< Previous1 Wear your seatbelt. Don’t try putting it on after pullingaway, as you may crash while weaving around and it doesn’tactually save time.2 Take a break if you’re tired or hungry – nodding off onthe motorway for even a few seconds means you’d travelsome 200 metres and probably across the lanes rather thanup one lane so take a break every 2 hours and don’t drive ifyou feel tired.3 We shouldn’t have to say it but we will - don’t phone,text or use the net while driving – even if you’re at lights!4 Leave a gap before the car in front. Tailgating canprompt sudden braking from the car ahead, and is theleading cause of road rage. It will also give you a little moretime to react and avoid a crash should traffic come to a stop.5 Avoid any distractions - kids, radios, arguments, phones,satnavs, food, drinks and more can be very distracting, butviolent accidents are bad ways to relieve stress, hunger orboredom.6 Don’t just watch what the driver in front of you is doing,keep an eye on the traffic in front of them too. 7. Bikers should keep their machines maintained - It makessense that if you look after your bike, it’ll look after you. Unlike acar, if a bike has a mechanical problem then it can end up in acrash with you on the ground. So pay special attention whilecleaning it to items such as tyres and chains.A visual check on a regular basis will reveal any damage and isessential for monitoring wear – the tyres of some modern bikescan wear very quickly. Likewise your chain tension should not only be kept lubricatedbut also be adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer’sguidelines. Look too for uneven wear on the sprockets8. Car drivers too should ensure their vehicles are wellmaintained, paying special attention to tyre wear and tyrepressures as this can not only affect braking and steering but alsoput you at risk of a blow out; not to mention penalty points anda fine. Check also lights, indicators and brake lights and for anydefects such as windscreen chips, worn wiper blades andwindscreen washing fluid.9. Time – Plan journeys, allowing enough time to arrive safelywithout the need to drive hard. Research shows that those whospeed don’t get there any quicker – we’ve all seen the buffoonwho races from the junction only to be caught up by you whenthey hit traffic a few miles up the road.10. Don’t rely 100% on technology - Satnavs have become thenorm but are also blamed by many a driver who blindly followstheir instructions rather than anticipating the road ahead forthemselves. What you see should always take priority over what asatnav says as this will help you avoid driving into rivers or intooncoming traffic ! 110 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGJACK MACHINMOTORCYCLESRENT FREE GAS CYLINDERSSales l Servicing and Repairs l MoTs128 Carholme Road, Lincoln LN1 1RU01522 512887 I www.machinmotorcycles.comFinance Available on New and Used MachinesAprilia, Vespa, Piaggio and GileraMain DealersWe’ve all been there at some point in time – held up in aqueue of traffic while blue lights, flicker in the distance wheremangled cars and/ or motorcycles lay amongst shards of glass.Of course, the fact we’re in a queue makes us one of theluckier ones. So, to keep it that way here’s some tips to protectyourself, whether you happen to be on a bike or in a car. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/PHOTOGRAPHEE.EUStay Safe on Lincolnshire’s roads106-110_Layout 1 23/05/2016 15:19 Page 5WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETFarm&CountryFarming NewsCounty Shows EquineFarm Machinery Farming NewsCounty Shows EquineFarm Machinery Farm&CountrySupporting the rural communityWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETLinkLinkPHOTO: SMEREKA / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM111_Layout 1 23/05/2016 14:33 Page 1112 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY NEWSWin a family passfor Countryfile LiveThe very first BBC Countryfile Live takes place this year in thespectacular grounds of Blenheim Palace. Courtesy of headline sponsor and leading investment managementcompany Quilter Cheviot, four lucky families will have the chance to wintickets to attend the event absolutely free!Taking place from 4th-7th August, Countryfile is set to be one of thecountry’s biggest outdoor events of the year. Winners will be able toenjoy every aspect of the British Countryside in one unmissable day outfeaturing; the Countryfile presenters, Adam’s Farm, live arena shows,rare breed and other animal displays, outdoor fun for kids, hundreds offood and craft stalls to show the best of British food and drink andmuch more.For your chance to win a family ticket (admitting 2 x adults and 2 x children), just answer the followingquestion. You can send your answer to competitions@blmgroup.co.ukQ. Where is Countryfile Live taking place? A. Buckingham Palace B. Blenheim Palace C. Kensington PalaceWINTICKETSJohn Deeresupports OpenFarm Sunday 2016John Deere is once again supporting Open Farm Sunday as themachinery sponsor for this year’s event, which takes place on June 5th,2016.Organised by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), Open FarmSunday will see hundreds of farmers across the country opening theirgates to the public to help them discover the world of farming, from howfarmers grow crops for food, clothing, medicine and fuel through to thescience and technology behind British agriculture.Since its launch in 2006, Open Farm Sunday has seen over 1.6 millionpeople visit a farm and learn about the vital work farmers do. LEAF isestimating that 400 farms will open this year and between them, willwelcome over a quarter of a million visitors. In the last three years, morethan 80 per cent of visitors reported learning something new aboutfarming, and one in five visitors had not visited a farm before.A series of Open Farm School Days will also run throughout June.They provide thousands of school children with the opportunity to visit afarm to learn more about where their food comes from and how it isproduced. More information about Open Farm School Days can befound at www.farmsunday.orgLincolnshirefarmers taketractors into schoolsLincolnshire farmers took their tractors into schools recently –not in demonstration or a protest, but to show children where theirfood comes from and teach them about the businesses thatproduce it.Writing on the web site of the National Farmers’ Union, theorganisation’s East Midlands regional communications adviser,Alison Pratt, (inset in the picture), says: “We might bemoan thelack of connection between consumers and food; the old chestnutsof potatoes growing on trees and milk coming from Tesco’s, arerolled out regularly. Unfortunately, it is still the case that children(and adults!) do not always understand how or where food isproduced.The initiative is something which had seen success in areas suchas Suffolk in the past and is being trialled in other counties.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/RIHARDZZ112-113_Layout 1 23/05/2016 14:40 Page 1Sleaford-basedAgricultural firm tocelebrate 40 years withOpen Day Ride ‘n’ DriveeventAgricultural firm TRP will be celebrating their40th year in style, as they host an Openday on the 1st of June at their SleafordDepot. Taking place from 11am –6pm, the event will showcaseequipment from numerousmanufacturers the companyrepresents, as well as offeringvisitors the chance to getbehind the wheel in a Ride ‘n’Drive event.With a number of tractors ondisplay, including McCormicktractors and Merlo telescopichandlers, the event is meant toboth educate but also givenprospective buyers a chance to test-drive the vehicles and see what they’re allabout. CLA East has welcomed agreement on a devolution deal forGreater Lincolnshire, but says the needs of the rural economymust be at its heart.In order for this to happen, the organisation is advocatingthat farmers, landowners and rural businesses should berepresented in the governance of the devolved authority inorder to ensure investment is effectively directed into ruralareas. CLA East Regional Director Ben Underwood said: “In thecoming months of discussion and consultation, the needs of ruralbusinesses and rural communities must be a central consideration.They are the heartbeat that sustains the countryside.“The potential of every penny offered through directinvestment into our rural economy must be targeted formaximum benefit – especially at a time of significant reductionin public sector spending.“Schemes such as the Rural Development Programme forEngland and the European Structural Investment Fund aredrivers of growth. These programmes, when delivered throughnew devolved authorities or Local Enterprise Partnerships, musthave the interests of rural businesses at their core.”LINCOLNSHIRETODAY113FARM & COUNTRY NEWSTrentside Fisheries“A unique opportunity to fish in atranquil lake setting”Burton Upon Stather, Scunthorpe, DN15 9DNTel: 07766 077957 or 01777 228553www.trentsidefisheries.co.uk“A unique opportunity to fish in atranquil lake setting”Schoolchildren tobenefit fromspud-tacular educationat Lincs ShowSchoolchildren in Lincoln will benefit from spud-tacular competitions andexciting challenges at this year’s Lincolnshire Show as organisers increase theeducation offering even further. Taking place at the Lincolnshire Showground on Wednesday 22 andThursday 23 June, the Show will welcome a new Education Marquee for thefirst time this year, as part of ongoing efforts by organisers to educateschoolchildren about agriculture and farming. Primary schoolchildren, including Potterhanworth Primary School andDigby School in Lincoln, have already been getting their hands dirty in a bidto grow the largest potato while six secondary schools in Lincoln will also betaking on school challenges including researching and demonstrating howthe world of food and farming has changed over the years. Jayne Southall, CEO for Lincolnshire Showground, said: “One of theLincolnshire Agricultural Society’s primary charitable aims is to educatepeople all about food and farming. Therefore it is vitally important that wenot only educate children about our heritage but also get them excited andpassionate about local farming and eating healthy produce. “The Education Marquee will be a fantastic new addition to the Show,bringing with it for the first time this year the exciting Grow Your OwnPotatoes competition as part of its potato story theme.”PHOTO: KAMARA PHOTOGRAPHYPHOTO: MARIA JEFFS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COMPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ROGER ASHFORDDevolution musthave needs ofrural economy atheart, says CLA112-113_Layout 1 23/05/2016 14:40 Page 2114 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY - RENEWABLESLincolnshire’s award winningheating specialistsBoilers from only £150.00 per month (10 months interest free payments)Call now for a free no obligation quotation 01472 882363UP TOGUARANTEE12YEARWe all know that renewably energy isthe future, and that we should be doingwhat we can to protect the environment.More than that, farmers and those in theagricultural industry are acutely aware ofthe effects of the environment on theircrops and herds. Be it the recent floodingof recent years, or the seasonal changesbringing colder springs and hotterwinters, all of which play havoc with theindustry. The problem has always beenthe cost and complexity around therenewables industry. How affordable is it,how long is it going to take to pay itselfback, how much is it going to interfere,will it provide enough energy, whoseresponsibility will it be to remove solarpanels in 25 years? The answers to allthese questions haven’t always been clear– but that hasn’t always been the fault ofthe renewables industry itself.It’s worth remembering that renewabletechnology, at least when it comes towhat is commonly used in agriculture, isstill relatively new. On top of that, it’salso still improving to this day. So therewas a lot of cost initially because therewere so few people doing it, and theparts were expensive – the issue ofconfusion was the same, because wewere still seeing what did and didn’twork. Now however, the renewablesindustry has become a lot moremainstream, which means there aremany suppliers who can help – and inaddition – because it’s more common, it’salso become a much more affordablepractice. Countryside areas like Lincolnshirebenefit greatly from it too for a variety ofreasons. Rural homes, particularly thoseon farmland, almost always come withgood garden space, which meanstechnology like ground source heatpumps can be installed. You can’t easilydo the same in a city, where there’s littleground space to put it, but out herewhere we have more room it’s anattractive option for reducing energybills. The process is a fairly simple one.Temperature is taken from the groundoutside your home, usually from the sunheating the grass and soil, and then istransferred into energy that helps topower your home. Everything isunderground, so there’s no worry aboutit damaging your garden or being aneye-sore.There’s even oil and gas solutions thatcan better serve an environmentalstandpoint, particularly where they havebecome more efficient or can becombined with other renewable sources.Wowheating is one such company basedin Lincolnshire, and its Director DavidHickinson had the following to say,“Today we all have a far greaterawareness of global warming, climatechange, the need to greatly reduce‘greenhouse gas’ emissions into theatmosphere and the need to utilisealternative renewable energy sourceswhenever and wherever we can. There’salso the increasing need to counter theeffects of ever increasing energy prices.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/LORAKSAgricultural land has always been a promising endeavour for the renewablesindustry, but it’s never quite been affordable. Has that changed? Farming EnergyAgricultural land has always been a promising endeavour for the renewablesindustry, but it’s never quite been affordable. Has that changed? Farming Energy114-115_Layout 1 23/05/2016 14:41 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY115FARM & COUNTRY - RENEWABLESWORKING TOWARDS100% RECYCLINGOur wide range of vehiclesand containers allow us tomeet our customers’ needsand we strive to deliverexcellent customer serviceand follow-up support.Bell Waste Control offers:lSkip HirelWaste Management lRecyclinglTipping FacilitieslLicensed WasteTransfer Station Bell Waste Control, Pitt Bottom, Winterton Road,Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire DN15 0DHTel: 01724 277 299 Email: info@bellwc.com www.bellwc.comPart of the GroupIt’s our aim to provide a tailor made, costeffective and environmentally soundsolution for your heating, cooling andhot water needs.Achieved through experience,accreditations, and our genuinecommitment to an old fashioned caringapproach to customer relations. Becauseof our partnerships with leadingmanufacturers, we are in the uniqueposition to be at the forefront ofproviding green sustainable technologiesfor your world.”Companies that mix both traditionalboilers and renewable sources arebecoming more popular, withwowheating being on such example,“We carry out gas and oil, boilerchanges, heating upgrades all the waythrough to heat pumps, underfloorheating and solar panels.” David adds. On the farming side of things, manypeople are looking towards AnaerobicDigestion or other forms of BiomassSometimes it’s in the use of convertingentire fields into solar farms, though thatpractice has become a little more difficultto source approval for. In more low-keyexamples there are solar panelsappearing atop barns and farm buildings,these being particularly good locationsdue to the lack of any taller buildingslimiting access to sunlight. Individualturbines have also started to appearnearby, less to power an entire site, butmore to take the edge off the energy bill. At the end of the day, renewables isonly going to be viable so long as it isbeneficial to us, as cruel as that sounds.Thankfully the industry has progressed inleaps and bounds from what it once was,and you can expect to see manyrenewables suppliers at the LincolnshireShow this month, plying their wares tothe farming market. We’d advise givingthem the time for a conversation. Youmight be surprised at how much theprices have changed.convertors. These work to convert foodwaste, either rejected or damaged crops(or even manure) into energy throughanaerobic digestion. This requires a bitmore of an initial investment but isperfect for farmers who have a lot ofwaste they need to get rid of. Why notturn it into profit, especially when youcan sell what you don’t use back to thegrid. Anaerobic digestion does require somespace, as it is essentially a process whichtakes place in silos or a small plant,though the process isn’t one that requiresemployees or any huge technicalexpertise. There is an initial capitalinvestment in the building of the plant,but there are many suppliers acrossLincolnshire who can provide the service,so there is clearly a demand for it –meaning that it must produce some levelof return on investment. Solar panels and wind turbines are alsoseeing increasing use on farmland.114-115_Layout 1 23/05/2016 14:41 Page 2116 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFARM & COUNTRY - EQUINEFOR A CARING ANDPROFESSIONAL APPROACHTO ALL YOUR VETERINARY NEEDS•Pre-purchase Examinations •Endoscopy•Stables & Theatre •Tendon Scanning•Reproductive Ultrasound •Mobile Xray Unit.Estate Office, Boston RdSPILSBYTel: 01790 752227Heath Road Trad. Est.SKEGNESSTel: 01754 767444110 High StreetMABLETHORPETel: 01507 478182Fenwold VeterinaryPractice LtdWhen it comes to competitive riding there have been a lot ofriding accidents and even tragic deaths in the news, with riders ofthe calibre of William Fox-Pitt, Andrew Nicholson and Harry Meadeall suffering serious and potentially life threatening injuries. There ismuch speculation about why this should be so. Are competitionjumps getting trickier? Are competition horses trained too muchsuch that they lose the ability to think for themselves? Medicshave also complained that they have to “save riders fromthemselves” as so many choose to ride when unfit or too earlyfollowing injury, thus increasing the risk of further injury.Something that may contribute to this urge to get back into thesaddle is not only that riders are determined creatures, but for theprofessionals, this is their living and being self- employed, if they’renot riding, they’re not earning. It’s not just that they need thewinnings from competing, but they need to be out training andshowcasing young horses, teaching, giving talks and generallykeeping sponsors and owners happy. They have a lot ofresponsibility on their shoulders.This aspect was highlighted by a young rider, SophieMcCormack, who was injured at Rockingham Horse Trials in2015. She required emergency treatment, which was provided bythe NHS, but then she discovered that the intensive –andexpensive-rehabilitation and physiotherapy she needed could notInsuringprotectionRiding may be one of the main animal-related hobbies of our county, but it’snot without risk to those involved, whichmeans there had best be some level ofprotection involved. Insuringprotection116-117_Layout 1 23/05/2016 14:42 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY117FARM & COUNTRY - EQUINEbe provided by the NHS and this would need to be paid forprivately. Having no insurance, she and her mother had to uselife savings to pay for the treatment, which was fortunatelysuccessful. She attended Oaksey House, which provides freerehabilitation for jockeys through the Injured Jockeys Fund andis the magazine Horse and Hound’s charity of the year. Itcannot, however, provide free treatment for all.Sophie advised all riders to consider taking out insurance tocover the costs of care and treatment should they need it,which is sensible advice. Income and mortgage protectioninsurance should also be looked at, though this can be moredifficult for the self- employed, though there are specialistbrokers who provide it.But do take care with personal injury cover for yourself, assome of the policies are worded so that you would actually haveto lose limbs or eyes to qualify for payment. British Eventing’spolicy covers “death, loss of limbs or eyes” and “being unableto follow any gainful employment”. Note the “any”. This couldmake it impossible to qualify as most people will be able to dosome form of employment. It may not be what they want todo, but is still employment. The policy also only pays up to£10000.00. This is not to say don’t do it, but just look carefullyat the “small print” to ensure it is money well spent.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/HORSEMENPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/CATHLEEN A CLAPPERSoleDistributersinLincolnshire,Nottinghamshire&HumbersidePickupcanopiesalsoavailableYouarewelcometoviewourstockofTrailersTel:01526860317Fax:01526861357website:www.scott-trailers.co.uke-mail:office@scott-trailers.co.ukOpeninghoursMontoFri8am-5pmSat9am-12noon•OthertimesbyappointmentHorseboxCommercialLivestockUnbrakedTrailersfromCampingto3500kggrossSales•Repairs•Servicing•SparesYour Ifor Williams Trailer Distributorof Walcott LincolnSole Distributors in Lincolnshire & NottinghamshireSCOTTTRAILERSLSCOTTTRAILERSLTDTDCome and view the new Ifor Williams Eventa116-117_Layout 1 23/05/2016 14:42 Page 2Rimmer BrosRimmer Bros, Triumph House, Sleaford Road, Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln LN4 2NA, England01522 568 000 rimmerbros.co.ukOfficial Fuel Consumption Figures for the all-new Range Rover in mpg (l/100km): Urban 13.7 (20.6) – 33.2 (8.5), Extra Urban 28.5 (9.9) – 40.4 (7.0), Combined 20.5 (13.8) – 37.7 (7.5). CO2 Emissions 322 - 196 g/km.Genuine Land Rover Parts and AccessoriesAvailable by Mail Order for Classic to Current Models.Request Your Complimentary Parts & Accessories Catalogue or visit our fully interactive website.We have over 30 years experience in supplying owners world-wide with the parts and expertise needed to keep their vehicles on the road, why not road test our service today?IT’S IN THE BLOOD118-121_Layout 1 23/05/2016 15:17 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY119FARM & COUNTRY - FARM MACHINERYThe food sector is of enormousimportance to Greater Lincolnshire – it’sthe third biggest sector and, as the LEPpoints out, it contributes £2.5 billionevery year to the area’s economy. Theirvision is to double its economic value by2030, and through a host of support andfunding opportunities, and the skills offarm managers in locating opportunities,the possibility of this being achievedlooks very likely.Lincolnshire has often been at theheart of the agricultural sector and theLincolnshire Show remains one of themost important gatherings of the farmingcommunity in the whole of the UK, as it’llillustrate again this summer. Beyond that,the industry is vitally important for notonly the success of the county, but alsofor the country as well. Something worththinking about the next time you’re stuckbehind a tractor on the road. When it comes to farm machinery it’san almost ironic thing. The agriculturalsector has always had something of areputation for being conservative andsteadfast, adapting slowly to changes,much like the crops they harvest. Put anew piece of machinery on the markethowever, especially one that can makethe job more efficient – and farmers willsnap it up in a moment. It’s that pro-active attitude towards making thingswork better which ensures the UK marketcan still compete with our Europeanneighbours, who often pay less in termsof wages and other associated costs.Cultivation equipment can range fromploughs to power harrows, or from rollersto strip-till drills, while harvest machinerycan include anything from combines tochaser bins, or trailers to grain dryers.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/DMITRY KALINOVSKYTHE GREAT MACHINE The farming market hasstruggled in recent years, butsticking one’s head in the sandisn’t going to do much to help. 121 ÁPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/HOPSALKA118-121_Layout 1 23/05/2016 15:17 Page 2Next >