West Lindsey Announces Christmas Waste Service Changes

Most properties in the West Lindsey district will be affected by changes to refuse and recycling collections between Monday, 24th December 2012 and Friday, 4th January 2013.

Local residents can click here to check details of the collection date in their area. 

Residents should refer to their calendar which was delivered to households in October. Residents are also reminded that bins must be out by 7am.
All properties in the South West Ward of Gainsborough on a sack service will be collected on their normal day. This is Thursday for refuse and Friday for recycling.

For any queries please contact the council's Customer Services Team on 01427 676676.

If you have any extra waste to dispose of during this time, the opening hours of local Household Waste Recycling Centres are as follows:

• Summergangs Lane, Lea, Road, Gainsborough 9am – 4pm Open Friday to Monday
• The Rasens, Gallamore Lane, Market Rasen 9am – 4pm Open Friday to Monday
• Great Northern Terrace, Lincoln 9am – 4pm Open Monday to Sunday

All sites are closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day

Please visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/hwrc for further information.

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)

Strike Boosts Lincolnshire Businesses

Business leaders say the strike over public sector pensions brought an unexpected and welcome boost to trade in the county, reports the Lincolnshire Echo.

Two million public sector workers walked out on strike across Britain.

More than one hundred of the three hundred and sixty-seven schools in the county were closed and three hundred county council workers (10% of the workforce) – downed tools.

Protesters took part in a small march through Lincoln city centre, culminating at the Lincoln Drill Hall.

Prime Minister David Cameron rightly branded the industrial action 'a damp squib' that failed to cripple Britain.

It turns out that the strikes had one unintended outcome; any traders here saw an upturn in business.

Mr. Simon Beardsley, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, said:

"An indirect result seems to be that last Wednesday was a better day for retailers as it has given some parents who have children off school the opportunity to go Christmas shopping, therefore a potential benefit to the economy.

"This may just be timing, in that they will buy now rather than closer to Christmas, but this is likely to be a comfort to cash flow at this time."

Mr. Beardsley said the main impact was the knock-on effects from school closures with parents taking the day off the look after children.

"It is difficult in such circumstances to place a value on the disruption as this cover may have been accommodated from existing holiday allocation and as such the impact is felt more directly by employees losing holiday allocation.

"Our major concern is if the frequency of the dispute increases and accommodation becomes more difficult, as this is when businesses are also likely to see direct impacts in terms of operating costs and lost revenue."

Mr. Barry Reeves, Chairman of Sincil Street Traders, in Lincoln, who runs the Central Snacks cafe on the market, said:

"Can we have another strike soon? By going on strike, they turned last Wednesday into a bumper day of trade. It couldn't have come at a better time."

It is likely that the boost in trade will be reflected the quarterly figures for the last three months of the year and will give the government a boost as well in January.

Carollers Help Local Charities Despite Weather Problems

In the city of Lincoln, for many residents and visitors alike, nothing is more synonymous of the way in which the city celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ than the generosity shown in the donations they make to the street-strolling, tune-touting, Our Lady's Carollers who make such a positive make collecting money for local charities.

The Carollers were not deterred entirely by the bad weather that caused disruption to many - and even led to the cancellation of the famous Lincoln Christmas Market - and that said had a reasonable year which has been both rewarding and enjoyable for all concerned.

The Carollers raised around £1,400.00 for local charities this year. Some of the charities to receive donations are:

• Special Families (Cherry Willingham)
• Marriage Care

A Christmas of Carolling Helps Local Charities

As January begins to slip away and the hours of daylight steadily increase our minds turn away from thoughts of Christmas. However, regular readers will be aware that in the winter months I spend my time out and about 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, including the opening of the Lincoln Christmas Market where we were part of the official opening, private parties, singing in the resturants of the city or even on the streets of the Bailgate area we had a very enjoyable season.

The Carollers raised around £2,500.00 for local charities this year and the following charities will recieve donations of between £100 - £300:

1. Special Families (Cherry Willingham)
2. Lincoln & Lindsey Blind Society
3. Catholic Deaf Service
4. Marriage Care
5. St. Barnabas Family Support Group

The majority of the monies raised in 2009 will be donated to Strut in the Community a charity which provided short breaks for children and young people with disabilities and special needs in Lincolnshire, who have had financial difficulties during the recession.

The Lincolnshire Echo reported earlier in the year that Strut in the Community, which supports around one hundred and fifty disabled county children each year, has seen a dramatic cut in donations coupled with higher overheads and now needs to find at least £10,000 to plug a funding gap; up to seven members of staff may still have to be made redundant in the coming months.

Organisation Manager, Ms Aimee Holland was quoted as saying:

"We have seen an £86,000 drop in donations from last financial year to this and despite making significant changes to the charity, moving into community based settings for care and opening a new showroom for furniture, we have not been able to bridge the gap this has created in the budget."

Snow hits green waste collections in West Lindsey

-But residents told to keep putting their bins out

Snow and ice has caused the postponement of some waste and recycling collections across West Lindsey yesterday, with the Council outlining plans to catch up on collections later this week in a bid to clear waste and recycling before Christmas.

The extreme weather has disrupted collections in many local authorities across the country, with more icy conditions forecast it raises the prospect of further disruption.

West Lindsey District Council explained that it had temporarily suspended all green waste collections because icy conditions had made it necessary to prioritise refuse and recycling at this time. The Council said that with temperatures predicted to plummet to as low as -6 degrees over the next few days emptying garden waste from the green bins is proving difficult it would resume collections after the thaw.

The Council advised residents to put out their waste and recycling as per the advertised times,(visit www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/mybinday for details) but pleaded for patience if collections are affected. It asked that, residents to leave uncollected bins out at their property boundary to enable crews to clear them as soon as it is possible.

As Waste Services Manager Glyn Pilkington explained there has also been some disruption to refuse collection services in some areas.

"The levels of snow and ice on untreated road surfaces in some rural areas around Market Rasen made it unwise to operate heavy machinery in these areas, or for teams to be lifting and carrying heavy waste long distances over slippery surfaces."

While noting that The Council would resume collections

"as soon as possible"

, he told residents in the affected areas that the safety of members of the public and collection crews was his highest priority and no risks would be taken

Adrian Selby, Operations Team Leader for West Lindsey Council explained the decision-making process used when suspending its collections today.

"The decision to make the collection, or to suspend, is taken by myself in conjunction with Senior Management immediately before the collections are due to start. In the event of a decision to suspend the collection, staff are retained until it is decided that collections during that day are impossible. Decisions are made on a day to day basis.

"When collections re-commence, the priority is to recover the lost waste collection routes as early as practicable using all available resources."

West Lindsey District Council stressed to residents that most waste and recycling collections were running today, as scheduled

Cllr. Irmgard Parrott, Conservative (Cherry Willinham Ward), Chairman of West Lindsey’s Community and Waste Committee, said:

"Our fantastic collection crews have been working hard to minimise any disruption to our services and they have been out as normal today.

"We are expecting some side roads to be impassable but any collections are unable to make today we hope to make tomorrow."

Don't Forget to Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Over eight million trees were bought last Christmas in the United Kingdom. Most are thrown away creating over 150,000 tonnes of additional rubbish - which is twenty-one times the weight of the Eiffel Tower. Local residents are bing asked to do their bit to reduce this amount of rubbish by recycling their Christmas Tree.

Green waste wheelie bin collections take place once a month during the Winter period (December - March) and every two weeks throughout the rest of the year.

So local people can put their Christmas tree out in the green bin on their regular garden waste collection day. Check your calendar or visit www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/mybinday. It would also help if branches are trimmed before putting in the bin.

Alternatively trees can be taken to one the Household Waste Recycling Centres at any of the following locations:

• Summergangs Lane, Gainsborough
• Whisby, near Lincoln
• Great Northern Terrace, Lincoln
• Bolingbroke Road, FairfieldIndustrial Estate, Louth
• Redbourne Mere, Kirton Lindsey (in the North Lincolnshire Council area but West Lindsey residents can use this facility)
• Bigby Road, Melton Ross, Barnetby (as above)

All of the Christmas trees collected will be recycled and turned into nutrient rich compost at one of four sites in the district. The trees, and other green waste, will be tipped by the collection vehicle on to a heap and aerated. The material will then be inspected for any contaminants such as plastic bags and once they have been removed, the material will be put into a pile and shredded. It is turned at least three times until it reaches its final product. This process takes approximately eight weeks before quality compost is produced.

If you have an artificial tree you are throwing away it is important to bear in mind that it will be sent to landfill sites where they are not biodegradable. When you no longer want your artificial tree, you can extend its life by giving it to a local group or Charity shop.

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.

Lincoln Christmas Market Carolling

This coming weekend hails the return to Lincoln's Cathedral Quarter the annual Christmas Market.

Visitors are welcomed to this beautiful city and the traditional Christmas Market, where everybody can enjoy cultural entertainment and stroll around three hundred stalls nestled with in the medieval square and surrounding area.
Lincoln Christmas Market has developed dramatically since it began as the UK’s first German-style traditional market with just 11 stalls.

The Christmas Market gives visitors and residents a truly festive experience, with a traditional, high quality event for all the family.

At 6:00pm on the impressive West Front steps of the Cathedral Our Lady of Lincoln Carollers - a noted local highlight (Daily Telegraph) - will perform as part of the official programme prior to the arrival of the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral and the Right Worshipful, the Mayor of Lincoln who will officially open the Christmas Market, after evensong, at approximate 6:15pm, Thursday, 3rd December. Greetings are expected to be made by the Oberburgermeister from Neustadt, the town twinned with the City of Lincoln.

Our Lady of Lincoln Carollers in Castle Square

Following this the Boys and girls of the Cathedral Choirs will sing and two professional opera singers thereafter.

Giles McNeill said:

"The Christmas Market is such a part of the seasonal festivities ofLincoln.

"Love it or loath it, it one thing the city is known for and does well. I am pround to be a member of the Our Lady of Lincoln Carollers and look forward to entertaining the crowd on Thursday evening."

Santa Claus puts Gordon Brown on the 'Naughty List'

Santa Claus has this year placed Gordon Brown on the naughty list, and thus the Prime Minister will not be receiving any presents.
Conservative Future activists obtained a leaked document showing that the Prime Minister has been moved to the naughty list in reaction to the large debt he is placing on future generations.

The leaked document, from Lapland's Department of Poetic Justice, shows that other prominent politicians have also been added to the naughty list:

Alistair Darling – for his part in saddling the future generation with huge debt and tax increases.

Michael Martin - for not teaching the Sergeant at Arms that the Police need a warrant before searching a premises/Parliamentary office.

Jacqui Smith - for her bullying students to get an ID card in order to obtain student loans.

Commenting Lincolnshire Conservative Future Area Chairman, Giles McNeill, said:

"OK, so this story is a bit of fun, but it has a serious message at its centre: the politicians who are on this list have performed a grave disservice to young people of both Lincolnshire and this country.

"The people on this list have eroded democracy, scored cheap political points, recklessly borrowed for electoral gain and, just for good measure, are leaving the next generation with a huge bill to pick up - all in a vain attempt to remedy the follies of the last eleven years."