Carollers Support Local Charities

Lincoln's Our Lady's Carollers, who collect donations during the festive season for local charities, have met to decide how to distribute the monies raised during the 2011 season.

The Carollers have given £2,900.00 for local charities this year and the following charities have or will recieve donations of between £100 - £1,000:

1. Lincolnshire Air Ambulance
2. Cherry Willingham Special Families
3. Youth 2000
4. St Mary Le Wigford Church's drop-in centre
5. Down's Heart Group
6. Lincoln Samaritans
7. Age UK (Lincoln Branch)

Victory for Commoners Who Win Parliamentary Boat Race

The Lords in red behind the
Commons in Green.

The House of Commons rowing crew was victorious in the annual parliamentary boat race on the River Thames on this afternoon.

The crew included local parliamentarian Edward Leigh MP, Conservative (Gainsborough) and Duncan Hames, Liberal Democrat (Chippenham). The captain was Don Foster MP, Liberal Democrat (Bath).
 
Mr. Hames commented on his twitter feed following the race:

"Celebrating victory in the Parliamentary Boat Race, and securing thousands of [pounds] for the Stroke Association and Thames apprenticeships."

It is the second year running that the Commons crew has beat the crew from the House of Lords.

The race started just off Millbank Pier with the finishing line between the Houses of Parliament and St Thomas' Hospital.

Members of the House of Commons Crew, including Edward Leigh MP (right).

Vandals Steal Donations From Nativity Crib Destined For The Homeless

Vandals have damaged a Nativity display and stolen cash donations that were destined to spread festive cheer among Lincoln's homeless. They attacked the Christmas Crib close to the Halifax Bank in the Cornhill square in Lincoln city centre.

The display was pushed onto its side so the thieves could gain access to the compartment that is used to collect donations for the Nomad Trust. The Knights of Saint Columba, an organisation within the Catholic community, who organise for the Nativity scenes to be exhibited at the Cornhill and in Castle Square say they may never put them up again.

Gordon Reynolds, who attends Our Lady of Lincoln Catholic Church, said the action of the yobs would deprive the Nomad Trust of vital funds.

"This just shows what society seems to be descending into.
"It's so sad that
we paint and repair the cribs and tend to them and then someone does
this.
"For the past few years we've been bolting the display around a tree to
try and stop vandalism. I just don't understand why they have done it.
"If
they don't agree with the religious aspect of it then they should just walk by.
We are not asking them to stand and look at it if they don't want to."

The Nativity scenes have been a festive fixture in the city for more than 30 years, with the city’s Catholic community spending their free time tending to the displays in an effort to raise money for charity. Around £300 is raised each year.

The vandalism, which happened overnight on Thursday last week, has been reported to Lincolnshire Police and officers are now appealing for information. Anyone with information about the incident should call Lincolnshire Police on (01522) 532222, quoting incident number 87 and give the date of Friday, 4th December 2009.

An election pledge we're not getting anywhere else!

Cllr. Alistair Williams (Con. Lincoln Castle), Conservative Lincolnshire County Council candidate for Lincoln North Division has decided to keep politics fun and interesting.

In a statement sent out via facebook to his supporters, in the small hours of May 27th, he has promised to have his legs waxed if elected on June 4th as a County Councillor.

Cllr. Williams says:

"Lets put politics aside for one moment and let me have a moment of madness!

If I get elected on the 4th June for Lincoln North then I hereby promise to have my LEGS WAXED! to help raise money for the new Women's Refuge in Lincoln!

The Women's Refuge is currently short of £35,000 and is in desperate need of funding. so if you want to support me on June the 4th or you want to support Women's Aid or if you want want to see a politician (a male politician!) having his legs waxed for a good cause then please come on Vote Williams.

Just to end this is not a gimmick! I beleive in this cause, and if not elected i will still look for ways of fund raiseing but i wanted to raise awareness to my friends and supporters of this cause and ways in which we can help and also I wanted to give myself a chance to show that there is still some politicians that will do whatever it takes to help others and do the job that we promise to do!"

£3,000 Raised for Local Charities.

Giles McNeill writes:

Many readers will be aware that in the winter months I spend my time out and about in Lincoln and across the county with the Our Lady's Carollers collecting money for local charities.We had another good year which has been both rewarding and enjoyable for all concerned. We went to lots of events, the turning on of the Christmas Lights on Lincoln High Street, The Christmas Market, Saxilby History Group, amongst many others.

The Carollers raised just shy of £3000.00 for charity this year donations are to be made to:

1. Lincoln Disabled Inclusive Swimming Club
2. Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre
3. Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance
4. Mind
5. Lincoln & District Multiple Sclerosis Society
6. Lincoln Community Larder
7. Lincoln & Lindsey Blind Society
8. St. Peter & St. Paul's School
9. The Mayor's Charity Appeal (Lincoln Alzhelmers' Society/ Lincoln Breast Cancer Unit)

All the charities recieved donations of between £200 - £500