Crowds shrug off showers to enjoy the County Show
Showers failed to stop the fun at this year’s Lincolnshire Show, the county’s big day out.
Early estimates put total visitor figures at around 68,000, matching last year’s record figures.
This was also the year that social media attention for the Show stormed ahead, with their Twitter feed recording 2.56 million visits from 286,000 people, with over 1000 tweets made during the two days, helping to drive visitor interest before and during the Show.
Alongside old favourites like pig racing and the big agricultural machinery displays, new attractions for this year included horseback falconry, Express Eventing and the Scruffts crossbreed dog competition, which helped to drive new interest. Organisers also reported livestock entries and trade stand bookings well up on last year.
“Everyone loves to see the livestock and the big agricultural machinery and alongside that we had even more attractions with families and young people in mind for this year,” said chief executive Mark Farmer.
“We’re very happy overall, we had a very good crowd, excellent trade bookings and attendance looks to be in line with last year’s figure.”
“Extending into the evening with activities such as concerts went well and we’ll definitely be looking to build on that next year. The new areas like the Kennel Club dog ring and the Express Eventing series qualifier both helped to boost interest and attract new visitors,” he added.
The Lincolnshire Show is not just a two day showcase for the county; it’s a big revenue booster, generating £20 for the local economy for every £1 spent. It’s also big business for the trade exhibitors and local companies who connect with customers during the relaxed social atmosphere of the two day event.
In the Countryside ring, the programme included medieval jousting and pig racing and the livestock lines played host to more than 1800 entries of cattle, sheep, pigs and goats.
Nearly 1800 horses and ponies were on show throughout the two days in the equine ring, and local rider Malcolm Wright claimed his second win in the Express Eventing 2011 series, in a thrilling finish which went right to the final fence in the showjumping.
In the sports zone, the many attractions included Leicester Tigers rugby coaches and Great Britain Paralympics hopeful Richard Sargent, representing wheelchair basketball, part of the many sports being demonstrated in run up to the 2012 Olympics.
Winners of the Schools Challenge competition were John Fielding Community Special School from Boston; Trent Valley Academy and Whites Wood Lane Junior School both from Gainsborough.
“Everyone has enjoyed the Show, despite the odd shower,” said show director Richard Collett, in his first year in the role. “Fortunately the land here drains quickly and easily so the rain doesn’t cause any real problem. Whatever the weather, there’s so much on offer with the hundreds of trade stands and shops, and exciting programmes in all the rings.”
“It’s gone very well and I’m very pleased.”
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Sarah Poucher at Lincolnshire Events Centre in Lincolnshire Agricultural Society
lluty@lincs-events.co.uk - 01522 585501
Maggie Taylorat Prima PR
maggie@primapr.co.uk – 01400 251557 / 0797 3767 602
The boyos win on home turf in LawNet’s Snowdon challenge
A team from Gamlins in Rhyl have taken the LawNet Challenge title, completing an 11 mile course with a 3800 foot ascent to the summit of Snowdon, in a blistering 269 minutes and 10 seconds.
The team, comprising Huw Rees, Dafydd Roberts, Ron Davison and Gwyn Pritchard, were almost 100 minutes faster than their nearest rivals.
Taking part on the day were 80 lawyers in 17 teams, all drawn from LawNet member firms across the country.
The all-male winning team from Gamlins were spotted sprinting down from the summit, as they literally ran to victory; unlike their female counterparts from the same firm, who took a wrong turn at an early stage – leading to the usual jokes about women and directions. However humble pie was the order of the day as the ‘Gamlins Girls’ still managed to secure second place in the Challenge, finishing in 361mins 16secs, with third place going to a team from Lincoln firm Andrew & Co, in 402mins.
Each year leading law firm network LawNet arranges a Challenge event for its 70 strong membership of independent firms. Previous events have included the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and Helvellyn and Striding Edge.
The event is organised by George Coombes, LawNet’s Marketing & Services Manager, who said: “Members enjoy the opportunity to network in a more informal setting and environment, whilst having a bit of competitive fun. It was a close call with the weather after snowfall on Snowdon just a week before and bad rain predicted, but we had a great day.”
He added: “Seeing the winning team descend was reminiscent of a scene from Mission Impossible, all running from the summit and one member channelling Tom Cruise in a pair of big aviator mirrored sunglasses! The winning Gamlins team also completed the mini-orienteering challenge at checkpoint 1, whereas some teams decided to take a 30 minute time penalty and miss this out. They certainly were deserving winners.”
Last year’s winners, Darbys from Oxford, finished sixth in 417mins 39secs and the LawNet head office team a respectable seventh in 418mins 26secs.
Team list:
Andrew & Co LLP
Berry & Berry
Breeze & Wyles Solicitors LLP
Darbys Solicitors LLP
Gamlins (3 teams)
Gardner Leader LLP (2 teams)
Gepp & Sons
Lamb Brooks
LawNet
Mullis & Peake LLP (2 teams)
Myers Lister Price Solicitors
Oxley & Coward Solicitors LLP
Parrott & Coales LLP
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
Helen Hamilton-Shaw, Director of Services, LawNet
Direct line: 01926 834622 Email: hhamilton-shaw@lawnet.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About LawNet:
LawNet was established in 1989 to enable a collaborative, non-competing national network where independent law firms could access big firm resources and benefit from collective purchasing, shared knowledge, best practice and expertise. Each firm has an exclusive geographical operating area to enable collaboration.
The combined income of the 68 firms comprising LawNet is currently in excess of £250m – equivalent to a UK Top 15 law firm – with members ranging from £2m to £15m turnover.
Independent research shows LawNet is most highly valued by members for delivering in six key areas – training, networking, PII, business development, marketing and compliance. It currently places some £1.2bn worth of PI cover alone for members each year, which helps stabilise premiums for firms.
Twitter: @LawNetUK
Blog: http://thelawnetblog.wordpress.com/
News from others taking part in the Lincolnshire Show
These are press releases and press kits received from exhibitors and others taking part in this year's Show. If you would like to submit content, please email : info@primapr.co.uk
Country Landowners Association : News Release
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group press release
J T Friskney air ambulance donation_picture opportunity
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE BASED MATTHEW WRIGHT VYING FOR A PLACE IN EXPRESS EVENTING FINAL AT HOYS
Lincolnshire Show 2011 : press pack and programme
PDF versions of The Lincolnshire Show press pack, programme and site map for download.
Lincolnshire Show 2011 : Official Programme
Check out what's what and who's where with the full layout of this year's Lincolnshire Show on 22nd and 23rd June 2011, now available here. Click to download the PDF: Lincolnshire Show Map 2011
Archive pictures of the Show can be downloaded here:
Pictures for download on Flickr : click here
More here: https://primapr.co.uk/Client_Pictures/LEC/Show%202009/index.htm
Follow the Show on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LincolnshireEventsCentre
Follow the Show on Twitter @LincsShow and #lincsshow
Final countdown to this year’s County Big Day Out
See below for picture opportunities on eve of show, Tuesday 21st June 2011. Photo archive available on Flickr for download: click here
As the final preparation is made for the spectacular annual event that is the Lincolnshire County Show, a complete town has emerged on the 200 acre showground site at Grange de Lings.
Signposts and road names are in place and 10,000 square metres of marquees have been erected. Some 20 miles of electrical cable has been laid, 800 tables and 3,000 chairs have been set out. And there are car parks for 12,000 cars, and 45,000 copies of an 88 page programme.
There are 11 rings, 1800 horses and ponies entries, over 1300 cattle, pigs, sheep and goats in the livestock entries, and there are over 600 trade stands selling everything from frying pans to fashion.
More than 100 stewards are involved, one for every aspect of the show, each in their distinctive bowler hats.
Said Mark Farmer, chief executive of Lincolnshire Agricultural Society : “Everything is going very well and we’re hoping to beat last year’s record for overall visitors. We’ve received record bookings from traders to attend and the livestock and equine entries are also excellent.”
This year’s event features an even wider array of events for the whole family, including a concert on the Wednesday that will entertain visitors through into the evening.
“As the flagship event at the Showground, this year’s Show is set to be a fantastic day out for the whole family,” added Mark Farmer.
Visitors can follow the set up through the Showground’s live Twitter stream at @lincsshow or through the Show’s Facebook page.
ENDS
Picture opportunities Tuesday 21st June 2011: Eve of Show
Mark Farmer, chief executive will be on site and available for interview, but a slot would need to be pre-arranged.
Mambo the mammoth – constructed entirely of straw bales. Originally created for a Weetabix competition. Mambo on Facebook
Cross country fences go in place around 2.30 - 3.00pm – forklifts in the main ring putting huge fences into place.
Cattle coming into the showground, being washed down and going into the stock lines. Throughout the day.
Food court – set up of stall and producers throughout the day. E.g. Redhill Farm, prize winners at Lincs Show last year and also recent winners of Countryside Alliance Local Food Award for East of England 2010 and Tastes of Lincolnshire BIG Sausage Festival 2010 for Lincolnshire’s Favourite Sausage.
Flower show / floral decorations – day-long activity to create huge floral displays.
Tennyson Pavilion – latest new building on site, which will be opened for the first time at the Show and being used for corporate hospitality guests at the Show.
Media update: Access to the Showground, press packs, wifi and other info
Before the show:
Press passes and proof of identity: You must have a press pass showing your name and the correct date of entry. To enter the Show you will have to show your press pass and produce matching proof of identity. This should be your business card showing your name, job title and publication, or otherwise your photocard driving licence. Remember: Press passes are valid for one person, as named, for one day, as printed.
Change of name: If any personnel have changed, just log back on to the Evenbrite site and make your changes and download new passes.
Gates and car parking: All car parking is free and you can enter from any of the numbered gates (see the map on the press feed).
At the show:
Register: Come to the Press Tent near the Secretary’s Office to get your badge and a press pack. There are drinks during the day and sandwiches at lunchtime.
Press packs: Now available on line for download, click here, hard copies will be available in the press tent.
Wi Fi: Available in the press tent, log on as follows:
User Name: Press Tent
Password: L1ncsShow2011
Tweeting? Hash tag for the Show is #LincsShow
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Maggie Taylor at Prima PR
maggie@primapr.co.uk – 01400 251557 / 0797 3767 602
Investment boost for Lincolnshire venue
See coverage at :
Lincolnshire Agricultural Society has announced that it will be making further investment in its major conference and events centre on the Showground site at Grange de Lings.
As the Showground makes ready for the annual County Show on 22nd-23rd June, the Society has confirmed it will be releasing investment funds to support the Show itself, as well as for its EPIC Conference Centre, a purpose-designed showcase of environmental building technologies.
The Lincolnshire Show is the major food and farming showcase event in the Society’s calendar, and whilst it attracts crowds of up to 70,000 and generates a significant economic impact on the local economy, it is not an income generator in itself. Its costs are supported by the commercial income-generating conference and events arm, which was developed to fund all the Society’s educational activities.
The Lincolnshire Events Centre on the Showground is now recognised as a major national conference venue, hosting events for up to 10,000 visitors on its 200 acre showground site and 3000 square metres of indoor exhibition and venue space. Since the EPIC Centre opened in 2009 it has brought a host of new events to the Showground which include antiques fairs, the BMF motorbike show and summer concerts, attracting over 200,000 visitors each year.
The Society will be realising funds from the sale of 70 acres of farmland bought in 1990 with two fields which borderBurton Roadearmarked for disposal. The fields comprise farmland and were bought as an investment and do not form part of the Society’s masterplan for the Showground. Adjoining land bought at the same time which provides for future development on the Showground site and is home to the two very successful annual Point to Point meetings, is being retained.
“Land prices are at an all time high, so the Board of Trustees have agreed it’s the right time to sell, to maximise the levels of funds that go back into the fabric of the Showground,” said the Society Treasurer, Jane Hiles. “It’s not an easy decision for a Board with farming blood to sell farmland, but we are sure this is the right decision, as it is exactly what this land was bought for.”
Chief executive Mark Farmer said: “With economic conditions remaining difficult, we want some stability to continue to grow the business and whilst we’ve made major savings through efficiencies in both the Events side of the business and on the Show, to go further would affect the character of the Lincolnshire Show itself.
“Releasing this investment back into the business will help preserve this great County institution for the future. The Lincolnshire Show cannot stand still, we need to keep investing in it to ensure it is attractive to all of our visitors from both city and countryside.”
He added: “Advance ticket sales for this year are looking promising; the livestock and equine entries are doing well; and the bookings for trade stands are exceptional with many more traders booked than in 2010.”
Local agents J H Walter will be handling the sale of the farmland.
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New training model poses another challenge for legal sector
See coverage of this in The Guardian Law: click to view Guardian website
Following the announcement by the SRA on the outcome of last year’s Work Based Learning pilot scheme for trainee solicitors, one of the organisations involved has said the sector will face a tough learning curve to implement the new rules.
LawNet, the collaborative network for independents, joined together with The Oxford Institute of Legal Practice (OXILP) to run a pilot of the Work Based Learning scheme for 8 trainee solicitors within LawNet member firms, typically mid-size independents.
This pilot was designed for small to medium sized firms and under the scheme OXILP helped trainees prepare a development plan, review their progress against SRA outcomes and provide a final assessment while LawNet supported the training programme on behalf of firms, including bespoke training sessions to supplement the trainees’ learning experience and support the learning outcomes.
This differed from the other pilots – which were for Magic Circle firms and for paralegals - where trainees were supported and assessed either wholly in-house by their employers, or externally by Nottingham Law School.
Helen Hamilton-Shaw, director of services at LawNet, said: “This was a very interesting exercise and a successful one for us, although inevitably there were varying experiences across the trainees and the firms. If Work Based Learning is to go ahead, firms have the prospect of managing the introduction of yet another significant internal change.
“Fortunately, we are very well placed to support our firms in implementing the new regime, as we’ve already created the infrastructure and proved it in the market through this pilot, so that will make things easier for our members, but it’s likely to be a tough learning curve for others without that infrastructure, even though the long term gain may be better quality.”
Julie Brannan, Director of OXILP said: “Despite the inevitable challenge of the new, it is clear from the LawNet/OXILP pilot that Work Based Learning has the potential to provide real training gains for firms who implement a successful programme.”
The OXILP/LawNet pilot scheme was undertaken with member firms Parrott & Coales LLP, Aylesbury; IBB, Uxbridge; Aldridge Brownlee Solicitors LLP, Bournemouth and Lamb Brooks, Basingstoke.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
Helen Hamilton-Shaw, Director of Services, LawNet
Direct line: 01926 834622 Email: hhamilton-shaw@lawnet.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About LawNet:
LawNet was established in 1989 to enable a collaborative, non-competing national network where independent law firms could access big firm resources and benefit from collective purchasing, shared knowledge, best practice and expertise. Each firm has an exclusive geographical operating area to enable collaboration.
The combined income of the 68 firms comprising LawNet is currently in excess of £250m – equivalent to a UK Top 15 law firm – with members ranging from £2m to £15m turnover.
Independent research shows LawNet is most highly valued by members for delivering in six key areas – training, networking, PII, business development, marketing and compliance. It currently places some £1.2bn worth of PI cover alone for members each year, which helps stabilise premiums for firms.
Twitter: @LawNetUK
Blog: http://thelawnetblog.wordpress.com/
Countdown to the County's big day out
Just four weeks to go until this year’s Lincolnshire Show, and as the countdown begins to the county’s big day out, some of the latest exhibitors and features have been unveiled.
Alongside the family attractions, local food producers and agricultural displays, there’s a Scruffts dog competition, top class equestrian eventing, eco-education and art exhibitions.
It’s all taking place at the Lincolnshire Showground, Grange de Lings on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd June 2011.
Visitors are well used to parades – there are grand parades of livestock, of agricultural machinery or of Young Farmers’ floats – but this year there will be a rather unusual addition, with a parade that explores the idea of what is normal, and whether anyone is truly normal.
Developed by Lincoln Art Programme, in conjunction with artist Anthony Schrag, local groups in Lincoln have donated objects or people that are representative of their ‘normal activities’. They include a cake from the WI, a pair of binoculars from a bird watching group, and they will be marched around by Yellowbellies in a Parade of Normal Things. The aim is to show that what is normal to some, might be considered eccentric by someone else. The parade will meander slowly around the Show offering a chance to explore the objects and how they relate to one another and to Lincolnshire.
Something for everyone is also on offer at the BBC Lincolnshire stand where the costumes and trophy from BBC’s chart-topping Strictly Come Dancing series rubbing shoulders with a fashion show of designs from Lincoln University students. Also on the stand are two contrasting musical attractions – there's Abba Salute, the tribute band, and a community musical commissioned by the BBC, telling the story of Priscilla Biggadike, the Lincolnshire woman wrongly hanged for the murder of her husband.
Visitors can ask find out to live greener lives when they speak to The Greenhouse, a group of local companies designed to showcase renewable technologies. All of the companies are based in and around Lincolnshire and are all experts in their field. It’s been organised by Jo Huggett of Binbrook-based 4Eco who supply solar thermal systems and air source and ground Source heat pumps, for both domestic and commercial properties.
For those looking to get an agricultural hit, this 127th Lincolnshire Show will be keeping agriculture at its heart. The Show – on 22nd and 23rd June – includes the best of the county’s livestock on the judging lines and all the latest trends in farming and agriculture from the top breeds to top machines, as well as the best produce from the county.
In the Select Lincolnshire and Tastes of Lincolnshire Food Court the special Lincolnshire produce area will include national award-winning farmers and producers of free range pork, Redhill Farm, winners of the Countryside Alliance Local Food Award for East of England 2010 and Tastes of Lincolnshire BIG Sausage Festival 2010 for Lincolnshire’s Favourite Sausage. The Farm will be hoping for a repeat of their victory at last year’s Show, when they won the Oscar Brown Perpetual Challenge Cup awarded at last year’s Show for the best food stand.
In the livestock lines, two native breeds that are likely to attract much attention once again are the Lincoln Longwool sheep and Lincoln Red cattle.
From near Woodhall Spa in eastern Lincolnshire, Maurice Parker will bring his 6 Lincoln Longwools when he attends the Lincolnshire Show for the 41st time. He said: “It’s one of the best shows in the country. It’s our home county show and the stewarding at Lincolnshire is always brilliant.” Maurice has been winning championships firstly for others and for himself since 2000, including wool on hoof, interbreed and overall breed Champion.
In the cattle lines, Geoff Bolton from Market Rasen has notched up 52 Lincolnshire Shows, since his first visit as a schoolboy in 1959. Now chairman of Lincoln Red Cattle Society for the second time, and a judge himself at other agricultural shows, he has breeding Lincoln Reds for over 20 years and now has a herd of 30 beast
He said: “Lincolnshire Show is largely still agricultural and it’s got an important role to play in education. I first came to the Show on a School trip in 1959, and now, just as then, it’s an opportunity for young people to learn and to be involved in agriculture, livestock and where food comes from.”
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Sarah Poucher at Lincolnshire Events Centre inc Lincolnshire Agricultural Society
spoucher@lincs-events.co.uk - 01522 585501
Maggie Taylor at Prima PR
maggie@primapr.co.uk – 01400 251557 / 0797 3767 602
More about the Show:
See other releases and facts about the Show by clicking here
Follow the Show:
Twitter : @lincsshow
Facebook: LincolnshireAgriculturalSociety
www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk
Independent law firms look to ABS opportunities
News Release:
ABS and investor strategy opportunities are top of the agenda for a group of independent firms.
They will be working with leading industry strategists in a LawNet masterclass that has been designed to place law firm leadership development in the context of the Legal Services Act.
- Robert Mowbray
This two day residential programme is delivered by four industry experts and authorities in their field – including Robert Mowbray on financial well being and Andrew Hedley on law firm strategy. Other topics will cover business development, people development and leadership.
- Andrew Hedley
The masterclass is part of LawNet’s specialist Strategic Leadership and Management Programme launched last year. Open to all law firms, not just LawNet members, it’s designed for both existing and up and coming partners.
“We’ve got some of the best and most talented strategic practitioners in the legal sector, each with an outstanding track record,” said LawNet director of services Helen Hamilton-Shaw.
“This programme gives firms access to the sort of development previously only afforded by Top 50 firms through in-house corporate programmes.”
Each year, leading law firm network LawNet delivers over 60 CPD accredited learning events for member firms, covering a wide range of technical, practice management and business development topics.
Strategic Leadership and Management Programme June 2011
Strategic Leadership and Management Programme 2011 Order form
ENDS
211 words
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
Helen Hamilton-Shaw, Director of Services, LawNet
Direct line: 01926 834622 Email: hhamilton-shaw@lawnet.co.uk