Car enthusiasts listen up! Lincoln is getting ready for the arrival of MINI mania once again! The fifth Lincoln BIG MINI Day is set to take place on Sunday 15^th April on the Brayford waterfront. 

Last year more than 200 MINI fanatics attended the event and this year the trend is set to continue. There will be a wide range of MINIs on show dating from 1959 to the modern BMW versions.

With more than 200 of these much loved cars expected to be on display there’s sure to be something for everyone, whether your favourite is the MINI Cooper S, Clubman, high-performance 1275GT or one of MINI’s other famous models.

Lincoln BIG Events and Promotions Manager Michael Armstrong commented: “The MINI Day is a real highlight in the city’s events calendar.

“The MINI has a wide appeal and is a car which has lent itself to some exciting modifications.  We are sure that our friends at the Trent Valley Mini Owners’ Club will have another treat in store this time around.”

As well as the shining MINIs on show there will be a number of trade stalls selling car accessories, memorabilia and model cars to keep fans entertained.

Soper of Lincoln will also be showcasing two of the latest models from the MINI range outside DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln on Brayford Wharf North.

Visitors to the hotel on the day will be invited to enter a competition and win an overnight stay at the hotel and dinner at The Electric Bar & Restaurant on a night of their choice (subject to availability) by guessing the number of DoubleTree by Hilton balloons that have been squeezed into one of the cars.

The event is here for one day only so make sure you catch a glimpse of these iconic cars while you can!

With spring most certainly here and Easter on the way, what better time to see the return of Lincoln’s Open Top Tour Bus?

The new Lincoln city sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus, Tour Lincoln, is the perfect way for day-trippers and long-staying visitors to see the beautiful sights of Lincoln and learn about the history of our medieval city.

The first Lincoln tour bus will set off on Good Friday (6^th April) and will run at weekends and bank holidays until the end of October with a daily service running throughout July and August. The first tour of the day departs at 10am with the final tour departing at 3pm.

Lincoln BIG has teamed up with Stagecoach and Visit Lincoln to bring back the service, which last operated in 2004.

Emma Tatlow, Visit Lincoln Partnership Manager, explained: “The route starts and finishes at the West Front of Lincoln Cathedral with the tour lasting just under one hour. There are 12 stops in total including Lincoln Castle, the Brayford waterfront, the railway station and High Street.

“The informative and entertaining live guides will bring Lincoln to life and even if you’re Lincoln born and bred you may just learn some things about the city that you didn’t already know. The tour also allows you to take in the breathtaking views without having to tackle Steep Hill!”

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £4 for children. A family ticket is available for £25 (up to two adults and three children) or if there are a few more of you a BIG family ticket is also available (up to four adults and eight children).

Tickets are valid for a full day and there are no restrictions on the amount of times you can hop on and hop off the bus! A range of other value-added offers are available to ticket holders including reduced rates for boat trips, guided walking tours and ghost tours.

There are also special discounts on food and drink including 25% off food at Holiday Inn, 25% off food and drink at the Handmade Burger Co, 10% off food at Reform Restaurant at the Castle Hotel and buy one get one free on coffee at Coffee Aroma!

Tickets can be purchased from the Visitor Information Centre and will also be available from a number of other outlets across the city and online.

LoveLincoln.co.uk is excited to report that the £19.9 million Lincoln Castle Revealed project has been given the green light thanks to a £12m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The planned improvements, which will transform Lincoln Castle into one of the country’s top tourist attractions, include a new vault to showcase the Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest, refurbishment of both prison buildings and the repair of the castle walls.

Once the project is completed entry into the castle grounds will be free during daylight hours which is hoped will increase visitor numbers and bring benefits for the surrounding businesses.

Councillor Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, commented: “The project will make Lincoln Castle one of the country’s top historic attractions, attracting thousands more visitors. It’s estimated this could bring up to a 55% increase in the overall value of tourism in Lincoln.

“That translates to a £68m boost for the local economy and around 1,100 new jobs. As many visitors to Lincoln stay in rural Lincolnshire, we would expect these economic benefits to be felt across the county.

“Having committed 10 years of hard work and more than £5m to this project, we’re delighted that the HLF has given us such a generous grant and we’re extremely grateful for their support.

Not only are we ensuring that this important local landmark is kept in good condition for future generations, we’re writing new pages in the castle’s history.”

Lincolnshire County Council is contributing £5.2m to the project and they have also put in a bid for £1.1m of European funding. The rest of the money needed is going to be generated through further fundraising by the charity Historic Lincoln Trust which has been set up to do this.

The proposed plans are hoped to be completed by April 2015 which will coincide with the Magna Carta’s 800^th anniversary.

Good news for the comedy lovers amongst you… our favourite Live and Laughing comedian is coming to the Theatre Royal in Lincoln on 19^th and 20^th April 2012!

Comedy genius Michael McIntyre will be testing out his new material exclusively on Lincoln audiences before he begins his new UK and Ireland tour later in 2012.

The larger than life comedian is well known for his award-winning show Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Live at the Apollo. He has also appeared on comedy panel shows such as 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Mock the Week and more recently as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.

Samantha Gough, Marketing and Press Manager at the Theatre Royal, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be having Michael McIntyre at Lincoln Theatre Royal.  The two nights sold out in less than 24 hours, which is a record for the theatre. Although it was a busy time in the box office, it was also very exciting!

“It’s fantastic to see such a massive response, the majority of which came from word of mouth and social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook.  It really is amazing and we are all looking forward to having Michael McIntyre here!”

If you didn’t manage to get tickets for this award winning comedy sensation don’t worry – tickets for his UK and Ireland 2012 tour are on sale now. This will be Michael’s third and biggest tour to date and he is coming to a city near you!

Find some of your best mates, get your green on and celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Lincoln on Saturday 17^th March! On top of grabbing a pint of the black stuff at your favourite Lincoln pub, there’s plenty for people to do and LoveLincoln.co.uk has got the scoop on what’s on for this year’s St Paddy’s Day! Here’s just a few highlights we’ve picked out to help you get the party started!

The Hooleys & Friends at Lincoln Drill Hall

Get your dancing shoes on and head to Lincoln Drill Hall at 8pm on St Paddy’s Day for an evening of Celtic celebration during St Patrick’s night with The Hooleys & Friends! The definition of a Hooley is “to meet secretly at the homes of friends and family to drink, sing and play music”, but musical legends The Hooleys prefer to bring the party into more public places by performing a unique spectrum of Celtic and European cultural tunes with the raw passion and diverse style they’re known for. Tickets cost £8 in advance and £10 on the day.

Gutsy Irish Folk Music at The Dog & Bone

Fill a glass with your favourite spirit and grab a bowl of homemade Irish stew at The Dog & Bone while enjoying a gutsy Irish folk performance from local musician Eddy O’Dwyer to help get the St Patrick’s Day party swinging! Formerly of the UK punk rock band Breene, Eddy O’Dwyer offers an acoustic musical blend influenced by John Drury, Steve Tilston, Christy Moore, Dropkick Murphys and Guinness. Eddy O’Dwyer hits the mic at 8:30pm, and the show is free to attend.

St Paddy’s Carnival at the Engine Shed

At 10.30pm on St Patrick’s Day night  the Engine Shed will go all green for its annual St Paddy’s Carnival! Complete with free green candy floss, circus performers, a strongman competition and prizes at the coconut shy and hook-a-duck stalls, the St Paddy’s Carnival will be accompanied by the best St Paddy’s soundtrack – spun by the Engine Shed DJs! Tickets are £6 plus a booking fee and can be purchased online at www.engineshed.co.uk, by calling 0844 8888 766, or by stopping in at the Engine Shed box office.

Classic Oldies from the 50s and 60s and Comedy from Stewart Lee

Those not interested in ‘greening out’ this St Paddy’s Day can still enjoy a fun-filled and memorable night on the town in Lincoln. At 7.30pm head to Lincoln Theatre Royal for Let The Good Times Roll – a wonderfully unique live 10-piece production paying tribute to some of the greatest and deeply adored music of the 50s & 60s including Rock Around the Clock, Teenager in Love, Be My Baby, Please Please Me and many more! Tickets are £18.50 or £17.50 for concessions.

If oldies aren’t your thing, that’s okay! The 41^st greatest stand-up comedian ever Stewart Lee steps on stage at the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre at 8pm for a night of hilarity and laughs. Not sure what to expect? Ponder this question: what can a sexless middle-aged married man, whose life now consists mainly of watching Scooby Doo cartoons with a four-year-old boy, possibly find to write comedy about? The answer is: a lot! Tickets are £17.50 or £15 for concessions.

If you’re not familiar with the stretch of shops – known as The Strait – connecting Steep Hill and the High Street, The Fête on the Strait will be a perfect introduction.

Taking place on Saturday 24^th March, this completely free event will feature a whole host of family fun including face painting and buskers performing your favourite songs from every decade who are even open to requests!

The event hopes to attract both locals and tourists with about 20 traditional stalls located on The Strait ranging from craft stalls to biscuit and cake stalls.

Richard Baxter, owner of Goodies sweet shop and event organiser, commented: “The aim of the event is to make this part of Lincoln known as The Strait and not just the bottom of Steep Hill.

“We are currently raising money for an archway that will sit between Kind bar and Oasis Dental Care to mark the beginning of The Strait.

“So far we have managed to raise about £1,000 and after this year’s three events we are hoping to have reached our target which will enable us to install this important feature for The Strait.”

This will be the first Fête on the Strait of 2012, with future events planned for 25^th August and 3^rd November, and festivities will take place between 10am and 4pm. Local businessman John Birkett will cut a ribbon marking the official opening of the event.

Prepare yourself for a stampede of screaming fans as JLS have just announced that they will be performing at a massive outdoor concert on Sunday 2^nd September at the Lincolnshire Events Centre.

The back-flipping, chart-topping boy band has had outstanding success since they rose to fame on The X Factor in 2008. They won four MOBO Awards and also scooped two prizes at the Brit Awards in 2010.

The heartthrobs are best known for their singles Beat Again and Everybody In Love, which are two of their five UK number one singles. The JLS boys are saving their best performance until last as their debut appearance at Lincolnshire Events Centre will be the last of a six-date tour across the country.

Jayne Southall, Director of Lincolnshire Events Centre, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming such a fabulous group to the Lincolnshire Events Centre.  The 200-acre Lincolnshire Showground is the perfect venue for large music concerts. 

“Last year we were proud to host Scouting for Girls and we’re getting more and more enquiries for concerts and festivals which can only be good for lovers of live music in the county as well as local businesses.”

The outdoor concert will be a treat for all the family, with gates opening at 3pm before the concert starts at 5pm, giving families the chance to enjoy the last of the summer sun before the superstar headline act hits the stage.

The support acts for the day are yet to be confirmed, so keep checking LoveLincoln.co.uk for the announcement!

Tickets cost £33.50 and are on sale now, so get in there quick before you miss out on this spectacular showcase! Tickets are available from www.gigantic.com or call 0844 888 9991.

The Visit Lincoln Partnership and Lincoln design and print company Ruddocks have revealed a new brand image for the city.

The Visit Lincoln Partnership is giving Lincoln the makeover it deserves and expressing the beauty behind this city by giving it a new brand identity.  

Whether people are coming to visit the beautiful medieval city, the breathtaking cathedral or the number of boutiques the city has to offer, there is something in Lincoln for everyone.

Emma Tatlow, Visit Lincoln Partnership Manager, commented: “Lincoln’s brand has been evolving for years, creating a city of contrasts, yet it works so well as one. Within a few minutes the city moves from that unique historical centre to the bustling lower High Street.

“Visit Lincoln Partnership aims to increase awareness of Lincoln on a national and international level. We want to attract visitors, investors, large conferences and events, students and entrepreneurs.

“Lincoln currently attracts three million visitors to the city each year but we know we can attract more. Through the Visit Lincoln Partnership we are working to put Lincoln on the map.”

What better way to do this than to introduce a new brand identity? The identity is based on the fleur de lys, the symbol of St Mary, patron saint of Lincoln, and the typeface has been modified to suggest the Norman archways for which Lincoln is famous.

The contrast of ancient culture with a modern city is what gives Lincoln its character and we at LoveLincoln.co.uk are delighted that we now have a brand that conveys this.

You can expect to see this campaign in full force, with the first sign in place on the A57 as you come in to Lincoln.

This is just the beginning of the campaign and already countless amounts of local businesses and residents are in favour of it. Let us know what you think and give us your views on our Twitter and Facebook pages!

March has arrived, and LoveLincoln has the scoop on the return of a true Lincolnshire tradition – Discover Lincolnshire Weekend, taking place on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th March.

As well as enjoying the shopping and food available throughout Lincoln, visitors and residents alike can also explore some of Lincolnshire’s most fascinating attractions absolutely free of charge!

We’ve got the lowdown on what’s happening in Lincoln during Discover Lincolnshire Weekend 2012, and here are some of the highlights:

Discover Lincoln Cathedral:

Built in 1092, Lincoln Cathedral towers above the city as a prominent landmark, visible up to 25 miles away, and is one of the finest Gothic buildings in Europe. With its awe-inspiring Romanesque West Front, the Cathedral has been a place of worship for nearly a millennium, providing an area of peace and contemplation for all. The cathedral has a rich and varied history that can best be experienced by exploring it first-hand – and during Discover Lincolnshire Weekend visitors can do so for free! On Saturday 10^th March you can enter the cathedral for no charge from 9am to 4pm, with roof tours and tower tours available for £3 per person. Free entry continues through Sunday 11^th March, with restricted access during services throughout the day.

Explore Lincoln Castle:

Lincoln Castle is one of the city’s true historic gems, offering nearly 1,000 years of jaw-dropping history ranging from epic battles to the hangings of criminals and ghostly tales. The castle is also home to one of four surviving copies of the Magna Carta signed by King John in 1215, which guests can see for themselves when visiting. The Friends of Lincoln Castle will also stage re-enactments, in addition to birds of prey flying displays. Entry to Lincoln Castle is free during Discover Lincolnshire Weekend – a saving of £6!

Tour Lincoln Guildhall:

Dating back to 1520, the Lincoln Guildhall is the official home of the city’s mayor and houses Lincoln’s fine collection of insignia, including the King Richard II sword, the mayor’s staff and mace and many other treasures on display in the old debtors’ prison. Free tours are scheduled for 10^th and 11^th March 2012 from 10am to 4pm.

‘Living it Local’ at Holiday Inn Lincoln:

If you’ve never set foot inside Holiday Inn Lincoln, the hotel’s ‘Living it Local’ Tea & Tours event during Discover Lincolnshire Weekend is your chance! Overlooking the newly regenerated Brayford Waterfront area, Holiday Inn Lincoln is a hard-to-miss Lincoln establishment – complete with 97 spacious bedrooms, a café bar and the brand new Riverside Restaurant. Taking place at 10am, 12 noon and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, ‘Living it Local’ will offer visitors free tours of the hotel followed by a chance to sample some of the café’s snacks and coffees. All visitors will be entered in to a prize draw to win a Mothers’ Day Lunch at the hotel on the 18^th March.

Get a Taste of Lincolnshire Life and Lincoln Produce:

As if there’s not enough to do in Lincoln during Discover Lincolnshire Weekend, two regular Lincoln to-do’s will be free and open for business from 9^th to 11^th March 2012 – the Museum of Lincolnshire Life and the Lincoln Farmers’ Market. From 10am to 4pm head to the museum to explore large and significant collections and exhibits covering all aspects of Lincoln’s social history – including domestic community and commercial life, crafts, agriculture, industry and a collection belonging to the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment. Afterwards, make your way to Castle Hill to meet local farmers and producers sampling some of the best food the region has to offer. Market hours are: Friday and Saturday 9am-5.30pm, Sunday 10am-4pm.

The events listed above are just the tip of the iceberg, as there’s plenty more to see and do during Discover Lincolnshire Weekend. For a full list of everything else happening, visit www.lovelincoln.co.uk.