< Previous30 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY LINCOLN four surviving copies of the Magna Carta. In the Magna Carta Vault one can also at present find a first edition of Lewis Carroll’s magical Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There on display, which the author gave to Alfred Lord Tennyson as a Christmas present in 1871. The castle also of course plays host to a number of events. Those coming up in June include a medieval cooking experience, a Car Rally with 200 vehicles, an outdoor theatre performance of Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Medieval Mayhem where 13th century knights will battle in a medieval tournament. Lincoln Cathedral, once the tallest building in the world, is a must-see. With a rather hazardous history, work first began on the magnificent building in 1072 but in 1124 it was raved by a major fire. Then, in 1185, it was partially destroyed by an earthquake leaving behind only the West Front which one can still see today. In 1237 the Central Tower collapsed, in 1548 the Central Tower spire was blown down in a storm, and in 1644 Cromwell’s forces damaged the building. Despite all it has faced, the Gothic- style cathedral still stands today and after many additions, such the famous Dean’s Eye window (between 1220 and 1235) and its libraries, it is a stunning site to behold. Lincoln also boasts a variety of museums and galleries. Visit the Museum of Lincolnshire Life if you want to learn more about the county’s history and see the WWI tank Daphne, or if you prefer art, take a trip to Usher Gallery to view a collection of fine, decorative and contemporary art, or look to the Sam Scorer Gallery. Alternatively, if you would like to enjoy an award-winning archaeology museum, look around The Collection, which will also feature a Dinosaur encounter from July with exhibitions from the Natural History Museum in London. Why not also visit the International Bomber Command Centre acknowledging the effort of the men and women who came together in Bomber Command in WWII. See the Memorial Spire, the 23 Walls of Names, the interactive Chadwick Centre and the Peace Gardens. Not only a historical and educational delight, Lincoln is also a premier shopping destination. Bailgate and the aptly named Steep Hill provide a plethora a specialist shops, vintage boutiques, tea rooms, restaurants and classic pubs. Meanwhile at St. Marks outdoor shopping centre and the indoor Waterside Shopping Centre you will find well- known brands alongside independent stores. Lincoln is also famous for its markets, which are great for finding unique gifts and local products. Look out for the Antiques Market, on various Sundays, and the Farmer’s Market, on © Shutterstock /travellight 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 11:23 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 31 LINCOLN the third Saturday of each month - both on Castle Hill - as well as the Makers’ Market, which from 3 June will run every first (at Castle Hill), second (at Lincoln Cornhill) and third Saturday (at St. Martin’s Square) of the month. The entertainment available in Lincoln does not stop there however, with several venues presenting concerts, plays and other events. Visit Lincoln Drill Hall for comedy, improv, music and the Gin Society Festival, the New Theatre Royal for Drama, music and films, The Blue Room for live music, comedy and theatre or The Engine Shed for live bands and comedy greats. In June why not also visit The Lincolnshire Showground for the popular Lincolnshire Show, a celebration of rural Lincolnshire. See our preview on page 88. Lincoln is also home to a marina, Brayford Pool, formerly a Roman Harbour and England’s oldest Harbour. Relax while the narrow boats pass by and visit the wide selection of eating, drinking and entertainment venues, as well as hotels. While at the waterfront make sure to see its artwork, and why not get on the water with a boat trip to bask in picturesque scenery. Whether you’re looking to take a trip back in time to experience historical sites, enjoy a weekend of shopping, or want to be entertained with side-splitting comedy, music, and theatre, Lincoln has something for everyone. © Shutterstock /trabantos 83 Bailgate, Lincoln, LN1 3AR Tel: 01522 579400 www.follie.co.uk Beautiful Jewellery, Gifts, Cards and home accessories Beautiful Jewellery, Gifts, Cards and home accessories 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 11:24 Page 432 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY LINCOLN - WHITE HART HOTEL Q&A Nestled in Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter, the White Hart Hotel is surrounded by history, but what can you tell us about the hotel’s history? We can trace the hotel back 600 years as offering hospitality to the gentry of near and far as a coaching inn and there is still evidence of the entry courtyard where horse and carriages would deliver their guests to. We’ve also been fortunate enough to be associated with the concept design of the tank from back during WW1. We’re extremely proud of this historical fact and welcome guests to come and view the room in which the initial meetings took place and designs were drafted prior to making their way to foundry for construction and trials on the common. We’ve also played host to royalty from Japan and the UK along with Prime Ministers, celebrities from around the world and even Basil Brush has graced us with his presence! With years of experience, extensive rooms and a beautiful location, the White Hart Hotel is the perfect place for a wedding. What else can you offer happy couples? The confidence, knowledge and trust that the happiest day of your life is in good hands with our team of wedding planners, award-winning chefs and a team who love to be a part of the excellent and well-earned reputation that the hotel has built up over many many years of helping to deliver and celebrate dream weddings. You’ve recently revamped the menu at your award-winning Grille – Restaurant & Bar. How has the menu changed and what can diners expect? We always try and stay true to our core values of using the best and locally scoured produce wherever possible. The chefs are invited to contribute to the menu and feel truly involved in delivering a great dish that people will remember and talk about. Keeping things relatively simple and allowing the dish to speak for itself is also important, people want to know what they are eating and to understand how and why the flavours and textures respond Q&A Ian Robinson, General Manager, White Hart Hotel We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Ian Robinson, General Manager at Lincoln’s White Hart Hotel about their recent renovations, menu revamp and its long, storied history. 32-33.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 10:51 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 33 LINCOLN - WHITE HART HOTEL Q&A well together. The important thing is that guests always leave happy and with a smile on their face. That’s not the only thing that’s changed with a major refurbishment throughout the hotel, including brand-new bathrooms. Can you tell us more about the refurb and any future plans? We are currently upgrading bathrooms to be more reflective of customer requirements in the modern world whilst trying to retain some individual points of luxury. There will be different styles depending on the room itself but safe in the knowledge that there will be WOW factor on each occasion. As well as private dining, you also offer seasonal dining options including Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter and, of course, Christmas and New Year. How do you keep things fresh and attractive year after year? The key is making sure you stay on trend with evolving styles but ensure that you keep doing the simple and important things well and consistently. We’ve always had pride in our ability to be flexible and adapt to customers concerns whilst maintaining high levels of excellence when it comes to service food quality and presentation and putting on a great party. To book a room or table at the White Hart Hotel, visit www.whitehart-lincoln.co.uk, email info@whitehart-lincoln.co.uk, or call 0 1522 526 222. 32-33.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 10:51 Page 234 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY The elite course on Sunday 12th May roared with the noise of the supportive crowds and the 150 male and 130 female professional riders on their dynamic race cycles speeding within feet of the spectators guard rails over the cobbles in the uphill area of Lincoln, followed by the motorcade of the impressive looking team of back up cars whizzing by with the ‘broom wagon’ bringing up the rear. The ‘broom wagon’, which often has an actual broom hooked onto the back door of it, in honour of its name, is the vehicle that follows a cycle road race, in essence; “sweeping” up stragglers who are unable to make it to the finish within the time permitted. If a cyclist chooses to continue behind the broom wagon, he or she ceases to be part of the race and has to follow the usual traffic rules and laws. The male riders endured the 103 mile Grand Prix course on Sunday at 1pm, and the women a shorter 63 mile race course earlier in the day at 9am, both featuring tough, long stretches in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside where people enjoyed picnics and partied around the course, sitting on the verges and outside local pubs, before the course headed back towards Lincoln, ending with multiple uphill tests on the infamous steep and cobbled Michaelgate and up through Castle Square, where the races started and ended. Since 1956 a cycle race has been run in Lincoln testing the riders and watched on by thousands of locals and visitors in and around the historic city of Lincoln and surrounding villages - making it Britain’s oldest remaining classic one day cycle race. The first event was on Wednesday featuring a screening of a critically acclaimed documentary film Wonderful Losers: A Different World at The Venue on the Bishop Grosseteste University Campus to get people in the mood. In fact the Bishop Grosseteste University Campus grounds and main reception area became the head quarters for the Grand Prix for the first time this year, moving from Yarborough Leisure Centre. Then, on Saturday, the Lincoln Grand Sportive set off from Yarborough Leisure Centre allowing 1,309 amateur cyclists able to try out the elite race circuit and improve their skills and fitness. The riders could choose from four distances to test themselves of 101, 75, 63 or 33 miles. But it was the Sunday when the Lincoln Grand Prix, starting in Castle Square for both women and men, brought everyone out to see the professionals grinding it out with top race riders from all over the UK and abroad, and a top local competitor. The route took in the Bailgate, Burton Road, Burton Village, down to Saxilby Road and then back up towards the city on Long Leys Road before hitting the key battle ground of Michaelgate, leading into Castle Square, where the commentary box was positioned keeping all the spectators up to date on who was going on around the course. The professional men’s Grand Prix, was Lincoln Cycle Grand Prix 2019 by Jilly Day Lincoln Cycle Grand Prix 2019 by Jilly Day The annual Lincoln Grand Prix Sportive cycle race celebrated its 64th year as an exciting elite womens’ and mens’ race through historic Lincoln and around Lincolnshire on 12th May, and was complemented by a general participation Sportive Race for amateurs the day before - all enjoying good weather and a good turn out of excited spectators. 34-35.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 10:54 Page 1LINCOLN 103 miles long, and won by Thomas Stewart in a incredible time of approximately 3 hours, 47 minutes, with Thomas Piddock as runner up and Andrew Hart coming in third. The women’s Lincoln Grand Prix race, 63 miles in length, was won by local rider Rebecca Durrell again – this year in a time of around 2 hours 35 minutes, and the runner up was Jessica Roberts and Joscelin Lowden coming in third. The Under 23 winner was Thomas Piddock bringing him in second in the main race also. With history repeating itself with both Thomas Stewart and Rebecca Durrell winning the races again from 2018, and scooping up the winning £400 prize fund and the Cobblestone Trophy (an actual mounted cobble stone!), Stewart commented, “It’s a tough race but I’ve learnt how to ride it over the years....you know it’s going to hurt....the last time I won here I came into the finish with three extremely strong guys and I managed to beat them, and that gave me some confidence – this finish obviously suits me. I took a different line to previous years, but still managed to do the trick.” Lincolnshire winner of the ladies Grand Prix, Rebecca Durrell, added she was “over the moon to win here again.....as always the atmosphere was immense”. This exciting and colourful event was free to watch and enjoy for the thousands that clapped and hollered as the riders cycled past and all in all was an excellent spectacle and day out for people of all ages – the excitement is only now just dying down! Count Down for the 2019 Lincoln Grand Prix to start in Castle Square Lincoln – the top riders ready to go at the front of the peloton. Leading the way up Wordsworth Street Camera men getting ready to record the race around the 13 mile circuit. Castle Square – where the commentary box kept the crowd that gathered posted on what was happening around the course. 34-35.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 10:54 Page 236 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION Spectacular summer style Summer is finally here and with it a brand-new season’s worth of outfits to dive into. We’ve got some spectacular dresses and designs to show off, but let’s not go forgetting swimwear. With good weather ahead, more and more time will be spent poolside and at the beach and you’ll need bikinis, cossies and kaftans to look as good as you feel. 36-45.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 11:26 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 37 FASHION LauRie LauRie couples shades of blue with a white loose fit top for a simple yet effective summer look. 36-45.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 11:26 Page 238 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION Above left: Gerry Weber Pulling off jungle patterned trousers is easy when paired with a simple top that highlights rather than competes. Use this Gerry Weber outfit as your guide. Above middle: Masai This Masai dress is absolutely perfect for the summer weather with its loose airy fit, sleeveless design and above the knee cut. You’ll want this one in your wardrobe so make sure you visit Harmoni Boutique in Lincoln. Above right: Numph It’s all about swimwear and beach fashion this season and if you’re in need of inspiration look no further than Numph. Opposite: Lindsey Brown Whether you’re on the beach or poolside, you’ll want something as stunning as this designer silk kaftan from Lindsey Brown over your bikini or swimming costume. Resort wear doesn’t come better than this. 36-45.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 11:26 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 39 FASHION 36-45.qxp_Layout 1 22/05/2019 11:26 Page 4Next >