< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY EDUCATION The past two years have seen major disruption to education, but also new solutions adopted. For example, children and adults alike spent a substantial amount of time learning through screens instead of in classrooms. Moving forward, there are a lot of plans for improving education and training in our county, and significant investment is on the cards. The Government’s White Paper on Levelling Up the UK, published last month (February), made a number of promises, with Lincolnshire set to become one of 55 selected Education Investment Areas to raise school standards and enhance education for disadvantaged children and young people. The Education Investment Areas focus on locations where school outcomes are weakest, to target investment, support and action that help children from all backgrounds to succeed. In these Areas, including Lincolnshire, the Department for Education will offer retention payments to help schools keep the best teachers in the highest priority subjects, and the areas will be prioritised as the location for new specialist sixth-form free schools where there is little provision to “ensure talented children from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to the highest standard of education.” Additionally, access will be given to a new pilot programme to improve pupil attendance and schools in these areas that have been judged less than Good in successive Ofsted inspections could be moved into multi-academy trusts, to attract more support and the best teachers. This will be subject to a consultation in the spring. The white paper further sets a new national mission to make sure that 90% of children leaving primary school in England are reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths by 2030. In 2019, 65% of pupils met all three standards and Greater Lincolnshire’s literacy and numeracy skills are below those seen nationally. As highlighted in Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Skills Report, over half of residents aged 16-65 have numeracy levels at or below Entry Level 3 and 15% of the same population have literacy levels below Level 1, meaning it is unlikely they can read short messages or road signs. This emphasises a further need to upskill all residents in basic literacy and numeracy skills. Meanwhile, looking closer at older age groups and adults, there is the wider, commonly reported upon, skills gap - from the digital to technical - which is set to be addressed through the Government’s reforms by putting local employers at the heart of skills provision to strengthen locally accessible institutions, ensure all individuals have lifetime access to training, and present new opportunities to access high quality work and progress in the workplace. The funding of courses and the governance of colleges will also be overhauled in line with employers’ needs. The reforms come as part of a package of measures that will also raise take-up of training across England. This will target 200,000 more people in England to help them complete high-quality training each year by 2030, including 80,000 more completing courses in areas of England with the lowest skills levels. By increasing skills Government says human capital will be improved, which can drive up earnings potential and life chances for people who have already left school. Free, flexible training will become available to thousands more adults to get the skills needed to secure careers in sectors like green, digital and construction as part of up to an Investing in education While the Government singles out Lincolnshire as a key area for education investment, institutions throughout the county continue to propel learning, skills, and training. 60-61.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2022 09:55 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 61 EDUCATION additional £550 million boost to expand Skills Bootcamps across the country. While we wait to see how well the Government’s plans roll out, there have been a number of recent developments in Lincolnshire, set to bolster its education offering, especially in colleges when it comes to creating the much- needed skills local employers require. Boston College for instance is forming partnerships with regional employers to develop engineering skills in line with emerging technologies, has opened Digital Skills Hubs, and in 2021 began work on a new Further Education College in Horncastle. It has also received £244,229 capital funding from Office for Students to support the delivery of the College’s Higher Education provision and secure equipment, with an emphasis on engineering. Meanwhile Lincoln College opened its new Professional Centre for Excellence at the start of 2022, reshaping and repurposing its accounting and HR training, and in September opened its new multi-million-pound Institute of Technology (IoT) specialising in delivering higher technical education with a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects. Grantham College also opened an IoT in 2021, has invested in an Engineering and Construction Energy Centre, due to open in spring 2022, while a £3.3 million new construction centre is being built at Stamford College. Moreover new skills courses continue to be offered in Lincolnshire for adults, and last summer it was announced that the county would benefit from a share of a £65 million Government flagship investment programme to allow selected education providers to respond to local priorities for skills and innovation. This includes the development of courses providing the skills required for future industries, such as those involving new fuel technology, green energy, robotics, artificial intelligence, and electric vehicle maintenance. The Strategic Development Fund, secured in a bid led by TEC Partnership, could see new Foundation Degrees, higher education units and short courses designed in conjunction with employers. © st ock. adobe .com/ JackF © st ock. adobe .com/ Gor odenk of f 60-61.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2022 09:55 Page 262 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING Whether it’s for employees or a fancy new motor for a director, our cars say a lot about us, our company and the kind of image we want to portray. Here are some up and coming motors to cover a range of different styles, all of which we might look forward to seeing in our region. Company cars 62-65.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2022 09:56 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 63 COUNTY MOTORING Aston Martin DBX707 Taking the V8 DBX’s widely acclaimed design, dynamics and driver-pleasing character as its starting point, DBX707 builds brilliantly on those authentic sporting attributes. Every area of the car has been enhanced to boost performance, intensify driving pleasure and amplify its on-road presence. To underline the DBX707’s driver- focussed credentials there have also been some changes and enhancements to the Dynamic Drive modes. “Race Start” is available in GT Sport and Sport+ modes to maximise off-the-line acceleration and truly showcase the enhanced performance. Revised active logic in the all-wheel drive system transfer case achieves greater harmony and precise control between the driveline and the ESP system, for a more natural, sports car-like driving experience. ŠKODA ENYAQ COUPÉ iV Following the successful launch of the ENYAQ iV, ŠKODA is now adding an elegant coupé to the range. The line-up will also include a sporty vRS variant. The ŠKODA ENYAQ COUPÉ iV features an even more emotive design and, displaying sporty lines, generous space and a boot capacity of 570 l. Just as with the SUV, the coupé’s interior features holistically coordinated Design Selections based on modern living environments and using natural, sustainably processed and recycled materials. The clear structure of the choices available, including ten cleverly arranged themed packages and select individual options, make car configuration much easier. Standard features include a Aston Martin DBX707 ŠKODA ENYAQ COUPÉ iV 64 Á 62-65.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2022 09:56 Page 264 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING 13-inch central infotainment screen and the 5.3-inch Digital Cockpit, which can optionally be supplemented by a head-up display with augmented reality. BMW M8 Competition The new BMW M8 Competition Coupé, Convertible, and Gran Coupé represent the pinnacle of the M GmbH model line-up, reinforcing the brand’s strong presence in the luxury segment with their unrivalled blend of performance, prestige and presence. Available in three body styles, the latest edition of the BMW M8 makes its mark with new additions to the range of exterior colours and M light alloy wheels. M lights Shadow Line will be available for the luxurious high-performance models via the Visibility Pack for the first time, opening up extra scope for individualising their appearance. The interior of the new BMW M8 Competition models blend unmistakable M-style cockpit design and modern luxury. The standard BMW Head-Up Display features M- specific readouts. The Setup button on the centre console offers direct access to the settings for the engine, dampers, steering. The new M8 Competition makes its debut in spring. Citroën C5 X The new Citroën C5 X cleverly combines the modernity and appeal of an SUV, the elegance and status of a saloon, and the versatility and practicality of a station wagon. Available BMW M8 Competition Hyundai IONIQ 5 62-65.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2022 09:56 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 65 COUNTY MOTORING Tel: 01472 812130 www.lincsvwa.com Unit 3, Woodside Park, Station Road, Tetney, Grimsby. DN36 5HX Find An Experienced Motor Mechanic In Tetney, Near Grimsby n Servicing n MOTs n Repairs n Brakes & Tyres n Engine diagnostics n Car Batteries n Exhausts n ECU Remapping n Air Conditioning Testing/repairs/Re Gas VW, AUDI, SEAT & SKODA SPECIALIST with efficient petrol and Plug-in Hybrid powertrains, prices for the new C5 X start from just £26,490 OTR. First customer deliveries are expected late spring 2022. In addition to its head-turning looks, the new C5 X offers unrivalled comfort thanks to the Citroën Advanced Comfort® Programme, featuring Citroën Advanced Comfort® Active Suspension and Advanced Comfort® seats, while serenity inside is assured by the multitude of driver safety aids and new 12-inch HD touchscreen with natural voice recognition. The new C5 X is available with a choice of three trim levels ‘Sense Plus’, ‘Shine’ and ‘Shine Plus’, each with the option of Plug-in Hybrid or petrol power. Hyundai IONIQ 5 The Hyundai IONIQ 5, Hyundai’s latest revolutionary electric vehicle, has been named Car of the Year at the Company Car and Van awards. The IONIQ 5 has already won a number of accolades, including Auto Express Car of the Year, Best Company Car and Best Family Electric Car at the Carbuyer Awards, and Motoring Innovation of the Year at the News UK Awards. Priced from £36,995, the sleekly styled Hyundai IONIQ 5 pays homage to the marque’s design heritage whilst placing its focus on delivering the future of electric mobility to customers today. Thanks to Hyundai’s industry-disrupting new Citroën C5 X Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the IONIQ 5 provides faster charging times, increased driving range, enhanced handling, and superior interior space. The modular, flat-floor E-GMP has also enabled Hyundai’s designers to revolutionise the car interior. The IONIQ 5 redefines what is possible with a completely new in-car experience and living space, offering sustainable materials, fully flexible seating, and numerous custom options. Able to charge from 10%-80% in just 18 minutes, accelerate from 0- 62mph in as little as 5.2 seconds and travel up to 298 miles on a single charge. 62-65.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2022 09:56 Page 466 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOLME HALL GOLF CLUB Q&A Here we talk to Andrew Watson, general manager and company secretary at Holme Hall Golf Club, to learn more about the North Lincolnshire- based England Golf Championship venue and its innovative new family membership. Q&A Holme Hall Golf Club Opening up the sport with an innovative family-friendly approach Can you tell us a little about Holme Hall Golf Club? Situated on Holme Lane, in Bottesford, Scunthorpe, Holme Hall Golf Club is one of the best courses in the Lincolnshire area. It is a lovely place to spend time and play golf. We are set on 140 acres of heathland, providing excellent year- round playability, have some beautiful woodland areas, and facilities for everyone. Golfers can play the course, go on the driving range, use the short game area, or hit balls in the swing room. Indoors we have a sports bar with Sky TV and a full restaurant area with conservatory. We have been in business since 1908, and are well known as a championship standard course. Holme Hall Golf Club has recently announced its innovative new family memberships. What prompted this decision? Golf is difficult to justify for an individual with a family. It involves time away and costs which may impact the family’s ability to afford other leisure pursuits. From 1st April, Holme Hall is therefore offering each household the opportunity to pay one fee for two partner adults and any children under 18. A family membership allows the whole family – whether they are already golfers or not – to become a club member and enjoy time playing the game, or just socialising, without this costing a fortune. We believe that this type of membership will encourage more people to get into golf, overcome the cost barriers that have long been associated with the sport (particularly for younger couples and families), and keep more people playing the game. 66-67.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2022 09:57 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 67 HOLME HALL GOLF CLUB Q&A The sport can be difficult to get into and hard to learn, especially for those who have never golfed before. Does Holme Hall offer coaching for beginners? We do. On top of implementing this new membership category, this spring we are launching an academy for beginners, as well as offering “Learn to play golf in a week” opportunities. We are committing to providing frequent beginner and junior coaching, and from April our PGA Pros have booked sessions for this to encourage people to join in and play. There will be an academy membership including regular sessions with the Pros, and there will even be indoor golf sessions for people – especially children – to learn the game in safety and security. Furthermore, one of the big bonuses we have is the driving range which has been a great facility to get people practising and we have many new members who were introduced to Holme Hall via that route. Golf Clubs are often seen as adult- oriented and male-dominated by many. How family-friendly is Holme Hall Golf Club? That is the perception, but golf is adapting to the modern world. It is certainly true that more men than women play, but Holme Hall has signed up to the Women in Golf Charter which is aimed at increasing female participation in golf. We are welcoming to all, and anyone who has been here recently will have seen children learning to play golf and will have noticed children’s activities such as ball pools being used in the clubhouse. We expect our new membership to encourage further women, children, and beginners into golf and in addition, in the clubhouse the menu is being further improved to provide healthier and more family-friendly options. How much is a family membership and what benefits does it grant? From April 1st it will be £870 if you are over 35, £607 for a couple aged 27 to 35 and £480 if you are younger than that. The benefits are membership of the club with full access to play golf, use the practice facilities and the clubhouse. We are a members club and members have the right to have a say in the running of the club. Family Membership only provides one vote and if both adults want to be involved in the club management they would both have to pay a fee. There are other benefits being put in place for family members. We have a spring and summer teaching programme which allows new golfers to “learn golf in a week” or join the Academy. These are all sessions that individuals or family groups can take part in. There are sessions just for juniors, sessions for adult beginners and sessions for both. If you want to learn to play golf then Holme Hall is the place to be this summer. Find Holme Hall Golf Club at Holme Lane, Bottesford, Scunthorpe, DN16 3RF. To contact the Club call 01724 862078. For more information visit www.holmehallgolf.co.uk HOLME HALL GOLF CLUB 66-67.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2022 09:57 Page 268 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY DISCOVER LINCOLNSHIRE Many of us have lived in Lincolnshire for years now, some even for our whole lives, and yet it’s not only visitors and tourists who have the opportunity to discover something new. For every person who was born and raised here, we’ll guarantee there is some secret part of the county they’ve never visited, be it one of Lincolnshire’s many wildlife parks, its display gardens, the Wolds, one of our many stately homes or even just a picturesque and scenic view. Discover Lincolnshire Weekend is part of Visit England’s annual English Tourism Week and is not only a great way to learn more about the county, but a perfect opportunity for local businesses to showcase themselves to visitors. English Tourism Week highlights the importance, value and vast contribution the sector makes to the UK economy to stakeholders including, government, MPs and ministers. Making up 80% of the UK’s visitor economy, English tourism in 2019 generated over £100 billion a year and supported 2.6 million jobs and is a major employer of school leavers and young people, as well as an incubator for entrepreneurs and innovation. As a well-known county and destination for tourism, Lincolnshire has played host to many visitors over the years, and Visit Lincoln are working to help local businesses take full advantage of this. Last year, COVID made the event difficult to host, but Discover Lincolnshire were quick to move the event online, offering virtual tours of heritage sites and historical buildings, while also highlighting fantastic attractions and events, including talks on the Boston Mayflower and some of the first pilgrims to the United States. With restrictions now lifted, the 2022 event (taking place on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th March) is expected to make a splash, with more visitors wanting to get out and come visit than ever before. Being a part of the conversation not only allows local businesses to reap the benefits of visitor traffic sent their way, both in person and online, but also helps to define yourself as a pillar of the community, a regular appearance that will stick in the minds of visitors whenever they think about Lincolnshire. If you want to attend to discover more about the county yourself, however, that’s also fine – Discover Lincolnshire Weekend is not just for business; it’s for everyone, be you a visitor to Lincolnshire or a resident. It’s also a great way to get the kids out during the school holidays, times perfectly on a weekend during the spring break, and with plenty of more child-friendly attractions on offer. Lincolnshire is more than just Discovering Lincolnshire Discover Lincolnshire weekend is taking place this month on the 26th – 27th March, and it’s a great opportunity to get out there and see something new. © st ock. adobe .com/L ucian Milasan © st ock. adobe .com/ dudlajzo v 68-69.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2022 09:58 Page 1Months of fun to come at The International Bomber Command Centre The International Bomber Command Centre is looking forward to a series of celebratory and fun events. Mother’s Day has a free craft morning for youngsters to make that special card and gift, and a vintage home-baked afternoon tea with live music and free bubbly for mum. Easter holidays are always fun with a trail testing your family’s orienteering skills with an Easter Egg for all successful explorers. Learn how to make a map and handle objects from the Centre’s collection. The summer sees a weekend celebrating the Platinum Jubilee with the Jubilee Beacon being lit, a Glenn Miller concert and a Platinum Party; time to put your dancing shoes on! August sees the Centre celebrate its 40’s weekend with vintage afternoon tea, re-enactors, 1940’s vehicles and trade stalls with mission briefings and bomb disposal to add to the mix. All event information and tickets can be found at https://internationalbcc.co.uk/your-visit-events/events/ LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 69 DISCOVER LINCOLNSHIRE SATURDAY 26 AND SUNDAY 27 MARCH 2022 Experience the city, coast and countryside Discover Lincoln’s hidden gems and best-kept secrets Enjoy offers and discounts from local businesses and attractions TO FIND OUT MORE GO TO WWW.VISITLINCOLN.COM/DISCOVER-LINCOLNSHIRE history and heritage after all. We’re a county with numerous fairs, shows, parks and activities – from the sedate to the active and even to the extreme. Why not consider visiting one of Lincolnshire’s many theatres to watch a show, panto or some live comedy? For those who love animals, we not only have numerous wildlife parks but also farms, horse rescues and charities that run visiting days for adults and children alike. We have some of the finest golf courses in the country, an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Wolds, paintballing and airsoft, wakeboarding and sky-diving, not to mention some of the most beautiful high streets filled with independent stores you won’t find anywhere else. Lincolnshire has so much to offer and so many of us live decades or even our lives here without chancing to discover it all, so make it a challenge this month if you can – on the 26th – 27th of March, to get out there and join Discover Lincolnshire in discovering something new about our county. You might just find yourself surprised. 68-69.qxp_Layout 1 22/02/2022 09:58 Page 2Next >