People over 50 encouraged to get active at Horncastle Pool

PEOPLE over 50 now have sole use of Horncastle Swimming Pool on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11am and 12noon, as East Lindsey District Council continues its campaign to encourage the community to get fit and active.

As well as being a good form of exercise, swimming provides people with an opportunity to meet new friends and have fun.

Karen Mortimer from Horncastle Pool explained the change to the Programme: “Feedback from customers suggested that when the 50+ session was mixed with other sessions there wasn’t enough room in the pool for a good swim so we’ve made the changes to ensure our programme continues to meet the needs of our swimmers and everyone can have a great time.”

Swimmers 60 and over can attend the session for free if they register at the Pool as part of the recently launched free swimming scheme.  Swimmers under 60 can swim for just £2.10 or £1.75 with a Keycard.

Saltfleet bridge works to be speeded up

Plans to speed up a bridge reconstruction project in Saltfleet are underway and, weather depending, may see the road re-opened to traffic earlier than planned.

The Lincolnshire County Council scheme to replace Mar Dyke Bridge on the A1031 is currently running to schedule after work began in September to demolish and rebuild the ageing structure.

The council’s contractors, UCS Civils, are now working over weekends in order to open up a single lane of traffic, operating with traffic signals. It is hoped that the road will be fully open again on Friday 13 March, but if current weather conditions do not improve this date may be affected.

Dave Walton, Client Services Manager said:

“The recent change in weather has prompted the county council to speed the project up further, as the effects of the snow and ice may hamper the rebuilding process.

“The county council wish to demonstrate that every effort is being made to ensure effective working programmes are in place to maximise productivity with the view to opening the road as soon as possible.”

Access Mobile: Providing the vital library link

A service that allows people who would otherwise not be able to access their library service to borrow items is out and about in the county. The access mobile provides a vital link between housebound people and the Lincolnshire Library Service. It is particularly useful for people in rural areas, including those who may be housebound through having a disability or caring responsibilities. Councillor Eddy Poll, Executive Councillor for Cultural Services, said: “The Access Mobile is an important part of Lincolnshire’s library service, particularly benefitting housebound people in rural areas. The extension of the service reflects how well it has been received since the introduction of the scheme earlier this year. “The scheme works alongside existing voluntary book delivery schemes, and ensures that no-one in the county is without access to a library service.” For more information on the access mobile and to check if you are eligible contact the Customer Service Centre on 01522 782010. The Access Mobile Libraries deliver a service for those customers who cannot access the existing mobile library stops. The service is for those who are:- 1. Resident outside of the areas served by the home delivery service. (offered by from some static libraries) AND are 2. Unable to access the mobile library stops because they are housebound. This may be due to the customer having a disability or caring responsibilities. OR are 3. Unable to access the nearest mobile library stop because there is no public or private transport available to reach the stop and walking is not possible due to disability, age or ill health. The access mobile is a MAXUS van, and has been specially adapted to hold up to 3000 books as well as CDs, DVDs and audio books.

Children’s Services celebrate young achievers

Lincolnshire’s Children’s Services has been praised by Ofsted inspectors in the latest Annual Performance Assessment, as young people in the county continue to get the best start in life.

The report says that Lincolnshire delivers good performance in most areas of its work and outstanding performance in staying safe, economic wellbeing and service management and leadership.

What do these improvements and successes mean to children and young people? Student comperes Ellie George and Luke Robson from Priory LSST School will introduce high achieving children and young people, as part of a Children’s Services celebration event, at the Terry O’Toole Theatre, Moor Lane, North Hykeham on Monday, 9 February, 10.30am- 12 noon.

The event will showcase the rich talent in the county and will include Luisa Filby, the top performing GCSE student in the country from Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School; Debbie Foote, top national ambassador for sport from the Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School; poetry with Jack Taylor from Nettleham Primary School; music from Freya Franklin from North Hykeham North Kesteven School; students from St Clements School, Skegness; Liarna Burgin from the Care Leavers Apprenticeship Scheme; Jay Harrison from St Bernard’s School in Louth; Parent Support Adviser Dawn Petch; storytelling from primary pupils at The Priory Witham Academy; adoptive parent Angela Lawson; Laura Crust from the Lincolnshire Youth symphony Orchestra; and music from Jazz Vehicle and young musician and teacher Elliott Morris.

Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “The Ofsted report is another testament to the quality of Children’s Services in the county as we are committed to improving opportunities and achievements for young people. We welcome this inspection – it is important that services for children are assessed regularly to ensure they are working well and I am delighted that Ofsted have recognized the good work in Lincolnshire. Integrated Children’s Services has meant better partnership working between all agencies for the benefit of all involved. I am looking forward to meeting and celebrating with a small selection of children and young people who represent high achievement in the county.”

Peter Duxbury, Director of Children’s Services, added: “The purpose of Children’s Services is to ensure that all children and young people in the county are helped to realize their ambitions and achieve their best. We have made good progress, but we are not at all complacent and still have a lot to do. I would like to thank all staff – youth workers, teachers, social workers, other partner agencies and many others for delivering improvements.”

Ofsted’s judgements of the six key outcome areas are:

* Being Healthy: Good
* Staying safe: Outstanding
* Enjoying and achieving (including academic): Good
* Making a positive contribution: Good
* Achieving economic well-being (moving onto higher education, training or employment: Outstanding
* Capacity to improve including management of services for children and young people: Outstanding
* All of which gives an overall score for effectiveness of Children’s Services as Good.

It’s been a great year for examination results which have highlighted the strength of the county’s schools and the dedication of students, teachers, governors and parents. Lincolnshire schools excelled at GCSE with the best results ever in 2008.  On the traditional indicator, 71.1% of all Lincolnshire children gained 5A*-C, a percentage increase of 5.6% compared to an increase of 2% nationally and 5.8% above the national average.

Further details on Ofsted’s findings are as follows:

Being healthy – Good

* The rate of mothers initiating breast-feeding is now above the national average.
* Integrated services through children’s centres have improved the health of vulnerable children and young people.
* Very good progress in providing an integrated child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS).

Staying safe – Good

* The Local Safeguarding Children Board is very effective and provides strong leadership.
* Referrals and assessments, supported by very efficient use of the common assessment framework, are effective and timely and performance exceeds that found nationally.
* Services for children in public care are very good.

Enjoy and achieve – Good

* The standards achieved by young people at the end of Key Stage 4 are outstanding.
* The council takes prompt and effective action to improve schools, including the use of federations, interim and executive headteachers.
* Attendance rates are above those nationally and in line with those in similar councils.
* Fixed term exclusions in secondary schools are lower than those in similar councils.
* The council’s data shows a marked improvement in the provision of at least 20 hours of education to young people who are excluded from school.

Making a positive contribution – Good

* Council promotes the involvement of children and young people in consultation and decision-making.
* A high proportion of children and young people say that they have given their views to school councils and had them heard.
* Well-targeted action by numbers of young people coming into the youth justice system and those re-offending.

Achieving economic well-being – Outstanding

* Attainment of 16 to 19 year-olds is outstanding.
* Very effective partnership working has enabled the development of a broad an flexible 14-19 curriculum.
* Participation in employment, education and training (EET) by young people is improving as a result of very effective advice and guidance.
* The proportion of young people aged 16 to 19 who are not in EET has fallen over the last three years.

Service management – Good

* Leadership of the council and partnership is active and strong.
* There is a strong understanding on behalf of all partners of the vision for children’s services and proven commitment to joint working and commissioning which is delivering increasingly effective, integrated local provision.
* Systems for review of services, reallocation of funding to priorities and performance management are very effective.
* A clear focus on improving outcomes and reducing inequalities has resulted in improvement in a majority of performance indicators over the last year.

Ratatouille provides food for thought

Ratatouille provides food for thought at The Collection Children may think of it as a modern cartoon film about a hungry rodent, but there is a lot more to Ratatouille than meets the eye. Samples of this continental casserole will be available at the Glorious Food event at The Collection later this month. Ratatouille is the perfect way to keep the kids entertained for FREE during their half-term break. And whilst they are there, they can learn about some of the healthy foods that are on show. The Café Rendez-Vous at The Collection will be serving up some delicious vegetarian and vegan food throughout the day. The Lincoln Vegetarian and Vegan Society will have one of several stalls at the event, and will be promoting the diversity of healthy eating. They will be proving that healthy food can be fun and will be giving people an idea of what it is like to be a vegetarian or vegan. The event will also be showcasing the good work of Lincoln’s Healthy Hub, a café that offers visitors a wide choice of healthy and wholesome foods. The hub is also a registered charity that provides jobs for disadvantaged people. Linda Wardale of the Lincoln Vegetarian and Vegan Group said: “We are hoping to talk to people about what it is like being a vegetarian or vegan, and the principles behind our way of life, and to also show that healthy food isn’t boring and can be fun. “We hope that everyone will take away some of the enthusiasm and fun that we as vegetarians and vegans in Lincoln share in our everyday lives and that the food samples available on the day will help to prove that healthy food can be fun”. The ‘Glorious Food’ event will offer visitors the chance to try revolting Roman foods, taste ‘17th Century’ chocolate, see demonstrations of African cuisine. It takes place at The Collection in Danesgate on Tuesday 17 February, and will be open from 10am until 4pm.

Have your say at Horncastle Area Committee

A MEETING of East Lindsey District Council’s Horncastle Area Committee will take place on January 26, 2009 at Horncastle College on Mareham Road at 7pm.

The agenda includes a Public Forum where members of the public can ask questions to Councillors on the Committee.
There will also be an update on community safety focusing on the impact that the Designated Public Place Order has had on the town since its introduction in December.

Other agenda items include the Lindsey Action Zone, Community Cabinet and Parish Cluster Group.

Young people get voting in book awards

The shortlist has been announced for the Lincolnshire Young People’s Book Awards and young voters will have the chance to make sure their favourite author gets the recognition they deserve.

The awards are in their sixth year and schoolchildren across the county are being encouraged to vote for their favourite book from the shortlist.

Every library in Lincolnshire, including mobiles, will have a copy of each of the shortlisted books and will also have voting boxes. Special groups within the county’s primary schools will be working with the books until spring 2009. These groups will also be able to visit libraries to contribute by writing reviews or submitting artwork for their favourite book.

Voting for the awards is split into two categories,  9 to 11 year-olds and 12 to 14 year-olds. Voters will also be entered into a prize draw, where  a full set of shortlisted books could be won for each age category.  Entry details can be filled-in on the voting forms.

John Pateman, head of Libraries, Learning and Inclusion said:

“The Lincolnshire Young Peoples Book Awards are a great way of encouraging young people to  read books.

“The schoolchildren that are involved in voting will have a chance to get to grips with the books, be analytical and challenge themselves with themes.

“We have some outstanding quality in all of the categories this year, and it is sure to be a really close contest.Young people will still be able to vote for their favourite author until 10 April 2009. The winners will be announced next May.

Below are the shorlists for the two age categories.

9 -11 year olds

Title Author

The legend Worst Boy in the World Eoin Colfer

The Great Escape Natalie Haynes

Ottoline and the Yellow Cat Chris Riddell

The Truth Sayer Sally Prue

My Dad’s a Birdman David Almond

12 – 14 year olds

Title Author

The Swan Kingdom Zoe Marriott

Here Lies Arthur Phillip Reeve

Sundae Girl Cathy Cassidy

House fires prompt cigarette safety warnings

Following a number of house fires over the weekend, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue are reminding people to take care with smoking materials. Every three days someone dies from a fire caused by a cigarette in this country.

Garry Speed, Community Fire Safety Co-ordinator, said:

“More people die in fires caused by smoking than in fires with any other single cause. Because tobacco is designed to stay alight, cigarettes can easily start an accidental fire. They are hotter than you think – cigarettes can burn at temperatures of over 700°C.

“People should use their common sense to help keep their home and family safe from fire by making sure when a cigarette is put out, that it really is out! Take care if you smoke when you are drowsy, taking prescription drugs, or if you have been drinking. It’s too easy to fall asleep and not notice that a cigarette is still burning. Don’t light up if you need to lie down. Despite the risk of falling asleep or setting the bed on fire, people are still smoking in bed.”

Other advice includes:

– Be careful when smoking when drinking. Passing out with a cigarette in hand can lead to severe burns, permanent scarring, or even death.

– Don’t leave smoking materials lying around. They can easily overbalance as they burn down, land on a carpet or a newspaper and start a fire.

– Use a proper ashtray. Make sure the ashtray is heavy, can’t tip over easily, and is made of a material that won’t burn. Never tap ash into a wastepaper basket – only an ashtray.

– Take responsibility and keep lighters and matches out of reach of children. Every year children die from starting fires with cigarettes and lighters they should not have.

Gary said:

“The best way to protect yourself and your home is to buy a smoke alarm and have an escape plan in case of fire. Smoke alarms cost from as little as £5 and you can get them from supermarkets and in high street stores. Smoke alarms do save lives. Fit one on every floor of your home and test the batteries regularly.”

People are also encouraged to make a ‘fire action plan’ involving everyone in their home, especially children, the elderly and disabled. This involves making sure everyone who lives or visits you at home knows what to do if there is a fire.

Further information and advice for members of the public on all matters regarding fire safety is available from the Community Fire Safety department on 01522 582222 or email cfs@lincoln.fire-uk.org

Further information about Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, including safety advice can be found at http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lfr The Fire Kills website also provides fire safety information and is available at http://www.firekills.gov.uk

Commissioner visit to Lincoln celebrates children and young people

Children’s Commissioner Sir Al Aynsley-Green is visiting Lincoln next Thursday, 6 November to celebrate the success of Children’s Services and the contributions of children and young people in the county.

Councillor Mrs Christine Talbot, Executive Councillor for Secondary Education and Healthier Communities, and Peter Duxbury, Director of Children’s Services, will explain the context of Children’s Services in Lincolnshire and how children and young people have an important role to play in the development of services. Members of the Lincolnshire Youth Cabinet will also share their views.

Councillor Mrs Talbot commented: “I am delighted that Sir Al is coming to Lincolnshire to see the difference we are making to Children’s Services with the valuable input of children and young people. There are a lot of exciting projects taking place in our schools and it will be good for a national figure to see the sort of excellent initiatives that are really making a difference for our young people.”

Sir Al will then go on to tour three schools and meet children and young people involved in projects that are really making a difference in education.

He was appointed to be the first Children’s Commissioner for England in March 2005. He leads 11 Million, the organization that makes sure adults in charge listen to the views of children and young people. This is celebrated with 11 Million Takeover Day once a year – this year’s event takes place on Friday 7 November, when key managers and councillors will be shadowed by members of the Lincolnshire Youth Cabinet and other young students.

The full programme of Sir Al Aynesley-Green’s visit to Lincolnshire is as follows:

• 9.15-10am – County Offices, Newland, Lincoln
Meets Councillor Mrs Christine Talbot, Executive Councillor for secondary Education and Healthier Communities; Peter Duxbury, Director of Children’s Services; and a member of the Lincolnshire Youth Cabinet.

• 10.15-11.10am – Lincoln Queen’s park Special School
Examples of children with severe LDD engaged in meaningful student participation – portage team in hydro pool; numeracy and literacy work with pupils in school; Sure Start parent and toddler group.

• 11.20-12.15pm – Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School
Year 10 ‘Champions and student researchers engaged in issues based work and improving teaching practice. Media studies project ‘bridging the gap’ between students lives in and out of school and encouraging independent learning. Year 7 pupils who have worked on the school structure with teaching staff and governors.

• 12.45-1.20pm – Monks Abbey Primary School
Lincoln community development project with examples of children and young people’s involvement making a difference – Abbey Ruins development work; current work on playground improvements; family learning projects.

• 1.20-2pm – community walk with David McWilliams, Head of Participation in Children’s Services.

Author Jeanette to present writing awards at The Collection

The Collection is delighted to welcome back the prestigious author Jeanette Winterson to present the awards for its latest writing competition on Wednesday 12 November.

A selection of stories on historic objects have been received and judged over the past year by a panel of judges including the Brunswick Arts educational team. There will be a winner in each of the  four age groups, 5 to 11 years; 11 to 18 years; 18 to 40 years and 40 years plus.  Competition is high, as more than 100 entries were submitted.

Jeanette’s most famous works include Oranges are not the only fruit and The Passion. In 1987, after publishing The Passion, Jeanette became a full-time writer and has since won various awards around the world for her fiction and adaptations, including the prestigious Whitbread Prize. She was awarded an OBE in 2006.

She said: “The Collection is a fantastic museum.  It’s a very attractive place and laid out well, I didn’t know it was going to be so good.

“I get so much electricity and energy from objects – they have been the inspiration for my story.”The competition was the idea of Jeremy Webster, District Manager at The Collection.

He was struck by the fact that archaeologists and writers have something unique in common.

He said: “Just as writers create stories, so archaeologists who discover historical treasures have to build stories about the origins of the objects and the people that owned them to explain their relevance and use.

“With that thought in mind, I invited Jeanette to come up to Lincoln in December, and she had chance to marvel at some of the museum’s wonders.

“She also wrote a short story of her own to launch the competition.

“It is fitting that she is there to give out the awards, as she has been involved throughout the competition.”