LINCOLN AtoZ Lincoln A to Z

So here it is - the last ever episode of Lincoln AtoZ.  After 2 years and 51 grids, we set out on our trusty bikes one final time and bring the show to a climactic frenzy with a grid containing... nothing.  Yet, in spite of the lack of any notable features, the sight of an empty field leads Jonny and Paul to muse on what the point of AtoZ actually was.  Back in the studio there's an orgy of misty-eyed reminiscence as we each pick our top 3 grids, and Jo and Tref also tell us what AtoZ has meant to them.  We also look forward to the AtoZ exhibition at The Collection, and do battle one final time over A Question of Lincoln...

Having previously found themselves figuratively "shut out" in previous grids, this week Jonny and Paul are ACTUALLY shut out, and, with only one more week to go till the end of the series, question whether they'll be able to fulfill their promise to visit each and every grid. Instead, they find themselves stumbling around adjoining grids trying to find a way in whilst moaning about dog poo signs and almost falling off their bikes.  Meanwhile, back in the studio, Jo can at least give us the history of the grid, and Tref chips in too.  All this, plus the penultimate round of A Question of Lincoln.

This week we head into "The Maze", otherwise known as Sincil Bank.  The area is of course synonymous with Lincoln City Football Club, and we begin our visit outside the ground as a Tuesday night match kicks off, and reminisce about our times on the terraces.  Later, we venture further into The Maze where Jonny talks about how he was hit by a car, then finds himself inexplicably being hit by Paul.  Back in the studio we get the history of the area from Jo and have a double-dose of Tref.  All this, plus another round of A Question of Lincoln...

This week we head out the Eastern side of the city where, after bravely leaping across a ravine, we find ourselves in what is currently a peaceful field, soon to be dug up to make way for the tarmac and petrol fumes of the Proposed Eastern Bypass.  We muse over this development, with Paul coming perilously close to falling off his usual perch on the fence and proposing that he and Jonny become Swampy-style anti-road protestors ("I'll fetch me bongos..."), while tree-hugger Jonny needs no convincing.  Back in the studio, we hear from you about your favourite places in Lincoln (other than the Cathedral, obviously), plus we get some historical facts from Jo and Tref gives us his take on the grid.  All this, plus another round of A Question of Lincoln...

This week's show takes on a more sombre tone as we head out to a place most Lincolnites will visit at some point, one way or another - the Crematorium.  Here we meet Nick Barton, Bereavement Services Officer, the man who runs the show, so to speak, at the Crem.  Nick takes us through the process, which we thought might be quite a macabre experience, but turns out to be both reassuring and uplifting.  Later, we head out to Washingborough Road and have to choose between talking about the golf course, or continuing our musings on death in the cemetery - obviously, the cemetery wins.  Back in the studio, we get some historical context from Jo and some essential stats from Tref.  All this, plus another round of A Question Of Lincoln.

This week we head back to Washy where we pin our hopes on finding the pits, after we singularly failed to do so over in Canwick.  Here, Jonny reveals he's riding a girl's bike and wearing his wife's tights, while Paul relives a childhood encounter with nettles and in doing so gives up the chance of winning £100 from Harry Hill.  Back in the studio, we hear some memories of the area courtesy of the Spires & Steeples project, and we also ponder the future of Lincoln with some of your Facebook comments.  All this, plus Tref in fine voice and another round of A Question of Lincoln.