< PreviousThe vast and verdant green of our ancient woodlands are truly a sight to behold, but they are never more beautiful than in April carpeted in a vast spread of bluebells. Millions of bulbs can exist in one wood and its in this ancient earth that the wildflowers still grow best. It takes about five years for a bluebell seed to grow into a bulb and even then it will remain underground for much of the year, only emerging to flower and leaf from April until about May. As well as acting as a herald of spring, this early flowering also serves a practical purpose, allowing the bluebells to make the most of the sunlight on the forest floor before the canopy becomes too dense. Although the bluebell is beautiful in its own right, its majesty lies in its abundance and here in the UK we really are blessed. We’re home to almost half the world’s entire population of bluebells. There’s no other sight quite like it on earth. Sometimes new plants can even split off from existing bulbs and grow as clones adding yet more flowers. This is much to the delight of pollinating insects. Bees especially depend on the Symbolic of spring, regularly voted Britain’s favourite flower, and with a rich connection to folklore. We could only be talking about the bluebell. Lincolnshire wildlifebluebell’s nectar in Spring. But bluebells aren’t just useful for insects. The flower’s sticky sap was used in mediaeval times to fasten feathers to arrows. Bluebells are believed to have first appeared in Britain after the last ice age and since then they’ve featured prominently in the written word with Emily Bronte waxing lyrical in her poem ‘The Bluebell’. There’s also a host of folkloric connotations, with the flower known as “fairy flowers”. This stems from an old myth which claimed that fairies used bluebells to lure and trap people that passed by the woods. By people, we mean mostly children. Part of the continued abundance of bluebells is thanks to its protected status so if you dig one up and sell it, you can be fined. There’s a good reason for this status as it can take the flower’s years to recover from footfall damage. Don’t try eating them either, as they’re poisonous, but scientists are currently researching how these toxic chemicals can be used to treat cancer. Don’t miss your chance to see bluebells in all their splendour this spring. Just remember: look, but don’t touch. 80 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY© Shutterstock / John Hopwood 80-81.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 15:08 Page 1© Shutterstock / stephen I johnson80-81.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 15:08 Page 282 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYAmongst the highlights was Bentley’s first ever world stage appearance of the new Bentayga Speed – reputed to be the world’s fastest production SUV. The W12 engine output has been increased from 608 PS to 635 PS (626 bhp), producing a maximum speed of 306 km/h (190 mph) and a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of just 3.9 seconds. Designed, engineered and handcrafted in the UK, the new model builds on a long tradition of Speed models that was first introduced with the Continental GT in 2007, and pushes the boundaries of Bentayga performance further since claiming the production SUV record at the gruelling Pikes Peak International Hill Climb last year. If that doesn’t float your boat , what about the all-new Continental GT Convertible - an exhilarating, open-air grand tourer, the new Continental GT Convertible features a 6.0-litre Bentley 12-cylinder engine that can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 333 All show All show As the Geneva Motor Show opens its doors to the public, Lincolnshire Today’s motoring correspondent jets off to bring readers the low down on what the motor industry has lined up for these shores in the very near future. Bentley Bentayga82-85.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 15:21 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 83COUNTY MOTORINGkm/h (207 mph). [WLTP drive cycle: fuel consumption, mpg (l/100km) - Combined 20.2 (14.0). Combined CO 317g/km. Bugatti also unveiled the Most Expensive New Car Ever—“La Voiture Noire”— the buyer remains a mystery but Bugatti’s president Stephan Winkelmann assures the car was sold for a staggering €16.5M. But our trip wasn’t just about budget busting cars, the Geneva motor show is always a great place to catch up on what’s new as could be seen at the Jeep stand, where its new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models were attracting a fair deal of interest. A no-compromise hybrid solution, which integrates the unmatched technical layout of each Jeep SUV, will power both the Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass and turn them into vehicles that provide absolute freedom while taking their capability to the next level through eco-friendly technology. Jeep’s new Renegade and Compass PHEV are new plug-in 84 ÁBugatti La Voiture NoireKia Niro HybridMcLaren SpeedtailToyota GR SupraJeep Renegade82-85.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 15:21 Page 284 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYhybrid models, rechargeable from an external power outlet and, as a consequence, can store more electric energy. This choice allows for the use of more powerful electric motors, which translate into a pure electric range of approximately 31miles and about 80mph full electric top speed for both Renegade and Compass. The electric units, apparently, work in synergy with the new 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine to increase efficiency and power overall. For the Renegade, the power is said to sit in the 190hp and 240hp range resulting in 0 to 60mph in approximately seven seconds. Similar figures are achieved by the first plug-in hybrid Compass which is also the fastest example of the model ever. The Compass with the simultaneous action of the internal combustion engine (ICE) and the electric motor delivers up to 240hp. They also deliver CO2 emissions lower than 50g/km. Then there was Volkswagen debuting the new Touareg V8 TDI. Its output of 310 kW / 421 PS makes it the most powerful SUV with a diesel engine from a German manufacturer. Capable of accelerating from 0 to 60mph in 4.9 seconds, the new V8 version complies with the Euro 6d-TEMP emission standard. Those purchasing the top model will have the choice between the standard Elegance design package or the Atmosphere package. ‘Elegance’, it seems, stands for a technical interior design dominated by metal and cool colour tones, while Tesla S3Nissan NISMOAudi Q4 e-tron conceptFerrari F8 TributoVolkswagen T-Roc R82-85.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 15:21 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 85‘Atmosphere’ is a warm interior environment where wood and natural tones prevail. Digitised display and controls with their glass covered surfaces, tanned leathers and aluminium and chrome details make an interesting combination and the wood applications are particularly elegant. An example of the Atmosphere design package: a narrow wing made of “curved beam wood” extends over the entire width of the dash panel here – a wood application curved as one part and made of ash that follows the shape of the dash panel. Meanwhile, the Audi stand was exclusively occupied by electrically powered models. The world premiere of the Audi Q4 e-tron concept and the European reveal of the Audi e-tron GT concept. In all, a total of four all-electric cars will headline for the brand, all of which will have been rolled out in series production form by the end of 2020. Deliveries of the Audi e-tron, the first member of this new quartet of electric vehicles, are set to begin soon. The series-production version of its coupé equivalent, the Audi e-tron Sportback, will be introduced later in 2019 and another electric car – the Audi Q2 L e-tron - will be presented in a few weeks; albeit in China. There was, of course, no shortage of concept cars and a host of new models from various manufacturers, which you can see from these pages. Mercedes-AMG GT RFornasari GIGI CorvetteLexus LC ConvertibleAston Martin Vanquish82-85.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 15:21 Page 4Capable of over 200mph, this mid-engine coupe is the brainchild of Ginetta owner Lawrence Tomlinson – the former Le Mans winner, who bought the company some 13 years ago. The car, which is yet to be officially named, has been built in absolute secrecy at their West Yorkshire HQ from their knowledge and expertise gained on competition cars and racing circuits. Lawrence Tomlinson comments: “Racing at the highest level has taught us that to win you have to have your overall car concept and every detail exactly right, and we’ve brought that same philosophy to our first supercar. Starting with a blank sheet of paper allowed us to create a true mid-mid Ginetta’s stunning engine design with an all carbon monocoque, LMP-derived aerodynamics and an in-house designed powertrain resulting in a driver-orientated package for the road.” As such, this new Ginetta supercar has a bespoke powertrain, designed and manufactured in-house alongside its racing division. An ultra lightweight, 600 bhp V8 6.0 litre dry sump engine, powers the car and this, coupled with its mid-engine design, allows exceptional weight distribution and near LMP3 levels of aerodynamics not normally found on traditional road cars. Manufactured in-house from their Leeds HQ, comes Ginetta’s, Ferarri priced, supercar. 86 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYCOUNTY MOTORING86-87.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 15:18 Page 1 new Supercar Matched to a six-speed sequential paddle-shift with a short carbon propshaft this is a car that is undoubtedly going to appeal to supercar owners in the sub £400k price bracket. The only down side is that units will be limited in the first year of production year to a mere 20 units, although that’s the only thing likely to drive would be owners around the bend. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 87COUNTY MOTORING86-87.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 15:18 Page 2LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND - Q&AHow would you sum up the Lincolnshire Show in a paragraph? It’s one of the most popular UK county shows and is a spectacular celebration of all that’s great about Lincolnshire. We offer a huge variety of entertainment, food and drink, horticulture, aviation, shopping and education. It’s really important that we remain true to our agricultural roots with machinery and associated trades, as well as our equine and livestock classes and competitions. What’s new for the 2019 Show? The 135th Show will feature special celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. To celebrate our birthday, we will have lots of anniversary activities and non-stop entertainment over both days for visitors to enjoy, it really is the perfect place for ‘making memories’. Taking place on 19th and 20th June, the Show will welcome hundreds of new and local exhibitors, plus exciting attractions, including a grand parade of machinery through the ages, up until present day. The birthday celebrations will continue throughout the Show, with exciting displays from the UK’s top ranked freestyle motocross riders Broke FMX, who will take centre stage in the Main Ring performing acrobatic stunts 35 feet in the air! New highlights for this year include the Wye-Valley Axemen who will be bringing traditional lumber jack techniques to life, whilst entertaining visitors in the Countryside Ring using speed, skill and accuracy with razor sharp axes and saws. Brand new for 2019 is the Lincolnshire Lifestyle Marquee, located in the Horticultural Zone and a fantastic addition to this year’s Show. Visitors will be able to browse an array of products from crafty independent businesses, including interiors, jewellery and gardening items. What is there on offer for your younger visitors? The much-loved Lincolnshire Show is organised by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, and one of our charitable objectives is to educate young people about food, farming and the countryside, so education and welcoming families to the Show are priorities for us. We welcome over 5,000 school children each year to the Schools’ Challenge, and we also offer livestock and machinery tours so children can learn all about the different aspects of agriculture. Q&A Lincolnshire Showground We recently chatted with Jayne Southall, CEO of the Lincolnshire Showground, about what to expect at this year’s Lincolnshire Show. 88 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY88-89.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 15:09 Page 1visit lincolnshireshow.co.uk or call 01522 522900Adults £21 Child £6Family £44Young Person £17#LincsShow192019LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND - Q&AChildren can visit the NFU Discovery Barn to learn all about food production in the Discovery Zone and explore Guy Martin’s WW1 Tank in the Aviation Zone. There’s so much for children to do across the Discovery and Sports Zones too, as well as entertainment for all ages in the Main Ring and Countryside Ring. What would be your highlights or ‘top-tips’ for a first-time visitor? If you’re not familiar with the Show it can seem like there’s a lot to take in when you arrive! Take some time to have a look through our website and the areas or attractions that interest you most. On our website, you can now even add events you don’t want to miss to a planner, which you can then screenshot or print off to bring along with you! Alternatively, pick up a Show Guide when you arrive which includes lots of helpful information and timetables. Most importantly, enjoy strolling around and experiencing the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere of the Show! Satisfy your shopping habit by visiting more than 600 trade stands and enjoy live cooking demonstrations in the Lincolnshire Kitchen, whilst sampling delicious food and drink. If you need any help at all, our brilliant Stewards (who you’ll be able to spot as they wear very distinctive bowler hats!) are always on hand to help, or you can pop to the Showground Information Desk which is just inside the Epic Centre. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 8988-89.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 15:09 Page 2Next >