
Dragon Boat Race to make a splash in Lincoln!

Stay safe as BBQ season heats up across Lincolnshire
As warm weather draws people outdoors, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is urging residents to take extra care with barbecues. The warning comes as high temperatures and dry conditions increase the risk of fires starting and spreading rapidly.
The service advises people to avoid placing barbecues on dry grass or uneven ground and always to use a flat, fireproof surface, especially when using disposable items. They’re also reminding the public not to leave BBQs unattended and to ensure all coals are fully cooled before disposing of them.
The advice aims to prevent accidental fires during what’s expected to be one of the hottest spells of the season.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Igor LinkGrimsby Auditorium set to celebrate 30th birthday
Dinosaurs stomp into Grantham
Steam and country charm return to Belvoir Castle this August
Belvoir Castle will once again host a classic countryside celebration as the Steam and Country Show returns from 23 to 25 August, marking its first appearance in over a decade. Set against the sweeping parklands near Grantham, the three-day event promises vintage nostalgia and lively outdoor fun for all ages.
The show brings together an impressive collection of heritage vehicles from across the UK, featuring traction engines, Showman’s engines, vintage cars, military trucks, classic motorcycles, and more. Visitors can stroll through displays, admire miniature steam models and take in the soundscape of traditional fairground and ballroom organs.
In the main arena, action unfolds with high-speed carriage racing in the British Scurry and Trials Driving Challenge, falconry displays, and vintage vehicle parades. Thrill seekers can witness daredevil stunts on the Wall of Death, while younger visitors enjoy fairground rides, inflatables, puppet shows, and hands-on workshops like sand art.
Rural-themed experiences continue with archery, axe throwing, model construction diggers, and a packed craft and food marquee featuring handmade gifts, local produce, and refreshments. A bar and food outlets will keep guests fuelled as they take in the entertainment.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Garden GuruLincoln bus station gets a cleaner, bird-free upgrade
Lincoln Central bus station has recently undergone a low-key but meaningful upgrade to improve the everyday experience for commuters. The City of Lincoln Council has introduced humane pigeon deterrents and is adding more bins to reduce mess and maintain hygiene.
Previously, the station’s open-plan layout, with exposed beams and wide automatic doors, became a popular nesting spot for pigeons, which raised concerns about cleanliness for regular travelers.
In collaboration with the Gelder Group, the council installed discreet netting and rounded spikes last month. These measures are designed to gently prevent birds from landing or nesting, without causing them harm. It’s part of a wider effort to keep public transport spaces welcoming and well-maintained.
To further support the clean-up, additional bins have been ordered and will be fitted soon. The plan is to introduce clear, easy-to-use receptacles to encourage proper waste disposal and discourage pigeons from returning.
Early results suggest that pigeon numbers have dropped noticeably, making the station a more pleasant space for both daily commuters and visitors. The council plans to keep an eye on the results and adjust as needed.
Image source: City of Lincoln CouncilTime capsule buried at new cinema site
The Baston Car & Bike Show returns
Ministry of Sound brings balearic beats to Lincoln Castle
Butlin’s Skegness in the running for national travel awards
Butlin’s in Skegness has earned two nominations at the 2025 British Travel Awards, putting the Lincolnshire seaside favourite in the spotlight for both its family-friendly stays and standout radio campaigns.
The resort is up for Best Company for UK Parks and Lodges Holidays and Favourite Company for Radio Advertisements, with voting now open to the public until 1 November.
Those who cast a vote will be entered into a prize draw featuring holiday packages worth thousands, including a £5,000 Greek escape, a European villa break, and cruise and voucher giveaways.
The recognition follows a string of major investments at the Skegness site. In recent years, Butlin’s has unveiled the £2.5 million SKYPARK playground, designed with accessibility in mind, and introduced 128 new Premium Lodges as part of the £12 million Maple Walk village expansion.
The British Travel Awards are among the most widely recognised consumer-voted accolades in the industry, drawing over 1.6 million votes in 2024 alone. For Butlin’s, it’s a chance to rally their community of holidaymakers and fans to help bring home a win.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Electric Egg Ltd.Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance to open new charity shop in Wragby
Crematorium forms heartwarming partnership with county day care service
Sutton on Sea steps back in time with return of Vintage on Sea event
Pylon route plans updated in bid to ease landscape concerns
National Grid has unveiled revised proposals for a new line of electricity pylons stretching across Lincolnshire, aiming to soften their impact on the local landscape.
The updated Grimsby to Walpole route will still span 87 miles (140 km), but now includes a 7 km section of lower-height pylons through the Lincolnshire Wolds, where the structures will be reduced from 50 metres to 40 metres tall. This change follows public pushback over visual and environmental concerns linked to the original plans.
Adjustments have also been made to avoid wind turbines, a solar farm, Boston Aerodrome, Strubby Airfield, and a nearby holiday park catering to individuals with special educational needs. Efforts have been made to keep the route away from residential areas.
The proposal is part of The Great Grid Upgrade, a wider plan to boost the UK’s electricity network. National Grid says the improvements are necessary to support increasing energy generation and meet growing demand for cleaner power.
In addition to the Grimsby–Walpole line, a second Lincolnshire project is being planned between Weston Marsh and East Leicestershire. That route will now feature two substations and use 50-metre pylons across 60km.
Public consultations on both routes run until 6 August.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/shintartanyaNorth East Lincolnshire residents team up for cheaper solar power
A new group-buying scheme is making it easier and more affordable for North East Lincolnshire households to invest in solar energy. The Solar Together initiative allows residents to register for free and access competitively priced solar panel installations, battery storage systems, and electric vehicle (EV) charge points.
The programme, run in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council and energy transition experts iChoosr, brings together homeowners to benefit from bulk pricing. By joining the scheme, participants can reduce their reliance on the national grid and take greater control of their energy use.
The process begins with residents registering their interest online. Approved UK solar providers then bid in a reverse auction to offer the most competitive rates. Each participant receives a personalized recommendation tailored to their property and needs. If they choose to proceed, a technical survey is carried out before installation.
Those with existing solar panels can also opt for retrofit battery storage to maximise the benefits of their current system. Help desks and information sessions support residents throughout, aiming to simplify the move to cleaner energy.
Solar Together has been running across the UK since 2015, helping to cut carbon emissions and household energy bills through community-led solar adoption.
Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/AndriiResidents 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 Granville