< Previous80 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBOMBER COMMAND MEMORIALWith both the turf-cutting ceremonytaking place at the Canwick Hill site of thenew Bomber Command Memorial beingauspicious enough, the flight of the lasttwo airworthy Lancasters in the world andthe only remaining Vulcan over the cityalso meant the occasion was met withrapture from all who witnessed it.Driving through Lincoln before theevent, we witnessed people taking uppositions to see the flyby as far up asLindum Hill and taking up positions onthe pedestrian footbridge at WatersideSouth. The flyby seemed to capture thewhole city’s respect and admiration,testimony to the importance this rareoccasion carried.We pulled up at the Canwick Hill site,waved through among dozens of cars fullof visitors looking for a good spot to seethe flyby and pulled into a packed carpark.The rare spectacle also had specialHistoric day forLincolnshire’sskiesThe county’s military heritage was remembered on a poignant dayin Lincoln recently.meaning to an invited audience of 280supporters of the appeal which is on theway to raising £5 million and aims toinstall a permanent memorial to the25,611 aircrew who died in the SecondWorld War while serving fromLincolnshire bases.With the field full of press and 14 Forcesveterans, the atmosphere was palpable.With a short speech from The LordLieutenant of Lincolnshire, Tony Worthover with, the planes were due to set offat 13.30 from RAF Waddington, where080-081:Layout 1 15/9/14 08:41 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY81BOMBER COMMAND MEMORIALhundreds had gathered in the village, eventually reaching us by13.40. When the majestic aircraft did appear, a hallowed silencefell upon the gathered crowd. Over in a few seconds, we think itwill live on in people’s memories for a long while yet. With afew gathered wiping solitary tears from their faces, the gravityof what had just happened really dawned on us.Checking social media, friends looking to the skies in Branstonand Saxilby had got similarly intimate shots of the flyby.Nicky Barr, Project Director of IBCC, says: “This event provedto be an extremely emotional experience for those attending.These three planes will never fly together again.“It is vitally important that the stories of those who served,supported and suffered are captured and preserved for futuregenerations and this is a key aim of the IBCC which is plannedto be completed by September 2015.“As an integral part of this plan the project’s researchers areworking with the veterans to record their memories throughoral histories, videography and digitising their log books andother personal documents.”Taking a walk over to the clearing in the field the memorialwill hopefully be standing in, you get a sense that this spot hasbeen picked not only for convenience, but for the majesticview. With the Cathedral dominating the landscape in front ofyou and a view of the city from the south, it will truly be amust-visit spot once the visitor centre and memorial to thosebrave servicemen is erected.A single stake in the ground currently marks where thisfitting tribute will be and we are convinced it will be a suitablepaean to those who gave their time and lives so that we mightbe free.To see the unified three planes flying in formation was notonly a rare sight, it was also one of remembrance. As the LincsBomber Command Memorial says it will be a tribute to thosewho served and those who suffered. At one moment thewhole of Lincolnshire remembered, let us not forget.To find out more about the Bomber Command Memorialor to contribute to their target, visitwww.lincsbombercommandmemorial.comPhotos from RAF Waddington by Scott Hastings with thanks.080-081:Layout 1 15/9/14 08:41 Page 282 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSOCIAL SCENEWearing wedding dressesagain in LincolnThe wedding dress is often the mostexpensive item of clothing you ever buy – butthere isn’t usually the chance to wear it morethan once!Chris Davis invited guests at the DoubleTreeHilton in Lincoln to do just that in a fabulousCharity Ball. The Wear Your Wedding DressAgain Ball has been a popular part of Lincoln’ssocial calendar for five years now and in thattime has raised over £10,000 for some veryworthy causes. Brides and bridesmaids havetaken their dresses out of mothballs and enjoyedan evening almost as exciting as their big day.This year’s event raised money for the EthanMall Foundation, which aims to say “Up Yoursto Cancer”. Ethan set up the Foundation to helprelieve the devastating effects on the childrensuffering with cancer and the financial burdenon their families.Chris Davis andBev StandenHannah Coy andGeorge McGeeverTracy and RupertMitchellAdie and KimColtonSara andAndrewMorrisFiona Jenks andRichard BrooksPHOTOS BY RICHARD PICKSLEY082:Layout 1 12/9/14 14:37 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY83GOLFFunforeallLincolnshire is justifiably proud of itsstatus as the home of golf in England.And, if you’re inspired by the RyderCup this month, there are plenty ofcourses across the county where youcan get involved – after all, it’s a sportanyone can enjoy.This may come as a surprise to some, with golfhaving something of a reputation of beingdominated by middle-aged, middle-class men, but infact almost all of Lincolnshire’s golf clubs are workinghard to introduce new people to the sport. Indeed itcould be argued that golf is one of our most inclusivesports – just about everyone, regardless of theirability level, can start hitting golf balls.That includes people with disabilities. The recentSainsbury’s School Games, which took place at theYarborough Leisure Centre and included able-bodiedand disabled competitors from across the county,included inclusive golf among its programme ofevents, where those with physical and sensoryimpairments were able to compete. Those taking partreceived support from a one-to-one assistant but thecompetition was no less fierce than among able-bodied competitors.There are ways of adapting golf to ensure everyonecan play. Deaf people already have their ownchampionships and a number of clubs offer facilities84 PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/LEN44IK083-085:Layout 1 15/9/14 10:34 Page 184 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGOLFand events specifically for deaf golfers. The challengefor those with hearing difficulties in golf comes withcommunication – with partners and coaches. It’s alsomuch harder to tell the difference between thevarious shots – you can’t hear that it’s landed in abunker or that it’s been a poor shot, for example –so you have to rely on the feel of the ball.Nevertheless the quality of coaching and facilitiesavailable mean that many deaf golfers areparticularly proficient and it maynot be too much of asurprise to see oneplay alongsidehearing golfersat the toplevel.The numbersillustrate the greatstrides that have been made inmaking golf more accessible. The Get IntoGolf programme, which is organised by theWoodhall Spa-based English Golf Union, hasencouraged clubs across the UK to host moretraining sessions and events to promote the sport,most obviously via a national network of CountyGolf Partnerships. In the year to this spring, thirtypartnerships ran specific disability projects andinvolved almost 3500 people, with 135 joiningclubs. Some also received additional funding toestablish disability centres for golf.The other challenge is to get children involved inthe sport, and that too is happening throughout thecounty. The success of local talent like India Clyburnof Woodhall Spa, who recently won theEnglish girls’ open, Ashton Turner and BillySpooner has no doubt been aninspiration – they’re achieving greatthings on the big stage while still intheir teens.The Lincolnshire Golf Partnership hashelped to encourage kids to pick up aclub from an early age. For example,girls from Bourne have had the chance toplay a round at Toft Country House Hotel.For the last two years, the girls havebeen enjoying SNAG golf at their schools,participating in an After School Golf Clubset up with help from Darren Game ofBourne Golf Studio. With help from thePHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/KONSTANTIN SUTYAGIN083-085:Layout 1 15/9/14 10:34 Page 2Lincolnshire Golf Partnership back in February, sixkeen golfing girls were brought together to create agirls group at Toft. This girls have benefited frommonthly coaching sessions since then, whichcomplemented their school coaching and allowedall the girls to progress further, before getting thechance to play on the full golf course at Toft.Another six girls are now joining this existinggroup with the start of the new term, along withthe launch of a boys programme with twelve boyswill be starting at the same time, as well as weeklySaturday junior golf sessions. The Get Into Golf campaign has also partnered withChange4Life, the campaign which helps people to eathealthier, get active and live longer. It’s certainly true tosay that golf isn’t the most active of sports – which is onereason why it’s so valuable for people who want to get fitbut perhaps don’t have the stamina or mobility to tryanything more taxing. Roger Moreland, the EGP’s chiefoperating officer, says, “We are delighted to encouragepeople to take up a sport which can offer some reallifestyle changes. Golf is a great game for people of allages, backgrounds and abilities. Golfers enjoy a healthydose of fresh air and nature – and some impressive healthand wellbeing benefits.”Of course, if you’re already adept at the sportLincolnshire has some of the UK’s finest golf courses on itsdoorstep – as well as a distinguished history in nurturingsome of the game’s biggest names. That could be seen atthe recent Lombard Trophy final at Gleneagles, the pro-am event that this year is being played on the samecourse as the Ryder Cup. Sleaford golf pro Nigel Pearcecertainly had a tournament to remember as he hit a hole-in-one along the way to holding the overnight leadalongside amateur partner Shaun Clare.The duo responded to the challenge of making theirfirst appearance in the final of Europe’s biggest pro-am bystepping up to master Gleneagles’ King’s Course with anine-under-par round of 62. Unfortunately they couldn’thold onto the lead on the second day but it illustrates thesuccess of our local talent and the fantastic golf clubs atwhich they hone their skills.And if you really don’t think golf’s for you, don’t worry.All our local golf clubs have fantastic dining andentertainment facilities, reaching fantastically highstandards, and have become destinations sought afterjust as much for their food as their fairways. There’ssomething for everyone to enjoy at Lincolnshire’s golfcourses.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY85GOLF • Enjoy Excellent Benefits when you join Lincoln Golf Club • Great Practice facilities • Free draining course allowing play virtually all year round • Putting Green • Various social events throughout the year • Juniors section •Bar smart card entitles discount • Opportunities to represent the Club in Club matches • Member only access to the website, including, competitions, handicaps and notice board • 18 Holes of Golf – playing, to the most part on to summer greens • One course meal • £26 per person • Available Monday, Wednesday and Friday 09.00 – 10.30 & after 13.00 From October 2014 to 30th March 2015 (Excluding Bank Holidays) • Bookings now being taken Lincoln Golf Club, Torksey, Lincoln LN1 2EG Tel: 01427 718721 Option 4 Email manager@lincolngc.co.uk or Visit our website www.lincolngc.co.uk Membership Winter package Twilight Golf £15.00 per round On-line booking available Entrance Fee Suspended till 2015 NEW Flexible Membership now Available See our website for details Flexible membershipat Lincoln Golf ClubLincoln Golf Club, locatedin the quiet, idyllic setting ofTorksey, is proud to introduceFlexible Membership. This isan innovative method ofbecoming a member of thismost prestigious andtraditional golf club –designed to meet theneeds of golfers who have a busy lifestyle.For further details, contact The Manager at Lincoln GolfClub, Torksey, Lincoln, LN1 2EG, call 01427 718721,email manager@lincolngc.co.uk or visitwww.lincolngc.co.uk.083-085:Layout 1 15/9/14 10:35 Page 3Country DiaryTales fromthe riverbankOur wildlife expert Colin Smale takestime out to look closer at naturehistledown floating throughthe air, tinkling goldfincheseverywhere. What is this life if, fullof care, we have no time to simply stop,sit by a riverbank and watch.Watch those flocks of flashing goldenwings on the seeding thistles, watch thetrout rise, the shoal of roach under thatfootbridge vie for position grabbing thenext snack or follow the antics of thoseexotic looking banded demoiselledamselflies.On a recent visit I leaned over thebridge to look down into the flowingstream. The long strands of watercrowfoot swayed in the current likelong cats’ tails. Suddenly a flash ofelectric blue appeared, as if fromnowhere, and a small bandeddemoiselle damselfly flitted downstreamfor a few yards and then returned tosettle back on a reed.I watched for a little while. It soonbecame apparent that it performed thissame routine regularly. Sometimes whileon a reed stem it would open its wings,flash that lovely wing pattern then sitawhile before taking that same flightdownstream and back. Occasionally itwould leap skywards and return with asmall white moth in its mouth. Therewere plenty of other small flying insectsabout but it seemed to prefer these –whatever they once were. It’s difficult totell by that stage.As I watched, a newcomer flewupstream toward me. It was a goldendragonfly, I had no idea what kind it was.It continued its flight upstream past me,under the bridge and was gone. Iassumed I would never know what thatwas when yet another one appearedfrom the same direction. This time itcaught sight of the blue bandeddemoiselle I had been watching andchanged direction. Had it been attractedby those open flashing wings?The next moment they were both inthe air together – the male landed on areed stem and the female followed him.At last, the penny dropped. I hadn’trealised that the female bandeddemoiselle was golden and now theiractions most certainly cleared up thatmystery. After a while she said hergoodbyes and landed on a nearby reed.By this time, I was sitting on theriverbank with my camera capturing allthe comings and goings before me. As Ifocused on her, being careful to get hereyes in focus, I hadn’t noticed the maledemoiselle approaching her from behindand still hadn’t realised it until I saw theimage on the screen. I most certainlywanted to keep that image whichcaptured the atmosphere of the occasionperfectly for me.Eventually she did leave and the malereturned to his routine patrol up anddown that same twenty yards length ofthe stream. Clearly this was his territoryand he defended it vigorously. Only oneother male demoiselle challenged him.There was a chase and a clash of wingsand one was driven off, almost certainlythe challenger. Oddly, a brown butterfly– too swift to identify – entered the areaand this time that male demoiselle reallywent for it, chasing it away from theCountry DiaryTales fromthe riverbankOur wildlife expert Colin Smale takestime out to look closer at natureT086-087:Layout 1 15/9/14 10:23 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY87LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFEwater, over a nearby bramble bush whereI lost sight of them.Why would a demoiselle be soaggressive toward a butterfly? I reallyhave no idea but what an enjoyable timeI had had by that stream.Dusk reveals the final secretAs the lowering sun made itsinevitable rendezvous with the westernsky, bright golden rings began to appearon the surface of the water. For all mywatching, I hadn’t seen one single trout,but now this quiet little stream was fullof brown trout. By the time I made myway home, golden rings were visible thefull length of the stream as far as the eyecould see. A passer-by might cast acasual eye down that stream, maybenotice a small electric blue fly and moveon. How sad.What is this life if, full of care, we haveno time to stand and stare.To purchase any of the photos inour wildlife articles, visitwww.fotolincs.com.086-087:Layout 1 15/9/14 10:23 Page 2Dreams cometrue at Burghley88 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYEQUINEThe equine world came to Lincolnshirerecently to enjoy the world famous LandRover Burghley Horse Trials. It remainsone of the most prestigious events on theequine calendar and Andrew Nicholsonconfirmed himself as one of the all-timegreats after picking up a hat-trick of titles.It wasn’t just the big names who rodeat the event, though, as 330 riders wereable to take part in the South EssexInsurance Brokers Burghley Sponsoredride. Taking place over a 12km course inBurghley Park, it allowed participants tofollow in the footsteps of great riders.While jumping the fences was notallowed, riders were able to ride right upto many of the legendary jumps andsay, “All the stewards were so helpful andsmiley, making sure we didn’t go thewrong way and looking after everyonebrilliantly. I cannot think of a nicer wayto spend a Sunday morning than ridingaround that beautiful course on fantastichorses in the glorious sunshine!”Thanks to sponsors SEIB, 100% of theentry fee and sponsor money for theSponsored Ride goes to charity –including a number of local charities andthe Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall inPeterborough extension project. Equinecharities the British Horse Society andWorld Horse Welfare are alsobeneficiaries. This year the organisersexpect to distribute £15,000 and thetotal ride proceeds from the fourteentimes it has run now exceed £180,000.Congratulations to everyone who tookpart!splash about in the landmark BurghleyTrout Hatchery – something of a dreamcome true for many budding eventriders.Among those taking part were anumber of keen local riders of all ages. Infact Jasmine Smithson from Lincolncelebrated her fifth birthday two daysbefore the ride and so just qualified totake part. Jasmine rode Sarah Jane Daley’spony Star, and was joined by her motherGemma and four other riders fromBruce’s DIY Livery yard in Lincoln. Meanwhile, Catherine Teale, Louise Roeand Rosie Cosgrove from HallingtonLivery near Louth were one of the firstgroups sent out on the ride. CatherineDreams cometrue at BurghleyOver three hundred riders took on the famousBurghley course while raising money for charity088-089:Layout 1 15/9/14 10:26 Page 1There are few who are entirely neutral on hunting andpassions rage on both sides of the argument – but what arefacts? Equine specialist Brenda Gilligan, Senior Solicitor atWilkin Chapman, says, “The law bans, among other things,hunting a wild animal with a dog, unless it is exempt hunting,or knowingly allowing land to be used for banned hunting. Themain animals concerned are foxes, deer, hares and mink. “There have, however, been surprisingly few successfulprosecutions of hunts in the last decade. The most high profilerecently has been the prosecution of members of the HeythropHunt in 2012. The RSPCA were criticised at the time for spendingover £320,000 on the case. The members pleaded guilty to theoffences, though they said they were forced to as they could notcompete with the RSPCA’s financial muscle in order to defendthemselves. The RSPCA said they were fulfilling their duty touphold animal welfare. The members were fined £1000 and£1800 respectively and the Hunt was fined £4000, with a total of£19500 ordered towards the RSPCA’s costs. An independentreview of the RSPCA’s prosecution policy has been put in place.“In fairness, the RSPCA do work tirelessly prosecuting animalcruelty cases and are the biggest prosecuting body outside theCrown Prosecution Service. In 2013, there were over 1300prosecutions, not all hunting related, with a 97.9% success rate.They have considerable expertise and nobody else has the financesor will to take on what are sometimes truly horrendous cases ofcruelty.“Fox hunting with hounds was expected to die out followingthe introduction of the Hunting Act 2004, which bans the huntingof certain mammals with ‘dogs’ - fox hunting dogs are alwaysreferred to as hounds – but not only has hunting survived, thoughin a different form, it now has more followers than ever and thereare even new hunts starting up. Boxing Day meets in every part ofthe country now attract hundreds if not thousands of spectators inPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/BOBBY SCRIVENERLINCOLNSHIRETODAY89addition to the mounted hunt followers. Hunting is now doneeither by ‘drag’ hunting, where one pre-determined trail is laid forhounds to follow, or ‘trail’ hunting, where multiple trails can belaid and the hunt doesn’t know where they are.”Brenda says, “Perhaps Parliament reckoned without the famousview that ‘sovereignty is limited on every side by the possibility ofpopular resistance’ – that is, laws can be passed, but they can’tguarantee they’ll be followed! Or have they, possibly inadvertently,found a compromise that actually ensures the future of hunting?”It’s likely the debate will continue for many years to come.Huntingfor asolutionWith autumn under way, one of the mostdivisive topics in the equine world takescentre stage088-089:Layout 1 15/9/14 10:26 Page 2Next >