< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCARINGWhen it comes to taboos there are few moredivisive than the end of our lives. For many inour culture specifically, we do not like totalk about this and what it might meanfor us. Research now suggests,however, that having one’s affairs inorder can improve quality of lifeand reduce stress, and – if theadverts are to be believed – winyou a novelty clock or parkerpen. All comedy aside, death issomething we all must face atsome point and that is unlikelyto change in the future. Whetherit comes unexpected or not, thoseleft behind will be experiencingtheir own grief at the loss of a lovedone, and the last thing a person wantsto leave their family with is funeralplanning, finance and difficulty – right whenthey are struggling to contain their grief. Whenemotions are high and questions are being asked, itcan be difficult for loved ones to band together to arrange afuneral, and it might leave them with a hurried send-off theycome to regret in the future. There are many reasons to planahead and arrange your funeral in advance, not least of all theability to take the hassle out of your loved one’s hands.For those who have final wishes, pre-planning can go a longway to making sure those are followed. Dying matters is aweek that takes place each year in May, and last year researchfound that less than 29% of people have discussed their wishesaround dying, while 82% of younger family memberssuggested they would be open to discussing their loved one’sfinal wishes with them. This is a huge discrepancy and showshow the younger generation are willing to listen, but do notoften get the opportunity. In the same research, 70% of peoplesaid they wished to die at home, yet 60% of people currentlydie in hospitals –often becausethese wishes arenever shared.It’s not just funeralsand plans that ought tobe considered, however, assurveys also show that twothirds of people do not have a willin place. No matter the age of a person,a will is an inexpensive and at times necessarything which can mean the world of difference should a lifecome to an end. Many people who do not pre-plan their ownfunerals leave their family in disaster because they assume theinheritance will more than cover it – only for those that are leftbehind to find difficulties in will readings or legal affairs thatdelay the dispersion of funds until long after the funeral. All ofthis distress can be easily avoided by speaking with a solicitorabout a will in a meeting that might only take a few hours.There are online resources for `DIY wills` available, but many ofthese aren’t legally sound and can lead to trouble further downthe line. It’s always best to talk to a professional on the matter. There are numerous health benefits to ensuring all youraffairs are in order, and these are things which can be greatnot only for enjoying your final years, but also prolongingEverythingin orderDeath is a taboo few wish to talk about but the healthbenefits of doing so, and of having your affairs in order,can dramatically increase quality of life. 60-61_Layout 1 21/02/2017 11:46 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY61CARINGCliff Bradley & SonsFuneral Directors LtdFor a prompt, sympatheticservice from a recognisedfamily businessPrivate Chapel of RestDay and Night ServicePre-paid funeral plans41 Heaton Street,Gainsborough, DN21 2EA(01427) 810619www.cliffbradley.co.ukthem. First of all, doubt and stress are natural when a personfeels they might not have much time left. There are a lot ofconcerns in place and questions about what will happen andhow people will cope once you are gone. While theemotional impact of a death cannot be mitigated entirely,science has shown that the act of fulfilling a loved one’s finalwishes, and of attending the funeral, is important in helpingthe healing process and learning to accept the loss. Thismakes sense, because funerals have been around forthousands of years across many cultures in the world – fromIndia to Rome, Byzantine to modern-day Lincolnshire. For aceremony to have existed so long, it’s clear there must besome benefit to it. It’s not only those left behind who benefit, however, asstudies also show that – even in younger people – there is asense of satisfaction earned in knowing there is nothing left todo. We might all be familiar with this sensation when we havejust cleaned the house, finished some difficult task or simplygotten all of our work done. Relief pours in and we let out along sigh as we realise what time we have left is ours to enjoyas we will. This does not change in old age, and having one’saffairs in order gives much the same effect.Finally, the reduction in the stress one feels over what willhappen can have life-prolonging effects on a person. Medicalrecords have long shown that stress can reduce lifespan, rob usof energy and lead to a lower quality of life. In our final years,stress should be reduced as much as possible – and there’s nodenying the uncertainty of what will happen after death is amajor cause of it.All in all, there are numerous benefits to being candid aboutthe ends of our lives, with nerves and being uncomfortableabout the matter as aspects that deter us. There are noopportunities to change things after the face, however, somaybe it’s time to be up-front about the matter. If not now, then when?60-61_Layout 1 21/02/2017 11:46 Page 262 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYAt around 5 – 7 cm and weighing in at11 grams, few would argue that theharvest mouse belongs at the largerend of the rodent spectrum, but itmight not be common knowledge thatit is, in fact, the smallest in Europe.Don’t go feeling sorry for thediminutive squeaker, as it is Britain’sonly mammal with a prehensile tail,which more than makes up for its size.This remarkable attribute can be usedas a brake or anchor when wrappedaround a stem, making it an ablebodied and nifty little mover. The mouse has another canny abilitywith its impressive talent to sensevibrations through the soles of its feet,meaning it can pinpoint larger animalsin the vicinity as the tremors movethrough the ground and up through thestem of whatever plant it might behanging out in at the time. Plant stems are synonymous with theharvest mouse, but far from offering aphoto-op for a passer-by, these stemsare an integral part of its life. It willconstruct a nest of loosely woven,shredded grass at the bottom of plantRobed in the golden hues of the rising sun and thecorn stems it climbs, the harvest mouse continues toimpress onlookers and captivate creatives. Lincolnshirewildlifestems, under rocks and sometimes evenin abandoned birds’ nests. Its methodconsists of pulling through grasses withits teeth and using the strips to weave anest about the size of a tennis ball. Stems are also a major source ofsustenance, with the mouse scurrying upwith semi-opposable feet to get atquality cereals and grains. It will alsotuck into fruit, berries, grains and fungias well as insects in the winter. But withits stature, the harvest mouse is awalking canapé for the county’spredators, with barn owls, stoats, crowsand cats and more a constant andcommon danger. As the seasons give way to oneanother, the mouse will move on, butwon’t actually hibernate. During thecolder months, though, it will search forfood during the day, while switching tonight again when it warms up. It wears athicker fur in the colder months, whichwill gradually be thinning over thecoming weeks. Breeding season beginsagain in May, so for now the critter willjust keep on keeping on and wait for thespring to roll in. 62-63_Layout 1 21/02/2017 11:48 Page 162-63_Layout 1 21/02/2017 11:48 Page 264 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY LINKLincolnshire remains one of the mostwell-known farming regions in thecountry, and with the food industryshowing a 3% year-on-year increase indemand for fresh produce, farming looksset to continue its trend of constantgrowth. Within Lincolnshire alone theagrifood industry employs around 56,000people, and is worth £2.5 billion annuallyto the economy. The farming industry is not without itsown problems however. Least of all thatsupermarkets and manufacturers arecontinuing to make demands of farmers,for either cheaper, fresher or moreaesthetically pleasing produce. There arealso fears of a skills shortage within theagrifood industry.There are many thoughts on why thismight be the case. Ranging from the factthat many farmers pass their lands andbusinesses down through the family,through to a lack of appeal-factor infarming for young children andteenagers. Either way, with demandincreasing, yet the supply of skilled andtrained farmers not doing the same –there is clearly a problem for the industryas a result. To try and combat this, the GreaterLincolnshire LEP’s Food Board andAgrifood plan 2014-2020 wasintroduced. Promoting agri-technology tothe next generation is a key concernraised, and emphasis will be placed ondrawing attention to the opportunitieswithin the industry in efforts to build ahighly skilled workforce.As part of the efforts to promote theindustry, three projects in Lincolnshirehave been successful in attractingfunding to support pilot schemes fordeveloping Food Enterprise Zones. Thesethree zones will be placed on Europarc inNorth East Lincolnshire, along with azone in South Holland, and another inWest Lindsey. Like other business enterprise zonesspringing up around the country,businesses who operate within theseareas will experience a wide array ofbenefits, both in terms of financial aid,and also business support. This willalmost certainly ensure a wide range ofnew manufacturers come to set up withinLincolnshire, many of whom will ofcourse do business with local farmers. The targeted goal for these zones,along with the other proposals, is todouble the economic value of theagrifoods sector to £5 billion by the year2030. According to Councillor ColinDavies; “There is work to be done beforewe can secure these three importantFood Enterprise Zones, but this pilotfunding is a good start and we’re lookingforward now to building strong cases toenable us to bid subsequently for FoodEnterprise Zone status.” The Council is also doing what theycan to help support local farmers withinLincolnshire, through their SUPPLYLincolnshire programme. A programmein which they seek to develop businesswithin the county by enhancingLincolnshire supply chains. The agrifoods industry might bebooming, but some farmers within theregion are in possession of land that isnot suitable for the agrifoods. And, withsome farming industries not experiencingthe same economic growth – landownersare looking for alternative ways to makemoney from their land. The renewablesindustry might be the new industry theyare looking towards, after a number ofdevelopments have been taking placewithin the county. For farmland, solar panels have oftenbeen the preferred choice, with PV panelsbeing arranged to cover most of the fieldsto store energy which can later be sold tothe national grid. However with theGovernment suggesting that they mightcut some farming subsidies for farmerswho are using their land in such aThe Lincolnshire farming industryfaces problems in the coming years,and yet the prospects for the futureremain positive and profitable. Farmpower64-66_Layout 1 21/02/2017 11:49 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY65FIRST SHOWOF THE SEASONSoleDistributersinLincolnshire,Nottinghamshire&HumbersidePickupcanopiesalsoavailableYouarewelcometoviewourstockofTrailersTel:01526860317Fax:01526861357website:www.scott-trailers.co.uke-mail:office@scott-trailers.co.ukOpeninghoursMontoFri8am-5pmSat9am-12noon•OthertimesbyappointmentHorseboxCommercialLivestockUnbrakedTrailersfromCampingto3500kggrossSales•Repairs•Servicing•SparesYour Ifor Williams Trailer Distributorof Walcott LincolnSole Distributors in Lincolnshire & NottinghamshireSCOTTTRAILERSLSCOTTTRAILERSLTDTDCome and view the new Ifor Williams Eventamanner, the wind industry is becoming a little more popular.Traditionally wind energy has been the most profitablesource of renewable energy, though the initial investmentand maintenance is also higher, and requires a more technicalskillset. The initial investment is, as a result, far higher thansolar. But the potential profit to be made can also be largerover a period of a number of years. Lincolnshire, and a fewsurrounding counties, have as a result experienced anincrease in the number of onshore wind farms popping up onfarmland. If the trend continues, then farmers might be ableto commission their own, or failing that, rent their land outfor use as wind farms. Leaving the capital investment andmaintenance to whichever wind farm manufacturer uses theland itself. For those with arable land, however, the focus is now onefficiency and stability. Many have been hit by unusualweather conditions that have made harvests difficult, whichmeans that farmers need to be able to react quickly tosudden changes and without great loss of produce. Now,more than ever before, a focus on new farm machinery couldbe the solution. Traditionally, tractors and other harvestersmight be kept for some time before looking for areplacement, but that was in an era where the harvest couldbe delayed or it wouldn’t matter too much if it took a day ortwo extra. Now, with the unpredictable weather, speed andefficiency are important – and that is an area where newtechnology excels. No matter the cause or weather, Lincolnshire has been afarming county for hundreds of years and that is unlikely tochange. In a world where global population is fastoutstripping supplies of food, the industry will not be allowedto die. 64-66_Layout 1 21/02/2017 11:50 Page 266 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY LINKCurrency continuesto influence farming profitabilityDespite a slight rise this month,sterling plunged to a 30 year lowagainst the dollar at the end ofOctober last year, and continues to besignificantly weaker than it was againstthe euro. But farming tends to do wellwhen the pound is weak for a numberof reasons.The Common Agricultural Policy isset in euros, and how much money UKfarmers receive is determined by theaverage exchange rate between theeuro and the pound in September. A lowland farmer in England willreceive £33.84 per ha more than lastyear’s BPS, an increase of 18.9%. Ofthis, 16.5% is solely attributed to thefall in value of the pound sterlingagainst the value of the eurothroughout September. The other2.4% uplift relates to the increase ineuro entitlement value for 2016 from2015. “The increase this year will be awelcome uplift for many lowlandfarming businesses, which is mirroredto some extent for both moorland andupland SDAs (severely disadvantagedareas),” said Richard. “The additionalaward is in places a replacement forlost income from environmentalschemes which have not beenrenewed and just reward in light of theextra regulatory burden ofadministration. In any respect, ithighlights the effect of currency onthis subsidy payment, as uncertaintyover its future post 2020 continues torumble on.”The weak currency has also provedwelcome support to commodity pricessince Brexit, enabling export marketsto grow in new destinations for Britishcommodities to be exploited across theglobe.Beef, lamb, cereals and pulses areabove values of this time last year andthere is hope for continuedimprovement in the milk price.“The fundamentals of supply anddemand have not changed and thecurrent over-supply throughout thegrain producing nations has notreduced,” said Richard. “Shouldcurrency markets not be in the favourof UK farmers, the supply and demandbalance would reduce domestic pricessharply. It is estimated that the weaksterling level is supporting the trade by£20 per tonne, a level which isdangerously exposed to anymovements in currency relationshipswith either the dollar or the euro.”“Despite Brexit, we believe the futurein our sector remains positive,providing that we understand thebusinesses we manage and areprepared to adapt in order to meet thechallenges that lie ahead. There willalways be new opportunities in therural sector and Brexit may well bringsome. However, it is more importantthan ever to be ready to react over thecoming few years.”An increase in the BasicPayment Scheme awardsin 2016 was a welcomeuplift for many strugglingfarming businesses, saysRichard Morley of SavillsFood & Farming inLincolnshire.64-66_Layout 1 21/02/2017 11:50 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY67EDUCATIONScientists, philosophers and sociologistshave long grappled with what it is exactlythat makes us human. There’s someconsensus that it’s our ability to choosethat sets us apart from the savageDarwinism of the animal kingdom. Beingable to weigh up the pros and cons of adecision before pursuing a single courseof action is a remarkable feat in humanevolution. Coming of age sees anindividual taking the reins of their livesinto their own hands, adjusting the courseand moving into adulthood. Thisoccurrence is inexorably linked witheducation, where at age sixteen, studentsare confronted with a number of difficultdecisions that will inform the trajectory oftheir lives in the years to come. For teenagers, this can beunderstandably overwhelming, and at atime in their lives where tensions are highand hormones run rampant, it can be likethrowing fuel on the fire. But it doesn’thave to be the all-consuming, matter-of-life-and-death decision it’s often made outto be. Talking things over with parents,68 ÁSchool daysIt’s a stressful timedeciding which path topursue, so whatoptions do youngpeople have when itcomes to deciding onschool, college orapprenticeships?67-69_Layout 1 21/02/2017 11:31 Page 168 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYEDUCATIONContact Mr John Nuttall, Head of Boarding, to arrange a visit or to apply for a place in 2017 or 2018The Priory Academy LSST, Cross O’Cliff Hill, Lincoln LN5 8PW Telephone: 01522 889977 l Email: boarding@prioryacademies.co.ukVisit: www.prioryacademies.co.uk/boardingThe Priory Academy LSSTRobert de Cheney Boarding House is situatedin the grounds of The Priory Academy LSST, atop-performing State school in Lincoln. RatedOutstanding in every category by Ofsted, ourpurpose-built Sixth Form facility is designed todeliver academic excellence throughout theA-Level programme and also to provide asmooth transition from school to university,training, employment and adult life.“Boarders develop into mature, responsible and successful young adults in a highly supportive andnurturing environment. They make exceptional progress in personal and social development andeducational achievement. The boarding experience matches the school’s already outstandingeducational provision.” OfstedSixth Form Boarding in Lincoln‘Outstanding’ in all five categories – Ofstedteachers and friends can help lessen thestress, and lay out all paths on the table.So what exactly are the options?Firstly, the playing field changed back in2013, when it was made law that kidscould no longer leave school at 16 as hadbeen the case for decades. It was nolonger a matter of dropping out orstaying on for sixth form. Of course, therewas still the option of college andapprenticeships to consider, but kidswere, for lack of a better word, forced tostay in school. Evidence is increasingly revealing thatthe normal school schedule just isn’tconducive to learning, at least where kidsin their mid- to late-teens are concerned.For that reason, a number of schools andacademies are taking the initiative andadjusting their timetables, giving olderstudents the opportunity to get moresleep in the morning and come in forlessons later in the day. On the face of it,it may sound like teens are getting a freeride, but studies have shown that in themorning, they’re just not wired to learnand will instead slink into drowsy apathy.But by scheduling lessons later, kids willbe much more alert, be able to activelyengage in the lesson and, crucially, retainknowledge. Surely that’s a betterapproach than the current model. It alsooffers an insight into what they canexpect from university, where lectures willoften take place in the afternoon, or evenevening, preparing them for the yearsahead. By the time they’ve earned theirqualifications and have to get used toearly starts and long hours like the rest ofus, their bodies will have more thanadjusted. No one said that the new law meantkids have to stay in the same school. It’snot uncommon to start a new school for67-69_Layout 1 21/02/2017 11:32 Page 2LINCOLNSHIRETODAY69EDUCATIONJohn Nuttall, Head of BoardingThe Priory Academy LSST, LincolnHow long have you been Head of Boarding?I have been privileged to be Head of Boarding atThe Priory Academy LSST, and to be part of thevibrant and dynamic Sixth Form boarding communityhere, since January 2016.What are the most important things about yourboarding house?That we provide a ‘home from home’ whereboarders feel happy and secure and are able toprogress personally, socially and academically. As a boarding team we goabove and beyond to ensure that we meet the needs of the boarders.How can we find out more?By visiting the boarding section on the Academy’s website atwww.priorylsst.co.uk or emailing jnuttall@prioryacademies.co.uk. Please alsovisit our blog at prioryboarding.co.uk for a glimpse of what makes the SixthFormers here enjoy their time so much.A-levels, and with the number of exciting,engaging and promising academiesthroughout the county, this is becoming amore common occurrence. Noteveryone’s experience of school waspositive, with kids now having even moreto contend with following the rise incyberbullying, sexting and myriad otheronline abuses now sadly commonplace inthe playground and classrooms.Transferring to a new school offers a freshstart, and the opportunity for reinventionwhich, at an age where we struggle todefine ourselves and explore our identity,can be hugely positive and rewarding. Schools and academies are perfectlysuited for plenty of people, with greatteachers and experiences to get immersedin, but it would be short-sighted toassume they worked for everyone. Withthe Government focussing the majority ofits education priorities behindapprenticeships, it’s hard not to stand upand pay attention. In 2015, former PrimeMinister David Cameron pledged tosupport 3 million apprenticeships by2020, bolstering the number createdunder the previous government. Underthe new Parliament – led by Theresa May– however, there has been devastatingcuts of between 30 to 50 per cent toapprenticeships funding. But all is not lost. National ApprenticeWeek (NAW) – which takes place this yearbetween 6 – 10 March – is coordinatedby the Government agency NationalApprenticeship Service, and is designed tocelebrate the positive impactapprenticeships and traineeships have onindividuals, businesses and the economy.The tenth instalment of NAW will bringtogether employers and apprentices fromacross England to celebrate the success ofapprenticeships over the last decade, aswell as encouraging even more people tochoose apprenticeships as a fast-track to acareer. Education is the means through whichwe equip the latest generation with thetools to inherit the workplace and theworld’s problems. The success of thathandover is dependent on the quality ofthat education, so compromise isn’t anoption. With the widening skills shortages,particularly in the STEM industries, it’sclear that there is a fundamentaldissonance between young people,education and industry, and that has tochange.67-69_Layout 1 21/02/2017 11:32 Page 3Next >