< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWEDDINGS - BRIDAL FASHIONLeft: Romantica- Romantica specialise in designingcollections with a huge range of styles and fabrics tosuit all brides and wedding themesMiddle: Pure Bridal- Pure Bridal offers a diffusioncollection of design led, modern and young dresses forthe discerning brideRight: Perfection- These bridal gowns are designedexclusively for Perfection Bridal and Menswear, availablein Lincoln. Pictured is the Portia design.An exclusive range of Bridal Gowns and Bridesmaids, plus ranges from other leading designers. Contemporary and traditional styles, accessories too. All alterations completed in-house.Ladies 01522 522616PERFECTIONBRIDAL & MENSWEARAlso one of Lincolnshire's longest established menswear hire specialists with over 30 years experience. All hire suits held in stock to try on before you order.Groom goes free with five or more outfits.Menswear 01522 533615 31/32 Silver Street, Lincoln, LN2 1EW www.perfectionbridalandmenswear.co.uk58-60_Layout 1 11/12/2014 14:19 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY61SOCIAL SCENEChristmasat theRound TableThe Scunthorpe Round Table Christmas ball took place at GlanfordPark, Scunthorpe United stadium. With a three course meal, raffle,disco and live band, the event proved an incredible success. Ryan & Amber FoxLiam & HannahFox (Organiser)Jonathan & Jacqui Burtonand Steve & Diane GuySteve & JennyStavinBali & Amy KailaAman & Parminder Othi(Organiser)Mark & MichelleRollingsChairman Chaz Hundal and his guestsThe Tig PartyPaul & Debra BoltonKan & Pindy GillAjay Dabra &Anu BhandariPHOTOS BY RICHARD PICKSLEY61_Layout 1 11/12/2014 14:18 Page 162 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYTRAVELChristmas and the New Year has comeand gone, but where will you set yoursights in the next twelve months?Christmas may have come and gone, andwhether you spent the festive period in thecounty or outside it, the new year is a time forthinking of the future – and in some cases,saving up for it!With the economy beginning to even out,families are feeling less restrained to staycations,with research showing a steady increase ofaround 4% in the amount of UK residentstravelling outside the country for holiday periods.Spain remains a firm favourite destination for UKresidents, and in 2014 alone accounted for overeleven million UK visitors. What might come as a surprise is thatMorocco and Tunisia have both been favouredwith huge increases in the amount of UKholiday-makers, with increases in the last fewyears of around 28% and 17% respectively. Thisrepresents the renewed interest the UK market ishaving in these countries, as well as the internalimprovements they have made in efforts to maketheir countries more attractive. This has clearlybeen of some success, and it would be wellworth considering either of the two countries inany travel plans. For those wishing to experience life a littlefurther from home, America continues to be apopular destination, with Canada actuallytopping many recent charts here in the UK.Locations such as Vancouver are proving hugelypopular with UK residents, particularly aroundthe summer and winter periods. Alternatively you could travel east toexperience the Asian culture. These holidays,which often focus heavily on the history andculture of these beautiful countries, have beengaining some popularity over the typical familyholidays – especially for couples withoutchildren, or whose children have left the nest.Japanese holidays in particular are often movingaway from mainstream hotels to allowingfamilies to experience traditional Japanese inns,along with hot spring baths, and exotic cuisine. Whatever location you might consider for this2015 year there is all sorts of exciting and newsights to experience. And for those who arehappy to stay in the county, you can find awealth of shows and tourism events listed inour what’s on pages every month!Planning aheadPlaza de Cibeles with thePalacio de Comunicaciones,Madrid, SpainPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/MAPICSDaigojiTemple Japan62-63_Layout 1 11/12/2014 14:16 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY63With up to £150 spending money* Check out our hot deals on allsummer 2015 overseas bookings The more you spend the more currency we give you.*A JOURNEY INTO SERENITY*Terms and conditions apply. Ask in branch for details.Pop into your local Lincolnshire Co-op branchto make a booking.www.lincolnshire.coop/travelSunset inMarrakesh,MoroccoPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/POSZTOSPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/PIGPROX62-63_Layout 1 11/12/2014 14:16 Page 264 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYThe next time you venture out intoyour garden to give that hedge a trimjust consider the hedge layers. In all kindsof weathers – and it was cold, wet andovercast when I met them – they are outthere taming our hedgerows.What a grand sight it is to see thefinished product framing our fields. Itmight, at first sight, seem drastic to reducea hedgerow from a ten foot wilderness towhat seems like a three or four foot hurdlebut over the years generations ofcraftsmen have honed this skill to suit thewildlife, crops and livestock.You’ll notice most of the brancheshaven’t been cut all the way through butonly partially cut, preventing the shrubfrom dying and allowing sap still to riseand feed the plant. In the spring, theselaid branches, called pleachers, willsprout lush new growth that will reachskywards and form a healthy new hedgewhere birds, insects will thrive. What wasonce an untidy hedge with gaps is nowabsolutely sheep-proof and thick enoughto keep livestock from roaming. The cropthat was shaded all along one side of thefield and didn’t grow well because it wasin the shade will now thrive in thesunshine.The skills can be traced back overcenturies, possibly even from Romantimes. Part of the skill is knowing justhow much to cut into the upright stembefore layering it. The cut must be inline with the hedge and only sufficientto be able to bend the pleacher downinto the new hedge towards thehorizontal so the sap can still rise. Layingthe pleacher horizontally or even lowerwill almost certainly result in that branchdrying out and dying off. The brush willeither be trimmed off or woven into thehedge.The traditional tools used are thebillhook and the axe, but today the job ismade a little easier by the use of achainsaw for the thicker stems. Thebillhook is curved so that it can drag outall the old dead leaves and rubbish thataccumulates in the hedge bottom andallow some light and air in and it alsomakes for a nice tidy hedge.When the work has been completedthere’s quite a lot of old brush and debristo dispose of. It is usually burned off butsome farmers will allow the brush to bepiled up in designated areas so localwildlife can benefit from it. Hedgehogscan hibernate in there, all kinds of bugsCountrycrafts Countrycrafts Our wildlife expert Colin Smale meets somefamiliar faces in the countryYELLOWHAMMER64-65_Layout 1 11/12/2014 14:34 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY65WILDLIFEand beetles will thrive and it can also bebeneficial to crops as a natural pestcontrol in much the same way as farmerscreate beetle banks today.If the hedge is laid once every fifteento twenty years, it will potentially lastindefinitely. Despite the weather, it has tobe a winter job, as during the summermonths birds will be nesting theresomewhere.I was trying to deduce which of ourbirds is most commonly seen in thesehedgerows? Is it the yellowhammer onthe top most branches of the hawthornwhile its mate sits on the nest below, or isit the common whitethroat warbler, asummer migrant that seems to be inevery hedgerow and certainly gives itselfaway with its loud chattering song? Thenthere’s the brightly coloured chaffinchand the greenfinch. All these birdsabsolutely love our hedgerows and arecommonly seen there. During the winterit must surely be the yellowhammer mostfrequently spotted, and in the summer,the common whitethroat.As we hunker down for winter Iwonder where the whitethroat warblerthat I photographed during the summeris right now? In the autumn, they crossthe Mediterranean at Gibraltar and thenthe mighty Sahara Desert and head forthe more lush areas of Africa – no meanfeat for such a tiny bird. So right now itmight be in Namibia or Botswana underthe blue skies and warm African sunshinestaring out from some shrub at a herd ofelephants feeding only yards away. Areyou thinking what I’m thinking? Yes, Iwish I were there too!To purchase photos from any ofour wildlife articles, visitwww.fotolincs.com.CHAFFINCHCOMMONWHITETHROAT 64-65_Layout 1 11/12/2014 14:34 Page 2Things are changing when it comes tothe education of our children. As parentswill no doubt have seen in the news,skilled workers are at an all-time low in avariety of industries. While there is anongoing strategy to draw children intolearning sciences such as biology andchemistry, big renewables companiescoming to Lincolnshire are eager to drawpotential candidates to take part inengineering courses, and perhaps evenapprenticeships once they finish school.Meanwhile the level of mathematicsgraduates is at an alarming low across thecountry. This is not just a national issue, but canThe Government’s focuson STEM subjects couldsee children earning farmore than theircolleagues, if they pickthe right courses. 66 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYEDUCATIONstudents go on to immediately findemployment. To better facilitate this, the Universityof Lincoln have worked closely withSiemens to create a state-of-the-artengineering school. This school is led bya cherry-picked team of first-classacademics and focuses on practicallessons using cutting edge technology.Once more the focus is on tools andtechnology that they may genuinely becalled upon to use in their future jobs –rather than standardised tests and theoryknowledge. Siemens has also sponsored many ofthe applicants to the school withscholarship schemes, content to fundtheir education to have access to skilledgraduates they can use on theirrenewable developments north of theHumber. Scholarships such as these,along with the promise of clearemployment at the end of their coursesare becoming increasingly attractive toyoung people concerned about theirfuture. It’s not just university applicantshowever who are being asked to lookThe team from Kesteven and Sleaford HighSchool Selective Academy receive their awardat the Astellas Innovation ChallengeThe generation gapalso be considered a local issue with thecurrent state of the job market. While itmay seem premature to be thinkingabout full time employment for a childentering secondary school, theGovernment are keen to advise parentsand children choosing their core subjects,to consider a potential future with mathsor science or technology. But according to the renewablecompanies setting up in the UK, the keyproblem is that of supply and demand.There is a key shortage of engineers forthe wind and solar energy industry, letalone the power industry sector – whichwill need up to 34,000 new graduates inthe coming years.Many educational facilities, particularlyfor higher education, are looking to makethe courses more appealing toprospective students, while alsoimproving the quality of their teaching.The goal is to create industry-readygraduates, rather than the students withno work skills that we all hear about. Itcould be in the future that we judgeschools not just based on the grades theyproduce, but also how many of the66-69_Layout 1 11/12/2014 15:24 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY67EDUCATIONthrough high school and into universitycan go on to be some of the highest paidgraduates in the country. Beyond that,the lessons they learn make themattractive to a host of employers in awide industry range, from designingmobile apps, to wind and solar energy,all the way through to medical researchor teaching. The problem seems to be that suchsubjects are being pushed away fromchildren by parents who believe thatchildren will have a more successfulfuture if they study subjects such asbusiness, economics or even sociology. Beyond that is the kind of work somestudents are made to do in their lessons.With mathematics clearly being a solelytheory led course, and with some schoolsnot having access to cutting-edgetechnology that can let them learncoding or advanced computing. This canleave students with lessons that mightappear boring, or too steeped intheoretical knowledge, when actual workin that industry can actually be very livelyand exciting. As such the STEMorganisation is looking to invest and helpschools make the most of their resources,or even offer trips and excursions sostudents can have practical experience. It’s not just industrial jobs that mightbe available though David Cameron hasrecently pledged to boost teachertraining in Science, Technology andMaths with a £67 million investment thatwill see many teachers be sent foradditional training. In addition, schoolleavers will be offered a substantial sumtowards their university costs in return forbecoming a teacher once they graduate,opening up a new potential career pathfor many children. In a world where we are becomingincreasingly involved with the digital era,be it mobile apps, Social media,computer design or just ever-advancingtechnology, children with experience andbackgrounds learning how to interactwith such technology will have a clearcompetitive edge. The STEM initiativeaims to keep the UK at the competitiveedge of technological and researchdevelopment in the global market – andit looks like this generation’s childrencould be the ones to benefit from it.PHOTO: UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLNfurther at these more specialist subjects.Competitions, fayres and education showsare highlighting the kind of excitingthings people might be asked to do inthis kind of work. The Astellas Innovation Challenge tookplace recently, where teams fromsecondary schools and academies aroundthe country, between the ages of 14-16,were asked to design a mobile app toencourage healthy living. The goal of theshow was to increase interest in Science,Technology, Engineering andMathematics, known as STEM subjects. One of the prizes was won by a teamfrom the Kesteven and Sleaford HighSchool Selective Academy here inLincolnshire. The team designed an appwherein stress levels could be monitored,and actions suggested to help peoplecope or reduce stress, and the design wontheir school a STEM education grantworth £1000, along with iPod touches foreach team member. STEM subjects are vital to the continuedsuccess of the UK economy, and theorganisation behind them points out thatchildren who focus on those subjects66-69_Layout 1 11/12/2014 15:24 Page 2Robert de Cheney Boarding House is situated in the grounds of The PrioryAcademy LSST, a top-performing State school in Lincoln. Recently ratedOutstanding in every category by Ofsted, our purpose-built Sixth Form facility isdesigned to offer a smooth transition from school to university, training,employment and adult life.Why choose us?lBoarding House, Academy and Sixth Form all rated Outstanding by Ofsted l93% first and second choice university success rate, with 49% of Y13 students obtaining places in the Russell and 1994 Groups lDesignated Sixth Form support and pastoral stafflModern boarding comprising 60 single en-suite study bedrooms with Internet access and a common room on each floor lNew Sixth Form science centre including planetarium, laboratories and debating chamber lStunning residential centre in NormandylSpectacular sports provision including pool, fitness suite, climbing wall, spinning suite, dance studio and badminton courtsl60-metre indoor sprint track and 400-metre floodlit outdoor track lThriving CCF and DofE programmes“Boarders develop into mature, responsible andsuccessful young adults in a highly supportive andnurturing environment. They make exceptional progressin personal and social development and educationalachievement. The boarding experience matches theschool’s already outstanding educational provision.”Ofsted, November 2014Contact Mr Chris Liston, Head of Boarding, to arrange a visit or to apply for a place in 2015 or 2016The Priory Academy LSST, Cross O’Cliff Hill, Lincoln LN5 8PW Telephone: 01522 889977 l Email: boarding@prioryacademies.co.uk l Visit: www.prioryacademies.co.uk/boardingSixth Form Boarding in Lincoln‘Outstanding’ – Ofsted, November 2014The Priory Academy LSST66-69_Layout 1 11/12/2014 15:25 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY69EDUCATIONFor further details telephone: 01673 866900 Lincoln Road, Welton, Lincoln LN2 3JBwww.williamfarr.lincs.sch.ukWilliam Farr is the only 11-18 Church of England School in the Diocese of Lincoln. Its strong tradition of educating young people comes as a result of Teaching, Learning, Care and Guidance of the highest quality. Academic success and examination results at all levels of ability are outstanding and consistently among the best in the country.Andy StonesWilliam Farr School, WeltonHow long have you been headteacher?I have been a headteacher for three years nowbut have been involved in senior management ofschools for the last decade.What would you say are the most important things about your school?We are immensely proud of the powerful sense of community that exists at WilliamFarr. The staff, the students and the parents share a strong spirit of compassion,understanding, honestly and teamwork which you can sense when you step throughthe door. Our vision is to ensure we provide the atmosphere in which all pupils achievetheir full potential – not just academically, but artistically and creatively. We placestrong emphasis on our school’s charity work and ensure all in the school understandtheir responsibilities as a force for good in the community we work and live.How can we find out more?If you want to find out more, you can visit our website at www.williamfarr.lincs.sch.ukor call us on 01673 866900 and arrange to come and see us.Boarding at The PrioryAcademy LSSTWe speak to Chris Liston, Head of Boarding,The Priory Academy LSSTHow long have you been Head of Boarding?I’ve been in this position since The Priory AcademyLSST boarding house opened in September 2012. Ihave worked in State boarding since 2004 and, from2008 to 2012, I headed up a senior boarding house at Cranbrook School, Kent.What are the most important things about your boarding house?Without hesitation, the boarders. The boarders, their wellbeing and happiness, andour commitment to ensure they can achieve their full potential, wherever that may lead.First-class pastoral care matches the first-class education and facilities at The Priory.How can we find out more?Our website - www.prioryacademies.co.uk/boarding - is a great place to start andhas lots of information, including our recent Ofsted report which gave us anOutstanding rating. You can also also contact us by telephone. Dial 01522 889977,and ask for boarding.More than just aschoolWilliam Farr C of E Comprehensive School prides itself on beingmore than a just school.Of course, the staff take great pride in ensuring the schoolremains amongst the top performing non-selective schools in thewhole of the UK. The school has an Ofsted rating of “outstanding”and exam results are consistently among the best.William Farr also goes beyond being simply a place of academiclearning. They understand the importance of creating a communityin which our students can develop as individuals, aspire, achieveand learn. Everyone is encouraged to unlock and exceed their ownpotential in an environment where every student is known, valuedand nurtured in their own right.All William Farr students consistently achieve high standards ofgrades, behaviour and moral maturity. All pupils are required to haverespect for themselves and one another, consistently developingexcellent relationships between staff, students and parents.The staff at William Farr are immensely proud of their studentsand their school. If you take the opportunity to visit, you willunderstand why.Chris WallsGiles Academy, Old Leake, BostonHow long have you been in your current position?Currently I am the longest servicing Secondary Head inLincolnshire – the Father of schools! During these 23 yearsmy colleagues and I have supported other schools as wellas developing Giles from 400 to 1000 pupils!What would you say are the most important thingsabout your academy?We have the best teachers we have ever had. Most students achieve the Duke ofEdinburgh Award, play Chess and 900 go swimming every week in our 25m pool.Equally as important as developing leadership skills is that Giles is also in the top 25%of all schools nationally for student achievement and progress.How can we find out more?Regular tours are available as well as specialist transition staff for discussions. Visitwww.gilesacademy.co.uk or call 01205 870693 for more information.Meet the Head2015 may well be the year when your child has to make thedecision over what's next for their education. This can often proveto be a challenge – Lincolnshire's schools, while offering equallyhigh standards, all have their distinct atmosphere, and differentstudents will benefit from different settings.The schools' headteachers play a major role in creating the ethosand so in our pages we've invited some of the county's heads toexplain what makes their establishment so special.66-69_Layout 1 11/12/2014 15:25 Page 4Next >