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Tallington Lodge brings local professionals together for its first Business and Brunch event
Free blood pressure checks launched across North Lincolnshire
A new health drive in North Lincolnshire is focusing on the early detection of high blood pressure, a condition that affects around one in three adults in the UK but often goes unnoticed.
The programme is run by North Lincolnshire Council in partnership with the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, local GPs and healthcare teams. It offers free blood pressure checks for residents, with more than 750 people already taking part since the launch. Many of those screened have been given advice, lifestyle guidance and, where necessary, referrals for further care.
High blood pressure, sometimes called the silent killer, is linked to serious health risks including heart disease, stroke and kidney failure. By setting up checks in local communities, the scheme aims to spot problems early, particularly among people over 40.
The council is also encouraging local businesses and community groups to get involved. Free training and equipment are available for those who want to become blood pressure ambassadors and help deliver checks in their area.
Information on how to register and take part is available on the LiveWell North Lincolnshire website.
Image credit: North Lincolnshire CouncilFreshney Place plans free summer fun for families
Freshney Place in Grimsby has set out a programme of free events for families throughout the school summer holidays.
From 2 August, the shopping centre will host themed activities every Saturday, ranging from circus skills to fairground-style games and a dinosaur-themed day. A summer sticker quest will also run during the holidays, giving children a chance to collect stickers and earn a prize.
A covered sandpit will be open daily from 11am to 3pm, offering a seaside-style play space for younger visitors.
The events aim to provide a mix of entertainment for local families during the school break.
Image courtesy of Google MapsThe magic of outdoor theatre comes to Lincolnshire Showground with beloved classic
Usher Gallery opens refreshed spaces with local art focus
Lincoln’s Usher Gallery has reopened two redesigned rooms as part of the first phase of its Arts Council England-funded rehang.
The new display, called Stories from the Stores, draws on public feedback gathered last year, when more than 400 visitors suggested the works they wanted to see from the gallery’s 1,000-piece collection.
The exhibition focuses on art inspired by Lincolnshire’s coastline, skies and countryside. Highlights include Short Seaplane by John Hassall, the illustrator behind Skegness’s famous Jolly Fisherman poster, and paintings by 19th-century artist Peter De Wint.
The selection also brings lesser-known names into view, including Phyllis Shafto, a Skegness-born artist and war painter whose career was cut short at 40.
A new drawing, Oracle of our Forebears by Charmaine Watkiss, marks the first in a series of rotating displays of recent acquisitions and loans.
Alongside traditional works, the neighbouring Heslam Room features abstract pieces with an animated digital installation created by Pickle Studios.
The Usher Gallery, located on Danes Terrace, is open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free.
Image credit: Lincolnshire County CouncilLincolnshire County Council collaborates with Version 1 for long-term IT overhaul
Lincolnshire County Council has secured a significant partnership with technology consultancy Version 1, aimed at reshaping its IT landscape. The six-year contract, valued at £193 million with the option for two additional years, focuses on delivering a range of critical IT services designed to streamline operations and support future growth.
Under this collaboration, Version 1 will assist the council in managing and maintaining key IT functions, from device lifecycle management and user support to Microsoft 365 administration. The scope also includes cloud optimisation, cybersecurity, and the management of business applications, whether hosted on-site or via Software-as-a-Service solutions.
A major focus of the contract is developing an adaptable IT infrastructure that will evolve with changing technological, legislative, and budgetary demands. The goal is to ensure that the council’s IT systems remain secure, relevant, and responsive to new challenges and opportunities as they arise. This partnership will also allow for the continuous evolution of services to meet best practices and anticipate future business needs.
Coastal businesses face challenges as visitor numbers drop
Coastal businesses in Skegness and Mablethorpe are experiencing a significant decline in visitor numbers compared to last year. Economic uncertainty is leading many families to reduce or cancel holiday plans, impacting businesses that rely heavily on tourism.
Councillor Courtney Robinson, representing Mablethorpe, highlighted the struggles faced by local businesses. Many regular visitors are cutting down their trips, with some making just one visit per year instead of several. This has left businesses depending on the summer holiday period for survival. Coastal communities, already economically disadvantaged, are particularly vulnerable when tourism drops.
Mary Powell, the council’s tourism manager, noted that all seaside resorts are facing similar downturns. She explained that when finances are tight, holidays are often the first expense families cut, leading to shorter stays and last-minute bookings that are harder for businesses to manage. The council is ramping up efforts to promote the coast during the summer and autumn months, though the current national mood presents additional challenges.
There is also a push to attract a younger demographic to coastal areas, traditionally favoured by older generations. Local leaders believe that re-engaging with younger visitors could be crucial in sustaining the local tourism economy, which contributes £3bn annually to Lincolnshire’s economy, though still below pre-pandemic levels.
Free green bowling taster opens up new ways to get active
Residents over 55 are being encouraged to try green bowling in Holbeach this summer as part of a free community event aimed at promoting health and social connection.
The session takes place on Monday 4 August at 6pm at Carter’s Park Bowls Club on Park Lane. It forms part of the First Time for Everything programme, an initiative led by the Royal Voluntary Service to give people opportunities to try new activities, meet others and keep active.
Supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, the session includes light refreshments and is open to complete beginners. Places can be booked in advance, but walk-ins will be welcome on the evening. Those who prefer not to play can still join in for a chat over a cup of tea.
For anyone unable to attend in person, the Royal Voluntary Service runs a Virtual Village Hall, offering free daily online classes ranging from exercise and dance to cooking, crafts and creative writing. More than 2,500 recorded sessions are available on YouTube.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Eileen
Lincolnshire council plans £16m property sell-off
Lincolnshire County Council is preparing to sell 76 sites over the next three years, aiming to raise £16 million and cut annual running costs by £1.6 million.
The properties include council offices, travellers’ sites, council-owned farms and former school land. The move follows a previous four-year programme that sold 81 properties and brought in £19 million.
The council says it is reviewing how services can be combined into shared hubs as part of the wider asset review. Community groups and trusts are being considered among potential buyers, though officials emphasise that all sales will be scrutinised to avoid poor value deals.
Opposition members secured an agreement that future sales may return to committee for debate, with some councillors stressing the need to vet buyers carefully.
The planned disposals come as the authority works through a wider reorganisation of its buildings and services.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/shintartanyaCaistor’s hidden gem opens to the public for the first time in decades
