< Previous70 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGBest Hybrid Cars Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2019)The new Toyota RAV4 is offered with a petrol-electric hybrid arrangement that delivers a satisfying drive. The car irons out road defects pleasantly, and it should keep everyone content on long journeys. Unsurprisingly, the most significant selling point is its low CO2 emissions. Because they are low, business users will fork out less in terms of tax. But the fresh RAV4 will attract non-business types too because it is a big, safe car with lots of kit stuffed into it. With electric vehicles becoming more popular, the hybrid sector is also expanding. Whether it’s a standalone model hybrid that regenerates its own energy or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), there are more hybrid cars on sale in the UK than ever before. But which are the best? We’ve assembled the finest hybrid cars on sale today. 70-73.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 15:02 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 71COUNTY MOTORINGVolkswagen Passat GTE The VW Passat GTE really is the kind of hybrid car you could drive every day without needing to make any compromises. It can tour for approximately 500 miles on one tank of petrol, and with 31 miles of electric range on a complete charge, the Volkswagen GTE could hypothetically cover most journeys without using a single droplet of fuel. The Passatt GTE’s cabin quality is every bit as decent as in other VW Passats; there’s enough space for five occupants to sit comfortably, and our favoured variant, the Passat GTE estate, has a boot that will swallow all but the bulkiest loads. 70-73.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 15:02 Page 272 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGToyota PriusThe Toyota Prius is one of the best hybrid cars around. This is because it delivers incredible fuel economy, can drive for ages on electric power alone and is so clean it is immune from the London Congestion Charge. As well as that, it has futuristic styling, it is spacious and very comfortable. BMW i8BMW’s i8 is a sporty hybrid car with state-of-the-art exterior and interior looks. The i8’s amalgamation of a petrol powerplant and an electric motor give quick acceleration and four-wheel drive, yet it can go for miles on pure electric clout alone. Yes, it is pricey, but it is still one of the best hybrid vehicles you can purchase. 70-73.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 15:02 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 73COUNTY MOTORINGHyundai IoniqLexus RXThe Lexus RX gets unexpectedly good fuel economy for such a heavy car and it is nicely priced considering how large and luxurious it is. The Japanese vehicle’s cabin has masses of room, and its boot is sizeable too. Hyundai’s Ioniq is one of the most exceptional hybrid vehicles on sale if you are not looking to make an impact. It is inexpensive to run and buy, and it is hushed and comfy to drive. Its rear seat isn’t great for headroom, but the big boot can take a family’s luggage. 70-73.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 15:02 Page 474 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGBudget-conscious people are supposed to look at hybrids, so we had better get this out of the way first: this is a £140,000 car. Think of it as a super-estate for people who want all the power but want to protect the ice caps, too. It is almost a question of where to start. It is frighteningly powerful, producing 680PS and it has a zero to 62mph time of just 3.4 seconds. You will reach 124mph in only 12 seconds, and it tops out at 193mph. Oh, and it somehow manages 94mpg. With a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8. What’s not to like? If you are environmentally minded, it will even do over 30 miles on electric power alone, enough to get you to nearly 90mph. In short, it is brilliant – and that is in no small part down to all the Panamera’s trickery. Its active anti-roll bars limit body roll, and it has ceramic brakes as well as torque vectoring (which sends optimum amounts of power to each wheel). The interior is delightful, filled with futuristic screens. Furthermore, it is very refined to drive – and exceedingly comfortable, despite all that performance under the bonnet. It also has unrelenting grip and, considering it is a big and somewhat heavy four-door estate, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo handles wonderfully. In fact, the most difficult thing to handle is the price tag. Sure, if you are in the market for this sort of car and don’t scoff at parting with £140,000, then that’s great (you lucky devil). But just bear in mind that attaching ‘eco’ to the words ‘performance car’ usually jacks the price up significantly. Someone else can also have a brand new Panamera for little more than half what you will have paid: the entry-level petrol-only model is a mere 75 grand.Courage changes everything Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo Courage changes everything 74-75.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 11:41 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 75COUNTY MOTORINGFast Facts Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo Max speed: 192 mph 0-62 mph: 3.4 seconds Combined mpg: 94.2 Engine layout: 3,996cc 8-cylinder twin turbo + electric motor Max. power (PS): 680 CO2: 69 g/km Price: £139,287 (£158,407 as tested)74-75.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 11:41 Page 276 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYFARM & COUNTRY LINKWith its flat open fields and impressive land mass, Lincolnshire is ideally suited for food production, able to cater to large-scale arable farming and provide ideal growing conditions to a variety of crops. The county is responsible for producing a quarter of the UK’s vegetables, as well as cereals, sugar beet, bulbs and flowers. It’s safe to say that no matter what part of Britain one finds oneself in, there’ll almost certainly be Lincolnshire-grown produce nearby. Not only is the Lincolnshire Wolds a place of magnificent beauty, but it is hugely important for the region’s farming sector. Some eighty per cent of the area is in arable use, with thirteen per cent of that used as permanent pasture. If that seems like a lot, then consider that the Wolds as we know it is the result of generations of farmers and landowners shaping, guiding and influencing the land. Agriculture works in harmony with nature and the Wolds remains testament to that fact. Over the decades, farmers have been left facing growing demand, technological advancement and changes in legislation. A growing challenge of late is the surge in population, both here in the UK and around the globe, which has placed increasing pressure on food systems. Technological developments allow farmers to intensify and scale-up production to meet this demand, with the agriculture sector adopting time- and labour-saving machinery and equipment such as combine harvesters, bailors and ploughs. The last few decades have seen the sector embracing renewable technologies, such as solar panels and wind turbines and, as we’re seeing more frequently in Lincolnshire, installing anaerobic digestors on their land. More recently, however, the emphasis has been on robotics, digital technology and the so-called ‘Internet of Things’. While still in its infancy, this burgeoning sector is transforming agricultural systems around in the world, especially here in Lincolnshire with the University of Lincoln spearheading a robotic farming revolution. But technological change and population growth are far from the only issues facing farmers. Staying abreast of protective measures for diseases such as foot and mouth and bluetongue require a constant vigil, and the threat from hare coursing is far from over despite significant steps forward from landowners and Lincolnshire Police. Farmers must also be cognizant of changes in regulations and legislation or be faced with heavy fines and disciplinary action. One of the impending changes in regulation regards cesspits and septic tanks, which are common on farms across the county. Unsurprisingly there’s already strict regulations in place regarding septic tanks, such as where they can be placed The story of Lincolnshire is the story of agriculture, an industry which has influenced the county’s geography and heritage for centuries. As England’s vegetable drawer and fruit basket, it’s a tradition that continues to this day supporting thousands of jobs and keeping the nation fed. the future of farming76-78.qxp_Layout 1 19/02/2019 09:03 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 77FARM & COUNTRY LINKand where the water that leaves them can go. The latest regulations came out in 2015 and, back then, landowners were able to discharge the separate wastewater from their septic tanks in one of two ways – ether to a drainage field/soakaway system, or to a watercourse. But from 2020, that will no longer be allowed, the reason being that the quality of this wastewater is no longer considered to be clean enough to flow straight into local watercourses without causing pollution. This won’t be shocking news to most, as for a number of years now property owners have not been allowed to install a new septic tank which discharges into a watercourse. However, from next year if a property’s septic tank does discharge into a watercourse, the system must be upgraded. There are two main ways in which property owners and farmers can comply with the new regulations. Firstly, a septic tank can be replaced with a sewage treatment plant. The benefit here is that sewage treatment plants produce a cleaner form of water which is considered clean enough to discharge straight into a watercourse. The second option available is to install a drainage or soakaway system. The benefit here is that the system will take the wastewater from the septic tank and disperse it safely into the ground without causing pollution. Lincolnshire has helped lead the nation’s farming sector into the modern age, both in terms of ability and innovation, a tradition that continues to this day. But our farmers can’t rest on their laurels, with rising demand to contend with and changes in legislation that requires compliance. 78 Á© Shutterstock / OneToRemember© Shutterstock / ShaunWilkinson© Shutterstock / Jonathan Trotter© Shutterstock / mihalec76-78.qxp_Layout 1 19/02/2019 09:04 Page 278 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYFARM & COUNTRY LINKehon-0800328549208003285492mal:sales@allertonuk.comWeb::www.allertonuk.comSEWAGE&EFFLUENTTREATMENTSYSTEMSndSretnssaerdiurloonsenrityDrainpossehoellePumpinonsforSrtaThediiiaIureaswwmsinges,ahereictanillgehevvirestandds,AanttthiuTradine19leeigiltsnfficientttrs.hyyritthemvesoin,pplvinapphtowiiivsofnganoiew.ThnCoeeertxistinikoCenfuoningaetPinnggnaeeSaaandSsTETNewark & Nottingham County Show Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 May Newark Showground Experience a fabulous day out this spring at the Newark & Nottinghamshire County Show. There’s plenty going on inside and out with livestock on show alongside equine events. Meet your favourite farmyard animals, gun days and birds of prey. Children can enjoy the antics of the animals in the Countryside Area. There’ll also be plenty of music, tasty food, shopping and crafts, gifts and clothing and more. Woodhall Spa Country Show Sunday 19 May 2019 Green Lane Woodhall Spa Last year some 10,000 people visited the Woodhall Spa Country Show and with its mix of animal shows, trade stalls and entertainment it’s easy to see why. Returning for this year will be displays of vintage vehicles and machinery, cakes and crafts, livestock displays and much more. Brocklesby Country Fair Sunday 16 June 2019 Brocklesby Park There’s so much to see and do at this year’s Brocklesby Country Fair with main ring attractions running throughout the day. The Countryside Area, meanwhile, offers country sports displays and participation, with all animal attractions offering ‘hands-on’ experience. The Lincolnshire Land Rover Club will be exciting passengers with rides in the 4x4 Area. There’ll also be trade stands, gun dog competition, the Arts and Craft Marquee, and the Children’s Area for the little ones. Lincolnshire Show Wednesday 19 – Thursday 20 June Lincolnshire Showground The Lincolnshire Show is a true celebration of rural Lincolnshire life with an eclectic mix of entertainment, food, shopping, music, horticulture and farm life coming together to create the perfect family day out. Winterton Show Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 July Cemetery Road, Winterton The Winterton Show caters for many agricultural and countryside pursuits involving all elements of local and neighbouring communities. It successfully blends a variety of events appealing to both rural and town dwellers and, as such, draws in crowds in excess of ten thousand. Revesby Country Fair Sunday 4 August Revesby Park, near Horncastle With its mix of trade stands, floral demonstrations, music, animal demonstrations and catering displays, Revesby Country Fair will undoubtedly prove again this year why it remains one of the best-loved shows in the county. Wragby Show & Country Fayre Sunday 1 September Catcham’s Corner, Goltho There’s lots to see and do for the whole family as this annual village country show returns for 2019. Highlights include sheep dog trials, show jumping, horse demonstrations, displays of vintage cars, bikes and tractors, as well as children’s entertainment, cattle, sheep and poultry shows, a must-see dog show and stalls packed with food, drink and gifts. Get stuck into country shows 76-78.qxp_Layout 1 19/02/2019 09:04 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 79GO FOR ITGet active With spring officially here, we have a chance to put away our winter wardrobes and step out into the sun – but why not take it a little further and try something new this March. With March here, the days should be getting warmer and brighter, making it a perfect time to get out there and get active. Whether it’s alone, with a partner or even the whole family, activity helps to keep us physically and mentally healthy, and to improve out quality of life by dealing with issues such as stress, depression and social anxiety. The problem with staying healthy, as scientists and doctors put it, is that it can be unpleasant. It sounds obvious, but researchers are being perfectly candid when they say that one of the biggest impediments to a healthy lifestyle is how unappealing it is compared to, say, vegetating in front of the television or checking out social media. While some lucky folks are blessed to find running around in a circle fun, many of us don’t quite feel the same way. So, what is the solution? It turns out that the easiest way to keep up with fitness and activity is to make it more fun. Shocker. While quite an obvious concept, this isn’t always the easiest thing in the world to do, especially with our busy lifestyles, but that’s why the warmer months and a glut of activities opening for the spring and summer can help. For many of us, sport is something we left behind at school or only watch nowadays on TV, but getting into a sport, or even a hobby, isn’t nearly as complicated, expensive or stressful as one might imagine. Golf, for instance, is a sport beloved by people across the world and over all ages. It’s relatively inexpensive, there are a host of golfing venues in Lincolnshire, and it’s something that © Shutterstock / StockLite79-83.qxp_Layout 1 18/02/2019 15:18 Page 1Next >