Pictured: (l-r) (l) Winner Susan Busley receives her prizes
from (2nd r) Lincoln BIG Chief Executive Matt Corrigan, who is
joined by (2nd l) Pilot store supervisor Jess Brownbridge and (r)
Waterside Shopping Centre Marketing Manager Chantelle
Henderson
January has started on a fantastic note for Lincoln woman Susan
Busley - with a late visit from Father Christmas - which has
ensured she is sticking to her New Year's Resolution!
The competitions-lover had already resolved that 2012 will be
the year she tries to win a prize every month. Then an out
of-the-blue telephone call told her she had already scooped more
than a score - worth a cool £2,500!
Susan is the lucky winner of Lincoln BIG's (Lincoln Business
Improvement Group) exciting Advent Calendar Trail and today (Tues,
Jan 10) she went along to the city's Waterside Shopping Centre
where BIG's chief executive Matt Corrigan presented her with a
mountain of goodies.
Her winner's haul includes: A meal-for-four served in her home
by a top local chef, a Lincolnshire Food Hamper, a dashing
rocking horse, his-and-her watches, tickets for a New Year's
Eve (2012) Masquerade Ball and much much more.
Susan, who lives off Brant Road, Lincoln, with her partner,
electrician Peter Bean - and who has three grown-up children and
five grandchildren - was thrilled when Visit Lincoln Partnership
Manager Emma Tatlow telephoned with the amazing news.
"I had entered the competition and then forgotten about it, so
the call was a great surprise. I was very happy to receive it,"
said Susan.
"The funny thing is that I love doing crosswords and
competitions and I had made a New Year's Resolution to try and win
a prize every month. It feels like I've done that already!"
The Advent Calendar Trail, a "first" from Lincoln BIG, was
supported by shops,hotels and entertainment venues. Those taking
part displayed a bright red Advent Box in their premises - each
containing at least £100 worth of goods or
vouchers.
One box was unveiled daily, between December 1 and 24. Shoppers
popping into participating businesses could quote a "codeword" and
claim a discount or mini gift.
Those who entered the competition had to record what they
spotted in every Advent box, on a special entry form. The correct
entries went into a draw.
Susan, who used to transcribe documents into accessible media,
such as Braille, audio and large print for RNIB (Royal National
Institute of Blind People) and who currently teaches adults
numeracy, part-time, at Lincoln College was subsequently the
winner.
"I initially picked-up an entry form from the Lincoln Visitor
Information Centre in Castle Hill, but I ultimately entered
online," said Susan, who is now having to find space for her prizes
and decide which she might share!
With so many wonderful gifts, she is having difficulty
highlighting her favourites, but one has certainly come at the
right time.
"I am delighted that the White Hart Hotel's head chef will be
cooking a meal for four in our home. Peter recently had an
operation, so he's not too mobile at the moment. It will be super
to be waited on," said Susan.
Another favourite prize is Gulliver the Rocking Horse, which
Susan had admired since first spotting it in Mamas & Papas' (St
Mark's) window.
Visit Lincoln Partnership Manager Emma Tatlow said: "We thought
the Advent Calendar Trail would not only be very festive and great
fun, but would encourage local shoppers and tourists to find out
more about what Lincoln offers. We were delighted with the interest
generated by the competition."
Lincoln BIG events and promotions manager Michael Armstrong
said: "The businesses which took part in the Advent Trail
helped to create a real buzz about this competition. We thank them
for their support and hope it helped them to attract extra
customers."