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May 3, 2012

Top Five Most Romantic Things to do in Lincoln

Filed under: Aussie in the City — Tags: Cafe Aroma, Lincoln, Lincoln Castle, Lincoln Cathedral, Steep Hill — admin @ 1:08 pm

It’s been really hard to write for the past two weeks. I haven’t been injured and I haven’t developed RSI – its more a case of RSAE – Really Soppy And Engaged.

Two weeks ago my boyfriend proposed. We were in a rowboat on a lake in Hyde Park when he got down on one knee and asked that question. It was overwhelmingly exciting and I still can’t stop smiling or celebrating or randomly staring at my ring during meetings…and while I cross the road…and while I make dinner…and wh.en I’m typng…

Yet, while Hyde Park was where the most romantic moment of my life took place, I have to credit beautiful Lincoln for setting the scene. With its cobble stone streets, invigorating arts scene and historic architecture I have deemed little Lincoln the Brad Pitt of romantic towns: it may look a little too pretty at first, but look at it long enough and there’s more than just a twinkle in this town’s eye*.

(* Please note, it is less than 14 days since I got engaged and thus I am utilising the ‘allowed cheesy lines’ clause, thank you.)

So, while it was hard to narrow it down, here are my top five most romantic things to do in Lincoln.

1. Adopt a book for your loved one from the Wren or Medieval Library, Lincoln Cathedral

The Wren Library is located in Lincoln Cathedral and was described by Sir Roy Strong as “the most beautiful room in England”. The room contains more than 5,000 volumes from the personal library of Michael Honywood, Dean of Lincoln from 1660 to 1681.

When you adopt a book, a bookplate is added to its inside cover and you can also organise to tour the library to visit your book. For more information go to: http://lincolncathedral.com/support-us/adopt-a/

2. Leave a message of love on the message wall at Café Aroma

In a cozy room upstairs at one of the cities finest coffee houses, voted one of the top ten coffee shops in the UK by The Guardian http://coffeearoma.co.uk/, there is a wall filled with secrets. Next to the wall are pens, blank paper and a box with a sign encouraging you to write your own and add to the magic. Among the confessions are moving declarations of love.

3. Take a stroll in the Woodlands

Lincolnshire is blessed with some of the most impressive woodlands in the nation. Swanholme Lakes in Hartsholme Country Park is always calming and sets the scene for a bit of romance. Such woodlands have also inspired some pretty impressive poetry from Tennyson, Keats and the whole flowery word gang. I challenge any woman not to swoon after hearing poetry in woodlands. And if you’re not attached, you can still wander deep into the woods and hug a tree… everything needs a bit of love.

4. See a play in the grounds of Lincoln Castle.

Each summer Lincoln Castle hosts open air theatre. The audience gathers on the lawn inside the castle walls and is treated to some of the bard’s best. Last year I was lucky enough to catch A Midsummer Night’s Dream and my lovely (now fiancé) prepared an impressive picnic of cheese and wine as accompaniment. (In order to restore a bit of my dearest’s manly reputation, I must admit that following the play we went to the Magna Carta and drank a lot of beer.)

The next Open Air Theatre performance will be Macbeth, performed by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

24^th June 5.30pm – 10pm

Gates open at 5:30pm

Show starts 6.30pm

Ticket Prices: Adult £14.50, Child £8.50

5. Be carried down Steep Hill after a night in heels

As pub closing time approaches, many ladies out on the town are filled with dread at the thought of having to tackle Steep Hill (up or down) in their finest shoes. At the same time, many men have a similar feeling: the dread of assisting their tipsy ladies by way of piggy back or assisted lean down or up the hill.

And for many men, at 4am and after a dirty kebab, this act is as poetic and filled with love as a sonnet at sunset.

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March 19, 2012

Olympic Torch’s Lincoln journey confirmed

Filed under: News — Tags: City of Lincoln Council, Lincoln, Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Drill Hall, Lincoln Olympic Torch Relay, Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, Olympic Torch, Torchbearers, Yarborough Sports Ground — admin @ 10:45 am

London 2012 Olympic Torch

Lincoln people will have the chance to take part in the Olympic dream this summer, following today’s official confirmation of the route the Olympic Torch will take through the city.

Exactly one month before the opening ceremony in London, on 27th and 28th June 2012, the torch comes to Lincoln. Residents, businesses and visitors wishing to welcome it to the city can now see the route it will take and the recommended viewing points at www.lincoln.gov.uk/olympictorchrelay.

With cheering crowds lining the streets, the Lincoln Olympic Torch Relay will begin on South Park Road on 27th June, weave its way across the city, past the Brayford Pool, up the bustling High Street and past the cathedral’s east side, before heading to the special evening celebration at Yarborough Sports Ground – tickets for which will be available from the Lincoln Drill Hall box office from Thursday 10^th May.

The following day, 28th June, the Torch will leave Lincoln Cathedral, heading through the iconic grounds of Lincoln Castle, where a special picnic and activity morning will be held for selected school children, before leaving the city past the Grandstand on its way to Nottingham.

More than 7,000 inspirational Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Torch around Britain, and two special people have been chosen by the City of Lincoln Council, as host authority organising the Lincoln leg of the Olympic Torch Relay.

Thirty-three year-old Nick Hope is a passionate volunteer who strongly believes in improving the lives of young people in his neighbourhood. He will carry the Olympic Torch on its way through Lincoln on Wednesday 27^th June. Nick started volunteering when he took his children to football sessions, and is heavily involved in ‘Stand Up Speak Up’ with Lincoln City Football Club, which uses sport to bring young people of different nationalities together outside of school.

Nick said: “When they told me, it was just ‘Oh wow, I’m going to carry the Olympic Torch! When I told my family, they thought I was winding them up, and it’s still a shock! I know it’ll be a bit daunting at first, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I play football, so I’m fairly fit, but I think I’ll do a bit of training for this!”

At 75 years-old, Dot Fraser is one of the older members of Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club, but regularly wins more medals and almost then any other club member and proudly holds every club record for sprinters over the age of 55 years-old. She still travels all over the UK and far beyond to compete, along with five other ‘athletic veterens’ and will carry the Olympic Torch on its journey away from Lincoln on Thursday 28^th June.

Dot said: “It feels absolutely wonderful. I can’t believe I’ve been chosen, it is such an honour! I’ll be running from Lincoln towards Nottingham, and I shall run just as I usually do. Running for me is like being a part of a big family. I’m looking forward to watching the Olympic Games on TV – that way you can watch all the sports, rather than just a few.”

Downloadable maps, recommended viewing places, information about the evening celebration and FAQs are available at www.lincoln.gov.uk/olympictorchrelay from Monday 19th March, with further information due to be added continually in the run up to the Lincoln Olympic Torch Relay.

The streets along the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay can also be viewed in full at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay which gives street-by-street details and proposed start times for when the Olympic Torch will travel through Lincoln. Residents living in and around Lincoln can find out when it will be travelling along their nearest high street, near their home or past their local shop.

Councillor Donald Nannestad, Portfolio Holder for Recreational Services and Health at the City of Lincoln Council, said: “We’re incredibly proud to host a part of the Olympic Torch Relay and think that Lincoln is a fantastic setting to get involved with the celebrations. I hope that people who live and work in and around the city will get the chance to see the Olympic Flame and witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay. The confirmation of the route really brings the celebration to life and will allow people to plan how they can get involved, by picking their spot on the street to cheer the relay on or by deciding to attend the evening celebration. We’ve got some fantastic Torchbearers, all of whom have contributed to their local communities, so it will be great for them to take part in such a prestigious event right on their doorstep.”

Janet Inman, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, said: “The announcement today is fantastic for people in Lincoln, and throughout Lincolnshire. We are incredibly proud that Lincolnshire can play its part in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and look forward to seeing the Olympic Torch on its journey around our county.”

Will Mason, from Lincoln Castle, said: “We’re really excited about the Olympic Torch coming to Lincoln. And where better to celebrate than in the historic heart of the city? At Lincoln Castle, we’re putting on a special breakfast and activities for pupils from selected local schools. They’ll be waving off the torch as it makes its way through the grounds before heading out of the city. We can’t wait.”

The Torchbearers confirmed to carry the Flame through Lincoln also include those that were successful through the public nomination run by LOCOG and the Presenting Partners, Coca Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. LOCOG has endeavoured to slot all community Torchbearers within an hour of their nomination address so family and friends can cheer them on. Each Torchbearer will wear a white and gold uniform, which has been designed by adidas.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG added: “Today we bring the Olympic Torch Relay to life. The Flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets. Now the people know the route the Olympic Flame will be carried along and the Torchbearers for their community, they can start planning how they might celebrate and make it Lincoln’s moment to shine.”

Welcoming the Olympic Torch – evening celebration

The City of Lincoln Council is working with LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the Relay – Coca Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – to host a free, family-friendly evening event to celebrate the Olympic Flame.

The free event at Yarborough Sports Ground will feature local dance and music. Free tickets for the evening celebration will be available from Lincoln Drill Hall from Thursday 10^th May. Those wishing to attend should check local media and www.lincoln.gov.uk/olympictorchrelay for more details over the next few months.

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March 1, 2012

Mystery Plays Return To Lincoln

Filed under: News — Tags: Bishop Grosseteste University College, Bishop's Palace, Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Mystery Plays, N-Town Plays — admin @ 3:04 pm

A once every four year tradition returns to Lincoln this year when the Lincoln Mystery Plays revisit the city for a month of medieval-style, biblical representations.

Based on the N-Town Plays – a cycle of 42 medieval mystery plays from between 1450 and 1500 – the Lincoln Mystery Plays are a Lincoln performance tradition. They were revived in 1969 and have become an integral part of Lincolnshire’s cultural heritage.

LoveLincoln.co.uk has caught a glimpse of the newly released publicity photos for the 13^thproduction of Lincoln Mystery Plays and tickets are now on sale through Lincoln Drill Hall.

Geoff Readman, Chair of Lincoln Mystery Plays, explained why the plays are an important part of Lincoln’s culture. “Cultural traditions are part of a community’s identity; the plays are as much part of the tradition of the county as faith, customs, music, art, literature and, of course, people. They are one of the few remaining cycles of medieval scripts.”

To mark the beginning of the run up to this summer’s Lincoln Mystery Plays, a performance entitled Mystery and Miracle will take place on Thursday 5^th April at 12 noon at the Lincoln Drill Hall. This special lunchtime performance will trace the origins of Lincoln’s medieval plays through a humorous and dynamic depiction of the tensions between church, state and community. Tickets cost £5.

“My personal view is that each production should reflect contemporary social issues and that audiences would not wish to see the same production, even on a four-yearly basis,” said Geoff.

“Although there are 42 plays in the cycle, audiences will expect to see such scripts as the Nativity, Doomsday or Crucifixion included and thus the interpretation and vision is vital, as it is in any other genre of theatre.”

The Lincoln Mystery Plays begin with a one-off show at Bishop Grosseteste University College on July 7^th 2012 where doors open at 6.30pm for picnics and refreshments before the Mystery Plays begins, ending at Lincoln Cathedral.

The performances continue from the 10^th – 21^st July, starting at the Bishop’s Old Palace before moving to Lincoln Cathedral. Doors open at 6.30pm for access to installations as well as other entertainment. The approximate running time for each performance is two and half hours including a short interval and tickets are £15 and £13 for concessions, available from The Lincoln Drill Hall now.

Geoff Readman comments: “This will be an accessible and eclectic production in the stunning surroundings of uphill Lincoln, beginning in the open air at the medieval bishop’s palace for the creation and Old Testament stories and concluding with the passion and doomsday in the cathedral cloisters after dark.”

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January 6, 2012

Half-price drinks at city’s newest venue

Filed under: News — Tags: Brayford Pool, Brayford Wharf North, DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln, DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie, Lincoln Cathedral, Philip Walker, Sweet Dreams by DoubleTree, The Electric Bar & Restaurant — admin @ 11:31 am

photo courtesy of Lincolnshire Echo

To celebrate the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln on Brayford Wharf North, The Electric Bar & Restaurant on the fifth floor of the hotel is running a special introductory offer for its Facebook fans of 50% off all drinks!

For this evening only (Friday 6^th January) The Electric Bar & Restaurant Facebook fans will receive 50% off spirits, wines, beers and cocktails from 6pm onwards.

The hotel, which first opened its doors to the public on Friday, offers 115 guest rooms, eight of which are luxury studio suites with a balcony overlooking Brayford Pool or Lincoln Cathedral.

The rooms provide the highest standards of comfort including the luxurious Sweet Dreams by DoubleTree® beds, LCD television, alarm clock radio with MP3 connectivity, high-speed Internet access and a generous work area.

Guests at the DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln on Brayford Wharf North will also benefit from the brand’s world-renowned hospitality from the minute they enter the hotel, starting with the warm DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest when they check in.

A panoramic glass lift on the front of the hotel takes visitors directly up to the fifth floor where they’ll find The Electric Bar & Restaurant which enjoys stunning views of Lincoln Cathedral and the Brayford Pool.

Diners can choose from a mouth-watering menu of modern British cuisine which includes classic dishes with a contemporary twist such as posh fish & chips: pan-fried fillet of halibut, confit potatoes, garden pea and mint purée, soy-glazed leeks with pan juices and deconstructed lemon meringue pie with lime leaf ice-cream.

The hotel also boasts free Wi-Fi throughout, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and on-site car park.

General Manager Philip Walker told LoveLincoln.co.uk they’ve had a great response from people so far: “We’re delighted with the interest we’ve received from local residents, businesses and visitors from outside Lincoln in the hotel.

“Even before we opened we were inundated with calls from people wanting to book either a room or an event in 2012. The hotel has only been open since Friday (30^th December) but we’ve already welcomed a lot of people through the doors who want to have a look round, make a booking or have a drink or something to eat in The Electric Bar and Restaurant and the feedback has been really positive.”

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Princess Royal to open Lincoln Engineering Hub

Filed under: News — Tags: Lincoln Cathedral, Prince Charles, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Siemens, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales, University of Lincoln — admin @ 11:08 am

The University of Lincoln and Siemens will be welcoming royalty to Lincoln later this month.

HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, will be opening the University of Lincoln’s Engineering Hub on Thursday 19^th January 2012.

The Engineering is the first purpose-built engineering school to have been built in the UK for more than 20 years and welcomed its first intake of students in September 2011. It is the result of a joint effort between the University and Siemens who have a major presence in the city.

Princess Anne will be arriving at the Engineering School on the Brayford campus at lunchtime, where she will be invited to tour the facilities before unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion.

This is by no means the first royal visit Lincoln has seen recently: in November The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited Lincoln Cathedral as part of a day-long Lincolnshire tour.

During his visit Prince Charles accepted the Cathedral’s invitation to become Patron of the Cathedral Fabric Fund and the individuals who had spent time in the Cathedral works department (as part of the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment) got the chance to meet the prince in person.

Meanwhile, Camilla toured the Cathedral works department and met craftsmen and women involved in masonry, glazing, lead-work and carpentry.

Prince Edward visited Lincoln Pelican Trust back in June to unveil a plaque and to see the work that the charity undertakes.

When the Princess Royal comes to Lincoln later this month it will be her second visit to the city in just two months: she also attended a service at Lincoln Cathedral in December for some festive Christmas carolling.

What a great year 2011 was and we look forward to many more royal appearances in Lincoln throughout 2012!

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