Better Live at Lincoln Castle concert access promised after talks
A man who has been calling for better accessibility at concerts in Lincoln after a "dangerous" experience last year is confident there will not be a repeat.Richard Adams, 45, who runs Facebook page Disabled in Lincoln, has been in talks with Live at Lincoln Castle organisers Cuffe & Taylor to improve the experience for disabled people this year.Issues raised from the 2024 concerts included not being able to see the stage, a lack of accessible toilets and cobbles and cables in the accessibility lane.Cuffe & Taylor said it had been "working closely" with Disabled in Lincoln, Lincoln Castle and Lincolnshire County Council to "improve facilities for customers with accessible requirements".
Mr Adams, who uses a wheelchair for mobility, went to see Kaiser Chiefs on 28 June last year and said it was "both dangerous and unpleasant"."You felt you were trapped in an area and there was no way you were going to get out," he said.Since then, he has been in talks with Cuffe & Taylor to implement changes, and he said the company had been "really proactive"."I'm confident everything inside the castle area will be much better," he said.
Cuffe & Taylor said changes for this year's concerts will include moving the accessible area closer to the site entrance for better access to the disabled toilets, raising the accessible platform higher for a better view of the stage and a direct seat drinks service for guests in this area.Hazel May Michael, 47, who lives in Lincoln and uses a mobility scooter, attended a Madness concert at the castle on 29 June.She said she remembered "physically shaking and shivering" from anxiety and stress due to huge power cables which jolted her in her medium-path scooter.This year she will be going to see Rag'N'Bone Man and said it all sounded positive on the changes being made.She added: "I'll be looking out for where the vendors [food/merchandise stalls] are, how easy it will be to get into the area and out to vendors and what the view will be like."
A spokesperson for Cuffe & Taylor said that Minster Yard will be used as the pick-up and drop-off location so guests can be "much closer to the site entrance".They also said there would be a dedicated accessible manager and team on site for all show days who specialise in supporting deaf, disabled and neurodivergent guests at large-scale events.
'Removing barriers'
Mr Adams added: "There are often several things in the way and hitting those points every time you go out becomes demoralising."We all know going out is good for you physically and mentally, so removing any barriers to people getting out without having literal things in their way just helps everybody."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Primark's 'perfect' new £10 bedding 'looks amazing' in your home
Shoppers say they 'absolutely love' the 'unreal' bedding that looks 'so beautiful' in your bedroom Primark has wowed shoppers with "beautiful" new bedding sets that start from £10. Customers "absolutely love" the new bow design, perfect for fans of the popular home decor trend. It's not the first time the retailer has impressed interior design lovers with its bow-themed decor, but the reaction to the new bedding suggests the trend isn't going anywhere. Shoppers couldn't wait to get their hands on the "unreal" design after the range went viral on social media. It was featured in several trending posts, including a TikTok video shared by @primark_motherwell. The post said: "Brand new Bow Bedding just arrived in store." It showcased the £10 single bedding set. Elsewhere, Facebook page Dansway Gifts and Bargains UK also shared a post highlighting the bedding. The caption read: "This Bow Bedding Set, which is NEW IN at Primark, looks AMAZING on display!" Both posts were inundated with comments from excited shoppers who loved the look of the bedding. A shopper echoed: "How unreal! I love this." Another praised: "This is so cute," and a commenter thought: "This is pretty for the girls bedroom." Another viewer tagged a friend, writing: "This would look mint in your room I won't lie." A similar response read: "Perfect for you." A different shopper added: "I'm obsessed." Unfortunately, some social media users said they'd struggled to find the bedding in their local store. For instance, someone said: "I cannot find this anywhere, not even online!" A shopper wrote: "Never have it in when ye go." Another viewer claimed: "Washers horrible after a couple times." At the time of writing, it doesn't look like the new set is available on Primark's website. However, there is a selection of bow-themed bedding. For instance, there's a £25 Ribbon and Bow King Duvet Cover Set, a £20 Ribbon and Bow Double Duvet Cover Set, and a £15 Striped Ribbon Bow Single Duvet Cover Set. Primark describes the pink bedding as "a duvet cover set with appliqué bow and ribbon." There's also a £14 Reversible Teddy Bear Single Bed Set, an £18 Reversible Teddy Bear Double Bed Set, and a £25 Reversible Teddy Bear King Bed Set. It's described as "a bed set with duvet, pillows and fitted sheet with teddy and bow design." The full description adds: "This reversible teddy bears double bed set is a cosy addition to any child's bedroom. Designed for a double sized bed, it includes a duvet cover, matching pillowcase and a fitted sheet. "One side features a charming teddy bear design with bow details, while the reverse offers a sweet a striped look, perfect for switching things up. Whether you go with the teddy bears or flip to the alternate design, it brings comfort and a touch of playfulness to bedtime."
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
MTV host Amanda Lewis dead age 53 after breast cancer battle
She leaves behind a 14-year-old son. Amanda Lewis has passed away at the age of 52. The television host, best known for her MTV stint in the late 1990s, lost her life following her battle with breast cancer. She was a popular host during the network's"veejay" era and sadly passed away yesterday, Wednesday June 11, 2025. In October 2020, Ananda announced to fans that she'd been privately battling Stage 3 breast cancer for two years. She also told how she'd avoided getting regular mammograms due to her fear of radiation exposure. During a 2024 interview she revealed that her breast cancer had reached Stage 4 after previously declining to undergo a mastectomy for treatment. Ananda's sister Lakshmi has now confirmed the sad news of her sister's passing on Facebook in an emotional message, The Mirror reports. She wrote of Ananda, "She's free and in His heavenly arms [heart emojis]. Lord, rest her soul [prayer hands emoji]." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Lakshmi confirmed that her sister died at her home in Los Angeles at 11:35am and that she was in hospice care at the time of her death. Lakshimi also revealed that Ananda's 14-year-old son was graduating middle school the same day as her passing. TMZ reported that made the day very bittersweet. She shares the teen boy, her only child, with husband Harry Smith, 54, who is the younger brother of Oscar-winning actor Will Smith, 56. Many are mourning Ananda's untimely death on social media, especially on X, formerly Twitter. One wrote on the platform X: "Omg Rip to the beautiful #AnandaLewis her sister confirmed the news. "If you're a 90s/early 2000s baby, then you definitely wanted to be her, at some point! The real 'It girl'! She just had it!Phuck cancer! Sending love to every person that loved her. Get your rest beauty." Another wrote on X: " Ananda Lewis was so iconic. Sleep peacefully angel," a third penned: "Ananda Lewis was one of the quintessential 90's baddies RIP." As a fixture on MTV in the late 1990s, Ananda hosted hit shows like Total Request Live, Hot Zone and Spring Break. But she left her MTV role in 2001 and began hosting her very own daytime TV talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show, which ran for two seasons. She earned two NAACP Image Awards during her career and was once deemed the 'the hip-hop generation's reigning It Girl' by The New York Times. Lakshmi said that a memorial would be held 'in a few weeks' and that celebrities who Ananda previously interview have already expressed interest in paying tribute to her at the upcoming service.
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
West Lothian Film Festival announces partnership with breast cancer support charity based in Bathgate
Breast Friends and Family emerged as the winner from 30 nominated organisations West Lothian Film Festival has confirmed that its first official charity partner is Breast Friends and Family. The announcement follows more than five months of public voting and 2,164 individual ballots cast, and the partnership will run for the next three years. Nominations opened in October last year and the public were invited to nominate and vote via social media for local causes they felt deserved recognition and support. There were 30 organisations in the running, with Breast Friends and Family emerging as the winner after securing more than 700 public votes. Breast Friends and Family aims to support patients through a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Based on Glasgow Road in Bathgate they provide practical, emotional, and peer support for breast cancer patients across West Lothian. From its office, affectionately known as The Heart, the charity distributes treatment support bags, runs wellbeing sessions, and offers a vital sense of solidarity to those facing diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. West Lothian Film Festival has attracted 306 films — an unprecedented increase from last year's 82 submissions. All submissions are currently in the hands of the 20 strong volunteer judging panel. Festival Director Christopher McPhillips said: 'Every nominated charity had something meaningful to offer West Lothian, and we're grateful to have celebrated them all over the past five months. With 747 votes, Breast Friends and Family clearly resonated with our community, representing compassion, strength, and unity. 'The people of West Lothian chose them as their charity of choice, and we're proud to use our platform to support and celebrate the incredible work they do. While it's been an honour to spotlight 30 brilliant organisations, we're equally proud to now walk alongside Breast Friends and Family as our official partner for the next three years.' As part of the three-year charity partnership, the festival has committed to: full marketing and promotional support, volunteer days from the festival team, and a dedicated Breast Friends and Family showcase day at each edition of the festival from 2026 to 2028. Hazel Orr of Breast Friends and Family said: 'We were delighted to be nominated. The 30 nominated charities are all worthy charities and community groups, so we knew we faced some strong competition. 'On first meeting Christopher, we realised that this could be a fantastic opportunity for Breast Friends and Family, with so many ways he could help promote our charity through the film festival as well as his business associates and connections. It made us think about how we connect with our followers through social media, through our own Facebook and Instagram platforms and how we could encourage our followers to like, vote and share posts. 'We grabbed the opportunity offered by the film festival and Condor Entertainment, to go along on one of their media days, to record an interview about how the charity came about and what it provides. "We loved sharing the finished result. And, we took advantage of the leaflets and posters provided by Artos Digital and Clear Colour, not just taking them to our events but sharing with work colleagues, neighbours, family and friends, at every opportunity. 'Thank you, Christopher, and the West Lothian Film Festival for this fabulous opportunity, thank you to the 2000+ people who voted and to those who voted for Breast Friends and Family. There's also an online fundraiser been set up by the film festival for Breast Friends and Family:
