intention of completing this work by spring of 2022.

Once the works are complete, the company must assess whether fish populations have recovered, or whether more fish restocking is required to bring the river back to its former state of health.

And Omex will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the improvements for at least the next decade.

Thomas Enright, Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

“We know the pollution had a devastating impact on the River Witham and its ecosystems, but this innovative approach means both its health and habitats will be restored, helping repair the damage done.

“This is a prime example of how we can hold a polluter to account while also keeping the environment at the heart of what we do, for people and nature.”

The initial proposals were developed by the company before being shared with the Environment Agency for scrutiny and expert advice. After a thorough review, final plans have been agreed and the company has 28 days to appeal.

The proposals were finalised the same week as the Environment Agency launched its 5 year plan, outlining how it plans to lead the way toward a greener, healthier future – including by improving more than 4,000 kilometres of river across the country.

Immediately after the pollution, the EA and partners worked tirelessly to mitigate the impacts and have since restocked the river with more than 1.5 million fish larvae and 70,000 roach and bream.

Meanwhile, the investigation under the Environmental Permitting Regulations has concluded and court proceedings have started – a hearing date is pending.

Anyone who suspects a pollution incident is urged to report it to the EA’s incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.