< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY STAYCATION - AUTO TRAIL MOTORHOME RENTALS Q&A We spoke to the Managing Director of Lincoln-based Auto Trail Motorhome Rentals about the beauty of staycationing and why his company’s luxury motorhomes are one of the best ways to enjoy some post- lockdown rest and respite. Staycations are set to skyrocket in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Why are motorhomes one of the best ways to holiday in and around the UK? The coronavirus pandemic may have limited our travel over the last year, but it hasn’t stopped us dreaming about how we might enjoy an extended holiday in 2021 or even just a short socially distanced weekend break. Lots of people just don’t want the hassle of international travel, the risk of possibly being stuck abroad, having tests prior to departure and the real possibility of self-isolating when returning home to the UK. Now, people want to be not only independent, but want to continue with social distancing, and a staycation Motorhome holiday is perfect for that, whether its staying at a small certified location, camp site, festival, holiday park or off gridding in the Scottish Highlands. Motorhome rentals saw a resurgence last summer and looking set to be just as popular this year. Rentals of motorhomes and campervans shot up last year and show little sign of letting up in 2021. Where can people stay when renting your motorhome? The list is endless in and around the entire UK, whether it be in the centre of London, or the outer reaches of Scotland or Cornwall. There is a vast array of both small privately-owned camp sites and larger sites, operated by the camping and caravanning club and The Caravan Club, these sites have full electric hook up, water and waste disposal. There is also a website called searchforsites.co.uk, you just type in where you want to go, and it pulls up a list of all sites and pub/restaurants that allow motorhomes. The majority of camping sites over the last few years have invested heavily in supplying top quality washroom facilities, with clean and modern facilities including separate male/female shower and toilet blocks, with baby changing and laundry facilities. Some people just prefer Hitting the open road without any kind of plan, pitching up in beautiful places without a soul around, and starting a day in one place then ending it in a completely Q&A Auto Trail Motorhome Rentals 60-61.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2021 15:38 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 61 STAYCATION - AUTO TRAIL MOTORHOME RENTALS Q&A different one, taking everything with you as you go. You can also stay at rural certified locations, offered by both of the clubs above, many being on working farms. As well as providing reliability and safety, your motorhomes also come with luxury included. Can you tell us more about the interiors? Having personally worked in the leisure industry for the last 30 years, the last 20 years in the wedding and outside event industry, I have come to understand the high expectations and needs of clients and we offer a high level of customer service. Our motorhomes, particular our Flagship Auto Trail Chieftain, is a top of the line motorhome with no expense spared when it comes to luxury. It has the benefit of full leather interior, Auto seeking Satellite system with free view TV to the HD flat screen in the master double en-suite bedroom and also to the drop down TV in the lounge area, both TV’s have built in DVD. There is a separate shower and separate toilet with privacy door to the main motorhome The motorhome comes with down feather duvets and pillows and scatter cousins to the sofa areas There are 3 large roof hatches, four large opening windows for ventilation and a large 4.5m wide, wind out awning. There is a full heating and hot water system that will run from LPG or electric. The kitchen is nothing more than huge, with a full-size oven and grill, gas hob with four burners, microwave, slow cooker and full size upright fridge freezer. Not to mention there is also an additional outside hot and cold shower and also a full Gas BBQ for the all-important al fresco dining. There are also collapsible dining tables and chairs. The drivers and passenger seats swivel allowing for two main captain’s chairs to join the already spacious lounge and sofa area, that accommodate dining space for six people. You can also hire additional items such as a generator for off grid holidays and additional chest fridge freezers should they be needed. You have an affordable and attractive try-before-you-buy option. What’s included with this trial and is there anything people need to be able to hire a motorhome (i.e. certain insurance and driving licenses etc)? With the huge upsurge in Motorhome sales in the UK, some people new to motorhoming take advantage of hiring a motorhome before jumping in at the deep end, to see if it suits them. This we offer and recommend to potential buyers. As well as serving the entire UK, you also rent in Europe as well. What areas across the bloc do you currently cover? Pretty much anywhere. Some people don’t want to have to drive down to Dover/Folkstone and through France & Europe to their chosen destination, and with having very inexpensive flights to most destinations in mainland Europe, we simply meet you at the airport with the motorhome, and you hit the road at the destination of your choice. To find out more, visit www.autotrailmotorhomerental.co.uk, email sfh@post.com, or call 07977 474055. You can also follow @ Auto Trail Motorhome Rentals on Facebook. 60-61.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2021 15:38 Page 262 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY EASTER © Shutterstock /Billion Photos tradition Tucking into Tucking into 62-65.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2021 15:40 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 63 EASTER Many had their hopes set on celebrating a normal easter this year but with government rightfully playing it cautious with its “one way” road-map to opening society, Easter will have to be a case of compromises. Under the new rules, From March 29 outdoor gatherings of either 6 people or 2 households will be allowed, providing greater flexibility for families to see each other. This includes private gardens. So you can therefore visit a local beauty spot, park or other outdoor areas with members of your own household - and meet up with friends and family. You could even organise an Easter egg hunt for two households. It’s better than last year’s Easter as we can actually meet with family this time around, but, for many, the traditions we enjoy each year will still be spent apart. So why not take this opportunity to think a little deeper about these traditions, where they originated, and why they’re still important to our lives to this day. Hot cross buns Ah, the hot cross bun, that sweet, gently-spiced goody spiked with dried fruit and topped with the iconic cross. This tasty treat has always moved with the times, with a chocolate variety on shelves for years now and, more recently, vegan and gluten-free options available. Despite its With the ‘stay at home’ mandate still largely applying to this year’s Easter celebrations, we take a closer look at seasonal traditions and why they remain important to us now more than ever. 64 Á 62-65.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2021 15:40 Page 264 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY EASTER continuing popularity, the bun dates back millennia. In the New Testament, Israelites are said to have baked sweet buns for an idol, while religious leaders attempted to put a stop to it. But the exact origins are murky at best with various and, often, conflicting stories and accounts. For example, one story claims that in the 12th century, an Anglican monk baked buns and marked them with a cross in honour of Good Friday. Stories such as these intertwine with real history and, in the 16th century, we know that Queen Elizabeth I passed a law limiting the sale of sweet buns to funerals, Christmas and Good Friday, further solidifying the relationship between this sweet bun and Easter. There are plenty of stories backing up claims that hot cross buns were baked on Good Friday for superstitious rather than religious reasons. One story claims that a bun baked on this day and hung from the rafters one one’s home would ward off evil spirits for a year. Another says that sharing the bun with a loved one guarantees friendship for the year. Easter bunny The Easter bunny may very well be a leftover from the pagan festival of Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess whose symbol was the rabbit or the hare. Thanks to their renowned breeding habits, rabbits have always symbolised fertility, so they’ve never been far from celebrations of birth and rebirth. But the Easter bunny as we know it is a very American invention. This is believed to have stemmed from German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania in the 1700s bringing with them their folkloric egg-laying hare called ‘Osterhare’ or ‘Oschter Haws’. Their children would make nests in which the creature could lay its coloured eggs and, eventually, the custom spread across the © Shutterstock /Africa Studio 62-65.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2021 15:40 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 65 EASTER entire United States. Jacob Grimm – of the Brothers Grimm fame – further cemented these Easter celebrations as distinctly pagan in 1835 when he said that the Easter bunny arose from primitive pagan traditions and tied things back to the aforementioned Eostre. But the Catholic church vehemently denies this association, claiming that there is no direct evidence of a pagan correlation (the irony appears to be lost on them). Instead, it argues that the idea of the Easter bunny is a distinctly Christian symbol. It says that ancient Greeks believed rabbits were able to reproduce as virgins so, of course, the animal became associated with the Virgin Mary and appeared alongside her in illuminated manuscripts and paintings. Easter eggs As with the symbols we’ve already explored, the exchange of eggs – the non-chocolate kind at least – is an ancient custom, celebrated by many cultures. Eggs are representative of new life and it’s believed that the decorating of eggs for Easter dates as far back as the 13th century. History also tells us that, centuries ago, churches had their congregations abstain from eating eggs for lent. They would then be able to eat them again come Easter, giving them a significance for the occasion. And, in 19th century Russia, beautifully decorated, often jewelled-encrusted, eggs were exchanged on Easter. We may never know the true origins of Easter but it’s likely a mix of ancient beliefs and traditions incorporated into Christian worship. While observing the resurrection of Christ remains important for many people, Easter can more generally be seen as a celebration of new life. Coming out of the worst of the pandemic, that’s more important to bear in mind than ever. © Shutterstock /marcin jucha 62-65.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2021 15:40 Page 466 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Superficially unassuming but with a long history Donington – not to be confused with Donington- on-Bain in the Wolds - remains unseen by many travellers as they speed along its bypass. It developed on the route of the Salters Way, a Roman route from the fens to the midlands - 22 salt pans are mentioned in the Domesday Book - and is at the junction of roads to Grantham, Boston and Spalding. Nearby the South Forty Foot Drain and the Hammond Beck were important elements of fen drainage schemes, reclaimed land being enclosed in the 1770’s. At one time there was sea access from Bicker Haven. Donington is referred to as “Dunninctune” in the Domesday Book (AD1086) and a market is mentioned. Historically being a market town, it had its own courthouse, but now, even with a population of 7,102 at the 2011 census, it’s regarded as a village by Lincolnshire CC. In the past it was particularly noted for its locally grown flax and hemp sales and for its famous horse fairs. Up to C19th there were three flax and hemp fairs a year. No-one quite knows when these ceased but they seem to have stopped by the early C19th century since a local guide of 1816 appears to refer to them in the past tense. Much of this crop was sent to London for the naval use. As at Horncastle the nearby fens provided favourable conditions for rearing horses and the Donington horse fairs continued into living memory ceasing in the late 1940’s. (Arthur Mee, in his “King’s England – Lincolnshire” (1949) still refers to them.) There was also a monthly general market but that ceased about 1934. Not surprisingly with such a heritage the village was well endowed with inns but only the C17th Black Bull survives today. Amongst the many historic buildings is the High School endowed by Thomas Cowley in his will of 1718 as a Free School for twenty poor children. Cowley was a London wool merchant who retired to Donington, where he owned a good deal of the village, and built Wykes Manor. The school still bears his name. Sarah Swift who founded the Royal College of Nursing was a pupil and Captain Matthew Flinders (see below) had his first schooling there. The original building (restored and visible from the High Street) survives but now has many additional buildings dating from 1861 to the present day. There is also a Thomas Cowley endowed primary school. Cowley himself, who died in 1721 aged 96, has a founder’s gravestone in the Donington has for centuries been known for its markets and fairs. But there’s more to this fenland village; we visit and explore. heritage Lincolnshire explored Avro Lancaster Crash Memorial Baxter's Mill 66-67.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2021 15:42 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 67 church. Donington church is dedicated to St Mary and the Holy Rood and, surrounded by lime trees, stands on what was possibly a Saxon site. Its C14th tower is 140 feet high and, unusually, is detached to the south side to include the porch. The remainder is mostly of the Perpendicular and Decorated styles from around AD1300 to 1400. The font is also C14th and the north aisle has two memorial windows; one to Matthew Flinders (1980) and one to the fallen of WWI. There is an ancient priest’s door and a rare grave “hude” (shelter) to keep the vicar dry at the graveside during burials in inclement weather. Amongst other notable buildings are a former solicitors office of the late 1700’s and a couple of impressive mid-Georgian houses in Church Street. On the Quadring road to the east of the village is the tower of Baxter’s Mill, probably dating from the late 1700’s; it was definitely there by 1819. At the Market Place end of Station Road is Holmfield House (1792) with its moustache- shaped lintels - a local architectural curiosity – and the largest building after the church. Nearby is the house, with a memorial plaque, that now occupies the site of Matthew Flinders birthplace, the original house having been replaced by the present one in the early 1900’s. Across the road stands a life-size statue (2006) of Flinders with his faithful cat Trim. Overshadowing all the rest of Donington’s history is the story of this local hero who gave Australia its name. Born on 16th March 1774 he joined the navy as a boy and sailed with Captain Bligh. (of “Bounty” fame.) On his second voyage to Australia, he was appointed captain of the “Investigator” and he and his crew became the first to entirely circumnavigate the continent. During his return voyage he was imprisoned by the French on Mauritius for seven years and died in 1814 only a few weeks after publishing all his charts and journals. (See Lincolnshire Today, February 2018 for a detailed biography.) There are family memorials in the church and his parent’s graves are in the churchyard. Other reminders of Flinders in the village are an exhibition in the church, a park, a road and even a fish and chip shop named after him. During recent HS2 excavations in London Flinders long-lost grave was discovered, confirmed by his inscribed coffin lid. His remains have been donated to Donington and are to be returned and interred in the church. (This has been delayed until 2022 as Covid restrictions currently prevent representatives from Australia attending.) Donington was also much involved in WWII. Members of the 1st Parachute Squadron destined for Arnhem and operation “Market Garden” in 1944 were billeted in the village. Their memory is preserved in the churchyard by the “Arnhem Oak”, planted in 1970, which was found at the battle site growing through a bullet hole in a helmet. In April 1944 six RAF crew died in an Avro Lancaster crash landing on the edge of the village in Eaudyke Road where a memorial stands at the roadside. by Hugh Marrows Mathew Flinders Statue St Mary & The Holy Rood Church Donington Market PlaceFlinders Park Arnhem Oak 66-67.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2021 15:43 Page 268 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY The pandemic and its associated lockdowns have led to an unprecedented boom in pet ownership as people have looked for comfort and joy in a new furry friend. Indeed the number of pets has grown so much that warnings were recently given (in March) over a national shortage of dog and cat food pouches, with Sainsbury’s saying that the shortage was likely to continue through the year. Morrisons similarly said it was working to increase capacity, with full availability unlikely for months. Sadly, with the rise in pets, the amount of animal thefts has also climbed during the pandemic, from snatches on dog walks to men in white vans circling neighbourhoods. People have even taken to dressing up as fake RSPCA inspectors, seeing the RSPCA state that genuine officers will always wear branded uniforms and carry ID. Dogs are a particular focus for thieves, with DogLost, the charity, estimating that dog thefts have increased 250% since March 2020 as demand for pets expanded when we became stuck indoors and criminals looked to capitalise on the soaring price of pets in lockdown by stealing and selling on animals. Some of the most commonly stolen dog breeds are the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, French Bulldog, and Jack Russell Terrier. Meanwhile with cats, those frequently stolen - usually for resale and breeding - are the Bengal, Persian, Russian Blue, Siamese, and British Shorthair cats. With the jump in thefts, there is plenty of sound advice to follow to avoid becoming a victim. When it comes to dogs, it is important to note that they are mainly taken from gardens and homes (the pet census revealed 52% of dogs are taken from gardens), followed by outside shops and in cars, where opportunists strike. It is therefore advised that you do not leave dogs locked in vehicles, tied up outside shops, or alone in gardens. In addition make sure your home is secure, you have an alarm system, and gates are locked. If you have a garden with a low fence it is stressed even more so that you do not leave your dog unattended. DogLost also advises that you keep a lot of good photographs of your pooch from the front, back, sides, and of any unique marks, and ensure that your dog is microchipped (the same goes for cats) with registered details up to date, and that it is wearing a tag with your name, phone number and address. One must also be wary of social media by avoiding giving away too much information on your pets and location and checking your privacy settings are set correctly. Furthermore, when out with your dog, vary your route and time of walk, beware of strangers asking questions, ensure your pooch does not stray too far when off the lead and is trained to respond to a recall command, and be vigilant. Thieves have also been ‘marking’ homes with chalk symbols, ribbons or cables tied on gates to indicate a home has a dog. If your pet is stolen, or you suspect it has been stolen, it is important to act quickly. The police should be alerted immediately, your Pandemic pet theft Pandemic pet theft During lockdown, pet ownership has skyrocketed. Unfortunately, this has also come with a jump in theft as criminals look to take advantage of the desire for fluffy companions. 68-69.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2021 15:44 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 69 PETS CORNER microchip company contacted to register your pet as stolen, your pet put on missing pet websites, and one should inform local rescue groups, dog walkers, neighbours, and vets. Unfortunately, there is little to deter pet thieves in terms of sentencing, with punishments usually given in relation to a pet’s monetary value, leading to fines instead of imprisonment which can see a maximum penalty of up to seven years, though it is unusual that this will happen. Meanwhile if buying a pet, as is often the case when people want a purebred animal, the public are being urged to not buy them without documentation. This means not buying them through social media or from a person without licences or when appropriate documentation such as ownership and pedigree papers cannot be provided. One also needs to be aware of a major problem of dogs being illegally imported into the UK without paperwork. When buying kittens and puppies from a breeder, check they are well looked after. The RSPCA advises that kittens should be alert and engaged with bright eyes and a sociable nature, and that they should not be removed from their mothers until 8-9 weeks. Moreover make sure you see where the pet is bred to confirm you see the kitten with its mother, that the mother and kittens are healthy, if there are many other litters in the home, and that the environment is clean. Alternatively why not consider adopting your pet through a rescue centre, which usually sees them wormed, vaccinated, microchipped, and neutered. © Shutterstock /ForGaby © Shutterstock /Maria Sbytova 68-69.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2021 15:44 Page 2Next >