Grantham super cycler completes epic challenge for Dambusters 80th anniversary
To mark the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid, two members of Grantham’s cycling club, the Witham Wheelers, took part in a huge challenge to raise money for several charities including the RAF’s leading welfare charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Lincolnshire-based Wing Commander Mike Ainsworth and his teammate Lieutenant Colonel Ian Astley rode to the Dams via the crash sites and the graves of the airmen who paid the ultimate sacrifice on the Raid.
The group’s ride to the dams took place after the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Heritage Ride out of Woodhall Spa on 13 May 2023. They crossed over to the Netherlands on the overnight Ferry after the Heritage Ride, then cycled over 600 miles in seven days, visiting the eight crash sites, 47 graves in five cemeteries, and three of the dams. Fittingly, the route visited the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, where the majority of 617 Squadron’s casualties from the raid are buried on the 80th Anniversary of their sacrifice.
The challenge follows on from the cycle fundraiser Mike did in 2021 to mark the 100th birthday of the then last surviving Dambuster Squadron Leader George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, where Mike rode over 5,600 miles to raise money for the Fund.
The annual Dambusters Ride pays tribute to the Dambusters, members of the RAF’s 617 Squadron who were assembled to bomb three dams in Germany’s Ruhr Valley on the night of 16-17 May 1943 – also known as Operation Chastise. This year marks 80 years since the risky raid, in which the revolutionary bouncing bomb, the brainchild of engineer Barnes Wallis, was dropped at low level on Germany’s industrial heartland in the Ruhr Valley. The mission was a success, but the cost was high; of 133 aircrew who left, 53 were killed and three became prisoners of war.
Mike said: “I take part in the Dambusters Ride every year – throughout my RAF career, I’ve always felt safe in the knowledge that the RAF Benevolent Fund would be there for me if times got tough. I’ve seen first-hand the incredible support they give not only to serving personnel but also to RAF veterans and their families, so it’s important for me to support the charity.”
He added: “This year is particularly poignant as I’m also doing the ride in memory of Johnny Johnson, the last surviving Dambuster, who passed away last December. He was such an inspiration and will be missed dearly.”
The Dambusters Ride consists of two elements: a Virtual Ride on the weekend of 20-21 May and a Heritage Ride that took place in Lincolnshire on Saturday 13 May.
Grieving parents make selfless donation to help other families
A family whose baby died shortly after birth is helping to support others going through the same heartbreak.
Laura and Steve Yarlett’s baby boy Edison was born prematurely at 27 weeks and with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, which meant his diaphragm was underdeveloped. Sadly, Edison died less than 24 hours later in Laura and Steve’s arms.
Laura, who is 35, said: “His death was without doubt the most heart-breaking thing we have ever experienced, however the second most was having to tell his older brother Conner who is only 11 years old, that Edison would not be coming home with us.
“Conner, like us, had been excited for Edison to be coming home and joining our family. He had been looking forward to making all those memories we can often take for granted. Although still only a child himself, he too had to grieve the loss of his brother and navigate a complex spectrum of emotion.”
The couple who also have a daughter Poppy, who was only 10 months old when Edison was born, had to find ways to support both siblings whilst also dealing with their own grief.
Steve, who is 43 and works as a linguist in the RAF, said: “Nobody wants to have to go online and look for resources to explain these things, but that is what we had to do, as although there were resources available in hospital for grieving parents, there seemed to be a lack of them aimed at siblings.
“So, we decided that we wanted to fill that gap by creating sibling support packs to help families in such painful circumstances.”
The couple have created packs to provide hospitals with resources to support families when they need it most. Each pack contains a bear and resources such as colouring pens and activity cards. There is also a range of books, which families can choose from to best support their individual circumstances.
Laura added: “Whilst we never want a family to be in a position where they need one of these packs, we hope that when they do it helps in some small way.”
Laura and Steve, who are from Waddington, have also been supported by their friends, family and the local community in fundraising for the packs and are planning to hold many more events.
Rachel Bond is a Specialist Bereavement Midwife who has supported the family. She said: “We are so grateful for the hard work that Laura and Steve have put in to provide these much needed packs, so selfless in a time of their own grief to think of other families.
“Laura and Steve have provided United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust with the means of offering support to children whose sibling has passed away through pregnancy loss or neonatal death. A concept that is hard for an adult to understand, let alone a child. Being able to explain this will now be made a whole lot easier by their thoughtful contribution. They have also given such a valuable legacy to Edison.”
You can find out more and donate towards the creation of more sibling support packs on the Edison’s Light Facebook page.
Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival kicks off this weekend
The Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival returns for a second time this Saturday (20 May), containing over 150 fantastic events and activities across the area between then and Sunday 11 June.
Following a successful first outing in 2022, the festival encourages participants to explore the stunning scenery that makes up the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, whilst taking part in exciting activities and learning the history that makes up a large part of East Lindsey.
This year’s Festival, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wolds being designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, kicks off with an open weekend at South Ormsby Estate, with over 150 events and activities planned over the course of the three weeks.
Most activities will be free of charge or available at a greatly reduced cost, with something for people of all ages to take part in. Many of the activities are designed to give people the opportunity to explore hobbies and new skills that they would not usually try, with planned activities including hikes, guided tours, gliding, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting and much more.
There will also be pop-up Nature Labs in marketplaces around East Lindsey, starting in Louth on Saturday 27 May and also visiting Spilsby, Alford, Wainfleet and Market Rasen.
The Labs will allow residents and visitors to come and learn more about some of the beautiful local wildflowers that are scattered around the Wolds and be guided on how to create their own plant pot out of paper and plant local Lincolnshire Wildflowers seeds to take home and grow for themselves.
Karen Edwards, Place Officer at East Lindsey District Council, said: “We’re so excited for the festival to get underway, particularly following its success from last year. It will provide residents and visitors with some memorable and unique opportunities to get outdoors and explore the stunning Lincolnshire Wolds that make up such a large part of our district and county.
“I hope that people will come and enjoy the vast selections of planned activities and events, perhaps try something new or visit somewhere you’ve always wanted to, whilst experiencing the incredible surroundings of the Wolds.”
The festival is ran collaboratively by a steering group of organisations, including: The Ramblers, Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service, Active Lincolnshire, Stourton Estates, South Ormsby Estate, Heritage Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and East and West Lindsey District Councils; with East Lindsey District Council serving as lead delivery partner.
Rejuvenation of Dolphin Lane now underway
Works to carry out the public realm improvement scheme on Boston’s Dolphin Lane have started.
The project is due to last until late October.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “This fantastic project will see the current pedestrian footway along Dolphin Lane replaced with yorkstone paving setts.
“Doing this will not only create a more attractive retail environment, but will also hopefully lead to higher footfall for the businesses situated on Dolphin Lane thanks to better links with Market Place.
“Like any improvement works of this sort, some disruption is inevitable. In this instance, we will be closing Dolphin Lane in phased sections with some additional temporary restrictions in place.
“However, I want to stress that pedestrian access will be maintained at all times so it will be business as usual in the area.”
As part of the works, the temporary restrictions below are in place throughout the duration of the project:
- Dolphin Lane – a fully signed pedestrian diversion route will be in place from Dolphin Lane via Market Place to Petticoat Lane to Mitre Lane, and vice versa
- Market Place – three parking bays will be suspended adjacent to the entrance to Dolphin Lane
- Pump Square – the disabled parking bays will be relocated within Pump Square and a limited number of bays will be available for deliveries only; all other parking bays will be suspended to allow for a site compound
Coastal resorts retain international Blue Flag Award
Keep Britain Tidy has revealed the winners of the coveted Blue Flag and Seaside Awards 2023, with Mablethorpe, Central Beach in Skegness and Central Beach in Sutton on Sea all retaining their Blue Flag awards from last year.
The Blue Flag Award is managed in England by Keep Britain Tidy and internationally, by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and is widely considered the gold standard for beaches.
The Awards, which are now in their 36th year, recognise and celebrate country’s best beaches for their quality, the way they are managed and the facilities they offer to visitors. The three ELDC-managed beaches are among 78 sites across the country that have met the most stringent criteria required as regards to water quality, well-kept beaches and environmental education initiatives.
An East Lindsey District Council spokesperson said: “We’re thrilled that the beaches in Mablethorpe, Skegness and Sutton on Sea have retained the Blue Flag award, showcasing the hard work that our officers put into the management to ensure that visitors can enjoy beaches which meet the highest standards for quality, safety and facilities.
“We’d also like to thank all the local residents who volunteer, giving up their free time to litter pick and care for the sites, they do a fantastic job and help keep our beaches looking great all year round.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards.
“The Blue Flag is the world’s most recognised award for beaches and marinas and, to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.
“We’d therefore like to recognise and applaud all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve some of our best-loved and most popular beaches. The collective efforts of beach managers, volunteers, residents and businesses all contribute to the success of these sites in achieving the incredibly high standards demanded.”
More than half a tonne of seized illicit cigarettes and tobacco incinerated
People in North East Lincolnshire are being urged to stop smoking and selling illicit cigarettes and tobacco after Trading Standards officers sent more than half a tonne to the incinerator.
A total of 450,840 cigarettes (22,542 packs) and 195.7 kilos of tobacco (3,914 pouches) which have been seized over the last couple of years as part of Operation CeCe was sent to the incinerator at the Energy from Waste Plant in Stallingborough.
This represents a legitimate value of £384,183 and a street value of £155,764.
Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, said: “People who buy illicit cigarettes are probably not aware of the consequences of their actions. The money you hand over ultimately ends up in the pockets of criminals.
“These products are being sold on the cheap and are therefore contributing to young people being able to afford to smoke.”
He added: “These products do not meet safety standards and are putting lives at risk. We know illicit and fake cigarettes do not comply with the Reduced Ignition Propensity requirements and won’t self-extinguish, so are likely to start a fire.
“When you buy these products, you could be putting your own health at risk. Not only has no duty been paid on them but they’ve not been tested to ensure they’re safe.
“It is important that people know what to look for on cigarette packets. Genuine, legal packets of cigarettes or hand rolled tobacco can be easily recognised as they should have the words UK DUTY PAID on the packs, all of the wording should be in English and there are health warning messages on both the front and back of the packet.”
Free Doctor Bike events are back this summer
A calendar of ‘wheelie’ good Dr Bike workshops has been organised by North East Lincolnshire Council and its delivery partner Equans, who are once more teaming up with Cycle Hub Lincs to ensure that your bikes are in safe working condition this summer.
Taking place across a number of venues in the borough, these events should encourage residents to dust off their bikes and head out into the open.
The Doctor Bike team will be attending each event to carry out free bike safety checks. Its group of mechanics will be able to fix most minor repairs for free, while you wait, or will offer advice on how to fix more serious problems.
Dr Bike will be attending the following venues between May and September, 2023:
- Franklin College – Wednesday 17 May and Wednesday 14 June – 11am to 1.30pm
- Grimsby Leisure Centre – Thursday 25 May, Thursday 29 June, Thursday 27 July and Thursday 31 August – 3pm to 5.30pm
- Duke of York Gardens – Tuesday 30 May, Tuesday 27 June, Tuesday 25 July and Tuesday 29 August – 3pm to 5.30pm
- Littlecoates Community Centre – Wednesday 31 May, Wednesday 28 June, Wednesday 26 July, and Wednesday 30 August – 3pm to 5.30pm
- Waltham Parish Council – Thursday 1 June, Thursday 6 July, Thursday 3 August, and Thursday 7 September – 3pm to 5.30pm
- Grant Thorold Park – Tuesday 6 June, Tuesday 4 July, Tuesday 1 August, and Tuesday 5 September – 3pm to 5.30pm
Could you foster? Find out at Lincolnshire Fostering Service’s online information evening
Could you offer a child in Lincolnshire a safe and secure home?
Lincolnshire Fostering Service are currently recruiting foster carers in your area and are running an online information event on 30 May 2023, 6:30pm-8:30pm, where you can learn all about Lincolnshire’s Fostering Community! Come along and find out about the rewarding and supportive journey that is fostering with Lincolnshire County Council.
The event will cover:
- What is fostering and the different types of foster care you can do
- Current recruitment needs
- Practical requirements to become a foster carer
- The voice of the child in foster care
- Q&A with some experienced foster carers
- The support and rewards to the fostering community
- The process to become a foster carer
Read all about it: New book promotes treasures of West Lindsey
Destination Lincolnshire and West Lindsey District Council have worked together to produce a new book promoting West Lindsey’s most treasured buildings and encouraging visitors to visit all year round.
The guide promotes some of the area’s most magnificent churches, chapels, minsters, and meeting houses. It has been made available just in time for the West Lindsey Churches Festival, one of the area’s annual flagship events, which takes place this weekend and next.
The guide is an A5 printed publication and has been made possible through churches being invited to submit a listing completely free of charge. Copies of the guide will be available from participating churches during both festival weekends.
Faye Pudney, Visitor Economy Officer at West Lindsey District Council has been leading on the guide on behalf of the council. She said: “We have worked with the churches to bring this publication to life, and to enable visitors to explore them at their own pace at any time of the year.
“This project also aligns with our Visitor Economy Strategy that aims to extend the tourist season as well as potentially encouraging overnight stays.”
The guide also provides a flavour of what else is available in the area to allow visitors and residents to discover what the area has to offer. It has been organised in to three sections – ‘Beyond Lincoln’, ‘Discover Gainsborough’, and ‘Lincolnshire Wolds’, the Council’s three core visitor brands.
Destination Lincolnshire’s Campaign Manager, Jennie Lowthian was thrilled to work on the Churches Guide project. She said:”There are so many wonderful churches, chapels, minsters and meeting houses to explore across the whole of West Lindsey, with fascinating stories to discover and individual features to marvel at, from medieval architecture and hand stitched tapestries to beautiful stained glass and striking memorials. The new Churches Guide is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase these magnificent assets, to encourage visitors to spend time in the district, meander around villages and towns, sample delicious homemade food and drink, whilst exploring some of Lincolnshire’s most historically important churches.”
Marion Thomas, member of the Churches Festival committee also added: “I am pleased to hear the Churches Guide has been made available just in time for this year’s festival. We have over 80 churches participating this year, so for those who cannot make it round them all, the guide is the perfect opportunity to come back at a later date to explore them further.”
The West Lindsey Churches Guide is now available to download from WLDC’s website. Head over to West Lindsey Heritage and History to find out more. Hard copies can also be requested by emailing tourism.info@west-lindsey.gov.uk.
This publication has been produced by Destination Lincolnshire in partnership with West Lindsey District Council. They would like to express their thanks to each and every participating church for taking part.
For more information about places to visit and things to do, visit www.visitlincoln.com. www.discovergainsborough.com or www.lovelincolnshirewolds.com.
Lincoln to appoint new Mayor next week
Next Tuesday May 16th Councillor Biff Bean will next week take the title of the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lincoln and become the 818th First Citizen of the City, when he’ll be welcomed at the council AGM in the Guildhall.
Outgoing Mayor, Councillor Rosie Kirk said: “It has been an incredible year. I started the year by helping to plant an oak tree at International Bomber Command to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the women’s section of the Royal British Legion. A very poignant first event, planting a tree.
“Over the last twelve months my Sheriff, Jasmit Phull and our Civic Party have been to hundreds of events, meeting wonderful people and organisations. It has been a truly historic year.
“With lighting a beacon at Lincoln Castle for the Platinum Jubilee, to the services for The Queen, the Proclamation of The King to the Coronation. There will be few Mayors of Lincoln who would have experienced such a historic year.”
Councillor Bean, who has served as the Deputy Mayor in 2022/23, said: “As someone born and bred in this great city, I feel honoured to represent it as the 818th Mayor.
“This is the proudest moment of my public life, and I will do my very best to promote the city for all those that live, work and play within in it.”
Councillor Neil Murray will be appointed as the City Sheriff, with Ms Dorinda Hudson selected as Sheriff’s Lady.Councillor Alan Briggs will be appointed as Deputy Mayor and Wendy Mager as Deputy Mayoress.
To request the Mayor and Civic Party to attend an event, please visit: www.lincoln.gov.uk/online/book-civic-party
