A Real Proper Football Match

Immensely looking forward to the match on Saturday between Tranmere Rovers and my beloved Lincoln City. This is the type of game that I have been longing for over the past 6 or 7 seasons. Two real football teams playing one another in a proper stadium at the top end of the league table. Yes it may only be top of the Vanarama National League but that is where both these historic football clubs find themselves at the moment. Two such clubs meeting at this level is somewhat sad but still it is a game to look forward too especially in a stadium such as Prenton Park a stadium to rival Sincil Bank, probably to surpass it if the truth be stated!

Second against third separated by just a point. Early in the season I know but a really juicy fixture to look forward too.

Can The Imps get anything out of the game, take the spoils or a share of the spoils? One would like to think so but it is going to be a terrifically difficult game. For me it would be the icing on the cake to take a point or three. To be there and be a part of this game is what I am truly looking forward to. Keeping my fingers firmly crossed for a good result though! Up The Imps.

Decision Made on Important Europe Issue!

Indeed it has. I shall be supporting the Republic Of Ireland at the Euros. They are probably in the hardest qualifying group and so the likelihood of them progressing is not very high. I am used to that sort of outcome as I support Lincoln City! Madness continues then!

The Australian Points System

Now I fully understand the desire for an Australian Points System. As far as I am concerned I am completely satisfied with the present system. 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and nothing if you lose. Seems to work, so if it ain't broke why fix it?

G'Day Cobbers! Throw another shrimp on the barbie!

GOTCHYA!

List of All Euro 2016 Games on TV - Group Stage

All home nation matches plus the Republic of Ireland games are highlighted! Going to be a bit of a marathon to watch them all. ENJOY!

Friday 10 June

France v Romania Group A: kick-off 8pm live on ITV

Saturday 11 June

Wales v Slovakia Group B: 5pm BBC1 and S4

England v Russia Group B: 8pm ITV 

Sunday 12 June
Poland v Northern Ireland Group C: 5pm BBC1
Germany v Ukraine Group C: 8pm BBC1 
Monday 13 June
Republic of Ireland v Sweden Group E: 5pm BBC1
Belgium v Italy Group E: 8pm BBC1 
Tuesday 14 June
Portugal v Iceland Group F: 8pm BBC1
Wednesday 15 June
Romania v Switzerland Group A: 5pm ITV
France v Albania Group A: 8pm ITV
Thursday 16 June
Ukraine v Northern Ireland Group C: 5pm ITV
Germany v Poland Group C: 8pm ITV
Friday 17 June
Czech Republic v Croatia Group D: 5pm BBC1
Spain v Turkey Group D: 8pm ITV
Saturday 18 June
Iceland v Hungary Group F: 5pm BBC1
Portugal v Austria Group F: 8pm BBC1
Sunday 19 June
Switzerland v France Group A: 8pm BBC1
Monday 20 June
Slovakia v England Group B: 8pm ITV
Tuesday 21 June
Ukraine v Poland Group C: 5pm BBC Red Button
Croatia v Spain Group D: 8pm ITV
Czech Republic v Turkey Group D: 8pm ITV4
Wednesday 22 June
Iceland v Austria Group F: 5pm BBC Red ButtonItaly v Republic of Ireland Group E: 8pm ITV
Sweden v Belgium 
Sweden v Belgium Group E: 8pm ITV4

France v Romania Group A: kick-off 8pm live on ITV

Albania v Switzerland Group A: kick-off 2pm BBC1

Turkey v Croatia Group D: kick-off 2pm ITV

Spain v Czech Republic Group D: kick-off 2pm ITV 

Austria v Hungary Group F: kick-off 5pm ITV

Russia v Slovakia Group B: kick-off 2pm BBC1

England v Wales Group B: kick-off 2pm BBC1 and S4C

Italy v Sweden Group E: kick-off 2pm ITV

Belgium v Republic of Ireland Group E: kick-off 2pm ITV

Romania v Albania Group A: kick-off 8pm BBC4

Russia v Wales Group B: kick-off 8pm ITV4 and S4C

Northern Ireland v Germany Group C: kick-off 5pm BBC1

Hungary v Portugal Group F: kick-off 5pm BBC1

OYEZ! OYEZ! OYEZ! I Am A Town Crier.

I am very proud and pleased to have been appointed as the Town Crier for Burgh Le Marsh which, for those of you that don't know, is a small town 5 miles inland from my home town of Skegness.

After appearing before the AGM of the Town Council Friday last and doing a presentation I was voted in by the Town Councillors. Now it is all hands to the pump to get up and running.

Lots of things to do. Source a livery, the clothing that is worn, including a tricorn hat and a bell.

A plain tricorn, 3 cornered hat, generally worn in the 18th and early19th century.

When I started to investigate, I was surprised to find that there is no official type of livery for Town Criers, it is entirely up to the individual as to what is worn. I shall be going for something very traditional such as this shown here.

The Town Crier of the City of Plymouth.

I am planning a coat in Lincoln Green with a yellow waistcoat to reflect the county of Lincolnshire and also the fact that I am a true "yellah belly", a person born and bred in the county. There are several schools of thought as to why the people of Lincolnshire are referred to as "yellah bellies" but the one I prefer is the name was derived from the yellow waistcoat worn by soldiers of the old Lincolnshire army regiments.
I will finish the livery off with a pair of off-white breeches and white hose, with black shoes in a regency style.

In the short-term I shall need to hire a livery as it takes some time for a tailor or in my case a seamstress to create this type of outfit and there are already a few pressing engagements being lined up for me to attend in the very near future.

So what does a Town Crier actually do? Well a lot of shouting if the truth be known but much more than that. If you are an official Town Crier, then you support the community that has appointed you. This would include attending civic functions, community events such as garden parties, fetes, carnivals etc. and charity events such as fund raisers providing interest, colour and humour to the event. There is also a requirement to make public announcements in the street, providing information and news in a traditional fashion that can be traced back to the time of the Romans.

In addition it is important to ensure that you promote the Town you represent in a positive manner wherever and whenever the opportunity arises.

There is also scope to perform at commercial events and events that are not directly related to the community that you represent. These can include Master-Of-Ceremonies, After Dinner Speaking, Speaking To Groups and Organisations, Product Launches, Openings, Country Shows and, I am sure, other things that I have not yet identified.

I am in the process of applying to become a member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild Of Town Criers which is the oldest Town Crier organisation and, if my application is accepted, I am looking forward to becoming an active member and entering some of the Town Crier Competitions that are organised by the Guild. More information can be seen at http://www.ahgtc.org.uk/

I believe this could be a very exciting and enjoyable opportunity for me, indeed a whole new lease of life, and I cannot wait until I am kitted out and ready to begin my journey as the Town Crier for Burgh Le Marsh.

Keep your eye out for me, or more likely your ears out for me, as I may be coming to a venue near you!

OYEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

Correct Use Of Public Money - Mayor Making In Skegness?

Some of you may be aware that each year when the Mayorship of Skegness passes from the present incumbent to the new one there is a Mayor Making event, which is normally a dinner at one of the local hotels with entertainment. You may know that the incoming Mayor invites family, friends and colleagues to the event. What you may not know is that the council tax payers of Skegness largely fund it. Is this a correct use of public money?

The sum of £2,000 of public money is now put aside to pay for the event. This is a reduction on previous years but it is still £2,000 of your money!

I know of no other community within the county that has a tax payer funded event of this sort to celebrate the change of appointment.

During my time as a councillor, during which I attended one of these "doos" on the day I first became a councillor and before I understood that the event was funded by the tax-payer, I questioned this practice and made it quite clear that I thought that it was time it ceased as, given the parlous state of the public finances, there seems no supportable reason for the event to happen.

Various arguments were put forward regarding the fact that this is a tradition and that the dinner allows the incoming Mayor to raise money for his or her Mayoral charities but I am afraid I don't find those arguments strong enough to make me believe that spending money on the event is the correct thing to do. Tradition has its place but should not over-ride the financial imperatives of the present situation and there are plenty of opportunities for Mayors to raise funds for their chosen charity. If an incoming Mayor wishes to celebrate his or her elevation to the office then the funding of the celebration should be their own responsibility.

I am aware that the photograph of the mayoral chain shown within this article is not of the Skegness chain of office but I could not find a photograph of it without it being worn by one of the recipients. I did not use any of those photos as I didn't want to give the impression that I was "having a go" at any person, present, recent or in the past who has had the honour of being elected to the office of Mayor but at the practice itself.

In my opinion it really is time for this practice to stop and for the public funds used to pay for this event, or part pay for it in some cases, to be used for the benefit of the residents of Skegness!

Lincolnshire Beaches Amongst The Best In Europe.

Fantastic news this morning that the beaches in Skegness, Mablethorpe and Sutton On Sea have again been awarded the Blue Flag.

The Blue Flag is awarded for beaches, marinas and boating tourism operators as a statement of the high environmental and quality standards they maintain. The Blue Flags are awarded on an annual basis. It is the work of the local East Lindsey District Council operators that maintain the highest of standards and they should be thoroughly congratulated for there wonderful efforts. Out in all weathers from early morning until late in the evening they fight the good fight to keep our beaches in a pristine condition.

There are miles and miles of golden, sandy beaches stretching from Skegness north to Mablethorpe and beyond which are enjoyed by millions of visitors annually. Long may this continue. 

Central beach Skegness. Blue Flag awarded!

Let's now see the flags proudly displayed above our wonderful coastline and let's use the fine achievement of the continuing award as an attraction in its own right.