< Previous70 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGcould be to put your money into vintagemotorbikes - after all they take up lessroom and you can store 4-5 bikes whereone car would fit. A Triumph 5TA, for instance willnowadays fetch up to £6,000 a healthyimprovement on the list price of £150when it was first produced . And, at arecent Paris auction a championship-winning, ex-Fred Merkel WSB HondaRC30, used by the Rumi team forMerkel’s 1989 title-winning campaignfetched £23,000.This demonstrates the appeal of findinga model that was driven by a celebrity - ifnot the actual car or bike they used thenat least that model. These certainly fetchbetter prices; if and when you come topart with them. Fully restored models ofthe Lotus Elan, for example, as driven byEmma Peel, already fetch £50,000 butless than perfect examples can be boughtfor less and restored to improve theirvalues. However, you also want to be sure thatthe car or bike you’re buying ticks all theboxes for you personally and clamberingin and out of a Lotus Elan, might not beyour cup of tea because a) we’re not allas limber as Ms Peel was in the sixtiesand b) there’s nothing sophisticatedabout pulling up at a fuel pump andfalling out of your car on your hands andknees before straightening up to addressthe petrol pump attendant . For those of us who are, let’s call it,athletically challenged - a vintage Jaguarmight be a better choice – Mark 1 JaguarE-types in near perfect condition can pullclose to £80,000 and even a half decentone can fetch £50,000.Then there’s the less extravagant Britishmodels such as: the Triumph DolomiteSprint, or Triumph Stag. Admittedly, notas scarce but still reasonably well soughtafter and should perform well for years tocome. Little wonder that celebrities such as68-71_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:59 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY71COUNTY MOTORINGC&C AUTOSVolkswagen & Scooter SpecialistsTel: 01205 367565The Autobarn Broadfield Industrial Estate Broadfield Lane Boston PE21 8DR cncautos@live.co.ukwww.cncautos.co.ukChris Evans, Charles Saatchi and Rowan Atkinson all investin such vehicles. They know that, when they invest in theright vehicle, their tax-free investment grows much fasterthan inflation. And, if you’re passionate about your vehiclesthey can give you a greater sense of joy by driving, ridingand owning them. Far more, one might argue, than you’dget from staring at your bank statement - but before youshoot out and buy one, I should mention that this humblejournalist is merely giving his own opinion and as I am notregistered with any financial authority I am not qualified,or allowed, to give financial advice. The views in this articleare purely my personal opinions (and may well beprejudiced by the paltry way my investments haveperformed over the years) so in no way is any of this articleoffered as financial advice. So, please do make your own decisions regarding anyinvestments. That said, do let us know if you make the plungeas we’d love to come and feature you, your car, and/or bike, ina future issue of Lincolnshire Today magazine.68-71_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:59 Page 4Official fuel economy figures for the BMW i3: mpg N/A, CO2 emissions 0g/km, nominal power output (electric motor) 75/102 kW/hp at 4,800 rpm; peak power output (electric motor) 125/170 kW/hp, total average energy consumption per 62 miles/100 km (combined cycle) 12.9 kWh. Total range: 118 miles (combined cycle). Customer orientated range: up to 100 miles. Official fuel economy figures for the BMW i3 with Range Extender: 470.8mpg, CO2 emissions 13 g/km, total average energy consumption per 62 miles/100 km (weighted combined cycle) 11.5 kWh. Range without use of Range Extender: 106 miles (weighted combined cycle). Customer orientated total range: up to 186 miles. Customer orientated range without use of Range Extender: up to 93 miles. Figures may vary depending on different factors, including but not limited to individual driving style, climatic conditions, route characteristics and preconditioning. Soper of Lincoln is a credit broker. *Initial rental £6,769. Price shown is for a 36 month Personal Lease agreement for a BMW i3 with Range Extender with optional Sports Package and Fluid Black paint, with a contract mileage of 24,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 6.16p per mile. Figures shown incorporate HM Government Plug-In Car Grant. Applies for new vehicles ordered between 1 May 2016 and 30 June 2016 and registered by 30 June 2016 (subject to availability) at participating BMW i Agents. Retail customers only. At the end of your agreement you must return the vehicle. Excess mileage, vehicle condition and other charges may be payable. Hire available subject to status to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. Hire provided by BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited, Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. Soper of Lincoln Ltd, trading as Soper of Lincoln, commonly introduce customers to a selected panel of lenders including BMW Financial Services. We may receive commission or other benefits for introducing you to such lenders. This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice. †Test drive subject to status and availability.For more information on the BMW i3, or to arrange a 24 hour test drive†, call 01522 690000 or visit www.soperbmw.co.ukSEARCH: SOPER OF LINCOLN.THE BMW i3MONTHLY RENTALS FROM £259(Plus initial rental*)The UltimateDriving MachineBMW i72-73_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:03 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY73COUNTY MOTORINGFor those who don’t yet know, theBMW i3 is an electrically powered carmade from super light but strongmaterials such as carbon fibre andaluminium, offsetting the weight of itsbatteries, which are mounted beneaththe floor, further enhancing the carsmanoeuvrability.Our motoring correspondent has, ofcourse tested it before. But I hadn’t, untilthis month and was a little concernedthat I might not get on with the newtechnology.Words like ‘regenerative braking’worried me but despite being quitenervous initially; after a few junctions Iloved it. Hardly needing to apply thebrakes, I found all I had to do wasanticipate the traffic ahead and allow thecar’s ‘energy recuperation system’ to slowme down naturally, while using theenergy it consumes to boost the onboard batteries. Now that’s clever!As stylish inside as it is out and with abuild quality that we’ve all come toexpect from the BMW stable, what reallywins you over is the way it drives. Sonippy around the city centre with instantacceleration and quick positive steeringgiving it real appeal. In fact it’s so nippy Ioften had to fight the urge to leavethose mid-life crisis types standing attraffic lights (in fact once or twice Icouldn’t fight the urge anymore and didjust that!).Visibility is great and it’s an absolutedoddle to park. Out of town I foundmyself zipping around lanes and enjoyingevery minute of it - the hushed ride andstability make it a great motorway cruisertoo. Apparently BMW have just come upwith a new battery for the i3, extendingthe range to a massive 195 milesbetween charges. And if that still doesn’tsuit you, you can pay a little more to geta range-extender version with a two-cylinder petrol engine which will powerthe rear wheels and stop the batteriesfrom ever running flat.I really fell in love with this car, despiteall my preconceptions, in fact it has tobe one of the nicest cars I’ve driven.Truth is, if my son wasn’t contemplatinguniversity, for which bank of Mum pays,I’d have one in a heartbeat. In fact I stillmight…Test car courtesy of Soper of Lincoln,South Hykeham, LincolnTel: 01522 690000A car like no other… Lincolnshire Today Sales Director, Angela Cooper recently had the chance to test drive the fantastic BMW i3,something she wasn’t entirely sure would tick all the boxes… but is now smitten!72-73_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:03 Page 2Book a test-driveRenault MEGANEFeel the driveAll-NewFrom £16,600–£25,500* ! "# $% &'()*(+,.'+(/,(01 % 2*(*,(/.+(*&(20% 3,*('(.*'(,&(*( 45) &,./'(678 9 3! '/))+9 (: 345) ;9 ; 3 3 9 ; < 33 3 ( =4 ! "6> 6>? 94& @/<' 1 @2)2(C D33 < 9 % 3 9 33%;&F%)' 3 3%;&8%)'(C 33 9;3 <% <)HI <) 9 3 3 3@22 (PENTAGON54 ! 3<? ? ),?8 2)),),' ( ((74-75_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:04 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY75COUNTY MOTORINGRenault has had quite a resurgence oflate, having reinvented almost the entirerange of cars, from the Clio through tothe KADJAR. It was only a matter of time,therefore, before the Mégane rangereceived the same level of attention. We recently managed to get our handson the 4th Generation All-New Méganeand we have to say, its striking new designsets new standards in the family hatchbackcategory – from whichever angle you viewthe car, it has a wow factor. It’s widermore muscular stance making it reallystand out among its peers. Its sleek, curvylines are enhanced by the low frontbumper and large rear-lights that stretchalmost the entirety of the hatch, and alevel of finish that has to be seen to bebelieved – the designers have put greatemphasis on quality components.To complement the new, stylishexterior, there’s an equally stylish interior.With buyer budgets in mind, the teamhave incorporated items such as head-updisplay, Alcantra leather seats andtweaked suspension into flagship models.The entry-level model have not beenforgotten, they all come with an 8.2"touchscreen, featuring Renault’s R-Linkinfotainment system, soft-touch materials,a TFT screen in place of the traditionaldials, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, height-adjustable driver’s seat and tintedwindows. We should also mention thefact that the additional width adds to theshoulder room inside, while the addedlength has been put to good use, makingthe rear-passenger space far roomier andthe boot, at 434 litres, is larger than anyof its rivals.At launch, there are six trim levels tochoose from, with six engine choices:Expression+, Dynamique Nav,Dynamique S Nav, Signature Nav, GTLine Nav and GT Nav, with three dieselmodels producing 90, 110 and 130bhprespectively – with the midrange 110bhpemitting just 86g/km of CO2, makingthis an excellent proposition for companycar drivers.Alternatively, there are also three petrolmodels producing 99, 128 and 202bhp,the latter fitted exclusively to the GTmodel, matched to a seven speed, dual-clutch gearbox and Renault’s 4Controlfour-wheel steering system which, as ourtest car demonstrated, provides second-to-none performance and handling,especially on country lanes. The entry-level models don’tdisappoint, so even the biggest ofpetrolheads is advised to try them allbefore making a decision. Prices start atjust £16,600 for the 1.6 Expression+,rising to £18,100 for a Dynamique Nav,while the top-of-the-range GT Nav startsat £25,500. You won’t believe the differencebetween this 4th generation Mégane andthe previous models, until you’ve seenone in the flesh –there’s little wonderthere was such a buzz around Renault’sstand at the Frankfurt Motor showTest car courtesy of Pentagon,Outer Circle Road, LincolnTel: 01522 411 246All-NewRenaultMégane74-75_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:04 Page 2Addressing the shortages in both thedigital arena and the traditional STEMindustries means fighting a war on twofronts. The reason behind the lack ofworkers in the former is due more to the12.6 million adults in the UK lackingbasic digital skills, while the latter issuffering more from an identity crisiswhen it comes to kids and school leavers.These two opposing causes continue tobutt heads and require differing actions.But the solution stems largely from thesame source – education. It might be easy to assume that allmillennials are tech savvy, but a newreport found that the 22% of ITequipment in schools is ineffective, whileonly 35% of computer science teachersactually had a relevant qualification.Furthermore, only 70% of the requirednumber of these teachers were actuallybeing recruited, something which isaccounting for a noticeable skills vacuumin the classroom. These are troublingstatistics, especially given the fact thatthe UK requires another 745,000 workerswith digital skills by 2017. Education is as much a matter of whattakes place in the classroom as it is a caseof what goes on in Parliament. To thatend, the Government is set to publish itsDigital Strategy, in which it sets out theway in which it will help employers andStemming theskills shortage A lack of adequate resources, unskilled teachers and misconceptionssurrounding the STEM industries and digital sector are contributingto an ever widening skills gap. WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES76 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBUSINESS LINCS.76-77_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:05 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY77BUSINESS LINCS.individuals gain access to the toolsneeded to power the nation’s digitaleconomy. David Cameron’s pledge tobolster apprenticeships will likewise provepivotal. While the UK currently leadsEurope in terms of tech, it is at risk offalling behind in terms of an amblebodied digital workforce. Although education is key in boostinga competent workforce in the STEMsphere, it’s a more complicated state ofaffairs than that of the digital sector.90% of jobs today require digital skills toone degree or another, meaning that thedigital is commonplace and doesn’tsuffer from the same kind of stereotypesthat surrounded computer jobs say 20(or even 10) years ago. The STEMindustries, especially engineering, stillsuffer from an image problem, withmany young people associating themwith low pay, long hours and littlegrowth opportunity. This is even moreproblematic for women, who largely feelexcluded from what is still seen as a“boys club.” The situation, however, ischanging, and Lincolnshire is makingheadway in combatting those antiquatedviews. Only 9% of the UK engineeringworkforce is female, which is the lowestpercentage of female engineeringprofessionals in Europe. Tackling theissue requires coming at it from multipleangles, and one of the most proactive isengaging kids in STEM while still atschool and highlighting the excitingpossibilities both in and out of theclassroom. And that’s just what’shappening in Lincolnshire. The annualSTEM Day event at RAF Scampton,which took place earlier in June, andlargely focussed on women in STEMsubjects and kids were treated to specialguest Rachel Riley, best known asCountdown’s mathematician. Itdemonstrates the importance of showingkids the diverse possibilities, prospectsand opportunities involved across theSTEM field. This would significantly helpto address the chronic skills shortage andensure a well-trained pipeline of talentfor the future. It’s foolhardy to ignore the growingskills shortage, and although the solutionis far from elusive, it will take a sharedeffort from schools, government andindustry to usher in any real change.Business is become more and more digitaland our region spins on the STEMindustries, so making sure a tomorrow’sworkforce is a capable and skilled one isan investment in our future. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/DEAN DROBOT76-77_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:05 Page 278 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYonwhat’sLincoln28 May – 4 September Lincolnshire Voices from theGreat War, Lincoln Castle This temporary exhibition housed insidethe Victorian Prison at the Castle exploresthemes such as the development andbuilding of the Lincoln tank, the role of theCastle, the Battle of the Somme throughthe eyes of Lincolnshire men and themunitionettes who built the aircraft andtanks. Event 10am - 5pm. Free admission tothe Castle grounds to view Poppies: Wave.Admission applies for the Castle attractionsand to view the exhibition. For moreinformation, visit www.lincolncastle.com. Stamford7 June - 27 AugustStamford ShakespeareCompany, Tolethorpe HallIn the year we celebrate the 400thanniversary of Shakespeare’s death, theStamford Shakespeare Company is markingthe occasion with a production of TheTempest. It is also celebrating 40 years ofperforming at the beautiful historicTolethorpe Hall with a production ofMacbeth, the first play ever staged there.To commemorate this milestone, there is aspecial gala night of Macbeth on 6thAugust. There is also pre-performanceentertainment, including jugglers, jesters,medieval magicians, minstrels and more.The third play this year is Alan Bennett’swonderful adaptation of The Wind in theWillows, perfect fun for all the family. Formore information and to book online:www.stamfordshakespeare.co.ukLincolnSaturday 18 June – Sunday 11September A Question of Guilt: A CrimeWriter’s Collection, TheCollection This exhibition is made up of finepaintings all sharing a similar theme –they were all inspired by the works ofAgatha Christie and detection fiction. Eachpainting has a title and caption suggestiona possible role it might have played by thesubject in a larger mystery. The exhibitionserves to showcase crimenovelist Frances Fyfield’sextensive privatecollection of paintings,which have beenLincolnSaturday 25 June – Monday 29 AugustWar Machine: Cornelia Parker, The Usher GalleryThe Usher Gallery presents Cornelia Parker’s video work War Machine,filmed in the Aylesford factory where British Legion Poppies are produced. The relentless production methods allow a focus forremembrance but also echo the production systems behind war. “The machines work from 7am until 10pm all through the year, apartfrom two weeks off. They just pound out these poppies and send them all over the world to 80 different countries. It will never stop, Ican’t imagine it ever stopping,” said Cornelia. The event is free to attend and runs from 10am to 4pm. For more information, visitwww.thecollectionmuseum.com.Cornelia Parker, War Machine 2015, courtesythe artists and Frith Street Gallery, London78-81_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:44 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY7980 Áamassed over the last five decades.Artists include Duncan Grant, Gwen Johnand other greats from British modernism.For more information, visitwww.thecollectionmuseum.com. East LindseySaturday 25 June – Sunday 3July SO Festival Festival goers can expect 9 days ofexcitement and explosive outdoor funwhen SO Festival returns to EastLincolnshire this summer. The family-friendly festival opens on July 15 inMablethorpe before the exciting acts goon tour, visiting Horncastle, Alford, Louth,SkegnessThursday 14 JulyReturn of the Grumpy Old Women - Fifty Shades of Beige, Skegness Embassy Returning after a critically acclaimed, sell-out spring 2015 tour, the Grumpies are back to knock some sense into the nation.Perrier Award-winning comedian and writer Jenny Eclair will be joined by fellow recruits Susie Blake (Mrs Brown’s Boy) and actressand singer Kate Robbins (Casualty). This jam-packed show includes learning the art of ‘Grumpy Grooming’, the joy of large pants, afree nagging class, beards for women, which style will suit you? Complimentary Anger Management workshop, middle-ageddrinking: the rules, navigating the smorgasboard of worry, voluntary euthanasia vs. retirement, how to customise an unwanted poledancing kit and a mercifully brief Zumba demonstration. For further information, visit embassytheatre.co.uk. Spilsby and Woodhall Spa before thefinale weekend in Skegness. This year’sfestival takes inspiration from thelandscapes of East Lindsey and will focuson the natural elements. For moreinformation, visitwww.sofestival.org/festival. Gainsborough Friday July 8Big Food Event, MarshallsYardThe Big Food Event returns for anotherday of cookery demonstrations from localchefs throughout the day. There’ll also bethe regular farmers market running intandem, for visitors to stock up on localproduce to cook up at home. TheWimbledon themed champagne andstrawberry bar will also be runningthroughout the day, whilst the FinalMatches are shown on the centre TV. Formore information, visitwww.marshallsyard.co.uk. Market RasenSaturday 13 AugustRasen Rocks featuring JessGlynne, Market RasenRacecourse Chart-topper Jess Glynne is headline thisyear’s Evening at the Races, following on78-81_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:44 Page 2Next >