< Previous90 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYINTERVIEW WITH…Many of us have been suitably inspiredto trace our family tree in recent years,but Dr Stephen Bloy has searched harderthan most. Although originally anengineer and business consultant,Stephen is now retired but considers hisstudy of the social history of Grimsby tobe something of a full-time job, and hisnew book, Searching for Walter, tells afascinating story from the past.Stephen’s research into his familyhistory initially started to help himestablish a claim to his father’s wartimemedals, but his research has led him backto the late eighteenth century. Along theway, he discovered evidence ofintolerable hardships, unimaginabletragedy, bigamy, deportation, insanity,two murders, financial riches from ill-gotten gains and a family connection toone of Britain’s greatest heroes.As Stephen tells us, “My father WalterBloy died when I was 21 months old in1947, and I knew very little about him.Within a couple of years my motherremarried, and so we never really knewabout my father’s family. In fact it wasonly when I was twelve years old that mygrandmother got in touch with me and Ieven knew about that side of the family.“As much as I didn’t know about myfather, my elder sister had somephotographs of him. The Eurekamoment came in the lead-up toRemembrance Sunday a few years back Iwatched a programme about the sailorson the North Atlantic convoys and someof the footage was quite moving. Then Ilooked at the picture in my lounge ofmy father entering the Merchant Navyat the age of fifteen and thought ‘youdid that’! The next morning I asked mysister if she had any medals he’d earned,and we didn’t, so I thought that tryingto find them was the least I could do. Sothe quest started as a way to find outwhat I needed to do to make a claim tothe medals.“From the moment I did that, my sistersurprised me by saying she had boxes ofthings she inherited from my mother, fullof items I’d never seen before. At the endof the search I did have enoughinformation to claim the medals and I’veworn them for the last twoRemembrance Sundays. Before that thepicture in my living room was of astranger, really, but I decided I reallySearching forWalterGrimsby historian Stephen Bloy has uncovered some fascinatingbranches on his family treewanted to know about him.”As Stephen points out in the book,though, this was just the start of afascinating story which encompassesmuch of the modern history of Grimsbyitself. We don’t want to spoil what hefound out so we recommend you gethold of a copy of Searching for Walter,which is now available, published byAustin Macauley, from booksellers.090:Layout 1 13/9/13 13:38 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY91BUSINESS LINCS.Olympic House, Doddington Road, Lincoln LN6 3SET01522 888555 F01522 888556www.langleys.comFollow us on twitter @LangleysHRSay what you see!The Gainsborough Business Awards recently took place at the White Heather.The star of the show was guest speaker Roy Walker of Catchphrase fame. Roykept the crowds entertained at the awards, organised by Langleys before aglittering awards ceremony. Winners ofthe BestCustomerServiceAward –EmmaloosWinners of the Outstanding Contribution to theCommunity Award – Home-StartWinners of theBest Use ofInnovation/TechnologyAward –ParkAcreEnterprisesLimited presentedby Julian Patrickof FreewattWinners of Best New Business– Stride Safety LimitedWinner ofGainsboroughBusinessPerson of theYear – JulianPatrick ofFreewattWinners of Gainsborough Small Businessof the Year – Ermine Farms LimitedWinners of the GainsboroughBusiness of the Year – RegalManufacturing LimitedRoy Walkerentertainsthe crowds091:Layout 1 13/9/13 13:35 Page 192 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGThe Frankfurt Auto show afforded the motoring press a rareopportunity to steal a glimpse of the future when car manufacturersunveiled their very latest designs. Among them some of the world’smost stunning concept cars , not to mention the latest cutting edgemodels. We’re already looking forward to the BMW i3, plus the i8 plug-inhybrid. Then there’s the new VW Golf R 300 PS super hatch and theMazda3 to name but a few. But just feast your eyes on these gorgeousconcept vehicles to get a real feel of the designer’s inspirations. The Subaru WRX concept vehicle is a bold and muscular design givingit a strong on-street presence. Lower, wider and sleeker than previousmodels, the WRX promises even sharper handling, with its low centre ofgravity and Subaru’s famous All-Wheel Drive system. The pronouncedbulge on the bonnet, accompanied by the classic WRX bonnet scoopprovides clearance for a turbocharged engine andintercooler, while also aiding engine cooling.At BMW they’ve produced a car that’s beendubbed the “most progressive sports car ever”.Their i8 concept is a two seater sports convertibleplug in hybrid that combines breathtaking lookswith frugal fuel consumption. In town, you can choose to drive on the electricmotor while out of town drivers have thecombination of an electric motor and a threecylinder twin power turbo petrol engine. HavingToyota Yaris Hybrid-R conceptVW Golf R 300 PS super hatchInnovation in manufacturing Innovation and creativity is certainly alive and kicking, as can be seen in the latest designs from car manufacturers. 092-093:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:12 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY93COUNTY MOTORINGBMW i8Kia B-segment The Subaru WRX just tested the i3 we can hardly wait to get our hands on the i8 sowatch this space. Kia’s dramatic new concept seems aimed at the B-segment market– its been described as playful but gutsy, sturdy yet impish and isready to take on the urban environment with style and tenacity.Created in Europe with European tastes and expectations, themanufacturer seem determined to seek out new compact-caroptions catering for a more individualistic and demanding driverand their concept vehicle certainly features intriguing elements notalways associated with smaller cars. Toyota, meanwhile, have produced the new Yaris Hybrid-R concept,created as a showcase for possible future hybrid development ideasthat can deliver greater performance and driver rewards.Based on the three-door Yaris, the Hybrid-R features a 1.6-litreGlobal Race Engine developed by Toyota Motorsport, combinedwith two powerful electric motors that give the car intelligent all-wheel drive capability. Using technology like that featured inToyota’s TS030 Hybrid race car, energy recovered under braking isstored in a super capacitor, a unit that’s particularly suitable for usein a sports car thanks to its high power density and quick chargeand discharge speeds.Not to be outdone, the Q30 Concept is the next step in Infiniti’sforay into new premium segments and demonstrates Infiniti’s abilityto deliver head-turning design and innovative materials.Infiniti’s Johan de Nysschen, says, “This Infiniti Q30 Concept is aprelude to the product portfolio expansion which underpins ouraggressive global growth strategy. In our quest to appeal to themodern, young-minded premium customer, the Infiniti Q30 Concepthas a distinctive style and reaches new levels of product quality.”It’ll be interesting to see which of these concept cars make it intoproduction and which will be consigned to the history books –either way they aptly demonstrate the innovative force that exists interms of style and technology.092-093:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:12 Page 2BMW’s i3 certainly created plenty ofinterest at the Frankfurt Motor Show.So much so it was hard to get a look in.But fortunately, yours truly managedto get behind the wheel of the i3 aheadof the rest and can vouch for itscredentials.With the i3, BMW have overcomeissues such as range and performanceby lightening the car with carbon fibreand using off throttle deceleration tocharge the batteries. They’ve evencome up with a range extender forthose who drive longer journeys on aregular basis, or simply for those driverswho want that added peace of mindbetween charges. But you probablywon’t need it as the i3 can be chargedin less than thirty minutes anyway, sopower points permitting you’ll soon beable to charge up while enjoying acappuccino en-route. In fact thecappuccino will even cost more as thei3 will only cost £1.25 to ‘fully refuel’.The drive is pretty spectacular too – atight turning circle, great suspensionand pillarless opening for easy access bydriver and passenger alike, both frontand rear. The absence of engine roar aswe hit the start button is compensatedfor by a rev counter needle that tells usthe engine has started otherwise wereally wouldn’t have known. Then as wepull away, the only real sound is tyreson tarmac and hardly any of that as thedesigners have realised, with no enginenoise to drown out road noise, the i3has to be as soundproof as possible sothe cabin is very hushed. Fortunately pedestrians and cyclistsknow we’re there, as BMW haveintroduced a sort of synthesised humthat sounds like the cars in a sci-fi film,but virtually all traces of mechanicalknocks and rattles are a thing of thepast. Inside the car, two displays afford thedriver and passenger access to plentyof creature comforts. We particularlylike the sat nav which even calculatesyour remaining range and offersalternate driving modes or differentroutes to ensure you never find yourselfout of power en-route.The extensive use of carbon fibreensures maximum rigidity whileensuring an uber lightweight vehicleand this translates into improved rangeand performance - 0-60mph in 7.9seconds and a limited top speed of 93mph. The range of the i3 (withoutextenders) delivers 100 miles on onecharge and can be charged from anynormal household socket. But here’sthe best bit – Lincoln City Council aretalking about having charge pointsdistributed throughout the city andallowing users to top up free of charge,as well as allowing i3 drivers to park forfree in their city car parks!The high-torque 170bhp motoroffers ultra-smooth power flow and aswe lift our foot from the throttle wecan feel the brakes being lightlyapplied automatically, which is ofcourse the car absorbing energy torecharge the batteries even before wetouch the brakes.Only a select number of BMWdealers have been awarded the rightsto sell the new ‘i’ range which will alsoinclude the i8 supercar and Soper BMWare pleased to have been appointed icar status. Test car courtesy of Soper BMWLincolnThe future is nowthe BMW i3COUNTY MOTORING94 LINCOLNSHIRETODAY094-095:Layout 1 16/9/13 08:52 Page 1There are electric cars. Then there’s the all-electric BMW i3. The only car that was born electric. Designed from the ground up to combine the benefits of an electric car with ultimate driving pleasure, it launches in November. And, if you sign up for a test drive* now, you might even be the first person in Britain to drive it.For more information or to arrange a test drive*, call us on 01522 690000 or visit www.soperbmw.co.uk.Soper of LincolnRoman Way, South Hykeham, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 9UH 01522 690000 www.soperbmw.co.uk*Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.BECOME ELECTRIC AT SOPER OF LINCOLN.ASK THE BMW i GENIUS. TEXT 84737TEST DRIVE 01522 690000The Ultimate Driving MachineBMW iLINCOLNSHIRETODAY95The BMW i3will be atSoper of Lincoln for apreview on Wednesday16th October at 7pm –call 01522 690000to reserve yourplace.094-095:Layout 1 16/9/13 08:52 Page 2*Model shown is a Trax 1.6 LT priced at £17,495 OTR. Vehicle shown features metallic paint at an extra cost of £445. Price correct at time of print. Official Government Environment Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). Chevrolet Trax Range: Urban 34.4 (8.2) – 52.3 (5.4), Extra Urban 50.4 (5.6) – 70.6 (4.0), Combined 43.4 (6.5) – 62.7 (4.5) CO2 emissions 153 – 120g/km. Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. DISCOVER THE NEW CHEVROLET TRAX With all the DNA of a traditional Chevrolet SUV redesigned for the urban frontier; this exciting city-sized SUV offers a powerful sporty exterior and the all-new Chevrolet MyLink technology, designed to keep you connected. Come to our dealerships to test drive the original reborn. The new Trax has now arrived! We have limited stock available for immediate delivery. Call us today to arrange your test drive.TRAX. THE ORIGINAL REBORNTRAX FROM £15,495 CHARLES WARNER LINCOLN OUTER CIRCLE ROAD LINCOLN LN2 4LD 08433 160926 WWW.CHEVROLETLINCOLN.CO.UK 096-097:Layout 1 13/9/13 13:42 Page 1The original - reborn…Chevrolet are certainly no newcomerto the SUV market. In fact they came upwith the first ever car of this kind - thenow 75-year-old Chevy Suburban. So it’shardly surprising that the Trax delivers.Our test car, courtesy of CharlesWarner of Lincoln, was the modest 1.4litre petrol turbo, although the car isavailable in two and four-wheel drive, achoice of engines: 1.4 and 1.6 petrolturbos through to a 1.7 diesel turbo andavailable in LS or the higher-spec LTversion. In short, there’s a Trax to caterfor most driving styles and budgets. Our 1.4 turbocharged petrol respondsnicely from lower in the rev range andsurprises us as we pull away through theLincoln traffic. The slightly elevateddriving position means you can read theroad ahead better too and there’s a nifty,simple to use, large touch screen in thecentre console , which comes with allthe LT models as standard. Thisenables us to link our phone’ssat nav to the car, listento music, stream tracksand operate phonecallshands free. It evenallows drivers to use Sirivoice commands ontheir iPhone.But, best of all, it offers a superb colourview all around which makes reversingand parking an absolute doddle. Out of the city, the Trax comes into itsown especially on A and B roads where itswallows up the many potholes anduneven roads still awaiting resurfacing. Rugged good looks help the Trax standout from the competition but youcertainly don’t sacrifice comfort for looks.Inside there seems plenty of space andsome well thought out storage areas(nineteen in total), good head andlegroom and, thanks to uber-flexibleseating, a multitude of configurations –one of which even allows the frontpassenger seat to be folded flat so itcan handle large and awkwardloads. There’s the added benefit of highground clearance, underbody protectionand wheelarch cladding which all help tomake the Trax a more resilient choice andwill undoubtedly come into its own comewinter time when facing much rougherconditions or at county and horse showsin the summer. And, as the all-wheel drivesystem is fully electronic there’s nofiddling or messing to get it engaged.Fuel economy is also range toppingthanks to stop start technology and sixspeed transmission, returning a healthy62.8 mpg from the 1.7 litre diesel variantwith only 120g/km of CO2 while our 1.4LT petrol manages 44.1mpg and149g/km.Our verdict? The Chevrolet Trax ticks allthe boxes in the mini SUV sector and isan excellent choice for those with afamily or those who enjoy outdoorpursuits. It’s a very capablecrossover vehicle that can beenjoyed in or out of the cityand with its simple to useinfotainment system shouldprove a real winner withbuyers. Test car courtesy ofCharles Warner LincolnChevrolet is really makingits mark in the UK andtheir latest model the Traxis winning market sharefrom the likes of theQashqai, the RenaultCaptur and the Nissan Juketo name but a fewThe original - reborn…LINCOLNSHIRETODAY97COUNTY MOTORING096-097:Layout 1 13/9/13 13:42 Page 2Wear your wedding dress again!A host of ladies delved into the depths of their wardrobes in Lincoln this month and donned their wedding dresses again for a good cause!Given it’s often the most expensive item of clothing you ever buy, you don’t often get the chance to wear it more than once, so Chris Davisinvited guests at the Charity Ball at the DoubleTree Hilton in Lincoln to do just that!This was part of a special event to raise cash for the Ingham Suite oncology unit at Lincoln CountyHospital, which also featured live music, dancing and a host of prizes on offer in a spectacular raffle.Over £2500 was raised on the night towards this incredibly valuable facility.This is just a selection of photographs from this event…Visit www.lincolnshiretoday.netto view and purchasecopies of the photographsLincolnshireTodayTHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE98 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSOCIAL SCENEPHOTOS BY RICHARD PICKSLEYSimon and Nikki CroftJohn and Tracey MaloneMark and Emma Whalerwith Hannah CoyThe Lynch partyThe McGough partyRebecca Balaam and Steven SwinburnSteph Saundersand StevenConnerMichaelandJadeSullivan098:Layout 1 13/9/13 13:34 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY99WHAT’S ONWhat’s OnWhat’s OnCleethorpesSunday 13th to Friday 25thOctoberLindsey Art Association Exhibition ofArt and Craft, Cleethorpes LibraryTalented local artists show a large varietyof subjects and mediums to give interest toall who appreciate art. The craft section isalso varied and of excellent quality. Mostwork is for sale at reasonable prices. Entry isfree and a raffle is drawn on the last day ofthe exhibition. The event is open weekdays10am to 4pm, Saturdays 10am to 2.30pm.GrimsbyTuesday 22nd to Saturday26th OctoberAgatha Christie’s The Mousetrap,Grimsby AuditoriumIn her own inimitable style, Dame AgathaChristie has created an atmosphere ofshuddering suspense and a brilliantlyintricate plot where murder lurks aroundevery corner. For over fifty years, AgathaChristie’s The Mousetrap has been theworld’s longest running stage production,and the first ever tour of the record-breakingproduction has enjoyed huge success overthe last year. Show starts 7.30pm plusmatinees on Wednesday and Saturday,tickets from £11.90 from 01472 311300.LincolnThursday 3rd OctoberLincoln Sportsman’s Club, BentleyHotelLaunching a new season of dinners fromthe Sportsman’s Club is former rugby unionstar Mark Regan MBE, whose careerhighlights include playing for the British Lionsand winning the World Cup with England inAustralia in 2003. Mark will be supported bycomedian Chris McGlade. This is the first ofsix dinners for the new season and tickets are£38 for members and £45 for non-members.For more information – and to find out howto become a member for £10 a year – emailinfo@lincolnsportsmans.com, visitwww.lincolnsportsmans.com or call 01522508355.Saturday 5th OctoberAlexei Sayle, LPACThe godfather of alternative comedy takehis first full-length stand-up show inseventeen years on tour to Lincolnfollowing two sold-out London seasons.Alexei’s varied career spans work as comic,Alexei Sayle,LPAC, LincolnEcho – ZoieLogic DanceTheatre, Terry O’Toole Theatre,Lincoln100 099-103:Layout 1 13/9/13 14:35 Page 1Next >