< Previous70 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYA friend telephoned me to suggest I popround with my camera as a bird had justbounced off his window and left a selfportrait on the glass! This avian ‘palimpsest’is a collared dove and, amazingly, was nonethe worse for its encounter.Last year a woodcock performed thevery same act on the very same windowbut that time with fatal consequences. Itwas such a beautiful bird it was decided totake it to a taxidermist and it now standsproudly in the lounge under a glassdome.!Meanwhile a bird box in my neighbour’sgarden has become a ‘bee box’. Each yearwithout fail this box has been home to bluetits who have always raised a familysuccessfully. This year in early spring theblue tits began nest building as usual but afew weeks later I noticed the box was filledwith very busy bees! They must havepersuaded the blue tits to abandon theirhome somehow. I wonder if the bees justarrived in spite of the blue tits’ protests untilthe birds were overwhelmed?About twelve houses away, anotherneighbour telephoned me to tell me herbird box was also full of bees and aboutthree miles away there was yet another boxof bees in a friend’s garden! It appears theseare tree bumblebees, which came acrossfrom Europe only ten years ago but nowappear to be extremely widespread. Theseare the first I have seen in Lincolnshire, butseeing as they took over three nest boxes itlooks like they have finally invaded our partof the world.Sadly for the blue tits, this probablymeans a failed breeding season this yearbecause when they move off to search fornew nest sites, unless someone has just putout a fresh nest box, all the nesting sites willhave been occupied. If nest boxes are goingto be continually taken over in this fashion,Country DiaryA bumpersummerCountry DiaryA bumpersummerAs our wildlife expert Colin Smale suggests, this year’ssummer with its sunshine and showers looks like it’sgoing to be a bumper year for both wildlife and farmingAs our wildlife expert Colin Smale suggests, this year’ssummer with its sunshine and showers looks like it’sgoing to be a bumper year for both wildlife and farmingNest box number threeNest box number oneCollared Dove self portrait070-071:Layout 1 13/6/14 08:47 Page 1it’s going to be difficult to find a wayaround this one.Harmony in the hideI am finding this new little egret colonyin North East Lincolnshire irresistible.These elegant snow white birds with theirfrondy plumage and busy lives, feedingsquabbling chicks, are a delight to watch.One hour in the hide can very quicklybecome four hours and sometimes more,and even when I think “I really must gohome” something happens within thecolony and there’s another thirty minutesgone.This morning as I walked through thetall wet grass toward the hide I noticedsome tracks in front of me. Somethinghad walked along and knocked all theraindrops off the grass leaving a ‘dry line’in front of me. There, not thirty yards infront, sitting in the sunshine, was themuntjac deer again, quietly chewing on ahorse chestnut leaf.I was cluttered up like a Christmas treewith tripod, rucksack and seat but Istopped and the muntjac just stared atme, continuing to munch on this leaf. Ithought he would scamper off when Istopped but no, he just kept onmunching and watching me.I thought it worth at least a snapshotof him, even from this distance, Idoubted he would let me get very muchcloser as I was right out in the open.Sooner or later he will pop up in front ofmy hide again, I hope I will then getthose close-ups I am now only visualising. I spent most of the day in the hidewatching the comings and goings of theegrets. I guess there must be at leasttwenty nests up there along with at leastthree heron nests with very well grownyoung now. The egret chicks are prettywell grown – almost at the flying stage.These siblings, usually three, spend theday mostly huddled together on a longbranch, preening and occasionally havinga stab at one another.Suddenly, they recognise the call oftheir parent returning with food. Thechicks dash about all over the placetrying to get the ‘me first’ attention andat this age the parents are almost terrifiedto enter this arena of flashing daggers.They feed and flee as quickly as they cannow the chicks are so boisterous. Happydays.To purchase any of the photos in ourwildlife articles, visit www.fotolincs.com.Dangerous times!Young little Egret testing its wingsOur old friend theMuntjac Deer070-071:Layout 1 13/6/14 08:47 Page 272 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGOLFIt’s probably fair to say that most people have a particularimage of your typical golfer – usually a man, and usually of acertain age. While the sport may well appeal to a slightly moremature audience than other pursuits, much work has beencarried out in recent years to introduce the game to a newgeneration, and across Lincolnshire, there are plenty ofopportunities for people of all ages to take part.The success of Charley Hull over the last few years may wellhave been an inspiration for a new breed of golfers. Theteenager, a star of Europe’s winning Solheim Cup team and2013’s Rookie of the Year, is still only eighteen years old andrecently she visited Rutland County Golf Club, just outsideStamford, to play the club’s lady champion Imogen Huxley andshowcase girls’ golf to a wider audience.Indeed, as club owner George Lowe says, “We are trying tohighlight the opportunities in golf that exist for any young girlwilling to put in the time and effort. We wish to try and correctthe very poor up-take of golf in this group and have been veryfortunate in gaining Charley’s support in our efforts to do so.”In our part of the world we’re fortunate to have uncovered aseemingly rich seam of golfing talent. Ashton Turner and BillySpooner are among those who have represented England atvarious age groups and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them asfamiliar competitors in the majors in the years to come.England Golf, the national governing body who are based inWoodhall Spa, aim to nurture promising young talent with helpfrom their U16 regional boys’ and girls’ coaching squads. Thesquads are the first rung on the ladder of England Golf’s nationalcoaching structure. The players will train over the winter monthswith a mix of group coaching, matches and one-to-one sessionswith their coaches. Billie-Jo Smith of Woodhall Spa, LoisWilliamson of Boston and Hugo Kedzlie of Spalding were part ofthe most recent intake in the East Midlands.Nigel Edwards, England Golf’s Performance Director, says, “Weaim to give our talented young players the best golfdevelopment experience available. In return, we expect theplayers to commit themselves to a programme of golf coachingand physical training that will set them up for life.”For some, an interest in golf is one thing but the ability to findthe money to pursue their training is another, but funding andbursaries are available, especially for young women golfers. TheEWGA Trust, for example, makes funds available to girls who areunder 21 years of age or in full-time education for whom it willmake a significant difference to their being able to take part ingolf.In Lincolnshire there’s also funding available from theLincolnshire Elite Athlete Programme. Managed by LincolnshireSport and supported by local authorities, businesses andorganisations from across the county, LEAP is currentlysupporting Ashton Turner of Kenwick Park, who last year won theboys’ title in the Telegraph BMW Golf Championship in Portugal.Of course, golf is one of the few sports where people of allages can take it up and become proficient – and for existinggolfers there are also opportunities to develop your skills.Lincolnshire’s many fine golf clubs have professionals on hand tohelp improve your game.Frommajor tominorYou don’t have to be a certain age to enjoy golf– Lincolnshire’s golf clubs welcome peoplefrom all walks of life072-075:Layout 1 13/6/14 11:25 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY73GOLFNO JOINING FEE! The Club offers a friendly welcome to allvisitors and is a popular destination forSocieties due to the excellent course andcatering facilities on offer.Spalding Golf ClubSurfleet, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 4EATel: 01775 680386Email: secretary@spaldinggolfclub.co.uk Web: www.spaldinggolfclub.co.ukNO JOINING FEE! The Club offers a friendly welcome to allvisitors and is a popular destination forSocieties due to the excellent course andcatering facilities on offer.Spalding Golf ClubSurfleet, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 4EATel: 01775 680386Email: secretary@spaldinggolfclub.co.uk Web: www.spaldinggolfclub.co.ukSpalding Golf Club“An Oasis in the Fens”Spalding Golf Club“An Oasis in the Fens”Market Rasen Golf ClubFor more information please call 01673 842319 or email: secretary@marketrasengolfclub.co.ukwww.marketrasengolfclub.co.uk• Stunning 18 hole heathland golf course • Twilight golf from £12 per player • Attractive Society packages • 4 hole academy course • Short game area • Driving range • Membership options to suit all072-075:Layout 1 13/6/14 11:25 Page 2GREEN FEES AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEKMonday - Friday Before 1pm£25 per person£80 per 4 ball1pm - 4pm£20 per person£60 per 4 ballWeekends Before 1pm£30 per person£100 per 4 ball1pm - 4pm£25 per person£80 per 4 ballTwilight golf from 4pm - £15 per person - 7 days a weekSociety Packages available from £20 per personGainsborough Golf Club, The Belt Road, Gainsborough.Lincolnshire. DN21 1PZTel: 01427 613088. Email: info@gainsboroughgc.co.ukWebsite: www.gainsboroughgc.co.uk“Everybody Welcome”ELSHAM GOLF CLUBSO MUCH MORE THAN A GOLF CLUBSet in stunning tranquil surroundings, be it for membership, lessons or a round of golf.Ideal setting for Weddings, Special Celebrations andnow taking bookings for Christmas lunches & eveningparties, corporate and private.The restaurant and bar are open for anyone wishing toenjoy a fantastic meal in superb surroundings.This really is the perfect place for friends and family to enjoy, relax and catch up. TOP 100 HIDDEN GEMSElsham Golf Club, Barton Road, Elsham, Brigg DN20 0LSTel: 01652 680291 Pro Shop: 01652 680432 Email: office@elshamgolfclub.co.ukwww.elshamgolfclub.co.ukClubhouse available for “Fine Dining”, functions & corporate eventsFurther details available on requestClubhouse available for “Fine Dining”, functions & corporate eventsFurther details available on request072-075:Layout 1 13/6/14 11:26 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY75GOLFGainsborough Golf ClubBoasting two 18 hole golf courses, Gainsborough Golf Cluboffers the opportunity to play on two contrasting styles ofcourse. Thonock Park is a traditional parkland course, whileKarsten Lakes provides a greater challenge, with its largebunkers and lakes, to catch any wayward shots.Also open to the public is the newly refurbished Ping golfshop and, for those looking to improve their game, you willcertainly appreciate the excellent tuition packages availablefrom our Ping Academy.The clubhouse offers spectacular views across both courses,with Café, bar, restaurant and function room facilities. Theycan cater for any event for up to three hundred guests. Allareas are open to the public, seven days a week. ElshamGolf ClubElsham Golf Club, near Brigg, is an18 hole parkland/heathland course in atranquil setting with an excellentselection of beautiful trees. It haschallenges for golfers of all skill levelsand abilities, some tight fairways and tricky greens interspersedwith some lovely open fairways with attractive views. Golf lessonsare available from the respected PGA professional Stuart Brewer,catering for all abilities from juniors, beginners, ladies’ groups,right through to elite players.The clubhouse has a bar lounge area where members andvisitors can relax after a round of golf with a wide variety ofrefreshments available. Adjacent to this is an attractive restaurantarea, also open to non-members, serving excellent SundayLunches, thanks to head chef Lisa Wood and her team. Thisfacility and the Elsham Function Room are available to hire forsocial functions including weddings, where they can seat up to120 covers.The club has a lively social programme throughout the year,well supported by members and their guests. Trial golfmemberships are available for four months for £200.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/PHIL MCDONALDGrimsby Golf ClubEstablished in 1922, Grimsby Golf Club is the “hidden jewel” within Lincolnshire. The picturesqueparkland course, spanning 123 acres, has enabled Grimsby to become a home to golf.The classic 18 hole golf course, at over 6100 yards may look flat to the eye from the outside, butmaintains many of the land’s undulating contours, making it a pleasant challenge for beginners andseasoned pros alike. Each hole changes direction and the course can boast some of the county’sbest Par 3s.On hand to help with advice, tips and coaching is the club’s PGA Professional Simon Jowitt.Whether you are a complete beginner or have many years’ experience, Simon can provide lessonson the dedicated practice area or on the course itself, including video computer analysis sessions,ensuring you receive the support you require. People of all abilities are encouraged to join, fromjuniors through to seniors.Once you’ve completed your round, you can relax in the bright and airy clubhouse that overlooksthe putting green and dine from one of the fabulous menus created by their multi award winning chefMarket Rasen Golf ClubMarket Rasen is one of Lincolnshire’s finest Golf courses, onlyfifteen miles away from the historic city of Lincoln. Established in1910, this picturesque heathland course is renowned throughoutthe county as one of the most beautiful courses winding throughpine forests, heather and gorse offering a great day out to allgolfers. The Club can also accommodate for all golfers of all levelswith the four hole academy course, short game area and a drivingrange which is open to the public.The Club is a hive of activity and they are always pleased towelcome new members. They have membership options to suitall including a three month trail membership. The catering team can accommodate small or large groupsserving an excellent menu and a fine array of hand pulled ales.The Club offer conference facilities with free WiFi and can caterfor corporate functions, special events or celebrations of any kind.Spalding Golf ClubAs one of Lincolnshire’s premier courses, Spalding Golf Club hasplayed host to many County Union events and, in 2007, held theEnglish Golf Union Junior Champion Club Tournament.Spalding Golf Club is a mature 18 hole par 72 parkland course,measuring in excess of 6500 yards from the White tees. Accuracy isrequired from the tee to the tree lined fairways and small undulatinggreens. Water, including the River Glen, comes into play on several holes.The Club offers a friendly welcome to all visitors and is a populardestination for societies due to the excellent course and catering facilitieson offer. A wide range of options are available thanks to the highlyregarded chef Robert Richer and his team, whether you are wishing todine from the a la carte menu in the restaurant, or take a bar snack andrefreshments in the “spike” bar. Both have superb views over the course.072-075:Layout 1 13/6/14 11:26 Page 4forward for manufacturers and havecome a long way since the likes of theToyota Prius Hybrid. For us this just lacksthe necessary va-va-voom to make it intoour top list. It was the first mainstreameco car to gain appeal though and whileToyota have sold millions, we find it hardto justify such expense when the car canonly drive a short distance before76 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGFirst up has to be the all-new BMW i3as it offers zero emissions in a premiumcar package, and at an affordable price.The i3 is the world’s first premium cardesigned from the ground up poweredby an electric drive system and debunksmany of the myths surrounding electricvehicles. Firstly, it proves you don’t haveto sacrifice your driving experience orcomfort for economy and secondly thatyou certainly don’t have to worry aboutonly being able to drive a short distance.In fact, our car came with the i3 rangeextender which increases the car’smaximum range to over 200 miles. Evenwithout this option the i3 willcomfortably do 80-100 miles and can befast charged in the time it takes to enjoya cappuccino.Performance wise, the BMW i3 sprintsfrom zero to 37mph in a mere 3.7seconds and zero to 60mph in just 7.2seconds and as it qualifies for the currentgovernment grant of £5000 the entrylevel i3 will set you back a mere £20, 680(post-subsidy). Interestingly, for anycompany car users or fleet managers outthere – you’d beastonished to learn thatthere’s zero tax to bepaid as benefit in kind!In fact, many of ourstaff, on seeing it, verykindly offered to takeone in lieu of a pay rise.For those in need of asports utility vehiclethough the MitsubishiOutlander PHEV gets ourvote and is the only 4×4SUV to qualify for the Plug-inCar Grant. Electrically poweredonce again, the car drives on thebatteries up to 75mph – beyond that, orshould the battery power deplete, thecombustion engine takes over.Since it meets all the criteria needed toqualify for the Government’s Plug-in CarGrant prices start at a mere £28,249(post-subsidy) and the taxable Benefit inKind for company car drivers on this oneis just 5%.Electrically powered vehicles andhybrids certainly seem to be the wayEnergyefficientcars Competition seems to be hotting up in the industry tosee who can make the most efficient cars. In recent yearswe’ve seen 65-80 mpg in quite a few vehicles, but someof the models we’ve tested of late offer way in excess ofthat – some topping 200 mpg! Now we’ve got yourinterest, here’s our selection based on the cars we’vetested of late. 78 Top:BMW i3Below: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV076-079:Layout 1 13/6/14 08:50 Page 1076-079:Layout 1 13/6/14 08:50 Page 2switching to its 1.8 petrol engine. Performance isn’t too exciting either,although CO2 emissions aren’t too shabby at 89g/km. The Vauxhall Ampera is certainly worth a look. This car also comes underthe name of Chevrolet Volt which is essentially a rebadged Ampera. Again,battery range is limited to some 50 miles. It does have a small range-extending generator, powered by a 1.4-litre petrol engine though whichintervenes to provide up to 300 more miles. Ampera pricing starts at £28,750 on-the-road (after the £5000government grant) and offer eco friendly motoring at a mere 27g/km. Last but by no means least is the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid - capable of0-60mph in 6.9 seconds, yet emits only 49g/km of CO2 and achievesroughly 150mpg.The V60 basically has two power unit - its standard 2.4-litre diesel, issupplemented with a 69bhp electricmotor mounted on the rear axle –rather like a normal hybrid.The difference is thoughthat after charging theV60 batteries fromthe mains, your carwill drive on electricat up to 60mph. Thebad news is thatrange is limited to amere 30 miles. Granted the rangeis disappointing butwe feel Volvodeserve somerecognition asthey’re currentlyexploring ways to charge avehicles power pack withoutthe need to be plugged in. Theidea is that drivers will soon be able topark over a kind of mat and the induced power will charge the batteries.Now how neat is that? In the meantime, it’s worth mentioning that whether you own anelectrically powered vehicle yet or not, the Office of Low Emission Vehiclesruns a UK-wide scheme, providing funding, up to £1000, for fitting 16 ampcharging point installations to your home.Now, before you go charging out (excuse the pun) and fitting your own,do make sure you use a government approved contractor and do considergoing beyond the minimum by fitting a 32 amp charging unit, as this willprovide a faster level of charging, for some vehicles, should you buy an EV.There should also be additional grant funding available for the 32 ampversion if it costs more so check out www.energysavingtrust.org.uk forfurther details.78 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGAbove: Toyota PriusRight: Vauxhall AmperaBelow: Volvo V60076-079:Layout 1 13/6/14 08:50 Page 3The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Dacia range are: Urban 27.2 (10.4)–65.7 (4.3); Extra Urban 40.3 (7)–80.7 (3.5); Combined 35.3 (8)–74.3 (3.8). The official CO2 emissions are 185–99g/km. EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary according to driving styles, road conditions and other factors.*Finance provided by RCI Financial Services Limited, PO Box 149, Watford WD17 1FJ. Subject to status. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. You must be at least 18 and a UK resident (excluding the Isle of Man and Channel Islands) to apply for finance. Offer based on 6000 miles pa, excess mileage 8p per mile inc VAT. Terms and conditions apply. Offers cannot be used with other schemes or finance offers and are available on specified new vehicles when ordered by 30 June 2014.HUMBERSIDE DACIA226 VICTORIA STREET, GRIMSBY DN31 1PH01472 348527 WWW.HUMBERSIDEDACIA.CO.UKDacia Sandero Access Representative exampleTotal amount to be financed£5495Total amount payable by customer£7118.5248 monthly payments of£99.98Finance facility fee£99Duration (months)48Customer deposit£500Optional final payment£2071.48Rate of interest (fixed) per annum9.05%On the road price£5995Option to purchase fee£14910.5% APR representativeThe New Dacia RangeDacia Sandero Access = from only £99.98* per month and £500 depositDacia Logan MCV Access = from only £119.86* per month and £500 depositDacia Duster Access = from only £175.38* per month and £500 depositDacia Sandero Stepway Ambiance = from only £149.75* per month and £500 deposit076-079:Layout 1 13/6/14 08:50 Page 4Next >