Lincoln locals will soon be recruited to work as guides for the return of the open-top bus tours.

From Easter, the city will once again see tourists and natives alike being shown around some of Lincoln’s most attractive and historic sites. But while the route has already been worked out, the tours are still missing an important ingredient.

Michele Sims, manager of the Lincoln Visitor Information Centre said;
 “We are looking for entertaining people with a good knowledge of Lincoln and it’s history to work on the bus tours. You don’t need to have previous tour-guide experience.”

The city did have open-top buses operating in 2004 but due to financial complications it was discontinued. However, with such an eventful year ahead, 2012 will see the return of the once popular service. Lincoln BIG chief executive Matt Corrigan told the Lincolnshire Echo;

“This is a big year in terms of local events and attractions, including those which will reflect national Olympics Games, Royal Diamond Jubilee and celebrations, and we believe the tour bus will complement these.”

Lincoln BIG has joined forces with bus service Stagecoach and the Visit Lincoln Partnership to get the “hop-on,hop-off” tours up and running again. Although it had to be stopped in 2004, Michele Sims is confident this will be a more permanent service;

“At the moment there will just be one bus running six tours a day, but hopefeully as demand grows we may see an increase in buses. Ticket prices are still being worked out and we have not yet considered a multi-lingual commentary for foreign visitors but who knows what the future may bring. As long as there is a demand, we will try to meet it.”

If you are interested in applying for the job of tour guide for the bus is asked to email a CV and covering letter to michelesims@lincolnbig.co.uk or if you have any interesting anecdotes involving places in Lincoln that could be included in the tour you can call the Lincoln Visitor Information Centre on 01522545458

Two Lincoln students have been shortlisted to bear the Olympic torch as it travels through the city.
… James Roark from Horncastle and Jade Etherington from Bourne who both study at Bishops Grosseteste were nominated by the uni for their contributions to sport.

Jade a geography and educations studies student, who suffers from Glaucoma and Axenfield’s syndrome – which have caused her to lose most of her sight – is also hoping to compete in the 2014 Paralympics.

 She said;
“It’s a real honour to be given the chance to carry the torch and be a part of the biggest sporting event in the world. Im hoping it will also raise awareness of the Paralympics. Im hoping to qualify to be a part of the British Disabled Skiing Team in 2014.”

Haf Merrifield, Deputy Principal at BG said;
“We nominated Jade and James to be torchbearers because they are exceptional students that BG is proud of. James has been teaching people of all ages how to swim for the last four years and Jade has high hopes to represent Britain in the 2014 Olympics in Russia. They were the perfect candidates.”

Sport and education studies student James also works at Horncastle swimming pool as a swimming instructor and lifeguard said;

“It’s really humbling to think I might be carrying the Olympic torch. When the world’s eyes are on Britain, its good to know Lincoln could be represented by someone from BG.”

Haf Merrifield told the Lincolnite;

“Our first cohort of Sports Studies students graduated in 2011 and were joined by former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence who became an honorary graduate of Bishops Grosseteste University.”

About the Olympic Torch
The Olympic Torch was designed by two Londoners, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby along with product engineering company Tecosim. It starts it’s journey in Greece, where it is lit during a traditional ceremony and then transferred to the host city.The flame will be carried around the UK by 8,000 individuals for 70 days, from the 19th May to 27th July through more than 1000 of the country’s cities, towns and villages. It will come within 10 miles of 95% of people in the UK including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Methods of transport will range from horseback to zip-wire. The lighting of the cauldron during the Olympic Opening ceremony marks the official start of the Games.The street-by-street route is yet to be announced by The Olympic Games Organising Committee.