Residents shine at Oscars-themed celebration at The Grove Care Home
Family Fun Day and CRY Fun Run come to Grimsby
- One lap of the track (400 metres) For children and families, starting at 9:30am
- Four laps of the track (1.6km or 1 mile) For all participants, starting at 10am
- Twelve laps of the track (4.8km or 3 miles) For all participants, also starting at 10am
Lincoln to welcome world class artists for 10 nights of live music
Hands-on heritage event brings old-school craft to life in Cleethorpes
Locals will get a chance to try their hand at traditional trades as King’s Hall in Cleethorpes plays host to a free heritage and construction skills event on Saturday, 15 June 2024.
The event will transform the venue’s garden area into a working showcase of craft and construction, with local businesses and specialist teams offering live demonstrations and inviting visitors to try their hand at the activities themselves. Brickwork, plastering, roofing, stonemasonry, scaffolding, and carpentry are all on the line-up.
Among the highlights will be the Lincoln Cathedral Works Department, presenting stonemasonry, carpentry, and leadwork while discussing careers in heritage restoration. Local firms such as Ashbourne Roofing, Cyden Homes, PMC Scaffolding, and heritage stonemason Paul Booth will also be in attendance to share trade insights.
Inside the hall, organisations including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Heritage Lincolnshire, and Historic England will be on hand to discuss funding, conservation projects, and support available for maintaining historic properties, particularly those built before 1919.
The event is part of the Townscape Heritage Project and aims to connect young people, career changers, and curious locals with skilled trades that have shaped the borough’s character. A schools-only preview will take place the day before, with around 300 pupils expected.
The public event will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Entry is free.
Image source: North East Lincolnshire CouncilUK moves to expand seabed trawling ban as global ocean protection effort builds
The UK Government is proposing to extend a ban on bottom trawling across a broader stretch of English waters, potentially tripling the area currently protected from the destructive fishing practice.
Bottom trawling, which involves dragging heavy nets across the seabed, has long been criticised for damaging fragile marine habitats and indiscriminately catching marine life. The expansion would increase the ban from 18,000km² to 48,000km² across designated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The proposal is now open for a 12-week consultation with the fishing and marine sectors, closing in early September.
If implemented, the plan would protect 41 of England’s 181 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), aiming to safeguard sensitive seabed ecosystems and rare marine species. The move follows recent warnings from environmental groups and members of Parliament, who have called for stronger safeguards against seabed exploitation, including dredging and mineral extraction.
The announcement coincides with the start of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, where world leaders are being urged to ratify the High Seas Treaty. The treaty, which aims to protect 30% of international waters by 2030, has been ratified by 47 countries so far. The UK has yet to sign.
At the summit, concerns were also raised about deep-sea mining. France and Costa Rica have called for a global moratorium, urging caution until more is known about the environmental risks of harvesting critical minerals from the ocean floor. A growing consensus is emerging among scientists regarding the need to pause exploration efforts while further research is conducted.
The expanded trawling ban, if enacted, would represent a major step in the UK’s marine conservation efforts and align with broader global moves to preserve ocean biodiversity.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Steven F GranvilleCollege receives £600k to train skilled agri-food workforce
North East Lincolnshire wants your say on learning for grown-ups
Whether you’re curious about pottery, upskilling for work, or thinking of a career switch, North East Lincolnshire wants to know how you’d prefer to hear about adult learning opportunities.
An online survey is open to locals aged 19 and over, asking how people usually find out about short courses, workshops, and training programmes, and what might get them to sign up. With many options available for free or at a subsidised rate, the Council is keen to remove the biggest barrier: a lack of awareness.
It’s part of a wider push to refresh how adult education is promoted in the borough. The feedback will help the Council and local providers tailor future campaigns, from online ads to posters in town, so more people know what’s available.
The survey is open until Friday, 18 July and takes just a few minutes to complete. Those who would rather share their thoughts in person can visit Freshney Place (outside Bakers and Baristas) on Wednesday, 18 June, where the Adult Learning Team will be available from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Paper copies are also available on request.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Jacob LundFunding secured for Lincoln Arts Centre VE and VJ Day commemoration project
Lincoln Arts Centre has secured £15,000 to deliver a new VE and VJ Day community commemoration project called Our Freedom: Then and Now.
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance to save more lives than ever with second helicopter
Families invited to join the Big Butterfly Count
- Get ready with the FREE Big Butterfly Count app or by downloading Butterfly Conservation’s FREE butterfly ID chart
- Join in between July 18 and August 10
- Add your counts via the website or app
Everything you need to know about the 140th Lincolnshire Show
New employment park planned for Scunthorpe growth corridor
A 77-acre business park is set to be developed near junction 3 of the M180 as part of the Lincolnshire Lakes strategic growth zone. The project, named Forge Point, is being led by property developer Hargreaves Land and will form part of a wider mixed-use development that includes thousands of new homes and community infrastructure.
Forge Point is positioned to accommodate up to 959,300 square feet of new commercial space and is expected to offer both freehold and leasehold design-and-build options. It sits adjacent to land earmarked for 550 homes, forming part of a larger 6,000-home target across the Lincolnshire Lakes scheme.
The business park aligns with the area’s Area Action Plan, which supports the integration of high-tech business units, offices, and hospitality facilities to drive long-term economic development.
The site’s proximity to major transport links and a growing residential base is expected to appeal to logistics, advanced manufacturing, and professional services firms seeking scalable space in the North Lincolnshire region.
Cleethorpes walks reveal nature’s quiet power
Cleethorpes’ saltmarsh is gaining attention not just for its beauty, but for its critical role in climate defence. In the spring, this overlooked stretch of coastline sequesters carbon in its mud, mitigates tidal surges, and provides sanctuary to wildlife. Now, with the help of a new Coastal Ranger, efforts are underway to help more locals and visitors appreciate what’s quietly thriving at their feet.
Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the newly appointed Coastal Ranger, Josh Forrester, is leading guided walks through the Cleethorpes Nature Reserve. Beginning behind the Leisure Centre, the route showcases a rare mix of sand dunes, scrubland, and saltmarsh, habitats that support everything from Southern Marsh Orchids to migratory birds by the tens of thousands.
This stretch of coastline, which extends into the 30 km-long Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve, is protected under several international conservation agreements due to its unique biodiversity. Yet, it’s just steps away from Cleethorpes’ bustling tourist spots — a contrast that brings both opportunity and risk.
Josh’s walks are designed to spark curiosity and caution. He explains how Sea Buckthorn stabilises dunes with its roots, and why even the seemingly harmless cobwebs of Brown-Tail Moths deserve respect. He also highlights how accidental disruption, like paddleboarding through salt marsh or letting dogs roam off path, can damage fragile ecosystems.
The events, timed with National Nature Reserves Week, are part of a longer-term effort to reduce recreational disturbance and increase local awareness. With no barriers separating the wild from the well-trodden, Josh believes that understanding is the best protection.
Image source: North East Lincolnshire Council
Young talent eyes steel future in Scunthorpe
More than 200 people have applied for just 30 apprenticeship places at British Steel’s Scunthorpe site, as the company prepares to welcome its first new cohort in three years.
The roles include 24 engineering craft apprenticeships and six technical apprenticeships, forming part of a wider recruitment push that includes 180 additional permanent jobs across various departments.
Successful applicants will enter a three-year training programme that blends technical learning with hands-on experience, delivered in partnership with local training providers. The goal is to prepare them for long-term careers in the business.
The application window for the apprenticeships closes at 11.59 pm on Friday, 6 June 2025.
This wave of interest in British Steel’s apprenticeship programme signals a renewed enthusiasm for skilled trades and industry-backed career pathways, especially in regions with a strong industrial heritage, such as Scunthorpe.
Alongside the apprenticeships, British Steel has open vacancies in various fields, including engineering, safety, chemistry, cleaning, and legal support, offering a diverse range of entry points for those looking to be part of the company’s evolution.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/riachsionWatering plants the right way this June matters more than ever
With hotter days settling in and a warmer-than-average British summer on the cards, gardeners are being urged to rethink how—and when—they water their plants.
Warmer temperatures may make it feel natural to reach for the hose more often, but timing is everything. Experts recommend watering early in the morning or late in the evening to minimise moisture loss due to midday evaporation. Watering during the heat of the day not only wastes water but can also leave plants thirsty and stressed.
Signs that plants aren’t coping include drooping leaves, browning edges, and fewer blooms or fruits. In severe cases, overwatering in response to these symptoms can worsen the situation, leading to root rot, yellowing leaves, and fungal infections.
Gardeners are advised to target the base of the plant, directing water where it’s most needed, at the roots. Plants in containers, pots, or hanging baskets are especially vulnerable in the heat and should be prioritised, as they rely entirely on your watering routine to stay healthy.
Rising temperatures also accelerate weed growth, creating additional competition for soil nutrients. Quick removal is key. Weeds are easier to pull when they are freshly sprouted and can be repurposed as compost, giving something back to the garden.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/gpointstudioThe Baston Car & Bike Show parks up at Grimsthorpe Castle
Toe-tapping jazz afternoons come to Burghley this weekend
British strawberries set to be sweeter and arrive earlier this summer
British strawberries are expected to be sweeter, juicier, and more flavourful this summer, with the first harvests arriving on shelves earlier than usual. A combination of unusually sunny spring weather and increased bee activity during the flowering period has created ideal growing conditions for this year’s crop.
The warm days and cooler nights earlier in the year, part of a weather pattern that saw some of the highest sunshine levels recorded in a century, have contributed to higher natural sugar levels and better-shaped fruit. According to British Berry Growers, who represent the majority of UK berry producers, these conditions have not only improved the flavour but also brought the season forward by about a week.
The early and strong start to the strawberry season is also a positive sign for growers. Consistent yields and high-quality fruit are enabling farms to meet demand, manage operations efficiently, and foster long-term sustainability.
With the season underway, British strawberries are set to become a summer highlight, perfect for garden gatherings, desserts, or simply enjoyed on their own.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Tim URBaby banks report rising demand as working families feel pressure
A growing number of families in Lincolnshire are relying on baby banks for essential supplies as the cost-of-living crisis continues to mount. Local services in areas such as Market Rasen, Horncastle, and Grimsby are experiencing higher demand, with some anticipating a further increase during the summer school holidays.
According to the Baby Bank Alliance’s latest survey, 220,000 families across the UK accessed baby banks in 2024, up from 163,000 in 2023. Over 3.5 million items such as nappies, clothing, and cots were distributed last year, a 143% year-on-year rise.
The Market Rasen Baby Bank, which launched less than two years ago, reported that usage has quadrupled in just six months, with 76 families now regularly using the service across the town and surrounding villages.
The data reflect a broader trend of financial strain among working households, where both parents are often employed but still struggle to meet their monthly expenses. Rising nursery fees, up 10% on average following recent changes to employer taxation, have added to the burden, as reported by the National Day Nurseries Association.
Local businesses are helping fill the gap with donations, but organisers warn that the financial stress facing families is unlikely to ease anytime soon.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Анастасія СтягайлоTransport funding secured for North Lincolnshire students
North Lincolnshire Council has confirmed continued transport support for students in the 2025/26 academic year, allocating funding that will assist hundreds of post-16 learners travelling to schools and colleges more than three miles from home.
Mainstream students will receive a £362 travel grant per year, with additional contributions from educational institutions and families. The grant must be applied to public transport where available, but can be used for alternative options, such as private vehicles or the Wheels to Education scheme, when necessary.
For young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the council will provide tailored transport assistance, including independent travel training, personal transport budgets, and direct support where required.
This move positions North Lincolnshire as one of the more generous local authorities in the region, with an increase in transport allowances and revised policies to provide flexible options that align with varied student needs.
The funding package aims to remove barriers to education and training access while giving families more control over transport arrangements. The initiative is also intended to support long-term skills development and independence among SEND learners, aligning with broader goals to keep residents of all ages connected to education and local communities.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Jacob Lund