< Previoustheir chance to have some say over the teaching andqualifications to ensure the new workforce meets theirrequirements, while the students benefit from excellentwork experience and relevant teaching that leaves themwell-placed to find satisfying employment opportunitieswhen they graduate.This was emphasised at the recent Investors in EducationAwards in Lincoln where around a hundred companies werehonoured for the vital role they’re playing in helpingtoday’s teenagers to make the right career choices throughthe offer of work experience placements. Organised by theLincolnshire and Rutland Education Business Partnership,the businesses honoured ranged from hairdressing salons toconstruction companies – but all recognise the value ofwork experience and are particularly willing to offer youngpeople insights into the world of work.In fact, EBP Work-Related Learning Manager Claire Flavellsaid at the event that, since its inception, the organisationhas supported in excess of a million teenagers. The EBPcurrently works with 115,122 companies with newcompanies joining the programme every year. During 2011,a further 801 firms decided to offer placements. Studentscan also benefit from the region’s Work Based Academy, too– a network of training providers, employers andeducational institutions which are getting together toprovide support.The Government actually withdrew work experiencesubsidies two years ago, but Lincolnshire County Councilsupported it for a further year, and even now many schoolsremain committed to offering this option to their students.EBP Chief Executive Elaine Lilley says, “The feedback fromschools is very clear. Young people would not get very farwithout them having had these fantastic experiences.”70 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYEDUCATIONMuch has been said about the state of education inrecent months – not least debating the worth ofmany of the qualifications on offer in later life. InLincolnshire much effort has been exerted tomake sure what’s on offer is relevant and helps create abright future for students and employers alike.The latter cannot be understated, as businesses across thecounty need to obtain a vital competitive advantage overtheir rivals – and hence find the most adept and qualifiedstaff. That’s especially the case now our region is becomingheavily involved in the renewable energy sector, whichshould bring with it a host of new opportunities. Theseopportunities require new skills, however – engineeringqualifications, for example, are highly valuable but much ofthe work being carried out in the sector is totally unique.That’s why so many of our educational establishments arenow working with the region’s businesses. The businesses getStarsof thefutureThe recent Investors in Education Awardsillustrated just how many businesses inLincolnshire are committed to offeringyoung people work experienceEducational establishments are workingwith thousands of local businesses toprovide valuable opportunities070-71:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:12 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY71EDUCATIONPocklington SchoolFoundationPocklington School Foundation’s Lyndhurst School, for dayboys and girls aged 4-11 and boarders aged 8+, andPocklington School, for day pupils and boarders aged 11-18, isa supportive and caring community that has thrived in theheart of rural Yorkshire for almost five hundred years.The boarding community is an important part of the lifeand ethos of both the Foundation Schools, and they are veryproud of their pastoral care and the quality and home-from-home comfort of the boarding facilities. Pupils can board at Lyndhurst from the age of eight on a fulltime, weekly or on a daily basis. Boarders have their ownprogramme of social and house activities after school and atweekends. A wide choice of food is available at all meals whichare served in a central dining hall on the campus. Generally,younger boarders share rooms with four or fewer children andsenior boarders either share with a friend or have their ownbedroom. Regular family visits are encouraged and all boarderswho live too far away for visits are required to have a guardianfor one-to-one contact and support. Visits can be arranged at any time by telephoning 01759321200.These work placements are clearly of great value tostudents looking closely at the world of work – but studentsof all ages are benefiting from a host of schemes that areintroducing them to new experiences. The issues areindependence and a community spirit and this summer, theNational Citizen Service Scheme has brought togetherhundreds of kids from across Lincolnshire to take part innumerous valuable projects.The groups in Lincolnshire got a taste of living away fromhome at various locations across the county. Everyone spenttheir first week at the PGL centre at Caythorpe Court, wherethey learned to work in teams, followed by a week wheresome participants stayed at the University of Lincoln, andother centres, where they learned about everything fromhow to cook for themselves to how to manage their money,write a CV and make a good impression at a job interview. A number of major organisations got involved in thescheme too – Coca-Cola Enterprises, for example, organiseda challenge for the kids to come up with the idea for a newdrink brand – deciding the make-up of the product, a brandname, logo and slogan, creating something that wascommercially viable and sustainable. They also spent twoweeks out and about in the community doing a variety oftasks, having developed projects around local issues they aremost passionate about. Hence, fourteen young people wentto Hovenden House Cheshire Home, near Holbeach, to clearparts of the grounds and help the home’s gardener createraised flower beds which will be easily accessible bywheelchair users.Initiatives such as this, and the work experienceopportunities organised by our region’s schools, providestudents with some fantastic new experiences and helpcreate a more independent individual. Yet Lincolnshire’sbusinesses also benefit from a steady flow of well-rounded,talented new recruits.Big business such as Coca-Cola Enterprises are gettinginvolved in initiatives such as the National CitizenScheme which helps create more independent individuals070-71:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:12 Page 272 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBUSINESS LINCSGet more from your solar PV with FreewattA high-tech piece of equipment is being offered by Freewatt to help home owners save even moremoney with their solar panels.In most homes, solar systems export 70% of self-generated electricity into the grid whereby only 50%is being paid for. Householders get between 3p and 4.5p, depending on when the system was installed,for half the kWh of electricity their solar panels put into the grid.The immerSun from Freewatt is switching the immersion heater on when electricity is exported. Thisway, the need for fossil fuel or imported electricity is reduced and saving hundreds of pounds per year.Get more from your solar PV!For more information on Freewatt or to get a free quote or visit, call 01427 787297or email info@freewatt.co.uk.As the number of people who queueup to pitch their ideas to theDragons each year would illustrate,many of us have a big idea – but the bigproblem is acquiring the cash to turn thatdream into reality. Especially in thesedelicate trading conditions, businessesrequire constant cashflow to make surethey can continue to excel.Given the popularity of Britain’s bankersat the moment – long having taken overfrom traffic wardens and estate agents asthe least attractive profession – you’d beforgiven for thinking they’d be eager tochange the perception of the sector andmore willing to offer funding to newbusinesses, but sadly that’s not always thecase.The Project Merlin initiative thatreviewed the sector recently aimed to makeit much easier for small businesses toacquire funding, committing the banks toincreasing lending. However, a survey ofmembers of the Federation of SmallBusinesses found that only 35% ofmembers used an overdraft in 2011, 11% asecured bank loan and 7% an unsecuredbank loan. The FSB also cite a 24% fall inthe number of successful loan applicationsfor small businesses in the UK in the fouryears up to 2012, compared to only a 9%decrease in Germany.So what other options are there? Thenew Green Investment Bank should helpbusinesses in Lincolnshire should be ableto obtain funding for environmentalFindingfundingHow can small businesses find the cash toturn their ideas into reality?Laidler Associates, part of the machinery division of TÜV SÜD Product Service, is among thecompanies lending its support to the UK’s new Automating Manufacturing Programme072-073:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:14 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY73BUSINESS LINCSRustons Sports & Social ClubRuston Sports & Social Club is a Community Amateur SportsClub with some of the best sporting and social facilities in andaround the City of Lincoln. Anyone can join and families arewelcomeSituated only five minutes from the A46 Lincoln bypass. It hasfree parking for 180 cars and a variety of rooms to hire atcompetitive rates, making it the ideal place to hold your specialevent. It is now taking bookings for Christmas parties as the air-conditioned function room caters for up to 180 guests andsuperb food is provided by their expert in-house catering staff.Meanwhile, outdoor sports facilities include a state of the art3rd generation “all weather” football pitch, six tennis courts, twosquash courts, an artificial bowling green and of course threefootball pitches.Newark Road, Lincoln Tel: 01522 882111Email: enquiries@rustonsclub.co.ukwww.rustonsclub.co.ukprojects, while the new banksAldermore, Metro Bank andShawbrook have been set upspecifically to target small businessesstarved of credit from the larger banks– so there are more places to turn to.The food and drink sector is a majorplayer in Lincolnshire and a numberof government-backed initiatives areproviding funding in this area to helplaunch new projects. Currently,companies are taking part in the FoodProcessing and ManufacturingEfficiency competition forcollaborative research anddevelopment funding. This ismanaged by the Technology StrategyBoard and they are welcomingproposals for projects that span thefood processing, manufacturing,distribution, retail or foodservice sectors and are based onnew ideas for using technologyin the sector. This is a follow-up to the Innovation forGrowth in Agriculture, Foodand Drink competition whichwas run earlier this spring andoffered grants of up to £25,000for those small businesses with thebest new ideas to revitalise the sector.High technology businesses arecertainly well-placed to benefit fromnew funding, such is the importanceof encouraging increased automation.The government-funded AutomatingManufacturing programme, whichinvolves an independent automationexpert visiting factory premises andassessing where automation can help,35% of members usedan overdraft in 2011,11% a secured bankloan and 7% anunsecured bank loanhas been a huge success, withhundreds of companies hoping toattract funds and knowledge to allowthem to move forward into a new era.No matter how fantastic an idea is,without cashflow it’s almostimpossible to turn it into a viablebusiness proposition. ThroughoutLincolnshire, however, experts cancertainly point you in the rightdirection to obtain the moneyrequired.We provide high quality financial advice to local businesses and individuals. Being part of Haines Watts places us in a unique position - allowing us to offer our national range of services without losing the local personal attentionto detail. Being in Skegness we are always close by to pop in and have a chat and help and advise you.We specialise in Accountancy, Book Keeping, Tax Planning, VAT and Financial Services.Sue Kitchen | Managing Partner23 Algitha Road, Skegness Lincolnshire PE25 2AGTel: 01754 766 991 |Fax: 01754 769 318skegness@hwca.com |www.hwca.com/skegnessCorporate Finance Taxaon VAT Expenses Asset FinanceI.T & Accountancy soware support072-073:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:14 Page 274 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBUSINESS LINCSUrsula Lidbetter MBE is helpingto promote the value ofLincolnshire to the widerbusiness world in her role aschair of the GreaterLincolnshire Local EnterprisePartnership. She combines thiswith her role as Chief Executiveof Lincolnshire Co-operative,one of the largest employers inthe county, which makes herthe ideal person to speak toabout Lincolnshire’s businesspotential...How did your involvement withLincolnshire Co-operative begin?I was a Graduate Trainee and myfirst job was as a buyer in ourDepartment Store on Silver Street inLincoln.What do you feel is Lincolnshire’sgreatest strength?The county’s greatest strength isdefinitely its people who areindependently minded, self reliant,community focused and energetic.What’s my favourite part of thecounty? That’s an impossible question!The Wolds are truly beautiful andunspoilt, we have a great coastlinewith interesting wildlife and sometruly exceptional market towns. Ofcourse, the City of Lincoln is a realgem.Was it always your intention tobecome involved in the LEP?When the LEP was first formed and Iwas asked whether I’d be interested toget involved I recognised theimportant role that we could play increating a strategic and business ledimpetus for the economicdevelopment of the county. I had nohesitation in becoming involved. Do you feel there is still a problemwith Lincolnshire being too cut offlogistically from the rest of the UK?There are some ways in which wehave logistical advantages – forinstance in our port facilities both onthe Humber Bank and at Boston. Ifmoney was no object, we would wantto improve our infrastructure, bothbroadband and road and rail transport.Our road network is improving,although more still needs to be doneand of course broadband will solvesome problems of the connectivityand will make the more remote partsof the county connected digitally tothe rest of the world. One of ourproblems is that Lincolnshire is stillnot as well known as it deserves to be.Are there enough women inexecutive positions in Lincolnshire?I come across women doing all sortsof important roles across the county,some in business but also in the publicand charity sectors. I hope we all actas role models for others.Who is your favourite Lincolnshireresident – past or present?It’s difficult to choose. The countyproduced some very fine explorers andscientists but I suppose because of myinterest in poetry I would have to gofor Alfred Lord Tennyson.Lincolnshiremeansbusiness074:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:15 Page 11stissues only £1Great reasonsto subscribe...Each issue is brimming with a diverse topic range...• Heritage • Fashion • Hair & Beauty • Leisure • Homes & Gardens • County Motoring • Dining Out • What’s On • Free Reader Giveaways and much much more…First 3 issues only £1!FREE delivery to your doorReceive your copy before it hits the shopsORDER FORMYes, I would like to subscribe to Lincolnshire Today magazinefor the next 12 months, with the first 3 issues only being £1.Personal Details:First name:Last Name:Address:Town:County: Post Code:Tel: Mobile:Email:Payment by DEBIT/CREDIT cardName as it appears on card:Type of card: Mastercard / Visa / Visa Debit / OtherCard Number:Card Verification number (3 digits on signature strip):Expiry Date:Amount Authorised:Cheque enclosed YES / NO Please post this form back to: Subscriptions,Lincolnshire Today Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby. N.E. Lincolnshire DN31 2QEMake cheque payable to Business Link Magazine GroupCall now to subscribe on01472 310301 or visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341orScan QR Code4Looking for a great gift idea?A gift Subscriptionis the perfect present that lasts all year round!Total Price: £24.403£1075:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:59 Page 176 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYEQUINEWith Team GB enjoying huge success at theOlympic Games, equine sport in the UK iscertainly on a high at the moment – and theBurghley Horse Trials provided the firstchance to see some of our medal-winning stars from thissummer.Always one of the most prestigious events in the equinecalendar, this year’s show took on increased importance.Sadly one of the reasons for this is the atrocious weather thathas hit the UK in recent months with both the BadmintonHorse Trials and The Festival of British Eventing having to becancelled – as well as Lincolnshire’s own CLA Game Fair.This means the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials offeredeventing enthusiasts a rare opportunity this year to watchsome of the world’s finest horses and riders as they competedfor the Land Rover Perpetual Challenge Trophy and a firstprize of £55,000.Among those taking part was Olympic silver medallistWilliam Fox-Pitt, aiming to win his seventh title at theevent. Yet it was New Zealander Andrew Nicholson went onebetter than last year to win the trophy – his third win atBurghley – with Mrs Rosemary Barlow’s Avebury. It wastwelve years since the 51-year-old last won at Burghley, anddespite being one of the world’s most prolific riders, that washis last four-star win.Andrew says, “It actually feels more like twenty years sinceI last won. Burghley is my favourite event to ride at andAvebury is a joy to ride – there have been days when he’s letme down and days when perhaps I’ve let him down butoverall he is a lovely, consistent horse. I came here expectingto go well – he’s been on good form all year so I knew wehad a good chance – so I’m not surprised but I’m highlydelighted.”On the final day of competition, clear rounds were fewand far between over Richard Jeffrey’s show jumping course– just four combinations from the 53 left in the competitionavoided adding penalties to their score sheets in this phase.Both Oliver Townend and Armada and William Fox-Pitt andAndrewNicholson ridingAvebury at theTrout HatcheryThegoldstandardTeam GB’s Olympic heroes were among those competing at BurghleyThegoldstandardFOR 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 Ltd076-077:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:16 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY77EQUINEParklane Hawk had two down, which allowed bothAndrew and overnight leader Sinead Halpin and Manoirde Carneville a bit more breathing space.With Sinead and her horse taking our three poles,Andrew and Avebury took out just one pole whichhanded the trophy and £55,000 first prize to Andrewand Avebury. Sinead says, “He warmed up beautifullyand yes, it was a bit disappointing but I am really proudof him. We have had an amazing week and I am reallylucky to have the horse.”William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk finished in thirdplace – high enough to ensure enough points forWilliam to win this year’s HSBC Classics series and its$150,000 first prize for the third time in four years. Andrew’spoints for winning the event ensures he finishes the series insecond place.William says, “It was close – I came to Burghley knowingthe pressure was on and I knew that Andrew was on fantasticform and winning by one point is a bit close but thankheavens for Parklane Hawk who has been fantastic. Havingtwo down is frustrating but what a record he’s got – perhapswith a more ideal preparation this year he’d have been backto his old best.”With the success of Team GB at the London Olympics andParalympics, 2012 has been a great summer for equine sports– and that created an extra-special atmosphere at Burghleythis year.All photos courtesy Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials/KitHoughtonIn perfect harnessDriving can be one of the most engaging, enjoyable, yet challenging activities you and your horse can do together. Nate Bowersof Bowers Natural Driving has teamed up with Pat Parelli to share the history, strategy, and savvy you’ll need to become adept –and safe – during your driving excursions. This two-part DVD set will take you, step-by-step, through the process of setting up a natural foundation with your drivinghorse. With these ingredients in place, along with an awareness of what to do when the unexpected occurs, driving will become athoroughly enjoyable experience for both you and your horse!To buy a copy of Nate Bowers’ Driving DVD set order through the Parelli webshop at www.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com.Alternatively, we have two copies to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, send your name, address and telephone numberto Equine Competition, Lincolnshire Today, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby DN31 2QE orcompetitions@blmgroup.co.uk by Friday 19th October.The Burton Pony Club, winners of the Pony Clubteam jumping competition with Mary KingAndrew Nicholson, winner ofthe Land Rover BurghleyHorse Trials, with ownersMark and Rosemary Barlow“It actually feels more liketwenty years since I lastwon. Burghley is myfavourite event to ride at andAvebury is a joy to ride”Andrew Nicholson076-077:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:17 Page 2078:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:17 Page 1Some 330,000 new cars are registered duringSeptember, with motorists spending in the region of£4.95 billion on the latest new vehicles. Thatrepresents a fifth of the year’s entire trade.With drivers keeping on eye on the petrol pump, there aremore than three hundred fuel-efficient, technology-packedmodels currently on the market, representing one of thebiggest ever choices UK motorists have ever had. To start ourmotoring pages, we’ve focused on two of the newest modelsthat are currently available which offer exceptional valuealong with top performance.Audi A4• Price from 23.630 • CO2 – 112-190g/km• Tax band – C-JLong renowned as a workhorse, the Audi A4has been the choice of savvy business travellerssince it first arrived on the scene. It’s a sensible,if unimaginative, four door salon that gets youfrom A to B inexpensively. However, Audi have stepped up to the platethis year with a healthy contribution of some£3700 towards your finance deposit – subject toLINCOLNSHIRETODAY79COUNTY MOTORINGAudi A4YOUR ENGINESThe first ‘62’-registered cars are now makingtheir appearances on Lincolnshire’s roads,after what is always a boom time for themotor tradeyou buying on their three-year plan which we’re told isaround 7.4% APR, though maybe you could talk the salesteam into giving you a better rate?BMW 5 Series• Price from £30,030 • CO2 – 119-203 g/km• Tax band – C-LThere’s a number of deals on the BMW range which arewell worth a look – our favourite is the deposit allowanceoffered on selected BMW 5 Series saloons which gets you upto £2234 deposit allowance from BMW and only 3.9% APR. Itmay sound too good to be true but is well worth lookinginto.The diesels are the most popular by far and come highlyrecommended but with over twenty models to choose fromin the range you’ll be hard pressed not to find one you like.StartBMW 5 Series079:Layout 1 7/9/12 12:18 Page 1Next >