A Lovely Message from the Mailbox

Isn't it lovely when someone sends you a nice email?

This morning we received this very kind message from a couple who had enjoyed walking in Lincolnshire:

Sent: 10 August 2009 16:57
To: Customer_Services
Subject: Thank you

We recently sent for some of your walking information packs which duly arrived and which proved very useful on our recent trip to Lincolnshire. I am writing to thank you for this very efficient and impressive service and to say how well signposted the footpaths were.
We were very impressed with the quiet rural charm of the area and very pleased to see so many butterflies and other insects which would seem to indicate that the countryside is being cared for. A number of the roadside verges had signs indicating that they were conservation areas.
Please feel free to pass on our comments as appropriate. Thank you again Colin and Rosemary Cheshire

Hats off to everyone who was involved in putting the walking discovery packs together - and of course to the countryside services who made their visit so enjoyable.

And of course, thanks very much to Colin & Rosemary for sharing your happy experiences with us. CL

Lincolnshire: Going a Richer Shade of Green

Green, hey. What a bandied-about phrase that seems to be these days.

On the face of it, "green" might seem like yet another trendy bandwagon of the 21st century: half the population are on board, waving their compost heaps and solar powered panels for all to see; then there's all those funky Bags for Life floating about and eco toilet cleaners made from lemons and coriander leaves...

If we dig a little deeper into our organic vegetable patch however, it's apparent that something quite substantial is growing. No longer regarded as a hippy way of life - or indeed something to make yourself feel 'at one' with the earth - green is very much the shape of the future. Every serious organisation worth their salt is assessing their green credentials, working out their eco-friendly objectives and tightening up their carbon footprints.

So it was encouraging to hear today that one of Lincolnshire's top hotels has been awarded a Silver accolade from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort of the QHotels group sits on the outskirts of Brigg in the north of the county, just a few minutes from the M180. Less the motorway stopover, more a secluded haven; the resort sits amongst ancient trees, peaceful wild heathland and an impressive championship golf course.

Putting myself in the shoes of a Forest Pines Hotel guest, I wondered what I might expect to find at this newly stamped 'green' resort. Bamboo sheets? A mossy roof? Or how about rainwater in the pool? Er, no. Rest assured the comforts of 4* luxury remain. Polished floors, contemporary styling and swish facilities abound. The real green graft is much more of a behind the scenes effort it seems.

Firstly, a 'Green Team' was established around 18 months ago, made up of internal staff with plenty of eco-enthusiasm...they meet, share ideas and help implement green practices within the hotel. Since the green gang have been working their magic, the resort has seen positive decreases in energy usage and significantly reduced their waste to landfill impact. Look out for their posters too, encouraging you to not waste water, switch off lights etc. There's also Conference with a Conscience, a programme whereby company delegates offset their mileage to the hotel, who in turn plant a tree in the grounds on their behalf. Neat.

So after a great round of golf, retire to your room and sink into a heavenly bubbly bath... (large glass of Shiraz in hand of course) then breathe easy - your luxury break is green and guilt-free, too. CL

Lincolnshire places to stay & visit with a Green Tourism Award:

• Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort, Brigg - 4* Hotel
  
• Poachers Hideaway, Belchford - 5* self catering
• Kenwick Park, Louth - 3* Hotel
  
• Doddington Hall, nr Lincoln - House, farm shop & gardens
  

Protect our Lincolnshire Sausages!

Well now, here's something quirky to tell your friends: as a treasured delicacy of our fine and fertile land, the Lincolnshire Sausage has gone all political on us...

A Number 10 petition to protect the infamous banger is attracting many signatories, all in favour of ensuring the Lincolnshire Sausage is given 'Protected Geographical Indication status' - in other words, the sausage cannot be sold using the Lincolnshire name unless it was produced in the county using the traditional recipe.

If you've never tried a Lincolnshire Sausage, do - it's a delicious herby experience (particularly enjoyable when squashed between two thick slices of bread, it has to be said). When visiting the county, you're more than likely to be offered a couple with your eggs and bacon - and if they aren't on the menu GASP loudly and refuse the pale pink joke sausage they've offered instead.

The question remains then, if this petition is successful what difference will it make to Lincolnshire? Here's a few thoughts...

No. 1 - producers. Our wonderful and tireless farming community deserve a big pat on the back. Lincolnshire Sausages are the lifeblood of many a meat producer and hopefully PGI status might throw some more national and international business their way, plus give them extra credibility as a specialist supplier.

No. 2 - shops. At the front end of the Lincolshire Sausage chain are the shops who sell to the public. Petition granted, these shops can be reassured that Mr Visitor & Family will not mosey off to Asda and pick up some L.S imitations because the butchers was closed. Unless Asda add the sausages to their 'local' selection of produce. In which case they will have to source them from Mr Farmer, see above - oooh win win win.

No. 3 - our reputation. Lincolnshire remains largely a misunderstood and mysterious land. Our hidden secrets are yet to be recognised by the wider world! If Lincolnshire were catapulted onto the front pages of The Sausage Mail and Bangers n' Mash Weekly a flood of visitors would descend upon our doors, come and eat some sausages (at the very least) and trot back home and tell their friends how jolly lovely it was. No really... it's amazing what a bit of foodie PR can do for a place, and we'd be certain to see a positive result for the county.

So...not only can we boldly claim fame to our favourite mash accompaniment without fear of poor or misguided imitation but also, hopefully, encourage people to visit the county off the back of our VI-PGI saucisson. CL

• http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/LincsSausages/
• www.lincolnshiresausages.co.uk