< Previous70 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHot from the stands ofGeneva’s 87th Motor showSeriously souped-up SUVs, luxury debuts, concept cars and moreunveilings from mainstream manufacturers than you could possiblyimagine, were just too much for us to pass up on. We are obviouslytalking about the show where top automakers converge and pull outall the stops; in the neutral country of Geneva. 70-75_Layout 1 20/03/2017 09:59 Page 1COUNTY MOTORING73 ÁFrom Ferrari to McLaren, Pagani to Lamborghini, andeverything inbetween. It’s not often you find the latestcars all under one roof, but resisting the temptation todrool over these we first make our way to the Jaguarstand where we see the marques fastest-selling modelever,the F-PACE . We also discover Jaguar’s firstperformance SUV and family sports car has qualified asone of the top three finalist in the World Car Design ofthe Year and overall World Car of the Year (WCOTY)categories.Apparently, a panel of 75 highly respected jurors from24 different countries voted for an initial shortlist ofvehicles before the three finalists were announced at theGeneva Motor Show. The final standings will be revealedat the New York Auto Show, so we’ll keep youposted on that. Our visit to their stand is also interesting aswe learn that for the 2018 model year, F-PACEwill feature more powerful, efficient and refinedengines, with a trio of new powerplantswelcomed into the line-up. Expect CO2emissions as low as 126g/km on the combinedcycle, and a new 163PS four-cylinder 2.0-litreIngenium diesel which will provide better fueleconomy. Meanwhile, on Maserati’s stand, fast carsand slow food were at the heart of theexperience, with Massimo Bottura therenowned three-Michelin-starred chef offeringculinary delights inspired by his love ofMaserati’s Levante, the first SUV in more than100 years of the brand’s existence. Bottura delighted spectators, sharing hisvision, his passion and his journey; as a boy,he grew up with the sound of the engine, aswell as with balsamic vinegar and hisgrandmother’s wisdom in the kitchen, I waswondering what Maserati and Bottura have incommon and as no one else wanted to ask whatthat had to do with cars this was left to yourstruly… who discovered, the two have been partnerssince 2015, and, in November, when the Modena-based chef received his new Levante. To clarify, Reid Bigland, Maserati CEO, explained:“Massimo has shown true genius in expressing amodern or even futuristic vision of this tradition inevery flavour, without ever betraying its origins. Allthis is very close to the Maserati tradition of70-75_Layout 1 20/03/2017 10:00 Page 2COUNTY MOTORINGMore powerful, efficient and refined engines, with a trio ofnew powerplants welcomed into the line-up70-75_Layout 1 20/03/2017 10:00 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY73COUNTY MOTORING74 Ádesigning, developing and building cars here in Italythat can excite and delight their drivers all over theworld.” The new McLaren 720S also made its global debut –this second-generation of McLaren’s Super Series raisespreviously accepted limits of performance in the supercarsector. The Surrey-based supercar manufacturer havebeen teasing readers online in recent months, so thelong awaited unveiling of McLaren’s new supercar nowconfirms both the 720S name and 720PS horsepower ofthe first model in the second-generation.The new M480T engine powering the 720S is said toprovide truly astonishing performance: standstill to100km/h (62mph) in under 3 seconds and just 5seconds more to pass the 200km/h (124mph)mark, with a top speed of 341km/h (212mph).Additionally, the extreme efficiency of theengine is said to go beyond mere velocity:delivering 10.7 litres/100km combined fueleconomy and CO2 emissions of just 249g/kmin the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).As soon as McLaren loan us one, we’ll keepyou posted.There was also news of a new 12-cylinderengine, for Ferrari’s mid engined 812superfast, and Aston Martin’s latest concepts,under the AMR brand (Aston Martin Racing).The Rapide AMR and Vantage AMR Pro, thelatter of which takes race technology andtransfers it to road cars, so there’s one towatch out for. The Rapide however will havea run of only 210 cars so if you want oneyou’d best get your name down fast. There was also Singapore’s first-ever hypercar,the Dendrobium, which made its world debut inGeneva - The brainchild of electric mobility expertsVanda Electrics, the Dendrobium is a two seater all-electric sports car concept, which features a strikingdesign and a top speed in excess of 200mph.Specialising in battery technology, research,innovation and design, Vanda Electrics is one ofSingapore’s leading e-mobility companies. Itsrevolutionary strategy is to develop a range of globalelectric products that capitalize on the trend towardszero emission mobility and focus on three keysegments: luxury, consumer and industrial.With the launch of a fast-charging zero emissionelectric light commercial vehicle and electric miniscooter taking place later this year, the company chose70-75_Layout 1 20/03/2017 10:00 Page 474 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGthe 2017 Geneva Motor Show to unveil its mostexciting model yet, a high performance halo productthat will sit in the luxury sector.Enough of exotica though, what about the rest of usmere mortals? Well, on Volvo Cars stand, we got aglimpse of the long-awaited replacement for the XC60(a brave move by Volvo given the their outgoing modelis best-selling premium mid-sized SUV in Europe). Volvo seem confident however the uptake on the newmodel will be just as good as the new XC60, offersVolvo’s award-winning T8 Twin Engine petrol plug-inhybrid at the top of the powertrain range, delivering407 hp and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 5.3seconds. There’s improvements on the inside too with“new CleanZone four-zone climate control systemremoves harmful pollutants and particlesfrom outside the cabin to deliverScandinavian-fresh air on the inside” andexterior wise a more athletic look. Subaru’s all-new XV was on show too - acrossover which combines a compact bodywith SUV capability based on Subaru’scharacteristic rugged design with itsSymmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Inaddition to a lighter engine and improvedlineatronic transmission with 7 speed manualmode, readers can also expect revised body-hugging seats, an 8 inch touch screeninfotainment display, detailed orange stitchingon the instrument panel and improvements tothe interior design. Hopefully we’ll be testingone very soon so you’ll have our low down onthis too. Meanwhile Audi revealed the all-new RS 5Coupé powerede by a new lighter V6 biturboTFSI, which has been developed from the groundup and provides significantly more performancecoupled with higher efficiency. Thanks to two turbochargers fitted between thebanks of cylinders, the new 2.9 TFSI biturboengine produces 450PS and delivers 600 Nmwhich in layman’s terms means 0 to 60mph inunder 3.9 seconds and a top speed of up to174mph.On VW’s stand was the new Arteon - the newpremium class model for people who want afive-door fastback with an accomplished, elegantdesign and progressive technologyAnd, on Honda’s stand, was their NeuV(pronounced “new-vee”) pure-electric concept70-75_Layout 1 20/03/2017 10:00 Page 5COUNTY MOTORINGHonda’s all new Civic Type Rwas revealed - powered by an improvedversion of ole old 2.0-litre VTEC turbocar, which is said to be a state-of-the-art ‘emotionengine’ that can learn about its driver and function asan automated ride sharing vehicle when the owner isnot using the car. For instance, given that mostvehicles arent used 95% of the time this one wouldpick up and drop off customers at local destinations,and could also sell energy back to the electric gridduring times of high demand, further monetising thevehicle’s down time.Whether that’ll ever come to fruition is up fordebate but one that has made it into productionis Honda’s all-new Civic Type R was revealed –powered by an improved version of the old 2.0-litre VTEC turbo and refinments to the six-speedmanual transmission, the new model is said todeliver the most rewarding drive in the hothatch segment – this is thanks also to a morecomprehensive aerodynamic package than theprevious model, say Honda.And let’s not forget the music lovers outthere, who will no doubt welcome with openarm the premium new limited edition of theall-new Nissan Micra aptly named the MicraBOSE Personal Edition. As the car’s name suggests, its specificationhas been created to celebrate Nissan’scollaboration with BOSE, premium audiopartner on the all-new Micra and will have alimited production run of only 3,000 acrossthe whole of Europe.It comes with the unique-to-Micra BOSE Personalsound system, with twin BOSE UltraNearfield™speakers built into the driver’s seat head rest. Thisinnovative design, combined with BOSE signalprocessing, provides a spacious and immersive 360°listening experience for the driver. The sound canalso be personalised to suit the driver’s tastes with thehelp of the BOSE PersonalSpace Control feature builtinto the Micra’s audio settings. It provides anadjustable range of options, from a precise and front-focused sound to a much wider and envelopingexperience. As always, we’ll keep readers up to date on howwell these cars once we get our hands on them. 70-75_Layout 1 20/03/2017 10:00 Page 6LincolnshireheritageexploredThe present day village is dominated by twoexceptional buildings St Peter and St Paul’s churchand the mediaeval castle. But first somebackground history.The surrounding area has been occupied sinceprehistoric times something that was firstestablished in 1887. To the southeast OldBolingbroke is overshadowed by Hall Hill, nowknown to have been a prehistoric settlement fromat least 4,000BC. Mesolithic flints have beenfound there and so have Neolithic (pre 2,000BC)arrowheads and pottery. These are succeeded byBronze Age, Romano-British and Saxon artefacts,including pottery, beads and funerary urns. (TheOrdnance Survey map shows a footpath alongthe top of the hill.)The village takes its name from the Old Englishfor “Bulla’s Brook” the stream that still flowsthrough the village. There has been a churchhere from at least the time of the DomesdayBook for one is mentioned in it. It was largelyrebuilt at the behest of John of Gaunt and wouldhave been constructed on an imposing scale.The south aisle of John’s church survives as thepresent nave and chancel with a new north aisle(i.e. where the nave once was) added in 1890.This leaves the west tower in an unusual offsetposition. Incidentally the gargoyles by the southdoor are believed to be of John of Gaunt’sparents.One curiosity in the churchyard is an isolatedgatepost by the northwest gate, which on closeexamination reveals itself to be of stone notwood. It is the gravestone of a carpenter, JohnGraves, who wanted a reminder of his work tobe put over his burial place. There is also aMethodist chapel where William Marwood thecobbler and Lincolnshire hangman, who had ashop in the village for a while, once preached.Close by the church a large shield bearingthe Lancaster arms is mounted above arosebed. These are roses of Provins, sometimesknown as the Apothecary’s or Old Red DamaskRose. Provins is a French town and EdmundOf Lincolnshire’s many historicvillages not many come with asmuch history as Old Bolingbroke.We visit to explore.76-77_Layout 1 20/03/2017 10:01 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY77drawing of the castlelayout. Other information boardsindicate the sites of the great hall andkitchens etc. There is still water in themoat, originally some ninety feet widethat surrounded the twelve feet thickcurtain walls. These still stand to a similarheight but in dry weather it is possible towalk round the outside of them. Thesurviving walls and tower bases were oncealmost entirely grassed over but they havebeen revealed again and excavationsbetween 1965 and 1973 have allowedthe full extent of the castle plan to beascertained. To the south there areextensive earthworks in the middle ofwhich a prominent rectangularembankment can be seen. This is the siteof the Rout Yard – an area for keepingand grazing livestock. The purpose of thecentral embankment is uncertain and maydate from the mid-C17th, the time of theCivil War. The Castle is known to been ina state of disrepair by the 1330’s butremained occupied until the Civil War, notsurprisingly as a royalist stronghold. InOctober 1643 whilst under siege by theRoundheads Cromwell heard of Royalist“Crouchback”, the First Dukeof Lancaster, adopted it as hisemblem in 1280. A plaquecommemorates the link andthe roses were gifted in 1967to the village by Provins 600years after king Henry IV’s birthhere.Old Bolingbroke had come into thehands of the House of Lancaster in 1311and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster,moved here following his marriage in 1359to Blanche who was heiress to theLancaster estates. As the son of Edward IIIJohn of Gaunt was the most powerfulnobleman in the land and his own sonHenry was born at Old Bolingbroke 3rdApril 1367 (one information board, andsome other sources say 1366!) and wasthereafter known as Henry Bolingbrokefrom his birthplace. He was a cousin ofRichard II – an unpopular king – whobanished Henry from England in 1398. Butthe following his father’s death in February1399, he was able to return, and by meansof popular uprising reclaim his inheritanceand seize the crown. He reigned as HenryIV until 1413 and although Bolingbrokebecame a Royal castle upon his accessionto the throne he never lived there or evenvisited his birthplace again after becomingking. His name lives on of course throughShakespeare’s two plays Henry IV parts Iand II.Early records of a castle go back toaround 1220 when the first castle wasprobably built by a Norman knight,Ranulph de Blundevil, Earl of Lincoln. Johnof Gaunt largely rebuilt the castle with fiverounded towers and a north-facinggateway flanked by two horseshoe shapedtowers. There are several interpretationboards around the site and one has areinforcements approaching fromHorncastle. The Battle of Winceby ensuedon 11th October resulting in a Royalistdefeat; the castle garrison surrenderedand was slighted, being described as“demolished” in 1650.During John of Gaunt’s occupationBolingbroke would have had manyimportant guests. Among these wasGeoffrey Chaucer, a diplomat as well as apoet. John’s long-term mistress wasKatherine Swynford (née de Roet) born inFlanders and a member of the royal courtboth on the continent and in Englandwhere she served Phillipa of Hainault,Queen to Edward III. She had married SirHugh Swynford of Kettlethorpe, nearGainsborough and as a widow eventuallybecame John of Gaunt’s third wife in1396. Her sister, another Phillipa, wasChaucer’s wife.Bolingbroke is now in the care ofEnglish Heritage and there is free accessthroughout the year.by Hugh Marrows76-77_Layout 1 20/03/2017 10:01 Page 278 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYonwhat’sSleafordSaturday April 1 Sleaford Easter Trail,CoggelsfordWatermill/Navigation HouseJoin Molly and Floyd in Sleaford for anEaster Eggstravaganza trail betweenCoggelsford Watermill and NavigationHouse. Cogglesford Watermill’s Molly theMill Mouse is visiting Floyd the Fish inNavigation House with some Easter eggs– but she has lost some along the way.Visit the mill and house to collect yourtrail sheet and help molly find thembefore claiming your own Easter prize.This is a great Easter Holiday activity anda wonderful way to explore the markettown of Sleaford For more information,call 01529 308207. StamfordTuesday 4 AprilLEGO Workshop – JuniorSTEM,Stamford Ballroom Who says work can’t be play (and viceversa)? This event will teach little onesthat their favourite plaything is theperfect vehicle to a lucrative career in theSTEM industries. These workshops bringLEGO, robotics and basic programmingtogether for fun filled sessions. For moreinformation, visit www.juniorstem.co.uk.CleethorpesThursday 6 AprilThrowback Thursdays – TheBlues Brothers, ParkwayCinema Originally released in 1980, JohnLandis’ comedy crime caper hascemented itself as a cult musical classic.While its continued charm, appeal andlaughs can be appreciated on the smallscreen, nothing quite compares to seeingit blown up thirty feet with a crowd. Aspart of Parkways’ mission to bring backcult favourites to UK screens, Cleethorpesis being treated to The Blues Brothers forone night only. Starring Dan Aykroyd,John Belushi, a host of top musicians, andthe late great Carrie Fisher, this isdefinitely not one to be missed. For moreinformation, visitwww.parkwaycinemas.co.uk.LincolnFriday 7 AprilLil’ Pacs: The Way BackHome, Lincoln PerformingArts CentreAimed at toddlers, this creativestorytelling session weaves the tale of aboy who one day found himself stuck onthe moon where he discovered he wasnot alone. For more information, visitwww.lpac.co.uk.SkegnessSaturday 1 AprilMenopause the Musical,Embassy TheatreFollowing sell out UK tours in 2008, 2010and, most recently, early 2016, Menopausethe Musical is embarking on another UKNationwide Tour this spring with an all startcast, and they’re stopping off in Lincolnshirealong the way. Armed with a cast ofhormonal women, memory loss one-linersand innuendo-laden versions of pop classics,this is an all-singing, all-dancing comedythat’s not to be missed. For moreinformation, www.embassytheatre.co.uk.78-82_Layout 1 20/03/2017 13:42 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY7980 ÁLincolnSunday 9 AprilCountryside Lincs,Lincolnshire Showground Back for its third year, CountrysideLincs returns with a fun-filled andinteractive day focussed on food,farming and the countryside. Visitorswill be able to meet with producers,crafters, farmers and a whole gaggle ofanimals all in one place, to inspireyoung minds all about Lincolnshire’srich heritage. For moreinformation, visitwww.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk.CleethorpesFriday 14 – Saturday 15AprilGeeks Cleethorpes ComicCon, Cleethorpes LeisureCentreFollowing the success of last year’sevent, Geeks Cleethorpes returns for2017, this time taking place over GoodFriday and Saturday. Expect tradersselling all the best merchandise, comicsand collectables, while some of thecounty’s best cosplayers pose for photos.There’ll also be a number of events andspecial guests. For more information, call01472 323200. LincolnSaturday 15 April Lincoln Vegan Festival, DrillHallOpen to converts and the curious alike,this delicious and educational event aimsto show people just how easy it is toadopt a vegan lifestyle to benefit animas,the planet and our own health. On theday, there will be hot food and drinks, avariety of stalls and sellers, information,advice, plus talks live music andentertainment all to dispel the myth thatvegan food is boring. For moreinformation, visit www.lincolndrillhall.com.GranthamTuesday 11 AprilBucket List, Guildhall Arts Centre Bucket List weaves the powerful story of one Mexican woman’s fight for justice. When her mother ismurdered for protesting government corruption, Milagros finds herself with only a blood-stained list ofthose responsible. Determined to make them pay, she embarks on a passionate quest for justice. Usingphysical storytelling, live instrumental music and song, Theatre Ad Infinitum unfolds a story about love,loss and revenge. For more information, visit www.guildhallartscentre.com.PHOTO: ALEX BRENNER/ THEATRE AD INFINITUM78-82_Layout 1 20/03/2017 13:42 Page 2Next >