< Previous70 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBUSINESS LINCSLincolnshireKindly sponsored by:Annual Lincolnshire LunchFriday 5th December 2014 - Bentley Hotel, LincolnIt is said that if you put two economists together in the same room, you’ll often end up with three opinions! So we should be infor an interesting time with James Sproule, IoD Chief Economist and Head of Policy and Alastair Cunningham, Agent for theBank of England East Midlands Agency as our guest speakers during the lunch. Both are not only interesting and entertainingspeakers, but will be able to give us an up to the minute assessment of the rapidly changing economic environment. The MPCwill just have made their latest decisions the day before our lunch so the timing could not be more appropriate. As is usual for this event, we will be having an envelope draw for a local charity. This year we have chosen “LincolnshireBusinesses for Breakfast”. They provide a free, healthy breakfast to nearly 500 children across Lincoln and Gainsborough eachschool day, working in partnership with around 30 breakfast clubs in these areas toprovide them with healthy breakfast foods to serve to children. This event is always popular, offering members and the wider business communitythe chance to enjoy relaxed networking as well as a three course festive meal and twoexcellent and informative speakers. Why not take this opportunity to entertain clientsand customers by booking a table of 8 or 10? Table of 8 at £304 exc VAT lTable of 10 at £380 exc VATTo book please visit www.iod.com/emidlandsevents or email sue.charlesworth@iod.com or admin.emids@iod.comAlastair CunninghamJames Sprouleseconds is all it takes totheoretically introduce yourselfcorrectly, so make sure it counts.Reeling off this short, sharpdelivery might seem overbearing,but it gets everything you needto know across. Tell them yourname, your business name,where you operate and what youoffer in just a few sentences andyou’ll have their attention. Givepeople a chance to let theconversation wander and yourchance to make a firm impressionevaporate.Stand out from the crowd: Aim highand aim big with your expectations, beready to introduce what it is you do in aninteresting way, “I work as anaccountant” or “I’m a sales manager”aren’t really inspiring enough, mostpeople at the networking session will bedoing something similar, what can youdo that they cannot?Every little helps: Identify what it ispeople might need before you attend themeeting. It’s likely that whoever isattending has confirmed their presenceso try and do some research before theevent begins. Then you are ready to offersomething you know the ‘target’ mightwant. Seen a gap in their business youcould solve easily? Mention it and getthings moving, what’s stopping you?Trust me: It’s not all mercenary tacticsby the way, you are allowed to behuman! By getting to knowsomeone, it’s probably a goodidea to follow up the meetingwith a call or at least a tweet oremail after. Making a point oftalking to them at future events isalso brilliant for building up trustand it’s a proven way ofcontinuing business relationships.Talking to people only when youneed them is somewhat see-through and most will click yourfairweather ways pretty quickly.I can help you: If there’s a chance toshow your value or pass on expertise,then go for it. The chances to offerspeeches or chair meetings come upmore often than you might think. Itoffers you a chance not only to shoutabout your company, but to have apositive influence too. Being confident isjust half the battle, to really succeed youhave to grab chances too!069-070_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:26 Page 2Behindthe maskin LincolnKatie De Niese, Kelly Goodchild and Erica Manderfield of Streets CharteredAccountants hosted a Masquerade Ball at The Assembly Rooms in Lincoln.The evening included pre-drinks accompanied by the delightful Annie Walker ofWeyrd Music playing the harp, followed by a black tie dinner, with music by TheCover Story. Guests were able to participate in a pot luck draw for some excitingprizes along with a casino and raffle, raising over £2550, in aid of Macmillan CancerSupport and Cancer Research UK.Thanks to popular demand, plans are already advanced to host the event againnext year.PHOTOS BY STUART WILDE PHOTOGRAPHYLINCOLNSHIRETODAY71SOCIAL SCENE071_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:09 Page 172 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBUSINESS LINCSThe panel of investors comprisedthree local dragons, all of whom have awealth of business expertise and aregenuine local investors. Each bidder was given ten minutes topitch their ideas and try to grab theinterest of the dragons and as onewould expect, the pitches were quitediverse - an inventor looking for£150,000 of funding to help launch agroundbreaking baby stroller whichfolds into a baby carrier and retails at£245; an equine scientist looking for£120,000 to open a factory inLincolnshire for a unique gel feedsupplement that guarantees to keepcompetition horses hydrated naturallyLincolnshire Today were proud to team up with sponsors at thelatest Dragons’ Den-style event, known as Taming the Dragon - anunrivalled opportunity for local businesses and entrepreneurs topitch their money making ideas to a panel of local investors, rightin the heart of Lincoln.“So pleasingto see Taming theDragon 2, the sequelhelping businesses who needinvestment and theright guidance andconnections.”Sarah Whitaker LincolnshireInvestment NetworkTaming theDragonTaming theDragonLocal artist HenriettaClaveringRichard Bell with the ‘rambler’Left to right: Herman Kok – Lindum Group,Mike Sinclair – Local investor, Tim Clark – Local investor and Russell Copley072-073_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:01 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY73BUSINESS LINCSand so improve performance and a localdesigner showcasing a distinctive range ofdesigner bone china and looking toupscale her operation and a propertydeveloper duo looking to expand their buyto let portfolio for Lincolnshire’sburgeoning professional sector. The dragons countered each pitch withquestions, weighing up ideas andproviding helpful feedback beforePHOTOS: RICHARD PICKSLEYdeciding which of the businesses theycould assist with much needed investmentand finally discussing what equity theywould achieve from each for theirrespective investments. As Dave Fisher, Director, BusinessDevelopment, Commercial & PrivateBanking, NatWest East Midlands explains:“After the success of the inauguralDragon’s event last year we were delightedto be involved again. This is a fantasticopportunity for local entrepreneurs topresent their case to local investors wherehonest feedback is the least they canexpect. A very enjoyable event.”Needless to say, the evening proved ahuge success for investors and biddersalike and we look forward to reviewing thesuccess of the businesses in a future issue,as they grow. Left to right: Kim Stones, Henrietta Clavering, Sandra Murphy,Ryan Carruthers and Richard Bell072-073_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:01 Page 274 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYEQUINEJoiningthe pony clubPonies often appear at the top ofChristmas lists – but is it worth it?“Please, mummy! I will look after him, I promise.He can live in my bedroom...” How many parentshave heard this on the run-up to Christmas from apony-mad child desperate for a pony forChristmas?If you’ve finally been worn down by thedemands, what are your options? As equinespecialist Brenda Gilligan, Senior Solicitor at WilkinChapman, points out, “At any time, buying a ponyfor a child requires a great deal of thought. Canyou afford not only the pony, but all theconsequent costs – livery fees, feed, shoes, wormer, vaccinations,vets’ fees, travel? The there’s any number of things that are notessential, but fun, such as ‘bling’ browbands, competition entries,Pony Club Camp and the like? “Are you convinced that your child does have the necessarylong term commitment and realistic views of pony owning?Some have it at age six but some never get it. Have you the timeand energy to be involved and to pick up where a tired child hasleft off on a cold winter day? “Even if you can tick those boxes, Christmas is not an idealtime to be buying a pony – or any animal. There are not so manyfor sale, for the very reason that their owners don’t want them togo as Christmas gifts, so there is less choice. Grazing is oftenrestricted due to the weather, so the pony will start off beingstabled and therefore have more energy than you need for achild’s first pony. The dark days limit the amount of time you canspend with the pony and can restrict riding time at the weekend.The child itself may be overwhelmed by everything else going onat Christmas and not be able to pay attention to the pony. ShortPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ND JOHNSTON074-075_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:17 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY75EQUINEtempers all round!”If you decide you do have the funds and the time tospend on a pony, what happens next? Brenda says,“Although in law, equines are treated as ‘goods’, it’s not soeasy to return these ‘goods’ when they turn out not to bewhat you need – there is usually no 28 day return policy. Donote that there are more legal rights against a commercialseller than a private one, though even these can be hard toenforce. If you are buying privately, then do remember it isusually ‘caveat emptor’ - in English, let the buyer beware.“It does pay to do your homework before buying and decidewhat your child really needs, not wants. If they are havinglessons, discuss their capabilities with their instructor and get anhonest picture. Are they at a growth spurt stage, which wouldmean the pony that is suitable now will be outgrown in sixmonths? Would the pony be saleable if the child lost interestquickly? Could you loan a pony rather than buy?”As Brenda points out, there are numerous questions to ask andbuying a pony is obviously a major commitment. There are otheroptions, however. Brenda says, “Suggest to your child that theymight like to concentrate on their lessons for a while, or sendthem on a pony holiday. See if their riding school hires outponies for a pony club rally, or does pony days. Then perhaps –just perhaps – if they can show they are ready for a pony of theirown, who knows?”PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/PIRITAA fresh startFor many people joining a pony club or taking up riding lessons isusually enough to scratch the equine itch without having to investin a horse themselves. There are more opportunities to do so aswell, as the Sportivate project, part of the London 2012 Olympiclegacy, has helped fund a host of sporting activities in Lincolnshire– including horse riding lessons across the county.The funding block for this year provided over £80,000 to 120projects, all of which aim to encourage ‘semi-sporty’ teenagersaged eleven to 25 to take part in sport sessions. In Heighington,for example, there’s the opportunity to try six weeks ofequestrian lessons for £1 per session.Lucy Blakey, Children and Young People Officer atLincolnshire Sport, says, “Sportivate not only provides a greatopportunity to encourage young people to get involved insport; it provides a huge financial incentive for sports clubs,schools, leisure facilities and others, to deliver more sportacross Lincolnshire. It is great to see so many different projectsreceiving funding to encourage young people to take part insport.”If you run a club that doesn’t yet receive funding, anotherround takes place for those wishing to run a project in thespring – but you’ll have to apply tolucy.blakey@lincolnshiresport.com by Friday 16th January.074-075_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:17 Page 2You’ve got to wonder, will it be a mildor harsh winter? Whatever is coming,there’s nothing we can do to change it sowe will deal with it as we usually do.While we may turn the thermostat upand add a layer or two of clothing,wildlife has far fewer choices so be sureto keep those bird feeders topped up,they are essential in bad weather. In the last few days of November theeast coast has seen huge arrivals ofthrushes from Scandinavia. Spurn Pointrecently saw 4000 blackbirds, 2715fieldfares, 7415 redwings and 64 songthrushes in one day. Because Spurn’s birdobservatory is manned every day of theyear, their observations are of greatinterest to us here in Lincolnshire, beingonly a hop across the river, many of thesebirds also visit our side. Of all those numbers, the songthrushes are especially welcome as theUK’s population is still pretty low. Wehave also had a decent influx of variousleaf warblers, yellow browed, pallas andof course those delightful goldcrests thatI find so irresistible to photograph.So what else has been happeninglately? Well two of my favourite wintervisitors have returned, the short-earedowls and those entertaining Brent geese.The shorties will almost certainly becontinental birds that have spent thesummer months on breeding grounds inRussia, Iceland and various parts ofScandinavia, while the Brents havesummered up in the high arctic, Canada,Greenland and Iceland. On a recent visit to the edge of the saltmarsh on the Humber Bank, watchingthe flocks of brent feeding among the oldsamphire beds, a shadow crossed overme and a short-eared owl quietly wingedits way along the dunes looking forunwary field voles or small birds. I wasalready in a good position shoot if itcame back the same way and I was sureit would.Not only did it return about fifteenminutes later, but it obligingly flew roundme three times. I don’t know if it wassome kind of lucky sign but it wascertainly lucky regarding getting somegreat images.Have you heard the sound of wildgeese in the last three or four weeks?They will almost certainly have been pinkfooted geese and the numbers seem tobe well up this year. Their favouriteLincolnshire wintering area seems to beWeaselGoldcrestBrent GeeseCountry DiaryNature’swinterwonderlandAs December brings the cold, photographer andnaturalist Colin Smale wonders what kind of winterwe will have this year. Country DiaryNature’swinterwonderland076-077_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:18 Page 1the upper reaches of the Humber aroundBarton and South Ferriby. With thoughts turning to Christmas,are you struggling to think what to buyfor folks? This time of year is perfect forputting out nest boxes, so why not buyone or two for your friends and relatives? Most people love to watch the birdsfeeding chicks during the spring andsummer and so you will not only delightyour friends, you’ll also make a pair ofbirds happy too!Lots of folk get disappointed when theyerect a nest box and nothing happens.My neighbours have bought three nestboxes, one is nailed to the trunk of anapple tree, only about five feet off theground facing south and with no cover atall. The other two are suspended by smallchains, they are swinging about likependulums and are within two feet of oneanother! No bird is ever going to want tonest in a swinging home and even if apair did choose one, the second nest boxwould never be occupied becauseanother pair would be driven off.So where is the best place for a nestbox? Well, these are the things a birdconsiders…Is the nest box facing south where thehot summer sun will cook the chicks? Anorth-facing nest box has a far greaterchance of success.Can a cat jump up at it or can a catwalk along the fence and launch itself atthe box when the chicks are leaving? Ihave even seen a cat sitting on a flatgarage roof waiting for the parents toreturn with food for the chicks in a nestbox that was high off the ground alrightbut just under the gutter and within veryeasy reach of the nest hole.Fixing a nest box deep in some ivy isvery bird-friendly, even though the ultimatepredator, the dreaded grey squirrel can getat them this is still a great site.So tell them, when they unwrap theirpresents to get those boxes up as soon aspossible and certainly by the end ofJanuary, because some birds, particularlyblue tits, begin looking for nest sites asearly as February.Don’t forget the robins, they like nestboxes too, but they prefer the open-fronted ones.Nowadays there are all kinds of nestbox designs for almost every bird, fromblue tits to barn owls.You might consider a bird feederinstead. If you want to attract thosecharms of beautiful goldfinches then Ihighly recommend purchasing one ofthose see through plastic niger seed tubes. I know of one lady who has one rightoutside her lounge window and any dayat any time and any month of the yearthere will be goldfinches feeding there. Inthe winter months it is quite common tosee at least fifty or more on the fence orthe overhead telegraph wires. What asuper sight to have right outside yourwindow!Well I do wish you all a MerryChristmas, see you in 2015!To purchase any of the photos inour wildlife articles, visitwww.fotolincs.comShort Eared Owl076-077_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:18 Page 2What’s hotwhat’s not78 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWhat sizzling new offerings can we expect in the county’s showroomsover the coming months?Lincolnshire Today reveals the very latest models from manufacturers…What’s hotwhat’s not&&078-081_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:29 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY79COUNTY MOTORINGIt’s easy to think us reporters have it easy - jet settingaround shows and testing cars of all shapes and sizes. Ofcourse, you’d be right but, we learn a great deal at motorshows such as these. What the future holds for us, achance to see concept cars up close and gain an insightinto the direction the industry is taking. First up is the all-new Jaguar XE is part of Jaguar LandRover’s growth phase and is the first to use the high-techIngenium engine – a family of ultra-low-emission, four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines from the new EngineManufacturing Centre, in the West Midlands.With the new Ingenium engine family powering the XEand future Jaguar and Land Rover products, the EngineManufacturing Centre is the result of a half a billion poundinvestment, creating 1400 jobs. This new centre bringsengine production back to the company’s manufacturingheartland.The introduction of the Land Rover Discovery Sport alsosignifies the first member of the new Discovery family,part of Jaguar Land Rover’s strategy to introduce fifty newproducts or updates in the next five years!Meanwhile VW make a bold statement with their XLSport a car with 200 PS of power and a top stated speedof 270 km/h that was created based on the XL11 - theworld’s most fuel-efficient automobile. Operating at therear of the XL Sport, and the technical highlight of thepowertrain, is a modified V2 engine from the new Ducati1199 Superleggera - the world’s most powerful two-cylinder motorcycle engine. This engine, together with a 7-speed DSG, launches thesports car from zero to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and revsup to 11,000 rpm. Special air curtains, wheel arch airoutlets, an optimised underbody, a diffuser that reducesaerodynamic lift and adaptive exhaust heat ventsintegrated in the rear lid should give readers an idea ofwhat the fuss is all about.It follows the dynamic and extravagant design of theXL1, albeit slightly longer and wider and with largerwheels giving the vehicle a wide, low and impressiveappearance. The wing doors, front and rear sections withthe same width and an extending rear spoiler that spansnearly the entire width of the car transform the XL Sportinto a classic race car. Then there’s the new Passat GTE2 - the first Passat to beoffered as a plug-in hybrid, which comes with a TSI enginecombined with an electric motor, which can cover somethirty miles all-electrically for zero emissions. Engage thecombustion engine alongside the electric motor and the car80 Á078-081_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:29 Page 2Next >