RichardS

Today is Lincolnshire day when people from the Humber to the Wash celebrate our unique and special place. North Lincolnshire has its own unique and special place in all of  this - ie its the best bit, but I would say that wouldn't I.

On Lincolnshire Day I was pleased to welcome a group of staff and students from Middle School No 7 in Dalian China. This is the latest is a partnership between Melior secondary school in Scunthorpe and Dalian. Today - very appropriately on the county's special day - the group visited the council HQ, met the mayor (who like those who have gone before) is a brilliant ambassador for us all, and the group then went on to visit the North Lincolnshire museum. What a great day to learn sometihng about our history and heritage.

The contrasts between N Lincs and Dalian are immense as are the contrasts between the UK and China overall - and the relationship is not entirely free of tension from time to time. But through communication, and especially communication between young people, things will get better still.

There are some who question the value and appropriateness of this partnership. To them I reply that there is no doubt that exposure to the Chinese language, culture, history and above all people has without doubt enriched the lives of our young people in schools and colleges.

I wonder if they like the Lincolnshire sausage?