< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSPORT AND LEISUREAll those who attended theLondon Olympic andParalympic Games will tellyou the fabulousatmosphere that existed at the Games– especially at the Riverbank ArenaLincolnshire’sBritishLIONS!We meet the county’s Olympic hockey starswhere the hockey competition tookplace. The excitement was certainlyat fever pitch when Team GB tookthe field, and that doubtless helpedour women land the bronze medal –our first medal in the sport fortwenty years.There was a strong Lincolnshirecontingent in the team with HannahMacleod, Crista Cullen and GeorgieTwigg all coming from the county. Wespoke to Hannah and Crista to get theinside story from the Games...Congratulations on your success!What do you think this will mean forhockey in the UK?Hannah:We’re already seeing agreat legacy – there’s been a massiveincrease in the number of peoplecoming to our clubs, particularlyamong those people who playedhockey in the past and are comingback. It’s not just kids getting engagedbut adults are remembering the fun ofthe game.Crista:Ultimately it’s about gettingmore people picking up a hockey stick.You don’t often get that muchexposure, playing in front of crowds of060-061:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:08 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY61SPORT AND LEISUREsixteen thousand as well as thosewatching on TV, and it’s reallyimportant we grasp that opportunity.A lot has been said about the greatatmosphere at the Arena...Hannah:It was absolutelyincredible! I’m a big ManchesterUnited fan and been to lots of footballmatches, and they’ve never been asnoisy as that! I’ll never forget the firsttime we went out into the stadium.Before the Games everyone asked ifwe’d be able to cope with the pressure,but there’s no pressure at all, thecrowd provide you with so muchenergy.Crista:The Arena was the perfectlocation, so well designed. A lot ofpeople said the euphoria coming fromthe stadium was one of the spectaclesof the Games! The crowd wereunbelievable in the support and it wassuch an honour.What was it like to be a part of TheOpening Ceremony?Hannah:We had discussions aboutwhether we should go because it was along evening, but those who had beento the Olympics before said that weshould experience it because it givesyou such a boost. Because the matchescome so fast, we didn’t get a chance tosee much of the other venues – a fewof us sneaked into the Park to watchthe rowing on the big screens, but wedidn’t have time to do much else...which is why so many of us appliedfor tickets to the Paralympics so wecould experience the Park properly!What else do you think brought aboutthe team’s success?Hannah:The majority of the teamare now full-time. We’ve changed theway we prepare for events – so we’veplayed as a British team for three years.These days it’s more unusual to go intoan England squad because you don’thave all your team mates with you.Crista:The Lottery funding hashelped us maintain a squad that cantrain day in and day out. There’s nooverestimating how valuable thatsupport was.Hannah:I know women’s footballhas looked at what we do. Theirbudget is hideous! We’re obviously farmore economical compared to men’sfootball in the way we work, andfundamentally we love the sport andwe’re very passionate about it.How important is the team spirit?Crista:I think our performancesshowed that throughout the Games.You know that your team mates aregoing to stand by you and fight to getresults. I think it’s a tribute to the girlsthat after the semi-final defeat, wecame back all guns blazing and madesure we defeated the Kiwis to makesure we went home with something.There was no doubt in my mind we’dleave with a medal.Hannah Macleod faces theBelgiansPHOTOS COURTESY GB HOCKEY/ADY KERRYCrista Cullen in actionagainst ChinaWant to give it a try?Thirty thousand people gave hockey a go on the Olympic Park – two miniaturepitches were set up outside the Riverbank Arena where kids and adults alike couldpick up a stick and sample the sport. If you’ve been inspired by the team, visitwww.hockeynation.info to find out how you can take part.060-061:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:09 Page 262 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCHRISTMAS SHOPPINGIt’s nearly that time of year again,the time we all look forward to,unwrapping those all-importantpresents on Christmas morning. InLincolnshire, we’re lucky enough tolive in an area that is brimming withincredible options when it comes tobuying gifts. In Lincoln in particular, noChristmas is possible without a visit tothe city’s annual Christmas market.Cancelled in 2010, last year it saw areturn in a big way. With thousands ofvisitors descending on the beautifulcastle and the surrounding areasincluding Bailgate and Steep Hill itwas hailed by residents and visitorsalike as a massive success. The usual format for the market is asnaking, seemingly never-endingparade of revellers all taking in thefestive sounds and smells and indeedtastes of the market and all it has tooffer. As well as late-night opening inthe shops and boutiques in that area,the Castle is open to the public and isAtime forgivingIt’s time to start thinking about Christmasalready, it might seem mad, but it’ll soon beon top of us! What does the county have tooffer in terms of retail therapy?062-065:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:56 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY63CHRISTMAS SHOPPINGlaced with stalls selling all manner ofwares, from food to gifts and muchmore besides. Last year Lincolnshire Todaymanaged to come home with items asdiverse as smoked cheese, pastries asbig as our heads and some beer brewedlocally, all of which added to ourfestive shenanigans. A walk round theChristmas market is the perfect way toget into the festive mood early, such isthe atmosphere. Among the stalls arealso entertainers and a funfair greetsyou at the end, where you can eitherenjoy the rides or steer yourself andyour fellow visitors to the pubs andrestaurants around the area, all ofwhich certainly help to warm you upafter the walk around the market.The amount of local produce onoffer is something to be proud of, notonly in terms of artisan food anddrink, but also local craftsmen, artistsand retailers have locally made andoften locally-sourced gifts on offer.Going for something local not onlyshows you have gone for somethingspecial with a lot of thought behind it,but you have also thought of localbusinesses, something that we shouldbe doing in these tough economictimes. Some of the best food for yourChristmas celebrations can bepurchased locally, so this is the perfectopportunity to stock up.This year’s event runs from 6th to9th December, with the Thursdaynight being the ‘locals’ opening,where seemingly the streets are quieterand is a chance for locals hungry forsome festive cheer to get a chance tolook around before the crowds gatherover the weekend.Elsewhere in the county, events aretaking place seemingly everywhere.Our wealth of traditional markettowns, oftentimes unspoilt, oftenmeans the Christmas fairs and marketsare of an exceedingly high quality.Sleaford’s Christmas market last year,for example, had music courtesy ofsoul bands, local schools, morrisdancers and even a Broadway-stylecrooner meaning a relaxing andinviting atmosphere for everyonegoing about gathering presents for thebig day. The chance to meet reindeerwas also available, so there’ssomething for everyone, no doubthelped by the warming mulled wineon offer!Towns such as Horncastle and thevillage of Woodhall Spa are excellentplaces to find gifts of an unusual kind,with the wealth of antique shops theyenjoy. Why not root about among thetreasured items of yesteryear to findsomething truly unique? Withpleasant surroundings and plenty todivert you - why not catch a film atWoodhall’s Kinema in the Woods? -it’s a great day out as well as a treasuretrove.Towns like Louth and Stamford alsoboast a wealth of independent retailersready to offer something unique and65 062-065:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:56 Page 264 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCHRISTMAS SHOPPINGEnjoy a Very Snowy Christmas with Trinity Arts CentreSaturday 15th & Sunday 16th December - 11am and 2.30pm Thursday 20th to Sunday 23rd December - 11am and 2.30pm Monday 24th December - 11am and 1.30pm Tickets are priced at £6.50 each or £22.00 for a family of fourPerformances for schools take place on Monday 17th Decemberthrough to Wednesday 19th DecemberTo book call the Box Office on 01427 675655or visit www.trinityarts.co.uk062-065:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:56 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY65CHRISTMAS SHOPPINGbespoke for your friends or family. Louth in particular is agreat place to pick up local produce, with butchers, bakersand even a specialist cheese shop, the local angle issomething they are proud of. The proprietors of suchestablishments are more often likely to go the extra mileto make sure you get that extra special cut of meat, orthat elusive type of cheese you might have beenhankering for, which will make all the difference onChristmas Day.Market Rasen is a place that, last year, you might nothave considered a perfect Christmas shopping location.However, thanks to it’s reinvigoration over the past yeardue to becoming a Portas Pilot Town, a prize it hasgrabbed with both hand. It’s now a place to spend somequality time. With independent retailers lining the streetsas well as a regular pop-up market and community feel,it’s a more friendly, welcoming place. Proud of itsheritage, retail and food offering as well as theimprovements made to the town as a whole, the towncould be a great place to tackle that ever-lengthening listof pressies you need to buy.Wherever in the county you choose to shop, you’ll besure to find something to whet your appetite when itcomes to shopping. Why not delve a bit deeper this yearand find a one-of-a-kind gift for your loved ones? You’llbe glad when you see their face on tearing off thewrapping paper!PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF LINCOLN COUNCIL,WWW.LINCOLN-CHRISTMASMARKET.CO.UKLincoln Christmas Market is set toincrease in size this year, following lastyear’s successLast year’s SleafordChristmas Marketincluded entertainment inthe form of music anddance, includingtraditional folk dancingYANKEE CANDLEa passion for fragranceLincolnshire Co-operative homeTritton Road, Lincoln www.lincolnshire.coopdon’t forget yourdividend cardlarge jar£19.99062-065:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:56 Page 4In many parts of Lincolnshire a deer isconsidered a rare and unusual sight, asthough they don’t quite belong in the busyworld of today. But it might come as somesurprise to know that there are at least sixdifferent breeds of deer in Lincolnshire alone,and in the South West of the county they areregularly seen in large numbers. The lifecycle of a deer is an interesting one.The males are commonly identified by theirlarge horns, but in fact shed these each year.Each set of antlers lasts only a year and are castoff in preparation for a new set to be grown forthe mating season. It can take from fifteen tosixteen weeks for a new set of antlers to fullyform, and in the early stages of the growth, theantlers will be covered in soft fur known asvelvet.As the mating season approaches, the malesbegin to experience a quick metamorphosis notoften seen in mammals. Their neck musclesbegin to tighten and thicken, while their thighsand leg muscles also bunch together and grow.Their Adam’s apples bulge, and a thick odourbegins to emanate from them. At the same timetheir attitudes become much more aggressivetowards their compatriots, as their hormonesbegin to take over. For the most commonLincolnshire breeds, the Fallow and Roe deer,these occur in September and July respectively.66 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWILDLIFEIn many parts of Lincolnshire a deer isconsidered a rare and unusual sight, asthough they don’t quite belong in the busyworld of today. But it might come as somesurprise to know that there are at least sixdifferent breeds of deer in Lincolnshire alone,and in the South West of the county they areregularly seen in large numbers. The lifecycle of a deer is an interesting one.The males are commonly identified by theirlarge horns, but in fact shed these each year.Each set of antlers lasts only a year and are castoff in preparation for a new set to be grown forthe mating season. It can take from fifteen tosixteen weeks for a new set of antlers to fullyform, and in the early stages of the growth, theantlers will be covered in soft fur known asvelvet.As the mating season approaches, the malesbegin to experience a quick metamorphosis notoften seen in mammals. Their neck musclesbegin to tighten and thicken, while their thighsand leg muscles also bunch together and grow.Their Adam’s apples bulge, and a thick odourbegins to emanate from them. At the same timetheir attitudes become much more aggressivetowards their compatriots, as their hormonesbegin to take over. For the most commonLincolnshire breeds, the Fallow and Roe deer,these occur in September and July respectively.066-067:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:10 Page 1Births of new fawns take place from May toJuly, and this is carefully planned so that food ismost abundant, and vegetation to providecover for the young is thick. A fawn generallystays hidden for as long as possible, hiding invegetation sometimes for a full year, until nextyear’s fawns are due, and space needs to bemade. Through the rest of the year, male and femaledeer spend their time segregated. Bucks andStags make poor companions to other deer,often fighting and competing if in sight of afemale, and they can be dangerous to their ownyoung. As such Does and their young are keento separate after the mating season. Fallow deer are possibly the most recognisabledeer in Lincolnshire, if not the entire world,thanks to Bambi. They have chestnut browncoats, often dappled with pale spots andmarkings. For most of the year deer will spend their timehidden in forests and woodland, where theyhave the most protection from predators. Theyare bolder at dawn and dusk, where they oftenmove onto farmland in search of food, so this isthe best time to see them. Similarly in wintertimes they range wider in search for limitedresources, and their coats can contrast with thesnow, making them easily visible. Alternatively there are a number of naturereserves in Lincolnshire where you can go seedeer in a more controlled environment. LINCOLNSHIRETODAY67WILDLIFEBirths of new fawns take place from May toJuly, and this is carefully planned so that food ismost abundant, and vegetation to providecover for the young is thick. A fawn generallystays hidden for as long as possible, hiding invegetation sometimes for a full year, until nextyear’s fawns are due, and space needs to bemade. Through the rest of the year, male and femaledeer spend their time segregated. Bucks andStags make poor companions to other deer,often fighting and competing if in sight of afemale, and they can be dangerous to their ownyoung. As such Does and their young are keento separate after the mating season. Fallow deer are possibly the most recognisabledeer in Lincolnshire, if not the entire world,thanks to Bambi. They have chestnut browncoats, often dappled with pale spots andmarkings. For most of the year deer will spend their timehidden in forests and woodland, where theyhave the most protection from predators. Theyare bolder at dawn and dusk, where they oftenmove onto farmland in search of food, so this isthe best time to see them. Similarly in wintertimes they range wider in search for limitedresources, and their coats can contrast with thesnow, making them easily visible. Alternatively there are a number of naturereserves in Lincolnshire where you can go seedeer in a more controlled environment. Fact FileDespite deer seeming like a rare sight in Lincolnshire,the truth is very different. The population of wild deerin Lincolnshire has increased exponentially over thelast ten years leading to the Wildlife Trust calling for adeer cull in the area!PHOTOS: WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM066-067:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:11 Page 268 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTHPickeringsPickeringsFor your Shoe Repairs, Keys, Locks,Trophies, Medals, Locks, Padlocks, Signs - Brass &Plastic, Vinyl Cutting - Letters & Logos, Keyfobs,Engraving, Wallets and Bags, T-Shirt Vinyl lettering,Polish and so much more.Come see for yourself atCome see for yourself atPickerings, 55 Wrawby Street,Pickerings, 55 Wrawby Street,Brigg Tel: 01652 652297Brigg Tel: 01652 652297G. L. CommercialsGraham LockingtonTrailer Rentals & Sales• Mobile Repairs • HGV Trailer Servicing• MOT PreparationWork: Europa Way, Stallingborough, Grimsby DN41 8DSTel: 01469 574239 / Mobile: 07711 496 138Accounts Office: The Laurels. 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For more informaon call 07903 531 201or email angelsuite@briggmarkeown.co.ukwww.briggmarkeown.co.uk/angel-suite.phpSue Kitchen | Managing Partner23 Algitha Road, Skegness Lincolnshire PE25 2AGChartered AccountantsWe provide high quality services and advice to local businesses.We specialise in accountancy and book keeping,tax planning, VAT, financial services.Tel: 01754 766 991 | Fax: 01754 769 318skegness@hwca.com | www.hwca.com/skegnessYour local Bupa approved Breast Cancer Unit01482 672412As Dr Emma Pennery,Breast Cancer Care’sClinical Director pointsout, this October aroundfour thousand people will receive thedevastating news that they have breastcancer. In fact, around fifty thousandnew cases of invasive and non-invasive breast cancer are diagnosedeach year in the UK. The number isactually increasing – but the goodnews is that survival rates andimproving. That’s likely to be down tomore targeted treatments, earlierdetection and better breast awareness –which is why events such as BreastCancer Awareness Month are soimportant.It’s important to remember thatbreast cancer isn’t one single disease,as there are several different types. Notall of them show as a lump, and notall breast lumps are breast cancer. Thebiggest risk factor is increasing age,with 80% of breast cancers occurringin women over the age of fifty, butwhat’s perhaps not so well known isthat less than 10% of breast cancerruns in families – so having someonein your family with breast cancerdoesn’t necessarily mean that youhave an increased risk yourself.Organisations such as Breast CancerCare can obviously help provide thekind of support that can help peoplethrough some dark times. DuringOctober they’re helping to organise anumber of special events, such as PinkFridays, where they invite people todress pink, eat pink, party pink orwork pink – and get sponsored whilethey’re doing it. Why not turn yourworkplace pink this month for a greatcause?BATTLINGbreast cancerbreast cancerAlmost all of us knowsomebody who had undergonethe trauma of breast cancer –but despite being a commonoccurrence it doesn’t make itany less devastating, both forthose who contract it and theirfamilies. That’s why October isBreast Cancer AwarenessMonth, which aims to illustratewhat you can do to help.“Croft Carpets understand the hassle of moving furniture & clearing up mess. 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Wisby (Family Butcher) LTDOur meat is only of the best quality and we pride ourselves on our customer serviceOur meat is only of the best quality and we pride ourselves on our customer service16 High Street White Lion Farmhouse, HorncastleWragbyLN9 5BLLN8 5QU01507 527371 01673 858968Traditional ButchersBEST WESTERNTHEVINE HOTELCelebrate your marriage at the oldest, most famous hotel in SkegnessLicensed for Civil Marriage CeremoniesAn all inclusive Recepon PackagePicturesque Gardens Bridal Suite availableVine Road, Seacro, Skegness Tel: 01754 610611Email: info@thevinehotel.comwww.thevinehotel.comAll size skips available Same day deliveryNo job too small or too largeCash paid for Farm Scrap & Plumbing MaterialsFast Friendly Personal ServiceTel: 01507 526151Meanwhile Saturday 13th Octoberhas been denoted Secondary BreastCancer Awareness Day. Secondarybreast cancer is when breast cancercells spread to another part of thebody, often the bones, lungs, liver andbrain. It can’t be cured, but it can becontrolled, sometimes for a number ofyears, and as well as publicising theissues that affect the tens of thousandsof people living with secondary breastcancer in the UK, the day also focuseson campaigning for improvements intheir treatment and care.In Lincolnshire help is certainly athand. Breast units in Lincoln,Grantham and Boston, for example,have developed a service pledge,speaking to patients to set out thestandards of care that they can expectand giving them the chance to pass ontheir ideas to improve things stillfurther.Whether you’re going pink thismonth, or sponsoring someone whois, you can be sure that the cash raisedwill go to a fabulous cause.Breast Cancer Care are organising PinkFridays, where they invite people todress pink, eat pink, party pink or workpink. Why not turn your workplace pinkthis month for a great cause? Visitwww.breastcancercare.org.uk/pinkfridaysfor a fundraising kit.068-069:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:57 Page 2Next >